18th August 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,570 THURSDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

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FG okays 4 oil wells, 13% derivation for Lagos •This is significant economic boost for —P4 Nigeria —Ambode

Abuja court reaffirms sack of Sheriff —P29

Uncertainty over PDP's future —P5,29

•Again, Port Harcourt convention thrown into disarray •Police cordon off venue •Party meets at secretariat, extends tenure of Makarfi-led caretaker committee by one year •Aggrieved members think of 'third force'

3 Kwara pilgrims arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking —P9

Long life depends on lifespan of parents —Report —P4

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) from the Anti-Terrorism Squad from the Police Base 3 in Rivers and operatives of Department of State Security (DSS), barricading the access to Sharks Stadium, venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention, in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria must be steps ahead to crush Boko Haram —NSA —P9

Nigeria raises N110bn bonds to mature in 2021, 2026, 2036 —DMO —P11

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

FG okays 4 oil wells, 13% derivation for Lagos

•This is significant economic boost for Nigeria —Ambode •Crude oil exploration in Benue can change Nigeria’s fortunes —Gambo Bola Badmus - Lagos with Agency Report

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EVENUE Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) said on Wednesday, that four out of the Aje Oil Wells have now been attributed to Lagos State for the purpose of disbursement of the 13 per cent derivation fund to it.

Chairman, Indices and Disbursement Committee of the commission, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, made the disclosure on Wednesday, when he and his members paid a courtesy call on the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Mohammed and his team were on a working visit to Lagos to verify crude oil and gas production from Aje Oil Wells for the purpose of disbursement of the 13 per cent derivation fund to the state, in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to him, the commission arrived at the decision following outcome of resolution by an Inter-Agency Technical Committee, comprising RMAFC, DPR, Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the National Boundary Commission to determine the location of the Aje Oil Wells.

Mohammed said the Technical Committee recommended that for the purpose of the derivation fund as spelt out under Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as the provision of the Allocation of Revenue Act 2004, number 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Aje Oil Wells fall within 200m isobaths and, therefore, should be attributed to Lagos State.

He said consequently, the commission and members of the Inter-Agency Committee had to embark on a working visit to the oil wells to conclude the process, adding that the outcome of the visit would promote national unity, as well as the socio-economic development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“It is also important to state that the commencement of oil production from Aje oil field by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited is the first time oil being produced outside the Niger Delta Basin and, therefore, of significance in diversifying the source of crude and gas production in the country,” Mohammed said.

Lagos State governor, Mr

Ambode, in his remark, said the commencement of crude oil production in the state would, in no small measure, enhance the economy of not just the state, but the nation in general.

Ambode said it was significant for the Nigeria economy that the state had emerged as the first oilproducing state outside the Niger Delta Basin.

The governor described the visit by the committee as

remarkable in the annals of the history of Lagos, adding that it signalled the official step that took the state to the final destination which made become an oil-producing state.

“We are very glad to receive this delegation. We also want to thank the Federal Government, most especially President Muhammadu Buhari, for making this to happen very promptly. I want to say that this

has been the quickest action that has been taken by RMAFC since I have known the commission,” Governor Ambode said.

He commended the members of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Boundary Commission, saying both had contributed immensely to the process of the discovery and production of crude oil in Lagos.

Ambode, while alluding to

the fact that the feat in Lagos had kick-started the path to diversification of oil production in Nigeria, urged other states in the federation to begin to activate the mineral deposits in their domain, as a means to boosting their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

In a related development, a trade unionist, Mr Oluwaseyi Gambo, on Wednesday, said the Federal Government’s directives for immediate

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (second left), with Chairman, Indices and Disbursement Committee, Federal Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed (left); members — Dr Rafiq Ogunbambi (right) and Mrs Matina Odom, during the committee’s courtesy call on the governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

exploration of crude oil in Benue could change the fortunes of Nigeria.

Gambo, a former spokesman for PENGASSAN, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reported that President Buhari, had, on Tuesday, directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to commence oil exploration in the Benue Trough.

Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, made the disclosure while receiving a delegation from the Benue State government in Abuja.

NAN reported that the Benue Trough is a major geological formation underlying a large part of Nigeria, extending about 1,000 kilometre North-East from the Bight of Benin to Lake Chad.

He said if significant volume of crude oil was found in Benue, it would be easier to sell to land-locked countries in West and Central Africa.

Gambo said this would increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and reduce the danger associated with pipelines network construction across communities.

Long life depends on lifespan of parents —Report A study, believed to be the largest of its kind ever conducted, has shown that the longer parents live, the longer their offsprings are likely to live, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The research, released on Wednesday, by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in London, also indicated that children of long-lived parents are more likely to stay healthy in their 60s and 70s.

The eight-year study led by the University of Exeter also involved an international team of academics from the University of Cambridge.

Also involved in the research are UConn Centre on Aging at UConn Health in Connecticut, United States, the French National Institute of Health and the Indian Institute of Public Health.

The researchers noted that those with longer-lived parents had much lower rates of heart conditions and cancer.

They said the study, funded by the MRC and involving almost 190,000 participants in the United Kingdom Biobank, was the

largest of its kind.

“It found that chances of survival increased by 17 per cent for each decade that at least one parent lived beyond the age of 70.

“It found evidence showing for the first time, that knowing the age at which parents died could help predict risk, not only of heart disease, but many aspects of heart and circulatory health,’’ they said.

The researchers disclosed that they used data on the health of 186,000 middleaged offspring, aged 55 years to 73 years, followed over a period of up to eight years.

The team found that those with longer-lived parents had lower incident of multiple circulatory conditions, including heart disease, heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

It found that the risk of death from heart disease was 20 per cent lower for each decade, that at least one parent lived beyond the age of 70 years.

In addition, those with longer-lived parents also

had reduced risk of cancer; a seven per cent reduced likelihood of cancer in the follow-up per longer-lived parent.

It, however, noted that although factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, low physical activity and obesity were important, the lifespan of parents was still predictive of disease onset after accounting for these risks.

Dr Janice Atkins, a Research Fellow in the Epidemiology and Public Health group at the University of Exeter Medical School and

lead author of the paper, said the research was intensive.

He said the research showed that “the longer your parents live, the more likely you are to remain healthy in your 60s and 70s.’’

Atkins said the study was built on previous findings published by the University of Exeter Medical School researchers earlier this year, which established a genetic link between parents’ longevity and heart disease risk.

Leader of the Research Programme, Professor David Melzer, said it had been

unclear why some older people developed heart conditions in their 60s, while others only developed these conditions much later in life or even avoid them completely.

He said that the research showed that while avoiding the well-known risk factors, such as smoking, it was very important that there were also other factors inherited from parents.

“As we understand these parental factors better, we should be able to help more people to age well,’’ Melzer said.

Why govt set up judicial commission of inquiry on Jang —Gov Lalong Isaac Shobayo - Jos Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has stated that the move to probe the administration of former Governor Jonah Jang was informed by a call from the people of the state to review the activities of the past administration.

The governor, who stated this at the inauguration of

the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe his predecessor, said as a responsible government, his administration could not afford to ignore the deafening call, which he said, by all intents is justified.

According to him, the delay in the composition of the Judiciary Commission of Inquiry to look into the activities of the past government arose from the fact that the investi-

gations by the anti-graft agencies are process driven, and are bureaucratic compilation of government documents.

He said with the commission in place the government is set for a process that would allow every Plateau person the opportunity to objectively assess how the commonwealth of the state and the affairs of the government were administered.

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Uncertainty over PDP’s future

•Again, Port Harcourt convention thrown into disarray •Police cordon off venue •Party meets at secretariat, extends tenure of Makarfi-led caretaker committee by one year •Aggrieved members think of ‘third force’ From Taiwo Adisa, Kunle Oderemi, Jacob Segun Olatunji, Dapo Falade and Sunday Ejike

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pall of uncertainty seems to be hanging on the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as its critical stakeholders engaged in a blame game over its botched rescheduled national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday.

Feelers within the party, however, indicated that some of the stalwarts were already tinkering with the idea of forming a new party that would comprise the PDP, aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other existing political parties.

Already, the arrowheads of the “third force” have been holding consultations across the country, with some of them said to have maintained a “siddon look” since the party failed to hold its convention last May, also in Port Harcourt.

According to the sources, the consultations would be widened and stepped up more vigorously in the coming weeks, following the futile attempt to hold an elective national convention on Wednesday.

One of those leaders behind the “third force” was said to be a former chairmanship aspirant of the party from the North (name withheld), as well as some PDP top shots in the southern part of the country, who had, for some time now, held series of meetings in the South-West.

We can form a new party and leave PDP for Sheriff –Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said forming another party may be the best solution to the lingering crisis in the PDP if Alhaji Modu Sheriff continues to cause ripples in the party.

Chief Fani-Kayode was reacting to Doyin Okupe’s position that the PDP should dialogue with its estranged chairman, Sheriff, to settle the current crisis rocking the party.

Okupe, on his Facebook page, lauded the Wednesday’s decision to extend the tenure of the Markafi-led caretaker committee by one year, while adding more members to the committee

to work towards the resolution of the crisis.

“By allowing for new inclusions into the members of the caretaker committee, the leadership obviously has made room for possible reasonable negotiation with the Senator Sheriff’s group, which is inevitable and a political imperative, if the party must remain united,” Okupe wrote.

Okupe also absolved the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been accused of using Sheriff and the Justice Abang Okon-led Federal Hight Court in Abuja to destroy the PDP. Okupe blamed the crisis on “the failure of internal conflict resolution machinery of the PDP, the surprising naivety and desperation of many to seize power and control the party and the gullibility of majority of the followership.”

But Fani-Kayode disagreed with Okupe, saying “...Sheriff is working for Buhari to destroy the PDP and he has almost succeeded.

“The only answer is to continue to fight him in the courts and elsewhere and, if push comes to shove, form another party, get our members and supporters to join that party and leave ...with the carcass of the old PDP. Very few people will stay with him because carcasses tend to stink.”

Another member reacting to Fani-Kayode’s statement, said “I suggested forming another party long ago. That, to me, is the only option for a strong opposition party come 2019. I will also suggest that the youth should form the leadership of the new party. We want something that will attract youth across Nigeria.”

Notwithstanding the seeming bleak future of the PDP, a number of its leading lights expressed confidence that the party would still regain its unity and influence before the 2019 general election.

But the failure of the party to rediscover itself through the re-scheduled convention in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, is coming amid preparations for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states on September 9 and November 26, 2016.

While some PDP leaders alleged that external forces instigated the unending destabilisation within the party, others accused some in-

fluential caucuses within the PDP of a calculated attempt to foist a selfish agenda on the party.

The chain of litigations by the two factions laying claims to the soul of the party, has, in the last six months, exacerbated the power tussle among the key blocs of powerbrokers in the party.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that apart from the conflicting rulings by Federal High Courts on the cases instituted by the factions, delivered on the eve of the ill-fated convention, concerned party elders still made frantic moves to salvage the situation in Port Harcourt.

The elders, chairmanship contestants and governors elected on PDP platform reportedly embarked on the last-minute effort to strike possible compromise among the major stakeholders till about 4.00 a.m. on Wednesday, but the moves reportedly hit a dead end, particularly because of suspicion that the governors were bent on hijacking the PDP machinery.

Three of the chairmanship aspirants, Chief Olabode George, Professor Tunde Adeniran and Chief Raymond Dokpesi, spoke against alleged plot by at least two of the governors to impose their anointed candidate as substantive chairman of the party.

But, their position was a sharp contrast to the views expressed by the national publicity secretary of the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, shortly after the Port Harcourt fiasco.

He accused the federal authorities of using state apparatuses to destabilise the PDP, because it was averse to a virile opposition, a position corroborated by a chairmanship contestant, Mr Jimi Agbaje and the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

Nigerian Tribune, in Port Harcourt to cover the event, noted that the situation at the planned venue of the convention had all the trappings of a movie as the party buffs engaged hordes of law enforcement agents in a hide and seek amidst tension.

The main gate leading to the Government House, on the Azikwe Road axis, was relatively free as at 8.30 a.m., as there was no heavy security presence, though

an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was seen packed close to the gate.

The same cannot, however, be said of Moscow Road/ state secretariat junction, leading to the venue of the convention, as there was heavy security presence at the axis.

The heavily armed combined team of MOPOL and regular police was seen conducting stop-and-search on motorists, even as they were prevented from accessing the road leading to the convention ground.

A source had told the Nigerian Tribune that the various caucuses of the party met at the state Government House, where a decision was taken on the new venue for the convention.

There was also tension among delegates as news filtered through that three of the PDP national chairmanship contestants, Professor Adeniran, Chief George and Dr Dokpesi, were to address a press conference on developments in the country.

There were indications that the trio were unhappy with moves within the party that appeared to favour Mr Jimi Agbaje for the chairmanship slot.

A source disclosed that the trio alleged plans by Governor Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose, to skew the outcome of the convention in favour of Agbaje.

“The planned press conference was to let the world know that there appeared a grand scheme to rig the chairmanship election in the convention in favour of Agbaje,” the source said.

However, Governors Wike and Fayose had denied the allegation, on Tuesday, saying they would not be a party to any attempt to thwart the democratic process.

The convention, which was scheduled for Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, could not hold at the original venue, as the police cordoned off the venue early in the day.

The police said it took the decision in order to protect lives and property, following the conflicting orders from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that of Abuja ahead of the convention.

Members of the party were forced to relocate to the premises of the state secretariat of the PDP, where critical decisions, including the extension of the tenure

of the party’s national caretaker committee led by Makarfi, were taken.

The members, who had thronged the venue of the convention, were thrown into confusion as security operatives prevented any of the delegates from gaining entry.

The party chiefs first relocated to the Government House, where a statutory meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) was held and the meeting resolved to expand the NEC and inaugurated the new executive committee.

Following the inauguration of the NEC, the PDP chiefs moved to the state secretariat of the PDP, where the convention held.

After overcoming the initial hiccup occasioned by the sealing off of the national convention venue, the party resolved to suspend the conduct of election into all national offices, pending the determination of all outstanding court cases.

They also resolved to bar all members of the national caretaker committee from contesting elections into any of the elective offices in the next convention.

The motion for the suspension of election into all the national offices was moved by the minority leader in the House of Representatives, Honourable Leo Ogor, while the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, moved the motion for the extension of the tenure of the caretaker committee. The motion was seconded by the former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina.

Chairman of the PDP national convention planning committee, Governor Wike, had put the question for the extension of the lifespan of the caretaker committee to vote and it was unanimously approved.

The convention also decided to expand the membership of the caretaker committee to 13 members from the initial seven.

In his acceptance speech, Senator Makarfi promised to sustain all efforts aimed at rebuilding, uniting and restoring the party, while the closing prayer was offered by a PDP founding father, Professor Jerry Gana.

Makarfi inaugurates new PDP NEC

Caretaker chairman of PDP, Senator Makarfi, on Wednesday, inaugurated

the new NEC of the party in Port Harcourt.

This was as he said, in the absence of the elected national officers, the national caretaker committee members would be part of the NEC, adding that the members would cease to be NEC members once national officers were elected.

Performing the inauguration ceremony during a meeting held at the Government House, Senator Makarfi said the new PDP NEC included the PDP governors, National Assembly caucus, members of the PDP Board of Trustees, national caucus, the 36 state PDP chairmen and national officers of the party.

The meeting immediately went into a closed session as the PDP leaders said newsmen would subsequently be briefed about the development.

We didn’t seal off convention ground –Rivers CP

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Odesanya, however said the police did not seal off the Sharks Stadium, venue of the national convention.

Odesanya, who said this while speaking with newsmen in his office, on Tuesday, said the police was only acting in compliance with a court order to provide security for the safety of lives and property.

The police was apparently acting in compliance with the court injunction by Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Federal High Court which, on Tuesday, gave a contrary ruling stopping the conduct of the national convention.

When asked which of the court orders he was complying with, he simply said: “we are only obeying a court order. It is not my duty to interpret court orders. You people are journalists and you got the court orders too.

You are in a position to interpret the orders.”

He also refused to reveal when the police got the order to seal off the venue of the convention, as the police authority had disclosed earlier that it was yet to get the order, as at 11.00 p.m. on Tuesday night.

The police high command also confirmed this, saying the venue was sealed off to maintain law and order and protect lives and property of innocent citizens. continues pg29

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Nigerian Tribune

Lagos One feared dead as Hyundai car plunges into ditch

Lagos begins deployment of 13,000 CCTVs, 6,000 street lights in October •To construct Pen Cinema flyover, remove 3 roundabouts on Lekki-Epe Expressway Bola Badmus LAGOS State government has announced its readiness to commence the deployment of 13,000 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, additional 6,000 street lights and security sensors for surveillance and crime prevention across the state from October.

The government also announced the commencement of construction of a Flyover in the popular Pen Cinema junction of the state, which will be third of its kind that the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration had embarked upon after those of Abule-Egba and Ajah roundabouts.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, made the disclosure on Wednesday, while addressing a joint ministerial press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, saying the multi-faceted projects being activated were designed to improve the living standards and revenue generation in the state.

According to him, the state government had also constructed a pedestrian bridge at the Berger Bus Stop, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to facilitate easy human and vehicular movement, saying the government was also set to decongest traffic along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

Ayorinde said this would be achieved with the removal of three roundabouts namely the Fourth Roundabout (Elegushi); Fifth Roundabout (Jakande) and the Eighth Roundabout (VGC).

He said the affected roundabouts would be replaced by the use of traffic lights, expansion of the roads and provision of dedicated turning lanes as well as additional lay-bys.

Akin Adewakun

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NE person was feared dead in an accident involving Hyundai salon car in Ikorodu area of the metropolis, on Wednesday.

An eyewitness said the driver was on his way to Ikorodu when the vehicle lost control and fell inside

Sympathisers trying to rescue victims before the arrival of men of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

a ditch near Tipper Garage, on Owode -Ikorodu road.

While one of the two occupants of the vehicle was feared dead, the other was injured and receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Men of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) had since removed the vehicle from the ditch.

Tokunbo cloth dealer stabs sales girl over N400 fried meat Opeyemi Owoaseye

Men of LASEMA bringing out the car from the ditch. PHOTOS: OVADJE ELLIOT

Female lender absconds with customers’ N8m Opeyemi Owoaseye A female money lender, Abolade Omowunmi, has been arrested by the police for allegedly absconding with customers’ deposits.

The money, totalling N8 million, was said to have been collected from 13 of her customers.

Omowunmi, whose address was not given, alongside four of her accomplices, were said to have obtained the money by promising to give the depositors low interest soft loans which they could invest in their businesses.

It was alleged that the incident occurred sometimes in

July at about 10.00 a.m. at Sangotedo town in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.

Lagos Metro learnt that the suspect was arrested by officers of the Area ‘J’ police command, Elemoro, Ajah, following complaints by the depositors and after investigation by Mr Isaac Mathias, a policeman.

She was arraigned on Wednesday before Mrs K. B. Ayeye of the Tinubu magistrates’ court on a threecount charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.

Prosecuting police inspector, N. Thomas, told the court that the defendant,

with intent to defraud, induced and unlawfully obtained N8 million from one Friday Eworo, Olayiwola Tobiloba, Okafor Augustine and 10 others.

She explained that it was obtained under the pretence that the defendant would give them loans which would be paid back at a certain interest rate at a given period, knowing same to be false.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and the magistrate, Ayeye, granted her N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum, while she adjourned the case till September 7.

A dealer in second-hand clothings, Sharon Okafor, has been arrested by the police for allegedly inflicting injury on a salesgirl.

The girl was injured in the face with broken ceramic plates, after a disagreement over payment for drinks and N400 fried meat.

The incident occurred at about 11.30 p.m. on July 25, at a bar opposite Lekki Phase One, in Eti Osa Local Government Area.

Lagos Metro learnt that Okafor, from Imo State, moved to Lagos from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, last year and was squatting with a friend at Ilasan Village, Lekki area.

She allegedly went to the

bar in the company with a man, simply identified as Kingsley and they both ordered for drinks and N400 fried meat.

They were served by the salesgirl, Comfort, who demanded for payment after some times; since she was about closing and needed to tidy up sales book for the day.

A police source told Lagos Metro that problem started when the defendant insisted that her friend, Kingsley would only pay when they were done.

According to the source, Kingsley tried to take back the drinks and then threw a plate at her, about 15 men later pounced on her and beat her up till she fainted.

Okafor, 22, was arraigned on Tuesday by the police at Igbosere magistrates’ court.

The prosecuting officer, O. Balogun, told the court that Okafor “unlawfully assaulted the complainant with a breakable plate and injured her on the face.”

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

metro

Edited By Lanre Adewole 0811 695 4647

Navy inaugurates 39 gunboats, 45 vehicles to fight maritime crime

The remains of the person that fell into a well at Silver Close, Odukoya Estate, Egbeda area, being taken away by LASEMA officials.

Plumber dies inside well Opeyemi Owoaseye and Gbemi Solaja AN unidentified man was, on Wednesday, found dead after he was electrocuted inside the well, at Odukoya Estate, Egbeda area.

The incident, it was gathered, happened around 2.30 p.m.

Lagos Metro gathered that the victim was an artisan, who was hired for plumbing work and he eventually died in the well.

The incident was said to have happened when the deceased was working on a pipe to be connected to a pumping machine inside the well before he got electrocuted.

His remains were recovered from the well by men of the Lagos State Fire Services and the Lagos State

Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), along with men of the Nigeria Police (Gowon Estate division), who visited the scene of the incident.

General Manager,

THE Denton Police division has charged Areze Onyirigbo to court over alleged unlawful infliction of injury on one Kalu Eze. The 30-year-old Imo State indigene, who appeared on one-count charge of assault in Ebute Metta chief magistrates’ court, was alleged to have inflicted the wound on the defendant by cutting his buttocks with electric machine.

Onyirigbo was said to have committed the offence on August 15, at Oko-

and he was electrocuted by the pumping machine.”

He said further investigation would be conducted on the incident by the appropriate government agencies.

THE Nigerian Navy, on Wednesday, inaugurated 39 locally-made gunboats and 45 operational vehicles to enhance the fight against maritime crime in parts of the country.

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister of State for Defence, Mohammad Dan-Ali, said the gunboats were fitted with appropriate weapons and anti-balistic protection

Court sentences man to 19-yr imprisonment for rape Opeyemi Owoaseye A young man, Sheriff Oyewole, found guilty of rape, has been sentenced to 19 years imprisonment by Chief Magistrate, Kikelomo Ayeye, of the Tinubu magistrates’ court.

The convict was charged on a 12-count offences contrary to and punishable by Section 258, 171, 241, 271(a)(c), 272, 220,

Man arraigned for cutting neighbour’s buttocks Opeyemi Owoaseye

LASEMA, Mr Michael Akindele, who confirmed the incident, said “preliminary investigation carried out by the ERT revealed that the victim was hired to do plumbing work on the well

baba Sawmill, Ebute Metta, while the offence was punishable under Section 244 of the criminal laws of Lagos State.

Lagos Metro gathered that Onyirigbo and Eze normally sleep in the same shop after work, since they did not have a house to live.

Argument, however, reportedly arose when Eze decided to occupy Onyirigbo’s sleeping position.

It was learnt that Onyirigbo, in the process, used the electric machine being used at the saw mill to inflict injury on Eze’s buttocks.

144, 261, 263, 316, 337(7), 134(2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The offences were unlawful sexual intercourse, detaining to have unlawful sex in a hotel room, engaging in sexual activities without consent, assault and sexual assault, unlawfully administering poison, taking nude pictures of a girl and threatening to use the picture to cause injury to her reputation.

The trial magistrate found him guilty of five counts out of the 12 counts on which he was arraigned by police.

Delivering its judgment, the court said: “the sole issue for determination here is whether the prosecution has proved each of the 12 count offences alleged against the defendant herein beyond reasonable doubt.

“In every criminal matter, onus of proof is at all times on the prosecution, which onus is discharged on the establishment of the essential elements of the alleged offences.

Nigerian Tribune

“Prosecution has thus proved counts one, two, seven, eight and nine offences against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

“The defendant is hereby convicted and sentenced as follows: unlawful sexual intercourse five years; detaining to have unlawful sex in a hotel room, five years; engaging in sexual activities without consent, five years, assault one year and sexual assault, three years.

The jail term will run concurrently, starting from first date of arraignment,” she said.

During the trial, prosecution called four witnesses and tendered five exhibits.

The first prosecution witness was the victim, who in her evidence in chief, painted the picture of how the incident occurred.

She told the court that she had known Oyewole for over 10 years and that her father accommodated the defendant in their house on the recommendation of a friend who resides on the same street.

She explained that the de-

fendant was more or less like a brother to her.

“I took a bottle of Baileys, and at about 7.30 p.m., I told the defendant I needed to start going home, but the defendant told me to hold on that he needed to lodge three of his friends in an hotel in the neighborhood and to ensure they were settled in the hotel,” the victim said.

She said because of the trust she had in him, she followed him upstairs and at that time, she was already feeling dizzy.

“After sometimes, the defendant returned to the room and locked the door and started harassing me. I tried to escape but he overpowered me and ripped me of myunderwear, bra and tights and he soaked the clothes in water in the bathroom, then I fainted and then he raped me,” she added.

Under cross examination, the victim stated that the defendant raped her and also took her nude pictures with a threat to post her pictures on the social media.

to enhance optimal efficiency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Danjuma Sheni.

“The country’s security challenges have continued to demand a great deal of human and material resources to surmount, which, in the light of dwindling revenue, would be sustainable only with generous innovations and incorporation of home grown solutions,” Dan-Ali said.

He said the thirty 8.2 metre boats, which were constructed for the navy by Epenal Boat Yard in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, would be deployed for rigorous patrols in the Niger Delta, while additional 20 would be delivered subsequently.

“I am hopeful that the boats being launched today would further boost the ongoing patrol efforts in the various rivers and creeks of the country to the immense benefit of the nation’s maritime security,” the minister said.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, in his welcome address, said that the Epenal boats were an improvement on 30 others unveiled in Port Harcourt in February.

“These boats, no doubt, have boosted navy maritime operations. However, as part of the efforts to continue to achieve unchallenged dominance of our maritime environment, the navy, within a space of six months, has launched another 39 specially built patrol boats into its fleet,” he said.

8 news Don recommends substitutes for post-utme for admission

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he proprietor of Shafaudeen Group of Schools, Ibadan, Oyo State, Professor Sabit Olagoke, has recommended substitutes for post-UTME for admitting students into tertiary institutions in the country.

Professor Olagoke, who said this recently during the end of 2015/2016 session of the school, said his recommendations, if applied, would allow admissions of students to be strictly on merit and to address exploitation of innocent candidates.

In order to admit students on merit,he said “the SERVICOM, a sub-system of the

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Dauda Muhammed Abiodun now DAUDA OLOKO MUHAMMED ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid.

Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), needed to be empowered to have independent report on the conduct of examinations in schools, including tertiary institutions.

He said unbiased reports and monitoring of postUTME would undoubtedly, reduce the excesses of management of schools as well as ensuring running holistic Post-UTME for the necessary screening, and clarification of result processing for ensured merit to give admission on the basis of merit.

“Alternatively, the use of WASSCE and JAMB scores

average aggregate can substitute the Post UTME although, it may be subjective in some cases.”

“However, informal education must be sound to avail the child the opportunity of acquiring high level of native intelligence that is wisdom-driven through child custody in a right environment and parental attention on child rearing for the teens and nature nurturing for the adolescents”.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Ajayi Akin Martins am the same person as Idowu Akin Ajayi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as AJAYI AKIN MARTINS. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Access Bank Plc, CBN and general public take note.

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

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news

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

3 Kwara pilgrims arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking

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HE Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested three pilgrims from Kwara State for alleged possession of substance suspected to be cocaine.

Hajia Fatima AboloreJimoh, the Executive Secretary, Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, from Saudi Arabia, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

She said the three pilgrims, who were among the first batch of 505 pilgrims from Kwara, were arrested in Madinnah by Saudi Arabia security operatives.

The executive secretary, who did not disclose the identities of the three suspects, said they were still in the custody of Saudi Arabian authorities.

Abolore-Jimoh said the Saudi Arabian law would certainly take its course on the three suspected drug

traffickers.

She described the arrest as unfortunate and painful in spite of several appeals to them to be good ambassadors of Kwara State and Nigeria.

The executive secretary said other pilgrims from the state were still in Madinnah, hale, healthy and in good spirit in spite of the unfortunate incident.

NAN reported that 1,978 pilgrims from the state were performing the 2016 pilgrimage exercise.

Nigeria must be steps ahead to crush Boko Haram —NSA THE National Security Adviser (NSA), retired MajorGeneral Babagana Monguno, has said Nigeria must be steps ahead to be able to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists and their activities.

Monguno gave the assertion in a keynote address at the opening of a two-day stakeholders workshop on the "Implementation of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST)'' in Abuja, on Wednesday.

"To be steps ahead of the terrorists, all gamuts of national power and authority must be activated and channeled adequately,’’ he said.

Represented by Navy Commodore Yaminu Musa, national coordinator, NACTEST, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Monguno, said all necessary efforts were being deployed to tackle the menace.

According to him, the carnage unleashed by the Boko Haram sect that caused the devastating loss of lives and properties was a grave menace that must be adequately tackled. ''Thus, the Office of the President through the Office of the National Security Adviser, using the Counter Terrorism Centre, revised the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) to deploy all necessary efforts at tackling the menace,’’ he said.

The NSA noted that "no one man or agency or country can achieve laudable success in the fight against terrorism.’’

He said all agencies must identify their crucial roles and collaborate to achieve success.

"The NACTEST is a call for action to all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including nongovernmental organisations and all well-meaning

Why we introduced Eminent Peoples Forum —IGP THE Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has explained the concept behind Eminent Peoples Forum (EPF) introduced across police commands in the country.

The explanation was given

by Mr Leye Oyebade, Commissioner of Police, Abia State police command, who represented the IGP at the inaugural meeting of the forum, on Tuesday.

According to him, the orthodox concept, which regarded security as the exclusive preserve of the police and security agencies alone, had become obsolete and moribund.

The IGP also said the police high command would soon change the perception of the public about the police as a corrupt and lethargic institution.

"Security is now the concern of all citizens in the country. Traditional rulers,

traders, politicians, captains of industry are all stakeholders in the renewed security project," he said.

The IGP said membership would comprise critical stakeholders such as community and religious leaders, retired senior security officers, traditional rulers, among others.

He said the forum would assist in mediation and social control during security challenges when necessary.

"It is on this note that we call on the citizenry to partner with the police and other security agencies in our quest to secure Abia State and ensure a conducive environment for trade, investment and social activities to prevail," he said.

The IGP said the police had adopted community policing as one of the veritable tools in crime fighting and prevention.

Nigerians. ''They must consciously take up their roles as outlined in the strategy and contribute by undertaking programmes and projects that are especially counter terrorism specific and counter terrorism relevant,’’ he said.

Monguno said the first edition of the counter terrorism strategy was developed and launched in 2014 with awareness being created for the purpose of mainstreaming its content and fostering implementation.

He, however, said the strategy had been reviewed after two years of working and testing, as provided for. ''The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is, therefore, now in full swing to implement the strategy with the participation and buy-in of the relevant stakeholders,’’ he said.

He said his office had ensured the development of NACTEST desks and appointment of focal/liaison officers in the MDAs. ''The ONSA expects all MDAs to use these desks to ensure the driving of their roles as stated in the NACTEST, as there would be periodic checks/liaison to give room for monitoring and evaluation,’’ the NSA said.

"Let us be conscious of the fact that we are partners in progress and drop all rivalry that tries to rob us of this partnership.

"We must always remember that the terrorists will strive to take advantage of all weaknesses in the government’s approach and we must ensure that these are reduced to the barest minimum.

"This is a call to immediate action, which we all must answer, as victory by one is victory by all. Our motto, therefore, should be mutual interest, mutual gain, and mutual respect,’’ he added.

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

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businessnews

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Nigeria’s over $65bn debt stock still low —Report As sugar imports hit $227mn in 7 months Chima Nwokojji-Lagos

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IGERIA’S total public debt stock of N12.603 trillion or $65.428 billion as at end of December, 2015 has been described as too low in the face of a recession, a plunging currency, high inflation and a widening budget deficit, latest Bloomberg report has indicated.

This is even as a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monthly compilation of funds used for sugar imports as quoted by Bloomberg has shown that Nigeria imported $227 million of sugar in the first seven months of this year. The highest monthly value of imports of $79.1 million was recorded in June, for raw sugar as well as “chemically pure glucose and glucose syrup not are containing fructose,” according to the document.

The recently released Debt Management Office’s 2015 annual report and statement of accounts showed that as at end of December, 2015, the total public debt stock of the country was N12,603,705,280,000 ($65,428.53 million) compared to N11,243,120,220,000 ($67,726.28 million) in 2014, representing an increase of 12 per cent (N1,360,585.06 million) in 2015.

It showed that external debt accounted for N2,111,530,710,000 ($10,718.43 million) or 16.75 percent, while domestic debt accounted for N10,492,174,570,000 ($54,710.10 million) or 83.25 per cent.

Nigerian Tribune checks reveal that at the current interbank exchange rate of a conser-

vative N310 to the dollar, Nigeria’s total public debt stock of $65,428,530,000 amounted to N20.283 trillion, assuming that no other debt has been incurred in the last seven months of 2016. Nigeria said on August 8, 2016 that it is seeking banks to manage a Eurobond sale of as much as $1 billion, its first foray into the market since 2013.

David Malingha Doya of Bloomberg News and other

CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday reacted to a purported rumour making the rounds that Skye Bank is distressed and urging its customers to urgently withdraw their deposits.

According to a statement issued by CBN Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, the rumour is vile and malicious.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to the content of a malicious message urging customers of Skye Bank to withdraw their deposits or transfer them to other banks based on the vile allegation that Skye Bank has been liquidated by the CBN. “The CBN wishes to state,

“One is clear, however, the yield is likely to be higher than Nigeria’s last Eurobond sale in 2013, given that the macroeconomic fundamentals have deteriorated significantly.”

Bloomberg quoted Stuart Culverhouse, Chief Economist at Exotix Partners LLP, as having said by phone from London on August 10 that: “The recent devaluation of the naira is a barrier lifted. We have seen econ-

FG raises N110 billion bonds to mature in 2021, 2026, 2036, says DMO Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

IN its bid to source additional funds to finance the 2016 budget, the Federal Government raised N110 billion worth of bonds to mature in 2021, 2026 and 2036 through an auction on Wednesday, according to

and emphatically so, that it has not liquidated Skye Bank or any other Deposit Money Bank for that matter.

“The bank also wishes to reiterate its earlier assurance that Skye Bank is not in distress and remains a healthy bank in the Nigerian banking system. Indeed, the health of the Nigerian banking system remains strong, all banks in Nigeria are safe and depositors have no cause to fear over their deposits.

“While it will be recalled that Skye Bank had corporate governance challenges, the CBN has since taken proactive steps to resolve the issues identified. Indeed, the CBN is satisfied with the efforts of the new Management to reposition Skye Bank for effective service delivery.

the Debt Management Office (DMO).

According to the auction result posted on the website of DMO, N40 billion of 2021 paper was sold at 14.50 per cent.

In addition, the debt office also sold N30 billion of 2026 paper at 12.50 per cent and N40 billion of 2036 paper at 12.40 per cent respec-

tively.

Also, the documents noted that an additional N109.5 billion of the 14.50 per cent July 2021 bonds was allotted on non-competitive basis.

Subscriptions from investors for the July 2021 bond, which was reopened, stood at N74.37 billion, while that of January 2026, which

was also reopened, stood at N71.06 billion.

Subscriptions for the March 2036 bond which was also reopened stood at N64.86 billion.

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had said that government would raise the deficit equally from both the domestic and foreign markets.

NAICOM to license agents, channels, banks, telecoms selling insurance products

Stops sale of insurance products by banks, airlines, telecom companies Gbemi Solaja-Lagos

THE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has stated that insurance companies can only sell products and services through channels licensed by the commission.

It also stated that all previous and current relationships of underwriting firms with any financial institutions, telecommunication companies and airlines are no longer valid starting from August 17.

Speaking at the 22nd Investiture of the new Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA) Chairman, NAICOM Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammed Kari, ordered the 58 insurance companies in

the country to cancel any form of channels used to sell their products and services except the ones licensed by the commission.

He warned that any insurer who went against the directive would be heavily sanctioned by the regulatory body Henceforth, the Commission wants to license any agency and referral agents that are doing businesses and earning commission from the insurance industry This development means that underwriting firms who are in partnership with telecommunication outfits, like Glo, MTN, Airtel Nigeria, and Etisalat on mobile insurance would terminate such transactions.

Naira down by 0.16% at interbank market Chima Nwokojji-Lagos

omies slow elsewhere and that shouldn’t be a barrier to raising debt. Nigeria’s debt profile is one of the most favourable ones in Africa and investors appreciate that,” Culverhouse said. “They should take the opportunity while it’s available.”

Yields on the country’s $500 million of bonds due July 2023 fell 11 basis points to 6.65 per cent on Wednesday. The yield is down 203 basis points this year.

From left: Manager, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Murtala Muhammed Way branch, Ilorin, Mrs Yetunde Moito; one of the winners at the second draws of the ‘FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 3,’ Mrs Rasheedat Obadero; Manager, AbdulAzeez Attah Road branch of the bank, Mr Salihu Olorundare and Zonal Coordinator, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mrs Catherine Okocha, during the promo draws ceremony, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Skye Bank neither distressed nor liquidated —CBN Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

foreign analysts including Manji Cheto at Teneo Intelligence firm, said in a report released on Wednesday that the Nigeria has room to tap international markets as it plans to spend its way out of an economic slump.

“If you look at Nigeria’s debt profile, the additional external debt is not likely to have any material negative impact,” said Cheto, the London-based senior vice president at Teneo.

Nigerian Tribune

Furthermore, the commission threatened to sanction any firm who may ignore the order and continue to use financial institutions, telecommunication companies and airlines, as channels to sell their products and services, unless these distribution agencies are licensed by the commission to do so.

He stated that the commission had asked banks acting as agency or referrals of insurance firms to offer themselves for licensing by the commission, but got a letter from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week, saying, NAICOM has no power to licence any institution within the purview of the CBN.

THE naira depreciated by 0.16 per cent today at the spot foreign exchange (FX) market to close at N314.14 in contrast to yesterday’ appreciation of 1.16 per cent when N313.65 was exchanged for one dollar according to trading information from the Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ).

At the parallel market, naira was bought from market operators at N388 and sold at N394 compared to previous day’s rates of N390 and N394 respectively, the Euro was bought at N425 and sold at N430 also in contrast to previous day’s rates of N423 and N437 while the naira slumped to the Pound Sterling having been bought at the rate of N497 and sold at N505 compared to Tuesday’s rates of N495 and N500.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s rates as obtained from its website showed that the US Dollar was bought at the rate of N308 and sold at N309, compared to previous rates of N308.8 and N309.8, while the Pounds Sterling was bought at the rate of N400.6 and sold at N401.9, also in contrast to Tuesday’s rates of N400.7 and N402 respectively. The Euro was bought at N347.2 and sold at N347.8 compared to previous day’s rates of N348.5 and N349.8 respectively.

Wema Bank rewards young entrepreneurs at 2016 NSFDW

By Bode Adewumi

THE Wema Bank sponsored Nigeria Student Fashion and Design Week 2016 (NSFDW) came to an end recently at the Indoor Sports Hall, University of Lagos, with Wema Bank rewarding the most creative Designer with startup funds and SME packages for the other participants.

The two-day event showcased over 30 designers to enthusiastic audience that include invited dignitaries, students from the school and other universities across the country. Ashilla Rozae fashion, led by Rosie Edinen Jacobs won the first prize while the first runner up went to Cece Fashion, led

by Okafor Kosiso.

Wema Bank Plc, Nigeria’s longest surviving indigenous commercial bank and the leading sponsors at the 2016 edition used the platform to enlightened participants on some innovations that afford convenience and safety of transaction while banking with Wema Bank.

These include *945# convenient banking operations, Purple Connect and Wema Card Control among others.

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businessnews

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Crude price falls amid output freeze speculation Olatunde Dodondawa with Agency Reports

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RUDE oil price fell for the first time in a week on Wednesday, but remained in sight of six-week highs, as investors weighed up how successful potential talks among producers to rein in ballooning oversupply would be.

Brent crude futures were down 47 cents at $48.76 per barrel by 1055 GMT, while United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 18 cents at $46.40 per barrel.

Prices have risen by nearly 20 per cent in just two weeks to their highest since early July, after speculation surfaced that top producers within and outside of OPEC could finally reach a deal on freezing output.

“The market is totally dominated by short speculators facing OPEC talk,” SEB commodities strategist, Bjarne Schieldrop said.

“The ‘pain trade’ is probably still to the upside. And now we are a dollar away from $50 so it seems almost unavoidable that we’re at least going to take that (level) out,” he said.

The fight for market share among some OPEC producers has made market watchers doubtful that talks to rein in oversupply by freezing output levels would be successful.

“Should this rally be believed? Do words speak louder than action for the second time this year? Or is the current strength one to be sold into?” PVM Oil Associates, Tamas Varga said in a daily report.

“The advocates of a sus-

tained price rally are firm believers in some kind of agreement between OPEC producers possibly together with non-OPEC countries.

Recent history is not on their side and the Doha failure back in April is likely to

encourage bears with itchy fingers to soon start selling short.”

An OPEC meeting in June also failed to reach an agreement to limit production, and the group’s output has since reached new record

additional crude despite militant attacks on oil installations.

Production was expected to have touched 33.41 million barrels per day, up from 32.01 million bpd in a Reuters survey a year earlier.

From left: Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FBN Merchant Bank, Lolade Balogun; Head, Media and Publicity, Eti-Osa Youth Development Initiative, Razaq Ivori; Executive Director, FBN Merchant Bank, Gboyega Fatoki and President, Eti-Osa Youth Development Initiative, Deji Laurent, during the FBN Merchant Bank sponsored Eti-Osa Youth Development Initiative ‘ Pick-A-Litter’ Campaign, in Lagos recently.

FG to energise telecom sector through legislations —Shittu THE Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to provide the needed, enabling environment for the ICT and telecommunication sector to thrive through enactment of relevant legislations.

While soliciting the support of stakeholders in making the government and governance ‘smart,’ and a government where all will have ubiquitous access to ICTs, the minister called on stakeholders in the communications sector to have a holistic deliberations on

the communication services tax as being proposed in the Communication Tax Bill pending before the National Assembly.

According to a press statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare, the minister made these disclosures at the Communication Services Tax Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Lagos on Wednesday, adding that “this is necessary in other to weigh the effects of the proposed tax regime on the government,

NISALEE assures customers of brighter future THE management of NISALEE Industries Limited, a leading manufacturer of corrugated boxes and outer packaging, has disclosed that arrangement has reached top level to bounce back to business activities despite the fire disaster that destroyed the company factory and offices recently.

Speaking with journalists at its head office in Ibadan on Monday, the General Manager of the company, Mrs Adenike-Idowu, explained that although the company suffered a huge loss to the fire disaster in terms of materials, finished products, raw materials, official documents, office equipment and machineries, the management of the company, is doing everything possible to put the ugly incident behind it and ensure that business commences in earnest.

She also appealed to the company’s customers both within and outside the country not to exercise any

highs.

A Reuters survey at the end of July showed OPEC’s oil output was likely to have reached its highest in recent history last month, led by increases in Iraq and as Nigeria managed to export

fear about the services and future of the packaging company, adding that the company will soon be back on its feet, with even unique and special services to satisfy the yearnings of their numerous customers.

Adenike-Idowu noted that the cause of the fire disaster which consumed and destroyed almost everything in the company’s premises still remained a mystery to the management of the company, since the incident happened on a weekend.

She, however, said a highpower investigative panel has been set up to unravel the circumstances behind the fire disaster in order to prevent such occurrence in the future.

The NISALEE Industries Limited General Manager also allayed the fears of hundreds of staff of the company, urging them not to entertain any fear of job loss because it is not in the tradition of the company to transfer aggression or shift blame.

On what she perceived

could be the likely cause of the incident, she said, “For now, nobody could actually point to a cause or link it to a factor. But if it is a sabotage as it is being rumoured in certain quarters, the investigative panel set up by the company’s management would help to unravel such,” she stated.

The incident started around 10:45 p.m. last week Sunday and the disaster was so enormous that it took the intervention of the Oyo State Fire Brigade Service and other private fire fighting companies to put out the fire.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Environment, the Senior Special Adviser to the state governor on Trade and Investment, as well as other important personalities and sympathisers had since visited the scene of the incident at Oluyole Estate, Ring Road, Ibadan.

Equipment and materials worth several millions of naira were destroyed by the inferno.

stakeholders as well as end users of communication services.”

He called for a juxtaposition of new tax regime with existing ones saying that the introduction of new taxes without harmonising existing ones will put pressure on the Nigerian tax system, thereby making it unattractive to investors and may consequently be counter-productive in the long run for the nation’s targets on broadband penetration.

The minister who spoke extensively on controversies surrounding the proposed bill said a section of the stakeholders have extrapolated that the Bill seeks to impose additional nine per cent charges on users of electronic com-

munication services which is to be remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service on a monthly basis. More so that the extra tax will be applied on voice calls, SMS, MMS, Data and Pay TV viewing, among other services.

Shittu said others have posited that over 60 million Nigerians would be unable to afford basic broadband connection, a situation that is likely to threaten Nigeria’s ability to achieve its goal of 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018 and also undermine the socio-economic progress spurred by increased connectivity.

This to a large extent will be a cog in the wheel of implementing the National Broadband plan.

Nigerian Tribune

GTB reports N91.38bn PBT in H1, proposes 25 kobo interim dividend Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba -Lagos

GUARANTY Trust Bank Plc has released its audited financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2016 to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

A review of the half year performance, showed that the bank recorded positive growth across all key financial metrics, a testament to the cutting edge strategy of the bank. Gross earnings for the period grew by 37 per cent to N209.9 billion from N153 billion reported in the June 2015; driven primarily by growth in fee and commission income as well as foreign exchange income.

Profit before tax stood at N91.38 billion, representing a growth of 45 per cent over N63.11 billion recorded in the corresponding period of June 2015.

The bank’s loan book grew by 14 per cent from N1.373 trillion recorded as at December 2015 to N1.562 trillion in June 2016 with corresponding growth in total deposits which increased by 23 per cent to N2.008 trillion from N1.637 trillion in December 2015.

Further analysis revealed that the bank closed the half year ended June 2016 with Total Assets and Contingents of N3.42 trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of N453 billion. The bank’s non-performing loans remained low and within regulatory threshold at 4.39 per cent (Bank:3.54 per cent) with adequate coverage of 170.1 per cent (Bank: 214.8 per cent).

IBEDC committed to empowering women in power sector MANAGING Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Mr John Donnachie, has said that the company is committed to creating more opportunities for women in the power sector.

Donnachie disclosed this recently at a one-day conference organised for women, with the theme: ‘Optimal Career Strategies for today’s Leading Woman.’

Tagged Discussing Issues Surrounding Career Opportunities (DISCO) for Women, the event, which was held at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, provided a platform for women to learn how to position themselves and navigate the complex, competitive and constantly changing 21st century work environment on the backdrop

of the socio-cultural challenges facing today’s modern woman in traditionally male-oriented businesses.

The event which was organised in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had speakers discuss a variety of topics which included work life balance, gender inclusive succession, SME development, barriers to women growth in the workplace, among others.

“We have signed an agreement with USAID to work with them to enhance women particularly within the power sector. It is a worldwide focus and we are part of that programme in Nigeria. The programme had conferences in Turkey, Germany and many other countries. So we are

very committed to driving women opportunities within the workplace.

“The programme is aimed at encouraging more women to take careers in the power sector,” Donnachie said.

Speaking at the event, former Commissioner, Engineering, Standards & Safety, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mrs Mary Eniola Awolokun, encouraged women to always strive for success, especially in a male-dominated workplace.

“Women need to be hardworking and sometimes, they even need to do more than their male counterparts. They need to go the extra mile, they need to be honest and transparent,” she said.

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Imo’s three working days per week

HE Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, recently introduced a three-day per week schedule to enable the government to cut salaries. The civil servants are expected to work for three days in a week, from Monday to Wednesday, while Thursdays and Fridays are to be spent working on their farms. The fundamental reasoning behind this new policy is to enable the state to reduce cost and be in a position to pay its workers. It is part of the larger effort of the state government to increase its internally generated revenue and diversify its economy.

The suggestion that the workers should spend the two nonworking days farming is to enable them to attend to other activities that would generate money to supplement their monthly salaries.

A major assumption of this reduction of the working week is that workers are redundant or under employed. In other words, there are just too many civil servants for the job to be done by the civil service. When there was sufficient revenue, government was willing to accommodate them. But now that the government is broke, it is unwilling to lay off redundant workers and has opted to reduce their working days.

However, the government has not explained how it is going to redesign the manning of responsibilities in such a way as to make more civil servants to work in fewer days.

Merely reducing the working days may mean that those who are fully engaged will get overwhelmed while those who are redundant remain so. In other words, the reduction of working days must be accompanied by a redesigning of the way the civil service works to achieve value for money.

Otherwise, it may be a recipe for confusion. The government has said the reduction will not affect those in essential services, and those in sectors that are understaffed, like teachers in the secondary schools. A similar effort to ensure value for money in the current austere times accounts for the proposal of the Oyo State government to restructure the public service and redeploy staff.

In general, the state governments are coming to terms with the bloated character of their public services. The public service of the Federal Government is also arguably bloated.

But the problem is more complicated than that. A review of the quantum and quality of public service delivery across the three levels of government shows that there is a huge gap in service provisioning that needs to be filled. There is so much work to be done but the civil service does not have

the requisite competence, neither is it able to extract the revenue needed to deliver those services. Thus, if the right people with the appropriate skills had been employed, the current sorry situation would have been avoided. Thus, merely reducing the working days or even the number of public servants may not lead to improvement. That is why in the lexicon of administrative reform, there is downsizing and right sizing. The former is concerned with disengaging workers that are not needed. The latter is about employing the appropriate number with the required skills.

It is commendable that the various governments are beginning to take the civil service more seriously. They are beginning to think out creative ways of dealing with the fiscal crisis that has arisen from the fall in the price of oil in the international market as it relates to the public service.

However, they must go beyond looking at public servants as a drain on the public purse. They must see them as citizens that must be made productive. They must see the service as a tool with which government meets the needs of the people.

To achieve this, the government should not just assume that all civil servants would be interested in farming. It must work out a training programme for those who may want to disengage from the public service to engage in more rewarding and fulfilling occupations. Those who may volunteer to go or may not be needed in the service must be paid their entitlements to encourage them to go.

In particular, the nation’s public primary and secondary schools need civil servants that have the requisite academic qualifications. In this connection, those willing to take up teaching appointments should be allowed to do so with commensurate pay. Where the civil servants possess degrees but no teaching certificates, they should be retrained before being drafted into the classrooms, and exposed to regular on-the-job trainings, seminars and conferences to fine-tune their skills.

Besides, politicians must recognize their role in overburdening the public service with unqualified and redundant people in their bid to dispense patronage. This partly accounts for the unsustainable huge wage bills that they are faced with. Finally, since civil servants do not disproportionately enlarge the burden of bills the government carries in relation to political office holders, the number of political office holders and their remuneration need to be reviewed downwards.

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

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14

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

yournews

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323, 08055001746

LASG, fix Ijegun/ Ijagemo Road

Creating jobs for Nigerians DESPITE the lack of jobs in the country, it is always a thing of joy for me when I see young people engaging in skills like fashion designing, barbing, hairdressing, furniture making, among others.

Getting skilled in a vocation is an avenue to distance oneself from poverty, and it is not surprising that many people have even gone on to create successful businesses through their skills.

As a result of this, those who are struggling to find paid employment should look at what they can do towards creating business opportunities for themselves.

Even with the economic situation in the country, many small businesses are still thriving, so it is the mindset of individuals that matter.

•Femi Dada, 08183920427

THE Lagos State government should help us to rehabilitate the Ijegun/ Ijagemo Road in Ikotun.

This road is definitely nothing to write home about, and it is not befitting of a community in the Centre of Excellence. We shouldn’t, therefore, wait until something terrible happens before the road is fixed. While commending the good works of Governor Akinwumi Ambode in the state, I want him to also come to our aid in this area by ordering the rehabilitation of the road.

•Bright Anaele, 08091437352

Appeal to Irele LG boss I want to appeal to the chairman of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State to work harder towards bringing development to OdeIrele.

If the truth must be told, Ode-Irele, the capital of the local government council, is lacking in all developmental indices.

Virtually all the roads in the town are dilapidated, and the town does not boast of infrastructures that can aid the economic, social and physical development of the town.

I hope the chairman will do everything in his power towards presenting the plight of the town to the state government so that more funds can be channelled to the development of Ode-Irele.

•Bamidele Akindele, 09090517039

Kudos to Buhari, but...

•It’s carnival display at Ilese Day ! PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

Primary education: Appeal to Oyo govt

F

IRST, I want to commend the Oyo State government for its efforts towards repositioning education in the state.

However, I want the government to give special attention to primary education, as that is the foundation of our children.

The future of any child that will be useful to the

nation starts from the primary school level, but it is being insinuated that any parent who wants his child to be useful to him in the future should not take the child to public schools. Is this supposed to be so?

The great people that we have in the country today had their foundation in public schools, so it is unfortunate that people now

Attention, Delta police boss RESIDENTS of Ogwuashi-Ukwu town in Delta State, hereby, appeal to the state police commissioner to caution traffic wardens who are fond of extorting Okada riders in the town. Using Okada as a means of survival is not an easy ven-

ture, and it is painful that these traffic wardens who are being paid well by the Federal Government will be extorting the innocent Okada riders who are going about the search for their daily bread.

I hope the police boss will, therefore, read the

riot act to these wardens who have formed the habit of extorting Okada riders, and not just in Ogwuashi-Ukwu, but across the state.

•F.A Kareem, 08098245620

believe that their children cannot get qualitative education in this same public schools.

It is because of this that I want to charge the Oyo State government to give special attention to public primary schools, especially

by renovating the dilapidated structures, as well as encouraging qualitative teaching.

•Jimoh Mumin, 08034435211

Ute-Owo Road needs rehabilitation PERMIT me to use this opportunity to draw the attention of the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, to the deplorable condition of the Ute-Owo Road in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

The road, which has consistently witnessed all manners of neglect, needs to be rehabilitated without delay.

The condition of the road is

really affecting those who travel on it on a daily basis.

It is true that the governor will be completing his term this year, he can still do something for the people of this area.

If the road is rehabilitated, it will go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the people of the area.

Dupe Ashama, 08020726156.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is doing a good job in his bid towards repositioning the country, particularly in the area of economy.

Unfortunately, the majority of the governors are saboteurs, and are therefore, giving the president’s government a bad image among Nigerians.

In many states, workers and pensioners are being owed several months of salaries and pensions, and despite the fact that the bailout was released to these states, the governors have refused to pay the backlog of arrears of civil servants and pensioners.

Consequently, I am using this opportunity to call on Nigerians to beg the state governors who are owing their workers and pensioners to take pity on them and pay. President Buhari should also mandate all governors whose states have been given the bailout to disburse them to settle the civil servants and pensioners without delay.

•Alhaji Kolawole Abidoye, 08063254401

opinion A bankrupt nation needs help 15

By Emmanuel Nwachukwu

T

HE simple definition of insolvency is when an entity is unable to pay its debt as they fall due.

Going by this definition, the Federal Government and most states of the federation can be adjudged insolvent. Workers and pensioners across the land are owed many months of unpaid salaries and pensions, with little prospects of these arrears ever being paid unless there is a dramatic improvement in government revenues. Government contractors have fared even worse; unable to service their loans or pay their creditors, many have laid off hundreds of thousands of workers. The bitter truth is that the money is simply not there. Nigeria is broke. Crime is rampant everywhere, fuelled by youth unemployment, which is believed to be up to 50 per cent.

Apart from perhaps progressive states like Lagos, and a few others like Anambra, work in the public sector has virtually ground to a halt because of non-payment of salaries. The impact of this state of affairs on the economy cannot be overstated, with tenants unable to pay their rents and businesses unable to sell their wares due to lack of customers. Inflation is spiralling out of control because of the rising cost of inputs, stifling economic activity. Even those in work are begging for money. Wherever you look, frustration is palpable; there is hunger in the land. The Federal Secretariat, Abuja, the heart of government, is said to be without power most of the time because of the paucity of funds to maintain generators. With lifts not working, staff in high-rise buildings unable to climb many flights of stairs are forced to stay at home, including ministers.

How did we get here? At the height of the oil boom, when oil was trading at over $100 a barrel, Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is part, invested their oil wealth in public infrastructure. They built roads, modern railways, power stations, world class health facilities and one of the world’s largest airlines. In Nigeria, the opposite was the case; the establishment literally “shared the money.” What they could not steal, they paid themselves in outrageous salaries. A minister in the last administration was reportedly earning as much as N15m a month, more than the combined salaries of the US president, the British

prime minister, the French president and the German Chancellor. Like scoundrels, the treasury was looted with reckless abandon.

So how do we get out of the current economic quagmire? First, the government must listen and learn.

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, desperately needs good seasoned economic advisers, wherever he can find them. The current Governor of the Bank of England was recruited from Canada. We need a think tank of very smart people to advise government on economic direction.

We must improve our budgeting process and implementation system at both the federal and state tiers of government to make budgeting smarter and more accountable. Government must “follow the money” and ensure that budgets deliver the right choices. It is puzzling, as someone who has led the budgeting process in public sector institutions, why Nigerian governments think it is acceptable to start the implementation of the budget half-way through the fiscal year. It shouldn’t take weeks to check if budgets have been “padded.” There are accounting softwares that can perform this exercise at the press of a button.

As a country, we must learn from past mistakes and not excuse them. Whilst, for instance, it took Theresa May, the new British Prime Minister, less than 24 hours to appoint her cabinet, it took President Buhari seven months.

It is not enough for ministers to just tell Nigerians that things will turn around at the end of the year.

Where is the plan? Where is the strategy? Where are

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

the timelines setting out government proposals for addressing our power issues and other deep challenges?

What is the strategy for creating jobs and growing the economy? What is the strategy for improving the current tax system to increase revenue generation and collection? The government must articulate its plans, with deliverables and timelines. It is scandalous that rich people pay little or no taxes in Nigeria?

Many states are poorly run and plagued by corruption. The answer to funding gaps in states is not more Federal Government bailout. Any request for bailouts should be predicated on the production of a robust zero-based budget showing how the state proposes to live within its means. Anambra State is riding the storm because of the competence of successive governors that have governed the state. Longer term, fiscal federalism must be the way forward for Nigeria.

To address our current economic challenges, the government will need to embark on a massive infrastructure building programme, unprecedented in our history. This would create millions of jobs and involve the construction of thousands of kilometres of roads; the building of at least a million units of social housing; and the revamp and modernisation of our entire railway network. This will inject the much needed liquidity into the system.

We need to move away from the lazy dependence on fossil fuel and solid minerals we simply dig up from the ground and send abroad for others to process, with no value added. Industrialisation must be the way forward for Nigeria. We need to create industrial zones that government can support with grants, low cost loans and 24hr power.

The academia thus far has served Nigeria poorly. We have the greatest need for power and should be building the world’s largest solar assembly plant here in Nigeria and leading the research on solar technology.

President Buhari must hold his ministers accountable not only in matters to do with corruption but on competence and performance. The deliverables and performance of every ministry, including targets and milestones should be published in their respective websites as a live document so that we the people can hold ministers accountable.

•Nwachukwu lives in London.

A look at the new AU electronic passport

By Michael Ogunjobi

LATELY, the long-awaited African Union (AU) passport was presented by the Commission’s Chairperson, Dr. Dlamini Zuma, to the Chairperson of the union, President Idriss Deby of Chad and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at the opening ceremony of the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. It is a historic move to create “seamless borders” modelled on European Union Schengen free movement deal, which has abolished many internal borders to enable passport-free movement across the bloc.

By this new electronic passport, the African Union (AU), which represents 54 states, hopes to facilitate free movement of persons, goods and services around the continent to foster intra-Africa trade, integration and socio-economic development. The passport features inscriptions in five languages—English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, and Swahili. Basically, there are two passports - one issued by the African Union for officials and people who travel a lot on business, and the other by individual countries for everyone else. It serves to remove all barriers to inter-African trade, thereby promoting less dependence on former colonial powers.

Remarkably, sceptics have argued that a borderless Africa would be challenging due to militancy, civil war and public health crises in the continent. In addition, it has been argued that an agreement about visa-free travel could have been a better option to produce similar result. Moreso, some African countries might be reluctant to open their borders, to avoid a huge influx

of people from other countries. Moreover, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the clearing house for 260 airlines across the globe, had expressed concern that the demand for air travel is growing at slow pace owing to the economic downturn, political shock and a wave of terrorist attacks across the globe.

However, a cursory look at the crime situation in Africa would reveal that the proximate cause is the whole range of economic conditions associated with poverty, social injustice and inequality exacerbated by the high rate of unemployment and economic hardship. This requires collective responsibility as evident by Boko Haram operations which now cut across borders within the continent.

Worse still, is the recent declaration by the Islamic State that Abu Musab al-Barnawi was now leader of the dreaded group. This has however been denied by

Abubakar Shekau whom in an audio message said he was alive and had not been replaced. Shekau took over as the group’s leader after its founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in Nigerian police custody in July 2009.

Evidently, the recent bond between Boko Haram and the more sophisticated jihadist group - IS (as a selfproclaimed IS’s “West African province”) does not portend any clear sign that the Nigerian armed forces has won the war against same as we are made to believe.

Also, the United States had only recently warned its citizens against travelling to 20 states in Nigeria, including the insurgency-hit northeast.

Taking a critical look at security challenges across the globe, it amounts to gross negligence of duty for any government to ignore its moral and constitutional duty of defending its citizenry. No doubt, African industrialization can be a reality in our lifetime, but it is up to all of us to ensure that we do not bequeath violent conflicts, wars and genocide to future generations of Africans.

Happily, the African Union (AU) passport is a step towards achieving a multinational United States of Africa, being a concept which takes its origin from Marcus Garvey’s 1924 poem, Hail, United States of Africa.

It is hoped that in no distant time, member states will pass the necessary legislations to accord legal cloak and establish the required machinery for the full implementation of this laudable initiative of the AU to achieve a full roll-out of the AU passport to all African citizens by the end of 2018.

•Ogunjobi, a lawyer, is based in Lagos.

16

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

LADOL urges govt to encourage women in maritime business

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, in a photograph with members of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) and some management staff of the agency, when the group paid a familiarisation visit to NIMASA headquarters in Lagos recently.

GOVERNMENT has been called upon to evolve deliberate policies that would encourage more participation of women in the nation’s vast maritime and oil and gas sector.

The call was made in Lagos recently, by the Managing Director of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL), Dr. Amy Jadesimi, while giving a keynote address at the annual conference of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), which held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.

Delivering her address which centered on ‘Exploring Opportu-

the terminal.

“The Access Card scheme is part of the new regularisation process at the Grimaldi/PTML facility.

And it is not that we are imposing N10,000 on agents wishing to gain entry into the facility, the amount is just the cost of the card.

“The Access Cards are smart card, so the N10,000 is just the amount for the cost of the card, not an extortion agenda as claimed by some agents.

“The scheme was introduced to ensure we know the addresses of the companies the agents who

come into our terminals work with. We need to know the owners of these companies and it is in the interest of everybody that we have started this initiative.

“The idea is to verify the identity of who comes into our facility. We needed to bring this up due to our environment which has become very prone to scam and fraudulent abuse.

“So we need to ensure reputable people come into our facility to transact business because we don’t want to be seen dealing with fraudulent people.”

Agents, PTML disagree over N10,000 Access Card scheme Stories by Tola Adenubi

F

REIGHT forwarding agents operating at the Ports & Terminal MultiServices Limited (PTML) operated by multinational logistic group, Grimaldi Shipping Line, has accused the terminal operator of extorting N10,000 from agents wishing to gain access into the facility for business purposes.

This is even as the terminal operator has labelled such accusations untrue, claiming the N10,000 fee was imposed to regularise entry into the port facility.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune exclusively, a cross section of the agents from the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA); National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and Association of Registered Freight Forwarders (AREFFN), explained that in recent time, agents wishing to enter the Grimaldi/PTML Terminal now pay N10,000 to obtain Access Cards before such an agent will be allowed to enter into the terminal.

According to them, “Grimaldi/ PTML has devised what they call Access Cards. This Access Cards, which is obtained after payment of N10,000, guarantees entry into the terminal. Without the Access Card, no agent can go into the terminal to conduct business transactions.

“This is extortion. Why has the terminal operator come up with this when the economy is in recession? The facility was given to them on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), why are they subjecting Nigerians to pay before they can enter the fa-

cility?

“This is a facility where business transactions takes place. If we don’t have a consignment to clear, we won’t seek to go in there.

Anytime we have consignments to clear, we pay all statutory dues to the Customs and the terminal operator. This new fee is another way of extorting Nigerians in their own country.”

When contacted, the Managing Director of Grimaldi/PTML, Mr Ascanio Russo, stated that the N10, 000 Access Card scheme was introduced to regularise entry into

Seaport operator highlights impediments to Greenfield seaport development THE acting Managing Director of the Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, operators of Terminal C at the Tin-Can Island Port, Alhaji Mohammed Bulangu, has identified areas that the government needs to address in order for the country to take advantage of the ongoing Greenfield seaport development.

Bulangu identified these solutions while delivering a lecture titled: ‘Greenfield Development: Imperative for Port Development in Africa,’ at the African Day of Seas and Oceans, hosted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos recently.

According to him, there is an urgent need to find sustainable solutions to various impediments bedevilling the laudable projects.

These challenges include unstable government policies, lack of safety and security of funds invested by promoters, comfort of investors not guaranteed and non-provision of adequate measures to ensure continuity, lack of infrastructure,

efficient transport system, among others.

“Looking at the port development projects Nigeria is embarking upon now, the Greenfield ports at Lekki, the proposed port at Badagry and also the Olokola port on the borders of Ogun and Ondo States, one important missing link that can be observed is accessibility.

“On the completion of these ports, if some key and fundamental challenges of which accessibility is the chief are not addressed, serious environmental and economic issues will arise especially with the Lekki port,” he said.

Bulangu further noted that all these challenges are surmountable if government can guarantee safety and security of lives and investments put into the development of such Greenfield projects, adding that there is an urgent need to deploy adequate security within the country’s territorial waters to check the activities of pirates and sea robbers.

Other areas that the Ports & Cargo boss suggested the government should attend to include pro-

vision of modern infrastructure, integrated transportation system which includes good road network, efficient rail system and revitalisation of inland waterways for the movement of persons and goods, attractive incentives for investors, including friendly tax policies and streamlining of operational procedures for smooth service delivery.

nities for Female Entrepreneurs in the Oil and Gas Sector: Now is the Time,’ the LADOL boss noted that the role of women in nation building globally has become paramount, hence, government should step up in encouraging more of the women folk in critical ventures.

She noted specifically that the level of women involvement in the maritime as well as the oil and gas sector, has been very significant despite the low level of participation compared to the apparent dominance by the male counterparts.

According to her, “women have contributed to the development of the sector in very significant ways which is disproportionate to their representation. They (women) are poorly represented, but the few ones around have distinguished themselves.”

She pointed out that government could leverage on the encouraging performance of the few ones in the sector by evolving deliberate policies and programmes that could encourage the advent of more women in the critical sector and beyond.

“First of all, government needs to highlight the importance of women in the society in general.

One way government can do this is to focus more on women empowerment programmes for sustainable development.

“In addition to that, government can encourage companies that have diversities and even go as far as have scholarships and sponsorships for women in certain critical areas of economic importance that are focused on nation building.

“Women education is very important and at the same time, government can encourage that institution to enable women to be educated. You need to make sure that you do not fund organisations that discriminate against women in any form,” she added.

Retirement: Customs Comptrollers jostle for Apapa Command CAC AHEAD of the September 2016 retirement of the incumbent Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Willy Egbudin, some ambitious Customs Comptrollers, mostly at the headquarters of the NCS, have reportedly intensified their lobby to be posted to the Apapa Area 1 Command, which is considered as the juiciest command in the land.

Findings have further confirmed that already, the Customs management at the headquarters in Abuja is already profiling the list

of possible Comptroller to replace the former Lilypond and Seme commands’ controller.

A source within the Service told our correspondent that “Apart from their relationships with the DCGs and ACGs on how they can be posted to Apapa, some of the Comptrollers have already began efforts on some level of political undertones, aimed at influencing the posting.

“As it is, we don’t know who is coming to Apapa, but it is obvious that the officer that will succeed Egbudin must have headed a command before.”

17

Thursday, 18 August, 2016 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

‘It’s good Nigerian artists are being recognised globally’ Dr Ellis Oyekola, a Senior Principal Lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has won artistic awards all over Europe and America, with the latest being an award by the International Academy of Visual Art, Brindisi, Italy, which he won just a couple of months ago. In this interview with ADEWALE OSHODI, he speaks on the significance of the awards to his career. EXCERPTS:

Y

OU have been winning awards all over Europe and America; what do you think Westerners see in your works which Nigerian art lovers are not seeing?

Yes, I have received awards all over Europe and America; my paintings are abstract expressionistic with creative rendition of forms to preach not only African cultural ideas, beliefs and philosophies, but also to run social commentaries centred on unity, peace and love. However, of recent, I have been dwelling on racial unity and global peace. Hardwork, consistency and passion for professionalism, coupled with my artistic anticedence internationally, have been responsible for my recognition. However, locally, I have majorly received awards from my students for hardwork, punctuality, sincerity and intergrity. I also received the Justice of Peace (JP) of Oyo State in 2000 under the late Lam Adesina.

Can you be brief on some of the awards you have won?

I have won the Fellowship awards by the Virginia Centre for Creative Arts,USA and the Hambidge Centre for the Creative Arts and Science, USA. I also won the Michelangelo International award in Rome, Italy in 2015.

There is also the Marco-Polo art award, which I got in Venice, Italy in 2015. The latest is the Honorary Membership award of the International Academy of Visual Art, also in Italy, which I got just a couple of months ago.

With what criteria did you win your recent award?

The award, Minerva (Goddess of Arts award) was given as a result of my artistic antecedents globally. Con-

POEM

Obama: A tree that made a forest All the way from J. Kenyata’s land From a small village rose a seed, travelling far, Hidden in a farmer’s son, himself an economist The colourful love messenger went on errand, To J. Kennedy air port a butterfly landed, In search of a flower on which to petch, Finally founding one in a young babe From another small town known as Kansas.

The seed was deposited into Ann Dunham, And a star came to life on the land of Hawaii, Keying into baby boom generation.

Obama, the breaker of new ground in American politics Generating sweet excitement with words well woven.

Crafted in a manner never so seen.You are An inventive leader, he garthered all pertinent wins And off flew like a cheetah to the oval house, and There you remained for eight years.

Holding evil doers and lovers to randsome.

Your family world is a united continent of sort.

With unstoppable gene deciding for the universe, A man of great technics Noticeably appealling across traditional political lines.

The large heart of all ethnics in one; A tale of the chosen.

—Olumide Sowunmi, Ibadan.

firmation was sort out from the various art institutions I had performed and also the brilliant performances I have been putting up in any international show, made me win this award.

What is the significance of these awards to you as an artist?

I feel very proud receiving these awards as a contemporary African artist from Nigeria. As a cultural ambassador, its significance could be seen in the projection of our cultural heritage through my artistic statements globally, Art education in Africa has brought life to the doorsteps of the Western world. Whenever I am abroad, apart from exhibiting my culture through my dressing, I also represent my family, home-town, department, institution, state, country and the African continent. As a contemporary Nigerian artist, a legacy is been left behind for upcoming artists to emulate, a sort of inspiration for them.

Art in the Western world is very profitable, and most African artists are brought to limelight by Western sponsors, who promote their works globally. Contemporary art in Nigeria is still developing in terms of financial gains, as only few people patronise art.

I want to give kudos to Yemisi Shyllon, who, as an art lover and collector, has invested so much in art through his collections and putting smile on faces of artists. I think there are other art lovers, collectors and patrons in Nigeria, but they need to follow the footsteps of Mr Shyllon by collecting and investing more in the arts. However I am dedicating the awards to God for sparing my life and giving me the support to achieve these feats.

Why is it that Nigerian artists are celebrated more abroad than in the country?

The art education level in Nigeria is not very encouraging simply because most individuals have no interest in art as an academic and professional discipline, and only few people take art seriously. The government is not equally paying much attention, as priority is given to other areas of the creative arts such as music, performance and even sports, unlike the West where art is taken seriously.

However, it is a good thing that Nigerian artists have been excelling all over the world, and this is due to the zealous creative spirits in us. We have succeeded in placing the country on the global map.

Art in the Western world is very profitable, and most African artists are brought to limelight by Western sponsors

Dr Ellis Oyekola How did you develop your artistic style?

Neo-Oyekolaforms was provoked into existence while I was in attendance at a workshop in Egypt in 2006. A professor of art saw the great potential in my use and management of colours and forms, and suggested that I juxtaposed my use of colours, a painterly expression that belong to the West, with what he called authentic African forms from my roots. A couple of years later in the USA, I started this juxtaposition with abstract African forms which are a very well planned collection of patterns and motifs from Yoruba creative forms called Oju-ona. This new style was generated from three styles of painting expressions — simple formalisation, sseudo-realistic stylisation and action painting. The basis is just to project the Yoruba cultural philosophy and ideology and to run a socio-cultural commentaries on current and environmental issues.

As a lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts in The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in what ways have you been encouraging your students with the recognition you are getting all over the world?

Teaching at The Polytechnic Ibadan has given me the opportunity to produce students who are making waves, not only nationally, but internationally. My students have participated in international exhibitions and have won laurels. We are still warming up for another national art contest, Life in my City, and I hope something positive will come out of it. Some of them took part in the Anima Mundi Festival art competition in Lithuania in 2014 and received certificates of excellent performance and catalogue of participation. I am really using my exposure to develop my students.

18

arts&review

Thursday, 18 August, 2016 mation to the church and society at large cannot be denied. The objective of the book is to examine how drama can be used as catalyst in Christian worship and evangelism. It is to see how effectively the resources of drama could be deployed in Christian worship and evangelism for the benefit of the church and humankind.

Dr David Olayinka Ololade recently published his book, Drama as Catalyst in Christian Worship and Evangelism, and in this interview with KEHINDE ADIO, he speaks on how drama can minister to the human soul. EXCERPTS:

What were your experiences during the publishing process?

I had a lot of sleepless nights working and re-working on the typescript. Also, the publisher, which may be an organisation or an individual, may have to source for writers, and the writers may approach the publisher for a deal. The latter was my own experience.

W

HAT actually motivated you to write the book, Drama as Catalyst in Christian Worship and

Evangelism?

What motivated me to write the book, Drama As Catalyst in Christian Worship and Evangelism, is my desire to contribute my quota to knowledge, and to debunk the erroneous belief that Christians should not be involved in drama.

Who are you targeting as your audience?

My target audience is mainly everyone who is interested in upholding the tenets of Christianity and those who love to give peace and tranquility a chance in contemporary tattered global society. The book is helpful for spiritual, professional and academic purposes. It reveals drama as a guide for pastors when preparing their worship services, missions and evangelism. It is a manual to all, youths and adults, as well as would-be drama ministers.

Now, what impact can drama have in the lives of people?

The truth is that drama is not mere entertainment, which theorists refer to as a piece of art for art’s sake. Therefore, the book endeavours to contribute its quota in making the society a better peaceful place to live in. This is a book on Applied Drama which strives to expose the social,

•Dr David Olayinka Oloade

‘Drama can achieve positive spiritual transformation’

political, economic and religious problems in the society with the aim of finding solutions to them.

In actual sense, the potency of drama to evangelise to the world and to bring about positive physical and spiritual transfor-

One problem with Nigerians is that only a tiny percentage of the population read books; how can we solve this problem?

There are various ways to promote the reading culture in Nigeria. Writers should keep on writing to transform, while publishers should keep on publishing. Readership analysis should be conducted periodically. Publishers should look for best writers and study the distribution channels. Also, every Nigerian should be encouraged to make a gift of books to a fellow Nigerian when the opportunities arise. We cannot afford to wait for a reading culture to arise or improve, favourable economic conditions to develop, when salaries and wages will be paid promptly, when conditions will be perfect. The truth is, economic conditions are never perfect. Writing competitions could also be encouraged and organised periodically by the government, NGOs, and individuals. In sum, the print and electronic media houses should be encouraged not to relent their efforts in promoting reading culture as usual.

Apart from writing, what do you do?

I am the Minister-in-Charge of Ogo-Oluwa Baptist Church, Isokan Estate, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Olu Obafemi takes over NAL leadership THE Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) at its just concluded 18th Convocation and the Investiture of New Fellows, which held at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos from August 10-12, 2016 elected new officials to run the affairs of the body for the next two years.

The new President is Prof. Olu Obafemi, fsonta, fesan, FNAL, prolific writer and frontline intellectual. The Nigerian Acad-

emy of Letters was inaugurated in 1991, as an apex organisation of Nigerian academics and scholars in the Humanities to promote, maintain and encourage excellence in all branches of humanistic studies. Its officers are elected at biennial meeting of the Academy. The other officials are: Vice President: Prof. Francis Egbokhare, FNAL; Secretary, Prof. Olutayo C. Adesina; Assistant Secretary, Prof. Maduabuchi

Dukor; Treasurer, Prof. Tunji Oyeshile; and, the General Editor/Chairman Publications Committee is Professor Festus Adesanoye, FNAL. The members of the Publications Committee are: Prof. Sam Ukala, FNAL; Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, FNAL; Prof.

Amechi Akwanya, FNAL: Prof. Babatunde Ayeleru. Other members of the Executive Committee include the following: A Past President of the Academy, Prof. Emeritus Ayo Banjo, FNAL, NNOM; the Immediate Past President (IPP): Prof. B. Olatunji Oloruntimehin, FHSN, FNAL; and, the

Foundation President, Professor Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose, FNAL, NNOM. NAL is also served by non-Executive members.

For the years 2016-2018, its Ex-Officio Members include: Prof. Dan Izevbaye, FNAL; Prof. Emeritus Ben Elugbe, FNAL; Prof. Umaru Ahmed, FNAL; Prof. Sunday Ododo, fsonta. Prof. Unionmwan Edebiri, FNITI, OFR, (Professor of French and Barrister-at-Law) will serve as the honorary solicitor of NAL, while Professor B. Rotimi Badejo, FNAL was retained as the Newsletter Editor.

Fund launched to improve women’s toilets in theatres

Professor Olu Obafemi

A scheme has been launched to improve the standard of women’s toilets at theatres across the UK. The Spend a Penny scheme, run by the Theatres Trust, is handing out a total of £125,000 to up to 10 theatres.

There are often complaints that older theatres do not have enough facilities for women, who can spend the entire interval in a queue to use them.

Theatres can apply for up to £15,000 to improve toilets for women, including unisex and gender neutral facilities.

British guidelines specifies that for a 500-

seat auditorium, eight ladies’ toilets should be provided.

“Even though this seems inadequate for audiences whose time for use is strictly limited, there are many theatres which do not even meet this standard,” said the Theatres Trust.

“The anxiety caused by long queues, with unappealing conditions often awaiting even the lucky few, meaningfully diminishes the joy of theatre for about half the audience.”

The charity will inspect all the theatres that apply to find out which are most in need of the grant.

19

Thursday, 18 August , 2016

education

Editor: Laolu Harolds 08111845016 tribune.education@yahoo.com

South-West PTAs fault FG’s cancellation of development levy in Unity Schools

By Laolu Harolds

T

HE South-West zonal chapter of the National Association of Parent-Teacher Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC) has faulted the decision by the Federal Government to limit PTA dues to a maximum of N5000 and totally proscribe collection of development levy in the colleges.

It also expressed displeasure at the recent increase in the school fees of Unity Schools, saying this it is at variance with the free education policy of the Federal Government.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the association’s

chairmen in the zone, held in Ibadan on Saturday August 13, 2016, the body advised the Federal Government to give its decision to stop collection of development levy “a second thought.”

It said that apart from the fact that the development levy was unanimously agreed by the PTA congress of each of the schools in the zone, development projects in the schools are largely credited to the fee.

“For instance, the Honuorable Minister of State for Education came to commission a gigantic hostel project of 1200 bed-space girls’ hostel built by the PTA at the FSTC, Yaba, recently.

“The hostel project and other projects that were executed in other Unity

Schools across the zone are in the range of hundreds of millions of Naira sourced from the so-called development levy,” it noted.

The meeting was convened by the chairmen of the association in the South-West, including Adebayo Olayide, the zonal coordinator; Ahmen Tajudeen Olutope, zonal secretary, and Ogunjobi Olanrewaju, the zonal public relations officer.

The body listed what the development levy has been used for to include engagement and payment of staff (teaching and non-teaching); provision of scholarship scheme for indigent students, and intervention in repair or replacement of infrastructural facilities in schools, among

others.

It claimed that presently, there are over 1000 workers on PTA’s payroll in various Unity Schools in the SouthWest, amounting to about N20 million salary per month.

It also stated that about 500 students are currently benefiting from PTA welfare scheme, which in some schools is even extended to staff.

The body therefore advised the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, to rescind his decision on the PTA development levy, as doing otherwise would have adverse and debilitating effects on the voluntary and communal development efforts going on in the colleges in the areas of academic performance and infrastructure development.

Adamu, Okebukola, Obaji, Faborode, others to attend EWAN Summit Naza Okoli, Lagos

Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun (3rd left), and rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Dr. Taiwo Akande (right), signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for degree programme affiliation, recently.

JABU urges FG to fund private universities through TETFUND Naza Okoli— Lagos THE vice chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State Professor Sola Fajana, has called on the government to support private universities universities financially by “allowing them to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund.”

The vice chancellor made the call while addressing a visiting team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to the university recently, saying the general belief that private universities are profit-making organisations is wrong.

Professor Fajana told the delegation, who were at JABU for the pre-valida-

tion exercise of the proposed Distance Learning programme of the university, that private universities and the government are partners in the development of education in the country, citing instances from other parts of the world.

He added that public institutions alone cannot cater to the needs of the growing number of young people seeking admission all over the country, and noted that more private institutions ought, in fact, to be “established and empowered”.

“Our university is 10 years old, and virtually all infrastructural developments come from proprietors, donors and IGR (internally generated revenue) from school fees. All our efforts to enjoy municipal socially-provided services have been abortive, yet we have remained

faithful in the discharge of corporate citizenship responsibilities.”

Speaking on the proposed Distance Learning programme of JABU, the vice chancellor said that the university had “left no stone unturned” in its efforts “to enhance and strengthen the programme for paramount delivery.”

He added: “We have applied for community radio licence; tele-conferencing is currently available in the ICT Centre and is being set up for the Distance Learning through synergistic collaborations.”

The leader of the NUC delegation, Professor Mohammed Abdul-Mumin, said they were at JABU to assist the university in identifying areas that need to be improved upon in the proposed Centre for Distance Learning.

FORMER Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola; the Secretary General of the Association of ViceChancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), Professor Michael Faborode; former Education Minister, Professor Chinwe Obaji, are among the experts expected to speak at a summit organised

by Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), in Lagos, on Thursday (today).

The summit, which is to be held at the University of Lagos, will be presided over by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

A statement signed by the Secretary of the association, Mr Mojeed Alabi, said the conference would address “the controversies trailing the admission processes ahead of the 2016/2017 academic session in the tertiary institutions.”

The statement read further: “It is expected to feature presentations by other concerned stakeholders including the leaderships of the academic and nonacademic staff unions in the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, and the heads of the major examination bodies in the country such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).”

According to the chairman of the organising committee of the summit and Education Editor of New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr Kayode Olanrewaju, the theme of the summit is. ‘Integrity of Public Examinations and Admission in Nigeria.’

Other speakers expected at the event include Presidents of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, and Dr Usman Dutse, respectively.

20

education

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

SSANIP commends FG over bridging programme for HND graduates Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

T

HE Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has commended the Federal Government for addressing the issue of dichotomy between holders of university degrees and Higher National Diploma (HND).

The association noted that the bridge programme had removed the existing barrier on career progression for holders of HND, describing the development as a good omen for the nation’s technological development.

Tribune Education recalls that the National Council of Establishment had approved the Postgraduate Diploma as the bridge programme for holders of HND to progress to the peak of their career, especially in the civil service, thus addressing the age-long contentious issue of dichotomy.

In a statement by the National Public Relations Office of the association, Banjo Ogunsipe, SSANIP also commended the Federal Government for recording good success story in the fight against insurgency in the NorthEast.

The association, however, expressed displeasure at the secrecy that has enveloped the findings and recom-

mendations of the NEEDS Assessment Committee’s report, noting that the nonrelease of the document speaks volume on the issue of transparency.

It also faulted the reluctance of the federal government to appoint and inaugurate governing councils for all federal polytechnics, saying it had resulted in in-

EDUCATION is critical to national development and a tool for social transformation of an individual and the society at large.

The vice chancellor, Right Rev (Professor) Dapo Asaju, Crowther University, Oyo Town, said this recently, during the sixth valedictory service of the Lord’s Secondary School held in the institution.

Professor Asaju averred that much priority attention has not been given to education sector in the country, adding that Nigerian leaders have not been able to put the right caliber of people in place to revamp the sector to meet best global practices.

He said that Nigerian education sector, if handled well, will be able to compete favourably with the advanced economics, adding the future of the sector is bright.

The vice chancellor said that the students can make positive change in the country in future if they are directed to channel their youthful energies towards productive ventures and commended private school owners in the country for complementing the efforts of government

tions to state-owned polytechnics. It called on the affected states to re-assess their priorities so that the right of public servants would no longer be violated.

Some candidates at the opening day of the post-UTME screening at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Tuesday last week. Over 20,000 jostled for the 4000 slots available.

West Africa Students Union honours Kwara House Leader Biola Azeez - Ilorin

POLITICAL leaders, corporate and affluent individuals in West Africa have been urged to re-dedicate themselves towards serving humanity to wipe out poverty, joblessness, acrimony and insecurity in the sub-region.

The president of the West

African Students Union Parliament, Hon. Christophe Dave, gave the advice while presenting a ‘Pan African Servant Leadership Award’ to the House Leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke, in Ilorin.

Hon. Dave, who is of the

Education critical to national development —VC Ajayi Crowther University

By Tolu Olamiriki

dustrial disharmony in most of those institutions.

SSANIP also noted with dismay the non-payment of salaries to workers, as well as deductions from subven-

at all levels towards human capital building.

“Great leaders will emerge from them. They will excel in their generation and the whole world will be their constituency,” he said.

Earlier, the proprietress of the institution, Dr Felicia Oduntan, had urged government at all levels to accord the desired priority to the sector as private as well as the welfare of government workers so as to improve the

standard of education.

She, however, said that government/labour crisis across the country is a source of concern to all relevant education stakeholders and urged government to tackle it.

Dr Oduntan stressed that the institution will continue to put all necessary machinery in place at ensuring that it as make the products of the institution self-reliance through entrepreneurial programmes.

University of Decocodi, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, noted with displeasure that the West African sub-region had been afflicted with poverty, joblessness and other social vices, insisting that social menace could be exterminated from the sub-region and the continent in general when leaders, and affluent individuals demonstrate genuine commitment and sincerity of purpose towards moving the sub-region to a greater height.

He said the award tagged ‘Vanguard of Legislative Prudence and Youth Empowerment in Nigeria’ was bestowed on the House Leader in view of his un-relentless tremendous contributions to the nation’s hard-won democracy and youth empowerment right from his days as councillor in the old Oyun Local Government.

Dave said the West African Student Union Parliament was particularly delighted with the mature way he had been coordinating activities between the parliament and the Kwara State government without any iota of acrimony.

He, therefore, charged parliamentarians and politicians in West Africa to emulate his sterling qualities to further strengthen democracies on the continent.

Responding, the House Leader, Hon. Oyeleke, who dedicated the award to his constituency and the State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker Dr. Ali Ahmad, as well as the government and people of Kwara State.

He said the award would spur him to re-dedicate himself to the service of God and humanity.

C’River picks two semifinal slots in 2016 Cowbellpedia math quiz IN a competition involving 10 states last weekend at the ongoing preliminary of the 2016 Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show, Cross River State triumphed and picked two semifinal slots.

In the junior category, Master Godswill Harold of Deeper Life High School, Calabar, scored 95 per cent in the qualifying written examination to emerge as a state representative, thereby moving to the semifinal, alongside Amarachi, who scored 99 per cent in the qualifying examination.

Other competitors in the contest include Shukura

Kamardeen of the Federal Government College, Daura, Katsina State; Ishaq Ibrahim of Caliphate International School, Gusau, Zamfara State; Tanitoluwa Adebayo of Supreme Foundation School, Sangisha, Lagos State; Chukwuemeka Nwobi of Federal Science and Technical College, Awka, Anambra State; and Amarachi Imo of Federal Government College, Owerri, Imo State.

In the senior category, Miss Lauretta Essiet of Saint Annes High School, Calabar, and Samuel Michael of Reality High School, Ilesa, Osun State, defeated Favour Njoku of Nigeria Navy

Secondary School, Calabar; Abdulhakam Obejara of Elly Demonstration Academy, Serti, Taraba State; Valentine Kama of Saint Augustine College, New Karu, Nasarawa State; and Fah’d Moshood of Basaura Institute of Comprehensive Education, Birni-Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Eshiet, the only female student in her preliminary group, scored 94 per cent in the written examination, and proceeded to the semifinal stage with Michael, who had 97 per cent in the written examination.

Harold and Eshiet went emotional outside the studio

as they embraced each other. The duo also promised to sustain the momentum and win the competition for their schools and their state.

The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is N1 million and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country. The teacher of the winning students will receive N400,000.

Promasidor has also promised that the first and the second runners-up will go home with N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

There will also be plaques, mathematics textbooks and a desktop computer for the winners.

Define good future for yourself, proprietor advises school leavers YOUTHS, particularly fresh secondary school leavers, should define good future for themselves by taking the right steps as they begin a new chapter of their lives.

The proprietor of Calvary Heritage Schools, IjokoLemode, Ogun State, Pastor Bayo Ogundipe, made this call at the Prize Giving Day and Valedictory Service of Calvary Heritage Schools, Ijoko Lemode in Ogun State, at the weekend.

He said the call became necessary as the next phase of their lives after secondary school was very crucial and capable of determining how successful or otherwise their future would be.

The school leavers, he stressed, should note that their parents had done the best by giving them good and sound education and that the onus was now on them to build on that.

His words: “You need to define the future for yourself.

Your parents have done well by giving you good education by sending you to school. It is now left for you to choose the good path and build on it.

You should realise that your future is in your hands and you have to define it well.”

Advising them on what to do to achieve success in their future endeavours, Pastor Ogundipe said the school leavers should set their eyes on visions bigger than themselves and pursue them very well.

Apart from that, he identified focus, determination and commitment to God as some of the virtues that would see them through.

He said although different opportunities would come their way, they should be very careful and choose the good ones and pursue them diligently.

The proprietor said it was very important for the school leavers to have clear visions of their missions and avoid mistakes.

According to him, any mistake at that stage of their lives could be very costly.

“I can only pray for you to make the right choice. I would urge you to look at the examples of those that have succeeded and fashion your life after theirs and avoid the pitfalls of those who had fallen by the way side.

“Let this moment be the foundation of something great in your life. Be the best and decide to make success of your life so that when you look back, you will be happy that you have made the right choice and taken the right steps,” he advised.

Thursday, 18 August, 2016 21 education Look inwards, think hard, students told at FUNAAB Business Summit Olashore

T

HE director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Adewale Dipeolu, has urged students to watch out for opportunities on entrepreneurship, which according to him abound everywhere, and seize them to advantage.

Professor Dipeolu, who specialises in Production Economics, Marketing and Consumer Economics, advised the students “to look inward, think hard and look up to God.” He was the chairman at a Business Excellence Summit organised by a 300 Level student in the Department of Business Administration, College of Management Sciences (COLMAS) of the university, Miss Oluwatobi Adesina, in collaboration with other students in the university, with the theme ‘Start-Up: A Key to Sustainable Impact’.

Other members on the team include Festus Akinfenwa, Eno Dan, Folasade Olabisi and Funmi Olaoye (all from COLMAS); Michael Ojediran and Babatunde Asiwaju (College of Environmental Resources Management, COLERM); Shemuel Olawoyin, College of Plant Science and Crop Production, COLPLANT); and Idris Sanni, College of Veterinary Medicine, COLVET).

Others are Francis Iyere, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, COLANIM); Oluwalaanumi Ayorinde, College of Food Science and Human Ecology, COLFHEC); Tolulope Ogundare, College of Engineering, COLENG); and Roliat Elemere, College of Biological Sciences (COLBIOS).

Delivering a keynote speech entitled ‘The Entrepreneur in You’, which was targeted at the development of youths on entrepreneurial skills in tertiary institutions, the director, Consultancy Services, Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan, Professor Olajumoke Familoni, admonished participants to love what they do best and carry out research in such fields with great passion.

She noted that the seminar’s aim was to lighten up dormant business ideas and encourage entrepreneurship mindset among the youths.

The students’ Staff Adviser, Dr. Elizabeth Oluwalana, of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management (AE&FM), College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development, COLAMRUD), encouraged the participants to venture into agribusiness, saying that many opportunities exist in the area, especially

during this time that the nation is witnessing economic recession.

The highpoint of the event, which had over 300 participants within and

outside of the university, was the presentation of awards of excellence to the keynote speaker, facilitators as well as the donation of over 50 copies

of a book entitled ‘Key Traits of a Successful Leader/Entrepreneur and Entrepreneurial Workbook’, authored by Professor Familoni, to

participants.

There was also an exhibition and the display of value-added herbal products and fabric bags with their accessories.

Dr. (Mrs) Omolola Aina Ladele, Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos State (right) and students of AOCOED International School (AIS) planting a tree during this year’s Tree Planting Day programme in the College.

Mathematical sciences key to national development – NMC chief Clement Idoko- Abuja

THE director and chief executive of the National Mathematical Centre, Professor Stephen Onah, has pledged to work with various stakeholders in the efforts to demystify the study of Mathematics and make it one of the favourite subjects for pupils and students in Nigeria.

Onah, who described mathematical sciences as key to national development, said one of the chief objectives of establishing the Centre by the federal government was to simplify the study of Mathematics that most students develop phobia for.

He spoke during the maiden interactive forum with the staff of the Centre in Abuja, after assumption of office as director and CEO of NMC, following his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, alongside other 16 heads of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education.

He vowed that the new administration at the Centr would ensure accountability, probity and transparency in all official conduct, and that there would be no place for impunity in the system.

Professor Onah, who until his appointment was the deputy vice chancellor (Academics), Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, maintained that the teaching and learning of mathematical science must be encouraged in Nigeria in order to produce the critical mass of manpower needed to drive national development agenda.

While calling on all staff to sit up to their responsibilities, Onah assured them

that the new leadership at the Centre would lead by example. He said he has come to serve, and that every

member of staff should be ready to do the same.

“I will be decisive, fair and firm in all my dealings.

There will be no room for sycophancy, just as eye service will be seriously discouraged,” he said

encourage best and brightest students in the area to make a career in accountancy and also leverage on possibilities, opportunities and benefits of earning the Chartered Accountant qualification of ACA. Mrs. Olawuyi, who said the one-week programme was the second to be organised in the six geo-political zones of the country, having held the first one in the South West zone.

She also spoke of plans to take ICAN to the grassroots with a view to making it a household name and promote a platform for socio-academic interaction among undergraduate students irrespective of their

academic disciplines.

Mrs. Olawuyi said that accounting is the most important profession as far as economic development of a nation is concerned, and that more chartered accountants are needed for the nation’s economy “with a population of (over) 160 million, whereas we have just about 40,000 chartered accountants and about 20,000 accounting technicians to date.”

She also told the students that being chartered accountants does not stop them from becoming engineers, medical doctors, as several members of the institute are into politics or holding top positions in the economy.

ICAN organises residency programme for undergraduates in North-Central Biola azeez, ilorin

THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), in collaboration with the Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, has organised an awareness programme for non-accounting undergraduate students of polytechnics and universities in the North-Central geo-political zone of the Nigeria.

Speaking during the residency/awareness programme held at the Landmark University, Omu-Aran on Tuesday, the deputy director, Directorate of Students Affairs of ICAN, Folake Olawuyi, said that the programme was designed to

International School inducted into COBIS Abiodun Jimoh - Benin City

IN recognition of its dynamic and outstanding educational programmes in the development of children education in Nigeria, Olashore International School (OIS), Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State, has been inducted into the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).

The school’s induction that took place at a one-day conference on the effective use of assessment data, as organised by COBIS and GL Education, was backed by series of academic activities nurturing children to their full potentials in other skills, and in developing 21st century leaders.

The principal of the school, Mr Derek Smith, in his speech said “We are proud to have been inducted into the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). It’s all about hard work and the standard that we set for the school. Developing global leaders for the 21st Century is at the core of everything we do at Olashore International School.

“In February, the school gained the International School Award from the British Council. The award recognises the outstanding contributions of the school to integrating international work into the curriculum.

“For Olashore, leading on the global stage and leading within Nigeria go hand in hand. In June this year, I received an award on behalf of the school from the British Council in recognition of the work done over the past two years in developing the British Council Schools Network in Nigeria.

‘Establish system that’d discover more talents in education’ A call has gone to the nation’s education stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, establish a system that would discover more talents for the benefit of the nation’s educational system in particular, and the larger society in general.

This statement was made recently by the chairman, Abbeycome Nursery/Primary School, Akiode, Ojodu Lagos, Mr Michael Olumide Osifoluke, during the school’s graduation programme tagged: ‘Class of Outstanding Stars, 2016’.

Osifoluke, a certified public accountant and assistant director, Industrial Training Fund, told Tribune Education that to fix the nation’s educational system and improve

standard of education, there must be a concerted effort to evolve a system that would harness the latent talents of its citizens.

He believes the system can be activated and built upon as had been done before. “Chief Obafemi Awolowo was noted for his free education policy.

(It was) not just a policy; it has produced many raw talents.

The system is still producing many raw talents as far as the South-West of Nigeria is concerned.

“Those are the kinds of springboard from which a national policy on education can be hinged. It has been done before and it can be done again,” he insisted.

Responding to the recent

ban on post-UTME test by the federal government, Osifoluke faulted the policy, saying “the government was only looking at one aspect, and that is the double burden on parents with respect to the payment of screening fees and JAMB fees.

“The government was attempting to lessen the burden on the parents, but forgetting that no matter what, the quality and integrity of the whole process is far more important than the pecuniary aspect the government is looking at. No amount of money can buy a very good standard of education and that was where they missed it,” he argued.

He said the post-UTME

screening should continue since it is the global best practice as people have a way of vetting the quality of intakes into tertiary institutions all over the world, and Nigeria should not be an exception.

“Even in other parts of the world, especially the advanced countries, they have a central system just like the equivalence of JAMB, but candidates are given choices.

Candidates are given choices of at least two or three universities from which they can select one; and each university has its own screening or vetting system independent of the central facilities that process the candidates to be admitted at any given session,” he noted.

22

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Shola Adekola

m:0803 365 4818 e:sholanig@yahoo.com

crucial moment

Rwanda Air set to increase fleet size to 10 BARRING any last minute of change, the East African carrier, RwandAir will be increasing the number of aircraft on its fleet to 10 brand new ones before the end of the year.

Making this declaration, the Country Manager of the airline in Nigeria, Ms. Ibiyemi Odusi, said the development falls in line with the airline’s expansion programme.

Odusi, while speaking on plans by the airline to expand flights into more African destinations, including Khartoun , in Sudan, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire and Cotonou Benin Republic and other African cities, said the implementation of single skies for Africa will deepen the air transport market in the continent.

She called for the removal of all restrictions concerning all agreements among African countries saying it would enable African carriers to spread their tentacles to all parts of the continent.

According to her, if the single airspace policy for Africa is accelerated, the challenge of intra-African connections, which has affected many passengers would be eliminated as carriers could easily fly into different countries without the restrictions that hold them back.

Odusi maintained that Rwand Air has remained relevant on Nigerian route because it has kept its promise to passengers, who are daily asking for improved services.

0803 365 4818

Medview Airline: Nigerian Airlines’ beacon of hope

From left: Founder, National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC), Mr Ewos Iroro; student of Princeton College, Surulere, Lagos and third Prize Winner, NTEC 2015/2016 grand finale, Ekuma Oma, receiving a free ticket from Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, the General Manager, Public Affairs, DANA Air, at the event in Lagos.

‘Factors militating against establishment of MRO in Nigeria’ Stories by Shola Adekola

N

IGERIA is long overdue for a world class Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility to serve the domestic and regional maintenance requirements of the aviation industry and provide support for the aircraft leasing business.

This was the position of the Chief Executive Officer at the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services (BASL), Captain Jari Williams at the breakfast meeting organised by the Aviation Round Table (ART), a non-governmental body, but made up of professionals in Lagos last week.

According to Williams, a MRO is, no doubt, a critical and very important aviation infrastructure.

While saying the vision of a world class MRO was first conceived by the Akwa Ibom State Government with an implementation plan put in place, he,

however, lamented that, “Unfortunately, and to the detriment of the Nigerian aviation industry, this noble vision was truncated due to the absence of the much required support from the stakeholders, who ordinarily should have charted a roadmap for implementing the project.”

For the CEO, investing in a MRO is known to be extremely capital intensive, which requires significant collaboration with other industry stakeholders, and the rate of return on investment (ROI) is rather slow.

To attract willing investors, Williams said the government of the day has a key role to play especially by providing juicy incentives and business-friendly policies.

“With regret, we look back at the failure of past governments in providing the required leadership to undertake this sort of project.

Similarly, they failed to put in place necessary policies and legislative framework

for such a project to rest on.”

While maintaining that an MRO facility was critical to the sustainability of the aviation industry, particularly in developing the capacity for maintenance of aircrafts from A to D checks, Williams cited the effort of Akwa Ibom State government to build a national hangar with little or no cooperation from the Federal Government.

He maintained that establishing an MRO “requires some sort of subvention and support by government with other incentives like tax waivers, provision of low interest rates, approval of pioneer status, designation as Free Trade Zone, a well-defined policy, funding from institutional lenders such as the African Development Bank or the World Bank, technology transfer, as well as collaboration with foreign manufacturers and governments, in order to create an environment in which the industry can thrive.”

Dana Air rewards winners of 2016 National Travel Essay Competition DANA Air recently rewarded students with free tickets for their brilliant performance at the seventh edition of the National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC) and sixth Air Transport Youth Empowerment Seminar, which was held at the training hall of the Nigerian Civil Aviation (NCAA) Headquarters Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The 2015/2016 National Travel Essay Competition

With Shola Adekola

and Youth Empowerment Seminar with the theme: ‘Choosing an Exciting Career-Why Aviation,’ was designed to create greater awareness for the air transport sector and raise future aviation professionals.

The spokesman of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, while congratulating the winners said, apart from the support that the airline has been giving to the organisers of the competition since 2009, Dana Air has also been partnering

Bicourtney Aviation Services Limited, by providing aircraft for students to access, when students of various institutions come for facility tour of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal Two. He encouraged the students to consider a career in aviation, stating that ‘Dana Air’s kids fly program’ is also part of the airlines’ commitment to giving students and kids alike, their first flight experience while exposing

them to the exciting world of aviation.

Speaking earlier, Ambassador Mike Ononaiye, former Nigerian Ambassador to Portugal and Nigerian Representative to the United Nations (UN) who was Chairman at the competition, had urged all students at the event to be focused in life and work hard to deliver on their visions and dreams for the future while ensuring they hold firmly to the tenets of fairness and forthrightness.

IT is generally believed in Nigeria that running an airline business successfully particularly on the domestic scene is almost impossible.

This notion has been traced to the poor performances put up by many of the local airlines which could not stand the heat and collapsed unceremoniously.

Some of the reasons attributed to the failure of these domestic airlines to remain in business include lack of understanding of what airline business is all about before dabbling into it, ownership factor which prevents professionals from actually managing the airlines in line with international standards, ostentatious living by the owners, diversion of funds for the running of the airlines to other areas, failure on the parts of the airlines to cooperate and form alliances for stronger results.

Equally, the airlines have laid part of the blame on government for creating unfriendly environment through bad policies such as multiple entry points to foreign airlines, loose frequencies to foreign carriers, lopsided Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs), multiple taxations, unstable ordering exchange and expensive price of aviation fuel.

While one may sympathise with the domestic carriers to an extent, one obvious thing is that airlines from other countries that are known to be doing well also have challenges that confront them from their home countries, but they have been able to surmount many of these challenges through proper planning and determination to run profitably and remain in business.

Despite these challenges and the unfriendly situation, kudos should still go to the few of the remaining domestic airlines that refused to give up.

All hope is, however, not lost as the domestic airlines can actually make waves if they are determined and able to manage the business successfully as witnessed in the impressive performance of Medview Airline.

It is no longer news that Medview Airline which started as a travel agency not long ago, subsequently graduated to a chartered entity and then forayed into hajj operations and finally metamorphosed into a scheduled airline.Since then, the airline against all odds has continued to wax stronger based on the combination of core professionalism and full grasp of how an airline should be managed at all cost.

It is the best recognised Nigerian airline by the Saudi Arabia authorities for meeting all standards during the annual hajj exercise through its ability to airlift all pilgrims allocated to it without any hitch.

Since the airline has commenced operations on the Lagos/London Gatwick route, the success story so far is beyond imagination despite the fact that Heathrow Airport and not Gatwick is the major one.

The ability to succeed on the Lagos/London route according to the Managing Director, Alhaji Bankole Muneer, was based on his ability to first study the route and know what to do, before hitting the ground.

“The major airport is Heathrow, Gatwick. There is a standard airport. But we did a study and we went into it and today it is one of our best routes. We are also full all the way to September the 20th and we usually have no empty sits. And that is why we are trying to inject B747 to keep that route going for them and for Nigerians coming home in December.

“For Jeddah we did a run in Umra. I just came in now; I have been there for one month.We ran a charter and a schedule for Saudi Arabia; it was a clean one. I came back after the 11th flight and they were all full. So, we are now hitting hajj. We are looking at three aircraft. We are doing the schedule and we are also doing a lot of movement. We are moving people from West Africa including Mali. We had a contract there.”

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016 Editor:

health

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

‘Medical emergencies looms in Nigeria’ The issue of cost of medications and healthcare expenditure is germane in Nigeria. President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Professor Mike Ogrima in this interview with Sade Oguntola x-rays the challenges people with chronic illnesses face in the current economic crises.

T

here are concerns that high cost of drugs may lead to medical emergencies in Nigeria, do you agree with this?

I quite agree with you, but it is not only with drugs. Existing in Nigeria is an emergency because the cost of living is quite high for an average Nigerian. We are not manufacturing anything in Nigeria to support our forex. Most drugs are imported. So finding forex to support its importation is the crux of the matter. The whole economy is not stable; so it will affect every aspect of our lives.

Drug is just one of those things.

If the cost of drugs is really on the high side, what does it portend Nigeria?

When costs of medicines are high, many patients would not be able to afford them and as such level of adherence to medication use will be low. Of course, when compliance to medication use is poor, their disease would get worse.

Aftermath of this is increased mortality and morbidity level. That is what we are having now. It is an evidence of the poor economy on the citizenry. The diseases that were rare before are coming up. This includes non communicable diseases like diabetes whose incidence is increasing because of stress.

Cases of hypertension are also on the rise.

I am sure if you conduct a study in a community now, the number of persons with hypertension would be far higher than it was suggested by a past study that indicated that at least a third of Nigerians have hypertension.

Any impact on hospital attendance, be it government or private hospitals?

The private hospitals are in business and so need to make profit. But even in government owned hospitals, where treatment is said to be subsidised, impart of high cost of drugs would still be felt because of outof-stock drug syndrome. As such, patients would still end up going to purchase most of their drugs outside the hospital.

Health financing is topical given Nigeria’s current economy. As NMA president, how best can it be tackled?

The way out is National Health Insurance.

Although some people say they do not want to join, for different reasons, but it works.

All we need to do is to build on its existing achievement; extend its scope and make sure that it is compulsory for every person in Nigeria, irrespective of their profession and where they reside.

In addition, we should have social welfare scheme inbuilt within the national health

This is the reality of the day because the economy of the day is not as buoyant as before. But even in that context, every occupation is endangered. Government cannot employ, so everybody should go into entrepreneurship.

As a doctor, you cannot say that you are endangered because you can engage yourself; you should not wait for government to engage everybody.

As the new NMA president, one issue that Nigerians are bordered about is incessant strike in the health sector. What is your take on this?

I will be the last person to call my doctors out on strike.

Professor Mike Ogrima insurance scheme because there are certain age groups that must benefit who should not even pay. This includes the very poor, old and young; they are the vulnerable age groups.

How satisfied are you with the state of medical training in Nigeria?

I am quite happy with the products from the system; they are very good based on the rating of their global practice. Our products are excelling outside the country.

We have been keeping the country’s health indexes at its current level. For instance, if we do not have specialists in different medical fields trained in the country,

If we do not have specialists in different medical fields trained in the country, we would have been worse than this.

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we would have been worse than this. I am satisfied.

But then there are issues with training of resident doctors and new doctors on housemanship, which some attributed to inadequate facilities to train, non payments of salaries and allowances.

Already, the government is looking into housemanship training for new doctors.

In restructuring the process of training resident doctors, we advocate centralising their admission and training.

Also, we can coordinate the training of new doctors on housemanship as well as improve the capacity to absorb more. We have places where they can be trained; the only thing is that government does not have enough funds to pay.

Fund is the main issue. Availability of equipment and facilities to train boil down to proper budgeting and planning to ensure they could be imported. This can therefore build up the capacity of the existing structure for training the different cadres of doctors.

Would you agree that the medical profession is an endangered species considering that places for their employment and training are reducing by the day?

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Menopause and its symptoms

Page 26

‘Alligator Pepper, zobo useful for hypertension treatment’ Page 26

But some resident doctors are on strike now?

The resident doctors are the younger ones in the profession and of course you expect that in a family, where you have a lot of children, you have different behaviours by them. That does not mean that you will not own responsibilities of those children, we are guiding them, we are giving them good mentorship and we are also calling on the government to be sincere. When government reach any agreement with any group, it must be sincere to implement such agreements.

As NMA, we would carry everybody in the health sector along. We should be seen to work as a team. The patient is the number one in the health sector, not the various professions.

Is this possible?

It is very possible. Every profession in the health sector need to go back to the ethics of their profession. We have deviated a long time ago from the implementation of the ethics guiding the various professions. We should go back to the basics; mutual respect for each other and being sensitive to the plight of others.

Medical tourism is a big issue in Nigeria, what is the way out of this practice?

Medical tourism is a big problem; but improving the scope and capacity of NHIS will provide funds for facilities likewise asking doctors or medical professionals to form cooperative to float a mega hospital that is known for an ailment is a way out.

The other way out is to make sure that we advertise the various services hospitals in Nigeria can provide. A lot of Nigerians are ignorant of the scope of services that we are providing in Nigeria. Of course the elites have their own share of the blame since they are the ones that control the fund.

The elites want to partake in the extracode in accompanying patients, which is corruption in the medical tourism. So if we can tackle all these, we are going to reverse medical tourism and there will be inflow of people seeking for medical attention from Nigeria.

But advertisement is against the rules of the profession...

Individual doctors cannot advertise, but there is no law against advertisements of institutions or services a hospital can offer.

The Indians do a lot of this. This is how they get our citizens to patronise them. So we should also advertise our own services.

24

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Dr. Ben Ajayi 0805 400 5447

you-and-eye@gmail.com

Should eye drops be used before or after meals?

“Good morning Dokita,” Mama Bose greeted me as usual. “Good morning young lady,” I replied teasing. At 69, she looked more like 49. I asked if all was well and she was using her medications. “Certainly, I use my medicines regularly,” was her enthusiastic response.

A few minutes later, my tests, confirmed she wasn’t really using her medications. She certainly hadn’t used them that morning. “Mama Bose, why aren’t you telling me the truth?

You certainly haven’t used your medicines today?”

I avoided telling her she was lying.

In Yoruba culture, it is rude to tell an older person or a stranger she is lying to her face. It is not proper! But you can say what it is in a roundabout way that what she is saying is not exactly correct! Pure semantics!

“It is because I haven’t eaten,” she replied. It was about 10am. The only reason I had given her an appointment for that day was to see if the new medicine I had prescribed for her was working adequately or not. If it was effective, I could leave her on the medication. If on the other hand, it wasn’t, I would have to change to another type. Now, what would I do? Obviously, she would have to repeat the visit on another day!

A few minutes after this encounter, Chief Daruba, another patient came in. He had been on treatment for glaucoma for a number of years. Chief had not been good at using his medications. I had scolded him many times but it didn’t appear to have made any impact on him. He was seeing very well and for him that was all that mattered.

He couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about.

From experience, I knew that Chief would soon become apprehensive. He had lost a considerable portion of his visual fields and even though he could

Is there really any scientific basis for taking medicines after meals? Are there medicines that should be taken on an empty stomach?

Which medicine should be taken after meals?

your mental

still see very well, he was actually sitting on the edge of a cliff! He could suddenly lose the remaining nerve fibres in his right eye and go blind if he continued with his lackadaisical attitude. I checked his intraocular pressure. My fears were confirmed. It was exactly the same value as at the last visit before I introduced the new eye drops.

“My dear Chief,” I said affectionately, looking at him straight in the eye, “you have not used your medications.

Why?” He smiled wryly. His answer hit me like a bomb! I was dumbfounded. I thought my ears were misbehaving. I repeated the question in another way.

He held on to his statement, “Doctor, I haven’t eaten, how could I put drops in my eyes? I usually use the tablets after my breakfast and then follow with the drops.” Must you eat before you instil eye drops in your eyes?”, I asked.

As ridiculous as it sounded, I was later to discover that he was not alone.

Some patients chose to use their eye drops after eating. How this idea came about I wouldn’t know. Some said that the bitter taste of the medicine passing into their throat made their food unpalatable. Others claimed eye drops often provoked them to vomit if used before food.

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I decided to find out a bit more on how patients used their eye medications. The result was fascinating. Peter told me that he would only use his eye drops if he didn’t have any important engagement within three hours of using them. They make his vision blurry.

He wasn’t alone!

I discovered that limitation of activity was a major impediment to the use of eye drops. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The eye is for seeing and if for any reason a medicine that is supposed to promote healthy eyes makes it impossible for the patient to see well, it is unlikely to find favour with him.

Many patients found it inconvenient to use eye drops more than twice a day except they were in severe pain or discomfort. At the best, they would use it in the morning and night even if told they should use it three or more times daily.

Is there really any scientific basis for taking medicines after meals? Are there medicines that should be taken on an empty stomach? Which medicine should be taken after meals? Should you use eye drops before or after meals? What has eye drops got to do with vomiting? Watch out for the answers to these questions and more next week.

With: Jibril Abdulmalik (Consultant Psychiatrist) jabdulmalik@gmail.com

Suicide: A preventable human tragedy (Part I) The first five days of this month, witnessed two publicly reported cases of suicide in some national Dailies, which has sparked widespread discussions about it. Some of the expressed views appear to consider suicide as a strange and new development. But is this truly new or are we witnessing an epidemic of suicide deaths?

Traditional folklore has it that the legend of Sango, the god of thunder in Yoruba history committed suicide, following a tragic sequence of losses. A similar pattern is described by Chinua Achebe, with reference to Okonkwo in his classic work of fiction, ‘Things Fall Apart’. Thus, the concept of death being a preferable option to shame, humiliation and feelings of hopelessness in the face of adversity is not completely new.

It is also very likely that these events have always occurred but were not widely reported.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one million suicide deaths occur every year. This number is staggering, especially when we appreciate that there are several regions of the world – such as Nigeria and other developing countries, which do not have accurate death records and a reporting system. Thus, this WHO figure is undoubtedly a gross underestimate. To put this in perspective, this figure translates into one suicide death, every 40 seconds. And in the time it has taken for you to read this article up until this point, at least two human

beings somewhere on this planet, would have intentionally taken his or her own life.

The number of attempted suicide annually, is about 20 times the number of completed suicides – estimated at 20 million cases worldwide.

Why would anyone consider endinghis or her own life?

Several risk factors predispose to suicide, but what is consistent is that such individuals experience such intense and overwhelming emotional pain that they simply feel that they can no longer cope. The commonest risk factor is depression. This is a mental health disorder, which occurs when certain levels of chemicals in the brain are very low.

The chemicals involved, are responsible for improving our mood and making us feel good about ourselves. Thus, when the levels are low, affected individuals feel sad, miser-

It has a devastating impact on surviving family members, friends and colleagues.

able, hopeless and worthless. They may also feel overwhelmed by the problems (real or imagined) that confront them and therefore, begin to imagine that they have become a burden to their families and loved ones.

It is with the background of these types of thoughts, that death becomes an appealing outcome, in the face of such overwhelming problems.

Other risk factors include negative life events such as job or financial losses, death of loved ones, shame and public loss of dignity, loneliness, impulsiveness, and access to means. Males are also at greater risk, as suicide is thrice as common among males as compared to women. Mental illness, chronic physical illness, alcohol or drug abuse, and overwhelming emotional distress may also increase the risk for suicide.

Impact of suicide It has a devastating impact on surviving family members, friends and colleagues.

They often undergo a lot of emotional turmoil, with feelings of guilt, betrayal, regret and feelings of inadequacy – with thoughts such as “if only I had been a more observant/ caring/prayerful/dutiful parent, spouse, friend or colleague; perhaps this would not have happened.” Thus, in addition to the grief of mourning their loved ones, they also have to cope with these feelings of regret and inadequacies. Their misery is often wors-

ened by the stigma and shame of being ridiculed as the family member of someone who committed suicide. Moreso, as some people will insinuate that the spouse/friend/family/colleagues must have done something to push them to their wits end, or at best, were not supportive enough. These sorts of insinuations are not helpful at all and should be actively discouraged.

How can we help?

The family and friends of individuals who have completed suicide are going through a lot of emotional stress and require us to show empathy and understanding, as well as provide emotional support to help them come to terms with the tragedy that has befallen them. We should help to ease their pain; and not compound it. If their symptoms of distress do not abate after a few weeks, they may need to see a mental health professional for expert help.

Conclusion Suicide is a common but tragic occurrence, which negatively affects everyone connected with the affected individual. Several risk factors acting together may increase the chances of suicide occurring. However, it is preventable and next week, we shall be concluding this discussion by focusing on prevention strategies for suicide.

To be continued next

25 healthnews

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Tackling challenges of IDPs needs multi sartorial approach, FG told

By Sade Oguntola

N

igeria accounts for 10 per cent of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the world and as such tackling their health challenges requires a multi sartorial and multidisciplinary approach, the Federal Government has been told.

Professor Adebayo Onajole gave the charge at the scientific session of the 11th National Scientific Conference and All fellows Congress in an overview of the health challenges of IDPs. Onajole, a community health expert at the University of Lagos, said IDPs were vulnerable to many challenges because they were in transit, may have experienced profound psychological distress and lost their source of livelihood.

According to him, “as a result of conflict and displacement, there is abundance of food insecurity, lack of access to basic services and so on. They are also exposed to mental illnesses and psychological problems.”

Being faced with hunger and poverty, he said malnutrition and other health conditions such as measles, skin infections and Tuberculosis which they were exposed to need to be looked at.

Although malnutrition is not limited to children but also adults in IDP camps, he said often times, ill equipped and unhygienic condition of camps tend to exacerbate other health challenges in these individuals.

While long term problems of IDPs include disabilities, mental health problems, non-communicable diseas-

es and sexually transmitted infections, he declared “the urgent health issues that need to be tackled require the establishment of primary care and emergency

services, identify chronic medical conditions and provide alternatives treatment for them.

“Epidemics both in nutrition and disease conditions

are major problems, so the challenge is to get adequate data to do what is called health risk assessment.

“There must be conscious effort to ensure adequate

From left Professor Oladele Kale exchanging pleasantries with Professor Paul Osuhor as faculty Chairman, Faculty of Public Health, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Professor Obehi Okojie looks on.

FG tasked on medical regulatory board to stem negligence

By Sade Oguntola Stakeholders at the Faculty of Public Health had stressed the need for the Federal Government to reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to stem increasing cases of medical negligence in Nigeria.

Professor Oladele Kale, a foremost public health expert and chairman at the occasion said that without the board, erring doctors cannot be tried and if found negligent punished.

Kale, who remarked that the board’s reconstitution was long overdue, declared “if a doctor mistreats

you badly now, there is no body you can report to now because the board is not there. From what the registrar says, there are plenty of cases which he cannot handle until the board is properly reconstituted.”

The expert, noting that the body was a professional body and not political, said there is a certain standard of medical practice that is expected and as anything short of this may be tantamount to medical negligence.

According to him, “the board can find you guilty of negligence if you did not do what you are supposed to have done or did what you

are not supposed to have done.”

Professor Paul Osuhor, a medico-legal consultant and Obaseki of Umunede Kingdom who gave the 2016 annual Faculty of Public Health lecture in Ibadan, said in any medical negligence action, a defendant is expected to meet the appropriate standard of care and whether this defendant met this standard are the two very important issues to be considered by the courts.

According to him, “in order to establish negligence, a plaintiff must establish and prove that a defendant owed him a duty of care,

Buhari inaugurates N100m intensive care unit President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned Intensive Care Unit at Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano worth N100 million built and donated by Alhaji Aminu Dantata.

The President who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, recalled that in 2007, Alhaji Aminu Dantata also built and donated two other projects to the Dala Orthopaedic Hospital (General Ward and Amenity Suite) which have already improved healthcare delivery system in the hospital.

The Minister was quoted

input and political will to address the issues; plan to resettle IDPs back to their communities or reintegrate them into the host community where feasible.”

saying “Today, I am here on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to commission the Ultramodern Intensive Care Unit valued at one hundred million naira (N100,000,000.00) built and donated by Alhaji Aminu Dantata an illustrious son of the state whom all Nigerians should be proud of”.

He commended Amasco, Minjirya Health Services and Pedmic Nigeria Ltd, for their cash donations and equipment to the Spinal Centre in the hospital.

Osagie stressed that the Nigerian government is

committed to improving the health of Nigerians and called on all healthcare professionals to set for themselves target of ensuring that Nigerian healthcare system grows to become one of the best in the world.

The Minister later paid a courtesy visit to Dantata, where he thanked him for his contributions to the health sector and prayed that God would give him the ability to do more.

Responding, Dantata said that, he always feel elated whenever he contributes to the development of humanity adding that

such contributions have direct reward from Almighty Allah. He reiterated that he would continue to support health project in Kano and other parts of the country.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to provide drugs and other equipment to all Nigerian hospitals.

The Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Muhammed Musa while commending Dantata for the donation, acknowledged that the hospital provides care not only to people of Kano State, but also to the neighbouring states.

that this duty was breached and that the breach caused the damage.”

That about 40 per cent of medical negligence claims by the plaintiffs succeed, even in United Kingdom, Osuhor attributed to circumstantial evidence usually provided in court, which are usually incomplete and unsatisfactory.

That doctor do not fall foul of medical negligence, he urged “we must go back to doing our duties to our clients” adding “cases above one’s capacity should be referred rather than struggling. By referring, you will be saving the life or preventing complication.”

On rape cases, he said medical doctors are not helping their conviction as the court usually end up relying more on circumstantial evidence.

“The doctor says they have found seminal fluid in the vagina. Is it that of the accused? No, they have not examined the accused to find out of if the seminal fluid was actually his. There are many lacunas, so the judge just set the person free.”

On having police report to treat life threatening emergency cases, Osuhor said there was no law that inhibits attending to such emergencies, adding that the Hippocratic Oath demand that saving life should be paramount.

Oyo remains committed to health for all Oyo State government said it was prioritising primary health care services in a bid to take care of the basic needs of everyone in the state.

Oyo State Health Commissioner, Dr Azeez Adeduntan said this at the launch of the PACF/ENHANCE project to eliminate new HIV infections among Nigerian children by empowering mothers and women with disabilities to access reproductive health and PMTCT services in Oyo and Osun States.

Adeduntan, who said that Oyo State cardinal focus for health remains primary health care delivery, declared that the state’s government health agenda was all inclusive of persons with disability.

The Commissioner for health, saying that disability is not a death sentence, assured of his tenure’s open door policy to ensure health for all.

Adeduntan said Oyo State government is also making available necessary drugs and medicines to treat HIV free of charge.

While assuring that HIV was no more a death sentence, he assured of his continuous support to the well being of people with disability in the state.

Earlier, Executive Director, PLAN foundation, Mr Obatunde Oladapo, said that the project was targeting at least 18,000 direct beneficiaries comprising women with disability, women with HIV and rural women of childbearing age in five local governments respectively in Oyo and Osun States.

According to him, 125 mentor mothers were trained and engaged to reduce loss to followup among women and children accessing PMTCT services by providing information, counselling and support on PMTCT for their peers and male partners.

He said that the mentor mothers will be linking target beneficiaries to sexual, reproductive health information, services and commodities through their groups and associations.

Oladapo, who remarked that disability and HIV were associated with stigma, said at base line of this project, many health services sidelined women with disability.

That the country can attain zero cases of new HIV cases, Oladapo declared would therefore entail programmes on sexual, and reproductive health, HIV, STI, Family planning services targeting also persons with disability, which he said constitute 10 to 15 per cent of the society.

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

‘Why alligator pepper, zobo treat hypertension’

natural

health

By Sade Oguntola Can regular intake of alligator pepper be the cheap treatment for hypertension and high cholesterol levels, two conditions that predispose to stroke and heart attack?

Well, scientists have discovered that regular intake of alligator pepper lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In a new study, researchers linked its blood-pressure lower effect to the synergistic or/and additive actions of its components with blood pressure and cholesterol lowering effects.

For the study, they characterise the amino acids in alligator pepper seeds and tested their effects on body fat and enzyme linked to blood pressure regulation in rat feed a high-cholesterol diet for 30 days.

Alligator pepper, also sometimes called Grain of paradise, is a spicy, edible fruit that is often served along with kola nuts and alcoholic drinks to entertain guests.

When babies are born in Yoruba culture, they are normally given a small taste of alligator pepper shortly after birth as part of the routine baby-welcoming process.

Alligator pepper pot soup has both medicinal and nutritive values and the extracts of its seeds have been used as an antidote to dysentery, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, heart-burn and some infections.

Alligator pepper is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac, worm expellant, stimulant and diuretic as well as useful in the treatment of measles, leprosy, snake bite, low breast milk production and excessive

Alligator pepper

bleeding after child birth.

The 2016 study, published in the journal, Pathophysiology, showed that alligator pepper caused a comparable and significant reduction in bad cholesterol level like simvastatin. Simvastatin is a common drug currently in use for the treatment of high cholesterol level.

Also, regular intake of alligator pepper, the study found, protects the liver from the bad effects of a diet high in cholesterol.

Meanwhile, researchers have named other spices and vegetables such as garlic, fluted pumpkin, bitter leaf, African garden egg, clover bud, fermented soya bean, and zobo drink (water extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa) as helpful in high blood pressure management.

Zobo drink has been widely researched and reported to possess antihypertensive actions. In fact, the speculation that it has antihypertensive action has greatly increased its consumption by everybody, including persons with hypertension.

In 2015, experts’ comparison of the blood lowering effect of zobo drink and lisinopril in persons with mild to moderate hypertension indicated that zobo drink achieved 76 per cent successful reduction in blood pressure to normal level, while lisinopril achieved 65 per cent. Lisinopril is a known medicine for treatment of hypertension in blacks.

The clinical study involved Dr Daniel Chukwu Nwachukwu of the Department

of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, in collaboration with Eddy Ikemefuna Aneke; Leonard Fidelis Obika; and Nkiru Zuada Nwachukwu.

The study excluded patients with conditions such as diabetes, kidney, liver or heart problem, as well as pregnant women, chronic smokers, and alcoholics.

No side effect was recorded in all the participants that had zobo drink.

When compared to the control group, zobo drink significantly decreased systolic BP (SBP) at weeks 2, 3 and 4 while lisinopril significantly decreased SBP only at week 4.

In addition, the effect of zobo drink on SBP when compared to that of lisinopril was significant at week 4 Moreover, zobo drink produced a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) from week 2, whereas lisinopril did from week 3.

This study, published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, involved 78 newly diagnosed but untreated mild to moderate hypertensive subjects aged 31 to 70 years attending Medical Outpatients Clinic of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu. They drank 150 mg/kg of zobo drink once daily before breakfast for four weeks.

In preparing the zobo drink, 20 grammes of dry Hibiscus sabdariffa flower were ground in electric mill, added to a litre of boiling clean water and allowed to stand for 30 minutes.

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Menopause and its symptoms Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. The term menopause can describe any of the changes a woman goes through either just before or after she stops menstruating, which marks the end of her reproductive period.

A woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which are stored in the ovaries. The ovaries also make the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which control menstruation and ovulation. Menopause happens

when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops.

Menopause is considered a normal part of ageing when it happens after the age of 40. But some women can go through menopause early, either as a result of surgery, such as hysterectomy, or damage to the ovaries, such as from chemotherapy.

Menopause that happens before 40, regardless of the cause, is called premature menopause.

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Natural menopause is not brought on by any type of medical or surgical treatment.

The process is gradual and has three stages: ·Perimenopause This typically begins several years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually make less oestrogen. Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, the drop in oestrogen quickens. At this stage, many women have menopause symptoms. ·Menopause.

This is the point when it has been a year since a woman had her last menstrual period. At this stage, the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and making most of their oestrogen.

Postmenopause These are the years after menopause.

During this stage, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes ease for most women.

But health risks related to the loss of oestrogen rise as the woman ages.

Menopause is a normal part of aging

Premature Menopause Premature menopause can be the result of genetics, or medical procedures. Other conditions that may cause early menopause include:

·Premature ovarian failure Normally, the ovaries make both oestrogen and progesterone. Changes in the levels of these two hormones happen when the ovaries, for unknown reasons, prematurely stop releasing eggs. When this happens before the age of 40, it’s called premature ovarian failure. Unlike premature menopause, premature ovarian failure is not always permanent.

•Induced menopause This happens when the ovaries are surgically removed for medical reasons, such as uterine cancer or endometriosis. Induced menopause can also result from damage to the ovaries caused by radiation or chemotherapy.

Symptoms Most women approaching menopause will have hot flashes, a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the upper body, often with blushing and some sweating.

The severity of hot flashes varies from mild in most women to severe in others.

Other common symptoms around the time of menopause include: Irregular or skipped periods, insomnia, mood swings, fatigue, depression, irritability, racing heart, headaches. Joint, muscle aches and pains, changes in sex drive, vaginal dryness and bladder control problems

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Ondo 2016: The looming implosion in APC

A purported endorsement of an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is causing ripples in the party. HAKEEM GBADAMOSI looks into the uproar.

Oke

I

T is no longer at ease with the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). With less than two weeks to the party’s primary election, most of the main gladiators are singing discordant tunes and engaging in accusations and counter-accusations on the process that will lead to the emergence of APC standard bearer for the November 26 election in the state. The crux of the matter is the insinuation by a group of aspirants and other stakeholders of a plan by the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, to impose a particular aspirant on the APC. Consequently, they are threatening a showdown with the party leadership, just as others have vowed to exit from the party should those behind the plot fail to toe the path of reason. To some aspirants, the plot is tantamount to disrupting the normal democratic process of electing candidate for the party for an election. For instance, one of the aspirants, Dr Tunji Abayomi claimed that Tinubu summoned all the party leaders in the state to Lagos recently asking all other aspirants to rally round Dr Segun Abraham as sole candidate. Abayomi described the action as unacceptable to the majority of the aspirants, because apart from negating the provisions of APC Constitution, it violated the principle of equity, fairness and justice. He

Akeredolu

Boroffice

even claimed that Tinubu had promised to be neutral in the process of producing APC candidate. “I am speaking on behalf of the majority of the aspirants. We want to know whether this is true, and considering that we have a constitution that determines the procedure of electing a candidate. We are from Ondo State and we expect that our affairs should be largely controlled either by law or the people of Ondo State. So, we reject the government of leaders by the leaders to the privileged set of leaders. If he (Tinubu) had now directed that this is the person he wants to use, that means that he is the one constituting government over the people to his own benefit.

“The aspirants will reject him (Tinubu’s candidate) because that is his (Tinubu) own candidate and not the candidate of the people of Ondo State. We understand

that he has already directed that a certain governor in the South-West should raise money for the delegates in other to vote for his appointed candidates but this will not work,” Abayomi stated.

The APC chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the state have also voiced out on the issue. They cautioned the leadership of the party that any attempt to impose a candidate could lead to dire consequences for APC at the general election. The dean of the chairmen, Mr Rasheed Badmus, who spoke on behalf of other chairmen, said only a free, fair and credible primary would put the party on the path of victory on November 26. His words: “We know that if this information (plot to impose a candidate) is true, it is not only worrisome, it will jeopardise the chances of our great party during the election in Ondo State. We

As the countdown to the party’s primary progresses, there are indications that the gladiators might remain longer at one another’s throats than envisaged by many.

wish to appeal to the national secretariat of our great party to wade in and ensure that free, fair, transparent and credible primary is not compromised and that as being speculated, the delegates’ list of the state Congress of 2014 is not be doctored,” they warned.

Another APC caucus under the auspices of Ondo Progressive Coalition equally raised a similar concern, warning that the party leadership not to embark on act capable of impeding the success of APC. Their spokesman, Adewetan Vincent, said APC must not flitter the current opportunity to win the next election. Vincent stated: “If we are tired of being in the opposition, then we must speak up against any development that can affect the fortune of the party in the next election. We reiterate that the party must do a free, fair and transparent primary, devoid of the influence of our leaders. The candidate of the party must emerge on his own merit.”

However, the director of Media and Publicity of the party, Mr Steve Otaloro denied the allegation of imposing, saying there was no time the party leaders were summoned to Lagos by the national leader. He said: “The party has said it several times that the primary would be free, fair and transparent. So, as far as we are concerned in APC, there will not be any imposition of candidate in the primary. To the best of my knowledge, no party leader in the state has been invited by Tinubu to work for anybody.”

Meanwhile, some observers are beginning to envisage a possible repeat of the 2012 scenario, where the leaders of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) handpicked Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as the party’s candidate. The ACN lost in the election.

But, Tinubu, who happens to be in the centre of the raging controversy, has clarified his position on the matter. He said he, like any other dedicated party stalwarts, had the right to take a stand.

In a statement, he faulted Abayomi’s remarks saying “You have been a friend and will continue to be. Thus, I can dispense with needless formality so that we can get to the crux of the issue.”

In what looked like a fallout of the unfolding drama over the governorship race, Akinsuyi, who was a former Special Duties Commissioner under the Mimiko administration, has defected from APC to obtain PDP nomination form of the Ali Modu Sheriff PDP faction. To justify his action, Sule said: “As individuals, we believe that moving forward, as far as the 2016 election is concerned, we need a platform will allow us to shoulder common responsibilities and progress and development to our people.”

Governor Isiaka Ajumobi is leading the team to determine the fate of contenders for APC ticket. But the acrimony over the contest has also led to suspension and denials of the state chairman of the party, Hon Isaac Kekemeke for alleged anti party activities by some members of the party. Indeed, as the countdown to the party’s primary progresses, there are indications that the gladiators might remain longer at one another’s throats than envisaged by many.

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politics&policy

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

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ECENTLY, you and other members of the state assembly were arrested and detained by EFCC on alleged misappropriation of N750 million meant for the purchase of vehicles for members, alleging that you played major role in it. Was that so?

Thanks for the question. First and foremost, the speaker is the head of the assembly. The majority leader plays a vital role in the house, he is regarded as the engine room of the house. Concerning the crisis that led members to the EFCC, it is unfortunate that it was blown out of proportion because there was no element of fraud as bandied by the media.

Let me try to explain some of the issues.

The amount mentioned was N750m but there is nothing like that. I wish you would visit the Ministry of Finance and find out that there was no contract to this amount. Actually, there was a contract awarded to a separate entity from our members. This issue was discussed at the State Executive Council and the contract was awarded for the supply of Prado Jeep to each of the members and I am aware that the awarding of the contract followed the due process.

Why then did the EFCC come into the issue?

EFCC came in due to what it described as procedural error. Someone petitioned EFCC about the process, saying that money was given to members in lieu of the Prado Jeep, whereas the situation was that the contract could not be fully executed because of variation in the sum of the jeep. As at the time the contract was awarded, it was N12.5 million per jeep but before execution, it became N14.5 million. And members decided to forego this and collect at most N10 million each because of the interest of the people. We said “okay, adding up the money to the new market value will be of no benefit considering the paucity of funds.” So we decided that members could collect this money and go for any car of their choice not more than N10 million.

So, EFCC said it was a wrong thing and advised that we shouldn’t have collected the money in lieu of the Prado jeep. We were asked to refund the money and government should procure the Prado jeep for members and this is where we are now. Now, if you multiply the N12.5m by the number of the members, it is not up to the N400m that has been bandied in the social media.

With the decision to refund the money, what is being done now?

Yes, we have been refunding the money to EFCC and it will be returned to the state government so that the state will now add more money to get the jeep for the members. We are not against the decision.

As a result of the crisis, it was gathered that the speaker’s seat is being threatened There is a clique whose penchant is to damage the house and cause crisis. Why should the house impeach the speaker when there is no issue of fraud? We are running government here not a cult.

This Eighth Assembly has been so fair to all members, unlike the Seventh Assembly.

tional breach. The powers vested in the members are so enormous but we have to be cautious. This issue was never discussed in the house.

But the deputy governor’s son is being dragged into this?

I do not know whether the deputy governor’s son applied for the contract or not.

The deputy speaker is rumoured to have a vested interest in the contractor, as well asthe deputy governor’s son?

Well, that I can not explain. But I think he knows the contractor but does not know his relationship with the son of the deputy governor.

Adayin

Reasons we’re returning our car allowances to EFCC

—Benue Majority Leader

Recently, the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) swooped on members of the Benue State House of Assembly over purported mismanagement of N750m meant for the purchase of vehicles. The majority leader of the house, Rt. Honourable Benjamin Adayin speaks with newsmen on the incident and sundry issues. JOHNSON BABAJIDE was there. Excerpts: Let me give you an instance. In the Seventh Assembly, there were 10 opposition members. There was this issue of contract at SUBEB when the gesture was extended to the house; the then ruling party refused to let the members of the opposition to benefit. This time around, we are in majority, but we have agreed that everyone must partake so that all constituencies will have a sense of belonging. This is to show that the speaker carries everyone along; he adds value to

the welfare of all members, their is no preferential treatment.

Why is the house rumoured to be against the deputy governor?

This is a situation one cannot fathom because it is like certain persons are not happy with the peace reigning in the house and want to tamper with it. It is just a fabricated story. I can tell you that the Eighth Assembly never contemplated that. On what grounds? Before such a thing happens, there must be a constitu-

As at the time the contract was awarded, it was N12.5 million per jeep but before execution, it became N14.5 million. And members decided to forego this and collect at most N10 million each.

Perhaps your role in the house as the engine room accounts for the insinuation that you have overwhelming influence on the speaker?

That will not be fair to anyone. Each of us in the assembly is a representative of his or her constituency and the people of these constituencies have enormous belief in their representative before sending him or her to represent them.

Remember that the speaker was an officer in the last assembly before providence smiled on him to lead us in this Eighth Assembly. At his age, God has blessed him with leadership qualities, so also the deputy speaker.

Why the presence of security operatives in the house since this crisis started?

It is true we have tightened security in the house, because since that crisis, we started noticing strange people at the gallery and we found it necessary to fortify the security in the house for the safety of members, workers and peaceful people that come to the house.

It looks like the house has become the lapdog of the executive, due to its silence in the face of porous security in the state and the state of the economy despite its oversight functions?

You cannot say we are lapdogs because what is happening in the state today is not peculiar to it. The security challenge is global. We should know that this is a turbulent time. We have to commend the state government for initiating the amnesty programme with the aim to reintegrate and rehabilitate those repentant for engaging in crime.

One thing you should know is that the present administration did not create these problems, though killings, kidnapping and other crimes are condemnable but we should also appreciate the efforts of government in nipping it in the mud.

You should know that the house is not folding its hands, we are working on kidnapping bill.

On economy, the recession is globally nay Nigeria, the IGR in 35 states are nothing to write home about that is why we gave approval to government to borrow money. We all know that the present administration met a deficit account, so it is wicked to pass the blame on this government. But I advice that we should be patient, what we are passing through is not peculiar to the state, let not loose faith in government, the starting may be rough but surely, the end will be better.

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Uncertainty over PDP’s future continued from pg5

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Donald Awunah, stated this while speaking on a live programme on the Channels Television, monitored in Abuja, on the presence of massive armed police personnel at the venue.

The police spokesman disclosed that officers and men of the Force had to be moved to the venue promptly to maintain law and order, following the conflicting court orders emanating from Abuja and Port Harcourt Federal High Courts on the convention.

He confirmed that the police had been duly served two conflicting orders and that as proactive and responsible organisation, the police had to move ahead to secure the venue in order to prevent the two factions from clashing, which might lead to total breakdown of law and order in the state.

I was under ‘house arrest’ in P/Harcourt –Fayose •Says APC wants PDP dead

Governor Fayose of Ekiti State lamented that he was not at the national convention of the PDP because he was placed under ‘house arrest’ at the Old Presidential Lodge, Rivers State Government House where he lodged.

The governor, who was conspicuously absent at the convention which was eventually held at the state secretariat of the party, said he was prevented from moving out, as the gate to the Old Presidential Lodge was blocked by an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Media, Lere Olayinka, disclosed that all entreaties to allow Fayose to step out to attend the convention were rebuffed by the security personnel on ground.

Reacting to his claim, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Odesanya, denied the knowledge of such incident.

“That can’t be true. It is not to my knowledge. How did the other governors go out of their lodge to attend the programme?” he asked.

The governor, however, said the ruling APC wanted the PDP dead because it did not want a virile opposition to challenge its policies.

Fayose said such a development would not, however, be in the interest of the country and Nigerians at large.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor was

quoted as saying that a virile opposition was a vital ingredient for democracy and necessary to make democracy thrive.

He said the cordoning off of the Sharks Stadium by the police, on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, had the input of the APC-led Federal Government, saying the police only acted the script written by the government.

“I witnessed what the police did early today in Port Harcourt, it is most unfortunate. It has shown that we are indeed in a perilous time in the country. The APC is desperate to kill opposition and silence others because it is afraid of its inability to properly govern the country and tackle the challenges facing us as a nation,” he said.

The governor wondered what would have happened if the PDP acted like the APC and refused to hand over to the APC last year.

Fayose also said it was unfortunate that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff had turned himself to an instrument in the hands of APC leaders to destablise the PDP. He appealed to PDP members from across the country who came to the convention not to feel discouraged, say-

ing the truth would prevail in the long run.

Agbaje, Adedoja, others react

Mr Agbaje, governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos for the 2015 election, said the party would remain alive in spite of internal problems.

Agbaje, in a statement by his director of media and publicity, Felix Oboagwina, in Port Harcourt that members would keep the party alive, being the main platform for the opposition in the country.

He said the decision of delegates to extend the tenure of the Makarfi-led national caretaker committee was a good option aimed at keeping the party stronger.

“It is obvious that from the situation we found ourselves, we must keep the PDP alive.

It is the still the veritable platform for the opposition.

“So, the best option is what we have taken, which is to extend the life of the caretaker committee, to expand it as we have decided and to give room for whatever litigation,” he said.

Agbaje also said he was optimistic that before the end of the year, the party would bounce back stronger and more united.

“I’m sure that within the year, we will be very much stronger,” he said, while he blamed the crisis on shenanigans by the ruling APC. Reacting to his claim, a chieftain of APC and member of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Mr Olisaemeka Akamukale, said the party did not need crisis in PDP to win election in 2019.

He, however, said the party was not behind the woes of the PDP as being alleged in some quarters.

According to him, “it is better we have a strong opposition. We don’t need a crisis in the PDP to win landslide again in 2019.”

A former chairman of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), one of the five parties that merged to form the APC, also told newsmen in Abuja that “the only problem with PDP is that they always want to go to where they did not sow.”

On his part, Professor Adedoja urged all committed PDP members to see the current development as a veritable opportunity to allow sufficient time to resolve all the challenges confronting the party.

The contestant, who said he would have won if the convention held, said the

Spokesman of the national caretaker committee of PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, addressing a postnational convention news conference, in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

party should take concrete steps to reposition itself, based on the rule of law, equity and justice, while urging the party members across the country to be patient with the founding fathers, who were still around to offer their elderly advice on the way forward.

Extension of PDP national caretaker committee’s tenure illegal –Sheriff

Factional national chairman of PDP, Senator Sheriff, described as illegal, the extension of the tenure of the party’s national caretaker committee.

In a statement signed by his special adviser on media, Mr Inua Bwala, on Wednesday, he also said the Wednesday meeting in Port Harcourt, where some decisions were made, was illegal, null and void.

He stressed that whatever decision taken at the NEC meeting could not stand, as it contravened the party’s constitution.

“The said meeting breaches Section 31, sub-section 4 of the PDP Constitution. The section provides that it is only the national chairman who can convene a NEC, after giving two weeks’ notice to INEC. “Even in an emergency situation, one week notice must be given to the national chairman, who has the sole responsibility to convene the NEC,’’ the statement said.

It said it was sad that in the face of obvious disregard to court orders, which halted the convention, some individuals were bent on perpetrating impunity by taking steps to install another contraption on the party.

“The rule of law and constitutionality must prevail in all circumstances; as such,

whatever decisions arrived at, is not binding and cannot stand in law,” he said.

You are acting illegally as PDP chairman, court tells Sheriff

Justice Nwamaka Ogbonna of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, on Wednesday, told the factional chairman of the PDP, Senator Sheriff, that he was illegally parading himself as chairman of the party.

The court told Sherrif to cease from parading himself and acting on behalf of the party as chairman.

The suit was filed by a contestant to the position of the youth leader in Wednesday’s planned national convention, Danladi Ayuba, with Senator Sheriff as the sole defendant.

When the case was mentioned, no counsel appeared for Sheriff and the plaintiff presented to court the proof of service of the court process on Sheriff.

In her judgement, Justice Ogbonna said, based on the judgement of Justice Valentine Ashi of the same court, which sacked Sherrif on June 26, 2016, and which had not been appealed against at the Court of Appeal, all the action taken so far since June 26 became a nullity.

“There is no evidence that the judgement of Ashi has been appealed against, therefore, the judgment, which is a declarative one, must be obeyed.

“Anything done contrary to the judgement of Ashi delivered on June 26 is null and void and of no effect. The judgment of Ashi, having not been appealed against, subsists and is binding,” the judge held.

Kashamu’s men attacked me at PDP convention —Adebutu •There was no contact between us —Kashamu

By Dare Adekanmbi THE supremacy battle in Ogun State chapter of PDP took a new dimension on Tuesday, as tens of political thugs alleged to be loyal to Ogun East senator, Buruji Kashamu, attacked a member representing Remo federal constituency, Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, at the party’s convention in Port Harcourt.

Adebutu was said to have been stripped almost naked by thugs who attacked him at the car park of the hotel, where he and other delegates from Ogun State lodged.

Kashamu and Adebutu had been locked in a supremacy battle for the control of the soul of the party

in the state.

Narrating his ordeal to the Nigerian Tribune on telephone, Honourable Adebutu said it was by the grace of God that he was not killed.

“I thank God I was not killed. I will do a special thanksgiving in church on Sunday, when I get home. I have never seen anything like this since I joined politics.

“Kashamu mobilised hundreds of thugs from Lagos State to the venue of the convention. The thugs swooped on me at the car park of the hotel where we lodged. The thugs told me that the convention we came for was illegal and I told them to allow us go ahead, whether it was illegal or not.

“They just descended on

me and stripped my dress and continued to beat me.

They overpowered me. They said I was stubborn and would force me to bow to Kashamu. I started shouting ‘help, help, help.’

“I ran to the reception of the hotel to take cover. My distress shout attracted the attention of other delegates and those from Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s camp, who came to rescue me from the jaws of death.

“The whole game looks like they are being sponsored to ensure that PDP does not survive as an opposition party that is reforming to take back central government in 2019.

“But I will not be deterred.

PDP must be reformed as a party for the people and not

a party which a clique will turn to a means of livelihood.

PDP must return to winning ways and we can’t afford to continue with the unproductive old order,” he said.

Reacting, Kashamu, speaking through his media aide, Mr Austin Oniyokor, said there was no contact between him and Honourable Adebutu.

“Senator Kashamu had gone to the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt, in company with members of the BoT of the party.

“As he made to leave and walked towards the car park, he saw Honourable Adebutu and instead of him to extend the usual courtesy expected from a younger one to the elderly, he (Adebutu) began to shout in Yo-

ruba, saying ‘what are you doing here? Go to Sheriff’s convention.’

“At that point, a stupefied Senator Kashamu wondered what was wrong with Adebutu and beckoned on one of his aides to ask why he (Adebutu) was so unruly.

“When Senator Kashamu sought to move closer to him to have a brotherly discussion, Adebutu rebuffed him and then sped towards the hotel’s reception, where he again began to shout on top of his voice, asking Kashamu to go to Sheriff’s convention.

“At that point, the senator left him, entered his vehicle and drove off. You can, therefore, imagine our consternation upon reading the report of an imaginary attack,” Oniyokor said.

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south-westnews

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

Ondo APC crisis: Aggrieved members dislodged at party secretariat Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

T

he crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State took another dimension on Wednesday as some party members loyal to the embattled chairman, Honourable Isaacs Kekemeke, clashed and dislodged the aggrieved members of the party from the party secretariat.

It took the intervention of the officers of the police command to restore sanity at the secretariat after a freefor-all between the supporters of the two factions.

The aggrieved members

who sacked the Kekemekeled executive and sealed off the party office along Oyemekun Road re-converged as early as 7:30a.m. to ensure that the state executive council members led by Kekemeke did not have access into the secretariat.

The aggrieved members, under the aegis of Move-

ment Against Imposition (MAI), had stormed the secretariat on Tuesday and sealed it off, alleging imposition by leadership.

They installed Saka Yusuf Ogunleye as the new acting chairman.

Ogunleye and his group, who sat at the entrance of the secretariat with his

supporters waiting to be ushered into the secretariat, took to their heels when some party members came with cudgel, cutlass and dangerous weapons.

Meanwhile, the Woman Leader of the party in Akure South Local Government Area, Mrs Titilope Oparinde, condemned

the action of the aggrieved members describing it as unconstitutional.

She said “It will be rude for anyone to wake up and speak against the well constituted state executive. I will therefore ask all APC members who are aggrieved to respect the party and allow peace to reign.”

SDP declares support for LP candidate in Oorelope by-election The Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State, Alhaji Kola Balogun, has declared support for Labour Party candidate, Mr Lukman Balogun, in Saturday’s byelection for Oorelope State Constituency.

In his address at the grand finale of the Labour Party (LP) rally at Igboho, on Tuesday, Balogun said the party decided to support Labour Party due to the circumstances that led to the killing of Honourable Gideon Aremu.

He said that the party felt the best way to mourn and honour the late Aremu was to support the Labour Party candidate.

“This will go, in a long way, to demonstrate the attitude and the teaching of SDP leader in the state, Mr Seyi Makinde, which emphasis no to do or die politics,” Balogun said.

He, therefore, enjoined all party members in the local government area to work towards ensuring the victory of Mr Balogun the election.

In his remarks, Labour Party chairman, Mr Gbenga Olayemi, thanked the SDP in the state, particularly the leader of the party, Seyi Makinde, for demonstrating unusual and rare leadership qualities among today politicians.

He said that the arrangement signified reasons for political parties to work across party lines in subsequent elections.

From left, Oyo State chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Akin Oke; deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo; APC candidate for Saturday’s by-election in Oorelope state constituency, Mr Jimoh Gbadamosi and Governor Abiola Ajimobi, when the governor led the party’s campaign train to Igboho, on Tuesday.

Aregbesola urges Nigerians to be patient with Buhari Says Osun job centre will tackle unemployment Oluwole Ige - Osogbo Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its bid to strengthen the nation’s economy.

He made the appeal in his office while receiving a plaque of honour from the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Osun State chapter.

Aregbesola, describing change as a gradual process, said “what Nigerians need at the moment is to double their support for government in finding lasting solutions to myriads of challenges confronting the nation.”

According to him, “change does not come easily, change comes generally with pain and it is this pain that will turnout for good. There is no doubt about the fact that we are going through serious socio-economic and politics of unrest and it is my fervent belief that after this period, Nigerians will experience good life, joy and happiness “The period we are in now

is what could be referred to as labour of child delivery because when a pregnant woman is about to deliver, she goes through unaccountable pains and agony, but after this period, happiness take over with celebration,” Aregbesola remarked.

Earlier, the chairman, Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering, Dr Daud Abubakar, while presenting the plague of honour to the governor, lauded

Aregbesola for prioritising physical infrastructural development above other things.

Meanwhile, Governor Aregbesola, on Tuesday, said that with the commencement of operations of Osun Job Centre, unemployed individuals would not need to go outside the state to seek employment.

He said the creation of the centre was part of the measures being explored by his

administration to take the army of jobless youths off the street.

Aregbesola, who made these disclosures in Osogbo during the commissioning of Osun Job Centre, an organisation set up to be the hub for job seekers in the state, restated the commitment of his administration to reduce challenges of unemployment to the barest minimum through legitimate means.

Woman, 35, commits suicide in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta Tragedy occurred on Tuesday evening as a woman identified as Mrs Omolola Atejioye, aged 35, committed suicide by hanging inside her apartment located along Ago-Iwoye Road, Ilisan-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

This incident was confirmed by the state acting Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who said the deceased’s husband, Mr Ayodele Atejioye, who returned from work at about 5:30p.m.

found her wife dangling in the room.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that late Mrs Atejioye did not leave behind any suicide note.

The matter, Nigerian Tribune gathered, was reported to the police by the deceased’s husband while her body has been deposited at Babcock University morgue, where her husband works.

Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, told newsmen that post mortem would be carried out on the deceased to determine the cause of her

death.

He said, “A member of staff of Babcock University reported to our men in Ilisan-Remo that he returned from work around 5:30 p.m. and met the body of his wife dangling from the ceiling of their apartment, after the door was forced opened.

“The policemen later brought the body down and it had been deposited in the mortuary of the Babcock University in the same town. The deceased did not leave any suicide note.

“A post mortem would be carried out on the corpse.”

Nigerian Tribune

Alaawe of Awe

sworn in as Afijio traditional council chairman The Alaawe of Awe, Oba Cornelius Abiola Taiwo, has been sworn in as the chairman of Afijio Local Government Traditional Council.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the local government secretariat, Jobele, following the expiration of the tenure of immediate past chairman, Oba Stephen Olufemi Oparinde, Akibio of Ilora.

The new chairman, after taking the oath of office, promised on behalf of other traditional council members to continue where his predecessor stopped and ensure speedy development of the council area.

The council also used the occasion to perform the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Rafiu Ajao Atinuke Ikubolaje, Jagun of Akinmorin, as a member of the traditional council.

In a separate reaction, the duo promised to work in collaboration with other council members to sensitise their subjects on the need to maintain peace, understanding as well as ensure regular payment of taxes.

In the meantime, the outgoing chairman of the council, Oba Stephen Olufemi Oparinde Ilufemiloye II, thanked the entire council members for the support and cooperation.

Power of Resurrection Christian Church celebrates eighth anniversary The eighth anniversary of Power of Resurrection Christian Church holds on Monday, August 15 to Tuesday, August 16, 2016 between 5:00p.m and 7:00p.m at the church auditorium, at No. 71/73 Olaleye Ogunsola Villa, off Agbamu Road, Power City, Sanyo, Ibadan.

The theme of the anniversary is “Who is like our God?” Praise night will take place on August 17, at 10:00p.m till dawn while the grand finale comes up on August 21, 2016, at 8:00a.m.

Ministering at the event are Pastor and Prophetess D.O. Adebowale and other anointed men of God, with songs inspiration, deliverance and breakthrough.

Pastor and Prophetess D.O. Adebowale

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Thursday, 18 August, 2016

How we are handling ‘Omo Onile’ menace in Ado Ekiti —Ewi Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

T

he Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, has kicked off the traditional new year (Udiroko) festival of the Ado Ekiti people and announced that the community had put mechanism in place to tackle the menace of land grabbers and touts known as ‘Omo Onile’, in the state capital.

Oba Adejugbe announced this at a press briefing to herald the annual Udiroko Festival.

He declared that his kingdom was a no-go area for land grabbers, many of whom he claimed were sent packing from Lagos, saying the chiefs and himself would not allow such to thrive in the community.

He said the troubles created by land speculators in Ado Ekiti were one of the

prices to be paid for the change of its status from a town and local government headquarters to a state capital, following the creation of Ekiti State on October 1, 1996.

Speaking on the menace of the land grabbers which is denting the image of the community, Oba Adejugbe declared that any Omo Onile arrested henceforth in Ado Ekiti would be treated as an armed rob-

ber and given the appropriate punishment.

He disclosed that the palace has officially forwarded a letter to the office of the Inspector General of Police to tackle the Omo Onile syndrome which he attributed to “the influx of the boys driven away from Lagos.”

The grand finale of the festival holds on Tuesday, August 23.

The monarch urged his

Members of staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, born in the month of August, cutting their cake at the Tribune’s boardroom, Imalefalafia, Ibadan. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

EFCC detains Imo ex-gov Achike Udenwa The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday re - arrested the former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, in connection with alleged campaign scandal at the last presidential election.

Udenwa, who was a state co-ordinator for The Presidential Campaign Organisation in Imo State, was alleged to have collected the sum of N350,000,000 million from the former senator representing Kaduna South and Director of Finance for the PDP presidential campaign organisation, Nenadi Usman.

According to a statement released on the agency’s official facebook account – Official EFCC, it stated that “the suspect, in his statement to the Commission, admitted receiving the money through a Diamond Bank account No. 0058805692 and 005950791 respectively on the 14th and 28th of January 2015 in three separate instalments.”

Udenwa also added that “the money came from a company named Joint Trust Dimension Limited.

This same company was charged alongside Mrs Nenadi Usman and the Media Director of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani Kayode, before Federal High Court, Lagos on a similar allegation.”

According to the agency’s account, investigation however revealed that Achike Udenwa and one Viola Onwuliri, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs

and State Minister for Education, who was his deputy at the Presidential Campaign Organisation, were the two signatories to the Diamond Bank account that received the money.

Upon his arrest, Udenwa was immediately granted administrative bail by the commission with condition that he should be reporting to the commission at an appointed time. But while enjoying his administrative

bail, Udenwa chose to deliberately skip reporting, thereby compelling the commission to revoke his administrative bail pending his arraignment soon.

Achike Udenwa was a governor of Imo State under the flagship of Peoples Democratic Party between 1999 and 2007 and became a minister of Commerce and Industry between 2008 and 2010 under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Catholic bishops condemn alleged ‘subtle plan’ to legalise abortion in Nigeria Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti The Catholic Bishops Conference, Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, has condemned what they said was a subtle plan by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, in collaboration with some foreign organisations to increase the culture of contraception among Nigerian women.

The bishops, in a communique issued at the end of their meeting, on Wednesday, described this move as an “anti-life policy.”

The bishops also warned the political parties participating in Edo and Ondo gov-

ernorship polls to desist from violence and align with the guidelines stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to avert anarchy in the system.

They praised President Muhammadu Buhari for exposing corrupt Nigerians in his anti-graft war and advised that the president must institutionalise the fight for it to outlast his administration and become deeply entrenched in the system.

A communique issued at the end of a three-day second plenary meeting of the province, held in Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday, “condemned the recent

move by the Minister of Health, Professor Adewole, in collaboration with the foreign agencies, to commit the Federal Government to increasing the culture of contraception and subsequently, abortion among our people.”

The communiqué, signed by its President and Archbishop of Ibadan, Gabriel Abegunrin and Secretary, who also doubles as the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti State, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, added: “The policy is being done all in the name of providing better maternal health and empowering our people.”

subjects and residents of the city to come out in large numbers to participate in the festival which he described as a celebration of culture and tradition of Ado people.

The festival commenced with a prayer session by Christian clerics led by the Dean of the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Very Reverend Francis Bankole and Chairman, Ado Ekiti District Church Council (DCC) of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Pastor Olu Eyebiokin.

The prayer was followed

by Festival Lecture entitled “Ado Ekiti for Greater Tomorrow” which was delivered by the former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Dr Sikiru Tae Lawal.

Oba Adejugbe explained that Health Talk holds on Thursday (today) at Pastoral Centre. On Friday, there will be a visit to the aged, “Ayo Olopon” competition and Jumat service at the Central Mosque.

Ajimobi appoints Moradeyo chairman Christian pilgrims welfare board Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has approved the appointment of Very Reverend David Ademola Moradeyo as the Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing).

Moradeyo, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, is also a graduate of the Lutheran College of India where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Theology in 1981. He succeeds Reverend Father Theophilus Fadeyi.

The new chairman later trained for a Diploma in Theology at the Methodist Theological Institute, Shagamu, Ogun State, an affiliate institution of the University of Ibadan.

He was also a teacher in the employ of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission in his career trajectory, while he was until the new appointment, a member of the pilgrim’s welfare board he now heads.

He is a presbyter, Conference Coordinator and Head of Department of Men’s Work of the Methodist Church Nigeria.

His appointment takes effect from August 1, 2016.

Nigerian Tribune

EFCC grills FUNNAB VC, bursar for 7 hrs

By Tunde Ogunesan THE Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Oyewole, alongside the university Bursar, Mr Moses Ilesanmi, was yesterday quizzed for over seven hours by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan zone, at their Iyaganku office.

Professor Oyewole, Mr Ilesanmi and other principal officers of the institution arrived No 16, Reverend Oyebode Crescent, Iyaganku, GRA, Ibadan, around 9:48a.m. in respect of an invitation by the zonal office of the agency signed by Akaninyewa Ezima.

The vice chancellor and the bursar, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, were grilled for more than five hours in respect of a petition written against the management of the university, the Pro Chancellor and some members of the Governing Council by “Concerned Stakeholders of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.”

The agency confirmed this in a post on its official facebook account with a report entitled “EFCC, Ibadan quizzes FUNAAB Vice Chancellor.”

When contacted, the Head, Public Affairs, Ibadan zonal office, Ayo Oyewole, confirmed the story but referred the Nigerian Tribune to the agency’s official facebook for update.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Tribune gathered that the investigation is likely to extend beyond Wednesday as it was gathered that the petition was “very bulky” and covered a period of time.

The source also added that as a result of this, the prosecuting officers need to take their time to make some clarifications and verifications on some payments and expenditures referred to in the said petition by requesting for some Certified True Copies (CTC).

While Mr Oyewole, a Professor of Food Science and Technology, was appointed in 2012, Mr Ilesanmi was appointed in September 2011.

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Edo: I’ve found my missing certificates in US —Obaseki Banji Aluko, Benin City

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HE candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said that he has found the originals of his missing academic certificates in the United States.

The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had, on Monday, expressed worries over an affidavit sworn to by Obaseki at an Abuja High Court, stating that he lost his academic qualifications while moving his office from one place to another, adding that the reasons adduced by Obaseki were unconvincing.

However, speaking on Wednesday, at an interactive session organised by civil societies for governorship candidates in the state, Obaseki said PDP members were jittery of his academic qualifications.

“I have found them. The truth is that I have not had any reason to look for them in the last 25 years.

I know that I kept them somewhere in a safe box and I had photocopies.

“When I needed them for the exercise, I couldn’t find them, so, I swore to an affidavit that I can’t

find the originals. I said I can’t find them; here are the photocopies.

“I took the photocopies to the institutions that issued them and they certified the photocopies. So, when the whole controversy started raging, my cousin called me from New York and said, ‘but your originals are here.’ I said please, send them to me now.”

Obaseki, who was the only governorship candidate that attended the interactive session, used the opportunity to highlight his programmes, promising to industrialise the state by attracting investors to it, redesign academic curriculum by creating more technical schools and focus on the non-oil sector.

“I have dealt with investors in the last 19 years of my life

and I know how they think.

Without security and manpower, they won’t come. We will provide these basics. I have the capacity, training and wherewithal to develop the state.”

Speaking during the session, the president of the Network of Civil Societies of Nigeria (NOCSON) in the state, Mr Abraham Oviawe, said that governance in the 21st century should not fo-

cus on road construction and other primary responsibilities of government but a leadership that focused on the creation of jobs for unemployed youths.

He said that civil societies in the state were prepared to raise the bar by engaging and monitoring political leaders in every aspect of governance from policy formulation to execution.

From left, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Aisha Abubakar; Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and the former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Chisu Dattijo, during a conference organised by the Sesame Industry Investment, in Sokoto, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Running of FCT difficult due to obsolete laws —Minister Christian Okeke - Abuja

THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammadu Bello, has raised the alarm that most of the laws in the territory had become obsolete and made running of the Abuja City Centre difficult.

He said that the FCT administration needed to review the laws to make them more stringent to enable it effectively cope with the influx of people into the territory.

According to him, when the laws were more stringent, offenders would be made to face the consequences of their actions or inactions thereby serving as deterrent.

Speaking while exchanging views with the acting chairman of the Nigerian Law Reforms Commission(NLRC), Mr Kefas Musa Magaji, the minister frowned at a situation where law breakers in Abuja were, for instance, given N2,000 option of fine which can easily be

paid.

Bello argued that the development and growth of Abuja ought to be matched with vibrant laws that were stringent enough to deter offenders.

He insisted that the penalty in FCT laws were not in tandem with the reality of the time and not serving as deterrent as it was supposed to.

The minister noted that

the FCT laws ought to be reviewed to help, guide and assist city managers.

Earlier, Magaji had said that every law needed to be reviewed every 10 years to conform with the current

reality as there is no way the society would move forward when the laws are outdated.

He recalled that the commission last reviewed the FCT laws in 2006.

Stakeholders commence review of LG regulations in Delta Alphonsus Agborh – Asaba

STAKEHOLDERS in local government adminstration have commenced a review of the 40 -year -old staff regulations in Delta State.

According to the state

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bright Onajefe-Gift Edejehwro, the review exercise became necessary so as to meet the modern-day local government administration.

At the draft of the local government staff regulations 2016 stakeholders’ validation meeting in Asaba, the state capital, on Tuesday, Edejehwro said that the regulations of 1977 ought to be in conformity

Building collapse claims 3 in Jigawa NO fewer than three people were killed in a building collapse, following a torrential rain in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State , on Tuesday.

An eyewitness account told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday , in Guri that the incident occurred at Kajarko Village, following a downpour.

A resident, Malam Bashir Buba, said that the rain that

was accompanied by windstorm destroyed houses and farmlands in the area.

Buba said that the deceased were staying in a mud house when it collapsed on them due to the intensity of the rain.

He explained that the residents recovered three bodies buried under rubble during a rescue exercise.

The secretary to the local government, Alhaji

Muhammad Hassan, who confirmed the incident, described the damage as ``colossal’’.

Hassan said that the council had deployed personnel to assess the level of damage and the needs of the victims.

He called on the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to assist the victims to assuage their sufferings.

with the modern - day realities as well as meet the expectations of workers and people of the council areas.

The chairman, Local Government Service Commission (LGSC ), in the state, Olumami Oyibo, lamented that the regulations were not properly followed by some local government practitioners in the state He said that some workers had already lost track of basic provisions of the regulations.

The committee on the review of the regulations was inaugurated by the former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2014 to update local government administration in the state for effective service delivery.

NAFDAC embarks on re-orientation programme IN a move to retain its position as one of the top 10 regulatory agencies in the world, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has embarked on a three-day re-orientation and training programme across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

The acting Director – General of NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni ,who flagged -off the re-orientation programme, said the main objective was to “re-align and re-orientate staff on transparency, accountability, dedication to duty and efficient service delivery”.

Oni said that the programme was undertaken to “re-orientate staff towards these core- values in a bid to reposition NAFDAC”.

She said that when the current management took over in February 2016, “we promised to be decisive, firm, courageous, accountable and transparent in running the affairs of the agency”.

According to her, no reform process would be credible or sustainable without effective service delivery as this is the main objective of the current reform exercise at NAFDAC.

N/Delta group commends Ekere on empowerment scheme A youth group in the Niger Delta region, the Union of Niger Delta Youth Council (UNDYC), has commended the Managing Directordesignate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, for sponsoring the youth skills acquisition and empowerment programme of the group in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking after assessing the ongoing training programme of UNDYC for Akwa Ibom youths at Lutheran High School, Obot Idim, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, recently, the president of the group, Mr Godspower Nta, said that Ekere had been the main sponsor of the programme that has, so far, trained and empowered about 2,000 youths in Ikot Abasi, Oron and Abak federal constituencies.

He said that over 600 youths were being trained in the ongoing phase of the programme and lauded his selfless support and contribution to the programme.

According to Nta, the incoming NDDC boss, has been touching the lives of many youths in the Niger Delta region long after he left office as the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2012.

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Polio: FG to intensify immunisation of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

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OLLOWING the recent confirmation of the outbreak of Wild Polio-Virus (WPV) in Borno State, the Federal Government declared, on Wednesday, that plans were underway to reinforce and intensify immunisation of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

To this end, adequate supplies of vaccines have been provided at different International Port Health

locations and airports. The development is part of the measures approved by the Federal Government to respond positively to the outbreak and check its spread to other communities.

Giving a situation report at a press conference on the outbreak in Abuja, on Wednesday, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said the immunisation of intending pilgrims was consistent with the International Health

Regulations (IHR).

The minister said he had approved the revision of the robust Wild Polio Virus (WPV) outbreak response plan developed by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and its partners. This approval, according to him, was to ensure the containment of all the cases and prevent further spread of WPV to other states.

The response plan in-

cludes five rounds of polio campaigns, two of which are focused on 18 Northern states and two to be conducted nationwide, while the remaining one is to be conducted in five states.

However, the minister stated that the campaigns would be synchronised with the affected regions and provinces in Chad, Niger, Cameroun and Central African Republic.

Professor Adewole said: “For the sub-national

campaigns, 31,540,054 children are targeted to be vaccinated each round with oral polio vaccines across states in the NorthEast, North-West and North-Central zones of the country. For the nationwide response, 56,363,618 children will be vaccinated between October and November 2016.

“The revised plan was informed by factors such as historical data on WPV affected areas, pattern of

Niger Delta Avengers has concluded plan to dialogue with FG —Agiri THE Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has collectively and willingly agreed to dialogue with the Federal Government to resolve the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region.

The spokesman for the Dialogue Group, Mr Ballantyne Agiri, said this in a signed statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Agiri said the NDA had constituted contact and dialogue group to engage the Federal Government in meaningful dialogue as part of the initiatives to resolve the crisis.

He added that the group was determined to come out with results that would yield lasting peace, equity, justice and harmony among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

"The body has collectively and willingly agreed to heed the clarion call of eminent Nigerians and the international community to dialogue with the Federal Government,’’he said.

He urged Nigerians and the international community to follow the event and watch out which side would default in terms of abiding by the rules and spirit of the dialogue.

"The Federal Government should from the inception of the dialogue rule out from the agenda any monthly monetary inducement or stipend for the NDA. "The Federal Government should be ready for structural changes that should be human and development-oriented.

"Members of the Avengers’ group (who will participate in the dialogue) have already been selected, each based on his integrity, forthrightness, honesty and life track records.

"The names of members of the group for now shall not be made public for

personal reasons until they begin functioning in few days ahead,’’ the spokesman said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the NDA had claimed responsibility for series of

bombings of oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta in the last few months.

The activities of the group had further worsened the economic fortunes of the country.

43% of total dryland in Nigeria threatened by food insecurity —FG Ademola Adegbite-Abuja

THE Federal Government, on Wednesday, said about 43 per cent of total dryland in Nigeria was directly threatened by land degradation, thereby, causing serious food insecurity, abject poverty and forced migration.

It, therefore, said most of the population were dependent on natural and land resource-based economy for their livelihoods with over 80 per cent of the nation's vegetables and livestock produced in the area, stressing that such unique economic hub deserved priority attention by all tiers of government and citizenry.

The Director-General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GGW), Mr Goni Ahmed, stated this in a statement issued and signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the agency, Mrs Larai Daze, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja.

Ahmed, in his presentation at the ongoing technical session of the 10th National Council on Environment in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on regenerate livelihood," said drylands constituted about 43 per cent of its total land area covering 11 states which was directly threatened by land degradation causing serious food insecurity, abject poverty, forced migration and natural resource use conflicts resulting to insurgency in some areas.

According to him, "In recognition of the land degradation as a global phenomena, and the limited success of past efforts, the GGW initiative was

presented by the Nigerian government to the African Union (AU) as a holistic regional approach to combat desertification and improve livelihood of affected communities.

"This initiative led to the signing of the convention on GGW 11-member countries and the creation of Pan African Agency of Great Green Wall (PAGGW) and adopted by the African Union (AU)," he

added.

He then pointed out that the poor soil fertility, which was further worsened by climate change, was as a result of one third of the World's population living in drylands to face huge stress, such as repetitive droughts.

The D-G lamented that drylands in the sub-Saharan Africa covered about 14 million sq km and was habitat to about 70 per

cent of crop land and 82 per cent of livestock holders, while productivity in those areas were seriously challenged by natural and human factors.

Ahmed, therefore, urged the state government of the affected states to make financial contributions through budgetary allocation, as well as to provide land and community mobilisation to support the programme.

transmission over the last five years, population displacements due to insecurity in the North-East, likelihood of spread of the virus to other neighbouring countries and population immunity.

“Furthermore, the justification for the expansion of the initial schedule includes the fact that, given previous history of exportation to other countries and the suboptimal routine immunisation coverage in several countries in the African region, the response requires that adequate protection be provided to vulnerable children at risk of infection.

“Report from the detailed investigation carried out by our team revealed that both cases came from security compromised areas of Borno State, which have had limited access to any form of health services, including immunisation since 2011.

“The case reported in Jere Local Government Area was from a child who had arrived at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri (Muna camp in Jere Local Government Arae), after trekking for two days following the provision of an escape corridor by the military authorities.

NOUN appoints new principal officers THE National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has appointed Mr Felix Edoka, Mr Ernest Odeigah and Dr Gambo Saleh Adam as registrar, bursar and librarian respectively, to man the affairs of its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution for the next five years.

This was disclosed by the institution in a statement signed by Ibrahim Sheme, the Director, Media and Publicity.

Edoka, the new registrar, is a member of the

American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA), Association of University Administrators (AUA), Certified Board of Administrators of Nigeria (CBAN) and Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

Edoka holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State; and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Jos, Plateau State.

Until his new appointment, he was the Deputy

Registrar (Human Resources) of the university.

His appointment takes effect from September 4, 2016.

Odeigah, the new bursar, is a fellow, Certified National Accountants (CNA) and member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE).

He holds M.Sc in Fi-

Pray for peace of Nigeria, Adeboye tells Nigerians PASTOR Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has called on Christians to continue to pray for peace to take the centre stage in the country.

He made the call on Tuesday night, at the eighth edition of the monthly "Divine Encounter," in Abuja.

The General Overseer also urged Christians not to treat words from God with levity, adding that "a word from God is capable of altering a person’s destiny for good.’’

The cleric, who made reference to Jacob in the Bible, explained that Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, meaning ‘’May God prevail” due to some circumstances he had with his brother.

"After the change of name, Israel became a great nation," the pastor said.

He said the current challenges in the country should not be seen as permanent, adding that with prayers and necessary changes, Nigeria would overcome its problems.

Adeboye assured Nige-

rians that "one word from God can settle all issues of life,’’ including the current challenges in the country.

"A word from God can begin a person’s journey to glory,” he said.

Quoting the Book of 2 kings, Chapter four, verses eight to 17, in the story of the Shunammite woman, the cleric recalled that the word of God, through prophet Elisha, changed her destiny for good.

According to Adeboye, "when God speaks to an individual, the manifestation of that word result into abundant supply."

nance and an MBA from University of Lagos and University of Calabar respectively, as well as a B.Sc from European American University, United Kingdom.

Until this appointment, which will take effect from September 17, 2016, he was the acting bursar of the university.

Adam, the new Librarian, is a member of Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Library and Information Science (LIS)-Career Option, and National Association of Library and Information Science Educators (NALISE).

He holds a Ph.D, MLS, and BLS from International Islamic University, Malaysia; Bayero University, Kano; and University of Maiduguri respectively.

Until his appointment as librarian, Adam was the institute's librarian at the National Institute for Legislative Studies, Abuja, on secondment from University of Maiduguri.

His appointment takes effect from October 2, 2016.

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Catholic mission gives Kwara govt options on Sabo-Oke school Biola Azeez-Ilorin

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HE leadership of St. James Roman Catholic Mission (LGEA) school in Sabo-Oke, Ilorin has appealed to the Kwara State government to replace the roof of the primary school blown off by windstorm over a year ago or return the school to the church mission so that it can take responsibility for its replacement.

The chairman of the church of the church’s building committee, Professor Aderemi Olutola, presented these options to the Kwara State government last weekend.

The church leader, who condemned government attitude towards infrastructural development in the school, said the return of the school established in the 50s to the Catholic mission would enable the church to have total control over it.

“The school is government school so to speak though it was established by the Catholic mission. It appears that government is not responsible for the school as such. There was a time I had to personally renovate the first two classroom blocks in the school when they were in a total state of disrepair. SUBEB wrote me a letter thanking me for what I had done. We think they should be proactive by renovating the school so that it can be found worthy of being called foundation primary school.

“Ever since then, they have not been able to do anything. The school committee had had meetings

with government to complain about the state of the school. Since government is not forthcoming, we feel

that the school should be returned to the mission. If the Catholic mission is to take responsibility for the

renovation of the school, then it should then have total control by having the school returned to them,

A non-government organisation, Ajumose Unity Group, Saki, Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State has commended the lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Jide Olatubosun, for his contribution towards ensuring that the dividends of democracy get to the people of the constituency.

The group made the commendation in a statement issued after its recent meeting in Saki and signed by its chairman and secretary, Alhaji Ganiyu Arolu

owner. So the dilapidation is so glaring now.

“If you look at the school enrolment, you will discover that it does not attract pupils. This is due to its condition. Only children from this area come here and government has not even approved it for JSS. Every other school around here has JSS section. No parent wants to bring his ward to this school because there is no prospect.

Monarch commends community over police post Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

St. James Catholic Primary School, Sabo-Oke, Ilorin, Kwara State in a state of dilapidation. PHOTO: BIOLA AZEEZ

Ilaje, Ese-Odo widows get new lease of life Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

NO fewer than 100 women from Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo State have benefited from the empowerment programme instituted by the lawmaker representing Ilaje Constituency I at the Ondo State House of Assembly, Honourable Abayomi Akinruntan.

Commending the lawmaker on the gesture

on behalf of the beneficiaries, mostly widows, Mrs Beatrice Gamfo said apart from the distribution of food items, clothing materials and cash worth a million naira, a special skill acquisition training had been put in place by the lawmaker.

Gamfo called on other lawmakers from the area to emulate Akinruntan by putting the dividends of democracy at the doorsteps of the people,

maintaining that the distributed items would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of widows at this critical period of economic recession.

She described Akinruntan as a good ambassador of the people of the area, saying that “apart from the periodic empowerment, he also reaches out to us individually every month to address our needs.”

The chairman on the

Group commends lawmaker on constituency projects

By Tunde Ogunesan

the owners.

“But I think the government is dragging its feet on returning the school to the

and Mr Oladuku Tunde respectively, a copy of which was made available to Community News.

The statement read: “We commend Honourable Jide Olatubosun, who represents Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo Federal Constituency for his tremendous achievement during his one year stay at the National Assembly.”

The group maintained that Honourable Olatubosun, who is a member of the House Committee on Appropriation “contributed greatly at ensuring that some of the projects allocated to his constitu-

ency were implemented to the letter.

“Over the years, various intervention projects that were allocated to his constituency were not fully implemented rather, the contractors handling the projects shared money meant for the projects.

But on assumption of office in June last year, Honourable Olatubosun swung into action and ensured that something tangible was done.

“To this end, he called for the immediate execution of nine boreholes at Kinikini in Ward 6, Isale Alfa, Ward 9, Challenge II, Ward 3, Arafat Ward 9 and

Ilabo Village, all in Saki West Local Government Area.”

In Saki East Local Government Area, Community News also learnt that Honourable Olatubosun facilitated the construction of boreholes in Oke-Arolu in Sepeteri and Oke-Akinlapa in AgoAmodu. Boreholes were also constructed at OkeOdo, Tede and Ile-Akewe at Ago-Are in Atisbo Local Government Area.

The group further urged Honourable Olatubosun not to relent in his effort at improving the standard of living of the people in his constituency.

occasion and wife of the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Mrs. Omomowo Endurance, also commended Akinruntan for extending his generosity to the widows.

She assured that the local government would partner with the lawmaker in subsequent programmes.

Speaking on reasons for empowering the people of his constituency, Akinruntan said: “I have promised to always put smile on the faces of the people I represent through development projects and periodic empowerment programmes. These are the grass roots people who must benefit from government and we have identified the areas where the shoe pinches them.

“I will use every medium available to me as a lawmaker to bring dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of my people. In the next couple of years, issues of youth unemployment /empowerment and qualitative education and training of our women and youths will be given priority in order to secure their future.”

THE Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi, has commended the people and residents of Osi community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State for the construction of a police post in the community.

Oba Aladelusi stated this during the handing over of the police post which is under IgobaIsinigbo area office of the state police command.

The monarch, who said police post would go a long way to ensure the security of life and property, noted that it would also aid development and peaceful coexistence of the people of the area.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Hilda Harrison, explained the need for security of life and property, saying that the coming of the police to the community would enhance peace and harmony.

Harrison, who was represented by ASP Dan Okoro, said: “We shall post efficient police officers to this community to maintain law and order and to checkmat crime. If you have issues with our officers here, you should get in touch with the Area command” The traditional head of the community, Oba David Olajide, said the building of the police post became necessary due to the expansion in the area, in terms of physical structures and residents.

The community hosts the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State council’s Pen Estate.

37

Thursday, 18 August, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

US election 2016:

other NEWS

Trump overhauls campaign team again

R

EPUBLICAN presidential candidate Donald Trump has overhauled his campaign team for the second time in two months, with two new leaders.

Pollster Kellyanne Conway becomes campaign manager and Stephen Bannon of Breitbart News the CEO. Paul Manafort remains campaign chairman, but analysts say he has effectively been demoted.

Mr Trump told AP the new leaders were “terrific people... they’re champs”.

Mr Trump has seen his poll ratings slip since the party conventions last month.

He trails Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton both nationally and in key battleground states, BBC said.

The latest shake-up comes just 82 days before the election.

On his website, Mr Trump said: “I have known Steve and Kellyanne both for many years. They are extremely capable, highly qualified people who love to win and know how to win.”

The Associated Press news agency said the details of the new hierarchy were hammered out at a lengthy

senior staff meeting at Trump Tower on Tuesday and that more senior appointments were expected in the coming days.

Battered in the polls, Donald Trump has shaken up his campaign yet again, but don’t expect a kinder, gentler candidate anytime soon.

Many senior Republicans want him rein in his impulsive outbursts and soften his rough edges

Zimbabwe police break up anti-Mugabe protest

Donald Trump. PHOTO: GETTYIMAGES

to appeal to more voters, especially women and independents.

However, Mr Trump’s appointment of Stephen Bannon, an unabashed right-wing firebrand, to lead his campaign seems to signal that more controversy is ahead, not less.

The reshuffle suggests that while he recognises a change is needed, the New York billionaire won’t be

officers beating protesters with batons, before firing on the crowd with tear gas.

Images taken by wire agencies and posted on social media also showed several people beaten by police.

Reuters reported that at least one of the protesters sustained deep cuts on the head from a baton beating.

Onlookers, pedestrians and motorists were caught up in the melee as anti-riot police moved in with their batons, maintaining a heavy presence in the city centre after the demonstration was dispersed.

Leaked document prompts German-Turkish diplomatic spat

Turkish President Recep Erdogan TURKEY has called on Germany for clarification, after a confidential government document leaked to the German press referred to the country as a “central platform for action for Islamist groupings”.

Al Jazeera revealed that Turkey’s foreign ministry

said on Wednesday that the allegations were further “evidence of the biased attitude that, for some time now, attempts to demoralise our country while taking aim at our president and government”.

In the statement, the ministry asked for “a

Top North Korean diplomat in UK defects to South Korea A senior North Korean diplomat based in London has defected to South Korea, becoming one of the highest Northern officials to do so, the South Korean government said.

Thae Yong Ho, minister at the North Korean Embassy in London, has arrived in South Korea with his family and is under the protection of the South Korean government, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said on Wednesday.

Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-Hee said Thae told South Korean officials that he decided to defect because of his disgust with the

the one changing.

“I don’t wanna change.

Everybody talks about, ‘Oh well, you’re gonna pivot, you’re gonna’ — I don’t wanna pivot. I mean, you have to be you. If you start pivoting, you’re not being honest with people,” Mr Trump said.

The new appointments come ahead of the Trump team’s first major TV advertisements, due to start this week.

ZIMBABWE police have fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse several hundred protesters calling on President Robert Mugabe to step down, a week after the longtime ruler warned that protests “don’t pay”.

Some 200 people had gathered in central Harare on Wednesday, carrying flowers for peace and holding posters reading “Mugabe Must Go”, when baton-carrying police moved in.

An AFP journalist reported seeing police

government of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Thae “aspired for freedom in South Korea, and thought about his children’s future”, Jeong was quoted by Korea Times as saying.

Thae was the second-highest official in North Korea’s embassy, and is the most senior North Korean diplomat to defect to South Korea. In 1997, the North Korean ambassador to Egypt fled but resettled in the United States.

Jeong refused to give further details about Thae’s defection, citing possible diplomatic problems with a concerned country he did not identify.

Britain’s Foreign Office also declined to comment.

South Korea does not always make high-level defection cases public. Its revelation of Thae’s defection came as its ties with its rival North Korea are at one of their lowest points in decades over the North’s nuclear ambitions.

“This is a major political prize for South Korea,” Al Jazeera, reporting from Seoul, said.

The news comes as North Korea confirmed to Japan’s Kyodo news agency that it has restarted plutonium production at its Yongbyon nuclear plant.

clarification from German courts”, saying that Turkey was a country that “always fights terror sincerely regardless of the origin”.

It also said that the same was expected from Turkey’s partners and allies.

Without confirming the contents of the paper, Germany’s interior ministry admitted that it made a mistake in transmitting the classified written response to a lawmaker without first consulting the foreign ministry.

In a bid to calm the row, interior ministry spokesman Johannes Dimroth stressed the importance of Turkey in fighting armed groups.

“We are deeply convinced that Turkey is the most important partner with regards to the fight against the so-called Islamic State group,” he said.

The foreign ministry meanwhile refused to confirm the content of the document that was the response to a question from a Left party lawmaker, which was published by German public broadcaster ARD. “On what has been published in the media, we do not share the assessment as a whole,” said Sawsan Chebli, the spokeswoman of the foreign ministry.

The official German document, seen by ARD, said the “Islamisation” of Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy has made the country a hub for “Islamist” groups.

A protest leader said Wednesday’s demonstration was just a build-up to a “national shutdown”on August 31. PHOTO: AP

Russia attacks: Militants killed in St Petersburg, Moscow A Special Forces raid in St Petersburg and an attack by gunmen near Moscow have left at least six suspected militants dead, officials say.

Four were killed at a block of flats in St Petersburg, as Special Forces searched for North Caucasus militants.

Later, two gunmen suspected to be from the North Caucasus injured two traffic police officers east of Moscow before being killed by security forces.

BBC explained that Russia has been battling a long and bitter insurgency in the region.

Russia’s FSB security service said the St Petersburg raid had been aimed at detaining

Russian security forces raided suspected North Caucasus militants in St Petersburg. PHOTO: EPA

“wanted persons accused of participating in illegal armed groups in the North Caucasus”.

...Russia defends using Iran base for Syria air strikes

RUSSIA defends using Iran base for Syria air strikes Russia has said its use of an Iranian airbase to carry out bombing missions in Syria does not violate a United Nations resolution that forbids supplying warplanes to Tehran.

“No supplying, selling or transferring of warplanes to Iran has occurred,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday in comments reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. Al Jazeera reported that Lavrov was referring to comments by US State Department spokesman Mark Toner, who said on Tuesday that Russia might be violating UN Security Council Resolution 2231 by using Iranian territory to launch air strikes in Syria.

38

tribunepools

DR. JK. POOLS – 07039275802 (10XX14) 23, 29, 36, 39, 43

Congratulation, I hereby welcome stakers to UK / Scottish 2016/2017 Pools Season officially. As I said earlier I will do wonders with many poological and form sequences to track down naked draws in the local coupon. All what you need to do is to keep weekly records of Thursdays Tribune in order to see the wonders of my forecasts. Those who have not enrolled should do so now, payment to EKHOMU JOHN account no 2085795936 at Zenith Bank.

Now stakers pick two bankers from 23, 29, 36, 39, 43 and add to the above bracket games. Goodluck says DR. JK pools.

19XBK 20 LUCKYMAN 08054352685 (19XBK 20)

Grab a copy of LuckyMan 1 – 2 – X guide and LuckyMan one sure draw the two pools works like magic our special release for the new season cost N2,500 MTN Card miss it miss out you must win and win well 19XBK 20.

26 JACKPOT X 27 THE – LILIES 08086944309 (27 JACKPOT 30)

The – Lilies is really set to help you win on pools stick to us weekly and win big jackpot on pools call for our release now and win big jackpot on pools 27 Jackpot X 30.

MISTER – DRAW 08030415683

Grimsby town to hold Leyton Orient to a super draw plus 2 super draws cost N2,000 MTN Card act now 39X 39X 39.

SUNDERLAND SYSTEM= 09038460009= 42XX NAP 43XX

WINNER MEMBERSHIP N50, 000.

ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET N30, 000 4 Bankers N6, 000 Wk 04 No 5X 17X 27X 47X WITH 18X 24F 4. Bankers N6, 000 Wk 05 No 27X 28X 38X 39X WITH 28X 34X WK 05 NO NAP NAP NAP NAP WITH 22.26 Two Bankers N3, 000 Wk 04 No 17X 27X PAIR 18X 24F Two Bankers N3, 000 Wk 05 No 27X 38X PAIR 31X 34X Two Bankers N3, 000 Wk 06 No Nap Nap Pair Nap Nap FIRST ENGLAND season release Sunderland system 4 special draws this week 5 BLUE cost N6, 000 two Bankers cost N3000 winner membership group A N50, 000 Hurry up to get your copy today. Send MTN Card.

MAC – ANTHONY NAP 24X SURE 28X PLUS

NAP NAP NAP = 100% 0806 – 904 – 8857

We are set and have return for U.K Season fully. Week 06 pair 24X 28X while 3/3 Nap cost N15,000 per week. Our registration fee is N200,000. Half payment is allowed.

Wonders working system book is available @ N40,000. All payment at U.B.A to Engr, Michael Akam. Acct No. 2029382770. A trial will make you a winner. Goodluck.

HERITAGE NAP 08032428168 06X 23X 37X WIN

Stakers wishing to start the new season on a high note must not ignore the pair above and other gazette draws which my overseas compilers have just released to me. The game goes for N25,000. Join the winning team and begin the new season with millions.

SHADOW

08087670776 (35 PAIR 36)

Don’t be a loser in pool staking, always patronize shadow and win on pool every week. This week 06 is a jackpot week for all my fans. Send to me N1,500 MTN recharge card and receive my 3 nap draws and 1 hot pair. Please don’t miss it.

OPEN WAY NAP – 08124257898

Week 5 – 6X 34X 47XXX

Our week 6 nap cost N30,000 with prove note – The draws formation started in annual weeks 4 to 7 = 2014 to 2016. Call for the payment details and the proof seeing is believing.

WINNER CODE 505= 08135637650= 4XX 8XX

U.K. SYSTEM TWO BANKERS N2000 WK 4 NO 2X 5X WK 5 NO 9X 10X WK 6 NO NAP NAP WK 07 NO NAP NAP wk 08 NAP NAP Wk 09 No Nap Nap Power x power two bankers N2000 wk 4 No 18X 28X wk 5 No 27X 28X Wk 06 No NAP NAP wk 07 NO NAP NAP wk 08 No NAP NAP Winner code 505 two Bankers N2000 Wk 04 No 17X 27X wk 05 No 3F 22F ADESURE Nap two Bankers N2,000 wk 4 No.17X 18X wk 05 No 34X 39X Wk 06 No NAP NAP wk 07 No NAP NAP wk 08 No Nap Nap. Stkers try to get winner code 505 Two Bankers this wk 06 BLUE cost N2, 000 cash winner code 505. Group 4. Special draws this wk 05 cost N25,000 wk 04 No 5X 17X 18X 27X= 4/4 wk 06 No Nap Nap Nap Nap we set for 5 wks operations wk 6. 7.

8. Send M.T.N. Card 08135637650.

EDITOR’S PLACE 47XX 48.

Thursday, 18 - 24 August, 2016

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE

THE WINNERS CHOICE WISE STAKERS DELIGHT GET A COPY AND WIN.

PLEIAD DE MAXWELL – 09099968585 COVENTRY – CHESTER FIELD = 23 XX 30

Westbrom ready to host Everton. What a peace level ground. Can Arenal hold the current premiership tittle holder to a draw ? Sunderland and Middlebrow are punters delight. Birmingham, Blackburn, Hudderfield, Ipswich, Reading, Rotherham are championship favorites’. Bradford. C, Millwall, Oxford, Scunthrope, Shrewsbury, Southend and Swindon league one is to have the highest numbers of draws this please Note! In league 2’ draws are likely at Accringlon, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Grisby, Hartlepool, Portsmouth and Yeoril. The 4 home teams from the conference league are teams to watch for s least draw. Bromley ? Contact De Maxwell draw clinic where draws are discharged after surgery. TOKEN MANAGER.

JACOBSON – 07065292905 (30XX 36)

ANNUAL WIN WITH SHEFF UTD VS ROACHDALE = XX = 3 WKS The two teams that controls our 3 weeks 5, 6, 7 Nap to welcome our clients back to England (2016/2017 UK Season) on Annual winning instruction = 2014/2014/2016 BROWN – BLUE = BED = WIN!!!

Week 9 – 2014 = 03X 20X 47XXX – 30X = 12drs.

Week 13 – 2015 = 02X 16X 40XXX – 32X = 8drs.

Week 5 – 2016 = 06X 27X 45XXX – 21X 34 = X Week 5 , 9 and 13 fixed brown coloured coupon position of Sheff Utd in week 9 ‘2014 to draw in week 13 ‘2015 = 32XX and Sheff Utd position in 2015 to draw in 2016 = 29XX pair Sheff Utd and other fixed matches Weeks = 5, 6 and 7 Another confirmed NAP/WIN scheduled for weeks 6 and 7 as stated and directed by our masters (Overseas Experts) Wk – 5 = 06X 27X 45XXX 34XX. Wk. 6 – X X X (30/36) N35,000 = Goodluck.

OBINYAN GOES BERSERK

Nigerian Promoters in trouble when the Chairman Managing Director of George and Kings group of forcast papers and the undisputed African Chairman in Pools compilation and computation CHIEF EHI WILLY OBINYAN reinstated his commitment to enrich stakers this season that made him to unleashed terror on promoters. Congratulations stakers, last week glut draws saved many promoters from early bankruptcy with The Pools Telegraph page braking News broke promoters vault on 27x 37x 43xxx and the Natural / sequence fulfilled its pair promised on 30 and 31. While the shoot pointers 10 powerful added to stakers winning dividends on 9x 30x 31x 34x 38xxx incredible win! Similarly, its front page the mighty 42 in the back page from Numbers 31 – 42 recorded 7 undiluted super draws. And the Nos 18 & 19 got its 2 bankers on 34x and 38x. He therefore enjoined all winning desired stakers to stay with his fortune paper for unlimited winnings at this economy crucial period the papers are pools Telegraph, Zeters pools guild, Murphy Sports, Shoot Poiters, New Dream and Final Result.

MONEY DOLLAR - 08135637650 = 7 NAP 8XX ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET OUT FOR N30,000 CASH

WINNER MEMBERSHIP - N50,000.00 WK 04 RELERASE 18X 28X 34X 47X Get 4 Special Draws for N25,000 Week 5 No. 10X 27X 28X 39X WITH. 31X 34X N25, 000 WK 06 NO NAP NAP NAP NAP N25, 000 4 Special Draws for N25,000 Week 6 No NAP! NAP! NAP! NAP!NAP! 2 Special Draws for N 10,000 Week 4 No: 18X 28X 18X 28X 2 Special Draws for N 10,000 Week 5 No 10x 28x pair 31x 34x wk 06 No Nap Nap Nap Nap Congratulations! Our Week 4 Release No. 18X 28X 34X 47X WK05 NO 10X 27X 28X 39X WITH 31X 34 KEY EVERY Wk 05. Brown Bank Walsall to draw No 31 game on top of the third Bar to draw No 34 05 No 31xx 34xx plus 4 others cost N25, 000. Two Bankers N10, 000.

For your booking, send MTN recharge cards to 08135637650.

DR. B4 DR – 08062748390 (23XX 29) WALSALL – OLDHAM= WALSALL= 31XXX

10X 31X 47XXX 09XX 09XX (FREE) Never mind the drought formed draws last week it was just to keep the industry morning, infact all our draws were played in early minutes.

Sure win in week 34’ 2015/16 and wk 06= 2016/17.

Key= SCUNTHRORPE- GILLINGHAM. Wk. 34’ 2015/16 – 08x 26x 44xxx – 30xx/Wk. 06’ 2016/17 – X X X - 29xx 23.

Events makes history. Our silent breaker weeks 4 and 5 Naps as now rented the stakers world. All thanks to God and our reliable source (Experts) we also appreciates our last week callers for their patronage after our 2 months holidays in Aussie for their commitments – Win with us today= N50, 000. Goodluck

OLA – CITY WITH 3 DRAWS IN WEEK 7

Sure to get 3 draws correct Week 6 pairs 26XXX 41XXX

PHONE 08140575314, 08085005634

The compiler of Ola – City International and Publisher of U.K Wizard key for English Season 2016/2017 brings 3 draws in week 7 for all interested stakers. The 3 draws will end all Samase as predicted on Saturday. Our 3 fixed draws for week 7 cost N10,000 cash for all interested stakers, winnings club members ref fees remain N100,000 cash for a season U.K. Wizard key for 2016/2017 English Season with 7 genuine key systems cost N30,000 cash. Interested stakers to pay to First Bank Plc in the of Olafenwa R. Ola – City Account No. 3033318854 and collect your key by UPS Courier Express after confirmation of your payment. Those who paid for it is already withhold the key for hand and week 7 for us to enjoy. May God bless you all. Amen .

DR. M.M. PROMISE. THE PAYMASTER 08037174526, HOT PAIR 26, 37

BIRTHDAY RELEASE WKS 6 AND 7 Dr. M.M. Promise, Nigeria’s foremost pools compiler says the road is now all open for any interested staker to Nap and win 3/3 Nap correct with his birthday releases in weeks 6 and 7. Cost price is N30,000 cash weekly, payable at UBA, to Dr. Maxwell Promise, accts No. 1003610591. Meanwhile the erudite pools legend is launching his one sure banker draw starting from this week, cost N10,000 cash weekly, while his new BACK TO WINNING WAYS MEMBERSHIP CLUB attracts a fee of N5million with an initial deposit of N500,000 cash. It is your time and your turn to win now. Call 08037174526, 08052207802.

ACHIEVER INTER, 08034097902 WEEK ‘05’ RESULT: 25X & 47X (WEEK 06:- 18X

19)

AS FOLLOW UP to our current selling key, the SPORT-BOOK makers, ACHIEVER INTER, is very much set for week 6, 7, 9 & 10 of the current English Season when we shall make many Nigerian Multi-Millionaire, Pool stakers should Remember our past performances. Our setting key worked like magic with many turning Overnight Millionaire from JACKPOT. We assure Pools stakers, that will not dispoint our teaming fans as well our Register members as all arrangement have registered stakers, your financial problem are over you take another chance to beneficial. Congratulation current key week ‘05’ play Nos 25X, 28XX, 47X. THIS wk 6, 7, 9 & 10 Congratulation in Advance.

TRIPLE GIVES (27/28) (08035324990)

The indomitable Triple spice International gladly offers coupon Nos 27/28 for a super draws this weekend. combine the duo with our 1 unfailing Bk and smile on Monday our 1 1bk costs N1500.00, 2 draws sell for N3,000 00 and 3 good draws cost N10,000.00 on 08035324990. don’t be a doubting Thomas this season.

NEW ERA AUTHENTIC – 07088103080 (04 X 10) 10X 28X 31X 34XXX NAP = WATFORD = 34XX.

WEST HAM AND BIRMINGHAM = ON BAR UP & DOWN IN WEEK 6 2015, 2016 & 2017 3 YEARS SCHEDULED AUTHENTIC WIN. Week 6 ‘ 2015 – 06X 23X 29XXX 04 X 10 Week 6 ‘ 2016 – X X X - 04 SURE 10 Week 6 ‘ 2017 – X X X - 04 MUST 10X No 34XXX read our last week advert on 34XX CBK to trigger our week 5 sure WIN. Another freshly served winning for our new clients no introduction to our old friends - N30,000 – New Era Foundation win – Good luck.

WEEK 05 XRAY

Superlative performance by our reliable compilers last week promise kept. The numbers of draws on board saved many promoters last week due to the draws unveiled by our experts- free win at New Era Authentic naps, maito and faithful intervention to prepare readers for better deals ahead. Our 2 bankers series experts were Israel Bail out, money Dollars, Sunderland and winner code they added to our readers/ stakers winning dividends. Complimentary win from our 2 from 3 draws experts at carmark, modupe and winner s hope and mister draw remain indivisible on one banker slot.

More so, our pair experts fulfilled their promises the likes of Madam De Madam, Triple spice, Jacobson, Peter, Midweek, Joseph initiative and Akin Mr. Akm. The editors place had an outstanding result. ‘We’ve just started promised by our pools compilers, real welcome to multiple win in 2016/2017 season . Please invest with wealthy bouyant promoters and rely on with our experts for frequent wins, and never forget to appreciate them. Good luck

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

MODUPE NAP (08033566694) 8/32/41 for 2 draws Wining galore at Modupe Nap. Call for details. Goodluck.

KING DAVID – 07069009601 (29XX30) 10X 30X 31X 32XXX.

Congratulations our week 5, starting of our early annual 3 weeks Nap s started well last weeks Nap on 10x 34x 32xx 43x. – Our 2nd week release is another bitter pills for promoters to swallow and week 7 Hammer Blow to Compliment our 3 weeks. Naps partnership with the kings & associates compiler forum on fixed draws. Smile again. N25,000 = Goodluck.

EXPERT JOSHUA –

08070464033 (32XX 33)

Congratulations, this is the right time for you to change your levels to highest level with 3 gazetted draws for your winning delight cost N10,000 cash payable to Amole Olukayode . S at First Bank a/c no – 3038613121 – Ibadan. Call for details and win.

DOSA 08072216644 42 PAIR 43

It’s another good week for all my customers as Dosa present 3 nap draws and a pair this week 06. I want every pool lovers to win on pool staking this week 06 therefore send to Dosa N1,500 MTN card and be in money on Sunday.

SHORT-GUN (39 HOT 40)

08050614477/ 08168241902

As the 2016/2017 U.K Scottish season progresses, the sequence is gradually unveiling. The above pair must supply this week with other fixed draws.

Don’t be left out of the winning spree starting this week. The game costs N25,000. Call me for further details.

CARMARK SUPER NAP – 08186673842

7X 23X 24XX FOR 2 DRAWS. Congrats to my customers am here to give 2 over 3 draws again as did last week. our week 6 key slated as follows – Swansea vs Hull on top of Tottenham vs Crystal palace on Number 6 away are to produce 3 direct Naps and a scheduled pair. all interested stakers are to pay in favour Mr. S.B Odesola at IBTC Stanbic Bank A\C No 0001361916. call forb your payment details.

LEKE INTERNATIONAL: BLUE COUPON KEY 09091798611 BET 8, 40

Come rain, come sun, my original Blue Coupon is fully set to make stakers win 3/3 Nap unfailingly.

Cost N20,000 cash. Please sir, please Mina, do not miss this authentic Nap. It must draw 3/3 Nap correct. Call 09091798611.

sure win 17 X PAIR 25x Mrs. Henry 08170779623 & 08071554934

Attention! Attention!! Attention!!!

Arsenal Live Code for wk 5 is 250 which played 6xx 25xx 31xx but I am sincerely apologising to all stakers for removing No 6 from the numbers. I promise not to make that mistake again; so I am calling on the to call for their compensation; which will play 3/3 this week.

KEY:- Inverness vs St. J’stone at No 49, open to previous week. Bank on No 17 and 25 as a pair and two others.

Wk 6 cost price N30,000 (Thirty thousand naira only)

Call 08170779623 & 08071554934.

FOCUS FORTUNE NAP XXX = 3/3 (07XX 08)

Set to change your financial life.

Call 08079171744 (7X bet 8X) Get my 3 unique and unbeatable Nap at N10,000 this week 06. Next week 07 Nap = 3/3 cost N20,000. Don’t miss this opportunity. God bless you.

CHARITY- NAP 08054325929 = 27 X 31

We welcome you to the new English season. And we don’t have much to an to give you fixed draw. The above games is Trio. ARSENAL at 2 away control our nap this week. And it cost N10,000 = for a start. Best of luck.

LABAEKA NAP – 08053303522 (28XX 30)

Congrats our last week games played, to give way for a proper win this week 6. Call and win on fixed matches today for better tomorrow. Goodluck.

portugal

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000

x09x x28x WK 06 BLUE nap nap

coroatia

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000 x27x x39x WK 06 BLUE nap nap

turkey

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000 X30X X47X WK 06 BLUE nap nap

SEND MTN CARD TO 09038633666

1.2X INFORMATION GUILD = 08067881958

Week 6 WIN – 5X 35X 38XXX PAIR 43 AND 45 Free against week 7 release that will cost N25,000 after week 6 Result. Call for wk. 7 details.

YEWA GAMES – 07064660296 (17X 37)

Assurance week 6 Nap & win statement with the above pair.

Call for your winning details.

GODWIN NAP –

08056829811 (36XX 37)

2016/2017 UK/ SCOTTISH SEASON 2-2 WEEKS TABULATED Draws programe on Teams and Nos= 27x 28x Weeks 4 and 5= X X X X= 4/4 Northampton, Fleetwood, Portsmouth and Aberdeen = 4/4 Weeks 6 and 7= another 2 weeks Nap must not on forcast but on newly unveiled draw management directive by our UK based Experts – N25, 000 for week 6 and N100, 00 week 7. Never miss this rear opportunity today. Good luck.

MASTER: 07014686970

free! free!! free!!!

08x 23x 30xxx (32 must 48).

Nap and perm heavily against weeks 7 & 8 naps. Cost N100,000 each week. Good luck.

love best two BANKERS N4,000 WK 05 WK 06 WK 04 X10X nap x18x X30X nap x34x pair pair pair X27X nap x02x X28X nap x05x

move forward two BANKERS N4,000 WK 05 WK 06 WK 04 X34X nap x17x X47X nap x27x pair pair pair X25X nap x31x F26F nap f32f

send mtn card to 08166222529, 08095602590.

VIC DESTINY U.K SEASON OPERATION NAP/WIN! CONGRATULATION WK 5 WON! WIN WK 5 NAP 10X 28X 30X 18f 31X = 4/5 WIN WK 6 NAP NAP NAP PAIR 32X 33X BUY UK HAND BOOK @ N35,000.

WIN WK 7 NAP NAP NAP PAIR X X NO AGENT! CALL WIN NAP 3/3 WKLY @ N20,000.

ME IMMEDIATELY. SEASON REGISTRATION @ N150,000. G.S.M. 09099813819.

NJOROGE MR ASSURANCE (08177474535) 34 turn 43 3 weeks winning assurance gazetted nap at stakers pride pay point. PORTSMOUTH & NO 34.

Weeks 4,5 and 6 PORTSMOUTH meeting letter C. Carlisle, Crewe and Colchester. WIN! WIN!! WIN!!! 25k.

39

tribunepools

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE

ISREAL BAIL OUT – 09085712800

THE WINNERS CHOICE

STAKERS REFUGE= 29XX 39 WEEK 05 – 06X 09X 27X 28XX 34X 23F = 23?

Congratulations to all our last week callers and our esteem customers friends that were given the above free games as welcome to UK/ Scottish 2016/2017 sure Win= Winning continues- and as your SURE Bail out is sure.

Our mission last week was to enrich all stakers for better deal in weeks 6, 7, and 8. We were only given 4 weeks- winning programe for now.

Week 6= GILLINGHAM must GRIMSBY= 29XX 39.

Lets have the fun together you don’t need to change a winning TEAM. Weeks 5, 6, 7 and 8 are your weeks of prosperity= N50, 000= REAL – Win. A week miss is a season regret.

Welcome

WISE STAKERS DELIGHT GET A COPY AND WIN.

MBA–EXPERT (08104694618) PAIR– 03XX 15

The feat with 3 pairs at 28X29, 34X35 and 42X 43X in week 04 is being re – enacted this 1st Blue Coupon pools fixtures of the season UK 2016/2017.

WEEK 06 HAS SINGLE Scottish match rather, it is he English Conference League with 4 games at the 5th segment with at least, a potential draw among the quard. The match on the 1st rung, ditto the last on the ladder, each sponsors an XXBK. Revisiting the MBEs on Nos 35 and 45, third appearance is encouraging for those who call just for the fun of it, shun is as the beginning of the beginning is yet to begin particularly with these MBEs as they serve a purpose. Call or text Now.

FAITHFUL INTERVENTION – 07082899957

THE NEWEST HAPPING IN POOLS HISTORY IN POOLS HISTORY IN RECENT TIMES 28X 34X 42X 43X 47X = 5/5. LAST WEEK ADVERT OUR FORGET YOUR PAST 3 weeks recovery Naps is irresistible with the above 4/4 Naps promised Bountiful harvest at Faith Mission started with outstanding performance of fixed matches / draws. Watch Nos 7 and 8 as draws since 2013 to 2015 in every week 6 = 2016 XXX? Wk 6 – 2014 – 27X 28X 31X = 7X 8X Wk 6 – 2015 – 25X 26X 29 = 7X 8X Wk 6 – 2016 – X X X = 04X 08 With good faith you are a potential MILLIONAIRA on our 3 weeks 5, 6 and 7 Naps. NO INFORMATION – NO WINNING PROJECT As designed and directed by our overseas draws directors – N50,000 = WIN – SURE – NAP Goodluck.

KING OF CHAIN DRAWS= 08142362005=

08103222635= 42XX 43XX

Wk 05 BROWN No 25X 26F 27X 28X WITH 30X 31X Wk 06 BLUE No Chain Chain Chain with Chain Chain Wk 07 RED No Chain Chain Chain with Chain Chain Following wk 08. To control 3 Chain draws cost N7000= 08142362005, 08103222635= Wk 05= 2014 No 25 25X 26F 27X 28X PAIR 30X 31X cost N7, 000 wk 06 No Chain Chain Chain with Chain Chain. S. send MTN card= 08142362005= 08103222635.

NAZAR MASTER REMAINS SOLID and reliable

The leading pools company in Oyo State and environs, NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan has again reiterated that it was unshaken by the amount of winnings on its odds in the current U.K Football Season. the pools company made this known in a statement made available to TRIBUNE Pools during the week. According to NAZAR Master `we are happy that stakers have continue to win on our odds. We are assuring them that we up to the task of paying winnings as and when due , no matter the amount involved. Stakers and other stakeholders should continue to bet on our odds so that they would have big money to pay all their dues, AND our treble chance dividends has no equal. (Invest wisely).

AKIN MR AKIN –

07067202291 (24 MUST 29)

GILLINGHAM – BURY NO 29 = G+B = 9XXX Oh yes, another fantastic win at Akins place this week. 2 Experts in one with Gillingham – Bury in week 5 to fail, 2016/17 winning diary stated it as a MUST in Week 6 and other 3 fixed draws Week 5 – WIN/NAP = 9X 27X /39XXX 34 Week 6 – WIN/SURE /NAP = 24 MUST 29 The only permanent thing in life is ‘CHANGE’ therefore you are advised to stay with your darling 2 Experts.

N25,000 = again. Goodluck.

NIDAS 08033510149 (29 and 32)

WK 06 = NAP, NAP, NAP, 29, 32=5/5 WK 07 = NAP, NAP, NAP, NAP, NAP =5/5 Promoters are seriously in trouble this week 06 and next week 07 as, your evergreen NIDAS is set to release killers draws with authentic key released to me in London before the start of the season. The new season will definitely be different from the past because all necessary arrangements have been concluded with the Bookmakers during my resent trip to London. Just pick your phone and get in touch with the miracle worker, call NIDAS and you will never remain the same again for the best.

MAITO NAP – 08030785634/09081225091.

19XX 29. WEEK 5 - 19X 28X 43XXX FREE NAP.

We have done it again as usual. our callers are lucky with the above free puplished lastb week winning line. Congrats, again our week 6 Nap is the 1st week of our promised Naps – N25,000 = payment into Mr. sule Isola at Wema Bank a/c No 0221601707 = call for your winning details. Goodluck.

MR. ANDREW NAP – 08093055874.

PAIR = 24 MUST 25.

PORTSMOUTH. SYSTEM = 08103222635 08142362005 = 43X

Wk 04. Portsmouth. Vs letter. c key no 34X 27X 28X 40X wk 05. Portsmouth. Vs letter. C key no 38X 10X 34X 39X wk 06. Portsmouth. Vs letter. C key no 43 NAP NAP NAP wk 08. Portsmouth vs. letter. C key no 22 NAP NAP NAP As from wk 4 first English season key Portsmouth at home or away meeting letter. C to draw wk 6 no 43X plus 3 there cost N6,000 check wk 4, wk 5, wk 6 and wk 8 = wk 04 Portsmouth vs Carlisle no 34X 27X 28X 40X = wk 05 = Portsmouth. Vs coloshester no 43. NAP NAP NAP = N6,000 wk 8 = Portsmouth vs crawly no 22. NAP NAP NAP = N6,000. Send MTN card = 08103222635 08142362005 – The game will send to you by text message.

I am using this medium to welcome alls stakers to the new English season 2016/2017.

Also, assuring all stakers of prosperous season that will put regular smile to their faces.

Call now for your 3 fixed draws.

COST N20,000 (Twenty thousand naira only). CALL 08093055874.

MALLAM BAWA MUSA EXPLODES!!!

08052506287 BET 15, 16

ZENITH NAPS –

08146879314. 04 MUST 08.

WK.5 = 42XX 43XX 45XX = 3/3 NAP CORRECT WKS.6, 7, 8, COST N15,000 CASH PER WK Congrats! Congrats!! Congrats!!!

Stakers, regular unstoppable winnings is possible this UK Season with my 3 weekly Nap draws cost N15,000 cash, and also my one sure unfailing banker cost N5,000 cash weekly. You can also register to become a member of my “Happy Winners Club” with a deposit of N250,000 cash only, out of the total fee of N2.5million. No venture, No gain. Fortune favours the brave. Goodluck to all. Call 08052506287. Bet 15, 16.

REPEATED WINNING DIRECTIVE. SUNDERLAND AND EVERTON Reference to week 30 BLUE – BLUE – BLUE WINNING AFFAIR. Week = 30’ 2016 = 17X 29X 48XXX 04X – 08 Wk = 06’ 2016/17 = X X X - 04 MUST 08 It’s now your winning time to Zenith of wealth. Week 6 = Blue coupon assured winning cost – N25,000 = Good luck.

COMFORTABLE HERITAGE INTER 08065833138 = 41 & 42

WEEK 05, RESULT = 28X, 29X, 30X & 31X ¾.

We give glory to Almighty God for giving the publisher of Mr. Oluwafemi Johnson, the respective of comfortable, Heritage Inter, to contribute to the promotion of the welfare of pools stakers as published in the Nigerian Tribune pools on Thursday ‘11’ August, 2016. With nos; 28X 29, 30, 31 to all callers and our good customers got ¾ as predicted, the system that brought these automatically produce ‘3’ NAP draws in wk ‘6 &7 respectively. Payment is just only N20,000 cash per week to help our customers in preparation for year 2016 (ileya) celebration our first outing was in week ‘04’ with draws at 05X, 17X, 18X & 43. You are all congratulated in advance for wk 06 and wk07 intrested customers of the pools staking public to call my nos for payment this wk use, 41 & 42 plus ‘3’ NAP DRAWS = 08065833138

AUTHORITY NAP –

09030084552 (04 MUST 08)

Sunderland and Westbrom at home on numbers 4 and 8 is designed to promote 3 fixed draws and the 2 teams as a MUST. Cost N10,000 = Call for details. Goodluck.

SIR MICHAEL

(11 PAIR 22) 09091874579

MADAM DE MADAM- 08023329191. (10XX 11)

Blackburn must Bolton and other 3 fixed draws. As our welcome NAP to 2016/2017 UK Season. Call for your 3/3 Naps details. Goodluck.

LIVERPOOL AWAY NO 1 = STATIONED WIN. Reference to week 6’ 2013 –WK , 38’ 2015 and WK 5 ‘2016 WK=6’ 2013 – 19X 20X – 19X 39X WK.38’ 2015 – 39X 40X – 19X 39X WK. 5’ 2016 – 09X 10X – 19X 39X. Following week with reference to weeks 38 and 39 - 2015 LIVERPOOL AWAY NO 1 in week 38 and BURNLEY HOME NO 1 in week 39.

Again in same position in wks. 5 & 6 - 2016 Week 7 ‘ 2013 – 02X 24X 43XXX 11X Week 39’ 2015 – 07X 28X 47XXX 10X Week 6’ 2016 – X X X =10XX 11X. As promised Madams are back from their overseas trips to give stakers meaningful winning experience in weeks 5, 6 and 7 as promised kept. Call Mr. Joshua for your progressive win. N35,000= Good luck.

4 MEMBERS 4 BANKERS- 08162705220= NO 31 NAP 39

4 BANKERS COST N6000 WK 05 BLUE= 2013 NO 19X 20X 21X 44X WITH 31X 39X 4 BANKERS COST N6000 WK 06 BLUE 2014 NO 12X 26X 27X 28X WITH 31X 39X 4 BANKERS COST -N6000 WK 06 BLUE= 2015 NO 17X 18X 22X 23X WITH 31X 39X 4 BANKERS COST N6000 WK 06 BLUE= 2016 NO NAP NAP NAP NAP 31 39 2016 ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET COST: N50,000 CASH. KEY: Every week 6 BLUE bank NIGER NO 31. 39.

PLUS 3 OTHERS COST N6, 000 Wk 06 gift 31. 39 plus 3 others cost N6,000 cash wk 06= 2014 No 12x 26x 27x 28x Key Wk 06= 2015 No 17x 18x 22x 23x Key Wk 06= 2016. No Nap Nap Nap NAP WITH 31. 39.

31. 39 following week 7 to cOntrol 4 Special Draws at N6,000 send MTN recharge cards to 08162705220.

WEEK 06 STATUS.

EKO – 03, 21 LKO – 02, 13 SUNDAY – 04, 09, 16.

HOPE NAPS & Co = 08107128449 Wk 06 PAIR 31 AND 27XX

YOU ARE WELCOME TO 2016/2017 ENGLISH SEASON Hope assure Fans & stakers that this week 06 you must feel fine with our 3 super results. Call hope Naps & Co and pay to First Bank Plc Account No 3088328923 in person of Mr. Gbadebo Stephen A. while the week releases will be sent to you on phone (Message) week 06 cost just N20,000. Bank on no 27 & No 37XX. god bless you bye.

MAGIC KINGDOM – 08056753098/ 07085060512

A – 3, 4, 5XX PAIR 01 AND 07 B – 36, 37, 38XX PAIR 34 AND 40.

This week our games are in 2 stages A and B. As I earlier promised that before week 10 all my clients will be millionaires provided you follow our special release in weeks 7,8 and 9 cost N25,000 = payments to Balogun Adesina Kamoru at FCMB Bank a/c no – 0279550010, Wema Bank acct no – 0206965116 OR G.T. Bank a/c no – 0115505082. Registration as a club member is N50,000 – payable twice into any of our Bank account. Call & win – Good luck.

MID – WEEK GIVES 8/10 (08087176217)

We opened the season with a good pair on 26/28XX last week. We continue the trend this week with 8/10 for a good draws. Add the pair to our IBK AND GET YOUR 2/3 instant. Our IBK cost N1,500.00, 2drs sell for N3,00.00 and 3Bks cost N10,000.00 on 08087176217.

Best of luck in the new season!

Thursday, 18 - 24 August, 2016 BOLU – ONE – NAP

07031916067 (33XX 45) 3 DIRECTED DRAWS AVAILABLE AT Bolu one Naps. We come on board to enrich wise stakers N20,000 = payable to Babatope Oluwadare Gabriel, Sterling Bank No. 0016835374 Ibadan. Goodluck.

MODFRAN – 08055441813.

23X 25X 26X 28X 48 WIN

Congrats, the above free games it enrich and prepared our numerous friends/ customers against our week 8 special fixed draws. Play well for fat win. Call for details and book now in advance. Watch out for sure weeks 8 win. Goodluck.

PATRICK THE ENGLISH MAN –

08154836338 (29XX 32)

NAP = 28X 34X 43XXX – 34XX GILLINGHAM AT HOME 29 – Game on top 28XX Scunthrope, Sheff Utd and Stevenage = 28X 34X 43XX MIDDLESBRO – MIDDLESBRO = WESTHAM Westham – Bournemouth and newly promoted Middlesbro visit to Sunderland = 29XX 31 Week 6 – 08X 27X 39XXX 29X 32 – 2014 Week 6 – 05X 18X 42XX 29X 32 – 2015 Week 6 – X X X 29 MUST 32 – 2016 Read and win promo contd. Till week 8. Join the English man winning train = N25,000 again.

INNOCENT NAP 4X NAP 5X = 08095602590=

42 PAIR 43XX ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET COST = N30,000 CASH WINNER MEMBERSHIP COST: N50,000.O0 CASH 4 Special Draws cost N6,000, Wk 4 2x 5x 28x 34x 4 Special Draws cost N6,000 Wk 5 No 10x 25x 28x 34x 4 Special Draws cost 6,OOO, Wk 6 Nap! Nap] Nap! Nap! 2 Special Draws cost 4,0O0 Wk 4 2x 28x pair 5x 12f 2 Special Draws cost 4,OOO, Wk 5 No 10x 25x pair 21f 28x 2 Special Draws cost N4,000 Wk 6 Nap! Nap! Nap! Nap! 1 Special Draw cost 2,O0O with Pair.

Wk 04 No 5x wk 5 No 28 Wk 6 No Nap wk 7 No Nap KEY: Every Week 6 BLUE BANK NIGER NO 4. 5 plus 4 others cost N6,000 cash. Following Wk 06 to control 4 Special Draws cost 6,00O, send MTN cards to 08095602590 the games will be forwarded tp you via text message. 08095602590.

ADEOTI SYNDACATE 07051327960

BRENTFORD – ROTHERHAM (20X) BROMLEY – GATESHEAD (48X 1-1) MUST Round one of the Adeoti Syndicate release start this week (06) from code Nos. 08 and code Nos. 45 of the first page of the book. As arsenal is on Nos. 2 away giving 3 draws and a pair for 3 weeks operation. Weeks 06-07-08.

N10,000 cash. Each weeks. Send your money to Ahmed Shafari A/C Nos. 2001788431 Zenith Bank Ibadan. You must be among of the winners on Saturday. Please don’t used any handset cards send the money. The pair of the game is the above pair – 20XXXBK – 48XXXBK must for one.

Thanks. Goodluck to you all.

SOLOMON RESORT – 09091111800

WEEK 06 FREE WIN (NOW) 10X 36X 39X 04X 34XXX Week 7 Nap cost N100,000, so you are advised to make good use of the above permutation while the 3 direct draws cost N10,000 = free for all.

Stop all doubts. Good luck.

A.T.M LIVE

08056390550/07040478677 PERM:- 4. 14. 15. 37. 39.

BEST WIN OF THE WEEK The above games, are the games I wanted to put in my advert this wk 6 but I have shifted the advert to wk 7, wk 8 respectively cost of each week N15,000 = cash to Account number 2016981168 U.B.A Bank with NAME:- Mrs Modupeola Oseji.

Make sure you keep your records.

Bless you.

LAST HOPE 2016=

08103222635= 37 NAP 43

WK 4 Purple No 14X 18X 28X 40X PAIR 44X 45F= N6, 000 Wk 05 BROWN NO 9X 10X 27X 38X PAIR 47X 48F= N6000 4. special draws N6,000 wk 06 No NAP NAP NAP NAP with. X X 4 SPECIAL DRAWS N6,000 WK 7 RED No NAP NAP NAP NAP with X X 4. Special Draw N8,000 Wk 08 No. NAP NAP NAP NAP with X X wk 09 No NAP NAP NAP NAP with X X wk 10 No NAP NAP NAP NAP. Two Bankers N4,000 wk 04 No 17X 18X PAIR 31X 35X Two Bankers N3,000 wk 05 No 9X 10X Pair. 38X39X N3000 Wk 06 NAP NAP pair NAP NAP wk 07 No NAP NAP Pair xx Wk 08 No NAP NAP. Stakers try to get last Hope 2011. 4 special draws this wk 06 Blue cost N6000 and two bankers cost N3000 following wk 07 RED to control 4. Special draws cost N6, 000 two bankers cost N3000 send MTN. card Card 08166222529.

09038633666.

BEST BARGAIN INTERNATIONAL

(08092621480) WK 06 = NAP 24X 34X 36XXX. = 3/3. With necessary action already taken to migrate the error of last week, which was due to miscalculation from the extremely secretive coded key, released to me by the Pools Panel and the Bookmakers, the above game is another turning point in pools forecasting. Stakers should play the game very well to enable them pay the registration fee for the 2016/2017 U.K/Scottish football season. Registration fee is N250.000. Stakers should make hay while the sun is shining.

Take advantage of this rear opportunity, as it might never come again. Don’t bother to call me for free game next week, as i have done the needful. Call me on 08092621480 for further discussions and details. It is well with us. Good luck.

WINNING SOLUTION As MOSES ELEVATe stakers 08072974729. TO ENRICH STAKERS IN WEEKS 4, 5, 6 AND 7.

WK 21 ’2015 — WK 04 ’2016 KEY — BROMLEY AT HOME 48= 30X 27X WK 24 ’2015 — WK 07 ’2016 31X 28X X — X ALT 27X31 ALT 27X31 X — X — X WK 22 ’2015 — WK 05 ’2016 X Shrewsbury —30x — 27x KEY — ABERDEEN ON NO 47 = Scunthrope —31x — 28x The above winning reference chat —10x — 09x Stoke is to elevate all winning desired KEY = HAMILTON AT HOME 49= stakers.

N SOLUTIO WK 23 ’2015 — WK 06 ’2016 WINNING2974729 XXX —X XXX X — 0807 NB: Last week winners are to pay = N100,000. New stakers to pay N50,000.

Strictly on cash, No P.A.W. and much story. Welcome & Good luck.

BAIL OUT NAP REMAINS STAKERS REFUGE: 09085712800

league table two BANKERS N3,000

wk 05 wk 06

two BANKERS N2,000

wk 05 wk 06

10x 30x nap nap

47x 47x nap nap

with confience —08166222529 two BANKERS N5,000

wk 05 wk 06

two BANKERS N2,500

wk 05 wk 06

28x 39x nap nap

34x 34x nap nap

FORTUNE DONOR CALLS FOR REGISTRATION WITH 8-27-30-22/41 (08099111828) Your selfish and hardworking Fortune Donor calls on good punters to register immediately with us this season with 8-2730-22/41 which will surely enhance your quick registration.

Don’t doubt. Registration is N500,000.00 payable twice on N300,000.00 and N200,000.00. Take a chance and God bless.

torquay

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000

x28x x43x WK 06 blue nap nap

lincoln

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000 x27x x39x WK 06 blue nap nap

telford

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000 x10x X30X WK 06 blue nap nap

SEND MTN CARD TO 09038460009 PETER NAP 09 PAIR 44 (08076546261)

Congratulation to all those that will get my release this week as the even week setting that got, 11xx 27xx, 28xx 3/3 in week 4, will get it again this week. My weekly release cost just N25,000.00. Pay to saving Acct No: 3023114822, First Bank in person of Mr. Onaolapo Peter A. And call on 08076546261, meanwhile 20 or 30 for X.

werribee.c

bALCATTA

MODBURY

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000

TWO BANKER WK 05 N3,000

WK 06 BLUE

WK 06 BLUE

WK 06 BLUE

X10X X30X nap nap

X28X X39X nap nap

X25X x27x

nap nap

SEND MTN CARD TO 08162705220 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH text message OF write up without advert is regarded VOID . PLACE YOUR ADVERT FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLICATION OF YOUR FORECAST. THANKS POOLS EDITOR

SIDELINES

NO 16,570

“

N150

THURSDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2016

A

special workshop was organized on The 4way Test of Rotary by PDG Mike Omotosho where top Civil Servants, Federal Permanent Secretaries including the current Minister for works and transport RajiFasola were invited to discuss on ‘Work Ethics and Corruption in Nigeria and the way forward’.It was a successful seminar.”

Last week, I began a discussion of the principles and ideology behind the Rotary International and how the country as a whole can benefit if all Nigerians adopt the idea of selfless service which drives the activities of the group. This week I will continue by making reference to some specific areas in which the body has contributed to society.

International level At the International level, the contributions of Rotary are legendary. Its services include contributions to all spheres of human existence. Rotary International has indeed left its imprints on the United Nations. In this respect, the University of Oregon UNESCO Crossings Institute writes: “Rotary International’s relationship with the United Nations had already been established when the UN was founded in 1945. At the UN Charter Conference in San Francisco, nearly fifty Rotarians served as delegates, advisors, and consultants. In 1945, Rotary International had clubs in 65 countries and was working to further international understanding, good will, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. The purposes of the UN—to maintain an international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to help solve international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems; and to promote human rights—parallel those of Rotary. Rotary’s work in promoting peace through education began as early as 1943 with a London conference on international, cultural, and educational exchanges. Working under the premise that “war begins in the minds of men”, the conference was attended by ministers of education and observers from around the world and was an early inspiration for UNESCO, established in 1946. Rotary International established consultative status with the UN and UNESCO beginning in 1946-47. In one of the first cooperative activities with UNESCO, the Rotary Foundation awarded a $5,000 ‘grant-in-

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

A Japanese plastic surgeon, Katsuya Takasu, has promised a bonus of $30,000 to each member of Nigeria’s Dream Team should they win gold at the Rio Olympics. He also promised each player $20,000 for silver and $10,000 if Nigeria wins bronze medal. The lesson: a great team will always be appreciated, if not at home, then abroad.

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

An ideology worthy of emulation (2) aid’ for fellowships to social service and educational leaders in war-devastated countries. The funds were designed to provide training to those who trained others. UNESCO identified prospective recipients.”

Contribution to the eradication of polio Wikipedia reports that Rotary International’s most notable current global project, PolioPlus, is contributing to the global eradication of polio. Sergio Mulitsch di Palmenberg (1923–1987), Governor of RI District 204 (1984–1985), founder of the RC of Treviglio and PianuraBergamasca (Italy), was the man who inspired and promoted the RI PolioPlus vaccination campaign. He made it possible to ship the first 500,000 doses of antipolio vaccine to the Philippines at the beginning of 1980. Since beginning the project in 1985, Rotarians have contributed over US$850 million and hundreds of thousands of volunteer-hours, leading to the inoculation of more than two billion of the world’s children. Inspired by Rotary’s commitment, the World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution in 1988 to eradicate polio by 2000. Now a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) with WHO, UNICEF and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rotary is recognized by the United Nations as the key private partner in the eradication effort.

In 2008, Rotary received a $100 million challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Rotary committed to raising $100 million. In January 2009, Bill Gates announced a second challenge grant of $255 million. Rotary again committed to raising another $100 million. In total, Rotary reportedly raised $200 million by 30 June 2012. Together, the Gates Foundation and Rotary have committed $555 million toward the erad-

ication of polio. At the time of the second challenge grant, Bill Gates said: “We know that it’s a formidable challenge to eradicate a disease that has killed and crippled children since at least the time of the ancient Egyptians. We don’t know exactly when the last child will be affected. But we do have the vaccines to wipe it out. Countries do have the will to deploy all the tools at their disposal. If we all have the fortitude to see this effort through to the end, then we will eradicate polio.

The effort has largely been successful as Polio has been eliminated in India but still reported in Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. indeed the latest cases in Nigeria were reported some weeks back.

In addition to its work on Polio, Rotary has also contributed towards literacy programs, exchanges and scholarships etc.

National level The body has been involved in the following at the District 9125 level; 1. The construction and donation of bore hole and solar electrification to power them in the locality of each club in the district.

2. The provision of books up to tertiary institution for distribution through the clubs.

3. Active steps towards the eradication of Polio in the District. The efforts at the international level are also highlighted below.

4. The creation of awareness with regards to all the six (6) areas of focus of Rotary which are: (A) Peace and Conflict Prevention/ Resolution (B) Disease Prevention and a treatment (C) Water and Sanitation (D) Maternal and Child Health (E) Basic Education and Literacy (F) Economic and community Development

5. Polio corrective surgery was performed by Indian Rotarians in Abuja in December 2012 under PDG Felix Obadan’sDGship. Hundreds of surgeries were performed on polio affected Nigerian children in the Country’s capital.

6. The empowerment of women and youths with sewing machine for self reliance in partnership with vantage teens center, Bwari, Abuja by Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama.

7. Donation of food items and materials supplies to Yola IDP camp in Adamawa State.

8. Over 2,800 surgeries were carried out at Ondo State General Hospital Akure in 2011 .

9. Donation of emergency materials to Federal road safety commission in Keffi unit Nasarawa.

10. Renovation of labour and lying in wards of primary health care centreAlegongo Akobo, Ibadan now renamed Rotary Akobo ward.

11. Dinning hall was built, furnished and donated to the school of the physically challenged Osogbo.

12. Donation of wheelchairs to physically challenged people in throughout the district.

13. Commissioning of newly built 500 capacity examination and General purpose hall at OsoloOpin school Kwara State.

14. A special workshop was organized on The 4way Test of Rotary by PDG Mike Omotosho where top Civil Servants,Federal Permanent Secretaries including the current Minister for works and transport RajiFasola were invited to discuss on ‘Work Ethics and Corruption in Nigeria and the way forward’.It was a successful seminar.

Comments can be sent by e-mail to aareafe@gmail.com.

(To be continued)

Rio Olympics: Dream Team loses 0-2 to Germany Faces Honduras in third place match

By Olawale Olaniyan NIGERIA’S ambition to win the Olympic soccer gold for the second time was dashed on Wednesday as the Dream Team lost 0-2 to Germany, in the semi-final of the Rio 2016.

The Germans shot into the lead barely eight minutes into the game through Lukas Klostermann, while substitute PeMikel Obi tersen nailed the John Mikel

Obi-captained side with another goal with two minutes remaining.

Nigeria, winner of the 1996 edition of the Olympic football will now face Honduras in the battle for the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, hosts, Brazil on Wednesday walloped Honduras 6-0 at the Maracana Stadium to qualify for the final of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Neymar’s opening goal against Honduras was timed

as the fastest-ever at the Olympics when he hit the back of the net after just 15 seconds.

After a laboured start to their Olympics campaign in front of their partisan home fans, Neymar and company have now gone seven hours without conceding a goal.

The hosts are now just a match away from clinching a first-ever Olympic gold, which has long eluded the Samba Stars.

Four years ago in London, they came very close to breaking this jinx only to lose the gold medal following a 1-2 loss to Mexico.

NPFL results Tornadoes 3SC IfeanyiUbah Rivers Utd Lobi Stars Sunshine MFM FC

3 0 2 1 3 3 1

Akwa United El-Kanemi Rangers Heartland Abia Warriors Ikorodu Utd Warri Wolves

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. 18/8/2016.

0 0 0 0 2 0 1