12th November 2015

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,369

Surprises as Buhari's govt finally takes shape

THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER, 2015

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TSA: N25bn paid into private pocket in a day, Senate •Fashola gets Power, Works, Housing ministry; Amaechi is Transport alleges •Says Nigeria Minister; Solid Minerals ministry goes to Fayemi; Adeosun is Finance Minister is losing money I ON daily, directs •Workers' ovation greets Fashola as he assumes duty URAT G U I NA S ON committees to OTO H P •I will complete ongoing rail projects —Amaechi S 8&9 begin probe —P14 E G A P MINISTERS Rotimi Amaechi Chris Ngige Kayode Fayemi Babatunde Fashola Abdulrahman Dambazzau Aisha Alhassan Ogbonnaya Onu Kemi Adeosun Abubakar Malami Hadi Sirika Suleiman Adamu Solomon Dalong Ibe Kachikwu

STATES PORTFOLIOS Rivers Transportation Anambra Labour and Employment Ekiti Solid Minerals Lagos Power, Works and Housing Kano Interior Taraba Women Affairs Ebonyi Science and Technology Ogun Finance Kebbi Justice Katsina Aviation (State) Jigawa Water Resources Plateau Youths and Sports Delta Petroleum (State) Continues pg6

We can't prove case against CCT boss —EFCC —P33

APC senators walk out as Ekweremadu presides —P2

We have no regret fielding Jonathan —PDP —P38

The challenges before Fashola, Amaechi, Fayemi, others

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NEWS IS N A ALYS

Fashola

Amaechi

Adeosun

Dambazzau

2 news APC senators walk out as Ekweremadu presides

Thursday, 12 November, 2015 PHOTOS:

D’Toyin

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

Shun plenary presided over by PDP man Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

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OME senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday, refused to attend the plenary session presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, a senator of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Those who walked out of the Wednesday session because it was being presided over by PDP’s Ekweremadu included some principal officers, like the Chief Whip of the Senate, Shola Adeyeye; former Deputy Minority Whip, Abu Ibrahim; senator representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu, among others.

But the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume; Deputy Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah; Kabiru Gaya; Binta Masi Garba; Shehu Sani, among other APC senators were in attendance.

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, however, later arrived the session to take over from Ekweremadu.

One of the loyalists of the Senator Ahmad Lawan led Senate Unity Forum, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna/north), however, issued a statement on Wednesday, insisting that the APC senators would continue to reject any attempt to hand over the Senate to the opposition, PDP.

He said “we notice with grave sadness, the handover of the hallowed chamber of the Senate today to the opposition party, the PDP, by the Senate President to Ike Ekweremadu as the PDP helmsman to preside over the majority membership of the APC led chamber.

“It is a very sad development that must be denounced by all well-meaning APC members and leaders alike. With this, we want to show our protest as APC senators of the eighth Senate and to announce that we shall seize to attend any sitting presided over by the PDP in an APC majority chamber of the eighth Senate.”

One of the ranking APC senators, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that APC senators cannot seat in a plenary session presided over by the Deputy Senate President, who is a PDP senator, warned that the next time such an attempt was made, all the APC senators would boycott the session en masse, because a minority party man would not be allowed again to preside over members of the majority party.

The Senate went to a closed session shortly after Saraki’s arrival at the session due to what senators called the growing discontentment among the APC senators.The session lasted one and a half hour.

Senate spokesman, Senator Sabi Absullahi, in a statement at the end of the plenary, said there was never a plot to hand over the Senate to the PDP, saying there was no such conspiracy in the Senate.

Abdullahi, APC Niger North, said the alleged conspiracy was a figment of imagination of those who claimed that there was such conspiracy, urging Nigerians to disregard the allegation, adding that the Senate was “committed to providing robust legislative actions to support the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari government.

Bi-partisan stand of the Senate has not and will not be an impediment.”

However, Sam Anyanwu (PDP/Imo East), told newsmen that the APC cannot stop Ekewermadu from presiding, adding that there was nothing the ruling party could do to stop Ekweremadu from presiding over the Senate when Saraki was not around.

Anyanwu, who spoke to newsmen, added that the Senate was not an APC Senate, but the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was guided by the constitution.

The Senate had, however, adjourned the plenary session to next week, in honour of the late Clerk of the Senate, Adedotun Durojaiye, the Senate spokesman said.

Why Power problems persist —Ex-Power Minister Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja FORMER Minister of Power, Professor Bath Nnaji, said on Wednesday, that failure of the regulatory agencies to enforce rules and discipline in the sector was largely responsible for unstable power supply.

Nnaji, who stated this while appearing before the Senate ad hoc committee on power, lamented that despite huge resources spent on power sector over the years, the story still remained the same as the supply was still epileptic.

The former minister noted that power being generated by the various generating companies in the country could not get to the consumers as a result of poor transmission, because of inefficient regulatory by concerned government authority, adding that since the government had handed off power generation,

over 5, 500 out of the 12, 000 megawatts generated was getting to the consumers.

According to him, “even when you have installed capacity of 12,000 mega watts, you cannot release the same amount of mega watts to the end users. Nigeria can generate 7,000 megawatts and make it available for consumption, should there be no constraint in transmission, where we have inefficiency in distribution.

“Out of the amount of power that is distributed to transmission companies, only about 50 per cent of it gets to the consumers. It is an incredible inefficiency in the power system that must be cured.”

Professor Nnaji believed that the new Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who he said was an excellent administrator and manager “is capable of managing the

sector effectively,” adding that “I know that Fashola is an excellent administrator and manager. I can imagine what Lagos State used to be like before he became governor and what it is now. It comes with dedication and that is what we need in this country.

“It is a very large area to cover, but the Ministry of Power is no longer what it used to be when I was a minister, because the entire generation is out. It is no longer going to be the manager of power generation, but supervision.

“He is no longer going to be the manager of distribution; he just manages the transmission network. It is a very different terrain. So, I believe he should have capacity to do the assignment.

“He should concentrate on transmission, because that is the major constraint; also gas production and transmission.”

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5 1. Cleric from Ipara Archdeaconry with Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu.

2. Cross section of Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) of Our Saviour’s Church, Ikenne-Remo, with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

3. Members of staff of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu 4. Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu flanked by Professor Taiwo Gani-Ikilama (left) and Mrs Kehinde Umane 5. Cross section of clerics of The Apostolic Church, Ikenne with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Surprises as Buhari’s govt finally takes shape

Fashola now Power, Works, Housing minister, Amaechi, Transport; Fayemi, Solid Minerals; Adeosun, Finance Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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IVE months after he was sworn in, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, finally formed his cabinet, as he assigned portfolios to ministers.

The president, however, pulled back on his position not to assign portfolios to some of his ministers, as all the 37 were attached to ministries.

He had during his recent visit to India, announced that because of the precarious economic situation of the country, his administration could not afford to give portfolios to all the ministers, saying some would only sit in council without substantive posts.

But while swearing-in the ministers on Wednesday, at the Presidential Villa, he named 24 substantive ministers and 13 ministers of state, with portfolios assigned to all.

The president compressed the number of ministries from the 48 which operated in the previous dispensation to 24 and confirmed himself minister of petroleum.

But the ceremony was not without some surprises in the allocation of portfolios to the new ministers.

First was the allocation of three key ministries, combined into one, to Babatunde Fashola. Mr Fashola, a lawyer by training, was named the Minister of Power, Works and Housing. The combination of these ministries into one, the first time in the history of Nigeria, signposts the essence of the Buhari-led administration and the major role the former governor of Lagos State is expected to play in this dispensation.

Another surprise of the day was the allocation of the Ministry of Interior to Abdulrahman Bello Danbazau.

Public opinion had favoured Danbazau, a retired Lieutenant-General and the former Chief of Army Staff as the Buhari’s Minister of Defence.

The portfolio of the Defence Ministry went to Muhammed Dan Ali. Not done with his surprises, President Buhari also announced Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation, contrary to the expectation that the former governor of Rivers State would be named the Minister of the Niger Delta.

Also, Kayode Fayemi, an expert in international affairs, against expectations, got the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

Buhari directed the ministers to proceed “to work speedily and do their utmost to justify the confidence we

have reposed in them, not only by their conduct, but also by their performance in their various positions.”

Former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, was assigned Power, Works and Housing ministry, which hitherto stood as separate ministries.

Other ministers and their portfolios are Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Transportation; Chris Ngige (Anambra), Labour and Employment; Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Solid Minerals; Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano), Interior; Aisha Alhassan (Taraba), Women Affairs; Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi), Science and Technology; Kemi Adeosun (Ogun), Finance and Abubakar Malami (Kebbi), Justice.

Hadi Sirika (Katsina) was named State for Aviation; Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa), Water Resources; Solomon Dalong (Plateau), Youths and Sports; Ibe Kachikwu (Delta), State for Petroleum; Osagie Ehanire (Edo), State for Health; Audu Ogbeh (Benue), Agriculture; Udo Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom), Budget and National Planning; Lai Mohammed (Kwara), Information; Amina Mohammed (Gombe), Environment; Ibrahim Usman Jibril (Nasarawa), State, Environment and Anthony Onwuka (Imo), State for Education.

Other are Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa), FCT; Adamu Adamu (Bauchi), Education; Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia), Industry Trade and Investment; Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto) State for Trade, Industry and Investment; Khadija Bukar Abba (Yobe), State for Foreign Affairs; Claudius Daramola (Ondo), State, Niger Delta; Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu), Foreign Affairs; Monsur Dan-Ali (Zamfara), Defence; James Ocholi (Kogi), State for Labour and Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna), State for Budget.

The remaining are Mustapha Shehuri (Borno), State for Power; Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa), State for Agriculture; Isaac Adewole Folorunsho (Osun), Health; Usani Usani Uguru (Cross River), Niger Delta; Abubakar Bwari Bawa (Niger), State for Solid Minerals and Adebayo Shittu (Oyo), Communications.

Addressing the ministers, President Buhari observed that the occasion marked a milestone in the evolution of the new government.

He said since inauguration, he had been mindful of the need to constitute a cabinet that would best deliver the people’s expectations of a better country than inherited.

He said: “We want to work towards a prosperous na-

tion, respected for the right reasons and whose citizens can hold up their heads anywhere in the world. And we are optimistic that bringing this set of ministers into the service of our country today is a step in the right direction, a timely move towards realising our positive goals for our country.”

Buhari noted that he had also been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of new ministers translated into putting round pegs in round holes, while showing sensitivity to the nation’s diversity as a people and its various positions as groups of stakeholders in the country.

He stated: “I have also been conscious of the need not to repeat such mistakes of the past, where the right people were allocated the wrong portfolios, which translated into their performing poorly to our collective detriment, despite their obvious capabilities.

“Also, I have responded to the counsel to consult as widely as possible, given the need to build a stable and all-inclusive government by reaching across our various ethnic and political divides.

“With the inauguration of ministers, our government shall continue more decisively to implement its poli-

cies in respect of the economy and in other areas.

“While working hard to maximise revenue from oil in the face of a sharp decline in the price for the commodity, we are determined to diversify the economy in agriculture to enhance employment and explore solid minerals as a major revenue earner.

“The primary aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of such staples as rice and wheat and to become a major consumer and exporter of both items, as well as solid minerals. We intend to pursue policies that will generate massive employment for millions of our youth.”

Buhari assured that his administration would continue with greater determination and focus to pursue its goal of ensuring improved security for the country and its citizens and without letting up on its fight against corruption.

According to him, “our commitment to defeat Boko Haram and all the threats it constitutes remains strong as ever, so is our resolve to root out vices, such as kidnapping and neutralise the various forms of criminalities that threaten the social peace of Nigerians.

“While recognising the

challenges we face and the need to surmount them, let us not fail to note the progress we have made in the short life of this government, as an indication of how much better we can do as a people driven by patriotism and a common resolve to do things right.

“On the moral sphere, trust is slowly, but steadily being re-established between the government and the people.

Now, when the government speaks, the people listen; and when the people’s expectations are not met, they appreciate that it is not for lack of commitment or trying on the part of government. In effect, government business is now being conducted with transparency and cynicism is waning as a result.”

He said the adoption of the Treasury Single Account has resulted in the blocking of financial leakages in the public sector, making more funds available for the business of governance and ensuring the welfare of citizens.

Buhari further assured that the economy was poised for sustained job creation, poverty reduction and inclusive growth, saying “regardless of the present challenges we are confronting, I believe all Nigerians will keep hope alive and sustain their optimism about the future of our economic well-being.”

MINISTER of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Wednesday, in Abuja, assumed duty after the inauguration of the federal

cabinet by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashola was welcomed into the Federal Secretariat by rousing ovation from the staff of the ministry

and stepped into his office at about 3.15 p.m.

He was ushered into the office by Mrs Grace Papka, director in charge of Human Resources of the

ministry.

Thereafter, he went into private meeting with directors in the ministry.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Power, Works

and Housing, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri, also arrived at the complex, where he joined the minister and the directors at the meeting.

Ovation greets Fashola’s assumption of duty in Abuja

Adewole, Ehanire assume duty, seek stakeholders’ collaboration MINISTER of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has called for the collaboration of stakeholders to enable the ministry achieve the agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari on health.

Adewole made the call when he addressed newsmen shortly after he assumed duty with the Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The minister, who held brief meeting with the directors, said “for the apex policy on health to be achieved, we need to work together and working together means we can make a huge difference.”

Adewole said a number of restructuring would be carried out for the present administration to achieve its target on health.

“We will need to look at how we can work with

other tiers of government, the secondary and primary health care system.

“This means that we need to work with the state and local government, but the leadership will rest in the ministry and we will provide the direction,’’ he said.

The minister also said

women and child health care would be given adequate attention.

He said this would be achieved by equipping teaching hospitals; setting targets and roadmap in the next four weeks, to enable us tell what had been achieved.

Ehanire, on his part, said the aim of the present administration was to deliver health care services from the grassroots level to the federal.

The minister of state said that the ministry would work with what was on ground, because of paucity

of funds, adding that “the essence of efficiency is being able to manage things prudently.’’

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Amina Shamaki, pledged that the staff would give the ministers the needed support to succeed.

Amaechi pledges to complete ongoing rail projects MINISTER for Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has pledged to complete all ongoing rail projects around the country and extend rail lines to all parts of the country.

Amaechi made the pledge during his first day in office as minister, shortly after his inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He said he would resume work fully on November 17, when the new Permanent Secretary, Mr Sabiu Zakari,

would equally assume duty in the ministry.

The minister added that his meeting with permanent secretary and the directors on November 17 would begin by looking at the budget and its level of implementation.

According to him, the meeting was necessary to chart a new course toward completing all ongoing projects, especially the rail and extending it to different parts of the country.

The minister also urged the staff to always play by

rule, adding that “I believe in principles of discharging my duties.

“We are interested in completing all ongoing rail projects around the country, because we don’t want to disappoint Nigerians.”

Amaechi also emphasised on the issue of corruption, warning that anybody who would work with him must not approach him for money.

In his speech, Minister of State for Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, said it was an era of new thinking for the actuali-

sation of the change agenda of the Federal Government.

Sirika added that the era of talking tough without acting was over, stressing that whatever was said would be done.

Also, the Permanent Secretary expressed optimism that the new ministers would deliver on the visions and missions of the change agenda of the government.

Zakari pledged to give maximum cooperation to the new ministers to assist them in the discharge of their duties effectively.

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NEWS ANALYSIS: The challenges before Fashola, Amaechi, Fayemi, others

By Kunle Oderemi

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N amalgam of core challenges, spanning critical sectors of the national economy, appears to be the greatest headache of new ministers, as they

settle down for serious work amidst high public expectations.

Most of the challenges are in strategic sectors like infrastructure, power, budget and planning, solid minerals, economy, transport, works, housing and the en-

vironment.

Such ministries like finance, transportation, especially maritime, as well as budget and planning, have the Herculean task of evolving policies that would shore up government revenue, owing to the sharp Continued from front page

MINISTERS STATES PORTFOLIOS Osagie Ehanire Edo Health (State) Audu Ogbeh Benue Agriculture Akwa Ibom Budget and National Planning Udo Udo Udoma Lai Mohammed Kwara Information Amina Mohammed Gombe Environment Ibrahim Usman Jibril Nasarawa Environment (State) Adamu Adamu Bauchi Education Anthony Onwuka Imo Education (State) Muhammadu Bello Adamawa FCT Okechukwu Enelamah Abia Industry Trade and Investment Aisha Abubakar Sokoto Trade, Industry and Investment (State) Khadija Bukar Abba Yobe Foreign Affairs (State) Claudius Daramola Ondo Niger Delta (State) Geoffrey Onyeama Enugu Foreign Affairs Monsur Dan-Ali Zamfara Defence James Ocholi Kogi Labour (State) Zainab Ahmed Kaduna Budget (State) Mustapha Shehuri Borno Power (State) Heineken Lokpobiri Bayelsa Agric (State) Isaac Adewole Folorunsho Osun Health Usani Usani Uguru Cross River Niger Delta Abubakar Bwari Bawa Niger Solid Minerals (State) Adebayo Shittu Oyo Communications The president announced himself as the Minister of Petroleum.

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Ministries Fed. Min. of Agric & Rural Development Fed. Min. of Communications Fed. Min. of Transportation Fed. Min. of Information & Culture Fed. Min. of Defence Dr. Shade Yemi-Esan

Budget & National Planning Fed. Min. of Finance Fed. Min of Foreign Affairs Fed. Min. of Health Fed. Min. of Industry, Trade & Investment Fed. Min. of Internal Affairs Fed. Ministry of Justice Fed. Min. of Science & Tech.

Fed. Min. of Labour & Productivity Fed. Min of Petroleum Resources Fed. Min of Women Affairs Federal Capital Territory Fed. Min. of Water Resources Fed. Min of Environment Fed. Min. of Niger Delta Affairs Fed. Min. of Solid Minerals Fed. Min of Youth & Sports Fed. Min. of Works & Housing Fed. Min. of Power State House General Services Office, (Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF) Ecological Fund Office, OSGF Council Secretariat Special Services Office, OSGF Political Affairs Office, OSGF Economic Affairs Office, OSGF Special Duties Office, OSGF Career Management Office, OHCSF Common Services Office, OHCSF Service Policy & Strategies Office, OHCSF

Perm. Sec. Dr. Shehu Ahmad Arch Sunday Echono Alh. Sabiu Zakari Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba Amb. Danjuma Sheni Fed. Min. of Education Mrs. Fatima Mede Alh. Mahmoud Isa Dutse Amb. Bulus Lolo Dr. Amina Shamaki Mr. Aliyu Bisalla Mr. Bassey Akpanyung Mr. Taiwo Abidogun Dr. Habiba Lawal Dr. Clement Illoh Dr. Jamila Shu’ara Mrs. Binta Bello Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye Mrs. Rabi Jimeta Dr. Bukar Hassan Mrs. Wakama B. Asifieka Mr. Istifanus Fuktur Mr. Christian Ohaa Mr. Christian Ohaa Mr. Louis Edozien Mr. Jalal Arabi

Mr. Mohammed Bukar Mr. Abbas Mohammed Dr. Ugo Roy Mr. Aminu Nabegu Amb. Bamgbose Akindele Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo Mrs. Obiageli Nwokedi Mr. Innocent Ogbonnaya Mr. S.K.Y. Adelakun Mrs. N. Batagarawa

decline in the international price of crude oil, Nigeria’s economic mainstay.

A lot of observers are curious about the kind of difference the new ministers could make, given the fact that a sizeable number of them are not new faces within the corridors of power at various levels of government.

Nonetheless, there is much expectation of some of the ministers because of what is considered as their relative impressive record of achievements in public office in the past, coupled with their pedigrees as professionals.

Of particular concern to stakeholders in the country is how the ministers are able to raise the bar based on the promise of the Buhari-led administration to turn around key sectors like power, infrastructure, among others, in no distant time.

Most of the ministers, shortly after they took oath of office, received loud ovation from civil servants as they assumed duties in their ministries, where they later held closed door meetings with key officials.

Individuals and groups underscored the Herculean tasks before some of the ministers, with some equating the portfolios of highly demanding. These include the minister of Power, Housing nad Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, to name just three.

The social media was awash with the volume and nature of public expectations, with some individuals declaring that the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had the arduous task of clearing the huge rot in the education sector.

A number of other stakeholders reacted with caution to the unfolding development, saying the country had never been in short supply of men with great ideas and minds.

A brief analysis of the challenges before the new ministers is as follows:

Babatunde Fashola - Power, Works and Housing The immediate reaction of

many Nigerians to President Buhari’s announcement of Fashola as the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, was how he would be able to tackle the enormous problems in the three ministries collapsed to be one.

Nigerians are aware of the problems being always at the receiving ends. The power situation in the country is much as burdensome as both of the works and housing.

At present, the administration boasted that from 1,750 megawatts which the generation power was in 1999, it has improved to 4,600 megawatts and with the gas facility, the country has the capacity to take generation to 5,500 megawatts.

Yet, power distribution is still not impressive, as many Nigerians still depend on generating sets to power their houses and industries.

Many major roads in the country are in deplorable condition and this cuts across all the six geopolitical zones in the country. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, currently under repairs, has been a major one affecting transportation in the country. Expectations are high on the completion of the project, as it has been dragging since the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. If the present administration is able to complete this project in record times, it will be a golden victory for the administration.

The problems of power which President Buhari, earlier before the ministers' appointment, had acknowledged to be more of distribution than generation is what Fashola will battle, likewise the expansion of electricity infrastructure to accommodate additional power generation.

Fashola, who seems not to be an alien to power issue in the country, had, as Lagos State governor, faulted the Power Reforms Act enacted by the National Assembly to regulate the power sector, as limiting the 36 states governors’ intervention in power generation, while in Lagos also, he had supervised provision of electricity to small estate like Isolo Industrial Estate through its Independent Power Plants (IPPs).

Hence, with this experience and challenges involved, he would be able to surmount both his political and administrative will to correct anomalies and impediments, thereby putting things in the right perspectives for stable electricity supply in the country.

Likewise in the housing sector, Nigeria, over the years, with its over 180 million population, has been battling with huge housing deficit, with the country’s

housing shortfall estimated to be 17 million units. Now, Fashola will have to look into the possibility of complying with the United Nations-Habitat recommendation to solve the problems of rapid urbanisation in reducing the national deficit by ensuring that at least, one million housing units per annum is built.

At present, many Nigerians are said to live in slums, since the housing conditions are not matching the global standards.

Another impediment said to be against real estate in Nigeria which is the Land Use Act of 1978, residing ownership of land in state governors, coupled with rigorous property registration process, are issues the new minister would look into, likewise his ability to coordinate stakeholders in the sector.

Above all, if the Buhariled administration is able to offer 24-hour un-interrupted power supply to Nigerians, apart from the people being eternally grateful to the administration, it would surely have gone a long way in being a catalyst to solving many other perennial problems in the country.

Rotimi Amaechi Transportation Contrary to most bookmakers, who had tipped him as minister of the Niger Delta, Amaechi was assigned to the Ministry of Transportation. He is assuming office amidst the torrents of challenges besetting the transport sector.

One of the challenges is about eight bills on transportation designed to reposition the nation’s transport sector and already before the National Assembly.

Some of the Bills, which were assessed and reviewed many times by the executive arm of government under successive administrations, include the National Transport Commission Bill (2015); the National Roads Fund Bill; the Federal Roads Authority Bill; the Nigeria Ports and Harbour Authority Bill (2015); the National Inland Waterways Authority Bill (2015); and the Nigerian Railway Authority Bill (2015).

Amaechi, whose nomination perhaps generated Continues pg7

Thursday, 12 November, 2015 7 news NEWS ANALYSIS: The challenges before Fashola, Amaechi, Fayemi, others Continued from pg6

much public interest before he was confirmed by the Senate, will have to contend with the Herculean task of revamping the road sector, which has almost collapsed.

A poor maintenance culture has culminated in many federal highways otherwise called Trunk A roads collapsing, while work had stopped on such strategic roads like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway owing to paucity of fund.

Major roads in the SouthSouth and the South-East, which is prone to erosion, have become almost impassable with some road users asking the authority to declare a state of emergency on the road sector, especially given the huge loss of lives and property to road crashes.

The challenges facing the road network are occasioned by the abysmal neglect of the rail and maritime sectors of the economy. The lacklustre attitude towards the rail sector gave rise to the heavy pressure put on the road in moving goods such as petroleum products and agricultural produce from the hinterland to the cities and sea ports.

Rail transport, considered cheaper and most suitable mode of transportation for heavy traffic flows, today contributes less than half per cent to the Gross Domestic Products of the transport sector. Thus, the prolonged relegation of the Nigerian Railways Corporation has turned the corporation to drain on the Federal purse, as the NRC depends on government subvention to thrive instead of achieving self-sustenance by providing freight and passenger services.

Amaechi has the onerous responsibility of giving fillip to water transport, which at the moment has share of about 1.6 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product. The sector comprises ocean transport, coastal water transport and inland water transport. The new minister will be required to tackle the variegated challenges at the major sea ports in the country.

Audu Ogbeh –Agriculture Ogbeh is returning to a familiar terrain as this is his third time as a minister. In the Second Republic, he was the Minister of Communications and later became Minister of Steel Development.

His latest assignment as the Minister of Agriculture is seen as yet another veritable opportunity for him to put into practice all he has been advocating over the years on how agriculture could be re-

stored as the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. The sector suffered a major setback because of oil boom with the groundnut pyramid of the North, cocoa plantations in the West and the oil palm and rubber plantations taking the back seat.

Solid minerals such as coal and tin that contributed significantly to the GDP asphyxiated.

Ogbeh is expected to consolidate on the relative success achieved by the immediate past minister of Agriculture, Dr Adesina Akinwunmu, as Nigeria was heavily dependent on agriculture, with the sector accounting for more than 40 per cent of pre-1973 GDP, but which, by 1983, declined 1.9 per cent, while exports fell 7.9 per cent.

The embarrassing astronomical decline led to serious economic and social distortions following the free fall of the international price of crude oil, which had overtaken agriculture as the backbone of the economy.

The lack of basic amenities has exacerbated the issue of rural-urban migration, especially by the youth, who also desire the increasing scarce white-collar jobs in the cities.

In effect, it will be of interest on how Ogbeh actualises a once proclaimed agenda that focuses on creating the conducive macro-environment to stimulate greater private sector investment in agriculture, so that the private sector can assume its appropriate role as the lead and main actor in agriculture; rationalising the roles of the tiers of government in their promotional and supportive activities to stimulate growth; reorganising the institutional framework for government intervention in sector to facilitate smooth and integrated development of agricultural potential; increasing fiscal incentives to agriculture, among other sector, and reviewing import waiver anomalies with appropriate tariffication of agricultural imports, and promotion increased use of agricultural machinery and inputs through favourable tariff policy

Kemi Adeosun -Finance Still in her 40s, Kemi Adeosun, United Kingdom

(UK)-trained investment banker and hitherto the Commissioner for Finance, Ogun State, comes across as the face of the younger generation of Nigerian women with international exposure who could hold their own anywhere in the world.

Born and bred in London, the third of four children, Adeosun is a graduate of Economics from the University of East London and was also a senior manager at the PricewaterhouseCoopers, London.

Professionally she is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales.

Having to come back home from the UK to take up an appointment, more so a political appointment, was not an easy decision for her, but she eventually yielded when she had an interface with Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Adeosun is coming in as finance minister at a time when Africa's largest economy is facing its worst crisis in years, hammered by a fall in oil prices and an Islamist insurgency in the NorthEast.

She would initially be weighed against the achievements of her predecessor, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was a World Bank official and Finance minister with two presidents.

Many Nigerians would want to know what she is bringing to the table in solving the economic problems that the nation is currently facing, including the poor state of the naira which has been devalued by as much as 25 per cent recently.

As finance minister, Nigerians would also want to see how she would leverage on her experience as an investment banker and exposure to international finance institutions to help Nigeria out of the present economic doldrums.

Chris Ngige - Labour minister Chris Ngige, ex-governor and ex-senator, is a medical doctor by profession.

While rumours about ministerial appointments were still flying around, some had touted him as the next minister of health; but with the announcement on Wednesday, some might have wondered what a medical doctor

has to do with labour matters.

However, as governor, Ngige would have had cause, like most of his colleagues, to come face to face with labour leaders on issues pertaining to welfare of workers. Therefore, if he was able to relate with labour leaders and civil servants over unpaid wages, salary arrears, pensions, unfulfilled promises and related matters, he is definitely on a familiar terrain.

As minister of labour, he would sooner than later have issues to settle with the umbrella labour groups.

Though his style of dressing suggests that he is also a comrade, the ability of a medical doctor to get along with professional unionists is what Nigerians expect to play out in the coming months.

Kayode Fayemi -Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, once handled the issue of solid minerals at least in his state.

His appointment as the man to oversee the Ministry of Solid Minerals, therefore, poses challenges which are surmountable given his wealth of experience.

Fayemi boasts of degrees in History, Politics and International Relations from the Universities of Lagos and Ile-Ife in Nigeria and Doctorate degree in War Studies from the King's College, University of London, England coupled with his experience as a former lecturer, director, Centre for Democracy and Development (1995–1997), Secretary General, Media Empowerment for Africa (The Radio Foundation) (1993– 1995), Strategy Development Adviser, Deptford City Challenge, London, UK (1991–1993), Research Officer, African Research and Information Bureau, London, UK (1992–1992), Tutorial Fellow, War Studies Department, King's College, London, UK (1987–1989).

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the exploitation of solid minerals in Nigeria contribute less than one per cent of the Gross Domestic Products, despite significant coal and iron ore reserves and known deposits of gold, uranium,

tin and tantalum.

The immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan, at a forum in Benin, Edo State, in March 2014, revealed that 44 new solid mineral deposits were discovered in 800 locations across the country.

Undoubtedly, Fayemi would have to put the machinery in place to ensure effective exploration and exploitation of the valuable natural endowments that will lead to employment generation in Nigeria and increased contributions to the GDP. Also, Fayemi would have to improve on the implementation of roadmap for the development of solid minerals sector embarked on by the past administration which was acknowledged to have increased flow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in exploration and extraction of minerals, which included coal, gold and iron ore, with wide consultations with stakeholders.

Ogbonnaya Onu - Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is not new to science and technology. He graduated with a First Class honours degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos in 1976. He later obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemical Engineering (without passing through a Masters degree) at the reputable University of California, Berkeley, California, United States, in 1980, where he did extensive work on coal liquefaction and production of synthetic fuels under mild conditions.

He showed that it was possible under relatively mild conditions to produce synthetic fuels comparable with crude oil.

He was the first governor of Abia State from February 1992 to December 1993.

Born December 1, 1951, he was the national chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) until its amalgamation with other opposition parties in February 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He is expected, as minister, to facilitate the development and deployment of science and technology

apparatus to enhance the pace of socio-economic development of the country, through appropriate technological inputs into productive activities in the nation.

Amina Mohammed Environment Kaduna State polity boiled following the listing of Hajia Amina Mohammed as the ministerial nominee from the state. She is said to be from Gombe by birth but her husband is from Kaduna State.

Her nomination generated controversy as many politicians from Kaduna vowed to kick against her appointment.

As the new head of the Ministry of Environment, which was established at the inception of the Chief Obasanjo administration in June 1999, she is to ensure effective coordination of all environmental matters.

She is expected to also ensure environmental matters are adequately mainstreamed into all developmental activities.

The protection of the environment is paramount to the achievement of the objectives of the country’s socio-economic reforms, including National Economic Empowerment Strategy (NEEDS) and other regional and global initiatives such as the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which has since changed to Social Development Goals (SDGs) and Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI).

The minister is also expected to prepare a comprehensive national policy for the protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources, including procedure for environmental impact assessment of all developing projects.

Lai Mohammed -Information As the information industry welcomes Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the erstwhile ace publicist of the ruling All Progressives congress (APC), to the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, it is certain that Lai has so much more to offer the nation than he did for Continues pg11

8 MINISTERSINAUGURATION

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Ministers’ swearing-in ceremony at State House

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo with the ministers, after their swearing-in at the presidential villa in Abuja on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

President Buhari congratulating Mr Babatunde Fashola shortly after taking the oath of office.

President Buhari presides over the inaugural meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at the State House.

Chief Chris Ngige; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Muhammed Musa Bello and Mr Okechukwu Enalemah taking the oath of office.

From left, Mustapha Shehu; Chief Audu Ogbe; Adamu Adamu and Senator Henieken Lokpobiri taking the oath of office.

From left, Munsur Mohammed Dan Ali; Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim; Aisha Jummai Alhassan and Aisha Abubakar taking the oath of office.

From left, Mr Rotimi Ameachi; Solomon Dalong; Mr Adebayo Shittu and Professor Isaac Adewole taking the oath of office.

9 MINISTERSINAUGURATION

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Ministers’ swearing-in ceremony at State House

Federal Executive Council (FEC) members with some party chieftains, on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulating Barrister Adebayo Bayo Shittu at the swearing-in ceremony.

From left, Mr Claudius Daramola Omoyele; Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Abubakar Bawa Buari and Ibrahim Jubril, taking the oath of office.

From left, Babatunde Fashola; Mr Lai Mohammed; Abubakar Salami and James Ocholi taking the oath of office.

From left, Alhaji Hadi Sirika; General Abdulrahman Dambazau; Zainab Ahmed and Suleiman Adamu taking the oath of office.

From left, Mr Anthony Anwuk; Hajia Amina Mohammed; Goffery Onyema and Dr Kayode Fayemi taking the oath of office.

From left, Dr Osagie Ehanire; Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; Mr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu and Pastor Usam U. Usam taking the oath of office.

news Create 21st century Nigeria, Tinubu tasks ministers

10

By Tunde Ogunesan

T

HE National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has charged the newly sworn-in ministers to work very hard and create a 21st century government that will help in moving Nigeria into the rank of a developed nation.

Tinubu stated this in a press statement released by his media office yesterday, urging the new ministers to see themselves as foot soldiers of change the party promised Nigerians during the last electioneering campaign.

Charging them on the need to be creative, the former governor of Lagos State admonished the new change agents by the words in the book of the first Chief Technology Officer of the United States, Aneesh Chopras, “Innovative State”.

He charged them to be creative in discharging their duty while emulating the 43-year-old Indian American.

“Let me share with you the words of Aneesh Chopra in his book “Innovative State”. His words resonate for you all today. This is

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

about creating an innovative state. A government for the 21st century.

“After the devastating effects of the management by the previous administration on our economy

and the psyche of Nigerians, you have been selected to help bring Nigeria back from the brink.

Your assignment will not be easy. You bear the responsibility to move Nige-

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Ministry of Interior and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr

Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe-Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday charged the in-coming cabinet of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to quickly settle down, move fast and focus on the nation’s economy, with a view to moving the country forward.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said that the present administration “has so far played heavily on dramatising routine procedures and processes,” which was even glaring in the prolonged swearing-in ceremony of the ministers.

The party declared that “the much-expected assignment of portfolios to the ministers did not inspire confidence that there

Solomon Arase, to design modalities with well meaning investors in the bid to renovate existing barracks and build new ones with maintenance guidelines for police officers.

Fayose hails Fayemi’s appointment, tasks him on Ekiti Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated former governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, over his appointment as Minister of Solid Minerals, urging him to use his position for the commercial exploitation of the abundant solid mineral resources in the state.

The governor said in a statement issued in AdoEkiti by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, that President Mohammadu Buhari must have considered the need for commercial exploitation of the solid minerals spread across towns and villages in Ekiti State before arriving at the choice of Fayemi as Solid Minerals minister.

He said; “Ekiti has solid minerals like clay kaolin, cassiterite, tin ore, columbite, bauxite (Aluminium

promised. You are now the foot soldiers of that change. You have to be creative, proactive and bold.

You are men and women of talent and experience of the moment and are

lucky to be chosen. After the luck comes work. It is a new dawn for our country. Virtually every facet of our national life needs urgent attention,” the release stated.

Focus on the economy, PDP tells new ministers is indeed any change being introduced in the system.”

It said that with the inauguration “the APC administration should fully resolve the issues on the actual position of the nation’s economy and the direction therein.”

Ore), foundry sand and charconite granite.

“Even in Isan-Ekiti, Fayemi’s hometown, there is clay kaolin that can be used for abrasive, plastics, ceramics ware, pharmaceuticals, textiles, fertilizers, white tiles and insulator wares pencils.

“Now that the Federal Government is talking about diversification of the economy, Fayemi should use his position to assist Ekiti State in harnessing its solid mineral resources for the economic benefit of the state and Nigeria.

“I, therefore, congratulate Fayemi for this appointment and thank President Buhari for the appointment.

“It is my prayers that God, in His infinite mercies will grant him (Fayemi) the wisdom and strength to use the new position,” the governor said.

According to the party, “whereas President Muhammadu Buhari had announced that the nation is bankrupt to the extent he cannot pay his ministers, his new Minister of Information had contradicted him directly by stating how

the government is buoyant and ready to deploy $2.5 billion infrastructure fund, saved N1.4 trillion with another N2.5 trillion ready as special intervention fund, which goes to say that the country is not actually broke.

“These new ministers

should note the challenge before them regarding the image of the country which the APC government had changed from being the ‘Heart of Africa’ and a country of ‘Good people, Great nation’ to that of ‘Corrupt people, Broke nation,” PDP added.

Buhari fair to South-West in portfolio distribution —Ladoja

By Dare Adekanmbi A former governor of Oyo State and national leader of the Accord Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has praised President Muhammadu Buhari on the composition of the Federal Ex-

ecutive Council (FEC).

Ladoja, who spoke through the party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr Nureni Adeniran, said he was particularly impressed by the thoughtfulness of President Buhari in giving the South-West geo-political

zone a fair share in portfolio distribution.

The former governor expressed satisfaction that Oyo State, which is the political capital of the South-West zone, got a full ministerial portfolio at the inception of the federal

Communication Minister, Shittu, assures of effective service delivery NEWLY sworn in Minister of Communication, Abdur Raheem Adebayo Shittu, has assured Nigerians of

Reps ask ministry, IGP to address poor living conditions in police barracks Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

ria forward into the rank of developed nations.

“The challenges before you are enormous. People’s expectations are very high.

People’s hope is hinged on the change our party

The House also mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to monitor the development and report back to the House quarterly for further legislative action.

The House resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Honourable Hassan Saleh entitled “Urgent need to renovate police barracks across the country.”

The lawmaker, in the motion, noted that barracks were built to provide cheaper, safer and comfortable accommodation for members of the force.

According to him, “these barracks, which were built many years ago, have dilapidated with open and stinking gutters, broken sewage, damaged roofs, cracked walls amongst others.

effective service delivery by all the communication companies in the country.

Shittu, who gave this assurance shortly after his inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari, explained that his leadership would be guided by the change mantra of the current administration.

The minister stated that Nigerians would enjoy quality service delivery from the various telecommunication operators stressing that it is a bright new dawn in the sector.

He further assured that the ministry would work with other ministries and

arms of government to not only ensure effective service delivery but that the security of the nation was not compromised.

Shittu maintained that President Buhari is irrevocably committed to the total turn around of the country, adding that all Nigerians in spite of political leanings must work in tandem with the resolve of the current administration to move the country forward.

The minister thanked President Buhari for his appointment with an assurance that he would do his utmost best to positively improve the ministry.

THE newly sworn in Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has pledged to reduce food importation in the country.

The minister, who stated this on Wednesday, on

If we fail to deliver, Nigerians will reject us —Dogara THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has challenged leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to reciprocate the gesture done to them by Nigerians in the last general election by delivering on their promises.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said, Dogara spoke when he received members of the Buhari Campaign Organisation from Bauchi State, led by Dr. Danjuma Dabo who paid him a courtesy call in his office on Wednesday.

Appointment of Adamu, Onwuka excites ministry workers Clement Idoko - Abuja AFTER about five months of anxiety, the workers at the Federal Ministry of Education, on Wednesday, received the new Ministers of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu and Professor Anthony Onwuka, in a rousing welcome.

The ministers, who were among the 36 ministers

inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, were at the ministry to see their offices.

Professor Onwuka, Minister of State for Education, was the first to arrive at the ministry about 3:07p.m., with excited workers who could not control their emotions bursting into shouts of joy.

Ogbeh pledges to reduce food importation Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

cabinet for the first time in recent time.

He lauded President Buhari for ensuring justice is done to the South-West, especially Oyo State, without shortchanging other geopolitical zones and states.

assumption of office in Abuja, described as unacceptable a situation where the country spend $22 billion on food importation annually.

According to him “we have to challenge the situation where certain interest out of the shores of

the country has taken us prison. I don’t know how anybody can explain importing banana from Cameroon or Irish Potato from South Africa or vegetables from South America.”

He said Nigeria still import $400 million worth of tomato from India.

The ministers were led into their offices by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs Hindatu Abdullahi, accompanied by the directors in the ministry.

They all departed without words shortly after prayers were held in their various offices. They are expected to resume duty on Tuesday next week in line with the directive of President Buhari.

The Acting Permanent Secretary, Hindatu Abdullahi, described the appointment of the duo as ministers of education “as a round peg in a round hole.”

While Adamu is a respected academic and social crusader, Professor Anwuka is a seasoned Professor of Education and an experienced Public Administrator.

Thursday, 12 November, 2015 11 news NEWS ANALYSIS: The challenges before Fashola, Amaechi, Fayemi, others Continued from pg7

his party.

There is no denying the fact that Alhaji Mohammed, through his ability, utilised propaganda and facts to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Aso Rock. However, he must know that all eyes are now on him whether he will quickly mature to a statesman who will manage with care, the information machinery of the Buhari-led administration.

Alhaji Mohammed must understand that the success of the Buhari administration rests heavily on correct and accurate information dissemination, more especially, in this era of digital communication.

It is expected that he understands the difference between dishing out propaganda laced with half truth for the purpose of winning an election and the actual running of a Federal Government.

Since information is power, he must dish it out in such a way that he is seen as being fair to all the zones of the federation and he should be careful not to create the problem, through information, that can consume the administration.

Lai Mohammed is coming on board in the midst of agitations for the creation of a nation of Biafra, the Niger Deltans’ cry over alleged marginalisation, nosediving economy, low self esteem for the country in the comity of nations, Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, unemployment for youths, alleged corruption and the rest.

However, he should understand that there is no nation on earth that is populated by the angels. He should, through information dissemination, shore up the image of Nigeria and not bring it down to ridicule by disparaging it.

Abubakar Danlami -Justice Forty-eight-year-old Abubakar Malami, the Minister for Justice, has vast experience in the field of law and has a firm grasp of challenges facing the Nigeria legal framework.

Also, he is an accomplished politician who has held various positions in political parties in Nigeria.

Having been on both sides of the divide in law and politics, he has what it takes to be the head of the Ministry of Justice in a democratic set up.

Malami, who became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2008, also held many positions in his political party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and

the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the merger of political parties.

He was the National Legal Adviser for CPC; chairman of the Legal Team, CPC Presidential Campaign Organisation (2011); member of the PDP Legal Team of 2003 election petitions; member, Kano State Local Government Election Tribunal (2004); resource person, Manifesto Drafting Sub-committee of the Interparty Merger Committees of the CPC, ACN, ANPP, APGA and DPP towards the formation of APC and member, National Convention and Congress Committee (2013).

He was also a member of the APC Electoral Committee for the Anambra State Gubernatorial Election in 2013; member, Kebbi State Committee on Federal Government’s National Conference of 2013; chairman of APC Kano State Congress Appeals Committee (May 2014) and member, APC Constitution sub-committee (June 2014).

Malami was an aspirant for the office of governor of Kebbi State in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, but he lost the ticket to Atiku Bagudu.

Despite his impressive foray in the political terrain and landmark achievements as a lawyer, his work is not going to be an easy one as the challenges facing the Justice ministry at present are enormous.

Malami will have to, as a matter of urgency, look into the call for judicial reforms if the change agenda of the APC is to become a reality, considering the fact that an efficient justice delivery system is paramount to the nation’s economic growth and development.

Also, there is the need to amend many of the nation’s laws as they are not in sync with modern trends. There is the need for immediate repeal/amendment of antiquated laws and the enactment of modern laws. There is the need for an immediate and thorough clean-up of the criminal justice system and an improvement to the working conditions of judges in most states of the federation, while issues of delay in cases, especially criminal matters, be treated and policies put in place to curb tactics employed by parties to judicial proceedings to delay and undermine the justice system The new Minister of Justice must be prepared to fight the powers that be and must have the political will to establish the rule of law against all odds and support the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government.

clinics and non-functional primary healthcare centres where the low class patronise.

Prof Isaac Adewole -Health Professor Isaac Adewole, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), prior to his appointment as minister,had also served as Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, the largest and oldest medical school in Nigeria.

With a 32-year working experience as a physician in Nigeria and 23 active years as a clinical teacher in College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Adewole, the Osun State born, has research interest in the Human papillomavirus, HIV and Gynaecologic oncology.

This is a specialised field of medicine that focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, cervical cancer and vulvar cancer.

The new health minister, who is also a member of the governing council, Adeleke University and currently chairs the National Panel on Cervical Cancer Control Policy, would, however, be faced with tasks of revamping the health sector, which is one reason for medical tourism.

Nigeria’s health sector is a peculiar one. If its professionals are not at daggers drawn over salary and monetisation benefits, it is embroiled in one controversy or the other.

The incessant strike by health professionals has been identified as a major contributor to the country’s poor health indices.

The Nigerian health care system is continuously faced with shortage of doctors, because of emigration by skilled Nigerian doctors to North America and Europe.

In 1995, it was estimated that 21,000 Nigerian doctors were practising in the United States alone, which is about the same as the number of doctors working in the Nigerian public service.

The health sector needs to do more in the area of child mortality reduction. A country’s infant mortality rate is a reflection of the quality of health delivery available to its citizens, and, to a large extent, a reflection of the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens of that country.

The government should pay more attention to local

Solomon Dalong -Sports THE North-Central zone will have to oversee sports in Nigeria again, with the appointment of Mr Solomon Dalong as Minister of Youth and Sports. He succeeds Dr Tamuno Danagogo from Rivers State, who last held the portfolio.

Dalong from Plateau State is the 15th sports minister and the 10th from the North-Central zone to occupy the office since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

Only Professor Tahoeed Adedoja (South-West) and Danagogo (South) came from outside the northern zone.

Born on September 26, 1964, Dalong, a graduate of Law from the University of Jos, has no known antecedents in sports, except the will to succeed as a Nigerian who is passionate about sports.

Dalong is coming at a time the crisis in Nigerian football has been laid to rest, except the challenges that, if addressed, could move sports in Nigeria to the next level.

However, he will have to ensure a better outing of Team Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, first by ensuring that the grade A sports federations which include, football, boxing, athletics, basketball, table tennis, weightlifting, taekwondo, judo are well prepared for the Games.

The issue of funding remains the most critical aspect to tackle as he needs to ensure that federations send their athletes to qualifying tournaments to win the Olympic slots, while effective camping of athletes especially abroad must be ensured to enable the athletes to perform optimally at Rio 2016.

Dalong needs to prove bookmakers wrong this time that he is not a minister of football alone. Indeed, some sports are dying in Nigeria and this Dalong would have to address to make other grade B sports like karate, swimming, volleyball, tennis and handball get the desired attention.

The National Stadium, Lagos, othersise known as the sports city, has been abandoned for years now and with the coming in of Dalong, observers believe he would revive this national edifice which has become an eyesore in recent times.

Pastor Usani Uguru -Niger Delta THERE is no gainsaying the fact that the people of the Niger Delta region of the country will receive with mixed feelings the announcement of Pastor Usani Uguru as the minister saddled with the responsibility of taking care of their interests.

The mixed feeling may have nothing to do with the person of the pastor-turnedminister, but may have so much to do with the experiences of the people, whose promises made to them about their welfare by past administrations and their ministers did not translate into better life for them.

It is good that President Buhari chose the man from Cross River state to sit in the cockpit of the ministry and so, the people expect him to immediately begin to address all the challenges without having to go through any learning process.

Among the numerous problems confronting the people is the urgent completion of the East /West road; acute shortage of schools for the children, especially those living in the riverine areas; unemployment rate, which has led many youths into criminal activities, including kidnapping for ransom, militancy and oil bunkering.

Currently in vogue in the Niger Delta is the establishment of illegal oil refineries and illegal oil bunkering but these are being frontally challenged by the nation as the Nigeria Navy is busy fishing out and destroying the illegal refineries.

The minister will also have to fight the challenges of provision of drinking water and health care facilities for the people. The Bakassi people resident in Cameroon should also be looked into.

Senator Aisha Alhassan Now that Senator Alhassan has been sworn in as Minister of Women Affairs, her wealth of experience, as both legal practitioner and politician, would be brought to bear in the discharge of her duties as minister directly saddled with women affairs and, by extension, children.

Going by the broad mandate of the ministry, which is to advise government on gender and children issues, including those affecting persons with disabilities and the aged; initiation of pol-

icy guidelines and gender equality and mainstreaming at both the national and international levels, Alhassan is expected to live to the billing of the mandate in ensuring that women and children fare better.

What readily came to mind after her choice is her background in legal profession which, undoubtedly, will propel her to set in motion as early as possible, measures that will ensure the safety of vulnerable children and women ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgents at the IDPs camps scattered all over the north-eastern part of the country.

Alhassan will have to update the data of women and children by sending out the various units under her purview to adequately cater for these crises-induced victims rather than relying on the existing data.

With the population of women roughly estimated at over 50 million and with findings revealing they are great potentials to evolving a new economic order, it behoves of the minister to see to the enactment of stiff penalty on rapists and perpetrators of domestic violence whose victims are mostly women, in line with the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), while also paying critical attention to girl-child education, elimination of all forms of violence against women and the girl-child and intensification of campaigns against harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls.

There is equally the need for Alhassan to ensure that the various formulated policies and strategies for the development of various categories of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are implemented, while making sure the era of paying lip service to giving subvention to recognised rehabilitation centres and non-government organisation (NGOs) is over.

The women affairs ministry should equally see to the long overdue rehabilitation of alcoholic and drug addicts, cult members and school drop-outs, among others, as seen in other developed climes, through effective planning, just as she is also expected to intensify the coordination of inter-governmental welfare activities.

12 politicscommentary

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

The coming of Buhari’s change agents

By Garba Shehu

B

EFORE a skyscraper rises out of the ground and becomes a towering edifice, the foundation must go deep into the ground, sometimes as low as 150 feet. Month after month, the labourers continue to dig and build, their diligent work taking place completely out of sight. In the same period it takes to complete the foundation of a skyscraper, several duplexes may spring up nearby. Concerned onlookers may wonder about all the time invested in an unseen structure and ask, “But why can’t we see the building you say you are building?”

During the past few months since he took on the mantle of change, President Muhammadu Buhari has been restructuring the foundations of the Nigerian government, which have disintegrated and putrefied over decades of mismanagement. He has been busy cleaning out debris and plugging loopholes, before laying new and fresh blocks. When he spoke to them at the three-day retreat welcoming them to the cabinet, the President told the new ministers that “ we have already taken deliberate measures to plug leakages of government revenue and resources.”

The Treasury Single Account (TSA) is one example. Under this new system, all government revenue, income and payments are being handled via one single account which will be maintained by the Central Bank. This way, the government will have direct supervision of inflow and outflow. Cases such as that of Nigerian Maritime and Security Agency, NIMASA (currently under investigation by the EFCC) where billions of dollars were channelled for questionable purposes will be a thing of the past. Nigerians can expect more transparency and less misappropriation of funds by agencies of government.

Government will begin to realise her revenue in full measure and agencies will be able to spend only within their budgets.

Still on the issue of government revenue, the prospect of the Nigerian government generating more money through the Nigerian Customs Service is set to increase with the change of management that was effected recently by the Buhari administration. With accountability and integrity at the top, Nigerians can expect that revenue from that agency will double or triple.

The Ministry of Finance just got the customs to repair broken down scanners at the ports to ensure maximum generation of revenue. Officers had left the scanners unrepaired, and in some known cases deliberately sabotaged them so that assessment is done manually to satisfy greed on their part.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has also begun to implement a programme of increased awareness among Nigerians regarding the payment of taxes. This is being followed by a strict programme of persuasion and enforcement. Within a short while, the Nigerian government will begin to realise a marked increase in revenue from VAT. All these foundation blocks have been laid to ensure that the Nigerian government has enough revenue with which to make life better for every Nigerian, especially as the price of oil continues to look precarious.

Buhari These measures, taken together represent a major push by the President to

increase internally-generated revenue, reduce over-dependence on crude oil earn-

Foundation blocks have been laid to ensure that the Nigerian government has enough revenue with which to make life better for every Nigerian, especially as the price of oil continues to look precarious.

ings in a way that will bring stability and predictability in the financing of government programs.

The situation of the economy is not an ordinary one. It is a crisis, a crisis itself inherited by the Buhari administration, and one that cannot be ignored. Two weeks ago, the International Monetary Fund, IMF predicted that the GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa would fall to 3.75 percent in 2015 which is the lowest in the last six years.

Nigeria along with Angola, the leading oil economies on the continent have been hit hard by oil prices which have gone down by more than 50 per cent in the last 12 months.

It is on account of this that the President warned the new ministers of what to expect: “The work of restoration and renewal is urgent and immense. The expectations of Nigerians are high. Our determination to succeed and change the fortunes of our country must be equal to the challenge.

“I have invited you to join me in this urgent mission for our country. I am convinced that in accepting this invitation you are also equally determined to take part in this patriotic undertaking.

So finally, the underground work is coming to an end. With the inauguration of ministers, it is now time for Nigerians to watch the edifice of change begin to rise out of a new and strong foundation. Our country’s season of austerity is coming to an end. Life will get better for every Nigerian, in every geopolitical zone of our country.

As President Buhari said in the opening address during the retreat that took place last week, “You are coming on board the ship of governance at an interesting time.

So much has been said about the state of our economy. It is expected that we make the running of government at all levels as lean as possible, avoid waste and conserve resources. As ministers, you must be the vehicle that will administer the change.”

President Buhari, who shrugged off “experts”and their “scientific” predictions to receive a historic mandate- the first time that an opposition candidate defeated an incumbent administration since independence has been speaking of the huge popular expectation of Nigerians who gave this mandate. They are waiting, impatient and agitated.

The new ministers will do well to pay heed to the President’s call for prudence, austerity through the avoidance of the type of extravagance that had weighed down the finances of government in the past. Under the past administration, some ministers had as many as 15 special assistants and so many policemen in tow.

Let the new ministers learn from the President who game a recent directive that he didn’t want have more than eight vehicles in his convoy.

Nigerians should get set to see and experience more of the change for which they voted overwhelmingly for the Buhari administration if the cabinet avoids micromanaging specifics and kowtowing to God-father interests to join the President in putting policies in place to make the country a favored destination for investors both global and local.

There is little doubt that there is light at the end of the tunnel although it will take much hard work to make it a new dawn.

13

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

TSA: N25bn ‘illegal’ payment rocks account, Senate begins probe Taiwo Adisa And Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja

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he Senate, on Wednesday, alleged fraud in the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy of the Federal Government, alleging that a private firm has been smiling home with billions of Naira through the policy.

Senate’s position was sequel to the adoption of a motion brought before the lawmakers by the chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye.

Melaye, had, in a motion on Wednesday, alleged that some illegal transactions have been taking place in respect of the implementation of TSA, adding that some persona had instructed a firm to collect one per cent of the funds pooled together in the TSA as administrative charges, even though ,the account was created by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).

The Senate, therefore, mandated three of its standing committees to immediately begin the probe of the alleged fraudulent transactions around TSA. The committees include, Finance, Banking and other financial institutions and Public Account.

The committees have four

weeks to complete the assignment.

The motion had noted that a private firm, REMITA, an e-collection agent, was mandated to collect one per cent of the entire N2.5 trillion revenue paid into the TSA recently and that the firm got paid N25 billion on a single day.

According to the lawmakers, the payment was in violation of Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawmakers insisted that Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the federation shall maintain a special account to be called ‘the federation account’ into which all revenues collected by the government and its agencies shall be paid.

According to the lawmakers, only the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the ministry or department of government charged with foreign affairs and the residents of the FCT, Abuja, were exempted.

The senators also stated that a sum of N25 billion paid to Remita was not the only payment so far paid to the company as they stated that payments to the company was a continuous process.

The legislators insisted that going by the provi-

sions of the Constitution, the proceeds remitted into the Federation Account and accruable to the TSA cannot be shared with anybody.

The senate, in its resolutions, directed the Ministry of Finance and the CBN to immediately suspend the payment to the consultant firm, REMITA, pending the outcome of the investigations.

While moving the motion, Melaye stated that he was aware that through a policy directive, all agencies generating revenue were mandated to pay their funds to the consolidated revenue fund.

He, however, observed that in the course of the operations of TSA, the Federal Government had mopped up some funds.

He said: “The senate observes that in the course of the operations of TSA, the Federal Government on the 15th of September, 2015, mopped up the sum of N2.5trn through its ecollection agent called REMITA. “The agent which charges one per cent of all monies passing through it, the implication of which one per cent of the N2.5trn mopped up on September15, 2015 ,alone amounted to N25billion largesse to REMITA for doing nothing.”

Yasin settles Lagos NURTW crisis The seemingly intractable leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos council, has finally been settled, as the national leadership of the union has been able to broker peace between the two warring factions of the union.

This development was made known on Wednesday by leader of one of the two factional groups, Alhaji Musilu Akinsanya, who

also doubles as the state treasurer of the union and the chairman of Oshodi branch, on his arrival from Abuja national secretariat of the union, where the peace meeting which led to the amicable settlement of the crisis was held.

According to Akinsanya, the national executive of the union, led by its president, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, had been able to settle and reconcile the two aggrieved factions in the interest of

Economist article on Lagos reckless —Govt Bola Badmus-Lagos

Lagos State government has described the article published in the latest edition of the Economist Magazine as reckless and slanderous, saying that the issues were ill-conceived.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said this on Wednesday, stating that the government deemed it fit to write a rebuttal to the article titled: “Paralysed: Why Nigeria’s largest city is even less navigable than usual.”

Ayorinde, who said the article contained series of bias judgment, wondered why the article, published

just about the time the governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, read the riot act to traffic offenders on the readiness of his government to carry out a comprehensive enforcement effort on traffic management and was latched on by traditional and social media.

The commissioner, while attributing the published article to the handiwork of fifth columnists, said the write- up failed to take into account the bigger picture of an emerging reform policy, designed to address the larger concerns in the management of security, traffic and the environment.

unity among members and general peace in the state.

He confirmed that he was just returning from Abuja, where the peace parley took place.

He disclosed that all the aaggrieved members of his group, comprising himself, Alhaji Adekunle Mustapha, Alhaji Suleiman Ojora and Mr Tokunbo Seriki, had all agreed to abide by the decsion of the national leadership on the matter, in the interest of peace.

Speaking further, Akinsanya announced that all pending court cases regarding the matter had been withdrawn as directed by the national leadership.

He commended the president of the union, Alhaji Yasin and other national executive for the elderly initiative taken by them to resolve the matter amicably to the admiration of disputing parties.

Confirming the development, state chairman of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, in a telephone interview, buttressed Akinsanya’s claim, saying there was no more rift among members of the union, as their national leadership had reconciled the hitherto disaffectionate groups.

He noted that the the appointment of REMITA in the operations of TSA was illegal, having contravened Section 162(1) of the Constitition.

He also said that CBN is empowered by law to collect and disburse monies on behalf of the government, adding that using REMITA, which he said, is not a registered bank was offensive to the CBN ACT. According to him, the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act of 2007 provides that no person/ persons shall carry out any banking business in Nigeria unless the company is incorporated in Nigeria and holds a valid licence under the Act, adding that anyone who transacts business without a valid licence shall be found guilty of an offence and if convicted, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of N2million or both.

He further stated: “The activities of REMITA is a gross violation of BOFIA Act and another attempt of ripping Nigerians of task payer’s money that would have been channeled to other sectors of the national economy.”

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South)

who supported the motion, asked the senate to investigate the persons that authorised the payment of money from the TSA Account to REMITA. Abaribe said: “Is this the change we are looking for?

I will not ask the question.

“Somebody made the decision. Who gave the order? Somebody then must be held responsible. In matters like this, we must not be partisan. I fully support the motion. It is beyond the party.”

Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, described the payments to the company as a sabotage and advocated that the culprits be made to refund the money so far collected.

He said: “I didn’t believe that this could happen under this government. However, if it is true, the people involved are saboteurs and must be compelled to return the money and face the wrath of the law.”

He also said that the Governor of CBN Mr. Godwin Emefiele had denied knowledge of the scam.

Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, also said: “The eight senate is distinct and must do what is right and in accordance with the law. We will do

what is right at all times.

The eight senate will not subject itself to public referendum through the social media.”

Senator Shehu Sani (APC Kaduna Central) said that though the TSA was a good idea, “it is clear that the idea is being abused and exploited. We have to investigate the matter.”

Another senator, who spoke in support was Senator Bassey Akpan (Akwa Ibom North-East) said that the senate must act fast.

He stated: “if nothing is done on this matter, it will lead the youth of this country on a nationwide protest against this government.

“There is total collapse of road network and other infrastructural facilities in the country.”

Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South) also said that everything possible must be done to recover the funds.

While rounding off debates on the matter, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said that the committees he has mandated to investigate the matter must quicken investigation “because it is no longer acceptable for Nigeria to lose money to private organisations.”

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

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8 1. From left, guest speakers: Dr Iyabo Sofoluwe Sadare, Professor (Mrs) Alice Umweni and Oladimeji Sorunke, at the 40th anniversary of Faculty of Dentistry, held at the UCH, Ibadan. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE 2. From left, Magajin Garu Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali; Etisalat board member, Alhaji Junaid Dikko; Fagachin Zazzau and representative of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Umar Mohammed and the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko during the formal handover of renovated classrooms of Nuhu Bamali Primary School to the community.

3. Mr Tunde Anifowose-Kelani (centre) receiving an agreement in London from the Chairman and Director OTHM, United Kingdom, to run vocational and skills programmes on Business and Hospitality Management courses as the company’s representative in Nigeria.

4. Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole, discussing with Pastor (Mrs) Nike Okunrinmeta during the first anniversary of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Ekiti Province 4, Life Gate Mega Parish, recently. With them are his wife, Pastor Mojirola (right); Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Modupe Alade and her husband.

5. From left, Sales Director, Africa and Europe, Kaon Media South Korea Limited, Mr Young

Kang; President/CEO, Media Concepts International (MCI) Limited, Mr Babatope Agbeyo and the Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Emeka Mba, during a world media briefing and signing of MoU agreement between MCI and chosen OEM Partner with NBC in Lagos.

6. From left, Mr. Godwin Kienka, Director International Tennis Academy; Professor Umar Danbatta , Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr Sani Ndanusa, President Nigeria Tennis Federation and Mr Reuben Muoka, Head Public Relations, NCC, at the semi-final match of the maiden NCC Tennis Championship, in Abuja, Sunday.

7. Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, presenting a plaque to the Winner, Etisalat Prize for Innovation 2015, Product Category, Obi Brown with support from the Chief Executive Officer, MainOne and Member, Board of Innovators, Funke Opeke, during the Etisalat Prize for Innovation Awards ceremony held in Lagos, on Friday.

8. Former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Bolajoko Adeniji (retd) (second right); chairman, Bible Society of Nigeria, the Oyo Area, Pastor Joseph Olu Makinwa (right); Oba Kingsley Oyelami Onikola, the Onidere of Idereland (left) and Special Apostle (Dr) Sola Adekoya, chairman on the occasion (second left), during the BSN annual luncheon award and fund raising ceremony held at Emmanuel Alayande Hall, Ibadan Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

yournews

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323 08055001746

Reasons for the Biafra agitation

W

HY are the people of the South East crying for an independent homeland (Biafra) now? It is because Nigeria is not well-structured. Everybody is not benefiting from the Nigerian state. The North is the greatest beneficiary of

Bad roads: Oyo gov, come to our aid I wish to use this medium to congratulate His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Executive Governor of Oyo-State on his victory at the governorship election tribunal in the state.

However, it becomes expedient and pertinent to inform our amiable governor that Eleyele-Eruwa road is daily becoming more fragile and worrisome for the thousands of users of the road especially during this rainy season.

Eleyele-Eruwa road is one of the major feeder roads to Ibadan city. It contributes bountifully to the socio-economic development and growth of Oyo State as a whole. The road connects the people of the Ibarapa region of the state which consist of Igbo-Ora, Idere, Tapa, Ayete, Eruwa, Lanlate, Igangan and other numerous settlements to the capital of the state.

Yet, the road has become a death trap for the motorists and commuters plying it as a result of the unbearable and deplorable nature of the road.

One of the electioneering campaign promises of the governor for his second term in office is “to develop and improve infrastructural facilities in the state,” now that he has won the election for second term, we only hope he would give this terrible road an urgent and proper attention for the betterment and safety of the people of the state as a whole.

•Olugbenga Olayiwola, 08060376277

this union. If we want everybody to be part of the Nigerian nation, then our democracy should be restructured. Our democracy should not be practised as it is being done in other countries of the world; we should be able to tailor ours to suit our multiethnic composition. I am thinking that we should have a situation whereby we will have the president, who will be assisted by five vice presidents from the other geo-political zones in

the country.

After the president serves a term of three years, he leaves, and another person from his region is voted as vice president.

Another of the earlier vice presidents would then become the president.

With this system, every region will have the opportunity of producing the president. Why are we currently having this secession tension in our political system today? It is because some regions feel they are be-

Kogi/Bayelsa: We want peaceful elections

ing denied the opportunity to produce the president.

This system will eliminate that.

It is now left for the National Assembly to come up with ways through which we can restructure our political system.

Nigeria is a great country if everybody is happy in the union. I really don’t blame the Igbo people who want to opt out of the union.

Tayo Isola, 08062086668

VERY soon, Kogi and Bayelsa states will be holding their governorship elections, but the signals we are getting as regards the desperation of politicians to win at all cost is making residents of the states to be fearful.

Therefore, we must appeal to politicians in these two states not to set us back in our democratic experience by creating an atmosphere that will lead to voter apathy.

Nigerians recently had a national election which many people participated in, but the manner in which

•Be your brother’s keeper! A motorcylist assists in towing his colleague’s broken-down motorcycle. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN.

Traffic: Ambode wants the best for Lagos GOING by the meeting the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, had with stakeholders in traffic management (commercial motorcycle operators, taxis and commercial bus operators, the police, Navy, Army, the tank farm owners, among others), it shows that the governor wants the best for the state.

The declaration that everybody should sit tight and do the needful is a challenge to all of us. We should all contribute our quota to the development of the state. This is in the

area of strict adherence to traffic laws of the land. If everybody obeys the traffic law, then we will have less

problem on Lagos roads.

So we can say whatever we are experiencing today is caused by the people, and

we should also work hard to change the situation.

Arabanbi Cornelius 08098228190

Why Nigeria should not break up SOME people just like to talk of secession as if it is easy to divide the nation. As someone who witnessed a civil war, I will never wish to experience such again. Nigerians should sit down and talk on how we want to be governed.

Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve anything

during the last national confab. Whatever it is, those at the confab have been able to make their contribution to the development of the country, and I hope President Muhammadu Buhari can adopt the resolutions of the confab.

However, I don’t want Nigeria to disintegrate. We are more respected and ap-

preciated as a single country. We are Africa’s biggest economy, and poised to become one of the top 10 economies in the world by 2030.

This ongoing violence is the only impediment towards achieving our glory on the international stage.

•Elo Osaretin, 08191143941

politicians are going about campaigning in the buildup to these elections have not been encouraging.

Voters already know who they will vote for, so politicians should allow them decide who will be their governor in a peaceful manner.

When the people elect a governor through popular vote, then it means there is a contract between him and the electorate, and he has no reason not to perform.

Evelyn Agada, 08097324106

Nigeria’s high population figure I want to appeal to the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, to do more to curb Nigeria’s population explosion. At 180million people, the country is over-populated, considering the infrastructure we have on ground.

If nothing is done on time, by 2030, Nigeria is predicted to be the fourth most populous country in the world, and we can only imagine the effect of that on our bad infrastructure.

In order to save the situation, the government should start orientating Nigerians on the problems over-population could bring to the country. Government should also let the people know, particularly those who are not learned, the benefits of having the right number of children.

When a family has few children, they will be able to take care of them well, while giving them the best of everything. They will also rely less on government to provide basic necessities of life for them.

Organisations currently in the process of sensitising Nigerians on birth control/ family planning should continue to do more until all Nigerians get the message.

•Oladejo Ogomide Taiwo, 08035505314

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editorial

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Brutal men in uniforms

N its bounden duty to protect lives and property while enforcing order, the State has to set up various security agencies to attend to all areas of human endeavour and in order to distinguish the operatives of these security agencies from other citizens, it has also to require them to don uniforms which sometimes reflect their ranks so that as state agents, they can be accorded the respect due to the state from its citizens. It is, however, curious that these various uniforms that should help the security operatives bring order have been turned into symbols of oppression and hostility on the citizens and even among the security operatives.

But just before the Inspector General of Police issued a query to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) for the torture of a journalist and other citizens in the FESTAC area of Lagos recently, certain military officers had assaulted an official of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA), who accosted them for driving on the BRT lane, a restricted lane in Lagos and issued them a ticket.

Another uniformed officer had earlier during the tenure of the immediate past governor of Lagos State made a fool of himself in a photo splashed on the pages of the country’s newspapers as he gave full compliments to the former governor upon being apprehended for violating the same rules on the same delineated lane.

In another instance of an unprovoked attack, a police traffic officer publicly mowed down a driver with a gunshot to the horror of the commuters.

These instances, too many to have inured the citizens to the portrayed horrors, ought to be a source of concern to the authorities. If these men truly represent the State, does it mean that the Nigerian State is poised to disavow its bounden duty to protect the lives and property of its citizens? The Nigerian security agencies and their operatives have become a source of embarrassment to the authorities with the Navy paying heavy fines as confirmed by its Chief recently.

The police have the worst case of defying fines and it simply beggars belief that an agency through which the Nigerian State expects to maintain order can be so adept at being disorderly. Its ignoble record of extrajudicial killings is simply disconcerting. Up to now, the police have not lived down its colonial essence as an agency

created by the colonialists to pacify civilian discontent and evolve into a modern security agency that should protect the people while asserting their dignity and enforcing their rights.

In one pathetic instance, an NGO in Lagos which defends child rights was stalled in its pursuit of a 60-year-old man who had serially defiled his 14-yearold step-daughter, a sickle cell sufferer whose poor illiterate mother had been cajoled into an undertaking that she would not press charges at a police station.

Apart from physical assaults, there are also numerous cases of subtle oppression and arm-twisting going on at police formations across the country that endorse the observation of a former president of the country that the force might have been infiltrated by criminals and retired armed robbers.

The Nigerian security forces are expected, like in other civilised countries, to obey both the martial and civil laws for them to have a smooth relationship with the citizens who they have been initially set up to protect.

But to the obvious peril of the society, social institutions including the security agencies, have repudiated their essence and they have become engrossed in the social ills they were set up to check.

It is virtually impossible for the Nigerian society to make any progress in the face of these lapses and it is predictable that if care is not taken, it will regress into the despicable “state of nature� in which life is nasty, brutish and short.

It has become an urgent imperative for all the Nigerian security agencies to be re-oriented and re-invented to be diligent in performing their statutory duties of protecting the lives and property of the citizens without compromising their dignity. This may actually promise to be an arduous task, especially with their bizarre records stalking them, but it certainly can be achieved by a creative and visionary leadership.

Their respective heads should help them realise that uniforms are not symbols of terror and oppression either on the citizens or on themselves. It should be possible to form a synergy among the military, the police, the traffic agencies and civil defence corps that can help the Nigerian society surmount its security challenges instead of terrorising or brutalising themselves or the citizens.

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opinion

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

the

avant-garde

UnderstandingtheLakeChadoilfindnarrative

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N the abundant literature there is on terrorism, the beginning of the activities of the members of the bloodsucking sect, Boko Haram, is unanimously traced to the year 2009. During that epoch, a northern Fulani man, Umar Yar’Adua, was the president. The activities of the murderous sect were relatively kept under control by the administration. But soon after Yar’Adua’s demise and the ascendancy of Jonathan into full presidential powers, there was a resurgence of the activities of the sect. In fact, the most barbaric bloodshed by the sect was carried out under the Jonathan administration. The abduction of 219 Chibok girls is a riddle that is yet to be solved, even by the new administration.

Some of the comments made by some leaders from the North about the activities of the sect during the Jonathan era almost stamped truth on the speculations that the sect was being used against Jonathan for political gains. In fact, it was believed that insurgency escalated during the Jonathan era because of his intention to re-contest as president. Some northern leaders called for amnesty for members of the sect in the same way the Niger Delta militants were made to lay down their arms and consequently began to enjoy national cake directly from the baker’s table. Others condemned military clampdown on the sect, while only a tiny few denounced the satanic group.

One of the strong points many Nigerians saw in the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari was the benefit the country would derive from his military background in the battle against Boko Haram insurgency. Although members of the sect have also sucked a lot of blood under the Buhari government, there appears to be relative peace now, as the joint task force team appears to be dealing a deadly blow to the terrorists. In a way, some people will see the relative success against terror by Buhari as a huge political capital, while others may link the development to the fact that a northerner is now the president.

However, dispassionate commentators look at the activities of Boko Haram, the political dimension of it refuses to go

away from consciousness. This is predicated on the fact that a lot of things are masked under grand narrative of governance in Nigeria. A grand narrative is a statement that explains everything. Examples of grand narrative abound in Nigeria. If we say the worst form of democracy is better than the best form of dictatorial regime, we are making a grand narrative.

Another is that what the military destroyed in more than three decades of interregnum cannot be built in 16 years.

This is why some people erroneously say democracy in Nigeria is still nascent, at infancy. Soon, the next grand narrative will be “what the PDP destroyed in 16 years cannot be rebuilt in four years.”

With Buhari’s ascension as president, a sense of entitlement seems to have descended on the northern oligarchy. In fact, one of the northern leaders was said to have jokingly told his colleague from the South-West: “Thanks to you Yoruba people for helping to return (political) power to us in the North.” And that seems to be the dominant attitude of the northerners. Nothing further gives this clue away as the lopsided appointments so far made by the president, with the North getting the lion’s share. During Buhari’s trip to the US, a foreign loan amounting to $2.5b was secured for the reconstruction of the North-East. Clearly, Nigeria has incurred this debt though it is going to be used for a part of it. The NorthEast is the poorest zone because its leaders refuse to deploy resources to functionally educate their citizens, preferring them to be perpetual flotsam and jetsam of their society.

The renewed agitation for Biafra Republic which has

Nigerian Tribune

with Dare Adekanmbi

m:08053412982 e:samueldare2002@yahoo.ca t:@dareadekanmbi

snowballed into street protests in the South-South and the South-East zones should be properly situated against the foregoing. The protesters are like what the Yoruba call water skaters on the surface of the river whose orchestra band stays under the river (Iromi to njo lori omi, onilu e wa labe odo). The protests are unnatural. We must pray that a militia group will not emerge from among the protesters soon.

In the middle of this growing national disorderliness, the NNPC gave Nigerians a cheery piece of news that it is close to finding hydrocarbon in commercial quantities in Lake Chad border with Nigeria in the insurgency-ravaged Borno State. Nigerians will do well not to digest the news in isolation. It is nothing but a subset of a whole. The NNPC oil find narrative a subtle threat to demonstrate that, after all, the North is no longer a parasite, as it is now blessed with crude oil which used to be the exclusive preserve of the South of Nigeria. Thus, any resource control threat from the South will remain an empty threat.

As president-elect, Buhari had assured Borno elders who paid him a congratulatory visit in Kaduna in April that he would commit humongous national resource towards the resumption of crude oil search in Borno, after the war against insurgent might have been won. The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garba had also called on Buhari then to expedite action of crude oil exploration in the state to end insurgency. For many years to come, Nigeria, it is doubtful, may not overcome the problem of mutual ethnic mistrust that has held its back from the path of progress and development.

Re: Kogi, Bayelsa as Buhari’s, Yakubu’s acid test The political situation in this country is still very cloudy. I agree with all the points you raised in your column and I am bold to say that the outcome of the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states will clearly show whether the country is tilting towards a one-party system or not. I also hope that the DSS under Daura will not take us back to the dark days of Abacha. A stitch in time saves nine.

— Prince Gbade Adelakun (snr), Osun State chairman, Democratic Peoples Party and Secretary, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP).

Ooni: Not catching them old

By Banji Ojewale

UNLIKE what is going on in the slow business of forming the Federal Executive Council so far characterised by a preponderance of elements of the older generation and the have-been, the kingmakers at Ile-Ife, Osun State, have opted to offer some lessons on how not to catch them old.

For our own President Muhammadu Buhari who appears not to believe that the young shall grow, this must be a time to learn from both the Ooni-elect and the Ife chiefs who have said nay to palace gerontocracy.

At 40, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi comes in as a pulsating and rambunctious challenge to prevalent political notions of old age and experience as exclusive prerequisites for salutary performance in office or industry. To be sure, these “virtues” count. But they are not final or absolute.

We must only reckon with them as some of the skills required in a successful team. Their impact will be meaningful only according to the energy input of the emerging generation.

For, the issue of governing or organizing society isn’t all about the age of a sage. It is also greatly about energising an enterprise which only the radiance and bubble of young age can do. Both are required for balance or equilibrium, just as all the stands of the traditional cooking tripod are needed for a stable hold of the pot.

When Ogunwusi’s predecessor, Oba Okunade Sijuwade was coronated in in 1980 as the 50th Ooni at the age of 50, pundits said it was not too prudent, given the dominance of the political climate by the men and women who held sway in the 50s and 60s. They were still in charge of all spheres of the Nigerian firmament after an iron hold on the powerful institutions of state from pre-colonial days right to the two decades after. The point of the critics was that the system could only thrive if kindred spirits

(denominated by cronyism and age) ran it at all levels.

Now Sijuwade wasn’t quite a “kindred spirit.” But he had vast business links that accommodated politicians and the government machinery for patronage. He was therefore accepted as one of them, even if as a backroom operator in the industrial military complex of the Nigerian system. This explains why in his 35 year rule that witnessed the rise and fall of several civilian and military governments, Sijuwade’s industrial clusters that dug in westwards and went Northwards and Eastwards and Southwards never shrank, never fell. They maintained a dynamic expansion, the same way the monarch sustained seamless relationships with influential traditional rulers in the far North and East of the Niger before his death at 85 in 2015.

The incoming Ogunwusi hasn’t followed a similar trajectory. He is being caught young, not old and spent and bereft of spritely bounce, a leap that matches the vision of society that must feed on the wisdom of experience and on the raw vitality of youth. Unlike the old ones who would stop developing once in the palace, Ogunwusi

would grow in the saddle; he would age with experience in “office”. He would ride on a horse with two lives: one moving at a slow pace observing and learning and the other jetting with speed and gathering momentum.

Contrasting with those before him, Ogunwusi has spoken of a transcendental future, an age that he says should be the next level for the Yoruba race and for the youth of Nigeria. He is breaking out of the cocoon of palace mentality. He has taken Ile-Ife as the station to launch a global vision. Age is on his side to midwife his goals, if he does not look down on the counsel of the older culture. The two need each other, never mind the principle of only one captain steering the ship.

I believe that Buhari’s approach of catching members of his change team old as it looks to most Nigerians is not a strategy that respects the future. If you rest only on age or so-called experience, you shut out the essential spice of vibrant youth, some substantial percentage of which forms the soul of this country. It is the same bottom of the bag he has put himself in with the mean number of women he has in his cabinet. These days one of the indices you apply to assess a society’s development is how far you accommodate women in government and public office, which in turn offers a window into the extent of education you allow them to have.

It is a twist in the tale that tutorials on change based on the infusion of fresh blood in governance and politics are coming from a symbol of what some of us have called a dying institution. Others even say it is dead; it is just that the monarchical system has not been buried.

Whichever way it goes, this extinct order is interrogating us. A relic is reinventing itself. It is rejuvenating itself. It is throwing off ancient features and habits that stunted its growth and gave it death.

•Ojewale is a writer and journalist at Ota, Ogun State.

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo Echoes from Nsukka Chambers of Commerce inauguration Jude Ossai - Enugu THE story of Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NSCCIMA) is quite interesting as it is an organisation that thrived for four years and went into coma and resurrected eleven years after.

Today, the Nsukka Chamber parades business men and women who have a common goal of protecting and improving the business environment in which they operate for their benefit and that of the entire community.

Among them are Chief Sam Maduka Onyishi of the Peace Mass Transit Fame, Chief Okey Ezea of the Ideke Group, Prince Emeka Mamah of Ifesinachi Transport, Chief William Agbo, Chief Chinedu Onu, all business moguls and philanthropists.

Little wonder, the Director-General of the Nsukka Chamber, Daniel Ochi, said that they would organise a trade fair called Nsukka Trade Fair and Christmas sales exhibition this year.

The first Nsukka Trade Fair, he said, was expected to attract thousands of exhibitors/visitors to the University town as over 18,000 square metres has been booked at government field, Nsukka the venue of the fair.

Speaking at the official presentation, inauguration and swearing in ceremony of the Board of Trustees, Directors and investiture of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwunayi on Friday, the President of the Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Basil Onugu, noted that in this era of entrepreneurial age, entrepreneurs were determining and shaping every economy in the world.

Dr Onugu stated that the Nsukka Chamber of Commerce represented one of the most appropriate platforms for all business men and women to come together to partner and assist the present government in the state to transform Nsukka urban into a modern city.

"The Nsukka Chamber would, among others, do all it can within its limited resources to inform, educate and instill basic entrepreneurial skills in our teeming young population so as to make them employable after leaving school", he added.

If there was any Nsukka extraction who was highly elated for the second coming of the chamber, it was Chief Matthias Omeh who pioneered the chamber as President along with Amaechi Agboeze (Executive Secretary) far back in 2001, but could not continue the voyage due to political intrigue then.

The high point of the occasion was presentation of awards to prominent Nigerians and multinationals. The recipients were: Chief Matthias Omeh, Solive Vegetable Oil Industries Ltd, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Peace Mass Transit Ltd, Ifeasinachi Industries Ltd, Aqua Rapha Investment Ltd, AMA Breweries Plc, Nsukka Microfinace Bank Ltd, Andy Young Aluminum Nig. Ltd.

Traders in similar protest over a crisis in one of the Eastern markets

Traders advocate no election, no payment of levies in Anambra Suzy Oruya - Onitsha

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RADERS at Abada Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, have vowed not to pay levies/taxes in their market until election is conducted to usher in the new executive of the market.

Shouting their chairman, Chief Paul Ibeneme Igirigi down when he addressed them in the early morning on Monday, on the present condition of the market

as it concerned their upcoming election and the need to pay Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency (ANSEPA)’s levy that had been increased from N400 to N500, the traders vowed not to make the payment and would take to the streets if the election was not conducted before December.

Addressing them, the chairman said: “The government is going to conduct election in our market, but it has not given us a date for the election. Again the N400 we have been paying to ANSEPA

has been increased to N500 and I urge you to ensure you make the payment”, he pleaded.

While he was still talking, shouts of “no, we no go gree until election is conducted”, rented the air.

Reacting, Chief Achumu Gilbert and Chief Columba Enwelemadu, traders in the market, expressed dissatisfaction that the incumbent chairman of the market, Chief Igirigi, had remained in office for over 10 years as if he was the only one meant for that office.

“How can he be in office for over 10 years without considering the need to conduct election for new person to succeed him.

“It is unfair and we commend the state government for resolving to conduct election in the market, but it should give us a date that will not exit December”, they said.

Three other traders, Chief Geoffrey C.I Okeke, Chief Charles Okoye and Chief Vincent Nwafor, commended the state government for the coming election and urged it to ensure that only genuine traders would vote during the election.

CREW

A peaceful market setting

Fresh crisis looms in AmechiAwkun over land —pg22

Enugu gov moves to save state college of education

—pg22

Jude Ossai-Enugu-South East Bureau Chief 08052817955 Joe Nwachukwu- Owerri 08033271227 Suzy Oruya- Onitsha 08063653735

22 makand’igbo

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Fresh crisis looms in Amechi-Awkun over land Jude Ossai - Enugu

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NEASY calm is now building up again at Amechi-Uwani in Enugu-South Local Government Area of Enugu State following an alleged oppression, extortion and exploitation levelled against a section of the community.

In a petition to the Inspector –General of Police (IGP) by Messrs Chijioke Ugwu, Okwudili Ugwu, Dominic Ani and Christian Ugwu, they alleged that a group of the troubled community called “Umuneshi Land Committee led by Friday Nnaji and Sunday Anyanwu had been intimidating them in the last five years.

The petitioners (Ugwu family) had, through their lawyer, Louis Onyia, in the petition dated October 12, 2015 and made available to Maka Ndigbo, accused an Assistant Superintendant of Police (ASP) Charles Nnakusoba of giving police cover to their opponents in the land dispute.

According to the petitioners, the police officer had cashed in on what they described as baseless and unfounded petitions to the police headquarters, Abuja to rip them off.

“Sir, the crux of the matter is that sometime last year, one Mr Chinedu Nnaji (one of the confederates of Mr Friday Nnaji) died while running away with other members of the gang for fear of police arrest and prosecution as they had just attacked and set ablaze the ancestral home of Messrs Afamuefuna and Chijioke Ugwu.”

They further said that Nnaji and his cohorts were alleged to have damaged household property worth N20million and 2002 Toyota High lander , 2005, Toyota Corola and 2010 Toyota Camry, adding that Afamuefuna narrowly escaped being killed.

“Before any investigation could be conducted, Mr Friday Nnaji and Sunday fired petition to the police alleging that Mr Chijioke Nnaji was killed by the Ugwus”, the petitioners added.

“Happily, the Ugwus noted, “The report of the medical autopsy conducted on 9/10/2015 by the Police Pathologist and Chief Consultant, DCP, Dr Wilson Akhiwu, in full glare of both parties, showed clearly that Mr Chinedu Nnaji died of myococardial infaction following persistent systematic hypertension”.

The petitioners, therefore, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to order full investigation into the matter and the role being played by the accused police officer.

“For a start, kindly order that he (Nnakusoba) should release the two of our client sureties whom he is holding in detention at Enugu and return to Abuja pending the outcome of full investigation of allegation levelled against him”.

But the other party, the Umunenshi community thinks different as they alleged that Nnaji was ambushed and killed on December 17, last year, when he went to inspect the controversial Egbrigba, Ugwuonyia land, crying foul over the autopsy result.

They faulted the autopsy report on the ground that it was carried out in the absence of the representatives of the community.

They insisted that a top police officer in the state had become a stumbling block in the way of justice as well as the prosecution of four suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Nnaji.

The community stated that the police officer at the centre of a disputed

piece of land, lying a few kilometres off Enugu, which he allegedly secured from the Umueowukwu community had compromised the case.

Addressing reporters in Enugu, Counsel to the Complainants (the Umunenshi), Sunday Anyanwu of Chieze Chambers, alleged that the police had taken sides with the alleged assailants who were later picked in the murder case.

Anyanwu accused the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Mohammed, of complicity, saying that he had “decided to compromise the case and peace of the state and the component units for pecuniary interests”.

The lawyer exhibited documents including various police reports and petitions to the Force headquarters, Abuja, wherein he restated his case against the police boss allegedly acting in connivance with some elements within the Umuewoukwus.

Responding however to the issues, the police in Enugu exonerated the state Commissioner of Police of blame in the matter, dismissing the allegations of the lawyer as untrue and unfortunate.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said that the matter had long been handled, stressing that the Commissioner never received any money nor was offered any gift from the communities.

He added that the police would always protect the people, stressing that it would be unfair to link the police with the process of investigation and delays over a matter that was not in the domain of the command.

Afamuefuna Ugwu

Enugu gov moves to save state college of education Jude Ossai - Enugu GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said that his administration would take immediate steps to provide necessary facilities at the State College of Education Technical to enable the institution meet the requirements for accreditation by the National Commission for Colleges of Education.

Ugwuanyi, who inspected facilities in the institution on Monday, assured the management and students of the college of his administration’s preparedness to fast-track the ongoing building and road projects in the school with the reconstruction of the dilapidated sick bay of the institution before the accreditation team visits the institution within the month.

The governor noted that the College of Education Technical, as an institution that nurtures future leaders, would continue to attract assistance from the state government, adding that conducive environment would continue to be provided in the school to facilitate teaching and learning.

“As governor of Enugu State, as visitor to the college, this request is hereby granted.

In addition, government will consider alleviating the suffering of students as what I have seen this afternoon, to say the least, is not befitting", he added.

The governor thanked the students for their support to his administration, promising his readiness to continue to uplift the institution.

He said that he was aware that the greatest objective of government was to alleviate the sufferings of the people, adding that he would surely intervene in the situation in the college.

Earlier in an address, the chairman,

Governing Council of the institution, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze, expressed happiness for the governor’s visit to the institution, twenty-one days after the inauguration of the new governing board of the institution and appointment of the acting provost of the college. He added that the governor’s visit was a manifestation of his commitment to repositioning the college to live up to the objectives of establishing the institution.

In her words: “As a visitor of the college, you are the proprietor and landlord of the college. We welcome you once again, We love you, we cherish you and your presence to the school today.”

She said that the governor’s visit

afforded him to do a self –assessment tour of the college and he was in a better position to appreciate the plight of the college which needed intervention in all aspects especially in the areas of modern infrastructure and equipment required for a condusive learning environment.

The chairman informed the governor that the institution had not been able to issue certificate to her gradunds since inception in 2006 due to non-accreditation of the college for NCE programmes. She added that the college would face its National Commission for College of Education (NCCE) accreditation on November 2015, calling on the governor to intervene by assisting the college actualise its goal of being accredited.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State accompanied by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Ambassador Fidelia Njeze, Acting Provost of the School, Professor Ngozi Nnamani (left) and the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr Solomon Onah and others when he paid an inspection visit to the college on Monday.

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

campusbeats

Doyin Adeoye 08058130577 kreatifink@yahoo.com

Nigeria’s YALI fellows task Buhari on youth-oriented projects

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IGERIA’S participants at the ongoing President Obama’s Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI), West Africa Regional Learning Centre, Accra, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to initiate and embark on more youthoriented developmental projects.

The young Nigerians, who made the call in separate interviews over the weekend at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra, venue of the leadership training programme, noted that youth development was imperative to nation building.

YALI is a signature programme of President Barack Obama of USA, aimed at investing in the next generation of African leaders by equipping and empowering them with the right leadership training to reposition Africa.

Over 100 youths selected across eight West African countries, including 40 from Nigeria, are currently undertaking the leadership training programme organised by YALI. The event commenced on November 2 and will end on December 4, 2015.

One of the youth, Kunle Ajayi, a social entrepreneur and founder of Global Entrepreneurship Platform (GEP), stated that one of the ways Nigeria could achieve greatness was for the Federal Government to recognise the importance of youth and initiate programmes that would enhance youth capacity and development.

“In addressing the challenge of unemployment, the government at all levels need to create a synergy between intending and existing entrepreneurs, financial institutions, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders, as this would encourage entrepreneurship in our country,” he said.

Agho Blessing, a farmer based in Edo State and founder of EarthLab Service, said that she would want the Nigerian government to transform the agricultural sector and design frameworks that would attract and encourage more youth to go into farming, stressing that more opportunities abound in the agricultural sector.

“The government should invest more in agriculture to provide employment opportunities for the youth. Our country is blessed with a favourable climate and arable land for agricultural production,” she stated.

Another Nigerian youth, Jennifer Pearse, who is an activist and community developer from Rivers

A cross section of participants at the President Obama’s Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI), West Africa Regional Learning Centre, Accra State, urged President Buhari to provide platforms for youths to be included in decision making, governance and policy formulation.

Jennifer, who is also the convener of Give Back Nigeria, explained that it is very important for the Federal Government to revamp the education sector, saying that no nation could develop

without quality education for its citizenry.

In a related development, a first class traditional ruler in Ghana, the King of Akyem Abuakwa, His Majesty, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori, has charged African leaders to develop the continent, stressing that education, infrastructure and leaders with integrity are what Af-

rica needs to become a better continent.

He said with the natural and human resources the African continent is blessed with, the continent should have no business with poverty. The king also charged African youths to be prepared to take up leadership opportunities.

Hameed Opeyemi

Carrington advocates women involvement in science, technology DR Arese Carrington, Vice President, Africana Consultants, United States of America, during the first eminent lecture series held at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), penultimate Thursday, have charged women to be more involved in science and technology.

Delivering a lecture on the topic: ‘The Female Imperative in the New Africa,’ Dr Arese said: “Women need to be given the opportunity to advance in science and technology. A lot of women are gifted in Mathematics and Science, but many of them can’t harness this potential to the fullest.

“Some are easily discouraged and don’t pursue their aspiration.

A young lady once told me she thought about studying Mathematics in a top university, but on the first day of her lectures she found herself the only female in the class. She was made to feel uncomfortable by the males, who asked if she was majoring in Mathematics to learn the ratio of ingredients needed for cooking.”

Dr Arese is the wife of the former American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Walter Carrington, who was also among the speakers

Ambassador Walter Carrington and wife, Dr Arese Carrington of the first eminent lecture series.

Introducing the guests, the Public Relations Officer, Mr Michael Osasuyi, stated that the lectures were held to address topical issues that concerns the growth and relative development of the country.

During her lecture, Dr Arese also encouraged women to stand up and get involved in leadership activities, so that they won’t get relegated to the background.

She also admonished the men to respect women and acknowledge their academic prowess.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Walter Carrington, while speaking on the topic: ‘Nigeria and Future of the

Nigerian Tribune

Black World,’ gave an expose on why Nigeria still remains where it is, despite its possession of crude oil.

He decried the poor state of leadership and gave reasons why international communities could not trust in the country enough to integrate them into some key developmental processes.

He said: “The country must do what so many OPEC members are doing, diversify its economy to lessen the dependence on petroleum which provides an outsised portion of the National budget.”

By Ezekiel Efeobhokhan 500-Level Pharmacy, UNIBEN

AAUA elects new excos through e-voting

By Oluyomi Fashakin FOLLOWING the trends of a 21st century institution, the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) has introduced the e-voting system to its Students’ Union election which was held recently.

The innovation, according to the Students’ Union Election Committee (SUEC) Chairman, Dr Benson Igboin, was in line with the institution’s mission, which he said was associated with science and technology, enabling students to vote from whatever location between 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

He noted that the decision to go electronic was to eliminate the stress students underwent in the past, particularly asthmatic students.

As a recommendation, Dr Igboin said the system should not only be introduced into higher institutions of learning, but the country as a whole.

Students of the institution also applauded the management for the improvement which involved logging-in, choosing a category and casting of vote.

Meanwhile, Adegbola Odunyemi, a 300-Level student of the Faculty of Law emerged the president of the AAU Students’ Union for the 2015/2016 academic session.

Odunyemi in a chat with Campusbeats, observed that though the election process was new, “it was not so difficult for students to adapt.”

Speaking on his agenda for the union, Odunyemi said by the grace of God, he would ensure that students’ incentives are delivered before the end of his tenure, and that fees are not unnecessarily hiked.

“We would also ensure that students are not harassed by the paramilitary groups on campus among others,” he said.

He also thanked the students for considering him capable to pilot the affairs of the union, even as he assured that he would prioritise their welfare.

Other newly elected executives are Ayeni Rita as Vice President; Odunayo Segun as General Secretary; Akinola Gabriel as Assistant General Secretary; Olanrewaju Isaiah Ikuejurojo as Public Relations Officer; Bello Segun as Financial Secretary; Olanrewaju Jadesola as Treasurer; Anibire Oluwaseun as Social Director; Oyelade Ibrahim as Welfare Director and Bamidele Olamide as Sports Director.

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

education

Editor: Laolu Harolds 08111845016 tribune.education@yahoo.com

Book sales:

Are school owners, publishers teaming up against parents?

By Adebola Adeniyi

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HE months of September and October are particularly ‘memorable’ for parents; it is a period the blood pressure of most parents (especially low and middle-income earners) goes a notch or two higher: school fees are due, and books must be purchased.

Apart from the fact that many school owners lay ambush on parents during this period to increase fees, they also brand notebooks (thus foreclosing the possibility of parents procuring cheaper options for their wards outside). But it does not end there; most schools insist that many of the prescribed textbooks (usually the most expensive and central ones) must be bought in school.

Tribune Education investigation revealed also that some school owners change the major textbooks regularly, such that for subjects like English Language, Mathematics and Literature in English for instance, the books used by a child in a class today cannot be transferred to his/her sibling that graduates to that same class next year.

Particularly in junior classes, most of these textbooks even come in pairs: Mental Mathematics, English Language, Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning and so on – and all come with work-in exercises, such that each book ‘expires’ that year and cannot be transferred to younger siblings.

And they don’t come cheap!

Are these tricks by school owners, and perhaps publishers, to exploit parents?

Some principals and heads of schools spoken to absolved their schools of any blame.

According to them, the changes that occur every year in terms of textbooks are initiated from the Ministry of Education.

Textbooks children used in 2013/2014 academic session, which they are supposed to continue with, may have been changed for the 2014/2015 session, they claimed.

One of the principals, who wanted neither his name nor that of his school mentioned, put the blame squarely on the ministry.

He said: “The textbooks are recommended from the ministry, and it is not the school that changes the textbooks. Let’s take Literature for example. We don’t just pick any story book we like; it’s from the Ministry of Education. And the textbook the ministry releases this session, you may discover that next session, they will bring another one.

“The major problem we are facing is that government policy is unstable. (There’s) no monitoring. Today, I can start a school, and I can use any textbook I like because there is no uniformity in anything.

“This school may be using New General Mathematics; another school may be using Learn Mathematics, while another may use New Method Mathematics. And if I use New Method Mathematics in 2014/2015 (session), next session I can change it to New General Mathematics because there is no uniformity. Government can standardize it and say that in the next five years (schools) must make use of New General Mathematics. For now, private schools are doing anything they like.”

He blamed every other person except the schools, saying that while government approves many textbooks for e ach subject (out of which individual schools are free to choose), schools still have to change textbooks frequently because publishers keep revising and updating them almost every year.

Apart from publishers revising textbooks, he said: They also provide spaces in some of those textbooks in which children are to do their exercises; and if teachers decide not to allow students write inside

them, parents complain that schools don’t allow children to use their textbooks.

But why insist that parents must buy textbooks in school? Respondents cite the issue of piracy as the culprit. Pirated books outside, which parents may not know about, give teachers a lot of problems in class, they say.

“When schools buy books directly from the publisher, the assurance is there that they will be original; and if at all there are (problems with the books), we can return them to the publisher – which parents can never do when they buy from bookshops,” another principal explained.

But that is not all; a school owner actually came down hard on parents, saying some parents are irresponsible. Schools have to force some parents to buy books for their children, he said, while some don’t have the time to go to the market and look for books.

This is why, he said, some schools insist that parents must buy textbooks in school; though he did not dispute the fact some schools do this for profit motive.

As for price differential, respondents justify the higher prices of books purchased in schools, saying that naturally, pirated books would be cheaper.

An official of Learn Africa (formerly Longman Publishers), Mr Femi Oluokun, also justified the frequent change in textbooks used in schools. One major factor, according to him, is change in curriculum, though this does not happen every year.

“Of recent, there was this change in curriculum. Before now, we used to have just Basic Science and Technology; but now some other texts have been merged with Basic Science and Technology. These are subjects that used to be on their own in the past; and publishers have to comply

with this policy,” he said.

He also cited some books like Ore Oluloyo’s Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning textbooks, which are published in such a way that students will have to provide answers for the exercises inside the books.

“Once this is done, it is definitely not transferable.”

Oluokun also blamed piracy for some of the frequent reviews/updates in textbooks.

“A book sold by the publisher at a certain amount, you will get to some popular markets and discover it is sold at half the original cost. Definitely, the publishing firm will crash. That is why publishers either reprint or update their books every year or every two years,” he explained.

Apart from the issue of piracy, Oluokun also gave further insight: “Education is not static. For instance, there may be a particular way of solving a problem in Mathematics this year; next year, people may come up with another way of solving it. Things are changing, except for subjects like Biology or Chemistry that has its own static formula. When you are talking of English, things are evolving, and publishing has to evolve too.”

According to him, every year publishers go for seminars and workshops where they deliberate on some issues and make corrections on some books. “So, it is not as if publishers are extorting money from parents; these are the major reasons being the frequent changes.”

Parents, however, seem to be helpless.

Some of them spoken to said they had no choice than to conform to whatever the schools bring their way. But they would rather have loved government to step up the monitoring of what goes on in these schools.

25

education

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

‘NCE graduates can’t be effective in primary schools’ He is the first black African Professor of Comparative Grammar (of French, English and Yoruba). The provost of the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija-Epe, Professor Olu Akeusola, says in this interview with NAZA OKOLI that expecting NCE holders to teach effectively in primary schools is an error. Excerpts

Y

our school is called a College of Primary Education. What is the vision behind it?

To answer your question directly, the creation of this college is more political than academic.

The Obasanjo administration came with the 6-3-3-4 system of education and introduced what we called Universal Primary Education. It was around 1976. With the 6-33-4 system, a candidate would spend six years in primary school, three years in junior secondary school, three years in senior secondary and four years in tertiary institution. In order to provide teachers that would teach at this primary school level, the administration introduced the Grade II Teacher Training College; so that anybody that passed the senior secondary school could go into the Grade II College for a one-year teaching methodology course which qualified them to teach in the primary school. Someone who finished Modern III would go for a three-year course at the college, while someone who finished his primary education would go in for a five-year course at the college.

Then in 1990/91, it was discovered that there were a lot of Grade II teachers who weren’t doing well. And so it was felt that the standard of education was falling. The Babangida administration then decided that the minimum teaching qualification would be NCE in the primary school. So, Grade II was hurriedly abrogated. At that time, Michael Otedola was the Governor of Lagos State. The policy at that time made it incumbent on colleges of education to be training teachers for primary school. I told you it was more political than academic. At that time, there was Lagos State College of Education at Ijanikin. The governor was from Epe here; he needed a college of education to come to his own area while he was still the governor… so he capitalised on that pronouncement of the Federal Government that a college of primary education should be established and that was instrumental to the establishment of this college in 1994. It was then Lagos State College of Primary Education.

It happened to be the first in Nigeria and second in Africa after Kenya.

Would you say the initiative has been successful?

I’m going to tell you the truth, it was a wrong decision.

Babangida who initiated it was wrong. The people who implemented it were wrong. The real 6-3-3-4 system is actually supposed to mean six years of primary education that is basic; three years of junior secondary that is technical.

Then, the three years of senior secondary education should have been divided into three: three-year senior secondary teacher-education, which should have replaced the Grade II; three-year general education, and three-year senior secondary technical education. Those who finish from the three-year teacher education would then be the ones that could go for NCE or faculty of education. The three-year senior technical education would then go to polytechnics; and the others from the three-year general education would have gone to the universities. If we say that NCE should be used to teach in the primary school, we are deceiving ourselves; it cannot work.

Why? Education is pyramidal: it is wider at the base, and it thins up. When you are at the primary school, you do all the subjects; at the junior secondary school, you do about 16 subjects. At the senior secondary, you select only eight or nine.

By the time you get to college of education, it becomes only three – education and any of two teaching subjects. That is where specialisation comes in. In the university, it is two: your major and your minor. Nigeria has not developed to the extent of taking specialised teachers to teach in the primary school. Our teachers in the primary school in those days taught everything. It was one teacher per class. One teacher would teach English, Arithmetic, Social Studies, Geography, and so on. Do we prepare these NCE students for that kind of work? No. Then why should we expect from them what we never taught them? Why are we implementing a policy we cannot even finance?

As the head of a college that prepares teachers to teach in these primary schools, have you found a way of addressing these issues?

and No”. They have the method, but they cannot cope with the variety of subjects that will be assigned to them. If it is going to be specialised teaching for primary education, then they can cope – that is if the government can afford to employ about eight teachers for one class, so that each teacher teaches the subjects he or she had specialised in.

Akeusola

We are only deceiving ourselves. There is a difference between curriculum and methodology. The NCE programme that we are teaching them here is the same as that of other colleges of education, because it is regulated by the same NCCE (National Commission for Colleges of Education).

There is no difference. It is only in the methodology. While these people at the other colleges of education are adopting methods of teaching adolescents and adults, we adopt the methods of teaching infants and pupils. The content is the same. And that is why I’m saying that a lot of things are wrong, right from the governmental policy.

As the National Secretary-General of the Committee of Provosts in Nigeria, is there something that your committee has done to influence these policies?

We have tried our best. I was even fortunate as the National Secretary-General to be member of the NCCE board. We raised these issues at that level too; but it is beyond them.

So, automatically, it is government policy. It requires the status and the understanding of a minister of education for that kind of policy to be reviewed. It is not even what a commissioner in a state can do; it is a national policy.

Your graduates are trained specifically to teach in the primary schools. Are they really being absorbed by these primary schools?

Our responsibility is to train them. It is for the government to employ them. If you ask if we are training well, and preparing them for what their certificates stand for, I would say “Yes”. And would they be able to cope? I would say: “Yes

Nigeria has not developed to the extent of taking specialised teachers to teach in the primary school. Why are we implementing a policy we cannot even finance?

The NCE is fast losing its value. Today there is hardly anything one can do with it. And as if in agreement, it seems all colleges of education are affiliated to universities that so their students would have a chance to pursue degree programmes. What does this portend?

The day we killed Grade II was the day we killed teacher education. The NCE graduates we have now are supposed to be teaching in either the primary school or the Junior Secondary School. NCE was established to be a specialisation programme – a programme for people who have finished from Grade II Colleges. But today, we have NCE students who come in without any teaching experience. The majority of them are even frustrated; they are coming as a result of their inability to secure admission into universities and polytechnics. They are taking NCE as the last resort. And many of them spend the first two years of their programme running around looking for admission, doing JAMB again.

As for the affiliation to universities, we are only responding to societal demand. The societal mentality is that everybody wants to be a degree holder. So any college of education that doesn’t have affiliation with a university, so that whoever finishes his NCE can begin a degree immediately will be losing patronage.

What is the solution?

There is no college of education that is awarding NCE today that doesn’t have the capacity to run its own degree programmes. So, all colleges of education should be given the power to award degrees. Of course, I mean degrees in education.

Do they have the manpower?

Yes, they do. The least person that can teach an NCE student is a Master’s degree holder. And when you have a Master’s degree, you can still lecture first degree students confidently.

But undergraduates in universities are taught by professors It’s a waste of energy, money and time to ask professors to teach undergraduates. Professors are meant to teach postgraduate candidates, especially MPhil, PhD. This current debate as to whether National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) graduates should go for NYSC – what do you think, as a former dean in that school?

You see, we have the tendency of misinterpreting concepts. NOUN isn’t meant for regular students. It’s not meant for anybody that has just finished his secondary education.

NOUN is a flexible programme meant for adults – the working class; people who have sufficient experience, but want academic knowledge and certificates to back up what they are doing.

Yet the management of NOUN has been working hard to ensure that their graduates begin to take part in the programme (national youth service). Do you support the clamour?

Get me clear: the quality of education at NOUN is the same if not better than what obtains at any other federal university in the country. So, when I say the clamour isn’t necessary, I do not mean NOUN graduates are less qualified. But we have to understand that not participating in NYSC doesn’t reduce your worth as a graduate. I know my vice chancellor, Professor Tenebe (NOUN). He is a man of honour and integrity. I know he would want to accede to the yearnings of the students and their parents, and as I am still a part of NOUN, I would give the ongoing efforts my full backing.

26

education

Don makes case for material sciences at 15th LAUTECH inaugural lecture

By Paul Omorogbe THE need for government to pay greater attention to research for national development formed part of the core recommendations of Professor Olusegun Adunola, at the 15th Inaugural Lecture of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, titled: “Molecular Architecture: Juggling Metals and Electrons for Technological Advancement.”

“Government should establish a National Research Foundation similar to what obtains in developed countries in Africa to promote, nurture and document research activities in various universities and research institutes for national development.

"Government must invest in a knowledge-based economy. Gone are the days of commodity-based economy. Japan and Singapore are examples of countries like this.

Government should invest in research that will produce solutions that are sellable and can bring money, the way it is done in other climes,” Professor Adunola noted.

In his lecture, the former rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan and current foundation Vice Chancellor of Hallmark University said, “The importance of Materials Science in our present age cannot be over-emphasised.”

Making a case for Materials Science, the field in which his research was based, the dean of Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, LAUTECH from 2004 till 2008, said “the socio-economic impact of materials in the developed countries is also staggering.

In United States alone, it is estimated that the industries of aerospace, automobiles, biomaterials, chemicals, energy, metals and telecommunications, all critically dependent on materials, together generate $4 trillion in sales annually and employ about 10 million people. Nigeria can emulate this to solve its unemployment problem.”

‘ICT revolution threat to conventional libraries’ Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta THE University Librarian, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo,Ogun State, Professor Clara Okoro, has described the Information and Communication Technology(ICT) revolution as threat to the existence of conventional libraries.

Mrs Okoro, who was the chairperson at the Nigerian Library Association’s 35th annual Cataloguing, Classification and Indexing seminar/workshop held in Abeokuta, noted that all aspects of Library and Information Science profession is currently undergoing radical revolution.

She admonished librarians and other information providers to be abreast of all the technical aspects of the library.

Mrs Okoro spoke on the theme, ‘Future Cataloguers: Changing Rules, Changing Roles’.

She said, “The technical aspect of our services is evolving and the change is like a tornado blowing full blast on the fabric of the profession. All librarians, and particularly staff of Technical Services Division, must wake up and stand to their calling.”

In his welcome address, the chairman, Cataloguing, Classification and Indexing Section of NLA, Mr.Akinniyi Adeleke, said the change occasioned by the ICT had implications for the format and media of information resources.

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Ganduje seeks Australia scholarship for Kano youths Kola Oyelere-Kano

K

ANO State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has appealed to the government of Australia to make available to indigenes of the state scholarships, to enable them acquire post graduate education and to also allow for professional development in the country.

The state governor, who made the call on Thursday in Kano, while receiving the Australian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr John Richardson in his office, noted that the scholarship awards are keystone of development assistance to African countries.

According to him, the scholarship programme which covers countries like Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Cameroon, Gabon and

Gambia is aimed at supporting the progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

He also informed the envoy that Kano State has abundant opportunities in the agricultural sector, while assuring that his administration would provide enabling environment to Australian investors to contribute towards the development of the sector in the state.

Governor Ganduje also pointed out that Kano has huge potential for renewable energy, even though it is at the moment constructing Independent Power Plants, which cannot cater for its entire electricity needs.

He, therefore, urged the Australian ambassador to encourage investors from his country to also explore opportunities in the solar energy sector in the state.

He also explained to the envoy that the state is not relenting in its fight against Polio and commended the Australian government for its support to Nigeria on Polio eradication programme.

Earlier, Ambassador John Richardson explained that Australian companies are involved in the agricultural development, mining and development of infrastructure at several places in Nigeria.

He also stated the involvement of his country in the eradication of Polio in the Northern Nigeria, while its working with Fistula Foundation on the improvement of the welfare of women.

The envoy added that his country is funding some grassroots projects in Nigeria, pointing out that his country is keen on working with the government and people of Kano State for reciprocal benefits.

The proprietress, Dr (Mrs) J.O. Lawson, (middle); principal of the school, Mrs B.O. Kolapo (); teachers, pupils and students of Funmilayo International Group of Schools Apata, Ibadan, during an excursion to the Tribune House recently.

Oyo JCI donates school materials to students

By Olawale Olaniyan AS part of its social responsibilities to the community, the Junior Chambers International (JCI) Premier, Oyo State has honoured some of the best students of Methodist High School, Bodija, Ibadan with gift items, while also distributing other education materials to the school.

Some of the materials distributed include, notebooks, pens, chalks, erasers, pencils, mathematical sets, among others.

He said though the state government, under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, provides free Universal Education, there is need for others to see to the well-being of the students.

Speaking at the event, the President of the club, JC Adedayo Olusola said JCI's ‘Back to School’ programme is an humanitarian project aimed at reaching out to secondary school students, who are in dire need of education learning materials,

Assist your alma mater, old students told The National President of the Old Students’ Association of Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State Chief Isaac Koleoso, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to fast track the development of their alma mater.

Speaking at the annual reunion of members of the association held last weekend at the school premises, Saki, Chief Koleoso noted that it was obvious that government alone could not shoulder the burden of education, thus, the need for the contributions the old students.

Chief Koleoso, who lamented the level of decadence of facilities and structures in public schools, enjoined old students’ associations to rise to the challenge by giving back to their alma mater.

He eulogised three outstanding members of the association for their immense

contributions to the development of the school, saying that they were worthy of emulation.

He added that the old students of the school had provided an e-library, computer laboratory, school bus, new principal’s office, among other things for the alma mater.

The president lauded one of the awardees, Engineer Caleb Olaayan, for renovating the school’s boarding house to standard.

In his vote of thanks, the principal of the school, Mr Layi Ojo, described the old students as agents of change and pride to the school.

Other award recipients are former member of the National Assembly, Senator Moses Agboola and former Accountant – General of the Federation, Mr Niyi Otunla.

inspiring action to achieve sustainable development goals and imbibing leadership quality in the budding youths.

Mr Olusola said: "We are still aiming to help other schools, but this is the maiden edition of the project and in due time, we would organise trainings and seminars for teachers also so as to enhance effective delivery of their profession.

Earlier in his address, the Deputy Director, School Department, Ministry of Education, Mr Odedara Olusola who represented the parmanent Secretary noted that education has a global reach and no government anywhere around the world can effectively satisfy the educational demands of her people and with this connection, the state government has lent out her hands of partnership by inviting stakeholders to contribute their quota to its educational empowerment.

He then charged every individual and private organisations to support the present administration in Oyo State in her educational drive aimed at restoring, repositioning and transforming the education sector in the state.

The Principal of the School, Dr Modupeola Ladapo, gave kudos to JCI, Premier for its kind gesture towards her school.

She said she was excited when she discovered her school was chosen ahead of other in the state, promising that the school would make use of the materials given judiciously.

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

aviation

anchor Shola Adekola

m:0803 365 4818 e:sholanig@yahoo.com

Nigeria, S/Africa underperform in air freight markets Stories By Shola Adekola - Lagos

T

HE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the data for global air freight markets showing very modest growth in September.

However, while African carriers experienced growth in demand of 2.5 per cent with capacity rising by 8.1 per cent, Nigeria and South Africa, the largest economies in the region, have underperformed.

While regional trade, however, has held up, and generated increases in air freight volumes, the weakness in air cargo markets largely tracks anemic growth in trade.

According to the IATA Director-General, Tony Tyer, the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was agreed with the intent of promoting economic growth and prosperity by liberalising trade across participating economies.

“Trade is the path to prosperity.

We have high hopes that the TPP will deliver its promised benefits to participating economies with air transport cargo and passenger playing its role as one of the catalysts for growth,” he said.

Measured in Freight Tonne Kilometers, air cargo volumes rose 1.0 per cent compared to the same month a year ago. This was a slight improvement on the August performance when volumes were broadly stable. Overall, however, air cargo volumes remain 1.2 per cent down from their 2014 yearend peak.

The results varied widely by region. Carriers in the Middle East reported the most significant growth of 7.5 per cent followed by European (2.8 per cent) and African airlines (2.5 per cent).

Asia-Pacific-based airlines recorded negligible growth (0.3 per cent), and markets in North America (-3.3 per cent) and Latin America (-6.4 per cent) recorded declines. All regions reported capacity expansions ahead of growth in demand, taking the freight load factor down to the lowest level since 2009 (43.2 per cent).

“Although slightly improved from August, the global trend is fragile, and the improvement is narrowly based. The 2.8 per cent growth reported by European carriers reflects positive trends in trade with Central and Eastern European economies as well as a general improvement in manufacturing in the Eurozone. But the largest air cargo

region, Asia-Pacific, was only just in positive territory, held down by weak regional trade,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General.

Asia-Pacific carriers saw a slight rise in FTKs of 0.3 per cent in

September compared to September 2014, and capacity expanded 2.1 per cent. The contraction in Emerging Asia trade appears to have bottomed out, although China, Korea and Chinese Taipei,

among other key economies, are suffering from poor trade growth.

European carriers reported a rise in demand in September of 2.8 per cent compared to a year ago and capacity rose 7.7 per cent.

Nigerian airlines may not survive next 3 years —Iyayi THE challenging environment for operating airlines in Nigeria may consume the operators in the next three years if the Federal Government fails to intervene quickly.

Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Chief Executive Officer of Top Brass Airlines, Captain Roland Iyayi, gave the warning at the weekend in Lagos at a seminar organised by New Age Media to mark the nation’s 90 years of aviation.

Iyayi, who was the guest speaker at the event, warned that if the government didn’t intervene in the sordid working environment, the country’s airlines might collapse within the period.

He, however, called on the authorities and stakeholders in the sector to find new ways of doing business in order to survive, stressing that if operators in the sector continued to do things the same way, the desired results would not be achieved.

He said that some of the operators delved into the sub-sector without studying the market they were going into, adding that such airline operators were bound to fail.

The situation, he hinted continued to degenerate as most of the operators bring into the country wrong equipment for their operations, saying: “Nigeria should find new ways of doing things. If we continue with our old ways, in-

Nigerian Tribune

stead of growing the industry, we will deplete the sector.”

Besides, he decried the government policies for the industry, saying that most of the policies affected the growth of the airlines negatively.

To buttress his point, he cited the deregulation of the aviation industry by the Federal Government, which, according to him, the industry was not ready for as of the time it was done, but was just implemented in the country because it had been done in other climes.

He insisted that the problem with Nigeria was implementing policies that had been implemented in other climes, not minding the readiness of the aviation industry or whether the sector was mature for such implementation.

He recalled that when Nigeria Airways was liquidated by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration in 2002, its assets were more than liabilities, but that this was not taken into consideration before the policy was implemented.

The Top Brass boss argued that if the Federal Government had invested $127 million in the former national carrier with four airplanes then, it would had increased the number of airplanes to 14 and that the airline would have survived.

On the planned national carrier, he concurred that the country re-

quired one at the moment, but noted that what should be of paramount concern to Nigerians was the structure.

Also, speaking at the event, the organiser, Mr Akinfenwa Ariyo, said that the essence of the gathering was to appreciate what aviation, which started in Nigeria in 1925, had brought to the country.

Arik Air splashes passengers with surprise gifts ARIK Air is presently rewarding passengers with surprise gifts midflight in what the company called the ‘ArikCares Special Give-Away.’

Gifts to be given out include iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S, Beat

by Dre headphones, laptops, 20-megapixels/1080p cameras, 3D Smart TVs and 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema Systems.

The campaign, designed to endear passengers to the airline will run from November 4, 2015 to January 30, 2016.

During each flight, a lucky draw will be done using ticket numbers of passengers onboard. The ticket number to be pulled out goes home with a gift handed out in mid-flight.

Commenting on the initiative, the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue said: “This year, Arik Air turns nine. We have grown to be the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa on the strength of the trust and loyalty of the millions of travelers who have chosen Arik Air as their preferred carrier. It is only fitting that we recognise such deep loyalty and reward it. That is the whole essence of the “ArikCares Give-Away.”

For Jide Alade, Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications; “Nothing you do for your customers can be too much.

So, while giving out an iPhone 6S or a 3D TV mid-flight seems pretty cool, a smile of satisfaction on a passenger’s face is worth much more than a million 3D TVs to us. ”

Ethiopian academy graduates 201 ETHIOPIAN Aviation Academy, the largest aviation academy in Africa, a full ICAO TRAINAIR Plus member and IATA authorized global training center, has graduated 24 pilots, 96 aviation maintenance technicians, 37 cabin crew and 44 marketing professionals at a ceremony held at Ethiopian Headquarters on 03 November 2015.

The training equipped the graduates with sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge to qualify them in their carrier as aviation professionals.

On the occasion, Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam congratulated the new graduates and welcomed them to the airline’s fast growing and dedicated workforce, gave out diplomas to all the graduates, flight wings to graduating pilots and cabin crew and achievement award to graduates with outstanding academic performance.

According to Tewolde, “Ethiopian Aviation Academy is the bedrock of the airline’s success.

Self-sufficiency in training of all aviation Services expertise right from the inception of our business has been one of the major success factors of Ethiopian Airlines. That is why we have invested huge amount of time, energy and money for the expansion of our Aviation Academy to meet the demand for trained aviation expertise of the 21st century and to set the standard in high-level quality education demanded by the aviation profession.

“We will continue to invest in the Academy to scale up its capacity both in scope and scale not only to meet our internal demand for more than 17,000 employees envisaged in our vision 2025 but also to address the critical shortage of trained and qualified aviation professionals prevailing in the continent of Africa.”

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aviation

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

NCAA, IATA, others to grace Aviation Day at AKWAABA

crucial moment With

Shola Adekola

0803 365 4818

The return of Uzodinma, Onyejeocha and matters arising

LAST week, the Nigerian senate appointed leaderships to head the various committees for the purpose of monitoring and check-mating the different government sectors for better performance.

During the process, Senator Hope Uzodinma was appointed as head of the committee to oversee the country’s aviation sector. The name Hope Uzodinma is not new to the sector, as he was the same senator who occupied the position in the last administration.

Equally, the lower chamber, the House of Representatives has appointed Honourable Nkiru Onyejecha as the chairman of the house committee on aviation.

Just like Uzodinma, Onyejeocha is also back to head the aviation committee for the second time, having occupied the same position in the last regime.

While some expressed disappointment in their appointments citing various unpalatable events that rocked the sector under their watch in their first term, others believed that their second coming will mean better things to come for the sector because of their familiarity with the sector.

Among key players who have expressed their positions on the second coming of the lawmakers is Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) who is presently a strong member of Aviation Round Table (ART).

Ojikutu who particularly addressed Senator Uzodinma, called on his team to cut wastes and abhor corruption in the sector this time around.

His words: “Please this time around, your committee should do more than appropriating budget and superintending over its spending. You should encourage policies that should advance the programme of commercialisation and privatisation of the public services providers in the sector.

Ojikutu also charged the aviation committees to encourage domestic airlines to merge or create 2-3 flag carriers that would compete effectively with the 21 foreign airlines operating exclusively on our BASA in and out of our international airports.

To some particularly workers, nothing fantastic would come from the committees this second time in view of what they termed their excesses in the last dispensation which they said contributed mainly to the undue politicization of the sector through unlawful interference.

Well, while everyone has the right to his opinion, one obvious thing is that the National Assembly has made its choice and those appointed are qualified and because the sector is already a familiar terrain to them, they will not waste time in hitting the ground running.

While the Crucial Moment welcome Uzodinma and Onyejeocha back, it is necessary to draw their attention to the fact that the aviation sector is presently at its lowest ebb no thanks to the unfriendly environment created by many government hostile policies in the past. Among such unfriendly policies is the multiple entry points doled out to foreign airlines at the expense of the domestic carriers which has greatly been condemned across the sector.

The domestic airlines are gradually dying due to many reasons such as: too many levies, expensive aviation fuel, high exchange rates and lack of bailout or support from government.

Virtually, all the aviation agencies are not finding things easy through certain policies of government which include: inadequate funding, overbearing influence of the political class on them which has continued to prevent them from running the sector in line with international standard.

The workers are not encouraged either as their promotions have been put on hold for years whereas, those who know nothing about aviation are forced to be employed with higher benefits through the influence of the politicians including the National Assembly members.

Nigerian Tribune

The Managing Director of Med View Airlines, Alhaji Bankole Muneer, displaying the approval for the airline to commence operations on Lagos/London route to the media, while the head of engineering, Mr Lookman Animashaun (right) and head of flight operations in the airline, Captain Geofrfrey Ogbogu (right) listen.

Sierra Leonean govt delegation understudies MMA2 Stories By Shola Adekola - Lagos

A two-man delegation from the Public Private Partnership unit of the office of the President of Sierra Leone has paid a study visit to the private terminal popularly known as Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL).

The delegation, which visited last Monday, comprised Senior Financial Analyst, Mr Abubakar Sesay and Mr Gibrilla Sesay, another financial analyst, who were both accompanied by Mr Sunday Idoko, a consultant in public private partnership.

The visit was to enable them learn from BASL’s experience in airport development and operation, having successfully developed and operated MMA2, which they described as the most famous PPP project in Nigeria and the best airport terminal in the sub-region.

The duo, who have been in different parts of the world in

the course of their study, said it was the view of the Sierra Leonean government that their search for knowledge would be incomplete without visiting MMA2.

The delegation stated that Sierra Leone was currently engaged in constructing an international airport in Freetown, the country’s capital city, in partnership with a Chinese firm, under a PPP arrangement and the government wanted to ensure the project adopts the best model

NAMA trains airlines, service providers on e-NOTAM IN keeping with its current drive to digitalise Air Traffic Management services in the country, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has developed an application software intended to enhance the dissemination of aeronautical information, also known as Notice To Air Men (NOTAM) electronically to airspace users.

To this end, a three-day trainthe-trainer workshop designed

Med-View airlifts 480, 000 passengers in 1 year MED-VIEW Airline said that it has airlifted over 480, 000 passengers between Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana in the past 12 months that it commenced daily flight operations into the route.

The airline declared that it airlifts 45,000 passengers monthly on the local routes across Nigeria.

The Managing Director, MedView Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole made this known this while announcing its plan to commence flight operations between Lagos and London route.

Bankole said that the Accra route, which the airline commenced operations into September 2014, was in full swing with more air travelers daily relying on its services because of its prompt departure and arrival.

Besides, he revealed that the airline would further expand

of the PPP available.

The delegation engaged in extensive discussion with the BASL’s team that included the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Christophe Penninck, Chief Financial Officer, Mr Olushola Olayinka, Group Head, Internal Audit, Mrs Yosola Popoola, Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Remi Ladigbolu and Business Analyst, Mr Adeleke Ajose.

They rounded off their visit with a guided tour of the facilities at the airport.

its operations on the West Coast with the commencement of operations to Monrovia, Liberia and Freetown, Sierra Leone from Lagos.

He noted that Med-View recently commenced four weekly flights via Lagos and Kano to Jeddah, another route, which he assured, would be profitable for the airline.

On its planned Dubai route operations, Bankole maintained that all plans were in top gear to commence operations into the route, stressing that a date would be announced soon for its commencement.

On its annual hajj operations to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, he hinted that no fewer than 280,000 pilgrims had been airlifted since 2007 it commenced the exercise and noted that in the 2015 hajj exercise, it equally airlifted pilgrims from Mali Doula in Cameroon.

to educate and sensitise airline operators, service providers, aviation agencies, the Nigerian Air Force and other stakeholders on the migration from manual to digital NOTAM has already taken off at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

Declaring the workshop opened, Managing Director of NAMA, Engineer Ibrahim Abdulsalam noted that “aviation globally is moving away from manual to digital operations and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind”.

“The agency’s determination to provide safe, efficient and economic air navigation services has challenged us to deploy new technologies that would ease service provision, save time and reduce operational cost for the airlines and aviation agencies/ organisations.”

The NAMA boss therefore, expressed confidence saying; “the deployment of e-NOTAM would make for ease of access to online realtime aeronautical information by doing away with paper work, and bureaucracy that characterised the old system.”

He assured participants that NAMA was willing to make all necessary adjustments to accommodate customers’ feedback and complaints in areas of possible improvement.

DIRECTOR General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Mukhtar Usman with leaderships of Ethiopian Airlines and International Air Transport Association (IATA) are among dignitaries that would grace the Aviation Day at the 11th Akwaaba in Lagos, which commences on November 22.

The event which is aimed at stimulating valuable discussions by renowned industry players to address the lingering issue of connectivity in Africa, would also feature presentations of papers by notable individuals in the industry on issues concerning the sector.

According to the organizer, Mr Ikechi Uko, IATA Regional Head for Member (Airlines) and External Relations for Africa and the Middle East, Adefunke Adeyemi, would share a recent study by IATA on connectivity in Africa at the Aviation Day. The event is themed “National Carrier, Open Skies and Connectivity in Africa.”

The Managing Director, International Services, Ethiopian Airlines, Esayas Woldemariam would also be making a presentation, while the Director-General, NCAA, Captain Usman would be the Chairman of the day.

Passengers’ volume in M/East quadrupled in 10 year forecast

AVIATION growth in the Middle East has been so impressive; few regions of the world can match it. In the last decade, travel to from and within the region has quadrupled earning the region the title of today’s aviation crossroads.

In the next 20 years (20152034), traffic in the Middle East will grow at 6.0 per cent, well above the world average 4.6 per cent.

This will drive a need for nearly 2,460 new passenger and freighter aircraft valued at US$590 billion. Of these nearly 1,890 will be for growth and 570 for replacements. By 2034, the fleet of passenger and freighter aircraft in the Middle East region will almost treble from nearly 1,100 in 2015, to over 2,950 by 2034.

Long haul is at the heart of international traffic growth, this is possible through the use of wide-body aircraft like the A380, A330, and increasingly in the future the A350 and the A330neo. In the next 20 years, the region will require some 1,570 widebody aircraft to meet demand.

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

maritime

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

Customs 34: Why they were forced

out of service

The Nigeria Customs Service recently announced the compulsory retirement of 34 of its finest officers from service with immediate effect. In this report, TOLA ADENUBI looks at why they were axed despite the fact that most of them still had a year left in service.

F

Face saving gesture The five DCG’s had wanted to drive home their discontent with the appointment of an outsider as customs CG by resigning enmasse; something they succeeded in doing partially, although the customs hierarchy quickly reacted via a face-saving gesture by announcing their retirement, alongside other perceived loyalist the following day, October 30, 2015.

The retirement pattern, which either took the form of retirement by age or by year of service, was done in a face-saving gesture because the resignation letter of the five DCG’s had caught the customs leadership napping.

There was little to suggest a resignation letter was on the card given the fact that some of this now retired DCG;s were on the entourage of the CG of Customs, Hammed Alli a week earlier in Lagos.

Further findings revealed that the list of retiring officers was already with the customs leadership since most of them would have to go by 2016. The intention was to implement it come 2016. However, the sudden resignation of the five DCG’s jolted the leadership of the Service and forced them to let the cat out of the bag sooner than expected.

or many of the retired customs officers who were asked to go recently, theirs was a purge that was needed to breathe new life into the service following the dashing of hopes over any succession planning in the Service after their former boss, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi Inde retired.

Belated purge When President Mohammad Buhari appointed Colonel Hameed Alli (rtd) as Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on August 27, 2015, many expected the purge that took place more than two months after to have taken place back then because for obvious reasons, the cream of the customs leadership then were expecting a succession planning arrangement after Dikko Inde retired from service.

That it took Alli more than two months to realise he could not work with this set of officers leaves too much to discern on the manner of their disengagement and what led to the purge.

The rest, as they say, is history, as the customs officers have since been disengaged from active service with immediate effect, even though a cursory look at their scheduled retirement period revealed that most of them still had a year left to serve their fatherland.

For now retired Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) Adewuyi Akinade, who was in charge of Tariff and Trade, was supposed to embark on retirement on March 17, 2016.

Many of the officers retired in the October 30 purge that rocked the Nigerian Customs Service still had a year, or even more left on their stay in the service.

But Alli, on assumption of duty failed to read the handwriting on the wall that many of the now retired officers would have loved to have his job. He failed to realise that many of them did not see him as being part of them.

Nevertheless, he was somehow prepared for the unexpected because it took him more than two weeks after the pronouncement of his appointment by the Presidency, for him to assume office at the customs headquarters in Abuja.

Findings have revealed that after his appointment, Alli went into what could be labelled a ‘seclusion’, where he was drilled and taught the rudiment of the customs operations.

He knew he needed to be well grounded in customs working in order not to be embarrassed in office by discontent subordinates.

President Muhammadu Buhari Discontent in the service Many of the customs officers have long been used to seeing a Comptroller General of their kind, dressed in the usual custom uniform. Many of them rose through the ranks under a leadership led by one of their own. Therefore, seeing somebody in flowing caftan as CG of customs was too sudden for some of them to assimilate.

During his familiarisation tour of customs formations in Lagos, maritime journalists had asked the customs CG if he is not bothered that he moved about as customs boss in civilian clothing.

But the customs CG, in his usual militarylike approach, had told newsmen that his presidential mandate to reform the customs supersedes the uniform many ex-

Goods are being diverted to neighbouring ports. That is exactly what is happening now. Ships containing rice and other cargoes are being diverted to Cotonou and their government is smiling.

and that he would have to get back to the press after getting an update on development at the customs headquarters.

pected him to wear.

Another factor that aided discontent within the customs rank and file was having to hand-over the leadership of the service back to an outsider after one of their own had led in acting capacity for almost a month.

Alli did not help matters after he failed to immediately retire many of the top customs officers after taking over from them.

He should have known, as former military personnel that taking over the reins of leadership in a regimented institution always requires the retirement of senior officers who might see such ascension as a slap in the face.

Masterstroke That was why the resignation of the five DCG’s caught the customs leadership napping, even though reports had it that their intention had been circulating via emails among the affected customs officers prior before 29th of October.

The response of the customs image maker, Wale Adeniyi, to enquiries over the retirement of the five DCG’s on October 29 showed the resignation plan was neatly concealed among the top brass of the service.

Wale Adeniyi had responded to calls made to his mobile phone on that day that he is not aware of any resignation letter,

Mary Hamman elected WISTA Nigeria president Women’s in International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA, Nigeria) has elected Mary Haman as its new president. The election was conducted at the headquarters of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Lagos.

Haman works in the Shipping Development unit of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The new president urged members to extend the same support they had given to past leaders of the association.

She also appealed to the new executives of the association to be committed to their duties.

Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Eunice Ezeoke, was elected as the vice president.

Other officers are: Secretary, Anna Akpa; Adaku Mbama, Assistant Secretary; while Marian Yusuf was elected the Treasurer; Helen Majemite was elected as Assistant Treasurer and Aisha Cole was elected Assistant Public Relations Officer.

30

maritime

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

NPA assures LADOL of security around pilotage area Stories by Tola Adenubi - Lagos The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi, has assured the Management of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) of the authority’s support and collaboration in the areas of security, pilotage, and safe channels, among others.

Abdullahi spoke after inspecting LADOL’s facilities along Badagry channel, Lagos harbours recently.

The NPA boss, applauding LADOL’s contributions to the nation’s economy stated that, “I am very impressed and very proud as a Nigerian that a company owned by a Nigerian is doing well.

As a landlord and technical regulator, NPA will continue to encourage all other companies in the maritime sector undertaking similar ventures.’’

In a related development, Ladol, the high value industrial village and Free Zone, built around a specialised port on an Island at the point of entry into Lagos harbour, has been awarded winner of the Sub-Saharan African regional free zones award and winner of the Large Tenants award for Africa, in fDi Magazine’s Global Free Zones of the Year 2015.

The company was also commended as African Free Zone of the year.

Winning the Large Tenants award, Ladol Free Zone was praised for increasing some 37.5 pe cent capacity between 2013 and 2014. Due to the high specification infrastructure, round the clock operations and focus on delivering transparent reliable service to the Deep Offshore oil and gas market, LADOL has been able to halve the cost of logistics support in Nigeria.

This 50 per cent cost saving comes despite the fact that the facilities and equip-

ment are all brand new.

Two awards given to LADOL, which were ‘Commendation for self-sufficiency’, and ‘Commendation for infrastructure improvements’, reflected improvements such as the ongoing development of its new 24 MW power plant, due to come online in late 2017. fDi’s Global Free Zones of the Year celebrates those

zones that are best in class and which are reinvesting, expanding or upgrading.

Dr Amy Jadesimi, LADOL Managing Director, said: “The fDi awards review free zones from across the world, and for LADOL to receive these awards and be recognised in this way is a testament to the great work that the local team has done in putting our free zone on

par with the world’s best.

“LADOL is proud to be one of many significant infrastructure projects in the region that is changing the dynamic of the Nigerian economy, and facilitating business domestically and attracting business from international markets.”

The $500 million LADOL Free Zone, is a newly developed village, to which access

Lagos Seaport

Cargo lull: STOAN embarks on

massive sack of workers

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embers of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) have revealed that due to drop in activities at the nation’s seaports, some of their members have started laying off members of their workforce to meet up with the operational cost of running the nations seaport terminals.

Disclosing this to Nigerian Tribune, the STOAN’s spokesperson, Bolaji Akinola, said some employees had been shown

the way out due to lack of activities at the ports.

“The drop in activities at the ports has had a devastating effect on port operations in Nigeria. It has had a devastating effect on customs revenue, which by extension affects government revenue at the ports.

“If you look at it holistically, policies like the Nati0onal Automotive Policy, the rice policy, the fish quota system have all had adverse effect on the revenue of private operators at the nations seaports.

“Since the introduction of the automotive policy, more than 60 per cent of Nigerian bound vehicular cargoes have been discharged at her neighbouring ports and then smuggled back into the country. The same thing goes for rice.

“Therefore, due to this kind of situation the terminal operators have found themselves, we have been forced to adopt all other means to ensure we balance our books. Unfortunately, this has taken its toll on jobs at the terminals.

Familiarisation tour: Group bemoans CG’s omission of CRFFN The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has bemoaned the omission of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) during his familiarisation tour of government agencies.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Board of NAGAFF, Dipo Olayoku, the NCS and the CRFFN are yet to be on the same page as regards the trade facilitation implementation.

is strictly controlled. The infrastructure in the zone is among the most robust and secure in West Africa, making it an ideal environment for industrial activities that could not be done in West Africa before – from offshore oil and gas megafabrication and vessel integration, to pipe coating, engineering and agricultural processing.

“In a situation whereby the Comptroller General of Customs Rtd. Col. Hameed Ali, during his familiarization tour of the Western Command, did not include the CRFFN among other government agencies and parasatals he visited underscores the fact that the two organizations i.e. CRFNN and the NCS may not be on the same page.

“We may not blame the Customs CG at the moment because we just assume that his Protocol Officers may have deliberately acted otherwise. Our hope and thinking is that the new Deputy

Comptroller General’s and Assistant Comptroller General’s shall help him drive the reform and restructuring exercise to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind.

“We have successfully facilitated the establishment of CRFFN as a regulatory agency of the freight forwarding profession and we are striving to enthrone its validity in practice. As an Act of the National Assembly and an agency of the Government, it is a fact and in law that CRFFN, as a new legislation has overriding powers over any other law of

the same or similar responsibility.

“There is no doubt that the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) and the CRFFN are not on the same page in the enthronement of freight forwarding as a profession in Nigeria.

“It is our view that the Permanent Secretaries at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Finance should kick-start discussions on the best options for a mutual co- existence and operations of CRFFN and CEMA as it affects the freight forwarding profession.”

“Some of our members have started downsizing because there are no cargoes to handle at the ports. I can assure you that before the end of this year, if this trend persists, more workers will have to go.

“Five Star Logistics and PTML has ahd to downsize due to the cargo lull. If things don’t change before the end of this year, if this polices persist, mire terminals will also embark on downsizing,” Akinola stated.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Tribune had reported exclusively how neighbouring port are ripping cargoes away from Nigeria’s port due to unfavourable government policies in Nigeria.

Notable among neighbouring the ports ripping cargoes away from Nigeria’s seaports are Port Autonome De Lome (Port of Lome) in Togo and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

These two ports have become point of destination for many West African bound cargoes, even though many of this goods still find their way into Nigerian markets due to the nations porous borders.

LADOL is the only Free Zone that runs 24 hours a day 7 days a week, ensuring that tenants can maximise their efficiency and output, in a safe controlled environment, a company representative said.

Samsung Heavy Industries recently started fabrication in the Zone and it will soon be joined by a range of other fabrication and engineering companies.

A growing number of international and local companies are now setting up their own facilities in LADOL’s Free Zone, and benefiting from hassle free, low cost access to the largest market in Africa (Nigeria) and the entire West African region.

Part of LADOL’s success – as highlighted by the fDi awards - is due to a combination of committed longterm private local investors, who built the infrastructure and facilities, and the investment and partnerships with international companies who want to be part of the world’s next big growth story in West Africa.

11 feared dead in Delta boat mishap eleven persons are feared dead following a boat mishap along the Escravos River in Warri South-West Council Area of Delta State on Friday.

The boat mishap along the estuary of the Atlantic Ocean was said to be as a result of a downpour during which time all passengers in the outboard engine boat were covered in a broad tarpaulin to prevent them from getting soaked and leaving only the boat driver standing to see ahead while piloting the passengers’ vessel.

The incident was reported to have happened between a boat going to Warri from the Escravos axis and another from Escravos to Warri when they collided and capsized due to the rains and turbulent waves of the sea.

The driver of the boat that took off from the Rex Water Front Jetty at the Ugbuwangue community survived the mishap and along with some others victim, is currently receiving treatment at various private hospitals in Warri.

The number of persons in both boats could not be ascertained, as it is not the practice amongst boat owners in the area to maintain passenger manifests.

31

Thursday, 12 November, 2015 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

Debutant writer recalls publishing woes at Abuja reading session

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HE tortuous demands of book publishing in Nigeria came to the fore during the October 31 Guest Writer Session, the flagship event of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), which held in a serene and captivating environment of Aso Hall in Nanet Suites located at the Central Area District of Abuja.

Ms Grace Austina Okpo, author of the debut novel, “My Friend The Returnee”, gave a detailed explanation of the various approaches she had tried before her manuscript could see the light of day as a published novel.

Her response had come during the Question and Answer session after she had read excerpts from the newly released maiden fictional work.

A member of the audience also underscored her experience, pointing out that publishing would remain a serious challenge until long neglected structural changes are done.

Born in Lagos, Ms Okpo’s family later relocated to Jos, where she had most of her formal education culminating in a Science Laboratory Technology degree from the University of Jos in 2001.

Despite her science inclination, the multifaceted and highly talented lady who is proficient in a number of Nigerian languages, began her foray into writing while in secondary school with articles and essays that won her prizes within and outside her school.

Her debut novel ‘My Friend The Returnee’ on one level is a testimony of her strong belief in the renaissance and emergence of a better Nigeria. Sly, the central character, ditches his undergraduate studies for greener pastures abroad courtesy of his girlfriend who comes from a wealth family. It all becomes an illusion and he comes to a realisation that what he had run away from was not that bad.

The event started on a sad and sober mood as the forum, earlier in the month had lost one of its prolific and dynamic members, Elvis Iyongurum, who was also the erstwhile secretary. After a one-minute silence was observed to honour his memory, a brief biography was read about him and few of his most recent and unpublished poems were read by Dayo Ogun. A special reading in his honour is being planned.

The Isomers provided two musical interludes that charged and changed the mood of the audience with some of the new rendition of their songs. A new musical group made up of three intelligent and aspiring gentlemen in persons of Isaac Isumanu, Mou Tine Truth and Seun Daniels, they had met first as undergraduates at BOWEN University, Osun State. While pursuing their different courses, their love for music brought them together even though at that time their hands on playing their guitar and stringing a cord was like a child learning his first words. All the same, their love for music kept them going on.

After graduating from the university, they all went separate ways but as fate would have it, they met again in Abuja and this time the flame of love for music could not be quenched. The trio came together and formed a band called ‘The Isomers’. They play what is being described as a “perfect hybrid of Mumfors & Sons and The Lumineers”. Hence ‘The Isomers are the latest addition to the country’s alternative music genre. This new sensational musical group has been attracting quite a lot of critical attention following the release of their self-titled debut EP ‘The Isomers’. Seun Daniel who is the spokeperson for the group says they want their music to send message, touch and uplift the soul of the listener and as well give the perfect desired mood. The group’s performance inluded ‘Bleed Away’, ‘When He Wakes’,’ White Blank page’ (which is their cover of the Mumford & Sons origi-

•Music performance was part of the events lined up during the reading session nal) and ‘The Christmas Song’ which they had written a few hours earlier .

Certificates were awarded to those who had recently completed the beginners phase of the October Writing Workshop. Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Jonathan Markus admitted that it was an exciting experience that had opened up possibilities for expressing themselves. He added that they were eagerly looking forward

to the intermediate phase, and advised aspiring writers to make use of the golden opportunity provided by the AWF Writing Workshops. A few hours earlier, Ms Okpo who handed out the certificates on behalf of the organisers, had also shared her writing experience in the closing session of the writing workshop.

—Victoria Uji.

When museum hosted physically-challenged people

By Aramide Shanu THE National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, recently rolled out the drums to celebrate physically-challenged people, at an event marking the sixth edition of the annual music, dance, debate and play targeted at these special people.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Mrs Makanjuola Aderonke, commended officials of the National Museum for organising the annual get-together for the physically-challenged, saying competitions like this gives them a sense of self belonging, while bringing out their creativities.

“This yearly competition is, indeed, one in which special children look forward to attending with enthusiasm, as it is an avenue for them to exhibit their talents.

“It is my belief that at the end of this competition, we will be convinced that there is ability in disability. These children are also entitled to the same rights as others.”

In his remarks, an official of the National Museum of Unity, Elder Amos E. Olorunnipa, advocated that a day should be set aside for special people in the country to showcase their talents, “as this will make them confident.

“Let me appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to also consider appointing people with disabilities into his government; this will go a long way in encouraging other special people that they can achieve anything if they put their minds to it.”

Mrs Grace Adejumobi, the pioneer Director of the Department of Special Education at the Museum, said “it is a great pleasure to attend another year’s celebration. I always look forward to celebrating yearly with people living with special needs; I know the National Museum will

continue showcasing the talents of these special people so that they can also contribute their quota to the development of the country,” she said.

Spectre shoots to top of US box office JAMES Bond film, Spectre has raced to the top of the North American box office in its first weekend of release.

The 24th film in the spy franchise, which sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as 007, earned $73m (£48.5m) between Friday and Sunday, according to early estimates.

But the film failed to beat the performance of the last Bond movie Skyfall, which took $88.4m in 2012.

The lower figure was partly due to this weekend’s release of The Peanuts Movie.

The family-friendly adaptation of the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, took $45m (£29.9m).

Spectre still had the second-biggest opening weekend for a Bond film in the US and Canada.

“We never expected Spectre to open to the level of Skyfall,” Rory Bruer, Sony’s president of worldwide distribution, said.

“It was a very different scenario. The competition was different, the weekend was different. One thing I am certain of is that the Bond franchise is as healthy and strong as ever.”

32

arts&review

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Former LUTH CMD tells his story in new book BOOK REVIEW

tion for service and A public health career are the contents in Section A. Section B contains Duty calls, Staff welfare, Public-private partnership and health development, Evaluating progress and Testimonials. Section C dealing with Selected public lectures and speeches has The medicine for poverty- an argument for health and development; The limitations and wonders of modern medicine: challenges for healthcare delivery in Nigeria; and Chairman’s speech at the Annual General Scientific Meeting of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch. There are two other chapters- The role of tertiary health institutions in disease surveillance; and Economics, Politics and Health- the Nigerian challenge. In all, ‘’My Life, My Medicine: A Chief Medical Director’s Story’’ has fourteen chapters.

A review of Professor Akin Osibogun’s autobiography, My Life, My Medicine by Chief Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf.

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HE book, My Life, My Medicine by Professor Akin Osibogun, the immediate past Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos, can aptly be described as Volume One of the professor of community health’s autobiography because it has only covered some aspects of his childhood, education, career that is ongoing, and more importantly his eight years’ of service as the chief pilot or servant leader of the famous University of Lagos Teaching Hospital. I have no iota of doubt the auto-biographer has more to tell the reading public.

The prologue begins with a clip from a Special Report on Outstanding Professionals in Nigeria in The Guardian newspaper edition of Wednesday, January 8, 2014 captioned ‘’We achieved all we did by the grace of God’’ by Professor Akinsanya

•The author, Professor Akin Osibogun Osibogun, Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital. After the Adoration, Dedication, Foreword and Preface, the book is divided into three sections.

Growing up, Medical school, Prepara-

NARRATION OF THE BOOK The autobiography is written primarily to render account of his eight years’ stewardship at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital as his ‘’LUTH story’’ covers 264 pages of the 295-page book, that is, a staggering 90 per cent of the entire contents! What a passion for service! What

Searching Muyiwa Ojo’s Half a bag of lies BOOK REVIEW

By Kehinde Oyetimi THE play tells the story of Otunba Gbogunboro Ikujenmi’s political ambition to govern a state. Opening on the campaign train of Ikujenmi, the story reveals the dirty politics that goes on behind closed doors, reflected in the reality of how certain elements in the society offer juicy contracts to political candidates, in the hopes of milking the state dry after the election is won, thus ensuring that the commonwealth is continuously recycled within a few members of society. The story also exposes the extent individuals would go to, when the situation arises; how people would willingly sell their votes for minimum, immediate comfort; how the perks of political office cause people to misbehave, and even go as far as betraying loved ones, among other concerns. However, the story takes a dramatic turn when private damaging information gets into certain hands and the election day is one that ends in a drastic turn of events.

Based on the background of Nigeria’s political environment, especially with the elections held few months ago, Muyiwa Ojo’s Half a Bag of Lies chronicles the intricacies that lie within the confines of governance and politicking.

Engaging the various characters involved in politics, especially as it relates to the fever that comes with elections, all facets of the society – the politicians, market women, students, unemployed youths, media personnel, teachers, local contractors, artisans, among others – are represented in the text.

Half a Bag of Lies presents the idiosyncrasies that are peculiar to the style of governance, usually available within the Nigerian political setting, and portrays just how much people are willing to do,

not only to gain power but to hold on to it for as long as possible, a situation that not only drives the society to its knees, but also drives the person whose sole desire is to hold on to power, crazy as well.

After all, as the popular quote by Abraham Lincoln goes, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

The society suffers for its deliberate ignorance and pays with its blood and sweat; families are torn apart by the insane greed that comes with wants that are never satisfied; friendly ties are severed by desires that run deep and pitches acquaintances against themselves; education suffers because even those who are enlightened are just as blinded by the need to remain in power, in spite of the good they wish for the people.

Playing on the notion of the popular saying, “absolute power corrupts absolutely,” the cycle of greed runs through nearly every one, and it only takes a select few, who wish to turn their backs away from the alluring deception of financial comfort and stick to the impoverished

side of truth, even if it will cost friends, family and even life. What is important is that the will of the people is not trampled upon, even if it seems that the masses are distracted by Greek gifts which offer temporary satisfaction.

Ojo, thus renders recommendations for correcting the ills of governance, by proving that in spite of how rotten society seems, there is still good to be found within. The play forecasts hope for the society, Nigeria and the world as a whole, but also calls on the people to play their parts in ensuring that the dividends of the democracy are for their benefit and not just for a select few.

The play embraces the willingness of the people to see that the truth triumphs, no matter whose ox is gored, and also depicts the notion which is usually subdued in the relationship between the people and government – the masses hold all the cards.

Playing on the nature of good versus evil, Ojo raises the flag of optimism, that even those who are reluctantly conscripted into the army of evil politicking, as a result of the sorry state of society, can use their position within the enemy’s camp to benefit the people. After all, the masses always outnumber the leaders and without the people, there really isn’t any government.

Frederick Lewis Donaldson, in a sermon in Westminster Abbey, on March 20, 1925, is quoted as stating that the seven social sins are: “wealth without work; pleasure without conscience; knowledge without character; commerce without morality; science without humanity; worship without sacrifice and politics without principle,” and these phrases are amply represented in the text.

In all, the play calls on the citizens to never fail to question those in power, and if they fail to answer favourably to what benefits the entirety of the citizenry, then by all means, even if some will be martyred for the cause of good, the bad eggs in leadership can be flung out.

a passion for excellence!! What a distinguished leader, cerebral epidemiologist and distinguished public health expert!!!

A generous four-page foreword is written by Professor Eyitayo Lambo, former Minister of Health between 2003 and 2007. In it, Lambo tells us the genesis of the appointment of the autobiographer as CMD of LUTH. Written in veritable prose and in the process devoid of obnubilation, Chapter One, which has the photograph of the current Oba and Olowo Eko of Lagos, tells the story of Lagos, the city of his birth as it was in the 1960s and 1970s, his educationist-father, and his primary and secondary schools’ education in chapter one under Growing Up. Chapter Two deals with his years as a student in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos; a story told with nostalgia. In Chapter Three, ‘Preparation’ for Service, we are led into the stark reality of life, his student activism, his housemanship year in Abeokuta, and his National Youth Service Corps’ primary assignment programme at Ezza Local Government Council in the old Anambra State, which more or less influenced his specialisation in Public Health.

Although ‘My Pikin Saga’ and the Ebola Virus Disease debacle reared their debilitating heads during Professor Osibogun’s sojourn as LUTH’s CMD, he nonetheless tells us the role he and his team played.

He canvasses the expediency of rewarding those who assisted in the control of the Ebola epidemic in Nigeria.

Section Two, Making an Effort, starts from Chapter Five, Duty Calls. Here, Akin narrates his failed attempt to become the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, his two years’ victimisation for daring to offer “. . . himself for consideration for election into the office of the Provost . . . .’’ , and the process that culminated in his appointment as the Chief Medical Director of LUTH despite its undercurrents by the President and Commander in-Chief, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, through the instrumentality of the Minister of Health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo on October 11, 2006, “with a specific mandate to turn the Hospital around within two years.’’ He is also grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan and Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu for giving him a second and final four-year term.

Chapter Six deals with Akin’s ‘Staff Welfare’ as head of LUTH and how he navigated through the various issues that emerged during his tenure.

In all, the criteria for judging a book, ‘My Life, My Medicine- A Chief Medical Director’s Story’, is a well ‘baked cake’ being presented to the society for consumption. It is the story of an intelligent, calm, focused, dynamic and highly exposed Nigerian who has distinguished himself wherever he has found himself. He distinguished himself as a primary school student, as a secondary school student and came out with an enviable grade, a ‘mathematical’ footballer, a student unionist, an indefatigable academic, an administrator par excellence, a detribalised Nigerian and loving husband of Margaret.

•Chief (Dr) Yusuf, notary public, Justice of the Peace, is a publishing, communication, management and legal consultant.

33 news

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Osun shut NNPC, BoI, 3 other federal agencies over non-remittance of N219m tax Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

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SUN State Internal Revenue Service (OSIRS), on Wednesday, shut down five Federal Government-owned establishments in the state over nonremittance of taxes.

The affected establishments were accused of owing a total sum of N219,895,711.84, due to Osun State.

The details of the defaulting agencies and the amount owed were given as follow: Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Retail Mega Station, Osogbo, N27,948,355.30, covering 2008 till 2013; Bank of Agriculture, Osogbo branch, N43,407,696.55, covering 2006 till 2013; National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Obafemi Awolowo University , OAU, Ile-Ife, N36,578,427.35,

covering 2006 till 2013; African Regional Centre for Space Science Technology, OAU, Ile-Ife, with liability of N80,152,412.34, cover-

ing 2006 till 2011 and the International School, OAU campus, with liability of N31,808,820.30, covering 2006 till 2011.

Some other defaulting federal government establishments have also been listed for sanction by the OSIRS, as part of its new revenue

drive across the state.

Speaking on the development, acting chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of OSIRS, Mr Dayo Oyebanji,

From left, acting chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu; former chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and Adegboyega Aremo, Secretary to the commission, during the handover ceremony, on Wednesday.

New EFCC boss charges staff to intensify fight against corruption Sunday Ejike - Abuja ACTING chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), on Wednesday, charged all staff of the commission to brace up for fresh and greater challenges

in the arduous task of combating corruption.

Magu gave the charge at the formal handover ceremony, held at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja, which saw him take over from Ibrahim Lamorde, as EFCC chairman.

Asserting his readiness to succeed in running the EFCC, Magu, a pioneer

staff of the commission, expressed absolute commitment to executing the war against corruption.

While paying tribute to the founding fathers of the EFCC, he said: “I want to state our resolve not to falter on the well-established tradition of patriotism, dedication, courage, fearlessness

and we will take this responsibility with utmost seriousness that it deserves.”

He promised to “ginger up the anti-corruption campaign,” noting that there was no better time to do so than now.

Corruption, according to Magu, cannot co-exist with any meaningful de-

EFCC couldn’t prove case against CCT boss Chris Agbambu - Abuja THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not put the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar on trial over an allegation of N10 million bribery, because the evidence against him was not weighty and sufficient to sustain a possible prosecution.

Nigerian Tribune gathered from an official document obtained by PRNigeria, that the anti-graft body claimed the facts as they were against the CCT chairman raised just mere suspicions, which in law, cannot take the place of proof. It states that: “The facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will, therefore, not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the offence.”

In a memorandum forwarded to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on

March 5, the EFCC, however, confirmed that one Ali Gambo Abdullahi, a personal assistant to the CCT boss, admitted receiving N1.8 million in 2012, from one Rasheed Taiwo, standing trial at the tribunal.

The said Abdullahi was alleged to have used his salary account at Zenith Bank to collect the graft.

In the letter with a Reference No EFCC/EC/ SGF/03/56 (dated March 5), personally signed by the immediate past executive chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, the complainant in the bribery saga, Mr Rasheed Taiwo, a retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, was said to have failed to produce the alleged telephone conversations and text messages exchanged by him and Justice Umar.

Former Customs chief was said to have persistently claimed that he had lost his phone since 2012 and could not trace or recover it.

EFCC said the telephone of the complainant would

have been subjected to independent scientific analysis, with a view to corroborating the bribery allegation against the CCT boss.

Justice Umar was, however, said to have admitted meeting the complainant in his chamber at the tribunal and that meeting was most unethical and highly suspicious conduct on the part of the chairman.

The EFCC letter was entitled: “Investigation report on N10 million bribery allegation against the chairman, CCT, Abuja.”

PRNigeria further revealed that the former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, while responding to a request by the then Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the CCT chairman cannot be removed by a mere fiat of the executive arm of government.

Adoke, in a letter dated March 25, told the SGF that the process for removal of

CCT chairman was cumbersome and tedious, because of the uniqueness of the law that backed the appointment.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria explained that both the Presidency and the National Assembly shared the power to remove the CCT boss or any of the tribunal members.

The letter, with reference No. HAGF/SGF/2015/ VOL.1/14, read in part: “I have examined the report of the EFCC chairman on the allegations levelled against the CCT chairman and your request for advice on the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. CAP. C.15 LFN 2004 and wish to observe that the procedure for the removal of CCT chairman is tedious.

“It is apposite to note that by the provisions of section 22 (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, the president can only remove the chairman or member of the tribunal continues I pg34

velopment; as such, must be fought to a standstill and added that “there is the need to make sure that whatever is gotten for common use did not end up in private pockets.”

He stressed that fighting corruption to a standstill would make the country attractive to foreign investors and pledged to be a listening leader and one who would be responsive to staff welfare and development.

He said: “I am ready and willing to work with everybody without any primordial concerns.”

Noted as a no-nonsense investigator, Magu said: “While we will intensify on our work out there, we will also keep an eye internally and not tolerate indiscipline or condone abuse of office or any act of corruption.

The new EFCC boss commended Lamorde for his leadership and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

He also commended the management of the agency for working assiduously to ensure the sustenance of the objectives of establishing the EFCC. In his remarks, Lamorde, charged staff of the agency to be patriotic and desist from mudslinging, saying: “As a human being, you have the right to disagree with someone, but if you disagree with your leader, approach him yourself, instead of going out there to grumble.”

who led the revenue team to the affected establishments, said the agency resorted to closure of the agencies, after securing court injunction to carry out the exercise, in accordance with the dictate of the constitution.

He added: “The establishments were sealed in pursuant to the provisions of Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 as amended in 2011.”

While warning other federal establishments yet to join Integrated Personnel Pay Roll System (IPPIS) to do so and pay up their PAYE debt to the state, Oyebanji listed defaulting agencies to include Federal Raod Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Examination Council (NECO), Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

He emphasised that the revenue service would soon commence criminal prosecution of all tax defaulters in the state to ensure that defaulters were made to face the full wrath of the law.

Aregbesola names Prof Atoyebi, 8 others LAUTECH governing board members Oluwole Ige - Osogbo OSUN State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the appointment of a new Governing Council for the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo.

The nine-man council is headed by Professor Wole Atoyebi, the immediate past Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

A statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, listed other members of the council as Dr Kayode Akinlade, Dr Ademola Akintolu Onifade, Oba (Dr) Folorunso Agboade Makanju Olaniyan, Professor Akeem Lasisi (acting CMD, LAUTECH); Dr Temitope Olalekan Oladele (P.S Health), Dr Surajudeen Ogunyemi (chairman, NMA), Professor Samuel Sunday Taiwo, Provost, College of Medicine and Dr Daniel Adebode Adekanle (chairman, Medical Advisory Committee).

34 news

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Troops clear IEDs on new Marte-Dogongida-Kerenowa road in Borno As Nigerian military receives more support from Germany Chris Agbambu - Abuja with Agency Reports

T

HE Nigerian Army said it had cleared Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) buried on the road which linked new Marte-Dogongida-Kerenowa in Borno State.

This was contained in a statement issued by Colonel Tukur Gusau, the Media Coordinator of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Wednesday.

“The 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, after clearing Boko Haram terrorist camps in Kerenowa, Borno, has also embarked on clearance of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) buried on the road that links New Marte-Dogongida-Kerenowa in the state.

“The troops have also been working tirelessly to destroy all IEDs-making facilities found in the area,” Gusau said.

He said the troops had also arrested five suspected terrorists in another operation in Gudunbali, in Baga Local Government Area of the state.

The statement stated that troops of 115 Task Force Battalion under 7 Brigade Multinational Joint Task Force had arrested five fleeing suspected Boko Haram

terrorists and family of a terrorist after they were abandoned due to military offensive.

“The family includes a woman and four children;

they are currently being catered for and investigated in a military facility,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Armed Forces has continued to receive more support

From left, acting Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Emilolorun Ayelari;Pro-Chancellor, Dr Umar Mustapha and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, at the University of Ibadan’s convocation lecture, in Ibadan, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Get set to pay your taxes, rates, Ajimobi tells Oyo residents Decries lack of true federalism

By Wale Akinselure RESOLVED to raise the monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state from N1.2 billion in the next six months, the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has tasked the people of the state to be ready to pay their taxes, revalidate their C of Os, tenement rates, among other statutory levies and fines, dutifully.

He noted that this had become expedient if the state was to regularly pay salaries of workers, as well as settle its monthly wage bill deficit

of about N2.5 billion.

Ajimobi gave this hint when he delivered the 67th convocation lecture of the University of Ibadan, entitled: “Challenges of good governance in an emerging democratic setting: The Nigerian perspective.”

He regarded as retrogressive to true federalism, a situation, where states largely relied on Federal Government’s allocation to run their affairs.

According to him, the current federal arrangement was like robbing Peter to pay Paul, where revenue allocation could not ensure

economic growth, balanced growth and high standard of living.

“We are not really running true federalism. Different segments, minor and major, are complaining. The federal arrangement is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. The system is convoluted. As a result, we need infrastructural, social and economic transformation. A situation, where a state cannot take care of its affairs, is retrogressive. We must consider fiscal federalism.”

Continuing the lecture, he attributed bad governance in the country to underdeveloped institutions, poor

political governance and representation, while many Nigerians voted based on ethnic and tribal sentiments.

Lamenting general indiscipline, bribery, corruption and the culture of impunity in the polity, he said many were allowed to vie for political positions, despite not boasting of respectable personality, good character, enviable track record and integrity.

“Candidates are sometimes voted for based on ethnicity and tribal sentiments. Consequently, qualified and capable candidates may not win elections due to tribal sentiments. Wrong

House committees: No going back on composition —House spokesman Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja DESPITE agitation trailing the composition of the special and standing committees of the eighth House of Representatives inaugurated in Abuja, on Monday,

by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, leadership of the House, on Wednesday, declared that the exercise was final and that there was no going back on it.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday, deputy chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Gaza

Jonathan Gbefwi, said the committees had been constituted and inaugurated by the Speaker, while the various committees “are already hitting the ground running.”

According to him, “it is now time to consolidate and start delivering on the expectations of our constituents and the Nigerians at large.”

He confirmed to newsmen that the leadership of the House had met and reached amicable resolutions over all outstanding issues on the way forward in the overall interests of the populace.

On the issue of those who rejected the chairmanship of the committee allotted to them in annoyance, he de-

clined to comment, saying that happened two weeks ago and events had overtaken that scenario.

Gbefwi declared that there was no more trouble in the House as being speculated by the public, saying “I can tell you the eighth House of Representatives is now one, the seeming crisis is all over.”

EFCC couldn’t prove case against CCT boss continued from pg33

upon an address supported by two-thirds majority of each House of the National Assembly, praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office in question or

for misconduct or for contravention of this Act. “The implication of the above is that the power of removal is shared between the president and the National Assembly in much the same way as the power of appointment is shared

between the president and the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

“The President must, therefore, garner enough support from both House of the National Assembly to succeed in his bid to remove the CCT chairman.”

and unqualified candidates hold political power for which they lack understanding of its workings. Educational qualifications should not be the only criterion to be considered for people to be eligible to vie for elective positions. Many who vie for political positions do not possess the requisite personality, character, track record and integrity.”

He called for increased production and focus on industrial and agricultural advancement to address the issue of growing unemployment in the country.

“There is growing unemployment. The problem is that we are not producing enough and we spend a lot on food importation. We are increasing in population yet we are not producing.”

Ajimobi also charged management of tertiary institutions not to stand aloof, but engender good governance through policyoriented research, ensuring that products of educational institutions contributed to national advancement.

In particular, he tasked scholars to develop theoretical and applied module of good governance that produce solutions to states’ problems.

“We only complain, there is no solution backed by action. We don’t need us undivided. We must unite for good governance,” he said.

from the Western world and world leaders in their fight against insurgency.

The latest support is coming from the Federal Republic of Germany, as a German Advisory Team in charge of military equipment and programme aid paid the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) a visit at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

Speaking on the occasion, the Team Leader, Colonel Thomas Brillisauer, said the aim of the visit was to discuss new areas of support in the fight against insurgency in the country.

According to him, Nigeria had been a reliable partner, hence, the need to support her by prolonging and increasing the military relationship for the future of both countries.

The German military are the sole trainers of the Armed Forces Electronic and Mechatronics Engineering (AFEME) Workshop and School.

Describing the engagement of the two countries as very cordial, Colonel Brillisauer stated that the German government was ever ready and willing to improve on the existing relationship by wading into the current needs of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the ongoing war on terrorism, which was different from other form of previous bilateral relation.

These include Medical services to cater for the treatment of the war victims for the injured and traumatised, Military Mechanical Units, establishment of Peacekeeping Centre, provision of counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) equipment, Capacity Building and Training of Medical Personnel, among others.

This, he said would increase the country’s footprint in Nigeria.

The CDS, represented

by Defence Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Umar Omeiza, described both countries as partners in progress and noted that the longstanding relationship between the countries had yielded positive impact in the upgrading and establishment of Armed Forces Electrical Mechatronics Engineering workshop and school (AFEME).

He commended the German government on the proposed programme to support the military and expressed optimism that Nigeria would get out of the present security challenges and continue to exert its influence among the comity of nations.

35

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Lagosmetro Party supporter killed with hammer at rally Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 38-year-old driver, Jamiu Adedumoye, has allegedly confessed to using a hammer and plywood to kill one Olayemi Matthew Eniola in Lagos.

It was gathered that the incident happened on April 9, at 7/8 Bus Stop, Ajao Estate, along Airport Road during All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally at Oshodi.

Jamiu Adedumoye allegedly killed Eniola during the political rally in Lagos.

The case was reported and investigated by the Lagos State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, but no arrest was made as the suspects involved in the murder were reportedly moving about freely.

Dissatisfied about the outcome of the matter, the late Eniola’s family reported the case to Federal Anti-robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, which led to the initial arrest of one Murtala

Aweniya on April 17.

His arrest also led to the arrest of Jamiu Adedumoye.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly opened up and revealed that he participated in the APC rally at Oshodi where Eniola, alias “Esi-Oluwo”, was murdered.

He further allegedly revealed that he was armed with a 2”-by-2” plywood, which he used to hit the deceased before other gang members attacked him.

He was charged before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court where he pleaded not guilty.

A 50-year-old man, Olusegun Ashogbon, has been accused of threatening to kill one Aderemi Remi-Louise, the husband of his lover, Mrs Abiola Remi-Loiuse.

Ashogbon was alleged to have sent a message to RemiLoiuse on June 16, telling him to leave Abiola or pay with his life.

The 50-year-old suspect and Mrs Remi-Loiuse, a mother of three were said to have been dating since October, 2014, six months after she moved out of her matrimonial home on Akanbi Crescent, Onitiri area of the state.

It was gathered that while a divorce suit between Mrs Remi-Loiuse and her husband was pending at the state high court, she moved into a rented apartment on Awin Street, Bariga with Ashogbon.

Remi-Louise who reported the matter to the Police said, “I received a call through 081762477xx around 8.22am on June 7, 2015.

Two minutes after, I called the number and discovered that the subscriber was in a conversation with some other people. Nine days after, I received a threat message from another number.”

According to Remi-Loius, the message read, “We have been calling you but you did not pick your calls. You called our boss a thief when he called you. You can’t snatch our chairman’s wife. Your Odeshi (charm) against bullets cannot work.

“We will turn you to suya and put your body inside a Ghana-must-go bag and feed your body to fish,” the text message read.

Reacting to the allegations, Ashogbon admitted that the number through which the messages were sent belonged to him. He, however, denied that he sent the message.

Ashogbon was subsequently arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrate Court.

The presiding Magistrate Mr. P.A. Ojo, granted him bail of N200, 000 with two sureties and adjourned the case till November 17.

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Mudslide tragedy: Owners of

marked buildings refuse to quit Sylvester Okoruwa

D

ESPITE having their houses marked for demolition, residents of Orisha area of Isheri Magodo where four siblings were killed by mudslide at the weekend have spoken of their desire to stay put at the tragedy-prone area.

A policeman, Mr. Godwin Odia, lost four children

when a mudslide from the hills overlooking his house, crashed the walls and buried the sleeping children.

When Lagos Metro got to the area, it was observed that almost all the houses had been marked for demolition but the occupants were holding on to their residency.

Odia’s children were between 23 years and 8 years. Odia, a native of

Ewuta from Edo State situated his collapsed building under a 30-foot hill like many of his neighbours who insisted on staying back despite the tragedy that befell the Odias.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, “We have been warning people living in Mudslide, flood prone and disaster prone areas to leave their area to avoid

Love rivals in court over assassination claim Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

Nigerian Tribune

Where are traffic agencies officials as these overloaded vehicles go unchecked? PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Ikeja, Eko electric firms distribute 62,368 pre-paid meters Chukwuma Okparaocha ABOUT 62,368 pre-paid meters have been distributed by the Ikeja Electric and Eko Electric Distribution Companies.

The two distribution companies disclosed this in statistics made available to the media in Lagos.

Mr Godwin Idemudia, the Head, Strategy Communications, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, said that about 44,300 meters had been installed by the company from November 1, 2013 to date.

Idemudia said that the company had spent over

N3.2 billion so far on meters procurement.

He said that the company had budgeted additional N1.8 billion to purchase about 41, 000 single and three phase meters in the next three years.

Idemudia said that additional N3billion had been set aside for purchase of 7,500 Maximum Demand (MD) meters for adequate metering in its area.

According to him, the company was investing about N5.8 billion on meters which were being installed, while about 400,000 meters would be installed by the company within the next three years.

“To tackle the metering challenges, a total of 7,500 maximum demand meters have been procured at a cost N2.8 billion, as well as 50,000 meters for the nonmaximum demand customers.

“These meters, both the MD and non-MD, constitute only the first phase of our metering plan that will see all our close to 400,000 customers metered free of charge,” he said.

Idemudia said that the installation of the first phase meters had already begun, but it would not be possible to cover everyone at the same time.

the impact of the heavy rains but our plea fell on deaf ears”.

According to some of the people living in these areas, who spoke to Lagos Metro, “they (government agencies) asked us to look for alternative shelters but the government did not provide us with alternative accommodation where do they want us to go?

“We have nowhere to go but to resign to our fate”.

Lagos Metro observed that Orisha area is a risky environment to live due to it closeness to the hills which caused the mudslide.

There is also a river that can overflow and also destroy houses. also Lagos Metro counted about 30 houses built on both on top of the hills and underneath which the Lagos State Building Control Agency, had marked for demolition.

The owners of the houses were asked to urgently vacate their premises but none had moved when Lagos Metro visited.

Fire service introduces fire-fighting motorbikes Sylvester Okoruwa TO help fight fire incidents in Lagos State, some corporate organizations have donated four mobile express fire fighter bikes to the Fire Service. The bikes are the first of its kind in Nigeria.

According to a fire serviceman who spoke to Lagos Metro, each of the bikes is worth N15 million and donated to help the service get to fire accident locations on time.

The bikes will serve as kind of ‘First Aid’ before the arrival of fire-fighting trucks.

Each of the bikes carries 50 litres of water and currently operates only in Lekki and Apapa axis of Lagos.

The bikes have been deployed at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair.

businessnews US, EU gang up against Nigeria’s forex curbs at WTO 36

Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

I

NDICATIONS have emerged that there is a gang up at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by the United States and the European Union against the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) policy restricting access to foreign currency.

Reuters reported a WTO official as saying that at least nine WTO members raised concerns about the trade-related impact of the rules at a meeting of the WTO’s Council for Trade in Goods on Tuesday.

The U.S. representative at the meeting expressed “strong concern” about the effect on U.S. exports such as agricultural goods, plastics, aircraft and aircraft parts and metal and metal products, adding that the affected exports were worth $500 million in 2013 and 2014, the official said.

The U.S. trade official also said the central bank had justified its action by saying it was “in order to encourage local production of these items”, which revealed its protectionist motivation.

She further added that it was damaging the Nigerian economy and would have the opposite of the intended effect, but the Central Bank had tightened the measures in the last few months.

“We are unaware of any effort by Nigeria to justify the measure at the WTO,” the WTO official quoted

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

the U.S. representative as saying to the meeting.

Meanwhile Nigeria’s representative at the meeting whose identity was not disclosed said the Nige-

rian trade ministry was also very concerned and had requested a rollback or standstill of the policy as soon as the bank announced it.

From left, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Lagos State, Dr Ganiu Oluremi Sopeyin; Chairperson, Board of Directors, OVIE Brume Foundation, Mrs Evelyn Oputu, presenting gifts to 2nd position winner, Joseph Ageni, from Ife Oluwa Primary School, Agege, Lagos; Hameedah Amos, from St Agnes Primary School Kosofe, Lagos and Chairman Lafarge Africa, Mr Mobolaji Balogun, during the Lafarge National Literacy Competition at Civic Centre, Lagos, on Wednesday. PHOTO: ALABA IGBAROOLA.

Court orders Diamond Bank to vacate regional office Ayomide Owonibi OdekanyinLagos

A Lagos State High Court on Wednesday barred Diamond Bank from trespassing on a landed property located at105, St.Finbar’sRoad, near C M S Grammar School,Bariga Lagos State.

Justice Atinuke Oluyemi of Lagos High Court upheld the case of the

claimants, noting that the purported purchase of the property between 2006 and 2007 by the bank was invalid.

The court also awarded cost of N50,000 against all defendants.

Justice Oluyemi affirmed that the property located on 105, St. Finbers’ Road, Bariga, Lagos, covered by a Deed of Conveyance dated November 20, 1967, and registered as number 25,

LCCI commends Dangote over commitment to trade promotions THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has commended Dangote Group for its unflinching commitment to trade promotions in the country.

Speaking today during the Dangote Day at the fair, the president of the chamber, Alhaji Aderemi Bello, said the group had been one of the strongest pillars of the chamber since the fair started more than two decades ago.

He explained that the fair, which is being held simultaneously in three venues in Lagos, was aimed at drawing attention to the need to reposition and diversify the Nigerian economy.

Besides, he explained, the fair is also designed to address the issue of value addition in the nation’s non-oil export, with a view to ensuring that the nation

41 items including rice, cement, private jets, steel products, plastics and rubber, soap, cosmetics, furniture and Indian incense.

The EU official at the

meeting said Nigeria also seemed not to have sought approval from the International Monetary Fund for its foreign exchange curbs, and said they were having a significant impact on trade.

Other countries that had concerns about the curbs were Thailand, which was worried about agricultural shipments, Norway and Chile, which were concerned about fish, and Switzerland, Uruguay, Iceland and Malaysia, which were worried about the “systemic” impact.

Union threatens to ground aviation firm over sack of 50

Lagos International Trade Fair

Akin Adewakun-Lagos

Seeking to conserve its dollar reserves, the CBN had said in June that importers could no longer get hard currency from the interbank market to buy

earns more from commodities and processing.

In his response, the Group Executive Director, Monsiur Ahmed, commended the chamber for its continued re-engineering of the fair in the past few decades.

He explained that the group had decided to play a major role at the air because the vision of its or-

ganisers, which is about trade promotions, repositioning and diversifying the nation’s economy, is in tune with that of the group’s.

He explained that the group had grown from a mere trade and distribution firm in the past few years to become a huge industrial conglomerate.

Dangote Salt to wear new look BARRING unforeseen circumstances, one of the offerings in the stables of Dangote Group, Dangote Salt is set to wrar a new look before the end of the year.

Disclosing this at the ongoing Lagos Trade Fair in Lagos, the Brand Manager, Dangote Salt, Mr Lanre Majekodunmi, stated that the repackaging had become necessary to further attract the brand to its teeming consumers.

According to him, at the completion of the rebranding exercise, expected to be before the end of the year, the brand would come out in a unique pack that would further reinforce its commitment to being the most preferred in that market segment.

He explained that one of the unique selling points of the salt is its iodised feature which makes it healthy for human consumption.

at page 25 in volume 1292 in the office of the Land Registry, Alausa, Lagos, was legally vested in their deceased father, late Anicetus Ibhagbe Eikore.

“From the evidence before the court, I concur with the claimant’s final written address. The case of claimant succeeds. The property located on105, St. Finbers’ road, Bariga, Lagos, covered by a Deed of Conveyance dates November 20, 1967, and reg-

istered as number 25, at page 25 in volume 1292 in the office of the Land Registry, Alausa, Lagos, is for the children of deceased,” Justice Oluyemi said.

Diamond Bank was dragged to court by 10children of a deceased Lagos businessman, Anicetus Ibhagbe Eikore, for allegedly demolishing their family house and using the land to build its regional headquarters.

Glo introduces Twin Bash for data subscribers NATIONAL telecoms operator, Globacom, has enhanced the network experience of its data subscribers with juicy benefits which include free data and free airtime which subscribers can use to call all networks.

While announcing the new offer, called Twin Bash, in Lagos on Wednesday, Globacom’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs Gladys Talabi, disclosed that any subscriber who recharges N200 data will get 200 MB of data worth N800, another N200 airtime to call or send sms to any network and N200 airtime to call 10 friends and family.

The subscriber will subsequently receive N1,200 value for a data recharge of N200 which will be valid for four days.

Similarly, any subscriber who recharges with N500 data plan will get 500 MB of data, N500 airtime to call or send sms to any network and N500 airtime to call 10 friends and fam-

ily, Mrs Talabi said, adding that this is valid for 10 days.

According to her, subscribers who recharge with N1,000 for data will henceforth get 1.2 GB of data and not 1GB as it was before now, while they will equally receive N1,000 free airtime to call or send sms to any network and N1000 free airtime to call 10 friends and family.

THE National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) on Wednesday threatened to ground the operations of Caverton Helicopters over alleged lack of due process in the sacking of 50 Nigerian workers in the company.

The union gave the warning in a letter addressed to the airline’s Chief Executive Officer.

The letter was signed by the union’s GeneralSecretary, Mr Olayinka Abioye and made available to aviation correspondents in Ikeja.

The letter said that Abioye accused the airline’s management of sacking the workers without following due process.

It described the company’s action as illegal.

The letter said that the management of the company erred in deducting workers salaries without consideration for rules, logic and applicable standards.

The letter said that the union queried the non-uniformity in deductions of workers’ salaries, appealing to the management to address the irregularities on or before the end of November.

NSE ASI picks up, appreciates by 0.12% Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

TRADING on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Wednesday, to closed on a positive note. The NSE AllShare Index appreciated as the long awaited ministers’ portfolios were revealed.

Analyst had said that the delay in revealing the ministerial list had took its toll on the market, as investors were unwilling to invest when there were no clear directions.

The NSE ASI appreciated

by 0.12 per cent to close at 29,014.78 basis points, compared with the 0.64 per cent depreciation recorded on Tuesday.

Market turnover closed negative as volume declined by 31.54 per cent against 71.79 per cent decline recorded in the previous session.

Access Bank Plc, Axamansard Insurance Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc were the most active to boost market turnover with 129.7 million shares.

37

news

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Digitisation: Broadcasters strategise on compliance WITH the compulsory switch to digital broadcasting around the corner, the Southwest zone of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), has urged its members to sharpen their new technologies and computer skills.

The charge, which dominated talks on Tuesday at the Southwest zone meeting of the organisation, hosted by Lagos State Television (LTV8), Agidingbi, Lagos, became imperative for broadcasters to remain relevant in the new broadcasting dispensation.

The immediate past Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, said digitisation and re-equipment have been the biggest challenges facing BON members, urging members to face digital age realities, which have become the vogue in broadcasting all over the world.

Explaining further, the Executive Secretary of BON, Mr Segun Olaleye, said the idea of digitisation came up as a result of the emerging trend in technology, adding that when full digitisation commences, many of the stations would be compressed into channels.

Olaleye said: “We need to strategise to become relevant in the broadcasting of the future. When the policy begins, no station will own a transmitter and everybody will have to broadcast through a signal distributor and everyone will be on a single platform. What will be important in that era will be the content you have to sell.”

Speaking further, the BON scribe said the digitisation process will involve all Nigerians buying a sector box and all stations as currently constituted will become a channel on a decoder.

Hospitals need more medical social workers, AMSWON urges govt

From left, President, Leadership Plus Solutions, Mr Gbemi Efunnuga; President Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Publisher, Laveronica Magazine, Ms Vera Okei and the Record Officer, World Genius Records (WGR) , Mr Michael Elder-Bello, at the Record Ambassador Award presented to Okei-Odumakin by WGR, in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Economic activities resume in Port Harcourt after Biafra protest

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USINESS activities in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday resumed, after a shutdown, by protesters for Biafra.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the shutdown was due to a protest embarked upon by a group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra.

The protesters had said they were protesting the arrest and detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Gov-

ernment.

NAN recalls that most banks and businesses were closed shops, due to the protest.

Some officials of banks on Aba Road said they had to close their shops because it was risky to open during the protest.

One of the bankers, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said it was better to forgo the day’s business than risk losing customers’ deposits in the banks.

More than 10,000 pro-

THE Nigerian Navy, on Wednesday, said it has arrested a 26-man gang, including eight migrants, allegedly terrorising residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, made this known while briefing men.

He said the gang was arrested during a raid of criminal hideouts in the state capital, adding that

is also on Rumuebekwe Street, said however, that the protest favoured him.

He stated that he made good sales as protesters trooped into his shop to buy kerosene, soft drinks and palm oil.

Protesters used the items to wash their faces to douse the effects of tear gas fired at them by security operatives.

NAN gathered that security operatives had expended hundreds of canisters of tear gas in their bid to disperse the protesters.

Mayhem in Warri as rival youths clash Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

PANDEMONIUM ensued on Wednesday afternoon at Agbassa along WarriSapele road in Warri, as rival youths from Igbudu and Agbassa clashed over the death of a youth.

It was gathered that a youth from Agbassa was

stabbed at Ginuwa junction on Tuesday night when he accompanied his girlfriend.

Another reason for the clash is said not to be unconnected with the recent assassination of Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly, Bright Obodo

Navy arrests 8 illegal migrants, 18 others in Port Harcourt Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt

testers were reported to have stormed Port Harcourt from Aba in neighbouring Abia, to participate in the protest. The protest lasted for about 12 hours with a combined team of police and soldiers having a hectic time dispersing the protesters.

A trader on Rumuibekwe Street in Port Harcourt, who simply identified herself as Miss Oluchi, said the protesters made her not to sell her wares.

Another trader, Mr Okafor Chukwu, whose shop

the arrest was fallout of an intelligence report on the incessant activities of the gang.

“Troops of NNS Pathfinder raided a ‘Mammy’ Market around Borokiri area of Port Harcourt, following intelligence report of criminal activities and presence of illegal migrants in the area. Following the raid, eight illegal migrants from Niger Republic were arrested over involvement in drug peddling, robbery and harassment of innocent citizens in the area.

Also arrested during the

raid were 18 others, who claimed to be Nigerians,” he said.

Ibrahim, who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Chidi Ejiofor, said the raid was made in view of the present security challenges in the North-East and other parts of the country.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation and possible deportation of the aliens.

few days to tribunal judgment believed to go his way.

It was also gathered that the Agbassa youths suspected the young man was killed by youths from Igbudu and that the victim, simply identified as Mobo, was allegedly stabbed severally by yet-to-be-identified youths.

Mobo, after the incident, was rushed to Warri Central Hospital, where he eventually died.

In retaliation, angry youths from Agbassa, stormed the ever-busy Warri-Sapele road, disrupting vehicular movement while traders and passersby took to their heels as gunshots rented the air.

The youths were armed with dangerous weapons even as they set a building ablaze and torched some cars and tricycles parked along the road. Before the police could get to the scene of the crime, the youths had engaged themselves in a free-for-all as they harassed anyone,

whoever challenged them.

They, reportedly, looted and stabbed anyone that came their way.

A team of police, which confronted the gun-wielding youths, faced a hectic period preventing them from ransacking the entire area.

The team of police from the Warri Area Command had to reinforce in order to arrest the situation, as the youths fled on sighting the reinforced policemen team.

Men of the Delta State Fire Service were also on hand to put out the fire in the building which was torched by the youths.

As of the time of filing this report, soldiers and policemen have taken control of Warri-Sapele road and restored normalcy while vehicular movement had resumed.

One of the youths angry spoke to newsmen, boasting that the whole area would be bloodier at night, adding that the youths are getting ready for a real showdown.

THE involvement of medical social workers in the management of tertiary, secondary and primary health centers across the country has been described as an antidote to the array of psycho-social problems confronting many Nigerians.

The employment and engagement of the experts in the area that will help the affected patients and those who would need professional advice according to the Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria, (AMSWON) will help reduce the rising cases of psycho-social problems; divorce, poverty, malnutrition, juvenile delinquency, rape, examination malpractices, cultism, violence and prostitution among others.

AMSWON National President, Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan Bichi who made this call in his acceptance speech shortly after he emerged as the National President of the association at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital.

Brief

Burial

THE burial arrangements of Mrs Helen Oluwanisola Ojofeitimi, who died on September 7, 2015, will begin on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, with a service of songs at her residence, Ibukun Villa, Ojofeitimi Street, Ikolaba, Ibadan at 5:00 p.m. General Christian wake-keep will hold the following day, at the same venue, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

There will be commendation service at Cathedral of St. James the Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan on Thursday, at 9:00 a.m. while corpse will leave Ibadan, in a motorcade, for Ilesa.

The burial service will hold at Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity, Omofe, Ilesa, at 11:00a.m., while interment will follow immediately at the church cemetery.

Reception and entertainment of guests will take place at Zenababs Half Moon Resort, IjebuJesha road, Ilo-Ajegunle, Ilesa, Osun State.

Mrs Helen Oluwanisola

news We have no regret fielding Jonathan —PDP 38

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

•Says Dokpesi is on his own

Leon Usigbe And Jacob

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has justified the candidature of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election, saying it was approved by the hierarchy of the party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, made the assertion in response to the claim by Chief Raymond Dokpesi that one of the major reasons for the failure of the former ruling party at the poll was its failure to respect zoning policy that should have returned power to the north.

Dokpesi spoke while briefing the press on the preparation for the PDP National Conference, slated for Thursday, in Abuja, in his capacity as the chairman of the Organising Committee of the conference.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Metuh said: “That statement made by Chief Raymond Dokpesi is his personal opinion and does not represent in any way an official position of the PDP. “In the first place, Dokpesi is not a member of the national executive of the PDP and he can only speak in his personal capacity and his opinion remains personal and does not represent that of the party.

“The decision to field former President Jonathan in the 2015 presidential race was approved by the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Council (NEC) and the party’s national caucus.

“In addition, the constitution of the party allows a sitting president chance to exercise his personal right to run for a second term if he so desires.

“This is not the time for buck passing or blame

game. We are repositioning our party. What we should do is to join hands to reposition PDP based on the report of the Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu to reclaim the party’s lost glory. This is what is expected of us all at

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (right), receiving a souvenir from the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, when the latter led the management of the bank on a courtesy visit to the Senate President, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

el-Rufai no longer accidental public servant—Tinubu Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

THE National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State Governor, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said Governor Nasir Ahmad

El-Rufai of Kaduna State is now a determined and well groomed governor and no longer an ‘accidental public servant.’

He stated this in Kaduna on Wednesday while flag-

ging-off the first phase of 200 brand new Peugeot and KIA vehicles for the new Kaduna Cabs Scheme (KADCABS).

Tinubu maintained that, “Kaduna is blessed with a

Tank farm owners responsible for fuel crisis—IPMAN

By Dare Adekanmbi

THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) has blamed the current fuel shortage on sabotage by owners of private tank farms and lack of will by regulatory agency to enforce operation rules.

IPMAN accused the private tank farms owners of hoarding petrol and selling only to those who were willing to pay N95 for a litre instead of the regulated price of N77.66kobo.

Ibadan depot Chairman of the body, Alhaji Olakunle Busari, who made the revelation at a press conference in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, said the independent marketers were facing serious challenges in their bid to lift fuel at the regulated price, contrary to the impression smiling to the bank by ripping off Nigerians.

Busari explained that it would not be in the economic interest of any independent marketer to refuse to sell fuel petrol at N87 regulated pump price if supplied by the NNPC because they

this time.

He said, contrary to the apology offered on behalf of the party by Dokpesi for the mistakes made by the PDP in its 16 years in power, that the PDP has no regrets fielding Jonathan.

have bank loans and salaries of workers to pay.

“As of today, the NNPC depot that services Oyo and Osun states has not loaded a single litre of fuel in the last four months. As a result of this, IPMAN members are forced to patronise private depot operators in Lagos who sell to us at exorbitant price.

“If we add the cost of transportation and other depot

expenses to the price we buy in Lagos, it makes it virtually impossible for us to sell as the official pump price.

“Related to this is also the fact that the little product allocated to us from the NNPC to be loaded is not given preference of loading at Lagos private depots.

It takes eight weeks to load and no (independent) marketer has been serviced more than twice from January till

date.

“Another issue is the lopsidedness in the allocation of products among IPMAN, the major marketers and the NNPC retail limited. These set of marketers are given undue preference to the detriment of IPMAN members. It is important to note that the major marketers and the NNPC retail outlets are not up to half of our members.”

performer, a trailblazer and a committed governor.

This time, no longer the accidental public servant, but determined and well groomed governor with experience, knowledge and deep understanding of good governance, which he has brought to bear in governing Kaduna people.

“I am greatly honoured to be part of this empowerment scheme for the people by the government. This is proactive effort geared at job creation.

“The Kaduna Cab Scheme is a long overdue initiative and now that a people oriented government is in charge, we are beginning to see not just bold ideas, but equally bold moves.”

Group lauds Fayose’s achievements despite paucity of funds A non-political group, Igbimo Ure Ekiti (IUE), has lauded the administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose, for the giant strides it has recorded in the last one year despite paucity of funds. The group, through its President, Prince Julius Adeluyi, stated this in Ado-Ekiti, at an interactive session with the governor, during which the governor gave them details of the activities of his government in the last one year.

Adeluyi, who spoke to newsmen, said in spite of the sharp drop in revenue to the state, the administration has been able to execute some capital projects.

In a statement on Wednesday, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor gave the breakdown of the revenue, liabilities and assets of the government.

“On a comparative scale, what the state got under the former administration be-

tween January and October last year was N33.9 billion, while this year, we have got a total of N22.6 billion leaving a gap of over N11.2 billion.

“We have therefore looked inwards to shore up our revenue base and we have introduced some levies and taxes and we urge our people to cooperate with us.

We have done things transparently.

“When we came on board, the situation was so bad that there was no vehicle

to clear refuse. Municipal services must go on. For instance, we spend an average of N35 million monthly on provision of potable water but Water Corporation generates a mere N400, 000 monthly.

“We held Education Summit and charted ways for us to move forward in the sector. We had to do that and even celebrate our teachers because we need to encourage teachers as the anchor of that sector,” he said.

Court adjourns CBCIU case to Dec 14 Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday, adjourned the case involving the management of Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) to December 14, 2015.

The adjournment followed the prayers by the first defendant, the Osun State Government, for extension of time.

Counsel to the first defendant, Mr Yomi Adeniran, urged the court to grant his application for extension of time to allow his client file his application.

Responding to the motion for the extension for time, counsel to the plaintiff, former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye, Oyinlola, Mr Adetunji Muraina, said he would not oppose the application of his colleague, observing that the receipt of payment of penalty for late filing was not attached.

LiftHer 2015 empowers women to fulfill life goals AN annual event organised to enable women to maximise their potentials tagged ‘LiftHer’ has again, empowered about 160 women drawn from various parts of the country at this year’s programme.

The LiftHer initiative, according to the visionary, Pastor Liz SegunKingsley, was borne out of a need to relieve the pains of women and empower them to see life through the prism of possibilities, adding that this year’s event was co-organised with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Foundation of Faith parish Lagos and the Peculiar Peoples Parish, Agbowo, Ibadan.

The event, with the theme, ‘At the scent of water’, with its special guest being Professor Ayo Atsenuwa, engaged women on various fields and issues; 10 business awards were given to widows from Lagos and Ibadan in the form of grinding and sewing machines, skill training in clothes stoning and blinging to about 150 participants in Lagos, free medical care and consultation to about 350 participants, among other trainings.

39 news Suya, bush meat can cause cancer —WHO report

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

N

IGERIA’S favourite barbeque, suya, could cause cancer, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated in its much-awaited report on the link between red meat and the disease.

Although suya, as well as bush meat, are not expressly mentioned in the report, they fall under the definition

of processed meat.

In a report published by the BBC on Monday, processed meat is defined as meat that “has been modified to increase its shelf-life or alter its taste – such as by smoking, curing or adding salt or preservatives.”

It also says high temperature cooking, such as on a barbeque, can create carcinogenic (cancer-causing)

chemicals. Suya, which is processed red meat, is prepared by barbeque and seasoned with salt, pepper and groundnut powder. Kilishi, a drier version of suya, is also preserved with seasoning; same for bush meat preserved for days along highways in wait for buyers.

Other forms of processed meat are bacon, sausages and ham. The WHO report

said 50 grammes of processed meat a day – less than two slices of bacon – increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18 per cent. Meanwhile, WHO also said red meat is “probably carcinogenic” but there was limited evidence, but stressed that meat also had health benefits.

The WHO has come to the conclusion on the advice of

From left; Director of Administration, West African Examination Council (WAEC),Steven Taiwo; Head of Nigeria Office, WAEC , Eguridu Charles; Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the deputy governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi, during a visit by the WAEC officials to the Governor’s Office, Akure, on Wednesday.

Drunk driving, reasons for road accidents —FRSC

By Tunde Ogunesan DRUNK driving has been described as one of the most prevalent causative factors of road accidents in Nigeria and across the globe.

This was disclosed by the sector commander, Oyo State sector command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Yusuff K. Salami, while addressing stakeholders during a sensitisation campaign rally of “don’t drink and drive,” held at Methodist Event Centre, Oyo town, yesterday.

The campaign, sponsored by the Nigerian Breweries Plc, according to Salami, was targeted at operators from various transport unions, which include the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) under the auspices of the National Union of Petroleum and Nation’s Gas Workers (NUPENG), Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORON) and other organised transport unions who are active road users.

The team, on a long queue, moved round Oyo town through Oke-Obe, Okeesi-

ele, Adikuta, Isale Bashorun, Palace road, Atiba road, Akesan market, Asogo, Owode to Akinmorin road, sensitising residents on the objective of the rally.

According to Salami, “from available records, it has been established that drunk driving is one of the most prevalent causative factors of Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) which has led to loss of valuable lives and destruction of prop-

erties in the country. The dangers inherent in driving under the influence of alcohol include; impaired vision, psyche imbalance, indulgence in excessive speed and poor sense of judgment which ultimately leads to road traffic crashes. It is in view of the dangers associated with this unpleasant attitude and the need to address the anomaly that this campaign was organised to

appraise the situation and proffer solution.

“It is pertinent to note that for a reversal of this unpleasant trend to be achieved, all organised transport unions and stakeholders must collaborate effectively in conducting grass root stakeholders meeting, sensitisation programmes/ workshops and physiological evaluation all aimed at eliminating crashes resulting from drunk driving.”

Buhari addressing problems of police —IGP THE Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is making frantic efforts to address the problems of the Nigeria Police.

Arase made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional, religious and opinion leaders, associations and the members of the civil society organisations, among others, in Sokoto, on Wednesday.

“Some of these problems include the dilapidation of police training schools, residential and office accommodation and other problems inhibiting the officers and men from performing their constitutional duties diligently.

“We will continue to pro-

vide adequate vehicles for patrols, money for fueling, incentives for our officers on patrols, and we will ensure a robust life insurance scheme for our officers and men.

“The ban on road blocks is still in force, while however, we can conduct our stop and search operations whenever we get any security alerts, across the nation,’’ Arase added.

According to him, the police will tighten security around schools, women and children who are mostly vulnerable.

He promised to strive to give Nigerians people-centered to police force to enable it succeed.

“We will do everything to win your hearts and minds

as the police force exists because there are the people, the Nigerians.

“The officers and men of the force are also Nigerians who will return back to the various communities to live as civilians after retiring from active service.

“We will do everything humanly possible to make sure that Nigerians are fully protected and within the ambit of the law,’’ Arase said.

He described the traditional institutions as crucial stakeholders in ensuring the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

Arase recalled that the traditional rulers were the custodians of culture, saying, “They were the hub of security even during the colonial era.’’

its International Agency for Research on Cancer, which assesses the best available scientific evidence. It has now placed processed meat in the same category as plutonium, but also alcohol as they definitely do cause cancer. However, this does not mean they are equally dangerous. A bacon sandwich is not as bad as smoking.

“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Kurt Straif from the WHO said.

Estimates suggest 34,000 deaths from cancer every year could be down to diets high in processed meat.

That is in contrast to one million deaths from cancer caused by smoking and 600,000 attributed to alcohol each year. Red meat does have nutritional value too and is a major source of iron, zinc and vitamin B12.

‘Mysterious’ rabbit causes pandemonium at Rivers secretariat Uduakabasi Patrick Port Harcourt THERE was pandemonium and confusion, as a mysterious rabbit put up a sudden appearance, at the Rivers State Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Wednesday morning.

Eye witnesses said the rabbit was suddenly found under the car of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Otonyetarie Okoye, parked at his official car park within the premises.

It was gathered that the sudden appearance of the rabbit made workers around the Block A axis of the secretariat housing the ministry to run for safety.

The situation became worrisome as there were no garden or any form of bush around the premises of the secretariat, even as some of those who witnessed the incident said the rabbit did not look like the normal ones.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, one of the eye witnesses, Jonathan Johns, said what made the whole thing mysterious was that the permanent secretary was not returning from any farm and the rabbit was not even around the area before his arrival in the morning.

“Early this morning, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture came to the office. Later, he came back downstairs to his car, wanting to move out.”

Lead City Varsity sanitises Lagos/Ibadan Toll-Gate STUDENTS and staff of Lead City University, Ibadan, numbering more than hundred, on Tuesday, stormed the Ibadan end of Lagos/Ibadan expressway with various cleaning equipment and sanitised the environment.

The exercise, according to Professor Adetanwa Odebiyi, who led the contingents, was part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the private institution, and also an effort to inculcate spirit of community services into the students of the school and its staff.

A medical team from the institution also rendered free medical services to people in the neighbourhood, especially members of National Union of Road Transports Workers (NURTW), men and officers of the Tollgate Police Station, where the free medical stands were located.

Professor Odebiyi, in her remarks after the exercise, expressed her delight over the gesture of the people, especially the traders at the neighbourhood market at the toll-gate, for trooping out to join Lead City crew in cleaning the dirty environment.

Court adjourns Kashamu’s suit against NDLEA till Nov 18 Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos JUSTICE Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court, Lagos has fixed November 18, 2015 to decide on the case filed by embattled Senator Buruji Kashamu against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

Buruji is praying for an order of perpetual injunction barring the NDLEA and the AGF from taking over his properties, including a 24flat housing estate at Egbe and several hectares of land on Lekki Peninsular, Lagos, worth over N20 billion.

Justice Buba fixed the date, on Wednesday, after listening to the argument from the parties.

According to counsel from the office of the AGF, Mr Oyin Koleosho, in his preliminary objection, described Kashamu’s suit as premature, incompetent and an abuse of court processes and asked the court to dismiss it.

He added that Kashamu failed to substantiate his claim that the AGF had or was about to take possession of his properties.

40 politicscommentary

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

APC and its strategies for Kogi 2015

By Ahmadu Bilau

The number one cause of bankruptcy is bad strategy.-Rich Horwath (Three Common Mistakes in Strategic Planning)

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UITE a number of untidy campaign strategies and planning deployed since the commencement of electioneering ahead of the November 21 governorship poll in Kogi State appears to have gone sour for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu. Notable among others, are the decision to withhold bailout funds due to Kogi State, Audu’s choice of running mate and the defection of Jibrin Isah, (aka) Echocho.

Too many wrong calculations by the APC eggheads in Abuja and at the Kogi State level, have turned out to be monumental mistakes which, rather than work for the party, are working against it.

Beyond his famous infrastructural feats, sweet mouthed to prodigal fullness, matters arising in the campaigns, lately, weigh in largely on the serial faux pas, which, unfortunately, may work against Audu.

Indeed, the very glaring absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the self-styled APC grand rally in Lokoja, the failed rally in Ajaokuta local government area, and the Kotonkarfe misadventure, viewed against the background of his pathological disrespect for time, for people, for the traditional institution, equally undermine, rather than improve Audu’s political goodwill.

Similarly, Audu’s attack on the person and office of Mr President, faulting the nomination of James Ocholi, SAN, as Minister, hinged on the presumptuous claim that he was not consulted by the president before Ocholi’s nomination and his vow not to congratulate the minister, is surely less than strategic.

It is left to be seen how the dehumanising ‘strategy’ to withhold the bailout funds to workers in Kogi is helping the cause of the APC gubernatorial candidate..

The insinuation that APC is at the root of the non-release of the funds to the state, a truism authenticated by his campaign spokesman, Tom Ohikere, is the biggest mistake thought to be a strategy. It started like a rumour, but the growing speculation that Kogi would be denied the funds, thus denying Governor Idris Wada the opportunity of paying outstanding salaries of workers in a way to score cheap political points, is a colossal mistake.

While the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says it has approved the sum of N50 billion as bailout to Kogi and published same, attributing the delay in the release of the money to other reasons, it is not the business of the Prince Abubakar Audu Campaign Organisation (PAACO), to have aligned itself with the non-release of the fund. It is akin to saying ‘Yes, we did it. We told them to withhold the fund. It will not be released now, willy-nilly!’

No matter how potent the argument, you are bound to incur the wrath of a group of hungry, battered and earnestly expectant workers, looking them in the face and telling them you are behind the decision to deny them their livelihoods. It is not done. But, this is what Kogi APC has just done to itself.

Workers in Kogi know Wada is not in the habit of owing them, so the kite that he would not pay them if the fund is released to him cannot fly. Hence, the goal the APC set out to achieve backfired with the one-day

warning strike called by labour in Kogi and subsequently called off in sympathy with the state government.

Of course, the people of the state know the forces holding on to the bailout. It is thus needless to attempt to shift the blame for the delay in the release of the fund on the state government. Better still, the issue of bailout should not have been politicised.

Choice of running mate The first problem with the very decision to go out of Kogi State to pick a running mate is that, among the vast majority of party men and women based at home in the state, there is simply no such thing as quality or competence. The choice of James Abiodun Faleke, known to have served twice as a council chairman and who is a serving federal legislator in Lagos State, has become a dialectical matter. Faleke originally hails from Ekinrin Adde, Ijumu local government area in Kogi West, but he holds a Lagos State certificate of origin, which explains why he was able to serve as a council chairman and currently, as federal legislator representing a constituency in Lagos.

The expediency and propriety of the choice of a “virtual foreigner,” as one heard it with one ear, is ‘strategically’ plotted to woo the APC leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy his huge war-chest as bailout for a bankrupt PAACO, in exchange for offering

Kogi as a platform for Tinubu to extend his political tentacles to the North Central geopolitical zone, using Kogi as in-road. This is akin to a regurgitation of the failed bid to achieve a similar feat through the neighbouring Kwara!

But it turned out a concatenation of bad strategies. Like a fairytale, sequel to Audu’s emergence as the APC standard bearer against all odds, the help of a seer is not needed to fathom that the time of the APC doomsday in Kogi had been concealed from the Faleke strategy. So, many things are wrong with that strategy: its novelty colluded with the curiosity of a discombobulated Kogi people left wondering why something of this nature should happen at all, for lack of the kind of sophistication available in the South-West, which is used to such practices.

There is the perception of an average Kogi person about a possible changing status of the state to a toll-paying annex to foreign states and Kogi’s heterogeneous complexity, which makes the introduction of such unusual occurrences to our polity, a subject of suspicion, all combined to rubbish that strategy.

Audu’s recent justification of his choice of Faleke in an interview, accentuated, rather than assuaged the wounds of the aggrieved home-based party men and women. Audu had said inter alia: “I have tried home-based people as my running mates in the past

I have tried home-based people as my running mates in the past and they all brought disappointment to our team, so I felt I should look out for someone with a wider horizon and one who understands the concept of development and has bundles of experience in same. I got Faleke after a thorough search.

and they all brought disappointment to our team, so I felt I should look out for someone with a wider horizon and one who understands the concept of development and has bundles of experience in same. I got Faleke after a thorough search.”

The choice of Faleke rankles deep among Audu’s erstwhile associates in the APC. Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi West, is said to be miffed that apart from the fact that he was not taken into confidence by Audu on the matter, Faleke’s emergence is a tacit ploy to upset his (Melaye’s) political fiefdom. Faleke originally hails from Ijumu local government area, where Melaye also comes from. Melaye’s predecessor, Senator Smart Adeyemi, incidentally another Ijumu political heavyweight, who has maintained a distance from the Wada campaign, made a surprise appearance at Wada’s rally in Ijumu, early this week, apparently to express his resentment to the emergence of a potential challenger of his political space, in the running mate to Audu.

Faleke’s emergence is also causing fissures in Kogi West which had always been a united political bloc. Yagba Federal Constituency, which is made up of Mopamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West LGAs, considers the Faleke project a brazen attempt to rob them of the deputy governorship, a position they have held through Yomi Awoniyi, since January 27, 2012.

The cosmopolitan Lokoja/Kotonkarfe Federal constituency, which has serially brought significant numbers to the voting harvest of candidates backed by them in various elections over the years, is also up in arms against Audu and his running mate.

They wonder why no consideration was given to their Christian sons in Audu’s choice of running mate.

Senator representing Kogi Central, Mohammed Ohiare, has also been quoted as saying Audu will not get the support of his zone, particularly because they were not enlisted on the issue of Audu’s running mate. Ohiare’s position has been amplified by various interest groups in the zone who have wondered why the interests of Bello, Senator Usman Abatemi and Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi, all from Central, who emerged second, third and fourth respectively, at the APC primaries, were not accommodated in Audu’s choice of running mate.

The Echocho romance One other critical aspect of Audu’s failed strategy is his romance with, a frontline governorship aspirant of the PDP, who recently defected to the APC. A masterstroke calculated to break Wada’s blossoming goodwill, it went sour as soon as it was supposedly perfected. To Audu’s chagrin, the pseudo supporters who were expected to gravitate to APC along with Echocho, opted to stay in the PDP and support Wada. It was no secret that Sunday Karimi, House of Representatives’ member representing Yagba Fed Constituency and Smart Adeyemi, a former senator representing Kogi West, both worked on the side of Echocho during the PDP primaries. Karimi has since reaffirmed his support for Wada by attending all rallies in the three local government areas he represents thus far, while Adeyemi also joined the campaign train in his Ijumu LGA. To underscore the failure of the strategy of Echocho’s romance, Echocho’s spokesman for six years who was by his side until the end of the PDP primaries, Phrank Shaibu declared allegiance to PDP! He was immediately appointed Chief Communication Officer to Governor Wada!

•Bilau writes from Lokoja

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Osun govt to stop full payment of WAEC fees for students

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he Osun State government has said that it could no longer bear the burden of full payment of West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), fees for students in public schools.

The state deputy gover-

nor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, said this when the State House of Assembly Committee on Education paid her a visit in her office in Osogbo, on Wednesday.

Laoye-Tomori, who doubled as the Commissioner for Education, said that the state government

would pay half of the WAEC fees, while parents would henceforth, pay the remaining.

She said the state government spent over N500 million as WAEC fees for students per annum, adding that it could no longer bear the cost due to lack of fund.

``The state government is yet to complete the payment of 2014 WAEC fees and this is causing delay in the release of the students’ results,’’ she said.

On promotion for teachers, the deputy governor said that promotion would no longer be automatic,

but would be based on performance of students in external examinations.

She also said that government would make it compulsory for teachers to teach in the rural areas for one year.

Laoye-Tomori added that those who would be teaching in the rural areas would get better pay than those in the urban area.

On the tertiary institution, she said it was not true that government was planning to merge Colleges of Education and Polytechnics in the state.

The deputy governor, however, said that government had put on hold admission into state-owned tertiary institutions for the new session.

She said the one year break was to enable school authorities to improve on their curriculum and programmes.

Be patient with Buhari, Oba Gbadebo tells Nigerians Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello (left), presenting the letter of appointment to the new Emir of Borgu, Muhammad Sani Haliru Dantoro, (Kitoro the IV), at the Government House, Minna.

Police foil attempt to assassinate Wukari LG boss Sylvanus Viashima-Jalingo

The Taraba State Police Command has foiled an attempt to assassinate the care taker chairman of Wukari Local Government Area of the state, Mr Daniel Angyu, by two suspected assassins, Parading the suspects in Jalingo, the state capital, the state Commissioner of Police, Shaba Alkali, told newsmen that the arrest of the suspects followed intelligence report the command received that there were plans to assassinate the council boss.

According to Shaba, the police reacted swiftly by deploying personnel to the area, who apprehended the suspects when they made the move by scaling the fence to Angyu’s house to get him.

“We got information that there was a plan to assassinate Angyu by some miscreants. We immediately deployed our men to the house and the area for close monitoring and true to the information we got, the two suspects made a move at the chairman when they got to his compound after breaching his fence. My men who were

already on ground apprehended them immediately and recovered a pistol and live ammunition from them,” he said.

He further said that the suspects were already providing useful information that will help in the arrest of those behind the plot, in a bid to get them.

The suspects, however, denied that they were as-

sassins, saying that they were coming to apologise to the chairman over an altercation they had the previous day.

According to one of the suspects ,Bitrus Henry, he recovered the gun that was found on him from someone who used it to kill his brother and wanted to take it home but decided to stop and apologise to the chairman before going

home.

Crisis broke out in Wukari in the early hours of Sunday when parties loyal to the All Progressives Congress(APC )and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), clashed following the judgement of the election petition tribunal that ordered the sack of Governor Darius Ishaku and reinstatement of Senator Aisha Alhassan.

Mimiko rewards students at education award ceremony Among other recipients, the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has awarded an indigene of the state with a new car for emerging best medical student.

Governor Mimiko gave the award at a ceremony held at the state Cultural Centre, Akure, the state capital, tagged “Celebration of excellence.”

The event held in honour of pupils and students in the state’s primary and secondary schools for their outstanding performances in the various examinations conducted in the state, including national and international competitions.

At the event, Mimiko announced a prize of a new car for Dr Oladotun Victor Olalusi, an indigene of the state for emerging the best medical student at the Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, in 2013, even as he announced cash rewards to the best teacher and second best teacher in Nigeria, both from Ondo State with other awardees, who got cash rewards ranging between N250,000 and N100,000.

Governor Mimiko, who was elated at the outstanding performances of the recipients, reiterated his administration’s de-

termination to invest in education as the bedrock of societal development, saying that no nation can develop beyond the level of enlightenment of its citizenry.

He assured that the event would be an annual one where outstanding performance in education would be recognised and appreciated by the state government.

He noted that his administration had laid a solid foundation for sustainable development in education through the provision of educational facilities that will make products from the state globally competitive.

Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta The Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, on Wednesday, appealed to Nigerians to exercise more patience with the administration of President Muhamamadu Buhari,,in turning around the fortune of the country.

Alake made the appeal at a press conference heralding his 10th -year coronation anniversary at his palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Oba Gbadebo was a principal staff officer to the late Major-General Tunde Idiagbon, from January 1984 till September 1985 and retired from the army as a Colonel.

The tradtional ruler said that Nigerians should give the government at the centre more time for it to deliver on its campaign promises. “ Buhari is a very deep person. When I say deep, I mean he is not open to frivolity. Such a person doesn’t quickly make mistakes and turn back again.

“I want to plead with those who are impatience to exercise sufficient patience. Because at the end of four years, they will want him to come back again for another four years so that he can turn Nigeria to the country of our dream”, he said.

The traditional ruler described Buhari as a Nigerian who is not after worldly wealth.

Odun Omu-Aran holds Saturday The 2015 Omu-Aran Festival of Clubs, also known as Odun Omu-Aran, will hold on Saturday, at the sports ground of Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, at 10.00 am.

A statement by the chairman of planning committee of the event, Mr. Kayode Awotunde, said the event is a club cannival designed to promote unity among the more than 100 clubs and age-groups in the ancient Igbomina community.

It is also another avenue for raising funds for development projects in the town.

According to him, a retired director in the federal civil service, Dr Hezekiah Oyedepo will be the chairman of the occasion, while Mrs Foluke Oyinloye, the Yeye Aro of Iwoland, will the chairperson.

Awotunde added that Bishop David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of the Living Faith worldwide, will be the father of the day, while the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Oladele Ibitoye, Adogbajale bi Ileke II, is the royal father of the day.

Brief Jehovah’s Witnesses holds convention The 2015 annual convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses will commence tomorrow, at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ifatumo Village, along Ibadan/ Iwo Road, Oyo state.

The theme of the convention is “Imitate Jesus”, where Christians are expected to emulate the leadership qualities of Jesus Christ.

According to a press statement issued and signed by the media officer of the convention, Mr Paul Ukpe, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Wednesday, the programme will commence on Friday and end on Sunday.

The programme will feature inspring and investigating talks, Bible – based drama as well as symposium while the convention would also be geared towards motivating participants to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Thursday, 12 November, 2015 42 news Taraba tribunal judgment pyrrhic victory for Scheneider Ibadan will Alhassan, APC — Ekiti PDP serve S/West

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kiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s judgment which declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hajia Aisha Alhasan governorelect as a pyrrhic victory and judicial coup which cannot stand the test of time.

The party, therefore, advised Alhassan, a minister, to stick to her ministerial job instead of living in a fool’s paradise of becoming a governor

through the back door.

In a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr Jackson Adebayo, in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, the PDP said it was unfortunate that the judgment had resulted in avoidable unrest in Taraba State, leading to loss of lives and property.

Adebayo noted that the judgment was a reminder of the dark age when brutal force was used to subjugate

people and force leaders on them.

According to the PDP spokesman, although the judgment would eventually be thrown into the dust bin of history, the calamity it had brought on the people of Taraba State through needless shedding of blood, would be indelible in people’s minds.

He noted that APC leadership had exposed themselves

and judiciary to ridicule, given the manner governorship election petitions were being treated, especially where the PDP won.

“We have been closely monitoring tribunal judgments in recent times and we are convinced that the APC leadership have become desperate and power drunk to the point that they have exposed the judiciary to ridicule and odium.

“The APC is bent on procuring judgment at all costs in states it was rejected at the poll. We, however, advise the judiciary to steer clear of the leadership of the APC known to be good at buying judgments as far as this democracy is concerned, in order not to reduce the third arm of government to the traducer of the people instead of being the hope of the masses,” he said.

ERC, SUG kick against fees increment at ATBU

By Modupe George

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University as well as the Education Rights Commission (ERC) have strongly condemned the recent hike in fees for both fresh and returning students of the institution by the school authorities.

A decision which was arrived at the 81st meeting of the institution’s Governing Council, stated that fresh students would pay N44, 250, while returning students would pay N39,520, both representing over 100 per cent increment.

According to ERC, by hiking fees beyond the national minimum wage, which still stand at a pitiful N18,000, the ATBU authorities wanted to exclude students from poor working class background from getting a university degree, and so called for immediate reversal.

It also observed that the previous increment in fees in the 2012/2013 academic session has had no fundamental impact on teaching and learning conditions in the university, stating that the learning environment remained deplorable, while the institution still lacked access to modern libraries and laboratories, potable water , internet facilities and other infrastructures even though they paid for them.

It stated further that whatever arguments the university might have, another fee hike is simply unacceptable, adding that if the university authorities wanted the funding coming to the university to be increased, it should make a formal representation regarding the funding to appropriate authorities being the Federal Government.

From left, Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Knut Ulvmoen; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Ismail Aderemi Bello; Vice President and Chairman, Membership Committee, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Babatunde Ruwase and the Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communications, Mr Ahmed Mansur, displaying Dang-Q Seasoning and Salt, Dangote Salt products, at Dangote Pavilion, during the 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair.

Akpabio: Supreme Court slams Frank Okon The Supreme Court has slammed a fine of N1,000,000 on the governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Frank Okon, in favour of the PDP and Chief Godswill Akpabio.

In a bench ruling, the

court comprising Justices John Fabiyi, Suleiman Galadima, Sylvester Nwuta, Kudirat Kekere-ekun and Inyang Okoro, observed that it was fruitless to have brought up the preelection matter since Chief Akpabio had served out his tenure as governor.

The court also observed

that the Supreme Court is not a venue for academic exercises, and admonished the applicant’s counsel to be careful of the nature of applications they bring before the court, as the court would not tolerate being taken for granted.

Okon had sought the review of the Supreme Court

C/River South: LP, Otu appeal tribunal judgment Ubong Anthony-Calabar

The Labour Party (LP) and its candidate in the March 28 Cross River Southern Senatorial district election, Senator Bassey Otu, have filed an appeal at the Appellate Court in Calabar, challenging the judgment of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the election of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Mr Gershom Bassey.

The reconstituted tribunal, headed by Justice O.A. Adeniyi, had in its judgment delivered on October 12, dismissed the petition of the LP candidate for lack of merit.

But in a notice of appeal, the

LP and Otu faulted the tribunal’s judgment on grounds of ‘miscarriage of justice’.

The two appellants said that the lower tribunal erred in law when after reconstituting its chairmanship position, held that it could not continue with the petition and at the same time refused to hear the petition de novo but proceeding to deliver judgment in the said suit it earlier held to be of “academic value.”

According to them, the lower tribunal misdirected itself and came to an erroneous conclusion when it held that the petitioner’s PW3 exceeded his mandate as averred in paragraph 15 of the petition, where he was expected to employ the use of scientific

method in arriving at the content of Exhibit P100.

They also said that the trial tribunal misdirected itself and came to an erroneous conclusion when it held that the petitioner’s was bound to prove discrepancies in result sheets and votes cast in an election and such discrepancies must not be proved by the forensic expert.

According to the appellants: “The trial tribunal’s refusal to start de novo or conduct fresh proceedings in the determination of the petition denied the appellants the opportunity of prosecuting their petition thereby depriving them their constitutional right to fair hearing.”

judgment delivered on March 27, 2015. His counsel had sought the leave of the court to move the motion to reverse the earlier judgment. The court asked the counsel to the applicant to explain the benefits of his application, in view of the fact that the tenure in question had expired on May 29, 2015.

Counsel to the applicant had replied that the grant of the application would bring justice to Okon as he would be seen to have participated in the re-run primaries of the PDP in 2011.

The court frowned on such line of reasoning and admonished Okon’s counsel to be more careful in the future and to advise his client wisely.

Consequently, the applicant’s counsel apologised to the court and applied to withdraw the motion which was not opposed

by Paul Usoro, Counsel to Chief Akpabio but urged the court to impose punitive cost against the applicant. The court dismissed the motion to review and awarded punitive cost of N1, 000,000 against Mr Okon.

—Ex-dep gov

By Oluyomi Fashakin

Former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, has said that the new branch of Bolamark Engineering Limited (BEL) in Ibadan, in conjunction with Schneider Electric, will not only serve Oyo State, but also the South-West.

He said this during launch of BEL at the Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

Oladokun, who charged the Managing Director, BEL, Alhaji Bola Azeez, to push for an establishment of Schneider assembling plant in Oyo State, encouraged engineers in the state to take advantage of the presence of the company in delivery of quality services to consumers.

The Country President, Mr Walid Sheta in his address, commended Bolamark for being in partnership for 20 years.

While fielding questions from customers, he noted that 700 persons had been trained in Lagos so far as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, adding that “Safety and keeping the good health of people is our key priority.”

Also, a onetime commissioner of works in Oyo State, Mr Bolaji Kareem commended the efforts of the Managing Director of BEL, Alhaji Azeez and prayed God to give him more strength in his endeavours.

Nigeria is buoyant —IPAC chairman

Immediate past national chairman of Inte-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Tanko Yinusa, has expressed disagreement with President Muhammadu Buhari’s claim that Nigeria is broke, saying the nation is on the buoyant side.

Dr Yinusa made the assertion at a lecture organised by the group themed: “Managing Inter-Party Relations in Post-Election Period” in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday.

He opined that most of the dysfunctions being experienced in the country which led to feelings of disaffection and marginalisation by nationalities who make up Nigeria, could be solved through the spirit of proportional representation.

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Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Meet Putin’s daughter, a young billionaire, president’s friends Since Vladimir Putin began cementing his grip on Russia in the 1990s, many of his friends have grown famously rich.

Not so the president himself, say his supporters, who insist Putin is above the money grab that has marked his reign.

Reuters said his public financial disclosures depict a man of modest means. In April, Putin declared an income for 2014 of 7.65 million roubles ($119,000). He listed the ownership of two modest apartments and a share in a car parking ga-

rage.

His daughter Katerina is doing considerably better, supported by some of the Russian president’s wealthy friends, a Reuters examination shows.

After unconfirmed media speculation about Katerina’s identity, a senior Russian figure told Reuters that she uses the surname Tikhonova. Andrey Akimov, deputy chairman of Russian lender Gazprombank, said he had met Katerina when she was little and more recently, and that Tikhonova was Putin’s daughter.

Katerina, Putin’s daughter, during a 2014 acrobatic rock’n’roll dance competition.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Republican hopefuls split over immigration, US foreign intervention

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IMF team in Zambia to review economy as kwacha slides An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission arrived in Zambia on Wednesday to meet officials for a scheduled review of the economy as it grapples with a sliding currency tracking falling copper prices.

Reuters said Zambia’s kwacha fell to a low on Tuesday but recovered slightly to trade up 1.44 per cent at 13.6900 against the dollar by 1000 GMT. The country’s dollar bonds also fell across the curve as copper prices edged towards a six-year low on concerns about flagging demand in top consumer China.

Jeb Bush (left), speaks as Marco Rubio listens during Republican presidential debate at Milwaukee Theatre, on Tuesday.

PHOTO: AP.

“We are just reviewing the economic situation since the last meeting,” Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba said, referring to the IMF visit to Africa’s second-largest copper producer in May. “We had agreed to meet towards the end of the year, we are not discussing a programme with the IMF,” Yamba added.

The IMF said in May that Zambia’s economy had strong growth potential but risked being weighed down by persistent weaknesses including large fiscal imbalances, lower copper prices and policy uncertainties.

epublican presidential candidates expressed support for strengthening United States borders as they debated Tuesday night on immigration, the economy and the country’s place in the world, but had different opinions about what to do with the millions of illegal immigrants already living in the country.

The VOA reported that billionaire Donald Trump, who was virtually tied with neurosurgeon Ben Carson in a new poll released before the debate, said the U.S. has no choice but to deport them.

“We are a country of laws,” Trump said. “We need borders. We will have a wall. The wall will be built. The wall will be successful, and if you think walls don’t work, ask Israel.”

Texas Senator Ted Cruz said it is possible for the U.S. to embrace legal immigration while also enforcing the rule of law, and that “every sovereign nation secures its borders.”

But others in the field disagreed, led by Ohio Gover-

nor John Kasich, who said any plan to deport the 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. is “silly.” He advocated a system in which those who are law abiding can pay a penalty to

stay.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said deporting illegal immigrants would “tear families apart,” advocated allowing people to earn legal status over time.

Trump expressed support for Russia’s military actions in Syria while questioning the aid being sent to moderate rebels. He said the U.S. cannot be the world’s policeman.

11 million children at risk from hunger, disease, water shortages Some 11 million children are at risk from hunger, disease and water shortages in east and southern Africa because of the strengthening El Nino weather phenomenon, the United Nations children’s charity has said.

It has caused the worst drought in more than 30 years in Ethiopia, Unicef said.

Its effects could also be “particularly harsh” in Somalia, amid fears of flooding, it warned. El Nino is caused by Pacific Ocean warming, BBC reported.

“The weather phenomenon, among the strongest on record, is likely to cause more floods and droughts, fuel Pacific typhoons and cy-

clones and affect more areas if it continues strengthening as forecast over the coming months,” Unicef said in a statement.

It said 8.2 million people in Ethiopia faced food insecurity, while an estimated 350,000 children needed treatment for severe acute malnutrition.

“To make matters worse, the weather phenomenon may also bring flooding to some areas of the country in the coming months,” Unicef said.

Ethiopia says it has food surpluses in country which it continues to send to areas affected by the drought.

“The government is working hard to ensure that no-

one dies from lack of food in this El Nino year and, contrary to some Western news reports, there will not be famine of any sort, let alone anything remotely like the magnitude of that of 1984,” a statement from the Ethiopian embassy in the UK said.

Unicef said severe flooding was also expected in neighbouring Somalia, where more than three million people were in need of aid as the effects of El Nino were already being felt.

In Kenya, the government estimated that 2.5 million children may be affected by floods, landslides, mudslides and diseases linked to the El Nino rains, it said.

otherNEWS India’s Modi visits Britain, seeks to bounce back from election blow Indian PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a mass rally on a visit to Britain this week that supporters hope will help him spring back from a humiliating election loss and reassert his authority on the global stage.

Reuters said India and Brit-

ain could announce deals worth 8-12 billion pounds during the visit, according to diplomats, with Modi keen to buy 20 more BAE Systems Hawk trainer aircraft to be made in Bengaluru.

Britain is home to an Indian diaspora of 1.5 million, and the two nations share the English

Burundians flee capital in run-up to crackdown Families are fleeing their homes in Burundi’s capital over fears the government will unleash a fresh wave of bloodletting as part of a crackdown to stamp out resistance to the president.

According to agencies reports, international alarm has grown in advance of a deadline of midnight on Saturday for

civilians to hand over weapons or face a new government crackdown, drawing warnings from the head of the UN, the US and the Hague-based International Criminal Court.

Fearing a fresh escalation of bloodshed, people on Sunday started leaving parts of Bujumbura that have seen the worst recent violence.

Burundi has been engulfed in violence, prompted by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s successful bid to win a third term in office, with bodies found dumped in the streets on a nearly daily basis.

At least 200 people have died in the latest turmoil and 200,000 have fled the country, stoking fears violence gripping

language, historical ties and an obsession with cricket. Yet Modi has, in his first 18 months in power, made a priority of courting global powers like the United States and China.

“UK-India ties are economically strong, but strategically weak,” said Shashank Joshi, a

the the central African country could spin into mass bloodletting and even genocide.

“Inflammatory rhetoric deployed in recent days by some government officials and President Nkurunziza’s planned security crackdown this weekend are increasing the risk of an outbreak of mass violence,” the US said.

senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.Seeking to regain the initiative after crashing to defeat in a big state election at the weekend, Modi eased foreign investment rules this week in 15 sectors, including mining, defence and civil aviation.

President Pierre Nkurunziza

44 news Dickson denies Sylva’s allegations of indebtedness to pensioners Thursday, 12 November, 2015

Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State and the state governor, Seriake Dickson, has condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, over his allegation that the state government deliberately held on to pensioners allowances, only to pay when

he becomes the governor.

The PDP denied the allegations in a statement issued by the Director of Publicity of the Bayelsa Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, adding that Sylva lied in his claims before the pensioners as he also promised the pensioners that they will be paid in due course.

Sylva was said to have held a meeting with the

pensioners in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where he claimed he only owed the pensioners N3 billion while in office unlike the N20billion he said was being owed by the current administration.

He had then solicited the support of the pensioners, promising to pay all arrears owed them if elected governor.

The statement explained that the financial chal-

lenge of Bayelsa State was due to the financial situation of the country, adding that the Dickson-led administration inherited huge debts from the Sylva administration totalling N434 billion, incurred from various loans and bonds.

He noted that the government only met a paltry four thousand naira in the state coffers.

He further reminded

Father of 3 commits suicide in Benin Banji Aluko, Benin City A father of three, Christopher Duffoir, has committed suicide at his residence located at Irhirhi, Oko, Benin City.

His lifeless body was found by his wife, Eno, tied to a ceiling fan.

The deceased was said to have started behaving strangely shortly after he returned from a trip outside Edo State.

His wife said he was taken to a psychiatric hospital for treatment but escaped back home from the hospital.

She said she left her husband sleeping in the sitting room and when she returned, she saw his body

dangling on the ceiling.

Residents of the area described the incident as an abomination In a related development, a teenage hawker has been crushed to death by an articulated vehicle in Benin.

The teenager, a boy, was a beverage hawker at Adesuwa, off Sapele Road, in Benin.

An eyewitness said that the victim was trying to collect money from a commuter when he was knocked down by the vehicle.

“As the boy sold the drink to the passenger, he had to run to collect his money.

As he was running, the trailer hit him and he fell

LP candidate alleges arms pile up in Kogi Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Kogi State, Dr Phillips Salawu, on Wednesday, raised the alarm over alleged stockpiling of arms and ammunition ahead of

NOA mobilises officers for Kogi poll Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja AS the governorship election in Kogi State draws near, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Tuesday tasked officers of the agency to embark on aggressive mobilisation of voters to avert voter apathy during the election.

The Director-General of the agency, Mike Omeri, also charged the state directorate to also engage in public enlightenment to prevent breakdown of law and order before, during and after the election.

Omeri said this in Lokoja, the state capital, during a one-day refresher training of the agency’s field officers for the effective sensitisation and mobilisation of electorate toward the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

the November 21 governorship election in the state.

Apart from this, he also said a particular political party participating in the election had been collecting the numbers of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) of voters and paying them N5,000 for the purpose of rigging the election.

Salawu, who said this while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, said the political party, which he did not mention, had purchased a large cache of ammunition for political thugs across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The former deputy governor said the LP had it on good authority that the people planned to use the arms to unleash terror on the people in order to scare them away from polling units.

He explained that this would pave the way for the political thugs to thumb print the ballot papers in favour of the political party that hired them.

Besides, Salawu said the party had planned to connive with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hack into the information and communication technology (ICT) apparatus of the commission.

down, before the back tyre crushed his head.”

It was learnt that the death of the boy irked other road sellers, who reportedly seized the truck and were about to attack the

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Doyin Mercy Awokunmi now MISS OLADUNJOYIN BOSE AWOKUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Araromi Abdulsalam now ARAROMI OLATUNDE ABDULSALAM. All former documents remain valid.

GTBank and general public take note.

driver before policemen intervened.

The incident grounded traffic for several hours before the arrival of officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

the pensioners that Dickson had consistently paid their allowances since he became governor until recently when the financial situation in the state took a downward trend like those of other states.

“Every month he was setting aside N250 million to pay pensioners until two months ago when the allocation to the state dropped to a terrible level that it became difficult to pay. But the governor has promised that the pensioners will be paid this month,” he stated.

He said that state workers were already receiving their October salaries in spite of the low allocation the state received from the Federation Account last month and that the pensioners will begin to get

theirs soon.

While commending the pensioners for refusing to endorse Sylva, Obuebite called on Bayelsans, especially the state civil servants, not to be swayed by Sylva’s lies, saying he was known for deceits and tendency to renege on promises.

He asked whether Sylva as a governor with huge allocations and diverse loans and bonds with nothing to show for it will perform well now that there is paucity of resources in the state.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Shittu Sadiq Olayemi now OLA LATEEF SADIQ. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

45 tribunesport

Thursday, 12 November, 2015

I wanted to make Nigerians happy —Amuneke Blatter hospitalised Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja

F

IFA U-17 World Cupwinning coach, Emmanuel Amuneke on Wednesday stated that his major concern during the just-concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile was to make Nigerians happy.

Speaking with journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on arrival of the Golden Ea-

glets, Amuneke stated that he did not really had his attention on the trophy from the outset, saying that making Nigerians happy was on his mind.

The former Super Eagles forward stated that making Nigerians happy meant that the Eaglets kept winning their matches, which he said the team did till the last day of the championship.

“My major concern during

the championship from the beginning was to make Nigerians happy. I did not really set my sight at winning the trophy. One thing that was certain was that making Nigerians happy meant we had to keep winning our matches,” the Imo Stateborn coach said.

He expressed happiness that his lads eventually won the cadet World Cup, which he noted had made Nigeri-

ans happy, moreso that the boys were able to successfully defend the title the class of 2013 Golden Eaglets won at the United Arab Emirates.

The former FC Barcelona player stated that he was happy with the reception accorded his team on arrival, saying that the turnout of Nigerians at the airport showed that he was able to achieve his desire of making Nigerians happy.

Emirates Airlines celebrate Eaglets There is indeed truism in the assertion that ‘everyone loves a winner’ as the triumphant Golden Eaglets were treated to a standing ovation aboard Emirates Airlines

on their return trip to Nigeria after Chile 2015 conquest.

Travelling on Boeing 777 Flight 248 from Santiago to Dubai, the pilot after the usual protocol over public

announcement system added: “We are happy to have on board members of the Nigerian U-17 national team that was just crowned as the world champions after they

Chukwu warns Eagles ahead Swaziland clash VETERAN coach, Christian Chukwu has warned the Super Eagles not to underrate the Sihlangu Semnikati of Swaziland, as both sides clash tomorrow in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier billed for the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.

Chukwu, a former Super Eagles handler said though Swaziland is not known in the land, but must be accorded due respect having made it to this stage of the competition.

“Initially, Swaziland are not known in the football circle until recently but for them to have made it to this stage of the competition means they have improved tremen-

dously.

“Thus I won’t want us to underrate them else we will pay dearly for the mistake rather we must handle them with all seriousness.

“At least for Swaziland to reach this stage of the competition shows that they have beaten other countries in the past.

“I’m just excited we are playing the side first on their home ground so it behooves on us to go all out to get a convincing result so that the reverse fixture clash in Nigeria will be a mere formality.

“I expect a good game as well as good result at the end of the encounter in Swazi-

land,” the former Nigeria captain told supersport. com.

The reverse fixture will hold on November 17 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Chukwu

beat Mali 2-0 in the final on Sunday.”

The announcement was followed with loud clapping and screaming by almost 300 passengers of different nationalities aboard the big bird piloted by the duo of Captain Luciano and Captain Asredew, with two copilots Flying Officers Oliver and Arif.

“It is a great feeling to be world champions,” noted Funsho Bamgboye who scored the Eaglets second goal in the 2-0 defeat of Mali in the final on Sunday in Vina Del Mar. “I’m happy that I have represented my country, state and family well and we can see that this has made a lot of people happy too.”

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday afternoon.

Suspended FIFA president, Sepp Blatter is in hospital after suffering what has been called a “small breakdown”.

Blatter, 79, who has led world football’s governing body for 18 years, was provisionally suspended for 90 days last month amid a corruption scandal.

It is understood he suffered what has been called “a nervous shock” but is expected to make a full recovery.

Blatter is set to remain in hospital until next Tuesday after being admitted initially for a check-up last week.

Five days ago, Blatter’s lawyer Richard Cullen said the Swiss had undergone stress-related health checks in hospital, but added: “He is fine and expects to be home

shortly.”

Blatter and UEFA president, Michel Platini were given 90-day bans by FIFA’s ethics committee in the wake of a Swiss criminal case investigating financial misconduct at the governing body.

Blatter is reported to be “fully fighting against the ethics committee decision” and has told friends “no committee can put me out of the game”.

The criminal case centres on whether Blatter misused FIFA money by making a 2m euros (£1.35m) payment to Frenchman Platini for consultation work. They both deny any wrongdoing.

Seven candidates will stand in FIFA’s presidential election to succeed Blatter on February 26.

Martins

AFE BABALOLA’S COLUMN Sanusi’s call for further devaluation: A request Buhari must reject Continued from Back Page the coming months given the failure of the price of oil to rebound after its slump of last year and the resultant effect on the Federal Government and those of the states that are now struggling to meet basic demands.

However I remain of the view that the issues on the question of whether or not to devalue the naira further are extremely serious and require very deep reflection and consideration. Further devaluation of the naira will only serve to cause intense hardship on Nigerians as virtually every sector is affected.

In this regard one can use the educational sector as an example. Having served for years as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos before going to establish the Afe Babalola University, I believe I am in a position to explain the effects which past devaluations had on education in Nigeria and how any further devaluation

may well spell doom for the sector.

One problem which has plagued the university system in Nigeria has been departure of highly qualified personnel to other countries in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece. Many were pushed to abandon their jobs in Nigerian universities owing to the fact that the naira had lost its value. Thus when many compared their salaries with those of their counterparts in other countries it became apparent that any patriotic consideration they might have entertained would easily give way to economic realities. This loss of qualified manpower seriously affected the universities.

However, in recent times many of those who left have begun to consider returning home to help in the quest to improve standards at home.

It is therefore most unfortunate that many will be returning to meet dilapidated structures and ill-equipped laboratories in most universities. At the moment,

owing to the widening gap in the exchange rate, most universities cannot even provide the most basic of facilities needed to train their students. To therefore advocate further devaluation, in my estimation is akin to advocating a total collapse of the educational system. Not only will Nigerian universities continue to lose qualified hands, they will also suffer in their primary duty which is the impartation of quality education to the future generation of Nigerians. The long term effect of this is best left to the imagination.

GENERAL EFFECT OF DEVALUATION On a larger scale I must reiterate again that further devaluation will further bring hardship and finally destroy whatever is left of the middle class in Nigeria. In relation to this I have already stated that: “These developments effectively destroyed the middle class in Nigeria and as political and economic analyst all agree, the middle class

is the driving force of any economy. Without a middle class, a country is doomed economically and politically.

On the 7th December 2011 President Barrack Obama in a speech delivered on the importance of the middle class stated as follows: “When middle-class families can no longer afford to buy the goods and services that businesses are selling, it drags down the entire economy from top to bottom. … that’s why a CEO like Henry Ford made it his mission to pay his workers enough so they could buy the cars they made.”

For the above reasons I urge President Buhari to remain steadfast in the resolve of the current administration not to devaluate the naira further. Nigeria must not give in to external pressure or influence on it to adopt that measure. The country has had enough of devaluations.

AARE AFE BABALOLA SAN, CON

I’m back to help Eagles —Martins Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja PETIT striker, Obafemi Martins says he made a return to the team to help the Super Eagles, even as he said every thing about the team he met on the ground was new.

The Seattle Sounders player, who arrived at the Eagles’ Bolton White Apartment camp in Abuja on Wednesday morning, stated that he was glad to return to the national team after a two-year absence, assuring that he would do his best for the team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Obagoal, as the former AC Milan of Italy striker

is fondly called, while addressing sports journalists at the Eagles’ media parley stated that he met an entirely new team on the ground on his arrival, saying this notwithstanding he had no problem with any player.

According to him, he would support the younger players, saying that his major concern now was to help the Eagles win.

“When I arrived this morning, almost everything I met is new,” Martins said, adding that, “I am going to support them and help the team win. I am going to do my best. We all know it is a World Cup qualifier.”

46

tribunepools

DR.JKPools-07039275802

(2xx11) 5 – 6 – 20 – 21 - 22.

Saturday 7th November, texted 3 naps and one hot pair to my enrolled customers against week 18 ,last week my customers were afraid of number 35 which was not in my column in Tribune number 10 and 12 drew, this week expect at least a dozen of draws, pool stakers should know that there is difference between write up in newspaper and text games to enroll customers as i said earlier, those who want to win should enroll with N5000 payable at Zenith bank to Ekhomu John. Acc no -2085795936 now pick two bankers from 5-6-20-21-22 and add above bracket games.

Good luck says J.K pools.

25 SUREST 36 LUCKYMAN 08054352685

Today grab A copy of Luckyman 1-2-X guide and Luckyman one sure draw and see the wonders of 1-2-X Forecast our wk 18 special draws is now on sale obtain the 3 special draws and smile to your bank on Monday a word is enough for the wise action 25 surest 26.

35 MUST 36 THELILIES 08086944309

We are set to bail you out of poverty all our last week callers known what it takes to stay put with us join the winning now call now for our 3 unfailing jackpot Xs ans get out of poverty with only N1, 500 MTN Card you must win and win well 35 must X 36

12 DRAW 6 SIR-BRAKA 08078052128

It is a must you must win on pools with our 3 napable draws call now and smile to your bank on Monday send N1000 GLO Card for the 3 Napable draws

MISTER-DRAW 08030415683

Gates head a super draw plus 2 superlative draws cost N2000 MTN Card we have the draws call today and walk tall to your bank on Monday 36x 36x 36x 36x

F.A. CUP MONEY DOLLAR= 08135637650= 39 NAP 40

Wk 18 two Bankers N4000. 4 Bankers cost N6, 000 Two BANKERS N4, 000 Wk 16. A wk to cup No 14x 18x Pair 26x 30x Wk 17.

Cup 1 No 12x 19x PAIR 10x 11x 4. Special draws N6, 000 wk 17. F.A Cup 1 No 10x 12x 19x 38x with. 10x 11x= 5/5 4. Special N6, 000 wk 18 No NAP NAP NAP NAP with 39. 40 Stakers try to get money Dollar 4 special draws this wk 18 A WK AFTER CUP. N6, 000 two special draws this wk 18 AFTER CUP 1 N4, 000 two special draws this wk 18 cost N4, 000 Wk 18 cost N4, 000. Wk 18 BANKERS COST N6, 000 TWO. BANKERS COST N4, 000 Send MTN Card to 08135637650. The game will send by text message 08135637650.

OR Big win office No 2374 Agege motor road mushin bus stop. Mushin Lagos. Mr Ademola opposite cocoa House beside dental clinic Dugbe Ibadan.

DOSA 08072216644 35 PAIR 36

Your winning on pool staking is hundred percent I will give you Christmas bonus draws this week 18 if you can send to me N5,000 MTN recharge card. DOSA is master of every week 18, therefore don’t miss year games.

KAMARK SUPER NAP – 0818673842

13x 24x 29xxx – 3 for 2 Winning KEY – GRIMSBY home 29 to give produce 3 direct Naps and a pair. Any interested staker is to pay N6, 500 and N5, 200 for permutation to IBTC Bank A/C no 0001361916 favor of Mr. S.B. Odesola. Good luck

ALHAJI SADIKU OUTWITS PROMOTERS 08057416201 – 25 sure 26

19x 34x 38xxx – 9f 10x Our 1st Cup Naps was too heavy for Promoters on 11 draws. Our week 18 Nap is controlled with MORECAMBE on week of play. Don’t be left out again N25, 000 payable to Alhaji Sadiku Adedoja G.T. Bank no – 0030411077. Good luck

WOMEN COMPILER FORUM RELEASE 07062839085 Pair 7, 8 Wk. 8 = 5x, 35x, 45x, wk. 9 = 12x 22x, 42x Wk. 18 = x, x, x, wk.19 = x, x, x.

This is to inform all staker that the Women Compilers Forum will again release 3 unstoppable Nap draws in Weeks 18 and 19, for the enrichment of all interested persons. Cost of Nap is N10, 000 Cash weekly, payable at UBA, to Mrs. Omoyeni Ibrahim, a/c No. 2027165320. Phone 08052503889 or 07062839085

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE THE WINNERS CHOICE GET A COPY AND WIN.

M.B.A. EXPERT (08077247137/08104694618) 32XX 33.

The English conference league is number one choice for a strong pair at kinder minister vs Aldersot and Lincoln vs Trammere. As usual the nos(32x33) are from the combination of week and Dates of play while a good banker draw is also begging for action in the same division English league one and Scottish two provide the remaining 2 bankers plus either shrewsbury or Aldershot. There week operations begin this week 18 for N45,000 each week or N120,000. 3 week combined the 1st 3 weeks of Blue recorded 49 draws altogether. While week / dates system is okay.

Graph sequence this week favours 5x19x 36 for a draw at least.Text for details information on 3 weeks release. Good luck.

THE CYRIL ( WINNING DIRECTOR) 08154836338 02X 12X 19X 23XXX 4/4 = 11DRS

MIDDLESBRO AWAY 18 IN week 15 & 17 changed our name for winning manager to winning DIRECTOR. Our current incredible performance put regret to promoters financees. Congratulations at my esteem clients- week 15 &17 winning teams were MANCITY – BOLTON – PRESTON AND PARTRICK Week 15 – 06x 11x 12x 47x – 4/4 Week 17 – 02x 12x 19x 23x – 4/4 TO GOD BE THE GLORY = Week 18 WINNING IS ON PETERHEAD AGAIN HOME 45 Week 13 – X X X X – 9DRS Week 18 – X X X X – XDRS PETERHEAD HOME 45 = HOME 45 AGAIN Stop your doubts , winning is real on authentic directives. Partenship with the current winning director. N50,000 = new client ONLY . YOUR WINNING IS GUARANTEED. Welcome.

OBINYAN POISED FOR MORE ACTION

The guru of pools compilation and computation in Africa and chairman / managing Director of kings and Gorge group of forecast papers. Prince Willy Ehi Obinyan said he was now posed for more action from this week, to enable all to have a fullfiled winning experience to xmass season. This followed not very impressive performance of his paper with surprise draws emerging from fixtures last week. Africa No 1. Bookmaker said he was well set to put smiles on the faces of the stakers. He therefore enjoined therefore advise stakers onto get copies of his paper pools telegraph, Zesters pools guild. Murphy sports, shoot pointers, NEW Dream and final result.

BEST BARGAIN INTERNATIONAL 08163084077

Wk 18 = 42 CBK + OTHERS Last week, the printer dealt a great blow to our communication by wrongly printing my phone number. Not to worry, everybody desirous of big winning in the current revelation from the pools panel should call 08163084077 for us to talk. This week Coupon No 42, Airdrie and Dunfermline must draw. The pools panel said all stakers should stay focused so as to bring million of Naira to them as the U.K Football season progresses. There is no agent for our releases. Best Bargain is the sole representative of the pools panel.

FORTUNE DONOR DONATES- 16/36 08099111828

Your hardworking and selfless fortune Donor International is glad to donate 16/36 for a sure draw this week.

This is the fourth Brown colour, and it is the usual fixture for the duo to produce a draw on code sequence. We give all our fans for free.

Please add them to our 1Bk this week and smile to your bank on Monday. Our 1Bk costs only N1,500.00, 2 draws sell for N3,000.00, and 3 draws sell for N10,000.00 on 08099111828. Goodluck.

IKECHUKWU THE RAMPAGE MANAGER PROMOTERS ENEMY= 08168157259

ANOTHER SHOW DOWN ON PROMOTERS. CUP- KEY ST.MIRREN-HIBERNIAN (2/2YRS) OH YES! The week 17 calculated fixed matches on Aston V, Wolves and DunfirmlineThe 11 score card on board last week put many Promoters to bankruptcy.

Please make sure you invest with promoters with solid financial banking.

(BEWARE).

Week 18 WINNING GAZZET ON. KINDERMINISTER and AIRDRIE on same digits.

Strictly confidential 2015/2016 winning gazette.

Welcome to the winning progressives movement with winning assurance.

(Adults only) N50, 000 – 1 Million. WINNERS REJOICES. Good luck

HOPE NAPS & CO 08107128449 WK 18 SPECIAL. Banker 45xxx Banker 45xxx Banker

As the lords liveth you must win pools. Hope Assures readers fans and stakers to believe that, you must surely win pools for (3) three different weeks starting from this week 18, 19 & 20 respectively to make December a joyful season for your family. Each week cost just N10, 000. Call Hope NAP & Co and pay to First Bank PLC Account No:- 308832892 in person or Mr. Gbadebo – Stephen. A. the week releases will be sent to you; when your payments are confirmed. Banker 45xxx Banker 45xx Banker 45. Thanks God bless. Bye

DR B4 DR- 08062748396 — (26xx30) 11X 12x 23xxx – 16F 21x

Current 2015/2016 cup encyclopedia Has it that all letter B in sky bet championship were positioned as draws .

Note: Letter B vs B is said division are your fixed bankers i.e B vsB = 11 – B vs B =12 Blackburn – Brentford = 11x Bolton – Bristol.c = 12x 11 and 12 = 2 bankers and 11 + 12 = 23xxx With Birmingham and Burnley as pair BOREHAM.W MUST GRISLEY A concluded winning arrangement NOTE: We are not forecasters but on authentic winning information from the source. Our reliableExperts are SUPERB- N50,000 = cool your nerve with the Drs winning team. Congrats and welcome

ADEOTI SYNDICATE 07051327960

I COMMAND CHESTER (26X) TO PLAY DRAW. Last week was Week 17 F.A. Cup Round 1. In Cup 1 Blackburn meet Letter “B” must Play draws = Nos. 11xxBK last week with 4 others. In following week (after Cup) Chester in Conference Premier Division will meet Letter ‘B’ must play draws this week 18 = 26xxxBK with another 4 draws again.

All members should get ready for their second round free gift. N10, 000 cash to AHMED SHAFIRI A/C Nos. 2001788431 ZENITH BANK. After confirmation of your payment the games will be sent to you. 07051327960.

Membership Registration free N25, 000 cash. Good luck to you all.

MID – WEEK OFFERS 46 – 49 (08087176217)

IT IS OUR PLEASURE TO OFFER ALL PUNTERS COUPON NOS 46 and 49 for one sure and compulsory draw on Saturday. The duo are due for a mandatory draw this week on form and sequence.

Combine them with our IBK this week and smile to your bank on Monday.

Our IBK remains the same at only N1,500.00, 2 draws sell for N3,000.00 and 3 good draws cost N10,000.00 this week on 08087176217. You are a winner!

DR JACKSON AGAIN – 08156829811 (42x 44)

BRECHIN ON STRANRAER a must draw. Scheduled on E on E numbers 48 and 49 away ELGIN on E.STIRLING. Congrats our week 18 sure bet is on fixed matches as draws. No two ways or short cut. Your winning is guaranteed with the above illustrations.

Start your winnins now with N25,000 – Our previous winning record is unbreakable. Welcome

Thursday, November 12 - 18, 2015 MR. WASALL – 08124167595 01 WED 19

Congratulations in advance to all stakers. As our new system is set to produce thousands of millionaires within four (4) weeks.

Week 18 cost N5, 000 – as starting fee. This is to inform all stakers that our four (4) weeks operation is very authentic, powerful and reliable. Therefore, make sure you are not out of the four week operational Naps. Call 08124167595 for winning details.

MADAM DE MADAM –

0802332919130 MUST 32

Guiseley must Kiderminister = 30 X 32 English Conference League region with full teams promotes our 3 fixed draws in other League with a sure Nap = Madam is at again.

Call Mr. Joshua our media man for your winning details – N25, 000

nap xx 09xx nap xx 09xx nap MRS. HENRY 08170779623 & 08071554934 Congratulation! Congratulation!! Congratulation!!!

to both registered and un-registered members.

Registered members — 1xx 11xx 21xx which played 3/3.

Non Registered members — 10xx 12xx 19xx Pair 18f and 35xx which played 4/5. She is calling on all stakers to win again in a week after cup.

KEY - E’stirling at No 49 away, bank on Wigan at away and two others. Cost Price — N50, 000 (fifty) thousand naira only).

CALL - 080170779623 & 08071554934

The Cyril innovation Nap has no equal. Johnson Abuja

Solomon Resort you are the current compiler. Mr OBI - Abuja MR JOSEPH WINNING DIRECTOR THANK YOU SIR. PETER. ABA

EMIRATES FLY – 08087104491 30 MUST 42

YORK and PLYMOUTH – (KEY) Board Emirates Aircraft to Switzerland where the world bank sited Week 18 – 2013 – 12x 24x 36xxx Week 18 – 2015 – x x x Emirates calculated winning power assures your winning again N25, 000 = Ticket fee - to world bank.

SUNDERLAND SYSTEM

25XX 26XX 09038460009= 25XX 26XX

4. SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 16 NO 14X 18X 19X 26X N6, 000 4. SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 17 NO 10X 11X 12X 23X 4. SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 18 NO CUP. CUP. CUP. CUP= N6, 000 TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 16 NO 18X 19X PAIR 14X 16F TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 17 NO 10X 23X PAIR 12X 23X TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 18 NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP Time to win pool this wk 18 Sunderland system 4 special Draws this wk 18 play 4/4 correct hurry to get your copy today two Bankers cost N3000 wk 16 no 18x 19x PAIR 14x 16x Pair NAP NAP. 4Bankers wk 17 cup 1 10X 11X 12X 23X WK 18 A WK AFTER CUP NO NAP NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 Send MTN Card 09038460009.

OLOYODE THE NEW KING OF DRAWS

08103244128 sure 21, 22 wk. 17 = 1xx, 2xx, 10xx = 3/3.

A week before Burnley appears on No. 1 home, ceupin Nos. 1x, 2x, 10x, must draw, and that was my key and release for week 17. Congrats. This week 18, barnsley set at No. 1 home to promote 3 undiluted Nap with the full key. Cost N30, 000 cash. Payments at GTB to Mr. Oloyode, Ibrahim Olamide, accts No. 0154084537.

VOLVO NAP 08059580326 13 PAIR 14

Winning on pool betting continue this week is with my 3 nap draws and I hot pair you are a winner. Send to me N5, 000 MTN recharge card and laugh to your bank on Monday.

ALHAJI SADIKU OUTWITS PROMOTERS 08057416201 – 44 sure 45

19x 34x 38xxx – 9f 10x Our 1st Cup Naps was too heavy for Promoters on 11 draws. Our week 18 Nap is controlled with MORECAMBE on week of play. Don’t be left out again N25, 000 payable to Alhaji Sadiku Adedoja G.T. Bank no – 0030411077. Good luck

F.A. CUP 4 MEMBERS. 4 BANKERS= 08162705220. 42 NAP 43

4 BANKERS N5000 WK 17= 2015.

CUP 1 NO 11X 12X 34X 35X=4/4 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 18= 2015 CUP 1 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP = 4/4 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 19= 2015 CUP 1 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP = 4/4 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 17= 2015 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP WITH Stakers try to get 4 members 4 . KEY EVERY WK 17 BROWN NIGER NO 3. 9 TO DRAW Pplus 4 others cost N5000 wk 17 no Cup Cup Cup Cup with 3, 9 wk 18 Blue No NAP NAP NAP NAP with 11. 12 wk 19 RED No Cup Cup Cup Cup with 48. 49.

SINBAD NAP-07083993858

10X 25X 26X – 2 Draws Your silent leader Sinbad week 18 fixed NAP is to enrich all our clients.

The above 3 games is sure for 2 draws for the Nap – Call for details

SAM AYO – 08109152433 09XX 30XX

Our consistence free pair is now talk of the town, why can’t you call to benefit from our winning formula – with small commitment. Goodluck

NIYOOL NAP – 08169759520 = 35 X 36

Under new management that has what IT TAKES TO BE millionaire in pool betting’s on unequal winning directives.

PETERHEAD vs. STRANRAER Meeting promotes 3 sure Naps Cost N10, 000 – Good luck

SATURDAY RESULT

TWO BANKERS N3, 000 WK 17 WK 18 WK 19 X10X CUP NAP X11X CUP NAP

SUNDAY RESULT

TWO BANKERS N3, 000 WK 17 WK 18 WK 19 X12X CUP NAP X34X CUP NAP

Saturday = 4 Special Draws Wk 18 cost N25, Sunday Result= 4 Special Draws Wk 18 000. Wk 17 Cups No 10x 11x 12x 34x Send cost N25, 000. Wk 17 Cups No 10x 11x 12x 38x= 4/4 Send M.T.N Card to 08139714848.

M.T.N Card to 08139714848.

TRIPLE CALLS ALL FOR WINNING 08035324990

As things start to move well, your Indomitable Triple Spice International calls on all winning train now 3 Weeks of super draws starts this week losing on pool ends this week. Three weeks of winning galore! The first week of winning of 3 draws has started with 23/45 as the pair.

You have been told. The cost is only N15, 000.00 per week.

Call 08035324990. Good Luck!

ADEOTI SYNDICATE 07051327960 I COMMAND CHESTER (26X) TO PLAY DRAW. Last week was Week 17 F.A. Cup Round 1. In Cup 1 Blackburn meet Letter “B” must Play draws = Nos. 11xxBK. In following week (after Cup) Chester in Conference Premier Division will meet Letter ‘B’ must play draws this week 18 = 26xxxBK with another 4 draws again. N10, 000 cash to AHMED SHAFIRI A/C Nos. 2001788431 ZENITH BANK. After confirmation of your payment the games will be sent to you. 07051327960. Membership Registration free N25, 000 cash.

Good luck to you all.

JOSEPH NAP — 08167278061 WK22-2014 - 11X14X17XXX- 10DRS.. WK23-2014-15+24 =39=12DRS WK 17 - 2015 - 19X 21X 23 - 11DRS.. WK 18 - 2015 - X + X= XXX 12DRS Again Joseph week 18 Nap is N25, 000 = Price remain unchanged - for YOU. Goodluck.

Showing appreciation and to congratulate African No 1 woman Pools Compiler the only trusted Reliable Compiler. Last week 01x 11x 21xxx was a relief to my financial crux. Your client from Delta state (Mr clement)

SUNDERLAND SYSTEM 25XX 26XX 09038460009= 25XX 26XX

4. SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 16 NO 14X 18X 19X 26X N6, 000 4. SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 17 NO 10X 11X 12X 23X 4. SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 18 NO CUP. CUP. CUP. CUP= N6, 000 TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 16 NO 18X 19X PAIR 14X 16F TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 17 NO 10X 23X PAIR 12X 23X TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 18 NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP Time to win pool this wk 18 Sunderland system 4 special Draws this wk 18 play 4/4 correct hurry to get your copy today two Bankers cost N3000 wk 16 no 18x 19x PAIR 14x 16x Pair NAP NAP. 4Bankers wk 17 cup 1 10X 11X 12X 23X WK 18 A WK AFTER CUP NO NAP NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 Send MTN Card 09038460009.

WISDOM NAP – 07088103080 AIRDRIE MUST BRECHIN = 42X44.

ANNUAL WEEK 18 – 4 YEAR WINNING RECORDES In every week 18 for the past 3 years to date Airdrie must Brechin and other fixed matches and numbers as draws our newest Experts gave us the above information as your winning assurance with wisdom Nap this week your staking history is changed. N25, 000. Good luck

F.A CUP EVERTON= 08162705220= 25XX 26XX

WK 17. CUP 1= 2013 KEY. EVERTON= 3X 25X 26X PAIR 41X 42X WK 17. CUP 1= 2014 KEY. EVERTON= 5X 19X 20X PAIR 37X 38X WK 17. CUP 1= 2015 KEY. EVERTON= 10X 19X 34X PAIR 11X 12X WK 18. AFTER CUP KEY. NAP NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP KEY EVERY WK 17. CUP 1 BANK. EVERTON TO DRAW WK 17. CUP 1 NO 10. 10. 10. PLUS TWO COST N5000 WK 17= 2014 NO 5X 19X 20X PAIR 37X WK 17. 2015 NO KEY 10X 19X 34X PAIR 11X 12X. SEND MTN 08162705220.

WK 18. A WK AFTER. CUP NO CUP CUP CUP WITH 25. 26. WK 19 NO NAP

PLACE YOUR

ADVERT HERE

EDITOR’S PLACE (30 x 32)

47 tribunepools

MAXWELL FREE OFFER = 08084077244

WIN–02–09–30–42– 44XXXX. OH yes your winning is sure with 5 free win. Starting of our 3 weeks libration Nap. = next week cost N100, 000 = so invest handsomely now

PROFESSOR ONE BANKERS =

08055230300= 5XX 6XXX

PROFESSOR 3 BANKERS N7500 WK 17 CUP 1= 2015 NO 10X 12X 19X PAIR 11X 21X PROFESSOR 3 BANKERDS N7500 WK 18 CUP 1= 2015 NO CUP CUP CUP= 3/3 PROFESSOR 3 BANKERDS N7500 WK 18 NO NAP NAP NAP= 3/3 PROFESSOR 3 BANKERDS N7500 WK 19 NO NAP NAP NAP= 3/3 PROFESSOR 2 BANKERDS N5000 WK 17. 2015 NO 10X 19X PAIR 11X 12X PROFESSOR 2 BANKERDS N5000 WK 19 NO CUP CUP PAIR =ONE BANKER N2500 WK 17 NO 11X WK 18 NO CUP Professor F.A. Cup English system booklet out cost N30, 000 membership group a. cost N100, 000.

Send Card to 08055230300. The game will send to you by text message.

MALLAM BAWA MUSA

08052506287 Hot 14, 15.

2 WEEKS OPERATION WITH KEY: Dear Staker, I am releasing 2 weeks operation of 3 sure Nap draws with the controlling key in weeks 18 and 19, cost price is only N10, 000 cash per week. No story, No excuses. It will score 3/3 Nap correctly. Payments at access bank, to Malla, Musa I. Bawa, acct no.

0042075587. Call 08052506287.

PLEIDE DE MAXWELL – 09099968583 32X – WIN 30 X

Congratulations your winning is sure on the full teams in English Conference League. That is your favoured draws region. Barrow, Boreham.w, Guiseley, Halifax and Kiderminister and Working on Wrexham have draw potential. The Skybet League one also have Blackpool, Colcester, Roachdale and Swison for 2 draws. Airdrie, Cowdenbeth, Peterhead and Stenhmuir with draws quality. Visit Pleiad De Maxwell draws clinic where draws is unveiled after discharge from Pools Panel operation. TOKEN MANAGER

SOLOMON RESORT(RESCUE TEAM) 09091111800 = 10x 21x 35xxx 38xxx

The wise Solomon of our time rescue team again agog with all his clients on 11 draws. With SWANSEA on date of play with Reference to Week 17, 2013(CUP) Week of 10 draws and week 17, 2015(CUP) week of 11 draws.

Week 17’ 2013 and week 17’2015 Last draw – ARBROATH MUST – EAST FIFE and EVERTON and BURNLEY. EVERTON = 10x, BURNLEY = 21x, ARBROATH = 38x.

CONGRATULATIONS – AGAIN = Week 17 – 2013 & 2015 – ARBROATH – EAST FIFE – KEY Week 18 – 2013 & 2015 – YORK – PLYMOUTH – KEY Week 19 – 2013 & 2015 – Cutting of Nos – 8, 18, 30 and 42.

The above statement is the KEY to our 3 weeks NAPS with reference.

NB: Our foreign Experts made our success possible. In God we trust – N50, 000 = Flat for new clients. Good luck

NAZAR MASTER THANKS STAKEHOLDERS

As we approach the middle of the current U.K Football season with the start of the F.A Cup in England, NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan, Oyo state has again thanked all stakeholders in the pools industry for their patronage so far.

The leading Pools company in Oyo state and environs gave the commendation in a statement made available to TRIBUNE POOLS during the week.

According to NAZAR Master, the patronage from stakers, collectors, agents and other stakeholders has been fantastic and tremendous. We too have been rewarding them with big dividend on our treble chance odd, while winnings on all our odds are paid as and when due. We shall not disappoint throughout the season, so stakers should continue to bet on our coupon

FAITHFUL INTERVENTION 07082899957

GUISELEY MUST EASTLEIGH = 30xx CBK Week 17 – 01x 11x 21xxx – 35x 4/4 Congratulations again, stakers with large heart and winning desired, it’s no longer news telling Week 18’ 2012 – 08x 24x 46xxx – 10x Week 18’ 2013 – 12x 36x 47xxx – 40x Week 18’ 2014 – 08x 29x 42xxx – 40x Week 18’ 2015 – x x x –30x Your winning is crystal clear this week only with your faith, that is why we intervene to your winning status. Never mind the cost, winning shadow the overhead. Faithful winning machineries at work again as directed by our EXPERTS. N50, 000 = Unregrettable fee

GOODNA 08107048993 14 PAIR 15

ZENITH NEW DREAM-08146879314

HEADMASTER 08032747136

F.ACUPWINNERCODE505=08135637650=10XX11XX

Those stakers that call me on my hot line last week and fail to send their recharge card to me miss something. This week 18 is another jackpot week for all my fans, just send N5, 000 MTN recharge card to me and hit jackpot on pool staking.

Please don’t miss it.

36, 45, 49, 2 darws, headmaster back to release 3 draws without pair next week 19 to enable stakers to prepare for xmas and new year when you’re ready dial my number for more information.

WINNING GALORE NAP (08077887876)

Week 18 No. 19x 28x 36 Free to enable you buy our week 19 special release cost: N25, 000 after week 18 results for week 19 Draws. Call: 08077887876.

SIR MICHAEL NAP 35 PAIR 36 08130011263

Last week release got 10xx, 11xx, 26f, 34xx, 35xx 41s. Mean while another 3/3 and 4/5 this week cost N15,000.00 call for acct as or mobile of payment.

F.A CUP WINNER CODE 505= 08135637650= 10XX 11XX

UK SYSTEM TWO BANKERS N2000 WK 17= CUP 1= 2015 NO 10X 11X WK 18= 2015 NO CUP CUP WK 19 NO- CUP . CUP. WK 20 NO NAP NAP. Winner code 505 two Bankers N2000 wk 17= 2015 No 19x 21x wk 18= 2015 No Cup Cup wk 19 No cup cup.

ADESURE NAP TWO BANKERS N2000 WK 17. 2015. NO 35X 38X WK 18= 2015 NO CUP CUP WK 18 NO NAP NAP. Power X Power two Bankers N2000 wk 17= 2015 No 2x 10x wk 18= 2015 No Cup Cup Cup 4 Expert. 4 Special Draws this wk 18 A WK AFTER cost N25, 000 wk 17 cup. 2015 N25, 000 wk 17 No 10X cup cup cup 4/4.

Send MTN Card 08135637650.

The Game will send to you by text message.

AUTHORITY NAP

09030084552 (5 SURE 19) Our last week Nap is enough to convince you that we are real. Join the winning team and be your Bank Account officers friend. Call for details.

WEEK 18 STATUS EKO – 9 and 27 PPP – 4, 11, 22, 38, 40, 41, 45.

SUNDAY – 15 and 21.

ATTENTION ALL COMPILERS, OUR POLICY ON NO ADVERT NO WRITE UP STILL IN PLACE — MANAGEMENT

01X 38XXX 10X 21X = READ & WIN Week 25-2013/14 - 01X 38XX – 10 PAIR 21X Week 11-2013/14 - 01X 38XX – 10 PAIR 21X Week 18-2013/14 - 01X 38XX – 10 PAIR 21X Whenever draws ended on No 38xxx Starting of 3 weeks Annual operational Naps and a sure pair on 26 MUST 30.

Let take you to winning Zenith in the 2 remaining weeks winning schedule join the pace setters – N25, 000 Free for all.

UK SYSTEM TWO BANKERS N2000 WK 17= CUP 1= 2015 NO 10X 11X WK 18= 2015 NO CUP CUP WK 19 NO- CUP . CUP. WK 20 NO NAP NAP. Winner code 505 two Bankers N2000 wk 17= 2015 No 19x 21x wk 18= 2015 No Cup Cup wk 19 No cup cup.

ADESURE NAP TWO BANKERS N2000 WK 17. 2015. NO 35X 38X WK 18= 2015 NO CUP CUP WK 18 NO NAP NAP. Power X Power two Bankers N2000 wk 17= 2015 No 2x 10x wk 18= 2015 No Cup Cup Cup 4 Expert. 4 Special Draws this wk 18 A WK AFTER cost N25, 000 wk 17 cup. 2015 N25, 000 wk 17 No 10X cup cup cup 4/4. Send MTN Card 08135637650. The Game will send to you by text message.

IKECHUKWU THE RAMPAGE MANAGER PROMOTERS ENEMY= 08168157259

ANOTHER SHOW DOWN ON PROMOTERS. CUP- KEY ST.MIRREN-HIBERNIAN (2/2YRS) OH YES! The week 17 calculated fixed matches on Aston V, Wolves and DunfirmlineThe 11 score card on board last week put many Promoters to bankruptcy.

Please make sure you invest with promoters with solid financial banking.

(BEWARE).

Week 18 WINNING GAZZET ON. KINDERMINISTER and AIRDRIE on same digits.

Strictly confidential 2015/2016 winning gazette.

Welcome to the winning progressives movement with winning assurance. (Adults only) N50, 000 – 1 Million. WINNERS REJOICES. Good luck

KING OF CHAIN DRAWS= 08135888720= 09038633666= 1XX 2XX

WK 17 Cup 1= 2015 No 10x 11x 12x with. 19x 20f 21x Wk 18. A wk after cup- No CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WK 19. NO CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN. Stakers try to get king of CHAIN draw this wk 18 a wk after cup. Cost N6, 000 we set for 4 wks operations wk 17, 18, 19, 20, wk 17 F.A Cup 1 No 10x 11x 12x with 19x 20f 21x wk 18 a wk after cup No CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WK 19 NO CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN WITH CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN SEND MTN CARD 08135888720= 09038633666

THE CYRIL ( WINNING DIRECTOR) 08154836338 (02X 12X 19X 23XXX) 4/4 = 11DRS

MIDDLESBRO AWAY 18 IN week 15 & 17 changed our name for winning manager to winning DIRECTOR. Our current incredible performance put regret to promoters financees. Congratulations at my esteem clients- week 15 &17 winning teams were MANCITY – BOLTON – PRESTON AND PARTRICK Week 15 – 06x 11x 12x 47x – 4/4 Week 17 – 02x 12x 19x 23x – 4/4 TO GOD BE THE GLORY = Week 18 WINNING IS ON PETERHEAD AGAIN HOME 45 Week 13 – X X X X – 9DRS Week 18 – X X X X – XDRS PETERHEAD HOME 45 = HOME 45 AGAIN Stop your doubts , winning is real on authentic directives. Partenship with the current winning director N50,000 = new client ONLY . YOUR WINNING IS GUARANTEED. Welcome.

WEEK 17X RAY (CUP)

Another week of winnings on 11 draws Solomon Resort, Adeoti mister draw top of one banker chart despite the shock draws. The hills madam Hillary, short gun, sir waddy of ola-city, Alhaji Sadiku Authority Nap, Njoroge arithmetical 21xxx, Sinbad, faithful, valvo gave good account, money Dollar got his 2 bankers correctly that made him 1st round cup winner. Other compilers of this page meant well as they are ready to put their winning records back to track. Embrace them for your assured winning this week. Lets appreciate them draws always on marsk only the wise compilers/ Expects unveiled them.

EDITOR’S PLACE (30 x 32)

Thursday, November 12 - 18, 2015 MODUPE (08033566694) 6- 17- 49. 2drs Call for super winning now.

PROFF INNOVATION – 07069009601

SILENCE BREAKER ON CLUSTER 25XX26.

BLUE – BLUE – BLUE – BLUE. Week 6 – LMN-HOME = 4x 5x 6x - 25x 26 Week 10 – DHL-HOME = 36x 37x 38x - 25x 26 Week 14 – ABC-HOME = 43x 44x 45x - 25x 26 Week 18 – XYZ HOME = WIN SURE NAP - 25x 26 FREE BLUE colored pair = 25x 26.

Hurry! Your not winning barrier is finally broken with the new Proff innovation Naps. Stakers friend, start with us now and change your level.

– N25, 000 (Assured winning).

LAST HOPE 2015= 08103222635= 2 NAP 16

4 SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 17= 2015 CUP 1 NO 10X 11X 19X 35X 4 SPECIAL DRAWS N6, 000 WK 17 2015 NO CUP. CUP. CUP= with 2.3 TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 17= 2014 NO 10X 19 PAIR 11X 20X TWO BANKERS N3000 WK 17= 2015 NO NAP NAP PAIR XX STAKERS TRY TO GET LAST HOPE 4 SPECIAL DRAWS THIS WEEK 17 FA. CUP 1 COST N6, 000. We set for wks operations wk 17 No CUP CUP CUP with 3.9 wk 18 Nap Nap Nap Nap with 39. 40 08103222635.

AKIN MR AKIN = 07067202291 30X30X 30xx

2013 – 2015 WINNING – PROGRAMME On 3 fixed matches and one bonus BANKER. In annual week 18 (3 years) 2013 – 2015 Opponent of LINCOLN in week 18’2013 is a fixed draw in week 18’2014 and opponent of LINCOLN in 2014 is another fixed draw in 2015= EASTLEIGH 30XXXCBK WEEK 18 - 2014 –FOREST GREEN = 45XXXCBK WEEK 18 = 2015 – EASTLEIGH = 30XXCBK and `3 FIXED draws – price considered = N30, 000= Good luck

MAGIC KINGDOM

08056753098/07085060512 NAP – 02x 37x 38xxx 39 and 40 NAP - 17X 18X 19XXX 2 and 40 Last week, I was in U.K to perfect our current winning formula.

Am back with the above sure win starting of our 4 weeks operational Naps in weeks 19, 20 and 21. Cost N25, 000 respectively. Payment in favor of Balogun Adesina Kamoru at FCM Bank a/c – 0279550010 or G.T Bank a/c – 0115505082. Call now for details – 08056753098 (2 way win) Call.

RIGHT TIME 08054282579

Play this 3 games for 2 draws nap 18, 19, 20. Right time always release 3, draws when xmas get approach following Right time to bring you to promise land. This is your time to win; you want to know more about this chain draw send your mtn N2000 card

SHORT – GUN. 1 HOT 36

08050614477/ 08168241902 Congratulations to those who got our game last week for the success recorded. Our ever reliable pair Supplied with other draws. This week, the pair above must supply again with other fixed draws. The game costs N25, 000. Join the reliable expert and stop your loses.

WISDOM NAP – 07088103080

AIRDRIE MUST BRECHIN = 42X44.

ANNUAL WEEK 18 – 4 YEAR WINNING RECORDES In every week 18 for the past 3 years to date Airdrie must Brechin and other fixed matches and numbers as draws our newest Experts gave us the above information as your winning assurance with wisdom Nap this week your staking history is changed. N25, 000.

Good luck

VICTORIOUS – VICTOR – 08126994034

09 FIXED 30 PETERHEAD HOME 45(GET VICTORIOUS) WIGAN MUST GUISELEY – Reference.

Week 8 – 05x 21x 32xxx – 3x35 Wk - 13 - 19x 37x 40xx 16 - 8drs Week 18 – x x x 9xx30x= Victorious Victor week 18 scheduled NAP & W#IN is on fixed winning programme on FULL PAYMENT. Get Victorious with N35, 000 = Good luck on current scheduled (2015/2016) UK English & Scottish season.

BE A WINNER. GOODLUCK

WK 17. F. A. CUP 1. WK 18. A WK. AFTER. CUP KINGSTON YEOEIL CRONDON.K TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

WK 17. CUP

WK 18

WK 18

03F 07F

X10X X11X

X12X 14

NAP NAP 18 NAP NAP NAP S E N D MT N C A R D T O 0 8 1 0 3 2 2 2 6 3 5

PRAGMATISM — 07036539499/07059758040 The world No 1 Pools/Draws Compiler.

PROFESSOR PRAGMATISM

Declares general winnings to CLUB member and wise Stakers from week 15 to week 21 Read Pools TELEGRAPH on page 11. for full details.

Call PRAGMATISM for your winning details

AMUKO REMAINS THE CUP MANAGER—TILL NEXT CUP

Mrs Henry I am happy as a member of Littlewood club Mr Ibrahim. Zaria

OLDHAM TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

X01X X02X WK 17. CUP

CUP CUP

O.P.R

TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

F07F X10X

WK 17. CUP

CUP CUP

YORK

TWO BANKER WK17=N3, 000

X19X X38X

WK 17. CUP

CUP CUP

SEND MTN CARD TO 08162705220 NJOROGE MR ASSURANCE 08177474535

20 + 1 = 21 XXX 10X 38XX Addition of Home and Away 1st alphabet in 1st cup in 2014 and 2015 and other 3 Naps. All thanks to God and our highly rated Expert Dr. Grivin a member of the Pools Panel Associated that made our 1st Cup 2015 winning possible with ease. Congrats all my Esteem friends. At Njoroge your winning is our PRIDE. Week 18 = NAP NAP NAP = 30 X 09 Controlled by – ROACHDALE HOME 09 R = 18 2 = 9 xxx R = 18 2 = 36 minus code 6 = 30 xxx Draws are on tabulation and calculation on Experts directives.

WINNING ASSURANCE NOW AT NJOROGE N25, 000 = Good luck

SIDELINES

NO 16,369

N150

THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER, 2015

“Further devaluation will inflict irreparable damage on Nigerians and every sector of the economy as well as the collapse of education and the middle class.”

R

ECENTLY I commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his decision to put a halt to further devaluation of the naira. I discussed the effects which previous devaluations still continue to have on the economy and suggested other steps which the government could explore to improve the revenue base of the country and improve the economy.

This week I intend to briefly revisit this issue as calls for the devaluation of the naira appear to be unending. Some Nigerians continue to argue that further devaluation of the nation’s currency remains the only panacea out of the economic and financial problems currently troubling Nigeria.

SANUSI’S CALL FOR FURTHER DEVALUATION My decision to revisit this issue became even more imperative as the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and currently the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi also spoke out recently in support of a further devaluation. He is reported to have stated as follows among others: “In the first two quarters of this year, this country spent over 500 billion naira on debt

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

One Dare Tijani, a musician, was docked for claiming to be an Air Force officer when he stormed a police station in Lagos, in uniform, to demand the release of his seized musical instruments. Perhaps, Tijani thought as a musician, he could claim to be a military officer. After all, Kollington Ayinla once claimed to be a ‘General,’ Wasiu Ayinde announced he was ‘Marshal,’ while Ebenezer Obey settled for ‘Commander’.

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

Sanusi’s call for further devaluation: A request Buhari must reject servicing. At end of this year, it will be over 1trillion which is more than the amount of money budgeted for health, education and defence combined….There is no room in the government’s balance sheet for borrowing and spending. We have no option but to block leakages and to stop non-priority expenditures….It is for this reason that we cannot afford to spend all our time talking about the past. It is time to look at what we are doing now and ask ourselves if the fiscal stance and monetary stance are the appropriate stances for the situation we are in….Does it make sense at this time for the government to continue paying petroleum subsidy? It does not, and we must say it…

we are Africa’s biggest oil producer but the biggest export from the United Kingdom to Nigeria is petroleum products. We don’t refine our own crude. We don’t have a petrochemical industry. We burn our gas and we don’t have enough electricity…We produce cotton and import textiles from China. We have a large tomato belt and we import tomato paste. Everywhere you turn…we produce cassava, we don’t produce starch.

And what we don’t have we export. It is so bad that we had a military government that conducted free democratic elections in Liberia. We exported democracy when we had a military government…Let’s stop being in denial, we cannot artificially hold

up the currency…The central bank’s moves are hurting the economy…We are depriving certain key industries of imports…If we have to make a choice between economic growth and a devaluation, my recommendation is that we protect growth..The portfolio flows are gone,” Inflation is already upon us. You have fiscal consolidation. It is time to loosen monetary policy. Otherwise we compound an exchange rate crisis for businesses with high borrowing costs and declining demand.”

I do not doubt that Alhaji Sanusi has spoken out of a real concern for the fortunes of the country and the direction it is headed in

Continues on Page 45

The victorious Golden Eaglets on arrival in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Rousing welcome for Golden Eaglets, Buhari hosts them Nov 29 Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja THE Kelechi Nwakali-captained Golden Eaglets arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, to a rousing welcome from soccer-loving Nigerians, families of the players as well as well wishers.

The Eaglets, who arrived at the airport at 3:40pm were received by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), AlHassan Yakmut,

members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee, including vice-president, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi; Ahmed Kawu, NFF’s Secretary-General, Dr Sanusi Mohammed as well as the Chairman, Senate Committe on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, among others.

The world champions were entertained by cultural troupe outside the arrival hall.

The victorious Eaglets were later led in

a motorcade in a parade from the airport to some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, before they retired to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where they were expected to be received by the newly-inaugurated Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalong.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari would host the reigning FIFA U-17 World Cup champions, the Golden Eaglets on November 29 at the Aso Rock

Villa, Abuja.

Tribunesport gathered on Wednesday after the arrival of the Golden Eaglets which won the just-ended FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, that Buhari would host the team to a civic reception alongside other sportsmen and women who have won laurels for the country in recent times, which include Wellington Jighere, who became the world scrabble champion last weekend in Australia.

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. 12/11/2015.