24th May 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,507

TUESDAY, 24 MAY, 2016

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I am not on exile

—Jonathan NLNG dividends —P2

Nigerian Tribune

Local production of aviation fuel begins soon —FG —P12

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

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Fayose bans open cattle grazing in Ekiti •Afenifere backs him —P36

N150

Shekau's aide kills top Boko Haram bomb maker —P31

NNPC didn't remit $12.9bn into Federation Account —Audit report •FG begins probe

—P2

Nigeria on path of economic recovery —Buhari —P8

PDP crisis: Pressure mounts on PDP lawmakers to defect to APC

•National secretariat remains closed —P8

President Muhammadu Buhari receiving the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left), in his office at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. With them is the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

Flood kills man in Ibadan, 2 missing

—P36

We will stop Niger Delta Avengers —CDS —P31

2 news NLNG dividends: NNPC didn’t remit $12.9bn into Federation Account —Audit report •FG begins probe Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Ademola Adegbite -Abuja

N

ATIONAL Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), on Monday, revealed that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) paid the sum of $1.289 billion as dividends, interest and loan repayment for 2013, which Nigerian Na-

tional Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) acknowledged receipt but did not remit it to the Federation Account.

The figure, according to the report, brings to $12.9 billion, the total NLNG payment received by NNPC between 2005 and 2013 but not remitted by the corporation to the Federation Account.

This comes as the group approved a comprehensive investigation by the Federal Government into the divestments of federation assets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

Presenting the report during the public presentation

I am not on exile —Jonathan Taiwo Adisa -Abuja FORMER president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has denied a newspaper reports (not Nigerian Tribune) indicating that he has gone on exile.

Jonathan, who spoke through a close ally on Monday, said he was not guilty of any offence to warrant him going to exile.

The close ally of the former president, who spoke with him in United States, said he (Jonathan) was not on the run.

The source said media reports indicating that Jonathan fled to exile in Cote d’Ivoire, to escape arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was false.

The development by the media report was attributed to recent arrests of top aides of Jonathan, including his principal private secretary, Hassan Tukur and his cousin, Robert Aziobola, by the anti-graft agency.

But the source close to former President Jonathan denied the story, adding

that the story of his purported escape to exile was baseless and mischievous.

“It is laughable that anyone would think President Jonathan would run off into exile. For what reason exactly? What offence has he committed that would compel him to abscond from the country?

“The story might have been arranged to tarnish the image of the former leader,” he said, adding that there were suspicions that some individuals were desperate to dent Jonathan’s

of 2013 oil and gas, solid minerals industry audit reports at Rockview Hotel, Abuja, chairman of NSWG, who doubles as Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, further added that the government should also investigate the status of NLNG dividends.

He added that the NNPC and its sub-units should re-

fund outstanding payments to the federation.

The event was convened to present to the public, reports of the 2013 oil and gas and solid minerals audits, commissioned by the National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

According to him, “it is important to also note that 2013 figure brings to $12.9

image.

“They have repeatedly tried to rubbish him and failed; they arrested his close aides, including his cousin and have tried to coerce them into implicating him, but that has also not been successful. Now, they have hit upon another strategy and this will clearly fail.

“Nigerians are wiser today than they were one year ago; they have seen the difference between President Jonathan’s time and what obtains now. We just came out of a nationwide strike arising

from Labour and people’s disenchant with this government. They know Nigerians are not happy with them and are looking for scapegoats but they won’t find one in Jonathan because his hands are clean,” the source added.

According to him, “the government appears to be clutching at straws, by apparently using some forces to sponsor the exile story and linking Jonathan to the bombings of oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

“It is a despicable attempt at trying to give a dog a bad name in order to snuff life out of it. It is common knowledge that ex-President Jonathan was one of the principal actors behind the end of militancy in the Niger Delta, first as vice-president under late President Umaru Yar’Adua and then later as president himself.

“So, how can he suddenly turn around to instigate them to cause violence and disruption of the nation’s economic well-being through blowing up of pipelines and other oil facilities?”

Reno Omokri, former Special Assistant to the former president on new media, on his twitter handle, also denied that he was on exile in Cote d’Ivoire.

‘Missing’ N30 trillion: I wasn’t served —Okonjo-Iweala •Goes to court

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

FORMER Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has denied being served any court process by the SocioEconomic Rights Agenda (SERAP) or received any court summon nor judgment from the group in relation to any case bordering on the Freedom of Information Act. Dr Okonjo-Iweala, in a release signed by her media assistant, Paul C Nwabuikwu, aside denying knowledge

of the said suit, added that she had instructed her legal counsel to take the necessary steps to rectify the situation “It is curious that the first time Dr Okonjo-Iweala is being made aware of a matter filed against her in court is in news reports, stating the delivery of judgment. She has instructed her lawyers to take steps to set aside the judgment as it affects her,” Nwabuikwu said.

The media aide further explained that Dr OkonjoIweala was never served with

any court processes in relation to the said matter and had not read the judgment, adding that she would, therefore, defer any comments on the matter.

According to him, from the media reports available to Dr Okonjo-Iweala, the case was instituted in February 2015 but was not served until July 2015 after Dr Okonjo-Iweala had already ceased to be the Minister of Finance.

“Our attention has been drawn to media reports regarding a court judgment

Illegal detention: Court overrules FG, orders neutral place for Dasuki to brief lawyers Sunday Ejike -Abuja A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday, overruled the Federal Government in its decision to confine the detained former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Muhammed Sambo Dasuki (retd) to the premises of the Department of the State Security (DSS).

The government had decided that Dasuki should access and brief his lawyers in the trial of the corruption charges slammed against him by the Federal Government on the premises of the DSS. The court ordered that Dasuki must be allowed to access and brief his lawyers at a neutral place, instead

of the premises of the DSS headquarters in Abuja, so as to enable him to prepare adequately for his defence in the trial.

Justice Husain Baba Yusuf, who issued the order in Abuja, on Monday, directed that the detained ex-NSA should henceforth be allowed by DSS operatives to access his lawyers within the premises of the FCT Territory judiciary headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, between Monday to Friday.

Justice Baba Yusuf’s pronouncement followed a complaint by Dasuki’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, that the legal team for Dasuki had not been allowed to have direct access to him, in spite of a court order made on April 6.

At the resumed hearing

of the case, counsel for the Federal Government, Rotimi Jacobs, had told the judge that the case was slated for commencement of trial and that he was fully ready with his witnesses that would testify in the case.

Adedipe, on his part, told the court that he was not ready for any trial because the ruling of April 6, which ordered DSS to allow them access their client for briefing, so as to prepare his defence, had not been complied with by the security agency.

Justice Yusuf, who had earlier indicated that he was not going to grant any further adjournment, however, saw reason with the defence and adjourned the case till June 6, for the DSS to comply with his April 6 ruling.

alleged to have been entered against the Federal Government of Nigeria and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in respect of an action by SERAP, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. “The High Court, according to the media reports, ordered the Federal Government and Dr Okonjo-Iweala to provide information relating to N30 trillion allegedly unaccounted for,” the release said.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala argued that the date the said papers were purportedly served, she was no longer a public officer and could, therefore, not be the subject of a request for production of any documents or information under the Freedom of information Act, adding that the court processes must have been served on others because the attention of Dr Okonjo-Iweala was never drawn to the matter in which she appeared to have been sued personally.

She added that she did not even engage any lawyer to act for her in the matter.

The former finance minister further stated that the decision of SERAP to anchor its case on unsubstantiated allegation by the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Professor Charles Soludo, that N30 trillion, about seven times the total annual budget during the Jonathan-led administration is missing, confirms SERAP’s dubious motives and its role as a tool for politically motivated actors.

billion, the total NLNG payment received by NNPC between 2005 and 2013 but not remitted by NNPC to the Federal Government or the Federation.

“The reports disclosed that the total crude oil production in 2013 was 800,488,000 barrels. This was made up of production from all sources and various agreements.

However, the total volume of crude oil lifted through the different contacts arrangement was 800,338,000 barrels. The difference of 150,000 barrels is because not everything produced is lifted.

“The total revenue flows to the federation from all sources in 2013 came to $58.07 billion. This included revenue from crude oil sales, taxes, royalties and other incomes. The revenue realised in 2013 represented a decline of eight per cent, when compared with the $62.9 billion realised in 2012.

“The decline was attributed to the drop in oil and gas sales, following divestment of federation equity in some OMLs, crude losses as a result of production facilities, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft,” he explained.

Other recommendations of the NSWG, according to the minister, included a scientific technology such as fingerprinting to be put in place to track Nigeria’s crude oil trade and check oil theft.

On solid minerals audit report, the minister said 619 entities made payments to the government in 2013, but the 2013 solid minerals audit reconciled payments by only 65 entities (63 companies and two buying centres) that made payments of N2 million and above, adding that these 65 entities (10.5 per cent) accounted for 90.49 per cent of the total payments for 2013.

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N100bn pension funds: I am not under EFCC probe —Hon Duru Taiwo Adisa -Abuja

A

former member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Chidi Duru, has denied media reports linking him to alleged investigation of N100 billion pension funds, saying he was not on the run.

The former lawmaker, in a statement on Monday, said that there was an attempt by certain forces to bring him in collision with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the statement, entitled: “This Campaign of Calumny, Falsehood Must Stop,”

he said in the news report of May 23, 2016, untruth and deliberate misinformation were dished out, all in an attempt to malign his person as well as to harm his business concerns.

“Consequently, I assure the public and our numerous clients that there is no iota of truth in the publication, which its faceless authors claimed originated from an anonymous source in the EFCC. “For the avoidance of doubt, the highly disjointed report has no bearing or a true reflection of my person and my business interests anywhere.

“The point is that I am

Oke-Ogun obas evolve common front for development

By Wale Akinselure MONARCHS in Oke-Ogun, under the aegies of OkeOgun Conference of Obas and Chiefs, have called on indigenes of the region to rally round the traditional rulers, to bring about further development in the region.

This need for unity of OkeOgun for socio-economic development was stressed at a meeting held at Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, recently.

The meeting was attended by the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abd-Ganiy Saludeen Adekunle Oloogunebi; the Onigboho of Igboholand, Oba John Oyetola Bolarinwa; the Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji; the Oniro of Otu, Oba Sunday Adepoju Ayilola, among others.

Speaking, the Onigboho noted the imperativeness of all Oke Ogun indigenes, home and abroad, to key into the state government’s agricultural initiative, aimed at creating wealth and employment for the people.

He also called for unity in the drive towards ensuring the emergence of an OkeOgun indigene as govenor of Oyo State.

He noted that the region required more attention from state and federal governments while decrying the non-existence of federal projects, higher institutions of learning and abandonment of the Ikere George Dam. The Aare of Ago-Are also noted the need to address the challenges faced by the region to prevent untold hardship to settlers.

He expressed hope that the recommendations at

the meeting would forge requisite solutions to the socio-economic problems bedevilling communities in the region.

“Oke-Ogun has many challenges and the essence of today’s meeting is to chart a new course for development of our people.

“Oke-ogun has many sons and daughters making waves in the country and abroad, who are doing well in politics, commerce and in the entertainment industry. “Therefore, the time has come for us all to unite behind our traditional rulers in order to develop our region,” he said.

a victim of a wicked conspiracy of a failed attempt by persons who want to take over my business interest in First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPL), by setting me on a collision course with EFCC. “It is preposterous for anybody to allege that I violated the pension fund administrator licensing condition and the Code of Corporate governance by offering the shares of FGPL without a board resolution to Genoou Concept for an unsubstantiated transaction,” the statement read.

He said it was not surprising that some fellows would again resort to banding and circulating the same old untruth story, as did in 2011, just to satisfy some pay masters, adding that “this current effort, as in the past, is an exercise in futility.”

Reports on Monday had indicated that the EFCC had launched a probe into the management of over N100 billion worth of pension assets being managed by First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPL).

The commission, according to findings, had questioned a senior staff of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Chinyere Christie Ekweonu, who stood surety for the main suspect, Honourable Duru.

The board of directors of the company mentioned in the report, First Guarantee Pension Limited, has, however, called an extra-

ordinary meeting to clear the issues.

A statement by George

Ozodinobi, chairman of the board of the company, on behalf of the concerned

shareholders, said the extraordinary meeting would resolve the issues.

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos

Policewoman allegedly pushes danfo driver to death over bribe

•Protesters attempt burning station •He drowned on his own —Police Olalekan Olabulo

T

HERE was palpable tension on Sunday evening in Igando area as angry commercial vehicle operators

protested the alleged killing of one of them by a policewoman.

There were two conflicting reports on the cause of the incident and the accompanying violence with some members

of the angry mob accusing the unidentified policewoman of pushing the unidentified man to death, while another version said that he was epileptic.

The angry protesters

Synagogue: Trial of engineers shifted again to June 1 Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

THE trial of the two engineers; Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, who built a seven storey building, which collapsed within the premises of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations’ (SCOAN), has been further adjourned till June 1, 2016.

Ogundeji and Fatiregun, alongside their companies, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Limited, are facing involuntary manslaughter charges before an Ikeja High Court over the death of 116 persons in the SCOAN’s building which collapsed on September 12, 2014.

Also standing trial over the collapsed building are the Registered Trustees of

SCOAN, who were charged with the offence of building without obtaining the approval of the state government.

Their trial was however stalled as the four defence counsels raised an objection to the testimony of the first prosecution witness, Adebayo Olayinka Soon after Olayinka stepped into the witness box on Monday, counsel for the first defendant, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, stood up and observed that the statement of the witness was not part of the proof of evidence made available by the prosecution to the defence.

Fagbemi argued that allowing Olayinka to testify while the defence counsel had no idea of the evidence he in-

tended to give would amount to ambushing the defence or catching them by surprise.

Counsel for the second defendant, Chief E.L. Akpofure, counsel for the third and fifth defendants, Mrs Titilola Akinlawon and counsel for the fourth defendant, Mr Olalekan Ojo, all aligned themselves with Fagbemi’s submission, insisting that their clients would be prejudiced if Olayinka was allowed to go on with his testimony.

But the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Idowu Alakija, argued that it was not mandatory for a witness’ evidence to be frontloaded as part of the proof of evidence before he could be deemed competent to testify.

Conductors to be trained on how to address commuters Bola Badmus LAGOS State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Dayo Mobereola, has disclosed that the government had held consultation with road transport operators on the need to rebrand and professionalise the road transport sector.

According to him, the state government has plans to restructure garages in the state and teach the transport operators etiquette on how to behave and talk to commuters and introduce holistic ticketing system which people can download from the internet and use for any mode of transportation without hitch.

“Lagos State motor garages

will be restructured in such a way that alcohol and illicit substances and other things that are not supposed to be sold at our garages will not be there. We are going to teach the transport operators in the state etiquette on how to behave and talk to commuters,” Mobereola said.

Also, the state government also said it had disbursed the sum of N39 million to 248 vulnerable members of the society who are in need of financial assistance as start-up capital for small and medium scale business ventures.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engage-

ment, Honourable Kehinde Joseph, revealed this at a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, saying the funds were disbursed through the Office of Civic Engagement.

Joseph explained that additional requests for financial assistance from members of the public were being processed, adding that more people would benefit from the exercise soon.

He noted that, “This is to encourage the development of better and creative ideas and solutions that would be helpful to the citizens’ well being, as well as create opportunities for citizens to have input in governance.”

blocked the LASU-Igando Expressway and prevented the police from taking away the corpse, before they were dispersed with gunshots.

The protest continued on Monday as the protesters mobilised themselves and threatened to set the Igando police station ablaze.

The police in the state, however, denied that any policeman or woman was responsible for the death in the Sunday incident but confirmed that there was an incident that led to the death of one person.

It was gathered that the deceased bus driver and an un-

identified policewoman were arguing over bribe, when the driver fell inside the gutter and was drowned.

The policewoman, who was accused of causing his death at Oye Junction, escaped from the scene immediately and efforts by other policemen, who arrived at the scene to evacuate the corpse, were resisted by an angry mob.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told Lagos Metro that “by the time the driver was brought out of the gutter, he had drowned.”

He also said the belief among people in the area was that

School proprietor detained over rape of 3-yr-old girl sues police Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin THE proprietor and director of a private school located at Legasa Phase 11, Lakowe, Ochuko Osusu has sued the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (SCID), and one Inspector Solomon Ojo of SCID, Panti to the tune of N5 million over his alleged illegal detention by the Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID) Panti.

According to Osusu, trouble began on April 22, when he got a phone call from one Mrs Ogunderu alleging that her threeyear-old daughter had been defiled in school, and that she discovered it at home while bathing her daughter.

“They went to a private hospital close to the school, when Mr Ogunderu (the father of the girl) called to demand that the victim be taken to a private hospital, Doreen Specialist Hospital, Ajah, which was done,” Osusu said and added that it was from there that the hospital invited the Police from Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah.

Osusu explained that he

was immediately arrested, his statement taken and he was detained overnight but released on bail on Saturday, April 23, and was asked to report from time to time which he did and never jumped bail.

“Then on April 23, Mr Ogunderu solely took the victim to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, for medical examination without my knowledge, or that of the Police,” Osusu stated, adding that the Police assured him that he would not be prosecuted since he had no direct link to the alleged crime.

Osusu claimed that on May 11, the case was revisited and transferred to SCID Panti. “I was informed by Mr Ogunderu that a human rights organisation headed by one Mrs Aisha Oyebode (nee Muritala Muhammed) is interested in the matter and had made contact with high authorities,” and Osusu was held in police custody from that day.

Osusu, who claimed innocence of the rape of the girl said: “On the day of the alleged incident, I never saw or had any contact whatsoever with the victim since I was only the administrative head of the school.”

the runaway policewoman pushed the late driver, who slipped and fell inside the gutter.

The acting image maker in charge of the state police command, Damascus Ozoani, absolved the police of any complicity in the death of the driver. He said hoodlums prevented the police from rushing the driver to the hospital, before they later dispersed.

In another incident, a man, Geoffrey Idehen alleged that his younger brother, Sunday Idehen, has been remanded at Kirikiri Prison by the police in Igando for daring to beg for an arrested commercial motorcyclist.

Geoffrey told Lagos Metro: “My brother was returning from work last Wednesday, when he saw some policemen assaulting a commercial motorcyclist around the police station.

He approached them and appealed to them to take it easy with the okada man but instead, the policemen pounced on him and beat him to stupor, before dragging him into their police station, where he was kept till the following day.”

Geoffrey also alleged that “when they were beating my brother, another person also tried to intervene and the two of them were arrested. They held them incommunicado and prevented them from speaking with their relatives but we got to know that my brother was with them, when we were searching for him the following day.”

163 hoodl Bola Badmus LAGOS State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has confirmed that 108 motorcycles were impounded by it for plying restricted routes and that had arrested 163 miscreants and hoodlums, arrested were charged to various environmental courts, in the last one week.

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metro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Convict thanks Magistrate for jailing him Opeyemi Owoaseye

From left, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa; deputy governor, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and Kebbi State governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, during the commissioning of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit at Cappa, Oshodi, on Monday. Inset: Cross section of the newly commissioned Equipments for the LASEMA Response Unit, on Monday. PHOTOS: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

IN a bizarre twist of events, a man who was sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly stabbing someone in the chest and stomach, on Monday commended the magistrate for sending him to jail.

Mohammed Jamilu, who committed the alleged offence on May 19, at Kadara area of Ebute Metta, was accused of stabbing one Murtala Mohammed on the chest and stomach with a kitchen knife during a minor dispute over an eye glasses.

The victim sustained se-

rious injuries and was later rushed to the general hospital for treatment.

According to the police who arraigned him before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court, the stab caused the complainant bodily harm and the defendant thereby committed an offence punishable under the law.

Jamilu, however, pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him and was jailed for two years by the magistrate, Mrs B. O. Ope-Agbe.

Surprisingly, Jamilu thanked the magistrate for the judgment.

Lagos opens first-of-its-kind emergency rescue unit Bola Badmus PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has described the establishment of multi-billion naira Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit by the state government as another first of its kind for Nigeria and Lagos that meets the international standards in rescuing of lives and properties in emergency situations.

The president, represented by the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is on a two-day working visit to the state. He made the remark on Monday at the commissioning which took place at Cappa area of Oshodi.

President Buhari said with the commissioning of the LASEMA Rescue Unit, which was targeted at reducing the responder’s time to emergencies in the state and thereby saving lives and properties that would otherwise have been lost, Lagos had moved up higher on the ladder to catch up with the rest of the world.

Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, while wel-

coming President Buhari, said the security and welfare of Lagosians was a responsibility he took seriously and one that his administration was dedicating considerable resources to fulfilling through all its initiatives over the past 12 months.

“Mr President, with this Rescue Center, our initial goal is to significantly bring down response time by our responders. Over the coming months, we will work tirelessly to do so and in the next phase of this project, we will roll out dispatch centres across key areas within the state with the goal of further reducing response times.

“LASEMA is empowered by law to coordinate all the first responder activitiesthe Lagos State Fire Service, the Lagos State Ambulance Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency.

We have equipped the emergency agency with trained personnel and equipment to effectively carry out its objective - to save lives and livelihoods.

“We are deploying GPS technology and eventually CCTV coverage, we will trace

the caller or incident and send the nearest available trained responder. We have the 112 emergency line and Lagosians can now speak to better trained agents man-

the Public Affairs Officer of the Agency, Mr Taofiq Adebayo.

The two officers, Mr Adeoluwa Taiwo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), was decorated with his new rank, Superintendent of Police (SP) while an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Sunday Ikharere was decorated with his new rank, Deputy Super-

ine emergency, noting that, “Every time you place what is known as a false call, you divert resources and attention from someone who may be genuinely in need.”

“LSEMA needs the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and other Federal Law Enforcement agencies to carry out its services effectively,” he added.

Security equipment purchased by Lagos State government and inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during his working visit to Lagos State as representative of President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

End cultism in your domain, Ambode tells royal fathers Bola Badmus LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has charged royal fathers, traditional chiefs and Community

ums charged to court in one week Also the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, has decorated two newly promoted Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) police officers with new ranks based on their efficiency and dedication to duties at the Agency.

This was disclosed at the weekend in a statement made available to newsmen,

ning the phone lines round the clock,” Ambode said.

The governor, therefore, called on citizens to cooperate with the state government by calling only in cases of genu-

intendent of Police (DSP).

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Task Force, Saheed Olayinka Egbeyemi, congratulated these two officers, charging other police and paramilitary officers working with the Agency to be more dedicated to their respective responsibilities in order to collectively sanitise the environment of Lagos State.

Development Associations (CDAs) to address the menace of cultism and hoodlums for peace to thrive in the state.

Governor Ambode made the call in Surulere, while commissioning a block of 18 classrooms with modern facilities at Lagos Progressive Senior High School and newly upgraded 900 meters Adekunle Kuye Link Road with covered drains, walkways and street light.

The exercise took place as part of his ongoing state-wide commissioning of projects to mark his one year in office.

The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Transportation, Olanrewaju Elegushi, urged

the community leaders to compliment the effort of his administration to massively develop the state by promoting peace and clean environment at all times.

In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of Surulere Local Government, Mrs Hussein Bamidele, thanked Governor Ambode for the projects, saying they would go a long way in boosting the education of the students and ease movement in the area.

Also, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency 1, Desmond Elliot, said the projects confirmed the importance attached to education and economic de-

velopment of the area by the governor.

In Lagos Island, Governor Ambode also commissioned the newly rehabilitated Olowogbowo Primary Health Centre (PHC) and network of roads in chain of projects being handed over to the public ahead to mark his one year anniversary.

Speaking through Benjamin Olabanjo, his Special Adviser on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, at the commissioning, Governor Ambode said the projects represented the fulfilment of his campaign promise to run an all inclusive government where every part of Lagos would feel a sense of belonging.

8 news

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigeria on the path of economic recovery, Buhari assures Bola Badmus - Lagos

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, in Lagos, assured Nigerians that the country is on the path of recovery, in spite of current economic situation in the country, particularly the recent hike in fuel price, but quickly urged for the support and under-

standing of the citizens.

The president, who was on a two-day working visit to Lagos State, while noting in particular the various challenges in the area of sourcing of foreign exchange, said his government was currently working on a package of palliative to encourage industry and manufacturing.

Buhari, represented by the vice president, Professor

Yemi Osinbajo, made these remarks at the Tafawa Balewa Square, where he commissioned security vehicles and equipment worth N1.85 billion provided by the Lagos State government to support the Nigeria Police, as part of his one-day official visit to the state.

He also gave an assurance that come 2018, the country would become self-

Protests in Kogi over planned sack of LG workers We are not intimidated —Bello Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja PROTESTS on Monday, rocked parts of Kogi State, as local government workers rose against the alleged planned mass sack across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The development followed the release of the recommendations of the screening committee set up by the state government to look into records of civil servants in the state.

The protests, which were spontaneous in some local government headquarters, including the Lokoja Local Government, saw the workers making barricade on the main road infront of the council secretariat.

The people were said to have taken to the street when it was discovered that out of the over 800 staff on the payroll of the local government, only 314 were cleared by the screening committee.

The situation however led to apprehension among other local government areas in the state, as recommendations for seven local government areas were said to have been released, with thousands of workers affected.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that other local government areas affected were Okene, Omala, Yagba East, Yagba West, Mopamuro and Ankpa.

However, the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said his administration would not be intimidated to abandon the screening exercise, as he was determined to rid the state of ghost workers syndrome.

Reacting to the protests in the state, the governor told newsmen that the present administration was not engaging in rightsizing or downsizing of its workforce, but engaged in the screening to ensure that only genuine workers were paid salaries by local and state government.

Bello noted that those benefitting from the illegal activ-

ities in the past were responsible for the protests, saying that government was ready to utilise the resources of the state for its development.

The governor explained that it was wrong for anybody

to protest against the recommendations of the screening that was not yet a public knowledge, saying anybody who was unduly screened out should come forward through their various unions.

sufficient in rice, wheat and tomatoes paste production, as agriculture remained the centre piece of his administration’s economic diversification effort.

He had earlier commissioned the newly built Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit at Cappa, Oshodi and Ago Palace Way in Okota.

The events had in attendance the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Kebbi State governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; his counterpart in Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa;

senators, members of the state assembly; members of the state executive council, among others.

He said government was fully aware of the present economic crunch being felt by Nigerians and was ready to alleviate the impact within the shortest possible future.

He said the N500 billion social investment plan announced by the Federal Government in this year’s budget was part of measures to tackle the myriads of economic problems, as well as provide palliatives to citizenry.

Buhari said the government’s investment plan would address the challenges of unemployment, industries, manufacturing,

From left, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr Waziri Adio; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; members, National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) on NEITI, Alhaji Lawan Hantewa and Mr Gbenga Onayiga, at the public presentation of 2013 oil and gas industry audit reports, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

agriculture, among others, explaining that there were plans to create 500,000 employment opportunities for graduates with another 370,000 for non-graduates.

He also there would be provision of micro loan facilities for market women, using their association platforms.

Buhari, while lamenting the neglect of Lagos State for the past 16 years, assured that the Federal Government was more than ready to give total support for the state in every way, stressing that Lagos State deserved more benefits being the economic hub of Nigeria.

The president commended the landmark achievements of Governor Ambode in the last one year, assuring that the Federal Government would soon embark on infrastructural assistance in the state, with specific focus on rail and road construction, which he pointed out was included in the 30 per cent infrastructural development plans.

He listed the Lagos-Calabar and Kano rail routes and the completion of the ongoing construction of LagosIbadan Expressway, among others.

Earlier, Ambode, who expressed his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, urged security personnel to continue their good work by making Lagos safer for all and sundry.

He, however, assured that the state government would continue to reward gallant officers in the course of their duties.

PDP crisis: Pressures mount on NASS lawmakers to defect to APC As national secretariat remains sealed off Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe - Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now at the risk of losing most of its members at both chambers of the National Assembly, especially from the non-PDP-controlled states to the All Progressives Congress (APC), if it failed to find an amicable resolution to its crisis.

Nigerian Tribune learnt in Abuja, on Monday, that the chieftains of the APC were already in serious talks with lawmakers in both chambers on the need for most of them to dump the former ruling party, with assurances of several offers, including automatic ticket to return in 2019 general election.

According to a source, the most targeted states

were Anambra, Lagos, Edo Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau,Yobe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo and Osun.

It was gathered that following the three divisions that emerged in the party last Saturday, APC leadership reportedly directed its leaders in the affected states to do everything possible to bring the PDP lawmakers into its fold, since the electoral law allowed defection once there was division within a political party without losing one’s seat.

A member of the PDP in the National Assembly, who confirmed this development to the Nigerian Tribune, in Abuja, on Monday, said this might force the party members to come together to resolve their problems.

This came just as the national secretariat of the for-

mer ruling party, known as Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, remained sealed on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase.

The plaza was sealed-off in the early hours of Sunday, following the divisions that emerged in the party on Saturday, with the three factions threatening to take over the party secretariat on Monday.

Roads leading to the plaza

were barricaded with two lorries belonging to the Nigeria Police, while the staff of the secretariat, journalists and visitors were politely turned back by the police personnel.

The Caretaker Committee, headed by the former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Markarfi, put in place at the Port Harcourt convention to oversee the affairs of the party did not show up as expected, while

the Ali Modu-Sheriff-led National Working Committee (NWC), which rejected the Caretaker Committee and vowed to take over the secretariat, was said to be attending a crucial meeting at a location in the city and the third faction, led by Senator Ibrahim Mantu, was no where to be found.

As of the press time, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party was said to be meeting on the crisis in the party.

Benin traditional council announces 2-week burial rites for Oba Erediauwa Banji Aluko - Benin City A two-week royal funeral rites (Emwinekhua) starting from Wednesday, May 25, to Wednesday, June 8, was on Monday announced for the departed Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba

Erediauwa, whose passage was announced on April 29, 2016.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Erhabor.

According to the state-

ment, “all burial ceremonies are prohibited. We advise everyone to go about his/ her normal business and to stay away from places, where traditional rites that are not open to the public are performed during the Emwinekhua.”

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businessnews

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FG blames cash call deficit on subsidy regime •Says it saved over N220bn through IPPS, N680bn at BPP OlatundeDodondawaandChima Nwokojiwithagencyreport

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HE Federal Government has blamed its challenges in funding Joint Ventures (JV) agreements with its partners on over bloated subsidy payment.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, stated this in Lagos on Monday, during an interactive session with Coalition of Civil Society Groups.

According to him, “in the past five years, we have been funding the JV agreements by about an average of 30 per cent of what was required of us by our JV partners. We have been using the money meant for cash call obligations to subsidize the downstream sector over the years.

“When I assumed office in August (2015), marketers were being owed N600billion and we paid them. We discovered that about N10trillion was used to pay subsidy in last eight years and we said this cannot continue.

“Overtime, we lost control of subsidy and it continued to skyrocket. We couldn’t fund our JV obligations which stood at about $6billion” Furthermore, he said fuel scarcity should not have happened but for the fact that marketers were smuggling the products into neighbouring countries and inter-land where the products are more expensive.

“Prior to now, the product was being sold at an average of N400 per litre. Consider the fact they loaded petrol at ex-depot price of N77.66 per liter.

Arbitrageurs were taking advantage of the gap and making extra profit for themselves.

“Effective Jan. 1, 2016, government has stopped subsidy payment on petrol. Jan-March, there was ‘over-recovery’ where consumers are paying more and we were saving the excess. In April, subsidy returns and we used the savings from over-recovery to off-set it.

“In the long run, investors will come and invest in the refineries on a JV basis and by 2018, we would be self sufficient in crude refining,” he said.

Kachikwu argued that under the present liberalization of the downstream sector, no import permit is required to bring in product. He said interested investors need is to notify Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in or-

der to check quality of the products.

“Capping of price is also a process because we have just started, we can’t leave the price open for now but ultimately PPPRA will begin to issue advice on pricing,” he said.

Also, the Federal Government through Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) said it has recorded savings of over N220 billion from inception to date.

This is even as the Federal Government has commenced another verification of all staff in the Nigeria Police Force payroll for Ogun

and Kaduna states.

The exercise is being anchored by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission.

It will take place simultaneously in 8 locations in Kaduna and 5 locations in Ogun states respectively as follows: Ogun state, between Tuesday 24th May - Thursday 2nd June, 2016 and Kaduna state - Tuesday 24th May – Saturday 4th June, 2016.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Ahmed Audu,

on Monday, said the Federal Government had saved N680b in five years through the establishment of the Bureau.

Audu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a Procurement Cadre Conversion training for officials of Federal Government Agencies, Parastatals, Commissions and Institutions.

NAN reports that the programme was held at the auditorium of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, in Lagos State.

He revealed that before

the establishment of the BPP, the Federal Government had being losing huge sums of revenue because procurement training was being carried out by non-professionals.

“The essence of this training is to build capacity, enhance professionalism, accountability and career development in all officials that are participating in the programme. Before the BPP was established, the training of public servants in procurement was carried out by non- professionals and as a result of that, the government was losing huge sums of money.”

Oil and Gas Free Zones investment hits $75billion —OGFZA Tola Adenubi-Lagos

THE Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) has revealed that Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Free Zones has totalled 75 billion dollars (about N14.7 trillion), with a lion share of $60 billion dollars (N11.8 trillion) investments domiciled in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

Managing Director of the OGFZA, Victor Alabo said this at a forum he had with journalists recently.

He said under his agency’s regulation are zones like: Onne, Ikpokiri, Warri, Lagos Eko Support and Brass Oil and Gas Free Zone.

According to him, “others like Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), Snake Island, Olokola, were being regulated by Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), though the law says they should have transferred the companies under the OGFZA.”

Discos ordered to insure facilities, customers Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

Winners of Diamond Bank Plc’s BET5, Emmanuel Okiedesan, Hauwa Bello, Ayodeji Agboola, Uchechi Arinze and Folawiyo Abiodun, with the Group Managing Director Diamond Bank Plc, Uzoma Dozie (third left), during the presentation of N3 million cheque to each of the winners, in Lagos.

Why FG withheld N350bn Q1 capital budget Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

DESPITE promises to the contrary, the Federal Ministry of Finance is yet to release the first tranche of the N350 billion meant to finance capital aspect of the much delayed 2016 budget.

Although no official explanation was offered for this delay but a competent source in the ministry told Nigerian Tribune that the delay was not the fault of the ministry but that of spending ministries, department and agencies who are yet to perfect their projects.

President Muhammadu Buhari finally signed the Budget Bill into law on May 6 while Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma gave a breakdown of the N6.06 trillion budget consisting of N4.31 trillion recurrent and N1.75 trillion capital provision on May 12.

On that occasion, Udoma insisted there would not be any delay in releasing capital funds as he was in liaison with Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun to ensure that the first

tranche of the scheduled N350 billion first quarter allocation would be released the following day.

The official who spoke with our correspondent said “first, some of the affected MDAs are yet to perfect their procurement processes. They have to go through tenders’ boards among others. The funds are ready, but the processes must be followed”.

He was however, silent on the projects that have

long been on-going like the Oyo-Ogbomoso road in Oyo State, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Gombe-NumanYola road among others.

Last week, Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed disclosed that Nigeria was “broke pure and simple”.

Also, government projected to borrow N2.2 trillion to partly finance the budget and this is to come from both domestic and foreign sources.

Last Friday, National Bu-

reau of Statistics (NBS) reported that economy shrank by 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2016 largely as a result of drop in crude oil price and lull in business and commercial activities.

The agency also said there are currently 52 million Nigerians within the working age of between 15 to 64 that are jobless with more than half of them giving up on a hope of finding employment and no longer searching.

US firm to create jobs with $1bn investment in Nigeria, others Chima Nwokojji-Calabar

A United State based food & beverages company East Hem Liquids has said it will invest a whopping $1 billion in Nigeria and other African countries’ food industry, a project which it hopes will create huge employment opportunities.

Making this pledge during the unveiling of its product called “Last Shot,” in Lagos Nigeria, the Vice Chairman of East Hem Liquids, Ed Ukaonu said

the company is looking at the Nigerian market and Africa in general.

“Looking at Africa as a market, what we are trying to create is a billion dollar business. On that basis, you can extrapolate the number of people that can be employed by creating such size of business. That possibility is here, when you look at the vast market that Africa offers,” Ukaonu said.

He revealed that the product has been developed under the utmost lev-

el of quality,as confirmed by officials of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who visited the company’s plant in the United States of America.

The greatest benefit of this drink according to the vice chairman, is the hangover protection.

“Whether you are a drinker of Alcohol or not, you need this product because it detoxifies the system. It is a lifestyle drink,” Ukaonu stated.

THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC on Monday, ordered all electricity distribution companies to renew their comprehensive insurance as provided under Part 5 Section 5.2 of the Health and Safety Code for the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

This, it said, followed an investigation into electrocution of a seven year old minor at Kabusa, Abuja within the network of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

The commission, said based on further clarification of the Commission’s ruling, the Acting Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah said the directive for renewal of comprehensive insurance has general application to electricity distribution companies whose insurance policies have expired.

He warned that stiffer sanctions await any electricity distribution companies over electrocution or any established case of negligence withintheir networks.

The Acting Chairman also expressed worry over rising incidences of electrocution in the country.

While holding AEDC liable for the untimely death of the minor for improper maintenance of a low voltage aluminium conductor in the area, even after residents had complained over the facility.

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Nigeria will soon commence local production of aviation fuel —FG •Woos foreign investors in aviation sector

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Clement Idoko-Abuja

HE Federal Government has disclosed that arrangements have reached an advance stage to commence the production of aviation fuel, known as “jet A1”, in Nigeria in order to bring down the cost and regularise supply.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who made this known on Monday, while declaring open the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Aviation Day in Abuja, called on both local and foreign investors to put their resource in the setting up of a refining facility for local consumption and export.

He decried the high cost of aircraft maintenance, while revealing that the Federal Government was in the process of establishing a major Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre ( MRO) through publicprivate-partnership to allow for an A to D checks of most aircraft type.

He added the MRO would have an engine, battery, wheels and brakes, upholstery and galley shops among others.

Stakeholders at the event deliberated on several issues including the leveraging of air transport for optimal economic development and growth in Africa, improved connectivity across the region, appropriate infrastructure, safety, security, climate change and cooperation.

Sirika, who was represented at conference by the Permanent Secretary, Sabiu Zakari, said while concession of some assets would address the problem of dilapidated airport infrastructure across the country, government would also aggressively focus on improving the critical infrastructures.

He listed some areas open for investment by private sectors to include: concession of airports (Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt); partnership to establish a national carrier; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Centre; Aviation Leasing Company (ALC) and development of agrocargo terminals and associated infrastructure.

The minister also disclosed plans to upgrade the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology and sought the partnership of private investors in order to realise the objective.

“The theme of this forum, Driving Economies through the Power of Aviation is quite apt as it is relevant to where we are as

a nation today; I believe it is of immense significance, not just to Nigeria, but to the entire African continent. Aviation connects people, businesses and ideas across borders in a way no other industry can; it shortens distances and bridges cultures and is at the core of every socio-economic endeavor.

Therefore, it is with great confidence that I state that the ‘Power of Aviation’ is a major tool in the great task of national development and economic rejuvenation, which this administration has set for itself and is working assiduously to achieve.

“As you know, Nigeria is strategically located in the Gulf of Guinea with a

population of 173million people and accounts for 47 per cent of West African Population. However, I must emphasize that Nigeria as a Nation, sitting graciously on the mid-belt of Africa, serves the West and Central African Market.

“This belt, with a population of 600 million people, is with a total absence of any significant aviation businesses. There is no strong Carrier, no major Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre (MRO), no efficient airport, in fact not even a significant catering company.

“However, as bad as this may sound, it will surely gladden the heart of an investor. So therefore, Nigerian aviation is as virgin as

you would love it. The Nigerian economy has high rate of return on investment in excess of 30%. Its Aviation Sector is full of opportunities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association has called on African governments to prioritize the development of aviation nationally and at a pan-Africa level to bolster economic growth and development.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Hussein Dabbas, said as Africa is set to be one of the fastestgrowing aviation regions over the next 20 years, with annual expansion averaging nearly 5 per cent, this opens up incredible

economic opportunities for the continent’s 54 nations.

“By transporting some 70 million passengers annually, aviation already supports some 6.9 million jobs and $80 billion of economic activity on the African continent. Aviation has the potential to be a much greater strategic catalyst for growth if governments would stop milking the industry for taxes and enable it with smarter regulations focused on safety and the development of connectivity. The commitments are already there with the Abuja Declaration and the Yamoussoukro Decision.

It’s time to achieve them in partnership with industry,” he said.

From left: Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Munir Gwarzo; representative of the Minister of Finance, Dr Mahmud Isa-Dutse; chairman, Susman Associates, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman and Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Garba Abubakar, at the inauguration of the study team on voice and voting power in the Nigerian Capital Market, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

NSE opens week bearish as ASI drops 0.37% •Delists 8 companies KehindeAkinseinde-JayeobaLagos

EQUITIES market started the week on a negative note as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) dropped 0.37 per cent to close at 27,015.97 basis points.

Bearish sentiments were witnessed across board as all sectoral indices closed in the red, driving market capitalisation N31 billion lower to close at N9.278 trillion.

The day’s trading activities recorded 14 gainers against 28 losers.

The day’s losers were led

by PZ which declined by 4.97 per cent or N1.14 to close at N21.81 per share, followed by Union Dicon which dropped 4.94 per cent or 65 kobo to close at N12.52 per share. Zenith Bank also fell by 4.89 per cent or 78 kobo to close at N15.17 per share.

Similarly, Portland

Paints and Ikeja Hotel lost 10 kobo each to close at N1.96 and N2.01 per share respectively.

On the other hand, Stanbic topped the day’s advancers with a gain of 10.19 per cent or N1.53 to close at N15.54 per share, DN Meyer added 8.22 per cent or six kobo to close at 79 kobo per share while Fidson Health grew five per cent or 10 kobo to close at N2.10 per share.

Continental Reinsurance and Dangote Sugar likewise added five and 30 kobo each to close at N1.8 and N6.60 per share respectively.

In all, investors on the exchange traded a total of 316.7 million shares valued at N1.9 billion in 3,924 deals.

Meanwhile, the Quotation Committe of the National Coincil of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Investors who invested in

eight companies on The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has finally announced the delisting from its daily official list of eight companies that violated listing rules.

With the delisting, investors who placed their stakes in these companies were bound to lose nothing less than N17.8 billion.

The companies are IPWA Plc, G. Cappa Plc, West African Glass Industries Plc (WAGI) and Investment & Allied Insurance Plc. Other delisted companies include Aluminium Manufacturing Company (ALUMACO) Plc, Jos International Breweries Plc, Adswitch Plc and Rokanna Plc. With the recent delisting of these companies, it brings to a total number of 25 companies being exited from the Nigerian Bourse since 2010.

Also, the committee has approved the delisting

process of Costain, Deap Capital Management, Evans Medical, International Energy Insurance, Lennards (Nigeria), P.S. Mandrides & Company, Premier Breweries, Navitus Energy, Nigerian Ropes Plc, MTI and Mtech.

While some of the companies are being delisted for failing to file their quarterly and annual financial reports and accounts with the NSE, others will face the same fate for failing to regularise their listing status with the exchange after being given time to do so.

IPWA Plc listed on industrial goods-Building Materials sub-sector contributes N257 million to the NSE’s market capitalisation while delisting of G Cappa, a construction/ real estate company listed under building structure/ completion sub-sector, will also wipe N1.8 billion from investors’ investment.

Nigerian Tribune

Africa to grow by 3.7% this year —AfDB

AFRICA’S economy is likely to grow by 3.7 per cent this year, the African Development Bank (AfDB) said on Monday.

Launching its latest regional economic outlook in Lusaka, AfDB said this was due to resilient private consumption and investment which had offset the effect of a slump in commodity prices and global headwinds.

The AfDB also said growth could accelerate to 4.5 per cent next year if commodity prices recovered and the global economy is strengthened.

SEC to review CAMA, AGM rules Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

TO encourage return of retail investors to the capital market and strengthen good corporate governance in management of listed companies, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is tinkering with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and rules governing annual general meetings (AGMs).

On Monday, DirectorGeneral of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo, inaugurated a Study Team on “Voice and Voting Power: What role for the retail shareholders in the Nigerian capital market?”

The mandate of the study team is to increasing the voice and voting power of the retail shareholders for a robust Nigerian capital market.

At the event, Gwarzo said submission of the team would determine fresh rules that would guide the conduct of AGMs. He said the commission would be coming up with the fresh guidelines in order to ensure that shareholders particularly the retail investors are given adequate representation in terms of participation during the AGM. “This study is not only good but timely because before the end of this week, we will set up a team that will review the Companies and Allied Matters Act. “As at today, we have started working on rules that will guide the conduct of AGMs and so the timing is right and we need to move very fast because I believe that some of your recommendations will be part of these laws that are being reviewed,” he said.

Gwarzo said apart from the review of the conduct of AGMs, the commission would also be carrying out a review of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Fighting crime with technology

HE saga of the recent rescue of the abducted Senator Iyabo Anisulowo from the kidnappers’ den in Ogun State might read like the script of a James Bond thriller. But it is sufficient proof that the country’s high rate of crime can actually be simmered by the use of technology. By deploying the appropriate technology, the security agencies were simply able to track down the abductors through their conversations and it is commendable that they were able to secure her release without hurt.

Anisulowo’s rescue clearly represented an advancement in the offensive against crime and if crimes could in future be so intercepted by the security agencies, its incidence will not only be reduced ultimately; it will also be much easier to prosecute criminals. The beauty of this method lies in its potency to easily deter criminals right from the planning stage given the high probability of their eventual arrest.

It is also commendable that various security agencies were able to work out a synergy in their bid to rescue the abducted senator. The synergy ensured the success of the deployed technology and it certainly recommended itself to future engagements with such criminals and during emergencies.

As borne out by research, the success of crime control and apprehension lies in security agencies being ahead of criminals, pre-empting them and blocking their various schemes to exploit the loopholes in the security apparatus of the state. In the particular case of abduction, there is the tendency that these criminals may now shift from using cell phones in demanding for ransom. It is therefore up to the security agencies to anticipate their next moves and foil them.

For instance, it has been suggested that domestic robbery operations are no longer in vogue because people hardly ever retain heavy cash at home given the ease and convenience of modern banking methods, including mobile and internet banking, and the availability and convenience of the automated teller machine (ATM).

Except the robbery is an inside job in which the robbers strike based on credible information, domestic robbery operations are now few and far between and the venue of

robbery has shifted to the ATM points where vulnerable victims are usually attacked by criminals riding on motorcycles.

The APCs stationed in banking premises have also, to some extent, discouraged those dare devil robbers who specialise in attacking bank vaults wielding heavy artillery and escaping with their heist because it is extremely difficult, though not impossible, to get past the APCs. In this connection, the installation of close circuit monitoring apparatus in banks has proved quite crucial.

What is more, the biometric verification number floated by the Central Bank of Nigeria and made mandatory for all bank customers in the country is also a potent tool to trace slush funds and other ill-gotten money, and suspicious transactions can now be easily observed and intercepted. However, complete success in tackling crime will still be a function of the integrity of the security agencies and supportive infrastructure. If the security agencies are proactive, determined and forthright, it will be almost impossible to compromise them and they will be empowered to reduce crime in the society to a large extent.

Supportive infrastructure in the form of steady electric power has however remained in the realm of fantasy in Nigeria. The so-called privatisation of the distribution part of the public utility has further worsened service delivery in that sector rather than improved it because the entities that acquired the distribution concerns seem to be interested only in the quantum proceeds from the localised monopolies which they have become. Without electricity, deploying technology in fighting crime can at best only be a fatuous proposal. Life without power is virtually unthinkable in the developed economies.

We urge the present administration to confront the electricity problem in the country with all the resolve required to put it into shape in the earliest possible time because of its implications for national development. The possibility of confronting the country’s crime rate with appropriate technology excites us as a new direction to pursue in the bid to alter the picture of the country’s crime terrain positively. We recommend that the tempo be sustained until respite and relative peace can be attained.

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

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Fuel subsidy removal: The way forward

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HE cry in Nigeria presently is as a result of the increase in fuel price.

However, it is important we come to terms with the dynamics of development, which are always in stages, and which require sacrifice and patience.

I am not saying the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has put in its best, or is working at a pace expected by most Nigerians, but this does not erode the fact that we have experienced improvements in some quarters.

The removal of the subsidy, no doubt, will cause some hardship by virtue of inflation, especially on the cost of transportation, commodities, daily expenses, school fees, rent, among others, which have all skyrocketed. Howbeit, if the subsidy funds being previously paid to oil marketers are well-utilised and accounted for, the long term effect would bring relief to the people.

Now, having removed the subsidy, more is expected of this administration to provide succour for the people.

Illegal refineries pollute the environment I have read many comments on the need for the Federal Government to legalise the operations of illegal refineries that dot the Niger Delta landscape.

The people who have written in support of the operations of these illegal refineries have definitely not seen the environment where they are located.

What they base their thinking on is that, since the country is battling acute fuel shortages due to the non-functioning of our refineries, then it makes no sense to clamp down on the activities of the illegal refineries.

Some commentators even went as far as urging government to start collecting taxes from these

operators.

The truth, however, is that these illegal refineries pollute the environment.

Apart from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which the refineries filter from crude, there are other components of crude like diesel, kerosene, Jet fuel, among others, which are just dumped on the environment.

If it is so easy to build a refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote will not be spending $14billion to construct his.

I am, therefore, urging the Federal Government to continue its war against the operators of illegal refineries.

•Favour Aigbe, Port Harcourt.

On unemployment in Nigeria THERE is no denying the fact that there is high unemployment in the country. The decision of the Nigeria Police to employ less than 10,000 new recruits but got over a million applications is a pointer to the fact that we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder in Nigeria.

While I don’t want to wholly blame the Federal Government for this, I am surprised that some youths still see the paid employment as the only way to succeed in life.

This thinking by our youths will continue to

increase the number of unemployed people.

However, the good news is that agriculture is a sector that can absorb all unemployed youths. When we look at the billions of dollars we spend in importing food, we can then imagine the prospect in agriculture.

However, youths need support; we need the government and banks to assist us with take-off grants, as finance is the biggest problem we have in agribusiness.

•Idris Kuti, Ijebu-Ode.

The government should be more responsive, amenable to the citizens’ needs, particularly by prioritising the following: The provision of effective rail system: This is cheaper to run for the people and many would prefer to go on the train than going in their private cars.

Construction and maintenance of good roads: This will jettison the idea of Nigerians buying big cars which are generally not fuel-efficient, compared to small cars which are cost and fuel-efficient.

Steady power supply: This will reduce the demand for fuel for generators and will encourage more entrepreneurial skills to be acquired and business ventures to be established.

It is a common knowledge that virtually every business needs energy to keep functioning.

Diversification of economy: Unfortunately, this is no longer news since the

price of oil is going down drastically in the international market; there is now a clarion call for investment in other sectors, such as the agricultural and solid minerals sectors.

Education: This is a golden key to eradicating poverty. According to President Barack Obama and the late Nelson Mandela, education is a weapon of change in any society. Our government needs to re-

structure our educational system and make it affordable and compulsory for everyone, at least, to secondary school level.

Repositioning and restructuring of the economy and politics of Nigeria: This is germane in rebuilding Nigeria as a whole. Power should be regionalised and geo-political zones decentralised. Things must begin to be done in a new way, that is, there must be paradigm

shift for Nigeria to actualise the long-awaited change.

Conclusively, followers should embrace and imbibe the principle of prayer and patience, which are cornerstones of development. Impatience is not a virtue and we should not under play the efficacy of prayers in supporting our leaders and directing them aright.

•Adekunbi Adeleye, Lagos.

FG, tackle Niger Delta Avengers now THE Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, should tackle the activities of the new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

The aim of this new group is to get the attention of government, particularly that of President Muhammadu Buhari, but it is high time we began dealing with the militants instead of

calling them to a roundtable discussion.

I am happy that President Buhari does not see reason for militants to be given huge pipeline surveillance contracts, and this is partly what the Niger Delta Avengers are fighting for.

They want to make it look as if the nation’s oil pipelines are not safe if they are not awarded the contracts. If we continue to

allow this illegality to go on, the militants will be dictating the terms of governance in the country.

During the past administration, the militants were awashed in cash as they got lucrative contracts surveilling the country’s oil pipelines, but the irony of it is that they are also the ones who attack them.

•Nelson Ekwale, Benin, Edo State.

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opinion

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Baba Ibeji and inflation quagmire

B

ABA Ibeji looked frail and his skin exuded a dirty brown hue. The brownness of the visible flesh around his neck and face was not his natural pigmentation, but he was so coloured due to the layers of dust, held steady with shimmering dots of sweat that had accumulated on his face after a very long walk on a recently muddy-sand filled road. His white and blue bathroom slippers had as well been repainted by the dust to a depressing shade of pale brown.

Frantically, he made his way to the only road side shop on the stretch of the dusty road he’s been travelling on. All the items in the wooden kiosk wore a rich layer of dust like foundation on a woman’s face after the primer. Its rusty roof creaked, willingly obeying the Physics law of expansion as hellish rays of the scorching sun perched upon it. A makeshift bench, constructed from unfinished timber, sat in front of the kiosk.

As Baba Ibeji approached, he gave a weak smile and quickly patted the dust off the edge of the bench to make himself comfortable. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, psychologically feeling the air massage his worn out muscles.

He had been up since dawn, working on a construction site as a brick carrier, but his shift for the day was over at 2pm and he was on his journey home.

However, he needed to get some supplies for his pregnant wife and his twin boys. The store owner had approached him in no time and the transaction kicked off earnestly. Baba Ibeji, who was too exhausted to start a conversation with the prattling seller, simply pointed at what he wanted to purchase while the seller, undeterred by his lack of interest in her small talk while cackling away like a cockatoo, put the items in a tiny plastic bag.

After a careful selection of the items he believed should gain ascendancy on his scale of preference, Baba reached into the back pocket of his ragged work trouser and pulled out a worn out centenary N100 note and another good looking N50 polymer bill. A sudden awkward silence ensued as the loquacious seller stopped in mid sentence and stared at him with fire in her eyes.

Baba Ibeji, shocked but oblivious of his trespass, flashed a hesitant smile to reveal a horribly plaque-infested set of teeth in a mouth of unending bacteria proliferation and inquired his balance of the seller.

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688

At that moment, the temporary dumbness that had taken hold of the talkative seller was exorcised and she angrily spat out venomous words at her victim.

Baba Ibeji, who had requested to buy a sachet of tomato puree, the smallest loaf of locally made bread, popularly called “Agege bread”, a sachet of water, an egg and a sachet of evaporated milk for his pregnant wife, insisted that by his calculation the total cost of his purchase was N145, reason why he paid N150.

The loquacious seller had sneered at him as the altercation intensified and with one calculated move, pulled the plastic bag from his grasp, “are you not in this change era?

Everything has gone up, Oga!” In her summation, the total of goods purchased by Baba Ibeji was N220 due to inflation as sachet water and tomato puree had each doubled in price. The loaf of bread, which used to be sold at N50, was now up for sale at N70 and the price for sachet evaporated milk as well had gone up with over N10 and eggs were not left out of the contagious inflation as the increase in one item had a trickling effect on others.

Baba Ibeji was perplexed, though never a student of Economics, he applied the opportunity cost theory so he could afford the most important items.

Baba Ibeji, I can assure you, is not the only Nigerian marooned on this island of cost cutting as prices hit the sky, tears it apart and crosses unbridled to the other side of heaven. The average Nigerian is currently witnessing an excruciatingly painful financial dilemma as everything, aside

from the dollar, keeps rising and rising. Ironically, incomes, salaries and wages, remain stationary, if not on the decline in some severe austerity-stricken states. A situation that suffices to describe the bulk of Nigerian states at the moment.

According to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts, there has been a steady rise in Nigeria’s Inflation Rate since April 2015 as recorded by the National Bureau of Statistics. In April 2015, inflation rate was 8.7 per cent, but it became 9.2 per cent in July of the same year and by the time 2015 was closing, it had risen to 9.4 per cent.

As at April 2016, inflation rate in Nigeria was reported to be 13.7 per cent. Food prices rose to 13.2 per cent from 12.7 per cent in March, housing, water, electricity and gas increased to 18.98 per cent from 15.9 per cent. Additional upward pressure came from clothing and footwear (12.7 percent from 12.0 per cent); transport (14 percent from 13.2 percent); furnishings and household equipment (9.6 percent from 9.1 per cent); education (13.9 per cent from 12.9 per cent); health (9 percent from 8.9 per cent); miscellaneous goods and services (10.6 per cent from 10.3 per cent) and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and cola (11.1 per cent from 10.9 percent). Prices of restaurants and hotels went up by 8.5 per cent from an 8.7 per cent rise in the previous month.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 1.61 per cent compared to a 2.2 per cent increase in March, mostly due to rise in cost of food (+1.3 per cent); housing, water, electricity and gas (+3.3 per cent) and clothing and footwear both (+1.2 percent).

On May 11, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government cut fuel subsidies and hiked the gasoline prices by 67 per cent (from NGN 87 to NGN 145 a liter), a move which is expected to raise the inflation further in upcoming months.

Therefore, the bare necessities of life – food, clothing and housing may someday become luxury in Nigeria. Sadly, Nigerians were anticipating better years after the transition from transformation to change, but so far, has change made life easier for the Baba Ibeji’s nationwide, who constitute about 80 per cent of the country’s population?

•This piece has been modified and is being republished due to its relevance at this economic period.

Drug abuse and future of Nigerian youths

By Martin Agwogie THE use of mind-altering substances of natural origin has been known since the prehistoric times. For centuries, man has tried to either complement some pleasant features of life or escape from them, whether real or imaginary, by using fermented liquor and different plant products.

For example, drinking of palm wine and locally-brewed alcohol such as “ogogoro,”“burukutu” as well as chewing of different stimulating plants and their products in Nigeria have been known for ages. Reports have it that the use of these substances was more of occasional and in moderation with few exceptions. This was the trend of substance use in Nigeria until after the Second World War in the 1940s when cannabis (hemp) was introduced through the war veterans who brought back the cannabis seed from India. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the introduction of other drugs like cocaine, heroin,amphetamines and pharmaceutical opioids (codeine, morphine etc).

This trend changed dramatically in the 1990s to include the abuse of non-conventional drugs such as volatile solvents or inhalants (gasoline, correction fluid, rubber solution, aerosol, nail polish removal, kerosene, petrol, and bytul nitrate). These volatile solvents produce psychoactive vapour which when inhaled goes straight from the nose to the brain, heart and lungs with instant intoxication and diverse consequences. Today, ingenuity has been introduced into drug abuse with complex mixtures, experimentations and new discoveries. This has resorted to the abuse of lizard dung (especially the whitish part), pit toilet/soak away fumes (bio generic gas), “goskolo,” a concoction of unimaginable substances, robin blue powder cocktail, “gadagi” (a substance resembling tea leaves), pharmaceutical products (tramadol, rohypnol) and many more. Codeine

containing cough syrup mixed with soft drinks is gradually taking over alcohol at youth parties. Due to new technologies which have improved the mass production of some of these drugs, many of them have become very cheap and, therefore, affordable. Unfortunately, the presence of new substances of abuse are usually not detected until someone suffering from the consequences visits the hospital for treatment or law enforcement personnel intercept or seize a supply of suspected substances.

Substance abuse in Nigeria and the new trend is becoming a significant medical, psychological, social and economic problem facing the nation. More worrisome is the increasing number of secondary school and tertiary institution students who are getting involved in drug abuse.

Five major pre-disposing factors to drug abuse among students are peer pressure, curiosity, ignorance, academic induced frustration and lack of parental care. Adolescence and young adult age are characterised by new identities/ peer selection, adventurism, curiosity, excitement and role confusion. Where students are not well guided, either by the home or school, they choose wrong peers which will lead to experimenting with drugs. Also, the storm and stress of life such as academic workload, learning to be independent from parents put them under pressure to find solace in drugs. In

some cases, they take drugs to have momentary relief and out of ignorance of the consequences. Some have been initiated by peers without knowing what they took. They would probably notice that they felt differently and would want to have a similar feel. Before they realise what they are taking, they would have been addicted to a particular substance of abuse. That is why some cannot tell you exactly the name of the substance they took until they go for drug test. In some cases, they will mention a substance of abuse whose effect is a contrast to their behaviour.

The consequences of drug abuse by students include extreme violence, gang rape, drug induced suicide, paranoia, poor academic performance,larceny (to feed the habit), school dropout, poor health condition, indebtedness and waste of resources (money and material). Drug abuse is also associated with anti-social vices among students such as cultism, thuggery, racketeering, and armed robbery. This means that the problem of drug abuse among students is the problem of everyone – the parents, the school, other students and the general public.

However, parents should be more involved in the educational progress of their children through effective collaboration with the school. In addition, parents/guardians should regularly monitor the activities of their children/ wards at home in terms of the kinds of friends they keep, their late night activities, as well as what they do on the internet as much as possible.

Also, schools should urgently establish a tripartite communication between parents, schools and students more for the overall welfare of the students, rather than for the business interests of the schools.

•Dr. Agwogie is a Drug Demand Reduction Expert with NDLEA.

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

agriculture Researcher urges Nigerians to embark on agric production

By Gbenga Olumide

A 2015 African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellow, Miss Enoobong Udo, has urged Nigerians to support efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in repositioning the agricultural sector of our economy.

She said that Nigerians should embark on small scale farming to ease scarcity of agriculture produce

in the country as Federal Government alone cannot do it.

AWARD is a career development programme which was instituted to help and promote agricultural scientist women across sub-Sahara Africa, especially those involved in agricultural researches in order to accelerate agricultural gains in their various environments.

Udo gave the advice at a role modeling event empow-

ered by AWARD to encourage youths to choose career in agricultural courses, held at Community Grammar School, Sasa, Ibadan in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to her: “If Federal Government could invest properly in agriculture, it will attract foreign direct investment, it will reduce poverty, it will also reduce the country level of unemployment, it will reduce

government reliance on crude oil, it will also help to strengthen the Naira against Dollar through favourable balance of payment.

“Development of Nigeria agriculture sector would also help to reduce the level of corruption in the country and curb the effect of rural-urban migration which will help to decongest the urban areas and make life easier for people both in the rural or urban area.”

‘Proper irrigation can Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE National President of the Co-operative Federation of Nigeria, Jibrin Bala, has said that if Nigeria could utilise its irrigation facilities, it could plant crops three times annually.

Bala, who said this while speaking with Nigerian Tribune at his resident in Suleja, Niger State, said some food exporting countries in the world make

Setting up a veggie

store is not so difficult

—Busari Idris Busari, an Agribusiness executive with a combined 16 years experience in various capacities, is the founder of Veguit Stores and a member of International Food and Agribusiness Management Association. In this interview with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, he speaks on agriculture as a business and requirements for setting up a vegetable store.

P

EOPLE know you as an Information Technology specialist, how did you find yourself in a agriculture related field?

Though I am an IT person, agriculture is my first love.

Those that knew me while I was growing up will tell you that I am a farmer. Agriculture has always been part of every stage of my life. I had been exposed to various aspects of agriculture since early childhood; farming, the produce, harvesting etc. but I didn’t take it serious until the year 2009 when I went into farming on my own and since then I have been pas-

sionate about it and at every point, I am always involved in something that has to do with agriculture.

What influenced your decision to open a vegetable shop?

There are various segments in agriculture and as humans; we have the tendency to have preferences. Also fruits and vegetables are very essential in building a healthy body and today’s fast business world challenges people and make them require meals they can prepare fast and also give them their daily nutrients. This they can get in fruits and vegetables. I love vegetable and fruits so

naturally, I gravitate towards that part of Agriculture and it is also mainly untapped on some levels. It is not something that should only be sold at roadsides because particular veggies needs diverse temperatures and care, this is not considered in the normal market. And when you don’t keep veggies in a natural habitat, it loses the nutrients that one needs it for. This is what influenced my decision, I want to sell fruits that are fresh and nutrient filled because I kept them the way they should be kept.

What is your market focus?

Our focus is on corporate workers who are very busy and don’t have the luxury of time to journey around markets in search of complete fruits and vegetable to satisfy their needs. And people who want rare fruits or fresh ones that are kept in hygienic environments.

How easy is it to set up a veggie shop?

Setting up a fruits & Vegetable store is not that difficult, it is sustaining the store that is the real challenge.

One needs to consider wastage because you need to sell produce fresh to consumers.

Considering the ter-

Nigerian Tribune

rain and situation in the country, how feasible is the management of a vegetable shop?

The most essential need of every human being is food.

No matter the condition of the country, people will always seek for food first and we will make sure they always get it cheap and of high quality. So it is feasible.

What challenges do you envisage?

Wastage is the greatest challenge in the business.

This occurs if sales are not quick enough. And if one cannot afford to keep the fruits in good conditions. For example, some fruits cannot stand heat, so there is a need to keep them under cool temperature; this requires that there is a continuous supply of power. And in Nigeria today, that is a great challenge When you were planning this, what did you discover in your feasibility study?

What stood out in our research is that people visit various markets to get all their fruits and vegetables

maximum use of their dams and other irrigation facilities at their disposal.

According to him, “we have land, you cannot talk about agriculture without land, we have internal rivers which we would have planted three times a year, countries like Saudi Arabia and Libya does not have enough river like Nigeria, but the cultivate three time in a year.”

He regretted that Nigeria but if they choose to buy all in one market it will cost more.

Let me explain this, when you go to Oje to get fruits, you will also see traders selling pepper, tomatoes etc.

However, since Oje is not a vegetable market, the tomatoes you will get there will be more expensive than going to sasha (a dedicated Pepper market). This is our unique selling point, a one stop market that sells cheaper in a nice environment.

Aside selling veggies and fruits, what other service does Vegiut offer?

We offer fruit display for events to give it a colourful look as well as consultancy services.

What is needed to start this kind of business?

What is needed basically is a conducive environment for the produce and an accessible location to customers.

How capital intensive is it to put a veggie shop in place?

It is not very expensive. It requires money but is not that capital intensive; a big chunk of the capital will be used to put in place electrical devices that will sustain the produce and the business.

What is your vision for the business?

My vision is to provide quality agricultural produce at the lowest available price to everyone without discrimination.

What other agricultural sectors do you have experience in?

Agricultural Import/Export Management, Agricultural System Administration, Supply & Logistics Control and farm Management. I am currently the state coordinator for Federation of Agricultural Commodities Associations of Nigeria and I am a trained Commodity Broker.

17

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

reduce food importation’ is not utilising the potential it has in some of the cash crops in the country and the massive arable land it has.

“Nigeria is number one in anything agriculture, we produce 34 million tons of cassava and are not utilizing more than 5 million tons, all the others goes back to the land.

“Since our rivers can irrigate 60 per cent of our land, we don’t need to to import rice or wheat from America or Asia, because they don’t

Technology improves revenue for animal farmers —Olagbaju

have better land than us,” he said.

He called on the government to make the agricultural sector attractive through mechanisation, which will in turn make the sector attractive to youths.

“If the government can make agriculture attractive, more young people will be drawn to the sector and it will in turn create jobs and improve productivity,” he said.

mate them naturally, you are not sure the process is successful and that is where we come about pregnancy detector.

W/Africa: Stakeholders call for more investment in fertiliser Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

AS an important farm input for improved productivity, stakeholders in the West Africa region have called for more investment in fertiliser across the region in order to attain self-reliant in food production.

The stakeholders, during the second West Africa fertiliser stakeholders forum, noted that investors who invest in fertiliser across the region would be having a large market for the products.

Addressing journalists at the end of the forum, the ECOWAS Director for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alain Traore, said that there is large market in West Africa for potential fertiliser investors.

“The mandate of ECOWAS Commission as the regional economic community is to create enabling environment for all the businessmen to make their businesses in a suitable environment in West Africa,” he said.

He added that ECOWAS has 15 member states and had decided to go together as an economic community so that it can trade together and facilitate relationship among the member states.

“Any investor investing in one of the member states may be restricted by the smallest size of the market, but when you are investing in the perspective of the regional community, then it’s offered to you as investor to have a bigger market to take profit of the market and make your business,” he added.

Representing the Federal Government at the press

conference, the Chairman of the National Fertiliser Technical Committee, Professor Victor Chude, said the government hadnot withdrawn the subsidy on fertiliser as reported in the media.

He said the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh who was misquoted, actually said the government wouldwithdraw from administering subsidies on fertiliser over a period of time.

“The mnister said that Nigeria will withdraw from administering subsidies over a period of time on condition that the right promulgation of fertilizer made available to farmers in good time, and farmers have access to credit at single digit rate, and he was talking of 5 per cent, and farmers will have value for their produce.

“Talking about the market, so that it will be profitable for farmers to use fertilizers, and when that happens, farmers will not be interested in subsidies, that means when government withdraws subsidies on fertilizer, it won’t hurt farmers,” he said.

Chude also pointed out that the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme will be implemented this year as some modifications have been introduced.

Also, the USAID representative, Michael Harvey said that the aim of the forum was to bring together all the key players in the fertilizer industry in West Africa to deliberate on how to make fertiliser available to farmers.

Nigerian Tribune

Olawole Tunmise Olagbaju, Managing Director Real People Concept, is a laboratory and animal reproduction technology consultant. His company has partnered with international manufacturers to train Nigerians on reproductive ultrasonography both within and outside the country. In this interview with RUTH OLUROUNBI, he explains why Nigerian farmers should embrace technological solutions to advance their trade.

AS a laboratory and animal reproduction technology consultant, how did you get into agribusiness?

Well, I had worked as a sale person; all I’ve sold in my life have been science and technological equipments.

You have a back ground in science and technology?

Yes, I studied Science and Laboratory Technology (SLT), for my HND, I did applied chemistry, I graduated 2002. I have attended training locally and abroad on this technology on sales, servicing and technology. I have sold science and technology equipment right from my three month SIWES programme and one year industrial training and even while I was in school, I was marketing science and technological equipment. After I finished my NYC, the same company I served with employed me as a sales executive and I even rose to the post of regional manager and I was posted to Ghana to pioneer their office in Ghana and I was in charge the activities of other West African countries apart from Nigeria.

I left the company to start my own, Real People Concept in September 2010. I

officially started the company on October 1st 2010.

In your experience, how impactful is the application of technology to animal production in Nigeria?

Technology really enhances our productivity, like in this case; let’s say you have one male animal and twenty female animals, with this technology, you can bring all the twenty animals on it. You can collect semen form that one may, then after realising the concentration, the motility, fertility of the semen, you can actually extend it when you know the concentration, and serve the twenty animals with the semen from one or two ejaculation from a male. Where the technology issue will come in is this; even when you synchronise (means bringing the animals to heat at the same time), who are not sure when the ovulation take place.

Our Draminski uterus detector would tell you the most fertile moment during that period, so it brings you close to ovulation, when you are introducing your semen, you are sure that the eggs would be released at that time. Even when you have serviced the animal or in some cases when you

So in a way technology shortens the production time?

Yes, it makes you breed with accuracy, increase efficiency and peace of mind. I have heard about such cases where someone mates his dog and after 63 days, the dog was not bringing forth.

Our technological solutions helps you to be certain of fertility, and in some cases, some may be expecting four puppies. So our solutions reduce anxiety; when you discover your animal is not pregnant, you quickly take your decision whether to go back to breeding line.

With the use of modern technology, you will breed with high efficiency; you will increase your productivity and your production time in case of animal that has five months gestation period, in case of goat you can make it to kiddle two times a year, instead of once a year or twice in two years, you make it twice a year.

And that means if I could make my goat to kiddle twice a year; that increases my revenue, right?

Yes, you can even have a goat that has two to three kids per kidding, so if the animal can kiddle twice a year with three kids per kiddling, that means you

have six and that is a lot of money. Our technology can even help you determine whether you want male or female based on the ovulation time and the speed of the X cells.

You said you have trained about 50 people since 2012?

Yes, since 2012 up till July 2015, we trained veterinarians and animal scientists on ultrasonography, the use ultrasound scanner in reproduction in animal. We tagged it reproductive ultrasonography.

This year, because we feel that we need more people to be trained in these technologies, we are coming up with two trainings in Poland. We have two partners in Poland. We have Draminski, who have been collaborating with on scanners and they have been training us on ultrasonography and we have that training coming up in September. We have another company who is into artificial insemination and breeding. They have breeding unit in Kenya and they are even planning to set up a breeding centre in collaboration with us here in Nigeria. But we want to have training with them on artificial insemination in cow and sow also in September. This helps them to detect pregnancy, to diagnose ovaries to know when is the right time to mate the animals, to estimate delivery dates and even to check to the number of fetuses the animal is carrying.

18

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

From leff, former national secretary of PDP, Dr Remi Akintoye; former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; new chairman of Lagos PDP, Moshood Adegoke Salvador and the outgoing chairman, Navy Captain Olatunji Shelle (retd), during the state PDP congress held at state secretariat, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, recently.

From left, member, re-union planning committee, Osun State College of Education (OSSCE), Ila-Orangun, Mr Femi Oke; chairman, Mr Taofeek Gbolagade Rahman; the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedokun; Mr Adedoyin Ayodeji and Nike Agbeja Adesanya, during one of the activities to mark the maiden reunion programme of the old students of the OSSCE, in Ila Orangun, Osun State, recently.

President, Kappa Delta PI (KDP), Nigeria chapter, Professor Uche Grace Emetarom and the vicepresident, KDP, Professor Femi Sunday Akinwumi, during the chartering of KDP Nigeria chapter, at the Department of Educational Management, University of Ibadan, recently.

Chief of Staff to Kogi State governor, Chief Edward David Onoja and his wife, Ejura, during their wedding in Lokoja, at the weekend.

Managing Director, 141 Worldwide, Lagos, Bunmi Oke; Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Hakeem BelloOsagie; , actress and cast member, Hear Word, Joke Silva; Director, Hear Word, Ifeoma Fafunwa; Patron, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Dele Olojede and Deborah Willsher, at the premiere of the Hear Word stage play series sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, in Abuja, recently.

Secretary, Yobe State SUBEB, Bukar Dapchi; Mr Mohammed Amin Hassan and the Permanent Secretary, Yobe State Ministry of Education, Grema Modu, receiving from the Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf, Back-to-School kits donated

by Etisalat Nigeria to primary schools in Damaturu, recently.

From left, chairman, National Executive Council (NEC), Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Chief Ede Dafinone; Lagos State Commissioner forEnvironment, Babatunde Adejare; Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker and the Director-General, NCF, Mr Adeniyi Karunwi, on Africa’s longest Canopy Walkway, during the visit of the commissioners to Lekki Conservation Centre, a project of NCF, recently.

Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Sule Kazaure (right) and the state coordiantor, Ogun NYSC, Mr James Afolayan, during the DG’s visit to the Ogun State NYSC orientation camp, Sagamu, recently. PHOTO: NURUDEEN ALIMI

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

19

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo adisa 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Seriff

Mantu Ndume

Makarfi

DAPO FALADE and LEON USIGBE look at the confusion and intrigues that dogged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention, held in Port Harcourt and the one held in Abuja.

addressed a press briefing, late Friday evening, at the state Government House. He insisted that the convention and the election would indeed go ahead as scheduled as he claimed that PDP had taken a timeous step to avoid being tagged as not law-abiding or having disregard for a subsisting court order. Wike said the party had filed a motion for a stay of execution and an appeal against the judgments.

The governor also assured that the acting national chairman was not really the one who approached the court to stop the convention and the election of the PDP national officers.

He emphatically declared that Sheriff had written a letter denouncing his alleged involvement in the court process and that he was rather impersonated in the whole process.

Wike, during his address was joined by Governors Dave Omahi, Okezie Ikpeazu and Udom Emmanuel of Ebonyi, Abia and Akwa Ibom states, respectively, as well as the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Assuring that the election would hold, he said, with all the party organs being on the side of the agitators for the convention, it would be done in accordance with PDP Constitution and the laws of the land. He added however that the aggrieved elements within the party would be given the opportunity to work together with others to ensure its progress and success.

Also speaking on the court orders, he said: “It is important to clarify it here. First of all, you heard that the part of the order that was said to be purportedly given that the chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was going to court to say that there should not be a convention in respect of the chairman position. I want to let you know that the chairman has clarified himself that it is not correct; that he never

went to court; that some people had impersonated that he instructed them to go to court. And we believe him. He had written a letter to that effect to say that it was not correct.”

But, events of last Saturday turned out to prove that something was definitely wrong somewhere. As an affirmation that he was on their side, Sheriff, whose NWC had been dumped by the 12 PDP governors and other stakeholders, was at the Rivers State PDP secretariat, last Friday for the screening exercise ahead the Saturday convention.

Sheriff’s appearance for the screening exercise undoubtedly erased any remaining iota of doubt about the possibility of the convention and the election taking place as scheduled.

Sheriff was screened along with his deputy, Prince Uche Secondus, and other contestants for the remaining national offices constituting the NWC. Chairman of the PDP national convention screening committee, who doubles the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), said the screening was done in line with the constitution of the party, adding that it was thorough. Sheriff said during the exercise that the party would embark on an aggressive reconciliation process after the convention to ensure that every interest group was carried along.

So, the stage appeared set for a smooth convention as the entire venue, Sharks Football Club Stadium, Port Harcourt, was filled to the brim by PDP members, supporters and others who had gathered very early in the morning, eagerly waiting to witness what would kick-start the process in a bid by the party to get back to the Presidential Villa, in 2019.

However, there was a long period of suspense as the convention would not commence on time as scheduled. The suspense led to speculations about what may have had happened. The leadership of the party, present at a press briefing

by Governor Wike, on Friday, got engaged in a closed-door meeting, early Saturday morning at the state Government House, in the midst of the uncertainties. It was learnt that a late court order, on Friday night, destabilised the party leaders as they were confused on how to avoid contempt of court, should they proceeded with the convention.

It was reliably gathered that the stakeholders had asked Sheriff to step down as acting national chairman but that he refused, insisting that he had till 2018 to preside over the affairs of the party. The meeting was therefore deadlocked at about 2.30 p.m., when he came to address the media.

However, he cleared the air several hours later when he addressed the press at the Le Meridian Hotel, a far distance from the convention ground. At the press address,

PDP’s national convention of cacophony

T

HE pervading thinking was that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, having come to term with the factors of its loss in that election, would close ranks to form a formidable opposition to the APC-led government. Many had even taken their optimism to the highest level as they are wont to say that PDP would indeed give the ruling party a run for its money ahead 2016.

However, happenings within the ‘big umbrella’ that once prided itself as the largest political party in Africa have to continue to show that it is far from leaving the shadows of its wounded past. The schism, intriguing subterfuge and divisive tendencies still reign supreme as self and selfish interest apparently still remains the order of the day among the present leadership of the party.

The confusion started when some founding fathers of the party, with a former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, as their arrowhead, publicly denounced its present leadership, saying PDP had been hijacked and taken over by thugs and hoodlums.

The dust raised by the outburst was yet to settle, when Nigerians were again inundated with news that some elements within the party had gone to court, seeking an order to stop the convention granted the order stopping election into the offices of the PDP national chairman, national secretary and national auditor. The court order also stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising any election from the PDP convention, if it should produce the aforementioned offices. Coincidentally, the acting national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was mentioned as one of those who approached the said court in Lagos to stop the convention.

In the midst of the confusion, another Federal High Court, now in Abuja, purportedly came out with another order that the convention and election into the affected offices should go ahead as scheduled, but with a caveat that there should not be any election into the remaining 16 offices constituting the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party.

Seeking to clarify the confusion generated by the court orders, the chairman of the PDP National Convention Committee and governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike,

The stakeholders had asked Sheriff to step down as acting national chairman, but that he refused, insisting that he had till 2018 to preside over the affairs of the party.

Continues pg20

politics&policy Another house of commotion 20

Mimiko

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Gana Continued from pg19

Ali Modu Sheriff dropped the bombshell as he announced that the convention and the attending election of members of the PDP NWC would remain on hold till the resolution of all court cases in respect of the exercise. He said the party leadership, after the long meeting held on Saturday morning, decided to abandon election into the offices of the PDP national chairman, secretary and auditor, due to the pending court cases.

The address by Sheriff created more confusions as questions were raised, such as, why the address at a venue different from the convention ground; why he addressed the media without any of the governors or other party leaders being with him; what informed a change of heart to cancel the convention and the election, given the assurances by Governor Wike; and what informed Sheriff’s decision to opt out of the convention, after having undergone the screening process a day earlier and in spite of the court orders which he now referred to. These questions became more pertinent in view of the fact that he left the venue of the press address and Port Harcourt unceremoniously.

The convention progressed simultaneously as Sheriff was addressing the press, calling off the exercise. This fact lent credence to the general feeling that things had indeed fallen apart between him and the other party leaders who were hitherto in support of his chairmanship ambition. While Sheriff said the PDP convention had been suspended and that ”We went to court, but we were denied permission. We will do it (national convention as soon as we get them vacated.

We’ve told all delegates to go home. There is no space for election,” the other PDP leaders said his era was over in the party, as they unanimously appointed the Senator Makarfi-led caretaker committee of the party and also decided to zone the presidential position to the North, ahead 2019 elections.

Through a motion moved by a former deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara, and seconded by one of his successors, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, the convention dissolved the NWC of the party, thereby effectively sacking Sheriff from the leadership of the party.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, through a voice vote, moved the motion for the appointment of the caretaker committee members and was seconded by

Gombe State governor, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo. Other members of the caretaker committee include Professor Ben Obi, Secretary and Senator Odion Ugbesia, Senator Abdul Ningi, Kabir Usman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Alhaja Aisha Aliyu.

Speaking at the convention ground, Governor Wike described PDP as a united party, even as he urged supporters to dismiss any rumour of division. Former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, moved the motion that the position of the presidency be zoned to the Northern part of the country and was seconded by Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

The PDP 2016 national convention attracted delegates from the 36 states of the federation, with the 12 PDP governors, national and state legislators, former governors, BoT members and former NWC members in attendance.

One house, many voices Just as they threatened to do, the Concerned PDP stakeholders gathered in Abuja to conduct a parallel national convention.

There were politicians of note in their midst led by former Ministers of Information and Education: Professors Jerry Gana and Tunde Adeniran respectively. They were supported by the likes of former deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, Dr Doyin Okupe, Tanimu Turaki, John Odey, many former ministers who served under the PDP federal governments and other PDP politicians both active, as well as those who have been in hibernation.

The stakeholders did not conduct any congresses at ward, local government, state and zonal levels to pick delegates for the congress as required by law which left them to invite the attendees at random. They were

At this point in time, the only legal organ conditionally empowered to actually takeover the affairs of the party is the BOT.

therefore mainly aggrieved party members vexed over the emergence of former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, as the national chairman of the party who was also poised to be re-elected at the simultaneous Port Harcourt, Rivers State convention.

The explanation given as to why the election of officials could not hold was that there was a court injunction barring the conduct of elections into the National Working Committee (NWC) positions. Therefore, the organisers decided to turn the convention into a non-elective rather than an elective convention. Instead, it ratified the 57-member steering committee under the chairmanship of Mantu earlier set up to oversee the party affairs. This was done through a voice vote after it had been put to question to the delegates by Mantu himself.

The court order the convention cited was the one procured in Lagos by the former National Secretary and the former National Auditor of the party, Professor Olawale Oladipo and Alhaji Olawale Adeyanju, respectively but with Sheriff named as co-plaintiff, seeking to stop election into their offices at the Port Harcourt convention as they claimed that their tenures had not expired.

Mantu explained that the elections would not hold in deference to the court order.

He made it clear that the stakeholders had not left the PDP but were keen to ensure that the right thing was done in the party and had left open the possibility of a reunion of the two factions when they were able to sort out their differences. He said moments after his steering committee was ratified by the delegates. The former deputy Senate President observed that the former ruling party made mistakes in its 16 years in office, culminating in its election defeat in 2015 but that the party elders were determined to correct that.

He gave reasons the group had to embark on the course of action it had taken, saying: “Mindful of our role as elders and conscience of our great party, we the elders in reviewing recent events, have come to the painful conclusion that the culture of impunity, disdain for democratic norms and utter disregard of our party constitution, behaviours that brought us to the 2015 loss, are rearing its ugly head again.

“First, we view the purported extension of the tenure of the current National Working Committee of the party as null and void, as the National Executive Committee of our party cannot grant any such extension un-

der the party Constitution. Therefore, all actions of the Ali Modu Sheriff-led executive, including the purported congresses and convention in Port Harcourt are null and void and an exercise in illegality.

“The action of the National Executive Committee of the party in selecting Senator Ali Modu Sherriff as chairman of the party was in gross violation of the established procedure for the selection. The selection of the chairman for the unexpired term of the North-East zone started with nominations from the states in the zones. Senator Sheriff was not nominated by any state caucus and hence not qualified to be selected.

He said major stakeholders of the PDP were united in the quest to renew the party and affirm its founding vision and ideals, the ideals that made Nigerians in 1999 to break the yoke of ethnicity and divisive politics to unite under the PDP umbrella to elect the first Pan-Nigerian President.

Professor Gana also spoke on the rationale behind the stakeholders’ action, anchoring it on the need to return the party to the people. In her goodwill message at the convention, former National Woman Leader of the party, Inna Ciroma, said Borno State PDP suffered under Sheriff for 16 years and they were therefore not prepared to accept him as national chairman.” We won election and he scuttled it. Is PDP going to repay our suffering by imposing him on us? We will not accept it,” she declared.

Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to the president on Public Affairs, on his part, observed that “our enemies are losing and we are wining” while former National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the party, Dr. Cairo Ojuigbo, noted that the Abuja convention had killed impunity in politics in Nigeria. He urged the party members to remain on the side of truth always “and it shall set you free.”

Despite the outcome of the Port Harcourt national convention of the party which sacked the previous NWC and appointed a seven-man national caretaker committee to lead it and organise a new convention within 90 days, the concerned PDP Stakeholders have not budged. They have announced their rejection of the caretaker committee, rooting instead for the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to take over the affairs of the PDP in the absence of an NWC. In a reaction after the Port Harcourt convention, the group insisted that the BoT should take over the affairs of the party as constitutionally prescribed. Mantu, who was joined by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, at a press breeding in Abuja, observed that the PDP had been further divided following the Port Harcourt convention. He said: “There is a body that is constitutionally mandated to take over the affairs of the party. And that body is the conscience of the party called BOT. At this point in time, the only legal organ conditionally empowered to actually takeover the affairs of the party is the BOT.” Concurring with him, Turaki stated: “It is now for the BOT to step in and take charge.

It is there in our Constitution that in a situation like this that is unprecedented that the BOT, the conscience of the party as the fathers of the party should step in immediately. There shouldn’t be any vacuum. And we are concerned that what is coming out of the party from Port Harcourt may likely deepen our disagreement. In this situation therefore the BoT leadership must take up it responsibilities over the reigns of the affairs of the party and bring all the members of our party back home for us to sit down and find a way forward as members of one family.”

Mantu however noted the decisions taken at the Port Harcourt convention vindicated the position of the stakeholders. But observers believe that their latest stance is indicative of more trouble that is to come for the opposition party.

21

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

features Following weeks of tension, SAM NWAOKO writes on the recent attack on a community in Ekiti State allegedly committed by Fulani herdsmen.

O

VER the weekend, the world was greeted with the news of a deadly attack by herdsmen in Oke Ako community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The attack claimed the life of two indigenes of the community, with many of them injured.

Following the invasion, many indigenes fled the community to other areas, including the headquarters of the council area in Ikole.

The Friday night attack on Oke Ako, which claimed the life of Mr. Lekan Arosanyin and another victim, has been attributed to the comments by Governor Fayose by some Nigerians, who believe that the governor’s stance was enough trigger. But members of Oke Ako community and adjoining communities have contrary opinion and have suggested that their issue with the Fulani herdsmen has been a running battle.

According to a source in the community, “We have had Fulani settlers in Oke Ako, Irele, Ipao, Iyemero and Itapaji for a long time. They are not new in our area. We are therefore surprised at the turn of events and we must dig deep into what has happened.” The source claimed that “the Fulani came in what many of us see as a reprisal because there had been some tension in the area for some time.”

A leader of the community and a former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Dele Olugbemi, said reports from the farms indicated that there was tension and the people were trying to handle it.

According to Olugbemi, “We got reports from farmers who do joint farming in Oke Ako, who had alleged that crops in their farms were being destroyed by herds of cattle and that they had made efforts to correct the alleged wrong.”

According to Olugbemi, “The farmers had reported that maize farms were the worst hit in the alleged destruction by cows and also reported their sustained efforts to stop the destruction increased tension in the area because they reported that there were disagreements along the line.”

Olugbemi said he learnt that the breakdown of the discussion on how to end the invasion of the farms caused some locals to cry foul and spoilt for war, while some others called for calm and sought better ways of handling the matter. “The farmers said they set up a vigilante which was saddled with the responsibility of keeping the farms safe and also keep an eye on the community. He said the hunters had to set their traps for the rampaging cows, which we learnt caught seven cows.”

This, he said added to the tension and the bubble burst on Friday when the herdsmen attacked the community, catching the community’s guards unawares as the hunters were said to still be preparing for the day’s work when the tragedy befell the community.

The former Speaker said, “From what we gathered, the invaders were 14 in number

Victims of the attack

Why Oke-Ako Ekiti fell victim of herdsmen attack and seven of them were armed with AK47 rifles. We also learnt that about four of them carried barrelled guns, apart from their usual machetes or swords and their common bows and arrows.

“The community guards said they were caught unawares because the attackers invaded the community before they could start their normal routine and this was the cause of the level of damage to the town.”

Olugbemi alleged that the attack was “premeditated because we found that all the Fulani settlements in Ipao, Oke Ako, Irele, Iyemero, Itapaji which are all in the same area as Oke Ako had been evacuated along with their cattle and the settlers are nowhere to be found.”

Some other members of Oke Ako community, however, claimed that there was “poor and ineffective response of the police” when they were informed of the at-

tack.” They also alleged that “the police failed to act swiftly when the case was reported to them during the attack,” and further alleged that “it is one of our community members that we contacted that mobilised them and had to buy N8,000 worth of petrol in each of their patrol vehicles before they could move into the community.”

Another member of the community, Mrs Grace Olofin, who said she witnessed the attack, alleged that the herdsmen had shot sporadically as they entered the town. Another witness, Adebayo Ajayi, who said he escaped from the community, described the incident as a reprisal. He said that the villagers had been resisting the use of their farmlands as grazing fields by the herdsmen for the most part of this farming season.

One of the residents, Muyiwa Olukosi

The farmers had reported that maize farms were the worst hit in the alleged destruction by cows and also reported their sustained efforts to stop the destruction increased tension in the area because they reported that there were disagreements along the line

whose wife sustained machete wounds, told newsmen that the case was reported to police in the area stressing that there was no response from them.

Residents of the area said they had been with the Fulani longer than what many people think. But the degeneration in their relationship is a source of worry for many highly-placed indigenes of the state.

Governor Fayose has issued a statement in which he warned that “there could be reprisal attacks on Fulani herdsmen in the state if they do not desist from invading communities in Ekiti and attacking the people.”

Fayose while commiserating with the people of Oke Ako, described the killing in the community as “a devilish act” and vowed to “do everything humanly possible to forestall a reoccurrence of such attack and safeguard the lives of Ekiti people.”

He said; “I am sounding a note of warning to the Fulani herdsmen, and those who can talk to them should also do so now. If they continue with these wanton attacks, killing of the people and destruction of farmlands in Ekiti, I cannot guarantee that there won’t be reprisal attacks.”

“I have directed the police and other security agencies in the state to fish out the killer herdsmen. I am in constant touch with the security agencies and I hope that the killer herdsmen will be fished out wherever they are and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The people of Oke-Ako should therefore remain calm while the security agents do their job. However, the security agents must be mindful of the fact that the people’s patience has a limit and they must therefore act promptly and decisively.”

The deputy governor, Dr Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola, was in the Oke Ako on Saturday and just like the governor commiserated with the family of the deceased and the people of the community and prayed that there would not be a reoccurrence.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole, also commiserated with the people of the community and expressed dismay at the development.

Oluwawole said: “A couple of months ago, the House of Assembly received a petition from some leaders of the Oke Ako/ Irele communities about activities of some foreigners who settled with them in illegal felling of trees. The swift action of the House over the matter prevented breakdown of law and order.

“Now, it is Fulani herdsmen that have invaded the communities to massacre their supposed hosts. Much as the people of Ekiti State remain friendly and receptive to visitors, we shall not condone unnecessary trampling on the rights of our people.”

Also a member of the seventh House of Representatives, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi, while reacting to the development, said the alleged slow response of the police to the attack should be investigated just as he also commiserated with the people of the community.

The police have said through the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti command that they have gathered enough evidence to commence investigation and promised that justice would be done.

22 features

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

From special education to special vocation: Story of a 20-year-old female house painter

By Tunde Busari

W

HILE young Yoruba ladies are freely disparaged as being lovers of fun and easy road to success, an euphemism of indolent disposition, a section of them are, however, now taking the bull by the horn with all seriousness.

They are determined to re-enact the era when Yoruba female folks recorded firsts in professions noted for male domination.

In this regards, a few female graduates have lately emerged overall best graduates at their respective universities.

Just recently, Babalola Omosalewa, 25, was declared Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) all-time graduate with a 4.00/4.00 CGPA from the Department of Biochemistry in the 2014/2015 academic session.

Also, a 19-year-old Yoruba girl, Saheela Ibraheem, was listed among the world 50 smartest teenagers in 2015. The prestigious Harvard graduate Ibraheem, was hosted by President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, at the White House.

Even though Halima, 20, is not familiar with the stories of the above female exploits, she is driven by a radical, non-conformist spirit which assures her a success in house painting vocation, a field unofficially reserved for males.

Her tale could have passed for a regular girl seeking a means of livelihood. But Halima’s academic credential as a holder of the National Certificate of Education (NCE) from the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Oyo State, naturally confers a special status on her and also elevates her as a news maker of sorts.

Halima studied Special Education in the Gifted and Talented, and disclosed that her choice of vocation was deliberate, coming from the bottom of her heart as a trade which she is convinced will add value to the society.

To impress our correspondent of her conscious choice, she argued that such vocations as hairdressing and fashion designing, synonymous with females did not catch her interest because of the large population of females in it.

“Even in my family, I have some of my sisters doing either of the two. I wanted something different from the outset. And painting fell into the category of what I wanted. That is why I started my apprenticeship soon after I had made my choice.

“Since then, I have found it more interesting because it affords me opportunity to show that there is nothing a male can do that a female cannot also do. I can tell you that I am enjoying it as you can see me at the site here. It is a combination of work and fun for me because I am really enjoying it,” she explained.

However, maintaining a balance between her two engagements required shuttling between Iwo, her base, and Oyo, her school. This, of course, was an Herculean task that sapped her energy. But Halima weathered the storm in the end and completed her NCE in 2015.

She could have, according to her, crashed out midway and abandoned one for the other save for the understanding she enjoyed from her boss in Iwo, and her classmates who always rallied round her whenever she needed their support to carry on.

“My boss is such an understanding person. From the day I came to him, he

showed interest in teaching me all that I needed to know in the art. He knows when I would be in school and when I should be at the workshop.

“He does not discriminate and does not allow my male colleagues to discriminate against me as the only female among them. In short, we move on well to the extent that one would think my boss is my biological brother.”

Halima’s boss, Ibrahim Ismail, is happy to have her as his apprentice, confirming Halima’s willingness to learn and listen to his instructions. Ismail said he had noticed the strong point of Halima the very day she was brought to him as a seriousminded, hardworking person. The observation, he noted, encouraged him to take her despite his reservations over female apprentices.

How Halima holds the brush and other painting tools like roller is a confirmation of her budding mastery of the art.

Her ambition to become a building contractor, according to her, demands deeper knowledge in order to match and survive competition.

“In the society where males always have upper hand, I need to put in extra effort.

That is why I am not in a hurry to leave my boss. He is teaching me all I need to know so that it will be easy for me in the future,” she affirmed.

Halima has a few words to female folks: “They should not say there is any job they cannot do. What matters most is their interest. It is high time we showed that God did not make a mistake by creating us as females. Hard work should be our watch word at all times. I love painting and I am doing my best to encourage others,” she remarked.

Halima

When JDPC stressed importance of lawmakers, constituents’ parley

By Adewale Oshodi

IN order to foster cordial relationship between political office holders and the electorate, the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), an arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, has been encouraging frequent meetings between these two groups, with the hope that it will help in the development of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

Recently, JDPC had another parley where residents of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State used the opportunity to ask their representative at the state House of Assembly on what he has been doing in parliament.

The parley, which was held at the Ibadan South West Local Government Secretariat, Aleshinloye, featured Honourable Segun Ajanaku, who was on hand in-person to answer the questions of members of his constituency.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, the representative of JDPC, Mr Jide Bamgbose, said it was important for members of the public and political office holders to interact on a regular basis as it would help build understanding between them.

•Honourable Segun Ajanaku while explaining a point during the parley with his constituents.

“Many people don’t really have the opportunity to move closer to their elected officials, and as such, they say many untrue things about them.

“It is not everything that is said about these politicians that is true, but this parley will afford many the opportunity to ask questions about the situation of things in the state, and in the country as a whole.

“In previous sessions, members of the public have aired their grievances against government polices, which our invitees then take time to explain.

“There are many things that political office holders really don’t know about their people and their communities, but this meeting has been able to bridge the gap between the people and those who represent them in gov-

ernment,” Bamgbose said.

In his submission at the parley, Honourable Ajanaku, who is representing Ibadan South West 1 in the Oyo State House of Assembly, commended the JDPC for the initiative in bringing political office holders and their people together.

“I know that for effective representation, lawmakers need to regularly engage their constituents in order to feel their pulse on government programmes or policies, and also to explain the reasons for certain decisions taken by government.

“Such meetings will also help us to collate the needs and the challenges of the people for relevant government agencies to act on, and as a result of this, I want to sincerely commend JDPC again for this programme, while hoping that many other political office holders will use the opportunity of the platform to meet their people,” Honorable Ajanaku, who is also the Chairman, Parliamentary Caucus, said.

While speaking on some projects facilitated by him in his constituency, Honourable Ajanaku lamented the economic situation in the country which has drastically reduced

funding to all tiers of government, “and which is limiting the impact I want to make.

“As a result of this, I want to appeal to everybody, not only in Oyo State, but across the country, to be patient with government as things will soon improve economically for us in Nigeria, and we will start enjoying the dividends of democracy.

In his remarks at the event, the Chairman of Ibadan South West Community Development Council (CDC), Alhaji Adepoju Popoola, commended the lawmaker for answering the call of the people, while urging others to also make themselves available when members of their constituencies call on them.

A resident of the local government area, Mrs Esther Adeleke, while commending the lawmaker for being present in person, however, charged him to take the issue of bad roads in the council area to the state government.

“The executive arm of government cannot be everywhere; it is through people like you that government will know the needs of certain communities, and I am happy that we have been able to tell you what we need in our council area,” Mrs Adeleke said.

23

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

CREW Tunde Busari 08127593530

Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare 08116706853 Tunde Ogunesan 08116954634

Nigerian Tribune

The

South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056

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

Soun at 90,

says I had 96 out of 100 votes to

emerge Soun of Ogbomoso

72 hours from now, precisely on Friday, May 27, 2016, Soun of Ogbomoso, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr) Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, CON, OFR will be 90 years old and will also mark his 42 years on the throne. Associate Editor, GBENGA OPADOTUN and Chief Correspondent, TUNDE OGUNESAN, explore the life of the eloquent international businessman and his 42 years reign as the 20th Soun of Ogbomoso.

Behold, Ekiti festival that cures diseases

—P26

Blind politics hindering

South-West regional integration —Akere —P27

K

ABIYESI, can we have an insight into your background?

I was born in Ogbomoso, right inside this palace during the reign of my father, Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade II, Soun of Ogbomoso,who reigned between 19161940.I went to St Patrick School, Oke-Padre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

After leaving St Patrick, I ventured into business straight and did not attend any higher college or University.

How did your business life start?

I headed to Jos, Plateau State where majority of our people in Ogbomoso were residing then, specifically on May 17, 1944, where I began petty trading which was the popular trade among my age grade then. I had vowed never to work for anybody or earn salary in whatever form, so, I was determined to own my personal business.

When I started in 1944, I was involVed in buying and selling of variety of goods and products. Later, I started selling clothes like blanket because of the cold weather in Plateau State. Thereafter, I made some money to enable me deal with foreigners, who then, were operating shops in the markets.

From GB,USC,CFAO, K. Chellarams, Gobchor, PZ, foreigners were the ones managing the company’s sales and representatives department then. That was the point I can say I began to climb the ladder of success because I can relate with all of them in English Language very well, an attribute which gave me upper hand among my peers. They also loved it because it made their operation smoother and made them happy.

Continues on pg24

24 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

‘I got the concept of Hotel Terminus from Paris in 1958’ Where and when did you build your first house?

I built my first house on Pomp street, Jos, Plateau State. My first car . . . let me see if I would be able to remember very well . . . is Volkwaz Velox with registration number BY 6941. I bought it in 1953.

Continues from pg23

Trading in those days was unlike what obtains today. The foreign managers were then rationing the products among their customers. They were the ones distributing products to their customers, so, for the products that you know that you will make like N1 on each unit. The demand for them was high.

Some of us could get like 10 pieces, some 20 and another person 30, depending on your ability, but all of us already knew how much we will make. The implication of this is that, the more you get, the higher your returns.

That is how my business sojourn started.

Later, some of us who can express ourselves in English Language without an interpreter between the managers of these companies, got into their good books.

The managers were also happy because they had less stress that normally trailed third party transactions where an interpreter was required. And from my own end, I was assured of additional supply arrangement between me and the managers which was unknown to others. In this case, the manager can tell you to see him at an appointed time while those around you won’t be able to decode. After the day’s transactions, I will now apply wisdom to keep the appointment by feigning my way out of the market to meet up. In those situations, when others were getting like 30 in supply, I had 100 pieces. That is where we started climbing the success ladder.

And even if you had to go to banks in those days, they were manned by foreigners as well. The managers, assistant managers and even the cashiers were all white people, including the managers of the company that were supplying us as well. He will now tell you that he won’t collect coins from you, he will say go to a bank and open and account to enable you to trade in cheques. That also became an advantage.

Can anybody who does not know how to read and write have a transaction with the banks? That was the difference that whoever that goes to school, will always have an edge.

That is the more reason we should ensure that our children are well read. It brings development to one in all ramifications.

That was how I continued trading with them till God lifted me in my business and I became popular.

What was the difference between the foreigners and our people like in those days?

The English men we were dealing with and their other counterparts we classified as foreigners hated lies and fraudulent practices. They imbibed in us all these virtues.

That business transaction relied heavily on trust, they didn’t joke with it. They imbibed in us the virtue of honesty, as well as principle against stealing.

This is the trait we maintained till God blessed me with my first house, cars and the grace to fund my children’s education.

Also to the point of travelling abroad to buy some products to sell back home in Nigeria up to the time I became known all over, till I ascended the throne of my forefathers in October 24, 1973.

How did Hotel Terminus, one of your very popular business outfits, come to being?

One day, I was in Paris and I lodged at Hotel Terminus in 1958. The hotel was situated at a very conspicuous place in Paris. I then noted it in my diary with the aim that where my shop was located in Jos was also conspicuous. When I returned from Paris, I decided to have my own Hotel Terminus.

The space around the place just like the one I saw in Paris- If one is going to railway, hospital, market and even going to town you pass through the place. Then I concluded that it is just like hotel terminus in Paris,

Before ascending the throne?

During my days as a businessman, people didn’t just address me by name squarely.

Whao! I was known and addressed as Prince of the world. That is what people called me by then. Prince Oladunni Oyewumi, Prince of the world!

One of Kabiyesi’s early cars in the palace. that’s why I built my Hotel Terminus. So some people passing bye will say Terminus hotel, I said no, it is Hotel Terminus.

After Jos, we had another branch located in Ogbomoso and Osogbo, that is where I came about the name and idea of the hotel.

How easy is it combining business with royal functions?

When I became king, I handed over the reign of my business to people to manage them on my behalf. And they have been doing that very well.

From Princehood to the throne?

As a popular Prince Oyewumi of the world, people knew I would be king. And, I also knew I would be king. Let me tell you the truth, I was too popular at that time.

In Ogbomoso, you cannot be king without your father being a king. Everybody noticed the sign, my comportment, composure and my character that I was fit and equally possessed the quality to be a king at that time.

We have five royal families in Ogbomoso.

After the demise of my father and while other families took their turn to the throne, that did not take away that aura from me.

The family that took their turns also liked me until it came to our turn again.

Continues on pg25

How Soun saved Alagba from untimely death — Ajiroba ONE thing is synonymous with the palace of Soun of Ogbomoso.

A very big tortoise called Alagba, whose presence had drawn visitors, tourists and even researchers to the palace for years, was recently saved from untimely death. The Personal Assistant to His Imperial Majesty, Bolaji Odedare told our correspondents how this happened. Excerpts: HOW long have you been working the Kabiyesi?

I have been working as Personal Assistant on Special Duty to the Kabiyesi Oba Dr Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade II, JP, CON, Soun of Ogbomosland for 13 years.

From my years working with him, I found out that he is the best person to be with. He loves Ogbomoso and always works hard towards its development every time. Kabiyesi can do everything to facilitate development to Ogbomoso, for example his contribution to ensure that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was sited here.

Apart from that, what can you say about him?

He is also custodian of culture. He is vast in preservation of anything tradition and would go extra mile to that. Another example in that regard is the way Kabiyesi saved the life of Alagba Alagba, is a male tortoise which has been in the palace for over 342 years. Kabiyesi also met it here. We treat it with great care and ensure it is in good condition always. He eats human foods likewise grass.

Around 2009, Alagba was sick with a very big bump on its neck. We took it to Ibadan for treatment and the veterinary doctor told us that it wouldundergo surgical operation.

The matter even became worse when the doctor told us that its chance of survival was 50-50. At that point, Kabiyesi cancelled the

Ajiroba with the 342-year-old tortoise. surgical operation, and today, Alagba is doing fine.

It has become a symbol of tourist attraction.

It used to stay there and only comes down around by the security gate area, that means whenever it is thirsty and wants water. It consumes almost one to two pales of water at a go.

How long have you been working the Kabiyesi?

I have been working as Personal Assistant on Special Duty to the Kabiyesi Oba Dr Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade II, JP, CON, Soun of Ogbomosland for 13 years.

From my years working with him, I found out that he is the best person to be with. He loves Ogbomoso and always works hard towards its development every time. Kabiyesi can do everything to facilitate development to Ogbomoso, for example his contribution to ensure that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was sited here.

Apart from that, what can you say about him?

He is also custodian of culture. He is vast in preservation of anything tradition and would go extra mile to that. Another example in that regard is the way Kabiyesi saved the life of Alagba Alagba, is a male tortoise which has been in the palace for over 342 years. Kabiyesi also met it here. We treat it with great care and ensure it is in good condition always. He eats human foods likewise grass.

Around 2009, Alagba was sick with a very big bump on its neck. We took it to Ibadan for treatment and the veterinary doctor told us that it wouldundergo surgical operation.

The matter even became worse when the doctor told us that its chance of survival was 50-50. At that point, Kabiyesi cancelled the surgical operation, and today, Alagba is doing fine.

It has become a symbol of tourist attraction.

It used to stay there and only comes down around by the security gate area, that means whenever it is thirsty and wants water. It consumes almost one to two pales of water at a go.

25 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

‘Why I made up mind never to earn salary in life’ Continues from pg24

When it was our turn, we held a family meeting where all Princes who were interested signified their intentions. There were 100 voters, 96 voted for me while only four voted against.

At this point, considering the difference of votes and with due respect to all, it was clear that I exhibited good behaviour to have commanded so much respect from my people. I want to tell you again that I am of good behaviour and the people love me.

In fact, one of those things I cherish is respect for elders. There was not any time that as a Prince, I was rude to the elders on any platform, just because I was a Prince. No, it never happened.

I didn’t go to any university but I had a privilege to work with the foreigners. So, I am knowledgeable because I travelled to so many foreign countries at that time. You don’t equate that with University education.

Today, all my children attended University and are well read, but you can’t compare it with my sound and practical relationship with the foreigners then.

How did you feel few years after you ascended the throne?

I was so happy. Who would not want to get to his father’s throne? I was not the only prince at that time. I was very, very happy that I made it to the throne.

Let me tell you a story that confirmed it.

I have an elderly friend who I would not want to mention his name. We used to eat together at home and I refer to him as ‘Baba’ though he took me as his friend. He questioned my resolve to be a king. To him, I am

rich, popular and widely travelled. He used to ask me ‘what again do want’? I said as a Prince, the greatest thing that will ever happen to me is to ascend my father’s throne.

So, on the day I was announced as the next king, he came to my house.

This is somebody that whenever he came to my house in the morning, the moment we sight ourselves, we will exchange pleasantries and he will address me as ‘Prince Prince.” But on that day, as I opened the door to see him, a very tall man, he prostrated and said “Kabiyesi”- (laughs) and I greeted him. I now told him, did you ever prostrate for me like that before? Since you said I should not bother myself to be a king, if I am not a king, would you have honoured me in this manner!

It is an honour to be a king, simple. What you can’t get as ordinary person, the throne provides for you, that is honour and respect.

In summary, it is good to be king if one is richly blessed. In a situation that it will not make one to milk the less privileged and squeeze money from them, and if he is contended and can control his greed, it is good.

If a Prince is rich, it is good to be a king. I say once again, it is so good to be a king.

Not that that position will enrich him, but the rich, the poor and average income earners, when they come to the palace, all of them are for kabiyesi and will pay homage according to the culture and tradition.

What else do you want in life! A Yoruba adage says “Ti O ba n wowo lo, t’oba pade iyi lona. T’oba rowo naa tan. Iyi lomaa fira.”

Look around and see my pictures with some important dignitaries and in various cultural dresses. Would I be able to do that if I am not king?

Olori Olaronke Oyewumi, nee Alagbe, married Oba Oyewumi over 42 years.

She speaks on the family life of her 90-year-old husband.

What has age taken away from Kabiyesi?

Baba is blessed by God. I have not noticed or seen anything different from his behaviour with members of the family, staff and the entire people of Ogbomoso. He has only kept to the doctor’s advice.

What did you cherish most in him?

He is a lovely and lively husband.

He doesn’t hide anything from us his wives. He hates lies and if you’re caught, that will definitely affect his perception about you and could be difficult to change. With this philosophy, he had been able to put a check on third party misgivings.

What was your relationship with the late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade like?

Oh ooo, may his soul rest in peace.

Whenever he came around, he would sit on this seat by my right side.

When I was in Jos, Okunade used to come to me in Jos. He was my very good friend during his lifetime and we both related very well till he also became king. This, we demonstrated further on the day he was installed as the 50th Ooni of Ife. In a nutshell, he was a jolly trusted and loved friend till his last day on earth.

How were you able to ensure peace in Ogbomosho land?

The first thing that has helped us in achieving peace in Ogbomoso is that the people love me. And on my own part, I am not greedy. I am not the type of king that makes monetary or gift demands from my subjects.

WHEN did you marry Kabiyesi?

I am from Ogbomoso and have been married to Kabiyesi 43 years ago.

Aside from being a king, how can you describe Oba Oyewumi?

He is an honest business man from Jos before he was installed as the 20th Soun of Ogbomoso in 1973. He detests lies and will not hesitate to express his displeasure at anybody who is found to lie.

He is a real family man who loves all of us ---- wives and all his children to a fault. He cares so much about his family, including the extended family. Even the personal staff, he takes everybody as his children and expresses love towards all. He does not discriminate.

After 42 years on the throne, what is the development status of Ogbomoso today?

The development in Ogbomoso today from 1973 when I ascended the throne, is too numerous to mention. When I look back and compare the situation then and I now, I always thank God for that grace.

Let me start from the palace, this new modern palace was built, High court, we got a headquarter of NEPA (now IBEDC) in Ogbomoso because we used to pay for electricity bill in Osogbo, many secondary schools were established from three that were available then, we now have Federal Government college, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Post office, I influenced the change in time of operation of PT&T old phone boot phone to a 24-hour operation. They used to operate between 8.00am-4.00pm. Then we had the then digital table phone and I influenced location of Bowen Hospital, in Ogbomoso. I can say as Soun, I influenced the transformation of a modern Ogbomoso.

Everything here in this land came by my influence, not because of any politician. If I tell the story of everybody how they came here, they will keep quiet.

Secret of sound health at 90 First, I will attribute it to the grace of God. Second is eating good food. Third is less live for women and lastly, I adhere to medical advice on my health life. Not at this time alone, but since.

My happiest day with kabiyesi was...

— Olori Olaronke

If anybody comes to tell him any story, he will ensure that he sends for the person involved and make you repeat the story in his presence.

When people saw that, such scenario naturally stopped. You can’t tell Kabiyesi any story about anybody and just go like that, you must be ready to re-tell the story when the person comes around.

Which day would you refer to as as your happiest moment with kabiyesi since he ascended the throne?

Laughs. . . My happiest day was when I wanted to have my first child and which incidentally was the fam-

ily’s first child since Kabiyesi ascended the throne. Baba had to drive me to the Baptist Hospital very early in the morning by 5.00am on December 23, 1973 because he couldn’t send for the driver in town. So, he had to drive me with the first wife to the hospital.

As much as I was feeling the delivery pain, I was so happy that my husband, a King, drove me to the hospital. The joy of seeing him behind the wheel, soothes me despite the natural delivery pain. And I thank God that it didn’t take me up to an hour before I put to bed on that day. I can never forget that experience.

Which dress would you describe as your best attire?

The type of dress for a king if not for effect of old age, is Dandogo. It shows class and status, that’s why Yoruba will say it is not the type of cloth you make in a hurry or anger.

What are the major challenges faced since you ascended the throne?

It was tough. This is because Ogbomoso was underdeveloped then and I wanted a developed town. Don’t forget I told you that I had travelled far and wide, so coming back home as a king, my utmost priority was to see Ogbomoso develop as fast as possible.

We needed land but surprisingly, some of our people were opposed to it. I told them I, Soun owns all the land. We went to court on so many occasions, but we thank God that gave us victories on so many occasions.

Your advice to the younger generation Contentment. It is God that makes one rich, He is the author and God of wealth and He gives to anybody He considers worthy of it. Nobody can enrich himself. Too much energy is dissipated on how to become rich these days.

26 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Behold, Ekiti festival that cures diseases

SAM NWAOKO was at Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti State for the 2016 annual Ege Kaun Day celebration, a festival believed to be a recipe for barrennes, joblessness and sicknesses among others. His report.

M

EMBERS of Aramoko community, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, led by the Atayero of Aramoko Ekiti, danced in celebration. They had been in the festive mood all day and even by evening, they still gyrated, in varying twists and turns, to the beats from the metal gongs. And the people danced with the different masquerades on display.

It was the celebration of the annual Ege Kaun (Egungun Ado) Festival in Aramoko-Ekiti. The revelry had remained in high tempo all through, with the descendants of the community’s forebears in their groove with the masquerades and thier handlers.

The convivial celebration was led by the Atayero of Aramoko-Ekiti, Omo Oba Olusegun Aderemi, who stated that the festival was a reenactment of the tradition of his forebears, whom, he said took time out to celebrate the emergence of the Ege Kaun annually during its anniversary. Omooba Aderemi said the festival came to life following the decision by the then Alara of Aramoko, Atayero bi Agogo to celebrate the event.

Ninety-two-year old participant in the festival, Chief Matthew Ogunniyi, also told the Nigerian Tribune that the festival had been celebrated since the days of his forefathers. He lauded the contributions of Omooba Aderemi to the development of the Atayero Ruling

House of Aramoko community and Ekiti State in general and expressed confidence that he was capable of redressing the trend of what he described as “the stalled development in Aramoko-Ekiti.”

Also, Secretary of the Atayero Ruling House of Aramoko Ekiti, Prince Remi Adedayo, said: “The advantages of this festival are enormous. There are always solutions to problems such as barrenness, sicknesses and joblessness etc. All bad and untoward things in the community are washed away.”

Aderemi described the festival as a celebration of success in remembrance of a mother, who hailed from

The advantages of this festival are enormous. There are always solutions to problems such as barrenness, sicknesses and joblessness etc. All bad and untoward things in the community are washed away.

Ado Ekiti and gave birth to an only son who became the monarch of Aramoko Ekiti. Omooba Aderemi had led the carnival-like procession during the ceremony, saying that “the yearly festival has been a source of joy to the people of the community.”

The people, he noted were in the vanguard of ensuring that the traditions and culture of Aramoko-Ekiti are sustained and mot just modernised, but made to fit into the contemporary time so as to draw all the inherent advantages.

He assured the motley crowd that gathered to be part of the celebration that justice would prevail in the matter pending at the Supreme Court over the Alara stool which he contested.

Aderemi, who is a contender to the throne of Aramoko-Ekiti drew courage from the emergence of Oba Enitan Adeyeye as the Ooni of Ife to charge kingmakers in Yorubaland to ensure rancour-free, and fair selection of monarchs in Yorubaland. “If the kingship institutions in Yorubaland can emulate this, there will be peace in Yorubaland. This will translate to development.”

He added: “What happened at Ile Ife, the source where we came from, how Oba Enitan Ogunwusi emerged as the Ooni without rancour is a thing of joy which all Yoruba towns should replicate to avoid the messy turbulent succession crises in many communities.”

27 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Mr Sunday Akere is the former Commissioner of Information and Strategy in Osun State.

At every forum, he always stresses what the South-West States stand to gain in regional integration. In an interview with TUNDE BUSARI he sheds more light on the concept.

Excerpts:

S

OUTH-WEST zone is said to be blessed.

How true or otherwise is the submission?

There is no doubting that submission. It is the plain truth. South-West region is highly blessed and enriched. It is not blessed only with human resources but also with solid mineral resources. We are also abundantly blessed with a very large arable land for farming.

What God has done for us in the South-West is not found in some countries. There is no state in the South-West that you won’t find rich resources. If the resources are well tapped, they are enough to sustain the economy as well as socio-political demand of the populace.

Why then do you think these resources are not well tapped to drive the region’s economy?

Regrettably, the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in the country turned us to lazy people. We all went to sleep believing oil was there to sustain us. That was how we lost it. That was when we tied our destiny to oil and forgot where we were coming from. Before the discovery, each region was sustaining itself with agricultural products. It is a known fact that South-West was at the forefront of development which was made possible by its investment in cocoa and coffee production. Then produce agency was working.

Government showed active interest in agriculture and was transparent in spending the resources it realised there judiciously to the advantage of the people. The revenue from agriculture corresponded with development. This encouraged the people to support the government. That is why the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s name turned to household name in every part of South-West till date. It is not by accident we pride ourselves pace-setter region. It is because we recorded first in major development of the country. In terms of broadcasting, industry, housing, education and sports, we led to be followed by other regions.

Can’t our current governors revert to the good days?

Why not? If we retrace our step and tap the resources God has made available to us, which are still very much available in large quantity, South-West will regain its old glory. It is possible, especially with the reality on ground, regarding the current oil doom we are facing. When what you eat or you know how to eat in unavailable, you look for alternative to save yourself of hunger. We should be focused by looking inward. The pains we are having now from the oil crisis is temporary if we can get our act together and return to the land. Things will stabilise and South-West will regain its leadership position in the committee of regions in Nigeria.

Blind politics hindering

South-West regional integration —Akere

What do you think is the real obstacle to the regional integration?

Politics is the major hindrance to achieving the integration goal. Unfortunately, despite our education and exposure, we play politics as if our lives depend on it. And our lives should not depend on politics. We play politics of blindness. We don’t believe that politics is about providing leadership and leadership about service to the people. Leadership is about meeting the needs of the people with a view to improving their lives. We allow pride to take a better part of us. If for instance, state A introduces a policy that should be shared with other states, state B, because the policy is not its idea, works to frustrate it. If we want to move forward, we need to put behind us political and personal aggrandizement. We cannot all be in one party. But wherever we are, we must know that interest of our zone must come first at all time. We should not allow another person from another ethnic group to dictate to us what we should do. Don’t forget that Osun State initiated the state anthem, symbol and other distinct identities. We went into record and found the anthem apt and inspiring, and adopted it. If you listen to the anthem as a son of Yoruba race, you will feel something within yourself. You will be inspired. That is what we need in the South-West to assert ourselves as true pace-setter of Nigeria.

three commercial hub of the former Western Region until Military intervention pushed it to the background. Based on that discovery, we planned to revive the status. We then had a relationship with Lagos State Government and local government councils to sell our agricultural products to them. It is a lofty ideas to save our farmers loss of their farm products. If Osun can tap 10 percent of Lagos market, imagine what it would translate to. We wanted to make railway transport available to manufacturers in Lagos free of fare to Osogbo. Then, traders from neighbouring states would not need to travel to Lagos because they will buy the same price.

Part of it is the free railway service we provide during festival periods. This has achieved a lot to the extent that people going to Abeokuta, Ibadan and parts of Kwara State like Ofa and others take the advantage. We are very passionate about the integration; hence we set up Ministry of Regional Integration.

Part of regional integration blueprint is a railway connecting Lagos and other South-West states.

What benefit is derivable here?

In fact, it is one of the advantages of the agenda. By the time we have this, the economy will definitely improve. Lagos is the largest consumer of agricultural products. If the farmers are not relying on vehicles alone to transport their products to Lagos, there is going to be an improved production and profit. We discovered that Osogbo was number

Lagos State was recently admitted as a member of Oodua Conglomerate. What difference is this going to make?

Lagos State was excluded from the group because of the federal government presence being capital of Nigeria then.

We should not forget that Lagos State is the home of major investments of Oodua group. Now the seat of power is in Abuja, it is natural that Lagos State returns to its status as South-West region. There are a lot of benefits Lagos

State presence will bring to the group and to the advantage of member states. But as I said earlier, our type of politics tends to slow us down. For, instance some non-APC states were not attending meeting until the last meeting which Ekiti State governor attended and Ondo State governor also sent a representative. Lagos State economic strength is to the advantage of member states.

The state has a large farm in Orolu Local Government in Osun State. This is part of the benefit states will derive in the integration. We have a vast expanse of fertile land here in Osun. So any state is free to follow the footstep of Lagos and tap from these resources. It is high time South West states worked together and form a union. We just revived the long abandoned Cocoa Processing Industry in Ede in partnership with a Chinese company. Now cocoa seeds, about 20000 tons, are processed here in the state as against 5000 of the days the industry was working before it went into coma.

What this is showing is Osun State commitment to the regional integration because all cocoa producing states can now bring their produce to Osun State for processing. We believe strongly that we are going to reach there. The reality on ground now means we don’t have a choice than to pull our resources together to achieve a common goal of economic prosperity. South-West States have no excuse not to improve on the achievements Baba Awolowo recorded during his tenure.

28 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Obas are gods on earth

—Sabiganna

An oba is the image of his people and town who should be respected as such. These are among other issues discussed with our reporter, GBENGA OPADOTUN, by the Sabiganna of Igannaland, Oba Soliu Azeez Oyemonla Aguloye IV, Ayefemiloye I, during a recent encounter with the monarch. Excerpts:

T

HE Alaafin of Oyo, out of administrative convenience, divided the old Oyo Empire into four provinces namely; Western province or Ekun Otun, Metropolitan province or Ekun Osi, Ibolo and Epo provinces, Iganna with Sabiganna was the administrative headquarters of Ekun Otun which is the present day Oke-Ogun area down to Iberekodo in Ibarapaland.

Those were the areas under the Sabiganna of Iganna with the consent of Alaafin of Oyo. Thus, Sabiganna is one of the paramount traditional stools in Yorubaland. His paramouncy was never in doubt. The Sabiganna, from the ancient days, had been a beaded crown-wearing oba.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the 18th Sabiganna of Igannaland in Oke Ogun Area of Oyo State, Oba Soliu Oyemonla Azeez Agunloye IV, Ayefemoloye I, said his throne was a very big and powerful one in Yorubaland and that till today, he is a permanent member, Oyo State Council of Obas & Chiefs and the permanent chairman, Iwajowa Local Government Traditional Council.

The foremost traditional ruler disclosed that ascendancy into the royal stool is rotational as there are four ruling houses in the town that are eligible to aspire to the throne when vacancy exists. He added that the Chieftaincy Declaration of 1969 made this very clear.

“The ruling houses are: Agunloye, where I hailed from and the fourth from that lineage. The immediate past Sabiganna was from Alokolodo ruling house, he was the second from there. We also have Etielu/ Baya and Ajemoti/Olojo ruling houses. It has been like that from time immemorial and I am the 18th Sabiganna of Igannaland.

“I ascended the royal stool of my forebears seven years ago, May 5, 2009 to be precise and it has been quite challenging.

The Almighty God has been there for me and I am happy to say that Iganna is moving”, Oba Ayefemiloye I, stated.

On how he ascended the throne, he said he was comfortable and contended with his position as an Administrative Officer with Oyo State Local Government Service Commission before his people began to agitate for him to come on board following the passage of his predecessor.

“Obaship is a call to service by God, so as an oba, you serve God and humanity together. The job is 24/7 as an oba does not go on leave. He works round the clock.

The doors are always opened to the people so it is a service to humanity ordained by God”, he stated.

On his achievements so far on the throne, the royal father said that land crises in the

town are being managed and that relative peace now permeates the ancient town.

“I have succeeded in placing Iganna on the world map through my efforts at projecting the throne and the image of the town. I created a website for Iganna where people could access information about the town and its potentials.

“Also, as the secretary, Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, under the leadership of the Olugbo of Igbo kingdom, Oba (Dr) Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, I have also projected the image of my town not only in Nigeria but across the world.

There is also a group known as Pan-African Traditional Council through which I have gone to represent the country in Cameroon and the Central African Republic as an ambassador of my town. Thus, I have been able to project the Sabiganna stool and Iganna as a town globally.

The respected monarch added that his town needed a good road network bemoaning the state of federal and state roads in his domain.

Specifically, he mentioned the Iseyin/ Okeho/Ayegun/Wasinmi road which linked Nigeria with the Republic of Benin. He added that a former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala fixed Iganna/Idiko-Ile road while Iganna/ Iseyin/Idiko-Ile/Ayegun road had been abandoned by successive administrations.

“We also lacked tertiary institutions in this part of the state. We are grateful to

We should organise ourselves in a way that people would respect us. Bickerings, supremacy battles and acrimonies among obas should be discouraged, traditional stools are sacred stools which must be jealously guided.

Oba Soliu Azeez Oyemonla Aguloye IV our governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for embarking on a water project for us.

When completed, it will go a long way to solving perennial water shortage in Iganna and environs.

“I must also address the issue of insecurity. There are a lot of access roads here which made us vulnerable to hi-tech crimes and criminals, we need the assistance of government in the area of security to curtail the menace of international or cross border crimes.

Oba Ayefemiloye I, said obas were supposed to play fatherly roles to all their subjects adding that obas should not engage in partisan politics. He posited that obas should comport themselves with dig-

nity. He said it was sacrilege for obas to wash their dirty linen in public especially on the pages of newspapers.

“We should organise ourselves in a way that people would respect us. We are gods on earth and should be treated as such. Bickerings, supremacy battles and acrimonies among obas should be discouraged, traditional stools are sacred stools which must be jealously guided. We should avoid acts that could desecrate our stools. Obas deserve the respect and honour of their people”, he added.

The Sabiganna stated that obas should give decorum a place in their relationship with one another as they were epitomies of development and unity.

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Zika outbreak fuelled by mosquito control failure —WHO boss

By Sade Oguntola

W

ORLD Health Organisation (WHO) leader, Dr Margaret Chan, has said the spread of Zika is the price being paid for a massive policy failure on mosquito control.

Speaking at the agency’s annual World Health Assembly, Dr Chan, on Monday, said the outbreaks were now in more than 60 countries and territories, including Africa, revealing specific weaknesses in affected countries and illuminating the fault lines in our collective preparedness.

According to her, “Zika reveals an extreme consequence of the failure to provide universal access to sexual and family planning services.”

Dr Chan added that Latin America and the Caribbean, which have been hit hard by Zika, have the highest proportion of unintended pregnancies in the world.

Above all, she said the spread of Zika was “the price being paid for a massive policy failure that dropped the ball on mosquito control in the 1970s.

“With no vaccine and no reliable and widely available diagnostic test to protect women of childbearing age, all we can offer is advice. Avoid mosquito bites.

Delay pregnancy. Do not travel to areas with ongoing transmission,” said Dr Chan.

Meanwhile, President, Nigeria Academy of Science, Professor Oyewale Tomori, said the spread of Zika virus to Africa should be a cause of concern to Nigeria.

Tomori, a professor of virology and head of the WHO, Advisory Panel on

Yellow Fever said: “We had thought that the return of Zika, even as a ‘changed’ or ‘mutated’ should not cause

any severe disease in West Africa, since we have evidence of previous infection with Zika and other related

viruses like Yellow Fever and Dengue in Nigeria and some countries in West Africa.

“Finding Zika in Cape Verde should be of serious concern to us in Nigeria. This tells us that the

From left, representative of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice John Okoro; Administrator, National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Rosaline Bozimo and Justice of Supreme Court, Justice Walter Onnoghen, during the 2016 Induction course for newly appointed judges and kadis, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

Police investigate alleged plan to implicate UK-based Nigerian, my story —Ogunnowo

By Yejide GbengaOgundare A British-born and raised of Nigerian extraction, Mrs E.A Ogunnowo, has described as untrue, allegations by a Nigerianbased woman in some newspapers, accusing her of using fake documents to implicate a man, Bankole Oni Ogunnowo, who is her husband.

Mrs Ogunnowo told the Nigerian Tribune that she was legally married to Bankole and did not know any other woman as his wife, adding that the only person that she knew bear-

ing Mercy, in connection with her husband, was a lady her husband allegedly had a liaison with and consequently had a baby girl.

“First and foremost, I am UK born and raised of Nigerian extraction and I am still legally married to Bankole Oni Ogunnowo.

I am his legal wife,” Mrs Ogunnowo stated.

She further threatened to take legal action against any individual who relates any information that was not factual and damaging to her person, as she was not prepared to exchange words with anybody.

“I don’t want to go into a battle of words with any-

one, much more less this Mercy that I don’t know.

But my advice to Mercy Oluwafeyibunmi is to check her facts right before making incorrect allegations that can land her into a libel case. Ignorance is not an excuse.

“I am ready to sue anyone for libel, slander for giving false information about ongoing issues relating to my family. I and Bankole Oni Ogunnowo got married at the Court Office Ikeja Registry, in Lagos, in 2012; anyone can go to Ikeja Registry to find out; it is not a secret. It was in the media at the time,” she added.

According to Mrs Ogunnowo, after the court marriage in Ikeja, Lagos, Bankole applied for a family spouse UK visa to join her as his legal wife and to celebrate their church wedding and blessing, which took place in London, an event she stated was graced by many dignitaries worldwide, including a Nigerian presidential aspirant, who was the chairman.

In addition, Mrs Ogunnowo stated that any woman who claimed that Bankole was her former husband should come forward with the necessary proof.

“After our wedding, my

Fani-Kayode remanded in prison over N1.5bn alleged fraud Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, got the nod to remand Femi Fani-Kayode over alleged N1.5 billion fraud.

Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ikeja had granted a remand application brought by the anti-graft agency against Fani-Kayode on the alleged fraud.

Fani-Kayode, the former spokesman for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in the 2015 general election, was

Zika outbreak is not only a problem of South America, but one that is knocking on the gates of West Africa.”

Tomori, however, declared the need for improved surveillance for Zika transmission and congenital malformations, such as microcephaly, as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

According to him, “in particular, we need to step up our preparedness efforts for early detection, confirmation and management of potential complications related to Zika infection.”

In addition, he stressed the need for the resuscitation of Nigeria’s moribund and comatose national disease surveillance system; heighten risk communication to pregnant women to raise awareness of complications associated with the Asian type of Zika virus and promote protection steps to avoid mosquito bites, as well as sexual transmission.

brought before Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi at about 10:55 a.m. on Monday. He appeared in white Kaftan and a pair of slippers.

When the matter was called at about 12:30 p.m, the anti-graft counsel, Mr A.N. Anana, told the court of the application for an order of remand, dated May 10, brought pursuant to Section 261 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2011 of Lagos State, pending when he will be properly arraigned at the appropriate court.

Anana, therefore, urged

the court to grant the application.

However, in opposition to the EFCC’s remand application, Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Mr Wale Balogun, argued that the anti-graft application was breaching his client’s constitutional rights.

He said the defendant had been granted an administrative bail by the EFCC on May 12, but not released.

He also informed the court that the anti-graft agency had got the same order of remand for 14 days before an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court, after it

expired, they brought him (Fani-Kayode) to Lagos on the same issue.

“On the issue of remand, we are asking the court that defendant cannot be remanded in lieu of the fact that the matter is pending before the high court on the same subject, under the Criminal Justice Act of Lagos. It is a breach of constitution. They granted him bail, but refused to release him,” he noted.

He, therefore, urged the court to disregard the EFCC’s remand application against his client.

However, after listening

to their submission, Osunsanmi stood down the matter for ruling.

The court summarily dismissed Fani-Kayode’s application.

The magistrate held that he failed to exhibit any document before the court to show that the former Minister of Aviation had been charged before any court over the alleged offence.

She, therefore, ordered that Fani-Kayode be remanded at the EFCC’s custody for three weeks, pending when he would be arraigned at the appropriate court.

mother-in-law, Bankole’s mother, Mrs Oni, came to the UK in November 2012, to visit us. I challenge Mercy to produce the evidence showing Bankole as her former husband, where and when they got married,” she said.

In conclusion, she stated that she was unwilling to comment on any police investigation as it was an official matter.

“As for anything with the Nigerian and UK police, I am not ready to comment on her outburst about Nigeria’s police reports.

“The police will deal with her for the lousy remark and the police officers in Ondo State have not denied giving anyone a report, so I don’t know what Mercy is talking about.

“I am not ready to comment, as there are current investigations going on.

My husband, Bankole Oni Ogunnowo, was arrested in UK and is currently on police bail for alleged offences he committed against me.

“Like I said, this is a private issue. I will not comment further on issues that are yet to be resolved, it just shows ignorance on Mercy’s part. But I want her to know that there is a Family Court case in the UK, it is contempt of court to discuss such issues outside the courts,” she said.

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Shekau’s aide kills top Boko Haram bomb maker Chris Agbambu -Abuja

I

N what appears to be a major breakthrough in the clearance and rescue operation by the Nigerian military and to also confirm that all is not well within the Boko Haram terrorists camp, the chief bomb

maker and a high ranking terrorist, was shot dead on Monday.

The chief bomb maker, apart from his high status in the command structure of the Boko Haram terrorists, was one of their capable hands involved in making Improvised Explosive De-

vices (IEDs), coming after their chief scientist, called Abu RPG (who has been killed long ago).

Army spokesman, Colonel S.K. Usman, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, on Monday, said the chief bomb maker was killed by one of the body guards of

the Boko Haram terrorists leader, Abubakar Shekau, as he was about to run away just like several others were doing because of the intensity of Operation Crackdown.

He also said, in a related development, that one Julelebeeb, who was appointed to take over, was now com-

pletely blind because his two eyes were shattered by shrapnel, in the process of preparing an IED to consolidate his appointment.

According to him, “there is no doubt, this development has dealt a devastating blow on the terrorists capacity on IED preparation, suicide bombing and their ability to sustain their criminal acts.”

The Army reassured the public that their troops were continuing with the clearance and rescue operations successfully in order to completely clear Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding.

Gunmen kill another cyclist in Benue Johnson Babajide -Makurdi

From left, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas; Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; deputy governor, Ipalibo Banigo and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, after a meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.

We’ll stop Niger Delta Avengers’ attack on oil facilities —CDS We will not shield any militant —Wike Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt

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HIEF of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, has vowed that the military will stop the continued attacks on the nation’s oil facilities, perpetrated by the Niger Delta Avengers.

The CDS, who promised to go after the militant group, cautioned also said the military would not allow any person or group of persons to destroy the nation’s critical infrastructure.

He spoke shortly after commissioning 12 refurbished gunboats and a 40-bedspace Brigade Gunboats Company at the Okrika Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Monday.

Olonisakin, who said the military was poised to deal with the situation appropriately, added that blowing up oil facilities was not the way for the militants to address their grievances.

He said they should put their complaints appropriately to government, adding that the government was exploring various approaches to ensure that the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta was resolved.

“An issue of this nature is multi-facet (sic) and not just the military approach.

The government is exploring all other approaches to ensure that these issues are resolved. Military is looking at ways to resolve the issue

of these bombings.

“We, the military, have told them (Niger Delta Avengers) that this (attacks on oil installations) is not in the interest of the nation. When you bomb those facilities, those critical infrastructure you are destroying are our assets, our resources as a nation.

“This is not the way to address your grievances. If you have any grievances, you put them appropriately to the government.

“Of course, we cannot allow people to sabotage and

destroy critical infrastructure. We will go after them and ensure that we deal with the situation appropriately,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Wike had declared that nobody would be shielded from the military operations against militants sabotaging the nation’s economy.

He stated that all Niger Delta governors opposed the use of violence to settle grievances, pointing out that the governors were billed to meet with the Vice-

President on June 7, to discuss and proffer solutions to the security situation in the region.

Speaking on Monday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he granted audience to the country’s military high command, led by General Olonisakin, Governor Wike said: “What’s happening affects our state revenue. We shall help the military to fish out militants blowing up oil pipelines in the region.”

IPPIS: FG saves over N220bn, begins police payroll verification in Ogun, Kaduna Chima Nwokoji -Lagos THE Federal Government, through its Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), has recorded savings of over N220 billion from inception to date.

This is even as the Federal Government commenced another verification of all staff in the Nigeria Police payroll for Ogun and Kaduna states.

The exercise is being anchored by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Nigeria Police and the Police Service Commission. It will take place simultaneously in eight locations in Kaduna and five locations in Ogun states respectively as follows: Ogun State, between Tuesday, May 24- Thursday

June 2, 2016 and Kaduna State, Tuesday May 24 – Saturday, June 4, 2016.

A statement from the OAGF on Monday noted that the current exercise involved verification of all officers and the civilian staff who were on the payroll of the Nigeria Police and whose salaries were being paid in Kaduna and Ogun states.

“The exercise is aimed, among others, to identify and weed out those staff that have retired, died, those without genuine documents, as well as duplicated names, with a view to having a clean payroll for the Nigeria Police,” the statement read in part.

The Ogun State locations are as follows: Abeokuta Area Command, Police Headquarters POWA Secretariat, Elew-

eran, Old Abeokuta Road, Ibadan; Ota Area Command; DCB Hall Area Command, Old Abeokuta-Lagos Road; Ilaro Area Command; Sagamu Area Command, Iperu Road Area Commander Park; and Igbeba Road Police Officers’s Mess Area Command Ijebu Ode. Also, the verification exercise will take place in Kaduna at Zaria Area Commander Office; Kachia; Kafanchan Area Command; Jere; Sabon Tasha; Bishop Jatau Road, Sabon Tasha, GRA; Metro Area Command Office Kaduna Old Panteka, Enugu Road Tundunwada, Kaduna and State Headquarters Kaduna, Bida Road, Kaduna.

The OAGF solicited the cooperation of the media in ensuring the success of this laudable project.

GUNMEN, in the early hour of Monday, killed another commercial motorcyclist, commonly known as okada rider, while his motorcycle was taken away.

The incident happened around Lobi Quarters area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, barely three days after the security aide to the state governor was killed by yet-to-be identified people.

Killing of okada riders and stealing of their motorcycles had become rampant in the capital city within the last three months, with no fewer than 20 cyclists gruesomely murdered.

As a result of the rise in rate of crime in the state in the recent time, the state governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has revisited the ban placed on okada riding between 6.00a.m and 8.00p.m by his predecessor, former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

People around the scene of the incident told the Nigerian Tribune that they heard a sound of gunshot at about 6:10 in the morning and then another sound of a moving motorcycle and when they summoned courage to go outside, they found a young man dead and in the pool of his blood.

The victim, who was shot in the head at close range, was said to have died immediately with part of his brain spilling out to the ground.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the killing, said the identity of the deceased was yet to be ascertained, as no identity card or any other means of identification was found on him.

Abiara tasks FG on power supply

By Tolu Olamiriki GENERAL Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet S. K. Abiara, has urged the Federal Government to give priority to the provision of uninterrupted power supply in the country.

Prophet Abiara said this during the Messiah Day celebration at the CAC, Agbala Itura, Ibadan, on Monday, adding that the essence of the programme was to provide pragmatic solution to the economic crisis in the country.

The cleric appealed to the Niger Delta militants to stop the vandalism of oil and gas installation, so as not to destroy the economic activities of the area and urged the Federal Government to dialogue with them.

He appealed to Nigerians on the recent hike in the price of petrol and tasked them to cooperate with the Federal Government to improve the economy, adding that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration meant well for Nigerians.

He also commended the government on the rescue of two Chibok girls, while calling for concerted efforts from all relevant stakeholders at revamping economy of the country.

Police nab 2 UNIBEN undergraduates for car theft Banji Aluko -Benin City TWO undergraduates of the University of Benin have been paraded by the police in Edo State for allegedly stealing a car.

The two (names withheld), were reportedly arrested on the premises of the institution while attempting to drive the car away.

The car was said to have been tracked to a location inside the institution on Sunday, while police waited at the location until Monday morning when the two suspects attempted to drive the car away.

The suspects have, however, denied involvement in the car theft.

One of them, who claimed to be a 100-level Accountancy student, claimed that he was in the area to remove the keys he forgot inside a car he boarded the previous day.

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, who paraded the suspects, said the car was parked on the premises of the university because no one would ever suspect the location.

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Edo pensioners protest arrears Banji Aluko -Benin City

Zonal Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Oludare Fadogba (left), with other officials, checking the expiring date of tyres, during the stakeholders’ awareness/rally on sustaining free vehicle type safety check, in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

How Badeh spent N650m to acquire land to build shopping mall —Witness Sunday Ejike -Abuja

A

witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh (retd), on Monday, told Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja how Badeh acquired a N650 million plot of land in Abuja for the construction of a shopping mall.

The witness, Mustapha Yerima, the fourth prosecution witness so far called in the course of trial, also told the court how he helped the Air Force boss to build the shopping mall on the land located on Amino Kano Crescent, Abuja.

The witness, the managing director of Life Builders Technology Limited told the court that the land acquired by Badeh for the purpose of building the shopping mall was originally owned by Ayodele Fayose (suspected to be the Ekiti State governor), but added that Badeh eventually acquired the land from the third buyer of the said property.

“After getting the original document of the property from the third party owner, I asked the former Director of Finance and Account of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Aliyu Yushau (retd), who had been dealing with him since the beginning of the deal of the name to enter in the Deed of Assignment and Power of Attorney and he told me to put my company’s name, that

there will be a transfer of the property into another name after discussing with his boss (Badeh).”

Yerima said after a while, Yushau called him that Badeh was set to commence construction of the mall and we reached a bargain with Badeh to build the

mall for N1.2 billion, out which his company was duly mobilised to commence the construction work.

“One day, Yushau told us in a meeting that our payment will, henceforth be coming from NAF and introduced one Air Commodore Sinni, who happens

to be the CF0, in charge of payment.

“After that meeting, our payment comes directly from NAF, until the time that work started slowing down and we met Yusahu and told him that there was an omission in the initial bill of quality given to us to price.

SOME pensioners, who retired from the Edo State civil service, on Monday, took to the streets of Benin, the state capital, to protest their pension arrears spanning two to three years.

The pensioners, who embarked on a peaceful protest, stopped over at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) before going to the Edo State Government House.

The pensioners carried out the protest under the aegis of Concerned Pensioners/ Batchless Members and appealed to the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, to ameliorate their financial plights by paying them from their outstanding pension benefits.

Obama gives US highest research award to Akinwande, Nigerian professor DEJI Akinwande, a Nigerian professor in the United States (US), has received America’s highest research award.

Earlier in the year, Akinwande was named by President Barack Obama, as one of the recipients of “the highest honour bestowed by the US government for science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research ca-

We will soon rescue PDP—Shuluwa From Johnson Babajide and Dare Adekanmbi DEPUTY chairman, Elders Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Abu Shuluwa, has stated that the elders of the party will soon rescue the PDP. Shuluwa, who was a member of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission under the Obasanjoled administration, while reacting to the parallel convention of the PDP held in Abuja and Port Harcourt on Saturday, said all the decisions taken at Port Harcourt convention was a kangaroo one which he described as null and void.

He noted that the decision of the Abuja convention was sacrosanct if the party should regain its lost glory, adding that the caretaker committee instituted by Port Harcourt convention was illegal, null and void.

According to him, “the party’s Board of Trustees is the highest organ of the party that can re organise and harmonise the differences and chart a new course for our party and this is what we have done at Abuja convention.

“PDP has zoning arrangement which must be adhered to strictly, there is no way a section of the country can produce chairmanship and the presidential candi-

date of the party. For Modu Sheriff, we all know his antecedents, particularly, when he was the governor of Borno State on the platform of the defunct ANPP against the PDP members then and you want that same person to lead our great party, it is not possible.”

Shuluwa expressed optimism that the party would bounce back to regain its lost glory with the wisdom and understanding of the founding fathers.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Honourable Sikirulai Ogundele, has declared as a welcome development, the appointment of

Senator advocates amnesty for Nigerians with stolen money abroad Taiwo Adisa -Abuja CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Bassey Akpan, has advocated a general amnesty for Nigerians who have stashed funds abroad, declaring that allowing them to return the money back home will enhance the value of the Naira.

Akpan, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, said allowing a special amnesty to Nigerians with stolen funds stashed in

various banks abroad would help the country to generate enough forex to drive the nation’s economy.

Senator Akpan said: “The time has come when we have to think outside the box and my own position is this: it is possible that the government can declare amnesty on stolen money. Let every Nigerian that has taken money out of this country be given amnesty to bring back the money and invest in the country.

“We have hundreds of billions of dollars stashed outside the country in the international banks which are being used to drive their economy. Other countries are enjoying this money while we are suffering in Nigeria.

“When these stolen foreign currencies are brought back to the country as a result of the amnesty, a lot of foreign exchange can be generated to fund our local consumption and we can set target.”

In a letter addressed to the governor and signed by their protem chairman, Gabriel Osemwenkha, the group demanded from the state government to reconstitute the state pensions board to enable their members to access and process their retirement papers.

Osemwenkha, who gave the figure of affected pensioners as 1,843, said their family members were tired of listening to their complaints.

The pensioners also asked that a definitive policy statement concerning where, when and how all those who require the services of the defunct pension board could be attended to for the purpose of regularising their retirement documents.

a former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, as caretaker chairman of the party.

Ogundele said the state chapter of the party was confident that with Makarfi and others in the saddle, PDP’s ship would be steered to safety.

Saturday’s convention of the party had dissolved the National Working Committee (NWC) and appointed Makarfi and others into a caretaker committee charged with planning a new convention within 90 days.

A statement by the party’s state publicity secretary, Mr Malik Ibitoye, quoted the chairman as lauding the decision as one that would position the party for victory in 2019 elections.

“We salute the courage of the convention national planning committee headed

by Governor Nyesom Wike for its decision to reposition the party by dissolving the NWC and setting up a caretaker committee.

“While it is not a lie that our party has faced some challenges in recent times, the greatest reality is always the willingness and tenacity of members to ensure this political ship is steered to safety,” the statement read in part.

reers.”

Speaking to TheCable on Monday, Akinwande said he was awarded by Obama on May 5, 2016, at the White House, where the 105 researchers were hosted.

According to the White House, Akinwande was awarded for his “outstanding research accomplishments in nanomaterials, graphene device physics, and opto-electronics, and for dedication to the education of future scientists and engineers.”

Announcing the winners earlier in the year, Obama said: “These early-career scientists are leading the way in our efforts to confront and understand challenges from climate change to our health and wellness.

“We congratulate these accomplished individuals and encourage them to continue to serve as an example of the incredible promise and ingenuity of the American people.”

In an interview with TheCable, Akinwande, who grew up in Opebi Allen in the Ikeja area of Lagos State, said he left Nigeria as a teenager in 1994, and his novel idea was aimed at building more energy efficient electronic chips to make mobile phones last a week or two without charging.

Loss of documents THIS is to report the loss of a Tribune identity card; a Guaranty Trust Bank ATM card and some documents belonging to Mr Joshua Adebayo of the Nigerian Tribune office, No. 4 Orereowu Street, Okeyinmi, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

If found, please return to the stated address or to Tribune House, Imalefalafia Street, Oke Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State.

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Ogoniland pollution, tragedy that shouldn’t have happened —Minister As FG begins clean-up June 16 Ademola Adegbite with Agency Report

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HE Federal Government has said the pollution of Ogoniland via oil exploration is a tragedy that “should never have happened.”

The Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Moham-

med, said this when she featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

Mohammed, who was speaking on the expected clean-up of Ogoniland, explained that the exercise would begin in a couple weeks.

“I think that the expectations are very high. For

many, many years, the people in Ogoniland have suffered and struggled to try to begin the implementation of the UNEP report.

“If you are living there, you would understand that this is a tragedy and it is something that should have never happened.

“So, it is urgent that we do something about it.

“However, if we want to begin a process of clean-up, what we put in place to ensure that it is sustainable and that we are clean after the clean-up, requires a lot of buy-in,” Mohammed stated.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, on Monday, announced that the cleanup and reconstruction of the Ogoniland, where oil spill has

Pioneer Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kennedy Opara (left), presenting the handover note to the new NCPC boss, Mr Tor Uja, at NCPC Corporate Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday.

Grazing bill capable of disintegrating the country —Ezeife, Ezeemo Suzy Oruya - Onitsha FORMER Anambra State governor and former President -General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has cautioned that the activities of Fulani herdsmen could cause a breach of peace capable of disintegrating the country, through the purported grazing bill.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a special thanksgiving service by Dr Levy C. Monanu, for a successful completion of his tenure as the Anambra State chairman, Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Ezeife maintained that the bill is evil, adding that it would benefit only Fulani herdsmen.

Ezeife stated that, “Fulanis need the country more than any other nation because they are educationally backward and poor.

“It is very unfortunate and painful that the people who need Nigeria most are the people destroying it by clashing with farmers, (landowners) in the name of grazing and the farmers are being slaughtered on a daily basis because they don’t want their cattle to damage their crops.

“We call on all Nigerians to

pray to take Muhammadu Buhari to the right part for one Nigeria,” he said.

In his own contribution, the sponsor of the programme and PPA governorship candidate in the 2013 governorship election, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, stated that state Houses of Assembly should enact a law forbidding grazing in their various states, and possibly go for

cattle ranch, which he said, was more profitable.

“We need the state Houses of Assembly to come out with a bill that we don’t want these animals reared and carried along the road indiscriminately.

“The grazing bill the way it is now is not necessary. The way they put it is not going to work. We should be able to confine cattle in a par-

ticular area where they will be dropped on coming from the North.

“From there (ranch) buyers will come and take them in trucks to abattoir.

“I am not in the corridors of power but I would have thought that our representatives are privileged to be in position to bring in what is being done wrong to correction,” he said.

Air pollution kills 7 million people annually —UNEP AIR pollution kills seven million people across the world annually and of this, household pollution kills 4.3 million, particularly women and children in developing countries.

This was contained in a new report released by the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, on Monday.

The report said lack of access to clean and sanitation result in the death of 842,000 people from diarrhoeal diseases yearly, with 97 per cent of the deaths occurring in developing coun-

tries.

“Diarrhoeal diseases are the third leading cause of deaths of children younger than five, representing 20 per cent of all deaths in children under five years,’’ it said.

On chemical exposure, it said some 107,000 people die annually from exposure to asbestos, while 654,000 died from exposure to lead in 2010.

The report said since 1995, 606,000 lives had been lost in natural disasters with 4.1 billion injured, left homeless or in need of emergency assistance from weather-related disasters.

It noted that investments

in a healthy environment could bring multiple benefits.

“The successful phaseout of nearly 100 ozonedepleting substances (ODS) means that up to 2 million cases of skin cancer and many millions of eye cataracts may be prevented each year by 2030 thanks to the healing ozone layer.

“Benefits from eliminating lead in gasoline on a global scale have been estimated at $2.45 trillion per year, or 4 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), saving an estimated 1 million premature deaths per year,’’ it said.

been threatening the livelihood of the residents, would commence on June 16.

The Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, who made this announcement, said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that the reconstruction of the oil polluted areas in the Niger Delta region should begin earnestly on June 16, and must be completed without delay.

The minister, whose message was delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Okah Hassan, at this year’s celebration of the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB), held at the National Space Research and Development (NSRD) in Abuja, explained that it was the resolution of the Federal Government to restore critically threatened ecosystems areas, such as the fast disappearing Lake Chad Basin and Mangrove ecosystems in the country.

Nigerian Tribune

4 die in Bauchi auto crash THE Bauchi State Police Command said on Monday that four persons died in an auto crash on the Jos - Bauchi Road.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, in a statement in Bauchi, said the accident followed a head-on collision between a commercial vehicle and an Opel Vectra car.

Mohammed gave the particulars of the vehicles as Opel Vectra, registered TRR 744 BAU and a Volkswagen Sharon with registration number ALK 238 XA. He explained that the accident occurred at about 2.30 p.m on Sunday, at Tashan Durumi on the Bauchi-Jos highway.

Mohammed said a police patrol team attached to Toro Division conveyed the victims to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU), Bauchi.

Mohammed gave the names of the four deceased persons as Abdullahi Mamman, 45, of Takandan, Adamu Saleh, 25, Francis Agolu, a student of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and Aliyu Umar, 46, from Gombe State.

Tackle security challenges with renewed vigour, NCPC gets don urges FG new Executive

By Nurudeen Alimi AN Associate Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Ilorin, and currently the Chief of Staff to the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Dr Gbade Ojo, has called on the Federal Government to tackle security challenges facing the countrty with renewed vigour.

He stated this recently while delivering a lecture on the topic tagged: “Security Challenges and Sustainable Peace: The Way Forward”, at the Oodua News Newspaper Lecture and Award Ceremony, at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

In his 11-page speech, Ojo said developed societies of the world fight insecurity with technology in contemporary times, stressing that insurgents, freedom fighters and miscreants had gone hi-tech to the extent that without technology, the state might be incapacitated in confronting them.

“One of the challenges faced by the security sector in the country is brazen corruption.

“Recently, the anti-corruption agency (EFCC) disclosed that they have uncovered $12.9 billion another arms deal fraud during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Secretary

MR John-Kennedy Opara, the outgone Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), on Monday, handed over to his successor, Mr Tor Uja. At the handing over ceremony witnessed by management staff present at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Uja assured the former NCPC boss that he would work professionally and move the commission forward beyond where he met it.

He said he believed so much in the efficacy of prayers, saying he would synergise with the members of staff to move the nation forward.

“I am going to interface with you and promise to work professionally; I believe that if we have the attitude of prayer, the country will be helped.

“We have to move the commission forward by putting heads together to work as a team.’’

Uja said he would also ensure that his administration marketed Jesus Christ in such a way that stakeholders and pilgrims would have a deeper understanding of Christ.

He also advised Christians to be in the vanguard of promoting Nigeria, so that the country’s dignity would be restored.

34

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

THE PRESIDENCY NATIONAL HAJJ COMISSION OF NIGERIA (NAHCON) 2015 HAJJ REFUND TO STATE MPWB/A THE NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA IS MAKING REFUNDS TO STATE MUSLIMS PILGRIMS WEFARE BOARDS/AGENCIES FOR THE 2015 HAJJ OPERATION AS PER THE TABLE BELOW

S/N

STATE

2015 HAJJ

OFFICIAL

SLOTS

VISA

ALLOCATION

ALLOCATED

NO OF

REFUNDS OF HAJJ FARE

REFUNDS OF MADINA

PILGRIMS/OFFICIALS

FOR THOSE THAT COULD

ACCOMMOANTION

THAT COULD NOT

NOT TRAVEL (STAMPEDE

FOR THOSE THAT

TRAVEL

VICTIMS INCLUSIVE)

PERFORM HAJJ

1

ABIA

41

2

0

2

ADAMAWA

1,922

9

23

3

AKWA

72

2

REFUNDS OF

REFUNDS OF

MUNA/ARAFAT

FEEDING NOT

TENT 'C SERVICES

SERVED

NOT SERVED

MIN OF HAJJ DEPOSIT

TENT SEC DEPOSIT

REFUNDS FOR ALL

REFUNDS FOR ALL

PILGRIMS

PILGRIMS

TOTAL REFUNDABLES

0.00

426,859.00

265,621.20

21,344.00

87,510.40

7,019.20

808,353.80

10,461,408.00

20,010,340.13

18,378,689.10

341,504.00

4,102,316.80

329,046.40

53,623,304.43

1

766,496.00

749,606.91

715,003.52

32,016.00

153,676.80

12,326.40

2,429,125.63

IBOM 4

ANAMBRA

66

1

2

1,452,583.44

697,550.88

-

42,688.00

143,004.80

11,470.40

2,347,297.52

5

BAUCHI

2,828

14

9

4,306,464.00

29,442,893.80

24,697,307.22

245,456.00

6,036,083.20

484,153.60

65,212,357.82

6

BAYELSA

86

1

1

766,496.00

895,363.81

832,860.12

21,344.00

183,558.40

14,723.20

2,714,345.53

7

BENUE

412

3

1

4,289,417.34

3,922,658.41

42,688.00

879,372.80

70,534.40

9,547,166.95

16,268,864.40

25,372,111.81

22,891,086.05

490,912.00

5,201,532.80

417,214.40

70,641,721.46

342,496.00 8

BORNO

2,437

12

34

9

CROSS

35

2

0

280,000.00

364,392.00

356,115.11

21,344.00

74,704.00

5,992.00

1,102,547.11

RIVER 10

DELTA

106

2

3

1,459,488.00

1,103,587.96

1,057,016.33

53,360.00

226,246.40

18,147.20

3,917,845.89

11

EBONYI

111

2

0

1,260,000.00

1,155,644.00

1,070,066.73

21,344.00

236,918.40

19,003.20

3,762,976.33

12

EDO

265

2

0

0.00

2,758,970.00

2,516,758.17

21,344.00

565,616.00

45,368.00

5,908,056.17

13

EKITI

244

2

3

1,979,488.00

2,540,334.54

2,353,402.17

53,360.00

520,793.60

41,772.80

7,489,151.11

14

ENUGU

103

0

2

972,992.00

1,072,354.34

990,205.73

21,344.00

219,843.20

17,633.60

3,294,372.87

15

FCT

2,838

16

3

14,671,275.20

29,547,005.87

26,653,695.73

202,768.00

6,057,427.20

485,865.60

77,618,037.60

16

GOMBE

1,941

10

9

4,714,464.00

20,208,153.07

18,472,316.93

202,768.00

4,142,870.40

332,299.20

48,072,871.60

17

IMO

72

2

1

766,496.00

749,606.91

715,003.52

32,016.00

153,676.80

12,326.40

2,429,125.63

18

JIGAWA

2,374

13

33

13,070,368.00

24,716,205.76

22,188,055.59

490,912.00

5,067,065.60

406,428.80

65,939,035.75

19

KADUNA

5,682

28

42

17,784,832.00

59,156,478.99

53,854,725.57

747,040.00

12,127,660.80

972,758.40

144,643,495.76

20

KANO

5,612

28

10

14,984,960.00

58,427,694.49

53,020,596.67

405,536.00

11,978,252.80

960,774.40

139,777,814.36

21

KATSINA

4,463

22

24

9,443,904.00

46,465,217.48

42,052,755.72

490,912.00

9,525,827.20

764,065.60

108,742,682.00

22

KEBBI

4,105

21

0

31,960,000.00

42,738,005.00

41,810,639.11

224,112.00

8,761,712.00

702,776.00

126,197,244.11

23

KOGI

1,093

3

0

0.00

11,379,449.41

10,239,102.22

32,016.00

2,332,899.20

187,121.60

24,170,588.43

24

KWARA

1,947

10

3

3,067,488.00

20,270,620.31

17,730,852.00

138,736.00

4,155,676.80

333,326.40

45,696,699.51

25

LAGOS

3,047

15

1

626,496.00

31,722,948.17

28,579,419

14,557,118.40

6,503,516.80

521,646.40

82,511,144.84

26

NASARAWA

1,682

9

9

9,877,825.60

17,511,650.42

17,143,232.19

192,096.00

3,590,060.80

287,958.40

48,602,823.41

27

NIGER

3,212

16

16

6,064,000.00

33,440,797.00

31,009,686.62

170,752.00

6,855,692.80

549,894.40

78,090,822.82

28

OGUN

1,189

6

2

2,932,992.00

12,378,925.29

11,232,327.96

85,376.00

2,537,801.60

203,556.80

29,370,979.65

29

ONDO

310

2

0

1,496,000.00

3,227,474.00

2,926,685.64

21,344.00

661,664.00

53,072.00

8,386,239.64

news

35

Tuesday, May, 2016 Tuesday, 2424 May, 2016

30

OSUN

852

4

0

0.00

8,870,348.00

7,973,037.27

42,688.00

1,818,508.80

145,862.40

18,850,444.47

31

OYO

1,191

6

0

1,820,000.00

12,399,748.00

10,702,568.46

64,032.00

2,542,070.40

203,899.20

27,732,318.06

32

PLATEAU

1,273

7

1

1,294,496.00

13,253,466.69

8,382,379.10

85,376.00

2,717,091.20

217,937.60

25,950,746.59

33

RIVERS

401

2

0

2,520,000.00

4,174,894.00

3,247,931.11

21,344.00

855,894.40

68,651.20

10,888,714.71

34

SOKOTO

4,997

26

65

47,558,240.00

52,024,802.10

47,550,044.74

971,152.00

10,665,596.80

855,486.40

159,625,322.04

35

TARABA

1,394

7

6

5,454,975.40

14,513,222.76

13,177,731.65

138,736.00

2,975,353.60

238,652.80

36,498,672.21

36

YOBE

2,231

12

43

21,837,611.20

23,227,403.14

25,213,307.80

586,960.00

4,761,846.40

381,947.20

76,009,075.74

37

ZAMFARA

4,006

20

10

17,261,584.00

41,707,295.82

54,125,551.09

320,160.00

8,550,406.40

685,827.20

122,650,824.51

38

ARMED

400

2

0

420,000.00

4,164,483.00

3,784,961.57

21,344.00

853,760.00

68,480.00

9,313,028.57

65,040

341

357

269,944,783.24

677,155,322.20

631,833,397.19

21,675,342.40

138,823,510.40

11,135,019.20

1,750,567,374.63

FORCES TOTAL NOTE:1. THE STATE MUSIMS PILGRIMS WELFARE BOARDS/AGENCIES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE REFUNDS ARE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE BONOFIDE PILGRIMS IN LINE WITH FINANCIAL REGULATIONS 2. COLUMN 6 REFUNDS OF HAJJ FARES FOR THOSE THAT COULD NOT TRAVEL 3. ALL PILGRIMS THAT WENT THROUGH THE ENUGU STATE MUSLIM PILGRIMS WELFARE BOARD SHOULD CONTACT BARRISTER MODIBBO N. ABDULKADIR THE LEGAL ASSISTANT AT THE COMMISSION'S ON 0803462771 OR VISIT OUR OFFICE AT NO. 1, FIRST AVENUE, SOKOTO HOUSE, AHMADU BELLO WAY, ABUJA. FIRST FLOOR ROOM 202 FOR THEIR REFUNDS. 4. ANY MONEY NOT PAID TO THE BENEFICIARIES BY THE STATE TILL JUNE 30TH 2016 SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA IMMEDIATELY.

SIGNED MANAGEMENT

Kaduna declares state of emergency on agric sector Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

K

ADUNA State government has declared a state of emergency on agric sector as a result of the outbreak of tomato disease (tuta absoluta),

which has negatively affected the production of the commodity.

This was made known by the state Commissioner for Agric, Mr Manzo Daniel, on Monday, while speaking with newsmen on the activities of his ministry in

the last one year.

According to him, his ministry had already captured over 200 tomato farmers in 12 local government areas, who were affected by the outbreak of the disease, saying, ‘these farmers have

equally lost billions of naira as a result of the disease.

The commissioner also said that eight Northern states were also affected, adding that Dangote tomato processing plant in Kano, has also been closed

down.

He blamed past administration in the state for not taking proactive measures in arresting the spread of the disease because ‘from our findings, we discover that the disease first manifested itself in the

According to him, it would be foolhardy for his government to jump into the TSA system, which his government has not properly scrutinised.

Acknowledging that the TSA definitely has its values, Okowa observed that the fact that not all APC states have adopted the policy, suggests that it

must be taken with some caution.

This is why, he said, some banks are having problems with the policy.

The governor, however, said that after proper study of the policy, the state might eventually adopt the modified version of TSA to match the reality of the peculiarity of the state.

We’ll pay only verified workers —Okowa Says we are still studying TSA policy FromEbenezerAdurokiyaand

Alphonsus Agborh

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has reiterated the resolve of the state government to pay only those verified to be working with the state government.

According to the governor, many of them are working elsewhere yet receive salaries in the state.

He spoke against the back drop that most workers are living outside the country as the government is determined to eradicate ghost workers in the state Speaking at a press conference in Asaba, the state capital, on Monday, to commence the activities marking a year in office, Okowa said records showed the state workforce is about 68,000, adding that “many of them who

are not living in the country are on our pay roll.”

Meanwhile, the governor has given reasons why his government and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled states, have not embraced the Treasury Single Account (TSA), being championed by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Fed-

eral Government.

The governor, when asked why the PDP-controlled states are yet to embrace TSA, during an interactive session with journalists on Monday, in Asaba, on the occasion of his one-year anniversary in office, said his government was still studying the policy.

We removed Ali Modu Sheriff to save PDP —Fayose EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was dissolved and caretaker committee appointed at the last Saturday national convention, held in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, to save the party.

The governor said even though, he was one of those who supported the former chairman, he had no option than to support his removal so as to forestall disintegration of the party, adding that; “We cannot sacrifice the party for any individual.”

The special assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New

Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in a release issued in AdoEkiti ,on Monday, urged Sheriff to accept his removal in good faith and join others to build the party.

The governor said; “I supported Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in good conscience. But when it became obvious that his continuous stay in office as

the national chairman will jeopardise the collective interest of the party, I had no option than to support his removal.

“To me, the general interest of the party overrides that of any individual and there is no how I can stand in support of any plan to sacrifice the party for any individual.

state in 2015 but unfortunately, it was not documented.

However, he said that the state government had already taken measures to eradicate it, saying, ‘we have declared a state of emergency on tomatoes.

“We have also sent some officials to Kenya because we discovered that Kenya has experts that will assist in tackling the spread of the disease.

“So, any time from now, our staff and our technical partners from Kenya are expected in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, findings by the Nigerian Tribune, revealed that a basket of tomatoes is now sold for N42,000 in Kaduna.

“I, therefore, urge Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to accept the dissolution of NWC and appointment of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee in good faith and cooperate with other well-meaning members of the party to reposition it so as to achieve the much needed electoral victory in 2019.

36 south-westnews

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Flood kills man in Ibadan, 2 missing

By Olawale Olaniyan

A

downpour in Ibadan, on Sunday night, has claimed the life of one Jimoh Oyedijo, as his body was found on Monday morning, at Surulere Estate, New Felele area, Ibadan.

As of the time of filing this report, the corpses of two commercial motorcyclists believed to have also drowned were yet to be recovered according to investigations.

An eye witness told Nigerian Tribune that Oyedijo got drowned as a result of the flood when he got to the Maje Bridge.

The 65-year-old man was said to have visited his daughter, Dasola Oyedijo, around Maje, Soka area before the incident.

Dasola, who is the first born of the deceased recalled the last moments of her dad.

“He came to visit me and said he was leaving around 5:00p.m., but immediately he left, my neighbours noticed that the rain was heavy and I called my dad immediately to come back, but he said he had already got to Maje Bridge.

“I pleaded with him to return, to my place because of the complaints about the bridge anytime there was downpour and he said he was on his way back to my abode.

So, I began to wait for him to return, but to no avail. I tried to call his mobile line again but it was not reachable until I got the information which brought me here only to find his body,” Dasola said.

She noted the bridge had claimed the lives of a number of residents in the community, just as she charged the Oyo State government to help them fix the road and bridge in order to put an end to such incidents which always occur during the rainy season.

Also, Mr Adams Olabode Azeez told Nigerian Tribune that he had to shelve the idea of crossing over the flooded bridge.

“I actually got stranded here too due to the downpour because cars could not pass through the flooded bridge again. I had to leave for safety because I did not want to risk crossing the bridge. A few minutes later, information got to me that a man and two ‘okada’ riders had drown.

“On Monday morning, we received a telephone call that one of the drowned persons had been found around Surulere bridge and that was what brought me here to witness it. I think the deceased hit his head on the rock while struggling to escape being drowned.

Blood is still coming out of his head as I am speaking

with you.

“This is a terrible incident and government would have to help this community to overcome this avoidable death. The Maje Bridge must be expanded and fortified in no time because we are in the rainy season already.

“I have witnessed a number of cases in this area where car was taken away by flood with men and there were times I had personally rescued drowning persons

alive. This incident has been happening here and we have tried our best to address the problem. After all, we pay tax to the government; we still tax ourselves to carry out projects for community development. We have constructed two to three kilometres road for this community as well as a culvert before Soka.

“Government should help us, the local government chairman here has tried

because each time we called on him, he always responds promptly, but he does not have the wherewithal to assist. He will only come around to sympathise with victims which is not enough.

We need a solid bridge here so that people can have peace, especially during the rainy season,” Azeez said.

Also speaking with Nigerian Tribune, Chairman, Oluyole Local Government, Mr Kolawole

Nigerian Tribune

82-year-old man hangs self in Ondo Orelope, who visited the scene, said the incident was a disaster, adding that something would soon be done to fix the bridge.

“This is not a state government project, but local government’s. I don’t usually promise, but very soon, this issue will be addressed to bring smiles to the people in the community,” he said.

The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, surrounded by local hunters of Oke Ako in Ikole Local Government, when the governor visited the community on Monday, over attack on the community by herdsmen, last Friday.

Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

AN 82-year-old man, Adegoke Oriola, has allegedly committed suicide in Ondo, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The lifeless body of the octogenarian was discovered in his room in the early hours of Sunday, when her daughter, Taiwo Adegoke, who was staying with him at No 45, Ayeyemi Street in Ondo, found his body tied to the ceiling dangling.

According to a resident of the area, the alarm raised

by Taiwo attracted the residents of the area, who rushed to the scene of the incident only to find the lifeless body of Adegoke tied to the rope.

He explained that the deceased’s daughter, who expected her father to come out of the room decided to check on him, but was surprised to find him hanged on the ceiling, saying there was no premonition about the death of the old man the previous night before he went to bed.

He said the octogenarian might have decided to terminate his life over a protracted illness of one of his daughters, on who he had spent all his life savings in the last five years.

Fayose bans open cattle grazing in Ekiti, says ‘herdsmen must own ranches’ •Afenifere backs him Sam Nwaoko and Bola Badmus

GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State was in Oke Ako community, invaded by herdsmen on Friday night and announced a ban on open grazing and rearing of cattle in the state.

Governor Fayose, who was in Oke Ako to commiserate with the victims of the attacks, also announced the donation of N2.5million to the families of those killed in the attack just as he donated a pickup van with security gadgets to the local vigilante group to aid their operational activities.

Governor Fayose said henceforth, anyone interested in cattle rearing in the state must get their own ranches and explained that a bill to make the open movement of cattle from one location to another in the state a criminal offence in the state would soon be sent to the House of Assembly.

He warned that government would henceforth, confiscate any cattle seen anywhere in the state apart from a ranch created for them by their owners.

He decried the Fulani

herdsmen’s attack on the people of Oke Ako and their destructive activities in other parts of the country and described them as “agents of the devil that must be fished out and punished accordingly.”

The governor said: “We will not leave our lands for Fulani herdsmen and in a system where the leadership of the country looks the other way while our people are being killed, we will have no option than to defend ourselves by whatever means.”

He said he had gone to Oke Ako “to commiserate with the people of Oke Ako over the murder of two of our people by these evil Fulani herdsmen. I am also here to assure that this will be the last time your community will be invaded by Fulani herdsmen under whatever guise.

“I have directed that cattle rearing and grazing should stop in Ekiti State and those interested in cattle farming should henceforth, do so in their own cattle ranch. No more movement of cattle from one location to another in the state and any cattle seen anywhere in Ekiti State, apart from the ranch

created for them by their owners, will be confiscated by the government and their owners will be prosecuted.

“A bill to this effect will be sent to House of Assembly for passage into law to criminalise cattle owners whose cattle are found moving from one location to the other in the state.

Meanwhile, Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Monday, threw its weight behind what it described as the courageous move made by the Ekiti State governor, Mr Fayose, to ban cattle grazing in the state.

The Afenifere gave the backing in a statement made available to news-

men in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin.

“We fully endorse this action which is in conformity with the resolution of the 2014 National Conference that cattle breeders must embrace RANCHING as against grazing reserves being canvassed in certain quarters,” Afenifere said.

Accident: Parents throng FUTA to identify casualties Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

FOLLOWING the death of four students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in a road accident on Saturday, parents of the students of the institution across the country besieged the school campus on Monday, to know if their wards were among the casualties.

Four students of the institution lost their lives while 11 others were seriously injured in a motor accident which occurred around Ibule village in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Saturday morning, when the students were travelling to attend a religious programme in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Parents of students who

could not contact their children were seen in the campus as early as 8a.m. to ascertain and identify the victims of the accident.

A parent, Mrs Agnes Adetifa, told Nigerian Tribune that she was very disturbed when she could not reach her child on the telephone when she learnt about the incident.

She said,” I have to rush down to the school to come and see my child because I could not get her and her roommate on phone on Saturday, when I saw the news of the accident on Facebook, that is why I quickly came down to see her. “ It was also gathered that those parents who could not travel to see their children had been calling them

on the telephone to know about their welfare.

However in his reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the school, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo, denied the influx of parents on the campus, saying there was no panic or tension in the school over the incident.

He said “I don’t think this is true, even if the parents have been coming to the school, it may be out of abundance of caution and to also show solidarity to their children that is those that came to the campus.

“Because of the way the incident was handled and the quick intervention of the university, there is no form of panic anywhere on the campus and all the parents of the affected students have been informed.”

37

south-westnews

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Ogun revenue rises by 98% —Amosun Leon Usigbe-Abuja

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GAINST the background of dwindling revenue from the Federation Account, the Ogun State government has put necessary measures in place, which have enabled it to increase the revenue it generates by about 97.8 per cent, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja, on Monday, he said in view of the dire financial situation gripping the country, state governments must do more to be able to meet up with their obligations.

He said: “Yes, I know things are tough and I am saying these with all sense of responsibility, all the states in Nigeria are affected.

“We are part of the larger context called Nigeria and because of that challenge, people must think out of the box and I am happy to report that in Nigeria today, maybe not in the quantum of what we generate, but we are number

LG chairman drums up support for Ajimobi CHAIRMAN of Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr Wasiu Olatubosun, has called for support for Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration in the face of the economic problem in the country.

Honourable Olatubosun said this during the preRamadan lecture and the distribution of food items to Islamic faithful, held at the local government headquarters, Onireke, Ibadan.

He admonished the people of the council area to key properly into the restoration and repositioning agenda of the current administration in the state.

Honourable Olatubosun averred that the food items distributed would complement the effort of the state government at ensuring that the Ramadan fasting was observed in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere.

The council boss assured the people of the area of more dividends of democracy and called for total support for his administration to succeed, adding that the government would leave no stone unturned in securing the lives and property of the people of the council area.

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“If you check the indices that have been released, we doubled our revenue with about 97.8 per cent. The next state to us I think was 41 per cent.

“We are working hard and we are doing well but there is still lot more to be done.”

Amosun noted that the state would focus on producing wealth from waste, particularly because of the need to take care of the environment.

Observing that Ogun State was the industrial hub of the country, he stressed the need to take care of the environment

and reduce hazardous gas emissions.

According to him, “if we want to live well, we must be conscious of our environment, particularly the climate change. We must reduce carbon dioxide.

“We can use our waste to generate wealth and in doing that we employ our people.

“Like I said, we are the most industrialised state, we want green industrialisation. The area of emitting dangerous hazardous smoke is over.

“There are new ways of doing things, new engineering solutions that are in place and that is what

we are trying to do.

“We are even generating electricity with our waste.

That is what I call using waste to generate power and waste to wealth.”

On the recent investors’ forum organised by the state government, the governor explained that the state focused on agriculture, environment and transportation because it wanted to diversify its economy.

“Everybody believes that there is no alternative except for diversification and even before this crisis, we realised that the only way to go is to diversify into agriculture. It

will employ our people, it will create wealth for them,” he said.

Amosun added that once the state was able to meet its targets in these areas, things would become easier.

He expressed delight that investors had shown interest in the state and their effort would become evident in no distant time.

The governor further stated: “I am happy that we got several investors, particularly those that are not even from Nigeria and so many people that are in Nigeria, that operate here and that’s why we showcased everybody.

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi (left), presenting an award to Maggie O’Kane of the Guardian Global Media Campaign. With them are Dr Femi Majekodunmi (second left) and Chief Abiola Ogundokun (second right), at a summit on female genital mutilation/cutting, in Ibadan, on Monday.

PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

Nigeria needs national legislation on female genital mutilation —Obasanjo

By Tunde Oguensan

THE only way out to abolish the menace of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria is to come up with a national legislation against the act.

This is the position of the former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, during a oneday international summit on Female Genital Mutilation/cutting, organised by the Circumcision Descendants Association of Nigeria (CDAN) held at Mapo hall, Ibadan, on Monday.

Chief Obasanjo, who was represented by Dr Femi Majekodunmi, said it was very important that “people receive the necessary education and information to make them aware of the gravity or deleterious effects of FGM so they may be converted.”

Dignitaries at the event which was attended by members of the CDAN in the South West including Kwara State included

the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Olawale Akanbi; wife of Osun State governor, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola who was represented by the wife of the Chief of Staff (CoS), Mrs Kafayat Oyetola; international public health expert, Dr Comfort Momoh and Maggie O. Editor, among others.

Obasanjo said “FGM is a heinous crime against womanhood, against our communities and humanity. Female Genital Mutilation has no known benefits, on the contrary, it is known to be harmful to girls and women in many ways. It is painful and traumatic.”

The former President added that “FGM has been

declared as a violation of human rights by the World Health Organisation (WHO), but the deep rooted practice is still prevalent in Africa, Middle East and Asia, where over 200 million girls and women alive today have been affected.

More than three million girls are estimated to be at risk of FGM annually.

Mimiko lauds workers as Ondo begins commercial production of lawyers’ wig ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has expressed satisfaction at the progress being made by the youths engaged in lawyers’ wig making at the Seri-Culture section of the state’s Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), even as the commodity is now being produced in commercial quantity as earlier directed.

The governor has also mentioned government’s determination at ensuring that it consolidates on the progress made so far in its determination to focus on

agriculture as a means for job creation for youths in the state.

Speaking during a visit to the Seri-culture section of the state’s Wealth Creation Agency (WECA) on Monday, Mimiko registered his joy over the progress made by the workers, following his earlier instruction that the Seri-Culture section embark on massive production of lawyer’s wig in anticipation of a business relationship with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

Stating that the section was a veritable means of

job creation, Mimiko said agriculture, where WECA has distinguished itself, remains the sector with capacity to stimulate and insulate the economy, noting that the state government’s decision to reinvigorate WECA was part of his administration’s determination at enhancing food security and providing raw materials that can promote industrialisation, as well as employment opportunities for the youth and at the same time grow the state into the region’s agribusiness hub.

No pact with RTEAN —Oyerinde

By Olawale Olaniyan

CHAIRMAN, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State chapter, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde (Fele), has debunked rumour doing the rounds that the state union has signed an undertaking with the members of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune in his office on Monday, Oyerinde, who is also the South West chairman of NURTW, said he has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding with RTEAN. He stated that his association has written a petition to the Inspector General of Police in Abuja, which he has already attended to, adding that those behind the rumour wanted to destroy the peace existing in the state.

“I learnt that people said I have signed a Memorandum of Understanding of One Week work and One Week rest with the leadership of RTEAN, this is a ruse designed to mislead people and cause confusion in the state.”

Election petition: Appeal Court to hear Olugbemi’s application June 16

By Olawale Olaniyan

THE Court of Appeal sitting at Ring Road, Ibadan, on Thursday, fixed June 16, 2016 for the hearing of an application filed by the member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Honourable Sumbo Olugbemi, against the ruling of a Federal High Court given in favour of his counterpart, Honourable Lawrence Adewale.

Honourable Olugbemi is contesting the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain the matter where it gave a ruling in favour of Honourable Adewale.

Other parties in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the resumed hearing of the matter however, the case could not go on as scheduled as counsel to the APC, Chief Bolanle Olayinka, did not file any prerequisite paper or defence before the court though he was present in court.

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communitynews

Tuesday, 24 May, 2016

Gbonyin LG commences healthcare scheme for royal fathers sam nwaoko-ado-ekiti

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HE chairman of Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Mrs. Folasade Faparusi-Akinrinmola, has inaugurated a healthcare scheme for the palaces of traditional rulers in the council area.

At the inauguration of the scheme tagged “Ilera Laafin”, as part of activities to mark her 100 days in office, Mrs Faparusi-Akinrinmola charged traditional rulers of the various communities and members of their households to embrace and support the rural healthcare scheme for their personal benefit and their immediate families.

Speaking during the kickoff ceremony at the palace of the Olode of Ode-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Aderiye, the council boss said the scheme was designed to bring healthcare closer to the people, adding that her administration introduced the initiative as part of the “stomach infrastructure programme” of Governor Ayodele Fayose.

She announced that the health personnel to man the scheme would go to the various palaces in Gbonyin Local Government Area every forthnight with their equipment to attend to the royal

fathers and members of their households.

Mrs Akinrinmola added that the initiative was aside the health scheme for the generality of the people of the council area, while also

announcing an empowerment scheme for the people.

According to her, two mobile solar charging points provided by her administration, “which will be handled by the physically-chal-

lenged, which also translate to employment for them”, would also be taken round the communities in the council for the benefit of the people.

She added that among

From left, the Onijan of Ijan, Oba Samuel Fadahunsi; the Olode of Ode, Oba Samuel Aderiye, the chairman of Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Mrs. Folasade Faparusi-Akinrinmola and others, at the kick-off of the council’s “Ilera Laafin Health Scheme” at the palace of the Olode, Ode-Ekiti, recently. PHOTO: SAM NWAOKO.

Joju residents want FERMA to fix Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway Olalekan Olabulo-Lagos

RESIDENTS of communities around Joju Bus Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, have urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency and the Ogun State government to, as a matter

of urgency, reconstruct the bad portions of the road at Joju Bus Stop.

The residents also called on the agency and government to fix the failed portion of the Sango Bridge and save the lives of those

who daily use the road .

The residents are from Alli-Isiba, Igbala, Singer, Sona , Ijako, Owode, IyanaIlogbo, Onihale, Iya-Abiodun and Pakoto .

Some of the communities residents, who spoke

with Community News, said they had been wasting a precious time in trffic jam at both ends of the expressway due to the bad state of the road.

A resident, who identified himself as Pastor,

10,000 Oke-Ogun indigenes benefit from Buhari-sponsored programme OVER 10,000 indigenes of Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State have benefited from the free health programme sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, a senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

The health scheme, which was organised by Oke-Ogun Forum, across

the 10 local government areas in Oke-Ogun, lasted 10 weeks Apart from diagnosis and dispensing of drugs to beneficiaries, the medical experts, who handled the programme, also gave health talk where they advised beneficiaries to be mindful of their diet and take time to rest.

Dr Tiamiyu, a medical doctor, who spoke with journalists during the grand finale of the programme held at Iseyin town hall recently, said the decision to collaborate with Senator Buhari was informed by the need to assist the people of Oke Ogun who are suffering from serious health challenges and

Come and explore my community, monarch tells investors

By Ronke Sanya

THE newly installed traditional ruler of Ere-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Augustine Adenipekun Alowolodu III, has called on investors to explore Ere-Ijesa, a community filled with mineral resources and red sand.

Oba Alowolodu made the call shortly after he was presented the staff of office

and instrument of appointment by Osun State government, recently.

The royal father also enjoined those who contested the Obaship position with him to join hands with him to develop the ancient town, adding that, “by teaming up with me, Ere-Ijesa will witness accelerated development in no distant time.”

He stated that the red sand in the community, if fully ex-

ploited, could replace the use of blocks for building houses, adding that many other mineral resources were available in the community.

The Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Adeoti, who performed the installation ceremony on behalf of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, advised the royal father to ensure the rapid development of the community.

lack of access to proper health care “We discovered that many people from OkeOgun, visit teaching hospitals in Ilorin, Ibadan and other places for medical attention and from a research conducted by one of us, it was gathered that Oke-Ogun has a high number of diabetes and hypertension cases. This is why we took it upon ourselves to assist our people.

“During our interaction with the people, who came for the programme, some of them told us that they were walking corpses because of their status occasioned by poor access to qualitative healthcare.

“The poor state of roads also contributed to their problem and this is why many get complicated cases before reaching hospitals where they can enjoy proper attention,” he said.”

took Community News that “for more than two months now, we have been wasting precious time in grid-lock at both sides of Joju Bus Stop.

“More annoying is that you will waste time on your way to the office and you will also get delayed in that same spot on your way home.

“Government should find a lasting solution to the problem. Occasional patching of the road has not helped the situation.”

Another resident, who simply identified herself as Amina, said “the road has been in a bad state for a couple months now and became worse after the first rain in the area.”

She added that many times, people spend about one hour on the stretch of road that is less than 100 metres, just because drivers drive carefully to prevent their vehicles from damage.

A commercial bus driver named Orija, also wants the government to fix the bad portions of the road and the bridge.

“The Joju section of the road is really bad.We want government to fix it.

The tail end of the bridge is also bad and can cause accident if it is not properly fixed,” the driver said.

others, beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme would also receive reflective jackets and food items as well as other incentives “in line with the stomach infrastructure initiative of the Governor Ayodele Fayose administration.”

Speaking on the various initiatives of Mrs. Faparusi-Akinrinmola, Oba Aderiye congratulated her for the 100 days in office and thanked her for the “Ilera Laafin” initiative, saying it would “go a long way in bringing healthcare closer to the palaces and their inhabitants.

Also congratulating the council boss, the Onijan of Ijan-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Oyewole Fadahunsi, expressed delight at what he described as “the commendable initiatives of our local government chairman”, saying “I’m not disappointed because she is a woman of integrity.”

Apart from the palaces of the Olode and the Onijan, other palaces in the council area are those of the Owa-Ooro of Agbado, Oba Michael Okunbobade; the Oniro of Iro, Oba Felix Afolabi; the Apalufin of Aisegba, Oba Adeyanju Omotoyinbo; the Owa-Egbe of Ogbe, Oba Julius Ayodele Ige; the Onimesi of Imesi, Oba Oladimeji Adeyeye; and the Ajagun of Iluomoba, Oba Jimoh Olugbenga Adetiba.

Lawmaker present working tools to the vulnerable in Jigawa adamu amadu-lagos

A member of the House of Representatives representing Dutse/Kiyawa federal constituency in Jigawa State, Honourable Ibrahim Abdullahi Kyamba, has supported 400 women and youths with working tools worth N50 million.

Distributing the materials recently in Dutse, the lawmaker said “this is part of my poverty alleviation projects aimed at making women and youths economically independent.”

He further said that “I’m focusing on women and youths because from their number in the society, they are also more vulnerable, especially in the present economic hardship”.

“This is a continues exercise. We are doing it in phase.

The support is based on the choice of beneficiaries.”

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Tuesday, 24 May, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Giwa FC appeals expulsion from NPFL G iwa FC has appealed its expulsion from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) by the League Management Company (LMC) for failure to honour three matches

cumulatively in one season which is in violation of Rule B13.28 of the NPFL Rules and Framework.

But in a letter dated May 21, 2016 in response to the LMC summary jurisdiction notice, the secretary of Giwa FC, Samson Adamu wrote to acknowledge the decision, but also notified the LMC of its decision to reject the ruling and appeal same.

‘No automatic shirts for Insurance FC players’ Abiodun Jimoh - Benin-City Edo State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Mobilisation, Honourable Presley Ediagbonya has averred that there will be no automatic shirt for any player in Bendel Insurance FC, as the club begins its campaign in the Nigeria National League (NNL), scheduled to kick off this weekend across the country.

The Benin Arsenal under the tutelage of former Insurance captain, Roland Ewere will face J. Atete FC at the Warri Township Stadium on Saturday in a season’s opener.

Bendel Insurance has been battling to regain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League for five years running.

Ediagbonya told Tribunesport in Benin, that Insurance FC has recruited 30 players who will prosecute the campaign for promotion to the elite league.

“This tournament (SouthSouth Champion of Cham-

pions) is a just a new event, I am impressed with standard exhibited by all the clubs that participated. We have used it as a platform to assess our future as a football club.

“The players BenInsurance del are using this year are very young a n d enterprising and this tournament (SSCC) has provided the opportunity to showcase them. All the 30 players recruited this season, no one has a permanent shirt as all of them will have to fight for shirts to become regulars in the club,” he stated.

“Hopefully our first match in the league is against J. Atete FC in Warri on Saturday, we played them last Friday during the South-South tourney and the match ended in a draw. It is our prayer that the season will be injury free for our club and all Clubs.”

Razaq Adegbite (left) struggles for the ball possession during a Nigeria Premier League game. He was on target last Sunday for Sunshine Stars which defeated Abia Warriors 2-1 at the Umuahia Township Stadium in a match day 19 clash.

In a letter addressed to the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Giwa FC stated, “The above subject matter refers.

We are in receipt of your letter of 20th May, 2016 on the above subject matter. We hereby notify you that we do not accept any of the sanctions imposed on our club and further add that we elect to be dealt with by a commission”.

By this notice of appeal, Giwa FC will now appear before the relevant authority in the

coming days to hear their appeal.

In the latest NPFL table released by the LMC, Giwa FC is placed on the 20th position, while other clubs have had the results of their games with Giwa FC cancelled.

Transfer window: LMC demands players’­ attestation Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Clubs have a two-week window which began on Monday, May 23 to 5pm on June 3 to register new players and sign up players on permanent or temporary basis.

The League Management Company (LMC) in a circular to all clubs announced

the opening of the midseason transfer window, but also reminded the clubs that for any registration to be approved, attestation letter from the serving players and coaches of the clubs must be presented confirming that their obligations to the players and coaches have been fully met.

“Kindly be advised that pursuant to Rules B9.61 and B9.63 of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL, the second transfer window of the 2015/16 NPFL season opens at 8.00am on Monday, May 23 and closes at 5.00pm on Friday, June 3, 2016.

Therefore, within this period, any club may apply

Dalung hails NSLF for donating sports equipment to 2000 primary schools The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has commended the National Lottery Trust Fund for distributing sports equipment to 2000 public primary schools in the country.

Dalung gave the commendation last weekend at the Musa Yar’adua Centre Abuja, during the presentation of the equipment by the NSLF. “We must develop structures that would transcend beyond zonal levels and to where the equipment will be

distributed. Security agencies must be co-opted and engaged as partners to ensure that these equipment are actually maximised for the benefit of our young sports boys and girls. We also want to urge the head teachers and games masters to use the equipment as national assets and not as government property. We appeal to you to resist the temptation to conspire to pilfer and sell them in the open market,” Dalung said.

Earlier, the chief executive of the NSLF, Engineer Habu Gumel, explained that through a comprehensive survey and consultation with stakeholders, 2000 primary schools including special schools for the physically-challenged, spread across the six geo political zones in the country will benefit from the distribution of the equipment in line with the Federal Government directive for the programme.

“We have put in place a robust and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to help the National Lottery Trust Fund to monitor basic schools, to ensure that the items are delivered to their various destinations and not diverted. I call on our stakeholders to further raise awareness on the value of lottery funding to modern life and its transformational legacy to the nation, leveraging the evidence based on our in-

tervention programmes. I’m appealing to others to contribute to the Federal Government project,” Gumel said.

In his address, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Oluyemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, commended the NSLF for targeting 2000 public primary schools as beneficiaries of the sports equipment.

for the new registration of a player or to have the registration of a player transferred to it or for a temporary transfer”, the circular informed the clubs.

The LMC circular further stated, “pursuant to Rules B9.45.2 and Rules B9.45.4.4, every club is expected to submit the attestation by each of its currently registered players as a precondition for registration.

This is to ensure that there are no overdue payments owed the players”.

The enforcement of this provisions of the rule is being pursued by the LMC to prevent and minimise the incident of indebtedness to players which become manifest towards the end of every season. This step is to compliment the requirement for the submission of financial guarantees by the clubs.

SIDELINES

NO 16,507

TUESDAY, 24 MAY, 2016

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had, before its convention, said it would wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Surprisingly, rather than coming out stronger on Saturday, the party eventually broke into pieces, as it produced three different national leaders, Ali Modu Sheriff, Ahmed Markafi and Ibrahim Mantu, in its parallel conventions held in Port Harcourt and Abuja. If the PDP still stands by its stance of bouncing back to power in 2019, with the present state of things, it is good to ask: Can a house divided against itself stand?

N150

Man U sacks Van Gaal

Musa

CSKA confirms EPL teams' interests in Musa

He is due for retirement —De Boer

RUSSIAN champions, CSKA Moscow have confirmed interests from England for Nigerian international, Ahmed Musa, but insist no agreement has been reached yet.

Musa has been the subject of interest from English Premier League champions, Leicester City, with a host of other clubs also mentioned to be interested in his services.

CSKA chief, Roman Babayev confirmed that there are interests from clubs in England already in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner but said no deal has been sealed.

“I cannot say yes or no. It is no secret that Musa was and remains in very serious demand, particularly from the English teams,” Babayev told championat.

Ideye

I will miss Yobo testimonial —Ideye

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UPER EAGLES returnee, Brown Ideye has said he would have wished to feature in Friday’s Joseph Yobo Testimonial, but for the fact he has also been recalled by the Super Eagles for friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg.

Nigeria will face the Eagles of Mali on Friday, May 27 in France, the same day the Yobo testimonial will be staged in the Garden City.

The Olympiacos forward said it would have been a great personal honour to be part of the Yobo testimonial.

It will be recalled, that Ideye last played for the Super Eagles in No-

Van Gaal

vember 2014 under coach Stephen Keshi, as he has been left out since then before his recall in the squad being assembled by the Salisu Yusuf-led coaching crew for the two friendlies billed to hold later this month.

"I really wanted to play. I had called and made enquiries last month concerning this particular game (Yobo testimonial) because I didn’t know I would be invited to the national team.

"I was like let me come home with my family play the game then go to the United States of America for holidays with my family, but I got called up,” said the former West Brom play-

er.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner added: “I was really looking forward to the game, to play for him because I played alongside him in the Super Eagles and he is a very good guy and it would have been a great honour to support him."

Yobo became the first Nigerian to win 100 caps when he captained the Super Eagles in a 2014 World Cup game against France.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has, however, released Eagles captain Mikel Obi and his assistant, Ahmed Musa, for the testimonial.

LOUIS van Gaal has been sacked as manager of Manchester United, with former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho set to be named as his replacement.

This came a few hours after van Gaal led the team to win the FA Cup last Saturday at the Wembley Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, his only silverware during his tenure at Old Trafford.

The 64-year-old manager leaves after two years of a three-year contract and is discussing severance terms.

The former Netherlands boss is believed to earn around £6.4m a year.

Mourinho's appointment is expected to be confirmed after the 53-year-old Portuguese meets senior United officials later today.

The Red Devils confirmed Van Gaal's departure on Monday, having spoken

to the Dutchman.

Meanwhile, former Dutch player, Ronald de Boer, who played under Van Gaal at Ajax and Barcelona, told BBC Radio 5 that his former boss is due for retirement.

"He should retire and enjoy his life. He does not have anything to prove to the football world as he has an unbelievable amount of trophies and has respect from a lot of players and managers," said de Boer.

Also, Ian Sterling, chairman of Manchester United Supporters Trust, said: "Van Gaal's fate was sealed with his results over the season.

The style of play and football has been the worst I have seen in my time following United. A positive is that the club has acted quickly and a new manager will be in place in preparation for next season."

Yaya offered £300,000 weekly pay in China INDICATIONS are rife that Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure is set to leave the Sky Blues after a massive offer from two Chinese clubs.

The Manchester Evening website report that the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire skipper has received two offers which would see him earn a whopping £300,000 a week.

Although the English Premier League star still has a year left on his contract, Toure is expected to leave the club this European summer with the report suggesting that he will buy himself out of the remainder of his deal.

A source close to the England newspaper revealed that Yaya's representatives are engaged in talks with Shanghai SIPG and Jiangsu Suning.

“Yaya’s had his people meeting with both Shanghai

and Jiangsu and they have both made firm offers,” the source is quoted as saying.

“Buying himself out of his contract at City would not be a problem because he would recoup it twice over from the signing on fee he would get for coming over here.”

The Chinese side, SIPG, are managed by former City boss, Sven-Goran Eriksson where they have already signed Ghana and ex-Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan on £227,000 a week package.

Moreover, Jiangsu has also been busy in the transfer market having spent £25million on Chelsea star Ramires and a further £37million on Brazilian attacker, Alex Teixeira.

It is also reported that the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations winner has a good relationship with City's hierarchy, but they are not happy with his agent, Dmitri Seluk.

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. 24/5/2016.