16th March 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,458

WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH, 2016

NNPC saves N1trn in subsidy removal, $1bn in oil importation —Kachikwu —P2

•Says 'our refineries now ready to work'

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria needs to Lekki Gardens: All N190m fraud: Oronsaye create 50 million jobs defective buildings operated secret bank account for FG, EFCC tells court in 4yrs —World Bank to be demolished —P11

—P6

Alleged N3.3trn fraud

Rivers rerun: We'll clamp down on sponsors of violence —Buhari —P2

N150

—P29

Senate to probe auditor's report —P2

•Allegations against NNPC, NASS, others too grievous to be ignored •Auditor-General raised a query not an indictment —Senate spokesman

Senate rejects bill seeking equality for women —P2

Prices of food items on the rise —NBS —P12

Candidates of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) protesting at the Lagos House of Assembly complex, against the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and its leadership, over the irregularities in the ComputerBased Test (CBT) in Lagos examination centres, on Tuesday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Lawyer slumps, dies in Lagos court —P7

2 news Alleged N3.3trn fraud: Senate to probe auditor’s report Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

•Allegations against NNPC, NASS, others too grievous to be ignored •‘Auditor-General raised a query not an indictment’ Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

the report of the AuditorGeneral of the Federation, which indicted some government agencies of over N 3.3 trillion fraud.

Senate spokesman, Sena-

tor Sabi Abdullahi, who made this known in Abuja, on Tuesday, said the 2014 audit report presented by the Auditor- General of the Federation, Samuel Ukura,

to the National Assembly on Monday, would be thoroughly probed.

The Senate spokesman insisted that the queries raised against various gov-

Senator Olujimi, in her lead debate, stated that the Bill sought to free women folks from the grip of discriminatory actions that relegated them to the background in all areas of life.

Olujimi added that what the Bill sought to cure were ills against the female gender in the country, as encapsulated in some of the charters the nation had assented to, both in Africa and at the United Nation level.

According to her, “all forms of violence against women are prohibited, whether the violence takes place in private, family or public sphere, including unwanted or forced sex, or traditional, religious or cultural practices harmful to the health, wellbeing and integrity of the woman.”

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in his

contribution to the bill, expressed support for it saying that its intention was good.

He, however, stated that what the nation needed is massive education of the society on the rights and privileges of the women, and not necessarily a new legislation.

However, Emmanuel Bwatcha, in his contributions, traced the origin of women agitation to freedom and equality, which he said emanated from a Catholic faithful who did not like the maltreatment his mother received from his father.

He added that agitation for women empowerment was rising higher by the day, but said caution must be observed in granting absolute freedom through legislation that will work against morals.

Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima also opposed the bill,

saying that the Nigerian Constitution had given guarantee to the various rights of women as sought by the new Bill.

His line of argument was toed by Senator Adamu Aliero who also argued that quite a number of the provisions of the Bill contradicted Islamic injunction.

When the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, put the Bill to question through the voice vote, senators who shouted ‘nay’ dominated the vote.

Saraki, thereafter, ruled in the favour of those opposed to the bill.

Following the rejection, Senator Olujimi later addressed newsmen to express her disappointment, lamenting that a strong opposition to the Bill was mounted by some men from a particular part of the country.

T Senate rejects bill seeking equality for women HE Senate, on Tuesday, gave the signal that it was ready to probe

Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja SENATORS, on Tuesday, voted against a bill seeking to eliminate all forms of discrimination against womenfolk.

Opponents of the bill sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi insisted that the proposed legislation was in conflict with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and they, therefore, shot it down at the second reading.

The Bill was entitled: “A Bill for an Act to incorporate and enforce certain provisions of the United Nations Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the protocol to the African charter on Human and Peoples rights on the right of women in Africa, and other matters connected therewith.”

NNPC saves N1trn in subsidy removal, $1bn in oil importation —Kachikwu Says, ‘our refineries now ready to work’ Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja MINISTER of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, on Tuesday, said under his leadership, Nigeria is saving N1 trillion in subsidy removal and $1 billion in fuel importation.

This was as he said for the first time, Nigeria’s refineries “are now ready to work.”

Kachikwu, who is also the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said the change at the corporation was only just starting, adding that NNPC would be delivering profit in two to three months.

“All the changes that have happened so far, in case you do not know… but I’m sure you follow the numbers and the reports that we publish, but it has gone from an average deficit of over N30 billion to N3 billion in a period of six months,” he said.

“If you continue on this tangent, this company should continue to show monthly profitability in two to three months. That would be dramatic, and that is even before we have even started – because we haven’t started.

“This is simply through your 20 fixes; you deciding to cut costs, and to watch your expenses and there’s still a huge amount of expenses you still need to cut,” he said.

Kachikwu said for the first time, NNPC had met up with 75 per cent of its responsibil-

ity to the federation account.

“With the new DSDP programme, not solely designed by me, but by all of you, you’re saving the nation $1 billion in importation programme, $1bn.

“Look at the fact that with the removal or connivance on the removal of subsidy

cost, you are saving the nation N1 trillion. For the first time, this organisation is not worrying about where to get the next subsidy money or who is going to pay it.

“For the first time, our refineries are ready now to work. Crude has been pumped from Brass to Port

Harcourt. Pipeline is being used for the first time in six years. For the first time, we are able to pump to Ilorin, we have not done that in 10 years,” he added.

He assured that in two weeks, the refineries would begin to receive crude via pipelines.

ernment agencies, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Assembly management, headed by the clerk to the National Assembly, over the payment of about N 9.5 billion without raising payment vouchers, were too grievous to overlook.

According to him, the committees on public accounts of both chambers would soon swing into action over the report, by investigating the affected agencies for the purposes of establishing facts inherent in the queries and recommending appropriate sanctions against agencies and public officers involved.

“The Auditor-General is raising a query, it is not an indictment.

“So when he raises his queries, the essence of the Public Accounts Committee is to invite those parties involved and through the instruments of their own work, investigate all the issues by seeking for clarification.

“At the end of the day, where they have infractions or infringement on certain procedures, the committee will mete out appropriate sanctions as stipulated by extant rules and regulations,” he said.

The senator added that the eighth Senate, which he said is driven by transparency, accountability and probity, would not in

anyway sweep the report under the carpet.

“The eighth Senate has chosen to be different as we have stated severally since we came on board and for which we came up with our legislative agenda to make us different from the past.

“Along that line, you could see the courage that we have to make some differences from what has obtained in the past and on this note, we have passed reports of some committees like the TSA, which is a classical example. Through that exercise, we were able to save the country N7 billion. “There are similar works that have been done.

We want to say that since we have chosen to be different. We urge Nigerians to wait and see what we will make out of the investigation,” he said.

He also cautioned against blanket condemnation of the past National Assembly, saying that the problem might be that they did not do enough over such reports.

“Without holding forth for the past assemblies, I want to say that it is not as if they have not been doing anything about the past audit reports. But perhaps they have not taken the action up to the scale that would have made a huge impact that people want to see. “If that is what the Auditor-General means, I agree with him,” he said.

Rivers rerun: We will clamp down on sponsors of violence —Buhari INEC to deploy 26,402 staff From Dapo Falade and Leon Usigbe President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deal ruthlessly with sponsors of political violence in Rivers State.

Speaking in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea, at an interactive meeting with Nigerians resident in the country, on Tuesday, he condemned recent political violence in the state, saying that the killing of people over political differences was primitive, barbaric and unacceptable.

“We will deal decisively with all sponsors of violence. I have given the security services clear directives in this regard.

“We will show that violence in any form will no longer be tolerated before, during or after elections,” he said.

Buhari also said INEC would be encouraged to explore the possibility of Nigerians abroad voting in the 2019 general election.

Noting that some African

countries had started allowing their citizens resident abroad to vote in national elections, the president said he fully empathised with the desire of Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in national elections.

President Buhari pledged that he would, therefore, do all within his powers to fulfil that desire, adding that “I want all Nigerians to know that I respect them and their right to choose their leaders.”

While declaring that his administration’s main area of focus now was reducing the level of poverty in the country, the president also said establishing a new national airline was not currently on the Federal Government’s list of priorities.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will deploy 26,402 permanent and ad hoc staff for the conduct of Rivers State National Assembly rerun, scheduled for Saturday.

Also, the commission will deploy 9,933 permanent and ad hoc staff for the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory chairmanship and area council elections.

According to a statement by the commission, the Rivers State court-ordered rerun in three senatorial districts, 12 federal constituencies and 22 state House of Assembly elections, with a total of 2,538,535 registered voters, would be manned by 17,673 Assistant Presiding Officers; 24,573 Presiding Officer; 444 Supervising Presiding Officers; 341 Collation Officers; 37 Returning Officers and 1,007 Reserves.

The state rerun would hold in 22 out of the 23 local government areas, and in a total of 4,442 polling units across the state.

This came as Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Emmanuel Aguma, said former governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, may land

in jail for offences ranging from incitement and corruption if the court finds him guilty.

He was speaking against the background of statement credited to Amaechi that the military would be used in the legislative rerun coming up in the state on Saturday.

Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, the commissioner said Amaechi was not in any position to say soldiers would be deployed for the conduct of the election.

He said Amaechi would be dragged before the International Criminal Court should anybody be killed by the soldiers in the course of the election.

Commander of the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Brigadier General Stevenson Olabanji, however, denied a statement credited to him that the army would not provide security during the forthcoming legislative

rerun in the state.

It was widely reported, especially on the social media, on Tuesday, that the Brigade Commander had said that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi was only playing to the gallery by saying that the military would be deployed for the election.

Olabanji, however, said there was no time he spoke with any journalist on such an issue, nothing that the said publication was a figment of the imagination of the writer (s).

Also, Rivers State police command denied speculations that Amaechi manhandled and arrested a policeman, last weekend.

The social media had reported, also on Tuesday, that Amaechi had, after his radio chat in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, committed the act on the Omagwa Road.

The state police spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, in a short statement issued in Port Harcourt, dismissed the report as false.

3 news Boko Haram reduced to remnants —Army chief

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Says, ‘we use same guerilla strategy to counter the terrorists’

By Wale Akinselure

T

HE Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday, stated that Boko Haram terrorists had been reduced to remnants and would be completely eliminated in no distant time.

Buratai premised this optimism on intensified counter terrorism measures of the Nigerian Army to include adoption of same guerrilla strategy as the terrorists, which prevented the terrorists from possessing the capacity to launch attacks.

Speaking at the Oyo Governor’s office, Ibadan, as part of his familiarisation tour of troops of 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, he assured Nigerians that the remnants of the terrorists were being rounded up at different hideouts in

the North-East and NorthWest, aside others who were arrested with their weapons.

“Our troops are doing very well in fighting the terrorism in the NorthEast and North-West. We have done a lot and are still doing a lot in fighting the Boko Haram terrorists.

“Terrorism is a global phenomenon. It may seem unending but I want to assure you that, here in Nigeria, we are working hard to ensure that the Boko Haram terrorists are completely eliminated. We still have some remnants. But, by and large, we are closing up and clearing them by the day.”

“We are using the same guerrilla strategy adopted by the terrorists. We are giving them back their own strategy. We have motorbike battalion which has added more capacity to our activities, as well as

the ability of our troops to move quickly to wherever the terrorists are.

“We have intensified a number of counter-measures that we will be able get the terrorists before they move out from their hideouts,” he said.

Buratai attributed the strides recorded by the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism to the

determination of the President Muhammadu Buhariled government as well as the commitment of the Nigerian troops at the war front.

He, however, pointed out that the fight against terrorism demanded long term planning, surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The Chief of Army Staff

Chris Agbambu -Abuja REPUBLIC of Benin has announced its readiness to deploy 150 military troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional military cooperation established by Nigeria with some neighbouring African nations to fight Boko Haram insurgents and oth-

er terror acts, next month.

This came on the heels of the continued visit to political authorities and military hierarchies of the member states of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) for consultation by the Commander, MNJTF, MajorGeneral Lamidi Adeosun.

In a statement issued in Abuja, on Tuesday, by the

•Vehicles, okada burnt •School shut indefinitely THERE was pandemonium at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, on Tuesday, when students of the institution went on the rampage, following the killing of a 200-Level student allegedly by an operator of commercial motorcycle popularly called okada.

The authorities of the institution have, however, shut the school indefinitely and ordered the students to vacate the premises.

The students were said to have mobilised against the okada operators in the area and attacked any of them that carried passengers to the vicinity of the school.

In the process, no fewer than 10 vehicles, including two articulated vehicles with one of them belonging to Dangote Cement from Obajana factories and 10 motocycles were either vandalised or burnt by the irate mob.

Apart from the destruction, many students were also injured in the attack, as many of them scampered for safety when a combined team of men of the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army were deployed to quel the riot.

The security operatives were said to have shot into the air to disperse the mob, following which many of them ran helter skelter and were injured in the process.

The development caused gridlock on the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway as the students made bonfire on the road, with the destroyed vehicles

abandoned on the way.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that a female student of the school, Haliat Jubril, took the motorcycle in town on Monday to the Zenith Bank area of the town and had altercations with the okada man.

An eyewitness said the okada operator and the girl did not agree on the fare, adding that it was in the process that the okada operator attempted to collect the lady’s phone in exchange for the fare.

It was further learnt that when the lady resisted, the motorcyclist drew out a knife and stabbed the girl and, in an attempt to hurriedly return the knife and run away from the scene, he mistakenly stabbed himself.

The student was said to have been rushed to the state specialist hospital, Lokoja, for treatment, where she later died on Tuesday morning as she was said to have lost much blood.

The motorcyclist was also said to have gone to the same hospital for treatment but the personel on duty demanded for police report before he could be treated and was idenfied by one of the students while coming out of the hospital premises, where he was arrested and handed over to the police.

The news of the death of the female student led to pandemonium around the school, as the students trooped out to avenge her demise on other okada operators in the vicinity.

The attack, which started at about 11.00 a.m., lasted

factory.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi, represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, appraised the sacrifice of the Nigerian Army to ensuring the security and peace of the country.

He, then, assured of the state government’s cooperation with all security agencies to maintain security in the state.

Counter-insurgency: Benin Republic to deploy 150 military troops to MNJTF

Kogi poly students on the rampage over dead colleague Yinka Oladoyinbo -Lokoja

called on Nigerians to provide the army with information to aid the required intelligence in fishing out terrorists.

Buratai, accompanied by General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Laz Ilo and other officers of the Nigerian Army, categorised the security situation in Oyo State as satis-

for about three hours, during which goods like pepper, tomatoes being sold by Hausa people around the Lokoja International Market were destroyed.

Shop and business owners around the area hurriedly closed their shops as students and hoodlums took advantage of the situation to loot and steal.

Speaking with newsmen, the driver of the Dangote truck, Alhaji Musa, said he was coming from Obajana with 900 bags of cement and was heading towards Katsina when he ran into the mob.

He said he was stopped on the expressway in front of the polytechnic without knowing what was happening and his vehicle was

set ablaze, while the people took his money, mobile phone, fuel and carted away his bag.

President of the students’ union of the institution, Idris Abdulrasak, said it was unfortunate that the incident happened, saying the destruction was not carried out by students of the school.

He said some sympathisers and friends of the deceased from the town also joined in the attack, blaming the outsiders for the destruction.

The Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Luke Yakubu, said the school had been shut down following the violence attack, in order to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

Deputy Director Army Public Relations, MNJTF, Colonel Mohammed Dole, he stated that Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic had already sent their troops since late 2015 to join the Nigerian forces at N’Djamena.

The statement confirmed the presence of the Commander of the MNJTF in Benin Republic, where he met with the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

The commander added that the headquarters of MNJTF and all the sectors are fully operational; hence the need for deployment of Benin troops in the

theatre of operation.

The Benin contingent are expected to perform garrison duties, provision of escort and security to humanitarian operations, protection of very important personalities (VIP) and serve as reserve force for quick intervention when necessary.

“The first batch of 150 military personnel will be deployed in Ndjamena, HQ MNJTF before the end of April, while the remaining batches will be airlifted subsequently to meet up with 750 troops expected from Benin Republic,” the minister was quoted to have said.

Roadside bomb kills 3 in Borno James Bwala -Maiduguri ROADSIDE bomb planted by suspected members of Boko Haram has blown off, killing three members of the vigilance group in Huyum village, in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

This was confirmed by a member of the vigilante group in the council, Mallam Inusa Dawa, adding that five other members of the group were wounded and currently receiving treatment at the General

Hospital in Biu. According to him, as of the time he left the village, corpses of the deceased still laid by the road side, adding, however, that the vigilante had vowed to fish out perpetrators.

Speaking further, he said the team arrested some members of the Boko Haram group last week and handed them over to security operatives, a development, he said, triggered the attack, using improvised explosive device (IED).

Kogi: Bello’s voter card bears Abuja address —Witness Sunday Ejike -Abuja A witness in the Kogi State governorship election dispute, Mr Onoja Edward, on Tuesday, told the election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja that Governor Yahaya Bello’s voter card bears Abuja address.

Edward told a three-member panel headed by Justice Halima Muhammad that the governor had applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transfer of the card back to Lokoja.

The witness, who is the chief of staff to the governor, told the tribunal during cross-examination by the counsel for the petitioner, Mr Wole Olanipekun, that “I detest impunity,

I also detest fraud; I will not encourage impunity or fraud in governance, the voter card of the second respondent (Yahaya Bello) carries the address of Abuja, but we have applied for transfer and we are yet to get approval.

“Although, the names on INEC nomination form is bearing Abubakar Audu and James Faleke, but upon the request by the second respondent’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the death of Audu, the party submitted his nomination form to INEC. “Also, Exhibit R6 is a document which pronounces the election to run from November 2015 to December 2015,” Edward told the tribunal.

The witness also said Faleke

was a running mate throughout the election period and that he had never been an independent candidate in the state governorship election.

According to the witness, “28 candidates contested for the Kogi primaries and the petitioner was not part of the candidates that contested.”

Edward also told the tribunal when he was being cross examined by INEC counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon, that Bello obtained the second best result in the primaries and that was why he was considered to represent the party after Audu’s death.

“Bello had 703 scores during the primaries, and Audu got 1,109 scores. There was never a time the petitioner was an independent candi-

date.

“The petitioner had never been sent as an independent candidate all through the electioneering process. He had been a running mate all through the election,” he said.

Izinyon had earlier told the tribunal that he had no witness but would tender documents in relation to the election.

The tribunal, however, adjourned till April 6 for continuation of hearing in Faleke’s petition.

The tribunal also adjourned till March 22 for the adoption of written addresses in the petition filed by the former governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada, challenging the declaration of Yahaya Bello as the governor of Kogi State.

4

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Raising Leaders. Tranforming Minds.

formally announces the Programme of Events for the

OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING

OF KINGS UNIVERSITY, ODEOMU, THE STATE OF OSUN, NIGERIA

SPECIAL CONVOCATION for the INVESTITURE of the CHANCELLOR

MAIDEN MATRICULATION ODEOMU, Osun State, Nigeria 10.00am THURSDAY 17TH MARCH, 2016

signed

DOROTHY SALAMI Registrar www.kingsuniversity.com.ng

info@kingsuniversity.com.ng 08033435402. 0802319531

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Lagos

14-year-old boy defiles 5-year-old girl in toilet Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 14-year-old boy (names witheld) has

Nigerian Tribune

been remanded at the Boys Correctional Centre, Isheri, for allegedly raping a five-year-old

girl.

The accused, a student, who lives with his parents at 2, Kao Close,

Santos Estate, Dopemu, allegedly committed the offence on February 4, in the toilet.

The prosecutor, Benedict Aigbokhan, told an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court that the accused was

caught in the act by a neighbour. “One of the neighbours, who heard the cry of the girl, had to rush into the toilet where he apprehended the accused,” the prosecutor told the court.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, remanded the accused, over the alleged defilement, and then adjourned the case to March 23.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

Trespasser pleads guilty, remanded in prison Gbemi Solaja

From left, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Wasiu Anifowose and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ganiyu Johnson, during the governor’s inspection of the site of the collapsed building in Lekki Gardens, at Ikusenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, on Tuesday.

Vacate Lekki Gardens buildings, Ambode tells occupants Bola Badmus and Akin Adewakun

L

AGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has ordered stability test to be conducted on all buildings constructed by the Lekki Gardens to ascertain their structural integrity and anyone found to be defective, to be demolished.

The governor gave the directive while addressing correspondents at the Lagos House, Ikeja, shortly after inspecting the site of the collapsed building and described the incident as “one building collapse too many.” He revealed that the state government had taken several steps to stem the tide of building collapse since the incident.

Governor Ambode disclosed that, “The State Government will undertake a stability test on all other buildings constructed by the developer in the state, whether occupied or not, to ascertain their structural

•Orders demolition of defective buildings •Lekki management vows to rehabilitate survivors stability. The developer will pay the cost of the tests. Any building found to be defective would be demolished.

For those that pass the integrity test, the developer will pay a penalty for any over-development on the site.”

Governor Ambode, added that the state government had co-ordinated emergency rescue of all injured victims and treatment at its hospitals, and that the government would carry out an audit of all structures in the state to ascertain those with planning approval or not and evaluate the physical development against the approved building plans, saying that details of the plan would be made public soon.

Speaking further, Governor Ambode revealed that a fiveman committee to examine the Urban and Regional Planning Law of the State as it af-

fects the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had been set up.

The committee, according to him, is to be chaired by a past president of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, TPL Moses Olubunmi Ajayi, while members include President, Nigerian Institute of Structural Engineers, Ore Fadayomi; Mrs. Yetunde O. Ajayi, a retired Permanent Secretary, General Manager of Lagos State Planning Authority (LASSPA) and Secretary of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) as Secretary of the Committee.

Governor Ambode also charged the committee to examine the operations of LASBCA and make recommendations for changes that would ensure effective service delivery, recommend organizational re-structure and

appropriate manpower for effective operation of LASBCA, study the legal and operational issues affecting the functioning of the Materials Testing Laboratory and other matters that will enhance the efficient functioning of the two organisations.

He gave the committee four weeks to submit its report.

Meanwhile, the management of Lekki Gardens has announced its decision to set up a rehabilitation centre that would provide further medical care for survivors of the collapse that occurred in one of its uncompleted properties.

While giving updates on the incident to newsmen in Lagos, the company’s Head Estate Relations, Mr Steve Agbiboa also expressed the company’s readiness to support the families of those who lost their lives in the

incident, adding that top management of the company had also paid visits to 13 people that were injured in the incident.

“We are taking full responsibility of the medical care of those survivors and we will be ready to give them further medical support. 11 out of the 13 admitted have been discharged and we are ensuring that the other two leave their sick beds as quickly as possible,” he stated.

While appealing to the media to be fair in their reportage of the incident, Agbiboa argued that the primary aim of the company was to provide affordable housing units for Nigerians, describing it as unfortunate that the company was experiencing such tragic incident after successfully delivering 6,000 housing units in different parts of the country.

A 55-year-old man identified as David Orji has been remanded in prison after he allegedly trespassed into another person’s property.

David was accused of illegal trespassing into a property belonging to one Jude Nwabufo of Faka Motor Park, Iddo premises, without proper permission.

The suspect, according to the Police, after breaking into Faka premises, damaged the iron gate and also pursued one Nonso Okiya and Silas Akuieze with iron rod and assaulted them. He allegedly beat up Nonso and hit Silas with an object on his chest.

The Prosecutor, Sergeant Olatunde Kehinde told an Ebutte Meta Magistrate’s Court that the iron gate is valued at N180, 000.

David, a casual worker faces a four-count charge of trespassing, assualt, stealing and conspiracy. He pleaded guilty to the first count of trespassing, while pleading not guilty to the other counts of conspiracy, assault and stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs Folarin Williams ordered that he be remanded in prison.

He was given a bail of N30 000 upon his plea, and also asked to present two sureties who must be gainfully employed with evidence shown in court and evidence of tax verification of address.

She adjourned the matter till March 24 for fact and sentence on first count and mention on remaining count.

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

metro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

‘Deacon’ uses spittle to lubricate 7-year-old girl before sex Olalekan Olabulo A seven-year-old primary two girl, (names withheld) has narrated how a deacon in church, who she referred to as “daddy”, slept with her about six times and threatened that she would die, if she informs her parents.

The suspect, 44-year-old Aneke, (other name withheld) has been arrested by policemen from Bariga Police Station and has been transferred to the Gender Centre of the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja for further investigation and prosecution.

A test conducted on the girl at the Mirabel Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) confirmed penetration into her private part.

It was gathered that the victim’s mother usually take the girl to the suspect’s family whenever she wanted to go to the market. It was

Aneke

Mile 12 crisis: Assembly seeks scholarship for boy hit with stray-bullet Chukwuma Okparaocha and News Agency THE Lagos State House of Assembly has appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to award scholarship to Bolaji Kalejaiye, the boy who was hit by a stray bullet during the recent crisis in Mile 12 Market, Lagos.

Kalejaiye, who was the Head Prefect of Kosofe Senior Secondary School, Mile 12, was hit by a stray-bullet on his way home after sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on that fateful day.

The call followed a motion moved on Tuesday by the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Segun Olulade, and the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Mr Yinka Ogundimu. The lawmakers took turns to commend the Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, for leading a delegation from the House to visit the victim at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospi-

tal (LASUTH) on Saturday, March 12.

The House subsequently resolved that a letter should be written to Governor Ambode to sponsor his education.

Kalejaiye was said to have scored 250 in the UTME, and wishes to study medicine at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.

The House resolved that a letter should be written to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni to condemn the action of his men at the Mile 12 Police

Post, who reportedly rejected the boy when he ran to them after he was hit by the bullet.

The House also resolved to write letters of commendation to the managements of a private hospital and LASUTH that attended to the victim without bureaucracy of police reports.

According to Obasa, the story of Bolaji Kalejaiye is an interesting one, adding that he decided to visit the boy with other lawmakers, when he read his story in a national newspaper on Sat-

urday, March 12.

“I want to commend Bolaji’s courage, determination and bravery. I was impressed to have read that after he was hit by a stray bullet, the boy packed his intestine with his cloth and ran to a police post, where he was rejected. He later fell down and was assisted to the hospital by the residents of the area.

“We will forward a letter of appeal to Governor Ambode to consider if there is a way to support the boy in his study,” he said.

when the mother noticed strange signs on her daughter that she discovered that the girl had been sexually molested.

The girl explained to the police that the suspect usually send his children away from the room, whenever he wanted to have carnal knowledge of her and usually rub spittle on her private part, before sleeping with her.

The mother of the victim told Lagos Metro that her family was attending the same church with the suspect, until about a year ago,

Lawyer slumps, dies during court session Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare and Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A lawyer identified as Chidi, on Tuesday slumped and died after court proceedings before Magistrate Mrs F. M. Dalley, within the premises of a Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting at Igbosere.

Chidi was said to have arrived the court premises late for his case before the incident occurred.

When the lawyer arrived at the court room with his client, his matter had already been called, heard and adjourned till April 14, 2016 by the magistrate. He, however, apologised to the court on behalf of himself and his client for coming late, attributing his lateness to the heavy traffic on the road.

While still apologising to the court, Chidi started gasping for breath and coughing sporadically causing people present to rush him outside the court room for him to get fresh air but this did not

Brothers jailed for dealing in stolen vehicles’ spare parts Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanyin TWO brothers, Emeka Okenwa, 35, and Anayo Okenwa, 40, have been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by a Magistrate’s Court for dealing in stolen vehicles’ spare parts.

The brothers, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, were convicted on a twocount charge of conspiracy

and theft.

The prosecutor, Phillip Osijiale, had told the court that the convicts committed the offences sometime in August 2010 at Sera Faboyede Street, Bucknor Ejigbo.

Osijiale, a police inspector, said the duo turned the compound of their rented apartment into a park for stolen buses in the guise of a mechanic workshop. He dis-

closed that the brothers usually invited mechanics, who always helped them to dismantle and remove the parts of the buses for sale at Ladipo Market in Mushin.

He said neighbours who noticed their dubious activities informed the police.

“The police during the course of investigation found out that the brothers usually steal the buses from where

when they changed their church and that she was of help to the suspect and his children when he lost his job for over three years. “He is evil. I never expected him to do this to my daughter. He is a deacon and an usher in the church,” she added The image maker in charge of the state command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest of the suspect to Lagos Metro. She added that the police had begun investigations and would act on the result of the test, conducted on the victim.

their owners parked them and brought them to their residence to be dismantled,” he said.

The magistrate, Memunat Folami, said: “with all the evidence before me, the court finds you guilty and sentences the two of you to one year and six months imprisonment each with hard labour, without an option of fine.”

help his situation.

Consequently, his jacket and tie were removed and he pleaded that they should help him get a cab to take him home but before they could get a cab, he lost the power to stand or move and his client had to carry him on his back.

The cab finally came and he was helped in but before the cab left the premises, he stopped breathing and the cab man turned back with the corpse as he couldn’t take it to the man’s home for fear of harassment.

He was taken to the Lagos Island General Hospital where it was confirmed that he had given up the ghost.

Before he died, Chidi was expected to appear before the court in respect to a matter involving two defendants 38 years old Okedairo Okedeji and 28 years old Akolade Agbola who are facing charges on allegations bordering on stealing meat and snail worth N28,000, belonging to Southern Sun Hotel in Ikoyi Lagos.

The defendants who were arraigned on February 29, 2016, were alleged to have committed the said offences on November 11, 2016 and they had pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.

After their arraignment, Magistrate Mrs. F. M. Dalley granted them bail in the sum of N5, 000, with one surety each in like sum and adjourned the matter to March 15, for trial.

8

news

Wednesday,16 16March, March, 2016 2016 Wednesday, Wednesday, 16 March,

Abacha loot: Switzerland returned $723m to Nigeria in 10 yrs —Swiss govt

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HE Swiss government has confirmed that it has so far returned $723 million (about N142.43 billion) of the stolen funds seized from the family of the former head of state, General Sani Abacha, to the Nigerian government over the last 10 years.

The amount excludes $321million (about N63.24

billion), which the Swiss authorities recently said it was planning to repatriate to Nigeria.

These details are contained in the agreement signed on March 8, 2016, in Abuja ,by the representatives of the Swiss Federal Council and the Nigerian government.

The agreement, tagged “Letter of intent on the restitution of illegally-acquired

Edo 2016: Esan people insist on producing next gov Banji Aluko - Benin City THE Esan people of Edo State under the aegis of Esan Youth Movement (EYM), have vowed to ensure that one of their own emerged the next governor of the state.

The group said in order for equity and justice to prevail in the politics of the state, politicians across the political parties, should pick their candidates from the Edo Central in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

At a media briefing in Benin City, on Tuesday, the group said while the Edo South and Edo North senatorial districts, have had their fair share of power of

eight years each, the Edo Central has been kept out of the equation as if the zone was not part of the state.

President of the group, Kingsley Ohens, along with Mr Solomon Okoduwa and Mr Akhilumele Jeremiah, who is the publicity secretary, said Esan has been marginalised for too long and it was about time the injustice was rectified.

“Edo South has since 2008 held on to the deputy governor, Chief judge, Head of Service, accountantgeneral, auditor-general, attorney-general, solicitorgeneral as well as chairmen of Judicial Service Commission, Law Review Commission, Oil and gas Commission among others.

assets forfeited in Switzerland,” was signed by Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Swiss Head of Foreign Affairs Department, Didier Burkhalter.

The document, obtained

by Premium Times, revealed that $321 million acquired illicitly by the Abacha family, was initially deposited in Luxemburg ,before being confiscated by the Swiss Republic Judiciary and Canton of Geneva, following a December 11, 2014 forfeiture order.

The agreement said funds to be returned to Nigeria would contribute to the implementation of social programmes for the benefit of the Nigerian people in “an efficient and accountable way, guaranteed by a monitoring by World Bank”.

Acknowledging the cooperation of Switzerland and Nigeria as an excellent opportunity to fight against corruption at domestic and international levels, the signatories to the agreement recalled the long partnership by the two countries in asset recovery based on the principles of national interest, trust and mutual respect.

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

10 news

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Unlawful detention: Former NSA drags FG to ECOWAS court Seeks N500m damages Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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ORMER National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), has dragged the Federal Government before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice over his continued detention without trial since December, last year.

Dasuki, who was rearrested by the operatives of the Department of the State Security Service (DSS) shortly after perfecting the third bail granted him by the court, is asking the ECOWAS court to enforce his fundamental rights as enshrined in the African Charter on the people and human rights and the Nigerian Constitution.

Dasuki, in his suit, wants the ECOWAS court to declare his arrest and detention since last year without a court order as unlawful, unconstitutional and breach of his fundamental right.

The applicant also prayed the court to declare as unlawful and violation of his right to dignity of human person, privacy and family life, guaranteed and protected right under Section 34 and 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right and Article 12 of the Universal of Human Rights, the action of the Federal Government of Nigeria for keeping him in a dehumanising condition after he had been granted bail by courts of competent jurisdiction and after he had fulfilled bail conditions for his release.

He also asked the ECOWAS court to declare that the invasion of his privacy, home and correspondence at No 13, John Kadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto and the Sabon Birni Road, Sokoto, between July 16 and 17, 2015; and forceful and unlawful seizures of his properties without any lawful order or warrant of a court, constituted a gross violation of his fundamental rights under Section 44 of the Nigerian Constitution and other relevant laws.

He, therefore, prayed for an order of ECOWAS court compelling the Federal Government or its agents to forthwith release him and also to order government to release to him all his unlawfully seized properties during the invasion of his houses.

Besides, Dasuki also prayed for an order of injunction restraining the Federal Government and its

agents from further harassing, threatening, intimidating or infringing or interferring with his fundamental rights as guaranteed under relevant national and international laws on human rights protection.

Apart from seeking his release to face charges in court, Dasuki also demand-

ed a compensatory damages of N500 million against the government violations of his rights as guaranteed under the law.

At the hearing on Tuesday, the Federal Government, through its counsel, Mr T. A. Gazalli, objected to Dasuki’s case on the ground that he had already been

charged to Nigerian courts for various alleged offences.

The counsel argued that the ECOWAS court had no jurisdiction to enforce the bail conditions granted Dasuki, because it could not sit as an appellate court to the Nigerian courts and urged the court not to entertain the case.

Counsel for Dasuki, Mr

Wale Balogun, however, urged the court to dismiss the objection of the Federal Government for being misconceived and misplaced to the request of Dasuki before the court.

Balogun told the panel of three justices of ECOWAS court, led by Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke, that what

Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran (second right), presenting some books written by Chief Obafemi Awolowo to Professor Jide Owoeye, while the Vice Chancellor, Lead City University, Professor Olufemi Onabajo (second left); Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr Shittu Bello (right) and the Director, Academic Planning, Mrs Adewole Adekolarin (left) watch, during the Moot Court trial in honour of Chief Awolowo, held at Lead City University, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

Dasuki was asking for is the enforcement of his fundamental rights to freedom, having being arrested and detained since December 2015, without trial or any lawful court order.

He claimed that there was no dispute in the fact that Dasuki was charged before three courts in Nigeria for various alleged offences and that he was granted bail by the three courts, but was disallowed from enjoying the bail.

The counsel informed the ECOWAS court that since December 2015, when the applicant was arrested till now, he had not been told of his offence or any charge preferred against him, insisting that his continued was a violent breach of his fundamental rights.

Balogun, therefore, urged the court to assume jurisdiction, being a case of breach of fundamental rights as instituted by Dasuki and to dismiss the objection of government for lacking merit.

Presiding judge, Justice Nwoke, who had earlier granted expeditious hearing in the matter, adjourned the case till April 11 for ruling on the jurisdiction of the court.

Lead City varsity honours Awo

By Yejide GbengaOgundare THE Faculty of Law, Lead City University, Ibadan, on Tuesday, honoured the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for his unrivalled contributions to education in the country, especially in the SouthWest, formerly Western region, as well as his various contributions towards ensuring a great Nigeria.

The faculty, in a show of respect, held its maiden edition of the Moot Court in honour of the sage, to celebrate him and all his policies which they said made the South-West “the America of Nigeria.”

Representing the Awolowo family at the Moot Court was the chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc., publishers of the Tribune titles, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, who encouraged the students of the faculty not to focus on their present challenges, but on the various opportunities that await them in the future.

According to Reverend Oyediran, the sage was a family man of over 40 years, with four children, before he went to study Law and he trained himself and stood

firm in his belief; therefore, urging the students too never look back, even in the face of persecution.

She described Law as a noble profession, as the sage made his money as a lawyer and not as a politician, just as she cautioned the students to be careful as lawyers, not to be found culpable in the crime of domestic violence, which she described as a cause dear to her and one a legal practitioner should not involve in.

Reverend Oyediran also urged people to change their orientation and thoughts, as effective change could only come about when everyone embraced change and worked towards it, adding

that contrary to speculations, Chief Awolowo was a born again Christian.

Earlier, a cleric, who is also the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Olufemi Onabajo, in his opening speech, stated that it was good to celebrate the sage for his numerous contributions to the Nigerian society as a whole.

“It is good to celebrate Chief Awolowo. I am not a politician, but I am an ardent follower of the sage. I followed his life and travails and this could not be otherwise, because I am one of the first beneficiaries of his free education. Satan has held Nigeria hostage for a long time; that is why the

sage could not become the president. He was the best president Nigeria never had.

“He came before his time and was 100 years older than his peers in wisdom.

He was always thinking about Nigeria, that is why the South-West is great, but we never appreciated him. He was not a Nigerian, as he never comprehended the politics of deceit or diplomacy; he said things as they were and trusted people.

“He served humanity and was not a propagandist. We were stupid not to appreciate a man, who would have taken Nigeria to an Eldorado,” Professor Onabajo said.

In his welcome address,

Dean, Faculty of Law of the university, Dr Shittu Bello, stated that any lawyer who aspired to be great and celebrated like the sage must follow his footsteps by being diligent, be a great thinker and be principled.

He urged the students to ensure they read all the books written by the sage, adding that he was sure his experience would make them a better person.

Reverend Oyediran, on behalf of the Awolowo family, later handed over copies of all the books written by the sage to the chairman of Lead City University, Professor Babajide Owoeye, as the family’s donation to the Faculty of Law library.

N8bn CBN fraud: Court adjourns till May 5

By Tunde Ogunesan TRIAL of the alleged N8 billion currency scam involving some staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) resumed on Tuesday, before a new judge, Justice Joyce Abdul-Maleek, who took over proceeding of the case in place of Justice Yinka Faaji, at the Federal High Court 2, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The trial resumed after the defence counsel had pursued bail application at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan division.

At the reopening of hearing, charges instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, were read out to the accused persons, who all pleaded not guilty.

Those paraded on Tuesday included three CBN of-

ficials— Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola and Togun Philips, and others from other commercial banks.

Counsel for the EFCC, Mr Adebisi Adeniyi, said the accused persons, between 2009 and 2012, allegedly conspired with an intent to defraud the CBN Ibadan, by recirculating mutilated currencies running into about N8 billion.

However, counsel for the accused persons urged the

court to grant their clients bail, as they had spent close to a year in Agodi prison custody.

Some of the counsel, Mr Nathaniel Oke, Olalekan Ojo and Olayinka Bolanle, told the court that bail applications would be made available before the next adjourned date.

Justice Abdul-Maleek then adjourned hearing on the case till May 5 and 10.

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

N1.04trn fine: Reps walk out MTN representative •Insists MTN CEO must appear physically or risks arrest Jacob Segun Olatuni and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

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EMBERS of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, walked out the representative of the MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, Manager on Government Affairs, Austin Iyasere, during the resumed hearing in the investigation into the N1.04 trillion fine slammed on the company by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).

To this end, the House said the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the company, Ferdinand Moolman, must appear before it in person failure which warrant of arrest would be issued on him.

The House also summoned the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,Godwin Emefiele and the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, to appear in person at a date to be communicated to them.

The Chairman of the House committee on Telecommunications, Saheed

I would have advocated death penalty for fake products manufacturers if ... —DG, SON Akin Adewakun-Lagos

THE Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Paul Angya, has described manufacturers of fake and sub-standard products as worse than those stealing the nation’s material resources, arguing that he would have advocated for death penalty for such crimes if such penalty was within the purview of the nation’s constitution.

Speaking at an interactive session with the media on Tuesday, in Lagos, the regulatory agency’s newlyappointed boss expressed the organisation’s commitment to ensure standards are strictly adhered to in the country, noting that the country and the economy had lost huge resources both human and material resources to fake and substandard products.

The SON boss said the organisation would begin to charge any dealer of fake tyre with murder, as a way of putting an end to importation of used and sub-standard tyres into the country.

Akinade-Fijabi, while ruling on a letter sent to the committee by the MTN boss, berated the company CEO over the letter he sent to the committee through his representative.

A member of the committee, Nicholas Ossai, during the sitting, raised an objection that those invited failed to show up, saying that Sections 88 and 89 of the constitution empowered the committee to invite anybody, irrespective of how highly placed she or he is in the country.

The MTN boss, in a letter entitled: Re: Amicable

Settlement Negotiations With the FG, which read in part said “we note your reference to the above mentioned subject matter. In this regard we wish to refer you to the appropriate government agencies, specifically the Nigerian Communications Commission, Offices of the Honourable Ministers of Communication and Justice as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria which agencies are in a position to furnish your committee with relevant information on this issue.

“As you know, MTN is pursuing amicable settle-

ment negotiations with the Federal Government.

We believe you will understand that processes of this kind require sensitivity and confidentiality on all sides.

“Accordingly we are unable to make any further comments about the process at this stage.

“We trust that we can call upon your sound judgment at all times and that this process be allowed to continue in order for the parties to be given the opportunity to reach a settlement as envisaged by the court when it adjourned

the matter for that purpose on 22 January 2016.”

A member of the committee, Johnson Agbonayinma, while reacting to the MTN correspondence, saidit was insulting for MTN to dictate to the committee.

“We can not say we want to encourage investors into the country at our own detriments, the laws of the land must be obeyed to the letter. Over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed through the negligence of the MTN for its failure to capture in their data base their lines as required by the law, we

From left: Ngozi Megwa, Head of Market Development, Sub Saharan Africa, MasterCard; Adebayo Olarewaju, Head, Physical Channels, E-Business Group, FirstBank; Chuma Ezirim, Group Head, e-Business, FirstBank; Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami, Head, Sponsorship and Events, FirstBank; and Kamil Olufowobi, Head, Acceptance Business, Mastercard Nigeria, at the presentation of the MasterCard Award for Cashless Cross Border Champion, PoS Transactions to FirstBank.

Nigeria needs to create 40 to 50 million jobs before 2030 — World Bank

THE World Bank says Nigeria needs to create 40 million to 50 million additional jobs between 2010 and 2030 inorder to reduce poverty and promote more inclusive growth.

This is contained in a statement published on its website on Tuesday.

According to the bank the jobs to be created need to be more productive and provide higher incomes.

This is premised on three new World Bank reports focusing on this challenging agenda.

According to the statement, the first report titled “More, and More Productive Jobs for Nigeria” provides a detailed overview of jobs, workers, and employment opportunities.

The second, “Understanding and Driving Private Sector Growth in Nigeria” studies constraints and drivers of firm-level growth and implications for employment.”

The third report titled, “Skills for Competitiveness and Employability” exam-

ines the demand in priority economic and job growth sectors and how to ensure that Nigerians have the right skills.

The statement quoted Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria as saying “understanding where people work, constraints to firm growth, and the skills needed is fundamental for formulating appropriate policies.

“The solid, detailed diagnostics in these reports are critical inputs to developing education and jobs strategies for Nigeria.”

The statement said that the reports show that “two Nigerians” seem to be emerging: one in which high and diversified growth provides more job and income opportunities, and one in which workers are trapped in traditional subsistence activities.

“The reports also show a geographic divide, with northern Nigeria having low levels of education access

and high youth under employment than the South.

“Although skills required in Nigeria remain mostly manual, the South is experiencing more demand for the cognitive skills required by the new knowledge economy,’’ it said.

According to the studies, the majority of adult Nigerians are employed but locked into low-productivity and low-income work, with no job or income security.

The studies find that half of working Nigerians are in small-holder farming and another 30 per cent working as self-employed in small or micro household enterprises in the non-agricultural sector.

The statement said the reports implied that the work of this category of Nigerians was not enough to escape poverty, or attain middle class status for their households.

The reports, however, called for attention to key areas for the country’s education, competitiveness,

and jobs agenda.

The reports, therefore, offered solutions to include a transition into more productive employment through more skills acquisition.

“Nigeria needs to improve basic skills levels, some 30 percent of youth have not completed more than primary education.

“Beyond basic skills, better policies and programmes would improve access and market relevance of technical vocational education and training.’’

It also said that better job market information and facilitation would strengthen job accreditation and certification and expand opportunities for school-to-work transition.

At the same time, informal short programmes can help existing workers upgrade skills and become more employable.

Secondly, the private sector generates employment but firm growth is too small to absorb a large number of Nigerians.

should walk out the MTN representative from this sitting,” he said.

The chairman of the committee, in a chat with journalists, said “we’ve invited the MD, if he fails to show up we’ll approach the IGP and through him order for his arrest.”

Sterling Bank rated 10th globally, best in Nigeria

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

STERLING Bank Plc has been rated by Lafferty Group as one of the best 10 in the world and the best in Nigeria.

This was contained in a rating of 100 banks from around the world released by the Group on Tuesday.

According to Lafferty, its approach to rating is to use publicly available information to judge against key quantitative and qualitative criteria such as strategy, culture, customer care, brand promise and financial performance.

Chairman, Lafferty Group, Michael Lafferty, “banks that score well on Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings tend to trade at a premium price to their tangible book value”.

On its rating Lafferty said “Our ratings rank the overall quality of quoted banks using standardized ratings scale that includes quantitative and qualitative criteria in the annual report.

Reacting to the ratings, Yemi Adeola, Managing Director/Chief Executive, stated: “Our bank has remained resilient in a turbulent operating environment; and Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings has provided an objective view on the fundamentals of our business, by rating us 10th in the world, top 3 in Africa (after Capitec and Barclays Africa) and the top bank in Nigeria.

“In spite of both regulatory and macroeconomic headwinds, we have maintained strong capital and liquidity positions. I am pleased that an external and independent party has validated the Bank’s reputation as a well- run, sustainable institution which further lays credence to our valuation in the equities market relative to competition.

“While we welcome the external validation of our business model, we remain committed to building a strong brand with a pervasive culture of innovation, good corporate governance and excellent service delivery.”

businessnews Food prices on the rise —NBS 12

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

T

HE National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Tuesday, said the prices of major food items went up in February even as the general inflation rate rose by 11.4 per cent in the month compared to the 9.6 per cent in January.

This is contained in February 2015 Consumer Price Index (CPI)/ Inflation Report issued by the NBS in Abuja.

According to the report, “After increasing at the same pace for two months, the pace of increases of food prices as recorded by the Food sub-index increased at faster pace in February. The Food index increased by 11.3 per cent, up by 0.71 per cent points from rates recorded in January. During the month, all major food groups which contribute to the Food sub-index increased at a faster pace during the month with the exception of potatoes, yams and other tubers; and sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery groups.”

The report added that the “All Items less Farm Produce” or Core sub-index, increased at a faster pace in February as imported items as well as other domestic shocks resulted in ripple effects across many divisions that contribute to the Core.

It stated further, “The index increased by 11.0 per cent in February, roughly 2.2 per cent points from rates recorded in January.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline Index increased at a faster pace in February relative to January. The index increased by 2.3 per cent, in February, roughly 1.4 per cent points from rates recorded in January, as all divisions that contribute to the index increased with the exception of the Restaurants and Hotels division increasing at a slower pace.”

The report also stated that “Imported food items as well as other necessary inputs to producing key local staples such as bread continue to drive the food index higher. The Food index increased by 11.3 per cent (Year-on-year) 0.7 per cent points higher from rates recorded in January.

“The highest price increases were recorded in the Fish, Vegetables and Bread and Cereals groups for the second consecutive month. On a month-onmonth basis, the Food subindex increased by 1.4 per cent in February, 0.45 per cent points higher from rates recorded in January.”

On the general rise in prices, the report stated

that “The headline index increased by 11.4 per cent year-on-year in February, roughly 1.76 per cent point higher from rates recorded in January (9.6 per cent).

“The faster pace of increases which led to the overall rise in the headline index was recorded across almost all major divisions.

“This contributes to the headline index with the exception of the restaurants and hotels division which increased, albeit at a slower pace.’’

On a month-on-month basis, the report said that the Headline Index increased at a faster pace in February relative to Janu-

ary. Meanwhile, the report said both the urban and rural indices recorded increases in January.

“The urban index rose by 12.3 per cent (year-on-year) from 9.7 per cent in the month earlier, and the rural index increased by 10.7 per cent in February from 9.5 per cent in January.

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Equities dip by 0.4% “On a month-on-month basis, both the urban and rural indices increased at a faster pace.

“The urban index increased by 3.0 per cent in February from 0.9 per cent in January, while the rural index increased by 1.8 per cent from 0.9 per cent in January,’’ it added.

From left, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation & Youth Empowerment, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede; Country Manager, HP, Mrs Ify Afe; Regional Director, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Intel Corporation, Cigdem Ertem; Distribution Manager, Lenovo West Africa, Mrs Terae Onyeje; Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa Director, Intel Corporation, Carlos Martinez, at a joint press conference in Lagos on Tuesday to announce a PC Adoption Initiative in collaboration with other partners within the ecosystem.

Non-oil earnings: FG inaugurates $1m investment, technology partnership with UNIDO IN collaboration with the United Nations International Developemnt Organisation, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, launched the first N300m Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Nigeria.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who described the development as timely, explained that the move would accelerate the industrial revolution mantra of the Buhari administation while supporting the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

Discussing the benefits of the ITPO to the country, the minister said it would attract beneficial and technologically based Foreign Direct Investments and Local Direct Investments into Nigeria, adding that the African continent stood to benefit from the Office as its services would be extended to ECOWAS member states.

“Nigeria has all it takes to drive and sustain the activities of the Office at home and abroad,“ the minister said, adding that the country’s large market, natural resources, agricultural endowment and skilled labour would drive and sustain the activities of the ITPO. He said the ITPO would

collaborate with relevant Nigerian MDAs to enhance and drive efforts for attracting investment, acquiring and promoting access to technology, developing the small and medium scale enterprises through capacity building and cluster development.

The minister called for the establishment of a league between UNIDO ITPO Nigeria and existing ITPO networks in Italy,

China, Baharain, Russia, Japan and South Korea.

The ITPO Coordinator at the Investment Promotion Division of UNIDO, Ms Lucia Cartini, said the choice of Nigeria as the spot for launching the lead ITPO office was a joint decision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and member states of UNIDO, adding that it was based on the consideration of Nigeria as

the country with enormous ability to drive and sustain the project.

“Nigeria was chosen not only because Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, but also because there is abundant human and material resources to feed the sustainability needs of the ITPO,” she said, adding that the country offered excellent opportunities, especially in the non-oil sector of the economy.

Don’t endorse ECOWAS-EU EPA, MAN uges FG Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

GIVEN the fact that both parties are not developmentally at par, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government not to endorse the ECOWAS- EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in its present form.

The call was made by MAN President, Frank Udemba Jacobs, when he led members on a visit to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning in Abuja, on Monday, submitting that succumbing to he European Union (EU)’s pressure for the endorsement of the partnership agreement would amount to economic slavery and doom for Nigeria’s indus-

trialisation efforts.

According to Jacobs, MAN’s position was premised on the fact that succumbing to pressure to endorse the EPA would not only spell doom for industrialisation in the country but also wipe away the modest achievements recorded so far in the country.

“The position of MAN on the ECOWAS-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is that Nigeria should not endorse the trade agreement in its present form as both parties are not at par developmentally. Succumbing to EU’s pressure for its endorsement would amount to economic slavery and doom for the country’s industrialisation efforts because the modest achievements recorded so far would

be wiped away.

“We request your support on this issue. Nigeria’s position should be given top-most consideration on entering in to any International Trade Agreement,” Jacobs stated.

While calling on government to continue with Rail Master Plan, the MAN President made a case for the sustenance of the Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), which according to him, would assist in boosting the nation’s infrastructure base.

He stated that the call for the continuation of the Rail Master Plan was because of the importance of the rail system in haulage of bulk goods and movement of personnel in order to ease congestion at the country’s sea ports, particularly the Lagos ports.

Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba-Lagos

TRADING on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed on Tuesday on a negative note, as All Share Index depreciated by 0.42 per cent to close at 25,745.13 basis points, compared with the 0.52 per cent depreciation recorded previously.

Market breadth closed positive as CONOIL led 13 gainers against 26 losers topped by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated at the end of trading, an unimproved performance when compared with previous outlook.

Also, market turnover closes positive as volume moved up by 64.49 per cent against 5.40 per cent uptick recorded in the previous session.

United Bank of Africa, Zenith Bank Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc were the most active to boost market turnover.

Global online discount platform debuts in Nigeria Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

A global on-line discount platform aimed at subsidising expenses of serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and students of the nation’s tertiary institutions is set to debut in the country.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara is billed to launch the platform that is targeted at over 23 million Nigerian youths.

Already, Committee of Vice Chancellors as well as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have reportedly endorsed the platform to be launched on 24th of this month in Abuja .

According to the initiators of the concept, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, a former member of the House of Representatives, the online platform, an innovation in Nigeria, became necessary as a result of the prevailing economic realities confronting the country.

Daramola, while chatting with journalists in Abuja, in company with members of his team, said Nigeria could no longer afford to lag behind the rest of the world in accessing the gains of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

The former lawmaker revealed that “in conjunction with a technical partner, Bridge Concept had designed a card which subscribing youth corpers and students can use to enjoy discount in goods and service at any location within and outside the country.”

13

editorial

T

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Corruption and trial by the media

HE current rate of awareness of the corrosive potentials of corruption on the future of Nigeria is undeniably high. This demands great kudos for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially given the dexterity with which he and government have woven the narratives of the ills of corruption as a disadvertisement to those persuaded to tread that path in the polity. The most gripping, even if eerily penetrating, of this is the well-burnished phrase from the president which admonishes Nigeria to kill corruption or it will kill Nigeria.

Of the methodologies available for stemming the tide of corruption, particularly building institutions of anticorruption and exemplification of the evil of corruption through making examples of supposedly corrupt people, the current Nigerian government seems to be at home with the latter. As such, the anti-corruption agencies, it will appear, have more conclusively investigated and indicted corrupt persons in the media than in the courts.

This is a great bother to legal activists, scholars and those who understand the villainy in the trend. Between the anticorruption agencies and the media, there appears to be a symbiotic alliance which ensures that, rather than in the law courts where the prosecution and the accused go through the rigour of marshalling evidences for and against conviction, conviction is not only ten-a-dime on the airwaves and on the pages of newspapers, it is offered in a peremptory, at-thedrop-of-a-hat manner which should bother society.

These days, there is a predictable pattern to the media conviction of accused persons: media organisations are given the minutest details of allegations against the accused a few days before their arrest, the accused are subsequently arrested and, almost immediately, likely charges fly about in the media.

The circus is in turn enlivened on the day of the arraignment through a hyped feast on the case by a multiplicity of Nigerian media organisations that are thirsty for ‘exclusive’ stories.

Dragged into complicity in the frenzy is the Nigerian public which becomes excitable at the ‘news’ of the eventual waterloo of those who pillage its common heritage. All these then combine to produce an anti-corruption fight that is bloated in the gallery but very remarkably lean in substance. This ultimately piles pressure on the judiciary and helps to find guilty, an accused already convicted in the court of the media.

This path is, undoubtedly, not in the interest of justice nor that of society.

The picture that the circus of media trial paints is that government and/or the anti-corruption agencies have no patience for the normal procedure and the sometimes slowly grinding mill of justice. It is a truism in law that it is better for a guilty person to go home scot free than for an innocent person to be convicted. The impression that is given is that

government prefers to make sport and entertainment of the anti-corruption drive rather than building an anti-corruption system that will endure and which will arrest any infraction on its own without the high-handedness of governmental powers.

On its own part in this matter, the Nigerian media has exhibited very scant abidance with its pedigree of professional handling of such cases. This is not a result of any apparent ulterior motive on the part of the media but ostensibly, due to the thirst and hunger for sensational news, at a time like this when the social media has literally colonized that space and made traditional media drab and ineffective in sensationalism.

In virtually all the instances, the media reports allegations of corruption as revelations, feeding the gullible masses broths of uncritical news reports.

We wish to remind government and the anti-corruption agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), of the existence of the Nigerian legal framework which presumes every accused person innocent until found guilty. They should not presume every accused person guilty until found innocent or else we would have violently injured a major stratum of justice. The other day, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, sensationally totaled what he termed the total heists committed by past governors in Nigeria since 1999 which he claimed ran into billions. No one took him to task on which law courts got these presumed convictions.

We urge an end to the circus of media trial in the Nigerian anti-corruption war. Shaming, we are quick to remind the anti-graft establishment, is not the same thing as conviction.

Rather, government should seek ways of strengthening the institutions of anti-corruption, one of which is offering encouragements and rewards to those who demonstrate fidelity and honesty in the country. Circus show anticorruption fight, such as we currently have, is a template that will not endure because it has a fleeting life span. It is not based on any acceptable methodology or empirically enduring mode of operation.

We urge the Nigerian media to refuse to be complicit in this circus. Appropriate language of reportage must be deployed in reporting cases of alleged corruption. Journalists must be trained and retrained periodically about how to report corruption cases. The anti-corruption agencies would do well to learn from the Metropolitan Police which invests millions of pounds on investigations, outcomes of which get unassailable convictions in the courts. If this is added to the need to enrich and empower Nigerian anti-corruption infrastructure, Nigeria would no doubt overcome this passing phase of the circus and excitable display on offer today in place of corruption war.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

editor

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

Why crude oil price shouldn’t rise now

T

HE price of crude oil is rising in the international market, but I am not happy with this. Some may say that it will bring Nigeria out of its current economic crisis, which has seen the naira fall to as low as N395 to $1, but the truth is that the recovery will stall our economic development.

Due to the economic crisis, we have started looking inward; we are now campaigning in favour of the made-in-Nigeria products, and companies that were on the verge of collapse quickly returned to

profitability. How did this happen? It was because importers of foreign goods found it difficult to bring in goods due to the fall in the value of the naira, and they had no other choice than to patronise local products.

Recently, a tomato paste factory in Lagos went from going to burst to opening a new N4billion line in just a matter of months. This is the success of the economic period we are in. For this tomato paste factory, more workers will be needed to man the new lines. Apart from this, we are now talking about diversifying

our economy; we are now looking at agriculture and the solid minerals sectors, and when things go on as planned, then jobs will be created. Now, why I don’t want us to get out of the current economic difficulty; the price of crude oil is rebounding, and the Federal Government will have more money to spend, thereby making us to forget all the good plans that we have made when things were rough. This is just how the human mind works. Then, the prospects of diversifying our economy will become dim, since

Towards making Nigeria more prosperous SINCE President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office last year, he has been straining every nerve towards making Nigeria a great country. The former military Head of State has focused his attention on putting the economy on a sound footing, while getting rid of corruption, which has become a social malady among the poeple.

To achieve his dream for a new Nigeria, the president has been working hard towards recovering stolen monies by some people who had the opportunity of serving the country in one capacity or the other.

The fall of the naira against the dollar is, however, one area that is seriously affecting our economy, but we can capitalise on it for our benefit.

First, we need to intensify efforts towards reviving agriculture, which has for long been moribund; this will particularly help our dependence on foreign food. We can then save enough foreign exchange through this.

Again, we can develop our extractive sector; minerals like coal, iron-ore, bauxite, tin-ore, bitumen, among others, should be harnessed for our economic prosperity.

We also need to improve our transport system, especially the rail, while making air transport affordable for all Nigerians.

In the transport sector, government will need to

rehabilitate the roads so as to make the transport of agricultural produce from the rural areas to the urban areas easier.

Encouraging local manufacturers and entrepreneurs to produce quality goods, as well as the pro-

vision of uninterrupted power supply, will also go a long way in taking us to our promised land.

•Ola-Olaniyi Bamgbola, 53, Agbeni Quarters, Ibadan.

money is coming in from oil again.

The worst part is that since the petroleum sector has been deregulated, Nigerians will now pay more for petrol at the pumps.

Before now, the government was subsidising the

pump price of petrol, but that has been withdrawn.

We are now at the mercy of the world oil market.

What then will be the price of fuel per litre when crude oil hits $100 per barrel?

It will definitely skyrocket at the pumps; will Nige-

rians be able to cope with N200 per litre of fuel?

I just pray that the global price of crude oil will perpetually remain low so that our politicians won’t even have money to steal again.

•Dr Taju Alalade, Ilorin.

Fighting corruption with financial whistle-blowers I want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the country’s ongoing anti-corruption war. It is so shocking the manner in which monies which we could have used for legitimate national development were diverted into personal used.

What the anti-corruption agencies should do now is to ensure that some of those standing trial for stealing our commonwealth are convicted. If we don’t get convictions, then we are only wasting our time.

Now, we must put in place structures that will make it difficult for corruption to thrive in the country. First, every government offices should have a billboard at the entrance with the inscription: ‘Should you notice or sense corruption going on in this office, EFCC is just a call away.’

This method will instill fear in the minds of corrupt people, as it is like encouraging whistle-blowers.

Corruption has eaten deep into our lives, and we need conventional wisdom

to tackle it. Let just look at what we could have achieved with the $2.1billion arms fund which was allegedly mismanaged during the last administration. This money can conveniently complete the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as well as the IbadanOyo-Ilorin Expressway.

Do we know how many hospitals the money will equip? Or how many retirees it would pay their gratuities?

Corruption is just like Ebola, and it will wipeoff our country if we don’t take the necessary action to fight it. Preaching patriotism will definitely help us win the war against corruption.

Would-be illegal finance whistle-blowers should be made to realise that they are leaking such secrets for the survival of their fatherland.

I am happy with the zeal through which Mr president is prosecuting the anti-corruption war, and we must all support him.

If we fail to capitalise on this new anti-corruption war, then it will take a while before we conquer the ‘demon.’

Finally, I want to urge those who are in positions of authority to always realise that they are in such positions to contribute their quota to the development of the country. They should remember that someone had occupied the position before them, and someone will also occupy the position after them; therefore, they should do their best for the country when they are in power.

Stealing through their positions will not do the country any good.

•Felix Adjei, Idearules2002@yahoo.co.uk

15

opinion

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Lekki building collapse and the audacity of impunity

By Samuel Omojoye

A

S at the last count, death toll in the recent building collapse incidence involving a five-storey building under construction in Lekki, Lagos, was 34 while 13 people were rescued. The episode of the collapsed five-storey building of 12 blocks of flats at Lekki represents yet another case of needless loss of precious human lives in our clime. It is simply a case of one building collapse too many. Despite Nigeria being a country where essential and accurate statistics is hard to come by, one cannot but notice the countless numbers of untimely but avoidable deaths and bodily injuries that have plagued our society over the years in avoidable circumstances.

Of late, the trend of building collapse in Nigeria, and particularly in Lagos, is becoming quite alarming. Sometime last year, a failed building belonging to a famous church in Lagos collapsed, leading to the death of many people. It has now become part of our daily routine to hear sad tales of collapse buildings with the attendant loss of lives and properties, injuries, structural and collateral damages to other properties, as well as public infrastructures. Though cases of building collapse are not peculiar to Nigeria, as it happens all over the world, but the trend here is becoming quite worrisome and a source of concern to all stakeholders.

Over the years, the familiar pattern, especially with regards to building collapse in Lagos, smacks of impunity, impiety and sheer arrogance. What we have in Lagos is the usual Nigerian style of circumventing the laws. It is no longer news that Nigeria is a place where illegality thrives, people build structures without approved plan, building permit and other necessary authorisations, while estates spring up without approved layout plan. It is estimated that more than 60 per cent of structures across the country fall within these categories.

Worse still and, perhaps, rather bothersome is that whenever the appropriate authorities attempt to ensure strict compliance to the rules, by either sealing up an illegal building, those concerned often disregard such move by simply continuing with the process as if nothing has happened. In some cases, they could

even resort to awkward actions such as beating up regulatory officials. The latest building collapse episode at Lekki, Lagos, is a classical example of how acts of brazen impunity by a few unscrupulous individuals could actually cause havoc to a whole lot of lives. In an official statement released by the Lagos State government after the ugly incidence, it was revealed that promoters of the collapsed building were served contravention notice for exceeding the approved floors and, thereafter, the building was sealed by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

It equally added that in a shameless act of impertinence and utmost impunity, the proprietors of the building, Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, illegally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the ill-fated incident.

The Lagos State government’s claim that the promoters of the building disregarded official directives to stay action on the project, having been found to have contravened building regulations, was corroborated by the staff of the organisation who alleged that there was never a time that they stopped working on the building. They simply carried on as if the orders coming from the regulatory agency were meant for the marines. It is the kind of impunity on display by the promoters of the Lekki collapsed building that has turned our country into a jungle where anything goes. The sad reality of our country is that impunity has become part and parcel of us.

Going forward, the appropriate authorities responsible for building approval and allied matters must ensure that the rules are strictly adhered to at every stage of the process. It has, for instance, been alleged that some of the materials used for the collapsed building, especially iron rods and blocks, were

substandard. This, of course, amply illustrates the complicity theory of regulatory officials who ought to have subjected such materials to necessary integrity tests. Experts have, indeed, revealed that in Lagos, many developers build without appropriate monitoring from necessary quarters. This should not be allowed to continue.

Any society that is built on the sort of impunity that we experience in our clime will continue to bear the brunt. The sad thing now is that impunity is on display in almost every segment of our society. Pay a visit to government hospitals, where government spend a fortune to put in the right equipment and ensure the well being of medical workers, you will be amazed at the attitude of the workers there. On the roads, the situation is not different. Everybody drives as if there are no rules governing traffic. Operators of the informal sector are not exempted from this culture of madness! If you have ever given your car to a mechanic to fix, or you have had cause to deal with plumbers, electricians, carpenters etc, you will appreciate the resourcefulness of the average Nigerian in cutting corners!

There is no point in passing the buck. We should stop the blame game. If we are to fulfil our potentials as a nation, we have to collectively change our orientation. We have to change our value system. To begin with, those who willingly circumvent the laws of the land should be brought to book by the spirit of the law. What it takes for evil to gain a stronghold in any society is for evil to continually go unpunished. It is in the light of this that one welcomes the news that the promoters of the failed Lekki building and their collaborators are already being prosecuted. They should be made to pay the ultimate penalty as stipulated by the law. They should face the music for their careless conducts. This time around, the case must not be swept under the carpet. This is the only way we can move forward as a people. We cannot continue to lose human lives in such unnecessary circumstances. The human life is too precious to be wasted through the sloppy conducts of a few irreverent people.

Enough is enough!

•Omojoye wrote in from Palmgroove, Lagos

The love for selective amnesia

By Ayobami Oyalowo A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia. — David McCullough.

“Maybe they were saying chains when we thought it was change,” blurted a certain social media senator, who has made the cyberspace his default “chamber.” And before you could say Jack Robinson, a hashtag, #ChangeToChains, metamorphosed on twitter, with various irascible characters jumping on the bandwagon with little or no understanding of what they were saying. Worse still, they could not muster concise and intelligent reason(s) for their anger aside the fact that they just want to be seen as angry.

What seems to be the cause of their anger in the first instance?

Some said there were fuel queues; others said the economy was in comatose etc. Justifiable anger, won’t you say? No, you are wrong. Most of the folks pouring expletives actually have conveniently forgotten so soon (like the Israelites who were liberated from over 400 years of captivity in Egypt) where we were coming from. As at middle of May 2015, most of the telecommunication companies were sending emails and text messages to their customers appealing to their understanding on why they should expect serious disruption in services due to the twin problems of power failure and lack of petroleum products to run their offsite generators.

On Friday, March 4, a Muslim friend of mine was rushing to the mosque for jumat prayers and we stuck a casual conversation. We both reminisced on how just a few months ago, going to the mosque or church on Sunday for prayers could be your last as there may either be a bomb blast or some deranged fellows lurking somewhere with sub machine guns. But today, we have almost forgotten that our lives were lived in such fears that daily living was a miracle.

Yes, Nigeria is not yet an Eldorado, sadly so, but while we are not where we ought to be, the truth is that we are not where we used to be. For those screaming economic downturn, I am wont to ask what economy? We have been a country with no economy aside being the dumping ground of finished goods from China and other countries. While the Asian Tigers are competing on how to be the best in terms of production, privileged elite in Nigeria are competing to outdo one another on consumerism.

Our shame as a nation reached abysmal levels when we became the butt of jokes of others as it relates to a product that we used to be its sixth largest producer. Petroleum was our major, if not the only product, yet we unashamedly sold it in its raw form, and then spent our hard-earned foreign exchange to import the same product in its refined form, thereby costing us not just several by products, but millions of primary and secondary employment.

The current government, however, came with a threepronged approach of security, anti-corruption and revamping the economy. In the last ten months, even the blind can see that the North East that was almost totally lost to the rampaging Boko Haram murderers has regained relative peace and the monumental corruption that had hitherto hampered our growth as a nation is now being fought with renewed vigour.

The erstwhile comatose EFCC has regained a new impetus to take on economy scavengers headlong (never mind the Awada Kerikeri posturing of former President Obasanjo).

There is no gainsaying that until security is fully in place, the economy will continue to suffer gridlock. But be that as it may, the Federal Government is doing its best under the circumstances it found itself. The Nigeria Customs Service is declaring revenue within months beyond what the revenue agency has ever declared in the past years.

Make no mistake about it, the Nigeria that President Buhari inherited was almost a broken entity, characterised by dwindling revenue due to the plummeting international crude oil prices, mounting domestic and foreign debt, tumbling foreign

reserves and a wicked gang up of supposed leaders who were doing nothing but stealing and looting the country with reckless abandon.

Recall that when this administration took over, 27 states owed between five to 12 months arrears of salaries of civil servants. Yet, I hear people wailing that President Buhari has done nothing? Bombs were exploding all over the country like firecrackers, but today, we have relative peace and people still think the president is sleeping? Military chiefs saddled with security of our lives and properties are today singing like canaries and confessing to how much they stole individually and collectively, and I still hear some trumpeting that Buhari has done nothing? Over N3 trillion which would have been stolen by “ghosts” have been saved due to strict adherence to TSA yet some say Buhari isn’t doing anything?

Frankly speaking, we are not where we should be. But it was Cheryl James, who posited that Change is not an event; it’s a process. If in ten months we have come this far, the least we can do as patriots is to support the government to do more.

We are not helping anybody by wishing the government to fail just so that we can say “I told you so.” What patriots should do in times like this is to support the government with intelligent criticism and advice on getting it right, not moaning for the heck of it, or wishing for the failure of government.

I have seen a lot of positives in the past ten months. I have also observed some things that can be done better. However, I will opt for where we are today rather than where we were about 12 months ago.

This brings to mind George Bernard Shaw’s poignant counsel that “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

Agreed that Nigeria deserves more than it is getting, but who can build without a foundation? President Buhari is uniquely placed to rebuild Nigeria from the shambolic country he met.

But to make Nigeria work for Nigerians, the one they fondly call Mai Gaskiya needs the unalloyed support of the longsuffering masses •Oyalowo, a deputy director of media and publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, writes from Abuja.

16

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Michael Okpara FUNOLOGY

• M i c h a e l Iheonukara Okpara, an Ohuhu-Igbo, was born on December 25, 1920 at Umuahia, in the present day Abia State of Nigeria.

CHURCH BOY

• He was a political leader and Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic, from 1959 to 1966.

• In November 1960, when Azikiwe left active politics to become Nigeria’s first African GovernorGeneral, Okpara was elected leader of the NCNC.

SEGELUULU

• At 39, he was the nation’s youngest Premier. He was a strong advocate of what he called “pragmatic socialism” and believed that agricultural reform was crucial to the ultimate success of Nigeria.

• Okpara died on 17 December 1984.

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

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

A

B

17

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

Jumeirah group unveils new product

I

N a bid to give Dubai visitors a luxurious and an unforgettable experience, Jumeirah Group in collaboration with Emirates Holiday and Dubai Tourism, showcased its products and new developments which includes the Burj Al Arab North Deck Project and the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray most opulent resort and award-winning spa. These developments were showcased by Jumeirah Group in collaboration with Emirates Holiday and Dubai Tourism, recently at an evening of enchantment.

The branch of Jumeirah Group in charge of the North Deck project is Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. It houses the world’s most luxurious hotel. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is located in the prosperous star of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai. Burj Al Arab is 321 meters above sea level and is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world. It stands proud as one of the tallest buildings in the world and the tallest single structure on a man-made island, taller than the Eiffel Tower and a mere 60 meters shorter than the Empire State Building.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah stands on a manmade island 280 meters offshore, connected to the mainland by a slender, gently curving causeway. The building is supported by 250 columns that go 45 meters under the sea and is held in place by the friction of the sand. It has an incredible 70,000 cubic meters of concrete and more than 9,000 tons of steel were employed in the construction of the tower.

However, in order to give its customers a taste of more luxury, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah recently embarked on a North Deck project to unveil the world’s first employing state of the art technology and design, manufacturing expertise and marine mastery construction experts on about 10.000m2 platform. The technology used is a mix of marine, offshore and construction industry solutions with half the weight of the Eiffel Tower, platform built offsite in Finland, Production facility where cruise ships and yachts are usually constructed, and with the highest quality in both construction and luxury finish. It has a fresh water and a salt water swimming pool as well as a swim up bar, 32 luxurious cabanas, 400 loungers, one restaurant and one bar.

A careful look at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah North Deck Hotel project reveals the building is the tallest all suite hotel 202 duplex suites with sea view, private check in the suite, individual reception on every floor, with exceptional 24 hours butler service, business desk (Apple I Mac, fax, printer, scanner machine), telephone, iPod dock station), Wi-Fi full size set of luxurious Hermes amenities for male and

female, largest Rolls Royce fleet and 1500 employees from 65 countries.

According to the Associate Director on Business Development, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Mr Aymen Baccouche, “Dubai is renowned for providing exceptional experiences. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is the world’s most luxurious hotels situated in Dubai. It is owned and managed by Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding. For the first time, the world’s most opulent allsuite hotel, is expanding its outdoor space creating a luxury leisure concept, called North Deck. This shows how committed we pushing the boundaries of innovation and demonstrating how determined we are to positioning Dubai as the most exciting

destination in the world and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah as the finest provider of luxury experiences.”

In the same vein, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has in a recent development showcased its products. It has ‘The world’s most opulent resort and award winning spa’. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is home to a private cinema with the seats up to 30 people.

Throughout the day, movies are played for in-house guests and the venue can be hired for unique events. The luxurious Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has three times more goldleaf than the Burj Al Arab & 30,000s qft of natural marble.

According to the Senior Sales Manager, Gulf Region and Africa, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Mr Cesar Habib, “Leisure and com-

fort in hotels are paramout to endearing travellers to a particular city. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has provided all it takes to meet the needs of customers of the resort”.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is a six floor beachside hotel with 405 elegantly appointed guest rooms, including 26 luxurious suites, and 38 opulent royal residences. The resort is home to a wide stretch of pristine private beach, various watersports and tranquil gardens. In addition to tennis courts and a 30 seater movie theatre showcasing popular movies throughout the day, the resort has an indoor and outdoor all new Sinbads kids club complete with Splash Park as well as the hotel’s Avenue of Indulgence, an exclusive collection of high end retail boutiques. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray offers an abundance of leisure activities across the resort to entertain the whole family including its very own private beach jetty, with shuttle boat transfers to and from popular destinations in Dubai.

It showcases a unique selection of award winning restaurants and bars, each offering a distinct culinary concept and an exciting nightlife ranges from the uber chic Voda Bar, to the popular Lebanese dinner dance concept,MusicHall.

The resort it also home to the multinational award winning Talise Ottoman Spa, one of the largest and most luxurious of its kind in the Middle East, spanning 8,000m² and boasting 44 individual treatment rooms over two levels across the male, female and couples sections. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is located on the West Crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, the celebrated man made island in the shape of a palm tree, with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. Palm Jumeirah is located between Dubai Marina and Madinat Jumeirah, a 35 minute drive from Dubai International Airport. Talise Ottoman Spa is the largest SPA in Dubai and one of the largest in the world. It’s got indoor thalassotherapy swimming pool, sauna’s, steam bath, adventure shower, Jacuzzi, snow room and relaxation area including three huge traditional Turkish hammams.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, and the likes, are sister companies under the management of Jumeirah Group. Jumeirah Group is the global luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding which operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including the flagship Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

With Emirates Holiday, travellers can enjoy access to exclusive offers on hotels, tours and services, and also enjoy trips to Dubai through the award winning Emirates airline for a memorable journey. According to the Business Development Manager, Emirates Holiday, Mr Roy John, Emirates Holiday is always looking for new ways to inspire your next holiday with fascinating destinations, one of which is Dubai, Unique hotels, one of which is that owned by the Jumeirah Group, and all the little things that come together to create an unforgettable experience for travellers.

For Mrs Stella Obinwa, the Regional Director For Africa, Dubai Tourism, the Burj Al Arab’s North Deck is another first, and yet a reason to visit Dubai. She reiterated that Nigerians who travel down will have a wonderful experience at the deck.

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tourism

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Motherland Beckons stokes Ile–Ife Tourism Zone initiative

Ooni, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and Professor Wole Soyinka in Abuja By wale Ojo Lanre

I

T is one thing for a visionary to properly configure, conceive and conjure his vision. It is another business for the vision to germinate, grow, blossom and be of benefit to its target audience.

Brilliant visions, ultra development ideas which are potent futuristic solutions to poverty and development and emancipation of the society have been postulated and expressed even exposed, But some of these died at infancy or remained mere illusions, never to be attained because of the dearth of midwives and absence of crystallisers or platforms of expression for fruition, propagation and acceptability.

This was one of the palpable fears entertained by many when the new Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, exposed his tourism vision after his installation as the Ooni of the Source.

It is historical and a fact of the Yoruba that Ile – Ife is not only the cradle of Yoruba race but the spot where all nations of the world dispersed to the places they all occupy today.

Ile – Ife is the mother of all nations and the ancestors thus bestowed on the new Ooni the ancestral vision of ensuring the re integration of all the nations, particularly the Yoruba, back to their mother’s land.

Ooni Ojaja, on Saturday 2 January 2016, while receiving a delegate of Oodua Peoples ‘Congress, (OPC) and Oodua Progress Union, OPU, led by its leader, Otunba Gani Adams in his palace, Ooni Ojaja 11 remarked: “I will engender a cultural revolution in Yorubaland which will accentuate and showcase the pristine beauty of our tradition and customs so well that it will be irresistible to tourists, delectable to investors and enviable by all nations. I will, with support of all and seasoned Yoruba sons and daughters transform Ile–Ife to a tourism zone, a historical- cultural destination of ref-

Ooni Ojaja II, Mrs Sally Mbanefo and some Africans in diaspora in Ife. erence not for global tourists alone but for the Yoruba in Diaspora.’’

He went further: ‘‘As the custodian of the House of Oduduwa and protector of the values of Yoruba race, I will not stand akimbo, watching with glee the progressive desecration of the culture and tradition of the race and its subsequent eradication from the annals of advanced culture. “It is our culture, tradition and custom that make us what we are as a race in the world. We should rise up as a matter of urgency to embrace, promote, protect, display and enhance our culture and tradition for the glory of the race and for trans -generational positivity.”

Ooni Ojaja 11, apart from being a powerful player in the tourism sector, believes that for such vision to germinate, blossom and achieve its purpose, he needs a stoker who does not only possess impressive track records on the tourism plane but a business minded professional who is passionate at doing what he knows best-vision actualization.

Putting on his royal periscope, Ooni Ojaja zeroed in on Ambassador Wale Akinboboye,

the promoter of Motherland Beckons and founder of one of the best resorts in Nigeria, La Champagne Tropical Beach Resort, as the promoter of the vision.

Ambassador Akinboboye, the current the Secretary of World Black Mayors and proponent of Motherland Beckons, an endeavour which seeks to reunite and reintegrate Yoruba in Diaspora who were dispersed by the slave trade back to their root saw the engagement by Ooni Ojaja as the midwife of his tourism vision, a divine coincidence and spiritual call to action.

Thus, on Friday 15 January 2016, the spirit of Motherland Beckons lured Her Excellency, Maria, A. Figueiredo, to pay a historical and memorable visit to Ooni Ojaja 11, in his palace at Enuwa, Ile–Ife, Osun State.

Her visit signified a giant step in the crystallization of Ile – Ife as a tourism zone and her remark exposed the Ooni’s vision as not only apt but an awaited project of the Diaspora.

“I am happy to be here in Ile–Ife, the cradle of the civilisation and the source of Black nation. Brazil harbour the largest concentra-

Nigerian Tribune

tion of blacks in the world, apart from Nigeria. My coming here is not accidental. It is a home coming which I sincerely believe has been destined by the Lord Almighty. It will interest you all to note that Brazil was colonised by Portugal, which forced on us its religion which is Catholicism. Apart from this, the other major religion, which we practise in Brazil is African traditional belief which emanated and was traced to Ile-Ife. Majority of us are Catholics, but all of us still have our traditional identity. For me, I am an Osun worshiper. And I am in Ile – Ife, the source of the world in Osun State.

She congratulated Ooni Ojaja 11 not only for ascending the throne of his forefathers with glory, pomp and celebration but for his vision at revitalising the tradition, culture and values of the Yoruba race for economic and sustainable development.

Ooni Ojaja, in his response, said “My vision is to employ tourism and culture to empower the youths of Yoruba land, generate employment and facilitate wealth. We have started on this note as 20,000 widows have been employed in cleaning up the city. Just a few days after the visit of the Brazilian Consulate General, on Thursday 28 January 2016, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Melva Pereze De Trejo, led his wife, accompanied by the Secretary of the Cuban Embassy, Mrs Miriam Morales Palmero, on a two – day tour of the ancient city.

The two–day tour which was facilitated by Motherland Beckons, served its purpose, as the Cuban team was not only thrilled but felt at home. It was particularly delighted by the spectacular cultural reception organised for them by the Palace and overwhelmed by the robust interaction with the brilliant and youthful Ooni Ojaja 11 .

“I am happy. I feel happy. I feel fulfilled.

I am just feeling as if I am in heaven. Ife is home. The Ooni is cool, brilliant and youthful,” said the Ambassador.

Apart from the palace, Otunba Akinboboye conducted the Ambassador to other historical places: ongoing Ife Grand Resort, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, where he visited the Ife Museum of National History; Oduduwa Hall and Martins Aworinlewo Odeyemi Museum of Antiquities and Contemporary African Arts.

“The meetings I had with the Ooni and other people in Ile Ife were fruitful. I visited many interesting places from which we can now depart for stronger and better cooperation in the future. The people here are very friendly. I felt more at home. I enjoyed the music, dance and other thrilling entertainment and hospitality at the palace and other places we went to during the tour,” the Ambassador said.

Ooni Ojaja pointed out: “I am happy that people are retracing their steps back to their ancestral home. It is a good development which should not stop. I want to thank the Ife–in–Council for supporting me and my agenda for the Yoruba race. The vision I have for the race is a task that must be achieved.

We have to promote our language, culture and tradition. God deliberately created this race as a light to the world and we must do everything to unite the race, to reconnect our people back to their roots and to let the race take his position in the comity of nations.

The ‘home, sweet’ home experience of the Cuban Ambassador and the wonderful reception given him and his entourage both by the Ooni–in–Council and the ‘perfect host’ attitude of Ambassador Akinboboye paved the way for a grand reception of the Ooni at

tourism Motherland Beckons stokes Ile–Ife Tourism Zone initiative 19

Ooni Ojaja II with Cuba Ambassador and others in Ife.

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, Brazilian Consular-General, Ooni Ojaja II and others in Ife.

Ooni Ojaja II with traditional rulers in Abuja. the Cuban embassy in Abuja.

At the Cuban Ambassador’s residence in Abuja, over 45 Ambassadors met minds with the Ooni. The event was witnessed by the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Director – General, Nigerian Tourism development Corporation, NTDC, Dr ‘Mrs’ Sally Mbanefo.

It was a night of glorious encounter as the Ooni exposed his tourism vision in Yoruba land and its importance to Nigeria’s economy.

Ooni Ojaja commended Ambassador Akinboboye for not only fast-tracking his vision but ensuring a noteworthy sequential execution and propelling of his vision, making sure that the vision radiated where it matters most, like ‘This night of Diplomatic and Ambassadorial engagement.”

Ooni Ojaja11 emphasised the cultural- tourism interrelationship between Ile–Ife and over 50 countries in the world which are being beckoned on by a clarion call from their motherland. The Ooni revealed at the colourful engagement of the Ambassadors and Diplomats his desire to declare Ile – Ife as a tourism zone.

Ambassador Akinboboye packaged the event in three dimensions: academics, culture and entertainment. Believing that Ife is the home of academic via the status and location of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), which in itself a paragon of tourism, he organised a public lecture where international and local tourism stakeholders ruminated, analysed and fished out the tourism potentialities of Ile – Ife. The discussants at the public lecture which was held on Friday 27 February at Awolowo Hall came to the conclusion that the Ooni was not only right but should be commended for a rare vision which will raise the economy of Ile – Ife and its people from penurious to buoyancy.

In showcasing the entertainment front of Ife as tourism zone, on Friday 27, January, a stage play ‘O digbose ‘( Goodbye to wretchedness) was packaged and staged by the Atunda Entertainment group to the excitement of the Ooni and the visiting Yoruba in Diaspora who were invited by Ambassador Akinboboye.

Saturday 28 February 2016, withnessed one of the most glamorous programmes held since the installation of Ooni Ojaja 11, at the Enuwa palace, Ile Ife, with the attendance of Ambassadors of Ghana, Cote d’Ivore, Dr (Mrs) Mbanefo.

Nigerian Tribune

Representative of Professor Wole Soyinka; Director–General, National Troupe, and the Ooni Ojaja declared Ife as a Tourism zone.

The Ooni, who metaphorically employed the word ‘Ile-Ife as a tourism zone, said that “It is not about the Ife town alone but a brand symbolization which is an effort at directing focus and attention of all Yoruba to the notion that Ile ife is not only the cradle of all nations but also that everything about

the Yoruba emanated from Ile-Ife. The declaration of Ile-Ife as a tourism zone is also to direct the world’s attention and tourism traffic to Ile-Ife to authenticate and view the hidden treasures of traditional relevance as acclaimed by the historical accounts of great historians and archaeologists like Leo Frobenius and those supplied and reinforced by the holy books.

According to the Ooni, “Ile-Ife is indeed the cradle of all nations. It is an enigmatic origin of the Yoruba race where most of the recorded events in the Bible before the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ happened. It will interest you to know that the Tower of Babel is in Ile-Ife as well as the ark of Noah.

This is to prove to all that Ile-Ife is the centre of dispersal of all the races in the world.”

He revealed that “Ile-Ife is a place where the land expands to the world and being the motherland, it is traditionally and officially beckoning to all her children to come back home, re-integrate with the land, refresh their memories and re- unite in cultural brotherhood and vision. This is the real essence and the message of Ile-Ife being declared today as a tourism zone for all.”

The Ooni pointed out that the declaration was not exclusive to Ile-Ife, bearing in mind that all Yoruba race are Ife in origin. “What we are actually doing today is to officially register and formally kickstart a positive and productive cultural – tourism deployment and engagement of the inestimable heritage in the course of economic empowerment, wealth creation and employment generation. Since the declaration and with the clinically aggressive method of creating awareness of Ile – Ife as a tourism zone by Ambassador Akinboboye, the story of Ile – Ife as a sleepy historical city has changed.

It is no longer a sleepy town but Ile – Ife as a tourists destination, love by all , scramble at by governors, ambassadors, investors, distinguished personalities and individuals. The new aura and visibility created by Ooni Ojaja 11 and fast tracked by Ambassador Wanle via Motherland beckons you to Ile – Ife. And according to Ambassador Akinboboye, it is just the begging of a whole complex of tourism initiatives by Ooni Ojaja, which is beyond the imagination of all. We haven’t seen anything yet, I assure you.’’

ILE-IFE TOURISM ZONE

REAL!

Visioner: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II

20

ecoscope

FG to address environmental concerns over Cross River super highway

with Doyin Adeoye

m:08058130577 e:doyinadeoye@tribuneonlineng.com t:@kreatif_ink

By Doyin Adeoye

Chioma Ukonu is the CEO, RecyclePoints, a waste recycling and social benefit venture that operates an incentive-based scheme. She speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on various wastes to wealth initiatives, among other issues.

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Pet bottle on the sidewalk, employment opportunity on the street —RecyclePoints

W

HAT birthed the idea of RecyclePoints?

RecyclePoints started with us trying to replicate what we saw in the western world.

We were on a family vacation where we found out that we have to segregate our waste right from the home, which was really intriguing, because the issue of waste disposal was really causing a menace in our country, without realising that it can actually generate employment and be useful to us as citizens.

So I started sorting my waste when we got back home and later it spread to my street and then to the neighbourhood. So RecyclePoints actually started from my house.

How did you convince people, especially at that initial stage to key into the idea?

It wasn’t really easy, but it was a very welcoming idea because we were basically speaking to low income people who are the most hit by the effects of blocked drainages.

And when you are speaking to someone that is first hand receiving the side effect of flooding, it is easy to preach the message. So with that life experience, it was easy convincing them on better ways to manage their wastes.

We also have organisations involved because we don’t want to leave anyone behind. We don’t have to talk much for the upper-class, because they know what is attainable out there. So we also partner with corporate organisations.

It has been challenging though, but worthwhile because you are happy that you are making an

impact. The surprise that people get when they realise that they can actually drive value from waste and that eureka moment gives us the drive. So with our efforts, there is no more litter because everyone now knows the value of waste.

As a social benefit venture, how do people get to benefit from the incentive-based scheme?

We have a very robust logistics with trucks, vans and tricycles in the waste collection process. It is designed in such a way that wherever is inaccessible for one, there is an alternative. As a result of this, we designed the first ever electric cargo tricycle for door-to-door waste collection in Africa, which is being manned by useful adults.

We did this so as not to leave anyone behind, because we try as much as possible to reach out to the unreached. So people get registered and we make visits to their houses based on schedules and volumes of waste generations.

Each item has its own point value: the pet bottle is one point; the aluminium can is one point; 10 pure water sachets is one point; five old newspapers is one point; 10 glass bottles is also one point and 10 brown cartons is one point.

So what do people get in return for partnering with you with their wastes?

With these points, people get household appliances or provisions from us. The provision ranges from toiletries to detergents, noodles and so on. As for the appliances, people get items like the washing machine, generators, laptops, flat

screen televisions, phones and so on, depending on the waste generated.

The women that are winning these washing machines are those that wouldn’t have thought that they could afford it. But because of their engagement with RecyclePoints, they get such things that they may not have been able to raise enough money to buy. So it has been a fulfilling ride.

You said RecyclePoints built the first ever electric cargo tricycle in Africa. How does this work?

The electric cargo tricycle can pedal, it has a shelter, it has a cargo back with a carriage on top and it can also move on its own because it is already charged. It doesn’t use fuel, so we are cutting down on our carbon footprint as much as we can.

Did you start RecyclePoints to tackle waste management as an environmental issue, or was it basically focused on the business aspect of it?

The environmental and social benefit aspects of it came in first before the business aspect. We started it with the thought of just keeping our house, street and neighbourhood cleaner; we didn’t know it was going to get this big. So when it did, we had to come up with strategies and resources and put things in place.

How important is a pet bottle or water sachet dropped on the sidewalk to recycling?

It is important because that is money lying on the street; that is raw material lying on the street;

dren’s’ excitement towards waste recycling. The school in turn also earn points and get items.

Would you say waste recycling is a good source of job opportunities?

It is possible for Nigeria’s economy to have a boost through waste recycling because our recycled products can be exported; they have export value and this can that is employment opportunity lying on bring foreign exchange. the street; that is a means of environmenMore youths can get intal sustainability lying on the street, and volved in more eco-friendly being trampled on. businesses. It is doable and It is unfortunate that something that sustainable and it is a good could be used for our good is now turning way to go for environmento a menace. So that is why what Recycletal, health and economical Points is doing is very relevant, because we benefit. are letting people understand that waste If you have a desire to go has a lot of value. into it, once you have a very good plan and set targets How many households do you curthat is attainable, the waste rently work with? market is very wide and in We work with a lot of households and we fact, we need more people are growing every day. We are currently on board. You only have to working with about 5,000 households, find a niche where you can with about 35 staff strength. fill and do something.

Why do you think women are more committed to environmental protection?

In the aspect of recycling, it takes extra patience, coordination and added effort and women are those endowed with that and they are also the ones that take care of the homes. So that is why they are at the frontline of the recycling process and more women are also buying into the environmental sustainability development drive.

How does the partnership with schools work?

We have a recycling advocacy for schools, where schools have the colour coded bins.

It has the educational, health and social impact. In as much as you are telling a child to recycle and he doesn’t even understand which bins plastics or papers go into, getting the point home can be difficult.

So with the colour coded bins introduced to schools and excursions to our sites, it drives home the message. So in such schools, the students become automatic recycling ambassadors; they will take the message home and even teach their parents.

So it is always interesting to see the chil-

THE Federal Ministry of Environment has assured that the environmental concerns raised by stakeholders, especially Ekuri people and other host communities affected by the proposed Calabar-Okwotung/Obudu/Yara dual Carriage Super Highway by the Cross Rivers State government, will be addressed in an open and transparent manner.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Bukar Hassan, where it was also confirmed that the Cross River State government registered for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed super highway project, and is currently conducting the EIA studies which are at an advanced stage.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment wishes to acknowledge the various concerns from members of the public, corporate organisations, non -governmental organisations, international organisations and other stakeholders, over the proposed Calabar-Okwotung/

Obudu/Yara Dual Carriage Super Highway by the Cross Rivers State Government. We are particularly concerned about the protest by the Ekuri people and other host communities affected by the project,” it said.

Some of the concerns raised were that the project would traverse the Cross River National Park (CRNP), which is a proposed United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Man and Biosphere tentatively designated World Heritage Site.

It is also feared that the proposed project’s site which has also been recognised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the richest plant and animal species ecosystem in Africa, risk significant destruction if the super high way runs through it.

The ministry noted that the Cross River State government was issued an interim Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the ground breaking, which enabled President Muhammadu Buhari to do the flag-off of the project. It, however, added that the approval does not convey project commencement of implementation.

Minister of Environment, Amina J. Mohammed (left) and Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, visit the Metal Scrap Recycling Facility in Kaduna, where both expressed displeasure over the state of affairs at the facility.

“In response to the commencement of work at the proposed site, and in line with environmental regulations, notice was given for stoppage of work. The public should therefore note that con-

cerns raised would be addressed in an open and transparent manner.

“The ministry wishes to advise the Cross River State government to abide by environmental reg-

ulations and EIA processes. The project’s host communities and other stakeholders are enjoined to continue peaceful dialogue as we resolve the outstanding issues,” it said.

Why we are partnering Oyo govt –WestAfricaENrg

By Doyin Adeoye THE Oyo State government is doing all it can in ensuring that the state attains a reasonable level of cleanliness in all its environs.

This was proved recently with its partnership with the WestAfricaENRG Limited, in a programme aimed at starting an integrated waste process in Oyo State, especially in Ibadan, the state capital.

The partnership came about from the idea of developing a material recovery facility in the state capital.

Speaking with Ecoscope, the CEO, WestAfricaENRG Limited, Paul O’Callaghan, noted that awareness programmes are ongoing both from the company, as well as the state government to educate people on good waste management activities.

“We met with the Oyo State government to talk about the idea of generating energy from waste and providing electricity for critical services such as schools and hospitals, among others. So we came up with a waste collection and awareness process to address the issue of waste disposal in the state,” he said.

Domestic solid waste disposal is one of the major environmental problems faced by many states in the country, as the quantity of waste disposal in many households has increased tremendously over the years. This is as a result

of an upsurge in the population density, as well as the unavailability of conventional waste disposal methods to promptly clear thee waste, among other issues.

With various negative sides to inappropriate waste disposal, addressing people’s attitudes towards dumping

of refuse in drainages and river channels is most timely with the rainy season gradually setting in, as this singular act subsequently result in flooding.

“Based on some history from what I understand, there was some serious flooding in Ibadan in the late 80s because people were filling their gutters with trash. So at that point, people were told to bring their waste to the road and the state will collect it. But now, that needs to be reversed. There is an ongoing awareness that addresses the idea of putting trash in the street; it is not good, and at the same time, people have to pay for their waste to be treated properly.

“So our role is basically establishing an environmental conscious Ibadan city,” he said.

According to him, skips will be reintroduced across strategic areas in the city and with enough awareness and enforcement, over time, people will realise that the step is actually for their own benefit.

NCF, US Mission call for action on forest, wildlife protection

By Tunde Ogunesan THE Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Adeniyi Karunwi, has called for more efforts that can combat degradation of forests, which will in turn protect the wildlife, just as he said a similar effort was needed to stop trafficking of wildlife in the country and sub-Saharan Africa at large.

Karunwi made the call at the United States Consulate, Lagos, during the commemoration of this year’s World Wildlife Day organised by the American Consulate.

According to him, the pressure for ivory as a result of the demand from parts of Asia should be curbed so as to discourage hunting and indiscriminate poach-

ing, which have led to the decline of wildlife population including elephants and rhinos. He said other animals such as pangolins had also become endangered because of such human activities.

To fully arrest the situation, Karunwi said NCF was already championing the Green Recovery Nigeria Initiative with the aim of recovering one per cent of forest cover per year in the country for the next 25 years so as to meet up with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s recommendation of 25 per cent forest cover.

He said the initiative was also part of the foundation’s five-year action plan, and this “we hope to achieve by natural regeneration of forests through proper and conscious management of forest estates and the planting of 1.8 million trees annually as forestation effort.”

He lamented the fact that people trade in some wildlife species such

as vultures for traditional medicine in Nigeria, which is a “major factor responsible for their drastic decline in the country.”

In the same vein, United States’

Deputy Chief of Mission to Nigeria, Maria Brewer, said Nigeria could play a critical role in saving the continent’s most precious natural resources, including wildlife, if

the government would enact and implement more stringent penalties for wildlife trafficking that will help dissuade potential traffickers from using Nigeria as a transit point.

United States’ Consul General, John Bray, (fourth right); USAID West Africa Biodiversity Specialist, Michael Balinga, (third right); Director General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Adeniyi Karunwi (second right) and other panellists, during a programme recently to mark the 2016 World Wildlife Day (WWD) in Lagos.

We know that when we protect our oceans, we are protecting our future

—Bill Clinton, former president of the United States of America (USA)

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

energy I

T all began effectively in 2005 when the Nigerian government signed into law the Electric Power Sector Reform bill with the aim to eventually privatise the power sector which had been marred with corruption, lack of transparency, lack of needed investment and inefficiency.

However, prior to the enactment of the EPSRA (2005), the Federal Government was responsible for policy formulation, regulation, operation and investment in the Nigerian power sector. Regulation of the sector was done through the Federal Ministry of Power with operations through the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), a wholly owned parastatal responsible for power generation, transmission and distribution.

To address the twin issues of NEPA’s poor operational and financial performance, the federal government amended the then prevailing laws (Electricity and NEPA Acts) in 1998 to remove NEPA’s monopoly and encourage private sector participation.

The amendments, however, were not far-reaching. This informed government of the need to undertake holistic policy, legal and regulatory reforms.

The National Electric Power Policy, 2001, specifies the reform agenda, while EPSRA 2005 provides the legal basis for the unbundling of NEPA, the formation of successor companies and the privatisation of the latter. EPSRA also provides for the development of a competitive electricity market, the establishment of a dedicated regulatory body and the establishment of a rural electrification agency.

Consequently, the federal government established the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which served as the initial holding company and subsequently unbundled it into 18 successor companies.

The 18 successor companies are Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (Abuja Disco),Jos Disco, Ibadan Disco, Benin Disco, Enugu Disco, Eko Disco, Ikeja Disco, Yola Disco, Kaduna Disco, Port Harcourt Disco and Yola Disco.

Others are Afam Power, Sapele Power, Ugheli Power, Geregu Power, Egbin Power and Kainji Hydro Power.

Moving from power sector monopoly to power sector oligopoly An oligopoly is a market structure in which a few firms dominate. When a market is shared between a few firms, it is said to be highly concentrated.

Meanwhile, monopoly is a market structure whereby a supplier dominates the entire market as in case of old NEPA. While many Nigerians have argued that the privatised power firms were ‘shared’ among politicians and cronies, the bottom line which is efficient service delivery should not be compro-

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

Power sector andprivatisation imbroglio

Privatisation is the process of transferring an enterprise or industry from the public sector to the private sector. The major benefits of privatisation are promotion of efficiency, transparency and option of choice for consumers. But do the benefits stated above truly exist in the privatised power sector in Nigeria? OLATUNDE DODONDAWA writes. mised.

The entire Nigeria, which is 923,768km2 and with 173.6 million populations, was divided among 11 distribution companies with no option of choice or preference for the millions of power consumers.

The challenge here is that when a sector is privatised all over the world, what comes to mind is free market economic principle which encourages the option of choice for consumers as we see in Nigerian telecommunication sector. The irony of this is that the privatization of the telecommunication sector has always been used as a reference on why the power sector privatisation will work.

Power sector privatisation is not, and will never be like privatisation of the telecommunication sector. This is because power consumers in Ikeja and Eko Discos, for instance, can never switch patronage with respect to option of choice when a consumer is not getting value for his money from a particular Disco.

The entire Lagos State with over 20 million people is shared between Ikeja and

Eko Disco and the only option for consumers is to relocate their residence from one region to another region controlled by another disco.

A state in the United States, Texas, has 12 Discos namely: AEP Texas, Austin Energy, CPS Energy, DPI Energy, Electric Database Publishing, Entergy, Garland Power and Light, Lower Colorado River Authority, Reliant Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Texas Electric Service Company and TXU Energy.

New York State has seven Discos, namely: CH Energy Group (formerly Central Hudson Gas & Electric), Consolidated Edison Company of New York (Con Edison), Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), Northeast Utilities, National Grid (including Niagara Mohawk), New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas & Electric.

Washington has 30 Discos, namely: PacifiCorp (Pacific Power), Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), Mason County Public Utility District 3, Klickitat Public Utility District, Cowlitz County

PUD, Clark County PUD, Asotin County PUD, Benton County PUD, Chelan County PUD, Clallam County PUD, Douglas County PUD, Ferry County PUD, Franklin County PUD, Grant County PUD, Grays Harbor County PUD, Jefferson County PUD, Kitsap County PUD, Kittitas County PUD, Lewis County PUD, Okanogan County PUD, Pacific County PUD, Pend Oreille County PUD, Skagit County PUD, Skamania County PUD, Stevens County PUD, Thurston County PUD, Wahkiakum County PUD and Whatcom County PUD, just to mention a few.

Australia also has 15 Discos namely: ActewAGL, Aurora Energy, Ausgrid (previously EnergyAustralia), AusNet Services (previously SP AusNet), CitiPower, Endeavour Energy (previously Integral Energy), Energex, Ergon Energy, Essential Energy (previously Country Energy), Horizon Power, Jem ena, Power and Water Corporation, Powercor Australia, Continues on pg23

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energy

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The worst isn’t over yet for oil, IEA warns StoriesbyOlatundeDodondawaLagos

W

HILE oil prices have recovered remarkably in recent weeks, this should not be taken as a definitive sign that the worst is necessarily over,” the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned.

“Even so, there are signs that prices might have bottomed out,” the IEA said in its latest monthly report published on Friday echoing oil markets which have seen a recovery in recent weeks on the back of a weaker dollar which helps to fuel demand.

“For prices there may be light at the end of what has been a long, dark tunnel, but we cannot be precisely sure when in 2017 the oil market will achieve the much-desired balance,” the IEA cautioned.

“It is clear that the current direction of travel is the correct one, although with a long way to go.

Without an increase in demand expectations, high-cost oil suppliers will continue to bear the brunt of the market-clearing process.”

On Friday, benchmark Brent crude futures were trading at $40.81 a barrel (up from the $32.80 a barrel last month when the IEA published its report). U.S. crude was also higher, at $38.69 a barrel.

At the start of the year, prices tumbled to around $26 a barrel as supply continued to outstrip demand. But there are signs that prices could have finally bottomed out, the IEA said.

These included: “possible action by oil producers to control output; supply outages in Iraq, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates; signs that non-OPEC supply is falling; no reduction in our forecast of oil demand growth; and

recent weakness of the US dollar.”

The IEA maintained its forecast for global oil demand growth for 1.2 million barrels a day (mb/d) in 2016, unchanged from last month. It said there had been a “sharp deceleration in demand growth in the three months to March, particu-

larly in the US and China.

Speculation has been high that oil producers from both OPEC and non-OPEC countries, such as the U.S. and Russia among others, were due to meet March 20 to discuss a possible output freeze.

However, a report from Reuters appeared to pour cold water on this.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report said that as OPEC member Iran was yet to say whether it would participate in such a freeze, the meeting was unlikely to go ahead.

Iran could be forgiven for not wanting to cut output when it has only just started producing again

Group Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, in a handshake with the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saudi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Chevron affirms production growth, new spending cuts CHEVRON Corporation has announced its readiness to consolidate on production growth and new spending cuts. The oil giant made the announcement during the hosting of its annual secu-

rity analyst meeting in New York where Executives reiterated priorities, expressed confidence in the company’s near term outlook and emphasised an advantaged position when markets rebound.

“We’re completing major projects that have been under construction for several years. This enables us to grow production and reduce spending at the same time, which should improve our

How privatised is power sector?

Continues on pg22

SA Power Networks (previously ETSA Utilities), United Energy Distribution and Western Power.

The common factor from the above examples is that in Houston, Texas, it was discovered that a four-flat apartment can have four different Discos as their power supplier and any consumer can switch to another supplier (Disco) within hours if he/she is not getting value for his/her money from a particular supplier.

Perennial poor power supply despite privatisation Power supply situation in Nigeria is a very peculiar problem because after several billions of naira has been spent in the past few years, nothing significant has been achieved, with respect to generation and transmission capacity.

Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that Egbin Power has invested a lot and all the six units of 220MW, except unit 6, are working perfectly and this has turned Egbin

after years of western sanctions for its nuclear program halted its oil industry and economy.

Keen to recover its market share, it might not be happy to cut output and other major producers, such as Kuwait, have said they will only commit to the deal if Iran does.

into the biggest power generation company in Nigeria. Forte Oil’s Geregu Power plant will soon be raised to 435MW and other power plants too are being invested in to improve power generation.

However, why the perennial poor power supply in Nigeria may persist for longer period may be due to non-privatisation of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

All the generation companies mentioned earlier rely solely on the transmission network managed by the TCN. The appointment of Manitoba Hydro International of Canada, as a management contractor, does not seem to have improved the transmission capacity because it is acting as consultant, it lacks the power to source for the much -needed fund and invest in the network. Furthermore, it cannot actually invest in any desperately needed upgrades to the grid.

Recently, a source at Egbin Power disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune in his office then directive he received from the TCN which mandated one of his staffers

to step down supply to the grid.

According to him, “you can imagine, this morning, one of my staffers informed me that he was asked by TCN to step down supply to the grid by 200MW. Where is it done in the world except in Nigeria? These are machines working at full capacity, if you ask me to step down supply; it means I should step down generation. Doing so may damage the plants and it will require additional costs to fix them.”

When asked if he had the powers to disregard them and continue to supply what was being generated by the plants, he stated that “if I should do that, two things will happen. Firstly, the transmission network may collapse and the entire country may be plunged into darkness.

Secondly, Egbin will not be paid for the excess supply to the grid once there is a directive to step down by 200MW.” On the other hand, the Discos, said they are mere revenue collectors on behalf of the regulators, the Gencos and the TCN. The Executive Director, Asso-

ciation of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Mr Sunday Olurotimi Oduntan, told Nigerian Tribune, that “it is unfortunate that the Discos relate directly with power consumers.

We collect revenue on behalf of all others and we remit to them, but the power consumers blame us for poor power supply.

“We can only distribute whatever we get from the Gencos. You cannot hear that any Genco is being shut down or picketed due to poor power supply but the Discos.”

Conclusion The power sector privatisation may have been marred by political interest, but efficient power supply, effective metering and adequate investment in the power sector should not be compromised.

Since Nigerians do not enjoy the option of choice among the discos, their rights should be respected. Estimated billing, popularly called ‘crazy’ billing should be eradicated in a privatised sector and Nigerians too must embrace cost-reflective tariff as incentive to power sector investors.

net cash flow significantly,” said John Watson, Chevron’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Watson reiterated the importance of dividend growth and maintaining a strong balance sheet in the company’s financial priorities, noting the company’s record of 28 consecutive years of dividend increases, and plans to limit debt increases beyond 2016.

“Industry conditions are tough right now, with low oil and natural gas prices. We believe markets will improve, and we’ll be well positioned when they do,” Watson continued. “We have an excellent upstream and downstream portfolio, and we are driving operating and administrative efficiencies across the company.”

Jay Johnson, Executive Vice President, Upstream, highlighted key plans. “We’re focused on safe, reliable operations and effective project start-ups and ramp-ups. At Gorgon, we’re producing LNG and the first cargo is expected to ship next week.

With an advantaged position in the Permian and a deep portfolio of operating assets, we’re transitioning our spending to more short-cycle, higher-return activity that utilizes existing infrastructure. We have a portfolio of assets that should allow production growth through the end of the decade, even at moderate prices.”

24

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

The Melaye, Mohammed spat over land swap policy

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Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye, recently engaged a former Minister of the territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, in brickbats over allocation of lands in green areas as well as the land swap programme. AYODELE ADESANMI traces the root and dimensions of the crisis.

T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was the antidote designed by the late Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, to decongest Lagos, the erstwhile federal capital, which was becoming overpopulated in the 1970s. Mohammed, who was assassinated on February 13, 1976 had, before his death, initiated the idea of a federal capital for Nigeria which would be far from the hustle and bustle of Lagos, even though the latter would retain its status as commercial capital in view of its natural endowments.

The Justice Akinola Aguda-led committee set up for the purpose of designing a proper location found the present site suitable as a federal capital that would be central, and neutral in relation to the country’s geopolitical zones.

Though Abuja was, according to the founding fathers meant to be the nation’s administrative capital, the music changed as soon as the Aguda- led committee concluded its assignment. Politics and individual interests took over, leading to the destruction of the master plan.

However, Abuja, which has become one of the important cities in Africa in terms of infrastructure development, soon started expanding like fire in the dry season, stretching the capability of the Federal Government to cope with the pace. That development apparently informed the series of ideas aimed at institutionalizing the culture of Public Private Partnership (PPP). With the population explosion witnessed in the FCT from early 2000, the government had developed series of ideas aimed at containing infrastructure deficit. There was the Mass Housing Policy, which allocated land to developers who would provide infrastructure and then market the prototype houses in the property market and other forms of PPP. The government also sold off its houses that littered the FCT to reduce the burden of maintenance.

The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, which appointed Senator Baba Mohammed as FCT Minister, launched the land swap policy, another variant of the Mass Housing programme instituted under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, held sway as FCT Minister.

The land swap programme is a system developed in conjunction with the World Bank, which is aimed at expanding cities and ensure that the city is opened up through the private sector-driven infrastructure development.

The land swap model, according to findings, is a process whereby investors with the financial and technical capacity are brought onboard to invest in the infrastructure development model, where a district the size of Maitama or Asokoro is allocated to an investor who would in turn provide the primary, secondary and tertiary infrastructure. The infrastructure provided would be of the same quality and standard in line with the master plan and in line with the model of other developed districts. It wouldalso have all the embedded facilities like sewage, water, underground electrical and telecoms dots and street lights, all embedded underground as opposed to surface outlay in many areas. The investor is then expected to use the land available to suit his investment.

Melaye

Mohammed

Interestingly, when the new Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) headed by Senator Dino Melaye came on board, it agreed that the initiative had good intentions. The committee however alleged that the programme failed to follow the due process. Committee chairman, Senator Dino Melaye, told the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, at a meeting which also involved officials and investors in the FCT land swap scheme, that the committee would not hesitate to address all administrative anomalies, misappropriation of funds or misapplication of the laws as the case may be, that were occasioned by the past FCT administration.

Melaye, who is representing Kogi West Senatorial Dis-

trict specifically, alleged that the land swap scheme was hijacked by some people he called “super powers” of the country whom he said made the coordinators to lose focus. He said some of the addresses provided by the investors could not be traced and the committee’s communication could not get to the companies. He added that the amount derived from each investor was not stated or captured in FCTA submission and the total amount accrued to FCTA was also not stated.

Indeed, a member of the committee present at the meeting, Senator Albert Bassey, drew the attention of other members to the magnitude of pre-qualification latitude given to investors in paying an initial amount of N350 million, which he said was not under the control of FCT. He asked the FCT officials: “Why are you saying that investors must make an initial payment of N350 million but in your submission, you said this is not under the control of the FCT?” A coordinator of the scheme at the FCTA, Faruok Sanni, who responded to the question, directed the senators to the land swap scheme manual, adding that all the questions being raised were already captured in the presentation which he said was already made available to the committee. He submitted: “With respect to the issue when l said no allocation has been made, the structure of the relationship is such that allocation will only be made when the investors start putting in the infrastructure, if you look at our framework.”

FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, told the committee that the land swap policy had been on the lips of many.

He stated that stakeholders, particularly members of the

The Senate committee however ran into a bad weather when it dabbled into what it called questionable allocations on green areas and called for revocation of certain land allocations in Maitama area of the city.

Continues on pg 25

politics&policy The controversy over allocations 25

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Continued from pg 24

El-Rufai National Assembly, had requested a further look into the scheme. He said his administration would look at it.

Bello assured the committee that whatever its findings were would determine its next action, adding that the ministry would implement the recommendation of experts. The Senate committee however ran into a bad weather when it dabbled into what it called questionable allocations on green areas and called for revocation of certain land allocations in Maitama area of the city. Melaye named beneficiaries of the alleged questionable land allo-

cations in Maitama Ministers’ Hill as including Mallam El-Rufai, Segun Aganga, Adamu. Aliero, Muhammed Adoke and Allison-Madueke, among others, adding that the FCDA should stop all forms of construction on the plots. He said that doing so would stop a disruption of the master plan.

At a news conference to further throw light on the land allocation matter, Melaye alleged that plots of land on the Maitama hills were also allocated by the immediate past Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed; two former President Jonathan, his family members and others including Messrs Uche Secondus; late General Owoye Azazi; the then serving permanent Secretary of the FCT, Ibrahim Bunu; Mohammed Abba Gana; Aliyu Moddibo and Adamu Aliero, among others. He said that all administrative variables were explored by his committee to extend invitations to the concerned persons, adding that the master plan was properly studied by the committee, while members physically visited the affected areas.

He also stated that the directors of the FCDA confirmed to his committee that the allocation of those areas were done with “impunity,” adding that the decision to announce a ‘stop work’ order was predicated upon the committee’s assessment. Melaye said he believed that Maitama hills, Zuma Rock and Aso Rock are national monuments that should not be tampered with for whatever reason saying that “With this administration of change, it is no longer going to be business as usual.”

He wondered why the former FCT Minister allegedly allocated green areas designed for flood drains, city buffers, recreations, urban farming, reserved land and

undevelopable areas. He further stated: “The committee is worried and frowns at satanic and misleading advice and recommendation to convert very important and beautiful natural endowments or features which are very scanty like the world acclaimed Maitama Hills, popularly known as Ministers’ Hills, which could serve as a tourist attraction to the residents of FCT. “I want to state here again that if the bourgeoisie of this country need a special allocation, a new district can be dedicated to them and not destroy the beauty of the city centre, a national monument like the Maitama Hills. Therefore, the committee’s decision on these allocations remains unwavering. A stop-work order must be served by the Department of Development Control and all trees removed must be replaced. The committee demands that 100 per cent of its instructions must be adhered to.”

But the immediate past Minister of FCT, Mohammed, would not delay in joining the fray. In a paid advertisement published two days after Melaye’s press conference, Mohammed put a lie to the claims by the Senate committee chairman, asking Melaye to educate himself more on issues affecting the FCT. He said that the idea of green area “is a land use provision within the master plan for recreation, flood and drains, city buffers, urban farming, reserved and contextually undevelopable area.”

He added: “However, for reasons of population growth expansion in infrastructure, security concerns and logical demands, city development all over the world has never remained static. Rather, it has been a dynamic process. Abuja has not been an exception.”

He explained that it was the administration of el-Rufai that allocated the green areas in view of the lack of capacity on the part of the FCT Administration to maintain them. He said that the former minister then allocated the green areas to individuals in the Hope that the allottees would live up to expectation. The former minister submitted: “Unfortunately, they did not. Instead, most of the park allottees converted the green areas to commercial uses, thereby placing them on collision course with the Development Control Department “Overnight restaurants, hotels, showrooms, beer parlours, pubs, among others, sprang up in these areas in complete negation of the master plan. In some cases, these unapproved conversions constituted not only a nuisance to the public but a grave security threat.”

He also explained that the Maitama Hills was designated as “undevelopable” when the master plan was first produced, perhaps in line with the level of technology at the time. He stated that the administration of former President Umaru Yar’Adua which had Senator Adamu Aliero as FCT Minister started the process of reviewing the status of Maitama Hill and that a consultant contracted by the former minister had submitted that the area was developable. The consultant, according to him, then isolated plots of land in the area, which were later allocated to those who have capacity to develop them. He said that it was wrong for Senator Melaye to jump into conclusions before knowing the details of issues at stake.

The last has, definitely, not been heard about the issue.

‘EFCC must probe all election cases handled by top lawyers’ Chief Fehinti Dada, former chairman of Ijumu Local Government and Campaign Manager of the Senator Smart Adeyemi Campaign Organisation, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2015 general election. In this interview with Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, he insists that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should investigate cases involving top lawyers at the election tribunals.

Excerpts: YOU served as the Campaign Manager of Senator Smart Adeyemi in the 2015 election but recently led a number of his supporters to join the APC, leaving the man you managed in the PDP. Why did you abandon the PDP at this time?

I was in the PDP for several years until, finally, we rubbed minds with my distinguished leader, Senator Smart Adeyemi, and he didn’t object to our joining the APC, looking at the scenario that was unfolding in Kogi State at that time, because of the characters that were coming on board. Before the governorship election, Senator Adeyemi told us he saw that the late Prince Abubakar Audu and Hon. Faleke Abiodun possessed the ability to move Kogi forward. Based on that, he encouraged us to work with them and there was no way we could team up with them if we didn’t join the APC. So, that’s why we decided to join the APC. There is no cause for us to regret. But we are also telling him that he should quickly make up his mind and join us in the APC, so that he can also provide some level of leadership, both at the national and state levels. Of course, he has been telling us he’s consulting; but the followers have made up their minds and have given him till the end

corruption the way it is doing; not limiting it to people embezzling government fund.

The searchlight on lawyers and their activities in Nigeria is something I want to commend EFCC greatly for. And in the ongoing case against Rickey Tarfa and some top lawyers, I want to appeal to EFCC not to limit the searchlight to some of the cases. It should probe all election cases involving the top lawyers, especially the election petitions case between Senator Smart Adeyemi and Senator Dino Melaye.

of March to decide on what to do. Though it’s not just easy for him to leave the PDP because he happens to be one of the major stakeholders, the party actually disappointed him and quite a number of us. We reliably have information that some PDP members even worked against Senator Adeyemi during the election. So, there is no point staying with your enemies.

At the same time, the PDP has issued two statements saying he should not leave the party.

They are crying when it is too late. If they had given him all the support he required during the election, it would have been a different story. But the people worked against him within that party and a lot of anti-party activities went on. For example, if the effort that former Governor Idris Wada put into his own election had been made during the re-election bid of Senator Adeyemi and other senators, it would have laid a foundation for his own victory too.

But because some leaders were giving the governor false information about the person of Senator Adeyemi, he refused to come out in full force to support him and to work hard for the victory of PDP.

Dada Following the suit instituted by the EFCC against Barrister Rickey Tarfa, you were quoted as calling for a probe of all election cases handled by top lawyers. Barrister Rickey Tarfa was the Counsel to Senator Dino Melaye in the legal tango between him and Senator Adeyemi, your former principal. What really were you driving at?

One thing I want to commend the present administration for is the support the EFCC is getting to do its work. Before, you think corruption is about embezzling government fund. Corruption is everywhere in Nigeria and that’s why I want to encourage the EFCC to continue to fight the war against

The constraint is that even if you call for a probe now, election issue has ended at the Court of Appeal; the judgment of that court can no longer be reversed…

Nobody is asking that the case should be reopened. It’s dead as it were. But it will correct a lot of things in the future because the judiciary is the last hope of the common man and if the judiciary is corrupt, then we are not going anywhere. At least, it will let the public know what went wrong because the two other senatorial zones, Kogi Central and Kogi East, had their elections nullified based on the same evidence supplied by Senator Adeyemi.

But in the case of Senator Adeyemi, the tribunal dismissed our case. The tribunal relied on a mere sheet of paper that has no INEC letterhead; you don’t need to be a judge to know certain things. The subpoena that they served on INEC was supposed to be on the commission but they served an individual. How can somebody pick a subpoena served on INEC and bring it to tribunal and the tribunal will accept it? What it means is that they can bring anybody from anywhere.

Honestly, a lot of things went wrong.

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politics&policy

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Fulani attacks: Ortom’s peculiar headache LEON USIGBE writes of the problem confronting Benue state governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, as he tackles the unrelenting Fulani herdsmen attack on communities in the state.

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EFORE Dr. Samuel Ortom became the governor of Benue State, his multimillion naira rice farm and equipment were torched by ravaging Fulani herdsmen in his village.

So, he knows what he is dealing with in the present circumstances where more and more parts of the state, with him as the chief security officer, have come under siege of the rampaging and out of control armed cattle rearers.

On two occasions recently, the governor had rushed to the Presidential Villa, Abuja hoping to convince President Muhammadu Buhari to inject some sense into the marauding herdsmen whose latest atrocity was to wipe out towns and villages in Agatu, including Aila, Akwu, Adagbo, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho, Ogbaulu, Egba and Obagaji.

It was not for the first time the communities had been hit but the most recent attack was arguably the most devastating with about 300 persons reported killed.

Former Senate President, David Mark, who represents the area on

Ortom the senate described it as genocide. Yet, only a half-hearted attempt has been made by the federal government to check the menace.

Following unrelenting Fulani attacks this year, Ortom first dashed to Buhari at the end of last month pressing for an urgent remedy. He said then that he was unable to sit back in Makurdi while his people and their means of livelihood were being wiped out. Buhari was out

of the country at the time. And so, the governor briefed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of the dire nature of the situation in Agatu. “Right now as I talk to you, several settlements have been razed down, an undisclosed number of people are killed and my people are refugees all over the place. I cannot sit back in Benue State when such thing is happening...It is really alarming. Both the state and the Federal Government need to come together and do something because the state is not just peculiar. I am aware that this is also happening in other states too,” Ortom lamented to State House correspondents after the meeting with Osinbajo.

Days after he returned to Benue, the Fulanis struck again with much more viscousness and as soon as Buhari retuned to the country, the governor came back to the Villa. He said even though security personnel had been mobilized to Agatu following his last visit, the situation was going out of control and beyond what Benue state could accommodate. The Fulani influx in the state for him, has become uncontrollable, chasing grazing land that is not available and endangering the lives of the native farmers whose land and crops are being devastated as a consequence of the herdsmen’s influx.

The governor believes that it is impossible to carve out grazing area in the Benue state because of shrinking land mass due to ever expanding population but advocated the setting up of ranches to limit animal movement. “I think that the situation in Benue, especially in Agatu is getting out of hand. Like I keep advocating, there is need for us to find a lasting solution which is ranches. That is the best global best practice. That is what is happening everywhere in the world...I have been telling them to sheathe their swords, we must learn to live with one another. The herdsmen must appreciate that the farmer lives on his farming and the farmer must appreciate that the herdsman lives on his cattle. There must be mutual understanding so that we work together and address this. We must adopt the method of live and let live.

It is not a matter of who has won. The herdsmen and farmers must work together while government is looking at establishing ranches just like it is done globally.”

Agatu is by no means the only community that has come under constant attack in Benue state in recent times but it is arguably the worst affected. Last week, nine villages were hit in former Governor Gabriel Suswam’s homestead of Logo Local Government Area. About 40 persons were reported killed. Tarka, the community of another former governor, George Akume, was similarly hit by the Fulanis just like Buruku and Kwande.

Why PDP needs Modu-Sheriff as chairman now —Onibiyo That’s a mere allegation, without even trial or invitation.

The allegation shows APC’s fear. Sheriff is not affiliated to Boko Haram in any way, either as a member or sponsor. As a matter of fact, he has repeatedly denied it to the extent that he is on his way to court to make an example out of Fani Kayode, who I see as AGIP: Any Government In Power; PDP today, APC tomorrow. The truth is that, with Ali Ndume in APC as Senate Leader, the party has no moral right to disparage our chairman.

Comrade Dayo Onibiyo, the North Central Coordinator of PDP Ambassadors and head of its media services, was an aide to immediate past Kogi State governor, Alhaji Idris Wada, on Monitoring and Evaluation. He speaks with BIOLA AZEEZ on happenings in the opposition party and sundry issues. Excerpts:

But even some groups like that of former ministers dissociated themselves from him?

That tells you the calibre of people we are talking about.

How much do they have to bribe a man using the most expensive private jet in Nigeria? How many of them won their wards, towns, local government areas and states? Ask them. We aren’t fools.

WHY do you think PDP lost out in the North Centra zone?

The party lost out in the North Central zone due to the same reason it lost generally in Nigeria. It was basically due to imposition. The Transformation Amabassadors of Nigeria (TAN) took over the campaigns at the national level, but we had no TAN at the regional, state, local government and ward levelss.

How do you see the present situation in the country?

We have a tense economy, tense polity and tense hope. People, after ten months of the present government, have seen that they were wrong in their choice after all, including those of us in the PDP that voted, in protest, against our party. No pretence about it.

Onibiyo

First, what is the PDP Ambassadors all about?

It is a body under the PDP in Nigeria, spread across the wards. Our own initiative is to facilitate the return of our great party to power, a pressure group that seeks reformation inside the party and finally wants to put a check to the All Progressives Congress (APC) abuse of power and use of dirty words.

position! Repeatedly, I have said it, if you remove PDP members who voted for President Muhammadu Buhari from his votes, he would have lost to PDP. In the PDP, those who don’t like Sheriff know that they won’t be able to bribe or threaten him. They won’t be able to dictate to him and by so doing, imposition of unpopular candidates will stop. Even me, I am a victim of that.

What’s the view of PDP Ambassadors on your new national chairman, who seems not to be generally accepted?

He is accepted generally and majority-wise by members because they know you can’t bribe Senator Ali ModuSheriff. He is against oppression and intimidation. Sheriff is our hope to restore what affected us in 2015, im-

What informs your view?

Sheriff was very rich even before becoming a senator and a two-term governor. He is a successful businessman with majority interests outside Nigeria. We need his type now.

How do you reconcile that with the allegations that he is a sponsor of Boko Haram?

What’s your take on the efforts of the present government to rebuild Nigeria?

The PDP Ambassadors wishes to make it clear that the guerrilla attack by the APC government on PDP is selective, parochial and selfish. These intimidation will not work, we can’t be cowed in any form by any government in the world. If the PDP had gagged them the way they are doing to us now, would they ever rule Nigeria?

In fact, they will never have come to power.

All these abuses must stop. See what happened and is still happening in Kogi: reign of impunity and illegality.

See what they almost did in Bayelsa, trying to win from just a local government area. Thanks for the resistance of the great people. Was the 2015 vote in Borno, Kano, etc, real?

Let them face governance and stop buck passing. A responsible leader accepts responsibility, and one of the tenets of governance is that it is a continuum. Are you not embarrassed that for 10 months now, it is the same song? When will they deliver on the economy, kill the tension in the body polity, take care of workers’ salaries? If your choir or asalatu sings the same song unprogressively for 10 months, won’t you disband it?

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Wednesday, 16 March, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

features

For Lagosians, it’s still no respite from blackout

Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and affiliate bodies picketing Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company’s head office at Alausa, Lagos over the sack of 300 workers, recently. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA. Bola Badmus and Olatunde Dodondawa -Lagos

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AST week, the entire length and breadth of Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, was thrown into total darkness as result of the electricity company in charge, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), not supplying electricity to nearly almost all consumers under its coverage.

The IKEDC covers a large of area of Lagos State and its environs, including Abule Egba, Ikorodu, Shomolu, Akowonjo, Ikeja, Oshodi and some parts of Ogun State. This is of course a wide jurisdiction that it has been given license to operate and ensure that consumers enjoy its services.

Since the blackout, residents in areas like Ketu, Magodo, the whole of Ikeja and Agege to Ipaja and Ayobo among others have suffered immense hardship as they have to make do with an alternative source of electricity, namely generating sets, only possible by those who could afford to queue long hours to buy fuel in an era when fuel scarcity is biting harder.

In particular, our correspondents have had on occasion witnessed protesters coming to lodge complaints at the headquarters of IKEDC located along Obafemi Awolowo Way, opposite the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. The complaint has often been that they wanted pre-paid meters instead of the current estimated billing system, which the consumers believe amounted

to deliberate sharp practices by the electricity distribution company.

On one of such occasions, the IKEDC did assure that efforts were being put in place to ensure that every household gets a pre-paid meter as demanded by the consumers who are certainly opposed to over-billing for services not enjoyed.

However, the cause of the latest blackout, according to findings, was largely due to the recent sack of about 278 workers of the IKEDC. Following the sack of the affected workers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) felt they could not condone this action by the company as they mobilised their members from across the state, to occupy the

Since the blackout, residents in areas like Ketu, Magodo, the whole of Ikeja and Agege to Ipaja and Ayobo among others have suffered immense hardship.

premises of IKEDC, led by the National President of NUEE, Comrade Martin Uzoegwu who came in from Calabar to join his members.

The protesters, who numbered over 2,000, came in several fully loaded BRT buses and completely blocked the main gate to the IKEDC office with one of the buses. They started the occupation from Monday till Wednesday evening last week when an agreement was eventually said to have been reached between them and the management of IKEDC. They also came with various musical instruments as they danced and marched up and down the Obafemi Awolowo Way, where the office was located, carrying posters on which inscriptions like “Say no estimated billing,” “No, no, no, we can’t continue to pay for darkness,” among others were written.

The unions did not only involve their members, they also mobilised the local people from different communities, including Agege, Itire- Ijesa, Ikate, among others to join in sealing off IKEDC to ensure that management or staff of the company did not gain entrance.

According to General Secretary, NUEE, Joe Ajaero, many of the consumers drawn into the struggle were from, “many of the local governments who believe in what we are doing, who are not served well, who are being given estimated billings, and who don’t have power supply.”

Speaking with newsmen, Ajaero, said the IKEDC management had not yet created

room for any dialogue since the protest began and that their demands were clear and unambiguous.

According to him, he and others were protesting against the sack of almost 400 workers by the distribution company without due process and the poor services the company rendered to the consumers, saying that for the past three weeks, IKEDC had not been picking loads thereby reducing power supply to Lagos.

“They sacked almost 400 people without due process. They render poor services. For the past three weeks, they have not been picking loads, thereby reducing power supply to Lagos,” he said.

“Now they allow people to work without safety materials which led to electrocution.

They lack conditions of service and think they are above the law. These are some of the issues,” Ajaero added.

The labour leader insisted that the sack of the affected workers was not the solution, lamenting that electricity distribution workers suffered molestation unjustly from consumers who thought they were the cause of poor services.

On his part, National President of NUEE, Comrade Nzoegwu, said the protest was borne out of the sack of the almost 400 workers of the company, an action which he described as injustice, inhuman and barbaric.

“As a matter of fact, we are here to protest against the victimisation of the workers of Continues pg28

28

features

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

As Osun maps out plan on development

By Wale Folarin ATTEMPTS at rural development in the past have been “top-bottom”, with no consideration for the active participation of the beneficiaries of such interventions in the development process. The end result of which is the abandonment of such development projects and colossal waste of public funds.

A fresh global awareness on the importance of the “bottom-up” approach to development is buttressed by the fact that man who is the direct beneficiary of every development intervention should be recognized as an indispensable agent of sustainable development if all efforts injected into the development process will not end up in futility.

Buoyed by Rauf Aregbesola’s desire to improve the lot of the people and in spite of the precarious financial situation of the state, the governor has deemed it fit to come up with a master plan of action for the development of all communities in the 30 local governments and the area office in the state.

Consequently, the Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs commenced a workshop on Packaging of Master Plan of Action (MPA) for the 30 local governments and the area office last December. The goal of the workshop was to come out with a community driven document that would fast-track holistic development of the state, while the objectives were to improve the understanding of the participants on the concept of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Community Plan of Action (CPA), to equip participants with the skills to conduct PRA and CPA and to enable them appreciate the need for the MPA as

Participants at the workshop on Master Plan of Action for Development in Osun state with the desk officer in charge of the programme, Mr Bunmi Ibiloye, making a presentation. development strategy for the state.

At the end of the workshop which was brought to a close on the 10th of this month, not less than 2,288 participants made up of officials from the line ministries, local governments and OYES cadets drawn from the three senatorial districts in the state, would have been trained in the conduct of PRA and CPA: the two major processes that will birth the Master Plan of Action for development in the state.

Participants from Osun East and Osun Central senatorial districts have been trained and are already in their assigned communities for the conduct of the PRA and CPA, while the training of the remaining participants from Osun West Senatorial District was to be concluded on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

The trained participants have been sent out to all communities in the state to interact with the people and learn with them what their challenges and potentials are particularly their felt needs in order of importance.

The information gathered will form the nucleus of the MPA which will in turn make government interventions in such communities easier and better appreciated. With the MPA any local government chairman who comes into office will already have a working document which contains the felt needs of all communities in his council as agreed by the people of the communities.

All the council boss needs to do is to pick the felt needs one by one and provide them for the communities as demanded. Another ad-

vantage of the MPA is that it would form the basis for assessing the performance of the council chairmen during their tenure, while it will also make budget preparation easier for the councils.

Apart from these, the document will also provide opportunity for communities to access development partner’s assistance both nationally and internationally.

It will be recalled that UNICEF introduced the good practice to the state in 2002 with its interventions in Eripa and Oke-Irun in Boluwaduro local government, Ife-Odan and Ola in Ejigbo local government, as well as in Aasa and Kajola-Alago in Atakumosa East local government.

The state government later bought into the idea with the replication of the good practice in 61

other communities at two communities per local government and the area office, while it was also extended to 122 communities.

With this good practice the state government has been able to construct 122 capital projects, with 93 already commissioned in the 122 communities.

Also through the programme, the state government has provided 266 hand pump boreholes, trained 3,050 women in skill acquisition with interest free loan given to them, gave farm inputs to 5,000 farmers, while it has also provided medical consumables in the 122 communities.

Furthermore, under the programme the state government has trained 307 village-level operation maintenance technicians, while it also provided free tool kits for them.

The state government has also facilitated loan facilities to 18, 000 women in the state at 600 women per local government through the Osun-Grooming Women Empowerment programme with total amount in circulation being N600 million, while it has also carried out capacity building programmes on farming, project ownership and sustainability and so on.

No doubt, if the Master Plan of Action document for the development of all communities in the state which is expected to be launched soon finally comes to reality, Osun will become a good reference point for sustainable development in Africa. With the execution of this all important document there will be no place to call a village in the state of Osun in the next 15 years.

•Wale Folarin is a freelance journalist based in Osun.

Residents groan as power situation worsens Continued from pg27

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company. We are here to protest against the insensitivity of management of IKEDC towards the plight of the workers.

“You could recall that last week 400 workers were sacked, and they were sacked without any reason, why because they don’t have condition of service and these people have worked with them for almost three years. That means they have used them and dumped them.

“So we are here to protest against the injustice, inhuman and barbaric attitude being perpetrated by these investors, we are saying no because these are Nigerians, they have families they are taking care of and this time the Federal Government is talking about bridging the gap of unemployment. I cannot see the reason why they should sack these Nigerians,” he said.

However, respite came when the labour unions suspended the occupation of Ikeja disco premises which lasted for three days.

The three day industrial action affected customers within the network of Ikeja Disco and the entire network which covers more than 100,000 households and over five million Lagosians.

However, despite the suspension of the industrial actions as a result of a decision to constitute a committee that will review the sacking of the over 200 Ikeja disco workers, power supply remains epileptic as Lagosians

groan over darkness.

Power supply dropped below 3,000MW allegedly due to shortage of gas supply and pipeline vandalism.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, recently blamed the power situation across the country on gas shortage and vandalism.

He also said efforts were being made to rectify the situation and ensure a gradual improvement in the power situation. The minister said at a time, the routine maintenance by the Nigeria Gas Company had affected the supply of gas to power stations, forcing down power supply from an all-time high of 5,074 MW to about 4,000MW.

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had put average power supply for week at 3,485MW. However, Mohammed assured that “there will be a decent improvement in the power situation from this weekend, thanks to ongoing remedial efforts that will double the current power supply to 4,000MW. Getting back to the 5,074MW all-time high that was reached earlier will take a few more weeks.

“The vandalism of the Forcados export pipelines forced oil companies to shut down, making it impossible for them to produce gas. “Then, workers at the Ikeja disco who were protesting the disengagement of some of their colleagues after they failed the com-

pany’s competency test, apparently colluded with the National Transmission Station in Osogbo to shut down transmission.

“Finally, the unfortunate strike by the unions at the NNPC, over the restructuring of the corporation, shut down the Itarogun Power Station, the biggest in the country.

“Due to these factors, only 13 out of the 24 power stations in the country are currently functioning. It is this same kind of unsavoury situation that has affected fuel supply and subjected Nigerians to untold hardship.”

The Minister strongly condemned the situation in which some Nigerians, under the guise of the various unions in the oil and gas sector or vandalism, continuously sabotage the country’s power infrastructure.

“The bitter truth is that for as long as these groups of Nigerians continue to sabotage the power infrastructure, Nigerians cannot enjoy a decent level of power supply.

“We therefore admonish all Nigerians who may be agitating for their rights in whatever form to refrain from any action that will further hurt the same people they claim to be protecting,” he said.

The capacity of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) remains 6,000MW. By implication, it means no matter how much improvement is recorded in generation, the country cannot transmit more than this 6000MW except a required investment of $100 million is invested in the transmission network, according to World Bank reports.

29 news

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

UTME candidates, tutorial school owners protest in Lagos, Ilorin •Demand cancellation of exams •We’ll not compromise standard —JAMB From Chukwuma Okparaocha, Naza Okoli and Biola Azeez with Agency Report

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UNDREDS of candidates in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), on Tuesday, stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex at Alausa, to protest what they called “ unacceptable irregularities” in their results, calling for immediate cancellation of the ongoing examination.

This was just as members of Association of Tutorial School Owners (ATSO), together with scores of candidates in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, staged a peaceful protest to condemn the conduct of this year’s UTME. The candidates in Lagos, who converged on Maryland, around 12 noon, were conveyed to Alausa by a convoy of buses of different sizes.

According to the candidates, the errors so far seen in their results and the shabby manner in which the examination was conducted were so grievous that nothing short of outright cancellation of the exercise would be acceptable.

Convener of the protest and president of the Association of Tutorial School Operators, Mr Sodunke Oludotun, told Nigerian Tribune that the protest would continue on Monday.

“Is it compulsory for Dibu Ojerind to use ICT to organise an examination as important as the UTME? It is a deliberate attempt to deny the common man right to good and quality education. What does the nation stand to gain when a 70-year-old man toys with the destiny of 17-year-olds?

He queried.

The protesters in Ilorin, who took their protest march to streets on Tuesday, carried placards with messages against the examination body, calling for urgent government intervention.

Speaking with some members of the association during the protest, they said many candidates they prepared for the examination came back with series of complaints and condemnation over alleged poor conduct of the examination.

The people, therefore, asked the examination

body to allow lower admission cut-off marks for this year’s admission into tertiary institutions.

Mr Olawuyi Olufemi, who is a member of the association, said after the students were trained and registered in preparation for the UTME, the students came back after the examination with lots of complaints, such as computers’ failure to display calculator, no extra time for those with malfunctioned systems, while some UTME result marks sent through text message were lower to ones on the printout from the net.

“Disappointed and dissatisfied parents are bombarding us with visits and calls, a development that is tantamount to tarnishing our reputation and image.

Some parents are even asking for refund of examination fees,” he said.

The people, who said that the examination body should be transparent and accountable, also called on authorities of JAMB to explain how marks were awarded students.

Some of the candidates, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune said as much as 100 marks were deducted from their marks.

“I originally scored 272,” said Miss Olaofe Rasheedat, who sat the examination at Maximum IT Centre,

Onihale, Ogun State, “but my score was later changed to 172.”

Another candidate simply identified as Aisha narrated how she practically went through hell before she could even stand a chance of sitting for her papers.

According to the aggrieved young lady, less than 24 hours to the DDay, she got a message from JAMB indicating that she had been posted to Osun State from Lagos, but rather than despair, she said she had to find her way to Osun very early on the examination day, thus arriving at the hall one hour late.

“I was happy when I saw that all the questions set were taken from past questions, many of which I had treated before. Later, I got a text on my phone that I scored 282, but when I went to the cyber cafe to print my result, I saw 232. I am demanding for an explanation to what happened to my 50 marks,” she said.

Another candidate, Kemisola Ogunleye, said she was posted to Efuze in Edo State, from her choice state of Lagos.

“Going to a state I had never been to before just hours before the most important examination of my life for now, is an experience I will never want re-

peated in my life,” she lamented.

When the candidates waited unsuccessfully until about 3.30 p.m, they began to throw stones at the Assembly building, causing the policemen stationed at the complex to use tear gas to restore order.

Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said it will not compromise the standard of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), irrespective of pressures from any quarter.

The board’s Head of the Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, in Lagos.

NAN reported that the board registered over 1.8 million candidates for the ongoing UTME, which started on February 27.

Benjamin said the conduct of the examination, which ends on March 19, had so far been successful, despite a few technical hitches recorded in some centres.

According to him, some persons, despite the board’s efforts in ensuring standard and global best practices in the conduct of its examination, were working hard to destroy it.

“Our examination conducted on the Computer Based Test (CBT) platform are meant to be carried out only in centres with the full complement of all indices needed for the success of the examination.

“We are worried by plans of a faceless group, under the aegis of education consultants, to stage a protest in Lagos over some challenges encountered in the conduct of the ongoing examination.

“We believe that this group of people are biased, as they are owners of some of the examination centres that were lacking basic facilities for the successful conduct of our CBT,’’ he said.

According to him, the board had approved centres provided by these individuals to be used for the 2016 exercise.

He regretted that some of the centres were, however, unusable, as most of the computers and other backup facilities provided were faulty.

Benjamin said the development caused a major challenge in the conduct of the examination, but for the timely intervention of the officials of the board who were on ground.

He said the development was later discussed with the owners of the centres and

they showed understanding, as they also witnessed the difficulties the board went through.

“It is, therefore, surprising that these same people will turn around and try to organise candidates to protest.

“We are not perfect as an organisation, but we are working hard to ensure that the Nigerian education system is better than it is.

“We have taken the risk to do the unthinkable, so as to change the paradigm,’’ he said.

Benjamin urged Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used by these people to achieve their selfish motives.

“The board is calling for calm and advises candidates to go about their examinations without any fear of molestation.

“We also want these candidates to always avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the board, through it public complaints unit, to vent their grievances.

“We will continue to show leadership in the conduct of public examination in Africa and beyond,’’ Benjamin said.

He advised candidates with genuine complaints not to hesitate to visit to the board’s offices nationwide for prompt attention.

N190m fraud: Oronsaye operated secret bank account for FG, EFCC tells court Sunday Ejike - Abuja A witness with the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), Ms Ngunna Kakwagh, on Tuesday, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the former Head of Service of the Federation (HoS), Steve Oronsaye, operated a ‘secret’ bank account for the Presidential Committee on the Financial Action Task Force in 2012.

Oronsaye, who was earlier arraigned before Justice Olasunbo Goodluck on a fresh two-count charge bordering on fraud, pleaded not guilty and the trial Judge commenced trial in the matter immediately, after staying-down the matter for hours to enable the prosecution to brings its witnesses.

The Federal Government accused Oronsaye of compromising his position as chairman of the presidential committee on the financial action task force in 2013, by illegally diverting N190 million, being part of the N240 million grant which the

committee received from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

After Oronsaye took his ‘not guilty’ plea, the prosecution lawyer, Mr O Uket, urged the court to remand the defendant, pending the commencement of trial.

However, Oronsaye’s counsel, Mr Joe Agi, opposed the prosecution’s request for adjournment, saying the administration of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015 demanded day-to-day

trial after the arraignment of the accused person.

Consequently, the EFCC called its first witness, Ms Kakwagh, who testified before the court, giving a vivid account of how Oronsaye opened and operated the secret bank account for the presidential task force.

The witness disclosed that the former HoS opened the secret account with Access Bank Plc, adding that Oronsaye was the sole signatory to the account which he al-

legedly operated without the knowledge of any of the committee members.

“The account was found to have had three financial transfers from the CBN and N45 million deposit

by Oronsaye. First transfer was N50 million in October 2012, second transfer N90 million in May 2012, third transfer of N9 million in five places,” Kakwagh revealed.

She further disclosed that the petitioner, Stephen Jalada Alabi, a staff of the State

House and secretary of the presidential committee and Francis Ifeanyi, Head of Nigerian Financial, all denied knowledge of the secret account.

Meanwhile, the court granted Oronsaye bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties of N5 million each.

The sureties must be directors in the federal civil service or retired directors who must be residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

I’m not a coward, Mark replies opponent Johnson Babajide - Makurdi FORMER Senate President, Senator David Mark, has said he is not a coward that will lose sleep over the report that his opponent in the rerun, Mr Daniel Onjeh, has again challenged his victory at the election petition tribunal.

Onjeh, who lost the reelection of Benue South Senatorial District conducted by Independent Nation-

al Electoral Commission (INEC) on February 20, was reported to have proceeded to tribunal to challenge the victory of Mark in the rerun.

In an interview with newsmen after the first leg of his ‘thank you’ visit to part of his senatorial district for voting massively for him during the rerun, Mark, when asked whether he was moved by the decision of his opponent to once again proceed to the tribunal to challenge his victory, retorted

“do I look like a coward”?

He stated that the state working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had issued a statement concerning it.

Also lending credence to it, the former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, said the former Senate President was ready to meet his opponent at the tribunal.

Moro, who affirmed the integrity of the victory of Mark in the recent rerun in Benue South Senatorial

District, said the tribunal was not anybody’s farm and expressed confidence in the Nigerian judiciary, which he said had built for itself a high level of integrity over the years.

Speaking on the reason for the ‘thank you’ visit to the people of the senatorial district, Moro said “after victory, it is logical for Senator Mark to personally go round, not to appear to take the people for granted, but thank them for voting for him.”

30 news Buhari receives Equatorial Guinea’s highest honour

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Leon Usigbe -Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been conferred with the Grand Collar of the Order of the

Independence, Equatorial Guinea’s highest honour.

Receiving it at a ceremony in the country’s capital, Malabo, on Monday, he dedicated it to the people of Nigeria, who, he said, have

worked tirelessly for peace in the country and Africa.

“I will like to express profound gratitude for the honour given to me and my people.

“There has never been a

time for greater neighbourliness on our continent in the interest of peace, security and economic stability than now,” Buhari said.

The president noted that as African countries faced

common challenges, they must strive to cooperate more to find workable solutions that would facilitate rapid socio-economic development on the continent.

Focus on security, economic issues affecting Nigeria, Fayose urges Buhari Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti EKITI State governor, Ayodele Fayose, said President Muhammadu Buhari “should pay more attention to security and economic issues affecting Nigeria, instead of focusing on those of other countries and persecuting perceived political enemies.”

Governor Fayose, in a statement on Tuesday, described the President’s condemnation of Sunday’s terrorist attack on the Grand Bassam Resort in Cote D’Ivoire as “hypocritical and demonstration of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.”

In the statement by

his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, Fayose described terror attacks anywhere in the world as condemnable, but said “If President Buhari could afford to pick his phone and call the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, immediately after the attack, Nigerians must ask the President why he kept mute for days over the Fulani herdsmen massacre of over 300 Agatu people of Benue State, the Mile 12 Lagos killings and wanton destruction of properties, among others.”

Governor Fayose said it

was “strange that President Buhari was more concerned with the killing of 16 people in Cote D’Ivoire than the Fulani herdsmen’s murder of over 300 citizens of Nigeria,” saying it was “alarming that even when someone of the status of former Senate President, David Mark, was attacked by the Fulani herdsmen last Saturday when he went on inspection of the eight communities completely destroyed by the Fulani herdsmen, there was no reaction from the President condemning the terror attack.”

According to him, “from all indications, our President has abandoned gov-

ernance. The only thing going on in the minds of those running the affairs of this country in Abuja, is how to entrench themselves in power by crushing anyone perceived as capable of hindering them.

“That is the reason they are using the Department of State Services (DSS) to harass and intimidate us here in Ekiti, under flimsy excuses like investigating members of the State House of Assembly for alleged forgery of tax certificates when the Ekiti State Government, which issued the certificates have not complained to the DSS that its tax certificates were forged by the lawmakers.

12 days after, detained Ekiti lawmaker still in DSS custody Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti THE member representing Efon Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Afolabi Akanni, has spent his day in detention, following his arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on March 4, in what the assembly had claimed was an invasion of the assembly complex.

Following his continued detention without charge, his counsel, Mr Obafemi Adewale, had approached the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, to seek his release, and the court, on March 11, ordered that he be released.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo, while delivering the ruling in suit number FHC/AD/ CS/8/16, filed on behalf of Akanni by Adewale, held that the application was

heard urgently because of the life and liberty of a citizen that was at stake, and also ruled that the DSS did not meet all the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court order notwithstanding, the DSS had refused to release the detained lawmaker, with the bailiff sent to serve the DSS the order receiving threat by some of its operatives at their office in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The bailiff, Mr Araromi Ademola, said in an affidavit of non-service he swore to, and seen by the Nigerian Tribune, that “on the March 14, 2016, I was given an order, warrant to bring up prisoner and motion on notice document by the court.

The document should be served on the respondents. On March 14, 2016,

I went to the said office at the State “State Security Service, Ekiti State Command, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti.

“The security officers at the gate restricted my movement into their office.

“That they have been given standing order from their head office not to receive any document.”

Ademola added in the affidavit that “I dropped the document in their presence at the gate and they forced me to pick it or else they will disgrace me. That every effort made to effect service on the respondent proved abortive.”

Counsel for Akanni, Obafemi Adewale who confirmed that the lawmaker was yet to be released or charged to court by the DSS, said the DSS officials in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, refused to allow

him entry into their office, when he went to serve the office a copy of the court’s order for his release.

Adewale described the refusal of court order by the organisation in Ekiti State as uncalled for, saying: “When the bailief brought the High court order to the DSS office over the unlawful detention of Mr. Afolabi, the officials refused him entry and said they were acting under instruction from above.”

“Meanwhile, the High Court had ordered them (DSS) to release my client since March 11, but up till now, they have refused to even collect the court order. The DSS action in this respect is as a reminder of the military era and affront on human rights. We will have to file an application on the matter before the High court,” he added.

“The President must therefore be made to realise that Nigerians are suffering, with price of foodstuffs skyrocketing.

The economy is in comatose, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen are killing people. President Buhari must learn to begin to cry over Nigeria’s problems first before going to other countries to cry over their problems for them.”

President Buhari pledged that under his leadership, Nigeria would continue to make significant contributions to peace, political stability and progress in Africa.

President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Equatorial Guinea said the honour was conferred on President Buhari for his “personal integrity, exemplary leadership style and courage to fight terrorism in order to ensure peace and safety in Africa.”

“We deemed it fit and appropriate to honour this son of Africa for the great work he is doing, which includes tackling Boko Haram, a great menace to the continent,” President Mbasogo said.

Kogi Assembly crisis: G-15 accuses executive of fuelling logjam Yinka Oladoyinbo -Lokoja THE crisis rocking the Kogi State House of Assembly got messier on Tuesday, as the G-15 members of the assembly accused the executive arm led by Governor Yahaya Bello of fuelling the logjam.

The faction that is loyal to the “impeached” Speaker, Honourable Momoh Jimoh Lawal, also said it was erroneous for anyone to accuse them of being sponsored by external forces, before they could stand up to defend their rights.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, the Majority Leader, Matthew Kolawole, said some people were deliberately bringing in misconceptions into the issues behind the crisis in the House.

He said what the group had collectively resolved to fight was the height of impunity in the process of changing the leadership of the House.

“We have resolved to stand up against a situation where five members under the dictate and protection of the executive will announce the impeachment of the Speaker and other

principal officers, where a quorum is not formed and five members will claim to have sat.

“Where members have to subject themselves to the direct dictates and command of the executive on what to do, where signatures of 10 members of the House will be forged in broad daylight in a bid to forcefully impeach a speaker, where oath of office of a House Speaker will be taken in the office of the deputy governor.

“Where the House will no longer serve as check on the excesses of the executive, where the House will be puppets/stooges under the armpits of the executive, where there will be executive actions without reference to the guiding principles of law among others,” Kolawole said.

He faulted the claim of the G-5 members that they had been conducting sittings peacefully, saying “where is peaceful sitting that is being made reference to when a few members sit under heavily armed and stern looking, ready –to- shoot security men sponsored by the executive to protect only a few with taxpayers money.”

Olorogun Felix Ibru: A committed patriot and gentleman

By Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu WE received with utter dismay the news of the sad passing of Olorogun Felix Ibru on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Olorogun Felix Ibru enjoyed a special, decades-long relationship with the Awolowo family. He was a son, in every sense of it, to both Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Yeye Oodua H. I. D. Awolowo during their lifetime. This, no doubt, meant a great deal to him, as his family and friends have testified. Most of his discussions and conversations ended up, we are told, with a fond recollection of this relationship and the invaluable experience he gained thereby.

So committed was he to Papa’s vision for Nigeria that, contrary to the apparently prevailing disposition in his

area within, then, Bendel State during the second republic, he chose to join, and remained a member of the Unity Party of Nigeria until the party was proscribed in late 1983.

For almost 29 years after the demise of Papa Awolowo, he not only retained the close bond of sonship with Mama, he also remained loyal to the entire family and shared, deeply, in all of our varying situations and circumstances.

He led representatives of the Ibru family on a condolence visit to us in Ikenne following Mama’s transition in September last year.

His commitment to the sustenance of Papa’s legacies was most evident, in recent years, in his ardent support for the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, even long before he was appointed, in 2012, member of the Selection Committee of the

Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership. His dedication and generosity to the vision and mission of the Foundation was unalloyed. And he offered invaluable assistance to us, at all times, with a good-natured and gentlemanly mien.

He will be greatly missed.

We urge his family to take solace in the fact that he lived a worthy and fulfilled life of service to the nation and that he has, in the process, garnered a massive and tremendous stock of goodwill upon which they, and even future generations, can continue to draw for a very long time to come.

Please accept our deepest condolences.

For: The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu Executive Director

31

news

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Court stays proceedings in Tarfa’s suit against EFCC Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos

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USTICE Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday, stayed further proceedings in a N2.5 billion fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ricky Tarfa, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It will be recalled that Tarfa had filed the suit following his arrest by the anti-graft agency within the premises of the Igbosere High Court over alleged shielding of two Beninese, who are his clients from arrest.

Justice Idris, in a ruling on the matter yesterday, granted the EFCC’s request, asking that proceedings be stayed pending the hearing and final determination of a criminal charge pending against Tarfa before Justice Aishat Opesanwo of an Igbosere High Court.

Justice Idris, while noting that even though, there was no law that forbids the hearing of both civil and criminal matters together, a court retains discretion to stay civil proceedings during the pendency of criminal proceedings.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the substantial parts of the reliefs sought herein do have a direct bearing with the charge pending at the Lagos High Court.

“It is clear from the evidence before the court that the applicant’s mobile handset and SUV have been registered as exhibits to be tendered at the criminal proceedings. Also, the information and data retrieved from the mobile handset are to be used as evidence in the criminal charge at the Lagos High Court,” the judge said.

“But, there is a potential

injustice that may befall the defendant in the prosecution of the criminal charge if this suit were to proceed to judgement and judgement were for instance, given in favour of the applicant. There is a strong possibility that it will signal the end of the criminal charge at the Lagos High Court. This court should not make orders that will strike violently at the heart of the criminal

charge now pending at the Lagos High Court. For the above reasons, I am of the view that in the light of the peculiar circumstances of this case which is unprecedented, this is a proper case which proceedings should be stayed pending the hearing of the criminal charge at the Lagos High Court,” the judge held.

Justice Idris had earlier in the ruling dismissed the EFCC’s objection chal-

lenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter. The judge disagreed with the anti-graft agency that by the circumstances of the arraignment of the applicant at the Lagos High Court, the relief sought in the fundamental rights enforcement suit have become academic.

The court said it will not because of the EFCC’s argument decline jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

From left, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo; Chairman, Wells Sam Carlos Farm, Captain Hosa Okunbo and the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, at the presentation of the Agro Business of Wells Sam Carlos Farm, on Tuesday.

CBN earmarks N10m for corps members under YIEDP scheme Adetola Bademosi - Abuja THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has earmarked the sum of N10 million to support corps members and ex-corps members that are not more than five years post-service experience, under the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP).

The CBN Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this in Abuja, on Tuesday, at the launch of the Youth In-

novative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP), in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the CBN International Training Institute.

He said the programme, which targets 10,000 youths, was initiated to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance in the Nigerian youth.

Consequently, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps

(NYSC), Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, also sought the initiation of a policy that promotes and mandates the patronage of locally made goods.

According to him, a situation where corps members remain at the mercy of buyers after striving to produce a product is not encouraging.

He noted that the Federal Government (FG) expends a huge sum training corps members on skills and ac-

Youths blow up oil pipeline in Delta

As soldiers burst pipeline vandalism From Alphonsus Agborh and Ebenezer Adurokiya PROTESTING youths of Okpai community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State have blown up an oil pipeline following a faceoff between them and a multinational oil company operating in the area.

The youths also set four vehicles ablaze and seized 11 other trucks belonging to the company, Sterling Global, before the arrival of solders who arrested a youth leader.

Already, officials of Na-

In the substantive suit, Rickey Tarfa is asking the court to compel the anti-graft agency and its Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, to pay him N2.5billion.

Joined as defendants were; the Commission’s Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, the EFCC operatives that arrested him, Moses Awolusi, and the Deputy Director Operations, EFCC, Lagos office, Iliyasu Kwarbai.

tional oil Spill Protection and Response Agency have arrived at the scene of the damaged pipe to assess the level of spill.

The peaceful protest last weekend, by women and youths of Okpai community against the destruction of their road built by Agip Oil Company many years ago

by Sterling was however, hijacked by youths.

They were also demanding the reconstruction of the road and general development of Okpai.

The deputy speaker in the state house of Assembly, Honourable Fri-

day Osanebi, however, brokered peace on Tuesday, between the community and the oil company.

Meanwhile, suspected hoodlums, on Tuesday, made a futile attempt to blow up more oil and gas pipelines around Odidi fields during the coronation ceremony of Williams N. S. Ogoba as the 26th Pere (King) of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Unconfirmed report said the daredevil hoodlums were repelled by gallant soldiers keeping vigils at

the oil fields in the creeks.

It was also gathered that there were casualties on both sides, as military operatives successfully repelled the attempted destruction of more major oil pipelines around Odidi creeks.

But a chief from the kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who is the Bebenowei (Chief Mobiliser) of Gbaramatu kingdom, gave credence to the report.

He insinuated during the coronation that enemies of the Ijaw kingdom had planned for the blow-up to further paint the Ijaws in bad light.

quisition, while empowering them with loans which cannot be accounted for, due to low patronage.

He said: “I commend the CBN on its policy on the use of forex, which has encouraged local producers to work hard but it is painful, when the FG spent money in training the youth, especially the corps members on entrepreneurship and also give loans only for the corps members not to be able to meet up because their goods are not being patronised. FG should make policy to make the patronage of made-inNigeria goods compulsory.

“The scheme has trained over 500,000 ex-corps members in various agrobased skills. Unfortunately not all these were empowered to start up the business as the challenges have always been inadequate access to fund. The stringent lending conditions of most financial institutions compound efforts being made by the scheme. However, with the new concept of YIEDP, which has liberalised the lending terms, will make corps members enjoy unhindered access to start up fund,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

Firm to empower 50 women on photography Adetola Bademosi - Abuja MANAGEMENT of a photography firm has disclosed plans to empower women across the country through its new franchise programme.

Franchise Manager, Odior Okaka, who stated this in Abuja, on Tuesday, disclosed that the organisation was purely committed to engaging 50 women, especially those from age 25 to 60.

According to her, if a woman was empowered, it would boost livelihood of her household.

“The idea is to create a novel 1000 job opportunities in the creative arts industry, reduce poverty, empower and support the businesses around an existing and established brand.

“We will support the potential franchises with necessary tools,” she stated.

Head of Business Development Marketing, Ezinne Njoku, said with about 25 years experience, the firm is capable of empowering the potential beneficiaries, especially in terms of capacity building.

Member of notorious kidnap gang nabbed in Delta Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri A member of a notorious kidnap gang, Best Odeh, has been arrested in Delta by police detectives.

The gang was headed by a wanted kidnap kingpin, identified as Onos Okerobo, said to hail from Otumara village of the state.

Thirty-four-year-old Odeh was arrested by police detectives from Oghara Division, while acting on a tip off.

The arrest was a booster to the morale of the Delta Police Command as it continues its manhunt for kidnappers terrorising Oghara axis in recent times.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Delta, Celestina Kalu, stated that the suspect, Odeh, had admitted his involvement in many kidnap cases in the area.

She further noted that an improvised single barrel cutto-size gun was recovered from the hoodlum, adding that manhunt for other members of the gang was ongoing.

Meanwhile, the police in Delta State have also arrested three robbery suspects while operating at a house at Okogbaide Street, Urude Quarters at Ozoro.

32

south-westnews

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Death, life imprisonment await kidnappers, abductors —Oyo Assembly

By Wale Akinselure

P

ENALTIES ranging from death to life imprisonment and return of ransom paid await persons convicted of kidnapping in Oyo State.

This was the crux of the Oyo State Kidnapping Prohibition Bill 2015 passed into law by the Oyo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday.

As contained in the law, anyone convicted for kidnapping, abducting or seizing a person or group of individuals where life is lost is liable to death penalty.

The penalty for kidnap in this case is equated to murder as contained under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, as applicable in Oyo State.

Similarly, a kidnapper shall be liable to imprisonment for life without fine option and repayment of ransom received in a case where the kidnapped person was not killed and released upon payment of ransom.

Chairman, Committee on Judiciary and Justice, Honourable Olukayode Akande, had presented the report of the committee’s scrutiny into the bill which was co-sponsored by Speaker, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo and Deputy Majority Leader, Honourable Oyeleke Oyatokun.

Akande noted that the bill passed into law was to stem the tide of kidnapping which had assumed a worrying trend.

He revealed that trial of the offences under the law would be by summary trial at the High Court of Oyo State.

Furthermore, an attempt to commit kidnap or abduction would attract 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine while anyone found aiding or abetting kidnap or abduction was liable on conviction to 15 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Persons convicted of arranging for self kidnapping so as to extort money, ransom from another person shall be slammed with a 15year imprisonment term or a term of 10 years imprisonment with community service.

According to the law, individuals found to aid kidnap or abduction by providing their premises to keep the kidnapped person shall be liable to 15 years imprisonment without an option of fine while such premises shall be forfeited to the government.

The law in parts read:

“A person who kidnaps or threatens to kill, maim or cause bodily harm in order to compel another person or corporate body or organisation to do or abstain from doing any act as a condition for the release of

the person kidnapped commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to life imprisonment without an option of fine.

“A person who procures, engages, or gives information for the purpose of kid-

napping or abduction commits an offence, and shall be liable on conviction, to the same punishment as if he or she committed the act of kidnapping or abduction.

“The property: landed

or personal, monies, and other valuables owned or realised by a person convicted of the offence of kidnapping or abduction in the process of his unlawful act shall be forfeited to the state.”

Ekiti State governor’s wife, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, presenting a cheque to Mrs Isiaka Folashade of the State Specialist Hospital, Ijero Ekiti, to offset the medical bill of a minor and 11 others, during her visit to the hospital, on Tuesday.

Falae, SDP deny receiving money from CBN

By Jacob Segun-Olatunji and Hakeem Gbadamosi

THE Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ondo State chapter, has described the latest publication alleging its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, of being a beneficiary of another N100 million transferred into his company’s account, as falsehood and a further attempt to smear the name of the elder statesman.

This was contained in statement issued and signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Remi Olayiwola, in Akure, on Tuesday.

Olayiwola stated that the only money received by the party and its chairman was transferred by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through its former Chairman, Board of Trustee, Chief Tony Anenih.

Olayiwola stated that Chief Anenih had long confirmed that the transaction was based on a written interparty agreement which existed between the two parties before the last presidential election.

He described the latest publication as a calculated attempt to further embarrass Falae and the SDP, saying “It has failed in the past and it will fail again no matter how many times our detractors attempt to smear our name for obvious political reasons.”

Olayiwola said “The

EFCC, at one point, said that the N100million was from Dasuki, a lie which has now been effectively debunked. Now, they are claiming that the money was from a company known as Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited, an entity totally unknown to Chief Falae and SDP. “We wish to inform the general public that it is the same amount sent by the PDP to the SDP as a result of their inter- party agreement that is now being re-presented to the public through another dubious channel in order to portray Chief Falae and SDP in bad light.

“We wish to state with all emphasis that Chief Olu Falae and SDP never had any business, dealing or any transaction whatsoever with either the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Joint Trust Dimension Limited mentioned in the report.

“With the foregoing, we wish to advice those concerned to desist henceforth from this campaign of calumny, character assassination and trial of the innocent on the pages of newspaper.”

In a related development, the SDP, on Tuesday, raised the alarm over the alleged attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led

administration to rubbish its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, at all cost by linking him with the arms deal scam despite all the explanations on the N100million donated to the party by the PDP during the last general election.

In a statement made available to newsmen, in Abuja, by its National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Alfa Mohammed, the party insisted that the N100million remained a donation in furtherance of the inter-party electoral alliance between the two political parties during the last year’s general election.”

Fayose’s wife frowns on rate of teenage pregnancy in Ekiti WIFE of the Ekiti State governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, has frowned on the rate of teenage pregnancy in various parts of the state, just as she paid the medical bill of a 15-year-old physically challenged girl (names withheld) at Ijero Ekiti.

According to a press statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the Special Assistant to the wife of the governor, Gbenga Ariyibi, Mrs Fayose paid the medical bill of the minor who is suffering from cerebral palsy, and 11 others at the Specialist Hospital, Ijero Ekiti, during her visit.

The girl who could hardly walk nor speak eloquently was impregnated by an unknown person in the town and later delivered a baby through surgical operation.

Speaking while presenting cheque to offset the medical bills of the minor and others, Mrs Fayose lamented the fate befell on the minor and warned parents to be extra careful in how they monitor their girls.

“This is a serious problem that needed to be tackled by all members of the society.

“Surely, somebody must have impregnated her and leave her to her problem,

Her parent must keep a close watch on her, as the person who put her in a family way may still be after her.”

The governor’s wife who fumed over the rate at which minors and girl-child are being defied by some men in the society, said it called for serious concern by well-meaning people in the society Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Olagbaju Adebayo, had commended Mrs Fayose for her philanthropist gesture and for always remembering the hospital in the area of assistance.

Nigerian Tribune

Sheathe your sword, group urges Alake, Awujale Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

YOUTHS under the aegis of Odua Youth Movement (OYM), on Tuesday, called on traditional rulers across Yoruba nation to eschew statements and actions that can fan the ember of war, destruction and disunity among them.

The youths, who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, during a press conference, noted that genuine progress and development would continue to elude the Yoruba race if the traditional rulers failed to come together as one.

The National President of OYM, Olalekan Owolabi, frowned over the open confrontation and exchange of words from two foremost traditional rulers from the South-West and called on the two monarchs to take a cue from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who has been promoting peace and unity since he mounted the stool of Ooni of Ife. The group pleaded with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, to sheathe their swords in the interest of the race and peace.

Prayer Mountain of Mercy begins programme today CHRIST Apostolic Church, Prayer Mountain of Mercy, (Ori-Oke Aanu) kicks off its three-day programme tagged: “Take away the foreskins of your hearts” today, at Odusokun, Ojoo, Igbooloyin Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Morning session commences between 9:00a.m.1:00p.m. while vigil holds between 11:00p.m.4:00a.m. which continues on Thursday and ends on Friday, 17 & 18 March, 2016 respectively. Ministers expected include Prophet Oluwasegun Isedowo, Prophet Benjamin Akande, Prophet Akinola Fasawe, Prophet Sola David, Pastor Isaiah Alade (Host) and Prophet Moses Aladeolu (Baba Ori-Oke).

Pastor Isaiah Alade

south-westnews Strike: FMC Lagos gives 14-day ultimatum 33

Bola Badmus - Lagos

M

EDICAL and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Federal Medical

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Centre (FMC) Ebute-Metta branch, on Tuesday, gave its management a 14-day ultimatum to address their lingering problems else it will embark on strike to press home its demands.

State chairman of MHWUN, Comrade Isah Attah, disclosed this during the congress of the union that took place at the FMC premises, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, saying the union came

up with the resolution due to the management’s refusal to follow the path of peace but instead creating an atmosphere where industrial harmony could no longer be guaranteed in

Indigenes of Orile-Oko community in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, protesting at the state House of Assembly, over proposed merging of Orile-Oko with Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, in Abeokuta, on Tuesday. PHOTO: OLAYINKA OLUKOYA.

Ondo govt explains delay in secondary school teachers’ salaries Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE Ondo State government, on Tuesday, explained the rationale behind the non- payment of all the secondary school teachers in the state, saying it was as a result of anomalies discovered during the ongoing verification exercise.

The Commissioner for Finance, Chief Yele Ogundipe, who disclosed this during a press conference in Akure, the state capital, assured the teachers that their salaries would be paid after the completion of the exercise before the end of the week.

Ogundipe explained that the verification committee has been able to uncover some atrocities perpetrated by some teachers in the state.

He specifically pointed out that a sum of N12million excess was discovered as error of summation in the original nominal roll of Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure, noting that there were variations between the payment vouchers and the nominal roll in virtually all the secondary schools.

“In the course of the use of auto-summation for the various columns of the submitted data, numerous cases of tender casting and over casting were discovered. The sum of N12 million excess was discovered as error of summation in the nominal roll of Fiwasaye Girls Grammar

school, Akure. There were also variations between the payment vouchers and the nominal roll in virtually all the secondary schools. “ He said it was discovered that nominal and payroll for October 2015 did not tally in term of staff strength for some secondary schools which included Ekimogun Grammar School, Bolorunduro, where the payment voucher was 40 while the nominal roll was 54, adding that pay point of some of the teachers did not correspond with

the present place of duties thereby taking a lot of time to reconcile.

Ogundipe, however, said that about five secondary schools whose teachers had been cleared have received their salaries.

He listed the secondary schools to include Irele, Owo, Ese-Odo, Akure South and Akoko South West where figures have been reconciled and assured that all other schools would be paid without any further delay.

Speaking on the develop-

ment, the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Comrade Adebiyi Dayo, appealed to all teachers in the state to go about their lawful duties, assuring that the government will not take them for granted.

Also at the press briefing with the Finance Commissioner was his counterpart in Education, Jide Adejuyigbe; Head of Service, Toyin Akinkuotu; Chairman, TESCOM, Professor Francis Igbasan and ASUSS Chairman, Dayo Adebiyi.

the institution.

Addressing the workers at the maternity end of the hospital, Attah noted that after several deliberations with the management, it seemed they were not ready to address the problem and the plights of the workers.

Attah explained that part of the grievances of the union include the recognition of Senior Staff Association by the management instead of MHWUN, discrepancy in remittance of pension deductions, outsourcing of staff, even though there were competent ones within, compulsory enrolment of their members in Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, non-upgrading of their members and incessant power outage in the hospital.

The Chief administrative officer of FMC, Mr Harrison Henry Etim, in his reaction, noted that the management had written a letter to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to seek clarification on their requests, saying the reply had since been forwarded to the union.

Etim explained that the issue of whether members should belong to union or not was the exclusive right of individual’s staff, saying individual members had the liberty to join any union they desired.

On the issue of poor electricity supply in the hospital, Etim said the hospital was on 14 hours electricity supply daily, through its generators despite the challenges of electricity supply in the country.

Remo indigenes protest over proposed LCDAs Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta HUNDREDS of indigenes of Remo area of Ogun State, on Tuesday, stormed the premises of the Ogun State House of Assembly, protesting the secession of Orile-Oko in the area to Obafemi Owode Local Government Area under the proposed Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

This was coming on the heels of a petition forwarded by the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Micheal Sonariwo, to the Assembly on the same matter.

The protesters argued that the town had been ceded to Egba section under the proposed LCDAs.

The protesters were armed with placards with inscriptions such as ‘Avoid war, embrace peace’, ‘Orile-Oko belongs to Ogun East’, ‘Enough is enough, return Orile-Oko to her roots, Remoland’, ‘Remo youths say no to imposition’, ‘Orile-Oko is our land’, ‘Respect our heritage, norms and culture’, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the Remo Chief, the Atunluto of Remoland, Chief Pekun Awobona, said the protest was to give support to already submitted petitions by the Remo Traditional Council.

Awobona, who was a former chairman of Remo North Local Government, appealed to the lawmakers

not to accede to the request of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to excise Orile-Oko to Obafemi Owode Local Government.

He said, “We are here to give support to the petition that was submitted to the House by the Remo Obas.

We are here to say that Orile-Oko totally belongs to Remo and that has been so for ages.

“Remo and Egba people have been cohabiting peacefully in Orile-Oko for ages. We have not had any quarrel.

“Past petitions, past inquiries, name it have all supported Orile-Oko to be part of Remoland.

“And, therefore, we have come to seek the assistance of the Speaker of the Ogun

State House of Assembly, and his distinguished members that they should return or not accede to the request of his Excellency merging Orile-Oko with Obafemi Owode local government because OrileOko is part of Remo. We are not ready to concede an inch square of OrileOko.” Addressing the protesters, the Speaker, Suraj Isola Adekunbi who was flanked by the majority leader, Yinka Mafe, promised to look at the agitation of the Remo people.

He explained that the bill would soon be committed to committee stage where stakeholders would be invited to be part of the discussion.

Nigerian Tribune

Residents of Ejigbo protest renaming of UNIOSUN, Ejigbo campus Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE residents of Ejigbo community, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest at the House of Assembly complex over the renaming of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Ejigbo campus.

The protesters, including traditional chiefs carried placards with inscriptions such as “Pls save Ejigbo from public assaults”, “We have no issue or grudges with Ede nor Senator Adeleke.”

Addressing the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salam, the Asiwaju of Ejigboland, Chief Atilade Adebowale, said that the renaming of the university was a slap on the face of the community.

He contended that Ejigbo community donated a large portion of land to the construction of the institution, stressing that there is an institution which bears Adeleke University in Ede. Responding, the speaker said that the matter was still under deliberation, assuring that their grievances would be addressed appropriately.

Senator Ogunwale back in Osun PDP, says Aregbesola has lost focus Oluwole Ige - Osogbo A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Senator Felix Ogunwale, who decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shortly before the conduct of August 2014 governorship poll, on Tuesday returned to his former party.

Addressing journalists during the meeting of Osun Central Senatorial District of the PDP, in Osogbo, he attributed his decision to the dwindling support for the APC in Osun, saying “since Governor Rauf Aregbesola secured second term in office, he has lost focus and touch with the masses.”

According to him, “when Aregbesola came to power, many people saw how he embarked on rehabilitation of roads. Many people commended him. But, now the reverse is the case, as people are groaning under his administration due to harsh policies, which have further increased their suffering and worsened the condition of the people.”

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I, formerly Miss Olayemi Dorcas Emehinola Ogunsuyi now MRS. OLAYEMI DORCAS OLUSUYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Waheed Kazeem Kolawole now OSENI ABIDEEN KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ogunmilade Feyisara Olu now AYANLEYE FEYISARA OLU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Hannah Temitope Olayinka Oladele now MISS HANNAH ADEOLA OLAYINKA OLUSANYA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly David Olusegun Olatinwo now DAVID SEGUN OLATINWO. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc., Sumal Foods Ltd., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Amoda Foluke Tolani now ABIODUN FOLUKE TOLANI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Aborisade Lydia Olanike and Aboluwade Nike now ADEFARATI LYDIA OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly Elizabeth Micheal now AIYEJUTO AYI JIMOH ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

Keystone Bank Plc., UBA Plc., and general public take note

I formerly known as Akindele Bodunde James now to be rearranged and known as BODUNDE JAMES AKINDELE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service, Ministry of Arts and Culture, Ado Ekiti, First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, Alaraba Muritadoh Sa’adullahi am the same person bearing Sa’adullahi Muritadoh Qudri. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ALARABA MURITADOH SA’ADULLAHI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. First Bank Plc., Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Olayeni Abiegael Oluwabisi now OLAYENI AMEERAT OLUWABISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adegbuyi Olumide Anifat now MRS. OGUNBODEDE OLUMIDE ANIFAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Omolade Sileola Gbolamu now OMOLADE SILEOLA MAKINDE and my correct date of birth is September 30, 1971. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odedire Omolola Funmilola now MRS. OGBEIDE OMOLOLA FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Mr Imam Ayantoye Abdus Salam Abdur Rasheed am the same person as Ayantoye Lawrence Ayanniyi, Abdus Salam Ayanniyi Abdur Rashiid Ayantoye Abdus Salam A. I want to be known and addressed as MR IMAM AYANTOYE ABDUS SALAM ABDUR RASHEED. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, Abdul-Rauf Abdul-Ganiyu Yemi am the same person as Rauf Ganiyu. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ABDULRAUF ABDUL-GANIYU YEMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunleke Beatrice Toyin now MRS OLADOKUN BEATRICE TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH, Osogbo, N&MCN and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Banwo Catherine Omolola now MRS CATHERINE OMOLOLA ODU-MOJOYINOLA. All former documents remain valid.

Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, First Bank Plc, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Oyetunji Philip Idowu now TIAMIYU PHILIP TAOFEEK. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Osawe Emily Enogie now MRS NCHOR ENOGIE EMILY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinteye Adebola Janet now MRS OWOLABI ADEBOLA JANET. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akosile Oluwakemi Vero now MRS ADEOLA OLUWAKEMI VERO. All former documents remain valid. O.A.U, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Ajao Bolarinwa Oluwatoyin Omolola am the same person as Ajao Oluwatoyin Omolola. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AJAO BOLARINWA OLUWATOYIN OMOLOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bukola Ayinla now ADISA JOHN OGUNSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr. Oladele Taiwo now MR. ADEYEMI OLAWALE RAYMOND. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Union Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Anayo Nwachukwu Igwe now EMMANUEL CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Ogige Chinonso Cagetan am the same person bearing Ogige Chinonso Emmanuel. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as OGIGE CHINONSO CAGETAN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Stanbic Bank Plc., FBN and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, Ayinuola Tosin Esther that my name was wrongly written as Ayinuola Oluwanifemi Esther. Now, my correct name is Ayinuola Tosin Esther.

All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyoola Grace Adebimpe now MRS. AKINTAYO GRACE ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ige Alice Oluwatoyin now MRS. FAROMINIYI ALICE OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

Funds and Electronic Trans Solution Ltd., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bestic Lola Sodiq now ORESANYA ADEGOKE ADEBOYE. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Ayoade Taiwo Oluranti Jousha am the same person bearing Olanrewaju Hammed Sakirudeen.

Henceforth, I wish to be called and addressed as AYOADE TAIWO OLURANTI JOSHA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Wema Bank Plc., First Bank Plc., Diamond Bank Plc., C.E.A.P and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Mrs. Awojuyigbe Yetunde Adenike am the same person as Mrs. David Yetunde Adenike. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebanjo Tolulope Afolake now MRS. OGUNBOYE TOLULOPE FOLAKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akanbi Folashade Rofiat now MRS TAIWO FOLASHADE ROFIAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Gboyewa Victoria Adeyanju now MRS GBOYEWA VICTORIA ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Muritala Oke Kasali now BELLO ALAO MURITALA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fasanya Yetunde Deborah now MRS BALOGUN YETUNDE DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

35 CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Ngoa Tekena now Mr NGOBAKAM TEKENA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Amieghemhen Beatrice Itoya now MRS OYEDIJI BEATRICE ITOYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Daramola Christianah Olufunmilola now MRS ISHOLA CHRISTIANAH OLUFUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Olayiwola Muideen Bayo am the same person bearing Olorunnisola Oladokun, Dokun Muideen Olorunnisola and Olayiwola Muideen Bayo. That I wish to be called and addressed as OLAYIWOLA MUIDEEN BAYO. All documents bearing Olorunnisola Oladokun and Dokun Muideen Olorunnisola remain valid. Yale Foods Limited, Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Rabiu Rasheedat Opeyemi now MRS ODERINWALE RASHEEDAT OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Ministry of Education and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Adegbola Adeniyi Taoheed am the same person bearing UTHMAN ADENIYI TAOHEED.Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as UTHMAN ADENIYI MUWAHID. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Omofoye Timothy Adekeye and Omofoye Micheal Adeleke now OMOFOYE MICHEAL ADEKEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Raimi Morufu Rotimi now RAHEEM MORUFU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adegoke Ruth Adenike now MRS ADEDEJI RUTH ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Ministry of Education and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abimbola Kafayat Temitope now MRS DURODOLA OLANREWAJU KAFAYAT TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olaiwola Romoke Fatimo now OLAYIWOLA ROMOKE FATIMO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Obanubi Olayombo now OBANUBI OLAYOMBO DADA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Salawu Sheriff Oriyomi now AKINSANYA OLUWASEUN BUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr. Adebayo Ismail now MR BALOGUN ISMAIL BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunlere Bosede Ogunkemi now MRS OLAGBENRO JOSEPHINE OGUNKEMI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Ministry of Education and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Anthony Mary Atinuke now ANTHONYLASISI ATINUKE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ezenwuba Cynthia Oluebube now MRS ALABI CYNTHIA OLUEBUBE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and General public take note.

I, Onaopemiponiwaoluwa Roberts am the same person as Onaopemiponiwajuoluwa Oluwafikunayomi Oreoluwa Roberts, Onaopemipo Oluwafikunayomi Roberts and Opemipo Roberts. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as ROBERTS, ONAOPEMIPO OLUWAFIKUNAYOMI in my e-passport. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, formerly Shola Samuel Taye am the same person as SHOLA ALABI.Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as SHOLA ALABI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Plc, FCMB Plc and general public take note.

I, Olu Mabogunje E. am the same person bearing Mabogunje Oluwasegun Emmanuel. Now, I to be known and addressed as MABOGUNJE OLUWASEGUN EMMANUEL. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adeyeba Banjo Joseph now ADEYEBA ADEBANJO JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Aremu Anna Oyin now AREMU ANNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Alarape Fatimo now MRS OJEWUMI OMOLARA FATIMO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinsanya Olufunke Mopelola now MRS BABAJIDE RACHEAL OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Moshood Bamikefa now BAMIKEFA MOSHOOD. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME/CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Serifat Ajao now OYEWALE FUNMILAYO SERIFAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bassey Peter Anthony now BASSEY PETER IKOIDEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Onaneye Oyeyemi Grace now MRS JOHNNY OYEYEMI GRACE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Folorunsho Temitope Mary now MRS KOMOLAFE TEMITOPE MARY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Iheanaetu Anthonia Chinenye now MRS OPARA ANTHONIA CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bolanle Adelere now MRS AKINLABI MORENIKE NURATU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Makinwa Esther Banke now MRS ONIYELU ESTHER BANKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Akinruli Falilat Omosalewa now MRS AKINJISE FALILAT OMOSALEWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Mr Areo Abiodun David am the same person bearing Abiodun Akanni Areo. Henceforth, I wish to be called and addressed as MR ABIODUN AKANNI AREO. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Osunolale Emmanuel now OSUOLALE OLUSHOLA EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc, First Bank Plc. And my date of birth is 11th January, 1985 not 11th January, 1983. General public take note.

I, formerly Olayinka Ojo Johnson now OLUSOLA OLAJIDE JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fadeyi Oluwatobi Tope now MRS OLUWATOBI TOPE OLAWEPO. All former documents remain valid.

Landmark University and general public take note.

I, formerly Foluso Ajayi now DADA TUNDE FELIX. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Tiamiyu Hammid Olanrewaju now OSUOLALE HAMMID OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajayi Damilare Busola now MRS ABIOLA DAMILARE BUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bamigboye Moromoke Omolara now MRS FADEYI MOROMOKE OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Ige Akolade Adeniyi and Ige Mustapha Idowu am the same person bearing Ige Mustapha Idowu Akolade Adeniyi.

Henceforth, I wish to be called and addressed as IGE MUSTAPHA IDOWU AKOLADE ADENIYI, and my correct date of birth is 22/01/1980 not 08/01/1980.

All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ernest Onuoraha Chinazom now OBICHUKWU ERNEST CHINAZOM. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Onafeso Kikelomo Afolashade now MRS SHOGA KIKELOMO AFOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abiodun Opeoluwa Christiana now MRS OYEDELE OPEOLUWA CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Popoola Muibi Oladejo Adefowope now POPOOLA MUIBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adewale Balikis Kikelomo now ADEWALE OMOLAJA KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Sofela Itunuoluwa Mary now NANA ITUNUOLUWA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Kehinde Oke Johnson now AYEOTAN OKE JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oladosu Funmilayo Bosede now MRS LAWAL-OLADOSU FUNMILAYO BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Dorcas Nathaniel now FIDELIS GLORY DORCAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

That I Akinghibe Oluwaseyi Jackson am the same person bearing Akinghibe Akinyemi Jackson and that I wish to be henceforth addressed as AKINGHIBE AKINYEMI JACKSON. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Joseph Abraham now IBRAHIM COMMISSIONER GAZO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Barine Monica Kidi am the same person bearing Barine Monica Karikpo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as BARINE MONICA KIDI. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Bamgbola Durodola Motunrayo now DURODOLA MOTUNRAYO OLAWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Akinwumi Kehinde Maria now OYEDOYIN COMFORT ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akin Abayomi Alaba now JOHNSON AKIN ALABA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olaniyan Abiodun Ajoke Olaide now MRS MORENIKEJI ABIODUN AJOKE OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aremu Temitope Abigail now MRS FASANYA TEMITOPE ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid.

Olabisi Onabanjo University and general public take note.

I, formerly Olu Jennifer Chinyere now AMADI JENNIFER CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adepeju Ramata Adeleye now MRS ADEPEJU RAMAT THOMPSON. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Popoola Tunde now POPOOLA OLABAMIJI TUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Yusuf Omotayo Wakilat (nee Adeyemi) now MRS ADENUGBA OMOTAYO WAKILAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Rukayat Adenike now MRS ADENIYI RUKAYAT ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alagbe Odunayo Gbemisola now MRS OLUWAGBEMIGUN ODUNAYO GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adeniji Rabiu now ABIODUN SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Victor Enoh Lazarus now VICTOR ANIEKAN ENOH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Okolo Chiemerie Chiamaka am the same person bearing OKOLO CHIEMERIE GABRIELLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Osaenweife Matthew Eze now OSAENWEIFE MATHINS EZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ngozi Okafor am the same person bearing Ayerin Esther Ogechi.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AYERIN ESTHER OGECHI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Bukola Umar now MRS ALADEUMAR BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABDULLAHI: I, formerly Miss Abdullahi Sherifat now MRS ABDULLAH SHERIFAT. All former documents remain valid.

Kogi State College of Education Technical, Kabba and general public take note.

I, Abass Raimi, my correct name is Abass Raimi not Raimi Abass.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ABASS RAIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Rafiu Lasisi Kolawole now RAFIU LASISI AMOO. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeola Olaosebikan Ojetayo now ADEOLA OLAOSEBIKAN JOSHUA OLUTAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Thomas Benjamin now THOMAS ACHIA JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid.

Zenith Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Yale Food and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Lawal Ganiyat Opeyemi now MRS DARAMOLA GANIYAT OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Tochi Mbonu now TOCHI ANGELA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Titilayo Abibat Odunaiya-Odunewu now TITILAYO ABIBAT ODUNEWU ANIMASHAUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ifoga Omoh Mercy now MRS BARDIRI OMOH MERCY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, Sunday Abosede Toyin now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABOSEDE ELIZABETH ABODUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME/CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fasasi Kudirat Olawunmi now MRS ADEGUNWA KUDIRAT OLAWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Moses Achimia Ahaba am the same person bearing Achimi Attabo and Ajiolo Achima Ataba. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as MOSES AHIABA. My correct date of birth is 7/7/1991. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Opakunle Oluwafisayomi Grace Yewande now MRS ADEJUYIGBE OLUWAFISAYOMI GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

36 news Tompolo files motion to appeal warrant of arrest

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

F

ormer Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), has filed his appellant’s brief of argument to appeal the order of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, mandating his arrest.

Justice Ibrahim Buba, had on January 14, 2016, in Lagos, issued a warrant for the arrest of Tompolo and on January 27, 2016, Tompolo had filed an application before the court to set aside the said warrant of arrest.

However, on February 8, 2016, the said application was argued and dismissed by the court and Tompolo thereafter, filed an appeal against the ruling of the court, on February 18, 2016.

In demonstration of his desire to have his matter heard and determined expeditiously, Tompolo has since compiled the Record of Appeal and has forwarded same to the registry of the Court of Appeal, Lagos judicial division, Igbosere, Lagos.

The 170 page- Record of Appeal, was received by the registrar of the Court of Appeal, Nassara Williams, on March 3, 2016, with Ap-

peal No. CA/L/240/2016 and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been duly served with the said Record of Appeal.

According to his counsel, Tompolo had in further demonstration of his commitment to the rule of law and due process, filed his Appellant’s Brief of Argument, through the law firms of Tayo Oyetibo and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, on Friday, March 11, 2016, thus, activating the

judicial process for the prompt and effective determination of the said appeal.

Accordong to Adegboruwa, “the consequence of this in law is that Tompolo’s case is now before the Court of Appeal, with the concomitant effect that the trial at the Federal High Court, will willingly cede jurisdiction over Tompolo’s case, to the Court of Appeal, since the appeal has now been entered in the Court of Appeal while

Tompolo and his team of lawyers, await the response of EFCC, to file their respondent’s brief, so that the appeal can proceed timeously.”

In the Notice of Appeal filed on his behalf, Tompolo in his appeal, stated that the learned trial court erred in law, in refusing to set aside the warrant of arrest issued against him Tompolo also complained that the learned trail court should have ascertained that the respon-

dent, that is, EFCC, duly complied with the order of the court for substituted service, by posting the charge at the correct address as contained in the order of the court.

He stated further that the application leading to the issuance of the warrant of arrest was not competently placed before the court, as the counsel that signed and filed it on behalf of EFCC, failed to affix his seal thereto, as required by law.

From left, Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Kwara State governor, Dr Abdufatah Ahmed and the President, Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Professor Gbenga Okunlola, cutting the tape to declare open the 52nd annual exhibition of NMGS, in Ilorin, on Tuesday.

Solid minerals: Our target is 10 % contribution to GDP —Fayemi Biola Azeez - Ilorin

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that the country’s solid minerals sector, is currently being repositioned to meet the Federal Government’s plan to diversify the economy and create jobs.

Delivering a keynote address at the 52nd Conference of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) in Ilorin, on Tuesday, the minister said the major focus of the ministry was to ensure that the solid mineral sector improved its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 0.3 per cent to, at least,

10 per cent .

The minister, who said that a lot of innovation were being put in place to overcome all the encumbrances that could hinder the attainment of the goal, added that the target growth was achievable.

He also said that the minerals industry had great opportunities for diversification and linkages to the development of other sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“We strongly believe that the only way minerals development can be sustainable is through economic linkages. We shall promote the development of industrial minerals and encour-

age down stream linkages leading to the processing of these minerals for our local industries.

“It is expected that huge foreign exchange will be conserved through import substitution; jobs will be created, technological ca-

key note address tagged, “Qualities of an effective leader”, classified leadership into two categories: counterfeit and real leadership.

He noted that leadership means to die for a course and reiterated that a good leader must adjust to the reality of time, jacks up the system and together with his followers, provide solutions to imminent problems confronting the system.

The former HoS called on the principal and middle- level management staff of the college to reach for

Also speaking, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, said that the state was ready to partner with the Federal Government in exploring the minerals deposit in the state in line with the proposal made by the minister.

Medicine, Dentistry programmes to run 7 yrs —Okojie Clement Idoko - Abuja

THE Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, has said that with the review of the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) for Medicine and

Ex-HoS counsels against counterfeit leadership at retreat Former Head of Service of the Federation(HoS), Professor Afolabi Oladapo, has urged people in leadership positions to desist from counterfeit leadership.

Professor Afolabi said this at the opening ceremony of a three-day retreat for principal officers, management, Deans and Heads of Departments of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, (OYSCATECH) Igboora, held at Femadex Royal Garden Hotel, Idere.,recently Professor Afolabi, in a

pacity will improve and there shall be increase in resource rents. We shall concentrate on developing minerals that are critical feedstock in oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure,” he said.

the heights and exhibit the qualities of a real leader.

Earlier, the Provost of the college, Professor Gbemiga Adewale, while declaring the retreat opened, said that the programme was aimed at providing the participants the opportunity to reflect on the vision, mission and strategic objectives of the college, adding that the retreat would afford the heads of departments, the opportunity to clearly set objectives and review various activities of the college with a view to improving on them.

Dentistry, the programmes will now run for a sevenyear training leading to award of MBBS/MDS. This was contained in a statement by Mr Ibrahim Yakasai, Director, Information and Public Relations in the Commission, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Yakassai said Okojie spoke while delivering a keynote address entitled: ‘Development of Medical Education in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges’, delivered at the matriculation and inauguration of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, at the weekend.

He explained that with the new curriculum, a medical student would be expected to graduate in Basic Medical Sciences, with options in Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry and Physiology, before proceeding for the clinical training.

Professor Okojie, who

was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary l, Professor Chiedu Mafiana, further explained that the reviewed BMAS went through a long process, which included wide consultations with the academia, professional associations and regulatory body, following the conduct of a Market Needs Assessment.

According to him, the consensus was that medical training should be postgraduate. The main goal is to ensure that the crop of graduates emerging from the programme are psychologically mature to practice, with a high level of competency.

The new BMAS for medical education still retains the fundamental learning objectives that the six-year programme: the national development goals for health, while retaining the international outlook to guarantee global competitiveness.

Senate allocates N10bn for IDPs’ relocation, resettlement The senate has directed its Committee on Appropriation to allocate N10 billion from the service wide vote for the relocation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

This followed the adoption of a five-prayer motion moved on Tuesday, by Senate Leader Mohammed AliNdume and co- sponsored by seven other senators.

The senate, as part of its resolution, also urged the Victims Support Fund to allocate a reasonable amount for immediate relocation and resettlement of IDPs. It also urged the Federal Government to release grains from the Strategic Grain Reserve to the affected states.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Refugee Commission, were urged to make special arrangement for repatriation and resettlement of Nigerian refugees in Cameroun, Niger and Chad.

IGP calls for collaboration from journalists, community leaders Sylvanus Viashima - Jalingo

Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has called for collaboration between the Force and the journalists as well as other stakeholders such as community and religious leaders for effective policing.

Arase said this on Tuesdsay, in Jalingo, during a visit to Taraba State, where he had interactive session with officers of the state police command and other stakeholders and called for tolerance among the people to end the lingering Fulani/ Herdsmen crisis.

According to the police boss, the collaboration is imperative in the light of the increasing security challenges confronting the nation and the apparent awareness that critical stakeholders must be involved in the fight against crime for any meaningful success to be achieved.

“The security of the nation is a top priority and poses a daunting challenge that requires drastic measures to achieve success. It is very important therefore, that the police officers understand the socio-cultural environment they operate in and work to harness the goodwill of relevant stakeholders.”

37

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

US election: Super Tuesday votes

crucial for nominees

T

UESDAY looms as a major day in the United States presidential race, as voters in five large states head to the polls for primaries that could go a long way toward determining the presidential nominees for both political parties.

The primaries in Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Voting is taking place amid a backdrop of protests and some violence at rallies for the Republican front-runner, billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump.

Trump cancelled a rally Friday night in Chicago after clashes between protesters and supporters. Several other Trump rallies have been interrupted numerous times by demonstrators, and on Saturday Trump was quickly surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents after a man leapt from the crowd and dashed toward the stage, only to be tackled by security and led away.

Trump later told another rally in Missouri he was ready to defend himself had the protester made his way on stage. “I don’t know if I would have done well, but I would have been boom, boom, boom,” he said, pounding his right fist into his left hand.

Despite the chaos at recent Trump rallies, the Republican front-runner is positioned to do well in the five states voting on Tuesday. Three new polls (NBC News-Wall Street JournalMarist/Quinnipiac University/Monmouth University) give Trump a double-digit lead in Florida over home state Senator Marco Rubio.

A Rubio loss in Florida like-

Hilary Clinton

Ted Cruz

Donald Trump

MOTHER Teresa, the Roman Catholic nun who worked with the poor in the Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta), is to be declared a saint on 4 September, Pope Francis has announced.

She founded a sisterhood that runs 19 homes, and won the Nobel Peace Prize.

She died in 1997 - aged 87 - and was beatified in 2003, the first step to sainthood.

The Pope cleared the way for sainthood last year when he recognised a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa.

Born in 1910 to Albanian parents, Agnese Gonxha Bojaxhiu grew up in what is now the Macedonian capital, Skopje, but was then part of the Ottoman Empire,

BBC reported.

Aged 19, she joined the Irish order of Loreto and in 1929 was sent to India, where she taught at a school in Darjeeling under the name of Therese.

In 1946 she moved to Kolkata to help the destitute and, after a decade, set up a hospice and a home for abandoned children.

She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The sisterhood now has 4,500 nuns worldwide.

She achieved worldwide acclaim for her work in Kolkata’s slums, but her critics accused her of pushing a hardline Catholicism, mixing with dictators and accepting funds from them for her charity.

Bernie Sanders

ly would lead to calls from other Republicans that he abandons his White House ambitions.

Trump expressed confidence during a rally in Florida. “We have a movement going on, folks, this isn’t just us here. This is all over the

country. The same thing is happening!”

On Friday, Trump was endorsed by former rival Ben Carson. Trump used the occasion to urge the Republican Party establishment to acknowledge his success.

“We have numbers, I guess

it averages about 65 percent more, but that represents many millions of people. And if the Republican so-called establishment is smart, they will embrace it because there is no way we can lose. There is no way we can lose.”

Belgium: 3 officers injured in counterterrorism raid At least three Belgian police officers have been injured in a shootout during a counterterrorism raid on a house in southern Brussels, according to a police spokesperson.

Two suspected shooters were on the run after Tuesday’s incident in the neighbourhood of Forest, the Belga news agency reported.

Other media outlets reported that gunfire from a Kalashnikov rifle had been involved.

Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland, reporting from Paris, said: “Two suspects have escaped over the rooftops,

according to eyewitnesses.

Three police officers were injured in that exchange of fire.

“One of them was shot in the head and is seriously wounded.”

The area - located near a factory of German car manufacturer Audi - has been secured by the police, according to media reports.

The raid was related to last year’s deadly attacks in the French capital, Paris.

The November 13 attacks in Paris had left 130 people dead and hundreds injured, after armed men and suicide bombers targeted the Stade

otherNEWS

UNHCR: Thousands of Mozambican refugees flee to Malawi THE United Nations refugee agency reports fighting between government and opposition forces in Mozambique is prompting growing numbers of refugees to flee to neighboring Malawi.

According to VOA, The refugee agency reports nearly 11,500 Mozambicans have fled to Malawi since midDecember. Most of the new

Pope approves sainthood for Mother Teresa

arrivals are in the village of authorities in Malawi were Kapise, about 100 kilome- finding it increasingly difters south of Malawi’s capi- ficult to cope with the rising tal, Lilongwe. It says others number of people. are scattered throughout the neighboring district of Chikwawa.

The UNHCR reports the exodus of Mozambican refugees has been growing and shows no sign of abating. Spokes- Mozambican refugees prepare food at Kapise camp man Leo Dobbs said the in Malawi’s Mwanza district. PHOTO: REUTERS

de France stadium, the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and bars.

Several of the suspected attackers had links to neighbouring Belgium.

The Forest neighbourhood is close to Molenbeek, home to several people involved in the Paris attacks.

The suspected ringleader of the attacks was a Brussels resident, Abdelhamid Abaaoud.

Another attacker, Bilal Hadfi, was said to have lived for a time in the Forest neighbourhood.

Mother Teresa

Al Qaeda: Ivory Coast attack was revenge against France AL QAEDA’S North African branch said its attack on a beach resort in Ivory Coast on Sunday that killed 18 people was revenge for a France’s offensive against Islamist militants in the Sahel region and called for its forces to withdraw.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve arrived on Tuesday to reassure the large French community and boost the investigation into the attack in Grand Bassam, in which four French citizens died.

Three Ivorian Special Forces personnel were killed

and three of the attackers were also among the dead.

The statement by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb was posted on the group’s social media accounts on Monday.

“We repeat our call to all countries involved in the French invasion of Mali to withdraw,” it said, naming the attackers but giving no further details of their identities.

France launched Operation Serval to oust militants from northern Mali and replaced it in 2014 with Operation Barkhane which targets militants across the Sahel region.

Burundi govt disappointed in new EU sanctions BURUNDI said it is disappointed in the European Union’s decision to suspend some aid to the Burundian government.

The European Union on Monday postponed direct financial support for the Burundian government for not doing enough to find a political solution to the continuing conflict that has claimed more than 400

lives since April last year.

VOA disclosed that the EU said it blames President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government for the surge in violence and failure to protect human rights. European Union aid to Burundi from 2014 to 2020 is estimated at $480 million.

Burundian Foreign Minister Alain Nyamitwe said while his country needs as-

sistance, the EU decision is a wakeup call to all developing countries to be selfreliant rather than depend on foreign aid.

President Pierre Nkurunziza

38 news 15-yr-old abducted in Sokoto reunites with family

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

Muhammad Sabiu -Kaduna

F

IFTEEN-year-old girl, Patience Paul, who hails from Benue State and was abducted in Sokoto State, where she lived with her parents and taken to Bauchi State since August

2015, had been reunited with her family members.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, on Monday evening, a private lawyer, who is working with a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Voice for the Girl’s Child Foundation (VGCF), Jos, Pla-

teau State, Barrister Ezekiel Dyagas, said he was briefed about Patience’s saga about March 1, 2016 by her brother.

According to him, ‘her brother who is here with me has been up and doing since the family realised that the little girl was miss-

ing and abducted by one of her neighbours.

“I told the family to give me 48 hours that we would be able to trace her whereabouts. I posted her story on the internet and you will not believe the response I got.

“Within those 48 hours I

Patience, flanked by Mr Ezekiel Dyagas (left) and her brother, Isaac, during the press conference. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD SABIU.

Fire guts market, shop owners count losses in Yenagoa Austin Ebipade -Yenagoa IT was tears and agony as goods worth millions of naira were, on Tuesday, destroyed in an inferno which ravaged over 10 stores and five homes at the popular furniture market in Opolo community in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The fire, which eye witness said started at about 1p.m. destroyed timber stores, spare part stores restaurant, tricycle (Keke Napep) sales and repair store and few residential homes.

One of the victims, Mr Nwalem Friday, an indigene of Ebonyi State, lamented the pains of helplessly watching his goods burnt into ashes, adding that he couldn’t explain how and where the fire started from.

“I can’t explain how it started; I was in my store hoping that I will have an encouraging sale today and I heard people shouting fire-fire, I rushed out and saw that the fire started from the timber store, we think the cause could be from an electric contact.

“I have lost goods worth over N7 million and as it is today, I don’t even know where to start from, with the hardship in the state.”

Another victim, Madam Ijeoma James, who runs a restaurant, said this afternoon, I was about going to the market to buy food stuff for my business,

when I saw people running helter skelter, I rushed out to see what happened and I saw a wild fire burning close to my store, as I ran to get water, I was asked to

run for safety first.

“Look at me I have lost everything, my fridge, cooking gas and all that I have worked for in this harsh economic period.”

was talking to the Executive governor of Sokoto, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and I told the girl’s brother that the governor will call him.

“In fact, the governor not only called but has played a vital role towards the freedom of Patience. He acted as a father and we appreciate his role. In short, he was instrumental to her eventual release.

“As I’m talking to you, those behind her abduction in Sokoto had been arrested and are going to face prosecution soon.

“Since, the commencement of the saga, I had contacted the state commissioner for women affairs and youth development and I will not tell you what the state government had promised to do for Patience. If you want to verify you can call the commissioner.”

Commenting further, the child advocate said Patience was forcefully married out to somebody.

He also declared that he was taking the young girl to Benue State on Tuesday, on the request of the state government who had also shown interest in her case.

Speaking on her ordeal, the 15-year-old Patience told the Nigerian Tribune that she did not know her abductor but she used to see him around the neighbourhood.

According to her, she attended Muhammad Sambo Primary School in Sokoto.

Kano offers 3,380 staff permanent appointments Kola Oyelere -Kano THE Kano State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Awwal Na’iya, has said that the present administration has offered 3,380 teaching staff and others who were recruited as temporary staff permanent appointments.

This was just as the Head of service warned that the state government would prosecute any staff found receiving salary as a ghost worker.

Alhaji Na’iya made this disclosure during the opening ceremony of the 23rd batch of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria’s (ASCON) workshop, held at the Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute, comprising 300 eligible participants from various ministries and departments across the state public service.

He noted that since assumption of office of the incumbent governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, several reform measures

have been introduced, targeted towards resuscitating the state public service in tune with norms of global best practices.

Among these, he said, were the commencement of biometric data capture of all civil servants with the aim of having in place a robust human resource da-

tabase and effective salary administration through establishment of a comprehensive payroll system.

He, however, warned that the state government would not only sack any worker who collects more than his salary, but such a person would also be prosecuted.

Speaking on the occa-

sion, the Director General, ASCON, Mr A. A. Peter, commended the state government for the huge investment in human capital development in the public sector of the state and the continued confidence in the capacity of the ASCON to deliver the desired service to the satisfaction of the state.

NCPC kicks off 2016 Easter pilgrimages March 20 THE Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) is set to flag off the 2016 Easter pilgrimage exercise to Israel. The Secretary of the Commission, John Kennedy Opara, disclosed this in Abuja.

According to him, the flag off of this year’s Easter pilgrimage would be on March 20 at Port Harcourt International Airport.

He stated that all logistics and security have been put in place by the commission to make the exercise a hitchfree one. He also disclosed

that the Ground Handlers in Israel were ready to receive the pilgrims.

Mr Opara informed that about four states would be participating in this year’s Easter pilgrimage exercise, including some self sponsored pilgrims. These states are Ebonyi, Niger, Akwa Ibom and Lagos.

He further intimated that some of the pilgrims would participate in the skill acquisition and leadership training programme of the commission.

He emphasised that the

commission would continue to use pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth.

The first batch of intending pilgrims for this year’s Easter pilgrimage would be from Ebonyi State.

According to the Secretary, the governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, would be the special Guest of Honour.

This year’s Easter pilgrimage exercise will mark the fourth edition since its introduction by the commission.

Kings Varsity set for maiden matriculation

By Tunde Adegbola THE Vice Chancellor of Kings University, OdeOmu in Osun State, Professor Oladiran Famurewa, has said the university would be officially inaugurated on Thursday, unveiling the chancellor and matriculating the pioneer students of the institution.

Professor Famurewa disclosed this while addressing journalists at the institution in Ode-Omu via Osogbo, Osun State.

He explained that the university, which was licensed a year ago by the National University Commission (NUC), had 18 courses accredited by the regulatory body across the three faculties of the institution.

According to him: “the establishment of the university was the idea of the founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, who discovered that education system in the country, needs attention and government alone cannot do it.

“The university had prepared to train and nurture youths that will become future leaders and would also provide scholarship to 12o students every year, based on their academic performance.”

Customs intercepts 3 boats loaded with marijuana THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday, said it had intercepted three boats loaded with marijuana along an unnamed waterway in Lagos.

The Customs Zone `A’ Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General Charles Edike, made the disclosure in Lagos, while speaking at a Stakeholders` Forum organised by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

Edike said the boats were intercepted by officers of the Western Marine Command on Sunday, adding that the smugglers had been arrested and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The zonal coordinator said that smuggling activities on waterways had been on the increase in recent times.

39

Wednesday, 16 March, 2016

corporatesport

With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08116954642

Olasunkanmi U-19 Squash Tourney ends in glamour SENATOR Akinlabi Olasunkanmi U-19 Closed Squash Tournament organized by the Lagos Country Club has ended on a glamorous note, with winners carting home various cash prizes.

The tournament which had 24 secondary school boys and girls as participants, saw Temiloluwa Adegoke emerging as the winner in the boys category after defeating his closest rival, Desmond Igudola in a 3-straight energy sapping encounter.

In the female category, Busayo Olatunji had an easy ride over Idowu Ogunyemi, while Mr Tosin Olaniyan emerged the last man standing in an exhibition game at the occasion.

Mr Ladi Smith who crushed other opponents

at the event had the most game played.

Speaking at the event, the club’s President, Mr Kayode Moradeyo and the Squash Chairman Arch Funmi Bankole called for the need to make the tournament an open one so as to allow for more participation in the coming year.

Responding, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi in whose honour the event was organised to mark his 60th birthday, promised to make it an annual event.

The former minister for Youth Development said the philosophy behind the event was to ensure the youth were engaged in meaningful things.

“There is need to engage our youths so that they can be useful to our society” he said.

From left,wife of former Minister for Youth Development, Mrs Adenike Olasunkanmi; Winner, Boys Category, Temiloluwa Adegoke; Fikayo Olasunkanmi; sponsor of the tournament, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi; winner, Girls Category, Busayo Olatunji, at the just concluded Senator Olasunkanmi U-19 Closed Squash tournament, organised by the Lagos Country Club.

Football takes centre stage as Etisalat’s Cliqfest berths at University of Uyo

FOOTBALL took centre stage as Nigeria’s leading innovative and communication skill brand, Etisalat Nigeria stepped up its strategic engagement with Nigerian youth, as it kicked

off the 2016 edition of its pan-Nigeria multi-campus youth-centric initiative, Cliqfest which berthed at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The two day event was a

mixture of fun and excitement and featured a five a-side football tournament, of four teams; Team Black (Midnight callers), Team Blue (Unlimited SMS), Team White (Free midnight

Edet wins 4th Sovereign Trust Insurance Golf Open

By Olawale Olaniyan

TWO weeks after winning the Mutual Assurance Plcsponsored golf tourney, Monday Edet has claimed another laurel as he won the 4th Sovereign Trust Insurance Golf Open last Sunday which was held at the Ibadan Golf Club.

Edet dethroned Ahmed Sulaiman, who won the tournament in 2014 and 2015 after playing 151 gross in the twoday 36-hole event.

Edet, who is playing handicap one promised to reduce it to handicap zero in due course, as he promised to

feature in different tournaments later this year.

An elated Edet, who is a former caddy at IGC and a member of Tiger Golf Club disclosed that his new kit also assisted him to excel.

“I was so delighted to have added this trophy to my cabinet because I’m in my best form and I want to utilise it in winning as many tournaments as possible and more importantly, I want to reduce my handicap to zero.

“Having got new equipment, I developed more confidence in my game and everything has changed. At least I have won three tour-

naments in a row now and I believe this is just the starting point for me this year.

“With the kit, I now show my skill on the golf course and I’m overwhelmed to have emerged champion of Sovereign Trust golf tourney. Having seen Ahmed Sulaiman won it twice, I gave my myself a mandate that I will dethrone him this year and thank God it has come to pass.

“Sulaiman is one of my idols in the game because he’s a ‘guru’ on the course which everyone is looking up to. I spent most of my day on the golf course since I got

RCCG Regional Pastor’s football final holds today THE final of the Regional Pastor’s football competition will hold today at the Lead City University, Ibadan football pitch.

According to a statement, to represent the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is Pastor J.F Odesola, the Special Assistant (Admin and Personnel).

The third place match between Oyo Province 3 and Oyo Province 4 will start at 2pm, while the final match

between Oyo Province 1 and Oyo Province 6 will kick off at 4pm, after which trophies will be presented to participants.

The aim of the competition is to catch footballers young for the Nigerian national football teams.

The Pastor in charge of Region, Pastor Oladele Balogun, will be in attendance, with the Pastors in charge of Provinces and the Assistant Pastors in charge of Region 21.

Pastor E. A. Adeboye

new kit and this has been helpful to me a lot. Kudos to the people I address as my fathers, Chief Seye Omisore and Chief Bode Mustapha, I owe everything to them,” Edet said.

The captain of IGC, Akin Funmilayo in his remarks lauded the Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc for sponsoring the tournament in last four years.

He said the Managing Director of the company promised the sponsorship will be in perpetuity, the pledge, he has faithfully kept.

“This tournament has arguably become the most important annual tournament in IGC that golfers nationwide look forward to every year and the history of the tourney cannot be concluded without mentioning the roles of the former Captain of the club, Chief Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja who has used his goodwill and pedigree in the Insurance industry to facilitate this tournament.

“The success of today’s event like the previous editions is largely due to his relentless efforts.”

Mr Olaotan Soyinka, Managing Director, Sovereign

Trust Insurance Plc, in his remarks said his organisation has no regrets in sponsoring the tournament in the last four years, which he said was in fulfilment of its social corporate responsibilities.

He stated that it has been mutually rewarding both to the IGC and Sovereign Trust as an entity.

“We support the wellbeing of our customers and the populace as well and Sovereign Trust is happy to partner the IGC so as to give back to the society.

“I believe football enjoy more patronage of the government to the detriment of other sports, so we just feel to take one sport, it could have been basketball, but we decided to pick golf with the influence of our very good customer who is also a golfer, Chief Olatunde-Agbeja.

He’s been with us right from day one, he made a passionate appeal for us to come on board and we have no reason to regret what we have started.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Friday won the best Net after playing 138 Net over the two days, while Evelyn Oyome won in the ladies category with 160 Gross.

calls) and Team Green (Bonus on Incoming calls).

In an exciting contest, Midnight callers edged out Bonus on Incoming calls 3-2 in a pulsating game while Unlimited SMS knocked out Free midnight calls 4-1 in a one sided affair which set them up to meet Midnight callers while Bonus on Incoming calls slugged it out with Free midnight calls for third place.

At the end of the contest Team Black (Midnight callers) went home with the trophy after coming from behind to beat Team Blue (Unlimited SMS) 2-1 while Team White (Free midnight calls) won the third place match. All the teams went home with phones and Etisalat branded gift items.

The high point of the two day activation was the emergence of Daniel Nfon Bassey, a 100 level student of Bio-Chemistry as the winner of the star prize, a brand new Hyundai i10.

The campus activation which focuses on education, sports and entertainment began with a motivational session anchored by Niyi Adesanya who spoke on the theme: “Activate your Dreams”. The students were also treated to a concert featuring the rapper, Reminisce, Timaya and Nigerian Idol 4 and 5 winners, Evelle and K-Peace who delighted the students with wonderful renditions of their songs.

SIDELINES NO 16,458

N150

WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH, 2016

Ex-international, John Okon dies on his 47th birthday

A landlady in Lagos was recently arraigned at a magistrates court for alledgedly stealing the sum of N87,000 belonging to her tenant.

Hmmm, the tenant should be told not to be overjoyous, remembering the Yoruba saying that if a landlord/landlady snatches a tenant’s spouse or vice versa, the tenant would still be the one to exit at the end of the day.

I give Leicester City players amulets, talismans —Thai Monk

By Olawale Olaniyan FORMER Super Eagles player, John Ene Okon, is dead. Okon, who died in a hospital in Calabar, Cross River State on Tuesday, had been suffering from liver problem.

He would have clocked 47 the same day he died.

While speaking with Tribunesport, technical adviser of Rangers FC of Enugu, Imama Amapakabo said Okon’s death was a sad development. “I felt sad after hearing about the death of Okon,” Amapakabo, a member of the Golden Eaglets set of 1985 told Tribunesport by phone.

“John Okon passed on in the early hours of this morning [Tuesday], he was ill; he had been diagnosed with a liver problem and he had been in hospital for sometime now until he passed away at a Calabar hospital around 2.00am and ironically, today happens to be his birthday.

“Okon will be greatly missed, he was my very good friend and one of the best midfielders I know. He will be missed in football circles,” Amapakabo added.

John Ene Okon was a member of the Nigerian U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile in 1987. He was also a member of the Super Eagles team that claimed the bronze in the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Senegal.

After he retired as a footballer, Okon, known as ‘Oworowo’ among his colleagues, went into coaching and he handled teams like Calabar Rovers, BCC Lions, Sharks and Julius Berger FC of Lagos.

The late John Okon

TALISMAN: Phra Prommangkalachan in his shrine

NFF owes me N111m Denies receiving N20m salary —Oliseh

T

HE immediate past Super Eagles’ Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has claimed that the Nigeria Football Federation are still owing him N111 million.

The amount covers medical expenses, match bonuses and allowances incurred during his six-month reign as the national team’s gaffer.

Oliseh stated this in a letter addressed to the Secretary General of the NFF and made available to The Eagle Online on Tuesday.

In the final breakdown, the gaffer is demanding the payment of $10,000 being the winning match bonus against Swaziland; daily allowance for nine days, which totaled $3,600; food for CHAN Eagles at $3,700; flight ticket refund for CHAN Camping in Pretoria, South Africa; CHAN winning bonus and draw at $6,000; while his medical expenses is put at $11,200.

Oliseh, in his letter to the NFF, gave a 10-day grace to effect payment and the deadline lapses on Wednesday.

The coach also denied being paid N20 million a day before tendering his resignation letter to the NFF. He said he was only paid N13 million as salary for the month of December 2015 to February 2016, and the another N5 million for his accommodation while in the country but he could drag them to the World football governing body, FIFA, if they fail to pay the money owed him.

Withdraws lawsuit against NFF

Meanwhile, Oliseh has withdrawn a law suit against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saying it is in the interest of the country.

“I have instructed my lawyers to withdraw the law suit against the NFF,” Oliseh announced on YouTube.

“After speaking with well-meaning Nigerians, who I respect a lot, I also believe it is useless joining issues with people who are bent on deceiving Nigerians and misleading Nigerians and diverting attention from the reality.

“Certain vested interest in the NFF put their own interests first

before that of Nigeria. My position of putting Nigeria first was a hindrance to certain vested interests in the NFF. “If you put Nigeria first, you will always have problems with the NFF. “This also explains why the benefits of players and wages and coaches are always placed secondary, while other things like team building trips (for FA chairmen) will always be catered to first.”

Oliseh further alleged that rather than for the technical committee to offer him technical assistance, they prefer to impose players on him.

THE secret behind Leicester City’s success this season may have finally been revealed, by a Thai monk!

Phra Prommangkalachan, a Buddhist monk, has been visiting Leicester regularly for the past three seasons, blessing the pitch and gifting players lucky charms.

And he believes that his visits may have had some effect on the side’s fortunes, with the club currently five points clear of secondplaced Tottenham in the Premier League with eight games of the season remaining.

“I hang some amulets on their necks and I gave them these fabric talismans,” he told AFP. “I’m not sure if they understood what I explained to them about it, but they knew that it would bring them luck.

The club’s owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, is said to be a devout buddhist, and Phra has little doubt that he will soon see the Premier League trophy lifted on the same King Power Stadium pitch that his helicopter regularly lands on.

“He brought monks there to pray for auspiciousness and luck in the game, for the management team and the players,” he added.

TODAY’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES Barcelona vs Arsenal 8:45 Bayern vs Juventus 8:45

Dope: UN suspends Sharapova MARIA Sharapova’s failed drugs admission has prompted the United Nations to suspend the Russian from working with the organisation.

Worth an estimated $195 million, Sharapova will be unable to continue her work as a goodwill ambassador with the U.N. Development Programme until the conclusion of the investigation into her admission that she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open in January.

“The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery,” said a UNDP spokesperson.

“However, in light of Ms. Sharapova’s recent announcement, we last week suspended her role as a Goodwill Ambassador and any planned

activities while the investigation continues. We wish Ms. Sharapova the best.”

The 28-year-old, who was paid a symbolic $1 salary in her role, said at the time that it was one of her “proudest contracts ever.”

According to U.N. guidelines, goodwill ambassadors are “persons of integrity” who “possess the personality and dignity required for such highlevel representative capacity.”

Sharapova appears to have contravened article 28 of Guidelines for the designation of Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace, which states that the arrangement will be re-examined if the ambassador “engages in any activity incompatible with his/her status or with the purposes and principles of the U.N., or if the termination is in the interest of the organisation.”

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