20th January 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 16,418

WEDNESDAY, 20 JANUARY, 2016

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Olubadan dies 86 days to 102nd birthday —P2

•Saliu Adetunji is next Olubadan

2,700 BDC operators fighting the naira —CBN gov

Militants' attack on Escravos gas pipeline:

Power plants, cement companies affected

•Says 45% of foreign exchange used for servicing fuel import, fertiliser, food

•N470m lost daily, N120m needed for repairs •I'll deal with pipeline vandals —Buhari

—P2

Lassa fever: FG accuses states, LGs of conspiracy

—P3

Corrected budget:

—P7

Uproar in Reps over Buhari's letter

More cases of measles, chicken pox discovered in Ibadan

•2016 budget will tackle poverty —Osinbajo

—P40

—P2

Lagos joins Odu'a group

Metuh's handcuffs:

PDP kicks —P4

Oba Samuel Odulana

—P10

news Olubadan dies 86 days to his 102nd birthday 2

By Tunde Ogunesan

HE Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba (Dr) Samuel Odulana, on Tuesday night, passed on at the age of 101. The 40th Olubadan, who ascended the throne on Friday, August 17, 2007 at the age of 93, reportedly breathed his last on Tuesday night, while his remanis had been deposited at the UCH mortuary.”

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

He died 86 days to his 102nd birthday, which is April 14. A family source, who pleaded anonymity, confided in the Nigerian Tribune that the traditional ruler “is actually dead. That is the only thing I can say for now, but don’t quote me.” Also, a high chief in the line of Olubadan, who also pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development to the Nigerian Tribune.

With the development, the next high chief to become the Olubadan is the current Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Adetunji. Tradition, it was gathered, is that the next in line to the Olubadan must be informed of the death accordingly, though some of the high chiefs kept sealed lips as of the time of going to press. Oba Odulana was born April 14, 1914, in Igbo El-

erin, Ibadan, to Pa Odulana Ayinla. He began his elementary education at Saint Andrew’s School, Bamigbola, Ibadan in January 1922 and transferred to St. Peter’s School, Aremo, in 1929. He completed his middle school education at Mapo Central School in 1936. He was an Army officer during the 1939 World War II. After returning from World War II in 1945, he

was appointed to be in charge of the demobilisation of returning soldiers in Lagos. He briefly worked with United Africa Company (UAC) as a produce clerk before commencing his teaching career at the Church Missionary Society (CMS) Elementary School, Jago, in 1938. He also taught in several schools from 1939 to 1942 and was with the Colonial Office Education Depart-

Uproar in Reps as Buhari submits corrected budget to NASS Taiwo Adisa, Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

THERE was uproar in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, over the letter by President Muhammadu Buhari, informing members of a slight adjustment in the 2016 budget he presented to the National Assembly last year. Trouble started when the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, was reading the letter, saying the president said corrections had been made to the details of the 2016 appropriation bill. Hardly had the speaker finished reading the letter than the minority leader of the House, Honourable Leo Ogor, raised the point of order and cited sections 81 and 84 of the constitution, which he said did not give President Buhari powers to amend budget, insisting that such powers remained with the legislature. Ogor pleaded with other members of the green chamber to disregard Buhari’s letter and continue with the business of the day as contained in the Order Paper. However, Dogara cut in and explained that there was nowhere in the letter where the president indicated the budget was amended, saying that “it is only the president that has powers to make corrections to the budget if he observes any error,” since he was the author of the document. At this stage, the lawmakers elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) started chanting “no!, no!! nooooooo!!!” The development prevented the Speaker from making further explanations as the chamber became rowdy. However, when normacy was finally restored, Dogara said there was nowhere the president mentioned the word amendment, adding that he used the word correction “which the president alone can correct at any given time.” Another lawmaker, Honourable Linus Okorie, raised a point of order that the speaker did not follow

the order of House procedure, as he chose to read petitions before the House when, in the actual practice, the president’s letter ought to have been read first before any other thing. While reacting to the point of order raised by Okorie, Dogara said the House Rule, from which he read, clearly stated in the introductory paragraph that unless the House otherwise directed that the letter should be read first. Dogara, thereafter, explained to members that immediately he arrived, the first thing he did was to explain to

the entire House that he was going to take petitions first before the letters he had with him. Dogara pointed that he actually forgot the letter in the office, hence he allowed petitions to be read first. Following the explanations, he was applauded by members who were mostly members of the the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) and the argument died naturally. The letter from President Buhari read: “It will be recalled that on Tuesday, 22 December, 2015, I presented my 2016 budget proposals to the joint sitting of the Nation-

al Assembly. “I submitted a draft bill accompanied by a schedule of details. At the time of submission, we indicated that because the details had just been produced, we would have had to check to ensure that there were no errors in the detailed breakdown contained in the schedule. That has since been completed and I understand that the corrections have been submitted. “The National Assembly would, therefore, have the details as submitted on the 22nd and a copy containing the corrections submitted

last week. It appears that this has led to some confusion. “In this regard, please find attached the corrected version. This is the version the National Assembly should work with as my 2016 budget estimates. The draft bill remains the same and there are no changes in any of the figures.” In another letter to the Senate, President Buhari said he had effected some corrections in the original budget he presented on December 22. The Senate, thereafter, said it would commence work on the budget today.

2016 budget will tackle poverty — Osinbajo Leon Usigbe - Abuja VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the Federal Government has embedded specific provisions in the 2016 budget proposals that will confront poverty in the country. Speaking during a courtesy visit on him in Abuja on Tuesday, by a delegation of Reckitt Benckiser West Africa, a household care products’ company, led by its West Africa Managing Director, Mr Rahul Murgai and the chairman in Nigeria, Chief Olu Falomo, he said “we are dealing with the issues of poverty with the 2016 budget currently being debated.” He noted the various intervention programmes targeted at about 110 million poor and vulnerable in the society, for which funds had been allocated in the budget. Osinbajo welcomed the Safe the Children Initiative, a corporate social responsibility programme designed to curb the death of Nigerian children caused by diarrhea. He explained that a lot had to be done in the country to confront poverty and its impacts on Nigerians. “When you have the number of extremely poor Nigerians that we have in this country, we are bound to have these kinds of health problems,” he said, adding, however, that

the 2016 budget proposals would deal with the overall problem of poverty. He said for the first time in the nation’s history, about half a trillion Naira was being provided for the

six social investment programmes. The vice-president commended the company for its intervention, saying “this is the sort of thing we expect from those who

have the resources.” Speaking earlier, Mr Murgai had said Reckitt Benckiser, which had been doing business in Nigeria for several decades, wanted to ensure that the peo-

ment in 1964. He went into politics in 1959 as a member of the House of Representatives and was appointed parliamentary secretary to Tafawa Balewa. He was Minster of State for Labour and, in 1964, he led the Nigerian Parliamentary delegation to the London Constitution Conference to restructure the former British colonies of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (now Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia). He joined the royal chieftaincy line in 1972 as the Mogaji of Ladunni compound in Ibadan, and in 1976, he was conferred Jagun-Olubadan. He was a co-founder of several organisations such as the Ibadan Economic Foundation and the Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU). He was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Management Technology by the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, in December 2005. When contacted, the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, said he had not been informed officially.

ple of Nigeria are healthier and happier. He said the company was worried about diarrhea deaths and had set aside about N1.2 billion to fight the situation in Nigeria.

2,700 BDC operators fighting the Naira — CBN Gov Taiwo Adisa - Abuja GOVERNOR of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday, said the 2,700 Bureau de Change operators appear to be waging war against the Naira, adding that the decision to remove them from official funding list of foreign exchange will save the national currency. Emefiele, who was hosted by the Senate in a closed session, told the senators that in all, the Nigerian economy would rebound in the next two years. He told the senators that some 2,700 BDC operators were leading the speculations against the Naira, adding that since the stoppage of the allocations to the BDCs, they had been sourcing their dollars from oil companies and other foreign exchange earners. “We will not review the restriction in the BDCs, because we have seen that they are the ones waging a huge war against the Naira,” the CBN governor was quoted as saying. According to sources at the session, the CBN governor was also said to have indi-

•Says foreign reserve would have dropped to $5bn cated that 45 per cent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings go into servicing imports for fuel, fertiliser and food, adding, however, that with efforts being put together by the Dangote Group, the country would stop spending heavily on importation. He was said to have told the senators that Dangote Group was already building a refinery in Lagos, a Tomato paste factory and a fertiliser firm.

According to him, once the companies come on board in 2017, the nation would be able to save 45 per cent of its foreign exchange on imports. He further told the senators not to worry at the current downward slide of the Naira, adding that the currency would soon stabilise. “By our records, 45 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings go into importation of food, fuel and fertiliser. With the coming on

board of Dangote factories, we are sure that 45 per cent will stay with us. That is why we are backing him to complete the projects in record time,” Emefiele told the senators. When asked whether relying on the ability of one man would not lead to disaster, the CBN governor said Dangote Group was already a company quoted internationally, adding that its activities were more than one man business.

Chris Agbambu - Abuja

The source said the decision followed the meeting of all service chiefs, in order to check influx of vehicles from all corners into the defence complex. Following the directive, some senior officers without official car painted in military colours have been grumbling. According to one of them, “because we have no official cars, we have to look for where to park our cars and then trek some distances into our various offices. This is not fair at all.” The acting director, Defence Information, Brigadier-Gen-

eral Rabe Abuabakar, told the Nigerian Tribune that the military, being custodian of security, should always take necessary precaution. He said the decision was taken after series of meetings with stakeholders, adding that they all agreed to decongest the complex of vehicles. According to him, “these senior officers who have not got staff cars painted in military colours will soon get them in couple of days, but it is good for us to always be on top of the security situation.”

DHQ bars vehicles not painted in military colours THE military authorities have banned all vehicles not painted in military colours from entering the Defence Headquarters complex. The defence headquarters complex comprises the Nigerian Army, the Navy, the Airforce and Defence Headquarters. Informed military sources disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune that the order, which took effect from last week, emanated from the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin.

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Militants’ attack on gas pipeline: Power plant, cement companies affected T A ,J S •N470m lost daily, N120m for repairs O K aiwo disa acob egun latunji and olawole Daniel - Abuja

S security agencies intensify the search for culprits behind the act, it has been established that the weekend’s attack on the Nigeria Gas Company’s pipeline connected to Chevron Nigeria Limited’s facility at Escravos, will impact negatively on the Olorunsogo NIPP and other power plants. The sabotaged gas pipeline, which contributes to the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS), has led to a loss of 160mmsfcd of gas daily. At a cost of $2.50 per thousand scf, this means about $400,000 loss to

Stop your inciting statements or..., MOSOP warns politicians Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt THE Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has cautioned politicians of the Ogoni extraction in Rivers State to stop making statements capable of causing crisis or risk being alienated. The foremost Ogoni group gave the warning in a statement signed and issued by its publicity secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday. MOSOP, in the statement, also advised Ogonis said to be harbouring malicious and desperate tendencies, including undermining peace, integrity and stability of Ogoni for some agenda, to sink their sentiments. Rather, it called on such individuals or group of persons to join hands with the people in the effort to build a virile, peaceful, indivisible and prosperous Ogoniland. The group said it was more concerned that some local politicians were fanning the embers of division in the area, at a time when Ogonis had decried and warned against further appalling attempts at dividing the people. It carpeted a particular politician (names not mentioned) who was alleged to be fanning the embers of factionalism in the group, contrary to what obtained. “Whilst we recognise his right to freedom of expression, we do not see how inflammable statements drumming division helps the reported peace process,” the statement read.

the country on a daily basis (N78,800,000 daily) in gas volume. This is in addition to losses to be incurred daily from affected power generation ($1,988,223 or N391,680,000 daily). The total daily loss to the country is, therefore, estimated at N470,479,931, while repairs of the damaged pipe-

line is estimated as costing $609,137 or N120 million. The real sector of the economy had also been counting its losses, as some cement companies around Olorunsogo, like Ewekoro and Ibese, were also affected. The latest incident occurred just as the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, Works

and Housing and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, along with allied agencies had been making concerted efforts to improve gas supplies to the power plants. Available records show that six incidences of vandalism from December 2014 to February 2015, which affected the Trans Forcados Pipeline (at Oben, Sapele,

Oredo ) and Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (CNL) led to a loss of 1,100 mmscfd. According to industry experts, a loss of 200 mmscd is equivalent to a power reduction of 700mw. While the industry is currently generating about 4120mwh/h on average, it is without doubt that performance would have been

Niger Delta: I’ll deal with pipeline vandals — Buhari From Leon Usigbe and Ebenezer Adurokiya PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, vandalism of pipelines and insecurity in the Niger Delta. He said this at an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian community in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate (UAE), on Tuesday. He reiterated that the Nigerian Armed Forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram, adding that attention would be on the activities of oil thieves and vandals to bring them to an end soon. “The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will reorganise and deal with them,” he said. The president said the war against terrorism could only be won with collective effort and a commitment by all stakeholders to work in unison to halt the scourge. This was as President Buhari appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his government in its bid to reposition the economy from the effects of plummeting oil prices. Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration’s war against corruption would continue to be vigorously pursued, while saying more persons who had abused the public trust would be exposed and brought to justice soon. He said his government was committed to re-establishing former standards of accountability and probity in the management of public funds, which were jettisoned under past administrations. “In the face of our new economic reality of dwindling oil prices, there are a number of things we can really do to preserve our economy. “We must develop the capacity to feed ourselves and we should be spending our resources on real development projects, not luxuries,” he said. Buhari also cautioned telecommunication companies

•Cautions telecoms providers over security •As Defence Minister visits bombed oil facilities operating in the country not to place their desire for huge profits above the security needs of the country. The president noted that the registration of all mobile phone users would help the security agencies to preempt terrorist attacks, adding that telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria must, therefore, adhere to the rules and guidelines of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in this regard. Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Monsur Mohammed Dan-Ali, on Tuesday, paid an unscheduled visit to assess the recently bombed oil and gas pipelines at riverine Egwa 1, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. In a seeming dramatic twist, officials of the Delta State government, including the Secretary to the State Government, Ovie Festus Agas, were barred from the delegation. Others prevented from making the waterway trip with the minister were the Director-General, Security Matters in the state and former chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area, David Tonwe. The trio were billed to represent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa during the on-thespot-assessment visit of the minister. The minister and his en-

tourage took off from the boatyard of the Nigerain Navy Ship (NNS DELTA) and headed on a two-hour journey to the crime site amid armed joint security agents comprising the army and the navy and the air force. It was gathered that the minister took the decision to avoid compromised assessment of the true state of events at the bombed site. Speaking on the reason for the decision to bar state government and other individuals from the tour, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonishakin, said the visit was purely a military assignment and apart from journalists, no other person should be part of it. The minister warned military personnel against conniving with criminals to perpetrate economic sabotage, adding that such soldiers, if caught, would be seriously dealt with and shown the way out of the force. He described criminals as enemies of the Federal Government, whose pastime was to sabotage the nation’s economy and destabilise the security network of the country. Speaking on the bombings, the minister said “improvised explosive device (IED) aided and well arranged. You can see the magnitude of the damage. It was well planned. This has to be taken care of by members of the armed

forces. We have to intensify patrol.” On whether some suspects had been arrested in connection with the bombing, the minister added that: “we are yet to get to the perpetrators. The JTF commander has assured me that they will get to the root of it. That is why we came here, to intensify assistance to the armed forces and encourage them with more equipment to give more and help them bring down this criminality.” The minister, while addressing a combined team of soldiers, Navy and Airforce at the 3rd Battalion, Nigeria Army Base, Effurun-Warri, earlier, assured that the Buhari-led government would address challenges confronting the military, especially in improving platforms to arrest economic sabotage in the creeks. “Soldiers must change their attitude and character to work, they must be loyal at all times, but anyone who fraternise with criminals will not be spared,” the minister admonished. On why the Federal Government had not been able to put a final stop to pipeline bombing, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Ite Ikwe Ibas, said “the pipelines are so extensive and require enormous resources to protect. And we cannot be everywhere 24 hours everyday.”

better without the additional setback caused by the weekend’s incident.

...Defence hqtrs warns oil vandals Chris Agbambu -Abuja THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Tuesday, said it observed with dismay, the unpatriotic attacks on the country’s economic lifeline in the Niger Delta and warned criminal elements involved in the act to desist from the unwholesome act of economic sabotage in the region for the overall benefits of the country. It warned that any individual or group of persons who engaged in any act of sabotage to the country’s strategic assets would face the full weight of the law, as the military and other security agencies would ensure total protection of such facilities wherever they are. In a statement by the acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, the defence headquarters said it observed that the attacks were carried out by some criminal elements bent on destroying the nation’s strategic assets. “The security of the strategic assets and any other facilities is a collective responsibility of every patriotic and law abiding citizen, especially the locals close to such valuable infrastructure,” it noted in the statement. The defence headquarters urged all to cooperate with the military and other security agencies and report suspected individuals or groups for prompt action. It pledged to continue to maintain a peaceful environment for economic activities to thrive, while requesting law abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without fear.

Biafra: 8 MASSOB members arraigned in Enugu Jude Ossai -Enugu EIGHT persons suspected to be members of the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), on Tuesday, appeared before an Enugu magistrates’ court for allegedly being caught in an illegal assembly capable of causing breach of public peace. When the case was called up and counts of the charge

read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody. The case was adjourned till February 10. In a press statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amarizu, on Tuesday, the suspects were to face prosecution for conspiracy and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. The suspects were Nwang-

wu Friday, 26; Chekwube Eneta, 28; Chigozie Mba, 29; Isaiah Ogazim, 28; Onyekachukwu Uzoma, 43; Onyemalu Princewill, 26; Israel Ani 18 and Ugwuobu Kelechi, 24 years. Amarizu stated that in spite of the warning by the state police command that some group of persons were agitating against the prosecution of Nnamdi Kalu at a court in Abuja, some “misguided fellows,” in

their numbers, assembled at Naira Triangle Enugu on Monday, with flags and other materials designating Biafra. The police image maker said “this attracted prompt attention of the officers and men of the command and following the failure of the said persons to disperse after being so requested by the police, a number were arrested in the process while others fled.”

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Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Arms deal: Metuh brought to court in handcuffs, granted N400m bail PDP condemns handcuffing Jacob Segun Olatunji, Leon Usigbe and Sunday Ejike - Abuja

USTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, granted bail to the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, in the sum of N400 million, with two sureties in the sum of N200 million each. In a ruling on Metuh’s bail application on Tuesday, Abang said the two sureties to the PDP’s spokesman must be residents of Abuja and have a landed property in Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory. The sureties, the judge held, must deposit their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to the Registrar of the court and that the Registrar must verify the authenticity of the title document of the property from the land registry of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory. Other conditions for Metuh’s bail, the judge held were that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, must deposit two of their passports with the Registrar of the court, the residence of the sureties be confirmed and that the PDP spokesman should deposit his international passport with the court. The court said the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should verify the property of the two sureties and that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means. Justice Abang said he would not make any pronouncement on the request by the defendant to make an order stopping Metuh’s rearrest after granted bail, as that relief sought was not predicated on the principal prayers of the applicant. “Therefore, the applicant’s application, dated January 15, succeeds in part, in prayer one, the applicant must meet the all conditions required for his bail and prayer two is, hereby, stuck out,” the court held and adjourned till January 25, to commence trial. Arguing earlier for Metuh’s bail, his lawyer, Chris Uche, lamented the manner Metuh, a senior lawyer and a prominent person, was brought to court in handcuffs by the EFCC. Uche, therefore, asked the court to grant Metuh bail on very liberal terms, adding also that he would not intefere with any investigation

as the prosecution said in their affidavit that they have substantially concluded investigation in the matter. He argued further that the offences for which his client was charged were bailable, adding also that Metuh would be available to face trial. Opposing the bail application, prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, asked the court not to grant bail to

Metuh, that there was the tendency of the defendant interferring with investigation, as there was the possibility of filing additional charges against the defendant. Metuh pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge, bordering on breach of trust, diversion of public funds and money laundering filed against him by the anti-graft agency.

In the charge, signed by the Assistant Director Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC, Tahir, Metuh was accused of obtaining N400 million through Destra Investments Limited from the office of the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), on behalf of the PDP for campaign activities. He was also accused of

National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Oilsa Metuh, at the Federal High Court, where he is standing trial over alleged N400m fraud, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

converting part of the money to $1 million and diverted it for his personal use, while another sum of N21.7 million was transferred to another chieftain of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih. Part of the seven-count charge read in part: “That you, Olisa Metuh and Destra Investments Limited on or about the 24th November, 2014, in Abuja, took possession of N400 million paid into the account of Destra Investments Limited with Diamond Bank Plc, Account No: 0040437573 from the account of the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) without contract award when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Colonel Dasuki (retd), the then National Security Adviser (To Wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, condemned in totality, the brazen display of authoritarianism demonstrated by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government in handcuffing its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Metuh, even when the court

EFCC will not disobey court order —Magu Says fight against corruption is about Nigeria Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja ACTING Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday, declared that the anti-corruption body would not have any cause to disobey any court order. This was as he said the fight against corruption was not about the commission, but about Nigeria as a nation. Addressing journalists at the commission’s office in Abuja, Magu stated that whenever the court gave EFCC any order, the body would not hesitate to obey such order. According to the anti-corruption czar, “we will never have any cause to disobey court order,” adding that despite the fact that the commission would remain law-abiding, it would not re-

lent in the fight against corruption. While soliciting support of the media, Magu stated that the fight against corruption was not about him, but about Nigeria as an entity. “We need your support in the fight against corruption. There is no doubt that without you (the media), we cannot succeed. The war against corruption is not about me; it is about Nigeria,” Magu stated. He, however, assured that EFCC would remain open in what it was doing, assuring that where there was the need for Nigerians to know what the commission was doing, it would not hesitate to let them know promptly. Meanwhile, the EFCC’s acting chairman, Magu, has declared that there is the need for Nigerians to swiftly move against corruption before it kills the country,

declaring that “we all have a duty to kill corruption before it kills Nigeria.” Magu made the assertion on Tuesday, while receiving members of an anti-corruption crusade group, Democratic Progressive Movement (International), who were on an anti-corruption rally to the EFCC office in Abuja. According to him, corruption had done a lot of damage to Nigeria, lamenting that many Nigerians in the diaspora today left the country because they could no longer tolerate corruption as a result of the damage it had done the country. “We all have a duty to kill corruption before it kills Nigeria. The fight against corruption we are undertaking at EFCC is not about us; it is about Nigeria. The fight is Nigerians’,” Magu told members of the group.

He, however, solicited support of the group and other Nigerians in the fight against corruption. Speaking earlier, national coordinator of DPM, Mr Collins Edebiri, told Magu, who received the group in company with other EFCC management team, members were at the commission’s office to solidarise with Magu and the commission, particularly now that it was making a concerted effort to fight corruption in Nigeria and offer their support in the fight. Edebiri, who informed that DPM was launched by Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora in 2013, stated the group did not want to fold its arms and watch corrupt people fight EFCC and the country, hence its decision to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers of corruption.

is yet to hear his case. This development, according to the party, “which elicited widespread public outcry from the members of the public clearly betrayed an extra-judicial, top political witch-hunt policy of the All Progressives Congress (APC), carefully designed to humiliate, embarrass and portray PDP leaders as common criminals and set the stage to cow and decimate opposition and perceived foes of the government. This was contained in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday. The statement read: “The question remains, if not to mortify, dehumanise and break our national publicity secretary, who has been very vocal against the APC administration and of course to send a signal to others critical of the government, what else would have informed the decision to produce him in court in handcuffs, even when his case does not border on security threat? “Is this an attempt to sway the court and ambush the judicial process against our national publicity secretary, all because of his stance against observed ineptitude and dictatorial tendencies of this administration?” “The PDP invites all Nigerians and the international community to note the emerging barefaced abuse of state power and violation of constitutional provisions regarding the arrest, detention and eventual arraignment of our spokesperson. “Nigerians by now, should be extremely scared that our country is fast drifting into a police state, where being in opposition or holding views divergent to that of the government makes one a criminal and an enemy of the state. “For now, the target of the ongoing lopsided war against corruption is the PDP and its leaders. All APC members, including those with known corruption issues are immune from investigation, arrest and prosecution. “However, more worrisome is the fact that institutions of government, especially security and corrective agencies, have now fallen victims of dictatorial abuses. Our fear now is that in no time, ordinary citizens of Nigerians, who in the last 16 years have lived under the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty, would begin to suffer brutality and oppression.”

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Corrupt judges will end up in jail —FG

HE Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, has said that “corrupt judges will go to jail as the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will actively promote and ensure that corrupt judges are prosecuted and their illegally acquired assets returned to the state. “Considering the pivotal role that they play in the administration of justice, it is important to ensure that Nigerian judges, like the proverbial Ceazer’s wife, are beyond reproach or even suspicion. Gone were the days when corrupt judges escaped from Justice in Nigeria.” Mr Malami made the commitment at a media launch on Tuesday, on Socio-Eco-

nomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)’s latest report entitled “Go home and sin no more: Corrupt judges escaping from justice in Nigeria.” The report, launched at Westown Hotels, Jummy Hall, Lagos, highlights through case studies judicial corruption and the impunity of corrupt judges in the country. Mr Malami, who was the Special Guest at the launch, was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (White Collar Crimes), Abiodun Aikomo, said “I can assure you today, that in line with the cardinal agenda of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation shall ensure that every ap-

pearance of corruption in the judiciary is dealt, among other measures, through criminal prosecution and forfeiture to the state of illegally acquired assets. According to Mr Malami, “acts of judicial impunity will also not be condoned, so that our judges can be judicially accountable at all times in a corruption-free judiciary, which is both independent and impartial. All these shall be achieved (together with partners like SERAP), without violating the fundamental human rights of the persons involved and in line with Rule of Law and international best practices. That would be this administration’s own way of saying: Go and sin no more…!”

NASS security: Restructuring of Sergeant-at-arms on the way —Dogara Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, stated that efforts were on top gear to ensure proper restructuring of the Sergeant-atarms, the security outfit of the National Assembly, to enable it adequately respond to security challenges in the country. Speaking while declaring open a three-day conference on Sergeant-at-arms and parliamentary security in Abuja. Dogara said this became necessary in order to enhance the efficiency and rapid response to emergencies by the Sergeantat-arms. Dogara emphasised the need to equip them to address any serious security threat, particularly ones relating to terrorism, as the nation’s security challenges continue unabated. “We must take steps to restructure the Sergeantat-arms of the National Assembly to enhance security and professionalism, as this will ensure that the National Assembly is fully prepared to face new realities and challenges,” he said. Dogara also pointed out that the recommendations delineated a forward-looking approach to parliamentary security design that would undoubtedly evolve, as new counter-measures were developed to address emerging threats. He stressed that there “may be need for new legal

framework to increase efficiency, as well as actualise the recommendations outlined.” According to him, “it has been suggested that the following major divisions may become necessary in the new framework: Intelligence Division, VIP Protection Division, Law Enforcement Division, Chamber & Protocol Division and the Emergency Management Division.” He, however, identified funding as crucial, if longterm security challenges and restructuring of the Sergeant-at-arms were to be met. Dogara stated that as

new threats employed sophisticated technologies, law enforcement in parliament must also rely on advanced technological tools which were easy to use. He observed that recent and planned advances in information technology offered significant opportunities for the National Assembly to implement necessary security measures and increase capacity in a cost-effective way. Dogara, who called for improved synergy among security agencies working in the National Assembly, also urged for a continuous training and establishment of best practices.

6 news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Speaker vacates seat, bows to court’s ruling in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

EQUEL to Appeal Court’s ruling that annulled his election, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Honourable Konbowei Benson, who refused to step down, on Tuesday, vacated his seat, owing to pressure from the House. It will be recalled that the court had ruled on December 9, 2015, that the Speaker should vacate the seat and ordered a rerun to fill the void created in Southern Ijaw Constituency IV in the state assembly. The embattled Speaker, Benson, actually resolved to obey court order, as Tuesday’s sitting was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Abraham Igonbere, representing Brass Constituency III, who handled the consideration of 2016 Appropriation Bill submitted to the House by Governor Seriake Dickson. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the decision of the Speaker to step down was reached after a closeddoor meeting with Governor Dickson and the Attorney-General of the state, Kemesuode Wodu and the legal team of the Speaker. It was gathered that the agreement at the meeting with the governor was that the Speaker would retain his seat after a successful state assembly rerun election ordered by the Court of Appeal. The Speaker, it was

learnt, had begun to consult with his legal team, constituency and stakeholders to ensure he won and returned to his position, but pressure from second term lawmaker had continued unabated. Nigerian Tribune also gathered that some members from the Central Senatorial zone, where the Speaker hails from, were seeking to occupy the position, with Honourable Tonye Isenah tipped, but Honourable Baralade Daniel Igali

rumoured as the preferred replacement for Benson. A close aide to Honourable Isenah told Nigerian Tribune that his boss was not involved in any plot to occupy the seat of Speaker, “there is nothing like intrigue and lobbying. He noted that in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker would act and when he returns, he would assume his position as Speaker. However, copies of the Court of Appeal’s ruling,

made available to newsmen on Tuesday, in Yenagoa and signed by Ejembi Eko, the suit numbered CA/PH/ EPT/421/20 , filed by Honourable Ebifaghe P. Orunimighe and All Progressives Congress (APC) as applicants; has Benson Friday of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents in the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which was based on the appeal filed by the APC candidate

in the State House of Assembly election, Comrade Ebifieghe Orunimigha against the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal, ordered that the election of Benson Friday Konbowei as the purported winner of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly seat for Southern Ijaw Constituency (IV) elections, held on April 11, 2015 was null and void. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Honourable Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, Honourable Justice

Military panel: Ekiti assembly in emergency sitting over report Alleges plot by APC to upturn Fayose’s victory Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti THE Ekiti State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, held an emergency sitting, where it alleged that the Federal Government was planning to use the report of a military panel on the 2014 governorship election in the state to “upturn the mandate freely given to Governor Ayodele Fayose by the people of the state,” warning against such moves. The House passed a resolution warning President Muhammadu Buhari against using the report of the military panel on Ekiti, Osun and Edo governorship elections to foment trouble in the state. It said during its sitting on Tuesday that there were plots to use the report of the indictment of some military

officers, who participated in the conduct of the governorship election by the panel to scuttle a popularly-elected governor and warned that “this will be resisted by Ekiti populace.” The assembly cut short its recess expected to run till January 25 for the special plenary which was presided over by the Speaker, Pastor Kola Oluwawole and was well attended by members. The members accused the Federal Government of “plotting to resort to extrajudicial means, if the military panel fails to achieve its set target” and claimed that “we are aware of the lot by All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to intimidate, muzzle and kill the voice of opposition elements, most especially Governor Ayo-

dele Fayose, because of his stance on national issues.” The legislators also added that the president and his party, the APC, should not hide under any guise to attempt to cause confusion, as such would be met with stiff resistance. This was the highlight of the sitting of the Assembly in Ado-Ekiti. The Speaker, Honourable Kola Oluwawole, who presided over the session, said it was unimaginable that an election locally and internationally acclaimed as free, fair and transparent, was being rubbished on the platter of politics by the APC and its leaders. Setting the ball rolling, the Majority Leader, Honourable Tunji Akinyele, said Buhari instituted a military probe panel on Edo,

Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial polls and wondered why nothing was said of the other states controlled by the APC. “There was no loss of life and no snatching or stuffing of ballot papers and boxes. It was free and fair enough for Fayemi to accept the result and congratulate Fayose. International observers also acknowledged that it was free and fair and the military lauded for providing security and was recommended for subsequent polls. “Because of the desperation of Buhari and APC to rubbish the poll and turn Nigeria to one-party state, they came up with different evil plans. Osun was left alone because it is an APC state. It is disheartening that an institution

You can’t hold our leaders responsible for bombing oil, gas facilities, Ijaw groups tell Army Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri THE Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), the National Association of Izon-Ebe Law Students (NAILS) and the Foundation for Human Rights And Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC) have described as a joke, threat by the Nigerian Army to hold leaders of communities where oil and gas pipelines are bombed responsible. This was made known to journalists in Warri, Delta State, on Tuesday, in a separate statements signed by leaders of the groups— Comrade Austin Ozobo (IPDI), Comrade EBi Wayas (NAILS) and Comrade Olaowei Cleric of FHRACC. Leaders of the groups said the Nigerian military had no such powers in a democracy, to threaten defenseless community leaders over militants’ attacks on oil installations, since such was not carried out in Boko Ha-

Ejembi Eko and Honourable Justice Stephen Jonah Adam, ordered that “fresh elections shall be conducted in all the wards of the constituency within 90 days from today, except in Olodiama ward 4 and the polling unit 20-30 in foropa ward 4. “These results from Olodiama ward 4 and polling unit 20-30 in Foropa ward four 4, shall upon the fresh elections in other wards as ordered, thereafter, be duly collated and final declaration made.”

ram ravaged North-East. They argued that since soldiers were now directly in charge of surveillance of oil pipelines, they should rather hold themselves responsible for negligence of duty and arrant incompetence for allowing attacks on oil installations. The Ijaw groups added that the threat was inimical and a plot to eliminate aborigines of the Niger Delta region on the slightest provocation. The threats by the military, the groups contended smacked of unprofessionalism in its operations and asked them to withdraw the threat in order not to heat up the polity. “It is obvious that the military’s statement is not public-friendly and uncivil; how many community leaders in the North-East have been arrested so far for the incessant Boko Haram attacks and suicide bombings? “How many Chibok community leaders have been

held responsible for the missing Chibok girls? How many military officers have been held responsible for the attacks on military barracks in the North-East? “And how many community leaders have been held responsible for attacks on ShopRite at Effurun Warri? Rather than going after perpetrators, we are very much disappointed about the comments of the military. “How many community leaders have been held responsible for the several Iyanyan bombings in Abuja and other places in the North,” the groups queried in their separate statements. According to the groups, the military should tender an unreserved public apologies to the Ijaws, noting that with such statements, the Ijaws had lost confidence in the ability of the military to safeguard law-abiding citizens in Niger-Delta region. Meanwhile, the groups have condemned the attacks on oil and gas facilities in

Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. While ruling out any renewed war between Itsekiris and Ijaws, they cautioned the military to operate within the ambit the constitution of the land, adding that Ijaws and Itsekiris were now brothers. Speaking further on the military threat, Comrade Ozobo said President Muhammadu Buhari should look into Tompolo’s petition against those he mentioned over the attacks on oil facilities in Warri South-West. Comrade Wayas also noted that the idea of military, suggesting community leaders should be punished for attacks on oil facilities was uncalled for and obnoxious. “In a criminal justice system in Nigeria, you cannot arrest Mr B for an offence committed by Mr A. If the military have valid information on the perpetrators, they should go after them and bring them to book.

They should leave defenseless communities and their leaders alone,” he warned. Comrade Olaowei observed that the military garrison currently stationed in Gbaramatu kingdom, in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State at the wake of the destruction of oil pipelines by some faceless hoodlums was an act of war against the defenseless citizens. “The invasion of some of the communities in the kingdom by the military in the name of searching for the perpetrators of the said illegal act, which led to the people completely deserting their communities was callous and highly condemnable,” he stated. He solicited support for the defenseless people, whose initial livelihood had been destroyed, occasioned by oil exploration and exploitation, as well as illegal refineries and the recent bombings.

like the military can be rubbished for political reasons. Must Buhari rubbish the election because of Fayose’s criticism of his government? “Ekiti people voted massively for PDP and Fayose and we have no apology for that. PDP won other subsequent polls last year, is it the military that rigged them all? Buhari must be careful about Ekiti politics because we are sensitive and we will resist any attempt to cause trouble in the state,” he said. Also contributing, the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Adewunmi Olusegun, urged Buhari to be a true statesman and not allow himself to be misled by some people aiming to get to office through the backdoor. Other contributors such as Honourables Jide Omotosho, Gboyega Aribisogan, Dayo Akinleye, said the plan by Buhari and the APC was to muzzle Fayose and other opposition voices in the country. They added that such plan would fail and warned of dire consequences if any attempt was made to truncate the people’s will, which was freely expressed in the June 21 governorship election in the state. After exhaustive debate, the lawmakers passed a resolution moved by Akinyele and supported by Honourable Samuel Jeje. The lawmakers afterwards resolved that they condemn the report of the Adeniyi Oyebade-led panel, which indicted the military after the institution had been given a pass mark by local and international observers. The noted that the said indictment of the military was an embarrassment to Nigeria, adding that the APC should stop its desperate bid to take power in the state through the backdoor.

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lassa fever outbreak: FG accuses state govts of conspiracy Soji-Eze Fagbemi

HE Federal Government informed the state governments on Tuesday that it cannot continue to buy drugs for them in the ongoing battle to curtail the outbreak and spread of

Lassa fever and other related diseases. Besides, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, accused the state governments of conspiracy on the outbreak and spread of the disease, saying that “there is a conspiracy of si-

lence in many states.” Adewole was speaking at an emergency National Council on Health meeting on: “Institutionalising sustainable mechanism for control of Lassa fever and other related diseases,” held in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The minister reminded the commissioners of health that issue of health was in the concurrent legislative list, and therefore, should not be waiting for the Federal Government to buy all the drugs needed for them. He, however, pointed out

From left, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Ngozi Azodoh and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Amina Shamaki, at the emergency National Council of Health meeting on Lassa fever outbreak, in Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

It is preventable, curable —Expert By Sade Oguntola

Following concerns of many that Lassa fever is a disease without cure, a medical expert, Dr Olabode Oladipo, has assured that the disease is preventable and curable. Oladipo, the Acting Director, Primary Health, Oyo State Ministry of Health, said that Lassa fever was amenable to treatment using an antiviral agent called ribavirin. According to him, “There are tablets of ribavirin and as well as injectables most especially for children and it is administered twice daily. Over the course of time, the child or adult gets better.” Oladipo, however, declared that complication from the disease sometimes occur, adding that its most common complication is deafness. “We have had a case like that about two years ago, when a doctor in a government hospital in this state contracted Lassa fever. He had issues with deafness and presently is been managed on that account.” Oladipo, who remarked that commencement of treatment with ribavirin was critical, declared, “if treatment is started late, there is the possibility of a longer period of convalescence or even perhaps the treatment failing.”

According to him, “this is one of the reasons why people must be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease as well as encourage them to visit the health care provider as soon as possible.” Project Director, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Professor Abdusalam Nasidi, while saying that Lassa fever can only be diagnosed with laboratory tests, said its early symptoms that are similar to that of many other diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, flu and hemorrhagic fever was the reason for the miss diagnosis. However, he said Lassa fever should be the first disease to consider when a person comes down with fever and bleeding from openings of the body such as the mouth, nose and eye in a Lassa fever endemic area. Nasidi also declared that surveys in the last 20years

have shown that the drug is effective against Lassa fever when taken six days into the disease. According to him, if you give the drug afterwards, the chance of survival is

much lower. Lassa fever is highly endemic in Nigeria and at least 24 states in Nigeria have at one time or the other experienced it since its first outbreak.

ted that there was a failure of surveillance but stated that surveillance system will be put in place. The minister assured that the government will maintain the state of alert all round in a way that the final obituary of Lassa fever will be celebrated next year. “We can do it with the human and material resources available to us. We have testing capability across the country, though we need to have more,” he said. According to him, there are six diagnostic centres across the country, but added that seven additional centres will be established in seven states: Niger, Bauchi, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ondo and Ebonyi. The minister said the purpose of the emergency meeting is to tell Nigerians that the outbreak is real, to listen to the level of preparedness and what is being done at the state level to curtail the disease. Describing the outbreak as a national embarrassment, he pointed out that if it goes beyond August to finally curtail it, it will become a national shame. The minister said what the government is embarking on now is public enlightenment and high level sensitisation, adding that Lassa fever is treatable but must start very early. The commissioners from affected states gave update on the outbreak of the disease in their respective states. The minister also inaugurated the Lassa fever eradication committee.

Victim’s daughter under surveillance — Rivers Commissioner Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, said on Tuesday that daugh-

ter of a Lassa fever victim had been taken into a temporary holding centre for close observation.

Odagme told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the middle aged girl

Panic in Osun over OAUTHC doctor’s death Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

AS the death toll of Lassa fever in the country hits 63, there was panic in Osun State on Tuesday following the death of a resident doctor at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, who was suspected to have contracted the

deadly disease. Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that doctors, nurses, medical personnel and patients at the emergency unit of the hospital where the doctor died on Monday hurriedly fled the unit apparently for fear of contracting the viral disease. It was learnt that the resident doctor died after vomiting blood within the hospi-

No reported case in Osun —Govt THE Osun State government, on Tuesday, allayed fears of residents that there was no reported case of Lassa fever in the state. Dr Temitope Oladele, the Permanent Secretary, Osun Ministry of Health, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that the government was fully pre-

that in case of a major outbreak, if there is shortfall of drugs, the Federal Ministry of Health would assist, adding that the Federal Government cannot shoulder all the responsibilities alone. Professor Adewole pleaded with the commissioners to work with the local governments in the efforts to curtail the outbreak, because “it has to be a collective effort. We will only drive it, you will make it work.” He said: “The Federal Government cannot do everything. If there is a shortfall, the ministry will assist, and we must have an integrated system. You don’t treat people from the federal level, but people in your states and local governments. You will be at the driver’s seat, and we will sit by you.” The minister warned them as health managers not to deceive the political leaders on the outbreak and spread of the disease in their states, by pretending that all is well. Specifically, he accused Ebonyi State of concealing six cases in the state which it did not report to the ministry and advised the commissioner to ensure that the state be more opened. He stated that all states must be regarded as hot spots either the disease has been discovered there or not, saying, “we as health care managers must not deceive our political leaders that all is well. As at today, 17 states are affected. To be sincere, other states should consider themselves as hot spots.” Professor Adewole regret-

pared to forestall any outbreak of the disease. The permanent secretary said the state had also put an emergency team on alert in case of any outbreak. He added that a dedicated emergency telephone number had also been given to residents for contacting the team in case of an

outbreak. “We are fully prepared to forestall any outbreak of the disease. We have also embarked on sensitisation programme about the disease. “We have our flyers around with emergency number with which people can contact our team,” said the official.

tal premises. According to a credible source, “the doctor just returned from Ondo State and he became ill. He was admitted on Sunday and he died on Monday. We were informed that he manifested some symptoms related to Lassa fever. The hospital has started contact tracking and some of the nurses and workers have been placed under monitoring.” But the authorities of OAUTHC have debunked insinuations that the doctor died as a result of Lassa fever. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on telephone yesterday, the Chairman, OAUTHC on Lassa fever, Professor Adedeji Onayade, confirmed the death of the resident doctor, but said the fact that the doctor bled to death could not be taken to have contacted the deadly virus.

was close to one of the three victims affected by the ravaging fever. “We have kept her at one of the three temporary holding centres for close observation. Samples have been taken from her and we are still waiting for the results of the test. “For now, she cannot be said to have come down with Lassa fever, until the result of the test is out. But, we have kept her on close observation and monitoring,” he said. The commissioner noted that field officers from the state ministry of health were monitoring 250 contacts to ascertain their status. “Our contact-tracing team has been monitoring 250 persons by checking their temperatures or symptoms suggestive of the fever. But right now, none of them is positive. “We will continue to monitor and observe them for 21 days in order to ensure that there is no trace of the disease in them,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Lagosmetro Tokyo’s daughter docked over alleged infidelity

a w akalit u Lawal, daughter of Lateef Akinsola, (a.k.a Tokyo) was on Tuesday dragged to an Igando Customary Court, a Lagos suburb by her estranged husband, Lateef Lawal, for alleged infidelity. The complainant, Lawal, also told the court that his wife, alleged to be the 10th, was also having in her possession a substance suspected to be fetish in nature. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tokyo was a former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State. Lawal told the court that the union which was consummated on June 2, 2013 had produced a two-yearold daughter. “I went out in company with my wife to her friend’s place; I left her there and went somewhere. Before I returned, she had invited her boyfriend over to her friend’s house. There was also a day I did not have airtime on my cell phone and I asked my wife’s permission to use hers, but she was reluctant to give it to me, so I became suspicious. “When I checked her whatsapp-application message which came in while I still had the phone, a man sent a message giving her the description of a hotel where he asked her to meet him. When I reported her actions to her father, he begged me,” Lawal said. He alleged that Tawakalitu had a standby commercial motorcyclist that usually took her to various rendezvous.

“I am a contractor, so I’m mostly not at home. According to what I was told by our neighbours, she used to bring men into the house. She now sleeps in the spare room in our house because she complains about the air conditioner in our room. “Only for me to check her wardrobe and discovered

charms of all sorts and some with horns,” he said. Lateef also told the court that his wife accompanied by her sister came to their matrimonial house to abuse him. He told the court that he was in doubt of the paternity of their only daughter. The respondent, Tawaka-

litu, in her defence told the court in tears that her husband’s plan to marry another wife was the reason behind his malicious accusations against her. She said that some of his relatives had told him that whenever he wanted to take another wife, he would find faults.

A pastor of one of the pentecostal churches in Lagos has been arrested and remanded in prison over allegations of fraud. Felix Olu Fadare who is the pastor-in-charge of Fullers Field Parish, a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), in Ajah, was arrested by the Special Fraud Unit, (SFU), Milverton Road over his involvement in the Lekki

that her father came to Lagos from Ibadan to resolve the misunderstandings between them. The president, Adegboyega Omilola, appealed to both parties to maintain peace. Omilola adjourned the case to Feb. 29 for further hearing.

Flood as a result of the first rainfall at Iyana Oworo, in Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

NUPENG, Lagos govt at loggerheads over unpaid N224m claims ChukwumaOkparaochaand OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos The Lagos State government and the south-west wing of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are set for a showdown, after the latter staged a protest to the Government House, to protest the N224 million it claims the state

government owes it. Staffers of the Lagos State Assembly, were in the early hours of Tuesday, held spellbound after a group of protesters led by the Chairman of NUPENG, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, laid siege on the entrance axis linking the Lagos State Assembly Complex and the Governor’s office, to make their

demands known. Korodo, while citing a recent report, disclosed that the N224 million in question was for the payment of diesel and kerosene supplied to the state government for the execution of direct labour projects in Ojodu between October 2014 and May 2015. The Chairman disclosed

Court remands pastor over Lekki land scam AyomideOwonibi-Odekanyin

Tawakalitu said that there was a time they fought and Lateef told her that she had become an empty vessel. She also told the court that initially she was not sure that she was pregnant, hence she could not inform her husband. She also told the court

Re-setlement Scheme in Eti-Osa Local Government. One of the victims, Kehinde Ola, accused Fadare of allegedly conspiring with one Adeola Ajidahun to defraud him of N30 million under the false pretence of selling him some plots of land in Lekki. He accused Fadare of giving him false documents and later taking him to the area in Lekki, showing him the parcel of land.

It was gathered that Ola who did not suspect any foul play paid for the land through his bank. He was however shocked when the land which was purportedly sold to him, was said to belong to another family in the area. The pastor was subsequently arrested and charged before an Igbosere Magistrate Court with conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing. He however pleaded

not guilty to the charge and the presiding Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Awogboro granted him N5 million bail with two sureties in like sum. The court also ordered that the sureties would provide evidence of tax payments for three years. Fadare was remanded in prison custody at Ikoyi pending when he would perfect his bail condition. The matter was adjourned till 3 February, 2016.

that the contract for the project was financed by Skye Bank, adding that the bank had been asking for repayment of the loan. He noted that failure by the government to come to terms with the contractual agreement, could make fuel scarcity to resurface in Lagos, as NUPENG could be left with no choice but to direct its members to down tools. To avoid this, Korodo pleaded with the state government to “respect the business agreement.” “If we are provoked further, we will down tools because injury to one member is injury to all members,” he said. But in a swift reaction, the Lagos State government said it would not succumb to the attempt by NUPENG to blackmail it into paying a ‘questionable’ N224 million debt. The state Commissioner for Information and Strat-

egy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, recalled that the said transaction took place between an independent marketer and the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), before the present government assumed office. Ayorinde said the company wrote the government about the transaction, adding that government replied that it wanted to investigate the claim. “The investigation proved that the claim by the company was fraudulent but while investigation was still ongoing, the company went to NUPENG, and the association agreed to demonstrate on behalf of the company. “Our position is that the Lagos State government cannot be stampeded or blackmailed into making payments that have not been verified for which investigation is still ongoing,” Ayorinde said.

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Synagogue building collapse: T.B. Joshua in fresh bid to stop prosecution •We will challenge it —LASG YejideGbenga-Ogundareand AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin In another attempt to stop the Lagos State Government from commencing with its prosecution over allegations of being found culpable by a coroner court in the death of 116 persons on September 12, 2014 when a six-storey building collapsed on the premises of the Synagogue Church in Ikotun area of the state, the Registered Trustees of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), founded by Prophet T.B. Joshua, have filed another suit before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja. The church trustees in a fresh suit filed before another judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, are asking the court to stop their proposed arraignment before Justice Lawal Lateef-Akapo, also sitting in the Ikeja judicial division of the Lagos High Court. Earlier, the Lagos State government filed a 111-count charge against the Registered Trustees of SCOAN and two engineers and their companies over the death of the 116 persons and the arraignment was scheduled to hold on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 before Justice Lawal-Akapo. But in their fresh action, the applicants are urging Justice Alogba to call for the record of proceedings of a Lagos State Coroner Court, presided by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, which indicted them and recommended them for criminal prosecutions. Magistrate Komolafe in his ruling after the coroner inquest in to the causes of the death of 116 people in the SCOAN building collapse had on July 8, 2015 held that the building which killed them was built without approval, adding that its collapse was due to structural defect. But SCOAN and its engineers - Messrs Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, had rejected the verdict, describing it as unreasonable and one-sided

and on September 2015, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos had dismissed two similar actions filed by the engineers to squash the coroner’s verdict and prevent their arraignment. Meanwhile, the engineers through their counsels, E. L. Akpofure (SAN) and Mrs Akinlawon (SAN) filed an application, arguing that the prosecution erred in law by pasting the court’s processes at the entrance of the house of the defendants a day before the court hearing as against three days stipulated by the law. “The manner of service by way of substituton is spelt out by the law. So carrying out such service in the manner they did is nullity, “Akpofure said. Attempt by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs E.I Alakija calling for the defendants to be arraigned was not successful as the court directed the prosecution to file response to the defendants application. Hearing into the fresh bid stalled before Justice Alogba due to the absence of the Coroner, Magistrate Komolafe who was also not represented by any legal counsel. But the Attorney General who was also absent

in court was represented by a legal counsel, Barrister. A. O Idowu, who in his address pleaded with the

court for time to file a response to the issues raised by the claimants in the suit. The suit was adjourned

till February 4, 2016 for hearing. However, the Lagos State government has vowed to

challenge the fresh suit and pursue all issues relating to the matter to a logical conclusion.

Construction of drainage by Lagos State government at Ile Epo bus stop, on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, on Tuesday. PHOTO: Nan

Cynthia Osokogu: Defence closes case Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare The defence has closed its case in the on-going trial of the alleged murderers of Cynthia Osokogu before Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere after calling its last witness in the matter. Four people— Okwumo Nwabufo, Ezike Olisaeloka, Orji Osita and Ezike Nonso— are being tried for the murder of Cynthia by the Lagos State government on a six –count charge bordering on conspiracy, theft and murder. The suspects were alleged to have murdered Cynthia by administering Rohypnol

Flunitrazepan tablet into her drink and chaining her hands and legs before strangling her to death. Okwumo Nwabufo and Ezike Olisaeloka were in particular alleged of conspiring to murder Cynthia and also of stealing three Blackberry phones valued at N150,000, jewellery, an international passport and a driver’s license belonging to Cynthia after they strangled her to death. Orji Osita, the third suspect was charged for negligently selling the Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablets to Ezike, the second defendant without a doctor’s prescription and without showing

due care while the fourth defendant, Ezike Nonso, who allegedly bought Cynthia’s stolen Blackberry Bold 5 was charged for being in possession of a stolen phone. At the resumed hearing of the matter, the fourth defendant, Ejike Nonso gave an account of how he came in possession of the phone which was identified as the one stolen from the late Cynthia, adding that he was arrested at Festac Area E police command when he voluntarily went there to return the phone that he was alleged to have stolen. According to him, the alleged stolen phone was

given to him by his brother, the second defendant for repairs but he later asked him to sell the phone as the owner was no longer interested in using it after repairs. Nonso added that that was no reason to doubt his brother as he told him that the owner of the phone was his uncle, the first defendant when he enquired about the original owner of the phone, adding that he had sold the phone to a course mate who resides in Port Harcourt, who later called him to complain about the strange calls and text messages that he had been receiving that the phone is a stolen phone.

He told the court that he then asked the course mate to return the phone to him and also send him the number that has been calling him, adding that on getting the number, he called the number that was given to him and the person that picked the call was a policeman at Port Harcourt who now gave him another number and instructed him to take the phone to Festac Area E command where he was later detained. After his testimony, the defence closed its case and Justice Akinlade adjourned the matter till April 11, 2016 for mention and for filing of parties written addresses.

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Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

FG earns N372m daily from petrol consumers —Investigation OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

here are strong indications that the Federal Government is earning over N372 million from unsuspecting consumers of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol. Investigation by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that while Nigerians pay N86.50 per litre of petrol, the Expected Open Market Price (EOMP) otherwise called landing cost has fallen to N77.20 per liter. By implications, it means Nigerians are paying extra N9.30 per liter, and if the NNPC calculations can be relied upon, it means by multiplying the extra N9.30 per litre by the 40 million litres of petrol consumed daily, the government is earning an extra N372million everyday from unsuspecting Nigerians. As crude oil price falls to $27 per barrel, according to OPEC calculations, the landing cost of the product is expected to fall below the current official recommended retail price of petrol. The Executive Secretariat, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Farouk Ahmed, had approved N86.50 per litre as pump price of petrol from regular marketers while NNPC Retail stations sell at N86 per litre. The reduction in pump price of petrol was approved under a more scientific price modulation approach, which entailed an elastic price mechanism regime to be reviewed periodically to reflect the prevailing international crude price, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu. According to figures published by the PPPRA on Tuesday, it was discovered that the breakdown of the cost elements of imported petrol was put at C+F-N57.85; Lightering expenses-N2.02; NPA-N0.36; Financing-N0.06; Jetty Depot Through put charge-N0.06; storage-N2.00, totalling N62.90. Other cost components known as Distributive margin is retailers-N5.00; transporters-N3.05; dealers-N1.92; bridging fund-N4.00; marine transport average-N0.15 and administrative charges-N0.15 per liter. The summation of the above gives a total landing

cost of N77.20 per litre and the over recovery is N9.30 per litre. Over recovery is the amount that is over paid

by petrol consumers which the marketers must refund to the Federal Government periodically. The above coat elements

were computed based on Average Platts’ Prices for 18th January, 2016 and published on the website of PPPRA on Tuesday, 19th

January 2016. A marketer who preferred anonymity told the Nigerian Tribune that it is a normal practice all over the

world because it is difficult to ascertain the actual price of crude which fluctuates daily based on the forces of demand and supply.

Nigeria loses $1.1 trn to crude oil swaps in 2 yrs —NEITI Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji

Ogbonaya Orji on Tuesday disclosed that Nigeria lost about $1.1 trillion to crude oil swaps between 2011 and 2012. This is coming just as Exec-

utive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Tunde Fowler revealed that Nigeria lost N1.127 trillion in taxes due to non-remittance by some

companies involved in the refined products exchange agreement with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This came to fore at the on-

From left, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo; Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr Olusola Kolapo, during the Odu’a Group meeting at the Odu’a boardroom, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

Lagos joins Odu’a Group By Sulaimon Olanrewaju Owner state governors of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, on Tuesday, in Ibadan, agreed in principle to admit Lagos State into the ownership structure of the conglomerate. Dr Segun Mimiko, Ondo State governor, who made this known while addressing journalists after a meeting of the owner state governors of the group at its corporate headquarters, said, “We have agreed in principle to admit Lagos State as part of the Odu’a Group.” The meeting, which was attended by Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo; and Ekiti State deputy governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, also approved the five-year strategic plan to grow the revenue of the company from N4 billion to N20 billion by 2019. Mimiko said, “Governors of the five owner states; Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states took far-reaching decisions to reposition Odu’a Investment Company Limited as the engine room of the economic growth and the development of the West. “Because of this renewed

interest to reposition Odu’a Group as the engine room of the economic growth in the West, as governors and proprietors, we’ve also decided that we will now meet with the board and management quarterly.” Earlier, the company’s board chairman, Chief Isaac Akintade, told the governors that as part of efforts meant to reposition the company for growth, profitability and sustainability, “the board proposed payment of a gross dividend of N167million at the AGM which was approved and paid to all the owner states. This feat came after six years without dividend

payment and we are here affirming our commitment to continue to pay dividend on a yearly basis as we have charted a new course for Odu’a Group.” Chief Akintade assured the governors of the board’s resolve to ensure that the conglomerate accomplishes the dream of its founding fathers. Odu’a Investment Company Limited was registered in July, 1976 to take over the business interests of the former Western State of Nigeria, now Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The company has been operating as a conglomer-

ate with over 70 per cent of her business as investment/ joint ventures with reputable multinationals. Although Lagos State is part of the South West, it was not part of the Western Region or Western State, being the seat of the Federal Government until 1991. Therefore, it was not considered an owner state of the conglomerate though many of the enterprises which constitute the Group are based in the state, especially the Ikeja axis. However, there have been moves over the years by stakeholders in the region to incorporate Lagos State into Odu’a Group structure.

Bank customers to pay N50 stamp duty per transaction Chima Nwokoji-Lagos In a bid to shore up non-oil revenue and plug shortfalls caused by the falling global crude prices, customers who carry out transactions in banks will henceforth pay N50 for every transaction of N1,000 or above. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sent a circular to commercial lenders in which it told them to immediately start charging N50 ($0.2513) on deposits of N1,000 and above, or for electronic transfers conducted by customers. By this directive, Nigeria will start enforcing its

stamp duties law on financial transactions across commercial banks, the central bank said on Tuesday. It said that payments or transfers in the same name, in the same bank or to an associated bank, would not be liable to stamp duties payment, while “any form of withdrawals/transfers from savings accounts” will not be charged. “With immediate effect, all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other financial institutions shall commence the charging of N50 per eligible transaction in accor-

dance with the provisions of the stamp duties Act and Federal Government Financial Regulation 2009. That is all receipts given by any bank or financial institution in acknowledgment of services rendered in respect of electronic transfer and teller deposits from N1,000 and above. “Payments deposits or transfer by self to self whether inter or intra and any form of withdrawals/ transfers from savings account are exempted from imposition of stamp duty” the circular obtained from the apex bank’s website read in part.

going investigative hearing on the management of crude swap agreements organised by an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives. According to NEITI boss in 2011 Nigeria recorded $500 million lost in refined product exchange, while $107 million was lost in 2012. The sum of $366 million was lost in off shore processing in 2011 while $135 million was lost in 2012. To this end, he recalled that the introduction of the product swap regime came into existence in 1980 as supply sustenance initiative, but regretted that it was later to be characterized by abuse and massive corruption. Speaking further he said, “There have been public concerns that the noble objective of this arrangement may have been compromised and abused.” He added that, domestic crude oil was being channeled into opaque and cost-inefficient swap transactions, reiterating NEITI’s earlier recommendations that NNPC crude allocation to refineries should be limited to their actual refining capacity, as well as discontinue the product exchange deals and concentrate on direct refined product importation as a short term measure. On his part, FIRS boss stated that, until the invitation to the Service had no knowledge of the crude swaps agreements, stressing that in spite of the assessments made by FIRS on some other companies involved were still owing various sums of unremmitted tax. According to him, Duke Oil registered as a subsidiary of the NNPC only made a cumulative remittance of N26.5 million since inception between August 2013 and August 2014 with no further record of payments prior to 2013 and August 2014. Other defaulters include: Taleveras Nigeria Limited; N859.9 million, Aiteo Nigeria Limited; N256 million, and Ontario Nigeria Limited; N11.25 million. In its submission, the Nigerian Customs Service,NCS represented by the Assistant Comptroller General in charge of tariffs and trade, Alu Sule, told the committee that the service was not aware of the crude oil agreement.

businessnews Non-oil export revenue declines by N1.87 trn in 12 months —CBN 11

Gbola Subair - Abuja

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stated that revenue from export of non-oil products declined by $6.14 billion, which is about N1.872 trillion, within a spate of 12 months. Governor of the apex bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of a one-day conference on Non-Oil Simulation, organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria in conjunction with the NEXIM Bank on Tuesday in Abuja. Mr Emefiele, represented at the event by the Director, Development Finance of the CBN, Dr Mudashiru Olaitan, blamed the decline of non -oil revenue on the low level of export loans which invariably contributed to a large extent to the decline in non -oil export revenue receipts from $10.53 billion in 2014 to $4.39 billion in 2015. “It has been observed that while credit to non-oil export is declining and currently at an average of 0.6 per cent of total domestic loans to the private sector in the past five years, the domestic credit to the economy has been on the rise,” Governor Emefiele said. Disclosing that the impact of these developments on the country’s export growth potentials were quite significant, the apex bank boss stated that it had become more instructive for the stakeholders to dialogue towards evolving responsive strategies that would expand resources for exports and its funding programmes on a complimentary basis. He said “the aim of this one-day stakeholders’ conference is therefore to foster greater understanding of the issues constraining our non-oil experts and its sustainability with a view to proffering practical solutions on short term and long term perspectives.” Earlier, the Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr Robert Orya, said the seminar was underscored by the recurring problem of the volatility in the international oil market which has challenged the Nigerian economy over the years. While the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s economy revealed that production base had become much more diversified with the service sectors accounting for about 52 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2014, Mr Orya regretted that the revenue profile has remained

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

skewed, with oil and gas sector, contributing over 70 per cent and over 90 per cent of government and export earnings respectively. Orya, noted that the cur-

rent episode of the global oil price collapse is expected to be quite protracted and had manifested in Nigeria in significant revenue decline at all tiers of government with

attendant macroeconomic and external sector challenges. However, he said “the good news is that the current development has provided yet

another opportunity for us to redouble our efforts towards developing other key sectors and enhancing the country’s non oil export revenues.”

From left, Director, Segment, Usage and Retention, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh; Voice Reality Show trainers, Aituaje Iruobe (Waje); Innocent Idibia (2face); Director, M-Net West Africa, Mrs Wangi Mba-Uzonkwu and Voice Reality Show Trainer, Timi Dakolo, at a media briefing announcing the forth coming Voice, singing reality show, in Lagos on Tuesday. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Military, MDAs owe IBEDC N5.9bn debt Olatunde DodondawaLagos Following the privatisation of the power sector two years ago, government agencies and the military owe a total sum of N5.9 billion debt to Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

Speaking with journalists at the company’s head office in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Managing Director, IBEDC, John Donnachie, stated that “although, implementing the new tariff will be challenging but we have to be honest and open to our customers. Presently, government agencies owe us N5.9

billion. Out of this debt, the military owes us N4 billion as at July 31, 2015, and this is affecting our operations.” He argued that the Discos are like revenue collectors for other stakeholders along the electricity value chain. After collecting the revenue from customers, they retain 25 per cent and disburse 75

Nigerians buy petrol at average of N116 nationwide —Survey Chima Nwokoji -Lagos Not minding the official pump price of N86 and N86.50k for Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Independent filling stations respectively,latest public opinion poll results released by NOIPolls Limited have revealed that most Nigerians are currently buying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, at an average of N116 per litre across the country. The poll revealed that South East geo-political zone accounted for the highest average sale of ¦ 128 per litre. This latest finding by NOIPolls corroborates recent findings from the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS) PMS Watch that Nigerians bought petrol at an average of ¦ 119.61k in the month of December 2015.

NOIPolls Limited, Nigeria’s Number one for country specific polling services conducted the survey in the week commencing 11th January 2016. The survey revealed sig-

nificant availability of petroleum products, as 77 percent of respondents across the country acknowledged the availability of petrol albeit above the official pump price.

Communications Ministry to hold retreat in Ibadan By Bode Adewumi Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, National Assembly members, key ministry officials, and major stakeholders are set to storm Ibadan, the Oyo State capital this weekend to attend the 2016 Communications Sector Retreat. The two-day retreat, according to a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare, with the theme: Repositioning the Nigeria Communications Sector as the Key Driver of the Nige-

rian Economy, is slated for the famous International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and will be held between Friday 22 and Saturday 23, January 2016. Barrister Shittu, in his avowed determination to reposition the Communications Sector in tandem with the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari, since assumption of duties as Minister of Communications, had embarked on various inquisitions and fact-finding exercises, the result of which culminated in the forthcoming retreat.

per cent to the Generating companies (Gencos), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the regulators. “We need to invest fund in the sector to improve our distribution networks and provide for adequate metering system. The liquidity issues make it difficult to resolve the problems of inadequate generation and transmission constraints. More importantly is the fact that distribution companies are unable to meet the operational costs of distributing power to their numerous customers, payment to generating and transmission companies, let alone their capital investments,” he said. In his comments, the Deputy Managing Director, IBEDC, John Ayodele, noted that the capital expenditure allowed for IBEDC is inadequate for its operations, especially given the size of its metering and network improvements and upgrade requirement as well as reduction of Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses. “The reviewed tariff will assist us to quickly address the problem of estimated billing which today represents over 70 per cent of customers’ complaints and has been one of the reasons for various protests experienced since we took over two years ago.”

Nigerian Tribune

NEMSA delegates meet MAN reps to avert crisis OlatundeDodondawa,Lagos As parts of efforts aimed at averting crisis between manufacturers and staff members of a power sector regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Management and Services Agency (NEMSA) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have met to discuss modalities on how to ensure harmonious relationship between the two bodies. Some members of the MAN have accused inspectors from the NEMSA of distrusting their activities during inspection of their facilities, but to avert further crisis, the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NEMSA, Mr Peter Eweso, told the Nigerian Tribune, that the motive of the meeting is to foster harmonious relationship between us. “Our meeting essentially is for us to create a conducive relationship between us. Members of MAN are industrialists and factory owners. Our men visit them time to time to carry out what we called statutory inspection and certification of electrical installations and facilities. When they see our men, we want them to know that our men are their friends and are there to carry out services that will benefit them, their staff and the public.”

Visa partners UBA to launch SmartMoney Global electronic payments company Visa, in partnership with United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) announces the launch of “SmartMoney”, a 21st century banking solution comprising a prepaid card and a mobile app for the African market. The partnership brings together Visa Inc’s trusted payments technology and SmartMoney’s mobile app experience to establish a millennial centric product proposition, for consumers who want to be in control of their money. Speaking about the launch, DMD & CEO UBA Africa, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka said: “Modern, young Africans are constantly seeking and devising new ways to be banked. It is with this realisation that the SmartMoney prepaid card was first developed and introduced into the market in partnership with Visa.” The SmartMoney prepaid card allows young people to be banked. This means they are able to enjoy all the features of a bank account and the minimal costs associated with the prepaid card are also a massive plus.

business

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for TUESday, 19 january, 2016

top gainers

top losers

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Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Why we can’t pay workers —Wada Assures smooth take off of Bello’s govt Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

ogi State governor, Idris Wada, on Thursday, explained the reason behind the inability of his administration to pay its workers, saying government had been depending on overdraft and other facilities from banks to meet its obligations to workers. The governor said it became difficult for government to continue paying salaries when the banks stopped granting it the facilities. Wada said this in Lokoja, the state capital, during the official inauguration ceremony of the construction of N4. 6 billion flyovers at Ganaja junction, in the town. According to the governor, government had met the organised labour leaders over the non-payment of workers’ salary, blaming the situation on the dwindling allocation of the collective funds coming to the state from the federation account. Wada stated that the banks stopped granting the facilities to facilitate the payment of workers’ salary because of the recent political development in the state.

He added that government was still owing the banks some arrears of overdraft, resulting from servicing workers’ salary in the past. “I will continue to make efforts for workers to be paid before I leave office. Kogi State is bigger than an individual or anybody. It will be there when we are gone,” he said. Speaking on the project, the governor said the Grade Separation Interchange (GSI), was awarded to Messrs TEC Engineering

Nigria Limited, at a cost of N4.6 billion with completion period of 18 months. He said the flyovers became imperative because of gridlock and traffic build up associated with the areas in the capital city. He said the project had been on the drawing board and that the contractor had the manpower and technical capacity to handle it, adding that the state government has not mobilised the company to site as the company

was investing its money to kick off the project. Meanwhile the state deputy governor, Yomi Awoniyi and chairman, Steering Committee of the Transition Committee, on Tuesday, said the current administration was ready to help the incoming government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, hit the ground running immediately after inauguration. He also said the committee was determined to carry out its assignment to ensure a

smooth transition of power to the incoming administration. Awoniyi made the disclosure when the state government Transition Committee met with the Transition Committee constituted by Bello, at the Government House, Lokoja, the state capital. The deputy governor, disclosed that the state transition committee was working tirelessly to ensure that it delivers all the documents

that would enable the incoming administration have a smooth start. While he noted that the state transition committee is most privileged to meet with the Yahaha Bello committee, he promised to ensure that it provides all the relevant documents that would allow the new administration have direct access to information that would enable it deliver to the people of the state.

BIM secession bid creates fresh tension in S/East From Jude Ossai and Suzy Oruya TENSION has again heightened in the South East geopolitical zone, following a fresh threat by the leadership of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), that they would continue the self-determination struggle until an independent state of Biafra is realised. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, had through his Special Aide on Media, Louis Amoke, advised the people of the state to ignore the sit at home order issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of Sov-

ereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), which they complied with, by going about their normal business activities last Monday. Although, in Enugu, the atmosphere was calm on Tuesday, but the situation in Anambra State, was different as BIM had disclosed that it had perfected arrangement to entrench secession clause in the constitution of Biafra, as was obtained in SWISS working document, “which said that any region that is dissatisfied with how the federation is run can secede without interference”. The newly appointed BIM Director of Information,

Mazi Chris Mocha, in a press statement in Onitsha, after a joint meeting of BIM/MASSOB, in Rumuekini community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Tuesday, said BIM observed that because of good governance in Switzerland, many decades after the country had independence, no region had ever indicated its interest to break away. Mocha noted that the issue of secession clause was discussed extensively and agreed upon during the joint meeting attended by Chief Monday Dibia, Okolo Mba, RSM Nwafor and the new MASSOB leader, Solo-

mon Chukwu, among others, adding that their Niger Delta brothers and sisters are optimistic that one day, they will wake up in the morning to discover that they had transited from Republic of Nigeria to Republic of Biafra. The statement further said that the Biafran leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, had started MASSOB single handedly in his house at Agunlejika Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos, on September 13, 1999, knowing it was the only panacea that will end marginalisation of Ndigbo and their brothers in the South South and urged the people of Ikwerre,

Emuoha, Eberi Omuma, Etche, Okirika, Ogu Bolo, Obio/Akpor and Port-Harcourt Local Government areas to work with the new leader of MASSOB, Chief Solomon Chukwu. BIM insisted that Ndigbo and the Niger Delta people do not deserve Biafra if the new nation cannot be better than Nigeria, stressing that the current struggle for Biafra to attain selfrule was premised on the idea that certain principles which had been beneficial to America, Israel and Switzerland, would be borrowed by BIM to make Biafra a great nation.

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

‘2015, year of rewards for Globacom’ GLOBACOM has celebrated 2015 as a year of trophies as it received multiple laurels, recognitions and commendations from regulators, key stakeholders and industry monitors. These awards and commendations came on the heels of the company’s significant progress in network expansion, consolidation and massive network modernisation projects which it embarked upon in preceding years. The company had also made subscriber-acquisition efforts driven by unique promos and offers. Kicking-off the series of recognitions, in May 2015, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in its report disclosed that Globacom led other operators in acquisition of new subscribers in the first five months of the year. According to the NCC’s subscriber data for the month, Globacom activated a total of 2,263,346 new lines on its network ahead of Airtel which came second with 1,983,195 new subscribers. Also, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in June, credited Globacom for driving the growth witnessed in the Nigerian telecommunications industry in the previous 12 months. “The growth in subscribers was mainly driven by Globacom, which recorded an average rate of 1.45 per cent over the period, closely followed by Etisalat with 1.37 per cent and Airtel with 1.29 per cent.”

NUC approves 14 courses for IBB university Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

From left, Chairman, Reckitt Benkisser West Africa (Rbwa), Chief Olu Falomo; Rbwa Managing Director, Mr Rahul Murgai and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, during a visit to the vice-president by Rbwa executives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

FG threatens to scrap NIMASA over massive fraud, indolence •Cancels proposed varsity Taiwo Adisa And Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja

HE Federal Government on Tuesday said that it was considering a move to scrap the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) due to what it called massive fraud in the commission. The Minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, who stated this while in a meeting with the Senate Committee Marine transport, said that the government may be forced to approach the National

Assembly to repeal the Act setting up NIMASA. He said that there was nothing to show for the N63billion revenue invested in NIMASA in 2015. He cited an instance where he discovered that there was no equipment at the agency’s search and rescue unit meant to monitor movement of vessels and provide treatment for injured personnel. According to him “Currently, the way NIMASA is, if you look at it very well, it was worse in the last administration. It was as if it was established just for the purpose of collecting mon-

It’s illegal for any gov to cut workers salaries or sack them —NLC Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that it is illegal for any governor to cut workers salaries or unilaterally sack workers. NLC has also vowed to resist any attempt by governors and any state government to reduce workers’ salaries or sack workers. President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated this in an interview with Nigerian Tribune, in Abuja, on the congress leadership visit to Imo State and their experience with the Governor Rochas Okoocha of the state. Wabba regretted that Okorocha unilaterally sacked over 5,000 workers, working in various parastatals in the state through a mere state radio announcement, adding that the governor was fond of sacking workers even without circular to that effect. He pointed out that the

governor made an announcement over radio to suspend about 3,000 workers but noted that he has no power to suspend 3,000 workers for not being productive by just a mere pronouncement in a local media. He lamented that this anti-labour practices were going on even when the state government owed worker salaries about 15 to 18 months salary arrears, other emoluments and benefits, ranging from years of pensions, gratuity, entitlements and months of salaries arrears. Wabba said: “The thing is that it is illegal for any governor to sack, or to reduce workers salaries without their consent and NLC at all levels is going to resist any attempt to sack workers or to cut down their salary. I think if there are challenges in any state, what we advocate is for the governor to call our people

and look at the challenges in a round table towards addressing the issue and providing solutions; not through a unilateral action where workers will be sacked because it will be counterproductive.

ey and nothing more. What we need to do is to ensure that NIMASA discharges its core responsibilities. “If NIMASA failed to outsource its core responsibility then it has no business existing. If it is just to collect money from individuals, anybody can do that. We can hire a tax collector to collect money from maritime operators on behalf of Federal Ministry of transport. “So it is either NIMASA sit up and carry out its own responsibility or we come to the National Assembly to repeal the Act setting it up and allow the department of marine security in the Ministry of Transportation, discharge the responsibility currently being discharged by NIMASA. “We are not going ahead with the university project proposed by NIMASA because we have an institution in Oron, we have Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, and we

have the Nigerian College of Aviation in Zaria which we could upgrade to a university status and NIMASA is proposing to build a new one. “Who will attend the university? How many parents will allow their children to go to such place where it proposes to site the university? What is the aim of the university that we cannot achieve in Oron where they have the necessary infrastructure. “I don’t think we are proceeding with the university being proposed by NIMASA because it is a waste of resources, and unfortunately a lot of money had already been released for the university project, hence there is no structure on ground but just the feasibility study. “Whoever is holding on to the money should better return it. The Chinese company contracted confirmed that only the feasibility study was in place.”

NPO set to appeal ruling on Nigerian Press Council decree By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Nigerian Press Organisation at its stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja has resolved to appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the Nigerian Press Council decree, at the Supreme Court. The organisation, which comprises of Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), after several deliberations

decided to take the case to the supreme court of law. The statement was signed by the President, NPAP, Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), Nduka Obaigbena and General Secretary, NPAN, Comfort Obi; General Secretary, NGE Victoria Ibanga and the President NUJ, Waheed Odusile. The NPO had been in court “since 1999 to challenge the constitutionality of the military-created Press Council Decree which was

transmuted,” as an Act of the National Assembly, with the advent of democracy in 1999. The association then headed to court and submitted that “the press, having been recognised as a pillar of democracy and thus given a definite role in the Constitution to hold the government accountable to the people, in other to enhance public good, it will be counter productive for the same press to be regulated by those it is to hold accountable.”

THE National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 14 academic programmes of the Niger State owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Muhammad Nasiru Maiturare disclosed this on Tuesday to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, the visitor of the university, when he presented the NUC’s report on the accreditation exercise of the courses offered by the institution. According to the Vice Chancellor, out of the 14 courses presented for accreditation, 11 courses were given full accreditation while interim accreditation was granted three courses. Courses with full accreditation include Business Administration, Agriculture, French, History and International Studies, while in the Faculty of Education, five courses; Agric Education, Biology Education, Geography Education, Mathematics Education, Guardian and Counselling had full approval. Chemistry Education, Computer Science Education and Physics Education got interim accreditation.

Again, police grant amnesty to 25 cultists in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

THE Ogun State Police command on Tuesday, again, granted amnesty to 25 cult members, who renounced their membership of different cult groups in the state. Nigerian Tribune recalled that 12 cultists, about two weeks ago, publicly renounced their membership of either Neo Black Movement popularly known as Aiye and Eiye confaternity. The ceremony was witnessed by the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Abdulrazaq Adenugba represented by Chief Tajudeen Arowolo and the caretaker chairman of Ijebu North, Mojeed Oladele. The state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, commended the cultists for toeing “the path of peace”, and urged them not to return to their old ways. The former cultists voluntarily surrendered their guns and other dangerous weapons. Ali said over 360 cultists have been arrested since he became the police commissioner in the state.

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Probing NNPC’s crude oil swap not a witch-hunt —Dogara Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara on Tuesday explained that the investigation of the oil swap Agreement contract of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by the green chamber, was not aimed at witch-hunting any person or organisation, but aimed at reviewing and repositioning the oil sector to make it more productive. Dogara made the clarification in Abuja, on Tuesday,

while declaring open, a public hearing by the House ad-hoc committee investigating the oil swap Agreement contract of the NNPC. Dogara said it “has become imperative, with the free fall of price of crude oil in the international market, to improve on the available resources and utilise the oil to drive the economy in other to stimulate development in the country. According to him, “our goal is not to witch-hunt. It is essentially a diagnostic review with the aim of repositioning the oil sector to perform its role as a major primer of the nation’s de-

velopment. “The issue of transparency in the management of the oil sector considering its significance to the economy of Nigeria is at the very heart of our nation’s development challenge, especially at this time of dwindling revenue resulting from the continued drop in oil prices. “As at yesterday, oil, I understand, was trading at $28 dollar from about $114 it traded as at September, 2015. You don’t have to be an economist to observe that if we do not improve on the management of available resources and

effective utilsation of oil and petroleum resources to drive the economy, our developmental aspirations will continue to emaciate. “It is in recognition of this pivotal role which the oil sector plays in aiding development, that the present House of Representatives decided to place emphasis on the improvement of the sector and to insist on the transparent, professional, and efficient management of all resources. “This is the only way, the Change of Agenda of this administration can be actualised.” Dogara further explained that the essence of

the investigation was to expose abuses and losses to the Nigerian nation with a view to revitalise the sector to make it more efficient and transparent. He said, “It is hard to put in words the level of frustration Nigerians have had to face with the NNPC and indeed the oil industry; the impact of this on the wider economy and the level of inefficiency in the entire energy value chain. We have an opportunity now to right the wrongs of the past. It starts from our doing a thorough job of this assignment. “If we could pause to imagine for one moment what the effect of a vibrant oil sector driven by efficiency and innovation, would mean to the Nigeria energy sector, power, textile industry, rice mills, the manufacturing start-ups, assembly plants, manufacturing, agribusiness development in general, aviation, communication, cost of doing business, insecurity, service delivery, technology adoption, life expectancy of Nigerians both in the rural and urban areas, SMEs and unemployment among others.”

Nigeria signs agreement with UAE on recovery of stolen funds Leon Usigbe-Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed Bin Al Nah Yan, witnessing the signing of finance agreements by Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Ahayad in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday.

Even if oil price drops to $5 per barrel, Buhari will perform —Information Minister Christian Okeke-Abuja THE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari would still be able to run the country efficiently even if oil price falls as low as $5 per barrel and if all financial leakages can be blocked successfully. He noted that there would be more money for infrastructural projects if only the administration will be able to fight corruption successfully. The minister spoke when he visited two Hausa language-based newspapers in Abuja in continuation of his ongoing consultation with key stakeholders. He cautioned that operating the 2016 budget will be difficult except corruption was taken care of. “If we don’t really take care of corruption, even the 2016 budget, we will not be able to operate it because what we have found out is that it is these leak-

ages that are making the country to bleed,” he said. The minister went further to note that although annual budget has increased since 1999, poverty rate has remained on the increase because of corruption. Alhaji Mohammed solicited the support of the media in general and the newspapers particularly in the Federal Government’s

fight against corruption. He said that he chose to enlist the support of the indigenous language newspapers for the sensitisation campaign against corruption because of their influence and large followership. According to him, it was necessary to galvanise the public against corruption in order to guarantee the availability of funds for

social and infrastructural development. He said, “In 1999, the entire budget was N947 billion. In 2016, it is N6 trillion. Has poverty gone down? It has increased almost by that margin. “The issue of corruption must not be taken lightly. We must fight it as we fought Boko Haram, like we fought Ebola. We must fight it to a standstill.”

Senate lauds ICPC’s use of preventive approach in fight against corruption THE Senate has expressed support for the preventive strategy by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as an effective means of curbing corruption in Nigeria. The Senate noted that the preventive approach required 60 per cent of efforts by ICPC in the fight against corruption. This he said was in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption

(UNCAC). The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anticorruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Godfery Utazi stated this during his committee’s oversight to the ICPC Headquarters, Abuja. The emphasis on preventive measure, according to the Senate chairman was a more robust way of addressing the menace of corruption in developing countries like Nigeria. He, therefore, advised

that the remaining 40 per cent should be devoted equally to application of severe sanctions, public enlightenment and strengthening of ethics. He promised the assistance of his Committee towards strengthening ICPC by means of reviewing the enabling law and provision that set it up. He said, “We shall meet every stakeholder, especially in the administration of justice to strengthen ICPC.”

NIGERIA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have on Tuesday signed six agreements to enhance their bilateral relations. The agreements signed by both parties in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday, were on trade, finance and judicial matters. The ceremony was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Nigeria’s minister of finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Attayar signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, while the Minister of Trade and investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah signed the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection with the UAE’s minister of state for financial affairs. The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in UAE, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.

Police recover 32 sophisticated guns in Edo —CP THE Edo Police Command has recovered more than 32 sophisticated guns with several ammunition from suspected criminals in the last five months. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday, in Benin. Ezike said that the command also arrested 100 suspected criminals which include kidnappers, rapists, armed robbers and cultists, within the period in review. He said the feat was recorded, following the renewed efforts of the command at ensuring safety and security of lives and property. Ezike also attributed the achievements to the cooperation of traditional rulers and working synergy with the local vigilance groups. “We identified that hunters and vigilance groups are critical stakeholders in our quest to rid the state of criminal elements.

Court orders Nasarawa to pay 6 lawyers N92.7m Ademola Adegbite-Lafia A High Court of Justice, sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Tuesday, ordered the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pay a team of lawyers, Shikammah Sheltu and colleagues, a sum of N92,7 million debt, as balance for professional fees. Delivering his Judgement, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Umaru Dikko, ordered the APC to pay the sum of N92.7 million, as balance for professional fees, as well as 10 per cent interest on judgment sum and cost of filing the suit. He explained that the judgment was based on Order 15 rule 4 of the state High Court procedure which said, “when it appears that the defendant has no good defence, the judge may proceed to deliver judgment in favour of the plaintiff.” Justice Dikko said the defendants were served courts processes, but there was no notice accompanied with an affidavit to state their defence.

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

2015 elections: Courts nullified 81, upturned 15 others —INEC board Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

HE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mamood Yakubu, on Tuesday, said the high courts sitting across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, had annulled a total of 81 elections comprising senatorial, House of Representatives and two governorship elections that would proceed to the Supreme Court. Yakubu disclosed this yesterday during his maiden meeting with all the state Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), in Abuja, since assumption of office in November last year. He said that the meeting was summoned to enable them discuss number of issues including the assessment of the elections conducted so far, the continuous voters’ registration, distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) yet to be distributed, bye-elections and the welfare of staff. According to Yakubu, “as at last week, the High Courts sitting nationwide have annulled a total of 81 elections comprising senatorial, House of Representatives and two governorship elections that will proceed to the Supreme Court. “In 2007, after the general elections, a total of 20 elections were nullified; in 2011, 34 elections were nullified, making a total of 54 for a period between 2007 and 2011. But for the 2015 elections so far, 81 elections have been nullified, which is more than the two previous elections put together.”

The INEC boss stated that in addition to the nullified elections, “a number of elections were upturned at the Court of Appeal and ordered that a certificate of return be issued to rightful winners which the commis-

sion had complied with.” “So, this meeting is to review the situation and take wide range decisions, so that free, fair and credible elections could be conducted with deployment of technology,” he said. Yakubu assured that the

BENUE State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards making the state one of the most developed among the federating units. Speaking at a reception held in his honour over his victory at the Supreme Court yesterday, the governor called on all citizens of the state irrespective of their political affiliations to join hands with his government in the quest to turn around the fortune of the state. According to him, “the challenges before us is how to pull our state out of ignorance, poverty and disease. The challenges have become more acute in the

the administration of the former INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, such as card readers and Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) would be retained for the conduct of future elections.

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, exchanging pleasantries with ace artiste, Mr Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie (aka) Patoranking, during a courtesy visit to the Senate President in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Cassava, yam not economically inferior products —University of Greenwich Femi Ibirogba-Nanning, Guangxi, China

CONTRARY to perception that cassava, yam, potato and other roots and tubers are inferior to widely consumed food crops in Asia and Africa, they are economically strong and crucial industrial crops. This was the submission of academics and industrialists, one of whom was Professor Andrew Westby,

Director, Natural Resources Institute and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), University of Greenwich, during a presentation at the ongoing first World Congress on Roots and Tuber Crops in China. Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Thailand cultivate 3.5 million hectares of cassava annually, although they do not consume the

Benue’ll lead in development —Gov Johnson Babajide-Makurdi

Commission was committed to deploying technology to the field during future elections for collation and transmission of election results to make it faster and more credible. He said that most of the innovations introduced by

face of dwindling fortunes of Nigeria’s economy as a result of falling in oil prices.” Ortom noted that in order to attain the desired goals of developing the state, “we must sincerely return to agriculture with emphasis on processing and the entire value chain as a way of boosting our economy.” Speaking on the local government election, the governor assured that his government would conduct the election before the end of June and that his administration would not interfere with the conduct of the election. “We are determined to empower state electoral commission to conduct free, fair and credible elec-

tion. We shall not interfere as our wish is that the election shall truly reflect the will of the people.”

product as food crops. Rice, Westby, added, is the most widely eaten crop but cassava has industrial uses. “Cassava plays important roles in the life of poor farmers in Asia and Africa and it is not an ‘economic inferior good’ because it is used for production of papers, animal and pet feeds, starch, ethanol and sweetener, among other industrial products,” he said. Westby said: “The tropical root and tuber crops are important parts of the diet in developing countries and important sources of income for those who sell them, with or without processing. “ “The environment in

which root crops contribute to the food security of the poor is changing rapidly. Specific challenges and opportunities include the impacts of climate change and variability; post-harvest implications of preharvest pests and diseases, such as cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak; the need to add value to root crops, increasing incomes and creating employment and responding to urban growth, an expanding middle class and changing food preferences and developing effective and efficient processing equipment to support profitable processing by small and medium scale enterprises.”

Don’t use masquerades for Bello’s inauguration, Ohinoyi warns Ebira people Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

THE Ohinoyi and paramount ruler of Ebiraland, , Dr Ado Ibrahim, on Tuesday, warned custodians of masquerades in the area against using masquerades to celebrate the forthcoming inauguration of the governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. The monarch particularly warned the youths of the area against bringing out masquerades during the celebration, saying such

move might lead to violence and disruption of proceedings. Ibrahim gave the warning while responding to an address by a delegation of the Ebira Council of Chiefs in Diaspora, led by Alhaji Sadiku Isa, who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace. The Ohinoyi, who expressed happiness with the chiefs for their supportive role, especially in the area of championing the course of unity, peace and development of their fatherland,

urged them not to relent in their efforts. He, however, warned the youths and the custodian of masquerades not to use masquerades for the inauguration, stressing that whoever takes law into his hand would face the full weight of the law. Isa, who is the National Chairman of Ebira Council of Chiefs in Diaspora, said the body came together to enable members contribute their quota to the task of checking the ills afflicting Ebira land.

Don’t undermine Jonathan’s achievements, IYC urges FG Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

YOUTHS of Ijaw ethnic nationality have said that part of the current anti corruption war was to undermine former President Goodluck Jonathan and paint him in bad light in some of the things he did. Speaking under the aegis of Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC) in Warri, the group said “Part of the strategy of the Federal Government is to undermine the achievements of Jonathan and to paint his administration as so corrupt whereas it is not true.” Spokesman of IYC, Comrade Eric Omare who spoke to reporters along with Comrade Razak Amakoru, National Deputy President and Comrade Freedom Atigbi (Chairman West), alleged that the Ijaws were more of the targets in the fight. The group said, however, it was in full support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war, but that in doing so, the ambit of the law should be kept and human dignity respected.

Sokoto govt empowers 575 indigent persons A total of 575 indigent persons in Sokoto State have benefited from a N23 million grant, meant to reduce poverty and empower the poor. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that each of the beneficiaries drawn from Illela Local Government Area of the state, received N40,000, 15 layer-chicken, cage, feeds, among others. Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who disbursed the fund at Illela, said it was under the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said that the aim was to make the poor productive and self reliant. “The state government provided N13 million out of the amount, while Illela Local Government provided N10 million. “The state government aims to further reduce the prevalence of poverty and unemployment across the state,’’ he said. The governor said that the beneficiaries, who were earlier trained in poultry farming, were made to enrol their children in school as part of condition for the grant.

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Sa’adu Abubakar (Sultan of Sokoto)

FUNOLOGY

• He attended the prestigious Barewa College, Zaria and proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1975. Abubakar was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1977 and served in the elite Armoured Corps.

CHURCH BOY

• Sultan Abubakar is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, the titular ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria. As Sultan of Sokoto, he is considered the spiritual leader of over 70 million Nigerian Muslims, roughly 50 percent of the nation’s population. Sa’adu Abubakar succeeded his brother, Muhammadu Maccido who died in a plane crash.

SEGELUULU

• Amirul Mumineen Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar was born on August 24, 1956 in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

• In the 5th edition chronicles of the world’s most influential Muslims for the year 2013/2014, Abubakar Sa’adu was named as the 18th most influential Muslim leader in the world.

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

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

LETTERS TO THE

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

The Gambia’s declaration as an Islamic State

AMBIA is a West African country with a population of almost two million people, out of which 90 per cent are Muslims and the remaining 10 per cent are Christians. The Gambia was colonised by Britain and gained independence on the 18th of February 1965. The president, Yahyah Jammeh declared the country an Islamic state on the 12th of December, 2015. The reason, according to him, was that the country had a majority Muslim population and a minority Christian population.

This decision, according to Jammeh, would not affect the freedom of religion. The legacies of colonialism to him were affecting The Gambia and the effects of neo-colonialism were the Commonwealth organisation which the country withdrew from in 2013. This declaration has some implications on the State’s foreign policy and its relations with other States. It has implications in the sense that it is not constitutional. The constitution of The Gambia according to Chapter 1 describes it as a sovereign

secular state where no citizen is above the law. Chapter 2, No 4, emphasises the supremacy of the constitution and states. “This Constitution is the supreme law of The Gambia and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.” This means that Jammeh took a questionable and unconstitutional decision that can be seen as null and void. In line with this, Hamat Bah, the head of the National Reconciliation Party, criticised Jammeh’s

Kudos to CBN on Dangote’s $14billion refinery I want to commend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for pledging to provide foreign currency (forex) for Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s $14billion oil refinery. With our state refineries not working at optimum capacities, it makes economic sense for private investors to set up refineries in the country. I know that this refinery, when completed, will make other investors see reason in why Nigeria is a fertile ground for businesses to flourish. I also want to commend Alhaji Dangote’s trust in the Nigerian economy; with what is going on economically, the billionaire can halt his investments in the country, while taking them elsewhere, but he has not done so. He is a true patriot who wants the best for his country. Having said this, I hope the CBN will also be ready to support other businesses that need forex to thrive. For any business in the country, we should know that there are many people earning their daily living there, and the CBN, as the apex bank in the country, should also be ready to help any business succeed. While the CBN has stopped selling forex to importers of certain items, I think it should first ensure that the situation in the country is conducive for producing those items being imported on a massive scale.

For example, when we talk about rice importers, we should look at why we can’t produce this item on a larger scale instead of importing. The CBN, in partnership with commercial banks, should assist companies producing rice in the country to go on a large scale. One of the major prob-

lems facing this country is lack of fund, but if the banks can target businesses in sectors that are import-dependent, then we will have a new lease of life in this country. •Dr Tajudeen Alalade, Ilorin, Kwara State.

declaration and said it was made without an appropriate referendum. This declaration paints the country as anti-West which is evident in religion and association. This is because in rejecting the commonwealth, according to Jammeh, the country denounces association with member States at the organisational level. Again, the implication of the declaration is that the country is embracing Islam and removing the shackles of colonialism and neo-colonialism (Christianity). This can be seen as unconstitutional as stated in chapter 4, section 1(c): “Freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice.” The after-effect of such a declaration is that the state would want to manifest the declared practice; therefore, the rights of Christians would be violated. The Gambian declaration is also perceived as a distraction from the domestic politics. Jammeh is against the gay marriage practice and there have been sev-

eral prosecutions on the issue. The 81-page report, “State of Fear: Arbitrary Arrests, Torture and Killings”, notes that Jammeh in October 2014 signed a law that imposes a life sentence upon anyone found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality.” The law shows total opposition to gay practice in the western world. The decision to leave the Com-

monwealth in 2013 and the recent declaration as an Islamic State would mean disassociating from any country that may influence such practices. Odegbaro Elizabeth Ifeoluwa, International Relations Dept, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State.

Bayelsa’s do-or-die election The Bayelsa State governorship election has come and gone, but the violence that raged in the state does not bode well for democracy in the country. With the killings before and during the election, it shows we still have a long way to go as far as democracy is concerned, and I hope the security agencies will prosecute those who perpetrated violence during the election. It is unfortunate that the candidates as well

did not do much to douse tension among their supporters, thereby creating a feeling that they were in support of the tough approach towards the election. I hope the Federal Government will constitute a probe of this war-like election, while meting out the appropriate punishment to those who might have instigated or supported the violence that erupted in parts of the state. The government should do this without fear or favour, as inaction will send a wrong signal to other politicians across the country that contesting for an election should always be ‘war.’ We should not forget the violence that also characterised the election in Rivers State a few months ago, and the way it is going, the court might order a re-run of the state’s governorship election. We don’t want our politics to be a do-or-die affair; this will simply kill the interest of good Nigerians in politics. Already, we are encouraging professionals to join politics so that they can contribute their quota to the development of the country, but when they see the violence that greeted the elections in some states during the general election, and that of the Bayelsa election, they will have a re-think. We must get certain things right in this country if we are ever to develop politically. •Tuope Henry, Port Harcout, Rivers State.

editorial

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Coping with fire outbreaks

ince the onset of the dry season late last year and drawing from media reports on fire outbreaks in the country in recent times, it is not an overstatement that fire disasters have remained a disastrous phenomenon. The rate at which many lives and invaluable properties are being lost to infernos is so alarming and thus, an uninspiring statement on the fire-fighting system in the country. Indeed, that fire would raze important public buildings, including popular markets, priceless installations and revered structures across the country in spite of the much-touted existence of fire services at the federal and state levels points to the fact that there is a crucial need for buckling the onus of inadequacies in handling cataclysmic occurrence of fire outbreaks in the country. In no distant time before now, several strategic and important places had been ruined by fire, namely: the Federal Secretariat Complex (Ministry of Education wing) in Abuja, the Balogun Market in Lagos, the electronics International Market at Onitsha, the electronics section of the Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, Sango market in Ibadan, the Okeke Hall of residence at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, among others. In the aforementioned fire incidents, and at many other private, business and governmental buildings and locations similarly affected by fire, while so many people had been sent to their early graves, properties worth millions of naira had reportedly been destroyed. This is rather grievous and thus uncomplimentary of a society like ours which admits that a chief duty of a socially-responsible government is to protect lives and properties of citizens from disasters, including fire incidents irrespective of what might be the cause. But it is painful that most times, the disservice of the fire service during emergencies had led to many calamities. Although there could be few cases where fire fighters had responded timely enough to distress calls and quelled infernos before they spiraled out of control, it is sad that persistent unprofessional and uncharitable performances of men of the fire services have been linked with many fire outbreaks that escalated to disasters of great dimensions. On many occasions, catastrophic fire outbreaks could have been nipped in the bud given adequate and effective fire fighting system. It is unfortunate, however, that on many occasions in which they have failed to live up to expectations, men of the fire services themselves have had to attribute

their failure to lack of adequate equipment. It is unheard of that in spite of the huge amount of money voted for the fire services departments in the budgets of federal and state governments, their inefficiency is most often premised on moribund fire engines, non-availability of extinguishers of various types, lack of water and hydrants, and, annoyingly, lack of personnel. Given the high frequency of fire outbreaks in the country, it suffices to say that the apparent lack of sufficient public enlightenment about fire prevention and control measures both at the individual and institutional levels is one major reason for the spate of fire disasters and their attendant losses. Without mincing words, in most cases, fire disasters are not acts of God but the products of human errors and carelessness. For instance, the recent fire episode that killed a family of seven in Lagos was reportedly caused by candle light which was not put out at night. Risky acts such as storing of petroleum products and careless use of cooking gas in homes have led to several fire outbreaks. Also, many Nigerians are in the habit of leaving home or closing at work without ensuring that all electrical appliances are switched off to prevent outbreak of fire in case of power surge. It is also dangerous to keep matches and other inflammable materials within the reach of children. Other causes of fire outbreaks could be careless attitude towards electrical gadgets and fiddling with electrical cables without having the expertise of handling them. To stem the tide of fire disasters in the country, while it has become crucial that there should be widespread enlightenment about fire prevention on the basis of uniqueness and peculiarities of private and government building structures, market places and automobiles, governments at both federal and state levels should reinvigorate their commitments to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire services in concrete terms of sufficient funding and capacity building. While it is irresponsible for any acclaimed peopleoriented government not to sufficiently fund its fire service and rather concentrate on frivolities, it is also a statement of failure on its part not to ensure that an effective fire service is that which, apart from having improved welfare packages for staff, is also adequately equipped with modern fire-fighting equipment such as Dragon Pumpers firefighting trucks, extrication and rescue items, breathing apparatus and utility vehicles, among others.

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opinion

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

The Kagame quagmire By Bunmi Makinwa

ITH his “I can only accept” end of year address, Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame opened a new chapter in the “third term” discussion. How does a sitting president seek popular support to extend his term of office beyond what is stipulated in the constitution? There is a considerable roar of disapproval on third term agendas, but increasingly African leaders are finding ways to normalise a change of the constitution for additional mandate terms. President Kagame has initiated new ways to make the people “compel” a change. In October 1994, as one of the first wave of international development actors in Rwanda a few months after the genocide, I observed teenage soldiers who stood ramrod at the driveway to the famous Hotel des Mille Collines in Rwanda. They stood at attention with steady eyes scouting round as they oozed assurance of absolute security in the capital city of Kigali, and throughout the country. These fighters, men and women of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), symbolised the new discipline and thoroughness that had swept into the country after years of war. The then 37-yearold Paul Kagame was at the head. At various times Minister of Defence, Vice-President and President, his new government applied exceptional acumen, unparalleled commitment and strict discipline to manage the country. Against unprecedented odds, overwhelmed initially by thousands of NGOs that “captured” the country with ideas and aid, the new government slowly took control and established its directions. Everything needed to be restarted. The population was traumatised, divided, angry and lost. The economy was in shambles. The infrastructure was primitive and the political system had collapsed. Within a few years, Rwanda began to emerge as a new African model of development. The government made sure that the world and its own people knew the details of the genocide that had killed some 800,000 Rwandans, mostly of the Tutsi ethnic group. The US apologised formally for its inaction at the time of the killings. The genocide tribunal heard horror stories of man’s inhumanity to man. The country stared down France on alloca-

tion of blame for the war. So confident was Rwanda about its own authority and actions that it put strict limitations on international aid conditionalities and operations of NGOs. Many international NGOs had to leave the country. Under the RPF-led coalition government, a new country emerged. The economy waxed strong and Rwanda’s leadership started to hold its own amongst its African peers and at global forums. It was a stable, peaceful country that garnered and commanded respect. Rwanda’s gross domestic product or GDP grew from US$416 in 1994 to US$1,784 in 2015. Its agricultural sector continues to be a major contributor to the economy, amounting to 32.5 per cent of the GDP. A new and growing service sector overtook agriculture as the largest sector with 43.6 per cent of GDP, whilst mining and tourism form significant parts of the growth. Rwanda is the only country in the world with female majority in its House of Representatives (deputies), and a third of its senators are women. Life expectancy is improving dramatically and corruption is very low. The Mo Ibrahim Index of Governance 2015 report provides a comprehensive indication to appraise the East African country. According to the Index, Rwanda ranks 11 amongst 54 African countries in the overall governance scheme. It has a score of 60.7 whilst the average score is 50.1. Mauritius has the highest score of 79.9 and Somalia has the least score of 8.5. In areas of “safety and rule of law”, ‘sustainable economic opportunities” and “human development” Rwanda impressively scores 12, 7, and 9, respectively. However, under “participation and human rights”, it has a low score of 30. Rwanda’s positive attributes of social, economic and human development are depressed by dictatorial and autocratic tendencies, including low level of tol-

erance for dissent. The critical question that Rwanda may answer is whether there can be a democratic way to retain a good government, against the possible takeover of a country by a thieving, tyrannical elected cabal. In 2014, speaking in the USA to students on when he planned to leave office, President Kagame stated: “I think at some point we need to leave countries and people to decide their own affairs… I’m here to do business on behalf of Rwandans…let’s wait and see what happens as we go. Whatever will happen, we’ll have an explanation.” The explanation came in 2015 as a test of President Kagame’s popularity. The first step was a petition nationwide by 3.8 million signatories, some 60 per cent of voters. They demanded a change of the constitution that would lift the restriction on President Kagame to seek another term of office. The mass action sought an extension of another seven year term. Then a reduction of presidential terms of office to five years for a maximum of two terms, and for which President Kagame would still be eligible to run. The mandate extension would only apply to President Kagame who could then stay in office till 2034, if he continues to seek reelection. Next step – both the lower and upper houses acceded to the popular request. Then the Supreme Court was asked to rule on the constitutionality of such an amendment. It did in a unanimous decision. The road was clear for President Kagame to extend his term of office, but he would not accept the obligation until a national referendum was carried out. The referendum of December 18 overwhelmingly affirmed the changes. By making the extension of his mandate to conform with legal, legislative and national expressions that appear so overwhelming, President Kagame sets new parameters. At the least, future similar requests for mandate extension can be measured against such standards of popular demand. President Kagame is aware of the quagmire of power but he would not leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. The longer one stays in power the more the struggles, and, like a quicksand, the deeper one sinks. •Makinwa is a communication for leadership entrepreneur based in South Africa and Nigeria.

Revisiting the scrapping of SURE-P By Mebabawondu Kolawole Thank God for the effectiveness of the Nigerian media in propelling our democracy to where it is today. In recent times it is the Nigerian media that has proved to be the last hope of the common man, apologies to the collapsed justice system. The Buhari-Osinbajo administration has proved in these past months to be a listening government as they have consistently hearkened to the cries of the Nigerian people through the help of the indomitable media organizations in Nigeria. This is why most of us have resorted to go through the media in reminding our federal government that they should not make mistakes while the economic surgical operations is going on. Nigeria is presently sleeping as a result of this economic surgical operation being carried out by President Muhammadu Buhari, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. However as they have injected Nigerians with the anaesthetic drugs, the world and Africa in particular is patiently waiting for Nigerians to successfully pass through this economic operations. As for some of us who have indeed secured permanent jobs through the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) we were indeed shocked by the recent scrapping of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme SURE-P. The announcement shocked me in particular because I am a living testimony of how the programme had tremendously impacted my life as a beneficiary. After several years of graduation without a job and with several applications submitted to different companies in search of a white collar job with no hope in sight, I stumbled on a newspaper report on the SURE-P Graduate Internship Scheme and followed it up by giving it a try by registering as an intern. Barely few days after my registration, I was given a call by officers of the scheme that I should check my email and that was it. When I checked, I saw “Congratulations you have been selected to be an intern with beneficiary number GI-OND-ILA-00062.” This was the beginning of my having to move from nothingness to where I am today. All I say today

is just one out of the many testimonies that can be verified as positive legacies of the scheme. In the cause of my one year internship I was invited for an orientation and employability training. I was made to learn the following: how to be a better job seeker, branding, how to save and be accountable, how GIS works, amongst others. My employer who happens to be a traditional ruler and the chief executive of Moth Petroleum, gave us an enabling environment at our place of work. As a graduate I started with being a pump attendant, and I tried as much as possible to be friendly with all of our customers. My friendship with these customers made me to make so much sales and it made the filling station to become so much popular in the Okitikpupa community of Igbokoda, Ondo State. Barely six months into my internship programme, I endeared myself to the management and I was elevated as supervisor of all the pump attendants. In the eighth month of my internship I was assigned to commence company representa-

tion at the NNPC depot for the purchase of PMS and other products on behalf of the company. This privileged role of representing the company where I served as an intern was the climax of my experience as a graduate who started as an ordinary pump attendant, who grew through the ranks and enjoyed a steady N30,000 monthly stipend from the Graduate Internship Scheme and another N30,000 from our boss Kabiyesi Ogbaro, the Chief Executive of Moth Petroleum Nigeria Ltd. Today, I am the sales and production manager of the same company. This could not have been possible if not for the Graduate Internship Scheme. Consequently, as one of those who believe in the effectiveness of change and I voted change against all odds, I do not expect that the same change we all yearned for would work against us. I sincerely believe that the change would usher in a modification of well-established programmes and projects of the federal government as government ought to be a continuum. Just as Nigerians are undergoing the economic surgical operations our medical personnel must understand that time is of essence in all they do. They should equally take note not to cut off functional organs of the Nigerian body as this would not augur well with setting precedent for posterity sake. I call on well-meaning Nigerians to equally speak with these ‘surgeons’ nay leaders whom Nigerians have reposed so much confidence in for them not to fail us as any attempt to allow these beneficiaries of the graduate internship scheme go back into the labour market would result in catastrophic consequences. Let them operate the Nigerian state well now that we are patiently asleep. The graduates are not prepared to settle for crumbs or to go back to their former state of begging for money from their parents whom they are supposed to be feeding and taking care of. The worst thing this government can do is to treat their patients with respect, while they operate on them. •Kolawole wrote in from Okitikpupa, Ondo State.

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

AWARD exposes girl-child to opportunities in agro-tourism Holds career fair in St Louis School, Ibadan By wale Ojo Lanre

HE role of agro-tourism as a means of job creation and production of unlimited opportunities to banish unemployment, poverty and misery from the society has been the concern of some non governmental organisation (NGOs), which believed that not much has been done to expose this sunny side of the sector particularly to the girl-child. Hence, a fellow of the African Women in Agriculture Research and Development, (AWARD), Lauretta Togonu Bickersteth, hosted a one day Career Fair with the theme “Exposing the girl–Child to career opportunities in hospitality, tourism, and agriculture “on Friday 15, January, 2016 at St Louis Grammar School, Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria. The one day career fair was clinically packaged to enable the students get insight to the fact that there are many jobs waiting outside there particularly in the agro tourism sector other than the elusive white collar jobs. And in doing this, Lauretta Togonu Bickersteth who is an old student of the school who has also benefitted and benefitting from the numerous opportunities offered by the tourism sector fetched out renowned and established ladies who have distinguished themselves by engaging and utilising business opportunities offered by agro– tourism sector also for the event. The resource persons were led by the world recognised and acclaimed waste to wealth prodigy, Achenyo Idachaba, Chief Executive Officer, Mitimeth, the Nigerian lady who stunned the world by turning water hyacinth, a plant on the sea into veritable wealth creation material, Mrs Bimbola Okutinyang, Chief Executive Officer Bims’Life Gardens Garden, who has been making money tending plants and employing many, Bimpe Alabi a woman who has established herself as one of the gurus in event managing, packaging and monitoring, Mrs O Oluwatoyin who is utilising the Moringa leaves as not only a means to end poverty for her family, but a plat form of commerce and employment. The targeted students of the six arms of the SSS students

who filled up the hall were not only attentive, but participated actively as the methodology adopted included a motivational forum which prepared their minds with the documentary films and culinary demonstration of what are available and how it could be done proved effective. From this, the students were able to have a picture of what the resource persons were about to tell them and helped in shaping the depth of understanding of the issue at hand. Though a one day affair, the Government of Oyo State found it worthy as its despatched it’s representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as well as a Director from the Culture and Tourism Ministry. Each of the representatives delivered an address where the effort of the organiser was lauded and emphasis laid on the need for the students to tune their minds gradually away from being an employee, but employers. Lauretta Togonu Bickersteth, the initiator of the programme revealed “I am propelled by the need to nip in the bud the malaise of employment which is besieging and ravaging the fold of employable but unemployed

It has helped in shaping my vision and ambition in life . I am grateful to the organiser not because of the prize but because of what I have gained from this exercise. I hope this can be replicated in other schools

youths. I saw it as a mistake of the government, the parents and us as individuals of not looking inward enough at seeing the vast opportunities wasting away particularly in the agro–tourism sector.” She pointed out “it is a collective mistake. As we all look forward to bag a white collar job and also there has been absence of a concerted and earnest Mrs M.A. Ibitoye, Principal, St effort at exposing the Louis Grammar School, Ibadan. students in secondary school to the reality of employment as it concerns white collar jobs and unveil where the opportunities are.” She said, “I am happy that the method employed today has been effective. For the students are happy sharing experience from those who have acquired numerous degrees, but have never applied for work, but rather generate employment.” Asuquo Mary Lauretta Togonu Bickersteth whose solo efforts initiated the event however said “I am however grateful to Bookstore, Tribune Newspapers, Inspiration FM, BCOS, Fresh FM, Fan Milk , Wavecrest College of Hospitality, Orisun School of Catering for the support and collaboration at making this event a reality” The Principal of the school, Mrs M. A. Ibitoye commended Duru Excellent Lauretta Togonu Bickersteth for “Her sense of responsibility for bringing this eye opening Career Fair to her former school. This is an immeasurable gift and a necessity which should be hosted in all the secondary schools in Nigeria.” To Duru Excellent, the SS3 students who won the first Prize in Tourism Essay said “This is an exceptional career talk and exercise. It has helped in shaping my vision and ambition in life . I am grateful to the organiser not because of the prize but because of what I have gained from this exercise. I hope this can be replicated in other schools” Asuquo Mary “This is one of the best things that ever happened to me in my education journey. From the proceeding and interactive discussion by the resource persons, my mindset about job has been redefined and my mental creativity has been sharpened. Honestly, from today, there is no any idle holiday for me. I have an idea which I have discovered from the discussion. I am going to make money but I will not reveal it now. Thanks to our AWARD Fellow, Lauretta Togonu Bickersteth who hosted this mental sharpening career fair in my school.”

tourism

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Day Ooni Ojaja dazzled Brazilian

Ooni of Ife-Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Consul-General, Brazilian Embassy, Her Excellency, Maria A. Figueiredo at the palace in Ile-Ife. By wale Ojo Lanre

HE spirit of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race must have been be elated in the ancestral stead on the evening of Friday 15, January, 2016 when the Consul–General of Brazil in Nigeria, Her Excellency Maria, A. Figueiredo paid a visit to the Ooni Ojaja 11, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Babatunde Ogunwusi, in his palace, Enuwa, Ile–Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The vibration of Oduduwa’s spirit would also not just because of the expository welcome address made by the Chairman of Ife Central Local Government, Hon Taiwo Olaiya, who revealed with academic evidence the existence of a vibrant culture and technological industry in Ife 1000 years before Christ, nor only because of the presence of all the 16 High Chiefs of Oduduwa Court who took their right positions of eight each on the right and left sides of the throne, neither was it just because of the presence of at least 10 others traditional rulers from outside Ife, nor the traditional entertainers, cultural groups and particularly the Atunda Ensemble led by Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye which dazzled the royal guests with their electrifying and spectacular performance and displayed of rare talents to the admiration of the Ooni and the visitors. Oduduwa would particularly have been happy that his troubadour on the face of the earth and accomplishments at raising kingdoms peopled with culturally unique men and women of history which the slave trade nearly tore to smithereens has at last come home to roost. Going by the words of Consul General Figueiredo who represent s Brazil, the country with the largest concentration of Blacks in the world. “I am happy to be here. In Ile–Ife, the cradle of civilisation and the source of Black nations which Brazil is harbouring the largest concentration of blacks in the world apart from Nigeria. My coming here is not accidental. It is a home coming. Which I sincerely believe has been destined by the Lord Almighty. It will interest you all to note that Brazil was colonised by Portugal which forced on us its religion which is Catholicism. Apart from this, the other major religion which we practised in Brazil is African-traditional Belief which emanated and was traced to Ile-Ife. Majority of us are Catholics, but all of us

Ife traditional priests

still have our traditional identity. For me, I am an Osun worshiper. And am in Ile – Ife, the source of the world in State of Osun.” Her declaration of being an Osun adherent elicited a loud and heavy response of Oreyeyeo (a chant for Osun goddess) from the palace chiefs, priests and guests. The Consul – General who kicked off her message by apologising for the evil of slave trade pointed out “I have to apologise for the fact that it was the slave trade perpetrated by our people that led to the dislocation and turned some of the Yoruba into citizens of another land. However sad this story is, but it has turned to another positive advantage to the history of the world in terms of race interaction, networking and spread of cultural heritage and values. And had it been there was no evil of the slave trade, my presence here today may not have acquired the weight, import and relevance. The Yoruba race might have no cause to celebrate with pride the domination of a large portion of the cultural map of the world.” Ambassador Figueiredo who employed an interpreter in order to adequately pass her message, disclosed that the cultural affinity between Brazil and Nigeria is rooted in Ile-Ife, the source of the Yoruba race, a race which she declared “is wonderfully blessed with the most unique and morally culture, tradition, history and mores in the

Olo Omidan bata and Aralola Onilu world” She disclosed that “The Yoruba culture, the Yoruba people and the African descents which constitute about 78 per cent of the population of Brazil have made Brazil the Siamese twins of Nigeria and a country where the children of Oduduwa hold sway.” Ambassador Figueiredo revealed that no nation can relegate Nigeria into the background when it comes to pris-

tourism

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Consul-General with culture

Nigerian Tribune

tine culture and tradition pointing out The Ijala Ode chanter impressed many that “this is a great asset for the counnot only because of his synchronisation try to explore.” of his dancing steps with the rhythm of She congratulated Ooni Ojaja 11 the bata, but his sheer reeling off of the not only for ascending the throne of chant effortlessly endeared him to many his forefathers with acclaimed glory , including the ambassador who had to pomp and celebration but for his vision appreciate him beautifully. at revitalising the tradition , culture As the effect of this was wearing off, and values of the Yoruba race for ecoChief Funlola Olorunisola appeared and nomic and sustainable development of told the guests to remain calm, cool and the Yoruba. comfortable in their seats for “maximum Ambassador Figueiredo assured consummation of part of the cultural Ooni Ojaja and the Yoruba “I have to revolution being set in motion by Ooni assure his Imperial Majesty of the unOjaja of ensuring the enhancement of flinching support and collaboration the cultural talents of the youths for emof the Brazilian Embassy in Nigeria powerment and development. What you in any mutually beneficial project and are presenting from the stable of Otunba venture. We hold this nation and parAkinboboye will blow your hearts pleasFrom left, Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, Her Excellency, Maria, A. Figueiredo, Ooni of Ife-Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan ticularly the Yoruba race the duty of fa- Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Senator Segun Omoworare. antly.” cilitating and contributing to whatever As Chief Olorunisola left the floor, Olo will promote and enhance our cultures Omidan Onibata, reputed to be the first and tradition for the benefit of our citNigerian lady to beat the bata appeared izens.” with a band of lovely shaped ladies and Ooni Ojaja in his royal response apmen. plauded the sense of duty and brilliant For 20 minutes, Olo Omidan Bata’s display and appreciation of the history electrifying dancing and beating bata of Yoruba and it’s trans–atlantic tribudazzled the guests with her masterly lation by the Consul –General of Brazil handling of the lashes which she used in in Nigeria. beating the leather of the dead goat into “You are warmly welcome to the speaking like a human being.” source. I must however commend you Wonderful! A guest screamed, Ebora for your rare brilliance and display of birin leleyi oo (this is an enigmatic lady), thoughtful reflection of the slave trade he shouted to the hearing of all. and the sibling and scions of Oduduwa. As Olo Omidan bata beat the leather Your identification and views are not hardly and dancing as well , her other only apt, but instructive of the fact that band members too gyrated , spin their the Yoruba culture is not only unique bodies, rolled their waists likewise in but of no peer in the world.” rhythmic response to her beat. Anu,the first lady to play Ekwe entertaining guests. Ooni Ojaja called the attention of the So powerful was Olo Omidan bata’s Yoruba to the high influence and ratperformance that lured the Consul-Gening which their culture enjoy on eral from the thrones platform into the the global scene. dancing stage. “You can now realise that it is only A thunderous applause rented the air in his home stead where a prophet is as Olo Omidan exited the stage in a drawithout any iota of honour. You all lismatic way with her band members! tened to the postulation and analysis Olo Omidan bata’s raising the stake of the Ambassador about our culture, was moderated by a soulful and solo We have all listened to the fact that performance of Olohun Iyo, a minstrel despite being Catholics, majority of who employed his sonorous tenor voice Brazilians still cherish, embrace and in soothing the musical tension raised by celebrate their tradition, culture, belief Olo Omidan. and norms which is not the case here.” Then appeared Aralola , the lady that His Imperial Majesty pointed out took the world by surprise when she “But I am assuring you that it is done. stormed a UNESCO Jazz event with a (o ti se se). The divine vision has taken talking drum. off .Great men of history are here. The Decked with two talking drums with an problem is that we have failed to recogante drummer, she rendered a quick one nise them. But they are here and ready for the Ooni’s guests in a solemn style to revive, renew, rejuvenate, reactivate Ife traditional Kings which confirmed her ingenuity as a masand re launch the Yoruba tradition, ter drummer. the Consul–General, Ambassador Maria Figueiredo who culture, custom which are paragon of The night was signed off by the specpeace, harmony, orderliness, cooperation and epitome of has spoken brilliantly on collaborative endeavour and co- tacular exhibition of talents by a Yoruba lady called Anu morality. I am happy having as a partner in this mission, operation with the palace.” lady Ekwe, who accompanied by a dancing team, beat Ooni Ojaja relayed “My vision is to employ tourism and the Ekwe, a musical instrument which belongs to the the Brazilian Government as represented here today by culture in empowering the youth of Yoruba land, gener- Igbo ethnic group beautifully. ate employment and facilitate wealth. We have started The tall lady maximised her height to her advantage in on this note as 20,000 widows have been employed in not only dominating the stage, but in confirming her aucleaning up the city. I am also particular about explor- thority at commanding the Ekwe to do her bidding. ing sport to engage and empower my people. The World The performances of these stars, their vibrancy , verCup is around the corner. Brazil is it and I assure you our satility, scintillating, effervescent and dazzling display youths will not only be there, but will gainfully participate earned each of them a special royal blessing and prayer in its positives.” of the Ooni after appearance. His Imperial Majesty said “I am indeed impressed by The packaging, the conduct, the cultural display and the your humility and respect for tradition and culture and I ambience at the Ooni Ojaja’s palace in Ile-Ife that night imimplore you to relax and have a feel of a bit of the cultural pressed the visiting Consul–General, Maria A. Figueiredo flavour of our race being packaged by Atunda Entertain- who told Tribune Tourism Magazine (TTM) in an ment and others.” interview after the event that “It was one of my finest moThe Olorin agba, the palace cultural group gingered up ments. It confirmed the richness of the Yoruba culture as and set aglow the environment with high tempo dancing one of the best in the world. The Yoruba has what it takes and singing session which attracted appreciation from to rule the cultural world. I am grateful to the charismatic, guests. youthful, intelligent and bright Ooni of the source for this.

It was one of my finest moments. It confirmed the richness of the Yoruba culture as one of the best in the world. The Yoruba has what it takes to rule the cultural world. I am grateful to the charismatic, youthful, intelligent and bright Ooni of the source for this.

ecoscope Social media, viable tool for climate advocacy —Cross River Most Beautiful Girl, 2015 By Doyin Adeoye TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Cross Rivers’ Most Beautiful Girl 2015, Queenette Awukam is an environmentalist, advocating for more youths’ involve-

From left, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and co-founder, RecyclePoints, Mrs Chioma Ukonu and officials of the Redeemers International Schools, pose behind recycling wheelie bins.

Why we partner with secondary schools —RecyclePoints By Doyin Adeoye RECYCLEPOINTS, an incentive based waste recycling and social benefit scheme is partnering with schools on waste recovery, reuse and recycling. In line with its corporate objective to breed an environmentally friendly generation, the company, over the weekend, had a partnership with the Redeemers International Schools (RIS), Lagos, where the latter signed into the company’s Schools Recycling Programme. “RecyclePoints motivates people to recycle by creating value from their everyday waste. We have a target of partnering with three schools every month, where we get them to have recycling bins and also educate them on how to sort their waste and recycle them. Through this programme, each school earn points from their recycling activities, which they then use to get rewards that we offer through our scheme,” Mrs Chioma Ukonu,

Chief Operating Officer (COO) and co-founder, RecyclePoints said. Speaking on what influenced the partnership with schools, she noted that many children over time are beginning to be more environment conscious. “We had a lot of schools visiting our collection and sorting hubs in the past, just to learn about waste recycling. So we felt that since there was the affinity to understand at their age the benefit of waste recycling, we could carry the message to the schools directly, where they will see the idea of sorting waste from source. “We offer various items through our incentive-based schemes, so for schools, we are looking at partnering with them to get things that would necessarily support their educational activities. Whenever they reach a particular point, they get something in return. For instance, like we did some two years ago, we invited them to an environmental quiz competition June 5, which is the World Environment Day.”

live in extreme conditions might only take place over hundreds of generations of natural selection, or require genetic engineering. He said: “We could genetically engineer ourselves if important enough to survive. Some of these things we might try to develop as a necessity rather than occurring over time naturally. Others could occur over tens of thousands of years.” To adapt to a ‘water world’, Dr Skinner expects humans would develop webbed hands and eyes like those of cats to help us see in the poor lighting conditions underwater. We would also retain a layer of baby fat into adulthood as an insulator for spending long periods submerged. Regular foraging in shallow waters could lead us to develop artificial ‘gills’ to help us breathe, extracting oxygen from the water and delivering it to the bloodstream. This would also lead to our lung capacity becoming greatly reduced, and our rib cages shrinking.

ment in climate friendly activities. “I have been advocating for forest conservation even before I became Cross Rivers’ Most Beautiful Girl. And I believe that being in this position is an avenue to further promote this. I am passionate about the sustainable livelihood of my people, coupled with the drive from my governor, Professor Ben Ayade, who is a source of inspiration in the course of championing climate change. “I grew in a state that is very environmentally conscious; very clean and green. So having grown up in such place, I believe everywhere in Nigeria should be conducive enough for breathing and our day-to-day activities,” she said. Using the platform to create awareness on climate change and its effect, Queenette said her green pictures which went viral of recent, is meant to reach out to more youths to be environment conscious. “As a beauty queen and an artiste, I know that pictures are good sense of communication, as they speak louder than words. In one of the pictures, I, being the only live tree in the middle of dead logs, is an appeal for forest conservation. “There have been innovations over the years; every youth is on the social media. So I feel that the best way to go reach out to them is to create more awareness using the social media. Every youth now wants to have fun, so we can as well educate them while they do that. “For instance, the recently held Calabar Carnival had the theme: ‘Climate Change,’ which was used as a platform to educate youths on being environment friendly. More youths need to champion the course for a greener environment, and must take further steps in acquiring more knowledge on problems and particularly solutions on climate change,” she said.

ATIONS will start signing the Paris Agreement. How realistic is this agreement for Nigeria? We shouldn’t celebrate yet over Paris Agreement, because there are a number of issues related to it. I started attending the very first summit in 1994, so as an old player in the game, I have learnt not to go away with whatever draft agreement. For instance, countries will start signing the Paris Agreement in April this year, and by then I think a lot of the nations that attended the COP would have dissected the agreement. Until the whole 196 countries signs the agreement, which will go on for one year, that is when we can start celebrating. For instance, a lot of countries did not even initial the Kyoto Agreement, not to talk of signing it and this draft agreement is very similar to the Kyoto Agreement. So there are issues so many people are worried about. For instance, if countries fail to meet up with agreement, how do you hold them accountable? This was missing in the agreement, as well as the time frame to achieve it. So I believe we should not celebrate yet, until countries begin to sign the drafted agreement.

Hong Kong bans import, export of ivory

Would you say the agreement put into consideration the Intended Nationally-Determined Contributions (INDCs) of developing countries? A lot of the developing countries are underdeveloped and very vulnerable. So when it comes to adaptation to climate change, many of them find it difficult. In fact, Nigeria is an underdeveloped country; we are not in the same league with South Africa, Brazil or India, those are the developing countries. So when benefits that are meant for developing counties come, I doubt if we are in a position to tap into it. Like I’ve always maintained, and I hope that the new Minster of Environment will take that seriously, most of the countries that are providing money and transfer of technology will not do that except they see what you have on ground. So the question is, what are we going to show that we have been doing?

HONG Kong will ban the import and export of ivory, the city’s leader announced last week, in a historic move hailed by animal welfare activists. Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying, told lawmakers in his annual policy address that officials were determined to crack down on the trade in Hong Kong. The southern Chinese city is a major hub of ivory sales and has been criticised by environmentalists for fuelling the illegal trade that leads to rampant poaching across Africa. With 30,000 African elephants

From generator fumes, to car exhausts and other sources, how do you think Nigeria can cut down on its gas emissions so as to achieve the Paris Agreement? In the 60s and part of 70s, you needed to have a licence to have generators in Nigeria. Then they saw what we are facing today; the poisonous air you and I breathe. Our life expectancy in this country is one of the lowest in the world because of the environment; poisonous air and acidic rainfall. The number of generators we have in this country must go into

Webbed feet, cat’s eyes, features humans could evolve to due to global warming HUMANS may evolve bizarre features such as webbed feet and eyes like cats in response to changing environments, a scientist said. Experts calculated how our physical appearance could change under a number of scenarios, including a ‘water world’ if melting ice caps cause rising sea levels. According to DailyMail, they also considered what would happen in a second ice age which could be triggered by an asteroid strike, and if humans colonised other planets. Dr Matthew Skinner, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Kent, examined the three scenarios and worked with artist Quentin Devine to help visualise how humans could look in the future. Dr Skinner said some changes, such as webbed feet and hands becoming widespread, could take place very quickly as some humans already have a genetic mutation that produces webbing. Other changes to allow humans to

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

killed every year for their ivory, this puts the species at a real and imminent risk of extinction. “The government is very concerned about the illegal poaching of elephants in Africa, and it will kick-start legislative procedures as soon as possible to ban the import and export of elephant hunting trophies,” Leung said at the Legislative Council. He added that ministers will “actively explore other appropriate measures” to phase out the local ivory trade. But he did not specify when the ban would be put in place.

Better known as the Desert Warrior, Dr Newton Jibunoh is perhaps Nigeria’s foremost environmentalist with over 40 years of experience on environmentally related issues. The founder, Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE about various issues, especially as regards the Nigerian environment.

with Doyin Adeoye

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

Nigeria needs more environmental warriors —Dr Jibunoh

millions. The fumes they produce are poisonous, yet they pollute our air. The country is almost broke, so this is the time to take stock of some aspects of our lives that we had neglected. We need to look at those little things that we had often neglected which in turn, have great effects on our environment.

the idea, and we did the first batch, where over a 100 youths went for the journey. It was an annual event, but we had to suspend it because of the Boko Haram insurgency which made the territory unsafe. When the insurgency stops, we will start again. We will raise thousands of environment warriors.

You achieved the feat of driving from London to Lagos at 27. What inspired that journey? My journey started in December 1966. In 1964, someone here in Lagos made a statement that the continent of Africa will remain in darkness until the Trans-Sahara highway improves. I was a young man and when I heard this, I was in London, so I decided to do my research and found out that this was because of the Sahara. It was and still is the only desert that is not tamed. Most of the other deserts in the world have been tamed. So I visited all these deserts and decided to cross it.

Talking about Boko Haram, what effect does terrorism have on the environment? A very serious one. If they are fighting in an area, there is no way land recovering, especially in the desert, can be possible. Also, the food basket of the country is from the North, so the insurgency has affected farming. It has also caused degradation of the soil and people are losing their grazing fields. An average Fulani cattlerearer has hundreds of cows. But with the war going on, it has affected their grazing fields, which in turn affects their investments.

How do you think youths, especially, environmentalists can be encouraged to follow their dreams? Everything we do about the environment, be it mitigation or adaptation takes time before we can reap the benefit. It sometimes takes between 10, 30, or even 40 years, depending on what you are doing. So there is a need to raise young warriors to continue with what we have done. I have been an environmentalist for over 40 years, but I can’t always be there because I am not getting any younger. I just celebrated my 78th birthday, so there is need to raise environmental warriors from the younger generation. I approached the Lagos State Government and we designed a programme ‘Journey of a Lifetime,’ where we intend to take 100 young environmentalists across the Sahara. The trip was part of what inspired me into what I am today. So the Babatunde Fashola regime bought

FADE started in 2000, has it achieved the purpose for which it was set up? In advocacy, I’d say we’ve covered a lot of grounds. We started for ad-

The Great Green Wall, though is concentrated along the Sahara belt, is to stop desertification, and then we can now begin to recover the lands.

vocacy to blow the whistle and let the country and the world at large know what desertification is doing to climate change and what climate change is doing to our lives. That was how we started. Then over time, we started implementing projects when I was fully equipped, both academically and financially. I introduced tree planting competitions to secondary schools in the North, I built tree nurseries in the north, I started the ‘Little Garden Today, Little Forest Tomorrow’ initiative in Delta. So we are gradually bringing in innovations alongside with our advocacy. Do you think desert encroachment ends with the 11 states within the Sahara? Encroachment ends with the 11 states, but desertification is all over the country. All the dust we had in the last hamartan was coming from the Sahara; they travel with the

air, we don’t see it and that is what brings a lot of degradations. I even have a feeling that there will be drought this year. I can feel and see it in the air. How can a layman understand the Green Wall Project and how has the agency in charge fared so far? We sometimes tend to underestimate the roles tree plays in our lives. Trees are very important components; even the United Nations said sometimes ago that the whole world will need billions of trees to replenish what has been damaged in our forest. So the Great Green Wall is part of that initiative, to bring back a little bit of forest. Nigeria has 37 per cent forest cover at independence. It is only six per cent today. So the Great Green Wall, though is concentrated along the Sahara belt, is to stop desertification, and then we can now begin to recover the

lands. You were a judge on the Green Education For The Youth (GEFTY) initiative. How do you think more of such initiative can be encouraged? When her Excellency, the wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun came up with that idea, I jumped on my feet; I was so impressed because the children are the future. In the past, we often keep children away from such initiative, so I really appreciate her for that. She was able to reach out to the children in a wonderful way and I was quite impressed with how knowledgeable the children are about the environment. For those taken to the United Kingdom, they must have shared with their families and friends what they learnt on the field and in a way, the message spreads. So the initiative is raising future environmental activists.

tribunebusiness

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

energy

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

As FG tackles renewed militancy amid crude price downturn Last week attacks on oil installations belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited may be seen as resurgence of Niger Delta militancy. This week, Iran entrance into international crude market signals crude price may decline further. In this report, OLATUNDE DODONDAWA, examines the implications of resurgence of militancy and possibility of crude price hitting $20 per barrel.

HERE have been claims and counter claims regarding the motives for the attacks on oil installations and platforms in Warri, South-South region last week. Youths who are loyal to former militant, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, were alleged to have carried out the attacks, but Tompolo immediately distanced himself from the attacks. According to him, “I am not responsible for the attack and I condemn it as a dastardly act. I am aware that some persons might want to destroy oil installations and link it with me that was why I said before time, that I have nothing to do with it. I could not have gone ahead to carry out such action knowing that every finger will be pointed at me because of my case with the Federal Government.” Last week, militants blew up major crude oil and gas pipelines and tank farm in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta state. Blown up also were the main crude line from Makaraba through Otunana, Abiteye to Escravos and Olero to Escravos gas line were attacked including the Escravos-Warri-Abuja-Lagos pipelines. The gas pipeline that was attached will definitely affect power generation soon and power supply will be drastically affected. At the peak of Niger Delta militancy in 2009, Nigeria’s crude oil output fell as low as 700,000 barrels per day. The decline in output, forced the Federal Government to lure the militants to give up their arms and receive amnesty in return, hence, Amnesty programme was born. The peace currently in place, in the re-

Crude price volatility delays $400bn deepwater investments Pg28

Challenges of substandard electrical equipment will soon be history Pg27

Oil price ’ll close at $40 to $50p/b at end of 2016 —Kachikwu Pg29

gion has helped the country to meet its daily target of 2.2 million per barrels production, though at huge cost when considered the amount being used to run the Amnesty programme. Apart from the loss in crude outputs at the peak of militancy in the Niger Delta region, in the late 2000s, several lives were also lost including the military who were deployed to prevent attacks on oil installations and platforms. Considering the role of crude oil in the 2016 budget where crude oil is benchmarked at $38 per barrel, oil related revenue was put at N820 billion with a deficit of N2.22 trillion. The budget would be partly finance by debt, both domestic and foreign, and if the current peace largely enjoyed in the country is compromised, creditors may be unwilling to lend financial assistance to the government. Crude price volatility has resulted into several state governments’ inability to pay salaries to workers, inability to pay contractors for contracts done and new contracts have been threatened. The government has struggled to fulfill its counter-part funding in the joint venture agreements with its partners. If not addressed before it blossoms into full ‘war’, the cost and the losses cannot be envisaged. The crude is selling below $30 per barrel and the government cannot afford anything that will jeopardise the targets of 2.2 million barrels per day as stated in the budget. Iran entry into international crude market The decline in crude price was caused by secs supply over demand as United States becomes self-sufficient in crude production and consumption, Russia and Saudi Arabia not ready to cut production for fear of losing market share to other crude oil producers. Efforts by Nigeria, Venezuela and other members of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut production, which they think may resulted into upward movement in crude prices, proved abortive as Saudi Arabia, which is the largest crude producers from OPEC, is Continues on pg28

energy

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Challenges of substandard electrical equipment will soon be history —Eweso Mr Peter Eweso is the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Electricity Services Management Agency (NEMSA). In this interview with OLATUNDE DODONDAWA, he explained the challenges of the agency as the ‘police’ of the power sector with respect to maintaining standards of equipment used in the sector. Excerpts.

our establishment is still yet to gain prominence after two years, could you just let us in into what you have achieved so far? I think I will start by reiterating what led to the creation of the NEMSA. In 2013, government has seen clearly that electricity reforms were coming to a concluding stage at which they are going to hand over the discos and gencos to the new owners. So, knowing clearly that you cannot have the enforcement of technical standard, regulation and privatisation activities still remain within the confines of ministry of power, where we have the electricity services, which are saddled with that responsibility. In this vein, government through Federal Ministry of Power transferred the functions of the inspectorate services department of federal ministry of power to ESML and in doing that they know that if ESML is to function from the scratch, it will be challenging. To allow for smooth take-off, federal government gladly transferred all the electrical engineers, electrical technicians to ESML. They also transferred all the inspectorate office across the country, 15 of them to ESML. They also transferred all the logistics which include transport, test equipment, buildings. We own our zonal offices that were transferred to us. With it, we were able to take off and start our function within the power industry. There were some challenges at the beginning. The meter test station, which was used for internal quality control in PHCN was equally transferred to ESML, because this is required for enforcement of technical standards and verification, testing and certification of meters in the industry, to ensure that we have good quality meters that are used in Nigeria so that the country does not turned into a dumping ground. When this was done, it was then ESML was established as one of the successor companies in the power sector in line with the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act section 8. It was officially gazetted in the federal government gazette of 2010. But beyond this, there were still challenges because there was no legal instrument to function. And so, after the inauguration of the management team in September 2013, it became obvious to government that there should be an Act, which can only be enacted by the National Assembly. The two leadership in the National Assembly came together and did the private member bill, which they sponsored and by 2015, precisely May 26, the bill was signed into law and it became Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) Act 2015, which gives backing to the functions transferred to us and gave us the power to carry out the enforcement of technical standards and regulations of all categories of electrical installations, electricity meters and equipment to ensure efficient production of electricity and delivery for utilisation of consumers and to ensure rapid development of Nigerian economy. After the Act came into being, we have made ourselves very visible and well positioned to ensure that we guarantee and ensure safety of lives and properties by making sure that every electrical installations and network that are not in good shape, which can cause hazards or disruption of power are brought to the attention of utility companies and ask them to subject them to regular testing for a reliable and sustainable power to be delivered to Nigerians. What measures have you put in place to prevent electrocution occasioned by fallen poles, weak and dilapidated conductors as well as inferior materials that can endanger the lives of Nigerians? You know when we say enforcement of technical standards, inspection and certification; it shows you a process and procedure to be followed. It is not that you wait until hazard has happened. But when incidents happened too, we go there to investigate what happened, and proffer solutions to prevent future occurrence.

Eweso

Firstly, any new project in power sector that has been completed must be subjected to inspection testing and certification by an electrical inspector from NEMSA, to check the materials and equipment that have been used. If they are of the right quality and right standards, to make sure the cables and conductors are of required standards, not that somebody is asked to use 150 mm cable and he has used 100mm cables. During this process, we would be able to fish out those kinds of materials and equipments to ensure the person is doing what he is asked to do to meet specification of the project, national specification and international best practices certification. When we have achieved this and ensured the materials used met the services it was designed for, it is going to be safe, deliver reliable power supply and Nigerians will be safe. Secondly, talking about the existing network, because we know many of them are weak like what you said, bending poles, dilapidated equipment and conductor falling off, our men in the field go round monitoring them. After monitoring, they bring these defective networks to the attention of the concerned distribution companies (discos). It may even be private individuals who are not ready to fix it, but we mandated them to fix it. This has been going on and we have been making sure these are done. Like last year September when we paid a national monitoring visit to Lagos where we met with the discos and actually told them areas we have seen poles are falling, areas we have seen feeder pillars are opened wide, which means they are not fenced. A child or animal can go there and get electrocuted. When this happened too, that is when people die and it means there won’t be supply in that area because under the law, once electrocution has happened, you (discos) are not supposed to fix it until an inspector has seen it. If you don’t see what has happened, there is no way you can determine how to make recommendations to prevent such occurrence in the future. Like what happened in University of Lagos, we set up a high powered delegate which was led by me, we made sure we saw what happened, if certain things have been done, if certain materials have been used, that incident may probably not happened. As we speak today, we have insisted that Eko Disco remove the overhead line completely and find alternative way of supplying people in Onike area where the feeder was feeding. Beyond this, we have begun sensitisation of the public. I have appeared on some programmers on television, radio

stations and granted interviews to sensitise Nigerians on what they should do and what they should not do. It is not only discos that have the challenge, in our homes too, we face similar challenges. When somebody has what we called extended socket that is supposed to be maximum of 15amps, but you see the same person plugging about five-15amps equipments on that socket. It is equally creating room for fire accidents. So, all these we are doing and recently, we have published an instruction manual on how to use electricity safely and wisely. Though, it is not when it has happened we go there, but when it has happened, we go there to proffer solution to prevent similar occurrence in future. We are working with relevant discos and agencies like Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to make sure that if we discover any substandard materials in the system, we tell SON, which has sector wide power. Recently, we found a cable, which is 35mm, but people brought it into the country as 50mm. It means it will not get the power to deliver what it was meant to deliver. There are transformers which our men have discovered to be 500 nameplate but they are actually 300 nameplate. Some importers also brought sub-standard transformers and fix the name of notable brands on them. What we do is to make sure we prove the credibility of the transformer and trace the original manufacturers. Metering is very crucial today. If you are bringing a meter to Nigeria for usage, you bring it to the laboratory; we test it and find out if it meets our environmental conditions. Not that a supplier goes abroad and collate some meters and bring them to Nigeria. You know, if you bring a meter that works efficiently in temperature not more than 35 degree centigrade and deploy it to some part of the country with temperature of 50 degree centigrade, what happened is, the meter will work effectively, but soon collapse and break down. For instance, in Kaduna we gave somebody license to import meters after testing the specimen he brought. We won’t say we have given you the license and when you now import, we will sit down. No, we will carry out what we call sampling and routine test. But when he imported the meters, they fell short of the specifications we have approved. Not only we are saving the discos their scarce resources, but we are also saving Nigerians their scarce resources. Now, it is obvious your duty requires huge manpower to inspect the country, what are you doing to improve on capacity of your workers? As agency of government, we have enough personnel to carry out our task. We didn’t start from scratch; government transferred all the technical staff to us including operational vehicles and test equipments. We have 15 zonal offices across the country, we have established additional one making them 16 zonal offices. Before the year runs out, we will create additional three or four zonal offices to ensure we move closer to the public that will serve and police the industry very well. What were the outcomes of your meeting with the members of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)? The motive of the meeting is to create a good relationship between us and the MAN. Members of MAN are industrialists and factory owners. Our men visit them time to time to carry out what we called statutory inspection and certification of electrical installations and facilities. When they see our men, we want them to know that our men are their friends and are there to carry out services that will benefit them, their staff and the public. This is because if their installations are not in good shape and not in compliance with our standards, there may be downturn and there may be always interface of connection between their factories and power supply systems. All these we need to check and ensure they are working safely. As an agency of government that just came onboard, it behoves on us to sensitise every segment of the sector and so we felt MAN is an umbrella responsible for all industrialists and factory owners in Nigeria and it is good we begin sensitisation with the MAN management and tell them our services so that we can have rules of engagement on how we can engage ourselves in case some are dissatisfied with our services, rather than resort to fight, we will have a mutual way of ensuring that does not happen.

energy

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Crude price volatility delays $400bn deepwater investments Stories By Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

RUDE oil price slumped to 13-year low and it has led to serious cutbacks in investments by energy companies. Industry consultancy, Wood Mackenzie said

68 large upstream oil and gas projects worth $380 billion have already been put on hold. The delays mean the equivalent of 27 billion barrels of commercially viable oil and gas will be left in the ground for now, according to CNN reports. “The impact of lower oil prices on company plans has been bru-

tal,” said Angus Rodger, an analyst at Wood Mackenzie. The consultancy concludes that the cost of big projects has not fallen enough to justify massive upfront investment. Oil has plunged by about 70 per cent from the June 2014 peak of almost $108 per barrel. “Instead of concentrating on

finding new sources of oil and gas, big companies now have to focus on how to free up the capital just to survive at low prices,” Wood Mackenzie said. And it’s not just the low price, but the prospect that oil won’t rebound for a long time that is killing projects, particularly costly deepwater investments.

NNPC begins retail outlets expansion to address logistics challenges IN its efforts to address logistics challenges confronting efficient fuel supply, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it has commenced nationwide consultation with stakeholders aimed at drumming support for the planned expansion of its retail outlets across the country. In a statement by the Corporation signed by its spokesman, Mr Ohi Alegbe, “under the expansion plan, NNPC is seeking to expand the market share of its retail business to an appreciable level from the current 12 per cent by building a mega station in every senatorial district in the country in the months ahead.” Speaking at the flag-off of consultation at the office of the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, Dr Babatunde Victor Adeniran, who led the NNPC delegation stated that “the purpose of the visit was to solicit for the support of Kaduna State government to provide lands for building new NNPC petrol stations in the state.” “Our mission is to build three mega stations; one each in the three senatorial districts of the state. We need about 5,000sq for each of the station. Each station will have six pumps including that of Liquefied Petroleum Gas which is cooking gas,” Adeniran said. Governor El-Rufai, expressed gratitude to NNPC management for deciding to flag-off the outlets expansion programme in Kaduna

sate, adding that any time NNPC comes visiting, it comes with good news. The governor who gave express approval for lands to be made available for NNPC mega stations said, “I want to assure you that we will give you all the support that

you need. The state director of lands will take the NNPC project team round the state to look at alternative sites. I don’t know how many you are building; we can give you as many as 10 sites if you want.” He stated that the supply of pe-

troleum products was a key requirement for the prosperity of the country, adding that he was happy that NNPC was ready to invest heavily in the retail business to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited by private sector marketers.

BP announced last week that it was cutting 4,000 jobs, including 600 from its deepwater North Sea operations in Aberdeen, Scotland. Many of the 68 projects would have taken years to come on stream. Delaying them will deprive markets of 1.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2021, and nearly three million barrels by 2025, the report concludes. Most of the delayed oil projects are in Canada, Angola, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Norway and the United States. Wood Mackenzie warns that even more projects could be delayed if prices don’t recover soon. It believes oil would have to climb back above $60 a barrel before companies start dusting off their plans again.

Renewed militancy amid oil price slip Continues from pg26

set for crude price below $20 per barrel benchmark. However, the addition of Iranian oil to an oil market that is oversupplied by as much as 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), according to International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, weighed on the market. Iranian Oil Minister, Bijan Zanganeh, has said the country will be able to increase exports and production by 500,000 bpd immediately upon the lifting of sanctions and by a total one million b/d within six months. Scott Modell, Managing Director, The Rapidan Group, forecasts 200,000 b/d of Iranian crude coming back onto the market in February, increasing by an additional 200,000 b/d in March. According to Modell, “The US and the EU have everything in place and we see no reason that Iran would slow its return to the market.” Rising tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, reflected in proxy war being waged in Yemen and Saudi Arabia’s execution of

a prominent Shiite cleric, are not likely to impact oil production in the region. “We don’t see disruption risks even though the Saudi-Iran tensions will continue for many reasons. In fact, the tensions could make a production cut agreement more difficult,” he said. While another group, The Rapidan Group, an energy consultancy, forecasts an additional 600,000 b/d of Iranian exports from current levels by the end of 2016. Experts in the industry have argued that it is becoming uneconomical to operate some oil fields in Nigeria with the selling price of oil being driven down close to the production cost level. The price of the Nigerian crude oil, Bonny Light, has fallen to $29.47 per barrel, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley, on Monday warned that prices could slide to $20 per barrel, the same view shared by Goldman Sachs, City Group and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. In the last 10 years, there was

no major investment in Nigeria to develop new fields for additional reserves. Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer, relies on crude oil for most of its export earnings and government revenue. Oil production in the country has continued to hover between 1.9 million barrels per day and 2.3 million bpd in recent years. Wood Mackenzie, the energy consultancy firm, said in a report last week that since the oil price collapse in 2014, 68 major upstream projects containing 27 billion barrels of oil equivalent had been deferred. It states that this amounted to $380 billion of capital expenditure deferred by total project spend in real terms. “As oil prices continue to fall and capital allocation tightens, we expect the list will grow further. The level of production impacted by these deferrals is material in a global context. “The FIDs on many of these projects have been pushed back to 2017 or beyond. Deep-water is hit the hardest. Over the next five years, $170bn of potential investment currently hangs in the balance

across these 68 projects,” it stated. Wood Mackenzie says, in all, some 27 billion barrels of oil equivalent in reserves, or 2.9 million barrels per day of liquids production, will not come on stream until early in the next decade, later than envisaged. High cost deep-water fields, particularly those in Angola, Nigeria and the Gulf of Mexico, requiring heavy upfront investment, account for more than half of that deferred production. The implication of re-entry of Iran into crude oil business is that the hope of rising crude price will continue to fade at least in near future. Nigeria’s 2016 budget was benchmarked at $38 per barrel and by implications; it means the country is faced with challenges of financing the budget if passed at the $38 per barrel benchmark. The budget is also based on crude output of 2.2 million bpd production, but the imminent Niger Delta unrest, if not nipped in the bud, may also prevent the government to achieve that target while facing severe shortfalls in revenue from crude oil production.

energy

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Oil price ’ll close at $40 to $50p/b at end of 2016 —Kachikwu

New gas projects to boost power supply in second quarter

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, in an interview with CNN recently, shares his view on oil prices, the effect of oil prices on OPEC fall member nations and Saudi’s refusal to cut production.

THE federal government hopes to improve power supply with upcoming gas projects that are scheduled for completion in the second quarter of this year. In a communiqué issued at the end of the first monthly meeting of operators in the power sector, the government said that the Nigerian gas sector was still facing some challenges in the aspects of payment and security, but expressed optimism that the supply of gas for electricity generation would improve from the second quarter of this year. “The Nigerian Gas Company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Gas Aggregating Company of Nigeria, led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, shared information on significant gas projects that will improve gas supply, which are scheduled for completion in Q2 of 2016. “They also highlighted some of the challenges, especially related to payment and security affecting delivery of gas to the power sector,” the communiqué said. According to the communiqué, the stakeholders agreed to adequately engage the public on issues around power tariffs and that they must simplify the intricacies of the industry to provide adequate understanding of its concerns. The resolution of the meeting, which was chaired by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, in Abuja, is coming at a time when the power firms in Nigeria have agreed to explore broader funding sources in order to improve their infrastructure across the country.

HAT are your thoughts on the continued slide in oil prices? I don’t expect to see the price of oil falling to $20 dollars per barrel. I expect it to hover around $30 or thereabouts for about a month or two and then it should begin to climb. I am optimistic that the prices will close at an average of $40 to $50 dollars per barrel by the end of 2016, but Q1 is bound to be tough. The current price is not really a surprise although the prices fell more rapidly than we expected. Our initial projections were not less than $35 per barrel. With the presidency of OPEC in mind here, you had a divided meeting in December that almost resulted in a mutiny. What happens at this stage and what triggers an emergency meeting? Could we see one at the end of February as many are suggesting? I expect to see one. There’s a lot of energy around one, but meetings cannot be meaningful unless all parties can agree on some common positions. Ultimately, OPEC is a union of the interests of its members and if the majority of your members are taking a bashing in the oil market and their economies are getting shattered, clearly something needs to give. I believe that emotion, much more than the polemics of pricing, will ultimately drive an emergency meeting. Does this change the Saudi Arabian position, with the support of three other Arabian Gulf producers? Has it gone too far, the Saudi strategy to fight for market share? I think that policy is going too far. I think it is time to take a step back from all the politics, review the situation and find a way to balance the need to protect market share with the more pressing need to ensure the survival of the business itself and the survival of countries involved in oil exporting. I think the majority of OPEC member nations understand that there is a need to seek the middle ground, to have a meeting to dialogue again, without the sort of tension experienced last year in Vienna. You raise a very interesting point there, as you can have dialogue, but does it lead to action and will Saudi Arabia give up some of the almost

Kachukwu

one and a half million barrels it acquired in the last two years or will they change their policy? I think, ultimately in the interest of all OPEC members, some policy change would happen. The question would then be what real impact the policy change would have on OPEC nations and on the global marketplace? I do not think a re-

duction in the number of barrels produced daily, following a policy change, will make a dramatic difference, but the symbolism of such a policy would have a greater impact than the number of barrels taken off the market. It would also be essential to having a fruitful discussion with Russia. If Russia continues to see disorder and a lack of unity in OPEC, one cannot expect

her to seriously consider negotiating with us. So, if OPEC took action, would Russia take its foot off the throttle? I believe Russia would be more amenable to discussions about if there were more internal discipline within OPEC and if member nations could reach a consensus.

Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

Allocate more fuel to Kano-Ganduje urges NNPC Kola Oyelere-Kano KANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has requested the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to increase fuel supply to the state, in view of its huge population and commercial inclination. Our needs can be met by an allocation of 150 trucks daily, yet we get 3 – 20 trucks. This is a very difficult situation. We are, therefore, appealing for concession so that the suffering of our people can be alleviated.” According to him,the state has the highest population in the country coupled with the influx of people for commerce, the current allocation of 3 – 20 trucks of fuel per day cannot meet its demands. The governor made the demand while receiving the company’s Group Executive Director (Commercial and Investment), Dr T. Adeniran in his office. That synergy between the state

government and the company is indispensable if the administration is to achieve its goal of accelerated socio -economy development, Governor Ganduje assured that his administration would provide NNPC with the required plots of land to construct the three retail outlets. He expressed happiness that

the company is into fuel retail, noting that if it leaves the business in the hands of independent marketers, they would manipulate the twin issues of products availability and pricing. Earlier, the NNPC Group Executive Director (Commercial and Investment), Dr T. Adeniran said the visit is to further discuss

how the organisation can get three plots across the Senatorial zones of the state, to establish mega filling stations. He stated the organisation intends to establish a reputation as the number one retail outlet in the country, soliciting the cooperation of the Kano State government to achieve the set goals.

Fall in crude oil price: Okowa makes case for improved taxation AS the economic situation of Nigeria remains gloomy as a result of continuous down slide of crude oil price in the international market, the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has challenged the Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) to ensure that everybody within the tax net was captured. The governor gave the charge on Sunday at a two-day stakeholders retreat on internally generated revenue organised by the DBIR, at the Songhai-Delta, Amukpe, Sapele. According to the Okowa, “this

summit is very important because we need money to develop the state, we need money to drive our SMART agenda and with the dwindling oil price at the international market, we need to drive our IGR to a more profitable level.” “What we generate every month is a little over N3 billion and I don’t believe that with the expanse of businesses in Delta State, that we have captured everybody within the tax net with such,” he said. “I expect that within this year, I expect you (DBIR) to generate twice that amount of money, it is

achievable; we have a population of over 5 million persons, with many growing cities, every hand must be on deck, we must go out, reach out to the people on the need to pay tax and devise ways to get every taxable person.” The Governor added, “oil revenue can no longer satisfy our needs, it is a statement of fact and not paying tax by anybody is a criminal offense, it is fraudulent; tax is not to inflict pains on the very poor but to ensure that everybody is taxed based on the amount of money he generates.”

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Defectors did not support PDP at the 2015 polls —Senator Owan-Enoh Senator John Owan-Enoh, representing Cross River Central in the National Assembly, is the chairman, Senate Committee on Finance. In this interview with correspondents, he speaks on the 2016 federal budget, deplorable state of federal roads and defections by some politicians in his home state, Cross River. ANTHONY UBONG, who attended the session, brings some excerpts:

the Senate. He said I should keep doing that. So, it is not true that we have been keeping quiet. I need you to get out of that mindset. In the Senate, I am speaking. The difference is that Victor Ndoma-Egba that was there was the Senate Leader and on any matter on the floor, he was the one that would speak; he led the Senate. You need to understand the legislature, he is the one that would move a motion, the Minority Leader would second, and he (Ndoma-Egba) sponsored every bill that comes from the executive. If I was Mr Nobody, they wouldn’t have been talking about me being Minority Leader at the beginning. I emerged as the Chairman, Committee on Finance, and I am in the opposition. I wasn’t expecting to become anything in the Senate but I emerged as chairman of that committee. I was the chairman of the Joint Senate Committee that considered the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and passed it. I am currently the Chairman of the joint Senate Committee that is investigating the Treasury Single Account (TSA). And this is within a period of six to seven months and I have about three years and some months left. So, the voice of Cross River is not lost and will not be lost.

OR so many years, federal roads in Cross River State have been in a deplorable condition. In fact, some of the roads are impassable, and so many citizens wonder if the lawmakers representing the state in the National Assembly are doing anything to address the nagging problem. As one of the lawmakers representing the state in the Senate, how do you intend to bring the attention of the Federal Government to this predicament? In our own case as lawmakers, we do our best to ensure that certain things are done, but implementation is really the problem. Implementation remains the problem because where resources are not equivalent perhaps to the things that need to get done, people get things done through favours. Unfortunately, sadly you are asking this question because you know the road to my village; it is not a good road. A contract was awarded since 2009 by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The state administration has done all the roads linking to that main road, but for the problem has persisted because of a certain technicality when there is an existing contract. What is going on in our and state and our constituency is not because of lack of effort. There have been so much effort by lawmakers, myself inclusive to get these roads fixed. Even the little work that is even going on is as a result of that effort. Sermatech is somewhere along that road. I am sure when some of you travel, you still see the construction firm. They are sustained there only because of the little effort we made of getting N5 billion into the 2014 budget then. We will continue to make efforts; we will not relent. The general thinking is that the deplorable condition of roads in the state is because of the seeming docility of lawmakers representing the state; that the voice of Cross River is not being heard at the national level, especially the National Assembly? I completely disagree. I don’t know what you watch because that is not the feedback

Owan-Enoh that I get. Recently, a former deputy governor of Cross River, Matthias Offoboche, was buried. I have not seen retired Brigadier Anthony for a while. I attended that burial

and exchanged pleasantries with people and met him. He told me that the he followed the trouble I was giving in the House of Representatives and that he has seen me again in

I don’t think opposition to the budget should be on party lines. I believe that in all fairness, we can all give it a chance to work. Every budget remains a proposal; no matter how well intentioned, we need to see it implemented first.

The members of your party, the PDP, are seriously opposed to the 2016 budget of the Federal Government. In fact, they said it is an unrealistic one. What is your take on the issue? I don’t think opposition to the budget should be on party lines. I believe that in all fairness, we can all give it a chance to work. Every budget remains a proposal; no matter how well intentioned, we need to see it implemented first. For me really, I don’t think at this point we should oppose the budget. We should all give it a chance to work. The estimates, the parametres, the assumptions can be realised. Why not? All what we require is discipline, whether you are APC or PDP. Muhammdu Buhari as President has come up as someone who is very disciplined. Leadership matters and means a lot. The perception about the President, I believe is very positive. If we take that discipline into the running of government and then the budget, I believe everything will work well. We will want you to give an insight into what the Cross River state government is expecting as part of its benefits from the 2016 budget? In all my years in politics, I haven’t been part of the executive before. The budget preparation up to the estimate was made an Executive Bill and once it was made, they took a recess. We need to get back and then, details of the budget become available and we begin to engage. Maybe at a point, I can say categorically that this and this will come. Fortunately and in spite of having a state that is PDP controlled, we also have continues pg32

politics&policy

Ibrahim

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Agunloye

Ondo 2016: Another season of re-alignment of forces Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

T is no longer news in Ondo State that the governorship election is slated for October 2016. In fact, all hands have been on deck for the election in the camps of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which are the two major parties struggling to outwit each other in the race to Alagbaka House. The opposition APC has signified its intention to give the ruling PDP a good fight, with the array of aspirants showing interest in the ticket of the party onward to the election proper. The aspirants have been busy mobilising support from the grass roots. At the last count, no fewer than 23 aspirants from APC have indicated interest in the party’s ticket. Although there are few politicians from PDP, who have been speculated to be interested in the race, none has come out openly to declare their intention. This, analysts say, may not be unconnected with the decision of the interested aspirants to study the body language of Governor Olusegun Mimiko before they cast their net wide into the river. Meanwhile, the political atmosphere in Ondo is showing visible signs of defection, alignment, re-alignment and possibly emergence of a third force before the race to Alagbaka House properly begins. There was movement of some politicians from the ruling PDP in the state to APC at the wake of 2015 general election, when the state deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, dumped the party and his boss, Dr Mimiko and pitched his tent with the APC. Former national Legal Officer of the PDP and the party’s candidate in the 2012 governorship election in the state, Chief Olusola Oke and his supporters across the state also defected to the APC immediately after the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last presidential

election to join the ‘change bus.’ The defection of Oke with his supporters towards the state House of Assembly election caught the leadership of the party both at the state and national by surprise. But, many analysts had seen it coming. Oke’s defection was seen as a move to fulfill his political aspiration which he feared might not be realisable within PDP under the present PDP state leadership. Recently, the camp of the PDP suffered another setback as two prominent members of the party bade it farewell, announcing their interest to join the change train. The defectors are a former lawmaker representing Ondo Central at the Upper Chamber, Senator Ayo Akinyelure and the Director-General of the Technical Aids Corps (TAC), Pius Osunyinkammi. The duo hinged their resignation from the PDP on the

What should not be ruled out in the coming governorship election in the state is the likely emergence of a third force

need to put the state in the mainstream of national politics to foster regional integration.They stated “The mood in Ondo State, as clearly expressed in the last general election, shows that the people truly want a change. In spite of the fact that we have a PDP government in the state, our people voted massively for President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. That situation has not changed. In fact, calls for total change at all levels of governance in the state are getting more stringent so as to deliver democracy dividends to the people. “As progressive politicians with track records in people’s welfare and empowerment, we cannot but identify with a political platform that is poised to change Nigeria for good. Therefore, our decision to align with other genuine progressives in the APC is hinged on the need to engender good governance in our state, put the state in the mainstream of national politics and foster regional integration which has long been frustrated by the current selfish and egocentric leadership in Ondo State,” they said. While APC described the defection of the two politicians as manifestation of the popularity of the party in the state and saluted their courage to align with the change agenda of the party, the PDP said the movement was propelled by their personal goals and not in any way in the interest of people of the state. Speaking through its director of publicity in the state, Ayo Fadaka, PDP said the defectors, who claimed to embrace the change agenda, had embarked on a journey to political irrelevance. Fadaka said Akinyelure had lost relevance in his domain and politics in the state generally, judging by the defeat of the PDP in the March 28 election, where Akinyelure was fielded as the candidate for Ondo Central district. The party’s spokesperson added that Osunyikanmi, also was only trying to save his appointment with the Federal Government as the director general of Directorate of Technical Aids Corps. “We note that the fact that the party failed the senatorial election in the Central Senatorial District where we fielded Akinyelure, was because the people of the district are yet to forgive him for voting in favor of child marriage during his era of absolute un-productivity while he was Continue on pg32

politics&policy

Wednesday, 20 January, 62016

The possibility of surprises Continued from pg31

a Senator and we are also understand the fact that Osunyikanmi remains an appointee of the Federal Government and is also desirous of keeping his job.” Though the APC maintained that the defection served as the tonic needed by the party to win the governorship election, some citizens saw the action of the defectors as amounting to an undercut. “The defectors are an integral part of the Mimiko political empire and were brought to limelight by him. Fear of the unknown is responsible for their defection because they need to protect their interest,” a PDP member said As the race gets hotter in the months ahead, analysts reason news of defection to and from parties will continue to colour the political sky of the Sunshine state, particularly with the increasing number of aspirants. The reason advanced in the political circle to the seeming influx of politicians to APC is the fact that the party holds the reins of power at the centre. Many APC chieftains believe with their party in Abuja, winning the state in the October election is 50 per cent achieved. Political pundits however said that a serious crisis might erupt from the APC in the depending on the outcome of the party’s gubernatorial primary. The question analysts pose is: will the APC leadership be able to manage the aspirants that will not get the ticket and get them to remain in the party? This appears to be one major hurdle against the aim of the APC winning the state. What should not be ruled out in the coming governorship election in the state is the likely emergence of third force. Two prominent politicians in the state, Dr Olu Agunloye and Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, who parted ways with PDP after the marriage of the Labour Party (LP) and PDP in the state have gone underground since the crisis, mobilizing support for their groups across the 18 local government areas of the state Possibility of a third force There are politicians who have tactically avoided the power play in the major parties by propping up seemingly less popular parties in the state to realise their am-

Akinyelure

Osunyikanmi

bition. They believe that with their clout, whatever party they join will have its rank swelled dramatically. Some of such people are the business mogul, Dr Ibrahim and Dr Agunloye. While the former is said to be working across the state mobilising support for Accord Party (AP), the latter has concluded arrangements to fly the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Agunloye and Jimoh sat on the fence after the crisis that emanated from the coming together of LP and PDP in Ondo and have since put in place political structures

across the state without making a noise about their plans. The two politicians are rated high as constituting forces to reckon with in the state politics. Some pundits believe either of them could spring a surprise in the election. The coming of these two has been hailed in certain circles not only because it will further make the election competitive, but also help to put the two main political parties on their toes. The state’s political scene will witness expanded participation away from the two-party show in the state.

‘How I perceive the anti-corruption war’ continued from pg30

APC and there is a minister. I believe at this point we would know more what have been submitted. The claim in some quarters is that the anti-graft war of the APCled Federal Government is selective and targeted only at members of the PDP. How would you react to this? Corruption is corruption. If people corruptly enrich themselves, I believe they should be held accountable. I don’t want to think here that there is a certain partisanship in the prosecution. I think we are judging too early. Let’s allow it one full circus. The new administration is just about seven or eight months old and if this early, those who are being prosecuted appeared to be all PDP, I believe it is because it (PDP) was the party in power for 16 years. I believe it would come round. I believe that the President will not allow himself at end of the day to be seen to be a President who targets only opposition in the fight against corruption Talking about the signature projects of the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, what are your fears, expectations and advice to the governor with respect to them? The governor came from the very first day when he was sworn in. In his accept-

ance speech, he talked about the signature projects. Again, I believe that we should give it a chance to succeed. I believe that whether you are from Cross River or not, as long as you are working and doing business here, we should all give it a chance because the working and success of those projects would have a tremendous effect on our state. We started our democratic journey 1999 with our state hugely dubbed as a civil service state. Gradually, we are moving forward. We may not be there yet, but we have a governor who is also very business-inclined. So if he is travelling and bringing in investors, why should that be a problem? The only thing is that we should all commit him to prayers and hope that all the engagements he has with investors works succeeds so the state can benefit. It also too early to engage in this cynicism, or whatever. The governor is someone that will say something, put his mind

there and get determined to make sure it succeeds. Let us support him and make sure he succeeds in those projects he talked about-whether it is road; whether it is the seaport. Just imagine it working! What do you make of the defection from the PDP to the APC in the state and it likely effect on the chances of the PDP in the state in next elections? So far, in my reading and monitoring of all the defections that have occurred, I found out that almost everyone who has defected didn’t support the PDP in the last election. I can’t speak about what will happen tomorrow, but almost everyone who has defected, didn’t support the PDP in the last elections. I admit and I appreciate that in the last election, the PDP itself became an internal opposition. All those who ran elections in the Labour Party, all ran after PDP. After that, they went to the

I believe they should be held accountable. I don’t want to think here that there is a certain partisanship in the prosecution

LP, they were not in PDP. So, those that have defected to APC have only formalised the fact that they are now in another party. In the 2015 elections, they were not in PDP; they did not work for PDP. As a politician I would have wished that if for any reason they found themselves outside the PDP during the elections, after the elections they would have come back. We should also understand our politics. It is also easy to understand why they didn’t come back. If as the PDP won in Cross River and they also won at the national level, they would not go away. So you can understand why they are doing it. They won’t come back because the APC won at the national level. We don’t know what is going to play out tomorrow, but the challenge for the PDP in the state is to hold its own, consolidate and do well. We understand your relationship with your predecessor in the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba is frosty. What is the crux of the matter? I think we have a good relationship. Elections are over and the person that wins an election is the person that should have the larger heart. Without prejudice to the fact that I ran against him, that wouldn’t have affected how much respect that I had for him and still have. Without going into details of it, I just need to assure that I think we have a good relationship and it would continue to be good.

politics& policy

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Politicians can no longer take voters for granted —Hon Adesina Honourable Fatai Adesina is representing Ibadan South-East Constituency I in the Oyo State House of Assembly. In this interview with DARE ADEKANMBI, the banker-cum-politician speaks on the importance of keeping campaign promises, among other issues. Excerpts:

What plan do you have towards the maintenance of the coach? Many of such in the past have been left to rot due to lack of maintenance? The mass transit coach is absolutely free and its maintenance will also be absolutely free. I am going to be paying the salary of the driver and be responsible for the fuelling of the vehicle. The parents of the pupils and students are not going to pay a dime. Will you increase the number in future? Adding to fleet will depend on fund availability, as there is general complaint of being cast-strapped. If you look at the state now, you will see that it has been very difficult paying workers’ salaries. So, I plan to increase the fleet by the time our financial situation improves.

F Senator Rashidi Ladoja, your leader, does not win his case at the Supreme Court, what happens to Accord and those of you who are its lawmakers in the House of Assembly? To God be the glory, I owe my political success to God and Senator Ladoja. I always say it that I did not join politics to make money or because I was jobless. It may interest you to know that I am a law student now. That is to tell you that I am not sitting down or building an empire. So, let’s see what the future holds. When we reach that bridge, we will cross it. Politicians are known for making empty political promises to get people’s votes and turning their back after getting the people’s mandate. What has happened to your promises since your election? While campaigning, I told my constituents that I have a three-prong programme for their wellbeing. The promise is hinged on education, sports development and empowerment. As far as education is concerned, my constituency used to be number one. We have produced notable personalities that are doing very well in their chosen careers. The richest black man in the US, Casey Lawal (Kasali Lawal) is from my constituency; the immediate past chief judge of the state is from this constituency. We have two Generals in the Army; the current Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Professor Olatunde Fawole, is also from the constituency. We have had Dr Layi Balogun, Suliat Adedeji, and very many others as icons that we are proud of. But now, the reverse is the case. The education fortune of the constituency has taken a plunge. Many schools are dilapidated; many students are out of school. So, in order to encourage the students to go to school as a way of bringing back the glorious era, I bought a big coach for their use as free mass transit. We need to invest in the education sector for us to be rest assured of a glorious future. The beauty of a city does not consist in the skyscrapers that dot its skyline but in the quality of its educated men and women. Besides, education is a medication against fatalism. In the area of empowerment, I realised that when people learn one vocation or the other, they will have skills that can fetch them income to sustain their families. We picked 10 people from each ward, making 60 from the six wards. Then, we picked another 10 for the reserve list from interested parties, making a total of 70. We identified a particular a vocation for them. Those in the programme will learn the vocation for about a year and I will equip them and get

Your party is not the ruling party. Yet, you are able to get a huge crowd. What is the secret? The crowd at the event was an indication that Accord and myself are very popular in Ibadan South-East. Accord is popular across the state and the people voted for the party. But the judges at the tribunal and the Appellate Court have said ‘no.’ So, let us just wait and see what will happen at the Supreme Court.

Adesina them a properly set up small scale business. This will make them to be useful to themselves. There is a lot of touting in my constituency and this is not good for our society at all. At a time your colleagues are complaining of being cash-strapped over irregular salaries and running costs, where is the fund for all these empowerment programmes coming from? I have been a banker for decades. So, I know how to manage funds. If you want a lesson from me on how to manage funds,

Voters are getting sophisticated every day. Any politician who thinks all voters need are just the peanuts they offer them at election is living in a fool’s paradise

see me in camera. That is on a lighter note. I did not come into politics because I was jobless. I worked in a prominent bank in this country for 20 years and resigned as a branch manager before joining politics. So, as someone who reached that height, I should have some money. When there is a will, there is a way. Are you doing all these empowerments because you are eyeing a bigger elective position in the future? The most important thing is that for me as a politician, and which I counsel my colleagues and all politicians irrespective of party affiliation, is that we live up to our covenant with the people. When we were campaigning, we made a lot of promises. We therefore must find a way of fulfilling our promises. If not everything, at least 50 to 60 per cent of the promises should be delivered to the people who elected us. We surely cannot meet all our promises. It is very important for us to fulfill the pledge we made to the people while soliciting their votes and support. Voters are getting sophisticated every day. Any politician who thinks all voters need are just the peanuts they offer them at election is living in a fool’s paradise, particularly in Oyo State, voters get wiser daily. The era of someone commanding the masses to vote en masse at election is over. The people give politicians the mandate they enjoy. So, all the people require from us is delivery of promises made and implementation of policies that will make life worth living for them.

How many bills or motions have you sponsored? Yes, of course. There was a particular lady in the state who hails from a poor background in Fiditi. The nine-year-old girl is a Mathematics genius. She participated in JETS competition and came tops. So, I sponsored a bill for the state to recognise and honour her. The assumed wisdom is that nothing good can come out of public schools. I object to this view and this girl has proved me right. I am happy that today, the lady has been duly reocgnised by the state government. Oyo State and the Federal Governments have also given her scholarship. Would you say Accord has enjoyed fair hearing in proceedings at the House? Yes, we have enjoyed fair hearing. In the House, we belong to one big family. We are in the House for the development of Oyo State. We see ourselves as brothers. What matters to us is the interest of Oyo State. What should your constituents expect from you further in 2016 and your advice for the beneficiaries? I advise them to be serious in life, especially the youths. Look at the names of big men and women I mentioned earlier. We have two generals in the Army, chief judge, rector and many more from the constituency. The youths should emulate these icons and stop thuggery and touting. They should do something productive and not what can ultimate ruin their lives. Many more good things can still come out of this constituency if the youths know what they are doing and show a lot of discipline. I enjoyed free education and I have lived all my life among my people in the constituency. I thank God today that I am a lawmaker. These youths can be lawmakers too; they can even rise to become the governor of the state.

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

inside

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216

nigerdelta

IDPs at the camp during the visit by CNS’s wife last week. Inset: Naval Chief’s wife delivering the items to the IDPs representatives.

Naval chief’s wife brings succour to IDPs, inaugurates projects Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

GHARA, country home of former Governor James Ibori, was last week, agog with conviviality as wife of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Mrs Theresa Ibas, stormed the area to inaugurate projects that have great bearing on wives of naval personnel and people of the area. One of the projects was a three classroom block donated by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to the Naval Primary School, Oghara, in Ethiope West Local

Government Area of Delta state. Mrs Ibas also laid the foundation stone of Chief Williams Makinde Squash Court as well as the foundation stone of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) shopping complex. The Chief Williams Makinde Squash Court was donated by DESOPADEC while the NOWA hall was donated courtesy of ASCON Nig. Ltd. The hall, measuring 30 by 15 meters, is sited at the Nigeria Naval Logistics Command Barracks, Oghara. Wife of the CNS, during the inauguration, admonished her colleagues to be of good behaviour, saying, “We are officers’ wives. We must live an exemplary life. We

Delta INEC —pg35 commissions hall after 24 years under canopy

Army, civilians parley in Sapele —pg35

must carry on with the home front efficiently and diligently while our husbands are away on their various duties.” In a related development, the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) has recently assuaged the plight of the internally displaced people (IDP) in Uhogua Community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, with relief materials. The relief materials, worth over N500, 000 included, bags of rice, cans of groundnut oil, tubers of yam, plantains, cartons of noddles and cartons of tins of tomatoes, among others. The items were received on behalf of the IDPs by two care takers in the camp, Rev.

Solomon Folorunsho and Pastor Evelyn Omigie respectively. The items were donated on behalf of NOWA by the wife of the Chief of Nava Staff, Vice Admiral Ete Ekwe Ibas, Mrs Theresa Ibas and a team of other senior officers’ wives, including the chairperson of NOWA in Delta area, and wife of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Logistics Command, Oghara, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik, Mrs Pat Ofik. Leaders of the IDPs thanked NOWA for the good gesture and called on the federal and state governments to come to provide the IDP camp with kitchen, a dining hall, 28 classrooms block, regular food supply, toilet facility, medication and a skill acquisition centre.

CREW

Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Alphonsus Agborh 08035838703

Items donated to the IDPs by wives of Naval officers

Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa austinebipade@gmail.com

35 insidenigerdelta

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Delta INEC commissions office after 24 years under canopy Alphonsus Agborh -Asaba

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Delta State had, over the years, looked forward to any meeting involving more than 10 persons with trepidation due to the lack of a suitable venue within the office complex, be it at the former Ibusa road location or at the permanent site on NTA road in Asaba. For 24 years, the commission had grappled with challenges of having a befitting conference hall to conduct its business rather than doing so under the canopy, precarious weather not withstanding. Journalists and other election monitors had to stay in the open all nights awaiting results. From the first resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. A.A Balogun in September 1991 to the present Elder Aniedi Abasi Ikoiwat , INEC in the state has on its chart 17 commissioners who were all faced with operational obstacles occasioned by lack of a befitting office. However, soon after the 2015 general election, Elder Ikoiwat and his management team were compelled to tackle the construction of the building headlong by laying the foundation. What the commission went through before a plan for the hall could be made, according to Aniedi Abasi Ikoiwak included: “Prior to the inception of the Central Bank office in Delta State capital, INEC usually used the open space at the Delta State Police Command to distribute her sensitive materials, it was a practice that sometimes threw up procedural crisis.” “When INEC later relocated the distribution of sensitive materials to CBN, it had to deal with party agents petulant posture resulting in needless altercations, an attitude that often put the interest of our hosts in jeopardy. And when it appeared the CBN authorities had

enough of our politicians’ unwarranted belligerence, they were prompted to advise INEC to look elsewhere for the venue of her future sensitive materials distribution efforts.” “INEC internal staff audit was conducted at exorbitant cost at Grand Hotel Asaba in 2008 for obvious reasons.” In February, 2014 when the immediate past chairman of the Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, paid a 2-day working visit to Delta State, he was received under the canopy, Ditto his predecessors that came calling at one time or the other. “Before now, state level collation of results also always happened under the canopy or at times in the open space with

the attendant disruptions of proceedings whenever it rained. A situation such as this is capable of eroding the credibility of the process.” “Other events such as presentation of certificates of returns to winners of elections especially in the 2015 general elections, enlarged meetings with INEC staff and the likes were conducted under unsavory conditions.” It is envisaged that the auditorium would facilitate amongst other functions as itemised earlier, bring succour to drivers who, until now, stayed under the tree while awaiting instructions for their dayto-day official activities. To put the hall in its first use, the maiden edition of presentation of awards to some staff who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication, altruism, perseverance, resourcefulness, loyalty, industry, courage, punctuality, integrity regularity and charisma in the course of undertaking official duties took place immediately with ease. As virtues of the awardees were eulogised, it should be pointed out that con-

versely, some erring personnel were facing sanctions for soiling their hands in despicable practices which are inimical to the aspiration of the commission. In his speech at the commissioning of the building recently, REC Ikoiwak said the arrival of the monument was a step in the right direction. “It is our modest contribution to sustain and add value to the laudable feat the commission has recorded in her resolve to provide credible electoral services necessary for entrenching democracy in Nigeria.” He appreciated the immense support offered the commission in the past, before the construction of the building, by the police, CBN, Federal College of Education Asaba and others including INEC Abuja for encouraging the pursuit of the initiative at a time when it was just coming out of the money guzzling 2015 vote. Among those that graced the occasion were Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku (National Commissioner) who commended the Delta INEC for taking a giant stride to build the conference hall.

NGO organises free medicare in Edo Banji Aluko-Benin City

Elder Aniedi Abasi Ikoiwat

A non-governmental organisation, Ofure Centre for Peace and Development, has completed a free medical programme for inhabitants of communities in Esan South East and Esan North East Local Government Areas of Edo State. The free medical outreach was facilitated by the member representing Esan South East and Esan North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Sergius Ogun. About 5000 residents of the two local government areas benefitted from the free medical services that were carried out by a team of doctors, nurses and other health

professionals. The programme featured free random blood sugar, blood pressure and malaria parasite tests as well as deworming of children. The coordinator of the exercise, Mr Amen Iseghohi, said the medical programme was geared towards enhancing the health of the rural dwellers, adding that communities that were not captured in the exercise would be included next year’s edition. The beneficiaries, who also received free insecticide-treated mosquito nets, expressed gratitude to the lawmaker, Hon Sergius Ogun, for facilitating the programme.

Beggars return to Benin streets Banji Aluko-Benin City MANY in Benin City, Edo State, were joyous when they saw the departure of many beggars, who had hitherto dominated the landscape of the Edo State capital, during the Yuletide season. Their joy, however, proved premature and was cut shot as the beggars flood the ancient city in the second week of 2016. Today, the beggars are back, showing their faces in highly populated areas such as Urhokpota Hall, Mission Road, Akpak-

The newly constructed INEC building

Army, civilians parley in Sapele Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri SOLDIERS from 19 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Koko, Warri North Local Government Area, in Sapele, had a get-together that enabled them to parley and socialise with their civilian counterparts. The get-together was at the instance of Member Representing Warri North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Michael Diden. The occasion was also an avenue to welcome the new Commanding Officer, 19th Battalion, Nigerian Army, Koko, Col. G. Suru Umar, as well as to send off the out-

going Commanding Officer of the battalion, Colonel Aminu at Sapele. At the occasion, members of the Nigerian Army were admonished to intensify their effort in curbing insecurity issues associated with the difficult terrains of the Niger Delta. Mr Diden, who made the call, commended the outgoing CO for sustaining relative peace and security as it pertained to oil bunkering, oil pipeline vandalism, cultism, kidnapping and armed robbery in the Sapele, Oghara and Koko. The lawmaker urged the new CO to do more in reducing the menace in the area, noting that the people were peace-loving

people and ever ready to cooperate with security agencies. He said the party was a way of saying “thank you” to Colonel Umar and indeed the Nigerian Army for a job well done in Koko, Sapele, Oghara and environs. The outgoing CO, Col. Umar, while responding, said he was overwhelmed by the warm reception and cooperation he enjoyed from the people in the area. He, however, called on well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Mr Diden who had been empowering his people in order to free the society from crimes partly orchestrated by unemployment.

pava, New Benin and Uselu. This came barely a month after the Edo State government relocated many of the beggars from Benin streets. Their presence in the places is making resident of the areas uncomfortable. Some of them said apart from constituting nuisance in the areas, the beggars constituted security challenges as they said that some of them were prone to social vices. “I don’t like the fact that they are coming back again because they have started to constitute nuisance here once again. They should be taken back to where they were taken to. They should be returned to their states, at least they came from somewhere. “They need food. I believe that if they are given food where they took them to, they will stay as they will not want to miss their ration. The fact that they are here now simply means that they were not adequately cared for where they took them to”, said Mike Odiase. Responding, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Alhaji Alhassan Zakari, said plans were underway to remove the beggars from the streets. He added he would discuss with Governor Oshiomhole in order to remove the beggars from the streets of Benin.

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Edited by: ‘Gbenga Opadotun olojaekuro@gmail.com 08037149731

LGSC harps on training of workers

HE Ondo State Local Government Service Commission has said training and re-training of its workforce was essential to enhance service delivery. The chairman of the commission, Mr Taiye Akinyele, said this during a

four-day intensive training workshop on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) at Igbara-Oke, in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state. The workshop was organised for Heads of Finance and Supplies, Internal Auditors, Accountants,

LG boss sacks revenue contractors THE new chairperson, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Prof. Rose Onah, has directed all revenue contractors working for the council to stop work till further notice. The directive was contained in a statement personally signed by Onah in Nsukka and made available to newsmen. She advised the public not to transact any business with the contractors as doing so would be at their own risk. “All contractors involved in collecting revenue for Nsukka LG council is hereby directed to stop work and collection of revenue from residents on behalf of the council. “Any member of the public, who continues to do business with the revenue contractors on behalf of Nsukka Local Government, does so at his or her own risk. “The council will in due time inform the public on approved new revenue contractors for the council,” she said. Onah said the directive became necessary as the council contractual agreement with the revenue contractors expired since Dec. 31, 2015. “The contractual agreement with Nsukka Local Government having expired since Dec. 31, 2015; it amounts to fraud for any of them to continue to collect revenue from residents on behalf of the council. “Any of them who is still interested doing business with the council should reapply,’’ she said. Onah while addressing the council workers after

assuming duty, vowed to block all revenue loopholes to ensure that internally generated revenue was not diverted. “It will no longer be business as usual; my administration will ensure that all internally generated revenue gets into council coffer and is judiciously used for the benefit of Nsukka residents. “I will collaborate with relevant authorities in the state to ensure that the arrears of salaries owed workers are cleared to enable them to put in their best. “As am inheriting assets of the council today, so also I am inheriting its liabilities which include eight months of salary arrears owed workers,” she said.

Cashiers and Store Officers in the 18 local government areas of the state. Akinyele, who said that the present administration believed strongly in capacity building of its workforce, urged workers to forge ahead with greater determination and put in more efforts in the discharge of their duties. According to the chairman, this was the only way to surmount whatever challenges that might be militating against their progress. “In spite of the challenge of dwindling monthly allocation from the federation account, we are strongly committed to utilising the little fund that could be harnessed towards the training and re-training of the workforce. “We have in the pipline training programmes designed to motivate, inspire and energise our workers in the right direction. “Our target is to promote their self-esteem, give them a feeling of control over their jobs and elicit their full potentials. “It is also to make them live up to the emerging global trends in all endeavours of their lives,” Akinyele said. Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Local Government

and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Bamiduro Dada, commended the local government workers for the good working relationship between the commission and the ministry. Bamiduro explained that the workshop would equip the participants with necessary skills needed to conduct their official duties in a competent manner as professional accountants. He, therefore, urged them to impact the knowledge they must have acquired during the training on their colleagues and subordinates when they get back to their duty posts. Some participants who spoke with newsmen expressed optimism that the workshop would be of immense benefit to them in the discharge of their duties. The Head of Finance, Idanre Local Government, Mrs Modupe Omoloja, commended Gov. Olusegun Mimiko for making sure that the local government service was well positioned for effective and efficient service delivery. The Head of Finance and Supply, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Alhaji Abidakun Yusuf, said the workshop would imbue them with more enthusiasm and greater determination.

Gov Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State

Gusau LG boss pledges jobs for youths Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE Chairman, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Tanko, has pledged to provide jobs for youths in the council in order to become self reliant in the society. The council boss who was re-elected recently, dropped the hint during an interac-

NULGE calls for probe of State/LGJAC system THE National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Governments Employees ( NULGE), Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, has called for an urgent probe of the operations of State/Local Government Joint Accounts system nationwide. ‘’This is absolutely necessary and it should be done holistically and thoroughly across the country,’’ Khaleel said at the National Executive Council meeting of the union in Sokoto. He said that the operation of the system left much to be desired, as it had hindered socio-economic development at that level of government. The NULGE president

said that the system had obstructed financial and democratic independence of local governments. ‘’ I strongly believe that the probe would help in unravelling how the huge amount of money sunk into the local governments were either rightly expended or misappropriated. ‘’ Such a probe, as being advocated by the union, is timely and apt, while it will bolster the ongoing fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari. ‘’ The union is not averse to the change mantra of the president and we will do everything humanly possible to ensure its success at all levels,’’ Khaleel, said.

He also said that the meeting would strategise on how to regain the lost financial and democratic independence of the third tier of government in Nigeria. Khaleel said such step was necessary to make local governments to serve the interests of people at the grassroots. Meanwhile, the Sokoto State president of NULGE, Alhaji Shehu Dange, has commended, the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Tambuwal, for taking steps to address the problems of salaries of local government workers. ‘’’The problem has lingered for so long and it has virtually defied all solutions

but it is now history,’’ Dange said. Tambuwal, represented by the Commissioner for Local Governments and Community Development, Alhaji Mannir Dan-Iya, promised to take urgent steps to improve the welfare of local government workers. ‘’We will ensure the extension of all rights and privileges being enjoyed by the workers of the state government to their counterparts in the 23 local governments of the state. ‘’We are also appreciative of the existing cordial relationship between the state government and the union and this will be sustained,’’ Tambuwal, said.

tive session with newsmen in his office shortly after being sworn in together with the vice chairman and 11 councillors. He remarked that the provision of job opportunities for the youths was part of his campaign promises to uplift the living standard of the youths in the area. “I and my council members would sit down and map out strategies on how best to revive the living standard of our youths to complement the state government’s efforts by engaging them with jobs in skills acquisition. “We also plan to purchase motorcycles and tricycles to be given to them free of charge for transportation in Gusau metropolis”, he said. According to the chairman, his administration had also planned to engage the youths in education by sponsoring those who wanted to further their education to higher institutions of learning within and outside the state. The council boss, emphasised the need for the youths to focus on sensitive issues that would add value to them for the development of the society, adding that the youths had a major role to play in the society.

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Okowa assents to N275.6bn appropriation bill

Nigeria ’ll overcome its economic challenges soon —Oyo lawmaker

Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

The Delta State appropriation bill of N275.6 billion for 2016, was on Tuesday, assented to by the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. The bill was originally made up of N153.1 billion recurrent expenditure and N122.5 billion capital estimate. The budget, was however, adjusted upwards with undisclosed “small amount” by the state House of Assembly, according to the speaker, Honourable Monday Igbuya. Governor Okowa, who explained that appropriation was not provided for the reconstruction of the Asaba Airport in the original bill, said at least, N75 billion is expected to be raked in from internally generated revenue (IGR), even as all loopholes in the revenue net would be blocked. He encouraged taxpayers in the state to be more positive, adding that, “we will do our best to be more accountable to the people by ploughing back money for development of the state.” In implementing the budget, the governor said government would now move with speed to execute capital projects before rainy season. Under the recurrent expenditure (N153.156 billion), personnel costs is to gulp N68.453 billion and over head cost N30.166 billion. A sectoral breakdown of the capital expenditure (N11.511 billion) which is higher than N90.198 billion in the 2015 revised budget, showed that the state oil producing area commission (OMPADEC) takes the lion share of N28 billion followed by environment N26.9 billion, economic N23.85 billion, Social N17.3 billion and the general administration N15.56 billion.

Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (sitting); Speaker of the state assembly, Honourable Monday Igbuya (left); Clerk of the assembly, Mrs Lyna Ochulor and the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr David Edevbie, at the signing of the 2016 Appropriation Bill in Asaba, on Tuesday.

Desertification: EU earmarks €20m for Nigeria, Gambia, 4 others Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

Nigeria and six other African countries, will benefit from the €20 million set aside by the European Union (EU), to combat desertification in the Sahara and Sahel regions. This was disclosed on Tuesday, in Abuja, by the Forestry Officer, Forest Assessment, Management and Conservation Division of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Mrs Nora Berrahmouni, at a Technical Great Green Wall workshop on restoration. According to her, the EU will provide the financial and technical support to ensure that the fund is used in the best manner so that it can reach the local communities. “This is a programme of €20 million that is funded by the E U, involving eightcountries, six Great Green Wall countries from Africa to include, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Senegal and Ethiopia, one country in the Caribbean and another one in the Pa-

cific. “The funding will come with technical support to really make sure that resources are used in the best manner with the best methodology to also reach the local communities on the ground”. Berrahmouni further said that the project was aimed at boosting the implementation of the Great Green Wall on the ground with the local communities at

Lafia, the state capital. “I have had very horrifying information about the activies of Fulani herdsmen. I have had very horrifying information about Agatu young boys, who are terrorising Fulanis and other tribes. I have also had very horrifying stories about Affo chaps, who were also perpetrating criminal activities. “I can tell you with every certainty that whoever is trying to cause confusion, insecurity and terrorism at this axis, will not go scot free, because, we are now battle ready. “There are people who

the heart of the implementation for sustainable management of of resources ,including forestry, Agroforestry system and also develop income generating activities and sustainable livelihood for the local communities. The Director General of Nigerian Great Green Wall Programme, Goni Ahmed, said that the workshop is a follow up with the climate change conference that

took place in Paris. He said in one of the sessions at the climate change conference, international donors indicated their interest to assist Nigeria and West Africa in the Great Green Wall programme implementation. “So, it is in the continuation of it that this workshop is taking place today and we have about six African countries that are here,” he added.

Ikpeazu didn’t order shooting of IPOB members —Abia govt CelestineIhejirika-Umuahia Against the back drop on the agitation by the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the Abia State government said its attention has been drawn to a report on the internet, ostensibly inspired by the opposition in Abia State, to the effect that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu ordered the troops of the Nigerian Army

Al-Makura warns ethnic groups against disharmony Ademola Adegbite - Lafia NASARAWA State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, on Tuesday, warned ethnic groups in the state against any act capable of throwing the state into anarchy. The governor, who also warned that his administration would not succumb to any activity capable of bringing disharmony among the people, called for unity among the people. The governor gave this warning during an emergency security meeting at the Government House,

Nigerian Tribune

are making business out of these problems, there are people who call themselves professional negotiators, we don’t have any professional negotiators and we will not call anybody for any negotiation if you are not from that area”, he added. Al-Makura stressed that some stakeholders, who exploit the situation by being readymade negotiators, hing their activities on falsehood, describing the recent communal clashes in some communities which led to the destruction of property and killing of scores as inhuman and criminal.

to shoot at members of the IPOB, protesting against the continuous detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu. “We want to state that since the commencement of the mass protest by IPOB/MASSOB, Governor Ikpeazu, has continued to maintain peace and has personally commended both the IPOB leaders and the security agencies on their understanding in handling the protests. “As the chief security officer of the state, Ikpeazu is responsible for maintaining law and order in the state and also responsible for protecting the lives and property of every citizen in the state. “It must also be noted that Governor Ikpeazu does not have the power to order or mobilise members of the Armed Forces to shoot at any group. The army takes order directly from the military high command and the Federal Government. “While the governor regrets any confrontation between IPOB members and the security agencies, which may have resulted in violence, he is also using the medium to appeal to the

people of the state and particularly, youths of Aba, to give peace a chance.” Meanwhile, the state government has described as unfortunate the decision of some groups of people in Aba to engage in protests thereby defying the ban on public procession placed in the state by the state governor and disrupting the peaceful co-existence in the state. Briefing newsmen on the development, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Bonnie Iwuoha, recalled that the ban on public protests and demonstrations, have been in force in the state for two weeks and regretted that some people defied the order and engaged in protests without permission. According to him, despite the ban, the people went ahead to force schools and markets to close down and even attacked the police, resulting in an unhealthy development. Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), has said that the police arrested 26 members of IPOB and MASSOB in Aba in connection with the protest in Aba, on Monday.

A lawmaker representing Oluyole constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Abiodun Wahab, has predicted that Nigeria is destined to survive as one of the greatest and prosperous nations of the world. The lawmaker stated this during an interactive session with some journalists in Ibadan. According to him, “Most of the countries that went through trying periods as currently being experienced by Nigeria, usually emerge strong, united, prosperous, the case of Nigeria will not be an exception. “With our given potentials and endowments in human and natural resources, Nigeria have no choice but, to be among the leading countries in the world. “Despite the prevailing challenges of insecurity and corruption that is bedeviling the nation, I am optimismic that Nigeria will definitely overcome all its problems and the Federal Government should also use pragmatic approach in tackling the issue of Boko Haram menace.”

Lagos NURTW boss warns members against cultism The Lagos State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has warned members of the union, especially those operating in Mushin and Odi Olowo axis of the state, not engage in cultism, thuggery and illegal act that can dent the image of the union. The NURTW boss gave the warning while reacting to the alleged involvement of some people who claimed to be members of the union in cult-related offences in Mushin area Agbede stated that those mentioned in the papers in connection with cultism in Mushin were not members of the union, as their names were not found in the union’s register. “We have a register containing names of our members and we checked the register and we could not locate the names of those people mentioned. They are not our members. They are just dropping our name as cover up.”

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I, formerly Miss Adesanya Adesola Adetoun now MRS. ORIOLA ADESOLA ADETOUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Basirat Oluwaseun Salami now BASIRAT OLUWASEUN FASHOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olubunmi Adunni Osakuade now MRS. OLUBUNMI ADUNNI ADIGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olasunkanmi Oluwatoyin Olanike now MRS. AKINPELU OLUWATOYIN OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Fehintola Mulikat Adeola now HAMZAT MULIKAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ukpoke Grace now MRS. DUROTIWON GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Agbola Omolara Racheal now SALAWU OMOLARA RACHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Tope Eniola Olujimi now MRS. TEMITOPE ENIOLA FALODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odewole Banke Omobolaji now MRS. OLADELE BANKE OMOBOLAJI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal College of Agriculture and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Ozegbe Ogochukwu Raphael, a native of Umutu Town in Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State, formerly known, called and addressed as Ogochukwu Raphael, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Ozegbe Ogochukwu Raphael. That all documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olawumi Comfort Fabowale now MRS. OLAWUMI COMFORT SHODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Kareem Muinat Olasunbo now MRS. KAREEM MUINAT OLASUNBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ogundele Abiodun Oluwasegun now OLUWADELE ABIODUN OLUWASEGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeniran Opeyemi Bukola now MRS OLAWALE OPEYEMI BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ogunleke Bolanle Gift now MRS ADEWOLE BOLANLE GIFT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bilikisu Kamorudeen Atinuke now BILIKISU MUSILIU ATINUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Abimbola Akintola now MRS. OMOTAYO OLAYINKA AKINTOLA. All former documents remain valid.UBA Bank, Union Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olutimayin Blessing Oluwaseun now MRS. ADIO BLESSING OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ewehenji Francis Abem now JOHNSON SAMUEL OLUWAGBEMIGA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ojei-Franca now MISS OJEI FRANCISCA CHUKWUYEM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Rasak Yetunde Mujidat now ADETUTU YETUNDE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluwakemi Jumoke Adewale now MRS. FOLAYAN OLUWAKEMI JUMOKE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Arigbabuwo Abigail Adejumoke now MRS. ADEOLA ADEJUMOKE ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ikechukwu Sylvester now ANYANWU SYLVESTER IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, mrs. Akinwale Alimot Omolara am the same person as Mrs. Akinwale Christiana Omolara. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addresed as MRS. AKINWALE CHRISTIANA OMOLARA. That all documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Kayode Jumoke Aramide now MRS ADEIYE JUMOKE ARAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adewale Funke Nancy now MRS AGBOYINU MAUYON NSIMA NANCY. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akande Tejumade Ojuolape now DUROJAYE TEJUMADE OJUOLAPE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Owolabi Opeyemi Adeola now MRS RAJI OPEYEMI OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Babajide Folashade Adunni now MRS. AJAYI FOLASHADE ADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Atokolo Ojoachele Gloria now MRS. MABAWONKU OJOACHELE GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Araromi Omotola Opeyemi now MRS. AJIBOLA OMOTOLA OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sekinat Remi Akinwunmi now MRS SEKINAT REMI EDUNJOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Ayansola Aderemi Richard now MR AYANSOLA ADEREMI RASHEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Genesis Bright now OBAKA SHEHU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Lawal Ibrahim Abiola now AMUBIEYA IBRAHIM ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kazeem Fatimoh Temitope now MRS OLATUNJI FATIMOH TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Babalola Adeola Adenike now OLATUNDE ADEOLA ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Sanusi Aminat Olajumoke now MRS OYERINDE AMINAT OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Anifowose Ademola now MR ANIFOWOSE SAKIRULAHI ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adepoju Adijat Olabisi now MISS ADEPOJU KADIJAT OLABISI . All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly OmonayinCaleb Oloruntoba now ENOCH OBAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Idowu Feyipitan Bukola now ADEYEYE FEYIPITAN BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Dahunsi Foluke Yetunde now MRS ALADE FOLUKE YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. UCH, Ibadan, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajewole Oluwaseun Olubanwo now MRS OJO OLUWASEUN OLUBANWO. All former documents remain valid. UCH, Ibadan, National Open University of Nigeria and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Asiru Serifat Olajire now MRS ADENIRAN SERIFAT OLAJIRE. All former documents remain valid. Osun State LGSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Akporafere Palmor Sylvester now PALMER AKPOVOFENE D I A K P A R O M R E SYLVESTER. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Dani Chrysogonus Ifesinachi now NTADOM C H R Y S O G O N U S IFESINACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ayanbeku Yinka Bunmi now MRS AYINLA YINKA BUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, OBUSEH ALEX AUGUSTINE am the same person bearing ALEX GODFREY. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omoniyi Hannah Ayobami now MRS ADEDURO HANNAH AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Bunah Wesco now POUNAH EBIPATEI WESTERN. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank and general public take note.

I, Adetoro Yinka Ranti am the same person as Adetoro Yinka Ranti and Omisore Yinka Ranti. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as ADETORO YINKA RANTI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyekunle Hannah Simon now MRS OLAYANJU HANNAH BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Odeleye Michael Adekunle now FOLARIN MICHAEL CLINT OLUWATOBILOBA. All former documents remain valid. UK Embassy and general public all over the world take note.

I, formerly Miss Olagoke Janet Omolade now MRS ADENIRAN JANET OMOLADE. All former documents remain valid.Oyo SUBEB, Ibadan, Oriire LGEA, Ikoyi and general public take note.

My BVN was wrongly written as ADESIYAN TAIWO RAMONI, my name remain MR ADESIYAN ADETUNJI RAHMAN. I wish to be addressed as MR ADESIYAN ADETUNJI RAHMAN. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

AJAYI: I, formerly Miss Ajayi Kehinde Opemipo now MRS AKINSEYE KEHINDE OPEMIPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Samuel Ademola Joshua now MR OLORUNSEYE ADEMOLA JOHN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oyebisi Oluwaseun David now OYEBISI OLUWASEUN OYEBODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Aboaba Grace Ayo now OLULEYE AYO GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Uzendu Oluchukwu Eucharia now UZENDU OLUCHI PEACELIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Abayomi Rafiu Adewoyin now MR AYODELE RAFIU ABAYOMI. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A. and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Miss Olaitan Folashade Esther am the same person bearing Mrs Adebayo Folashade Esther. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGBOOLA FOLASHADE ESTHER. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ogunjobi Omolara Yetunde now MRS TAIWO OMOLARA YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinleye Oluwadamola Alice now MRS OWOSENI OLUWADAMOLA ALICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adiguna Olubisi Idowu now MRS OLUFADEJU OLUBISI IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. UCH Ibadan, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Agboola Rukayat Omolara now MRS SAMUEL DEBORAH OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Aderibigbe Bolaji Ajoke now MRS ODELOLA BOLAJI AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Kunle Ijebo now DEACON OLUSEGUN OLUKUNLE JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ajayi, Olaitan Oyebimpe now MRS QUADRI OLAITAN OYEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Awoleye Baliqis Aderonke now MRS OLAOYE BALIQIS ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Faith Irabor now MRS ADEYEMI FAITH. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

I, Undiaye Fredrick Ugbong am the same person as Fredrick Ugbong. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as UNDIAYE FREDRICK UGBONG. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, Stanbic Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Alabi-Hero Lola Olawanle now FOLARIN T O L U WA L O L A M I OLAWANLE. All former documents remain valid. UK Embassy and general public all over the world take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Oyedapo Temitope Janet am the same person as Eluwole Temitope Janet and Oyedapo Temitope. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OYEDAPO TEMITOPE JANET. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Owoade Asimiyu now SOYOMBO DARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr. Oseni Raheem now MR OSENI RAIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mrs Yinusa Mutiat now MRS YUSUF MUTIAT ARIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Salihu Bisala now MR SALIHU BISALA USMAN . All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olaifa Dare Tolulope and Olaifa Tope now wish to be known and addressed as OLAIFA OLUWADARE JOEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

40 news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Bird flu: FCT administration to ban poultry farms in residential areas Christian Okeke - Abuja

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to ban rearing of birds in residential areas with the outbreak of bird flu in the territory. The move was also to check abuse of Abuja Master Plan and came after farms in two area councils were quarantined due to an outbreak of the flu. On Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary in the Administration, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, gave orders to the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat to find ways of stopping such practices of establishing poultry farms in residential areas. He told directors of the Secretariat to take drastic

measures as professionals to think outside the box to move the Secretariat to enviable heights. He warned that it was not business as usual as all officers must sit up to deliver quality services that would positively impact on the lives of residents of the territory. Ajakaiye advised the Secretariat to key into the policy of the Federal Government which promotes agriculture

and mass food production for the populace. Meanwhile, the FCT Administration said it would soon pay N113 million being its counterpart-fund for Fadama III project in order to allow the administration access more facilities in the programme. This is even as it unveiled plans to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle cases of drug abuse

and addiction among youths and vulnerable persons in the society. Nigerian Tribune gathered that FCT Minister, Muhammadu Bello, has already directed the FCT Social Development Secretariat to brainstorm and find best ways of rehabilitating some of the addicts. He further directed them to brainstorm on how to efficiently tackle the knotty

problems of street beggars, commercial sex workers as well as street hawking. The minister directed the Secretariat to sit down as a team to generate database for tourism facilities as such facilities would not only provide areas of recreation and sightseeing in and around Abuja, but would equally serve as avenues of generating funds for the government.

Benue South rerun: I will not fail you, Mark tells constituents Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja FORMER President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has asked his Benue South constituents of Benue State to be steadfast, just as he promised not to disappoint them no matter the circumstances. Senator Mark told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women group, who visited him at his Abuja residence, ahead of the forthcoming rerun election that he is irrevocably committed to the development of Idoma land and Nigeria at large. He said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Paul Mumeh, that the Appeal Court Tribunal, which annulled his election, was a surprise but he respects the sanctity of the rule of law and would do all within the ambits of the law to reclaim his mandate. Senator Mark said he was encouraged by the plethora of solidarity visits to him since the annulment which he believed“ is a clear testimony that my people truly desire my services.” He added, “I am encouraged by your visit and support so far. I can assure you that I will always do my best to promote development, peace and unity of our people. Whatever I can do to make our society a better place, I will not hesitate to do that.”

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (centre), former Irish Minister of Trade & Investment, Joe Castelo (right); Rodding Doyle (second right); chairman, Enugu State Economic Advisory Committee, Professor Obiora Ike (third right), vice president of Dublin City University, Professor Daire Keogh (fourth right); Charge d’Affaire of Nigeria Embassy in Ireland, Olusola Igonna, Professor Fionnuala of Dublin City University (on Governor’s immediate right), another female awards recipient, President of the Irish varsity, member of Enugu Economic Advisory Committee, Kevin Onah, after the governor and others were honoured in a ceremony in the course of his economic mission in Ireland.

More cases of chicken pox in Ibadan By Sade Oguntola IN response to measles outbreak in Sabo community in Ibadan, Oyo State government has discovered many cases of chicken pox, also in the community. Permanent secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr Yemisi Iyiola, who conducted a spot assessment to Sabo, on Tuesday, to assess a special immunisation programme on measles for children in Sabo, confirmed this. Iyiola declared “this morning while going round, we also saw suspected cases of chicken pox in some children. But the state is swinging into action to also ensure appropriate measures to address it.” The permanent secretary, who could not ascertain the figure of deaths from the measles outbreak nor the number of children currently affected by chicken pox, however declared that measles was

endemic in Nigeria, adding that only epidemic proportions require quick and prompt vaccination to ensure that children are protected. He disclosed that the nine teams of vaccinators to the area were expected to vaccinate over 40,000 children above the age of nine months in the four days exercise.

Also, he added that originally the measles vaccination was initially scheduled to hold between January 28 and February 1, 2016 in the 33 local government areas of the state. Iyiola, however, expressed satisfaction at the turnout for the measles immunisation, linking this to mounted enlightenment campaign for measles im-

munisation and the need for mothers to promptly take children with signs and symptoms of the illness to the nearest health facility for treatment. “Routinely, children are immunised for measles from the age of nine months. So from time to time, we do have reports of one or two cases of measles all around the year.”

We’ll re-professionalise NDDC —Acting MD Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

ACTING Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has declared that her administration is set to re-professionalise the workforce of the commission within the earliest possible time. This was as she disclosed that the exercise was aimed at creating a new generation of officers with sufficient skills, knowledge and motivation to coordinate the NDDC management systems. Semenitari made the dis-

closure in her welcome address at a one-day interactive session with over 60 civil society organisations (CSO), held in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday. While acknowledging the problems bedevilling the commission, she however described NDDC as a prized possession which must be made to work. “We shall, in the earliest possible time, re-professionalise the workforce to create a new generation of officers with sufficient skills and motivation to coordinate our management system.

“I am also convinced that we have the necessary expertise to achieve this task. I therefore challenge you to bring your knowledge and expertise here to support our interest in the efficient and effective delivery of our core mandate,” she said. Speaking on the essence of the interactive session with the CSOs drawn from the Niger Delta region, Semenitari said the task before her required building a synergy with critical stakeholders to help develop new perspectives that would deepen the socio-economic fortunes of the people.

Ekiti reopens forest reserves, bans night activities in saw mills EKITI State government, on Tuesday, reopened the state forest reserves closed about a month ago over the activities of people illegally felling trees. The State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, at a meeting with saw mill owners, timber dealers and other operators in the sector, also said all forest-related activities should end by 6pm from Monday to Saturday. He said nobody should engage in such activities on Sunday. In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the steps were to curtail the activities of people felling trees illegally, as it has been observed that they operate under the cover of the night and on Sunday and public holidays when government officials would not be available to enforce necessary laws. Sounding a note of warning, the governor said anybody found involved in illegal felling of trees would be prosecuted. “Not only that, the trees and vehicles will be confiscated by the government and subsequently auctioned. We have to take these steps because we must protect our natural resources. We must endeavour to leave a good legacy for the coming generation.”

Brief Crusade

Pastor Kumoluyi THE Word Bible Church, Palace of Healing, Genius close, Ajelogo Ketu, Lagos, will hold its first multipurpose prayer meeting and crusade for the year between, Thursday, January 21 and Saturday, January 23, 2016.The theme of the crusade is “Unchanging Words of God.” The programme will start by 8:00a.m. and end at 1:00p.m. daily. The presiding prophet and founder of the church, Dr Babatunde Kumoluyi and other anointed men of God will minister at the crusade.

news

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

FRSC plans gradual withdrawal of services from state roads

Says no going back on enforcement of limiters April 1 Clement Idoko - Abuja

HE Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, has disclosed plans by the Corps to gradually withdraw its operational activities from

the State roads across the federation, in order to concentrate more on the Federal highways. He also disclosed that the Corps is targeting 15 per cent reduction of road crashes and 25 per cent reduction of fatalities in 2016. Oyeyemi, who made

this known on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the 2015 special ember months patrol and unveiling of the Corps 2016 strategic goals, explained that the Corps has already commenced training of State Traffic Management Agencies (STMAs) in some of the states of the feder-

ation that could take over the state roads while FRSC moves to the federal highways. He also noted that there would be no going back on the April 1, 2016 deadline for enforcement of compulsory installation of speed limiting devices by commercial vehicles in Ni-

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara (middle), inaugurating a borehole provided by NCPC to the internally displaced peoples (IDPs), during the 2016 thanksgiving outreach visit to the IDPs camp, at Durumi Area 1, Abuja, on Sunday.

Borno signs over N600m contract for Maimusari 48-bed ward James Bwala - Maiduguri Borno State Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mshelia has signed a contract to the tune of over N600 million for the supply of medical equipment and construction of two classes of 48-bed ward at Maimusari Clinic in Maiduguri. The contract was signed on behalf of the Borno State government and three indigenous contractors, following Governor Kashim Shettima’s visit to Maimusari Clinic, which he met in an inhabitable state for patients.

While signing the contract on Tuesday, the Commissioner explained that, after government had met the requirement of the medical equipment and supply to the ministry followed by approval by the council, the ministry commenced the bidding process with careful selection of three qualified contractors for the project. According to him, “Transavannah International Limited was selected to supply medical equipment, beds and beddings, furniture, uniforms and bedsheets to the tune of over N600 million.” Meanwhile, Healthcare

Development Focus Initiative (HECADF) with support from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), on Tuesday, embarked on sensitisation of stakeholders in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with

Police nab 11 suspects over killing of 2 suspected cult kingpins in Kwara Biola Azeez - Ilorin Following the killing of two people suspected to be cult kingpins in a cult gang war in Ilorin, on Monday evening, the Kwara State police com-

Police beg magistrate to deny Ekiti goat thieves bail Say ‘They’re on bail for same offence’ Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti Police in Ekiti State have dragged three men, Ojo Gbenga, Basiru Adebayo and Aderiye Adekunle before an Ado-Ekiti magistrates’ court for allegedly stealing 10 she-goats. The police prosecutor, Mr Caleb Leranmo (a Sergeant), told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on January 16, at about 7.a.m at Okeyinmi Street, AdoEkiti.

He alleged that the three men, on the said date “unlawfully had in their possessions 10 she-goats which were suspected to have been stolen.” According to him, the offence contravened Section 430 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Vol.1, Law of Ekiti state, 2012. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Their counsel, Mr Chris Omokhafe, prayed the court to grant bail to the accused on liberal terms.

a strong call on the people to educate their children on the danger associated with street hawking and begging, which they claim has been on the increase, following the displacement of over 1.2 million people from their

geria. He said: “We are training State Traffic Management Agencies to operate on the roads in the states so that we move to the federal highways. This, however, does not mean that we cannot operate on the state roads. If there is need for intervention once in a while, we can assist them”. He commended Lagos State government for keying into the FRSC database, adding that with what the governor is currently doing FRSC and the State Traffic Management Agency would begin to operate on the same page. He said FRSC would continue to press for all the States of the Federation to have State Traffic Management Agencies, “so that we can all work in sync”. Oyeyemi, noted that the Corps worked assiduously in 2015 to bring down the rate of road traffic crashes nationwide by 13 per cent, as road crashes reduced from 10,380 in 2014 to 9,031 in 2015, adding that deaths from road crashes were reduced nationwide by 16 per cent from 5,991 in 2014 to 5,044 deaths in 2015. He said the Corps’ 2015 End of the Year Special Operations code named ‘Operation Zero Tolerance’, with the theme ‘Drive Safely into 2016’, was a huge a success as a result of support and collaboration of relevant stakeholders including the media.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application, and reminded the court that the accused had appeared before the same court for the same offence and were on bail. He said granting them bail might make them commit same offence which they had demonstrated. However, Chief Magistrate, Mr Ropo Adegboye, consequently granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,00 and two surety in like sum.

mand has arrested 11 people suspected to be involved in the crime. It will be recalled that two suspected thugs were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in Ilorin, on Monday. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, on Tuesday, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Sam Okaula, said the arrested suspects were picked from their various hideouts in Ilorin metropolis with recovered items like blood stained axe, substances suspected to be Indian hemps and charms. The police boss, who allayed pervading fear among residents of the state capital, over possible reprisal by members of the cult groups, said that the command had all it takes to rout out criminals from the state. Also paraded by the police command were suspected

six robbers with recovered items such as locally made pistol, Sienna space bus, among others. Meanwhile, residents of the town have been sending GSM messages among themselves on security consciousness, regarding troubled spots that should be avoided in the metropolis. The identified areas are Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Agaka area, Ita kure, Oja Iya, Gegele, Sabo line and part of Ajikobi axis, as it was gathered that there were cult clashes in the areas on Monday evening following the death of the cult kingpins. The Nigerian Tribune gathered that one of the suspected cultist was shot at close range in his forehead by his assailants numbering four, at his car wash centre located at Kwara State Stadium complex, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Ilorin.

Nigerian Tribune

Population Commission seeks EU’s support on migration survey Adetola Bademosi - Abuja The National Population Commission (NPC), on Monday, sought the support of the European Union on regular conduct of migration surveys. It said this became imperative as a result of Nigeria’s ever dynamic nature of migration overtime. The chairman of the commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma made the disclosure in Abuja, when a representative of the European Union, Dominic Jack, led a delegation to the commission, to deliberate on the identification and formulation of promoting better management of migration in Nigeria. According to him, the commission’s efforts at ensuring that migration statistics are captured, are being hampered by paucity of funds and lack of infrastructures. “The commission has backlogs of migration data collected from the airports over the years. The conduct of migration survey has been irregular and dependent on the availability of support from development partners,” he said.

North-East senators task service chiefs on IDPs’ relocation Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja Forum of Senators from the North-East geopolitical zone of the country has pleaded with the military and police authorities to speed up the process of relocating all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered across the country to their communities of origin. At a meeting held on Tuesday, behind closed door, was the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase with other service chiefs who were represented by senior military officers. Speaking after the meeting with the service chiefs and police chiefs, the leader of the forum, Ali Ndume said the essence of the meeting was to know the specific step to start and complete the process of relocation this year. According to him, “We invited the Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police to address us on the issue of the IDPs in Borno State, and the plans of the government to relocate them back to their local governments of origin.

communitynews

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Ogunpa market reconstruction slowed down •As traders refuse to leave site By Wale Akinselure

HE reconstruction of Ogunpa market by the Oyo State government is being slowed down as traders continue to display their wares on the levelled portion of the market. This was discovered on Tuesday when the state government officials and security agents stormed the market to clear the area following complaints of hindrances from traders by the developer, Kamiliuz Nigeria Limited. Speaking against the backdrop of reported hindrances to the commencement of the setting out of phase one and two of the market, government representative, Mr Segun Bolarinwa sounded the warning that erring traders would henceforth be arrested and their goods confiscated. While acknowledging that some traders were heady, Bolarinwa said government was undeterred in ensuring that the construction engineers kept to the work schedule. He attributed the inability of the state government to relocate traders for the

duration of the project due to the peculiarity of the market and its overpopulation. On other perceived hindrances like the onset of the rainy season, Bolarinwa maintained that ma-

jor rains were yet to commence. He assured that the rains would not affect construction works and the scheduled time for completion of the project. Calling for cooperation

between the developer and Ogunpa traders, he urged the construction engineers to commence setting out and evacuation side by side such that the people are assured that work was ongoing.

On a survey of other phases of the market marked for demolition, he urged traders to forward their land documents to government by Monday when another round of demolition would commence.

FCT minister describes dirt in Kuje as a shame Christian Okeke-Abuja

Ogun State Commissioner for Youths and Sports and President of Millennium Minders Club of Nigeria, Abeokuta, Mr Afolabi Afuape (second right) with Taiwo Hassan, Akesire Aderinsola and Ogunsola Ibidapo during the presentation of awards of excellence to the three students as 2015 best WASSCE students in Ogun State public schools by Millennium Minders Club. PHOTO: OLAYINKA OLUKOYA

Ondo empowers 1,540 elderly, physically challenged persons in coastal communities Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

NO fewer than 1,540 elderly and physically challenged persons from various communities across the coastal region of Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo State were recently empowered by the state government through the Ondo State Oil Producing Development Area Commission (OSOPADEC). Speaking during the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries, the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, stated that the programme was put in place to put smile on the faces of the elderly in the state, saying that government knows about the vulnerability of people who are 70 years old and above. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Sinmi Odunmbaku, explained that about N61.6 million was distributed to the people, adding that each beneficiary got N40,000 He stated that about N25 million was distributed by OSOPADEC to over 1,000 elderly and physically challenged persons from the area in 2008 when the

A cross section of traders at the market urged government to allow them trade on a section of the market while construction is ongoing on another since government had failed to relocate them for the duration of the project. Speaking with Community News, the Babaloja of the market, Mr James Ogundele, gave the assurance that the traders would no more hinder construction works. He enjoined the engineers to manage the situation by continuing construction works so as not to give traders the impression of lack of seriousness that would force them to display their goods on areas marked for development.

programme kicked off. He said: “Government knows about the vulnerability of people who are 70 years old and above. This class of people can no longer do any energy-sapping work such as fishing which is the traditional occupation of our people in these local government areas. “Regarding the empowerment of the physically challenged, I was in Ese Odo

in 2010 and in response to a question, I promised to look into the needs of this category of people in the coastal area. Thereafter, machinery was set in motion and the pioneer edition was in 2011 where 625 of them were given financial assistance. The governor also disclosed that as part of efforts to improve the living conditions of the people in riverine area, his govern-

ment has approved the employment of 175 workers to complement those already in government employ to clear waterways in the area. He assured the people of the region that the projects embarked upon by his government would be completed before the expiration of his administration in 2017. He listed some of the projects completed in the

Abeokuta club rewards academic excellence OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

The Millennium Minders Club of Nigeria, Abeokuta, has presented awards to the three best students in the 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), in public schools in Ogun State. The lucky students were Taiwo Hassan of Baptist Boys’ High School, Akesire Aderinsola and Ogunsola Ibidapo both of Abeokuta Grammar School, all in Abeokuta. They were rewarded for their academic feat in the examination. In his address at the launching/investiture and award ceremony of the club in Abeokuta, recently, the president of the club,

who doubles as the state Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Honourable Ayo Afuape, said the club, established 15 years ago, was aimed at contributing to societal development. He also noted that the award was conceived by the club to promote healthy competition among public secondary school students across the state, recognise and encourage deserving personalities who have made it to the top in diverse callings and support government initiatives in education. He, therefore, urged other organisations in the state to pick up the challenge by putting in place initiatives that would impact positively on the society.

He said:”We will not rest on our oars to encourage academic excellence in secondary schools in the state through financial intervention to brilliant students.” The commissioner further extolled the leadership qualities of the brain behind the formation of the club, the late Mr Samuel Oladipupo, its pioneer president, M.M. Lukman Adiro and others for their efforts in ensuring the good of mankind, especially the underprivileged. The ceremony witnessed the investiture of Prince Adeleke Gbadebo as grand patron, Dr Samuel Oluwadairo as patron, Alhaji Abdul Okedara as patron and Mrs Doyin Ogunbiyi as matron.

area in the last one year to include the multi-billion naira water project in Anoto, footbridges in 107 communities, road networks in Apoi and the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 33 kilometre Igbokoda-Ayetoro Road, among others. “We equally kicked off the construction of footbridges in 157 communities. Nine of 12 contractors that handled the projects have completed the jobs and delivered,” the governor said. Also speaking, OSOPADEC chairman, Mr Johnson Ogunyemi, gave the assurance that the commission would deliver on all areas of focus of the present administration in the state. Ogunyemi said “I, therefore, want to appeal to my good people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo to continue to cooperate with our performing governor so that we can enjoy more dividends of democracy,” Some of the beneficiaries, Ikusehidun, 80 and Mekulayi Monday, 75, commended the state governor’s initiative, saying that Mimiko’s government had showed tthem love and put smile on their faces.

THE visit by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Bello, turned soar for Kuje Area Council chairman, Shabban Tete, as the minister knocked the council boss over poor sanitation in the area and ordered for total clean up of the council. The minister was at Kayada Junior Secondary School, Kuje, to flag-off the distribution of learning materials to indigent students of the territory by the Nigerian Turkish International College Foundation (NTIC.) At the event, the council chairman made a passionate appeal for the completion of Kuje-Gwagwalada Road But the minister pointed out to him that the council was unkempt. The minister said: “Chairman, Kuje is very dirty. I think it is a shame! I must tell you. Our royal fathers, you have to create a chance to clean the city.” On the request of Tete for the completion of the Kuje- Gwagwalada Road, Bello assured that the road would be completed. He said: “We will ensure the road is completed but make your council clean!” Bello, however, expressed delight with the gesture of NTIC, saying that education was very important to the present administration. He described it as a means of encouraging children to study harder

communitynews

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Omi Adio reformed group equips police station By Seyi Sokoya

N its determination to ensure the security of life and property within Omi Adio community in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, a group of concerned citizens under the umbrella of Omi Adio Reformed Group, has put measures in place to restore the full presence of policemen in the community. The group, consisting of a representative from

Ogun declares zero tolerance for improper waste disposal Ogun State government said it has declared zero tolerance for improper waste disposal in the state. The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta. He said people were still dumping refuse on road medians and drainages despite government’s recent campaign against indiscriminate dumping of refuse. Oyeleye emphasised that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun–led administration would no longer tolerate dumping of waste on road medians and drainages, unkempt market places, and display of wares on road setbacks. He maintained that government had invested a huge amount of money on the construction of road infrastructure, adding that it was unfair for residents of the state to deface these infrastructure with filth.

each of the 140 villages in Omi Adio, which had earlier contributed to the completion of the building of an ultra modern police station at a strategic area in the community, at the weekend, donated property including furniture and electronic appliances worth millions of naira for the smooth operation of the force in the area. Receiving the items on behalf of Iyaganku Area Command and Omi Adio Division, the Divisional Police Officer, Omi Adio Division, SP Justina Ogunleye, described the gesture as a welcome development and expressed joy for being a witness as the first divisional police officer in the area. She assured the forum and the entire community that she and her team would ensure that peace reigns and crime is reduced to the barest minimum in the community and environs. She also urged other groups and individuals to emulate Omi Adio Reformed Group by supporting the cause of the Nigeria Police to combat crime and ensure peace in the country. In his remarks, the Olomi of Omi, Chief Adeyanju

heart of the forum by contributing their quota to the progress and development of the community. In his comments, the president of the forum, Mr Olalekan Busari, noted that the development was one of the items on the agenda of the body, adding that: “Having ensured that a fully equipped police station is in place in the community, we

are making efforts to build a magistrate court and palace among others to ensure the rapid development of the community. “With a well-equipped police station, the police will, no doubt, be able to tackle crime and save lives and properties without any hitch. We did not engage in this venture to show off, but to ensure the smooth

operations of the police . We, hereby, charge others, especially youths to see the development of the community as a necessity, because government cannot do it alone,” he added. Items donated by the group included a 17-inch plasma televisions, standing and wall fans, GOTV, tables, chairs and air conditioner.

The Divisional Police Officer, Omi Adio Divisional police station, SP Justina Ogunleye (left), receiving one of the items donated by Omi Adio Reformed Group from its president, Mr Olalekan Busari, while members of the group, police officers and others watch. Photo: SEYI SOKOYA.

Sango traders lament lack of garbage cans Tola Adenubi-Lagos

Following the recent closure of Sango market by the Ogun State government due to dirty environment and blocked drainages caused by trading activities, traders in the market have lamented the

Respite on the way for flood victims in Niger Adelowo Oladipo-Minna ReSPITe will soon come the way of last year’s victims of flood disaster in 16 local government areas of Niger State, following the planned distribution of relief materials to them by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). Indications to this effect emerged at the weekend in Minna as the state deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, stated at the kick-off ceremony for the distribution of relief materials by the agency that it cost the state government a sum of N50 million to procure the materials. Ketso further said that the materials were meant to cushion the effects of the flood on the victims, just as

Ekunola, represented by the Abese Balogun of Omi Adio, Alhaji Yekini Salawudeen, said the development was a plus to the town, saying: “I appreciate the commitment of the forum in developing the community. I also urge the people of Omi Adio to cooperate with the police. My appeal also goes to the youths in the community to take a cue from large

he charged those in charge of distribution to ensure that the materials get to the people they are meant for. Also in his remarks on the occasion, the director-general of the agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, said measures had been put in place to ensure effective distribution of the materials through local government desk officers who have records of the victims. Inga disclosed that the materials to be distributed include 1,200 bags of cement, 1,200 bags of rice, , 500 bags of maize, 300 bags of gari and 200 roofing sheets. Others are 200 jerrycans (20 litres) of palm oil and groundnut oil, 200 bags of salt and 4,400 cartons of Maggi.

lack of refuse cans in the area. Speaking with Community News, a trader in the market, Alhaja Mojishafe, who deals in poultry stocks, stated that there were no waste disposal cans in the market. “If you look around, from Plaza Junction down to

Sango underbridge, to Joju Bus Stop on the LagosAbeokuta Expressway, you won’t see any rubbish can for traders to empty their waste. According to her: “Environmental sanitation trucks from Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Area occasionally came

around to collect our waste before now. But the trucks are no longer coming. This was the situation when the state government officials came to inspect the area. “If there are gargage cans in strategic places like the Joju Bus Stop, Plaza Bus Stop or Temidire Bus Stop

Osun assembly counsels Oluwo on peace, security, commerce Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

Osun State House of Assembly has charged the new Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, to lead in the crusade for peaceful coexistence, community development, security and improved commerce. They also urged the monarch as custodian of tradition to protect the cultures and virtues of Yoruba people. The legislature made the call through a statement issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, to congratulate the monarch on his coro-

nation and presentation of staff of office. Oba Akanbi mounted the throne about three years after the demise of his predecessor, the late Oba Asiru Olatunbosun Tadese, who died on February 18, 2013. The assembly which stated that Iwo is known for cattle keeping and abattoir management, urged the royal father to do everything possible to promote this venture and possibly modernise it. It implored the monarch to also explore landmarks and tourism potential in the ancient town. Similarly, during a visit of the assembly members to the monarch’s palace,

the Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, said the culture of Yoruba should be promoted beyond the shores of Nigeria. Noting that the emergence of the monarch had shown that youths have decided to take up the responsibility of developing their communities, he urged the king to bring his youthful energy to bear on the development of the town as well as promotion of peace and unity in Iwoland, Osun State and Nigeria in general. The Speaker further urged the traditional ruler to use his position to sensitise the people on the need to to pay their taxes and other dues promptly.

around the bridge, the issue of closing markets over dirty surroundings will not arise. “But there are no rubbish cans, people are forced to empty their refuse in drainages under the cover of darkness, thereby blocking the drainages.” Another trader, who deals in mobile phones, Chijioke Nnamdi, advised the relevant authorities not only to provide garbage cans, but to always come around regularly to empty them. “It is not just about providing waste disposable cans, it is much more about coming around to empty them. Most of the refuse cans in some strategic places in the area, get filled and spill to the ground. “For instance, there used to be a waste disposable bin at Temidire Bus Stop but at a point, it was left unattended to. The rubbish in the waste bin got filled up and spilled to the ground, blocking a part of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Government at all levels needs to be up and doing,” he stated.

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Iowa votes: Republican govs, Bush,

Christie, Kasich, on collision course

wo weeks out from Iowa, the three Republican governors competing for the mainstream of the GOP are locked in a bitter fight to survive in Iowa and to excel in New Hampshire. In separate interviews with TIME over the last several days, the hopefuls, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, and John Kasich, revealed their strikingly-similar strategies and theories of the case for their campaigns. All are depending on voters to grow more serious and shift their support away from Donald Trump. All are betting on loosely assembled networks of potential supporters to carry them past the two early states. All are confident their moment to shine is just around the corner. But all three are on a collision course in New Hampshire, where just one or none of them will break through. Donald Trump is engaging in his most strenuous day of campaigning in Iowa with three events, including one with at least one “special guest,” after making a pitch to evangelical voters at Liberty University. Jeb Bush will address the Council on Foreign Relations on his plan to take on ISIS. Republican operatives are cheering the rise of Bernie Sanders, declaring him the winner of Sunday night’s

debate and defending his record from attacks from Hillary Clinton. The effort stems from their belief that he will be a far easier opponent than Clinton in November. Karl Rove’s American Crossroads is up with an ad in Iowa criticizing

Clinton’s ties to Wall Street as it seeks to boost Sanders. An insider explains why the GOP contest may drag on for a while. A behind the scenes look at Bridgegate. Marco Rubio has a powerful exchange with an atheist. But he ducks a question on the

Michigan water crisis. “That’s not an issue that right now we’ve been focused on and for me to give you a deeply detailed answer on what the right approach should be on it,” Marco Rubio, asked about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan

From left, Republican governors John Kasich, Chris Christie and Jeb Bush at the Republican presidential debate in North Charleston, S.C. PHOTO: GETTY

women and children from the Yazidi religious minority captured in the summer of 2014 and forced into sexual slavery. It said another 800 to 900 children were abducted from Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, for religious and military training. It said a number of IS child soldiers were killed by the extremists when they tried to flee fighting in the western Anbar province. The reports called the civilian death toll in Iraq

“staggering.” It also detailed the various methods the IS group has employed to kill its enemies, including public beheadings, running people over with bulldozers, burning them alive and throwing them off buildings. Such acts are “systematic and widespread... abuses of international human rights law and humanitarian law,” the report said. “These acts may, in some instances, amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide.”

otherNEWS

Social network Twitter suffered a large outage on Tuesday, becoming unavailable for users worldwide. Web visitors attempting to visit the site were greeted by an error page, while many mobile users were unable to post or access the network, reports the BBC. Twitter confirmed the outage on its status board, saying that there “were aware” of the problem and were working to fix it.

According to the Guardian, the company’s developer-facing monitoring confirmed that four out of it’s five API, the system that applications use to speak to the Twitter service, was down. The company had initially confirmed the outage by somehow sending a tweet on it’s support account. It continued to have problems throughout Tuesday morning.

People are seen as silhouettes as they check mobile devices whilst standing against an illuminated wall bearing Twitter Inc.’s logo in London, U.K. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES.

ISIS killed 18,802 civilians, holds 3,500 as slaves in Iraq —UN At least 18,802 civilians were killed and another 36,245 were wounded in Iraq between the start of 2014 and October 31 of last year as Iraqi forces battled the Islamic State group, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday. The report, according to The Associated Report, documented a wide range of human rights abuses, including the IS group’s conscription of some 3,500 people into slavery, mainly

Twitter suffers worldwide outage on Tuesday

World’s oldest man dies in Japan, aged 112 The world’s oldest man, a Japanese who died at the age of 112, said his secret to a long life was not to smoke, drink or overdo it. According to TIME, Yasutaro Koide, born on March 13, 1903, died two months short of his 113th birthday. Koide (pronounced “Koydeh”) worked as a tailor when he was younger. He was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest man in August.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said he died early Tuesday at a hospital in Nagoya, central Japan, where he had been treated for chronic heart problems.

Yasutaro Koide

New Libyan unity govt members announced under UN-backed plan

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon

Libya’s Presidential Council announced a new government of national accord on Tuesday aimed at uniting the country’s warring factions under a United Nationsbacked plan, Reuters reported. The Tunis-based council

had pushed back the deadline for naming the government by 48 hours, amid reports of disputes over the distribution of ministerial posts. Only seven of the council’s nine members signed the document, which named a

total of 32 ministers. Libya has become deeply fractured since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Since the summer of 2014 it has had two rival governments and parliaments, operating from the capital Tripoli and from the east.

Eagles legend, Glenn Frey, dies at 67 Glenn Frey, a founding member of the Eagles, has died after suffering from ongoing health problems, the legendary rock band said. He was 67. According to TIME, Frey died on Monday in New York City following a “courageous”

weeks-long battle with rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia, the Eagles said in a statement on their website. “The Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his re-

covery,” the statement said. “Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide.” Frey’s health problems last November forced the Eagles

to put off their Kennedy Centre Honour until 2016, the Washington Post reported at the time. Frey had a recurrence of “previous intestinal issues, which will require major surgery and a lengthy recovery period,” the band had said in a statement.

Glenn Frey

Both are backed by loose alliances of armed brigades of rebels who once fought Gaddafi. Western powers hope the new government will be able to deliver stability and tackle a growing threat from Islamic State militants.

foreig naffairs

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Supreme Court to review Obama’s power on deportation policy

A French police officer inspects burned vehicles outside the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. REUTERS.

Al Qaeda names fighters behind Burkina Faso attack Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has identified three fighters it said were responsible for attacks that killed 29 people in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, over the weekend, Reuters reported. Gunmen from the Islamist militant group stormed the Cappuccino restaurant and the Splendid Hotel on Friday night, singling out white people for slaughter. Eight Burkinabes, six Canadians, three Ukrainians and two French people were killed, among others. In a statement, AQIM named the three attack-

ers as al-Battar al-Ansari, Abu Muhammad al-Buqali al-Ansari and Ahmed alFulani al-Ansari, according to SITE Intelligence group. Al-Ansari is a nom de guerre that usually designates somebody from northern Mali, although it might just indicate where the brigade is based or originates from. The statement included a picture of the three apparently adolescent “heroes” in beige fatigues carrying Kalashnikovs. Two were black and another, smiling faintly, was light-skinned, suggesting he might be from an Arab or Tuareg group.

China’s growth hits quarter-century low, raising hopes of more stimulus China’s economy grew at its weakest pace in a quarter of a century last year, raising hopes Beijing would cushion the slowdown with more stimulus policies, which in turn prompted a rally on the country’s rollercoaster share

markets, Reuters reported. Growth for 2015 as a whole hit 6.9 per cent after the fourth quarter slowed to 6.8 percent, capping a tumultuous year that witnessed a huge outflow of capital, a slide in the currency and a summer stocks crash. Concerns about Beijing’s grip on economic policy have shot to the top of global investors’ risk list for 2016 after a renewed plunge in its stock markets and the yuan stoked worries that the economy may be rapidly deteriorating.

China’s President Xi Jinping

Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara (left) and Guillaume Soro, President of Ivory Coast National Assembly. PHOTO:

he Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will decide whether President Obama has the authority to declare that millions of illegal immigrants be allowed to remain and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The Washington Post said court will probably hear the case in April, with a ruling before it adjourns in June. It provides the last chance that the administration would have to implement the program, announced by Obama in 2014, before he leaves office next January. The programme would affect nearly 4 million people. programme, Obama’s called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and

Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), would allow illegal immigrants in those categories to remain in the country and apply for work permits if they have been here for at least five years and have not committed

Immigrants and their supporters with the group, “We are CASA” during a recent protest against planned raids to deport undocumented illegal immigrants during a rally in Lafayette Park next to the White House in Washington, DC. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES.

But the executive action, taken after Congress failed to enact comprehensive immigration reform, was blocked by lower courts when Texas and 25 other Republican-led states sued to stop it. “DAPA is a crucial change in the nation’s immigration law and policy and that is precisely why it could be created only by Congress, rather than unilaterally imposed by the Executive,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a filing to the court. The states said that the programme “would be one of the largest changes in immigration policy in our nation’s history” and that it raises major issues involving the separation of powers and federalism.

2015 most common passwords ridiculously easy to guess revealed Last year’s hack of dating website Ashley Madison, in which millions of passwords were revealed, showed a similar trend. “123456”, “12345” and “password” were among the most popular, although some were at the bluer end of the spectrum. One of the simplest ways to access

If your password is “123456,” “qwerty” or even “password,” change it right now. The three terms are among the most commonly-used passwords of 2015, according to an annual ranking from security group SplashData. The group, which collates passwords from data breaches in America and Western Europe to build samples, said “123456” was, for the fifth year running, the most common password. Predictably, the most popular passwords are by definition terrible - sequential lines of numbers, “master” and so on. “123456”, “12345678” and “12345” were all in the top five, the Guardian said. But “football”, “monkey” and “starwars” also made the list. Strangely, “football” gained three places last year, at the expense of “baseball.” Needless to say, if any of the passwords on this list are yours, you should change them. The data shows that at least some people are still failing to heed even the most basic security principles about secure codes.

someone’s online account is to guess a password, and hacking software tends to try the most common codes first. When a code is guessed, hackers also tend to try other online services the victim may use, such as banking, in an attempt to access other details.

How to pick a password •Don’t re-use passwords. One ultra-secure one won’t be any good if someone finds it. •While combining upper and lower case passwords with numbers to alter a memorable word - M4raD0na - is often advised, these are more easily cracked than you might think. •Good advice is to make a memorable, unusal sentence: “I am a 7-foot tall metal giant” is better than “My name is John”, and use the first letter of each word with punctuation: “Iaa7-ftmg.” •Alternatively, you can use a password manager such as 1Password, which can generate secure passwords and store them online. •The best way to protect yourself is to use two-factor authentication, which will send a text with a code or use an app to verify your log-in.

otherNEWS Ivory Coast ‘surprised’ by Burkina warrant against parliament head Ivory Coast’s government said late on Monday it was “surprised” that neighbouring Burkina Faso had issued an arrest warrant for the speaker of the Ivorian parliament, charging that he sought to back a coup

against Burkina Faso’s transitional government, Reuters reported. In a statement from the office of the president, Ivory Coast called for the matter to be resolved through diplomatic channels.

British MPs label Trump ‘crazy,’ ‘buffoon,’ ‘wazzock’ Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has benen branded a racist demagogue, a buffoon and a “wazzock” in the British parliament as MPs debated whether to ban the Republican presidential candidate from coming to the United Kingdom. According to Guardian, a series of MPs attacked Trump for his views on Muslims, women, dis-

felonies or repeated misdemeanors. The administration says the programme is a way for a government with limited resources to prioritise which illegal immigrants it will move first to deport.

abled people, global warming and other issues in the three-hour discussion, with some suggesting he was inflaming hate crime against minorities. However, the majority of parliamentarians from both left and right dismissed the idea of banning the businessman and star of The Apprentice in the US, with one saying it would fuel his pub-

licity machine and give him the “halo of victimhood”. About 50 MPs out of 650 were present for the debate, which was triggered by a petition signed by more than half a million people. Any petition that attracts more than 100,000 signatories is considered by MPs to decide whether it is worthy of debate. Trump drew international

Burkina authorities issued the international warrant last week, based on an audio recording of a conversation allegedly between the speaker, Guillaume Soro, and Djibril Bassole, a political ally of Burkina Faso’s deposed

condemnation when he called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”. He later claimed that in Britain “we have places in London and other places that are so radicalised that police are afraid for their own lives.”

long-time ruler, Blaise Compaore. On the recording, which was posted on the Internet last year, two men discuss ways to support a coup then under way against Burkina Faso’s interim government.

Republican presidential hopeful, Donald Trump.

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

CHAN 2016:

Eagles were too good —Niger coach

OACH of Menas of Niger Republic, Francois Zahoui admitted that Nigeria was too good for his side after the Super Eagles claimed a 4-1 victory in the teams’ opening group C match at the ongoing 2016 Africa Nations Championship on Monday. Zahoui praised Nigeria for their powerful performance, but believes his side can bounce back in their remaining games. “Nigeria is a very good side, you could all see how they came back in the second half strongly and with determination,” he told Supersport. “We kind of lost concentration immediately the second half began and that is what finished us. “We are in a very tough group but what we can do is to generously accept the defeat and start work on our next game because

we tried our best against Nigeria but they proved to be too good. “We want to try and make amends in our next game but let’s remember Guinea is a very aggressive team, but we will learn from our mistakes against Nigeria and try to give our best performance as it is a tournament not a league.”

Super Eagles captain, Chima Akas (right) dazzles.

Super 4: Akwa Utd will spring surprises —Official Federation Cup winners, Akwa United have said they will not make up the numbers at the 2016 Super 4 tournament in Kaduna and Uyo. The Promise Keepers will lock horns against Glo Premier League runners-up, Warri Wolves in match day 1 clash today at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

The Uyo outfit stormed the Crocodiles city on Monday with new recruits, Bassey Akpan, Ubong Ekpai, Kufre Ebong and Michael Ibeh as well as oldies, Godspower Igudia, Aniekan Ekpe, Emmanuel Ariwa, Olufemi Kayode, Namso Edo, Ubong Friday, among others. An official of the side, Uwem Ekoh said the side will use the Super 4 platform to make a bold

statement of their readiness to excel in the domestic and African scene. “We are ready to be counted but not as underdogs at the Super 4 tournament. “We will use the platform to prove to Nigerians of our readiness to campaign favourably in the home front and Africa. “I’m confident we won’t in worst

3SC set to launch fan base By Olawale Olaniyan THE management of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) has put in place the machinery to launch the team’s fan base among its numerous club supporters. General Manager of 3SC, Mr Rasheed Balogun disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, adding that the services of a notable sports marketing firm will be required to successfully execute the plan. He said the idea of having a fan base became necessary in order to complement the funding of the club by the state government, as the new Glo Premier League season is billed to kick off next month. Balogun noted that the modest achievement recorded by 3SC last season was just a stepping stone which has proved that with better planning, good financial base, the team stands a chance of contending for the league title this season. “The success of any club is tied

to the strength of its fan base, we at 3SC have therefore decided to start this journey of putting in place a fan base that will enable the club supporters to play a more effective role in the affairs of their darling team. “The fan base is a project that would not discriminate. It’s going to be for both the mighty and the small and to be renewed every season. It will be in three categories of Gold which will be sold for N50,000, Silver N20,000 while Bronze goes for N5,000. “The formal launch of the fan base will go a long way in reestablishing the 3SC as a pace setter as far as football administration is concerned in Nigeria, because 3SC will now stand out as the only club to have decided to take the bull by the horns with this concept. “Also, as a means of increasing our revenue, we have decided to effect some minimal increase in gate fees which will now be N1,000 for State box, N500 (covered seat) while popular side attracts N200.

“It is our hope that by the time we formally launch the fan base, all supporters of the club both at home an in the Disporal will join in the step of taking this team back to where it rightfully belongs,” he said. Meanwhile, Balogun in an interview with Tribunesport revealed that both Tope Orelope and Kelly Kester have joined Enyimba, while Biodun Akande has moved to Sunshine Stars of Akure, just as he disclosed that 3SC will soon unveil a new coach. “We will soon name a new coach which will be embraced by everybody because we tried everything humanly possible to stop coach Gbenga Ogunbote from leaving and we just have to move forward and get a capable replacement for him,” Balogun said.

3SC defender, Sylvanus Ebiaku

case scenario go beyond the second spot at the Super 4 tournament. “We are ready to kickoff our campaign on winning note against Warri Wolves on Wednesday (today) in Kaduna,” Ekoh told supersport.com.

Enyimba official laments Seven-time Nigerian league champions, Enyimba were attacked at gun point in Okene on Monday afternoon with players and officials robbed of valuables like mobile phones and cash. “One of our officials told them we are footballers, one of them shouted at him, saying ‘Thunder fire football!’, Chukwudi reported. “I have never witnessed such a thing in my life, they were like five men, all fully armed with guns. “I saw heaven and came back to earth. It was terrifying. “Thank God no one was hurt, but they collected our phones and money.”. It will be recalled that Kano Pillars were attacked by robbers on their way to a league game in the eastern part of Nigeria last year where five players including star striker, Gambo Mohammed were shot. Meanwhile, two-time African champions, Enyimba will feature in a pre-season Super 4 tournament which starts today in Kaduna, alongside Warri Wolves, Nasarawa United and Federation Cup holders, Akwa United.

47 tribunesport

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

Amanfor, Esieme join Enugu Rangers

Australian Open:

Venus (left) shakes hands with her conqueror, Konta, after the game.

Nadal, Venus crash out

afael Nadal suffered his first round-one exit at the Australian Open as his country man, Fernan-

do Verdasco recorded a stunning five-set win at Melbourne Park. The Spanish left-handers produced an exhibition of hard-hit-

Chikatara has promised to sign for us —Pillars

A few hours after Chisom Chikatara hit the headlines after his hattrick exploits with the home-based Super Eagles, Glo Premier League side, Kano Pillars has claimed that the lad has pledged to sign for them in the new season. The Abia Warriors striker, Chikatara announced his emergence on the international stage on Monday when he came off the bench to fire three goals for Nigeria in the 4-1 win over Niger Republic 4-1 in the ongoing African

Chikatara

Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. “We have not signed any contract papers with Chikatara, but he has given us his word that Kano Pillars is the club he will play for next season if by then he is still playing in the league,” Pillars spokesman, Idris Malikawa disclosed. “He approached us and he said he would love to play for us.” Last year, ‘Kolanut boy’ Chikatara had trials in Switzerland, but Abia Warriors said the offer was too poor to consider. It will be recalled that Christian Obiozor joined Pillars after he scored the winner for Nigeria against Zimbabwe in a third-place match at the 2014 CHAN in South Africa. However, midway through the campaign the big striker opted to quit the four-time league champions.

ting to thrill those inside the Rod Laver Arena over four hours and 40 minutes. Verdasco saved a break point to prevent going 3-0 down in the decider, going on to win 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 3-6 7-6 (4-7) 6-2. In the women’s draw, Johanna Konta outclassed eighth seed Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round. Britain’s number one, 24, raced to victory in 79 minutes as seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams, her left thigh heavily strapped, struggled. Konta denied that 35-year-old Williams’ age had anything to do with the American’s laboured display. “It’s irrelevant how old she is be-

cause she’s such a champion with so much experience and knowledge,” said Konta. “Even if she’s playing with one leg out there, you’ve got to really take care of things on your own because she’s an incredible player. I have all the respect for her in the world.” Konta hit five aces to Williams’ one and won 71 per cent of her points on first serve compared to just 52 from Williams. Konta, who reached the last 16 at the 2015 US Open, is the only British woman left in the singles draw following Heather Watson’s defeat on Monday. The world number 47, making her Australian Open debut, will now face China’s Zheng Saisai.

Chimezie Amanfor and Bright Esieme from Enyimba have joined Enugu Rangers ahead of the 2016 Glo Premier League season which gets underway next month. The striker, Amanfor who played for Enyimba last season said he needs new challenge and more playing time which the Flying Antelopes will provide for him in the coming league season. “Yes, I have signed for Enugu Rangers for the upcoming soccer season and I hope to achieve greater heights with the side. “Enyimba does not offer me new challenges having won the Federation Cup as well as the league shield with the Aba outfit. “Besides, I discovered that I was no longer getting enough playing time which every quality player needs badly. “I think the urge for new challenge and laurel is the overriding consideration to pitch tent with Rangers,” Amanfor said. Also, Super Eagles defender, Esieme has confirmed his move to Rangers. “I hope to improve and gain more playing time Rangers as well as contribute my own quota to the side quest for laurels. “At least even if we did not carry the league shield we will not miss Federation Cup title in the coming football season. “I’m looking forward to a great football season at Enugu Rangers,” said the former Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) player told supersport.com.

Monreal signs new Arsenal deal Nacho Monreal has committed his future to Arsenal after signing a new longterm deal with the club. Monreal, who joined the Gunners in January 2013, has been in impressive form this season and has featured in all of the club’s Barclays Premier League matches. The 29-year old defender said: “I’m really happy because my intention was to keep playing for Arsenal. I feel really good playing here.” Monreal, who arrived from Malaga for a reported #10million, has won successive FA Cups with Arsene Wenger’s side and usurped Kieran Gibbs from the left-back spot. The Spaniard added: “I have a good relationship with my team-mates and

we keep improving year after year. I wanted to stay here and I could extend my contract. I would like to play here for many more years. “The trust of the Arsenal fans is really important for us because they are helping us in every moment as we are fighting to win the Premier League. “I met the boss three years ago and I have a really good relationship with him and I’m really happy with him. For these reasons I extended my contract.”

Monreal

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WEDNESDAY, 20 JANUARY, 2016

Ex-convict, one Umoru Ibrahim barely three weeks after his release from prison, through government amnesty last November, has been nabbed in Oyo State for a failed kidnap attempt. Perhaps, having earlier been jailed for stealing a motorcycle, has Ibrahim not upped his game by embracing kidnapping business?

IAAF scandal worse than FIFA’s —Michael Johnson

OUR-TIME Olympic gold medallist, Michael Johnson says the corruption scandal plaguing athletics is worse than the one faced by football, just as he believes the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) must be “completely restructured”. Three senior IAAF officials were banned for life for alleged doping breaches. And Russia is currently banned from all athletics competitions following accusations of widespread doping. Asked how the scandal facing athletics compared to that of FIFA, Johnson told the BBC: “If you think about the victims, it is absolutely worse.” FIFA, the body that governs world football, is also in crisis following a series of damaging corruption claims. Its president, Sepp Blatter, has been banned for eight years for breaching ethics rules. In an interview with Mishal Husain, Johnson said that those athletes cheated out of medals by dopers “never had the opportunity to stand on the podium - and they should have”. However, he stopped short of backing an Olympic ban for Russian athletes later this year. “Do you ban an entire country that ostensibly could include clean athletes, from participating in Rio?” asked the American, who still holds the world and Olympic records for the 400m. “That is a very difficult decision to make.” Johnson was also cool on the idea, floated by chairman of UK Athletics Ed Warner, of resetting all world records so athletics could start afresh with a level playing field. “It doesn’t make sense to me how a reset of all the world records is going to deal with the issue of people cheating,” Johnson

said. “It doesn’t create a clean competition and that does not deter anyone from cheating.”

“It is the governing body - and the very structure of the governing body - that has allowed this type of corruption,” he said.

Johnson

Eaglets ’85 members set for Abuja reception Duere arrives, Agbonsevbafe, Joseph expected today By Wale Emosu MEMBERS of the Golden Eaglets squad of 1985 are set for tomorrow’s reception in Abuja, as the trailblazers converge on Nigeria’s federal capital to be honoured for the feat they achieved almost 31 years ago. Nigeria won the maiden edition of the FIFA U-16 World Championship – now known as the FIFA U-17 World Cup – in China on August 11, 1985 and the government of the day, at a reception for the team in Lagos, made a number of promises to the players and coaches, but most of those promises have remained unfulfilled till today. But the current civilian administration, led by Muhammadu Buhari, the same man who made the promises as the military head of

Nduka Ugbade, captain of the 1985 Eaglets squad

state in 1985, has decided to redeem its pledge. The ‘World Golden Eaglets’, as they were nicknamed after the China feat by the then General Buhari, will be hosted tomorrow at the State House, Abuja, with members of the 2015 set who conquered the world in Chile for Nigeria’s fifth U-17 World Cup title. Tribunesport gathered on good authority that a member of the Golden Eaglets team of 1985 based abroad, Duere Tonworimi, is already in the country for the reception. The former defender who is based in Italy, came in on Monday night. Another member of the team, Salisu Hassan Nakande confirmed this to Tribunesport on Tuesday afternoon. Nakande said that he and other members of the team who are based in Jos, Plateau State – Sani Adamu and Bauldwin Bazuaye, who recently bagged the job of coaching Mighty Jets of Jos, will leave for Abuja this morning. The former players and coaches are to be accommodated at Top Rank Hotel. Nakande, who is the players’ coordinator for the reception, also talked on the arrival time of other members of the squad based abroad. According to him, USAbased Fatai Atere was expected to arrive in Nigeria yesterday (Tuesday). “Lucky [Agbonsevbafe] is coming in tomorrow, Segun [Babatunde Joseph] is coming in

tomorrow [today],” Nakande said. Former goalkeeper Agbonsevbafe is based in the United Kingdom, while Joseph is based in New Jersey, United States. He added that Bella Momoh was waiting for a clearance for his trip to Nigeria and that if he is unable to get it by today, he may not be part of the Abuja party after all. Momoh is in the US Army on assignment in Germany. But specifically he said Canada-based Victor Igbinoba will not be coming. Some other China ’85 heroes

based in Nigeria also spoke with Tribunesport. Hilary Adiki and Dele Abubakar confirmed that they will arrive in Abuja today ahead of tomorrow’s programme. Yahaya Mohammed, speaking with Tribunesport by phone on Tuesday said: “I am leaving tomorrow [Wednesday] by 10am. The four of us – my wife, coach Bala [Shamaki], his son and I.” Mohammed is based in Minna, Niger State with coach Shamaki, one of the assistant coaches to Sebastian Brodericks.

Adebayor eyes Drogba’s EPL goal record CLUBLESS Togolese striker, Emmanuel Adebayor is reportedly set to join another Londonbased English Premier League (EPL) side Crystal Palace. Palace manager, Alan Pardew has already admitted that the free-agent is a target for them in this month’s Transfer Window period. The former Arsenal star is also eyeing a move to Palace

this month so he can become EPL’s leading African goalscorer. Adebayor is just nine goals short of the Ivorian legend’s record of 104 EPL goals. Drogba played 254 matches for Chelsea across two spells with the club. However, Adebayor is currently on 96 league goals from 230 games which he scored

while playing for Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Nigerian striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who is placed third behind Adebayor, is on 95 goals. Another Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu is next in line with 54 goals. Adebayor has also been linked with another EPL sides Watford and Sunderland. But

he reportedly prefers staying in London. Talks between Tottenham and Palace are said to be ongoing for Adebayor because the former are still paying the final year of his £100,000-a-week contract. A deal is expected to be agreed after Palace and Tottenham’s EPL clash at the Selhurst Park this Saturday.

Adebayor

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. 20/1/2016.