13th July 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,544

WEDNESDAY, 13 JULY, 2016

Buhari writes Reps, seeks passage of budget for NNPC, FIRS, others —P5

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Edo election: Restructuring 19 out of 30 debate parties beat confusing deadline —INEC —Osinbajo —P5

•Says PDP made the list —P37

Senate threatens to arrest AGF, summons SGF again

•Forgery trial: Battle over plot to suspend anti-Saraki senators •House in rowdy session over immunity for NASS leadership —Pp 4&5 Senior police officers complain of lopsided postings

Pastor E. A. Adeboye during his visit to the house of murdered female preacher, in Abuja, on Tuesday morning.

—P32

N81bn debt: MRS not indebted to AMCON —P11

Fish out killers of Abuja female preacher, Reps tell IGP •Autopsy to be carried out before burial —Family •As Adeboye visits husband, children

—P4

PDP to APC: Like Tambuwal, Ekweremadu's post valid —P6

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Wednesday,13 July, 2016

RC 103022

news

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

House in rowdy session over immunity for NASS leadership Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

HE House of Representatives, on Tuesday, again witnessed a rowdy session over an amendment to alter section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to give immunity to the leadership National Assembly. While leading the debate on the need for the amendment, sponsor of the bill, Honourable Leo Ogor, pointed out that by providing immunity for the

leadership of the National Assembly, independence of the legislature would be guaranteed. According to him, “the amendment is straightforward, but needs some clear explanation. The amendment seeks to strengthen the National Assembly, they (leadership) should be protected for the period they are in office. However, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, the Majority Leader kicked against the amendment as proposed, saying the timing of the legislation was not right.

According to him, “we must feel the pulse of the people, there is something about timing, timing in any piece of legislation is important. There are issues in the Senate and I pray it is resolved first.” Honourable Aliyu Madaki, however, opposed the move through a point of order, reminding the Speaker on the procedure through which bills were passed on the floor. But the Speaker noted that committing the bill to the committee did not mean outright passage, as the proposal could possibly die at the committee level.

“We have experts in the committee and if they find anything wrong in the bill, they will throw it out and it will never come back to the larger House,” he said. Trouble started at about 12.11 p.m, when Speaker Yakubu Dogara, after listening to the opposition to the bill by Honourable Gbajabiamila did not avail members the opportunity to vote on it, but ruled that it be committed to the ad hoc committee on constitution review for further legislative actions. “Bills like this are sent directly to the House ad hoc

committee on constitution review for further legislative input,” Dogara had ruled. The development, however, did not go down well with those opposed to the bill and they started protesting and shouting “no immunity, no to immunity, no immunity” while supporters of the bill countered “yes to immunity, yes to immunity.” The Speaker subsequently sought further guidance from deputy chairman of the Rules and Business committee, Honourable Bode, who cited Order 8 rule 98 (3) that “upon the second reading,

such a bill shall be referred to the special ad hoc committee on constitution review, after which Dogara hit the gavel, signalling the referral of the bill to the panel without voice votes, throwing the session into another chaotic moment that lasted for several minutes. When calmness was finally restored to the House, the Speaker, Dogara, said according to the House Rules, the bill will be sent to the special committee on constitutional review, stating that “the bill can die even at the committee stage.”

Fish out killers of Abuja female preacher, Reps tell IGP •Autopsy to be carried out before burial —Family •As Adeboye visits family of murdered female preacher From Collins Nnabuife, Chris Agbambu, Jacob Segun Olatunji, Kolawole Daniel, Christian Okeke and Banji Aluko

HE House of Representatives, on Tuesday, directed the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to immediately swing into action and fish out killers of Mrs Eunice Olawale. It also urged the FCT administration to demolish all shanties across the territory, where miscreants werere said to be hiding and from where they attacked innocent citizens. This followed the adoption of a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance by Honourable Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole, at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday. The House, presided over by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, after observing a minute silence in honour of the late mother and wife of Pastor Elisha Olawale, from Ikare-Akoko in Ondo State, as well as resolved to raise a delegation to commiserate with the deceased’s family. Kolawole had, while moving the motion on the floor of the chamber, lamented that the incident had caused ethnic tension in the FCT, because there had been claims she was killed by extremists, while others said they were miscreants. He stressed the need for the House to be proactive to prevent the breakdown of law and order, averting further loss of lives. Meanwhile, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Tuesday morning, visited the family of the late Assistant Pastor of the Divine Touch Parish of the church in Abuja, who was murdered while evangelising last Saturday morning. Pastor Adeboye, at about

6.00 a.m. on Tuesday, visited the husband of the deceased, Pastor Elisha Olawale and the family, to console them. Earlier, Adeboye, in a statement issued on Tuesday by The RCCG Public Relations Department of the Redemption Camp, said that the church was appalled and in grief over the sad incident. He said “we are indeed in a mournful in RCCG, as sweet as heaven is, death of our youths is not what we wish for.” He prayed that there would be no more death in that region, for progress in the family and salvation of souls for the perpetrators. It was also learnt that the burial of the murdered female preacher may be delayed, as the family said the government and the Nigeria Police advised that autopsy be carried out before her burial. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the late Eunice Olawale was initially scheduled to be buried on Thursday, July 14, but the Nigeria Police and the Federal Government advised the family to hold on until an autopsy was conducted on the deceased. A reliable source from the family of the deceased disclosed this to the Nigerian Tribune when it visited the family in Kubwa on Tuesday. It will be recalled that there had been a lot of controversies surrounding the death of Mrs Olawale, this could be the reason the government and the police requested that her body should be subjected to an autopsy, to ascertain the cause of her death. In a related development, an Islamic cleric, who reportedly ordered some young men to chase away late Abuja female preacher, Deaconess Olawale, has been arrested. An unconfirmed report

said the self-professed, peace-loving Imam, reportedly ordered some boys to scare the preacher away from the frontage of a mosque in Kubwa, early Saturday morning, but the boys did otherwise and stabbed Mrs Olawale to death. The Islamic cleric (name withheld), denied ordering some boys to kill the preacher. He admitted that he was the one who sent them to chase her away. The spokesman for Abuja police command, Anjuguri Manzah, said an investigation had started to ascertain how the RCCG pastor’s wife was murdered. He promised to make the outcome of the investigation public soon. In the same vein, four of the six suspects, who were arrested in connection with the murder of Deaconess Olawale, FCT Commissioner of Police, Baba Alkali Usman, said have been released. He told the Nigerian Tribune that after screening and interrogating the suspects, investigators disclosed that they had nothing to do with the murder. The Police Commissioner, who was cornered by the Nigerian Tribune, apparently on his way to brief the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, on the extent of investigation, asked why should the police continue detaining them, when there is no evidence linking them to the murder? Usman, however, disclosed that two of the suspects were still in police custody, because they were found hanging around the vicinity when the act was carried out. According to him, the police was still working hard to see if the two could be linked to the murder, but “we are not relenting, as we have further spread our dragnets.”

He noted that the police must get the culprits to answer the deeds of their dastardly act. The Police Commissioner disclosed that detectives were still on top of the situation, “but you know we don’t carry out our investigations on the pages of newspapers.”

Christian group condemns her killing

The Christian Brotherhood Association of Nigeria, on Tuesday, strongly condemned the gruesome murder of Mrs Olawale, during routine morning evangelism in Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Saturday. It described the murder as outrageous, barbaric, abominable and sadism of the worst order. In a statement by its president, Sunday Ayodele, the group said it was appalled that Mrs Olawale, who was

also a pastor at RCCG in the area, could be slaughtered while preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. “We recall the recent dastardly killing of a pastor’s wife in Kano in the presence of her husband, over a religious issue and demand an end to killing of innocent Christians in some parts of the North and Abuja. This man’s inhumanity against man must stop immediately,” it said. It also urged the Federal Government to ensure the security of the citizenry in tandem with section 14 (2) b of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which states that security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. “Abuja is the symbol of national unity, which must reflect in every aspect of our national life, including religion.”

PFN condemns killing of Redeemed female preacher

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has condemned in strong terms the gruesome murder. The PFN, in a statement endorsed by its national president, Reverend (Dr) Felix Omobude, said the murder was a wicked and barbaric act, calling on the law enforcement agents to immediately unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book. He noted that the killing of Mrs Olawale and other incidences by intolerant Nigerians had continued to pose threat the nation’s, calling on Christians to remain calm and continue to have faith in the Nigeria project. Omobude sympathised with the family of the murdered female preacher and the leadership of the RCCG.

Why some states were omitted from ambassadorial list —SGF Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

SECRETARY to the Government of the Federation ( SGF), David Babachir Lawal and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Geoffrey Onyeama, said on Tuesday, that some states were omitted from the list of 47 Career Ambassadors forwarded to the Senate because it was the president’s prerogative to name envoys. The duo told the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs that the nominees were named under the prerogative of the president and their names do not need to cut across the 36 states of the federation as it is the case with ministers. Speaking while appearing before the members of the Committee on Foreign

Affairs which summoned them over noticed lopsidedness in the 47-man list of Ambassadorial nominees, which excluded nominees from Ondo, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Plateau states, the SGF explained that the list was based on certain criteria. He said the list showed substantial compliance to the federal character principle. He said part of the criteria used in the selection of the nominees apart from their respective records of service, was change compatibility value of the nominee in line with the change agenda of the present administration. According to him, “you must understand the mindset of this government, its a change government. It is important that whoever is going to be on

board in this government, who is going to play one role or the other must be somebody that we will like to call change compatible, he must establish his integrity, his qualification on the job and his ability to deliver on the job” The SGF, alongside the minister, however, assured the committee that the four states omitted in the list, would be compensated in the non-career list which would soon be forwarded to the Senate by the president. Efforts by the committee members to grill the SGF and the minister further over the controversial list were however not allowed by the chairman, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu (APC Oyo Central), who ordered for closed door session for further deliberations.

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Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Senate threatens to arrest AGF, summons SGF again

•Appropriation committee to grill Finance, Budget ministers tomorrow Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

HE Senate, on Tuesday, threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, if he, again, fails to heed the Senate summon. The lawmakers came to the conclusion, following Malami’s refusal to heed two previous calls by the senators for his appearance. At the plenary on Tuesday, Senator David Umaru, chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, had reported that Malami had shunned the committee meeting meant to investigate his decision to prosecute presiding officers of the Senate over alleged forgery. The Senate resolved that the AGF should appear before the committee on Friday, this week, having failed to honour two previous summons issued him by the committee. Senator Umaru, in a report to the Senate, had told the chamber that Malami had not honoured any of the invitations extended to him by the committee since last month. “Mr President, I have been informed by Senator Ita Enag and I have received lots of attempt to reach me by the Attorney-General of the Federation. Senator Enag has informed me that the Attorney-General regrets his inability to respond to our petition and that he requests time to appear before us. “I think it is important for the distinguished colleagues to be informed about this development and for us to request for more time to give him the opportunity to appear since he has indicated his willingness to appear before the committee,” Umaru said. Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, however, ruled that if the AGF failed to appear before the committee this week, the Senate would have no other option but to

exercise its constitutional powers by issuing a warrant of arrest on him and compel him to appear. Also on Tuesday, the Senate summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, over his comments that constituency projects’ implementation was doubtful this year, due to dwindling re-

sources in the country. Senators at the session insisted that it would amount to impeachable offence against the president if it was confirmed that the opposition to the implementation of the constituency projects was the government’s stance. The Senate also resolved that the Minister of Finance,

Mrs Kemi Adeosun and her counterpart at National Planning and Budget, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, are to appear before its Committee on Appropriation, to discuss modalities on ground for the implementation of this year’s budget. The duo are scheduled to appear before the committee tomorrow.

Forgery trial: Battle over plot to suspend anti-Saraki senators INTRIGUES continued at Senate, on Tuesday, as the Like Minds Senators, the group of senators who worked for the emergence of Dr Bukola Saraki as Senate Preesident, met on Monday to plot the suspension of senators who wrote the petition that led to the trial of Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. Nigerian Tribune learnt that the pro-Saraki senators resolved to push

for the suspension of Senators Kabiru Marafa and Suleiman Hunkuyi, who were allegedly believed to be behind the petition. The Senate president was said to have submitted at the executive session that he was taken to court when the Senate was on recess. Inside sources said immediately after Saraki’s explanation, Melaye got up to demand that those behind the petition should stand

up and disown the petition or risk suspension. Melaye was said to have insisted that Marafa and Hunkuyi should be suspended if they failed to disown the petition and apologise to the Senate. Senator Melaye was said to have expressed anger over the trial of Saraki and Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules 2011. Senator Oluremi Tinubu

was later said to have chided the members for giving Melaye the floor at every closed session to threaten other senators. She reminded her colleagues that they all represented their respective senatorial districts, adding that no one should threaten the other. At this point, Melaye allegedly upbraided Senator Tinubu. Senator Barnabas Ge-

made was said to have referred the Senate to the Senator James Manager’s peace and reconciliation committee, which recommended certain steps to achieve peace in the chamber. Meanwhile, it was also gathered that Like Mind Senators threatened that the upper chamber should initiate impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Why we formed League of Veteran Journalists —Exco By Tunde Busari CHAIRMAN, Oyo State chapter of League of Veteran Journalists, Alhaji Wale Adele, has said the essence of the leagueis to reunite old colleagues through monthly meeting, organising lecture and workshop and setting up of a cooperative society. Adele, during a visit of members of the League to the Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, on Tuesday, said members knew no other jobs outside journalism, a situation, which, he stressed, made post-service life boring, leading to sickness and ultimately, death. He also showered encomiums on the management of Nigerian Tribune for weathering the storm since the first edition of the paper was rolled out in November 16, 1949. Adele, who incidentally is a former Tribune editorial staff, saluted the commitment of Tribune management to the activities of the group and prayed for the progress of the

newspaper company. Adele particularly recalled some occasions he had sent materials to the news editor with the prompt publication of the stories to the delight of members. “I am very happy and touched with the way Tribune has identified with us. On four occasions I sent stories into the box of news editor and none of the stories was left unpublished. So it is not out of place if I say this our visit today is home coming for me. “Also, when I called and informed the MD last week about the visit, he said Friday would not be appropriate to host us because he felt we deserve full compliment of the management in attendance. This also shows respect the management has for retired journalists,” he said. On behalf of the management, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Tribune, Mr Edward Dickson, commended the senior journalists, describing their visit as auspicious.

Dickson lamented the declining state of the media and sought the input of the veterans in the area of sharing their experience through training. He affirmed that practicing journalists remained children of the veterans, while assuring them of their readiness to drink from their well of experience. “We are going to collaborate with you in news gath-

ering and news presentation skills. We also need your wisdom to face the current social reality which has eroded the independence of the media, It is sad that we are boxed into a tight corner where the watchdog is hungry and helpless to truly play its traditional role,” he said. On the team of Mr Adele to the Tribune House was a former Managing Director, Editor-In-Chief, Nigerian

Tribune, Mr Felix Adenaike; who went down memory lane on his experience at Imalefalaafia and his contact with the founder of the paper, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Others in the team included Alhaji Layiwola Lawal, Pa Michael Omoleye, Alhaji Agboola Sanni, Pa Isola Kolawole, Pa Babatola Oyedokun, Mr Ghandi, Alhaji Kola Animashaun, Wale Adelowo and J. Akintade.

Restructuring debate confusing —Osinbajo Leon Usigbe - Abuja COMING under criticism for seemingly dismissing the growing calls for the restructuring of the country, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has clarified his comments, stressing the need for a deeper understanding of the issues which he observed were, at the moment, confusing. Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement is-

sued on behalf of Vice-President Osinbajo, on Tuesday, said clarification was necessary because of media reports which suggested that the vice-president was against restructuring of the country. The statement stressed Osinbajo’s support for the creation of state police in the country as articulated in the road map of All Progressives Congress (APC) for a New Nigeria. It observed that there had

been different interpretations, meanings and purposes attached to the restructuring debate. “It was important Nigerians understand that the issue of restructuring should run deeper than some of the superficial and surface value focus. “Some of the issues involved include notions or views calling for a return to regionalism, fiscal federalism, devolution of power and state police, among others.

Buhari writes Reps, seeks passage of budget for NNPC, FIRS, others Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, wrote the House of Representatives, urging it to expedite action in the passage of budget proposal of 38 federal government’s agencies and corporations, to enable

them to effectively execute their mandates. President Buhari’s letter, dated June 30, 2016 and addressed to the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, which was read on the floor on Tuesday, specifically sought the approval for the 2016 budget proposals of the Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority and Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority. Others were Nigerian Ports Authority, National Maritime Authority, Nigerian Shippers Council, Federal Airports Author-

ity of Nigeria, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The president’s letter, which is in compliance

with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, however, said that budgets of agencies and corporations that had been privatised or otherwise ceased to exist were not included in the proposal. This came just as the Speaker, on Tuesday, tasked journalists to expose mistakes of public office hold-

ers, with a view to correcting them. Dogara gave the challenge in Abuja, while inaugurating the new executive officers of the House Press Corps, adding that it was only when journalists engaged in constructive criticisms of the activities of the House that the lawmakers could sit up.

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Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Like Tambuwal’s, Ekweremadu’s post valid, PDP tells APC From Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blasted the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, for saying that Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s emergence as Deputy Senate President was something the ruling party cannot stomach. The PDP pointed out in a statement by its interim national publicity secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, in Abuja, on Tuesday, that as Speaker of the House of Representatives elected under the majority PDP, Aminu Tambuwal defected to the APC and the party hierarchy, including President Muhammadu Buhari defended his defection as good for democracy. The party said it was concerned but not shocked about the comment credited to Odigie-Oyegun which suggested that the continued rumpus in the Senate, “including the unrelenting harassment of its leadership and the recent arraignment of its presiding officers on phantom criminal charges of conspiracy and forgery” was all about the emergence of Ekweremadu as Deputy

Senate President. The statement read: “In a Freudian slip that reveals the underbelly of the entire shenanigan, the national chairman of the APC had said they would never accept Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.” The APC boss had been quoted as saying concerning the ongoing trial of Senate leadership: “I think the thing that rankled us most was the election of Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate

President. Saraki is a member of the APC, much as the main line of the party would have wished a different result and a different scenario, but we all find it very, very difficult to accept the emergence of a PDP person as his deputy.” The PDP noted that although it had been “an open secret, but our fears have now been confirmed by the APC national chairman himself,” it, however, wanted to make it clear that

“the APC has no constitutional or moral grounds to be displeased with Ekweremadu’s emergence or to go this ridiculous length to harass, intimidate, embarrass and malign him, and the institution of the Senate on account of a position to which his colleagues, cutting across party lines, elected him in a transparent and televised election in line with Section 50 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended.” The opposition party add-

ed: “Even the APC as a party and through its chieftains, including President Buhari (before his election), had variously and robustly defended the constitutionality and imperativeness of bipartisan legislative leadership during the defection of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal to its fold while in opposition, without relinquishing his position.” Citing statements by for-

President Muhammadu Buhari (second right); outgoing Ambassador of United States of America to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle (second left); Deputy Ambassador, Mrs Maria Brewer (left) and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Khadija Ibrahim, during a farewell visit to the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

No restructuring, no democracy —Cornelius Adebayo Biola Azeez -Ilorin

FORMER governor of Kwara State and a leader of Middle Belt Forum, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, has said “until Nigeria is restructured, we won’t have democracy as it should be in this country.” Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, on Tuesday, Chief Adebayo, who was also chairman of political forum of Yoruba pan socio-political group, Afenifere, said restructuring of the country had always been part of Nigeria’s history from beginning and had never been sorted out fully till date. Chief Adebayo, who said restructuring of the country was crucial, added that: “It’s a matter of choice for each people, where they belong and role they play in government or who rules them. So, restructuring is crucial. That’s part of what we fought for. “On restructuring of Nigeria, my position remains what you’ll expect it to be. With all modesty, I was one of the leaders of the Middle Belt Forum and I remain one of the leaders of the forum. I was at one point chairman of political

forum of Afenifere, I remain a very strong believer in Afenifere and cause of Yoruba nation. I believe Kwara wants and deserves the best share of whatever this country has to offer. So, beginning at home, we are talking restructuring. It has always been part of Nigeria’s history from the beginning. There was a rush... let’s get independence first. We’ll sort all that out. We’ve never sorted it out to the full till today. So there must be restructuring. “ All nations are teaching us everyday. The United Kingdom is not a federa-

tion. They’ve restructured to the level that the Welsh, the Irish and the Scots have self determination. They are not dominated by the English. It came to a point the Scots had to decide, do they want to walk out? Like Britain decided; do they want to stay or get out of Euro system? And they’ve decided. They are now reconsidering. It’s a matter of choice for each people where they belong and role they play in government or who rules them. So, restructuring is crucial. That’s part of what we fought for. I was secretary of national reformation. And

what NADECO was about is restructuring of Nigeria. “Until Nigeria is restructured we won’t have democracy as it should be,” he said. He also said that restructuring of the country should cover both political and economic aspects. “My people in Kwara State want to be part of Yoruba nation within a federation. And as long as they have such, it must be addressed. And if it’s not addressed, the people are not happy. They are not getting what they believe they need to be able to stay

happily within the federation. I belong to another federation, Canadian nation, which recognises the sovereignty up to a limit, of each of the provinces. “Power is too heavy in the hands of the Federal Government in Nigeria. There must be devolution. Before devolution, there must be restructuring so that the oppression of the minority within a unit can be stemmed.” Chief Adebayo emphasised that the Federal Government should accord restructuring of the federation a high priority.

Buhari lauds US over role played during 2015 election Leon Usigbe -Abuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, praised United States’ role in the 2015 general election which brought him to power. Receiving the outgoing Ambassador of the US, Mr James Entwistle, at the State House, Abuja, the president expressed appreciation for the important role the US government played in the success of the 2015 general election in Nigeria. Buhari said the US in-

sistence on free, fair and violent-free elections largely contributed to the deepening of democracy in the country. President Buhari also thanked the Americans for their military, intelligence and humanitarian support to Nigeria on the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. He said, Nigeria also valued US contributions to promoting regional peace and stability through the instrumentality of the G7. The president also re-

ceived in audience the outgoing High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry Calderwood. He commended the government of Canada’s humanitarian assistance to Nigerians displaced by the insurgency in the North-East and their commitment to polio eradication in the country. In their separate remarks, Ambassadors Entwistle and Calderwood had expressed concern on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the North-East

with looming reports of food crisis and malnutrition. Entwistle said the bilateral relationship between both countries had remained very vibrant and cordial. On his part, Calderwood conveyed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desire to strengthen ties with Nigeria in Canada’s quest for partnership on international engagements, including its bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, 2021-2022.

mer APC spokesman, Lai Mohammed and the former House Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, in support of the defection of Tambuwal, the statement went further to give other instances where minority APC members had emerged as presiding officers of state houses of assembly and were accepted by the PDP. It will be recalled that Honourable Terkimbi Kyange of the minority APC was elected Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly on June 5, 2015, four clear days ahead of the inauguration of the eighth Senate. Peter Azi of the minority APC was likewise elected Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly in June 2015. The PDP noted: “The majority PDP made do with the position of Deputy Speaker in both instances, but accepted this as part of our democratic evolution. “We, therefore, invite the APC-led Federal Government to tell the world why bi-partisan leadership in the legislature was good in the instances of Honourable Tambuwal, as well as the Benue and Plateau assemblies, but an abomination in the case of Senator Ekweremadu. “We consider APC’s stance on Ekweremadu and his continued persecution on this account as the height of duplicity, intolerance, and executive excesses unwarranted and inexcusable in a democracy. “More so, unlike APC’s rancorous opposition in parliament in the recent past, the PDP lawmakers, including Senator Ekweremadu, has provided a very responsible opposition, supporting the government and overlooking its serial fumbles. Ekweremadu is not APC’s stumbling block.” It reminded the APC that the National Assembly was a separate arm of government created by constitution, not an arm of the executive or extension of the APC’s secretariat. Furthermore, it said: “We totally align with the separate resolutions of the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 21, 2016, to the effect that our democracy is in grave danger. “We support the call on members of the international community, the media and civil societies to help arrest this scary deterioration of our nascent democracy and democratic values before it is too late. “What is good for the goose is good also for the gander.”

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Police detain sergeant for pushing man to death Olalekan Olabulo A police sergeant has been arrested for allegedly pushing to death, a man who was on the way to bury his younger sister, at Oyingbo area of Lagos State. One of the sons of the deceased, Ogbole Pius, had, last week, raised the alarm that a policeman pushed his father to death at Oyingbo area of Lagos State police Command, Panti.

Keeping Lagos Clean: Some workmen clearing a canal behind LAGBUS loading park at Toll Gate. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Maryland mayhem: 8 arraigned, granted N1m bail each over damaged BRT buses Opeyemi Owoaseye

IGHT men were on Tuesday arraigned before an Ebute Metta court for damaging 48 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Earlier in the month, the BRT buses were damaged during a protest over the death of a street hawker.

The deceased was said to have been selling eye glasses on the road while a KAI official allegedly pursued him into a trailer which crushed him. The suspects Agu Israel, Idike Sylvester, Babizua Nwode, Ropo Babatunde, Anashi Philip, Ezekiel Ebonyi, Friday Nweze and John Kalu were accused

by the state as the culprits. The buses were destroyed on Ikorodu road, by Anthony bus top. Lagos Metro gathered that the defendants were accused of breaching the peace of the environment by disrupting the peaceful movement of people and vehicles on the highway, thereby committing

a criminal offense punishable under the Lagos State law. The suspects were also accused of damaging property valued at one hundred and thirty-Nine Million Naira (139,000,000.00) belonging to Primero Transport Services Limited. They were docked on a

three-count charge and pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Mariam Dauda applied for the bail of the suspects. The Magistrate, Mrs O. O. A. Fowowe Erusiafe, granted them bail in the sum of one million naira each with two sureties who must be blood relations. The case was adjourned till August 17 for mention.

Battery charger murdered for choosing Igbo friend over Yoruba Opeyemi Owoaseye A 35-year-old battery charger, Mutiu, has been killed in Isheri, area of Lagos State on Sunday evening. The deceased was married with two kids, Rokibat, six years and Rodiyat, who is just 45 days old. Late Mutiu, was said to have been invited to an Ogun festival organised by an Igbo friend of his, popularly called Ipodo. It was learnt that the deceased was there to witness the festival when one Kehinde stabbed him on the neck. Lagos Metro, gathered that there was a fight threemonths ago between two groups, the Ipobo group and another group having Yoruba members. The deceased was reportedly not a part of the fight,

but the group which Kehinde belonged to had Yoruba members. One Mr Taofeek, a family member of the deceased, told Lagos Metro that Kehinde stabbed the deceased because he did not belong to the Yoruba group. “Kehinde stabbed the deceased because he stepped on him. After which he said

he was going to stab him and he eventually did. “It happened around 8pm on Sunday, some people came to call me that Mutiu had been stabbed, when I got there with other family members, we could not find him. “We went to the police station with intention to report. On getting there,

we saw Kehinde’s elder brother, Yusuf, popularly known as Atta, had been detained in the station. Yusuf was arrested because Kehinde had fled.” Mr Dauda Egunjobi, the deceased’s father, said his child was gentle and always avoided trouble. “I want the government to do justice to the case and make the killer

face the wrath of the law.” Lagos police spokesperson, Superitendent Police, Dolapo Badmus confirmed the incident. She stated that the corpse had been deposited at LASUTH. Ikeja morgue for autopsy. “Meanwhile, effort is on to arrest the suspects,” the spokesperson stated

The son, on his twitter handle @flawpajun, wrote: “Mr Francis Ebonyi Ogbole was travelling to Benue State yesterday (last Wednesday) for the burial of his junior sister. On his way to the Iddo park, with his children, they were stopped by policemen with metro police van and registration number KSF-176 EE. Pius also said: “The policeman requested for all the necessary papers which the deceased presented, on entering his car one of the policemen, Sergeant Matthew Oche with force number F/NO-372727, said no, he could not leave now because the back windscreen of his car was tinted. “Mr Francis told him that it was because it was still early and dark, around 5:30a.m, that the glass was not tinted, but the policeman was looking for a way to extort money from him, “ Pius stated. He alleged that “Out of anger, the policeman pushed Francis and he fell, broke his head and died instantly.” The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident to Lagos Metro and added that the policeman had been arrested and detained.

Arrested suspect in attack on police at Odunfa arraigned AyomideOwonibi-Odekanyin A 50-year-old man Totoola Adetunji, who allegedly assaulted a police officer Corporal John Olusegun, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court. According to the Police, Adetunji and others who are still at large conspired to commit the alleged offences on July 9, at about 9pm.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Kehinde Omiseki said that the incident took place at Odunfa Street on Lagos Island. Omiseki said “the defendant unlawfully assaulted the Corporal by biting him on his left arm which caused him harm. He was also accused of conducting himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by throw-

ing stones, sticks and bottles at policer officers. She also alleged that the defendant and others at large prevented the police officers from performing their lawful duty by blocking the road with sticks and tricycles. According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are punishable under section 409, 171, 166 (d) and 117 (2) of the criminal laws

of Lagos state 2011. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. Consequently, Magistrate Adekomaya granted him bail in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in like sum, adding that evidence of tax clearance of three years must be shown to the Court. The case was adjourned till August 30, for mention.

The deceased

news

ICAN investiture

THE investiture of Deacon S.O. Ayansina as the 19th chairman of Ibadan and District Society of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) will take place tomorrow (Thursday), at the Banquet Hall, Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan, at 12:00 pm. This was made known by the chairman, investiture committee, Alhaji A. A. Ogunsesan and the secretary, Mrs O. O. Omisore.

Meeting

THE Revelation of Christ Chapel Inc. (RCC), Ibadan, will hold its 2016 Revelation Camp meeting from Thursday, July 14 till Sunday, July 17, with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power explosion.â&#x20AC;? The programme will take place at the Revelation Camp Ground, Glorious Revelation Avenue (GRA), CPN Quarry junction, Idiroko Adewole, along Otenya Village, OdoOna Elewe, Ibadan, by 10:00am and 3:00pm daily as well as night vigil. Ministering are: Evangelist Poju Johnson; Pastor Olatoye Daniel and Bishop Victor Akila.

Pastor and Mrs Caleb Oluwakayode

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Wednesday,13 July, 2016

10 news We’ll soon go after people who use stolen fund to buy properties —Magu Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja

HE acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday, vowed that the anti-corruption commission would soon go after money launderers and those who help those who buy properties with stolen money. This is even as he called on legal practitioners in the country to join hands with EFCC in its bid to free Nigeria of corruption. Speaking at the opening of a one-day workshop organised by the the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACC) at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja, with the theme: “AntiCorruption, Ethics of the Legal Profession and Justice Sector”, Magu declared that the commission under his leadership was committed to fighting money laundering. According to him, the law was no respecter of nobody, stating that in view of that EFCC would not stop going after people who were involved in money, no matter who they were. “We will not stop going after people who are involved in laundering money. It doesn’t matter who you are, the law is a respecter of no-

body especially those who commit crime. “Whether you are EFCC, SAN or whatever, sooner or later we will start going after people who buy properties with stolen funds as well as people who help others to escape justice,” Magu declared. While commending the

bar for being good partners in the fight against graft in the country, Magu, however, decried the attitudes of some lawyers who compromised on their jobs for criminals to escape justice. The anti-corruption czar further submitted that lawyers had a greater stake in the war against corruption

In his keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who was represented on the occasion by Justice Kudirat KekereEkun, urged members of the bar to examine themselves with a view to developing workable ways to curb corruption. The CJN charged members of the bar to look inward as individuals in the system and collectively as a body to improve the legal system. He noted that the legal profession was crucial in the maintenance of high quality of Justice delivery. “You have a role to play as an individual and it is when we all change our attitude that we can see it reflected in the society. No doubt, the legal profession is crucial in the maintenance of a high quality of justice delivery within the justice system and such success or failure of our fight against corruption will depend on our willingness to take the right ethical path,” the CJN stated.

Plans to name NIPSS after Obasanjo underway Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE president of the alumni of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, in Plateau State, Gen-

eral Lawrence Onoja (retd) has said plans are underway to name the Institute after former President Olusegun Obsanjo. Onoja disclosed this in Abuja, on Tuesday, while

Says I won’t be distracted ABIA State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate what he described as “irreparable injustice” meted out on him through the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. In a letter to CJN and NJC, Governor Ikpeazu said Justice Abang allegedly denying him justice had thrown Abia State into turmoil, adding that there was grave political uncertainty and total breakdown of law and order in the state. He, therefore, called on the NJC to investigate the judgment. The petition against Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/71/2016.” signed by one of his lawyers, Mr Emeka Eze read: “I am one of the legal counsel engaged by Dr Okezie Ikpeazu in the prosecution of the above matter and have his instructions to

titioners to place national interest above any other interest and play by the rule and avoid used by corrupt elements in the society to pervert justice. “We consider everybody a stakeholder, as the EFCC does not have monopoly of knowledge to defeat all shades of graft,” he said.

From left, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at the launch of a book, entitled: ‘Constitutional and Migration Law in Nigeria,’ by Sebastine Tar, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Abia: Ikpeazu writes NJC, CJN over Justice Abang’s judgment Celestine Ihejirika -Umuahia

being waged more than any other class of professional in the country. According to him, the EFCC could not stamp out corruption in Nigeria without the support of all stakeholders, adding that the commission did not have monopoly of knowledge. He called on legal prac-

bring to your attention and that of the esteemed members of the National Judicial Council the irreparable injustice meted to him by Honourable Justice Okon Abang. “On June 27, 2016, Honourable Justice Okon Abang delivered an oral judgment in the said suit with a pronouncement in court that copies of the judgment will be made available to parties within seven days. “A few hours after delivery of the judgment, we sent formal requests for the written copies of the judgments, filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution of the orders of the court. The filed copies of the notice of appeal and applications for stay of execution were duly served on all parties, including INEC, on the same day. “On receipt of our notice of appeal and application to stay execution of the orders of the court, Justice Abang allegedly without our knowledge enrolled a seven paged order signed by him and delivered same to the plaintiff to enable him to enforce the orders contained in his enrolled judgment,

thereby truncating the petitioner’s rights to appeal against the judgment.” Meanwhile, Dr Ikpeazu has said the current political situation in the state is a mere distraction, noting that it will not stop him from his avowed determination to provide the people of the state with the desired democracy dividends . He was speaking when he received at the Government House, Umuahia, the new state executive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who paid him a solidarity visit. The Governor said he would continue to run his administration in the state with a mindset that nothing has happened, and disclosed that work had not stopped for a day since the current political imbroglio in the state started. The governor charged the party executive to remain steadfast and supportive of his administration to enable him to meet the yearnings of the people, and expressed joy that the executive was still intact, despite the happenings in the state in the last couple of days.

speaking at the public presentation of a book, “S.T Hon’s Constitutional and Migration Law in Nigeria,” written by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Sebastine Tar Hon. The president of the NIPPS Alumni described former President Obasanjo as a great asset to the country, who had taken some bold steps that had helped the country. “He is a man of great intellect. In his wisdom, he founded the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru in 1969,” he said and added that it was

in that view that the alumni of the institute was planning to name the institute after him. Onoja commended Sebastine Hon for writing the book, which, he said, addressed serious constitutional and legal issues of contemporary times. Speaking earlier, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the country would make meaningful progress with contributions from the Law profession. Obasanjo, who aligned himself with the position of the book reviewer, Profesor Dakas Dakas, who had

earlier lamented a situation where courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction now lord it over each other, said: “With all the criticisms that have been said about the practitioners, I concur with the book reviewer and if our country must make progress, the Law profession must have a lot to do.” The former president, who prayed that Nigeria would continue to make progress, commended the author for producing something that he claimed would be useful, not only to legal practitioners and lawmakers, but to the entire citizens.

CCT shifts ruling on Saraki, Orubebe, others till Sept Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on false assets declaration and ruling in his application seeking disqualification of the tribunal chairman, Danladi Yakubu Umar, from further participating in his trial slated for Tuesday has been shifted till September. The tribunal had fixed Tuesday to deliver ruling in a motion on notice brought before it by the Senate President, seeking disqualification of the chairman from further participating in the trial on the ground of bias and making of prejudicial statement in the course of trial. The public relations officer of the tribunal, Alhaji Ibrahim Al-hassan, in a

press statement on Tuesday, announced that the tribunal would not sit until September, due to the ongoing yearly vacation of courts and tribunals across the country. Al-hassan did not give a specific date that the tribunal will resume sitting in September, but hinted that the date would be fixed as soon as the tribunal returned from vacation, and that parties would be duly communicated on a new date. Apart from the Senate President, others who are also to wait till September to know their fates in the charges of false assets declaration brought against them by the Federal Government included former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, whose judgment had earlier been fixed for July 19, 2016.

Also to wait till after vacation is former Deputy Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi, who had also asked for the tribunal chairman’s disqualification on the ground that he (Umar) demanded N10 million bribe from him. Owolabi had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the alleged N10 million bribe demand by the tribunal chairman. The statement from CCT read in part: “The Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Honourable Danladi Yakubu Umar, on Tuesday, adjourned all sittings scheduled for this week and those to come within July and August till after the resumption from recess to be embarked by the tribunal’s judges soon.”

businessnews

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

N81bn debt: We are not indebted to AMCON —MRS

RS Holdings Limited has denied being indebted to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to the tune of N81billion. This was contained in a statement issued by the management of the company in Lagos on Tuesday. The statement reads in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a recent publication by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria alleging that MRS Holdings Limited is indebted to it in the sum of N81 billion and that the corporation has instituted Suit No: FHC/L/ CP/923/2016 to wind up the company over the inability of MRS to pay the alleged debt. “MRS challenges in the strongest possible terms the false claim by AMCON that MRS is indebted to AMCON in the sum of N81 billion or any sum at all.” According to MRS, the correct position is that the company obtained a loan from a consortium of banks in Nigeria for a viable project, which AMCON later took over. It added, “However, it became clear to AMCON that MRS was paying down on the loan and agreed to restructure the loan on agreed terms of N74 Billion. The said debt has since been fully settled. The terms of settlement was entered as Judg-

Dangote Cement Ghana to recruit 5,000 Workers …stimulating Ghana’s economy our priority AS part of the initiative to widen the access and improve on the availability of cement in all parts of the country, Dangote Cement Ghana has procured 1,000 brand-new-trucks to facilitate the distribution of product into all parts of Ghana. With these, the Company has commenced the process of recruitment of drivers, truck driver assistants and loaders. These trucks which came in three different vessels arrived at the shores of Tema Port between July 4 and July 8, 2016, according to the Company’s Media Relations Manager, Mr. Etornam Komla. “We’ve started the recruitment exercise and by the end of July, all of the drivers will be on board,” Komla said. The recruitment exercise, according to Komla, is part of the company’s objective of contributing to Ghana’s economic growth through job creation and honoring tax obligations. “These are components of the Company’s mission in Ghana which is to stimulate its economy.”

ment of Court on 29 June 2015, in Suit No FHC/L/ CS/1365/2015. “MRS is shocked that in spite of having fully settled the debt, AMCON has decided to re-litigate an already concluded matter. MRS

Holdings Limited understands AMCON’s statutory function to recover debts but by no stretch can this mean harassment of companies. “AMCON has declared a new aggressive debt recovery drive. MRS has no prob-

lem with that but this does not give AMCON a licence to embarrass and harass companies. It is not a crime to obtain loans for viable projects. Execution of viable projects leads to job creation and growth of the economy.

“However, when companies obtain loans for legitimate businesses (and) are being harassed and embarrassed in the name of aggressive debt recovery, it signals danger for economy growth.”

From left, Head, Small Business Group, Skye Bank Plc, Ayodele Olojede; Relationship Officer, St. Gregory Road Branch, Skye Bank Plc, Nnamdi Onyekwere; winner in the N1, 000, 000 category (a Procurement Manager), Mr Olusoji Kehinde and Group Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli at the 12th cheque presentation to winners in the ongoing Skye Bank’s “Reach for the Skye” Millionaire Reward Scheme, held in Lagos on Tuesday.

FG sacks NPA Managing Director, appoints Hadiza Bala Usman Tola Adenubi - Lagos THE Federal Government has sacked the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi, replacing him with Hadiza Bala Usman. The appointment takes effect from

Monday 11th July 2016. Also appointed with the new Managing Director are three new Executive Directors to assist her steer the reins of the agency. They are Mohammed Bello-Koko, Executive Director (Finance); Professor Idris Abubakar,

Executive Director (Engineering) and Dr Sekonte Davies, Executive Director (Marine Operations) According to a statement signed by the Director of Press for the Federal Ministry of Transport, Yetunde Sonaike, “the new Managing Director, Hadiza Bala

BEDC plans installation of additional 100,000 meters in 2016 CONSCIOUS of the metering gaps existing across various customer classes, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) has announced plan to install additional 100,000 meters for domestic and commercial customers for the remainder of 2016. The company made the announcement on Monday during a Press briefing at the seventh monthly Power sector stakeholders meeting, which it hosted at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), along Sapele road, Benin. Specifically, in a statement, the company said it would strive to achieve 100 per cent metering of all industrial and Maximum Demand (MD) customers by November ending. Speaking at the press conference, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, BEDC, Mrs Funke Osibodu added that the company will also achieve the metering of at least 2,000 Distribution transformers in order to adequately account for energy billing to customers.

“The company has been proactive in installation of meters having installed over 120,500 meters since takeover of the company. We have taken advantage of both the industry CAPMI Scheme and own

funded meters. More than 25,000 out of these have been installed this year alone,” remarked Mrs Osibodu who was represented by the Chief State Head, Edo, Mr Fidelis Obishai.

Usman was born on January 2, 1976 in Zaria, Kaduna State. She holds a B.Sc. Degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and a Post Graduate in Development Studies from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom in 2009. She started her Career with Centre for Democratic Development and Research Training (CEDDERT) Zaria, a Non-Governmental Organization in June 2000 as a Research Assistant. She worked at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) from July 2000- August 2004 as an Enterprise Officer.

SEC working to resolve N80bn unclaimed dividend —Gwarzo Sanya Adejokun - Abuja SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) is working to assuage investors’ ill feelings towards the capital market especially over the N80 billion unclaimed dividend. SEC Director General, Mounir Gwarzo stated this Tuesday during a meeting with Management of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), in Abuja. Gwarzo recalled that the market meltdown of 2008 resulted in investors losing money but that two years after, the Capital Market Committee (CMC) decided to prepare a document that will be able to address some of the challenges leading to

the catastrophe. He noted that upon inauguration, his management team decided to implement the plan that the entire market prepared and that is why every year the commission issue new initiatives that can drive the market. Gwarzo listed some of the recorded achievements in implementing the Master Plan to include Recapitalization, Direct Cash Settlement, E-Dividend, National Investors Protection Fund (NIPF), and Corporate Governance Scorecard among others. He emphasized that the only way to attract retail investors back to the market is to ensure that concrete steps are taken to adequately ad-

dress their concerns especially the issue of unclaimed dividend. “The issue of unclaimed dividend which according to our records is in excess of N80billion will also be a thing of the past. These unclaimed dividends came about from dividends of small stakeholders like you and me and we need to ensure that they are claimed. “Once we are able to get through with the registration process, those dividends that are less than 12 years, once the registrars can certify that the people are the owners, they should be able to pay them. Gradually we should be able to address their problem of unclaimed dividends,” he said.

The company added that it was taking legal advice to clear its good name and bring necessary actions to seek damages for the embarrassment and damage caused the Company’s reputation and goodwill by AMCON’s publication and action. It also assured all its customers and business associates that the report would not affect the company and its subsidiaries’ high quality services for which it had always been known and would seek redress for the damages caused by the publication. “MRS further assures the general public that MRS Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries will continue to transact their businesses with the highest ethical standards and in accordance with the extant laws of the country,” the statement said.

Stock picks up at +0.15% as BCG expresses optimism Kehinde Akinseinde Jayeoba - Lagos EQUITIES trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday closed on a positive note to halt five-day negative trend as the All Share index (ASI) gained 0.15 per cent to close at 28,857.34 points compared to the 0.14 per cent decline recorded previously to close at 28,813.51 points. Market capitalisation likewise gained N15.1 billion to close at N9.911 trillion compared to the loss of N14.2 billion recorded previously to close at N9.895 trillion. Meanwhile, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has expressed optimism in the Nigerian Capital market as the group visits the Exchange on Tuesday. While sounding the ceremony gong to close trading activities for the day, Rich Lesser, Global CEO of BCG explained that the reason for the visit was to show it’s support to the Exchange. “We know its challenging now but in the long term we remain optimistic about the fact that in Nigeria there are prospects. And we are excited to be a part of in making successful contributions to its companies,” he said. A breakdown of the activity chart on the Exchange showed that investors, in 4,542 deals sold a total of 207.6 million shares valued at N3.6 billion compared to a total of 275.4 million shares valued at N3.4 billion, exchanged in 4,865 deals.

12 news How bullion van driver absconded with N60m in Rivers —Police Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

HE Rivers State police command has disclosed that a bullion van driver absconded with N60,250,000 million, being part of over N100,000 million meant for two generation banks in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The said amount was part of the N100,000 million contained in the bullion van and which was declared missing on its way from Aba in Abia State to Port Harcourt, last Friday. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (administration), Mr Uche Anozia, made this known while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Monday evening, adding that the money was, however, found in an abandoned vehicle in Port Harcourt, on Monday. He said the driver (still at large and name not disclosed), was taking the money from Aba in Abia State to the two new generation banks (Zenith and Stanbic) in Port Harcourt, when he diverted after making the first delivery at the first bank. According to Anozia, the bullion van got missing after security escorts attached to it disembarked after the first delivery with the intention to go to Stanbic Bank, only for the driver to drive off to

an unknown destination “On July8, we received a report by one Mr Stanley Ndubuisi of Bankers Warehouse, a company located at 36 Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt. “The company engages in bullion van services. These bullion vans are rented by banks to convey their cash to-and-fro. So, on this day, a bullion van was rented from this company by Zenith Bank and Stanbic Bank, here in Port Harcourt. “The bullion van was to go to Aba to the branches of these particular banks to convey cash to Port Har-

court on behalf of these banks. The bullion van was manned by a driver who drove the vehicle to Aba. On his way back after collecting the cash, he was accompanied by soldiers, according to the complainant. “When he arrived Port Harcourt, he went to Zenith bank and delivered the aspect of the money owned by the bank to it. According to the complainant, at that point, the soldiers disembarked and left. Now ,it remained the money for Stanbic bank and the driver alone. Consequently, the driver absconded with the money,” he said.

Strike: Court restrains organised labour unions in Niger Adelowo Oladipo - Minna NIGER State government has secured an order of interim injunction restraining Mr Idris Yahaya Ndako, the chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Mr Yunusa Tanimu, the c hairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), from calling civil and public servants in the state on a strike,pending the determination of the motion on notice, which was fixed for Friday, July 15. The expertise order,according to the state Commissioner of Information, Youth and Culture,

Jonathan Vatsa, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Minna, on Tuesday, was granted by Justice P.O Lifu, of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, after considering Suit No:NICN/ABJ/259/2016. Meanwhile, economic and social activities were paralysed in Minna and it’s environs on Tuesday, as the organised labour unions under the auspices of the state chapters of the NLC, the TUC and other affiliate bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) among others, commenced industrial action against the state government.

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

editorial

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The Lagos law on street trading

HE Lagos State government is in the news for resuscitating one of its municipal laws hitherto implemented halfheartedly, namely the prohibition of street vending law which has been in force since 2003. While the social and political considerations that defined the unenthusiastic implementation of the law have not changed, the seriousness of the state government, this time, will perhaps be established if it carries through the promised enforcement to the election year. What obtained in the past was that the municipal laws were usually implemented in the euphoria of their enactment, only for enforcement to become substantially relaxed as elections approached. The question is, if the enforcement of a law is politically inexpedient, can it be socially right? Will it not be more appropriate to revisit a law that cannot stand the test of time, rather than selecting the timing of its application? To be sure, the motivation for the full scale enforcement of the law banning street trading in Lagos can hardly be faulted. The fact of its substantial contribution to the huge jungle that the city has become is a strong reason to want to get street traders and hawkers off the streets. There is no doubt that they constitute veritable environmental nuisance in addition to their tendency to compromise safety and sometimes security of the citizenry. Thus, a cosmopolitan city aspiring to acquire a mega city status can be expected to be ill at ease with street vending or hawking. Nevertheless, the question will be asked whether street vending is possible in free-flowing traffic. It is certainly necessary to improve on the traffic situation in the state in order to make hawking impossible on the expressway. Another issue is whether there is a structure on the ground to accommodate the teeming population of street vendors to be disengaged by full scale enforcement of the law. Or is the state thinking of wishing them away just like that? That would be tantamount to callous impoverishment of the people. No one likes to risk his or her life through street hawking and prospecting for customers in moving vehicles. But when the private and even government shops are priced way above what the average trader can afford, a means of survival has to be devised. If it is politically inexpedient for many state governments to disengage workers in their employ in spite of several months of salaries they owe them, it is even more harmful politically, economically and security-wise to ban street vending without making provision for a fallback

position for them. Lagos State, arguably, has the most buoyant and selfsustaining economy in the whole Federation. A proper drill down of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enviable economic and financial performances will reveal the significant contribution of the informal sector where the street vendors belong. Many manufacturers and big time importers rely heavily on the informal sector to distribute their good and the street vendors play a crucial role in this regard. Besides, street vending is a veritable source of employment and income for many residents of the state, especially those at the lowest rung of the economic ladder. Against this backdrop, doing away with all the street vendors and hawkers in one fell swoop will not only impact the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy negatively, it will also aggravate social and security issues. The survival instinct may push many whose livelihood revolves entirely around street trading to crime because nature abhors a vacuum. This is likely to be especially pronounced in a city of absolute paradox where the opulence of a few daily stares the abject squalor of many in the face. For the avoidance of doubt, it is not being suggested that street vending or hawking as it currently operates in Lagos should be encouraged. Indeed, the state government is urged to clear off hawkers and vendors who block the right of way by displaying their wares close to the road, thereby causing avoidable traffic gridlock. What is being advocated, however, is that a way should be found to integrate this economically active segment of the population into the overall economic system without compromising the objective of banning street vending which is to sanitize the environment and evolve a city with a look of modernity. This is practicable as shown by the experiences in other climes such as New York, London, Milan and many other cities across the globe where there is street vending. The only difference is that in those cities, existential and survival realities of the poor have been factored into the urban planning in such a way that the activities of vendors do not constitute any environmental nuisance. Even at that, they are still regulated. Lagos does not have this type of structure yet, but subsequent urban renewal programmes in the state should consider it. And until that is done, the focus of the anti-street vending law should be on removing traders/hawkers whose activities impede the flow of traffic in the city. That way, the seemingly draconian but well meaning law will be seen to have a human face.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

editor

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

Of govt and interference in varsity administration

am reacting to a story published in your newspaper on Thursday July 7, 2016 entitled: Afe Babalola cautions against government interference in varsity administration. I agree with the thoughtful submission of the eminent jurist and proprietor of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, that the Visitors to federal and state universities cannot appoint, query, or sack a Vice-Chancellor. His sensible intervention came at a time when Visitors, particularly a President, demonstrate wanton disregard for the University Acts which clearly spell out the roles of the Governing

Councils, Visitor, and ViceChancellor. The respected lawyer is right that only a University Governing Council can appoint, discipline, or remove a ViceChancellor. At the time the distinguished legal luminary was delivering the 21st Convocation Lecture of the Ekiti State University, entitled ‘University Administration: The Role of Stakeholders’, Obafemi Awolowo University was (and still is) enmeshed in a needless crisis on the process that produced the current 11th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayobami Salami. Such unions like NASU and SSANU, and an inconsequential group of lecturers (not ASUU as a

FG, criminalise non-payment of gratuities, pension LET me use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, order state governments to pay the gratuities of retirees within one year of their retirement. It is so unforunate that retirees go several years without being paid their gratuities. Even they do not get to collect their monthly pension on time, as they are owed several months of salary arrears.

After serving their states for more than 35 years, it is not fair the way pensioners are being treated by state governors in the country today. I hope the president can give an order for state governors to be paying retirees as at when due. I also hope the National Assembly can criminalise the non-payment of gratuities and pension arrears. •Isaiah Ida, Lokoja, Kogi State.

Ikorodu killings: Why OPC should save Yorubaland I really understand the view of the leader of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, on why he is reluctant to defend Yoruba people who have come under attacks in Ikorodu area of Lagos State. With Chief Adams’ statement, the OPC has finally embraced peace. While this is good, as there is no substitute for peace, I think he has to weigh the options again. Recently, Yorubaland has come under attacks by ‘foreign’ invaders. We have had Fulani herdsmen killing our farmers and destroying their farms, and at the moment, Ijaw militants have been wreaking havoc on lives and properties in Ikorodu area of Lagos; unfortunately, the only group Yoruba sons and daughters look up to for protection, the OPC, is still studying

the situation. In all honesty, according to Chief Adams, if the OPC had gone after the herdsmen, killing several of them, the cordial relationship which the organisation enjoys with law enforcement agencies would be damaged, but even at that, not reacting when Yorubaland comes under attack is not good enough. While reprisal attacks should not be supported, the OPC should learn to defend Yorubaland by confronting invaders who attack our people. I don’t think the police will see the OPC as a bad organisation if it halts the rampaging attacks by herdsmen on a community, or it attacks militants who invade our motherland on boats to commit crime. •Olusayo Ipaye, Lagos State.

body) are claiming that the Governing Council did not follow the process as established in the University Acts on the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. But it could have made a good sense had they asked for an investigation to determine whether the process was tinkered with by the Governing Council as alleged. No! They called on the Visitor to dissolve the Governing Council without an investigation and interfere in the running of the school by appointing an Acting Vice-Chancellor. Being an entity more amenable to illegality as Chief Babalola lamented in that lecture, the Visitor, without first investigating the unions’ claim, dissolved the Governing Council. It also asked that the process for the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor be suspended pending the outcome of the case filed by the unions in court. The fact is that as at the time the Visitor made that declaration (June 30), the process for the appoint-

ment of a Vice-Chancellor for the institution had already been concluded – as far back as June 6. And on June 21, the Presidency, via the Federal Character Commission, issued a certificate of compliance to the school Registrar, asking him to issue a letter of appointment to Prof. Salami as the Vice-Chancellor. On June 24, a day after the five-year tenure of Prof. Bamitale Omole ended, Prof. Salami assumed office. All of these were duly reported in the media.

With the Visitor now in a bind, not knowing whether to constitute a new Governing Council or commit another illegality by appointing an Acting ViceChancellor, the school is now still closed and students are suffering from the misdeeds of egoistic adults. The call for an Acting Vice-Chancellor is a disguised call on the Visitor to contravene the University (Miscellaneous) Autonomy Act (as amended) 2003 and interfere unduly in the running of the affairs of OAU.

Those making this strange call are not motivated by the solution to the problem; their goal is to further exacerbate the crisis. The practicable solution that will see the university open and operate smoothly is for the Visitor to restore the Governing Council and set up an investigative panel to examine the process that produced the current ViceChancellor. •Prof Chukwuka Kalu, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Nigeria needs unity to prosper EVERYBODY knows Nigeria is a country that is capable of being among the biggest economies in the world. We have the human and natural resources to make our country prosperous, but we are our country’s biggest enemies. For some time now, the Niger Delta militants have been attacking oil pipelines, frustrating the Federal Government’s efforts to

increase the sale of crude oil in order to generate more funds. The Fulani herdsmen have been maiming innocent farmers and destroying farms across the country. Also, there has been a rise in the number of kidnapping cases all over the country. All these point to the fact that we don’t really love one another. It is hightime we gave Nigeria another

chance. I know that it was not a mistake that we found ourselves in the same country, but it is necessary that we come together so that peace can reign; after this, then our country will begin to thrive. •Aishat Kamaldeen, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State.

opinion Amaechi/Kachikwu: Between a fighter and a manager 15

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

By Yushau A. Shuaib

then he would build the university for the Niger Delta region. Like a bull in China shop, Kachikwu rose to defend the university project, adding that he would source for the money to complete the project. Kachikwu said; “I disagree with the Minister of Transport. Any facility that is located in the South-South we should work closely to develop it. I don’t care the circumstances under which you are placed. It’s not in my position to determine whether land was valued at N3 billion or N10 billion. The appropriate institution, which is at the costing system, will determine that. That has nothing to do with development of infrastructure. And as far as I know, so much has already gone into the university.” The drama must have generated heated debates, but the great lesson is that we can fight some of the time to win but we should also devise ways of managing victory. Skilled managers rather than good fighters are required for political stability and economic growth. Amaechi started his political fighting from the University of Port Harcourt, when he fought his way to become the President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) after fighting for students’ rights. After his graduation, he joined Pamo Clinics and Hospitals Limited owned by Dr. Peter Odili, his political godfather who became Governor of Rivers State and facilitated Amaechi’s election into the Rivers State House of Assembly, where he emerged the Speaker in 1999. Their harmonious relationship was truncated when Amaechi launched a campaign to succeed Odili as Governor in 2007. When his name was substituted as winner of PDP’s primaries for Rivers gubernatorial election that year, Amaechi fought his way to the Supreme Court, where he was pronounced

HILE crisis management and reputation management are Public Relations functions, conflict management is another process of limiting the negative aspects of conflicts while increasing the positive aspects. An interesting feature of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet and, in fact, his ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) is the amalgamation of good fighters and good managers. The fighting skills as well as managerial expertise of some of the members catapulted the party to victory in the last general elections. For instance, Rotimi Amaechi aided the emergence of the Buhari government when he successfully initiated a fight, as the Governor of Rivers State, against President Goodluck Jonathan. He tactically joined forces with other members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including Senator Bukola Saraki of the National Assembly and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, among others, in fighting the government. This helped to bring PDP down to its knee after 16 years as the ruling party. Amaechi, even as the current Transport Minister, has never stopped being a good fighter. He recently took on his counterpart, Petroleum Minister of State, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu on the Niger Delta issue. The two ministers are the unique faces of good fighters and managers in the Buhari administration. While Amaechi, as a politician, believes in taking decisive actions on critical issues, Kachikwu is an advocate of managing any issue to a logical conclusion rather than through confrontations. At a recent Federal Government Town-Hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Amaechi defended the decision of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to scrap the Maritime University project on the ground that the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan had paid too much to acquire a land for the university. Describing the project as a “misplacement of priority,” Amaechi said: “My argument about Okerenkoko is that the land alone is N13 billion. If you give me N13 billion, I will buy half of Lagos. That N13 billion has built the university already.” He added that anti-corruption agencies should be mandated to recover the N13 billion already paid for the land,

the rightful candidate of the party and became the Governor on 26 October 2007. He was re-elected for a second term of four years in April 2011 with less fight. Meanwhile, Dr. Kachikwu has never been a typical Nigerian politician who can fight his way to power and reckoning. He is an outstanding manager who has proved his worth in the media, academics and corporate world. Apart from bagging a First Class degree in Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nigeria Law School with multiple awards, he also obtained outstanding Masters and Doctorate Degree in Law from Harvard University. He had worked with the Nigerian/American Merchant Bank, Texaco Nigeria Limited from where he joined Exxon-Mobil where he rose to the position of Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon Mobil(Africa). Apart from his deep involvement in the politics of Niger Delta, Amaechi, as Transport Minister, has succeeded in the extension of rail lines across Nigeria and the completion of ongoing rail projects initiated by the previous administration, especially the Abuja-Kaduna route that is likely to be commissioned in July 2016 by President Buhari. Meanwhile, Kachikwu as Petroleum Minister and Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was able to cut operational losses, deregulate the downstream sector, initiate a creative means of meeting the Joint Venture (JV) contributions and ensuring prompt payments of revenue to the federation account, among others. Kachikwu’s endorsement of first class engineer and thoroughbred bureaucrat, Dr. Maikanti Baru, as the new Group Managing Director of NNPC, is quite encouraging, as the Minister now chair the NNPC Board of Trustees to oversee the complex oil sector and undertake critical consultations with stakeholders towards political and economic stability. While we urge the fighters and managers in the cabinet of President Buhari to work closely and collectively towards political stability, national security and economic advancement, they should limit the negative aspects of their conflict and increase the positive aspects of the struggle. What Nigerians want now is more focus in managing the economy and security situations rather than infighting and internal-agency rivalry. •Shuaib, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja

Kogi: Not dwelling in the past By Petra Akinti Onyegbule IN the course of my current job, but more so due to my innate interest as a concerned citizen, I have read various opinions, news articles and everything else in-between about governance in Kogi State under Governor Yahaya Bello. The public domain is a fast-paced evolving one but one thing is for sure; if falsehood borne out of ignorance is repeated often enough, it soon begins to assume the status of truth. This is why, in appreciation of the fact that sensationalism is necessary to sell today’s papers and garner nanoseconds clicks, I would simply like to put some facts in the public domain; let the people or at least have that in their possession, as they express their right to judge all governments. I believe every Kogi indigene that means well for the state should have access to authentic information that will enable them appreciate the times we are in, and so, I will do the best I can to correct wrong impressions in this piece, especially concerning payment of salaries. It is common knowledge that Kogi, like virtually all other states, is largely dependent on crude oil revenues, which have plummeted in recent times. That we must move away from that position is non-negotiable. On July 4, 2016, Governor Bello convened a stakeholders meeting for a no-holds-barred open forum, in order to lay out the bare facts and figures on state finances, enabling everyone access to the raw data. He proceeded to take questions after his address and briefings from select government officials for the purpose of greater clarification, and it is our sincere hope that the knowledge garnered will be deployed positively as stakeholders go on to interface with their constituents and the wider public. Kogi cannot remain enslaved by a bloated civil service workforce. Governor Yahaya Bello is not in the business of shirking his responsibilities, and the civil service is the responsibility of government. However, so is the rest of the population too. The enormity of the problem hits home when you realise that the salaries of a very minute percentage of the state’s approximately 3.5 million peo-

ple completely wipes out government’s total revenues. This analysis is necessary so people will understand why the governor has made the screening exercise in the civil service a top priority, and why any resistance to those noble efforts should be deemed by well-meaning Kogites as anti-people and anti-progress. Plummeting revenues mean our people must be bold enough to admit that the status quo is totally unsustainable and that for Kogi to survive, something must give. The civil service must be leaner, and we must realise that ghost workers who have been siphoning money for decades will need prolonged, unrelenting screening to be unearthed and eradicated. Information gleaned from the interim report of the screening committee evokes raw emotions when one sees that a total of 9,720 ‘workers’ on Kogi’s payroll did not turn up for the screening exercise at all, and this number does not include the thousands who will still not pass the actual screening. These are likely unqualified and ghost workers, who know they will be found out, and wisely declined to show up for scrutiny. Yet many of the beneficiaries of this scam continue to demonise a scheme that is one of the fastest ways to remove Kogi from something it has no business with - poverty. Some civil servants are self-sabotaging the governance process. For a State that will be 25 years in existence in August, it is unfortunate how previous administrations mortgaged our commonwealth. Kogi State earned as much as N4.05 billion from FAAC in January 2015. In

the last month of the Wada administration, N2.58 billion was what accrued to Kogi in January 2016. That 36per cent decline of almost N1.5 billion coincided with a time when Kogi’s already bloated wage bill was further increased, through questionable last-minute recruitment into the civil service by a departing governor; a move that was obviously intended to further burden the incoming government and set it on the warpath with labour if the new governor dared reverse those employments. This is a nationwide tactic, but its effects remain devastating to the minds of workers, who are used as pawns but suffer the most. The past blights our future; that this administration chooses not to dwell on the past does not mean all Kogites are not suffering its consequences. Kogi State is unarguably bereft of infrastructure, and the funds needed to develop them must be sourced from somewhere. Governor Bello has a mandate to fulfil, and he is expected to ensure government hospitals and schools are well-run, that the state’s 10 land borders are secure, and that Kogites have access to good roads, potable water and other social amenities. An overall enabling environment for entrepreneurship and industry must be created for the citizens to take full advantage of, and contrary to what the lecturers are demanding, fair taxes will play their part in boosting the state’s IGR. At this point in time, Kogites who mean well for the state and for future generations should stand up to be counted. The voices of mischievous elements bent on truncating the goodwill enjoyed by this administration with misinformation and selected information must not be allowed to drown the voices of true progressives. Governor Yahaya Bello has always said he does not want to be remembered as the governor who was only able to pay salaries; this is the basest obligation a governor must carry out, and is nothing worth news headlines. Rather, the long-term focus is that Kogi has massive potentials, which must be exploited and put to optimal use for the benefit of Kogites, and this is where His Excellency would rather make greater strides in. •Onyegbule is the Senior Special Assistant on Electronic Media to Kogi State Governor.

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

SEGELUULU

CHURCH BOY

FUNOLOGY

Bukky Ajayi •

Born o n February 2, 1932.

•

She studied in England. She left England and came back to Nigeria after her education in 1965 and started out working in Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) as a presentation assistant in 1966. Afterwards, she became a presenter and then a news reader.

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She started her movie career with the ‘Village Headmaster’ in the 70s. She later got a role in Amaka Igwe’s ‘Checkmate’. She stared in so many movies like: Mother of George, Indecent Girl, Diamond Ring, Witches, Thunderbolt (magun), Oduduwa, Final Whistle, Temini tie ko, Keep my will, Fine things and so on.

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She won many awards, including the Industry Merit Award at the African Magic Viewer Choice Awards (AMVCA), where she was received with a standing ovation.

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She died on Wednesday, 6th of July, 2016 at the age of 84.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

inside

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08065167178

nigerdelta We are not enemies of Nigeria —Ijaw community leader

...as group urges Buhari to halt hiring of Saudi mercenaries Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

HE Chairman of Kokodiagbene Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop treating Niger Delta people as enemies of the country. This is just as the national president of the Foundation for Human Rights and AntiCorruption Crusade (FHRACC), Alaowei Cleric Esq, has urged Buhari to discontinue the alleged plan to hire Saudi Black Waters mercenaries to tackle militants in the region. In separate statements signed and made available to InsideNigerDelta on Monday in Warri, Comrade Mulade urged the Federal Government to order commencement of academic activities at the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko as part of the conditions for the dialogue process. “It is worthy to state that the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region has fed Nigerians for over 50 years, so, all we demand is for the Federal Government to feed the Niger Delta people in return by improving on the development efforts of our land,” the environmental activist averred. Alaowei, on his part, said President Buhari was violating the sovereign sanctity

Niger Delta militants of the country with the yet-to-be-refuted rumours that the FG had hired Saudi Black Waters mercenaries with $258m to combat militants in the region. The plan, if true, he said, would mean Buhari “has chosen to exterminate the people of Niger Delta from planet earth through the instrumentalities of his foreign mercenaries.” He called on “the international community to be red alert to save the Niger Delta

people from the planned allied invasions and prevail on President Mohammadu Buhari to rescind his genocidal agenda against the Niger Delta communities.” The chairman of Kokodiagbene, Mulade, said the Ijaws were in full support of Buhari’s government and policies, pleading with him to create empowerment programmes that would bring development to the Niger Delta region as well as halt environmental degradation occasioned by oil pollution.

Itsekiri students petition IG over killing of colleague in Oghara Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri THE cruel murder of Itsekiri-born Miss Oritsegbugbemi Edith Udu, an ND 2 student of Delta State Polytechnic (DESPO), OtefeOghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, is causing more row, as aggrieved associations of the Itsekiri extraction have petitioned the acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris. Worried by the mysterious way the budding laboratory technologist was hacked down in her prime and the seeming lackadaisical attitude of the state government and the police at unravelling the killers, the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG) and the National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS), had earlier, last week, issued a one-week ultimatum to find killers of the slain student. The ultimatum was handed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Zanna Ibrahim and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the polytechnic to fish out the killers or face the wrath of the students. NAIG and NAIS, in the statement issued on Friday July 8, and signed by their lead-

ers, Comrade Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema and Comrade Oritseneye Fredrick, expressed sadness over the inertia of the state government, the police and the school authorities over the incident. With the ultimatum expiring this week with no seeming tangible feedback from the stakeholders, the associations had gone further to petition the IG through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Abuja, to swiftly effect concrete investigations into the murder and apprehend the perpetrators. A Warri-based legal firm, Robinson Ariyo & Co, which filed the petition on behalf of the Itsekiri graduates and students’ bodies, expressed dissatisfaction at how far the police had gone over the case. The firm described the actions so far taken by the police as regards the killing as “lackluster and creating very strong suspicion in the minds of our clients (NAIG and NAIS) that this heinous crime might eventually suffer the casualty of failed and inconclusive investigation.” Copies of the petition were sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Okowa, Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Honourable Daniel Reyenieju as well as the

three lawmakers of Itsekiri extraction in the Delta State House of Assembly. The Itsekiri students’ bodies urged the DIG and other stakeholders to wade into the “already volatile issue accordingly and prosecute those involved with a view to instilling order and discouraging acts unbecoming of a civilized society.” Miss Oritsegbugbemi Udu, an ND 2 PartTime student of the Department of Science Laboratory, it will be recalled, was murdered and dumped near the fence of DESPO, Oghara Staff Quarters by suspected ritualists. Her decomposing corpse was found on July 7 according to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Celestina Kalu, who said that on observation by detectives from Oghara Division, “no visible marks of violence on the body except whitish foam from the nose and mouth.” Kalu noted that the remains of the young lady were thereafter evacuated and deposited at the Delta State Teaching Hospital Mortuary, Oghara, adding that post-mortem examination was underway to ascertain the cause of her death, while investigations were rigorously ongoing.

‘RIWAMA still not happy with service providers’ THE Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro Felix Obuah has expressed displeasure with some service providers who are yet to comply with his appeal to take their jobs more seriously. Obuah, in a statement from the office of the Sole Administrator signed by Jerry Needam, the agency’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said the worst offenders were the service providers in charge of Rumuibekwe zone of Port Harcourt, stressing that the agency might be compelled to invoke all the relevant laws of the agency regarding the operations of the service providers. He wondered why the contractors found it difficult to take advantage of the free hand offered them by the Agency to do the right things at the right time. According to him, if they show commitment to their job and keep to the prescribed time of evacuating the accumulated wastes, the ugly sites and resurgence of refuse heaps noticed in some parts of the state capital will not be there. The administrator expressed displeasure that the efforts and huge government revenue being invested in some of the service providers to keep all the nooks and crannies of the state clean were yet to yield corresponding and expected results on the environment. He emphasised that the only way to appreciate and encourage Governor Nyesom Wike for the passion he had for a healthy environment in the state and the huge resources being committed into the project was to do the needful and let wastes be a very scarce commodity in the state. This, he said, could only be achieved if the service providers could do away with laxity in their assignments and for the populace to discharge their wastes at the designated spots within the specified time frame, the RIWAMA boss added. Obuah further reminded the general public that the wastes and discharges they generated ought to be paid for according to the laws establishing the Agency, but that the government did this on their behalf. The only way, he said, to reciprocate this kind gesture was to adhere to, and take the instructions of the Agency on environmental sanitation seriously.

CREW

Dapo Falade -Rivers 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Udeme Utip - Akwa Ibom 08033909788 udemeutip@gmail.com Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa 08065400743 austinebipade@gmail.com

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

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

Duke, others link beer to good health, cultural cohesion

From left, Mr Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State and Chairman, 3rd Nigerian Beer Symposium; Mr Nicolaas Velverde, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries Plc.

ORMER governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke has emphasised that beer plays a significant role in the sustenance of good health and cultural cohesion. Duke who was the chairman of the 3rd Nigerian Beer Symposium held in Lagos on Thursday noted that not only is beer low in carbohydrates, it is as all-natural as orange juice and milk. “You see, beer has no need for preservatives because of the alcohol and hops- both of which are natural preservatives. The only processing beer undergoes is the same as with bread-it is cooked and fermented, filtered and packaged,” he said.

The former governor maintained that it is most astounding that beer has no fat or cholesterol and when taken in moderation, beer can tilt high- density lipoprotein levels (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol rations in the right direction. “HDL are the good cholesterols that protect your veins while LDL is the bad kind that builds up in your veins. Beer actually flushes the system and can boost the HDL by up to four per cent with just a single beer a day,” the former governor remarked. He noted that the most amazing beer and health connection is something called xanthohumol that inhibits cancer-causing en-

zymes. “I have always wondered about the French. Their diet consist of rich, highly fatty foods, wine and those cigarettes. Yet, their rate of heart disease is significantly less than the rest of the world. This has been credited to red wine and the antioxidants it contains, which helps prevent heart attacks. Interestingly, beer just has as many antioxidants as red wine,” he said. Duke also added that beer is a lot safer than the local bottled water. “If you find yourself someplace where you are advised not to drink the local water, the local beer is always a safer bet. It is a lot safer than the local bottled water. So just follow the rules of beer drinking and you will be fine,” he advised. Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Nicolaas Vervelde also stressed that the objective of the Nigerian Beer Symposium has been to highlight and share contemporary knowledge on the wonderful product called beer. Despite the very strong ties between beer and culture, Vervelde emphasised that the wrong use or abuse of beer can indeed have undesirable consequences. Also Professor Bartholomew Okolo, a Professor of Applied Microbiology and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who spoke on the social and cultural roles of beer, maintained that alcoholic drinks are a symbolic vehicle for identifying, describing, constructing and manipulating cultural values and interpersonal relationships. “In all cultures, different alcoholic bever-

Visiting Ikogosi is educative —JABU International Secondary School students THE ecotourism centre of Ikogosi cold and warm springs is one of the beautiful works of nature , apart from being a tourism potential, it is also a place where people especially students can experience part of what they were being taught in Geography and Agriculture. The beautiful landscape and architectural designs and facilities at the site are also part of what usually fascinate tourists and students to the site. Recently, the students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University International Secondary School (JIS) visited the ancient site for leisure and learning. The students who spent hours at the site were accompanied by some of their teachers were seen catching fun and enjoying the trip as they moved round the entire place asking questions about how certain things came into being particularly the warm spring and the history of the place. Akinola Emmanuel a tutor at the school in an interaction with TTM on why they brought their Akinola Emmanuel a tutor at the school in a chat with TTM on why they brought their students to Ikogosi said “JABU International Secondary School is a school that is academically sound and we also take the leisure of our students very important . “They’ve been visiting other tourism sites around here, but this one is one is special because we look at the combination of work of agriculture, work of nature as something that will bring them close to what we are teaching them in school especially in geogra-

phy and agriculture,” Speaking on what impact the visit will have on their studies, Akinola said “this will refresh their brains and give them a practical knowledge of what they are being taught in the school, it will also encourage them to work hard so that by next academic session they will also be able to move to another place. One of the students, Ladipo Moyosore while sharing her experience at Ikogosi said

“my experience at site was fantastic. We had fun and enjoyed ourselves. We were taken round and they told us the history of the warm and cold spring and the traditional name of the water, the cold is Awo while the warm spring is Awole and the name of the person that discovered the springs was called Osunole, apart from fun, the visit also afforded us the opportunity of seeing what we were being taught in our geography and agriculture classes.

THE Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom has said that he would support the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission in exposing Benue farmers to the agricultural advancement of Israel. He disclosed this in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Reverend Tor Uja as he promised to organize some farmers who would go to Israel and come and help the State to improve its agricultural strength. Governor Ortom further assured that he would also strategise with the Executive Members of his cabinet to go on pilgrimage to Israel to pray for themselves and for the state so that they would all be on the same page. In his words, “we will continue to support the Commission within the available resources”. He equally affirmed,

“we will continue to partner and work with you, the activities of this Commission are very critical to Christian life’. Governor called on Christians to stop paying lip service to God because according to him, “the solution to Nigeria’s problem is that we need to go back to God. He said, “the deeper we are to God the better for the country”. He explained that though the economy of the country is facing serious challenges, those who are committed to things of God would continue to support the cause of christians who are committed to things of God would continue to support the cause of Christian pilgrimage. He advised the NCPC boss to always put God first in anything he does because in his words, “you are carrying God on behalf of Nigeria”. While he further called on the NCPC leadership and Nigerians to always pray for those in lead-

ages are classified in terms of their social meaning. Every drink therefore connotes a symbolic meaning and conveys a message. “Thus the choice of alcoholic beverage to be presented and consumed at certain occasions is rarely a matter of personal preference,” he said.

Do more for less this summer with ‘My Emirates Pass’

EMIRATES passengers can experience more of Dubai this summer by enjoying deep discounts and exclusive offers across the city with My Emirates Pass, launched jointly with Department of Economic Development in Dubai. Passengers flying on the airline to or through Dubai between June 1 and 31 August, 2016 can take advantage of a range of offers at some of Dubai’s best known hotspots by simply showing their boarding pass and a valid form of identification. Special discounts and offers at over 65 restaurants and hotel dining outlets, 10 leisure experiences ranging from desert safaris, golf course packages and helicopter tours in addition to a range of spa experiences can be accessed for less with My Emirates Pass in Dubai. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, Executive Director Commercial Compliance & the Consumer Protection Sector said, “The Department of Economic Development in Dubai ensures that Dubai’s visitors enjoy a memorable shopping experience, and we want to make Dubai their preferred destination to shop, dine, sightsee and so much more. The joint initiative between the Department of Economic Development and Emirates aims to provide tourists and consumers with the best that Dubai has to offer.” My Emirates Pass is one of a series of collaborations between Emirates and the Department of Economic Development to help visitors discover more of Dubai.

Benue govt to partner with NCPC on ership position. Governor Ortom thanked God for making him the Governor of Benue State, adding that the state is a Christian state. Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NCPC Reverend Tor Uja thanked the Governor for being the first Governor to officially visit him since assumption of office. He intimated the Governor that the primary mandate of NCPC was to organise and coordinate pilgrimages to Israel and other Holy Sites around the world. The NCPC boss explained that for effective execution and implementation of the NCPC mandate, the commission must work with strategic Institutions and organisations which include Ground Handlers, Churches and individual groups in order to realise its mandate.

tourism

IN preparation for the 2016 annual Usi Ekiti day celebration, the official logo for the 35th edition of the festival of unity has been unveiled. The unveiling which was part of the activities marking the 2nd Annual Olusi lecture. The unveiling which was part of the activities marking the 2nd Annual Olusi lecture organised by the university of Ibadan chapter of Egbe Omo Usi held at the Faculty of Technology Lecture hall of the university recently. While taking people trough the logo, a member of the planning committee, Mr Olu Ojo said the logo symbolised strength and unity of the people who always roll out drums to celebrate the peaceful environment and blessings from the creator. In his remark, Oba Adedayo George Akande, the Olusi of Usi Ekiti described the annual lecture as an event that will further strengthen the unity and development of Usi community particularly among those in the diasporas. Oba Akande who was accompanied to the event by his wife, traditional chiefs and other notable personalities from the town harped on the need for the privileged, exposed and educated ones to always contribute to the advancement of the younger generations who are the future of the communities The monarch also appealed to people to be tolerant of each other’s religious belief and conscious of the need to live in harmony,” it is not a crime to worship or pay obeisance to the tradition, but we should not allow it to affect others who do not share the same beliefs”. He however commended the Ipaye and youth of Usi Ekiti and other stakeholders

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 Third left, Oba Adedayo George Akande, Olusi of Usi, his Olori and others .

2016 logo unveiled @ 2nd Olusi annual lecture

for their steadfastness and contribution to the progress of the community urging

them not to relent in their effort to ensure the community is better developed with basic amenities and infrastructures. The National President of Usi, Mr Debo Ayorinde while briefing Usi indigenes on the preparation for the one week event said this year’s edition will be hosted by Egbe Omo Usi and that series of programmes have been lined up for the event. Professor Ayorinde Dada, in his lecture entitled The role of education in the development of a community with special reference to Usi Ekiti said education is a catalyst to community development.” He concluded the lecture with an appeal to the teeming population of Usi

illustrious sons and daughters that are shining so brightly in Nigeria and beyond, but are yet to be part of the community development to come and be part of history “come over to Usi and help us” in other word, what you have done so well outside, come home and demonstrate it to us”. The event featured presentation of awards to Professor Babatope Alo, chairman Governing Council, College of Education, Ikere Ekiti who is also the chairman of the occasion, Professor Dada, the guest lecturer and Miss Usi 2015. Indigenes of Usi Ekiti who are studying various degrees in the university were also presented with certificate of honour and medals.

Atunda Entertainment, Tanzanian Govt partner on arts tourism

A move to forge unity of West and East Africa has been initiated by the government of Tanzania and the management of Atunda Entertainment, a Nigerian owned theatre and movie production outfit. Tagged West/East Amalgamation through arts, culture, entertainment and tourism, it is geared at bridging the existing gap between countries of the west and east regions. The new project, which would be devoted to the production of movies and musicals by both Nigerian and Tanzanian’s artistes collaboration, was disclosed by the Tanzania High Commissioner to Nigeria, Daniel O. Njoolay and the President of Atunda Entertainment, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the scheme will kick off in August at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Ikegun Village, Lekki, Lagos, with the selected artistes and crew coming together to create and produce a movie script and post production within

two weeks. The third week, the entire crew would move over to Tanzania for the premiere of the movie that would be attended by government officials, business moguls and other personalities and the general public from both countries. The premiere would feature musical performances by musical artistes from both countries as well, which would be recorded and commercially produced. Thereafter a second Tanzania High Commissioner to Nigeria, Daniel O. Njoolay and the President of Atunda Entertainment, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye. movie would be shot In his remark, Akinboboye expressed and produced in Tanzania, which would account of the project’s conceptualisation the need to diversify the economy, esand benefits to creative and youths of each be premiered in Nigeria and would feacountry, pointed out that motion picture pecially that of Nigeria which has relied ture musical performance. Njoolay, who took time to give historic in Tanzania lacked the necessary skills solely on oil. “The need to diversify the economy is over flogged. It is long overand expertise. As Nigeria ranked among major movie due. In diversification, you have to apmakers in the world, the High Commis- praise your strength and opportunities. sioner said the partnership will benefit his Our strength is our creativity. We are country in the area of artistic and creative number one in Africa in movie and music. But how much value has it added to technological transfer. The NCPC boss assured the Governor the commission in any way and thanked According to him, Tanzanian govern- us and how much value has it added to that he would remove the issue of ab- the governor for being supportive to the ment through the Ministry of Culture is the continent? Artistic endeavours are sconment and reduce excessive shopping commission. fully involved in the project and would be the best way to foster Africa’s unity. Let during pilgrimage. us go to East Africa to help brothers decommitting funds to it. He stated that Benue state is not owing In his word: “Our movie stars still lack velop their movie industry.’’ Akinboboye wondered why many Nigethe skill. It will be a form of artistic technological transfer when we bring artistes rians are ignorant of the tourism potento come and perform jointly with experi- tials of Tanzania. “I believe strongly that enced Nigerian artistes. if Tanzania can be number two in the “We have reached a good point and ev- world, the project can only explore and erything is moving on fast. Everything enhance both nations’ tourism indusbegins on August 1. Njoolay also harped tries. Let us go to East Africa and develop on the tourism benefits of the project, as their movie industry,” Akinboboye said. it is expected to boost the tourism po- Njoolay revealed that the maiden film to tential of both countries. To show how be shot in Tanzania will be named: ‘My serious the country is with the project, Pride’ and it will be a one and half hours Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Samuel Ortom (4th left), with the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian he said that the Director, Tanzania Film production. “With effort like this definitely Africa Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Reverend Tor Uja (middle) and management staff of NCPC during the Governor’s visit to the Board, Joyce Fisoo, has already been to Nigeria to meet with Akinboboye. commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, recently. will be rising.”

pilgrimage

20 with Doyin Adeoye

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

Concerned by the effects of disasters among individuals, agencies and communities in particular, communities at frontline of disasters, stakeholders in disaster management including Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), government agencies and security agencies have vowed not to rest in their oars in reducing the attending effects of disasters in the country. This submission agreed upon last week was in Ibadan, Oyo State at one-day National Consultative Workshop on Frontline Project in Nigeria and Linking Frontline to Post-2015 Development Frameworks organised by the Global Network of Civil Society for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), and Centre for Disaster Risk and Crisis Reduction (CDRCR). The programme which was attended by representatives of NGOs, government agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Oyo State Emergency Management Agency, police, NSCDC, FRSC and some media practitioners. Speaking to journalists, the Executive Director, Centre for Disaster Risk and Crisis Reduction (CDRCR), Mr Kolawole Amusat said the aim of the maiden stakeholders’ meeting championed by GNDR, an umbrella body of over 60 civil society organisations working on disaster risk management in the country was “to work, discuss and consult on how disaster threats facing the communities at the frontline of disasters can be reduced to the barest minimum.” He added that “This programme was designed to capture the

threats faced by communities at the frontline of disasters as well as current actions taken by various communities to reduce their vulnerability to the threats.” Amusat further informed that the study carried out in 24 communities in six states - Plateau, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Cross River and Kwara, showed that most rural communities in these states lack disaster management knowledge. According to him, “The result of our findings show that in the last ten years, there have been increasing damaging and lost of property as a result of disasters. “The study shows that most of the communities at the risk are rural communities, and which lack knowledge of disaster management with necessary education that will help them tackle the menace and cope with disaster when it occurred. “We are organising this programme to know how best we can help communities at the frontline of disasters, to prevent disasters and reduce the risks. We have been working with NEMA, SEMA and other stakeholders to prevent the risks.” Suggesting the way out, Amusat called for strong partnership among stakeholders at all levels to the benefit of the communities at risk. He used the medium to call for all stakeholders including the media to sensitise the public on the risks involved in disasters. Amusat said his organisation would use the goodwill at national and international levels to use the resources and help communities at the frontline of risks and disasters through manpower and financial aids.

Poachers arrested for killing antelope in Yankari Game Reserve Two men, Halilu Adamu and Bala Garba were caught by rangers over the weekend at the Yankari National Park, a large wildlife park located in Bauchi State. According to the management of the Reserve, they killed and slaughtered a female roan ante-

lope and are notorious elephant poachers. Garba was said to have been arrested in May 2015 for a similar crime and was sentenced to six months in jail, but he, however, returned back to the reserve this year to continue the illegal killing.

The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. —Robert Swan

ecoscope

Stakeholders chart ways in reducing threats facing communities at frontline of disasters By Tunde Ogunesan

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

ine areas to transform their resource into sellable products.

MitiMeth is an Ibadan-based social enterprise which transforms natural fibres constituting environmental problems into beneficial products. The founder and Creative Director, Achenyo Idachaba speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on how plants like water hyacinth, such as that which invaded the Kara River in Ojodu Berger recently, is being turned into valuable and sellable products, as well as how the company over time, has empowered communities in these riverine areas to acquire the skills to earn ultimate income.

ow did you start upcycling natural fibres? It started while I was doing a bit of environmental consulting, where I was specifically focused on waste recovery and utilisation. I had a specific interest in methane recovery and utilisation and I was looking at the Nigerian landscape, thinking of what opportunities we have to develop clean fuels from resources that we have existing around us. And methane being a potent green house gas, has about 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. So the question was what are the sources of methane and how prevalent are they within the Nigerian environment? So I came to realise that it was very prevalent both in the gas sector, the agro sector, as well as from our municipal solid waste. So in looking at the various sectors that result in methane emission to the atmosphere, I found that Nigeria was a very fertile ground for us to look at how we can recover methane and deplore it usefully. So it was while I was working on that that I came across water hyacinths. Then I thought of what the weed could be used for. I did a couple of researches and realised that the plant was also very rich in methane. Then I thought of other ways one could use it and that was when the idea of handicrafts came to my mind, because it is a very durable fibre. So we thought of creating a winwin situation for the communities that are most affected by it and also for the environment so that they can have access to their waterways and their fishes can thrive, as long as

How water hyacinth

can be made economically viable

—CEO, MitiMeth their waters are not totally covered by water hyacinths. And in the end, they can derive some economic benefits from clearing the waterways and transforming the water hyacinths into products. What was it like working with the weeds for the first time? The first process for me was at the Oba Dam at the University of Ibadan (UI). I remember speaking with the person clearing the water hyacinths then, and although he said there was a professor that was also using it for fertilisers, I pleaded with him to keep for me as well and how I want it harvested. So that was the first point of actually working with the weed. After drying it, I started trying to figure out how to weave it because I already had the idea of the patterns that I wanted, but unfortunately, I wasn’t a weaver as at then. So I carried the weeds and went to Sabo searching for someone who could teach me how to weave, and that was how I was able to acquire the skills. I needed to do that because I wanted to be in a position where I could demonstrate to people what exactly it is that I do. And once I learnt the basic skills, that became a platform for me to come up with the patterns and ideas that I had in mind. Do you at any point process these natural fibres before using them? We don’t process the plants. Although the way the plant is handled depends on what is being produced. However, there is no chemical transformation in any way in all we do and all our products are very natural and handcrafted.

So what do you make with these natural fibres? We make different products: from lampshades to foot mats and the likes. For some products, we just mat the stems of the water hyacinths and for others, we use different procedures. The lamp base for instance has a more intricate design, where we weave the water hyacinths into ropes. We also make stationeries: jotters, pens, key holders, baskets, dining wares, plate mats and tissue boxes, among others. What part of the water hyacinths exactly is used in the production of these products? We want a complete utilisation of the water hyacinths, so while most of our products are woven or matted from the stem of the plant, moving forward to achieve a zero waste scenario, we also utilise the leaves and the root system.

What we looked at are opportunities for products that can actually create the zero waste scenarios for us. In making jotters for instance, what we have discovered is that if we make handmade papers, we will be able to consume 100 per cent of the plant fibre. So the jotters are made from natural plants, particularly banana fibre. We started with water hyacinths, but later started trying other natural fibres. So the banana trunk is also useful in making papers. How does the training process for the people in these communities work? In achieving that, we look at corporations that are interested in socially investing in various communities so they could have income generating enterprises. So we partner with companies or entities that have that vision and we train individuals or community groups within the river-

As one whose company is now recognised on a global level, what do you think hinders our local manufacturing sector? The problem is that we are so focused on imported products in Nigeria. And also many people have the mentality that because you a making a product in Nigeria, it ought to be cheaper, which shouldn’t be. These products are handcrafted and very labour intensive. Also, it takes a lot of capital to set up some of these businesses. While many may decide to get loans, the interest rates on these loans are astronomical and would even kill the business before it even started. So getting the capital is really important for many startups. However, fortunately for me, I started around the time when YouWin was launched and I applied and thankfully I was selected. With-

out knowing anybody, I was even given more than I expected. So that means someone actually read the business plan and saw that this had potential in terms of its impact in creating jobs and felt that I had underestimated what my needs were. And from there, I also got a couple of international awards like the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award. Another challenge is market access. When all these people are trained, the way to keep them encouraged is to provide demand so that they can supply. So the issue still lies with how to create market for these products. We need to support our local economy. The artisan sector on a global scale is a $32 billion business. So if Nigeria can just capture a fraction of that market, then the rural population that will be producing these products will be really impacted. So the question is how much does Africa contribute to that amount? And how much does Nigeria contribute to that amount? How much handicraft are we exporting?

Flood: UNICEF, NEMA, others agree on effective emergency preparedness By Victor Ogunyinka IN a bid to reduce dangers during emergencies, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders have identified strategies for prompt and effective emergency preparedness response (EPR). This was revealed in a three day workshop on emergency preparedness response, which was held at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, with stakeholders from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Delta and the host state, Oyo in attendance. While speaking on the challenges of stakeholders during emergency, UNICEF’s officer on emergency, Mr Olusoji Adeniyi, explained that “poor coordination, political obstacles, relief agency syndrome, fireman approach among others, have hindered smooth response during emergencies.” Mr Adeniyi further explained that pre-emergency preparedness is very important as it helps to provide ample time to strategise on how best to respond during emergency. The advocacy, media and external communication officer of UNICEF, Mrs Blessing Ejiofor, stated that “people need information as well as food, medicine, water or shelter during emergency preparedness,” stressing that

the “media need to set agenda to ensure that the most vulnerable; women and children are adequately protected.” Furthermore, Deputy Director Disaster Risk Prevention, National Emergency Maintenance Agency, Mr Iyiola Akande, explained that the advent of technology has made it quite easier to respond effectively during emergency and disasters, adding that stakeholders can now plan ahead to ensure that they do everything possible to limit the risk. Mr Akande stated that for people in high risk areas that are always reluctant to yield emergency forewarnings, “you can recall their memory to previous disasters and how badly family and friends were affected, stating that they could be victims if they don’t yield to the warnings. “Another way is enforcing the town planning rules and regulations because there are certain setbacks that you keep off certain places... these are all spelt out in the planning laws and regulations but our problem is usually enforcement. If the people are unwilling to keep to the rules then, the town planning authorities at the local government level should be able to enforce these laws,” Akande said. Some of the agencies present at the workshop include, SEMA, NOA, WASH, health, media among others.

ecofact

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into reusable objects to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, energy usage, air pollution and water pollution, by decreasing the need for “conventional” waste disposal and lowering greenhouse gas emissions compared to plastic production Here are some recycling facts: • Recycling one tonne of paper saves 682.5 gallons of oil, 7,000 gallons of water and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. • 27,000 trees are felled each day for toilet paper. • Recycling a single plastic bottle can

conserve enough energy to light a 60W bulb for up to six hours. • Thousands of marine creatures die by mistakenly swallowing plastic bags that resemble jellyfish. • Recycling one ton of plastic can save up to 2,000 gallons of gasoline. • Recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to run a TV for two hours. • Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees.

Kaduna goes green for jobs, environment By Doyin Adeoye The Kaduna State government last week flagged off the ‘Keep Kaduna Green Project,’ in its bid to further create a better environment. Speaking at the event, the governor of the state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, noted that the project is aimed at making the state green by planting at least one million trees every year. “Our government considers the Keep Kaduna Green Project an important intervention. In planting one million trees every year, we intend to achieve many goals. Across our state, we will thereby be checking desertification. We will be creating jobs for the people who will plant and nurture the trees and the trees will ultimately grow and improve the look of our cities and towns. “We will accompany our Keep Kaduna Green project with a determined effort of public education. The goal is to foster a keen appreciation for nature across the generations. The projection is to

engage about 26,000 persons across the state in the massive tree-planting effort we have embarked on. Thus our grassroots approach to realising the goals of the Keep Kaduna Green Project involves ensuring that 65,000 trees are planted in each Local Government Area every year,” he said. Represented by the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed worry that Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation in the world in spite of campaigns against such acts. He noted that over 576 million trees are lost in the country annually due to deforestation, adding that this situation has led the increased rate of desertification, flooding and drought in some parts of the country. He also commended the Kaduna State governor for the initiative which he said would go a long way in combating illegal felling of trees and restoring the green environment in the state.

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

with Tunde Dodondawa m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

Kachikwu

Olatunde Dodondawa -Lagos

How deregulation curbs wastage in fuel consumption

HE Federal Government has confirmed that deregulation of the downstream sector has resulted into reduction in fuel consumption by Nigerians. Speaking at the handing over ceremony to the new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu stated that “We undertook deregulation at the time nobody thought it was possible and if there’s anything we leave for this industry, it must be the legacy of that deregulation. “Today our consumption of fuel has gone down by 30 per cent, we have no queues at the filling stations, we have one and a half months of self-sufficiency, we have strategic reserves in place that we are putting together and we have a funding scheme to enable the downstream to be able to adequately fund itself.” Recently, Nigerian Tribune had exclusively reported that marketers have decried drop in sales due to reduction in fuel consumption. This has also led to some marketers selling below N145 per litre and sell between N135-N143 per litre to attract customers. Furthermore, Kachikwu argued that “We have succeeded in removing subsidy and saving over N1.4 trillion for this country on a yearly basis. We have reduced upstream contracting period from the average of between two and half years to between six and nine months and we have started a massive commercialisation of every aspect of our business.” Kachikwu said the NNPC has been able to cut operational cost by 30 per cent, adding that Nigerian refineries had started working for the first time in about 10 years, “but still not at the capacity that we want.” “We need to find a structure, and we have started, in which private funds will come into the refineries and we will be able to rebuild our refineries to 90 or 100 per cent

We have reduced upstream contracting period from the average of between two and half years to between six and nine months and we have started a massive commercialisation of every aspect of our business capacity, he added. “I’ve already made a commitment that by 2018, 60 per cent of refined products importation will stop and by 2019, we must become a net exporter of refined petroleum products. I am happy to announce that in our May results, for the first time in the history of this company, the NNPC made a profit of N270 million.” On JV cash call funding, he said this had been one major challenge, the minister said, “We are still in the process of covering that gap and paying the arrears of over $6 billion and covering up the year-to-year demands of close to about $5 million to $6 million. We are at the thresholds of finalising negotiations on that and I think we should be almost at the point of sign-off in the next one week. “This will fundamentally change the upstream business in terms of providing funds and it will remove the delays we’ve had in terms of being able to get upstream developments. And hopefully, it will inject 100 per cent performance in upstream and hopefully increase your barrels from present 2.3 million barrels to upward trajectory of three million barrels over the next few years.”

Nigerian Tribune

He said the corporation was able to contribute 100 per cent to FAAC two months ago, up from about 60/70 per cent, adding that the NNPC was able to pay for the first time, 100 percent cash call contributions last month. Kachikwu, who described the Niger Delta issues as ‘a big elephant in the room,’ stated that the government was trying to de vise a model that would address the challenge in the region once and for all. “We are trying to find a model that works finally for this country on the Niger Delta issue. The work is for everybody, it is not just solely mine, but it is on my doorstep and we need to find those solutions so that we can have peace. It is important that we get all the stakeholders in the region, in order to ensure development.” While speaking on discussion with militants in the region on the sidelines of the event, the minister said, “We are working on it and I need to meet with Mr President, because I just returned and obviously there’s a lot more engagement that is required. There are gaps that seem to have developed and I need to understand what issues warranted that. But we will work towards closing those gaps.” Kachikwu also assured that by end of July, the Forcados crude trunk line would become operational. Kachikwu promised to work with the new GMD and thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for the opportunity given him to manage the corporation. “It is surprising that in the past 11 months, I’ve managed to serve as GMD of NNPC, as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, as OPEC President, as the President of APPA and I’ve just been appointed the Chairman of NNPC board; all in 11 months. There are not many people in the world that would have those opportunities within that time frame or be given that opportunity by a leader. So we all have the President to be very thankful,” he said. On his future role as minister, he said he would work on the Petroleum Industry Bill, gas terms, restructuring of other parastatals and the country’s upstream business. He also said that he would look at the regulatory overhaul of the entire sector, as many regulations in the industry were outdated. The minister also informed that under his watch $80 billion MoU with Chinese investors was recently secured. The newly appointed Group Managing Director of the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Kacalla Baru unfolded his 12-point agenda to include: Creating an all-inclusive internal advisory council on security comprising representatives from NNPC, the IOCs, the Unions and Security Operatives to brainstorm and address host community agitations to complement efforts of the Government Security Team; implementing the new business models and grant the needed autonomy to the strategic business units and autonomous business units; providing relevant directions and control that would ensure their growth and profitability, continuing to explore ways of relieving government from the burden of cash calls obligation as well as address and defray the agreed cash call arrears of the IOCs and restore oil and gas production and grow the reserve portfolio. He promised increasing crude oil production by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), reviewing all weak contractual agreements and terminate bad ones as appropriate, leveraging on equity positions to cause the development of key gas assets for both domestic and export as well as pursuing the expansion of gas network across the country, repairing and restoring oil and gas pipeline infrastructure as well as providing robust security system for both detection and deterrent in conjunction with the existing security arrangement. He said he would ensure improved refining efficiency of the four existing refineries to pave the way for future expansion, pursue diversification of businesses by refocusing on the implementation of Renewable Energy Programmes and Frontier Exploration Services, continue with the drive to make the venture businesses profitable and ensure service delivery, entrench the culture of professionalism by doing the right things at all times through transparency, accountability, and respect for all, ensure adequate staff welfare and motivation, training. While pledging to continue with the ongoing comprehensive restructuring exercise of the NNPC which he said has become inevitable, Baru promised to exploit the immense experience of NNPC staff to maximise output. “Engagement of staff in major restructuring exercise is a key success factor that I will pay attention to while continuing with the restructuring effort,” he said.

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

TCN to focus on ‘quick win’ projects to enhance transmission capacity

Chevron approves next major project expansion

HE management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said it will focus on three “quick win” projects in an attempt to enhance transmission capacity and increase transmission charges by N700million. The company also said it will adopt measures that will avert future system collapse and enhance improved service delivery to electricity distribution companies and consumers in the country. The company stated this in a communiqué at the end of a-day management retreat, with the theme ‘The Way Forward.’ Vital issues affecting the sector were considered and resolutions were made to tackle challenges bedevilling adequate power generation and distribution in the country. The TCN said it had the capacity to wheel maximum generation from Generating Companies (Gencos) to Distribution Companies (Discos) and would continue to work tirelessly to further expand its grid capacity to ensure that it continued to surpass the generation curve. “Although the grid stability is presently impaired, due to lack of adequate generation, TCN would continue to work at averting the collapse of the system. Three specific short term projects were identified as ‘quick win’ projects that should be completed with the least amount of money and yet have maximum impact on the transmission network. These quick win projects would be given highest priority attention in order to improve the network and increase return on investment. “The projects include the installation of a 60MVA, 330/132/33kV power transformer at the Ife transmission substation; installation would be completed within three months, adding 48MW to the nation’s transmission capacity. Repair and installation of 60No defective 33kV circuit breakers which would be completed within six months and on completion enhance the grid wheeling capacity with about 28,800MWH (megawatt hour),” TCN stated. Meanwhile, the company said within a period of six months, critical and international 330kV lines would be maintained to ensure system stability and revenue earnings.

Nigerian Tribune

Power crisis worsens as generation hits 3,000MW Stories by Olatunde Dodondawa -Lagos with Agency Report TRADITIONALLY, during the raining season, Nigeria always experience increase in power generation from the three hydro power plants namely Jebba power plant (500MW), Shiroro power plant (600MW) and Kainji power plant (800MW). These power plants get the much needed water for the dams to operate at optimal capacity. It would be recalled that same experience occurred in June-July 2015 when power output was averaging 4000MW, and the politicians were quick to attribute the increase in generation to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari who had hardly spend two months in office. Last week, Nigeria’s electricity generation increased from the 2,524.2 MW, it recorded during the first week of July to 3,032.7MW, and this was a far cry from the 17,720MW national

peak demand forecast for the country. In spite of government’s efforts to increase electricity supply in the country, generation has continued to hover around 1,000MW and 3000MW, no thanks to incessant attacks on gas pipeline infrastructure by the militants in the Niger Delta Region. Though, the country’s installed capacity stands at 11,165.40MW, the country’s network operational capability remained 5,500MW while peak generation ever attained remained 5,500MW as at February 2016. The country has been having series of challenges providing uninterrupted power supply in due to several issues that has to do with vandalism and poor state of the electricity infrastructure. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had last month informed the general public that its 330kV Double Circuit transmission line between Okpai power station and Onitsha substa-

tion, would be switched off, resulting in the reduction of available grid generation by 300 Megawatts. The switching off of the 330kV Double Circuit transmission line was to enable TCN carry out urgent reconstruction work on tower No 62, which is threatening to collapse. Though, distribution has slightly improved, some parts of the state still suffer from low voltage of electricity. Meanwhile, electricity consumers across the country have decried the “outrageous bills” they receive from power distribution companies, saying the billing system is too harsh on them and stressed the need for provision of prepaid meters. In a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, some of the consumers said the situation was particularly annoying because there was no commensurate power supply to match the high bills. “I hardly get four hours of power supply in three days, but I am always asked to

cough out about N12,000 at the end of the month,” said Mrs Mary Adeboye, a retiree who resides in Obanikoro. Another customer, Mr Kazeem Sodiq, an entrepreneur stated that “I live in a one-bedroom apartment, I have just one television set and a fridge. I use energy saving bulbs in my house, yet I am charged between N4000 to N5000 every month, even with the epileptic power supply. “I have asked them to give me a prepaid meter so that I will pay for only what I consume, but the story is always the same.» Recounting her own experience, Mrs Chinyere Anuegbu stated that “The issue of outrageous bills I get every month is saddening, clearly, I know that I don’t consume one tenth of the electricity I am being charged. Those of us without prepaid meters are made to pay for what we do not consume. The act of estimated billing is wicked; you pay far more than the electricity supplied to your line.”

How attacks on oil installations raise crude oil price THE Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) were a major driver of the rally in crude oil markets over the past several months, as the outage of roughly 600,000 barrels per day helped push up crude oil prices. Crude oil price rose in June to average $50 per barrel, a 30-day ceasefire between the NDA and the Nigerian government led to a few weeks of relative calm, and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said that Nigeria was able to bring back a large chunk of the distrusted supply bringing output up from 1.4 million barrels per day to 1.9 mb/d at the end of June, but still down from the 2.2 mb/d

Nigeria produced before the vicious campaign began a few months ago. Kachikwu also said that the government was aiming to ratchet up output to 2.2 mb/d in July as oil pipelines saw repairs and wells were brought back online. But NDA could kill off that dream with a new round of attacks. However, basket price of crude for OPEC members averaged $44 per barrel during the first week of July following increasing supplies from Iran and Venezuela. Goldman Sachs previously credited the NDA with a major role in the more than 80 per cent rally in oil prices between Feb-

ruary and May. Following the ceasefire, Goldman Sachs revised its analysis for oil, warning of a potential slide in oil prices if peace could be maintained in Nigeria. “A normalisation in production, even over several more months, would create downside risk to our $50/bbl 2H16 price forecast as it would bring the global oil market close to balance over that time period,” Goldman concluded in a recent research note. The investment bank may have to, once again revise its projection for oil prices in the second half of the year. If the NDA is back, oil prices could rise higher than previously ex-

pected. When you compare the effects of NDA attacks, to Canada’s recent wildfires which resulted in loss of around one million barrels per day of crude oil, the supply outage faced by Nigeria is somewhere close to 500,000 barrels per day. However, Nigeria’s problem is much more serious. The supply disruption caused by Canadian wildfires was mostly related to the loss of manpower and evacuation of personnel. This disruption will probably not continue for too long. Looking at Nigeria’s case, it can be seen that the country’s economy is already struggling because of the slump in oil prices.

Oil INTERNATIONAL Company (IOC), Chevron Corporation, has announced that its 50 per cent owned affiliate, Tengizchevroil (TCO), will proceed with the development of its Future Growth and Wellhead Pressure Management Project (FGP-WPMP), which will increase crude oil production at the Tengiz oil field in Kazakhstan by about 260,000 barrels per day. “The Future Growth and Wellhead Pressure Management Project represent an excellent opportunity for the company. The project builds on a record of strong performance at Tengiz and will add value for Chevron and its stockholders, said Chevron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Watson. “This project builds on the successes of prior expansions at Tengiz and is ready to move forward,” said Jay Johnson, Executive Vice President, Upstream, Chevron Corporation. “It has undergone extensive engineering and construction planning reviews and is well-timed to take advantage of lower costs of oil industry goods and services,” he said.

Shell CEO warns Brexit could slow $30 billion asset sale plan ROYAL Dutch Shell’s Chief Executive, Ben van Beurden, has told investors that Britain’s decision to exit the European Union could slow its $30 billion asset sale plan, especially in the North Sea which had struggled to attract buyers for years. The comment, made during an investor and analyst event at the Wimbledon tennis tournament this week, came as Shell mandated Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAC.N) to find buyers for several key assets in the North Sea, including its stake in the lucrative Buzzard oilfield, hoping the sale would raise at least $2 billion. The Anglo-Dutch oil major had previously targeted wrapping up the disposal of dozens of assets around the world by roughly 2018 to help fund its $54 billion acquisition of rival BG, which it completed in February. Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry had previously indicated the divestment program could take longer than the initial time frame.

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Ondo 2016: The men after PDP’s ticket As the Ondo governorship election is drawing near, HAKEEM GBADAMOSI examines the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants in picking the party’s ticket for the November election in the state.

Ebiseni

Olateru-Olagbegi

here are so many things at stake in the November 26, 2016 governorship election coming up in Ondo State. While the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is determined to maintain its grip on the political lever of the state, the opposition believes the time had come to create an upset by inflicting a major defeat on PDP. Beyond the individual desires of the parties are other powerful interests with variegated agenda. These agendas that come under different nomenclatures have buoyed horsetrading among the major stakeholders in the politics of the state. Thus, there is the talk about the Akure agenda, Akoko agenda, just to name two. Of course, the list of aspirants for the coveted seat is a long one, with the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) having the largest harvest. In the Social Democratic Party (SDP), there is a former Minister of Defence, Dr Olu Agunloye. There are six contenders for the ticket of PDP, who have trying to rally support for their individual ambitions. This is despite what some observers say is the fact that the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is not in a haste to pick his likely successor at the expiration of his tenure. Meanwhile, among the touted names in the PDp are the state Commissioner for Environment, Sola Ebiseni, who is a lawyer; a former Director General of the National Sports Commission, Chief Gbenga Elegbeleye,; state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN); Senator Remi Okurinboye; state Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy affairs, Bamiduro Dada. Others are Olateru Olagbegi, Benson Amuwa, Citizen Omogbemi, a former deputy Speaker in the state House of Assembly, Dare Emiola and a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Yekini Olanipekun. Interestingly, these aspirants cut across the three senatorial districts of the state, viewed against the backdrop of demand for power-shift to either the South or the North, as Mimiko, hails from the Ondo Central Senatorial District. However, some stakeholders have argued the governorship candidate of the party could emerge from any of the zones. In their opinion, zoning is just an administrative convenience put in place by political elite. Others perceive it as a crime against humanity. One thing that is becoming increasingly obvious within the PDP in the state is that, given the number of aspirants for the ticket of the party, it might become imperative for the party and Mimiko to gurantee the conduct a primary election to produce the party’s standard bearer. It should be noted that

Jegede In the seven years of Mimiko in the state, there had never been a time party primary election was held as candidates usually emerged through a special arrangement, be it in the Labour Party or in the PDP after the governor joined PDP in the state. However, most analysts have narrowed down their permutations on three or four of the aspirants seeking PDP ticket as shown below:

The state should root for somebody who can build bridges across all the districts and strata of the society; somebody who can attract investors to bring in real development.

Elegbeleye Sola Ebiseni He is the current Commissioner for Environment and hails from Ilaje Local Government are in the Southern senatorial districts. A grassroots politician, Ebiseni was a member of the 2014 National Conference. Some analysts place him above other contenders in the race if the leadership of PDP in the state looks towards the Southern senatorial districts where the strength of the party lies. The party has never lost to the opposition in any major election since the advent of the present political dispensation. But some pundits claim he will need a deep pocket to pursue his aspiration. Besides, he will need to work extra hard to worm himself into the heart a section of the elite, who have shown more than a passing interest in the race for Alagbaka House. Another factor seeming threat to his aspiration is the unexpected entry of three other Ilaje politicians into the race. Benson Amuwa, Johnson Ogunyemi and Citizen Omogbemi have indicated interest in the ticket. According to analysts, the development could split the votes of delegates from Ilaje during the party’s primary election. Eyitayo Jegede Jegede is the current state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice who joined Mimiko’s cabinet in 2009. He Continued on page 25

politics&policy

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

The battle hots up Continued from page 24

is regarded as an intelligent and refined gentleman with rare intelligence which made him to be an integral part of Mimiko’s administration since the government came on board more than seven years ago. Though Jegede is seen to be more of an administrator than a politician, some analysts argue that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has gathered sufficient practical experience on the dynamics of politics in the last seven years of being in government. Most people never thought he could show interest in the governorship race until early this year when there were speculations that Mimiko had anointed him as his successor. Today, he is considered as a leading aspirant in PDP, with some groups and individuals saying he is the most preferred by the elite in the state. Some also believe he has the blessing of his community, Akure, with a reasonable number of his kinsmen consciously promoting his candidature. However, there are speculations of a possible gang up against Jegede’s aspiration by the other two senatorial zones which believe power should shift to the south or north. They insist Jegede hails from the same senatorial diacritics with the outgoing governor and it will be unfair and unjust if Jegede is picked as PDP’s candidate since the other zones had waited patiently for eight years to have their turns. But another school of thought believe the issue of where the candidate hails from may not matter in the forthcoming election but the personality and integrity of the candidate. They also claim that more importantly, the party needs to consider the area that will give it an advantage over other political parties that might field candidates for the election. A commentator said: “Zoning will discourage the best candidate but because the state wants triumph of integrity at this critical point, somebody who has the wherewithal to take decisions without political colouration should be considered for this job. The state should root for somebody who can build bridges across all the districts and strata of the society; somebody who can attract investors to bring in real development.” Some pundits, however, foresee a repeat of the Plateau State scenario in Ondo State, where former Governor Jo-

among politicians of the Akure extraction. He seems determined to achieve his ultimate goal, as he has since stepped up his aggressive grass-roots consultations and meetings with major stakeholders in the state, with those who believe in his integrity, impeccable character, intelligence and ability to build bridge across board pledging their commitment to his aspiration. Another advantage he has is the fact that he comes from Akure, which played a major role in determining the result of the last presidential election in the state.

Mimiko nah Jang insisted in picking his successor from his senatorial district and the PDP in the state is still licking its wound after losing the state to the opposition APC. Another group of analysts claim that a similar scenario played out in Rivers state, where both the immediate past state governor, Rotimi Amaechi and the incumbent, Nyeson Wike, come from the same districts. No doubt, the decision of Jegede to throw his hat in the ring at this time could alter some political calculations, especially

Gbenga Elegbeleye The former Director General of the National Sports Commission and former lawmaker, who represented the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011, has never hidden his aspiration to govern the state after the 2012 governorship election in the state. He hails from the Northern senatorial districts, where many believe power should shift to after the tenure of Mimiko. This might be responsible for the influx of the aspirants from the area in APC. Though it is argued in certain quarters that even if the governorship slot is zoned to the North, the Owo/ Ose axis of the zone should produce the governor because the Akoko axis had it turn in the late Adebayo Adefarati who was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2003. Elegbeleye may however have a former Commissioner for Sports in the state, Alhaji Yekini Olanipekun, to contend with in the area. Olanipekun is also eyeing the governorship slot. Ditto another commissioner in the cabinet of Mimiko, Bamiduro Dada who is also from Akoko. Again, the number of registered voters from the zone could be a disadvantage for Elegbeleye. The number of voters in the four local governments in Akoko land is less than number of voters in one of the local government area in Akure, a factor that could sway PDP in picking its candidate at the end of the day. However, the likelihood of the candidate of the party emerging from the Ondo Central is possible because most party faithful have started drumming support for the party to go for a credible candidate that can win instead of pandering to the policy of zoning or sectional aspiration. A chieftain of the party even claimed that the body language of Mimiko seemed to tilt towards Ondo Central, but how this could be achieved without rocking the boat is still unknown.

‘What S/West has benefited since 1999’ Today, all those are history because people don’t even know that local governments exist anymore. These are things that can be considered as enduring legacies of the Second Republic. Don’t forget there were housing estates in Lagos, which are today referred to as Jakande Estates and the price tag for each flat was affordable then to the buyers. In Ibadan, you cannot stop to marvel at the New Gbagi Market that was established by late Governor Bola Ige and so on.

Dr Rotimi Olulana is a former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State. He speaks with BOLA BADMUS on how the SouthWest has fared in the last 17 years of democratic dispensation. Excerpts:

E want you to reflect on the South-West in the First Republic, what will you say about the impact the regime headed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo made in terms of meeting the needs of the region and its people? I can tell you that even though I was very young then because I was in the primary school or thereabout, I cannot fail to appreciate the free education policy of which I benefited from. That was the legacy that Chief Obafemi Awolowo left behind with the establishment of free education in spite of the paucity of funds then in the SouthWest. There was also free health to the oldies and rural development programme through the establishment of several farm settlements across the region that allowed the people to be fully engaged as a way of addressing the drift of people from rural to urban centres. It was the resources then being realised from cocoa, palm produce, rubber, timber and other farm produce that the Action Group used to provide structures such as the first television station in Africa, the Liberty Stadium, and the University of Ife now named as Obafemi Awolowo University, which has remained a leading citadel of learning in the country. All these we can

still see around till today. Talking about the Second Republic, we can see that the policy of free education for which the South-West was identified and which has made the region a leading region in the country became part of the 4-point Cardinal Programme of the administration of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) under the five governors that we had then, including Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Michael Ajasin and Prof. Ambrose Ali. Quite a lot of schools were established from nowhere. Several teachers were engaged and through that, a lot of people who thought they had missed the opportunity of going to school because their parents had no means to send them there abandoned the various training they were learning and enrolled in various schools and became students once again. Today, many of them are leaders in their chosen professions.

Can we now talk about 17 years under the current dispensation? Show me what we can say about the governments that have been in place since then, you can’t see anything; 16-17 years of democracy in Nigeria is a fallacy, it is about stories. The only legacy you can see is overwhelming corruption, that is what we have at the end of the day. But if we look at the process, I mean the transition from the Second Republic to present stage, you will discover that the military intervention in politics of the country created the problem. This is because the military are dictators and they rule by decrees; this has impacted on our political leaders generally, particularly those who took over from them. So, people who took over leadership from them are people who made money through them. And if you look at the military leaders that were in government then, including late Sani Abacha who was poised to take over the wealth of the country as he planned to transmute into civilian president, you would not be surprised that corruption is now part and parcel of the political leadership in the country today. You can see that Abacha looted funds are still being recovered till today. So, today, we have absolute corruption in the land, that is why

we are facing this economic problem currently. Have the people of South-West fared better in the last 17 years? Sincerely, I will tell you about my state, Lagos and about Ondo State as well. But let me say that South-West has been able to achieve just a little bit than other states of the Federation. For instance, I can say Lagos was able to achieve under former Governor Bola Tinubu, though his government would have achieved more and performed creditably well, if he was not deprived by then President Olusegun Obasanjo who failed to release money to it because Lagos created some 37 local council development areas (LCDAs). It was only released under former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who succeeded Obasanjo and that is what assisted former Governor Babatunde RajiFashola to have good footing in Lagos and because he happened to be a sound administrator, he was able to do better. If you want to talk about South-West generally, I would say we benefited better under the governors that served in this dispensation better than the rest of the country because look at Ondo which was ruled by Labour Party, you can see the hand of the incumbent, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, everywhere. He touched everywhere and people can actually feel his impact on health, good road network, education, among others. One can say that he performed well and the people of Ondo appreciate him as a lone ranger being the only governor on a different party platform in the whole of South-West where the rest was ruled by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as of then. Also, Oyo State also tried, but sincerely, South-west has been able to do well.

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo Hope rises for Alor-Agu community over projects Jude Ossai - Enugu REPRIEVE came the way of the people of Alor-Agu Community in Igboeze-South Local Government Area of Enugu State, at the weekend, following the move by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to provide cottage hospital and reticulation of potable water in the area. Maka Ndigbo learnt that the people of Alor-Agu have been suffering untold hardship due to lack of social amenities such as road, water and health facilities in the area. It is against this backdrop that the people of the community at the weekend, expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for awarding contracts for the construction of a Cottage Hospital and reticulation of potable water across the community. President of Alor- Agu Progressive Union (AAPU), Chief Damian Omeje and the member representing Alor-Agu in Igbo Eze South Local Government Transition Committee, Honourable Emmanuel Ik-Jonathan on behalf of the people of the area, described the coming projects as a mark of good governance on the part of the governor considering that they were being executed in a remote area such as theirs. According to him, the community will provide an enabling environment for the successful completion of the projects by getting its members to play their own civic roles effectively as the projects come underway. “We are overjoyed by the avalanche of love shown to our community by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for simultaneously awarding the construction of a Cottage Hospital and water reticulation project through the MDGs.

Some collapsed buildings which were attributed to the use of substandard materials.

SON raids market for substandard building materials Joe Nwachukwu - Owerri

EQUEL to the incessant collapse of buildings all over the country, caused by the use of substandard building materials, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has embarked upon picketing markets to get rid of substandard products in the markets. Maka Ndigbo confirmed that officials of SON raided iron rod sales points at the Owerri Building Materials Market over substandard iron rods. During the operation which

lasted several hours, it was discovered that the market was flooded with substandard iron rods. The SON officials went ahead and took samples of iron rods for tests. The Regional Coordinator, South East, SON, Mr Charles Emeka Nwagbara, said that the raid was a Federal Government’s directive to rid the market of substandard iron rods. According to him, the exercise, which was taking place simultaneously all over the 36 states and Abuja, was to create awareness and sensitise the people so that

they would be careful in buying iron rods. The coordinator also stated that the raid was an enforcement to reduce substandard rods in the markets. He, however, blamed the traders for the presence of substandard products in the market as they were not forced to buy the products. The Imo State Director of SON pointed out that the samples taken would be subjected to chemical tests and if found to be substandard, SON would then go for the manufacturers and the

Ezenwugo emerges new traditional ruler of Uga community Suzy Oruya - Onitsha THE Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, has issued a certificate of recognition and staff of office to the Igwe-elect of Uga community in Aguata Local Government Area of the state, Chidi Stephen Ezenwugo as the substantive traditional ruler of the area. In a brief ceremony held at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Obiano declared that with the certificate and staff of office issued to Ezenwugo, by the power conferred on him as the state chief executive,

under Section 7 of the traditional rulers law of 1981, Ezenwugo had transformed from Igwe-elect or Obi-elect of Uga to a substantive Igwe or Obi of Uga. The governor noted that he was impressed with the maturity and peaceful processes with which Uga people selected Ezenwugo as their new monarch and urged other communities in the state which had not selected their own royal fathers to emulate the gesture. Earlier, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Greg

Obi, flanked by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Ikechukwu Onyeabo, had explained that having seen protracted Igweship tussles in many communities, government had come to a conclusion that Uga was a peace-loving community. Obi, who disclosed that after all the rigorous screenings and test conducted on Ezennwugo by the government apparatus Igwe Ezenwugo came out with a distinction, however warned the new monarch against doing anything capable of

leading to the withdrawal of his certificate and staff of office. The Obi of Onitsha and state Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, flanked by the traditional rulers of Ikenga and Mbaukwu communities, Igwe Alfred Onwuneme and Peter Anugwu, in his brief speech, said he was formally admitting Ezenwugo into the Traditional Rulers Council in the state, adding that he was now privileged to attend their meetings at the state, zonal and local government levels.

importers. The President of the Owerri Building Materials Traders’ Association, Mr Chidi Ezeji, lauded the officials of SON for embarking upon the exercise. He said that the market was government friendly, but regretted that the traders had always been the losers of such government operations. Mr Ezeji pointed out that the iron rod traders bought whatever was available at any time. He also disclosed that the manufacturers of iron rods dictated the quality of products they sold to the traders. He called on the Federal Government to ensure that there was uniform standard of products by the manufacturers so that traders would not have any need to buy substandard goods.

CREW

Jude Ossai-Enugu-South East Bureau Chief 08052817955 Joe Nwachukwu- Owerri 08033271227 Suzy Oruya- Onitsha 08063653735 Ajayi Joseph 08107754190 syntacticjoe@yahoo.com

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

features

Some of the schools visited by the Department of Quality Assurance FCT Education Secretariat.

UNBELIEVABLE:

Run-down schools

FCT pupils attend CHRISTIAN OKEKE, in this report, presents sordid accounts of some basic schools being attended by pupils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the factor that emboldens the owners to continue to operate.

HE sight of some schools which many pupils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) attend is not only pathetic but also touching. Many outside the territory may never believe that such schools exist in Abuja, not to talk of believing that parents, after seeing the nature of the schools, agree to send their wards there. Efforts had been made in the past to shut these sub-standard schools yet there still exists about 600 of such illegal schools operating across the territory. Some re-opened after they were shut as the Development Control Department of FCT administration did not follow up with the demolition of the structures. Director, Department of Quality Assurance of FCT Education Secretariat, Ayuba Didam, recently undertook an unscheduled tour of some of the sub-standard schools. Some of the schools visited included Divinely Favoured International School, Powerline, Zone 3, Dutse Alhaji; Dignity Nursery and Primary School Kago, Bwari and People’s Choice Basic Nursery and Primary school, Bwari.

The tour was, however, with some drama. At Dignity Nursery and Primary School Kago, Bwari, a teacher seen teaching a class and who gave his name as Stephen Matthew said he was awaiting his West African Examination Council (WAEC) result. Matthew said that he received N14, 000 as monthly salary and had seven pupils in Primary 3

There was an area where a school was located within the premises of a brothel.

which was his main class. Beside the school was another one: an extremely old structure with tiny windows and a door. Nigerian Tribune only managed to peep in and saw unorganised pupils sitting on bare floor, cramped in the poorly-ventilated structure. One of the school’s teachers sensing that the team was around on an inspection, quickly locked the door and the window, with the pupils all inside. Throughout the period the team was in the neighbourhood, the pupils remained locked up. The visit to People’s Choice Basic Nursery and Primary School, Bwari, was not also without its own drama. The school with 110 pupils operated a make-shift and in a totally unhygienic environment. A visit was also made to Raphil Nursery and Primary School Kado Life Camp with about 25-30 pupils cramped inside a poorly-ventilated classroom. The story was not different at Destiny Nursery and Primary School located at Ireke Junction, as well as Fountain of Peace School where primary one to primary five pupils were put in one classroom. Proprietor of Destiny school, Mr. Ebere Sunday, when asked to show the team

the school’s toilet said, “we are planning to build the toilet in another two weeks.” At some schools in Lugbe, it was observed that same structures serve as both worship centre and a school. While they were used for service at weekends, the same were made ready to house pupils during week days. One of such schools was Signs and Wonders Academy located at Tudun Wada. It was observed that a portion of the church auditorium was being used as classroom for primaries one and two. At Winners School and the Goodness Nursery and Primary Academy in same Tudun Wada, it did not bother the owners that their strictures were sitting on flood-prone areas. Some of the schools visited were built on sceptic tanks while one of them even shared same compound with a goats’ pen. Toilet facilities there were nothing to write home about. It was observed that the structures are poorly ventilated, even as one of the schools was a mere uncompleted structure built partly with mud and zinc, and without toilets. Speaking on general findings, Didam said Continues on pg28

features

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Now we can read, write, help in our children’s assignments

she could not operate the ATM and used to look for someone to help her fill withdrawal or deposit slips in the bank, stated that the literacy programme has helped her to do all those things herself, while her reading and writing have also improved. Same goes for Mrs Maria Akunya, aged 50, and mother-offive, Mrs Ene Obiabo. This was the trend of testimonies given by beneficiaries of the adult literacy programme whose graduation held at the police headquarters at Eleiyele, Ibadan. Nigerian Tribune learnt that the programme was organized by the Rotary Club, Ibadan, in collaboration with the Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education in Oyo State Ministry of Education and the Oyo State Police Command. At the graduation ceremony, 144 women who are wives of the policemen were issued certificates of participation. Seventy one of the graduates were said to be learners who went through the basic literacy level while 73 were learners at the post-basic literacy class. In his address at the graduation ceremony,

the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade expressed his excitement at the achievements of the graduands, saying that the success of the programme has made the command’s centre to be coded as a model centre. Describing education as vital in human development, Mr Oyebade enjoined the graduands to put what they had learnt to use. “Use your education positively; education is meant to make you have a broader view about issues. Apply your newly acquired knowledge and practise what you have been taught,” the police commissioner further admonished the women. He pointed out that the knowledge acquired by the policemen’s wives would impact positively on every facet of policing because the policemen’s wives would be able to use to the academic knowledge acquired to assist their children when their husbands are busy at work. He promised that the police would always provide the environment for the initiative to be sustained. Speaking on the collaboration with Rotary Club, the Director, Mass Literacy, Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education, Oyo State, Mrs Mopelola Bolarinwa said that “Rotary Club is interested in helping people and since they know that we deal in education, they came so that we could collaborate with them to bring the women out of the shackles of illiteracy. We started on September 15, 2015 and 144 of them are graduating in literacy programme.” Mrs Bolarinwa commended the women who participated in the nine-month programme, saying that they did not only follow instructions given by facilitators strictly during the period of learning, they also denied themselves hours of luxury to be present at their various classes. The President of Rotary Club of Ibadan, Mr David Oyesina expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force, which, through the Commissioner of Police, granted the use of classrooms in the command’s Training School, and the Acting Commissioner of Police, Police Medical Services, Dr Efunsola Sowemimo, who invited the club to the command. Mr Oyesina said that the programme is one of the areas of focus of the Rotary Club International, as he is expected to carry out a project during his tenure. “This is my one of my projects in my year of service and we want it to continue because it is making a direct impact on the society. When women are educated, they are empowered, and, consequently, their children. So, it is like killing two birds with a stone when you educate women. We will continue with the programme and maybe extend it beyond gender,” the Rotary president declared.

monitoring and inspection that can lead to closure of such schools before they commence.” While commenting on the sub-standard school, the FCT Minister, Musa Bello, confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that some of the schools operated in deplorable conditions that were simply not conducive for learning. He said, “We are trying to close so many schools because most of them are not schools. There was an area where a school was located within the premises of a brothel. You could see children studying and just by the side, you could see people moving half-dressed.” Also reacting to the cases of illegal schools, Anglican Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Right Reverend Duke Akamisoko who has been in the fore-front against the schools said he could not understand why a flat built for residential purpose would be converted to a school. The cleric accused the department of quality as-

surance of complicity as according to him, the same documents given to him which forbade certain standards for schools were also given to those who operated the sub-standard schools yet such schools were yet to be shut down by the authorities. He stated that he had already written a protest letter seeking probe of the officials of the department over their lackadaisical attitude to their responsibility. According to him, the growing number of illegal schools in Abuja remained a shame and source of worry. Asked why she sent her children to a substandard school, a parent who simply gave her name as Felicia said her family could not afford the high school fees charged by standard schools. She said that feeding was a problem for her family and said the children would have to remain at home if such schools that charged lesser fees were not allowed to operate.

•Say elated police officers’ wives who graduated from Rotary Club’s literacy programme

Participants at the event. By Oluwatoyin Malik

RS Rose Samuel is the wife of one of the policemen serving in Oyo State Police Command. Because of the busy nature of her husband’s work, she is saddled with the responsibility of taking care of the children, including assisting them in their assignments. But she had a great challenge doing this because she could be classified as an illiterate, though she attended secondary school before she stopped at JSS3. But now, her story has changed, thanks to the nine-month adult literacy programme, sponsored by Rotary Club International, Ibadan, which she underwent and graduated from towards the end of June 2016. According to Mrs Samuel, “I got to JSS 3 but I did not write junior WAEC. I could not read or write very well then. Pronouncing words were also difficult. But now I have improved on reading, writing and speaking. I also know how to put punctuation marks. Now I can take my daughter through some

of her assignments, unlike before when I used to look for someone to help her out.” Also, Mrs Gloria Ada Samuel who said

At the graduation ceremony, 144 women who are wives of the policemen were issued certificates of participation. Seventy one of the graduates were said to be learners who went through the basic literacy level while 73 were learners at the post-basic literacy class.

‘It is sad, regrettable’ Continues from pg27

that his department could not see anything as per development in psychomotor and affective domains of pupils in the schools visited. “Development of cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains of children can’t be done in the schools we visited because of the tight environment,” he said. The director said his department was not closing down the illegal schools immediately so as not to shut out the pupils midway into the term. He said doing so would disorganise the pupils and their parents and would end up being counter-productive. “We are working in close collaboration with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in fighting this battle and I believe when we make announcements in the media, people will now see the needfulness of what we are doing. We don’t have

the power to demolish schools. Ours is to close them down if they don’t meet up with standards. Demolition is in the purview of development control department, not quality assurance department,” he said. Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Registration and Accreditation, Department of Quality Assurance, Hajya Hadiza Mamman, cautioned operators of the affected schools to stop running the schools or face the wrath of the government. She said that it took a long time for officials at the zonal offices within the area councils to uncover the illegal schools. She said that the message to parents within the FCT is that most of these schools were not only unregistered, but lack standard educational facilities. According to her, “the problem we have is that these schools are established in remote places without our knowledge; this makes it difficult for

29 news Unprovoked attacks on Christians no longer bearable —CAN Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Adetola Bademosi -Abuja

OTHERED by the spate of attacks on Christians, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Tuesday, called on Christians in the country to buck-

le up and be ready to defend themselves against incessant unprovoked and mindless attacks. The religious body, which noted with shock, the recent murder of a 42-year-old mother of seven, Mrs Eunice Olawale, described this

as another religious hatred. The call was made in Abuja, on Tuesday, by the General Secretary of CAN, Reverend Musa Asake. According to him, this was one of the many attacks on various Christian communities all over the country.

Asake noted the increasing discrimination against non-Muslims in Nigeria, under the present administration, saying “it is assuming a dangerous dimension that should not be left to the vagaries of time and circumstance to resolve.”

From left, Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Secretary, South-West Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Reverend Bunmi Jenyo and the chairman, PDP South-West Zone, Eddy Olafeso, at the inaugural meeting of the zone, in Akure, on Tuesday.

Indiscipline, big challenge militating against PDP’s progress —Mimiko Hakeem Gbadamosi -Akure GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, on Tuesday, identified high level of indiscipline as one of the challenges affecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country, stressing the dire need to inculcate discipline among the ranks and files of the party. Mimiko, who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, during the inaugural meeting of the PDP SouthWest executive, called on the leadership and members of the party in the zone to embrace discipline and place the party above personal interest. He noted that the highlevel of indiscipline in the party led to leadership tussle within the party at the national level, saying the effect was also noticeable in the various states where crises persisted. The chairman of PDP Governors’ forum described the 16 years of PDP administration in the country as unequal in the history of political parties in Africa, saying the party remained the only party that had brought the people of the country together. Mimiko, however, raised fear over the future of the party if the leadership and members of the party failed to come together and described the negative forces militating against the development of PDP as

centrifugal forces. He identified the incessant legal suits in the courts by members of the party as aberrations from party rules and regulations. “There is no question about the fact that recent events within our party can challenge anybody no matter how strong-hearted you are. Recent events in our party can set people thinking, is this party really jinxed? “These achievements, nobody can whisk away, irrespective of what you say about PDP. If there is anything anybody cannot take away from PDP, it is the fact that in the history of this country, there has never been any party, perhaps, you can call a true Pan Nigerian party that has brought the country together as a nation. Forces acting within PDP, are centripetal, bring people together. “One of those weaknesses is this demonic propensities to rush to the court for issues that can be settled within. I think the level of indiscipline in PDP is the number one challenge we have. Mimiko, who said if he had the opportunity to rewrite the constitution of the party, “I will write in capital letters that anybody that rushes to the court should be expelled because that is the demon we must exorcise from PDP if this

party must progress.” He, however, said strident circumstances would also be spelt out for litigation for internal issues, noting that in democracy, party members must forfeit their fundamental human rights for the collective progress of the party. “The moment you decide to join a party, you have given some of these rights to that organization.

I will write in capital letter, anybody that rushes to the court without fulfilling these clearly stated conditions, will be summarily dismissed from the party. “Unless, let me repeat it, unless we exorcise this demonic tendency to rush to the court, this party will never find its feet: the future is jeopardized, the future will continue to be uncertain.”

He maintained that as much as the body would continue to call for tolerance on the part of Christians, the incessant attacks might no longer be tolerated. “The unprovoked attacks on Christians and the authority’s inaction is becoming unbearable and may not be tolerated anymore, in as much as we will continue to call on Christians to remain tolerant and law abiding, it is becoming inevitable to also call on them to buckle up and be ready to defend themselves against these incessant unprovoked and mindless attacks,” he said. Consequently, he called for a prompt address of the menace. “Before the situation escalates into an unmanageable national crisis, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is calling on the authorities both at the states and federal to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice if the confidence of Christians on this government must be maintained.” While also noting the very recent murder of the 42-year-old Mrs Olawale, who was murdered last Saturday, he said: “the national leadership and the entire members of CAN have received with rude shock and disbelief the report of yet another religious hatred and gruesome murder of Mrs Olawale who was murdered in Kubwa area of Abuja, FCT, in the early hours of the day. Her neck was slashed and she was also stabbed in the stomach. “The Christian Association

of Nigeria commiserates with the families affected by these mindless orgies of death and destruction, as well as with the entire Christian community in Nigeria. We pray that God, in His mercy, shall comfort and strengthen the families of all Nigerians affected in these unwarranted murders unleashed upon the nation by religious extremists. “The recurring decimal of violence and murder of innocent Nigerian citizens on the basis of religious intolerance demands specific and relevant response from all concerned citizens in the country more so when the government in power seems to have adopted an attitude of lukewarm response to the evils being perpetrated in Nigeria in the name of religion. “You will agree with me that with these happenings and the lukewarm attitude by the authorities concerned towards putting an end to it, Nigeria is dancing a macabre dance of death, both for the nation and for its citizens. It is time to stop the beat and let common sense guide the nation out of the present quagmire. A stitch in time saves nine. “In recent times, there have been multiple cases of attacks by Fulani herdsmen . In the South-East and the South-South zones, there have been gruesome attacks on IPOB members and on Christian communities in the Niger Delta. All these are in addition to the relentless attacks of Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and Southern Borno.”

Court orders DSS, minister to pay N20m to Saraki’s aide over illegal detention Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja THE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja judicial division has ordered the Department of State Service ( DSS), the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung; to pay the sum of N20 million to the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth Matters, Mr Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, as a penalty for illegal arrest and unlawful detention. The presiding judge, Justice J. T. Tsoho, who delivered the judgment, also ordered the DSS and the minister to tender unreserved apologies to the aide in two national dailies for what he described as unconstitutional detention. The ruling was in pursuant of Section 34, 35(1) 36 , 40 of the 1999 Constitution and sequel to a case the aide instituted with

the details FHC (ABJ) (CS) 342/2016 The Senate President’s aide, in the suit, pleaded that his arrest and detention by DSS for about a month was a violation of his fundamental human right. The judge, in the ruling, declared that his arrest and detention was unlawful,

unconstitutional, oppressive, malicious and a gross violation of his freedom of movements, ordering the minister, Solomon Dalung and the DSS to tender public apology to Ikenga in two national dailies. The judge also restrained the DSS from further arresting Ikenga or preventing him in the discharge

of his duties as the aide of the Senate President and the President of National Youth Council of Nigeria or any other manner infringing on his fundamental right. Meanwhile, the aide has alleged a fresh plot by the DSS to re-arrest him and charge him with what he called a trump charge.

Let oil wells dry so we will have rest —Okorocha Joe Nwachukwu -Owerri GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said he was among Nigerians praying that the country’s oil wells dry up, so that Nigerians could have rest. He made this statement while having an interactive session with Imo State members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the council secretariat, on Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri, Imo State.

According to him, this would drastically reduce problems being encountered by the Federal Government and militants, particularly with the avengers that had continued to blow up oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region. Chief Okorocha pointed out that this would assist the country greatly in the diversification of her economy to other mineral resources, mostly solid mineral and agriculture.

According to him, the quick rush of each tier of government sharing the monthly federal allocation would be drastically reduced, because there would be nothing left to share. He warned the people of the state not to annoy him, so that he would continue to give them the free education already introduced by his administration when he assumed office as governor in 2011.

Wednesday,13 July, 2016

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

NITDA ACTIVITIES IN RECENT TIME

1. Miss Subomi Adekunle, one of the recently empowered youth on Web Technology making a presentation of a wedding portal she designed. 2. NITDA’s Virtual Library 3. Cross section of Cadet Officers from Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna at NITDA’S Cisco Training Lab. 4. Cross Section of the corp members undergoing training on ICT 5. Bar. Adebayo Shittu adressing the participants at the scheme 6. Students of Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa on educational excursion to NITDA 7. Young innovators after their pitch during the Start-up Friday monthly programme organised by OIIE, a subsidiary of NITDA

8. Ag. DG NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, and management staff on courtesy visit to Korean Embassy in Abuja to explore areas of collaboration between the two countries 9. Representatives of Ministry of Health, Turkey and some Management staff of NITDA during a visit seeking to identify facilities in Nigeria for ICT deployment in Nigeria’s health sector 10. The Emir of Abaji and his entourage on courtesy visit to NITDA on ICT intervention in Abaji Area Council 11. Miss. Oluwaseun Olotu, corps member, receiving cash reward from NITDA for developing software for Account Reconciliation. 12. Students on educational excursion to NITDA inspecting the server equipment

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Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Senior police officers complain lopsided postings Why 21 AIGs were retired —Okiro Chris Agbambu – Abuja

ARELY three weeks of resumption of Ibrahim Idris, acting Inspector General of Police, senior police officers have complained on the massive lopsided posting going on in the force. Informed police sources disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune that officers perceived as enemies are being posted out of the force headquarters to far distances to their families. The source said “imagine, the new management team was just constituted on Monday, but a lot of posting had been done without a new force secretary who is responsible for signing

postings.” Nigerian Tribune gathered that the postings done few weeks before the retirement of Idris predecessor, IGP Solomon Arase, were cancelled. The new officers who had reported to their new postings were subsequently ordered to return back to the force headquarters without any posting for now. It was further gathered that some of the officers have been christened endangered species as they are now known as “Arase boys.” Nigerian Tribune can authoritatively report that all the over 50 squadrons’ commanders of Police Mobile Force have been demobbed without any re-

placement. Meanwhile, the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, on Monday, explained why the 21 AIGs were retired by the commission two weeks ago. Speaking at the decoration of the newly promoted six DIGs and a new force Secretary in Abuja, Okiro lambasted those criticising the retirements, saying that it is not new in the police force. Going down memory lane from the time of IGP Gambo Jimeta, where his seniors were retired when he became the IGP, the chairman said that it became very worrisome reading comments on the retirement. According to him, the retirements were carried out

so that the acting IGP will concentrate on the security challenges confronting the nation and to avoid distractions. Okiro noted that it was also aimed at eliminating indiscipline in the force, where a senior officer will be serving under his junior. Also speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazzau (retd), said that no matter how intelligent, brilliant or knowledgeable a leader is, without a good team work, he can never succeed. He urged the DIGs to be loyal and dedicated to the authority. In his remarks, the act-

ing IGP advised them to perform their core duties of crime prevention, detection, law and order as well as law enforcement functions within the confines of the law. According to him: “In the performance of these duties, we must carry out effective deployment of operational and tactical units, increase our crime detection abilities by utilising intelligence-led policing principles and develop the capacity of the officers and men.” The newly promoted DIGs are Shuaibu Gambo, department of Finance and Administration; Folusho Adebanjo, Information and Communication Technology; Hyacinth Dagala Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Departments (FCIID).

Kashamu not my godfather —Sheriff Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

Suspected kidnappers of the Deputy High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Nigeria, paraded by the police in Abuja, on Tuesday. Inset: Leader of the suspected kidnappers, Alhaji Rabid Yusuf and Garbar Abubakar in Nigeria Army uniform. PHOTO: NAN.

Benue: School principal, 3 others killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen Johnson Babajide - Makurdi AS controversy rages on the unabated killings of farmers in some local government areas of Benue State, the state has witnessed another gory killing of a secondary school principal and three others in the early hours of Tuesday. The Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that the school principal, one Mr Sam Wayo and his brother Mr Msugh Iim, were by the early hours of yesterday killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen. According to sources, the suspected Fulani herdsmen were said to have hid themselves in a church building at Akombo village near Anyim, home town of exgovernor Gabriel Suswam and shot at the duo. The source further hinted that other two persons were killed on Monday, saying that before the killing, sporadic shooting were heard about 9:10p.m.

He added that residents of Agbenge, Kwagh Agule, Tyoban, Tse Yough and Gemana villages were throughout the night running for safety in the bush. “The invaders crossed at the abandoned mobile police barracks to launch this attack. This area is one of

the settlements harbouring many internally displaced persons from neighbouring communities of Turan, Tombo, Ukemberagya & Tswarev council wards in Gaambe-tiev Logo council area.” The source added that “so far, scores are missing

many wounded,” adding, “this attack is a sustained assault on the Logo people by the Fulani herdsmen.” Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Moses Iyamu, said two persons were killed in the early morning attack in Logo.

Sierra Leone Deputy High Commissioner’s kidnap: I got only N 1.5 million —Suspected kidnapper

ONE of the suspected kidnappers of the Deputy High Commissioner of Siera Leone to Nigeria, Major General Alfred Claude Nelson, Alhaji Rabiu Yusuf, on Monday, alleged that he collected only N1.5 million from his two victims. The police said that with a coordinated operation based on intelligence and technical support, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police smashed an 11-man kidnap gang that had for some time now terrorised Kaduna State, the FCT and other

North-Central states of Nigeria. According to the police, the gang was responsible for the abduction of the Sierra-Leonean Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Major General Alfred Claude-Nelson, on June 30, the Executive Director of Dangote Group and many other high profile kidnap for ransom in recent times. Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don Awunah, while parading the suspects disclosed that their modus operandi includes mounting road blocks on

highways in military uniforms, surprise attack on unsuspecting motorist and relocating from one point to other in the forest with their victims to avoid detection and arrest. DCP Awunah disclosed that in order to halt the apparent trend in the increase of kidnap for ransom, armed robbery and other anti-social behaviours, the Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Ibrahim Idris, has reorganised the tactical operations teams to tackle crime and criminality throughout the country.

CLAIMANT of the office of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has rejected assertions that Senator Buruji Kashamu is his major sponsor in the ongoing leadership crisis in the party. A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Inuwa Bwala, in Abuja, on Tuesday, admonished PDP loyalists to desist from what it said was a smear campaign against Sheriff by claiming that Kashamu is his godfather. Describing the claim as a mischief, the statement said: “We wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that Sheriff has no godfather in politics and Senator Buruji Kashamu could not have been one. “It is becoming clearer that the PDP national chairman’s critics have run out of ideas on how to achieve their selfish agenda, hence the resort to blackmail and blatant falsehood in order to distract Sheriff from manifesting his capacity to reposition the PDP. “As members of the same party, and as people who believe in the progress of the PDP, there exists mutual understanding between the national chairman and all stakeholders who identify with his cause in this challenging period, including Senator Buruji Kashamu.”

Nigerian Tribune

Major shake-up in Nigeria prisons service Clement Idoko - Abuja

A major shake-up has swept the top echelon of the Nigerian Prisons Service with mass redeployment of senior officers of the service nationwide. Controller-General of Prisons, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed, approved the redeployment of the officers. The posting instruction letter issued on Monday, July 11, has the Directorate of Inmates’ Training and Productivity now headed by ACG E. O. Ogundele. He takes over from ACG Ali Bala Salihi, who has been retired from service. ACG Musa Usman from Zone ‘D’ Minna now heads the Directorate of Administration and Supply while ACG Charles Ahaotu takes over the Directorate of Works and Logistics. This was contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officers of the service, Mr Francis Enobore, on Tuesday, in Abuja. ACG Shehu Kangiwa heads the Directorate of Finance and Budget even as ACG Musa Salami from Zone ‘C’ Bauchi superintendents over Health and Social Welfare Directorate. The Operations Directorate is now headed by ACG Etsu Ubi. Other senior officers affected in the mass movement include 6 Zonal Coordinators, 25 State Controllers and 32 officers in-charge of different prison formations across the country. The prison boss noted that the movement became necessary to inject fresh orientation in the workforce, reduce idleness and truancy particularly at the national headquarters in order to enhance efficiency. He added that the era where officers spend their entire work life in one location and on a particular post was over. Such practice, he observed, does not allow for sustenance of security in the prison yard and also negates sound understanding of the dynamics of penal management that is needed to make a difference in the life of offenders.

Wednesday,13 July, 2016

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Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Dabiri-Erewa tasks female soldiers on effective communication

HE Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged female soldiers in the country to be proficient in the act of public speaking. Dabiri-Erewa gave the charge in Abuja, on Monday, during the maiden edition of Guards Brigade female soldier short talk competition. The SSA, who was the special guest of honour on the occasion, said “in this modern time, the act of public speaking is very important in every aspect of life.” She said the most effective way to communicate is speech, while the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are all interconnected. “Proficiency in each skill, is therefore, necessary to become a well-rounded communicator,” she added. She said that the capacity to put words together in a meaningful way to reflect thoughts, opinions and feeling, provides the female soldiers with important advantages. Dabiri-Erewa assured the

participants that the training would enrich their level of professionalism and make them more responsive in the discharge of their duties. “I am delighted that Guards Brigade in particular and the Nigeria Army in general ,is making encouraging efforts to extensively train their personnel in the act of public speaking’’ “You must remain resolute in this regard. We will continue to reach out to our country men and women in diaspora to intimate them with the good work and sacrifice the Nigeria army is making to keep our fatherland safe and habitable. Earlier, the Commander, Guards Bridae, Brigadier-General Musa Yusuf, had said the programme was part of the series of training activities for Guards Brigade female soldiers to correct detrimental effects of poor communication among personnel. Highlights of the event include an inspection of guards by Honourable Dabiri-Erewa, a short talk presentation and competition among teams from different units of the army.

We introduced ranches to develop livestock, end farmers/ herdsmen crisis —Lalong Shola Adekola - Lagos PLATEAU State governor, Simon Lalong, has said his administration, in line with the disposition of the Federal Government, has decided to introduce ranches as a means of developing and growing livestock in the state and also end the crisis between farmers and herdsmen. Lalong said not only that ranches would boost livestock farming; it would also put to an end the itinerant herdsmen, who often clashed with farmers in many parts of the Middle Belt and different parts of the country. Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the governor said his administration has sustained peace in the state through efforts aimed at promoting good neighbourliness and tolerance, adding that residents of the state who came from diverse ethnic groups, have been encouraged to live together in peace. “What is on in Plateau State is the policy on ranches, which is quite different from grazing.

Although, all of them have been there a long time ago; grazing has been there and ranches have been there, owned by individuals and organisations but the security problem we have across the nation and the need to diversify into agriculture make it necessary for the production of livestock in large quantities. So, you cannot leave that to only traditional grazing. That is why we introduced this policy of having ranches. The ranches are everybody’s business for growing livestock and not restricted to any ethnic group,” he said.

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I formerly Buhari Sekinat Ajike or/and Lateef Sekinat Titilola now OLUWATOYOSI SEKINAT AJIKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Iwo, Skye Bank Plc, Iwo and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Mr Tunde-Agarawu am the same person bearing Qudus Bolaji. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as QUDUS BOLAJI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Sterling Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Adline Bose Ajangila now ADLINE UZOMA AUSTINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Oyebiyi Feyisayo Clara now MRS AYODEJI FEYISAYO CLARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mr Ayanleye Stephen Adeyemi am the same person bearing Jimoh Muideen Adeyemi, Ayanleye Ayanyemi Stephen. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MR AYANLEYE STEPHEN ADEYEMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. University of Ibadan and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Adegbaju Adenike now ADEGBAJU OMONIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Zaynul-Abideen Issa Adewumi am the same person as Isha Zaynu-LiAbideen Adesile. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ZAYNULABIDEEN ISSA ADEWUMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Nigeria Plc, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Agbeleke Adewale Munirudeen am the same person as Adeniyi Adewale Sina. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AGBELEKE ADEWALE MUNIRUDEEN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Jayeola Abimbola Omowumi now MRS OLANREWAJU ABIMBOLA OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I, Ani Sunday Joseph declare that my name is not Sunday Joseph Joseph as written in my BVN. The correct name is ANI SUNDAY JOSEPH. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Adah Bernadette Elakeche now MRS ABBA BERNADETTE ELAKECHE. All former documents remain valid. Secondary Education Board, Abuja and general public take note.

I, Mr Adewale Oladoyin Abimbola am the same person bearing Mr Adewale Oladoyin Benedict. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MR ADEWALE OLADOYIN BENEDICT. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Adedokun Titilade Grace now MRS BELLO TITILADE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ketura Christian, am the same person bearing KETURAH CHRISTIAN EKPEZU. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Mustapha Olajumoke Fatimah now MRS ADEREMI OLAJUMOKE FATIMAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Salami Mohammed Sherif and Mohammed Salami Sherif am the same person bearing both names above. Now, I want to be called, known and addressed as SALAMI MOHAMMED SHERIF. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, Adekojo Olusegun Samuel am the same person as Adekojo Samuel Segun and Adekojo Segun Adeyemi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEKOJO OLUSEGUN SAMUEL. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Ajodo Paul Sulaimon now AJODO PAUL SULEIMAN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Quadri Okunola Ajagbe am the same person as Quadri Junior Okunola and Quadri Okunola. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OKUNOLA QOUDRI LATEEF. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Junaid Aminat Bukola now MRS EKORE AMINAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Joseph Alamu am the same person bearing Joseph Alamu Rafiu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH ALAMU. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, and general public take note.

I, Sulaiman Serifat Apinke am the same person bearing Sulaiman Serifat Motunrayo. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as SULAIMAN SERIFAT MOTUNRAYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Abdul-Roheem Taiwo now ABDULGANIYU ABDULRAHEEM. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Nigerian Tribune

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mrs Ayodele Olajumoke Sururat now MRS AFOLABI SURURAT OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Arowolo Olalekan James am the same person as Arowolo Olalekan Ayofe. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AROWOLO OLALEKAN JAMES. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Nigeria Plc, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Efunkoya Michael now SEGUN MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Daramola Oluwatoyin Olamide now MRS AJADI OLUWATOYIN OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Akinnibosun Abosede Victoria now MRS ADETOKUNBO OLUWAPELUMI VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Akanni Micheal Olalekan now OLANREWAJU JOSEPH OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Motoni Oluwaseun Ayo now MOTONI SEUN AYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

35 CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Babangida Kabiru now BABANGIDA KABIRU IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Usman Sule now PHILIP ENIKE USMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Abdulsalam Abdullahi am the same person as Ibrahim Ahmed. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM AHMED. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Ojone Moses now MRS. KABIRU OJONE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Brown Makaraba now JACKSON MAKARABA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016 CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Babajide Dorcas Funke now MRS OLASILOLA DORCAS FUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ajibade Safiu Ajibike now AJIBADE SAFIU. My correct date of birth is 18th February, 1948 not 18th February, 1945. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyeba Adetutu Dolapo now MRS ORISADARE ADETUTU DOLAPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Abdulmalik Momoh Ozovehe was wrongly written as Malik instead of Abdulmalik. Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as ABDULMALIK MOMOH OZOVEHE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Lawal Wahab Olajide now LAWAL OLAJIDE BAMIDELE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Lias Aminat Abiodun now MRS OSHODI AMINAT ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omolara Olufunke Otusanya now MRS. OMOLARA OLUFUNKE EWEJE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Ideyenmhin Inosekhian Priscilla now MRS. PRISCILLA INOSEKHIAN AGBAJOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Ogunfayo Aishah Ibironke now MRS SHITTU AISHAH IBIRONKE. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and general public take note.

I, formerly Wale Owolabi Ganiu now SALAMI WASIU. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Ezeali Chukwuma Peter now CHUKWUMA OKAFOR EZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Fapohunda Oluwashina now AKINPELU AKINTAYO OLUWASHINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Imoru Toba Omolade now wish to be known, called and addressed as IMORU OLORUNTOBA OMOLADE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Onwudinjor Ebele Stella now ONWUDINJOR EBELE ANITA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Muslim Hisa Alafe now SOLIH HISA MUSLIM. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Iwo, Stanbic IBTC Plc., Iwo, concerned authorities and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Awoyefa Tope Lola now MRS. ADEDOYIN TOPE LOLA. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, Felix Ighoavwogan am the same person as Felix Igho; Igho being the short form of Ighoavwogan. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as FELIX IGHOAVWOGAN. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Eyeregba Erovwor Faith now MRS. ONYEOWUZONI EROVWOR FAITH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Popoola Babajide Israel am the same person as Popoola Israel J. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as POPOOLA BABAJIDE ISRAEL. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. First Bank Plc., IBTC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Kemisola Elizabeth now MRS AKINLABI KEMISOLA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and general public take note.

I formerly Fatayo Olayinka now OGUNSINA DORCAS OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olasunkanmi Olaide Olalekan now KASALI OLAIDE OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Moshood Olaide Rukayat now MRS. BABATUNDE OLAIDE RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abdul Yesirat Ayodeji now MRS AJETUNMOBI YESIRAT AYODEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Kemuel Dominic now BADMUS MALIK ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Udejiofor Ignatius Okwudili now UDEJIOFOR MARTIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Olanrewaju Alamu Wasiu am the same person bearing Olanrewaju Adetayo Alao and Olanrewaju Adetayo Wasiu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU ALAMU WASIU ADETAYO. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

This is to notify that Adeyemi Dada Emmanuel is also the one bearing Adeyemi Promise. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI DADA EMMANUEL. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. FCMB, and general public take note.

I, Okoye Sylvester Chinweuba am the same person bearing Okorie Sylvester Chiweuba. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OKORIE SYLVESTER CHIWEUBA. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abass Adejoke Omowumi now MRS. RAJI ADEJOKE OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omolara Mariam Ademuyiwa now MRS OMOLARA MARIAM EYINLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adejoke Florence Adeyeye now MRS. ADEJOKE FLORENCE OGUNDIPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oke Rukayat Ibiyemi now BANKOLEOKE IBIYEMI AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ilori Matthew Dada now ILORI MATTHEW SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Ishola Rukayat Adeola now MRS OWONIKOKO RUKAYAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State and general public take note.

I formerly Mr Ajayi Joseph now MR AJAYI OLADELE OLUMIDE JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Omotayo Idowu Abibatu now MRS SODADE IDOWU ABIBAT. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, Mrs Moyosade Temitope am the same person bearing Mrs Moyosade Alade Temitope. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS MOYOSADE TEMITOPE. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. First Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Mrs Bennyhinm Oluwaseun Agnes now MISS OMODARA AGNES OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Soliu Fatimoh Aduke am the same person as Soliu Fatimoh Funmilayo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SOLIU FATIMOH ADUKE. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Adedosu Mary Baderin Adediji now MRS OYEWALE MARY ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Adeniyi Sola now OLUSOLA CECILIA AJIBIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Adefabi Sekinat Yetunde now MRS IKOKIDE SEKINAT YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Babalola Johnkeji Olawuyi am the same person as Babalola John Olawuyi and Glorious Johes Olawuyi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as BABALOLA JOHNKEJI OLAWUYI. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly Miss Mary Opeyemi Akinwale now MRS MARY VICTOR MARCUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akindele Omowumi Mayowa now MRS. OMIYALE OMOWUMI MAYOWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Kajopaiye Adewumi Olatunji now KAJOPAIYE ADEWUMI EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Mrs Serah Olayemi Adebayo also known as Babatope Matthew now MRS SERAH BABATOPE MATTHEWADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Taiwo Damilola Bukola now MRS AFOLABI DAMILOLA BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Bamidele Tanimola Durojaye now MRS FADAYOMI EUNICE TANIMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Opanuga Olabisi Temitope now MRS ODUSANYA OLABISI TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Falola Oluwaseun Labake now MRS AKINTOLA OLUWASEUN LABAKE. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and general public take note.

I formerly Odukoya Adebisi Hafsat now ODUKOYA BALOGUN ADEBISI HAFSAT. All former documents remain valid. Immigration and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Osifeso Temitope Adebanke now MRS KUMAPAYI TEMITOPE ADEBANKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Abdulsalam Shina Olanrewaju am the same person as Salam Shina Maruff. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ABDULSALAM SHINA OLANREWAJU. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. Sterling Bank Plc., First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Saliu Oluwatayo Deborah now OMOREMIOLUSHOLA OLUWATAYO DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omotoso Omolara Olawumi now MRS AGBOOLA OMOLARA OLAWUMI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Akande Sikiru Bamidele now AKANDE SIKIRU OLORUNESAN. My correct date of birth is 8th of April, 1956 not 8th of April 1950. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Yusuf Kolawole Akeem now YUSUF KOLAWOLE OBEY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Akinola Kareem Ajani now KARIMU AKINOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Stanbic Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly John Chijioke Igwe now CHIJIOKE ORJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Onanusi Esther Oluwatoyin now MRS IKUFORIJI ESTHER OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Adeyemi Ayobami Elizabeth now MRS. OLATUNJI AYOBAMI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. All Commercial Banks and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Saka Olajumoke Juliana now MRS OLAJUMOKE KOFOWOROLA CLEMENTEKAUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Dada Simeon Olorunjuwan am the same person as Dada Simeon Juwon. Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as DADA SIMEON JUWON. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly John Oluwafemi Kuyide now JOHN OLUWAFEMI ADETUNJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Chidi Theophilus Njoku now CHIDI THEOPHILUS AUGUSTINE NJOKU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Rabi Adamu Dinsibe now MRS. RABI BOSE OSAYABO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., UBA Plc., Wema Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odegbaro Olayinka Rachael now MRS MARCUS OLAYINKA RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adewale Benjamen now ADEWALE BENJAMEN LAWAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fabeku Oluwaseun Precious now MRS ADELOWO R. OLUWASEUN PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Olayiwola Akinlabi Fadele am the same person bearing Fadele Olayiwola. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as FADELE RUFAI OLAYIWOLA. My correct date of birth is 6/10/1951 and not 28/1/1958 or 3/1/1959. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

I, Oladipo Aderemilekun Agnes Adedayo am the same person bearing Oladipo Remilekun Agnes and also Oladipo Remi Adedayo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEWUSI REMI ADEDAYO. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Mrs Tomilola Olasehinde now MRS TOMILOLA ADENIJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olaniyan Wuraola Olajumoke now MRS BAYODE WURAOLA OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Awobode Tolulope Olubisi now MRS ADEFARE TOLULOPE OLUBISI. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I formerly Mr Mohamodu Raimi Alani now MR AKINDIYA ROBERT ALANI. All former documents remain valid. Authorities of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Peter Nuhu and my correct date of birth is 15/05/1993 am the same person as Peter Nuhu Alhaji. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as PETER NUHU. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, Ila-Orangun and general public take note.

I, Lamidi Rasheed Tayo am the same person bearing Lamidi Rasheed Ayantayo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as LAMIDI RASHEED TAYO. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. First Bank Plc General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

36 south-westnews

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Court fines NUT N250,000 in case against Oyo govt

Nigerian Tribune

•Grants request for suit withdrawal •TUC threatens mass action

By Wale Akinselure with Agency report

ULING in the case between the Oyo State government and labour movement on the legality or otherwise of the ongoing strike, the National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan has fined the third defendant in the case, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the sum of N250,000 for beating the court bailiff that went to serve papers in the case. Justice F. I. Kola-Olalere, in her ruling, on Tuesday, said investigations showed that one Makinde was manhandled at the NUT office where he went to serve the court papers. She argued that the action of the NUT contravened Section 145 of the Criminal code act, and constituted an affront on the judiciary, and the assaulted court officer had to be compensated. Kola-Olalere, however, accepted the plea by counsel to the third defendant, Waheed Olajide, that the fine be paid in a month’s time, August 12, 2016. Ruling on the main suit, the court also granted the application of the claimant, to withdraw the suit, NICN/ IB/62/2016, challenging the legality of the strike action declared by the labour movement on June 6, 2016. Counsel to the third defendant, NUT, Waheed Olajide, had on June 23, objected an oral application by the claimant for the withdrawal of the suit, arguing that his client had joined issues with

the claimant by filing a preliminary objection on June 22, 2016. Quoting Order 19, Rule 17 of the National Industrial Court rules on “Discontinuance or withdrawal of cases,” Olajide also argued that the claimant failed to give his

party or the court a notice of the discontinuance or withdrawal in writing. In her ruling, Justice F. I. Kola-Olalere maintained that though the claimant erred in complying with Order 19, Rule 17, the third defendant was unconvincing in showing what harm the

oral application had caused it. She, therefore, invoked Order 5, Rule 3 of the court rules on not insisting that the claimant must withdraw the suit in writing, and therefore, struck out the case. Kola-Olalere’s ruling read,

ARMED men suspected to be armed robbers, on Monday night, shot dead a commercial driver along Akure/Ilesa expressway, leaving several others injured. The driver, identified as Muritala, was said to have given up immediately he was shot by the armed robbers while he lost control of the vehicle. According to a source, the armed men stopped Muritala who was driving at top speed along the Akure/ Ilesa highway, but refused to stop and the robbers shot at his Toyota Hiace and he was hit in the process. He said that the driver swerved off the road into the bush, injuring all the passengers in the bus, saying the driver died before any help could reach him. He said some police officers monitoring the highway, who eventually arrived at the scene of the incident, pursued the armed bandits but said the robbers escaped.

mass action if the situation persisted. The TUC Chairman, Mr Emelieze Andrew, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, on Tuesday, that urgent steps must be taken by states and the Federal Government to tackle the development. He also said TUC would embark on a mass protest at the expiration of a 15day ultimatum it issued on Monday. Lamenting that the economic challenges were biting hard on Nigerian workers, Andrew advised governors finding it difficult to pay salaries to rise up to the challenge or consider resignation.

Police parade suspected militants over killing From left, Head of Service, Oyo State, Mr Soji Eniade; Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli and the deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta during the inauguration of the committees on Education Reform Initiative and Government/Labour on salaries and pensions, in Ibadan, on Tuesday. FOUR suspected militants,

One feared dead as rival gangs clash in Iwo community Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

THERE was pandemonium in Iwo town, Osun State, on Tuesday, where one person was feared dead during a clash between two dreaded rival gangs. Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that one of the victims was allegedly shot dead, while the other one was set ablaze. Eye witnesses informed Nigerian Tribune that a man, simply identified as Wolex, said to be the leader

of a gang, was shot during clash with another group being led by Muri Oriejo. The ensuing confusion was said to have grounded economic and social activities in the ancient town, forcing shop owners and other traders to hurriedly close their business premises for fear of being caught up in the melee. At the peak of the violent clash, Wolex was allegedly shot by Muri and was

subsequently rushed to some hospitals in Iwo “but his condition was critical and those hospitals rejected him,” a resident hinted. According to him, “Wolex was later taken to Oyo, but no one apart from his gang members can tell you where he was taken to. But what I can confirm to you is that he was taken to Oyo town.” But, the clash aggravated on Monday when news filtered in that Wolex had

Robbers kill commercial driver, passengers injured Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

“The only wrong is that the claimant did not give notice of discontinuance or withdrawal in writing to the court or to the other party. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State has decried the living condition of workers in the state, vowing to embark on

It was gathered that members of vigilante group from the area mobilised themselves to the scene of the incident, but they failed in their bid to find the armed

robbers who were said to have ran into the bush after shooting. Some members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers

(NURTW), who besieged the scene of the accident, took some injured passengers to the nearest hospital while the remains of the driver were deposited at the morgue.

died, thus, prompting members of his group to launch attack on the Moodo area, being controlled by Muri and his men. Credible source hinted that “a woman selling nylon at the Moodo junction where Muri usually stay was set ablaze by Wolex men. She was later rescued when they left and she is being treated in a hospital in Iwo at the moment. “From what we later heard earlier today (Tuesday), Wolex did not die, but his boys just hid behind his reported death to cause crisis. His fate is not clear yet. But the initial report was that he died as a result of gunshot injuries he sustained in his thigh,” the source added.

NURTW/RTEAN clash: Court remands 22 suspects By Tunde Ogunesan And Olawale Olaniyan

AN Iyaganku Chief Magistrates Court, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of 22 suspects who were involved in July 8 clash between the two transport unions in Ibadan. The 22 accused persons were to remain in the police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, pending the duplication of their case before the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). The suspects, who all pleaded not guilty in court when arraigned on Monday, were Modasiru Moraina; Sikiru Olaiwola; Oyebanji Kabiru; Alade Busari; Lateef

Afeez; Safiu Abass; Tunde Saka, 21; Mumini Ganiyu, 40; Ahmed Moshood, 25; Aminu Saibu, 37; Tunde Ajayi, 23; Lukmon Rasheed, 31; Abudulahi Olode, 35; Yekini Aliu, 26; Akibu Kazeem, 40 and Muideen Anifowose, 27; before the magistrate on a six-count charge. Others arraigned were Mustapha Ogunjide, Oladipo Sakiru, Sunday Aromolaran, Peter Adekunle, Adesina Alaba and Raheem Musa, were also among those arraigned. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A. F. Richard, gave the order in a case of conspiracy, attempted murder, unlawful possession of criminal charms and acts

in a disorderly manner preferred against them. The magistrate said that the jurisdiction of the court did not extend to hearing of criminal offences that carry life imprisonment or death. She added that such offences were within the exclusive right of the high court and overruled the application for bail by the defence counsel. According to the magistrate, “The application of the defence counsel to dismiss the charges based on the fact that they are defective is immaterial and the provisions have been complied with.” Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the National Union of

Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, a.k.a. Fele, has said that none of his members was among the 22 suspects who appeared in court on Monday after the crisis between NURTW and members of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Oyo State chapter last weekend in Ibadan. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, Oyerinde who is also the South West chairman of the body, declared that NURTW has been in the vanguard of maintaining peace in the state in the last five years and will continue in that direction.

who allegedly kidnapped and eventually killed a police corporal in Ibafo area of Ogun State, were, on Tuesday, paraded by the police. The suspects, were among 48 suspects, arrested for various criminal activities ranging from cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, impersonation, murder, among others, across the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, said the command was surprised with the rising wave of criminal activities in recent times, despite its war against crime and criminalities. He said no fewer than 40 cultists were arrested over a clash between two rival cult groups in Emuren in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state. The CP said the suspected militants were responsible for the abduction and killing of the police corporal attached to Ibafo Division. Ali said the police had been able to restore normalcy to troubled communities under attack of the militants, with adequate deployment of anti-riot policemen, Personnel Mobile Force, Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the Nigerian Army. Two old men, who had been defrauding unsuspected members of the public were among those paraded. Also, one Samuel, who claimed to be a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army, was also paraded for impersonation.

edonews

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

Oshiomhole, Odubu join forces for Obaseki Banji Aluko – Benin City

DO State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, have put their political differences behind them to join forces for the victory of Mr Godwin Obaseki in the September 10 governorship election in the state. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, Governor Oshiomhole said the APC family remains united in spite of stories in the media of cracks in the party in the state. The governor said: “we called this meeting basically to reaffirm the oneness of the APC family. The deputy governor and I have worked together as deputy and governor for seven and half years, and we have struggled together as candidate and running mate from 2007; we worked together, dined together, socialised together. “I believe the watchers of Nigeria’s politics will agree with me that Pius and I have had an extremely cordial relationship. And I had without any prompting, said again and again in several quarters that working with Pius, I found him to be absolutely loyal, dedicated and committed. Nobody was able to infiltrate us, and to our mutual record, nobody ever came to settle a quarrel between the deputy governor and I over the past seven and half years. “Sometimes when we joke, whether in public or private, we don’t relate as boss – subordinate. We relate as brothers that we have been.” He continued, “Pius and I fought many battles, both political battles and battles

to reposition this government, and together we can effortlessly point at what our stewardship accomplished for the benefit of the people of Edo State, which I believe necessarily forms the foun-

dation for electioneering campaign that is about to begin. Having worked so hard, and related so closely, there is no question, Pius and I, in or out of government, will remain friends,

brothers and comrades. “ He said he had taken some decisions which had affected some of the supporters of the deputy governor. “The internal primaries have come and gone. We

Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, after their reconciliation meeting at the Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday.

all knew that even if all 12 were angels, only one angel was required, and in choosing that one angel nobody needs to give reasons why you prefer one angel to another. And that is simply what has played out in our party. But I acknowledge the fact that in the course of the tension, statements were made, some fairly, some unfairly. As a governor, at a point, I took some decisions some of which clearly affected some of the supporters of my brother, the deputy governor. “In line with the spirit of our party, desire of our people, prescription of common sense and the teachings of our own religion, both of us being Catholics, if Pius has wronged me in any way, I have already forgiven him, and he too has told me he has also forgiven me.” He continued: “as part of my own atonement, and to demonstrate my com-

THE National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Drivers Welfare Association in Edo State, on Tuesday, adopted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, promising to mobilise their members and voters to vote for him. State chairman of the NURTW, Comrade Warriman Erhengbo, led the state president of the Drivers’ Welfare Association, Comrade Sunday Eke, and 12 other local government chairmen of the NURTW to the state secretariat of the PDP for the adoption Erhengbo accused incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole of promoting

mitment to our friendship and our conviviality, which characterise our working together for the past seven and half years or even nine years, some of the people who were affected in the course of this contestation, I have decided to re-engage, to reinstate them to their former positions wherever that was possible and even to get their remuneration restored as if they were never removed.” Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and to vigorously campaign for Obaseki, the party’s candidate in the September 10 election. He said, “Yesterday belongs to the past, and we have decided to put the past behind us. Today is another day, and I want to, in the presence of my father and everybody present reaffirm my commitment to APC and to its victory at all elections.”

Odigie-Oyegun congratulates Obaseki on emergence as APC candidate

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (right), presenting certificate of return to Edo State apc gubernatorial candidate for the September 10 election, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has congratulated Mr Godwin Obaseki on his emergence as the APC flag-bearer for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State. Obaseki’s emergence followed the party’s June 18, 2016 governorship primaries held in the Edo State capital, Benin City. Odigie-Oyegun also congratulated the Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari-led seven-member election committee for conducting transparent, free, fair and credible governorship primaries in Edo State. He also thanked the Honourable Opeyemi

NURTW, Drivers’ Welfare Union declare support for Ize-Iyamu Banji Aluko - Benin City

Nigerian Tribune

division among transport workers upon his assumption of office in 2008 when he proscribed the operations of the NURTW and introduced the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). He said the governor lacked the power to ban

NURTW, pointing out that the NURTW is an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and not a creation of the governor. He said after a careful consideration of the governorship candidates ahead of the September 10 governorship election,

the NURTW came to the conclusion that Ize-Iyamu is the best for the NURTW and Edo people. “He is a man of the people. He loves everyone and does not discriminate. He is a son of the land,” Erhengbo said. Ize-Iyamu, who along with the Edo State chairman of the

PDP, Dan Orbih, received the NURTW leaders and their supporters numbering about 200, described as illegal the proscription of NURTW and Drivers’ Welfare Union by Oshiomhole, adding that the NURTW members have been victimised by the state government.

Bamidele-led three-member Edo State governorship Election Appeal Committee for a job well done. The APC national chairman called on party stakeholders to close ranks and support Obaseki in the forthcoming governorship election. Odigie-Oyegun said: “As the party prepares for the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo State, I call on all aspirants, party leaders, stakeholders and teeming members of our great party to close ranks and unite as a strong political fighting force behind the candidature of Mr Godwin Obaseki for a landslide victory at the forthcoming Edo State governorship election. “The request by the aspirants was that the Edo State APC governorship election primaries should be transparent, free, fair and credible. This, the party achieved creditably during the primaries. Going forward, we should avoid creating new stresses within the party. We should all seek to reunify the party to face the September 10, 2016 governorship election.”

INEC received 19 entries at close of nomination for Edo governorship Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last night confirmed that it received 19 entries from over 30 registered political parties for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. Speaking on telephone interview with the Nigerian

Tribune at the end of the expiration of the submission of names of candidates to the commission, Mr Nick Dazang, Deputy Director, Publicity and Voter Education of the commission, said “so far, we have 16 political parties list with us that met the deadline.” Dazang confirmed that APC, PDP and others made up the list.

Speaking on the list of the factions of the PDP that was accepted by the commission, he said “we accepted the list brought to us by the party based on court ruling. We don’t recognise individuals but a political party.” The final list of the candidates is expected to be published within seven days from now. Nick added that the com-

missions at the time of the interview had received nominations from 19 political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC). Others, according to him, were the Action Aliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ACD), Advance Congress of Democrats ( ACD), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), All Progressives Grand Alliance

(APGA), Citizens Popular Party (CPP) and Independent Democrats ( ID). Others were Kowa Party ( KP), Labour Party (LP), Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Social Democratic Party, United Progressive Party (UPP) and Young Democratic Party.

news

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

‘Why MFM GO don’t comment on public issues’

Media team commends Tribune management By Tunde Ogunesan

THE mission and vision of the General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ globally, under the ‘prompting’ of the Holy Spirit, has been described as the main reason the man of God speaks less on public issues. This was revealed on Tuesday, by the leader of the media team of the church, Pastor Bank Olemoh, who led other members of the team on a visit to the headquarters of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, in Ibadan. Pastor Olemoh’s team was received by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Edward Dickson, in his office, with some management staff, among who are the Editor, Saturday Tribune, Mr Lasisi Olagunju, the Chief Accountant, Mrs Oluremi Olufisayo, Human Resources Manager, Mrs Bukola Ezeamaka, Internal Control Auditor Manager, Mr Peculiar Adegbite and Mr S.M Afolabi. Olemoh, who disclosed that the visit was informed by the directive of Dr Olukoya, who

believed that the mission of the General Overseer seemed not clear to the public, who in some cases, misjudged him. “Many people have criticised the church, but they do not understand him. You won’t find him at press conferences and places where journalists are, it is because he does not do anything without the prompting of the Holy Spirit. “He said his mission is to spread the gospel all over the world and decongest the whole world of satanic strongholds. And through his fire prayers, many people have been delivered all over the world. His prayer power that

God gave him, is now known all over the world,” he said. Olemoh, a veteran broadcaster, however appealed to the management of the Tribune titles, to demonstrate professionalism the newspapers have been known for over the years, regarding news from the church. “If people have anything about the church, and they let you know, please let us know. That is the main reason why we are here. There are many wicked people who take advantage of the generosity and kindness of the GO today, to say all sorts of things about him,” he added. Responding, the MD/EIC,

ANN Plc, Mr Dickson, in his welcome address on behalf of the board of management, said,“Tribune is a newspaper that is founded on deep principles, it is not one of those newspapers that would be linked with the practice of yellow journalism. “And of course, those kind of stories will certainly not find their way to any of our titles, because we are not cast in that kind of mould. “Since you have mentioned it, and there is a message that has been conveyed to us through you by Dr Olukoya, we want to assure you that we will pay more attention to such stories so that at the end of the day,

they won’t get into our content. “We want to assure you that whenever you have your releases, events, let us know, we assure you of adequate coverage and publicity. “It doesn’t matter if Daddy GO is media shy or not. We have about eight pages dedicated to church news every Sunday, that tells you how much we are giving to churches in the country. “We specifically created those pages for churches in Nigeria. And if GO is interested in having a space for his sermon, we can discuss with you on how to get this done,” Dickson said.

Isaac Shobayo - Jos

APPARENTLY disturbed by the lackadaisical posture of the people of Middle Belt to discussion on restructuring of Nigeria, the Association of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities (ASOMBEN) has set up a 10-man committee to prepare a draft position paper on restructuring within the next six weeks. This was contained in a communique issued at the end of ASOMBEN oneday meeting held in Jos the Plateau State capital to brain storm on the likely position of the Middle Belt on the restructuring. The summit, therefore, resolved to gather opinions from stakeholders and put together a middle belt position on the subject. It had earlier shared a working document in which 39 select calls by various Nigerians for restructuring of the country but expressed disappointment that only one came from the Middle Belt.

NEMA delivers 13,400 bags of food items to IDPs in Maiduguri

Strike: Nasarawa schools, hospitals, ministries remain shut

Sanya Adejokun - Abuja

Godwin Agwam- Lafia

DESPITE threats by Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State, to replace striking workers with fresh graduates, teachers, medical practitioners and other civil servants in the state, the workers have remained resolute in their resolve to remain at home. Nigerian Tribune’s visit to some schools and hospitals across the states, showed that goats and chickens had taken over the environment as no human was found around the vicinity. A government staff who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity said, “ the governor is just making jest of himself, how can he threaten us with replacement? He is just adding more salt to the injury. “The governor claims he was one of the first person to implement the N18,000 minimum wage but he has forgotten that he used 2006 payment voucher instead of the 2012 payment voucher at the time it was implemented, and how he sacked over 7000 staff, before he implemented the minimum wage.” On his part, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) state chairman, Abdullahi Adeka said, “from the onset I knew the threat was an empty one, as the governor seems to be chasing shadows, let us see how they will sack all the existing workers.”

Middle belt nationalities set up 10-man committee on restructuring

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (right), exchanging pleasantries with the chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State chapter, Chief Henry Ajomale, while the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello looks on, during the 2016 Second Quarter Town Hall meeting, at the Muslim Community Playground, General Hospital Road, Badagry, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Lagos to revamp health, education sectors with N20bn —Ambode Bola Badmus- Lagos

LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday, said his administration has concluded plans to massively revamp the health sector, and also to give facelift to primary and secondary schools across the state, saying he has earmarked a sum N10 billion for them. Governor Ambode said following the recent recruitment of a total of 1,300 teachers for primary schools, his government was set to, in the next two weeks, engage another 1,000 teachers for secondary schools across the state. Governor Ambode made this disclosure at the 4th Quarterly Town Hall Meeting held at the Muslim Community Prayer Ground in Badagry, saying modern equipment would be procured for hospitals to facilitate treatment. He added that government would also invest massively in capacity building of the medical staff, in a bid to provide world class health care for the citizenry. This was just as the governor, who spent hours interacting with various

groups such as corporate organisations, religious leaders, youths/physically challenged, marketmen and women, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political leaders, disclosed his plans to revive the tourism potentials of Badagry, saying the long term plan

included the establishment of University of Hospitality. “We have commenced a comprehensive action to rehabilitate and upgrade the facilities in all our hospitals. Modern equipment will be procured to facilitate treatment, and we will invest in capacity building of our

medical staff. We intend to spend over N10 billion on our hospitals across the state, before December this year. We will recruit and train medical professionals in areas of rare specialisation and special needs,” Governor Ambode said.

We”ll flush out militants from Ogun State —Navy To establish new Naval Base Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

THE Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, on Tuesday, said the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with other security agencies is ready to flush out militants, terrorising communities in Ogun State. Bobai, who stated this during his visit to the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at his office in Abeokuta, said the Federal Government had directed the Navy to assist the governments of Ogun and Lagos, in addressing the security challenges of the militants. Nigerian Tribune recalled that riverine communities in the two states, had in recent times, been under the

siege of attack by the hoodlums which had resulted in killings and destruction of properties. Bobai said the right of way and identifying the creeks was one of the major challenge confronting the Navy in combating the activities of the suspected militants. The Naval officer, who was in company with the Lieutenant Commander of Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ahmed Abdullahi, and senior naval officers, submitted that the creeks were already being combed to make them crime-free. Bobai also explained that arrangements were on top gear towards the establishment of a new Naval Base in Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state, to

address the problem of pipeline vandalism and smuggling of contraband into the state. “As a matter of fact, you know that there is an operation ongoing called Operation Awatse. Awatse is a Hausa name to say scatter; so we hope that in a short while, the Operation Awatse would swing into intensive operations to ensure that all these places are cleaned up of militants. “Essentially, from the maritime front, one of the greatest problems we have is in the right of way in the water front and creeks there,” he said. Governor Amosun in his response, promised his administration’s readiness to assist the Navy with necessary materials to equip the new Naval base.

IN furtherance of its humanitarian intervention in the North-East, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered 13, 400 assortment bags of foods items to Borno State government for the feeding of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri. The NEMA Public Relations Officer, Sani Datti said in a statement that the items included 8,000 bags (25kg) of rice, 1,200 bags (50kg) of maize gritz, 1000 bags (25kg) of millet and 3200 bags (25kg) of beans. He quoted NEMA NorthEast Zonal Coordinator, Mohammed Kanar, to have said that the items were presented in line with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Borno State government on provision of food items for the feeding of internally displaced persons residing in camps across Maiduguri, for a period of one month. The items were received by the state deputy governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, on behalf of the state government and the IDPs. Durkwa expressed appreciation for the continuous support by NEMA, and assured that the items would be distributed to the beneficiaries.

Wednesday, 13 July, 2016

corporatesport

With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08116954642

Okocha unveils Foundation

ormer Nigerian international, Austin Okocha has unveiled a charity organisation tagged, JayJay Okocha Foundation at a world press conference held at i-naira.com digital hub in Ikoyi, Lagos. According to Okocha, the primary objective of the Foundation is to use football to raise awareness on the strategic importance of education, peace and unity for the economic growth of Nigeria. He noted that “as a non-profit organisation, Jay-Jay Okocha Foundation will be focused on raising finance through sales and auctioning of football memorabilia especially those belonging to the founder (Jay-Jay Okocha) for charitable purposes. It includes raising finance through the organisation of testimonial matches that will attract big ticket sponsorship and donors to the course of the Foundation and through outright solicitation of support from the general public. He noted that he will use the game of football as a means of contact and collaboration with communities that shelter acutely deprived children and youths in Nigeria and elsewhere. As well as assisting vulnerable people around the world access minimum opportunities that is required to motivate people to build an independent, dignified life for themselves. Just as these creative footballers entertained Nigerians during their active days on the pitch, they have brought a fresh breath on how to raise ethical funding for charity by appointing a professional auctioning company i-naira Integrated Resources Ltd to handle its needs for funding raising through auction by means of organising events as well as showcasing items donated to the foundation on their auction website for bidding. Mr Hillary Nwaukor, CEO i-naira.com reiterated what the company represents, he said “i-naira. com is a value bargain platform designed and implemented by Nigerians to be the first of many as regards to meeting expectations of consumers. The company began a pre-launch marketing campaign since the 7th of February geared towards building a robust customer base for the launch of its auctioning product (iNai-

raBid) by the 1st of August 2016. He noted that it is on record that i-naira.com will be the first technologically driven auctioning platform in Nigeria that is positioned to compete on a global scale. Determined to give back to the Society, the former

Super Eagles’ skipper said that “football changed my life and I am going to use football as a tool to impact Nigerian lives positively”. He stressed that the foundation will focus on supporting the most vulnerable and less privileged children and that he is willing to raise the required finance

to sponsor this good cause by selling cherished items acquired in the course of his professional career and i-naira.com meets their expected need to ethically raise money through auctioning. During the Jay-Jay Okocha Foundation event, a NIKE Jay-Jay Okocha

Foundation Jersey was unveiled to the press and the first live bid took place where Mr Eddie Lawani emerged the highest bidder at N260,000. The auctioning session was conducted by Mr. Hassan Adeleke, Registrar /Ceo Certified Institution Of Auctioneers, Nigeria (Cian).

Former Super Eagles player, Emma Okocha, Jay-Jay Okocha, Edi Lawani; the winner of the live bid for Okocha’s Jersey, Nwaukor Hillary, CEO, I-Dash Naira Limited and Mr Hassa Adeleke, Registrar/CEO Certified Institution of Auctioneers Nigeria (CIAN), at the launching of Jay-Jay Okocha foundation.

ATU Congress: Glover honoured, Obajimi re-elected Two of Nigeria’s sports icons, Dr Lanre Glover and and Dr Gloria Obajimi made the country proud at the Africa Triathlon Union Congress / election in Egypt. Glover, who is the Presi-

dent of the Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU), got an award for his contribution to triathlon in Africa. Glover, a former Vice President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) pioneered tri-

athlon in Nigeria, bringing in like minds to nurture the sport. He finally got his crowning moment in Egypt with the recognition. He is also the Vice President of the African

TGC holds maiden BOVAS invitational golf tournaments By Olawale Olaniyan Tiger Golf Club (TGC) will host over 150 amateur and professional golfers to the first BOVAS invitational golf tournament scheduled for July 22-23, at TGC, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan. According to the club’s Captain, Dr John Dongo, the club is indeed glad to partner with BOVAS in its corporate social responsibilty. He disclosed that a lot of Nigerians know that the Chairman/CEO of BOVAS, Architech Dele Samson stands for integrity saying it’s a big boost for TGC for him to identify with them. Also, vice captain of the club who is also the Chairman Local Organising Committee for the tournament, Brigadier General EAP Undiandeye stated that “This is the first time the company is ven-

turing into the sponsorship of golf tournament and Architech Dele Samson is enthusiastic in using the avenue to encourage the youth to play golf. “It is an eye opener to other corporate bodies,” he said. Meanwhile, the Competi-

tion Secretary, Gabriel Eneware disclosed that golfers from various clubs have called to signify their participation in the tourney. The best of times await participants at the event,” Eneware said.

body. Obajmi, a former athlete, was re-elected into the executive board of the ATU with 20 votes out of 21 member nations. She is one of the four elected executive board member. Obajimi is also the Secretary General of the NTU. Glover said that it was a good day for Nigeria at the ATU Congress. He also said both achievements showed that Nigerian has great administrators who are courted around the world for their managerial acumen.

From left, Hassan Isiaka, receiving DStv Zapper Decoder from Chioma Afe, Marketing Manager, DStv during the DStv Customer Forum held at Peninsula Resort, Ajah, Lagos.

LCU soccer academy, a reference point for grassroots development —Onigbinde By Nurudeen Alimi FORMER Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde has described the newly-established soccer school by Lead City University (LCU) as a model as well as a reference point for grassroots soccer development in Nigeria. The FIFA/CAF advisor said he had concluded plans to partner with the privatelyowned institution of higher learning to establish the Institute for the development of football at the department of Physical and Health Education made the remark while addressing newsmen after a one-week induction training held for the pioneer staff of the academy. Also speaking during the one-week seminar, the Chairman of University of Ibadan Sports Council, Prof. Babatunde Asagba, who tutored the coaches on the law of the game thumbed up the initiative of Lead City University for investing in intellectual aspect of football which he claimed is most important “at this stage in Nigerian football”. The head of University of Ibadan’s technical department and former Green Eagles player, Dr Abiodun Salami also delivered papers on the topic ‘Management of a Football outfit: Discipline and Teamwork among players and officials’ in the one week workshop held at the conference center of the institution. Among the gaffers recruited by the Modakeke high chief to kickstart the academy included the former 3SC player and coach, Tunde Odubola Zico, the son of Nigeria goalkeeper in the 60’s Olu Onagoruwa, Tunde Onagoruwa, a sports psychologist and CAF ‘B’ holder, Adeoye Onigbinde and former Shooting Stars Striker, Abiodun Oladipo. The registration and admission into the soccer school according to Onigbinde has commenced as pupils from the ages of six to 13 that falls into a beginners category would enjoy separate concentration, while children from 14 to 18 years and above would get opportunity of breaking into the proposed Lead City FC.

SIDELINES

NO 16,544

WEDNESDAY, 13 JULY, 2016

By Olusegun Awolowo and Arancha González

HESE are challenging times for the Nigerian economy. After a decade of solid growth, output shrank earlier this year, mostly on the back of a steep fall in oil prices. But Nigeria’s most important commodity has never been its oil. The country’s most important asset is its dynamic, entrepreneurial, and innovative people. And one of its most underutilised assets is the economic potential of Nigerian women. This latest bout of commodity price volatility underscores the need to boost diversification and productivity to generate lasting growth and jobs for Nigeria’s fast-growing, young population. Beyond generating foreign exchange, trade can play an important role in shifting people and resources out of subsistence agriculture and informal self-employment into more productive activities, in agro-industry, manufacturing, and formal services. For this reason, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) was set up to promote the development of a diversified export sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for the vast majority of firms and jobs just about everywhere, and Nigeria is no exception. For growth and trade to lead to poverty reduction, it’s essential for these smaller businesses to share in the gains. The International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations, is working together with Nigerian private sector firms and public sector stakeholders including the NEPC to empower Nigerian SMEs to become more competitive and connect to international trade and investment. As it seeks to diversify its economy, Nigeria must invest in its people and the SMEs that employ most of them. But the returns on these investments would be much higher if accompanied by specific efforts to bring women more fully into the country’s economic mainstream. Nigerian women are already playing leading roles in politics and the economy. Women own an estimated 30 per cent of the country’s registered entrepreneurial businesses, and are behind 41 per cent of business start-ups. Yet a mere 6 per cent of parliamentarians are female, and women account for only 24 per cent of non-agricultural employment. The cost of gender discrimination to world economy is staggering. McKinsey Global Institute recently estimated that raising women’s wages and labour force participation to match those of men would boost global output by more than 25 percent - like adding a new United States and China to the world economy. This is why the global economic potential of women has been likened to a ‘third billion’ poised to join India and China in transforming the global economy. For businesses, too, greater gender equality translates to better performance. The Peterson Institute for International Economics surveyed 22,000 companies around the world, and found that having more women on corporate boards and in leadership positions is associated with higher profitability.

N150

One Maikudi Mohammed, now in custody in Bauchi State, told the police that the human skull found on him was that of his late son, which he exhumed from his graveyard. If one may ask, what experiment did Maikudi want to carry out with the skull, in which laboratory and on whose authority?

guests’column For a brighter economic future, empower women to trade

Olusegun Awolowo

Gonzalez

As it seeks to diversify its economy, Nigeria must invest in its people and the SMEs that employ most of them. Some of the biggest consequences of women’s economic empowerment are felt far away from corporate boardrooms, in the poorest households and communities. When women are paid for their work, and have control over how the money gets spent, they invest much more of their income than men do in their families’ education and health. The positive effects endure for generations. Gender-based discrimination, for countries, companies, and societies alike, it is simply unaffordable: ‘economic malpractice’ on a grand scale. This is why ITC and NEPC place special emphasis on empowering women-led businesses – such as a shea butter cooperative in Oyo state – connect to

international markets. It’s also why the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, NEPC and ITC are teaming up to host the Women in Export Stakeholders Forum and Exhibition in Abuja on 13 July. The gathering will bring together policymakers, the private sector, and representatives of women-owned businesses to catalyse ongoing efforts to empower women to drive trade-led development in Nigeria. On this occasion Nigeria will unveil national commitment underITC’s “SheTrades” initiative seeking to connect one million women entrepreneurs to market by 2020 worldwide. Participants in Abuja will share experiences about what has worked and what hasn’t – to

connect women-owned businesses to markets. They will look at how businesses have taken concrete steps to expand sourcing from women-owned business, to improve women’s access to finance, and to help women entrepreneurs overcome supply-side constraints. And they will come up with concrete suggestions for how to do even better. Last September, the United Nations adopted the Global Goals on Sustainable Development. This ambitious agenda aims to eliminate extreme poverty and achieve gender equality in education and work by 2030. Either goal cannot be attained without the other. And neither can happen without Africa’s biggest economy. ITC and the NEPC look forward to working together to empower women to trade for a better future – for Nigeria, for Africa, and for the world. •Arancha González is the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. •Olusegun Awolowo is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

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