14th October 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,348

WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER, 2015

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Drama as Senate screens Ogbeh, Fayemi, Dambazzau, Udoma, 6 others —P16 •Amaechi, Fashola, others to face Senate today •New minister-nominees: Adewole, Daramola, Adamu, Lokpobiri, Ahmed, 9 others make list

Police foil another bomb attack in Abuja

•Arrest 2 suspected bombers of Nyanya, Kuje

—P36

Mother, child feared killed as robbers in —P8 military uniform raid 2 banks in FESTAC

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

PHOTOS: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

9 1. Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu with clerics from Odelemo and Ikenne Archdeaconry. 2. From left, Chief (Mrs) Comfort Olutunda, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, the Alakene of Ikenne, Oba Adeyinka Onakade and his olori. 3. Students of Classique Royal Group of Schools, Ikenne-Remo, with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 4. School Administrator of Classsique Academy, Ikenne-Remo, Mr T.A. Adeshina (second right), presenting condolence letter to Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, with Vice Principal, Administrator, Mrs O.O. Akinyemi. 5. Pastor and Statutory members of Winnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Chapel, Iperu-Remo, with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

6. From left, Alhaja S. Olabisi Dauda, Mrs Abisola Balogun, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Mrs Adedoyin Ige, Chief (Mrs) Adetola Williams and Mr Bisi Olatawura. 7. Exective members of Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Club, Ibadan, presenting condolence letter to Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 8. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran (right), Olorogun Josiah Otameh and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 9. From right, Pastor Oluwadamilare Samuel, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Deacon Debo Olaoye and Pastor Mathias Esie. 10. Women of Olabisi Onabanjo University Women Association, Ago Iwoye, with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

news

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Glo launches ‘Free Tomorrow’, rewards customers with free calls, data promos

N an unprecedented drive to reward customer loyalty, national telecoms operator, Globacom, has unveiled a first of its kind promo that will give 15 days of free calls, sms and data monthly to its teeming subscribers. Tagged “Free Tomorrow,” the promo will give Glo customers the exact value of the total airtime they use in a day, from 12.00 a.m. till 11.59 p.m. absolutely free the following day. In his address during the official lunch of the promo Globacom’s Manager, Devices and Partnership, Mr Odafe Akerejola, said the promo was the first of its kind in the history of the telecoms industry in Nigeria. “The only precursor of this magnitude we could recall was the Per Second Billing which Globacom also pioneered,” he noted. He explained that the exact value of airtime on calls, sms and data by the subscriber was measured throughout a day and then credited to the customer’s phone the following day free of charge. “For instance, if a Glo subscriber uses N500 credit in a day on calls, SMS and data, Glo will give him back N500 credit the very next day. This means that the subscriber gets back for free the next day, all the data and airtime he or she used the previous day and the free credit can be used to browse the internet, make calls or to send texts to any network,” Mr Akerejola enthused. He added that if a subscriber made a call, sent

sms or used data for 30 days, the ‘Free Tomorrow’ promo will enable the subscriber to only pay for 15 alternative days and enjoy the remaining 15 days free with the exact airtime value used the previous day.

“It is like going to a first class restaurant to have a sumptuous meal and being served the full value and quantity of food the next day, free of charge,” he said. He pointed out that the offer will ameliorate the

difficulties and challenges of subscribers in spending too much on making calls to their loved ones or surfing the internet for learning, business or social purposes. “The uniqueness of ‘Free Tomorrow’ is that the free

credit can be used anyhow the subscriber wishes for calls to any network or for data. The subscriber can also use the bonus credit to call friends, family and business associates in any five of the most frequently

From left, Business Manager, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Anita Ekeada; Legal Consultant, Mr Gbite Adeniji; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza, during the Vice President’s visit to UBA stand, at the opening ceremony of the 21st edition of Nigerian Economic Summit, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

10 sect members, 1 soldier killed as military invades terrorists’ base in Okene •Mosque razed; shops, schools closed Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja NO fewer than 10 members of an Islamic sect and one soldier were killed in Okene, Kogi State, on Tuesday, when men of the Nigerian Army invaded the base of the fundamentalists in the town. The development was said to have led to pandemonium in the commercial town,

as schools, shops, banks and other public offices were locked throughout the day. The members of the sect were said to have engaged the Army in gun duel, during which 10 of them were shot dead, while an Army officer was said to have also been killed during the battle. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the men of the Army had invaded a mosque

located at Inike, in the heart of Okene, following reports on the activities of the sect. Sources said the invasion of the area was a fallout of the recent attack on the state headquarters of the Department of State Security (DSS) by people suspected to be members of the sect. Some of the people who carried out the attack were said to have escaped with gunshot wounds, following

which the security agencies were said to have beamed their searchlight. The move was said to have led to the arrest of a suspected member of the notorious sect, who was said to be a teacher in one of the private schools in Okene. The arrested member was said to have informed the soldiers about the whereabouts of other members, who were receiving treat-

Boko Haram kidnapped 45,000 people —Reps Seek crack team on rescue of Chibok girls Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja THE House of Representatives, on Tuesday, revealed that about 45,000 Nigerians had so far been kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect since 2012. This came just as the House urged the Federal Government to set up a control situation centre to be manned by a specialised team drawn from all the security agencies in the country, with sole responsibility to search for the over 200 Chibok girls and all other victims abducted by the sect in the North-East. The House resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Honourable Asabe

called countries by Nigerians including United States of America, China, India, Canada and land lines in the United Kingdom,” Mr Akerejola explained. He urged the customers to subscribe to the offer and enjoy the benefits by dialing *300# to subscribe, saying subscription to the offer was free and exclusive to prepaid customers. While welcoming guests to the launch, Globacom’s Retail and Consumer Sales Chief, Mr David Maji, pledged that the company would continue to put in huge resources in infrastructure, people and technology towards developing and maintaining a communications technology that was second to none in Africa. He also said that both the quality and capacity of the network had significantly been enhanced to accommodate the anticipated traffic that the exciting promo would add to the network.

Vilita Bashir, who called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the 219 abducted Chibok girls. While amending the motion, Honourable Nasir Ali Ahmad, informed the House that about 45,000 Nigerians were at the moment kidnapped and kept away by the dreaded sect. Honourable Bashir, who represents Chibok/Damboa//Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State, while moving the motion, said she was “worried that the families of the missing Chibok girls and Nigerians are not being informed of any rescue plan and are consequently living in unimaginable agony, not being sure if any efforts are being made to

rescue the girls.” He then urged the Federal Government to set up “a control/situation room to be manned by highly-skilled and specialised crack team drawn from the security forces (SSS, Police, Army and Air Force), with the sole responsibility to search for the 219 abducted Chibok girls and present periodic feedback to Nigerians.” She also sought the publicisation of the search of the lost girls through the print and electronic media, adding that the Federal Government should issue financial assistance to the families of the kidnapped secondary school girls and keep to the promise of rescuing these victims of Boko Haram.

Bashir also commended the Bringbackourgirls group, led by a former Education Minister, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, for sustaining the call for the rescue of the girls. She also commended the government of the United States and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abuba-

kar, for the rehabilitation of the earlier rescued 67 Chibok girls. When the motion was put to vote as amended by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the plenary, it was unanimously passed by majority of the lawmakers.

Confront Boko Haram’s sponsors, Bamidele urges Buhari Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti A former member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I in the House of Representatives, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to exhibit more

political will in dealing with sponsors of insurgency in Nigeria. Bamidele, a lawyer and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who gave the charge in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, also called on continues pg6

ments over the gunshot wounds. It was further learnt that upon the arrest of the other members, he confessed to be a member of the notorious group. It was also gathered that he later took them to their hideout, where dangerous weapons, including AK 47 riffles were recovered around 1.00 a.m. However, a visit to the mosque being used by the sect at night showed it was deserted, following which the military men were said to have laid ambush for them till about 5.00 a.m. It was, however, gathered that the members of the sect had got wind of the development and also attacked the men of the Army, who immediately opened fire on them. The mosque which was being used by the members of the sect was said to have been razed by the military officers, who were still engaged in the operation as of press time. Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the command could not speak on the development, as it was a military operation. He, however, said the operation was still ongoing, adding that the military would be in the best position to give a detailed information about the operation.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

news

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Surrender, ‘Think Nigeria’ urges Boko Haram, sponsors Commends Nigerian military

HE Think Nigeria First Initiative (TNFI), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) has urged Boko Haram insurgents and their sponsors to surrender voluntarily or face the consequence of their action. In a statement issued in Abuja by its DirectorGeneral, Abubakar Tsanni, TNFI noted the series of military warnings, especially by Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, to Boko Haram fighters and their sponsors to surrender and desist from further act of sabotage before the evil day would dawn on them. “This has been said over and again, but it is good to reiterate that Boko Haram elements and their sponsors should put Nigeria first and also note that the only war acceptable in religion is one that was provoked and even then, once the aggressor surrenders or turns away from his aggressiveness, you must cease fire.

“In this case, the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria permit and even encourage every citizen to practice his religion and so, it is a sin to take innocent lives and use young boys and girls as agents of death.” While urging such sponsors who could have been coerced into the evil deeds or even those who are willing tools to heed the timely warning, the group expressed its conclusion that the warning was not a show of weakness, but borne out of the realisation that although terrorists and their sponsors were perpetrating evil, as they were still Nigerians who

should be encouraged back to the path of sanity and patriotism. Tsanni said it was obvious that the most important thing that had obviously changed in the last four months in the battle against terrorism was leadership, both political and military. He commended members of the Nigerian military over their determination to win the war against extremism and terrorism, which had caused thousands of death, destruction of property and dislocation of innocent citizens in parts of the country, especially in the North-East.

More accolades for HID Awolowo Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta MORE symphatisers have continued to pour encomiums in honour of the cofounder/chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, who passed on to glory on September 19. Among the visitors were staff and students of Classique Royal Group of Schools, Ikenne-Remo; Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Club, Ibadan; Women Association of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye; members of the Man O War, Ogun State command; ex-

ecutives and members of Old Girls Methodist High School, Yaba, Lagos; Emmanuel Ministries Incorporated Grace Church, Ikenne and the Ogun State chapter of the Community Development Council. In a condolence message by the Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Club, signed by the Club’s Captain and Secretary, Mr Kunle Yusuf and Alhaji Salman Abdul Ganiyu, respectively, the club said Mama was a nationalist, who would be celebrated by coming generations. The club noted that her departure had created a “vaccum in Yorubaland that will take time to fill, given her invaluable contributions to the social,

Confront insurgents’ sponsors, Bamidele urges Buhari continued from pg4

President Buhari not to sacrifice the rule of law in the prosecution of his anticorruption war. Bamidele, who was in Ekiti to deliver a lecture at

the 2015 Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado Ekiti branch, said the Federal Government must come out boldly and deal decisively with those fingered as sponsors of Boko Haram in the

North-Eastern part of the country, contending that with this, the anti-terror war would be total. Bamidele, who delivered a lecture entitled: “Terrorism and security challenges to the consolidation of the gains of

our democracy: What legal implications and what role for the Bar and Bench?” said there was urgent need for the strengthening of the criminal justice system and law enforcement to give attention to preventive measures.

political and economic development of not only the region, but Nigeria at large. “She was a pillar every man will be proud to rest on. In fact, her backing largely contributed to the success story of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Nigerian politics, which had become a reference point till date.” Also, executive members of Mama Awolowo’s alma mater, in a condolence letter signed by its president, Mrs Oluyomi Afolabi and the secretary, Mrs Yetunde Abdulkarim, said Mama was very supportive of the association and that she contributed immensely to the school. For the Olabisi Onabanjo University Women Association, led by Mrs Olusola Adesanya, Mama Awolowo was an ideal of a virtuous woman. Adesanya said: “Mama was a personification of charm and a great women leader. She was a mentor and role model to Nigerians, a beacon of hope to the oppressed.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Lagosmetro

Mother, child feared killed as robbers in military uniform raid 2 banks in FESTAC Olalekan Olabulo

eavily armed dare devil armed robbers in the early hours of Tuesday held residents of FESTAC town in Lagos State hostage as they at-

tacked two branches of two new generation banks. The robbery operations lasted for about 45 minutes and the armed robbers reportedly continued to shoot, following fears that some

residents were mobilising to attack them. A woman and her 14-month-old baby were feared killed; a bank official in one of the affected banks was shot, while many res-

idents were injured in the melee that ensued from the sporadic shootings from the armed robbers. The police in the state, however, claimed that they had recovered about N27

million from the armed bandits. The armed robbers gained access into the two banks after they destroyed the security doors with dynamites and other explosive devices.

UNILAG ‘staff’ remanded in Kirikiri over admission racket AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A man, Gbeminiyi Oke, who allegedly collected N200,000 from one Reginald Mbanusi under the false pretence of registering him in post-graduate diploma in Economics in the University of Lagos, has been arrested and charged before an Isolo Magistrates’ Court. It was gathered that the suspect convinced Mbanusi that he was a staff of UNILAG and he was entitled to a slot in the admission exercise every academic year. The unsuspecting Mbanusi had expressed his frustration to get admission for post graduate studies and Oke promised to assist him and asked him to pay N200,000 to facilitate the admission, which he did. Oke reportedly collected his documents and promised to process the admission. Despite paying the money and promises made by Oke, no admission was given to Mabnusi. The victim requested for the refund of his money and Oke told him the money was paid for his admission but he could not get a refund because he was not qualified to be admitted. The matter was reported to the police at Area ‘D’ Command Mushin and Oke was arrested and taken to the command. Oke was subsequently charged to court with criminal dishonesty and stealing under the Criminal Code.

Scene of the robbery incident at FESTAC, Lagos.

Military personnel beat LASTMA official for taking pictures of traffic violation Bola Badmus Lagos State government has urged security personnel to comply with the State Traffic Law and desist from plying Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor along the Ikorodu Road axis. This is as it condemned the attitude of some personnel of the Nigerian Military, who it said threw caution and decency into the wind when they descended heavily on a LASTMA official Peter Owolabi, for daring to take the photographs of their vehicle which violated the BRT corridor at Obanikoro bus stop on Ikorodu road. The military officers were driving a black Honda Accord car with

number registration CP 839 YAB. General Manager of the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bashir Braimah, made this known, while speaking against the backdrop of a joint enforcement carried out on Monday against BRT violation

in collaboration of with the Military Police and the Nigeria Police. “The attack was a clear case of what LASTMA personnel usually go through in the hands of some uniform personnel at a time that the state government is making effort to restore orderli-

ness on state roads. “It has become a habit for some of the military personnel driving commercial buses in uniform to flout the state traffic law and collaborate or encourage commercial drivers to violate Traffic Law on Lagos roads,” Braimah said.

Honda car belonging to a military officer arrested on BRT corridor by LASTMA officials.

Lagos Metro gathered that the armed robbers, numbering over 40 and clad in military camouflage had around 8:25 on Tuesday morning invaded 4th Avenue in FESTAC. It was further gathered that the armed robbers took strategic positions instantly and divided themselves into two different groups with each group storming a bank each. The armed robbers reportedly forced their way into the banks’ vaults, where they reportedly escaped with a yet to be ascertained huge amount of money. A resident of FESTAC town, Toyin, while speaking with Lagos Metro narrated that “It was a very deadly and coordinated attack. The shooting was intense. Nobody could confront the armed robbers. “There were many of them and the whole area was deserted as the armed robbers shot into the air to scare away the police. I have never seen this kind of armed robbery in my life.” Another resident, who identified himself as Cornelius, said “They wore military uniform and they went away through the canal. They even abandoned some bags of money in one of the banks.” Cornelius also added that, “They were not shooting at houses until they heard a gunshot from a yet to be identified person in the area and that really angered them.” The image maker in charge of the state police command, Joe Offor, while speaking with Lagos Metro insisted that only one person was injured in the robbery. Offor also stated that the police engaged the armed robbers in a serious gun battle, which forced the robbers to abandon about N27 million in one of the banks. The Lagos Police spokesperson also stated that the police recovered about 240 AK-47 live ammunitions from the fleeing armed robbers.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Housewife who poured hot water on pregnant neighbour gets judgment today AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A 28-year-old housewife, Oluwatoyin Oyagoke, on Monday admitted to pouring hot water on her pregnant neighbour, 28-year-old Rukayat Salami Osuolale. She will be sentenced today. It was gathered that Oluwatoyin engaged the victim in a heated argument while they were both in the kitchen. It was also learnt that the accused poured the hot water on the victim who was cooking noodles for her husband. The victim, who is carrying six months old pregnancy is said to be on admission at the Trauma and Burns Department of Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos. The police had alleged that the accused had on Friday, at about 9p.m., at 3, Gbagada Road, Gbagada, in Shomolu Local Government Area, Lagos, attempted to

NURTW boss, Agbede, exco endorsed for another 4 years The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Headquarters, Abuja, has endorsed a second term of four years for the Lagos State council of the union under the leadership of Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede and his executive members. The president of the union, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, who disclosed this after a stakeholders meeting in Abuja at the weekend, said that the decision to allow the state council to continue in office for another term was informed by the way the executive had been able to restore unity and peace in the state council. Alhaji Yasin, however, added that an adjustment would be made to fill some vacant positions in the state council of the union, while two female members from the women wing of the union will be co-opted into the executive in line with the provisions of the union constitution.

kill the victim, Mrs. Salami Osuolale, by pouring hot water on her face, chest and breast. The offence according to the prosecutor, Sergeant Benedict Aigbokhan was contrary to and punishable under section 228 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. The accused pleaded guilty to the one count charge when she was arraigned before Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

Suspected killers of Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Mr. Tajudeen Disu, being arraigned at the Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State Judiciary, Ebute Metta, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Disu: Court remands 17 suspects for one month Bidemi Olowofela An Ebute-Metta Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday granted the request of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to remand in its custody, 17 suspects held in connection with the killing of Disu. The suspects were brought to court yesterday. Delivering ruling on an application by the prosecuting counsel seeking the leave of the court to remand the suspects in custody of the Police pending further investigation, Chief Magistrate, Mrs Folashade Botoku held that, “Having listened to the arguments of both the prosecuting and the defence counsel, I quite agree with the defence on the issue of jurisdiction of this court to hear a case of murder against the suspects brought before this court.” The magistrate, however, said what was brought before her was not a charge but an application to remand the suspects in custody to enable the police to conduct thorough investigation. According to her, Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice 2011 (Sections 1 and 2) empowered the court to entertain such application. On the application for bail as requested by the counsel to the accused, the presiding magistrate said that while section 264 empowered the court to grant the leave to remand the suspects in custody, the same section did

not empower the court to grant the suspects bail since the court lacked jurisdiction to hear murder case and could not therefore consider the application for bail. The prosecution argued that Section 27 of the Magistrates’ Court Law 2009 empowered the police to present before a magistrate court within a reasonable

time person(s) arrested for murder. The court thereby ordered that the 17 suspects: Dele Ajayi; Alhaji Tajudeen Jegede; Saidi Akanni; Oyelade Taiwo; Sunday Bulus; Abiola Ogunsanwo; Okunaya Stephen; Taiwo Gafar; Agunrege Banji; Gafaru Ahmed; Moses Okoro; Talabi Quadri; Ipaye Oriyomi;

Quadri Yusuf and Tunde Yusuf be remanded in police custody for a period of 30 days pending further investigation by the police. Late Disu was alleged shot dead by yet-to-be identified gunmen during an uproar that occurred between the indigenes of Okunraye and the management of the Free Trade Zone

on Monday. Counsel to the suspects, F. C. Morka; Ola Ogunbiyi and Mobolaji Enitinwa had earlier urged the court to refuse the remand applications and dismiss same. Botoku however dismissed the submission of the defence counsel. The matter has been adjourned till November 16.

... New law against ‘omo onile’ soon —Assembly BolaBadmusandChukwuma Okparaocha Members of Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday observed a minute silence in honour of Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Company (LWIC), Mr. Tajudeen Disu, who was murdered on Monday by assailants during an official visit to one of the villages within the zone. Already, 12 suspects had been arrested by the police in connection with the incident. The House, presided over by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, gave the honour preceding the formal screening of commissioner-nominees, following a motion on Matter of Urgent Public Importance moved by Rotimi Olowo. The House, while directing that a letter be written by the Clerk, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru commiserating with the family of the deceased, who it described as a peace-lover and committed patriot with genuine love for develop-

ment of Lagos, also tasked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to take necessary steps to fish out the perpetrators as well as address the issue of small arms proliferation in the state. The House, while further lamenting the death of Disu, observed the growing problem of land grabbers (omo onile) in the state, and, therefore, the need to pass into law the bill already before it in order to address the menace. Moving the motion, Olowo said he moved the motion in order for the House to call on the police to fish out

those behind the gruesome murder and commiserate with the Disu family over the death of their loved one. Olowo, who described the late Disu as truly gentleman and peace lover, who was focused on seeing that Lekki axis of Lagos was developed for the benefit of people of the area and Lagos in general, said it was unfortunate that some hoodlums in the area were “opposed to development of the area.” Contributing to the debate, another member, Hon. Moshood Osun, who described the murder of the Lekki Worldwide Investment Com-

pany boss as unfortunate, further said it was highly unfortunate that the Baale of the area could say in a press interview that his people were fighting for their land after somebody had been killed. According to him, the Baale should by now be “behind bar for saying at a press interview that they were fighting for their land after somebody had been killed.” Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, in his own contribution, said the state government should take steps to do something about small arms proliferation also ask the police to go after the killers of Mr. Disu.

...Multi-billion naira project threatened Tola Adenubi The Singaporean firm partnering the Lagos State Government over the establishment of the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), Tolarams Group has expressed concerns over the state of insecurity around the adjoining villages that are located within the area where

the Lagos State government intends to establish the LFTZ. Speaking to Lagos Metro in an exclusive telephone chat, the Director of Finance, Tolarams Group, Mr. Kundan Sainani bemoaned the level of insecurity in the area. “With this situation whereby a top official of the LFTZ was killed in a com-

munal strife, we need the Lagos State Government to enhance security around that area. There are so many prospects around the area. We have the LFTZ, Lagos Deep Seaport, Dangote refinery and other multi-billion naira project going on around here, therefore, we cannot afford to be relaxed in terms of security,” he said.

businessnews

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

African central banks tighten monetary policy to contain inflation Chima Nwokojji-Lagos

frican central banks are mainly tightening monetary policy to contain inflation. This is just as finance and economic analysts have predicted that Nigeria’s headline inflation will increase further in October as preparations for yearend festivities will increase demand for both food and non-food items. Data from the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited show that the Central Bank of Angola maintained its interest rate at 10.5 per cent after previously increasing it three consecutive times. The Central Bank of Kenya also held its benchmark interest rate at 11.5 per cent at its September 22 meeting; the South African Reserve Bank left its interest rate unchanged at 6 per cent in its September meeting after it had earlier raised its interest rate by 25 basis points (bps) in its July policy meeting. Inflation has generally increased across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), especially for commodity producers. Nigeria’s inflation rate edged higher to 9.3 per cent in August, compared to the 9.2 per cent rate in July. Angola’s inflation rose to a 3-year high of 11.01 per cent in August from 10.41 per cent in July. The country’s rising inflationary trend has been driven by expensive imports and dwindling oil revenue. Kenya’s inflation rose slightly from 5.84 per cent

in August to 5.97 per cent in September, due to higher costs of housing, clothing and furnishing. However, the figure is much lower than this year’s peak of 7.08 per cent in April. South Africa’s inflation rate slowed down

to 4.6 per cent in August from 5 per cent in July due to a slower increase in the prices of housing, utilities and transportation. In the same vein, analysts at the finance and investment advisory firm FDC Limited, in a note to

The Director-General of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Muda Yusuf, has said there is need to reposition Small and Medium Enterprise (SME’s) in the country properly to create the 3 million jobs annually promised by All Progressives Congress (APC) which, according to him, can only come from SME’s and manufacturing. While speaking at the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) gala night/award, he noted that there was need to encourage entrepreneurs to make money and employ more people, adding that entrepreneurship played an important role in economic growth and development of any nation.

the country have destroyed rice plantations equivalent to about 11 per cent of the quantity of rice required to meet Nigeria’s yearly consumption. The effect of this rice shortage will most likely start in October.”

From left, Director, Sustainable Business Initiative, University of Edinburgh Business School, Dr Kenneth Amaeshi; Centre Manager, FirstBank Sustainability Centre, Dr Ijeoma Nwagwu; Chairman, FBN Capital, Mrs Ibukun Awosika; Council member and chairperson, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry Women Group, Mrs Adenike Shobajo, and Secretary, LCCI Women Group, Mrs Dele Ogunjobi, at the sustainability workshop organised by the FirstBank Sustainability Centre for Women-led SMEs, in Lagos, recently.

Anambra teacher emerges Maltina Teacher of the Year Akin Adewakun - Lagos

Mrs Obim Nkemdilin Rose, a science teacher at the Federal Government College, Onitsha, Anambra State, has emerged the overall winner at the justconcluded Maltina Teacher of the Year competition. Rose, who made history by being the first winner of the competition, organised by the Nigerian Breweries Plc, makers of the Maltina

brand, to reward the nation’s teachers for the key role they played in national development, would get the sum of N1 million every year for the next five years, while she would also have the opportunity of going for an overseas training to be fully sponsored by the company. The winner was picked at the grand finale of the event held in Lagos on Monday, out of the 10 teachers shortlisted at

Annual 3m jobs possible with SMEs —LCCI Gbemi Solaja-Lagos

investors, said, “We expect headline inflation to increase further in October as preparations for yearend festivities will increase demand for both food and non-food items. Furthermore, floods in the Northwest region of

“It is a purposeful activity involving the initiation, promotion and distribution of wealth and service,” he said. He listed the obstacles of skills and human capacity issues, to include harsh business environment, infrastructure lapses, policy and regulatory shortcomings, access and cost of funds, macroeconomic challenges - FX, interest rate and inflation, multiple taxation and inadequate incentives for entrepreneurial development. He called for collaboration between the public and private sectors, saying that development of incubation centres and enterprise development centres; creation of free trade zones; promoting the teaching of entrepreneurial skills in schools and colleg-

es, “mentoring as a means of business skills development to encourage skill sharing and long-term personal relationship between mentor and mentee and providing vocational skills.

a competition that saw teachers from all over the country participating. Speaking on the competition, the chairman of the screening panel, Professor Pat Utomi, explained that the panel came up with the choice of the winner after a rigorous exercise that started with a questionnaire that every participating teachers were expected to complete. While commending Nigerian Breweries for coming up with the initiative, Utomi argued that for Nigerians to be able to live in the knowledge age, it had become imperative for the country to appreciate the teachers that would dispense such knowledge. “The teaching profession can be described as the ul-

timate role anybody can take up in the society, and the challenge that we have today in the country is that we live in the knowledge age, but we will not be able to live in this age unless our people are educated,” he stated. Explaining the rationale for coming up with the reward initiative, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Nicholas Vervelde, explained that teachers all over the globe play a pivotal role in the development of a nation. “We are doing this to enable teachers play this role and play it well by empowering them and ensuring that education prospers,” he stated.

Iron rod dealers urge FG, NASS to check influx of sub-standard products By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Iron rod distributor Association of Nigeria has appealed to the Federal government to take urgent actions to rid the Nigerian market of the influx of substandard iron rod products. The association made this appeal at the end of an emergency meeting held recently at Sheraton hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The association noted that government must take

urgent action to stop the Nigerian markets from becoming dumping ground for substandard iron rod products. The association’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Yisa Owolabi, who spoke on behalf of the distributors, noted that the ugly trend was responsible for the surge in recent cases of building collapse across the country especially in Abuja and Lagos. In his words, Owolabi said “Being a key stake-

holder in the building and construction industry, our association is worried by recent cases of collapsing buildings, and consequently we set up an independent investigating team and the result of our investigation revealed that today there is an increase in case of building collapsing every now and then as a result of usage of sub-standard iron rod products and we want government to take urgent action to stop this ugly development.”

APCON to introduce media monitoring machine Akin Adewakun - Lagos

The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has revealed plans to introduce media monitoring machine to enable it monitor effectively advert placements in the nation’s media, especially the electronics. Disclosing this in Lagos on Monday while receiving a delegation of Billboard World Magazine, organisers of the Brand As King Awards, the chairman of the Council, Mr Ufot Udeme, stated that when acquired, the machine would save the council the embarrassment of relying on the media organisations’ information before determining their level of compliance. He expressed the apex regulatory body’s determination to go the whole hog to ensure that media organisations comply with laid-down ethics and standards of the profession, noting that the acquisition of such machine would go a long way in enhancing advertising practice in the country.

Expert counsels FG on zero-based budgeting By Paul Omorogbe

The Federal Government must immediately embark on capacity building for the relevant staff and commence public and agency enlightenment campaigns if it will successfully implement its planned zerobased budgeting system. These views were part of the recommendations made by Prince G.A. Adebayo, chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Oyo State, who spoke at the monthly meeting of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Oyo State branch in Ibadan, recently. Adebayo who described zero-based budgeting as a method of budgeting in which all expenses must be justified for each new period, and every unit/ function within an organization is analysed for its needs, said the method was advantageous because “it is flexible, provides reasons for allocation of funds, optimized results, avoids blanket increase/ decrease to previous budgets and involves programme managers/staff in the budget.”

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Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

PZ Cussons rewards distributors with car, home appliances By Abiodun Awolaja

S part of initiatives to appreciate the suppliers of its diverse range of products, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, on Monday, rewarded loyal wholesalers of products in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with the grand prize winner winning a 2015 model Kia Rio car. The event, held at the Cool World premises of the company along Oba Adebimbe road in Ibadan, was attended by the Managing Director of the company, Alex Goma, along with officials of the company in the Western zone. Speaking on the occasion, Goma, who expressed delight that the winner of its national trade promo came from Ibadan, said “PZ Cussons is about making life better. The products and the categories that we focused on aim to make life easier for consumers. However, to access consumers, we also have to work with business partners and it is important that the business partners also benefit from the relationship. This is why we ran this promotion to give value to our business partners.” On how winner was determined, Vivian Akindele, a Category Channel Manager, said the promotion was basically targeted at the company’s wholesalers. She added that the company set targets which they had to indicate interest in, in different categories, from minimum to maximum. “If you were able to buy 8,000 cartons of mixed products, then you actually qualified to get a car. As a business, we do things in a transparent way,” she said. As explained Bukola Arabumen, a senior brand manager with the company, the company had been doing a lot of trade pro-

motion stuff with its trade partners for a while, but the PZ Awuuf Promotion presents another opportunity to appreciate them for

their patronage. “We’ve taken it a bit higher and decided, this time, to give out a car, though there were a lot of consolation

Integrated Corporate Services (ICS) Limited, a human resources outsourcing company, has announced that it will profile 2,000 talents who will take part in its employability training and be recommended to be employed by top 50 leading brands in Nigeria. Its Managing Director, Mr Femi Olatide, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos, said that the exercise would be ushered in

PZ Cussons products for over 30 years and has her shop at Agbokojo area in Ibadan, said she bought 8200 units of the company’s products to clinch the grand prize.

“I never expected to win a car though I had won many things previously. God has now done wonders. As the company has done this, may God empower them to do more,” she enthused.

SEC organises regional workshop on non-interest capital market Gbola Subair-Abuja

Grand prize winner in the PZ Awuuf Promo, Mrs Susannah Omideyi, with her 2015 Kia Rio car in Ibadan, on Monday. PHOTO: BIODUN AWOLAJA

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in its efforts at expanding the depth of the Nigerian capital market and promoting financial inclusiveness through the market, is organising a regional workshop on non-interest capital market (Islamic capital market) with the theme: ‘Financing development through Islamic capital market: A viable alternative,’ scheduled for Monday, October 19. This is in line with its strategic 10-year master plan on non-interest capital market. The objective of the workshop is to encourage states to explore the alternative model for financing infrastructure projects through Islamic capital market products such as Sukuk. Guests expected at the workshop include Commissioners for Finance for Kano and Jigawa states,

SON to prosecute producers of fake lubricants Gbola Subair-Abuja

Worried by the unbridled production and sale of fake lubricants in the matket, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has threatened to apprehend and prosecute producers and sellers of fake vehicle lubricants in the country. Director-General of SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with members of Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN). Noting that the organisation would work hand in

hand with the Department of Petroleum Resources to increase the level of surveillance in the sector, the SON boss lamented the huge economic cost associated with peddling substandard lubricants. Odumodu, who added that numerous enforcement collaborative actions and raids had been conducted in the past across the federation with very good results, stated that in line with the agency’s mandate, SON would ensure that all lubricant products would have to be registered to ensure they met the required standards.

ICS to package 2,000 job seekers for employers Chima Nwokoji-lagos

prizes,” she said. The grand prize winner, Mrs Susannah Omideyi, an octogenarian who said she had been supplying

through the launch of a talent and employer branding expo, tagged ICS Talent Bank 1.0 in Lagos. Believing that the event would be the first ever talent market and corporate branding in Africa, Olatide explained that ICS would partner with relevant institutions such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), higher institutions of learning and other strategic alliances to gain access to the talent and brighter graduates across all disciplines

and fields to suit various industries. “Our search and selection criteria are globally accepted standards for top talents and deployed with our world-class assessment tools and techniques to deliver premium talents across all recognised qualifications in Nigeria,” he stated. He added that more than 20,000 candidates would be verified, tested and interviewed and 2,000 talents would emerge for the fair.

“One of the reasons we have engine problem is because we feed the engines with adulterated lubricants. We have done some surveillance of the market and we saw that some members of LUPAN are in this kind of wrong business for survival,” he said. “People bring in a lot of used oil into the country and we know what happened to the viscosity of this oil and a lot of them come in from Dubai. We must have a strong collaboration with the DPR and we will have a meeting with the department of government with a view to having a meeting point on

how to address the drift,” he added. To address the menace of adulterated lubricants, the SON boss advocated monitoring of the quality of lubricants produced in Nigeria, eradicating the sale of base oil as blended oil and other sharp practices associated with the sale of lubricants in Nigeria. Other measures, according to him, include checking the influx of imported substandard lubricants into the market, profiling base oil import per consigned as against its utilization to determine actual consumption to deal with cases of diversion.

DMO to raise bonds worth N80bn Chima Nwokoji-lagos

The Debt Management Office (DMO) said it would raise N80 billion worth of bonds in two categories on Oct.14. According to the DMO in its ‘Bond Circular’ issued on Tuesday, the two categories of bonds will include a 10-year and fiveyear bonds. The DMO said that it would issue N40 billion worth of the 10-year bonds and N40 billion in fiveyear bonds respectively.

It said the two categories of bonds would mature in March 2024 and February 2020. The DMO said that the two categories of bonds opened with different coupon rates. The 10-year and five-year bonds would have coupon rates of 14.20 per cent and 15.54 per cent respectively. It said that while the bonds would be auctioned on Oct. 14, the settlement date would be Oct. 16. The DMO said that all the bonds had been re-opened.

state investment companies, state chambers of commerce and industries, manufacturers associations, SMEDAN, BUK Institute of Islamic Finance, market operators within the region, corporate organisations and other stakeholders. Only last week, the commission revealed that it was planning to grow noninterest capital market products to be 25 per cent of the overall market capitalisation. The disclosure was made by the Director-General of SEC, Mr Mounir Gwarzo, in Abuja at a roundtable meeting with the Lord Mayor of London.

NNPC warns against panic buying OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

Following sudden emergence of long queues across Nigerian cities on Monday and Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has warned against panic buying of petroleum products, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol. The Corporation urged that there is no need for such desperate act because it has enough stock of the product to keep the entire country wet for 23 days. According to a statement by the Corporation signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, the Corporation gave this assurance against the backdrop of emerging queues noticed at some filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and other major cities arising from rumours of impending scarcity.

Corrigendum In our edition of Tuesday, October 13, 2015, we referred to Mr. Peter Eshikena, former Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, as the incumbent. The error is regretted.

business

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER, 2015

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

news

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Drama, tension as Senate screens Ogbeh, Fayemi, Dambazzau, Udoma, 6 others •Amaechi, Fashola, others to face Senate today •New minister-nominees: Adewole, Daramola, Adamu, Lokpobiri, Ahmed, 9 others make list Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

HERE was drama on the floor of the Senate, on Tuesday, during the screening of minister-nominees sent to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari. This ensued as the Senate leader; Senator Alli Ndume, moved the motion for the national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to be allowed to take a bow and go. Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, inputed the drama when he was asked to second the motion that Mohammed take a bow and go. He amended the motion, saying Mohammed should be allowed to clear his mind on the floor, so that he could drop one or two propaganda before leaving. The statement from Akpabio elicited laughter on the floor. The senators, who on Tuesday commenced the screening of the nominees, however, protested failure to attach states of origin to the letter of nomination for the screening. Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who spoke after the Senate President took the floor of the chamber to commence the screening process, said the message should be passed to President Buhari to ensure that he attached the states of origin of nominees to the letter of nomination in the future. He said the letters, as sent by Buhari, left senators guessing as to the state of origin of the nominees, adding that he was also not sure of the nominee from his state. The senators, however, screened 10 out of the 21 nominees in the first batch of the list forwarded by President Buhari, while the chamber also received another 16-man list, which the president described as the final list of nominees. Others screened alongside Lai Mohammed were Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh; Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; Dr Ehanire Osagie; Lieutenant-General Abdurahman Dambazzau; Engin-

eer Suleiman Hussaini Adamu; Amina Ibrahim Mohammed and Mr Ibrahim Usman Jibril. The nominees answered a wide range of questions, with the exception of Mohammed, who was simply asked to “bow and go.” Two of the nominees, Fayemi and Dambazzau, were thoroughly grilled, with the development fuelling speculation that a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and his counterpart from Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, might face a tough time when they appear for screening today. The 16-man list sent on Tuesday to the Senate were also unveiled, with Khadijah Bukkar Abba lbrahim, Claudius Omoleye Daramola, Professor Anthony Onwuka, Geoffrey Onyeama, Brigadier-General M. M Dan-Ali (retd), James Ocholi, Zainab and Shamsuna Ahmed making the list. Others were Okechukwu Enelamah, Muhammed Bello, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Ms Aisha Abubakar, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Adamu Adamu, Pastor Usani Usani Uguru and Honourable Abubakar Bawa Bwari. Buhari said he was forwarding the list in line with the provisions of Section 147 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, adding that the list contained the final list of the would-be ministers. Briefing the Senate correspondents at the end of Tuesday’s sitting, Senator Dino Melaye said the newly unveiled nominees would be taken during the week alongside the 21-

man list earlier received on September 30. According to him, the Senate would strive to complete the screening this week, adding that the newly unveiled nominees must immediately complete their documentations at the National Assembly. Immediately the list of new nominees were read by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Senate minority whip, Phillip Aduda, raised a Point of Order, citing Sections 147 and 299 of the Constitution. He said since the constitution required that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should be seen as if it is a state; the people of the area deserved a minister-nominee. The atmosphere at the entrance of the National Assembly was, however, calm on Tuesday, contrary to expectations of many Nigerians. Many had expected protesters to flood the entrance of the Assembly complex in protest against some nominees. But the senators first took a report of the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition, which probed a petition against Hajia Amina Ibrahim Mohammed, who was believed to have been nominated from Kaduna State. The committee, however, cleared the woman, after concluding that she was a nominee from Gombe State. Before the commencement of the screening, the senators had held a closeddoor session for one hour, during which they agreed on the modalities for the screening. Former Senate chief

whip, Senator Udoma, who was the first to be screened, spoke about the state of Nigerian economy, adding that there was the need to ease the process of doing business in Nigeria. The former senator, who was questioned by the Senate President and his deputy was, however, allowed not to answer the questions posed to him by Senator Saraki. Senators chorused “bow and go” as soon as he was about answering the questions posed by Ekweremadu. The Deputy Senate President had asked Udoma for his view on the PIB and the national conference report conducted by the last administration. While answering Saraki’s question, Udoma said Nigeria was currently ranked 170 out of 189 countries on the ease of doing business, adding that to turn the economy around, the country needed to grow at 30 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), rather than the current 20 per cent rate. “We have to look at the various policies for manufacturing. They have to be consistent because that is what investors want. To increase the investment rate from its current 20 to 30 per cent, we have to look at the issue of enabling environment, review our tax policies and I am ready to help redesign it being a child of the private sector,” he said, adding that as a member of the private sector, he understood their language and knew what they needed. He also said he was surprised to be named as a minister by Buhari, adding that since he left the Senate

in 2007, he had left active politics. Fayemi, who also appeared before the Senate, said though he left some debts in Ekiti State while he served as governor, he had managed the state to the best of his ability. He stated he inherited a debt of N30 billion from the previous government due to several commitments, but was able to offset it, while only leaving a debt of N18 billion as governor. He also denied the claim that he bought a bed of N50 million for the State House, adding that the entire Government House was bult with N2.5 billion. He challenged anyone with invoice to the contrary to show his proof of the purchase of the said bed at N50 million. “The state was saddled with outstanding obligations. (Segun) Oni did not envisage he was going to leave office and as such, I met obligation to the excess of N30 billion and I took it up, completed all the projects, paid up the outstanding obligations to the contractors. Now, Ekiti is 33 in the revenue ladder of the country, with a monthly income of N3 billion and salary expenditure of N2.4 billion. If you find yourself in such a state, it is to find ways to meet the promises made to the people of the state.” He insisted that the bed he bought for the state cost N1.5 million, adding that the State House was built as a legacy House costing only N2.5 billion and ranked among the cheapest in the country. Chief Audu Ogbeh, who appeared after him, said the nation needed to focus

Mina update: Death toll rises to 168 NATIONAL Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Tuesday, said the number of Nigerian pilgrims killed during the September 24 stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, had risen to 168. More than 769 pilgrims from across the world were confirmed dead and 1,000 injured during the stampede on one of the roads leading to the Jamarat Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina. Speaking to newsmen on the incident in Mecca, Uba Mana, Director, Public Affairs of the commission,

said the number of Nigerians who died went up, following ongoing analysis on the corpses by the Saudi government. He said the number of pilgrims earlier declared miss-

ing had reduced from 165 to 144 due to the discovery of additional bodies. He said seven out of the 42 pilgrims injured during the stampede were still on admission in Saudi hospit-

als. On the ongoing airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria, Mana said 47,128 pilgrims were transported back to their respective states in 123 flights.

Police arrest masterminds of Abuja multiple bomb blasts THE Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has announced the arrest of two prime suspects and masterminds behind the multiple bomb blasts of October 2, in Kuje and Nyanya Satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Tuesday.

Arase made the disclosure at a meeting with senior police officers in Abuja. The police boss further disclosed that the arrest of the suspects foiled another attempt by the suspected terrorists to undertake further attacks in the FCT. Items recovered from

the suspects included 12 already prepared and primed Home Made Explosives concealed in 12 soft drink cans, 28 pieces of electronic detonators and large quantity of Improvised Explosive Device-making materials. The suspects would soon be arraigned in court.

on agriculture, in order to feed its people. According to him, agricultural yield in the country was low, compared to other countries and continents, adding that this was so because there was no seed company in the country. He said the nation must device means to feed its people, especially in view of the growing population. Dr Osagie Ehanire from Edo State also canvassed a review of school curriculum while facilities should be enhanced to meet global standards. He said hospitals should be better managed and that the fight against corruption should be extended to the health sector. “I think that many people that go to hospital don’t get desired attention. I canvassed orientation programmes for hospital workers,” he said. He also stated that the issue of wrong diagnosis can be handled, while asking for the standardisation of traditional medicine. He further said: “Doctors that are well-trained do not have equipment, others are not properly remunerated, as such, they have to find solace outside.” Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Danbazzau, said Nigeria must take advantage of the opportunities provided by the United Nations to improve the reimbursement of its soldiers. He said that while he agreed that the North-East had been ravaged by poverty and insecurity and the soldiers were losing their lives, there must be improvements on incentives. He stated: “Although there are allowances and incentives approved to them, there is need for an upward review and one of the ways is to take advantage of the United Nations reimbursement system. We have often relied on budget but if we can assess the United Nations Fund, the budget would be utilised on the welfare of staff and equipment. There is also need for capacity building and inculcation of discipline among the officers and men.” On the herdsmen and farmers imbroglio, he said the nation must tackle the issue of ecology, adding that “it is a matter of two parties fighting on a quick sand; at the end of the day, two of them might be submerged.”

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Femi FUNOLOGY

Otedola

• Born 1967 in Epe, Lagos State. He is the son of former Lagos State Governor, Sir Michael Otedola.

CHURCH BOY

• He attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. • He is a Nigerian businessman. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Forte Oil Plc. He is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited. • He is the highest owner of ships in Nigeria.

SEGELUULU

• In 2014, Femi Otedola was listed by Forbes as the number 29th richest man in Africa. • In early 2015, he was also relisted among the world’s richest people on the Forbes’ “World’s Richest” list.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

There are 10 differences in the cartoons below. the differences should be marked in b

18 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Varsities and crisis of retiring faculty

NYONE that notices the trend in Nigerian educational sector will see something, somewhat of a decline. This problem cuts across all levels. This downward process did not start overnight. People have forgotten the fact that, there was a time in history, when Nigerian education sector was one of the best in the commonwealth. This was the golden era of Nigerian educational system. This was the era when various nationals trooped into the country to receive quality educa-

Ambode, visit Ijagemo community I was thrilled when I read about Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s town hall meeting which held at Ipaja, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. It was really a noble idea, and, indeed, it lends credence to the perception and inclination that we may be having a people-centric administration in the state after all. I commend the idea behind the meeting, which centred on discussing issues that are germane to the progress of the community, thereby finding lasting solutions to the inherent problems and challenges facing the residents. I, therefore, want to appeal to the governor to initiate a similar meeting with the people of Ijagemo Community in the Iba/Ojo Local Council Development Association (LCDA), after the IkotunIjegun road. This meeting will make the teeming population to feel a sense of belonging in the state; they will see the coming of the governor as a soothing balm which is capable of restoring hope to the hopeless. •Tony Anaele, 15, Ademoye Street, Ikotun, Lagos State.

tion. That was the era of sanity- that was the era that merits and hardwork count- it was this era that produced Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Abiola Irele, Ade-Ajayi,,Ladipo Adamolekun, Akin Osuntokun, Ojetunji Aboyade, and Niyi Osundare. All these names loomed large in our various departments in our universities, mostly from the humanities. The important question to ask is why did we suddenly fall like pieces of cards? Why is it that our universities are finding it difficult to produce the Achebes and the Soyinkas of the world. We lost it decades ago, when we treated education with levity. South Africa is arguably, the strongest nation in the continent today, probably, because that rainbow nation has never joked with education. According United Nation Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO),

each nation should at least allocate 26 per cent of its annual budget to education, and a country like South Africa is making use of about 32 per cent. Nigeria on its part, is fighting tooth and nail to even meet up with the 26 per cent. Can we see the logic here ? Let us look at the issue of faculty members. How do we get lecturers that mould the lives of our students? There was a time in history, when Nigerian universities were recruiting like Harvard. It is a known fact that Harvard, world’s most prestigious university, has a unique way of getting lecturers. According to Francis Abiola Irele, a former Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard, Harvard has a monitoring team, monitoring best brains all over the world. It constantly monitors all these brains for years. And after having been satisfied with the perfor-

mances of a scholar, such a scholar will be invited with a view to employing him or her. By so doing, Harvard, the oldest university in the US (established in 1636), is not only waxing stronger day by day, but also remains world most prestigious university. I have always argued that what makes a university great is the faculty members. I am a product of Ibadan School of History- as the Department of History, University of Ibadan is popularly called. That school of history, dominated the study of African History in the continent for decades, owing to the strength of the faculty members. The greatness of that school cannot be separated from the inspirations of men like Kenneth Dike, Ade-Ajayi, JC Anene, E A Ayandele, Fred Omu, Obaro Ikime, RA Adeleye, and others. These footsoldiers of Ibadan School, through their intellec-

tual contributions, placed Ibadan History School on world map. The College of Medicine at Ibadan, then boasted erudite scholars like Olu Akinkugbe, Horatio Oritshejolomi, Latunde Odeku, and Kayode Osuntokun. The greatness of this college attracted world leaders to come to Ibadan for treatment. That was the situation in all other first generation universities, like Nsukka, Ife, Zaria, and Unilag. All these are pointers to the fact that, apart from funding, recruiting great men of great erudition has always been the factor. I remember reading the biography of one Nigeria’s greatest mathematicians, Professor Ilori. According to him, when he was at Oxford for his PhD in Mathematics, Professor Olubunmo, the then Head of Department, University of Ibadan, came to Oxford to ask for his progress, with

a view to recruiting him, as a lecturer. Today, Ilori, is a retired Professor of Mathematics, University of Ibadan –that was the period of sanity. How do we choose faculty members today? The tradition has been watered down. In Nigeria of today, being a lecturer is not what you know, but who you know ! Sheer sentiments and mediocrity have been the decisive factors in picking lecturers in our various universities. It is often said that Nigerian graduates are half-baked graduates, not knowing the fact that half-baked scholars produce halfbaked graduates. This is why Nigerian universities will find it difficult to produce another Achebe and Soyinka. Apart from funding, much emphasis should be placed on faculty recruitment. More than anything else, it determines the greatness of a university. •Victor Olaoye, Ibadan.

Remembering Nurudeen Akinyo THE death of Mr Nurudeen Akinyo, a former governorship aspirant in Oyo State came to me as a surprise. Although he did not eventually clinch the Labour Party’s governorship ticket, he was one of the contestants who made the political race interesting. At 43, he was a successful man in his own right; this is an age in which many of his contemporaries are still struggling to find their footing. According to people who knew him, he was also always willing to help the under-privileged. I pray Allah will give his immediate and political families the fortitude to bear the loss. •Jimoh Mumin, jimohmumin@yahoo.com

editorial

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Impunity as immunity

HE immunity from prosecution which Nigeria’s 1999 constitution confers on certain political office holders has always been a subject of heated debate. While so many people have said so much in their demand for the deletion of the contentious provision from the constitution, many others have persistently argued for its retention. The changes so far made in the constitution have not affected Section 308 of the document which expressly states that no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the president, the vice president, the governors and the deputy governors for as long as they occupy their different offices. The suggestions coming from various quarters have again brought the issue of immunity to the front burner of public discourse. And the argument now is not simply for the continuation of the indulgence granted to the political chief executives at the federal and state levels. It is a resuscitation of an idea that had been previously mooted in hushed tones that the immunity be extended to the presiding officers of the legislative assemblies and their deputies. The new addition the proponents would like to see on the list of beneficiaries is the Chief Justice of the Federation. The justification for the demand, as in the case of the political chief executives, is that these state officials will be able to concentrate on their duties and perform optimally without any distraction whatsoever. Also obvious, even if unstated, is the belief that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. What the campaigners have not told Nigerians is the extent to which the proposed beneficiaries are being hampered or distracted in the course of their different duties by any form of prosecution. It cannot be a subject of argument that the immunity provision in Nigeria’s constitution has placed above the law certain state officials who should be shining examples for the people they lead in good conduct and lawful behaviour. It is particularly interesting that the National Assembly whose members were elected to make the law is one of the sources of the agitation for exemption from compliance with the law. One open secret from the North to the South Pole is that Nigeria is one country that has been grossly mismanaged by those who have had the benefit of serving in leadership positions. The constant lamentation is that the wealth of the country does not reflect in the quality of life of its

citizens. While the vast majority live in abject poverty, a tiny minority live in obscene opulence. The populace lacks access to basic necessities of life because the leaders have been using public office for private gain. While some of these leaders flagrantly violate the law to steal the country blind, the immunity enjoyed by some others has been a licence to loot the treasury. This explains the widespread support being given to the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s vigorous crusade against corruption and desperate efforts to recover looted funds. According to those asking for it, the extension of immunity to the legislature and the judiciary will enable the officials concerned to concentrate more on their duties. The pertinent question that arises from this is: what has been the salutary effect of the decades of concentration by the presidents, the governors and their deputies on the quality of governance? It is common knowledge that it has been more of self service than public service. It is a well-known fact that their concentration has been more to the detriment than to the benefit of the people. What then will be the rationale for increasing the number and granting licence for further lawlessness in the conduct of government business? Politics in Nigeria has become the most lucrative vocation, producing parvenus almost overnight. The beneficiaries of the immunity provision in the constitution have been abusing the privilege to misbehave and cover their tracks before they take their exit from office. Even those who are not covered by immunity take the laws into their own hands and oppress the people they are in office to serve. For a new order which will bring about a new lease of life to emerge in Nigeria, the laws regulating the various facets of national life should be rigorously enforced, while the loopholes being exploited by some to escape justice should be plugged. The law should be made to apply to the rich and the poor, the young and the old. The immunity provision has not been serving any useful purpose in the management of the country’s affairs. It has only constituted a handful of people into a special class. It has been nothing but an outright disservice to the country. If it cannot be removed as being canvassed by well-meaning Nigerians, it should not be extended to more state officials. Enough of impunity disguised as immunity.

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opinion HID: Where do we find another woman of peace? 20

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

By Mike Bisuga

HE Nigerian Tribune – by any conservative assessment, is a newspaper noted for its objectivity, critical and comprehensive reporting. To put it mildly, the Tribune is a newspaper that shows exemplary vision and all-embracing passion to remain the very best of what a newspaper should be. Without sounding immodest, a friend of mine confessed that whenever he takes his breakfast, he doesn’t feel comfortable until he goes through the day’s Tribune. Bluntly, he declared “my breakfast may not digest, until I have seen or gone through the Tribune”. He has been a Tribune addict for over 25 years. I told him I am ten years his senior in this Nigerian Tribune enculturation. I have always accepted everyting the Tribune gives me as information for the past ten years, but I will never accept it’s headline of Sunday, September 20, 2015, which reads: , “GOODNIGHT !!! H.I.D. dies at 99”… Buhari, Obasanjo, Saraki, Soyinka others mourn.” This came with a bold picture of Mama HID Awolowo, smiling. My first reaction was: “Why did the Tribune use the word ‘die’? In Nigeria today, the average life span is about 55 and 60 years. In effect, anyone who is lucky to go beyond 60 years has received the grace of God – at least in the Nigerian context. The attainment of the biblical affirmation of 70 years is, very sincerely, a cause for joy in Nigeria. Consequently, most “lucky” Nigerians, who scale the 70-year benchmark, mark it with pomp and pageantry. Therefore, any ‘super lucky’ Nigerian who goes up to 90 years plus, cannot be said to have died. They have, by my modest judgement, simply ‘passed on,’ ‘gone back home’ ‘returned to his/her creator’ or simply ‘transited to the great beyond…” Mama was also someone who impacted the world; she made a lasting impression on Nigeria’s socio-political space by giving her maximum support to her husband, the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Mama had also assisted many people to become useful members of the society. Again, on the issue of age, I think we can say Mama lived to 100 years because she was just a couple of weeks

away from her centennial birthday. When one examines the last few hours before Mama’s exit, there was proof positive that Mama was a “saint” while on earth. Saints

Within a few hours, Mama had prevailed on both camps to accept a middle-of-the-road solution; it was wonderful, and there was an instant peace.

don’t die, they translate, transform or metamorphose. Let us cast our minds back to the drama that surrounded the translation of our Great Papa, the avatar himself, Chief Awolowo. It’s been years since the sage left us, but he is still an issue in Nigeria’s political space today. Now, coming back to Mama; I still hold my personal encounter with her dear to my mind. That year was 1998. The Akarigbo of Remo Kingdom, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo – Erinjugbo II, was going to honour Barrister Olu Awotesu – former Agriculture Minister (now late) as Balogun of Remo Kingdom. We, the Baloguns–in-Council protested – on some grounds I cannot now recall. We, 15 of us, had to rush to Mama at her Ikenne home – without any advance notice. Mama demonstrated golden motherhood-per-excellence. She appealed to us to keep peace and to meet her at the Akarigbo’s palace in two hours. Lo and behold, on the dot of two hours, Mama arrived promptly. Within a few hours, Mama had prevailed on both camps to accept a middle-of-the-road solution; it was wonderful, and there was instant peace. No one protested. Her advice was just therapeutic, soothing, and matronly – not like a decree. That was Mama in her basic element, a peacemaker, reconcilator, negotiator with great dynamo and maturity par excellence. Now Mama has left this realm; where do we find another woman of peace? Since the demise of her husband, Chief Awolowo, Mama took up the mantle of leadership. She was the mother of the nation. She welcomed everybody to her home, irrespective of ethnic or political differences. That is why her Ikenne home is still receiving visitors almost a month after she transited mortality for immortality. I am happy that Mama, Chief Awolowo’s Jewel of inestimable value, contributed her huge quota to the development of the country. She made herself available for people in positions of authority by offering them valuable advices. Although we cannot say we are mourning the passage of Mama HID, it is definitely a huge loss for Remoland, Yorubaland and Nigeria in general. May Mama rest in perfect peace. •Colonel Bisuga, a retired military officer, lives in Sagamu, Ogun State.

Ogun education: The gods are not asleep By Soyombo Opeyemi

Thursday, October 8, 2015, was another red letter day in the annals of Ogun State. The state won the “Best practice in education’’ award that is the state with The Highest Percentage Budgetary Allocation to Education. This wreath of honour was presented to Ogun State by Fafunwa Educational Foundation. Prof Babs Fafunwa was a renowned educationist and former Minister of Education in Nigeria. His name readily jogs one’s memory on his study on the use of indigenous language as a means of instruction in schools. That important memory to the general public, I must admit, is now receding. It suffices to say, however, that one cannot graduate from the college or any faculty of education in Nigeria without being exposed to the works of Fafunwa. So the man lives on! This award comes on the heels of the comprehensive vitriol launched by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, against the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during the 2015 World Teachers’ Day. Isiaka said: “The entire education policy in Ogun State is sick and gravitating towards a precipice, if not reviewed. The government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun has not only relegated education to the background, but has failed to accord teachers’ welfare the priority it deserved for better performance. “ He went further to describe the model school initiative of the Amosun administration as a “Misplaced priority...” which “We have at various times criticised the model schools being built in forests at heart-breaking costs...” It is always difficult in Nigeria to know when the period of electioneering actually ends. Otherwise, one would have expected that those sentiments, which formed the fulcrum of his campaign against Amosun in the months leading to the April

11, 2015 governorship poll, should now have been jettisoned by Isiaka having failed to impress the electorate, who overwhelmingly endorsed Amosun for a second term. Has Amosun relegated education to the background as Isiaka claimed? Well, the gods are not asleep. The verdict of a credible organisation like the Fafunwa Educational Foundation has provided an answer. If the education sector consistently gets the lion’s share from the yearly budget of Ogun State under the watch of Amosun, how is the sector then relegated to the background? If the primary school teachers get paid before all other workers and the workforce in Ogun receives the highest monthly salary in Nigeria, how is education relegated in any way? If Ogun children continue to perform well in external examinations and win garlands to justify the investment of the Amosun government in the sector, which education then is sick and gravitating towards a precipice, as alleged by Isiaka? If the only state-owned university, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) that was not even qualified for ranking by the Na-

tional Universities Commission before Amosun came to power suddenly emerged the best state university within a space of three years of the Amosun administration, how is the sector then relegated to the background as Isiaka claimed? Therefore, the arguments of Isiaka stand logic on its head. How will construction of model schools be a “misplaced priority” when enrolment figures in Ogun schools keep on increasing every year? Why should Amosun erect 17th century buildings for students of the 21st century? Has the PDP candidate ever visited the model school at Ogijo? Perhaps some opposition elements assume such state-of-the-art structures, which make private schools green with envy, can never be for the children of poor people who attend public schools. But the model structures are public schools. And when you see these facilities, then you understand the meaning of ‘value for money’. When most of the “legacy schools” (to choose Isiaka’s words) were built, they were not situated within residential areas or built near motor parks, churches, mosques and markets. But what do we have today as a result of ‘development’? Voices of market women, bus conductors and so on drown those of teachers in the classrooms. Does it then make sense for Amosun to build model schools in the hub of business activities and noisy areas? This is simply about logic. But if there are model schools built in the forests, as Isiaka alleged, then those are not Amosun’s schools. I think we should give honour to whom it is due in spite of politics and political atmosphere. This is what the Fafunwa Educational Foundation has done. Congratulations to Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the good people of Ogun State for a well-deserved honour. •Opeyemi writes from Abeokuta via densityshow@ yahoo.com

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015 Editor: Bayo Alade featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08055001747

features Muhammad Sabiu, Kaduna and Adelowo Oladipo, Minna

n several states of the Northern part of the country, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rainy season will leave a memory too hard to delete. Farmlands, properties, even lives were lost as the rain pours relentlessly, sometimes for several days. From Plateau to Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna and Benue States, the much awaited rainy season which was expected to bring about bumper harvest at the end of the season brought misfortune instead. Over 200 houses were destroyed, property worth millions of naira were lost and one death was recorded as a result of 48 hours uninterrupted heavy downpour. The effect of the flood was so enormous that thousands of residents were rendered homeless. Thus, emergency camps for the affected victims had been erected at different parts of the city. Investigation carried out by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that the most affected areas were Kigo Road, Ramat Road, Tudun Wada, Unguwar Rimi, Barnawa, Narayi, Rafin Guza, all in Kaduna metropolis. A 17-year-old boy, Ali Abdullahi was reported to have lost his life while trying to assist a neighbour who was trapped in the flood. Eyewitness accounts revealed that in the process the teenager was swept away by the flood. It was gathered that his corpse was later found the following day by a search team set up by the community. Indeed, for the people of Rafin Guza, it was a painful experience that they would not forget in a hurry. The Village Head of Rafin Guza, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed who confirmed the death of the teenager disclosed that the deceased was an obedient and hardworking young man. In Tudun Wada area of Kaduna metropolis, the flood washed away graves, farmlands and destroyed several houses. According to the District Head of Tudun Wada, Alhaji Falalu Bello, the bones of some corpses were seen floating on the water. Mostly affected was the cemetery along Bachama Road which was washed away by the rain, he said. According to him, the community had since commenced the rehabilitation and repair of the devastated cemetery. Also commenting on the flood, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, Mallam Abubakar Zakari Adamu remarked that his agency was aware of the devastating effect of the flood. He also added that it was not only the state capital that was affected but other local government areas like Chikun and Kagarko also. Adamu also confirmed that over 200 houses were destroyed in some parts of the state especially at Rafin Guza. Similarly, the state governor, Mallam Nasiru el-rufai who assessed the situation sympathised with the victims and assured them of the determination of his government to address the situation. Some days after, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sidi was in the state to assess the situation. However, on arrival he met an angry mob who almost attacked him but for the quick

Tales of despair as flood washes away graves, homes in Kaduna, Niger intervention of the security personnel on his entourage. He had to be whisked away from the angry mob. In Barnawa area, motorists had to abandon the route because of flood. A female resident of the area, Zuwaira Mamman disclosed that she had to pass through Challawa Road to connect to Kakuri/Sabon Highway to get to the main town. In addition, River Kaduna had also overflowed its bank threatening to disrupt movement through the only bridge that connects the northern and southern parts of Kaduna metropolis. Speaking on the situation, a concerned citizen who pleaded for anonymity conveyed the need to have a second bridge. According to him, the bridge is worn-out and the population of the town is on the rise. Therefore, it has become imperative that another bridge that will connect both parts of the town is constructed.

There are also indications that at present there are cracks on the bridge, indicating that the bridge might sooner or later collapse. However, a survivor, Mallam Musa Inuwa disclosed that both the federal and state governments had abandoned victims of the disaster without providing any succour. Inuwa confided in the Nigerian Tribune that it was the magnanimity of some wealthy individuals and organisations that had kept them. He said these concerned Nigerians have brought detergents, cooking items, food stuff to the camp. However, this claim was debunked by the spokesperson of the state emergency agency, Alhaji Zakari Adamu who disclosed that when the flood occurred, his agency swung into action by erecting seven camps in different parts of the state. He also said that the parent body (NEMA) brought relief materials like rice, grains,

River Kaduna overflowing its banks.

blankets, buckets, oil, salt, detergents and so on which the state agency successfully distributed. Adamu revealed that most of the victims have returned to their houses. Findings gathered that the few people that are still in these camps were those whose houses were destroyed by the flood. Be that as it may, an environmentalist who pleaded for anonymity remarked that both the people and government should share the blame. He said the people kept building houses at ecologically sensitive areas like the riversides and government officials also allocated these plots of land to people while disregarding the impending dangers. Lawmakers intervene in Niger Meanwhile, in Dere, Lapai Local Government of Niger State, the village head, Alhaji Idris Dere, has bemoaned the losses suffered by his community and other neighbouring riverine communities in the council areas numbering about 32 that were ravaged by flood in recent times. The village head stated this recently when playing host to members of the House of Representatives, representing Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency, Honourable Mohammed Abdulkadir Mahamud and his counterpart in the Niger State House of Assembly representing Lapai constituency, Adamu Hassan Abugi. Both legislators were in the village to pay a fact finding visit to communities of the local government ravaged by the flood and commiserate with the displaced victims. Alhaji Idris Dere bemoaned the plights of the victims, adding that this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flood had been more devastating. He called on the three tiers of government and well meaning Nigerians to come to the rescue of the victims without further delay.

features

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Travails of the girl-child By Adepeju Oti

CTOBER 11 of every year has been set aside as the day of the girl-child. The girl-child is the female species of the human race. The girl-child is unique in her formation and creation. She is called the weaker sex. It is presumed that when you call an object weak, it is expected that such would be treated and handled with utmost care and tenderness, but it is not the case with the girlchild in almost all countries of the world. Her living condition in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab countries is pathetic. Over the past 15 years, on the platform of the Millennium Development Goals, the international community made significant progress in improving the lives of girls during the early years. In 2015, more girls are likely to enroll in primary school, receive vaccinations and less likely to suffer from health and nutrition challenges than the previous generation. However, it has been observed that prepubertal and pubertal girls are faced with specific challenges as of their gender and socialisation. They are being excluded from receiving quality secondary and higher education, are faced with early marriage, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence. Girls lack access to information and services related to puberty and reproductive health and are suppressed by cultural and religious traditions that perpetuate unequal opportunities, discriminations and stereotypes. The MDGs have expired now and there still remains a lot yet to be achieved to make sustainable impact on the life of people of the world, most especially girls. The MDGs were of little effect especially concerning education in developing countries and in Nigeria, because, at the expiration of the 15 years (2000-2015) many girls are still not going to school, many drop out, are given out in marriage, trafficked, and denied basic rights and dignity. Over the next 15 years, the global community is implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, which has great potentials for inclusion and inequality. While this is a step in the right direction, it is also important to discover the challenges to implementation of the earlier set of MDGs and to build necessary steps

A young girl and her mother

in overcoming these barriers in the new SDGs especially as they relate to education of girls and women. It is hoped that under the SDGs, government at all levels will commit adequate funds and other necessary resources to ensure its smooth delivery and implementations, parents, teachers and significant others will have to make collective and concerted efforts to ensure its success. A critical look at the recently approved SDGs reflects an expansion of the eight MDGs into 17 SDGs. The focus of these goals is: To end poverty in all forms everywhere, end hunger and achieving food security and improved nutrition by promoting sustainable agriculture; ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Others are to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to afford-

able, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; build resilient infrastructure; reduce inequality among countries. More of these goals include: to make cities and human settlements inclusive and safe; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent actions to address climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use oceans and marine resources for sustainable development; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies and strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize global partnerships for development. These goals, if well implemented, will improve the lives of children and girls and will portray a critical investment in our collective future. Areas of critical investment should in-

The MDGs have expired now and there still remains a lot yet to be achieved to make sustainable impact on the life of people of the world, most especially girls

clude but not limited to: - Quality education, skills, leadership training, preparation for life, jobs and careers. - Creation and maintenance of social and public spaces for civil and political involvement. - Promote gender responsive and legislative policies to cover wide areas to ensure protection of vulnerable and marginalized, victims of sexual slavery and exploitation, and survivors of human trafficking and child-brides. - Health and nutrition; pubertal education, menstrual hygiene management and sexual and reproductive health education. - Creation of safe spaces and safe space information. We must indeed be proactive because, girls who will be born today will become adolescent by 2030. They will in another 15 years become 30 years. If all of them are given quality education, vaccinations, not given out as child-brides, protected from sex predators, have access to quality health care, these girls will grow up to become educated and informed mothers, entrepreneurs, political leaders, professionals, and equal partners in development. It is only then that our collective development can become sustainable. Dr Adepeju Olaide Oti is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Lead City University, Ibadan. She is also the Executive Director of Global Youth Leadership and GirlChild Foundation, Ibadan.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

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

How Osun Groove improves Osogboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fortune By Olufemi Osunmakinde

n Durban, South Africa, year 2005 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in an elaborate ceremony, enlisted the Osogbo Sacred Grove a World Heritage Site. With the enlistment, the grove became a World Cultural Property to be protected by all norms and conventions as accruing to other such cultural properties on the World Heritage list. The UNESCO enlistment was a culmination of all efforts, human, material, financial e.t.c that had been devoted into protecting the property for over 500 years of its existence. Chiefly among the factors considered were its originality and authenticity. The grove was home to the forebears of Osogboland. It was here that life and living started in Osogboland. After the shift or relocation to the new site â&#x20AC;&#x201C; now the new Osogbo, the factors of living; the evidences of occupation; the practices of the people of old; were not left in the grove but it continues till present. Undiluted, unbroken, the values, the sacredness have survived and are still ongoing, thus the need for UNESCO to focus its searchlight which finally culminated in its present status. The of the sacred grove in Osogboland had long impacted on the lives of the people and the community. An shoot of the grove is the annual off festival-in commemoration of significant events in the life of the community and early inhabitants. Osogbo is renowned as Ilu Aro (home of dye) one of the traditional occupations of the people is Batic, tye and dye making a feat ascribed to one of the goddesses who inhabited the land (Iya Mopo). In the area of sculpture, carvings, drumming, acting, Osogbo sons and daughters owe this to their source. The new status of the Osun Osogbo sacred grove as a World Heritage Site has further impacted on the socio-economic life of the people, the community and by extension Osun State. Noteworthy are the efforts of the late Madam Suzzane Wenger, the Austrian, who initiated and indeed executed all the sculptural works in the grove. These giant masterpieces of art works â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some in cement and clay, others wood, depicted the activities in the grove in those years. Wenger adopted many sons and daughters in and around Osogboland, and trained them in the arts; all these assisted her in making those structures. Till date, many indigenes of Osogbo owe their successes in the arts and business to the late Austrian, who not only trained them but also sent many, though unlettered, abroad for further exposure. Today, many of them are international people in the arts and business.

Osun Osogbo groove Economically, the Osun Osogbo festival has become an international festival pulling culture lovers from all countries of the world to Osogbo, Osun State in the months of August/September, when the festival is celebrated. Corporate companies now struggle for spaces to get sponsorship for the festival. Communication companies MTN, GLO, AIRTEL (Formerly Econet) have included the sponsorship of Osun Osogbo Festival in their yearly budget. Many other indigenous companies and individuals in various capacities always strive to identify with the festival yearly. The volume of income that rolls into the town/state during the festival celebration can only be imagined, especially when one considers the population of tourists, visitors, researchers, foreigners, groups who besieged the town. All hotels, motels in and around Osogbo are always booked. Lots of tourists travel as far as Ife, Ilesa, Offa in Kwara State when they can no longer get hotels to stay. In identifying with the festival, the city of Osogbo usually wears new looks as all social clubs, age grade organisations, family lineages in the town come out in their colours. Many family celebrations are also fixed for this period which is seen as a reunion or home coming for the sons and daughters in Diaspora. Generally speaking, the city of Osogbo continues to witness new hotels springing up on daily basis.

It also important to place on record here that the World Heritage site has also impacted on the activities of the National Museum, Osogbo. Though a custodian of the site, the increasing demand for export permit for contemporary works of art has further doubled the duties of the museum. As pointed out earlier, the Osogbo World heritage site has boosted the image of Osogboland internationally, thus by extension the demand for works of art coming from Osogbo and its environs has doubled in those countries where the art works are so significant. As a result of this, so many people, young and old, boys and girls in and around Osogbo, are now in the business of wood carving, tye and dye making, bead works and other art works which they now sell to foreign countries thus earning them money in foreign currencies. For years now, the export permit unit of the National Museum Osogbo is always busy dealing with artists, and art practitioners who come in seeking permit to export their works. Mention should also be made of the international status being conferred on the royal majesty of osogbo. Some children of Osogbo extraction in various countries, who are members of various social associations, periodically sponsor the trip of the Ataoja and some of his chiefs on international tour of their country of residence, Brazil. The Ataoja is usually invited to withness the celebration of the Osun festi-

val. One of such groups is the Osogbo Sisters City Club in Wilmington, U.S.A. The social economic impact of tourism cannot be exhausted. Tourism is like a hole which is unending. It has multiplier effect thus one opportunity, before long leads to another. Thus, socially, culturally, economically, academically, politically, humans, cities, nations have one thing or the other to derive from this heritage site. The Osun Grove has further increased the fortune of Osogbo city and its surrounding towns, the enlistment has brought with it some challenges which are yet to be tackled. Part of these is the buffer zone which is to be developed into an artist village. The Osogbo artist started a project sometime ago but seems to have relaxed. The link road bisecting the grove is to be re-routed, the danger to the monkeys as created by the life electricity cables which pass through the grove, e.t.c. are to be tackled. Once again, relevant bodies, the National Commission for Museums Monuments, the Osogbo Artist Cooperative, Osun State government are being called upon not to forget their promises to the world body to rehabilitate the grove as to sustain the advantages of the enlistment. Osunmakinde Olufemi Writes from National Museum, Osogbo.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

tribunetourism

OPU drives Cultural Tourism revival to Ghana, Cote D ‘Ivoire and Togo !

he capital cities of three countries in the West Coast, Ghana (Accra) Cote d ‘Ivoire (Abidjan) and Togo (Lome) experienced unprecedented showcasing of Yoruba cultural-tourism display when Otunba Gani Adams, the National Coordinator, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) formally inaugurated, Oodua Progressive Union, (OPU) in the capital city of each of the countries.. Otunba Adams led a 32-strong delegate which include four traditional rulers from the Yoruba land viz, Oba Joseph Adeoye Adewole, the Owa Ajero of Ijero kingdom, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi, Ondo State, Oba Walidu Sanni Onigedegede of Igededgede, Ondo State and Oba Lasisi Olawuyi, Asagangan of Igangan, Oyo state, Captain Adetokunbo Adesina Yomi Fash–Lanso, a foremost Yoruba actor, MC kirikiri, notable members of OPC in Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, bloggers, journalists and others for a 12-day Yoruba Cultural tourism revival in these three countries. In each of these cities, the Yoruba joyfully received Otunba Adams and his entourage with wonderful display and exhibition of cultural dances, drumming, chants and fascinating display which enchanted and attracted the citizens of the countries to the venues The cultural evangelisation kicked off on Friday 11, September 2015 in the city of Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, a country where Yoruba is reputed to constitute 2.5 million of the population. Welcoming the Oodua cultural revivalists to Sport De Treichville, Abidjan, where a mass of gaily dressed Yoruba and their friends had gathered for the inauguration of OPU, Mr kareem Nasir Adeolu, Coordinator OPU and President Yoruba Community in Cote D’ivore declared that “This is one of our finest moments in the life of over 2.5 million Yoruba in Cote D ‘Ivoire . This is the first time in the history of our

sojourning here when a Yoruba son would lead eminent Yoruba Obas and dignitaries to address us not for political reason, but solely on cultural heritage and values. We are most grateful for this.” He commended Otunba Adams for “bringing to us a cultural association which will further cement and fasten the chord of brotherhood amongst the Yoruba in Cote D ‘Ivoire.” Otunba Adams while inaugurating OPU Cote D ‘Ivoire on Saturday 12 September, 2015 pointed out that “This is the 59th OPU Chapter being launched here today. It is a clarion call upon all of you all to remember, embrace, perpetuate and display your cultural antecedent and value and ensured it’s passage to the next generations, so that generations unborn will not lose their identity to foreigners:” He charged members of OPU to “always keep in mind that you are the image of Yoruba, you are the light of the race and cultural ambassador of Yoruba, whatever your conduct and traits here tell more about the race.” Mr Olumuyiwa Ogundeme, Consular officer, Nigerian Embassy, Cote D ‘Ivoire who represented Ambassador Jacinite Akabogu –Chinwuba spoke glowingly of the Yoruba race and commended Otunba Adams for ‘singularly barring the odds to commence a generational revivalist campaign for the dying Yoruba culture”. The icing of the cake of the OPU inauguration in Cote d’Ivoire was the spectacular exhibition of cultural creativity by Atunda Cultural Group packaged by Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, a Nigerian hired by the government of Cote d ‘Ivoire to help in managing its tourism resorts . According to Otunba Femi Davies, “CEO, Metronews “I am proud to be a Nigerian from Yoruba land, I am proud of Otunba Akinboboye for putting this show together. This is a spectacular and scintillating package of a musical-cultural display which entails, a lady, Olo, on bata, another lady on Ikwe, and a minstrel, Olohun Iyo on solo which thrilled all unend-

Gani Adams (fourth right) surrounded by some of the traditional rulers at the inauguration of Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), in the capital cities of Ghana, Cote d’Ivore and Togo recently. ing.” The euphoria from Cote D “ivories’ inauguration spilled to Ghana where OPU delegation led by Otunba Adams received warmth welcome by the President of Yoruba community in Ghana, Chief Musa Baba, who hosted a memorable reception

ncpc 2015 sensitisation drive to the states in perspectives By Celestine Ogugua Toruka Usually, between August and September, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), an agency of government set up primarily by an act’s of the National Assembly to organise and coordinate the movement of Christians from Nigeria to Israel and other Holy Sites around the world, embarks on vigorous sensitisation drive across the length and breadth of the country, to sensitise and create the needed awareness for the year’s pilgrimage exercise. The 2015 sensitisation drive of the commission led by the Executive Secretary, John Kennedy Opara, supported by the members of the board and management staff was unique and eventful. It was unique in the sense that it is a post election era with the emergence of a new political party in government with the usual teething problem of settling down and with the exit of some states chief executives who were committed to the cause of Christian Pilgrimage. It was eventful because the reception and acceptance the Commission’s Sensitization Team received from the states was overwhelming and encouraging. One thing is important here, this year’s NCPC sensitization to the states was a sharp departure from the past years because the message the commission took to all the states chief executives were product-based. In other words, the sensitisation theme this year reflected the current economic realities on ground thus driving home the message of selfsustenance through self sponsorship by the commission. Even before the issue of bailout for states that could not pay staff salaries due to economic meltdown, the commission through its visionary Chief Executive and the Board had envisaged that there would come such a time when

states might find it difficult to sponsor pilgrims on Holy Pilgrimage and this galvanised the commission to chart a new course that would enable it grow in tune in line with the present economic realities in the country, thus, introducing new pilgrimage programmes that are wholly self sponsored by individuals, churches and corporate bodies. The commission also turned in programmes that would enable individuals/intending pilgrims to plan and save for pilgrimages. This year’s sensitisation drive of the commission was formally flagged off in August in Ondo State after which the NCPC team proceeded to the sister state - Ekiti which later came to a successful denouement in the North. As at last count, the commission had visited about 24 states this year on sensitisation drive. It is instructive to note that aside paying sensitization visits to the states chief executives, Opara and his team held stakeholders meetings, in most of the states to sensitise them on the need for self sponsorship of pilgrims stressing the need for Christians to own the pilgrimage and the need for well-meaning Christians and church leaders to sponsor Christians in their midst who are spiritually rich, but materially poor to embark on Holy pilgrimage; such meetings comprised members of the states Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), members of the Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards (CPWB), etc. It also serves as a veritable platform for the commission to explain its pilgrimage programmes to the stakeholders such as its recently introduced pilgrimage programmes and the Personal Saving Scheme (PSS) of the commission which enables intending pilgrims to save for pilgrimage within a period of time. It is indeed soul inspiring to know that about 90 per cent of most sensitised governors promised to key into the commission’s laudable programmes such as the would-be Christian

Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme which will come on stream very soon and which would afford many Christians the opportunity of embarking on Holy pilgrimage by paying a token to obtain ticket which enables the intending pilgrims to participate in raffle draws. Also, the governors overwhelmingly embraced the recently introduced skill acquisition programmes for pilgrims designed specially for the youths for empowerment and self reliance. Similarly, some of the governors equally averred to partner with the commission in the areas of not just the youth pilgrimage programme alone, but also in the family pilgrimage programme which upholds family values through prayer. Needless to say, sensitisation is indeed a major important programme in the annual calendar of activity of the commission; because of its importance, be it sensitisation to the states, churches, etc, it is usually an ongoing activity with no finishing line. Considering the importance the commission attaches to it, the NCPC Executive Secretary few years back considered it apposite to create a full fledged Department called Sensitisation and Enlightenment Department which on a continuous basis drives the sensitisation vision of the Commission. More so, the sensitisation drive to the states also provided the Executive Secretary the opportunity to present the package cost of this year’s pilgrimage to the executive governors and used the avenue to appreciate them for their support over the years. Finally, the commission traversed round the states of the federation this year for the evangelisation of its pilgrimage programmes to the governors and stakeholders, the success of these efforts is ultimately to have a hitch free pilgrimage operation this year and importantly have a substantial number of pilgrims in the October/December pilgrimage, billed for flag off on October 17, 2015.

for the group in Accra . Chief Baba pointed out “You are the cultural messiah that the Yoruba has been waiting for. Like you did with OPC we are sure you will do more and you have started doing more than enough with OPU. We are more than ready for this race saving association”. Chief Baba on behalf of all Yoruba in Ghana presented a plague of honour and recognition to Otunba Adams for doing “the Yoruba race proud”. Living up to his assurance, Hall 2 of the National Art Theatre, Liberia Road, Accra, Ghana was not only filled to the brim on Friday 18, September 2015, but recorded the presence of Raheem Kolawole, who teaches at Winneba University, Ghana, who came with two distinguished Ghanaians Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Minerals Commission and Nana Ankamu Otabil, 1X, Chief of Gomoa Ankamu l Ankobeaben of Gomoa, Ajumako Traditional Area, Accra while the Oba of Yoruba Bashiru Perigino Bramah who was represented by Alhaji Bilaminu Bramah”. While the Oba of Yoruba in Ghana commended OPU’s is launch in Ghana, Professor Kolawole sang a song which all in the hall danced to as Oba Olanipekun gave royal prayers. Nana Otabil said that “The Yoruba should be grateful to God for sending a strong personality in the person of Otunba Adams at this time to wake them up from the slumber and rejuvenate the dying cultural values and heritage of their forefathers”. “It will be unfortunate if someone like Otunba Adams has not surfaced to reclaim the wonderful and exciting Yoruba heritage and culture from the brink of forgetfulness,” Nana Otabil disclosed. The acting Co-ordinator, OPU Ghana, Mr Kayode Siyannbola thanked Otunba Adams for “giving us the courage and the necessary supports in bringing out the strength in us to promote our culture and heritage and in hosting you today” Otunba Adams placed the running of OPU Ghana in the hands of a 3-man committee which include the acting Coordinator, OPU Ghana, Mr Sinyanbola, Chief Baba and another Nigerian Chief, who he charged to ensure the proper establishment of an Executive Committee for the union . The inauguration of the 60th OPU in Ghana was made memorable not only by the various Yoruba cultural groups which displayed and danced but also by the rib cracking tales

unleashed on the guests by the Master – Of - Ceremony, MC kirikiri who ensured that majority of the guests forgot their sorrow. Ghana’s momentum of success was hijacked by the Yoruba in Togo on Sunday 20 September 2015 for the inauguration of Togo’s OPU chapter.

Togo’s inauguration was spearheaded by the paramount Yoruba Oba in Togo Oba Alhaji Kareem Afolabi Amoloko 1. Oba Amoloko in conjunction with Mr Dauda Toriola Yusuff Olugbodi, OPU Coordinator in Togo, ensured a breathtaking package of blissful ceremony which attracted over 2 000 Yoruba in the country. The Nigerian ambassador in Togo, Mr Gilbert Nnaji added colour to the inauguration when he commended Otunba Adams for the onerous responsibility which fate has saddled him with, but also praised the Yoruba in Togo of being “just three per cent of the Embassy problem in Togo”. Ambassador Nnaji confessed of being “opportune to share the same table with Otunba Adams, a great Nigerian ICON who always stand to defend whatever he believes in no matter whose ox is gored” A six-year-old-girl, Akinpelu Seinat fired the Yoruba patriotic feeling and stoke the sense of responsibility of those present at the event when she recited the Yoruba poem “Mura si ise re ore mi “with gestures which emphasise the meaning of every line of the poem to the amazement of all. Otunba Adams in his speech pointed out “this is the 61 OPU chapters we are inaugurating today and I must commend you for your brilliance at planning and wonderful in implementation which should be the benchmark for OPU in Togo”. Summing up the 12 days Yoruba cultural revival journey of Otunba Adams in the West Coast countries of Cote D ‘ivoire, Ghana and Togo with over 32 strong delegates, Mr Yomi Fash–Lanso, one of the brightest and leading Yoruba actors said “Otunba has done what nobody has ever attempted or did in the history of Yoruba land when it comes to revitalisation and resuscitation of the Yoruba culture among the Diaspora. He has consciously stoked the Yoruba cultural passion in many particularly in those who have almost killed the Yoruba cultural zeal in them. This is commendable. He has demonstrated conspicuously that he is not just a Yoruba man but the Yoruba.

Nigerian twins to address African Tourism conference

Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye

The Africa Travel Association (ATA), the leading travel trade association promoting tourism to Africa will hold its 40th Annual World Congress in Nairobi, Kenya from November 9 to 14, 2015 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). This year, ATA’s hallmark event on the African continent is hosted by the Kenya Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce, and Tourism, under the auspices of Honourable Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie. The Kenya Government has a special connection to ATA as one of the early founding members of the association. The Kenya Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce, and Tourism hosted the first ATA congress in Africa in 1976 and has fostered a tradition of hosting the congress every 10 years. At the occasion of ATA’S 40th anniversary, ATA is eager to return to Kenya for this milestone in ATA’s history. The 2015 ATA World Congress is expected to attract over 500 delegates, including tourism ministers, tourism boards, travel and tourism professionals, buyers and suppliers, airlines and hotels representatives, diplomatic representatives, business leaders, multi-lateral representatives, investment groups, African Diaspora lead-

ers, travel trade and consumer media, and university faculty and students. The Congress program will offer significant networking opportunities along with learning and professional development sessions on topics most pressing to advancing the travel and tourism industry in Africa. According to the ATA’s World Congress Website, Oguntoye Taiwo and Kehinde are the only Nigerians that are listed as speakers. The duo will be speaking at the opening session of the World Congress at the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) forum on Monday, November 9, 2015. The duo is expected to speak on the topic. Increasing your opportunities as African Young Travel Professionals in the Tourism Sector. Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye are the co-founders of Twins World Creations (TWC), an organisation established a decade ago to research and develop the relevance of twins to the tourism sector of the world’s economy as well as events conceptualisation, public/community relations and marketing. TWC has developed products on twinning among which is the Naija Twins Festival which has meta-morphosed into a world-class festival.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

energy

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

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

inside Crude oil revenue crashes by 67% —Report

Subsidising LPG will be a disaster —NALPGAM President

Oando invests $3m to rehabilitate, commission roads

Page 27

Page 28

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Price instability will affect Nigeria’s export —OPEC Stories By Tunde Dodondawa Lagos

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has predicted that the decline in global crude oil prices may persists until 2017 as the oil market is expected to rebalance within two years, which may affect Nigeria’s crude oil earnings in next two years. According to a report from a global consulting firm, Frost & Sullivan, Nigeria and Algeria may face further decline in crude oil exports going by the gluts in the international market. Besides, the report stated that the economic indicators of emerging Middle Eastern and African (MEA) countries for the second half of 2015 pointed to a mixed bag of possibilities and challenges. “While growth in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt will pick up pace, Algeria and Nigeria will continue to grapple with the decline in exports and depreciation in currency,” it stated. However, OPEC scribe, Abdallah Salem el-Badri, while speaking in London last week at the annual Oil & Money conference in London, expressed concern about the impact of low oil prices on investment and the consequences for future supply. He insisted that rebalancing the world oil markets was the responsibility of all producers and not a burden to be borne by OPEC alone. He was quoted by Platts as predicting that oil prices would rise from current six-year lows of below $50 per barrel in the next few months, although he did not say how much improvement he expected. “We have an overhang of 200 million barrels in the market. All of us should work together, OPEC and non-OPEC, all of us have to work together to see how we can get rid of this 200 million barrel over-

A refinery hang,” Badri stated. “I’m really disturbed. You will see the result. This means less supply and higher prices in the future,” he said, referring to the wave of investment cuts announced by oil

companies this year in response to the price plunge. Badri said overall global investment in oil could drop by $130billion this year from $650billion in 2014.

Badri also appeared to offer some comfort to those OPEC members that had been unhappy about the group’s current laissez-faire strategy of allowing prices to fall to levels that could force high-cost

non-OPEC production out of the market. “This will take a year, maybe a year and a half,” he said. He noted that non-OPEC supply growth was slowing and was expected to be ‘zero’ next year, while the call on OPEC crude was rising. “So, we see that there is an improvement in the market, but how much the price will improve we don’t know,” he said. Badri told reporters he expected Iran’s full return to the market to be discussed at OPEC’s next meeting on December 4 in Vienna. Iran has said it expects to boost its crude exports by one million barrels per day within six months of the lifting of sanctions. Badri was asked whether any talks were planned between OPEC and a number of independent producers. He said there had been a meeting of technical experts in May and that he suggested October 21 for a follow-up meeting, again at expert level. Continues on pg27

Oil & gas stakeholders divided over Buhari as petroleum minister Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry are divided over the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to supervise the Petroleum Ministry and become the substanstive Petroleum Minister. This is not the first time this will be happening in Nigeria. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the substantive Petroleum Minister between 1999-2007. According to the Managing Director, Oil and Gas Council, a global business network for senior oil and gas executives, Drake Lawhead, “President Buhari’s self-appointment as Oil Minister is something that would be highly unusual in Europe or America but which makes sense in Nigeria.

Buhari has been viewed rather positively in the West; a sign that the President is serious about the importance of getting that sector right and has put himself personally in charge of it to make sure. “Institutional change can be slow, there are too many vested interests that exist in bureaucracies for wide scale organisational change ever to be a simple matter. Yet it does happen, it must happen for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to thrive as it deserves to, and the early signs are that things are changing and importantly, it’s a change that has been noticed by the international business community.” Lawhead stated that foreign in-

vestors are watching Nigeria with keen interests. “For decades, foreign companies considering doing business in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have had to accept certain ‘on the ground’ realities that their boards may have found difficult to come to terms with. “Those ailments are well documented and whilst by no means universally applied to all Nigerian companies, it is undeniable that Nigeria’s foreign direct investment has been hampered by the perception or fact of corruption and theft. “Such ingrained perceptions do not disappear overnight, but there is a discernible change in mood about the prospects for

cleaning up the business practices of the industry that has all happened on the back of President Buhari’s election,” he said. Lawhead argued that “The people we speak to in London and in Asia have kept an eye on many of the reforms that are sweeping through the Energy sector in Nigeria. Things like the appointment of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the wholesale change at the Director level at the NNPC and cancellation of contracts. This has sent a strong signal to companies here that Nigeria is serious about regaining the trust of the international business community. They are watching to see what happens now.”

energy

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Crude oil revenue crashes by 67% —Report Stories By Tunde Dodondawa - Lagos

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has declared that its total export crude oil and gas earnings for the period of January – August 2015, has crashed by 67 per cent. The Corporation put the earnings at$3.42billion, and stated further that the sharp decline has a dire consequences on the Federation Account. The Corporation stated this in its Monthly Publication of Financial and Operational Report, which it commenced at the weekend. It maintained that a total of $607.8million has been paid so far into the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) from sales of crude oil and gas as dollar proceeds. Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu has pledged in August to publish Monthly Publication of Financial and Operational Report, in a bid to guarantee new era of transparency in NNPC. “A further breakdown indicates that the total export crude oil and gas receipt for the period of January – August 2015 is $3.420billion. Of the total receipts, the sum of $0.61billion was remitted to Federation Account as dollar proceeds while the balance of $2.815billion was used to fund the JV Cash Call for the period,” the Corporation added in a statement. “The report noted that the receipts witnessed a sharp decline of more than 67 per cent from September, 2014, when the receipt was at its peak, to July, 2015 with dire consequences to the Federation. “The NNPC informed that the continued decline in oil price led to insufficient cash available to meet monthly JV Cash Calls obligations of about $615.8million as appropriated by the National Assembly. To mitigate this effect, NNPC was compelled to sweep all the export receipt to JV Cash Call funding implying a zero dollar proceed remittance to the Federation Account since the month of April 2015,” it stated. The sum of N723.82billion for Domestic Crude Oil and Gas Sales proceeds has been paid to the Federation Account from January to August 2015 as Naira proceeds. The publication which is available on the Corporation’s official website provides an overview of NNPC’s

operations across the oil and gas value chain (Upstream, Midstream & Downstream) as well as NNPC’s agency function on behalf of Government of the Federation

from the period January to August 2015. Specifically, the report provided detailed and unprecedented statistical insight into crucial aspects

of the Corporation’s activities ranging from National Crude Oil & Natural Gas Production, Lifting and Utilization; Refineries Plants Operations; and Petroleum

Product Supply & Distribution to NNPC Budget Performance Report and Federation Crude Oil & Gas Revenue. Illustrated with tables,

From left, FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Raphael Osondu; Chief Executive Officer of Oando Marketing plc, Abayomi Awobokun; Oba of Ijora, HRM. Fatai Aromire; Executive Secretary of Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Alhaja Funmilayo Akande and Col. Aliyu Abbas Idris, during commissioning of Sapara road rehabilitation by Oando Marketing Plc in Lagos, recently.

graphs and charts, the report vividly throws light into aspects of NNPC’s operations that were once described as‘opaque’. Issues like the status of the once misunderstand JP Morgan Foreign account, management and custody of revenue from crude oil sales, actual production capacity of the refineries, dollar accrualsto NNPC/FGN from export crude oil and gas, as well as receipts and payments are laid bare. In the same vein, Western oil executives have warned Nigeria against sweeping changes to commercial contracts that could lead to the government taking a bigger share of revenues from the country’s vast deepwater fields, Financial Times reported. As Africa’s leading crude producer begins a cleanup of the industry that is its economic lifeblood, the state-owned NNPC has said it plans to renegotiate production-sharing agreements with oil majors. Continues on pg28

Oando invests $3m to rehabilitate, commission roads As part effort its efforts at easing the gridlock and hardships faced by motorists and residents of Apapa where several depots are located, Oando Marketing Plc has rehabilitated and commissioned a marshalling yard and upgraded a dilapidated 250-meter Sapara and 400-meter Kayode Road located at Apapa area of Lagos metropolis. The company’s management said it is part of the company’s commitment to enhance and develop its operating base in line with the goal of delighting residents of Apapa. The upgraded roads, according to the company, will ease the untold hardships caused by the roads, while the marshalling yard that could house 90 trucks, will be used for parking and loading of petroleum product by tanker drivers, thus, putting an end to the indiscriminate parking on roads by tankers. Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Abayomi Awobokun, said the company, spent $3million on the project. According to him “Moving here two years ago, we noticed neglect of this environment. You will agree with me when I say Apapa is one of the best plan area in the country. But overtime, it suffered some neglect, causing

hardships on the residents. The roads were in bad state, causing untold hardship on residents and users of the roads. “So due to this, we took it upon ourselves to develop this area, as our bread and butter is from this place. We have taken it upon ourselves, to develop this place, as our bread and butter is from Apapa. “On this project, we have spent $3million and also invested close to a billion naira in developing Apapa and

promising to do more.” The Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Mrs Olaposi Williams, in a chat with newsmen, reiterated Oando desire to continue to champion the cause of the community. According to her, “this is our community, as Oando marketing was based at Apapa. This is where our business is, this is where we operate from and we are not going to stop helping the society and giving back to them.”

“We will continue to play our role, continue to play our part whenever we are being called upon, continue to be the forerunner. And also we have put some community students through college, employ some in our company and we are still intending to do more.” On decongesting traffic in Apapa, she said the marshalling yard will be used for loading and parking. “We have a standard operating procedure here. The marshalling yard will

be used for trucks park and loading. So if you want to load tomorrow, you must have been in here a night before you load and if you don’t have any business, you won’t be parked. So we won’t see you on the street, we won’t see you on the road and if LASTMA catches you and you say you want to load, we check our manifest and if you are not on the list, then you are on your own. This will definitely go a long way in easing traffic in this place,” she added.

‘Oil price instability to affect Nigeria’ Continues from pg26

Meanwhile, Frost & Sullivan report said Emerging Middle East and Africa, the second half of the year presents economic and industry indicators for Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria. The study provides estimates for 2015, a short-term forecast for first quarter 2015 to fourth quarter 2017, and medium-term forecasts from 2016 to 2018 for select indicators. Senior Research Analyst, Emerging Market Innovation at Frost & Sullivan, Krishanu Banerjee, said “Declining oil prices multiply the significance of diversification. Therefore,

the development of non-oil industries like agriculture, banking, finance and tourism will become central to economic progress.” Saudi Arabia and the UAE will withstand the pressure of sinking oil prices owing to strong non-oil sector performance, the study highlighted, adding that high public spending on education, health care, transport and water infrastructure will spearhead the two economies. The expansionary Purchasing Managers’ Index of both countries will brighten business and consumer sentiments throughout 2015. However, the depletion of Saudi Arabia’s foreign reserves will be a cause for

concern in the last quarters of 2015, it further stated. As a major oil importer, Egypt will stand to gain from low oil prices, although financial aid from Middle Eastern countries is likely to drop in H2 2015 as oil revenues scale down. “Ongoing political tension in the country will heavily dampen prospects in the tourism sector. Largely reliant on earnings from oil and gas exports, Algeria and Nigeria will reel from low oil prices,” the study said. The Algerian Government’s investments in infrastructure as well as public welfare and subsidy schemes will remain subdued in second half of 2015. Weak private consump-

tion and an ongoing power crunch signal a bleak outlook for the second half of 2015 in Nigeria as well. “Diversifying the range of export products is an immediate requirement that MEA countries must address to guard against price volatility and strengthen their economy in the immediate future,” Frost & Sullivan said. Oil prices have been plunging since last year June. From $115 per barrel, oil prices dropped to less than $50 per barrel due to record over production and weak global demand. The entry of Iran and slowdown in the Chinese economy is likely to put further downward pressure on oil prices.

energy

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Subsidising LPG will be disastrous —NALPGAM President Stories By Tunde Dodondawa - Lagos

he President of National Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Basil Ogbuanu, has warned that any attempt to subsidise consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), otherwise called cooking gas, would be a disaster for the economy. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in an interview on Monday, Ogbuanu stated that “LPG is not a controlled product like kerosene and I did not understand why would the oil sector pricing regulator, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulating Agency (PPPRA), ordered us to surrender our pricing templates. “LPG is a deregulated product and we get our products from Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and why would we give you our pricing templates. What do they intend to do with it? “We are not receiving subsidy on the product and any attempt to regukate it will create unnecessary scarcity. “This is because if i happens, we will be getting supplies via allocations which is what they are doing with kerosene and petrol. “The stakeholders in the LPG sub-sector have invested a lot of money into building facility and infrastructure whiuch have been lacking in the past. After sourcing for our products, it doesn’t make sense for the PPPRA to come into the business and regulate the pricing. “However, I know the stakeholders will resist it because we see that some few people are planning to coem together to hijack the LPG as they are doing with kerosene,” he said. The PPPRA had ordered that the country’s stakeholders and off-takers of LPG to surrender their pricing templates to it. This move was seen by stakeholders as regulation of the LPG industry through the back-door and it has heightened fear of supply hitch for the all-important product, which is yet to attain its full potentials in Nigeria. It was reported that the PPPRA had already written letters to some LPG off-takers and plant owners requesting for full disclosure of their pricing template to hasten its plan. Two major products, petrol and kerosene are under the regulation of the agency and are usually faced with supply manipulations, incessant scarcity, hoarding, profiteering and ineffective price monitoring and enforcement. The letter (memo) was signed by the Executive Secretary, PPPRA, Farouk Ahmed, requesting LPG off-takers to share their pricing template with the agency. The Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA), however said that the PPPRA might go ahead to develop a pricing template for the product, without necessarily requesting and placing an order for an input from LPG operators. “The NLPGA does not argue with the authority of PPPRA, but however, wishes to address our proposed intervention as follows: One, NLPGA cannot find any relevance of PPPRA at the moment, considering that LPG market is fully deregulated, and subject to forces of demand and supply,” the Association said in a statement. “Another thing is that if PPPRA wants to develop its pricing template for LPG, it may

as well go ahead to do that, without necessarily requesting input from LPG operators, who by themselves, each developed their respective pricing templates. “PPPRA should prove its relevance at all, considering that petrol and kerosene, both products under the complete regulation of PPPRA do not deliver to the common man at the government regulated (subsidised) prices,” it added. Most of the LPG off-takers-companies declined to make personal comment when contacted for fear of being tagged to be in affront with the government agency but one of them who craved anonymity “because of the sensitive nature of the issue,” confirmed that the PPPRA sent a letter to them. This move, they said, might lead to price fixing for LPG which is a deregulated product and draw back the efforts by government and other stakeholders to promote usage of LPG. Nigeria still ranked lowest in sub-Saharan Africa in per capita usage of LPG, consuming 1.1kg compared with Ghana at 3.0kg; South Africa consumes 5.5kg; while Morocco consumes 44kg per capita. The PPPRA demand for stakeholders’ pricing template was a surprise to many in the

industry given that the immediate past president of PPPRA, Reginald Stanley, in an industry stakeholder meeting held in Abuja in December 2013, stated categorically that the PPPRA ‘has no business regulating LPG.’ “Let them (PPPRA) go ahead with indexes but the effect that this will have is that this may be a way of slowing down the industry, which has for years being struggling to blossom. We welcome the intervention of the PPPRA in the LPG industry only that we do not see the relevance of agency trying to get us discloses our pricing template. “This product is a deregulated commodity and any attempt to get its price regulated will create distortion in the smooth chain of demand and supply of LPG in the country,” it argued. However, an industry source who pleaded anonymity posited that the PPPRA may need the information for calculating its own pricing templates for publication on its website. “This has become imperative because PPPRA alone cannot regulate LPG prices except with the directives from the Presidency. If the Presidency intends to regulate the prices of LPG in the country, I am sure it will involve all the stakeholders including the off-takers

Nigerian Tribune

and the marketers,” he said. Seven Energy to sustain gas pipeline protection through ‘Green Team’ Olatunde Dodondawa, Lagos Seven Energy, an independent Nigerian integrated oil and gas development company is planning expansion of its pipeline protection platform with a view to encouraging more community participation. The initiative called “Green Team” a community engagement process where community leaders and youths are engaged in policing and maintenance of critical gas infrastructures owned and operated by the company have recorded remarkable success with community people embracing the initiative. Green Team was adopted by Seven Energy as a community based approach to maintain, monitor and clear its pipeline right of way (ROW). Speaking on the project, Glenn Bestall, Vice President QHSSE/CSR of Seven Energy said the concept was specifically designed to promote cordial and social relationship with host communities, create job opportunities for the local people, and by extension ensure protection of gas pipelines and other critical facilities.

From left, Forte Oil Brand ambassador, Tiwa Savage; Group Chief Executive Officer, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa; Managing Director/CEO Designate, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adetuntan and Chief Executive Officer, Verve International, Interswitch, Mr. Charles Ifedi, during the launch of Forte Oil Plc Advantage Card held at Forte Oil Station, Lekki Phase 1 on Friday in Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Crude oil revenue crashes by 67% —Report Continues from pg27

The decision, which NNPC says will affect companies such as Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, Eni and ExxonMobil in the weeks and months ahead, has stoked concern among western industry officials. Many argued that they knew nothing of the details, others said that they had not been contacted, and one executive, who declined to be named, said: “Don’t mess with the fiscal terms.” Stephane Foucaud, analyst at First Energy Capital, said: “If the PSCs (Production-Sharing Contracts) start changing, that might seriously make people rethink their investment exposure to Nigeria. Companies don’t like uncertainty. In the context of the majors cutting capital spending, there are many more opportunities for capital deployment.” The scale of changes planned by NNPC, under new leadership following the election of President Muhammadu Bu-

hari this year, remains uncertain. However, the state oil company has made it clear that it wants to review all its production sharing contracts with the majors, the aim being to boost government revenues after the collapse in crude prices. Western companies would be almost certain to resist changes to the terms of existing agreements, many of which date back to the 1990s, while the development of eight planned deepwater projects, due by 2020, could be put back. The new projects would contribute 1m barrels a day of output. “With oil prices being about half what they were a year ago, there is less capital to go around. I think Nigeria is focused in the right place. Let’s make sure we have a stable environment, so when we do have a project that is competitive, those funds go to those projects,” said another executive. Osagie Okunbor, Chairman of Shell Nigeria, said neither NNPC nor the international oil groups wanted the negotiations

“to have an adverse impact on investment in the country. We’ll have to look at several clauses and then take a position.” Shell has deferred until next year a final investment decision on its multibillion-dollar Bonga South West project in light of the oil price collapse and has said it will approve only two developments globally this year. Industry insiders believe Nigeria would find it difficult to agree bigger government revenue take at a time when the big oil and gas groups are slashing spending in an effort to shore up cash flow and protect dividends. Felicia Kemi Segun, a solicitor with Nigeria-based ACAS-Law, said NNPC was entitled to broach a review of existing PSCs, but warned that “there will no doubt be great resistance from the international oil companies to a renegotiation of fiscal terms that see their profits further shaved to the extent that the government is able to extract any additional commercial benefit.”

tribunebusiness

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Kenya’s tourism beckons on Africa As the country’s tourism industry reels from the aftermath of Islamist insurgent attack that left the once vibrant sector of the economy crippled, RUTH OLUROUNBI, who was on a tour of Kenya, reports on how the multibillion industry is reshaping its history.

ourism in Kenya is the second largest source of foreign exchange revenue following agriculture, the World Bank stated in a 2013 report. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) says that this sector “forms a vital foundation for the country’s economy and it highlights two of Kenya’s most unique features: wildlife and beaches.” But, the once profitable and globally acclaimed tourism industry took a devastating beating from a deadly terrorist attack two years ago, leaving the country in the shadow of its former glorious self. The Reuters reported that according to its tourism Board, Kenya, popular for its safari tours and sandy beaches, lost more that 25 per cent of its first five months of this year, going from 381,278 recorded in 2014 to 284,313 in 2015. The spate of Islamist militant attacks that killed hundreds of people, took a blow on the previously booming Kenya’s tourism industry, owner and manager of a tour company, Kimani Jolanda, said in Nairobi. Post recession brought on by terrorism and several other attacks, the country now says it expects tourism revenues to rise by more than $1.16 billion this year, according to a June statement from the state-run tourism board. A United States presidential visit to Kenya for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in July, the citizens say, has greatly boosted visitors’ as well as investors’ confidence in the sector, which has steadily witnessed a significant rise in numbers since after the March elections which international observers acclaimed as a “peaceful transition of power to President Uhuru Kenyatta after the closely contested election.” David Jonas, a tour operator in Nairobi believes that Kenyatta’s emergence as the president of the East African nation, has helped shape confidence in international, mostly European visitors, as the country embarks on its restorative journey “lasting democracy.” Jolanda Kipkirui, a safari operator in Mombasa told the Nigerian Tribune that Obama’s visit to the country served as

an approval to the international community that it was safe to visit Kenya, and that, according to him, “is the biggest boost any country can get. When an American president, who is Kenya-born by the way, visits a country and speaks its native language, it sends positive signal to the world that it is safe to go there. And that is the great boost to our tourism industry here.” As one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations attracting millions of tourists annually, Kenya is a country with coastline on the Indian Ocean, savannah, lakelands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley, mountain highlands and abundant wildlife such as lions, elephants and rhinos, observers reported. A tour of the country reveals its endowment of attractive tourist sites, rich culture, striking geographical diversity and landscapes ranging from beautiful beaches, to animal parks and archaeological sites. Fort Jesus Mombasa, Lamu Old Town, Sacred Mijikenda Kaya, Great Rift Valley, Lake Turkana National Parks, Mount Kenya Natural Forest and a view of Mount Kilimanjaro all reveal the wonders hidden in the country that has its roots in hospitality and breathtaking cuisines. The tourism industry, a major sector of the economy for many of these African

Tourism industry is growing as a result of the liberalisation measures, diversification of tourist generating markets and continued government commitment to providing an enabling environment.

countries, has over the years, seen major industry players and economic observers as well as analysts sharply disagree on the extent to which the potential of the tourism industry can be measured, and be operated in. Despite African countries’ several advertisements showing their respective countries as a great tourism centre, spewing statistics to show how viable their respective industries are for business and economic prosperity, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group seemed unimpressed, saying in a 2014 that “tourism in Africa is an untapped goldmine.” The report, which admitted that “the future of tourism in Africa holds great potential,” was disappointed that the economic potential for growth in the continent is left untapped. Mthuli Ncube, African Development Bank Group Vice-President and Chief Economist, said as much in the foreword of the inaugural issue of the Africa Tourism Monitor, a joint initiative produced by the African Development Bank in partnership with the Africa Travel Association and Africa House at New York University, he penned down recently, saying that: “While Africa accounts for 15 per cent of the world population, it receives only about three per cent of world tourism. To maximise Africa’s tourism potential, critical investments are needed in key infrastructure sectors (e.g. transport, energy, water and telecommunications).” Remarkably however, despite the “challenges” and constraints facing the continent’s tourism industry, South Africa says that tourism boosted its GDP by one to three per cent, last year. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), for instance, has it that in 2012, travel and tourism generated 8.2 million direct jobs in Africa alone, as compared to 17.4 million visitors in 1990, listing Egypt ($9.94 billion), South Africa ($9.994 billion), Morocco ($6.711 billion), Tunisia ($2.183 billion), Tanzania ($1.564 billion) and Mauritius ($1.477 billion) as “top six countries for international tourist receipts in 2012.”

As Kenya is promoting and “is constantly expanding its tourism package,” according to Anthony Safo, Marketing Manager, West Africa – Anglophone, Kenya Airways, the country is beckoning on Africa’s largest and biggest economy, Nigeria, to come do business in it. KTB, in an approach to snag more tourists and business partners, says: “Careful planning and proactive leadership have maximised the tourism potential as Kenya continually outpaces its East African neighbours. A solid infrastructure coupled with a devotion to wildlife conservation has propelled Kenya to the forefront of the regional tourism industry.” According to KTB, the tourism industry is “growing as a result of the liberalisation measures, diversification of tourist generating markets and continued government commitment to providing an enabling environment, coupled with successful tourism promotion and political stability. Enormous opportunities exist for investment in film production; recreation and entertainment facilities.” The World Travel & Tourism Council’s Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2014 indicated that direct contribution of travel and tourism on Kenya’s GDP was recorded at KES183.4bn, a 4.8 per cent of the GDP in 2013, and rose by 2.9 per cent to KES188.7bn in 2014. “This primarily reflects the economic activity generated by industries such as hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services (excluding commuter services). But it also includes, for example, the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists,” the council said in a report, as it stated that direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP “is expected to grow by 5.2 per cent pa to KES314.1bn (4.7 per cent of GDP) by 2024.” This statistics, the Country Manager, Kenya Airways, Hafeez Balogun, who led a team of Nigerian tour and travel agents, as well as members of the press to Kenya on a familiarisation tour, said is exactly the reason Africa should do business with Kenya.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo adisa 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Amaechi

Udoma

On the trail of Buhari’s cabinet nominees W

Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, examines the antecedents of the 21-man list of would-be ministers unveiled in the Senate on October 6.

HEN President Muhammadu Buhari kept the list of his would –be ministers close to chest for some four months, anxiety rose within the polity. The question of who picks the President’s nod as ministers became common place within the country and abroad. The enthusiasm that ushered in the administration of the President was largely responsible, coupled with the fact that the practice since 1999 has been that Ministers would emerge not later than July. The prolonged delay fuelled the belief that Buhari was indeed looking for some persons with impeccably unblemished records whose nomination would dazzle even the most ardent critics of the President and his party. The release of the list of would-be ministers has since confirm that in nominating those who will work with him, the President can only rely on people within the political space called Nigeria. The reality out there right now is that no President can make appointments of his Special Advisers and Ministers from the outer space. Those that will fill those offices must be drawn from the immediate political space. A peep at the resume of a number of those currently facing senate screening would reveal their roots in the

former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Innocent Audu Ogbeh Chief Innocent Audu Ogbeh was the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2001 and 2005 when his disagreement with former President Olusegun Obasanjo led to his resignation in cloudy circumstances. He has since returned to manage his farm and along the line became an opposition figure to his former party. His political career had seen him occupy the office of deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly in 1979, when he won the House of Assembly seat on the platform of the defunct

National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and then in 1982, he joined the Federal cabinet as Minister of Communications, later Minister of Steel Development. He hails from Benue South Senatorial District, the zone that equally produced a former Senate President, David Mark. He can be regarded as one of the leading PDP Ambassadors in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). AbduRahman Dambazzau General Dambazzau served as Chief of Army Staff under the PDP government of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He was retired in 2010; following the assumption of former President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office, first as Acting Presi-

The reality is that no President can make appointments of his Special Advisers and Ministers from the outer space. Those that will fill those offices must be drawn from the immediate political space.

dent and then as substantive President in May of that year. The General, who has been linked with different offices since the victory recorded by President Buhari in the March general election, was a big player in the government of President Yar’Adua. He was seen as one of the very few who knew the workings of that government, while also playing major roles in its last days. He is regarded as one of the eggheads of the military and a number of his admirers usually flaunt his PhD degree as a rare achievement in his chosen field of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Perhaps, due to the manner of his departure from office, he automatically teamed up with opposition to former President Goodluck Jonathan immediately he left office and played a big role in the security department of the APC campaign organisation. He certainly fits the description of a PDP Ambassador in the new administration. Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan Senator Alhassan was a senator of the PDP till November 2013, when the nPDP she had joined in August 2012, defected to the APC. She joined the PDP as a card-carContinues pg32

31 politics&policy

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Fayose

The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (ELSIEC) has slated local government elections in the state for December 19. SAM NWAOKO writes on the matters arising since the commission was constituted.

HE people of Ekiti State are expecting the conduct of local government elections on December 19. The Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) in the state headed by Justice Kayode Bamidele (retd) had announced the date for the elections in a recent press conference. He had expressed the readiness of the commission to conduct elections into the 16 local government areas of the state. Interestingly, local government elections last held in the state in 2008 when Chief Segun Oni was the governor of Ekiti. However, since October 2010 when the elected council chairmen and councilors in the council areas were kicked out of office by the former Governor Kayode Fayemi administration following Oni’s removal as governor by the Appeal Court, the councils in the state have been run via caretaker committees. Former Governor Fayemi in 2012 made attempts to conduct local government elections but was stopped by an Ado Ekiti High Court judgment that dissolved the then EKSIEC, and subsequently restrained its members from conducting the election that it had slated for February 4, 2012. In a judgment delivered by Justice John Adeyeye in a suit brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he held that the commission was improperly constituted and therefore restrained it. In the judgment of February 2, 2012, in the suit to challenge the eligibility of the electoral body which it said had members of the now defunct Ac-

Fayemi

APC, PDP’s altercation over Ekiti LG polls

tion Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to conduct the election the PDP urged the court to declare the electoral body as composed then null and void. Adeyeye had declared that the former EKSIEC, being sympathisers, members or apologists of the ACN, could not organise, conduct nor supervise any credible election in the state. With that, the Fayemi government and the EKSIEC had to go through appeals, thus leaving the councils in the hands of interim caretaker committees until October last year, when the mantle of leadership changed in the state. However, the present PDP administration in the state, which said its belief in democracy at all levels and the conviction that democracy at the grassroots should not be toyed with, set machinery in motion for the conduct of council election, beginning with the constitution in last month of EKSIEC chaired by Justice Kayode Bamisile (retd). But no sooner that the body settled down to business stating with notice of election

than notices of litigations began to fly in. These include a legal suit by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the composition of the commission and a threat by a faction of the PDP in the state to institute legal action against the EKSIEC if the electoral body recognised candidates presented by chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Idowu Faleye. With the development, there are extant fears that litigations are rising again with the aim of truncating the election and dash again the hope of the people who are desirous of democracy at the grassroots. The EKSIEC chairman, Bamisile, who had given notice that the council election would hold on December 19, said at a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of political parties, security agencies and others that all stipulations of the Ekiti State Local Government Elections law had been complied with in arriving at the date. Bamisile said: “We wish to seize this opportunity to assure all registered political

We would demonstrate and manifest positive neutrality, even handedness and what America labels as bi-partisanship.

parties in the state that EKSIEC, as the electoral umpire, would create a level playing ground for all participants. “We would demonstrate and manifest positive neutrality, even handedness and what America labels as bi-partisanship. I hereby wish to admonish all political parties in Ekiti State to avoid any form of violence before, during and after the conduct of the election.’’ While assuring that the commission would be fair to all parties in the election, Bamisile said neither he nor other members of the commission were card-carrying members or supporters of any political party as he challenged anybody who had evidence to the contrary to come forward with such. He said the coast was clear and that the commission was ready for the December election, as the case in court to challenge the composition of the last EKSIEC had died a natural death, following expiration of the five-year tenure of that EKSIEC. But, the APC said it had dragged Ekiti State Governor and EKSIEC to court over the composition of the electoral body, alleging that members of the electoral body as constituted by the governor comprised card-carrying PDP members. A statement by APC state publicity secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said that while the party was ready to participate in the Local government elections, due process must be followed in the composition of the electoral body, saying such action was illegal and incontinues pg33

politics&policy

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

The antecedents of nominees continued from pg30

rying member in 2005, shortly before she retired from public office and then contested her first election in 2011, when she represented Taraba North on the platform of the PDP. Before then, her family had been associated with the right of the Centre wing of politics, with her father, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim joining and playing key roles in the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) in the First Republic, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic as well as the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the aborted Third Republic. He also helped to midwife the formation of the PDP in the Taraba axis in the beginning of the Fourth Republic. Her brother, Senator A. A Ibrahim was also a Senator of the PDP between 1999 and 2007 when he served two terms in the Red Chamber. By all standards, Senator Alhassan is a thoroughbred PDP Ambassador in the APC. Amina Mohammed The woman, who was head of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office under the administration of the late President Yar’Adua and former President Jonathan is a product of the PDP. Though she is returning to Nigeria as Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General on Post MDG, the fact that her association with government spans the administration of former President Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and the immediate past President Jonathan makes her a product of the PDP. Ibe Kachikwu The Group General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been hailed as one of the few shining starts discovered by President Muhammadu Buhari. But investigations have since confirmed that Kachikwu is a product of the PDP. He was primed to take over as Minister of Petroleum under the administration of former President Jonathan when Mrs Diezani Allinson-Madueke was being projected as President of Organisation of Oil Producing Companies (OPEC), a deal that didn’t sail through when the woman lost the bid. Again, he was said to have been projected for the same Petroleum Ministry portfolio by top bigwigs in the PDP including former Minister of Defence, General T Y Danjuma and former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida. The push was said to have gone far with former President Jonathan having bought into the agenda but sources said it snapped along the line, making Diezani to retain the position till the government lost the March election. Dr Osagie Ehanire He is seen as one of the few technocrats in the list presented to the Senate by President Buhari, even though he had dabbled into politics under the platform of the APC. He is believed to be a nominee of General Danjuma whose wife, Daisy had won election to the Senate in Edo South on the Platform of the PDP. Danjuma remains a godfather in the PDP and has been reputed to produce the governor of his home state, Taraba on the party’s platform since the dawn of the Fourth Republic. Solomon Danlong Though he too is seen as a technocrat of some sorts, he had cut his political teeth under the mentorship of the pioneer National Chairman of the PDP, the late Chief Solo-

Ngige

Danbazau

mon Lar as a Special Assistant. He was also an Adviser Emeritus to former President Olusegun Obasanjo before emerging the Chairman of Langtang South Local Government, following his appointment as lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos. His association with Solomon Lar and Obasanjo qualifies him as a PDP Ambassador in the current government. Rotimi Amaechi Former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly between 1999 and 2007 on the platform of the PDP and thereafter contested for governorship seat on the ticket of the same party. His disagreement with former President Jonathan led to his decision to join the nPDP which rebelled against the mainstream PDP and eventually defected to the APC late in 2013. His sojourn in the APC as governor was less than two years when the party won the presidential election even though he served as the director gen-

Ogbeh

Kachikwu

eral of the party’s presidential campaign in the 2015 stretch. Musa Ibeto Ibeto was the deputy governor of Niger State in the administration of the Chief Servant, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu. His running battle with Aliyu, who was bent on stopping Ibeto from succeeding him, was pronounced close to the end of the administration and he defected to the APC shortly before the general election. He narrowly missed being impeached as deputy governor in the state and was thoroughly sidelined as the states second in command. The battle with Aliyu made him to jump ship and join the APC. Chris Ngige He rose to prominence as governor of Anambra State who was abducted for failing to fulfill the conditions he had signed with some godfathers ahead if his election in 2003. He was elected in place of Dr Chin-

woke Mbadinuju also of the PDP but the disagreement between him as his godfathers degenerated into the famous kidnap saga that shot him to national limelight. He thereafter joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which teamed up with other parties to form the APC. Udoma Udo Udoma Senator Udoma Udo Udoma spent two terms in the Senate under the platform of the PDP. An accomplished lawyer and versatile lawmaker, he rose to occupy the position of Senate Chief Whip between 2004 and 2007. He has before then, between 2001 and 2003 served as Chairman Committee on Appropriation and later chaired the Senate Committee on National Planning between 2003 and 2004. After his stint in the Senate, Senator Udo Udoma occupied the Chairmanship of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He remains a captain of Industry whose links to the PDP is not hidden.

33 politics&policy

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

We are in an extraordinary time By Rauf Aregbesola

S we are all aware, a financial tsunami swept through the federation, beginning from July 2013 and ravaged the entire country until the exit of that anti-people ancien regime. This crippled the finances of the states and the Federal Government, making the payment of even salaries very difficult. What many do not realise was that the governmental system of the whole country was under mortal threat, and not only Osun. It might interest us to know that the government of Goodluck Jonathan, according to his Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, had to borrow N476 billion from commercial banks to be able to pay salaries in the last four months of the administration. Thank God for His mercies. If God had not heard our prayers and came to our rescue with the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire Nigerian government at all levels was dangerously racing towards bankruptcy. This should not surprise anyone. The then governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (now the Emir of Kano) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had alleged that over $40 billion oil sales was not remitted into the Federation Accounts. That was when oil was selling for over $100 per barrel. This tragedy was compounded with the eventual fall in oil price to circa $40. We now know where the money went. But our predicament began in July 2013 when our Statutory Allocation from the Federation Accounts took a nosedive from N4.6 billion to N2.6 billion. Before then, the monthly expenditure we inherited was N1.4 billion salaries and N200 million pensions, making a total of N1.6 billion every month. However, with 100 per cent increase in min-

Aregbesola imum wage, relativity and addition of 8,500 retirees to the pensions roll at the state and local government, our monthly emoluments rose to N3.6 billion, including a monthly pension bill of N520 million. Our finances therefore took a jolt when our statutory allocation fell in 2013 and continued in a freefall which got to the nadir of N466 million in April this year. The change in government gave us a reprieve, with the magical disappearance of oil money being gradually stemmed and a small lift in oil price, making it to hover around $45; our monthly allocation has steadied around N2.2 billion. The President has also graciously arranged a bailout of N34.9 billion for us. Although this has helped us to be able to pay salaries up to July this year, it is

a far cry from the N88 billion we demanded. That amount would have enabled us to offset all outstanding indebtedness on emoluments and other obligations. We have opened all our books; we have been honest and transparent on our financial status and we have not held anything back. We have run an open government. Nevertheless, I want you all to know that in spite of the reprieve we got, we are not yet out of the woods. The challenges ahead are still enormous. By this I do not mean our obligations on salaries and pensions; that will be a small minded understanding of government. For the government to function effectively, it must not just pay salaries, it must also empower the workers to do their work (which is the overhead cost) and more importantly, it must constantly be conscious that its raison d’etre is the delivery of public good through the provision of social services; and it is for this reason that workers are hired in the first place. When we therefore look at the responsibility of government through this whole gamut, we must rise beyond the sterile debate of reducing government finances to just paying salaries. In light of this, it must be clear that we are in a tough time. Even then, as Robert Schuler once wrote, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do’. The time calls for toughness on our part. We must look critically at the next 24 months, steer the ship of state through this stormy weather and land at a safe harbour. On the part of our workers, we must be prepared for a more efficient service rendering. We must change the attitude from government job being seen as social security to a profitable venture; not venture for financial gain but business for social service. We must be business minded. The positive impact of every agency of government must

be felt in its own area of assignment and responsibility. In education, your products must be found to be worthy in learning and character. In healthcare, your work must be reflected in a healthy citizenry. In agriculture, it must be in undisputable food security and banishment of hunger. There must be real works to show for public works. The time has come for us to start measuring performance. We must also do away with a bloated workforce, eliminate laziness and redundancy, block all avenues for embezzlement and leakages and make government work. We are entering into a period of adjustment, where we must get much from little and achieve more with less. We must rise to the challenge of the time. It is a call to duty and a clarion call to action. If we are not prepared for the challenge, we are going to be worse off than we are now in two years. But God forbid! From all of us, we must recognise and reconcile to the need to pay our tax. Paying tax is the first obligation of citizens to the government. I have been making the point long before we had the financial challenge that every government must be run from the tax generated from the people. From our own taxes, we should be able to pay salaries, run government and develop the state. The allocation we receive from Abuja should be a sort of legacy fund tied to specific legacy projects. There is nowhere in the world where government is successfully run without the citizens paying tax regularly and responsibly. •Excerpts of a speech delivered by the governor of Osun State, Mr Aregesola at the inauguration of the Hassan Sunmonu-led Standing Committee of Labour/Government in Osogbo.

The arguments for and against continued from pg31

vitation to chaos inherent in the electoral umpire providing support for a contesting party to the detriment of others. Olatunbosun alleged that the six members of the Bamisile-headed EKSIEC were PDP members and as well friends and business associates of the governor. According to the APC spokesman, the party, in a suit filed by its counsel, Abiodun Fasakin and TajudeenAkingbolu, is of the view that the composition of the EKSIEC contradicted the constitutional requirement for a non-partisan electoral body that wanted tl organise credible and acceptable elections. In the originating summons before the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, in which the state Attorney General and House of Assembly were joined, the defendants were required to appear before the court within seven days after service of the summons on them. Among others, the party wants the court to determine whether a member of a registered political party, having interest in a pending election to local councils, is eligible to be appointed as member(s) and/or chairman of the electoral body for the purpose of conducting local councils elections in Ekiti State. It also wants the court to determine whether the electoral body could be reconstituted in view of the pendency of a matter involving the EKSIEC before the Supreme Court in APPEAL NO: SC.695/2013: PDP & ANOR vs EKSIEC & 8 Ors. APC is urging the court to declare the appointment of the

EKSIEC chairman and members null, void, illegal and unconstitutional and as well restrain the body from conducting the council election slated for December 19. Similarly, the Olatunde-led faction of the PDP in the state had threatened to drag the EKSIEC to court if it recognised the candidates presented by the PDP state chairman, Chief Faleye, for the election. The faction, in a petition to the EKSIEC Chairman, cautioned that Faleye and other caretaker committee members were impostors and that the commission should stop relating with them in matters concerning electoral issues. In the petition entitled: ‘2015 Local Government Election TimeTable’, dated September 21, 2015, signed by Oluwatobi Fatoki of LekanOlatawura Chambers in Ado Ekiti, Olatunde cautioned the commission against

recognising candidates of the PDP presented through Faleye, failing which it would take legal action against the Commission. The petition reads in part: “Our clients came about the Notice of Election to wit: the Ekiti State 2015 Local Government Election as scheduled in your time table published in the national daily on September 10, 2015. “Our clients hereby wish to lodge their reservations to the extent that their rights as the State Executive Committee is for a fouryear tenure, which will lapse March, 2016 as they were duly elected into their respective offices in March, 2012. “In respect of our clients rights, a faction of the executive committee of the PDP, spearheaded by Mr Idowu Faleye sprang up as the factional acting Chairman. As a matter of fact, the said division in the party af-

As the election approaches, let us talk to our children who are contesting not to cause trouble. They all have right to those positions, but only one person can occupy a post at any given time. Once a person has emerged through a credible process, others should support him or her.

fecting our clients’ vested rights is already a subject of litigation before Ekiti State High Court via suit number HAD/15/ 2015. “Our clients were the SWC before the matter was lodged in court of justice and they still remain in that position till 2016. We hereby advise that you maintain the status quo and do not reckon with any other faction except that of our clients as the court has not decided otherwise. “Most obliged as you follow the paths of law and justice as our clients shall not hesitate to file an action against your office, if you go contrary to maintaining the status quo before suit number: HAD/15/2015,” it stated. It would be recalled that the PDP in the state recently set up a disciplinary committee, which indicted five members of the Olatunde faction who were consequently expelled for anti-party activities and gross misconduct. Governor Fayose had said repeatedly that his insistence that the local government election must hold in the state was based on the need to lessen the burden on the state government and bring governance closer to the people in the grassroots. The governor, who maintained that nothing would stop the council poll from holding, advised: “As the election approaches, let us talk to our children who are contesting not to cause trouble. They all have right to those positions, but only one person can occupy a post at any given time. Once a person has emerged through a credible process, others should support him or her.”

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

inside

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

nigerdelta

A n electricity pole of a distribution company.

Agony of Delta communities without electricity for seven years Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

“T

he truth of the matter is that we, as a people living in this part of Delta State, the Aniocha/ Os-

himili Federal Constituency, are tired of staying in darkness since seven years. “Apart from Asaba and by extention, Okpanam and Issele-Uku, all other communities numbering over 40, have not set their eyes on public electricity for this period of time. “Are we really in Nigeria, nay Delta State, where electricity is a bit stable? Please, help us inform President Muhammadu Buhari that our plight has reached a crescendo. “Not even the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) is helping matters as we know the company is not ready yet to give the communities power supply despite the availability of over 35 mega watts at the Asaba substation” Those were the expressions of “concerned electricity consumers without power” in a statement signed by its chairman, Mr Chiazor Ifeatu and Secretary, Johnson Umeadi. According to the group, the nation has yet to hear or know what the people in Aniocha / Oshimili Federal Constituency, made up of four local government areas, are going through without electricity supply. The concerned consumers, therefore, want a change of heart from the DISCO as well as BEDC and provide light to the

various communities which had made and are still ready to make more sacrifices to enable them hook to the national grid. InsideNigerDelta investigation revealed that the communities gave BEDC a two-week ultimatum to provide electricity to the people. Soon after the ultimatum, BEDC hooked Asaba to the national grid Issele-Uku followed suit.

Towns like Ogwashi-Uku, home of the former finance minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala; Ibusa, Ubulu-Uku, Ubulu-Unor, Ibior, the domicile of former deputy governor, Chief Benjamin Elue; Akuku-Igbo, Illah, Ebu, Ezi and many other villages in the Nsukwa, Ezechime, Ideani clans have remained in total darkness. Economic activities have been down.

Artisans and traders spend so much to fuel their generators in the day while life at night is unbearable especially this time of heat. In Ogwashi-Uku, for example, there is no gainsaying the fact that students of the state polytechnic never saw public electricity for once before graduating with Higher National Diplomas. Many residents have relocated to Asaba where they expect to see light at least twice or so in a week. “For five years, I have been in this Ogwashi-Uku, I have never set my eyes on public electricity. The situation is unbearable. “We heard the 320-132-33 KVA step down in Asaba has been completed for more than one year. Any time we pass Ibusa road where the project is sited, we usually see amber lights all over the place, but just a stone throw to Ibusa, there is no light ’’, an Ibusa resident, Mr Okey Daniel charged. A visit to the step down revealed that the operator of the project, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is not happy that the communities, which the project was built to serve basically, are still in darkness. An official, who spoke to InsideNigerDelta on condition of anonymity, wondered why BEDC chose to delay in giving light to the people, but facilitated their actions to satisfy the industries around. Some industries in Asaba, in particular, subtly went the extra miles to divert light to their facilities and BEDC, which is out to make profit, yielded to their request. No harm in that. According to BEDC chief state officer, Mr Albert Esenabhalu, the company has empowered Asaba and Issele-Uku and is working out details to ensure that all other areas are connected before Christmas and New Year as the DISCO has commenced enumeration of towns and villages in order to get customers into the billing network. Nevertheless, the anxious consumers are not interested in enumeration or whatever BEDC is doing after claiming they have spent so much money to assist the disco on stringing all lines, purchasing poles and cables and providing transformers, among others. In Issele-Uku, the chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, Mr Chuks Oseme, in collaboration with his councilors, allegedly spent N15 millions to assist BEDC before light was connected. The company is said to be beckoning on Aniocha South and Oshimili North for a similar gesture before they could be hooked to the grid.

CREW

Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com

Man working on a pole belonging to one of the distribution companies

Robbery attacks: Iyekogba residents resort to self-help —pg38

University teachers groan over unpaid 23 months salary —pg39

Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Alphonsus Agborh 08035838703 Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa 08065400743 austinebipade@gmail.com

35 insidenigerdelta

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Robbery attacks: Iyekogba residents resort to self-help Banji Aluko-Benin City

esidents of James Imudia Street and environs in Iyekogba Quarters in Benin City are preparing to take on armed robbers, who seem to have concentrated their activities on the locality in the last few weeks. Many households in the area have been robbed both during the day and night by men of the underworld, who now carry out their operations almost on a daily basis One of the victims of the robbery attacks, Mr Uchechukwu Olisah, a former correspondent of the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper in Edo State, said his wife was visiting a neighbour, whose house was burgled, when the armed robbers broke in to their house. Mr Olisah said he noticed that his iPad, his wife’s jewelry and some other items were stolen by the armed robbers, who

forced an iron door protector in one of the rooms open. Another victim, Mrs Patience Akande, said the armed robbers visited her house twice in a night and at another time five days later. “They came twice on Monday night. The first one was at about 9:00pm and the second at about 12 midnight. My sons were able to locate them, shouting to attract the attention of everyone in the neighbourhood. “At about 12 midnight, they came back again, trying to force the door open. We called the police, they came and the armed robbers ran away. Five days later, they came again, but still could not enter. “Five days after, they came back again and cut part of the zinc covering the house. They also tried to force the slide window open. I don’t know why they specially targeted our house. I work with a local government and have not received

salary since February. My house is not even attractive.” According to the chairman of the Community Landlords Association, Mr Agboola Bolaji, residents of the community have almost completed new security measures following the inability of the police to provide desired protection for residents. Mr Bolaji, who praised the police for not leaving them to their fate, however, pointed out that two factors aiding the operations of the armed robbers were the poor condition of the road leading to the community and the fact that power supply was usually supplied to the area every three hours. He said: “They know when we get power supply and when we don’t. The transformer cable was stolen about two weeks ago because the vandals knew the time we

were not supplied power. “What we are doing is that we are organising a vigilance group. That will be the beginning for us. We will also involve the police. We are trying to raise the needed money and our people have been cooperating. “We have written to the police on the need for a police post in the community, but they have not acceded to our demands. The time it takes police to get here is enormous. Our story is that before the arrival of police, the armed robbers are usually far gone. “We have been contributing money to make the alternative road leading to the community passable for vehicles since the major road has virtually collapsed. Every year, we spend nothing less than N500,000 on the road.

University teachers groan over unpaid 23 months salary Austin Ebipade-Yenagoa lecturers at the state owned Niger Delta University (NDU) have continued to groan over 23 months salaries owed them by the Bayelsa State government, describing their experience as harrowing. The lecturers decried that the state government had refused to look in their direction in spite of the allocations it had consistently received from the Federal Government in the last 23 months. They wondered why, having diligently served the state, the Restoration Government continued to treat them with ignominy, saying “the labourer is worthy of his wages”. According to them, the situation has become unbearable as they are unable to settle accumulated bills of house rent, school fees, light bills, feeding, among others. The dons have resolved to press home their demand by staging a protest from the Niger Delta University campus, Amassoma, to Creek Haven, the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa. They told InsideNigerDelta that the protest would be the last option as their

several entreaties to government had fallen on deaf ears. They regretted that all mails sent to Government House were not treated as there was no feedback. The dons lamented that some of their colleagues were now combating with deteriorating health and untold hardships. The affected lecturers fumed that while the government was boasting that no workers were owed salaries, majority of them were yet to be paid for months. “Less than two weeks ago, an Engineer with Bayelsa Water Corporation committed suicide when he could not afford medications for medical complications following 13-month salary arrears for over 150 workers. “Other departments and agencies suffer similar fate and unfortunately, they cannot speak out. “It is on record that lecturers in the Niger Delta University (NDU), who were employed in October, 2013, have not been paid their salaries since then, though they have been working diligently. “Pensioners have not been paid for two months and state government has also suspended the payment of gratuity in the state.

Only mad men fix roads during rainy season —Okowa Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has described state governments engaging in road construction during the rainy season as mad men. He gave this verdict during his condolence visit to the regent of Warri over the weekend in Warri, Delta State, on the death of the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse II. When asked by reporters what his government was doing about the state of bad roads across the state, Okowa said: “I’m sure you are aware that the rains are still on. “Only mad men construct roads in the rainy season. Because you would just have destroyed the roads rather than repair them.”

He, however, promised to begin to fix the bad roads in the coming dry season. The governor has also promised to fix township roads at Ode-Itsekiri, traditional headquarters of the Itsekiris before the commencement of the final funeral rites of the late Olu and the installation of the Olu designate, Prince Godfrey Emiko. Okowa made the promise before the regent of Itsekiri, Prince Emiko and Itsekiri traditional chiefs during the courtesy visit. The burial ceremony as well as the formal installation of the Olu Designate, Prince Emiko, comes up after 90 days of mourning which started September 19 when the death of late Olu was officially announced.

The road leading to Iyekogba quarters.

Victims of flood in Delta cry for help Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri Victims of the flood that took place at Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have called on the Federal and state governments to come to their aid. The councilor representing Jeremi Ward 3, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Mr Sunday Apah, said the flood submerged no fewer than 30 houses. Apah, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in the Ughelli South Legislative Arm, said the ravaging flood had left behind tales of woes. “I am surprised at the level at which the flood destroyed property of my constituents. As a result, many have been rendered homeless, but as a member of

Some of the flooded houses at Otu-Jeremi.

the Ughelli South Legislative Arm, I will do my best to see how the situation could be managed pending when help will come from the state and federal governments. “As a local government, we can only do our best because of the meager resources from the Federal Government. I want to appeal to my people to be patient for a while, they will definitely be taken care of by the government”, he added. Youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the local government, Mr Sadiq Hitler, also lamented how the flood had destroyed his property and rendered him homeless. Hitler appealed to the Ughelli South, Delta State government and the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims.

36 news

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

NGF gets tip to access $500m World Bank fund Leon Usigbe - Abuja

HE Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), on Tuesday, received briefing from the Federal Ministry of Health on how states can access a $500 million for the development of health facilities. Governors of the 36 states of the federation, who met at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also received briefing from the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ibe Kachikwu, on the reforms being carried out in the corporation. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, chairman of the NGF and Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said the briefing of the governors by the agencies was at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari. Yari revealed that state governments had been unable to access the World Bank fund. “There is a fund from the World Bank that states cannot access. So, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health briefed us on how we can access $500 million,” he said. Explaining the purpose of Monday’s meeting, Yari added: “Usually, we used to meet. Today, this meeting is for so many agencies to do presentations to us. Some of them were ordered by Mr President to come and do presentation where they need the governors to come in for the betterment of the states. “We are supposed to take eight, but because of time constraints, we only took three. We have taken the United Nations Population

Fund, World Bank, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the next one we are taking is National Mathematical Centre, National

Population Commission and NASENI. “The NNPC has briefed us on its current programmes and other agencies will do

same. This will continue. We will take NCC on multiple taxation. So we decided to step them down until November.”

Also speaking to journalists, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, commended Buhari “for the initiative in bringing us together to

From left, Governors Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe; Muhammad Abdullahi of Bauchi; Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, at the meeting of governors with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Mad man kills 9 people, sets house ablaze in Enugu Jude Ossai - Enugu THERE was pandemonium at Ngelefi, Ehamufu in IsiUzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Tuesday, following the brutal murder of over nine persons by a middle-aged man suspected to be a lunatic. Reports from the area said the alleged murderer, identified as Onyekachi Ugwu, killed his father, as well as seven others with a cutlass in the early hours of Tuesday. It was gathered that the suspect, who was being searched for by the police and other security operatives had gone to the Ngelefi farm settlement in the night, when some members of the

community were sleeping and hacked more than nine persons to death with his cutlass. Still not satisfied with his dastardly action, the suspect was said to have set his father’s house on fire, which left his father, domestic animals, motorcycle and other households burnt in the inferno. It was further gathered that the suspect also visited other houses at the farm settlement, where he also sent occupants to their untimely death, including a year and a six-month-old baby. Confirming the story, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, said that the police

authority had begun investigation into the incident, adding that the alleged murderer was suspected to have mental case. Amarizu said “search of the suspect is intensified by

the combined team of the police and the Neighbourhood Watch group, who are combing bushes and hideouts in the area in order to stop further wrecking of havoc by the alleged mental

Clement Idoko - Abuja ELDER statesman, Ambassador Maitama Sule, has faulted those criticising President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating some older persons as members of his cabinet. He said the president

made the right choice by appointing experienced older persons, whose interest would be to build a better Nigeria and not to amass wealth for selfish motives. He spoke on an occasion in Abuja, on Tuesday, where experts from Nigeria

•Arrest 2 suspected masterminds of recent Nyanya, Kuje blasts •IGP confirms arrest of 5 suspects of Falae’s kidnap THE Nigeria Police have successfully foiled another plan by the Boko Haram insurgents to bomb the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This was even as it confirmed the arrest of two suspected terrorists said to be responsible for the multiple bomb blasts which occurred in Nyanya and Kuje, on October 2. The police had also arrested five of a suspected eight-man gang which participated in the abduction

of Chief Olu Falae, a few weeks ago. Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, disclosed this while declaring open a conference with strategic police managers in Abuja, on Tuesday. Speaking on the arrest of the two suspects, who masterminded the Nyanya and Kuje bomb blasts, Arase said the two suspects attempted to undertake another attack in the FCT. “Recovered from them were 12 already prepared and primed Home Made Explosives (HME) con-

cealed in 12 Fayrouz Soft drink cans, 28 pieces of Electric Detonators and huge quantities of IEDmaking materials. “The suspects are aiding detail police investigations into their broad terror network and will be brought to deserved justice in earnest,” he said. In another development, he stated that the police have arrested five of eightman gang, who participated in the the abduction of Chief Falae. The suspects, who operated a state-wide kidnap ring, said they were arrest-

suspect. “The mother of the suspect was lucky to have escaped the incident, as she would have been counted as one of the victims,” the police imagemaker added.

Buhari’s ministerial nominees best —Maitama Sule

Police foil another bomb attack in Abuja Chris Agbambu - Abuja

interact with various companies, that is NNPC, international development partners who are showing us all the opportunities available for each state to leverage upon.” He noted that it was the first time such a thing was taking place since he became governor, which made them aware that states could partner with the NNPC. In his remarks, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, explained that the forum spent some time looking at the issues of infant mortality, early marriages in many parts of the country and the role of government in re-emphasising the need to spare some resources to address those issues. For Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, the briefing took place because of President Buhari’s belief that what he had been told by the various agencies that briefed him should be extended to the state governors.

ed at their hideouts in Niger, Ekiti and Ondo states, respectively. Arase disclosed that items recovered from suspects included the Bajaj motorcycle used and cash, which were part of the ransom allegedly received. “In relation to the kidnap of Chief Falae, I can confirm that the police have succeeded in arresting five of the eight-man gang which participated in the crime. “Those arrested included Abubakar Auta, Idris Lawan, Umar Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed and

Bello Tanu. “All the arrested suspects have made confessional statements, highlighting details of the operation and their individual roles. As I address you now, the suspects are being charged to court in Akure, the Ondo State capital,” he stressed. The IGP further explained that the two suspects paraded by the Department of Security Service (DSS) on Monday, in connection with the abduction of Chief Falae, were part of the eight-man gang.

and other African countries converged to brainstorm on how to address the plight and challenges of the older persons in the continent. The event, organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Dave Omokaro Foundation, also witnessed the inauguration of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the African Society for Ageing Research and Development (ASARD). The Board of ASARD has NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie as the chairman, who also disclosed that the population of older persons aged 60 years and above had been rapidly growing and was expected to increase from 59.8 million in 2012 to 64.5 million in 2015. Maitama particularly urged President Buhari to take advantage of the aged in Nigeria to achieve the change agenda of his administration, saying every society needed the old people, as well as the dynamism of the young to succeed.

news

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Fayose employs 10 physically challenged

kiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Tuesday, gave automatic employment to 10 physically challenged persons in the state, just as 35 wheelchairs were provided for them. The governor also said the state government would take over the treatment and upkeep of fiveyear-old Enoch Olumide, who suffers from palsy. The governor announced the gestures during an interactive session with physically challenged persons at the Governor’s Office, as part of activities to mark his first year in office. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said the employment opportunities would cut across different cat-

egories of people. Those to benefit from the employment are those with sight challenges, albinos, the deaf and dumb, among others. The governor also said the 10 persons would include six males and four females. One of the beneficiaries of the employment opportunities, Miss Ibitoye Helen, said she graduated from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 2012 with a sec-

ond class uppper degree in English and Literary Studies and had been finding it difficult to make ends meet. “My parents are old and they live in Ilupeju-Ekiti. After they have suffered to send me to school, I am still a burden to them. Words have failed me to really express my appreciation to Governor Fayose. He has given me a lifeline and I pray that God will uphold him and grant him more successes

in life,” she said. Mrs Olumide, the mother of Enoch, said his condition had drained the family’s resources. “You can see that I am shaking. This is a big support that I cannot fully appreciate with words. What the governor has done is like helping my family to survive. I pray that God will take our dear governor to higher level and be with him and his family,” she said. President, Physically

Challenged Persons Association, Ekiti State, Mr Ojo Peters, said what the governor had done was unprecedented in the history of the state. “We have had governors in the past, but we have not seen this type of concern for people’s welfare. Truly, Governor Ayo Fayose is a kind man and a lover of the downtrodden. Some governors would have gone on a lavish celebration and would not give a thought to people

... Pays N150m compensation for demolished shops Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

THE Ekiti State government has announced the payment of N150 million as compensation to people whose properties will be affected by the construction of a new Ojaba Market in Ado-Ekiti, just as it has set a 14-month deadline for the construction of the market. Governor Ayo Fayose, who disclosed this while featuring on an interview programme on radio and television in Ado-Ekiti, said the demolition of the old market and the construction of new one would start on November 8. The governor added that the remaining sum of N5.4 million to be paid as compensation to those affected by the dualisation of Awedele Road in Ado-Ekiti would be paid this week. “This administration will not embark on any project without paying compensation to affected landlords and land owners. We don’t want any inconvenience for our people. “Despite the paucity of funds, the administration has done well as far as managing resources and financial matters are concerned. The goodwill we enjoy as leaders and as a government is what we are leveraging on. “It was the money we realised from the sale of the shops at Bisi Market in Ado-Ekiti that we committed to the building of Elegberun Market in Ikere. The Adunni Olayinka Women Development Centre is almost completed and it is being done at minimal cost to the state government.

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, assisting Mr Olumide Ojo, one of the beneficiaries of 35 wheelchairs he presented to the physically challenged, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of his administration, at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday.

Emphasis on school certificate unnecessary —Oyo Assembly By Wale Akinselure

EXAMINATION malpractices have become commonplace in schools owing to gratuitous emphasis on the acquisition of certificates, the Oyo State House of Assembly decried, on Tuesday. This assertion followed deliberation by the House on a motion on curbing examination malpractices in schools moved by Deputy Chief Whip, Olaleru Adebayo. Olaleru, not undermining the relevance of examination in assessing students and as a means of certification, however noted that the over reliance of society on paper qualification led to students and parents involving in legal and illegal means to pass examination. While noting that examination malpractice was collusion among students, teachers, head of schools and parents alike, Olaleru advocated for stiff sanctions by the Ministry of Ed-

ucation on schools where examination malpractice were established. He advocated for penalties to include that such erring schools be denied the opportunity to present students for public examination for two consecutive years, a ban on students involved in examination malpractice from writing public examination in the state for two years, and the

demotion or stagnation of erring teachers. Chairman, Parliamentary, Segun Ajanaku, and member, representing Ogbomoso North Constituency, Wunmi Oladeji, however called for caution noting that the measures should be corrective rather than destructive. They argued that the sanction would be appropriate if meted to particular persons and

not sanctioning a whole school. Summarising deliberation of members, Speaker of the House, Micheal Adeyemo noted the need to involve the Teachers Registration Council in sanctioning erring teachers while the government should look inwards to reduce emphasis on certificates.

Police arrest suspected killer of 11-yr-old boy ...Arrest kidnap suspect in Delta Ebenezer Adurokiya With Agency Reports

Detectives attached to Kirfi Police Division have arrested a 35-year-old man over the killing of an 11-year-old boy in Beni, Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State. This was contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in Bauchi, Haruna Mohammed, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday. The statement stated

that the suspect lured one Auwalu Manu and slaughtered him with a hand trowel. It added that the suspect further used the same object to slice his own throat in a bid to commit suicide and as a result became unconscious. According to the police statement, the scene of the crime was visited and a blood-stained hand trowel was recovered as exhibit. The statement added that both the victim and suspect were rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University

Teaching Hospital in Bauchi where the victim was certified dead. The case is still under investigation. Meanwhile, a kidnap suspect, Sampson Elelegwu, has been arrested by operatives of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) in Delta, last weekend. Elelegwu was suspected to have been among the hoodlums who dropped a threat letter at the gate of the residence of one Madam Ishijenkorelu at Agbor.

Rotary Club-Iyaganku donates laboratory equipment to school By ’Ronke Sanya

IN further pursuit of the actualisation of the watchword of Rotary International, which is service to humanity, the Rotary Club of Iyaganku-Ibadan, on Saturday donated science equipment to Community Grammar School, Airport road, Ibadan. The District Governor of Rotary International, Mike Omotosho, who was on a visit to the IyagankuIbadan club while revealing the science equipment donated said, “the aim of this is for everybody to understand that as human beings, we need to be able to give back to the society. It’s not a matter of how comfortable we are, it’s about the sacrifice we are willing to make, so as to make our community a better place. So everybody should endeavour to give what we can back to the society.” The President of Rotary Club, Iyaganku-Ibadan, Mr Mark Malik in his address said the donation was borne out of the passion of the rotary club for humanitarian course.

Oke Ogun people laud Shittu’s ministerial nomination President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to receive praises for his inclusion of Mr Adebayo Shittu among those who will form the National Executive of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This was contained in a release signed by Deacon Samuel A. Oyedemi and Barrister Bayo Toluwalase, Chairman and Acting Secretary, respectively of Oke Ogun Patriotic Movement (OPM), a grassroots, nonpolitical organisation, championing the cause of Oke Ogun people of Oyo State. “We the people across the length and breadth of Oke Ogun appreciate the calibre of people which President Muhammadu Buhari assembled to work with him to move the nation forward. We are particularly happy with his nomination of Barrister Bayo Shittu, himself a grassroots politician, eminent lawyer, and a good administrator with impeccable integrity. We assure Mr President that Shittu will serve the country very well and be one of the stars in his government.”

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015 Nigerian Tribune 38 news We know nothing about immigration recruitment exercise —Interior ministry, NIS Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

HE Federal Ministry of Interior and the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have both denied involvement in the process leading to the ill-fated recruitment of some youths, after about 15 youths lost their lives on March 15, 2014 in the stampede that greeted the recruitment exercise organised by the service. Already, the immediate past Comptroller-General of the NIS, David Parradang, was reportedly a guest at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he was quizzed for eight hours over the alleged N650 million fees collected from immigration job seekers last year. The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the Immigration stampede was set up to know

the whereabout of the N1,000 charged each of the over 6,000 applicants for the recruitment forms, after the former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, ordered refund. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Magaji and the representative of the Comptroller General of the Immigration, Henry Malgwi, while addressing the panel, maintained that those who were recruited based on the presidential directive were not being paid salaries as expected, was due to the absence of a presidential approval that would have helped to ratify the employment. The permanent secretary also cited disagreement between the Prisons, Immigration, Civil Defence and Fire Service Board and the presidential committee set up to look into the incident. According to him, “there was no single presidential

approval to employ the purported number of people into the NIS. “The ministry knows nothing about the recruitment exercise. What happened was merely a ceremonial issuance of letter to the people who lost their family members in the stampede. “There was never a formal issuance of appointment letters approved by the president that would have made the people so employed to become eligible for salaries in the Immigration service,” he said. Mr Magaji also declared that the powers of the board to make and approve appointment or recruitment under the law was withdrawn and given to a standing committee set up by the president. “So, on that basis, we couldn’t have ratified any appointment without Mr President’s approval for such letters of employment to be issued. The commit-

PDP NEC to meet one year after

...Inaugurates committee for Kogi, Bayelsa guber polls JacobSegunOlatunjiandLeon Usigbe-Abuja

After one year of its last meeting, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will meet in Abuja, next week, to discuss sundry issues on how to move the party forward. The National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisah Metuh disclosed this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the National Campaign Committees (NCC) of the party, for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. It was gathered that the meeting is expected to discuss the report of the PDP post-election review committee headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. The meeting might also discuss how to fill the vacancies in the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT). The vacancies were created with the resignation of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and Chief Tony Anenih as National Chairman and BoT Chairman respectively. Inaugurating the two committees, the acting National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, said the conduct of the 2015 general election, which PDP supervised were generally accepted as most credible, free and fair in the country and urged the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to follow suit in Kogi and Bayelsa states’ elec-

tions. According to him, “In 2015, PDP conducted civilised elections, which were most credible, free and fair. The APC led government should ensure that it conducts free and fair elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States.” “We will conduct civilised campaigns, PDP will not engage in violence and rigging. We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the elections are free and fair,” Secondus added.

He charged the committees’ members to reconcile all interest groups in the two states, manage and raise funds for the campaigns as well as mobilise women and youths to ensure that the party’s candidates were delivered at the polls. Chairman of Kogi State campaign committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who responded on behalf of members of the two committees expressed the belief that PDP would bounce back to power in 2019, insisting that PDP remained the Party to beat in the country.

I’m not aware of Lai Mohammed’s suit against me —Metuh JacobSegunOlatunjiAndLeon Usigbe-Abuja

THE National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh on Tuesday said he was not aware of a law suit filed against him by the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed. In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday, through his Special Assistant, Mr Richard Ihediwa, Metuh, declared that, “for the avoidance of doubt, this office wishes to state categorically that Chief Olisa Metuh or any of his lawyers are not aware of any such suit by Lai Mohammed, nor have they been served. Also, none of the newspapers that

carried the story published the said suit.” The statement read further that, “If it is true that any legal action has been instituted, it should not be limited to newspaper reports, unless it is meant for the media, as Chief Metuh is a prominent Nigerian whose office and residential address are well known. “This office however, insists that if indeed, Lai Mohammed has instituted any case against Chief Metuh, we charge him to ensure that he prosecutes it to the very end. “Nevertheless, we invite Nigerians to note the relentless attempt by APC leaders, including Lai Mohammed, to threaten, intimidate, harass and cow Chief Metuh into submissive opposition.”

tee was constituted without a single member of the board taking part and it also carried out recruitment without budgetary provision,” he said. On his part, Malgwi, maintained that the to-

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tal number of those who died based on the report obtained from the Department of State Services (DSS) were 15, while 131 were injured. On the whereabout of the money so collected from

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the applicants, he said “the NIS knew nothing about the consultancy contract asking Nigerians to pay money for recruitment, and so we don’t know where the money is.”

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news

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Tribunal upholds Saraki’s victory Biola Azeez - Ilorin

HE National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin has upheld the March 28, 2015 election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara Central senatorial candidate, Senator Bukola Saraki. Delivering his ruling on Tuesday in Ilorin, the

chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Josiah Majebi, in his two-hour ruling, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, for lack of merit, competence and substance. The chairman said the petitioner failed to proof his case that the election that

produced the respondent, Senator Saraki, was characterised by electoral malpractices that could warrant the cancellation of the election. He also said that the petitioner failed to establish any basic fact that there were electoral malpractices in some wards of Ilorin South, Ilorin East and Asa local government councils of the senatorial district,

... upholds PDP member election in Benue JohnsonBabajide-Makurdi CHAIRMAN of the National/State Legislative Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, Justice David Nyon, yesterday upheld the election of Honourable Ezekiel Adaji, House of Representatives member representing Otukpo/Ohinmini federal constituency. All the prayers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nelson Alapa, were dismissed. Justice Nyon stated that evidences of the witnesses were not convincing as they were based on inadmissible hearsay, noting that the

presentation of the petition was speculative. Justice Nyom said the documents and exhibits tendered should have come from makers of the documents and not the petitioner’s counsel, accusing Alapa of not calling polling unit agents which would have been favourable to him. According to him, “It is unfortunate that in the 20th century and for a developing nation, so much energies and resources are wasted on certain matters that are incomprehensible. We should know when to draw the line for the interest of the country.”

... confirms Senator Nwogo’s election Sunday Ejike - Abuja THE Rivers State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday upheld the election of Senator Olaka Johnson Nwogo representing Rivers South East Senatorial district in the Senate. The tribunal dismissed the petition brought against Senator Nwogo’s election by Senator Magnus Abe and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). Justice Mohammed Sifawa who delivered the judgment of the three-member panel that sat on the petition held that Magnus Abe and APC failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt their allegation that there was no election at the senatorial district in the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election. According to the tribunal, “in one breath, the petitioner claimed that there was no election in the senatorial district and in another breath, the same petitioner tendered documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on how election materials were shared on the election day.” Justice Sifawa said that it was wrong in law for the petitioner to be speaking from both sides of his mouth as he tendered documents from the election he claimed never held.

The tribunal said the petitioner failed to call at least one witness from the over 1,400 polling units in his senatorial district to substantiate his allegation that there was no election, adding also that the few witnesses called by the petitioner to prove his allegation missed the target in their evidence by emphasising on non relevant issues.

The judge, however, said that the petitioner failed to prove the non compliance, over voting and allegation of irregularities in the election, saying “the election is hereby dismissed in its entirety and I hold that the first respondent (Adaji) was duly elected.” Alapa who is also a chieftain of the APC, in his petition, alleged discrepancies in the conduct of the election, maintaining that it was marred by widespread falsification of results, mutilation, cancellation, impersonation, fictitious results, missing and unaccounted ballot papers as well as improper accreditation of voters. He had prayed the court to cancel the results in 48 polling units and order for rerun. Similarly, the tribunal upheld the election of a House of Representatives member for Gwer/ Gwer West, Honourable Mark Gbillah against John Tion on grounds that Tion’s petition was filed out of time as well that of Herman Hembe of APC for Vandeikya/ Konshisha Federal constituency.

adding that the demand for the cancellation of the results of the election in the affected local government councils was not tenable. “In accordance with Electoral Act, any petition to election petition must be filed within the 21 days, but the petitioner failed to file his petition within the specific period of the time of 21 days, but instead filed outside the scheduled time and thus lacked merit that can warrant the cancellation of the election,” the tribunal said.

THE National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday upheld the victory of Honourable Segun Dokun Odebunmi in the March 28 election. Honourable Odebunmi, representing Surulere/OgoOluwa federal constituency, is the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected lawmaker in Oyo State. His victory in March 28 election was challenged at the tribunal by the Labour Party candidate, Israel Ogundiran and Mathew Abioye of the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking for nullification of the results announced by INEC base on alleged malpractices and non qualification to contest the election The three-men panel, led by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in their judgement submitted that the Labour Party’s case was dismissed

on the ground that the party was unable to discharge the burden placed on it by the law, and also failed to prove that Honourable Odebunmi was not qualified to contest the election. In the case of APC, the tribunal ruled that there was no concrete evidence enough to nullify the election as demanded by the petitioner thereby dismissing

By Dare Adekanmbi Justice Usman Tanko, Chairman of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Oyo State, will today deliver judgment in a petition filed by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin against the election of Senator Soji Akanbi. Lanlehin, Accord Party senatorial candidate for Oyo South District, is challenging the declaration of Akanbi as the winner of the election in almost all the polling units in the district. In his final written address adopted by the tribunal last Thursday, Lanlehin averred that there was substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and election guidelines in all the nine local government councils in the election. He urged the tribunal to void the election of Akanbi as he was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

the petition for lack of merit APC’s candidate in the election, Honourable Mathew Abioye, had asked the court to nullify the election of March 28 in Ogo Oluwa/ Surulere local government based on several cases of falsification of results, malpractices, rigging and non compliance with the provision of electoral act.

But Akanbi, in his own address, described the averments in Lanlehin’s petition as vague and nebulous and urged the tribunal

two PDP senators held on March 28 were challenged by the Labour Party candidates: Chief Nnanna Elechi (Ebonyi Central) and Chief Peter Oge-Ali (Ebonyi North). Agya dismissed Elechi’s petition for lack of merit and said evidence provided by the petitioner was not enough to prove his claims of irregularities in the election. “The petitioner claimed that there were violence, ballot-box snatching,

to determine “whether the petitioner’s alleged noncompliance and irregularities substantially affected the result of the election.”

... affirms Kwara APC mandates Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ilorin has affirmed the election of Senator representing Kwara South senatorial district under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Rafiu Ibrahim. The PDP candidate in the election, Mr Lola Ashiru, had approached the tribunal to nullify the election of Senator Ibrahim for alleged electoral malpractices that took place during the March 28 National Assembly election in the state. Delivering his ruling on Tuesday, the chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Josiah Majebi, dismissed the petition filed by Ashiru for lacking in merit. Justice Majebi held that the petitioner failed to prove the allegation of manipulation of results. In another judgment delivered by the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Majebi dismissed the petition of Tajudeen Abioye of the PDP challenging the victory of the lawmaker representing Oyun, Offa, Ifelodun federal constituency under the banner of APC, Honourable Tope Olayonu. The tribunal said that the

Tribunal endorses election of 2 Ebonyi senators THE National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki on Tuesday upheld the victory of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators from Ebonyi. The tribunal, headed by Justice John Agya, upheld the elections of Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP-Ebonyi Central) and Senator Sam Egwu (PDP-Ebonyi North). The elections of the

petitioner before the tribunal, adding that it could not be admitted as a factor to cancel the election. He, therefore, dismissed the petition for lack of merit, competence and substance. The chairman commended the parties in the case for their comportment and understanding throughout the proceedings. In his reaction, the lead counsel to Senator Saraki, Mr Kehinde Eleja, lauded the ruling saying that, “it is an erudite delivery.”

... delivers judgment in Lanlehin’s petition today

Oyo PDP Rep member’s election confirmed By Tunde Ogunesan

Justice Majebi also said that all the arguments raised by the petitioner that the election did not comply with the electoral act could not be substantiated, adding that all evidences tendered before the tribunal were basically on hearsay and should not be admissible as true evidence that could negate the election of the respondent. The chairman also said that the petitioner failed to establish the expert oral evidence on the forensic analysis put forward by the

dumping of results among others during the elections but could not prove these claims with the evidence submitted. “The forensic materials submitted by the petitioner were not submitted on or before the 21-day period stipulated by law,” he said. Agya said that the petitioner could not prove incidences of electoral fraud at the four local government areas which make up the senatorial zone.”

petitioner failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act. Honourable Olayonu had been declared winner of Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency by INEC. Also, the tribunal dismissed the petition of Babatunde Olusola of PDP challenging the victory of the APC lawmaker representing Isin, Irepodun, Ekiti/OkeEro federal constituency of the state, Honourable Olufunke Adedoyin.

Court upholds Senator Ogola’s election, dismisses Lokpobiri’s petition Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa THE Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has upheld the election of Senator Foster Ogola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as representative of Bayelsa West Senatorial District. A panel of three justices led by A. G. Mshelia, with other members S. D. Bage and I. O. Okeju, dismissed the petition of Eddi Mietunde Smith Julius and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lack of merit. The Court of Appeal also dismissed the petition of Heineken Lokpobiri challenging Ogola’s emergence as the PDP candidate for the March 28 National Assembly election. Julius had gone to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal in rejecting Ogola’s Form CF001 which he tendered in evidence and for denying all parties the chance to make inputs on the issue which the tribunal had declared suo moto.

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Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Dickson postpones campaign kick-off in honour of Alamieyeseigha Austin Ebipade, Yenagoa

overnor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has postponed the official flag off of his governorship campaign earlier scheduled for this Saturday, in Yenagoa, in honour of the first civilian governor of the state, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, who died last Saturday, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. Contained in a statement issued in Yenagoa by the Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso Markson, the governor also condemned the controversies surround-

ing his death, thereby calling on the peace loving people of the Ijaw nation at home and in the Diaspora to maintain law and order. Dickson, during a special media broadcast on Tuesday, in Yenagoa, noted that though the country and particularly the Ijaw nation have lost a foremost statesman and leader, the state government was determined to give Chief Alamieyeseigha a befitting state burial. His words, “the state gov-

ernment is determined to accord him a befitting state burial. In this regard, a high powered burial committee led by the deputy governor has been constituted. This committee will work out details of the programme with the family and other relevant stakeholders. Eulogising the former civilian governor, Dickson said, Chief Alamieyeseigha in his life time, apart from serving our nation as a military officer, also dedicated himself to passionate and

committed service to the state and the entire Ijaw nation, both as governor and in other capacities. “His selfless devotion and service to Bayelsa State and the entire Ijaw nation earned him the sobriquet, Governor-General of the ijaw nation in his lifetime,” the governor stated. He posited that aside the seven-day mourning period, during which all flags in public buildings and places are to fly at half mast, condolence registers have been

opened in Government House, the state secretariat complex, Ijaw House in Yenagoa and the state liaison offices in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt in honour of the deceased. Dickson, who condemned the propaganda and orchestrated harassment that led to the untimely death of the governor-general, called on the people of the state and Ijaw nation to maintain the peace, as they mourn the departed leader whom he described as a man of peace.

Judges’ conference halts ICPC trial of illegal varsity operator THE Independent Corrupt Practices And other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) could not proceed with the trial of David Iornem charged for running illegal universities because of the ongoing annual Judges Conference for Federal High Court Judges in Lafia, Nassarawa State. The matter slated for continued hearing yesterday, before Justice Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, was adjourned till November 24. The defendant is facing a 14-count charge bothering on advanced fee fraud, racketeering and money laundering. The charges accused Iornem that between January 2012 and August 2013, with intent to defraud, induced Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, to pay eleven thousand, five hundred and fifty Dollars ($11,550) for the award of an academic doctorate degree. He is also accused of obtaining five thousand dollars ($5000) from one Akinkuotu Albert Oluwatoyin, under false pretence that the said victim had been offered admission to pursue a doctorate degree of philosophy in management at Commonwealth University Belize, an illegal and unaccredited university. The accused was also alleged to have at different times obtained $800 from one Jamilu Rabiu Sani, an undercover operative of the ICPC as application form fee, N1million from Festus Uwakhemen Asikhna and $6,800 from Victor Ekpo Effiom.

From left: Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG); Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Mr Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Lagos State, at a three-day retreat for members of Edo State executive council and permanent secretaries, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Monday.

NIPOST advised to adopt more 21st century services By Doyin Adeoye The Nigerian Postal Service has been advised to do more in the area of its Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Chairing the occasion of the World Postal Day and Customers’ forum organised by the Oyo territory of the organisation, Mr Emmanuel Abimbola made this remark, adding that there is a need for NIPOST to do more in terms of advocacy and education. “NIPOST’s services no doubt is being affected with the advent of technology. So there is a need to create new strategies to educate and reach the public, especially the youths, on what NIPOST really stands for. NIPOST is at a great advantage because of its coverage and so it needs to use this platform to reach out to more people. Unfortunately it is the older generation that knows about the post office today and that needs to change.” Held at the General Post Office, Dugbe, Ibadan, the Area Postal Manager, Oyo territory, Mrs Titi Ajayi,

said the event avails the organisation an opportunity to evaluate and appraise its performance vis-à-vis its policies and operational strategies, with a view to aligning with current trends in business and ultimately, satisfying their esteemed customer’s evolving needs.” In her remark, she hinted that the postal agency has

indeed been affected with the advent of ICT. “The importance of the advent of ICT to our organisation cannot be over emphasised. In no small measure, the NIPOST has leveraged on the platform to upgrade its services through counter automation across the country, thus enhancing its track and trace system as well as

financial transactions, particularly our PostCash and International Financial Services (IFS),” she said. The special guest at the event, Dr Kenneth Onyegbule, a consultant and oral pathologist lauded the efforts of the agency, while also advising them to do more to keep up with the new trends.

Controversy, protest continue over Wuye market Christian Okeke - Abuja and CONTROVERSIES protests over shops ownership at Wuye ultra-modern market in Abuja, were yet far from over as one of the groups laying claims to the ownership of the shops at the market, Forum of Wuye Market Shop Owners staged another protest in Abuja. The group decried what it described as continuous shut down of the market. Chairperson of the forum, Mr Juliet Ozoemena, while speaking during the protest march stated it was unfair that shop owners at the market could no longer carry out their legitimate

businesses freely. Ozoemena called on the relevant authorities to expedite action in resolving the dispute so that those who had fulfilled their financial obligations to the developers could regain access to the shops. He said, “We are tired of this problem, the huge money many of us have invested in this market seems to be wasting by the day. “We want all these people that are causing the problem to come up with their papers and verify their claims, these shops cannot go for free as they are claiming, we want to go back to our business.

“Members of this forum numbering over 1, 200 beginning from the year 2007 faithfully keyed into the project and paid sums ranging from N3 million, N6 million, N10 million and N25 million, depending on the shop sizes,’’ he said. On his part, the legal adviser to the forum, Mr Shaibu Aruwa, said since the shop owners’ forum keyed into the market project since 2007, they had rights to the various shops without any hindrances. He said the conduct of the former Bakassi market shop owners who were laying claim to the Wuye Market shops, was most regretful.

‘Assign constitutional role to First Lady’s office’ Arc Development Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated to women empowerment and poverty alleviation, has joined the growing list of women activists clamouring for enactment of a Law giving legal backing and assigning constitutional role to the office of the first Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Addressing a gathering of women activists in Gwagwalada area council of the FCT, Abuja, at the weekend, the Director of Public Awareness of the Arc Development Initiative, Hajiya Suffiya Abubakar, said that her organisation has embarked on a nationwide awareness campaign and mass mobilisation of women to press home their demand for the National Assembly to enact a law to give legal recognition and constitutional backing to the office of the First lady. Hajiya Abubakar disclosed that her NGO is currently discussing with other women groups across the country to sponsor a bill at the National Assembly towards actualising this lofty objective. She explained that the enactment of a law is to give legal and official recognition to an office that evolved out of conventional practices in developed democracies but became institutionalised by the late wife of former military President, Hajiya Maryam Babangida, who brought pomp and pageantry into office of the first Lady with her Better Life for Rural women programme.

ALGON/NULGE meet with JMOAN ALGON/NULGE in collaboration with Joint Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria (JMOAN) will on Friday, October 16, hold a meeting to discuss compliance with the Joint Tax Board (JTB). The South West meeting, which will hold at Lafia Hotel, Apata, Ibadan by 11.00 a.m. will discuss directives in line with the extant law in the discharge of Local Government Statutory (IGR) duties in the 774 of Local Government in Nigeria. All members of Local Government Revenue Committees in the South West State are expected to be at the meeting.

news

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

IPMAN gets tough on marketers hoarding fuel in Ogun Attributes current fuel scarcity to depot price change, shortage OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta With Agency Report

HE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mosinmi Branch, has vowed to arrest any petroleum marketer found hoarding premium motor spirit (PMS) through the assistance of the officials of the Department of State Security. Nigerian Tribune recalled that most gas stations in the state, especially Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, since last Thursday, stopped dispensing fuel to customers. Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, Comrade Adeleke Bada, expressed displeasure at the attitude of some of their members hoarding the product, thereby creating artificial scarcity. Bada appealed to its members to make the product available to cus-

tomers in order to alleviate the untold hardships the residents are currently facing. On why some marketers were selling at N100 per litre, Bada explained that some of them bought the product at a cost of N87 per litre from private depot in addition to the cost of transportation. He attributed sudden sharp fall in the supply of petrol in the South West states to the pipeline vandalism at Arepo area of the state, adding the repair of the petroleum pipelines would take the Nigerian National Petroleum Cor-

poration (NNPC) some weeks. The IPMAN boss disclosed that until the damaged pipelines were fixed, some of the marketers who patronise private depot at Apapa, Lagos would still be selling above pump price. Meanwhile, IPMAN said the current scarcity of fuel in some parts of the country was due to the change in depot price of the commodity. The National Secretary of IPMAN, Alhaji Umar Gulumbe, said this while addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday, in reaction to the current

scarcity experienced in Kebbi and other states of the country. He said traffic congestion and the delay in loading the product on waiting petrol tankers were also responsible for the scarcity of the commodity. He explained that the actual price his members got PMS as retailers from the depots in Lagos was N77.66k. He expressed dismay that a new price of N88 has been introduced. “Initially it was N77 but we just woke up to hear new price of N88 per litre. So you see it is not possible

for our members to sell it at N87 at filling stations, considering other expenses of loading, duration it takes on the way for clearance. “We cannot be selling at a loss; apart from that, let me reveal to you that we pay extra money in a separate account before we can get the commodity or else our tanks will be at stand still for months.” Similarly, the Zonal chairman of IPMAN in charge of the North West, Alhaji Dan Jega, attributed the scarcity to the shortage of the commodity in almost all the depots in the country.

Recovery of N2.4bn: It is totally mischief, PDP tells el-Rufai Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Stakeholders Forum, in Kaduna, has said the recent statement credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai that it has recovered N24 billion in various accounts was a total mischief and propaganda. This was contained in a communiqué issued to newsmen in Kaduna and signed by an elder of the party, Alhaji Rabiu Bako, at the end of its meeting. It said the funds in question were not stolen, but rather saved in government coffers by the previous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government. While thanking the people of Kaduna for their support, it disclosed, “We want to state categorically and in very clear terms that our great party is intact, alive, strong and more united than ever.” The communiqué faulted the policies of the APC government under el-Rufai and concluded that “APC has no positive agenda whatsoever for the betterment of the ordinary people. “Instead, it seems to be bent on returning the state to the dark days of military dictatorship with inhuman policies.”

Wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun (right), acknowledging cheers from some beneficiaries of 2015 Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness and screening exercise, organised by the governor’s wife, in Ota, on Tuesday.

NESREA seals off 9 quarries in Cross River Ubong Anthony-Calabar

THE National Environmental Standard Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), on Tuesday, sealed off nine quarry sites in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State over failure to pay environmental impact assessment fees.

Mrs Angela Iwobi, Cross River coordinator of NESREA who led the team, said the companies were shut down after several letters had been written to them for payment of Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental impact fees, adding that the companies failed to comply.

She, however, said the enforcement exercise was in line with the law establishing the agency and the International Treaty on Environmental Law. “What we have done is in line with the law setting up NESREA and in compliance with the international treaty on environmental law, to which Nigeria is a

Onitsha electronic market fire injures 3 persons, destroys N50m goods Suzy Oruya-Onitsha

Three people, on Monday midnight, escaped death during a fire outbreak at the Onitsha International Electronic Market in Anambra State that left over N50 worth of goods damaged. Nigerian Tribune learnt from one of the vigilance operatives inside the market, who said he subsequently alerted his commander, Mr Jideofor Okacha that the fire started around

3a.m. from one of the lock-up shops. Speaking, the vigilance commander, Mr Okacha stressed the need for control switch to be installed in the market. He stated that on rushing to the shop with other security operatives; the thick smoke was seen bellowing from the said shop that was lockedup with musical instruments. “We tried to break the shop to stop the fire with our fire extinguisher but to no avail and the secu-

rity men from one of the new generation banks located inside the market brought their extinguisher but to no avail, rather the fire escalated, touching the double shop apartment and other closed shops in the market,” the security commander hinted. “As it went out of our control, we called the Okpoko fire servicemen at about 4a.m. and they responded promptly with their vehicle and fought to put out the fire.

NOA boss wants FRSC to impound smoking vehicles By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has been called upon to impound and prosecute drivers and owners of smoking vehicles to reduce health hazards on our roads. This appeal was made by the Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu, while addressing people of Ibadan South East Local Government area, Mapo, Ibadan, during the directorate’s programme, titled “Guide to healthy living: positive environmental and security habits,” on Wednesday. Dosunmu noted that the challenges of climate change are mainly caused by the abuse of the environment through the activities of man, thus endangering their health. She said “The FRSC should impound and prosecute drivers and owners of smoking vehicles. All the vehicles that have outlived their life span should be withdrawn from our roads by the enforcement agencies and road worthy ones should be serviced as at when due to reduce the health hazards on our roads.”

150 VVF patients trained on skills acquisition in Jigawa Adamu Amadu-Dutse

signatory,” Iwobi said. She lamented the failure of quarry companies and other construction firms in the state to pay their EIA or EIS fees after several letters have been written to them by the agency. “We have written several letters to them to come forward and pay their mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). “The problem with them is that, they will refuse to pay until NESREA decides to seal their sites before you see them rushing to come and pay,” she said. According to her, the agency decided to enforce the law in order to stop the impunity by the quarry companies and construction firms who ignore all environmental standards in their operations. She also threatened that the agency would drag to court, any company that removes the agency’s seal on its property without payment.

THE Jigawa State government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in collaboration with Fistula Foundation, embarked on the training of 100 Vesico Virginal Fistula (VVF) patients, who were taught various job skills in the state. This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Women Affairs, Malam Magaji Uba Idiris, while speaking to newsmen in his office said, “The aim of the training is to empower the patients and also to create an avenue to engage them on trades to ease the psychological trauma they may experience after discharging them from the hospital.” Alhaji Idris noted that, this is not the first time the ministry and the foundation collaborated, last year; they trained 50 patients on various skills of their choice. Idris maintained that the patients were trained on jobs skills like cloth making; local spaghetti making; Awara; Daddawa and shoe making, among others.

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Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

Probe: We’ll comply with court order —Ortom By Chinwe Ugwanyi

enue State governor, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday, agreed to comply with the ruling of a Makurdi High Court which ordered a stay of proceedings on the panels probing the immediate past state administration. Ortom, who was reacting to the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iorhemen Hwande’s ruling, said the stay was a temporarily judicial process, adding that the state government’s lawyers would follow due process to vacate it. He said he had confidence in the judiciary, due process and the rule of law, stressing that he set up the judicial panel to avail all concerned the opportunity to defend themselves in accordance with the core values of his administration which included transparency, fairness, accountability and justice. On calls by some individuals and groups that the probe ought to cover

George Akume administration, the governor stated that he did not take over from the former governor, who is now a senator. He also explained that the

people, who voted for him, specifically demanded that he should probe the immediate past administration of Mr Gabriel Suswam, to know why the state had

been allegedly brought to its knees, so that his administration would avoid pitfalls and learn lessons. Ortom stated that the people had expressed their

wish that those who diverted public funds into personal use, should be held accountable, adding that such funds or property be recovered if possible.

Acting Director, Certification, National Youth Service Corps (Nysc), Alhaji Aliyu Taura (left) and the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs Bose Aderibigbe, unveiling the newly improved Nysc certificate, in Abuja, on Thursday. PHOTO: Nan

New NYSC certificates now to bear corps members’ photograph —Director Adetola Bademosi - Abuja IN the bid to check forgery and impersonation, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Tuesday, unveiled the newly enhanced NYSC certificates. The certificates which comprise the Certificate of National Service, Certificate of Exemption and Letter of Exclusion, will now bear the passport photograph of the corps members at the upper right hand corner of the certificate. Addressing newsmen in Abuja, at the official unveiling of the new NYSC certificate, the acting Director of Certification, Alhaji Aliyu Daura, said

it would take effect from the Batch \’C\’ 2014 corps members, who are due for passing out on Thursday, October 15, 2015. He stated that the new innovation would guarantee the security of the scheme’s certificates from forgery and block all chances of

impersonation. Consequently, he urged employers to forward any purportedly issued certificate by the scheme for verification of its authenticity. This was just as he disclosed that efforts were also being made by the scheme to automate veri-

fication of all NYSC certificates for easy access by the public. “In our concerted effort to make the operation of the NYSC conform with global best practices, the scheme engaged in the holistic e-NYSC solution with effect from Batch \’C\’ 2014

NAPTAN defends Ajimobi’s stance on school fees introduction By Tunde Ogunesan National Parent-Teacher-Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), has defended the introduction of “school fees”to post-primary schools in Oyo State, saying it is part of the contributions of parents to the development of education in the state.

The state NAPTAN chairman, Alhaji Abiodun Jimoh while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, on Tuesday, noted that introduction of N3,000 fees per session payable by students in Oyo public schools, was to ensure that parents contributed to the educational development of their children

and wards. He stated that the payment of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration fees by parents, would make them take the education of their children seriously. While decrying the nonchallant attitude of some parents to their children

Ondo Sea Surge: Repair works begin on damaged schools ONDO State government has commenced the renovation works of the two schools affected penultimate week by the sea surge in Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state. Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Pastor Wole Ogunyomi Johnson, speaking while distributing relief materials to the people affected by the ocean surge in the community, noted that the students of the two schools had been immediately relocated in order not to disrupt their academic activities.

where prospective corps members register online before proceeding to the orientation camp. “This resulted in the enhancement of issuance of NYSC certificates namely; Certificate of National Service, Certificate of Exemption and Letter of Exclusion.”

He added that government was working round the clock to ensure that the schools were put back to shape within two weeks. Government had earlier sent its team to sympathise with the victims of the incident and the people of the area, as well as assess the level of havoc occasioned by the sea surge. Ogunyomi stressed that the relief materials was to bring immediate succor to the affected people in the community, disclosing also that government was working hard to make life more comfortable for the people of the area. Food items like vegetable oil, rice, gari, salts and Indomie, among others,

were provided by the government for the people and handed over to the committee raised by the community for the purpose. While applauding the state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for his quick response to the plights of the people in the area, Ogunyomi admonished them to always reciprocate the good gesture of the Mimiko administration. Speaking on the occasion, the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Jefta Adeniyan obapolo, who expressed appreciation to Governor Mimiko, stressed that no effort would be spared to attract the attention and

assistance of the Federal Government and the International community to salvage the situation. In his goodwill message, the chairman of Ondo State Sport Council, Prince John Ola Mafo advised the people particularly the youth in the area, to desist from any act capable of discouraging officials of government who may come to extend hands of fellowship to it towards containing the problem of ocean surge in the area. He noted that the problem could not be handled by the state government without the assistance of the Federal Government and the international community.

education, Jimoh added that payment of the examination fees by parents was a test case, saying “if we can achieve better result in the sector, government can now come back to assist parents in the payment of the education fees. “The state government do not want the lukewarm attitude of the parents towards education to continue, hence the introduction of the assistance fees as part of their contribution to education development in the state. NAPTAN also support the payment of WAEC fees by parents. “As stakeholders in the education sector, we have to support government policy on education on how we can improve education in the state,” he said. According to him, parents should play effective role by contributing to the development of education in the state. He commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi on steps taken to reposition education in the state and described the inauguration of education monitoring committee as another milestone.

Lagos Assembly screens Ambode’s cabinet nominees ChukwumaOkparaochaand Racheal Adesokan - Lagos THE Lagos State Assembly on Tuesday commenced screening of 37 nominees of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for appointment as commissioners and special advisers. This screening followed the submission of the reports of the Assembly’s 15-man ad hoc Screening Committee led by Mr Wasiu Esinlokun-Sanni (APCLagos Island 2), which had earlier conducted what is believed to be a thorough screening of the nominees to the House. The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said selection of the nominees was a call to perform and enhance the living condition of Lagos residents. Obasa said there was the need for the nominees to share the biodata and their experience before the House screening ad hoc committee on the floor of the Assembly. Among the nominees that appeared before the House were Mr Gbolahon Lawal, Dr Jide Idris, Mr Folarin Coker, Mr Seye Oladejo, Mr Ganiyu Johnson and Mr Babatunde Hunpe, being six former cabinet members of former Governor Babatunde Fashola government.

Okowa donates Hilux vehicles to Delta nysc AlphonsusAgborh–Asaba Delta State office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Tuesday, received two Hilux vehicles from the state government to facilitate its community development and inspection assignments across the state. Presenting the vehicles to the state NYSC director, Mrs Olive Etukudor flanked by other assistant directors, principal works superintendent in the Government House, Asaba, Mr Federick Koffi Ekere, who represented Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said the vehicles were donated to ease movements at the orientation camp in Issele-uku. Receiving the vehicles, Etukudor commended the gesture coming at a time the vehicles were most needed, noting that the governor had earlier donated four industrial gas cookers and burners to ease cooking at the orientation camp. Ekutudor also appealed to the state government for a bus to convey more corps members across the state.

news Operation Burst returns to Oyo

By Oluwatoyin Malik

HE security outfit which was codenamed ‘Operation Burst’ and once put in place by the Oyo State government but later rested, has been re-launched by the state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade. Speaking during the launching on Monday, Oyebade said that the security outfit was being resuscitated after its personnel had been sent back to the classrooms for training that would enhance their operations. He stated: “In our new direction towards a total onslaught against men of the underworld, we have prepared our men. Operation Burst has been renewed and re-invigorated in Oyo State and I am using this opportunity to tell members of the public that

they should prepare to enjoy the festivities of the end of the year as we are combat-ready.” The police commissioner also said that his command would not condone acts that would bring mayhem to the state, adding: “We are ready to respond to distress calls within the shortest possible time.” Saying that the new Operation Burst was with a mission, Oyebade promised that the personnel would not go outside their duties.

“We are not going to allow any officer in the team to drag the name of the police in the mud. We have guidelines for them. There is a procedure guiding their activities and they have to conform to it. Their conducts are being monitored. Their actions will be subjected to investigations if there is any complain from members of the public. The Operation Burst of today will be responsive, and would give us the desired result,” he assured.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

He enjoined members of the public and community leaders to continue to partner with the police by giving relevant and reliable information needed to forge ahead in bringing crime to the lowest ebb in the state. The police also charged the personnel of the outfit on arms handling. He said that there were places that arms usage would not be necessary, especially in controlling crowd, adding that there

should be a directive if there would be any need for arms use, a situation he described as very rare. The Commissioner of Police also spoke to the personnel on civility to members of the public, saying that the police were supposed to protect them while they give information. He also warned them against extortion, saying that anyone caught with any case of bribery would face the music.

Aregbesola bemoans Nigeria’s loss of investment in communication infrastructure Oluwole Ige - Osogbo Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday, described as unfortunate loss of huge opportunities in the inability of the country to encourage local manufacturing of its needs in telephony and general communication infrastructure. Aregbesola said the opportunities his government saw in the massive population of technology devices users in Nigeria, led to the birth of such company in Osun as typified by the establishment of the RLG/Adulawo Technology Centre and the innovative tablet of knowledge called Opon Imo. He stated this on Tuesday as the chief host, at the Annual General Meeting and the 11th international conference and exhibition on power and telecommunication of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) entitled: “Power and Telecommunications: New frontier for investment” in Osogbo. Aregbesola called on universities, other tertiary institutions and engineers in the country to allow their teachings and understanding of electrical and electronic engineering to affect the production of requisite knowledge needed by the sector for the growth of Nigeria.

Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade (left), addressing officers and men of the state security outfit, Operation Burst, on Monday. In front is the Commander and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, Chris Owolabi.

Court remands 3 over kidnapping, stealing Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure A Magistrates’ court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of three suspects at the Olokuta Prison for allegedly kidnapping and stealing properties worth over a million Naira.

The three accused persons are Sunday Abegunde (30), Babatunde Fajemileyin (39) and Fanimokun Levis (30). According to the Police Prosecutor, ASP Isah Atanegbe, the three accused persons robbed Foluso Aribaba of a

Toyota Camry valued at N600,000, one Samsung handset, one Huawei, one Nokia Lumia, all valued at N212,000, including jewelries, beads, two wristwatches, a pair of shoes, provisions and clothes valued at N62,000. The police officer said

NITDA to deploy high-tech electronic gadgets for credible polls Collins Nnabuife - Abuja National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that it will deploy technologies for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible polls in the future. Speaking on Tuesday, at a press conference in Abuja, the Director- General of NITDA, Mr Peter Jack, said that the aim of the project was to leverage on other country’s experience. The Director-General, represented by a director in the agency, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said the process of deployment of these technologies would precede

the eNigeria Conference scheduled for November this year. He noted that eNigeria project would reengineer the national electoral process through the adoption of high-tech electronic voting system. On the eNigeria project, he said, “the 2015 edition is targeted towards improving our electoral process through ICT development. “The aim is to use this platform to leverage on the experiences of other nations that have effectively deployed ICT to enhance credible and successful electoral processes in their countries and develop appropriate mechanism that would en-

hance our own electoral process in Nigeria.” He also pointed out that the eNigeria project would give room for indigenous ICT innovative application and services for development and management of electoral process. Explaining further, Jack said “the eNigeria annual conference focuses on trends and development in the global ICT industry and how we can leverage on them for sustainable national development in Nigeria “It is also a platform for agenda setting for planning policy initiatives and decisions targeted towards the development of the Nigerian ICT sector.”

further that the three accused persons also conspired and kidnapped one Jimoh Ibrahim (52) and compelled his family members to pay a sum of 500,000 as ransom against their will. According to the charge sheet, the offences committed by the accused persons were contrary to and punishable under sections 2 (1) (a) (b),1(1) (2) (a&b) of Robbery and firearms (Special provision) and Anti-kidnapping Law of the Federation, 2004. Atanagbe noted that the case was beyond the court jurisdiction, saying the case file would be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Ministry of Justice for legal advice by the state police. The Chief Magistrate, Victoria Bob-Manuel, however, ordered the three accused persons be remanded at Olokuta Prisons Custody, Akure, pending the time legal advice would be issued from the DPP while the case was adjourned till November13, for mention.

PayPorte donates to Malkohi IDPs in Yola AS part of the activities to mark its first year anniversary, PayPorte - Africa’s preferred retail online store, donated assorted relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Malkohi camp, Yola, Adamawa State. Presenting the materials at the ceremony, the Managing Director/CEO of PayPorte Global Systems, Mr Eyo Bassey, said the company decided to reach out to the IDPs as part of activities to mark its one year of operations. “We are in Yola to commiserate with our brothers and sisters that have been displaced by challenges of insurgency in the NorthEast,” Bassey said. He urged other organisations to extend similar gesture to the IDPs, adding that government should not be left alone to handle the problem. Also speaking, Head of Corporate Strategy for PayPorte, Mrs Irene Kayoma, expressed happiness with the warm reception received by the team from the IDPs on arrival.

Group donates eggs to orphanage home Christian Okeke - Abuja POULTRY Association of Nigeria (PAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has donated a total of 35 crates of eggs to the children of Divine Wound of Jesus Orphanage, Kubwa, as part of the activities marking this year’s World Egg Day. The presentation was made to the home on behalf of the group by the chairman of the association, Wilson Chima. Speaking during the presentation, he stressed the need for children to be exposed to the importance of egg in their diet. He noted that an egg contains 12 vitamins and minerals essential for the growth and reasoning of children. He advised the management of the home to put up a mini poultry farm within the orphanage for egg production which, according to him, could also serve as a source of revenue and employment for the home. Responding on behalf of the proprietor of the orphanage, Mr Isaac Idam commended the association for the gesture.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

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Russian-made missile downed Malaysian plane —Report

ALAYSIA Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian-made Buk missile, the Dutch Safety Board concluded on Tuesday in its final report on the crash in July 2014 that killed all 298 people on board, most of them Dutch. Reuters reported that the long-awaited findings of the board, which was not empowered to address questions of responsibility, did not point the finger at any group or party for launching the missile. A bitter war was raging in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces when the aircraft was downed and, amid a huge international outcry, many Western experts and governments immediately blamed the rebels. “A 9N314M warhead detonated outside the aeroplane to the left side of the cockpit. This fits the kind of warhead installed in the Buk surface-toair missile system,” said Safety Board head Tjibbe Joustra, presenting the report. Russia for its part disputes that a Buk may have been used. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov responded to the report by saying there had been “an obvious attempt to draw a biased conclu-

sion, and carry out political orders”, according to Russian news agencies. The Safety Board report said that simulations of the missile’s trajectory showed it came from somewhere in an area covering some 320 kilometers southeast of Grabovo, Ukraine an area mostly controlled by separatists. The makers of the Buk said their tests had shown that the aircraft could not have been hit by a missile fired from rebel-controlled territory. Although the report did not assign blame, it is almost certain to further strain diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and its allies and Russia. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged Russia to cooperate fully with a separate criminal investigation that the Netherlands is

leading, with participation from Malaysia, Australia, Ukraine and Belgium. The White House called the report an “important milestone in the effort to hold accountable those responsible.” “Our assessment is unchanged - MH17 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired from separat-

ist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine,” National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. The report also seemed certain to strengthen calls within the airline industry for a review of how information is shared in conflict zones. The board found that

3 killed in Palestinian ‘Day of Rage’ attacks With the reconstructed cockpit displayed behind, Tjibbe Joustra, head of the Dutch Safety Board presents the board’s final report into what caused Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 to break up over eastern Ukraine last year in Gilze-Rijen, Netherlands, on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP

Ukraine should have closed the airspace over the conflict zone, and that the 61 airlines that had continued flying there should have recognized the potential danger. It recommended international aviation rules be changed to force operators to be more transparent about their choice of routes.

PALESTINIAN men armed with knives and a gun killed at least three people and wounded several others in a string of attacks in Jerusalem and near Tel Aviv on Tuesday, police said, on a “Day of Rage” declared by Palestinian groups. With the worst unrest in years in Israel and the Palestinian territories showing no sign of abating, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his security cabinet to discuss what police said would be new operational plans. Officials, according to Reuters, said Israel’s public security minister was considering whether to seal off Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, home of many of the assailants of the past two weeks, from the rest of the city.

Autopsy shows Thomas Sankara was riddled with bullets, lawyer says Former Burkina Faso’s President Thomas Sankara.

AN autopsy on the supposed remains of Burkina Faso’s iconic former president Thomas Sankara, who was killed in a 1987 coup, showed he was ‘riddled with bullets,” a lawyer for his family said on Tuesday. “In terms of the (gunshot) wounds, what was found in relation to Thomas Sankara’s body is really mind-boggling. You could say he was purely and simply riddled with bullets,” Ambroise Farama, one of the lawyers representing Sankara’s family, told reporters. AFP reported that nearly three decades after his death a set of remains

otherNEWS

believed to be those of Sankara and 12 colleagues were exhumed from a cemetery in the capital Ouagadougou in May as part of an investigation into their deaths “Concerning the others, one or two gunshot wounds were found here and there. But as far as Thomas Sankara was concerned, there were more than a dozen all over the body, even below the armpits,” Farama said. The lawyer said the position of the bullet holes showed he had “ most probably raised his arms.” There were bullet holes “everywhere, in the chest, the legs, everywhere,” he

added. Farama stressed the family was still waiting for the results of DNA tests to confirm the body was that of the former army captain dubbed Africa’s “Che Guevara”, but said “there is every reason to believe” this was the case. Sankara was killed and hastily buried in a coup that brought Blaise Compaore, Burkina Faso’s leader of 27 years, to power. His family had to wait until Compaore’s ouster in a popular uprising last year for their requests for an investigation into the revolutionary leader’s death to get the official nod.

UK pulls out of £5.9m Saudi jail deal THE United Kingdom government has withdrawn from a controversial £5.9 million prisons deal with Saudi Arabia, Downing Street has said. The PM’s official spokeswoman, according to BBC, said it reflected the government’s decision to focus on domestic priorities. The deal was to provide a “train-

ing needs analysis” for Saudi prison service staff. No 10 stressed pulling out of the deal was unconnected to the case of expat Karl Andree, jailed in Saudi Arabia after being caught with homemade wine. It was thought 74-year-old Mr Andree, who has been in jail for more than a year, was facing 360

lashes but the BBC now understands a flogging was never on the cards. Despite withdrawing from the prison deal, Justice Secretary Michael Gove insisted Britain would maintain its relationship with the country. Answering an urgent question in the Commons, Mr Gove said:

“And while we would never compromise on our commitment to human rights, we must also recognise that it’s in the interests of the most important human right of all, the right to live in safety and security, that we should continue with necessary security co-operation with the Saudi government and with other governments.”

British PM, David Cameron

Clinton hounded by email scandal

Hillary Clinton

WHILE Hillary Clinton continues to be seen as the frontrunner to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, her campaign has been dogged by a months-long scandal involving her use of email during her time as secretary of state. The VOA reported that the controversy centres on Clinton’s decision to use a personal email account on a privately maintained server rather

than a State Department-issued system, which theoretically would have allowed for more thorough documentation of her official correspondence and better protection against hackers. While Clinton has acknowledged that using the private email server was a “mistake,” she insists her actions were legal. She says she only used a private email system for the

sake of convenience, since she did not want to carry separate mobile devices for her work and personal communications. Soon after the story broke in March, Clinton agreed to turn over 55,000 pages of work-related emails to the State Department to be made public. But she generated further controversy after it was revealed that she attempted to delete

more than 30,000 other emails that her staff deemed to be “personal.” The matter has taken on increased political importance, and could continue to dominate the discussion around her presidential candidacy well into the future, since it is the focus of separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a Republican-led Congressional committee.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Eaglets land in Chile for World Cup

igeria’s Golden Eaglets were due to land in Chile, venue of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup on Tuesday afternoon. The Golden Eaglets who have been preparing hard for the competition rounded off their training tour of Argentina with a 3-1 win over Racing Club of Buenos Aires. A brace from Victor Osimhen plus a third from Samuel

Kelechi Nwakali, Eaglets captain.

Glo unveils Glo-CAF Awards promo

ational telecom operator and title sponsor of the annual Glo-CAF Awards, Globacom has concluded arrangement to give a special treat to its subscribers who will be hosted as special guests at the 2015 Glo-CAF Awards scheduled to hold on January 7, 2016 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The lucky customers will be selected through the new promo packaged by the company ahead of the 2015 edition of the awards which is designed to celebrate Africa’s most successful football icons. Unveiling the promo entitled “Find Your Place among the Stars” in Lagos on Tuesday, Globacom said the promo will give opportunity to many subscribers on its network to join football legends, top football administrators like the President of Confederation of African Football (CAF) and acting FIFA President, Alhaji Issa Hayatou, top businessmen and showbiz icons from the conti-

nent and beyond to celebrate the best football stars and administrators in Africa. “Our subscribers have been the brand’s pillar of strength since we rolled out service 12 years ago and this is another

golden opportunity to appreciate and reward them for their patronage and support.” Globacom said. Under “Find Your Place among the Stars promo” which is available to all Glo custom-

Ochei wheelchair basketball tips off The fourth Honourable Victor Ochei international wheelchair basketball competition tips off today at the Indoor sports of the National Stadium, Lagos, with eight states participating in the male and female categories of the 2015 edition. According to the chairman, technical committee of the competition, Babatunde Popoola, the event featuring teams from Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Imo, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Kwara states will be used to select players who will feature in the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers. Popoola who also doubles as the national president of the Basketball Referees Association of Nigeria explained that the

number of teams was reduced because during the first, second and third editions, invitations were extended to teams from Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, but this year, it was just restricted to Nigeria. He stated that “we were sup-

Speaking after the game, Timipre said he was surprised to emerge victorious. “I feel very happy to win the NNPC/Chevron Junior Masters Tennis finals, I did not believe I could win it, but I stepped up my game and by God’s grace I won, ” Timipre said. The second runner up at the 15th edition stated that he aspires to be like top tennis players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak

posed to hold this competition in February which was always used to celebrate Honourable Ochei’s birthday, but due to circumstances beyond our control, the event could not hold because of the political happenings in the country during the period.”

Lobi players protest non-payment of salaries Johnson Babajide - Makurdi PLAYERS of Lobi Stars FC, a Globacom Premier League side on Tuesday protested against non-payment of their salaries and bonuses to the state House of Assembly. Leading the players to the assembly complex in Makurdi was the team captain, Ikpeen Terna who

Timipre wins NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Cup It was a final filled with suspense, excitement and actions as Rivers State-born Godgift Timipre battled with John Dickson from Bauchi State in the final of the 16th edition of the NNPC/Chevron Junior Masters Tennis finals held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan last Sunday. Timipre came from 2-5 set down set to edge Dickson 7-6, after both players tied on 6-6 set.

ers, subscribers are expected to recharge N10, 000 worth of airtime or more monthly between October 2015 and January, 2016 and text “CAF” to 33002 to stand a chance to win couple invite to attend.

Chukwueze ensured a convincing win over the Argentine outfit whose goal was scored by Gutiares. According to coach Emmanuel Amuneke, the training tour of Argentina has really added immense value to the team, while stating their objective was to win the world title. “The most important thing is to see the players go from strength to strength and I’m particularly pleased with their performance against Racing today,” Amuneke told NFF website. “We are impressed because the Eaglets were able to implement all what we have been teaching them since we started. “We are not getting carried away despite winning our two matches here but we are happy we have achieved part of our objectives of coming to Argentina but we are grateful for the opportunity to be here, for our preparation; we have been struggling to adjust to the cold weather since it is colder in Chile. “The World Cup is a different ball game because all the 24 teams have the chance to win, but we are going to Chile with the objective of defending the trophy and we are looking forward to a good tournament.”

Djokovic in the near future. However, the finalist Dickson expressed sadness for not taking his chances after leading 5-2. “After leading 5-2, I relaxed my play thinking the game was over, I should have finished the game,” Dickson lamented. On his plans for the future, the Kaduna State-born tennis player said he wants to continue with his education and playing tennis.

said that they were in the House to protest against non-payment of their two month salaries and bonuses despite qualifying to play in the final of this year’s Federation Cup. He added that the morale of the players was at its lowest ebb and decried the situation where the management of the team has be operating a one-man show. Terna appealed to the House of Assembly to intervene in the matter if the club is to win the Federation Cup this year where they will face fellow Glo Premier League campaigners, Akwa United. The Speaker of the House, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange assured the players that the House will ensure that all issues bordering on their welfare are immediately addressed as a way of boosting their morale ahead of the Federation Cup final. Ikyange promised to liaise with

the Ministries of Finance and the Youth and Sports to settle the outstanding salaries and bonuses of the players. The Speaker who was represented by the Majority Leader, Mr Benjanim Adanyi, commended Lobi Stars for qualifying for the Federation Cup final and directed the committee chairman on Youths and Sports and the commissioner for sports, to interface with players of the team to reassure them of goverment’s support to enable them to lift the Federation Cup. While reminding the players of the current economic challenges affecting most states including Benue, Ikyange appealed to them to be patient, while their problems are being looked into, just as he promised that the House will stand by them to make them lift the Federation Cup otherwise known as the Challenge Cup.

Wednesday, 14 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

PHOTOS: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

10 1. Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Dosumu with Old Girls of Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos, led by their president, Mrs Oluyomi Afolabi (second right). 2. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran (middle), Pastor Joel Iyiola (third right), Pastor M.O. Akinyemi (left), Dr (Mrs) Maira Ishola and others. 3. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran (left) with Evangelist Stella Adetutu. 4. From left, Pastor Samson Bamidele, Mr Ademola Akinwale, Mrs Jumoke Okusanya, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Primate Abiodun Bamidele and Mr Moses Bamidele. 5. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran (middle) with the Ogun State Man Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;War command. 6. Mr Adekoya Sunday of Ogun State Man Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;War command signing the condolence

register. 7. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu with members of Emmanuel Ministry Incorporated Grace Church, Ikenne, Ogun State, led by the General Overseer, Reverend E.O. Adebajo. 8. From left, Reverend (Mrs) E.O. Adebajo, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Reverend E.O. Adebajo. 9. Secretary, Ogun State Community Development Council, Mr Tunde Osunmakinde (left), presenting condolence letter to Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 10. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Amabssador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu with executive members of Ogun State Community Development Council.

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Justice Tobi Ebiowei of the election petition tribunal in Ogun State was reported to have warned his colleagues that the judgment of God will be on any of them who collect money from any party in the cases before the tribunal. Just when one may be asking why the resort to a curse, one is reminded of the proverb that says: “when a finger brings oil it soils the other fingers.”

Nigeria is 5th world’s exporter of footballers

—Report

report has ranked Nigeria as the fifth biggest exporter of footballers in the world, just behind Brazil, Argentina, France and Serbia. According to the CIES Football Observatory monthly report, Nigeria are also the biggest supplier of football talent in Africa as they have 596 players scattered across the world. Other African countries mentioned in this report are Senegal (10th in the world, 377), Cote d’Ivoire (11th, 370), Cameroon (12th, 366) and Ghana (13th, 365). In total, 18,660 foreign players of 194 origins were recorded in the leagues taken into account in the analysis. Footballers playing outside of their country of origin make up about 13 per cent of squads. Five-time world champions Brazil remain the biggest exporters of footballers in the world. As the report say, they have 1,784 players plying their trade outside their

country. Brazilians are clearly ahead of Argentinians (929 players) and the French (758). These three nationalities alone account for almost 20 per cent of foreigners present on a global level. Among the 15 countries exporting the most players are six European, five African and four South American nations. This is despite the recent below-par performances of their national teams, Brazil remains an exporter country of footballers par excellence. Brazilians are present in almost all of the countries studied, making them the only truly global workforce. However, no South American country is among the top five destinations of Brazilians. However, three of the five main destinations of Argentinians are to be found in South America. Similarly, the main countries to which French players migrate are geographically close to the home country.

Pinnick

NFF plans friendly with N/African team ahead Egypt clash THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is planning a friendly with a North African team ahead of the Super Eagles clash with the Pharaohs of Egypt in March next year in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) double header, which could well determine the fate of the Eagles for Gabon 2017. Egypt leads the 2017 AFCON qualifying group with six points from two matches, two points more than second-placed Nigeria with the overall group winners guaranteed automatic qualification ticket. Pinnick said the NFF is determined to ensure that the Eagles are in the right frame of mind technically and mentally against the record seven-time African champions. “I have asked them to begin to shop for a friendly game against Morocco, Tunisia or Algeria in the next available FIFA window,” he told AfricanFootball.com “That tells you how important the next AFCON qualifiers are to us. We want to make sure that the Eagles are properly prepared and have an idea of how the North Africans play. “But in any case, coach Sunday Oliseh has already started studying the tapes of the Egyptians and he is preparing the game plans.”

Kelechi Iheanacho, one of the Nigerian ‘exports’.

I want more Golden shoes after four — Ronaldo Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that he is not satisfied with winning a record fourth Golden Shoe, suggesting he wants to become the only player to win his fifth and sixth trophy, awarded for sitting top of the European goal charts. Ronaldo became the first player in history to win the prestigious individual trophy for a fourth time by netting 48 goals in La Liga last season, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi and

Sergio Aguero. He previously won the award while at Manchester United in 2007-08 and at Madrid in 201011 and 2013-14. The Portuguese star received the prize during a ceremony at the Westin Palace Hotel in Madrid on Tuesday.” “I am not satisfied, I want more. I’m the only one that has four but I want the fifth and the Globacom Brand Ambassador, Van Vicker flanked by Globacom Brand Specialist Mutiat Balogun (far left), Globacom’s Retail and Consumer Sales Chief, sixth,” he said at the ceremony David Maji , Brand Specialist Chineye Ojukwu ( right) and Globacom’s Manager, Devices and Partnership, Odafe Akerejola (far right) at the launch of Free in Madrid on Tuesday. Tomorrow and Glo CAF Award promo, Find Your Place Among the Stars at the Mike Adenuga Towers, Lagos on Tuesday.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 14/10/2015.