15th June 2016

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 16,524

WEDNESDAY, 15 june, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

PDP rejects Sheriff, accuses him of working for APC •We're not behind your —P4 crisis —APC

Nigerian Tribune

2,300 children die of malnutrition annually in Nigeria —P9

—Health Ministry

@nigeriantribune

TribuneOnline

EFCC raids Obanikoro's home

•Alleged N3.97bn fraud: Badeh paid N650m cash for land —Witness —P8,10

Nigerian Tribune

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I have no house, bank accounts outside Nigeria —Jonathan

—P2

States to secure N90bn bond to pay salaries —P2,11,12

•Nigeria's inflation hit 15.6% in May, worst in 6 years —NBS •CBN set to announce flexible foreign exchange policy framework

Awo secured the future of Yoruba nation —Oodua GMD —P2

Why post-UTME was abolished —FG —P9

Baptist President, Ayokunle, emerges CAN President —P8

Drama as Osun students wear church garments to school —P32 Students of Baptist High School, Adeeke, Iwo, Osun State, wearing hijabs and Christian religious garments in their class, on Tuesday.

Alleged N10m bribe: CCT boss met with accused several times in Chambers —Witness —P4

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016 2 news States to secure N90bn bond to pay salaries •We’ll reposition to embark on fiscal independence —FG From Sulaimon Olanrewaju and Sanya Adejokun

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N its determination to reflate the economy and ensure succor for state and local government workers reeling under months of unpaid salaries, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, said it will start disbursing N90 billion loan it guaranteed on behalf of state governments.

However, a list of 22 stringent conditions were rolled out for each states to meet, in order to assess the loans to be repaid in two tranches of three and nine months.

Of the amount, N50 billion is for three months to be shared among all the participating states, which is 36 so far and then N40 billion for nine months.

Going forward, states have been barred from taking short-term banks loans in order not to further crowd out the private sector.

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, rolled out the conditions at a meeting with commissioners for finance in the states, although the implementation of the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) had been unanimously agreed by state governors during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on May 19.

As against the 2015 experience when funds were disbursed to states by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in one fell swoop, this time around, the money will be disbursed in monthly tranches.

“It’s a bond that has been guaranteed by the Federal Government and that is the only way we can get the rates down. The Federal Government is guaranteeing the bond and it’s being issued in the normal manner bond is issued,” she said.

Disbursements in each month are fully conditional on achieving the fiscal reform milestones set out in the FSP within the agreed timelines, while an independent audit firm will be engaged for monitoring and evaluation of each state’s performance against the FSP.

According to her, the Federal Government intends every state to be viable, adding that “we cannot have a situation where states are so dependent on the federation account for their revenues and once federation account is down they cannot survive.

“We have to make sure that within each state, whatever local advantage they have is exploited. So if there are no private sector to collect taxes from, maybe there are agricultural produce which can be developed and the states can use that to generate revenue.

“What we are saying is that every single state is a centre of prosperity, every state should go and look inwards and work to generate its IGR and have the discipline to ensure they can pay salaries, clear out wastage so that as the economy improves, we can actually improve to grow with the future.

“The objective of the FSP is being achieved up to an 18 months’ period and that is the condition for the loan and it’s not a bailout.”

She said the states would be repositioned towards fiscal independence, adding that “by raising the standard for public financial management in the areas of transparency, accountability and efficiency, states will be repositioned to embark on a path towards fiscal independence.”

“When fully implemented, the FSP will begin the process of guaranteeing that states take responsibility for their financial viability.

Pursuing the objective that IGR, rather than federal allocation, should be their principal focus of revenue is a fundamental change in approach. We realise that this is not an overnight process, rather a journey, but it is a necessary one for the future of states and local governments in Ngieria,” she added.

Among the conditions, each state is to implement a centralised Treasury Single Account (TSA); develop stan-

dard Integrated International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)-compliant software to be offered to states for use by state and local governments.

They are also to publish audited annual financial statements within nine months of financial year end; introduce and comply with IPSAS; publish state budget online annually; publish budget implemen-

wealth legitimately, but these houses are £10-£15 million a pop, perhaps, the ex-president could explain where his money came from, as he has been at the forefront of the fight against his country’s corruption. Surely, it can’t all have been good luck.”

But reacting in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan denied the report, insisting that he did not have any property or accounts outside Nigeria.

The statement read in part, “Nothing could be farther from the truth. Dr Goodluck Jonathan takes pride in the fact that he does

with Federal Government to cover VAT, PAYE remittances, refunds on government projects, Paris Club and other accounts; share the database of companies within each state with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), with the objective of improving VAT and PAYE collection; introduce a system to allow for the immediate issue of VAT/WHT certificates on

payment of invoices; review all revenue related laws and update of obsolete rates/ tariffs; set limits on personnel expenditure as a share of total budgeted expenditure; conduct biometric capture of all state civil servants to eliminate payroll fraud; establish Efficiency Unit; use Federal Government online price guide and introduce a system of continuous audit (internal audit).

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Mr Edward Dickson, presenting a copy of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Tribune to the Managing Director/CEO of Odua Investment Company Limited, Mr Adewale Raji, during a courtesy visit to the Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN.

Awo secured the future of Yoruba nation —Odu’a Investment MD Lauds Tribune owners, management for resilience

By Moses Alao

THE Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr Adewale Raji, has restated the commitment of the company to the vision of its founding father and former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, noting that though his management was looking at growing the company’s from N4.5 billion to N20 billion in the next five years, it still retained the passion to provide jobs, take care of people and lift them from poverty.

Raji, who paid a courtesy visit on the management of

I have no property or accounts outside Nigeria —Jonathan FORMER President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has denied owning a £15 million property in the United Kingdom and demanded a retraction from the UK SUN over an article by its former editor, Kelvin Mackenzie, alleging in his Saturday column that the ex-Nigerian leader had bought the property in Surrey.

He had written: “I hear the aptly named Goodluck Jonathan, the former president of oil-rich Nigeria, has bought a 12,000 square foot house on the ultra-expensive and well protected St George’s Hill estate in Weybridge, Surrey.

“I’m sure he gained his

tation performance report online quarterly; set realistic and achievable targets to improve independently generated revenue (from all revenue generating activities of the state in addition to tax collections) and ratio of capital to recurrent expenditure.

Also, to access the conditional loan, states must hold quarterly financial reconciliation meetings

not have any property or accounts outside Nigeria. He stated this publicly while in office and his commitment to Nigeria’s economy remains total, even after he left power.

“As the Nigerian president, who signed the Freedom of Information bill into law, Dr Jonathan is well aware that the United Kingdom is a nation with good record keeping at county and national levels and, as such, it will not take a serious and responsible media long to verify ownership of property before rushing to the press with potentially libellous publications.

the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, at the Tribune House, Ibadan, alongside the company’s Head of Group Human Resources, Dr Morakinyo Oloyode; secretary/Head of Legal, Mrs Abiola Ajayi; Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Victor Ayetoro and Public Relations Manager, Mrs ‘Nike Ajobo, lauded Chief Awolowo and his team for securing the future of the Yoruba nation through the establishment of the Odu’a Investment Company.

Noting that Tribune and Odu’a had the privilege of having the same founder, the Odu’a MD paid glowing tribute to the sage for establishing the country’s foremost newspaper, which, he said, demonstrated resilience at the highest level, even as he praised the past and present owners and management of the company for sustaining the institution, appreciating them for the “age-long support that Odu’a has received from Tribune.”

“I have seen the coverage that Tribune has given to us, not just as a group, but the South-West geopolitical zone, and this created the consciousness and awareness about Odu’a among Yoruba people. If there is any entity that has helped in that regard, it is the Tribune. We are leveraging on that; we have received massive support from you and we are asking for more of that going

forward,” he said.

Speaking on the programmes and plans of his management, Raji stated that they always thought about the dreams that Chief Awolowo and his team put into reality by establishing Odu’a and could only conclude that they were commendable, noting that the challenge facing the current management as trustees of the heritage of the Yoruba nation had always been that what they should bequeath to the next generation, “if our parents have bequeathed so much to us, should have additions from us and not that we will pass what has been handed over to us.”

Raji, who is the eighth MD of the Odu’a Investment Company, said the management had the challenge of taking the company to the next level, noting that the board and management of the company had taken strategic decisions at the outcome of its retreat, to try to look at the business “as an investment outfit that has both social and economic responsibilities to the people of the South-West.

“As an investment, it is important that we grow the business and deliver profits; give back to the owners and also meet the aspirations of all stakeholders. Typically, the stakeholders are all Yoruba sons and daughters. So, for those of us in the man-

agement, it is a rare honour that out of all the Yoruba at home and in the diaspora, estimated at about 35 million, we are privileged to be the ones managing the investment for the Yoruba,” Raji said.

Responding, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of ANN Plc, Mr Edward Dickson, commended the leadership of Odu’a Investment Company for its drives in repositioning the company in the last two years, noting that Chief Awolowo would be happy seeing that the company continued to prosper.

“Whatever is founded on truth will always thrive. We have seen that through Tribune and Odu’a Investment Company,” Dickson said, noting that the things that Papa Awolowo thought of in establishing the company, which bordered on taking care of the people, were addressed by Raji, noting that as he spoke, he demonstrated that he was the man for the job.

He added that Tribune valued the visit by Odu’a management, saying the visit was beyond the sentiment of having the same founder in Chief Awolowo, noting that Tribune was capable of adding value to whatever Odu’a Investment was doing rightly and looking forward to a strong partnership with the company.

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

PDP rejects Sheriff, accuses him of working for APC

•APC to PDP: We are not behind your crisis •It’s fraud to say I support Sheriff —Makarfi Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji, Kolawole Daniel -Abuja

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HE National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were behind the attempt by former national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to forcibly take over the party.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, on Tuesday, the caretaker national publicity secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, who was joined by other members of the committee, including Senators Abdul Ningi and Odion Ugbesia, said the government was using Sheriff to destabilise the party to prevent it from participating the September 10 Edo State governorship election.

He questioned the role of

the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in providing their personnel to the former party boss to enable him to take over the party secretariat.

The party interim spokesman said the party was shocked to learn that the police granted Sheriff access into the secretariat, despite the fact that the caretaker committee had a tip-off about the plan of the former chairman to storm the party office.

Alleging that Sheriff, in the last few days, met with an unnamed APC governor, who was apparently coordinating for APC, Adeyeye noted that as an outsider, Sheriff would not mind bringing down the PDP. He said contrary to the former chairman’s claim, the court ex parte order recognising the national caretaker committee had not expired, adding that Sheriff was shopping round for

court order in his desperation to remain in office.

The party spokesman noted that 99.9 per cent of the party membership had rejected Sheriff, wondering who he would lead in the PDP. Noting that Sheriff invaded the party headquarters with thugs, he said: “While we are still trying to understand the role of the police in the entire saga, it is curious to note that the police made no arrest of the thugs who openly brandished various dangerous weapons in and around the premises of the secretariat in full glare of the police.

“It is also curious that the police claimed to be acting on “orders from above” in allowing Sheriff and his cohorts to gain entry into the secretariat.

If we may ask, who is the authority that issued the “orders from above?

“What we are, however, very certain about is that

Sheriff and his fellow renegades are being used by the enemies of the PDP to destroy the party and to prevent it from reorganising itself, so as to provide a credible opposition and alternative platform for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election and 2019 elections.

“The APC has contracted Sheriff and his cohorts to scuttle the chances of the PDP in the Edo governorship election.

“We have credible intelligence that Sheriff had a meeting Sunday night with an APC governor from North- West, where it was agreed that he would be given full security and financial support to exacerbate the crisis in the PDP with the objective of preventing the PDP from presenting a candidate for the Edo governorship elections or at the very least, to prevent the PDP from offering a serious chal-

Chief Kessington Adebutu (left); former Judge of Supreme Court, Justice George Oguntade (retd) (third right); his wife, Modupe (second left); Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan (third left); Chief Rasaq Okoya (right) and his wife, Sade, at the committee encouraging corporate philanthropy centurions luncheon to celebrate Lagos State governor’s birthday, in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Alleged N10m bribe: CCT boss met with accused several times in chambers, court told Sunday Ejike -Abuja The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was on Tuesday, told that the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Yakubu Umar, met severally in his chambers with an accused person, Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi, a retired Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), who was standing trial before him on false assets declaration charges.

The former personal assistant to the CCT chairman, Ali Gambo Abdullahi, told the court while giving evidence in the trial within trial on the disput-

ed statement he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in respect to the N10 million bribe allegedly demanded by the CCT chairman from the accused person, in order to strike out the charges against him.

The witness, who was cross-examined by the EFCC counsel, Andrew Akoja, told Justice Chizobia Oji that it was at the end of the last meeting of the accused person with the CCT boss that a sum of N1.8 million was paid into his account by the former Customs chief.

Contrary to his statement

made on August 12, 2013, that the N1.8 million was part of the N10 million bribe meant for the CCT chairman, the witness said the money was deposited into his Zenith Bank account by the accused person to offset the medical bill of his ailing father.

The witness further told the court that he never met with the former Deputy Comptroller-General of the Customs until he started visiting the CCT chairman in the course of his trial and that the money was paid to him immediately after the last visit to the CCT boss.

Confronted with the

statement where he implicated the CCT chairman on the N10 million bribery saga, Abdullahi said the statement he first made on the issue was made under duress and based on inducement promised him by two operatives of the EFCC— Abdulmajeed Ibrahim and Bala Mohammed, who investigated the petition of the ex-Customs chief in the matter.

Further cross-examined by the EFCC counsel, the witness who read out some portions of the statement identified his signature and admitted that he signed the statement and that he Continues pg9

lenge to APC, whose electoral fortunes has continued to nosedive.”

Also noting that Sheriff gave the false impression that he had court orders that empowered him to continue as national chairman of the PDP, Adeyeye stated: “The truth of the matter is that Senator Sheriff has no court orders to back his claims.

“He and his cohorts continue to shop around to buy any court order at any price, but so far they have not succeeded, thanks to the vigilance and integrity of the judiciary.

“Senator Sheriff was appointed not elected by the National Executive Committee of our great party to complete the tenure of Alhaji Adamu Mauzu.

“The tenure of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu legally would have ended on February 14, 2016. Senator Sheriff was given an extension of three months by the NEC of our party to organise a national convention.

“The appointment of Senator Sheriff was not ratified by any national convention of our party; so constitutionally, he has no other mandate which can extend beyond May 21, 2016.

“The case before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, was instituted by Sheriff and others, to restrain the PDP from conducting election into the offices of the national chairman, national secretary and the national auditor.

“The court did not restrain the PDP from conducting the National Auditor convention. The National Convention is the supreme organ of the party under Article 33(2) of the PDP constitution. In the exercise of its power under Article 35(5) (b) & (e) of the constitution, the national convention removed all officers of the party and set up a caretaker committee to plan and organise a national convention within 90 days.

“The National Convention of PDP can only be called by NEC and once that is done, it is convention that can

RAMADAN MESSAGE

cancel and postpone its proceedings.”

When contacted, the media assistant to Senator Sheriff dismissed the allegations of Sheriff being used to destroy the PDP. He also said that there was a valid court order backing Sheriff for the chairmanship position.

Reacting, the national secretariat of the APC, on Tuesday, maintained that the party was never behind the crisis rocking the opposition party, PDP as alleged by the party.

The APC, however, said PDP was only suffering from its past sins.

The APC, through a statement signed by APC national secretary, Mai Mala Buni, in Abuja, noted that it was “reacting to the baseless and laughable allegations of a faction of the PDP, which accuses the APC and the Presidency of being behind the Ali Modu Sheriffled PDP faction wishes to remind the PDP that it is suffering from its sins of the past.”

Also, chairman of the PDP National caretaker committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, rejected as “fraudulent,” the claim that he has decided to back claimant for the national chairmanship post of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that Makarfi met with Sheriff and regretted accepting the position of the chairman of the caretaker committee in error.

But in a swift reaction, the former Kaduna State governor vehemently denied it, saying it was the sort of fraudulent practices that his leadership was trying to stamp out from the party.

He also expressed disappointment at the various fictitious court orders being brandished by party members, saying that no court stopped the party’s national convention.

Makarfi said, however, that he was opened to dialogue and accommodation as a way to resolve the PDP leadership crisis.

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. O you who have disbelieved, make no excuses that Day. You will only be recompensed for what you used to do. O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, “Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”

—Surat At-Tahrim verses 6-8

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Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Lagosmetro Aunt rubs fresh pepper in nephew’s eyes, private part Forces him to stoop on hot stove Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

Accident on Abeokuta Expressway, towards Ajegunle Toll-Gate, as a result of brake failure, on Tuesday.

Abandoned by lover, homeless mother caught dumping baby at orphanage Olalekan Olabulo

A

young lady who attempted to dump her 27-day-old baby in front of an orphanage in Magodo area has blamed the harsh economy in the country for her action.

Some residents and traders in the area had reportedly around 9.00 a.m. on Sunday drawn the attention of officers of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to the lady and her baby.

It was gathered that the lady, who was about dropping the baby along CMD Road, was arrested and taken to the RRS office in Magodo.

“Around 9.00 a.m. on Sunday at Magodo, the attention of the RRS was drawn to a young lady who was suspected to be dumping a baby in the front of an Orphanage.

“The operatives got there and brought the situation under control,” a police source, who pleaded anonymity, told Lagos Metro The suspect, Serah Jegede, a native of Imesi Ile in Osun State, reportedly went to the orphanage home with the intention of handing over her baby to somebody there.

She could, however, not hand over the baby to the officials, since it was a Sunday

and the senior officials of the orphanage were not around.

According to her, she could no longer take care of the baby due to her environment and lack of money.

When questioned about her background, she said “I came to Lagos in 2009.

I lived with my mother at No.1, Ejo Street, Igando.

“It was my mother that used to pay the house rent.

One day, we didn’t just see her again. She didn’t come back home.

“She didn’t leave home with anything; all her things are still there. I don’t know her whereabouts. But when the rent expired, I had no choice but to leave the house. That was over a year ago. I live inside market, just any space to sleep.”

On who was responsible for the pregnancy, Serah said: “I only know him as Sunday. I don’t know his surname. I don’t know his parents.”

She said the man abandoned her and ran away when the pregnancy was five months.

“I don’t know his whereabouts too. That day, I went to sell pure water. Before I came back, he had packed all his belongings and disappeared, leaving me behind. I gave birth to my baby at Iko-

tun market,” she said.

Serah also told the RRS operatives that the baby was yet to be christened, since she had no intention of keeping her.

A source around CMD Road, who pleaded ano-

nymity, told Lagos Metro that “it was actually a kid that suspected that the lady wanted to dump the baby.

“The kid told a woman who in turn informed the RRS operatives, who rescued the baby and arrested the

mother,” the source said.

At the RRS office, succour came the way of the lady and her daughter as policemen and women, led by the commander, Olatunji Disu, showered them with gifts and money.

The lady and her baby were later transferred to the Isheri divisional police station.

A 34-year-old woman, Idaya Rasak, was, on Tuesday, arraigned in court for allegedly applying fresh pepper to her 11-year-old nephew’s eyes.

According to the police, Rasak had, on June 4, early in the morning at Mafoluku, Oshodi, applied fresh grounded pepper to the eyes, private part and also forced the victim to stoop on a hot stove.

Mr Simon Imohnwa, the police prosecutor, told an Ikeja magistrates’ court, where Razak was arraigned, that the victim is a nephew to the defendant whom she intentionally caused grievous harm to.

Razak pleaded not guilty to a count charge of intention to cause grievous harm preferred against her by the police.

The presiding magistrate, B.O. Osusanmi, granted her bail and adjourned the matter till June 25.

Despatch rider rams into parked truck, dies on spot Opeyemi Owoaseye

Serah Jegede and the baby

A yet-to-be-identified motorcycle rider has been killed after ramming his motorcycle into a stationary truck at the Oworonshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge.

It was learnt that the victim, who rode a Bajaj motorcycle, with number plate XR 190 LSR, was returning home from work around 7.00 p.m. when tragedy struck.

Lagos Metro gathered that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who cleared the wreckage invited the State Health Monitoring Unit to park the remains of the deceased.

A LASTMA official, who

witnessed the accident and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deceased rode on top speed.

“The accident happened Monday evening. A mini truck broke down on the road as a result of flat tyre. The victim was riding on a high speed when he hit the truck. He didn’t see the truck on time.

“He died instantly. We removed the corpse from the road and towed the truck and the motorcycle to our yard,” he said.

The corpse was said to have been deposited at the Mainland General Hospital morgue.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.

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Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Lanre Adewole 0811 695 4647

Jilted boyfriend beats, rapes ex-girlfriend Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

VIO official hanging on a moving lorry in an attempt to flag it down on Ikorodu road. PHOTO: OVADJE ELLIOT

Female tenant beats up sick landlord over Indian hemp Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 30-year-old woman, who was accused of beating up her sick landlord, has been arrested by the police and charged before an Ikeja magistrates’court.

The accused, Kike Adelaja of Ola Omotoye Street in Aboru, was alleged to have beaten up the landlord after he challenged her for smoking Indian hemp in his house.

The prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose, told the court

that the accused had, on May 12, allegedly punched her sick landlord, Samuel Adeboye, on the face, causing him severe injury.

“The accused tenant fought her landlord because he challenged her for bringing a group of hemp-smoking boys into the house,” the police said.

The offence contravenes Section 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Adelaja, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Mrs B. O. Okunsanya, granted the accused N10,000 bail with

Tenant locks up caretaker, smashes his head with hammer Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 26-year-old man, Lucky Aigbogun, has been accused of smashing his caretaker’s head with a hammer during an argu-

RCCG security guard impersonates Adeboye to steal N.6m Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin AWOBOLA Babatunde, a security man with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has been arrested and charged to court for trying to impersonate the General Overseer of the church, Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Babatunde was arraigned before an Ebutte Metta magistrates’ court over allegations of opening an account in Pastor Adeboye’s name and attempting to cash a cheque of N600,000.

He committed the offence on June 6 at No. 1/9,

Redemption Way, Ebutte Metta, where he allegedly stole a Fidelity Bank cheque valued at N600,000, belonging to the RCCG General Overseer.

“The accused falsely presented himself as Pastor Adeboye by opening a savings account at Aguda, Surulere branch of Fidelity Bank in his name.

“He opened the account in order to cash the cheque and convert the money to personal use.

“Babatunde also opened the account in order to be stealing money from the church as they plan to pay

one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till July 11.

A 24-year-old man, Samson Ogundele, who allegedly beat his girlfriend before raping her, has been granted N200,000 bail.

Ogundele, who was docked before a Surulere magistrates’ court, however, denied the charge.

Ogundele is facing a twocount charge of stealing and rape.

The prosecutor, Gabriel Ekundayo, said the accused and the complainant, a 21-year-old woman, were lovers.

“The complainant told the accused that she was no longer interested in the relationship but the accused did not agree.

“The accused allegedly went to her house and started beating her and injured her eyes. He also raped her after the beating

in more cheques,” Mr Aghoi Gbemileke, the police prosecutor told the court.

The security guard, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs B. Folarin-Williams, admitted the accused to a bail of N100,000 in addition to two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, she said, must be blood relations of the accused and must also produce evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government as part of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till August 4.

ment over outstanding rent.

The accused denied it on Monday, when docked by the police.

Aigbogun, a resident of Shola Martins Street, Agege, is facing trial for breach of peace and assault before an Ikeja magistrates’ court.

The prosecutor, Essien Ndarake, told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 1.

He accused Aigbogun of assaulting his caretaker, Morakinyo Sunday, by beating and hitting his head with a hammer.

“The accused beat and hit the complainant’s head with hammer which caused him harm,” the prosecutor told the court.

Ndarake said the complainant went to Aigbogun’s office to demand for the rent he owed when the incident happened.

“The complainant approached the accused for

his overdue rent, which he refused to pay.

“Aigbogun locked the complainant up in a room and beat him up, but when he was not satisfied with the beating, he went further to pick hammer and hit Sunday’s head.

“The accused later unlocked his door when he saw blood gushing out of the complainant’s head and allowed him to go,” he said.

Ndarake said the offences contravene sections 166 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and attract three years imprisonment on conviction.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till June 22.

and stole her N50,000,” Ekundayo said.

The chief magistrate, M.I. Dan-Oni, granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties and adjourned till June 18.

2 policemen feared killed by gunmen Olalekan Olabulo TWO policemen were, on Tuesday afternoon, feared killed and one other injured by gunmen suspected to be robbers in Surulere area.

The state police command confirmed the shooting incident but insisted that the policemen did not die and that they were as of Tuesday evening, responding to treatment.

The yet-to-be identified policemen were reportedly, until the incident, attached to Itire police station.

The policemen were said to have impounded a tricycle and were negotiating with him when the armed men attacked them.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the hoodlums, who drove an unmarked Toyota salon car, shot sporadically to scare away people.

A police source, who pleaded anonymity, told the Nigerain Tribune that “the policemen were on duty around Olufemi Street in Masha Bus Stop area of Surulere when the incident happened.”

He added that the robbers might have thought the policemen were waiting for them and thereby opened fire as soon as they sighted them.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, said the police were on the trail of the gunmen.

“Some hoodlums opened fire on our officers who were on duty at Masha bus stop today. The officers are responding to treatment,” she said.

8 news

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Avengers: Group alerts Wike, JTF on plans to bomb oil facilities in Rivers Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

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N spite of the dialogue process being initiated by the Federal Government with militants who have been bombing oil and gas pipelines and facilities in the Niger Delta region, an end to the economic sabotage may not be in sight.

This is because Nigerian Tribune, on Tuesday, gathered that members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) were said to be ready to attack oil infrastructure in Rivers State.

This was made known on Tuesday evening by a rival group, Mangrove Delta, on its Twitter handle, @ mangrovedelta, monitored by the Nigerian Tribune.

The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, was strictly advised in the tweets, to “look into this Intel as NDA is determined to stage an attack in his state any moment from yesterday (Tuesday).

It was also gathered that NDA is set to distribute arms and ammunition to its commanders across the region.

The group called on the military Joint Task Force (JTF) to be on red alert, saying in less than 48 hours from Tuesday evening, the arms and ammunition would have been delivered at Koko and Ogbobagbene

in Warri North and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State.

Mangrove Delta, described by some people as a propagandist machine of the Federal Government, also hinted that the plans were hatched two days ago (Sunday) by Tompolo and some commanders of NDA at Ogulagha, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The JTF should be alert.

We have credible Intel of plans by NDAvengers to attack oil infrastructure in Rivers State.

“This plan was hatched at a meeting conveyed

by Tompolo and some commanders of NDA at his shrine in Ogulagha community in Delta State two days ago.

“It was also resolved at this meeting to make arrangement for arms and ammunition to be distributed to various commanders of NDA. “These arms and ammunition are expected to be received at Koko and Ogbobagbene all in Burutu in Burutu council within 48 hours,” the tweets read.

In another development, a group known as The Nigerian Wailers, on its Tweeter handle, @ NGRWailers, had posted a frightening missiles launchers with the inscription of ND Avengers.

With no fewer than 151 retweets as of the time of filing this report, some of the respondents waved off the ownership of such weapon

by NDA, insinuating it could

REVEREND (Dr) Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), on Tuesday, emerged as the new national president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Following an earlier election conducted by the CAN electoral college a couple of weeks ago,

Reverend Ayokunle won the election conducted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the association, beating Elder (Professor) Joseph Otubu of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Movement (MCCSW) with 54 to 28 votes.

Outgoing president of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, announced the result around

EFCC storms Obanikoro’s house Bola Badmus - Lagos

OFFICIALS of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, raided the Ikoyi home of the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, carting away in the process cars, wristwatches and other valuables.

The EFCC men were also reported to have caused unnecessary intimidation and harassment of the occupants, mainly kids, teenagers, the former minister’s wife and daughter in-laws.

Media aide to the former minister, Mr Jonathan Eze, said this in a statement made available to newsmen

in Lagos.

According to the media aide, “EFCC carried out the act without having for once invited Obanikoro or his son’s for questioning beyond the tirades and allegations they have been propagating using the media spaces.

“We are using this medium to draw attention of all Nigerians to yet another infringement on the fundamental and inalienable rights of the Obanikoro family.

“Lovers of freedom should not wait until our democracy is put at irreversible damage.

The list of human rights violations and political persecution has reached an alarming rate.”

state of things in the Niger Delta region, the country might just be on its way to dissolution.

It will, however, be recalled that NDA, through

its spokesperson, Brig.

Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, on Monday, agreed to dialogue with the Federal Government giving its terms and conditions.

N267m alleged fraud: Ex-Gov Nyame agreed to

refund misappropriated fund, witness tells court Sunday Ejike - Abuja

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gudu, Abuja, on Tuesday, was told that the former governor of Taraba State, Reverend Jolly Nyame, converted the sum of N267million state fund into personal use when he was in office between 1999 to 2007.

A prosecution witness, DSP Galadima Ibrahim who disclosed this while being cross examined by the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, in the continuation of the trial, said Nyame had agreed in his confessional statement to refund the allegedly stolen monies.

Galadima, who is the 9th prosecution witness told Justice Adebukola Banjoko that Nyame first converted the sum of N101 million meant for the entertainment of presidential guests to Jalingo and Manbila in 2006 to personal use, adding that although the sum was released to the

Baptist president, Ayokunle, emerges CAN president

By Rita Okonoboh

belong to a foreign country.

But other respondents were of the opinion that if the post was anything to go by and especially in line with the present

2:30pm at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

With the result of the election, Otubu automatically becomes the vice president.

As part of his seven-point proposal to lead the body, Ayokunle stated that he intended to facilitate an atmosphere where the member churches of CAN will have a more effective fellowship and dialogue on Christian Faith, its defence in Nigeria and all over the world.

“I intend to facilitate a fellowship where love flows and peace prevails in all the member churches. To this end, all would be done to see that CAN is a united body and all wrangling within the body would be addressed for unity of purpose. This would be priority number one.

Without unity in CAN, there cannot be progress.”

He also proposed to “lead CAN to be a more effective Christian body which is an advocate of freedom of religion in terms of the right of each individual to associate and worship without any coercion, fear of molestation and persecution from any quarter.

governor, the president only passed through the Janlingo Airport to Manbila.

In the same year, the witness continued, the sum of N200 million approved by the governor for the purchase of stationery and equipment for the state Ministry of Finance was not spent for that purpose.

Instead, the defendant collected the sum of N165 million out of N200 million through Salman Global Venture Ltd Managing Director, Ibrahim Abubakar who used the sum to purchase Plot No 8, Yaounde Street, Zone 6 Abuja.

Reading from Nyame’s confessional statement, the witness insisted that the defendant had admitted to the misappropriation of the sum and that Nyame wrote in his statement that whatever his shares in the

misappropriated fund he will refund.

Asked whether the money allegedly misappropriated was traced to the defendant, the witness said the money was traced to Jolly Nyame who bought a house with the money in Wuse.

According to the witness, “the money was traced to Salman Global Venture Limited (Ibrahim Abubakar) who bought the house for Jolly Nyame.”

Abubakar, whose

statement was also read in court, confirmed that he refunded N80 million which was part payment of his personal houses he wanted to sell to Nyame but rescinded because of the EFCC investigation in Jalingo.

The witness admitted that Nyame never came back to the EFCC despite his promises to come back after consulting with the accomplice on how much to be refunded.

9

news

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Why we abolished post-UTME —FG Clement Idoko -Abuja

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HE Federal Government has defended the recent scrapping of the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by universities in selection of their candidates for admissions.

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, speaking on Tuesday, in Abuja, reaffirmed that the post-UTME was abolished by the government to enable the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) concentrate on the quality admissions into tertiary institutions.

Adamu, who made the clarification, maintained that government had supported JAMB in ensuring that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was deployed in the conduct of the UTME, in order to improve on the test administration.

The minister spoke through the Director of Tertiary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, during opening of Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) benchmarking capacity building workshop hosted by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He said that the Federal Government would ensure that institutions of higher learning did not admit beyond their carrying capacity in order not to compromise quality of education.

His words: “The government continues to support the use of ICT and other forms of technology assisted learning in the delivery of quality education in Nigeria.

“We have a case where the government supports the ICT revolution at the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The Ministry of Education continues to strategise to improve on the quality of higher education in Nigeria.

“Most recently, the government abolished the postUTME to enable JAMB concentrate on the quality admission examinations for entry in the institutions of higher learning.”

He added that the Federal Government was also working towards the enhancement of skills and entrepreneurial studies in all institutions of learning in the country, in order to overcome the challenges of joblessness after graduation.

“In the era of technology, you can agree with me that we are in an era, where our lives are, to a great extent,

defined by the innovations in the world of technology,” he said.

Mallam Adamu stressed that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that education sector becomes the real cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development, noting that the government allocated a large share of the 2016 budget to education, with

the hope that the challenges faced in the sector would be transformed into opportunities through increased investment in the sector.

He said that the benchmarking initiative was most needed in tertiary institutions of higher learning in Africa, adding that this was to ensure that minimum standards were set and observed in order to improve

the quality of graduates of the institutions.

It will be recalled that PASET was launched in 2013,

by African governments and business leaders, in collaboration with the World Bank, to increase the capacity of universities and research centres, to generate knowledge that is relevant to regional development challenges.

The regional benchmarking initiative on the other hand is a demand-based and Africa-focused initiative to drive a cultural paradigm of data driven strategic planning in higher education in the sub-Sahara Africa.

He said: “I charge mostly the Nigerian participants and National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure the success of this

Bayelsa State governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson (left), exchanging pleasantries with the coordinator and Special Adviser to the President on Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier-General Paul Boroh (retd) (right), during a visit to the Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday. With them is the Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

event and take steps to allow the resultant benefits to rub off on our universities.

“Nigeria must be seen to take the lead and play that role that has always projected us as the true giant of Africa.”

The executive secretary, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, who described benchmarking as the system or process of comparing or matching one’s process or standards to industry best practices, stressed on the importance of benchmarks in the universities.

He said it was imperative that certain standards be set to improve quality and relevance in programmes run by African institutions, in order to make the output globally competitive.

Practice Manager, Eastern and Southern African, World Bank Group, Mrs Sajitha Bashir, said benchmarking would help African education programmes, especially in areas of science, engineering and technology.

He said there was the need critical need to equip the about 11 million graduates entering the continent’s job market every year with requisite skills.

‘2,300 children die of malnutrition annually in Nigeria’ The Federal Ministry of Health, on Tuesday, said 2,300 children below the age of five die of malnutrition annually in Nigeria.

Head of Nutrition in the Ministry, Dr Chris Isokpunwu, disclosed this at a media dialogue on child malnutrition organised by United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kano.

Represented by Principal Nutrition Officer, Farayity Tokumbo, Isokpunwu said 37 per cent of children in Nigeria were malnourished, 29 per cent underweight, 18 per cent wasting, while only 17 per cent of them were exclusively breastfed.

He said the National Nutrition Survey in 2015 showed that 54 per cent of children in the North-West were stunted, followed by the North-East, with 42 per cent.

Isokpunwu disclosed that Kebbi State had the highest malnutrition rate, with 61 per cent of children malnourished.

The nutritionist described the situation as sad, urging media practitioners to join the advocacy to ensure that mothers exclusively breastfed their children to check malnutrition.

According to him, poverty, population, failure of governance, inadequate child and maternal health care and

gender inequality were responsible for malnutrition in the country.

He said intervention like behavioural change, provision of micro-nutrients and deworming, as well as complementary and therapeutic

feeding, must be introduced to curb malnutrition.

“Mothers must imbibe exclusive breast feeding, provide right diet to their children and visit health care when necessary.

“Food that contain vitamin

A and iron must be provided for the children,” he said.

Head of Child Rights Information Bureau in the Federal Ministry of Information, Mrs Rose Madu, charged all levels of government to ensure that whatever was

budgeted for nutrition, was released.

Madu also tasked media to track budget implementation to ensure that money or resources earmarked for nutrition programme was used judiciously for such.

Alleged N10m bribe: CCT boss met with accused several times in chambers, court told Continued from pg4

also signed an attestation confirming that his statement was made freely and voluntarily by him.

Earlier in his evidence-inchief, Abdullahi had told the court that he was a protocol officer at the CCT when he was employed in 2009 and that he later became the Personal Assistant to the chairman and added that he got to know the former Customs officer during his numerous visits to his boss and that at the last visit, the said Taiwo sympathised with him over the plight of his father and that it was as a result of the plight of his father that prompted the payment of N1.8 million to cater for his father.

The witness said on August 12, 2013, he was invited to EFCC office in Abuja, where he was confronted with a petition from the said Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo on the alleged N10 million bribery deal and that he made a

statement on the same day and was allowed to go home on administrative bail, but with a condition: to be visiting EFCC twice a week pending the completion of investigation.

He also informed the court that the following day, two Directors from CCT followed him to the EFCC to perfect his bail condition and that in the course of his several visits to the EFCC, he made several statements in addition to that of Auguat 12, 2013.

The witness said the additional statements, where he exonerated the CCT chairman was the true reflection of what transpired on the N10 million bribe and not his first statement of August 12, where he implicated the CCT boss as the beneficiary of the N1.8 million bribe.

He denied that his other statements, in which he exonerated the CCT boss were after-thoughts, adding that he was made to implicate

his boss under duress and promises of inducements.

Meanwhile, the trial judge, Justice Chizobia Oji, has adjourned the matter till October 20 for adoption of written addresses.

The witness was arraigned before the court

on charges of giving false information, but his denial of his first statement on the bribery issue prompted the trial within trial by Justice Oji to determine his claim of duress before admitting the statement in evidence as exhibit.

AIT sacks staff Banji Aluko -Benin City THE African Independent Television (AIT), Benin station, has sacked majority of its staff.

The management’s decision was conveyed to the affected staff in a letter dated June 2 and signed by the Senior Manager, Human Resources, Mr Victor Okasoga, In the letter to the affected staff, who were being owed at least two year-salary arrears, Okasoga said their appointments had been terminated with effect from June 13.

The letter directed those affected to handover all company properties in their possession, especially their identity cards to the head of Benin station.

“Failure to surrender company properties in your possession may delay the processing of your entitlements,” the letter stated.

It will be recalled that three weeks ago, the affected workers, including reporters, cameramen, presenters and producers protested the undue delay in payment of their salaries running into about two years.

10 news El-Zakzaky under protective custody, not in detention —FG

Sunday Ejike -Abuja

T

he Federal Government, on Tuesday, denied claim of unlawful detention of the leader of the Shi’ite Islamic sect, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, saying El-Zakzaky was a vulnerable person, who should be held under protective custody.

Counsel representing the Federal Government, Tijani Gazali, told newsmen shortly after the matter was adjourned by the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Shi’ite leader had filed a N2 billion suit against the Federal Government over his unlawful detention and breach of his fundamental human rights.

Justice Kolawole slated the matter for July 13, 2016 for hearing after he ordered service of the relevant court processes on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police, who were respondents in the suit filed by the Shi’ite leader.

When the matter came up on Tuesday, counsel for the applicant, Festus Okoye of the Femi Falana Chambers, told the court that all the respondents had been duly served with the processes in relation to the matter, including hearing notice of the day’s sitting.

He said while the first and third respondents in the suit had replied, the second respondent was yet to reply.

Counsel for the first and third respondents, however, told the court that a motion seeking an extension of time, dated June 8, 2016, was filed on June 9, along with their counter affidavit and written addresses.

Okoye said they were not in objecting to the request for extension of time, but, however, told the court that there were issues contained in the counter affidavit that needed clarification and sought for an adjournment.

In a brief ruling, Justice Kolawole granted the motion as prayed by the applicant and adjourned the matter till July 13 for hearing of the applicant’s suit against the Federal Government.

Counsel for El-Zakzaky, however, told newsmen that one of the issues they needed time to resolve was the claim by the DSS that their client was being held in custody willingly.

“We have filed our application asking for the release of our client who is being held by the DSS. As at the last adjournment, none of the respondents filed any process, but yesterday the

DSS and AGF responded and, in their counter affidavit, they claimed to be holding our client in

protective custody for his own benefit.

“These are some of the things we want to find out,

because at our last meeting, he never said he was being held in protective custody for his own benefit,” Okoye

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

said.

Specifically, the Shi’ite leader, who has been in detention since December

Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga (left), being received by the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, during a visit to EFCC headquarters by NAN’s Managing Director, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

14, 2015, applied for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, dignity of human person, right to private and family life and private property.

The court is, among other things, prayed to declare that, “the detention of the applicant in Abuja by the respondents since December 14, 2015, is illegal and unconstitutional, as it violates his fundamental rights to personal liberty as enshrined in Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Falana is contending that the continued detention of his client without being charged before a competent court is in violation of his right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Head of Service under Oronsaye operated 66 illegal accounts, witness alleges Sunday Ejike -Abuja A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Head of Service, Steven Oronsaye, on Tuesday ,told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that the Head of Service, under Oronsaye, operated 66 illegal accounts.

The witness, Rouqayya Ibrahim, who was an operative and investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said: “Sometime in 2010, EFCC and other antigraft agencies were invited for Pension verification in the Civil Service.

During that time, my colleagues discovered a payment mandate for payment of pensioners bearing 32 names, which was suspicious to them.

“Based on that, they requested for further information on the mandate and the statement of account from the office of the Head of Service. It was confirmed that some of the names on that list were fake pensioners.

Based on that, EFCC instituted a pension fraud team to properly investigate activities of Head of Service in terms of pension payment.

“I was drafted to be a part of the team along with 10 of my colleagues,” she said, adding that the team wrote letters to all the existing banks at the time to furnish them with the statement of account of all the

accounts operated by the Head of Service for pensioners and also, payment mandates.

“Based on their replies and letters written from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, we discovered that the Head of Service was operating 66 illegal

accounts. We also discovered that there were modus operandi used by the Pension office to syphon pension funds into their account.

“We discovered that about N14 billion has been stolen from the pension funds of the Head of Service,” the

witness said, adding that her team equally discovered that the modus operandi included payment made into accounts of different companies for illegal and non-existing contracts.

In his ruling on the matter, the judge held that, in view of the objec-

tion raised by the counsel for the second defendant on the admissibility of the defendant’s statement, a mini proceeding would be conducted (trial within trial) to prove the claim.

The judge adjourned the case till June 21, 2016 to begin the trial within trial.

Alleged N3.97bn fraud: Badeh paid N650m cash for land Sunday Ejike -Abuja Legal fireworks continued on Tuesday in the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to make former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh (retd) to face full wrath of the law for allegedly converting about N3.97 billion of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to his personal use.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Badeh alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on a 10-count charge of money laundering bordering on alleged fraudulent removal of about N3.97 billion from the Nigerian Air Force’s account.

The anti-graft agency accused Badeh of using the fund to buy and develop landed assets in Abuja for himself and his two sons between January and December 2013.

The matter came up on Tuesday, with cross examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Mustapha Yerima, who told the court that he stood by his statements to the

EFCC that the former Director of Finance and Accounts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau (retd) made the sum of N650 million cash available for the payment of plot 1386, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, where the shopping mall was constructed for the former Defence Chief.

The witness also told the

court that he wrote five statements to the (EFCC) and that he stood by the statements, dated January 6, 12, 18, February 5 and 10, 2016, as they were all honestly written.

The witness, who told the court that he was a builder, added that the first prosecution witness (PW1) brought the N650 million, the cost price of the plot of land cash and in one instalment, which, he said, he

paid at once to the owner of the land.

Yerima told the court while under cross examination by Badeh’s lead counsel, Akin Olujimi, that “Anytime Air Commodore Abdullahi Yushau (retd), PW1 engages us for assignments, in respect to the construction of the shopping mall, he kept telling us that the assignment was for his boss.”

Alleged fraud: Justice Hassan takes over Fani-Kayode, Usman’s case Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin -Lagos

former ministers of aviation and finance, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman, has been assigned to Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos for trial.

The duo are expected to face a 17-count charge which borders on conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and corruption and money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said they alleg-

edly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them along with Danjuma Yusuf and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

Part of the charge reads: “That you, Nenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuma Yusuf and Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court conspired

amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1,500, 000,000.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4).

The four were also accused of indirectly retaining N300 million, N400 million and N800 million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC.

11

businessnews

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Pladis acquires A&P Foods Nigeria, others in $5.2bn business deal Akin Adewakun -Lagos A&P Foods Ltd, producers of McVities Biscuits in Nigeria, has automatically become a member of Pladis, in a $5.2 billion business deal that would see the company come under a new global company, Pladis.

Yildiz Holdings, CEEMEA’s largest food company, recently announced the formation of a $5.2 billion business deal that would see all its core biscuit, chocolate and confectionery businesses form a new global company, under a new business name, Pladis.

Besides the acquisition of the Nigerian confectionery business outfit, the new deal, would also ensure the unification of other internationally-recognised biscuits brands, come under the new company.

For instance, it would involve the merger of McVitie’s, a leading biscuit brand in Nigeria with a heritage in the UK and Europe with Godiva, a

leading premium chocolate brand worldwide and Ulker, the leading biscuits and confectionery brand in Turkey and Middle East, in that market segment.

The coming together of the confectionery brands, the company disclosed, would form a mega $5.2 billion confectionery business, while positioning Pladis as a global leader in the category.

Describing the business re-alignment and the establishment of Pladis as the first step towards realising the long-term strategy of Yildiz Holdings, the company’s Chairman, Murat Ulker, stated that the new entity represents the bringing together of some of the world’s best loved brands and a combination of their 350 years of experience under a new family company.

With 36 factories in 13 countries, Pladis is expected to employ 26,000 people, while leveraging on innovation and quality offering to win customers.

From left: The Group Head, Continuous Improvement & Service Management of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr Moronfolu Fasinro; Group Head, Channels and Sales Management, Mr Kayode Adigun; Group Head, Property Development, Mr Oluseyi Achioya; Group Head, Information Technology, Mr Emeka Eboegbune; Head, Channels Management, Mr Muyideen Apena and Group Head, Admin & Facilities Management, Mrs Wunmi Abiodun, during the opening ceremony of the FCMB branch at Gbagada, Lagos. The ceremony held on Monday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

More difficulties for households,savers as inflation hits 15.6% in May

By Chima Nwokoji

N

IGERIA’S inflation hits 15.6 per cent in May 2016,signaling high cost of living for households and poor returns for

NNPC announces forecasted completion, commissioning of four gas projects As TCN completes 20 projects in Gwagwalada, Kaduna, Afam, Apo, Lekki, Omotosho A total of 855 million standard cubic feet (mmsfcd) of gas is expected to be added to the domestic gas supply in the short term in the next few months following the forecasted completion and commissioning of four infrastructure projects by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and International Oil Companies (IOCs), according to a report of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the Sixth Monthly Meeting of the Power Sector Operators.

In the submission made by the Corporation in Kano, Monday at the Sixth Monthly Meeting of Operators in the Power Sector chaired by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, NNPC said about 70 per cent of the gas would be sent to power plants across the country for use in generation of power.

According to the Corporation, it is estimated that the increase in gas supply to power plants would increase generation capacity by approximately 2000 Megawatts (MW) by the middle of 2017 even as the meeting also resolved to persuade oil

and gas producers to explore better ways of re-injection to boost oil production by using water instead of gas, in order to increase the amount of gas available for domestic consumption.

In the seven point Communique after the meeting which also had the Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri in attendance, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) also reported completion of 20 projects since the last meeting listing the projects to include those in Gwagwalada, Kaduna, Afam, Apo, Lekki and Omotosho (Ondo State).

TCN, which said the completion of the projects should improve distribution in Abuja and Lagos, also announced its continuing efforts to improve electricity transmission to be reported at each subsequent meeting while it also made a commitment to restore power to Maiduguri, Borno State’s Capital in the next month after a long period of outage.

Acknowledging the need to put in place a more robust mechanism on information sharing between the Federal

Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the GenCos and the DisCos, the meeting noted that the public still refers operational issues to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing that were better directed to GenCos and DisCos for operational action.

The meeting, which also sympathized with the victims of electrocution under the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), commended the company for prompt compensation to the victims while also deliberating on safety rankings presented by electricity industry regulators, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

According to the resolution taken after the presentation, the meeting said the rankings would henceforth be circulated monthly and commended Port Harcourt DisCo for the month of May for ranking first in safety.

The full ranking for metering, loss reduction and service delivery would be published in July 2016, the meeting resolved.

savers as interest rates on savings accounts get lower than the rate of inflation.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Tuesday said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 15.6 per cent in May from 13. 7 per cent in April.

A report released by the NBS in Abuja said that the CPI, which measures inflation, recorded a relatively strong increase for the fourth consecutive month.

The report said that the Headline Index increased to 15.6 per cent year-on-year, which was 1.9 per cent points higher from rates recorded in April (13.7 per cent).

“The increase in rates in May relative to April reflects an overall increase in general price level across the economy as all divisions which contribute to the Headline Index increased at a faster pace in May. “ Year on year, electricity rates as well as other energy prices continue to manifest as key drivers of the Core

component of the CPI. “The Core sub-index increased to 15.1 per cent in May, up by 1.7 per cent points from rates recorded in the previous month.

“During the month, the highest increases were seen in the passenger transport by road, Liquid Fuel (kerosene), fuels and Lubricants for Personal Transport Equipment (Premium Motor Spirit) and Vehicle Spare Part groups,” it said.

It further stated that imported foods as well as a drawdown of inventories across the country continued to push food prices higher.

This is as Food Sub Index increased to 14.9 per cent in May, up by 1.7 per cent points from rates recorded in April.

The report said that the food sub index increased as all major food groups which contributed to the food sub-index increased at a faster pace.

“This is driven by higher food prices in fish, bread

and cereals, and vegetables groups for the second consecutive month.

“In addition, the Imported Food Sub-Index increased by 18.6 per cent in May, compared to 2.2 per cent points from rates recorded in April,” it said.

Economic experts frown at high inflation because of it damaging economic effects.

For instance, it has a regressive effect on lower-income families and older people in society. This happen when prices for food and domestic utilities such as water and heating rises at a rapid rate Also, they explain that if interest rates on savings accounts are lower than the rate of inflation, then people who rely on interest from their savings will be poorer.

According to experts, in order for your money to be “worth” the same amount, savers will need the income they receive (in wages, pension, etc.) to increase by at least the rate of inflation each year.

CBN releases N2bn to SMEs in Kano Kola Oyelere -Kano

KANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released N2 billion Small and Medium Enterprises fund to the state and would soon be disbursed to artisans.

He stated that women would constitute 63 per cent of beneficiaries of the fund, which is an interest free loan, through the 37 microfinance banks established by the state government.

According to him, “the decision to allocate larger percentage of the money to wo-

men is because of the desire to empower them economically and lift families out of poverty.

He made the assertion on Tuesday during the inauguration of the reconstituted boards of the microfinance.

According to the governor, the boards of the banks were dissolved and replaced with new ones to give them a new lease of life.

“The banks were virtually dead when we came in and the money was stolen. The banks were disorganised.

We have to reorganise them to enable them perform up to expectation,” the governor

maintained.

Governor Ganduje added that the state anti-corruption agency has been directed to focus its search light on the banks so that anyone found misappropriating funds would face the full wrath of the law.

He directed local government councils in the state to patronise the microfinance banks, especially by depositing their revenue funds, adding that the state government would also help the banks to become vibrant by carrying out its empowerment programmes through them.

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businessnews

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Honeywell harps on youth entrepreneurship, rewards whiz kids

Market capitalisation sheds N24bn as sell pressure persists

By Bode Adewumi

Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba -Lagos

THE Nigerian Equities market dips further as market capitalisation lose N24 billion to cautious trading, leaving it at N9.3 trillion.

All Share Index (ASI), a major market indicator of the Nigerian Bourse depreciated by 0.26 per cent to close at 27,034.05 basis points, compared with the 0.47 per cent depreciation recorded previously. Its Year-to-Date (YTD) returns currently stands at -5.61 per cent.

Market breadth closed positive as NEM led 24 gainers against 17 losers topped by Glaxosmithkline Nigeria Plc at the end of trading session, an improved performance when compared with Monday’s outlook.

Market turnover closes positive as volume moved up by 12.05 per cent against 20.10 per cent declined recorded on Monday.

NEM, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and First City Monument Bank Plc were the most active to boost market turnover.

However, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Dangote Cement Plc top market value list having traded shares worth N621.1 million and N482.5 million respectively.

Champion Breweries Plc led the list of active stocks that recorded impressive volume spike at the close of trading activity as it traded 2.2 million shares in 41 deals.

From left, Chief Executive Officer, Spectranet 4GLTE, David Venn; Fibre Path LTD, Anaekwe Obumneme; Head of Sales, Pankaj Manan; Head of Marketing, Mike Ogor; during Spectranet Dealers’ Forum recently.

2013 audit reports: NNPC dissociates self from misappropriation of $13 billion As NLNG remitted $13 billion to NNPC in 8 years —Reports Ademola Adegbite -Abuja

T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on Tuesday, dissociated itself from the misappropriation of $13 billion paid as dividends by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in 2013 into its coffers, saying both corporations belong to the Federal Government.

This was in reaction to the 2013 audit reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), which revealed that about $13 billion was remitted to the NNPC by the NLNG as dividends at the end of 2013.

The Group General

Manager, Debt Office of the NNPC, Mr Godwin Okonkwo, made this clarification, while speaking with newsmen at stakeholders` dialogue on the 2013 NEITI Oil, Gas and Solid Minerals reports held at NAF Conference Center, Kado, Abuja.

According to him, “you can’t just wake up and start transferring money to anybody, as I said before, NLNG belongs to the Federal Government and if the Federal Government asks for the money, NNPC will properly gives it.

You can’t just wake up and start transferring money to state or federation, it based on authority, but NNPC has aligned with the directive of current regime.”

He stressed that everything

did during the year under review was done with appropriate approval, especially in related to funds of NLNG and other gas related projects, as the balance was transfered from TUC to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as nothing was left without appropriate approval.

The audit reports, however, further indicated that the NNPC and its sub units owed the federation a total of $3.787 billion and N358.3 billion outstanding revenue respectively.

Presenting the highlights of the report, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Mr Waziri Adio, said the confusion on whether the NLNG belongs to the Federal Government or the Nigerian Petroleum

CBN set to announce flexible foreign exchange policy framework

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is set to announce the modus operandi for its flexible foreign exchange policy today.

This is coming about three weeks after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank voted in support of the policy.

The MPC had, at its meeting which ended on May 24, “voted unanimously to adopt a flexible exchange rate policy to restore the automatic adjustment properties of the exchange rate.”

The CBN, however, added that it would “retain a small window for funding critical transactions.”

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, who read the communiqué of the committee, had said that “details

Nigerian Tribune

of operations of the market would be released by the Central Bank at the appropriate time.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, had during his Democracy Day broadcast to the nation, given his nod to the policy, while the nation awaited the details of its implementation.

But at its 327th meeting in Abuja, last week, the Nigerian Bankers’ Committee said the CBN was being deliberately meticulous in preparing the framework for the policy.

According to Philip Odozua, Managing Director of UBA, who addressed the press on behalf of the committee, “The exchange rate issue has been problematic and the CBN is determined to get it right this time. That is why they are taking time. It is

the reason the central bank has called for inputs from so many stakeholders and they are distilling these inputs. I believe that is going to be ready in a very short time.”

But the final approval for the apex bank to go ahead with the policy implementation announcement seemed to come from an article written by the President, entitled The Three Changes Nigeria Needs, which was published in The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

In that piece, the president wrote, “The central bank has moved to introduce a greater flexibility in our exchange rate policy. These actions are a down payment on our people’s ability to succeed.”

With that, the coast appears clear for the CBN to

announce the framework.

Nigeria has been battling with foreign exchange scarcity since 2014 following the plunge in the price of crude oil with a huge toll on the naira.

This forced the CBN to defend the naira with the savings from the foreign reserves. Following the depletion of the reserves, the CBN announced series of policies which did not give any respite to the local currency as it continued to lose against major foreign currencies.

In spite of the huge gap between the official and parallel market rates of exchange of the naira to the dollar, the government was reluctant to liberalise the foreign exchange policy until the recommendation by the MPC.

Development Company (NPDC) has resulted to a situation where the NPDC enjoyed all the proceeds of the assets without remitting anything to the federation.

The reports, therefore, recommended that there was need for NNPC, DPR, FIRS, OAGF and CBN to prioritise fixing remedial issues identified in their operations, as a way of avoiding the huge loss of revenue from NNPC and other organisations.

“There should be an investigation into the divestments of federation assets by NNPC to NDPC. Pricing methodology should be resolved through the enactment of appropriate law to forestall under assessment of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and royalties.

“Gas should be invoiced in dollars, not naira to avoid exchange losses as well as NNPC refunding the outstanding revenues owed, read some of the recommendations of the report as a means of avoiding revenue loss.

HONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc has reiterated its continued support for the Nigerian youths through talent development and skills acquisition to make them more useful to the society.

Speaking in Lagos at the prize presentation to winners at the 2016 edition of Vision of the Child (VoTC) Literary and Arts competition co-sponsored by Honeywell, Managing Director, Mr Lanre Jaiyeola represented by Mr Rotimi Fadipe (Executive Director, Supply Chain) said being the leaders of tomorrow, it is essential for parents to help bring out the unique talents in their children with a view to equipping them to be able to take advantage of opportunities.

“At Honeywell, we have a number of programs aimed at developing children and young adults especially in the areas of education, skills acquisition, talent development and sports. Not only do we have a brand that is targeted at children (Honeywell Noodles), we also believe there is never a prize that is too much to pay to see children succeed. Working with children is amazing, it is amazing to know the kind of thought that pass through their minds and it is amazing to know that children sometimes know so much. So, for us at Honeywell, there cannot be a better time than now to work with these set of young and upcoming children who are leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

While noting that the modern day economy is driven largely by handworks exemplified in small and medium enterprises, he said unemployment will reduce considerably if youths shun the quest for non-existing white collar jobs and rediscover themselves by tapping into their creative talents and innate abilities.

DMO to auction N105bn worth of bonds Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba -Lagos

THE Debt Management Office (DMO) says it will raise N105 billion worth of bonds in three categories on June 15.

This is contained in the DMO’s April ``Bond Circular” posted on its Website on Tuesday.

It stated that the three categories of bonds include 20year bond, 10-year bond and five-year bond.

The circular stated that the 20-year bond would be N50 billion, the 10-year bond

(N40 billion) and N15 billion worth for the five-year bond.

It stated that the three categories of bonds would mature in March 2036, January 2026 and February 2020, respectively.

The DMO stated that the three categories of bonds also had different coupon rates of 12.40 per cent, 12.50 per cent and 15.54 per cent, respectively.

It stated that the bonds to be auction on June 15 were all re-openings and with settlement date of June 17.

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editorial

P

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Buhari’s London vacation

RESIDENT Muahmmadu Buhari is currently in London, Great Britain, on a ten-day vacation.

Against the background of the usual disposition of African rulers not to rest by observing proper vacation, President Buhari should be commended for not seeing himself as indispensable and for choosing to take appropriate rest when needed. This is the second time that President Buhari has taken time off to rest since the inauguration of this government and this is a positive step that other public officers should take a cue from in ensuring that nobody attaches himself/herself so much to official work without observing the need for rest.

Unfortunately, however, while President Buhari could be commended for going on vacation, the same could not be said for his choice of where to spend the vacation. He has chosen to spend his vacation, on the two occasions, outside of the shores of the country, with the signal perhaps that the only way to observe vacation is to travel out of the country.

Yet, this is a president that has been at the vanguard of the need for the country to look inwards in order to have a solid internal basis for its own development.

The president is on record as complaining about the propensity of Nigerians to import everything and anything from abroad, suggesting that this should stop if the country is to make real progress. And here we have the same president jetting out of the country to have his vacation every time. If all Nigerians were to follow the president’s style and seek to have vacation outside of the country, there is no way tourism would be developed internally and the current scarcity of foreign exchange would persist in that context. There is a sense therefore in which the president is sending the wrong signals everytime he journeys out of the country for vacation.

To be sure, this is not a situation in which the position of the president that he would indulge in whatever he could afford would suffice even as he is wont to say that he would not be able to stop any Nigerian from going abroad on legitimate grounds. The point is that the president is not any other Nigerian and he is expected to provide the right example to other Nigerians. When he goes out for his vacation, he is expressly stating that it is not just okay to go for vacation outside of the country, he is sending signals that the only way one could be on vacation is to travel outside of the country. And if the president gives such signals, who is

expected to patronise tourist sites in Nigeria for relaxation and vacation?

Evidently, the president is not walking his talk here as he is on record to have indicated interest in Nigerians preserving scarce foreign exchange by patronising goods and services in Nigeria and yet he is the one leading the charge for vacation outside of the country. In his own particular case, he is not even expending his personal resources but official resources, including for all those officials who would have to accompany him on his vacation abroad.

To compound the situation, the president’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, stated that he would be using the opportunity of the vacation abroad to see specialists about a persisting ear infection, just for precautionary purposes. Yet it was the president who also publicly stated that the government would no longer be able to offer foreign exchange at official rate for medical treatment outside of the country to citizens except where there is absence of experts on the particular disease in the country. Since the announcement by the President’s spokesman, many doctors, including their different organisations, have come out to express dismay, wondering why the president would need to consult experts in London for an ear infection when there are many Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) experts in Nigeria.

President Buhari was even categorical about dissuading government officials from seeking medical attention abroad and yet as the foremost government official, he does not see anything wrong in seeking treatment abroad. We want to believe that this is not the kind of perception the president wants Nigerians to have of him, nor would he want to give this dissonance between preaching and practice as the essence of the change agenda of his government. The implication of this is that the president would have to give more thought and consideration to the national and overall implications of his personal actions, as these necessarily impinge on policies and the acceptance or otherwise of such policies by the public.

The personal action and disposition of the president give signals about the real direction of the government and many Nigerians would notice the current dissonance and read inconsistency into the framework of governance under him. This is what he would need to correct by changing the narrative and ensuring that Nigerians see less of this kind of dissonance from him.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

editor

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

Economic crisis: Bringing agriculture to the rescue

C

RUDE oil accounts for over 90 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, 35 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 75 percent of government revenue and it has become the sun

around which everything revolves. However, with the fall in oil prices, and with no commensurate cut in production, Nigeria now finds itself in an economic bind. How did we get here?

The reasons include: over-dependence on oil

Rest in peace, Stephen Keshi I was shocked when I heard about the death of former Super Eagles defender and coach, Stephen Keshi. I just couldn’t get myself throughout that day despite not knowing him personally.

What shocked me the most about his death is that just a couple of days before he passed on, it was speculated that Orlando Pirates in South Africa would be appointing him as their next manager.

However, all that is in the past now.

Keshi, popularly known as the Big Boss, may have passed on, but he was one of the most successful coaches on the continent.

After winning the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a player in 1994, he also went on to win it as a coach in 2013. Nigeria’s victory in 2013 came after 19 years that we last won it in Tunisia in 1994.

The job of the Super Eagles coach is not an easy task, and Keshi was later forced out in 2015.

We are yet to know what actually caused Keshi’s death, but the truth is that his unexpected passage is

a shock to all Nigerians.

I hope the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will immortalise the late Keshi for his contributions to the development of football in the country.

I also hope that a fund can be instituted for his children’s education.

Again, it is important that the NFF starts monitoring the health condition of former and current coaches, including former and current players. After serving Nigeria meritoriously, it is a terrible thing for our former coaches and players to be neglected in their time of need.

I believe it is because the NFF does not care about the welfare of players, that is why our football is regressing. A lot of players are no longer putting in their best while wearing the national team colours.

We should, therefore, use Keshi’s death to have a rethink about how we care for those who have represented Nigeria in different sports, not just football alone.

and non-diversification of the economy. But this was not always this case; agriculture used to be the nation’s principal foreign exchange earner in the early 1960s.

The current state of agriculture in Nigeria is only a shadow of what it used to be, but it can be said that there are encouraging signs of improvement.

It is common knowledge that about 80 percent of Nigerian land is arable

and has produced major crops, including beans, sesame, cashew nuts, cassava, cocoa beans, groundnuts, kolanut, maize (corn), melon, rice, millet, palm kernels, palm oil, plantains and rubber, among others.

For many decades, the sector has been underfunded and not received the attention it deserves. As such, small holder farming forms a large percentage of the sector within Nigeria.

Poor farming methodologies, lack of access to finance, post-harvest losses due to lack of storage facilities, unreliable power supply, poor transport infrastructure and unattractiveness of farming in terms of returns for many young people are some of the reasons why agriculture has remained on the back burner of our national life.

However, we believe that with its status as the largest

employer of labour in the country, its huge potential to become a major foreign exchange earner and help boost the nation’s revenue base, now is the time for everyone — government, citizens and corporate organisations — to take serious look at the sector, even as the nation moves away from over dependence on oil.

•Adekunle Smart, Lagos.

•Vincent Kadiri, Benin, Edo State.

...He was a Nigerian hero NO matter what anybody may say about Mr Stephen Keshi, he was a Nigerian hero.

Here was a man who won the African Nations Cup as a player (Tunisia 1994), and as a coach (South Africa 2013).

Apart from the Super Eagles, Keshi had also coached Togo and Mali, qualifying the former for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, unfortunately he could not take the team to the mundial as he was fired just before the start

of the tournament.

Keshi gave his best for Nigeria, and his name will definitely be in the history book of football in the country.

It is just so sad that he died at a period when he still had a lot to contribute to the development of football in Nigeria.

While we mourn the late Keshi, we should also not forget his sacrifice for the nation.

•Ismail Oladipo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Why FG shouldn’t dialogue with Niger Delta militants THE body language of the Nigerian government shows that it has surrendered to the Niger Delta Avengers.

Just before President Muhammadu Buhari left the country for the United Kingdom last week, he had appointed the Secretary to the Federal Government to dialogue with the militants.

However, I want to say that the government is setting a bad precedent with this.

What the government is simply admitting is that the military cannot arrest the situation in the Niger Delta, and this is just so disastrous.

If the military cannot tackle the activities of the Niger Delta militants, how would it respond when the

country comes under foreign attacks?

Now that the Federal Government has decided to dialogue with the Avengers, why is it not doing the same with the Igbo secessionists?

Dialoguing with militants only point to the fact that what the government understands is violence, especially when its eco-

nomic potentials come under attack.

It is, therefore, important that the Federal Government gave this decision a serious thought, as discussing with militants will have grave consequences, especially when we still have other militant groups in the country.

•Ismail Ayuba, Minna, Niger State.

opinion

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Nigeria: How to overcome our challenges

By Wole Owolabi

T

O every problem, there is a solution! We should stop deceiving ourselves in this country as if everything is fine with us. Nigeria is facing a lot of challenges, and only God can make us overcome

them.

Nigeria has, as its citizens, different people, particularly, politicians, who are unaware that their actions, or inactions, are contributing significantly to the problems of the country. It is so unfortunate that many politicians do not see their election into public offices as opportunity to server the nation, with the aim of influencing a better society for the citizens. Today, most politicians are driven by self-centredness; they only care about what they can benefit from the positions they hold.

The majority of today’s politicians can be better described as goats in sheep clothing, considering the way they made Nigerians to believe in them during the electioneering campaigns, only to do something different when they attain public positions.

Every campaign period is filled with hope by Nigerians who strive to re-write the mistake associated with the voting decision they made in the past, but whenever new set of politicians attain public offices, they are not always different from the ones Nigerians voted out due to poor performance. For instance, many civil servants are being owed several months of salaries, while pensioners also find it difficult to feed themselves or enjoy their retirement after their meritorious service to their fatherland as their pensions are always diverted for other purposes by those managing them. It has also been reported that more than five million Nigerian graduates are jobless in the country, and when we see hope in a politician, or political party, and we help them attain power so that they can do things differently, they also fail the people.

It is so calamitous that Nigerian political leaders are motivated by greed for money rather than patriotic and selfless service to the people. The Christian scripture is quite right on this as it appears in the book of Timothy, when it describes the love of money as the root of all evils.

The love of money is the root of the massive corruption responsible for the mass poverty, high unemployment rate, epileptic power supply, insecurity, and other ills bedevilling our development as a country after 55 years of independence.

However, it is not only the politicians who do everything in their power to make money at all cost; the citizens are also guilty of this.

The excessive quest for money, no matter how diabolical, is also responsible for the high crime rate we are experiencing, such as kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery, prostitution and fraudulent financial activities.

Having been able to highlight that our obsessive love for money is the root cause of our problems, necessary actions must be taken to tackle this menace. Even, the Christian scripture asserts that “Let righteousness roll down like water and justice fall down like mighty ocean.”

Therefore, with immediate effect, the remuneration and allowances of all political office holders at all levels should be drastically reviewed downwards, particularly to a more reasonable level that does not drain the government purse. In addition, the number of political office holders should be pruned down.

Furthermore, in order to address the terrible state of inequality in the country, there should be limit to the amount of money an individual is allowed to acquire, while the war against corruption and all forms of illegitimate enrichment should be intensified.

Stolen money retrieved from corrupt individuals should be diverted into the establishment of industries, factories and other business ventures where jobless people can be gainfully employed.

Moreover, in order to prevent corruption, government should be bold enough to make a decree of “Death Penalty” to guilty national treasury looters, and as well to kidnappers.

Rich people in the country should then be encouraged to engage in philanthropy and invest their money selflessly in improving the conditions of the poor masses.

It is also important that there is massive investment in the following three key sectors which are seriously ‘sick’ and require urgent attention in the country — health, education and agriculture. These three sectors are in terrible shape today, and such massive investments in them will definitely improve the lives of Nigerians.

Religion is another area that must be looked into if we are to overcome our challenges; we are a religious people, but why is our country the way it is today?

Many people just hide under the cloak of religion so that the public can view them as good people, but what they do behind the curtain is terrible.

Are our politicians not religious? Yet, they steal public funds in their care. It is high time we allowed the fear of God to dwell in us; we shouldn’t only care about how the public views us, rather, we should strive to act in ways that will be pleasing to God. Many Nigerian adherents of different religious inclinations are hypocrites. The Christian scripture advises us in the book of Lamentation that “Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord.” This means that we are only concerned with how the public views us, but our hearts are far from God. Therefore, it is highly essential that we shift our love from the love of religion to God, our Creator first, and then to our fellow countrymen.

If we truly love God, and our fellow countrymen, then we will be concerned about the welfare of people close to us; politicians will be concerned about the welfare of the people they are governing.

Finally, everybody should start praying for the country’s progress; when we begin to do this, we should then ask ourselves if what we do on a daily basis will help in the development of the country.

•Owolabi, a public affairs analyst, lives in Ibadan.

Tackling drug abuse among Nigerian youths

By Martin Agwogie THE use of mind-altering substances of natural origin has been known since the prehistoric times. For centuries, man has tried to either complement some pleasant features of life or escape from the unpleasant features of life, whether real or imaginary, by using fermented liquor and different plant products. For example, drinking of palm wine and locallybrewed alcohol such as “ogogoro”, “burukutu” as well as chewing of different stimulating plants and their products in Nigeria have been known for ages. Reports have it that the use of these substances was more of occasional and in moderation with few exceptions. This was the trend of substance use in Nigeria until after the Second World War in the 1940s when cannabis (hemp) was introduced through the war veterans who brought back the cannabis seed from India. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the introduction of other drugs like cocaine, heroin,amphetamines and pharmaceutical opioids (codeine, morphine etc).

This trend changed dramatically in the 1990s to include the abuse of non-conventional drugs such as volatile solvents or inhalants (gasoline, correction fluid, rubber solution, aerosol, nail polish removal, kerosene, petrol, and bytul nitrate).

These volatile solvents produce psychoactive vapour which when inhaled goes straight from the nose to the brain, heart and lungs with instant intoxication and diverse consequences.

Today, ingenuity has been introduced into drug abuse with complex mixtures, experimentations and new discoveries.

This has resorted to the abuse of lizard dung (especially the whitish part), pit toilet/soak away fumes (bio generic gas), “goskolo,” a concoction of unimaginable substances, robin blue powder cocktail, “gadagi” (a substance resembling tea leaves), pharmaceutical products (tramadol, rohypnol) and

many more. Codeine containing cough syrup mixed with soft drinks is gradually taking over alcohol at youth parties. Due to new technologies which have improved the mass production of some of these drugs, many of them have become very cheap and, therefore, affordable. Unfortunately, the presence of new substances of abuse are usually not detected until someone suffering from the consequences visits the hospital for treatment or law enforcement personnel intercept or seize a supply of suspected substances.

Substance abuse in Nigeria and the new trend is becoming a significant medical, psychological, social and economic problem facing the nation. More worrisome is the increasing number of secondary school and tertiary institution students who are getting involved in drug abuse.

Five major pre-disposing factors to drug abuse among students are peer pressure, curiosity, ignorance, academic induced frustration and lack of parental care. Adolescence and young adult age are characterised by new identities/ peer selection, adventurism, curiosity, excitement and role confusion. Where students are not well guided, either by the home or school, they choose wrong peers which will lead to experimenting with drugs. Also, the storm and stress of life such as academic workload, learning to be independent from parents put them under pressure to find solace in drugs. In

some cases, they take drugs to have momentary relief and out of ignorance of the consequences. Some have been initiated by peers without knowing what they took. They would probably notice that they felt differently and would want to have a similar feel. Before they realise what they are taking, they would have been addicted to a particular substance of abuse. That is why some cannot tell you exactly the name of the substance they took until they go for drug test. In some cases, they will mention a substance of abuse whose effect is a contrast to their behaviour.

The consequences of drug abuse by students include extreme violence, gang rape, drug induced suicide, paranoia, poor academic performance,larceny (to feed the habit), school dropout, poor health condition, indebtedness and waste of resources (money and material). Drug abuse is also associated with anti-social vices among students such as cultism, thuggery, racketeering, and armed robbery. This means that the problem of drug abuse among students is the problem of everyone – the parents, the school, other students and the general public.

However, parents should be more involved in the educational progress of their children through effective collaboration with the school. In addition, parents/ guardians should regularly monitor the activities of their children/wards at home in terms of the kinds of friends they keep, their late night activities, as well as what they do on the internet as much as possible.

Also, schools should urgently establish a tripartite communication between parents, schools and students more for the overall welfare of the students, rather than for the business interests of the schools.

•Dr. Agwogie is a Drug Demand Reduction Expert with NDLEA.

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

SEGELUULU

CHURCH BOY

FUNOLOGY

Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao (CON) •

Born on a Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1945.

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He hailed from Ajia in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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He was a notable Nigerian billionaire, businessman, philanthropist, religious leader, and publisher of the defunct Monitor Newspaper.

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In 1961, he started the sale of Gammalin 20 by establishing Azeez Arisekola Trading Company. Later, he became interested in the sales of vehicles and established Lister Motors in 1972. This added a charitable face to the business by donating buses to handicap homes, hospitals, schools, sport clubs and notable religious organisations.

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His involvement in, and support for religious causes made the Muslim Ulamah in Yoruba land to confer on him the title of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland in 1980.

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Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao died on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, aged 69.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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

A

B

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

inside

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

nigerdelta

FRSC educates motorists on tyre usage in Delta Alphonsus Agborh –Asaba

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HE Federal Road Safety Corps in Delta State has commenced the sensitisation of motorists to be mindful of the tyres they use as 5,288 vehicles were involved in tyre related crashes between 2011 and 2015 in the country.

Road network: Okere-Urhobo thanks Okowa

The sensitisation exercise, which took place at toll gate near River Niger bridge head, on Asaba-Benin Expressway, revealed useful information such as expiration, pressure, inflation, rotation of tyres, among others which motorists had always ignored to their detriment.

According to Sector Commander, Rindom Kumven , Federal Road Safety Corp survey on 2486 vehicles and 1024 tyres from 2011 to 2015 revealed 39 per cent

had non expired tyre, 61 per cent expired tyres, 50 per cent of new tyres , 35 per cent “tokunbo” and 15 per cent worn out tyres.

Kumven condemned arbitrary gauging of tyres by vulcanizers without manufacturers’ specification as “they use non properly calibrated measuring tool while some lack basic knowledge to measurement of tyres pressure.

The Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of administration and human resources,

Chidi Nwachukwu, while speaking on the importance of tyres, urged motorists not to use “tokumbo” tyres, replace their tyres after making 80,000km with their vehicles even if the four year lifespan of such tyre is yet to be met.

He advised them to use one brand of tyre at a time for their vehicles and be cautious of the expiry date and the load carry capacity of the tyre as it cannot be increased above the maximum rated capacity.

Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba FOR the people of Okere-Urhobo in Warri, Delta State, this is the most auspicious time to appreciate the state government for coming to their rescue by providing a network of roads in the area.

Hitherto, the people had suffered neglect in the oil city as both pedestrians and motorists recalled their experiences in combating floods and deplorable roads that took serious toll on the neighbourhood.

Five of the nine roads in Okere-Urhobo kingdom have been completed and commissioned by the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Though contracts for the roads were awarded in 2013 by the previous administration, work did not start until the cry of the people was heard in 2015 when the administration took its seat and awarded the contract.

With the assurance that the other four roads would be completed before the end of the year, the people’s heart of gratitude was greatly increased.

At the commissioning of the roads in the heart of Warri, Warri South Local Government Area last week, women groups, men, including non-indigenes, associations and youths, expressed their profound joy which the occasion had brought to their door step.

The Otota (traditional Prime Minister) of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, Warri, Chief Wilson Eboh, in an address at the occasion, said: “Today, history is made with the commissioning of this network of roads, our hearts are overwhelmed with joy, we are indeed grateful to Your Excellency for the construction of Ejiyere, Dederu and Akemu Streets, all in Okere Urhobo Kingdom within this short period of your administration; you have put our dear state on the path of progress and prosperity since your assumption of office.”

The people of Ughelli also expressed their appreciation for the commissioning of the multi-million naira Oteri road in Ughelli North Local Government of the state.

The Ovie of Ughelli, Oharisi III at the occasion, assured Governor Okowa of the unflinching support of his Kingdom, noting that the governor had not only shown love for his people by executing projects, but has given key political appointments to sons and daughters of his Kingdom.

Governor Okowa also inspected the Ughelli/Afiesere/Ofuoma road in Ughelli North Local Government Area and the Olomu road in Ughelli South Local Government Area where he expressed satisfaction at the level of work done.

FRSC educating motorists on tyre usage in Delta.

Niger Delta leaders call for take-off of Maritime University Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to urgently ensure the takeoff of the Maritime University of Nigeria (MUN) at Okerenkoko in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

This is just as the president has been admonished to immediately commence the implementation of the report of the last National Conference held in 2015 by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, a Niger Delta leader, Chief Favour Izoukumor, who gave the suggestions in a press conference on Monday in Warri, also enjoined the Buhari-led administration to carry out an amendment of the Local Content Policy in order to make provisions for the benefit of host communities and contractors in the region.

Chief Izoukumor, who is the Fiye-Owei of Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri kingdom, condemned the activities of the so-called Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) whom, he said, had no justification for sabotaging the country’s economic assets and the already fragile ecosystem of the region.

He advised members of the Avengers to halt all forms of campaign of havoc and

destruction of national oil assets which, he submitted, had not been better and would not better the lot of the already impoverished people of the region.

Chief Izoukumor also advised that while hunting for the hoodlums perpetrating economic crimes in the region, the Federal Government, through the Armed Forces, should ensure the protection of the rights and safety of the inhabitants of the region.

“The strength of winning this war relies on the will and sincerity of President Buhari and the will is character in action.

“Mr President must show an uncanny sincerity of purpose in handling the Niger Delta conundrum,” the chief submitted.

Izoukumor, who urged President Buhari to stop disdaining and rubbishing the achievements of his predecessor, said Jonathan sacrificed a lot for the unity, peace and security of the country.

“He can begin this by treating his predecessor and his legacies with respect and honour befitting that of his former office and personality.

“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, even by the admittance of Mr President, sacrificed immensely for the unity, peace and security of the country by his gentlemanly acceptance of defeat.

“It would be wrong for him to be treated

with levity and disdain under whatever guise.

According to him, “we are beginning to see a deliberate attempt by some elements in the present government to discredit and rubbish his name and the sacrifices he made for the country.

“While no sane and right thinking leader would condone corruption, the war against corruption must not be used as a cover for vendetta to discredit the former president and rubbish his image, and by extension, the image of the Niger Delta people,” he warned.

CREW

Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Alphonsus Agborh 08035838703 Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa austinebipade@gmail.com

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

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

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HE pre - inauguration of the most beautiful and the biggest cruise ship in the world, Harmony of the Seas on Sunday 5 June, 2016 was not done without Nigerians on board showcasing their cultural identity.

Of over 4560 specially invited guests onboard, seven Nigerians and a South African with business link in Nigeria added value of importance to the global gathering at the pre-inaugural cruise in Barcelona. The delegates included four travel agencies who are specialists in cruise tourism and packages; Mrs Victoria Soluade, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Soltan Travels and Tours; Mrs Bimbo Durosinmi Etti, MD/ CEO Traveltron Limited; Mrs Tinuke Nwakohu, MD/CEO Aviator Travels and Tours; Mrs Arit Tunde-Imoyo, MD/CEO Travel Plans and Tours Limited, and three journalists, Mr Gabriel Osho, Channel Television, Uche Usim, Sun Newspapers and Wale Ojo Lanre, Nigerian Tribune, and the eight person, Inge Cross, who is the International Representative for Africa, Royal Caribbean International, a South African was a member of the Nigerian delegation.

These Nigerians did not only participate in the activities as related to their professional calling onboard, but they too ensured positive representation of Nigeria in forums and discussions as related to cruise tourism.

The duo of Wale Ojo Lanre, Nigerian Tribune Tourism Editor and Uche Usim, Aviation Reporter, Sun Newspapers made their marks and exhibited professional competence at the first ever press conference held on Hall 2, Ice Skating arena of the ship.

The icing of the cake was on the evening of Monday June 6 during the intercontinental dinner day, held at the Dining, a multi – level dining room which accommodates all guests onboard with each country having its allotted seats.

The Nigerians and their South African friend walked gracefully into the large dinner room in their beautiful traditional dress which attracted applause and acknowledgment from other guests.

Their gait, composure, dinner conduct and ethics exhibited, attracted unquantifiable honour to the Nigerians as some of them were engaged after the dinner by guests from other countries expressing their admiration of their dress and conduct.

“You dazzled me with your cap, can you give it out?,” “Chris Nicole, a blogger from Belgium asked one of the Nigerian journalists who had styled his traditional cap in an amazing way which

Michael Bayley

Nigerians showcase culture aboard Harmony of the Seas

From left, Mr Gabriel Osho, Channel Television; Uche Usim, Sun Newspapers; Mrs Bimbo Durosinmi Etti, MD/CEO Traveltron Limited; Mrs Arit Tunde-Imoyo, MD/CEO Travel Plans and Tours Limited; Mrs Tinuke Nwakohu, MD/CEO Aviator Travels and Tours; Mrs Victoria Soluade, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Soltan Travels and Tours; Inge Cross, International representative for Africa; Royal Caribbean International and Wale Ojo Lanre, Nigerian Tribune. commanded attention from other guests Mrs Victoria Soluade, in an engagement with some Canadian tourists who were onboard Harmony of the Seas explained that “Nigeria is a paragon of tourism. We

are a country blessed with so much tourism values and assets. It is a tourism destination which is in its prime only waiting to be enhanced. What you have seen here is just a bit, a pin mouth of huge assets.

Each of the over 280 ethnic groups in Nigeria has its unique dress sense and value with wonderful culture. Whenever you are ready to come to Nigeria you will see more than you bargained for”.

We have hope in the Nigerian Market PRESIDENT/Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley has said that his company has faith and hope in the Nigerian market “ which has proved to be an emerging market in the cruise tourism business in Africa ‘ Mr Bayley made this disclosure while playing host to over 4000 journalists at Studio 2 of the Harmony of the Seas during the first ever pre – inaugural press conference held aboard Harmo-

ny of the Seas in Barcelona, Spain.

In his response to a question asked by a Nigerian journalist, Mr Bayley said “we have hope and confidence in Nigeria as a growing market for the International cruise line. And because of the impressive volume of demand from this country, our company will continuously work with sales agents and other stakeholders not only to grow the market, but also to establish a symbiotic commercial engagement with the country”.

He commended Nigeria for doing well in terms of selling cruises within the West African sub-region.

“The Nigerian market is small but it is growing. We’ve continued to see more and more bookings and guests from Africa and particularly in Nigeria. We’ve an office in Nigeria. Our intention, just like we do the world over, is to work with a variety of partners and General Sales Agents (GSA) and International Representatives in different countries. We build the markets together and that’s what we’re doing in Nigeria”, he explained.

Bayley also revealed that plans are afoot to market the cruises to more African nations using the agents as well.

“Travel agencies are a major part of our

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tourism

THE Oodua Progressive Union, (OPU), has again widened the territorial frontiers of the Yoruba cultural tourism appreciation to Kenya and Uganda when it successfully launched the organisation in the two countries.

Otunba Gani Adams, Global Convener of OPU, led a powerful delegation which includes Oba Yisa Olanipekun, Zaki of Arigidi, Akogun Captain Olatokunbo Adesina, Global Adviser of OPU, President, Otunba Femi Davies, Metronews, Prince Segun Akanni, Otunba Gani Olawale Dallas, Otunba Kamorudeen Lamina, and other distinguished Yoruba personalities on a two-week inauguration tour of Kenya and Uganda.

From the arrival hall at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport, the OPU chieftains were received with pomp and celebration as Chief Paulina Joy led other Nigerian ethnic groups in welcoming them to the land of Jomo Kenyatta.

Mrs Paulina, a successful Nigerian business lady in Kenya told Otunba Adams “We appreciate all your efforts at not only showcasing the cultural tourism of Yoruba alone but shoring up the image of Nigeria as a whole. We are proud of you and welcome you to Kenya.”

In a beautiful setting at Gyskee lounge behind K1 Club Parklands, Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday 4 June, Mr Lateef Olabisi was inducted as the pioneer Coordinator, OPU Kenya and promised not only to sustain the mission and vision of the organisation but to also add value of reference and reverence to its status in East Africa.

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Flaunt Yoruba cultural tourism assets —Gani Adams tasks Nigerians in Uganda, Kenya

Otunba Gani Adams presenting Staff of Office to OPU coordinators in Kenya and Uganda.

Oba Yisa Olanipekun in his speech advised the gathering to remember their origin, be honest and steadfast in all they do, reminding them that they are all Nigeria’s

ambassadors A motivational speech was delivered by Dr Wale Akinyemi, UN consultant, and a world renowned inspiration speaker who

NCPC boss begins pre 2016 pilgrimage exercise visit to Israel, Rome, Greece IN line with the calendar of activities of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), every year the commission and chairmen and Secretaries of the state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards usually embark on Pre-visit to Israel, Rome and Greece at the second quarter of the year.

Pre-visit to Israel is one of the important activities of the Commission as it affords it and the states chairmen and Secretaries of Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board the opportunity of inspecting the facilities for this year’s pilgrimage exercise. Facilities such as hotel accommodation, important Holy Sites, cuisine, transportation, inter-alia are all covered.

The Executive Secretary of NCPC, Reverend Tor Uja is leading the stakeholders for the first time to attend this function as the new Chief Executive of the Apex Christian Pilgrim regulatory body in Nigeria.

Aside the States Chairmen and Secretaries, Nigerian representatives of procured Ground Handlers for this year’s pilgrimage

exercise will join their counterparts in Israel, Rome and Greece for this critical inspection assessment tour.

The programme kicked off on June 8, 2016. The stakeholders led by the NCPC helmsman will kick start the inspection in Israel with a courtesy visit to the Charge of Affairs, Embassy of Nigeria in Tel Aviv, meeting with all the Ground Handlers, Air

Carriers in Israel, also meeting with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Affairs.

After few days of activities in Israel, the delegation will depart for Greece where similar strategic meetings and inspection will be carried out with the Greek officials while the delegation will depart for Rome and Vatican.

Executive Secretary of NCPC, Reverend Tor Uja (third left) and some members of staff of NCPC at the airport.

—President, Royal Caribbean International operations and we’ll always work with them. 80 to -90 per cent of our sales come through them. Travel partners explain the complexities of our operations. It’s something you need to let people know what you’re offering them. You need to understand their concerns and yearnings and meet these yearnings. That’s the backbone of our existence. We’re always trying to meet customers’ needs. For Harmony for instance, it’s a perfect stuff for family “.

Mr Bayley who gave an insight into the cost, safety and effort expended on the ship disclosed that “Harmony of the Seas cost $1.5 billion and took three years to

build. Prior to that, the ship took one and half years for conceptualization and design.

Safety and size is our focus. That’s the foundation. We’ve got remarkable safety in our DNA. The ship meets all international safety parameters and got all the needed regulatory approvals”.

On the not so pleasant experience during the pre-inaugural sail out of Southampton, Bayley said that the issues raised by customers were not out of place ‘as there is always a need for finishing touches whenever a ship with such complexities is launched’.

He said “We had two short cruises, a fourday and a three-day when the Harmony of

the Seas was launched and we had finishing touches to put in place. We had some workers onboard to finish up the jobs. The perception we had from some of our guests was that there was too much work going on.

Obviously that wasn’t what we intended to do and we wrote to those guests individually and we gave them 50 per cent discount on future cruises alongside my apology as things were not as perfect as we would have wanted them to be. We just finished the first cruise to Barcelona and guest satisfaction for Harmony of the Seas shattered our records. It was absolutely phenomenal”, he added.

is well respected and trusted by both corporate and political leaders around the world.

The Global Convener of OPU, Otunba Adams, expressed his excitement to be in Nairobi, Kenya, revealing that the hospitality he and his entourage got since arriving Kenya was splendid, pointing out that it is not a surprise that world class global companies have their corporate headquarters in Kenya including Google, Nestle and a lot of others.

He called on Yoruba in Kenya to “embrace the culture of your forefathers. As you can see, the Kenyans have incorporated their culture and worked it into the consciousness of the global tourists’ minds. This is a challenge for us all. You should flaunt your culture so well that Kenyans should be eager to visit our country”.

After the successful inauguration in Kenya, Otunba Adams led his entourage to Uganda where the launching of OPU Uganda was witnessed by a crowd at the prestigious Maries Royal Hotel Banquet Hall, Kampala, on Tuesday, 7 June, 2016.

The launching came up just two days after the launch of the Kenya Chapter and as expected attracted Yorubas based in Uganda.

Welcoming the delegates from Nigeria headed by Otunba Adams, expressed the joy and excitement of Yorubas in Uganda for the grace to be part of the global movement and vowed to ensure that the Uganda Chapter will within a short while be one of the most vibrant chapters in the continent of Africa.

The Global Convener of OPU, Otunba Adams could not hide his mood with the readiness and prompt acceptance of OPU in Uganda. According to him, he was encouraged to fast track the launching of the Uganda chapter based on feelers and pressure from Yorubas in Uganda about their eagerness to lay a solid foundation for OPU to be established in the East African.

He told Yoruba in Uganda “I enjoin all of you to tell the Ugandans by the way of your dressing, your conducts, your values and social engagements and activities that you are a product of an advanced culture which is not only worthy of emulation, but a must see in your place of origin”.

20 with Doyin Adeoye

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

The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands —Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

ecoscope

By Ruth Olurounbi

Wildlife and climate change

“The amount of food wasted and lost globally is shameful. Millions of people around the world go to bed hungry every night, and yet millions of tons of food end up in trash cans or spoiled on the way to market. We have to tackle this problem in every country in order to improve food security and to end poverty.” - Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group.

RECENT changes in climate have already begun to affect natural systems across the globe. These changes will only grow more severe in years to come.

Identifying which traits contribute to a species resilience and vulnerability will allow us to develop more robust conservation action plans in the face of a changing climate.

Different species will be affected in different ways; sometimes negatively, but not always.

Take a look at how three species are impacted:

W

HAT happens when food is wasted? Contrary to the belief that no harm is done when foods go to waste, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations says that the climate, environment, as well as humans are harmed when there is a case of food wastage globally and continentally. In fact, a 2013 FAO report indicates that food waste “harms climate, water, land and biodiversity.”

According to the organisation, recovering just half of what is lost or wasted could feed the world alone, as the World Bank says that the world needs to produce at least 50 per cent more food to feed nine billion people by 2050.

In fact, a Nigerian professor just shortened the World Bank’s timeline, saying by 2030, the world would need 50 per cent more food.

Already, global food security is under threat due to what the World Bank says are: volatile food prices and the attendant price spikes. Yet, a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes of food per year is lost, causing not only major economic losses but also wreaking significant harm on the natural resources that humanity relies upon to feed itself, the FAO said in the 2013 report. Direct economic costs of food wastage was put at $750 billion annually, by the United Nations.

In Nigeria, about 80 per cent of foods produced are wasted, according to the founder Nigerian Women in Agricultural Research for Development (NiWARD), Professor Stella Williams. According to her, Nigeria suffers “post-harvest losses, farmers will carry their products to Lagos and if there is no market it ends in the garbage, even if they get a return on their investment, they would have lost three-quarters of their products due to lack of processing.”

Nigerian farmers have complained of food loss or wastage

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

A deposit of food on a landfill in China. Photo: coresponsibility.com

Environmental, economic costs of wasted food

throughout the supply chain – from the initial agricultural production down to final household consumption. According to Shuabu Ah-Hassan, a farmer in the north, he alongside his co-farmers lose several hundreds of thousand tons of raw food materials like yam, cassava, maize, potatoes and rice annually due to lack of preservation technology that could help preserve them in the season of harvest.

But what really are the costs of food wastage? “According to the UN, food losses represent a waste of resources used in production such as land, water, energy and inputs, increasing the green gas emissions in vain.”

Environmental wise, apart from the fact that food loss and waste are impact live, they also signal inefficient use of resources. According to the UN, the environmental cost of food wastage is

about 3.3 gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Food loss pose significant threat to humans too. Brian Lipinski, in his “What’s Food Loss and Waste Got to Do with Sustainable Development? A Lot, Actually” wrote that “the world currently faces a roughly 70 per cent gap between the crop calories produced today and those that will be needed to feed a projected population of more than 9.5 billion people in 2050.”

The way forward WRAP, an organisation which works with governments, businesses and communities to deliver practical solutions to improve resource efficiency, suggests that countries, governments and international organisations should invest in infrastructure and help coordinate food production , storage and distribution activities to reduce food waste; and in particular

encourage the roll out of sustainable and effective cold and frozen supply chains. This is especially urgent as it has been estimated that 25 per cent of food

waste in the developing world could be eliminated with better refrigeration equipment, helping to alleviate hunger and improve global food security.

African Elephant How they’re resilient: African elephants live across a range of diverse habitats, from tropical rainforest to arid desert in 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This means that they are tolerant of a wide range of climatic extremes. They also feed on a variety of plant species, and food is widely available in their habitat. If a few plant species are impacted by a changing climate, African elephants can simply feed on a host of others.

How they’re vulnerable: African elephants require 150-300 liters of water per day for drinking, in addition to what they need for bathing and play. Droughts can lead to population decline in a short period of time.

African elephant reproduction is also tied to rainfall; birth peaks line up with rainfall peaks.

How we can help: Securing freshwater resources in areas that experience drought, or are expected to experience drought, will help take the pressure off elephants. This could take the form of providing separate and additional water sources for people and livestock, and wildlife, to reduce conflict over water.

Snow Leopard How they’re resilient: Snow leopards can tolerate a very wide range of temperatures, suggesting they could cope with rising average temperatures. They also live in the high mountains of central Asia, and can move easily across this inhospitable landscape, potentially seeking out new refuges.

How they’re vulnerable: One difficulty for snow leopards in the long run is that there aren’t that many of them—an estimated 4,000-7,500,—and there are significant knowledge gaps about the species. Also,

the effects of climate change on humans may increase the ongoing human impacts on snow leopards.

How we can help: Scientists should continue to learn more about the elusive snow leopard to gain a better understanding of how to protect the species. We also need to reduce pressure from other sources, and ensure that snow leopards have constant access to prey, which generally consists of Asiatic ibex, blue sheep and argali.

How they’re vulnerable: Mountain gorillas have a very small population—880 in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas also have a very limited range, surrounded by human settlement, which makes it difficult for them to move. Also of high concern is the species’ susceptibility to disease.

Mountain Gorilla How they’re resilient: Like snow leopards, mountain gorillas can handle a wide range of temperatures. They also consume a variety of food—up to 140 different species of plants—including leaves, shoots and stems, bark, fruit, and, occasionally, ants. Because these foods are widely available and diverse, mountain gorillas will find something to eat even if certain plant species are impacted by a changing climate.

• The garbage in a landfill stays for a for about 30 years.

• In 1995 over 200 of the world landfills were full.

• Each person throws away approximately four pounds of garbage every day.

• One bus carries as many people as 40 cars!

• More than 1/3 of all energy is used by people at home • Most families throw away about 88 pounds of plastic every year • We each use about 12,000 gallons of water every year • 1/3 of all water is used to flush the toilet.

• The 500 million automobiles on earth burn an average of 2 gallons of fuel a day.

• Each gallon of fuel releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air.

• Approximately 5 million tons of oil produced in the world each ear ends up in the ocean.

• The energy we save when we recycle one glass bottle is enough to light a traditional light bulb for four hours • For every 2000 pounds of paper (1 ton) recycled, we save 7,000 gallons of water free from chemicals.

The world needs 50 % more food by 2030

By Tunde Ogunesan IN the next 14 years, the entire universe will need nothing less than about 50 percent increase in food production to ensure food security and good nutrition.

This is the submission of Professor O.A Bamiro, in a lecture titled “Environment, Engineering and sustainable development” to commemorate the 80th birthday ceremony of Professor Paul Oluwande held at the College of Medicine Auditorium, University of Ibadan, recently.

Bamiro, a Professor of Mechanical

Engineering in his lecture said “to produce enough food sustainably is a global challenge. The world will need about 50 percent more food by 2030. Irrigation and other investments in agriculture and rural development can help millions of smallholder farmers earn a better living, provide enough nutritious food for growing populations, and build pathways to sustainable future growth.

“Our universities will have to deploy their education, training, research, innovation and extension capacities to tackle the problems identified above.”

The university don also revealed that

researches have indicated a higher number of labour force globally, with the sub-Saharan Africa and Asia as most beneficiaries.

According to him, “between 2015 and 2030, 470 million more people will enter global labour force, mostly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This is potentially a huge boom that could sustain growth that is already happening.

“Over the past decade, six of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world were in Africa. As more young people enter the work force and birth rates decline, Africa is set to experience the same kind of ‘demo-

graphic dividend’ that boosted growth in Asia over the last three decades. But young people in Africa, and around the world, will need jobs- jobs with security and fair payso they can build their lives and prepare for the future.

“Statistics reveal that while Africa has the world’s youngest population, with great expectations for education, nearly 60 percent of those who are unemployed are youth between the ages of 15-24, and a significant number of these are graduates. This jobless growth is what Africa HEIS will have to take into consideration in planning their future expansion.”

ecofact

How we can help: Scientists need to closely monitor disease in mountain gorillas to keep the population healthy. As the climate changes, we need to maintain—and possibly expand—suitable habitat for the gorillas, while creating improved conditions for surrounding communities to adapt.

Culled from www.wwf.org.uk

• Recycled paper requires 64% less energy than making paper from virgin wood pulp, and can save many trees • Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees • The amount of wood and paper we throw away is enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years • Earth is 2/3 water. but all the fresh water streams only represent one hundredth of one percent.

• 14 billion pounds of trash is dumped into the ocean every year • It takes 90% less energy to recycle aluminum cans than to make new ones http://www.planetpals.com/

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

Stakeholders call for effective policy on gas utilisation Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos TAKEHOLDERS in the oil and gas sector have urged the Federal Government to do more in ensuring effective utilisation of domestic gas consumption.

Nigeria is the seventh country with largest gas reserves with proven 187 trillion cubic feet reserves gas. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune during a visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend, the former Special Adviser on Petroleum Resources during Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim, mni, stated that “I was one of the team members, when Obasanjo was in office, in 2006 and initiated the whole concept of development of gas utilization for vehicular uses and other applications in the country.

“It was during his regime that Obasanjo awarded three licenses to three companies to invest in the promotion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicular application in the country. The three companies are NIPCo Plc which later got into partnership with Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) and became Green Gas Limited (GGL); Content Global Limited and Global Steel Limited.

“Because of the capital intensive nature of the project and huge technical nature, only one out of the three companies that were licensed in the last 10 years has invested millions of dollars in the projects.”

CNG is used by vehicles as alternatives to premium motor spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) otherwise called diesel.

He commended the management of NIPCo Plc for its steadfastness and ensures that the entire Benin City was never part of the worst fuel scarcity in Nigeria’s history recently.

“That the entire Benin city is encircled with network of gas pipeline with about seven CNG gas stations providing CNG for more than 4000 vehicles. Benin residents are very

S

happy because at the moment, anytime there is fuel scarcity, Benin is the only place or city in Nigeria that people did not feel the pains of the recent fuel scarcity.

“These services were therefore extended to Lagos with the construction and building of the largest CNG station on the African continent in Ibafo, Ogun State.

“One of the commercial drivers who have converted to CNG said he saves N3,500 on every trip to Ibadan from Lagos. He spends N2,500 on CNG while he uses N6,000 on premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol on same trip. That’s what we called economic empowerment.

“Essentially, if we replace 20 per cent of the current petrol consumption in Nigeria with CNG, Natural gas requires less than five per cent of what we are producing to replace 20 per cent of current petrol consumption. We will be saving over $2 billion annually on every $200 million that was supposed to have been used to import the 20 per cent fuel.

On provision of incentives on gas utilization, Mohammed stated that “there are dif-

From left, General Manager, GGL, Mr Rajesh Prabhu; Managing Director, NIPCo Plc, Mr Venkatapathy Venkataraman and former Special Adviser to Olusegun Obasanjo on Petroleum Resources, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit to Olusegun Obasanjo’s Hilltop Mansion at the weekend.

ferent schemes all over the world to promote gas utilisation. It would have been ideal for the government to give federal, states and local government officials free kits to convert and run their vehicles on natural gas.

“Government could also ask corporate bodies like the banks, telecommunication companies to give free kits to their staff members.

Government and banks can design a scheme whereby if you buy a kit, you can spread the payment over 1-2years. We believe it is still at its infancy and after 10 years, to have just one company, it shows that government support and intervention is key to promote gas utilisation.

“The policy was designed on a zero refining basis that is all our refineries are down, Nigerians would still have been moving without importing petrol. All the billions of dollars that were wasted on fuel importation wouldn’t have been wasted. In his comment, the Managing Director of NIPCo Plc, Mr Venkataraman Venkatapathy, argued that “Nigeria is abundantly blessed with gas.

We must begin to shift focus from importa-

tion of fuel which is taking a big drain in the economy. We are optimistic and enthusiastic because during the tenure of Obasanjo, he initiated this and supports the project 100 per cent. We believe it is going to happen now.

“We have been with this vision for the past 10 years and we know the future of this country is gas. We know that benefits will not come immediately but we are ready to wait patiently for the benefits to come.

“If the government can formulate adequate policy that will promote domestic consumption of gas, CNG is cheaper than petrol by over 50 per cent and cheaper than diesel by 45 per cent. Natural gas is a cleaning burning fuel and hence lower carbon deposits. Other benefits include lower maintenance cost, social benefits, environmental benefits and direct economic benefits,” he said.

The NIPCo boss urged the government to declare that gas should be used as one of the fuel for vehicles by giving incentives, for instance, weavers on kits or zero duties on imported kits and perhaps reduction in gas pricing. Higher incentives for conversion, the market forces will play and force down the price further.”

The General Manager, GGL, Mr Rajesh Prabhu, explained that the company has introduced affordable financing scheme that will assist motorists to convert and pay instalmentally.

“In Benin, people complained that they didn’t have money to convert their vehicles, so we introduced a finance scheme where a customer is allowed to pay as low as N5000 and the rest is spread through gas sales. We added N25 on pump price of CNG and that’s how they are paying off. Out of over 4000 vehicles that keyed into the scheme, 3000 customers have fully paid and the remaining 1000 will soon settle their outstanding.

Nigerian governments have been paying subsidy on petrol and kerosene following huge sums of money that runs into trillion of naira being paid to marketers as subsidy.

The government has said it cannot afford to sustain the programme, hence the need for total removal. This has resulted into increase in pump price of petrol from N86.50 per liter to N145 per liter.

If gas utilisation as alternatives to petrol, diesel and kerosene can be embraced, it will reduced volume of fuel consumption and thereby reducing volume of importation of refined petroleum products.

OPEC sees oil markets balance later this year

By Olatunde Dodondawa with Agency Reports

OPEC sees the oil market balancing later this year, leaving its forecast largely unchanged.

In its latest Oil Market Report, OPEC projects that the global surplus in oil production will shrink to just 160,000 barrels per day in the third and fourth quarter as demand continues to rise and supply declines.

OPEC says that oil demand will rise by 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d), a steady projection that is unchanged from earlier this year. China and India account for the bulk of the increased demand.

On the supply side, production will continue to fall. Non-OPEC supply will fall by 740,000 barrels per day this year, which is mostly unchanged

from previous assessments but encompasses revisions to the production levels of individual countries. For example, OPEC revised down its projection for production from Canada, Brazil and Colombia but increased its forecast for output from the U.S., the UK, Russia and Azerbaijan.

Non-OPEC supply will fall just 140,000 barrels per day in the second half of the year compared to the first, but will be down by about 1 mb/d from 2015 levels.

OPEC sounds relatively sanguine about the trajectory of the oil market balancing. Falling supply and rising demand “should result in a more balanced oil market toward the end of the year.” It notes that oil prices have climbed because of supply disruptions, a decline in

U.S. output, strong demand, and a weaker dollar. OPEC’s projections hinge on steady global economic growth.

But oil prices fell back below $50 per barrel to start off the week on concerns over an economic slowdown in Asia. Also, worries over a potential “Brexit” grew as new polls showed that support for the UK to leave the European Union has increased since the last poll was taken.

“The most recent oil price increase was driven by bullish market sentiment,” Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch told Reuters. “A Brexit could turn market sentiment around.” The dollar gained on the news, which helped to push oil prices lower.

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Electricity workers kick against renewal of Manitoba Hydro contract Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos ELECTRICITY workers under the aegis of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) have expressed their displeasure over attempt to extend the contract of Manitoba Hydro, which ended May 1, 2016, following allegations of incompetent and higher contract costs.

According to a letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, written and signed by Comrade (ENGR.) Chris Okonkwo, President General and Comrade (Barr) Umar Dubagari, General Secretary, SSAEAC, the union stated that it will be a mistake to extend the contract of Manitoba, who is made up just eight people.

“It will be a big slap on the country and expertise they used to get their job done without any toll or man power to improve the transmission network. We are concerned about the performance of this foreign company with recorded abysmal performance in technical, financial, managerial and administrative areas. Its performance record in the last one year is below 20 per cent without undue influence to review it upwards and there is a clear attempt to influence this performance record.

“The contract is a political contract where $30 million is paid for work by eight people while Nigerians that are actually doing the work are paid peanuts. They exploited the weaknesses in the system and took over the market fund management for the purpose of satisfying their payments. The terms of the payment included incentives payment and tax refund without corresponding and commensurate sanctions for non performance. This makes the contract a corruption contraption which should attract probe and sanction all behind it.

“Recent system collapse as experienced recently and rising transmission loss factor is symptomatic of failed performance of Manitoba Hydro. They have come and compounded operational processes such that administrative and payment processes are worse off. They manipulated the system since they were allowed to have their hands on the collective till of the sector (market fund) to the extent of paying themselves black-market foreign exchange rate or more for an official contract,” they said.

Furthermore, they stated in the letter that Manitoba Hydro refused to comply with contract reversion plan and is playing politics while power supply worsens.

“They have trained nobody as required and it is giving the impression that Nigerians cannot so it. Who was managing it before they came and is the system better after four years? The transmission capacity before

they came was 6000MW and the status quo remains. So another extension will lead to workers restiveness.

“We are aware of some Nigerian collaborators within and outside the TCN. We are calling for local management contract and targets for Nigerian professionals in the sector to save scarce foreign exchange. The present eight region structure can be strengthened and coordinated by headquarters with improved remuneration and welfare package similar to Manitoba Hydro fees in local cur-

rency for total delivery of defined targets,” they said.

They further warned that the government should desist from any attempt to break up the TCN now. “Giving the weaknesses of the power sector and disarray in the performance of the privatised Gencos and Discos, if the government cannot stabilise the privatised Gencos and Discos, why add to the problem by breaking up or selling the TCN. “The investors claimed they had foreign partners that will come with the needed fund

From left, Head, Sales, Oando Marketing Plc, Mr Babafemi Olabiyu; Otunba of Ibafo Land, Chief Ajilleja; Dealer, Oando Ibafo Service Station, Mr And Mrs. Adekunle Babatunde performing the ceremonial first sale at the commissioning of its new-to-industry franchise model station at Ibafo, Ogun State, recently.

Oil disruptions in Nigeria, Canada, Venezuela worst in 5yrs

By Olatunde Dodondawa with Agency Reports CURRENT global oil supply disruptions are the worst in five years according to an updated assessment from the Energy Intelligence Agency (EIA). The assessment showed total disruptions in oil production at more than 3.6 million barrels per day (MBA/d) in May, the highest monthly total since the EIA began tracking the data in January 2011.

The outages hit major oil supplies across the world. At its worst, Canada saw more than 1 million barrels per day knocked offline because of the wildfires near Fort McMurray.

That production is starting to come back online, however, and was always thought to be a temporary disruption.

However, other supply outages could be more sustained like attacks on oil installations in Nigeria. Although precise data is hard to come by, Nigeria might currently have more than 1 mb/d offline because of attacks from the Niger Delta Avengers on key platforms, pipelines, and oil wells. The

Avengers have threatened to take oil production in Nigeria down to “zero” in an effort to have their demands for sovereignty met. Nigeria’s oil production has plunged from 2.2 mb/d in 2015 down to somewhere around 1 mb/d today. The EIA pegged the country’s production at about 1.4 mb/d in May, but that is probably too high for June given that several more attacks have been carried out since then.

The troubling thing for Nigeria is that these outages are likely to persist for some time.

The Niger Delta Avengers have rejected talks with the government and continue to carry out attacks. The oil companies operating in the region, Shell, Eni and Chevron, will find it difficult to even conduct repairs on damaged infrastructure. The Avengers have promised to keep up their attacks, so it is entirely possible that the disruptions will continue to climb.

A handful of other smaller outages have hit some fellow OPEC producers. Iraq suffered bad weather and power outages in

After 350,000 layoffs oil companies now face worker shortages

By Olatunde Dodondawa with Agency Reports

THERE could be a growing shortage of skilled workers in the oil industry. That may seem counterintuitive in an industry that has been rapidly shedding workers, with more than 350,000 people laid off in the oil and gas industry worldwide.

Texas is one place feeling the pain. Around 99,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Lone Star state have been eliminated since prices collapsed two years ago, or about one third of the entire industry. In April alone there were about 6,300 people in oil and gas and supporting services that were handed pink slips. Employment in Texas’ oil sector is close to levels not seen since the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2009. “We’re still losing big chunks of jobs with each passing month,” Karr Ingham, an Amarillo-based economist, told The Houston Chronicle.

But the damage to the oil industry’s workforce could be exactly why companies could

to invest in the sector, but they are interested in increasing the tariffs and obtaining bailout funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). They compiled reasons for their inefficiencies including low tariff, low power generation, forex scarcity and citizens’ attitude. Today, TCN has capacity of 6000MW but maximum generated power to date is 5074MW which was momentarily. Giving bailouts to cover lost revenues cannot solve problem of poor collection and illiquidity in the sector,” they concluded.

face a skills shortage in the months and years ahead.

North Dakota had nearly 1,000 drilled but uncompleted wells as of March, and more companies are showing some signs that they might step up completions now that oil prices are above $50 per barrel. But they might find it difficult to ramp up the rate of completions if they cannot field enough workers. There are only about eight fracking crews left in the state, down from 45 two years ago, according to Reuters. Fracking crews are brought in to frack and complete wells for oil producers.

A recent survey of oil companies in the Bakken revealed concerns from the industry about the dismantling of fracking crews.

“Even if prices went to $100 per barrel of oil, you don’t have any frack crews available to complete all the wells that need fracking,” one survey respondent told Hart Energy Market Intelligence.

One oil worker recently interviewed by

Reuters illustrates the problem for places like the Bakken. John Ritchart, a worker that was responsible for heating water for a fracking crew, packed up and left North Dakota, moving back to Washington State after his pay was cut by 30 percent. “I can feed two people at home for a month for what it costs me to eat in Williston for a week,” Ritchart told Reuters. “I can’t afford to stay here.”

The city of Williston, located in the heart of the Bakken, saw its population shrink by 16 percent since the summer of 2015.

At a recent industry conference in North Dakota, a top executive at Hess Corp. said that dismantling crews can be counterproductive. “If you just stop your entire operation, you send all your contractors home, you lose all your completion supervisors and you end up in a situation where you have to start all over again,” Gerbert Schoonman, Hess vice president in the Bakken, said at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in May.

May, which disrupted an additional 50,000 barrels per day of oil exports. Libya also saw 50,000 barrels per day knocked offline in May because of struggle for the control of the al-Hariga oil export terminal. That disruption has eased since then, but Libya is still producing only a fraction of its pre-war 1.6 mb/d capacity.

Meanwhile, some more routine market-based supply adjustments are taking place in many parts of the world – declines that have been expected because of low prices and not because of unexpected outages related to weather or violence. The U.S. continues to lose output as depleting shale wells overwhelm the dearth of new supply.

At 8.7 mb/d, the U.S. is down about 900,000 barrels per day from the April 2015 peak.

Venezuela has lost roughly 100,000 barrels per day from last year’s levels because of inadequate maintenance. Mexico has lost a similar amount since the first quarter as its aging fields see output slowly erode. Iraq could also see production decline later this year and next because the government does not have enough funds to pay oil companies to drill.

All of these outages essentially have forced the oil market back into balance sooner than many had expected. The IEA projected last month that the supply overhang only stood at 1.3 mb/d and would decline to 0.2 mb/d in the third and fourth quarter. But the unexpected outages have more or less erased that surplus.

On the other hand, oil storage levels are still massively built up and will have to be drawn down before oil prices can rally substantially higher. With the U.S. still holding more than 530 million barrels, still near 80-year highs, any price rally could be capped until those numbers come down. But that is starting to happen, the EIA just reported that the U.S. posted its third consecutive week of withdrawals.

One other issue worth keeping an eye on is the extraordinary low levels of spare capacity today. OPEC, by maintaining high levels of production and even increasing output in order to hold onto market share, has kept prices low for the better part of two years.

24

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Governor Fayose addressing the workers.

By Sam Nwaoko

F

OR a considerable number of weeks since the beginning of 2016, the Ekiti political landscape triggered fireworks between the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). This was until issues arose from the spheres of the economic hardship that has nearly crippled many states of the country. Almost all through the course of this year, the issues in Ekiti had largely hovered around the stinging statements by Governor Ayodele Fayose on the Nigerian economy and how President Muhammadu Buhari has been handling it, along with his anti-corruption fight, since he assumed office one year ago.

However, the economic issues, which had been smouldering in the state for weeks earlier, crystallised when public sector workers raised their voice against their piling unpaid salaries and allowances. They had all along endured the non-payment of their salaries by the state government since the advent of the Fayose administration on October 16, 2014.

As a matter of fact, the workers were on strike when Fayose came to power in the state, having declared an industrial action on October 2, 2014.

The arrival of the new administration was entirely a different kettle of fish. The government began very early to decry what it described as “the huge debt” it inherited from their predecessor. And this has largely remained the issue till date on the Ekiti workers’/government face off.

On November 2, 2014, barely three weeks in office, the Fayose government claimed in a statement by Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, that the state had been “ruined economically.” It alleged that the “Fayemi administration put the state in a financial bondage till year 2020 and that the state government was indebted to the tune of N86,013,689,097.”

But the APC in the state, through its publicity secretary, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, was quick to react to the statement released by the government thorugh Olayinka. He claimed that Fayose was only re-

Issues in Ekiti workers’ strike sorting to “blackmail and mischief just to smear the image of his predecessor.”

From all indications, there haven’t been any marked difference in the Ekiti economy, regarding the issues argued above.

As things stand today in Ekiti, the issues have not changed from those highlighted in the late 2014 verbal altercation between the ruling PDP and opposition APC in the state. It is even not surprising to informed residents that issues relating to the controversial debt profile of the state has been at the nerve of the current labour/government impasse of recent weeks.

When the labour centres in Ekiti gave the indications that they would down tools should the government fail to pay their outstanding salaries and allowances as well as deductions from the workers’ emoluments, many became curious about how the state government was going to handle the issue. But the national strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which commenced on May 18, 2016, subsumed the Ekiti workers’ agitation. To many in Ekiti, however, the NLC strike, which was largely an unsuccessful outing in many states of the federation, was a huge success in Ekiti as a result of the extant labour issues in the state.

But after the Ayuba Waba-led NLC had announced that they had ceased hostilities, the Ekiti labour unions contin-

ued from where they had stopped. On Thursday, May 26, 2016, the current indefinite strike in Ekiti came on stream. To many people in and outside the state, the strike has caused the reopening of the old wounds of the discussions in the state’s debt profile and financial status. To many others too, it is an opportunity for the government to truly test its avowed and often announced love for the workers and the masses of the state.

The NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) had given the government a 48-hour notice on May 24 and in announcing that they would go in strike, declared that there was “a limit to endurance.”

The NLC chairman, Ade Adesanmi; TUC chairman, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye and JNC Secretary, Oladele Blessing, in a joint statement, said the strike became the last resort after they had “displayed uncommon understanding over the state’s financial status.”

The workers said their demands were: the release of the staff audit and verification conducted in April , 2015; disclosure of the monthly internally-generated revenue; payment of arrears of salaries, pension and gratuities; payment of September 2014 salary to primary school teachers; and payment of 2014 and 2015 leave bonuses. The workers also wanted the imple-

To many people in and outside the state, the strike has caused the reopening of the old wounds on the state’s debt profile and financial status.

mentation of promotion of for 2013, 2014, 2015; approval of inter-cadre transfer; remission of 10 per cent IGR to local government and stoppage of Joint Allocation Committee’s account; resuscitation of LG staff pension fund and release of running grants to secondary schools and local governments.

The government’s immediate reaction was an appeal to the workers “to show understanding and return to work.” Governor Fayose took to his usual, frequent radio and television broadcast to the people to explain that the allocation accruing to the state was dwindling and that they had to collectively seek out “a pragmatic approach to solve the crisis” and that “strike is not the only way out.” He even stated that he knew that for many weeks, many workers had not always been reporting at their duty posts owing to the non-payment of their salaries. Fayose added: “I can only deploy what I receive from the Federation Account. If workers want to go on strike, I sympathise with them but we will be here waiting till when they come back. I can’t sell myself to pay workers.”

In a matter of days, the issue of the Ekiti workers’ strike moved from the economic realm to the political turf. Various stakeholders began to show interest in the strike and soon made it a political issue. The APC in the state latched on the industrial dispute to lambast Fayose and his supporters. The party dished out figures of amounts it claimed were received by the governor as security votes, calling on workers to demand for the bailout the Federal Government gave to Ekiti State and also charged them to resist attempts by the government to break their ranks.

The open intervention of the APC in the strike drew the ire of the PDP and its supporters and they accused the party of manipulating the workers to further their plot to bring down the government of Governor Fayose. The PDP, through its spokesperson, Jackson Adebayo, said a statement by the APC on the industrial action was “a confirmation the APC was meddling in the strike and a confirmation of the insinuations that the APC has infiltrated the ranks of labour unions in the state and is fuelling the crisis.”

The strike soon became an all comers’ affair as students, commercial drivers from various transport unions, artisans, commercial motorcyclists, etc, held rallies and issued statements either for or against the strike. Figures were commonly reeled out while some workers even argued among themselves on the propriety or otherwise of the strike action. Part of the contentions postulated among the citizenry about the strike, on the political turf are hinged on the arguments of the APC, chief among which is that Governor Fayose should not blame his predecessor, Dr Fayemi, for his inability to pay the workers. The party also alleged that this was a gratuitous way of shifting blames and a descent into lies and propaganda.

But the PDP said it was shameless of the APC to still be throwing words around on the near comatose economy of the state, saying “the financial handicap the state is experiencing today is as a result of the profligacy of the Kayode Fayemi-led APC government that ran the state aground from October 2010 to October 2014. Yet the party that is supposed to bow its head in shame has now suddenly become the advocate of the workers it owed several months of salary and deductions before it was flushed out of government in 2014.”

25

politics&policy

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Guber poll: As PDP eyes Osadebey House LEON USIGBE takes a look at the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) effort to reclaim Edo State and concludes that the party may already be eyeing someone to pull it off.

S

ENATOR Ahmed Makarfi’s immediate job is to lead the National Caretaker Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reclaim Edo State from the All Progressives Congress (APC). At the moment, it is not clear whether the new leadership of the opposition party will be in office by the September date of the Edo gubernatorial poll because it ought to have a life span of three months within which it must conduct a new national convention to elect new members of its NWC. But since the caretaker committee is the leadership in place and the election is around the corner, it must necessarily channel its energies towards it for a positive outcome for the PDP. The expression of interest and nomination forms for the September 10 election are already being sold. In a short while, the aspirants should hit the Abuja national secretariat of the party to submit their forms, after which the Makarfiled leadership would constitute a screening committee to screen them and thereafter conduct the party’s gubernatorial primaries. Yet, until a few days ago, the party was at the risk of losing the election even without contesting in it. Essentially, it had no recognisable leadership.

After being sacked by a resolution of the national convention, former national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, armed with a court order from Lagos, continued to lay claim to the position. His threat to forcibly occupy the Wadata Plaza, Abuja party headquarters led the police to cordon it off for nine days until the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party was able to convince the law enforcement body that Markafi’s committee, also in possession of a Port Harcourt court order recognising it, was the validly chosen leadership for the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) too has apparently thrown its weight behind the Makarfi committee by meeting with it last week.

With that support in the pocket, the PDP is now licking its lips, preparatory to gulping a prized possession - Osadebey House, Benin City, the seat of power of Edo State. There are just four governorship aspirants in this election under the party including Earl Osaro Onaiwu, who is currently the coordinator of the PDP Governors Forum; Chief Solomon Edebiri, who previously contested the post under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); Mathew Iduriyekemwen, a former Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former Chief of State of Staff to the governor and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The party is yet to set a date for its primary election to choose its candidate, which must come before the May 22 deadline given by INEC but from the look of things, one or two persons are pulling ahead as the favorites to emerge. Onaiwu appears to draw his strength from his relationship with past and serving governors of the PDP as well as an unrestricted access to the national leadership of the party, but he is still considered to have an outside chance of clinching the ticket. Iduriyekemwen appears to enjoy the backing of Chief Mike Onolememen, who himself has coveted the Edo governorship seat for a long time.

The former Minister of Works from Edo Central, had to hang his ambition because the PDP decided that its governorship candidate for this election must emerge from Edo South. The Adolor of Uromi’s support for him may not be enough to hand him the ticket. Edebiri has shown from his previous attempt at becoming the governor that he could be considered a serious aspirant.

In the 2012 governorship election, he emerged third place even when he was the candidate of a relatively unpopular ANPP in Edo. He led the Edo ANPP into a merger with other legacy parties that formed the APC and subsequently defected to the PDP. Edebiri should provide a stiff contest for Ize-Iyamu, who appears to be the overwhelming favourite at this time. Ize-Iyamu is a man of many parts. Once the Chief of Staff to the state governor before becoming SSG between 1999 and 2007, he looks to be the most popular of the lot with a well-oiled political structure. He has a pedigree and has prepared himself very well over time for this moment. From becoming one of the arrowheads

Edebiri

Onaiwu

Ize-Iyamu Iduriyekemwen

Until a few days ago, the party was at the risk of losing the election even without contesting in it. Essentially, it had no recognisable leadership.

of the rebel Grace Group within the PDP, he left for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) before joining the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he was its National Vice Chairman (South-South) and subsequently, the APC. The PDP establishment tends to see him as the one in the best position to checkmate Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s desperation to foist his lackey on the state. He knows Oshiomhole’s strength and weaknesses having helped him to power. Though a Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor, he is a man of means, well grounded in art of Edo politics.

If crowd is a good measurement of how popular an aspirant is, the multitude he mustered when he picked up his nomination forms last Thursday suggested that he is the one to beat. The PDP is supremely confident that it has an asset in Ize-Iyamu to clinch victory. But then, surprises are not new to politics.

politics&policy

26

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

We’ve done relatively well in one year

—Reps’ spokesman

Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs. In this interview with JACOB SEGUN OLATUNJI and KOLAWOLE DANIEL, he speaks on the one-year anniversary of the 8th Assembly, and other issues in the polity. Excerpts:

A

S the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, what is your assessment of the 8th Assem-

bly?

I want to say that, in the last one year, we have been able to do much because, right now, I know that we have initiated about 644 bills and they are at various degrees and stages. We have passed about 77, and more will be done. But, I want to tell you that, regarding the 77 that have been passed, we have done our own in the National Assembly in terms of transmission and concurring; we have done what is expected of us. In terms of motions, more than 500 motions have also been considered and about 423 of them assigned to committees.

There have been vibrant debates and the Speaker has kept his promise of the 8th legislative agenda—sectoral debates and you can see that there have been sectorial debates in the National Assembly. We have invited several ministers in the spirit of diversification of the economy. We wanted them to tell the whole world their policies in the area of Information technology. What do you have in communications; what do you have in the area of finance, what about health? All of them came and made their statements and we asked relevant questions.

We have given Nigerians the opportunity to know more than what the government reels out and this is a great achievement for us. In the last 16 years, there had never been any sectoral debate on the floor of the House.

We have also legislated on terrorism; we have the Terrorism Act amendment 2016 that is in place, which has scaled the First Reading. We also have the Explosives Amendment Act 2016. All these things are meant to deter people from taking part in terrorist activities. We have also agreed on diversification. I personally sponsored motion in the House about the non-oil revenue; how leakages can be blocked, given the fact that the fall in the price of oil is a global issue. We realised that, even from the beginning, we have to look inwards.

We have to look at the revenue we generate from Customs, and other non-oil sectors like agriculture. If the leakages are blocked, I can guarantee we would have less issues concerning the national budget. But because the attention has always been on oil, that is why we are having these issues. To a large extent, I would say we have done relatively well.

What do you think the House should have done differently notwithstanding your pass mark for it so far?

The chief challenge we had in the first one or two months must have slowed us down for some time. But a great number of the members would say “how I wished it would

have happened before”. Sometimes, it is good to disagree to agree. Now that we have known our stand and we have reconciled, nobody is looking at any person with suspicion. The Leader, who also contested to be the Speaker, is also working cordially with the Speaker and sometimes, he goes to confer with him on very sensitive issues both on the floor of the House and administratively.

We are now a united family.

We made some amendment to our rules.

Look, next time anybody that jumps to pick our maze would go on suspension over six months and the amendment done because we are representatives of the people. It is natural that in a legislature, you must have differences. That is why you are asked to debate for or against an issue, because someone must have a different option. So, it isn’t unusual to say as a legislator, ‘why is your view different from the other person?’ That is how it is and that is why we put into vote some and the majority always carries the day. If we have a disagreement, it should not warrant you to just pick the maze and run away.

But, some members are in court challenging the amendment of the House Rules...

They are allowed to go to court; they are allowed to do what they want to do. But I want to tell you that the court doesn’t write rules for us; it is we that write our own rules. If we have a rule here and it is read and passed, it is binding on everybody. That is why I said even if you disagree with a particular bill or motion and the majority agrees, you are bound to say yes because it is the majority.

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended has given us power to make our own Rules. So, the court can’t set Rules for us; we govern our activities.

We made these rules in consultation with our members and we passed them by twothirds. If you don’t agree, you are supposed to come back to the House to resolve issues rather than going to court because the court can’t rewrite the Rules for us.

What should Nigerians be expecting from the 8th House for the second year?

There should be robust debates because, right now, the Speaker, in his own wisdom, has identified certain experts in the area of Law and Political Science to look at relevant laws; how we can revive some law, that have become. You remember that we had about 130 bills at some time, and another 100. All these were done to improve good governance because certain laws were put in place in the last 40 or 50 years, and the reality of today shows that things must be done differently for you to achieve change.

You can only achieve the change through the legislature because when one govern-

Namdas ment goes away, the next government has no option but to work with the rules on ground. The incoming government will not change all the rules at the same time, just like we can’t amend every law.

The 8th Assembly has put in place process to continue the amendment of the constitution. At what is the process now?

I am a member of the Constitution Review Committee. From our meetings, we have identified some experts from all the zones.

We have realised that law is something you can originate within yourself. Sometimes, you go to the public and you know the difficulty and processes in reviewing a constitution and that is why we are taking our time. We have identified areas that need to be reviewed. Even the last National Confab, we have received the report. The committee has asked for the report to see if there is a way we can have inputs from there.

I think it is a very good development and everybody is willing. How I wished we had some beautiful laws allowing local governments to have their funds directly, and not through the Federation Account. These are things that are on the table. Some people are proposing that we have local government

We have identified areas that need to be reviewed.

Even the last National Confab, we have received the report. The committee has asked for the report to see if there is a way we can have inputs from there.

election conducted by INEC, rather than states INEC. All these are being discussed.

In the last review, we did a beautiful job. But because it was lumped into one single document for the president to sign and because the president disagreed with one or two issues, he couldn’t sign it.

This time, the chairman of the committee has made it known to Nigerians that we are going to do a review in a manner that we will take each one on its merit. So, if you disagree with x, it would be dropped. But to throw the baby away with the bath water, I think, is not the right thing to do.

PIB is another bill that has been on the queue in the House since the 6th Assembly. What is the state of bill now and do you think the present House will have the courage to pass it?

Certainly, there is a PIB bill already from the executive. The last time, I wasn’t in the House but I think it should have been read on the floor. I told people during a press briefing that because of the interest, we also have in the PIB bill, the Speaker has had cause to talk to the president on three different occasions so that he can bring the PIB bill for us to work on it.

We are on the same page with the president and that is also good while this economy is being deregulated, particularly the oil sector, because people are using that to deal with Nigerians. Now that this thing (subsidy) has been removed, you can’t smuggle the product to a neighbouring country because you would be running at a loss. You have no option but to sell to it the way it is.

The only thing is that the government should give attention to the money that is coming in so that people don’t divert it. We are also happy with the president who is known to be fighting corruption very well.

We believe that the money that would be generated from this exercise would be used judiciously for the betterment of the country.

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

hers

Editor: Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

My promotion came a year after my retirement

tion to adapt as it to suit our purposes. This exercise took us almost a year. It was always a joint struggle then as we fought for workers in different establishments. When NTA wanted to sack some of its workers, we all came together to fight it. We called it work to rule, it wasn’t strike as it obtains today.

General Adeyinka Adebayo was the governor and I instructed Water Corporation to cut water supply to the Government House for one day. Later on that fateful day, General Adebayo said he couldn’t get water to wash his face! So he went to meet with my cousin who was the then Clerk of the House, J.M. Akinola and said ‘’I was told your cousin is leading workers in a rally.”.My cousin said ‘’I know Dupe, she cannot do that’. Anyway, NTA got what it wanted. Later, I told UCH management that the hospital should give staff loans as done to senior members of staff so as to buy houses in town which we would start paying back six months after it had been approved.

—Former Miss Western Region

Former Miss Western Region, Victoria Modupe Oke, a retired radiographer, relieves her unionism days at the University College Hospital which came at a cost. She was denied promotion until a year after retirement. She speaks with YEMISI AOFOLAJU.

Y

OU are still looking radiant and beautiful at almost 86, what is the secret?

Really? Well, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. It is you who think that I am beautiful. I appreciate you for the compliments.

Does longetivity run in your family?

Laughs... Well, my mother died five years ago at the age of 102 and as at the time she died, she was still drinking beer, though I disagreed with her on this. My grandmother too died at an advanced age, so one can say that longevity is in my maternal side. I think it is the grace and mercy of God and the fact that I think beautifully. One thing that I know is that once you are done with your God-given assignment and the time to go comes, one will know. So when death comes, you will be happy with it.

In essence, you have not finished your assignment on this side of the divide...

I have not. By the mercy and grace of God, I will know when I am going to die.

You contested the beauty pageant when the Nigerian society frowned on women’s exposure, what was the motivation?

Actually, I came back from Britain in August, 1956. I left my boyfriend in England who was studying Medicine because I went to the UK on Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s scholarship and I felt I should come back to serve Western Nigeria, though he wanted me to stay back so that we could get married. In Nigeria, I was posted to Abeokuta. Then the question of beauty pageant came up. I wasn’t really interested initially, but when I learnt the competition involved writing an essay on why I wanted to be a part of the contest, I became interested.

My father put in the application for me and took me to the dance on the D-day. We wore evening wear and not bikinis as it obtains today. Only one of us wore Nigerian costume. One of the prizes then was a trip to London which I felt would be an opportunity for me to go back to England and get married. Though I was the best, but the lady from Ilorin, who was placed second was made Miss Nigeria because she claimed she wanted to study Nursing in England and I had been to London before then. This gave her an edge over me coupled with the fact that the defunct Daily Times which was the organiser of the event told all the contestants to put on evening wear while she was told to put on Iro and Buba. Of course, she was the only one who was clad in this attire. They gave me other prizes except the London trip.

I became Miss Western Nigeria while the Ilorin lady was named Miss Nigeria.

Is it right to say that this decision of yours cost you marriage to your boyfriend in England?

I believed that God wanted to lead me to the right man because he was in Britain for years after then. Afterwards, I met Fagbenro-Byron, a lawyer, who happened to be a friend of mine in school. We got engaged along the line and eventually got married. The man I left in England and I are still friends till date.

Is he in Nigeria?

Lagos of course, he is a professor, but I won’t tell you his name (laughs)...

Was your becoming a radiographer by choice or providence?

It was by providence. My parents were with the railways in the North while I was sent to school in Lagos. I was in late Lady Oyinkan Abayomi’s hostel with girls from different schools. I attended CMS Girls School.

There was a lady named Haulghan Rhodes, who later became Haulghan Jones having married one of the Adeniji Jones doctors, who used to come home with X-ray films.

The lady liked me and I was enthused. At a time she asked me to study Radiography, but I told her then that I wanted to read Law, but on the sideline, I got interested in Radiography. After my school certificate, I got admission to the University of Cambridge. But my father, a polygamist said ‘I have so many children, I have no money to send you to read Law. Along the line, I got a job as secretary/typist in training in the headquarters of the Ministry of Health in Lagos where I was very close to the head, Sir Samuel Mannuel. He was very fond of me. At that time, somebody was needed at the General Hospital where there was the School of Radiography for technical training. I was posted there, and I got more interested since I couldn’t afford to study Law. I resigned my clerical job to face the technical aspect of radiography. It was a two-year course. After two years, Chief Awolowo came up with award of scholarship and I applied for it. 12 of us filed our papers and three won. Incidentally, I was the only beneficiary from the West, with two others from the East and North. This was how I was sent to England to study radiography.

You led the workers union at the

For how many years were you in the saddle?

Six years.

University College Hospital(UCH), as president, how did you attain this feat?

When I came back from Britain, I was posted to Aro Mental Hospital, Abeokuta with the likes of the late Drs Lambo, Asuni, Marinho. A few things happened then which I would not want to give details. I was later transferred to the UCH. The European radiographers then were against our becoming radiographers as they claimed that they had enough English hands. This attitude of theirs prompted my meeting with Sir Samuel Mannuel to complain about my findings having known him for a long time. I told his secretary then, late Mr Ladehinde, who incidentally became UCH’s head who said, ‘’I learnt you are now learning radiography’’, I said no that I was into the technical aspect of it. I told him then that we could never become radiographers because we didn’t have the MSR which was only in the UK. He then instructed his secretary to write the three regions that from then on that Nigerians were going to be trained fully as radiographers.

What led you into unionism?

The policy at the UCH then was that whenever any member of staff was on leave, he moved out of staff quarters to rent an apartment outside and when he returned from holiday, he is given another apartment as spelt out by the Britons. I called my colleagues to a meeting on the need for us to have a union because our boss then said that it was not possible for us to change the rules.

But I told him that we could no longer tolerate the practice. The union had been in existence, but it was not active. My chairman, who I was assisting was the late Chief Oduntan, an elderly , who always told me to attend to staff matters on his behalf. The first thing that needed to be addressed was the accommodation issue. I told Mr Ladeinde that he should understand that Nigerians were now at the UCH and need to have our condition of service. I approached the leaders of workers unions in NTA, Water Corporation, NEPA and Railways for assistance in putting our constitution together. We hired an office at Mokola where we met every evening to study the Nigerian workers constitu-

Can you compare workers unions in your days to what obtains today?

My activities in the union cost me promotion for six years, but I was determined to give UCH what I owed it. In fact, my promotion came a year after my retirement! It took the late Shehu Musa, the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation to right the wrong as he asked his friend, Yinka Johnson, what my offence was. It was Johnson, who probably told him that I was punished as a unionist. I never embarked on any work to rule on frivolous excuse even when workers alleged that I had sold out. In fact, there was no formal send off for me when I retired.

They tried all they could do then to remove me as the head of the Radiology Unit as they claimed then that they did not want a woman as the head.

Was is it by choice that you have only one child?

No, it wasn’t. But I thank God that I have one. What about those who don’t have? I could remember that at a time, I was paying other women bills for their gynaecological problems as they could find solutions. But I was not unhappy because my siblings’ children at every point in time were around me.

Who is your role model?

My role model was Lady Oyinkan Abayomi.

If given another chance, would you want to come as a woman?

Yes. I am saying this because I now know how to make women entrepreneurs and empower them so that they don’t get ordered around by men who are not gentlemen.

Are you on any special diet?

I am not on any.

Your fashion sense I wear anything good.

How were you able to cope with marital problems?

I am a widow.

Why did you retain your maiden name?

I could not imagine having to change my maiden name that is virtually on all my certificates.

Did your husband agree with you on this?

He didn’t initially, but later mellowed.

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features

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

‘Amnesty programme still on course’

Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd), Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt, last Thursday, shortly before the launch of the implementation of the UNEP Report on Ogoni clean-up.

DAPO FALADE brings the report.

If you hear the words from the ex-agitators captured in the Amnesty Programme, they have all dissociated themselves from the Niger Delta Avengers. So, they are on their own

T

HE Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) claimed that part of the reasons for their provocation is the alleged poorly implemented Amnesty Progromme.

What is your response to this?

The Amnesty Programme, to the best of my knowledge and ability, is on course and it is very successful. It is the more reason why a lot more armed militants are interested in disarming and wanting to be included in the programme. If the programme was not successful, they will not have that interest to want to be disarmed and be included in the programme.

I am talking of this cutting across the Niger Delta, all the way from Ogun and Lagos States, through Ondo State, Edo State, Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Criss River State, Akwa Ibom State and all the way to Imo and Abia states.

You said so many militants are already keying into the Amnesty Programme, yet we have the Avengers destabilising the programme. How will you describe this?

that is not supported in the acts they are undertaking and we have all dissociated ourselves from them.

Boroh The programme, like I said, I am the coordinator and I know what I am talking about. I know how much gain that the Federal Government has achieved through the Amnesty Programme. It is a stabilising programme for the region, candidly speaking and, because it is successful, a lot more persons who were armed are willing to disarm and be captured in the Amnesty Programme.

How then would describe the Avengers and their activities?

If you hear the words from the ex-

agitators captured in the Amnesty Programme, they have all dissociated themselves from the Niger Delta Avengers. So, they are on their own; they are criminal elements and the Amnesty Office will work with the security agencies to fish them out so that they can be brought to justice.

So, you are not thinking of the possibility of a dialogue or negotiating with them?

That is not the subject-matter. As far as I am concerned, they are an element

Any window for them in the Amnesty Programme?

It is not in my programme. Even the upcoming ones, we don’t have any window now for them to be captured in the programme.

The way the Avengers talk and act, it is as if they have all the resources to confront the Nigerian military.

You are retired General from the Army, what is your reaction to that?

One of the strength of would-be persons is propaganda so that they can propagate and stop whatever they want to stop.

The Nigerian child: Still in search of a brighter future

By Paul Omorogbe THE Children’s Day celebrations may have come and gone, but with the myriad of challenges they face, it is clear to all that it is not yet uhuru for the Nigerian child.

The sensational Chibok Girls saga is a typical example of how insurgency today affects children and how the government failed to provide the needed security for its minors. As it is with every conflict, the first victims are women and children. According to statistics released in Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Round II Report for February 2015, 56 per cent of the total internally displaced people (IDP) population of 1,188,018 are children.

Media reports had it that all the 450 deaths caused by malnutrition recorded in 28 Borno State IDPs camps in 2015 were children. According to Mr Sule Mele, NEMA Executive Director, these children were between age one and five and 209,577 children were screened for various illnesses, including malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Other reports coming out of these camps stated that “incidents of unwanted pregnancies, rape, child labour/trafficking and sexually transmitted diseases” were being experienced. Such is the case of the Nigerian child in the face of insurgency.

In recent times, stories of rape with minors as victims have been on the rise.

Most times, these acts are carried out by care-givers, neighbours or relatives of the child.

UNICEF reported in 2015 that one in four girls and one in 10 boys in Nigeria

had experienced sexual violence before the age of 18. According to a survey by Positive Action for Treatment Access, over 31.4 per cent of girls there said that their first sexual encounter had been rape or forced sex of some kind.

According to UNICEF, six out of 10 children in Nigeria experience emotional, physical or sexual abuse before the age of 18, with half experiencing physical violence.

In an interview, Mrs Ifeyinwa Awagu, Secretary, Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), said that the law did not provide adequate time to prosecute offenders. She added that lack of forensic evidence, inability of parents to allow their wards to testify and social stigma were the major constrains in pro-

secuting offenders.

Over the last decade, Nigeria’s exponential growth in population has put immense pressure on the country’s resources and on already overstretched public services and infrastructure. With children under 15 years of age accounting for about 45 per cent of the country’s population, the burden on education and other sectors has become overwhelming.

According to UNICEF, “41 per cent of Nigerian children aged 6-11 do not attend any primary school with the Northern region recording the lowest school attendance rate in the country, particularly for girls. Despite a significant increase in net enrolment rates in recent years, it is estimated that about 4.7 million children of

primary school age are still not in school.”

In his journal titled, “Early Childhood Education in Nigeria: Issues and Problems,” Tombowua Sooter of Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, College of Education, Katsina-Ala, among other recommendations stated that, “there is need for state ministry of education officials to enforce the regulations laid down by the Federal Ministry of Education in regard to the provisions of early Childhood Education. Effective quality monitoring units should be set up by ministries of education and provide with necessary logistic support to ensure that minimum standards are maintained in both public and private pre-primary institutions.”

Speaking on the issue of domestic violence and child abuse, Mrs Hope Okoye, Executive Director of Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking and Community Development Initiative (INTACOM- Africa) said in the media that communication and massive awareness were a major tool in eliminating child and sexual abuse, adding that it was essential to sensitise parents on the need to be more informed and educate their children to prevent such ugly situations. According to her, it is better to prevent a happening than seek a cure for it.

As the military makes advances against insurgency in the Northeast, a UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Mr Frank Ndaieh, noted that education was the strongest weapon to fight poverty and underdevelopment, adding that education was also essential in efforts to promote economic growth, peace and stability.

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Wednesday, 15 June, 2016 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo Jubilation in Enugu communities over erosion control Jude Ossai - Enugu

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HERE were jubilations in some parts of Enugu communities, last week Tuesday, following the intervention of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in curbing erosion in devastated areas. Communities that

NAFDAC tasks medicine dealers on war against fake drugs Jude Ossai - Enugu THE National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called on stakeholders in the drug distribution channel in the country to complement its effort to ensure that only genuine products were consumed in the country.

Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni, made the call at sensitisation workshop organised in partnership with Christabel Consultants for members of Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Union Onitsha (OPPMDU), Anambra State last week.

The DG, represented by Dr Christiana Esenwa, State Coordinator NAFDAC, Anambra State, said members of OPPMDU were crucial to the actualisation of sanity in drug market which various programmes of the agency were made to achieve in the health sector.

Mrs Oni regretted that despite efforts by the agency, most unregistered products found their way to shops and markets, stressing that most genuine and authentic products could lose their potency if they were not properly stored as recommended by the manufacturer.

According NAFDAC boss, drugs, which are stored at room temperature like Paracetamol capsules, are not compatible with humidity or else, it melts and there are others that must be stored in refrigerator like vaccines.

She said fake, adulterated and substandard drugs had far reaching consequences on our health system as it could lead to treatment failure, complications including organ destruction, drug adverse reactions and increased resistance to drugs, among others.

In her speech, Mrs Christable Okoye, Managing Director, Christabel Consultants, commended NAFDAC for their consistent fight against unwholesome drugs and urged members of OPPMDU to join in the fight, stressing that Onitsha Bridge Head Medicine market which is very strategic in Nigeria had been sanitised through the activities of the agency.

Also in his remark, Chairman of OPPMDU, Mr Uche Ezeh, lauded NAFDAC initiatives and pledged members’ continued cooperation.

Admitting that OPPMDU were integral part of the healthcare delivery system, he called on manufacturers to cooperate with the agency by ensuring that fake products were stopped and culprits punished according to the law.

benefited from the government gesture were 29 in number.

Disclosing this at a roundtable media conference as part of its activities to mark the World Environmental Day in Enugu, the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mrs Agatha Lechukwu , said that N20milion had been earmarked to the beneficiaries to start their livelihood.

Mrs Lechukwu noted that this year’s World Environmental Day was an opportunity to upscale public sensitisation and awareness as well as build support and ownership for the project.

She explained that the Project was a world Bank assisted project with the objective of reducing vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-catchments with the lead implementing agency as Federal and State Ministries of Environment.

“The innovative, multi-sectorial project, supports state-led interventions to prevent and reverse land degradation on demand-driven basis. Initially, it was focused on gully erosion sites in the southeast states that threatened infrastructure and livelihoods as well as on re-establishing and securing ecosystem functions in the North especially states in the Sokoto-Rima and Niger basins”, she added.

According to her, “NEWMAP uses a holistic watershed management approach and the use of world best practices in engineering designs and structures and no less attention to livelihood issues. We apply bioremediation measure which is the use of vegetation (grass) to complement civil works in treated gully erosion areas to

enhance regeneration.”

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Environment, Fidel Ayogu, commended the NEWMAP for its quality work being executed in the various communities in the state, adding that World Environmental Day had grown to become a broad global platform for public outreach, pointing out that it was widely celebrated in many countries.

The traditional rulers of one of the beneficiary communities, Igwe (Professor) Kenneth Onyia, appealed to the people to protect the facilities meant for the erosion project, adding that they should work assiduously in making sure that the project was realised.

He lauded the NEWMAP management and staff for the excellent job they were doing in the state.

An instance of gully erosion in Enugu.

Okorocha preaches unity among Igbo leaders Joe Nwachukwu - Owerri

IMO State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has called on leaders of Ndi Igbo to strengthen their unity irrespective of their political affiliations and religious inclinations for the progress of Igbo as a people and the nation at large.

He regretted that for quite a long time now, Igbo leaders had allowed sectional and political differences to divide them.

The governor, who spoke at the funeral service of a former Secretary to the Imo State Government (SSG), Nze Ignatius Umunna, at his compound Mgbidi in Oru West Local Government Area, stressed that Igbo leaders must now learn to unite, attributing lack of unity among Igbo leaders to ignorance and selfishness.

He said: “We must unite as a people. And there is no better time for us as a people to unite than now because what has united us is far bigger than the political parties or religious inclinations that

divide us. We must all unite and sing a common song of unity. It is important that we must all learn to unite. I see it as ignorance at the highest level that we have allowed sectional differences to divide us and we have refused to come together as brothers.”

The governor extolled the late Nze Umunna as a worthy son of the state, stressing that a vacuum had been created with the death of the former SSG and prayed that his children could fill the vacuum.

“Let us learn to appreciate people when they are alive and not when they are dead. It is important that we all learn to appreciate good people when they are still alive. The children must step into their father’s shoes and must remain united to build on the legacies left behind by their father.”

In his speech, first son of the deceased, Mr Kelechi Umunna, described the father as a great manager of men and material

and assured that they would build on the legacies left behind by their father.

Also speaking, a former governor of the state, Chief Achike Udenwa, described the Late Umunna as a transparent public servant whose wealth of experience helped him greatly when he held sway as governor regretting that he died when his experience was much needed both by the state and the nation at large.

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

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news

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Rivers legislative rerun: We’re ready for 2.3 million voters —INEC As PDP, APC, LP trade blames over electoral violence Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that more than two million voters were registered to take part in the conclusion of the legislative rerun election in Rivers State, which date is yet to be fixed.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, made this known while speak-

ing at a consultative meeting INEC held with critical stakeholders at the Police Officers’ Mess, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

The national electoral umpire had, recently, issued a statement indicating that all outstanding elections across the country would be concluded between now and the end of July.

It will be recalled that the court-ordered legislative rerun exercise, held on March 19, 2016, was suspended in some local gov-

ernment areas in the state, due to violence and killings.

The Rivers REC, however, said, though the date for the conclusion of the legislative rerun had not been fixed, INEC was prepared to conduct the exercise, provided all the stakeholders in the state were willing to cooperate with and support the electoral body.

Giving a breakdown of the registered voters for the election, Ikoiwak said Rivers West Senatorial District had 215,281 voting strength in 73

wards and 656 polling units.

According to him, rerun election for the Senate would be conducted in Rivers East Senatorial District which had 240,103 registered voters in 63 wards and 433 polling units.

Similarly, he said there were 491,690 registered voters in Rivers South-East Senatorial District which had 75 wards and 889 polling units.

He said INEC had 820,971 and 563,942 registered voters for the House of Repre-

sentatives and state House of Assembly rerun elections, respectively.

The Rivers REC, however, said the conduct of the suspended rerun election was only dependent on if the leaders and supporters of the 28 registered political parties contesting the election were ready to eschew violence.

He said the essence of the stakeholders’ meeting was to rub minds on how the noticeable pitfalls and violence that marred the suspended exercise, held in March, could be avoided and ensure a free and fair exercise.

“Today, we are gathered to see how we can conclude the legislative rerun election in Rivers State. We want to find out among ourselves whether or not there is a need to conduct the election.”

Reps ask INEC to release outstanding voter cards Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Denys Gauer (left), being received by former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to the latter, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

Minister faults NECA’s reaction to FG’s intervention on retrenchment by banks THE Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has criticised the reaction of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to the Federal Government’s directive to banks to suspend further retrenchment.

A statement issued in Abuja, on Tuesday, by the Ministry’s Deputy Director (Press), Mr Samuel Olowokere, said that the minister described NECA’s reaction as being “borne out of self-service and unpatriotism.”

Ngige was reacting to comments credited to Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, NECA’s Director-General, that government had no basis to direct banks to stop ongoing retrenchment of workers.

The statement said that NECA should have waited for the outcome of the conciliatory meeting and stakeholders’ summit scheduled for the first week of next month.

Ngige, according to the statement, said that any

reaction that sought to undermine government’s intervention in the economy by invoking a rigid stricture to free market rules was an “overarching absurdity.”

“Government has been intervening and shall continue to save banks and other industries in times of distress, without allow-

ing the free market rules to solely rule.

“The same government can make minimum demands from the private sector in the overall interest of the nation. Our authority on procedural matters is not only statutory but also moral.

“We wish to state clearly, once more, that the inten-

tion of government, rather than being punitive on these financial institutions, is aimed at following statutory procedures.

“It is also intended to stave off unnecessary job losses and hence avert its real and potential threat to the already fragile security situation and stability of the nation.”

INEC to conduct continuous voter registration exercise in Edo, Ondo Jacob Segun Olatunji—Abuja THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the conduct of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise for Edo and Ondo states to hold from Wednesday, June 22 to Sunday, June 26, this year ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in the two states.

This was contained in the bulletin of the commission which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday.

According to the bulletin, “the five-day exercise will

provide an opportunity for the following eligible category of citizens of Edo and Ondo states to register: “Those who were eligible but did not register before the 2015 general election; those who are eligible but whose names are not in the register of voters; and those who have attained the age of 18 years since the last voter registration exercise.”

It stated that “the CVR exercise will take place at the Registration Area Centres/ Wards level and will commence daily (during the scheduled five days) from 9:00am to 4:00pm.”

It warned that “no person shall register in more than one registration centre, or register more than once in the same registration centre,” saying that, “any person who registers in more than one registration centre commits an offence, and is liable to prosecution.”

It pointed that “only eligible voters who have registered and have their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be allowed to vote in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections scheduled for Saturday, September 10 and Saturday, November 26, this year respectively.”

THE House of Representatives, on Tuesday, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release outstanding voter cards not released before the last general election.

The House also mandated its committees on Electoral and Political Party Matters and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance with the resolution.

The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved

by Honourable Shadimu Alao on the need to release the voter cards yet to be released by INEC. The lawmaker noted that the way and manner INEC handled the distribution of the cards during the 2015 general elections disenfranchised millions of Nigerians nationwide.

He also expressed worry that while some states got a large percentage of voter cards, others like Lagos, with higher voters, got far less cards culminating in mass disenfranchisement of eligible voters.

He said that uneven distribution of voter cards may, in some cases, produce unpopular candidates resulting in triumph of the minority over the majority, which is antithetical to all known democratic tenets.

When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, it was supported by majority of the lawmakers.

Nigerian Tribune

Court denies bail application of former aide to Benue gov Johnson Babajide - Makurdi THE chief magistrates’ court sitting in Makurdi yesterday rejected the bail application filed by former Adviser on Special Duties to Benue State Governor, Joseph Kiyaagba.

The special adviser was last Monday remanded in prison by the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Theresa Wegba, over the alleged murder of Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, late Denen Igbana.

The case was adjourned till August 3, 2016.

Counsel to the special adviser, Mr Theophilus T. Igba, had brought a bail application before the court saying his client had a neck pain which required treatment and requested the court to grant him bail.

Mr Igba submitted that though his client was standing trial for a capital offence but in a special circumstance like this, the court can grant him bail.

However, counsel for the state, Simon Egede, opposed the application warning that the court should not grant bail on capital offence.

Recruitment: Police screen over 2,000 applicants in Zamfara THE Zamfara Police Command says it has screened over 2,000 applicants in the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 policemen by the Federal Government.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sanusi Amiru, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau, on Tuesday.

Amiru noted that the screening in the state had been successful without any problem.

“We have been enjoying the way and manner that our applicants behaved since the beginning of the exercise. ‘’The only challenge we faced earlier was that the applicants were not coming to the venue for the screening on time. ‘’We have screened all the applicants in the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Cadet Inspector cadres, we are now working on applicants in the constable cadre,’’ he said.

The spokesman warned the applicants to avoid coming late to the venue of the screening and to adhere to all rules and guidelines of the exercise.

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Retired officers vow to drag Army Council to court Chris Agbambu – Abuja

S

ome senior officers retired by the Army Council, at the weekend, have vowed to drag the Army to

court.

Some of the officers, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune, said they had neither participated in election matters since the return of democracy in

1999, nor have they been indicted for corruption or fraud.

They also claimed that they were never invited before any Board of Inquiry (BOI) nor were they

queried for any offence in the Army.

“We are surprised that such insinuations were being made against us, since such fair hearing being claimed by the Army au-

From left, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Proprietor, Legacy Serviced Offices, Kayode Adegbola; Miss Ayotunde Adegbola; Mrs Funso Adegbola; Mr Gbenro Adegbola and Miss Adewunmi Akanni Aluko, during the opening ceremony of Legacy Serviced Offices, at Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday. PHOTO: Ovadje Elliot.

Stop killing of Xtians, S/East CAN appeals to northern govs Jude Ossai--Enugu

THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southeast zone, on Tuesday, called on northern governors to appeal to their subjects to stop further killing of Christians in the zone, describing the recent killings as barbaric.

Rising from a joint meeting of the Southern Nigeria Christian Elders’ Forum and the Christian Association of Nigeria, South-

East zone, the Christian leaders condemned what they called “the inhuman treatment†meted out on Christians in the northern part of Nigeria.

“How can Christians be treated like cows and goats in the northern part of Nigeria with impunity while we claim that Nigeria is a secular state? the group queried, warning that “this is a sign of total Islamisation of Nigeria, which

is very dangerous to the corporate existence of the entity called Nigeria,” the cleric stated.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, which was signed by the group’s chairman, Most Reverend Professor David Eberechukwu and Apostle Dr Joseph Ajujungwa, Administrative Secretary, they called on the northern governors to protect the entire citizens in the

2,000 disengaged NIS recruits protest, demand reinstatement

About 2,000 recruits into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), who were disengaged after their training in 2015, on Monday, protested their sack at the Ministry of Interior.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the protesters stormed the Ministry of Interior with various placards demanding their reinstatement into the NIS. The NAN recalled that the 2,000 applicants were recruited in 2015 following a presidential directive in the aftermath of Immigration recruitment stampede but were later disengaged after three months training.

Mr Rex Elenu, leader of

the group, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were at the ministry to protest their disengagement and press for immediate reinstatement.

He said they had embarked on a similar protest in April to the Ministry of Interior, noting that they were assured by the Permanent Secretary that the issue would be addressed.

“We are here to protest our disengagement from the NIS. “We have our dully signed letter of appointment, except for the Assistant Superintendent cadre whose letter of appointment falls under the purview of the board.

“We toiled for three months during our train-

ing across the country, but till date no government official has deemed it fit to issue a statement on our plight and the injustice meted to us,” he said.

The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Muhammad Babandede, who later addressed the crowd in company of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr Bassey Akpanyung, pledged to look into the matter.

He said although the problem was inherited and the fact that he had just assumed office, he would do all he could to resolve the issue in line with due process and the change agenda of the present government.

region, as a right and responsibility.

It added that “the beheading of Mrs. Bridget in Kano and the murder attempt on Emmanuel in Kaduna, should be the first and last of such because no one man or section has the monopoly of violence and we must do everything to stop such from re-occurring.

“That every Nigerian has the right to live anywhere in this country and as well practise their religion in any part of the country.

“That all the Muslims in the South should, as a matter of urgency, speak to their people in the northern part to desist because if the killings continue, it will affect everybody, both in the North and in the South. If God has brought us together, then let us live in unity.

“We call for adequate compensation for lives lost and medical bills of Emmanuel Francis be paid fully by the state governments involved.

“We equally call on the Federal Government to provide security for all the citizens no matter the creed and religion. We are human beings and not animals. We are entitled to live and not to be destroyed,” they added.

thorities was never given to us.”

The affected officers claimed that to retire somebody compulsorily in the Army means he is unemployable anywhere.

“So we are going to court to clear our names because it is a dent on our career that most of us have spent nothing less than 30 years of our lives.”

A source wondered if it is an offence to serve one’s fatherland dedicatedly, adding that “if they don’t need our contribution in the Army, they could equally have advised us to go on voluntary retirement.” He added that it is sad, as according to him, most of the officers retired were brilliant intelligent and hardworking officers who had put in their very best in the military The Army Council, according to the Army spokesman, Colonel S.K. Usman, last Friday, approved the compulsory retirement of 38 senior officers.

They included nine Majors-General, 10 Brigadiers-General, seven Colonels, 11 Lieutenant Colonels and Majors.

Killer policemen involved in ASP’s death arrested in Bayelsa Chris Agbambu - Abuja

Policemen linked with the killing of police officer, ASP Mathew Akpos, have been arrested, detained and undergoing interrogation for subsequent prosecution.

Akpos was allegedly killed by operatives of the State Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) earlier this month, an incident that sparked protests.

In a statement of Tuesday, confirming the arrest of the suspects, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, called for calm, assuring that the Police authorities had waded into the matter to ensure that justice is served.

“The IGP called on the family and friends of the deceased officer to remain calm and patient as the Police authorities will not relent in their efforts to ensure professionalism in carrying out their constitutional assignment,” the statement added.

Ex-deputy governors elect Imasuen chairman Banji Aluko-Benin City

The Forum of Former Deputy Governors across the six geo-political zones of the country has elected a former deputy governor of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen, as its chairman, replacing a former deputy governor of Bauchi State, Abdulmalik Mahmud.

The ex-deputy governors, who converged on Benin for its general meeting, condemned the spate of pipeline vandalism and destruction of the country’s national assets by Niger Delta Avengers and other emerging militants in the Niger Delta, the Boko Haram sect, IPOB in the South Eastern parts of the country, and the herdsmen terrorising some parts of the country.

In a communique issued at the end of the general meeting, where it also elected Alhaji Suleman Argungu and Abubakar Armayau as vice chairman and secretary-general, respectively, the ex-deputy governors urged elders, the elite, intellectuals and opinion leaders in each community to rein in their young ones and remind Nigerians that they have no other place to call their home in any part of the world, except Nigeria.

NAF denies story on impending retirement The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied a newspaper publication on planned retirement of officers from the service.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Capt.

Ayodele Famuyiwa, denied the said report in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The statement quoted Ayodele as saying that the story was unfounded and did not emanate from NAF. “The publication alleged that NAF is on the verge of retiring a number of senior officers connected with the ongoing investigation of arms purchase under the immediate past administration.

“It is pertinent to state that this story is unfounded and did not emanate from NAF.” The statement advised newsmen to always confirm their story with NAF before publication.

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016 32 south-westnews Drama in Osun as students attend public schools in Ondo guber: APC church garments •Aregbesola warns students Oluwoel Ige-Osogbo

T

HERE was mild drama in some public schools in Osun, on Tuesday, as students attended their respective classes in varied church garments, choir robes and other kinds of religious attires.

The development followed the directive issued by the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in response to the state High Court judgment delivered on June 3, 2016 by Justice Saka Oyejide Falola, which allows female Muslim students to wear hijab to public schools.

But, the leadership of CAN in the state had described the judgment as unwarranted, just as it directed Christian students in public

schools to commence the wearing of church garments to their different schools, amidst plan to appeal the court judgment.

Apparently complying with the directive of CAN, led by Reverend Elisha Ogundiya, students of some schools in Osogbo and Iwo communities, on Tuesday, stormed their schools in choir robes and church garments, creating mild drama as their teachers were jolted by such development.

At Baptist High School, Iwo, Christian students wore white garments, sown into choir gowns and celestial sutana, and were not disallowed from entering their classes, while female Muslim students appeared in their different coloured hijabs.

When the Nigerian

Tribune visited the school, around 8:30a.m., some male students, who wore white garments were being hailed by their friends and classmates for the courage displayed in wearing church garments.

Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that plans were underway by some students, whose parents are traditionalists to appear in masquerade regalia today (Wednesday), claiming that they also have legal rights to practise their faith as declared by Justice Falola in his ruling.

The same scenario played out at Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo around 7.50a.m., with some female students putting on their hijabs, gaining access into the school premises, while their Christian counterparts also adorned differ-

ent church regalia.

Teaching and other academic activities were not disrupted as their teachers carried on with their duties, just as students wearing hijabs and church garments sat beside each other without any rancour.

But, some members of CAN were spotted in different public schools to monitor the reaction of teachers and principals to the appearance of Christian students in church garments.

Commenting on the development, the principal of Baptist High School, Iwo, Mr Omotayo Arowolo, said there was no crisis in the school, regardless of the students wearing religious attires, stressing that “you can see that teachers are doing their work and there is peace among everybody.”

Also speaking with journalists, the head of Catholic Bloc of CAN in Iwo community, Catechist Paul Olagoke, explained that they were in the school to ensure no Christian student was chased out due to wearing religious garments on their school uniforms.

According to him, “we are here to defend the rights of our children. Since female Muslim students are free to wear hijab, our children are also free to wear anything they want too.”

Meanwhile, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has warned that students who wear unauthorised cloths to any public schools in the state would be expelled henceforth.

The governor stated this at the commissioning of St Michael’s Government Middle School, Ibokun, adding that it was wrong and criminal for a section or group of people to have directed some innocent students to wear choir robes to schools against court’s judgment.

He urged whoever was not satisfied with the judgment to ventilate the grievance through legitimate means, rather than trying to cause crisis by resorting to self help.

2 docked for allegedly stealing 16 cows Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) branch, Mr Ademola Oketunde, leading members of the association to go round the university’s Senate building seven times, in a protest against the appointment of Professor Ayobami Salami as new vice chancellor of the university, in Ile-Ife, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

UI parleys with students tomorrow

By Tunde Ogunesan

ON Thursday, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka, would lead other management team of the institution to meet with the representatives of the students at the Senate Chamber of the institution.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the “meeting, which is arranged to seek students’ input into the administrative and policy formulation procedure of the university management, was a follow-up to the parents and stakeholders forum held last Tuesday.”

The source further hinted

that “It is also a demonstration of the VC’s commitment to the open-door policy he promised while campaigning for the office.”

Meanwhile, the management’s attention had been drawn to concerns expressed by some students on the ability of Senate chamber to contain large

Police arrest couple over kidnapping in Ondo Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

THE Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday paraded a couple, Ayodeji Muyijimi and Adebimpe Muyijimi, over series of kidnapping in the state.

The couple, who were arrested in Okitipupa in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, were members of the syndicate that recently kidnapped two Rev Sisters, Perpetual Apo and Bukola Funmilade and their driver, Mr Zwugwa Zibai, at Kajola

village in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on the arrest of the couple, the state police commissioner, Mrs Hilda Harrison said the couple were arrested by his men after arresting some members of the syndicate, disclosing that the couple had confessed to committing the crime.

According to the police boss, the husband, who is suffering from partial stroke did not actively par-

ticipate in the kidnappings due to his health condition, but he allegedly gave out information about their victims to the other members of the gang, while his wife, Adebimpe, kept the arms and ammunition the members used to carry out the abduction.

The Police Commissioner said the leader of the group, Godwin Ufoma, who had also been arrested by the police, is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

number of the students desirous to attend the interactive session/swearing-in programme slated for tomorrow.

According to the statement, “inasmuch as the university management will appreciate a large turnout of students at the event, the choice of the Senate chamber has become inevitable, since Trenchard Hall had earlier been booked and paid for to host the birthday celebrations of a very senior and much respected member of the community.

“The university management also wishes to reiterate that it is its exclusive reserve to determine the date for swearing-in as soon as elections are successfully concluded. Management is of the view that the swearing-in should come up at this time to allow students settle down to their studies, more so when examinations were just two weeks or so away.”

TWO men have been arraigned in an Ado Ekiti chief magistrate’s court for allegedly stealing 16 cows.

The police, which arraigned them on Tuesday, said the men, Ibrahim Mohammad, 30 and Usman Haruna, 26, allegedly committed the offence in Ilafo-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of the state at about 2a.m. on June 3, 2016.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Caleb Leranmo, also alleged that the accused, on the said date, unlawfully stole 16 cows valued at N1 million, property of one Yusuf Abdullahi.

According to him, the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence while their counsel, Mr Timilehin Omotosho, prayed the court to grant bail to the accused in liberal terms, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

Chief Magistrate Aderopo Adegboye consequently granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 and two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case to June 16, 2016 for further hearing.

aspirant calls for mini congress ahead primaries Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

AHEAD of the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, a governorship aspirant of the party, Boye Oyewunmi, on Tuesday, called on the leadership of the party to organise a mini congress in the state to accommodate the interest of new entrants into the party.

Oyewunmi, who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, while declaring his intention to contest in the forthcoming election in the state, said this would give sense of belonging to the new entrants from other political parties.

According to him, excluding new entrants ahead of the party’s primaries would shut some people out of the race while new entrants would be reduced to mere spectators, saying,”It is a new drive for inclusion. The new entrants needed to have a stake. We do not have to disenfranchise others.”

Oyewumi, who pledged to restore free and qualitative education system introduced by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the region, noted that the state educational system needed to be overhauled.

He said this would aid speedy development in the state, lamenting that the falling standard of education in the state has relegated the state to the background and vowed to bring back the good old days in the state.

He attributed the fall in the standard of education to the poor quality of teachers, infrastructural decay and educational policies implemented by the state government, which he said were purely cosmetic and certificateoriented.

He said that Ondo State has the highest number of non-graduate teachers, saying this adversely affects the performance of the students in their academics and quality of students churned out to the labour market.

Oyewumi said he would allocate a greater percentage of the budget on education to primary education to address the decay in the sector.

The aspirant said he would tackle unemployment, lack of industries and bring back commodity board to assist farmers in the state.

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Strike: Oyo workers set to lock down Ibadan today NURTW members stage ‘no to violence’ rally, meet Ajimobi

By Wale Akinselure THE ongoing impasse between the labour movement and the Oyo State government will assume another dimension, as striking workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), will embark on a mega protest around Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.

The protest, tagged a “Mega rally,” will com-

mence from the NLC State Secretariat, American Quarters, Agodi, Ibadan, and will be anchored by the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

Speaking, Deputy President, NLC, Mr Kiri Shuaibu, said the agitation was to protest the planned “concessioning” of public schools by the Oyo State government, the nonpayment of out-

standing arrears of salaries and pensions, and the nonpromotion of civil servants for the past four years.

On government’s reported invitation to the NLC for dialogue, Kiri said that the labour union’s request for dialogue had been rebuffed by the state government, adding that the union was yet to be formally invited for any dialogue.

He expressed the displeasure of the national leader-

ship of the NLC, at the order of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, to the police to arrest and detain the labour leaders for four days before they were released on bail.

Kiri assured that the protest would be peaceful and conducted under the supervision of relevant security agencies, while warning against any purported attempt to intimidate the protesting workers.

“We are staging a peaceful

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (right), addressing NURTW members, who came on solidarity rally to Oyo State government, at the Secretariat, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

Adeduntan, Osunkoya, Kolade, others confirmed Oyo commissioners

By Wale Akinselure Former governorship candidate, Dr Azeez Adeduntan and four former commissioners, Mrs Atinuke Osunkoya, Mr Bimbo Kolade, Mr Ajiboye Omodewu and Mr Wasiu Dauda have been confirmed as new Oyo State Commissioners.

This followed their appearance at Tuesday’s plenary of the state House of Assembly.

The confirmation of virtually all commissioners followed the “take and bow” format.

Holding to the powers of Section 192 of the constitution, the House, presided over by Speaker, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, confirmed all nominees with the optimism that the commissioners were good enough to contribute positively to the development of the state.

The assembly added that the nominees had excelled in their professions and were men of proven integrity.

The list of new commissioners include former Special Assistants, Mr Toye

Arulogun and Mr Abayomi Oke; former deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi; former local government chairmen, Mr Fatai Salawu and Professor Niyi Olowofela.

Others are Mrs Taibat Adaba, Mr Oyewole Oyewunmi, Mr Isaac Adisa, Mr Abdulganiyu Mudasiru and Mr Oluseun Abimbola.

Speaking just after his confirmation, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, expected to be named Commissioner of Health, has assured of the revitalisation of the state’s health care delivery system.

“We will move Oyo State forward, make sure the health care delivery is competitive such that Oyo

State indigenes and residents will not have to go to hospitals and feel that their lives are threatened.

The health care delivery system needs to be revitalised. I am worried about all the facilities in all the hospitals in Oyo State. We have a blueprint and are ready to hit the ground running.”

Spelling BEE: 16th one-day Lagos gov emerges Bola Badmus - Lagos THE 16th one-day governor of Lagos State, Olufemi Olaseinde, on Tuesday, emerged in a keenly contested grand finale of the Spelling Bee competition which took place at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa.

The winner, Olufemi of Shasha Community Senior High School, Alimosho emerged the overall winner, beating Komolafe Kehinde of Immaculate Heart Senior Secondary School, Kosofe and Okinbaloye Rashidat of Ilupeju Snr Grammar School, Ilupeju to the second and third positions respectively.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, at the event, commended all the participants for displaying brilliance, noting that she felt a sense of fulfillment as the Superintendent of the Ministry of Education that was delivering on her electoral promises in the area of quality education delivery.

She reiterated that like the past winners of the competition, Olufemi would be awarded Lagos State Government scholarship to pursue any course of his interest in any uni-

versity in the country.

Adebule, while commending Senator Oluremi Tinubu for initiating the competition, noted that past winners had continued to excel and distinguish themselves in university education, coming out with top grades which had helped to position them for good jobs.

She recalled that the first winner of the competition in 2001, Ebuka Anisiobi, enjoyed scholarship from the state government to study Computer Engineering in Obafemi Awolowo University and was now a qualified Engineer with OANDO Plc.

protest against the concessioning of schools by Oyo State government, against the nonpayment of six months salaries and pension arrears, and lack of promotion of staff for the past four years. This Oyo government is the first since 1999 to put union leaders in prison because of a legitimate protest. Ajimobi is the first.

“We have a Supreme Court ruling; while the Nigerian constitution also gives every Nigerian the right to protest what they feel is not right in the course of governance.

We therefore have every right to protest. We are defenceless; we have no arms.

It is the duty of the security agencies to protect us while we do our legitimate protest.

“Up till now, NLC does not have any formal invitation from Oyo State government inviting us for meeting or dialogue. So, we are not aware of any meeting scheduled for today. We wrote a letter to the state government, as well as the NUT, all demanding for dialogue, but the state government shut its door to NLC. We don’t know the reason for that.

We are open to dialogue and negotiations.

“We are civil, peaceful, we won’t be violent. What we are fighting for is payment of outstanding arrears. We have not been paid salary for six months and do not have the strength to fight.

We just want to show government that we are poor and hungry. We supported the government even when the government was in the trenches. Is it now that Governor Ajimobi does not want to see our faces?”

Meanwhile, Nigerian Tribune observed the presence of the state Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr Bashir Olanrewaju, at the labour house.

The two government officials subsequently joined the labour leaders in a bus and they zoomed off.

At about the same time when the national labour leaders addressed their members at labour house, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) also stormed the state secretariat, in a rally against what they described as plans by some organisations to disrupt peace in the state.

Holding banners and placards with the inscription, “NURTW Oyo State Says No to Violence, We Want Peace in Oyo State,” the NURTW members led by its Chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, said the union was opposed to any form of violence in the state.

Nigerian Tribune

Ooni endorses Arik Air Shola Adekola -Lagos ARIK Air has received royal endorsement from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as the traditional ruler flew the airline from Lagos to New York, United States.

Ooni travelled aboard Arik Air’s A330-200 aircraft which departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for JF Kennedy Airport, New York, Wednesday night, said “I am an apostle of made-in-Nigeria and that is why everything you see on me, except my wrist watch, are 100 per cent made-in Nigeria.”

Speaking with a team from Arik Air, led by the Chief Pilot, Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi, Oba Ogunwusi, in company with his wife, Olori Wuraola, said his decision to fly Arik Air to New York was deliberate.

He commended the management of Arik Air for flying the flag of Nigeria high and pledged to use his position to get Nigerians to patronise the airline.

Canada-based group donates medical equipment, laptops in Osun

By Tunde Busari A group known as Nigerian Association for Young Adults (NAYA) of Canada has shipped in multi-million dollar medical equipment and laptops for distribution in Osun State.

NAYA is a non-profit socio- economic organisation legally registered with the Government of Manitoba to promote the social, economic and political interests of Nigerians in Manitoba, Canada.

The President of the group, Sola Agboola, stated that the 40-feet container contained large hospital equipment, X-ray Scan apparatus, cardiac machines, gastrointestinal needs, laboratory supplies, IV supplies, Obstetrics & Gynecological supplies, Orthopedics supplies, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat hospital needs, surgical needs, syringes & needles, Urology supplies, Respiratory supplies, uniforms & gowns, hospital dressings, converters/drapes, beddings and curtains, etc.

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IBB lauds Niger Assembly, govt over cordial relationship Adelowo Oladipo Minna

F

ORMER Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has lauded the existing cordial relationship between the Niger State Assembly and the executive arm of government in the state, adding that such relationship would enhance provision of dividends of democracy to the people.

IBB made the commendation on Tuesday, when members of the state assembly, led by its Speaker, Honourable Ahmed Marafa, paid him a courtesy call at in his uphill country home in Minna, to welcome him back to the country, after a successful medical treatment abroad, last Friday afternoon.

The elder statesman, who thanked the lawmakers for the visit, further expressed delight over the efforts of

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Raji Haneefat Titiloye now OLANIPEKUN HANEEFAT TITILOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Olayinka Adepeju Oluwatoyin now ADEFUWA ADEPEJU OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

the members in alleviating the sufferings of the electorate in their constituencies urging them to sustain the tempo for the benefits of humanity.

Earlier in his remarks,the Speaker, Honourable Marafa said they received the negative social media report of his death with dismay and shock, and expressed their excitement over the safe return to the country, of the former Nigerian leader and his family members.

He added that death is inevitable, hence, they appreciated that God in His compassion, made it possible for IBB to have returned home safely.

He urged him for his relentless advice from his wealth of wisdom to the incumbent political leaders in the country, and also to ensure continuous guidance, support and advise.

This Box is for Sale CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Usman Modu am the same person bearing Muhammad Usman Abubakar.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMAD USMAN ABUBAKAR. My correct date of birth is 20/02/1979. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Shehu Aisha now SHUAIBU AISHA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Adebayo Nafisat Aina now MRS BABATUNDE NAFISAT AINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that on some of my documents, my names appeared as MR. ADEDEJI JOHN OLAYINKA, while on some other documents my name was written as MR. ADEDEJI JOHN OLUYINKA. Any documents(s) with any of the above names refer to the same person and remain valid.

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PROBATE PUBLIC NOTICE I, Mrs Janet Abimbola Adegboye c/o her solicitor Kose Adewole Esq. of Baoku Chambers, No.1, Oyopeju Area, Ipetumodu, Osun State has applied to the Probate Registry of Customary Court of Appeal for Letters of Administration to administer the Estate of LATE MR FRANCIS ADEYEMO OJETADE of Okooko Area, Ipetumodu, Osun State who died intestate on the 20th day of July, 2014.

Any objection to this application is to be forwarded to the Probate Registry of the Customary Court of Appeal, Osogbo within 14 days of this notice.

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CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunsina Rhoda Olukemi now MRS AJAGBE RHODA OLUKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Agboola Abisola Omolara now MRS JEJELOYE ABISOLA OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyanju Hawawu Aderayo now MRS AYOOLA HAWAU ADERAYO. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Adewale Oladipupo Eniola now ADEWALE OLADIPUPO SUNBO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Obabiyi Mariam Titilope now MRS ALLI MARIAM TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oderinde Folasade Olabisi now MRS OKE FOLASADE OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB, Saki East LGUBEA and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ugochi Ajuzie now MRS UGOCHI CHRIS ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ochonye Boniface Anna now BONIFACE ANNA JANET. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oyadiran Bukola Temitope now MRS BALOGUN BUKOLA TEMITOPE All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly Miss Afolabi Agnes Olamide now MRS ATETEDAYE AGNES OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. Ife Central Local Government School Board, SUBEB, Osun State, GTBank Plc, IBTC Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr. Taiwo Olawale now MR TAIWO KEHINDE BABALOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sulaimon Aminat now SULE AMINATU AWENI. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

Formerly Miss Rasidat Bola Ibidun now MRS HAMMED RASIDAT OLUWATOYOSI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Olabamiji Abosede Oluwafunmibi am the same person as Olabamiji Bosede. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLABAMIJI ABOSEDE OLUWAFUNMIBI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebara Ibukunoluwanimi Deborah now MRS MOCHIAH IBUKUN DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Alimi Modupe now ALIMI MODUPE GRACE. All former documents remain valid.

UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ganiyu Olaide Serah now ADEBAYO OLAIDE SERAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Okonji Becky now OKONJI CHIKA REBECCA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mr Basiru Asheem Ademola am the same person as Mr Hazeem Bashir.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MR BASIRU ASHEEM ADEMOLA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Miss Oyeneye Oludayo Esther now MRS OLADELE OLUDAYO ESTHER. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Miss Jennifer Naomi Adams now JENNIFER ADAMS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Alabi Mujidat now AZEEZ MUJIDAT MOROMOKE. All former documents remain valid.

Oyo State and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Heir Olukadejo Adetoro Ademola am the same and one person as Olutoyese Ademitoro Ademola. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as ODUKOYA OLUTOYESE ADETORO ADEMOLA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Udeze Precious now EMEVON PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olosunde Okikiola Odunayo now MRS ADEYEMI OKIKIOLA ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adeleke Adesola Sunday now ADELEKE ADESOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yekini Olaide Modupe now MRS YEKINIOGUNBANWO OLAIDE MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. Sagamu Local Government, Ogun State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adegoke Funmilayo Sarah now MRS AKINYEMI FUNMILAYO SARAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Seriki Mojisola Islamiyyah now MRS OLANREWAJU-D OSUNMU MOJISOLA ISLAMIYYAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Tiamiyu Mujidat Funke now MRS RAHEEM MUJIDAT FUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Chukwuye Henry Ehis now MOKWUYE HENRY EHIS. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Immigration, All Embassies and general public take note.

I, Miss Eboh Chichi Victoria am the same person as Mrs Olowo Victoria Chidiebere. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLOWONAWU VICTORIA CHICHI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Sandra Modupe Osiobe now MRS SANDRA MODUPE OZIGBO-EZERE. All former documents remain valid.

College of Education, Ekiadolor, Benin-City, National Open University of Nigeria and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Fatai Soliu now GBADAMOSI SOLIU ABOLORE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ojediran Busola Abosede now MRS OLAYIWOLA BUSOLA ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Alaka Taiwo and my date of birth was written as 21st December, 1987 now ALAKA TAIWO ADISA. My correct date of birth is 5th May, 1989. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Akinola Omolara now MRS A R O W O G B O L A OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid.

TESCOM, Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Masadope Taiwo now MASADOPE TAIWO JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Moliki Oluwaseun Joseph am the same person bearing Moliki Seun. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as MOLIKI OLUWASEUN JOSEPH. My correct date of birth is 31-01-1985. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bassey Janice now ITAKWU JANICE ITAKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Ronke Funmilola now MRS ESEIGBE RONKE FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Poilce Force and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaniyi Adesola Bolanle now MRS ODUNIYI DORCAS BOLANLE ADESOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abiola James now AJISOLA ABIOLA KOLADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Agikwa Cynthia Ugochi now NWACHUKWU CYNTHIA UGOCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Miss Atinsola Romoke Mujidat am the same person as Mrs Oladimeji Romoke Mujidat. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEKUNLE ROMOKE MARY. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Oyo State and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Ovie John am the same person as OHWOAVWURUHA ERHIYOVWE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ohwofachor Shedrach Agbajumi am the same person bearing Sunday Shedrach Agbajumi and Ohwofachor Shedrach Agbajumi. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OHWOFACHOR SHEDRACH AGBAJUMI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Pere Solomon Eninis now PEREKEMEDENGHA SOLOMON ENINIS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Musa Moses Bala am the same person as Musa Moses, Moses Bala and Musa Bala. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as MUSA MOSES BALA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid.

General public take note.

I, AKINOSI FESTUS BOLA am the same person as Bolade Festus Akinosi, Bolade Bola and Festus Bola Akinosi.

All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Makinde Emmanuel Dolapo now MAKINDE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebunmi Alice Adeleke now MRS OGUNBUNMI ALICE ADEBUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, Abeokuta and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Isiaka Giwa now ISIAKA GIWA AYINLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Grace Bolatito Ogunremi now GRACE BOLATITO AJALA. My correct date of birth is 01/01/1970 and not 25/7/1970. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Efiong Comfort Udeme now MRS OLUTI COMFORT UDEME. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

35 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunnusi Oluranti Eniola now MRS OLAIBI OLURANTI ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olayiwola Bisola Jumoke now MRS. LAWAL BISOLA JUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Amusa Omotolani Basirat now ADEBOYEJO OMOTOLANI BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bello Monsurat Funmilayo now ASHIRU MONSURAT FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mayegun Dolapo Sadat now OGUNWALE DOLAPO SADAT. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Israel Oladimeji now MR RAIFU OLADIMEJI LATEEF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ojeyinka Olatomiwa Ayokunnu now MRS MAJARO OLATOMIWA AYOKUNNU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I James Temitope Seun am the same and one person as James Tope Seun, James Tope Tosin and James Temitope Tosin Seun. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as JAMES TEMITOPE SEUN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. GTBank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oshun Adetola Kadijat now MRS EDOBOR ADETOLA KADIJAT OSHUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Omele Kasiemobi Maryrose now EJIOFOR KASIEMOBI MARYROSE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Nnamuchi Ndidi Rita now CHUKWUNEKE NDIDI RITA. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Hassan Nofisat Damilola now OMOSANYA NOFISAT DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Akande Omonike Sherifat now TOLORUNLEKE OMONIKE SUSAN. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Itua Iniemiete now INIEMIETE NAYAYE SINTE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yussuf Oladayo Barakat now ADIGUN OLADAYO BARAKAT. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kamil Adenike Anne now MRS DAPO-POPOOLA ADENIKE ANNE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladele Rafiat Ayandoja now MRS OGUNLAKIN RAFIAT AYANDOJA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Shehu Aisha now IBRAHIM AISHA. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olatokunbo Modupeola Sharon now MRS. OYEWALE MODUPEOLA SHARON. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Saka Wasiu am the same person as Wasiu Anifowose. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as SAKA WASIU BABATUNDE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Access Bank Plc., Fidelity Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Obegu Idiata Felicia Njoung now KAMGBA FELICIA NJOUNG. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olajuwon Risi now BELLO BOLA RISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adetunji Ololade Wemimo now MRS LAWAL OLOLADE WEMIMO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Babatunde Abiola Olatundun now MRS SHITTU ABIOLA OLATUNDUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Odeyale Kafayat now MRS. AJIBOLA KAFAYAT OMOLABAKE. My date of birth is 1st of August, 1979. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Udeoji Sandra Isabelle now UDEOJI SANDRA NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mutalibi Alimotu and Alimotu Adunni now MRS ADUNNI ALIMOTU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oguntola Bosede Dorcas now MRS ALABI DORCAS BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Camara Sekou and Sheun Abubakar now ABDULLAHI SHEUN. All former documents remain valid.

Community High School, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Olaibi Ridwal now OLAIBI RIDWAN ALEX. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Blessing Richard now MRS NANAKUMO RICHARD BLESSING. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Agbona Bolajoko Falilat now MRS BASHIRU BOLAJOKO FALILAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Soyinka Adeola Omolara now MRS. ADEOYE ADEOLA OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Jemigbon Kemi Lois now MRS AKINYOOLA KEMI JEMIGBON LOIS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Japheth Anejo now JAPHETH ADAKOLE ANEJO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Imran Olayemi Nurudeen now MURAINA OLAYEMI NURUDEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Amarachi Happiness Ihekwaba now MRS AMARACHI HAPPINESS OKEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Sule Taofik Babatunde am the same person as Suleiman Taofik Babatunde, Sule Taofiki Babatunde and Sule Taofeek. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SULE TAOFIK BABATUNDE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Esther Olutayo Oyelakin now MRS SALAWU ESTHER OLUTAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Ademoyo Moyosore now MRS OLUBUNMI OMOYENI FASAE. All former documents remain valid. FCMB, Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly Mrs Adesuyi Oluwadarasimi Oyeromoke now MRS ADESUYI OYEROMOKE OYERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adejumoke Linda Akintewe now MRS ADEJUMOKE LINDA ADEBISI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Tolu Ajibade now OLANIYI FATIMA TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

FCMB, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ishola Shukurat Olaitan now EMIOLA SHUKURAT OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc, FCMB Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Agbuke Juliet now MRS. AGBA JULIET. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Asiya Aliyu now ASIYA RABI’U HARUNA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, Mrs Afolabi Olaitan, my name was mistakenly written as Rasidat Resheed.

And my correct name is Mrs Afolabi Olaitan Monisola Henceforth, I wish to be known, and addressed as MRS AFOLABI OLAITAN MONISOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adesakin Ajibola Bolarinwa now ADESAKIN AJIBOLA OLADEJO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly Oderinde Oluwapelumi Daniel now ODERINDE ADEWALE DANIEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Eso Olamide Morenike now SAVAGE OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bukola Ayodele Olanrewaju now MRS. BUKOLA AYODELE OJENIYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Opeyemi Imoleayo now MRS ADEBAYO OPEYEMI IMOLEAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, Taoreed Abosede Muibat, my name was erroneously written as Tajudeen Abosede Muibat instead of Taoreed Abosede Muibat. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as TAOREED ABOSEDE MUIBAT. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Gbadamosi Nahimot Ibiyemi now MRS ALEBIOSU NAHIMOT IBIYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Bamidele Itunuoluwa Iyanuoluwa am the same person bearing Bamidele Itunuoluwa. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as BAMIDELE ITUNUOLUWA IYANUOLUWA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oladele Femi Olu now OLADELE OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajuwon Adetutu Suzan now MRS OLUWATOBI ADETUTU SUZAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Isiaka Adewale Ishola am the same person bearing Isiaka Adekola. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ISIAKA ADEKOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Basirat Olaide now MRS RASHEED OLAIDE BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Rabiu Fatai Oluwaseun now TITUS MAMMAN. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

I, MRS. KUDIRAT OLUWABUNMI am the same person as MRS. KUDIRAT OLUWABUNMI GBADAMOSI All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ashu Glory Arrah, my name was erroneously written as Ashu Gloria Arrah instead of Ashu Glory Arrah. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as ASHU GLORY ARRAH. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Juliet Mento now MRS JULIET NGBALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ehiosu OdihiOgiamien now MRS EHIOSU THEODORA OGARMFONGANG. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ojo Opeyemi Abayomi now MRS. AJIBOLA OPEYEMI ABAYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ikeku Ayishat Abosede now MRS BADMOS AYISHAT ABOSEDE All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Formerly Ayantokun Bosede now OLUPONA OLAWUMI KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Abejide Abigeal Titilayo am the same person as Abejide Dasola.

Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as ABEJIDE ABIGEAL TITILAYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Victoria Fagbile now SOLA VICTORIA ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

SUBEB, Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Olakitan Adeosun now MRS ADEBIMPE OLAKITAN OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid.

SUBEB Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ikuemenisan Seyifunmi Hannah now MRS ADEBISI SEYIFUNMI HANNAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunyemi Kafayat Omonike now MRS AKINLOLU KAFAYAT OMONIKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Tawakalitu Ajoke now MRS ADU ADUNOLA AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Sodipe Temitope Oluwaseun now MRS PAUL TEMITOPE OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aina Oluwafunke Alaba Faith now MRS SOLADOYE OLUWAFUNKE ALABA FAITH. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, U.I., Ibadan and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Owoseni Abisola Bolanle now MRS OLADIPO ABISOLA BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Nig. Ltd and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Adegoke Gertrude Nsemeke am the same person bearing Abioye Gertrude Nsemeke. Henceforth, I wish to be known as ADEGOKE GERTRUDE NSEMEKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Sulaiman Muhammed A. am the same person bearing Sulaiman Muhammed Olalekan. Now, I wish to be known as SULAIMAN MUHAMMED OLALEKAN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Christiana Okharumua now MRS CHRISTIANA MARYAM BELLO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Moshood Waliyyat Bukola now RAHEEM WALIYYAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Awonaike Titilope Ganiyat now ADENUGA TITILOPE GANIYAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Yewande Folasade Olubusola Adunoluwa now MRS AFOLABI FOLASADE OLUBUSOLA ADUNOLUWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adegoyega Moruf Adebayo now ADEGBOYEGA MORUF ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Olanrewaju Johnson Akande now AFOLABI JOHNSON OLANREWAJU and my correct date of birth is 10th of April, 1985. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

36

news

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Reps move against NIS over 5 years’ passport renewal policy Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

T

he House of Representatives, on Tuesday, expressed concern over the policy of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to limit the validity of the new Nigeria passport to five years without any option of renewal.

The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Samson Olugbemi, entitled “Need to revisit the policy of renewal of the Nigerian Passport on a fiveyear basis”.

To this end, the House resolved that its Committee on Interior, should interface with NIS headship on the policy, adding that the policy is causing hardship for Nigerians.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker said that, “before the introduction of the E-passport, the Nigerian passport had a five-year validity period, subject to revalidation for another

five years only, indicating that Nigeria International Passport had life span of 10 years”.

He also stated that the process of renewal of the

old passport was very simple and efficient; as it required mere stamping by an authorised immigration official, indicating a new expiration date.

The lawmaker also said that the arbitrary change in policy is inflicting untold hardship and inconveniences to Nigerians, at home and

abroad.

When the speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, put the motion to vote, it was unanimously supported by members.

JSUBE awards N1.2bn contract for school projects Adamu Amadu - Dutse

Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (JSUBE) has awarded contract worth N1.2 billion, for the renovation and construction of classrooms for primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

This was disclosed by the state chairman of the board, Alhaji Salisu Zakar, while speaking to newsmen during a visit to some of the schools in Gagarawa Local Government Area.

Alhaji Zakar said the project is part of the current administration effort at providing conducive teaching and learning atmosphere aimed at ensuring quality basic education among children in the state.

Abandoned babies Senior Superintendent Gabriel Akinadewo (middle), with some elders, cutting the 52nd Founder’s Day/Annual Conference anniversary cake of Motailatu Church of God, at the international headquarters of the church in Ondo town, at the weekend.

75-yr-old Rivers monarch rescued after 17 days in kidnappers’ den Dapo Falade - Port harcourt

Respite came the way of the abducted 75-yearold traditional ruler, Edi Igwe Matthias, who was, on Monday, rescued by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, after spending 17 days in the kidnappers’ den.

The paramount ruler of Ubomini, in Emohua Local Government Area, was abducted on May 28, 2016,

by a group of five kidnappers, who wore military camouflage, stormed his palace, shot into the air and whisked him away.

The Rivers State police spokesman, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, who broke the news of the freedom to newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, said the police, acting on a tip-off, rescued the traditional ruler in Umuapu ,Ohaji Local Government Area of Imo

State, where the suspected kidnappers held him hostage.

The police image-maker said the suspected kidnappers, on sighting the security operatives, began to shoot, adding that three of the hoodlums were gunned down in the ensuing exchange of fire.

Muhammad said one AK 47 rifle was among the items recovered from the hideout of the kidnappers,

adding, “We got information that they moved to Umuapu, in Imo State ,after kidnapping the paramount ruler. Our men, yesterday (Monday) stormed the place.

“As usual, there was a gun battle and three of the suspected kidnappers were gunned down. One AK 47 riffle, five rounds of 7.62 mm life ammunition, were recovered from the hoodlums.

Court orders suspected killers of Colonel Inusa to be remanded in Kaduna prison Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

The Senior Magistrate Court 1, sitting in Kaduna, has ordered that the suspected killers of the slain Colonel Inusa Samaila, be remanded in Kaduna prison till Thursday, July 21, for hearing.

Saturday, March 26, 2016, at about 8:35 hour, Emeka Okeke, Precious Ebele, Ibrahim Kabir, Chidioke Opehi and one Dan Sokoto, who is now at large, allegedly kidnapped Colonel Inusa, in the presence of his wife and son and whisked him away.

The suspects later murdered and left his body in the bush around the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Kaduna and went away with his Mercedes Jeep car, which they later confessed to have sold for N800, 000 and shared

the money among themselves before their arrest The presiding Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Yusuf, after reading the allegation levelled against the suspects , which they consented to, said he did not have the right to charge them but to counsel the appropriate quar-

ters.

“I don’t have the right to charge you. I am to let you understand the allegation levelled against you and advise the Chief Judge of Kaduna State.

“This case is hereby adjourned till July 21, for hearing, while the accuse be remanded in prison,”

he said Counsel to Police, Kenneth Dika, said that the suspects will be charged for criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of fire arms, kidnapping as well as culpable homicide:” all which are punishable under Nigerian criminal laws” he said.

“The 75-year-old man was kidnapped on May 28.

He is the paramount ruler of Ubomini in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

The Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), said the septuagenarian had been taken to a hospital for medical check-up after he was released to his son.

In a related development, five suspected armed robbers, who had been operating at the Prisons Farm in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, were, on Monday, killed during a shootout with security operatives.

The state police imagemaker, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, made the disclosure, adding that one AK 47, two special rifles, three locally made cut-to-size guns and 110 life ammunition, were recovered from the suspected robbers.

Islamic scholar, PDP chieftain counsel Muslims at Ramadan

As Muslims continue to observe Ramadan fast , founder and spiritual head of Shafaudeen-In-Islam worldwide, Professor Sabit Olagoke, has counselled Muslims to remain virtuous and steadfast throughout the period and beyond.

The Islamic school also condemned the murder of a 74-year-old woman in Kano for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Mohammed, saying that the murder was not carried out by true Muslims.

“I hope that the potency

of Ramadan shall be seized as an advantage for wholesome practice of religion and sincere fasting in the month for the dividend of Islam to be realised as protective coat of arms, healing therapy, breaking fetters and removing the yoke as well as warding off evil for a safe and secured prosperous life with high hope for the blessing of the hereafter.”

He reminded Muslims to keep firmly to their medical directives during the 30-day fasting.

He enjoined Muslims to see the Ramadan period as an opportunity to give to the poor and the needy .

Olagoke commended the Federal Government for the proactive measures put in place to checkmate the activities of terrorists and Niger Delta Avengers.

Meanehile, religious leaders have been called upon to impress it on their followers, the need to reinvent the lost core values of hardwork, honesty, communal living, religious tolerance, good neigh-

bourlines and peaceful co-existence to make the Nigerian society a better place for all and sundry.

This was part of the Ramadan message by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Oyo State, Honourable Abdul Mojeed Mogbonjubola, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, on Tuesday He urged Islamic clerics and other religious leaders to continue to offer prayers for the return of peace and economic prosperity to Nigeria.

Olumide Amosun, a boy of about a year old, was found abandoned around Jubilee Oke-Ibese area, Ilaro. Ogun State, on June 8, at about 09: 18hours.

Oluwarotimi Amosun, a baby boy of about few weeks old, was found abandoned at Adegbolu compound, Ebute-Igbooro, via Oja-Odan, Ogun State, on May 11, 2016, at about 21: 30hrs.

Adeboye Amosun, a boy of about one and a half years old, was found roaming about ring road axis of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, on May 18, 2016, at about 19:00hrs.

Anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of their parents/ relatives of their mothers, should please, contact the nearest police station or the Director of Social Welfare Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

37

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

otherNEWS

Former Italy PM recovering from four-hour heart surgery Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, has been placed in intensive care after undergoing an operation to replace a defective heart valve.

The procedure lasted four hours, Milan’s San Raffaele hospital said, giving no further details.

According to BBC, but sources told Ansa news agency the operation had been a success. He is likely to take a month to recover.

Berlusconi, 79, served as prime minister four times but has since been convicted of tax fraud and bribery.

He was admitted to hospital last week after suffering a heart attack his doctor said could have killed him.

He is expected to remain in intensive care for another 48 hours.

Malaysia’s Islamic airline, Rayani Air, barred from flying Malaysia’s first Islamiccompliant airline, Rayani Air, has been barred from flying for breaching regulations.

The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) said it was revoking the airline’s certification because of concerns over its safety audit and administration.

Rayani Air launched last December offering only halal food, no alcohol and crew wearing modest clothing.

It has two Boeing 737-400 planes in its fleet, each able to carry about 180 passengers, eight pilots and 50 crews, BBC reported.

The DCA said on Monday Some of the crew of Rayani Air. PHOTO: EPA

Some of the victims of the war in Syria. PHOTO: REUTERS

Syria civil war: 224 killed in first week of Ramadan

A

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

t least 224 people were killed in the first week of Ramadan in Syria, with the majority of the deaths resulting from bombings by Syrian and Russian warplanes,

Unaccompanied child asylum seeker numbers soar in EU —UN

The number of unaccompanied children crossing the Mediterranean on unseaworthy boats has soared this year, the United Nations children’s agency says.

The UNICEF said in a report on Tuesday that nine out of every 10 children arriving in Italy from North Africa were not accompanied by adults.

Al Jazeera revealed that a total of 7,009 unaccompanied minors made the journey in the first five months of the year, “twice as many as last year.

“Italian social workers claim that both boys and

Children asylum seekers. PHOTO: REUTERS

that Rayani Air could no longer operate as a commercial airline.

It follows a three month suspension after the airline failed to follow flight regulations. A safety audit was later conducted to assess its operations.

Malaysia’s aviation commission said in a statement that the airline “had breached the conditions of its Air Service Licence (ASL) and lacks the financial and management capacity to continue operating as a commercial airline”.

The DCA said it had conducted a “thorough deliberation” on the airline’s response to the safety audit.

girls are sexually assaulted and forced into prostitution while in Libya, and that some of the girls were pregnant when they arrived in Italy, having been raped,” the document said.

Sarah Crowe, UNICEF spokesperson, said it was not clear why more minors are arriving unaccompanied.

There is concern over a sharp increase in Nigerian women and girls leaving Libya for Italy, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimating 80 percent of them are victims of trafficking.

according to a monitor.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britainbased monitor, said on Monday that between 6 and 12 June - the first week of the Islamic holy month of fasting - at least 148 civilians, including 50 children and 15 women, were killed as helicopters dropped “explosive barrel” bombs, Al Jazeera reported.

It added that at least 12 people were killed in shelling by rebels and fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. At least one man was executed by ISIL in the same period, the Observatory said.

“We ... renew our condemnation of the international community

for its continued terrifying silence about the crimes committed against the Syrian people,” the monitor said.

The death toll includes casualties from air strikes on a market in Idlib city, in which at least 40 civilians died on Sunday. Activists say most of those victims were women and children.

Several monitoring groups, as well as Turkish authorities, accused Russia of conducting the air strikes in Idlib, but Russian authorities denied any involvement.

The area is controlled by a coalition of rebel groups called The Army of Conquest, which includes al-Nusra Front. The coalition is not included in a partial ceasefire, which was negotiated in February.

Orlando victim describes playing dead as killer fired A survivor of the Orlando attack who was shot three times has described playing dead while Omar Mateen fired relentlessly at people on the floor.

Angel Colon told reporters Mateen had continued to shoot at club-goers who already appeared dead.

Six people remain in critical condition following the attack at the Pulse gay night club, hospital staff said.

BBC stated that Mateen pledged allegiance to socalled Islamic State (IS) shortly before the attack, US authorities said.

Trauma surgeon Michael Cheatham said he “would not be surprised” if the death toll, currently at 49, rose.

The attack is the worst mass shooting in recent US history. There were 53 people wounded in the attack.

The gunman was killed in an exchange of fire with police.

Mr Colon, who was shot in the leg, hand, and hip, told reporters he remembered thinking “I’m next, I’m dead”, as Mateen fired again towards his head.

He said Mateen had shot dead a girl who was lying next to him.

Angel Colon. PHOTO: GETTYIMAGE

French jihadist police killer obeyed ISIS order —Officials The man who killed a French police couple at their home near Paris was acting on an order from so-called Islamic State (IS) to “kill infidels,” officials said.

Larossi Abballa, who was killed in a shootout with police, was loyal to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, they said.

A police commander and his partner were stabbed to death at their home. Their three-year-old son survived.

IS has put out a video

showing Abballa confessing to the killings, BBC said.

The 11-minute video, on the IS news agency Amaq, apparently shows him in the home of the couple before police stormed in.

In it Abballa, 25, urged

Larossi Abballa. PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Muslims in France to target police officers, prison guards, journalists, politicians and mayors. He named several prominent French journalists.

The video is apparently the same as one that Abballa posted on Facebook Live, hours before police killed him, in which he swore allegiance to IS. Abballa’s crime was “a terrorist act”, President Francois Hollande said, and France still faced “a

significant threat”.

The attack happened in Magnanville, about 55kilometres (35 miles) north-west of the French capital.

During negotiations prior to the police assault on Monday, Abballa said he had pledged his loyalty to the IS leader three weeks earlier.

When police stormed in they killed Abballa and found the dead woman, who had been stabbed. The little boy was in a state of shock.

38

communitynews

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

Okpai bemoans abandonment of N11bn shore protection project alphonsus agborh-asaba

O

IL-rich Okpai kingdom in Delta State has decried its neglect and abandonment of the shore protection project in the community by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The community bared its mind through the chairman of Okpai Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief John Emordi, who led a delegation to Comrade Nnamdi Ezechi, the commissioner representing Ndokwa ethnic nationality on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Chief Emordi said Okpai has nothing to show for the over 50 years of oil and gas exploration in the community and the peace oil companies enjoy while operating in the kingdom.

According to the CDC Chairman, “Okpai is seriously threatened by coastal erosion while the contract for shore protection project awarded by the NDDC for about N11 billion has since been abandoned after the commission allegedly paid about N9 billion to the contractor for the little job done.”

The community also appealed to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC and senator representing Delta North to intervene in order to save Okpai from being washed into River Niger.

Chief Emordi, however, commended the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the Deputv Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Honurable Friday Osanebi for their concerted efforts in the area of infrastructure and human resource development.

Responding to the remarks by Chief Emordi,

the DESOPADEC commissioner assured members of the community and other oil-producing communities in the state that the state government was de-

termined to transform host communities to reciprocate their contributions to the nation’s economy.

He, however, appealed to youths in particular to

THE Panel of Inquiry set up by the Delta State government to resolve the land dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities, that had claimed human lives and led to the destruction of property worth millions of naira on both sides, has commenced its hearing.

The inaugural sitting, which took place on Tuesday in Warri, saw the two warring communities pledging to give peace a chance.

cent attacks on oil installations has worsened the effect of the global oil crisis on the nation’s economy with negative effect on capital projections.”

The DESOPADEC commissioner urged Okpai people to remain peaceful, focused and united as government addresses their critical challenges.

Call your men to order, Oke-Odan community urges Customs boss shola adekola-lagos

THE people of Oke-Odan in Ogun State have appealed to the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs and Excise to call to order, his men operating at Idiroko, the border town between Nigeria and Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The community noted that the illegal activities of Customs officials in the area were capable of disrupting thepeace and tranquility of the area.

According to a statement jointly issued by the Chairman of Concerned Yewa Youth Foundation, Mr. Akin Olukunle and the Secretary, Mr. Niyi Saanu, the people expressed the fear over the dangerous activities of the customs men while chasing smugglers around the town.

They lamented that it is innocent indigenes of Oke-Odan that are always at the receiving end anytime customs officials engage smugglers in fierce battle in the area.

“The serenity and peaceful ambience of Oke-Odan and its environs are being threatened by the invasion of the town by men and officers of the Nigerian Customs and Excise. Our hitherto peaceful town is seriously in a state of siege!

“Most residents of OkeOdan now live in palpable fear of possible attack by customs officials, who often invade the nooks and crannies of our town in their activities seemingly aimed at curbing the illegal operations of smugglers. The smugglers, who are not our agents or endorsed by our community, operate from Idiroko, the border town between Nigeria and Cotonou. Oke-Odan is about 10 kilometres from

Idiroko. The smugglers have created many illegal routes, using many villages and towns between Idiroko and Sango Ota, Ogun State to further their activities.

“The unfortunate thing we decry here is that innocent indigenes of Oke-Odan are the ones always at the receiving end anytime customs officials engage smugglers in fierce battles. The

The eight-man committee headed by Professor Abednego Ekoko and inaugurated by the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, had earlier called for the submission of memoranda from both communities and other interested parties.

The terms of reference of the panel include surveying and demarcating the boundary between Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Area as well as demarcating the land in dispute and making appropri-

customs officials, without any sense of caution, invade our town and engage in indiscriminate shooting of whoever that is in sight.

No fewer than 15 people have died and/or suffered serious injuries from this unwholesome act in recent past.

“For instance, on May 1, 2016, two promising artisans, Odude Adeleke,

a panel beater and Azeez Yekini, a motorcycle mechanic, were killed when some customs officials launched an attack on the town. Some other people, including Segun Otukadejo, a secondary school leaver; Samson Daniel, a farmer and three members of the same family, Mrs. Janet Odunlami (mother) and her two children, Abio-

dun and Israel, sustained various degrees of injuries from stray bullets as the invading customs officials indiscriminately shot at residents.

The community, which expressed its full support for actions geared towards improving the nation’s economy, condemned the invasion of the town by customs officials..

From left, Alhaja Sarat Adesina, Honourable Dapo Lam Adesina, with beneficiaries of the Lam Adesina Omo Oloore Educational Support Scheme.

PHOTO: SEGUN ADEBAYO

Lam Adesina presents bursary to 100 students by segun adebayo

A total of N1.2 million bursary has been disbursed to over 100 students of Oyo State under the Honourable Dapo Lam Adesina Omo Oloore Educational Support Scheme.

The students, who were from differnet tertiary institutions, were with

Panel on Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh land dispute commences hearing alphonsus agborh-asaba

shun pipeline vandalism and destruction of public property, saying that “proceeds from oil and gas are critical to the funding of DESOPADEC. The re-

ate recommendations to the government of Delta State for amicable resolution of the dispute.

cheques by Honourable Lam Adesina, who represents Ibadan South-East/ North-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The scheme was launched in honour of former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina.

Speaking during the cheque presentation at Lam Adesina’s residence, Felele, Ibadan, Honourable Lam Adesina urged the students to shun violence or anti-social behaviour that could derail their educational pursuit.

The lawmaker expressed his readiness to continue

to give back to the society, adding that education is the bedrock of developed societies.

He noted that the Lam Adesina bursary scheme would have achieved its aim when beneficiaries are devoted to their studies, respect the rules and regulations of their institutions of learning and excel in their studies.

According to him: “This is the first phase of the scheme and you are very special to me because you are the pioneer beneficiaries. I urge you to use the token judiciously. I can

assure you that with God on our side, we will roll out the phase two soon. We know the current state of the economy, but we will continue to strive to ensure that the lives of our people don’t remain the same.”

Wife of former governor of Oyo State, Alhaja Sarat Adesina; former deputy governor, Mr Iyiola Oladokun; Engineer Kayode Arowolo, Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Fatai Ibikunle, were among dignitaries who graced the event.

Potholes appear on newly rehabilitated Sango-Ijoko Road tola adenubi-lagos

SANGO-Ijoko Road in Sango, Ogun State, which was rehabilitated a few months ago, had started giving way, with potholes springing up along a portion of the road, especially at Poultry Bus Stop.

When Community

News visited the area over the weekend, it was observed that the bad portion of the road was already threatening to split the road into two while motorists were slowing down and trying to evade the bad spot.

According to a construction expert, Mr. Funsho Olumide, the road is giving

way despite its recent rehabilitation because only one portion is tarred and motorists concentrate on the portion.

“The other portion from Ijoko to Sango has not been tarred. It has only been graded. The portion from Sango to Ijoko which has been tarred is the only

side being used by motorists.

“It is, therefore, not surprising to me when I first noticed that a portion of the road at Poultry Bus Stop had started giving way.

It is gradually widening and if not quickly fixed, could split the road into two,” Olumide stated.

39

Wednesday, 15 June, 2016

corporatesport

With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08116954642

TGC Lady Captain, Omajuwa vows to woo more women golfers

By Olawale Olaniyan

LADY Captain of Tiger Golf Club, Mrs Oyinlola Omajuwa has promised to woo more golfers into the Ladies section of the club.

She disclosed this on Monday while speaking with Tribunesport saying, there is the need for more women to embrace sporting activities especially golf.

Omajuwa stated that golf is the best game especially for women as it keeps one healthy.

“I believe is time for more women to come out and play golf which is a game of life. Life is too short and women need to find a way of relaxing and exercising after series of birth deliveries.

“Golf Club provides a platform for relaxation even with one spouse, play and even meet several personalities in the society.

“I’m indeed proud of the ladies section’s executive and the entire members for their commitment and zeal towards the promotion of the game. I also appreciate the drive for quality membership in the section since I assumed office.

“My pet project, the extension of the ladies toilet and cloak room, will commence soon. The design is ready and we are ready to go.

“There are more programmes but one need to pick them one after the other and by God grace we shall succeed,” Omajuwa stated.

Ajileye Seyi in Jersey No 6 of Kwara Falcons trying to dribble a player from Nigeria Customs during the DStv Basketball League held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Kwara Falcons won by 79-60.

Ex-international, Mutiu Adepoju gestures to the players at the 2016 COPA Coca-Cola coaching clinic held in Ibadan.

Copa Coca-Cola

Adepoju counsel students on discipline F ORMER Super Eagles midfielder and captain, Mutiu Adepoju has advised students aiming to go higher in football to be disciplined.

Adepoju, a member of the Super Eagles 2002 World

Cup squad in Japan/Korea gave this advice at Loyola College, ibadan during the zonal stage of the Copa Coca-Cola football tourney held over the weekend.

Four schools from Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos and Ondo participated in the champion-

ship where national finalist was picked for the zone.

The schools are; Rockford College Ikorodu, Ado Odo High School, Ogun, Egbe Oba High School, Ekiti and Muslim High School, OreOdigbo, Ondo State.

Addressing the students

18th Milo Basketball Championship

Kano Pillars, Kwara Falcons Delta, Lagos emerge champions lead six others to DStv THE 18th edition of the Amarata Bayelsa state 30- place match in the boys catNestle Milo Basketball 29 points in well contested egory.

Premier League final 8 Also, Government SecondChampionship for Sec- game to emerge champions.

REGULAR season leaders, Kano Pillars and Kwara Falcons cruised past all opponents as both teams topped the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences in the just concluded Conference playoffs.

Pillars who lost two regular season games took down all opposition in the Savannah Conference Playoffs going 5 of 5 to seal their place in the DStv Premier Basketball League Final 8.

Joining them in the Final 8 is Plateau Peaks tutored by female coach Jacqueline Bushman; premier league returnees, Niger Potters, who took games against favorites Gombe Bulls finishing ahead of them and defending champions Mark Mentors, ending their quest for qualification to the Final 8 suffering a third crushing defeat having already lost to Pillars and Bulls as well.

It was also dramatic in the Atlantic Conference as Kwara Falcons took top spot in the five team playoffs after scoring a record 105-68 points win over Delta Force and a comfortable win over

fast rising Customs and Oluyole Warriors to finish top in the conference.

Former two-time champions, Rivers Hoopers went straight from Division 1 to the Final 8 as they finished runners up behind Falcons ahead of Customs and surprised Oluyole Warriors who finished fifth in the regular season behind Delta Force with just two wins.

Speaking on the line-up of the Final 8, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said the competition has reached its fever pitch with fans anticipating an exciting game. He also reiterated DStv’s commitment to the growth of the game in the country through sponsorship and quality coverage of the games.

The stage is now set as the top four teams from both conferences are ready to battle it out for the national title from the 20th to 25th of June. The channel of champions, SuperSport, will beam the matches live to subscribers.

ondary Schools was finally rounded off at indoor sport hall of Asaba stadium, Delta state, with two thrilling finals in the girls and boys categories.

The curtain raiser was the girls final match which featured St. Judes Girls Secondary School Amarata, Bayelsa State and Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School Lagos.

The girls final match was full of expectations, Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School Lagos State, gave the Asaba crowd something to cheer as they dethrone last year’s champions, St Jude girls secondary school

The boys final match was thrilling and sensational as Government Secondary School Karu FCT Abuja, almost recorded an upset against Osadenis Mixed Secondary School Asaba, Delta state. But thanks to the shooting prowess of the championship Most Valuable Player; Mavellous Mba of Delta State who lifted his team’s spirit with his several three pointers to make it 5749 points.

Earlier in the day, Crowther Memorial College Lokoja, Kogi state went past Henson Demonstration School Benin, Edo State 4037 points to win the third-

ary School, Gboko, Benue State defeated Yejide girls grammar school, Ibadan Oyo State 30-28 points to pick the bronze in the girls’ category.

In his address, Mr Femi Akintola, Category Manager-Beverages, Nestle Nigeria Plc, said no fewer than 9,000 schools participated in this year championship in both male and female categories.

He noted that this was the first time the championship was held outside Lagos, adding that the brand has through the championship supported over one million school children in the country.

Osadenis Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, champions in the boys category of the 18th Milo Basketball championship in a group photograph after the presentation of trophy during the final held at Asaba Indoor Sport Hall.

while taking them through the rudiments of the game, Headmaster as he is fondly called having commended the sponsor, Coca Cola, adviced the students to be disciplined and make discipline their watch words.

According to him, “you should as a matter of fact be disciplined if at all you intend making a career from football and since this is the mission of the sponsor, you were to be serious.

Also, discipline is not only on the pitch of play but off the field. You must not as a player insult match officials, your coaches or the fans. Even, if you are issued matching order, as a footballer, you should not insult the referee for that.

You must not late to training, or misbehave, if you are not in camp or in camp,with these, such player will go places,” he said.

Speaking further, the former Shooting Stars player,described the initiative by Coca Cola as the best to happen to the youth of the country, saying it will go a long way in not only discovering talents but giving future to the youth of the nation.

“This initiative is aimed at discovering talents and giving future to the youths as it preaches education and sport.”, he said.

Meanwhile, Rockford College,Ikorodu,Lagos emerged winner from the zone after defeating Ondo 2-1, Ekiti 6-0 and Ogun 2-1.The school will represent the zone at the National final scheduled for Lagos later in the month.

SIDELINES

NO 16,524

In Osun State, following a court judgement permitting Muslim students to wear hijab and the directive of the Christian Association of Nigeria, some Christian students turned out in sutanas and other ‘holy garments’. Pray, what will happen when the adherents of traditional religion decide to go to school in Ogun, Sango and Obatala attire? How will teachers be able to teach in such a charged atmosphere of hot holiness? And how will such students play football during break? This is a brilliant script for Nollywood!

N150

WEDNESDAY, 15 JUNE, 2016

An action recorded during the game between Nigeria and Korea at the ongoing FIBA Olympics Qualifying Tournaments in France on Tuesday . PHOTO: Fiba.com

Rio Olympics qualifier:

Nigeria chances brighten •D’Tigress beats Korea 70-69

By Nurudeen Alimi

N

IGERIA’s representatives in the ongoing 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympics qualifying tournaments in France on Tuesday beat its counterparts from Korea 70-69 points.

After trailing for most of the contest, Ezinne Kalu, hit a threepointer with 4.6 seconds left to play to rescue Nigeria from a potential elimination.

Kalu converted a three-point play with 2:51 remaining but that was just the beginning of a stretch that saw four lead-changes until the blast of the final whitsle.

Korea paid the price for getting little production from their bench

players who contributed only 11 points against Nigeria’s 37. By scoring 11 points off the bench for Nigeria, Kalu not only turned out to be a game-changer but also her team’s new hero.

Nigerian coaching crew called

a time-out during the game when Korea was leading 69-67 with 12 seconds to go. In the ensuing possession, Kalu executed the game-winning play that edges Nigeria closer to the quarterfinals.

D’Tigress, it would be recalled lost its first game 60-71 against Belarus at the City Arena, Nantes on Monday.

Meanwhile, host, France, beat Cuba 83-67 in another Olympic qualifier decided on Tuesday.

Euro 2016: Russia given suspended disqualification RUSSIA will be thrown out of Euro 2016 if their fans cause further trouble, says European governing body UEFA. The Russians have also been fined 150,000 euro (£119,000) following violent scenes at the game against England in Marseille on Saturday.

The suspended disqualification and fine relate only to incidents

that happened inside the stadium.

Meanwhile, groups of Russian fans are also being deported from France as a result of trouble at the tournament.

A French police operation to arrest 40 suspected Russian hooligans is under way.

Russia coach Leonid Slutsky, whose team still have to play

Keshi, Amodu’s exit calls for prayers —Ejidike FOLLOWING the death of two former Super Eagles handlers within a week, Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, has called on all Nigerians to pray fervently for sportsmen and women, administrators, coaches, players and the entire sports fraternity to avert a further occurrence of sudden death in the sector.

Ejidike, lamented that the exit of Amodu after Keshi has dealt another big blow to Nigeria.

Ejidike who is also the President,

Karate Federation of Nigeria in a statement made available through his media aide, Prince Olayioye Ajide stated that sports stakeholders should turn unto God for divine intervention and protection.

“Death, though a necessary end should ordinarily occur at old and ripe age; but, when deaths are recorded in succession, then perhaps, one may begin to interpret it the other way. Therefore, divine intervention through prayers may be the only option. It is on this

note that I call for prayers to prevent and avert further occurrence of this sad development.

“The circumstances behind the death of Coach Stephen Keshi and Coach Shuaibu Amodu who reportedly died in his sleep are still unfathomable. Losing these experienced hands is not a good thing to happen as the country still need their wealth of experience,” Ejidike said.

He called on authorities to immortalise the late tacticians.

Wales and Slovakia, is confident his squad will not be excluded.

“We are sure our supporters will not do the same and will not give any reasons to disqualify our team,” he said.

Russia forwards Artem Dzyuba added: “We’re not at a street fighting championship. Please, let’s focus on football.”

England were also threatened with disqualification from Euro 2016 but were not formally charged by UEFA. There is a fear of further trouble between England and Russia fans this week given that both are likely to gather in Lille.

Russia play Group B rivals Slovakia in the city on Wednesday, while England fans are expected to congregate there before Thursday’s match against Wales in the nearby town of Lens.

Adebayor

Crystal Palace offloads Adebayor, five others

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi

CRYSTAL Palace has announced that six players, including Emmanuel Adebayor, Marouane Chamakh, and Brede Hangeland, will all be released following the expiration of their contracts at the end of the month of June.

Also leaving the Eagles at the end of the month are Adrian Mariappa, Paddy McCarthy and Chris Kettings.

Chamakh departs having played 66 times since arriving from Arsenal in 2013.

He scored 10 times for the club, including their first goal back in the top-flight against Stoke City in August 2013, but has suffered with injury for the majority of his last 12 months in SE25.

Adebayor’s short-term deal has come to an end, having netted once in his 15 appearances since arriving on a free transfer in January, and Hangeland will also move on after two seasons at Selhurst Park which saw him play 26 times.

Fellow defender Mariappa will also be allowed to look for a new club after 49 games over three seasons with his final outing coming in the 2016 FA Cup final against Manchester United, while longserving McCarthy made 151 appearances since arriving back in 2008 and helping the club survive in the Championship.

Kettings didn’t play in a competitive first-team game during his two years with Palace, but featured regularly for the under-21s and spent time on loan at Stevenage and Bromley.

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