17th May 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,502

TUESDAY, 17 MAY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Herdsmen attacks

Nigerian Tribune

We are being pushed to the wall —Benue gov —P10

•Herdsmen threaten to sue Ekiti gov •2 jailed 20 years in Delta •Enugu bans night grazing, rearing of cattle

@nigeriantribune

TribuneOnline

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Oil status: Lagos demands 13% derivation •Oil discovery cost $400m •State may have 3 seaports by 2018, says Ambode

Fuel price hike: No other option, FG tells labour —P11

•Oshiomhole, labour stakeholders hold crucial meeting with FG •NLC leadership crisis polarises labour —P2,3,4 •Reps in rowdy session •350,000 jobs affected in oil sector —Kachikwu

PDP crisis: Govs, BoT, elders wade in

•Convention to hold as scheduled •Jibrin now BoT chairman —P2

From left, Folu Aderibigbe, Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Globacom; Aninweke Okechukwu, Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Lagos office; Niyi Olukoya, Head, Back Office Sales, Globacom and Fidelis Ajibogun, Acting Assistant Director/Coordinator, Lagos, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), at the official unveiling, in Lagos, on Monday, of Glo Hamma Millions Promo, which offers N125m cash prizes to subscribers.

Cash crunch: NYSC may not mobilise thousands for service —P4

news Fuel price hike: No other option, SGF tells Labour 2

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

•Oshiomhole, Labour stakeholders hold crucial meeting with FG •NLC leadership crisis polarises labour Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja

T

HE Federal Government has told the organised labour that there is no other option to the deregulation of the petroleum industry, subsidy removal and the resultant increase in the price of petroleum.

This was disclosed at a crucial meeting late last night between the Federal Government and organised labour over the threat by labour to embark on a nationwide strike.

However, the fear that the division and crisis in the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will seriously affect the struggle came into fore, as the crisis almost marred the discussion.

The Comrade Joe Ajaeroled faction of the NLC and the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, refused to sit together at the meeting, forcing the Federal Government side to meet with Comrade Wabba and Ajaero-led faction separately.

At the opening session be-

fore the meeting went into a closed door, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, emphatically told the labour leaders that there was no option to fuel price increase.

He, however, appealed to labour to act in the general interest of Nigeria nation, adding that the country was at a critical position to take that step.

Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, backed the position of the SGF and

stated that the present government was fixing what the previous governments had destroyed over the years.

The meeting, which was summoned at the instance of the SGF, was being held to avert the proposed nationwide strike scheduled for tomorrow.

Kicking off at about 6.30 p.m., it had in attendance NLC president, Comrade Wabba; President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Ola-

bode Johnson; Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Bobboi Bala Kiagama; NLC General Secretary, Peter OzoEson; Acting General Secretary of TUC, Simeso Amachree; Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; Minister of Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu; Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, among others.

Governor Oshiomhole had earlier met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, possibly to harmonise Federal Gov-

PDP crisis: Govs, BoT, elders wade in •Convention to hold on Saturday •Senators, Reps demand undertaking from Sheriff •Jibrin now BoT chair Taiwo Adisa, Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe - Abuja

T

HE national convention of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, as scheduled, despite the pocket of crises rocking the party.

This came as major gladiators agreed to bury their differences, following the intervention of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT) and some of its elders.

Also, the National Assembly caucus of the party met on Monday and resolved to secure an undertaking from the national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to ensure the crisis over his suspicious 2019 presidential ambition was laid to rest.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, on Monday, after the marathon meeting of the party’s BoT, its new secretary, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, said the convention would hold as scheduled.

Maduekwe said after listening to all the views and opinions being canvassed by the various interest groups in the party on why the convention should not hold, the board had resolved that the convention should hold in the interest of the party and had agreed on three conditions According to him, “we resolved that all the grievances will be adequately addressed. We also agreed to suspend the amendment of the party’s constitution and that states where there were problems in their congresses, the party leadership should review that, while a resolution would be passed at the convention that the presidential candidate of the party in 2019 should come from the North.”

Addresing the meeting earlier, both the BoT chair-

man, Senator Walid Jibrin and the national chairman of the party, Senator Sheriff, had hinted that spirited efforts had been made in the last 24 hours to resolve all the contending issues ahead the national convention.

Sheriff stated that in the last one week, some selected governors and some elders in the party had came together to resolve all the contending issues.

Sheriff, who reiterated his earlier position that he did not instruct anybody to insult Professor Jerry Gana and other party leaders, said “I have not instructed anybody to insult our party elder. In our culture, our elders are always right in all issues. You don’t use derogatory words on people who have achieved so much in life.”

Addressing newsmen before departing the venue for another scheduled meeting with PDP governors, Sheriff confirmed that he would be contesting for the position of the party’s national chairman at the convention, since the North-East had already endorsed him as the sole candidate from the zone.

“As you are already aware, I have been endorsed by my zone at its zonal congress last Saturday. The motion to that effect was moved by the Gombe State governor and was supported

by his Taraba counterpart.

So, with the support of my zone, I have to go ahead,” he stated.

Also speaking, Senator Jibrin, who emerged as the new chairman of the BoT, commended the efforts of Senator Sheriff to resolve the contending issues in the party ahead of the convention and lauded the BoT for electing him its new chairman.

Senator Jibrin, while acknowledging that all was not well with the party, said “the recent happenings in the party had been noted by the BoT. I have decided not to attend any group meetings. As a father, I don’t want to take side. I have been attending the only ones called by the only recognised organs of the party.”

He pointed out the PDP Governors’ Forum had already waded into the contending issues which would be handled democratically without breaking the party.

According to him, “to me, what is happening in PDP is democracy in action. Since we are in democracy, we cannot stop anybody from attending meetings.”

Other party leaders at the meeting were Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Dr Ahmadu Ali, Professor Jerry Gana, Chief Tom Ikimi, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Profes-

sor Tunde Adeniran, Chief Bode George, Chris Uba, Mrs Josephine Anenih, Alhaji Inna Ciroma, Ibrahim Ida, Tanimu Turaki, Shettima Mustapha, Mike Oghiadomhe, Senator Stella Omu, Esther Audu, Y.Y. Kure, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Rex Onyeanbor, Waziri Maina, Professor Wale Oladipo, Remi Kuku, Alhaji Bello, Mallam Abba Gana, Senator Jonah Jang, Chief Clement Awoyelu, Patience Ogodo and Fidelia Njeze.

NASS committee to meet govs, BoT, others At the meeting of the lawmerks, sources told the Nigerian Tribune that they concluded that the basis of the contention in the PDP was as a result of suspected ambition by Senator Sheriff to contest the 2019 election.

The lawmakers contended that an undertaking from the national chairman would resolve the crisis.

It was gathered that the lawmakers intended to meet with Sheriff as well as the members of the BoT and the governors.

Sources said the lawmakers agreed to set up a 10-member committee to meet with all stakeholders and ensure a resolution of the crisis.

They also said the lawmakers intended to ask Sheriff

to produce an undertaking in form of a sworn affidavit, to denounce his rumoured presidential ambition in 2019.

“Most of us agreed that the crisis in the PDP is about the issue of suspicion of whether Sheriff will join the 2019 presidential race.

“He came in and promised to spend three months and that has changed. So nobody trusts that he will not join the presidential race and to assure us all, we intend to ask him for an affidavi,t stating his lack of interest in the 2019 race,” a source at the meeting said.

After the closed door meeting, minority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Honourable Leo Ogor, who briefed newsmen, said the 10-man committee was set up to meet with aggrieved party members over the crisis in the party.

On his part, Senator Akpabio said “we have set up a 10man committee to iron out issues in the next 48 hours.

By that time, the entire PDP family would have been united. We also congratulate the NWC for the successful congresses so far.”

On his part, Honourable Ogor said “all things being equal, we believe that PDP will have a convention that everybody will be proud of.”

Court stops election of PDP national chairman, secretary, auditor Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji- Abuja

A federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting elections into the offices of the national chairman, national secretary and the national auditor of the party.

The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring the conduct of any election into

the offices.

However, the order to restrain the party from conducting the elections followed a case brought before the court by the national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff; the national secretary, Professor Olawale Oladipo and the national auditor, Alhaji Fatai Adewale Adeyanju listed as first, second and third plaintiffs.

In the case with suit number FHC/L/CS/61 3/2016,

dated May 6, 2016, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP were listed as the first and second defendants.

The plaintiffs prayed for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the second defendant from conducting any election into the offices occupied by the first, second and third plaintiffs respectively, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

According to the court order dated May 12, 2016, exclusively obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, the affidavit in support of motion on notice and the exhibits attached were deposed to by Alhaji Adeyanju.

In response to the submission made by the plaintiffs’ counsels, the court, presided over by Justice I.N. Buba, granted an order of interlocutory injunction as requested by the plaintiffs/applicants.

ernment’s position before they went for the closed door meeting at the SGF office.

As of 10.10 p.m. when this report was filed, the meeting of Comrade Wabba-led NLC and Comrade Kaigama-led TUC with the Federal Government representative was already going on, while factional president of NLC, Joe Ajaero and the President of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achese, were waiting outside for their own session.

Oke-Igbo attack: Arewa community lauds Ondo govt over intervention THE Arewa community in Ondo State has commended the state government for its quick intervention in arresting possible backlash of the killing of an Ilorin cattle rearer in Oke-Igbo by robbers, after stealing 10 of his cows.

The spokesperson of the group, Alhaji Malam Shehu, at a media briefing in Akure, on Monday, said some cattle rustlers attacked one Abu Adams while gazing around Oloruntele village, OkeIgbo, in Ile-Oluji/Oke Igbo Local Government Area of the state on Sunday and made away with 10 of his 48 cows.

He said it took the effort of security agents to retrieve the remaining 38 cows that strayed into the bush untendered.

According to him, the Arewa community was aware that the people behind the act wanted to cause disunity between herdsmen and the natives in the area, adding, however, that they (perpetrators) had failed woefully.

Speaking in the same vein, the state Commissioner of Police, Hilda Harrison, said her men would ensure that the perpetrators of the act were made to face the full wrath of the law.

She said her men were already on the trail of the robbers, even as she promised of their imminent apprehension.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said government would continue to ensure that both natives and non natives cohabit peacefully in the state.

3 news

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Economic crisis: 350,000 jobs affected in oil sector —Kachikwu

•As Nigeria loses 800,000 barrels daily to vandals •Reps in rowdy session over fuel price hike •Labour fully involved in pricing —FG •Why we support price hike —NUPENG Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel, Chris Agbambu and Taiwo Adisa – Abuja

M

INISTER of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, has said over 350,000 jobs in the oil sector have been affected by the economic crisis.

Speaking at the special session of the House of Representatives in Abuja, on Monday, Kachikwu said the country was presently producing at 1.4 million barrels per day, as against its former production level of 2.2 million barrels.

Kachikwu added that Nigeria’s upstream rigs production had also fallen to zero.

“I do share the sentiments of many Nigerians that the country that produces 2.2 million barrels should not be in the business of importing petroleum products.

“We need to begin to look at our upstream, we have unwittingly killed the upstream. Today, there’s no single rig operating in Nigeria. All the rigs are gone.

“When the rigs are gone, it means that no meaningful exploration can take place.

I labour as approvals are brought to me to sign upstream contributions,” he said.

Kachikwu said investments in the upstream sector could create as much as 300,000 jobs for Nigerians in the downstream sector.

“If we continued what we were doing, we had the risk of losing close to 400,000 jobs in the downstream sector.

“Today, I’m sure you are aware that we have lost literally over 350,000 jobs in the downstream sector. Dealing with these issues will enable us go back to economic sanity where jobs don’t get lost.

Kachikwu also said Nigeria’s crude oil production had declined from 2.2 million barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day due to pipeline vandalism.

This, he said, translated to loss of 800,000 barrels of oil by the country daily.

He condemned the incessant attacks on oil installations in the country, saying “we declined from 2.2 million barrels which was the focus of the 2016 budget to 1.4 million barrels as of today”.

He, however, expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that destroyed facilities were repaired and effectively protected.

“We are going to work hard to see how we will get these issues resolved and get our production back,” the minister said.

Kachikwu restated the need to develop infrastructure, which he described as “key” to promoting increased and efficient crude oil production.

Reps in rowdy session

The House of Representatives, on Monday, experienced a rowdy session over the recent hike in fuel price from N86.50k to N145 per litre by the Federal Government.

Problem started when the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, overruled the loud shout of nay not to admit the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu into the chamber to brief the House at its special session on why the Federal Government increased the price of fuel.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, who had the nays, rose up and

repeatedly started shouting “no” and later began chanting “all we are saying save Nigeria.”

The uproar forced the House to enter into executive session.

The House, after the special session begged the labour unions to shelve their planned strike action over government decision to increase the price of fuel.

During his presentation to the House, Kachikwu said if fuel price was not increased, queues would be fully back, adding that Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) would not have monies to share and that there would be social disruption.

Why we support price hike —NUPENG

Reacting, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) said it supported the petrol price increase because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s sincerity towards infrastructure

development and oil and gas policies.

Chairman of the union in the South-West, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on Monday, that his union and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) endorsed the price hike.

He said that though the Federal Government consulted the unions on its contemplation on the price increase, they did not take the message to their members before the announcement was made.

He said that the country was at the verge of economic stagnation and that the only way to move economy forward was to support the government’s move.

Labour fully involved in pricing —FG

The Federal Government, on Monday, insisted that all labour unions in the country were fully involved in

the decision to hike the fuel price from N86.50k to N145 per litre.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, who disclosed this while briefing heads of prints and electronic media in Abuja, said that labour fully participated in the deliberations and agreed to the solution proffered by government to hike the price.

According to him, at the end of the deliberation, the labour unions only said they would then go and brief their various unions on the decision of government, since the only way to solve the problem of fuel scarcity in the country was to hike the price.

“Labour leaders were all at the meeting and all the stakeholders were represented, hence, there is no need for labour to threaten strike, as it is not necessary at this point in time.”

The minister noted that the country was in economic crises and had lost over

Some members of the House of Representatives protesting during a special House session on hike in petrol price, at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

4 feared killed in Benin renewed cult war Banji Aluko - Benin City ABOUT four persons have been killed within the Benin metropolis between Sunday and Monday, following renewed cult war between the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities.

One of the victims, simply identified as Lawal, was reportedly shot dead around Ezoba area, on Sokponba Road, covering 1st and 2nd East Circular

Roads, Erie and environs, on Sunday.

It was gathered that few days earlier, the suspected cultists had attacked the younger brother of Lawal, where he was seriously butchered in various parts of his body.

He was said to have been released from the hospital on Sunday when they were attacked again and this time, found their target who they were said to have

shot at close range.

Also, a suspected member of the Black Axe, who was allegedly cut with an axe in Sakponba Road area, was said to have died in a hospital.

His friends, apparently on revenge mission, were said to have killed three members of the rival cult group in different locations in the area.

When contacted on phone, the state Police

Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abiodun Osifo, confirmed the clash, but said he was yet to get actual number of deaths.

“We did our intervention by deploying our men in the area. We are on a manhunt for those fingered in the attack. We are very sure that before the end of tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be able to arrest those that had been fingered in the act,” he said.

60 per cent of its earning, noting that the government had no choice than to do what it did.

He disclosed that the hardship was for a while and that the government arrived at the N145 per litre using the template of the cost of the dollar.

Arguing that they have not failed Nigerians based on the promises made to them during their campaign in 2015, the minister said “we have not let Nigerians down, but we have to be courageous to take the decision.”

While stressing that the hike would not be for too long, Alhaji Mohammed, said in a few weeks’ time, there would be glut as importers would flood the market with the product and prices would start falling.

Also, he added that for the first time in 20 years, the three refineries were on stream and that they had invited partners to join them in managing them.

While answering questions, he regretted that the situation in the Niger Delta had led the country to lose 500,000 barrels per day and over 1000 megawatts of power lost on a daily basis.

He noted that they were a listening government and ever-ready to dialogue with the militants once they have a genuine agitation.

He said “if Nigeria wants to survive we must take this decision, it is going to be temporary hardship, the country does not have enough foreign exchange.”

Earlier, during the briefing, the minister declared that they had no choice than to liberalise the price of petrol if they were to end the crippling fuel scarcity that had enveloped the country, ensuring the availability of the products and end the suffering of our people over the lingering scarcity.

He debunked the notion that this new price regime amounted to removal of subsidy.

“No. There is no subsidy to remove, because no provision was made for subsidy in the 2016 budget. Last year, the government paid out N1 trillion in subsidy and that’s one-sixth of this year’s budget. We can’t afford to pay another N1 trillion in subsidy,” he said.

He noted that many people had asked if the government was planning any palliative in the wake of the new price regime. continues pg4

4 news

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Tompolo to Buhari: Withdraw military siege on Gbaramatu kingdom •Says he’s a victim of circumstances Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

in the creeks.

The embattled

former

Ijaw militant, who is battling a fraud case with

the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(EFCC) in the courts, therefore, described himself, in

F

ORMER leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the military siege on Gbaramatu kingdom.

Gbaramatu kingdom, with headquarters at Oporoza, in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, had been under intense military siege since the resumption of militancy by the acclaimed faceless Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which had added to the economic debacle of an already bleeding nation.

The military siege was further reinforced last Saturday, after multiple attacks on Chevron’s oil facilities which are mostly located in Gbaramatu kingdom.

Tompolo, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Warri, Monday evening, expressed disappointment at the way the Federal Government and the military were going about the war against the economic saboteurs.

He wondered why in spite of several claims of innocence, he was still being hunted and labelled as a member of the new militant group attacking oil facilities

Members of Coalition of Civil Societies protesting subsidy removal, in Benin City, Edo State, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Economic crisis: 350,000 jobs affected in oil sector —Kachikwu continued from pg3

“Our answer is that the entire 2016 budget is packed with palliatives.

Some N500,000 billion has been set aside for social intervention that will touch the lives of millions of Nigerians and lift millions more out of poverty.

Let me briefly enumerate some of these intervention programmes: 500,000 graduates are to be employed and trained as

teachers; 370,000 nongraduates (artisans, technicians) to be trained and employed “Also, one million people (farmers, market women, among others) are to be granted loans to set up small businesses.

“Conditional Cash Transfer will be made to the most vulnerable people (not unemployed graduates), school feeding, targeting 4.5 million school children and bursaries/

scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students.

He argued that many had also tried to compare what happened in 2012, when the last administration increased fuel price with the new price regime of 2016.

“Our answer to that is that there is no basis for comparison as the conditions in 2012 were vastly different from the conditions now.

Cash crunch: NYSC may not mobilise thousands for service

DG cries out for help, says 2016 budget shortchanged corps of N13bn Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja DIRECTOR-GENERAL of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), BrigadierGeneral Sulyman Kazaure, on Monday, said thousands of prospective corps members meant to commence service on Friday will miss the exercise, due to nonavailability of funds.

Kazaure, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, said the corps members earlier slated for mobilisation this week would remain in their homes due to paucity of funds.

He said the service had a shortfall of N13 billion in the 2016 budget, adding that the development had made it cash-strapped.

According to him, the prospective corps members, meant to be of ‘Batch A’ stream two, who were

the face of a reversal of fortune, as a victim of circumstance.

Debunking this claim for the umpteenth time, Tompolo said: “I am greatly touched and disappointed with the manner the Nigerian government and the military is being arm-twisted by the unfounded claims of Emami and others, that I am behind the Niger Delta Avengers group, when there is no single proof to back the claim.

He challenged anyone in doubt to find out from the Group Managing Director (GMD) and Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu about the fact that Emami and others have been on the neck of the minister for pipeline surveillance contracts for some time now.

expected to hit the 37 orientation camps on Friday, could no longer be accommodated because of lack of funds.

He said as of Monday, the funds required could not be accessed from the Federal Government, adding that the corps had made spirited efforts through series of letters written in the past weeks.

He also said series of requests for release of funds for the impending mobilisation were forwarded to Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Presidency before the expiration of orientation camp for Batch A stream one, who were already out of camp.

“We are presently at a loss in NYSC now, as there is no money for us to mobilise thousands of prospective corps members in the Batch A stream 2 to

camp this Friday as earlier planned, despite efforts made by us to get things done in that direction several weeks ago.

“The problem staring us in the face arose from the N13 billion shortfall we had in the 2016 budget estimates, upon which the agency made strong request for its provision during budget defence about three months ago,” he said.

The Director-General, however, expressed the hope that a last minute intervention could be made

to ensure the release of the needed funds, as, according to him, the Chief of Staff to the President had invited the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, to see him over the matter.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Obinna Ogba, equally expressed concern over the development.

He assured the NYSC boss that the Senate would intervene by setting up emergency meetings with the minister, the NYSC, as well as the ministries of Finance and Budget.

Ijaw celebrates Isaac Boro Austin Ebipade -Yenagoa THE heroic struggle of the late Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro was, on Monday, celebrated by the nation and its people from Bayelsa, Rivers and Ondo to commemorate the 2016 Isaac Boro Day in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The usual closure of shops, markets and business premises was observed in Yenagoa, in honour of Boro, leader of the Niger Delta emancipation struggle movement.

The youth arm of the Ijaw people, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), led a procession in honour of Boro, as

“Oil was selling for over $100 a barrel, compared to just a little over $40 a barrel now. Then, the country was awash in forex, thanks to the high earnings from oil.

Then the foreign reserves was high. The situation today is dire—earnings from oil have fallen drastically.

Foreign reserves have fallen. The new price regime is simply inevitable”.

“With the drastic fall in the price of crude oil, which is the nation’s main foreign exchange earner, there has also been a drastic reduction in the amount of foreign exchange available. The unavailability of forex and the inability to open letters of credit have forced marketers to stop product importation and

imposed over 90 per cent supply on the NNPC since October 2015, in contrast to the past, when NNPC supplied 48 per cent of the national requirement,” he said.

The minister said the truth was that the NNPC did not have the resources for or was designed to meet this increase in supply. The result is the crippling fuel situation across the country.

Pushed to supply 90 per cent of the products required for domestic consumption, the NNPC has continued to utilize crude oil volumes outside the 445,000 barrels/day allocated to it, thereby creating major funding and remittance gaps into the federation account.

Buhari, Wike meet in Aso Rock PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nyesom Wike of River State met at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

The governor arrived the

president’s office at about 2.00 p.m. and met with him in closed doors for about 20 minutes.

He declined to speak with State House correspondents when he emerged from the meeting.

they marched from Tombia roundabout, eulogising the deceased for the service he rendered to the Ijaw nation.

Pioneer President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, Dr Felix Tuodolo, described the event as unique, particularly because Boro laid the founda-

tion that had brought Ijaw people to the limelight.

In her remark, Boro’s daughter, Mrs Esther Boro, condemned the destruction of oil installations and facilities by militant groups, adding that it was completely at variance with what Isaac Boro lived and died for.

Leon Usigbe - Abuja

5

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

6

Nigerian Tribune

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Lagos Police arrest principal for stealing N1.2m WAEC Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin MICHAEL Diekola, a 42year old school principal, has been docked at an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly collecting N1.2 million from his students under the pretext of enrolling them for the West African Senior Sec-

ondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Diekola, who lives at 8, Alirat Badejo Street, Oke Odo, Abule Egba, according to the police allegedly committed the offence sometimes in July 2014 at a private school, Queen Diana College. The prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu,

Fuel price hike: Lagos Mass

Transit gets 50 more buses Bola Badmus LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has injected 50 high capacity buses into the operations of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme as part of measures to cushion effects of the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on commuters in the state.

Managing Director, Prim-

Wraps of cocaine recovered from the suspect.

Cocaine trafficker gets 12-year jail term

Shola Adekola

J

USTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High Court 10, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, on Monday, sentenced a 31-year-old technician, Michael Nwobodo to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour.

The convict who attempted to escape on the day of arrest pleaded guilty to unlawful importation of cocaine, an offence punishable under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act. Justice Okon in his judgement observed that the illicit drug trade was not abating and that measures must be taken to stop the criminal act.

NDLEA Chairman, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) commended the ruling adding that the Agency will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the fight against illicit drugs in the country saying: “This will serve both as a deterrent and a corrective measure to the convict and others, who are involved in narcotic production, trafficking and

abuse. The Agency will not relent in partnering with stakeholders in apprehending and prosecuting drug traffickers.”

It will be recalled that the convict who was arrested

on February 29, 2016 with 81 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.350kg on his way from Dubai attempted to escape by breaking through a glass wall at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

(NAIA) Abuja. He was later arrested and treated for the injuries he sustained. The 81 wraps of cocaine were concealed in Parker Whisky packs along with boxes of chocolates inside a duty free

bag.

Michael Nwobodo reportedly told officials that he was not under the influence of narcotics but only tried to escape because of fear of going to prison.

Govt earmarks N36bn to tackle ocean surge Bola Badmus LAGOS State government said it has earmarked N36 billion to proffer lasting solution to the incessant ocean surge being experienced along the Lagos coastline.

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Adebowale Akinsanya, disclosed this on Monday, saying the fund was meant for the construction of 18 Groynes (sea breakers) at intervals of 400 metres along the entire length of 7.5 km between Goshen Estate and Alpha Beach.

Speaking at the ongoing ministerial press briefing at Alausa, the commissioner said construction of each groyne cost N2 billion and that the project was awarded in November

2012 and divided into three phases for funding reasons.

Phase 1 of the project, according to him, is the construction of three Groynes, and it commenced in January 2013 and had been completed. He added that Phase 2 of the project, which is the construction of 12 Groynes was awarded in June 2013, while work commenced on them in January 2014.

“As at the beginning of this administration 4km stretch of the shoreline was protected and in the last 12 months, 6.0 km has been successfully protected, while work is still on-going. Total percentage of work done so far on Phase 2 is 80%. Also the Phase 3, which is the construction of three groynes of the project has been awarded and work has commenced on it,” he said.

The commissioner also disclosed that the state government had approved the development of three islands in the state, including Diamond, Orange and Gracefield Phoenix pojects.

Akinsanya also assured

that the Eko Atlantic City Project would not bring about flooding in areas bordering it, including the Victoria Island, but protect, as the project in itself had “restored back the lost land to where it was in 1909.”

ero Transport Limited, Fola Tinubu, disclosed this to journalists on Monday, noting that the governor’s gesture would go a long way in cushioning the effect of fuel price hike.

Tinubu assured that the company would not increase its fares despite the prompt service that the new injection had guaranteed for commuters.

“This magnanimous act has been undertaken by the governor to reduce the effect of the hike in fuel price on Lagosians in the hope that more people in Ikorodu and its environs will enjoy the BRT service while leaving their vehicles at home. This will go a long way in reducing traffic to the road users and waiting time for the commuters at various terminals.

“The multiplier effect of this kind of gesture put forward by the governor is the creation of more employment opportunities such as drivers, fleet officers, inspectors, mechanics, ticketers, among others for the smooth running and operations of the business,” he said.

School ownership: 92-year-old widow’s

as suit suffers another shift Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

A 92-year-old widow, seeking return of her schools from the Lagos State government, has had her case moved till June 15.

Lagos Metro had earlier reported that Mrs Roseline Ololo had filed the suit through her lawyer, Chief Malcom Omirhobo, before a Federal High Court in Lagos,

asking for an order returning her schools-Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary School.

Those sued are: the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Education, Lagos State Government, Lagos State Attorney General, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Education.

When the case was called on Monday, coun-

sel for the applicant informed the court that all respondents in the suit had been duly served with the processes.

Mr Chituru Ololo represented the second applicant (Akaix West Limited), while the court took judicial notice of the first applicant who was absent due to her age.

Mrs Olufunke Osarenkhoe represented the fourth, fifth, and sixth

7

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

metro

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

allegedly fees told the court that “the accused bolted with the money and all efforts to locate him were unsuccessful until he was sighted by one of the teachers and was immediately apprehended,” the police alleged.

Diekola however denied the charges.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the school principal bail of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and ordered the accused to pay N250, 000 into the court’s Chief Registrar’s account as part of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till June 6 for mention.

Nigerian Tribune

Egbeda killing: Detectives quiz alleged lover of Ronke Shonde Olalekan Olabulo The alleged lover of Ronke Shonde, who was allegedly killed by her husband, Lekan Shonde was on Monday quizzed by the police in Lagos State.

Lagos Metro gathered that he was on Monday interrogated by detectives from the Homicide Section of the Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Lagos State Police Command but was not detained at the end of the interrogations exercise, which lasted for some hours.

A source at the SCID, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with Lagos Metro, said “yes he was here (SCID) today. He was not detained but he spent some hours with the officers, who are handling the case. He has

An overloaded truck. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Task Force destroys 2,386 motorcycles, secures 3,716 convictions Bola Badmus LAGOS State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Task Force) has said that 2,386 motorcycles popularly called Okada were impounded and crushed from January to date for contravening the State Road Traffic Laws by plying restricted routes across the state.

The Agency also said 201 vehicles were found to have contravened the state law and tickets issued accordingly to them.

absent respondents, while the first and second respondents were absent and not represented.

Counsel to the applicant then informed the court of his motion on notice seeking leave to amend his originating processes.

Justice Rabiu Shagari therefore, adjourned the suit to June 15 for hearing of applicant’s processes.

Also within the period, the Agency disclosed that it arrested from across the state a total of 4,522 miscreants and hoodlums and charged 3,716 of them to courts for various envi-

ronmental offences and got them convicted to jail sentences with an option of fine.

Chairman of the Task Force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, said this during a media

chat held at his office at the weekend, even as he disclosed that nine of his officers, including para-military were seriously injured by hoodlums during the various operations.

“Few of the Agency’s vehicles were attacked beyond repair by both miscreants and Okada riders who often times gathered with weapons to attack men of the Task Force,” he added.

— Arrested pickpocket TAOREED Ashimiyu, a 24-years-old suspected robber and pick-pocket, who was few days ago arrested by the police in Lagos State, has revealed that he spent his loot on prostitutes.

Taoreed, who was arrested alongside Kayode Jolade, by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), during a failed operation around Maryland area of Ikeja, also confessed that members of his gang usually operate inside Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

The arrested suspects were allegedly responsible for robbery and pick pocket operations around Maryland and Mile 12 areas of the state.

Taoreed, in his confessing

•Says, ‘We operate mostly inside BRT’

statement to the police said, “I have not spent a dime from my proceeds in stealing on anything tangible. I womanised a lot, spending my money on both young and old ladies. I spend on smoking Indian-hemp and drinking alcohol.”

He added that, before his arrest, he had removed two mobile phones from commuters during rush-hour, at the Maryland Bus-Stop, and that his third attempt led to his arrest. My accomplice caused my arrest. Before he joined me at Maryland, I had stolen two phones successfully but when he came around, we had to work in pair but People who had known him in the area were

monitoring us, unknown to us.

“I went for another victim from whom I removed money from his pocket and didn’t know that the people who saw us together and had started monitoring me too. After monitoring our operations for some time, they started chasing me. On sighting them, I took to my heels but they caught up with me and started beating me.

I managed to escape from them and ran to join a moving BRT. “As I was attempting to board the BRT, a guy at the entrance assisted me in getting into the bus but he didn’t know I was being chased. In the process of helping me, I

Controversy trails alleged kidnap of sick lady in FESTAC Olalekan Olabulo

I spent my loot on prostitutes Olalekan Olabulo

also promised to always be available, anytime there was the need to talk to him on the investigation.”

The source added that the police were as of Monday evening yet to receive the result of the autopsy, conducted on the lady.

This is just as investigations by Lagos Metro revealed that the non-availability of the autopsy report on the body of the deceased, Ronke, is delaying the investigation into her murder.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, said that she could not confirm the presence of the alleged lover at the SCID, Panti on Monday.

dipped my hand in his pocket and removed his phone, and jumped down from the BRT, unknown to him. As I jumped down, the people continued chasing me and when I discovered I had no option, I tried to cross the expressway but unfortunately I was hit by a truck. When I opened my eyes, I saw RRS men, who arrested me,” he added.

On his part, Kayode Jolaade, said that he was lured into the crime, after losing his job at a private security guard firm.

Dolapo Badmos, the image maker in charge of the state police command confirmed the arrest of the suspects and added that they had been charged to court.

UNCERTAINTIES have continued to trail the alleged disappearance of a sick lady in FESTAC area of Lagos State, who was allegedly kidnapped on Sunday.

An aunt to the victim, Aishat Yesufu, had on Sunday raised the alarm that her niece had been kidnapped by a yet-to-be-identified group of people.

The police at FESTAC police station, on Sunday, denied receiving any report of the kidnap of the alleged victim.

Dolapo Badmos, the image maker in charge of the state police command also claimed that the police were as at Monday evening yet to receive any report of the alleged incident.

“I am not aware of any kidnap incident in FESTAC. I have not been told of any” the Lagos police spokesperson said.

Meanwhile residents of FESTAC have raised the alarm over the high rate of kidnapping in the Lagos community.

A resident, who simply identified himself as Tony, while speaking with Lagos Metro said “I have not heard of any this week but kidnapping is rampant in FESTAC.” He also added that “the police should do more and ensure constant patrol of the major roads and streets.”

8

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

9

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

PHOTOS: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

70TH BIRTHDAY CEREMONY OF ASIWAJU MUSULUMI OF YORUBALAND, ALHAJI KHAMIS OLATUNDE BADMUS CHAIRMAN, TUNS FARM LIMITED

From left, The Zanna of Ilorin, Engr. Lanre Shagaya (OFR); Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland and Chairman, Tuns Farm, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus; and Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola during the 70th Birthday Celebration of the Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

From left, The Celebrant, Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland, and Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

From left, Prayer session for Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland, and Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

From left, The Celebrant, Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland, and Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus with friends at the golf tournament as part of activities to celebrate his 70th Birthday.

From left, Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola; Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus; and the Chairman, MITV, Alhaji Muri Busari Gbadeyanka during the 70th Birthday Celebration of the Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

From left, His Excellency, The Executive Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus; and the Deputy Speaker Federal House of Representative, Honourable Lasun Yussuf during the 70th Birthday Celebration of the Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

From left, Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland and Chairman Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus, with friends at the special Juma’at prayer session to celebrate his 70th Birthday.

From left, The Celebrant, Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland, and Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus with his associates during his 70th Birthday Celebration.

From left, Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, exchanging pleasantries with other dignitaries during the 70th Birthday Celebration of Asiwaju Musilumi of Yorubaland, and Chairman, Tuns Farms Limited, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

10 news

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Herdsmen attacks: We are being pushed to the wall —Benue gov Offers N5m for information on abducted Catholic priest Johnson Babajide -Makurdi

I

RKED by the constant attacks on farmers in Benue State by herdsmen, the state governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has called on the herdsmen to vacate the state immediately, just as he said the people of the state might resort to self defence because they have been pushed to the wall.

Reacting to the attack at the weekend on Agwabi Village, in Binev council ward of Buruku Local Government Area of the state, Ortom, who could not hide his feelings, was angry and stated that the state was under

siege, adding that the herdsmen had virtually taken over the land in the state. He submitted that enough was enough for the daily killings of the people of the state.

According to him, “it is a bad situation now, everyday you hear my people are being killed, raped by these mercenaries, they do not have respect for rule of law neither for security personnel.

“These are wicked mercenaries under the guise of herdsmen attacking us and taking over our farmland.

I have said it several times that we do not have land for grazing in the state, let them move out of the state.

“There is a limit to which I can appeal to my people to restrain, from reprisal attack, if all of them are killed, then I will be the next target. The problem is that if you push them away from one point, they move to another point and their style is to kill, destroy farmland and take over the land.”

When asked about the herders’ allegation of the youths in the state rustling their cows, the governor debunked the allegation, saying: “it is the criminal elements among them that always go and steal their cows” and queried whether rustling of cows was commensurate with human life.

He further said the herders, most times, hid under rustling of cows to perpetrate evil, “for instance, in my village, they claimed that my people rustled their cows and they went ahead to kill 50 of my people and took over the land, this is genocide.”

The governor also decried the situation where none of the herders or perpetrators of these dastardly acts had ever been arrested or killed by security men, despite their presence in places where they had operated, noting that “in Buruku, there were military men and mobile policemen stationed there.”

Meanwhile, as efforts to rescue the Catholic priest, Reverend Father John Adeyi from his abductors seem to be hanging in the balance, Governor Ortom has offered to pay N5 million for information on the whereabouts of the priest.

Reverend Father Adeyi, a Vicar General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, was, about a month ago, abducted on Enugu-Otukpa Road about 2.00pm on April 24, 2016.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and ICT to the governor, Mr Tahav Agerzua, the governor regretted that one month after the unfortunate incident, security agents were yet to apprehend the culprits and rescue the priest, appealing to members of the public to assist with information about the whereabouts of the priest.

He said any person or group who offered such information would be paid N5 million as reward and expressed worries of the government and people of the state on the incident.

2 herdsmen jailed 20 years in Delta Alphonsus Agborh -Asaba Czech Republic Deputy Minister of Defence, Tomas Kuchta, presenting a memento to Dr (Mrs) Hedima, as part of the scholarship award ceremony.

Czech govt offers postgraduate scholarship to widow of Nigerian Air Force officer killed by Boko Haram Chris Agbambu -Abuja IN the spirit of the existing cordial relationship between the Czech Republic and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Czech Republic Government has offered a postgraduate scholarship to the widow of the late Wing Commander, Chinda Stephen Hedima, to study Epidemiology at the Czech Defence University, Prague.

The late Wing Commander Hedima was killed in September 2014 by the Boko Haram terrorists while on operation in North-East Nigeria.

The senior officer, before his demise, had his combat simulator training on the Alpha Jet with Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic.

The full scholarship award to Dr (Mrs) Hedima was in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice by her husband in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North-East.

Presenting the award,

the Czech Republic Deputy Minister of Defence, Tomas Kuchta, said the gesture was an extension of the friendship between the Czech Republic and Nigeria, and in recognition of the gallantry exhibited by the late senior officer in the service of his fatherland.

He recalled that the late Wing Commander Hedima put up good performance, and was disciplined and friendly during his training in the Czech Republic.

He also used the occasion of the scholarship award to extend the condolence of the Czech Ministry of Defence to the people of Nige-

ria for the great loss.

Responding, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal SB Abubakar, who received the Czech Republic delegation in his office, noted that the NAF was witnessing for the first time the kind of gesture demonstrated by the Czech Republic.

Herdsmen threaten to sue Ekiti gov Isaac Shobayo -Jos A pressure group, Fan Allah Fulani Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), has threatened to take Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to court for every cow killed, not only in Ekiti State, but in the entire South-West.

The Ekiti State governor was quoted to have threatened to poison water sources in the state as a measure against rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

According to a statement signed by the secretary general of the association,

Alhaji Sale Bayeri, which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, the association strongly condemned the statement by the governor.

It called on all its members, particularly in Ekiti State, and other SouthWest states to take inventory of their loses in cattle and livestock lost to poisoning either in water or grasses to the association.

According to the association, it directed its members to forward their complaints to the headquarters for immediate legal action, adding that the association’s law-

yers had been given the appropriate directive.

The association called on its members to be lawabiding and remain calm in the face of unprecedented statement of recklessness from a serving governor.

“As a lawful association, we believe in the rule of law and shall never resort to taking any criminal and unlawful steps to counter this reckless directive and order of Governor Fayose.

We shall ensure that the law takes its course between us as law-abiding Nigerians,” said the association.

TWO Fulani herdsmen, suspected to be members of a group of armed nomads terrorising indigenes of Ibusa near Asaba, in Delta State and its environs, especially farmers, have been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour by a high court sitting in Asaba.

The court, presided over

by Justice Marcel Okoh, pronounced the accused Hassan Abidu and Yakubu Salem, guilty on a twocount charge of unlawful possession of firearms proffered against them by the Attorney-General of Delta State, punishable under Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R.II, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 and were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each with hard labour and without an option of fine.

According to the prosecution, on or about the 23rd day of February, 2015 at about 0600 hours, the Ibusa Police Division received a distress call that a group of suspected Fulani boys, numbering about six, were sited around Power Line, Ibusa, armed with dangerous weapons, including firearms.

Night grazing/ rearing of cattle banned in Enugu GRAZING and rearing of cattle at night was, on Monday, banned in Enugu State, after a meeting between Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and leaders of Fulani/Shuwa Arab herdsmen in the state.

Also banned are the carrying of firearms or any form of ammunition by the herdsmen and movement of cattle from one location to another at night in the state.

Another far reaching decision taken during the crucial meeting on Monday was the setting up of a peace committee made up of representatives of the various interest groups from the Fulani\Shuwa Arab Community in the state, government representatives, as well as security agencies.

During the meeting convened by Governor Ugwuanyi, also attended by leaders of some communities affected by the menace of the herdsmen in the state, it was also decided that compensation would be paid by herdsmen whose cattle destroy farm crops while the communities would pay for any cattle killed by their members.

Oyo-Ogbomoso Road, promise kept —Senator Sunmonu Senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district, Monsurat Sunmonu, has said she is determined to see that works commence on the Oyo-Ogbomoso Road, widely regarded as a death trap.

In a statement, Sunmonu said, following her push for the rehabilitation of the Oyo-Ogbomoso Road to be included in the recentlysigned budget, the Federal Government had approved the sum of N6billion for the road.

“In line with my campaign promises, I didn’t relent in my efforts to ensure that this road was contained in the budget recently signed into law

by President Muhammadu Buhari,” she said.

Sunmonu added that in August 2015, she co-sponsored a motion to look into the status of dilapidated and uncompleted roads in Nigeria, wherein she put forward the bad status of the Oyo-Ogbomoso Road and the numbers of people dying on the road daily.

11

businessnews

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Oil status: Lagos to demand 13% derivation —Ambode •May produce 50,000 bpd •Oil discovery cost $400m •Says state may have 3 seaports by 2018 Bola Badmus-Lagos

L

AGOS State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday, said the state government will henceforth demand payment of 13 per cent derivation revenue from the Federal Government, following the discovery of crude oil by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited in Badagry, area of the state.

This was just as the governor assured that with the additional revenue coming from such area, the state government would be able to make more infrastructure available for Lagosians.

Ambode stated this on Monday when the management of the company led by the Group Managing Director, Tunde Folawiyo, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, declaring that Lagos had officially joined the League of Oil Producing States in the country.

“I say it with all conviction because I know that based on Section 162 SubSection 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos becomes an oil producing state and by virtue of this, the 13 per cent derivation that is due to oil producing states, Lagos will start to partake from it by your very good gesture.

“So we officially declare Lagos State as an oil producing state, we also notify the Federal Government by this action that we would be sharing out of the 13 per cent derivation. So all we need do is to apply and then we join,” he said.

According to Ambode, the feat has not only placed Lagos in the history books as the first state outside the Niger Delta to become an oil producing state, but has also opened up a new page for revenue generation in the state.

Ambode pointed out that the resilience of the Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company, an indigenous firm, had shown the possibilities and opportunities for investors and businessmen willing to commit their resources to boost local production.

“I want to commend what you have done, it’s a sign that you believe so much in Lagos State. I want to congratulate you, I want to showcase you as a very good example of a dogged entrepreneur, as someone who believes in Nigeria because that’s what you epitomize here.

“This discovery is by a 100 per cent indigenous firm, and at times like this when we are experiencing dwindling revenue from different areas of our economy; at times like this when foreign exchange is

highly turbulent, it gives one great hope that the future prosperity of Nigeria is assured and is secured by transactions like this,” the governor said.

“We are likely to have three Sea Ports in Lagos in another two years; we have the Badagry Deep Sea Port and the Lekki Port and also the Apapa port. So, somehow, in some manner, some things are being put

up that seems like a puzzle, but the future prosperity of Lagos is more than well assured and we are happy that we are part of that and this government is heavily committed to complement the efforts of business men like you,” he said.

Earlier, Folawiyo said the discovery of crude oil in Lagos, which had taken over 25 years to achieve, had gone a long way to show

the possibilities achievable if government continued to lend support to indigenous investors and companies.

“At so many points along the way, we could have given up because it was a very rough road, but the point is that only a Nigerian company would have continued to do what we did. The main crux is that we need government and government needs us and where

government supports assiduously, it can only be success,” he said.

Folawiyo said the company invested about $400 million to achieve the feat, disclosing that the current status of the oil well had the capacity to produce at least 12,000 barrels per day, with a possibility to increase to between 25,000 to 50,000 barrels per day in the nearest future.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (right), receiving a sample of the crude oil discovered in the state by the Group Managing Director, Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, Tunde Folawiyo, during a visit to the governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Inflation hit near 6-year high in April Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

ANNUAL inflation in Nigeria quickened to a near six-year high of 13.7 percent in April, in part due to rising petrol and electricity prices, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday, stoking expectations of another rate hike.

Nigeria’s worst economic crisis in decades has been driven by a sharp drop in oil prices that has slashed government revenues since the country relies on crude sales for around 70 percent of national income.

Gross domestic product growth was just 2.8 percent last year, its lowest rate since 1999, and speculation of a devaluation of the naira currency is growing. March inflation was 12.8 percent.

The statistics bureau (NBS) said the higher inflation rate in April - the highest level since August 2010, according to Thomson Reuters data - reflected increases across all sectors.

In March, Nigeria’s central bank tightened monetary policy, raising the benchmark interest rate to 12 percent from 11 percent to try to curb the galloping inflation - a surprise reversal that came just four months after rates were cut.

“The focus inevitably shifts to what sort of monetary policy reaction to anticipate,” said Razia Khan, chief economist, Africa at Standard Chartered bank, looking ahead to the monetary policy committee meeting due next Monday and Tuesday.

“With the central bank governor previously stating that a headline inflation rate in excess of the MPR (benchmark interest rate) is undesirable, expectations of tightening are likely to build,” she said.

NBS said petrol prices

and electricity tariffs were major factors in the inflation rise.

Last week, the government announced it was scrapping a costly fuel subsidy scheme and increasing petrol prices by up to 67 percent which will affect many of Nigeria’s 180 million people who rely on gasoline to power electricity generators as well as transport.

The new prices have yet to feed into the inflation figures, but NBS data suggests fuel was already generally sold at a higher price

than the new official ceiling throughout much of April, meaning more inflationary pressure could be building.

Food prices, which account for the bulk of the inflation basket, rose 13.2 percent in April, up 0.4 percentage points from March, the bureau said on its website.

Inflation has also been fuelled by pressure on the naira, which on Monday slipped to its weakest level in months against the dollar in the non-deliverable forward market.

Petroleum marketers urge FG to cushion effects of price hike Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

THE Association of Mega Filling Station Owners of Nigeria (AMFSON) has called on the federal government to come up with adequate measures that will cushion the effects of the sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products in the country.

The federal government last week announced an increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly known as fuel by N59 from N86 to N145, the highest in the history of the country.

However, while reacting to the development, AMFSON the umbrella body of

filling stations branded in the colours and logo of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) urged government to go beyond the increase and put in place policies and programmes that will help Nigerians absorb the shocks arising from the increase in pump prices.

The National Secretary of the association, Ambassador Kenneth Nwachukwu, noted that while government has the right to increase the price of petroleum products, it also behooves on the present administration to find ways of cushioning the effects on Nigerians.

Nwachukwu also noted that the problems of fuel supply and distribution in the country goes beyond finding appropriate price of petroleum products, pointing out that government should as a matter of urgency now address the fundamental challenges confronting the entire fuel supply and distribution chain in the country.

“This is the time for the government to critically overhaul the entire fuel supply and distribution chain in the country in order to ensure that all loopholes that create room for sharp practices is permanently eliminated”, he stated.

Nigerian Tribune

NSE: GTB, Zenith Bank boost trading with N651.7m Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

THE equities market closed on a positive note on Monday, as Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) appreciated by 1.43 per cent to close at 26,818.77 basis points, compared with the 2.23 per cent appreciation recorded previously.

Its Year-to-Date (YTD) returns currently stands at -6.37 per cent.

Market breadth closed positive as Conoil Plc led 27 gainers against 25 losers topped by MRS Oil Plc at the end of today’s session, an unimproved performance when compared with previous outlook.

Market turnover closes negative as volume declined by 43.45 per cent against 116.68 per cent uptick recorded in the previous session. Access Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa plc and Transnational Corporation Plc were the most active to boost market turnover.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc top market value list having staked N403.4 million and N248.3 million respectively.

Glo to give out N125m to subscribers

NATIONAL telecommunications operator and leading internet services provider, Globacom, will give out N125 million naira in cash prizes to its subscribers in a new promotion called Glo Hamma Millions.

The consumer reward scheme which would run for the next 100 days was launched on Monday, at Globacom’s headquarters, Mike Adenuga Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Giving details of the promo at the event, the company’s Coordinator, Enterprise Sales, Folu Aderibigbe, said five lucky subscribers would go home with a life-transforming sum of N5 million each, making a total of N25 million. The N5m winners would emerge every 20 days.

In addition to the N5m, there is also N100,000 cash to be won by 1,000 other lucky subscribers. He disclosed that 10 subscribers will each win N100,000 cash every day for 100 days, making a total of N100 million.

Aderibigbe said the reward scheme was developed because Globacom appreciated the customers as the focal point of its operations and that a total of 1005 winners will emerge in the promo.

12

businessnews

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Fashola appeals to power project handlers •Urges them to go back to work Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

T

HE Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has appealed to the contractors handling transmission projects for Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPCH) projects across the country to go back to sites.

He also urged them to ensure speedy completion of the projects, as he promised all their complaints would be resolved within a reasonable time frame.

The minister made this appeal at a meeting with contractors in Abuja on Monday stating that the purpose of the meeting was to share the concerns of the contractors handling various transmission projects with a view to assisting them in solving the problems for speedy execution.

Fashola, further revealed that the meeting was also to ensure that those who abandoned their projects are immediately mobilized to go back to sites.

Fashola also received a brief from the representative of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), on the status of their projects such as issues on evacuation on the Eastern axis, Alaoji- Ikot Ekpene 300KVA double circuit line, and the Switching Station at Ikot Ekpene.

Arising from the meeting, the Minister and the contractors agreed on the submission of a list of projects that have 70 per cent and above completion status, but for which provisions were not made in the 2016 budget approved for TCN. “A list of contractors

who have assured the meeting about the completion of their projects before the end of 2016 and relevant information about their projects.

“A list of contractors who have completed and handed over projects and details of such projects

of such containers; and “The need for the contractors to look in-ward in making use of local contents of products being manufactured in Nigeria such as Transmission towers clamps and cables etc. as long as they meet the required standards

and specifications.

“All contractors that have unique issues to urgently meet with the management of TCN and make available details of such issues and furnish the office of the Minister with relevant information.”

Balogun, Shody join Falz as brand influences for Remy Martin

By Ruth Olurounbi

From left: Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar N. Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Company Development, Austin Avuru and Chief Financial Officer, Seplat, Roger Brown, at the presentation of facts behind the figures, subtitled “Blazing the Gas Trail” at the NSE, on Monday.

‘Govt working to contain tomato disease’ •As scarcity bites harder Collins Nnabuife-Abuja

AS tomato scarcity bites harder, the Deputy Director, Horticulture in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,

Mike Kanu has said the federal government is working to contain the disease responsible for the scarcity in the country.

Kanu, who explained

Obasanjo advises FG against reviving NNSL FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, advised the Federal Government against resuscitating the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).

Obasanjo gave the advice in Lagos in his address as Chairman of a two-day stakeholders’ conference on the maritime industry.

The former president blamed the demise of NNSL on the lack of professionalism and high level corruption at the time.

He said: “NNSL had been liquidated, they tried Nigeria Unity Line, it collapsed.

“Nineteen brand new ships were specially built for Nigeria, we did not take delivery of some of them until I left office in 1979.

“When I came back in 1999, NNSL had been liquidated with all the 19

but are yet to be paid; “Contractors that have their companies stocked at the ports which have attracted accumulated port charges, Government will intervene but the responsibility of moving out the cargoes from the ports would be done by owners

ships gone as well as the five ships in existence.

“Two of the ships were missing for almost two years and it was discovered that one military man was using them all over the world and no accountability.”

The former president urged the present administration to “think out of the box and come up with what should be done to grow the maritime industry”.

“Until NIMASA became a source of where people steal money, nobody knew too much about it.

“Before we tried to privatise Nigerian Ports Authority, I went to Singapore where you get your container within one hour of arriving the port.

“If we cannot perform like Singapore, we have to do better than what we are doing now,” Obasanjo said.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said the Federal

Government was ready to create an enabling environment for steering the maritime industry to its rightfully position.

Amaechi said government would provide safe and secure environment for both foreign and indigenous investors to reap returns on their investment without compromising the nation’s economic benefits.

“The strength of our country lies in over 170 million human capacity, formidable regional market for the numerous agriculture, mining and maritime resources which would attract global patronage.

“We must, therefore, seek to build strong regulatory institutions to stimulate greater private participation and investment.

“The maritime industry has over the years been running without a befitting maritime policy,” Amaechi said.

that Tita Absoluta, tomatoes-eating disease responsible for the nonavailability of the produce, in a phone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, said the government had taken steps to contain the disease.

“Tita absoluta is a moth simply known as mix miner, it mines into the leaves, it mines into the stem, it mines into the fruits and has the capacity to demolish a farm within 46 hours. It has the ability to regenerate 12 times in a year and comes up about 250 to 800 per life cycle.”

Kanu added that Tita absoluta destroyed Dangote’s tomato farm.

“It has a very big impact on the availability of tomato in the market. And you know that Nigerians love eating fresh fruits, they prefer fresh tomatoes to tin tomatoes,” he said.

According to him, “if you look at people who want to consume fresh fruits are pursuing the little one available, Dangote also is pursuing the produce, while the Tita Absoluta on the other hand is ravaging the produce, so

there is bound to be scarcity of it,” he said According to him, “government is also working towards the containment, we are going to collaborate with necessary agencies like the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), we will bring in the Russell of UK in partnership with Agronet Nigeria.

“Russell is one of the big companies in the UK and has a research outfit in the UK that has a containment solution that has been tested in over 30 countries of in the world, we are also talking with them, we are waiting for FAO to conclude their work, we have already concluded with Agronet, as soon as these things are ready, we go ahead and develop a containment solution for Nigeria.”

As one of the consequences of tomato disease, Aliko Dangote had suspended production of tomato paste at his $20 million tomato processing facility in Kano state, Dangote Tomato Processing Factory, due to the unavailability of its most important raw material, fresh tomatoes.

ZAINAB Balogun and Olakunle Oshodi-Glover have joined Folarin Falana, known also as Falz as brand influencers for Rémy Martin’s #OneLifeLiveThem Campaign.

Rémy Martin’s One Life/Live Them campaign encourages consumers to explore and celebrate all their talents. It is a call to live richer, larger lives, to expand the horizon and seize all the wonderful opportunities that life can offer, beyond the one-dimensional paths that former generations could have embraced, the company said in a statement.

It will be recalled that Rémy Martin Cognac has, in the past few months, been recognizing and celebrating individuals for their multi-talents and outstanding achievements.

Balogun, first female influencer on the campaign, Oshodi-Glover known also as Shody and Falz are, according to the brand, individuals who embody the brand’s philosophy and lifestyle. Falz had previously been named as brand influencer for the drink company.

Born and raised in London, Zainab Balogun is an actress, model and television presenter who has been featured in several international campaigns for different brands, while Oshodi-Glover, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos, is a seasoned radio produce, voice-over artiste and entrepreneur.

The campaign tagline, One Life/Live Them, which assumes its grammatical accident, identifies that today’s consumers are not defined by one talent or skill, but are multi-faceted and should be applauded for their many passions, the company said.

13

editorial Nigerian students and the Unilever trophy Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

A

Nigerian youth and fresh graduate of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Olamide Popoola, recently led a team of other Nigerian students from Babcock University, Ilisan Remo and Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo to do Nigeria proud by winning an international entrepreneurial competition in London. The competition tagged ‘Unilever future leaders league’ was sponsored by Unilever Plc, a multinational conglomerate that manufactures and sells Fast Moving Consumer Goods(FMCG). Popoola had earlier led his team to win the national edition of the competition in Lagos and the continental version in South Africa before proceeding to conquer the world at the grand finale in London. Some 30 countries across the world reportedly participated in the global contest where Olamide and his colleagues came first in one of the categories and runner up in another. Even though the Nigerian team did not win the overall prize, it won the number one category award for ‘authentically on brand, relevant to target audience, talk-ability and share-ability.’ This is no mean achievement.

It is very refreshing and gladdening to observe that Nigerian youths are excelling at the global stage, not in illegal or morally reprehensible endeavours this time around but in intellectually tasking pursuits and endeavours. These students have not only rubbed shoulders with the very best students from more advanced countries of the world but actually outperformed them. The import of the stellar performance by Popoola and his team is very significant against the backdrop of the untoward activities of some misguided youths in the country today: the ever present cosmopolitan youths that engage in advance fee fraud, the terrorists in the North East, the secessionists in the South East and, more recently, the new militants in the South-South. Thus, Popoola and his team’s feat is a most welcome elixir in an increasingly suffocating national space fouled by myriads of socio-economic malaise. Youths such as the Unilever victors are a reassuring and credible evidence that all hope is not lost after all.

Nigerian Tribune

The achievement of these youths is worth celebrating as they have drawn attention to Nigeria, and for the right reasons. And it is really salutary that this is happening at a time when news items on the country locally and internationally is more of the adverse type.

Happily, ABUAD, the alma-mater of the leader of the victorious students has, in appreciation of the performance, organised a reception for him. Chief Afe Babalola, the proprietor of ABUAD, captured the essence of the celebration when he declared that people like Popoola had made his over N78 billion investment in the top rate tertiary institution worthwhile. Such a declaration from a senior citizen is part of the important ingredients needed to encourage Nigerian youths to channel their talents and creative energies to productive and valuable endeavours that will benefit them and the society. Curiously, Babcock University and Ajayi Crowther University have yet to mention the feat of their students who represented Nigeria in the Unilever Entrepreneurial League Competition, let alone celebrating them. These two other students are no less deserving of the accolades being poured on their team leader from ABUAD. They, too, are worthy of being celebrated, appreciated and encouraged and we use this medium to say bravo to them for a job well done.

The point should be made that all the students who represented Nigeria in the competition were from three private universities in Nigeria. This is an indication that there must be something being done right in the private universities. And it is no surprise that quite a few of them have had impressive reviews by some international rating agencies in recent times.

By extension, it is also a vote of confidence on Nigerian university education in general since the faculties of virtually all the private universities in Nigeria essentially derived from the products of public universities. Indeed, these three Nigerian youths’ enviable performance in the global competition has given many a Nigerian the much desired moment of celebration at a trying time like this and it is hoped that more of such moments will happen in the nearest future.

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo CON (1915 - 2015)

Chairman Rev. (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran Co-Chairman Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA

Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177 South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State

Snr. Manager (Advertisements) Kayode Titiloye Sales Manager Omotayo Lewis, Ph.D Consultant/Director Segun Olatunji, Ph.D

GOT NEWS?

Abuja Office: Suites G2. 05-07, PEB04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Beside NAPTIP Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja Advert Hot Lines: 08033199716; 08078891797 Kaduna Office: AN 20, Lagos Street, by Keffi Rd., Kaduna.

Ikeja Marketing Office.

Block C, First Floor, Motorways centre, Opp., 7up Alausa, Ikeja.

Contact: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com or call:08055069471, 08116954630

14 LETTERS TO THE

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

editor

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

N145 fuel price: No to strike

P

ERMIT me to use this opportunity to call on the Nigeria Labout Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to rethink the strike they want to embark upon as a result of the increase in the pump price of fuel to N145.

If the truth must be told, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has explained that what made the government to increase the price of fuel was due to the near-bankrupt state of the economy.

The Federal Government cannot continue to provide forex to importers of fuel because of the sharp drop in revenue accruing to government. We must allow reason to prevail. If the Federal Government continues to provide forex for these fuel importers, then in less than a year, the country will have no foreign reserves left. The vice president explained that more than $200 million is needed every month for the importation of fuel,

and the Federal Government generates just a little above $250million from the sale of crude oil. As a result of this, if we continue to provide forex for importers, then there will be less money left for government to prosecute other projects.

With this, I want to appeal to the leadership of the NLC and TUC to seek assurances from government that this new price regime will bring about competition, which will thereafter, lead to the permanent crash in the price of the product. Labour officials should also get the assurance that more refineries will be built so that we will have no reason to be importing again. Going on strike at this point in time will do no one any good, but it will only make the Federal Government to lose more money.

To me, the strike action will not achieve anything other than destruction.

During the 2012 fuel subsidy strike, many innocent

youths were killed, while properties were destroyed, and at the end of the day, nothing tangible came out of that strike.

I hope labour leaders will allow deliberations to take the place of strike, which usually claims innocent lives.

I know the families of those who lost their lives during the last strike will still be mourning their loved ones, and we don’t want more casualities as a result of strike.

Therefore, we shouldn’t embark upon another

strike in order to prevent needless deaths.

Finally, the government needs time to prove that the deregulation of the oil sector is the best thing for the country; if we continue to resist it, then we won’t derive the benefits therein.

We have voted for this government to bring about change in the country, and we should just allow the president to turn things around with the mandate we gave him.

•Aishat Yakub, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Niger Delta Avengers, give peace a chance NIGER Delta militants have resumed the destruction of oil pipelines in the region, and I want the military to do everything in its power to curb their activities.

Also, I want the Niger Delta Avengers to know that the resumption of hostilities against oil installations will not achieve anything, rather, it will bring about more pain to the people. If the militants have anything agitating their minds, they should reach out to President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a listening leader.

The militants should take into consideration the

economic situation of the country and stop the hostilities; further attacks on oil installations will only result in government not being able to export more crude oil Again, I want to urge the military to be extremely careful so that innocent people do not suffer as a result of the activities of the militants.

I hope political, religious and traditional leaders in the Niger Delta can talk to the militants, who are definitely known by the people.

Further attacks will only lead to more suffering for the people, while the en-

vironment will continue to be polluted.

Violence will never bring about any good thing but destruction, and as a result, the militants should reach out to President Buhari over what is bothering

their minds.

It is high time we left our selfish attitudes and began to work for a better Nigeria.

•Jimoh Mumin, jimohmumin@yahoo.com

Leicester City’s ‘shocking’ season FOOTBALL lovers who follow the English Premier League have been accustomed to the ‘Big Four’ winning the league every year. The ‘Big Four’ are Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

For several years, one of the ‘Big Four’ has won the league, and when the permutations for this season started, the bet was again on one of these four teams.

However, Leicester City Football Club came from

nowhere to win the league, and the feat was described by football experts as ‘once in a decade’ achievement.

In our personal lives, we should also learn from Leicester City’s league win.

We should put our minds to whatever we want to achieve, not minding the obstacles in front of us.

Leicester City did not look at the ‘Big Four,’ but it went on to give its best, and the rest is history.

•Stanley Nonso, Ikorodu, Lagos.

On the proposed N56,ooo minimum wage RECENTLY, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the two organisations representing the interest of workers in the country, demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N18,000 to N56,000.

While these labour unions have the right to demand an increase in the minimum wage, it is important we look at it from another angle.

At the moment, many state governments are finding it difficult to pay the current N18,000 minimum wage, and many workers and pensioners are being owed several months of salaries, so do we now believe that these governments that are still finding it difficult to pay

N18,000 will now accept to pay the N56,000 minimum wage?

While it is true that the price of foodstuff is so costly now, thereby making the demand for the N56,000 justifiable, the failure of state governments to pay the proposed minimum wage will only bring about industrial actions.

However, instead of the increment, the Federal Government should simply reduce the import duties on foodstuff so that prices can go down drastically in the market, and then the N18,000 minimum wage will be enough to spend for workers.

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

15

opinion

Tuesday, 17 May, 2015

Our ‘fantastically-corrupt’ Nigeria?

S

protectorates were amalgamated. Interestingly however, here is something worth mentioning: in other to take over the territories from the Niger Company, the British government paid 865,000 pounds. Why? It wasn’t just about establishing democracy for the British, Nigeria and the whole colonialism front, was a business deal between a company and the British government.

The Niger Company did endure all through the years but is known by a different name today. While most countries in the world were borne out of idealism, Nigeria was simply created to fulfill a business requirement of supplying goods to Great Britain. The same people whose descendants disdain Nigeria today!

After about 50 years of colonial rule however, Nigeria began to agitate for self-government but isn’t half a century more than enough time to transmogrify, revamp and cause a dramatic volte-face of any man’s psyche, his ideologies, his beliefs and even his conduct? What did the British teach us in those half a century years and what cultures did we imbibe from the colonial masters? All of that formed the substratum on which our ‘fan-

with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08052663362 tastically corrupt’ Nigeria was built and has been existing on.

Even the holy writ explicitly bemoaned the ineptitude of the righteous at mending a faulty foundation.

In this column, two years ago, I wrote ‘Pseudofreedom’ and in that piece, I vented about how the slave masters’ treated our ancestors but worst, I lamented about our inability to, after so much time has passed, successfully detach ourselves from the ‘white man’s behind’. I closed it with Nelson Mandela’s words, ‘for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains…’ and indeed, those words remain poignant till the end of time.

Nigeria may have, after about 50 years of colonial rule by the British, cast off her chain but all that she was and sadly, all that she may be, until she takes charge of her destiny, may mirror the conduct of the mother from whose bosom she suckled for about 50 years. In fact, her ambition to break away from the mother’s influence, aiming desperately not to become the mother’s mirror image, may further plunge her into the dark abyss of exhuming the mother’s trait.

So here we stand, another 50 years after gaining freedom from our colonial masters, cocooned in malodorous corruption among several other vices. Perhaps, our teachers failed to teach us right from wrong or they simply taught us a little bad manner and we evolved the game, making ourselves kingpins.

In any case, since a failing successor amounts to failure of the succeeded, it may have been tact for Cameron to avoid the urge giving that low blow. It is like what they say about the market place and throwing stones. Astonishingly, doesn’t a huge chunk of financial assets from our ‘fantastically corrupt’ Nigeria enrich Great Britain’s coffers indirectly till date?

,

AD but unfortunately true (as rather prematurely affirmed by Nigeria’s President), was the bile-fraught supercilious gaffe of British Prime Minister, David Cameron, two days before the anti-corruption summit 2016.

British PM was caught on camera telling one of the world’s oldest serving monarchs, Queen Elizabeth II this: “We’ve got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain… Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world.”

Though, President Muhammadu Buhari may have accepted that besmirching remark with the unruffled gallantry of an old soldier, there is no obliterating the fact that an ancient can of worms was that day opened by Cameron. It is no secret that at the moment, Nigeria is the 136 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries according to the 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. As a matter of fact, in the light of this mortifying statistics, the green passport, which is Nigeria’s official travel document subjects the carrier to extra frisking and unwarranted harassment all over the world, but it was not so in the beginning.

Once upon a time, very remote from now, Nigerians were actually universally respected, revered even. It wasn’t by a fluke that we gained the epithet ‘Giant of Africa.’ We were a nation that exhumed a positive gravitational force that magnetised great nations but today, within and outside our shores, a Nigerian is regarded suspiciously.

However, our current notoriety that has caused us innumerable world class opprobriums was neither solely created nor unequivocally self inflicted. Alas, Cameron developed some partial amnesia right before he towed the path of that name-calling boulevard, two days before the summit Nigeria’s president attended after magnanimously receiving Cameron’s low blow.

Maybe Cameron failed to remember the ties that once bound us and the pseudo-ties that still subconsciously cement Nigeria and Britain; it would be instructive to open the aged scrolls and perhaps revealing to go snorkeling in the great sea of pre- colonialist history.

In 1900, Britain officially assumed responsibility for the administration of what we now call Nigeria from the Niger Company and gradually over the years, British protectorates were established throughout the territory but 14 years after, the

veracity

RE: AS THE EUPHORIA RUNS DRY I was very sad after going through the trash you wrote on page 15 of Tuesday Tribune newspaper, May 3, 2016. Who is the magician who could repair what Jonathan and you people who helped him in various ways to ruin or kill this great nation.

Please, get to know that you and other visionless columnists cannot stampede messiah quintessential Buhari into taking actions that will not be beneficial to millions who wish him brilliant success in his beautiful plans for the down trodden Nigerian. +234703981****

Of flavoured cigarettes and Nigerians’ health

By Nojeem Adetuberu

THERE are growing concerns about the resurgence of illicit trade in tobacco in Nigeria and globally. Tobacco Reporter, an online medium that provides information and insight on the tobacco industry, estimates that 600 billion cigarettes per year are accounted for by illicit trade.

Through multilateral collaboration and consistent clamp down on the trade by regulatory bodies, significant successes were recorded in reducing the volume of illicit cigarettes to less than 20 percent in Nigeria in the last few decades. Before then, the volume of illicit cigarettes smuggled into the Nigerian market accounted for 80 percent of the product consumed in the country. However, the success recorded in stemming illicit trade is being eroded as flavoured cigarettes flood the Nigerian market.

The sale and proliferation of flavoured cigarettes is, no doubt, an alarming dimension to the problem of illicit trade. They are outlawed in Nigeria and declared as contraband by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). While flavoured cigarettes smell nice and may seem a safer alternative to conventional cigarette, its health consequences for the youth and children can be very grave. They are alluring to children and young adults, because the flavouring masks the pungent taste of the tobacco, especially when they come in flavours such as strawberry, vanilla, orange, cherry, chocolate etc. that are particularly attractive to the target demographic.

It is for the aforementioned reasons that flavoured cigarettes are clearly outlawed in the recently signed Tobacco Control Act (TCA) as outlined in Sections E and G of Part 1 of the TCA. Some of the major objectives of the Act include “discouraging smoking initiation” and ensuring that “tobacco or tobacco products

are not designed in any way that make them more addictive, especially to persons who are below 18 years of age.”

In spite of an alert issued by SON to the general public on the proliferation of variants of a particular brand of cigarettes through advertorials widely published in some national newspapers, importers of the brand have continued to trade in the product. The importers, it was reported, only applied for licence for the menthol flavour variant, but have been using the defective licence to import and sell not only the menthol flavoured variant of cigarettes, but also other flavours such as apple, chocolate, orange and strawberry, which have not been tested by SON to confirm the constituents of the cigarettes are in conformity with the standard requirements. Neither have the products been registered as no licence has been issued for them. What is more worrisome is the extent to which the importers/manufacturers are willing to go in misleading SON and the general public and circumventing the law in a bid to hide the fact that their products are flavoured. They have altered their packaging by changing the wording Strawberry” to “STR.” Illicit cigarettes are said to be one of the world’s most illegally trafficked goods.

The illicit cigarettes have either been smuggled, counterfeited or have evaded duties in another manner after being legitimately manufactured in another country. They are priced much

cheaper than legal cigarettes, and are not subjected to stringent regulation in the form of health warnings, product checks, or age verification before purchase. Besides, there is usually a natural recourse to cheaper sources from illicit quarters by low income earners. Illicit trade also imposes heavy regulatory burdens. These products have devastating impact on smokers, the legitimate tobacco industry as well as government. It is widely known that compliance by illicit traders with prevailing industrial hygiene and safety standards is usually low.

It also important to note that illicit trade in tobacco fuels other criminal activities such as global terrorism, money laundering and human trafficking. A 2012 Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum further affirmed that “illicit trade is a big source of revenue for transnational criminal networks.”

Sadly, Nigeria is not winning the battle against illicit trade in tobacco products as its porous borders, poor intelligence network and corruption of due process have conspired to strengthen the sale of illicit tobacco products.

The problem of illicit trade is multi-faceted and requires concerted efforts by governments, civil society groups and the private sector to tackle. Evidently, such multi-stakeholders’ approach have often proven resourceful. There is need for greater collaborations between agencies and stakeholders in the law enforcement business, which include the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigeria Police, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), in ensuring that smugglers and dealers in illicittobacco products do not compromise health standards set by government.

Government must do everything within its powers to stop the influx of illicit tobacco products into the country. Agencies such as the CPC and SON should as a matter of urgency comb major markets to stamp out illicit tobacco products.

•Adetuberu lives in Lagos.

16

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

agriculture power the people.

After all, in the words of Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD, “agriculture is everyone’s business: national independence depends on its development because it enables us to escape the scourge of food insecurity that undermines our sovereignty and fosters sedition; it is a driver of growth whose leverage is now acknowledged by economists and politicians; it is the sector offering the greatest potential for poverty and inequality reduction...”

Therefore, the government must deliberately work with stakeholders in agricultural productions – farmers, equipment fabricators, fertilizer producers, marketers, scientists, analysts and development practitioners, among others.

Government’s focus must be on improving agricultural productivity, facilitating agricultural markets and trade, investing in public infrastructure for agricultural growth, improving agricultural policy and institutions and reducing rural vulnerability and insecurity, Kayode Adeshola, a trader in agriculture based in Abuja said.

Agriculture:

Digging deeper for Nigeria’s possible biggest economy

As Nigeria refocuses on agriculture as alternative to oil, there is a need for collaborative measures to achieve the country’s sustainable agriculture goal, RUTH OLUROUNBI writes.

T

HE 2016 budget, presented by president Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, December 22, 32015, and later signed May 6, 2016, after several months of controversies, indicates that Nigeria’s agriculture industry will receive N47bn for capital projects and N30bn for non-debt recurrent expenditure, as the country’s GDP growth rate is projected at 4.37 per cent.

Agriculture had been one of the pillars the presidency campaigned heavily on, promising that it would ensure that it drove diversification from oil through industrialisation, agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and entertainment.

“The reality is that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice. We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many want to go into agricultural ventures,’’ Buhari said.

The government, therefore, after budget signing, listed how it intends to achieve this, saying it would provide N1 million to

200,000 agricultural workers, ensure the amendment of Land Use Act to create freehold/leasehold interests in land, pursue self-sufficiency in tomato pastes in 2016, rice in 2019, wheat in 2019 and increase local production of maize, soya, poultry and livestock. In addition to that, the government says it will utilise 22 dams for commercial farming, create high-tech innovation hubs to support growth in digital and technology sector, among others.

Employment in agriculture Research has shown that agriculture creates most of the jobs in Africa and the government sees an opportunity in agriculture, as it aims to lower the rising unemployment rate which the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) puts at 10.40 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 from 9.90 per cent in the previous period.

After all, according to New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), Africa’s agricultural population stands at 530 million people, with the expectation

that it will exceed 580 million by 2020. The population relying on agriculture accounts for 48 per cent of the total African population (almost 70% in East Africa), NEPAD says.

Available statistics from Human Development Indicators (HDI) 2015 showed that in 2012, employment in agriculture stood at 44.6 per cent in Nigeria; Kenya, 61.1 per cent; Tanzania, 76.5 per cent; Zimbabwe, 64.8 per cent; Madagascar, 80.4 per cent; Rwanda, 78.8 per cent and Ethiopia, 79.3 per cent.

Agriculture’s contribution to GDP Throughout history, agriculture almost always improved GDP at the national and continental levels. For instance, Africa’s annual

growth rates in agriculture GDP increased significantly from an average of 2.5 per cent in the 1980s and 1990s to 6.4 per cent in 2002 and peaked at 8.4 per cent in 2003, according a to 2012 report from African Development Bank (AfDB). It thereafter stabilised at an average of five per cent. By 2012, agriculture accounted for about 15 per cent of Africa’s GDP. On the national levels, agriculture contributed more than 72 per cent to Liberia’s GDP; Sierra Leone, 61.5 per cent; Central African Republic, 55.2 per cent; Comoros, 44.9 per cent; Nigeria, 40 per cent and Democratic Republic of Congo, 39.4 per cent, among others, according to the 2012 African Economic Outlook report.

More recently though,

Government’s focus must be on improving agricultural productivity, facilitating agricultural markets and trade, investing in public infrastructure for agricultural growth, improving agricultural policy

the NBS reported that GDP from agriculture in Nigeria decreased to N4,481,257.62 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 from N4,816,519.15 million in the third quarter of 2015, whereas the GDP averaged N3,620,462.91 million from 2010 until 2015, reaching an all time high of N4,816,519.15 million the third quarter of 2015 and a record low of N2,594,759.86 million in the first quarter of 2010.

The decline, an agriculture investor in Nigeria, Kayode Olusola, who deals in international commodity markets, explained, was caused fluctuations in land prices, interest rates, inflation, variations in harvest performance, and speculative financial investment demand.

Proposed policies for sustainable agriculture •Collaborations between the government and stakeholders For agriculture in Nigeria to move from mostly sustenance level in Nigeria to massive agricultural exports, farm sector must be made more productive through better policies and stronger institutions, and more importantly, it must be made to develop and em-

•Favourable interest rate policy Interest rate can noticeably impact agricultural markets, thus, the Nigerian government must make adequate provision for lowering the interest rates for farmers. Ogbeh recently announced that interest rates for farmers have been lowered to five per cent from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CNB), however, commercial banks’ interest rates stand between eight to 13 per cent, farmers who obtain loans said.

Lowering the interest rates will go long way in achieving sustainable agriculture in Nigeria, Victor Olowo, Executive National Secretary, Agricultural Machineries and Equipment Fabricators Association of Nigeria (AMEFAN, said in an interview. Since agricultural producers store production surpluses as held inventory, economics dictates that interest expenses on inventory can significantly impact farm profits and affiliated businesses, meaning that if borrowing and capital costs increase, expected earnings across the entire sector would predictably be lowered.

17

• Incentives to curb inflation Inflations tend to impact markets in which the most money is circulated, such as oil and food. According to Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) conducted

by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, in Nigeria, coarse grain prices increased sharply for the second consecutive month in February 2016 and reached levels well above those a year earlier.

Prices of both domestic and imported foods were mainly underpinned by the rapid depreciation of the naira on the parallel market, as a result of reduced foreign exchange reserves, it says.

To curb the rising cost of food production, Nigeria could borrow a leaf from the Government of Cambodia, which in late March 2016, announced that it will drop the 10 percent value-added tax (VAT) on rice products.

Since the tax is incurred mainly by millers, thus its removal is expected to lower production costs.

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Agric investments can unlock untold prosperity in Africa —IFAD Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

AS most African countries continue to suffer food crisis and unemployment, the President, International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, Kanayo Nwanze, has expressed optimism that agriculture investments can unlock prosperity in Africa.

Kanayo made this known at the Grow Africa Investment Forum and the World Economic Forum on Africa, WEF, in Kigali, Rwanda.

The IFAD boss said countries that had heavily invested in agriculture are today reaping huge revenue generation and foreign exchange, and unemployment has drastically reduced.

He said “Investments in agriculture can generate great riches for the continent and lift millions out of poverty and hunger.

“There are high returns to those countries that take agriculture seriously. Half of the world’s uncultivated land which is suited for growing food crops is in Africa.

“We need to work together to harness the continent’s potential and this means investing in small-scale farmers who are the backbone of African agriculture.”

Nwanze also main-

tained that Africa remains a continent of unprecedented opportunity, and supporting small-scale farmers and investing in rural areas are some of the best ways for countries to meet their broader development objectives, including poverty reduction. With the right investments, and Africa could double its agricultural productivity in the next five years.

According to him investments alone will not transform the continent; rather governments in Africa need to ensure that a strong commitment to policies and incentives that encourage higher food production by smallholder farmers are put in place.

“At IFAD we know that small-scale farmers do not want hand-outs.

They want economic op-

portunities. I am looking forward to discussing how we can create those opportunities and make agriculture a profitable sector and a powerful catalyst for development,” he added.

IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency based in Rome – the UN’s food and agriculture hub.

BOA partners N/Delta ministry to empower 130 youths in agriculture Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has finalised arrangements in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture to empower 130 Niger Delta Youths it trained in various aspects of Agriculture in Israel in 2014 with loans.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani made the disclosure in Benin City, Edo State, during a working visit to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole.

Usani paid the working visit on the governor before declaring open a two -day workshop in Benin City for the beneficiaries drawn from the States in the Niger Delta region: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The minister disclosed that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was collaborating with the Bank of Agriculture to provide the fund as loan to the beneficiaries.

He added that the loan is to empower the youths to practice the various skills they learnt in Agriculture in

Israel.

Bank of Agriculture will provide the sum of N200m for the empowerment programme. Each beneficiary will receive a loan of N1m as start off fund.

Usani disclosed that Bank of Agriculture would guide the beneficiaries on what to do before they could access the loan, adding that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Bank of Agriculture would co-ordinate, supervise and provide extension services for the beneficiaries and the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Scheme would provide insurance cover for them.

Oshiomhole commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani for the youths empowerment programme, saying that the programme would make the youths to be independent and employers of labour.

“The loan is not given out of pity but to challenge the youths to put on their thinking caps to succeed.

This is the way it should be. I would like to commend you for packaging the programme,” he said.

From right: Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Professor James Adediran; Vice Chancellor, OAU Ile-Ile, Osun State, Professor Bamitale Omole, and others, during the 2016 annual in-house review of the institute.

Group seeks to end dangerous usage of pesticides Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE Chairman, Senate Committee of Agriculture, Abdullahi Adamu has said the need to protect crops is vital to the nations drive to achieve food security.

Adamu noted that considering Nigeria’s population expected to hit 340 million by 2030, it became necessary to support the Federal Government’s effort to diversify the economy in a sustainable manner.

He spoke at the West and Central Africa Annual Hub and Regulatory Workshop organized by CropLife in Abuja.

“I want to call on you to ensure our farmers have access to crop protection and products. It is very clear and true that all our farmers must deal with the threat of pests, weeds and diseases to the health of their crops and harvests. Without crop protection, food production will

be decimated,” he said.

The senator who was represented by a committee member, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi condemned widespread misuse of pesticides and adulteration of the farm input.

He urged the organization to localize their researches for benefit of rural farmers, saying: “Considering that Nigeria’s population is expected to be 340 million by 2030, it is indeed suicidal to relegate the critical roles

and importance of crop protection services to our food production system.

It is therefore a must that we equip our farmers and armed them with the right tools needed to feed this looming population.”

Over 400 W/A fertilizer experts to converge on Abuja Sanya Adejokun - Abuja

AT least 400 experts and other stakeholders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will gather in Abuja between Wednesday and Friday this week (May 18-20) to brainstorm on ways to harmonise harmonize fertilizer policy among its member states.

Increased fertilizer use has become a cornerstone of Africa’s agricultural productivity agenda but fertilizer consumption levels in West Africa are generally below 10 kg/ha compared with a world average of 107 kg/ha.

“This is also far below the target of 50 kg/ha set by African governments to be achieved by 2015”, according to a statement from the Regional Director, Africa Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnerships (AFAP), Pierre Brunache.

About 30 percent of the recent global increases in cereal production in West Africa are due to increased use of quality fertilizers, and the need to enhance fertilizer use has been highlighted since the Abuja Summit in 2006.

The forum is said to be a great opportunity for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

to showcase its commitment to promoting quality and soil-specific fertilizer in the sub region, as well as charting a new path for fertilizer and agribusiness value chain in the country.

Nigeria would further provide leadership in strengthening ECOWAS’ commitment to the harmonization of member states’ fertilizer policies.

AFAP also identified obstacles to achieving the target of 50 kg/ha include limited access to credit and finance, inefficient and high-cost port operations, sub-optimal lot sizes and weak distributor and agro-dealer networks.

18

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

Chief Lekan Alabi and his wife, Adetokunbo, with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, during the installation of Chief Alabi as Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadanland, at Olubadan Palace, Popoyemoja, Ibadan.

From left, Baale Ekotedo, Elder (Dr) Taye Ayorinde; Assistant Commissioner of Police, A. Omuiyadun Markus and the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mokola, Mr Ayodele Sonubi, at a briefing

by Dr Ayorinde at his house at Ekotedo, Ibadan, on Friday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

From left, bride’s mother, Olori Rosemary Ogunleye, the couple, Mr and Mrs Abiodun Oloyede; Prince Sola Ogunleye and Princess Ronke Akinkunmi, during the wedding engagement in Abuja.

PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

From left, wife of the Diocesan Bishop of Ogbomoso, Anglican Communion, Mrs Bolatito Olayinka; wife of the Diocesan of Ibadan North and Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Mrs Juliet Okubadejo, with Venerable and Mrs Oludiya Alo, during the retirement and 70th birthday thanksgiving service of Venerable Alo, at St Matthias Anglican Church, Orogun, Ibadan, recently.

From left, member, Borno State Education Board, Mr Mohammed Gamboni; Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education, Hassan Mustapha; Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf and a representative of the Borno State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mallam Lawan Gulde, during the official presentation of Back-to-School kits donated by Etisalat Nigeria to primary schools in Maiduguri, recently.

Vice Chairman/CEO, KAM Industries Nig. Ltd., Alhaji (Dr) Kamorudeen Yusuf and his wife and Deputy Managing Director, KAM Industries Ltd., Hajia Mariam Bolanle Yusuf, at the foundation laying ceremony of KAM Integrated Steel Project, at Jimba Oja, Ganmo, Ilorin, Kwara State.

From right: daughter of Madam Olutimilehin Benson, Mrs Taiwo Adesola Adenuga; her husband, Prince Adekunle Adenuga; and grandchildren, Joshua, Tobi and Tiwa, during Madam Benson’s burial at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos, recently.

From left, bride’s father, Mr Olanrewaju Okelabi; the bride, Miss Oluwatosin Olabisi Ojehseme (nee Okelabi) and the bride’s mother, Mrs Okelabi, during Olabisi’s wedding at Peton Rise, Bodija, Ibadan, recently.

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

19

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Aggrieved PDP elders averse to change —A/Ibom Speaker

Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Honourable Onofiok Luke, spoke at the sideline during the South-South zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Saturday.

DEPUTY EDITOR, DAPO FALADE, brings excerpts:

W

HAT is your impression about the South-South zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Port Harcourt, on Saturday?

What I saw was the beginning of a new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). When I say new PDP, I am talking about a reformed party where power is returned back to the people.

Let me say here that this is a culmination of what has transpired at the state level, using my state, Akwa Ibom, as an example. Right from the ward congresses, power was left for the people at their respective wards. This is unlike what used to happen in the past, which is imposition, where a few elders would sit and determine who took what, without the input of the people, and where there was exclusion. This is actually one of the reasons for our losing the last general election, especially at the federal level.

Can you give further explanation on this?

From what has happened at the ward congresses, the level of inclusion, using my state as a case point, to the chapter and state congress, you could see that it was peaceful, transparent and rancour-free. That has culminated in the zonal congress we held here in Port Harcourt today [Saturday]. You can see that there was no dissenting voice. The party has come together and the members have elected their candidates and the voting process was peaceful; there was no disagreement.

That goes to show that this is a new party where things are going to be done according, first, to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is the ground norm and, then, according to the constitution of the party, which is the guiding laws and principles that bind together the PDP members.

So, I can see something good happening to us and the party.

Ahead of the PDP National Convention coming up on Saturday, some founding fathers of the party, including Professor Jerry Gana, are protesting. How do you see this development?

Yes, I read something like that somewhere in the press yesterday [last Friday] that

some people were protesting. There can be protests but, with due respect to them, their age and position, the question is, if you must protest, what is the basis of your protest? Are you protesting that we have returned power to the people at the ward congresses? Are you protesting that we have returned back power to the people at the chapter level? Are you protesting that we are not having metropolitan politicians who sit in Abuja and don’t go back to their respective constituencies, their respective villages, units and wards to see how they can win elections?

They have the right of protest; that is the beauty of democracy that, yes, people will always disagree with what has happened.

There is no way you can please everyone. But in carrying out their protest, they must come out with the specifics...

It appears that their grouse has to do with the zoning arrangement in respect of the position of the national chairman of the party...

Fine, you can protest, but you can do this through the power of the ballot. Let us all come to Port Harcourt on May 21, 2016 and if you are a delegate, come with your delegate tag; be accredited, get into the hall and you are given your electoral materials to vote. Vote for the candidates of your choice.

But to begin to say that you are going to nominate a steering committee, the PDP Constitution does not give opportunity for such. Yes, we gave them some opportunities as founding members of the party, but I want to say it here and I want to say it with all sense of responsibility that some of them have made contributions to the party that have led us to where we are today.

With due respect to them as the founding fathers of the party, the PDP of 16 years ago is not the party of today.

Onofiok Now, we have persons with a clear heart and with sincerity of purpose to the people.

Who are these people? They are the people who had given us the mandate. This is because the sole aim of the party now is not only to occupy positions or offices. Political parties, by their manifestos, are supposed to take care of the welfare of the citizenry. Now, we as a party, have been positioned to take care of the welfare of the citizenry. We are not here to begin to struggle for party offices, not to begin to struggle for who occupies what.

Assembly. Now, what was available 16 years ago; the idea, the innovation, even the technology that was available some 16 years ago is not what we have today.

Look at the structure of governance worldwide; look at who has been made the Prime Minister of Canada. Could it have been possible for such a person to emerge 16 years ago? Look at the person who emerged as the Mayor of London. Could this have been possible 16 years ago? There is need to be reformation; there is need to be rethinking within the party and that is what we are doing.

Don’t you think the founding fathers may have agenda that could be beneficial?

What is the agenda of these protesting founding fathers? Let them come out and protest to say that they have a better option to what has happened today in the country [the myriads of problems]. For example, let them talk about the fuel subsidy, which was assumed to have been removed. Let them say, okay, we don’t want the removal of fuel subsidy, just like the opposition party did in 2012. Let them say, this is what we think should happen for the welfare of Nigerians.

It is not just to protest on the basis of selfish agenda.

With due respect to them as the founding fathers of the party, the PDP of 16 years ago is not the party of today. Sixteen years ago, I was a drummer boy; 16 years ago, I used to wear T-shirts; 16 years ago, I used to run around and come to the Port Harcourt City as a boy. But 16 years after, I am in a position, first, as a member of my state House of

Professor Gana further said the party had been hijacked by thugs and hoodlums. Is this the set of people you have in mind in seeking to reform PDP? Who are the thugs and the hoodlums? Let him come out and identify who the thugs are. Are the state governors from the party the thugs? Are we, the members of the state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly hoodlums? It is a generalized statement. Today, I am a party delegate and I am saying that all those who gathered in this hall for the zonal congress and those that would gather are not thugs and hoodlums. The party is manned by respectable persons in their respective offices, as senators and representatives in the National Assembly, as state governors and as chairmen of different chapters of the party, from the ward level to the chapter level, to the state level, to the zonal and to the national level. So, I beg to disagree; the party is in safe hands.

20

politics&policy

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

PDP’s house of Babel LEON USIGBE analyzes the continuing acrimony in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

I

N 1988, the founders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thought they had formed a political platform for Nigerians of like minds to work together not just for the speedy restoration of democracy after many years of military dictatorships that had eroded the fundamental human rights and rule of law, but to bring about social and economic reconstruction. Therefore, they sought to acquire power, got it and went on keep it for 16 unbroken years.

The PDP wanted to remain in power for 60 years as some of its principal characters took delight in drumming this into the consciousness of hapless citizens. But many members of the once largest political party in Africa squandered its enormous goodwill through gross mismanagement and their inordinate desire to acquire and hoard wealth to the detriment of the people they had sworn to uphold their welfare, peaking in 2015 when the party was shown the door in a spectacular fashion. Today, unlike the Phoenix, after burning itself, its attempt to rise from the ashes has proved to be a daunting proposition.

The current national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, had been seen as a child of circumstance, brought in to re-energise, re-position the PDP and renew its confidence in itself. Frankly, he has shown enormous potential as the ideal

Modu Sheriff leader of the brooding party, making as his priority, fighting internal corruption, reconciling aggrieved elements, bringing back key stakeholders who had joined other political parties, restoring Nigerians’ confidence in it and expanding its membership towards regaining power in 2019.

Since he came, the party’s national secretariat which had become desolate at the loss of power, had rebounded with some

formerly alienated party loyalists who had not stepped into the Wuse 5 Abuja edifice for years, returning to their former abode.

Even though his selection to the post was acrimonious, party stakeholders were willing to tolerate his leadership but that was until he began to exhibit the all-toofamiliar sit-tight attitude of the quintessential Nigerian leader. He should have served out the tenure of the North-East left vacant by former national chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, in March this year but that was extended by the party organs particularly its National Executive Committee (NEC) to May 21, 2016, ostensibly at the prompting of state governors elected under the party.

The party Zoning Committee has apparently thrusted the post firmly on Sheriff’s laps by confining it to the North-East geopolitical region in its latest arrangement.

That should give the Borno state-born party boss the right of first refusal. But it is a bitter pill many important persons in the party, including some of its founding fathers have found hard to swallow. They are spoiling for a long fight. Former Minister of Information and one-time secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Professor Jerry Gana, has made himself the arrowhead of the internal party opposition to Sheriff’s perceived desire to remain in office beyond the May 21 national convention.

In fact, they no longer want him to have the opportunity to conduct the convention in their belief that his tenure has expired and therefore, whatever he does now as the party chairman, will be a nullity. The Gana group under the name Concerned PDP Stakeholders, has raised a large steer-

ing committee and handed the running of the party affairs to it. Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, heads it, which translates into him being the national chairman of the party if the group gets its wish. But that will be reminiscent of the attempt by Dr. Ahmed Gulak, to wrest control of the party from its then acting national chairman, Uche Secondus, before the coming of Sheriff. The former Borno governor appears undaunted and had since gone ahead to preside over arguably one of the most contentious congresses in the history of the PDP. The party is now in obvious disarray.

Like the biblical Tower of Babel, the politicians, which once came together to build a house of brick with an ambition reaching the high havens, have become confused and scattered. Many of the state chapters are in pieces owing to disagreements arising from the conduct of the congresses.

Despite a court order, the South West zonal congress held last Saturday with the national officials from the zone, the national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo and the National Auditor, Alhaji Adewale Adeyanju, boycotting the exercise. This is ominous for the party’s future particularly in the South West. Everywhere else, the PDP is speaking in discordant tunes and unable to focus on its role as a vibrant opposition party at a time Nigerians are desirous of a strong voice to moderate the excesses of the ruling party.

The North East zone has endorsed Sheriff as its sole candidate for the post of the national chairman. Unless he declines to present himself for the post at the May 21 national convention in Port Harcourt, he will become automatically re-elected as the party boss. And if that happens, where ever the party goes from there will be anyone’s guess.

Already, I have a think-tank on how to govern Ondo —Boroffice Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Professor Roberts Ajayi Boroffice, is a governorship aspirant for the election scheduled to hold in Ondo State on November 26 this year. In this interview, Boroffice, who represents Ondo North Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), speaks on his ambition, in this interview with BOLA BADMUS. WHAT can you say has motivated you to join the Ondo governorship race?

What we rely on mostly in our quest to expand the scope of service to our people in Ondo State is what we have been able to do in Ondo North Senatorial District.

Interestingly, our people here and those from the other parts of the state who have seen the human and physical transformation that we have brought to Ondo North are spreading the message that I should come and replicate what we have been able to do in Ondo North in other parts of the state. That actually, plus the desire to serve and the need to arrest the dwindling fortunes of the state, got me in the race.

many of us still pulled ourselves together to work for the party along the line of his aspiration. We formed various committees to handle various aspects of the campaigns and the election.

This time around, I don’t think we are too many. I was telling my friend, Dr. (Tunji) Abayomi (another aspirant) that he should not worry about the situation. I called it a phase in our democracy because many of the aspirants, especially those from other parties and even those from the Diaspora, by that I mean those who have not voted here, registered here or even resident here,

There are so many of you in the race on the APC platform, what possible effects do you think that will have?

I don’t think the large number of governorship aspirants for the coming election will have any negative effect on the party.

The problem we had in 2012 was that the candidate chosen for us was not popular.

He was not the choice of the party in the state. He emerged in a way that upset so many people and many people felt that he didn’t have the temperament of a governor and left the party. But even then,

We have the resources, what is lacking is enough investment to drive the process of development.

We are going to attract investors to partner with us.

lace. You will want to ask yourself, why am I going into this. It is like a man trying to carry a 40-feet container filled with gravel, all alone. It is a daunting task but one that must be done.

Boroffice who are making their intentions to be governor known, are not really targeting the governorship seat. They are only announcing their arrivals on the scene. And for those of us that are very serious, I want to congratulate us because when you know the task ahead, you will salute the courage of these serious aspirants.

Here is a state where the process of governance has almost been grounded, workers are being owed five months’ salary and there is disenchantment among the popu-

If you are elected as the next governor of the state, what is it that you are going to focus on?

What we have seen so far is that it is possible to change the fortune of the state if we manage our resources well. What has been the characteristic of this current administration and bane of development is recklessness and lack of focus. If we block the leakages and refine the structure of government and also energise the system for people to participate in government and see themselves as stakeholders, we are going to get to where we should be in terms of development. We have the resources, what is lacking is enough investment to drive the process of development. We are going to attract investors to partner with us to look at these resources and help us to build up our economy. I want to assure you that no matter how bad the situation is now, there are solutions.

We are already working on these solutions. I have put up a think-tank, not for my election because we are looking beyond that. Members of the think-tank are well known and renowned academicians. I have carefully selected them. I have somebody in education who will advise us on how to revamp our educational sector. I have somebody in health and somebody who is into development economics. And because of her linkage with foreign investors, we intend to attract a lot of them into Ondo State.

21

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

features

Ekiadolor, Iyamho: A tale of two varsities

College of Education, Ekiadolor, now Tayo Akpata University of Education.

The establishment of two universities in Edo State has brought joy to a set of people and anguish to another set, writes BANJI ALUKO.

T

HE joy of the people of Ekiadolor, a community situated in the outskirts of Benin off the BeninOre expressway, knew no bound when in 2004 Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State announced plans of his government to upgrade the state college of education situated in the town to a university. To demonstrate his seriousness, the governor sent a bill for the upgrade of the former Advanced Teachers Training College that was established in 1979 and moved to Ekiadolor in 1986, to the Edo State House of Assembly. The lawmakers quickly passed the bill in March, 2014.

In no time, Governor Oshiomhole decided to honour the memory of former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Bendel State, Chief Tayo Akpata, hence he renamed the institution Tayo Akpata University of Education, Ekiadolor. The College community, management, staff and students began celebrating.

The economy of the community largely revolves around the institution. Without the college, many in Ekiadolor would not have ventured into building hostels nor would the women fill their shops with goods. With a student population put at about 2,500, it was like the elixir they had been waiting for. Hence the reason they rejoiced when the announcement for the upgrade was announced.

As Ekiadolor people were celebrating, another group of people in far away Uzaire clan in the northern parts of Edo State were celebrating for a similar reason. The approval for the conversion of the Ekiadolor College to university was done at about the same time the state government approved the creation of the Edo State University of Science and Technology in the Uzaire clan. Even when the community that will

One of the buildings at Edo University, Iyamho. host the university had not been named, the entire clan celebrated because they knew of the spin-offs of citing university in their midst. By the time the ambiguity of location was resolved and Iyamho was named as host, other Uzaire communities still celebrated knowing fully well that a university had berthed amongst them.

Two years after the approvals for the two universities were granted, the stories of Ekiadolor and Iyamho have, however, taken divergent paths. Today, one community has every reason to be joyful, the other does not. The lucky one is the Iyamho, which is in the process of admitting its first set of undergraduates, while the Ekiadolor College of Education, despite being an existing institution with existing facilities, is yet to see actions that match its new status of a university.

A visit to the college revealed that the institution is far from reaching the university status slapped on it. At the Ekiadolor campus, there is nothing to suggest that the place has existed for 30 years. Getting to the college alone was troublesome as the road leading to the campus is earth-road and sandy. When it rains, the about 300-metre road is hardly passable. Buses conveying students to campus stop at the college’s junction, leaving the student with the arduous task of finding their ways to campus. Often, the students will have to remove their shoes,

A visit to the college revealed that the institution is far from reaching the university status slapped on it. At the Ekiadolor campus, there is nothing to suggest that the place has existed for 30 years

roll their trousers or skirts and put their legs inside the mud to get to school.

A tour round the facilities in the institution did not last more than 15 minutes. It was that simple. Situated in the middle of the campus and opposite the entrance gate is the administrative block. It is a storeybuilding that houses the offices of the principal officers of the institution. A block of old classrooms and offices line the back of the administrative building. Built like lock up shops, they accommodate the 56 departments in the college. Long passages separate the blocks from one another. A senior staff of the college said the building berthed with the college in 1986.

On the right of the administrative building are the projects undertaken by the Federal government interventionist agency, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and its precursor, the Education Trust Fund (ETF). Some of them are the biggest and most modern projects in the university and what gives the Ekiadolor College some features of higher institution.

Without these buildings, the place could pass for a secondary school.

They include the college’s library, the ICT Centre and the big lecture halls in the college. Even the chairs and tables in the classrooms are still among the numerous contributions of TETFUND and ETF. A senior staff of the school, who preferred anonymity, said save for a lecture theatre built through a joint effort of the Lucky Igbinedion administration, no project has been completed in the college in the last 20 years by the real owners, the Edo State government.

The left side of the administrative building is dominated by the students. The hostel built at the inception of college, the SUG building and some make-shift structures that serve as business centres are located there.

There is a large piece of land in front of the SUG building. It takes patience to unravel what the place is for. It is was discovered to be a football field. Overgrown with weeds, the goal posts are the only reminders of the

original design of the place.

In all, a forlorn atmosphere enveloped the college. A bush at the entrance gate of the institution welcomes one to the place.

It is pointer to a common feature inside-overgrown weeds.

For the staff and student of the College of Education, Ekiadolor, it has been one long wait for the arrival of the university. Perhaps they hope that the university will give the place a turnaround. They said they had expected university programmes to take off in the 2014/2015 academic calendar, the academic calendar after the upgrade.

Some of the new students said they were prepared to lose a year in order to convert their studies from the National Certificate of Education (NCE) programmes to Bachelor of Education programmes when the upgrade was announced in 2014.

Public Relations Officer of the institution, Dickson Agbonwaneten, said it was a known fact that the institution exists as a college years after it was pronounced as a university.

President of the Ekiadolor College of Education Student Union Government (SUG), Obosa Enabulele, said the university status given the college only exists in name, adding that there is little to suggest that the university will take effect soon. He was joined by his Director of Information, Gideon Udehi, in appealing to the Edo State government to effect the upgrade to university or at least upgrade existing college facilities.

This is why the announcement last month of Professor Aduwa Ogiegbaen by the Edo State government as vice chancellor came to many as a surprise. According to Udehi, the college cannot run a university programme at least in the next six months because the school has not completed the first semester. He said if the college will ever run a university programme, it will not be in the lifetime of the Adams Oshiomhole’s administration because the students only started the first semester 2015/2016 Continues pg22

features Not In My Country: Blueprint for change Nigeria requires 22

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

T

HE change we seek has always required great struggle and great sacrifice. And so this is a battle in our own hearts and minds about what kind of country we want and how hard we’re willing to work for it. So let me remind you tonight that change will not be easy. Change will take time.” These were the words President Barack Obama, after he won the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina years back.

And this is the gospel being preached by a citizen-led anti-corruption drive, “Not In My Country,” created by a business and communication expert, Mr. Akin Fadeyi, to create a reorientation for Nigerians that the fight against corruption is not a battle for the government and highlight the responsibilities of every citizen towards combating corruption in the country.

“Not In My Country” is an enlightenment anti-corruption campaign that focuses at educating the populace about the need to change as individuals before we can effectively demand for change in our leaders.

The campaign is the result of a decade of research and covert mission to government establishments as well as various communities and private enterprises within the country. The result of the mission is what evolved into the campaign.

Not In My country is a series of one minute drama that pass specific messages about citizen’s contributions to corruption and how to curb it. The main focus is to teach the populace that the issue of corruption and its liabilities does not lie solely on the leadership but on every individual.

Speaking at the media launch of the campaign held at Protea Leadway Hotel in Lagos

Cross section of guests at the media launch of ‘Not In My Country’ in Lagos. last week, the creator of Not in my Country, Mr. Akin Fadeyi stated that corruption in Nigeria is not the government’s problem but a problem of the citizens, adding that for change to be effective, it must start with the individual.

He stated that the entire Nigerian system is warped. “Our value system is warped in Nigeria. People complain of corruption, yet they vote in corrupt people because they are family or give us money.

“Before we can fight corruption, we need to change ourselves before we change the leadership,” Fadeyi stated.

The campaign which seeks to through simple but engaging creative work expose

ingenious acts of corruption amongst the Nigerian people and campaign against it is a non partisan project that holds no prejudice against tribe, religion, gender or status.

According to Fadeyi, the covert operation that took over five years and berthed Not In My Country revealed to him that Nigerians hurt each other daily through selfish inclinations and acts of sleaze that they pass off as a routine act and a way of life.

“It is time to put a stop to it and build a better society that is built on mutual respect for one another and this is what inspired this citizen led national development communication initiative that will resonate with everyone to engender a wake up call,” Fadeyi

said.

The Not in my country project has no sectional interest and has already produced 33 episodes though the target is 300 episodes a year. The campaign is meant to change every individual and turn them to volunteers of change, people that will look out to check corruption in their neighborhoods and also correct those that are erring.

“Only when we become a responsible citizenry can we demand for an accountable government. For as long as we ourselves remain corrupt, it will remain a herculean task to identify and vote in the right set of leaders to take our country out of the woods,” Fadeyi concluded.

Ekiadolor, Iyamho: A tale of two varsities Continued from pg21

examination in April and the examination will end in May. He noted that another academic calendar would not start until late in the year when the Oshiomhole’s government would have exited.

“They said they have changed the school to Tayo Akpata University of Education, but I don’t believe it. Apart from the signboard that you see at the College Road announcing Tayo Akpata University, there is nothing to suggest this place is a university. Early in 2015, they said that Bachelor of Education programmes would start by September.

September came and passed without the programme starting. They have given another date. We are waiting. I want to ask you, does this place look fitting for a college of education? If this place is not good enough for college of education, can it be good for a university?” Udehi stated.

The story in Iyamho, where the Edo University is located is, however, different. Right now, all is set for the matriculation of the first set of students at the new university. In April, the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved the institution as the 41st Nigerian state university and 142nd university in Nigeria. Principal officers including the vice chancellor and registrar have been appointed. In February, an advertorial was placed in a national daily announcing vacancies for academic and non academic staffs as well admission into degree programmes for 2015/2016 academic session. This is coming just as application for the first set of students is about to be completed at the university.

A look at its website showed that a matriculation for the first set of students is imminent. Approved school fees for the departments have also been released. The school fees were initially put at about N700,000 across the departments, but another notice on the website indicated that the school fees inclusive of tuition, accommodation, library and payment for ICT, has been fixed for N400,000.

In the 2016 Edo State budget, about N1.2 billion, representing about 10 per cent of the total budget of the education sector, was allocated to the university. The

amount is, however, incomparable to the level of work at the Iyamho permanent site of the institution. At least four gigantic state-of-the-art buildings including lectures halls, offices, library and auditorium are already completed, while works are ongoing on several other buildings. Other projects ongoing in the institution are the teaching hospital complex and a 168-room hostel.

Tongues have been wagging over the status of the two universities with many accusing the state governor of double standard. A former Commissioner for Education in Edo State, Dr. (Mrs) Elizabeth Edomwandagbon, who is from Ovia North East Local Government Area, where Ekiadolor is located said the Iyamho University was ill conceived, saying now is not the best time to start a new university when the existing state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and other higher institutions were not being well funded.

She alleged that more than N30 billion has been expended on the EUI, noting that the amount was enough to give existing state-owned higher institutions considerable facelift. She added that the most confounding aspect of the new university is the impression that is being created by the state government that the university is a public private partnership when checks showed that every penny spent came from the purse of the state.

According to her, “The deceit started with the name. In the bill sent to the Assembly, they called it Edo State University of Science and Technology, Uzaire. Uzaire is not a name of any town but a clan. Oshiomhole’s true intention later came out when they changed it to Edo State University of Science and Technology, Iyamho, his hometown. Nobody even knows when state and science and technology were removed from the name to make it a general university.

It will interest you to know that Oshiomhole has not built a toilet at the Ekiadolor College of Education that he now calls Tayo Akpata University. What he doesn’t know is that Edo people are watching.”

Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kassim Afegbua, however, said that the state government was on course to kick staring degree pro-

grammes in Ekiadolor and Iyamho. Afegbua, also clarified that the Edo University, Iyamho is fully owned by the state and every money spent on it is owned by the state. He stated that people saying that the university was spending money not budgeted for were ignorant of the workings of budgets He said: “The university is owned by the state government hundred per cent. It is an Edo State university. It is not a private property of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. We are building a state-of-the-art university that will cater for the education needs of the people out thinking is that is that instead of people going to Ghana and all these other countries acquiring half baked education. The university must be able to run itself and not necessarily depend on government for subventions.

“If a government can build a five star hotel in Edo, what stops the same government from building what could be termed a five star university. A university is an investment that can attract fund to the state and provide employment.

When we place advertorial for employment, we receive over 39,000 applications. When we were vetting the applications, we discovered that more than half of the applicants were family members of the PDP people. We know because our government is run on ICT. These are the same people condemning the establishment of the university.

There is nowhere in the world where education is cheap.

We are running free primary and secondary education in Edo and that costs us a lot.”

On the status of the newly created Tayo Akpata University of Education, he said: “We have appointed a vice chancellor for the university. We have set up a committee made up of eight professors led by Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor.

They submitted their report barely a month ago. They have given us a recommendation and we are following their recommendation. We are about announcing the chairman of the governing council so that we can operational structure in place before they commence degree programme. Give us some respect as a government that we are also thinking.

You don’t stampede government; government is methodical.”

23

Nigerian Tribune

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

crew Tunde Busari 08127593530

Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare 08116706853 Tunde Ogunesan 08116954634

The

South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056

Got news for us; contact: southwesttribune@yahoo.co.uk or southwesttribune@gmail.com

The monkey side of

Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove

Not a few know that there is more to Osun Osogbo sacred grove than hosting the annual Osun Osogbo festival which draws a mammoth crowd of tourists to the ancient town in the month of August. TUNDE BUSARI reports

D

eclared a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2005, the sacred grove is one of the few that survived defilement as a result of urbanization, and till date is an attraction to tourists within and beyond the shores of Nigeria.

The 75-acre trop-

ical forest is habitat to thousands of monkeys which are seemingly conscious of the tourism value of the grove. All visitors to the grove need are some bunches of banana or other fresh fruits. With these items, they are sure of catching unlimited fun with the mammals in their exclusive world.

There is no dull moment as long as visitors throw variety of fruits at them. They are there waiting to entertain their guests with different character traits similar to those of human beings.

Akure River:

Where you can fetch water but not fish —P26

Ogun bridge is

Continues on pg24

falling down!

—P25

24 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

‘Monkeys add value to the grove’

Continues from pg23

Nigerian Tribune gathered that some tourists on business trip to Osogbo are obsessed about the monkeys so much that they have made it a point of duty to visit the grove not to sightsee sculptures of Osun goddess and other deities but to share in the fun-filled world of the monkeys.

The monkeys at the sight of a familiar car incredibly rush in a very competitive race towards it and jump over the bonnet and other exterior of the car.

This, our correspondent witnessed during his recent visit to the grove, to the amusement of the car owner who alighted with a black nylon full of banana.

Staff of the National Commission for Museum and Monument, a parastatal under Ministry of Information and Culture, who work at the grove, have built what looks like a bond with the monkeys. Their understanding and identification of the animals despite their numbers is amazing.

They have even nicknamed one Abacha because it is believed to possess autocratic power like that of the late former Nigeria military head of states. That monkey, according to them, is naturally a bully and revered by others.

“It is so crafty that none of its mates can match it. It behaves exactly like a power hungry man. There is nothing it cannot do when there is banana or any fruit to contest for. It jumps over its mates at will and even snatches from them.

“There was a day it jumped from the roof and snatched a banana I was holding. The monkeys are so terrible but interesting to behold because of their unbelievable attitude.

“They sometime broke into a shop here and picked some rings for sale and wore then in their fingers just like a human being would do. What I think is left for them to be human being is ability to talk and walk with two legs,” a staff who craved anonymity disclosed.

The Public Relations Officer/Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of the NCMM, Sheu Fasasi Adewale, also confirmed the entertainment value of the monkey to the tourists, sharing his personal experience which he described as fascinating.

He noted that the monkeys are not only a side attraction of sorts but an important

content of the grove as world heritage site.

Rated closely behind Sukur stone in Adamawa State, Osun Osogbo grove is a comfort zone for the monkeys which savour the nature and show it off to the visitors by their pleasant disposition towards them.

“We also do feed them with fruits occasionally because we believe they are adding to the value of the grove in their own little way. This goes to say that the monkeys are very friendly to visitors. But I must say that foreign tourists appreciate the sight more than our people.

“That is our observation. And we ought to have gone beyond that, especially with what our people see in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Aside the monkeys, the grove also serves the herbalists who visit to pluck lush green leaves with which they prepare alternative medication. Although there is a conspicuous bill board warning the public against farming, hunting, fishing and burning,

herbalists enjoy some immunity to enter the grove with the permission of the authorities.

Besides, researchers from institute of African Studies from Nigerian universities and beyond are also regular callers at the grove. In company of their students, the scholars conduct interviews and pay visit to historical sites in the grove, especially the first and second palaces of Osogbo built after the settlement of Larooye and Olutimehin, the founders of Osogbo.

It was, however, gathered that some of the important sites in the grove, owing to old age, are caving in and indeed losing their aesthetic significance.

The late Susanne Wenger popularly known as Aduni Olorisha to her credit are the sculptures and arts works that scattered in the grove. Her death in January 2009 at 94 was said to have created a vacuum in the regular maintenance of the monuments.

But her family friend, Mr and Mrs Camp-

The monkeys are not only a side attraction of sorts but an important content of the grove as world heritage site.

bell from Austria have lately shown interest in preserving the Adunni Olorisa legacy in the grove. The couple have commenced renovation works at the first market, Iyamopo courtyard and walls, all sited in the grove.

“Mr and Mrs Campbell are wonderful couple for showing this interest in the works of mama adunni olorisha in the grove. Works are still ongoing with the use of direct labour. This is really inspiring for a white couple identifying with the legacy left behind by mama. This is also encouraging and should serve as something to emulate by lovers of arts,” Adewale said.

On an alarming note, he expressed fear on the continuous sanctity of the grove on account of the escapades of elements described as trespassers allegedly violating the rule guiding the preservation of the grove.

According to the PRO, some people, under the guise of accessing their farmland located near the grove, perpetrate all kinds of unlawful acts including smoking of Indian hemps among others. He, thus, appealed to government to look into the problem because of its implication on the future of the grove.

“What we call world heritage site is not ordinary. That is why it is important we are provided with more security guards. Three guards are not enough to guard 75 acres of land. If it is possible also the entire road to the grove should be closed and new road that connect Isale Osun to Oke Osun be constructed,” he said.

25 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

This is the bridge that links the only public primary school that is serving this area and other communities.

We don’t pray for any loss of life that is why we are drawing the attention of the state government to it

The collapsing new bridge

This Ogun bridge

is falling down!

With different sizes of physical infrastructural facilities changing the face of Ogun State by the day, some communities are, however, gnashing their teeth over collapse of their facilities. This is the story of residents of Oke-Yeke and Isale-igbehin currently agonizing the state of the only bridge serving the communities. Olayinka Olukoya reports

I

T is a tale of woe for the residents of Oke-Yeke and Isale-Igbehin axis of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital as their little children occasionally slip and end up in the river that separates the two communities.

The accident is caused by the deplorable state of the pedestrian bridge constituting danger to the users on daily basis. The residents now walk on the bridge with their heart in their mouth and unsure of their safe passage to the other end.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the

The old bridge bridge was constructed by a former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, representing Abeokuta II state constitu-

ency, Honourable Wilfred Allen-Talyor, in 2012. It was learnt that the former lawmaker picked the bridge as one of his con-

stituency projects when he realized that the old bridge constructed by the community had failed and needed a replacement to save lives of the people.

It was also learnt that the volume of water under the bridge has overtime weakened its pillars, thereby increasing apprehension among the users as rain season is fast approaching.

A landlord, Pastor Ayodele Omoniyi, identified the non-completion of channelisation of water, as a result of the road expansion work embarked on by Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to the weakness of the bridge.

He explained that volume of water directed from Oke-Ijeun, Itoku, Sawmill Sapon to Grammar School area behind former FUNNAB mini campus was one of the factors that further weakened the structure.

Pastor Omoniyi said that a letter dated March 24th, 2016, seeking government’s attention on the state of the pedestrian bridge had been forwarded to the state government.

He said the letter received prompt attention, saying that some officials of government were sent to inspect the bridge.

The pastor said the community is also seeking the attention of the Senator representing Ogun Central, at the Senate, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso, for assistance in reconstructing the bridge.

He said that quite a large number of pupils of Imo Methodist Primary School, Oke-Yeke, walk on the bridge before they could get to school.

The pastor appealed on behalf of other house owners in the area to government to repair the bridge before it collapses and claim casualties.

“Since, the rains started, residents live in fear because of the bad state of the bridge. It has caved in because the volume of water that passes through it is very enormous.

“This is the bridge that links the only public primary school that is serving this area and other communities. We don’t pray for any loss of life that is why we are drawing the attention of the state government to it.

“All the pillars holding the bridge are weak. We are concerned about the safety of our children. On every school day, landlords organise ourselves to pilot these children across the bridge as early as 7.00am,” he said.

Another resident, Mr. Ibrahim Ademola, also said that the number of people walking on the bridge on a daily basis is large, hence, according to him, the need for government to act swiftly.

26 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Akure River: Where you can fetch water but not fish HAKEEM GBADAMOSI writes on an Ondo River which performs functions that are beyond human comprehension.

T

he popular Afunleyin River , in Ijoka community of Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State is a river, according to residents of the community, that has commandments.

In the river, residents are permitted to fetch water but not to fish. Aside this, the water also saves life, serving as antidote to all forms of diseases.

River Afunleyin, located in a slippery valley in the heart of Igisogba at Ijoka community, is naturally cold, clean and serves the people of Igisogba and the surrounding communities all through the year, with the river usually experiencing its fullness during dry season which makes it mysterious to the people of the community.

Apart from this, it is a taboo to fish in this river.

Speaking about the existence of the river, the Olu of Ijoka, High Chief Anthony Oluwalade, who said that the river is as old as the community explained that the river, with many mystical powers, was transferred to his forefathers from time immemorial.

According to him, the community was The abandoned borehole founded by a warlord known as Okese- Chief Oluwalade ooku, who migrated from Benin Kingdom said the river where no one dares to fish sult is instant healing. to Akure and helped the people of Akure has been in existence before the death of The traditional head explained that anyto curb incessant attacks from Benin war- Okeseooku and the water from the river body who dares to eat the fish might not lords. serves as antidote to all kind of many dis- ive to tell the story He however said as a mark of honour, eases and in the event of an outbreak of “If any one goes to the river with an inOkeseooku was honored by the then Deji disease, mere use of the water from the tention to fish from it, the fishes may deof Akure and his Chiefs by giving him river gives instant healing. cide to hide themselves. But if the person large expanse of land to settle at the presHe said: “Whenever there is an outbreak eventually catches any of the fishes, others ent Ijoka community which was known of chicken pox or any disease in Ijoka, we will fight back with great consequences on then as Iworokogbasa which remains the will run to the river, fetch it and use it to the person. permanent abode of Okeseooku and his bath our children or any of the affected “The first mysterious sign is that no matchildren. He was given the outskirts of the sons and daughters of Ijoka. And the re- ter the length of hours the fish may be town then to help checkmate the inaction cooked, it will never get cooked but remain of Benin warrior who used the route to infresh. But if out of sturborness, the person vade Akure. eats from the fish, the consequence is that Oluwalade said this actually put an end the person will start to experience swollen to the invasion from Benin warlords who stomach and uneasiness in his entire body were feared in Akure and other neighborsystem which may lead to his death if the ing towns, until the mysterious death of person fails to confess to the authority of Okeseeoku, while his only son, AgbangIjoka-in-council within special days. balogun, who was also a great warrior, “If the erring person confesses to the sin stepped into his father’s shoe. of fishing in the river, the authority of IjoThe Olu of Ijoka further explained that ka-in-council would perform certain sacthe surviving son was given the present rifice to atone and appease the goddess place called Gbangbalogun street in the of the river. But all the expenses for the present Akure community, to build his atonement will be paid by the victim. houses in order to checkmate another “However, if any of the victims of the invasion from Benin warlords who had fishing expedition was lucky to have been learnt about the death of the great Okeseen and cautioned by any of the commuseeoku and Agbangbalogun eventually nity members, even if he has killed the fish became the first Sao of Akure. and the fish is retrieved, he would escape He however said Ijoka community bethe wrath of the goddnes of the river. But came one of the fastest growing commuthe dead fish is cast to the river and the nities in Akure kingdom after the death of moment it gets back to the river, it disapOkeseeoku, saying today, modern strucpears mysteriously.” tures are springing up and this commuOlujoka said further that it is not easy nity is thickly populated. to see the fishes because they rarely come Speaking on the Afunleyin River, he out. However, anytime the fishes come out of the water, açcording to the traditional

Another mystery associated with the river is that people with special mandate to get fish for specific atonement usually visited the river and If such person is lucky enough to have the fish, it shows that his prayer will be answered because the fishes rarely come out.

Afunleyin river chief, they always come out in bigger form to the extent of frightening any first time visitor to the river.

He said the community never experienced scarcity of water during dry season adding ‘no matter the dryness of the season, the river is always filled to the brim. People do come from Akure to fetch water here during the dry season. They bring vehicles from different parts of the adjoining communities to fetch the water too.

“Some years back, when some politicians came here to sink boreholes, out of enthusiasm and love for modern days water, we abandoned the river. No one went to the river again. But it got to a stage that all the boreholes and the wells dried up. But with so much prayers and consultations, it was revealed that the goddess of the river was angry with the community for abandoning it for potable water.

“On hearing this, we mobilised ourselves to the river to appease it. We cleared the bushes, we dug it and beautified it and since then we have been enjoying the river. But the mysterious aspect of it is that the two boreholes in this community are yet to function till today because there is no water in them,” Olu of Ijoka said.

Another mystery associated with the river is that people with special mandate to get fish for specific atonement usually visited the river and If such person is lucky enough to have the fish, it shows that his prayer will be answered because the fishes rarely come out.

On whether the river will not get angry if government decides to take over and make it a tourist centre and money spinning venture for the benefit of the people of Ijoka and its environs, Olujoka said since the taking over is for the benefit of the people, the river will not get angry.

The Olu of Ijoka however appealed to the government through the state Water Corporation to take over the management of the river for the benefit of the people of the community saying this will also serve as a source of revenue to the government of Ondo State.

27 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Irokun: Where there

are no roads,

electricity, water OLAYINKA OLUKOYA recently visited Irokun community in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State and writes about the plight of residents in the coastal area who are begging the government for a look in her report:

Irokun community.

PHOTOS: YINKA OLUKOYA

T

he trip to Irokun, a sleepy Ogun community, in Ogunwaterside Local Government Area of the state, started from Abeokuta, the state capital to Iwopin. The journey from Abeokuta to Ijebu-Ode end of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway was a bit smoother , until one got to the bad portions on the highway from Ilese-Ijebu junction towards Ogbere-Area J4 areas.

The weather was cloudy. This writer started entertaining fear about the journey on water, which would be her first experience ever. The thought of not embarking on the journey enveloped her heart, but the spirit of “all will be well� kept her determination to forge ahead.

The take-off point to Irokun was the Iwopin Police Post Base. Different flying boats were on the river bank. Marine Police Officers could see the fear on the

face of this writer, but encouraged her that it would be a nice experience.

And there was heavy rain. The trip had to be put on hold until the rains stopped. The rains lasted for about an hour. Thereafter, the journey began. Life jackets were provided for those on the trip.

The journey lasted two and half hours. The water level was so high and there was turbulence on the high sea. For some of us travelling on the water ways for the very first time, it was like a suicide mission.

However, it turned out to be an interesting one.

To say that the residents of this community lack virtually everything an ideal normal being deserves is an understatement.

The stark reality of the absence of these basic amenities is what the people of Irokun, a riverine community

in Ogun, the Gateway State, have been facing from time immemorial without any respite in the offing.

Ironically, the over 5,000 inhabitants of this community are still waiting anxiously, for the day, when issues like non-availability of electricity, potable water, absence of good roads and functional health centre would be a thing of the past.

The community is a boundary town between Ondo and Ogun States, and had been in existence since time immemorial. The major occupation of the people of the community is fish farming, due to their riverine terrain which separates them from other communities in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.

Continues on pg24

28 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Inside a community begging for govt attention Continues from pg23

Residents of the community were extremely happy that their plights would be conveyed to the necessary government quarters on sighting the reporter.

First to speak was Madam Adesola Ewenuga, who identified road as one of the biggest challenges confronting the people of the area.

She appealed to government to create a road linking the community to Ondo State for easy movement and transportation of their farm produce to the market.

Madam Ewenuga explained that the only connecting road to the community was opened by the Ondo State government, during the administration of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu and that construction work was stopped when the project reached the Ogun State end.

The septuagenarian who claimed to have lived all her life in the sleepy community, pointed out that it had been a herculean task for the inhabitants to move from one location to the other, due to none availability of road(s).

She noted that residents resort to trekking about 7 miles to sell their goods and that the only road which ends at the borderline between the two states had been in deplorable state over the years.

“We have been forgotten in this community. We need good road network that will connect us to other adjoining communities. Travelling on the waterways often times become too risky, especially during the rainy season. We have no control over nature, so most times, we may not have the opportunity to move around.

“Also, the only dispensary here is without staff. The building is still standing because of our communal effort, no beddings and other materials there. Only one health worker is serving us there. That is not too good enough.

“We pay high fare to operators of flying boats in case of emergency to Epe in Lagos State for attention. Ogun State govern-

The palace of Onirokun

The reporter and others inside the speed boat.

A structure at Irokun. ment attention is not here. We need basic things of life for our survival.”

Speaking in the same vein, Mr Monday Opeyemi, said government should provide them with roads so as to enable them transport their goods to the neighbouring villages.

He said prior to the construction of a link road by the Agagu administration, which ends at the Ondo State end, villagers from other communities had a common spot as market to sell their goods, but that immediately the road was completed, the market place ceased to exist.

Opeyemi, who claimed to be a youth leader in the community, also pointed out that the only primary school in the community, Local Government Primary School, which has just a block of classroom, is in dire need of teachers.

He said teachers posted to the school

Pharmacy unit of Irokun dispensary

usually seek transfer shortly after they resume because of the peculiar nature of the community, saying many cannot reside in the area because basic amenities are absent.

“We engaged in farming and fishing as parts of our means of survival. We can be the food basket of the state, if government can provide us with good road network that will connect us to communities in Ogun and Ondo states.

“Government can also provide us with boats to encourage fishing business. Our children go outside the community to further their education. We have just a block of three classrooms until a politician, Senator Gbenga Kaka, facilitated another block of three classrooms to the community.

“We are grateful to this politician because many of them will come to us when they are seeking political offices and will abandon us when they have been elected.

We struggle to transport our goods to market which is about eight miles away from us. We trek long distances before we can sell our goods.”

The Olotu of Irokun Kingdom, Prophet John Orosegun also corroborated Ewenuga and Opeyemi on the need for government to make its presence felt in the community.

He said the community is lagging far behind in terms of social amenities and development, urging government to explore the various means through which their town could be developed. ”The distance from Irokun to other adjoining communities in Ogun waterside council area is far. We travel on waterways to get to these areas such as Ode-Omi, Makun, Iwopin among others. Government should provide us with good road.

“Our community dispensary is serving over 5,000 inhabitants, when government at the local level failed to accede to our demands. We have just two mattresses and mats for the use of patients. This is not too good enough,” Orosegun said.

Members of the community, however, called on Ogun State government to come to their aid in terms of infrastructural development.

The only primary school in the community.

29

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Soji-Eze Fagbemi m:08179047919 e:sojiezek@yahoo.co.uk

N56,000 Minimum wage: Nigerians have refused to empathise with workers Promise Adewusi

I

N the midst of the hullabaloo going on as a result of the recent demand for an upward review of the national minimum wage to a ‘hefty’ N56,000 per month by labour, in the discourse and its accompanying narrative, it would appear that people of conscience have forgotten or refused to empathise with the Nigerian worker.

Since the last national minimum wage was fixed at N18,000 five years ago, the Nigerian worker have had to exist at the mercy of purchasing power parity issues, runaway inflationary trends which currently stands at double digits, heightened cost of living index, tumbling exchange rate of the naira (which has since gone into a permanent state of acrobatic jingoism) and all other unfavourable economic indices of a modern day living.

I have heard arguments that workers constitute only five per cent of our over 180 million population, yet not many people bother with the fact that it is this ‘miserly’ five per cent that creates the wealth that our unconscionable leaders enjoy frittering away.

It is this same negligible five per cent that keeps our local economy and the extended family system going in the face of social welfare deficits within the context of a skewed globalised economy. Our leaders hardly buy within this economy. Has anyone wondered why the market woman or farmer would ask her creditor to return at month’s end? Of course that is when she expects increased customs and patronage from workers who ordinarily are expected to receive their salaries at the end of every month. Forget that some greedy governors have refused to pay.

The problem is not the ability to pay the extant N18,000 national minimum wage ( which is actually in mockery of the decent work agenda of the International Labour Organisation) but as has now been established, the humongous appetite of some of these governors for off-shore money laundering of our commonwealth.

To those postulating that the N56,000 demand is ridiculous and unrealistic, I counter by saying that N18,000 is not only ridiculous in the context of present economic realities but insensitive, even criminal on the part of governors refusing to pay it.

Though for me as a legal practitioner I understand that the only legal tender within our economy is the naira, but given that we have since evolved a culture of consumerism that benchmarks and de-

nominates everything (including rent) in dollar, the answer to fallouts of regular demands for salary increases may lie in the dollarisation of wages! That way any time the naira and cost of living index are allowed to go into any of their now regular frenzied ‘okokobioko’ dance, the workers’ salary may still retain some semblance of meaningfulness.

This brings me to an article I wrote on the 6 November, 1995 (21 years ago) as a columnist and editorial board member of the now rested Independent Weekly Newspaper, titled ‘The plight of Nigerian workers.’ I reproduce the article below as I believe it remains at once topical, germane and cata-

lytically instructive in our present circumstances because we are almost back to where we were then:

Plight of the Nigerian workers I pity the Nigerian worker. He is an unfortunate factor of production and a tragic victim of our circumstances. Of all the factors of production, the Nigerian labour has become the most marginalised and I dare say, traumatised.

Yet without him to harness the other factors, no production takes place. He has always borne the brunt of the consequences of the economic and political misadventurism and experimentation of our rulers, especially in recent

history. His experience through Obasanjo’s belt tightening abracadabra to the present day SAP has left him so much sapped and harassed that the average Nigerian worker looks more like a Somalian refugee: Indeed, he is a poor advertisement of an economy that is said to be going through recovery!

It is a sad realism and somewhat ironically paradoxical that those very polices that are supposed to enhance his living or at least ensure his existence seem to be in a conspiratorial concurrence to squeeze life out of him. And yet he is accused of not being dedicated, hard-working and all that stuff.

But then, how could he, even when he wants to, after spending most of

his time battling the odds against his survival.

Take the issue of costs: feeding, housing, transportation, education, electricity et al are in a permanent upward spiral whereas salaries and wages are more or less static if not eroded considering the continuing decline in the value of the naira.

•Promise Adewusi is a former Deputy President of NLC and former President of SSANU

Insurgency: Ex-Niger Delta minister promises skills acquisition programme for victims Soji-Eze Fagbemi

Ngige

Fuel price hike to reposition economy, foster national prosperity —Labour Minister Soji-Eze Fagbemi THE Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has declared that the increase in the prices of petroleum products is to reposition the economy into a productive one that can foster national prosperity.

Speaking during his tour of the South East regional office of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NISTF) Enugu, the minister admitted that Nigeria is at present passing through painful structural reforms which however are necessary for the socio-economic rebirth of the nation.

Dr Ngige said “The Federal Government is not unaware of the hard times Nigerians are passing through at the moment as a result of the re-structuring of the economy. The President is genuinely concerned and per-

sonally feels the pains too. But this is a necessary phase we must all endure for the restoration of better days.”

He charged the NSITF to be alive to its responsibilities, if it must fulfill its constitutional role of uplifting the welfare of Nigerian workers.

The minister expressed displeasure at the, poor working environment and lack of necessary working tools at the Enugu zonal office and immediately directed the Acting Director General of NSITF, Ismail Agaka, to take necessary steps to relocate the regional office and requested for immediate installation of a diesel generating set for the office.

According to him, “Nobody, no company will be willing to come to this obscure and over-crowded office to register and pay social insurance bills for its workers.

You need to first of all show se-

riousness by repositioning your office so as to engender trust and respect. You need to also advertise your services, create awareness so as to let job providers, as well as workers, understand the role of the Fund and the immense benefits of its services.”

He also urged the workers to speed up enlightenment of employers’ responsibilities to workers as they relate to NSITF. The minister noted that decent work is impossible without decent environment and the Federal Government is fully committed to meeting up with the International Labour Organisation Decent Work agenda.

He hinted that the induction courses would be conducted for the over four thousand staff members of the Fund aimed at broadening their knowledge on job content, efficiency and professionalism.

FORMER Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Executive Secretary of Peace, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation Initiatives (PRRI), Dr Sam Ode has promised to partner with the government on how PRRI will assist in rehabilitating and empower IDPs in various acquisition skills schemes in the state.

The former minister made the promise when he visited various resettlement camps hosting thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno State. He also visited the Head Office of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Dr Ode also expressed readiness to support and empower victims of insurgency who are willing to go back to their liberated communities.

He said the PRRI, a new NGO set up one month ago is primarily concern on how to empower victims of insurgency in the NorthEast, particularly the IDPs whose houses were destroyed as a result of Boko Haram deadly activities and those in Benue and Taraba States who also suffered the same fate due to communal clashes.

According to him, the essence of PRRI campaign is to assist people who were once displaced by Boko Haram and whose communities have been liberated from terrorists by the Nigerian Military operation on terrorism to live a normal life.

He said, “our Pilot Scheme in the north east is starting from selected communities across Borno State where people visited at the various IDP camps have expressed their readiness to return home and be integrated back to their normal day to day activities using traditional ventures like farming, vocational training and empowerment initiatives.”

30

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

MTN innovates with new WithStartPack package with Bode Adewumi

m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

Nigerian Pavilion at Gitex 2016 set to expose opportunities in non-oil sectors Stories by Bode Adewumi

T

HE Nigerian pavilion at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2016 will be exposing opportunities in non-oil sectors and how the Nigerian government is committed to supporting foreign and local entrepreneurship, particularly in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has told the media in Lagos. Umar is a member of the Nigeria at Gitex2016 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and heads the sub-committee on managing and promoting the Nigerian pavilion.

The Nigeria at Gitex 2016 LOC was recently inaugurated by the acting Director General of the NITDA, Dr Vincent Olatunji in a ceremony that also officially commenced the selection of the country’s 15 to 17 startup champions that will pitch for business and partnerships at the Gitex startup movement, where over 400 global investors community are expected to converge for five days.

Olatunji had stressed at the inauguration in Abuja that NITDA will foster its 2016 Gitex presence on “the promotion of ICT startups as the country aggressively pursues foreign earnings in non-oil sectors.” While speaking in Lagos over the weekend, Umar said Nigeria will not be in the global technology event for a jamboree.

Her words: “There are clear ob-

jectives for joining over 130 countries to be part of Gitex to showcase our budding ICT industry and provide a platform for foreign prospects to see the boundless opportunities in our non-oil sectors.

“Last year there were over 150, 000 trade visitors to the Gitex Technology Week, the Nigerian Pavilion attracted well over 4000 visitors and hundreds of enqui-

ries; we had official visitation from public and private sectors from Bahrain, Serbia, Egypt, Malaysia and the UAE among others. Of course, there were numerous enquiries and set-up meetings from several offshore companies seeking to see how they do business in Nigeria and how to could explore partnerships with existing companies in Nigeria.”

From left: Chairman, NatCom, Dr Tunde Ayeni; Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu and Chief Executive Officer, ntel , Mr Kamar Abass, when the minister paid a courtesy visit to ntel’s office in Lagos, recently .

Viber Apps deepen chat experience with end-to-end encryption feature VIBER, one of the world’s leading messaging apps with more than 711 million unique users worldwide, has announced the complete end-to-end encryption across all devices which offers users benefit from increased security and privacy whatever the device or platform.

This new feature will strengthen security in every voice or video call, message, video and photo, in both group messages and one-to-one communication across devices like Android, iPhone, iPad, Android tablets, PC and Mac desktops.

“We take our users’ security and privacy very seriously, and it’s critical to us that they feel confident and protected when using Viber,” said Michael Shmilov, Chief Operating Officer of Viber.

As part of this update, Viber have also launched ‘Hidden Chats’ allowing users to hide specific chats from the main screen so no-one but the user knows they exist.

These chats can only be accessed using a four digit PIN, providing an optional additional layer of privacy to users’ personal communications.

Shmilov disclosed that Viber have spent a long time working on this latest update to ensure that

users have the most sophisticated security available and maximum control over their communications stressing that the company will continue to make this an on-

going priority as digital communication evolves.

He further noted that rolling out globally over the coming weeks, users will automatically be pro-

tected by end-to-end encryption in all communications on their smartphone once they have upgraded to the latest version of Viber - v6.0 or higher.

IN line with its bold, new digital mandate, MTN Nigeria has introduced a special tariff plan for new subscribers on the MTN network called the MTN StartPack.

The MTN StartPack is designed to welcome new customers with great and exciting voice and data offers. The offers are automatically activated as soon as a customer successfully registers a new MTN number.

MTN Executive, Mrs Amina Oyagbola, said: “The introduction of MTN StartPack is in line with MTN’s commitment to giving more value to our customersfrom the very beginning. This is why new subscribers will immediately enjoy six times the value of any recharge, 10MB on every recharge of N200 and above as well as free data on the MTN Deal Zone. The new value proposition also aligns with MTN’s quest of deepening internet penetration in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the new proposition, Mr Richard Iweanoge, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria stated that the new data and voice service pack is designed to excite new subscribers on the network. “Our new MTN StartPack has been specially created to give new subscribers a unique experience both on MTN’s voice and data servicing. MTN as a company is passionate about providing world class services to our esteemed customers and positively impacting their lives. This is just one of the ways through which we do that,” he said.

On how to enjoy the new offer, Iweanoge stated that new subscribers should purchase a new MTN SIM and register at authorised outlets. “They can then proceed to enjoy the service offering by recharging the line to get six times the value of the original recharge and make calls, send sms or browse within 48 hours of purchase to remain active on the network,” he said.

Vodacom trains 25 female secondary school students on ‘Internet of Things’ VODACOM Business Nigeria has trained twenty-five female students of Clemmy High School, Agodo-Egbe, Lagos, Lagos State on Internet of Things (IoT) as part of its support for the Girls in ICT programme. The students, who were students from SS1 and SS2,

learned how IoT is used in ensuring people’s safety and in securing property in today’s world.

They also toured the company’s facilities, exposing them to the importance of connectivity and data security to individuals and businesses in this milieu.

Clemmy High School emerged as winners of the App development and Quiz competition which was part of the Girls in ICT Day celebration last month, organised

by E-Business Life. Vodacom’s aim of training female students in particular is to demystify the

Proposed communication service tax will hamper internet access —A4AI A new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tax being considered by the National Assembly would prevent over 50 million Nigerians from being able to afford a basic broadband connection, the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) has said . Analysis by the this coalition of subscribers’ body shows that the proposed nine per cent tax to be levied on consumers of communications services would result in an additional 10 per cent of the population, equivalent to nearly 20 million Nigerians, being unable to afford a basic broadband

plan. The analysis suggests that the passage of such a tax is likely to threaten Nigeria’s ability to achieve its goal of 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018 and to undermine the socio-economic progress spurred by increased connectivity.

The Communication Service Tax (CST) Bill 2015, currently in front of the National Assembly, would require consumers of voice, data, SMS, MMS and pay TV services to pay a nine per cent tax on the fees paid for the use of these services.

This tax would be collected on top of the 5 per cent Value Added

Tax (VAT) that consumers already pay when they purchase devices and communication services, the 12 per cent custom import duties paid on ICT devices, and the 20 per cent tax levied on SIM cards.

Mobile operators and service providers will be responsible for collecting consumer payments and must fulfil additional reporting obligations that are likely to increase operational costs and therefore service fees for consumers.

Increasing access to and use of the internet and communication technologies is central to Nigeria’s development agenda.

myth that ICT is for males, predominantly; encouraging more female students to choose ICT as their course of study at tertiary levels of education. The training also empowers female students to maximise their use of ICT, so that they are not left behind in the digital world.

Mr Lanre Kolade, Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, urged ICT teachers to adopt fresh approaches to the subject to generate higher levels of interest among females.

He said “The choice of studying ICT depends largely on the student’s interest in science subjects at the secondary level of education. Teachers must begin to adopt innovative ways of teaching the subject so that more students, especially females will not only become interested in ICT but choose to work in ICT industries upon completing their studies.”

31

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Chukwuma Okparaocha

m:08038984495 e: chukscop2005@gmail.com

Oshodi-Apapa Expressway too economically strategic to be neglected —Ambode

Director Operations, SON, Mr Felix Nyado; Director, Compliance Directorate, SON, Mr Bede Obayi; Ag Director General, SON, Dr Paul Angya; Director, Metrology, Mr Obiora Manafa and Director, Products Certification Directorate, Mr Bayo Adegun, at the SON and Steel Pipes Manufacturers Forum, held in Lagos recently.

LAGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed dissatisfaction at the deplorable state of some sections of OshodiApapa Expressway, saying the road was too strategic to the economy of the state and therefore cannot be ignored.

Governor Ambode, who last week made an unscheduled inspection tour of the road while returning from the grand opening of a 70, 000 capacity Motorbikes Assembly Plant in Mile 2, directed the State’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant government agencies to immediately move to site and fix the bad portions of the road.

A worried Governor Ambode had stopped his convoy and came down from his vehicle to inspect the bad portions of the road along-

SON reads Riot Act to steel pipes manufacturers •Gives 90days for substandard hollow pipes to be taken off markets Stories by Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos

T

HE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called for an end to the manufacturing of steel hollow pipes that do not meet the expected standards both domestic and international.

Led by its acting Director-General, Dr Paul Angya, the organisation made this call last week in Lagos, at a stakeholders’ forum organised for all steel pipes manufacturers in the country, which was part of SON’s sensitisation and verification exercises at the various sectors and sub-sectors of the nation’s economy.

The exercise, which according to Dr Angya, is continuous, is aimed at arriving at a robust and greater stakeholders’ engagement for the agency’s effective monitoring, execution and evaluation of the hollow pipes manufacturing business across the nation.

The SON boss expressed dismay with what he deemed worrisome findings made by the organisation when it recently inspected the manufacturing processes of some hollow steel pipes manufacturing companies to ascertain their level of compliance to the current Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS).

“Our findings were quite astonishing. There was also the need to confirm the manufacturing processes in line with applicable standard, quality control and quality assurance and factors responsible for non-compliant products in circulation as well as take appropriate action,” he stated.

He noted that SON made some very disturbing discoveries in its

inquests, including the rather shocking discovery that many steel pipe manufacturers were not even aware of the applicable standards in the country.

“When our Inspectorate & Compliance team visited some steel pipes companies recently, it was rather amazing that some of them were not even aware of the applicable industrial standards, some of the companies were even manufacturing according to the specifications given to them by particular clients. We equally were astonished that some of the companies are yet to key into the SON’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for local manufacturers even as there is no evidence of SON’s Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) certification for their raw materials importation,” he noted.

He however warned that the SONCAP and MANCAP schemes were aimed at ensuring uniform quality of products and promoting trade, and therefore, were not negotiable, including appropriate mandatory identification of for all pipes being manufactured in the country.

“It is amazing, that the Pipe industry has been seen as an unorganized sector with all sorts of outputs. The situation cannot be tolerated in an organized economy. We have discovered the level of pipes in circulation without any identification marks for traceability of the pipes to particular manufacturers in line with the requirement of NIS 324:1997 and NIS198: 1984, non-compliant gauges, early corrosion as well as short length,” he added.

Angya further posited that SON was henceforth poised to deal with companies, manufacturers and dealers found to have been cutting corners or circumventing the system, saying such actions were capable of halting the growth of local industries.

He charged all manufacturers to embark on immediate house cleaning, saying as a facilitating agency, SON was giving them three months to address those is-

sues effectively or face sanctions.

“The change mantra of the Federal Government has no boundaries and so the sector should key into it positively or face the consequences. The present SON under my watch will not condone shortchanging of consumers’ value for money or flooding the markets with substandard products. SON will immediately shut down the operations anyone caught as an economic saboteur,” he stated.

side top government officials who accompanied him.

The Governor specifically inspected the bad portions of the road between Berlett and Ilasa, and Cele Bus stop inward Oshodi.

Governor Ambode not only directed the officials of the Ministry of Works to immediately move to site, but also ordered that an immediate palliative measure must be put in place to alleviate the sufferings of motorists who have been complaining about the deplorable state of the road through various means.

While addressing some of the crowd that trooped out to welcome him, Governor Ambode said the bad state of the road was of serious concern to him, and that an immediate solution was coming soon.

He said: “The state of this road is just not acceptable. We are going to do something about this place immediately. The OshodiApapa Expressway is too strategic to be left like this.

“I have directed officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant agencies to move to site immediately and see what they can do and also create palliatives in the interim to alleviate the plight of motorists.

“I want to assure the people that I share in the difficulties they are going through using this road and we cannot afford to neglect this road,” he said.

Lawmaker proposes ways to gainfully use abandoned FG property in Lagos THE Federal Government has been urged to gainfully use scores of its properties wasting away particularly in Victoria Island and Ikoyi area of the state for the economic benefit of the nation as a whole.

This piece of advice was given by a Lagos lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Honourable Abiodun Tobun, in an exclusive interview with Tribune Property recently.

Honourable Tobun who expressed dismay with the state of numerous properties belonging to the Federal Government in Lagos, said that if the Federal Government was finding it difficult to know what to do with those properties, it could allow the Lagos State government to take over them and start using them for the development of the state.

The abandoned properties, which experts have quantified to worth several billions of naira, include many houses that had served as the liaison offices of

the FG and various state governments, as well as the abandoned federal secretariat in Ikoyi, among others.

“Instead of allowing these national assets worth several billions of naira to just be wasting away, the Federal Government can pass them over to the Lagos State govt which will in turn turn them into a fruitful venture economically,” said Tobun.

“We all know what land and properties mean to the Lagos government, so it is really sad to such edifices wasting away right in the part of the state where the value of properties is very high. If allowed, I am sure the Lagos State government, led by Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, will find different useful ventures it can put those properties to, and which would in return ultimately aid the economic development of the state. More jobs will be created and more doors will open for investors to come to Lagos,” he added.

Driven by the passion to see those propertied gainfully used, Mr To-

bun, who represents Epe 1 in the Lagos Assembly, promised to begin a legislative process which will hopefully ultimately help make the FG cede the houses in question to the Lagos government.

Honourable Tobun meanwhile has also called on the Federal Government to find a way of paying back Lagos State the over N50 billion the state government had spent to rehabilitate federal roads in the state, saying the reimbursement of the money would help the state to have funds to deliver more infrastructural amenities to its residents.

He further charged the Federal Government to inject more funds into developing all its infrastructure located in states, saying paucity of funds had made a state like Lagos not to be able to fix all federal roads located in it and which need to be repaired or rehabilitated.

“Most of the federal roads in Lagos are suffering and the paucity of fund cannot allow the state to fix all of them,” he said.

32

news

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Osun PDP congress fallout: Omisore ejects party from secretariat Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

T

HE last may not have been heard about the controversial congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State as its gubernatorial candidate in the last governorship poll, Senator Iyiola Omisore, might have ejected the party from its secretariat, located along Gbongan-Ibadan Expressway.

Checks by the Nigerian Tribune indicated that the party congresses held to elect leaders of the party from ward to state level had polarised PDP, culminating in the loss of grip of Omisore’s faction on the party’s machineries with the emergence of Hon Soji Adagunodo as the chairman of the party in the state.

Omisore’s faction, which supported the chairmanship of Dr Bayo Faforiji, had early last week, approached an Osun High Court and obtained an injunction, restraining the conduct of last Thursday state congress that produced Adagunodo.

A credible source informed our correspondent that Omisore had been paying the rent of the party secretariat since it started using the secretariat while

another source hinted that the property belonged to Omisore.

But, Adagunodo-led state executive of the PDP vacated the party secretariat on Monday and moved its properties to another office facility, situated along Biket, in Otaefun area of Osogbo, fueling speculation that it had been sent packing from its former secretariat.

Confirming the develop-

ment to our correspondent yesterday, one of the close associates of Omisore said, “Senator Omisore rented this secretariat and he has been paying the rent since.

So, there is no way Adagunodo-led executive can come here with what they have done.”

He continued, “He did not pursue them but they also know that they can no longer come here. They have moved to Otaefun area.

They have gone there to form a faction of the PDP. But, let us wait and see. We are still going to court tomorrow (Tuesday).”

However, when contacted, the newly elected secretary of the PDP in Osun, Prince Bola Ajao, confirmed the movement of the party apparatus to a new secretariat at Otaefun, along Ikirun road, but declined to give details of what informed the relocation.

Why Ajimobi is yet to sign Oyo 2016 budget

By Wale Akinselure

INDICATIONS have emerged that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has withheld assent to the 2016 budget passed by the state House of Assembly on March 22 over some “grey areas.”

The House of Assembly had in April presented the draft copy of the budget to the state governor who observed some “omissions in error” and demanded that corrections and amendments to some parts before the final copy is presented for signing.

Speaking on behalf of government, Special Adviser to the governor on Communications and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka said, “The House has done the needful and has returned it to the executive for signing and I assure you that within the next couple of days, you will hear more specifically as regards the signing of the budget. There are grey areas that are being reconciled and in the next days, we will get over that.”

Chairman, Oyo House Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Bolanle Agbaje, confirmed to Nigerian Tribune that the final copy of the budget was still within the House of Assembly, adding that once the observations made

by Ajimobi was considered, the final copy would soon be presented for signing.

Agbaje hinted that the adjustments would affect the final figure of N173,769,404,444 that was passed by the Oyo House of Assembly.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (fifth left) and his wife, Florence (sixth left), with Honourable Olajide Olatunbosun and delegates from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, during a courtesy visit in Ibadan, recently.

Oyo NMA repositions health sector, holds 4-day summit

By Vera Onana

THE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, in its bid to reposition the state’s health sector as admonished by the state governor convened a four day summit of stakeholders.

The summit, tagged “Setting the pace for health sector reform in the change era” kicked off on Monday, at Carlton Xclusive Hotel, Agodi, Ibadan.

While declaring the fourday event open, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the state’s ministry of health, Dr Yemisi Iyiola, said “a physician’s highest calling is to make sick people well but the challenges of this time have thrust more responsibilities on health workers.”

He expressed his joy at the fact that health practitioners in the state were willing to effectively play their roles while synergising efforts with the state government to ensure that good and affordable health care was available to every citizen.

He recognised also the effort of the NMA while assuring stakeholders at the summit that matters deliberated upon and conclusions arrived at would be used for the implementation of programmes and policies in Oyo State health sector.

Chairman of the event, immediate past president, central council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Adebayo Oyero, in his remark, be-

moaned the poor health of workers nationwide. “Nothing should be done to impair the overall well being of workers.” He therefore, charged the state government and by extension, the nation, to pay greater attention to primary health care and widen the coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), while making drugs available in hospitals.

In his welcome address, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State, Dr Babatunde Olatunji, said “we are all with one mission, to help reposition the health sector in Oyo State.” He lamented the very low rating of Nigeria’s health facilities, “the hospitals themselves are sick and must be cured first.” However, he stated that the summit would help revamp the sector.

National Grazing Reserves Bill misunderstood —Hon Karimi Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

THE member representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Hon Sunday Karimi, who sponsored the contentious National Grazing Routes and Reserves Bill, has described the public outcry over the bill as hasty and unnecessary.

Karimi, in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune in Lokoja, on Monday, said many of those that criticised the bill have not even read the content to understand the mo-

tive behind it.

According to him, the bill does not prejudice the right of the state governments to establish and legislate on grazing reserves to be controlled by them or establish ranches and criminalise indiscriminate grazing, adding that the bill would solve the problem of cattle rustling and herdsmen violence, among others.

Karimi noted that Nigerians should come up with their suggestions and modifications during a public hearing to be organised over the bill.

While dismissing the

fears expressed in many quarters that communities would lose their lands and ownership of such lands transferred to the herdsmen, the lawmaker said the lands to be allocated for grazing would be managed by a Grazing Reserves Commission to be established by the Bill with the commission having representatives in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT Abuja.

He disclosed that the membership is to be drawn from the Land Use Allocation Committee of each state and that of the F.C.T. Abuja.

Nigerian Tribune

Group pays solidarity visit to Aseyin, calls for protection of stool THE traditional Aseyin stool has been described as important than the individual that occupies the stool at any point in time, hence, should be given maximum protection by the indigenes.

This is the stand of a socio-cultural group, Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin while paying a solidarity visit to the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr Abd-Ganiy Salawudeen Adekunle Oloogunebi, at his palace on Sunday.

The Group, led by its governor, Mr Salawu Abiola, said the group paid the solidarity visit to charge the monarch to keep up with the efforts of bringing together sons and daughters of the town and promoting socio-economic activities of dwellers.

He lamented the situation whereby external forces try to break the unity and well-being of dwellers by using insiders to wedge divisions and creating enmity between the people and the palace, stressing that it was time true indigenes come together to develop the community.

Plant medicine also important —Prof Oyekole

By Tunde Adegbola

THE National SecretaryGeneral, National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Professor Dayo Oyekole, has said the relative importance of plant medicine cannot be over-emphasised as it can be a panacea to economy boost, adding that all over the world there is a glaring indication that the western form of medicine cannot cure all the diseases and imaging devastating epidemics that we are facing today Professor Oyekole made the declaration while delivering his keynote speech on the topic: ‘Plants and Traditional Medicine’ at a role modeling event organised by the 2015 African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellow, Mrs Adeola Oyetoro, at the Herbs Sellers’ Market, Oje, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He urged the Federal Government to emulate countries like China and India who invested about 40 per cent equity shares in the production herbal medicine to serve as an alternative means of generating revenue for their respective countries.

33

south-westnews

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

I will pursue political positions to re-create Awo’s vision for governance —Adebayo Shittu

By Tunde Ogunesan

M

INISTER of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has declared that he was prepared to run for political office that would enable him re-create Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s vision for good governance and development in his political career.

Shittu made this disclo-

sure on Monday, while featuring in a round table discussion in a programme organised by the League of Veteran Journalists, Oyo State, held at the Dapo Aderogba hall, Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

The Minister, who represented his constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly between 1979 and 1983, made this known

while answering questions on an alleged rumour on his political ambition, saying that “it is not a rumour again. I have made it known all the while about my ambition as one of the students of Chief Awolowo.

Some of us who trained under him must make effort to re establish the hopes, the vision and the benefits of the type of visionary leadership that he had.

“For me, it is work in progress by the grace of God, at the appropriate time I will continue to seek for positions of government so that the days of Chief Awolowo in government can be reestablished in Oyo State.”

On the grazing bill and the position of the state government, the Minister said “What matter is that we have a problem on our hands.”

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji (right) with the new Abese Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Adegbola and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Jumoke Adegbola, during installation ceremony of new chiefs by the Olubadan, at the Popoyemoja palace, Ibadan. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Ooni unveils 1million cocoa trees nursery to empower 100,000 youths, widows Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Monday, unveiled a nursery plant of one million cocoa pots and trees in the farmland of Ile-Ife, describing it as the first phase of the targeted 10 million cocoa seedlings aimed at empowering shortlisted 100, 000 youths and widows.

In a statement issued by the monarch’s director of media and public affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, the development was borne out of the need to tackle unemployment among Nigerian youths and also to create economic lifeline for widows affected by communal hostilities between Ile-Ife and Modakeke many years back.

According to the statement, which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Osogbo, “saddened by the unwarranted economically suicidal neglect of cocoa farming which was once a major foreign earning in Nigeria, especially in the Southwest, Oba Ogunwusi, who is the grand patron of the Graduate Farmers Association of Nigeria, has imperatively

chosen agriculture, cocoa to be specific, which now sells for about $3,000 dollars per tonne as a perfect alternative to the dwindling crude oil now selling below $40 dollars per barrel.”

The statement reads in part, “having identified agriculture as a veritable tool for enhancing living standard and wealth creation for the youth, we are leaving no stone unturned in this scheme of the largest cocoa plantation nursery in

Nigeria, targeting 10 million trees rolling in one million phases with the youths to get 2000 plants each from the nursery stage.”

“If we have stronger partnerships with government for it is a very capital intensive venture, it is not impossible to expand the cocoa plantation nursery to well over 100 million trees to be spread across the entire country just to bring back cocoa days to this country again.

While disclosing that

Oba Ogunwusi agricultural scheme was already attracting collaboration of Osun and federal governments, the statement added that “the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, had already given a nod of cooperation for our GREENFIELD to enjoy mechanisation to till the land for us to be able to plant the cash crop, the hybrids and the improved seedlings that will bring out 2000 kilogramme to be harvested all year round.”

Ondo 2016: APC aspirants condemn call for dissolution of party executive Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure AHEAD of the governorship election in Ondo State, some governorship aspirants under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), have frowned on the call for the dissolution of the state Executive Council and the delegates of the party, before the party’s primaries in August.

The aspirants, who include former Speaker in the state, Hon Victor Olabimtan; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in

2012 election, Chief Olusola Oke and a former lawmaker at the House of Representatives, Hon Derin Adesida, stated this in a statement signed by the trio.

According to the three aspirants, a newly constituted executive and delegates would put the party at an advantage but said personal interest should not be pursued at the detriment of party interest.

But some aspirants insisted on the dissolution of executive and delegates saying this will help to incorporate defectors from

PDP who recently joined the party, while the three aspirants said the party should make use of the present executives for the forthcoming primaries of the party.

The trio said they were contented with the executives and the delegates already put in place before they joined the party. In a joint statement, the trio said they were ready to subject their individual interest to the collective wish of the party to win the governorship election of the state on November 26.

He said, “We have cattle being reared in Oyo State and the cattle necessarily needs land to graze. If any government for that matter is refusing the provision of grazing lands that in itself would amount to discrimination to my mind.

“Discrimination in the sense that for instance in Oke-Ogun areas, we have Fulanis who have settled there for more than 100 years, they have christened their children Yoruba names, by the law of the land, they are also citizens of Oyo State, even if their roots can be found elsewhere. That they have to graze their cattle and we feel they don’t deserve to have grazing lands, what is the alternative that we are providing for them?

“The problem is a national one. A bill was raised to provide grazing lands in the National Assembly, which is believed to be the nationalist approach to solve the problem. Those who live and have cattle to graze cannot be expelled from Oyo State because they are citizens of Nigeria and by the law of Nigeria, no citizens can be expelled from where he chooses to live.

We are having a problem on our hands and anybody who says there must not be grazing land must provide alternative to the solution at hand,” Shittu said.

Winners emerge in Bola/Atinuke Ige scholarship scheme

By Nurudeen Alimi WINNERS have emerged in the second stage of the oratory contest among secondary school students tied to Bola and Atinuke Ige scholarship scheme.

The competition, which took place at the VALE College, Ibadan, saw Lawal Morufat (Female) and Olajide Boluwatife (Male) emerged winners in the Bola Ige scholarship junior category, while Okunola Mercy (Female) and Babatunde Hammed (Male) won the Atinuke Ige scholarship senior category.

According to one of the sponsors of the scheme, Mrs Funso Adegbola, who is also the Director of VALE College, the scholarship scheme was put in place to discover the oratory prowess of the students, the virtue which late Bola Ige was known for in his life time.

Nigerian Tribune

Remo Anglican Synod begins Thursday THE Third Session of the Eleventh Synod of Remo Anglican Diocese will hold at St James’ Anglican Church, Iperu Remo, from Thursday,19th to Sunday, 22nd May, 2016.

The theme for this year’s Synod is WHAT SHALL I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE? (Luke 18:18).

The Methodist Bishop of Remo Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Michael Akinwale; Rev’d Canon P. Akisanya will be ministering while there will be a special talk by Prof. P. Olatunji and Closing Sermon by Rt Rev’d Ohu, Methodist Bishop of Remo Central Diocese.

The official opening ceremony will hold on Friday, 20th May, 2016 at 10a.m. during which The President of the Synod, Rt Rev’d Dr M. O. Fape, Bishop of Remo Diocese, will be delivering his charge.

NBUN dissolves Oyo exco, inaugurates caretaker committee

By Tunde Adegbola THE National President, National Butchers Union of Nigeria (NBUN), Chief John Adun, has announced the dissolution of Oyo State/local government executives of the union and appointment of caretaker committee members to oversee the activities of the union till when election of new executive members would be conducted.

The dissolution was contained in a release issued by the national president of the union, after the meeting of the union, at the weekend.

The release further warned all suspended members to desist from parading themselves as leaders of the union henceforth; adding that the appointment of the caretaker committee was with immediate effect, promising that election of new officers would be conducted on or before 60 days.

The newly inaugurated caretaker committee members include Alhaji Ismaila Amode, Mr Adewale Orodiran, Mr Abdullahi Omolaja, Mr Babarinde Wahidi, Mr Abimbowo Rafiu, Mr Yisau Aare, Mr Lateef Adegoke, among others.

34 news I changed N111m for NIMASA official —BDC operator Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin -Lagos

A

T the continuation of the trial of a former Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Mr Callistus Nwabueze Obi and three others, an unlicensed Bureau De Change operator, Mallam Sulaiman Oseni, narrated how he changed the sum of N111 million to United States dollars for an official of the agency.

Oseni is a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(EFCC).

Nwabueze is standing trial before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, alongside Dismass Alu Adoon, Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment Limited, on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, converting and stealing the sum of N331 million belonging to NIMASA, in a charge marked FHC/L/148C/16.

At the resumed trial of the accused persons, Oseni informed the court that he changed the total sum of N111 million to dollars for

the second accused person, Adoon, on three occasions.

He told the court that he first changed to dollar, the sum of N12 million, which he handed over to him at NIMASA’s office in Apapa.

He also informed the court that after the first transaction, the second accused in the charge sent the sum of N49.5 million, on two occasions, which he equally changed to dollars and handed over to the accused at Park View, Ikoyi, Lagos.

He further informed the court that the said money were paid into his boss,

Mallam Koloni Mohammed’s account, since his company was not licensed.

However, during the cross-examination by the accused’s lawyer, Dr Joseph Nwobike, the witness told the court that he had known the accused before the transactions.

He also informed the court that he handed over the exchanged money to the accused the same day he transfered the money into Koloni’s account, the submission which was contradicted by the lawyer of the second accused.

S/Court appeal stalls Uzor Kalu’s re-arraignment Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE planned re-arraignment of former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, was on Monday, stalled due to a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.

The Federal Government had, in an amended charge, reduced the 107-count charge earlier slammed against the former governor to 32 counts.

Udeh Jones Udeogu and

Slok Nigeria Limited are listed as second and third defendants alongside Kalu in the charge.

The former governor was represented by Chief Awa Kalu (SAN).

When the case was called on Monday, counsel for the third defendant, Chief Solo Akuma, drew the attention of the court to the pending appeal by his client, Slok Nigeria Limited, before the Supreme Court which had not been heard.

He further informed the court that briefs in the appeal had been filed and exchanged, but no hearing date had been fixed for the appeal at the apex court.

Akuma also submitted that the appellant had applied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the Director, litigation of the Supreme Court for a hearing date.

“In the circumstances, we hereby apply for an ad-

journment to enable us sort out the appeal”, he prayed the court.

Responding, prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, confirmed the pendency of the appeal before the Supreme Court and, however, informed the court that the prosecution had filed an amended charge and served on the defendants.

The trial judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, later adjourned till June 30, 2016 for mention.

NIS intercepts trafficker, rescues 5 teenagers in Oyo

By Oluwatoyin Malik THE Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State, has arrested a human trafficker, Mr Frank Osifo, while five victims were rescued last Saturday, after the vehicle they were travelling in was intercepted on Iseyin axis of the state.

Disclosing this on Monday, the state Comptroller, Mrs Victoria E. Isang, who said the press briefing was to affirm the position of the Nigeria Immigration Service in the campaign against human trafficking and child labour, stated that the girls were trafficked from Benin City, Edo State, and were being taken to Burkina Faso for prostitution.

She gave the names of the girls as Iyamu Mary (20), Aideyan Bridget (16), Osarobo Orobosa (17), Naomi Aiyamekhue (16) and Okon Ella (18).

The Comptroller said her men at Iseyin border axis were able to intercept the adaptor/trafficker, Mr Fran Osifo (41) while another member of the syndicate, one Kola, escaped.

“They were on their way to Saki along with five trafficked victims whose age ranges between 16 and 20.

The intention was to transport them to Burkina Faso for prostitution,” Isang stated further.

She added that Mr Osifo, in his confessional state-

ment, mentioned other members of the syndicate, including Mr Eghe a.k.a Superstar (syndicate leader), Chris, Andrew and Kolawole - all indigenes of Edo State residing in Benin.

“According to the girls, the gang forcefully and illegally recruited them without the consent of their parents and had performed some initiation rites on them with the marks seen on their forehead, tongues and the backs of their necks,” the Comptroller told the Nigerian Tribune.

She said she decided to expose the deed so that Nigerians would know the dangers associated with human trafficking, while she sought media cooperation in enlightening the populace on

the inherent danger and evil consequences in human trafficking and child labour.

“Parents and guardians should be wary and careful of persons they give the custody of their children and wards to. The danger in this practice far outweighs the supposed advantages usually proposed to parents,” the Comptroller warned, saying that the traffickers explore the vulnerability of such parents by telling them that the children were being taken in search greener pastures.

One of the girls, Iyamu Mary, who claimed to be 20 years old, told the Nigerian Tribune that she was called by one Andrew who dangled the carrot of travelling abroad before her on Friday, May 13.

“Though I showed interest, I told Andrew that I was not ready. But before I knew it, he took me to a man called Superstar who made marks on our heads, tongues and back of our necks in a shrine. When I told him I wanted to go back home, Superstar said I could not go. We were later taken to a hotel same day.

“I was locked up with other girls in a hotel room, and from there, we were taken to the motor park on Saturday.

One of us overheard them discussing that we were to be taken to Malaysia. We were given black tops and trousers, and tutored to tell security agents on the way that we were going for our father’s burial,” Mary narrated.

No more state sponsorship for pilgrimage —Niger gov Adelowo Oladipo -Minna NIGER State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, on Monday, said the state would no longer sponsor pilgrims to Holy Lands of Jerusalem and Mecca.

Indication to this effect was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, in Minna, the state capital.

The governor said the present economic challenges in the country informed the decision of government to stop forthwith, state

sponsorship of intending Muslim pilgrims for Hajj in Saudi Arabia and Christians to Jerusalem in Israel.

“In view of the present national economic challenges - a situation well known to all- sponsorship of pilgrims to holy land to perform pilgrimage has been put on hold with immediate effect.

“Government is committed to supporting our people in fulfilling their religious obligations, but the dwindling economic fortunes of the state, in the face of other equally people-oriented demands, sponsorship of pil-

grims to Hajj and Jerusalem is, hereby, suspended,” the governor stated.

He, however, said that government would continue to be responsible for the sponsorship of officials to the holy lands to facilitate and ensure hitch-free pilgrimage to either lands.

Governor Bello then assured the people of his administration resolve to meet its obligations to the governments of Israel and Saudi Arabia for a hitch-free pilgrimage and to ensure welfare of pilgrims whenever on the holy lands.

Nwobike had informed the court that the accused person was not in the country on the date claimed by the witness.

The witness also informed the court that he did not know or meet the first accused person, Mr Obi, in the matter, when being cross-examined by Mr Olawale Akoni.

Prior to the evidence of Oseni, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, had earlier led-in-evidence another Bureau De Change operator, Mallam Mohammed, who informed the court that he changed a total sum of $350,000 for the accused persons through Oseni.

CORRECTION OF NAME

My correct name is ACHOBE AJODO not Achobe Samuel Joseph, henceforth. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

Mohammed informed the court that he never applied for any job neither did he do any job for NIMASA before the money was paid into his account.

He added that it was Mallam Oseni who collected his account details and gave it to the NIMASA officials, who later paid in the money.

The matter was adjourned till today, for continuation of trial.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Idayat Adeyemi now wish to be known and addressed as OYEBANJI IDAYAT. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

35 news Buhari tasks FRSC on enforcement of traffic rules

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

As Corps get 283 new operational vehicles Clement Idoko -Abuja

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, tasked the officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure strict enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations in order to stem the tide of carnages on the nation’s highway.

He frowned on the lingering issue of violation of oneway traffic by motorists and prominent public officials, within cities and inter-state roads, saying this had been the cause of fatal accidents and loss of lives.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd), spoke in Abuja during the commissioning of newly acquired 283 operational vehicles for the FRSC. The President while ordering the leadership of FRSC to tackle head-on some road infractions bordering on safety, drew the attention of the Corps to poor handling of cargo containers during haulage.

“There are numerous instances where poorly handled cargo containers have fallen off their haulage trucks on hapless road users. This phenomenon has contributed to several avoidable deaths every now and then,” he said.

He also urged FRSC to tackle the recurring problem of overloading of humans, animals and other cargoes beyond the approved capacity of the vehicles, especially by commercial road users ostensibly to maximise profit, but with attendant

consequence on the longevity of roads and safety of the passengers.

While tasking every Nigerian to be an active participant in the collective efforts to ensure safe motoring environment, President Bu-

THE organised labour in Nasarawa State has issued 48-hour ultimatum to the state government to reverse its decision on the deduction of 35 per cent workers’ salary in the state.

The Head of Civil Service of the state, Joseph Ancho, had last Friday, issued a statement to media houses in the state, announcing a 35 per cent deduction from workers salaries, citing economic downturn as the reason.

The chairman of the organised labour in the state, Abdullahi Adeka issued the ultimatum on Monday, shortly after the State Executive Council meeting of

tow truck and administrative vehicles, for the Corps in line with the administration’s desire to ensure safety and security of the citizens.

The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, in his

remark, said in line with the directive of the President, the Corps has commenced the training certification of convoy drivers aimed at preventing road traffic crashes involving convoys and government drivers.

From left, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi; representatives of the President/Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau; Minister of State for Health, Professor Osagie Ehanire and the chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs, Senator Tijjani Kaura, during the commissioning of newly acquired operational vehicles for FRSC, in Abuja, on Monday. Inset are the vehicles. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Govt is not bazaar, el-Rufai tells Kaduna elite Muhammad Sabiu -Kaduna KADUNA State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has told the elite that anyone who thinks government is a bazaar, or a last resort for their greed, should know that his administration is opposed to such practices.

Speaking during the inauguration of boards of five parastatals in Kaduna, the governor said the parastatals had mandates that were

Labour issues 48 -hour- reversal ultimatum to Nasarawa govt over salary cut Godwin Agwam- Lafia

hari, said road safety was not the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government.

He added that his administration approved the procurement of 283 operational vehicles including ambulances, patrol vehicles,

the organised labour.

Adeka lamented that workers in the stated had sacrificed a lot for the development of the state, adding that they should not be treated as fools.

“The workers in Nasarawa State have sacrificed a lot for the state, for instance, we forfeited 4 months arrears arising from the minimum wage, six years promotion, five years annual increment and a host of other benefits,” he said.

He, therefore, urged state government to wear a human face towards workers in the state, saying the deduction would bring untold hardship to the workers in view of the current economic downturn.

aligned to the goals of the restoration programme, adding that they would help strengthen the public service.

The agencies were the Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA), the Kaduna Facility Management Agency (KADFAMA), the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) and the Kaduna State Bureau of Pensions.

According to el-Rufai: “The government paid N2.7 billion in wages and pension in May 2015. That is why we commenced the verification of the public service payroll from June 2015.

“If we had not done verification, we would have had

to borrow N300 million just to pay salaries. If government is designed to provide a legitimate machinery to organise society and provide public goods, then its resources cannot be legitimately spent only on servicing itself.

“Anyone who thinks government is a bazaar, or a last resort for fund for their greed should know that we oppose such practices, and we certainly don’t have the money to fritter on the vanities of the elite” “It is immediately apparent from their names that some of these parastatals are brand new.

“Their emergence is to give effect to our quest to lay a stronger institutional foundation for the public service as a committed and effective

provider of services for the people of Kaduna State.

“Everyone can identify and lament the limitations that hobble public agencies, but our duty is to actively take steps to strengthen these agencies in the overall interest of the state,” the governor said.

Governor el-Rufai added that “All the five agencies whose boards we are inaugurating today have mandates that are aligned to the core of the Restoration Programme that we presented as our roadmap for governance during the election campaigns.

“We promised to make this state attractive to private investors who can create multiples of the few direct jobs that government can offer,” he said.

Lalong assures workers of prompt salary payment Isaac Shobayo -Jos PLATEAU State governor, Simon Bako Lalong, has stated that the payment of 13 months salary arrears owed the workers by the previous administration was part of the proprities of his government to meet the yearnings of the people.

The governor, who stated this during the 2016 annual Kiim Tehi Festival at Tunkus in Mikang Local Government Area of the state, said the kind of mess inherited by the administration would require hard

work to clean up.

Represented by the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Mr Festus Fuanter, he assured that as soon as things took shape, the people would be happy with the administration and would not regret voting for APC. “We inherited 13 months backlog of salary arrears but within 10 months, we were able to clear the backlog, we are committed to our obligation of prompt payment of salary,” he stated.

The management chairman of Mikang Local Gov-

ernment Area, Mr Vuelgap Ezekiel Pabuet commended Governor Lalong for tackling insecurity head-on through dialogue and consultation with relevant interest groups, associations, traditional rulers, politicians, resulting in relative peace in the state.

“I have held tenaciously to the five pillars policies of the rescue administration of the Lalong government in Plateau State, geared towards good governance, accountability, and provision of security to the citizenry,” he said.

LAUTECH holds international conference on climate change LADOKE Aintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, will host a threeday international conference on climate change.

The conference, being organised by both the Departments of Urban and Regional Planning and Crop and Environmental Protection, has as theme: “Climate change impact, adaptation and mitigation strategies.”

It is scheduled to commence tomorrow and end on Saturday at the Chief Afolabi Lecture Theatre of the institution.

According to a release signed by chairman of the local organising committee, Professor Thompson Adeboyejo, the conference would be an avenue to engender ways of reducing the processes of climate change and to produce literatures that would further enlighten the citizens on climate change and its effects globally.

Professor Shem O. Wandiga, Director, Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Nairobi, Kenya, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, Professor A.S. Gbadegesin, will declare the conference open.

138 medicine shops sealed off in Delta Alphonsus Agborh -Asaba AT least, about 138 pharmacies and patent medicine shops in Delta State have been sealed off by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) for various offences.

Made up of 27 pharmacies and 111 patent medicine shops, their offences ranged from dispensing poison without due supervision of a pharmacist, poor storage conditions, selling medicine above the approved list for patent medicine vendors, non-registration, among others.

The Director and Head of Inspection and Monitoring Department of PCN, Mrs. Antonia Aruya, at press conference in Asaba, at the weekend, said the action was taken when the council discovered that regulatory requirement was not met by the offenders.

Aruya explained that anyone wishing to start a pharmacy or patent medicine shop is required to apply for location for approval so as to determine the suitability of the location for pharmaceutical activity or the sale of medicines.

36 news

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Don extols Awo’s virtues, carpets Buhari on anti-corruption war

By Nurudeen Alimi

A

university don, Dr Gbade Ojo, has extolled the visionary leadership style of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, describing the legacies he left behind as unmatched .

He said this while delivering a lecture in commemoration of the 29th anniversary of the passage of the sage at an event organised by the students of Lead City University, Ibadan, under the aegis of “Lead City Voices.”

Speaking on the topic tagged: “The change mantra: Learning from Awo’s legacies,” Ojo averred that undoubtedly, Awo’s legacies cut across virtually all areas of governance, adding that his legacies were so profound that the records were yet to be matched in virtually all areas by the current crops of politicians.

He noted that Awolowo’s exemplary leadership style cut across education, health, agric, among others.

“His legacy was not restricted to education and health alone. He equally devoted his attention to agric. Cocoa was the main stay of the region’s economy then ,being an agrarian society. What Awo did was to strengthen the production of cocoa. With an efficient marketing board, cocoa production output improved. The cocoa building at Dugbe in Ibadan, is a living testimony,” The associate professor of Comparative Politics of the University of Ilorin, further stressed that a year after the unique transition from civilian to another civilian government when the ruling party at the federal level caved in for the opposition party to form government, Nigerians are still waiting for the promised change, which he opined, has not been really felt by most Nigerians.

“It is important to note that the only thing the Federal Government is doing is war against cor-

ruption, which at best, is just a cosmetic exercise for now, which in a dispassionate view, is intended to discredit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)led government and boost the legitimacy rating of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

“Whereas, a meaningful war against corruption must be total rather than

mere recovery of loot that is ongoing,” he said.

He advised the Federal Government in its bid at fighting corruption to make it all-encompassing by allowing general re-orientation of Nigerians.

“Be as it is, contemporary public office holders should not be mere managers of the system but should come up with

of learning might not appreciate the life and times of Chief Awolowo.

“Public perception of history as a subject and discipline, is indeed, warped.

This may not be unconnected with the ongoing economic down turn, which even rendered core professionals either unemployed or under-employed,” he said.

From left, former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi and the chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Yerima, at a stakeholders’ conference on the maritime industry, in Lagos, on Monday. PHOTO: Nan

I will resist imposition, Edo APC governorship aspirant vows Christian Okeke - Abuja The crack within the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened as governorship aspirants under the party, on Monday, vowed to resist imposition of candidate by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

One of the aspirants, Mr Blessing Agbomhere, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, on behalf of some of the aspirants, accused the governor of being desperate to impose a particular candidate on the party for the forthcoming governorship election.

He alleged that the action was fuelling a threat to a peaceful process of electing a candidate from among the aspirants.

Agbomhere condemned

the statement credited to the governor that there was no problem with APC in the state.

The aspirant also condemned what he described as an attempt to rubbish the fact-finding panel led by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and set up by the national secretariat of the

34, Ambo Street, Calabar.

The priests are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the area.

Mr Michael Effiong, a resident of Itam Street, Calabar South Local Government Area, also told the Nigerian Tribune that another pregnant member, was also beaten and stabbed by the armed robbers when she screamed for help.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that residents in the area and faithful of the religious organisation have suffered daily violent at-

party to resolve the rancour in the state wing.

“If Adams Oshiomhole is truly a member of APC, who believes in the party’s constitution, he should have known that his godson is not qualified to be governor of Edo State as the godson has never voted for APC in any election in the State and he has never

supported the party, its candidates as well as any APC’s programme.

“If Adams is a member of APC, he must know that loyalty to the party must be appreciated.”

“I am a foundation member of APC. I have sacrificed for the victories of APC.”

Oshiomhole injects N2bn into Edo economy The economy of Edo State has received a major boost as the sate governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, injected N2 billion into the economy through the presentation of cheques to 10,000 beneficiaries of the state Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund (MSMEDF).

Speaking during the

Robbers attack 3 female priests in Calabar Anthony Ubong - Calabar Three female priests of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Calabar, Cross River State, were reportedly attacked and dispossessed of a huge sum of money and other valuables by armed robbers, last weekend, on their way to morning service.

It was gathered that they were robbed and stabbed in the neighbourhood of Mbukpa/Ambo axis, as they left their homes for morning service at the BCS world headquarters,

robust public policies that could enhance the welfare of Nigerians,” he said.

He said the lecture became imperative at this time when history had been relegated to the background, adding that it was indeed, auspicious now when most pupils at both primary and secondary school levels along with those in the tertiary level

tacks by the robbers.

Also, at the weekend, at about 7.00 p. m, seven young men were said to have posed as customers, when they entered a supermarket on Mbukpa Road, close to Brotherhood headquarters and collected the sales proceeds of the day with unspecified items at gunpoint.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), John Eluu, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mbukpa Police Station, had alreafy been directed to increase surveillance in the area.

presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of the scheme in Benin city, on Monday, Governor Oshiomhole said, “the whole idea is to help you sustain or advance your businesses and your cooperative society. The 18 local government areas and the 192 wards are well represented.”

Oshiomhole enjoined the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously for the purpose for which it was given, saying “It is our hope and prayer that you use the money judiciously.”

It is meant not to improve the quality of soup today but to lay a foundation that will lead to improvement in the quality of soup. So, the money mustn’t be diverted to catfish or grass cutter. Our husbands must be properly briefed that this fund is meant to set up or sustain a business.”

Every kobo out of it must be judiciously used. That is the only way the intention of the state government can be fulfilled and the prayers of President

Muhammadu Buhari can be achieved to empower the Nigerian woman to be stronger and to contribute to economic growth and development.”

“What we are trying to do is to help you solve the problems that afflict a lot of small scale businesses, namely access to credit. I hope having made the fund available, you will also use it strictly for the purpose for which it was meant.

Earlier, the chairman of Edo State Economic Team, Mr Godwin Obaseki, had said the scheme is a grassroots empowerment initiative, designed to provide access to funds for small business operators, “This event, which we have titled ‘Grassroots empowerment initiative of Edo State government’ is a N2 billion fund, which has been designed by the Federal Government in collaboration with Edo State government to give micro, medium and small enterprises money for their businesses.

Court arraigns woman over alleged N9m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, arraigned one Bisi Lillian Olagunju, before Justice Munta Abimbola of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, on a three-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

Bisi, who allegedly claimed to be a special adviser to an Urban and Rural Development Committee chairman of the National Assembly, was arrested and charged sequel to a petition from one Abiodun Julius, alleging that he paid her a total sum of N9 million in tranches to help him secure a job for his brother at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and also facilitate contracts for the supply of computers to the National Assembly.

One of the counts reads: “That you Bisi Lillian Olagunju sometime in November 2015, at Ibadan, within the Ibadan judicial division, with intent to defraud, obtained a sum of N5 million from one Abiodun Julius, under the false pretence that the money represented part payment to secure a contract for the supply of computers to the National Assembly and which pretence you knew was false”.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her. Justice Abimbola granted her bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.

OPC dissociates self from partisan politics in Kwara Biola Azeez- Ilorin

Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Kwara State, has said that arrested suspects during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state congress in Ilorin, last week, are not members of the organisation.

Recently, some people armed with arms and ammunition, including charms, were arrested during the PDP state congress at the Stella Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, Ilorin, by men of the police.

Speaking with journalists after the monthly congress of the organisation, in Ilorin, at the weekend, the state coordinator of OPC, Mr Ganiyu Oladipo, said that none of his members took part in politicking, adding that the group would never be dragged into politics.

He, however, urged that thorough investigation be conducted to confirm the actual identity of the security outfit involved in the act.

37

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Tanzania purges 10,000 ghost workers in anti-corruption drive Tanzania has removed more than 10,000 “ghost workers” from its public sector payroll a crackdown on corruption.

Payments to the non-existent employees had been costing the government more than $2m (£1.4m) a month, according to the prime minister’s office.

The authorities say they are continuing to audit the public payroll and expect to find more phantom workers.

President John Magufuli, who was elected in October, has promised to cut wasteful public expenditure in office.

He ordered the audit in March, calling for the money saved to be used towards development.

Nicknamed the bulldozer, Mr Magufuli has announced a range of costcutting measures since coming to power, including cancelling official celebrations for independence day.

Tanzania spends more than $260 million a month paying the salaries of its estimated 550,000 public workers, Reuters news agency reports.

“We intend to have workers in government who are honest, accountable and hardworking.

This is our priority and it is a non-stop initiative,” Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told Tanzanians

President John Magufuli. PHOTO: AFP

living in the UK, according to local newspaper The Guardian.

The prime minster was speaking after attending

a major anti-corruption summit in the UK capital, London, last week.

Tanzania is ranked 117

World powers have said they are ready to lift an arms embargo on Libya and equip the unity government in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) and other groups.

The joint decision, ac-

counted by United States Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday, followed a meeting in Vienna which was attended by diplomats from more than 20 countries.

The United States, four other permanent United

out of 167 nations by Transparency International on its perception of corruption index.

April breaks global temperature record April was the seventh month in a row that broke global temperature records, Nasa figures show.

Last month smashed the previous record for April by the largest margin ever, the data show.

That makes it three months in a row that the monthly record was broken by the largest margin ever.

But in terms of its departure from the 1951-1980 temperature average used

by Nasa, April was equal with January 2016.

BBC reported that February and March this year showed greater departures from the norm.

The new record for April trounced the previous one, set in 2010, by 0.24C. “The very unfortunate circumstance we have now is

Libya: World powers ready to arm unity government

Libyans canvass for a new state after civil unrest for years. PHOTO: REUTERS

otherNEWS

Nations Security Council members and the more than 15 other nations participating in talks on Libya said they are “ready to respond to the Libyan government’s requests for training and equipping” government forces.

“The Government of National Accord has voiced its intention to submit appropriate arms embargo exemption requests to the UN Libya Sanctions Committee to procure necessary lethal arms and materiel to counter UN-designated terrorist groups and to combat (ISIL) throughout the country,” Kerry said.

“We will fully support these efforts while continu-

ing to reinforce the UN arms embargo.”

The conference was cochaired by Kerry and his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni.

While the statement spoke of intentions, the fact that all five permanent Security Council members back the plan to arm the internationally backed government means that it is unlikely to face significant opposition from any quarter.

the overlap of a very intense El Nino that has been magnified by climate change,” said Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“All of these record breaking temperatures and attendant implications that we have had, such as record breaking fires for example, and droughts in India are all reminders that we cannot afford to do anything except to accelerate the solution agenda - we absolutely have no other option but to accelerate.”

Gavin Schmidt, director of the Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies, which analyses global temperature datasets, tweeted: “With Apr[il] update, 2016 still (greater than) 99 per cent likely to be a new record (assuming historical ytd (year-to-date)/ann(ual) patterns valid).”

Several northerly regions, including the US state of Alaska, saw very hot temperatures during April - a pattern repeated in previous months.

The records for April will also raise questions about the achievability of a goal to hold global warming to 1.5C that was agreed at the Paris climate talks in December 2015.

Colombian Police make largest drug bust in country’s history

South Africa’s ANC accuses US of pushing ‘regime change’

African National Congress spokesman, Zizi Kodwa. PHOTO: TWITTER

The spokesman of South Africa’s ruling party has accused the United States government of trying to “undermine the (country’s) democratically elected government” - though representatives from both governments dismissed the claims and say their

relationship is strong.

African National Congress spokesman Zizi Kodwa’s comments follow a story in the British Sunday Times that said the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency helped South Africa’s apartheid government arrest Nelson Mandela in

1962.

That report quotes a now-dead retired CIA agent who said the U.S. saw Mandela as a communist sympathizer.

Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his opposition to the racist apartheid regime.

ter management and refugee affairs, said on Monday the expulsions were part of regular crackdowns on those living illegally in the country and were not targeting Burundians specifically.

“We had a number of Burundians scattered across the country who had no documents,” she said.

Rwanda has been hosting tens of thousands of people who have fled more than

a year of political violence in Burundi and others who have been there for work, often without formal permission.

“They were asked to go to refugee camps or return back to Burundi,” the governor of Burundi’s Kirundo province next to the Rwandan border, Melchior Nankwahomba, told the Reuters news agency.

“Those who refused to go to

refugee camps were chased ... and stripped of their possessions,” he said, adding that they were pushed out by local officials.

Rwanda expels over 1,500 Burundians as relations fray Rwanda has expelled more than 1,500 Burundians in the past week after they refused to move to refugee camps, according to Burundian officials.

Monday’s move is the latest of the signs that a political crisis is testing the already tense relations between the neighbouring central African countries.

Seraphine Mukantabana, Rwandan minister of disas-

President Pierre Nkurunziza.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Police officers stand guard over seized cocaine they present to the press. PHOTO: AP

Colombian police have said they had seized eight tons of cocaine from the country’s most active criminal syndicate, the Usuga clan.

In a statement, police said they found the drugs hidden on a banana plantation near the border with Panama, in Colombia’s northwest Uraba region, VOA said.

“The biggest seizure of drugs in history, a hit against criminals,” Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter.

Police said they arrested three people in the opera-

tion, but another three escaped. Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said nearly 1.5 tons of the cocaine was packaged and “ready to go out.”

Each year, police said, the Usuga clan sends tons of cocaine into the United States.

U.S. authorities have offered a $5million reward for the capture of the gang’s leader.

Colombia is the leading coca growing country in the world, and produces 442 tons of cocaine from the crop each year, according to the United Nations.

38

communitynews

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Osun communities protest location of LCDA hqtrs in Iree

T

he people of Ada, Aagba and Ororuwo communities, formerly under Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, have protested against naming Iree as the headquarters of the newly created Boripe North Local Council Development Area by the state government.

The protesters, including youths and market women, last Friday carried placards and moved around the three communities to express their dissatisfaction with the position of the state government in the matter.

Speaking with reporters after the protest, the chairman, Ada Development Council, Mr.Adewale Olugbemiga Abimbola, said that the protest was meant to make the state government know that it had done a great injustice to the three communities by going against the wishes of their people and making Iree the headquaters of the new LCDA. He said: “Following the announcement of Iree as the purported headquarters of Boripe North Local Council Development Area by the government of Osun State on the 8th of March, 2016, the three communities of Ada, Aagba and Ororuwo that jointly presented and requested for the location of Boripe North LCDA headquarters at Modaa, Ada spontaneously and unanimously registered their objection

and dissatisfaction via a letter of protest dated March12, 2016.

“The said letter of protest was addressed to Governor Rauf Aregbesola and was presented to him by the combined entourage of eminent personalities led by the three traditional rulers of Ada, Aagba and Ororuwo during their visit of14th March, 2016 to the Government House in Osogbo.”

He disclosed that the communities after several consultations and review of the issue across the

strata of traditional rulers, council of chiefs, religious groups, opinion and political leaders, youths, market men and women, resolved to hold a stakeholders’ meeting of the three communities on 29 March, 2016 at Olona’s Palace, Ada. According to him, through the communique signed by the Olona of Ada, Oba Abimbola Olalekan Abioye II, the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Ilufemiloye Ogunwole Kujosin I and the Regent of Ororuwo, High Chief James Ko-

lapo Dada, after the meeting, the three communities made some demands from the state government.

He said the three communities have resolved to press further their demands with “this protest” because the state government was not taking any concrete step to redress “this ungodly and inhuman act against our collective sensibitities.”

Earlier, the chairman of Aagba Development Council, Honourable Anthony Oladipupo, read out their five-point demands as con-

tained in the comminique.

He said the three communities would remain undaunted in their request for Modaa, Ada as the headquarters of Boripe North LCDA. He said: “We unequivocally state that the chairman of the state LCDA Boundary Committee should never make Ada, Aagba and Ororuwo part of Boripe North LCDA under Iree as its headquarters.”

Also, the chairman of Ororuwo Development Council, Mr. Folorunso

The Resident Pastor of Ajegunle Baptist Church, Agbowo, Ibadan, Reverend (Dr) Emmanuel Oyekan, has handed over all the documents of his building located in Ogbomoso to Bowen University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, for community Primary Healthcare service.

At the presentation of the documents to

Members of Ada, Aagba and Ororuwo communities protesting the location of Boripe LCDA headquarters in Iree.

authorities of the hospital, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Matthews Ojo and dedication of the building held recently, the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend (Dr) Samson Ayokunle, eulogised the benefactor for his good gesture to the university and the entire Ogbomoso community.

According to him, “the

donor has established a legacy worthy of emulation among members of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. “ This gesture is historic in the Nigerian Baptist Convention: A full-time pastor is donating the first house ever built by him for the use of the community even when he has no other one. As a matter of fact, with this gesture, he has opened the

door for God to bless him abundantly,” the president said.

Speaking in the same vein, the vice chancellor, while commending the benefactor for the donation, expressed the institution’s determination to put the building into proper use for the purpose it was given, saying that the university will equip it adequately with facilities and personnel

Delta communal clash: Peace committee inaugurated shola adekola-lagos

The Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, has inaugurated a peace committee to work towards reconciling Okpolo-Enwhe and Igbide communities both of Isoko South Local Government Area following clashes last week that claimed lives and properties.

Malaria: LAPO offers free community service

By Nurudeen Alimi

Baptist pastor donates building for primary healthcare

By Kehinde Adio

Oderinu, wondered how Iree, which he said was never part of the agitation for the new LCDA with the three communities could be made the headquarters.

However, he said that the three communities would continue to dialogue with government and maintain peace over the matter.

According to local sources, the clashes broke out when militant youths from Okpolo-Enwhe community allegedly attacked their Igbide neighbours. Although the immediate cause of the attack is unknown, both communities have been locked in an age-long dispute over farmland.

A source in Igbide claimed that members of

the community had endured harassments from Okpolo-Enwhe people for some time prior to the attack Some members of Igbide community also alleged that two of their indigenes, Oghenekaro Ogbo and Okorofa Erobi, were abducted by rampaging OkpoloEnwhe militants, while houses were vandalised, including the Church of

God Mission at Owodokpokpo-Igbide.

Local sources also confirmed that several houses were vandalised and burnt at Okpolo-Enwhe community by the people of Igbide.

Presently, tension remains high in both communities in spite of the deployment of soldiers, who have restored normalcy in the area.

to serve all the communities in the area.

In his response, the benefactor, attributed the donation to God’s will and not his personal decision.

He said: “While the construction of the building was going on some years back, God told me to give it out for community service. I did not do it all alone; my wife, children and parents endorsed the action. I believe this is giving back to the community and the church that made me. My mother taught me sacrificial giving. I remember when I collected my first salary, she told me to take the whole money to the house of God and she was giving me pocket money throughout that month. I learnt from her that you do not have to wait till when you have surplus before you can give.”

Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), a non-governmental organisation, has offered free medical service to pregnant women in Inalende community in Ibadan North Local Governemnt Area of Oyo State.

Speaking during the programme designed to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day with the theme: “End Malaria for Good,” the Executive Director of LAPO, Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, who was represented by the organisation’s Programme Director, Olawale Oluwakemi, noted that malaria constituted a burden in Africa and continues to cripple economic development in the region.

She further held that the ailment remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria with all-year transmission and 97 per cent of the population at risk.

Idowu-Osehobo also hinted that Nigeria accounts for 32 per cent of the global estimate of 655,000 deaths occasioned by malaria annually.

The community-based malaria intervention by LAPO, she said, was aimed at reducing the socio-economic burden of malaria on individuals and members of their households.

“In 2015, LAPO created widespread awareness on malaria through information, education and communication materials.

We distributed insecticide treated nets and provided free malaria screening service to 39,764 beneficiaries across target communities,” she said.

She reiterated LAPO’s continued support for the malaria control efforts of government.

Pregnant women and other residents of Inalende were tested for malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes and others while those who required treatment were given drugs free of charge.

39 tribunesport

Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Plateau Utd asks Baraje to step aside Isaac Shobayo-Jos

Rio Olympics: D’Tigers will make

Nigeria proud —NBBF President, Umar

By Olawale Olaniyan

P

resident of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF, Mr Tijjani Umar has expressed optimism that the country’s basketball team, D’Tigers will have a good showing at the forthcoming Rio Olympics.

Umar, who is also the vice president of the NOC, pointed out that the team’s major preoccupation remains how to give a good account of itself in Brazil and not winning medal.

Speaking at the Multichoicesponsored 2016 All Stars Basketball Championship last weekend in Abuja, he lauded the company for promoting the game.

“I want the media to be very positive about what we are doing. I am a member of the NOC. I want you to read about the olympic creed, what the IOC says the about Olympic is for one to take part, the essence is to take part not to win. To display that human spirit, that ability to make environment great, not necessarily to triumph. So if you win, there is medal around your neck that is icing on the cake.

“We have never had talents like these players that are going to Rio. So I am not a coach, I am only a manager and it is going to be wrong for me to tell you that we are going to win a medal or not. If we pick it fine, but I believe our players are going to play the best of basketball in Rio. I am sure of that. We have the talents,” Umar told Tribunesport.

He noted that Nigeria is progressing in the game.

“Everything is evolutionary, we are moving forward, we are learning lessons, DStv told us

they have seen an arena they love for the game of basketball which is the National Stadium Abuja sports hall and I am satisfied with what I saw here today.

“Tonight has been great, I have seen real basketball and I am proud that they are the best talents we have in the country. The selection of the players was appropriate and you could see that we got talents in Nigeria. Some of them, I am seeing them for the first time but I am proud of them.

“We begin to hope that we can organise something we see outside the shores of this country as people will begin to invest in basketball as well.

“The people who are making decision in term of sports in this country are here, the Sports Minister, the Chairman, House Committee on Sports in the House of Representatives, the Chairman, Nigeria Olympic Committee, former NOC members, Nigeria Tennis President. It is about telling them that we need all the support. We have an idea, we know what to do, but we can’t do it with the words of mouth.

As DStv is there on the one hand, government is there on the other hand and we (NBBF) are here in the centre, the future is very bright for the game,” Umar said.

The management of Plateau United of Jos, a Nigeria Premier League side has asked its technical adviser, Zachary Baraje to step aside.

This came on the heels of the 1-1 draw recorded by the newlypromoted side last Sunday, before its teeming fans at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos in a match day 17 NPFL clash with El-Kanemi Warriors.

According to a statement signed by the media officer of the club, Albert Dakup and made available to Tribunesport in Jos, it pointed out that the decision became necessary in view of the dwindling performance of the team.

“An an ambitious team determined to make a good impression in the NPFL, management noted with concern recent performance as unacceptable.

“The club observed a communication gap between the technical adviser and his assistants and the players which is affecting the success of the team,” the statement held.

It also reads that the “management laments that despite the free hand given to the technical adviser, he has not been able to justify the huge confidence reposed in him by turning the fortunes of the team around to compete favourably with its counterparts in the top flight“.

The statement further held that “With this development, former captain of the team, Victor Wickadason who only returned to the

main team recently after several years in the feeder team is to take over as head of the technical crew.”

Mexico, Toriola, others arrive for ITTF Nigeria Open

Mexico became the first country to arrive in Lagos for the ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open, as Francebased duo of Salvador Uribe and Mercedes Madrid touched down aboard an Air France flight in Lagos.

Also, Nigeria’s Segun Toriola joined the league of foreign legions who will compete in the $46,000 prize money tournament which serves off on Wednesday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Nigeria’s most successful table tennis players - Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike had their first training session on Monday in readiness for the competition.

In the men’s doubles, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun have been seeded number one.

Also on Monday, players from Egypt, Ghana and Portugal arrived in Lagos for the championship Players from Cameroon, Tunisia, Morocco and others are expected to arrive today for the draws scheduled for the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

According to the Secretary General of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Chinedu EzealaOgundare, the stage is set for the championship as all arrangements have been concluded for a successful competition.

I’m not aware of Ikhana’s resignation—3SC boss

By Olawale Olaniyan The General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Mr Rasheed Balogun has declared that he is yet to be notified of the resignation of the team’s technical adviser, Kadiri Ikhana.

The media have been awashed with the resignation of Ikhana, who cited part of the reasons he called it quits after barely five months in charge of the Oluyole Warriors.

“As far as I am concerned, I’m yet to believe that coach Kadiri Ikhana has resigned as technical adviser of our team.

“Though I learnt he has dropped his letter to the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Honourable Niyi Adesina, but as General Manager of the team, I’m yet to be notified,” Balogun told Tribunesport by phone.

On who is likely to be Ikhana’s successor, Balogun said: “Even if Ikhana resigns, we won’t rush to get another coach because if we go for another coach, where do we get money to pay him?”

He stated that he had a robust relationship with the former Enyimba coach

saying “we are in good terms even till the team went for the match in Bauchi.”

Ikhana had told Tribunesport after 3SC lost 0-6 to Kano Pillars in Kano, that poor funding was affecting the performance of his team this season.

“The players are playing on

empty stomachs. So, motivation is lacking. Even, I am being owed two months salary now and maybe by the time I spend up to two years, they will be owing me a year salary,” said the man who led Nigeria to win the CAF Champions League for the first time in 2003.

Wike lauds W/African Golf hosting in P/Harcourt Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has described the West African Golf Tournament held in Port Harcourt as a further proof that the state remains secure for investments, sports and tourism.

He said this last Sunday while speaking at the Golf Course of Port Harcourt Club where golf professionals from West Africa competed during the tournament.

Wike said in spite of media propaganda to discredit his ad-

ministration’s high profile, events planners had continued to prefer Rivers State, adding that their preference for the state stemmed from the knowledge of the reality on the ground.

“I feel so happy that the entire sub-region have gathered here in Port Harcourt for this prestigious golf tournament.

“These high profile golf professionals have seen first-hand that all they read in the newspapers are merely sponsored propaganda. Rivers State is safe for

sporting events and business investments,” he said.

Wike noted that his administration deliberately improved infrastructure to make the state attractive for the hosting of high profile events, saying this would energise hotel patronage and other tourism-related activities.

He promised that his administration would continue to support sports because of its capacity to keep people mentally and physically fit, in addition to creating business opportunities.

SIDELINES

no 16,502

Tuesday, 17 may, 2016

A suspected burglar, one Dasuki now in custody in Ogun State, claimed he possessed a charm to make his victims fall asleep while he raided their homes unchallenged. The Police recovered 56 assorted handsets, 10 plasma TV sets, desk and lap top computers and bales of cloth from Dasuki's house. If one may ask, why couldn't he turn all the stolen items to rags or make the policemen to fall asleep again?

n150

Rio Olympics:

Onyali tips Team Nigeria to win 3 medals Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

F

Neymar

ORMER African track queen, Mary Onyali, has predicted that Team Nigeria would win, at least, three medals at the forthcoming Rio Olympics.

Against all predictions, Nigerian athletes, including the reigning African queen, Blessing Okagbare, flopped at the London 2012 Olympics, making the contingent to return home without any medal.

Speaking with Tribunesport in Abuja, Onyali stated that she was very comfortable with the state of athletes who will represent Nigeria at Rio 2016.

The former African champion based her optimism on the fact that the country could boast of better athletes now not only in athletics, but also in all sports, adding that Nigeria did not

want an encore of London Games.

"I hope that we will get a medal.

We don't want what happened in 2012 to repeat itself. They (Team Nigeria) need to get, at least, one medal in a worst case scenario.

"It is going to be a very tough one but we have better athletes now than we had in 2012. For those who have qualified, I am very, very comfortable now not just in athletics, but in all the other sports that we are going to get minimum of three medals. I don't know the colours but three medals," Onyali told Tribunesport.

She stated that though everybody placed their expectations on Okagbare to make up for her poor London Games performance, other athletes could still spring surprises at Rio 2016.

According to Onyali, though Okagbare was the one-man riot squad for Nigeria, there were other Nigerian athletes training around the world who could team up with the Delta State-born reigning African queen.

"Yes, she's been the one-man riot, one woman-riot up on till now but anything can happen between now and the Olympics. We still have our national trials which we have not conducted. So, between now

Onyali

and when the trials will be conducted and with athletes training in other parts of the world, there might just be one or two persons to supp o r t her in other sports," Onyali stated.

Onyali further expressed satisfaction with the preparation of Nigerian athletes for the quadrennial Games.

I'm not happy over Pellegrini's departure—Iheanacho Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho says he is "not happy" to see manager Manuel Pellegrini leave the club this summer.

Pellegrini took charge of his final game in charge of City on Sunday, a 1-1 draw against Swansea City which assured The Citizens of a top-four finish.

Pep Guardiola will officically take up the reins on July 1 and is expected to oversee an overhaul of the current squad, with a handful of players set to be shown the door.

Iheanacho with 14 goals in his maiden campaign, but he says he will miss working alongside Pellegrini, who took him on City's pre-season tours in 2014 and 2015 and handed him a prominent role in the

squad this season.

“I am not quite happy that he is going, but this is the

football world and anything can happen," he told reporters. "I just wish him good

luck wherever he goes, and will be praying for him and hope to see the future.''

No Brazilian wants Olympics gold more than me —Neymar FC Barcelona star, Neymar has said he desires Olympics gold than any Brazilian player.

He says sitting out of the Copa America is worth it for the chance to lead Brazil to gold in front of a home crowd at the Rio Olympics in August.

The forward will miss next month’s Copa America to captain the Selecao’s quest for the one title which they are yet to claim.

And the 24-year-old says nobody wants the gold medal more than he does.

“I am ready to take responsibility,” he told Globo.

“Not only the Brazilians want this medal, but they know nobody wants it more than I do.”

The senior team captain went on to admit he was not upset at having to choose between the Olympics and the Copa America Centenario, but that would he would love to have joined the squad in USA in June.

"I was not frustrated, because I will play a tournament my country has yet to

win, and in Brazil,” he said.

“Of course I wanted to compete in both competitions, but I understand the desire of my club and I respected the agreement that everyone came to.”

Neymar became a Spanish champion last weekend for the second time in two years, ending the season with 24 goals in La Liga, two more than he managed last season.

Iheanacho outwits an opponent.

PHOTO: EPA/ WILL.

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. 17/5/2016.