16th November 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,634 WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

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TODAY'S SPECIAL: 4 steps to reduce energy consumption —P4

I want to leave Ekiti better than I met it, says Fayose at birthday celebration with —P29 physically-challenged

IGP: Killed Shi'ites armed to the teeth •We did not carry arms, we have the video —Shi'ites

—P2

Boko Haram kills another Lt Colonel —P5

Senate rejects 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees —P5

Ondo PDP crisis: Sheriff's faction wants S/Court to set aside Appeal Court judgment —P8

Thousands attend Ibrahim Dasuki's burial

•FG delegation, Sultan, Emir of Kano, govs, others at burial —P4 •Ex-NSA rejected FG's offer to attend burial —Dambazzau

Bailout fund: Senate, Ekiti on collision course

•State rejects bid to investigate application of fund

I dare Atiku to travel to US —el-Rufai

—P2

—P

—P9

2 news Killed Shi’ites armed to the teeth — IGP

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

•We did not carry arms —Shi’ites •Demand release of members’ corpses for burial From Leon Usigbe and Muhammed Sabiu

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HE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Idris Ibrahim, on Tuesday, justified the killing of Shi’ite protesters in Kano, saying the police had to employ maximum force because members of the Islamic religious sect were “armed to the teeth.”

Several members of the the sect, which goes by the name, Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), on Monday, clashed with the police while observing an annual rite around Tamburawa, on the outskirts of Kano city.

But speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the launch of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem, held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa and presided over by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, the police boss agreed that protesters should not be killed, but insisted that if those involved in it were armed to the teeth, killing police officers, the public should appreciate and sympathise with the method deployed by the police.

When asked if there were ways of quelling riot without

killing those involved, the IGP said: “I agree with what you said, but when you have Nigerians armed to the teeth, killing police officers, I don’t think it happens anywhere.

I think as Nigerians, we have to appreciate a dangerous situation, and be sympathetic with the police

that are being killed by some of these miscreants.

“Obviously, from time to time, we have been experiencing upheavals from this set of people. As police officers, we have responsibility to ensure there is law and order and when you have people

taking over the whole country, dominating streets and buildings, we have to come in to maintain sanity in those areas.

“As of early yesterday (Monday), we got information that they were trying to block Kano to Zaria road. They later assembled

in large numbers and our officers were deployed to the place to ensure freedom of movement of ordinary Nigerians.

“They attacked our officers, killed one of our officers, one has sustained an arrow wound on his head and obviously in such

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike (left) and service commanders, inspecting assorted arms and ammunition recovered in the course of the state amnesty programme, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

Wike declares war on cultists, kidnappers

•Declares state amnesty programme closed •22,430 cultists surrender 911 arms, 7,661 ammunition, 147 explosives

By Dapo Falade GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has announced the conclusion of the first phase of the state amnesty programme, declaring a total war on unrepentant cultists and kidnappers across the state.

The governor, who disbanded all vigilance committees in all communities in the state, also directed security agencies to henceforth go after all cultists and kidnappers who refused to voluntarily accept the amnesty offer of the state government, pointing out that his administration had zero-tolerance for crime and criminality.

Wike spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, during the submission of the report of the state amnesty programme by the state amnesty committee which had its membership drawn from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to the committee report, 22,430 cultists accepted the amnesty programme and surrendered 911 assorted arms with 7,661 assorted ammunition and 147 explosives.

The governor said there was no more room for repentance for other

unrepentant cultists and kidnappers, having failed to embrace the amnesty programme initiated by his administration.

Describing the programme as successful, the governor said the development had made the state relatively peaceful.

“For those we have given the opportunity, but they refused to embrace amnesty, I direct the security agencies to go after them. The time for amnesty is over and we are going to take the war to them,” he said.

The governor said the state government resolved not

to monetise the amnesty programme because it wanted the cultists and kidnappers to sincerely embrace it, but assured all the repentant cultists and kidnappers that they would be duly rehabilitated and made to become useful to the society.

Presenting the report, chairman of the committee, Sir Kenneth Chinda, said it adopted a direct dialogue approach by establishing direct, honest, transparent and sincere contacts with leaderships of the various groups through a discreet confidence building process.

Ekiti govt to Senate: You lack powers to investigate our bailout fund Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja EKITI State government has rejected the move by the Senate to probe the bailout funds doled out the state along with other states of the federation by the Federal Government, saying such probe was unconstitutional.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, made this declaration in a reply to a letter to the state government by the chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, through the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, dated November 11, entitled: “re: Senate oversight assignment on bailout funds granted to Ekiti State,” demanding to carry out an oversight function in the state on the

bailout funds given to it.

The commissioner, in his reply to the Senate Committee’s chairman’s request, said: “we respectfully wish to observe that we are constrained as a state government, bound by the principles of federalism, and the rule of law, to accede to your proposal to exercise oversight powers over the disbursement of the bailout fund granted to Ekiti State by the Federal Government because it is legally and constitutionally outside the powers of the Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

While supporting the state’s refusal to have the Senate probe its bailout fund, the Commissioner said the action was against the clear provision of Sections 121,122,123, 124, 125 and 128 of the Constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria ,1999 (as amended).

The commissioner also pointed out also that the Constitution vested the powers of oversight functions in respect of states’ finances exclusively in the respective state Houses of Assembly.

According to him, “Section 125 (5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended provides for the submission of financial statements and annual accounts of a state to the House of Assembly of the state and the House shall cause the report to be considered by a committee of the House responsible for public accounts.

“In the same vein, Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution specifically confers on the state House of Assembly the powers to conduct investigations into the accounts of the state

government.

“In the light of the above, we respectfully opine that your request for a meeting with certain officials of the Ekiti State government and the preparation of reports detailing all grants as received by the state from the Federal Government and the application of such funds, for the consideration of your committee, is an usurpation of the constitutionally-vested powers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly as currently constituted under the able leadership of the Speaker, Honourable Kola Oluwawole.

“Consequently, we have no other choice in the circumstance than to decline to entertain the proposed inquiry by your committee into the disbursement of bailout funds granted to Ekiti State for the above stated reasons.”

a situation, police have the responsibility to ensure free movement of people on the road. And that was what our officers did.”

On the possible transmutation of the sect to a terrorist group, Ibrahim noted: “Obviously, it is.

Whether now or whenever, as police officers, we have a responsibility to ensure there is law and order in any part of this country and to ensure that no organisation or individual should constitute themselves into a government, block passages and buildings.”

Against the argument that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of movement in the country, the police boss insisted that the Shi’ite movement were blocking the road and not exercising freedom of movement.

According to him: “What happens is that there is nothing like freedom there.

When you worship, you go to mosques or churches.

Blocking highways and passages doesn’t constitute part of worship.

“My message to Nigerians is that all of us should be our brother’s keepers.

We should appreciate the feeling of others that where your right ends, another person’s right begins.

“Every Nigerian has a right that must be protected.

We should ensure we protect the rights of every individual: right of freedom, right of association and right of movement.”

Reacting, secretary of IMN Media Forum, Abdulmumini Giwa, however, said, members of the movement were armless.

“We have the video clips to show to the world and let them see if we carried offensive objects.

“The shooting by the police was the highest level of cruelty against a people that were holding peaceful procession. They arrested some of our members with bullet wounds. They deposited 40 bodies at Murtala Hospital and their headquarters at Bompai,” he said.

Meanwhile, the members have called on the police to release the over 50 members of their sect, who, they said, “were gruesomely sent to untimely death last Monday,” to allow them to give them a befitting burial in accordance to Islamic injunction.

This was just as the sect threatened to drag the security operative to court.

They also vowed that no amount of persecution or attack from the police or any security operative could prevent them from practising their religion in accordance with the doctrine they believed.

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

4 news

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 4 steps to reduce energy consumption GONE are the days when electricity was cheap! Now electricity usage doesn’t only impact the environment negatively, the rising cost of electricity is being felt in the pockets of many Nigerians. Find out how you could reduce electricity consumption and save money.

1. Appliances Unplug your appliances when they’re not in use Your TV, computer, microwave and even some washing machines have a ‘standby’ mode, which means they’re still using energy even when they’re not in use. Devices like televisions, microwaves, scanners, and printers use standby power, even when off. Some chargers continue to pull small amounts of energy, even when plugged in (a good judge of this is if a charger feels warm to the touch). Computers are some of the biggest energy users in office buildings. Turn your monitor off at night and ditch the screensaver. Today’s computers can be turned on and off over 40,000 times. Opting to shut down over using a screensaver does not affect your computer’s lifespan. So power down!

Buy appliances with a good energy rating The more stars, the better – but think about size first. Often it’s easier for a larger model to be more efficient (and therefore have more stars) than a smaller one. However, since it is bigger, its overall energy consumption is usually higher.

Pick the right washing machine Although they usually cost more to buy, most front-loader washing machines save you money over time and are kinder to the environment because they use less power, water and detergent than top loaders.

Choose an energy-efficient fridge Your refrigerator is working non-stop and the energy it consumes adds up quickly.

2. Choose the right light One of the least expensive and most effective changes you can make in your home is replacing your light bulbs. According to Energy Star, one of its qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), “will save some tidy amount over its lifetime and pay for itself in about six months. It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.”

Although some people are concerned because CFLs contain mercury, Energy Star says that CFLs do not release any mercury when in use, and actually reduce mercury emissions because they lessen the need for electricity from power plants that emit mercury. LED bulbs are the most energy efficient lighting option. LED bulbs use 75 per cent less electricity than incandescent bulbs. They also have no mercury, and last about 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

3. Use a power strip to reduce your plug load.

To avoid paying for “vampire power,” use a power strip to turn all devices off at once. Flipping the switch on your power strip has the same effect as unplugging each socket from the wall, preventing phantom energy loss.

4. Use fans for cooling Unless it is quite hot, use stationary, ceiling and whole-house fans to cool your home, reducing the need for air conditioning.

Experts explain that for every degree you raise your thermostat, you reduce your cooling costs between 7 and 10 per cent.

Adapted from www.green.havard.edu

Thousands attend Ibrahim Dasuki’s burial

•FG delegation, Sultan, Emir of Kano, govs, others at burial •Ex-NSA rejected FG’s offer to attend burial —Dambazzau From Leon Usigbe, Jacob Segun Olatunji, Kolawole Daniel and Muhammad Sabiu with Agency Report

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HE 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, who died on Monday night in Abuja, was laid to rest at the Hubbaren Shehu, in Sokoto, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reported that the funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of the Sultan Bello Jumaat Mosque, Alhaji Usman Bello.

The Federal Government’s delegation to the funeral prayer was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari.

Other members of the delegation included the Ministers of Interior, Defence, FCT and Justice, among others.

Also in attendance were the governors of Kano, Kebbi states and the Sokoto State deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu.

The prayer was also attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II and other traditional rulers.

NAN reported that the late 18th Sultan died at the age of 93 years, during a protracted illness.

The late Dasuki, who was appointed Sultan in 1988, was the first Sultan from the Buhari line of the House of Dan Fodio, the founding father of the Sokoto Caliphate.

He was deposed in 1996 during the military government of Sani Abacha and sent on exile to Jalingo, but later moved to Kaduna, where he had been living until his death.

The late Dasuki was a former Divisional Officer in the First Republic, Executive Secretary of the Northern State Marketing Board and a Permanent Secretary.

He was also a founding member and long-time Secretary General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, the umbrella body of Muslims in

Nigeria.

Meanwhile, former National Security Adviser (NSA) and son of the deceased, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Retd), rejected offer from the Federal Government to attend the burial ceremony.

Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, made this known to reporters in Sokoto, on Tuesday.

Similarly, Danbazau said Sambo had declined another offer to be in Sokoto throughout the mourning of his late Father.

The Minister disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Sokoto on Tuesday.

“We had discussed with the Director-General, DSS, yesterday and Sambo was offered to visit his late father on his hospital bed in Abuja.

“He declined and said he preferred to pray for him.

He was also offered to be in Sokoto throughout the mourning period and he also declined, preferring to pray for his late father. That was the true situation,” Danbazau said.

Dasuki, who was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over a year ago, is undergoing trial.

Reacting to the death of the late Sultan, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, described the former royal father as a voice of peace.

Buhari, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja, also commiserated with the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs over the demise of “the remarkable traditional ruler that devoted his life, tenure of office to the promotion of peaceful co-existence and tolerance among diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also said one of the greatest legacies of the late Sultan Dasuki was his “modernising influence on the Sultanate and the traditional institution during his eight years of “eventful

reign as monarch.”

In a tribute released by his media office in Abuja, the former vice-president noted that the late Sultan was “a remarkably unique ruler who combined tradition with modernity, making the Sultan’s palace become the epitome of the beauty of modern architecture.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, described the late Sultan as a patriot and man of peace.

According to him, “Sultan Dasuki was an epitome of peace and a bridge builder who lived a simple and austere life in spite of his wealth. He lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.”

Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State described the late Dasuki as a pioneer reformist who deployed his wide knowledge of Islam and vast experience as a technocrat to make profound impact on his family, community and the nation at large.

Tambuwal said this in a message of condolence on Tuesday, in Sokoto.

“At every stage of his life, Sultan Dasuki gave his all to ensure communal harmony

and educational development of the citizenry.

“For the eight years he spent on the throne as Sultan of Sokoto, he gave priority attention to the educational development of our people by promoting adult and women literacy in all parts of Sokoto,” he said.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a statement issued to the Nigerian Tribune in Kaduna, and signed by the national publicity secretary of ACF, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrabim, noted that the late Sultan modernised royalty, brought in elegance and equally promoted the Sokoto Caliphate’s revered status to the admiration of Nigerians and the international community.

It also said the late Sultan Dasuki, during his travails in and out of exile, maintained his peaceful posture and humility and had continued to offer good counselling on how to move Nigeria forward.

A renowned Islamic scholar, Dr Ahmad Gumi, described the late Dasuki. as a reformist, progressive and goodhearted person.

“We have lost a father.

The nation has lost a father figure and one of the last few standing pillars of an ending era,” Gumi said.

The Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Martins

Uzoukwu, also extolled the qualities of late Sultan, describing him as a very good man of peace and unity.

Uzoukwu said, in a tribute to the deceased, that Dasuki’s death was a monumental loss to Nigeria.

A senior counsellor in the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, on Tuesday, described the late Dasuki as a pious and committed leader.

Danbaba, who is also the Magajin Garin Sokoto, while reacting to his death, said the late Sultan was a peace lover and a peace maker in Nigeria and beyond.

In his reaction, the former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, described Dasuki as “a gentleman who lived a life of total service to humanity.

“He was a man of God and a man of peace.”

Another senior counsellor in the Sultanate and Galadiman Gari, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, said the death of Dasuki was a great loss to his family, the Muslim Ummah and the entire nation.

The Sokoto State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, adjourned its sitting for one week to mourn the death of the late Sultan Dasuki.

NAN reported that this followed a motion moved by the Assembly leader, Alhaji Garba Bello and seconded by

Avengers claim attacks on Nembe 1, 2, 3 trunk lines Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri NIGER Delta Avengers (NDA) has said its Elite Strike Team 03, late Monday, carried out an attack on Nembe 1, 2 and 3 trunk lines operated by Agip, Oando and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The group said the sabotage was in response to Operations Sharkbite inaugurated by the Nigerian Navy to enrich some of their cronnies.

The trunk line is said to supply capacity of 300,000 barrels daily to Bonny Export Terminal in Bayelsa State.

The lethal militant group said the strike force carried

out the attack on the trunk line at 11:45 p.m. of Monday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, by the spokesperson of the NDA, Brigadier General Mudoch Agbinibo, the group disclosed that “At about 11.45 p.m., November 15, 2016, our Elite Strike Team 03 struck Nembe 1, 2 and 3 trunk lines operated by Agip, Oando and Shell with supply capacity of 300,000 barrel per day to Bonny export terminal in Bayelsa State.

“We are only reiterating our strong resolve that time is running against the Nigerian government, that there is doom ahead.

“The Nigerian government

needs our cooperation more than we need the government as it concerns the extraction of the crude oil and hydrocarbon resources in our God-given land.

“We are determined to continue this war by all means necessary, until that environment prevails for genuine dialogue and negotiations within the framework of the 16-point key demand presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by PANDEF on November 1, 2016,” the statement said.

Authorities of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Army could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

Alhaji Mode Sanyinna.

Briefing newsmen after the sitting, the leader said the assembly had adjourned to mourn the loss.

“We have to adjourn in order to attend the condolences and receive people that come to condole on the demise of our great personality.

“The personality is a person of international repute. His reputation did not end at being a Sultan of Sokoto alone; but beyond, as his contributions to the success of Sokoto, Nigeria and the Muslim world cannot be under estimated.

“In fact, he did a lot during his tenure as Sultan, as we all witnessed how generous such a person was and how much efforts he made, especially in building bridges among Muslim and non-Muslim faithful,’’ he said.

On the issue of the assembly calendar, the legislature said the House would make adjustment to ensure no breach in the constitutional numbers of sittings.

Also, the Gwandu Emirate Council in Kebbi State described the late 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Dasuki, as a great Nigerian who worked for the unity of the country.

The Waziri of Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, said in an interview with NAN on Tuesday, that the deceased had also worked tirelessly to unite the northern traditional institutions.

He said Dasuki had offered selfless service to Nigeria and worked for peaceful coexistence across the country, even after he was deposed as the Sultan in 1996.

The Wazirin Gwandu said Dasuki had played enviable role in the emergence of modern local government administration, establishment of commercial banks, among others.

In a related development, Mallam Sallah, a resident of Birnin Kebbi, said the late Sultan would be remembered as a selfless leader, who led by example and was a great source of inspiration to the youth.

5 news

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Senate rejects non-career ambassadorial nominees •Over lack of consultations •Approves 47 career nominees Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

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HE Senate, on Tuesday, rejected the list of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees forwarded to it for confirmation by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senate voted for the

rejection of the list following the adoption of a motion to that effect by Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, had also presented a report, which recommended the confirmation of 47 career ambassadorial nominees and

the rejection of the list of 46 non-career nominees.

It was gathered that the Senate rejected the list following the failure of the Presidency to engage the stakeholders in necessary consultations before compiling it.

The Senate also said the Presidency failed to ensure

that the errors of marginalisation of some states noticed in the career ambassadorial list was not corrected in the non-career list.

The senators also said the list was rejected as a result of series of petitions against nominees.

The lawmakers confirmed the 47 career nominees ear-

lier forwarded to them by President Buhari in July, despite reports that a number of them failed to recite the national anthem.

Senator Sunmonu, while presenting her committee’s report, said there were over 250 petitions against the nominees over the imbalance noticeable in their nomina-

Another N/Delta group makes demands on FG Leon Usigbe - Abuja BARLEY 16 days after the Pan Niger Delta Forum met with President Muhammadu Buhari to present a 16-point demand as a way to end agitation in the region, another group was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, to make fresh demands.

The new group, Niger Delta Peoples Congress, led by King Alfred Spiff, met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, where it claimed that the region had been misrepresented by the initial group that met the president.

Spiff was also a member of the first group led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

The coordinator of the new group, Chief Mike Loyibo, told State House correspondents that “you can’t be finding peace without taking into consideration problem of the boys in the creeks.”

He said certain salient is-

sues were left out in the earlier presentation to Buhari.

According to him, issues of derivation, restoration of 6,000 jobs loss from the multinationals, democratisation of amnesty programme, so as to capture some legitimate beneficiaries who were left out in the first exercise, among others, were completely delisted from the list of demands.

Loyibo, who was joined by the head of media and publicity for the group, Hendricks Opukeme, said, they came to correct the impression that they were out to get oil blocs for themselves, which, he said, had unfortunately put them at loggerheads with those who were not at the meeting.

Asked if their mission was different from that of Pan Niger Delta Forum, Loyibo said “the mission is the same. We are trying to find peace. Whether we are talking about differences or not, we are all one people.”

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai consoling an injured soldier during a visit to wounded soldiers at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram kills another Lt. Col. Chris Agbambu - Abuja BARELY two weeks after Lieutenant-Colonel Muhammed Abu Ali was killed in Maiduguri, another Lieutenant-Colonel was, on Tuesday morning, killed in Adamawa State by Boko

Haram terrorists.

Lieutenant-Colonel B. U. Umar was killed about 9.30 a.m. in Bita, while eight soldiers suffered various degrees of injury.

Bita is close to Madagali and Michika in the northern axis of Adamawa State.

2017 budget: Senate, House leaders in crucial meting Taiwo Adisa - Abuja LEADERSHIP of the Senate and the House of Representatives held a crucial meeting in the office of the Senate President, Dr Senator Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday.

The meeting, which lasted

one and a half hours, was said to have centered on three key issues - the resolution of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), 2017 budget and the virements to 2016 budget as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sources in the National Assembly confirmed on Tueday that the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, led the leadership of the House to the office of the Senate President, where they met with the leadership of the Senate.

It was gathered that the

Tribune clocks 67 today THE oldest surviving private newspaper in Nigeria, Nigerian Tribune, is 67 today.

Established on November 16, 1949, by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the newspaper served as the mouthpiece for Awolowo’s populist welfare programmes.

It played an important role in defending the interests of the Yoruba people in a period when different ethnic groups were struggling for ascendancy.

Nigerian Tribune is one of the nation’s top-rated newspapers and certainly

one of the most widely read since it was established and co-founded by Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo The newspaper prides itself in providing its readers with cutting edge information and news, by keeping up with the latest developments.

In the face of fierce competition, Nigerian Tribune has managed to sustain its credibility as one of the most reliable news sources, promoting unity among Nigerians and serving as a voice for the common man.

Presently, the chairman

tions.

She said despite the discovery of the marginalisation of states like Ebonyi, Bayelsa and Plateau in the first list, the error was not corrected in the second list.

“We thought that the issue of non-equitable representation across the 36 states of the federation, raised on the list of nominated career diplomats by the president will be addressed in that of the non-career list.

“Unfortunately, this was not so, in spite of public outcry over it and the committee’s observation to that effect to the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, during an interface with us before the screening.

“Therefore, we find it difficult to start the screening of the 46 non-career nominees since last month and, in fact, proposing to this Senate that the list be returned to the executive for needed review and re-presentation,” she said.

The senators then rejected the list of non-career nominees through a voice vote.

of the company is Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and the co-Chairman is Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu.

Nigerian Tribune, which has since moved from one title to three titles, also has a strong presence online.

It can be accessed through www.tribuneonlineng. com and also has a mobile app that can be downloaded on playstore.

It is also active on social media through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+

meeting refused to discuss the $30 billion foreign loan request rejected last week by the Senate.

The leadership of the two chambers, it was gathered, decided to meet so as to ensure unity of voice on key issues.

It was also gathered that the lawmakers decided to clear the way for a smooth passage of the budget whenever the president was ready to present.

“The meeting ironed out all issues regarding the MTEF and virements requested by President Buhari and decided the way forward on the 2017 budget.

“The meeting also laid the foundation for continuous engagement between the two chambers going forward, such that the process of bills and issues demanding joint actions would run smoothly henceforth,” the source said, adding that the issue of loan deal did not come up for discussion at all.

Informed military sources disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune that LieutenantColonel Umar, who was until his death the commanding officer 114 task force battalion, was ambushed by the Boko Haram terrorists.

The source revealed that the battalion, while on a regular patrol, had encountered some improvised explosive device and cleared it on the way, but were later ambushed, while the army officer was the only one who died in the ambush.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the situation report had already been communicated to the Army headquarters in Abuja Meanwhile the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out a recent attack on Boko

Haram insurgents’ location on the outskirts of Malkonori in northern Borno State.

The latest attack was a follow-up to the close air support operation that repelled the insurgents who attacked ground forces at Kangarwa.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Force, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, in a statement in Abuja, on Tuesday, said survivors among the insurgents had fled to Dogochuku, where they were also attacked by NAF fighter aircraft and forced to relocate to Malkonori.

According to him, ground forces confirmed a number of the insurgents were killed and their vehicle destroyed from the latest air strike at Malkonori.

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Metro...

Nigerian Tribune

crime, security, court Traders in Minna lament, as Niger govt demolishes shops Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

The seized items.

Oyo/Osun Area Controller of the Customs, Mr Tolutope Ogunkua showing the seized items to newsmen. PHOTOS: OLARONKE JAIYEOLA

The bullion van.

Customs intercepts bullion van loaded with smuggled bags of rice

By Olaronke Jaiyeola

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HE Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Services has intercepted a bullion van meant for conveying money fully loaded with bags of imported rice, as well as other six buses fully loaded with said commodity.

The command said this was made possible because it was keeping to its resolve of increasing revenue profile of the command while reducing incidence of smuggling through its initiated new anti-smuggling strategies which also led to the seizure of several assorted cars including Toyota SUVs and Range Rovers.

While briefing newsmen on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo/Osun Area Controller of the Customs, Mr Tolutope Ogunkua, said it was worrisome to note that some Nigerians were still unrepentant even as they continued to lose.

He said not even the Federal Government’s visible ef-

forts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production, as well as increase in prevalence of expired imported rice with its hazardous health effects had touched their conscience to avoid rice smuggling.

“However, our resolve to deal with them remains unshaken, moreso now that the present management has directed thorough investigation with a view to prosecuting those found connected to this illicit act.

On the interception of the bullion van, the Customs boss disclosed “the arrest of a bullion van meant for conveying cash now used in concealing smuggled imported bags of rice should send a serious signal to recalcitrant saboteurs of the Nigerian economy that there is no hiding place for them. “This van was seized around Saki axis of Oyo State. At first, acting on security intelligence, our men deployed in the area were attacked and had to retreat to reinforce and we were able to arrest

two suspects in connection with this act.

“We are determined to beat all their concealment patterns with our superior intelligence network,” he said.

While stressing the fact that the Federal Government had nothing against importation of rice, as well as cars, Ogunkua maintained that

they should be through sea ports and not land borders, as they do so to evade duties.

“The recalcitrant ones who still insist on engaging in the illicit business of smuggling should be well advised that they would not escape the long arm of the law, especially as yuletide approaches,” he disclosed.

IT was wailing in Minna on Monday, as over 2,900 traders in Tunga market in Minna, the Niger State capital had their shops reduced to rubbles by the state government.

The midnight operations carried out by men of the Niger State Environmental Protection Agency (NSEPA) also led to the destruction of goods estimated at several millions of Naira.

During the midnight operation, heavily armed security operatives said to be about 300, gave cover to the government officials as their heavy duty machines (bulldozers) pulled down what the government described as illegal structures.

An eyewitness told Metro that government’s trucks were allegedly loaded with goods from some of the shops to unknown destination.

One of the victims, a mother of seven, who sells foodstuffs in the market, Mrs Ngozi Chukwu, who claimed to have lost over N300, 000 worth of goods and cash, said they got to the market this morning (Monday) only to discover that the entire market had been reduced to rubbles.

According to her, “this is the end of the road for me.

This is what the entire family depends on for survival

Police arraign killers of Ibadan wine seller

By Tunde Ogunesan OYO State Police Command, on Tuesday, arraigned the two suspected killers of a popular wine seller, Mrs Olufunke Ashaolu, around Sango area, Ibadan, before the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Modinat O. Akanni of court nine.

It will be recalled that Mrs Ashaolu, 51, was shot dead in her shop at Elewure area, Sango, Ibadan, at about 9.45 p.m, on September 29, 2016.

The suspects, Noah Kehe, 30, and Abodunrin Kazeem, 35, popularly known as “Ijoba Sango” were arraigned on a two-count charge in a suit number

MI/1678/2016.

The suspects, according to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, conspired to assassinate Mrs Ashaolu in her shop.

Ajisebutu said the suspects were arrested by the police following an investigation into the incident.

The suspects, who were paraded in court with Sergeant Sunday Ojeleye as prosecutor, were accused of committing “felony to wit: murder and thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State of

Nigeria 2000.”

The second count charge read: “that you, Noah Kehe and Abodunrin Kazeem on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully cause the death of one Olufunke Ashaolu by shooting her with gun and thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.”

In her ruling, Magistrate Akanni ruled that the suspect be remanded in prison pending legal advice.”

She then adjourned the case till December 16, 2016.

because my husband does not do any work.”

Also expressing her frustration, another trader, Gloria Ezeh, admitted that the government actually gave them quit notice to move out of the market which expires today (Monday). They should have allowed us to remove our wares.

“We came to the market this morning only to meet our shops demolished and our goods destroyed while some were taken away to unknown destinations. In this present economic hardship where do they (government) want us to start from now that we have lost everything,” said the victim.

Attempts to reach the chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area to get his reaction was not successful as Metro did not meet him in the office and his phone lines were also switched off.

But an official of the revenue department in the council, who spoke with Metro on the condition of anonymity, said the local government’s management was not aware of the exercise.

When contacted, the General Manager of NSEPA, Mr Lucky S. Barau, said his men decided to embark on the operation of evacuating the traders from the roadside market after repeated warning to the traders to relocate failed, hence his men decided to move in.

He said their continued occupation of the market had constituted nuisance to free flow of traffic in the area, as they have completely blocked access road passing through the market, adding that the clustering of the traders had also denied the government the necessary revenue.

He claimed that eight months notice was given to the traders to relocate from the roadside and move into the main market where over 100 shops were left unoccupied, stressing that the last notice which had since expired, was given to the traders last month.

7

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Oluwatoyin Malik

08116954633, 08078891950 e-mail: tribunecrimedesk@gmail.com

Documents, items lost as fire razes house in Ibadan

The razed house. PHOTO: TUNDE OGUNESAN

Land grabbers to face 25 years imprisonment, as Amosun signs bill into law OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta HE Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has assented to the bill on land grabbing into law on Monday.

The bill, entitled “H.B. No. 03/2016 - A bill for a law to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and allied matters and for other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith” was passed by the state House of Assembly, on October 11.

Anyone found culpable of engaging in land grabbing activities, it was learnt now risks 25 years imprisonment or death sentence.

The clean copy of the bill was presented by the Assembly’s Speaker, Honourable Suraj Adekunbi, to the governor.

Amosun, who spoke after signing the bill vowed that the law would be implemented to the latter, declaring that the state would not be haven for land

T

grabbers.

He said: “We want to let people know that Ogun State will not be a comfort zone for any criminal or socalled land grabbers. They have engaged maiming, killing and lawlessness, but now, the law will go after them.

“We are now having enabling law to prosecute and anybody that runs foul of this law, of course, will have himself or herself to blame.

“To the kidnappers, they know that this is their end.

Anybody that involves himself in kidnapping, armed robbery and all social vices will not be allowed in Ogun State. I want to believe that with the operation of this law, criminals will run away from the state.”

The governor appreciated the assembly, Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders for ensuring speedy action on the law.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, also corroborated Amosun, saying the command would enforce the law accordingly.

The Police Commissioner said: “This is a clarion call to all criminals, armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists and so on, there is no place for them in Ogun State.

They should relocate because there is no room for them. We are ready to enforce the law.”

By Tunde Ogunesan ITEMS worth millions of Naira and several documents were razed in an inferno which ravaged a house at No 40, Lawoyin Street, Anfaani Layout, Ring Road, Ibadan, in the early hours of Monday.

The fire, which burnt all the items in the two-bedroom flats in the first storey of the four flats building, according to the owner, Mrs Cecilia Mosunmola Aborishade, started around 1.30 a.m. “probably from a power surge.”

Mrs Aborishade, a retired banker, informed Metro that “the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) restored power into the area around 11.45 p.m. on Sunday. At about 1.30 a.m, I was hearing sounds from the second flat which is reserved for my children and grandchildren.”

Mrs Aborishade disclosed further that when she noticed the unusual sound, “I went straight inside to confirm the source, alas, it was fire from the second flat.

Then, it was not so much, but Holy Spirit told me to step backward. So, I ran back and called on all occupants and we all moved down to safety.”

Speaking further, she said “we then alerted the fire service guards at Challenge station who came with truck load of water. They commenced the operation from our flat which was not affected as at that moment, but they exhausted their

Gunmen abduct 72-yr-old retired principal in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa FRESH case of abduction has occurred in Bayelsa State, as unknown gunmen have kidnapped a 72-year-old retired principal, Chief Sunday Festus in the early hours of Monday from his residence in Bomo clan, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Leighe Festus, son of the abducted septuagenarian, told Metro in Yenagoa that his father was not only diabetic, but critically ill as of the time of his kidnap.

According to him, the incident occurred at about 3.26 a.m, when a four-man gang

of kidnappers arrived at the Foinbiri waterside at about 3.10 a.m. and went straight to the victim’s residence, broke the protectors and forced him out of his room into a waiting double 75 horsepower speedboat.

Continuing, he noted that his father’s abduction followed a big bang on his door and command that he should follow them, though attempt to resist them by Master Ikiotari Festus (his 13-year-old son) left him with injuries, as they hit him on the head with the butt of their guns.

Festus averred that the heartless kidnappers dragged his father on the ground to

the waterside, after shooting sporadically into the air to scare and scuttle and resistance from the community.

He said further that having succeeded in abducting their victim, they headed towards Opuama community and at Oyeregbene, they attempted to steal an engine boat, but later engaged an oil and gas surveillance patrol gunboat while escaping with their victim in a bid to pave their way from the security patrol on the waterway.

Continuing, he posited that when they got to Oyeregbene and Sangana waterways in Brass Local Government Area, they me-

andered into a small creek and disappeared into thin air, as nobody could ascertain their next location.

Festus pointed out that the motive behind the abduction of his diabetic father might not be unconnected to plot to extort money from his elder brother, Barrister Daumiebi Festus, who is a real estate mogul and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

When contacted, the Bayelsa Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Asinim Butswat, said he was on leave, but promised to interface with the command and send feedback as soon as possible.

water in the process without much success.

“Though some neighbours who later helped out, complained that they used ordinary water without chemical. They based their argument on the premise that as the fire brigade officer were applying the water, it should have had effect on the inferno, but in that case, there was no effect.

In addition, when they exhausted the first tanker of water, they brought a second tanker, led by a female officer, but the pumping machine failed to work. So, they were helpless as our neighbours were fetching water from wells and pouring it into the two flats from all angles.”

According to another eyewitness, the fire razed everything in the entire six rooms and the two sitting rooms, including kitchens and stores of the two flats, including the roofing sheets.

By the time Metro got to the scene, some commissioned workers, neighbours and family friends were helping Mrs Aborishade to clear the debris.

Recounting the loss, Mrs Aborishade, who said she thanked God for the privilege to drive out her cars parked at the garage before the fire got out of control, however, disclosed that she lost some of her vital documents like voter card, driver licence, house papers and several others to the fire incident.

She said “I thank God for the grace as a Christian. I know my God is able. The most itching aspect is the volume of documents lost to the incident. As at the moment, my driving licence, voter card, papers of our houses in Oro, Lagos, Ibadan and Ilorin, as well as very vital documents of my children which I cannot ascertain now.

“I am quite sure they have some vital documents in the second flat too. They can only confirm how much they have in there when they come around.

“But the most important thing is that, no life was lost. My God will rebuild the house for me. In the first instance, it was His grace that built it, so He is still able,” Mrs Aborishade said.

ondoguber Only Akeredolu has credibility to deliver —Okorocha 8

I

MO State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has appealed to the people from SouthEast geo-political zone living in Ondo State to cast their votes en mass for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for November 26 governorship election in the state, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

Speaking on Tuesday when the campaign train

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

of Akeredolu visited Igbo traders at the motor spare parts market, at the popular Ilesa Garage, Akure, the state capital, Okorocha said “only Akeredolu possesses the intellectual capacity and erudition that can move Ondo State forward among the egghead of aspirants slogging out for the governorship seat.”

Okorocha, who is the chairman of the Progres-

sives Governors Forum, said that Ondo would be at a loss if Akeredolu is rejected for any of his opponents, stressing that the only aim of the former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) is to serve and develop the state.

In his words, Okorocha said “I am here today to tell you where to go and as your leader and grand patron. I am sure you will take to my

order. Your vote should go for APC and Akeredolu.

“Don’t vote to bring PDP back to power and also, this new party making noise, jettison it. It has nothing to offer. Its mission is to loot, steal and under-develop you. The only man that can make you laugh is Akeredolu.

“Let me tell you, Ondo people will be the one to lose if Akeredolu is not

elected as governor. I am saying this because only he has the integrity and credibility to deliver. If you don’t want to cry for the next four years, Akeredolu is the solution. If you want good roads, and you want your market to be renovated, Akeredolu is the way.

“Today’s visit is preliminary. I will be around this Saturday with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Please, troop out to welcome Mr President. Join the change train, don’t be an en-

Nigerian Tribune

emy of change,” he said.

In his speech, Akeredolu promised to construct a motor spare part village for the Igbo dealers if elected.

He urged them to live in peace and harmony with their hosts, stating that if he wins, his government would not discriminate against the non-indigenes in the state.

He also promised to appoint non-indigenes into positions to serve as liaison officers between them and the government.

AD accuses PDP of destroying posters Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

From left, Imo State governor, Mr Rochas Okorocha; Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the APC governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, after a closed-door meeting at the Akure Airport, on Tuesday.

I’m in talks with Mimiko to resolve crisis —Sheriff Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

THE factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said that he is in talks with Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on the crisis rocking the party in the state.

Sherrif disclosed this on Monday night in Ijebu-Igbo, hometown of the senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly, Prince Buruji Kashamu, when he met with the lawmaker and other leaders of the party in Ogun.

Sheriff said the discussion was part of efforts to resolve issues surrounding the party’s candidate for the November 26 governorship election in the state.

He said: “We are talking to everybody, even with Mimiko. There is nothing personal between me and Mimiko. He is the governor of the state and one of the leaders of the party.

The issue of candidate does not stop us from talking.

“I cannot tell you everything we are doing. But, we are doing everything we can to resolve the issue.”

He expressed assurance that the party would win

the November 26 poll, saying Mr Jimoh Ibrahim remains acceptable in the state.

He said, “From what I’ve seen, I am most impressed of what he (Ibrahim) was

able to do. From what he has put on ground, somebody that is not on ground can not do that within a short time.

“I found out that he is properly on ground and

people of Ondo State believe in what he is doing.

I believe that if he continues like this till November 26, nothing will stop him from winning the election.”

THE Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ondo State, on Tuesday, raised the alarm over the destruction of its governorship candidate billboard, posters and banners alleging that the Ahmed Markarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was responsible.

In a release by the chairman of the party, Seriki Adebobola, the party described the development as unacceptable and the height of desperation by the ruling party.

He condemned the mass destruction of campaign posters and banners of AD candidate few hours after the party successfully inaugurated its campaign which attracted a huge crowd of supporters.

The party, however, said

Ondo PDP crisis: Sheriff’s faction wants Supreme Court to set aside Appeal Court judgement Sunday Ejike - Abuja

SENATOR Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Supreme Court to stay all proceedings that emanated from the special panel constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to hear all appeals from the Ondo State chapter of the party, pending the determination of its appeal at the apex court.

The appellants, in the notice of appeal, filed by their counsel, Bela E. Nwufor, at the Supreme Court, November 11, 2016, challenged the decision of the panel that allowed the application filed by Eyitayo Jegede, challenging the judgement of the Federal High Court that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove his

name and replace it with that of Jimoh Ibrahim.

They also challenged the decision of the panel in which it refused to disband itself.

The appellants, in the notice of appeal, want an order of the court to stay all further proceedings and further hearing in appeal No. CA/A/551C/2016: between Eyitayo Jegede and Prince Biyi Poroye and 10 others pending the hearing and determination of the appeal by the appellants against the rulings delivered by the special panel of the court of appeal, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa on November 10, 2016.

The appellants contended that the learned justices erred in law when they held that the decision of the President, Court of Appeal (PCA), to constitute a special panel to preside over the Ondo appeals was

not against the normal administrative functions of her office.

They argued, among others, that the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, erred in law and was in breach of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution in its decision that allowed the 1st respondent (Jegede) leave to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court of October 14.

Prince Biyi Poroye asked the Supreme Court to, among others, set aside the verdict of the court of Appeal and grant all his reliefs as contained in his petition.

Poroye and the other eight appellants also argued that the panel was wrong to regard the unchallenged depositions as speculative when there was nothing on their record that made the depositions far-fetched where-

by the existence of the special panel confirmed such.

The appellants further prayed the Supreme Court to allow the appeal, and to also set aside the ruling of the lower court refusing the application of the appellants for setting aside the decision of the president of the court of appeal to set up a special panel of the Justices of the Court of Appeal for the hearing of the motion of Jegede against the decisions of Justice Okon Abang of October 14, 2016.

Also in another appeal filed by Prince Biyi Poroye against Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and three others, at the Supreme Court, the appellants prayed the court to take judicial notice of the appellants dissatisfaction with the decision of the Court of Appeal of November 10, 2016.

that its members would not dignify them by retaliating despite the obvious provocation.

“This, they have started with series of sponsored mayhem in the guise of protests all over the state ostensibly showing solidarity with their candidate whose name was replaced from the INEC ballot paper on the order of a court.

“Shortly after our highly successful inauguration which witnessed an unprecedented crowd at the Democracy Park, in Akure, on Monday, agents of the Governor Olusegun Mimiko-led faction of the PDP went out in government vehicles destroying our billboards, banners and posters all over Akure.

“This provocative action, is albeit, uncalled for and the height of political intolerance. The AD as a party is not in any way connected with their rat race or the crises bedevilling the PDP and has never and will never condone electoral violence, hence we are amazed by this unwarranted attacks,” the release stated.

The AD, therefore, enjoined Governor Mimiko as the chief security officer of the state to immediately call those behind the act to order.

“We also want to appeal to the security agents in the state to be on the alert to nip in the bud such further deliberate acts solely meant to cause breach of public peace and security to achieve the aims of its sponsors,” the party added.

However, the Publicity Director of PDP in the state, Ayo Fadaka, said the noise from Olusola Oke’s camp was to attract attention through cheap lies.

“We view all his political activities as being kindergarten to attract our attention. We have not taken notice of his posters. We did not see them and therefore cannot destroy what we do not see,” Fadaka said.

9 news

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Business Manager, FirstBank, Sokoto main, Shehu Barau (second left) and the Business Development Manager, FirstBank, Yusuf Koko (right), presenting gift items to the Principal, Yakubu Muazu Model Primary School, Sokoto, Yusuf Ahmad, as part of activities to mark the world savings day.

I dare Atiku to travel to US –el-Rufai

By Tunde Ogunesan

K

ADUNA State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has dared former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar to travel to the United States (US) and clear up the tale of why he had been avoiding a visit to the country.

This was as the governor challenged Atiku to clear corruption allegations hanging on his neck, instead of trying to drag his (elRufai) name in the mud.

“Alhaji Atiku should explain the findings in the report of the United States Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations, which detailed a pattern of wire transfers of more than $40 million from offshore companies like Siemens into bank accounts controlled by him.

“The report detailing the US Senate findings is online, as one of four case histories of foreign corruption in the USA. Alhaji Atiku should tell a better tale of why he is avoiding the United States of America,” he said. el-Rufai made this known in a statement he personally signed, entitled:

“Gov el-Rufai bombs Atiku Abubakar: You’re Haunted by your corruption demons,” in response to a statement by the former vice president on el-Rufai’s link to the incorporation of Transcorp.

Atiku had, in an interview with officials of the EFCC media team, publishers of the anti-graft agency’s Zero Tolerance Magazine, absolved himself of any corrupt practices.

“Well if Atiku is corrupt, he would have been found guilty of corruption by all the panels and probes and cases brought before courts,” he said.

The former vice president also responded to allegations written by el-Rufai in his book, “Accidental Public Servant,” saying el-Rufai did not give any evidence or prove where he was corrupt.

“This is the same el-Rufai and others who incorporated Transcorp during my time as vice president and offered me shares and I declined.

“I wrote to them officially to say it was unethical of me to have accepted those offers, so, where is the corruption toga coming from,” he was quoted to have said.

Reacting, el-Rufai said

“I never had anything to do with the incorporation of Transcorp. Those that established that company and fronted it like Festus Odimegwu, Tony Elumelu, Otunba Lawal Solarin and Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke are still around and alive.

“As such, I could not have and did not offer Alhaji Atiku any shares in Transcorp.

I declined the shares that were offered to me. Having done that, how could I have offered anyone shares?

“In fact, I advised President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Atiku and then finance Minister, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, not to accept the shares that were then being offered by the promoters of Transcorp.

“My counsel to them was based on the grounds that they would face conflicts of interest when Transcorp bids for privatisation assets.

“At the time, Alhaji Atiku and Ngozi were chair and vice-chair of the National Council on Privatisation, and were particularly directly involved in approving the sales of state-owned enterprises and assets,” he said.

Southern Kaduna killings: Senate summons IGP Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja THE Senate, on Tuesday, declared its readiness to probe the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, over what it called endless killings in some parts of Southern Kaduna.

The senators, who adopted a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma La’ah, said it was necessary for the IGP to brief the relevant committees on his plans to end incessant killings in the state.

Senator La’ah had, in his motion, called for the declaration of a state of emergency in Kaduna South, as a result of incessant killings.

La’ah, while drawing the attention of lawmakers

to what he called underreported killings in Kaduna South, said there had been regular attacks by armed herdsmen in the area, adding that the latest occurred on October 16, which, he said, resulted in several deaths, injuries and wanton destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.

He said the armed herdsmen had occupied the displaced communities and were grazing their livestock freely.

According to him, there was a general atmosphere of insecurity in Southern Kaduna senatorial district, while local inhabitants could not access their farmlands and crops which were ready for harvest.

He lamented that efforts by the state government, as well

as the Federal Government to restore peace in the area were inadequate to prevent more attacks.

Senator Shehu Sani, who represents Kaduna Central, in his contribution, said the Senate must ensure that peace was restored in Kaduna South.

He said previous attempts by both the federal and state governments to stop the killings did not yield results, adding that the entire area had been under serious attacks.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate rejected the pleas by Senator La’ah to add Southern Kaduna to the just created North East Development Commission (NEDC).

In another development, the Senate, also on Tuesday, condemned acts of hawking and selling the Naira.

businessnews NNPC cash call arrears hit $8.5bn in 2016 10

OlatundeDodondawa,Lagos

T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has stated that it’s cash call arrears now $8.5billion following the Corporation’s budget cut of $2.5billion in 2016.

He said that in 2016 alone, underfunding of NNPC cash calls is estimated to be about $2.5 billion, “this is aside the inherited arrears of over $6billion.” It means total deficit now stands at $8.5billion.

Speaking at the 34th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos on Tuesday, the Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, blamed the increasing cash call deficit on declining crude oil price, shortfall in crude oil production and incessant attacks on pipelines.

According to him, “As we very well know, oil prices have dropped by more than 50 per cent from $110/bbl in June 2014 to the current level of slightly over $50/ bbl. Similarly, the chronic Joint Venture (JV) funding shortfalls being experienced in the Industry have resulted in declining JV Oil production from about1Million barrels of oil per day 3-5 years ago to about 800,000 barrels of oil per day.

“This is coupled with the vandalization of critical production infrastructure that have to be repaired as emergency cases at exorbitant costs, at most times, which further compounds the utilization of the available funds.

“The truth is that, it is difficult to deliver the volumes without adequate funding.

With an average JV cash call requirement of about $600 million a month coupled with flat low budget levels over the past years, this had led to underfunding of the Industry by Government which has stymied production growth. Consequently, managing these funding is-

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

sues is part of our most immediate challenge.

“The import of the above is that the Joint Ventures will relieve Government of the cashcall burden by sourcing for its funds for its operations (estimated at $7-$9billion annually).

In 2016 alone, underfunding of NNPC Cash Calls is estimated to be about $2.5 Billion. This is aside the inherited arrears estimated at over US$6 Billion.”

Furthermore, he said the truth is that, it is difficult to deliver the volumes without

A group, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA), has advised the Nigerian government to focus on developing the several economic potentials of the nation rather than depending on crude oil alone as a way of solving the nation’s numerous challenges.

According to a white paper that was released after a World Conference hosted by the Calgary chapter of NIDOA and co-signed by the Chairman, Continental Board of Trustees of NIDO Americas, Mr Samuel

tion growth. Consequently, managing these funding issues is part of our most immediate challenge.

“In contrast, production from the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) Arrangements where NNPC does not provide the fund-

ing for the Production has increased almost proportionately to the JV production decline over the same period thereby making the National oil production relatively flat. Unfortunately, unlike the PSC arrangements, the JV system provides more revenue to the Government through equity liftings and higher royalties and taxes due to the higher fiscal take from onshore and shallow waters fiscal terms.

The low crude oil price regime further amplifies this anomaly,” he stated.

Union Bank launches ‘Elite Banking’ Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

From left, Skye Bank GMD/CEO, Mr Tokunbo Abiru; Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation(NDIC), MD/CEO, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim and Skye Bank Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad K. Ahmad, when the Skye team visited NDIC Head Office, Abuja on Monday .

LCCI unveils alternative commercial dispute resolution centre Akin Adewakun-Lagos

IN a bid to further provide a more conducive environment for businesses to operate in the country, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has announced the launch of Lagos Chamber of International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC), an alternative commercial dispute resolution platform.

Besides providing tailored dispute management solutions, the Centre, according to the Chamber, is also designed to assist local and international businesses by offering a cost effective and reliable forum that removes unnecessary burdens of dispute management and resolution.

Speaking at the launch, the President of LCCI, Dr Nike Akande, explained that LACIAC had become imperative, since the long duration and huge costs of settling commercial disputes in the

nation’s regular courts were taking their tolls on businesses in Nigeria.

The LCCI boss lamented that getting disputes resolved in the nation’s courts, on time, had been a major disincentive to businesses in Nigeria, adding that the setting of the Centre was one of the Chamber’s plans to address such challenge.

She explained that the idea of providing an alternative dispute resolution to commercial litigations was mooted two years ago, noting that the eventual launch of the Centre would, no doubt, further encourage investors to do business in

Adewusi and the General Secretary, Reginald Obiamalu, the five key topics emphasised at the World Conference include; infrastructure (energy and transportation), diversification of economy, education, labour and employment, law and regulation, as well as banking and investment.

The 2016 Americas World Conference held in Calgary, Canada, recently, where experts spoke on different areas of the nation’s development.

The Nigerian government was advised to refurbish facilities and focus on up-

Nigeria.

“We believe that with adequate support, LACIAC will play a major role as the commercial dispute hub in Nigeria,” she stated.

Dr Akande however called on investors to leverage on the Centre, by always including the LACIAC Rules clause in their contracts, before such business agreements are signed.

Explaining the essence of the Centre, the Chairman of the Board of Governors, LACIAC, Babatunde Fagbohunlu, described the Centre as a full service alternative dispute resolution centre, affiliated with LCCI.

He added that rules of Arbitration of the Centre had been purposely drafted to provide its users with the most up to date provisions in international arbitration and mediation, with an overriding objective of guaranteeing a level-playing field.

In his keynote address at the launch, Dr Tunde Ajibade, commended LCCI for coming up with an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, noting that despite the glaring slow pace of commercial dispute resolution in the nation’s courts, stakeholders had not really risen to challenge this.

Power privatisation:We’ve met contractual agreements in 3 years —GenCos Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

FOLLOWING calls for the reversal of policy on privatisation of power sector, the power Generation

NIDOA advises FG on economic diversification ChukwumaOkparaocha-Lagos

adequate funding. “With an average JV cash call requirement of about $600 million a month coupled with flat low budget levels over the past years, this had led to underfunding of the Industry by Government which has stymied produc-

Nigerian Tribune

stream financing, while they added that gas business could stand alone leveraging on existing and new infrastructure.

Participants at the conference agreed that Nigeria had become a mono-economic nation due to its focus on revenue from oil and gas, and that other industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and solid minerals had huge untapped potentials.

The potentials, according to them, include the cassava industry, as it was agreed that Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world.

Companies (GenCos) said they have met their contractual agreement with the Federal Government FG. The Association of Power Generation Companies explained that the sole aim for the transfer of public assets in the power sector to private hands, by the FG was to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Speaking with newsmen in a media chat in Abuja yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the Association,Mrs. Joy Ogaji explained that the GENCOs were contractually obligated to ramp up electricity generation capacity by about 5,000 megawatts (MW) over a fiveyear period.

She stated that the GenCos, despite the 5 year target have been able to meet up a capacity of over seven thousand megawatts in third year.

Ogaji said this would be distributed by the Distribu-

tion companies if the transmission companies can transmit it.

Her words:‘’Today, the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) confirms most of the GENCOs have exceeded their contractual obligations. For Instance, Ughelli Transcorp at takeover date had generation capacity of 160 MW and by September 2016, they are now generating 450MW. “Similarly, Egbin at takeover in November 2013, Egbin averaged generation of below 300-MW due to the dismal operational state of its six units.

“At its lowest point, only two of the six units were partially operational. Egbin is currently generating 1320 MW with gas availability. With the completion of the remaining Unit Overhauls next year, Egbin will be operating at a minimum of 92% of its capacity.

AS part of its commitment to provide a range of personalized banking services to its customers, Union Bank, a leading financial institution, has launched a new product called ‘Elite Banking Segment’ for the emerging and established middle class in Abuja.

Addressing guests at the event, Dayo Odulate, Head, Elite & Royalty Banking, confirmed the bank’s promise to provide customers with access to unique banking services that fit their lifestyle needs.

“Union Bank recognizes the need to pay special attention to the middle class.

From regular conversations with our customers, we realised the need to address the gap in service delivery to this economic class in the country and the Elite Banking segment has been designed to plug that gap.

“With the proposition, ‘It’s All About You’, we are showing how we intend to engage our Elite Banking customers across Nigeria. From personalized service by dedicated relationship managers, to higher interest rates on savings and investments and special discounts on loans, we intend to support them fully in achieving their life goals and dreams,” she said.

On his part, Ibrahim Kwargana, Executive Director, Public Sector, Union Bank, emphasized on the bank’s commitment to focus on customer segments in other to satisfy the real needs of each segment.

“With the feedback from the public, we have segmented our customers, and this has aided the bank in providing essential and precise banking services that truly benefits the customers, depending on the segment that they belong or aspire to.

“The Introduction of the Elite Banking Segment is our way of rewarding hardworking Nigerians in the middle class by providing benefits that help them achieve their personal goals.”

11

businessnews

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

FG pursues recovery of un-remitted N450bn Committee uncovers reckless, illegal use of public funds Sanya Adejokun - Abuja

A

committee set up

by Federal Ministry of Finance to recover unremitted operating surpluses of agencies, departments and parastatals of government has so far, discovered over N450 billion being illegally withheld.

The committee led by the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, is to reconcile the operating surpluses of 31 revenue-generating agencies of government for the period 2010-2015.

A statement by Special Assistant, Media to Minister of Finance stated that staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation have critically reviewed the accounting statements of these agencies, which include the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Petroleum Technology Development Fund, (PTDF), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), among others.

It added that the committee will therefore be inviting the management of these agencies to explain why their operating surpluses have not been remitted as mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

It will be recalled that Sections 21 and 22 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, specifically states that: “21. (1) The Government corporations and agencies and government owned companies listed in the Schedule to this Act (in this Act referred of as “the Corporations”) shall, not later than six months from the commencement of this Act and every three financial years thereafter and not later than the end of the second quarter of every year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister their Schedule estimates of revenue and expenditure for the next three financial years.

2) Each of the bodies referred to in sub-section (1) of this section shall submit to the Minister not later than the end of August in each financial year: a. An annual budget derived from the estimates submitted in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section; and b. Projected operating surplus which shall be prepared in line with acceptable accounting practices 3) The Minister shall cause the estimates submitted in pursuance of subsection (2) of this section to be attached

as part of the Appropriation Bill to be submitted to the National Assembly.

22. (1) notwithstanding the provisions of any written law governing the corporation, each corporation shall establish a general reserve fund and shall allocate thereto at the end of each financial year, one-fifth of its operating surplus for the year.

2) The balance of the operating surplus shall be paid into the Consolidate Revenue Fund of the Federal Government not later than one month following the

statutory deadline for publishing each corporation’s accounts.”

Some of these agencies were alleged to have incurred huge expenses on overseas training and medicals, and huge expenses on behalf of supervisory ministries and/ other organs of government involved in oversight or regulatory functions without appropriate approval.

Other infractions discovered include payment of salaries and allowances to staff and board members, governing councils, and commissions which are outside or

above the amount approved by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

“The list also includes unacceptable expenses incurred on donations, sponsorships, etc; unfavourable contract signed for revenue collection by a third party; granting of staff loans that have not been repaid as well as sale and transfer of assets to board members, among others.”

According to the Finance Ministry, the overall effect

of these practices is that operating surpluses of these agencies are lower than should be.

As a result of this, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has directed the Accountant General of the Federation to issue a circular that will limit allowable expenses that can be spent as part of measures to ensure these agencies face strict monitoring.

This development the statement further noted is part of the resolve of Adeosun to ensure that leakages are tackled.

From left, MD/CEO, MindRich, Folake Adama; Assistant Director, Development Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr. Ada Momoh, and Head, SME Banking, Unity Bank Plc, Opeyemi Ojesina at a seminar on promoting Agri-Business/Export organized by Net-Works Business Club in partnership with Unity Bank in Lagos recently.

BoI, partners Ooni to grant N1bn loan to youths, women in Osun Oluwole Ige - Osogbo AS parts of the moves to tackle unemployment in the country, the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, have entered into a partnership through which women and youths would assess N1 billion loan for small scale businesses.

Both parties expressed optimism that the granting of loan facility, with repay-

able 7.5 per cent interest would go a long way in ensuring economic emancipation for the people.

Announcing the partnership, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in Ile Ife, Osun State, the Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said interest on the loan was reduced to 7.5 per cent because Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, agreed to pay part of the money.

He maintained that the initiative was targeted at checkmating youth unemployment in communities, stressing that larger part of the loan will be disbursed to women involved in businesses with high potential for sustainability.

According to Olagunju, “we have been partnering with multinational and corporate companies, but today we are collaborating with traditional rulers.

These are people who have

NSE: Bearish trend persist as ASI slips below 26,000bps Kehinde AkinseindeJaiyeoba - Lagos THE Nigerian Stock market indices has slumped to a record low, on Monday following a 0.70 per cent decline in lead market indices on rising cost of living as depicted by the October inflation which according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics has risen to 18.3 percent.

Specifically the All Share Index (ASI) shed 184.07 points to close at 25,986.81 basis points, while the market capitalization also dropped by N63.4 billion to close at N8.945 trillion the

lowest since May 12, 2016.

The performance across sector indicators was not different as they all closed in red except the Insurance Index that added 0.6 per cent to close at 126.74 points and the ASeM index that closed flat.

The Insurance Index gained on account of a four per cent increase in the shares of Wapic Insurance that closed at 52 kobo per share and a 1.63 per cent growth in the shares of Axamansard that closed at N1.87 per share.

However the banking index recorded the highest loss of two per cent as Ze-

nith, Sterling, Skye, Unity, Diamond, Guaranty Trust, ETI, and Wema Banks recorded losses of varying degrees.

Consequently, the year to date losses thus soared to -9.33 per cent.

Investors’ appetite dipped farther as market breadth closed with 10 gainers paired against 22 losers.

Forte Oil led the declining stocks by 9.74 per cent to close at N94.32 per share, this was followed by Honeywell Flourmills that shed 5 percent to close at N1.14 per share and Cadbury that lost 4.95 per cent to close at N10.57 per share.

access to the grassroots.

Partnering with them is a way of democratising entrepreneurship. We identify areas in which communities have comparative advantages and invest in them.

“The beneficiaries will be selected using world best practices. For this edition, about 15 to 20 per cent of them will be those who deal in local products. We are working with the entrepreneurship centre of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Applications are expected to be submitted and a joint committee of BoI team, the Oduduwa House and OAU team would assess it.

“They are to be monitored by members of the committee and elders, especially the traditional rulers. We estimate that about 5,000 youths will benefit from this.”

In his remarks, Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, noted that when he was still in the struggle to emerge as Ooni, his encounter with some youths in the town, who were ready to die because they had no means of living compelled him to make a pledge to God, that if he was able to get to the throne, he would give his all to youth empowerment.

Nigerian Tribune

Heritage Bank is not in distress —CBN Chima Nwokoji-Lagos THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured customers of Heritage Bank that the lender is not in distress and as such depositors should go about their transactions without fear.

This follows social media reports insinuating that Heritage Bank is under financial distress and therefore unable to discharge its obligations to its depositors.

A press statement on Tuesday, signed by Mr Isaac Okorafor, Acting Director, Corporate Communications CBN, observed that the report is false and malicious.

The statement read in part “We wish to state that Heritage Bank is not in distress and as such its depositors should go about their transactions without fear.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to further state that no Nigerian bank is in distress. The CBN, as the industry regulator, has a duty to depositors, in particular, and the economy, in general, to ensure the soundness of all financial institutions.

“We therefore wish to assure all depositors of the safety of their deposits.”

The CBN also stated that it will remain alive to its responsibility of ensuring banking system stability and soundness through constant monitoring and supervision of all licensed institutions.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to reiterate that the banking system remains resilient enough to weather the current economic storm,” it noted.

In a swift response, the management of Heritage Bank through a statement signed by Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe Divisional Head, Corporate Communications said the information being circulated about the institution with a misdirected intent to derail and misinform the banking public on its financial state is false.

“Whilst we acknowledge the challenging operating environment currently experienced in all sectors of the economy, Heritage Bank remains financially stable and has continued to discharge its obligations to all customers and stakeholders.

“This position is buttressed by the commendable results posted by the bank in the past financial year and the last three quarters of 2016, resulting in shareholder approvals to list its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange within one year of its business combination with the erstwhile Enterprise Bank Limited,” it stated.

12

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

13

editorial Beyond Niger Delta peace talks

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

O

N November 2 this year, suspected militants bombed an oil pipeline in Delta State. Significantly, the Trans Forcados export line operated by the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and which receives crude from Batan, near Warri, was attacked just hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with Niger Delta leaders at the State House, Abuja, to discuss how to end the unrest plaguing the region. The station had been attacked in July and had only just resumed operation following repairs.

Following the Abuja peace parley, Minister of State for Petroleum, Emmanuel Kachikwu, had enthused: “The reality is that as of today and this morning, we are at 2.1 million barrels production. That is substantial.” Nigeria normally produces around 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd), but the militants had earlier reduced the output to a mere 1.4 bpd, validating the minister’s submission that the gains of the past few months had been substantial. However, the fact that the latest attack occurred less than 48 hours after the resumption of operations at the flow station should serve as an eye opener to the nation. The truth, quite simply, is that meaningful dialogue is yet to take place between the government and the militants.

In its reaction to the incident, the Niger Delta Avengers, last Sunday, blamed their action on the Federal Government’s approach to the peace process. A statement by its spokesperson, one Mudoch Agbinibi, said: “The High Command of the Niger Delta Avengers cannot be blamed for the continuous bombing of crude oil export pipelines and other oil installations, since the Government has been relentlessly carrying out military build ups to continuously harass communities and indigenes of the Niger Delta after the November 1st meeting of the PANDEF and President Buhari. We believe that our fathers, leaders and royal fathers are ready to meet the government of Nigeria with representatives of IOCs and the neutral observers but not with guns, warships and jet fighters terrorizing their communities.”

Clearly, the issue of the Niger Delta militants has to be taken more seriously by government at all levels in the country.

In their latest statement, the militants made clear that they considered the representation at the peace parley to be skewed in favour of the Federal Government. They also indicated that they could do with oil pipelines surveillance contracts. The time has therefore come for the Federal Government to take

Nigerian Tribune

another look at their demands. The nation needs peace in that region, but there is no goodwill between the government and the militants. We expect the Federal Government to demonstrate, through the utterances of its key members and through political appointments, that it is truly committed to peace in the region.

The job of ensuring lasting peace in the region is however not that of the Federal Government alone. As we noted in our previous editorials, since 1999, the state governors have failed to significantly address the core challenges of life in the zone, with monumental corruption virtually defeating the modest efforts of the Federal Government to develop the zone, while the oil companies continue to deploy technology that is manifestly unfavourable to the environment. The respective state and local governments in the zone should therefore buckle up on their performance, while reaching out to the militants for productive talks.

We believe that some of the conditions given by the militants for peace, such as multi-level involvement of relevant stakeholders, restructuring of Nigeria and cessation of military offensive, are very reasonable, and should provoke sober thinking in the government circles. It has become more than abundantly clear that the nation can only ignore their demands at its own peril. Since military action has consistently failed and only fuelled further attacks on oil installations and thus more grievous damage to the economy, it stands to reason that the government must approach the Niger Delta situation with greater caution. It must stoop to conquer and resist the temptation of military power which, as international observers have consistently warned, can only exacerbate the situation. The nation cannot be talking of peace in the zone while soldiers carry out human rights abuses and shoot to death youths in the zone, like the Shooting Stars Sports Club player, Izu Joseph.

Since February, several militant groups have bombed oil facilities, ensuring dangerous cuts in oil production and power supply and forcing Nigerians into greater misery. If the reduction in daily production of oil by almost a third had grave implications for the 2016 budget, it makes little sense to be pontificating about the 2017 budget and the glories it will bring to the nation. The militants, on the other hand, must realise that their actions are contributing to the pollution in the zone. They must cease hostilities in the region while canvassing peace with the Federal Government. The time to act is now.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

editor

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

War on corruption and lack of convictions

I

F there is one area where President Muhammadu Buhari has performed excellently well, it is in the area of the anti-corruption war. It is so unfortunate that over the years, the funds meant to develop this country have been stolen by those we put in positions of authority to apply such for our benefits.

Isn’t it funny that these same government officials will be driving costly vehicles on poor roads which they refused to rehabilitate, as they prefer to divert the funds for the upgrade of the roads for personal uses? These politicians who also refuse to provide jobs for the youth will now have their houses nestled in high fences because of the fear of armed robbers, who are the same youths they refused to provide jobs for.

I am happy with the current anti-corruption war of President Buhari, and he should be supported to

achieve success in this assignment. Corruption has cost us a lot in this country. However, it is not only the politicians who are corrupt; recent events in the country have revealed that those we even look up to in the society are also not clean.

However, having commended President Buhari, the lack of convictions for those who have stolen our commonwealth should also be giving every Nigerian cause for concern. This is the major reason special courts should be established to tackle corruption in public offices.

I hope President Buhari can send the bill to the National Assembly to establish this special court to tackle corruption among public office holders.

Every Nigerian knows that President Buhari is someone who hates corruption, and that is why we are seeing the war on corruption being tackled on all fronts. However, if

President Buhari fails in this assignment, then what hope do we have that the president coming after him will also tackle this evil monster the way we are seeing now?

Corruption is our major problem, and when tackled, Nigeria will emerge as one of the most developed countries in the world. However, we will not be able to confront this dreaded evil if Nigerians are not determined to fight it themselves.

Nigerians should be interested in the budgets of the Federal, State and local governments, studying all the contracts awarded and monitoring them to ascertain if they are actually executed. We should also start monitoring the quality of roads done by contractors; I don’t understand why roads constructed in less than five years should begin to dilapidate.

Such contractors should be placed in government’s black book, thereby being

prevented from getting future contracts, as this is another form of corruption itself. There are some roads constructed in pre-

colonial times in this country that are still standing strong, but despite the improvement in engineering technology, why are the

roads being constructed today collapsing in less than five years?

•Olumide Adesanmi, Lagos.

Aba shoe industry gaining momentum INDEED, the narrative of the Aba shoe industry is changing positively. Recently, there is an order to an indigenous private firm to supply 50,000 pairs of military boots. According to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, who is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Made-in-Aba products, quality would be ensured in the production of the military boots to attract more supplies.

Also, during the 2016 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum held in Lagos recently, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who served as one of the panelists, was elated with the current strides of Gov. Ikpeazu to

ensure that made-in- Aba products become global brands. Obasanjo said: “Governor, I listened to you and I commend you for what you’re doing in Abia. Please keep doing what you’ve told us you’re doing. So, Governor Abia, you have to send a pair of the shoes to me; I use size 42.”

The call by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to other military and paramilitary outfits in the country to emulate the army by immediately banning the purchase of all imported foot wears in preference for locally produced ones raises more prospects for made-in- Aba foot wears.

It is an incontrovertible fact that Abia has comparative advantage in leather and garment works. And since the inception of the present administration, Governor Ikpeazu has demonstrated unrelent-

ing efforts towards ensuring that these products are launched globally.

It will be recalled that Abia State government, last year, organised an economic trip to Turkey. The contingent to the trip visited several shoe factories in Turkey where they were exposed to different machines which are used in making shoes. The essence of this exposure was to familiarise Aba shoe manufacturers with mechanised methods of manufacturing shoes, which is the vogue in Turkey in particular, and the world in general.

It was also to elevate their skills with training and exposure to modern technology to enhance capacity.

With this, Aba is becoming a global leader in shoe manufacturing, and we must commend the state government for this.

•Keshi Ukegbu, Umuahia.

On governing boards for Oyo public schools THE Oyo State government’s White Paper on the report of the committee on participatory management of schools is a step to end the decay in the infrastructure and non-availability of furniture, with the establishment of School Governing Boards (SGBs) for public schools in the state.

It will be easy to manage the school structures and provide modern learning facilities for students and the teachers. This will, no doubt, improve the standard of education in the state.

However, it is pertinent to say that the success of the board is on the government, board members and parents. Transparency is a key factor in determining the success of government programmes and policy. In a nutshell, government should be transparent with this pol-

icy and preach same for board members.

Also, parents’ support is essential to ensure that the White Paper is implemented and the SGB model succeeds. They have been asked to continue the payment of the N1000 levy and the government has assured that this fund is meant for the development of schools. I see no reason why parents won’t contribute their quota to the revival of education in the state. While it is understandable that the N1000 may be difficult for some parents to afford, I appeal to them to strive to contribute their quota to the success of the education of their wards.

In addition, the management function is a good decision as it will improve education system in the state.

•Esther Olowoyeye, Ibadan.

opinion The other side of Olaniwun Ajayi 15

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

By Folu Olamiti

I

N the wee hours of November 4, 2016, I got a pop up on my hand set alerting me that Pa Olaniwun Ajayi had passed on. My mind raced quickly towards Pa Ayo Adebanjo, wondering how he would receive the breaking news at his age. All along, I had known the two as inseparable “twins.”

Pa Olanuwun and Pa Adebanjo were close political disciples of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I had admired their closeness a great deal, studying then at close range. At every meeting, the two would appear in style, a reason I sometime got tempted to tag them the ‘Musketeers.’

Papa Awo was very fond of the duo. A day hardly passed without them paying homage to him at his Ikenne home. Without mincing words, the two disciples were functional members of Papa Awo’s kitchen cabinet; some think-tank of sort. It is a mystery how the two managed to solidify their relationship in the face off oddities in politics those days.

Pa Adebanjo has always been ebullient being an extrovert. He is very cerebral and outspoken. On the other hand, Pa Ajayi had the nature of a dove. He was a bundle of intellect, all the same. I had long concluded that his intelligence quotient was unassailable. I tried to decode the chemistry that bound them together to no avail until I read Pa Adebanjo’s tribute to Pa Ajayi in an interview.

He explained, “ Now I am now alone. I am left with my God.” He was a reliable, dependable and loyal friend. As an Awoist, I can confidently say that he was an Awoist to the core. He really understood what Awoism stands for and practiced it as Chief Awolowo taught us.”

Indeed, the unflagging love for Papa Awo was the secret that kept the duo going. They were both undiluted Awoist. They slept, dreamt and embraced Awoism all through. Unknown to many, the Awoism philosophy was the brain child of the two and a few others. I knew so much about Pa Ajayi and Adebanjo in my days as a young reporter way back in the 70s. I was assigned to cover the political activities of Papa Awo who, along the

line, drew me closer. I can proudly say that I helped in promoting Awo and Awoism from 1976 till 1987 when he passed on, a factor that endeared me to the family.

I intend to reveal more in my memoir of what really made me an admirer of both Pa Adebanjo and Pa Ajayi.

Mama HID Awolowo had confided in me the kind of respect the husband had for the duo. She told me how the two were so attached to Papa Awo, that she had to allocate rooms adjacent to Papa bedroom during political meetings. She recalled also how she bought same dresses for them and Papa on many occasion. Mama agreed that Pa Adebanjo and Pa Ajayi were part of the family such that in any of their visiting days, they required nothing other than a vehicle to convey them to places. They stood physically and emotionally with Pa Awolowo most especially in the days of travails and turbulence that the family passed through. I had memorable moments with the committed Awoists during electioneering campaigns, most especially from 1978

to 1983 when we all traversed the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, marketing the progressive ideology to Nigerians.

Pa Ajayi fondly called me Olamiti! Olamiti!!. Regrettably, the last time I saw him was in November 25, 2015. That was the day the remains of Mama Awo was committed to mother earth. He was one of the first Awoists to arrive at the Saint Saviour Church Ikenne.

He beckoned to me and asked that I accompany him to the rest room. Age was already having a telling effect on him. He held on to me as we descend the 20 steps to the rest room. He did not need my assistance as we started climbing back. All through, he was not panting, but was instead engaging me in political talks. He expressed concern on the deplorable state of the nation, while he blamed the Yoruba on being lethargic on national questions. And as if exasperated, he averred, “We have done our best and I hope that those coming behind us will acknowledge our contributions. Nigeria is a complex entity”.

Pa Olaniwun Ajayi was born in Isara on April 8, 1925.

He ran one of the leading law firms in Nigeria with a broad financial, corporate, energy and national resources. Over the years, the firm has consistently provided legal services to some of the biggest corporations in Africa and across the globe, equipping the firm with a good mix of local knowledge and international expertise.

He was one of the few Nigerians who travelled abroad for the Golden Fleece. On his return, he worked with the UAC, where he rose to the position of the Assistant Group Legal Adviser with Chief Ernest Shonekan as his junior in legal department of UAC and later resigned.

Pa Ajayi became a Commissioner for Education and later Health, under the governor of Western State, Brigadier General Oluwole Rotimi after five years of service. He authored five books: House Of Oduduwa Must Not Fall, Odunola: In Retrospect , Nigeria Africa’s Failed Asset, His Autobiography, and Isara Afotamodi: My Jerusalem. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

•Olamiti, a media consultant, wrote from Abuja.

Still on Donald Trump’s victory

By Abounu Abounu VOTING for Donald Trump is like MMM, the moneydoubling financial vehicle currently taking over Nigeria and other African states. Many sensible people are doing it, but they won’t tell you. The closet racists were not captured in the opinion polls, and that’s why they failed to reflect the true wishes of the majority. But most especially, the media portrayed Trump as a racist and sexist, while trying to drown his message. Once you got past what the media was saying about Trump, you will know that he had better credentials and plans for the country than his democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Let’s look at Trump again - He is a self-made billionaire. Try making $100,000, and you will realise the amount of work and creativity Trump must have put in to becoming a billionaire. Show me a rich man and I will show you a hardworking, intelligent and focused man (politicians excluded). I read about Trump and I found his principles to life quite endearing. He attended Wharton (the best business school in the world).

He has woken up everyday at 5.30am to start his day for the last 40 years. He lives inside his office (Trump Towers). These mundane things say a lot about his personality and character, which is not immediately visible to the public. Compare to Hillary who only came to prominence because she is the wife of an ex-president.

Hillary has never created wealth in her personal endeavour. Hillary does not employ thousands of people.

Had she not been the wife of Bill Clinton, she probably would have remained a big time lawyer in small rural Arkansas. A big fish in a small pond. And before I am attacked by the ultra feminists, this has nothing to do with the “My wife belongs to the kitchen” mantra, but what I am saying here is that Hillary is best known for being the wife of Bill Clinton and not as the junior

Senator from New York.

Now let us look at some of Trump’s policies that swayed the elections to him : First, Trump is against the trade agreement that empowers China and Mexico and takes away jobs in the rust belt region of America. Hillary was in support of this trade agreement. Is it then surprising that Trump won all the rust belt states?

Secondly, uncontrolled immigration is not good for anyone, including immigrants. Sooner than later, the host population become hostile to all immigrants if immigration is not controlled. Trump was for controlled immigration, and Hillary is against it.

Third, big governments come with more regulations,

higher taxes for the rich, less disposable income for the rich and invariably, has a huge detrimental effect on the poor, who depend on the rich to pay for the services they offer; services like gardening and cleaning.

As a businessman, Trump was for smaller governments unlike Hillary, who supported big government involvement in all aspects of life, including the so-called Obamacare.

Four, Trump campaigned as a loner, unlike Hillary who would have come into government with baggage.

Just last year, she made $65 million from speeches to banks and the very rich, and this fact was not lost on the voters.

Fifth, racism, like nepotism, is born out of self preservation. That’s why as much as I will like to be governor of Oyo State, I know it will not be possible because I am from Benue State. First, America elected a black president from Kenya, and next, the Hispanics were trying to foist their candidate on the majority White race. It nearly happened in Lagos when the Igbo came out to vote enmasse for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it took the Oba of Lagos to come out to rally Yorubas to back the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akinwumi Ambode to eventually clinch the governorship. If we didn’t see anything wrong in that, then how can we be complaining about the same thing happening in America, a country that is not actually ours. Anyone mourning the election of Trump and calling it the action of racists has an exaggerated sense of entitlement. They had better wake up and smell the coffee, and if that is hard to do, they can always check out of America. Congratulation President-elect Donald Trump.

•Dr Abounu is a UK based Consultant Psychiatrist and the CEO of The Hampton Group.

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

inside

nigerdelta

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

N/Delta crisis: 1,462 deaths recorded in 22 months —PIND boss EbenezerAdurokiya-Warri

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HE Niger Delta region has experienced no fewer than 1,462 fatalities as a result of cult and political violence in the last 22 months.

Speaking on a paper titled: Niger Delta Crisis: Ripple Effects on Global Economy, Mr Nkasi Owode of Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), added that in 2016 alone, over 35 attacks on oil facilities by 13 different groups had been recorded in the region.

Giving a breakdown of the deaths, Owode said between January and August in 2016 alone, 535 deaths were recorded from activities of cult groups, 136 deaths due to political killings and another 125 deaths due to kidnapping in the region.

Mr Owode, who delivered the paper on behalf of Executive Director of PIND, Mr. Sam Diagbo,

in Abuja at the 2016 Africa Leadership and Security Summit organised by the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), noted that government’s policy towards resolving the problem in the oil-rich region encouraged violence.

He said while Nigeria expected low oil price this year, it never envisaged that its production would drop to as low as 1.5 million barrels per day.

He pointed out that militancy was only a symptom of an endemic problem in the region and solving the militancy challenge would not end agitation in the area.

Violence in the region, he added, had its roots in cultism and politicallymotivated violence, noting that the region had its roots in a structure of violence that graduates from cult-related activities into politically-motivated violence, and then militancy.

He said a holistic ap-

proach was needed to find a lasting solution to the region’s challenges, if peace and development must be attained.

Meanwhile, national coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has appealed to Nigerian security agents to sustain the relative peace in the Niger Delta region and adopt a non-violent approach.

Speaking at the Summit

which attracted stakeholders, including traditional rulers, diplomats, security agencies, non-governmental organisations and government officials, the CEPEJ boss charged security agencies to support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s dialogue process aimed at finding a lasting solution to numerous problems in the region.

Mulade appealed to

various militant groups in the region to give peace a chance in the interest of the people suffering from all forms of environmental and health hazards as a result of oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities.

According to him, besides the loss of revenue to the country, the crisis is being fueled by unemployment in the region as most oil companies have relo-

cated from the area.

The environmental activist said: “I strongly believe that constructive and peaceful engagement will bring the needed peace and development to the oil rich region.”

Comrade Mulade harped on the need for African countries to work together to solve the leadership and security challenges facing the continent.

‘FG should be sincere with development of Niger Delta’ Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa AGAINST the backdrop of several agitations by leaders and ex-agitators for a comprehensive development of the Ijaw territory and the Niger Delta region, Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson on Interparty Relations, Honourable Ben Robert Eyororokumoh, has called on the Federal Government to exhibit on sincerity of purpose towards the development of the region.

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, Eyororokumoh averred that beyond the 16-point agenda by the Edwin Clark and King Alfred Diette-Spiff-led committee to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government should stop the lip service and rhetoric’s and show willingness by starting from somewhere to develop the region.

He noted that age-long issues creating conflicts in the region could have been nipped in the bud, if the Federal Government had mustered the political will to develop Ijaw territory

and the Niger Delta, stressing that it would have outlawed illegal bunkering, kidnapping, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism.

Eyororokumoh explained that the fight against corruption should be holistic.

On the validation of Governor Dickson’s victory at the apex court, he said it was a victory for democracy and a reflection of the votes of Bayelsans.

Niger Delta militants in the mood for action

Imbibe principle of preparation, Chemical Society charges teachers, others EbenezerAdurokiya-Warri THE Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) has enjoined teachers, parents, organisations and individuals to imbibe the principle of preparation in training

children, particularly those in school, if they must excel in their studies.

Chairman of CSN, Delta State chapter, Mr Alexander Okoroji, made the plea at the weekend during the award ceremony for the

NDE retrains GAP beneficiaries in Edo Banji Aluko - Benin City GRADUATES of tertiary institutions, who have been trained in the Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), are now being retrained in order to provide skills and personal attributes in the evolving technological advancement.

According to the Acting Director General of the NDE, Mr Kunle Obayan, the modification is to prepare the beneficiaries for proactive and productive performance in carrying out their assignments in

the various places of attachment or in case they are not retained after their attachment programmes.

In his address to the beneficiaries of the Enhancing the Employability of Graduate Attachment Programme at an event held in Benin, Obayan noted that all the schemes of the NDE were currently being modified and modernised to achieve total self sufficiency for beneficiaries.

Towards this end, the NDE has conceptualised new employment creation schemes targeted at new diverse groups such as the School-to-Work Scheme,

which is aimed at imparting vocational skills in secondary school students, and the Smart Farmer Scheme, an IT-based interactive system that provides agricultural intelligence and reliable data.

He said, “It is quite obvious that the previous implementation of GAP has recorded a tremendous success as regards set targets and goals.

“A good number of beneficiaries gained permanent employment in various establishments they are attached to, others have used experience garnered to gain employment elsewhere.

2016 Awokoya Memorial Competition in Chemistry held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State.

He lauded Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) for its continuous sponsorship of the competition in which Delta State consistently grabs the first position at the National Chemistry Competition as well as clinches first and second positions in the 2016 edition.

“The contributions you have made to the teaching and learning of Chemistry in Delta State is crystal clear and undeniable,” Okoriji noted.

The CSN boss said timely and adequate preparation was the key factor responsible for the yearly success of Chemistry students from the state in the national competition.

“CSN, Delta chapter, recognises the importance

of principle of preparation in the teaching and learning of Chemistry, hence, we decided to organise the Awokoya competition to mount a train-the-trainer’s workshop for secondary schools teachers.

This is aimed at preparing and equipping them to prepare their students to excel in Chemistry as a subject,” Okoroji noted.

He urged everyone to imbibe the principle of preparation in order to emerge successful in every area of life.

Master Immaculate Akele Ohiorenuan, Master Sorokwu Desmond and Master Gabriel Diemesor of Demonstration Secondary School, Asaba, Lords and Kings Academy in Warri and Challenge Academy came first, second and third respectively and were honoured with prizes.

17 insidenigerdelta

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Navy expands base to fight Maritime crime in Niger Delta Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

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HE Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has revealed that the Nigerian Navy has expanded its bases and units by creating mobile stations, in order to fight maritime crimes in the Niger Delta effectively.

Ibas also said the Navy was in the process of creating additional checkpoints on the waterways to cover hoodlum flash points in the region.

He stated these when he, in company of the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba and other senior naval officers, paid a courtesy call on Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at Gov-

ernment House, Yenagoa, on Monday.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd.) received the CNS and his entourage on behalf of Dickson.

The naval chief said he was in the state to conduct inspection of Naval bases and establishment, saying the exercise had afforded him the opportunity to evaluate and access naval equipment and infrastructure.

Ibas said, “The Navy came into the state about five years ago. I am also aware that the presence of the Navy has changed the maritime security landscape of the state and indeed the Niger Delta area in fighting maritime crime which is of concern to all well-meaning Nigerians.

“I want to assure you that

the Nigerian Navy, together with our sister security agencies, will do all within our powers to ensure that we create an enabling environment that will allow for legitimate use of maritime space.

“I wish to use this forum to commend the state for its logistics support to the Navy. We have expanded our bases and units now to create mobile stations

which enable us to be closer to the people and to tackle maritime crimes.

We are also in the process of creating additional checkpoints to cover flash points in the region.”

Ibas, who said he had been able to appraise and evaluate the security architecture on ground, noted that the Navy had enhanced its operational

capacity by acquiring more gunboats that had been allocated to various units.

He also stated that the Navy had been able to put in place infrastructure to support its operations in various bases and units, adding that they had conducted training both locally and abroad to prepare the personnel to be able to man the various equip-

Nigeria to begin local production of electrode Banji Aluko - Benin City THE President of the Nigerian Institute of Welding, Solomon Edebiri, has disclosed that beginning from 2017, the NIW would begin local production of electrode, adding that NIW was committed to developing Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector.

He said the new engineering faculty was equipped with equipment capable of conducting destructive and non-destructive testing of

materials in line with the vision of the Institute to become a centre of excellence for welding engineering and technology.

He added, “We like to assure you that with the provision of this laboratory, it is now possible to domesticate most of the laboratory works required in the industry. ”Furthermore, be assured of our judicious use of these facilities to justify your decision to add more.

Ayade commends FG on Bakassi border market Anthony Ubong - Calabar Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, has commended the Federal Government for awarding contract for the construction of a border market, 60 stalls, primary health centre, bedroom flats and 70, 000 litres of overhead borehole in Bakassi.

Speaking when the Director, National Border Communities Development Agency, Alhaji Faruk Maturare, paid him a courtesy visit in his office, Ayade expressed delight with the development, stressing that it would contribute in no small measure to the development of the area.

He said, “I am happy because this government is sensitive enough to locate such remote areas and try to provide succor.

“It shows that that the

Federal Government is responsive to our cries on the plight of the Bakassi people.

“I thank the Federal Government for locating such communities because they are more or less decoupled from society and civilization, so for government to identify such communities, I think it quite noble’’ Ayade, who provided a parcel of land for the proposed projects, promised to assist the Federal Government through the provision of adequate security as well as other necessary support to ensure smooth take of the projects.

Earlier, Maturare had said that his team was in the governor’s office to pay a courtesy visit to the governor as well as solicit a piece of land for a project that would positively impact on Bakassi as a border community.

Chief of Navel Staff , Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas

ment in place.

“We are hoping that when we put all these together, the Navy is going to be more proactive in delivery of services and with the various exercises we are conducting, we will be able to rid Bayelsa State and the maritime environment of the criminal elements in the region,” he stated.

Dickson, represented by his deputy, John Jonah, said his government was always determined to rid the state of criminal elements.

The governor said the government had always believed that what was acceptable in Bayelsa was zero tolerance for crime and criminality and that the government had always worked towards that principle.

He said, “For Bayelsa State to be secure, the waterways must be secured.

That does not mean that we will leave the land.

We know that people go to river to harvest for land use. But the area of harvest is where the contest is now and the national establishment that has the responsibility, resources and training to do that for the country is the Navy.

“So, the Nigerian Navy needs the encouragement from all of us to ensure that the riverside areas and maritime environment are safe.”

Marginalisation: Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ilaje graduates give Chevron 14 days ultimatum EbenezerAdurokiya-Warri GRADUATES of Ijaw, Itsekiri and Ilaje Ethnic Nationalities have issued Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) 14-day ultimatum to address an alleged marginalisation in employment and social amenities in their communities.

The graduates, under the auspices of Egbema and Gbaramatu Graduates Employment Front (KOMBOT), National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG), and National Association of Ilaje Graduates (NAIG) threatened that after 14 says, they would carry out series of protests in all Chevron flow stations and operation domains till their requests were granted.

The ethnic groups issued the ultimatum while addressing journalists on Monday in Warri, Delta State.

President of KOMBOT, Yabrade Moses, lamented that Chevron had denied

many graduates of the ethnic groups employment despite the fact that they had produced thousands of first class graduates in various fields of human study.

“We have a lot of graduates with distinctions and merits in their post graduates pursuit from various institutions of higher education within Nigeria and overseas”.

“Over 20 years, our graduates, who have had opportunities to participate in Chevron Nigeria Ltd’s recruitment process, have been extremely successfully, but Chevron has been adamant in absorbing most of these successful graduates into their staff strength based on flimsy excuses.

“No single functional health centre, no potable drinking water, and in fact the mortality rate has risen beyond reasonable proportion.

“Over the years, we would have to go on serious con-

frontations with Chevron before a paltry number of our people would be employed,” Yabrade disclosed.

He added that the company had given lack of qualification of youths as a strong reason for not employing host community workers.

According to him, they, however, discovered recently after investigation that the percentage of people from host communities are not up to one per cent of the entire staff base that have been directly employed by the company.

“As a matter of fact, our people are never employed nor given direct employment opportunity into the following departments: Human resources, finance, procurement, production, marine and legal.

This is completely a violation of our content. All parastatals across the country allocate quotas to her host communities, but

Chevron is different, they only consider host communities a little when there is confrontation and this is a very bad omen because it is indirectly passing a wrong signal to the people that they have to be militant in nature to get result from Chevron,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs of CNL, Deji Haastrup could not be reached as of the time of filing this report, a staff of the department who said he was not authorized to speak on the issue, however, denied the claims of marginalisation in employment and infrastructure.

According to him, Chevron has been a responsible and responsive company that has effected immense transformation in host communities through ethnic regional development committees, and other joint ventures bodies in the state

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

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

HIs Excellency Goldberg’s crew in Ibadan

NB Plc unveils His Excellency Goldberg!

By Wale-ojo Lanre

T

HE hospitality scene in Ibadan, Oyo State was dazzled and buoyed with a touch of excellence by the Nigerian Breweries Plc on Sunday 13 November, 2016 when Goldberg, one of its products was publicly christened as His Excellency.

In its characteristic and tradition of excellence in products branding and launching, the Nigerian Breweries rolled out its red carpet, sought out one of the best Nollywood actors, Odunlade Adekola, got the best emerging fuji act Twins Phobia, with Small Doctor, Tope Ayeni and located the most suitable central arena, Cultural Centre (popularly called Orioke) and schemed between 7 and 10 pm (after Church activities) for the christening of Goldberg as His Excellency.

Being a package for His Excellency, NB Plc transformed the Orioke platform of the Cultural Centre, Ibadan into a beautiful palatial palace, decked with posh furniture, attractive large banners, fixtures and fittings touched with colourful lighting effects fit only for the indulgence of His Excellency.

In its tradition of promoting and identifying with the cultural heritage of the people, NB Plc buffeted the evening of the branding of Goldberg as His Excellency with a high performing group which put up spectacular show to the admiration of guests.

The choice of Adekola as the Master of Ceremony was not only apt but seemed an answer to the yearning of the Ibadan hospitality patrons who must have been seeking to see or meet the Nollywood rave physically.

Adekola was able to stoke the event excellently well not only by his exemplary management of the many acts who entertained the guests, but also by personally interacting with the guests and the multitude who graced the christening of Goldberg as an excellent beer and article of hospitality.

Mr Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, NB Plc, who led the train of the branding of Goldberg as His Excellency educated the press and the public of the necessity for the change in appellation.

“It is in our tradition in NB Plc to strive hard in not only brewing the best of drinks for the hospitality need, but to always intimate the consuming public the inherent value and attributes of each of these drinks.

And this is why NB Plc has made it a mandate of touring the country as part of Corporate Social Responsibility and brand marketing to always sensitize the public about the values in our products” He pointed out “Goldberg is not only a first class product both in taste, packaging and satisfaction but is excellently brewed

as an excellent drink for excellent people.

Hence, the christening as His Excellency” Mr Ayeni revealed “the branding and the show is also to prove our sense of appreciation to patrons and to intimate them the virtue in what they are drinking. Every drink has a credential for identity. This is to distinguish each according to their effects in taste and level of satisfaction. Goldberg has an excellently smooth and satisfying taste. This earns him the name His Excellency.

The christening was not of fun, dance, display and merriment only as NB Plc utilised the question and answer session to educate the public about some misconceptions about beer.

“Beer has no sugar content as being peddled around and it is not the cause of big

Odunlade Adekola

belly. Beer is brewed absolutely with natural ingredient of wheat, barley and grains without any addictive. It is also 96 per cent of water. So when you drink Goldberg, you will not have bulging belly neither will it aid diabetes, what you have is an excellently polished skin aided by Goldberg His Excellency’ Mr Ayodele Idowu, Publisher Mega Icon Online described the christening of Goldberg as His Excellency as ‘apt, proper and fit. As a patron of Goldberg beer of the shelf of Nigeria Breweries, I can testify to the fact that, both in taste, satisfaction and throat pleasing Goldberg is Excellent. Thus, the NB Plc is not wrong for naming Goldberg His Excellency for it is an excellent drink in all its raminifications. I rise”.

Nigeria has shown political will to drive sustainable tourism THE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Federal Government has demonstrated that it has the political will to drive sustainable tourism in the country.

Speaking at a panel of African Ministers of Tourism, who met on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Climate Change in Marrakech, Morocco, on Thursday, the Minister said, however, that for tourism to be sustainable, it must first be put on a sound footing.

“We have a rich diversity in our culture and tourism sector. We have so much that the world wants to see. We have stories that the world wants to hear.

“But the challenge for us is to leverage our huge diversity to make tourism the next oil in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said that as a mark of its political will, the present administration is reviving the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) to drive the development of tourism in the country.

Already, he said, the Steering Committee of the PCT has met to prepare the

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (second right) and some of his colleagues in Morocco.

agenda for the PCT, which is expected to meet very soon and be presided over by the President.

The Minister also said that since tourism cannot thrive without security, transparency and good infrastructure, the government is investing in massive infrastructural development (roads, rail, power, etc,

adding: “Security has improved drastically, especially in the North-east where Boko Haram has been decimated.

“The government also puts a lot of premium on transparency, which is required for boosting investor confidence and encouraging tourism.

19

tourism

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016 to be going up something would happen they go back again, Nigerians are extremely resilient people, we have all come to the realisation that this is not, we are not coming back again This is a one time opportunity and need to impact here on earth, people have been saying regardless of what is happening out there we would still live our lives. We could die crossing the road anyway, so let’s stop allowing other people determine for us how well we lived our lives. So, I am sure we are going to see a lot more of movement in the domestic tourism terrain. I hear a lot of people saying they are going to Calabar Carnival, for this Christmas, some it is Abuja Carnival so domestic tourism is on the hub and we will continue to encourage growth in that area.

Journalists should be agents of rebranding Nigeria —Chika Balogun, DG, NIHOTOUR

Mrs Chika Balogun is the Director General for National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR an agency of government that specialises in training in tourism and hospitality industry. In this interview, Mrs Balogun revealed the effort being made to ensure accurate collection of data in tourism sector as well as why her agency organised a training workshop for Journalists and Security operatives on rebranding practices of standard ethics in the tourism sector.

WHAT is the gesture behind this training?

It is actually part of our mandate to train agencies and sectors that relate with tourism and we tried in our little way to contribute towards the growth of tourism sub – sector specific trainings as often as possible, we’ve not been able to have one in the last year or two due to paucity of fund but as soon as we are able to find any fund anywhere we realise that it is very important to update our brothers and sisters within the agencies that affect tourism in Nigeria.

Data collection is one of the problems in the sector; there has been no accurate data of tourists and activities around the sector how do you think this can be resolved?

There is a technology called the TSA, Tourism Satellite Account that the UNWTO encourages countries to use for data collection, but I am also sure that even as

—Minister The fight against corruption has been ratcheted up, and no one is deemed to be a sacred cow as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.

“With all modesty, the present administration in my country has been working hard to move tourism from the margins to the mainstream, especially because tourism has been identified as one of the sectors upon which the government’s economic diversification is anchored.

Tourism has now been brought to the

NEXT WEEK Ambassador, Wanle Akinboboye, promoter of Motherland Beckons opens up on Africa Turkey Trade Centre, ATTC, ‘It is a new deal for Africans and Europeans...”

Nigerians we can develop our own unique system of data collection. Data collection is very critical because that is the only way you can plan for the future you know what your problems are today, what the challenges are, what is the actual number of visitors and you need to plan for the future. So if we are using the TSA or data collection system that we developed here ourselves in Nigeria, the critical thing is that we need to develop it very fast. The statistic agencies already have a system of gathering data of many sectors, but they haven’t customised the one for tourism and we are speaking with them. We are trying to push them to see if they can develop something unique for tourism to help us in finding our movement within Nigeria, check how much is being spent in Nigeria for tourism and how many people are coming and going out of Nigeria as well. I am sure in the next two years, we should have an effective data collection system in Nigeria.

For sometime now, there has been an intense campaign for domestic tourism, efforts are being made by agencies to promote but its seems nothing serious has been achieved.

I am not sure. I will not agree that nothing serious has been achieved. I think I

will say that we were having status lost. Of course we all know the security challenges this country has been experiencing in the past four or five years when things seem

In the remaining quarter of the year, what are your plans?

On November 17, we will have a CEO and top managers summit, a technical summit in Abuja at the Transcop Hilton, this is an annual session that allows CEO and top managers relate with the challenges and we will also bring them some technical expertise.

We are going to have a three-day training session for young people in Benin between November 22 and 24, a youth empowerment to give them skills. We are too interested in paper qualification and we really need to begin to look towards actions, skills and help people to do well with their lives.

Our new campus will be opened in Benue before the end of this year so we have a lot of work as the year, winds to an end.

Aregbesola for Aeons Suites, Osogbo THE hospitality industry in Osun State will assume a new dimension of advancement in service and provision of first class accommodation as the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will on Saturday 19, 2016 inaugurate Aeons Suites Apartment.

Aeons Suites is a multi billion naira hotel resort which is one of the by products of the conducive economic atmosphere created by the government of Osun State.

According to Mr Goodluck Semiu “Everything is set for the formal opening of the hotel. For the past two months, we have embarked on skeletal service offering majorly to dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

We are set for business and we are not ready to take anything for granted” Mr Semiu disclosed that “the formal opening took us time because of our commitment to excellence. We do not want to offer excuses for our customers in any form. Everything must work and work well. We are offering and opening a new chapter in hospitality service. And you just wait and see.”

Governor Aregbesola

Experience Beach Entertainment at COPA Lagos Organisers of COPA Lagos will kick start its annual global beach soccer event on 11 December, 2016. This year’s event promises to be the most prominent event where guests will experience a unique and exclusive beach lifestyle including, a fashion show and celebrity entertainment.

Since 2011 when the event started, it has moved from being the first ever international beach soccer event in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to being one of the most attended sporting events in the region.

COPA Lagos, which caters to all ages, will take place at the Eko Atlantic City.

The event will start with a Grand Reception and end with an After Party.

In addition, the organisers have teamed up with key fashion designers to unveil the 2016 Copa Lagos Fashion Show. The show will go beyond simply showcasing beach friendly designs to actively proposing a Copa lifestyle. The Copa lifestyle, personified by carefully curated pieces from clothing to accessories, will be presented in a fun, upbeat atmosphere with all the hallmarks of an easygoing affair. From make-up to music, the team will curate looks from known designers as well as upcoming talents.

Samson Adamu, the Managing Director of COPA Lagos, “COPA Lagos is not just

about soccer. It’s a family event where we expect our guests to have a fun-filled experience on the beach. We are proud to say this year’s edition of the tournament will be more exciting than the previous ones as we have diversified our scope beyond beach soccer games. We have an excellent lineup of events that will showcase Lagos as a great tourism and beach destination.

“We are keen to use this event to showcase and support the ever increasing Nigerian music and entertainment Industry”.

In a nutshell, some activities for this year include a grand reception, media tour, club tour, after party, fashion show, flash mob, and ride with me, and an after party.

20 anchor

Tunde Alao

m:08025602831 e:tunalao@yahoo.com

in affordable properties NMRC decries housing crisis, inequalittheyNMRC inequality created by the This was announced by Professor Director, Managing in Abuja, ntly rece te, nge ce Charles Inya THE Nigeria Mortgage Refinan RC was NM the that said t he wha re ied whe Company (NMRC), has decr at N1.5 ses hou refinance it described as inequality created by ready to nology tech by itted perm on if million the crisis of affordable housing vering deli of ess proc the e that driv ing to add the African continent, tical prac ugh thro housing a practical solution for sustainable affordable . eria Nig in tion solu housing should be encouraged.

“It will first of all drive down the Therefore, to help solve this because the prices of problem, the company said it was affordability eria are particularly Nig in ses hou ses le hou ready to refinance affordab ,’’ he said. for Nigerians at the rate of N1.5 very high Inyangete decried the extent of million.

Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos

property

analysis

crisis of affordable housing on the a African continent, adding that ble aina sust for practical solution housing should be encouraged.

Similarly, the Chairman, African Union for Housing Finance (AUHF) a and Managing Director of Tanzani Mr y, pan Com Mortgage Refinance Oscar Mgaya, pointed out that it was high time problems associated with housing cost, low income earners, rs mortgages, interest rates and othe issues were addressed accordingly.

infrastructure Development of rural infrastructure key to economic growth — Lawmaker Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos A Lagos lawmaker, Honourable Abiodun Tobun, has urged the government at both the federal and state levels not to relent in efforts at bringing development to both urban and rural areas, saying the development of infrastructure at the rural level will ultimately help engender national growth in the long run.

Tobun, who represents Epe Constituency 1 in the Lagos Assembly, made the appeal in a chat with the media, where he commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for all his strides toward taking development to the hinterlands of the state.

He said, “The approach of leaving the rural areas to develop urban areas has led to migration of people to the city.”

“The idea of developing the metropolis is the mind set of people at the helms of affairs, some governments develop the centre and leave the rural areas.

“This approach usually leads to rural-urban migration and makes the centre to be congested while some governments believe in developing the rural area to decongest the city to make more people comfortable living in the rural areas,” he added.

“The best approach is to develop both the rural and urban centres simultaneously. The government should not allow the infrastructure at the urban centre decay while at the same time take development to the rural.

“This is the approach the present government is adopting. There is no rural area that is not touched. We are encouraging the governor not to relent his plans to develop the

state,” he further noted.

He commended the governor for picking two roads from each of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to prevent the influx of people into the urban area.

He urged the governor to sustain his determination to light up all communities and construction of roads to improve socio-economic activities in all areas.

According to him, before the present administration, Epe and Ikorodu did not have master plans, but that currently, the government had awarded the work to a consultant who will be expected to come up with master plans for the two suburb communities. He said that such moves would bring about overall development to the areas.

Tobun, who commended the governor for all developmental initiatives, said that House would ensure monitoring of all projects for the benefit of the masses.

At Lagos’ Agiliti, infrastructure neglect, economic paralysis hurt over 25,000 residents We can’t boast of single hospital, water – Residents cry out As community seeks Ambode’s urban renewal intervention scheme Tunde Alao -Lagos

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GILITI 11 community is located at Kosofe Mile 12 axis, but shares boundary with Magodo, the elite neighbourhood where every good things of life is in abundance, be it road network, drainAge facility, social amenities and any other things that distinguishes good living from poverty, on the contrary, Aagiliti11 depicts the opposite.

To compound the problem of the residents in the community, their neighbour, the Agiliti 1 community is savouring an unprecedented infrastructurel upgrading put in place by the administration of immediate past governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

A visit to Agility11 last week, revealed a seeming neglected environment, begging for recognition, who are always at the mercy of flood anytime it rains.

Lack of adequate data affecting planning in housing sector Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos

Professor Muhammed Al-Amin

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

LACK of reliable housing data, has armstrung proper planning of housing provision and development in Nigeria, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has noted.

This view was expressed by the Managing Director of FHA, Prof Mohammed Al-Amin, in Abuja, recently, while calling for conncerted efforts to address the situation.

Al-Amin also questioned the genuineness and authenticity of the much flaunted 17 million housing units deficit figure in Nigeria, saying the figure was not being backed up by any proven data. Prof Al-Ami further noted that though an attempt was made to incorporate a housing census into the 2006 national headcount, the data obtained from the exercise was unreliable.He attributed the failure to defective nature of the tool designed for it.

To tackle the unreliability of the country’s housing

statistics. Al-Amin said the FHA was keen to participate in the implementation of the resolutions of the just concluded Habitat IIIthe United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development held in Quito, Ecuador.

The FHA boss regretted that Nigeria had not been taking advantage of platforms opened to it by international organisations, adding that FHA was poised to participate in the followup to Habitat III at the national, sub-regional and regional levels. In addition, he said FHA was eager to work with the United Nations’ agency on critical housing issues, such as slum development and the rising housing deficit in the country to improve the quality of urban life.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Housing last week stated its resolve to work

management

with relevant agencies to fast-track the restructuring and commercialisation of the Federal Housing Authority.

The Chairman of the committee, Senator Barnabas Gemade, said this in Abuja when he led his colleagues on an oversight visit to the Authority’s headquarters.

Gemade said urgent legislative action was required to fast track the reform and commercialisation of the FHA which had been ongoing since 1992.

He said the planned amendment would strengthen the Authority and return it to its pride of place as an effective national instrument for housing delivery.

Accompanied on the visit by four members of the committee, Gemade noted that the fortunes of the FHA had been adversely affected by somersaults in government policy.

He said the removal of the FHA from government funding had stacked the odds against the agency and abridged it’s ability to deliver on its mandate.

But apart from rain, anytime water is released from the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority’ dam, it’s always a compounded woes, a situation that paralyses every social, economic, even, religious activities, the people complained.

Nigerian Tribune investigations revealed that the clinic, a project put in place by by OSSAP MDGS, in Abuja, in conjunction with the Lagos State government, titled: “2008 Conditional Grant Scheme Project Reconstruction of Primary Health Care, Agiliti 11, Idi Oparun”, has witnessed dilapidation.

Though, a carcass, it wouldn’t cost much to renovate it and equip it.

Still, as at last week, wooden bridges woven criss-cross the various road, but barely contain two people coming from opposite directions are still there.

Indeed, the entire environment has suffered what one of the residents described as “unprecedented neglect.”

Speaking on their experience, which they described as “annual rituals”, community leaders said there case is an isolated one, adding that year-in-yearout, they always send representation to government offices, that include ministries of Environment and Physical Planning and Urban development, including works and infrastructure.

Tayo Odubona, narrated what life is always like whenever water is released from the dam.

“Look at the wooden bridges we usually constructed whenever we

experienced flooding. Apart from economic paralysis, our children found it difficult to go to school, neither would we be able to go to our respective places of worship.

“We are imploring Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to extend his urban renewal scheme to us in Agiliti 11, especially drainage facility and road”, he pleaded.

Another resident, Charles Abimiloye, made specific reference to an ongoing canal dredging activity that he said has remain uncompleted.

“If government can complete this canal and construct our road, particularly, the one that links Otedola Estate-Julius Berger in Ojodu, we are free from this annual trouble.

“More than that, the only presence of government here is the clinic that has never put into use for one day. So, we beg our amiable governor, to please visit us or send trustworthy officials who will brief him on what is actually on ground”. Abimiloye urged.

To Abdul Ganiu Quadri, abandonment of the clinic facility is one of the pains that the entire community is suffering.

“This community with more than 25,000 residents could not boast of single hospital, no pipe borne water from public tap, no functional drainage facility, yet, our immediate neighbour in Aglity 1, are enjoing these amenities.

“Governor Ambode has demonstrated uncommon goodwill in places like Epe, Ikorodu, even up to Badagry. He is our governor also and we beg him for his presence in our community”.

A women leader, Madam Caroline Okusajo, who spoke in similar vein, said it’s sad that a community of more than 25,000 people couldn’t have a market that little things like meat, pepper, or other domestic goods could be purchased.

“It’s sad that we don’t have a single market here and this is due to the bad terrain, where flooding has become a rule rather than exception.

She also urged government to provide public water for the community.

“Before the crisis that engulfed Mile12 and the environs recently, it’s mairuwas that we used to get water supply. But after the crisis when Okada operators were banned, it’s our children that would trekk to Agiliti1, to fetch water. This will take between one and half hours to two on daily basis.

“But the irony is that we are paying tenement rate, Land Use Charge and sundry charges, which government officials, no matter the flood or condition of road, will make sure they come and collect, even, if they will need to remove their shoes and waded through the flood, my son, it’s sad”, said Madam Okusajo with expression on her face showed disenchantment.

Monarch, Channeldrill Resources in $300 million Lekki project HOPE of more housing delivery is the offing in Lagos State, as Lekki, adjudged to be the fastest growing corridor in the West Africa Sub Sahara, is giving birth to a new community to be known as Imperial International Business City (IIBC).

The $300 million project shares boundary with Lekki Phase 1 to the West and and Lekki Beach Resort to the Eastern axis, with three roads leading to it.

Project consultants and Contractors are Messrs Dredging International Limited, Belgium, which is dredging company; Royal Haskoning DHV, Netherlands, marine engineer and reclamation consultants; Mott Macdonald, a United Kingdom based Infrastructure engineering consultants and Gensler Associates, also a United Kingdom based Master and Town Planner.

Speaking on the planned infrastructure and amenities designed for the city, MD/

CEO, Channeldrill Resources Limited, Femi Akioye, stated that the city would be provided with 250 metre entrance road, with fence and gated, among others.

He also indicated that the city will be zoned into residential, mixed used and commercial, with each designed to have low, medium and high density area within each zone. o tackle flooding in the city, Akioye said there would be reclamation land up to two meters above sea level, a well constructed drainage and functional sewage system and shoreline protection that will be built by a German based contractor-Messrs BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH. “IIBC will be the first eco-friendly smart business city in Africa. It’s a vision of the captain of a new generation and progressive Oba in Nigeria, His Royal Majesty, Saheed Ademola Elegushi and Channedrill Resources Limited who are the joint developers of IIBC.”

FG in China-Exim $542m loan pact for Abuja-Masaka, other road projects determined by roads that carried the heaviest cargo, to allow farmers, THE Federal government, businessman, industries through the Ministry of and travellers move their Works, Power and Housing goods and themselves has applied for $542 million across the country in order to finance the expansion to drive productive activity. of Abuja-Nyanya-Masaka “We chose roads that highways and dualisation support our energy of Keffi-Lafia Maiduguri sufficiency and put our road, with loan application resources in roads leading already processed by the to and from petroleum tank Federal Ministry of Finance in farms so that we can move conjunction with the Chinese petro, diesel and kerosene authority. across Nigeria. We also Addressing the media in chose roads that led to and Lagos last week, during the from our major sea and progress report of his one airports so that maritime year in office, Minister of business can go on, to drive Works, Power and Housing, the economy,” he said.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, Going forward to disclosed that the project is 2017, Fashola stated that in phases, with 54 kilometres government has developed Abuja-Keffi dualisation as the proposals for the budget to Babatunde Fashola, first phase. intervene in critical roads According to him, the in the six Geo-political zones borrowing plan has already got approval by the National Assembly, while the feasibility design that lead to and from major food producing also concluded, adding that government’s states based on information supplied by the counterpart funding is 15 percent, while the Ministry of Agriculture.

“We plan to do the same for states that project duration is 36 months. Handling produce minerals from mining activity, and the project is Messrs Harbour Engineer for states where we have strategic fuel depots. construction consortium.

He revealed that construction of major six For decades, we have paid almost no attention pedestrian overhead bridges and barricades to bridges built across the country as though fencing had been carried out as part of support they are indestructible.

“We are beginning to see erosion, stress, to Federal Capital Territory Administration on Road Safety Maintenance, while construction and in some cases failures and near collapse of six pedestrian overhead locations are in Kano (Tamburawa), Lagos (Ijora), Kogi (Lokoja) Ogun (Long bridge on Lagos-Ibadan) ongoing.

The minister noted that choices were Kaduna (Jaji) and other places,” he said.

Tunde Alao -Lagos

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

Is FG ready to exit cash call arrangement with stakeholders?

The Federal Government has released a new policy in the oil and gas sector tagged ‘Draft Petroleum Policy 2016’ with the intention to sanitise the sector, which is being regulated by laws many stakeholders believe are out-dated and far from addressing current challenges in the oil and gas sector. OLATUNDE DODONDAWA writes.

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he Federal Government has revealed it will exit all cash call arrangement it has with oil and gas companies including International Oil Companies (IOCs), Indigenous Oil Companies all other stakeholders in the sector.

Cash call arrangement is an investment policy where all parties contribute to funding oil exploration and production operations in the proportion of their Joint Ventures (JV) equity holdings and receive crude oil produced earnings in the same ratio.

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), owes over $5billion in cash call arrears.

According to the Draft Petroleum Policy 2016, released by the Petroleum Ministry, the government has resolved to exit such arrangement and come up with how it intends to fund such projects in future.

The government hopes to exit cash call arrangement by end of 2017. The target is to move then to Petroleum Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and Challenges of JV financing model Joint Ventures model have many problems, but the problems often associated with JVs are not insurmountable.

The most important of which include: Cash calls deficit The problem for the NNPC to fund the constant call for cash payments (the cash calls) has been due to inefficiency, lack of transparency, corruption and politics.

These problems will be addressed with the proper capitalisation of the NNPC or the proposed National Oil Company with a structure that allows for project and balance sheet financing.

Cost monitoring The difficulty of monitoring and checking the costs that the operator (the IOC or international partner) presents is also another challenge but this issue is not unique to only the JVs but it’s even more prevalent in the PSCs. The solution is incorporating the JVs and using fiscal tools to incentivise cost reduction.

It must also be said that contracting cycles, government mandates and bureaucracy are also important factors in cost escalation in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Despite the challenges facing JV model, the document stated that the government stuck to JV model because the government has higher barrel from crude oil produced than from PSC arrangement.

Therefore, conversion of a JV to a PSC might result in reduction of government take rather than increased government take if not properly negotiated.

Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum PSCs vs Cash calls Using PSC as a financing mechanism, instead of Cash Calls model, results in a higher cost of financing than using bank debt since in PSCs compensation for the financing is in barrels of oil and not cash; and when prices are low as they are currently, large quantum of barrel will be needed for financing production.

PSC contractors by virtue of the fiscal provisions of the law (PPT Section 10) in addition to project returns also receive interest deductibility (financial returns) against tax liability which further enhances their Return on Equity (RoE).

Therefore, the draft argued that “any con-

sideration for conversion of JVs to PSCs must take into account these factors and there must be provisions for recognising historical equity investments by government and managing government take such that there are no losses to the sovereign.”

Conclusion For the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to effectively implement the draft petroleum policy, there is need for it to ensure the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the National Assembly. Without the passage of the bill, the policy may be faced with resistance from the International Oil Companies (IOCs).

FG to release firms lifting Nigeria’s crude in 2017 There are indications that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) may announce the names of companies qualified for the lifting of the country’s crude oil for 2017 by mid-December. The revelation was contained in a statement credited to Mele Kyari, NNPC’s Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, NNPC. According to a report by Platts, Kyari, in the statement, said “The crude tender will close on November 24 and we expect to have new contracts in place before the end of the second week of December.”

Known as crude oil term contracts, it involves the export of around 1.17 million b/d of the nation’s crude, out of the 2.2 million b/d the country produces. They are then sold by contract holders to end-users, refiners and other buyers. Last month, NNPC issued guidelines for companies wishing to participate in the lifting of Nigerian crude for next year.

According to the offer document, bids for these contracts, valid for a year from January 1, are to be submitted by 12:00 Nigerian time (1100 GMT) November 24.

Currently, 27 companies are involved in the 2016 crude term contracts, including both local and foreign companies.

Oil groups Total, Shell and ExxonMobil, trading firms Trafigura and Vitol, India’s IOC and HPCL, China’s Sinopec, and indigenous trader, Sahara Energy, are current term contract holders.

Industry sources revealed that the 2017 term contracts could see more indigenous and domestic Nigerian companies added to the list in the light of renewed violence in the oil-producing Niger Delta region.

“We could also see domestic Nigerian companies getting a larger slice of the pie,” an industry source said.

Traders said NNPC’s term contracts are always a tough one to call. “The NNPC term deals are totally unpredictable? There is zero pattern (between the previous ones). The submission date is November 24? I guess it will take two to three weeks (after that),” said a trading source from a company that is a 2016 NNPC term contract holder.

FG negotiates $5bn cash calls arrear with IOCs The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, said Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobil, Italy’s ENI, Chevron and France’s Total had accepted the $5 billion deal.

Kachikwu, disclosed that the payments would be made in the form of new oil production, adding that there would also be a one-off cash payment. The agreement would hopefully be finalised by the end of the year and covers the period from 2010 to 2015.

The delay in payments has hindered oil and gas investment and worsened a budget crisis as the government seeks to increase

spending to get economy out of recession.

Despite having several joint venture agreements with IOCs, NNPC has consistently been challenged meeting its funding obligation. Prior to the oil glut, payment of cash calls and requests for payment for anticipated future capital projects sent by JV operators to the government as non-operating partners had always been a challenge, with payments either being partially made or not at all.

Commenting on the issue recently, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Plc., Mr Austin Avuru, stated that “the

cost of operation in the upstream sector has soared. Two critical factors account for this, security issues in the Niger Delta and bottlenecks in NNPC; project delays and $5 billion of cash calls in arrears that have not been paid to the point where you ask the question, is NNPC really adding value to the industry today?”

Also former Managing Director/CEO, Total E&P Nigeria, Elizabeth Proust, said “resolving JV funding could increase production by 2.8 billion cubic feet per day by 2020. Government and industry need to implement a sustainable solution to deliver vital funding.”

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Wednesday, 16 November,

Kaduna Electric to establish $250m meter plant Stories By Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos he management of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has said it would establish a $250 million meter manufacturing plant in Kaduna before the end of 2016.

It’s Managing Director, Mr Garba Haruna, made the disclosure at the flag-off of the distribution of 20,000 free smart electricity meters to customers in Kaduna State.

Haruna said the plant would enhance the availability of electricity meters in the company’s franchise states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto.

He said that already, a site had been secured and work would soon begin to setup the plant.

According to him, the target is to meet the company’s target of distributing 500,000 meters to its customers in the next five years He said local production of the meters would add value to electricity distribution in the country.

“This will also reduce the cost of importing some of the components for producing the meters for our franchise states and the country.

“This will also create more employment opportunities for graduates and other sup-

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porting staff,” Haruna said.

The Managing Director said the meter manufacturing plant would also help the company cut down the cost of training its technical staff. He noted that, with the

plant, customers would not have to wait for months for their meters to be installed.

On his part, the Chairman of the company, Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu, appealed to the Federal Government to in-

for electricity distribution, thereby making it difficult to provide effective services.

The Chairman also said the current value of US dollar in the market has made the arrangement not feasible.

From left, General Manager, Green Gas Ltd, Rajesh Prabhu; GMD, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru; Chairman House Committee on Gas, Honourable Fredrick Agbedi and Corporate Affairs Manager, NIPCO PLC, Lawal Taofeek, at the company’s booth during the 10th NGA International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, recently.

Over 600,000 jobs lost to crude price decline-NAPE The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has stated that over 600,000 jobs have been lost as a result of decline in crude oil price at the international market.

Speaking at the 34th An-

nual International Conference and Exhibition of NAPE in Lagos on Tuesday, the President of NAPE, Nosa Omorodion, stated that “the direct impact of disruptions in the oil and gas sector since mid 2014 has brought with it

Agbami Co-Venturers reiterate commitment to community devt Agbami Co-Venturers have reiterated their commitment to community development and pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to develop Nigerian communities.

Speaking at this year’s Agbami Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) Symposium /Exhibition 2016, the Director, DW & PSCs, Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited (a Chevron company), Mike Kabi, stated that “We have invested over NGN7.5 billion on the Agbami Medical and Engineering Scholarships (AMEPS) which targets building capacity in students of Medical and Engineering courses across the nation and this scheme has recorded an impressive total of 122 first class graduates.

“The Agbami Co-venturers have also built, furnished and equipped 32 science laboratories, and 6 hybrid libraries, which in addition to the students, have also empowered 38 local community contractors during their construction.”

In his presentation titled: “Education is the backbone of a strong workforce and helps fuel the innovation needed to address some of

troduce a robust monetary policy to stabilise the country’s currency.

Hamisu said the instability of the Naira had affected the company’s import plans of some major components

the world’s biggest challenges,” Mr. Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy Government & Public Affairs (PGPA), represented by Debo Lukanmbi, Manager, Social Performance and Programme, PGPA, argued that “Our business is rooted in engineering and science, and we rely on top talent to think outside-the-box to discover new, safe and efficient ways to deliver affordable energy. Agbami Co-Venturers recognize the need for strong partnerships with Governments, Non- State actors and Development Partners.”

He listed Agbami Co-Venturers’ social investment in STEM to include: Agbami Medical and Engineering Scholarship Programme AMEPS, Advocacy and Story Telling, Laboratory Complexes, Hybrid Libraries, 25 Chest Clinics, 16 Libraries and 32 Science Laboratories.

According to him, “Agbami Scholarship Scheme commenced in 2009 and it is merit-based. The scholarship is only open to College Undergraduates with Medical Disciplines (incorporating related Medical Science

fields), and Engineering Disciplines (incorporating related Science and Mathematics fields). Students from all states in Nigeria are eligible, and Students enrolled in all NUC-accredited Universities in Nigeria are eligible.”

massive global layoffs, huge reduction in capital spend which have now become the recurring agenda for oil and gas managers all over the world.

“The global industry has lost over 600,000 jobs with the oilfield services and E&P sector contributing almost 70 per cent. And this will continue into 2017 as companies re-adjust to this new normal.”

He said the industry is witnessing the longest period of investment cuts ever witnessed in recent times with companies borrowing to pay dividends, just to ensure that investors do not take flight.

“Spending cuts, delayed or outright projects cancellation and layoffs have now become the remaining tolls left for oil and gas managers to survive the headwinds that has slumped the industry which is yet to show any real signs of recovery.

“In addition, new investment in the industry has shrunk to an all-time low, with only few big investments globally and companies continuing to narrow their focus and engage in only extremely high-return activities, indicating that more job redundancies are still up in the horizon,” he said.

A-Z Petroleum reiterates commitment to downstream sector A-Z Petroleum, a key player addressed to create room for ment in the downstream secin the downstream oil and gas industry and one of the 13 subsidiaries of Chicason Group, has reiterated its commitment to the Nigerian downstream oil industry.

The company which made its presence known at the just concluded Oil Trading and Logistics Expo where a wide range of their products were showcased, has promised its support for the sector to grow awareness and project the image of the industry.

The company also shared some of its experiences in the downstream sector like counterfeiting of petroleum products and fake lubricants being brought into the market.

They however assured Nigerians that the view for the Nigerian downstream sector is looking very positive and hope that these issues will be

more manufacturing in the country.

Speaking at the Expo, Dikanna Okafor Executive Director, Corporate Services, Chicason Group said; “We constantly seek opportunities to reiterate our commitment in the industry and this is one event we are excited to have being part of. Every developed country is driven by industrialization and one thing common in industrialization is machineries that need lubricants to function effectively.

“As an economy grows, more cars will be on the roads and this would mean increased use of petroleum products which A-Z has ensured with its production of high quality lubricants and greases. Also, the minimal involvement of the Govern-

tor has led to efficiency and improved service delivery to customers.”

A-Z petroleum also used the opportunity to educate customers on some measures it has taken to eradicate fake products like the tamper proof which prevents adulterating of A-Z product in the market. This is to ensure that the quality of its products cannot be compromised.

A-Z Petroleum Products Limited was incorporated in Nigeria in 1994 and commenced full operations in 1995. They are one of the leading manufacturers of various types of petroleum products and a major supplier of petroleum products to the African Market with offices spread across many African countries.

Nigerian Tribune

Shell Nigeria wins SERAs awards for CSR innovations Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) have earned recognition for their sustainable development efforts as they took home two trophies at the 10th edition of The Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards in Lagos on Friday.

Shell Nigeria’s kinetic pitch won in the SERAs 2016 Innovation Award category, beating seven other nominees, while the Afam VI Power Plant won Shell Nigeria the Best Company in Climate Action Award against five other competitors. The awards follow similar recognitions under on the SERAs platforms since they were instituted in 2006.

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company’s (SNEPCo) General Manager, Deepwater Production, Effy Okon led Shell Nigeria’s team of General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli; External Relations Communications Manager, Sola Abulu; Head, Business Relations, Alan Udi; and Social Performance Discipline Adviser, Hope Nuka to receive the awards.

A total of 26 awards were won by corporate organisations and individuals in recognition of their sustainable development and social investment efforts in Africa, including the President of Botswana, Ian Khama.

Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), Osagie Okunbor, commented “We are pleased at the recognition of our modest contributions towards a better life for our people. CSR is part of the DNA of the Shell business and we are striving to improve our partnership with NGOs, government and communities to ensure our people participate more in the execution of programmes and own them for greater sustainability. We see the latest SERAs laurels as a call to continue on this path.”

The SERA–CSR Awards is an annual event to celebrate organisations investing resources in the improvement of lives of stakeholders and through their social performance and investment programmes contributing to the development of Africa. This is the first edition to recognise individuals and organisations outside Nigeria.

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

PoliticsNews

Kwara PDP faction accuses police of bias Biola Azeez - Ilorin

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EMBERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State loyal to the Ahmed Ma’karfi faction of the party have rejected a proposal by the state Police Command asking them to vacate the party’s secretariat located at Asa Dam Road, Ilorin as part of an ongoing ‘peace deal’ with the other faction in the state.

The factional members, drawn from across the 16 local government areas of the state, and led by their chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, made their grievance known in Ilorin.

Prince Fagbemi lamented that the faction led by Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo had dragged him to the police, following his faction’s takeover of the secretariat a few weeks ago, saying that he would rather fear the wrath of his members than that of the police on the issue.

Fagbemi, who claimed that he had the support of about 85 per of the party members, expressed concern that following a previous engagement, it would be difficult to fully trust the police on issues affecting the other faction of the party.

“The Police are to defend us. During the last congress of the party held on May 5, 2016, a vehicle was impounded by the police. It was loaded with arms and ammunition. It was not an abandoned vehicle. People were arrested by the Police over the discovery but up till date, nothing has been heard about it.

“How are we sure that if we abide by the Police request to vacate this secretariat, the other people won’t go through the back door and collect the key? I cannot be afraid of the police at the

expense of our people.

“When we came here, nobody broke any gate, there was no shooting of guns, The security guards opened the gate for us without let or hindrance, because they know we are members of the same party and if you want to enter your house but you have lost the key, you must of course, find other means of entering.

This secretariat was secured through our collective ef-

forts but Oyedepo said the police must ask us to vacate it while the peace talk is going on. Is that what we want?”, he asked members rhetorically.

Fagbemi also denied insinuations that his group was being sponsored to destabilise the PDP in the state, saying on the contrary members of the party should be wary of the Oyedepo faction whose leadership he claimed had their best polit-

ical accomplishments thus far through the instrumentality of the later Dr Olusola Saraki.

“The truth is that we have been tolerating these people because we believe we are members of the same party and we should find a way of resolving our differences but they are taking our docility for granted and we are not going to accept that again.

Indeed we are tired of them and by the next two weeks

From left, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, after a meeting with the Vice-President, at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Niger gov seeks assembly’s approval for another N280.5m loan Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

LESS than a month after the Niger State House of Assembly granted the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello’s approval to obtain N2.4 billion to augment the payment of workers’ salaries, he is seeking approval for another N280.5 million loan.

This time, the governor said that the loan, to be obtained from First Bank

of Nigeria Plc, is for the resuscitation of the stateowned transport authority for better service delivery.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Marafa, read a letter from the governor on the floor of the house during plenary requesting for the Assembly resolution to access N280.5 million short-term facility.

The letter signed by Bello reads in parts “I write to

intimate you of the ongoing negotiation by the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) for a loan of N280,500,000.00 to be utilised towards procurement of Toyota Hiace buses for their operations as well as insurance of same from the same bank (First Bank of Nigeria Plc).”

Only last month, he requested for the approval to obtain N2.5 billion loan from commercial banks

Our support for Ortom not in doubt, says Benue APC chair Johnson Babajide - Makurdi BENUE State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Abba Yaro, has dismissed insinuations that the state working committee of the party was holding secret meetings with Senator George Akume to dump Governor Samuel Ortom, ahead 2019 elections.

Speaking with newsmen in Makurdi, he said if such move was being hatched by

let’s wait and see what the national will do with them”, he said.

He directed leaders of the party at the local government level to begin the process of preparing their members for the forthcoming council polls in the state and expressed confidence that postponement of the election in the state would help the party to put its house in order and fight to win seats in the council areas.

anybody, it would fail, as Akume and Ortom, as well as the party would continue to work together to clinch victory in all elections.

“I know that the relationship between Senator Akume and Ortom is still very cordial and both are grass-root mobilisers that have un-breakable relationship. So, if any group is ganging upagainst them, it means they are just making a caricature of themselves.

“As a party, we are cor-

dial and we do not have any problem with the government we put in power. It is our government and we do not have problems with it at all. Whatever the governor, who is leading the government does, he tells me that this is what they want to do. We are always rubbing minds. Even when there is need to disagree we disagree, but in the end, we work together Yaro said.”

He berated those questioning the siting of the

project in Guma local government area saying: “Is Guma not in Benue? Guma is in Benue State and not in Nasarawa. If farmers can shift their produce from Ushongo or Katsina- Ala to Guma to cargo their goods, I think it is not bad.”

Yaro said the postponement of the local council poll in the state was due to lack of money, adding that as soon as the economy improved, the election would hold, an overwhelming victory by his party.

to enable the government meet up with the payment of the October salary of the state civil servants.

According to the current letter to the Assembly, the latest loan is “offered at an interest rate of 18 percent per annum over a 36-month repayment period. It is secured by the domiciliation of all NSTA collections , and registration of the vehicles in the (joint) names of NSTA and FBN Plc.” The letter appealed to the lawmakersto cooperate with the executives towards building a bigger and better Niger.

Some of the loans the state has obtained this year so far include’ N4.6 billion bail out fund from the federal government for salary arrears; N1.8 billion loan for the payment of arrears of salary of local government staff; N10 billon bail out loan to enable the government execute what it called “demanding projects” in the state.

Plateau govt defends composition of state electoral commission Isaac Shobayo - Jos

PLATEAU State government has dismissed rumours that the names submitted to the state House of Assembly for approval as members of the State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) are cronies of Governor Simon Lalong and his political associates.

The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Damishi Sango had said there was no need for a local government election until the determination of the suit filed by elected local government chairmen against the dissolution of their tenure.

Speaking Nigerian Tribune the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the governor, Mr. Dan Manjang said the government democracy at the local government level in the state.

According to him, the list of nominees sent to the house was a sign of Lalong’s commitment to the issue, adding that as soon as the Assembly finished the screening and rectification, the date for local government election would be announced.

He said: “On the composition, you cannot please everybody, people must talk.

The most important thing is doing the right thing. It has become the stock-intrade of some people to complain and condemn.

If it was their cronies that were appointed they would still complain. The administration will not sacrifice merit for mediocrity; so far, the people appointed merit the work.

“The proposed chairman of the commission is an independent man and retired civil servant, he has just retired, he is not a card-carry member of any political party. The question people should ask is, is he qualify to do the job or not?”

He urged the opposition parties to stop whipping up sentiments but to play politics the way it should be, adding that Lalong was willing and ready to provide a level-playing field for all.

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politicsnews

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Nasarawa people suffocating under Al-Makura, says Maku Godwin Agwam - Lafia

A

former Minister of Information and national secretary of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Labaran Maku, has decried the poor state of workers’ welfare in the state.

He described it as suffocation of workers and the people of the state, noting that the people of the state, particularly workers, had been subjected to abject poverty and penury as a result of Governor Tanko Al-makura’s continuous payment of workers salary in percentage.

Maku appealed to the state government to pay workers their full entitlement in order to ameliorate the current hardship in the state.

The former minister raised the alarm while speaking to journalists shortly after an expanded executive council meeting of the party on Tuesday in Lafia, where a new secretary of the party, Sam Allu, was elected to replace Emmanuel Yaro, who defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“How can a government that is crying of lack of funds to pay workers’ salaries, take 20 officials of government to China under the guise that they are trying to woo investors? Investors for who? Who will patronise their manufactured products? Is it the workers that can hardly feed as a result of non-payment of salaries?

And we all know that Nasarawa State is a civil service state,” he said.

Maku comically buttressed his point by saying:

“There is a man in Kokona Local Government Area of the state and unfortunately he is a Gwandara man, the governor’s tribe. He gave birth to a child and named him ‘percentage.’ When people asked why, he said in the olden days, people

named their children with prevailing circumstances and therefore, he decided to name his child according to the prevailing situation in the state now, which is payment of salaries in percentages.”

The APGA national secre-

tary said he would not criticise the former state secretary of the party for leaving the party but wondered why he chose APC at this time, “given the terrible situation the party has subjected the people of the state.”

Maku added that he bore

From left; Permanent Secretary, State House Abuja, Mr Jalal Arabi; chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Tijani Kaura and vice chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter- Governmental Affairs, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, during an oversight visit to the State House by the committee on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Nasarawa deputy speaker rewarded for betraying PDP —Chairman Godwin Agwam - Lafia THE chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Honourable Francis Orugu, has accused the deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Godiya Akwashiki of be-

traying the party by defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Accordingly, Francis he alleged that the defector had been rewarded for his anti-party activities while in PDP. The PDP chairman, who spoke to newsmen on Tues-

day, shortly after a meeting with the legislative forum of the party at their secretariat in Lafia, said the defection of the deputy speaker to APC “is a blessing in disguise to the party.”

“For a very long time, Hon. Akwashiki has been romancing with the APC.

‘Amosun not marginalising any part of Ogun’ A political leader from AdoOdo in Ogun State, Chief Odewale Rafiu Idowu, has said it was unfair to say Governor Ibikunle Amosun had been marginalising any section of the state in terms of appointments and location of development projects.

He told newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Tuesday, that rather the government had tried to maintain a delicate balance and carry everybody along, appealing for the continued cooperation of all stakeholders with the administration.

He noted that going by the facelift the governor had brought to the state, all that the country required to move to the next level was a leader with the political will.

He said it was obvious that Amosun had succeeded in “repositioning Ogun State through the provision of infrastructure and social amenities. The Gateway State now boasts of quality and

no grudge against anyone, pointing out that politics was like football clubs, where players were bound to switch allegiance at the end of seasons depending on the demand by various clubs.

well maintained highways of world standard.

“The quality of leadership, which has become the unique trademark and selling point of the governor has rekindled the hope, aspiration and confidence to the stakeholders that with the right political will, Nigerians are not difficult to govern. Today, the political sagacity and business acumen of the governor has turned Ogun State into an investment hub and destination for blue chip industrialists.

As citizens, we must rally round him in his manifest commitment, dogged drive and resourceful vision to take the state to the next level. This is not the time to play politics with the progress of the state and the future of generations yet unborn, or distract the governor in his sustained effort to further spread the dividends of democracy to all the nooks and crannies of the three senato-

rial districts.

It is sheer pettiness not to acknowledge the importance of human capital development, economic empowerment and suste-

nance in any political project meant to bring succour to the citizenry, particularly during recession. Neither must we undermine peace and security.”

This earned him the office of the deputy speaker. Or have you seen where a party with five members in the state house of assembly can produce a deputy speaker?

They will even be struggling for the position of minority leader and not that of the deputy speaker,” he said.

The chairman further said the exit of the deputy speaker from the party would give it the freedom to discuss issues without fear of betrayal from anybody.

He, however, cautioned the APC to tread with caution with Akwashiki, as he could also be a traitor to their party.

Ahmed directs new LGA bosses to clear workers’ salary arrears Biola Azeez - Ilorin GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has sworn in the Transition Implementation Committees (TIC) for the state’s 16 local government areas, with a charge that the TIC should clear the backlog of salaries and pensions in the local governments within the shortest possible time.

Speaking at the swearingin event in Ilorin on Tuesday, he directed the committees to make financial prudence their watchword, advising that they should prioritise low hanging infrastructure that will bring swift relief to the people.

“In this regard, you are to avoid making unnecessary appointments, shun ostentation and avoid any conduct capable of calling your integrity into question,” he said.

The governor promised the state government’s support to the local government councils within the available resources and guidance to see them through the difficult times.

The governor also said that the monthly recurrent expenditure at the local and state levels would reduce when the report of the State Committee on Personnel Database Development was submitted “thus freeing

funds for infrastructural development”.

Ahmed reminded the people of the state on the need to pay their taxes and levies regularly for the government to have funds required for the infrastructural development of the State, adding that tax defaulters would face the wrath of the law.

“Just as the welfare of citizens is obligatory on government, the payment of taxes is compulsory for all eligible individuals and businesses.

You cannot expect to benefit from services provided by government from taxes and yet refuse to contribute to paying your tax,” the governor said.

Kogi youths back assembly over oilproducing status Yinka Oladoyinbo- Lokoja KOGI State has intensified efforts at joining the league of oil-producing states, as a coalition of youth organisations in the state has declared its support for the call by the state House of Assembly urging the Federal Government to list the state as an oil-producing one.

The group, Concerned Youth Group, in a statement by its state coordinator, Oladele Nihi, in Lokoja, said giving the state an oil-producing status would end the hostility between Kogi and Anambra states.

The group said, “It is in our view that the only thing that can end the killing of innocent people, destruction of property in the area is the declaration of Kogi by the Federal Government as an oil-producing state.

“Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, having been granted licenses - OPL 195 and OPK 916 by the Federal Government has been lifting crude oil from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, has fully drilled four oil wells from its activities within Kogi, Edo and Anambra states.

“These oil wells numbered one, two, three and four were named Anambra River wells. Evidentially, wells number three and four are located in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State.

“The quality of crude being lifted, according to the official website of the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, from these wells, is about 33,000 barrels per day.

“Apart from this, it is now abundantly obvious that as the company continues the exploration activities in Ibaji and other parts of Kogi like Alade in Igalamela/ odolu Local government area more oil sites are being discovered.”

The group which, recalled that the petroleum company initial sited its operational base in Echeno in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State urged President Buhari to look into their demands.

“It is interesting to know that Orient Petroleum Resources limited had its operational base at Echeno in Ibaji, Kogi State when the company arrived on the scene for oil exploration before the hostilities over the boundary began.”

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA Born in August 1947 in Borno, Nigeria.

FUNOLOGY

•

He is a Nigerian businessman. He founded Oriental Energy in 1990, of which he is still chairman. This company has interest in the oil sector, especially in the Nigerian Upstream Oil and Gas sector.

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Alhaji (Dr.) Mohammed Indimi is also the founder of many successful indigenous companies and sits on the board of several privately-owned companies encompassing all sectors of the economy.

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Dr Indimi is a humanitarian and a philanthropist and has received numerous awards as well as honorary doctorate degrees from notable universities in Nigeria, Ireland and the United States.

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In the year 2014, Forbes listed Mohammed Indimi as 37th richest man in Africa.

SEGELUULU

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CHURCH BOY

Mohammed Indimi

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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

A

B

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Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

Federal public servants to undergo fresh biometric capturing exercise Clement Idoko

F

EDERAL Public Servants in the country are to undergo fresh biometric capturing.

Already, a circular directing the public servants currently enrolled in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform to complete online human resources data form from 21st November, 2016 has been issued.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, signed the circular titled: “Implementation of Human Resource Module of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS)” which was issued to all ministries, departments and agencies of Federal Government.

In it, the public servants were directed to submit hard copies of the completed form along with certified copies of accom-

panying documents to the Permanent Secretary (Common Services Offices), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, through the

Director, Human Resources of the respective MDAs on or before 15th December 2016.

It added that physical verification of submitted

records and documents would commence thereafter across the MDAs. The head of civil service said that the exercise would improve efficiency

of the payroll system.

She also said that it would enhance data integrity, eliminate ghost workers and consolidate staff records and management.

Prisons Service challenged by poor funding —Chief Judge Saliu Gbadamosi The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, has observed that the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) is facing myriad of challenges ranging from poor funding, overcrowding to so many plights of awaiting trial inmates.

This is even as he said in order to decongest prisons, the judiciary in the FCT would not only be fair and firm, but also more liberal in granting bail.

Justice Bello stated this at an event to mark the commencement of the FCT 2016/2017 legal year, insisting that in order to ensure that imprisonment was not seen as another hell on earth, prisons in the country should be modelled to reflect best practices.

The Chief Judge stated that his visits to prison fa-

cilities at Keffi, Kuje and Suleja brought him face to face with the myriad of challenges facing the Prison Service.

According to him, unlike other agencies involved in the administration of justice, the Nigeria Prison Service hardly gets assistance from other organs of government.

“Its allocation is grossly inadequate to address the enormous problems and challenges confronting the institution occasioned by many years of neglect,” he said.

He informed that in order to address overcrowding in prisons, he had encouraged judges, magistrates and area court judges not only to be fair and firm, but also more liberal in granting bails.

Bello further disclosed that he would set up panels of judges to address the backlog of cases within specific time-frames in criminal trials.

FCT Minister, Musa Bello making a remark when the Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Michael Adikwu, visited him in his office.

Air pollution: NESREA to coordinate implementation of control measures Ademola Adegbite National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is to establish an inter-agency committee to coordinate implementation of the various programmes aimed at controlling and regulating air pollution in

the country.

This came as the Federal Government was urged to develop national emission inventories for major air pollutants and greenhouse gasses.

Stakeholders at a meeting in Abuja, who made the call, also urged the government to promote clean energy economy through develop-

UniAbuja threatened by land grabbers —VC cries out Christian Okeke VICE Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Michael Adikwu, has raised the alarm that illegal squatters were massively encroaching on the university’s land.

To that end, he has urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration to effect the release of the

Certificate of Occupancy for the over 11,800 hectares of the university’s land on Airport road.

Adikwu made the appeal when he led a delegation to meet with the FCT Minister, Musa Bello, in his office.

The vice chancellor, during the meeting, urged the administration to intervene to secure the institu-

tion’s land.

He equally urged the administration to assist in resettling and compensating the natives within the property.

Responding, the minister said that the administration would process the title document after receiving payments of necessary fees.

He advised the institution to set up a technical team to meet with officials

of the administration on how much land was genuinely required for the university.

The minister noted that the administration would encourage firms doing business in Abuja to undertake development of infrastructure at the university’s campus as part of their corporate social responsibility.

ment of policies and investments in more energy-efficient technologies.

They noted that the measure should also evolve concrete strategies to reduce deforestation to effectively mitigate global warming.

Reading the communique at the end of the meeting, Professor Babajide Alo urged NESREA to implement all ongoing programmes on air quality including the National Vehicular Emission Control Programme (NVECP) and emissions from power generating sets.

He said that universities and similar institutions should equally encourage research on air quality and disseminate such research findings to relevant stakeholders.

According to him, the agency should promote

strategies for the adoption of modern technologies that promote fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.

He said, “Industry and business should adopt the best available environmentally-sustainable practices and technologies, including cleaner production and shun the use of obsolete and polluting technologies.

“The Federal Government should identify and encourage synergies between air pollution abatement and climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes.

“NESREA should carry out regular air quality monitoring in major cities nationwide to determine pollution load and ensure compliance monitoring and enforcement of all relevant laws and regulations relating to air pollution,” the communique added.

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abujaextra

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

PR Dept of Federal Ministry of Information gets new director Christian Okeke

From left, Deputy Director, Child Survival, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Tina Taylor; Head, Child Health Division, Dr Bose Adeniran;Deputy Team Leader, Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PNCFaH), Miss Ngozika Ogbonna and Team Leader, PNCFaH, Mr Ambrose Evhoesor, during the national advocacy visit to the director, Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja recently. PHOTO SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

Amnesty Office warns beneficiaries against violence Soji-Eze Fagbemi

T

HE Presidential Amnesty Office has warned beneficiaries of amnesty programme of government to steer clear of violence in Niger Delta region and the country as a whole.

It warned that any beneficiary of the programme that took part in any violent action should know that he would be violating the oath he took to end violence which earned him the Presidential Amnesty in the first place.

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Co-

ordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), who handed down the warning, insisted that any beneficiary who got involved in violence would be exited from the programme and his monthly stipend stopped, even as he would also be prosecuted.

The amnesty coordinator appealed to all leaders of the ex-agitators to exercise control over the beneficiaries under their leadership and warned that where a leader was found to be complicit in violence, apart from him, his team might equally face

sanctions.

He expressed sadness over the circle of violence springing up in Rivers State which he observed became more pronounced with the re-run elections in the state slated for December 10, 2016.

Boroh stated that such violence portended danger to the electoral and governance system in the country

and gravely undermined the peace-building efforts of the government.

He appealed to politicians to keep the peace and leave out the beneficiaries if they planned to foment crisis in the state.

Boroh also advised youths and ex-agitators not to allow themselves to be used for violence.

MR Timothy Oyedeji has assumed duties as new Director of Press, Protocol and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in Abuja.

He replaced Peter Dama who retired from Federal Civil Service, having clocked sixty years.

At a retirement reception organised in his honour, Dama advised staff of the ministry to always live above board in the discharge of their duties in order not to end their career in jail.

“I pray that all those I left behind will also be able to see their own exit. It is not an exit that you will see yourself in handcuffs or see yourself in EFCC,” he said.

He said that there was the need for the workers to remain diligent at work and exert themselves in delivering their mandate.

Dama appealed to the labour unions in the ministry to always explore dialogue instead of confrontation while pursuing their demands.

He said, “I also have a piece of advice particularly for members of the unions in the ministry. We have always been together and dia-

We expect more indigenous pharmaceutical companies —Health Ministry Soji-Eze Fagbemi FEDERAL Ministry of Health said it expected more indigenous pharmaceutical companies to be established in the country as Federal Government took steps to boost local capacity and domestic production of products to meet local needs.

It acknowledged the importance of pharmaceutical industries to the nation’s economy.

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, while speaking at the opening of the 89th Annual National Conference of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Minna assured pharmaceutical companies in the country of government’s determination to reduce counterfeiting of drugs in the country.

The minister, who represented Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the event, said that government was also promoting measures that would enable better monitoring of products.

He stated that overall condition of medicines purchased by the public was of paramount importance to government.

The minister assured that government remained committed in its efforts to remove obstacles that had long afflicted business innovation and growth in the country.

While recognising pharmacists as important stakeholders in the health sector, he assured that government would continue to provide enabling environment for harmony in the health sector.

From right, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and Managing Partner, Whitgift Law, Ms Victoria Oso Adefala, during the 5th EU-Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos

FCT administration to create 10, 000 jobs in 4 yrs Christian Okeke FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) administration said its target was to create 10,000 jobs by the year 2020.

In creating the jobs, the administration said that it would support residents to generate wealth while it worked towards reducing the high rate of unemploy-

ment and poverty in the territory.

FCT minister, Musa Bello, who disclosed this at an entrepreneurship and skillsdevelopment programme in Abuja, said the administration would continue to improve the living standards of the residents.

The minister, who was represented at the occasion by the managing director of

Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Tukur Arabi, expressed the need to empower citizens with relevant vocational skills.

He observed that special intervention programme was already designed to develop the capacities of women and youths on entrepreneurship and production skills in various trades.

logued together and it is better to meet your bosses and dialogue together whenever you have challenges rather than taking the placards or blocking the gates because that will not solve any problem.”

Court acquits landlords association chairman Sunday Ejike A Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone II, Abuja, has acquitted the chairman of the Landlords/Residents Association of Clobek Crown Estate, Lugbe, Oliver Otonyo and his wife, Chinonyerem of the joint act of criminal intimidation and mischief preferred against them by the Police.

The Police, in a First Information Report (FIR) filed before the court, following a complaint by the Managing Director of Clobek Nigeria Ltd, Bernard Ekwe and one Ikenna Uchenna, a staff of the company, that Otonyo and his wife threatened to deal with them, an offence which the Police said violated Sections 79, 397 and 327 of the Penal Code Law, but the defendants denied the allegations, after which trial commenced.

The defendants were also accused of damaging the electricity switch and water pipe in the estate.

The prosecution called five witnesses and tendered four exhibits to prove its case against the defendants, while the defendants filed a nine page address on no case submission in the matter.

The defendants submitted that for the prosecution to prove the offence against them, he must prove that, “In joint act, there must be a common intention by each person involved in the acts, that the defendants broke the pipe and the pipe found in their possession, that no other person except the defendant committed the said offence and that there is confession by the defendants respectively, pointing to them that they committed the alleged offence”.

The defendants, through their counsel, C. J Anyankele, told the court that the prosecution failed to link the defendants with the alleged offence to make them enter their defence, adding that none of the five witnesses called by the prosecution informed the court that it was the defendants that destroyed the pipe, but based their evidence on hearsay.

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016 Nigerian Tribune 29 south-westnews Fayose at birthday celebration with physically challenged: I want to

leave Ekiti better than I met it Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

E

KITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said the greatest birthday gift he wants the people of the state to give him is total support, for him to do more for the state.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday, at a thanksgiving service to mark his 56th birthday, the governor said he needed the support for him to leave the state better than he met it.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, he quoted the gov-

ernor as saying that he had good intentions to take the state to an enviable height.

“The greatest birthday gift I want from people is their unflinching support so that I can leave this state better than I met it. I have good intentions, like the Bible says, that are targeted at giving Ekiti an expected end. Intentions to have a better university, College of Education and state of the art facilities for our health institutions.

“I have spent two years and I can still do more. It is not me, but Christ that gives

me strength. I won’t shirk in doing my responsibilities. You have committed yourselves to me in the last two years and you must not stop.

“I don’t expect everybody to be loyal to me. Thinking along that line would mean fooling myself but I want you to be loyal to Ekiti and her cause. I am wiser than before. My assignment is to serve you and not to misuse the opportunity to write my name in gold.

“When going, I won’t go with all those things God has used me to do in the

state. I know that by the time I leave, you will be pleased with what I would have done,” he said.

The governor also enjoined the people to support his drive for a cleaner Ekiti State, saying the administration would initiate and enforce serious environmental policies as from next year.

In another development, Governor Fayose has urged security officers to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

He spoke at a dinner organised for the outgoing

Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr Etop John James, at the Government House, AdoEkiti, on Monday.

The governor, who commended James for discharging his duties professionally, said he never asked the CP or any security agent to help intimidate anybody for any reason.

Fayose described CP James as a thorough professional who did not place needless emphasis on money or other pecuniary gain.

CP James, who said he arrive the state at a time of serious political crisis, said Fayose enjoyed the support of the people which made policing easy for him and his men.

“A number of times when we needed to resolve knotty security issues, the support of the governor was always

handy. He enjoys the support of the people of the state. He has never asked us to do any dirty job for him,” he said.

James also thanked leaders of sister security agencies for their support and cooperation.

Meanwhile, Governor Fayose, on Tuesday, celebrated his 56th birthday with persons with disability in the state and announced that all persons with one disability or the other, especially the literate ones, would henceforth enjoy attention of government.

Fayose, who made the announcement at an event to mark the anniversary of his birthday, held at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, said he deliberately chose to mark the day with people with disability from the 16 local government areas in the state.

Oyo tertiary institutions to get 25 per cent subvention

By Wale Akinselure

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose (middle), being assisted by some physically challenged to cut his 56th birthday cake, at the Government House, Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday.

EMACOED lecturers beg Ajimobi to pay 8 months salary arrears

By Nurudeen Alimi

LECTURERS at the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, under the aegis of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), have made passionate appeal to Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to order the payment of their eight months outstanding salaries.

They made the appeal on Tuesday during a peaceful rally which started at the entrance of the college in Oyo. The lecturers held placards with various inscriptions to press for their demands.

Speaking on behalf of other members of the union, Acting Chairman, COEASU, Comrade Samuel Oyewumi, said: “We are gathered here this morning to express our displeasure and also to appeal to the governor of Oyo State because we are suffering.

“Our children are out of school, we can no longer take adequate care of our aged parents because of the condition we found ourselves. In this 2016, barely

can we say we have received two months salary and we are in the 11th month of the year. The government is saying it can only give us 25 per cent of our salary and that in the next three months, it will be reduced to zero per cent. We cannot survive with this.

“We are in the college of education which is the least tuition-paid tertiary institution in the state. The students pay token and there is no way we can afford the 75 per cent to augment the 25 per cent made available by the government.

“We are appealing to the

government to see the peculiarity of our college. We cannot compare ourselves with other polytechnics and universities. Our own should be seen as more of a social service. We generate little or nothing and still government does not want to give us subvention.”

OYSIEC timetable, plot to extend caretaker tenure —SDP THE Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State has described the guidelines and timetable released on Monday by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for the conduct of local government election as nothing but a ruse aimed at elongating the tenure of illegally appointed caretakers in the council areas.

In a release signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Akeem Azeez, the party pointed out that “how could a serious election commission ordered primaries to be held within 48 hours after the timetable was released to the members of the public.”

He bemoaned the despotic like-attitude of the commission’s chairman who refused to call a stakehold-

ers meeting of all political parties in the state to assess the readiness of the commission.

“It is very pathetic that it takes APC-led government in Oyo State about six years to allow people of the state to choose their

leaders in the third tier of government which is closest to them,” lamented the SDP scribe.

Alhaji Azeez enjoined political parties in the state to come together with one voice by rejecting the obnoxious guidelines.

RATHER than the entire stoppage of subventions to tertiary institutions in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has directed that tertiary institutions in the state receive 25 per cent subvention, just as the Ministry of Finance and Budget has urged heads of tertiary institutions to disclose their sources of internally generated revenue.

Member, Oyo House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Joshua Oyebamiji, made this disclosure at Tuesday’s plenary while rendering the committee’s report on the stoppage of subventions in the state.

Rendering report of the committee’s findings, Oyebamiji had noted that the decision of the state government to stop subventions was owing to paucity of funds and the need for the state-owned institutions to diversify revenue generating ability.

The decision, he disclosed, was also in line with the Federal Government’s directive to states to reduce recurrent expenditure,

School heads, proprietors to meet in Lagos on students’ safety Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare and Mariam Olateju

SCHOOL heads and proprietors in states across the South-West will converge in Lagos on Friday, as part of activities marking this year’s Advocacy Against Negligence in Schools (AANIS) summit, at the NECA Event Centre, Ikeja CBD, Alausa.

The theme for this year’s advocacy initiative, tagged AANIS 2016 Heads of

Schools and Proprietors Summit, is ‘The imperative of safety in educational institutions.’

The Executive Director of AANIS, Idorenyin Toye – Arulogun, made this known on Tuesday, explaining that the programme was conceived as a platform for school heads, proprietors and other stakeholders to expand the conversation on critical issues that put children’s health and safety at risk while in school.

According to her, an educationist who is also the Director General of Quality Assurance in the Lagos Ministry of Education, Mrs Ronke Shoyombo; a healthcare industry consultant, Dr Gbenga Omonije; child protection specialist, Mr Taiwo Akinlami; Executive Director, Rely Supply Ltd, Mrs Fayo Williams and a legal practitioner, Managing Partner of First Chronicles LP, Mr Oluyinka Oyeniji, would speak at the summit.

manage finances prudently so as to access government’s bailout funds.

“In view of the appeals of relevant stakeholders, the issue of stoppage of subvention was discussed at the state executive council meeting on Monday October 17, 2016 where Governor Abiola Ajimobi directed the Commissioner for Finance and Budget to reinstate 25 per cent subvention to tertiary institutions in the state, in the interim,” he stated.

Attending to the recommendations of the committee, Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, urged the management of the tertiary institutions to be more transparent in terms of what they generate.

Noting that the government did not collect what the institutions generated, he said the 25 per cent subvention was meant to complement what the institutions generated.

He, however, urged the state government to consider the peculiarities of the institutions rather than 25 per cent across border.

“These institutions are not transparent in terms of their financial situation. What they are collecting is unknown to the government.

They have to disclose how they are making money.

“We have a budget that has been passed and budget reviews shows that no institution has achieves 100 per cent implementation.

Government is not collecting any money from those institutions but rather the government is giving them money. The 25 per cent subvention is in addition to what they are generating.”