NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,392
TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER, 2015
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Pipeline surveillance FG orders probe of Dokubo-Asari, Ateke Tom, others —P3
•I'm not aware
—Presidential spokesman
From left, chairman, League Management Committee and Second Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Shehu Dikko; Executive Committee Member, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr Mouchrafou Anjorin and the Glo Business Director, Abuja, Mr Kemi Kaka, at the unveiling of 'Top Three' nominees for the 2015 Glo-CAF Awards, in Abuja, on Monday.
FG docks Dasuki, others over 19 fresh charges
•Dokpesi granted bail, Yuguda, Bafarawa to appear today •Ex-NIMASA boss re-arrested outside court premises •I didn't receive money from Dasuki, Yuguda —Nwobodo —P2,3 We'll remove fuel subsidy in 2016 —FG •Says N1trn spent on subsidy in 2015 —P4
Iran, Iraq warn Nigeria on Shiites •How I escaped assassination —P4 attempt —Buratai
From left, former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd); former director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Aminu Baba Kusa and a former Director, Administration and Finance, Office of NSA, Alhaji Salisu Shuaibu, arriving at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO.
Court sets aside fresh concession agreement on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway —P3
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news
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Nigerian Tribune
Arms deal scandal: FG docks Dasuki, others over 19 fresh charges
Set to arraign Yuguda, Bafarawa, others today SUNDAY EJIKE - ABUJA
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HE Federal Government on Monday arraigned former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) and three others before an Abuja High Court over their alleged involvement in alleged N13 billion arms deal during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Dasuki was arraigned along with a former Director of Finance at the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu; a former General Manager at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Babakusa and a firm, Acacia Holdings, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering, illegal diversion of public funds and criminal breach of trust. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and the trial judge, Justice Hussein Baba, ordered that they should be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) till today, December 15, when he will hear their bail application, after the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, has urged the court for adjournment for the counsel to the parties to argue the defendants’ bail applications. On his part, counsel to Dasuki, Ahmed Raji, informed the court that they had filed an application for Dasuki’s bail, saying that, “The charge was served on us on December 8, 2015, and without wasting time, the accused file an application for bail on December 9. “The prosecution has served us a counter affidavit this morning (Monday),” he said and prayed the court for time to file a reply to the prosecution’s counter affidavit. Consequently, Justice Baba adjourned hearing of the various applications till today. The defendants include Cololonel Sambo Dasuki (1st defendant), Shuaibu Salisu (2nd), Aminu BabaKusa (3rd), Acacia Holdings Limited (4th) and Reliance Referral Hospital Hospital Limited (5th) defendants. According to the charge sheet read to the accused persons by the court registrar, the sum of N1.45 billion was transferred into the account of Acacia Holdings Limited for special prayers; N170 million was used for the purchase of a four-bedroom duplex; N2.1
billion was paid into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited ; N380 million was shared to support reelection of members of the House of Representatives; and another N750 million was paid into the account of Reliance Referral Hospital Limited for special prayers. Other expenditures include the payment of N670 million to a publisher; the transfer of N260 million to Chief Tony Anenih and another N345 million traced to Dr Iyorchia Ayu, erstwhile Senate President. The charges read in part: “That you Col Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser and Honourable Waripamowei Dudafa (now at large) while being Senior Special Assis-
tant , Domestic Affairs to the President on or about 27th November within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N10billion, being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with the CBN, the equivalent of which sum you received from the CBN in foreign currencies to wit: $47million and €5.6million Euros, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you claimed to have distributed same to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Primary Election delegates and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004. “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security
Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between 22nd January, 2015 and 19th March, 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N2,120,000,000 which was in the account of National Security Adviser with the CBN, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited controlled by one Dr Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of media activities for the 2015 Presidential Election Campaign for the PDP and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.
“That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser on or about 12th December, 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N90million which was in the account of the ONSA with Diamond Bank Plc, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of Brains and Hammers Limited for the purchase of 7-bedroom duplex house at No.11, Mansur Bamalli Drive (D1064), Apo 1, Abuja and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.
Meanwhile, the EFCC will today arraign the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki; exMinister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda; a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr Shuaibu Salisu and three others before an Abuja High Court for allegedly misappropriating N10 billion. The other accused persons that will be arraigned today on 22-count charge before Justice Peter Affen are former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, Sagir Attahiru and Dalhatu Investment Limited. It will be recalled that the former NSA was docked yesterday along with his erstwhile Director of Finance, Shaibu Salisu, Aminu Baba Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited before Justice Baba Yusuf of an Abuja High Court on a 19-count charge.
I did not receive money from Dasuki, Yuguda –Nwobodo
Says “I only got N500 million from Mu’azu, former PDP chair” Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe - Abuja
A one time former governor of the old Anambra State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jim Nwobodo, on Monday, denied ever receiving money from the National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd). Nwobodo equally denied being part of the PDP chieftains that shared N3.05 billion through the former Minister of State, Bashir Yuguda. The former governor said yesterday that though he was the zonal chairman of the PDP for the 2015 Presidential Election, the N500 million he got for the election was from the former National Chairman of the party, Dr Adamu Mu’azu and not from other sources. Nwobodo further clarified that the money was also disbursed to the five states in the South-East geo-political zone through the state chairmen of the campaign committee, saying that he could not have queried his party chairman as to the sources of the campaign fund, which were strictly spent on the election as directed by the party. He vehemently denied any personal knowledge or contact with Dasuki and Yuguda. According to him, “in the first place, I don’t know Colonel Sambo Dasuki; I have never met him in person; I
have never had any interaction with him. And I didn’t receive money from him. As for Yuguda, the then Minister of State for Finance, whose name was mentioned, I don’t know him. I think I only met him once and that’s all.” He expressed reservation that it was unfair to bandy his name about in a manner that suggested he was a treasury looter, stressing that he had no regret working to see the PDP retain victory in the South-East zone at the polls . “The party, during the general election, approved N500 million to be given to the South-East zone for the campaigns. We have five states and when those of us nominated from the SouthEast zone met, we were asked to choose a chairman and they chose me as their chairman,” he said. According to him, “after series of meetings, it was
agreed that the chairman of the party should make funds available to the committee to enable us start work in our respective states. They invited us to the residence of the National Chairman of the party, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, who handed over money to me for the zone, for the election. “I invited the chairmen of each of the state campaign committee and we disbursed the money, with each state receiving N100 million each. “It was not possible for us to ascertain where the money came from. We simply received money from our National Chairman and we did not ask for explanations pertaining to the source of the money; I don’t think it is our duty as party members to begin to query our chairman as to the source of money he was handing over to us for an election. “For me, the money was
handed over; it was disbursed and used for the purpose of the campaign. The money was given to the committee, not me; to the committee by the National Chairman, Mu’azu, at his residence. “When the money was brought by the National Chairman, the state campaign committee chairmen came together and took their share of the money for the campaign. I am prepared to give out the names of all the people involved. We had three members for the committee for each state. “All the states chairmen and members who received and disbursed the money are alive and they can be contacted. At no time did the NSA hand over any money to me; there is no such thing at all. I have never met the former NSA; I don’t know him. “I have never seen where the national chairman of a
party will give you money and you start asking him where the money came from. If I had been told the money came from illegitimate sources, I would not have touched the money. There is nothing between me and the then NSA; I only worked for the PDP.” The former minister was said to have informed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he gave a total of N600million cash to six chairmen of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 general election. He listed the beneficiaries as Chief Bode George (South-West); Ambassador. Yerima Abdullahi (NorthEast); Dr Peter Odili (SouthSouth); Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West); Senator Jim Nwobodo (South-East); and Dr Ahmadu Ali (North-Central).
Court grants Dokpesi N400m bail Sunday Ejike - Abuja
JUSTICE Gabriel Kolawale of a Federal High Court, in Abuja, on Monday, granted bail to the former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, in the sum of N400 million with two persons, who must stand as sureties for him. Other conditions for admitting Dokpesi on bail, according to Kolawole, is that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of
the cadre of director, either serving or retired and the second can be in private establishment. He held that in case the sureties are serving directors, each must produce a letter from their permanent secretary confirming their status and appointment while for the retired director must produce government gazette in which he or she was listed to show that he or she retired as a director.
The judge also ordered that if the accused choose to produce an entrepreneur as his surety, the entrepreneur shall produce three years consecutive income tax and that each of the sureties must have landed property worth N200 million, to be certified by qualified estate surveyor and the property deeds should be deposited with the court Registrar. The sureties, the judge held, must also swear to an
affidavit of means that in the event that the accused person jumped bail, they forfeit the said property. Justice Kolawole also ordered Dokpesi to deposit his International Passport with the Deputy Registrar of the court who would serve as a committee to verify the property and the claims of his sureties. The court also made an order that Dokpesi should not be re-arrested by the Continued on pg 3
news EFCC re-arrests former NIMASA DG 3
Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Lagos
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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, rearrested the immediate past DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Patrick Ziadeke Akpolobokemi, at the Federal High Court, Lagos. Akplobokemi was forcefully bundled into the waiting bus of the anti-graft agency by armed operatives of the agency numbering about 10, after the court proceedings. He was forced into the bus when he resisted and vowed not to follow the detectives to their office. Efforts by his lawyers led by Dr Joseph Nwobike, to stop his re-arrest, was rebuffed by the armed detectives, who acted in a commando way. Efforts by the Nigerian Tribune to speak to some of the detectives proved abortive as none of them was willing to give reasons why he was re-arrested. Before the former DG was whisked away, Justice Ibrahim Nasir Buba of a Lagos Federal High Court, had earlier adjourned the trial of Akpolobekemi and five other accused persons facing criminal charges before the court till January 18, 2016. Those charged alongside Akpolobokemi before the court by the EFCC includes Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Governor Ameche Juan; Blockz and Stonez Nigeria Limited and Al-Kenzo Nigeria Limited. They were charged on 22 counts charge of alleged theft of N2.6 billion before the court. The court adjourned the accused persons’ trial at the instance of the third, fifth and sixth accused persons, whose counsel informed the court that he just received the brief. At the last proceeding, the judge had warned lawyers representing Akpolobokemi and other accused persons not to make any attempt in truncating the trial of the accused persons. Dr Joseph Nwoboke, Madu Paschal and Ige Asemugara, representing the first, second and fourth accused persons, gave different reasons for seeking for an adjournment of the accused persons’ trial. In seeking for adjournment, Dr Nwobike had informed the court that his client, Dr Akpolobokemi, was unable to perfect the bail conditions since Friday, and this made it im-
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
possible to confer with him. He, therefore, urged the court for a very short adjournment which he said his client would have been able to meet the bail conditions and he would have been able to confer with him. Counsel representing the second accused person, Mr Madu Paschal, in seeking for the adjournment of his client’s trial, said he was
preparing for a burial which has not made him prepared enough for the trial. Counsel representing fourth accused person, Mr Asemugara, said he sought for an adjournment due to an application he had before the court. Asemugara urged the court to first decide the application which was contending on the court’s ju-
risdiction to try the accused persons before taking any step on the matter. The lawyer representing the third, fifth and sixth accused persons, Mr Lanre Olayinka, through a letter informed the court of his medical appointment abroad. In responding to the submissions made by the accused persons’ lawyers, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, lawyer to
the EFCC, urged the court to discontinuance the adjournment request, and commence the trial as fixed by the court. But ruling on the adjournment sought by the accused persons, Justice Buba warned the lawyers to be aware of provisions of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) which mandated day-to-day trial
of criminal proceedings and not to do anything to frustrate the accused persons’ trial. The former NIMSA boss and others were alleged to have on or about February 4, 2014, converted the said sum, property of NIMASA to personal use. The case was adjourned till January 29, 2016, for trial.
Court sets aside fresh concession agreement on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway A Federal High Court in Lagos has set aside a fresh concession agreement on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction project. While delivering his ruling in a suit led by BiCourtney Highway Services Limited against the Attorney General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Infrastructure Conces-
sion Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Infrastructure Bank Plc and Motorway Assets Limited (MAL), on Friday, the court granted a mandatory injunction on the fresh concession agreement, purportedly signed by the defendants on January 16, 2015, as prayed by the plaintiff/applicant. Among the prayers sought by Bi-Court-
ney, in suit no: FHC/L/ CS/727/2015, was an order of mandatory injunction setting aside the concession agreement granted MAL over the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, in the form of a Finance, Operate and Transfer arrangement. The court held that the grant of the concession to MAL in the circumstances of the case was a flagrant
disregard of the established principles of law. Bi-Courtney also sought in its application, an “interlocutory injunction restraining all the defendants/respondents, particularly the first, second and fifth, from implementing, actualising, operating or, howsoever, taking any steps or actions whatsoever in furtherance of, or pursuant to the concession
agreement dated January 16, 2015, between the first, second and the fifth defendants/respondents, which purported to grant a concession over the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the form of a finance, operate and transfer arrangement to the fifth defendant, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit herein.”
activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The alleged offence is con-
trary to Section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act.
Court grants Dokpesi N400m bail Continued from Page 2
EFCC and that in the event that any government agency want to investigate Dokpesi, that agency should write him through his lawyer who should produce him for interview or investigation between the hours of 10:00a.m. and 6:30p.m. He said the order was necessary to prevent government agencies from perverting the cause of justice and at the same time allow them carry out their statutory duties. The trial of the former chairman of DAAR Communications Plc will commence February 17, 2016. It will be recalled that the EFCC, about a week ago, arrested Dokpesi and the former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, in connection with the ongoing investigation into arms procurement by the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, during the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration. Dokpesi, who is the owner of the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio, is being prosecuted for allegedly laundering the sum of N2.1 billion. Dokpesi, who pleaded not guilty to the six-count criminal charge which also involved breach of public trust and procurement fraud, had been in the custody of the anti-graft agency. In the charge signed by the Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution depart-
ment of the EFCC, Aliyu Yusuf, Dokpesi was alleged to have between October 2014 and March 2015 conducted procurement fraud
by fraudulently receiving N2,120,000,000 into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company for the funding of media
Court kicks against plea bargain in N1.2bn pension scam Sunday Ejike - Abuja
AN Abuja High Court on Monday warned counsel to the accused persons in the ongoing trial of a syndicate that allegedly swindled the Federal Government of N1.2 billion in a pension scam not to bring the idea of plea bargain.
The accused persons, Ibrahim Ahmed Mazangari, Muhammed Sani Sulaiman, Hajia Fatima Mazangari and Saleh Yerima Tsojon, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 29-count charge bordering on conspiracy and
collecting by false pretence. The accused persons, who were offered a biometric contract by a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye, to regularise names of pensioners on the pensions’ payroll, allegedly smuggled in names of fake pensioners and col-
Pipeline surveillance: FG orders probe of Asari Dokubo, Ateke Tom, others I’m not aware —President’s spokesman Taiwo Adisa - Abuja
THE Federal Government is set to commence a probe into the pipelines surveillance jobs awarded to some ex-militant leaders by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Sources close to the incumbent administration said that arrangements have been concluded to commence the probe of the multi-million naira programme aimed at engaging the ex-militants by the last administration. The N5.6 billion contract awarded to some exmilitant leaders including Alhaji Asari Dokubo; Ebikabowei Victor Ben (a.k.a Boyloaf), Africanus Ukpar-
asia (a.k.a Africa), Paul Eris (a.k.a Ogunbos); Farrah Dagogo and Ateke Tom, among others, was meant to protect oil pipelines in the oil rich Niger Delta. It was not clear whether another version of the surveillance contract was awarded to the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) before the termination of the last administration. The trio of Boyloaf, Ogunbos and Africa had floated a security company, Pajero, to handle the Bayelsa segment of the contract, while Asari Dokubo, Dagogo as well as Ateke Tom were said to have handled the Rivers State segment of the contract which ran between 2012 and 2014. The last administration, however, did not renew the
contract in 2015. Sources in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, however, told the Nigerian Tribune on Monday that President Buhari has ordered the probe of the surveillance contracts in line with the anti-corruption stance of the government. “I have been reliably told that the pipeline contract is being looked into. The president has directed a discreet probe that will give in anyone found to have soiled his hands in those contracts,” a source said. But the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr Femi Adesina, said on Monday that he was unaware of the probe. When contacted through a text message, he simply replied: “Not aware.”
lected unearned pension. Counsel to the 1st and 5th accused persons, Sale Sule, had informed the court that his clients had opened a plea bargain discussion with the prosecution. However, Justice Talba forbade him from bringing the subject of plea bargain in his court, saying that, “Don’t mention plea bargain here. I don’t want to hear about it.” When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to the second accused person, Haruna Eze, pleaded that the case be stood down, as the lead counsel, Sule, had not yet arrived the court before the proceedings started. Also, counsel to the third accused person wrote a letter to the court, saying that he was ill, however, prosecution counsel, Atolagbe, told the court that he just received the letter, asking for adjournment. He said, “Given the nature of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Section 396 (3) and (4), which stipulates speedy trial in any criminal matter, I urge my Lord to adjourn the matter to tomorrow because our witnesses are available. Also, on the issue of stand down, I don’t see it as necessary.” The trial judge, Justice Abubakar Talba, adjourned the matter till February 23 and 24, 2016 for continuation of trial.
news Iran, Iraq warn Nigeria on Shiites 4
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
•Sultan calls for caution Muhammad Sabiu -Kaduna, with Agency Report
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HE Iranian government has urged the Federal Government to stop taking “hasty” actions against members of the Shiite Islamic group. The country’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ja-
vad Zarif, expressed regret over the events happening in Nigeria, calling on the Federal Government to take measures to keep Muslims safe and safeguard their lives. Zarif made the remarks during a telephone conversation with his Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama, according to the
Islamic Repubilc News Agency (IRNA). Referring to cordial ties between Tehran and Abuja, Zarif expressed concern over the sad events in Nigeria, during which a number of Muslims were killed and wounded in Zaria, Kaduna State. “Nigerian government is expected to take serious
and emergency measure to avoid aggression and bring tranquility to that country,” Zarif was quoted by IRNA to have told Onyeama. Nigerian foreign minister, too, hoped peace would be restored to the region and conflicts avoided, as the senior officials in the country hold talks on the
How I escaped assassination attempt —Buratai Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, on Monday, narrated how he escaped the Shiite attack on his convoy in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Saturday, attributing it to the will of God. Buratai, who spoke with newsmen immediately after appearing before the
Senate Committee on Defence, alongside other security chiefs, at the National Assembly, said the Shiite members were violent. “You want to know how I escaped? It was by the will of God that I was able to escape from that place. I think NTA was there and they aired the clip, it was very clear. They were violent, definitely this is very clear, the clips are there.
That was what happened,” he said. The army chief called on all Nigerians to be law abiding, stating that nobody should take the law into his hands. The permanent secretary, Ministry of Defence, Samaila Aliyu, who also appeared before the committee, said his ministry was to pay N10.6 billion compensation as judgment debts.
He said the said amount, which emanated from different court judgments, had been included in the 2016 budget. “We have judgments that have been delivered against us. Some have gone up to the Supreme Court. One is for N8.5 billion and the other is for N2.1 billion. We have backed the request with the judgments,” he said.
We will remove fuel subsidy in 2016 —FG Says petrol may sell for N97/litre Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja THE Federal Government plans to adjust the price of petroleum products and commence a subsidy removal process in 2016, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has said. The minister, who made the disclosure while appearing before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Finance and National Planning, to defend the 2016 to 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), said the government would have spent the sum of N1 trillion at the end of 2015. The minister, who disclosed that a gradual process of subsidy removal would be put in place, said the price of petrol might first be adjusted to N97 per litre, from the current N87 per litre, after which the government might finally go for full subsidy removal. According to him, the current projections around oil had shown that there should not be subsidy, adding, however, that instead of going for a total subsidy removal, the government was thinking of “price modulation.” He stated that the subsidy figures for 2015 would stand at N1 trillion if the portion of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was added to the subsidy expenses. He disclosed that though fuel price stood at N97 per litre before the previous government took it to N87 per litre, the incumbent government had to take it back
to N97 in the nearest future. “The current pricing work we are doing had shown that there should not really be subsidy. The government does not need to fund subsidy. There is energy around the removal of subsidy. Most Nigerians we talk to today would say, that’s where to go. I have since left the dictionary of subsidy by going to price modulation, which is a bit more technical. “Price of refined products today is N87. It was N97 before it was removed and we really have to go back to that because we don’t really have the finance to remove it. “There are lots of safety barometer between the N87 and N97per litre regime between which government does not have to fund subsidy. Yet the prices would be fairly close to what it used to be today. That is the first mechanism we are going to work out. It is when that mechanism fails that we will begin to look at a total subsidy exit. We believe we could achieve that,” he said. He also assured the National Assembly that the government would meet the projected daily oil production schedule in the 2016 budget. According to him, from August this year, the daily oil production had exceeded two million barrels, adding that while the NDPC plans to produce 300,000 barrels per day, internal projections in the system stands at 2.4 million barrels per day. “We would address issues of security and other impediments to the realisation of our target. We are looking
at a collective and holistic handling of security issues between the NNPC and the oil majors with us taking the lead,” he said. While defending oil benchmark of $38 per barrel, which forms the basis for the 2016 budget, Kachikwu said the projection at OPEC was along that line. He also stated that the projection indicated that non-interference in production cost would lead to a southward movement in terms of pricing, leading to an expected rise to $45 per barrel in January. “We expect an increase as from early January when we expect it go up by $45 to $50 per barrel in spite of OPEC projection. We expect it to hit $70 per barrel in 2017,” he said. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma also spoke in line with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, adding that though consultations were ongoing, stakeholders have advised against subsidy in 2016. Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who also addressed the Joint National Assembly sitting, said government was setting up strategies to reduce personnel cost by N100 billion in 2016. The figure for 2015 stood at N1.8 trillion. She said government would take steps to ensure that whatever money that was being taken from the account of any MDA was done electronically, adding that while Nigeria paid N1.8 trillion in 2015 as personnel cost strategies were being put in place to reduce it by
N100 billion in 2016. On borrowing, she informed that government was already speaking with some of the lenders, disclosing that any money borrowed would be capital and project tied. The minister insisted that the word bailout was not correct, because it suggested that it was a dash, maintaining that all states that benefitted would actually pay back through monthly deductions from their statuary allocation. On the projected N1.5 trillion revenue for 2016, Adeosun stated that the government was just trying to be conservative, believing that it is possible. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, in his own submission, said stability of prices would be guaranteed in addition to ensuring stable exchanges rate. According to him, “the exchange rate is actually N260 per dollar at the parallel market, but the official rate is N197 per dollar. “The CBN rate would revolve around a particular band which is N197. It could swing up to N197 or below. The truth is that, historically, exchange rate for budget has never been based on the parallel market rate which, as far as we are concerned, is a shallow market because it controls about five per cent of the market,” The market, he said, was substantially dominated by speculators and rent seekers, adding that “in the last 12 to 15 months, we have seen a massive drop in commodity prices, especially oil.”
issue, according to IRNA. Also, spokesman of Iranian Foreign Ministry, Hossein Jaber Ansari, expressed regret over the bloody conflicts in the past two days in Nigeria. Jaber Ansari said that it was saddening that the conflicts in Zaria on Saturday and Sunday resulted in death and injury of a large number of Muslims and worshippers of the Zaria city. “Nigeria, as an important member-state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is now facing the problems emanating from extremism and Takfiri terrorism and we hope that under such conditions, maintaining tranquility and national solidarity to fight terrorism is to be prioritised and hasty and unconstructive measures to be avoided,” he added. In a related development, leader of the Sadrist Movement in Iraq, Moqtada al-Sadr, on Monday, criticised attack on the house of the Shiite cleric, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and called on his followers to go out in protest demonstrations on Friday. Sadr, in a statement posted on his official website, Shafaq News said “attacking unarmed, supporters of Sheikh ElZakzaky and arresting or killing him without guilt, just because they are opponents is aggression and a deliberate attempt to stoke sectarian strife.” Sadr called on Iraqis to go out en masse for demonstrations on Friday in Najaf, Karbala and all the provinces to protest, as well as raising pictures of El-Zakzaky and his assistant, Sheikh Toure, who was killed by the authorities. Al-Sadr demanded to send a parliamentary government delegation from al-Hozoa to find out the facts of the incident, while appealing to the international bodies to intervene and end such attacks. Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, warned the Federal Government not to allow the crisis between the military and the Shiite Islamic movement to go out of hand. The monarch called on President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the clash, recalling that the Boko Haram insurgency started in a similar manner. He made the observations in a statement signed on his behalf by Is-haq Oloyede, secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
“While there are claims and counter-claims on what actually precipitated the latest heart-rending incident, the NSCIA urges the authorities to exercise restraint. “The history of the circumstances that engendered the outbreak of militant insurgency in the past, with cataclysmic consequences that Nigeria is yet to recover from, should not be allowed to repeat itself. The Shiite movement, on Monday, alleged that the Nigerian Army killed over 1,000 of its members in Zaria. This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna and signed by the acting director of information of the sect, Ibrahim Musa, on Monday. “About a thousand of members of the movement have been massacred at the moment as counting continues, but the soldiers are now busy evacuating the dead bodies to unknown destination,” the statement declared. The statement noted that the army had taken the revered leader of the movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky from his house and was receiving treatment for injuries he sustained during the attack. “Members of the movement should be allowed immediate access to Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky as a means of taming the situation from aggravating unnecessarily,” the statement demanded. Reacting to the military engagement with the Shiite member, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General A.Oyebade, said the army took the decision because the action of the Shiite members was a threat to national security and survival of the country7. General Oyebade disclosed that the Shiite leader is safe in a protective custody, adding that his wife was also safe., “In due course, he will speak to his members very soon. I want to say we are not in position to give the number of casualties as both sides had, but the number of casualties was not too disturbing figure,” he said. “We urge the Federal Government to immediately constitute a judicial commission of inquiry to thoroughly unravel the immediate and remote causes of the current mayhem. Besides, the commission should also investigate the past incidents involving the movement so that justice can be done,” the statement read.
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PDP tackles information minister over state of economy •Wants free hand for anti-graft agencies Leon Usigbe And Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja
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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has responded to the claim by Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, blaming the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration for the current poor state of the nation’s economy. The statement issued by the National Publicity of the party, Olisa Metuh, in
Abuja on Monday, said, “it was ridiculous for the minister to blame the PDP for the apparent failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration.” It said it was clear from the statement that the ongoing campaign against the PDP and the media and mob trial of opposition elements in the country was being coordinated from the office of the Minister. The statement added:
“We are aware that large sums of money have been made available for this purpose, hence the desire of the Minister to justify his brief. “In carrying out his brief, Lai Mohammed has chosen to ignore the time-honoured admonition that those who go to equity must come with clean hands. Otherwise, how would this minister possibly forget that having served as Chief of Staff
in one of the most corrupt state governments in the country, he clearly lacks the moral and ethical standing to accuse other people of corruption? “Our position on the issue of fighting corruption in the country remains that there should be a holistic and all encompassing approach that is devoid of persecution and selective victimization of opponents of the government.
Census in 2016 not feasible —NPC Adetola Bademosi-Abuja
THE National Population Commission (NPC) has stated that the much anticipated 2016 census is not feasible but could be conducted in 2017. It said, going by the United Nations guidelines, the Census is due by 2016 but this cannot be achieved as it requires two years to plan for census. The NPC Chairman, Eze Duruiheoma who disclosed this in Abuja, on Monday, at a luncheon for
journalists said even if adequately funded, the possibility of conducting a well planned census was not realistic. Speaking through the Federal Commissioner Representing Enugu, Dr Festus Uzor, the chairman reassured that the next census is one that would be credible and involve the use of biometrics. He further stated that the commission also, has embarked on the Enumeration Area Demarcation
FG committed to solid minerals development —Fayemi Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja
FOLLOWING the continued dwindling of oil revenue accruing to the country, the Federal Government on Monday, expressed its commitment to ensuring that solid minerals become a viable alternative revenue earner to boost the economic base of the country. The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who said this during a tour of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited in Kogi State, added that President Muhammadu Buhari was passionate about the completion and effective operation of the Company 35 years after it was envisioned. Speaking with newsmen after the one-day official visit to the company, he said the new administration would not pay lip service to the development of the solid mineral sector of the economy of Nigeria. According to him, efforts were being made to holistically look at the factors that had not enabled the project to move to the level at which it would aid the industrialisation of the country. The minister lamented that what the country and successive governments could not achieve in the last 35 years were being achieved by private individuals and corporate or-
ganisations in the country. Fayemi said, “This is a fact finding mission and the one-hour tour cannot give me a full impression on what I have seen here. Clearly, it is my first time of visiting the Ajaokuta steel plant and it is an impressive sight to behold. “Our duty is to study what we have seen, look at all the comparative experiences we can get around the world and decide the way forward with the President coming with the clear picture of what we should do. The focus for us as a Government is that solid minerals would become for us an alternative revenue earner for the country and not just in name only, or just by paying lip service to it. “We have come here to see how come we have not been able to achieve this desire that all Nigerians have that we would become a nation that turns it’s potentials to reality. That is why we are here. “We have had extensive conversation with the sole administrator and his team we have reviewed all the papers we have been able to see on this project and we will continue to try as much as we can looking at examples from other parts of the world where they have succeeded in building several plants after we started our own.”
(EAD) programme which serves as a prerequisite to conducting Census. “We set out planning for the 2016 census because going by the United Nations principles and guidelines for census, it should hold between five to ten years. Census is supposed to hold in 2016 in Nigeria going by the fact that the last census held in 2006 but the reality on ground
is that it requires a minimum of two years to plan well for census, even if you have all the money. “So if all the money required for it is given to us today, we will not be ready by 2016 to do a good job and it is our position that we will rather not do a job than to do a bad job because that is a waste of national resources.”
“If the government is indeed interested in tackling corruption, then it will do well to strengthen the agencies charged with fighting corruption and allow such agencies the freedom to do their work without interference. “The present situation where officials of the government like the Minister of Information will go about slandering opposition figures whilst ignoring the clear cases of corruption against members of the ruling party, will do our dear country more harm than good. “The issue of corruption in Nigeria is not political and has no partisan inclination and should not therefore be treated as a campaign issue. The rul-
ing party must understand that Nigerians are tired of the unnecessary blame game. “Nigerians want an honest approach to the issue of tackling corruption. A situation where someone is only corrupt if he does not cross over to the APC is simply laughable. “It is indeed ridiculous that clearly corrupt people are rewarded with government positions upon embracing the APC, whilst those who stay back in PDP are vilified.” The PDP reminded the federal government that the mere fact of purporting to fight corruption did not take away it’s obligation to provide good and effective governance for the people.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Foluke Racheal Sangolade now MRS FOLUKE RACHEAL AJAGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Suleman Adamu now SULEMAN AMADU. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc., and general public take note
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Oyo APC denies report against Alao-Akala
Benue judicial panel probes N223m Christmas rice, election mobilisation funds
By Tunde Ogunesan
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) Oyo State has denied ever issuing a statement against the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala over his intention to join the ruling party in the state. According to a statement issued by the party’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Wasiu Sadare, the claim by national newspaper did not reflect the position of the party. Sadare, was reported in a national daily (not Nigerian Tribune) was quoted to have stated that the party is not aware of AlaoAkala’s planned defection to the party. And wondering why he was quoted, Sadare took to his social media wall to express his feeling, apparently because of backlash from party leadership. On his Facebook wall on Monday morning, Sadare said “This is another political tribulation. May God help me.” But clarifying the position of the party, Sadare in the statement said, “The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has denied media reports which had it that it denied the knowledge of former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s overtures to join its fold from the Labour Party where he contested the last gubernatorial election in the state. “One of the national daily (names withheld) reported on Monday that the Oyo State Chapter of the APC claimed that it was not in the know of Alao-Akala’s moves to lead all his supporters across the state to defect massively to the ruling party in a matter of time.
Johnson Babajide-Makurdi
President Muhammadu Buhari with leader of delegation and chairman, Flour Mills Nigeria Ltd, Mr John Coumantaros (third left); Alhaji Ahmed Joda (left); Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh (second right) and the Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, as President Buhari receives in audience, Senior Management of Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.
Aregbesola presents N150.7bn 2016 budget Oluwole Ige-Osogbo
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OVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, on Monday, presented the 2016 draft budget of N150.7 billion before the state House of Assembly. The budget size, which is reduced by 25.3 per cent than the 2015 budget, which stood at N201.7 billion was presented on behalf of the governor by the Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Segun Olorunsogo, at the plenary. The draft had the recurrent expenditure of N82,744,396,580.00 representing 54.9 per cent and capital expenditure
of N67,983,848,960.00, representing 45.1 per cent, while it has the recurrent revenue of N113,185,677,170.00 and capital receipt of N37,542,568,370.00. In a letter read by the Deputy Speaker, Akintunde Adegboye, who presided over the plenary, notifying the Assembly on his approval for the presentation of the budget, Aregbesola said the proposed budget reflected the economic realities of the state and Nigeria in general. He said the economic situation prevented the state from effective implementation of the 2015 budget, saying this would compel the state to be more prag-
AN Ado Ekiti High Court has dismissed a suit brought before it by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, contesting the composition of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC). Ekiti APC had, through its lawyers, Abiodun Fasakin and Tajudeen Akingbolu, challenged the composition of the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), alleging that the commission’s chairman and some of its members were mem-
implementation and performance of the budget, he said the state would ensure non-reliance on the revenue from the Federation Account. Olorunsogo also said the state would renew its aggression in the collection of IGR, especially, the revenue collectable from the MDAs as well as the informal sectors of the economy. He added that the government would set up an all-inclusive Revenue Monitoring Committee towards offering continuous- direction at ensuring improvement in revenue collection and blockage of loopholes.
Oshiomhole presents N111.5bn 2016 budget Banji Aluko-Benin City
GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has presented the state’s 2016 budget of N111.5 billion to the state House of Assem-
bly for approval. Tagged “Budget of Finishing Well,” the 2016 budget is 12.6 per cent lower than the 2015 budget which was revised downward to N127.01 billion due
Court dismisses APC’s suit against Ekiti LG polls •APC kicks, says we’ll appeal Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti
matic in its revenue drive as the present situation could not cater for the revenue plan of the state. Aregbesola, however, pleaded with the legislature not to give consideration to any ministry, department and agencies of government towards increasing the proposed budget figure due to dwindling revenue available to the state, stressing that the budget had already been overstretched. Shortly after presenting the budget, Olorunsogo said the focal point of the budget was on the completion of the ongoing projects embarked upon by the government. To ensure high level of
bers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The trial judge, Justice Dele Omotosho, in dismissing the suit, held that the claimants (APC) failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore dismissed the motion, believed to be aimed at scuttling Saturday’s local government election in the state, for lacking in merit. Justice Dele Omotosho who presided over the case said that the claimants were Paul Omotosho and Kemisola Olaleye who were represented in the court by Mr Kolade Amire.
The defendants were governor of Ekiti State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the SIEC chairman, Justice Kayode Bamisile (rtd) and members of the state independent Electoral Commission represented by the defence counsel, Samuel Oyadoyin. Justice Omotosho added that the plaintiff sought for relief on its purported claims that the constitution of EKSIEC by the governor was unconstitutional and that the commission’s members were “card carrying members of the PDP.”
to economic realities. While presenting the budget, the governor said the “reduction is in line with current economic realities, especially developments in the international oil market and the dwindling inflows from the Federation Account.” He said the policy focus of the Year 2016 Budget is the completion or near completion of on-going road construction/rehabilitation projects across the state, noting that roads at various stages of completion would be accorded priority. Capital expenditure will take N58.9 billion representing 52.84 per cent of the total budget, while the proposed recurrent expenditure is N52.6 billion representing 47.16 per cent of the budget. A breakdown of the budget shows that Education and Health sub-sectors take the lion share with
N14 billion each followed by roads infrastructure at N9.24 billion and flood and erosion control at N8 billion. The governor assured people of the state that “in 2016 fiscal year, efforts would be geared towards substantial completion of all the outstanding Storm Water projects across the state, the completion of the Auchi, Queen Ede and Ekekhuan gully erosion remediation projects, substantial completion of all current streetlight projects and institutionalisation of the process of maintenance of all built infrastructure, streetlights and drains. “This administration is currently working on the designs for the following seven gully erosion sites approved: Ibore, Ewu, Emu, Ogiso/Osunde, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), and Auchi Agenebode Road gully erosion sites.
JUDICIAL Commission of Inquiry chaired by Justice Elizabeth Orjime sitting in Makurdi, Benue State capital, probing the activities of immediate past administration of Dr Gabriel Suswam asked among others how the past administration mobilised political appointees and senior civil servants for April 11 governorship election to the tune of N121.7million. The commission also investigated how N102million was expended on Christmas rice in 2014. While giving evidence on Monday, two witnesses who are accountants from the office of Head of Service and Secretary to State Government, Mrs Maria Iortyom and Mr Agbam Okoo respectively, submitted that the money was received from the Ministry of Finance to mobilise people for the governorship election.
Gov Dickson inaugurates 6-member panel to probe electoral violence FOLLOWING the reported violence that trialed the conduct of the re-scheduled Governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson has inaugurated a six member Judicial Commission of Inquiry with an eight point terms of reference. Performing the inauguration at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa on Monday, the commission is to determine among others, the number and identities of persons that were injured or killed during the violence that occurred in parts of the state from December 3 to 6, 2015. Also the commission headed by Justice Margret Akpomiemie of the Bayelsa State Judiciary is to determine the number and identities of persons, if any that were killed by extra-judicial means or by violence, or by secret cult related activities or other related activities in the state from 2007 till date.
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Lagosmetro Fuel subsidy protest killing: Former DPO gets
15 years jail term Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin
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former Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Segun Fabunmi, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter following the shooting to death of one Ademola Aderintola Daramola during the 2012 fuel subsidy protest in Lagos. Justice Akinlade also found Fabunmi, a dismissed Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), guilty of shooting three other persons, Alimi Abubakar, Egbujor Samuel and Chizorba Odoh, during the protest, thereby causing them grievous bodily harm. She sentenced him to five years on this count, but both sentences are to run concurrently. Fabunmi, of No. 12 Oyewole Street, Ogudu, Lagos, was arraigned on May 5, 2013 by the Lagos State government on a seven-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm. At the time of the incident, the defendant was the DPO of Pen Cinema Police
Station, Agege and had led out his men to Yaya-Abatan area of Ogba following intelligence report that there was a disturbance in that area. The court agreed with the defendant that there was indeed a mob at the scene of the incident, but concluded that he gave conflicting testimonies on whether or how an attempt was made to snatch his AK-47 rifle and who fired the weapon.
The judge also rejected the defence counsel’s argument that the shooting was the result of an accident when the defendant struggled with the mob to retain possession of his rifle. Relying on the witnesses’ testimonies and all the evidence tendered, Justice Akinlade said: “The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the defendant recklessly shot his rifle and in the process the
bullet hit the deceased. He definitely knew that shooting an AK-47 can cause grievous bodily harm to anyone the bullet hit. “The fact that he was on a lawful duty did not mean that he should have shot his gun sporadically.” The judge held that the prosecutors, Lagos Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Idowu Alakija and Assistant Director Mrs. Abiola Adeyinka, satisfactorily
proved the offence of murder but that the evidence provided by the defence team led by Mr. George Oguntade, availed the defendant of the defence of provocation, resulting in the lesser charge of manslaughter. She said: “The defence of provocation will avail the defendant. It is evident that there was no time for his passion to cool before the gun was fired.”
The deplorable state of a street at Ijora. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA
A member of a three-man armed robbery gang that terrorised Apapa and Mile 2 areas has blamed poverty for his involvement in armed robbery. The suspect also claimed that the gang’s successful operations were as a result of the availability of operational motorbikes which aided their escape from scenes of robbery. The suspect, Ese Ebrorhie, was a few days ago arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) who foiled an attempt by members of the gang to unleash mayhem on law abiding residents of the state. Two members of the gang escaped with a locally-made double barrel gun and a pistol, while Ese was nabbed by policemen. In his confessional statement to the police, he said
he joined the robbery syndicate to source for livelihood. “I bought a fairly used motorcycle popularly known as okada which developed small problem and there was nobody to help me, so I joined the gang to raise funds to repair the okada,” Ese said. The suspect who explained how his gang usually perpetuated their crimes, said they operated at dawn around 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and at night from 9:00 p.m.
“We rob only commercial buses by pretending to be passengers at bus stop around Mile 2 and Apapa. “Once inside the bus, the gang leader simply identified as Zubby, who is holding one of our guns, will hold the bus driver hostage while we began to rob and dispossess every passenger of their belongings. After the operation, we will disembark and mount our waiting bike moving beside the bus to escape.
An alleged phone thief, Shola Afeez, has been accused of stealing a Microsoft cell phone valued at N25,000. Afeez, 25, and unemployed was residing at No 5, Senami Street, Topo in Badagry, Lagos State, is fac-
ing a charge of stealing. According to the police, Afeez stole the phone from one Miss Sarah Akinsanya. It was gathered that the victim was walking on the street when the accused quietly walked up to her and took her phone from inside her bag. The victim noticed it, raised
Lanre Adewole
olanreade@yahoo.com
0811 695 4647
Boko Haram: CP meets with hoteliers Olalekan Olabulo AS parts of the activities by the police to forestall the incursion of members of Boko Haram in the state, the police have met with hotel and hospitality owners. The state police boss, Fatai Owoseni, said the meeting was as a result of the alarm raised by the United States on the plan by members of the sect to attack some places in Nigeria. Owoseni also stated that measures have been taken to put hotel owners on the alert to guide against any attack by Boko Haram members. “It is true that we met with hotel owners. We met with many of them, especially the bigger ones that attract foreign guests. It is as a result of the warning from the US,” the police boss said. He also added that measures had been taken to guide against any attack on some of the hotels and public places in the state.
— AMATO Tola Adenubi “I have gone on three operations with them. The first operation, I was given N8,000. For the second one, I was given N15,000. This is my third operation with the gang. Zubby, is the one that collects and sells all the belongings we collect during operations. He is the one who shares the booty to everyone,” he added. “I live in Takwa Bay, Snake Island. Before every robbery operation, we converge at Berger. Most of our victims
mistake us for passengers. When I asked Zubby where he got the guns, he told me that he bought them. Zubby is Igbo while Emmanuel is from Calabar,” he said. He claimed that he knew members of the gang since he came to Lagos as a carwasher but did not know they were armed robbers then. “They invited me to the operation whenever they wish. Sometimes, I can be in Berger for two days without seeing them,” he added.
Man charged to court for stealing phone Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin
Edited By
Extortion by hoodlums, traffic regulators killing our business
I went into robbery to feed myself — Suspect Olalekan Olabulo
Nigerian Tribune
an alarm and the suspect was apprehended by passers-by. The offence according to the police contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, while Section 285 prescribes a threeyear imprisonment for convicted offenders. Afeez, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The counsel to the accused, Mr Dotun Kinrin, urged the court to grant his client bail since it was a bailable offence. The presiding magistrate, Abiodun Etti of a Badagry Magistrates’ Court granted him N50,000 bail and consequently adjourned the matter till January 7 for mention.
THE Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has decried the subjection of its members to undue extortion by hoodlums and road traffic regulators. The association noted that the practice has made their business unprofitable. The AMATO chairman, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, said that despite the huge investment members of the association were making in the business, the truck owners were running at a loss. “The challenges that are confronting the truck operators in maritime industry are enormous. “They are no longer breaking even. The amount they are putting in into the business is more than what they are receiving back from the business. “Among the challenges are extortion by different traffic regulators; extortion even within the cities,” he said.
news 14 killed in Plateau night attack
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Isaac Shobayo-Jos
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fter weeks of respite, 14 people were killed while many others sustained injuries in a midnight raid allegedly perpetrated by Fulani attackers in Kwatta area of Jos South
Local Government Area of Plateau State. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the attackers had previously written to the people of Kwatta, Trade Centre and Kuru communities all in Jos South Local Government some weeks ago, of their
intention to attack. In the letter, the people were told to prepare for the looming attack but the people seem to have dismissed the notice with a wave of hand. According to an eyewitness who identified himself as Dalyop, the attackers broke into peoples houses
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday and hacked down hapless children and women and leaving them in the pool of their blood. Dalyop said the attackers, who broke into their houses through the weak doors and windows, most of which were made from
zinc roofing sheets, shot anyone who tried to escaped. The Media Officer Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Captain Iweha Ihedichi, who confirmed the incident to Nigerian Tribune said prior to the attack, two Fulani men were killed in Wareng community close to Kwatta, adding that OPSH invited the district head who is presently on the run. Capatin Ikedichi stated that the command has an-
ticipated a reprisal attack in Wareng and Kwatta and deployed his men to the communities, adding that the people rejected the military personnel deployed to the community on the premise that they can defend themselves only for the attackers to launch attack on Kwatta on Sunday. He said the command has deployed more men to the area while some of the inhabitants had returned to their homes and enjoined the people to be vigilant and remain calm.
Para-military allegedly kills Akungba final year student •Parents seek justice Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure
From left, Director-General, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr Sola Omole; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ayo Adesugba, inspecting some of the burnt equipment at the NTA International Earth Station room, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN
SUSPECTED para-military organisation operating within the campus of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) Ondo State have been fingered in the murder of a part four student of the school named Ewarawon Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa, a psychology student of the institution who was said to be the only son of his aged mother was attacked by suspected Cadet Officers led by one Adeola Adedoyin, a student of Philosophy department in
No valid ID, no hotel accommodation in Sokoto —Tambuwal Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has said any guest without valid identification cards (ID) will not be checked into hotels in the state as from January, 2016. Tambuwal made the statement in Sokoto, on Monday, at the inauguration of a four-star hotel, called Hotel Taraka International. “This new policy which mandates all guests in all hotels across the state to present valid ID cards before they are checked in will come into effect from January, 2016,” he explained. The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Tourism, Alhaji Aminu Bello, urged “all hoteliers in the state to cooperate with government and other security agencies. “The policy became imperative in view of the prevailing security situation across the state as nothing should be left to chance. All guests coming into the state and other residents across the state should bear with the new policy as it is aimed at further enhancing the security of lives and property,’’ Tambuwal said. He urged the people of the state and other wealthy individuals to continue to
invest in the tourism sector to boost the business envi-
ronment in the state. The proprietor of the
hotel, Mr John Anya, said that the gesture was aimed
at broadening the hospitality landscape in the state.
I’ll improve on peace —Olu of Warri Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko, two days after his coronation, has promised to work and improve on peace in Warri and environs. This, he said, he would pursue by working closely with other traditional rulers in Delta State. The monarch stated this on Monday in his maiden
interaction with journalists at his palace in Warri. The royal father assuring Itsekiris and other Deltans, vowed to provide true and transparent leadership that will be the envy of everyone. He also expressed joy and excitement at the turn-out of personalities, during his coronation last Saturday at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri). He also promised not to ever engage in any mat-
ter that will embarrass the trust, which the people repose in him, while appealing to the media to assist him in achieving this. “I want to appeal to you to focus on issues that unite us and our neighbours, and to avoid sensational, negative stories that could polarise us and promote bitterness and rancour. “We seek to assure you that this palace will be open to newsmen for them
Newly sworn in Jos-East LG chairman dies in road accident
The newly sworn-in Chairman, Jos-East Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dr Hosea Azi is dead. The Plateau State government on Monday announced that Azi died on Friday, in a motor accident. The Governor, Mr Simon Lalong, in a statement in Jos, described Azi’s death as “very shocking”. “I received the news of the sudden demise of the newly sworn-in Management Committee Chairman of Jos East Local Government Council, Dr Hosea Azi, with great shock,” Lalong said in the statement signed by his Director of Press Affairs, Mr
Emmanuel Nanle. The statement explained that Azi died in an accident on his way to Abuja, when the vehicle he was travelling in, rammed into a stationary truck resulting in the death of the chairman and two others. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Azi was sworn in to replace Mr Sanda Daura, who was removed from office, “in response to the yearnings of the people of Jos East.” Lalong described Azi as an astute politician and an academic of repute, who was appointed into government to provide the needed people-oriented leadership
having garnered experience as a member of the Plateau House of Assembly.
to have access to information and be able to clarify issues, hear our own side before they rush to the press,” Ogaime Ikenwoli stated. He noted that “therein lies your freedom to free speech, free association, freedom to write and reprint the truth and avoid publishing rumours.” HRM Emiko assured that the palace together with the Council of Chiefs is prepared to work with the media. He assured that every living soul residing within his kingdom will not be molested, embarrassed in any way, no matter the ethnic group they belong.
the school. According to a source, Olumuyiwa was said to be asleep in his room when his attackers descended on him, brutalised and beat him to a coma. The attackers after beating him to a coma took him to an hospital and dumped him at the clinic. The source said further that the deceased family when they were informed of the development took Olumuyiwa’s body from the hospital to Trauma Centre Ondo, where he was referred to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), but the boy never came out of coma and died on December 6. The family urged the Commissioner of Police to use his good to cause full investigation of the murder of Olumuyiwa by the suspected Cadet Officers and asked the authorities of the institution to look at the activities of some armed gang who operated under the disguise of para-military to attack members of the public. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Femi Joseph described the death of Olumuyiwa as unfortunate and assured that the state Police command will uncover those behind the death of the young man. He said that two of the suspects have been arrested and helping the State Criminal Investigating Department (SCID) in its bid to bring the killers to book saying his men are on trail of other suspects who are now at large.
Gunmen kill 2, injure others in Port Harcourt Uduakabasi Patrick-Port Harcourt
Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on Monday killed two and injured scores of people around Emenike Mile two axis of Port Harcourt. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the gunmen, allegedly returning from an operation, heard gun shots by the police. When the armed robbers
noticed police presence around the area, it was gathered that they started shooting sporadically into the air which made innocent people in the area take to their heels. An eyewitness, Amina James told Nigerian Tribune that a bus conductor, who was going about his business, was also killed by the stray-bullet. “I went to submit the sales I made from my busi-
ness for that day, when I heard the gunshot. When I turned back, people were already running helterskelter, before I knew what was happening a stray-bullet from the armed robbers has penetrated the buttock of a girl. She was suddenly rushed to the hospital,” she said. Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officers at news time was not successful.
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Nigerian Tribune
FG to audit NIMASA over N100bn yearly budget spending •Berates NPA over slow cargo evacuation •Anxiety as NPA sets to sack 5000 dockworkers today • Tally clerks, onboard security yet to receive salaries Tola Adenubi - Lagos
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he Federal Government is set to audit the Nigerian Maritime and Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over how the agency spends over N100bn given to it annually. The Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi gave this indication when he visited the agency during his maiden tour of Lagos ports and inspection exercise of ports facilities. Apparently not pleased with what he met on ground during an inspection of fa-
Guinness acquires N2.35bn distribution right to Diego Plc Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba - Lagos
Guinness Nigeria Plc has agreed to the acquisition of the distribution rights to Diageo Plc’s International Premium Spirits (IPS) brands in Nigeria worth N2.35 billion. In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday, Guiness said as part of the transaction, Guinness Nigeria would also take over various assets including the current inventory of Diageo Brands Nigeria Limited, the wholly-owned Diageo business which currently distributes and markets the IPS brands in Nigeria. “The consideration for the transaction is approximately N2.35bn. The transaction is expected to be concluded by 31 December 2015 and the new distribution agreement for the IPS brands will become effective on 1 January 2016 subject to receiving all regulatory approvals,” the company said. According to the Managing Director/CEO, Peter Ndegwa, the transaction would facilitate the achievement of the company’s ambition to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products company in Nigeria by leveraging the strength of our unparalleled portfolio of beer, adult premium non-alcoholic drinks (APNADs), ready to drink (RTDs), as well as spirits. “The integration of the Diageo IPS brands with the Guinness Nigeria brand portfolio best fits our strategy of filling the gap in our total beverage alcohol portfolio, and allows us to compete across segments within the market,” Ndegwa said.
cilities under the purview of NIMASA, Amaechi wondered what the agency does with the over N100bn giving to it annually as budgetary allocations. “Over N100 billion is given to this agency yearly and I am yet to see how it has been spent. I am yet to see some of the projects being executed by this agency,” Amaechi said. The Minister demanded for a detailed financial report and contracts awarded by the agency since its inception. Amaechi also requested for the staff nominal roll and details of staff employed by the agency and their qualifications. At the NIMASA Resource Centre located in Kirikiri, the Minister expressed displeasure with the state of facilkites at the centre. “From my inspection so far, I discovered that the
Search and Rescue clinic is not equipped; the canteen is in deteriorated condition; the chairs are not okay and the place is leaking,” the minster said. Earlier, the Minister had berated the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over Nigeria’s inability to meet up with the 48 hours cargo clearance which is the global standard for cargo evacuation from the ports. “Other countries operating maritime industry are achieving 48 hours cargo clearance, so Nigeria is not an exemption. I believe in transparency and hard work. We should endeavour to do what people are expecting us to do. “I will inform the public about the activities of the maritime industry to make sure you do what people will like to know”’ the minister said.
Already, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is set to stop further payments to about 5000 stevedores who are currently engaged in five of the nation’s seaports. The ports are: Lagos port, Tin Can Island port, Onne port, Rivers port and Calabar port. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, some of the dockworkers who identified themselves as James Ilori, Ikechukwu Nnadi and Babalola Akinfeleye lamented that despite the fact that the severance date is just 24 hours away, they are yet to get paid their outstanding wages and are not even sure if they should come to work tomorrow. “I don’t know what to tell my children at home. Maybe I should just stay back at home and not bother to come to work tomorrow. Even if they go ahead and
disengage us, what about our outstanding wages? We are yet to get a kobo while still under contract; only God knows what will happen when we are no longer under contract,” one of the affected stevedores said. The affected stevedores are members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN). It will be recalled that the Nigerian Tribune reported last week that stevedoring companies have stepped up their lobby to arm-twist the NPA into rescinding the December 15, 2015 deadline given to the on-board security men and tally clerks. Sources at the Federal Ministry of Transport hinted our correspondent that there have been moves to force NPA to continue payment of the embattled stevedores, in view of the political implication to the new Federal Government.
Nigerian Tribune also gathered that even though the NPA had promised to pay all outstanding monies it is owing tally clerks and on-board security men before December 15, 2015 (today), none of the affected worked have been paid the outstanding wages. The National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC) has also accused NPA of making empty promises. President association, Bolaji Sunmola confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the NPA has not paid any of its members as promised. The NPA’s Executive Director Marine and Operations, David Omonibeke had at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos, recently, assured that the NPA would pay the tally clerks all their outstanding arrears before today.
Crisis rocks IMAN, sacked head of task force Tola Adenubi - Lagos
Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing PLC, Mrs Olaposi Williams (second right), presenting a gift to a student of St. Timothy’s College, Joy Ogunbajo (second left), the winner of ‘Teens Can Cook,’ while the Head Teacher, St. Finbarrs College, Mr Daniel Ikediobi (first right) and a teacher, Mrs Nwabueze Folukemi look on, during the grand finale/ end of the year edition of ‘Teens Can Cook’ competition, powered by O-GAS for Secondary Schools, held at St. Finbarrs College Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.
NSE: ASI depreciates by 0.33% as Tigerbrands lead gainers The equities market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) begins the week on a negative note, as NSE ASI depreciated by 0.33 per cent to close at 27,179.28 basis points on Monday. This was against the 0.23 per cent appreciation recorded at the close of trading on Friday. However, market turnover closed positive as volume went up by 195.50 per cent against 21.03 per cent decline recorded on Friday, an impressive performance in recent times. Champion Breweries Plc, Tiger Branded Consumer Goods Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc were the most active to boost market turnover, with each trading 100,082,150 shares, 63,474,525 shares and 53,632,881 shares respectively. Guiness Nigeria Plc
and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc made top market value list with N669.9 million and N496.2 million. Champion Breweries Plc led the list of active stocks that recorded impressive volume spike at the end of day trade after advancing to 100.1 million shares from
11,000 shares traded on Friday. Tiger Branded Consumer Goods Plc led 15 gainers on the chart against 23 losers topped by Eterna Plc at the end of Monday trading. Berger Paints Plc came second on the gainers’ chart with 4.97 per cent increase
to close at N1.26 kobo per share, followed by Greif Nigeria Plc that added 46 kobo to its N9.37 kobo per share. At the end of Monday trading on the Nigerian Bourse, 417,842,466 number of shares worth N2.97 billion exchanged hands in 2,710 deals.
Akin Adewakun - Lagos
Daramola, said the new water plant had become imperative, considering the need to step up the production of the company’s products; which are becoming increasingly popular among consumers in the country. He said with its current production of 12 billion bottles of Trophy lager beer and 15 billion bottles of Voltic annually, the new plant would go a long way in helping the company to further expand its produc-
tion capacity to serve the customers better. He added that the company had earmarked a substantial part of its proceeds from its lager beer for empowerment initiatives for the youths in the area. Commending the company for its support at eradicating poverty in the state, the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, said such support had become imperative to the nation’s economy.
IBPLC inaugurates new water plant International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), Ilesa, has announced the commissioning of a new water plant at the company’s premises, in Ilesa, Osun State, to enable it further deliver on quality products and meet the growing demands of the company’s products, in the state and its environs. Speaking at the inauguration, the chairman of the company, Otunba Michael
Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has sacked its Director-General of National Taskforce (NATFORCE), Dr Osita Okereke, for alleged fraud and forgery of its Certificate of Incorporation. The NATFORCE is a creation of the Importers Association of Nigeria. Reading a three-point communiqué to journalists over the weekend, the Board of Trustees Chairman of IMAN; Gilbert Bravo Obi said the decision to sack Okereke was reached at IMAN’s board meeting, held on Friday, December 2015. Obi, while accusing Orekere of fraud, he said: “Chief Dr Osita Okereke forged and sworn an affidavit to obtain another certificate of incorporation at the Corporate Affairs Commission Headquarters, Abuja without the consent of the BOT members and had been expelled and henceforth ceases to be the IMAN-NATFORCE Director General respectively with effect from 11/12/2015.” The communiqué was signed by the National Secretary, BOT and three other members of the association. The sacked DG has since been directed to hand over all properties and documents of the association to the BOT chairman with immediate effect. Jackson Bent has also been named as the new NATFORCE Director General, while Dr Raph John becomes the new National President of IMAN.
businessnews Global oil prices falls to $34 12
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
•Kachikwu calls for greater cooperation among African oil producers Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja and Agency report
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il prices fell for a seventh straight session on Monday, coming close to 11-year lows, on growing fears that the global oil glut would worsen in the months to come. Brent crude fell by 3.4 per cent to below $36.70 a barrel for the first time since December 2008 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sank 2.5 per cent below $34.70 a barrel. Brent traded less than 50 cents above the lows last seen during the 2008 financial crisis of $36.20 a barrel. “Oil is coming under pressure as the lack of OPEC cuts mean incessant oversupply continues,” said Amrita Sen from Energy Aspects think tank. Both benchmarks have fallen every day since the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on December 4 abandoned its output ceiling. In the past six sessions, they have shed more than 13 per cent each. OPEC has been pumping near record levels since last year in an attempt to drive higher-cost producers such as U.S. shale firms out of the market. New supply is likely to hit the market early next year as OPEC member Iran ramps up production once sanctions are lifted as expected following the July agreement on its disputed nuclear programme. “All new production will be earmarked for exports,’’ BMI Research said in a note. “In addition to volumes released from storage, Iran will be able to increase crude oil and condensates exports by a maximum of 700,000 b/d by end-2016,’’ it said. Gulf producers and Russia have said they would not cut output even if prices fell to $20 per barrel. On Friday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said that the global supply glut was likely to deepen next year and put more pressure on prices. OPEC supply is likely to increase by 1 million bpd next year, Morgan Stanley analysts said in a research note on Monday. “Almost the entirety of added supplies in 2016 will come from Iran, Iraq and Saudi,” it said. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has called on member countries of the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA), to close ranks and bring their influence to bear on the global oil and
gas production matrix. Speaking at a media briefing to herald the forthcoming 6th Africa Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE Vl) billed for Abuja from March 15 - 17, 2016, Kachikwu said that it was high time APPA members rallied round to forge common positions on critical areas of mutual interest to galvanize their stakes especially in the Organisation
of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. Speaking through the Corporation Group General Manager Public Affairs, Ohi Alegbe, Kachikwu said “APPA needs to meet more often, strategize more often and speak with one voice. The NNPC GMD also called on APPA member countries to resist the temptation of being over competitive among themselves
so as not to deplete their strength in OPEC and other global oil and gas organizations. On the forth coming CAPE VI, the Minister informed that the event which will feature the 33rd Ordinary Session of the APPA Council of Ministers meeting under the Presidency of Dr. Kachikwu is tailored to benefit Nigeria in a number of ways.
“In the first place, it is a home-coming event as Nigeria was a key founding member of APPA and a promoter of the African Petroleum Congress. We hope that the event will highlight the nation’s oil and gas potential to a global audience and help showcase Nigeria’s small and medium scale oil and gas companies to other African countries and world at large,” he said.
From left: President International Facility Management Association Nigeria, Richard Okesola; General Secretary, Lekan Akinwunmi and the Past President Iyabo Aboaba at the 18th Annual General Meeting held at the office in Yaba, Lagos.
FG plans 62m barrels exports in January •Buhari to introduce new policies on business Leon Usigbe and Tunde Dodondawa The Federal Government is planning export of about 61.8 million barrels of crude oil in January next year, the highest since October this year. This is according to available loading programmes, which indicated that the planned export volume translates to 1.99 million barrels per day, bpd. Loading information for at least two programmes was still pending, meaning the total could rise further, but the programme was already five cargoes above the 1.82 million bpd initially planned for December. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently lowered official selling prices for the country’s oil to their lowest in more than a decade as the fight for market share and millions of unsold barrels took their toll. Data obtained from global energy information providers, revealed that Nigeria is currently recording supply
glut in the sales of its crude, as buyers seem to prefer other competing grades from other countries. It still has 25 to 30 of its December cargoes available for sale, and some 10 million barrels loading in November were moved into the systems of the oil companies who owned them after failing to find spot market buyers at attractive prices. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured said that his administration will soon introduce more policies to further ease
the process of doing business in Nigeria. He gave the assurance, while speaking on Monday, in Abuja, after a presentation at the Presidential Villa on enhancing Nigeria’s trade and economic competitiveness. Buhari said the new policies will be focused on increasing efficiency and transparency in government operations, and the blocking of leakages from revenue generating agencies. The President said his administration was fully
committed to closing all the loopholes in the revenue generating agencies, increasing their efficiency in trade facilitation and ensuring transparency in all government businesses so as to attract greater foreign direct investments into the country. He added that the Nigeria Customs Service, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies will be encouraged to adopt some of the positive ideas contained in the presentation for implementation next year.
Capital market operators task FG on investment laws review Some capital market operators have stressed the need for urgent review of investment laws and privatisation framework by the Federal Government to compel companies to list at the nation’s bourse. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that government should strengthen investment laws and privatisation framework as the country plans diversification into solid
minerals to boost revenue generation. Mallam Garba Kurfi, the Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., said that government should introduce a policy that would compel multinationals to list after five years of operating in the country. Kurfi said that government should avoid the mistake made during the entrance of telecommunication companies and the privatisation of power sec-
tor. He also called on the government to overhaul the privatisation legal framework to compel emerging companies from the privatisation programme to be listed at the exchange. According to him, the overhaul of the privatisation laws would enable a large segment of Nigerians to benefit from the unbundling of our commonwealth into viable private-driven companies.
Nigerian Tribune
Sterling Bank bags West Africa awards Sterling Bank Plc has won the Best Innovative Bank and the Best Corporate Governance Bank awards. The Award was organized by Banker Africa Magazine. Apart from Sterling Bank, other financial institutions in the country swept 10 of 15 regional categories while Ghanaian and Togolese banks took three awards. It will be recalled that Sterling Bank Plc had won the award for Innovative ICT Banking Product of the Year at the Nigerian Telecoms Awards night courtesy of its social lender product and the “Most Innovative Award” at the BusinessDay Award for innovation in recognition of the introduction of Kia-Kia product by the Bank. In a statement, Robin Amlôt, Chief Executive Officer of CPI publishers of West African Magazine explained that the 29 Awards winners were chosen from some 156 nominations across all the categories by their peers in the banking and financial services sector, saying that “the winners of the Banker Africa West Africa Awards 2015 are, therefore, recognised not by a small jury but by the industry itself as being leaders in their fields. As such, their performance stands out in an increasingly competitive and exciting market-place.”
SEC commences e-Dividend registration Gbola Subair - Abuja The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised all shareholders and investors in the Nigerian Capital market to approach their banks or registrars to complete the e-Dividend mandate form for immediate processing and upload to the e-Dividend Mandate Management System (e-DMMS). According to a statement from the commission, this service is free of charge for the next 90 days effective14, December 2015, thereafter a fee of N100 will apply. It will be recalled that in a bid to eradicate the difficulty encountered by retail investors in claiming their dividends through their savings account, the SEC in collaboration with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) last July launched the e-Dividend payment platform.
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Nigerian Tribune
Steer clear of bribery, Dogara warns committee chairmen, deputies Jacobs Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel- Abuja PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Monday, warned chairmen and deputies of the standing committees of the House to steer clear from any act of bribery and avoid other corrupt practices in the discharge of their responsibilities ,saying that anybody caught in the act would be made to face the music. Dogara handed down the warning in Abuja, on Monday, at a retreat for chairmen and deputies organised by his office in conjunction with the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS). The speaker, who insisted that change must
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be regulated, said, “I have always maintained that the change promised Nigerians can only endure if it is anchored on legislation and not mere policy. “Change itself must be regulated, so that our people would not face the dangers of unregulated change”. Delivering a keynote address at the retreat with a thematic focus as: “Effec-
tive management of House committees”, the speaker said; “In exercising these enormous powers, you should strive to live above board. You must not succumb to persons or institutions that will seek to influence your judgment through corrupt means”. According to him,“if you take bribe from any person, you will impugn and
destroy the integrity of the House as an institution. “I wish to warn that we should avoid being dragged into the murky waters of corruption because we cannot beat the swines that specialise in wrestling there, to their own game. Once you are sucked in there, you are dead in the waters. Corrupt practices are danger-
Earlier, the deputy speaker, Honourable. Sulaiman Yusuf Lasun, had admonished the committees’ chairmen to “expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.”
Ogunpa traders protest planned demolition of market By Wale Akinselure HUNDREDS of traders at Ogunpa Market, Ibadan, have protested the engagement of developers by the Oyo State government to carry out the planned demolition of the market. The traders, who besieged government secretariat, Ibadan, on Monday, noted
that they had received an ultimatum last Thursday that the state government would commence the demolition on Tuesday (today). While intimating of an agreement the state government on the planned demolition and subsequent re-allocation of market stalls, the traders expressed dismay at the
timing of the recent demolition. Speaking, Iyaloja, Ogunpa/Oyo, Mrs Hamdalat Seriki, expressed fears of the traders that the engagement of developers to carry out the planned demolition and development of the market was tantamount to increased shop allocation charges.
We’ll attend to abandoned hospital built by Alao-Akala —Ajimobi By Wale Akinselure OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has assured that the abandoned multi-million naira hospital complex built by the Adebayo Alao-Akala-led administration, in Ogbomoso, would be put to use. Ajimobi, gave this hint at a public function in Ogbomoso, in the wake of resi-
ous and will never be part of the legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly”, he said He told the chairmen that their investigative activities must be based only on the need to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within their legislative competence and in the administration of funds appropriated by the National Assembly.
dents’ displeasure at the state government’s neglect of the facilities built by the Alao Akala-led administration. He said the initial plan of his administration to convert the structure into the use of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, was thwarted by legal hassles borne out
of joint ownership of the teaching hospital. This, he said, also hindered joint financing of the intended upgrade of the structure both in Ogbomoso and in Oyo. Ajimobi, however, noted, despite the hassle, the state government would utilise the structure and finance requisite rehabilitation works.
This assurance, Ajimobi said, was in line with his administration’s commitment to improving health facilities and health care delivery in the state. In the face of the nation’s financial crisis, he said, it had become imperative for individuals and organisations to volunteer to assist the state government in all spheres of development.
Adding, chairman, Youth Traders Association, Ogunpa/Onireke/Itesiwaju, Mr Folorunso Abiodun, said: “We got information that the Head of Local Administration, Onireke, was set to demolish Ogunpa Market through the services of developers. We fear that if developers are engaged to build the market, rent will be too expensive when shops are re-allocated. We posit that the government itself should carry out the task when it pleases.” An official of the state government, who addressed the market men and women, Mr Segun Bolarinwa, allayed fears of the traders noting that the developers will be admonished to stall the planned demolition. He, however, noted that the demolition was sched-
uled to commence in 2016, adding that the development of the market would be carried out in phases. “We constantly speak with the developers and know what it would cost them to develop the market. We have agreed that they would generate the building cost over time. If spread over time, it would be convenient for all and sundry. We will develop the market in phases. There is no developer that government would employ that would exorbitantly charge market men and women.” “We will speak with the HLA and developers to stall the planned demolition. However, we will still redevelop Ogunpa market but we will commence this demolition once this festive period is over.”
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Nothing like anti-social media bill before Senate —Saraki •Says ‘what we have is fictitious petition bill’ Adetola Bademosi And Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja
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ontrary to reports on alleged anti-social media bill said to be before the Senate, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, on Monday, assured that there was nothing like the anti-social media bill before the Senate. He otherwise stated that what was presently before the Senate is the ‘Fictitious Petition bill,’ which is still
being processed. The Senate President, stated this in Abuja, at a two-day sensitisation meeting with youth agencies and youth serving organisations, organised by the Women Arise for Change Initiative, on the implementation of the Guidelines on Gender Based Violence against Young Persons in Nigeria. He explained that although, the Fictitious Petition Bill contained what
he described as ‘obnoxious sections,’ such parts will not be contained in the bill. “Unfortunately in the processes generally when you debate the principles of a bill, we do not debate the details of the bill, unfortunately in the bill of fictitious petition, there is what I will call obnoxious sections there and I’m sure as you all know that these obnoxious sections will not see the light of the day by the time the bill is finished be-
cause it bears no relevance to the issue we talked about, which is, the fictitious petition bill, he said. Senator Saraki assured that the Eighth Senate has no intention to gag the Nigeria media as widely insinuated. “I want to reassure you, there is nothing called the anti-social media bill before the Senate, I want to assure you that what we have is a bill of fictitious Petition,” he said.
It would be recalled that the Bill titled “Draft Bill to Prohibit Frivolous Petition and Other Matters Connected, recently generated an outcry, as it was interpreted as such which is aimed at gagging the press and intimidate users of the social media. The Bill “Seeks to forbid social media operators from slandering members of the public including the lawmakers themselves.” Earlier, the chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, condemned the prevalence of Gender Based Violence (GBV) against young persons in the country, stressing the need to put an end to the trend. However, he assured that the Senate would ensure passage of bills aimed at addressing issues of Gender Based Violence in Nigeria.
Pensioners lament rigours of biometric exercise Biola Azeez-Ilorin
From left, Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaiye; Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the President, Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, during a two-day sensitisation meeting on the implementation of the Guideline on GenderBased Violence and Young Person in Nigeria, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO
Biafra: Court to rule on Kanu’s bail Thursday Sunday Ejike-Abuja
THE Federal High Court in Abuja would on Thursday, December 17, 2015 decide whether or not to admit the self acclaimed leader of the Biafran Republic, Nnamdi Kanu, on bail. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, gave the date on Monday, after taking arguments from both parties involved in the bail application. It would be recalled that Kanu, had been in detention of the Department of State Security (DSS), since October this year, when he was apprehended by DSS operatives and moved to Abuja. Counsel to the DSS, Mr Moses Idakwo, while objecting to Kanu’s bail application, asked the court not to admit the suspect on bail because he was allegedly involved in terrorism acts. The DSS counsel told Justice Ademola that the Federal Government was in possession of bank accounts of the accused per-
son for dollars and pound sterling from where he had been financing terrorism acts against the country. Besides, the counsel also submitted that Kanu has dual citizenship of Britain and Nigeria and he could flee and escape justice if allowed to go on bail. Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, dismissed the claims of the DSS on the grounds that they were speculative and not supported with any documents to buttress their claim. Kanu’s lawyer had earlier asked the court to set aside
an order it earlier granted to DSS operatives to detain him for 90 days on alleged investigation of terrorism against him by the Federal Government. Kanu, who is the founder of the Radio Biafra and the Director General of the Indigenous people of Biafran Republic, also asked the court to strike out a criminal charge with reference no FHC/ABJ/ CS/873/2015 brought against him by the SSS. In a motion on notice argued before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, Kanu ap-
plied for an order of the court admitting him to bail and also directing the DSS to obey an order of the Chief Magistrate Court which had earlier granted him bail in the motion argued by his counsel, Mr Egechukwu Obetta. Kanu claimed that the order of the Federal High Court that permitted the SSS to detain him for 90 days pending the investigation of terrorism allegations against him was obtained fraudulently by the SSS.
Biafra issue settled since 1970 —ACF Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has maintained that the issue of Biafra had since been settled in 1970 and advised its agitators to forget it. The Forum made this known in a press statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Forum. ACF noted with serious concern the continued
spate of protests by the members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in the South-East and South-South states agitating for a Biafra Republic. The statement maintained that ‘the issue of Biafra was settled in 1970’ after the civil war. “It is therefore sad and unfortunate that 45 years
after, when Nigerians are now united in a democratic system of governance, some elements are now busy instigating the innocent youth in the south eastern states to irresponsible protests. The statement observed that in most cases the protests had degenerated into violence with serious consequences on the lives and property of innocent and law abiding Nigerians.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to federal and state governments to address problems being encountered by pensioners on biometric exercise for release of 42 months retirement benefits. Also, the union appealed to government at all levels to pay the balance of 20.4 per cent increase to pensioners in the country. Speaking at this year’s pensioners’ day in Ilorin, the NUP President, Abel Afolayan, appealed to the Federal Government to direct state governments to pay arrears of retirement benefits to pensioners, saying that many state governments were yet to pay many years of pension arrears, gratuities and death benefits due for families of deceased pensioners. NUP president condemned non implementation of every five-year pension increase to all pensioners in accordance with Sections 173 and 210 of the 1999 Constitution. He also urged the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to create ministry of pensioners and senior citizens affairs just like the ministry of women affairs, adding that such ministry if created, would cater adequately for the welfare of pensioners, old people and senior citizens across the country.
Group laments plight of Nigerian youths Obado Lauryn-Lagos
A Christian group, the Student Christian Movement (SCM), has lamented the plight of Nigerian youths, saying that the youth in Nigeria, like a sheep without shepherd, were unemployed and unhelped and, therefore, needed to be mobilised into community of model citizens who would become productive. The SCM expressed this concern at a press conference addressed by its national president, Rev Eric Ighalo, to mark the 75th anniversary of the group. According to the cleric, “We are acutely aware that the Nigerian youths of today have unfortunately become a collateral damage in a misadventure of atrocious governance.” Ighalo said government after government had neglected to do the right thing needed to develop the country and by extension the youth, adding, “A succession of mainly feckless leadership has unleashed despair on our dear nation and particularly the youth.” Speaking further, Rev Ighalo said that the task ahead of Nigerian leaders was to ensure that the Nigerian youths were mobilised into a community of model citizens and be imbibed with the character to be productive Nigerians.
NDE trains unemployed graduates in Edo Banji Aluko-Benin City
The National Directorate of Employment in Edo State, at the weekend, in Benin, completed an Enterprise and Finance Counselling Clinic (NDE-EFCC) for unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions. The training, which was the fourth and final phase of the NDE-efcc, was held simultaneously in 10 states of the federation and Abuja and was developed by the NDE to equip unemployed graduates with professional and business skills that would enhance their capacity to succeed without a white collar job. According to the Edo State coordinator of the NDE, Ayo Edegbai, the NDE has taken it upon itself to create jobs in the face of mass employment, adding that the organisation was collaborating with government and non-governmental organisations to achieve this goal.
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Nigerian Tribune
Femi Ibirogba adefemi2007@yahoo.com 0811 695 4646
‘Cassava ethanol, starch, flour, glucose production can employ millions’
and got 6,000 hectares of land for ethanol production from many states; we are starting with Ekiti State where Governor Ayodele Fayose has kindly and graciously granted 6,000 hectares of farmland to NCGA for cultivation of cassava for the production of ethanol. The only constraint is Agricultural Land Development Programme, which is part of the dream of the current Minister of Agriculture, Chief Ogbe, which he expressed several years ago when he was the chairman of PDP. If we have contiguous farmland demarcated into 10-hectare blocks and allocated to farmers across the country under supervision of competent extension officers. We shall begin to reap 40 tonnes and above from one hectare of farmland as against 10 tonnes that our smallholder famers get at present. This is how cassava products can penetrate the international market.
Mr Segun Adewunmi is the National President, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA). In this interview with COLLINS NNABUIFE, he spoke extensively on agriculture, and the role of cassava farming as a big revenue generator in Nigeria’s economic development.
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new Minister of Agriculture was recently appointed. What are some of the things the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association (NCGA) has outlined as agenda and part of measures for the minister to move the Nigerian agricultural sector forward, especially on cassava value chain? First, on behalf of the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA) and the farmers in Nigeria, we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for taking his time to find the round peg in the round hole in the agricultural sector with the appointment of Chief Audu Ogbe, a seasoned and active farmer as Minister of Agriculture. We also congratulate the new minister as we are of the belief that his appointment will bring more good tidings as already begun in the sector by the immediate past minister, who is now the President of Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina. As an association, we have penciled in some recommendations for consideration of the minister, and as you know, he has just assumed office a few weeks ago and we want to give him time to acclimatise before going to him with our position and agenda for the sector. At the moment, he is being briefed on what is on the ground and I’m sure the officials of the ministry must have mentioned us (the NCGA) to him in their briefing because we played active key roles in the last administration. Before now, the farmers’ leadership did not have enough understanding of the operations of the sector like a profession, but today all those have changed because we now have real farmers at the helm of the affairs of the association. We believe in the new minister, Chief Audu Ogbe, who, under the Presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in an interview with a newspaper, gave a succinct blueprint to revamp the agricultural sector in Nigeria. So, the moment he was nominated as a minister and passed the Senate screening exercise, there was wide jubilation and
congratulatory messages from farmers across the country. What is your take on the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) looking back at the activities of the last administration? I will say that the last administration got it right because there was a round peg in the round hole when the right man, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, was assigned the job. We are happy today he has moved to the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), a continental development finance institution established to contribute to the socio economic development of African countries as its president. It is not an overstatement to say that Dr Adesina as the erstwhile Minister of Agriculture laid a very good foundation for the Nigerian agricultural sector and I believe the new government under President Buhari and the new minister, Chief Ogbe, will consolidate on the foundation and move the sector to a greater height, making it a money-spinning sector as obtainable in other climes of the world. For the first time, under Dr Adesina, the farmers were incorporated into national policy making in the agricultural sector. He revolutionised the sector and restored the dignity of Nigerian farmers, bringing them to the limelight and to the attention of the government, where previously it had been a master-servant relationship. For instance, I’m a member of the High Quality Cassava Initiative/ Oversight Committee, so also, are the leaders of Cassava Processors and the Master Bakers. That singular action made it impossible for the farmers in Nigeria to criticise government policies, the process of which they were part of. Again, with that, the Nigerian farmers were brought together to tinker and synergise together for the good of the sector as well as the welfare of the members of the farmers’ associations. This gave us insight into how the government was thinking and how they often arrived at policy formulations and implementations. I must admit here
also that Dr Adesina fought a serious battle as he was resisted by the system when he brought his reforms. We all know that Nigeria is not an ideal society. For anyone who has worked in other parts of the world to succeed that much in Nigeria is a miracle. We definitely do not have enough cassava bread on our table today. There have been calls for the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, particularly into the agricultural sector. Do you think cassava is one of the crops the country can use to reach its economic destination? Cassava has five major industrial products, namely ethanol, industrial starch, cassava flour, glucose syrup and sweetener. Each of the above is a raw material to numerous utility products with limitless domestic export market potential. This is to say that cassava can trigger massive industrial revolution that will employ millions of Nigerians in farming and industry. Nigeria has over 84 million hectares of arable land out of which, if only additional 5 million is devoted to the cultivation of cassava, we shall have additional 200 million metric tonnes yearly. This will give us 50 million metric tonnes of industrial starch which is currently sold for N180,000 per tonne. This translates to N9 trillion in one year. The above can be achieved within four years. I am happy to tell you that our association (NCGA) has started the process. We have requested for
For the first time, under Dr Adesina, the farmers were incorporated into national policy making in the agricultural sector
Many pundits are of the opinion that it will be business as usual — more paper work and less implementation. Do you think the current administration will get it right, particularly making agriculture the next biggest revenue source for the country? Let me state clearly here that this government came into existence as an answer to the prayer of the Nigerian people. This is evident in the manner of choice of those saddled with the responsibility for the much desired change. For example the choice of Raji Fashola to handle three important ministries is reminiscent of that of Joseph who was appointed by Pharaoh to manage the economy of Egypt. Raji Fashola has interpreted the dream of “Mohammadu Buhari” in turning Lagos State around; let him do it for the entire nation. We have spoken about the new minister for agriculture as the best choice that can actualise the dream of Nigeria in the agricultural sector. We already know the destination; we are just waiting for the event to unfold. What has been your achievement so far as president of the NCGA? We have modern guest houses in Abuja and Akure Ondo State. We have landed property, including a house next to the office of the deputy governor of Kogi State in Lokoja. We have over 20 utility vehicles used for tracking farm. We have over 100 graduate extension staff equipped with GPS and laptops, who ensure that every cassava farm especially for HQCF is tracked and recorded in our database. We have just made arrangements to float a Cassava Development Microfinance Bank. Our new minister will be requested to declare it open in February 2016. All beneficiaries of loans and grants are listed with their full identities in our website and can be reached on phone for confirmation. We have strong administrative structures from ward to the national level. All the above were achieved within three years of our administration. The credit does not belong to me as a person but the entire national and state executives because it was as a result of team work.
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agriculture
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Agric is a sustainable sector —NACGRAB Stories By Femi Ibirogba
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irector/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Dr Sunday Alalade, has described agriculture as a potent tool capable of turning the Nigerian economy around now that oil prices and demand are on the decrease. It can create millions of job through the value chain; supply cheaper industrial materials to manufacturing firms; generate revenue to the government through exports and value added tax, and ensure food security for Nigerians and their neighbours, he said. Alalade said these when military and paramilitary participants of Course 24 of the National Defence College (NDC) paid a visit to NACRAB as part of the requirements of the course. “With the repeated calls by the government to diversify the economy, there is no better time to have chosen a place like NACGRAB for your study tour than now. This is because the organisation is strategic and will continue to play its role as the focal point for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of genetic resources in Nigeria for food and agriculture,” NACGRAB boss told the visiting team. “This institute,” he added, “is the lifewire of he agriculture development programmes. It is a reference point by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). What Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is to the financial sector and the economy is what NACGRAB represents to the nation’s agricultural development and food security.” The team leader of the delegation, Air Commodore J.A. Yusuf, said “The essence of the course is the fulfillment of curriculum requirements back in the college. The course we just finished treating has to do with science and technology and national development, where people were invited from various sectors of the economy to deliver lectures on importance of science and technology to national development. “So, this is a field trip, so to say, to see firsthand some of the selected
strategic establishments in the country that have been impacting positively on national development or have the potential to impact positively on national development.” Air Commodore Yusuf added that the team was impressed with the various areas NACGRAB covers as its mandates, especially in tissue culture technology, coordination, collection and preservation of national animal and plant genetic resources, as well as naming, registration and release of crop and animal varieties and breeds. Yusuf said part of the requirements of the course was that participants would be required at the end of the tour to do presentations and in these presentations, they would come up with certain positions that would highlight the achievements of the institution visited and some of the constraints mentioned because they were being trained as strategic leaders that would help address some of the identified challenges and constraints in the national life. “So, we will invite several agencies and institutions making decisions in the country to listen to
the presentations and hopefully, they will take away some of our recommendations for implementation,” he said.
Participants, Yusuf said, were colonels in the Army, captains in the Navy, group captains in the Nigeria Air Force, some directors,
and assistant directors from the ministries and departments, deputy commissioners of police, as well as directors from
State Security Service and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and immigration, among others.
Federal College of Animal Health trains 220 in poultry production A gricu l tur e , especially integrated farming combining commercial crop and animal production, has the potential to create decent sources of livelihood to millions of Nigerians and their dependants if done with right under the tutelage of experts. This was the submission of the Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT), Ibadan, Dr (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Adejinmi, trained, during the graduation ceremony of 220 participants trained in the art and science of poultry production on behalf of the Federal Government. The two-week vocational training, Adejinmi added, was in line with the Federal Government’s vision of empowerment through agriculture, disclosing that
Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT), Ibadan, Dr (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Adejinmi, assisted by Director of Vocational Training of the college, Mr Olufemi Banjoko (right) while presenting day-old chicks to one of the 220 poultry production trainees at the college, recently.
knowledge is paramount in poultry production, accounting for the twoweek intensive training. “It is my belief that the training has exposed the participants to the key
areas and techniques of income generation, wealth creation, poverty reduction and improved standard of living. Kindly see yourselves as agents of revolutionary change
Oyo NUJ honours Nobex Tech, Niji Foods over agro-tech, food processing The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State chapter, has honour Mr Idowu Adeoya, Managing Director of Nobex Technologies Limited and Mr Kolawole Adeniji, Group Managing Director of Niji Group, with the Most Innovative Agro-Allied Fabricator
Nigerian Tribune
of the Year and the Most Innovative Food Processor of the Year awards respectively. They were honoured for their outstanding contributions towards agro-machinery, postharvest technologies and processing equipment, as well as food processing
respectively at the Oyo NUJ Pen/Award Nite marking the NUJ Week at the Iyaganku Press Centre. Nobex Technologies specialises in the design and fabrication of postharvest crops processing equipment like fully and semi-automate cassava processing, oil seed
National ex-President of NAWOJ, Alhaja Fatimah Abdulkareem, assisted by Oyo State NUJ Chairman, Mr Gbenga Opadotun (right), presenting the award of Most Innovative Agro-allied Fabricator of the Year to Mr Idowu Adeoya, Managing Director of Nobex Tech Company Ltd at the NUJ Pen Nite/Award on Friday. Photo: Ganiyu Alolade
processing, animal feeds milling equipment, drying machine for cassava, mango and grains, cleaning and storage machinery. Niji Group is involved in food processing, equipment fabrication and hotel and tourism businesses in Nigeria and beyond. While presenting the awards, former President of NUJ, Mr Lanre Ogundipe, said considering the efforts of the awardees in the areas of agricultural value addition, especially when the country was struggling with revenue as a result of the crashing oil price, the deserved recognition as models that others could emulate in agro-allied enterprises. Themed ‘Nigeria Beyond Oil’, the NUJ Week tried to call attention of the government, corporate entities and individual entrepreneurs to the opportunities in other sectors of the economy, especially agriculture and related industries.
in Nigeria’s agricultural sector,” he advised the students. Director of Vocational Training of the college, Mr Olufemi Banjoko, while encouraging the participants, said the objective of the training and empowerment scheme was to make the participants job creators rather than job seekers. Banjoko said: “The participants should regard poultry production as a very good business enterprise … considering the population of the nation. You should have it in mind that you are trained as employers of labour.” The participants were accommodated, fed and trained in broiler, pullet, and breeder bird production, marketing, packaging, book keeping and good practices, and they were equally given starter packs at the end of the training. The starter kits given to each of them include 100 broiler day-old chicks; 125 kilogrammes of feeds; medications and vaccines; production manuals and N5,000 as a transport fare. The director said the college was ready to help them overcome any challenge they might encounter in the course of doing the business. He commended the Federal Government, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for the resources made available for the training and the kits.
18 LETTERS TO THE
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
editor
Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo. com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.
Merging culture/information ministries, a mistake
I
was shocked when I learnt that the Ministry of Culture has been merged with that of information in this new political dispensation. The new Ministry of Information and Culture is now being headed by Alhaji Lai Mohammed. As someone who is into the culture industry, I want to believe that the merger
between information and culture is a big mistake. Culture, on its own, can help in creating an alternative source of earning for the Federal Government. The culture/tourism sector is a big industry in the whole world, and this is what some countries survive on. Nigeria has many cultural and tourist sites which
only needs to be projected in positive light to the global audience, and then we will experience an increase in tourists coming into the country. Let me take the Osun Osogbo festival for instance. If 100,000 tourists can come in for the festival in a year, and each of them is able to spend $2,000 in the state, we can imagine
Still on social media users ALTHOUGH President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he would not sign the bill to gag social media users in Nigeria if sent to his office by the National Assembly, I think it is even absurd to be talking of gagging free speech in Nigeria today. We shouldn’t forget that this current government would not have made it to the presidency if the people were not free to air their views. I really don’t know who among the legislators moved the motion against the freedom of speech, but I am glad with the response of Nigerians. Today’s youths, who are more visible on social media, are politically inclined. They know what is going on in the country. This is what the All Progressives Congress (APC) tapped into to create the ‘Change Movement.’ Our legislators should focus on more serious issues; we are still battling with epileptic power supply, there are still queues in filling stations across the country, and Boko Haram is yet to be defeated, but they are not talking about all these. Gagging social media users from expressing their views will be like we are living in North Korea, where the citizens have been gagged by the regime. I am, therefore, using this opportunity to call on the National Assembly leadership to focus on issues that will translate into better living conditions for the people of the country. In this age, it is unheard of that a country can be suffering from the resources it has in abundance. We
are blessed with oil, but we are suffering from the lack of the product. We should ask ourselves why we can’t have functional refineries to make petroleum products available to the people. President Buhari is barely a few months in power, but it is hoped that before the expiration of his term, he will correct the ills in this country. We should all know that
we will never develop in this country if free speech is tampered with. Nigerians should be free to express themselves, even if what they are saying is false. Free speech is the bedrock on which democracy thrives. •Yetunde Soares, Surulere, Lagos.
what that will mean to the economy of the state, First, the hotels will benefit; cab operators, gift item sellers, food sellers, among others. We have some cultural sites that can receive visitors all year round in the country. So what we need is just to defeat the insurgency which is portraying our country in bad light in the international community, then come up with a strategic international campaign on why tourists should visit Nigeria. Now that the ministry of information and culture have been merged to create a single ministry, then the major focus will only be on promoting government policies. There is no doubt that this will definitely reduce the influence of the culture sector. We also have a minister who is well-known as a former spokesman of the All Progressives Congress
(APC). The minister is not a champion for cultural issues, and may not really know how to go about using culture for the nation’s advantage, however, he is well-known as an information person.
I don’t know if it is possible to reverse this merger, but it is not in the nation’s best that we have both ministries merged. •Usman Akanni, Ilorin.
Nothing but the truth FELLOW Nigerians, I am not a politician, nor am I interested in politics in Nigeria, due to corrupt practices and insecurity. Any down-to-earth, patriotic and honest individual Nigerian can’t be a politician in this country, except maybe about 1%. Unfortunately since I came back from the US to take care of my elder love ones that I had left over the years, and also to be part of the national solution, with heavy heart, I have found myself spending more time in neighbouring countries. Each time I come back to Nigeria to visit, I still
make sure I contribute my own quota wherever I find myself, to touch people’s lives positively. At present because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies especially on fighting corruption and better security, I have increased the time I spent in Nigeria since July 2015. Also, I hate to miss factual news report with regards to President Buhari’s dynamic actions in fighting corruption and insecurity in our country. I believe that one’s attitude or character is one’s religion. So I will urge individuals to take an inventory of his or her attitude for a better character and our country. Let the positive change start with individuals. In a nutshell, shun dishonesty, tribalism, backstabbing, jealousy, envy, laziness, disrespect, uncaring attitude, godfatherism, greed, indiscipline, lawlessness, lack of contentment, selfishness, vandalism, ingratitude, eye service) and not having the fear of God. If you are not a devil to your country, make a sincere positive change now and put the devil to shame. Finally all hands must be on deck to assist President Buhari and his vision with prayers and positive support in order for him to take our country to the Promised Land. From the bottom of my heart “there is no place like home” (fatherland) I know majority of the people resent the truth but kindly embrace change and notice how you will start blooming like fresh roses, coupled with peace of mind that money can’t buy. Patriotic Nigerians who need free advice on how to make positive change generally so that our country will be a better place to live for everyone can contact me. •Engr Bola Glover, glover.bola@yahoo. com
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editorial
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Nigerian Tribune
Corruption in tertiary institutions
ECENTLY, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Dr. Theresa Akande, was reported to have said that if the much-touted positive change being enunciated by this current government is to be brought about nationally, the nation’s tertiary institutions are factors in the equation of having a Nigeria that is devoid of corruption, because some lecturers are more corrupt than politicians. Speaking at the 10th National Conference of the institution’s School of Business Studies with the theme, ‘Anticipated Changes in Nigeria: the Roles of Tertiary Institutions,’ Akande posited that in the spirit of fighting corruption and eradicating generic fraudulent practices, corrupt politicians and public office holders should not be the only focus of public attention. According to her, the crusade against corruption in the country should be all-sector inclusive, stressing that, while tertiary education for instance is ridden with corrupt practices of lecturers who give marks indiscriminately in exchange for monetary gratification and material gifts, it is also not uncommon to see lecturers demanding sex from their female students in exchange for pass grades. The rector, who described such lecturers as bad eggs in the academic system, also hinted that they should be recognised as life destroyers and unscrupulous individuals who are more corrupt than politicians. Critics of Akande’s statements might cavil, and say that she sounded sanctimonious and uncomplimentary of a system in which she had risen through the ranks to become a rector; but for us and spirited advocates of a tertiary education sector that should be corruption-free so that the sector would be utilitarian to national development, the scholar could not have been fallacious and hypocritically pious, given her experience over the years as a lecturer and administrator, and considering media reports on several occurrences of academic impropriety and shameful conduct that have characterised our ivory towers as citadels of corruption. For instance, no sooner had the rector given the stinker than the authorities of the Lagos City Polytechnic sacked six lecturers, among whom was a Head of Department (HOD), on the grounds that they aided impersonation and awarded marks and grades to a student who did not sit for examination in the institution. There was also a reported case of a University of Lagos lecturer who allegedly raped a student in his office. While it is difficult to believe that the culprit was not a lecturer in the university as announced by the authorities of the institution, it is bewildering that in spite of the ensuing public outcry for investigation and necessary criminal action against the alleged cultprit, the public is still in the dark in respect of any outcome arising from an investigation panel set up over the matter. In what ways are corrupt political office holders and muchtalked-about looters of the nation’s treasury different from
the reported academic misfits who have been compromising the integrity and sanity that should reign supreme in our tertiary institutions? In the case of the irresponsible HOD at the Lagos City Polytechnic, what exemplary academic and administrative leadership could he have been providing for his colleagues? We are pained that there have been many other instances of academic misdemeanor that have consequently made corruption to be pervasive in the system. This is because it is either the authorities in charge are ever sweeping corruption cases under the carpet or concerned administrations are wittingly economical in telling the truth about malpractices in their folds, and thus allowing corrupt persons to continue to ply their trade as lecturers without being made to face the wrath of the law. The National Universities Commission (NUC) should be at the forefront of the crusade against corruption in the system. However, we are worried that a great deal of public aspersion on the quality assurance integrity of the commission is rooted in linkages of the agency with compromises. Among other objectives, the NUC was established to set minimum academic standards for Nigerian universities and ensure compliance with such, as enshrined in the agency’s Benchmark for Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for various academic programmes. Thus, NUC’s accreditation visit to universities from time to time is statutory and very pivotal. But, what would the NUC say about the 153 lecturers that the Enugu State University of Technology was reported to have sacked recently in one fell swoop; whereas the sacked lecturers had cried foul that they were engaged just for seven months so that the university could get some of its programmes fully accredited by the NUC in June this year? From whatever angle the sacked lecturers’ protest is looked at, does it mean that the university appointed them as ‘mercenaries’ or ‘fillers’ just to meet up with the staff to student ratio for the said accreditation? Very sad as it is, academic fraud, especially in terms of documentations and presentations on staffing and infrastructural facilities to get accreditation is no longer news to those conversant with accreditation in Nigerian universities. Without mincing words, academic impropriety is evident in various forms, dimensions and shades in the system. Thus, fighting corruption in the system must be treated with serious concern by all stakeholders. It is in this spirit that we agree with the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, that, while the intellectuals in the nation’s tertiary institutions must eschew all forms of corruption in their tripartite functions of research, teaching and community service, the NUC and other tertiary institutions’ regulatory bodies must live up to public expectation by ensuring standard practice so as to make our tertiary institutions Centres for Excellence and positive change.
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opinion
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Climate change: Towards making Nigerians healthy By Ofoegbu Donald Ikenna
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HE discourse and call to actions for the Nigerian government to join the globe on ways to mitigate climate change in Nigeria have been left to too very few environmentalists, journalists and learned agriculturists. Effects and emitting challenges are present in the health sector as well. The impact of climate change on human health is indeed alarming. All over the world, changes in the climate are affecting all humans in adverse ways, including the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. All of these add pressure to the continuous loss of control to sustain the required health standards. Take for instance air pollution, the single greatest environmental health risk faced. Estimates released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), reports that in 2012 around seven million people died; that is one in eighth of the total global deaths – as a result of air pollution exposure. This finding more than doubles previous estimates and confirms that air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk. In particular, the new data reveal a stronger link between both indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure and cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and ischemic heart disease, as well as cancer. This is in addition to air pollution’s role in the development of respiratory diseases, including acute respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. These pollutions come from burnt fossils (kerosene, coal, petro-chemical, etc), gas flaring, deforestation (tree felling for industrialisation), bad waste disposal practices, etc. Under-nutrition already accounts for 3 million deaths each year in the world’s poorest regions. Rising temperatures and more variable rainfalls caused by global warming induced by large CO2 emissions have caused rising water levels and running floods, washing away farm lands and reducing crop yields, further compromising food security and nutritional needs. Currently, under nutrition contributes to 53% of all deaths in children under the age of five. Poor nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life leads to poor physical growth which in most cases is irreversible and associated with poor brain development. Nigeria has about 11 million stunted children, ranking highest in the continent and second globally, as 41 per cent of children under five years are chronically malnourished.
Floods are increasing in frequency and intensity, creating breeding grounds for disease carrying insects. Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria are particularly sensitive to change in heat and humidity as rising temperature accelerates the life-cycle of malaria parasite. Today about 3.2 billion people – almost half of the world’s population – are at risk of malaria. In 2013, there were about 198 million malaria cases and an estimated 584,000 malaria deaths were reported. Ninety per cent of all malaria deaths occurred in the WHO African Region. Malaria kills almost half a million children under-five each year mostly from Africa. In 2015, an estimated 100 million malaria cases and about 300,000 deaths each year make Nigeria the country with the highest number of malaria casualties worldwide. According to WHO estimate, climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. Most will likely die from malaria, diarrhoea, heat exposure and under-nutrition. Children and elderly people are marked among the most vulnerable, especially in countries like Nigeria where health infrastructures are unavailable, inadequate and ill-funded. The implication is that the health gap which stakeholders are trying to close up will likely widen as a result of the adverse climate change and the lack of political will of the government to provide health facilities via improved budget funding, implementation and releases, not to forget the low level of discussion on the issues. Climate change mitigation can yield substantial and immediate health benefits. While there is the need to increase public knowledge on these pressing issues, it’s time to trans-
late knowledge into actions. Health sector leaders in Nigeria; the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Society for Public Health, Association for Reproductive Family Health (ARFH), Environmental Health Association, Association of Nurses and Midwives, etc, must stand hand-in-hand with climate negotiators to confront climate change in Nigeria, as policy discussions on climate and health have been on two very wide divide. Our health system must be resilient to climate changes; hospitals and Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) should be reinforced to withstand heat waves (especially in gas flared environments), desert storms and other extreme weather conditions. We must ensure and advocate that functional water and sanitation services are provided for. Ministries of health together with those of environment should ensure that surveillance systems for climate sensitive infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, cholera, etc are put in place. These ministries together with other supporting agencies like NEMA, NAFDAC, Red-Cross etc should make better use of early warning information to predict the onset, intensity and duration of epidemics. Such predictions would allow health workers to pre-position medication and vaccines which will reduce the death toll. Of course these will require the government to increase the budgetary allocation to these sectors especially the Primary Health Care Centres, as well as put in place budget tracking mechanism to track the spending of allocated funds. Health professionals, CSOs, environmentalists, religious and traditional leaders, as well as Nigerian youths should be concerned, seeking understanding and maximising the benefits of climate change mitigation and improving health services in Nigeria. Stakeholders should call on the APC government to activate the implementation of their party promises enshrined in their party manifesto to combat climate change and improve health facilities in Nigeria. By the adoption of cleaner renewable energy technologies, improved budget allocation to the health sector especially for the primary health care units, children and pregnant women will have access to health services especially in rural communities which will protect them from malaria and other climate driven illness. •Ikenna, a researcher, is of the Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.
Nigeria: Looking beyond oil for survival By Ayo Oyoze Baje
The essence of democracy is for the political office holders and policymakers to muster the capacity to identify and satisfy the needs, yearnings, aspirations, collective dreams and desires of the people. That is, as against satiating the pecuniary and obscene tastes of the political class, at the detriment of the led majority. But now, our economy is in a tail spin. The ship of state is currently caught in the eye of the storm. The oil-dependent economy which has long been besotted by the wanton waves of waste, profligacy and the hydra-headed monster of greed and graft is on the verge of being torpedoed into the vast ocean of recession. According to the World Bank, Nigeria ranks 169 out of 189 countries surveyed in terms of the ease of doing business. The parameters used include the ease of obtaining construction permits, access to electricity, enforcing contracts, registering property and trading across borders. But as the economy worsens, how prepared are we? That is the billion naira question, the answers to which may be farther than ever imagined. Interestingly, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, had not too long ago given a warning signal that the country might be heading for an economic crisis. Going by the recent media interview granted by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, both the federal and state governments have been on a borrowing spree, just to pay salaries! And this has been going on for upward of two odd years. He said that while the Federal Government enjoys the luxury of long-term loans to be paid back over a period of 20 years, the states must make a refund in only four years. How does this sound to your eager ears? This sordid scenario, however, ignites the fundamen-
tally burning questions. How come that some of the same state governors who are unable to pay the long-suffering workers have no tangible infrastructural development projects or job-creation strategies in place to show for the billions of the federal allocation they have been collecting over the years? How can they justify the sad fact that some of them have been globe-trotting in expensive, state-owned jets in search of elusive foreign direct investment? What about those who have been throwing lavish, ego-tripping parties for their kiths and kin, and others secretly building mansions, where they hope to rest after the odious deed has been done? Who, really is fooling who? Worse still, our sweet crude oil may no longer hit the benchmark of $120 per barrel, over the next two years. Between $70 and $85 may be more like it. Yari cites India and China where annual revenue from the rail transport alone equates to what Nigeria earns from crude oil sales. Some economic experts surely have their thinking caps firmly on in those countries.
Still on the parlous picture painted about the economy, may we add that the stock market is far from being bullish. Investors are not laughing or smiling to the bank. Manufacturers are still groaning. In fact, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Remi Ogunmenfun, says all is not well with the members and their huge investments. The steel sector is on the verge of collapse. Yet, it has the capacity to generate over half a million jobs if the long-prostrate Ajaokuta Steel Company is functioning effectively. According to Sanjay Kumar, the CEO of Steel Business, African Industries Group, four of the steel plants in the country have been shut down. Many are currently operating at 30 per cent capacity. The sick sector to which N100bn has been sunk, currently needs N60bn injection to survive. The challenge it faces is predicated on the continued importation of steel products thereby creating jobs for citizens of the exporting countries. This is in addition to the lack of input from experts on the sector before government’s policies are enunciated. Besides, government’s patronage is grossly lacking. Both Yari and Ogunmenfun are therefore, canvassing the diversification of the economic base from oil to agriculture, solid minerals and infrastructural development. But we have heard this song before; have we not? What have we done with revenues from the maritime industry, the customs and immigration services, taxes from the surviving manufacturing concerns and the entertainment and tourism industries, areas which if properly handled could generate more proceeds than oil? •Baje is a media consultant and public affairs analyst.
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216
Some of the items donated to the widows by Helpline Foundation for the Needy in Abuja
Xmas: Widows, destitute receive gifts, medical help, vocational training Christian Okeke -Abuja
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ertainly, not many will believe that there are homes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) without hope of joining their counterparts to celebrate the forthcoming Christmas. This stems from the erroneous belief that the land flows with milk and honey and feeds its residents. A fact which seems to be easily forgotten is that there are widows and destitute in Abuja. Despite the affluence of nation’s capital, poverty stares many families in the face. Be that as it may, a group which never forgets about the fate of the impoverished people, who yearly suffer in the midst of plenty in Abuja, is a non-governmental organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy. Since 2003, it has continued to put smiles on the faces of the haves-not of the territory. As is its tradition and as Christmas draws closer, the foundation pulled families in that category together to mitigate their sufferings. The aim of the foundation was to help the families to find meaning in the celebration and to build a sustainable income. Indeed, it restored hopes to about 250 widows. On the memorable day, the women from Keffi Group, Hajiya Bauchi Group, Kubwa Group, Market Women Association, Berekete Widows, Salama Love and Kabusa Women Group thronged the Diplomatic Garden, Area 1 venue of the event. President of the foundation, Mrs Jumai
Ahmadu, said the event was borne out of passion. According to her, there is the need to reach-out to the suffering group so as to give them a sense of belonging. “We have been doing this since 2003. The limit is inexhaustible; so we can go as far as God can take us,” she said. The president stated that the foundation used to reach out to its friends who believe
in what the members have been doing over the years. She said: “This year, to my surprise, they called and asked whether I was not going to host the people.” She told Abuja Xtra: “We are here today like we used to do every year to bring widows out and their children to reach out to them in our own little way because nobody is too poor to give.
“No matter how poor you think you are, there is somebody that you are richer than. That is why we usually bring them out every December and occasionally Valentine period to give them little presents so that they will celebrate Christmas with their children “I am very grateful to those friends of mine that believe in us and assisted us to put smiles on their faces and this year, we introduced two new things because we believe it is not good to just give somebody fish; teach them how to fish and that is why we brought one of my friends who is an expert in bead-making and she brought her equipment here to teach the women how to make beads and somebody has taught them how to tie head tie because in the market, you can tie gele for N200, Continues pg22
Crew Children of widows dancing with the president of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Mrs Jumai Ahmadu at the reach-out programme organised for them by the organisation in Abuja.
We want Buhari to facilitate our return home —FCT IDPs —Pg.22
180 bags of Indian hemp found in uncompleted building
—Pg.22
1. Christian Okeke chidiabujatribune@ yahoo.com 08030947856 2. Clement Idoko idokoajiga@yahoo. co.uk 08034412281 3. Kolawole Daniel kolawoledaniels@yahoo.co.uk 08030763782 4. Adetola Bademosi gloriaadetola@ gmail.com 08182214290 5. Collins Nnabuife chideraacollins@yahoo.com 08039521408 Abuja Xtra email & GSM: abujaxtra@ gmail.com 08054501406
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abujaxtra
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
We want Buhari to facilitate our return home —FCT IDPs Adetola Bademosi-Abuja
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ost of the internally-displaced persons who are in various centres in Abuja have expressed hope for the return of peace in their communities, especially in Northeast so that they can go back to continue with their lives. One of the IDPs, who simply gave her name as Mrs Salisu, told Abuja Xtra that although they received love and care from members of the public in terms of relief materials being brought
to their camps on a daily basis, they still remained visitors and hoped to leave for their homes soon. “Everybody is good to us. They always bring us food, clothes, soap, but we hope that one day they will say everything has come down. This place is not our home; we want Buhari to help us so that all of us will go to our homes,” she said. This came as a non-governmental organisation, Life Builders Initiative, threw a Christmas party to celebrate end of year
session with students of “School Without Walls.” The event, which also involved other outof-school children in both camps at Kuchingoro and Area1, was also used to give out relief materials such as clothes and other accessories to children in the camps. Speaking with Abuja Xtra at the ceremony, the media representative of organisation, Mr Joseph Ameh, said the party was to make the children feel loved and also enjoy the season.
He disclosed that the school was founded and financed by Mr David Olatunji to get most children at the camps into school as they awaited the return of peace to their various communities. One of the beneficiaries of the gesture, who gave her name as Aminat, expressed appreciation over the succour. She said: “I am very happy because they gave us plenty things like food, indomie, juice, big meat and they came to play plenty songs for us.”
Man arrested for moving weapons on bike for armed robbery Christian Okeke-Abuja Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested an alleged member of a notorious armed gang while moving arms and ammunition to his suspected gang using a motorcycle. The weapons were said be have been planned to be used for a major robbery operation in the territory before the arrest. Abuja Xtra gathered that the suspect, aged 33, and whose name was given as Tunbosun Owolabi Onipede, was arrested last month. It was gathered that he was arrested by police operatives attached to Iddo division who were on patrol. According to the information gathered, the criminal intelligence and investigation department of the FCT Police Command, following the suspect’s arrest, launched an investigation which led to the arrest of six other members of the gang, including their receivers. FCT police commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, confirmed this and said that the age of the other arrested gang members ranged between 24 and 35. He said that four fabricated pistols, 28 rounds of live ammunition, one Sienna space bus and a number plate, were recovered from the gang. The police commissioner noted that the suspects would be charged and arranged in court on completion of investigations.
Some children catching fun at the Internally-Displaced Persons camp in Abuja.
180 bags of Indian hemp found in uncompleted building Christian Okeke-Abuja A total of 180 bags containing dried substance suspected to be Indian hemp have been found and impounded in an uncompleted building at Dakwa, Abuja. The seizure followed a tip-off given police operatives attached to Zuba division. Abuja Xtra learnt that the dried weeds
Widows, destitute receive gifts, medical help, vocational training Continued from pg21
N300 and if a woman is able to tie up to five in a day, then she will be able to give her children food to eat. “The African Help Project too came to help the women to know their health status. People are dropping dead this period. Sudden death seems to be on the rise because some have high blood pressure and they don’t know; so they came to check their blood pressure and hepatitis status free of charge so the women can be strong enough to make trade and look after their children “Abuja Enterprise Agency wants to see how it can give the women capital to start their trade from the CBN loan that they gave them to disburse last year. So anyone of them that we recommend will be given small capital by the agency so that they will
be able to pay back at the end of the day. “There are 15 of them that we are targeting, but 250 widows are here today for this event with their children. We have been doing this since 2003. The limit is inexhaustible so we can go as far as God can take us,” she said. Earlier in her remarks, the president of Market Women Association, Mrs. Felicia Sani, tasked the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the skills and not to be discouraged by their humble beginning. She urged government at all tiers to partner genuine organisations interested in alleviating the suffering of the less privileged persons in the society. Also, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Aisha Sule, noted that the event would go a long way to encourage vulnerable women to be financially independent.
were carefully concealed in the bags. It was equally learnt that a suspect, whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, was arrested in connection with the incident. According to the information, the seized substance and the suspect were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation. Meanwhile, one Murtala Mohammed of
Ruga village, who allegedly specialised in snatching motorcycles and women handbags, has been arrested by the police. Also, Ibrahim Mohammed and Musa Audu, who allegedly received the items, were picked up at Jahi and Dutse Alhaji respectively. It was gathered that one unregistered BM 100 motorcycle was recovered from the suspects.
Abuja-based cleric tasks couples on trust, oneness Christian Okeke-Abuja Pastor Simon Odoh of Family Worship Centre, Wuye, Abuja, has tasked couples to build trust in one another and ensure that there is agreement in everything they do. He described trust as foundation of every successful marriage and said a relationship without it could be likened to a car without gas. Speaking during the wedding service between Ushang Adams and Saanyol Tsavzua, Odoh said he doubted if God would be in a relationship where there was no trust. He described marriage as one of the most important things God gave to man-
kind, saying in it, one found companionship, oneness and triumph of love. The cleric observed that it was lack of friendship that made marriages to fail. He reminded couples that marriage was more than couple living for each other, but comprised two people uniting hands to serve God. He said: “Word of God is everything we need to have a successful marriage and it is what will make you to smile here on earth and in heaven; make it the only reference point and final authority “Do you want to succeed in your marriage? Then you have to meditate on the Word. All the laws needed in marriage are written in the Word of God. Study and stay within the boundary of love by living by the Word of God.”
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Nigerian Tribune
leadership &
management with Sulaimon Olanrewaju
m:08055001708 e:lanresulaimon@yahoo.com t:@lanresulaimon
What leaders should not delegate By Sulaimon Olanrewaju
A
CCORDING to Theodore Roosevelt, 26th American president, the best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. In essence, an effective executive must be very good at delegating functions. Without doubt, a leader can hardly achieve his objectives without effective delegation. Given the limitation of every human being, no leader can really attain all he sets out to accomplish all by himself; every leader needs to work with people to achieve greatness. Therefore, delegation is critical to a leader’s success. The extent to which a leader succeeds is often the extent to which he can delegate functions to others.
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s s e n ioa s bu c
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Timothy Oguntayo, GMD, Skye Bank Plc.
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“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” — Jim Rohn
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
leadership&management Functions leaders should never delegate
Adenike Ogunlesi, CEO, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble
Bankole Cardoso, CEO, EasyTaxi Continued from pg23
Delegating functions is important because it frees the leader up to tackle the core aspects of his work. By delegating parts of his functions to others, he is able to focus on those activities that shape the organization. A leader who fails to delegate gets bogged down by routine tasks which consequently slow down the progress of his organization. Learning to delegate also saves the leader from undue stress. By lightening his workload through delegation, a leader frees himself from unnecessary stress. He does not have to be weighed down by
the nitty-gritty of what others can effectively handle; what he gets to know is the action to be taken and the outcomes of the action. But apart from coming handy in the actualization of a leader’s vision and enabling him to increase his output, delegating is also good for the leader’s mentees. One veritable means of building capacity and growing competence of others is by delegating functions to them. A leader who does not delegate activities to his people wittingly or unwittingly denies them the chance for growth because it is practice that makes perfect. Without the opportunity to practise, there will be little chance of achieving competence.
Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director, Union Bank Nigeria Rasheed Olaoluwa, MD, Bank of Industry In addition to that, by delegating functions to others, a leader also develops their confidence. Being assigned responsibilities by the leader boosts the confidence of the mentees because it is a pointer to the leader’s confidence in their ability. One thing about delegating functions Delegating a function does not take the responsibility for that function away from the principal. Anyone to whom a function is delegated is an aide and is not responsible for what becomes of that function. In other words, the success or failure of the function is that of the one who delegated it.
Therefore, it is only function that can be delegated, not the responsibility. Consequently, delegating a function should never be considered an alibi; the principal should always remember that the onus is always on him to deliver on the agreed terms. Hence, when a function is delegated, the principal should ensure that he gets regular reports on how it is being executed so that he does not end up on the wrong road when it will be too late to do anything about it. But it is not every task that a leader should delegate. Functions leaders must never delegate As critical and effective as dele-
gation is to leadership, it is not every function that can be delegated. Knowing this as well as what to or what not to delegate is very vital to how a leader performs in office. Here are some functions a leader should never contemplate delegating. Casting the vision Vision is central to an organization; it determines the direction, informs the strategy and reflects the culture of the organization. Vision energizes members of the organization and gives them something to commit to. It is the organization’s eye to the future. Hence, Burt Nanus, University of California Emeritus Professor, de-
fines vision as a realistic, credible, attractive future for an organization. By providing a picture of the future, vision not only describes an organization’s direction or goal, but also the means of accomplishing it. Vision guides the operation of an organization. As a result of the critical role played by vision in shaping the present and future of an organization, its formation is not a function that should be delegated by the leader. It is the responsibility of the leader to fashion out a future for the organization. This is because his vantage position in the organization gives him a broader outlook of the organization than anyone else. Therefore, he is in the best position to cast a vision for the organization. As a matter of fact, it is the leader’s vision that pulls others to him. Then, for a leader, the future is more important than the present. This may not be so for others who may be concentrating on the present. Therefore, giving a task that is about the future to people who are concerned about the present will produce a result that is less than satisfactory. However, when the leader casts the vision, it becomes the mission of others; what the leader sees determines what his people do.
Core responsibility A leader should refrain from delegating his core responsibility to others. While every leader has an array of responsibilities, there are a few of them, three or four, which are essential to his success in office. These are the ones that would be used to assess his performance. These are also functions that determine the course of the organization and the prospect of its sustainability. So, every leader
who is determined not to make a shipwreck of his leadership never gives anyone total control over these critical functions. To do so is to set oneself up for opprobrium which will most likely follow failure in that respect. Even when the leader feels he lacks adequate capacity in these critical areas, it is foolhardy to submit the control of such areas to somebody else. Rather than do that, the leader should brace up for rigorous learning to guard against being taken for a ride by those to whom such critical functions are delegated because the best of men are still opportunistic. Not many people can resist the temptation to take advantage of a leader’s ignorance while pretending to help him. Truth is very few people assume office fully ready for the task, most people learn on the job. It is for this reason that it is said that learners are leaders. In leadership, learning is an unending exercise. So, delegation should not be out of a sense of inadequacy but of necessity. If a leader recognizes his inadequacy in an area that is critical to his success in office, the best thing to do is to learn, not abdicate responsibility. Abdicating responsibility is irresponsibility. President Jonathan’s gaffe The most important functions of any Nigerian president are securing lives and property of the citizens as well as managing the economy. The importance of these two functions derives from their centrality to the wellbeing of the citizenry. Security is critical because without it progress would be retarded. A poorly-managed economy would result in a largely poor population. However, these critical functions of the nation’s
THE 60-SECOND business coach Communication secrets of great leaders Continued from last week
By Mike Myatt Shut-up and listen Great leaders know when to dial it up, dial it down, and dial it off (mostly down and off). Simply broadcasting your message ad nauseum will not have the same result as engaging in meaningful conversation, but this assumes that you understand that the greatest form of discourse takes place within a conversation, and not a lecture or a monologue. When you reach that point in your life where the light bulb goes off, and you begin to understand that knowledge is not gained by flapping your lips, but by removing your ear wax, you have taken the first step to becoming a
skilled communicator.
Replace ego with empathy I have long advised leaders not to let their ego write checks that their talent can’t cash. When candor is communicated with empathy & caring and not the prideful arrogance of an over inflated ego good things begin to happen. Empathetic communicators display a level of authenticity and transparency that is not present with those who choose to communicate behind the carefully crafted facade propped-up by a very fragile ego. Understanding the this communication principle is what helps turn anger into respect and doubt into trust.
Read between the lines Take a moment and reflect back on any great leader that comes to mind… you’ll find they are very adept at reading between the lines. They have the uncanny ability to understand what is not said, witnessed, or heard. Being a leader should not be viewed as a license to increase the volume of rhetoric. Rather astute leaders know that there is far more to be gained by surrendering the floor than by filibustering. In this age of instant communication, everyone seems to be in such a rush to communicate what’s on their mind that they fail to realize everything to be gained from the minds of others. Keep your eyes & ears open and your mouth shut and you’ll be amazed at how your level or organizational awareness is raised.
When you speak, know what you’re talking about Develop a technical command over your subject matter. If you don’t possess subject matter expertise, few people will give you the time of day. Most successful people have little interest in listening to those individuals who cannot add value to a situation or topic, but force themselves into a conversation just to hear themselves speak. The fake it until you make it days have long since passed, and for most people I know fast and slick equals not credible. You’ve all heard the saying “it’s not what you say, but how you say it that matters,” and while there is surely an element of truth in that statement, I’m here to tell you that it matters very much what you say. Good communicators address both the “what” and “how” aspects of messaging so
they don’t fall prey to becoming the smooth talker who leaves people with the impression of form over substance. Speak to groups as individuals Leaders don’t always have the luxury of speaking to individuals in an intimate setting. Great communicators can tailor a message such that they can speak to 10 people in a conference room or 10,000 people in an auditorium and have them feel as if they were speaking directly to each one of them as an individual. Knowing how to work a room and establish credibility, trust, and rapport are keys to successful interactions. Concluded.
BOOK first citizen were outsourced by President Goodluck Jonathan to others. He ceded the management of the economy to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was appointed Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He gave the job of securing the nation to Colonel Sambo Dasuki, his National Security Adviser. These people had absolute power in the areas the president had ceded to them. While it is true that the former president needed people to help him accomplish his vision, surrendering his authority to his aides was his faux pas. Dr Jonathan’s style of ceding absolute control to his aides in areas that are very critical to the nation’s wellbeing did him in; those he gave the functions pursued their own agenda, ran their own show and wrongly deployed resources. The effect is the tarring of Jonathan’s administration as probably the most corrupt in the history of the nation. No serious-minded leader delegates his core functions to others. Tough decisions A leader must never shy away from taking hard decisions. Hard decisions usually affect people and organizations and alter the course of their lives. So, it is convenient to delegate these to other people. However, great leaders are not like that, they do not saddle others with the responsibility of making tough decisions; rather, they take the bull by the horns and take the decision that everybody avoids. Delegating tough decisions is a sign of mediocrity and weak leadership. A leader must be courageous enough to make the difficult decisions himself. Truth is once a leader starts avoiding tough decisions, there will never be an end to it and this would be the undoing of his leadership because making tough decisions is part of the calling of leaders. Assessment of outcomes Very often, leaders are held hostage by those who surround them or those they surround themselves with. They are shielded from the reality by their aides who only tell them what they think they want to hear. So, many leaders have pictures of happenings in their organizations that are completely at variance with what really obtains. As a result of this, they make wrong moves and take wrong steps. By the time they get to know what is really happening, things are so bad that they can no longer be redressed. Therefore, a leader must devise a means through which he will get to know the effects of every major step or decision taken by the organization so that he will not be a stranger in the organization he runs. While a leader may work through the established structures in the organization to get the information he requires, he may also resort to other measures because when the chips are down, it is his legacy that he is being made or marred. So, a good leader does not rely on formal channels alone to gauge the effects of his actions.
By Spencer Johnson A group of old school friends is gathered for dinner and the topic of conversation gets on to change - in career, relationships and family life. One of those present contends that change no longer bothers him after having heard ‘a funny little story’ called Who Moved My Cheese? In this artful way, Spencer Johnson introduces the reader to his fable on how to cope positively with change. The story involves four characters who live in a maze: the mice Scurry and Sniff, and two ‘little people’, Hem and Haw. All is going well because they have found a huge source of their favourite food, cheese. Hem and Haw have even moved their houses to be near it and it has become the center of their lives. But they do not notice that it is getting smaller, and are devastated when they arrive at the site one morning and find the cheese is gone. This is where the story splits in two. Scurry and Sniff quickly accept the loss of the cheese and go off into the maze in search of other sources. The little people, because they have built their lives around the big cheese, feel they are the victim of some kind of fraud or theft. Yet this only makes things worse, as their clinging on ensures that they go hungry. Meanwhile, the mice move on and find new cheese. The fable captures well that moment after we have lost a job or a relationship and we believe it is the end of the world. All the good things were in the previous situation, and all the future holds is fear. Yet Johnson’s message is, instead of seeing change as the end of something, we must learn to see it as a beginning of another thing. We have all been told this, but sometimes motivation is lacking. To make himself accept reality, Haw writes this on the wall of the maze: “If you do not change, you can become extinct.” For life not to be wasted, it demands a level of risk and adventure. If you are willing to live this way, change loses its horror. In fact, the advancing person purposely creates change because the world is not currently how they would like it. What the Littlemen, Hem and Haw, discover is that breaking through your fears makes you free. Those who continually seek security, ironically, are wracked by the possibility that they may lose it. While the book addresses the fact of change in all aspects of our lives, given how many offices it circulates in it would be fair to say that its main message relates to work. Most employees are employees because they prefer the security of a set wage under the apparent protection of large enterprise. For others, the chief benefit may be that for most of the day they do not have to really think; they ‘complete tasks’. But such dependence restricts personal growth, in the same way that medieval serfs, while given a roof over their heads on the estate, often never strayed more than a few miles beyond it and could never expect to be truly independent people. Final word Many will regard Spencer Johnson’s sub-100 page work as trite, but its valuable lesson is easily remembered: Do you have a ‘big cheese’ in your life that you believe will last forever?
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leadership&management
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Nigerian Tribune
TOPE POPOOLA is a Human Capital developement Consultant and Pastor. Please feel free to send questions, feedback comments on this column to
topheritage@yahoo.com or visit http//turbochargedforsuccess.blogspot.com
The power of ethical leadership - 6
Beyond individual pride is the corporate pride. Essentially, this has to do with how people in the collective feel about themselves and their roles in the organization. This pride arises from a feeling of belonging and joy that come from working in or belonging to an organization that appreciates and adequately rewards their contribution. When people are proud of their leader and the organization, they will go to any length to defend its integrity. To build this kind of pride in his followers, a leader must learn to appreciate people and help them to feel good about themselves. In a recent session that I facilitated on team bonding, one of the assignments we gave participants was to write three positive things about every other member of his/her group and put it in an envelope that already had the name of the group member. It was not to be an anonymous write-up. In all five groups involved in the exercise, the question emerged, “How about the bad things that the person does? Are we not to mention it so that he can improve on those areas?” Really? My team insisted that all comments had to be positive but nonetheless sincere. You needed to have seen how people struggled to write positive things about their colleagues! At the end of the exercise, I asked if it was easier for them to think of negative things about the others they were to write about. They all agreed that it was a bit of a struggle to see everyone in absolutely positive terms. Was that because those people did not possess the positive qualities identified? Far from it. Then it dawned on everyone that performance evaluation in most organizations always focuses on negativity. It is as if performance appraisals are designed to document and highlight errors rather than the individual’s positive contribution. Managers seem to deliberately hunt for the mistakes and weaknesses of subordinates in order to nail them at the end of each appraisal period. As such periods approach, there is palpable apprehension in the organization as each person tries to put his best foot forward just to earn a few pips! Organizational pride can only be built when deliberate efforts are made by the leader to consistently look out for the good
in each person and highlight such through special mention and recognition - publicly and privately! If we do not hesitate to catch people doing wrong and point everyone’s attention to it, shouldn’t we be more so deliberate in catching them doing good and openly celebrating them? The next pillar of ethical leadership is persistence. The leader must not only make ethical commitments but he must stick to such commitments irrespective of circumstances or whose ox is gored. Nobody can trust the outcome of a game whose rules change every so often. In many instances and in many organizations, there is a patent disconnect between conduct and stated values. Where the leader cannot consistently model the values he represents, it is a matter of time before his followers lose faith in both him and the organization. The worst part of this is when there is no deterrent for deviation from these stated norms since even the leadership is not only guilty of, but pioneers infraction! In some instances, infractions are selectively penalized. The moment leadership creates the impression among his followers that “all animals are equal but some are more equal than others”, the collective is headed for the abyss. I saw this patent disconnect when I served as Executive secretary of the Nigerian Publishers’ Association. At the periodic meetings of CEOs of the industry, decisions would be taken on how to collectively call the bluff of several government agencies that needed some gratification before approving reading lists for schools. Shortly thereafter, some company representatives would surreptitiously go and meet the extortionists’ demands, leaving the others with little or no choice than to play ball. Of what value is a rule that cannot be consistently enforced? Following on the heels of persistence is patience. Patience implies a commitment to follow through with the process with a resolute conviction that things will turn out right, until the results are evident to all. It comes from knowing that, in the long run, the espoused values are not only needed but that they are right! The implication is that even if bottom-line will be negatively affected when we do the right things, we choose right over short-term advantage. Building patience entails a
commitment to the process (especially the people that drive conduct) more than the result in the conviction that if the process is right, it is only a matter of time before results line up. In a football match, players concentrate on the match, not the scoreboard for the simple reason that they recognize that it is what happens in the match that will eventually determine what reflects on the scoreboard. Shortcuts may appear to deliver victory but such victory can at best be pyrrhic. In time, short cuts do cut short. Saving money while sacrificing people’s - employees, customers - interests may get results in the short run but is the surest way to erode goodwill, the number one capital required in running a sustainable business! In such climes, even when people know what can help the organization, they do not bother to volunteer the information. Since personal survival is the name of the game, sycophants thrive, even when it is evident that they are driven by the self-preservation instinct. In Nigeria’s recent history, we have had several leadership casualties of ethical somersaults, what with the numerous banks that were liquidated because of corporate governance infractions that literally ran their companies aground. Yet, in their halcyon days, they were regarded as poster-faces of business success and were regular faces at various business empowerment seminars. Several executive upstarts looked up to them and courted them as mentors while others wondered what magic wand they had that translated to a Midas’ touch that turned everything in their hands to gold! But, as Jesus said, ‘What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” In due course, their ethical breaches caught up with them and they were duly stripped of the honour they bought with such indiscretion! A similar scenario is playing out in the recent security budget saga. Indeed, well has the Holy Bible counseled that there is a way that seems right to a man, but the ends thereof only lead to destruction. Choose to do what is right, no matter how unpopular. Time and God, the impartial judge, will eventually prove you right. Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!
Valuable leadership: In my own words ON several occasions I have spoken to high-profile leaders of several organizations both within and beyond the shores of Nigeria about what makes leaders valuable. And the more I teach on the priceless subject of leadership on this continent, the more it becomes clear to me that once we are able to get the issue of leadership right, all other problems will take care of themselves. The reason Africa is where it is today is because of valueless leadership. Today, I want to share with you a few things on how you can become more valuable as a leader in the 21st century. I have chosen to theme it: “valuable leadership: in my own words.” Get ready to add some value to your leadership. To start with, role models can be imperative, and there are inestimable books and training sessions on how to be a valuable leader, but I have always felt there was something a bit artificial in trying to apply the latest and best idea to my own leadership fashion just because it has worked for someone else. In preparing for my latest presentation to some high-profile business leaders in the beautiful nation of Nigeria, I came across an article that gave credence to my restlessness. The article is titled “The Trouble with Leadership Theories.” The writer of that article said “… the trouble with leadership theories is they are easy to hide behind (often erroneously). They become proxies for definite leadership. When something important is on the line, people do not follow five-tiered triangles, four-box matrices, or three concentric circles. They follow real people.” This is precisely my thought on leadership. People do not follow mere leadership definitions; they follow real people, who are real leaders. While speaking to those high-profile business men and women, I instructed them to write down their own thoughts about what makes a valuable leader. I encouraged them not
to over-think the assignment, but to write what they truly believed in no more than one page. I also discussed how powerful this exercise could be because it makes leadership dependable. It is not someone else’s prescription, it is unique to the person who wrote it—it is what he or she really believes. Simply stated, you can learn from others, but you cannot be them. This concept I am sharing with you today will change your life and leadership forever. Do not forget this truth: you can learn from others, but you are different from them! Here is what I shared with those business executives Integrity is the most important consideration in leadership: people must know that you are honest in dealing with them— always. They must know your values and see that you live by them day in and day out. Our politicians need to embrace this reality and work it out in shoe leather. If all our leaders—corporate, religious and political- can model this truth, Nigeria will become the better for it. A person’s ethics must be unimpeachable: as a leader, you are the personification of the company, higher place of learning, government agency, state, hospital or the country. How you are perceived is how the country, state, hospital, higher place of learning will be perceived. Ethical conduct is very powerful in leadership. Treat people with compassion and respect: organizations can and will recover from most mistakes. In those instances, use them as learning opportunities, not as a vehicle for blame. Recognize and thank everyone for their contributions, regardless of how small or what position they hold. Trust your employees: give them the tools they need and get out of their way. Leading is guiding, not doing. If you do not trust them to act independently, address the reason or make the necessary change. Delegating tasks to your employees
without getting out of their way is not good in leadership. Hold everyone accountable: giving employees the latitude to perform does not mean anarchy. The key is to help them clearly identify their most important goals, and make sure they have the tools to achieve them. Then honestly and collaboratively measure success while noting gaps and giving advice on how to close them. Additionally, while you hold everyone under your leadership accountable, allow yourself to be held accountable too in leadership. Leadership is not management: leadership is about the future, shaping and reinforcing culture, using an adaptive problem-solving approach, and setting the direction while helping others decide how to get there. Leadership is, as they say, more art than science. We may not be able to simply apply a formula to improve as leaders, but we can always do better. Certainly, attributes such as intelligence, maturity, hard work, knowledge, experience, and people skills all matter in valuable leadership, but it ultimately boils down to acting realistically—being consistent with what you value. You can learn from others, and your style can certainly develop, but valuable leaders are the ones who follow Polonius’ maxim in Hamlet: “To thine own self be true.” Lastly, to be clear, this personal statement is much more inspirational than a reflection of how I actually perform as a leader. And, it is not a prescription for you. Yet, as Sundheim, a leadership expert, suggests, I found something very worthwhile in being able to see my beliefs on paper. As uncomfortable as it may be, I plan to review it from time to time to assess how I am doing in both life and leadership. I have no doubt I will be better for it. Whether you are elected or appointed, try this exercise—you might be surprised by what you learn about your own leadership chic and fashion. See you where valuable leaders are found!
27
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
property
Nigerian Tribune
anchor Gbemisola Solaja
m:08186819081 e:gbemisolaja@gmail.com
NIOB harps on skills development in built industry NATIONAL Institute of Builders (NIOB) has tasked government to make skills development in the country a thing of priority in line with current socio-economic realities In a communiqué issued recently, the institute tasked Nigerian builders on development decried that Nigerian builders had not exhibited sufficient interest in entrepreneurship as a means of self-development and generation of wealth The institute maintained that that there were wide gap in efficiency of existing national polices and institutions of skills development in the country It added that the existing facilities for effective skills acquisition training were grossly inadequate and poorly maintained, stating that the continued non -existence of the Building Industry Development Board contributed to skills gap in the Industry The institute, however, called for the establishment of a Building Industry Board in order to identify and strategise the training needs in the industry. “There should be enhanced collaboration between practising Builders, NIOB, producers and marketers of building materials in order to encourage entrepreneurship and maintain standards and qualities. There is need for sustained advocacy by all stakeholders in the building industry to ensure adequate funding of skills development projects in the Country” The communiqué further stated that “The role given to the Nigerian Institute of Building as an awarding body under the NVQF framework by the NBTE is commendable and should be consolidated. Builders should be encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities under the NVQF in order to add value to the scope of their practice as well as contribute to Nations Building” According to the institute, “Government should build on the 6-3-3-4 educational policy by further introducing Technology programmes that are relevant to the industry at undergraduate and post graduate levels. Government should support teaching and training institutions by providing incentives for their trainees. Government should renovate, expand and re-equip existing vocational and technical schools and replicate them where they do not exist.
Housing sector is solution to youth unemployment —FHA Gbemi Solaja – Lagos
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HE housing sector presents great opportunities for the realisation of the youth employment objectives of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, Managing Director of the Authority, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin has said. Professor Al-Amin made this known in Abuja while receiving the Exemplary Leadership of Excellence Award conferred on him by the Arewa Youth Parliament. He said the sector had about 78 housing related jobs that could take many of the nation’s unemployed youths off the streets. Al-Amin lamented the current shortage of artisans in the various fields of the housing industry which he said had led to the continued importation of skilled personnel from neighbouring countries to take jobs that should be done by Nigerian youths. He said the government would soon commence the implementation of its housing
programme and advised the youths to acquire the relevant skills to make them employable in the sector. He said at the event, held at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja that the reform document prepared for the organization, rather than strengthen it for better performance had risked the Authority’s mandate especially that of social housing. Al Amin said his Management team which came into office 12 months ago had succeeded in putting the FHA in the right direction and had effected a structural re-alignment of its operational system in line with international best practices and good corporate governance. Al-Amin said measures were also introduced to block leakages, check corruption and ensure financial prudence. He said the workforce had been re-organized in line with the principles of service efficiency and improved productivity while computer automation in documentation
Lagos speeds up C of O application process In its bid to eliminate bureaucratic processes associated with the acquisition of building documents like the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, the Lands Bureau has created a Help- Desk for uncompleted applications. A statement signed by the Public Relations Office of the Bureau, indicated that this became necessary considering the avalanche of uncompleted and abandoned applications, which were associated with the non-submission of
vital information and other documents by applicants. The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Land Bureau, Mr Bode Agoro, who gave the hint, reiterated the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration towards prompt signing and release of Certificates of Occupancy to residents, thereby ensuring that they have Titles to their landed properties. According to him, the exercise is expected to clear the backlog of uncompleted
applications for Certificates of Occupancy, and encourage applicants with outstanding applications in the Bureau to take advantage of this auspicious process put in place by the Lagos State Government. The Permanent Secretary appreciated the Ambode’s administration for putting such a thing in place, stating that he had already signed and approved the release of 3,200 Certificates of Occupancy between September, 2015 and November, 2015.
and record keeping of the Authority’s assets was also introduced. Al-Amin added that the principles guiding partnerships and contracted projects were also reviewed to ensure that the Authority got the best of every deal. In the course of its 12 months in office, he said the present Management uncovered consent revenues worth N2 billion which were yet to be collected and paid to the government. He thanked the Arewa Youth Parliament for considering him worthy of the honour but pointed out that he had a standing policy not to receive gifts, honours and awards during his tenure. Instead of awards, Al-Amin said what he needed most were the prayers of well meaning individuals and groups for success in his assignment. He said he was persuaded to receive the award because of his love for youths and appreciation of their special place as the building blocks of the nation’s glorious future. Earlier in his address, the Speaker, Arewa Youth Parliament, Dr Bashir Muhammad Maru said his group was presenting the award to Al-Amin in appreciation of his efforts over the past year to bridge the nation’s housing deficit. He praised the FHA for its timely intervention in the on-going efforts to rebuild the communities in the North East destroyed by the insurgency and resettle the internally displaced persons (IDPs) back in their homes. Maru said Al-Amin is a role model and beacon of hope to youths in the country and urged him to continue to promote the best values in public service.
28
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
brands& marketing
Nigerian Tribune
anchor Akin Adewakun
m:08054683584 e:akadewakun@yahoo.co.uk
When stakeholders discussed PR impact on clients’ businesses Stories By Akin Adewakun - Lagos
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o doubt, one of the numerous challenges facing the business of advertising in this part of the globe, today, remains the non-availability of state of the art technology to ascertain the impact of ads materials on the bottom-line of the brands they are designed to promote. Interestingly, with the nation’s economic fortunes far from being out of coma, a development that has continued to impact negatively on the advertising spend on brands in this part of the globe, not a few practitioners in the nation’s integrated marketing communications industry are therefore seeing the imperative of addressing some of these knotty issues facing the industry to enable them stay in this ever-competitive business. For instance, to demonstrate the not-too-happy moments the industry seems to be experiencing of late, practitioners in the outdoor advertising arm of the industry, had recently cried out on the need to change strategies in order to avert the impending doom awaiting the business in the next few months. It is an open secret that of late, the once boisterous business has been under siege, a development that is forcing advertisers to look for alternative ways of promoting their brands. It was, therefore, not a surprise that the thematic focus of the last breakfast meeting held by the Public Relations Consultants of Nigeria (PRCAN), an association chartered by a bye law of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to cater to the interests of the consultancy side of PR practice in Nigeria, was also woven around this vital issue of the value the PR engagements have made to the bottom-line of the brands they claim to be promoting. Delivering a paper at the meet-
From left, Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu; Managing Director, MultiChioce Nigeria, John Ugbe and Chief Executive Officer, M-Net, Yolisa Phahle at a press conference to announce the 2016 AMVCA nominee held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa. ing, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at Stanbic IBTC, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, had challenged PR consultants in Nigeria to adopt available technology in the measurement of impact of PR activities on their clients’ business. Olumide-Ojo, who was the guest speaker at the event, dismissed the widely held notion that public relations impact could not be measured, explaining that there are available technology that can help with measurement. In her presentation on ‘Public Relations Agency-Client Relationship: A view from both sides’, Olumide-Ojo said credibility is denied when PR professionals failed to mark their works, while advising practitioners to avail themselves of the PR measurement agencies that are daily springing up. “We deny ourselves more cred-
ibility if we do not mark our own work. PR measurement agencies are springing up now. It is important that we patronise them. We don’t have to wait for annual brand health checks before we see how well we have fared,” she added. Speaking on client’s expectations of PR agencies, Olumide-Ojo advised PR consultants to be more pro-active in attending to clients’ needs. She advised that PR agencies must anticipate challenges and offer PR solutions to deal with them. “Clients want their PR agencies to take up the role of a consultant. They want an agency that would look at a situation and give professional advice. They feel more comfortable with an agency that is able to do that. It is the easiest way for agencies to earn respect and trust as they would see you as a strong partner rather than a messenger,” she said.
Olumide-Ojo said PR in Nigeria has “really grown in the last 15 years,” noting that prior to the fast-paced growth of the practice post-2000, PR practitioners were perceived largely as glorified pressmen as the practice was almost limited to press releases distribution, a reason veteran journalists drifted seamlessly between PR and media professions. “After year 2000, a lot of things happened. PR practice was removed from the appendage of the creative industry. Technology and increasing sophistication of practitioners helped to change perception. Now we have more PR practitioners who understand their clients and are ready to learn,” she stated. In his own remarks, PRCAN President, John Ehiguese, admitted the importance of measurement but said clients were not always willing to pay for research. He, therefore, encouraged PR
agencies to invest on research and evaluation in order to reap the full benefits of measurement. He said the breakfast meeting was in furtherance of the commitment of the association to boost the capacity of PR consultants in Nigeria so that they could better understand the client’s point of view and thereby manage their expectations better. Previous editions of the Breakfast Meeting, he said, had featured communication professionals from the private sector, such as Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc; Emeka Oparah, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria; David Okeme, President of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) who is also Brand Building Director at Unilever Plc and Tony Ojobo Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
hood and beige interior. Besides, he added, the reverse gear position is being changed to make it easily accessible, while also it comes with some other new features, such as weatherproof storage enclosure to keep the drivers valuables safe.
According to him, the new Bajaj RE model has been extensively tested and engineered to deliver superior performance and durability, with an engine that is optimised to deliver superior power and torque, superior power cooling and very low oil
consumption. “It also has some other key improvements, such as incorporating the flange type carburetor for added durability, car type wiring to reroute the mechanical parts from the engine and a new fuel lock,” Grihaparthi stated.
Firm launches tricycle Bajaj Auto Ltd and its partner, DAG Motorcycles LTD, have launched the new Bajaj RE in Nigeria, which according to the company, will set a superior benchmark of tricycles in Nigeria. Speaking at the event, held in
Lagos, and which had the Bajaj RE4S new brand ambassador, actor Hafiz Oyetoro, also known as Saka in attendance, Vice President, Bajaj Auto Limited, KS Grihaparthi, explained that the new product had a refreshed look with mushroom coloured
29
brands&marketing
Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
Nigerian Tribune
ConSol assures stakeholders of more innovative offerings
S
takeholders in the Information Communication Technology have been assured of more innovative offerings in the sector as Contact Solutions Ltd, ConSol, celebrates its 10 years of doing business in the country. Giving the assurance while taking the media round the company’s facilities in its Oshodi Office in Lagos, the chairman, Ademola Eleso, said within a decade of doing business in Nigeria, the company had been able to change the face of ICT in the country, through constant delivery of more value-added services to its existing and potential clients across industry, commerce and service sectors. According to him, the company currently has one of the largest deployments of outsourced call centre agents in Nigeria and a supremely efficient single-site contact centre complex employing hundreds of Contact Centre agents, serving multiple clients in West Africa. This feat, he added, had made the company one of the most sophisticated environments in the country, productivity of people, processes and technology can be felt. “We continue to create more value for our customers by providing first class
contact centre/call centre services that deliver on customer satisfaction whilst reducing costs. “Consequently we help
organisations increase profitability, by executing world-class inbound and outbound contact centre business processes and
the company, through its offerings, had enhanced client’s ability to deliver better service and value to their customers.
“As the premier in the provision of customer interactions management solutions in Nigeria, ConSol also delivers a range of value-added services to clients within and outside the shores of Nigeria,” the ConSol executive said. According to him, the company had, through its experience in mobile telecommunications and ICT sector in Europe, USA and Africa, had connected several Nigerian companies and Multi-National corporations to their customers, thereby enabling them to get feedback from them to verify their quality of service delivery and level of customer satisfaction.
Knorr reiterates commitment to quality in new campaign
From left: Digital Manager, PZ Cussons, Ifedayo Oni; Brand Manager Family Care, Cussons Baby, Oluwaseun Ayeni; Category Manager, Family Care, Cussons Baby, Mildred Bayshaw and Assistant Brand Manager, Cussons Baby, Tobi Adetunji at the auditions of the Cussons Baby Grow and Shine Activation in Lagos.
Over 200 kids vie for Cussons ‘Grow and Shine’ honours Over 200 Nigerian children within the ages of two and five years signi-
fied interests to participate at the maiden edition of the on-going Cussons
Chivita Juiceball TVC delights trade partners, boosts product sales For the uninitiated in the art of advertising, a first glimpse at the Chivita 100% juice ball commercial may signify an interpretation of a mere group of Manchester United players, running around in a pitch full of orange juice. But for the industry experts as well as critics, the commercial exemplifies in a simple but elegant manner, the art of creativity. Filled with bright colours, not a few would see the juice ball commercial as very captivating, especially as the message of the brand was told in a unique storytelling format. From the pure, simulated orange football pitch symbolising the natural freshness of the products used in production to the energetic display of the Manchester United players epitomising the vitality, goodness, and healthy impact of the product, the fantasy story of the commercial immediately resonates with the intended target audience,
reducing total cost of ownership (TCO), of this core customer service function,” he said. Elesho explained that
due to its alluring concept, breath-taking visual, exciting motion movements, and flawless execution. Many of the brand’s esteemed trade partners, have attributed the recent surge in the sales of the brand to the fact that the impact the commercial has been able to make on the buying public. According to the trade partners- consisting of registered wholesalers, retailers, and distributors, they have witnessed massive increase in sales of the Chivita 100% and other Chi Limited products of late, a development they would easily lay on the doorsteps of successful ideation, execution, and deployment of the juice ball commercial by the company alongside its partnership with the English Premier League team Manchester United. ‘Consumers however have been swayed by the roles played in the ad by some of their favourite players in the club,’ said
Tolu Akinyemi, a distributor of the brand. Also speaking on the Chivita 100% JuiceBall commercial, Johnson Amedu, who operates Choice Stores in Lagos noted that “the JuiceBall commercial currently running on multiple communication platforms has further endeared many of my customers to the brand. The brand affinity that the JuiceBall campaign has created is immeasurable as my sales figures now shows more consumers bonding with the brand.” For Nkechi Nnaji, a retailer, “the JuiceBall commercial has drawn considerable interest to the product. I now receive more demand for Chivita 100% fruit juice particularly during the weekends as football lovers prefer to refresh with the product during football matches. No doubt, the advert has created the needed publicity to drive this increased demand.”
Baby Moments Grow and Shine Competition, organised by the Cussons Baby Products, in Lagos. Speaking with Brands & Marketing at the auditioning of the first set of kids for the talent hunt initiative, the Category Manager, Family Care, Cussons Baby, Mildred Badshaw, explained that the competition is designed to discover and celebrate talents in the Nigerian kids. She described the competition as a direct response of the brand to the yearnings of parents, whose babies fall within the age range, for a competition that would also take care of babies in that age category. According to her, the brand is concerned with helping parents discover the various innate talents and skills inherent in their children, stressing that identifying such talents at early stages help parents in harnessing such potential. While expressing her delight at the quantity of attendance, Badshaw described the various skills displayed by the kids so far, at the auditioning, as an eloquent testimony
to the fact that there are abundant talents in the country, waiting to be harnessed. She explained that apart from the star winner going home with an educational grant of N1million, others shortlisted for the final rounds of the competition would also win different consolatory prizes. “What we are doing now is to provide a platform for parents to showcase their children, not just from the photo point of view, but also from all they have from the inside of them. “From the sessions that we’ve had, we’ve seen amazing talents which we thought was possible, and that’s what we are trying to do, providing the parents the platform to showcase their children in all ramifications,” she stated. She explained that the new initiative was a bit different from the previous competition organised by the brand since it takes care of a much older age group two to five, and also provides a platform for the children to showcase their skills, as against the previous one, which is a photo competition.
One of Unilever Nigeria’s most popular brands, Knorr, has restated its commitment to help reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in Nigeria, through its Knorr social mission, aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians with a special focus on teenage girls and maternal health. Knorr’s social mission is a demonstration of the brand’s fight against iron deficiency anaemia through its unique culture of good nutrition targeted at making nutritious meals a priority, easy to achieve and more desirable. In partnership with its brand ambassadors, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and her daughter, Meraiah, Knorr is propagating the Knorr social mission tagged Green Food Steps, an initiative that encourages Nigerian mothers to toss leafy green vegetables into their stew, stir it all together and crumble in iron-enriched Knorr cubes to achieve a tasty, nutritious and iron rich Knorr Stew for healthy living. Explaining the rationale behind the campaign, Brand Building Director, Foods, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, described the campaign as part of the company’s commitment to bringing the UN global goals to life through its Knorr social mission. “Through our social mission campaign, Knorr is championing the fight against iron deficiency, giving hope to 2 billion people worldwide who suffer from micronutrient deficiencies,” she stated.
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
infotech
Nigerian Tribune
anchor Bode Adewumi
m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com
We can help develop Nigeria’s economy — Cisco boss Paolo Campoli is the Head, Middle East & Africa Global Service Provider Sales, Cisco and in this interview with BODE ADEWUMI, he says it has been projected that internet connection in Nigeria and the world at large has the potential to create additional value to the global economy between 2013 and 2022. the space of change. At Cisco, we have got new things happening around connectivity, such as fibre, satellite, sub-marine cable but the market is driving this incredible pace of change and it is really a case of making sure that the skills are there to ensure that things are done properly. Skills and speed are great but skill and speed involves strategy or it could be a potential disaster.
Paolo Campoli
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ecently, a partnership between Cisco and Ericsson was announced. Can you shed more light on what the partnership is about? Ericsson is a large global company working very much in the service provider space, and Cisco, as you are aware, works across the service provider as well as the enterprise sector. Basically, what we are looking to do is provide a joint thought-leadership, end-to-end capability to our customers by giving them real end-to-end support service, including hardware and support services. We are working together on 5G evolution. So, there is a lot of benefits to our customers while bringing together two of the world’s big players in a partnership where we will work together to move the business forward. The multi-faceted relationship will offer customers the best of both companies: routing, data centre, networking, cloud, mobility, management and control, and global services capabilities. Together we plan to deliver customer value by offering service provider customers an end-to-end product and services portfolio, and joint innovation that accelerates new business models. We will be creating the mobile enterprise experience of the future through highly secure technology architecture for seamless indoor/outdoor networks, and channeling the combined scale and innovation of both companies to accelerate the platforms and services needed to digitalise countries and create the Internet of
Things. Thus far, are there some challenges you have encountered in the adoption of such technologies like 5G in Africa? The African market is unique in terms of the speed at which it is developing; we have the fastest growing mobile market place in the world in Africa. Fifty-two per cent of the devices that we will term Internet of Everything (IoT) are actually here in Africa today. Africa is leading the way and that fast pace of development has the potential to create some challenges because as we skip levels of evolution, there is a challenge to everybody to move forward thus creating security issues, lack of skills in the market place and everyone struggling to keep up with
If you look at the road map of innovations, there is a specifically good fit for Nigeria from Cisco.
Recently, your company launched the Cisco connected roadway solutions that helps with traffic congestion in Dubai. Is Cisco looking at doing same in Nigeria? The technology brings a certain amount of capability but it is what you do with the data that really control things around it. Understanding the people, when the traffic flow is at its peak and changing the traffic light is a simple thing to do. Changing the traffic flow accordingly is important and you can change when the buses are going to run and if there is an accident, change their routes even though there are not very many routes from Victoria Island to the airport, but we believe that bringing a certain intelligence to how people move around, how you find parking spots, where is the availability of parking, giving people the information of how long it is going to take to get from point A to point B improves peoples’ lives. So, it is not as straight forward as it may seem. The data about people’s traffic flow is really important. Maybe, some companies will want to change the start and end day of their working days to reduce traffic flows. There are lots of things that could fall into that. Also, having an architectural approach will definitely assist in alleviating the traffic jam. These things do not happen spontaneously, there needs to be some level of structure. In Nigeria, there are three dominant mobile operators we could get assistance from; we also need assistance at government level to get a better view on what it means to digitalise the country, specifically for smart transportation, and smart automotive traffic management. What are the pillars? Pillars are not only from a policy perspective but also from an architectural perspective. Data is equally important to give a clearer picture on the level of distribution needed and then creating an eco-system because many of these applications will be very local so you don’t get applications that are the same for every country. The behaviour of drivers, end users and the ability to consume those applications is very local. When you see what happens in the device environment on android where you have an eco system of local application developers, I think we believe for IOE specifically on self-driven cars and traffic management – enabling a local eco system of application developers will be very crucial. Our office in Lagos is probably my favourite Cisco office because it looks over the harbour and you can sit and watch those big
container ships coming in and out all day. When you think of connected transport, you automatically think of the road transport but we have got some great examples. For instance, the port of Hamburg where the port road manager can monitor road traffic, incidents are detected automatically and the port road manager is alerted to coordinate with other authorities. Data that is used to improve analysis of the environmental situation in the port area is also provided. Having an integrated approach to the business will provide huge benefits as it will help provide information about delayed container ship coming into the port causing traffic jam and a whole lot of problems. Integrated security is a big thing as well. We can certainly help with security, healthcare, and education, lots of things that are very relevant to Nigeria. Are there new innovations specifically for West Africa, particularly Nigeria? What we are trying to do is to take the overall thinking of where the IoT is going and tailor that into specific areas like education, for example. We would tailor our overall education capability for the requirements and the different types of connectivity in the more remote populations that are in existence. We are looking to take best of IoT and tailor it for the African market. Another thing is that Cisco is looking to build this next generation engagement module with service providers, offering them the best of technology but then work with the local companies to tailor that to the market place. That is a big change from when we previously would have just a simple box shipped with standard software. We are looking at how we can tailor those solutions to fit with the local market place. If you look at the roadmap of innovations, there is a specifically good fit for Nigeria from Cisco. Things have been happening in the last few months, especially looking at enterprise and SMEs. It is all about having an agile platform that connects SMEs in Nigeria and that the businesses are growing rapidly is not structured in terms of category association. Having the ability to be fast in the mark with the lower cost base is paramount. We acquired a company called Meraki about a year ago that allows us to have a low touch into SME. We deliver very affordable access points that are all provided from the cloud. It is an easy way for service providers to basically offer many services in real time to market SMEs. In terms of the priority you just mentioned, what position is Nigeria? If you look at our investment set of priorities, Nigeria is among the top five countries in Africa. I would say it is in position one or two depending on whether we look at the Telco business specifically or the entire business that Cisco organises with public sector enterprises and small medium business.
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
As ASUS enters Nigerian market with new product Stories By Bode Adewumi
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he innovative ZenFone family from ASUS, No. 1 laptop brand in Europe, has made its entry into the Nigerian market. This announcement was made during a recent media event held in Lagos. The brand-new models, which come with comprehensive camera solutions, PixelMaster Technology and ZenUI software support include ZenFone Selfie, ZenFone Laser 5.5, ZenFone Go 5.0, and ZenFone C 4.5. PixelMaster is a unique ASUSdeveloped technology that combines software, hardware and optical design to deliver incredible image quality. Speaking at the event, ASUS Nigeria Country Product Manager, Simplice Zaongo, said: “We are very excited to bring our latest ZenFone family to the Nigerian market. These brandnew innovations are each an empowering luxury that strikes the perfect balance of beauty, functionality and performance, and especially offers Nigerian consumers a comprehensive camera experience via both hardware and software. “All ZenFone models are equipped with ASUS PixelMaster technology, a unique ASUSdeveloped technology that combines software, hardware and optical design to deliver incredible image quality. ZenFone Selfie is the ultimate choice for selfies with its twin 13MP PixelMaster cameras and a dual-color, dual-LED Real Tone flash at both front and rear. It also features the new multifaceted polygonal design aesthetic to the ZenFone, offering beauty and power in abundance. “ZenFone Laser 5.5 includes laser auto-focus technologyin its 13MP PixelMaster camera for clear, near-instant shots in
just 0.3 seconds. ZenFone Go 5.0 and ZenFone C 4.5 are equipped with PixelMaster camera for up to 400 per cent brighter photo and video.” The comprehensive camera solutions of ZenFone were demonstrated with the ZenFone Selfie, which made its first entry into English-speaking Africa with the launch. ZenMotion Touch Gesture allows users to open the front camera by simply drawing “S” on the screen. The built-in be-
ZenFone Selfie rear camera is just as advanced with a large f/2.0 aperture lens for superior low-light shots. Both front and rear cameras are engineered with five-prism Largan lenses and top-quality Toshiba sensors, and include dual-LED Real Tone flash technology for perfect illumination in any lighting conditions. It delivers superb macro photography that works on subjects as close as 6cm, plus rear laser auto-focus to compose shots in the blink of an eye.
From left, Chairman, Publicity Committee, Nigeria Computer Society of Nigeria (NCS), Mike Olajide; ICT Director, Ministry of Communication, Moni Udoh; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; NCS President, Professor Adesola Aderounmu and Acting Executive Secretary, NCS, Iyiola Ayoola, during a courtesy visit by the management of the NCS to the minister in his office in Abuja.
African startups named among 100 most inspiring use of tech Eight African startups and organisations have been named among the 2015 Nominet Trust 100 (NT100), a global celebration of the most inspiring use of digital technology for social good. Included among the African startups selected are Rwanda’s motorcycle taxi-hailing app, SafeMotos, Kenyan pay-as-you-go solar provider, M-KOPA Solar, Kenyan maternal health startup, Totohealth and Cameroonian mobile health platform, GiftedMom.
Technology transfer initiative underway —Minister The Federal Government is to introduce Technology Transfer Initiative (TTI), in 2016 to encourage investors to develop local competencies in Nigeria. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, announced this while receiving the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Mr Alfonso Sabastin, in his office. Onu said government would ensure that enabling environment was created for investors in order to have adequate returns on their investments. He urged Spain to utilise the opportunity to be created by TTI to develop Nigeria local competencies. According to the minister, Nigeria has a cordial and long standing relationship with Spain. “I, therefore, invite Spain to take advantage of Nigeria’s plan to diversify its economy and the various opportunities this present in
atification camera tool can make the skin smooth, change the skin tone, slim the cheek and enlarge the eyes on a click – in a click! Immediately a selfie is taken, the photo is shown on the laptop screen via ASUS ZenUI app–PC Link, which allows users to operate their phones from a laptop. All photos taken with a ZenFone at an event can be shared toother ZenFones instantly via ASUS Party Link app without consuming any data.
view of the vast and abundant non -oil mineral resources available in the country.” He urged the ambassador to assist in establishing collaboration between research and development agencies under the ministry with their counterparts in Spain as a means of strengthening their competencies and capabilities. In his remarks, the envoy expressed satisfaction with the long and excellent relationship between his country and Nigeria. Sabastin said Spain was Nigeria’s second largest trading partner with an annual 6.2 billion Euros in favour of Nigeria. He assured the minister that Spain was ready to play more prominent role in the Nigerian economy especially in the non -oil sector such as renewable energy, health, agriculture, leather, bio-technology, and manufacturing, among others.
The other African organisations selected were Botswana’s Innovation Hub, women in tech support organisation, AkiraChix, Cameroonian medical tablet, CardioPad, and Ghanaian agricultural communication tool, Esoko. Compiled each year, the 2015 NT100 was put together from a combination of over 500 public nominations and in-house research, which produced a shortlist of 150 projects. This shortlist was then presented to judging partners of ten tech and charity organisations, including the Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief, Creative England, Facebook, Latimer Group, Nominet and O2 Telefonica, who decided on the top 100. Projects featured in the NT100 use technology to tackle some of the world’s biggest social problems, including support for refugees in Europe, healthcare, social inclusion and emergency response
to natural disasters. “It is fantastic to see that the incredible danger of traffic accidents across Africa is becoming more and more recognised. We are deeply honoured to see our hard work and passion appreciated and look forward to leveraging the Nominet 100 Trust recognition to keep raising awareness of what is, after HIV/AIDS, the greatest killer on the continent of Africa,” said Mr Peter Kariuki, SafeMotos co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The selected African projects are rubbing shoulders with global projects such as Google’s Project Loon, which aims to deliver internet connectivity to developing countries via large air balloons, and Wayfindr, a project led by the Royal London Society for Blind People (RLSB), which allows visually impaired people to navigate via an audio smartphone app.
Nigerian Tribune
Glo excites subscribers with promo Globacom, Nigeria’s Next Generation Network, has, in the spirit of the festive period, been doubling the value of airtime subscribers on its network used in a day for calls, internet browsing and sms and giving it back free to the subscribers the next day. Tagged Free Double Tomorrow, Globacom, in the promo, calculates all the value of airtime a subscriber used in a day for internet services, phone calls and sms, doubles the value and credits the subscriber’s phone by 12 midnight with the value. Globacom said the benefitting subscriber is at liberty to use the free double credit anyhow he or she likes, to call or send sms to any network and browse the internet within the next 24 hours. The promo was first launched on October 13, 2015, when Globacom started giving back to subscribers whatever amount of money they used on calls, SMS and internet browsing in a day and credited the subscribers back with the same amount the following day. Globacom said it decided to double the reward package for its subscribers in appreciation of their loyalty. Globacom’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Gladys Talabi said the nature and benefits of the reloaded Free Double Tomorrow promotion are unprecedented in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. Talabi said the company decided to enhance the promo following the wide acceptance it has received from Globacom subscribers across the nation. “The level of excitement Free Tomorrowhas generated in the telecom sector is unbelievable, but it’s understandable. It is the first time this sort of innovation is hitting Nigeria’s telecom sector. “There is no end to excitement and mouth-watering benefits on the Globacom network. We will never run out of innovative ideas to delight, surprise and excite our customers,” she said.
ITU organises workshop to address financial inclusion in digital services The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has said it was poised to address the issues of consumer protection and financial inclusion in Digital Financial Services (DFS). The union said it was organising a workshop on DFS and Financial Inclusion, to address the issue. It said that at the workshop, which would be held in Geneva,Switzerland on December 14, would see mobile money experts prioritise discussions on consumer protection. The statement said there was the
need to ensure that the over two billion ‘unbanked’ people across the globe were included in the financial system. According to it, the latest developments in the MARKET for DFS or ‘mobile money’ would be analysed at the conference. The statement said that apart from consumer protection, the workshop would address issues on exploring merchant payments, DFS market competition, DFS interoperability, access to infrastructure and security and risk management
at its sessions. It added that the workshop, which would host representatives of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the financialservices sector, would supplement the work of the ITU Focus Group on Digital Financial Services. “The Focus Group is developing a set of operational recommendations, tools and solutions to assist countries in establishing financial-inclusion strategies capable of promoting widespread adoption of DFS,” the statement.
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com
Dickson
EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, who was in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State for the December 5 governorship election, writes on the intrigues and shenanigans that characterised the inconclusive poll. “Ha, I beg, I want make Sylva win this election o! If he wins, my enjoyment don start be that.” “Please God, don’t let Sylva win o! Our son, Jonathan, must not be disgraced by rampaging northern president in his home soil.”
T
HE above comments over heard from two ladies, who were returning from a church service at a hotel along Igbim road, Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State last Sunday, a day after the Saturday, December 5 governorship election. The comments reflect the conflicting perceptions and expectations of the electorate on who should come tops at the Bayelsa governorship election. It is replete with sentiments; some personal, some collective. The exercise was some sort of war of attrition between two heavy elephants from the Ijaw stock. Bayelsa State has a monolithic ethnic group made of mainly Ijaws. Although there were other candidates of other political parties, who contested the governorship election, the candidates of the two major parties, the People Democratic Party (PDP), incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson and Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pulled more weights, the reason being that the two have tasted the governorship seat, with one, Dickson still in power. He was a policeman, went back to school and became a lawyer and thereafter, ventured into politics and became a political godson of former President Jonathan. Sylva and Dickson have the wherewithal resources and followership along party, political and geographical lines
Bayelsa map
Sylva
Bayelsa poll: Small state, plentiful challenges in the state.
Issues preceding the poll Majority of Bayelsans are obviously not at home with the perceived injustice meted out to their own, former President Goodluck Jobathan during the 2015 presidential election which culminated in his exit from power after his first term. The backstabbing role believed to have been played by APC, led by Sylva in the state, is still very fresh in the memory of the people. Sylva took to pitch his tent with the “enemy” outside like former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi did owing to irreconcilable differences between him and President Jonathan and his wife, Patience. One of the states usually being touted as a strong PDP state is Bayelsa. It will be recalled that from the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, the party had held sway from Chief Deprieye Alameisigha to Jonathan then Sylva to the
incumbent, Dickson. The intrigues that led to the inglorious ousting of late Chief Alameisigha leading to the emergence of Jonathan is well known. How Sylva, as an incumbent governor, also lost to Dickson is well known as the former fell out of favour with the then President Jonathan and his wife, Patience, after which the latter gained political power in his stead. Bayelsans, like Ekitis, were confronted with a similar situation of comparing the first four years of Sylva and Dickson’s tenures. During the inconclusive poll, it was variously heard on the lips of Bayelsans in every nook and cranny of the state capital of how the incumbent has, in their own perception, performed better than Sylva while in office. Once could hear them narrate how Sylva has left many abandoned projects dotting the state capital after billions of naira was spent on them. He is regarded as too generous with state resources. The incumbent, Governor Dickson, who
The major political parties were embroiled in claims and counter-claims of plans to abduct, unleash mayhem, kill and manipulate the exercise in their favour. These were already clear signals that the December 5 poll was not going to be child’s play.
has been singing the “restoration” song since his first tenure, is seen as an exact opposite of Sylva and seen as too prudent and stingy with money. Again, having been governors through the same PDP family from the outset, they are well acquainted with the rigging tricks of the party to win elections as previously done. With the issues above, it was an obvious knowledge that the poll was not going to be short of every shenanigan associated with such a titanic battle between two familiar brothers and political foes. 72 hours before election As tension began to mount ahead of the December 5 election, there was much security concerns, particularly in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. This is the domain of former, or perhaps, presents militants, former Governor Alamiesigha and the APC candidate, Sylva. The Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State governor on Inter-Party Matters, Honourable Austin Adigio were also reportedly on the eve of the election, was macheted by thugs at Okpoama and Ewoama communities of Brass Local Government Area of the state. Similarly, unidentified gunmen reportedly killed the deputy Ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ward 1 in Odi Local Government Area. The victim, Dieseye Dickson, was reportedly shot dead in Odi community at about 11pm on Wednesday, December 2 by about 10 assailants said to be dressed in military uniform. But another version of the report claimed that the deceased was shot dead during a continues pg33
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The show of force continued from pg32
shootout between policemen and the gunmen when an attempt was made to abduct one Chief Watson Ogoriba, a businessman and elder brother of the former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Warman Ogoriba. While the leadership of the APC in the state through the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation alleged that the killing was carried out by suspected thugs hired by the PDP, the police in state led by CP Nasir Oki, denied such incident. The Director of Media and Publicity of the Sylva/Igiri campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, described the killing as wicked and provocative. Twenty-four hours to the election, heavy shootings began in the area as warning signs for certain people to beware. As gathered, being the stronghold of the APC candidate, “non-conformists” were to steer clear of the area during the election proper. As of Thursday (December 3), unidentified gunmen had reportedly killed the deputy Ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ward 1 in Odi Local Government Area. The APC and PDP bang to trade words on who was responsible for the death. The victim, Dieseye Dickson, was reportedly shot dead in Odi community at about 11pm of December December 2 by assailants said to be dressed in military uniform. While the APC accused the PDP of being behind the dastardly act, the police reported that the case was that of a kidnap attempt. On the same December 3, JTF troops, while on patrol, arrested five suspected political thugs in their hide-out at Okaka Yenagoa. The JTF said the suspects were arrested in possession of one 36 Hand Grenade, two empty AK 47 Rifle Magazine, a pair of Military Uniform, Combat boot and a bag containing personal belongings. Major General Alani Gafar Okunola, who briefed the press on the development on behalf of Operation JTF, PULO SHIELD, also disclosed that troops recovered four AK 47 assault rifles, three pump action rifles and 566 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition on November 21 and 23 during an intensive patrol at Mansonkri fishing camp and Southern Ijaw creek in Nembe and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. This was eventually followed by shootings between militants and member of the JTF. The major political parties were embroiled in claims and counter-claims of plans to abduct, unleash mayhem, kill and manipulate the exercise in their favour. These were already clear signals that the December 5 poll was not going to be child’s play. Role of major stakeholders The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had just executed a rancourous poll in Kogi State a fortnight before that of Bayelsa and Nigerians expected an improvement from the body as regards the Bayelsa governorship election. So, two days to the election, voting materials had been dispatched to all INEC centres in the eight local government of the state. As of Thursday December 3, electoral materials, apart from sensitive ones, were being dispatched to the various INEC offices in the eight local government areas. The resident electoral commissioner, Mr. Baritor Kpagir, who spoke to journalists during the dispatch of materials, expressed satisfaction over the pre-election exercise. As of Friday December 4, many ad hoc
Law enforcement agents on duty more closer to the polling units. It was successfully done across the state that Friday.”
Twenty-four hours to the election, heavy shootings began in the area as warning signs for certain people to beware. staff of the commission were already navigating their way to their centres by road or water amid close security watch. A few corps members, who spoke to journalists, expressed satisfaction at the preparedness of the electoral umpire, but chided the body for not mobilising them before the process commenced. Besides Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opok local governments, areas marked by INEC as flash points where thuggery and political violence are frequent during elections in the state include: Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, Nembe and Yenagoa Brass local government areas. In these areas marked as flash-points, some groups such as Ijaw Youth Council, disgruntled former and unrepentant militants, Fulani herdsmen, as well as about five individuals were also identified as threats to the poll. So, this necessitated the deployment of thousands of security men comprising mobile and regular policemen, NSCDC officials, Directorate of State Security (DSS) to the state for the election, who were visible in every nook and cranny of the state. Well-armed mobile policemen manning the entry and exit routes of Yenagoa the state capital as well as towns and communities within the state subjected, though civilly, travelers to a thorough search of vehicles, personal effects and bodies. INEC’s lamentation The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Baritor Kpagir, was sore displeased by the reported shooting that was ongoing in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area from Friday night till Saturday morning, in which five persons allegedly lost their lives. He said the ad hoc staff of the commission could not dispatch voting materials to polling units in Southern Ijaw, due to security threats characterized by heavy shootings. As of this time, it was getting obvious that it was either the election would not hold in the area or would be cancelled. The REC also complained of alleged refusal by security agents to accompany INEC ad hoc staff to polling centres. When taken up on this issue at Otuoke, the home of for-
mer President Goodluck Jonathan, the REC decried the situation saying: “Look at our ad hoc staff here now, did you see any security man accompanying them here?” Besides, in spite of being an isolated election, the issue of malfunctioning card readers still reared its ugly head in various parts of the state. For instance at Otuoke, card readers malfunctioned in his polling unit at Otazi, Playground, Polling Unit 039, Ward 13, Otuoke, Ogbia LGA located right in front of his house! He was already out of the gate of his house in company of his wife, mother and other family members for accreditation at about 8:45a.m, when the REC had to quickly approach the entourage and pleaded with the former president to return home on account of malfunctioning card readers. Frustration was in the face of the REC as he began to lambast journalists who approached him to give reasons for the embarrassment meted out on a former president. About five card readers were thereafter tested before one could work for the former president and his wife to be accredited. But even during the accreditation, only the thumbs of the former president and that of his wife, Patience were recognized by the card reader. Those of his mother and other members of the family were rejected. INEC said it had envisage the anomaly and had deployed at least five readers to every polling unit to forestall such situation. There were also reports of non-use or malfunctioning card readers in some polling units across the state such as Ogbia Local Government Area, Sagbama, Brass and Nembe among others. In some instances, results from some of the polling units were cancelled as a result of non-use of card readers. There were equally cases of sabotage and perhaps some sort of compromise on the usage of card readers during the election. But amid all these blames, Dr Mustapher Leki, the INEC national commissioner, South-South, said there was adequate preparation for the election in partnership with security agencies. According g to him, “we deployed materials and men to local governments as of Friday to make them much
Role of political parties Political parties remain the major headache of electoral process in the country. Campaign of calumny between the PDP and APC can in the state never stopped before and after the election. The two major parties in the poll: PDP and APC, were out to outwit each other by whatever means - blackmail, hostage-taking, bribery, violence, sabotage, intimidation and in whatever ignoble and despicable way that could give them an upper hand and usher in victory. So, reports were rife on how some key holders on both divides were molested, mobbed, and their homes vandalised. The home of acting chairman of the PDP, Chief Serina Dokubo-Spiff, was allegedly vandalised by APC rampaging thugs in Southern Ijaw. He alleged that at Ward 3 at Ewoama, some PDP supporters were macheted. Director of the Sylva/Igiri campaign organisation, Chief Nathan Egbi, however refuted the allegation. The key players of the two parties also allegedly approached INEC ad hoc staff to tamper with card readers and subsequently declare them unusable so that the election could go in one person’s favor through indiscriminate thumb-printing. It was also obvious that the APC was discreetly armed with what is commonly called “federal might” to outwit the ruling PDP seeking another term in the state. Security forces, particularly the JTF, were therefore tailored along party lines. So, while Dickson seemed to have enjoyed some subtle support from policemen in Yenagoa, the JTF in Southern Ijaw were visibly working for the APC candidate as a colonel and other senior military officers were part of his body guard while soldiers attached to Dickson were allegedly withdrawn from him. The JTF however debunked the claiming, insisting at a press briefing in Yenagoa, noting that their role was not politics nor election, but to provide support to policemen and other security agencies. The two parties focused on each other’s comparative advantage. For instance, Southern Ijaw is the base and stronghold of the APC and was battle-ready, with the aide of security forces, particularly the JTF, to deliver the area with the second largest voting strength of 120,834 registered voters. On the other hand, the PDP did not go to sleep as similar strategies were also put in place in Yenagoa and Sagbama local governments known to be the base of the incumbent governor. In the governor’s village, except in polling unit 5, ward 2 Oruerewari in Toru continues pg34
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Protesters in Yenagoa
The blame game continued from pg33
Orua, where Governor Dickson voted, card readers were allegedly not used for accreditation before voting. Corroborating this claim, an APC agent, Dennis Otiotio said in Ward 4 and 5 of Yenagoa local government that there was massive snatching of electoral materials, describing the result from the area as not genuine and be discarded. He called for the cancellation of the results from Yenagoa Ward 4 and 5, and every other Ward in Sagbama local government except Ward 10, saying there was no election there because of violence and non-usage of card readers. Activities of former militants Former Niger Delta militants were divided along party lines. Some of their leaders, popularly called “Gen. Ogunbos and “Gen” Africa were staunch supporters of the APC candidate, Sylva. Earlier, they had issued a statement to warn Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo to steer clear of Bayelsa during the poll. Tompolo, on his part, belongs to the camp of Dickson, the PDP candidate. Two days after the Saturday election, many Bayelsans were still stranded in the creeks. So, the postponement of election at Southern Ijaw to Sunday, December 6, was largely owing to the inconducive environment that pervaded and characterised voting exercise that never took place there. Cancellation of Southern Ijaw election Voting exercise was rescheduled at Southern Ijaw with a well over 120, 000 voters when sporadic shootings did not abate in the area on Election Day and results could not be got from that end. Election materials could not be deployed as security agents found it hard to repel the miscreants and create an atmosphere suitable for voting purpose. On Sunday that the rescheduled election was to hold, apathy, fear and delay in deploying materials to polling units had set in. The INEC had fixed the exercise for 8:00a.m, but electoral materials did not leave the commission’s offices in Opuama, headquarters of Southern Ijaw, until 2:00p.m in some instance. So, accreditation started very late and as of 6:00p.m, officials of INEC were yet to vacate their polling units. It was also gathered that there was simultaneous accreditation and voting during the rescheduled election, with accusations and counter-accusations against as INEC. PDP agents and supporters reportedly went into hiding for fear of their lives as thugs held sway.
Seriake Dickson, governor of the state, also paid a surprise visit to the INEC office in Opuama, in an attempt to convince the officials to reschedule the exercise on the grounds of violence and loss of five persons in the course of the Saturday’s poll. The advice fell on deaf ears, as INEC went ahead to conduct the failed rescheduled election. Drama at Opuama However, when all efforts to make the commission shift ground proved abortive to cancel the rescheduled election on Sunday, PDP supporters, who had been insisting on the same point, took to singing in protest. The supporters in unison began to sing: “We are not safe o! We are not safe!” Realising that their strategy was not working, they turned to the direction of corps members saying: “You are not safe o! You are not safe! Corpers, you are not safe!” While the mild drama lasted, rampaging youths took over all the major streets in Opuama community. At this point, security operatives repositioned themselves to prevent a breakdown of law and order. When the officials decided to leave for their polling stations, they were escorted by at least 10 security personnel, comprising soldiers and policemen. Operatives of the DSS also provided cover in Opuama community, as materials were being conveyed to various polling units. More comical was how some ad hoc staff abandoned the exercise, alleging that INEC did not make adequate provision for their allowances. INEC’s result collation Collation of results did not commence until Sunday night during five out of seven local governments were announced and the PDP’s candidate won in four of the five. Results of the rescheduled election from Southern Ijaw and Nembe did not come.
But the APC, like the PDP calling for cancellation of Southern Ijaw results, also called for the cancellation of results from Sagbama, Yenagoa and Ogbia local government areas, where they alleged, the PDP connived with INEC and security agents to manipulate the result. Chief Egbi, director of media and publicity of Sylva/Igiri campaign organisation, alleged that at Ekeremor and Nembe, as well as Sagbama, a minister of state was attacked and kept under house arrest to stop him from voting until members of the JTF came to his rescue. He said PDP wreaked havoc in the area, insisting that there was no election at Sagbama, and therefore results from the areas should be cancelled. He accused the PDP of importing thugs from Rivers and Delta states to unleash terror on Bayelsa and rig the election. How election was declared inconclusive The PDP in the state, had, after the Saturday inconclusive election, requested the electoral umpire postponed the rescheduled election at Southern Ijaw in order to save lives, having lost no we’re than five persons in spite of police denial. But feelers said Dickson, who was already leading Sylva by over 33,000 votes and had learnt that the amount of votes allegedly manufactured and being ferried from Southern Ijaw would dwarf his total votes, the PDP and himself had to mount pressure on INEC, security agents and the entire global community to prevail on INEC to cancel results of the rescheduled election. This probably was the reason for his visit on Sunday to Southern Ijaw, defying security risk while Sylva was allegedly headed for Abuja to lobby government officials to influence the result in his favour. But even at that, accreditation and voting hardly took place during the rescheduled
On Sunday that the rescheduled election was to hold, apathy, fear and delay in deploying materials to polling units had set in. The INEC had fixed the exercise for 8:00a.m, but electoral materials did not leave the commission’s offices in Opuama, headquarters of Southern Ijaw, until 2:00 pm in some instance.
election in Southern Ijaw, yet results were ‘concocted’ to be announced. As of 3:00p.m last Monday, the last result from Southern Ijaw was still being awaited. As of this time, there were speculations that the rescheduled election had been cancelled. Shortly before INEC’s returning officer and REC in Bayelsa made the official announcement, another drama played out from the Southern Ijaw debacle. This was a few minutes past 3:00p.m. The INEC officials were still on the high table with the expectation that result from Southern Ijaw would soon be turned in. But amid the high expectation, two Hilux vans loaded with stocked ballot boxes from Southern Ijaw LGA suddenly forced themselves into the collation centre. As the Hilux vans, which plate numbers were covered with black nylons, stormed the centre, two of PDP agents, who accompanied the items to the centre, began to explain to onlookers what transpired and how they made their way into the centre. Believing their story would make some meaning to journalists, they said after the rescheduled voting was held at Amasoma on Sunday, one of the communities in Southern Warri LGA, they had to find a way to convey the materials to Yenagoa after they realised that it would be risky to take them to Okporoma, where the results should have been collated. They alleged that members of the JTF were obviously working for the APC candidate, adding that they were escorted with the materials by policemen attached to the polling centres in Amasoma to INEC centre in Yenagoa at the risk of their lives in the absence of INEC ad hoc staff who were in charge. Shortly, AIG Argungun, who had earlier in the day addressed the press, while commenting on the development, said there was nothing wrong with the party agents whisking the materials directly to the INEC result announcement centre in Yenagoa, given the situation at hand at that point in time. It was obvious that while the AIG was speaking with journalists, INEC officials waiting for result from Southern Ijaw, had a closed-door meeting and concluded on what next. About 40 minutes after the scenario played out, INEC informed journalists that it had cancelled the rescheduled election held in Southern Ijaw local government area last Sunday. The REC, Baritor Kpaghir, while making the clarification, said the exercise was marred by violence, hostage-taking and ballot-box snatching as reasons for the decision. He said a later date would be announced for the supplementary election, adding that the southern Ijaw rescheduled election fell short of acceptable international standards. Earlier, the INEC Chief Returning Officer of Bayelsa election, Professor Zana Akpagu, said the results from the riverine local government were still being awaited. Those results so released showed that Dickson had won in Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama and Yenagoa local government areas. The cancellation brought mixed feelings among the people - relief to PDP and a disappointment to the APC. Its candidate, Sylva, while addressing a press conference at Yenagoa Monday evening shortly after the announcement, rejected the cancellation of the election that held at Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on Sunday. The two leading parties and their candidates have gone back to the chalkboard and restrategising while awaiting the announcement of a new day for the supplementary election at Southern Ijaw by INEC. But it, however, remains uncertain if the smallest state in the federation with big incessant problems and political challenges, will be spared another blood-letting and constitutional crisis.
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Domestic Violence: Beyond tradition and culture Various researches indicate that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of domestic violence (DV) in Africa. The Nigerian culture also continues to encourage a cover up of DV crimes while many law enforcement agents exhibit reluctance to intervene in such issues. What relief can the law give victims of domestic violence in the face of the reluctance to interfere with culture? YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports
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N July, 2014, there was uproar in Lagos over the story of a 34-year-old housewife, Fatimo Bankole, who was battered by her husband, Kamoru Bankole, and had to get 26 stitches to save her face. Kamoru beat up Fatimo; the first of his three wives because she took a piece of meat from the pot to break her fast, then locked her up in a room at their Ijanikin, Lagos residence for three days before she managed to escape. Kamoru acted on information from his third wife and never gave Fatimo a chance to defend herself; an act that was described as a tradition in the Bankole home. Ajoke (last name withheld) was rescued by neighbours after being assaulted and left to die by her husband of five years. This is also not a strange occurrence, as she had earlier lost three pregnancies and her womb to her husband’s kicks and punches. According to her, anytime she ran home, she was sent back to her matrimonial home because a good girl must endure whatever she experiences in her matrimonial home. Fatimo and Ajoke’s cases are not isolated; they are part of a multitude. Many women go through diverse kinds of domestic violence daily. In fact, research states that more than two-thirds of Nigerian women experience physical, sexual and psychological abuse at the hands of their husbands. According to a small-scale study conducted in Lagos and Oyo states, nearly 65 per cent of educated women said they had been beaten by their partners, boyfriends or husbands, while 56 per cent of lower-income market women experienced similar violence. The root and social context of violence against women in Nigeria has been found to be deeply embedded in culture and tradition which dictates that once a woman marries, she surrenders to her husband; provides sex and obedience to him and generally suppresses her personality in deference to the patriarchal structure of the Nigerian system. A development report produced by Amnesty International (AI) gave credence to this patriarchal system as a factor for violation of women’s right. Also, the African Journal of Reproductive Health produced in 2005 revealed that in Nigeria, a husband has the liberty to “violate and batter” his wife if he feels she has not adequately fulfilled her obligations. AI recently described Nigeria’s rate of domestic violence as shocking and called on the government to do something to stem the violence. “On a daily basis, Nigerian women are beaten, raped and even murdered by members of their family for supposed transgressions, which can range from not having meals ready on time to visiting family members without their husbands’ permission. Tragically, husbands, partners and fathers are responsible for most of the violence against these women,” says Stephane Mikala of AI. Domestic violence in many states of Nigeria is not against the law and victims do not receive full legal support. Many victims even opt to stay in abusive relationships than face the wrath of the society and the stigmatised treatment given to women living outside wedlock. Consequently, non governmental bodies that focus on this have a hard time getting anything done. The patriarchal environment in Nigeria makes it difficult to report domestic violence incidents. A study of gender inequality in Lagos and Oyo states, 40 per cent of the women interviewed said they had been victims of violence in the family and in some cases for several years. The study concluded that such violence was not documented in Nigeria because of widespread tolerance
Man beating his wife. of violence against women since once a woman is married; she is expected to endure whatever she meets in her matrimonial home A Project Alert Survey on Violence against Women in 2001 revealed the most frightening number of domestic violence in Nigeria. In Lagos State, 64.4 per cent of the 45 interviewed women in work places said they had been beaten by a partner, boyfriend or husband. 56.2 per cent of 48 interviewed market women had experienced the same type of violence. Also, Amnesty International in its report; ‘Nigeria: Unheard voices – violence against women in the family’, blames the Nigerian government for the shocking number of domestic violence cases, adding that government was not doing anything to stem the tide of violence and was even condoning it in some cases. Violence against women in the home is generally regarded as belonging to the private sphere in Nigeria and, therefore, to be shielded from outside scrutiny, this culture of silence reinforces the stigma attached to the victim and the criminal justice system in the country provides almost no protection for women from violence in the home and community at large. An activist, Itoro Eze-Anaba of the Legal Defense and Assistance Project (LEDAP), once while speaking on the issue, stated that the police and courts often dismissed domestic violence as a family matter and refuse to investigate or press charges, adding that the few rape victims who summon up the courage to take their cases to court face humiliating rules of evidence. Adding to the problem in Nigeria are laws in some parts of the country that work against women, forcing them to continue to live in abusive relationships. Section 55 (d) of the Penal Code provides that a man can correct his wife as long as it does not amount to grievous bodily harm and is in line with the native law and custom to which the couple belongs. When this provision is considered with section 282 (2) of the same Code, the options available to an abused woman are very few. The first glimmer of hope came in 2013 when Nigeria’s parliament approved a landmark bill on gender-based violence; the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill, a law which aims to eliminate or reduce to a minimum, the cases of gender based violence. The bill covers a tragic spectrum of violence, including female circumcision, domestic violence, early forced marriage, rape (including marital) and harmful widowhood practices and aims to recognise the rights of all to safety, both in the workplace and the home. Current legislation in Nigeria recognises the multifaceted nature of domestic abuse and violence, but little has been done to curb the menace. This is, however, not the situation in Lagos State, as it is officially an offence for any man to hit his woman in Lagos State; whether they are legally married or not, as long as they are living together. This is due to the new Domestic Violence Law which protects women who are most times the victims of
violence in the home and safeguard the interest everyone who may be a victim of domestic violence. In Lagos State, when domestic abuse occurs, the abuser is removed from the home pending when the abuse is corrected or the victim is taken from the home to a protective shelter, where she gets financial assistance by the state through the Office of the Public Defender or Legal Aid Council when they are unable to financially seek redress in court, while the court can issue a warrant of arrest and remand order against the husband. Most legal practitioners explained that there aren’t adequate provisions for cases of domestic violence in Nigeria, while the few available ones are not even put to use. Barrister Taoheed Asudemade told Tribune Law that Article 2(a) and (c) of the Convention on Elimination on all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is meant to protect women from crimes committed by intimate Partners to Violence (IPV). According to him, CEDAW is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as an international bill of rights for women in 1979 and was instituted on September 3, 1981 and ratified in Nigeria on June 13, 1985. Barrister Asudemade explained that it should be noted that women also commit violence against their husbands by starving them of food and sex to force them to do their bidding, adding that partners used domestic violence to exercise power over their partners. He explained further that Section 357 of the criminal code is also a protection against rape while Section 353 talks about violence in general. Barrister Ugochukwu Osuagwu stated that there is no special provision in the Nigerian constitution. “I can’t recall any particular law specifically on domestic violence but there are generally laws on violence, arson and other acts of brigandage in the criminal and penal codes. I believe violence persists due to impunity on the part of law enforcement agencies.” For the former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja chapter, Barrister Dave Ajetomobi, there are many laws against domestic violence. “There are many laws against domestic violence but they are not working because of the cultural belief that a man owns his wife. Even the police hold this belief.” Stakeholders are continually calling that the Nigerian society be educated on the dangers of domestic violence and its effect on the society. The reorientation of law enforcement officers is also very important. An activist has stated that law enforcement agencies need to be taught the proper response to domestic violence situations and their responsibility towards victims of domestic violence. Also, medical personnel should be encouraged to make reports to relevant authorities when they treat patients with signs of abuse to encourage proper investigation and ensure the victim is removed from the abusive environment. Until domestic violence is treated like a crime that it is and culture is put in its appropriate place, all provisions of the law may continue to be ineffective.
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
We will submit proposal on new minimum wage —TUC
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HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), on Monday, said that plans by some states not to pay the minimum wage would not deter it from submitting a proposal to review workers’ salaries. The TUC said this in a 13-point communique signed by its president, Bobooi Kaigama, at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Lagos. Some state governors had said they could no longer pay the N18,000 minimum wage signed into law in March 2011 by former President Goodluck Jonathan. The governors blamed it on the poor state of the economy, which was heightened by the dwindling prices of oil. The TUC said in the communique that the statement attributed to the governors was diversionary, as minimum wage was due for upward review. It said that it was regrettable that governors make excuses when issues concern the interests of workers and the masses. “The question of imposition does not arise since the negotiations leading to the enactment of minimum wage passed through all the tenets of the International Labour Organisation’s tripartism. “The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the government, as well as the organised labour and government (as regulator), were all involved,’’ the communique said.
It called on the Federal Government to settle all outstanding arrears of salaries, promotion, and other allowances owed federal workers since compilation of the indebtedness had since been concluded. The communique commended the Federal Gov-
ernment for the bail-out extended to needy states to pay arrears of workers’ salary and urged affected states to ensure that the bail-out funds were used judiciously. On fuel scarcity, the communique urged the government to revamp
existing oil refineries and build new ones to end incessant scarcity and the fuel subsidy issue in the country. It also urged government to step up the fight against crude oil theft, oil pipeline vandalism, as well as corruption in the oil and gas
Chairman, Egbin Power Plc, Mr Kola Adesina (left), presenting a plaque to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, during a ceremony to mark the commencement of the dispatch of additional 220mw from Egbin Power to boost power supply in Lagos.
Why Fayose will not sack workers, cut pay —Speaker SPEAKER of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Kola Oluwawole, has explained why the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has been adamant not to toe the line of some state governors who are suggesting reduction in workers’ minimum wage or downsising of workforce due to the current economic meltdown. Oluwawole said Fayose was mindful of the fact that
his state, Ekiti gets money circulated in the economy via the government workers, adding that either of the two options (pay cut and retrenchment) ,would invariably affect not only the workers, but also all the people of the state negatively. According to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, Oluwawole gave the explanation in an address
to the media shortly after the launching of a N100 million appeal fund for an ultra-modern palace for the Olosan of Osan-Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area of the state as part of activities marking the 6th Osan Day celebration, at the weekend. He said the economic reality in Ekiti State was such that if there was no money in the hands of civil servants, every other sector of
Delta govt asks workers to produce primary six certificates Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba FEAR has gripped civil servants in Delta State following indications that the government is set to down size the 60,000 workforce occasioned by the abysmal economic fortune. As a step, the state government has ordered all workers in the state to produce their primary six certificates, which the Nigerian Tribune investigation revealed, is aimed at detecting those who have over renewed their ages and were due for retirement but are still in service. Also, the government had commenced the biometrics of all categories of workers apparently geared towards detecting the increasing number of ghost workers in the state At the celebration of the state creation recently,
sector, to boost employment. The communique further called on the government to review the list of 42 prohibited items in its foreign exchange policy to enable genuine manufacturers to access needed raw materials.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, had raised the alarm that ghost workers were not only high, but now get pension after retirement The Nigerian Tribune investigation also revealed that labour in the state had discussed the issue of certificate and biometrics with the state government and since it was not meant to victimise any officer, la-
bour decided to key into the exercise According to the state chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), David Ofoyenor, the government embarked on the exercise to ascertain the actual number of workers on its pay roll. “A situation where a boy is on government pay roll and at the same time, is at a 100
level in the university, full time and at the end of the month is intolerable’’ he said. In his reaction, the state commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, said if there are people fictitiously working with the governments, the biometrics exercise would detect them so that the government can take care of rightful civil servants.
the state’s economy would suffer the more. “The governor is just making efforts to open up the state right now. Where are the industries? Where are the investors? Where are the jobs for our teeming graduates? Even if you retrench workers, you have succeeded in compounding the problems of those who are not government workers. You would have thrown many more people into the job market making it more difficult for the non-formal sector to have enough space to operate. “These are the reasons the governor has been adamant about decision not to cut minimum wage or sack workers, despite the lean resources of the state. He would rather find ways out of the current financial logjam than cut salaries that are already too poor for our workers or throw more people in the job market,” he said.
Imo slashes political appointees’ salaries by 20% Joe Nwachukwu - Owerri GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said that all the political appointees serving in his administration, including the new special advisers and commissioners-designate, would have their salaries reduced by 20 per cent. He announced this at the Government House, Ower-
ri, the Imo State capital, on Monday, during a press conference . According to him, the current situation in the country called for adjustment by all and sundry to survive. Okorocha said that some workers in the state, particularly, in the parastatals, would be placed under suspension from next year for not contributing
towards the upliftment of the economy of the state. He said that the state government has decided to inaugurate a committee to look into the categories of these workers, adding that at the end of the exercise, those found wanting, would be laid off and have their entitlements paid. On the issue of judiciary in the state, he said the
government had agreed with the magistrates to be paying them their salaries just like their counterparts in the South Eastern states. He disclosed that government had already set aside N11 billion for the payment of salary arrears of health workers, while N5.5 billion, was earmarked for the payment of pensioners in the state.
Nigerian Tribune
Governor Ikpeazu’s mum dies at 87 Celestine Ihejirika - Umuahuia ABIA State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has announced the death of his mother, Mrs Bessie Ikpeazu,at the age of 87 years. Mrs Bessie Ihpeazu ,a career nurse, died in the early hours of Sunday, November 29, at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. Mrs Ikpeazu got married to Mr Ishmael Uleanya Ikpeazu of Umuobiakwa Village in 1961 and the union was blessed with three children; Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Mrs Ocheze Edith Ugboaja and Mr Iheanyichukwu Ugonna Ikpeazu. As a nurse, Mrs Ikpeazu, worked at Ahoada County Hospital, Ahoada Rivers State, Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital and Nigerian Christian Hospital, Onitcha Ngwa in Aba, where she served as a matron until she retired in 1994.
Reps member assists 600 students in Jigawa Adamu Amadu - Dutse MEMBER of the House of Representatives representing Ringim/Taura federal constituency, Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Gausa Boyi, has given financial assistance to over 600 youths to further their education in various institutions in the country He disclosed this on Monday, in Ringim town, Ringim Local Government Area of the state, through Ahmad Dauda, during a town hall meeting on education, organised by the Ministry of Education, at Ringim emirate. Honourable Gausu Boyi also purchased and distributed 300 scratch cards to students in the constituency area. He also announced his intention to purchase 100 sets of computers for the Government Day Secondary Schools in Ringim and Taura Local Government areas. In her speech, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hajia Rabi Ishaq, commended the legislator and urged other stakeholders to emulate him She reiterated the state government’s commitment to improve the standard of education through the provision of teaching and learning materials across the state.
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015
173 ex-corps members receive FG’s automatic employment letters •As Gov Ayade charges corps members on skills acquisition •Accept posting to rural areas, Ganduje advises From Clement Idoko, Adetola Bademosi, Anthony Ubong, Kola Oyelere and Alphonsus Agborh
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HE Federal Government, on Monday, issued automatic employment letters to 173 ex-corps members into the Federal Civil Service, for distinguishing themselves during their service at the primary assignment. Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Mrs Joan Ayo, officially handed over the appointment letters to the recipients who served in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Ayo, while presenting the letters, commended the recipients for exhibiting exemplary conduct and discipline throughout their service years. “You are a special breed, congratulations for this achievement. You did not only excel in the universities, but even in your NYSC. It shows you are hardworking, that is why you have been able to distinguish yourselves among your peers. “Your appointment is on merit and that is why it has nothing to do with the federal character principle. Your selection is devoid of political influence. It has nothing to do with political affiliation,” Ayo said. The NYSC Hope Alive Initiative is a public/private sector partnership (PPP), aimed at bringing succour to corps members who suffer permanent disability during service. According to DirectorGeneral of the NYSC, BrigGeneral Johnson Olawunmi, “The initiative is also designed “to give hope to future corps members, that the scheme and indeed this great nation, will not abandon those who may suffer similar fate in the course of national service. Meanwhile, Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade has charged corps members posted to the state, to think less about white collar jobs, but to channel their energies towards acquiring entrepreneurial skills during their service year, in order to be self-reliant. Ayade, who gave the charge on Monday, in Obubra Local Government Area
of the state, during the closing ceremony of 2,076 `2015 Batch B Stream 2’ orientation course for corps members deployed to the state, said there is the need for corps members to think outside the box, especially in the face of dwindling white collar jobs. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Mr Asu Okang, said: “it is important for corps members to acquire skills for self-reliance, especially in the face of dwindling white collar jobs. “In the course of your primary assignment, postorientation skills entrepreneurship training is therefore needful.
“This way, you can become employers of labour rather than job seekers after the service year,’’ he said. Also, Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has advised corps members posted to the state to shun all forms of vices that tainted the country’s reputation just as he encouraged some of them that would be posted to rural areas for the service year, to accept such postings in good faith This is just as the Kano State coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Mr Abdullahi Yusuf Baba said that the initial fear of the corps members was allayed after interactions with the Sarki Karaye, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar 11,
who assured them of safety in the state. “My worthy compatrots , in meeting with the development needs of the state, many of you will be posted to serve in the rural areas where there is glaring shortage of skilled manpower,” Governor Ganduje said In a related development, Several nursing mothers and pregnant corps members attended the closing ceremony at Issele-uku Delta State of the National Youths Service Corps orientation course for ‘2015 Batch B stream two’ for corps members posted to the state, on Monday, despite the chilly harmattan Nigerian Tribune observed that the nursing
mothers came with their babies either strapped to their backs or assisted by their husbands or maids. One of them who preferred anonymity, said she had no option than to come with her baby in spite of all odds, just as she commended the state NYSC for their support and understanding. Declaring the ceremony closed, the state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa charged the corps members to put into maximum use the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training to enhance their proficiency in service, adding that it would give them soft landing in their quest to be financially independent.
My victory is triumph over opposition’s falsehood —Hon Odebunmi A member of the National Assembly, Honourable Segun Dokun Odebunmi has attributed his electoral victory at the Court of Appeal as the triumph of truth over falshehood of the opposition’s wishes for his failure. Odebunmi, who is the only PDP representative from Oyo State, told journalists on Sunday, that the judgment was not only an affirmation of his victory, but also padlocked the mouth of his political detractors who were bent on disrupting his good plan and vision for the people of Surulere/Ogo Oluwa who he represents. The three-man panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, on Thursday, gave a unanimous judgment, affirming the decision of the National and House of Assembly elections petition tribunal that sat in Ibadan and upheld his election.
Ondo holds Mare Festival Dec 18,19 By wale Ojo-Lanre
NYSC Batch’B’ Stream Two orientation corp members on parade during their closing ceremony at the NYSC Camp in Mangu, Plateau State, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN
NEPC embarks on sensitisation campaign, capacity building of prospective exporters Adelowo Oladipo - Minna FOLLOWING its determination to develop a firm human capacity capable of penetrating the international market, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), on Monday, embarked on massive sensitisation campaigns and capacity building of prospective exporters in the country. The Executive Director of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo (Jnr) stated this in Minna, the Niger State capital, at a one-day workshop on “The Legal Aspects of Export Contract of the Council” to properly educate exporters on the law guiding the exports business both here and abroad .
He stated further that sensitisation campaigns and capacity building would help the exporters to act within the law to enable them to penetrate foreign market and achieve their desired goal. According to him, “we can achieve this through our programmes like Zero to Export, Export Skill Acquisition Programme (ESAP), Export for Beginners and various other projects.” He noted that the council had initiated special projects targeted towards diversifying the economy, even as he noted that Nigeria Diaspora Export Programme (NDEX) is designed to provide a platform for harnessing the energy generated by
the presence of Nigerians abroad for development. The Executive Director, who was represented on the occasion by the Legal Adviser/ Board Secretary of the council, Dr Exra Yakusak, reminded the participants that the workshop was conceived to assist exporters and prospective exporters who had difficulties in coming to terms with the different procedures and terminologies associated with negotiating an export contract. “The workshop is therefore intended to deal with core issues in export contract. It would cover salient issues like making an export offer, legal aspects of export contract and terms and
conditions required in an export contract among others,” he declared. Earlier, the zonal controller of the council in Minna, Mr Hassan Bala, said the essence of the workshop was to educate exporters on whom they were giving their products, so that they would not experience the problem of payment when goods were supplied.. Bala, therefore, enjoined the participants to always adhere strictly to the law, so as to avoid running into problem that might lead to setback in their businesses. He noted further that their products must pass through certification agencies to enable it to penetrate the market.
THE Ondo State government has picked Friday 18 and Saturday, December 19, 2015 for the hosting of the annual Mare Mountain Climbing Festival , in Idanre , Ondo State. The State Commissioner for Information , Mr Kayode Akinmade, who superintends over the Tourism Ministry, made the announcement last week while playing host to some journalists in his office Akinmade disclosed that Mare has come to stay, adding that Governor Segun Mimiko was committed to ensuring the sustainance and visibility of the festival and all its entrapping . He pointed that Mare metamorphosed from a mere mountain climbing festival to an economic endeavour which mobilises and stimulates wealth , development and growth. “Governor Mimiko has put all hands on the deck at making sure that this year’s Mare Festival will be bigger, better and best,” he said. Akinmade revealed that statistics generated from the previous Mare Festival showed an increase in commercial activities with lump sum of money injected into the system.
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foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde
08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com
Obama, national security team discuss Islamic State fight
The tail of a Metrojet plane that crashed in Hassana, Egypt on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. PHOTO: AP.
U
nited States President Barack Obama chaired a National Security Council meeting on U.S. efforts to fight Islamic State during a visit to the Pentagon on Monday. “The President will receive an update from his national security team and discuss ways to further enhance our campaign to degrade and destroy the terrorist group,” a White House statement said. The Obama administration has said it is boosting military pressure on Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. “Our airstrikes are hitting ISIL harder than ever, in Iraq and Syria. We are taking out more of their fighters and leaders, their weapons, their oil tankers. Our Special Operations Forces are on the ground, because we’re going to hunt down these terrorists wherever they try to hide,” Obama said in his weekly radio address Saturday. Addressing recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernadino, California, VOA said Obama emphasised the need to stay vigilant but stressed “one of the most important things we can do is to stay true to who we are as Americans.” He said terrorists like Islamic State are “trying
No evidence terrorism caused Russian plane crash —Egypt
U.S. President Barack Obama chairs a National Security Council meeting on the counter-Islamic State campaign, accompanied by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (left) and U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter (right) at the Pentagon in Washington, on Monday. PHOTO: REUTERS. to divide us along lines of religion and background.” “And just as Muslims around the world have to
keep rejecting any twisted interpretation of Islam, all of us have to reject bigotry, in all of its forms. I’ll say
it again, prejudice and discrimination helps ISIL and it undermines our national security,” Obama said.
United States Secretary of State John Kerry joined foreign ministers from European and Arab nations on Monday in Paris for the latest talks on the battle against Islamic State and efforts to foster a political resolution to the situation in Syria.
Diplomats are trying to build momentum for a meeting on Friday in New York that would include U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. The VOA said they want a foundation for a cease-fire
and political process based on international agreement last month in Vienna to launch peace talks by January 1. The push toward negotiations is the most serious in nearly two years since two rounds of U.N.-brokered peace talks ended in early 2014 with little progress. Since then, what began as a number of opposition and militant groups fighting largely against the government of President Bashar al-Assad has grown more complex with the rise of the Islamic State group and it’s seizure of large areas in eastern Syria and northern and western Iraq.
France hosts ministerial talks on IS
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (front left), and Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni (front right), take part in an international conference on Libya at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome. PHOTO: AP.
Egypt issued a preliminary report on Monday saying its investigators have found no evidence of terrorism in the October 31 crash of a Russian plane in the Sinai Peninsula that killed 224 people. A statement from the civil aviation ministry said the probe into what caused the crash is continuing, but that so far there was nothing to indicate terrorism or some other illegal act, VOA said. Russia and Western nations, including the United States, have said an explosive device placed on board the Airbus plane brought it down. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility and released pictures of what it said was the bomb. The Metrojet flight took off from the popular Sharm al-Sheikh resort area, and the crash has affected tourism with both Russia and Britain responding by suspending flights to Egypt.
Turkey withdraws some troops from Iraq Turkey withdrew some of its forces from a camp outside the Iraqi city of Mosul, state media said on Monday, as part of what military officials called a “rearrangement.” The VOA said Turkish forces have been operating in Iraq helping to train local fighters, and earlier this month the military sent troops more to the Mosul area saying they
otherNEWS
were needed for protection. That move angered the Iraqi government, which demanded Turkey withdraw its troops and threatened to take the matter to the United Nations. Two top Turkish officials went to Baghdad last week to try to defuse the situation, but Iraq continued to demand the new troops leave immediately.
Over 700,000 people evacuated as typhoon hits Philippines As many as 700,000 people have vacated their homes in the central Philippines to escape the path of a powerful typhoon that made landfall Monday, VOA reported. Typhoon Melor arrived in the village of Batag on
France’s far right National Front Party leader, Marine Le Pen. PHOTO: AP.
Samar island with destructive winds of up to 185 kilometres an hour. Forecaster said Melor, which is known locally as Nona, is expected to cause huge ocean waves as much as four metres high, along with heavy rains, flooding and land-
slides within its 300 kilometre wide diameter. The bulk of the evacuations happened in Albay province, where as many as 600,000 residents fled due to fears of landslides from the slopes of nearby Mayon volcano. Reuters re-
ports dozens of domestic flights have been cancelled and hundreds of fishing boats have been ordered to remain in port. Bernardo Alejandro, a regional civil defense official, told The Associated Press that many
residents of Sorsogon voluntarily went to shelters Sunday night, but the provincial governor then ordered evacuations on Monday for residents who had refused to leave their homes despite the risk of floods and landslides.
France’s far right suffers defeat in regional vote France’s centre-right emerged ahead in initial results of regional elections, beating back a surging far-right, one month after the Paris terrorist attacks by Islamist radicals. The VOA said early re-
sults show the Republicans party of former President Nicolas Sarkozy and his centre-right allies leading in seven out of 13 French regions, including the Ile de France area of Paris and outlying suburbs.
The ruling Socialists and other leftist parties captured at least five. Nationalists won in Corsica. After leading in six regions during the first round of voting last week, the anti-immigrant, antiEuropean National Front
failed to capture a single region. But the party’s strong showing - earning one-third or more of the vote in some regions - underscores its steady gains in recent years, including in March local elections and last year’s European
Government weather forecaster, Loriedin De La Cruz, briefs the media on Typhoon Melor as it hits the eastern Philippines, on Monday. PHOTO: AP.
Union ones. “The danger of the farright has not diminished, far from it,” Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Sunday night. “I have not forgotten the first round (of the regional vote) and previous elections.”
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Tuesday, 15 December, 2015 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060
Dream Team success thrills Usman F
OBJ charges Nigerians on regular exercise NIGERIA former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to exercise more to sustain their health. According to him, regular exercise will enhance their good living. The Balogun Owu made the statement at the closing ceremony of the maiden edition of OBJ Pro-am Golf championship held at the Abeokuta Golf Club. The championship, held in his honour, was sponsored by FirstBank and Unity Bank. He thanked the organisers, including Justice Demola Bakre, Captain of the club, chief Bode Mustapha for organising the game in his honour. In his remarks, Mustapha said the objective of organising the tourney was to recognise Obasanjo’s immense contribution to the development of the country. “It is important we recognise the Balogun Owu when he is alive, he had done so much. It is not when he is no more that we should recognise him,” he said. The chairman board of trustees of the club, Justice Bakre commended the club’s management in its effort at bringing the club to limelight again. Meanwhile, Emeka Obi, after carding (+4) over two days, won the professional category as Lateef Lasisi of Abeokuta Golf Club came second with Francis Ugbong with (+7) while Muba Sanusi fired (+8) to place fourth. No fewer than 28 professionals featured in the N1million tourney.
C Taraba midfielder, Usman Muhammed, is over the moon following Nigeria’s success at the justended African U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal. The Dream Team defeated Les Fennecs of Algeria in the final on Saturday night 2-1 and the midfielder feels their success was down to “hard work.” “I am happy we won this competi-
Usman
Godsmark wins Tiger Golf Open with borrowed kits By Olawale Olaniyan Godsmark Isife Chiemerie of Enugu Golf Club won the 20th Tiger Open Golf Tournament which ended last Sunday at the Tiger Golf Club, Ibadan, with borrowed kits. Monday Edet of Tiger Golf Club with 150 shot placed second as Idoko Godwin emerged the second runners up of the
From left, Tiger Golf Club (TGC) captain, Chief Tunji Aderoju; the representative of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Clement Adedayo Apere presenting trophy to the winner of the 20th Tiger Open Golf Tournament, Godsmark Chemerie last Sunday at TGC, Ibadan, while Frank Nwalaka looks on. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN
tournament. Godsmark who is playing handicap 5 shot a cummulative 149 gross score over two days to become the youngest golfer who had won the tournament in the last 20 years. The 18-year golfer who started his career at 14 in Enugu Golf Club without any tutelage disclosed that it was a dream come true for him. He stated that his aim is to obtain a Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Diploma in South Africa to brighten his career. Godsmark revealed that he borrowed some kits while coming for the tournament in Ibadan. “While coming from Enugu for this tournament, I had to borrow clubs from friends so as to make up a complete golf set. My plan was that if I win any prize, I would sell it to buy a golf bag set and God has answered my prayer. “Though, I caddied for four years and the money I was able to raise is what I’m using for the hotel accomodation, entry fees, feeding and exigencies to boost my career. “I’m still aiming high because I am looking forward to becoming a professional golfer if only I could get a sponsor to get a Diploma in PGA in South Africa which will help me to participate in European Tour and also play at US Open Championship,” said the winner of Lagos Open Junior Golf championship. Godsmark stated that he chose South Africa for the diploma course so as to enable him to play as a professional golfer too in Nigeria.
tion after everything. It was not an easy competition because we played against very difficult teams. We didn’t really start the competition the way we would have loved to, but the important thing is that we won it,” he told supersport.com. “But like every team going a competition like this we worked hard. Part of our hard work helped us in Senegal to win.” Usman, however, refused to be drawn to picking his most difficult or easy game at the tournament, and insisted “none of the games was easy.” “All of the games (was difficult). None of the games was easy,” he reacted when prodded to make a pick on the five matches Nigeria played to becoming African champions at U-23 level. Usman, who has been named among the invited players who began camping for the 2016 CHAN, featured in every minute of the five matches enroute to the Dream Team’s victory at Senegal 2015.
Lagos Gov’s Tennis Cup:
Bad Start for Nigerian players in Futures 4 THE final leg of the 2015 Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship began on a rather bad note for some Nigerian players in the first day of the main draws at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan on Monday. Unlike in the first leg (Futures 3) where we had some sparkles from few of the local stars who made it to the second round and even quarterfinal, those players who were on parade in the first round of the second leg (Futures 4) were sent packing in their respective matches against highly experienced foreign players. Thomas Otu was beaten by number two seed in the men’s singles, South African Harris Llyod in 0-6, 2-6 game. Number three seed from Zimbabwe, Takanyi Garanganga overwhelmed Edward Christopher Anefu in straight set of 6-2, 6-2. In the women’s singles, Patience Onebamhoin lost to number eight seed Indian Prarthana Thombare 0-6, 0-6. However, Nigerian-born Russian player, Melissa Ishua Ifidzhen defeated Sabath Ibrahim 6-1, 6-0. Osariemen Airhunmwunde fell to Ushua Suhail of Pakistan 0-6, 1-6, as Ben McLachlan from New Zealand beat Nigeria’s Christian Paul 6-2, 6-1.
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Fencing: AIS, Lagos wins David’s Cup inter-school championship
Ighalo
Watford boss hails Ighalo after 26 goals
A
FTER scoring 26 goals this year, Watford coach Quique Sanchez Flores has applauded Odion Ighalo over his goalscoring exploits. Ighalo scored the winner in Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Sunderland after Allan Nyom pulled a low ball through which the Nigerian poked in from close range in the fourth minute. Sanchez commended Ighalo’s astounding feat this season where he has scored 26 goals.
“The performances of Ighalo have been amazing. That is in the year – not just this season,” Flores was quoted by The Sun. “He is individually a good player. But if he scores or
FORMER Nigerian international and Super Falcons star, Maureen Mmadu, has been commended for encouraging young Nigerian footballers. The chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Chief (Mrs) Dilichukwu Onyedinma, gave the commendation last weekend, while speaking at the two-day U-20 WATT Energy Drink Football Tournament organised by Mmadu for U-20 boys and girls in Abuja. Onyedinma, who was the special guest of honour at the event, stated that Mmadu’s efforts would forever be remembered by the youth, just as she called on other Nigerian internationals to always endeavour to give back to the society. “These youths who are being given the opportunity today would for ever be grateful to you. You have succeeded in
and a third consecutive away win for Watford. The Hornets are currently seventh on the table with tricky fixtures against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham in the coming weeks.
Wike commends Dream Team RIVERS State governor, Honourable Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has congratulated Nigeria’s Dream Team VI on winning the African U-23 Nations Cup
Onyedinma lauds ex-Falcons star, Mmadu Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja
plays well, it is because he is playing with other quality.” Ighalo has scored in his last three games for the Hornets. His goal against the Black Cats brought his tally to 10 goals in 16 appearances this season
bringing smiles to their faces and we appreciate all your efforts. “I want to use this medium to advise our international players to always remember their roots and ensure that they give back to the society that made them what they are,” Onyedinma said. In her remarks, Mmadu, who retired with 101 caps said “This is my little ways of saying thank you to all Nigerians who supported me all through my career as a player and are still supporting me even now that I am a coach. I am proud to be a Nigerian and there is nothing that I am today that is not through the efforts of all Nigerians”. At the end of the two-day tournament held at Area 3 pitch in Abuja, which featured 10 male teams and four female teams, Super Lions FC of Suleja, Niger State, emerged winner after defeating FC Liberty of Jikwoyi, Abuja, on penalties. The Sulejabased team went home with N100,000 prize money and a trophy for its efforts.
in Senegal as well as its qualification for next year’s Olympics in Brazil. In a statement issued on Monday by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, Wike stated that the success of the Dream Team VI justified the investment of his administration in creating an enabling environment for international and domestic football to thrive.
Wike stated that he is happy that the Dream Team started its Senegal 2015 qualification journey in Port Harcourt with the match against Congo Brazzaville, at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium with the full backing of the government and people of Rivers State. He congratulated coach Samson Siasia and members of his technical crew as well as the players for ensuring that Nigeria emerged victorious in Senegal.
International AMERICAN School, Lagos at the weekend emerged the 2015 champions of the David’s Cup annual inter-school competition with Michelle Otiji clinching the top prize following a hardfought victory over Tofunmi Ashaolu of the Corona School, Lagos. The tournament which was jointly organised by the Nigeria Fencing Federation and Premier Fencing Club featured about 40 kids from AIS, Corona, Grange, Children International School, and Greenspring. The final match lived up to its anticipated hype as Otiji, a nine-year-old girl, endured a torrid start as Ashaolu, the defending champion, who had shown sign that he is unwilling to relinquish his title especially in the semi-final against Tarik Junuzovic of AIS, used his aggressive style to a great effect to establish a five-point lead 7-2, but Otiji launched a great comeback as she racked up four points to force and extra minute. She then scored another point just on time to level scored at 7-7 to force another additional minute. Further luck was to shine on Otiji, who defeated Toba Fagbemi of Greenspring 8-6 in the semi-final, as she won the toss of coin which means should there be no point scored in the sudden death, she will be the winner and that was exactly what happened as she defended stoutly much to the delight of her schoolmates and parents who were on hand to cheer their kids.
Oyo SWAN elections hold today
Dream Team player, Ajayi Junior
THE much-awaited elections into the vacant offices of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State Chapter would hold today at Dapo Aderogba Hall of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ibadan. The polls according to the secretary of the election committee, Mr Olanrewaju Agiri, will commence at 11:am. Also speaking, the chairman of the committee, Mr Sola Oladapo urged every eligible member of the association to come and exercise their franchise. Meanwhile, the SWAN vice president, South West, Alhaji Muideen Adeleke and the national SWAN’s ex-officio member, Mr Alloy Chukwuemeka are expected to supervise the polls.
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Osun State government has declared that it will not relent on its efforts to stamp out gangsterism out of secondary schools in the state. Perhaps, Osun State has indeed initiated a ‘national project’ which other states across the federation must follow regardless of political differences.
Glo-CAF award:
Aubameyang, Ayew battle Yaya in top three •As Osimhen, 5 other Nigerians battle for honours
Lionel Messi.
Champions League: Arsenal
draws Barca
HOLDERS and Spanish league leaders FC Barcelona will play Premier League leaders Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League, 10 years after both sides met in the final, following Monday’s draw for the first knockout stage. Barcelona, chasing a sixth title, prevailed 2-1 in the 2006 final at the Stade de France in Paris and also triumphed in the knockout phase in 2010 and 2011. The draw for the quarter-finals will hold on March 18 with the semi-final line-up drawn on April 15. Chelsea, who are enduring a torrid time in the Premier League, will face French league leaders Paris St Germain in the knockout stages for the third year in succession after the French champions triumphed at the same stage last season and the London club had the upper hand in the quarterfinals the previous year. Another clash between big guns will feature former winners Juventus and Bayern Munich, while 10time champions Real Madrid were drawn against AS Roma. It is the game between the pacesetters in Spain and Arsenal which most catches the eye, however. “We are certain to see a sporting spectacular,” said Barca director Albert Soler. “Arsenal and Barcelona have a similar style of play. The fans will enjoy themselves, we’re two sides with a similar understanding of the game. They will be two great matches. We must have maximum respect for Arsenal. “Barca are used to playing under pressure in every sense. But we are the reigning champions and that gives you an edge,” he said.
Round of 16 pairings: Gent vs Wolfsburg Roma vs Real Madrid PSG vs Chelsea Arsenal vs Barcelona Juventus vs Bayern Munich PSV vs Atletico Madrid Benfica vs Zenit St Petersburg D/Kiev vs Manchester City
ANDRE Ayew (Ghana/ Swansea City), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/ Borussia Dortmund) and the title holder Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire/ Manchester City), have emerged the three contenders for the 2015 African Player of the Year award. The trio was unveiled at a press conference attended by CAF excutive member, Anjorin Moucharafou and Glo representatives on Monday in Abuja. Six Nigerians have also been shortlisted for awards. They are coach Emmanuel Amuneke, (Coach of the year), Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen (Youth Player of the Year), Ngozi Ebere (Women Player of the Year) and the duo of Azubuike Okechukwu and Etebo Oghenekaro (Most promising Talent). Shortlisted for Women Player of the Year are the duo of Gabrielle Onguene and Gaelle Enganamouit of Cameroon, Ngozi Ebere of Nigeria, N’rehy Tia Ines of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana’s Portia Boakye, while the Youth Player of the Year has Adama Traore of Mali, Kelechi Nwakali of Nigeria, Samuel Diarra of Mali, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Yaw Yeboha of
Ghana as nominees. For the African Player of the Year - Based in Africa, the top three finalists are; Baghdad Boundjah (Algeria/: Etoile du Sahel), Mbwana Aly Samata (Tanzania/ TP Mazembe) and Robert Kidiaba (DR Congo/ TP Mazembe). The winner to be decided by votes from head coaches or technical directors of the national associations affiliated to CAF will be announced at the GloCAF Awards Gala next month. Globacom’ s Business Director, North West, Mr Kemi Kaka who represented the company at the occasion, said “This is the eleventh year of Glo-CAF partnership and we at Glo take pride in the significant strides our alliance with CAF has achieved in raising the quality and popularity of football in Africa.” Kaka said “Globacom will continue to use its clout in sports sponsorships in Africa to encourage people in sports, African culture and business to excel.” The King will be crowned at the Awards Night holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on January 7, 2016.
Osimhen
Dream Team didn’t deserve to be African champions — Siasia •As victorious team returns
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IGERIA’S Dream Team, coach, Samson Siasia has acknowledged that his team did not deserve to be champions of Africa if their preparations for the just-ended African U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal were anything to go by. The victorious Dream Team on Monday returned to a heroic welcome at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as they were received by members of the Nigerian football and other sports Supporters Club, enthusiastic football fans and well wishers amid fanfare. However, Siasia said his team’s build-up to the tournament was nothing to write home about. “From how we prepared, we did
not deserve to win anything. It was just a miracle we won,” lamented the former Super Eagles handler. “We had to manage everything, from kits to what have you, for the past one year.” He added: “Motivating the boys was not easy at all, it was tough but thank God we survived it.” Siasia’s team was heavily criticised after the first two games for conceding two goals in the second half after a convincing lead in the first half. The Bayelsa State-born coach was therefore selective in crediting those behind his team’s triumph. “I dedicate the victory at the U-23 championship to God and wellmeaning Nigerians who were praying for us to succeed, but not the
wicked ones who wanted me and the team to fail. “I’m very happy today to have won this trophy, even if it was difficult, but the essential thing was done. “It was not easy for us taking into consideration the teams we met in
the first and second round. Algeria is a good team and they showed that on the pitch, and playing well. “My players also did well by scoring the goals we needed to win the match. Now we will continue to work, correct our mistakes and improve our game,” Siasia said.
Siasia with the African U-23 trophy.
Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 15/12/2015.