13th April 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,478

WEDNESDAY, 13 APRIL, 2016

FG borrows N600bn monthly —SGF —P8

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Lagos-Calabar rail Chibok girls still alive, will Our position be reunited —Budget Ministry with families •President free to present soon —Shettima supplementary budget —Senate —P10

—P4

China: Nigeria gets $16m for agric, $6bn infrastructure loan —P2 •The future is bright, Buhari says •Yuan to flow freely among Nigerian banks, to be included in foreign reserves

Kogi Assembly: G5 members sit, suspend Speaker, 9 others —P36

Fulani herdsmen attack Taraba villages, kill 44 —P31

President Xi Jinpeng in company with President Muhammadu Buhari, exchanging pleasantries with Nigerian delegation, which includes from left, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue); Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), during the official welcome ceremony at the Great Hall in Beijing, China, on Tuesday.

Badeh furnished son's property with N90m of NAF's money —Witness —P8

2 news

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigeria gets $16m agric assistance from China

•Buhari: The future is bright, creates committees on China/Nigeria joint projects Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has called for the reduction of the huge trade imbalance between Nigeria and China, which is currently heavily in favour of the Asian country.

This was as President Xi Jinping of China offered $15 million agricultural assistance to Nigeria for the establishment of 50 agricultural demonstration farms across the country.

According to a statement issued in Beijing, by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, this was in response to President Buhari’s desire to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

Speaking on Tuesday, in Beijing, at the opening of a Nigeria-China Business/Investment Forum, he stressed the need for the Nigerian and Chinese business communities to work harder to reduce the trade imbalance.

Buhari said trade and economic relations between both countries must be mutually-beneficial and conducted with reciprocated respect and trust.

He stated: “Although the Nigerian and Chinese business communities have recorded tremendous successes in bilateral trade, there is a large trade imbalance in favour of China, as Chinese exports represent some 80 per cent of the total bilateral trade volumes. This gap needs to be reduced.

“Therefore, I would like to challenge the business communities in both countries to work together to reduce the trade imbalance.

“You must also imbibe the spirit of having a mutually beneficial relationship in your business transactions.

You must not see Nigeria as a consumer market alone, but as an investment destination, where goods can be manufactured and consumed locally.”

The president said his administration was committed to supporting investors, who were ready to establish manufacturing and processing facilities in Nigeria.

According to him, “last year, during our meeting in New York, President Xi Jinping and I agreed to explore ways of practical cooperation in trade, investment, finance, human resources, agriculture and fishing.

“We also agreed to strengthen industrial capac-

ity cooperation in the manufacture of cars, household appliances, construction materials, textiles, food processing and others.

“This is in line with our government’s focus on import substitution through the creation of a diversified and inclusive economy that will meet most of our consumption needs.

“Already, our Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is working on projects and programmes that will correct the wrongs of the past and enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

“The ministry’s efforts will be complemented by investment tax incentive programmes, public sector reform initiatives, as well as our zero tolerance stance on corruption.

“We also have an aggressive, but realistic in-

frastructure development programme that forms the backbone of our economic diversification policy. We are embarking on major power, road, rail, seaport and airport development programmes that will enhance the competitiveness of manufacturing businesses in Nigeria.

“The future is bright and I am very confident that our policies will make Nigeria the investment destination of your choice,” Buhari told the Chinese investors.

The president also assured them that his administration was doing everything possible to address concerns about security in Nigeria.

President Buhari said to consolidate on recent successes against Boko Haram, close to 20 per cent of the 2016-budgetted expenditure had been allocated to

the Ministries of Defence and Interior, as well as other security agencies.

“We are committed to protecting all lives and property within our borders. You can, therefore, be rest assured that your investments in Nigeria will be safe and secure,” he said.

Business and trade relations between Nigeria and China have grown astronomically in the last decade, with bilateral trade volumes rising from $2.8 billion in 2005 to $14.9 billion in 2015.

A statement issued from Beijing by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, observed that Nigeria accounted for 8.3 per cent of the total trade volume between China and Africa, and 42 per cent of the total trade volume between China and the Economic

Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries in 2015.

Buhari, presently on a week-long official visit to China, where he directed that technical committees be immediately established to finalise discussions on new joint Nigeria/China rail, power, manufacturing, agricultural and solid mineral projects.

The statement said he gave the directive Tuesday, in Beijing, after talks between his delegation and high-ranking Chinese government officials led by President Jinping.

It said the technical committees were to conclude their assignments before the end of next month.

President Buhari had at the talks welcomed China’s readiness to assist Nigeria, in her bid to rapidly industrialise and join the world’s

President Muhammadu Buhari and President Xi Jinpeng witnessing the signing of mandate letter between Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, represented by its Chief Executive, Jiang Jianqing and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), represented by its governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, regarding China Cooperation and Renminbi Transactions, at the Great Hall, Beijing, China, on Tuesday.

...Obtains $6bn infrastructure loan CHINA has offered Nigeria a loan worth $6 billion to fund infrastructure projects, Nigerian Foreign Minister said on Tuesday.

The announcement came, as both countries signed a currency swap deal to boost trade.

Nigeria has been in talks with China on an infrastructure loan for months, Reuters reported.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and its top oil producer, but its public finances has suffered as the price of crude oil dropped around the world.

Although President Muhammadu Buhari wants to triple capital spending in 2016, he also needs to plug a projected deficit of $11.1 billion.

“It is a credit that is on the

table as soon as we identify the projects.

“It won’t need an agreement to be signed. It is just to identify the projects and we access it,” Nigerian Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, told newsmen after Buhari met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

There was no immediate comment from China.

Director-General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s African Affairs Department, Lin Songtian, had earlier said Nigeria would be able to benefit from a $55 billion package for Africa, which mostly consists of concessional grants or export lines.

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC), the world’s biggest lender and Nigeria’s Central

Bank also signed a deal on Yuan transactions.

“It means that the renminbi (Yuan) is free to flow among different banks in Nigeria and the renminbi has been included in the foreign exchange reserves of Nigeria,” Lin said.

Nigeria had said it was looking at panda bonds - yuan-denominated bonds sold by overseas entities on the mainland - to fund the deficit, saying they would be cheaper than Eurobonds [nL5N17C0EL].

Nigeria’s Central Bank has said it plans to diversify its foreign exchange reserves away from the dollar by switching some into yuan. It converted up to a tenth of its reserves into yuan five years ago.

Lin said a framework on currency swaps had been agreed with Nigeria, making it easier to settle trade deals in yuan. China had signed similar swap agreements with countries, ranging from Kazakhstan to Argentina, to promote wider use of its yuan.

China also signed agreements to develop infrastructure in Nigeria, part of a drive to deepen its ties with Africa.

ICBC agreed a $2 billion loan to Dangote, the company owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to fund two cement plants it plans, he told Reuters.

China’s Xi told Buhari there was huge potential for economic cooperation in areas like oil refining and mining, according to Xinhua, China’s official news agency.

major economies.

The statement stated that Jinping agreed that Nigeria’s chosen path of development through economic diversification was the best way to go.

“To help Nigeria to achieve this, China promised to fully support the country through infrastructural development and capacity building,” it added.

It said China also expressed an interest in setting up major projects in Nigeria, such as refineries, power plants, mining companies, textile manufacturing and food processing industries, as soon as the enabling environment is provided by the Federal Government.

Furthermore, the statement said China and Nigeria also agreed to strengthen military and civil service exchanges as part of a larger capacity-building engagement.

It added: “In line with this, China offered to raise its scholarship awards to Nigerian students from about 100 to 700 annually.

In addition, 1,000 other Nigerians are to be given vocational and technical training

by China annually.”

It noted that President Jinping applauded the war against corruption being waged by President Buhari and assured him that Nigeria would always have a special place in the affairs of the Peoples Republic of China.

After the talks, President Buhari and President Jinping witnessed the signing of several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) by Nigeria and China.

The agreements included a “framework agreement between the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples Republic of China.”

Others were a “MoU on aviation cooperation between the Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China” and a “MoU between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the government of the Peoples Republic of China on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.”

A mandate letter between the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria on Renminbi (RMB) transactions was also signed.

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Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

4 news Lagos-Calabar rail: Our position —Budget ministry

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

President free to present supplementary budget –Senate Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

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HE Federal Government, through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, has stated its position on the controversy trailing the 2016 budget, saying that the government had not completed the review process of the document sent to it by the National Assembly.

This came as the Senate, on Tuesday, insisted that it was no longer ready to adjust the 2016 budget it passed on March 23, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari should sign it and present a supplementary budget if the need be.

The ministry, in a statement by the media adviser to the minister, Akpandem James, said the process of reviewing the budget details was ongoing.

“In view of the recent controversies surrounding the 2016 budget, it has become necessary to state the

following so as to set the facts straight: “The details of the 2016 budget were received by the president on Thursday, April 7, 2016. Immediately this was received the president, desirous of signing the document into law as soon as possible, he directed that copies should be made available to heads of the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

“Ministers were asked to go through the details and give their reactions as it affects their respective ministries, so as to guide the president and enable him to sign the Appropriation Bill into law.

“That process is still ongoing and no statement has been issued by the executive on the matter, apart from the one by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohamnmed, to confirm that details of the budget are being examined. No final decision has

been taken by the president and no other statement whatsoever has been issued on the matter.

“With reference to the specific issue of the Calabar-Lagos rail project, we will like to state that the two railway projects, Lagos-Kano and the CalabarLagos, are very important projects of the present administration; and it was always the intention of the executive to have both projects reflected in the budget submitted to the National Assembly.

“However, it will be recalled that the Budget Office made a number of errors in the initial proposals of a number of ministries.

These errors were all corrected by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the corrected versions were submitted to the relevant committees of the National Assembly.

This included that of the Ministry of Transportation.

“The amended Ministry

of Transportation budget was accepted by the relevant committees and that was the version defended by the Minister of Transportation and his team.

“It must be emphasised that the two rail projects are part of those for which the president is currently negotiating funding with the Chinese government.

“The N60 billion provided in the budget for the Lagos-Kano and CalabarLagos rail lines, respectively, is counterpart funding, to support the Chinese financing for the projects.

“These projects are part of the strategic implementation plan of the government which was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning at the National Economic Council (NEC) retreat in March 2016, in the presence of state governors.

“They were also mentioned by the Vice-President last week in Lagos at The Nation Newspaper’s First National Economic

Forum.

“It is hoped that with this clarification, the raging controversy over the Calabar-Lagos rail project will be put to rest,” the statement read.

The Senate, however, said its members had completed their work on the budget, adding that the president could send in a supplementary budget if the executive observed any shortfall in the allocations.

Senate spokesman, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, who addressed newsmen on Tuesday, said the Senate had resolved at the closed session to stand by the statement issued on Monday.

According to him, the Senate was guided by constitutional provision in resolving that President Buhari should sign the passed budget into law and later come through supplementary budget to capture whatever projects that might have been omitted in the budget.

N1.04trn MTN fine controversy: You acted wrongly, Reps tell Justice Minister •Accuse him of paying over payment of N50bn into illegal account •Committee adjourns sitting over power failure Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja THE House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications, probing the transactions of the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) for violating SIM subscription and registration rules, on Tuesday, faulted the roles so far played by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, saying that he acted wrongly The Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi-led committee also descended heavily on Mallami on the part payment of N50 billion by the MTN into the Federal Government account, tagged: “Federal Government Assets Recovery Account,” rather than paying into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation, in line with the constitution.

According to the committee, “that account is illegal, it is against the constitution of the land. The laws says all government monies must be paid into the Consolidated Account of the Federation.

We have to summon the Minister of Finance on the operation of the account.”

Consequently, the committee summoned the Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, to appear before it on Thursday, to explain the rationale for lodging the money into an illegal account.

However, while Justifying his action on the fine saga, Malami quoted sections 150 and 170 of the Constitution, which empowered him to take actions necessary for the safeguard of peace and economic interest of Nigeria as the number one law officer of the country.

While clarifying the position of the transaction, Mallami, who protested that it was not his office that opened the controversial bank account, said “I take an exception to that. I did not open any account, it was the Ministry of Finance. As we speak, no negotiation has been concluded over MTN matter.”

According to him, “all matters were subjected to the withdrawal of the case from court by MTN and showing of good faith and it agreed to do so and subsequently paid the sum of N50 billion into the Federal Government’s account, and not the account of the Ministry of Justice.”

Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, had earlier told the committee that his ministry played no role whatsoever in the process leading to the payment of the said N50 billion, adding that he only knew about the issue as highlighted in the letter sent to him from the Minister of Justice, which he had submitted to the committee previously.

“We from the Ministry of Communication are happy to be here again in answering your call. During the last

sitting, according to the correspondence we got from the Ministry of Justice, we don’t have anything new to add to what we gave at the last sitting of this committee.

“At the last sitting, in answering your question, we presented a letter from the Ministry of Justice as signed by one Mr Abidoye on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“It is obvious that we don’t have any additional information because if we had, we would have provided.

And it’s because we never played any role in this whole negotiation,” he said.

However, the AccountantGeneral of the Federation,

Mr Ahmed Idris, confirmed the lodgement of the N50 billion into a certain government account which was verified from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to him, “as we monitored the system, being the custodian of the treasury, we discovered a lodgement of N50 billion on February 24, 2016 and found out that it was from MTN. We enquired from the CBN and it was confirmed that yes, the money came from MTN.” He said the said account into which the money was paid “is under the watch of his office and it’s titled: “Federal Government Assets Recovery Account.”

The lawmakers condemned the whole transactions without involving the NCC and the Ministry of Communication and warned the Minister of Justice to desist from such action in the overall interest of the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr Freddy Moolman, also apologised to the lawmakers for ignoring their invitation, adding that his action was not deliberate but was informed by a personal emergency he had to attend to in South Africa at the time of the hearing.

The committee was forced to adjourn sitting till tomorrow over power failure.

Woman dies in company with Facebook pastor Banji Aluko -Benin City A female gospel musician, who met a pastor on the social media platform, Facebook, has died while with the pastor in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The woman, whose name was given as Mrs Yvonne Omoarebokhae, was found dead in a hotel, in Benoni area of the Government Reservation Area of Benin City.

She was said to have lodged in the hotel alongside the pastor, whose name was given as Apostle Psalm Okpe.

According to the husband to the deceased, Odion, his wife met Apostle Okpe on Facebook and after some months of chatting, the pas-

tor, last Thursday, invited his late wife over for a performance in Asaba, Warri and Benin City.

He added the last time he spoke with his wife was at about 10.00 a.m. on Friday, when she told him that she would soon be home.

He said at about 9.30 p.m. on Friday, the police used his late wife’s phone number to call him that he should report at Airport Road police station in Benin City.

He said: “I waited for more than two hours at the police station until the police asked me to go home, but I insisted on knowing the whereabouts of my wife.

“The DPO later told me that my wife was picked from a hotel in the GRA and

rushed to the Benin Central Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

“I am yet to see the corpse to ascertain what happened and who was responsible for her death. We have a threeyear-old child at home.”

Edo State Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike, confirmed the death of the woman, adding that the pastor had been arrested.

He said a post-mortem would confirm the actual cause of the woman’s death.

“It is under investigation.

The man is married and the woman is married. Not until a post-mortem is conducted, we cannot conclude what happened. I have asked the matter to be transferred to the State CID,” he said.

“Like you will recall, I issued a press statement yesterday (Monday) on behalf of the Senate to make our position very clear with respect to the issue of the budget and let me make it very clear that we issued that statement simply to clarify the situation and not to confront any authority nor to threaten anybody. We are a democratic institution and whatever we do, we remain guided by the grand norm of the country, which is the constitution.

“Today we have resumed plenary, having come back from our recess and, of course, we went into executive session which is the normal practice to welcome one another and discuss issues that we believe pertain to the burning issues on ground, in this case, the issue of the 2016 budget and the smooth workings of the Senate and the National Assembly.

“Now what we issued yesterday (Monday) remains our position. Today, all we did was to confirm what exactly are the true pictures of this situation and in my capacity as a spokesman of the Senate, I did not go to press with falsehood, I have to verify my facts, I have to get my facts and to speak on this facts; and I think we have made that point very clear and we would definitely remain guided by the tenents of the Nigerian Constitution as we do whatever we were supposed to do.

“One thing that is obvious is that yes, we have passed the budget. Nigerians are asking what’s next for us.

What is important now is for the budget to be signed.

The constitution has taken note of this kind of scenario where you may have omissions or shortfalls of allocations and Section 81 of the constitution is very clear on what you need to do, which is to sign the budget and then submit a supplementary appropriation.

“I want to assure you that the Senate is not unmindful of the cries of Nigerians that we said that, for example, the Lagos-Calabar rail project was not in the budget and does not in any way undermine the fact that it is a very, very important project for this nation to embark upon.

“The Senate is open. If the executive brings a supplementary appropriations with respect to these and any other issues that they feel very strongly about, we are ready and willing to consider such, but the most important point to note is that we want to remain guided by the provisions of the constitution,” he said.

5 south-westnews Group rallies support for Buhari, democracy

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uhammadu Buhari Ambassadors for Change organisation has called on Nigerians and support groups to rise and protect democracy from elements of the opposition parties threatening to discredit and call to question President Muham-

Buhari’s wife to dedicate proceeds of book launch to IDPs, others WIFE of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari, will make a public presentation of her book entitled: “The Essentials of Beauty Therapy,” at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, with the proceeds of book launch going to charities and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The president’s wife has written the book to mark the second year anniversary of the kidnap of the Chibok girls and the gruesome murder of the over 40 secondary school boys from Buni Yadi community in Yobe State.

She has decided that proceeds of the book launch will be dedicated towards charities and bettering the living conditions of families of the embattled girls, parents of the deceased boys and IDPs. The book launch is also an eloquent expression of the fact that the Federal Government is deeply concerned about the Chibok girls and the Buni Yadi boys who were earlier murdered by Boko Haram before the abduction of the Chibok girls.

The book is a masterpiece on the intricate linkage between beauty and wellness therapy and improving health conditions of the people.

Ona Ara community to deliberate on development Thursday RESIDENTS of Ona Ara community will on Thursday converge on Wesley College, Elekuro, Ibadan, to discuss ways to engender rapid socioeconomic development of their community.

The people of the local government, under the aegis of Ona Ara Development Forum, have resolved to amass their resources and partner relevant development agencies.

According to a statement by the president of the forum, Alhaji Kola Bolomope, the local government was blessed with abundant human and natural resources evident in the successes of Ona Ara indigenes.

madu Buhari’s ability to deliver on promises.

This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday by the chairman of the group, Comrade Abiodun Otunbanjo, who said that Nigerians must be on their guards to support and defend democracy in the country.

“We are calling on Nigerians and the remaining support groups to make sure

they are not resting on their oars until democracy is well established in this nation.

Those who gang up to blackmail the government of President Buhari must also be confronted by supporters of democracy,” he said.

He said further that the present hardship witnessed in the polity is transient and that the anti corruption stance of the government should never be misconstrued.

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

6 Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos Water/power crisis:

Heavy security on UNILAG campus Naza Okoli THERE was heavy security presence at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Monday, after the students staged a massive two-day protest that eventually led to closure of the university by the management, on Friday.

This was as the students described as untrue, claims by the management that the poor water and power supply on campus was caused by the current fuel crisis in the country.

Many of the students who spoke to Lagos Metro on Monday said the situation had been terrible, since January.

The university management had in a statement issued shortly after announcing the indefinite closure of the school, on Friday said that “the problem of poor municipal services is a national issue that the governments at both the state and the federal levels are addressing.”

When Lagos Metro visited the campus on From left: The Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and a member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Nurudeen Solaja – Saka, during an inspection Monday, all the undergraduate halls of resivisit by the governor to Mile 12 market new site, at Imota, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN dence were locked. Faculty blocks and lecture theatres were deserted, as some lecturers were seen around their offices discussing the development.

Visitors were quizzed at Ministry of Physical Planning market and connecting the Ajibade Agoro also thanked all the streets and major the school gate by security Bola Badmus the directive to commence Ikorodu and Epe area, say- Governor Ambode for con- roads in the state would officials.

AGOS State Gover- activities here within the next ing the relocation of the Mile sidering the area for such benefit from the ‘Light up When contacted, the nor, Mr Akinwunmi one week. We believe that 12 Market as well as the Oko laudable projects, assuring Project.’ spokesman of the UniverAmbode, on Tues- if we start within the next Baba Sawmill Market to the that the residents will coop“I had assured Lagosians sity, Mr Toyin Adebule, day inspected the seven days, within the next axis will have multiplier effect erate with the government that my administration said an official statement new Imota site proposed for six months, Mile 12 Market, on the Lagos economy. to ensure the success of the would light up the state and was being prepared by the the relocation of the popu- Ketu, will be a thing of the create a 24-7 economy. The management; he also gave Governor Ambode who also projects. lar Mile 12 Market, where past.

Meanwhile, Governor Ak- Gateway town of Seme in the assurance that all the visited the Imota Rice Prohe assured that work will “We are committed to doing cessing Factory in Ikorodu inwunmi Ambode, said on Badagry and other border commence on the site, next this. We know it is in the in- Division, assured that the fa- Tuesday that the state gov- towns will have their streets issues would be addressed soon. week. terest of all Lagosians that we cility will be overhauled and ernment will extend the on- lit by September,” the govThe governor, who was ac- relocate Mile 12 Market. The be up and running within going light- up project in the ernor said. companied on the inspection marketers themselves have the next six months.

He added that, “The Light state to border towns with visit by top officials of the agreed; the onus is now on us The lawmaker represent- Seme in Badagry, among Up Lagos initiative is an inMinistry of Physical Planning to ensure that we deliver this ing Ikorodu Constituency others projected to have their tegral part of our adminisand Urban Development new market within the next II at the Lagos State House streets lit by September, just tration’s programmes to put and members of the State six months,” he said. of Assembly, Nurudeen Sa- as he commissioned the La- Lagos on the same pedestal POLICE Command in LaExecutive Council, said the Governor Ambode also as- ka-Solaja, expressed grati- gos -Abeokuta Expressway and status as similar megarelocation of the market be- sured residents that the State tude to the governor for the ‘Light up Project.’ gos State, on Tuesday, said lopolis in the world. It is also came necessary following the Government will consider proposed relocation of the that a robbery suspect was Ambode gave this assur- part of our security strategy recent clash in the area, just the possible expansion of Mile 12 Market to Imota. ance while commissioning to make our State competiburnt to death by an angry as he directed the ministry to the road network around the The Ranodu of Imota, Oba the project, saying virtually tive, safe and secure.” mob in Satellite Town in move to site and commence the state. work on the market immediThis is contained in a ately. statement issued by comHe however expressed op- MOTORISTS plying the Asked why he controls cially at the roundabout at Otabor, however, command’s spokesman, Dolapo timism that the relocation Iyana-Ipaja-Ayobo and traffic, Otabor told the Masalasi bus stop in Gowon plained of the reckless Badmos, who stated that will drive commerce and in- Iyana-Ipaja-Egbeda axis News Agency of Nigeria Estate area. driving by commercial the incident occurred when vestment into the Imota area, can be said to be having (NAN) on Monday that, “I The Chief Superintendent buses and tricycle operathe suspect, who was shot urging residents to gear up stress-free drive to work am spurred to control traffic of Police (CSP) noted that the tors whom he described as to receive the vast number in the leg by the police after and back home against the to ensure commuters plying gridlock was particularly at worse than the commercial of visitors that will visit the a robbery operation, fell off perennial early morning and the Iyana-Ipaja-Ayobo and the Masalasi roundabout and motorcyclists. market. from a motorcycle while esIyana-Ipaja-Egbeda-Ikotun that it was mostly caused by “As a result of this, I have “We are all aware that we late evening gridlock. caping.

This can be attributed to the routes do not suffer unneces- reckless driving and broken instructed their associahad a little crisis at Mile 12 She said that the suspect efforts of Divisional Police sary delays going to work or down vehicles.

“I personally tions to inform them to alMarket in Ketu recently and and his gang members, on Officer (DPO), Gowon Estate their respective businesses.” thought it wise to take over ways keep to the right lane here is the new site that we Monday at about 2.30 p.m.

Otabor added that on as- the control of traffic myself, when they are on the road. are relocating Mile 12 Market Police Station, Festus Otabor, entered a Matrix Stores in to. So, our new commodities who was on Monday seen sumption of office as the while I deploy some of my By doing this, it will help to Abule-Ado, Satellite Town, directing traffic to ease the DPO, he observed regular officers to some junctions reduce traffic obstructions,’’ market would take off from for robbery operation. gridlock on the roads, espe- within the area,’’ he said. he said. here and so I like to give the gridlock.

Work to commence on New Mile 12 Market next week — Ambode • Commissions Lagos -Abeokuta Road ‘Light Up Project’

L

Angry mob suspect to

Why I control traffic, says Gowon Estate DPO

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Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

metro Robbery suspect attacks victim with machete, arrested Olalekan Olabulo

A pedestrian arrested by the Lagos State hired private security officers for crossing the barricaded expressway at Ojota, instead of using the pedestrian bridge. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway is our goldmine —Arrested pick-pockets Olalekan Olabulo TWO members of a pickpocket syndicate have described the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway as a goldmine for their activities, adding that their pickpocketing acts

burn robbery death “They robbed the owner of phones and other valuables but a patrol team attached to Satellite Police Division was quickly mobilised to the scene to engage the hoodlums. In the process, one of the robbers was shot in the leg and a double barrel gun with two unexpended cartridges and all the robbed items were recovered.

“The wounded hoodlum allegedly fell off the motorcycle, while they were escaping and was burnt to death by angry mob before he could be rescued while others escaped,” he said.

Badmos added that effort was in progress to arrest other fleeing hoodlums.

thrive more along the routes.

The suspects; Oyahkilome Okwonkwo and Oche Joseph were on Monday arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), after they had successfully picked the sum of N23, 500 from a passenger.

The leader of the group, Oche, a secondary school drop-out disclosed that he was jobless and that he learnt the ropes of pick pocketing from one Kudus for three months before teaming up with Oyahkilome.

The suspect said “Although, I live in 17, Mosalasi Street, Opposite Ojo Cantonment and Mile 2 to Okokomaiko is my regular route but Agbado to Ijaiye is the most lucrative route for my business. It has remained my ‘sure banker.’

There are too many pickpockets on Oshodi to Mile 2 route. Those are our popular routes. We meet ourselves at almost every bus stop on that axis, though you would still make money but I chose Iyana-Ipaja/Agbado-Ijaiye route because there are almost none there.

“We monitored our victim as he came out of a bank

and followed him into a bus where we began to pull out the money from his pocket.

Because the money was in N500 denomination, it was difficult removing the entire money all at once. So, I was removing the money in tranches, but unfortunately, he was alighting at the next bus stop. On all occasions, as soon as we conclude our operations, we get down fast at the available bus stop.

The arrested pickpockets.

“In this instance, he got down before us and instantly, he sensed some money was missing from his pocket and this was when he raised alarm and RRS men at that point stepped in.”

Oche confessed that “While they were searching the passengers, my colleague, Oyahkilome, brought out the stolen N23, 500 and handed it out to the police to save us the

embarrassment and to let the matter rest like that but, we were shocked when they transferred us to RRS Headquarters.”

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest of the suspects to Lagos Metro and added that they had been transferred to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) for further investigations.

THE police in Lagos State have arrested a 31-year-old man, Abdullai Hasaan, who attacked a yet-to-be-identified trader, during a foiled robbery incident.

Hassan was arrested on Tuesday morning, after he attacked the victim, inflicting deep machete cuts on him in a bid to rob him. The victim was on his way out of Surulere, when he was attacked at Shita Roundabout. The incident created panic among residents and workers in Surulere area, who quickly called the police.

The victim of the failed robbery incident was immediately rushed to Randle General Hospital, where he was being attended to by health workers.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest of the suspect to Lagos Metro and added that the matchet was recovered from him.

She also said that the suspect would be transferred to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) for further investigations.

8 news FG borrows N600bn monthly —SGF Isaac Shobayo -Jos

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he Secretary to the Government of the Fedearation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, has stated that the present administration borrows nothing less than N600 billion monthly, saying with the present situation of things in the country, many states may not be able to pay salaries in the next three to four months.

Lawal, who revealed this while representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the opening ceremony of the 63rd Evangelical Church of Wining All (ECWA) General Council Meeting, in Jos, on Tuesday, charged religious organisations and traditional institutions to sensitise the citizenry on the need to exercise patience concerning the hardship in the country, adding that the present administration inherited a country that was robbed to the last coffers, but assured that the country would bounce back within a short period of time.

According to him, the administration was not resting on its oar towards revamping the ailing economy, adding that stability could not be achieved overnight, and that the economy presently needed to be nurtured for sometime before it stabilized. He, however, pleaded with Nigerians to cooperate with the government to take the economy out of the woods.

His words: “If you look at monies coming from the federation allocation, even for the states, the Federal Government sometimes get N130 billion and, sometimes, if lucky, N200 billion and we have an expenditure profile of roughly N800 and N900 billion, naturally you need to augment sources from everywhere and from wherever you can find it.

“So to meet up the monthly expenditure on the Federal Government, we have to borrow an average sum of N600 billion monthly to be able to meet the needs of

all the tiers of government as statutory monthly allocation.

“There are so many avenues. I’m talking about local borrowings, not international. There are ways and means to raise the money, because the monies coming from the federal allocation are not enough and the figures are not fixed. It varies from month to month. it depends on what it is able to get into the treasury and our own share of it, just like the states and you remember

that there was a time Osun State got N55million in a month from the federation allocation and the state has a salary bill of over 4billion in a month, so the problems are too many.

“This government came into power at the very brink of the collapse of our nation, which had, over the years, been riddled by corruption, insurgency, youth unemployment and economic meltdown. Some stolen funds have been recovered from the corrupt

opportunities and skill acquisition activities in the country.

Earlier, the President of ECWA, Reverend Jeremiah, urged government at all levels not to do anything that would forbid God’s will from being done in the country and urged governors to be fair to all, irrespective of party affiliation, religion or tribe.

He charged the present administration to “serve God and the people of Nigeria with distinction in fairness, justice and equity.”

Members of Citizens Task Force on Panama Paper Leak, asking for probe of Nigerians involved in the Panama leak, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Badeh furnished son’s property with N90m of NAF’s money —Witness Sunday Ejike -Abuja A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh (retd), on Tuesday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja that N90 million of the funds of the Nigeria Airforce (NAF) was used to furnish a property belonging to Badeh’s son.

The witness, Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau, a former NAF’s Director of Finance, stated this during cross examination by Badeh’s lead counsel, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN).

According to the witness, “The total sum of N90 mil-

lion was used to purchase and furnish a property belonging to Alex Badeh Junior. I did not include this in my statement because I was responding to the EFCC agents based on their line of questioning.

He told the court that he kept no personal records to prove all the cash transaction made between him and Badeh and added that the command’s finance officer whose duty it was to keep records, had all the records of the amount of the dollar equivalent he handed over to Badeh at his official residence on monthly basis.

“The records of all these details I still maintain are with the Nigerian Airforce

US agrees to help Nigeria to reconstruct, rehabilitate North-East —Minister The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Oneyama, has said the United States has agreed to help Nigeria to reconstruct and rehabilitate the North-Eastern communities destroyed by Boko Haram.

Onyeama told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Tuesday, that an agreement to that effect was reached, following a bi-national commission meeting with the U.S. in Washington

public office holders and negotiations are ongoing with the host countries where those funds were lodged to repatriate our common wealth.”

On the rate of unemployment in the country, the SGF said government was still strategising to open up the industrial sector and create employment opportunities for the teeming youth by encouraging all agencies and parastatals, as well as foreign investors, to open up more employment

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

D.C. in March.

He said the bi-national commission centred on the three priority areas of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, namely: security, governance and economy.

We engaged with the United States on three areas - the area of security, which was led by the Minister of Defence.

“We really looked at not

just the military aspect of the security challenges that we are faced with in this country, but also the reconstruction efforts that we are engaged with in the NorthEast.

“And what we particularly emphasised and the term that came up was a martial plan of sort - a martial plan like arrangement to help the North-East with reconstruction and rehabilitation.

(NAF) command, finance account,” he said.

Yushau also told the court that he could not remember the exact amount of the dollar equivalent he gave Badeh in November 2012, as well as other cash transactions he had with the former Chief of Defence Staff, because it was not his duty to keep records.

“All the records of the cash transactions are there in the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) command finance account office. My command finance officer wrote a statement at the EFCC and I am sure the records are there in his statement,” the witness added.

When asked on how monies were disbursed to the Command, he said he did not know how the budget was being processed.

“Where allocations were made to all NAF formations, the money is disbursed to all the formations and my deputy finance officer was in charge of our allocation.

“If there is any need for finance in our directorate, he writes to me and I approve and the approval is taken to the NAF headquarters camp in Abuja.

And after the expenditure is carried out, he makes his retirement to the office of the command’s finance of-

ficer at the NAF headquarters Abuja.

“I was the accounting officer for the directorate, that was why I approve for every expenditure for the directorate,” he told the court.

The matter has been adjourned to April 19, 2016 by the trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang, for further cross examination and continuation of trial.

EFCC had slammed a 10-count charge against Badeh and Iyalikam Nigeria Ltd, a company believed to be owned by him.

Delayed payment: NYSC apologises to corps members Adetola Bademosi-Abuja The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Tuesday, apologised to corps members over a delay in the payment of March 2016 allowances.

It said the money was yet to be disbursed by the Federal Ministry of Finance into the scheme’s account, through the Central Bank platform.

In a statement issued by the Head of Press Unit, Mrs Abosede Aderibigbe, in Abuja, the scheme said it was however, liaising with the Ministry to ensure that the money was promptly made available.

The scheme assured that the funds would be duly paid to accounts of corps members as soon as it was disbursed.

Also, it assured outgoing 2015 Batch A Streams1 and 2 corps members that their April allowance (2 months for Stream 2) would also be paid.

The statement reads: “Management of the National Youth Service Corps regrets the delay in the payment of March 2016 allowances of corps members.

“In view of this, corps members and the public are, hereby, informed that management is actively liaising with the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure that money is released for disbursement to the corps members through the usual Central Bank platform.

“In the same vein, it will be duly paid as soon as fund is released from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“We, hereby, urge all corps members to remain calm and go about their lawful duties peacefully.”

FG suspends verification of directors in civil service Clement Idoko -Abuja THE Federal Government has suspended the verification exercise of Directorate Level Officers in the Federal Public Service for now in order to give room for thorough screening.

The verification exercise was organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

A statement by Assistant Director Media Relations in HOS office, Mr Mohammed Manga, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said in view of the scope and thor-

oughness required, the verification exercise was for the moment suspended with a new date to be fixed later.

He said the exercise was designed to produce accurate bio-data of this level of officers for informed leadership and succession planning in the Federal Public Service.

The first phase of the exercise was to be limited to Officers in the core Federal Civil Service (Ministries), while the second phase will involve Officers in Parastatals and other government establishments.

9 news

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

EFCC arraigns former acting NIMASA DG over alleged N156m fraud Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned former acting Director-General (DG) of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Haruna Baba Jauro, his brother in-law, Dr Dauda Bistrus Bawa and his company, Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, before Justice C.M.A Olantoregun of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 19-count charge of stealing and money laundering.

Jauro was arrested by the EFCC based on its findings during the investigation of his predecessor, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the former acting DG, while being the Executive Director, Finance of the agency, received the sum of N156,477,500 as gratification from Akpobolokemi, to allow the former DG and his cohorts to embezzle large sums of monies from the agency.

The said monies were traced to Jauro’s company account, Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, which his brother in-law, the second accused person, oversaw.

Jauro was said to have refunded N35,000,000, being part of the money he collected from Akpobolokemi to the Federal Government.

One of the charge read: “That you, Haruna Baba Jauro, Dr Dauda Bistrus Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, on or about January 6, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit an offense to wit: Conversion of the sum of N156,477,500 property of the NIMASA, knowing that the said sum were proceeds of stealing and, thereby, committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act. The accused persons pleaded not guilty after listening to the charge.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail application filed by the counsel representing the accused persons.

Consequently, the accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within the jurisdic-

tion of the court and must present tax clearance for the last three years.

The case was adjourned to May 16 for trial.

In a related development,

the EFCC also arraigned Alu Dismas, personal assistant to Akpobolokemi, Calistus Nwabueze, Executive Director, NIMASA and two companies—

Grand Pact Limited and Global Seal Investment Limited, on eight-count charge of stealing and money laundering before Justice Olantoregun.

Calistus Nwabueze, as Executive Director, was said to have received the total sum of N136,105,000 from Akpobolokemi.

The second accused per-

Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, making a presentation to the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwuka, during a workshop on Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

son, Alu Dismas, who was personal assistant to Akpobolokemi, also received various sums of money.

One of the charge against them read: “That you, Calistus Nwabueze and Dismas Alu, on or about fifth day of August, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit an offense to wit: Conversion of the sum of N111,000,000 property of the NIMASA, knowing that the said sum were proceeds of stealing and thereby, committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.” The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge and were admitted to bail in the sum of N5,000,000 N5 million and two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned to May 16 for trial.

FG bans varsities from subscribing to private bandwidth providers Directs all higher institutions to join NgREN Clement Idoko - Abuja THE Federal Government has banned public universities and other tertiary institutions in the country from subscribing to private providers of Internet broadband with immediate effect.

Government has accordingly directed Nigerian tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, to move their connectivity and services to the Nigerian Research Educational Network (NgREN), a flagship of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, gave this directive on Tuesday, in Abuja, at a workshop on EBESCOHOST Electronic Content, organised

by NUC for vice chancellors and other representatives of Nigerian universities.

The NUC is currently working with EBSCOHOST, a South African Information and Technology firm, to provide electronic books and journals that could be accessed by all users in Nigeria.

Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, said the Federal Government would no longer condone a situation, where individual institutions subscribed at higher costs for services which could be privided at a cheaper rate through the

NgREN consortium.

It was gathered that on the average, a Nigerian university spent about N60 million for 155mbps of Internet bandwidth, when NgREN offered the same service at less than N26 million.

The minister said: “We have directed that every Nigerian tertiary education institution; universities, polytechnics and colleges of education should move their connectivity and services need to the NgREN immediately.

“The situation, whereby

institutions collect money from the Federal Governmenty and individually incur higher costs when a cheaper alternative is available through consortium and economies of scale, would not be condoned,” he said.

While reiterating the commitment of the Federal Government to providing quality education in Nigeria, the minister also directed NUC to immediately commence identification of other sources of information and negotiate their availability to the Nigerian university

system.

He noted that government was aware of funding and resource challenges and asked NUC to work closely with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), to ensure a sustainable and excellent information base for tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Adamu said the Nigerian university system was a critical component in the determination of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to bequeath a legacy of highly skilled manpower that could support social and economic

development.

Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, speaking on the importance of the workshop, said having robust information base of e-books and e-journals, would further improve the rating of Nigeria universities in world ranking.

He applauded the Federal Government’s directive for all public tertiary institutions to move their connectivity to NgREN, saying the idea was for cost saving, in line with the disposition of the current administration.

UNIPORT crisis: NUC, NANS, parents react STAKEHOLDERS, on Tuesday, in Abuja, expressed mixed reactions to the crisis that erupted at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) over the ‘no tuition fee, no examination’ policy of the university.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that students of UNIPORT, on Monday, staged a violent protest against the policy.

The protest, which turned violent, resulted in the shutting down of the institution, following the destruction of property worth millions of naira and one student was reported dead.

In his reaction, Director of Information, National Universities Commission (NUC), Mallam Ibrahim Yakasai, said media reports that the protest was over tu-

ition fees, was wrong.

He said the commission was waiting for the formal report of the UNIPORT’s vice chancellor, so as to ascertain what happened.

“Firstly, let me correct an impression as was being reported that students protested because of tuition fees; federal universities are tuition-free; so it was not tuition fees.

“However, universities are allowed to charge some municipal fees and other charges that are not too much.

“We heard about the crisis and we are waiting for the vice chancellor to give us a report upon which we act or comment.

“I am sure that the vice chancellor is working on the report to explain to us what happened; after that, we will act as appropriate,” he said.

Yakasai further said all arms of Nigerian universities were allowed to come to the commission and complain, adding that no student or student leader from UNIPORT wrote to NUC to complain about anything.

He said universities always operated within the allowable limit in terms of charging fees as NUC monitored them closely in that regard.

On his part, Mr Ezekiel Nwankwo, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), blamed the violence on communication gap between the students and the UNIPORT authorities.

He said frequent postponement of examination date and the eventual fixing of April 7 deadline for pay-

ment, caused a rush that was misinterpreted by some students.

Some parents, who spoke to NAN, also condemned the actions of the security agents and appealed to the students to always resort to dialogue.

Mr Olisanyem Ifeajika, a journalist, said students must learn to adopt dialogue with relevant authorities as a means of resolving issues that affect them.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State police command has denied that there were casualties during the students’ protest.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, told NAN that there was no casualty on the part of the police or students during the violent protest.

10 news Saraki’s Trial: Senate moves to amend CCT, administration of Criminal Justice Acts Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Bills pass first reading in Senate Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

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he Senate, on Tuesday, kickstarted moves to amend the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act, as well as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act signed into law in 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The development, coming on the heels of the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is being seen by some lawmakers as part of the strategies of the Senate President’s loyalists to stall what they see as political persecution.

The amendment to the Code of Conduct Act, sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaboshi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) passed the first reading on Tuesday.

The bill tagged: “Code of Conduct Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 (Ammendment) Bill 2016 (HB.2),” is seeking to remove the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from

the Presidency, while placing it under the direct control of the Judiciary.

Another bill, which passed through the first reading is the amendment to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, was sponsored by Senator Isa Misau, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Bauchi Central.

The CCT is relying on the

Administration of Criminal Justice Act, to prosecute Senate President Bukola Saraki in the ongoing trial.

Senator Nwaboshi, who spoke on the bill on Tuesday, said the amendment was aimed at freeing the CCT from executive control.

He said: “We want to save Nigerians from overzealous politicians. The Code of Conduct Tribunal

and the Code of Conduct Bureau now is under the Office of the Secretary to the Government.

“The Secretary to the Federal Government is a politician and can use it as a politician against political opponents or perceived political opponents. He oversees the CCB and the CCT, they report to his office

CCT trial: Justice Auta accedes to Saraki’s request Slates judgment for Friday Sunday Ejike -Abuja The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has granted the request by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to direct Justice Abdul Kafarati to deliver judgment in his (Saraki’s) case.

Saraki, who is standing trial over alleged false assets declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) had sued the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar

and others involved in his trial, before the Federal High Court.

Saraki, in the suit filed for him by his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, is contending that his trial before the CCT, as currently constituted, was a violation of his right and that there was no way he could get justice.

It is also Saraki’s contention that, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was currently investigating

Umar for alleged bribery and at the same time prosecuting him (Saraki) before the tribunal, it was impossible for the CCT chairman to do justice and act independently in his (Saraki’s) case.

Having taken arguments from parties in the case, Justice Kafarati had scheduled judgment for March 22, but when parties arrived court, he changed his mind at the last minutes and informed parties that he was withdrawing from the case

Boko Haram fleeing Sambisa in droves —Army Army arrests 3 sect commanders, rescues 1,275 people in Borno Chris Agbmabu -Abuja Due to aerial bombardment and concerted efforts of the ground troops, and facing imminent annihilation, the Nigerian Army said Boko Haram terrorists had been deserting Sambisa forest in droves, trying to disperse to various parts of the country.

“The cowards are running away from their well -enclave in Sambisa forest for their lives,” a statement from the Army, on Tuesday, said.

It said it became necessary to inform the public, especially well-meaning Nigerians, to be more vigilant and security-conscious.

The statement said the public were requested to be observant and report any suspicious persons or group of persons to the military or any of the security agencies to enable timely detection and apprehension of the fleeing insurgents before they mingled with the society and committed havoc.

“We will like to reassure the public of the confidentiality of the information provided and reiterate our commitment to the clearance of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists,” it said.

In the same vein, the Nigerian Army has apprehended three suspected Boko Haram commanders and rescued 1,275 hostages after a joint clearance operation with Cameroonian troops

“So since the Supreme Court, in its judgment, has said that CCT is a court of some sort, it must be seen to be neutral in nature and not to report to a politician.”

The Delta senator said the amendment intended to free the quasi-judicial organ from control of the executive arm of government.

He further said: “The

along Nigeria-Cameroon border in Borno.

Acting Director of Public Relations of Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Usman, said this in a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday, in Maiduguri, the state capital.

“Troops of 152 and 155 Task Force Battalions of Operation Lafiya Dole, in conjunction with troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) from Cameroon, conducted a massive joint clearance operation on suspected Boko Haram terrorists camps on Monday, along Nigeria-Cameroon borders.

“The unprecedented clearance operation swept through over 10 suspected terrorists hideouts along the border,’’ Usman said.

He said that 22 suspected terrorists lost their lives during the operation.

“Twenty two terrorists were killed, three Ameers (terrorists commanders) were arrested and 1,275 abducted people were rescued,’’ Usman said.

He named those apprehended as Mallam Lawal Abba, Mallam Hisna and Mallam Gana Shatte.

“During the operation, the troops cleared Nbaga, Bula, Dabube, Ybiri, Greya and Suduwa towns and other adjoining settlements.

“The towns and settlements were occupied by fleeing Boko Haram terrorists, who escaped from villages previously cleared by troops of the

Nigerian Army.

“The troops also rescued 1,275 people held hostage by the terrorists.

“The rescued people are being administered and screened by 152 Task Force Battalion pending onward

movement to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

“It is gratifying to note that the operation was a huge success, as there was no casualty or injury on the side of the troops,’’ Usman said.”

Chibok girls still alive, will be united with families soon —Shettima Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, said the over 200 Chibok girls, who were abducted on April 14, 2014, would soon be united with their families.

Speaking during his visit to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) office in Abuja, Shettima stated that information at his disposal revealed that the Chibok girls were still alive.

“I am an optimist, and based on information at our disposal, the Chibok girls are still alive and will be united with their families soon. We are hopeful that the girls will be recovered.

“Though security falls within the area of responsibility of the Federal Government, the government is doing all it can, not only to rescue the girls, but to care for the well-being of the generality of the people.

We have started rebuilding most of the communities; we are determined to rebuild all.

Meanwhile, the United States will continue to assist Nigeria with intelligence and advisory support to locate and bring home the girls abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State.

Mark Toner, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson, said this in a statement on Tuesday, in New York, on the second anniversary of the kidnapping of the more than 200 Nigerian girls.

It said the kidnapping of these young women, along with the kidnappings of countless others by Boko Haram, epitomised the terrorist group’s depravity.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the statement called for the immediate release, without preconditions, of all hostages held by Boko Haram.

It said the US was also delivering over $240 million in development and humanitarian assistance across the Lake Chad Basin region.

and returning the case file to Justice Auta for reassignment to another judge.

Justice Kafarati hinged his decision on publications by some online media, which he (the judge) said had cast him in bad light and portrayed him as a compromised judge.

He said no mater in whose favour his judgment went, the losing party would habour the impression that he was influenced.

On March 23, Oluyede wrote Justice Auta, demanding that he prevailed on Justice Kafarati to deliver his withheld judgment, no matter who benefitted, saying that, “It is our argument in the suit that the Code of Conduct Tribunal cannot act independently the way it is currently constituted because we believe its chairman, Danladi Umar, who is currently under investigation by the EFCC, cannot be independent in deciding a case being prosecuted before him by the EFCC. “We have also contented that the EFCC, by admitting that the investigation of the case against our client was done by a special task force, as against the requirement by the provision in Schedule 3 of the Constitution, has usurped the exclusive duties of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). It is on that basis we argued that our client cannot get justice under the current arrangement and asked the court to quash the charge,” Oluyede said.

It was, however, learnt on Tuesday that Justice Auta had acceded to Saraki’s request and directed Justice Kafarati to proceed and deliver his judgement.

Justice Auta’s decision was hinged on the fact that none of the parties in the suit complained about the conduct of Justice Kafarati and that the judge could not disqualify himself from further handling the case based on mere allegations made in the media.

Lawyers representing parties in the suit confirmed this development on Tuesday and that Kafarati had rescheduled the judgment for this Friday.

CCT chairman should not be reporting to a politician and being oversighted by a politician: it should be seen as an independent body, doing its job, we give them what they are entitled to.”

According to him, if the amendment was not introduced and seen through immediately, the executive, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF ) use the CCB to put any of its perceived enemy in trouble.

He further said: “So to make it to be really neutral and independent, we are trying to save Nigerians, any politician that could be dragged to CCT whenever he steps on the toes of the SGF. “The intent is not because of what is happening (to Saraki), it is because we want to save Nigerians,. We want Nigerians to see that you cannot put a quasi judicial arm under the control of the SGF who is a politician, appointed by the President, doing political job, then you put him in charge.

“The CCB said you declare your assets upon assumption of office and when you are leaving office, you declare your assets.

“Within the time you came to office and the time you are leaving office, they must have investigated that your asset, what is left is to investigate the asset declared when leaving office.

“You do not just leave it for 100 years, then all of a sudden, someone wakes up and says: 56 years ago, you did not declare your assets, that should not be so.

“You have been given a time frame to declare at the beginning and at the end, but within the four years, the CCB does not conduct its investigations immediately, but takes another 15 years.

“Who said that someone cannot stand up tomorrow when President Buhari leaves office and says that he did not declare his assets at a particular time.

“The court has said it made a mistake in (Asiwaju Bola) Tinubu’s case which means that another political party can come up tomorrow and pick up Tinubu.

“Do you now see the patriotism in what I am doing? There should be a time frame, not when you wake up any day, you just slam anybody.

“I am doing this as a patriotic Nigerian to make sure this body is not used as a political weapon to witch-hunt your political opponents or an individual.”

businessnews Oil hits 2016 high of 43 dollars per barrel 11

Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos

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IL reached a 2016 high, hitting 43 dollars a barrel on Tuesday, and supported by hopes that upcoming meeting of oil producers will agree on steps to tackle a supply glut.

The rise was also supported by a weak U.S. dollar and further signs of strong demand in China.

Many members of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and outside producers like Russia are meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday to discuss freezing output.

The dollar fell to its lowest in nearly eight months against a basket of currencies, supporting commodities.

Brent crude was up 50 cents at 43.33 dollars a barrel and had earlier in the session reached a 2016 high of 43.53 dollars per barrel.

U.S. crude gained 39 cents to hit 40.75 dollars a barrel.

“The weak dollar is one important reason,” said Eugen Weinberg of Commerzbank, adding “also, the fact that we are above 40 dollars and at multi-month highs is also contributing to the price increase as it is prompting some speculative buying”.

Also supporting prices are rising vehicle sales in China, a further sign of strong gasoline demand and a plan by thousands of oil and gas workers in Kuwait to go on strike from Sunday.

“If it is not clear that the strike will last long and will have any meaningful impact on exports or domestic production (including refineries), it does illustrate further the amount of pain that (Gulf) oil producers are also facing at current price levels,” said Olivier Jakob,

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

analyst at Petromatrix.

Oil prices have collapsed from above 100 dollars per barrel in mid-2014 due to over-supply.

The OPEC decision in No-

vember, 2014 to abandon its traditional role of cutting output helped deepen the decline.

Crude gained a boost last week after a surprise decline

GOOGLE Inc announced on Tuesday that it will train one million young people in Africa in 2017.

The corporation, at a press conference held in Lagos, said it will support its partner, Livity Africa to run two training programmes, ‘Digify Bytes’ to give digital skills to young people looking to develop a digital career and ‘Digify Pro’, a three-month immersion program for digital specialists, to realise this bold ambition.

Already, these programmes have been launched in Nigeria, with a four-day ‘Digify Bytes’ training held at the Mulliner Towers, in February this year; Kenya and South

Industry group, the American Petroleum Institute, is scheduled to release its report on Tuesday, while the government’s figures are due out on Wednesday.

From Left: Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti, Council Member and Chairperson, Compliance Committee, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria; Mr Ganiya Koledoye, President and Chairman of Governing Council, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria; Mr Tarang Gupta, Marketing Director, Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc; Mr Tony Agenmonmen, first Vice President and Vice Chairman, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and Mr Sidney Ogodo, Registrar, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, during the courtesy visit by the Executive Members, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, to Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc.

2016 budget delay, negative image for Nigeria —Tax expert

By Tunde Ogunesan

THE inability of the Executive and legislative arm to come up with a definite budget by the fourth month of the year has greatly affected the economy and image of Nigeria.

This observation was made by a Nigerian tax consultant in the United States of America (USA), Mr Sulayman Marshal while delivering the maiden lecture of Faculty of Management Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, held inside Tunde Afolabi

hall, on Tuesday.

Speaking on the topic: “Future of mobility and implications on fuel taxes: The United States experience and consequences on developing economy-Nigeria”, Marshal, a partner Deloitte Tax LLP, Houston Texas, USA said such could happen in Nigeria.

According to him, developed countries always plan ahead to put up adequate infrastructural facilities, so when a country is yet to pass it’s budget in April, “it’s crazy.”

“It does not matter to me if the executive or the Nation-

Google to train 1 million people in Africa on digital skills in 2017

By Ruth Olurounbi

in U.S. inventories from a record high.

But this week’s U.S. supply reports are expected to show an increase in stocks of 2.8 million barrels.

Africa.

However, the second element of the programmes, digifyafrica.com - an online-learning portal which will house a range of digital skills courses, available to anyone in Africa, was launched today.

According to the corporation, the online learning portal been designed to be as “light” as possible because data cost is an issue for many African users, to help people manage data usage.

These initiatives, according to Google, will see Africans trained on subjects ranging from content creation, digital strategy, web design, UX, social media and app development, with the aim to help young

Africans develop the skills to build businesses, create jobs and contribute to the economy.

al Assembly is at fault. It is insane that we don’t have a budget as at today April 12.

It kills the economy. There is no progress in any sector and such economy can’t create jobs and as well pay salaries. The Presidency and the National Assembly are just creating problem in Nigerian economy.”

On fuel tax, Marshal pointed out that the American example is a model for Nigerian government to develop the infrastructural base as well as guarantee regular supply of fuel.

His words, “United States of America as far back as 1932 introduced fuel tax and established the Revenue Act to construct and maintain roads and bridges.

In 1956, it established Federal Highway Trust Fund to manage the revenue for the purpose it was created for.

So, if today you are seeing those good roads and bridges in America, they are not film tricks, they exist.

“Fuel taxes are paid per gallon. And the US government is not paying people to collect such tax but using oil and gas companies. They pay at the entry point. So the tax has been fathom to the price of gas per gallon.

“And according to theory of taxation it is convenient for people to pay because about 83 year after invention, the fuel tax in US is still less than a dollar- 18 cent today.

“In 2015 alone, US realised $31billion which amount to 85 percent of its generated revenue to construct, maintain and bridges.

“This can be replicated in Nigeria. Our roads can be maintained by way of taxing vehicles on our roads.”

‘NLNG recorded $6.8bn in revenue for 2015’ Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos

THE Nigeria LNG has recorded $6.8 billion in revenue for the year 2015, as contained in the ‘Facts and Figures on NLNG 2016.’

Te figures represented shortfall of 40 per cent when compared with 2014 revenue which was $10.8 billion.

During the presentation of the document in Lagos on Tuesday, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer, NLNG, Mr Babs Omotowa, blamed the decline in revenue on decline

in global crue prices.

He however stated that despite the challenges, the company remains the highest tax paying corporate entity in Nigeria.

“We have paid $3.86 billion in taxes to governments in Nigeria and our PAYE stands at $334 milion since 1999 till data,” he said.

The ‘facts and figures’ showed that the company has paid a total of $15.3 billion as dividend to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) since 2004 while it paid $16.067

billion as dividend to other shareholders including Shell, Total and Eni during the same period.

However, in its efforts to promote local content policy, it has awarded contracts worth $5.053 billion to indigenous contractors for the supply of goods and services since 1999.

NLNG’s subsidiary, Bonny GasTransport (BGT) recently ordered six new Dual Fuel Diesel Engine (DFDE) OMG carriers from Hyundai Heavy Industry and Samsung Heavy Industry.

Nigerian Tribune

Customs lauds BATN on revenue generation THE Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali, has lauded the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) for its contributions to Nigeria’s treasury over the years.

Ali who went on a working visit to BATN’s factory in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently said the company’s role in Nigeria’s socioeconomic development through its corporate social investment arm, the BATN Foundation is commendable, “BATN is one of the excise companies that generate huge revenue for us and I look forward to greater synergy between us,” he remarked.

The comptroller general noted that with the dwindling revenue from oil, President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Nigerian Customs Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service with the task of generating revenue for the country. Hence, the visit was to check on all industries that are major sources of revenue for government.

SEC recovers 1,662 share certificates Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

SECURITIES and Exchange Commission has recovered 1,662 share certificates belonging to clients of Alliance Capital Management Company Limited (ACMCL).

According to a statement

by SEC, the share certificates belonging to investors were recovered after investigations carried out by the regulatory body over complaints received against the portfolio managers.

SEC thus enjoined clients ACMCL to visit the Commission’s website for their names after which they are also advised to visit the Commission’s Head office or any of its zonal offices nearest to them to collect their certificates.

It would be recalled that the SEC received about 250 complaints against ACMCL between June 2007 and March 2010 which included failure/ refusal/neglect to forward to Registrars, certificates received from Investors/ Clients for verification and lodgment in the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

12

tribunebusiness

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

We are changing the face of NANTA for members’, industry’s benefit

level of trading then you graduate to a level that is commensurate with his/her level of investment. For instance, some travel agencies that have three, four or over five offices with 50 staff, such travel agencies cost of operations will be higher than those with just one, so if you say if you say you want a level playing ground, as you are will to share in a higher commission bases, you must be willing to share in the expenses also. If someone is inquiring an expenses of N5 million and the other person’s is N1 million, you can see there is a lot of disparity there, so whatever that is good for the goose is good for the gander.

The Managing Director, finchglow Travels, Mr Bankole Bernard is the new National President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) in this interview with ‘WALE OLAPADE he speaks on NANTA’s new vision of professionalism, membership drive for equitable benefit, fostering a win-win business ties with foreign airlines and travel technology companies, among sundry issues.

H

OW do you feel as the new NANTA president?

Well, I am very happy to have emerged as the new national president of our great Association (NANTA).

It has always been my desire to make an impact in this industry and our association, because when I joined the association many years ago. (Cut in) (How many years ago?)

About 10 years ago it wasn’t what I expected of an association of that age and I know that in order to change things, we have to be at the helm of affairs and that was why I took up the battle to be the national president. So, we are going to make a lot of changes and this is a great opportunity for me to make those changes and I am really excited.

What area will your change be directed at and what have you seen in NANTA and the industry that prompted your change agenda?

I have seen some couple of imbalances in the industry as well as the association. I remembered or recalled my theme, when I was making my manifesto that professionalism is the first step to prosperity, the reason why we have such an imbalance in the system is because professionalism is lacking in several areas and members are not seen and treated as professional consultants in the areas or field of engagement. So every Tom, Dick and Harry just comes in, in the name of travel agent, mess up the business and go and the industry suffers. I know the vision of professionalism can be achieved through the NANTA. Now when we set the stake and raise the bar, we will see things been done properly like every association around the country or the world. For example, no one ask you what ICAN is or stand for, automatically when you hear ICAN, everyone knows who they are and what they stand for, so this has to do with the perception of our industry.

“We have to restructure our association and make it a viable and technology-driven one that can stand its likes in other parts of the world like American society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) or Association Southern Africa Travel Agents (ASATA). Once we get the association to this level, then the industry becomes a better place for all of us.

In sanitising the industry by bringing member’s to terms with reality of a global standard, what is your plan?

The first thing, we intend to do is to look at the data base of our members, as we stand today we have about 1,500 members and out of this number, less than a thousand are very active. (What do you mean by the word active?) I mean those registered and even partake in the activities of NANTA. They are financial members who are also up-to-date in terms of their records, but I realised that it was out of compulsion that those ones are even up-to-date. The real members that partake in the activities of the association are less than 500 and we have over 5000 travel agencies. My first task is to see how I am going to bring in the 3500 members to the association to help build a robust membership position, then when this is done, we start to sanitise and instill discipline among

These days, incentives rule the game of business successes, staff productivity and membership drive as in the case of NANTA, what are we expecting from your administration?

Like I said earlier, this administration is focusing on professionalism, had meetings with training academies and the Global Distribution Sales companies (Amadeus, Sabre and Gallileo), making them realise that we have a training room at our secretariat that can be used for different training module for our members, which from time to time we will be inviting members for operational support to boost their business. With this, we intend to increase their knowledge base, approach to customers and it will become a better platform for the agencies and the association. So it is a win-win situation we are proposing to everybody in this administration.

Bankole members, when we are able to do these, I think I have set the table right.

As the drivers of the travel industry, a lot of opportunities accrue to your members, but things have gone wrong with foreign airlines dictating the tone which has put the operators at their mercy in terms of global operational standard, how will you manage this to benefit members?

For us and for this administration, it is a wake-up call. The first thing we did was write to all the airlines to let them know that there is a new administration. We are going to have a stakeholders meeting, letting them know what this new administration is all about after which will be followed by individual meetings with each of the airlines, letting them know what is expected of them and how they will function in our market.

It is our market, this is Nigeria, it does not belong to them, and it belongs to us, so, we are going to decide how things will go in our land. They are here to make profit; there is no doubt about this, but it should not be at the expense of our citizens or the expense of our government. This is Nigeria; there are ways things should be done and any airline that is not suitable or does not provide services that is suitable, they have the right to leave our airspace and go elsewhere, but I know they will not leave and it is because we’ve been too quiet and not telling them what is expected of us. But now we have woken up and we are taking full responsibility of what we should do and once we tell them what we want them

to do, they will comply. They are going to reduce their fares, desist from a whole lot of things they are not doing properly; like selling ticket at their satellite offices, online ticket sales, which they sell through banks and a whole lot of malpractices that they are doing to the detriment of our members, we’re going to correct them. At the moment, we’ve written to them and I know they would sit tight, they will know a new sheriff is in town and that is what we want them to see and feel.

Will that also check the disparity experienced by members from the airlines in terms of uniform commissions, denial of some variance of flight seats or ticket class restriction?

When I was campaigning, I made our members to understand that we are not going to have a level playing field, however what we are going to have is an equitable playing ground which means that you will get what you deserve based on your level of investment. If we give you what you deserve based on your level of investment, it becomes a level playing field, which means that there will be a based commission everybody will be entitled to and based on your contribution to the airlines, we believe will prompt the airlines to the fact of what they deserve based on their trading pattern but there must be a starting point for everyone. For example, if they say the starting point is two per cent, everybody would be entitled to it. I don’t think anybody should be entitled to zero per cent, I do not agree to this, everybody must be entitled to a percentage based on his/her

We have to restructure our association and make it a viable and technology-driven one that can stand its likes in other parts of the world.

Do you really have an enabling environment for your work to be effective?

Well, the truth about life is that if you don’t say here I am nobody will say there you are.

The government will only recognise us, based on what they see or through the impact we are making in the industry. For the record, our industry contribute about five per cent to the country’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the government is not really aware of this and even if they are aware, nobody is even bringing it to their attention, So, we want the government to know and be more involved when they see the level of participation and awareness we are making for ourselves within the industry. Then when they see that we have added value to ourselves, they will have no choice than to call us for a meet on how to partner to move the industry forward. We are looking at a time when the whole of West Africa will be looking unto us on the leap and edge attained in the association, and will be calling on us to come and teach them.

Some people have frown on multiple landing right given to international airlines with the claim that it is killing local airlines in Nigeria. What is your submission on this?

To an extent, it has an adverse effect on our local airlines and I am grateful to God that right now we have seen a little bit of changes.

We have Arik and Medview Travelling to London, which is an improvement from what it used to be. I want the local carrier to have a taste of what the competition will be like before we start to fight for them, in that way, they would have raised their bar, increased in efficiency and the way they work that they may have been able to meet the consumers at a certain level. At that stage, we can now tell the government to put a stop them flying to multiple cities in Nigeria because in their countries we can’t fly to multiple cities because they won’t allow it, so why should we allow foreign flyers to fly to multiple cities in our country? Beside this, we would be shooting ourselves in the leg by saying that they should not fly to multiple cities when we’ve not provided an alternative to take care of the situation.

13

editorial

O

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Justice for the Arepo three

N the evening of Sunday, March 27, some yet to be identified naval officers reportedly stormed a local restaurant and whisked away three young male residents of Arepo, a community in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Brushing aside entreaties and questions from friends and family members of the men on where they were being taken to, the officers put them in handcuffs and marched them away. That was the last time the men, Abiodun Mohammed, ‘Chicago’ and ‘Body,’ were seen alive. Three days after their arrest, their steadily decomposing corpses were discovered in a creek adjacent Voera Estate, a residential estate in Arepo.

This gruesome incident has naturally thrown the community into a state of mourning. It has also worsened the existing tension between members of the community and men and officers of the Nigerian Navy who have been deployed in the area to curb the activities of pipeline vandals. While there is no way of knowing who killed the three men, we have no doubt about whom the accusing finger should be pointed at.

The naval officers who carried out the arrest have a case to answer. Who gave the instruction to have the men arrested? What was the arrest in connection with? If the men had done something in contravention of the law, why was the due process not followed, in which case they should have been arrested by regular policemen, or handed over to them by the Navy? Who killed the Arepo three, and who gave the order for their execution? The Nigerian public deserves immediate answers to these urgent questions.

Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP

Muyiwa Adejobi, promised to “get to the root of the matter.” We have no reason to expect otherwise, and trust that the police will carry out a thorough investigation of the incident.

The Ogun State police command must avail itself of credible information from witnesses to the arrest. Mrs Motunrayo Mohammed, widow of one of the men, Abiodun Mohammed, has told several media outlets that she is able and willing to identify at least two of the officers who took the men away on that fateful evening. She has even volunteered two names, Jason and Ola. Leads do not come more credible than this.

The principle at stake here is simple, yet profound, and it boils down to one question: What kind of society do Nigerians want to live in and bequeath to future generations? For reasons still unknown, three Nigerian citizens were found dead after their nocturnal arrest by naval officers. It is important for the sake of the dead men and their family members that their killers are found and made to face the full wrath of the law. If the killers of the three men are allowed to get away with their dastardly act, this will send a clear signal that might is right, that the life of the ordinary Nigerian means nothing, that only the ‘connected’ are entitled to justice, and that it is perfectly all right for individuals to take the law into their own hands.

In order for Nigeria not to become such a society, one in which, as the late Obafemi Awolowo memorably put it, “a dog kills a tiger,” it is important that the naval officers responsible for the killings be swiftly identified and brought to book. In this connection, we urge the authorities of the Nigerian Navy and the Defence headquarters to take an active interest in the matter and ensure that justice is done.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

editor

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

Of fuel scarcity and Nigerians’ agony

N

IGERIA remains one of the biggest oil-producing countries in the world today, but it is quite unfortunate that a country with this huge deposit of resource could still be battling with the perennial shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which is a by-product of crude oil. The reason for this acute shortage is not far-fetched, as the country’s petroleum industry is plagued by lots of issues.

These issues have crippled the industry and greatly threatened the existence of the Nigerian state.

The painful pang of the current fuel scarcity is felt harder in major cities across the country. Long queue of vehicles have become a constant sight, which has led to traffic chaos on highways, thus inflicting untold hardship on the citizenry.

Business activities have also been crippled, as the majority of firms need fuel to run their operations.

In response to this hardship, some individuals have found solace as black market vendors. After buy-

ing fuel from their illegal sources, they resell to desperate customers for about 150 percent increase; for instance, 30 litres of petrol, which normally is N 2,580, is now sold for N5,000 in the black market.

Also, commercial bus drivers have taken advantage of the situation to astronomically increase transport fares, and this is bringing about untold hardship on the citizenry.

To tackle this huge problem, it is important for the government to fully resuscitate and revamp our refineries. If the refineries function at optimal capacities, there will be enough supply of the commodity to consumers. The current daily fuel consumption in the country is put at about 40 million litres. Our refineries, in their optimal state, can only produce about 20 million litres daily, and this is just about 50 percent of our daily need, thereby leaving a shortfall of about 50 percent. The long term solution to the recurring incidence of fuel scarcity remains the fixing of the refineries to complement

President Buhari will definitely perform WHEN Nigerians trooped out on March 28, 2015 to vote for a president, what we had in mind was to effect change in the administration of the country.

The change at that time was to elect a president who would restore our battered image among the comity of nations. Since the return of the country to democratic rule in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway until the party was dislodged at the polls last year.

For the 16 years that the PDP was in power, Nigerians could not show much for it, and thus, it was only natural for the people to yearn for change.

Many Nigerians who are impatient with this present government should understand the havoc the previous administration had wreaked on the coun-

try, and as such, we should give the Muhammadu Buhari administration enough time to correct the ills that he inherited.

Nigerians should believe in this government, particularly its ability to bring relief to the lives of the citizens.

It is just a matter of time before we begin to enjoy the benefits of the foreign trips being embarked upon by President Buhari.

I believe this government means well for Nigerians, and as a result, we should not lose sleep over whether the president will perform or not. President Buhari justs need a little time to change things for the better for all of us.

•Bala Nayashi, No 1 Yashi Area, Lokoja, Kogi State.

importation, and liberalising the sector, such that the government will take the back seat while the private sector drives the business.

Another major cause of fuel scarcity is the diversion of fuel to other countries,

as well as pipeline vandalism in the country. It is quite unfortunate that Nigeria remains one of the few countries where its citizens engage in the destruction of its own infrastructure.

To tackle this ugly trend,

the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should engage conventional security services to join forces with the military to protect the pipelines, while also monitoring the distribution of fuel through

On destruction of ‘illegal refineries’ THE reason the country is experiencing fuel shortages today boils down to the fact that we cannot refine enough petroleum products for local consumption.

The scarcity has, therefore, brought the country to a standstill economically, while the prices of goods and services have gone up exponentially.

Everybody is suffering as a result of this, both citizens and businesses, and if nothing is done soon, it will lead to the collapse of the country.

However, one funny

thing in this country is that security agencies are still on the trail of ‘illegal refineries,’ thereby destroying them. What kind of a people are we?

If our four ‘legal’ refineries cannot produce petroleum products for local consumption due to mismanagement, what right does the government have to destroy those operating in terrible conditions and are still refining fuel.

I had written about this several months ago, even before the fuel shortages became this acute, that the government should only le-

galise the so-called ‘illegal refineries’, while getting them to pay taxes.

I also suggested that the brains behind these refineries should be brought together in order to solve the challenges of local refining of crude in the country.

Government should allocate crude to these ‘illegal refineries,’ so that they can refine for local consumption.

We really need to use what we have to get what we want.

•Tuope Henry, Port Harcourt.

delivery trucks.

Also, to tackle the problem of fuel hoarding by some filling stations, the government should set up a task-force to monitor the supply and distribution of fuel to consumers, while also punishing those found guilty of hoarding fuel.

Likewise, the Federal Government should take a bold step to tackle the issue of wastage of essential petroleum by-products through exportation of our crude oil; measures should be taken to build more refineries, as well as revive the existing ones through public-private partnership arrangement.

Attention should also be given to other crude oil by-products, which can be essential elements that a growing economy like Nigeria needs.

•Dennis Ogunsanwo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

15

opinion

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Diversification: Dumping crude oil for oil seeds

By Kabiru Danladi Lawanti

E

CONOMIC growth and prosperity are central to long-term poverty alleviation for social and environmental sustainability. The vegetable oil industry represents one of the most effective avenues for poverty alleviation, job creation and economic stability in Nigeria.

The industry has the prospects of providing employment for millions of skilled and semi-skilled people. As demonstrated in other economies, with proper focus on production of commodities of large scale commercial values, improvement in the production of vegetable oil can effectively mitigate the poverty level in Nigeria and especially in northern Nigeria, which available statistics indicate is the poorest compared to other regions.

In 2006, there was an attempt by the National Assembly to look into the vegetable oil industry with a view to lifting the nation forward in the area of economic reforms in agriculture. Although the proposed Bill initially was formulated as “Palm Oil Development Fund”, stakeholders in the industry, the Oil Seeds Processors Association of Nigeria (OSPAN) inclusive, raised concern on the contents of the proposed Bill, which they described as narrow, while recommending a review of the Bill. OSPAN specifically called the attention of the members of the National Assembly to an all-encompassing programme under the presidential initiative called Vegetable Oil Development Programme (VODEP).

The committee’s outcome led to the inauguration of a presidential committee in 2003, saddled with the responsibility of formulating policies under VODEP, that are capable of increasing the production of vegetable oil in Nigeria.

Part of the committee’s recommendations approved by the Council of State in March 2003, were; sustenance of vegetable oil ban; exemption of vegetable oil from VAT, among others.

However, the Bill was not signed into law and since then, little was heard about it. In the 1970s to 1980s, the groundnut oil mills were the main producers of oil and cake in the country, and they formed the Groundnut Crushers Association (GCA), which has the sole objective of addressing the common challenges of its members.

With time, the GCA transformed into Oil Seeds Processors Association of Nigeria (OSPAN), and this was to enable it embrace all other soft-oil bearing seeds that are largely and naturally available in the northern part of Nigeria.

The economic downturn in the early and mid 1980s led to the implementation of stabilisation measures which included restriction on exports, which caused import dependency of most Nigerian manufacturing enterprises, which in turn resulted in operation of many companies below their installed capacity.

This development led to the close down of many industries while the few ones that survived were forced to retrench large proportion of their workforce. This continued throughout the 1990s.

With the return to democracy in 1999, hopes were raised. Luckily for the country, there was an upsurge of oil prices in the global market. Sixteen years after, the country is back to ground zero, the oil prices crumbled and Nigeria is again faced with so many social and economic crises.

Some of the crises include the rise in the level of poverty, shut down of many industries and businesses. Automatically, this created job losses and its ripple effect were felt everywhere in the country.

The crises in the labour market, and the menace it posed to Nigeria’s national security, led the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to mention in its manifesto that job creation is its major priority.

The government, on coming on board, sprang into action, specifically mentioning its intention to increase the number of small and medium-sized enterprises that cre-

ate new jobs, with industrial hubs focused on their creation and growth in all regions of the country. This is, in my opinion, an indication from the government that it has the will to address some of the inherent problems that crippled the nation’s economy. To do this, I think the government needs to look into the opportunities OSPAN and other vegetable oil processors offer in terms of semiskilled and skilled employment, as well as the value chain of that industry.

Today, despite numerous challenges, OSPAN has been recognised in relevant government ministries like Agriculture, Industries, Commerce, NAFDAC, RMRDC, Customs Service, NEPC and some development financial institutions, as well as the offices of key lawmakers of the National Assembly.

This has made the organisation to attract favourable policies from government. Affordable machineries, particularly from China and India, have made OSPAN to operate in a conducive environment. On record, there were 41 oil mills scattered all over northern Nigeria and substantial number are also found in the south of the country.

With an investment of N37 billion monthly, and a turnover of over N80 billion, the oil mill industries have the capacity to offer direct and indirect employment to over four million people.

One can see the zeal, enthusiasm and commitments of OSPAN members to continue production, even though at very low capacity. They went through so many problems since their transformation from GCA to OSPAN. These changes range from lack of funds, registration formalities, accommodation and some policy somersaults, which forced it to go under in recent past.

However, with over 50 well-established oil mills and over 150 small scale processors all engaged in the processing and marketing of arable oil seeds, OSPAN is a force to reckon with as the industrial association for arable oil seeds processors.

Therefore, any transformation of the country’s agricultural sector must be accompanied by consideration of the oilseeds scenario to ensure increase in the domestic production in the oilseed crops on a sustainable basis.

•Lawanti is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

For a sustainable future

By Olapeju Olasunkanmi

UNTIL recently, the Nigerian economy experienced unprecedented growth. From the low 2.8 percent growth rate and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $74billion in 1999, the economy soared in leaps and bounds as a result of improved crude oil sales, and the success stories in the telecommunications and services industries, following the liberalisation of the economy. As of the last quarter of 2014, just before the price of crude oil began to fall, the economy grew at 7 percent, with the GDP reaching $574 billion.

Then, Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa, and the 21st in the world, in nominal terms. Unfortunately, it lacks inclusiveness. Nigeria still performs poorly, says the new World Bank relative poverty estimate, which is 33.1 percent. This represents a drastic but surprising improvement from the more popular previous estimate of 60 percent. This new figure still locates Nigeria below the poverty line. It reminds one that Nigeria remains one of the most unequal countries—with the inequality spanning the social, economic, political, and cultural—in the world. From the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data for the first quarter of last year, it is evident that while 6.5 percent of men in the labour force were unemployed, and 13.9 percent, underemployed; 8.9 percent of women in the labour force were unemployed and 19.6 percent, underemployed. Another UNESCO report, quoting from the NBS, reveals that Nigeria’s adult literacy spectrum runs variably across states (Lagos 92 percent and Borno 14.5 percent), regions (urban 74.6 percent and rural 48.7 percent), and gender (male 65.1 percent and female 48.6 percent). However, most studies on inequality agree that all dimensions of inequality are skewed against the poor.

The poor are the most vulnerable of Nigeria’s multifaceted socio-economic challenges. The insurgency in the North affords a learning curve as it shows the connection between poverty and vulnerability. Daily, unemployed youths are recruited into terrorist groups with promises of money.

It is, therefore, expedient that in addressing inequality of whatever thematic expression, there has to be a systematic approach to poverty alleviation. Corruption is a bane towards equality, and should be fought to a standstill. Nigerians must support the Buhari administration in clearing the Augean stable. However, tackling corruption alone will not leapfrog a nation from poverty to equitable prosperity. The economy has to be opened up. All vistas for unleashing potentials and creating new centres of development must be fully explored to raise revenues, create new capacities and facilitate new people-oriented investments. It is important for all hands to be on deck.

But first, we have to diversify this economy. Diversification means looking beyond oil. The Federal Government needs to show its managerial creativity.

Diversification also means looking beyond the national cake at the centre. It is time for states to become proactive, inward-looking, while leveraging on their comparative advantages.

Nations are as developed as the size of their budgets,

global statistics show. A country like Norway, with a little above five million people, allocates over $200billion for its people, yet generates above $280billion as revenue; Nigeria currently allocates about $30 billion as total expenditure, and runs a deficit budget for its 170 million population. But how can budgets and revenues be ramped up? How can citizens latch onto programmes that can improve their lives? What actions need to be taken to close the increasing income gap between classes? How can these be done in Nigeria, especially when the future looks bleaker with reducing oil prices?

It may not be easy but actions must be swift. The Federal Government should invest in massive development programmes in the areas of critical infrastructure development. Nigeria’s land laws need to be reformed to make lands more accessible for commercial farming.

Agriculture should be used as a strategy for mass employment and wealth transfer to the poor citizens. And no, it is not enough to make policies, they must be executed and they must positively affect the farmers in the most rural communities. This will raise their purchasing power and create multi-sectoral ripple-effect in a manner that is assuring of inclusive development.

Education is important. Girl-child literacy should be improved by providing opportunities for the over 10 million out-of-school children through access to quality public education. Adult literacy must be emphasised.

Government needs to do more than mere lip service to education. Parents need to do more than enrolling their children in public schools. The success of Nigeria in building an inclusively prosperous economy will represent a growth pole for Africa.

•Olasunkanmi is a chartered city planner.

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Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Adegoke Adelabu aka Penkelemesi

FUNOLOGY

• Born on the 3rd of September, 1915.

• He was a Nigerian politician, born into a humble family, but became an influential figure in Nigerian politics.

CHURCH BOY

• He attended Government College, Ibadan. He was one of the first beneficiaries of a scholarship given by the United Africa Company Nigeria (UAC) for outstanding ability. The first Nigerian to occupy the position of manager at UAC and the first chairman of the Ibadan District Council.

SEGELUULU

• Adelabu is often mentioned in Yorùbá and Nigerian history as the author of the expression: “penkelemesi”, a Yorubanisation of the phrase, “peculiar mess”, which he, known for his deep knowledge of English, had used on an occasion to describe the opposition in the Western Region House of Assembly. Not understanding what he meant, the non-literate section of his audience translated the phrase into vernacular as “penkelemesi”.

• Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu’s successful political career was cut short at the age of 43 when he was killed in a car crash on 20 March, 1958.

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

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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B

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Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

11 I

things you need to know before visiting Cuba

N the words of a local artist and friendly guide I met on a recent trip to Cuba, “The only way to understand Cuba is to be irrational.” The island nation is a place of paradoxes: one where you’re at once in awe of Havana’s history and beauty, and disheartened (possibly even resentful) that the Spanish colonial homes and midcentury facades are crumbling to the ground. Cuba is the rare country where you won’t find McDonald’s or Zara, or even a Coca-Cola; where Wi-Fi is inaccessible not by a minority of the population, but the majority. Yet its medicine and education surpass the Western standard, and are accessible to all. Cuba’s people are its greatest asset: intellectual, cultured, and passionate, with no limits to their generosity and optimism despite the limitations imposed (like saving $2 of a $10 monthly salary for an hour of Internet).

Where there is an ambient (unspoken) resentment toward the government, there is also gratitude. Cuba is a country of contradictions, and that’s why it’s so appealing. You won’t figure it out, and it will leave you dizzy. But at least you can head to Havana with a fair warning—and a few tips that will come in handy along the way.

Plan well Cuba is not a spontaneous getaway location. The trip requires extensive preparation, and you can’t go without a reason for your visit—and “sitting on a beach with a mojito” won’t cut it. Go through a cultural travel agency like Insight Cuba that promotes “people-to-people” interactions. They offer a tailored and intimate itinerary so you won’t be stuck with a large group of tourists; it’s the kind of tour group for people who normally avoid tour groups.

Stay in old havana If you stay in Central Havana, you’ll have to take a cab to get away from your hotel. Instead, stay in Old Havana where you can explore on foot, be close to popular cafés and bars, and browse the vintage book market on Plaza Vieja when no one else is around. We’ve had good experiences at the Hotel Santa Isabe Get out of town Tack on a couple days in Trinidad or Santiago de Cuba— these smaller cities reveal a different side of Cuba. Santiago de Cuba is substantial if you want to immerse yourself in the country’s history, and Trinidad—a smaller, walkable city—has beautiful colonial architecture.

Skip the beach Cuba is not the right destination if you’re looking for a relaxing stay at a luxury Caribbean resort. Though you may have heard about beautiful Varadero beach, its governmentowned hotels will disappoint, lacking most of the amenities you expect of beach-side resorts. You’re better off heading straight to Havana, or going on an excursion to Trinidad or Santiago de Cuba.

Go with a guide… ...but explore on your own as well. Guides can create opportunities for you to speak with local artists, academics, private business owners, all from which you’ll learn more about Cuba than you would in a museum. They can also help you with local recommendations and adjust your itinerary as desired. And theU.S. government just allowed individual “people-to-people” tours, as long as you can prove you have a full educational itinerary while you’re there.

Make a reservation Remember to make reservations at privately run paladars.

These restaurants—located in private homes—offer the best food you can find in Cuba, and the good ones fill up quickly (though lower your culinary expectations—trust us). Don’t miss out on the ropa vieja at Doña Eutimia, or on a true café cubano. Check out Starbien for lunch, and Rio Mar or La Guarida for dinner.

Follow the music You’ve heard all about the Buena Vista Social Club, and although you may be eager to witness their greatness, beware: Their performances (which also begs the question: which knockoff version of the band is it?) cater to the packs of tourists fresh off mammoth cruise ships and are not representative of Cuba’s contemporary music scene. Instead, seek out Jazz en trance with its 30-year-old sax-playing band leader Denys Carbó Cedeño at Jazz Cafe or La Zorra y el Cuervo (The She-Fox and the Raven), or go dancing at Casa de la Musica. La Fabrica is the biggest new hot spot for the local techno/EDM scene—and for a weekend dance party Think small The Museum Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana is an obvious (and well worth it) attraction, with a mix of modern and contemporary art (some political, all impassioned),

but don’t overlook the lesser known museums and galleries, like the Wifredo Lam Center of Contemporary Art, and the Taller Experimental de Gráfica in Old Havana, or the Kcho Estudio in Romerillo. And if you get the chance, visit the home studios of local artists likeFrank Mujica Chávez.

Bring cash Cuba is not quite ready to accommodate the great influx of visitors coming to the country. Not a single vendor, restaurant, or cab will accept U.S. credit cards, so bring enough currency for your entire stay. ATMs are scarce, and you don’t want to wait in an hour-long line to finally reach the machine only to realize that it has run out of cash. You can change it at the airport (consider changing your dollars to euros first, which has a lower tariff) or often at hotels.

Get ready to unplug Wi-Fi is still a novelty in Cuba, and as such it’s extremely difficult to access. Most connections are unreliable at best, and you’ll pay for a full hour that may get cut off after just a few minutes. The fruitless search for Internet will ruin your trip, so take advantage of the circumstances to disconnect. That being said, if you desperately need access, know where to go: The Hotel Nacional has a Wi-Fi business lounge accessible to all visitors, and Hotel Melia Cohiba has regular Wi-Fi in its lobby as well.

Don’t make up your mind Cuba, with its crumbling monuments and decaying, paint-chipped houses, is beautiful. Its ruins transport you to another time and inspire a flood of emotion, but unlike the ruins of Rome or Petra, Cuba’s are less than a century old. And in this way, as in several others, Cuba confuses its visitors. The more you walk around, the more you see and you learn, the more questions you have. You will find certain aspect of its system wonderful—its education, cultural institutions, healthcare—and others frightful. You may come home wanting Cuba to remain the same, like a timestamp, while wanting it to change, to grow. And while you may feel overwhelmed by the mix of emotions the country’s contradictions will spur, don’t let it get to you: this will simply mean that Cuba has had the unique impact that makes it such a longed for, curious, and fantastical country. It simply means that Cuba fulfills the purpose of travel in the most perfect way.

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tourism

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

T

HE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has drawn the attention of Nigerians and government at all levels to cultural tourism describing it as an integral part of the nation’s economy with direct positive impact on the people.

Oba Adeyeye, who stated this during the official inauguration of MYDAS hotel and conference hall in Owo, Owo local government area of Ondo State, at the weekend said cultural tourism serves as an alternative source of revenue in the face of the dwindling oil price and economic challenges facing the country.

The monarch noted that the country’s economy is built around oil while there are other sectors and said cultural tourism, when properly accessed, can be used to create wealth, empower the people and generate employment.

Oba Ogunwusi said Nigeria is blessed with many tourist attractions which have been suffering from neglect but said investing in this sector will further showcase the cultural heritage of the country to the world and will also boost the country's GDP. He said tourism is an everlasting product that serves as alternative source of revenue and discourages over-dependence on perishable and exhaustible products like oil. It is, also, an alternative source of income.

“Cultural tourism is just to show case our heritage and our culture to the world.

Our people depend so much on government for everything. Private sector should take the first lead. Look at what happened here today. It is 100 per cent private sector. Let private sector come in.

“We have the most richest culture in the world, but the challenges is for the people to come and fact find our cultural heritage for us. The major impediment is comfort, that is, where they would stay in the entire land.

“All over the world, the private sector is the engine room of any economy. So as a

Ooni advocates attention to cultural tourism

result, when private sector starts UNESCO and government can come to support.

My belief is that we don’t need to depend on government for everything.

“If you go to South Africa, their economy is been driven by tourism. Gambia doesn’t have crude oil, the entire France doesn’t have crude oil and if you go to all the Ca-

ribbean island, they don't have crude oil.

Yet their GDP is even better than Nigeria who have crude oil.

“If we have more places like this , both in the North, South, West and the East, people will be moving from one point to the other. This will even boost our GDP.

Nigerian Tribune

DUBAI is a city in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Dubai has for long branded itself as a premier holiday spot, and it’s growth as a wedding destination is on the rise as a result of the beaches, the modern skyscrapers, the exotic atmosphere, the luxury hotels, and the shopping malls, amongst others. Since the boom of destination weddings in the late 1990s, lots of hotels and wedding reception venues have been opened to accommodate the increasing demand of couples eager to tie the knot in Dubai, which is an exotic part of the world.

Of course planning a wedding reception requires choosing a venue, but more often than not, intending couples require a guide in making best selections. Getting a wedding reception venue in Dubai is imagined as a dream come true, as amazing facilities therein results in a unique and remarkable experience.

One of the best spots to book for your big wedding bash is the ‘Madinat Jumeirah’ in Dubai. It’s a magicient venue which is popular for its location and perfect range of facilities. Also christened ‘City Of Jumeirah’, it possesses 3 luxurious, extra-ordinary beautiful hotels and resorts. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a perfect combination of not only quality location but its excellent services as well as highly professional staff who makes the wedding a memorable event. Grand Hyatt hotel is another appealing hotel stands for remarkable wedding venues that are customized with client demand.

The convenient accessibility of whether outdoor or indoor setting ensures to provide the quality tome. The Al Qasr and Mina A’Salam hotels, which are interlinked with breathtaking waterways, offer various venues that can be rented to host luxurious, extravagant wedding as well as simple, yet magical budget weddings.

NTDC will promote Nzeh Mada festival —Mbanefo

Endorses site for tourists IN a time when cultural sector is being given a shot as an alternative to oil in terms of revenue generation, the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, has thrown her weight on the promotion of the Nzeh Mada cultural Festival.

The DG, who made this known during the third Nzeh Mada festival in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, said the Nzeh Mada festival, when fully developed, would not only be of economic value to the country, but also engage the teeming unemployed youth.

According to the NTDC Boss, who was the chairman of the occasion, the onus of developing tourist sites doesn’t solely rely on the government, adding that NTDC, as a government agency, would do everything within its powers to promote Nzeh Mada festival. She therefore urged tourists to visit local sites.

“Mada culture is rich, the location is safe and serene, and the people are very hospitable. As you know, most of the tourist sites are not all in the cities, I therefore encourage tourists to explore the local sites and communities, which is embodied in Mada hill, its waterfall, serene climate and the hospitability of the people.”

In his reaction, the Chun Mada, HRH Samson Gamu Yare, thanked the NTDC

boss for volunteering to promote the Nzeh mada festival. He, therefore, honoured her with a symbolic axe and wooden flatter as a sign of recognition of her support for the Nzeh Mada festival.

The Mada chief also noted that NTDC’s partnership would surely go a long way in repositioning the festival to international standard.

He said: “We have a very rich cultural heritage. We are endowed with the caves, the stagnant water at the top of the Numan hill, the sounding rocks and Nni-ngahaan tourism centre. With the professional touch in terms of packaging and organisation and right partnership from different stakeholders like NTDC, I believe we will go beyond our contemporaries.

“Also, I can see unity in diversity that is why I want to see Mada people putting heads together. We should not allow primordial sentiments keep us apart,” the chief yearned.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary/ CEO of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Professor Barclays F. Ayakoroma, noted the importance of cultural festivals in the area of creation of employment, and promotion of indigenous culture especially now that the sector is beginning to be a viable alternative to oil when prop-

erly exploited.

He said: “We always identify with people who promote their culture and festivals that is why since 2014, we have identified with Nzeh Mada festival, because we believe that that is one of the platforms for the unification of the people, promotion of the culture of the people and a means for gainful or meaningful employment.”

Ayakoroma therefore pledged his support to make sure that Nzeh Mada festival become one of the best in the country.

“Mada culture is unique; their costumes, dances and even the venue for the festival itself – foot of the Mada hill – is also astonishing. You can as well see how the people are really very enthusiastic about the festival because it is their own festival of their culture. So it is our hope that we will do the best we can to ensure that NICO and Mada community partner in every way possible,” he said.

Earlier, the Festival Director of the festival, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, pointed out that Nzah Mada festival, which was redesigned in 2014, is aimed at promoting the culture of Mada people as well as tourist attraction.

“The annual Nzeh Mada festival was redesigned as a trado-modern tourism event, which now holds every Easter season in

Akwanga metropolis. That is why this year we intend to go into major discussion with NTDC, NICO and other stakeholders that is hoped to culminate into signing an MoU for partnership.

“We have also invited the private sector to witness the festival so as to come up with the business ideas that will move the festival forward, Dandaura noted.

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tourism

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Beholding amazing venues for your wedding bash

You can choose from beautifully designed Arabic-style inspired ballrooms, mesmerizing waterfronts/beaches or luscious and gorgeous lawns that offer the most breathtaking view of the sunset to host your wedding parties.

One of the most popular venues for an unforgettable wedding is the ‘Beachside’ in Dubai. Numerous luxurious hotels are located on this long coastal line that offers the perfect wedding venue. Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi beach resort is most popular in this regard. The place offers perfect accessibility to organize a fairytale wedding with style and glamour. From a charismatic reception to the absolute romantic location, the place is perfect to set

a dream wedding. The hotel also offers various specialists that plan the wedding as well as other features that highly meet the customer satisfaction.

For a wedding reception destination to be remembered for ages, ‘Atlantis the Palm’ is one of the answers. It is a significant name situated on the breathtaking Palm Island of Dubai in which couples host their wedding invitees to a bash. It creates the most romantic surrounding for a perfect memorable day. This 5 star hotel offers its various wonderful lawns, magnificent beach and even their Dolphin Bay and The Lost Chambers to host an unforgettable wedding. This great wedding venue will make the wedding party

one of the best experience in life.

Couples hoping to tie the knot in style can patronize ‘One and Only Royal Mirage” because it offers a gorgeous blessing area along the sea, perfect for couples who dream of having a wonderful destination wedding on a smaller budget. For a most memorable wedding venue in Dubai, the ‘One and Only Royal Mirage’ is ready with its 150 seat outdoor auditorium, two great ballroom like Al Koufa Fort, outstanding landscape gardens, courtyards with great atmosphere and a heart rendering rooftop terrace. ‘The One and Only Mirage’ has the capability of making a wedding reception memorable and stunning.

At ‘Dubai Marina Yacht Club’ dazzling

Nigerian Tribune

wedding on a smaller budget is sure.

The club offers modernity and a great view of the marina to its guests without needing to spend much. The small lawns of the club are usually where the blessing takes place, while the reception is held inside.

Other exciting venues for a memorable wedding reception in Dubai are: “The H Hotel, which is one of the most prominent 5 star hotels in Arabian hospitality.

The hotel is furnished with all modern amenities and their excellent service is also a great side of this hotel, and so can be a marvelous wedding venue in Dubai for new couples. Also, striking is the ‘JA hotel and Resort’ which has become one of greatest worldly heaven for tourist and also for local people. It is a splendid one with world class golf course, Shooting Club and Centre for excellence which has made a perfect place for guests. Their service as wedding venue in Dubai is also awesome. Also dazzling is ‘Ritz-Carlton’, one of the most experienced and aristocratic wedding venue in Dubai. Herein, there are options of arranging weddings in outdoor with great sea view terrace or indoor party with a lit dance floor perfect for the party. This wedding venue gives a feeling of prestigiousness. In the same vein, ‘Shangri-La Hotel’ is a perfect choice for the international guests, as such, Nigerian intending couples can tap into its modern technological support and international catering service to get a great wedding. It’s only 15 minutes away from Dubai International Airport and 50 meters from Dubai Metro Station.

Lots of hotels and wedding reception venues in Dubai have proved to be exceptional in comfort, offerings, and the likes.

Dubai has developed a reputation for the quality. Nigerian couples willing to have their weddings and receptions in Dubai can smile because they can give themselves so much time when looking and reserving well in advance, their choices of venue. With the spectacular environment, gracious and hospitable people and the breathtaking architecture a destination wedding in Dubai is a dream come true for any couple.

At Eledumare Festival: Gani tasks FG on tourism development AN appeal has gone to Federal Government to use tourism as a veritable tool for national development.

The National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples’ Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, made the appeal at the fifth edition of Eledumare festival, held in the Iganmu area of Lagos.

Otunba Adams suggested that with the current economic situation, all historical monuments in the country should be renovated and new ones built where necessary, to drive home the buy Nigerian goods campaign, to build the Naira policy.

The culture advocate noted that the country could be a tourism destination of global recognition if the government could tap into the human and material tourism potentials that abound in various part of the country.

Otunba Adams also commended the effort of the South-West governors who made the Yoruba language compulsory in public and private schools in their various states.

The guest speaker, Dr (Mrs) Aboderin Shonibare of the Lagos State University, maintained that Nigerians irrespective of creed, religion or ethnic must unite.

She urged every other tribe and ethnics to emulate Otunba Gani Adams by starting an Eledumare Festival as a way of honouring and praising God. She also commended Otunba Gani and members of Oodua Peo-

ple’s Congress for standing firm in reviving the dead Yoruba cultural values.

She stated further that whoever that has the fear of God and believed in God the Otunba Gani Adams would always be prosper in whatever the person embarked upon.

High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, Bashorun of Oyo, who attended the event as the representative of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, stated that the entire Yoruba land should always appreciate and commend Otunba Gani Adams for his consistency and steadfastness in the area of cultural promotions so that he would do more. He prayed for him and promised his continous supports for Otunba Gani Adams and the Olokun festival Foundation.

The event which witnessed the presence of Eze n digbo of Ibeju Lekki, Ojo, FESTAC, Eti Osa and Seriki Hausa of FESTAC and chairman, kingmakers of the arewa council of Lagos, Seriki Hausa Igando, Mushin and Amuwo Odofin respectively. They all praised Otunba Gani Adams for bringing peace, unity and tranquility among the various ethnic in Yoruba land and in Nigeria through the promotion of domestic tourism and cultural promotions.

Yoruba traditional rulers were not left out as they also commended Otunba Gani Adams for celebrating Almighty God annual for 21 days with different interesting programmes.

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ecoscope Oyo State launches waste to wealth initiative OYO State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has vowed to make the state capital, Ibadan, one of the most environmentally sustainable cities in the country, while also promising to create job opportunities for the citizens of the state, through various wastes to wealth initiatives.

The governor made this known at the launching of the Oyo State waste to wealth initiative held at the Bode Canal, Molete, Ibadan recently, while also adding that it is high time the city stopped being rated as the dirtiest in the country.

“It is quite unfortunate that despite its size, Ibadan is being regarded as the dirtiest city in Nigeria. This has to stop and that is why we are partnering with the WestAfricaENRG Limited. Many reported cases of flooding occur as a result of waste being disposed in gutters, so this initiative is birthed to address this,” he said.

He also noted that the initiative will help to foster healthy living conditions in the city, “as a healthy environment makes for a healthy living.”

With the growing population

and urban development also comes an enormous amount of trash, which warrants diverse strategies to manage.

In his remarks, the CEO, WestAfricaENRG Limited, Mr Paul O’Callaghan, noted that the event was to educate people on monetising their waste.

“The programme is aimed at educating people on the values of waste; where we let people know how to collect and sort their wastes at home. This is done in partnership with RecyclePoints, where people would drop their waste and equally earn points. So over time, they could redeem the points for various gifts.

“The reason we chose Bode Canal is to show that waste and flood management are linked together. If you keep the environment clean, then we won’t have any more flooding in Ibadan,” he said.

COO, WestAfricaENRG Limited, Lolade Oresanwo, noted that besides keeping the environment clean, the initiative will also create 5,000 job opportunities across the 11 local governments in Ibadan.

World Bank Group unveils new climate action plan THE World Bank Group has announced plans to help developing countries add 30 gigawatts of renewable energy, which is enough to power 150 million homes, to the world’s energy capacity, as well as develop climate-smart agriculture investment plans for at least 40 countries, all by 2020.

According to a press release published on the bank’s website, the World Bank Group’s new Climate Change Action Plan which was approved on Thursday has various ambitious targets, which is aimed at accelerating efforts to tackle climate change over the next five years.

The plan also aim at helping developing countries deliver on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which was submitted for the historic

Paris Agreement at COP21 in December 2015.

“Following the Paris climate agreement, we must now take bold action to protect our planet for future generations.

We are moving urgently to help countries make major transitions to increase sources of renewable energy, decrease high-carbon energy sources, develop green transport systems and build sustainable, livable cities for growing urban populations,” Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group said.

In the same vein, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, also aim to expand its climate investments from the current $2.2 billion a year to a goal of $3.5 billion a year.

edge of our solar system will soon be responsible for mass extinctions. But according to the BBC, that is not true.

First, no-one has actually seen the planet yet. However scientists believe that it almost definitely exists,

Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.

with Doyin Adeoye

Half the world still breathes polluted air —Report • As Nigeria ranks 133 in 2016 EPI

Stories By Doyin Adeoye

MORE than 3.5 billion people, which is half of the world’s population are exposed to unsafe air quality, a report has revealed.

According to the latest Yale Environmental Performance Index (EPI) report, five times more people die globally from poor air quality than unsafe water, while 23 per cent of countries have no wastewater treatment.

The EPI is a biennial data-intensive ranking focused on how countries protect the health of their populations and ecosystems.

Now in its 15th year, the 2016 EPI project was led by the Yale Centre for Environmental Law & Policy (YCELP), the Yale DataDriven Environmental Solutions Group at Yale University (DataDriven Yale), the Centre for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) at Columbia University, in collaboration with the Samuel Family Foundation, McCall MacBain Foundation, and the World Economic Forum.

Of the 180 evaluated countries on ecosystems and human health protection, Nigeria ranked 133 with a score of 18.75 per cent.

Compared to the last edition, where Nigeria ranked 134th out of the 178 countries surveyed in 2014, this report indicates a lot still needs to be done to tackle environmental issues in the country.

“Over the past decade, the global community has achieved success in reducing the number of people dying from unsafe water, but we have not been achieving those same results in air pollution. Air pollution has gotten worse and more people are dying from air pollution,” EPI report author, Angel Hsu, a professor of forestry and environmental studies at Yale, said.

Finland topped the list this year, followed by Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark. While the United States is at the 26th position, the bottom three includes Madagascar, Eritrea and Somalia.

because they can see other objects in space being affected by it.

At the start of this year, a team of United States researchers predicted the existence of a mysterious ninth planet, which is thought to be 10 times more massive than

— Jacques Yves Cousteau was a French researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water

m:08038000394 e:doyinadeoye@tribuneonlineng.com t:@kreatif_ink

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When oceans

recent post-mortems carried out by some German experts on 13 dead whales that washed up on the beach near the German town of Toenning in Schleswig-Holstein, revealed that the animals’ stomachs and intestines were full of plastic, hence dying of cardiac and circulatory failure.

Ocean pollution from our garbage is increasing at an alarming rate and the results have been drastic, endangering species and even the health of man himself. Whether intentional or not, a lot of human-made waste ends up in the ocean, around 90 per cent of it being plastic.

According to a recent report produced by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and published by the World Economic Forum, the world’s oceans may have more plastic debris than fish by the year 2050. This is to show that more plastics over the years make their way into our waters.

The report further noted that plastics production has increased twentyfold since 1964, and is expected to double again in the next 20 years and almost quadruple by 2050. Despite the growing demand, just

five per cent of plastics are recycled effectively, while 40 per cent end up in landfill and a third in fragile ecosystems such as the world’s oceans.

From pollution to overfishing, climate change effects and acidification, among other issues, our water bodies are changing drastically.

While much attention has been focused on the effects of climate change on forests, farms and the likes, its effect on the ocean are now very clear and dramatic, as temperatures in the shallowest waters rose by more than 0.1 degree Celsius each decade between 1970 and 2010.

Speaking with Ecoscope on the effects of climate change on oceans, Executive Director, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMAR), Dr Gbola R. Akande, noted that many fish species have moved in response to ocean warming, disrupting fisheries around the world.

“Climate change is affecting the ocean in several ways. A very notable effect is on the species of fishes that we now have in our oceans. There are varieties now, unlike how it used to be,” he said.

In the same vein, the President of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association of Nigeria (NTAO), Mr Akinsola Amire, noted that climate change is now affecting fish abundance.

“For instance, we were not getting tiger shrimps in our waters about six years ago, but it started coming in little by little and now it is the main commercial shrimp specie that we find in our waters. It is good for us, but the abundance of the other fishes has been reducing and also because the waters are getting too warm, the fishes tend to move into deeper waters which are cooler for them.

“And unfortunately this year, rain has not fallen seriously in other to cool down the waters and the catch has been particularly very low,” he lamented.

For

speak

decades, the ocean has been absorbing carbon dioxide dumped into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, while oil pollution is also now a major problem weakening the resilience of species and habitats and reducing their capacity to cope with climate change.

Discharge of industrial and agricultural waste into the oceans also directly affects the marine life. Oil spills especially, suffocates marine animals to death once it entraps them.

Unsustainable use of marine resources, such as overfishing, has also endangered some of the marine species. According to a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimate, 85 per cent of fish stocks are fully exploited, over exploited, depleted, or recovering from depletion.

Another major effect of extreme human activities on the ocean is pushing it beyond the limits that the marine environment can sustain. To many environmentalists, land reclamation in coastal areas for urban development can sometimes have adverse effects.

The overflow of the Lagos Bar Beach over the years is a proof that pushing the ocean beyond its limit could have costly effects. The Bar Beach over the years has been overflowing its banks due to high tidal waves, threatening billions of naira worth of investments in real estate and other businesses in the coastal area.

In 2009 for instance, many properties were destroyed by flooding, that even the multi-billion naira shoreline protection barriers could not

stop the water from overflowing.

However, with the ongoing Eko Atlantic City project, there have been diverse views on whether this will permanently address the issue of the ocean overflow, or even compound it.

“It is not as if I don’t believe in the project, but I still have my reservations.

Judging by the cases of over flooding that we have had in the past, one could say it is better to let nature be. Water that large cannot be contained if it fights back. But if those in charge of it really know what they are doing, then it is a good one,” a Lagos resident, Oladele Folake said.

A banker in Lagos, Mrs Chioma Davids, noted that with the various effects of climate change being felt more of recent, “it is important to put this into consideration, especially with the history of ocean surges that had occurred at the beach area and the damages they had done to properties.”

Speaking on how urban development affects marine life, Mr Amire, said many species are being endangered as a result of human development within the coastal area.

“Too much of human development within the coastal area affects the breeding ground for many fishes. And when the breeding ground is affected, it also affects the biodiversity of the habitats. So government definitely has to do something about sand dredging and uncontrolled development within the water front.

“If these areas are not protected, then some of our aquatic resources will definitely be threatened because they won’t have where to breed anymore,” he said.

The question now is how much more can the oceans take and will they survive what humans are doing to them.

Remove your mast, court tells telecom company

Newly discovered planet will not destroy earth CONTRARY to news being circulated lately that the newly discovered planet ‘Planet 9’ will destroy the earth, scientists have revealed that this has not been confirmed.

Some news reports have suggested that Planet 9 lurking at the

21

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

earth and the furthest planet from the sun, but its exact location is unknown.

Matthew Francis, a physicist and science writer tells BBC: “This is unbelievably far out in a literal sense. This is a planet way out in

the solar system and what we are seeing is the effect of its gravity moving around these small icy bodies.

Matthew thinks some reports are getting confused with an old discredited idea, the Nemesis theory.

RESIDENTS of the Akin Allen Layout, Oluyole, Ibadan, have called on telecommunication firm, Visafone Communications Limited, to remove its mast, situated at Plot 39 of the layout, as stated by the court of law.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr Gbenga Onamusi, noted that the issue had been ongoing since January 2010, before an Ibadan High Court in February 2011 ordered a perpetual injunction restraining the telecommunication

firm from operating the mast, as well its removal, and a sum of N5 million to be paid as damages by Visafone.

“Justice S.A. Akinteye gave this order in 2011 and nothing was done about it. Visafone, however,

visited an Appeal Court, where the three justices in charge of the case in February 2016, unanimously agreed that they are upholding the judgement of Justice Akinteye.

“However, as of Sunday, people were still seen working on the

mast,” Mr Onamusi said.

According to him, it was confirmed by regulatory bodies that the placement of the mast does not meet the necessary standards, as the health implications has been unpleasant for the community.

22

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

energy

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

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

Who is afraid of deregulation of downstream sector?

In this report, OLATUNDE DODONDAWA examines why the current government refused to deregulate downstream when crude price was below $30 per barrel and the attendant effects of continued regulation of the sector.

Ibe Kachikwu

N

IGERIA is the largest crude oil producer in Africa and the only member of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that relies majorly on importation of refined petroleum products for its teeming population.

The country recently experienced the worst fuel scarcity in its 55 years of post-independence era as Nigerians not only bought fuel at an average price of N200 per litre, but they spent minimum of 12-24 hours at filling stations in order to buy premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol at recommended price of N86.5 per litre.

The major cause of the fuel scarcity was the inefficiency in the management of fuel distribution by the NNPC including thy inability of major marketers to fulfill the 22 per cent first quarter import allocation due to scarcity of foreign exchange.

As part of its efforts to address corruption along fuel importation value chain, the Federal Government reviewed import allocation for the first quarter of 2016 from the previous 41 per cent to NNPC and 59 per cent to marketers, to 78 per cent for the NNPC and 22 per cent for marketers.

Can the NNPC effectively handle 78% fuel importation?

The recent fuel shortage had vindicated marketers, who argued, when the first quarter allocation was announced that the NNPC lacked that capacity to fuel the entire nation.

The Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Femi Olawore, stated that the notion that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) can supply the country should be

discarded.

“When they gave themselves 78 per cent, we know that they cannot achieve it. During winter, refineries abroad produce less petrol and there is always the need to look for alternative market.

Any problem that affects 78 per cent cannot be corrected by 22 per cent. But they didn’t even get the 78 per cent and that’s why the problem exists. We were not engaged before the allocation ratio was changed from the previous ratio to the current ratio of 78:22.

“They claimed that the ratio was reviewed in favour of NNPC because we can’t access foreign exchange and rather than help us access foreign exchange, they decided to increase their own allocations from 41 per cent to 78 per cent. We have been saying it that the NNPC does not have the capacity in terms of logistics to supply the nation. Their pipelines at depots are not functioning very well. Their retail outlets are not enough to supply the nation.”

What governmentt can do to end fuel scarcity crisis According to Olawore, “Why IOCs are not into refining business in Nigeria is because government still determines the ceiling at which you sell the product. We have been saying until it is deregulated, investors may not invest in refining business. Let the government put up a framework to monitor the activities of the players. Let them sell the refineries.

“Government seized Port Harcourt refinery built by Shell thinking that they can manage it but they cannot. The youngest refinery in South Africa is same as our oldest.

What it takes is constant maintenance.

“Why Dangote may succeed is because he is a clever businessman. He chose a free trade zone which will be treated as export.

He decides where to export his refined products,” he stated.

Olawore stated that the downstream sector was deregulated before and that the elimination of deregulation in the country is the reason for recurrent acute scarcity in the country.

According to him, “there was deregulation in this country. The elimination of deregulation is the cause of the problem we are facing today. When we had deregulation, we were never faced with this kind of problem because we had only one refinery that was able to produce enough for those that needed fuel in this country.

“The process was that I take my crude to the refinery, processed and take my products away to sell. That was pure private business with no government participation.”

He said the problems started when the government took over the refinery.

“In the year we had oil boom, which was the period we ought to have developed, all we did was to produce ‘COLA’ (cost of living allowance), which expanded the middle class and more cars were bought with less oil to sell.

“That was how scarcity began in the 1970s. In 1973, government started uniform pricing through enactment of Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) Act. Before then, there was disparity in pump price based on locations.

“The beauty of it was that company A selling fuel in Lagos at a price could sell same product at different price in Ogbomoso. Companies A&B could process the same products and sell at different prices based on locations. But when Government took over the refinery, the initiatives died,” he said.

Furthermore, he said as fuel scarcity began, government also began to build more refineries and invested in pipelines, but afterwards, government could no longer maintain the refineries and the pipelines.

“Today, out of 22 government depots, almost none is working and that’s why we should appreciate few Nigerians who were bold enough to take loan and build those depots all over the country, otherwise, it could have been worse.

“The refineries are not working. It is those businessmen that go to the banks, secured a loan and import on behalf of government with an agreement that you should not sell above certain price. The government promised to re-imburse whatever the difference between the cost and the recommended selling prices.

This is what is called subsidy,” he stated.

However, contrary to efforts by Dr Ibe Kachikwu to turn the refineries into profit making ventures, the refineries have been making losses due to huge cost of maintenance and intermittent breakdown. According to the monthly report released last week,

the refineries recorded a decline of N4.83 billion in combined operating profit during the month of February.

According to NNPC monthly report for February 2016, their combined operating profit dropped to N839.75 million in February, as against the N5.67 billion profit posted in January 2016.

The revenue of the Warri Refinery and Petrolchemical Company (WRPC) fell drastically from about N5.3 billion recorded in January to as low as N2.43 million in February 2016.

The WRPC posted an operating loss of N967.28 million in February, after recording an operating profit of N4.39 billion in the preceding month.

The Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) also recorded shortfall in revenue from N4.24 billion in January to N1.03 billion in February, and it recorded operating losses of N2.12 billion and N1.51 billion in January and February, respectively.

The Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) also recorded a decline in revenue from N12.86 billion generated in January to N7.21 billion in February. PHRC did not record any operating loss in February 2016.

However, the consolidated revenue for the three refineries decreased by N14.17 billion, down from N22.41 billion generated in January to N8.24 billion in February.

The way forward The executive arm of the federal government should engage the National Assembly to prioritise the passing of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which is expected to deregulate the downstream sector amongst other reforms.

In a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, an Energy Analyst, Mr Bayo Kusamotu, opined that if the government doesn’t want to remove subsidy, it can continue to work with the marketers in the short run but draw out a long term strategy to end the fuel scarcity menace.

“The government can, within the next three years, revive its dilapidated depots, pipelines and build more depots to augment the existing 22 depots. It should work out strategy that will make it less reliant on marketers for distribution of refined petroleum products whether imported or refined locally,” he said.

The system being practised by the Federal Government currently is called price modulation. It is another word for ‘price regulation’ because it is determined by the government and not by market forces.

Regulation of retail prices of petroleum products runs contrary to the global trend towards deregulation and privatisation.

There are arguments for and against price regulation. Price regulation eliminates the ability of retailers to compete on price to attract customers, but rather they are compelled to compete on factors such as quality of service, reliability of fuel retail pumps, convenient location, etc. Conversely, pump price regulation eliminates price competition which otherwise would lead to price cycles (i.e. periodic fluctuations in prices).

Pump price regulation also provides price certainty to both retailers and customers. However, on the balance scale, the arguments in favour of deregulation of pump prices outweigh those in favor of regulation.

That is, market equilibrium price is better attained through the interaction of supply and demand forces. Therefore, deregulation of fuel pump prices is inescapable but highly politically sensitive.

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energy

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

By Musa Mohammed Biu

A “

CCESS to electricity is fundamental to opportunity in this age. It’s the light that children study by; the energy that allows an idea to be transformed into a real business. And it’s the connection that’s needed to plug Africa into the grid of the global economy. You’ve got to have power.”

Barack Obama, 2015.

Currently rated as Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria has an installed electricity generation capacity estimated at 12,522MW but has an available capacity of only approximately 4,500-5,000MW, to meet the needs of a population of more than 170 million and a country with a GDP growth rate of of 2.11 per cent, as of January, 2016.

South Africa, which Nigeria overtook as the largest economy, relatively, has an installed electricity generation capacity of approximately 50,000 MW, with a population of about 53 million, a little over one third of Nigeria’s.

The situation is best expressed through a 2009 study which found out that over 97 per cent of Nigeria’s firms experience over 196 hours of power outage per month.

This is equivalent to eight full days of lack of productivity. For firms that depend on power, it means they have to service their power needs for one third of the month, using very expensive self-generated power. It is important to highlight that, even with the new tariffs; ongrid power is still cheaper than all self-generated power. Industrial and Commercial electricity tariffs are N40.70 and N35.80 per kWh, respectively and averagely. Self-generated electricity is estimated to cost between N59 and N83/kWh. Thus, whether we like to admit it or not, the deficiency of the lack of constant power supply will continue to remain a significant draw-back to the growth of our domestic economy and its attractiveness to investors. Prices of goods and services from those who take the risk to go into business in this environment will remain relatively high compared to the same in business environments that are not burdened with this challenge, thereby rendering our products and services uncompetitive. This is because the cost of power remains a significant part of the total cost of production and is transferred to the end-user of the products and services.

Price competitiveness of local products will therefore always be negative and foreign imports of similar or better quality will beat local products at the sales counter every day. As the fight to arrest the drain of foreign exchange continues, the chances of its being won by Nigeria remains slim, as long as local production cannot be stimulated to provide a replacement, in terms of quantity, quality and price, comparatively.

Our rapidly growing population means that there is a rapidly growing need for electricity for residential and industrial use.

Thus, our electrification objective as a nation should, therefore, be beyond meeting the estimated need of those currently connected to the grid but also address those who will need power in five years’ time, due to the population increase.

Experts have projected that for our economy to grow at a rate of 10 per cent; our power requirement must reach 30,000MW by 2020, an objective that seems to be so out of sight and maybe unrealistic, when we remember that we barely manage to generate 5,000MW today. This figure will also need to move considerably upwards to 78,000MW by 2030, less than 14 years from now. The

Babatunde Fashola

Powering Nigeria: Understanding the funding challenges United Nations estimates that our population is expected to exceed 258 million by then, a 52 per cent increase from 2012. Our electricity power needs will continue to grow exponentially and we cannot expect to address it on the back of a broken model or on government funds.

Very few sectors are as capital intensive as the power sector globally. To give a fair idea of how capital intensive it is, Nigeria spent approximately $30bn, between the period of 1999 and 2013, to bring generation from about 2,000MW to the current levels.

A more conservative estimate that will see Nigerians who are currently connected to the grid receiving approximately 18 hours of uninterrupted power by 2020 is for our generating capacity to be boosted to 20,000MW, with the requisite gas supply and transmission infrastructure in place and complimented by an expansive and reliable distribution network.

The power sector reform process in Nigeria has recorded successes on many levels but this is not easily evident, be-

cause the final product, power in homes and businesses, still remains as elusive as ever. The frustration of Nigerians is therefore understandable. This, however, does not subtract from the fact that the critical foundations for the reform, that will translate to power for this populous nation and this large economy, which have laid. As a matter of fact, that is where the main attention ought to be To attain even the conservative 20,000MW by 2020, it is estimated that the sector will need investments to the tune of $40bn. Of course, since this is now a privatised sector, the funds have to come from private investors who, as a reasonable expectation, need to see where the value lies for them, in terms of the recovery of, and recovery on their investment.

So what is the role of the new tariff in all this?

For many Nigerians, the perception surrounding the new tariff has largely been driven by a view that it is to help fund the business of the current new owners who

As the fight to arrest the drain of foreign exchange continues, the chances of its being won by Nigeria remains slim, as long as local production cannot be stimulated to provide a replacement, in terms of quantity, quality and price, comparatively.

Nigerian Tribune

did not have enough funds before buying up the assets or who seek to exploit the consumers. It is, however, important to point out that electricity is not different from any other commodity that we purchase, nor is its production and commercial principles different from the other sectors of the economy. To produce electricity requires investment in infrastructure and operating expenses. Such investment is typically and universally driven by the operator’s access to debt funding (because equity funding is typically more expensive and would drive the tariff higher).

For lenders to provide such financing, the underlying transaction must be bankable.

In other words, the lender must see the cash flow projection that would provide the assurance that the operator can pay back the borrowed funds. Thus, if there is no cost-reflective or market-priced tariff that realistically captures the cost of production, it would be virtually impossible for operators to access financing.

Furthermore, healthy revenue recovery is a fundamental requisite for any equity investors. It is no different for the electricity business.

Even more important is that the requirement for a market-priced tariff is not specific to only the distribution companies.

Indeed, only twenty-four percent (24 per cent) of the market revenues go to the distribution companies. The balance of the revenues go upstream to the other market participants in the value chain transmission, generators (who take the lion share), gas suppliers, the regulator, etc. In stark terms, an inadequate or non-market-priced tariff means that the commercial sustainability of the value chain is jeopardised. The transmission company is unable to wheel the supplied power, due to limitations of an unstable grid that is beset with either obsolete infrastructure or limited lines; the generator is limited in producing power, as a result of either failed turbines or lack of gas supply that is tied to its inability to meet its obligations to the gas supplier; the gas supplier is unable to supply gas, because there are no revenues forthcoming from the generator, to enable the exploration for new wells or maintenance of the gas processing plants, etc. Other sector players such as the regulator, the Market Operator, NBET’s sustainability are also tied to the revenues that are generated from a market-priced tariff.

As long as the market continues to suffer liquidity issues that are tied to whether or not the tariff is one that will commercially sustain the value chain, it is difficult to see how the sorely needed investment that is needed to rectify the decades old negligence of electricity infrastructure; the increased generation that will lead to both improved supply and lower tariffs; increased gas supply that will drive the increase in electricity generation, etc. will come to pass.

From the information above, it should be easy to reach the conclusion that tariff is not just for the existing players in the sector or just for the distribution companies. If we desire to create an environment that will attract others that will increase the supply of electricity power to our economy, it is simple business logic that they have to know that the price of the product they will be selling is realistic and will allow them to recover their investment.

The electricity market in Nigeria has so much potential for investors and for consumers too. For the win-win situation that we all need to be created, we need to look beyond the teething problems currently being experienced as part of exiting an old inefficient and corrupt system, to one that will eventually take us to the goal of increased 24/7 uninterrupted power supply.

Biu, writes from Kano

24

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Saraki: APC, PDP senators back in the trenches Group Politics Editor, Taiwo Adisa examines the growing rumbles among Senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) over the consequences of a possible ouster of Senate President Bukola Saraki, as a result of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

T

he message was clear to all senators, who by their status are top players of political games when in September 2015; a charge sheet emanating from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) was released in respect of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

The charges contained therein gave indications that Saraki had failed to comply with the Code of Conduct Bureau Act, and therefore liable for trial over false assets declaration at the CCT. But not a few read political motives to the development. And somehow, there was a widespread belief that a political solution would be fashioned out within a short while.

Five months gone by, things appear to be getting more confused. The trial proper has started and as it seems, the discussions have now entered the market place. Senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had divided alongside the pro-Saraki’s Like Minds Senators (LMS) and the pro-APC hierarchy Senators under the aegis of the Senate Unity Forum (SUF), have been strategising at their own levels, seeking to consolidate the numbers in case any emergency happens.

With the commencement of Saraki’s trial at the CCT, tongues had started wagging as to whether the Senate President would crash under the weight of “moral burden” and relinquish his position at the helm of the National Assembly. Even when he appears not to be thinking that way, some commentators are already stoking the fire of such calls, with some civil society activists already joining the fray. Though no one is sure what the outcome of the CCT trial would bring Saraki’s way, APC senators are also looking ahead so as not to be taken unawares.

At the beginning of the year, some top senators flagged off what was seen as a peace move to unite the party’s caucus in the National Assembly to ensure smooth passage of government’s motions and bills. That quest for unity has now dovetailed into a meeting that holds once a week at the instance of a former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

But the meeting is in itself a response to the reality on ground in the Senate. It has become obvious to all sena-

Saraki

Continues on pg 25

Though no one is sure what the outcome of the CCT trial would bring Saraki’s way, APC senators are also looking ahead so as not to be taken unawares.

Melaye

Wamakko

25

politics&policy

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

The battle of wits Continuesdo from pg 24

tors that the power to determine Saraki’s successor if it comes to replacing him does not solely lie in the hands of the APC alone. The opposition PDP has got a lot to say in who emerges at the helm of the Senate just as it did in June 2015. The tricky aspect of the scenario in the Senate is that while the PDP used its number, 49 to secure the post of deputy Senate President for itself last year, its fortunes appeared to have even grown fatter. The number of APC Senators which stood at 60 at inception on June 9, 2015 has reduced to 57 and the PDP is the lucky party, mopping up APC’s losses.

With a fatally divided APC, it is certain that the PDP can easily go for the plum job in the National Assembly and win convincingly. Right now, the pro-Saraki’s LMS has no fewer than 31 APC senators loyal to it, while the remaining 26 APC senators are believed to be core loyalists of the Pro-APC’s SUF. PDP’s 45 Senators at present and a possible 51 it could amass at the end of the ongoing rounds of elections would easily upset the APC applecart if it comes to voting for a Saraki successor.

While the possibility of a PDP-led Senate emerging is being drummed home by some senators of the party, senators of the APC are also insisting they would not allow the seat of Senate Presidency slip off their party’s grip. Senators Peter Nwaboshi and Mathew Urhoghide, of the PDP have firmly declared that their party would not spare the seat of Senate President this time, if it comes to replacing Saraki. But Senator Hamman Misau of the APC insisted that the party would not allow the seat slip off. Senator Nwaboshi, who chairs the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, said last week that the PDP would not be magnanimous this time if the APC succeeds in pushing Saraki out.

Senator Nwaboshi said: “But I want you to mark what I’m saying; I was the first to address the press in Port Harcourt and I told them that Saraki was going to win the Senate Presidency and I gave them my reasons. Then, nobody ever thought that Saraki was going to win. People were saying that APC had decided. But it was clear to me that he was going to win and I had to address the press. I said Saraki was going to win and that he was going to get my vote. Eventually, we went there, he won.

If, but God forbid, because we don’t see it coming, by chance Saraki is removed; I can tell you that PDP will produce the next Senate President.”

When asked how the PDP would tackle the issue of numbers since the APC maintains a slim majority, the Delta State senator said that loyalists of the Senate President in the APC would team up with the PDP to give the firmer ruling party the edge.

He said: “What numbers? We only need three and we have it. The calculation is very clear to me. The calculation is very clear for PDP. We know what it will take us. When I told them that Saraki was going to win, I did a lot of mathematical calculations based on the facts on the ground and it is even clearer to me now that the PDP will win it. We will win it.

“If anybody is thinking that a PDP man is going to vote against a PDP candidate, he is telling you a lie. We have people and we know how to get the people from APC. We will win and that will be very interesting. What is happening in America is go-

Lawan ing to happen in Nigeria. America has a Republican Senate but the executive is led

by Democrats. So, it’s happening in different parts of the world. I can tell you with what’s on the ground that we will produce the next Senate President.”

His views were corroborated by Edo State Senator Mathew Urhoghide, who insisted that the setting in the Senate favours the emergence of a PDP Senate President if Saraki is pushed out by the APC. Senator Urhoghide said: “We in the PDP will support him till the end. Since he became the president, he has been able to dignify the Senate. The turning point has been made. We must be able to choose our presiding officers without anybody interfering. Anybody thinking that they will have a chance of making a replacement when they remove Saraki is joking.”

While speaking on the game of numbers, Senator Urhoghide insisted that the odds favoured his party, the PDP. “We the PDP will decide who will be the (Senate) President. The number is 51 to 57 and 1. Anybody they (APC) are thinking of will not succeed. The number has not waned. Saraki is getting more support from Nigerians.

“The APC must not be unmindful of the fact that when we made Saraki Senate president, the PDP had the chance of producing the President. But the APC is pushing its luck too far. They are being naive. With the configuration that we have, the demographics are in our favour if we decide to take over the Senate. “We need only five people to join us and we will take

Oyegun over the Senate. APC must be mindful of the dangers of removing Saraki.

But, a staunch ally of the Senate President who is a member of the APC, Senator Hamman Misau, said the ruling party would not allow the seat slip off if it comes to replacing Saraki. Misau, who chairs Senate Committee on Navy, claimed some hardliners in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari are responsible for the travails of Senate President.

Misau, in an interview in Abuja, denounced claims that the PDP would take over the senate if Saraki was removed.

The senator said what was needed to resolve the Saraki matter was a political solution, adding however that some hardliners in the administration were stalling the solution.

He said: “What my friend, Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi said will not happen because the APC caucus of the Senate will under no circumstances allow Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki to be removed.

But I understand the larger implication of what Nwaoboshi is saying because our majority in the Senate is very slim which means we need to be careful and that is why we need to find a political solution to this crisis and this trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

He said APC senators recently decided to close ranks to ensure unity in their midst, adding however that the peace deal was not as a result of Saraki’s travails. According to him, Saraki remains a popular Senate President among senators from different geopolitical zones.

“What numbers? We only need three and we have it. The calculation is very clear to me. The calculation is very clear for PDP. We know what it will take us.

Nwaoboshi He stated further: “I am a Muslim and I know that nobody can be a leader without the will of the Almighty Allah. But, I can tell you today that 99 per cent of the Senators are solidly behind Saraki. So what we call closing of ranks is actually for us to unite behind our leadership in the Senate, behind the Federal Government and also behind President Muhammadu Buhari.”

He said that the situation around Saraki would have been resolved but for some hardliners in the administration of President Buhari, whom he said were bent on seeing Saraki’s back.

“Several efforts have been made and are still being made. However, there are challenges. Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s commendable position not to interfere, there are some hardliners within this government who are still fueling this matter and are, as a matter of fact, interfering with the trial,” he said.

He alleged that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation recently met with some elders in the Senate but turned down the requests. He stated: “I reliably gathered that some of our elders in the Senate once went to meet the Secretary to Federal Government, (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal in order to find solutions to this problem. They were surprised by some of his utterances and they reported back to some Senators that he vowed that this matter will not be resolved until Saraki goes down for spiting the party leadership….I hope the SGF was misquoted.”

Despite Misau’s strong position on the matter, the reality on the floor of the Senate seems to favour the emergence of a PDP Senate President if Saraki is removed.

A major issue is the growing anger among the senators to the effect that despite conciliatory measures from Saraki towards the government, the APC has continued to push against the Senate President.

As Senator Nwaboshi said at another instance, “Saraki has been more APC than the APC leaders.” Many Senators are of the view that removing Saraki would only allow the APC bring in a “yes man” who would take orders from the Presidency, a development they said the Senate has always resisted.

politics&policy Saraki’s trial, mere judicial ambush —Hon Atunwa 26

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Honourable Rasaq Atunwa chairs the Committee on Judiciary at the House of Representatives. He insists, in this interview, before the Code of Conduct tribunal, that trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki is a political battle rather than a fight against corruption. Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA and KOLAWOLE DANIELS present the excerpts:

t

HE ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal has been on the front burner in the polity. We know you have attended most of the court sessions, how are you reading the trial so far?

I have been at the tribunal throughout all the proceedings, including the last one on Wednesday last week. But let me say I am amazed that this matter has gone this far.

This prosecution has all the hallmarks of political persecution, given that it has, at its backdrop, the rise of Dr Bukola Saraki to the position of the Senate President against the wish of the powers that be, and therefore it is not a big leap to conclude that this matter arising soon after his ascension to that position smacks of political persecution.

Secondly, I am overwhelmingly disappointed with the level of professionalism exhibited in the prosecution of this case; from the commencement of the trial, the prosecution counsel has not shown any real substance. Rather, what the prosecution has been doing is nothing but mudslinging calculated to tarnish and taint the reputation of Saraki in the eyes of the public; mudslinging that has no evidential value whatsoever. And thirdly, I am taken aback that the way and manner of the prosecution, having been tilted towards mudslinging. The legal process has been

allowed so far to become a travesty.

I say that because the accusation against the Senate President was one in relation to assets declaration, and that is why it was brought before the CCT which has jurisdiction over assets declaration. But, what the Senate President is now faced with is a prosecution bordering on what they alleged is fraudulent transaction, which is an ambush against him. If you have evidence on suspicious transactions, the proper thing to do is to go to a regular criminal court. And, in a way, the murky confusion of jurisdiction of the CCT has been encouraged by the Supreme Court.

When the Supreme Court in this case said that the tribunal has quasi criminal jurisdiction, as far as I am concern, that is a decision that is wholly untenable. The CCT is a tribunal with regulatory and disciplinary function, so we are in this quagmire because the Supreme Court encouraged it through that faulty judgment.

Don’t you think the Supreme Court gave the tribunal power because of the issue regarding the declaration of assets?

Well, the prosecution pretended that there are charges about declaration of assets, but when Dr Saraki got to the court, what we found is that the one he was charged with was the one dealing with alleged fraudulent transactions, none of which, in any event, has been substantiated. All they were able to

If you have evidence on suspicious transactions, the proper thing to do is to go to a regular criminal court. critical stakeholders to come together and settle some of these matters in a transparent way, without interference.

Atunwa do is to throw mud.

I think it is high time we began to look at our laws and how to settle some of this issues. It is an anomaly that a tribunal of this nature is under the presidency, that a tribunal which has a judicial function is under the presidency and is controlled by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. That is the executive controlling a judicial agency. Now, it is not farfetched to see the nexus in the perverted and convoluted manner in which this process is been carried on. In a proper judicial manner, therefore, the presidency cannot wash its hands off it, because this is the judicial body it controls. So, it is time for lawyers, judges and all

So, what you have seen so far is more of political vendetta?

Well I’ve said that earlier, it (the trial) is coming against the backdrop of Dr Sakari becoming the Senate President against the wish of the powers that be. Now, some of the things they are alleging, which they haven’t gone so far as to prove, is that there were some bank transactions, which has nothing to do with declaration of assets.

But the Senate President is a big man in the APC, how come the same political party is laying ambush on him?

We are all politicians. We expect that, as mature politicians, if certain things happen, we should come to the table and iron them out. But what should not happen, as you rightly pointed out, is that within the same party, some will go out and lay ambush with some people within the same party in order to take the person out of the way. For me, it is not mature politics, it is not sensible, it is not good for the party and it is not good for the country.

Should new states be created?

By Eric Teniola The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, recently constituted a 12-man 50th Anniversary Committee for the celebration of the creation of Lagos State on May 27, 2017. This Committee has as its chairman, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, and Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, former Minister for National Planning, as the co-chairman.

Other members of the committee are: Hon Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mrs. Abimbola Obafunwa, Professor (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Professor Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peters and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Balogun, who is the secretary of the committee. I am sure the governors of Kano, Kwara and Rivers states will set up similar committees before next year.

In creating the 12 states on May 27, 1967, General Yakubu Dan Yuma Gowon (81) made the following announcement: “The 12 new states, subject to marginal boundary adjustments, will therefore be as follows: North-Western State comprising Sokoto and Niger Provinces; North-Central State comprising Katsina and Zaria.

Kano State comprising the present Kano Province; North-Eastern State comprising Bornu, Adamawa, Sardauna and Bauchi Provinces; Benue/Plateau State comprising Benue and Plateau Provinces; Lagos State comprising the Colony Province and the Federal Territory of Lagos; Western State comprising the present Western Region but excluding the Colony Prov-

ince.Mid-Western State comprising the present Mid-Western State; East-Cenral state comprising the present Eastern Region excluding Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers Provinces; South-Eastern State comprising Calabar and Ogoja Provinces; Rivers State comprising Ahoada, Brass, Degema, Ogoni and Port Harcourt Divisions”.

There was a major error in General Gowon’s announcement on that day. West Central State made up of River Niger and Ilorin provinces, which came to be known as Kwara State, was omitted in the broadcast of General Yakubu Gowon. The state was eventually created when the decree on state creation was later promulgated by the General. He them named the following as the governors of the new states: BenuePlateau State, Chief Superintendent of Police, Joseph Decchi Gomwalk (19351976); East-Central, Anthony Ukpabi Asika(1936-2004); Kwara, Brigadier David Femi Lasisi Bamigboye (75); Lagos, Brigadier Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson(80); North Central, Brigadier Abba Kyari (78); North- East, Brigadier Musa Usman (Air Force); North-West, Police Superintendent UsmanFaruk (81); Rivers, Lieutenant Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff (Navy); South-East, Brigadier Jacob Udoakaha Jacob Esuene (1936-2004)--Air Force; Kano, Police Commissioner, Audu Bako (1924-1980) and West, Brigadier Robert Adeyinka Adebayo (88).

As for Mid-Western State, there was initial delay in the appointment of a governor. Major Albert Okonkwo of the Biafran Army was the administrator of that state by then. The state was later liber-

ated by Lt. Col. Murtala Ramat Mohammed (1938-76) and he eventually named his friend, Lt. Col. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (83) as Administrator. After 57 days, General Gowon under pressure and appeals, later confirmed the appointment of Lt. Col. Samuel Ogbemudia as governor. The very day General Gowon created the twelve states was the day he declared state of emergency throughout the country. It was also the very day that he assumed full powers as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and Head of the Military Government.

To me, the creation of states in Nigeria on that day was the first major coup by the minorities. For the man who created the states, General Gowon, an Angus, is from Pankshin, in the present-day Plateau State. The man who wrote the memo on the creation of states was a Kanuri, Alhaji Ibrahim Maina Damcida (1933-2012), who was as that time a Federal Permanent Secretary. And the chairman of the Committee of Federal Permanent Secretaries that submitted the list criteria to be used for the creation of states at that time, was Chief Allison Akene Ayida (85) from the present-day Delta Sate, who later became Secretary to the Government of the Federation. It was the creation of states in May 1967 that liberated the minorities in this country and gave them a platform and a voice.

In his book titled Rise and Fall of Nigeria, Chief Allison Ayida wrote that “the minorities form about 45 per cent of the total population in the country. The political arithmetic is that in any democratic

process, one of the major groups needs the support of the minorities to gain power. Besides, any group temporarily out of power feels like a minority. This reinforces the contention that we should not return to the system of winner-takes-all. No section should be made to feel perpetually enslaved like second class citizens.”

My friend, Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka (1932-1980) told me in London in 1978 that if Gowon had not created states, his United Middle Belt Congress which was inaugurated in 1955 and signed an alliance with the Action Group of Chief Obafemi Awolowo on May 6, 1957, would still be fighting against oppression. According to him “the states creation saved Nigeria.”

I am sure if the states were not created, many Adaka Boros would have emerged by now. That being so, the Igallas, the Nupes, Ijaws, Tivs, Idomas, Ibibios, Junkuns and all other minorities should celebrate the creation of states next year as a date for their own independence too.

Although we still have the issue of minority within the states, if an Annang man like Chief Godswill Akpabio could be governor of Akwa Ibom and an Igbira man, Yahaya Bello, could be governor of Kogi State, there is hope that someone from Oke-Ogun could be governor of Oyo state someday and an Idoma could be governor of Benue State, and other minorities could be elected governors in all the states in future.

Teniola, a former director at the Presidency, stays in Lagos.

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Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

features

Faces of abducted Chibok girls

Chibok girls: Hope rises, wanes two years after abduction

By Paul Omorogbe

S

EVERAL reports on the atrocities of Boko Haram terrorist group had made the news. But not one of them became as sensational as the events of the night of April 14, 2014 in a small Christian community in Borno State called Chibok.

The story of the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls on that night became a national and international phenomenon.

The issue has been over the last two years the topic for media debates on television and radio, the theme of not a few symposia and seminars, the subject for T-shirt and face cap designs used in street campaigns and protests, and one of the most popular hashtags on Twitter that caught on with high profile individuals and celebrities across the world.

Yet, regardless of the numerous dimensions ‘Chibok girls’ has assumed, the main subject is the ‘girls’ of the Chibok girls and the question is, will hope continue to undulate as different news reports and government/non-governmental organisations and individuals get in involved or fall out of being involved?

Varied opinions have been expressed regarding their return by notable leaders in the country.

Were they really abducted?

Two years after the girls reportedly disappeared in what was described as high-

profile attack during which Boko Haram militants raided Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, while the girls were taking examinations, some doubt whether the incident truly took place. Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, while speaking at a workshop organised by Women Arise for Change Initiative, he reportedly said, “I don’t know if there are missing girls but no indication has shown that. It is a political strategy, because I don’t think any girl is missing. If they are missing, let them find them.”

‘They aren’t coming back’ In an apparent display of despair, former president Olusegun Obasanjo in February at a meeting put together by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Staff Club, said, “The search for the abducted Chibok

girls may not be fruitful. Nobody can bring back the girls because they are nowhere to be found.”

‘They are still alive, they will return’ The Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly recently in Abuja at a special sit-out of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign expressed hope of the girls being alive and of their eventual return. According to a report, he said, “Parents, families and friends of our dear daughters, I am here today not just to speak to you, but to speak to the nation and to the world as one of you. I’m here as a father burdened by the captivity of our daughters, and I am here as a friend. I am here to express our frustrations and to speak of our undying hope as we wait expectantly for the return of

We believe that they are still alive, at least no evidence, satellite evidence that they are in a mass grave. We believe they are alive. It remains a scar on the soul of this nation until these girls are brought back.

our dear Chibok girls.

“We believe that they are still alive, at least no evidence, satellite evidence that they are in a mass grave. We believe they are alive. It remains a scar on the soul of this nation until these girls are brought back.”

In the midst of their anticipated return, there have been reports of the girls showing up as suicide bombers. On March 26, news came in that a 15-year-old girl, along with one woman, surrendered to local authorities before carrying out a suicide bomb attack in northern Cameroon, confirming fears that some of the girls are being used by their Boko Haram abductors to carry out such attacks given the growing number of young female suicide bombers. Following the news, According to a statement issued in Abuja, by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the Federal Government was to send some members of the Chibok community to neighbouring Cameroon, in order to verify the identity of the female suicide bomber.

Three authorised representatives of the parents of the 219 missing Chibok girls were brought to the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) office from Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, on Wednesday March 30, to view photos of the girl claiming to be one of the 219 missing students kidnapped by Boko Haram. The parents confirmed that the girl Continues pg28

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Nigerian Tribune

Protesters in Abuja

‘We expected more from govt’ Continued from pg27

and the woman did not fit the description of any of the missing girls from Chibok.

Instead, the girl was said by Cameroonian officials to have identified herself as Maryam Alhaji Wakeel, a 12-year-old, originally from Maiduguri but abducted from Bama when the town was overrun by Boko Haram a year ago.

Outcry persists Though the gusto which greeted the onset of the Chibok girls saga has declined drastically, one voice whose has been at the vanguard of the campaign, has refused to keep silent. Former Education Minister, and Convener of the #BringBackOurGirls group, Oby Ezekwesili, on her twitter handle had recently reacted to the FG’s handling of the suicide bomber girl in Cameroon. One of her tweets was quoted thus: “If what @GarShehu posted last night is all the FG has to offer #ChibokParents & Public on the girl in Cameroon, pls look up INCOMPETENCY.” Another read thus: “Whether those two suicide bombers are 100 or 2 years, the FACT that one CLAIMED #ChibokGirls should trigger deeper interest in INTELLIGENCE.” Pastor Tunde Bakare, at the same occasion earlier quoted, had criticized the government’s handling of the matter saying, “We are not unmindful that the Nigerian state failed to provide security for our daughters as they gathered to write final examinations despite prior intelligence reports that suggested they were in danger.

“It is most severely injurious to see that the fate of our daughters has been frequently politicized. Rather than rise to the occasion as stakeholders and custodians of the security and welfare of the citizens of this nation, political parties and politicians have paid lip service, using our pain and plight of our daughters to score cheap political points.

“We are not convinced that the matter of our daughters has been given the needed thoughtfulness. We do not believe that those who are in a position to act have taken sufficient actions towards addressing the issue or even towards claiming our anxiety as waiting parents.”

On the international scene, in Washington recently, the US Department of State

Buhari Deputy Spokesman, Mark Toner, said that America will continue to work and provide any assistance it can to obtain the eventual release of the girls. Toner said, “You’re talking about the Chibok girls from Nigeria. Well, it’s the second anniversary, I think. And of course, we call for all hostages, including these young women and girls who’ve been held by Boko Haram, to be released immediately without preconditions. We support Nigerian efforts to bring about the safe recovery of those kidnapped and we continue to advise them on their response to this, as well as on general counter-terrorism and counter-Boko Haram efforts.”

On the occasion of the first year anniversary of the Chibok girls’ abduction, renowned activist and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai wrote this open letter to the girls. Here are excerpts: “On this first anniversary of your captivity, I write to you with a message of solidarity, love and hope.

“My name is Malala. I am a Pakistani girl your age. I am one of the millions of people around the world who keep you and your families foremost in our thoughts and prayers. We cannot imagine the full extent of the horrors you have endured.

But please know this: We will never forget you. We will always stand with you. Today and every day, we call on the Nigerian authorities and the international community to do more to bring you home. We will not

Ezekwesili rest until you have been reunited with your families.

“You will have the opportunity to receive the education you want and deserve. The Malala Fund and other organizations offered all your classmates who

We are not convinced that the matter of our daughters has been given the needed thoughtfulness. We do not believe that those who are in a position to act have taken sufficient actions towards addressing the issue or even towards claiming our anxiety as waiting parents.

escaped the kidnapping full scholarships to complete their secondary education.

Most of the escapee girls accepted this scholarship and are now continuing their studies at a safe boarding school and with the support they need. We hope to someday extend that same scholarship to all 219 of you, when you return home.

“Remember that one day your tragic ordeal will end, you will be reunited with your families and friends, and you will have the chance to finish the education you courageously sought. I look forward to the day I can hug each one of you, pray with you, and celebrate your freedom with your families.

Until then, stay strong, and never lose hope.

You are my heroes.”

Meanwhile the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) Group has issued a statement on the eve of the second anniversary of the abduction. It reads in part: “The BBOG family in Nigeria has engaged on a continuous basis various stakeholders including state governors; the previous chief of defense staff and national security adviser; various UN agencies; ambassadors of our neighbouring countries and met twice with President Muhammadu Buhari on this matter.

“Sincerely, we had expected more and will continue to demand more from government than the rhetorics of lack of intelligence and other excuses,” the group said.

“This Thursday, April 14, 2016, will mark exactly two years of their unfortunate sojourn in captivity! How much longer must we wait before they are rescued?”

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Wednesday, 13 April, 2016 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo How Enugu Catholic women celebrated Mother's Day Jude Ossai - Enugu HISTORICALLY, the celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.

But the roots of Mother's Day history can also be traced to United Kingdom (UK) where a Mothering Sunday was celebrated much before the festival saw the light of the day in United States of America (USA).

However, the celebration of the festival as it is seen today is a new phenomenon that has not reached a century. Both Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis were said to have pioneered the annual event during their time.

One of the unique features of the festival of Mother's Day is that it is celebrated on different dates by both Catholic and Anglican faithful with honour and praises.

In Enugu State, Catholic women, last Sunday, March 10, 2016, joined other Catholic faithful across the country to mark this year’s Mother’s day. Residents of Enugu metropolis took the day as an opportunity to honour their mothers, thank them for their efforts in giving them life, raising them and being their constant support and well wishers.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State used the occasion to urge Christians to embark on fervent prayers to arrest upsurge in kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the country.

Ugwuanyi spoke at a church service to mark 2016 Mothering Sunday at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Federal Housing, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.

A young boy tendering the cattle. Inset: Man killed by Fulani herdsmen in Enugu.

Enugu govt sets up committee to stem clashes between natives, Fulani herdsmen Jude Ossai - Enugu

F

OLLOWING the growing insecurity generated by violent clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and host communities in Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the weekend set up a joint committee to curb the ugly development.

The decision to set up the committee

was reached in a crucial meeting between the herdsmen and Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu.

Governor Ugwuanyi, who played host to the herdsmen operating under the aegis of "Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Southeast Zone", called for better relationship between the natives and the cattle breeders.

Ugwuanyi told the visitors that “this meet-

Nkechi Okorocha kicks off prayer in Imo as cleric urges politicians to shun cultism Joe Nwachukwu - Owerri A Lagos-based evangelist, Timothy Ofoegbu, has decried the upsurge of occultism and fetish practices by politicians and students desperately seeking positions of authority and power, warning that such power-thirsty politicians are merely looking for a needle in a hay sack.

Ofoegbu also warned women anxiously in need of the fruits of the womb to stop patronising juju men for solution to their problem, stressing that assistance sought outside Jesus would be an exercise in futility.

“People like these should desist forthwith because they will have their problems multiplied in hundred fold”, he warned.

The man of God gave the injunction during the April 2016 “Women of Divine Destiny Initiative” (WODDI) Prayer Meeting put in place by the wife of the Imo State governor, Ugo Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, held for the people of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru West Federal Constituency at the Ohaji/Egbema council headquarters Mmahu.

According to him, the monthly prayer meeting is to be organised in various federal constituencies in the state.

Dwelling on the theme of the prayer: “Heal our Land O God!”, Evangelist

Ofoegbu enjoined the states and federal governments to evolve measures that would enable them pay regular monthly salaries to workers to alleviate their woes.

He, however, warned workers who reported to duty only to vanish to unknown destinations to carry out their private business to the detriment of the nation’s economy and their employers to retrace their footsteps.

The evangelist, who similarly

condemned indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles on individuals believed to be rich and wealthy, urged traditional rulers to ensure that such honours were bestowed on people with proven integrity in order not to stultify their royal stool.

He urged the people of the Federal Constituency to embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour for the speedy resolution of their problems.

ing has been summoned essentially for purposes of entrenching peace in Enugu State.

It will, however, dwell on recent happenings in the state which are not only posing a significant threat to peace and the security of lives and properties of our people, but are also threatening to spiral out of control.

“We are all witnesses to the rising wave of undesirable incidents and criminal activities in the state, particularly kidnapping, armed robbery and clashes between Fulani cattle rears and farmers in some rural communities in Enugu State.

“We are aware that such incidents are currently promoting a sense of insecurity and restiveness among our people and if not promptly and effectively checked, could lead to a breakdown of law and order as well as avoidable but potentially lethal clashes between groups or communities in the state.

According to Ugwuanyi, “no responsible Government will allow this to happen more so, when it is clear that no one profits from such a situation and no meaningful progress can be attained under such an atmosphere”, he added.

In his speech, the chairman of the group of cattle breeders, Alhaji Gidado Sikki, enumerated incidents that have constituted sources of estranged relations between them and their hosts and appealed to the governor to do all within the ambit of his powers to reverse the situation.

CREW Jude Ossai-Enugu-South East Bureau Chief 08052817955 Joe Nwachukwu- Owerri 08033271227 Nkechi Okorocha and Imo women dancing during the prayer meeting.

Suzy Oruya- Onitsha 08063653735

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inside

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

nigerdelta

Iara Oshiomhole giving new life to Edo IDPs Banji Aluko-Benin City

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HE International Christian Centre, Uhogua, Edo State, which houses hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is gradually standing out among camps for IDPs in the country. It is not just that the place is one of the few places in South of Nigeria housing victims of insurgency in far away North-East of Nigeria, but that Uhogua IDPs camp stands out as a result of the quality of life on offer there as a result of support received from the government and people of Edo State.

While many IDPs in other places are still battling to find their footings, those in Edo have fully settled into a new life and have started adding value to their lives through training and empowerment. One of such was recorded last week when Edo State governor’s wife, Iara Oshiomhole, officially flagged off the first phase of a 10day skills acquisition programme for 160 students at the camp.

For the 160 IDPs that were enlisted for the skills acquisition programme, their joy knew no boundS as they were joined by other IDPs, who rejoiced with them.

The venue came alive and agog with sport activities such as football, volleyball, table tennis, among others. The initiator of “We Care Trust’s Project Focus”, Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, who arrived the venue of the event with sewing machines, laptops, cooking machines, among other training facilities, said the programme was specially designed for the children in the camp.

The training is expected to feature basic ICT skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Computer Appreciation and introduction to the internet. In the creative arts, there would be basic tailoring, bag making, shoe and sandal making. There would be fish, snail and vegetable farming.

According to an executive director in the office of Iara Oshiomhole, Mr Fred OmoOsagie, the first phase of the projects, the Project Focus, will empower 36 young individuals in various skills acquisition programmes including fish farming, cake baking, events planning and decoration.

He added that 20 laptop computers, 20 sewing machines, and 20 cooking machines would be deplored for the training and subsequently managed by the camp director.

The governor’s wife, who personally inspected and participated in the second-day training to mark the flag-off, expressed satisfaction at the rate the trainees were learning fast, just as she promised to donate all the training facilities to the camp for usage. She inspected students undergoing training for fish farming, food production and packaging, creative arts and tailoring, ICT Basic computer training and thereafter kicked off the Comrade FC and Project Focus FC novelty match.

According to Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, “I believe that there is need for determined effort by all to support them with the means, skills and resources that will enable them to reintegrate into the wider society. It is hoped that at the completion of the training programme, beneficiaries would have been well equipped to provide

A cross section of the trained IDPs at Uhogua’s camp. services to people within and outside the camp, thereby making them self-reliant. In addition, they can also serve as resource persons to train others in the camp”.

“Finally, I congratulate all the participants in this programme and urge you to

take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity by paying adequate attention to the various aspects of the programme.

Ultimately, you stand a good chance of not only living good and productive lives inside the camp but also be employers of labour outside the camp when peace even-

tually returns to the North-East”, she said.

The camp coordinator, Pastor Solomon Olorunsho, thanked Edo State Government and called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate such gesture, adding that any investment or seed sown on the IDPs was not a wasted one.

Delta govt tasked on proper monitoring of petroleum products Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

A Niger Delta non-governmental organisation, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), on Monday, charged Delta State Government to ensure proper monitoring of the distribution of petroleum products within the state.

The centre, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Comrade Sherrif Mulade, said findings had shown that

some unscrupulous independent marketers had been diverting their allocations to neighbouring states for vending at cutthroat prices.

It added that other independent marketers and even stations managed by NNPC were hoarding their allocations and peddled same to black marketers to the detriment of motorists and other users.

CEPEJ stated that proper monitoring of the distribution by the Petroleum Prod-

Armed youths invade Edo community, injure four Banji Aluko-Benin City A clash between neighbouring communities in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, ObagieUwaifokun and Iguogboe, has left at least four persons injured and property destroyed.

Armed youths, who were allegedly armed with guns, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons, from Obagie-Uwaifokun community were said to have invaded Iguogboe community and inflicted injuries on two youths of Iguogboe community even as others fled into bush.

It was gathered that the ObagieUwaifokun youths allegedly stormed uncompleted secretariat of the Iguogboe youths, damaging and confiscating building materials.

Two youths from Iguogboe community, Shedrack Omoruna and Segun Imafidon, who sustained machete-cuts, said they survived the attack by sheer luck.

The Odionwere (head) of Iguogboe community Hon. J.E Aghedo, disclosed that he was at his garden in the community when the Obagie youths invaded about

3:00p.m, last Friday, adding that the invasion was over age-long disputed land, which is awaiting court judgment.

Hon. Aghedo alleged that ObagieUwaifokun and another community had at several times attempted to forcefully annex Iguogboe community.

Contacted, the Odionwere of Obagie community Mr Paul Otawowie, said he was informed on phone that youths of Iguogboe attacked the youths office of his community over a disputed land in the area.

It took the intervention of a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogida police division, Benin City, CSP Ajidahun Lawrence, to calm the already tensed situation.

The DPO separately advised members of the two embattled communities to embrace peace as the police would not condone acts inimical to peace coexistence and security.

He enjoined the village heads (Edionwere) to call their youths to order as the solution to headache is not in cutting off the head.

ucts Marketing Company would guarantee the availability of petroleum products to Nigerians, underlining that Nigerians were weltering in hardship as a result of the acute fuel scarcity.

“To say that Nigerians have been hard hit by the shortage of petroleum products is merely restating the obvious. Many small and medium industries have been grounded due to this perennial fuel scarcity. A market survey has shown that the prices of consumables have gone up due to increase in transportation.’’

The NGO called on the government to put together a crack team to oversee the monitoring of the distribution so that fuel meant for the state was not taken to other state.

It also advised the government to ensure that defaulters were made to face the wrath of the law no matter whose ox was gored to serve as a deterrent to others.

It equally called on the Federal Government to step efforts at revamping the four refineries with a view to ensuring availability of petroleum products, thereby stopping importation.

CREW

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

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Fulani terrorists kill 44 in Taraba, destroy homes, farms Sylvanus Viashima - Taraba

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ARABA State government, on Tuesday, confirmed the death of 44 persons in the series of attacks on villages in Gassaka and Bali local government areas of the state, by suspected Fulani terrorists.

This was contained in a press statement by Mr Sylvanus Giwa, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity in Jalingo.

According to the statement, 20 persons were killed in Angai village, nine killed in Maisuma, eight in Dorei and seven in Fali villages by the attackers.

The problem, according to the statement, started when the armed herdsmen attempted to rape a lady in the community but were met with stiff resistance by the neighbours.

According to the statement, the armed herdsmen, who were angered by the community’s resistance, unleashed terror on the people in the communities in the area, killing 44 persons with over 100 displaced and many others missing.

“The government is concerned that the current killings will be a major setback to Governor Darius Ishaku’s efforts to resettle the internally displaced persons in the state.

“Governor Ishaku has therefore vowed to eliminate any form of insurgency by evil agents under any guise across the state,” it said.

It added that the displaced women and children were

taking refuge in MayoSelbe, Kungana and Garbabi communities.

Meanwhile, Mr Shaba Alkali, the Police Commissioner in Taraba, has said

the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase had approved deployment of 60 Mobil policemen from Yola to join the security agents on ground to contain

the situation.

Alkali paraded Ardo Ayuba who was arrested in connection with the attacks, saying efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing culprits

Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu (fourth right); his Imo State counterpart, Chief Rochas Okorocha (fourth left), with other service chiefs and traditional rulers, addressing newsmen after a joint security council meeting on kidnapping and other security challenges facing the two states, at the Government House, Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday .

IPOB Killing: AYIF demands justice, warns against

exonerating suspects Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

AREWA Youths Integrity Forum (AYIF), on Tuesday, condemned what it described as desperate attempt to exonerate the alleged culprits behind the killing of Hausa-Fulani residents in Abia State, imploring the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the matter so as to bring the suspects to justice.

The fourm further lament-

ed that the unfolding event had shown that efforts were on to shield the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leaders from justice, who were alleged to have committed the atrocities.

A statement issued and signed by the National President of AYIF, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, bemoaned that shielding

the perpetrators from justice would encourage more killings in Nigeria.

The group said it was lending its voice to the demand for the prosecution of all those involved in the heinous act, by the appropriate security agencies that must also confront IPOB collaborators who might want to use such provocation to trigger widespread unrests in Nigeria.

According to the statement,

Imo /Abia joint security council condemns killing of Fulani herdsmen, Igbos in Abia Celestine Ihejirika - Umuahia THE joint security council meeting comprising Imo and Abia states governors, on Monday evening, condemned in strong terms, the killing of five Fulani herdsmen and two Igbos in a forest border area of Imo and Abia.

Arising from the joint security council meeting, at the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his Imo State counterpart, Governor Rochas Okorocha and service chiefs blamed the killings on kidnappers.

According to Governor Okorocha, five Fulani herdsmen and two Igbo men were found dead in a shallow grave at the forest, even as the governor said some of the culprits had been arrested.

He said further that based on the joint security council meeting between Imo

for prosecution.

The CP, however, said the command had so far discovered only 15 dead bodies from the attacked communities.

and Abia states, kidnappers would no longer found the two states safe haven to opoerate.

Governor Okorocha, who said the meeting was expected to extend to Enugu and Rivers states, respectively, hinted that the aim

was to flush out criminals terrorising innocent people in the South-East.

The governor said under the present circumstances, the two states would engage in border security network to fight crime, just as he said the attack was not targeted

at Fulani herdsmen alone, but at people living in and around the South-East.

The Abia State governor, Dr Ikpeazu, in his remark at the joint meeting, said the meeting was to ensure the South- East zone is free and safe.

Navy wages war against oil thieves, vandals in N/Delta Chris Agbambu – Abuja ILLEGAL crude oil thieves and vandals operating in the Niger Delta have suffered heavy loss as the Nigerian Navy intensifies the ongoing operations against their unlawful activities in the area.

Recently, there have been increased patrols by naval operatives which led to destruction of illegally operated local refineries and arrest of vandals.

Director of Naval Information Commodore, Christian

Ezekobe, said the achievement was a direct fallout of improved intelligence gathering and surveillance.

He said Naval patrol team carried out raids at Ugborodo Itsekiri area in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, where he said an illegal refinery with large storage pits containing liquid suspected to be crude oil was discovered.

According to him, the naval patrol team discovered a site with large Cotonou boat laden with 37 drums

of suspected illegally refined AGO, saying the refinery facilities were destroyed as the owners fled the scenes before the arrival of the Nigerian Navy team.

Also, the Nigerian Tribune learnt that a raid conducted in Ogbonga, Egbelema and adjoining creeks, dealt a devastating blow on the activities of the illegal crude oil thieves, as the patrol team of the Nigerian Navy during a raid discovered two co-located active illegal refineries in Ogbonga creek.

“the Abia State government has continued to deny the killings of the northerners who were going about their peaceful activities in the state, before they were kidnaped and gruesomely buried alive by the so called IPOB members in that state.

“Unfortunately, rather than condemning this heinous act against humanity, the government has resorted to defending the murderous Independent People of Biafra and its leadership over these war crimes. It is, therefore, becoming glaring that the real actors behind the activities of IPOB are gradually being unfolded and in due course it shall be uncovered to the chagrin of all Nigerians,” it declared.

The group was of the opinion that making the killers to face the law was important to reassure other ethnic nationalities and discourage them from embarking on reprisals.

The forum said emphatically that it was not surprised at the government’s actions, urging Nigerians to remain calm in the face of the provocation by Biafra separatists who had set aside international conventions to embrace criminality in the name of agitations for independence.

It will be recalled that the Department of State Services (DSS) had indicted IPOB in the death of the five men, following the discovery of mass graves with scores of yet to be identified bodies in a forest in the state.

Police rescue boy, 14, from kidnappers, recover ransom THE Kebbi State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it had rescued a 14-year-old boy from kidnappers in Ribah, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Yakubu Jibrin, told reporters in Birnin Kebbi that two out of the three kidnappers had been captured.

He said one of the suspected abductors died at the Zuru General Hospital from injuries sustained in his escape bid.

Jibrin disclosed that some N550, 000 ransom paid by the parents of the victim as ransom was also recovered from the suspects and that weapons used by the abductors were also recovered.

The police chief said, however, that investigations had commenced to determine if the captured suspects were among prisoners, who were recently granted amnesty.

JED to complement FG’s fight against corruption Isaac Shobayo - Jos

JOS Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc has expressed its readiness to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, saying the company is resolved to tackle head-on, practices such as energy theft, meter bypass and all forms of malfeasances perpetrated by customers that are conniving with staff of the organisation.

The chairman, board of directors of JED, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, who gave the warning at the launching and commissioning of pre-paid energy meters, distribution of transformers and other materials of JED in Jos, said the company was committed to protecting its revenue, adding that it would spare nothing within the ambit of the law to bring to book those found wanting.

Alhaji Ahmed, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, pleaded with those behind unwholesome vandalism of power installation across the country, to desist from such act and to embrace patriotism in their ways of life.

“Vandalism as you may be aware has become a global menace. Nigeria and indeed power assets have become victims of this criminal activity on a daily basis thereby depleting Nigeria capacity to generate, transmit and distribute electricity to our customers,” he said.

32

news

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Motorists abandon vehicles as fuel scarcity bites harder in North West •FCT residents appeal to FG for speedy solution

S

ocial and economic activities have been paralysed in five states of the North West, while motorists have abandoned their vehicles as the scarcity of petrol bites harder.

A check by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina states shows that the commodity had disappeared from most filling stations while hawkers of the product have taken over the streets.

The situation has forced most residents including commercial drivers to abandon their vehicles, while others now trek to their destinations.

Transport fares have since gone up as commercial vehicle drivers and motorcyclists also contend with the high cost of fuel.

In Sokoto, a community leader, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi, said the fuel scarcity has also led to rise in the cost of essential commodities.

“Most parents now don’t take their children to school because they cannot afford N1,500 for a four litre gallon of petrol,’’ Abdullahi lamented.

In Kano, some motorists said the situation was caused by the “illegal activities of some unpatriotic marketers in the state.’’

In Kebbi, the state government has taken over the allocation of fuel to filling stations in order to regulate the movement of fuel tankers.

Governor Atiku Bagudu said the decision was to control diversion and ease the hardship faced by motorists.

In Katsina, even commercial drivers are parking their vehicles due to the fuel scarcity, as it is no longer profitable to travel.

Malam Tasiu Aliyu, a commercial driver said

that some of them had to park their vehicle because they were no longer making profit.

In Kaduna, where Governor Nasiru el-Rufa’i announced the ban on the sale of fuel in gallons, the price of the product immediately jumped from

N800 to between N1, 600 and N2, 000 for a four litre gallon.

The Kaduna State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has officially jerked up transport fares by 50 per cent due to the fuel scarcity.

Mr Muhammad Makera, the Sokoto Zonal Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) told NAN that the problem was due to shortfall in supply and appealed for more patience.

Meanwhile, residents of the Federal Capital Terri-

Stranded commuters at Car Wash bus stop, Lugbe, as fuel scarcity persisted in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

UNICEF raises the alarm over number of child suicide attacker The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised the alarm over the increase in the number of children involved in suicide attacks in some West African countries.

The agency described those involved in the attacks as victims deceived into the act.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, in Abuja and signed

by UNICEF Regional Director for West/Central Africa, Mr Manuel Fontaine.

According to the statement, the affected coun-

tries are Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and Niger with majority of them as females.

“The number of children involved in suicide attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger has risen sharply over the past years, from four in 2014 to 44 in 2015.

“More than 75 per cent of the children involved in the attacks were girls.

“These children are victims, not perpetrators, who are being deceived and forced to carry out deadly acts of violence in

Nigeria and in neighbouring countries,” it said.

In the data released by UNICEF in the statement, Cameroon recorded the highest number of suicide attacks involving 21 children, followed by Nigeria with 17 children and Chad two, between January 2014 and February 2016.

It added that the frequency of all suicide bombings increased from 32 in 2014 to 151 in 2015.

According to the statement, in 2015, 89 of the attacks were carried out in Nigeria, 39 in Cameroon,

Ex-Abia commissioner sues FG over administration of Criminal Justice Act Taiwo Adisa-Abuja

Former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Dr ACB Agbazuere, has dragged the Federal Government to court over the implementation of certain sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan, early in 2015.

Agbazuere, in the Suit No/FHC/ABJ/ CS/889/2015, which was before Justice James Kola-

tory (FCT) have urged the Federal Government to initiate a speedy solution to end the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.

They said a quick resolution of the challenges would facilitate economic growth and reduce the hardship being faced by the people.

wole, was contending that some sections of the Act run contrary to the 1999 Constitution.

Agbazuere was also seeking the determination of the court on whether the provisions of section 165 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 could stand.

The provision requires the defendant or his surety to deposit a sum of money or other items as specified by the court before bail was approved.

He contended that such a provision was inconsistent with the provisions of section 36 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), adding that every person who was charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty.

The former Commissioner, who is also a lawyer, had dragged the government to court on November 2, 2015, insisting that the new Act contravenes certain sections of the Con-

stitution.

The lawyer, in a 17-paragraph affidavit, argued that the provisions of the new law runs contrary to the 1999 constitution and that if allowed to exist, “it means a Nigerian citizen who has no money or other security will be deprived of his right to bail and will not have his bail approved and will therefore be sent to prison until he/she pays the money when he/she is yet to be tried for the offence.”

16 in Chad and seven in Niger.

It added that the calculated use of children coerced into carrying bombs had created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion.

The statement said it had devastating consequences for girls who had survived captivity and sexual violence by Boko Haram in North East Nigeria.

In addition, it said children who escaped from or were released by armed groups were often seen as potential security threats.

“Children born as a result of sexual violence also encounter stigma and discrimination in their villages, host communities, and in camps for internally displaced persons.

“As suicide attacks involving children become common place, some communities are starting to see children as threats to their safety.

“This suspicion towards children can have destructive consequences,” it said.

The statement, however, said UNICEF was partnering with communities affected by terrorism and insecurity to fight stigmatisation against children, survivors of violence towards better environment.

NAFDAC shuts 16 herbal medicine facilities The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut 16 herbal medicine facilities and seized products over illegal operations in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The seizure was effected during a raid of illegal products facilities in Onitsha and neighbouring communities -- Nkpor and Ogidi --- by officials of the agency, on Tuesday.

Dr Christiana Esenwa, a Deputy Director and Coordinator of the agency, told newsmen that the agency had sanctioned no fewer than 100 practitioners from January 2015 till date.

Esenwa said that the affected companies were sanctioned for illegal manufacturing, sales, hawking and unapproved advertisements.

According to her, at a particular manufacturing facility, a lot of unregistered products were discovered.

ICPC establishes anti-corruption unit in UNIBEN Banji Aluko-Benin City

The Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), a constituted body that serves as eyes of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in government institutions, has been inaugurated for the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

The committee, which is made up of 11 senior lecturers drawn from various faculties of the university and two other non teaching staff members of the institutions, has Professor (Mrs) A.D. Ighoroje of the Department of Physiology as chairman.

Other members of the committee are Prof D.I. Teilanyo, Prof (Mrs) A.O. Aisen, Prof (Mrs) C. Okiemen, Dr Friday Ezomo and Engineer Johatem Edoreh.

Performing the inauguration on Tuesday, at the ICPC office in Benin, Edo State, the commissioner in charge of the ICPC in Edo State, Mr Olukile Olusesan, said more ACTU committees would be set up in other institutions starting with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), on Thursday.

33

south-westnews

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Yoruba in US, Canada insist on restructuring of Nigeria

By Kunle Oderemi

Y

ORUBA resident in the United States and Canada, on Tuesday, insisted on the restructuring of Nigeria so as to unlock the greatness of the country.

Rising from a meeting in Newark, New Jersey, the compatriots said the time to carry out such critical change was now when the country was battling with severe economic challenges.

The restructuring, they explained, should be aimed at having a weaker centre and more powerful federa-

tion units similar to other federations, to allow for healthy growth, competition and development.

Their position on the state of the Nigerian nation was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Egbé Omo Yorùbá (National Association of Yoruba descendants in North America, USA and Canada).

The national president, Chief Akin Bolu-Omodele, and the national secretary for public affairs, Princess Sola Yusuf Aiwinnilomo, signed the communiqué emailed to the Nigerian

Tribune.

“As Nigeria continues to struggle with economic challenges, we reiterate our position on the need to unlock the greatness of the country through the restructuring of the country to ensure the practice of a federal system of government with a weak centre and strong federating units,” the leaders stated.

They decried the negative effects arising from the existing defective federal structure, and commended the current efforts of the administration of President Mohammed Buhari, in fighting the scourge of cor-

ruption in particular.

While urging the government to be resolute in the war, they said all corrupt public officials and their private sector collaborators found culpable should face the full wrath of the law.

“The Egbe Omo Yoruba of North America is appalled at the names of a few prominent Yoruba leaders, who were mentioned as beneficiaries of graft by the prosecuting agency. We affirm that no political interest is greater than the need to ensure a culture of public probity and accountability,” they declared.

They, however, praised

the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Babatunde Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwunsi (Ojaja ll) for “his inclusive philosophy and unity tour to other traditional rulers and leaders in the South-West.”

As a way of complementing his effort, they announced a plan to host a Yoruba World Summit (YWS) from October 17 to 21, 2016 at the University of Ibadan, with the theme: Yoruba Renaissance: Understanding our past for a better future.

According to them, “The summit will be a platform to match our ideas and ideals and reposition the Yoruba land as envisioned by our founding fathers, as well as launch it into the vista of the 21st century cutting-edge technological approaches and strategies.

“It will provide a strong basis to initiate and set-up an agricultural project in a state in the South-West to unleash the limitless potentials of this sector as a foreign exchange earner and employment generating venture for the Yoruba.”

Nigerian Tribune

Osun govt closes unregistered private hospitals, others OSUN State government, on Tuesday, directed the closure of all unregistered private hospitals and related health institutions across the state until they are properly updated and registered.

This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Akinyinka Esho, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Health.

Esho also directed all registered clinics and convalescent homes to report at the ministry to re-affirm their status within seven days.

He said the state government had resolved to review the activities of all private hospitals and other health facilities in order to ensure proper health care service delivery.

The permanent secretary, therefore, enjoined all the affected private hospitals and clinics to comply with the directives, warning that failure to do so would attract severe sanctions.

Poly Ibadan’s new Ogun, French entrants urged to agency work towards regular obey rules B N A water supply y

From left, Overseer, CAC Baba Ibiye Ede, Prophet Funso Akande; Presiding Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Dr Francis Wale Oke and the Chaplain, Aso Rock Villa, Pastor Seyi Malomo, at the Advanced Ministers Seminar of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, in Ibadan, on Tuesday.

Planned sack of LAUTECH workers: Aregbesola’s counsel absent as court fixes hearing date Oluwole Ige - Osogbo ABSENCE of counsel to Osun State government, on Tuesday, stalled the continuation of the case instituted by a human rights lawyer, Mr Kanmi Ajibola, against Governor Rauf Aregbesola over alleged plan to sack about 678 staffs of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital.

The Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo, subsequently adjourned the hearing of the matter till May 16, 2016.

Ajibola had dragged the state government, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and LAUTECH to the high court over alleged plan to sack some of the staff of the hospital.

When the case came up yesterday, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Ashir Abioye, informed the court that the respondents have not replied the processes served on them.

He said the respondents have less than 24hours to respond to the interlocutory injunction and some days to respond to the summon notice.

The plaintiff, Ajibola, is seeking a declaration of the court to restrain the state

government; the governor and the hospital’s board from suspending or sacking the workers.

The plaintiff is praying the court for, “A declaration that the composition of the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Management

Board is not in compliance with the provision of the law and as such can’t lawfully implement any recommendation from the Osun State government to wit, sacking of 678 staff of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.”

Oyo Assembly summons IBEDC over epileptic power supply

By Wale Akinselure OYO State House of Assembly has summoned the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over issues ranging from epileptic power supply to hoarding of prepaid meters and arbitrary billing of electricity consumers.

The management of IBEDC is to appear before the assembly on May 10.

This was the consensus of Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, following a motion by Deputy Speaker, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah and mem-

ber representing Atiba constituency, Honourable Gbenga Oyekola.

Relaying the prayers of the motion, Oyekola decried the negative effects that unstable electricity supply had impinged upon businesses and livelihood of many Nigerians instanced in the folding up of some businesses and relocation of companies to other West African countries where electricity supply was stable.

He identified irregular power supply, arbitrary billing and hoarding of prepaid meters as some of the irregularities of IBEDC. Oyekola noted that

IBEDC, in many ways, threatened the socio-economic development of the state.

The motion is in consonance with issues bothering on metering, overbilling, non-electrification identified on several occasions by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

“The irregular power supply, billing for unused electricity, hoarding of prepaid meters associated with IBEDC have remained a clog in the wheel of progress in the state. They are also ripping off their consumers with high bills and illegal charges.”

THE Ogun State government has intensified efforts towards the successful completion and delivery of French Development Agency (AFD)-assisted water project in the state.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Project Management Committee, in Abeokuta, the state capital, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Leke Adewolu, who is also the chairman of the committee, said the project would focus on providing functional water supply services that would guarantee a service extension to over one million people with a pro-masses tariff policy, particularly in the state capital.

“The project focuses on providing a well functional water supply service for the economic development in the capital city, service extension to about one million people and a propoor tariff policy. The reform project would further institutionalise water sector with the implementation of the approved Water and Sanitation Policy and Water Sector Reform Law 2015 as well as the introduction of a more efficient and robust water sector,” Adewolu submitted.

urudeen

limi

NEWLY-admitted students into various parttime programmes at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, have been urged to adhere strictly to laid-down rules, as the institution will not hesitate to rusticate any student that act contrary.

The Rector, Professor Olatunde Fawole, stated this during the 2015/2016 matriculation ceremony for part-time students held at the Assembly Hall, North Campus of the institution, on Tuesday.

Fawole, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, Mr Bayo Oyeleke, stressed the need for the students to be of good character as this is one of the prerequisites for the award of National Diploma and Higher National Diploma of the institution.

“The Polytechnic, Ibadan is one institution that cherishes its hard-earned name and image. We expect our students to respect the rules and regulations of the institution. No student is expected to break the rules and regulations of the school,” he said.

He, however, advised the students to spend their time on and off campus wisely as this would enable them to come out with good grades.

34 news Lamido’s trial stalled over son’s illness

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, presented to Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, more documents to back up its claim on how former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido and his cohorts defrauded the state, but trial had to be adjourned due to sudden illness of the second defendant, Lamido’s son.

Lamido is being prosecuted alongside his two sons: Aminu and Mustapha and two others on a 27-count charge bordering on abuse of office and money laundering.

A prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas, an operative of EFCC, who testified as PW18, on April 11, revealed how Lamido, his sons and cohorts received kickbacks running to billions of naira.

After a revelation of how the deal were perfected, the court adjourned till today (Tuesday) for further hearing while admitting in evidence the documents presented to it.

At the resumed sitting today (Tuesday), counsel to EFCC, Chile Okoroma, while leading Wetkas in evidence, presented different documents showing contracts awarded to Dantata and Sawoe, A G Ferraro, Interior Woodworks Limited, Bamaima Company Nigeria Limited as well as sub -contracts from Dantata and Sawoe to Speeds International Limited, with their acceptance letter, receipts, waybills, payment vouchers, delivery notes and photocopies of cheques issued.

The documents were admitted as exhibits EFCC 63 - EFCC 111a-d.

At this point, Lamido’s counsel, O. E. Offiong, applied for a stand-down for an hour for the second defendant to get medical attention as he was said to be sick and he was obliged by the court.

At resumed sitting, the second defendant was still not back. Another standdown was given which later resulted to an adjournment.

Further hearing on the case has been fixed for May 9, 10 and 11.

Fire guts Zamfara NSCDC office Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

THE Zamfara State headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was gutted by fire on Tuesday morning.

The spokesman of NSCDC in the state, Aminu Ismail Maru, told the Nigerian Tribune, that the fire, which gutted the entire administrative building, started around 10.00 a.m.

Though, he disclosed that the NSCDC is still investigating the cause of the fire incident but said that preliminary findings revealed that it could be as a

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

result of electric fault.

It was also gathered that effort to put out the fire was not failed as there were only a few workers on duty during period Also, when the state fire service were contacted, they complained of fuel scarcity.

Among the early callers, was the state acting governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala, who sympathised with officers and men of the command.

Wakkala was accompanied to the NSCDC office by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Abdullahi Shinkafi.

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I, formerly Mrs Adedokun Alira CHANGE OF NAME Dasola now MRS ADEDOKUN I, formerly Mrs Adedokun Alira ALIRAT DASOLA. All former Dasola now MRS ADEDOKUN documents remain valid. Stanbic ALIRAT DASOLA. All former IBTC Bank Plc, First Bank Plc documents remain valid. Stanbic and general public take note.

IBTC Bank Plc, First Bank Plc CHANGE OFtake NAME and general public note.

I, formerly Miss Ogundiran CHANGE OF NAME Kehinde Bunmi MRS I, formerly Miss now Ogundiran ADENIJI RACHEL KEHINDE Kehinde Bunmi now MRS BUNMI. former documents ADENIJIAll RACHEL KEHINDE remain valid.

General public BUNMI. All former documents take note.valid. General public remain take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly Miss Oladiran OF NAME Adewumi now Oladiran MRS I, formerly Miss OLADAPO MORENIKEJI Adewumi now MRS ADEWUMI. All former OLADAPO MORENIKEJI documents valid.

ADEWUMI. remain All former General public remain take note. valid. documents General publicOF takeNAME note.

CHANGE I, CHANGE formerly OF Miss Rafiu NAME Opeoluwa Bukanla now MRS I, formerly Miss Rafiu OLADELE OPEOLUWA Opeoluwa Bukanla now MRS BUKANLA. All former OLADELE OPEOLUWA documents valid.

BUKANLA. remain All former General public remain take note. valid. documents General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, CHANGE formerlyOF NAME Ikotidem I, ong formerly Ikotidem Effi Ikotidem now MR Effiong Ikotidem now MR DANIEL IKOTIDEM. All DANIEL IKOTIDEM. All former documents remain formerGeneral documents remain valid. public take valid. General public take note. note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly OF MissNAME Hassan I, formerly Shakirat BolaMiss now Hassan MRS Shakirat Bola SHAKIRAT now MRS ABDULAZEEZ ABDULAZEEZ BOLA. All SHAKIRAT former BOLA. All documents remain former valid. documents General publicremain take note.valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NAME I, CHANGE formerly OFAdeboboye I, formerly Adeboboye Adekemi Janet now Adekemi KEMI Janet JANET. now OYELEYE OYELEYE KEMI JANET. All former documents All former remain valid. Firstdocuments Bank Plc remain valid.

Firsttake Bank Plc and general public note. and general public take note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

Wednesday, 13 1 April, 2016 Nigerian Tribune CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME OF NAME Friday, April, 2016 CHANGE I, formerly Titoju David I, formerly Miss Ejim Ifesinachi I, formerly Miss Joy Oladele nowOF NAME OTITOJU Beatrix now OF MRS EJIM Ochuko Urhuogo now CHANGE CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE NAME OLAKUNLE. IFESINACHI MRS EDHEKU OCHUKO I, formerly Titoju David I, formerly Miss UWAEBUKA. Ejim Ifesinachi I, formerly Miss Joy EMMANUEL former documents bearing All formernow documents JOY. All former documents Oladele now OTITOJU Beatrix MRS remain EJIM Ochuko Urhuogo now All Titoju David Oladele remain valid.

General UWAEBUKA. public take remain valid. OCHUKO General EMMANUEL OLAKUNLE. IFESINACHI MRS EDHEKU General public take note. note. public take note. documents valid.

All former documents bearing All former documents remain JOY. All former Titoju David Oladele remain valid.

GeneralOFpublic remain valid. OFGeneral CONFIRMATION NAME CHANGE NAMEtake CONFIRMATION OF NAME General public note. takeSeun note.Femi am the I,note. formerly Miss Olojo Precious I,public Mr Taiwo I,valid. formerly Miss take Onifade Atinuke now MRS CONFIRMATION OF TAIWO NAME same person as MR Adekunbi Funmilayo now CHANGE OFAKINLABI NAME CONFIRMATION OF NAME OLUWASEUN OPEYEMI. I, Mr Taiwo Seun Femi am All the documents bearing theseTAIWO names same person as MR OLUWASEUN OPEYEMI. All remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and documents bearing these names general public take note. remain valid. Skye Plc and CORRECTION OFBank NAME publicJeremiah take note.

I,general Majofodun Felix, that

MRS OYADEJIMiss ADEKUNBI I, formerly Onifade FUNMILAYO. All former Adekunbi Funmilayo now MRS OYADEJI ADEKUNBI documents remain valid.

FUNMILAYO. Allnote.former General public take documents remain valid.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME public takeam note.

I,General Ayeni Patrick Easylife the same

I, formerly Miss James Olayinka CHANGE OF NAME Rasidat Adedokun Ruth now I, formerly Miss James Olayinka MRS JAMES OLAYINKA Rasidat All Adedokun Ruth now RUTH. former documents MRS valid.

JAMESGeneral OLAYINKA remain public RUTH. take note.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, AJASA MATHEW OWOLABI am the CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND same person bearing AJASA CORRECTION OF DATE OFWAHEED BIRTH OWOLABI. My date of birth was I, AJASAwritten MATHEW OWOLABI am the wrongly as 3rd of June, 1969 samemy person bearing AJASA WAHEED but correct date of of birthbirth is 13th OWOLABI. My date was May, 1970.written All documents bearing wrongly as 3rd of June, these 1969 names remain valid.

General public but my correct date of birth is take 13th note.

May, 1970. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public CHANGE OF NAME take note.

myCORRECTION surname was wrongly spelt as OF NAME Omojorodun. Henceforth, I wish I, Majofodun Jeremiah Felix, to be known and addressed that as my surname was wrongly FELIX. spelt as MAJOFODUN JEREMIAH Omojorodun.

Henceforth, I wish All documents bearing these names to be known andBank addressed as remain valid. First Plc and MAJOFODUN JEREMIAH FELIX. general public take note.

All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc and CHANGE OF NAME general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Isibor Agho CHANGE NAME Nkoyen DorisOFnow MRS I, formerly Miss Isibor Agho EKEMITA NKOYEN DORIS. Nkoyen Doris now MRS All former documents remain EKEMITA NKOYEN DORIS. valid. General public take All former documents remain note. valid. General public take CHANGE OF NAME note.

I, formerly Olusegun Ogunlusi OF NAME nowCHANGEOLUWASEGUN I, formerly Olusegun Ogunlusi ADETOKUNBO OGUNLUSI. nowformer documents OLUWASEGUN All remain ADETOKUNBO valid.

Guaranty OGUNLUSI. Trust Bank All former documents (GTB) Plc and general remain public valid.note.

Guaranty Trust Bank take (GTB) Plc and general public CHANGE OF NAME take note.

I, CHANGE formerly Azeez Mujidat OF NAME Adeola MRS I, formerly now Azeez Mujidat ABDULAZEEZ MOJEEDAT Adeola now MRS ADEOLA. AllMOJEEDAT former ABDULAZEEZ documents valid.

ADEOLA. remain All former General publicremain take note.valid. documents General publicOF take note.

CHANGE NAME I, CHANGE formerly Miss Adebayo OF NAME

Rachael now I, formerlyAbosede Miss Adebayo MRS RachaelADEBOYE AbosedeADESOJI now ABOSEDE. All ADESOJI former MRS ADEBOYE documents valid.

ABOSEDE. remain All former documents remain General public take note. valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss OF Okeugo Ijeoma CHANGE NAME Stephanie MRSOkeugo STEPHANIE I, formerlynowMiss Ijeoma IJEOMA former Stephanie LADELE. now MRS All STEPHANIE documents Plc, IJEOMA remain LADELE.valid.AllGTBformer EcoBank Plc,remain NOUN, University of documents valid.

GTB Plc, Ibadan, Federal Ministry of Education, EcoBank Plc, NOUN, University of Nigerian Immigration Service, NECO, Ibadan, Federal Ministry of Education, WAEC andImmigration general public take note.

Nigerian Service, NECO, WAEC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NAME I, CHANGE formerly OFMr Yusuf I, formerly Mr Yusuf Nurudeen Alowonle now Nurudeen now MR MUSAAlowonle NURUDEEN MR MUSA NURUDEEN ALOWONLE. All former ALOWONLE.remain All former documents valid. documents General publicremain take note.valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, CHANGE formerly OF MissNAME Ikpefan I, formerlyJoy Miss Valentina now Ikpefan MRS Valentina Joy now MRS JOY AYODEJI BISIRIYU JOY AYODEJIAll BISIRIYU WILLIAMS. former WILLIAMS. All former documents remain valid. documents remain valid.

General public take note.

General public take note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, formerly Moliki Adebola I, formerly Moliki Adebola Onabolujo Onabolujonow nowMOLOLORUN MOLOLORUN MORIREGBA ADEBOLA MORIREGBA ADEBOLA ONABOLUJO. All ONABOLUJO. All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid.

General Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

I,I, formerly Miss Olorunfunmi formerly Miss Olorunfunmi Oluwagbemi Victoria Oluwagbemi Victoria now MRS ADEBAYO now MRS ADEBAYO OLUWAGBEMI OLUWAGBEMI VICTORIA. VICTORIA. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid.General Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

I,I, Umezinwa Umezinwa Ifeyinwa Ifeyinwa am am the the same same person person as as EJIKE EJIKE IFEYINWA. IFEYINWA. All All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names remain remain valid. valid. EcoBank EcoBank Plc, Plc, Skye Skye Bank Bank Plc Plcand andgeneral generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

I,I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Ladipo Ladipo Anuoluwapo Anuoluwapo Bosede Bosede now now MRS LADIPO-DAVIES MRS LADIPO-DAVIES ANUOLUWAPO BOSEDE. ANUOLUWAPO BOSEDE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. TESCOM, TESCOM, Oyo Oyo State State and and general generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

Th Thisisisisto toinform informthe thegeneral generalpublic publicthat thatmy my name namewas waswrongly wronglywritten writtenby byGTBank GTBankPlc Plc atatthe thetime timeof ofaccount accountopening openingas asAmodu Amodu Joseph Joseph Ochohepo Ochohepo instead instead of of AMEDU AMEDU JOSEPH JOSEPH OCHOHEPO. OCHOHEPO. Henceforth, Henceforth, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as AMEDU AMEDU JOSEPH JOSEPH OCHOHEPO. OCHOHEPO. All All documents documentsremain remainvalid. valid.GTBank GTBankPlc Plcand and general generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

I,I, formerly formerly Mr Mr Etuwede Etuwede Samuel Samuel Oke-Oghene Oke-Oghene now now MR MR UZEGBANO UZEGBANO SAMUEL SAMUEL OKE-OGHENE. OKE-OGHENE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid.

General General public public take take note. note.

CONSOLIDATION CONSOLIDATIONOF OFNAME NAME

CORRECTION CORRECTIONOF OFNAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

person bearing AYENIOF PATRICK. CONFIRMATION NAME Henceforth, I wish to be known I, Ayeni Patrick Easylife am the same and addressed as AYENI PATRICK person bearing AYENI PATRICK. EASYLIFE. All documents bearing Henceforth, I wish to be these names remain valid.known First and addressed as AYENI PATRICK Bank Plc, GTB Plc and general EASYLIFE. All documents bearing public note.remain valid. First these take names Bank Plc, GTB OF PlcNAME andAND general CONFIRMATION public take note.

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, formerly Miss Omorogbe CHANGE OF NAME Osahenrumwen Sheila I, formerly Miss Omorogbe now MRS OTOIDE Osahenrumwen O S A H E N R U M WSheila EN now MRSAll OTOIDE SHEILA. former O S A H E Nremain R U M Wvalid.

EN documents SHEILA.public All General take note.former documents remain valid.

General publicOF takeNAME note.

CHANGE

I, formerly Miss Mosunmola CHANGE NAME Bolatito RotimiOF now MRS I, formerlyBOLATITO Miss Mosunmola OLORODE ROTIMI. Bolatito now remain MRS All formerRotimi documents OLORODE valid.

Oyo BOLATITO State Post ROTIMI. Primary All formerService documents remain Teaching Commission valid. Oyo and State general Post Primary (TESCOM) public Teaching Service Commission take note.

(TESCOM) and general public CHANGE OF NAME take note.

I, formerly Miss CHANGE OF Olowoseye NAME Bukola Abodunrin now MRS I, formerly Miss Olowoseye ADERIBIGBE Bukola Abodunrin BUKOLA now MRS CHRISTIANA. former ADERIBIGBE All BUKOLA documents remain valid.

CHRISTIANA. All former General public remain take note. valid. documents General publicOF takeNAME note.

CHANGE

I, CHANGE formerlyOF NAME Okoboh Serah Serifat nowOkoboh MRS I, formerly OLUWAMBE SERAH Serah Serifat now MRS SERIFAT. former OLUWAMBEAll SERAH documents valid.

SERIFAT. remain All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly Lawal I, formerly Lawal Samsudeen Idowu Samsudeen Idowu now LAWAL IDOWU now LAWAL SAMSON. All IDOWU former SAMSON. remain All former documents valid. documents valid.

General publicremain take note.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Fakorede Saheed I, formerlynow Fakorede Saheed Olatunji OLATUNJI Olatunji now OLATUNJI SAHEED AYINDE. All SAHEED AYINDE. All former documents remain formerGeneral documents remain valid. public take valid. General public take note. note.

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGEMiss OF NAME I, formerly Imafidon I, formerly Miss Imafi don Ivie Jennifer now MRS Ivie Jennifer now IVIE MRS EDOGAMHE EDOGAMHEAll former IVIE JENNIFER. JENNIFER. remain All former documents valid. documents remain valid.

General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adekunle

PRECIOUS ATINUKE. All I, formerly Miss Olojo Precious former documents remain Atinuke now MRS AKINLABI PRECIOUS All valid.

GeneralATINUKE. public take former documents remain note. valid.

General CHANGE OFpublic NAMEtake I,note. formerly Miss Ibrahim NAME K. CHANGE OlubunmiOFnow MRS I, formerlyK. Miss Ibrahim OLAYEMI OLUBUNMI. K. former Olubunmi now remain MRS All documents OLAYEMI K. OLUBUNMI. valid.

General public take All former documents remain note. valid. General public take CHANGE OF NAME note.

I, formerly Okpara CHANGE Ezindu OF NAME Endurance now I, CLEANUS formerly OKPARA. Okpara REX Endurance now All former Ezindu documents REX CLEANUS OKPARA. remain valid. General public All note. former documents take remain valid. General public CHANGE take note. OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Phillips CHANGE OF NAME Omolara Odunayo now I, formerly Miss Phillips MRS OMOTINUGBON Omolara KOFOWOROLA. Odunayo now OMOLARA MRS OMOTINUGBON All former documents remain OMOLARA KOFOWOROLA. valid. General public take All former documents remain note. valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Onyedum CHANGE OF NAME Elizabeth Ifechukwu MRS I, formerly Miss now Onyedum ODEMELAM ELIZABETH Elizabeth Ifechukwu now MRS IFECHUKWUKA. All former ODEMELAM ELIZABETH documents remain valid.

IFECHUKWUKA. All former General public remain take note. valid. documents General public takeOF note.

CONFIRMATION NAME I, Oshilaja Iyabode Sarah, also known CONFIRMATION OF NAME as Oshilaja Iyabode Lydia am the same I, Oshilaja Iyabode Sarah, also known person bearing OSHILAJA IYABODE as OshilajaLYDIA. Iyabode Lydia the same SARAH All am documents person bearing OSHILAJA IYABODE bearing these names refer to me and SARAHvalid.

LYDIA. remain GTB All Plc, documents Corporate bearing these names refer to metake and Organisations and general public remain valid. GTB Plc, Corporate note.

Organisations and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

JIMOH: I, formerly Miss CHANGE OF NAME Jimoh Feyisola Victoria now JIMOH: I, formerly Miss MRS FEYISOLA JimohOLABANJI Feyisola Victoria now DOLAPO. All FEYISOLA former MRS OLABANJI documents valid.

DOLAPO. remain All former documents General public remain take note. valid.

General publicOF takeNAME note.

CHANGE NAME I, CHANGE formerly OF Emmanuel I, formerly Elisha Emmanuel Akintunde now Akintunde Elisha now EJIGBILE AKINTUNDE EJIGBILE AKINTUNDE ELISHA. All former ELISHA. All former documents remain valid. documents General public remain take note. valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly Miss Olanrewaju I, formerly Miss now Olanrewaju Folasade Olubola MRS Folasade Olubola FOLASADE now MRS ADESOPE ADESOPE OLUBOLA. All FOLASADE former OLUBOLA. remain All valid.former documents Oyo documents remain public valid. take Oyo SUBEB and general SUBEB and general public take note. note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OF NAME I, CONFIRMATION Fakayejo Deborah Omotayo am I, Fakayejo Deborah Omotayo am the same person bearing Fakayejo the same person Now, bearing Fakayejo Jadesola Omotayo.

I want to be Jadesolaand Omotayo.

Now, want to be known addressed as IFAKAYEJO known and addressed as FAKAYEJO DEBORAH OMOTAYO. All DEBORAH OMOTAYO. All documents bearing these names refer documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General to metake and remain valid. General public note. public take note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, formerly now Adekunle Ayodele Ayodele Joseph Joseph now DINA DINA ADEKUNLE AYODELE. All ADEKUNLE AYODELE. All former documents remain former documents remain valid. valid. Yale Yale Foods Foods Company, Company, Zenith Zenith Bank Bank Plc Plc and and general general public public take take note. note.

I,I, formerly Miss Idowu formerly Miss Idowu Omolara Oluwafunmike now Omolara Oluwafunmike now MRS AKANBI OMOLARA MRS AKANBI OMOLARA OLUWAFUNMIKE. All OLUWAFUNMIKE. All former former documents documents remain remain valid.

General public take valid. General public take note. note.

I,I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Coker Coker Folashade Esther now Folashade Esther now MRS MRS LAWAL LAWAL FARIDAH FARIDAH FOLASHADE. FOLASHADE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid.

General Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

I,I, Oni Oni Olubunmi Olubunmi Tunrayo Tunrayo am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Oni Oni Dorcas Dorcas Olubunmi Tunrayo.

Henceforth, Olubunmi Tunrayo. Henceforth, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as OLANREWAJU OLANREWAJU OLUBUNMI OLUBUNMI TUNRAYO. All documents TUNRAYO. All documents bearing bearing these these names names refer refer to to me me and and remain remain valid. valid.First FirstBank BankPlc Plcand andgeneral generalpublic public take takenote. note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME I,I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Oyelakin Oyelakin Tawakalitu Tawakalitu Aderonke Aderonke now now MRS MRS ADERONKE ADERONKE DANIEL. DANIEL. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATIONOF OFNAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME I,I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Jimoh Jimoh Latifat Latifat now now MRS MRS BELLO BELLO LATIFAT LATIFAT MORUNMUBO. MORUNMUBO. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

35 CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Lawal Raufu Adewale am the same person as Lawal Raufu. Now, I wish to be called and addressed as LAWAL RAUFU ADEWALE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Omotayo Yomi Oyejobi now OMOTAYO MUSILIU OYEJOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeleke Abibat Morenikeji now MRS. OBENBE ABIBAT MORENIKEJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bernard Adura now BERNARD ABOSEDE ADEDOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Akinwale Isaac Oluwole am the same person as Kinwale Isaac Oluwole and Oluwole Isaac. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as AKINWALE ISAAC OLUWOLE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Sule Jelili now MR ABDUL JELILI SULAIMON AKANO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Shittu Temitope Oriyomi now MRS TAPERE TEMITOPE ORIYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Deji Jacob Nunayon now ADENIYI SAMUEL OLAKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sowumi Adeola Hannah now BOSE IDOWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Tawayat Bukola Gbemisoye now MISS ADEDEJI BUKOLA TAWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Osayamen Majasan Michael now MAJASAN MICHAEL SEGUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Yemisi Ruth Obisesan now MRS YEMISI RUTH BABAFUNSO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olaniyi Oluwayomi Faith now MRS ADESINA OLUWAYOMI FAITH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Taiwo Saratu Adebola am the same person as Mrs Taiwo Sarah Omobola. Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS TAIWO SARAH OMOBOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Diala Annah Ego am the same person as DIALA HANNAH EGO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Iyanda Emmanuel Sunday now OGUNGBAYI YINKA JAMES. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Julius Jude Atteh now ARE OLUTOPE JUDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Omotayo Sheriki now MRS FUNMILAYO OMOTAYO ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Makanjuola Saida Toyin now MRS AZEEZ SAIDA TOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluborode Folarera Olamiposi now MRS AJIBADE FOLARERA OLAMIPOSI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Oladayo Timileyin Ebenezer am the same person as Oladayo Timileyin.

Henceforth, I wish to be called and addressed as OLADAYO TIMILEYIN EBENEZER. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adeyanju Sarah Ekosanmi now MRS OLABIWONNU SARAH ADEYANJU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Taiwo Janet Sade now OBOIKINO JANET SADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oladejo Abiola now ODUNTAN MODUPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akeem Aliu Ajayi now AKEEM AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Cecilia Elujoba now ELUJOBA BILIKISU ASABI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Fagbewesa Deborah Omotayo am the same person as Akanbi Deborah Omotayo and Akanbi Aishat Ajoke.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as FAGBEWESA DEBORAH OMOTAYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Morakinyo Akinola Philip now MORAKINYO GBENGA PHILIP. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Emmanuel Olalekan Ishola now EMMANUEL OLALEKAN OJASOPE. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Muibi Idowu Busayo now RAMOS IDOWU BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bamgboye Temilola Kemi now MRS POPOOLA TEMILOLA KEMI. All former documents remain valid. N&MCN and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwagbemi Oludamola Victoria now MRS ADELEKE OLUDAMOLA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oriade Abiola Tolulope now MRS LAWUYI ABIOLA TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Sadiq Muhammed Alabi am the same person as JIMOH BAKOJA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Makanjuola Adewemimo Oluwatosin now MRS SOYEMI ADEWEMIMO OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

I, S. Adepitan Dauda Ademola am the same person as Adepitan Dauda Ademola. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEPITAN DAUDA ADEMOLA. I was born on 3/6/1971. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

I, Dike Christianah Funmilayo am the same person as Dike Christianah Chidinma. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as DIKE CHRISTIANAH FUNMILAYO. My correct date of birth is 23rd of January, 1987 not 23rd of January, 1989. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, formerly Miss Oladipupo Elizabeth Tolulope now MRS AFOLABI ELIZABETH TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Kamorudeen Olatundun Olajumoke now MRS KAMORUDEEN OLATUNDUN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ajagbe Bolarinwa now BOLARINWA MUYIDEEN OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olivet Olushola Obaremo now MRS OLIVET OLUSHOLA KINGS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Onibudo Yetunde Sadiat now MRS OLOGUNJA YETUNDE SADIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Fatola Yetunde Fatola now MRS OYEBOLA YETUNDE F. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olabanjo Folashade Bukola now AKHIDENOR FOLASHADE BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Afolabi Sola Soji am the same person as Afolabi Sola Akinbami.

Henceforth, I wish to be called and addressed as AFOLABI SOLA SOJI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ojo Bukola Janet now MRS JEMINUSI BUKOLA JANET. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Balogun Selimot Bolanle now MRS DADA SELIMOT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Basirat Kazeem Oluwaseun now MRS AKEEM IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oladimeji Eunice Monisola now MRS OLAOYE EUNICE MONISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Sunday Abiodun Adebayo Alabi now SIMEON SUNDAY ABIODUN ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. Ilesa Anglican Diocese, Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aminu Morili Oyebukola now MRS HASSAN MORIDIAT OYEBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Alozie Felix Lawrence now ALOZIE LAWRENCE EZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Isiaka Tirimisiyu now SAKA TIRIMISIYU ADETUNJI. My correct date of birth is 1st day of January, 1990 not 1st day of July, 1990. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Raufu Yesufu Delesolu am the same person as Raufu Bolarinwa Yesufu. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as RAUFU YESUFU DELESOLU. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeola Temitayo Makinde now MRS ADEOLA TEMITAYO OLATUNJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Osunrinde Babatunde Tirimisiyu am the same person as Tunde Osunrinde. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OSUNRINDE BABATUNDE TIRIMISIYU. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Adefunke Abosede Adebayo now MRS ADEFUNKE ABOSEDE ALATISHE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Margaret Modupe Azu now MRS MARGARET MODUPE LATONA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeniji Temitope Elizabeth now MRS BURAIMO TEMITOPE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Oladele Fatimah Adetutu now OLADELE AISHAT TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Eleha Aiyeniromo now ADELEKE MODINAT ASABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Sanu Faramade Abike now MISS OKUNADE FARAMADE ABEGBE ABIKE MARY MARGARET. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Daramola Shola Sunday now DARAMOLA OLUSOLA SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odusanya Omolara Abolanle now MRS ADELEKE OMOLARA ABOLANLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bola Oyeniyi Asake now OGUNWALE HAFUSAT WUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyelami Olufunke Omolola now MRS ADIGUN OLUFUNKE OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olasehinde Oluwabose Apeke now MISS OLASEHINDE OLUWABUNMI AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Hammed Jelili Olalekan now BADMUS JELILI OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abideen Simiatu Omoriyeba now OLADOJA SEMIYAT ABIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olasehinde Foluke now MRS OLORUNFEMI FOLUKE OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

I, Ogunlade Ogunjimi Adio am the same person as Awoleye Ogunjimi Joshua. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OGUNLADE OGUNJIMI ADIO. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Ganiyu Salimu Sunday am the same person as Ganiyu Saleem Alade.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as GANIYU SALIMU SUNDAY. My correct date of birth is 24/03/1984 not 25/03/1985. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Basiru Isunmoila now AKANJI ISUNMOILA. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Jimoh Azeez now MR MOHAMMED ABDULAZEEZ. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities and general public take note.

I, Samuel Taiwo am the same person as Akpara Taiwo.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as SAMUEL TAIWO. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

EcoBank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Oseni Mosekola Morufat my name was erroneously written as Hussein Omowumi Mosekela instead of Oseni Mosekola Morufat. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OSENI MOSEKOLA MORUFAT. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Isaac Olawale now OLUWATUYI JOSEPH OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akinfala Owoseni Philip now AKINFALA OWOLABI PHILIP. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adegoke Oluwaseyi Adejoke now AYOMAKINDE OLUWASEYI ADEJOKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Adekunle Rahamon Adewale am the same person as Adekunle Ramoni Adewale. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEKUNLE RAMONI ADEWALE. I was born on 31/3/1971 and not 16/12/1979. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Borokinni Elijah Oluwatobi am the same person as Borokinni Tobiloba O. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as BOROKINNI ELIJAH OLUWATOBI. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Monica Francis now VICTORIOUS FRANCIS EMEH C. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwatoyin Mutiat Omolaja now MRS. OLUWATOYIN MUTIAT ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oke Ifeoma Ngozi now IKEYA BLESSING IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016 36 news LG boss Kogi Assembly: G5 members sit, suspend speaker, 9 others

As Reps summon IGP, AGF From Jacob Segun Olatunji, Kolawole Daniel and Yinka Oladoyinbo

T

HE crisis rocking the Kogi State House of Assembly deepened on Tuesday, as members suspended the embattled speaker, Momoh Jimoh Lawal and nine others over their alleged involvement in the crises.

The suspension was a fallout of the adoption of the report of a committee set up by the House under the leadership of Umar Imam, to investigate the crisis and identify those behind it.

The plenary was, however, attended by nine of the

23-member assembly.

The house at its sitting on March 10, adopted a motion moved by Friday Sani, to set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the sponsorship of the crisis and involvement of the National Assembly and its failure to ensure due process even at the instance of a court injunction.

The chairman of the committee, Mr John Abah, who presented the report, said the committee in its investigation, discovered that the House of Representatives was misguided by ‘’interested members who had interest in the crisis.’’

According to him, the interested members ensured that the House of Repre-

sentatives came into the crisis, saying that the situation in the state had not deteriorated into a breakdown of law and order for the National Assembly to exercise its powers in invoking Section 11(4) leaving out the provision of 11(5) of the constitution.

The committee chairman alleged that the suspended members had persistently fuelled the crisis and made it difficult for the house to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the assembly.

The committee, therefore, recommended the 10 members indicted for suspension.

Sanni, who seconded the motion, urged the house to adopt the three recommen-

dations of the committee.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, summoned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami and the Inspector General of Police( IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, to appear before an ad hoc committee over issues surrounding the Kogi State House of Assembly crisis.

The House, subsequently, set up an adhoc committee headed by the Minority Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, to investigate a letter purportedly written by the AGF to IGP on the matter and report back to the House within two weeks.

The IGP after complying with a National Assembly directive to seal up the Kogi Assembly, in a letter dated March 18,2016, sought the legal opinion of the AGF, who reportedly told him that the National Assembly was wrong to have taken over the Kogi Assembly.

The minister also advised the police boss to disregard the National Assembly’s directive in sealing off the Kogi Assembly.

However, Honourable Ossai Ossai, through a motion queried the AGF for challenging the authority of the National Assembly on a matter that he said was clearly defined by the constitution.

Contributing to the debate, the House Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, said that Section 11 of the constitution clearly explained the conditions necessary for taking over the Kogi Assembly.

NGO advocates financial education for children

By Wale Akinselure

From left, Chief Operating Officer, Seven Energy, Mr Jeff Corey; Head, Human Resources, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ms Funke Amobi; Human Resources/Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Ms Amina Oyagbola and the Area Head, Talent and Organisational Effectiveness, British American Tobacco, Mr Oshiomha Irumekha, at the HR People Magazine Award Night, in Lagos, recently.

Deregulation of oil sector’ll end fuel crisising—Adebutu and ultimately, at some Olayinka Olukoya Abeokuta

A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, has said that the deregulation of the oil sector, will bring an end to scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

He said this while speaking with newsmen shortly after the commissioning of his constituency office and empowerment programme in Remo North Local Government of the state, on Monday.

The lawmaker, representing Remo Federal Constituency in the lower chamber, said private investors should be encouraged to develop the sector.

The chairman, House Committee on Rural Development, noted that building of private refineries would boost oil production and this according to him, would put an end into the crisis associated with petroleum products.

“When there is deregulation, you can sell your petrol at ordinary price, then, there is an incentive for people to build refineries

and when those refineries are built, you might even stop exporting crude oil, you might just be exporting PMS, this will make life better for us,” he added.

He maintained that the four refineries owned by the government could no longer satisfy the needs of the people.

On the state of the 2016

budget, the lawmaker, said the executive could not claim sole right of the document, arguing that the National Assembly would equally have an input.

“You must remember that from day one, the budget appeared and disappeared and now, it has been reappearing and disappear-

stage, I know the All Progressives Congress (APC), will get its acts together.

“The concept of governance is a collective work, the National Assembly, in its wisdom, has done its part and the executive as presented by the APC cannot claim the monopoly of governance.”

Return govt properties now, Bello tells ex-office holders Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja KOGI State government, on Tuesday, read the riot act to political office holders in the immediate past government over the continued possession of government property, with a threat to invoke relevant aspects of the law against defaulters.

The government, particularly, ordered the political office holders who have made away with government vehicles to return them or face the wrath of the law.

The chairman of vehicles recovery committee in the state, Adaidu Akoh, told newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, that the committee

had already recovered seven vehicles from such erstwhile office holders.

It will be recalled that the political office holders that served under the administration of former Governor Idris Wada, were alleged to have catered away some vehicles from the government’s fleet before the inauguration of the current administration on January 27.

However, immediately after the inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as governor of the state, appeals were made to those guilty of having government vehicles in their possession to return such.

But the refusal of those involved in this act to return the vehicles, made the

governor to recently constitute the vehicles recovery committee.

The committee, which comprises of a representatives of the state Ministry of Justice, security agencies and transport officers at the Government House and that of Head of Service (HoS), at the inauguration, was mandated to go in search of the vehicles and recover same in order to accelerate the smooth running of government programmes.

The chairman of the committee, who is also the special adviser to the governor on special duties, said the committee had been working and had got back seven of the vehicles.

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Child Development and Concern Foundation (CDCF), has advocated better financial education and financial inclusion of today’s child, saying that the current economic challenges might not be unconnected with poor financial education of present day leaders at their childhood.

The executive director, CDCF, Alhai Iskil Yussuf, made this call at the inauguration of child development finance club in schools in Oyo State, as part of events marking 2016 global money week.

In his address, Yusuf called on well-meaning Nigerians to mobilise their children and youths towards having financial education and financial inclusion to make them knowledgeable about taking better economic decisions.

“No one of us is in doubt that the world, without excluding Nigeria, is facing serious financial challenges, going from economic depression to economic recession and this is not unconnected with poor financial knowledge of most present day leaders making poor financial decisions. Probably, if they had had good financial education at childhood, the situation may not have been the same.”

Restating commitment to child development, he asserted commitment to civic and moral education to children of adopted schools through programmes that entails engaging and educating children and youths.

commends CP on war against criminals

By Tunde Adegbola THE chairman, Transition Committee of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Mr Abdulrafiu Baruwa, has lauded the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulmajid Alli, for his efforts at reducing the spate of cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes in the council area.

The chairman made the commendation when the commissioner paid him a visit in his office on Monday.

This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen by the Director of Information of the council, Mr Bosun Onanuga Baruwa said the activities of the commissioner had endeared him to the peace loving and well-meaning people of Ijebu-Ode and the state at large.

The commissioner explained that his team in Ogun State had mapped out strategies on daily basis to fight crime to a standstill in the state.

The commissioner of Police also lauded the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Kayode Adetona and other well-meaning people of the area for their regular support to the police.

Pa Oni for burial THE burial activities for the late educationist and a one-time councillor in Ijero Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Chief Michael Alfred Kolawole Oni, will commence tomorrow with tributes and testimonies on the life and time of the late politician at his residence, 13, Atiba Street, Ilukuno-Ekiti.

There will be a funeral service for him on Friday, at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Ilukuno-Ekiti and followed by interment.

Honourable Oni died on December 25, 2015 at the age of 80 years He was a former diocesan adviser on agriculture to the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Ekiti West, Ijero-Ekiti, Alatunse Ijo of Emmanuel Anglican Church, IlukunoEkiti and Bobatolu of Ilukuno-Ekiti, during his life time.

He was survived by two wives, children and grandchildren, among whom are Mrs Bosede Arogundade, Mrs Kemi Efemena and Mr Stephen Kolawole.

37

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Kenya deporting more Taiwanese citizens to China KENYA is preparing to deport another group of Taiwanese nationals to China, after a similar action prompted Taiwan to accuse Beijing of kidnapping.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry chief of West Asian and African affairs Antonio Chen says 37 nationals were put onto a Chinese plane for a flight from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to mainland China.

Chan says after 15 of the nationals refused to leave the police station for the airport, Kenyan police fired tear gas in the jail and broke through the wall to force the group out.

The 37 Taiwanese slated to be deported Tuesday, along with the eight citizens expelled earlier had been arrested in Kenya in 2014 and charged with cyber crime. A Kenyan court dismissed the charges and gave the group 21 days to leave the country.

Chen Ting-fei, a lawmaker from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), displays a justice agreement signed between Taiwan and China to the press at Parliament in Taipei, April 12, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Race for UN’s secretary-general begins

F

OR the first time in history of the United Nations all member states will get a chance to question the candidates for secretarygeneral, in a move designed to make the usually secret selection process for the world’s top diplomatic post more transparent.

The eight hopefuls for one of the world’s most highprofile jobs will also hold town hall meetings with the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

They will each pitch their credentials and then answer questions in a two-hour session.

Last year, the General Assembly responded to a demand from many countries that SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon’s successor be chosen in a more open process, unanimously adopting a resolution allowing public hearings on how candidates would respond to global crises and run the UN’s farflung bureaucracy.

The search for a successor to Ban - a former South Korean foreign minister who will step down at the end of the year after two five-year terms - has also prompted a push by more than a quarter of UN states for the first female leader.

While the 15-member Security Council will formally recommend

UN Secretary General Bank Ki-Moon a candidate to the 193-member General Assembly, the General Assembly vote has long been seen as a rubber stamp.

Nations with veto powers - the US, Russia, Britain, China and France - must agree on the nominee.

As part of the changes introduced by the General

IMF: EU exit could cause severe damage THE United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union could cause “severe regional and global damage”, the International Monetary Fund has warned in its latest outlook.

A so-called “Brexit” would disrupt established trading relationships and cause “major challenges” for both the UK and the rest of Europe, it said.

The IMF said the referendum had already created uncertainty for investors and a vote to exit would only heighten this.

Vote Leave said the IMF had been “consistently wrong” in past forecasts.

The IMF, one of the main pillars of the global economic order with a mandate to oversee the international monetary and financial system, also cut its UK growth forecast.

It now expects 1.9% growth in the UK this year, compared with its January estimate of 2.2%. For next year, it expects 2.2% growth, unchanged from its earlier forecast.

If the 23 June referendum in the UK were to produce a vote in favour of leaving the EU, the IMF would expect negotiations on postexit arrangements to be protracted, which it warned

otherNEWS

officer saying “If you don’t want to be arrested, move on back to 1st street.”

U.S. Capitol Police said the demonstrators are being processed using mass arrest procedures.

Some of the protestors were led away from the east front of the Capitol in plastic handcuffs.

The protest was organized by a coalition of groups calling itself “Democracy Spring” which said on its website that the demonstration was held “to demand Congress take immediate action to end the corruption of big money in our politics and ensure free and fair

elections in which every American has an equal voice.”

Demonstrators stage a sit-in at the Capitol in Washington, urging lawmakers to take money out of the political process, April 11, 2016. PHOTO: AP

Darfur votes in referendum amid boycott

A woman casts her ballot during Darfur’s referendum at a registration center at Al Fashir in North Darfur, Sudan, April 12, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS.

VOTING is underway this week in Sudan’s Darfur region on a controversial referendum over whether to unify Darfur’s five states into a single administrative unit.

The exclusion of voters displaced by fighting since 2003 has many questioning the credibility of the poll.

Sudan’s government has carved up the Darfur region

twice, in 1994 and 2012, creating five states there.

Khartoum is in favor of preserving the status quo.

But proponents of unification say it will give Darfur more autonomy and influence, addressing a key driver of conflict since 2003.

Rebel groups have long said Darfur is economically and politically marginalised,

“could weigh heavily on confidence and investment, all the while increasing financial market volatility”.

It also believes a UK exit from the EU would “disrupt and reduce mutual trade and financial flows” and restrict benefits from economic co-operation and integration, such as those resulting from economies of scale.

However, the Fund said that domestic demand, boosted by lower energy prices and a buoyant property market, would help to offset the impact on UK growth ahead of the EU referendum.

A committee of Brazil’s lower house of Congress has recommended the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, who faces charges of breaking budget laws to support her reelection in 2014.

The committee voted 3827 in favour of the move, with a vote in the full lower house expected to take place on Sunday. If two thirds vote in favour, the impeachment will be sent to the Senate.

If the upper house decides by a simple majority to put Rousseff on trial, she will immediately be suspended for up to six months while the Senate decides her fate, and Vice President Michel Temer will take office as acting president.

It would be the first impeachment of a Brazilian president since 1992 when Fernando Collor de Mello faced massive protests over corruption charges and resigned moments before his conviction by the Senate.

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff. PHOTO: AP

Surge of clashes in Syria on eve of Geneva peace talks

Hundreds of protesters arrested at US Capitol POLICE have arrested more than 400 protesters who were demonstrating by the United States Capitol in Washington against the role of money in politics, saying the protesters engaged in “unlawful demonstration activity.”

Video of the protest Monday showed a police

Assembly last year, the list of candidates has been made public for the first time, with nomination letters and even the candidate’s CVs posted online.

Committee recommends impeaching Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff

as well as facing daily insecurity.

Still, many in Darfur say they aren’t voting this week.

“I don’t see people enthusiastic in order to vote, It seems that referendum is a boycott by a majority of the people in Darfur,” said a man who lives in Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state.

SYRIA’S landmark ceasefire was threatening to fall apart on Tuesday amid a surge of fresh fighting, especially in northern Aleppo province, just as peace talks were set to resume in Geneva.

The UN’s Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, who has said the negotiations due to start on Wednesday would be “crucially important,” was in Iran for talks with a key backer of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.

This week’s round of talks in Geneva will be the second since Assad’s regime and rebel forces agreed to a partial truce brokered by Moscow and Washington, which has largely held since February 27.

It has raised hopes that steps may finally be taken towards resolving the fiveyear-old conflict, which has left more than 270,000 dead and displaced nearly half of the country’s population.

Residents inspect damages after an airstrike on the rebel held al-Maysar neighborhood in Aleppo Abdalrhman Ismail. PHOTO: REUTERS.

38

communitynews

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

Obodogba defends Iyase title holder, condemns disrespect for elders alphonsus agborh-asaba

O

BODOGBA community in Okpanam kingdom in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has once again thrown its weight behind the Iyase title bestowed on Dr Silvan Ebigwe.

Arising from its delegates conference in the community, the people noted with sadness that some persons,

through the media, are claiming they had stripped Dr. Ebigwe of the title conferred on him 25 years ago.

In a communiqué issued after the conference and endorsed by the oldest man of Obodogba, (Diokpa Isi),

Diokpa Matthew Nwokole Nwuzu Ubogu and others, the community stated emphatically that the Iyase title had not been given to another person other than the present holder, while also observing the level of

disrespect for elders and to Diokpa’s leadership in the area.

While noting the level of lawlessness in the area the communique said all fines imposed on community members without the

approval of the Diokpa Isi and his council had been nullified.

It condemned the attack on delegates at the conference by some hoodlums, saying that the conference also agreed never to allow

Itesiwaju LG boss’ wife distributes notebooks to pupils WIFE of the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Blessing Adeagbo, has distributed exercise books to primary school pupils in the council area.

Mrs Adeagbo, who made the presentation when she visited some primary schools in the council, said the gesture was to appreciate the love shown her husband following his appointment as the council’s helmsman.

The gesture, according to a release signed by the council’s Information Officer, Mr Dapo Kayode, was also to commemorate the Easter celebration.

She assured that good governance and development projects await the people of the council, adding that her husband would not disappoint them.

According to her: “The people of Itesiwaju Local Government Area have proved to be the best I have seen. I can assure you that my husband’s administration will be unprecedented in terms of good governance and development projects.”

Wife of the Chairman, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Blessing Adeagbo (middle), during the distribution of exercise books to pupils in the council area recently. With her are pupils of primary schools in the area, teachers and government officials.

Olofa laments lack of interest in education Biola Azeez-Ilorin

WORRIED by the nonchallant attitude of parents and guardians to the educational pursuits of their children and wards in Offa

Local Government Area of Kwara State, the traditional ruler of the ancient town, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, has appealed to the people for a change of attitude.

THE Ogun State House of Assembly has directed the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to conduct referendum in five out of the 37 newly proposed Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

The Speaker, Honourable Suraj Adekunbi, who gave the directive during Wednesday’s plenary, charged the electoral body to conduct the exercise within two weeks in Abeo-

Speaking at the fund raising for the scholarship scheme organised by Offa Development Foundation in Offa recently, the traditional ruler said education remains the best legacy to

bequeath to children.

Oba Gbadamosi, who called on the people not to be discouraged by the present high rate of unemployment in the country, said uneducated people would

Ajimobi receives kudos for construction of Molete-Eyin Grammar Road sustenance of peace and by tunde adegbola

THE newly elected General Chairman of Eyin Grammar Community Development Association (EGCDA), Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, has commended the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for the construction of the Molete-Eyin Grammar Road.

Adegoke made the commendation during his inauguration as new gen-

eral chairman of the association, at their meeting House at Eyin Grammar in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of the state.

According to him: “It is only when there is peace and unity in an area that anything meaningful can be achieved.

“I hereby solicit the support, cooperation and loyalty of members of the three communities that make up the area in

Ogun assembly directs OGSIEC to conduct referendum in 5 LCDAs by gbenga olumide

some people in the community who are bent on causing trouble, to destroy and pocket the town.

While expressing confidence in the leadership of Diokpa Ubogu as the only Diokpa-Isi of Obodogba, the conference condemned in its entirety the attempt by a member of the community to seek a high court order through his sworn affidavit declare by him as the acting Diokpa of Obodogba.

This, the communiqué said, tantamount to abuse of the people’s cultural heritage which negates due process.

Following the development, it was resolved that henceforth, any meeting of the community not summoned and approved by Diokpa-Isi should be considered null and void.

A seven-man committee to review all outstanding issues affecting the community, including pending court cases and land/ boundary disputes was put in place at end of the conference.

kuta North-East, with proposed headquarters at ItaIyalode, Sango/Ijoko with its proposed headquarter at Sango, Coker Ibogun, at Ibogun, Afon at Oloka Afon and Ifesowapo at Imodi-Imosan.

Adekunbi further instructed the transition committee chairmen of the affected local government areas to forward a letter of resolution on the acceptance of the creation of the LCDAs to the assembly after the exercise.

He lauded the people of the state for trooping out to be part of the public hearing on the creation of the LCDAs, saying their presentations at the forum would assist the assembly to give the best to the citizenry.

It will be recalled that the assembly, a forthnight ago, organised a-three day stakeholders’ forum to harness the input of the citizenry on the creation of LCDAs to further bring governance nearer to grass roots.

running the affairs of the association, as a tree cannot make a forest.”

Alhaji Adegoke also commended the immediate past general chairman of the association, Pastor Matthew Omosebi, for his leadership style and

unity among the communities throughout his two term tenure.

The communities that form EGDCA are Araromi, Irewolede and OpeOluwa. They have 918 houses altogether.

Come home and invest, Iponda indigenes advised INDIGENES of Iponda in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State in Nigeria and in the diaspora have been advised to return home to invest and contribute their quota to the development of the community.

Giving the advice recently, an Ibadan-based industrialist, Mr. Adebayo Olaniran, also called on the state government to come to the aid of the community which, he said, was lacking several basic amenities such as roads, potable water, electricity, among others.

He called on the state government to make its presence felt in rural communities, noting that its rural development efforts should include the provision of assistance to farmers.

Olaniran, however, appealed to the people of Iponda to ensure regular payment of taxes, saying: “The people also need to assist government by paying taxes regularly and assisting security agencies in the their role of protecting life and property by reporting security threats in their environment.

not be considered for employment if vacancies for jobs eventually exist.

He, therefore, implored wealthy individuals and groups in Offa to donate generously towards the fund to enable the foundation realise its dream which is to enable brilliant and indigent sons and daughters of Offa receive formal education Also speaking, the National President of Offa Development Union (ODU) and National President of the Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeemdeen Yasin, who commended the foundation for its achievements since inception in 1960, urged members not to relent in their efforts.

The guest speaker on the occasion, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Ilorin, Professor (Mrs) Yetunde Sidikat Ijaya, spoke on “Education, Change and Development: Taking Offa to the next level.”

Professor Ijaya, who commended the foundation for the gesture, urged other non-government organisations to follow suit.

The chairman of the foundation, Prince Lasisi Lawal, said the scheme was launched to give scholarship to indigent sons and daughters of Offa as a way of assisting parents and empowering children.

39

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

corporatesport

With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08116954642

SDEVPEN donates balls to Lagos correctional home

Femi Abioye; coordinator, SDEVPEN Nigeria (second left) presenting balls to Mr Lukmon Kotun, principal Special Correctional Centre (middle) who represented the Ministry and Social Development while others looks on.

Emirates, New York Cosmos extend global partnership

By Wale Emosu

E

mirates has announced that it has signed a new multi-year global partnership deal with the North American Soccer League (NASL) reigning champions, the New York Cosmos.

Emirates will continue as the club’s founding partner and jersey-front sponsor.

The contract renewal date began on the 1st April and will run for a period of three years. In addition to having Emirates’ world renowned ‘Fly Emirates’ logo emblazoned on the front of the Cosmos playing and training kits, the sponsorship also includes on and off field signage and branding, broadcast commercials on ONE World Sports, digital, social media and website visibility and ticket and hospitality inventory.

Emirates will also have the rights to be the presenting sponsor of the next three editions of the Cosmos Copa, the largest amateur soccer tournament in the U.S. Emirates and the New York Cosmos first teamed up in 2013 for the club’s North American Soccer League reboot season. Since then the team has been crowned as “Soccerbowl” champions in 2013 and a4 gain in 2015.

“Soccer is an international sport that unifies fans from all corners of the world,” said Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand. “Emirates takes

pride, not only in its ability to deliver an award-winning travel experience to its passengers, but in its support for global sports teams that connect people from all walks of life via a shared passion.

The New York Cosmos is an iconic club with a rich history that has brought fans together across generations. We look forward to continuing this partnership and joining the Cosmos along a journey of continued growth in Emirates’ first U.S. destination, New York City.”

“Being a member of Emirates Airline’s portfolio of international teams is an honor for the club, but one that reflects the unique history and huge global appeal of the Cosmos,” said New York Cosmos Chairman, Seamus O’Brien. “Since our reboot season we have already visited six countries, including our historic trip to Cuba last year. As America’s global team, for the global game, we look forward to building on the success of our first three years together, both at home and overseas” he added.

The New York Cosmos will continue to be a part of Emirates’ dynamic roster of global sports sponsorships including some of the world’s most premier soccer clubs: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, SL Benfica, Hamburger SV, Paris Saint-Germain, and Olympiacos FC. In recent years, Emirates has expanded its presence in tennis with a sponsorship portfolio that includes the US Open, the

Emirates Airline US Open Series, the Australian Open, the Emirates Airline Australian Open Series as well as the French Open. Emirates

is also the Premier Partner of the ATP which provides net branding at every men’s event globally and the Emirates Rankings.

The Sports for Development and Peace Network, Nigeria has donated soccer balls to the Lagos state correctional home along Kudirat Abiola Road, Ojota to mark this year’s United Nations World International day for sports development and peace.

According to Femi Abioye, National Coordinator of the Sports for Development and Peace Network in Nigeria, the day has been specially dedicated for advocacy and a platform for organisations in social enterprise or NGOs to raise awareness about the opportunities available in sports to promote social development and other positive causes.

In the same vein, some sets of balls were donated to Lagos state Para-Soccer

Okpekpe race: Linkage Assurance named official insurer Director of Organisation for the annual Okpekpe 10kilometre road race, Zak Amodu has revealed that the body has secured the sponsorship of Linkage Assurance plc as the official insurer of the fourth edition slated to hold on May 7.

Disclosing this at a world press conference in Lagos on Sunday, Amodu said: “ In our determination to meet the requirement of the IAAF label condition, we have this afternoon se-

cured the sponsorship of Linkage Assurance Plc as the official insurer of the fourth edition of the Okpekpe road. They will provide insurance cover for the entire 3000 runners expected this year on a value in kind basis with some cash to support the overall race organisation.

“The total financial commitment of 10m naira will be envisaged to cover the following; Death benefit for each athlete and official; permanent disable-

Players and officials of MFM FC celebrating their WGB/ Lagos FA Cup victory

ment; medical expenses.

Linkage will be joining the following broadcast partners: Supersports - they will broadcast on Pay TV and support with a pre-event Lets Play activity for 2000 kids on the 6th May 2014, AIT will be broadcasting terrestrial as a broadcast partner alongside Channels TV. “As in the first bronze label race, we are committed to improving our status with the ambition of getting a silver label.

Association which was received by the Chairperson of the body, Nkechi Obi and the homeless world cup representative in Nigeria received by Mr Yomi Kuku.

Speaking after the presentation of the sporting equipments supplied by Rudder sports Management, Abioye revealed that their organisation decided to mark the 3rd year in the series with the theme, Children Under Care and Support: Their Rights to Play and Sports as to raise awareness over the right of every child to have access to adequate physical exercise to aid their all-round development.

“Because of various factors, these rights are being infringed on, so basically for this year’s celebration, we brought to fore these fundamental issues and as a way of making it an advocacy thing, we donated balls to the Lagos state Ministry of Youth and Social Development under which the children under care and supervision comes under.”

He added, the donated equipment will help the kids to express their God-given talents which is the core area of the message being preached by the United Nation and SDEVPEN. Saying that their goal is, “To see some of them being able to participate in the FIFA organized Homeless World cup and some other initiatives geared at encouraging them to be what they are in the near future.”

SIDELINES

no 16,478

n150

Wednesday, 13 April, 2016

The Kaduna State government, on Monday, said that it had given 347 of the Shiite members killed during a confrontation with the Army in Zaria mass burial. So when is the nation going to give impunity and extrajudicial killings mass burial?

Super Falcons players celebrate their victory over Senegal in Abuja on Tuesday.

Falcons pick Awc ticket, beat Senegal 2-0 Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

N

IGERIA’S senior women football team, the Super Falcons, has booked a place in the 10th African Women Championship holding in Cameroon later in November.

The Falcons earned the ticket courtesy of their 2-0 defeat of the Teranga Lioness of Senegal in the second leg of the final qualifying round at the National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday.

The Nigerian girls qualified for the championship, which they had won seven times, on a 3-1 aggregate, having been forced to a 1-1 draw last Friday in Dakar, Senegal.

Returnee Rita Chikwelu put

Nigeria ahead in the 30th minute before Igbinovia Osarenowa made it two in the 46th minute.

Speaking on the match, Falcons

coach, Florence Omagbemi expressed happiness in the team’s qualification for the AWC, saying that the victory was a team effort.

Tonight Champions League q/final fixtures Atletico Madrid v Barcelona 7:45 Benfica v Bayern Munchen 7:45 “I want to thank the girls and the coaching crew. It was a team effort for the technical crew and the players. We all did it together as a

FA chairmen, secretaries storm Abuja for extraordinary congress A good number of FA chairmen and secretaries have already arrived in Abuja for an extra-ordinary congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which is expected to hold today.

A source informed Africanfootball.com that the congress may take a decision on the crisis rocking the football house which centres on the face-off between

Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa.

However, feelers from the Giwa camp said any such assembly will be viewed by the court as contempt as the Jos federal high court has equally disbanded the congress.

One of the top officials told AfricanFootball.com Giwa is equally aware that part of the agenda of the congress is to slam

a ban on him.

Last week, the Giwa group got the court to re-list their case

THE Ambassador Chris Giwa-led board of the Nigeria Football Association (NFF) on Tuesday vowed to liberate Nigerian football from the clutches of those feeding on it, even as it stated that it would stick with its mandate with extreme patience.

Addressing sports journalists in Abuja, the court pronounced NFF President, Giwa stated that his board had decided to embark on its

Sacks state Fa chairmen well-thought-out battle, saying that they appreciated the enormity of opposition ahead of them.

“We want to assure the nation that, this is a mandate we are going to stick to with extreme patience.

We must liberate Nigerian football from the clutches of those who are feeding on it and make it investorfriendly game.

“We have decided to embark on

this well-thought-out battle. We appreciate the enormity of opposition ahead of us but we shall conquer,” Giwa stated.

He informed that having been elected and sworn in by the electoral committee set up by the NFF, the post-election issues, which made former President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene, which he said made his board to asked the Fed-

against the NFF leadership, which they had suspended two years ago.

Security beefed up at NFF secretariat The presence of security operatives at the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was

We must liberate Nigerian football —Giwa Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

group,” she said, adding that, “we still need to push on because we still have a bigger task ahead in Cameroon.”

eral High Court in Jos to step down their suit with a proviso that if they were not satisfied they reserve the right to return to court.

According to Giwa, “We opted to leave the matter until illegal occupants of our mandate feeling cozy decided to run all of us including the media, players, coaches etc out of administering our game from the n dr election. They want only chairmen of state FAs to be the only ones eligible to contest. We returned to court and here we are today.”

increased on Tuesday following fears that the claimant to the presidency of the football association, Chris Giwa, will show up.

Giwa had vowed on Tuesday to storm the secretariat, also known as the Glass House, to formally take over as the president of the NFF. The security operatives, mainly riot policemen, had been at the secretariat since Friday to forestall any violence that could arise as a result of the order of a court in Jos, Plateau State, which had been interpreted along different lines.

Giwa on Monday faulted the position of world football governing body, FIFA, on the crisis rocking the NFF.

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. 13/4/2016.