16th December, 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,393

WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2015

Buhari to present N6trn budget to NASS Tuesday —P6

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CBN to spend N213bn to boost electricity nationwide —P12

N150

Crude theft: Kachikwu's war yields result, 20 vandals arrested —P11

Dasukigate: Buhari received only 2 SUVs —Presidency •Says 'they were replacements for those he lost to Boko Haram attack' —P6 •He received no money, it insists •Court rules on ex-NSA's bail application Friday

8 killed as Shiites protest in Kaduna, —P8 Kano •Indian Shiites stage protest

Adeboye visits Ibadan next Wednesday —P10

From left, sole administrator, Ajaokuta Steel Company, Mr Isah Onobere; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Honourable Abubakar Bwari, during the inspection of facilities at the steel company, in Kogi State, on Monday.

Anti terrorism: Saudi Arabia names Nigeria among 34-country Islamic alliance —P8

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

news Dasukigate: Buhari received only 2 SUVs —Presidency 6

Leon Usigbe -Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has denied that he received monetary compensation of $300,000 from the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in the af-

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

termath of attack on him by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Kaduna, last year. However, he admitted that he took possession of two Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), one being bullet proof and the other untreated, given by the administration, following the attack on his convoy by the

insurgents. Reacting to media reports on his alleged receipt of the money, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja, on Tuesday, said the cars the president received were part of his entitlements as a former Nigerian leader. “Our attention has been

drawn to reports making the rounds, especially on internet-based media, that President Buhari received $300,000 and up to five armoured SUVs from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the aftermath of the attack on his convoy in Kaduna, last year. “We unequivocally deny

Court to decide Dasuki’s bail Friday, as FG docks him, Bafarawa, Yuguda again AN Abuja High Court, on Tuesday, slated Friday to decide whether or not to grant bail to the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) and four others who were arraigned by the Federal Government over their alleged involvement in the N13.5 billion arms deal during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Dasuki was arraigned along with a former Director of Finance at the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu; a former General Manager at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Babakusa and a firm, Acacia Holdings, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering, illegal diversion of public funds and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13.5 billion. This came as the Federal Government, again, arraigned Sambo, former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and former Minister of State for Finance, Mallam Bashir Yuguda, and three others over allegation of fraudulent diversion of public fund amounting to N19.4 billion. Counsel for the former NSA, Ahmed Raji, while moving the bail application when the matter came up on Tuesday, pleaded with the court to admit Dasuki to bail, pending the hearing and determination of the charges preferred against him by the Federal Government. Raji, who cited sections 153, 162, 165, 167 and 168 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, as well as sections 35 and 36(5) and 6(b) of the 1999 Constitution, told the court that “under the Constitution, an accused is presumed innocent, no matter the gravity of the charge before the court. Also, Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 has made bail possible in all cases.” Raji prayed the court to discountenance the argument by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, in his counter-affidavit that

Dasuki, the first defendant in the matter, would interfere with further investigation into his case. While pleading with the court to consider the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja that had earlier granted Dasuki bail in another matter in which he was standing trial, Raji said “it will amount to internal inconsistency if the first defendant is denied bail. I urge you, My Lord, to grant him bail on very liberal terms, even if you are not moved by the ruling by your brother at the Federal High Court.” A.U. Mustapha, who represented Salisu, the second defendant in the matter also begged the court to grant his client bail on very liberal terms. However, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, while opposing the bail application by the defendants, said references to the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case involving the first defendant, did not hold water, adding that they were two different cases. According to him, “money laundering is a secondary offence and not a primary one. But the charges before My Lord here are primary

offences. My learned friend didn’t tell My Lord whether his client was enjoying the bail granted him by the other court before he was transferred to us (EFCC). Every money laundering case has a predicate offence.” During their re-arraigning on Tuesday, Dasuki, Bafarawa, Yuguda and three others faced 22-count charge before Justice Peter Affem of an Abuja High Court on charges of criminal breach of trust and diversion of public fund under the pretext of purchasing security arms. The six accused persons, including, Sagir Attahiru, son of former Sokoto State governor, Bafarawa and their family company, Dalhatu Investment Ltd, however, denied the charges when read to them. Jacobs, who lead the Federal Government prosecuting legal team, applied for an adjournment till next year, to enable him to assemble his witnesses for trial of the accused persons. But, counsel for the second accused person, Ahmed Raji, prayed the court to consider the issue of bail for the accused persons, adding that motions for their bail had already been filed and

served on the prosecution. With the consent of all the parties, the trial judge, Justice Affem, adjourned hearing in the bail application till today and ordered that the accused persons be kept in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until their bail applications were considered. One of the charges read: “That you Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd) whilst being the National Security Adviser, Shuaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the office of the National Security Adviser and Bashir Yuguda, whilst being the Minister of State for Finance between April 14, 2014 and May 7, 2015 in Abuja, agreed to do an illegal act, to wit: criminal breach of trust by public officers in respect of an aggregate sum of N5,050,000,000 being part of the funds in the accounts of the office of the National Security Adviser and that the same act was done in pursuance of the agreement among you and you thereby committed an, offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol. 4, LFN 2004.”

that President Buhari received $300,000 or any monetary compensation whatsoever from the Jonathan presidency or any of its officials in the aftermath of that attack, or at any other time since then. “While it is true that one armoured SUV and one untreated SUV were sent to the president in the aftermath of the attack, the vehicles were, in keeping with his entitlements as a former head of state under the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (And other Ancillary Matters) Decree of 1999. “Section 3, Sub Section 1 of that Decree provides that three vehicles will be provided for former heads of state and replaced every four years. “There was, therefore, nothing untoward, illegal or tending to corruption

Buhari to present N6trn budget to NASS Tuesday Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will, on Tuesday, present the 2016 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly. Sources in the Assembly confirmed on Tuesday that the legislators, who were scheduled to close for the year tomorrow, have now shifted the break till December 23. They are expected to receive the budget on December 22, after which they would proceed on the end of year recess. Details of the presidential visit were said to have been discussed at a closed session of the Senate on Tuesday. Sources in the Senate told the Nigerian Tribune that

I collected N100m from Mu’azu, not Yuguda —Odili Taiwo Adisa -Abuja FORMER governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, on Tuesday, said he did not collect the sum of N100 million from a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, contrary to reports in the media. Odili, who stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday, added the report indicating that Yuguda gave him N100 million out of the money allegedly collected from the Office of former National Security Adviser (NSA) under Colonel Sambo Dasuki was erroneous. He said he never had any dealing with Dasuki while he occupied the office of NSA, adding that the said amount was handed over to him by

the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. “I categorically state with all sense of responsibility that I have never had any dealings, private or busines or official, with the former National Security Adviser. So, the issue of allegedly collecting N100 million from either the former NSA or Mr Yuguda does not arise. “As part of preparations towards the 2015 elections, the PDP set up contact and mobilisation committees across the six geopolitical zones and I was appointed the chairman of the South-South mobilisation committee. “Consequent upon this, the party, not the former NSA or Yuguda, gave the South-South committee, through me, the sum of

N100 million along with other zonal chairmen in the house of the national chairman, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, for the assignment. “This amount was subsequently disbursed to the relevant party members from the zone for the assignment

in former head of state and presidential aspirant, as he then was, receiving vehicles, to which he was statutorily entitled, from the Federal Government of Nigeria. “President Buhari had, in keeping with his austere, spartan and frugal disposition, shunned most of his entitlements as a former head of state, but was prevailed upon by his supporters to accept the two vehicles for his personal safety, in the aftermath of the dastardly attempt to assassinate him. “It is preposterous to think that the president will allow his acclaimed reputation of honesty and incorruptibility to be tarnished by accepting a questionable monetary compensation from a discredited regime,” the statement read.

given by the party. I have the appointment letter and terms of reference, minutes of all the meetings, signatures of all the members and the report of the zonal committee, which was duly submitted to the party leader,” he said.

the president would present the N6 trillion budget, which will encompass the social welfare package to the poor and vulnerable. The Senate had, on December 8, received the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which gave details of the 2016 budget, as well as parameters of the proposed expenditure in the new year. The Federal Government had proposed a N6 trillion budget, with the budget crude oil benchmark standing at $38 per barrel. Despite the fall in oil price, the government is proposing a budget that dwarfs that of 2015, which stood at N5.06 trillion in 2015 in lauding the supplementary budget of N574 billion. The nation’s budget in the previous years had N4.07 trillion in 2010, N4.22 trillion in 2011; N4.74 trillion in 2012, N4.92 trillion in 2013 and N4.6 trillion in 2014. Contrary to the $38 oil benchmark for 2016, previous years’ benchmark had stood at $62 in 2011, $67 in 2012, $79 in 2013, $76 in 2014 and $53 in 2015.

Dasuki’s trial partial indictment on NASS —Saraki SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said the trial of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), over alleged mismanagement of $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase is a partial indictment on the National Assembly. Saraki said the oversight function of lawmakers was under question with such development. The Senate President, who

made this known in his remarks on a motion, tagged: “Abandonment of projects: A menace to Development in Nigeria,” added that standing committees in the National Assembly had failed in their responsibilities. According to him, the eighth Senate must make a difference, adding that “I want us to ensure our committees do proper oversight. The leadership must also do their own part. Even the

present prosecution of the former National Security Adviser was due to lack of proper oversight.” Leading debate on the motion, Senator Suleiman Nazir observed that public infrastructure account for most of the abandoned projects, adding that those projects were awarded based on considerations given to friends even when they do not possess the needed technical knowledge.

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

news 8 killed in fresh Shiites, police clash in Kaduna 8

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

•Indian Shiites stage protest •Iran summons Nigerian envoy over raid on Shia Muslims • FG warns citizens against violent protest

By Muhammad Sabiu, Clement Idoko, Sunday Ejike and Ayodele Adesanmi

T least eight people were reported to have been killed in a fresh Shiites and police clash in Tudun Nupawa area of Kaduna metropolis on Tuesday. Eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune that the Shiite members comprising of youths and women converged at Tudun Wada area of Kaduna metropolis as early as 7:00a.m. with their children and wives. “As the procession

reached Tudun Nupawa area of Kaduna metropolis, they met a detachment of mobile police men blocking the road. “The Shiites, at this point, attempted to pass and a misunderstanding ensued between them and the police.” Source noted that “before you know what is happening, we began to hear sounds of gunshots and people running helter-skelter.” It was gathered that both sides began to attack each other resulting in the death of Shiite members.

While reacting to Tuesday’s clash, the sect Acting Director of Information, Mallam Ibrahim Musa, in a statement issued to the Nigerian Tribune, confirmed the death of three of Shiite members, while several others sustained injuries. The statement said “Our members started peaceful protest from Layin Kosai area of Kaduna, however, when we reached Tudun Nupawa near Enugu Road, mobile police, in about five vehicles opened fire on the protesters.” The statement added that

“The main aim and slogans of the protesters was ‘Release Sheikh Zakzaky!’ ‘Enough is Enough!’ The statement also stated that nine police vehicles moved to Tudun Wada where the Markaz (Islamic Centre) of the Muslim brothers is situated and opened fire on members. “Similar protests were held in Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and Gusau, and they all ended peacefully, because no police were ordered to shoot the protesters,” the statement stressed.

Students in Jammu city of India, under the aegis of Ladakh Muslim Students Union, protesting the killing of Shiite Muslims in Nigeria and demanding release of the sect leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky, on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia names Nigeria among 34-country Islamic alliance to fight terrorism SAUDI Arabia, on Tuesday, announced the formation of a 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, according to a joint statement published on state news agency, SPA. Nigeria was named as a member of the Islamic alliance by the kingdom. “The countries here mentioned have decided on the formation of a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism, with a joint operations centre based in Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations,” the statement said. A long list of Arab countries such as Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, together with Islamic countries Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan and Gulf Arab and African states were mentioned. The full statement reads: “The countries whose names are listed in this statement have decided to

form a military alliance to fight against terrorism led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a joint operations centre shall be established in the city of Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism and to develop the necessary programmes and mechanisms for supporting these efforts. “The appropriate arrangements shall be developed for coordination with friendly peace-loving nations and international bodies for the sake of supporting international efforts to combat terrorism and to save international peace and security. “The countries participating in the alliance along with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are: Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Turkey, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Djibouti, Senegal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Soma-

lia, Gabon, Guinea, Palestine, Comoros, Qatar, Cote d’Ivoire, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mali, Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Yemen. “More than 10 other Islamic countries have expressed their support for this alliance and will take the necessary measures in this regard, including Indonesia.” Those additional 10 Islamic countries might include Iran, Syria and Iraq, which are absent from the initial list.” Another announcement later followed: “Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence, confirmed that the announcement of the formation of an Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism emanates from the Islamic world’s keenness to fight this disease and be a part-

ner of the world, as a group of countries, in the fight against this disease. “He said in a press conference at King Salman Air Base in Riyadh yesterday evening following the announcement of the joint statement on the formation of an Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism based in Riyadh that ‘The alliance includes a group of Islamic states that make up the majority of the Islamic world, and this emanates from the keenness of the Muslim world to fight this disease which affected the Islamic world first before the international community as a whole.’ “He added: ‘Today, every Islamic country is fighting terrorism individually. The coordination of efforts is very important; and through this room, means and efforts will be developed for fighting terrorism all over the Islamic world.”

Speaking on the clash, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Shehu, remarked that the Shiites have no respect for constituted authorities. “Whenever they want to hold rally or procession they don’t apply for police permit. Even if you invite their leaders, they don’t honour the invitation. “They operate as a quasi government. So, when we received an intelligence report of what they intend to do, we have to be ready. I sent my men to provide security and protect the lives of the citizenry. “On the number of casualties, I cannot confirm to you because I am yet to be briefied on the situation but one thing I can assure you is we are on top of the situation.” Meanwhile, a delegation sent by the Federal Government to assess the recent clash between the sect and the army were in Kaduna on Tuesday. The Federal Government delegation was headed by the Minister of Interior, General Lawan Dambazu. He told newsmen that his first port of call was the Government House, Kaduna, where he condoled with the state governor, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai over the unfortunate incident. The minister remarked that the delegation would travel to Zaria to assess the situation and later made its findings known. Meanwhile, students in Jammu city of India protested to strongly condemn the Shia killings in Nigeria by the military. Organised by ‘Ladakh Muslim Students Union’, the protesters demanded immediate release of Shia’ leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. In a related development, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, on Monday, summoned the Nigerian diplomat to receive Iran’s protest after the deadly attacks on Shias in the northern Nigerian city of Zaria, in Kaduna State. Reports said soldiers on Saturday opened fire on Shia Muslims attending a ceremony in Hussainiyyah Baqeeyatullah, a religious centre in Zaria. The Shias had reportedly stopped the convoy of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, as Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, was planning a speech in the religious centre. Several Muslims were killed in the

attacks. Following the incident, Nigerian forces raided the home of the top Shia cleric and arrested him after killing several of those protecting him, including one of the group’s senior leaders and its spokesman. The Islamic Movement of Nigeria has confirmed that Zakzaky has been apprehended by government troops. Nigerian authorities accused Zakzaky of trying to assassinate the Nigerian army chief, a charge that he has vehemently rejected. The Iranian Foreign Ministry official condemned the raids on Shia Muslims in Nigeria and said the Islamic Republic is concerned about such “unacceptable” incidents. He added that the Nigerian government is responsible for the security of holy Muslim sites and safety of Shia Muslims, particularly the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. “The Islamic Republic of Iran firmly calls for the clarification of the aspects of the incident, treatment of the injured and atonement for the damages,” he pointed out. The Nigerian diplomat, for his part, said he would convey Iran’s concerns to his country’s officials. Also, the Federal Government has called on all Nigerians to shun violence and acts capable of disrupting peace in the country during the yuletide. Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulraman Dambazau, in a security alert release on Tuesday, warned individuals and groups who take laws into their hands to unleash terror on innocent citizens. He spoke against the backdrop of the ongoing protest in Kaduna by Shiite Islamic sect, following alleged arrest of its leader. According to the minister, government is also concerned about the activities of pro-Biafra protesters. The minister assured Nigerians of maximum protection of their lives and property in all parts of the country, a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr Bassey Okon Akpanyung, said. Dambazau said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, respects and upholds the fundamental human rights of all citizens as enshrined in Chapter IV of the Constitution. Continued on pg 10

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Police record 220 murder cases in 9 months Olalekan Olabulo

he Lagos State Police Command has revealed that at least 220 people were murdered in the state in the last nine months, 375 suspected armed robbers were arrested while 40 other robbers armed robbers were killed during gun battles in the nine months. The State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni decried that 220 cases murder cases were recorded between January and November 2015, adding that a large number of the cases were occasioned by cult clashes and street fights. He also added that 27 of the cases were recorded in January while 15, representing the lowest, was recorded

in March this year. He said while 26 of the cases were recorded within Area C, Surulere, 25 others were recorded in Area N, Ijede in Ikorodu, among others.

The Police Commissioner also disclosed that 375 armed robbery suspects were arrested out of which 42 were traffic robbers between January and November, 2015, adding that 113

suspected cultists and seven impersonators were arrested with several equipment recovered, as well as items and cash worth N1.389 billion. He said 25 cases of kidnapping were reported, while

reported during the period under review. Of this number, 11 cases were recorded within Idimu Police Area Command and six recorded in Ikeja axis of the state. “24 traffic robbery cases were reported in the state, with 11 recorded in September. Four cases of rape/ defilement were recorded within the period under review. 25 cases of kidnapping were recorded within the period under review. The breakdown showed that 6 kidnap cases were recorded in Ajah axis of the state, 5 in Ijede while four cases were recorded in FESTAC axis, he added.

Man sentenced to 4 years in prison for attempted rape

Computer technician robs client

Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

Olalekan Olabulo

A computer technician, who robbed a foreign national with a toy gun in Gbagada has been arrested by the police. The suspect, Emmanuel Oshin told Lagos Metro that he organized the robbery attack just to get an accounting software on one of the stolen laptop computers. Policemen from Anthony divisional police station, who responded to a distress call, arrested Emmanuel during an attempt by him and other members of his gang to escape from the scene of the robbery. The 27-year-old suspect also stated that he had to use a mask to cover his face during the robbery operation in order not to be recognized by the victims. One of the victims, simply Identified as Aneesh, a foreign national had in the past given his laptop to the arrested suspect for repair and servicing. The Lagos State police boss, Fatai Owoseni, while speaking on the arrest of the suspect said the three-man gang of armed robbers on December 10, 2015 at invaded the residence of one Mr Aneesh at Gbagada Estate.

four cases of rape were reported, and 335 motor vehicles reported stolen within the period under review. “125 armed robbery cases were prevented and 233 stolen vehicles were recovered. The police arrested 25 suspected kidnappers and rescued 24 kidnapped victims within the year under review,” he said. “41 cases of cult clashes occurred with Area C police command recording the highest with eight cases followed by Area N; Ijede, A; Lion Building and H; Ogudu where five cases were recorded each. 44 cases of armed robbery attacks were

The trailer that rammed into the estate.

Tragedy averted as Dangote trailer rams into estate Chukwuma Okparaocha Tragedy was on Tuesday averted after a truck which had the inscription “Dangote” on it rammed into a section of an estate at OkoOba area of Lagos. The truck with registration number BCH 140 XA was in the early hours or Tuesday found to have destroyed the fence of the Oko-Oba Estate as it also hit a metal stand of water tank, slightly bending

it in the process. Physical observations made by Lagos Metro at the scene of the incident gave an indication that the truck was only inches away from hitting a section of the walls of one of the flats which clearly had people living in it. Though there was no indication that anyone got hurt in the incident, residents of the estate and even some passersby were seen thank-

N32bn fraud: Trial of Indian national adjourned Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin The trial Nigeria-based Indian businessman, Patrick Fernandez, charged with N32 billion fraud has been adjourned till February 7. Fernandez was charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos alongside his companies on charges bordering on fraud. He was alleged to have committed fraud against various commercial banks in Ni-

geria to the tune of about N32 billion. A prosecution witness, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, during examination, had narrated how huge sums of money were discovered in the accounts of the accused in various banks. Adebayo told the court that when the banks were interviewed, they informed the EFCC that the accused had applied for a cheque discounting facility.

ing providence for the safety of those living in the flat in question. Pieces of blocks and concrete from the crumbled fence littered everywhere as at the time of writing this report. The incident led to gridlock on the usually busy Agege-Abule Egba Road as the tail end of the trailer together with the container it was carrying obstructed a section of the road thus cutting short the flow of traffic.

A 29-year-old man, one Ganiyu Awawu, has been sentenced to four and half years of imprisonment for attempting to rape a 25-yearold food seller, Taiwo Ogundipo. It was gathered that the victim was walking along Safuratu Yakubu Way, Ayobo, around 4pm on August 28 when the convict, said to be high on cannabis, called her and bought food from her. He was said to have ordered for N250 worth of food and reportedly lured the victim to an uncompleted building to collect the money. When they got there, he overpowered her. It was further reported that Awawu stripped the woman naked and threatened to kill her if she raised any alarm, but she resisted. In the ensuing scuffle, a passerby, who heard her screams, mobilised others

and stormed the building. They reportedly freed the woman and took Awawu to a community leader who handed him over to the police. Awawu had told the police that he was hungry on the fateful day, but did not have money to pay for the food. He said, “I just finished smoking cannabis that day and became hungry. I bought N250 food from her. I told her to come in to have the money, but I was lying. I was about to rape her when I was caught.” Awawu was arraigned before an Ogba Magistrates’ Court on September 2 and had pleaded guilty to four counts bordering on attempted rape and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. The police prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu, urged the court to sentence Awawu accordingly, to serve as a deterrent to others.

Ambode charges communities to watch over govt projects Bola Badmus Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has enjoined Lagos residents to take ownership of every government projects located in their communities and ensure a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Ambode made the call on while handing over 33KV electrical sub-station at the

Gberigbe Piggery Farm and a Community Hall in Gberigbe in Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state. According the Governor Ambode, the change mantra of the present administration must be carried beyond rhetoric. While reiterating that his administration was that of continuity with improvement, he assured residents of

improved inclusive and community-driven projects. He said that it was the responsibility of every well-meaning Lagosian to report any suspicious activity within the communities in a timely manner to security agencies through the 112 or 767 toll free lines or directly to the offices of law enforcement agencies.

news We’ve exposed Boko Haram’s deceit —Buhari

Leon Usigbe - Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that a lot has been done to properly expose Boko Haram as a ruthless, destructive and misguided terrorist group. Speaking at an audience with the Ecuador’s new Ambassador to Nigeria, Leopoldo Rovayo Verdeso-

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

to, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he said he expected religious leaders in Nigeria to do more to support the Federal Government’s efforts to strip Boko Haram of all its religious pretensions and fully expose the group as vicious terrorists, devoid of any moral or philosophical direction. President Buhari noted: “What we have succeeded in doing is to separate ter-

Dogara blames Boko Haram crisis on leadership failure Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, attributed the Boko Haram insurgency and the resultant humanitarian crisis in the NorthEast to the total failure of leadership. A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said that Dogara spoke after viewing a documentary on the impact of insurgency in the NorthEast, which was produced by the Victim Support Fund (VSF). The documentary was filmed at the behest of the Speaker and was viewed by the North-East caucus of the House, along with a delegation of elders from Bauchi State, under the auspices of the Bauchi State Forum led by a for-

mer Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed. Commending the efforts of the Victim Support Fund, the speaker stated that the harsh realities depicted by the documentary bring the issue of leadership to mind, and that “except we accept that we have failed, there is no way we can change the situation.” He further stated that members of the Nigerian parliament had initiated the process of collaborating with legislators from other countries, towards solving the crisis in the North-East. He explained that terrorism was a global problem which calls for global action, and that materials such as the documentary would go a long way in aiding engagement efforts with the international community.

Zaria crisis: 61 bodies deposited at ABUTH THE Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Lawal Khalid, says its mortuary

Pastor Adeboye in Ibadan next Wednesday THE General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, will be visiting Ibadan on Wednesday, 23 December, 2015, to shower end of the year blessings on all Nigerians. The venue is The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Covenant Sanctuary, opposite Zartech, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan. Nigerians who attend will have the opportunity to ask for Christmas and New Year gifts from God. Time is 7.00 a.m.

has received 61 dead bodies from the ongoing turmoil. The CMD confirmed this on Tuesday as soldiers barricaded the road leading to Zaria, apparently to fish out members of the Shia sect which has been having a confrontation with the military since Saturday. The soldiers mounted check points at Dogarawa village, near Zaria while thoroughly screening motorists entering the city. According to the army, members of the sect on the orders of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, attacked the convoy of Buratai, who was on his way to pay homage to the Emir of Zazzau and to attend the passing out parade of some new recruits in the state. “The sect, numbering hundreds carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects.”

rorism from religion. The initial attraction for recruitments was religion. But now, people cannot relate with their relevance anymore and they are only associated with the destruction of lives and property. “If your life does not

mean anything to you, other peoples’ lives will not mean anything to you as well. And people are beginning to see that Boko Haram is just about destruction and nothing else.” Buhari also told the new ambassador to present his

letter of credence that his administration will continue to prioritise diversification and other measures to help the Nigerian economy withstand the shock of falling crude oil prices. Also on Tuesday, the president received the let-

ters of credence of the new Ambassador of Zambia, Dr Solomon Jere and the new Ambassador of Colombia, Ms Claudia Turbay Quintereo. He wished the three new ambassadors successful tenures in Nigeria.

Troops clear Boko Haram terrorists from Aulari Chris Agbambu - Abuja

TROOPS operating in Bama axis on a fighting patrol have cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of Aulari general area located within the Sambisa Forest. The troops cleared all the four camps located within the area that included Faldan, Kidiziromari, Kuroshini, Kurumari and

Ngulda. One Boko Haram terrorist was killed while trying to escape and about 31 persons were rescued from the terrorists. A statement from Army headquarters said the troops discovered stockpile of farm produce in metal drums, sacks and underground storage facilities. It said other items recov-

ered included several bicycles and motorcycles. According to the statement, some of the farmlands yet to be harvested were also set ablaze by the terrorists. The statement hinted that a wooden rifle used for training and practice by the terrorists was also retrieved. In a related development,

troops of 7 Division Garrison conducted eight fighting patrols along Leje Axis. The troops cleared the area and about 15 other villages around Leje. They included Khadadamamari, Ladin Buta, Hilmari, Kashauri, Keshan Ngala, Aiwa, Masu Kura, Mabirni, Grza 1 and 2, Mashuari, Dubenge, Tauba and Majande.

8 killed in fresh Shiites, police clash in Kaduna Continued from pg 8

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government will continue to protect citizens’ rights to assemble freely and associate with other persons without hindrance; protect the freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and protect the freedom of expression. “However, every citizen is under obligation to recognise and respect the rights of his or her fellow citizens, especially on matters regarding public order, safety and security. “No serious government will fold its arms to allow security breach of the kind which threatens the peaceful coexistence and sovereignty of its society. “It is therefore imperative to remind ourselves that as long as demonstrations or processions are peaceful and do not infringe on the fundamental rights of others, the government will as a matter of principle, direct security agencies to protect the individuals or groups involved in such demonstrations or processions. “Democracy has provided vehicles through which citizens can convey their grievances without resorting to violence, and in our particular case, there are state governments and their assemblies; representatives and senators of the National Assembly; and the judiciary. “It is expected that persons with grievances take advantage of using these opportunities instead of resorting to violence. “Our experience at least with separatist groups (such as Biafra Movements) and religious extremists (such as Boko Haram) in the last few years, depicted individuals or groups taking laws into

their own hands, situations that sometimes led to violent clashes with security agencies. “As a result of increased movements and activities during the end of year and the beginning of a new season, the Ministry of Interior has coordinated with all security agencies under its supervision, and other security agencies, to ensure that the safety and security of all lawabiding citizens are guaranteed in line with our constitutional responsibilities. “We are drawing the attention of all Nigerians, especially in this yuletide season, to the necessity to keep their eyes and ears open, and report suspicious activities or persons, especially in motorparks, airports, mosques and churches, markets and all public places attracting people.” Meanwhile, the Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani has expressed his deep dismay over the killings of Shia Muslims in Pakistan and Nigeria and urged Islamic and international forums to condemns such disasters and take due action to stop them. Reacting to recent killing of Shia Muslims in Nigeria by the army troops, he said that the Nigerian government, instead of killing Boko Haram terrorists, is killing the oppressed Shias who bear no threat against any Islamic country. The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Bem Angwe, has set up a Special Investigations Panel to investigate the clash between the Army and the Shiite Muslim Sect in Zaria last weekend. This was sequel to the complaints received from the Nigerian Army and concerned

citizens on the unfortunate incident which led to the loss of lives and damage to property. In setting the panel, Professor Angwe stressed the need for all the parties in the dispute to sheath their sword and assured that the Commission would get to the root of the matter. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Aliyu Abba Ahmed, disclosed that the IDPs were given residential plots of land with title document to enable them build their own houses, in addition to soft loans. Worried by the ongoing face off between the Shiite lslamic Group and the military, a member of the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sanni, has called on President Muhammadu

Buhari to launch a full scale investigation. Senator Sani (APC Kaduna central) disclosed that the right to life and human dignity is a foundation upon which all other rights stand, adding “we must learn to defeat ideas with superior ideas and not by superior spears. l call for peace and justice.” The lawmaker, in a statement which he personally signed and made available to newsmen, stated that the attacks on the homes and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is nothing but an indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the military, adding that “silence and neutrality to this amounts to nothing but aiding and abetting a clear and undisguised abuse of fundamental human rights.”

Pakistan offers to assist Nigeria fight B/Haram Chris Agbambu - Abuja

PAKISTAN, on Tuesday, expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Nigeria military in fighting Boko Haram. It also expressed willingness to cooperate with Nigeria in building its security, while making investment in power and education sectors. Pakistani Ambassador to Nigeria, Umar Farook, stated this during a meeting with Defence Minister, Dan Ali, in Abuja. He noted that both countries have similar challenges and opportunities and have built tangible cooperation not only in defence, but also in agriculture, science and technology, as well as education. Farook observed that the cooperation with the Ministry of Defence has been

in the areas of training and capacity building. He observed that the intervention has been tangible, and noted that both countries will sustain it. He said, “Pakistan not only supports the entire anti-terrorism efforts anywhere in the world but most recently in Nigeria and we have been doing a good job in terms of the ammunition supplied and maintenance of aircrafts and operational worthiness of platforms. “I am very much aware of the efforts being put in place for defence cooperation. High level military delegation has been visiting Pakistan and vis-versa,” he said. In his response, the Minister of Defence, Dan Ali, observed that the cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan has lasted more than four decades.

11 news

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Court gives PDP chairman 14 days to vacate office •We’ll appeal court judgment —PDP Sunday Ejike - Abuja

N Abuja High Court on Tuesday, ordered the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uche Secondus, to vacate office within 14 days. The court in its ruling on the suit brought before it by former Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on political matter, Ahmed Gulak, said Chief Secondus was occupying the position of the acting National Chairman of the party illegally. But shortly after the judgement was delivered, the counsel to PDP in the matter, Mr Paul Isaiah, said

the party would appeal the judgement of the court, adding that a stay of execution of the judgement would also be filed. According to him, “We are going to appeal this judgement. Apart from the appeal, we are also going to file a stay of execution of the judgement because the National Convention of the party is in March next year.” Justice Hussein Baba in his judgement held that the position of the acting Na-

tional Chairman of the party is zoned to the North-East and therefore cannot be occupied by Chief Secondus. He ordered that Chief Secondus should vacate the office within 14 days and said that the plaintiff or any other party member worthy of that position should assume the position of the acting National Chairman of the party. It will be recalled that the court had, on November 30, 2015, reserved its

judgment in the suit which Gulak is seeking the sack of the party’s acting National Chairman, Uche Secondus , on the ground that by the provision of the PDP constitution and its zoning principle, he was the proper person to replace the last Chairman, Adamu Muazu, who hailed from the Northeast geopolitical zone. Parties to the suit had argued the plaintiff’s substantive suit (originating sum-

mons) and the defendants’ preliminary objection and adopted their final written addresses, before the judge told them that hearing notices would be issued when the judgment was ready. Arguing his client’s case, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), urged the court to uphold Gulak’s prayers and refuse the preliminary objection raised against the suit by the defendants – the PDP and Secondus.

Ondo TUC demands payment of salaries before Xmas Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo State has demanded from the state government the payment of all arrears of salaries and leave bonus allowances of the state workers before Christmas. The union also condemned the action of the state government, sacking about 62 workers from the state civil service without any cogent or convincing reasons. This was contained in a statement issued by the TUC and jointly signed by the chairman and secretary of the union, Comrade Ekundayo Soladoye and Fatuase Clement, respectively. The union specifically appealed to the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, to consider the payment of the salaries to allow the state workers celebrate Christmas with their families. But the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, assured the state workers that the salaries and other allowances would be paid soon. Akinmade said the delay in the workers’ salaries was due to present economic situation in the country which is not peculiar to Ondo State. He explained that the monthly allocation from the Federal Government could not take care of the workers’ salaries but said the state government has been working round the clock to ensure the payment.

Suspects arrested for pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft at Ilado/Ilase pipeline axis by the joint patrol team of the Nigerian Navy, the Army and other security agencies.

Ondo, Niger Delta team sign MoU on agric THE Ondo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta to further improve agricultural development, sustain economic development and create employment opportunities for the teeming youth across the state. This is in line with the policy of the present government to partner with interested individuals, groups and corporate Organisations that are interested in agriculture to boost food production, encourage the youth in modern farming and diversification of the economy. Signing the MOU on behalf of the state government, the Chairman of the state Wealth Creation Agency (WECA) Mrs Bolanle Olafunmiloye described agriculture as alternative to recession in the oil sector which had been abandoned in the time past by all tiers of government which needed to be revived and developed. She said “ It is our past, we left it behind and we have resolved that is the way out of the oil recession.”

Annual retreat 2015

Crude theft: Kachikwu’s war yields result, 20 vandals arrested •We will deal with vandals, PPMC boss vows THE war against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalisation by the Minister of State for Petroleum and the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has led to the arrest of 20 suspects. The suspects were arrested by a combined team of Nigerian Navy, the Army and other Security Agencies collaborating with the NNPC/PPMC to monitor and patrol the pipelines. According to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, the suspects were intercepted by patrol team between the Atlas Cove and Mosimi depot. The PPMC said the 20man syndicate was specifically smashed at the Ilado/ Ilase Pipelline axis. The PPMC said: “In line with the directives of Mr President to ensure zero tolerance against crude oil theft and pipeline vandals, the measures put in place by Kachikwu have started achieving positive results. “Between the Atlas Cove

and Mosimi depot, a team of Nigerian Navy, the Army and other Security Agencies collaborating with the NNPC/PPMC apprehended a 20-man syndicate group which included a woman. “These are notorious members of gang engaging in pipeline vandalisation and product theft along the

Ilado/Ilase pipeline axis. “Also confiscated from the vandals are 2 Hilux trucks, with thousands of jerry cans filled with petroleum products, equipment and several generators. “The suspected vandals have been taken into custody at the Nigerian Naval Base, Western Command,

Apapa and are awaiting further interrogation. On her part, the Managing Director of PPMC, Mrs Esther Nnamdi – Ogbue, said the agency in the last two weeks, had recorded a lot of success along the Atlas Cove and Mosimi axis of the pipeline with renewed collaboration with security agencies.

Senate orders reinstatement, promotion of policeman •After 20 years suspension Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE Senate on Tuesday ordered the immediate reinstatement of a police man, Sergeant Amos Olaniyan, who was verbally suspended 21 years ago. The Senate also ordered the police authority to promote him and pay all what was due to him in terms of salary and other entitlements since his suspension. This followed a petition submitted to the Senate by Senator Solomon Adeola

(APC Lagos West) on behalf of Sergeant Olaniyan, his constituent. The Senate had referred the petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition for further legislative duties. The Samuel Anyanwu-led committee had recommended that the officer, Sergeant Amos Olaniyan, be fully re-integrated into the Police Force with a letter of reinstatement and apology,” adding that “all his dues, including promo-

tions and entitlements be fully granted and paid.” The Senate however adopted the two recommendations of the committee. Senator Adeola, while presenting the petition, earlier stated that Olaniyan was verbally suspended in 1994 on a baseless allegation of bribery,of which an Orderly Room Trial discharged and acquitted him but the Police refused to recall him back even as he had his Police ID card and uniform.

Pastor Olusola

JESUS Discipleship ministry, Fila oil Compound, near Apata Bus – stop, Challenge, Ibadan, holds her annual December Retreat between Thursday 17 and Sunday 20 December, 2015. The theme is “the Eagle Believer” with a session on Thursday between 5:00pm and 8:00pm; two sessions on Friday and Saturday, 8am to 2:30pm and 5:00pm – 8:30pm, and Sunday, 7:00am – 11:00am. Ministering are Pastor Joseph Olajimi, Pastor Hosea Adeniyi, Pastor Segun Ariyo Evangelist (mns) Olusola O.A, Pastor Oyelakun Akinlolu, Sister Praise Babatunde (Artistee) among others. OLUSOLA E. Ayodele is the host Pastor. Feeding and accommodation is free.

businessnews

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Stanbic IBTC introduces security lending product Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

STANBIC IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc, has introduced securities lending product in the Nigerian capital market. Securities lending involves the temporary transfer of securities from one party (the lender) to another (the borrower) for a fee. These transactions are facilitated through an intermediary acting as agent or principal intermediary between the lender and borrower. The borrower is obliged to return the securities either on demand or at the end of a term. In his opening remarks at the launch in Lagos, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Yinka Sanni, said as a member of a global banking group, Stanbic IBTC had a responsibility to help grow the capital market through products and initiatives that could help investors harness investment opportunities that exist in Nigeria. Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Holdings belongs, is the largest African bank by assets and market capitalization, and has been in operation for over 153 years, with strategic representation in 20 countries in Africa, including South Africa. Sanni stated that investors need to spread their investment options into different financial derivatives, and in doing this, minimize risks associated with tying investments in particular stocks and securities. Diversification into different asset classes, he added, reduces risk levels,while offering higher returns. “In driving success for the product, Stanbic IBTC will be relying on its extensive product knowledge

and expertise; rich technology capability; access to lenders and borrowers to drive utilisation; sound risk management fundamentals and extensive reporting capability. “We are delighted to be introducing the Stanbic IBTC Securities Lending Product into the Nigerian market. The product launch is a further demonstration of our commitment to facilitating stability and growth of the Nigerian capital market, via confidence-building initiatives and leveraging investment opportunities in the market. Other derivatives will be introduced in the future,” Sanni stated. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), noted that various initiatives have been introduced to strengthen the capital market, including the derivatives market.

From left, Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Mr, Hakeem Ogunniran; Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Commerce & Industry, Mr Benjamin Olabinjo; Group Managing Director, UACN Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah and Deputy Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr Demola Sogunle, at the commissioning of FESTAC Mall, Lagos, on Thursday.

CBN to spend N213bn intervention funds to boost power generation Kola Oyelere-Kano

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would through its intervention funds expend the sum of N213 billion to pursue the stabilisation of power generation and distribution in the country. This is just as the Kano Electricity Distribution Company said it had recieved 62,000 meters with the sum of N7,638 billion intervention funds from the CBN, saying another

38,000 meters would very soon be delivered to the company. The bank’s director responsible for the development of infrastructure, Elder Ebeneboh, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Kano, said that the apex bank opted to intervene in the power sector owing to complaints from power distribution companies. “Power distribution companies were under the yoke of lack of payment by consumers, culminating into the lack of money to enable

been released. According to him the intervention fund was to enable power distribution companies to offset gas debt inherited from PHCN, purchase tamper-proof metres, ensure smooth power supply and boost revenue generation. Ebeneboh said the intervention fund was fashioned to be spent on power generating companies, power distribution and offsetting inherited gas debt, further disclosing that the power distribution firms

are to repay the money in 10 years at interest freerate. The chief operating officer, Electricity Distribution Company, Rahul Singh, said the acquisition of the meters would impact on improving the provision services to electricity consumers in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina. He said KEDCO was committed to putting to best use the loan being received by his firm from the intervention funds.

Ogun, NSIA, Lafarge present forest landscape restoration initiative in Paris THE Ogun State Forest Landscape Restoration Project was presented on December 7, 2015 to the

international community at the Paris Climate Conference, COP21, following the memorandum of

Skye Bank, KIA Motors Nigeria sign auto finance agreement SKYE Bank Plc and Kia Motors have signed a strategic auto finance agreement to enable customers of Skye Bank who wish to purchase brand new Kia vehicles do so without difficulty. The arrangement covers Kia models like Picanto, Rio, Cerrato, Optima and Sportage. Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli, said Skye Bank, as a retail focused bank, was always on the lookout for ways to add value to its customers and the partnership is to provide ave-

these companies purchase metre and other crucial accessories needed in ensuring smooth flow of power supply,” he said. The bank made the disclosure during an inspection of 100,000 meters purchased by Kano Electricity Distribution Company, deputy director of the bank in charge of intervention department, has said. Elder Ebeneboh disclosed that out of the proposed N213 billion, only 30 per cent of the amount had

nue for customers to easily acquire brand new cars. Okoli said, Kia brand is one of the fastest growing brands in Nigeria’s automobile industry today and she described Kia cars as very popular to average Nigerians. She also said that Kia spare parts and Kia service centers are readily available across the country, thereby offering convenience to the teeming car owners. Speaking on who is eligible, Okoli said salary earners and business owners can acquire cars under the partnership with down payment as low as 20 per cent of the total cost of the car.

So, rather than opt for fairly used cars popularly called, customers are encouraged to provide 20 per cent equity contribution for a brand new car while the balance can be repaid over a four-year period. Okoli also said that there was no need for salary domiciliation for salary earners; they could meet monthly repayment using post-dated cheques. Also speaking at the event, Kia Motors’ Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Sandeep Malhotra, described the partnership as an important one given Skye Bank’s customer-centric orientation.

understanding signed in September 2015 by the Ogun State government, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Lafarge Africa Plc. This PPP project has the ambition to transform 108,000 hectares of heavily degraded land in Ogun State into an arable green area through a forest landscape restoration project aimed at launching public and private agro-forestry projects with strong environmental, social and economic impacts. It is a pioneering initiative demonstrating how proactive public entities can join forces with a private group to launch sustainable projects that would position Nigeria as a leader in Africa on sustainable climate change PPP projects. With the theme “Regional Public/Private Partnership (PPP) initiative

against climate,” a two-day side event was organised at the green climate generations’ areas of the COP21 venue to showcase this public/private partnership concept as a powerful tool for development, and to present the planned project to potential investors, development agencies, as well as green and climate change funds. The Ogun State Forest Landscape Restoration project partners, led by the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, were also hosted at an event which was dedicated to local and regional governments, raising ambition, awareness and visibility of real and potential local climate action. Membership of the Senator Schwarzenegger ‘Regions of Climate Action’ (R20) Organisation was conferred on Ogun State on the occasion. Other dignitaries from

the partnering institutions at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference included Mr Peter Hoddinott, Area Manager South & West Africa LafargeHolcim; Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, CEO, Cement, Lafarge Africa Plc; Richard Eckrich, Head, Infrastructure Fund, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Dr Henry Neufeldt, Head, Climatic Change Unit of the World Agro-forestry Centre. Commenting on the Ogun State’s participation at the climate conference, Governor Amosun said: “The Forest Landscape Restoration project is a well thought out initiative, in partnership with two responsible institutions, NSIA and Lafarge Africa.” He noted that almost 70 per cent of Ogun State is arable land. There is therefore a significant potential for improving lives and livelihoods.

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Wande Abimbola

(The Àwíse Awo Àgbàyé) • Born on December 24, 1932 in Oyo, Nigeria.

FUNOLOGY

• He is a Nigerian academician, a professor of Yoruba Language and Literature, and former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University and has also served as the Majority Leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1992-1993).

CHURCH BOY

• He was installed as Àwíse Awo Àgbàyé in 1981 by the Ooni of Ife on the recommendation of a conclave of Babalawos of Yorubaland.

SEGELUULU

• He has also taught at several universities all over the world including Indiana University, Harvard University and OAU. He has written several books on Ifá a n d Yoruba culture. • Professor Wande Abimbola will be 83 on December 24, 2015.

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

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

LETTERS TO THE

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08078891826. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Hoping for the best for Nigeria Nigeria is blessed with human and natural resources. There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria is a truly democratic nation like some countries across the globe. A lot of issues are facing the country in all sectors. Thorny issues confronting our dear country do not allow rapid development to exist at all levels. The question here is; where are we heading to? If the truth must be told, politics of life and death is one of the thorny issues in Nigeria. Without any doubt, it is everyone’s desire to have a taste of leadership and at

the same time it is impossible for all political aspirants to be in the saddle. Likewise, those saddled with the responsibility of governance are not ready to desist from corrupt practices. Our national dailies keep reporting how millions and billions of naira had been mismanaged among the so-called political office holders. With a new government, Nigerians, this is an appropriate time to turn a new leaf. The masses are wallowing in abject poverty while political stakeholders fail

to tackle the task attached to their political post. Every political aspirant does promise a lot of things during political campaign, but once their aims and objectives are achieved, they forget the masses. There are sadly no motorable roads and wellequipped health centers while education is not affordable for the poor citizens. Where is the heaven and earth promised earlier? Besides, the high cost of education at all levels is another thorny issue in this nation. As of today, only wealthy

Biafra: Dialogue is the solution The clamour for secession by a section of the country is getting more vocal, and this is not good for the unity of the country. It is unfortunate that people from one ethnic group view others with deep distrust and hatred. Sadly, our efforts that are aimed at achieving national integration and unity have not yielded the expected results. For example, our participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme has not disabused our minds of prejudices we had about other ethnic groups other than ours. And we view issues through religious and ethnic prisms. Besides, religion has become a divisive factor when it comes to politics. We fought a tough civil war, which claimed the lives of millions of Nigerians. Ethnic hatred and religious intolerance partly caused the outbreak of that Nigeria-Biafra civil war. However, for how long shall we continue to pretend that the marriage of the Southern and Northern protectorates is working? If anything happens to Nigeria, it won’t be a new thing; Russia was broken into different countries in 1990; Czechoslovakia was also divided into two parts. In Africa, the latest was South Sudan, which split from the main Sudan. However, uniting as a country is our biggest strength, and

we must work against the break-up of Nigeria. The ethnic compositions that make up Nigeria should be made to feel welccomed in the union. If an ethnic group is viewed with suspicion, then things will never be well with the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has a lot to do if the current agitation for a Biafran homeland is to subside. •Festus Uche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

people in the society can afford to finance the education of their children while poor parents could not do so as a result of exorbitant fees. We all know that education is the bedrock of every nation and fruit of success in life.

How many parents can really afford to send their children to private universities in the country? Gaining admission to public universities is like fighting a war. I hope things will change in this new dispensation, with President Muham-

madu Buhari at the helm of affairs. It is not easy to correct decade-old ills in just four years, but I am hopeful that Nigeria will be great again. •Adeyemi Daniel, Ibadan.

FG, Kogi needs good roads The importance of well -maintained roads to any given society cannot be overemphasised. In Nigeria, however, the substandard quality of the roads, their subsequent neglect and non-maintenance have affected businesses within many communities who would have otherwise benefited from the infrastructure. In Kogi State, the number of good roads is declining. This tendency is evident in the ObajanaKabba road, the sorry state of this road has become an embarrassing stigma,

hence normal interactions have been frustrated by the appaling state road. It is not just that this road is impassable that we find very disturbing, it is also the fact that the dangerous spots and detours along the road have also become convenient operating centres for highway robbers who lay siege to unsuspecting motorists and other road users. This is aside the notorious fact that the poor state of this road hampers economic activities as several tonnes of farm produce and other products cannot be trans-

ported to areas where they are needed. During the last rainy season, many communities were practically cut off, even if there was an emergency security situation, police could not have had access the scene because of the pathetic road. A trip that should take 30 minutes takes more than two hours ordeal, transporters are lamenting the loss of revenue. It is almost a hopeless situation because travelling on this road has been hellish for residents. There have also been accidents and in some cases, loss of lives and property. Trailers and tankers are quite vulnerable. Another problem besetting this road is the dilapidated Okebukun bridge along that route; these tales of burden, woe and neglect is nothing to write home about. It is Christmas season when Nigeria experiences an upsurge in commuter traffic. With this road being in such poor and impassable state, it is doubtful whether individuals would be prepared to put themselves through the rigours of a punishing journey merely for the sake of celebrating the yuletide with their kith and kin and friends. But all this is happening in a country where there are several agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Works responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads. The Federal Government, at least, on paper awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of this road network, but nothing concrete is on ground. •Balogun Emmanuel, Dept of Zoology, University Of Ilorin.

editorial Fashola and the challenges of electricity supply Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

HE Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 unveiled his vision for the three vital areas of responsibility assigned to him by President Muhammadu Buhari. Expectedly, he dwelled extensively on the power sector which has remained problematic even after two years of privatisation. He appealed to Nigerians to brace up for an increase in the cost of electricity as he announced that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) had been mandated to meet and come up with what he described as a fair market tariff. His contention was that a good tariff system would guarantee good electricity supply. He counselled the DISCO, on their part, to commit themselves to the provision of meters and transformers and expansion of their networks. That Nigeria’s power sector has been a glaring evidence of failure of leadership cannot be a subject of argument. So much has been spent on it while so little has been the improvement. The widely-accepted belief that a government establishment cannot successfully operate as a business enterprise gave rise to the idea of privatisation as the appropriate response and ultimate solution. Under government control, the power utility went through reforms and changes in nomenclature which did not translate into any improvement in performance. Conversely what happened was a progressive deterioration with farreaching consequences on the country’s economy. When the government transferred the ownership of the utility to private investors in November 2013, hopes were raised and expectations were high that new owners would come with the much-desired technical and managerial expertise and the required capital that would bring about the long-awaited turnaround. After two years of privatisation, the improvement witnessed has fallen far short of expectations. As we have written in our previous comments, the primary objective of the new owners has been a quick return on investments while electricity consumers have been yearning for a noticeably better service delivery. The anomalies that characterised the management and operations of the utility under government control have persisted under private investors. About 50 per cent of electricity consumers are being subjected to the monthly agony of contending with outlandish bills based on unjustifiable estimations. Just six months ago, the regulatory agency - NERC announced that it was working on a regulation that would make it obligatory for the DISCO to install metres in their

Nigerian Tribune

consumers’ premises within four months after which a ceiling would be placed on what could be charged as estimated bills. The commission said the ceiling would be significantly less than what metered consumers were paying and that the unmetered consumers would be free from paying any tariff after 16 months and would thus enjoy free electricity until provided with metres. The regulation is still being awaited. The same NERC also said it would no longer approve the importation of metres when local manufacturers of the instrument had enough to meet the electricity companies’ demand. Metering of consumers’ premises still constitutes a major problem yet the NERC’s directive to the DISCO to patronise local meter manufacturers is being flouted. What can be the justification for their insistence on imported meters in the face of dwindling foreign reserves when the local products have not been found inadequate? It is an issue in which the minister should show keen interest within the context of the local content policy. In spite of the threats and promises, the complaints about estimated billing have persisted because there has been little or no progress in the metering of consumers’ premises. Similarly, clusters of consumers have been coming together to bear the cost of replacement or repair of transformers where the need arises. Individuals have been paying for poles and cables before electricity can be extended to their premises. What is normal is that investors must first commit their resources to ventures of their choice before they can expect returns. The approach of the DISCO amounts to a reversal of this basic business principle. There was an upward adjustment in the unit cost of electricity around the middle of last year. How many times do the new owners of the utility want to increase tariff before they can render efficient service? The statement of the honourable minister that Nigerians must pay a higher tariff before they can enjoy steady supply of electricity is an endorsement of the position of the distribution companies who simply want their customers to provide the wherewithal for them to boost their business. In spite of privatisation, electricity supply still remains a monopoly. Nigeria has only been carved into captive markets in which the various distribution companies do not have competitors. The government should not allow them to take advantage of this situation to exploit Nigerians. They know that power supply was in a bad shape when they came forward to invest in it. They must first commit their resources to it before they can get returns.

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opinion

Wednesday,16 December, 2015

Africa’s strongman syndrome By SOC Okenwa

HEN the United State President Barack Obama visited Ghana during his first mandate some years back he had famously declared that Africa, the blessed land of his late father, did not need strong men in power but strong institutions. Then he had innocuously provoked a continental debate over the declaration as he had hit a major point by pointing out a major problem militating against the democratic evolution of the poor black continent. Since then, however, very little has changed in terms of real change in the way and manner our despotic leaders behave and see leadership. In Africa the state institutions are deliberately emasculated to stifle dissent and favour the strong-man syndrome. Many countries are still reeling under the dictatorial tendencies of old kleptocrats and megalomaniacs in power for interminable decades. Democracy (or a semblance of same) has thus been reduced to some glorified dictatorship, one in which the ‘leader’ is both omnipotent and omniscient. In some cases the strong man represents everything: the state, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary! Visiting Kenya, his fatherland, earlier this year, President Obama had again taken a strong stand against the many dictators spoiling the African political landscape. He stirred another round of controversy when he declared in Nairobi in his characteristic candour that those leaders who argued that quitting power would endanger their states and provoke chaos and anarchy should consider themselves as having failed to provide quality leadership for which they were ‘elected’. Quite apt indeed! When a leader fails to prepare for his succession then he should not be seen to have succeeded in his brief, for the right thing to be done was to have organised a peaceful transition given the transience of power. However, having said the above let me state clearly here that there are certain advantages and otherwise of the strong-man syndrome. Donald Trump, the frontline Republican candidate for the US Presidency in 2016 had said much in one of the TV debates leading up to the primaries. Trump, a controversial business mogul, had argued forcefully that the world would have been a better, safer place to live in had Saddam Hussein and Mouammar Ghaddafi not been vanquished and eliminated by international conspiracy. Today, both Iraq and Libya have

become the veritable terrorist enclaves serving as veritable breeding grounds for all sorts of international terrorism. When these strongmen were in power in Baghdad and Tripoli terrorism was checked and checkmated. But even the demise of strongmen never served as useful lessons for other strongmen ruling over their peoples with or without their consent. The fate that befell Saddam Hussein never stopped Slobodan Milosevic from butchering the Balkans. The brutal killing of Ghaddafi has done little to dissuade other little Ghaddafis from criminalising the state and committing evil here and there. In Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza has turned his country into a banana republic where vultures feast on dead bodies piling up on the streets every other night. By forcing his way to power again in an illegal third term gambit, Burundians in their thousands had fled to neighbouring Rwanda and other places as security has generally deteriorated with police brutality being met with grenade explosions by the opposition forces resisting the imposition. Now the die is cast with the Rwandan-like genocide appearing ominously on the horizon. Nkurunziza is suffocating his country and one of two things might happen in the nearest future: either he succeeds in killing Burundi or Burundi will kill him! In the two neighbouring Congos, the presidents are manoeuvering their ways toward perpetuating their stay in power. While President Denis Sassou-Nguesso has almost succeeded in entrenching himself in power by organising a sham of a ‘referendum’ that made his third term bid a foregone conclusion ,President Joseph Kabila is accused by the vibrant opposition forces of manipulating the weak state institutions to pave way for another term after the expiration of his constitutionallymandated two terms. West Africa (exemplified by Senegal, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire,

Benin Republic and Ghana) seems to be leading the way in deference to Obama’s exhortation. The democratic institutions of the states are given free hands to operate with pacific transfer of power the established norm. In Zimbabwe, the Mugabe muddle has almost destroyed the economy of the country. The national currency, the Zim-dollar, is now ‘dead’ and ‘buried’, replaced as it were with other competing international currencies like the US Dollars, the British Pounds and the European Euro. And in the face of these challenges Comrade Mugabe is not yet done with the leadership of the former Rhodesia. In Uganda, a country in East Africa made famous internationally by the late Idi Amin Dada for his brutality and cannibalism while in power, Yoweri Museveni is set to go for yet another ‘mandate’ after decades in the saddle. A strongman in his own rights, Museveni, by his body language, does not see Uganda without him in charge. He even had the effrontery to hit back at President Obama after his Nairobi declaration saying egoistically in effect that it was up to Ugandans (and not Obama) to determine and decide who governs them. In Cameroun, President Paul Biya remains the source of all powers for decades running. He represents the very best description of the strongman syndrome afflicting the continent. While the opposition exists and makes some noise sometimes Biya makes the sun shine or brings down the rain and thunder at his convenience with little or no challenge! Though he has done relatively well in terms of economic management and stability of the polity, Camerounians are still subjected to political slavery with the issue of succession a taboo or no-go area in any public discourse. In the final analysis, one would like to recommend the Ghanaian example for the glorified ‘victims’ of the sit-tight syndrome. Ever since the strongman Jerry John Rawlings left the presidential palace, known as Osu Castle, in Accra, no sitting Ghanaian president has ever operated from there! From John Kuffour to the late John Atta-Mills they had been performing their presidential duties from their residences other than the State House. Therefore, our leaders must know that there is life after power and former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has shown the way. •Okenwa writes from Cote D’Ivoire.

Economy: Towards restructuring Nigeria By Ope Ajayi

ALMOST every Nigerian agrees with the assertion that corruption is the greatest threat to any nation trying to become the most desirable country to live in on the planet earth in record time; it keeps militating against our development as well. It is an evil that has eaten deep into our fabric, as most people seem to have accepted it as a norm, but it must be adequately dealt with before it finally destroys the foundation of our country. As the government strategises to fight corruption, some things must be put in place by the 774 local governments, 36 states and the federal government if we are truly going to eradicate corruption in our generation. We must re- structure our economy in a way that every Nigerian worker can afford food, clothing and shelter. Jobs must be available and opportunities must be created to enable entrepreneurs grow their businesses. If truly we desire to stamp out corruption, basic social amenities must be available to all and sundry, everything that makes life comfortable must be put in place to discourage the average Nigerian from requesting for or giving bribes. Effective mortgage system that guarantees that every worker at all levels can own a home over a period of timemust put in place. It must be affordable and available to all depending on each person’s income. The income will determine the size and location but the Nigerian worker must be sure that the home will become his without having to steal. Every worker must be guaranteed of receiving his pension and gratuity without having to lobby or protest after retirement. Every worker must be able to walk into a car dealership store, pick a car and pay over a period of time based on

the level of his income. Electricity must be constant and access to good water is a necessity. Public educational system must be in excellent shape. Teaching and non- teaching staff must not down tool because if they do, parents will be compelled to take their wards to private schools or send them abroad even when their income cannot accommodate it thereby encouraging them to engage in corrupt practises. Public health care system must be in good shape, functional and effective. If citizens must queue for hours to see a doctor, why won’t they bribe a nurse that has not been paid for months just to shunt the queue. We should not make the need to visit a private clinic compulsory for the average Nigerian. As we fight corruption from the top to down, these and many more are basics to discourage people at the middle/ lower cadres from being compelled to demand or receive bribes. Bribery and corruption prevails because the society ap-

proves it, it keeps parading because the economy allows it. The percentage of Nigerians that steal billions of naira cannot be compared to the percentage that “genuinely” demand for bribe because of urgent “need” that must be met in order to make life meaningful. A sizable number of Nigerians are not interested in emblezzlement but their actions or inactions militate against development on daily basis. Our focus should not only be on the few covetous thieves amongst us who steal large sums from our commonwealth, these stolen funds must be repatriated and used wisely to fix our economy. Many patriotic workers have not been paid for months and no one is bothered despite the release of bailout funds. How do we expect these people to survive when they have to feed, pay school fees? Majority of these patriotic citizens are not interested in buying properties in affluent areas, they just want to be comfortable. People steal billions of naira and go away with it while others are just asking for regular pay as and when due to cater for their families. We must structure our economy to bridge the gap between the have and the have- not, there must be a strong middle class. Only then can, “CHANGE” move from being a mere slogan to a reality. We are not asking for too much, as patriotic Nigerians from the government at all levels, we just desire a vibrant economy where things work. We desire that our stolen funds must be spent on projects that will be meaningful to all and sundry. We desire an economy where who you know doesn’t influence what you get but the capacity to deliver, a system that encourages entrepreneurship Land development. •Ajayi, a public affairs analyst, lives in Lagos.

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

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ecoscope

Doyin Adeoye

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

SWM: Stakeholders call for private investors’ participation By Doyin Adeoye

United States President, Barrack Obama, addressing the UN Climate Change Conference.

France President, Francoise Hollande

President Buhari, addressing the UN Climate Change Conference COP 21, in Paris.

COP 21

Ban Ki-moon (3rd left) and West African leaders at Climate Change (COP21) in Paris.

Where lies Africa’s priorities?

Over 195 countries were represented at the just concluded United Nations climate change conference (COP21) in Paris, which was aimed at reaching a new universal climate agreement to limit the rise of global temperature. DOYIN ADEOYE, who followed the two-week event, brings the report, especially from Africa’s perspective, as well as experts ‘opinions on what lies ahead for Africa after COP 21.

lobal warming poses complex challenges for Africa, and as such, addressing climate change issues has become central to the continent’s development agenda. The realisation of a need for an international political response to climate change started more than a decade ago with the ‘Rio Earth Summit’ in 1992, where the adoption of the UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was birthed. And over the years, the Conferences of Parties (COPs) of the UNFCCC have become an important platform for improving global response to climate change. With major impacts on Africa as well as its growing economies, the COP 21 could not have been timelier, as it was an opportunity to put Africa as a strategic player in the negotiations, thereby ensuring that commitments under the new agreement are favourable to the continent’s realities. Speaking with participants at the conference, United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, stressed that “Africa is particularly

vulnerable to the effects of climate change, as much of its economy depends on a climate-sensitive natural resource base, including rain-fed subsistence agriculture. Disruptions in food or water supplies pose serious risks not only for African economies, but also for political stability, particularly in fragile states.” Ahead of the convergence of stakeholders for COP21, more than 180 countries submitted voluntary climate action plans to the UNFCCC, through the development of the Intended Nationally-Determined Contributions (INDCs), and this supposedly formed the basis of the agreement reached at the end of the conference. Through the INDCs, countries stated their national contributions to the conference, within the context of their national priorities and capabilities. Although the African continent contributes only 3.8 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, African countries are no doubt, among the most vulnerable. Nigeria, like many other coun-

tries, has not been spared by climate change and we continue to incur considerable costs in addressing challenges of both environmental and economic nature. As stated in its INDC, climate change poses a significant threat to the achievement of development goals of the country, especially those related to eliminating poverty and hunger and promoting environmental sustainability. “Agriculture is one of the sectors most sensitive to climate change. Under a business-as-usual scenario, agricultural productivity could decline between 10 to 25 per cent by 2080. Also, a considerable proportion of the population is at risk of water stress, with less than 40 per cent having direct access to potable water. “Climate change would result in increased variability in rainfall, predictably resulting in floods in many parts of the country, particularly the humid areas, with devastating consequences. Single extreme climate events have the potential to wipe out years of development. For example, the

South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, right, and French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls. PHOTO: AP.

total value of destroyed physical and durable assets caused by the 2012 floods has been estimated to be N1.48 trillion (US$9.5 billion) or about 2 per cent of the rebased GDP of US$510 billion,” it stated. These, among many other issues were highlighted in the INDC, while also noting that the Federal Government’s economic growth plan, Nigeria Vision 20:2020, Economic Transformation Blueprint (2009), recognises changing climate as a threat to sustainable growth in the next decade. “It sees climate change as a critical challenge globally and, in Nigeria, as a potential driver of damaging and irrecoverable effects on infrastructure, food production and water supplies, in addition to precipitating natural resource conflicts. This recognition is an important first step towards a climate change adaptation strategy and action plan.” With emissions projected to grow at 114 per cent by 2030 to around 900 million tonnes, which is around 3.4 tonnes for every Nigerian. Under a high growth scenario, with economic growth at 7 per cent, this climbs to over one billion tonnes. At least 54 African nations adopted a unified position, calling for an agreement to limit warming to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. Speaking at the leaders’ event, where over 150 heads of states and governments gathered on Monday, 30 November, President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, said that “the Post-2020 climate change agreement should enhance the implementation of the Continues pg22

Stakeholders have called for more Private Sector Participation (PSP) in Solid Waste Management (SWM), noting that the Oyo State government is ready to raise wealth from the tonnes of filth in the state capital. This call was made recently at an investors’ round table meeting held at the Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, where opportunities for revenue generation were clearly stated for private partners in SWM activities in Ibadan. In a chat with Ecoscope, World Bank representative, Salim Rouhana noted that “the Oyo State government is aware that the private sector has an extremely important role to play in SWM, so we have been working together on how private sectors can come on board and how to improve regulations, among other aspects.” The General Manager, Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA), Mr Joseph Alabi, in his remark, noted that in previously held forums, “all stakeholders critical to solid waste: market women, local governments, community development council, and the likes, were involved, and we agreed there that generators of waste must pay for waste management. “In all, there are about 23 major markets in Ibadan that are already involved. So what we are looking at now is the other end of the chain, which is disposal. The Oyo State governmnet is ready and has opened its wings of opportunity to investors to come and partner in all the chains of investments,” he said. Executive Secretary, Oyo State Bureau of Investment Promotion and Public-Private-Partnership, Mr Yinka Fatoki, also encouraged private sector Continues pg22

ecoscope

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Alpha Beach comes alive at Beach Samaritans’ touch

Nigerian Tribune

Stakeholders call for private investors’ participation Continues from pg21

The Beach Samaritans

By Doyin Adeoye The Nigerian Network of NGOs (NNGO), in collaboration with the Beach Samaritans recently contributed their own quota to saving the earth. Held to commemorate the start of the UN Paris climate change conference, the volunteers converged on Alpha Beach, Lekki, Lagos on 29 November for a beach cleaning exercise tagged ‘Action 2015.’ Since inception in November 2014, the Beach Samaritans, an initiative of the Children And The Environment (CATE) and Waka About, regularly embark on

cleaning exercises on beaches across the state. In his remarks, Ambassador Bodunrin Gimba, an emissary of the United Nations on climate change noted that “Nearly 85 per cent of the body is made up of water. So the beach cleanup exercise is a move towards saving sea life of any toxic substance which could be harmful to our health if we consume them on the long run.” Buttressing this, Environmental Strategist, Dr Paul Abollo, said “By clearing the debris at the seashore, we

reduce the risk of drinking contaminated water and stand a good chance of enjoying good health.” One of the conveners of the event, Shola Alamutu, explained that the exercise was necessary, as the beach was not conducive for swimming because the effects of global warming has eroded a good quantity of the sea turf. Mrs Funmi Ilori, founder, Climate Kids Club, also addressed the children at the event on the importance of the exercise, saying that “Healthy water makes for a healthy living.”

partnership, noting that the institution’s policies are favourable to investors. Director, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young Nigeria, Mr Ayodeji Ogunyemi noted that “the state government spends about N300million monthly as quoted, which is about N3.6billion annually on just cleaning up waste. Meanwhile, there are lots of private sector involvements in places like Lagos, thereby reducing the amount of money that the government has to spend in collecting waste. There is already an ongoing private sector partnership, especially in the area of collection, but a lot more can be done in the areas of waste management and recycling in Ibadan,” he said. Mr Patrick Mwanzia of Practical Action, Urban WASH and Waste Programme, Kenya, and Mr Joel Tembo Vwira of Business and Services Company, Democratic Republic of Congo, both at the event, also demonstrated the investment values of SWM in their various countries.

‘Africa, most affected by climate change’ Continued from pg21

convention, including the long-term global goal of holding the rise in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “It should also reaffirm the obligations of developed country Parties to provide additional, predictable and sustainable support in terms of finance, technology and capacity building to meet the adaptation and mitigation needs of the developing-country parties,” he said. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa also noted that for his country, its INDC includes a commitment to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, through a set of national adaptation goals, while also noting that “the Paris Agreement should address the interests of all countries and empower everyone to contribute their best efforts, based on equity and differentiation.” The Agreement Eventually agreed upon on Saturday, 12 December, a day after the Convention was scheduled to end, the historic Paris Agreement sets an ambitious goal of keeping a global temperature rise at no more than 2 degrees Celsius, and to strive for a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible. French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, who also served as the President of COP 21, described the agreement as fair and legally binding. “The Paris Agreement allows each delegation and group of countries to go back home with their heads held high. Our collective effort is worth more than the sum of our individual effort. Our responsibility to history is immense,” he said. French President, Francois Hollande described it as “an ambitious agreement, a binding agreement and a universal agreement.” The Paris Agreement covers all the crucial areas identified as essential for a landmark conclusion, which are Mitigation: reducing

emissions fast enough to achieve the temperature goal; A transparency system and global stock-take: accounting for climate action; Adaptation: strengthening ability of countries to deal with climate impacts; Loss and damage: strengthening ability to recover from climate impacts; and Support: including finance for nations to build clean and resilient futures. So why is COP 21 so important, especially for Africa? The committed involvement of the United States and China has helped to step up the

I think African countries put their cases across very well. However, from the draft agreement, I believe it was largely written in the absence of the negotiation process. With the articles published, it is obvious that much of it is exactly as projected long before the COP21. So therefore the contributions from African countries and other developing nations have, in my view, been ignored in the substance of the agreement and just included in the non-legally binding preamble. Climate change is affecting Africa more than any other continent, and I am a little

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and French President, Hollande join in the celebrations after the Paris Agreement was adopted. Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Ibrahim Mohammed.

scale of negotiations compared to other COPs. Although, there really is not much out there to comment on Africa’s position, what is key is Africa has to increase her capability to address adaptation to climate change in better ways. Also our perusal of Nigeria’s INDC appears acceptable. However, Nigeria has to also aggressively tackle the issue of desertification in the 11 front-line states which has been recognised as a major cause of climate change in our territory. So, the development of the Great Green Wall should therefore, still remain on the top burner of national discuss. —Dr Newton Jibunoh Founder, Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) Africa

worried post COP21 for African countries, particularly in the concept of “Technology Development and Transfer.” Looking at Articles 6 and 9 of the Agreement, one can imagine that the transfer of much needed capital will be based on conditions, and we know from experience that any financial conditions will always favour those providing the capital, i.e. developed economies. —Paul O’Callaghan CEO, WestAfricaENRG To achieve the projected average global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century, there should be a legally binding agreement to that effect, and not one which the big emitters, United States typically, would wriggle out of or disregard. Africa will be in for a surprise after

COP21 because personally, I feel that many developed countries especially in Europe, are already significantly decoupling development from carbon emissions. Whilst Africa expects capacity building in terms of technologies and financing, some of the countries in Europe will find it difficult to make these financial contributions, at least to the extent African countries expect. So for a country like Nigeria, I insist that the solution is at home. —Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba Executive Director, Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST) The experience was awesome and the events we attended were all well managed despite the tragic events in Paris a few weeks before the convention. But, honestly, I think Africa was led by Nigeria, and the appointment of Amina Mohammed as the Environment Minister proved inspirational. Africa has to prepare for climate change; it is coming, COP21 can only minimise the impact of it. However, I believe that the transfer of capital to the developing nations to cope with the impact of climate change is critical. —Lolade Oresanwo Chief Operating Officer, WestAfricaENRG Developing countries in Africa have a lot of work to do to turn aspirations of reducing carbon emissions into reality. In the current global economic climate, a focus on more efficient use of resources can help drive the actions and behaviours that lead to a reduction in carbon emissions. The timeline for the deal on carbon emissions targets that was agreed at the end of COP21 is by 2020, so, the work towards genuine emissions reductions needs to have started. —Ayodeji Ogunyemi Director, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, Nigeria

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

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

1847 well

Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Sally Mbanefo at Badagry Slave Trade Museum.

NTDC DG visits Badagry Slaves Museum

Tasks multi-national companies on tourism promotion By wale Ojo Lanre

HE Director–General Nigerian Tourism Development, (NTDC), Chief Sally Mbanefo has called on multi–national companies and network providers to show more concern at promoting the tourism potentialities of this country. Chief Mbanefo who made this call during her visit to Badagry Slave Trade Museum pointed out “Nigeria has huge potentialities in the tourism sector. The Federal Government is trying at making sure that the sector grows despite the financial crunch being experienced because of fluctuation in the price of crude since two years ago. However, I am not comfortable with the passive posture of major multi–national companies and the network providers towards the tourism sector”. She said: “The financing of tourism projects and sites should not be totally hung on the neck of the Federal Government. There are many companies that are direct beneficiaries of the sector, these companies must be tasked and ensure that they play their parts at developing the sector”. Chief Mbanefo pointed “It is apparent that oil companies are the major beneficiaries of the tourism industry. Tourism lubricates the wheel of the oil industry. There will be major problem if travellers refused to travel and the masses decided to shun vehicles by embarking on travel strike, the oil sector will collapse”. She added: “It will be a good step if 50 multi – national companies can adopt 50 tourism sites and develop them in the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility, (CSR). These

companies will not do this in vain as they too will be eligible to a certain percentage of the revenue from the sites “ Chief Mbanefo opined “It is high time the Federal Government tasked or compelled particularly the major network providers to adopt a tourism site like Ipole Iloro Waterfall or Ozimini Blue River in Abia or the Assop Fall in Jos. These network providers make the chunk of their fortune from tourism. “ She pointed out “Cell phone is one of the most important items a tourist has, the tourists make more calls to their families and friends when they are out of area of domicile. Unless while roaming, a typical tourist will seek first the SIM package of the host countries and other things will follow. Thus, the network provider should be compelled to adopt

It is high time the Federal Government tasked or compelled particularly the major network providers to adopt a tourism site like Ipole Iloro Waterfall or Ozimini Blue River in Abia or the Assop Fall in Jos. These network providers make the chunk of their fortune from tourism

a tourist centre and develop it to international standard”. Chief Mbanefo who was conducted on a tour of the Slave Trade Museum nearly broke down in tears when Anago, the curator at the Museum recapped the harrowing experience of the victims of the slave trade Anago explained that the slave trade period was the darkest period in the annals of the history of the Yoruba who were major participants and victims of the trade. Anago revealed “It was a time of pure wickedness when 40 able bodied, healthy and strong men were the barter commodity for an Umbrella!” On getting to the rooms where the 40 slaves were quartered before they were shipped to Europe, Chief Mbanefo shed tears and prayed for the souls of those who were victims of the trade. Chief Mbanefo commanded the National Commission for Museum and Monument ( NCMM) for safe keeping of those items which she called “Historical and informative irreplaceable items of history . She pointed out “This is one of the emotionally stoking tourism sites. The items here are wonderful, but still need better branding and showcasing. The NTDC is ready and willing to form a synergy of purpose at promoting this site.”

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

tribunetourism Hi-Impact Planet plants 185,000sq Tourism Theme Park in Lagos

F it worked in Dubai, London and USA, it can work here in Nigeria. And if it has been successfully planted in Sydney, Paris, Frankfurt, South Africa, it can be a success here in Nigeria too. Thus, Nigerians deserve the best in tourism sites, entertainment spots, fun rendezvous and recreation heavens. It is either the best is here and nothing but the best. This must have been the rationale behind the planting of what is going to be the best Theme park tourism planet in West Africa being engineered and propelled by Solution Media and Info Tech. Though on the very last stage of completion, the 185, 000 square metres theme park which is being planted on kilometre 20 Lagos–Ibadan Expressway (Ibadan bound ), opposite Mountain Top University, Lagos, is not only going to place Nigeria in a conspicuous page of the compendium of countries with international tourists sites, but will give Nigerians the pride of having a place worthy of visiting for relaxation and fun at its peak. The uniqueness of Hi–Impact Planet Theme Park is its abiding faith and strict adherence to international regulation, standards, rules and prescription of installation of such an intercontinental alluring and tourists hosting park. It is the concerted effort of one of the best teams in entertainment industry with prodigious testimonies of performance on the global stage and enviable precedence of record breaking in entertainment and theme packaging in UK, Dubai and Asia. It is also about standard in fixture and fittings, contemporaneousness in facilities, intercontinen-

tal uniformity, and quality at its best and most excellent. There is no way for compromising global standards, ethics of installation, latitude to crowd control, carrying capacity, security, health, conveniences, sanitation and seamless physical comfort. Everything about Hi-Impact Planet theme park has passed through hi–impact consideration in terms of standards and relevance for purpose and sustainability. The location has an insight of blessing the long Lagos–Ibadan Expressway with a Theme Park of immense irresistible urge of must visit and of most consequent is planting the facilities where it is secured from the vagaries of the element of corrosion from sea water, salt carrying waves and breeze. Victoria Odimba, of the Marketing Department of Solution Media and InfoTech who exhibited intellect of being a thorough bred and well travelled staff sequentially exposed the purpose, function and concepts of each of the structures and facilities within the 185,000 square metres HI–Impact Planet . The facilities, the rides, the devices are all tailored to the comfort, use and service and satisfaction of kid, young, old and the physically challenged who are desirous of having the best of fun. Though of intercontinental facilities and state of the art games, HI–Impact Planet is presented in African setting which the animatronics enclave and village square being the first encounter of a would be visitor. At this enclave, it is exciting and interesting seeing the dummies interacting as if they are real hu-

mans while the lions roar and the six metre-high gorilla grunting, emitting smoke as if the animals are real, real at war with others. Hi-Impact Planet is sequestered into five distinctive platforms: outdoor; indoor; luxuriously serviced apartments; food court; and multipurpose hall with all the ancillaries’ and allied necessities

like bank, ATM, a full functional clinic with beds for admission, UK certified surgeon, ambulance not only for visitors or occupiers of the apartments but for the community as part of her Corporate Social Responsibility. The outdoor is dominated by an array of stateof-the art facilities majorly manufactured by and procured from reputable world class Zamperils, the world renowned amusement park company, Moser Rides, Sega and Feretti International. The outdoor include enterprise, which caters for lovers of speed as the ride will spin and turn, moving circularly and vertically with a thrilling motion that always bring delight in riders; Hoopla, a new flight experience for brave people; Mexican fiesta, dream machine freestyler; jump around; Rio–Train; Zambia Balloon; Convoy; kite flyer 12; Water mania which enables those who love water game to shoot at themselves while rotating around a central axis; Haunted House; King of the Jungle; the Jungle; Vertical Swing and Spring ride. Each of these offers special and unique thrilling experience and sensation. Each of the outdoor facilities has its separate staff who monitor from their sheds constructed at the sphere of each rides. If the outdoor facilities are fantastic, lovers of indoor games and activities have been adequately taken care of by Hi-Impact Planet which dazzles with 5D cinema, a facility that will definitely sweep tourists off their feet as they will engage their senses and virtually feel every nuances of the movie world. Also, The BOEING 777 will take fun seekers to the sky letting them having a real sensation and feel of taking a flight from Lagos to London! Adding value to indoor activities lovers is the ICE Rink for those who love skating on the ice; the bumper cars for racers on the ground while those who love water should be prepared to do the bumper boats. Others are Big Buck Panorama, Aliens Armageddon; Transformers Deluxe; Packman Smash; Combat Pump It up Fiesta and numerous games. Hi–Impact Planet has planted a functional multipurpose Hall which can accommodate over 6000 people. The hall can host laser light display, film shows as well as musical concerts. It is an acoustic complaint hall with the latest version of mobile

The Juice On Crescent Bar rebrands By wale Ojo Lanre JULIA Godwin, the Hospitality Lady of the year has rebranded her exotic The Juice On Crescent Bar acting according to dictates of time and necessities of offering unique and exotic service ever . Julia, a first class tourism manager and event packaging expert has transformed TJOCB, located on 71, Oduduwa Crescent, same compound with Crescendo Lounge, GRA, Ikeja to heaven on earth and El Dorado of bliss. Julia who lured eminent personalities and distinguished classic Nigerians for the rebranding of TJOCB, on Saturday 5, December 2015 with ram barbecue on the House, Comedy, sexy creamy Divas stunned the guests with avalanche of cool high volume, good sound, and good music with free Wi-Fi. The rebranding is paying off as ‘have been to The juice On Crescent Bar” is the vogue now. Interestingly, Julia has made The Juice On Crescent bar juicier. You just need to be there and confirm this.

stage and mystery exit and entry doors for guest artistes. Four food courts are waiting for the culinary demands of visitors; these courts serve both continental and local cuisines with attention to visitor’s demands while the souvenir shop beckons on tourists to take home an item in memory of a memorable stay at Hi–Impact Planet. For a tourism site with capacity of hosting 2000 fun seekers at a time, two essential facilities must be on ground; functional conveniences and parking lot. Thus, in fixing these, Hi-Impact has aligned with international ethics and regulation by providing 45 toilets for male and another 45 for female making a total of 90 toilets interrupted in all, each with borehole system to ensure water supply while a parking lot which has the capacity for only 2500 cars has been made ready for fun seekers. Being a mass patronised planet, High–Impact Planet, lays emphasis more on security, apart from the private security men on ground any visitor to the site should expect a warm thorough body search while his personal effects will be scanned. A multi -capturing CCTV and security camera are hidden and placed at strategic spots to record every moment of the guests and ensure their security. Complimenting this is a 100-luxuriously serviced apartments purposely to service tourists, travellers, holiday makers and public who love to hibernate and rest within a planet of tourism haven. Capping it all, the planet is not connected to the national grid. It rests and depends solely on Independent Power Project. IPP, which comes in via generators which are installed for each ride and facility and by inverters as support to the generators in case of any eventuality. According to Dorado “Here at Hi–Impact Planet, we have conquered the issue of light. We have planted and installed hi–tech ride and games.We have made this planet conducive enough for the realisation of fun seekers’ dream. It is a tourism ElDorado fit you, fit for your children and fit for your friends. Join us as we will be setting a standard on Sunday 19 December 2015 when Nigeria’s tourism history will be opening a new chapter”

The splendour of Crystal Suites, Akure By wale Ojo Lanre THE conducive environment and ambience of peace engendered by the Governor of Ondo State, Dr Rahman Segun Mimiko in the state has continued to be a blessing to the people and economy of the state which has been blooming and growing in an unprecedented spiral rise. A state where there is peace and where the governor daily strives at improving the lot of the people will attract not only investors from foreign countries, but will stimulate investment from the indigenes in particular and Nigerians from other states which are battling with peace and insecurity . Since God put lanted Governor Mimiko in the saddle of power in Ondo State, the economy of the state has continued to expand and the wealth generation has increased tremendously. The hospitality sector has been the major benefactor of Governor Mimiko’s good government as the economically conducive atmosphere and ambience created by him has led to the springing up of hospitality ventures. It is on record that over 100 hotels, restaurants and bars have emerged since Mimiko came to power with employment generated estimated to be over five thousand. This estimate is not inclusive of the recently inaugurated Shopping Mall and the Dome, a seven thousand capacity event and conference centre which alone has the capacity of employing directly 500 workers employed over. However, some smart economic and business visionaries have seized the initiative of the Governor in planting supporting hospitality ventures which the Dome, the conferee and symposium participants will need and of utmost use to them. Realising the dearth of an international standard first class suites facility in Akure and believing that there are some unique and special dignitaries who deserve specialised and personalized hotel service, the management of Crystal International, a brand name in the hospitality service noted for its specialization in establishing exotic suites and resorts has planted another wonder in Akure. Christened Crystal Suites, the 10-wonderful bedroom affairs is planted on Oduduwa Street, Ijapo Estate. Crystal Suites is laid and built in the tradition of the Crystal group with every detail to splendour, posh, luxury, quality and of excellent taste. Right from the electronic gate, to the bulb switch pads, to the furniture, fixture and fittings, apart from

being of the best standard obtainable anywhere are all placed in their rightful positions by experts. The suites are a three-bedroom affair with a large and opulently furnished sitting room and dinning. Each has its set of electronics including a 40 metres-television. The bedroom is fixed with therapeutic bed on which parades linen beddings and soft pillows which puffs down while accommodating the head and puffs up as soon as the head is off. The conveniences offer comfort both in setting and items. For instance, a guest needs not worry about taking along, bathroom slippers, bedroom suit, tooth paste and brush, jelly ointment, comb and many others. The chefs are recruited from a pool of internationally certified and experienced experts who have distinguished themselves in the art of culinary setting with experience in Intercontinental Hotels and Resort. The bar parades varieties of exotic drinks, wine, brandy and whisky as well as national drinks according to the taste of guests. At Crystal Suites, there is no room for open bar for it is not a mass – oriented suite, but created with all sense of luxurious splendour to give that personalised and private royal and regal services to buyers. The essentials of hotel, light, water and security are taken care to ensure regular and round the clock service and surveillance. According to Akin Babtunde, Manager, “Crystal Suites is a world of its own. It is a new deal in hospitality service. It is specially planted to offer the discerning guests the varieties of hospitality service unobtainable elsewhere in the state. We are here to offer you the value for the money. We may be upscale, but you have more than you bargained for. It is for you because you deserve the best, the good and most excellent. That is Crystal Suites, Oduduwa Street, Ijapo, Akure for you”.

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

energy

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

Chevron, co-venturers refurbish 61-year-old clinic Olatunde Dodondawa And Olayinka Shehu - Lagos

HEVRON and its partners have identified a 61-year-old Epe General Hospital and have completed the renovation of its major female ward and also donated a high-tech ambulance to the hospital. Epe General Hospital was built in 1954, according to the Medical Director, Dr Mustapha, and it has suffered major turnaround maintenance since inception and has been in a dilapidated state before Chevron and its co-venturers came to the rescue recently. The co-venturers include Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), FAMFA Oil Limited, Statoil Nigeria Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited. Speaking during the hand-over ceremony, the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria, Mr Clay Neff, stated that the renovation of the ward and the donation of the emergency bus was as a result of the company’s view of healthcare as a crucial social service that needs inclusive support. Represented by the acting General Manager, Public, Government and Policy Affairs (PHPA), Sola Adebawo, he said further that “The intervention and support made by us, is in line with the Chevron and our co-venturers tradition of care, which include robust health programmes in the pursuit of our corporate responsibility programmes by our companies. “It has become apparent that the increasing health pressure in the country cannot be resolved by merely adding resources, but must also be addressed with new methods of service delivery which we hope that the ambulance, donated today, will positively impact the mobility and the capacity of health system. We also hope that it will add value to the first line in the continuum of health care.” He appreciated the Lagos State government for providing the much needed support in health care services which Chevron and its partners considered equally important as oil business. “We thank Lagos State government for partnering with us in deploying this and other corporate responsibility programmes by our companies. Over the years, we have successfully partnered with the state to implement various programmes in the areas of health, education, economic, empowerment and the environment. “Some of the projects are the donation of

Eko Disco assures of adequate power supply during yuletide Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

equipment to St. Kzitos Clinic in Lekki and the Alimosho General Hospital in Lagos, to fight tuberculosis and other infections common to HIV/AIDS patients; donation of medical equipment to Massey Children Hospital, Lagos Island and upgrading of Okun-Afa Medical Centre. “This partnership also led to the supply and installation of a 40Kva sound-proof generator and the renovation of a building to serve as both operations offices and stores to this hospital in 2009, as well as a medical waste incinerator. Other health programmes implemented by the Chevron companies and the co-vecturers with Lagos State include HIV/AIDS testing campaign in Badagry and mass de-

FG commends Sahara, others on success of power sector privatisation P27

worming exercise for school children in Alimosho, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Epe, Eti-osa and Ibeju Lekki Local Government Areas (LGAs) respectively. “The company has also executed Roll Back Malaria (RBM) awareness campaign in Ojo, Oshodi, Ikeja and Epe and donated a molecular biology research laboratory to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH). It was this laboratory that detected the index case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria thereby contributing to Nigeria’s ability to control the spread of the highly infectious and dreaded Ebola virus disease in 2014. “It has become apparent that the increasContinues on

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THE management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has assured its customers that everything is being done to ensure regular power supply in all areas within its operational territory during the yuletide period. Dropping this hint was the Head Corporate Communication, EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia, while speaking with newsmen recently. Mr Idemudia said the company was not unaware of expectations of customers to enjoy regular power supply during the yuletide and as such, a lot of measures were being put in place to ensure that customers’ hopes were not dashed. According to the EKEDC spokesman, the company had commenced replacement of faulty cables and equipment to ensure easy evacuation of power as received from the national grid. He further said in addition to replacement and repairs of faulty equipment, special fault clearing teams have been set up in all the business districts of the company to facilitate quick response to customers’ complaints and technical faults. Mr Idemudia, however, pleaded that while the company was making every effort to satisfy its customers, customers should show understanding if their expectations could not be met as a result of drop in the national generation level and subsequent bulk energy load allocation to the company, adding that such situations were usually beyond the company’s control. “As we are putting all our facilities in top shape to satisfy our customers, our customers should please understand and bear with us if there is a drop in the national generation level as this will affect our bulk energy load allocation. Situations like that are usually beyond us and there is nothing we can do about it,” Mr Idemudia said. Speaking further, the EKEDC spokesman said it was also the expectation of the company that customers on their own part would include settlement of electricity bills in the yuletide budget, so as to avoid being disconnected during the period. He also advised customers not to resort to using those he referred to as quacks to clear faults in their areas.

FG plans 62m barrels exports in January

1.7bn people lacks access to electricity —ExxonMobil

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energy

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

FG commends Sahara, others on success of power sector privatisation Stories By Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

HE Federal Government has commended Sahara Group and other private investors in the privatised power sector two years after the power sector privatisation. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, made the commendation during the kickoff of the despatch of 220MW excess capacity for both Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Company at Egbin Power Plc premises in Lagos at the weekend. According to Fashola, “I acknowledge efforts of Egbin Power Plc management to ensure Nigerians have stable power supply. I realised that the investment in the sector by the management has local mix than foreign mix. I also commend Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and other stakeholders for the journey so far. “I have seen this model work in other countries and I’m sure we will do the same here and ensure it works. Nigerians must know that it is now privatised and our role as government has changed. We are not in charge anymore, as private investors are now in charge.” After conducting an on-the-site inspection of the plants, Fashola reiterated that since the plants were built over 30 years ago, they have not been overhauled because they were being managed by government. “When the plants were built over 30 years for lower population, they lacked maintenance and complete overhaul. These have led to only one or two units working while other units were either not working at all, or partially working. “Today, due to Sahara Investment in the plants, we are back with six turbines that are working, with 1320 MW ready for evacuation. And because we lack the capacity to evacuate the 1320MW, we will sign evacuation pact with Eko and Ikeja Discos to take the excess 220MW to dedicated special buyers who are ready to pay slightly higher tariff so that they will be off-grid and what supposed to go to them will be channelled to other consumers. “The regulators must begin to work on this in other to accommodate willing buyers and willing sellers’ principles. The public must know this and must be ready for the change. The Discos must be ready to try new things, bring in more investors and improve on technical capacity,” he said. On the needed fund to boost power generation in the power sector, Fashola reiterated that “I am working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that the sector is adequately funded. All hands are on deck to ensure that the sector is sufficiently funded. Our role as government is to listen to investors and support them to give the country the best.”

Tonye Cole, MD, Sahara Group On his part, the chairman, Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, stated that prior to the privatisation of the plant in November 2013, Egbin average generation was 300MW

due to the dismal state of its six units; at its lowest point, only one of the six units was operational. “Post-acquisition, we are already witnessing some significant

achievements, particularly, the plant’s current sustained 1,110MW generation capacity that is responsible for over 25 per cent of power supply in the nation. “From the outset, we had just one desire: Let there be light! In spite of numerous challenges, all we could see was a Nigeria that has the capacity to harness its amazing potential though a robust and sustainable power sector. This vision has yielded ongoing initiatives, investments and innovations which have restored Egbin to its installed capacity of 1,320MW. “Your Excellency, we are delighted to have you inaugurate the dedication of the additional 220MW that is set to yield about 16 per cent more power supply to the Lagos State industrial community. We are equally pleased to inform you that a bilateral agreement to supply the 220MW to Ikeja Electric and Eko Distribution Company is already in place. “This dedicated power will drive economic growth and development in Lagos through the revival of entrepreneurial aspirations, job creation, real sector growth and enhanced productivity in the state,” he stated. He stated further that the story of Egbin is still unfolding as the management have commenced feasibility studies to double the capacity of the plant to 2670MW. “As we prepare to power the change that will drive Nigeria to its next phase of sustained growth, we also target an Egbin that would birth an industrial park. I will like to say that, we the private sector,

most especially Sahara Power Group, KERL, Egbin Power Plc and other sister companies have elected to own the vision of electrifying Nigeria. “Interestingly, we at Egbin have been nominated to a committee by the Lagos State Government with other members drawn from the Lagos State Government, Ikeja disco, Eko disco, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Falcon Corporation Limited and Gaslink Nigeria Limited. The aim, as the Advisory Commission name depicts is to “Light Up Lagos.” Our action today isan impetus in achieving that vision. “When the Sahara Group started operating nearly 20 years ago, the promoters envisioned an organization that findsmeaningful solutions to big challenges. We have made great progress but, as we grew, we began to realise that there is more work to be done, more problems to solve, more communities to transform, and more lives to improve,” he stated. He appealed to the Minister on the huge debt of over N47billion debts due to Egbin. He said the historic power plant urgently needs the funds. “We suggest the adoption of possible policy reviews and a more holistic approach to addressing the bottlenecks in sector’s value chain. There is certainly an urgent need for the government to strengthen the hands of the private sector by creating an enabling environment forsignificant investment in both the transmission and gas infrastructure,” he said.

FG plans 62m barrels exports in January THE Federal Government is planning export of about 61.8 million barrels of crude oil in January next year, the highest since October this year. This is according to available loading programmes, which indicated that the planned export volume translates to 1.99 million barrels per day, bpd. Loading information for at least two programmes was still pending, meaning the total could rise further, but the programme was already five cargoes above the 1.82 million bpd initially planned for December. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently lowered official selling prices for the country’s oil to their lowest in more than a decade as the fight for market share and millions of unsold barrels took their toll. Nigeria is currently having difficulties getting buyers for its crude oil in the international market, even as the price of its various oil grades have been on a downward trend over the last couple of months. Data obtained from global energy information providers, re-

vealed that Nigeria is currently recording supply glut in the sales of its crude, as buyers seem to prefer other competing grades from other countries. It still has 25 to 30 of its December cargoes available for sale, and

some 10 million barrels loading in November were moved into the systems of the oil companies who owned them after failing to find spot market buyers at attractive prices. Analysts are of the view that un-

less an improvement is recorded in the days and weeks ahead, the Nigerian economy would be plunged into a financial quagmire, as it would be starved of funds to fund its budget and manage the affairs of the country.

Sahara Energy denies alleged profiteering THE management of Sahara Energy Resources Limited has said the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) did not give the company an opportunity to provide available documentary evidence that would have addressed allegations bordering on compliance with approved price for sale of PMS. The DPR had in a letter dated December 9, 2015 written to Sahara on the issue and the company promptly replied via a letter also dated December 9, 2015 to clarify its position and make a passionate appeal for an opportunity to back its response with facts. Setting the record straight in a statement, the company’s Managing Director, Mrs Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka said Sahara Energy

had a track record of strict compliance with the sector’s guidelines. Adeyinka said the DPR sent the letter to Sahara without any hearing or earlier inquiry, affirming that she remained hopeful that Sahara’s response will clarify all allegations and concerns of the DPR. “We take seriously our obligations under the law as a corporate law abiding citizen and we have not acted in breach of the Petroleum Act or any Regulations, Schedules or Orders made thereunder. We shall welcome an opportunity to respond to any allegations of fact that DPR may have and we are confident that we can demonstrate with documentary records our full compliance with the Act,” she said. Sahara’s letter to the DPR read in part: “We would like to inform

you that contrary to the allegations made in your letter, Sahara Energy Resources Limited discharged MT Argosy carrying 20,426,120 litres of PMS to Sahara Ibafon on the 5th October, 2015 and sold this product between the 7th October and 24th November, 2015 to Forte Oil and A.A. RANO, amongst others, who we all sold to at the price of =N=77.66. We categorically maintain that we did not at any time sell PMS above the government approved price. As of today, we have only a deadstock of 26,116 litres at Sahara Ibafon which cannot be pumped out.” She said Sahara has always sold petroleum products at the approved price in its depots and other depots where the company has discharged products.”

energy

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

1.7bn people lack access to electricity —ExxonMobil Stories By Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

ENERAL Manager, Deep Water Operations, ExxonMobil, Mr Oladotun Isiaka has said that over 1.7 billion people around the world have no access to electricity. Isiaka also predicted that demand for energy will rise significantly in the nearest future. Isiaka who spoke at the launch of the ExxonMobil’s ‘2015 Energy Outlook Series,’ in Abuja, disclosed that with the world’s population in excess of seven billion, energy demand will continue to increase as the standard of living improves, adding that “When the standard of living increases, the demand for energy will also increase. He argued that oil will still sustain the global energy need for the next 100 years, adding that global demand for energy in the next 25 years would be led by countries outside of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, (OECD). According to him, the countries include Nigeria, China, and India, noting that supply glut in the oil sector will continue into the foreseeable future as supply outstrips demand in many countries. He said: “The franking technology now avails us the opportunity to know it is there. Based on this and the amount of energy we use as at today and what we are projecting, what we use over 25 to 40 years, this tells us that we have 100 years of oil to support energy needs. “Countries outside the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including China, India, and Nigeria, would lead global demand for energy in the next 25 years.” Despite data showing that global reserves have risen to six trillion barrels, Isiaka said this would last for only a hundred years based on today’s energy consumption and projected future demands. He noted that population increase, improved standard of living and growth in the middle class, especially in India, China and other key growth areas of the world, will continue to drive energy demands. “Energy demand trends from 2010 to 2040 are expected to vary significantly around the world, as countries move along very different trajectories in terms of key demand drivers including population, demographics, economic growth and income levels,” he maintained He pointed out however that most of the growth in energy demand would come from countries outside the OECD. On the world’s oil reserve, he said: “In 1981, it was estimated to be below 2 trillion barrels, then

slightly above 2 trillion barrels by 1990, and as of 2013, it was estimated to be six trillion barrels. “It is not that the oil just got deposited there. It has been there

for millions of years, but it is the advancement in technology that has now availed us the opportunity to know it is there and to be able to bring it to the tank.

“Ultimately, what you want is for the oil to go to the tank. And if you do not have the capacity to bring to the tank, then it is going to stay there forever.”

From left, Dr Abu Ejoor, Executive Director Commercial, BEDC; Mr Victor Gbolade Osibodu, Chairman, Vigeo Power Ltd and Honourable Lawani Damion, Representative of the Edo State House of Assembly, at the graduation ceremony of Vigeo Power Academy/Elizade University trained Graduate Trainees in Benin City recently.

Chevron refurbishes 61-year-old clinic Continues from|p26

ing health pressure in the country, cannot be resolved by merely adding resources, but must also addressed with new methods of service delivery, which we hope that the ambulance donated today, will positively impact the mobility and the capacity of health system. We also hope that it will add value to the first line in the continuum of health care,” he said. In his address, the Group General Manager (GGM), Mr Date Sejebor, represented by Helen Nkwo, Supervisor, Community Development, NAPIMS, said it was in continuation of “our support for healthcare delivery in Lagos State and the country in general. “As our partners pointed out, we are commited to improving health care delivery in the state in line with our resolute commitment to support the government to provide better life to the people. I urge all stakeholders to work for the sustainability of these projects and be committed so that their objectives will be met and we would have collectively improve health care delivery in our communities.” Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Lagos State, represented by Dr Olakunle Enigbokan, the acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, said the renovation of the ward and donation of an emergency bus to the hospital will

complement the effort of the government. “The government and people of Lagos State express gratitude to Chevron Nigeria Limited as we accept the refurbished female ward of Epe General Hospital and the donation of an emergency ambulance as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of Chevron.

We commend Chevron for partnering with the state government through social investment in education and infrastructure development. “This new intervention is quite appreciated as it will complement our effort in producing quality and accessible health care service delivery to our people,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

Oriental Energy resumes full funding of Ebok field

ORIENTAL Energy Resources Limited, the 60 per cent equity owner of the Ebok and Okwok assets, Offshore Nigeria, and the Licensee and Operator of record with the Nigerian Government has assumed full responsibility for funding the field operations. Following the implementation of the Ebok Field Transition Plan in August 2015, Oriental Energy took full operational control of the Ebok field from Afren plc’s wholly-owned subsidiary Afren Resources Limited, providing working capital to fund all operations, while absorbing key operations’ personnel, ensuring that the company has the technical capability to operate the asset independently and safely, in line with its long term strategy. The company said in a statement that since it assumed control, it has implemented the full responsibility for funding field operations and the transfer of the employment of 100 key Afren Commercial, Legal, Technical and operational staff to Oriental directly and assuming direct responsibility for their upkeep and the London and Houston offices. On the technical agreement, it said It is in the process of completing the transfer of all technical agreements and contractual agreements related to the Ebok field, and has assumed responsibility for all costs for field operations from 1 August 2015. “Oriental has presented to and received the formal support of the Department of Petroleum Resources and its Partners and Farmors in the OML 67 NNPC/ ExxonMobil JV in its assumption of full operational control of the Ebok field.”

Total boss predicts lower crude price in 2016 FRENCH oil giant boss, Total, Patrick Pouyanne, predicts that oil price is unlikely to recover next year. The price of Brent crude is currently under $43 a barrel, down more than 60 per cent since last summer, while US light crude is trading below $40 a barrel. US prices have not been this low for more than 10 years. Pouyanne doesn’t anticipate a recovery in 2016, as he fears that supply will grow faster than demand next year. Last Friday, Goldman Sachs put out a note suggesting prices could fall a lot further. “While we are forecasting oil prices over the next few months to be near $40 a barrel, or roughly where they are trading today, there could be another 50 per cent to fall,” the investment bank said. Renewed concerns about supply and demand imbalances pushed the oil price sharply lower on Monday, with Brent down more than $1 a barrel and US crude $1.30 lower.

Oversupply is the reason for the slump in prices over the past 18 months, largely due to US shale oil flooding the market. At the same time, demand has fallen due to a slowdown in economic growth in China and Europe. This has hit not just the oil industry, but also oil-exporting countries. Many big oil producers such as Libya, Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela need an oil price well above $100 a barrel to balance their budgets. With the price down near $40, they are having to sell assets to make up the difference. Indeed a recent report from US data provider eVestment showed that sovereign wealth funds in the oil-rich Gulf are pulling money out of global fund management houses at the fastest pace on record. Many of these Gulf states are members of OPEC, the group that controls about 30 per cent of the world’s oil supply. Understandably, many are furious that the oil price has been allowed to drop so low.

Historically, OPEC has cut production to support prices but, led by Saudi Arabia, the group has resolutely refused to trim supply this time. Saudi’s motivation is simple, to drive US shale producers out of business, believing that they will fall victim to lower prices long before the traditional oil producers of OPEC. The last time they met, they agreed again to maintain supply at about 31.5 million barrels a day. Besides, following a nuclear deal with six world powers in July and the imminent lifting of sanctions, Iran has big plans to increase oil production in the coming years, from about three million barrels a day now, to five million by the end of the decade. At the end of last month, Iran overhauled the way in which it offers contracts to foreign energy companies in a bid to attract up to $30billion (£20billion) of new investment, with a view to increasing output by 500,000 barrels a day once sanctions are lifted.

tribunebusiness

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Fitness wears

new look with

Google app

Google Instructor demonstrating how the device works to participants at the event.

Known for novel innovations and technology, Google thrilled participants at a ‘Fit With Google’ workout with devices and app on fitness regimens, VICTOR OGUNYINKA reports on the importance of the device to an everyday life.

“

OK Google, show me the picture of Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo,” and in a split second, pictures of the matriarch surfaced on my android phone. No, there’s nothing new in giving a voice command to your phone but when it involves a wristwatch, accessing all the applications on your phone, then, you will agree that some wristwatches tell more than time. The amusement behind the technology of speaking to a wristwatch and getting results both on your android phone and the wristwatch, was evident on the gestures and looks of the participants who attended a gym session organised by search engine giant, Google, themed ‘Fit With Google’ at Bodyline Fitness and Gym, Ikoyi, Lagos state. Staggering statistics showed that words like fitness and gym are least searched globally. The reason is not farfetched. A reasonable number of persons start the year with full vigour, loading their todo list for the year with prospective activities, pledging to lose weight and get fit, but many, after few weeks, find their resolves slipping. Gyms that were over flowing with people in the first weeks of the year became quite empty before March! Intimating participants on the dwindling exploration of fitness and gym, Google Communications and Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, called everyone’s atten-

tion to the fitness and gym trend globally. He explained that Google search trends indicated that globally, online searches for words like health/fitness/gyms peak between December and January, while in Nigeria, the trend revealed a quarterly pattern. “According to statistics, it has been established that most people search for words like gym and fitness just twice in a year; January when they make their New Year’s resolutions, which most people forget about at the end of the month and December when they realised that the year is coming to an end and they are well behind in meeting their set goals. “In Nigeria, statistics revealed that people use the gym more at the beginning of every quarter. The reasons why people don’t really take this serious could probably be attributed to pursuit of the issues of life. Technology has been designed to make life easier and with

believing that technology should be a part of everyday life, Google organised ‘Get Fit with Google’ to demonstrate how mobile devices can be incorporated in fitness regimens to improve the efficacy of workout sessions,” he said. The introduction of the device is

The android wear (wristwatch) is loaded with limitless android features connected to an android phone and a simple voice command of ‘OK Google’, the world is just a click away.

Google Communications and Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, speaking to participants at the event.

capable of enticing one to use the gym more often. With the device serving as a personal trainer, stop watch, fitness motivator, training partner finder among others, going to gym could in no time transcend into a routine. And because one’s fitness efforts extend beyond just cardio, Google Fit app presents a whole lot of smarter options when it comes to strength training. For instance, if you have an Android Wear watch, you can start a daily challenge and your timepiece will automatically detect and count each sit-up, push-up, squat and amount of calories lost. This info will also now be added to your daily activity, offering a more complete picture of your overall fitness. The android wear (wristwatch) is loaded with limitless android features connected to an android phone and a simple voice command of ‘OK Google’, the world is just a click away.

While showcasing the modus operadi of the device at a group session, Analytical Lead at Google, Mr Abdulsalam Abdullateef demonstrated how a variety of Android apps and Android wearable devices (wristwatch) could be used during exercise and how they could be used to make daily activities much easier. Activities like checking the weather news, asking for directions, surfing the internet, taking dictation among other functions, using apps like Tabata and Fit App, track my fitness, which works with an accelerometer on Android smart watches to measure distance walked, calories burned, heart rate, during workouts. Participants at the events also had the luxury of a firsthand experience of how the device works when they were put through their paces with aerobics exercises, including cycling and a Zumba session to keep fit.

Google Instructor demonstrating how the device works to participants.

politics&policy

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

I am not afraid of anybody —Fayose Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Sunday, addressed newsmen in Lagos on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, war against corruption, governorship polls in Kogi and Bayelsa states, and other salient issues. BOLA BADMUS brings the excerpts:

N the election that brought him to power You would recall that after I won the Ekiti State governorship election, there was this effort to stop me from being sworn in. It generated a lot of controversy, even before and after the election. There was one story of photo-chromic military rigging and all that. You would equally recall that there were four elections after mine: the presidential, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly elections. They all followed the same pattern even when military men were not enough for the whole country. It is good for anybody to complain about the elections but when you are not on ground, you cannot win an election. After Dr Kayode Fayemi conceded in the Ekiti poll, his party,. the All Progressives Congress (APC) still went ahead to challenge the outcome of the election up to the Supreme Court, and we still won. The Supreme Court dealt properly with the issue of impeachment and it did not raise issues of whether the election was won or not. It talked about the issue of academic certificate that was raised in 2002. It equally raised the issue of non qualification as a result of impeachment. The court dealt with it all the issues and it was a landmark judgment already reported in all law journals. So ordinarily, I think this should put paid to all these stories. An online newspaper generated a report of a conversation and I came out to say that I was part of the conversation. I was the complainant in that conversation. But, you now set up a military committee to look into the Ekiti and Osun elections that were adjudged to be free and fair. The Americans and international observers made it very clear that they recommend the Ekiti election for subsequent elections in the country. To my surprise, I heard they set up a panel to look into the activities of some military men during the elections in Ekiti and Osun. That is their choice. To fulfill all righteousness, I sent my Attorney-General and Commissioner for Information to give them information that they might not have. For instance, they might not be privy to the report of international observers on the election. If the international community says the election was free and fair; that the military did well, they (the military) will be on their own if they indict their personnel because of politics. Stand on the Buhari administration I have been very critical of the present government and I will continue to be critical of any government in Nigeria, because democracy is about opposition and the government in power. I have no regrets and I am not sorry for my actions. I did not start being critical of government after Buhari’s election. I started before the poll. I actually

in silence because when you promote a lion and you don’t remember to guide his claws and jaws, one day, you will end up in the lion’s stomach. Still on the Ekiti governorship poll We are living testimonies of (former President) Olusegun Obasanjo’s misrule. So, I am a clean person. But, what they are doing is to go to Kaduna. After all submissions, they now want to say the military rigged the Ekiti election. They are releasing their report very soon and knowing full well that the military report holds no water in law, the AttorneyGeneral (of the Federation)would want that report reviewed and approach the Supreme Court to review its position, which is not known in law. Andy Uba, Great Ogboru, and a number of other people did it and they were told it was not known to law. So, I want to remind them that they are on the verge of destroying democracy in Nigeria. Call it fighting corruption, but they are on the verge of destroying democracy in Nigeria!

Fayose told Nigerians not to vote for him (Buhari). I made advertorials and I am still not sorry for that. I still maintain my stand because I envisaged the current practice of disobedience to court orders and dictatorship. Forget about those who rule Nigeria, but we must insist to be ruled by the rule of law. We must appreciate that the hope of the common man is the Judiciary and every order issued by the court must be respected by every Nigerian. Forthcoming LG poll in Ekiti

For instance, we are expecting the judgment of the court this week concerning local government election. I said it earlier; I am going on with the election except the court says otherwise. I am going to obey the court; otherwise, anarchy is going to kill this nation. Promoters of Buhari Those who promoted Buhari to be president, at one time or the other later in the country will regret their action. Most of them are already regretting and suffering

This country belongs to all of us. Today, it is a Hausa man ruling; yesterday, it was an Ijaw man; years back, it was a Yoruba man. What goes round will one day come round.

The Kogi election The Kogi experience is still very fresh. It doesn’t matter which party I belong but the votes and views of Nigerians must be respected. When a man did not participate in an election and he is the beneficiary of that election! I don’t know whether they announced the winner on the basis of the supplementary election. At the point when the election was held, it was believed that all the procedures leading to it had been observed and there must be somebody declared winner at the end. If a man is dead, he doesn’t enjoy democracy and votes from an election. Automatically, the election came and the processes followed, and a winner must be announced. Incumbent governor of Kogi, Captain Idris Wada was supposed to be announced. Now that you have equally chosen not to announce Wada, I don’t know how you brought in somebody else who did not participate in the election. I must commend Honourable Abiodun Faleke. I am not saying he is the winner, but we must commend him for standing out in the midst of the current darkness. God uses a man for a purpose at a given time. Faleke is being used for a purpose in this period of our democracy. Bayelsa election In Bayelsa State, the military was seen engaging the electorate physically. It is all over the social media. We will continue to remind Buhari on his antecedents and his current attitude to undermine democracy in the land. There is no lion again in Nigeria. We own this country together. I am Ayo Fayose. I am from Ekiti State; I am popularly known as Osokomole. I am telling him again, the consequence of dictatorship is the fall of the dictator. It is either he threads softly, or to remember the same Nigerians, who gave him the opportunity to govern the country after several attempts. What Buhari should do on the fight against corruption continues pg31

politics&policy

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

‘We will soon open can of worms’ continued from pg30

President Buhari must be bold enough to go beyond fomer President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure. Let us look at all the NSAs in office in the last 16 years. He should go a little further. The Halliburton saga is there, why is he (Buhari) shying away from there? I am saying that corruption is even on a higher scale under Buhari ever than before. Warnings ahead of 2016 There are 16 things that will happen in the country in 2016. I am going to publish them. There will be so much of disobedience to court orders. There will be removal of oil subsidy within the first quarter of 2016. Corruption under Buhari will be on the increase. Poverty under the administration of Buhari will be like never before. I want to equally establish that power generation under Buhari will be at its lowest ebb in 2016. Our earnings will be critical and worse. I can’t remember others as I speak, but I will publish them later. We cannot continue with the current propaganda. I want to say that Buhari should make public, in the last 16 years, finances under all the NSAs. You would be amazed if you knew what has happened. Who is fooling who? When you look back, late General Sani Abacha stole all the wealth of this country, but none of his people have been jailed up till now. Let us look back, General Ibrahim Babangida was alleged to have issues over oil wind fall, but heaven did not fall till date. I am not promoting corruption, but I need to tell them what sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. They will divide this country beyond measure the way they are going. The agitation for the division of this country is building up, and we need to be careful and tread cautiously. If you look at the appointments being made; if you look at the way things are going, I am sure those who had promoted Buhari would have a rethink. This country belongs to all of us. Today, it is a Hausa man ruling; yesterday, it was an Ijaw man; years back, it was a Yoruba man. What goes round will one day come round. Buhari and his men I want to appreciate everyone of you and to tell you that they are after me and I am prepared for them. The Ekiti people gave me their mandate to govern them. I am the first Nigerian politician to defeat two incumbent governors at two different attempts. I have records. When they talk, they say I wear a particular type of cloth. What is their business? The people that I govern are very happy with me, whether I wear tattered clothes. They are hypocrites; they do something else in the cover and another in the open. I want to stand here and defend the interest of the common man without fear or favour. Any attempt to invade my state will not go down well with them. They made attempts to make my swearing in impossible, but the people rose against them. They made attempts to ensure I was impeached, but the people rose against them. They made attempts to the level of the Supreme Court to stop me, they were stopped. They are at it again; they want to use a military panel now. Would you say the role of the military, for example, in the Ekiti election, was perfect or otherwise? I want to make it very clear: I am not in

a position to judge the Ekiti election, but we have judgment and opinions about the Ekiti election. The international community and the Americans phoned to congratulate me personally and they wrote. It is on their website, where they recommended the Ekiti election for all subsequent elections in Nigeria in respect of the conduct and its handling by the military. They recommended it for the 2015 elections that we have just concluded. The international community said it went well; the Americans said it went well and advised Fayemi to accept the result of the election. That was why he accepted the result. If I don’t have the conviction, I won’t accept. We should be honourable for awhile, and I am saying it expressly that that election was the best. Most of the governors today are on a high horse to climb down. I am there on the ground with my people. I work in their midst; I live with them; I dine with them. I am telling others to take away their babaringas and come down. They should do policies that target the people directly. Fayemi and the APC have a total disconnect with the people. They should be honourable enough, it is not every election they must win. Can’t you see the way they are annulling PDP elections? The same template, different judgments! Have you seen such in our history, the kind of judgment concerning the governorship matter in Taraba State? We want to see if the APC will not destroy even the Judiciary. The judiciary needs to rise up. The day I spoke about that arm o government, they all condemned me, shouting and all that. At the end of the day, Buhari came and said the Judiciary is corrupt. Earlier on, that is, about two months ago, I said they should come clean and tell Nigerians about the situation of economy, Buhari came out and said Nigeria was broke. It was after I talk they will come back and confirm what I say to be true. Why would you do two elections and pronounce them inconclusive? It is an inconclusive government we are running now. Most things will be inconclusive very soon; the economy will be inconclusive. Buhari himself is tagged as Baba Go- slow. Nothing is working: small companies are dying due to policies that are not working well. Where are we going? Is it all about pursuing political opponents? Watch very well, he was on AIT; we have all the things said about him during the elections. Oh so, that man must go in for it; Raymond Dokpesi must go in for it. The National Security Adviser must go in for it! The facts will soon emerge. We are working gradually to open a can of worms between 1999 and now. We are going to release a lot of things. To cow everybody, including the press, that is why they are sponsoring that bill in the National Assembly. I am surprised too that the pressmen are keeping quiet. They can’t talk again; they are afraid. You have expressed your view about

Fayose what transpired at the military panel, a decision which you said was going to be pursued up to the Supreme Court and you tried to predict what is likely to happen to your victory at the poll. Tell us who are those people behind the plot? They are the APC and the Presidency. The military panel was selected for the hatchet job. The same military handled the election in Ekiti and Osun. The PDP won in Ekiti but the APC won in Osun, heavens did not fall. They have a target, but we are waiting for them. You can only start a thing; you cannot muscle or kill everybody. What happened during the poll in Bayelsa? Let us look at the role of the military in that state; it is all over the social media. Are we going back to 1984 under Buhari, where he will be beating us when we go to buy essential materials? That will never happen in this country. They can’t cow us. Are you not afraid of your life fighting this battle the way you are?

Those who are afraid of death should know that something will kill someone someday. I stood to fight all through the eight years and as God would have it, here I am today!

My brother, forget that one! This year, I am 55; I will be 56 next year. If I die today, I have five sons, they will do a big party. People will console them that your father lived an exemplary life; that he was governor twice. They will still move on and enjoy my wealth. Those things we fear most happen to us eventually. I am not a coward. Life is not about how many years you live, but what you stand to represent. Within or outside Ekiti, I don’t use siren. I don’t carry policemen or DSS about. I don’t need them. If you come, you are only wasting your time because I have nothing to hide. There is even no money for anybody to steal. You were in this country in 2006; the way they paraded me as an armed robber over the poultry project. Today, am not the one that has become a governor again? Could you ever say Fayose will come to town and start parading the streets of Nigeria again? But today, I am their master. I am going places. I said it in 2008 that I am coming back and I am here again. I am going higher and higher. I have a place in Nigeria that I am yet to get to. Those who are afraid of death should know that something will kill someone someday. I stood to fight all through the eight years and as God would have it, here I am today! Look at my pattern of history. I left on October 16, 2006, and I came back on October 16, 2014. That is instructive; that God is with me. The very day the Buhari-administration faces me, his government will come down, quote me; the very day Buhari singles me out. I am a child of destiny. Any government that confronts me will come down. It will not stand the test of time.

32 politics&policy

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Why PDP will retain Ondo in 2016 —deputy gov Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, in this interview with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, speaks on the governorship election coming in the state next year, his relationship with Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the chances of the PDP in the poll. Excerpts:

HAT is your relationship with your governor in the past few months that you have spent as deputy governor? Would you like to succeed Dr Olusegun Mimiko as his second term in office ends next year? I want to thank the Almighty God for the privilege of serving the state in the capacity of a deputy governor. Some months after my inauguration, I can only say it has been very challenging and interesting. One feels great working with Mr Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko. He is a leader that develops leaders and for this, I owe him a lot of appreciation. As for planning to succeed him, I have no such plan. I became the deputy governor to discharge my responsibility, which entails supporting him, being loyal at all times and being committed to the greater goal of bringing development and growth to our state. A deep study of the governor will reveal the fact that he is a visionary leader. I have for long been enamoured by this. Long before he made me a commissioner, I have maintained a dutiful, loyal and committed relationship with him. He has also respected and related with me in that direction. My prayers are that we leave behind a member of our party, the PDP, to succeed Mr Governor. Secondly, competent people from our party are showing interest and many more are yet to show interest. I am not among the lot jostling for the post. Whoever emerges as the candidate of our party as supported by Mr Governor will automatically be my candidate. What is your take on this perception that deputy governors are spare tyres? I cannot talk about others. But in my own case, I see the deputy governor as a partner in progress. I see the deputy governor as somebody to assist his boss; as someone to stand in for the governor when he is not around. Mr Governor has been fair to me in this regard as in others. Within this short period, I have chairmaned the State Executive Council meeting more than nine times, where key decisions have been made. I have represented the governor and our state at the National Economic Committee. I have represented him at the Governors Forum and so many places like that. The perception of spare tyre depends on whether you have a capable, reliable, agile and personality who can deliver as your deputy governor. The deputy governor ought not to be seen as a spare tyre but an able lieutenant and or a helping hand. Also, Governor Mimiko is a man that has assumed national prominence in terms of achievements and political acumen. He is the chairman of the Governors Forum of our party, and this has added some responsibilities to him. He is looked at by many outside our state as a distinct voice worth listening to on issues of development and growth of our country. On account of his foresight, vision and leadership style, he is appreciated both within and outside Ondo state. He is as loved outside as he is loved in our state. All of these attract added responsibilities. This means also that he needs somebody that can stand in for him and I think I have been able to do that with the help of the people of the state and the support and prayers of all.

Oluboyo

The perception of spare tyre depends on whether you have a capable, reliable, agile and personality who can deliver as your deputy governor. The deputy governor ought not to be seen as a spare tyre, but an able lieutenant and or a helping hand. The fear is that with all these things that you have mentioned that the governor has done, how do you think they can be sustained? Let me appreciate God and the governor for the transformation in the state. Let us call a spade a spade; he has done a lot in Ondo State. I am happy that you are journalists, you can investigate. We have never had it so good like this in the state, and I can assure you that it is not over until it is over. He still has a year plus. He has promised to work for the people of the state, and he is still working. That explains the apprehension about a worthy successor because everybody wants the legacy sustained. We want the good work to continue, and that is why we need prayers. We need prayers because we do not

want a situation that someone will just come and say the mega schools are hereby turned to something else or cancel free shuttle buses. And if you look at all these programmes, you will know that they are people-oriented. They touch the lives of both the poor and the rich, and our people in Ondo State appreciate these developments. The next governorship election is less than a year and if you look at the camp of PDP, there seems to be unusual silence, whereas the APC are promising to cause an upset at the poll. Do you think the PDP needs to wake up before it is too late? I like you for being sincere because you said they are making noise. Yes, I am a po-

litical scientist; it is not making of noise that matter. You see, some of us are silent politicians. I don’t make noise because I don’t know how to make noise, but I do win all my elections. I have been in the game since 1979. In the Bible, it is recorded that I know my people and my people know me. Let me go back to the memory lane, in 2007, Mimiko did not come out until November 2006, and he defeated a sitting governor that had federal backing. We uprooted them and the people voted for us. I want you to know that Ondo State is very unique and we cannot throw that one aside. The people are educated; they compare and contrast. So if somebody is going from pillar to post now making noise, fine. At the federal, let them show us what they have done, what is in their manifesto? In the 2011/2012 gubernatorial election, they made more than this noise but where are they? You can see the margin that we used to defeat them. This one, I want to assure you that in the 2016 election, you will see what will happen; PDP will also win by the grace of Almighty Allah. When you go down memory lane, the three senatorial districts in the state have produce governors. Now, it is an open secret that PDP is popular at the South, while the APC is strong in the North. Both parties have 50:50 presence in the Central Senatorial district. Where do you think the PDP candidate ought to come from? I am not sure of the correctness of your statistics. I can assure you that in the next election, we are going to deliver Owo and Ose hands down. We will win in Akoko North East and North West. Akoko South East is also for us. It is only in the South West that we had some problems, but I ask you to just wait and see. What we want is free and fair election. If it is violence-free, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is able to maintain its integrity and neutrality, I can assure you that the 2016 election is going to be won by PDP. There is not going to be war in the next election, the Ondo State people are learned, educated and we know what we are doing. We are products of rule of law; the election is going to be violence-free, and I have mentioned some local governments categorically that we are going to win. Even those places they thought they have an edge, we are going to defeat them there. Our achievements will speak for us. Look at the Dome; they criticised Mimiko when we started the project and the Akure Shopping Mall, where Shoprite is located. Go there now and see it yourself. Don’t forget that very soon, a five star hotel is coming at the very large part of the Owena Hotel and the entire axis will become a busy commercial and tourism hub. The people of the state will continue to appreciate Mimiko because he is a visionary leader. Some critics of the administration claim the state might be in a quagmire next year, because of debts arising from loans, unpaid salaries, loan and other similar issues? Those people saying so do not know anything about this administration. We have the least debt profile in the South-West, if not in the country. If some other states are owing over N100 billion and are neck-deep in salary arrears, then we must appreciate the creativity that Mimiko has entrenched in the management of the finances of Ondo State.

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

news

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

N86.941m bank fraud: Court grants suspects bail Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

HREE suspects facing 17-count charges bordering on stealing, conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N86,941, 500.00 were on Tuesday, granted bail by the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The suspects, UchennaDike Ogbonnaya, UchennaDike Ugomma and Ukeni Ugah Adanne, were dragged before the court presided over by Justice U.N. Agomoh by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-

sion (EFCC). According to a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, in Abuja and signed by the EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, one of the counts preferred against them reads: “That you, Uchenna-Dike Ogbonnaya, Uchenna-Dike Ugomma and Ukeni Ugah Adanne, sometime in 2014, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, while Uchenna-Dike Ugomma was a staff of Ecobank Nigeria Limited, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony wit; stealing,

Court orders EFCC to produce Akpolobokemi in court Ayomide Owonibi OdekanyinLagos

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to produce, Dr Patrick Akpolobokemi, the former Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Control Agency (NIMASA) while also condemning his re-arrest. Akpolobokemi who is facing trail in two separate courts over alleged N3.5 billion and

N2. 5 billion was forcibly taken away by EFCC operatives shortly after leaving the court room on Monday. Justice Ibrahim Buba condemned the re-arrest of the former NIMASA boss and urged the EFCC not to resolve to self help rather they should approach the court if they have fresh charge against the suspect. According to him, the accused is currently on bail and he deserves to enjoy the bail granted him by the court.

punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2007 read together with Section 1 (1) (d) of the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act Cap. B3 Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007”. The accused persons, who were arraigned by the EFCC on December 10, 2015, pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them by the Commission. The presiding judge, Justice U.N. Agomoh admitted the first and third defendants to bail in the sum of N5million and two sureties each. The sureties, according to the judge, must be civil servants on GL 16 and are to provide their employment and last promotion letters as well as their salary slip for the past three months. They are also to deposit two passport photographs and write an undertaken that the defendants will be present during trial. The statement added that the second defendant secured bail in the sum of N5million and one surety. The surety must be a blood relation who is a civil servant on GL 16.

FRANCIS ‘M’ SCHOOL, Bodija celebrates 30 years of God’s faithfulness

Francis ‘M’ School pupils during carnival procession to Agbowo and environs as part of activities marking 30th anniversary.

Proprietress, Mrs Modupe Oluyemi (JP), congratulating the Most Valuable Player, a pupil of the school, after Francis ‘M’ School won the football competition which was also one of the programmes slated for the anniversary.

Igbo dancing group during the cultural day.

Mrs Olubunmi Akinyele from Canada inviting Professor Jacob Oluyemi and Proprietress, Mrs Modupe Oluyemi (JP) for the cutting of the 30th anniversary cake.

Mrs Oluyemi (JP) knotting the neck tie of a cub scout at the investiture ceremony.

A pioneering pupil, Ronke Oyeleye, receiving an award from the chairperson of the occasion, Mrs Yemisi Okunmade (JP).

38 news

Monday, 14 December, 2015 Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Amaechi orders reduction of security agencies at airports Shola Adekola - Lagos

INISTER of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has directed the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma to begin the process of reducing the number of security agencies involved in the physical checks at the country’s airports. The directive, according to the information, the Nigerian Tribune gathered on Tuesday, was issued by the minister to reduce the cumbersome facilitation of travellers at the country’s airports, especially at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Amaechi dropped the hint during the inspection of Lagos airport facilities. He was in company of the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Dunoma, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Director-General, Captain Usman Muhtar,

Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr Ibrahim Abdusalam, among others. The security agencies operating at the airport include: FAAN aviation security (AVSEC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),

FG seeks British Council’s support on cultural development Christian Okeke - Abuja THE Federal Government has identified inadequate knowledge and the capacity to translate the country’s abundant cultural heritage into a viable economy as the bane of the sector and sought the assistance of British Council in surmounting the challenges. “This is one area I believe you can assist us either in the area of capacity building or in the area of infrastructure but more importantly, in the area of organising how these things work in a coopera-

FG plans to silence me, Olisa Metuh raises the alarm Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja NATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has raised the alarm over his safety and that of his family, accusing the Federal Government of planning to silence him. At a media briefing in his office at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, he said on Tuesday, that he had to cry out in view of the situation of things at the moment. Metuh, who did not give details about the alleged plan to silence him, did not give room for questions after the briefing, only saying that he was being hounded, harassed, intimidated and threatened. He pointed out that as a private citizen, he had never sought and obtained contract from government, but

Directorate of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Quarantine Service. The security agencies have been accused of engaging in the duplication of duties during check-in,

had only carried out assignments relating to his office as party spokesman as were given to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan. The opposition spokesman noted that the former president was satisfied with his implementation of such assignments. Reading a statement titled “Government out to silence me,” he said: “Gentlemen of the press, this press briefing is expedient, taken into consideration the times we find ourselves, especially as they relate to me. “In the last seven months, as opposition spokesperson, I have been hounded, harassed, intimidated and threatened severally. In order to avoid personal and family pressure, I had refrained from bringing them to the public domain.

tive manner,” The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, told Country Director of British Council, Ms Connie Price, in his office in Abuja, on Tuesday. The minister also sought the support of the Council in assisting the agencies under his ministry to rediscover their capacity and revive the cultural industry as a major source of revenue for the nation. He expressed optimism that through culture and the creative industry, women could be empowered to acquire skills that would enable them explore the industry and be economically independent.

Poly holds inaugural lecture THE Polytechnic Ibadan, will today hold another inaugural lecture tagged: “Telecommuting-travel substitution: Nigeria’s panacea for traffic gridlock.” The lecture which will be the 7th in the inaugural lecture series will be delivered by Dr Joseph Olatunji Adeniji-Soji, a senior principal lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, The Polytechnic Ibadan. The event will take place at the North Campus Assembly Hall of the institution by 4.00 p.m. under the chairmanship of the rector, Professor Olatunde Fawole.

I’ll continue to make positive impact on people —Lawmaker

A chieftain of Accord Party and member representing Ibadan North East in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Kehinde Oloja, has said that the party will continue to be the main dominant party in his constituency just as he said that he will continue to impact on the people positively so as to make life meaningful for them. The honourable said this during an interview with the Nigerian Tribune,

at the weekend in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. While x-raying his performance during his first term as a lawmaker representing the constituency, he said that he executed development projects that had direct bearing on the lives of the people such as installation of transformer, building of three blocks of two classroom as St Joseph School, Orita Aperin, Ibadan, construction of six boreholes in some of the wards in the council area

while digging of wells was also accorded maximum priority. In improving the economic activities of the area, he also embarked on pragmatic and proactive step in the distribution of kerosene, purchase of refrigerators to market women while six cars were also purchased and distributed to the people in the constituency area to alleviate their poverty rate as well as improve economic activities of the area.

thereby elongating facilitation processes with passengers forming long queues for profiling. Nigeria has one of the longest facilitation procedures in the world as the procedures take less than 10 minutes in South Africa, Kenya and Cairo. He, however, commended the aviation agencies for the installation of safety critical equipment in every station and airports across the country. The agencies commended include; the FAAN, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bu-

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluyide Omolara Adekemi now MRS. ODETUNMIBI OMOLARA ADEKEMI. All former documents remian valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

reau (AIB). Amaechi explained that so far, the agencies’ Chief Executive Officers, with the little amount of money they generate, had been prudent with the acquisition of safety equipment, which had improved safety and security at airports, unlike some government parastatals in the country. Amaechi and other dignitaries were shown graphic details how the agencies, NAMA and NCAA process e-clearance for airlines, which is done seamlessly. Amaechi insisted that with what was showed him and others, aviation in Ni-

geria had grown from the past of paper clearance to electronic clearance and could compete with its counterparts anywhere in the world . According to him, with the migration to e-clearance, the industry would earn more revenues while less time would be used to process clearance by airlines. Earlier, the DirectorGeneral of NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman, had promised that the agencies’ management would continually drive the government’s vision of improving facilities.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr. Adamu Yusuf now MR. ADAMS YUSUF DANJUMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Taiwo Oluwakemi Jinadu now TAIWO OLUWAKEMI TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abioye Olufisayo Oyindamola now MRS. OLANIYI OLUFISAYO OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebiyi Funke Comfort now MRS. OLAOYE FUNKE COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM, Oyo State and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Deborah Temilade Olusoji now MRS. OJO DEBORAH TEMILADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Tajudeen Lawal Tijani Ojomu am the same person bearing Tajudeen Tijani Lawal and Tijani Ojomu. Now I wish to be known and addressed as TAJUDEEN LAWAL TIJANI OJOMU. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwakemi Joy Ogunfenwa now MRS. OLUWAKEMI JOY KATTO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Revd Lawrence Ayodele Osanyintade now REVD. LAWRENCE AYODELE EBUNOLUWA OLUWATADE. All former documents remain valid. Ibadan North Diocese and

general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akeem Jimoh now SAMUEL ADELEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Esorom Festus now OMOWOLE GBOLADE FESTUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I, formerly Miss Olawole Ruth Damilola now MRS. ESUOLA RUTH DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. Ajia Secondary School, Ibadan and general public take note. I,

CHANGE OF NAME

formerly Kayode Odeyale now OPEYEMI ODEYALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ibiyemi Mutiyat Mercy now MRS. IWINLADE MUTIYAT MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Okonkwo Philomena Ify now MRS. IGBOKWE PHILOMENA IFY. All former documents remain valid. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Adebanjo Adebowale Abosede now MRS. AWOSUSI ADEBOWALE ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Olawale Amomot Toyin am the same person bearing Adewale Amomot Toyin. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLAWALE AMOMOT TOYIN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. GTBANK and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Babalola Omolola Patricia now MRS. ADEBANJO OMOLOLA PATRICIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Ganiyat Ogunmakin now MRS. OLUMAKIN RHODA BOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajumobi Bolanle K. now MRS. AYOADE AJUMOBI QUDIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akinluwa Primus Naft now AKINLUWA FESTUS IJAKADI. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Oyewumi Deborah am the same person as Akorede Deborah Ogundele. Now I wish to be known and addressed as OYEWUMI DEBORAH. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

39 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeoye Aduke Ibukun now MRS OLAYIWOLA ADUKE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. NSITF, First Bank of Nigeria, GTB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akintoye Busayo Keji now AKINTOYE BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Kudirat Bolanle Akinyemi now MRS KUDIRAT BOLANLE ADEBUSUYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeyinka Oluwasegun Paul now AJAYI OLUWASEGUN PAUL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Raheem Olusola Olanike now RAHEEM OLUSOLA OYENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Civil Service Commission and general public take note.

I, formerly Bakare Adetomiwa Kazeem now BAKARE ADETOMIWA OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Majekodunmi Mosunmola Kanyinsola now MRS AIRE MOSUNMOLA KANYINSOLA. All former documents remain valid. College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Lagos and general public take note.

I, formerly Adebolaji Kafayat Aphery Sulaiman now ADEBOLAJI ENITAN GRACE ADEGBITE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olawale Esther Folasade now MRS VICTOR ESTHER FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Azeez Yetunde Sadiat now MRS AJIBOLA YETUNDE SADIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Busayo Asimiyu now FATIMOH ABASS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaluyi Afusat Aina now MRS ADEYINKA AFUSAT AINA. All former documents remain valid. NSCDC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Lasisi Rasidi now MR AZEEZ RASHIDI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Hammed Akande now SHEHU AJADI AHMED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Amoo Summaila Busari now AMOO ISMAIL BUSARI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ruth Olatise Fatimoh now ALATISE RUTH FATIMOH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Joshua Oluyemisi now MUKAILA OLUYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Medahunsi Elizabeth now LADESUYI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olusola Paul Omolola now TUNMISE PAUL OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, ABDULLAHI AHMED am the same person bearing MOHAMMED YUSUF. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ABDULLAHI AHMED. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Cecilia Olufunke Ogunsola now MRS SALIMOT OLUFUNKE AKINTUNDE. All former documents remain valid. OGSG and general public take note.

I, Shitu Woleola am the same person as Alhaji Asimiyu Yusufu. Now I wish to be known and addressed as ALHAJI ASIMIYU YUSUFU. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. U.B.A. Plc., and general public take note.

I, Lasisi Teslim Arisekola am the same person bearing Azeez Teslim Arisekola. Now I wish to be known and addressed as AZEEZ TESLIM ARISEKOLA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Opoola Funke Zainab now MRS. OPOOLA FUNKE OLUWAYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Olasunkanmi Oyebamiji am the same person bearing Lateef Oyebamiji Lasisi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as LATEEF OYEBAMIJI OLASUNKANMI LASISI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Salawu Yejide Bolatito now ABDULLAHI RISIKAT BOLATITO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Dasola Oyelakin now MRS. OYELAKE REBECCA OLUBISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alabi Nafisat Gbemisola now MRS. ADEYEMO-ALABI NAFISAT GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Christianah Esesua Ojeikere now MRS. CHRISTIANAH ESESUA ENUJEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Miss Olayanju Mojisola Abiga am the same person bearing Olanrewaju Mojisola. Now I wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKANDE MOJISOLA ABIGEAL. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Dauda Lukman Oladele now OPEYEMI LUKMAN OLADELE. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesola Ajoke Adegbesan now MRS. BELLO REBECCA OLUWANISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Salau Sikiru Akinleye now MR. MORAKINYO SIKIRU AKINLEYE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fadipe Toyin Genevieve now MRS. OGUNWUMI TOYIN GENEVIEVE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Balogun Adenike Oyekunbi now MRS. FATODU ADENIKE OYEKUNBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Gbadamosi Idayat Aderanti, Gbadamosi Victoria Oluwatimileyin am the same person as GBADAMOSI IDAYAT ADERANTI VICTORIA OLUWATIMILEYIN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Oguche Abraham Yakubu now IBRAHIM SULE OGUCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Rafiu Adam Adewale now BADMUS IFEOLUWA ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Samaila Shehu now SAMAILA UMARU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olayemi Olajumoke Adufe Akinola now MRS. OLAYEMI OLAJUMOKE ADUFE OBEMBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Awoyemi Abosede Olubukola now MRS. ASOGWA ABOSEDE OLUBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adewunmi Isaiah Awotidebe Felicia Bosede now MRS. EGBEWOLE FELICIA BOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB and general public take note.

My correct name is SODIPE OLUSEGUN KOLADE and not Sodipo Olusegun K. as mistakenly written on my National Youth Service Corps ID Card. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank of Nig., NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Oriaku Pascal now MR. PASCAL CHIROZIE EKWEKOSI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Access Bank Plc., Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note

I, Igbekele Oluwatoyin Caroline am the same person as IGBEKELE OLUWATOYIN PRECIOUS. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. First Bank Plc., Keystone Bank and general public take note.

I, OSHAKPE ONYEMACHI JOY am the same person as CHRISTOPHER ONYEMACHI JOY. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aderiye Elizabeth Adejoke now MRS. OGUNLEYE ELIZABETH ADEJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Olaniyan Onoberevune Patience now MISS OMADEVUAE O N O B E R EV U N E PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Edache Stephen Ogwada now STEPHEN DANIEL EDACHE and I was born on 5th April, 1988. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, Eco Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ibukunoluwa Adejoke Adaramola now MRS. IBUKUNOLUWA ADEJOKE POKANU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Efusanya Mary Modupe now BAKARE MARY ADUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bunmi Mary Okedara now MRS. BUNMI MARY ADEDEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Elizabeth Segilola Adeyera now MRS. ELIZABETH SEGILOLA ADELEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Korede Omolola Morenike now MRS. ISHOLA OMOLOLA MORENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Tokunbor Anu Iyobo now CHIEF OKUNBOR MATTHEW OMOSERE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Union Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Asimiyu Aderemi Ewebiyi now SAMSON ADEREMI JESUBIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Sobaloju Raheem now ABDULSALAM RAHEEM SOBALOJU. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayodeji Sarah Ekaete now IKOH SARAH EKAETE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kehinde Shade Kolawole now MRS OLOPADE JULIANAH FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Christianah Oziza Abosede Ezekiel now MRS. CHRISTIANA ABOSEDE TELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Simon Joseph John am the same person bearing Simon Don Joseph and Simon Joseph John. That I wish to be known and addressed as SIMON JOSEPH JOHN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Sumal Foods Limited and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Igbekele Oluwakemi Temitope now MRS PEDRO OLUWAKEMI TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ganiyu Muibat Ronke now MRS OLAYIWOLA MUIBAT RONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Vincent Ogbowna Sunday now VINCENT OGBONNA SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Taoreed Omolola now TAOREED IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ibikunle Olaide now OLADEJI OLAIDE RASHIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss John Tina Enoh now MRS. ISOJE TINA ENOH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Gbadegesin Rebecca Oluwaseun now MRS SOWUNMI REBECCA OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sunday Ojeniran now SUNDAY KAYODE OLANIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olayode Olajire Grace now MRS BALOGUN OLAJIRE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Alabi Moshood Olasunkanmi now ALABI MOSES OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. RCC Nig. Ltd and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaosebikan Cecilia Oluremi now MRS OGUNLUSI CECILIA OLUREMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, ABIMBOLA OLAYINKA ADEOLA am the same person bearing ABIMBOLA OLAYINKA DAMILOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, AGBAJE OMOWUNMI ALLIYAH am the same person bearing AGBAJE OMOWUNMI AJARAT. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, OGUNYEMI ADEOLA MARY PAMELA am the same person bearing OGUNYEMI ADEOLA PAMELA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Azeez Waheed Ayiki now KOYINADO ABDUL WAHEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fashakin Solape Veronica now MRS DADA RISIKAT ADEDUNOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Onimole Olufunke Faith Anota now MRS OLOWOPOROKU OLUFUNKE FAITH ANOTA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Jogbodo Temitope Racheal now MRS BAMITEKO TEMITOPE RACHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adegbite Adedayo Abigeal now MRS AKINWUNMI-DADA ADEDAYO ABIGEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Isaac Gbolagade Oladepo am the same person as Ashiru Isiaq Gbolagade Oladepo now wish to be known and addressed as ASHIRU ISIAQ GBOLAGADE OLADEPO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Adegboyega Flora Onyinye Ojinka now MRS GBADAMOSI FLORA ONYINYE OJINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adams Sulaimon Ajayi now HASSAN GANIU SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olusola Oluwatosin Oluwaseun now MRS FALEYE OLUWATOSIN OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

40 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Eunice Modupe Ademola now MRS SOYIBO EUNICE MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. Ikenne Local Government Education Authority and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okproma Dolly now PIPPA DOLLY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oguche Abraham Yakubu now IBRAHIM SULE OGUCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aderibigbe Deborah Adefunke now MRS OYETUNBI DEBORAH ADEFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akande Deborah Abiodun now MRS ODUSANYA DEBORAH ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Civil Service Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Authority concerned and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Odeleye Sola Adeyela am the same person as Adeyela Serifat Adunni. Now I wish to be known and addressed as ODELEYE SOLA ADEYELA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Semudara Benson now SEMUDARA FORITI BENSON. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Animashun Kabirat Bukola now MRS. BELLO BUKOLA KABIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olanipekun Adeyinka Adenike now BAMIDELE ADEYINKA ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, FCMB, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sanusi Jamiu Adebayo now SANUSI JIMOH ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ukange Gabriel K now MANASSEH TYOAKA TERSER. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adelakun Adeyemi now ADELAKUN WASIU GBOLAGADE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Iwo and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Egomah Thompson Isenita now IGHO EGOMAH THOMPSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Habibat Adams Eneye. am the same person as Habibat Onusaba Musa. Now wish to be known and addressed as HABIBAT ONUSABA MUSA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Kehinde Hakeem Adekunle now POPOOLA HAKEEM ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Nyinbo Friday, Friday Billy now IYINBO FRIDAY ONORIEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

My name was mistakenly written as Akindele Sunday Irewole on my SSCE Certificate instead of Akinyele Sunday Irewole. Henceforth, my correct name is AKINYELE SUNDAY IREWOLE, Community Health Extension Worker Practitioner Board and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Osunboriowo Olasunkanmi Olarewaju now MR BAMIDELE ADETUNJI ADELANI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Osunbor Osasu Loveth now OKUNGBOWA OSASU LOVETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Oyetunde Olunike Ololade now MRS AKINOLA OLUNIKE OLOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaseinde Oluwakemi Bukola now MRS MARCUS OLUWAKEMI BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogungbile Oluwatosin Opeyemi now MRS ADENIYI OLUWATOSIN OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

I, formerly Miss Beyioju Pejuola Rukayat now MRS ADEFIOYE PEJUOLA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Balogun Habeebah Omolabake now OLATUNBOSUN HABEEBAH OMOLABAKE. All former documents remain valid. The Registrar, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and general public take note.

I, formerly Oladimeji Ranti now OWOLABI IYABO CHRISTIANAH. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc, EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akpan Blessing Omolola now MRS. IYANG BLESSING BEAUTY OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME My correct name is Aihebholoria Odigie Lucky and not Itua Odigie Lucky as mistakenly stated on my National Identity Card. All documents bearing the two names are mine. Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adesoji Olawumi Adenike now MRS OLAFARE OLAWUMI ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Chukwuma Ngozi Mary now MRS AKINBANI NGOZI MARY. All former documents remain valid. Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okwuegbu Justina Ijeoma now IROEGBULAM JUSTINA IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ramonu Yantasu now SHITTU MORIYIKE ABIONA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State SUBEB and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olaniyi Nike now ADEOLA ARIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olayode Dada now OLAYODE OLAJIDE AJIBADE. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Abdulrahman Mustapha Usman now A B D U L R A H M A N MUSTAPHA ANGRI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ipadeola Olayiwola Adetunji now IPADEOLA SAINT OLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Obakewo Oloruntoba am the same person as James Oloruntoba Jeremiah. Now wish to be known and addressed as OBAKEWO OLORUNTOBA henceforth . All documents bearing these names remain valid. Fidelity Bank, Diamond Bank, GTBank, CBN and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adelakun Aderonke Oluwatosin now MRS OLAGUNJU ADERONKE OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ogbomoso South Local Government Universal Basic Education Authority (LGUBEA) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Martins Isaac Babatunde now WURAOLA ISAAC BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Mudasiru Nafisat Olanike now MRS OYEDIRAN NAFISAT OLANIKE (NEE MUDASIRU). All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Civil Service Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Eze Sunday Adebayor now NWABUEZE SUNDAY THOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. I, Osiobe Shola . am the same person as Ogundipe Damilola. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDIPE DAMILOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Kehinde, Idowu Olaoluwa now MRS KEHINDE SARAH OLAOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Boluwatife Opeyemi now JOSEPH ADEOLU AKINSANYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Kayode Ojo now ADISA IDRIS AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Dansu Sunday Dimeji now MR DANSU SUNDAY DAVID. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly. Yusuff Yaya Ademola now YUSUFF ADEMOLA OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Azzez Kafilat Bolatito now MRS AZUMIRI KAFILAT BOLATITO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Mary Iyabowale Oduja, also bear the names Olugbenga Mary Iyabowale. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MARY IYABOWALE ODUJA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, Lawal Wahab I. am the same person as Olayiwola, Wahab Akanji. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA WAHAB AKANJI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinsoji, Bosede Dasola now MRS FEYISETAN DASOLA SERIFAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adegoriola Adenike Folorunso now MRS ADEJUMO ADENIKE FOLORUNSO. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Daudu Johnbosco am the same person as Daudu Alaba John. Now wish to be known and addressed as DAUDU ALABA JOHN . All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bunmi Okanlawon now MRS SHOLA GBADEGUN . All former documents remain valid. FCMB, Fidelity, Diamond Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Kayode Babatunde Fadire now SUNDAY OLADIMEJI FADIRE. All former documents remain valid. Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ariyo Adenike Teniade now MRS KOLAWOLE ADENIKE MAGRET. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okpabi Ojeh Paul now OKPABI PAUL OJEH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Raheem Jamiu Ayeloja now ALABI JAMES AYELOJA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Mulikat Adeyinka Oke am the same person as Mulikat Adeyinka Oke and Olanrewaju Adeyinka. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MULIKAT ADEYINKA OKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omowumi Adeola Olufunke now MRS OJEDELE ADEOLA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Mr Adebayo Ismail Ayinde am the same person as Mr Ismail Ayinde Busari. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MR ADEBAYO ISMAIL AYINDE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omolaja Oluwaseyi Mojisola now MRS ADEBAYO OLUWASEYI MOJISOLA. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic Bank, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, Almodiu Mojeed Sanni am the same person as Sanni Mojeed Tayo and Sanni Tayo Olorunjuwon. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ALMODIU MOJEED SANNI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Zenith Bank, EcoBank, UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abidogun Olamide Motunrayo now MRS ALAGBE OLAMIDE MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. Federal School of Surveying, Oyo and general public take note.

I, formerly Obayomi Osinowo now ABAYOMI OLUSEGUN OSINOWO. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Sanusi Omolara Iyabo now MRS SANGOYOYIN OMOLARA IYABO. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alarape Raliat Iyabo now MRS OLAOYE RALIAT IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Jayeola Samson Olamilekan now JAYEOLA SAMSON OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Ezekiel Olubunmi now MRS FARAYOLA OLUBUNMI IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Abegunde Johnson now MR OJEDIRAN JOHNSON ABEGUNDE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was mistakenly written as ATOYEBI TAJUDEED O. instead of my correct name HAMMED TAJUDEED OLATUNBOSUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Blanche Folasade Ogundare now MRS BLANCHE FOLASADE ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Lamidi Folorunsho now BADMUS HAMMED FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

I, formerly Mrs Tawa Toyin Agboke now MRS JOSEPHINE OLUWATOYIN IREGBEYEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bello Saheed now MUDASIRU SAHEED. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Subair Adeola Rukayat now MRS ONI ADEOLA RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Babarinde Suebat Abiola now MRS ABOLUPE SUEBAT ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oriyomi Omolanke Temitope now MRS OYEDEMI OMOLANKE TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Dauda Sakirat Bolanle now MRS OLATUNJI SAKIRAT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. Ibarapa Central LGUBEA, Oyo SUBEB, Skye Bank Plc, Eruwa Branch, Union Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olagoke Oluwatoyin Deborah now MRS TAKORO OLUWATOYIN DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Hassan Bilikis Romoke now MRS SALMAN BALIKIS ROMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Serifatu Omobonike Ademilokun now MRS FLORENCE OMOBONIKE OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. Iwajowa Local Govt., Education Authority, Iwere-Ile and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Olubamike Bunmi Rebecca now MRS OLADOYE BUNMI REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

news

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Nigeria lost N300bn over non patronage of bitumen —Reps •Promise quick passage of NABRO bill Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

HE House of Representatives on Tuesday disclosed that Nigeria has lost about N300 billion as a result of the non patronage by construction companies of the bitumen produced in the country. To this end, the House mandated its committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to investigate the level of production of bitumen in the country and the level of its utilisation and report back to the House within eight weeks. The House resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Honourable Bede Eke entitled “need to investigate the level of production and utilisation of bitumen in Nigeria.” According to him, if the local production and utilisation of bitumen is encouraged, it would boost the nation’s economy and prevent wastage of foreign exchange on the importa-

tion of the product. He added that, “Some construction companies and businessmen have engaged in massive importation of bitumen to the detriment of the bitumen produced locally by the Kaduna refinery and petrochemical company (KRPC). The House, however, mandated its committees on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Power and Solid minerals to review the privatisation of the Nigerian Coal Corporation to ensure

that the exercise complied with best practises and in conformity with the National Energy Policy. The resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored Honourable Chime Oji entitled “the need to exploit the abundant coal deposits as a means of economic diversification and job creation.” According to him, “Nigeria has a coal deposit of about 2.5 billion tonnes and that coal mining will provide huge employment to the teeming youth popu-

lation and also contribute to economic diversification.” Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Tuesday disclosed that it would ensure quick passage of National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) establishment bill before the end of eighth Assembly. This will be the third time the bill will be re-presented for passage as it was first presented in the sixth Assembly. The Chairman of House Committee on Legisla-

tive Budget and Research, Honourable Timothy Golu, while briefing newsmen said that, the NABRO establishment bill is necessary to provide a strong and sound legislative structure to constructively engage the executive arm in the budget process and implementation. According to him, “No doubt, the budget is the most important national document after the constitution and the most essential annual economic policy tool.”

Housing units by Odili razed down in Port Harcourt Uduakabasi Patrick-Port Harcourt

SOME flats among the storey building housing units around the Aggrey road axis of Port Harcourt, built by a former governor of Rivers State, Sir Peter Odili, was on Monday razed down by fire. Sources revealed that the fire started from flat 15 to flat 12, and that the cause of the inferno could not be traced. One of the occupants of the affected flat, Mr Ebo Uwkachi, speaking with Nigerian Tribune, said, “You have seen the damage done by the fire. You can see everything is gone; I have to start afresh to repair this building. It is a terrible thing that has happened but thank God none of my kids were injured and no casualty.” Another affected occupants who spoke anonymously with Nigerian Tribune said they actually put a call across to the fire fighters but they arrived late. “We called the fire service for like one hour they did not come, it was later we saw them coming when properties had already been damaged. They came and wasted the water because as far as we are concerned they did not do any work, when we called them they should come in time, their water should be ready for action always.”

Rubbles of one of the flats razed by fire at the storey building housing unit at Aggrey road axis of Port Harcourt on Monday.

Fayose, again, takes swipe at FG’s ‘double standard’ policies •Signs N67bn 2016 appropriation into law Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has, again, taken a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government on the poor state of the Nigerian economy and advised President Buhari to resign if he had no clue to arresting the dwindling economy and poverty in the nation. Governor Fayose made the call in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, at a ceremony to sign the state’s 2016 appropriation bill into law. The governor, apart from signing the 2016’s N67.04 billion appropriation bill into law, he also signed Ekiti State Regency Bill, Ekiti State 2015 Revised Appropriation Bill, Ekiti State College of Technical and Commercial Agriculture Repeal Bill, Ekiti State Office of the Defender Bill and Kidnap and Terrorism Prohibition Bill 2016 into law. Fayose in his speech advised President Buhari to also keep to the promise of three million jobs annually, which he made during

the electioneering campaign, saying it would be “unfair to this government to sack anybody under any guise or fail to resolve all issues affecting the populace, having promised that he has the magic wand to turn the country around.” He alleged that President Buhari was exhibiting double standard for “proposing to remove fuel subsidy and jack up the pump price

to N97,” saying “this is not the change Nigerians voted for and President Buhari must fulfil all his electoral promises to the people. Enough of these flimsy excuses.” Fayose, who rapped Buhari for running what he said was “a rudderless government” said: “What we have under change promised by APC is dwindling economy, low power gen-

eration, proposed subsidy removal, high level poverty and naira devaluation. “What President Buhari promised us is change and he should resign if he has no clues to all these problems. Even for the president to have said Nigerians should brace up for more hardship in 2016 is most callous of a man who promised Nigerians change.

‘Steer clear of Lagos,’ APC warns Biafran protesters THE Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned those planning to hold demonstration in Lagos under the aegis of MASSOB and IPOB to discontinue such attempt to plunge Lagos into crisis as the state will not take kindly to such nefarious plan. The party states that with the heightened security challenges the state is facing, it will be foolhardy for any group to hide under

the guise of protest to compromise the security of the state and be allowed such privilege. In a press release signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, and made available to Nigerian Tribune, the party said there is no way the state will sit idly by and allow politically sponsored hoodlums, masquerading as Pro-Biafran protesters or any group at all to compromise the se-

curity of the state where the state has invested hugely in recent times. It warned those behind the plot to arrest themselves as the security agencies led by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr Fatai Owoseni have vowed to deal ruthlessly with anybody or group found to be involved in such protests. We hope the will of the law enforcement agencies in Lagos will not be tested at a time like this.”

Cultist arrested as DELSU uncovers recruitment pamphlet Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

A 200 Level student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, one Wisdom Ovie, has been arrested by security operatives for belonging to a group using a pamphlet called ‘Anchor’ to recruit new students into cults. Ovie with matriculation number FOE/13/14/226121 was said to have made useful confessions to the security agents confirming the use of the sale of Anchor’s pamphlets as a strategy for recruitment of new cultists. He was also said to have confessed that his group was involved in extortion of money and theft of valuable items from gullible and unsuspecting students. Miffed by a complaint tendered by a new student lodged at the office of the Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Victor Peretomode, the institution, after investigation, uncovered a subtle recruitment method by cult groups in the institution through the sales of Anchor. The new student was said to have confessed to the VC that his life had been put on the line for failing to help them sell the pamphlets.

Lasun tasks state assembly speakers on need to revive LG system DEPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Suleimon Lasun Yussuff has challenged the speakers of state assemblies to rescue the local government system from its imminent collapse. The Deputy Speaker who represented the Speaker of the House, gave the charge at the opening ceremony of one-day consultation meeting of the House of Representatives committee on inter parliamentary affairs and the Conference of speaker. He stated that the local government system has lost its value and grassroot people are not feeling their impact. Lasun urged the states Assemblies speakers to look at the Local Government system with a view to correcting the problem that has brought the local councils into a shadow of itself.

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Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

Human Rights group petitions Buhari, alleges diversion of funds for MDGs contracts •MDGs office denies allegation Christian Okeke and Adetola Bademosi - Abuja

UMAN Rights Group, Advocates for People Right and Justice, on Tuesday, petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged plans by the office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to divert and misappropriate funds meant for payment of local contractors who were being owed over N18 billion. The group, in the petition, sought immediate payment of the owed contractors

through the MDG Intervention 1 & 2 releases as well as an outright cancellation or stoppage of award of new contracts. It accused the office of the SSA to the President on MDGs of plans to divert part of the N15 billion released for the payment of the contractors by awarding fresh contracts while refusing to pay the contractors whom the funds were meant for. He noted that after series of intense pressure and agitation from these contractors and the intervention of the former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Iweala in 2014, the then SSAP in-

corporated the contractors’ liabilities in the value of 15 billion naira in the 2015 budget of her office under the sub head MDG Intervention 1 and 2 and the contractors were pacify to wait for the release. He said, “It is shocking that while the OSSAP is now in receipt of the said sum via a warrant of release dated December 8, 2015, under the sub head, MDG Intervention 1 and 2, officers of the OSSAP have failed, refused and neglected to pay the said contractors their full sum. But have rather engaged in diversion of this fund into award of new con-

tracts, for personal gains. Meanwhile, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (OSSAP-MDGs) has denied the diversion of funds, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds meant for the payment of debts as alleged by some contractors. In a statement issued by the office and signed by the Media Consultant to OSSAP-MDGs, Desmond Utomwen, in Abuja, on Tuesday, the management claimed that the allegations were rather false, saying; “no money has been diverted or tampered with

as alleged. It noted that the allegation by the contractors and their backers that the funds budgeted for settlement of past contractual commitments is being diverted for the execution of fresh contracts is untrue and portrays their ignorance as to the workings of Government financial procedures.” It stated that the demand by the contractors that money should be vired from other budgetary subheads to settle their old obligations is not within the competence of the office as this requires the authorisation from the National Assembly.

Education standard not falling —UBEC boss Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja EXECUTIVE Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Dikko Suleiman, on Tuesday, differed on opinions on the education standard in the country, insisting that standard of education has not fallen. Dr Dikko said rather, it is the quality of product that is missing in the educational sector of the country. He said this in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, at a five-day training for quality assurance officers, organised by the UBEC and the Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) themed: “Strengthening the Capacity of Quality Assurance Officers for Improved Quality Delivery”. “The requirement of five credits including Mathematics and English Language for admission into tertiary institutions has not changed, what has changed is the quality of those students and how they obtain their result. “Assuring quality is a major challenge in our basic education system. This is largely due to the incidence of infrastructural decay, declining standards as well as maladministration. Other challenges include limited synergy among relevant stakeholders and departments, resulting in institutional constraints and role conflict, scarcity of current and reliable data on quality issues and low learning outcomes in literacy, numeracy and life skills,” he said.

Ibadan Recreation Club appoints Dipo Afolabi as trustee THE Ibadan Recreation Club has appointed Mr Oladipo Afolabi as a trustee of the club. The appointment was ratified at the recent Annual General Meeting of the club in Ibadan, thus being the fifth member of the Board of Trustees of the prestigious club founded in 1902, initially called The European Club. This was contained in a release by the General Secretary of the club, Chief E.O.Aremu. Afolabi, a former Production Manager of the defunct Sketch Ibadan, Newspapers, joined the club in 1978. He has served in various capacities as Central Executive Member, Membership Secretary, Chairman of Table Tennis Section and President from 2002-2005. Other members of the Board of Trustees are Mr Ogie Alakija, Alhaji R.A. Adesokan, Mr J.F. Familusi and Mr V.O. Agha. In his acceptance speech, Afolabi promised to serve the club loyally and diligently in his new capacity and thanked the president, the Executive Committee and the entire members of the club for their overwhelming support.

Ogun assembly to partner agencies on revenue generation From left, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc., Nnamdi Okonkwo; Managing Director, Altobel Nigeria limited, Chief Udoma Kalu and the Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, as Fidelity celebrates its valued customers for their support and patronage, during the 2015 Customer Appreciation Day (CAD), at the bank’s corporate head office, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Ogun can’t afford gratuities now, Amosun tells pensioners Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta THE Ogun State government, on Tuesday, said it cannot afford to pay gratuities of its pensioners now in the face of the economic realities confronting the country. This was disclosed by the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during a meeting with executive members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), at the Governor’s Office conference room, Abeokuta. The meeting called at the instance of the governor, was to clear the air on an allegation that the state government had been insensitive to the plight the pensioners, as reported in some national newspapers (not the Tribune). Governor Amosun took time to explain to the pensioners that their monthly pension would be paid as and when due, appealing to the

pensioners to exercise patient with his administration. Governor Amosun, who stated further that the call to review their monthly pension was not feasible, due to the dwindling economic situations, however, promised that their demand would be

looked into as soon as the financial fortunes of the state improved. The governor submitted that no commercial bank would give loan to any government to pay gratuities, saying that “if we have the money definitely I will pay

gratuities. “My predecessor at a point got N9 billion as monthly allocation from the Federal Government. But the allocation has nose-dived due to the fall in the global price of crude oil,” Governor Amosun said.

OBJ stresses need for food security in Nigeria Johnson Babajide - Makurdi FORMER Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has stressed the need for food security in the country, stating that this could be achieved through unity of farmers in the country, irrespective of their category. He made the call at a dinner organised for him by the Benue State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House, Makurdi. He added that the nation

at this time, should focus more on agriculture which he said, would provide food security, jobs and wealth for the country. The former President said the nation’s tertiary institutions were producing at least one million graduates every year, adding that governments at all levels lacked the capacity to absorb them, hence the need for the private sector to provide the needed jobs. He described his mission to Benue State as ‘a trip in search of knowledge and education’, saying that

such a venture should span from the cradle to the grave. Speaking on his relationship with Benue, Chief Obasanjo acknowledged the contributions of Benue indigenes to his success in life, particularly the late Chief Steve Akiga to whom he said, he will remain eternally grateful. In his remarks, Governor Ortom described Chief Obasanjo as a role model and inspiration who encouraged Nigerians to acquire knowledge at whatever age, position and attainment.

By Gbenga Olumide OGUN State Assembly said it will partner with agencies of government in the state, to ensure that all loopholes in revenue generation are blocked to enable government to have increased revenue to fund all the peopleoriented projects slated for the next fiscal year. The chairman, state House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Akanbi Bankole stated this shortly after presiding over budget defence by Ministries of Rural Development, Women Affairs and Social Development, Health, Offices of the Auditor-General for State and Local Government, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital and other state hospitals. Bankole said the dwindling revenue from the federation account necessitated the need to improve on the internally generated revenue, saying that the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration had been proactive in revenue generation with judicious use of resources for the benefit of the masses.

news Why we didn't prosecute CCT chairman —FG 46

Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja

HE Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday, disclosed that the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar, was not prosecuted over alleged fraudulent practices because of sufficient evidence. It will be recalled that the chairman, House Committee on Army, Honourable Shawulu Kwewum, had, on behalf of Anti-Corruption Network, a civil society organisation, presented a petition to the House on the need to investigate Justice Umar. Appearing before the House Committee on Public Petitions, chaired by Honourable Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, the minister confirmed that “upon receiving the petition, we immediately wrote to the Economic and Finan-

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

cial Crimes Commission (EFCC), attaching the petition and they got back to us to say that there was no enough evidence against the CCT chairman to warrant any prosecution. “So, the EFCC, in its advise to us, exonerated the chairman of CCT. It, however, said there was enough ground to charge the protocol officer in the chairman's office, one Ali Gambo and recommended that he be charged for prosecution, based on suspected fraud in the purchase of certain consumables for the office. “We also wish to state for the record that presumption of law, as it relates with the constitutionality, is embedded in Section 36(5) of the Constitution, which is based on presumption of innocence until the contrary is proved. “I'm happy to bring to the notice of the committee that EFCC has provided opinion on the basis of which we acted, a copy

of that letter I believe has been made available to the committee. It is dated March 5, 2015,” he said. To this end, the chairman of the House commit-

tee directed the petitioner, Anti Corruption Network, to produce its certificate of incorporation within 48 hours, to ascertain its legality to petition the House

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday, declared that the spate of inconclusive elections so far recorded under his tenure in Kogi and Bayelsa states was a reflection of the competitiveness of polls in the country. Professor Yakubu, who stated this on Tuesday, in Abuja, while speaking at the 11th public lecture of

The Electoral Institute (TEI) entitled: “Between Refuge and Rights: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Inclusive Electoral Process in Nigeria,” however, pointed out that “elections are getting better.” According to him, ‘‘the truth is that our elections are getting better, they are also becoming competitive. By the same token, citizens are now more confident that the votes really count. “INEC will continue to

Court sacks Akwa Ibom speaker Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, sacked the speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Aniekan Uko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The court, in its ruling, held that the election of Uko, who represents Ibesikpo Asuntan constituency, was marred with malpractices and irregularities. The three-member panel of Justices of the appeallate court, led by Justice Moshood Abdulrahman, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun in the constituency within 90 days. The court held in the judgment that there were sub-

stantial violations of Electoral Act in the election and other members of the state House of Assembly. The appeallate court, which upheld the judgment of the Akwa Ibom State National Assembly and House of Assemly election petition tribunal, cancelled election results from 118 polling units across the state. Speaking with journalists after the judgment, Uko said he could not fault the decision of the panel of Justices that sat on the matter, adding that he would go back to his constituency and report back to the people that elected him. He said the decision of the court would enable him to test his popularity in his constitutency.

fought corruption both locally and globally. We have fought corruption in primary schools and in the federal executive. We have done this over the years.”

Senate presidency: I didn’t violate any rule —Saraki Sunday Ejike -Abuja SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, told a Federal High court in Abuja that he did not violate any law or breach any rule in the election that produced him as Senate president, contrary to claims against him by some aggrieved senators. Saraki told the court that he was returned unopposed in the election by majority of the senators present on the day of the election in the upper chamber, following his due nomination and endorsement for the office. In his preliminary objection to a legal action instituted against him and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Saraki said

the election being challenged by five senators was free, fair and transparent by all standards and also conformed with the best practice of the world. The Senate President, through his counsel, Kayode Eleja, asked Justice Adeniyi Ademola to dismiss the court action against him and five others for being abuse of court process, frivolous and unwarranted. He said the five senators who instituted the court action did not disclose what they lost by his election, because none of them aspired or contested the Senate presidency with him or any other officers and, as such, had no locus standi to come to court. Five senators, Abu Ibra-

Inconclusive elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, reflections of competitiveness of polls —INEC boss Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

against a public officer. While addressing the committee, Executive Secretary of the network, Ajufo Ajufo, said “we are whistle blowers. We have

ensure that the credibility of our elections remain sacrosanct. Acts of thuggery, ballot box snatching, willful violation of guidelines and deliberate acts that void the card reader will always attract sanctions.” Professor Yakubu explained that in one of the states where the governorship election was conducted, precisely in 2012, the margin between the winner and the runner-up was 417,000 votes, saying, “but today, the margin is 33,000 votes, which indicates that the election is getting better, more competitive.” The INEC boss, who noted that the commission, under his watch, had conducted four elections, including two state assembly elections in Plateau and

Katsina states, said “we are satisfied with the processes and procedures, as well as the conduct of the elections. We have no major problem with deployment of logistics and personnel for the elections.” According to him, ‘‘however, I must admit that we have recorded some hitches in the operation and configuration of the smart card readers, with particular respect to the biometric authentication of voters. “Although the reported cases are not substantial enough to mar the elections, we are, however, determined to ensure that we address these challenges in elections at whatever level it may occur, be it at the level of technology or staff training and handling of equipment by electoral officials.”

him, Kabir Garba Marafa, Robert Ajayi Boroffice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuyi, had sued the Senate president and his deputy, claiming that the Senate Standing Rule used in their election was amended without due process. In a suit filed by their counsel, Chief Mamman Osuman, they asked the court to set aside the election for being a nullity, having allegedly violated the 2011 Standing Rule inherited in 2015. Counsel for Ekwerema-

du, Chief Patrick Ikweto and Chief Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, who stood for the National Assembly, adopted the position of Saraki. However, counsel for the five senators, Osuman, claimed that the election violated constitution of the country, because the guideline was drawn partly from the constitution. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who heard the preliminary objection along with the substantive suit, reserved judgment till a date to be communicated to parties in the suit.

Ex-British PM, Blair, meets NGF today Leon Usigbe -Abuja

FORMER British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, will meet with state governors in Abuja, today, as part of planned series of meetings aimed at collaborating with the states. According to a statement issued by the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, in Abuja, on Tuesday, the forum would engage Blair at its meeting slated for the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja. The statement pointed out that the governorship institution “is a very important and critical institution of a country, particularly in a federal system of government. “As a result of its crucial position in the governance structure of the country, the Tony Blair Foundation has found it worthy to engage and collaborate with the forum.” It added that the meeting and the visit of Blair to Nigeria was the first in the series of many other engagements and relation-

ship planned between the Tony Blair Foundation and the NGF. Yari said the planned collaborative arrangement would consolidate Nigeria’s democracy and improve service delivery in governance.

Fire razes building in Lagos THERE was serious confusion on Tuesday evening at Odunsi Street in Lawanson area of Lagos State, as a building went up in flames. Fire fighters were, as of the time of filing this report, still battling to put out the fire. The extent of the damage of the inferno was also yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, as heavy smoke enveloped the building. The director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Radak Fadipe, confirmed the incident to the Nigerian Tribune.

One faints, others injured as Kwara Poly students protest hike in tuition Biola Azeez-Ilorin

A student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, reportedly fainted while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries as they protested hike in their tuition fees on Tuesday. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the students, who trooped out into major streets in Ilorin metropolis, barricaded major highway at Eleko area, situated around the school and made bonfire,

thereby causing gridlock. It was gathered that the protest paralysed social and commercial activities in such areas as Oke Oyi, Old Jebba road, Eleko, Zanngo, Post Offiice, among other areas of the state capital, as the students chanted war songs while they marched around. It was said that many of the protesters sustained injuries when law enforcement agents came to disperse them to restore law

and order, while one of them reportedly fainted and was rushed to a private hospital. It was also gathered from the students that the school management increased HND students’ tuition fees by N15,000, while that of ND students attracted N10,000. “Some of us have not even paid the old price and they are still adding to it,” some of the students lamented. The students also la-

mented absence of student union government (SUG), saying the last executive had gone for NYSC service thereby leaving them at the mercy of the school management. “We also want SUG executive to be in place so that they can fight on our behalf. As it is now, we don’t have students’ representative. If we did, this protest would not have come up because we would have directed our complaints to them,” they said.

Wednesday, 16 December, 2015

SIDELINES

NO 16,393

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, declared that the inconclusive elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states was as a result of the competitiveness of the polls. Is Professor Yakubu saying the previously contested and concluded polls before he came into office were not competitive?

N150

WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER, 2015

Ighalo sets record at Watford with 30 goals

Sierra Leone govt rejects FIFA demand

Says I’m surprised NIGERIA international, Odion Ighalo says he wasn’t aware he was close to setting a record at Watford after he netted his 10th EPL goal last weekend in a 1-0 win over Sunderland. The former Udinese striker has scored 30 league goals for Watford in 51 appearances, which is a record unequalled in the past 52 years. Ighalo is one of four players to hit the 30-goal mark in 51 league appearances for Watford along with Holton, Len Dunderdale and Roy Brown but, perhaps of greater significance, no player has reached the milestone quicker in the club’s history in the top two divisions. His 30 league goals came in 37 starts and 14 substitute appearances. However, the 26 goals he has scored in 2015 have been netted from 28 starts and six outings off the bench. “I thank God for the record and achievement so far. I wasn’t aware I was close to any record, It was just on social media and in the news I got to read all the records and history. “I just train hard and go to games with the aim of getting goals with my trust in God to make it happen and help my team win games but not thinking of any record,” he told AfricanFootball.com. Frank McPherson tops the list as he netted 30 goals in 24 appearances in the 1928/29 season. Second and third places are also occupied by players from the 1920s and 30s, George James and Fred Pagnam. The player fastest to 30 league goals in appearance terms in the post-war era is Dennis Uphill, who reached the milestone in 42 matches in the 1959/60 season, when he and Cliff Holton scored 72 of the 92 goals Watford netted in winning promotion from the old Division Four. Apart from Uphill, the other player to score 30 league goals in fewer appearances than Ighalo in the post-war era is Dai Ward. He achieved it in 48 appearances at the start of the 1963/64 campaign.

Ighalo

Rio Olympics:

We don’t have Dream Team yet —Amoo

SSISTANT coach of Dream Team VI, Fatai Amoo has said it is not impossible for Nigeria to recapture the Atlanta ’96 performance at the 2016 Olympics, but acknowledged that the team must be overhauled and operate in a different environment. The Dream Team after winning the 2016 Olympics slot last weekend defeated Algeria 2-1 to win the African U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal. Amoo told supersport.com that the Dream Team needs to be fortified with quality players across the globe to be able to win the soccer gold in Brazil. “Impossible is nothing, it’s quite possible the present squad go ahead to win gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio as the Atlanta ’96 set performed in the years past, but not under the present scenario that preceded the side campaign at the just-concluded Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal. “The motivation for this current squad and coaching crew is low compared with the 1996 Olympics team. “Of course, we must overhaul the team by getting the best play-

ers all over the world not overlooking some shining stars in the present squad. “Things must change completely in addition to total overhaul of the team as we will be meeting the world’s best in Rio for us to hope for a repeat performance of Atlanta ’96 golden era,” said the former Super Eagles assistant coach . The former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) sweat merchant however, said the Dream Team surpassed its target at Sen-

Dream Team player, Etebo Oghenekaro

SIERRA Leone has rejected demands by FIFA to reinstate its dissolved football association, cautioning the world governing body on Tuesday to “respect national laws”. FIFA has given the west African nation until Wednesday (today) to comply with the directive or risk an immediate ban from all international competition. “Our decision stands and it will not be changed,” Ibrahim Bangura, of the National Sports Council (NSC), told reporters in the country’s capital Freetown. “The Ministry of Sport and the Sports Council have the responsibility to govern sports in Sierra Leone and will stand by the decision to dissolve the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA). “FIFA must follow procedures and respect national laws. Our decision is final and cannot be changed or overturned by anyone outside our jurisdiction.” Deputy sports minister, Ismael Al-Sankoh Conteh said the NSC had been forced to take action last week after the SLFA dissolved a seven-man committee set up to identify delegates for the association’s next congress. The NSC says the committee was set up by FIFA and endorsed by Sierra Leone’s president Ernest Bai Koroma.

Messi, Neymar, Suarez fail to make UEFA XI egal 2015. “The first objective handed to us by the Nigeria Football Federaion (NFF) is the Olympic ticket we achieved the target by qualifying for Rio Olympics and we went ahead to win the championship trophy to keep something in the archives and a record for ourselves and Nigerians.”

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Neymar have been left out of UEFA’s Champions League group stage XI, despite the pair contending for the Ballon d’Or award. Luis Suarez, Barca’s top scorer with five goals in group E, also missed out. The forward trio scored 10 goals between them as Barcelona became the first to qualify with 14 points. Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Zenit St Petersburg’s Hulk and Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller make up Uefa’s attacking unit in the 4-3-3 formation. Ronaldo, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, scored 11 goals during Madrid’s group campaign. Messi only played three matches in the opening stage, scoring three goals, after missing seven weeks of the season with a knee injury. There is Premier League representation in the XI, with Chelsea’s Willian and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling in midfield.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 16/12/2015.