25th April 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,486

MONDAY, 25 APRIL, 2016

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NMA conference

5 Ekiti doctors die in Kaduna auto crash —P9

Yoruba may pull out of PDP —Okupe

•As battle rages over zoning —P8

High cost of food items

Forex scarcity encouraging local production —CBN gov —P10

Budget impasse may be resolved this week —P2

Buhari orders release of 10,000 tonnes of grains

—P5

World Malaria Day: Nigeria records 18% reduction in death rate —P8

Appointment of clerk divides Saraki, NASC

•Commission meets over Saraki's letter today —P9

From left, Director, Integrated Produce City Limited, Professor Pat Utomi; Group Managing Director, African Industries, Mr Alor Gupta; chairman, Vigeo Power Limited/chairman, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mr Victor Osibodu; Managing Director/CEO, Mrs Funke Osibodu and the Executive Director, Mr Abu Ejoor, during the signing of MoU on embeded generation of 100MW electric power in Benin, held in Lagos.

Over 1.9 million IDPs living in camps —NEMA —P33

States collected N683.6bn IGR in 2015 —NBS •FG to defray states' N10.9bn March obligations

—P10

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

Budget impasse may be resolved this week Presidency awaits NASS on gray areas Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

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HE impasse over the passage of 2016 budget may be resolved this week if the words of a Presidency official are anything to go by.

The official, in a chat with Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday, said the executive had communicated the gray areas on the budget to the National Assembly.

“The executive is very willing to have the budget crisis resolved. The president is concerned about the need to have the budget signed very quickly and he is willing to do just that. But he is concerned about the legacy projects, the fundamental issues are very clear,” the official said, on Sunday.

He also said that the president did not expect the budget to return to him the way he presented it, but expected that the legacy projects would be included in the final copy.

“From what I can see, the executive and the legislature are very close to resolving the issues. The president has made it clear that he will not sign a budget he cannot implement. He intends to sign the budget that he can work with,” the source further said, adding that the executive was expecting communication from the National Assembly, this week.

The Senate, however, said on Thursday, that it would send emmisaries to the president to appeal to him to sign the budget and then present the gray areas in the form of a supplementary budget.

The legislators are of the view that they are constrained by Section 59(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which does not give room for the National Assembly to rework a budget, once passed.

The section indicates that if the president does not assent the budget in 30 days, the lawmakers can pass it afresh, by overriding the veto through a two-thirds majority.

But sources in the assembly have also said that the two chambers are receptive to the gray areas raised

by President Muhammadu Buhari and are willing to include the items in the budget.

“The question of how that would be done without offending the constitution, however, still remains,” a source said, on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the chairmen of the Senate and the

House of Representatives’ Committees on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje

and Honourable Abdumumin Jibril, said on Sunday, that the National Assembly

must not allow the ongoing budget crisis go beyond this week.

The two chairmen, in a jontly signed press statement made available on

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked by former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (left) and a member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Olusegun Olulade (right), during the third annual London School of Economics (LSE) Africa Summit, in the United Kingdom, on Saturday.

Sunday, said the time to allot blames was not now, adding that the National Assembly must take a quick look at the gray areas raised by the executive and work on them as appropriate.

According to the duo, ongoing discussions on the resolution of the budget impasse should not get beyond this week.

They said: “Given the foregoing and all factors considered, we, hereby, state that we have had enough controversies over the 2016 budget.

What is needful right now is a resolution of the differences and to that end, we call on our colleagues in the National Assembly to accede to the request by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to have a second look at the details and make the necessary adjustments, so that he can assent. This, in our opinion, should not go beyond this week.”

Nigeria must rise above crude realities —Ambode

Says fall in oil price an opportunity for real growth Bola Badmus - Lagos LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has said the massive fall in oil prices in the international market is a blessing in disguise for Nigeria.

Governor Ambode said this at the weekend, in the United Kingdom, while speaking on the theme: “Nigeria - Rising above crude realities,” at the third Annual London School of Economics (LSE) Africa Summit.

According to the governor, the development was a tipping point, not just for positive change, but also to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Governor Ambode contended that if honestly handled, the fall in oil prices had actually offered the country the opportunity to deliver real growth, as the high price of oil which the nation hitherto enjoyed, created a distorted economic structure.

The governor, while pointing out that the fall in oil price had sharply reduced Nigeria’s growth rate, export earnings, foreign direct investment and government revenues maintained that the nation stood a lot to benefit positively from the downturn.

“The high price of oil created a distorted economic structure, where it was more valuable to capture value from the oil stream than create value. The returns to oil went to a few, with a tiny trickle down system to keep

the social peace, but the reality is that we squandered the oil wealth and arrived 2015 with poor infrastructure, a poor education system and poor level of social development.

“The drop in oil prices has revealed that the one dimensional model of our political economy has outlived its shelf life. We are forced by the slump to change the architecture of our political economy. That is the challenge before us,” he said.

The governor, while expressing hope that the low

oil prices would serve as a tipping point for positive change, even though Nigeria faces some tough time and tough choices with the new reality, noted that the downturn was an avenue for both the leaders and citizens of Nigeria to address the sources of vulnerability, in order to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The governor said President Muhammadu Buhari had already set the tone of enhanced governance with focus on transparency and

accountability, adding that such was needed at this critical point in time in the nation’s history.

He, however, expressed confidence that the country still had the financial bandwidth to immediately respond to the situation, adding that it was important to note that Nigeria was actually starting from a very good fiscal position.

Specifically, Governor Ambode said the country’s exceptionally low DebtGDP ratio at 13 per cent, gave the latitude to be fiscal-

ly expansionary for productive expenditure that would stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Speaking on the potentials for growth in Africa, Governor Ambode, who recalled the China experience, said as much as the continent needed to be transformed, Europe and the world desperately needed the transformation and growth of Africa as well, saying such would mean a more equal partner and more intense and deeper trade and commerce with the rest of the world.

What I know about Jonathan’s campaign —Fani-Kayode FORMER Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has declared that he cannot be cowed by those forces allegedly bent on tarnishing his image at all costs, in the present political dispensation.

He spoke against the backdrop of insinuations of alleged impropriety as the Director of Media and Publicity for the Jonathan/ Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO), last year.

He made the clarification in a statement entitled: “The money transfers and the truth about the presidential campaign funds.”

He said all the activities of his committee were properly documented and submitted to the appropriate authorities, who in turn, commended him for his diligence and transparency.

Accordingly, he said the current insinuation that he was involved in a shady transaction was a deliberate attempt to call a dog a bad name, in order to hang it.

Fani-Kayode said contrary to reports by a section of the media, he did not commit any crime to warrant the calculated attempt to tarnish his hard-earned reputation for his diligent service to his fatherland in two major capacities, in recent years.

The ex-minister explained that he chose “to remain silent on the issue until now, simply because the allegations have not been officially made by the EFCC or anyone else.”

He said he had no reason to doubt the authorities in charge of the campaign fund, when on inquiry about the source, they told him it was from a presidential fundraising exercise.

“The allegations of fraud and the receipt of public funds from the National Security Adviser’s office and the Central Bank of Nigeria into my bank account are false.

“These allegations are baseless, wicked, shameful and irresponsible. It is not true that any money was paid into my account by or from the National Security Adviser’s office, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or any other government agency or institution last year or at any other time.

“As the Director of Media and Publicity of the Jonathan PCO, I was asked to submit a budget for my Directorate by Chief Tony Anenih, the Presidential Advisor to the PCO and Mrs Nenadi Usman, the Director of Finance.

“My team and I prepared the budget and it was approved. Rather than collect cash, for security reasons

and the purposes of accountability, I was advised by the Director of Finance to open a bank account for this purpose, which I did. The funds were paid into that account in installments at the beginning of last year by the Director of Finance and each deposit was authorised and approved by the Presidential Advisor to the PCO, Chief Tony Anenih.

“The account they used to transfer the money to me was a private company account which was owned or under the control of the Director of Finance.

“It was the same company and account that was used to send money to all the other directors of the PCO and the zonal directors, state directors and all our PDP governorship and legislative candidates during the various campaigns,” he said.

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

Troops ambush fleeing Boko Haram terrorists Chris Agbambu - Abuja

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N the early hours of Sunday, troops of 81 Battalion and some elements of 251 Task Force Battalion, 25 Brigade, ambushed suspected Boko Haram terrorists fleeing Sambisa forest to Fulawani village.

Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, who made

this known through a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, said the ambushed terrorists were trying to link up with other terrorists or members of their families in order to relocate to other places.

It will be recalled that the troops intercepted a group of women and children, who claimed to have escaped from the terrorists enclave in Sambisa forest

on Sunday.

However, during screening and interrogation, it was confirmed that they were the terrorists’ advance party, relocating to a new safe haven, following intense tactical operations by troops.

He said the troops sprang a surprise ambush on the group of escaping terrorists from Sambisa forest, crossing towards Alagarno

mounted on motorcycles and bicycles, killing five of them and recovering a number items form them.

These, according to the army boss, included five motorcycles, nine bicycles, 80 new pairs of bathroom slippers, assorted laundry items, polythene bags and mats.

Usman added that it was also assessed that the recovered items were for sale in other locations where

remnants of the terrorists were hiding, but in dire need of logistics.

It was further gathered that the terrorists were fleeing Sambisa forest to

Train crushes two in Ilorin

nor el-Rufai received the news with shock and expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, to the families of those that lost their lives.

“The governor prays that God grant them eternal rest and their families, relations and associates fortitude to bear the unfortunate passing away of their loved ones.

“The governor and the people of Kaduna State also pray for the recovery of those who survived

the incident with severe wounds and those that lost their vehicles and property to the fire inferno.

“The government is also using this medium to appeal to all those involving in selling the products to desist, as it is important citizens take issues related to environmental hazards and security seriously.”

The statement also stated that Governor el-Rufai has directed security agencies to investigate the immediate cause of the fire incident, with a view of averting future occurrence.

the woman was helpless when the incident happened.

According to the sources, a second motorcyclist, who was carrying a partner of the late Mama Kafila, had stopped for the train, while the victim decided to make a dash across the rail.

Another version of the report said that the motorcyclist had an earpiece on, thus, could not hear the blarring horn from the train.

It was also gathered that the train dragged the two victims to a distance of about 100 metres from where it hit them.

Some little pieces of human flesh were seen on the track while some women, who said they were members of the same hairdressing group with the late hairdresser, visited the scene.

The women, who described the deceased as a very likeable woman, said she who would make sure she greeted everyone in their shops each time she was on her way to buy her iced blocks which she used to supplement her trade.

Another motorcyclist said he had picked the deceased only three days before and like most of those who came to the scene, blamed his late colleague for the incident.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state police command, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, said he was yet to be officially briefed about the incident.

strongly in this country which is further demonstrated by the people of this great nation, because they are a very industrious people, hardworking. That gives me the hope for Nigeria,” he stated.

About the rumours making the round that he was dead, the elder statesman said “for me, it does not shock me, neither does it bother me, because I know

I must go and meet God, my Creator one day. There is nothing really to worry about, my religion has told me that.

“Well, as a Muslim, I strongly believe everybody will die, everybody will die and everybody has to die, it could be now or in 100 years’ time or two days to come; it doesn’t matter, everybody must die,” he submitted.

The former Nigerian leader pointed out that nobody was above sickness or death, because nobody was above what God had destined.

IBB, however, felicitated with the Queen of England for marking her 90th birthday, while wishing her good health and long life, as well as describing her as a gracious person, much concerned about her people.

Scene of the fire incident at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station and the Shemaco Petrol Station, Ungwa Mu’azu, Kaduna, on Saturday. PHOTO: NAN

Biola Azeez - Ilorin A middle-aged nursing mother and a commercial motorcyclist were reportedly crushed to death by a moving train plying the Ilorin-Offa route Sunday morning, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the incident occurred around 10.00 a.m, at one of the level crossings around Olunlade area of Ilorin.

The woman, simply identified as Mama Kafila, being carried by the motorcyclist, was said to be a salon operator and was actually on her way to buy iced blocks for sale, when she met her death.

Eyewitnesses’ accounts revealed that the motorcyclist had refused to stop for the moving train, which was on its way to Offa and

3 killed in NNPC filling station fire in Kaduna

el-Rufai condoles with victims’ families Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THREE people were reported to have died, while 10 vehicles got burnt in a fire disaster that gutted an NNPC filling station at Unguwar Mu’azu in Kaduna metropolis.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the fire started in the evening of Saturday and lasted several hours.

According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred when a fuel tanker was discharging its content and one of the compartments of the tanker was leaking fuel in the process of discharge.

The eyewitness said: “Unfortunately, the fire was triggered from the fuel which flowed to the main road, engulfed eight cars and two commercial buses on queue.

“The tanker and the fuel station got burnt, as well as a girl and two men.

“Attempt to bring the fire under control by shop owners and residents of Kinkinau GRA and Unguwar Mu’azu, where the fuel

station is located, proved abortive,” he added.

A shop owner, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that “we were afraid, thinking that the fire might spread to our shops and houses.

“Fire fighters from the Kaduna State Fire Service and the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) came to extinguish the fire.”

An official of the Kaduna State Fire Service, who would not like his name in print, confirmed the death of the three people.

He, however, said the remote cause of the fire was not known, calling for a proper investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State governor, Nasir elRufai, has said he was shocked to receive the news of the passing of three people, which occurred during a fire incident in one of the NNPC filling stations at Unguwar Mu’azu, Kaduna, on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Sunday, by his media aide, Mr Samuel Aruwan, remarked that “Gover-

other areas for safety, as they could no longer withstand the continued bombardment by both the Nigerian Air Force and the ground troops.

I am not dead —IBB Adelowo Oladipo - Minna FORMER military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has said he is alive and not dead, as rumoured in some quarters, while expressing his belief in the greatness of Nigeria as a sovereign nation.

He gave the assurance on Sunday, at his UpHill mansion in Minna, the Niger

State capital, in an interview with some journalists noting that Nigeria would surely surmount its present challenges and secure a very beautiful future for the younger generations.

He stated further that the future of the country was bright, while the dreams of the citizenry from actualising her independent was worthwhile.

“I still believe very

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

High cost of food items: Buhari orders release of 10,000 tonnes of grains Says change agenda not to blame for poor economy Leon Usigbe -Abuja

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N a bid to counter food price increase and the intolerably high exploitation of common people by the trader-class, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered for national distribution, the release of 10,000 tonnes of grains from the national strategic grains reserves.

He also directed the Minister of Agriculture to ensure that all the able-bodied men and women in internally displaced people (IDP) camps be assisted to return to farming immediately.

Nigerian Tribune had, last Monday, reported a market survey depicting escalating food prices across the country.

According to a statement issued in Abuja, on Sunday, by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, this was coming as a reaction to calls for government measures to ease hardship associated with hike in food prices.

The Presidency deflected blame that the current hardship was caused by the change agenda of the administration, saying that “the devastation of the economy was caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, corruption and the lack of planning by the past administrations and one that should not be blamed on the change agenda of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.”

The statement added that: “The Presidency firmly rejects the insinuations that poverty and lack are products of the Change mantra.

This should be dismissed as an erroneous and misplaced opposition criticism.

“The President understands the pain and the cries of the citizens of this country and he is spending sleepless nights over how he can make life better for everyone.

“Contrary to assertions by a faction of the opposition Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), the president’s energy and focus are on changing the life of Nigerians, with a view to making it better than he met it.

“Change is a process.

Change does not happen overnight. Change can be inconvenient. Change sometimes comes with pain. Over the past years, the government has been working night and day to deliver on its promise of change to Nigerians and the painful process is still ongoing.

“This is work in progress.

As life gradually returns to normal in most parts of the

country and the North-East in particular, agriculture will resume and traders from neighbouring African countries will once again feel safe to do business with us - yet another boost for our economy.

“But it is only when we appreciate where we are coming from that we will grasp the full meaning and essence of what the ongoing journey entails.

“It is estimated, for instance, that three NorthEast states alone have so far lost about N3 trillion ($9 billion) to the Boko Haram insurgency. The previous administration at the centre said Federal Government’s losses amounted to about $18 billion.

“It would have been a miracle for our country’s economy not to feel the effects of this. And, in addition to the thousands of lives lost to the insurgency, thousands have also lost their means of livelihood.

The North-East region of Nigeria is a mostly agrarian society, which means Nigeria has lost billions of naira in agricultural produce.

“Many communities, which have had their yearly planting and harvesting cycle disrupted by Boko Haram attacks or occupation are still yet to return to their farms. In many of these communities, there has not been planting and consequent harvest for between two to five years.

“At the time the Buhari government came to power, about N600 billion was owed fuel marketers in subsidy payments. Strategic fuel reserves were depleted and local refineries were not functioning.

“One of the president’s first steps was to pay off the marketers, leaving an outstanding of about N150 billion which is captured in the 2016 budget. The Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries are being brought back to life. In a matter of time, Nigeria will resume refining its own fuel rather than depending on imports.

“As part of the permanent solution of recurring cycle of petroleum products shortages, government is working on a plan to ensure that some of the newlylicensed independent refineries start coming on stream from 2018.

“Government is also turning its attention to the sabotage of the oil and gas infrastructure that has taken so much away from the generation and distribution of electricity.

“Other ongoing plans for change include those for social investment. For example, one million poor and vulnerable Nigerians will soon receive monthly payments of N5,000 each to allow them live decently.

“This programme is designed to recognise the need for ordinary, poor Nigerians to also benefit from the resources of the country. President Buhari believes that the resources of our country should be spent also on the vast majority of our people who are poor and vulnerable and not squandered by government officials or the elite.

“This social investment plan is already provided for in the 2016 Budget. The World Bank has begun conducting a social register on poor and vulnerable people in Nigeria, by going to the four poorest local government areas and then the four poorest communities in those poorest local government areas.

“About seven to eight states have been completed already. Now the Presidency is working with the World Bank and the Bill Gates Foundation on how to identify the people to be paid the N5,000 and how they will be paid.

“This is the first time that the Federal Government of this country will be spending this much on social welfare for poor, bearing in mind that the money will go directly to the beneficiaries.

“Another programme, also included in the 2016 budget and also targeted at the poor, is the provision of soft loans to one million traders, market men, artisans, etc.

“These are not the kind of loans that require collaterals that the people can’t afford or provide. No. The loans will come through the Bank of Industry, but this has also been included in the budget.

“In addition to all these, 500,000 unemployed graduates will be directly employed as volunteer teachers but paid by the Federal Government to teach in their communities while they search for better jobs in their areas of expertise. 370,000 unemployed youths will also be trained in skills acquisition and paid while doing so.

“These are just some aspects of the change that Nigerians voted for, a change that is happening and which will soon be felt

by Nigerians in every nook and cranny of our country,” the statement read.

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Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos UNILAG students to decide on union suspension today Naza Okoli

THERE were indications at the weekend that the leadership of the students’ union of the University of Lagos would take action against the decision reached by the management to indefinitely suspend both the executive and legislative arms of the union.

The President of the union, Mr Mohammed Olaniyan, while speaking with Lagos Metro on Sunday, said the union would make its official position known to the public on Monday (today).

The management of the university had on Friday suspended the Students’ Union in a stateScene of a fire outbreak at Nigerian Customs Storage Warehouse and Training School, Ikeja which went up in flame on Saturday with firemen still battling to put it off, on Sunday. ment signed by the University Registrar, Dr PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA. Taiwo Ipaye.

The statement which also set Monday 2 May 2016, as the resumption date said the Second Semester Examinations would commence on Monday, May 9, 2016.

The statement read in part: “The University of Ladrenched and they forced the other side of the build- carried out when informed man Resource Manager of gos Students Union (ULSU) Tade Makinde their way into the barri- ing did not notice the intru- about the incident, she said Lekki Gardens to prepare Constitution should be susHE management of caded building, while the sion.” that the security men put for emergency evacuation of pended until further notice.

“The ULSU Executive Lekki Gardens has security men who were on On the effort the company a call through to the Hu- victims. and the Student Legislative denied reports that Council should be dissolved its staff members forthwith. were among those that lost “Faculty and DepartmenBola Badmus their lives in the recent coltal Associations should lapse of one of its buildings IN what seems like victory work with the University that resulted in loss of lives for communities whose government officials. to take over the probe, is to only such high-level inter- Management through the and left many injured in Laancestral lands were taken Following the crisis, the be requested through the vention, could resolve the Students’ Affairs Division in gos State. over by Lagos State Govthe interim.”

In a media interaction, on ernment for developmen- state government set up State Police Commissioner, mystery surrounding Disu’s The students had about a Tribunal of Inquiry, on Mr Fatai Owoseni. gruesome killing.

Friday, held at Maryland, tal projects, Governor two weeks ago shut down Ayorinde stated that the The state government, in Lagos, Juliet Obiorah, the Akinwunmi Ambode has whose report the White Pathe campus for 48 hours governor decided to take the White Paper, also diManaging Director of Jas- ordered payment of all com- per was founded. to protest the poor state of According to Ayorinde, the the IGP’s path, as a way of rected the Ministry of Commine Communication, the pensation and conclusion of water and electricity supstate government accepted getting to the root of the killmerce, Industry and CoopPublic Relations agency for resettlement processes. most of the recommenda- ing, which led to claims and eratives to ensure that all ply. The management had Lekki Gardens, said “the The directive highlighted counter-claims between outstanding compensation responded by ordering the people that lost their lives decisions in the White Pa- tions of the tribunal.

The directive by Ambode, the community leaders issues are resolved as soon students to vacate the camwere not employees of Lekki per released at the weekpus “until further notice.” asking IGP Solomon Arase and the police, adding that as possible.

Gardens and neither did end, on last year Lekki Free any of them had direct rela- Trade Zone (LFTZ) crisis, tionship with the company. which led to the murder of They were Beninoises who the Managing Director of resided in a shanty around Lekki Worldwide Limited, back to her as founder. her late husband, Mr Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Court in Lagos. their construction site and Mr Tajudeen Disu She sued for her- Akaihieobi-Ololo Ogwu The court presided A statement by Commishad taken refuge from a THE Lagos State Gov- over by Justice Hadiza self and her company, moved from the Eastheavy rain that day when sioner for Information and ernment is yet to re- Shagari subsequently Akaix West Africa Lim- ern part of Nigeria to Strategy, Steve Ayorinde the building caved.” spond to a suit by a adjourned the matter ited and is praying the the Lagos colony and Obiorah explained further disclosed that in the said 92-year-old woman, till May 16, while di- court for a declaration in 1952, they both inthat, “There was a dredg- White Paper released by the claiming her schools recting that hearing no- that the refusal by the corporated a company, ing going on around the government, Governor Amare unjustly held on to tices should be served Lagos State Govern- Akaix Africa Limited, by the state. collapsed building. Maybe bode also directed that the ment to return her in which name they eson the respondents.

This disclosure was it was the dredging that Inspector General of Police schools is unjust, un- tablished Metropolitan Ololo, a widow, is (IGP) should take over inmade on Friday when seeking the return of constitutional, illegal College. caused the collapse. Due to vestigation into the killing the suit by Mrs Roseline her schools, Metropol- and unlawful. the rain the people probably She said that for exof Disu during the bloody Ololo was mentioned, itan College and Isolo were scrambling for a place Ololo said that somepansion purposes and crisis between Okunraye before a Federal High Secondary to hide in order not to get School, times in 1940 she and to move away from the community in Lekki and

None of our staff died in collapsed building —Lekki Gardens

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Lekki crisis: IGP to take over probe of Disu’s death • Ambode orders payment of compensation, resettlement of communities

Govt mum over school ownership tussle w

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

metro Suspected phone thief beats policeman, robs him Olalekan Olabulo

We were in charge of Ketu, Ojota, Mile 12 —Arrested robbers Olalekan Olabulo SEVEN robbery suspects who reportedly confessed to being responsible for nearly all robbery incidents around Ketu, Ojota and Mile 12, had been arrested by the police.

The suspect and seven other members of the gang were last Thursday arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), after two women reported that they were robbed by the gang, the previous night.

One of the suspects, Dapo Simeon, a trained bricklayer from Oyo State told the police that he started with pick pocketing more than three years ago before graduating into robbery and pointed out that he specialised in

stealing phones, jewellery and money.

“I can’t remember the number of phones I have stolen and collected from passers-by in Ojota, Ketu and Mile 12. I was trained

by Olasege and later Femi.

Both of them are my bosses and they live in Mushin, IdiOro area. They taught me the job.”

Dapo and his colleagues were picked up on Thursday morning after two young women, who were robbed by the gang the previous night at MKO Gardens near Ojota, reported to RRS monitors attached to Ojota, the following day. The operatives followed the women to the scene of the robbery where they met two men,

John Obinna and Sunday Ugwu. The officers, after interviewing and searching the duo, they saw suspected stolen phones and an unused SIM card, which was traced to its original owner, Mr Adebayo Ogunleye.

Mr Ogunleye in his statement at the RRS Headquarters, Alausa noted that he was waylaid by an assailant between Ojota and Mile 12.

He stated that the robber in trying to collect his two phones, matcheted and head-butted him into surrendering his phones-Microsoft Lumia 535 and Tecno T5, and wallet containing BVN Card, First Bank verve card and MasterCard among others.

The arrest of Obinna and

with 92-year-old widow thickly populated residential area of Surulere, they moved to the new site in 1974.

“In 1976, through the Education (Private Secondary Institutions Special Provisions) Law, the Military Government of Lagos State took over 48 Private Secondary Schools from their owners, including Metropolitan

College. In the process, Isolo Secondary School was carved out of Metropolitan College on the same expanse of land hosting the college.

“However, in 2001, the administration of Chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu repealed the law and returned the said 48 private schools to their owners,” she

said.

Ololo said that Metropolitan College was not returned to its owners, a development which she said brought about a law suit.

The suit which was mentioned for the first time on Friday was adjourned to May 16 to enable service of hearing notices on the respondents.

Ugwu by the operatives prompted the arrest of six other suspects, namely, Dapo Simeon, Chinonso Onnogo, Chuka Eze, Kadir Afolabi, Segun Pascal and David Bassey.

They all confessed to have been robbing people at night in Ojota, Ketu and Mile 12.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest of the suspects to Lagos Metro.

She stated that the arrested suspects had made useful statements that would help the police in arresting other members of the gang.

A 32-year-old suspected phone thief, Idowu Nojeem, who operated around the Computer Village in Ikeja and who reportedly beat a policeman has been arrested and charged to court.

Nojeem had on Tuesday, allegedly attacked a police sergeant, Oladipo Adetunji, who had gone on a surveillance walk around the Computer Village. The suspect was later arrested by the same policeman, who he had earlier attacked, before he was handed over to the RRS team under the Ikeja Bridge.

An eye witness who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained: “I was with the Police officer when the suspect forcefully removed the phone from his front pocket.

The Police officer was on a surveillance mission in the area but was not in uniform.

I saw a man moving towards the Police officer but he never knew he was a policeman because the man was not in uniform.

“As he moved closer to him, he stylishly covered his face with a newspaper, and removed the phone from his pocket. As I stood beside the officer when the incident occurred, we were all shocked that someone could have such an effrontery to rob while many passers-by were moving.

“Immediately, the policeman suspected that his phone had been removed, he pulled the suspect by his shirt but the suspect said he should forget his

phone that it’s gone. He started beating the policeman before we could separate them.

“The Police officer still held him tight with his trousers.

When it was obvious that he was gaining an upper hand, the traffic warden and other policemen close by, stepped in to separate them” the eye witness said.

According to Adoh Nneka, whose phones were stolen by the same man, “I was trying to board a bus to Ogba, when I sighted three guys including the suspect, walking beside me. The suspect was intermittently drawing my bag from behind but I held my bag tight with me. I didn’t know he has used a razor blade to cut the bag and took all my two phones a Techno F5 and P5.

“Immediately I turned and checked my bag, my phones were gone. One of the passersby, who saw the suspect when he was removing my phones, pointed at him. I was still standing there hoping for help to come. Fortunately for me, I saw a crowd at under bridge looking at somebody.

When I moved closer to know what was going on, I saw the same man (suspect) being handcuffed by the police for stealing an RRS operative’s phone.”

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest of the suspect to Lagos Metro and reiterated the commitment of the police in the state to reduce crime to its barest minimum.

Lagos @ 50: Pedro dumps Eko Foundation Bola Badmus INDICATIONS have emerged that former Solicitor-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro, has announced his withdrawal as Legal Adviser to Eko Foundation, a pressure group comprising of Lagos indigenes.

Pedro, who was also the immediate past permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, was said to have announced his resignation in a letter, which he addressed to president of

the Foundation and titled: ‘Re-withdrawal of service as Legal Adviser,’ and dated April 19, 2016.

He gave no reason for the decision, but simply said he made the decision on personal grounds, when sought to speak, saying a client could disengage his solicitor for any or no reason at all, just as a solicitor also had the right to withdraw his service with a client.

It was gathered that Pedro had written to the foundation requesting for his

name to be deleted from the foundation’s letter heads even as he regretted the inconvenience.

It would be recalled that Eko Foundation had earlier declared its dissatisfaction with the alleged appointment of non-indigenes into political public offices and career posts in Lagos State by the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, which the group said was in violation of the Federal Character Commission Act and the guidelines made pursuant to it.

8

news

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Yoruba may pull out of PDP —Okupe Leon Usigbe-Abuja

M

ANY SouthWest leaders may reconsider their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should the zone be excluded from the opportunity to vie for the opposition party’s national chairmanship seat.

This is according to former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, who highlighted, in a statement made available to the media on Sunday, that the South -West remained the only zone in the country that was yet to produce the party’s boss since inception in 1988.

The PDP is in the process of electing its new national leadership with a committee under the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State currently working on a new zoning formula for its National Working Committee (NWC) offices.

Its national convention has been scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on May 21, 2016.

However, following the work of the committee, there has been speculation that the post of that national chairman has again been zoned to the North, precluding the South from contesting.

The PDP has already indicated that its next presidential candidate will also be selected from the North.

Despite Okupe’s advocacy for a South-West national chairman for the party, a section of the South-West PDP politicians, led by Senator Buruji Kashamu, has already thrown its weight behind the emergence of a national chairman from the North.

The Kashamu group is thought to favour the current national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, from the North-East, to retain that position.

But Okupe is now seeing that as a betrayal of the Yoruba race and has threatened that Yoruba politicians may have no option but to pull out of that PDP if denied the chairmanship post.

According to him, “There is an embarrassing falsehood being propagated by political charlatans from the South-West and some influential collaborators in the top echelon of the PDP. “The seed of this misrepresentation was sowed by a group of political clowns and court jesters.”

He said true Yoruba leaders in the PDP meeting in Lagos Sstate, under the leadership of Chief Bode

George, have, however, risen to the challenge and corrected the wrong impression created by Kashamu.

Okupe stated: “At that meeting, the true sons and daughters of Yorubaland, in an unprecedented unity, condemned the erstwhile claim by the Yoruba traitors who went and lied to the PDP chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, that

the Yoruba do not want the chairmanship of the PDP. “I want to state categorically here, without any fear of equivocation, that We, the Yoruba, from the South-West, desire and demand the post of the national chairman at the next convention of the party.

“The following are the past chairmen:

Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbe, Prince Ogbulafor, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Dr Haliru Bello (Acting), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Prince (Uche) Secondus (Acting) and Senator Sheriff.

“From the above, within the last 18 years, there have had 11 chairmen from

five geopolitical zones.

Only the Yoruba race from the South-West has been precluded from this exalted office.

“In the interest of fairness, equity and justice, it is most compelling that the Yoruba of the South-West zone must be allowed to contest for this post at this coming national convention.

Battle rages in PDP over zoning, committee meets tomorrow Taiwo Adisa-Abuja

THE battle over the zoning arrangement to be adopted by the Peoples Democratoc Party(PDP) ahead its national convention coming up in May continued to rage on Sunday, as sources insisted that the combatants, South-West and North-East are sticking to their guns.

Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune confirmed that some leaders of the party, who lately rallied against the recommendation of the zoning committee to zone the position of national chairman to the North-East have continued to insist that the right thing must be done.

It was gathered that the combatabts were at loggerheads ahead the zoning committee meeting tomorow.

Sources close to the party said the leaders were

marshalling their points and reaching out to the relevant organs of the party, including members of the Board of Trustees.

Though, the zoning committee had, in an attempt to pacify the South-West, decided to retain the position of national secretary in the zone, some leaders, including Chief Ebenezer Babatope and the former deputy national chairman, Chief Bode George, have opposed the idea and insisted on the South-West producing the national chairman.

Sources in the party also said other leaders outside the South-West had insisted on the need to ensure that the position of PDP chairman goes round the zones.

The South-East, North Central, North-West, North-East and SouthSouth have, at different times, had a bite at the

chairmanship slot, leaving only the South-West out of the equation.

“At the weekend, I can assure you that nothing has been agreed to, but the issues remain the way they are. Some governors are pushing for the retention of the chairmanship position in the North-East and posible extension of tenure for Senaor Ali Modu Sheriff.

“But others are insisting that the right thing should be done and that it won’t be bad if the SouthWest was allowed to take the slot. Remember, the South-West is the bastion of opposition against the PDP in the South and it should be a good idea to take the party directly to the people,” a source in the know said.

Sources also confirmed that the zoning committee would meet tomorrow to resolve the imbroglio

about zoning.

“The zoning committee will meet on Tuesday and resolve everything outstanding about the zoning matter. I hope we are able to conclude,” the party member said.

Sources, however, said, on Sunday, that the party could be heading for commotion over the zoning arrangement, as the rank of the Governors Forum was sharply divided over the issue.

While some governors are said to be insisting on having the post of national chairman remain in the North-East, two particular governors, the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Dr Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa are said to have parted ways with their colleagues and are insisting on taking the slot to the South-West.

“Any attempt to do anything to the contrary, no matter the reason advanced, cannot be acceptable.

“Failure of a Yoruba man to emerge as the national chairman can only mean two things: 1. That there is a pervasive and concealed hatred for the South-West in the PDP or, 2. That the PDP has very little or no regard for Yoruba interest as was evinced by the obvious cheating of the SouthWest from the position of the Speaker in 2011, which was never rectified nor compensated for in the whole of four years.

“The sad implication of the above is that, regrettably, many of us from the South-West may have to reconsider our membership of this great party we have helped to nurture and support through thick and thing, a party we have loved almost more than our very existence and the party we have served with all our natural endowment, in victory and defeat.

“If there exist any conscience, anywhere in this party, let that conscience speak now and stop the new and alien conscienceless power currently holding sway within the party hierarchy,” the statement added.

Nigeria records 18% reduction in deaths due to malaria —Survey

By Sade Oguntola

AS Nigeria joins other countries to mark the 2016 World Malaria Day, Nigeria has recorded an 18 per cent reduction in deaths from Malaria among children below five years, decreased by 70 per cent in Africa, President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) on 17 countries has said.

The 10-year nationwide survey on causes of deaths in children below five years indicated that countries such as Ghana, Liberia and Senegal also recorded 46 per cent; 18 per cent

and 55 per cent reduction in deaths from Malaria.

In all 17 countries, these surveys show significant declines in all-cause mortality rates among children below five years of age.

These reductions range from eight per cent to 67 per cent.

Global progress on Malaria control has been unequivocal. The World Health Organisation (WHO)estimates that Malaria mortality has decreased by 60 per cent, with 6.2 million lives saved worldwide between 2000 and 2015.

Most of these estimated lives saved were among children under the age of five living in sub-Saharan Africa – the most vulnerable group at risk of malaria. During this time period, new Malaria cases fell by 37 per cent, and mortality declined by an estimated 48 per cent worldwide.

Even greater reductions in Malaria mortality were recorded in sub-Saharan Africa, where deaths among children under the age of five declined by 71 per cent and as such, Malaria is no longer the lead-

ing cause of death of African children.

Despite historic gains, WHO said still an estimated 214 million new cases of Malaria and approximately 438,000 Malaria-attributed deaths worldwide in 2015 alone. The overwhelming majority of these cases and deaths occurred among young children in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to statistics, Malaria kills an African child every 45 seconds and the commonest complications in children include cerebral malaria, severe anaemia, respiratory dis-

Resign from your illegal appointments, group tells 13 VCs A coalition of some civil society organisations has advised the 13 vice chancellors of federal universities in the country, who were wrongly appointed by the Federal Government last February, to take the path of honour by resigning their offices.

The group explained that this measure had become imperative, following President Muhammadu Buhari’s apologies to the country over the ill-advised dissolution of the governing boards

of the affected universities, which preceded the sack of the former Vice Chancellors and the appointment of new ones.

In a statement at the weekend, in Abuja, signed on behalf of the coalition by the National Convener of the Concerned Citizens for Educational Development (CCED), Comrade Solomon Adodo and the Executive Director, Friends in the Gap Advocacy Initiative (FGAI), George Oji, the group commended the

principled position of Professor Auwal Yadudu, who bluntly refused to accept the offer of appointment as Vice Chancellor of the University of Birnin Kebbi for not following due process.

The group also highlighted the action of Professor Andrew Haruna, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, (one of the 13 Vice Chancellors), who in apparent recognition of his illegal appointment, has now applied to the Uni-

versity of Jos as one of the candidates for the vacant office of the Vice Chancellor of that university.

“We use his medium to call on all the 13 vice chancellors, who were recently appointed without undergoing the spelt-out procedures, to honourably tender their resignation letter as Professor Andrew Haruna, as he subjects himself to seek the pristine office of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos,” the coalition said.

tress and hypoglycemia.

Many children who survive an episode of severe Malaria may suffer from learning impairments or brain damage, according to research findings.

United States Global Malaria Coordinator, R. Timothy Ziemer, in a report, said Malaria deaths had fallen due to improved tools, increased investment, and committed partnerships.

According to him, “In a number of PMI focus countries, we witnessed reductions in both death and illness from Malaria. Those countries are now setting their sights on eliminating Malaria transmission from all or part of their nations, an idea that was inconceivable 10 years ago when PMI was launched.

“We remain committed to maintaining the gains made and developing new tools to address threats such as drug and insecticide resistance. The U.S. Government shares the long-term vision of affected countries and global partners of A World without Malaria. Working together with affected countries and our partners, we strive to end Malaria for good.”

9 news Appointment of clerk divides Saraki, NASC

Monday, 25 April, 2016

•Why we picked Sani-Omolori —NASC •Meets today over Saraki’s letter Taiwo Adisa, Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja

T

HERE is confusion over the appointment of acting clerk to the National Assembly, as Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, is on the war path with the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), over the choice of the new appointee.

The NASC had announced the clerk of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori, as acting clerk to the National Assembly.

Challenging the appointment, the Senate President, in a letter to the NASC,

called for the reversal of the appointment of SaniOmolori to allow further consultations.

However, NASC said the appointment was properly carried out, adding that Saraki’s preferred candidate and deputy clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), Mr Benedict Efeturi, had less than six months in service, therefore not suitable.

According to the NASC, both Efeturi and Sani-Omolori were appointed into the clerk cadre on the same date of March 25, 2010.

The position of NASC was contained in a memorandum by the executive chairman, Dr Adamu Mo-

hammed Fika, to the 440th meeting of the commission last Wednesday.

The present clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, who is due for retirement on August 14, 2016, would be proceeding on terminal leave on May 14.

But Saraki, in a letter to NASC, dated April 21 and signed by his Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu, said the appointment did not follow due process.

He posited that the commission should have first considered Ben Efeturi and not Sani-Omolori for the position to replace Maikasuwa.

“Consequently, I am directed by His Excellency,

5 Ekiti doctors die in Kaduna auto crash

By Sade Oguntola FIVE doctors from Ekiti State died after they were involved in ghastly accident on their way to participate at the 56th Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) annual general conference and delegates meeting in Sokoto.

The accident occurred about 60 kilometres to Ka-

duna, after the rear tyre of the bus of the state chapter of the association, which conveyed about 14 passengers, busted on motion.

The driver of the bus was said to have slammed the brake after the incident, leading to the bus somersaulting.

Former secretary, NMA Ekiti branch, Dr Alabi Ayodeji, while confirming the

incident, said five passengers died in the accident.

Although families of the victims were yet to be contacted, he said other members of the association were already in Kaduna to assist others involved in the accident.

As of press time, the identities of those who died in the accident could not be ascertained.

the Senate President, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr Sani Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly be withdrawn immediately for further consultations,” Saraki’s letter had read.

But a system ranking offi-

cer confided in the Nigerian Tribune that the appointment followed due process.

Meanwhile, the commission will meet today to deliberate on Saraki’s letter, asking it to reverse the appointment of Sani-Omolori.

Source said the commis-

sion, whose members are appointed by the leaders in the National Assembly, would have no choice but to withdraw the appointment, pending the time the current clerk, Maikasuwa, would finally retire in August.

Convention: Sheriff meets G-84 over PDP national chair JacobSegunOlatunjiand Leon Usigbe -Abuja AS preparation for the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hots up, the national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, on Sunday, met with Group 84 members of the party.

It was gathered that G-84 group comprises state chairmen, ex-officio members, all the deputy national officers and the six zonal chairmen of the party.

The group was formed during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to checkmate the powers of the state governors, with their

voting rights at the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party.

A member of the group told the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja last night that the meeting was summoned by Sheriff to brief members on the developments in recent time and probably inform them of his interest in the position of the national chairman of the party should it be zoned to the North as being speculated.

“Yes, our national chairman will meet with G-84 in Abuja today (Sunday). He will deliberate with them on issues concerning the party ahead the national convention and they will

also tell him about the state of affairs in their states and zones.

“There is nothing strange about the meeting. He may also want to use the meeting to tell us about his ambition to seek re-election at the convention. There is nothing wrong in lobbying in politics,” the source said.

The meeting, holding behind closed doors, was still in progress as of press time The zoning committee of the party, led by the Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, is expected to meet tomorrow in Uyo, the state capital, as it could not reach a consensus on the acceptable formular at its last meeting in Abuja.

10

businessnews

Monday, 25 April, 2016

States collected N683.6bn IGR in 2015 Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

N

IGERIAN Tribune has gained an insight into why most of the states have been unable to fulfil their salary obligations to their staff since the drastic decline in crude oil prices.

Internally generated revenue (IGR) of most of the states have been declining even as crude prices went on the downward spiral in the second half of 2014.

All the 36 states collected a total of N683.6 billion in 2015, a data from the National Bureau of Statistics has revealed.

A breakdown of the 2015 figures indicated that of the total, Lagos state collection was 38 per cent, Rivers- 12 per cent, Delta- seven per cent and all others- 43 per cent.

Details of the data posted on the website of the statistics agency revealed that the figure was N24.2 billion less than the N707.8 billion collected in 2014.

Lagos, which has the highest IGR figures collected N268.2 in 2015 as against N276.1 a difference of N7.7 billion Rivers on the other hand, collected N82.1 during the year under review, which was N7.01 billion less than the N89.1 billion figure for 2014.

Delta raked in N40.8 billion for the year and fell short of the N42.8 billion it realized in 2014.

Ogun State on the other hand, was one of the sterling exceptions as it almost doubled its collection in 2015, shooting its figures

to N34.6 billion as against the N17.4 billion it raked in the previous year.

Figures for Oyo State also declined by N643.7 million or 4.11 per cent as

it collected N15.6 billion against the N16.3 billion of 2014.

States with lowest IGR in 2015 include Yobe- N2.3 billion; Zamfara- N2.7 bil-

lion; Ekiti- N3.3 billion; Borno- N3.5 billion; Kebbi- N3.6 billion.

Historically, the 36 states collected N487 billion in 2011, N585 in 2012 and

From left, Divisional Head Small and Medium Enterprises, South, Bank of Industry (BOI) Abdulganiyu Mohammed, Acting Managing Director, BOI, Waheed Olagunju; Beneficiary of BOI Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund, Emmanuel Faleti; and Divisional Head Large Enterprises,(BOI) Mr Joseph Babatunde during the presentation of works produced by the beneficiary in Lagos on Saturday.

FG to defray states N10.9bn March obligations Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

THE Federal Government on Sunday clarified that the deferment of N10.9 billion states debts due for payment in March will not negatively affect the creditors.

Rather, all the creditors will be settled by the Federal Government, which will then add the amount to the stock of debts owed to it by the sub-national

governments.

An unsigned statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance indicated that “the debt repayments due to the States’ creditors will be fully paid notwithstanding the deferral.

“The Federal Government will make the due debt repayments, which would be offset against liabilities owed to the States.”

It added that “all credi-

tors, including bondholders, will not be adversely impacted.”

The Ministry further reiterated that the deferral is not a bail out but rather a responsive measure by the Federal Government to put States in a better position to meet their salary obligations.

“All states will receive the relief in this instance, however further deferrals will be subject to the

Forex scarcity encouraging local production —CBN gov Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

THE current scarcity of foreign exchange confronting the country has been described as a good riddance for the Nigerian economy because local production of various essential goods are now being given top priority.

This was the submission of the Governor of the central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele during the assessment tour of the farmlands cultivated under the Anchor Borrowers Programme in Kebbi State during the weekend.

He stated that the commitment of the stakeholders and expected output from Kebbi state alone have proved the critics of the apex bank’s policy measures wrong.

Emefiele who was full praises for the farmers and the Kebbi State Government

N662 in 2013.

According to the NBS, between 2010 and 2015 all the states collected N3.48 trillion as internally generated revenues.

for their determination and commitment, noted that with level of success attained with the pilot project in Kebbi state in addition to what he saw at Sunti Golden Sugar Estate in Niger state just recently, it is now a reality that the country can produce enough to feed itself and even export in no distant future.

The highly elated apex bank Governor reiterated that agriculture being the bedrock of genuine economic growth of any nation and that Nigeria cannot be an exception.

As such, Nigeria with large expanse of arable land ought not to be spending huge amount of money in importing food items at the expense of other competing needs.

The Governor stated that the success recorded by the rice farmers in Kebbi state has rekindled hope in the

ability of Nigeria to be self sufficient in rice and wheat production.

He noted that with the

sum of two hundred and ten thousand naira granted to each farmer, they are able to cultivate a hectre of rice.

agreement of a Fiscal Restructuring Plan to be prepared by each state with clear measurable objectives.

“The Ministry is keen to ensure that the programme of Financial Discipline being driven by the Federal Government is replicated in all tiers of government, including elimination of payroll fraud and increased spending efficiencies in overhead.

“Enhanced financial transparency by the publication of audited accounts and submission of debt profile may also be required”, it added.

Passenger caught smoking on SAA plane risks two months jail term Shola Adekola-Lagos

AN unruly passenger who contrary to civil aviation rules was caught smoking on board a South African Airways aircraft has been handed over to the police for prosecution.

The passenger (name withheld) was on board a South African Airways 0600 hours from Johannesburg to Lagos was said to be smoking on board the aircraft in contravention of Section 58 of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, Part.17.97.2 (a) and (c) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation 2012 (Nig.CARs).

This was contained in correspondences between the Authority and the Nigeria Police Force pledging to collaborate to ensure adequate investigation preceding the prosecution of the passenger.

According to a statement from the NCAA; “In line with Part 20.2.3.42 of the Nigeria CARs, the stipulated penalty for smoking on board an aircraft is imprisonment of not less than two months.

It is important to note that according to the Regulations, all airlines should and must as part of preflight formalities announce that smoking is prohibited anywhere in the cabin including the toilet.

“This culprit however, failed to adhere to this warning.Therefore; the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will collaborate with the Police to ensure prosecution.”

The regulatory body assured of its commitment to ensure the case is followed to its logical conclusion to serve as a deterrence to others who possess the penchant to flout the Authority’s regulations.

Sterling Bank flags off made in Nigeria week IN furtherance of its continued commitment to growing the Nigerian economy and in line with the growing emphasis of the federal government to diversify the economy, Sterling Bank has concluded plans to champion the use of locally manufactured goods and services by initiating what it has described as the “Made in Nigeria” week from Monday, April 24 – 29, 2016.

The Bank’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman said: “The week is an opportunity for us to promote a sense of pride and confidence in Nigerian grown brands starting with our people. For the entire week, we intend to show-

case and celebrate everything Nigerian as a brand that supports our indigenously manufactured products”.

Other initiatives already undertaken by the Bank to promote local entrepreneurs include its partnership with Innoson Motors Limited, the first indigenous manufacturer of vehicles, to finance the purchase of locally made vehicles produced by the company; the financing and even business patronage of Labana Rice mills, an indigenous rice mill amongst others.

The campaign also serves as an avenue to create employment especially for the Nigerian entrepreneurs involved in the production of

these goods. The patronage of local manufacturers of local attires for instance, is expected to also boost the local economy especially those in the fashion and shoe making industry, adding that the initiative was one of the numerous initiatives the Bank was undertaking to enrich the lives of Nigerians.

Mr. Suleiman said “This campaign comes at a critical time in the country, a time when there is an increasing call to look inwards especially in the face of the current foreign exchange pressures; pressures that have resulted from the country’s overdependence on oil exports for foreign exchange and glob-

al oil sector downturn driven by the falling oil prices which in turn has dampened economic growth and negatively impacted other sectors with prices of imported products and inputs rising significantly.

“For the country to get out of this situation, there is an urgent need to diversify the economy and empower the manufacturing sector in the country. But the manufacturing sector will not strive if they are not patronized

by Nigerians. This is why we want to start with our staff by setting aside a week when we will wear only fabrics and other locally made products to the office,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune Monday, 25 April, 2016 11 businessnews plans funding Seaports: FG to rake N17bn annually on Cargo Tracking Note BoI support, capacity Tola Adenubi -Lagos

T

HE Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello has revealed that the Federal Government is set to rake in about N17 billion annually from the newly-introduced Cargo Tracking Note (CTN).

Disclosing this over the weekend, Bello explained that the CTN had been widely accepted by most stakeholders in the maritime industry and had become a very important document of trade facilitation.

According to him, “It is the only document that reveals weight, value of cargoes for Customs to charge the appropriate duties. Most cargoes brought to the Nigerian ports were under-declared and the CTN would reveal the port of destination and the port of origin. The CTN will also help the government to rake in about N17bn annually.

“CTN is Advanced Cargo Declaration and it will help in vessel reception and clearance of goods. We are educating all stakeholders about it and the CTN has received tremendous support from the people.”

On port concession, Bello stated that the exercise which kicked off 10 years ago was a revolution and one of the most important policies

governments had taken.

In his words, “We used to be laughed at considering the number of ships waiting to berth at Nigerian ports.

The Nigeria Customs Ser-

vice has also helped in automation.”

He described automation as key to efficiency of Nigerian ports, adding that the port concession had

A total of 41 customers will be rewarded with N25 million and a brand new SUV by Diamond Bank Plc in its DiamondXtra Season 8 SouthWest Regional draw on April 28, 2016 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to information made available to the press, the draw will be held in line with a new directorate structure created by the bank to enhance penetration of its services across the country.

The DiamondXtra Draw,

Insight shines at 2016 Young Lions Award IT was an impressive moment at the just concluded 2016 Cannes Lions Nigeria ceremony which held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, when Insight Communications was not only recognised as a historical industry leader, but also as a vibrant and youthful agency filled with bright minds,

when it carted away most of the awards in the creative category of the Young Lions Award.

Consistently, Insight Communications has not only become a conduit for navigating excellence in the Communications industry, its vibrant understanding of the industry has made

which is in its eighth season, has come a long way in impacting the lives of new and existing customers of the bank that had participated in the promo over the years.

The DiamondXtra Draw is a unique customer reward scheme tied to the DiamondXtra account proposition which aims at promoting savings culture among Nigerians by rewarding them for saving.

According to Ayona Trimnell, Head, Corporate Communications Division of the Bank, Diamond Bank is very

passionate about the benefits of financial inclusion, noting that bringing the unbanked into the banking system and making them to save and plan for the future is what sustains any economy.

“In this Season 8, Diamond Bank will create more millionaires in Nigeria by empowering them with the resources to change their lives and, also, be active participators in the economy.

One of the winners would be rewarded with a brand new SUV. That is how much we value our customers.”

Activist blames low generation for power outages in Edo communities CIVIL society activist, Rev Olu Martins has explained to residents of communities in Egor area of Benin, Edo state that the reason why they are experiencing power outages arising from inadequate supply, was that Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. [BEDC] is facing challenges due to inability of Generating Companies (GenCos) to generate more electricity for domestic and industrial needs.

Rev Martins who made the assertion during a town hall meeting held in Ugbowo re-

way Bill and the National Inland Waterways Bill were being considered by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

From left: Print Category Winner, Cannes Lions Nigeria, Adefolaju Tella; Cyber Category Winners, Cannes Lions Nigeria, Azad Abdullahi and Adekunle Koledoye and Film Category Winners, Cannes Lions Nigeria, Samuel Oludare and Jephthah Nwabuisi, all of Insight Communications Ltd., at the recently held Cannes Lions Nigeria Awards in Lagos.

Diamond Bank to reward 41 customers with N25m, SUV

By Bode Adewumi

recorded tremendous success.

Bello added that the Ports and Harbour Bill, the National Transport Commission Bill, the Nigerian Rail-

cently, said there was a great challenge of power in Nigeria with less than 5,000 megawatts to a population of 170 million, stressing that the current energy output of 1,500 was a reflection of the perennial energy crisis that was yet to be addressed.

He explained that the power sector has been starved with investment since 1984 whereas the country has increased in population and infrastructure, adding that current operators of BEDC spent about huge amount to purchase the com-

pany and “it is only natural for them like businessman to get their returns on investment and equally make profit, hence they are to give services only to those who will pay for it”.

The civil society activist noted that government was not subsiding electricity or any point of the power value chain, namely: generation, transmission or distribution, stressing that power is no longer a social but commercial commodity, which prices is determined by the forces of demand and supply.

it a place for young people to be nurtured into global relevance. Only last year, Insight was voted 3rd best place to work in Nigeria and also one of the best places to work in the country by Millennials, ahead of firms like Google.

At the Young Lions Award this year, five agencies were judged by a jury of respected industry experts, of which Insight Communications came out with astounding success in all three categories it entered for, namely in the Print, Film and Cyber (Digital) category.

Chief Operating Officer, Insight Communications, Feyi Olubodun expressing his excitement over the win, stated that, “It is a great feeling for us, as we have always set out to elevate creativity, and these young talents testify to our commitment to continue to offer fresh and transformation ideas that would raise the bar of creativity in the industry.”

Also commenting, Chima Okenimkpe, the Creative Director of Insight Communications explained that, “Again and again, actions like this reveal that Insight is an ever-young agency, and from being founded by men in their youth; they have maintained an environment of freshness where young minds can be nurtured and grown. Is it still a wonder why we have held the pillars of the advertising industry for decades?”

Okenimkpe emphasized that the big win particularly in Digital is a result of digital transformation happening across the agency “Digital is

not a department at Insight, it is fully integrated into everything we do for our clients. For as long as the consumer remains kings, we will continue to focus on them rather than on the technology,” he said.

At this year’s event, there was a display of engaging and inspiring creative from different agencies, but Insight Communications delighted the eminent jury with their brilliant entries.

The pair, Jephthah Nwabuisi and Samuel Oludare representing the agency in the Film Category, won with their entry, ‘Death Toll’, while the duo of Azad Abdullahi and Adekunle Koledoye won with an entry titled ‘The World Tree’ in the Cyber Awards category.

The Print Award Category was won by the pair of Emeka Ezeagu and Adefolaju Tella, who by his winning last year’s edition in the same category, becomes a consecutive winner of the Print award.

Tella, makes an industry record, as he becomes the first young creative to win the Print category back to back.

Over the years, the Young Lions Award has proven itself to be a platform for showcasing the brightest, young creative minds in Nigeria’s Communications industry and agencies with fresher perspectives, while also offering an opportunity to winners in some of the award categories to represent Nigeria at the international event during Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

building for ex-militants

Gbola Subair- Abuja THE Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta, have agreed to provide capacity and funding support for the ex-militants in the region.

The deal is being struck by the two agencies of the Federal Government agsinst the backdrop of the Federal Government plan to wind down the amnesty programme by 2018.

The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta, Brig-Gen. Paul Boro (rtd), speaking during the meeting which took place at the head office of BoI in Abuja disclosed the programme office would need the support of the development finance institution in the areas of capacity building to enable the ex-militants channel their energies into productive ventures.

Boro, who is also the Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta, noted that apart from the provision of adequate funding support, the ex-militants require training in the various Small and Medium Enterprises value chain.

Disclosing that the amnesty programme has no exit plan on his assumption of office, Boro stated that he needed to draw up a two-year exit plan for the ex-agitators to enable them acquire relevant skills that would enable them contribute their own quota to the economic development of the country.

He explained that 5,000 ex-militants would exit the programme in each quarter for the next two years after receiving requisite capacity building and skills acquisition trainings.

In his responce, the BoI boss, Mr Waheed Olagunju, disclosed that the bank had drawn up specific programmes targeted towards harnessing the potential of the youths to enable them provide employment, not only for themselves, but also for others.

Noting that capacity, not inadequate capital, is actually the problem of small business operation in Nigeria, the BoI boss stated that to increase access loan ,the bank had adjusted its risk acceptance criteria, moving it away from provision of collateral to having officials, either from the private or public sector who is not below level 12 standing as surety in case of default.

12

Monday, 25 April, 2016

13

editorial

E

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Power crisis: Time for policy shift

LECTRICITY supply in Nigeria has, in recent times, taken a dive from the sublime to the ridiculous. From the over 5,000 MW generated in early 2015, the country can barely boast of 2,000 MW currently. Consequently, most towns in the country have been thrown into darkness, having electricity supply for less than six hours daily, or none at all. The situation has significantly disrupted the operations of many companies and foisted a regime of hardship on Nigerians.

Factories have to pay more to keep running, while families have turned to the now very expensive Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to power their generators.

The situation has been escalated by the attacks of militants on the pipelines of the Nigeria Gas Company connected to Chevron’s facility at Escravos, which supplies gas to Olorunsogo NIPP plant as well as other power plants. According to the Power, Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, the attack on the gas pipelines resulted in a plunge in power generation. It also resulted in a loss of 160 mmsfcd of gas daily. At a cost of $2.50 per thousand scf, this means about $400,000 loss to the country on a daily basis. This is aside the losses incurred daily from affected power generation.

For a country that has been struggling for decades to attain a tolerable electricity supply level, this is a huge setback. Not only will fixing the facility deprive the country of scarce resources, it will also prolong the realization of stable electricity supply.

Therefore, the exasperation of President Muhammadu Buhari, who vowed during his visit to China to treat pipeline vandals like the Boko Haram insurgents, is quite understandable. However, as justifiable as the angst of the President against the Niger Delta militants is, we are of the opinion that the government needs to reflect on and tinker with the strategy that has been deployed in dealing with the militants if the nation is to get out of the pit of unstable power supply.

Since the advent of the Buhari presidency, military action has been deployed as the solution to restiveness in the region. But rather than abating, the agitation has been escalating. According to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, the number of pipeline vandalism tripled between January and March this year. Part of the effect of this is that Nigeria’s crude oil production fell by 67,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March from 1.744 million bpd to 1.677 mbpd. This slide in output has pushed Angola ahead of Nigeria as Africa’s largest crude oil producer since its oil output rose to 1.782 mbpd within the same period. So, the cost of the restiveness in the region to the nation is humongous.

Given the foregoing, it is obvious that military action against the militants is not in the best interest of the country. It is our considered opinion that the Federal Government should engage with the people of the region on how to put a lid on the restiveness rather than rely on its military might to crush the agitators. One emerging fact is that the militants of the Niger Delta cannot be cast in the same mould as the insurgents of the North-East because while the insurgents are repelled by the community, the militants are shielded by their own community.

Unlike the North-East people who joined the government in the fight against insurgents, the Niger Delta people see the militants as fighting their cause. The people of the region view oil as their patrimony. Members of the community support the militants because of the belief that the Federal Government has not dealt fairly with them; they do not have good water to drink, they cannot engage in farming or fishing; they do not have electricity, they do not have health facilities, and their children cannot go to good schools. In the Niger Delta region, life is hellish, especially for those in the creeks. So, they justify oil theft and vandalism of facilities. Consequently, turning the community against the militants will be herculean.

While we are not advocating a surrender by the state to the insurgents, we believe that the Federal Government should retrace its steps and do what the administration of late President Umaru Yar’ Adua did by coming to terms with the people on some specifics, so that there can be peace in the region and safety for the nation’s installations therein. Then, the government should take deliberate steps to develop the region. The activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should be scrutinized to ensure judicious utilization of funds allocated for the development of the region. The state must make conscious efforts to put a stop to the mushrooming of militants in the region. The only way to do that is to develop the region and its people.

The process of passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should also be hastened so that the community ownership provision in it can be activated for the benefit of oil-producing communities.

Finally, the government should give serious consideration to the diversification of the nation’s power generation. Currently, 80 per cent of Nigeria’s generating capacity is powered by turbines. This leaves the nation with few options should anything go awry with the turbines. It is time the nation started exploring alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.

No country can afford to put its eggs in one basket as far as power generation is concerned.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 25 April, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08053412982.

It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

The attack on a female lawmaker

J

UST a couple of weeks ago, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ogun State battered a female traffic warden to stupor because she stopped his private car. According to reports in the media, the officer, who has since lost his rank because of the

incident, drove into a filling station, changed into his police uniform and descended on the poor warden. I am happy with the manner in which the police hierarchy reacted to the incident. Just as we were heaving a sigh of relief that the police officer had been dealt with, news

filtered through last week that the convoy of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Mr Peter Ekpendu, attacked a female lawmaker, Mrs Onyemachi Mrukpor, for daring to overtake it on the premises of the National Assembly.

According to media reports, the female lawmaker attempted to overtake the 20-vehicle convoy when she was descended on by officers attached to the prisons boss, landing several slaps on her, while Mr Ekpendu sat in his vehicle, watching the whole drama.

Tackling illegal logging in Taraba IN the midst of the present political stability which the people of Taraba State are enjoying after the last general election is a situation considered deplorable in the state’s forestry sector. This is in spite of efforts of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), a non-governmental organisation, to promote forest conservation in the state, which can be traced back to over a decade through various conservation action projects across the state.

Taraba State is blessed with the presence of Gashaka Gumti National Park – Nigeria’s largest protected area, managed by the Federal Government, but this park is also at the risk of logging if the required political will does not come to bear to curb the pace of illegal logging in the state.

This is, therefore, making the NCF very concerned about the way illegal logging has continued un-

Dalung, call NFF ‘actors’ to order I want the Minister of Sport, Mr Solomon Dalung, to call the ‘actors’ in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) crisis to order.

The recent crisis can lead to a ban from international comptetions for our teams

by FIFA. We shouldn’t, however, jeopardise the careers of our players because of the selfish ambition of these ‘actors.’ I hope Mr Dalung can bring an end to the crisis as soon as possible.

•Vincent Kadiri, Benin, Edo State.

abated in the state.

A community forest assessment conducted in 2015 showed an alarming situation in the state’s forest reserves which are being continuously depleted.

Taraba State is losing its forest reserves at a rapid rate than it can replenish. Findings also show that these logged timbers are transported outside the state to be exported with no commensurate income generated for the state government.

Though there may be plan on re-afforestation in place, the state is seen not to be implementing any of such re-afforestation plans considered to be the only way it can replenish the lost forest.

Taraba State also lacks a monitoring measure that can checkmate overlogging as the granted logging permits are used over the required number of days by loggers without checks.

Recently, the state government increased the cost of logging permit from N70, 000 ($235) to N400, 000 ($1335) with the aim of discouraging the timber loggers from the business, but this strategy is not working, as the dealers are conveniently paying the increased amount with the notion that they will recoup their loss in multiple folds from the sale of the illegally-logged timber.

There are other issues contributing to this rapid deforestation rate in the state, and youth unemployment is one of these, as youths are often used across the timber value chain because of their lack of daily job. It be-

comes easy for them to accept the ‘peanuts’ offered to be part of the logging process. The other critical issue is the lack of political will to curb the illegal practice as evidenced in the number of truckloads of timber that go out of the state on a daily basis.

The Taraba State government should see the forests as renewable natural resources with great

livelihood benefits for the people, rather than a source of short- term income that cannot sustain the state.

The continuous depletion of the forest resources is not sustainable and may result in severe ecological risk for the state, with great potential of reversing its economy.

•Solomon Adefolu, Lagos.

It is a shock that public office holders see themselves as ‘gods’ over the people they are meant to serve. One wonders what would have happened if Mrs Mrukpor was just a ‘bloody civillian.’

In advanced countries, people who assault women are seriously dealt with by the state, no matter how highly-placed they are. I am happy that members of the Federal House of Representatives have taken up the matter, but I don’t just want the issue to end with an apology from the prisons boss; we must begin to realise that women are fragile vessels who should be treated with utmost respect. As a result of the assault, I know the woman must have suffered severe trauma, and might not be able to sleep for days.

Apart from this, the manner in which people in positions of authority treat other Nigerians is so terrible. Even if the lawmaker had tried to overtake the Prisons boss, what officials in the convoy ought to have done was just to ascertain that there was no weapon with her, which shows that she had no intention of harming their boss, and then she should be lectured that it is not safe to overtake convoys.

However, whatever it is, I want the Prisons boss to be punished for this so as to serve as a lesson for others in positions of authority who see themselves as special beings.

•Yemisi Soares, Surulere, Lagos.

15

opinion

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Lasisi Olagunju

N

Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053)

O president has indulged Nigeria’s powerful governors in the history of the country as President Muhammadu Buhari has so far done. Like an indulgent father, Buhari, last year, restructured multibillion naira commercial loans of states to Federal Government bonds without asking questions on what the loans were spent on in the first place. He gave them multibillion naira bailouts without bothering to follow up on whether those salaries were eventually paid. Some abuse him in words and in actions, even take him for granted, without a word from inside the depth of the taciturn General. He appears not done with the governors yet. Last Thursday, he suspended deductions from statutory allocations of debtor-states so that they could breathe in, breathe out for a while.

But can Buhari really save our troubled states? What does it take to save a problem child? Last Thursday, again, the Federal Ministry of Finance asked states to publish their audited accounts. It demanded the states to submit their debt profile. Now, I ask, which debts again? The restructured ones? Is the Federal Government saying the states have stacked fresh debts again in their closets? There is a Debt Management Office in Buhari’s office, what does it really manage? The Federal Ministry of Finance also demanded what it called “enhanced financial transparency” from the states as part of conditions for continued spoon-feeding. “Of course, we are borrowing, but we have got to make sure that we are borrowing to support the states that are fiscally sensible and prudent in their money management,” Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun told reporters. I read, and read the minister’s conditionalities and innuendoes and asked: Where are Nigeria’s loud federalists?

Is Nigeria no longer a federation where states are no vassals of the Federal Government? And, can we also ask the Federal Government to publish its audited accounts from May 29, last year?

It is too late for this Federal Government to ask for proofs of good behaviour from states as condition for more business.

It is already complicit in whatever has happened in the last one year. About 30 of the 36 states are in the sun already, broke and broken by the peculiar Nigerian contradictions of

Can Buhari really save these governors?

economy and politics. The Federal Government complains of fallen oil prices, but it has been selling for above $43 per barrel for weeks now. Can we know how many barrels have been lifted, how many sold and how much has come in? Just as the minister asked from the states, it will be nice to have the Federal Government prepare and give to Nigerians its own fiscal restructuring plan. Nigeria needs it.

When you borrow to live your fanciful dreams you sorrow.

The governors borrowed, and, today their tyres are flat. The minister said the Federal Government would continue to borrow to support the states. Someone read that and bellowed: “Greece loading!” He meant someone should please go and read Greece’s contemporary economic history.

I read a Greek’s (Phaedon Boukas’) opinion of how the country got down, and it was like, this is Nigeria. “The “Eh, This is Greece” attitude, looking the other way at corruption, partaking in it and pretending there’s nothing wrong with it created the bloated public service, inefficiency and incompetence that has made the country ungovernable. Along with that is the sense of entitlement that’s okay to break laws you don’t like, which means almost everyone breaks all the laws (five no-smoking bans in 10 years! Fugedaboutit!).. Greeks park on sidewalks, double park the wrong way, go through red lights at will, and simply ignore. That’s why this is Greece today: bereft, broke and still lawless because when there are laws and they aren’t enforced, that’s a textbook definition

of lawlessness. Transparency International annually ranks Greece among the most corrupt countries, not just in Europe, but in the world and there’s a good reason for it. Nearly everyone is on the take, from tax inspectors to politicians, doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, clerk, driving inspectors and anyone who has something to gain by making someone else pay for it. When nearly everyone’s corrupt, who’s going to turn them in? Nothing rots a soul faster than corruption, the sense of entitlement that you’re allowed to take bribes and get away with it.” The guy wrote Nigeria in that piece.

Like Greece, like Nigeria. If we are not careful, or if we do not alert our “considerate” friend of the governors, President Muhammadu Buhari, very soon, Nigeria’s engine will get knocked as those of these states now begging to live.

I won’t heap all the blame on the governors. States cannot pay salaries. Who are those genuinely qualified to receive these pays? States have forever been cleaning their payrolls, chasing ghosts out of their offices. But how much still remains as the wage bills? Someone told me a state like Bayelsa, for instance, also cannot pay salaries. And it is an oil-producing state. And because it is an oil-producing state, its wage bill is said to be around N5billion! Is that figure true? I pray it is not because, the entire population of that state is a little above half a million. So, how many are the workers cashing that bill?

The affliction is not peculiar to one state. It is an epidemic in Nigeria’s public service. I do not envy or pity the governors.

They deserve no pity. But again, although they have their own management problems, they are enslaved by a civil service system that is as dark as hell. Ghosts go out from the front and port back through the back door and the wages just won’t go down, and the books won’t balance.

A homestead is doomed if it is haunted day and night simultaneously by a congregation of deliberate wrongdoers, rampaging gangsters and lingering ghosts. If governors are wrongdoers, lawmakers are gangsters and civil servants are stubborn ghosts, then know there is little else to be done before the whole state becomes a waste land of evil spirits. That is why the states are broke and Nigeria has to be careful.

Deathtraps for our grandchildren

By Tola Adeniyi THE National Assembly is about to pass a bill that is set to kill whatever is left of our so-called over-centralised federal system.

The bill, if passed, will be the greatest rape on our democracy and the biggest insult on our collective sensitivity as a people and as a country.

“The Fulani National Grazing Reserve”, is presently before the National Assembly. The bill has successfully scaled through Second Reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. For it to become law, it is to pass through the Third Reading.

“The bill seeks to provide for the establishment of national grazing reserves and stock routes. It is sponsored by Senator Zainab Kure.

“The bill proposes to establish a National Grazing Reserve Commission for the country. The NGRC will be charged with the responsibility of using funds received from the Federal Government to forcefully acquire farmlands from Nigerians in all the 36 states of the country, develop the same at government expense through the provision of boreholes, water reservoirs, etc., for the exclusive use of nomadic cattle rearers.”

The issue here is very clear. Fulani herdsmen are cattle farmers. They could as well keep their cattle in ranches. They could devise whatever means like their counterparts in Argentina, Australia and the rest of the civilised world to do their animal husbandry. The men and boys roaming the streets, roads and bushes driving cattle are not the owners of these animals. They are just employees, labourers, attendants or whatever name they are called.

The owners of these cows are big time farmers. They are businessmen. It is immoral to ask taxpayers to finance the operations of these businesses. Cattle owners must provide capital through bank loans or whatever means to create their grazing lands in their localities. The cows are not owned by the Federal Government.

Just as the Federal Government is not creating farmlands for cocoa and kolanut farmers in Sokoto or Katsina, or creating

farmlands for Agatu yam farmers in Benue or farmers in Maiduguri or Enugu, or creating special areas for fish farming in Zungeru, it cannot for any reason ever consider creating special lands for herdsmen for grazing. Let the herdsmen run their business without encroaching on the lands of other people. Let the cattle owners buy into the fodder technology and other modern methods of providing feeds for their animals without roaming the streets and plundering other people’s farms. AK 47 is not the stick needed for driving cattle from Point A to Point B! To ever dream of this perverted bill is to step on the toes of other Nigerians and step on sore foot, and by so doing, create a dangerous precedent.

Nobody should play ethnic game here. This is not an issue directed against any ethnic nationality in Nigeria. The simple matter is to let those who trade in cattle fund their business like all other businesses, including farming, in Nigeria.

The bill must not see the light of the day. The sponsors want to create serious problem in the polity and their design must be nipped in the bud.

The critical issue at stake here is the fact that this obnoxious Grazing Reserves Bill is setting up booby traps for our grandchildren yet unborn. We know the sad historic antecedents of herdsmen who were allowed a window in Plateau and southern Zaria and later, through expansionist inclination, sought to subjugate their one-time hosts and today, those regions have never known peace. It is brutalisation, burning of houses, slaughtering innocent citizens in their sleep and other gory tales that have become the order of the day.

If grazing reserves are allowed to be set up, in no time, clashes upon clashes will begin to erupt and in less than 10 years hence there will be conflagration on a widespread scale never before seen in this country. The trouble with this country is a lingering lack of foresight in everything we do, including national planning and security matters.

A laughable, but serious dimension was added to the whole embarrassing joke when defenders of the herdsmen holocaust claim that most of the Fulani herdsmen are from Niger, Chad and other neighbouring countries. How could any country con-

scious of security implications open its mouth to say foreigners have invaded its territorial space? Will Niger or Ghana ever openly declare that it is Nigerians who are rampaging their country? Where are the Immigration authorities? Where is border patrol?

Grazing reserves should be established by cattle owners in their localities and among people with whom they share the same worldview to avoid unnecessary friction and incessant upheavals. Nigerians want to live in peace with all the diverse nationalities that constitute this space struggling to create a nation. But living in unity should not and cannot be at the expense of any one nationality. Those who want to buy cows should arrange the way they purchase in large numbers and when they bring such cows to places of consumption, they should create local enclosures for them to give them feed. This was what my grand uncle who was the greatest importer of cattle from the North in his days was doing.

The Nigeria Bar Association, the Coalition of Civil Societies, and all those who care about the continued existence of this troubled country must rise up to strongly oppose and kill this obnoxious and self-serving bill. It beats my imagination that members of the National Assembly did not see the serious danger posed by this corrosive bill.

In a reaction to the threats posed by this obnoxious bill, the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, says: “Without any doubt, this is a very dangerous proposal for Nigeria. We all have seen how the Fulani herdsmen kill and maim members of the community where they graze their cattle without the backing of any law. I am sure that we can only imagine what their attitude would be if the supposed grazing reserves are forcefully taken over by government and handed over to the herdsmen.

“Nigeria has enough problems on her hand right now; we should not provoke new and potentially more dangerous ones.”

•Chief Adeniyi is a former Managing Director of Daily Times

16

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Budget crisis: Will FG shut down?

In this report, SANYA ADEJOKUN of our Abuja Bureau examines from the purview of contemporary history, the ongoing budget impasse between the National Assembly and the executive arm of government, asking if the country will experience its first ever government shutdown.

G

OVERNMENTS experience shutdown when their offices, except those designated as essential services, close down as a result of disagreements and non- approval of the national budget for an upcoming fiscal year. In the United States, approval is reached if Congress passes all of the spending bills regarding the federal budget. If an agreement is not achieved, a government shutdown will close many federally run operations, and halt work for federal employees unless they are considered essential. Some organisations still stay open by running on cash reserves, but once these run out, if a solution is not found, they will also close. The shutdown stays in effect until a compromise is reached and a budget bill is passed.

In Nigeria, a government shutdown could either result from the two chambers of the National Assembly not agreeing on final figures of the appropriation bill or the President refusing to assent the bill passed or the Assembly failing to secure the two thirds majority votes needed to override a presidential veto.

The United States Federal Government had shut down a number of times in the past with the latest episode happening from October 1 through 16, 2013. Regular government operations only resumed on October 17 after an interim appropriation bill was signed into law.

The previous U.S. federal government shutdown was in 1995–96. The 16-day-long shutdown of October 2013 was the third-longest government shutdown in U.S. history, after the 18-day shutdown in 1978 and the 21-day 1995–96 shutdown.

Generally, in a democracy, the legislature is empowered by law to scrutinise and authorise public finance, especially with respect to revenues and expenditures as it passes appropriation bills and transmits same to the executive for assent. Once this has happened, the bill becomes an act and any deviation from its faithful application becomes a legal infraction and an impeachable offence.

Although the Nigerian Constitution is fashioned after that of the United States, the democracy is still largely nascent and many contentious aspects are yet to be tested or contested in the courts to determine how they ought to be actually applied. One such aspect that has proved most contentious since 1999 concerns the appropriation and the power to spend money from government coffers. To be sure, Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution details the various roles to be played by both the executive and legislative arms of government.

However, there exist some cloudy areas needing judicial interpretation and clarification.

Section 80 of the constitution gives powers

Senate President Bukola Saraki

Buhari

over control of public funds to the National Assembly. Section 81 mandates the President to present estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Federation for the next following financial year.

Section 81 (4) states: If in respect of any financial year it is found that(a) The amount appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is inefficient; or (b) A need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has

Speaker Yakubu Dogara

been appropriated by the Act, a supplementary estimate showing the sums required shall be laid before each house of the National Assembly and the heads of any such expenditure shall be included in a Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

The perennial contentious aspect since 1999 has been whether in exercising this power of appropriation, the legislature can increase or juggle funds in the estimates submitted by the executive. Some of the pertinent questions to ask here

The perennial contentious aspect since 1999 has been whether in exercising this power of appropriation, the legislature can increase or juggle funds in the estimates submitted by the executive.

include whether the National Assembly can determine revenue estimates independent of what the executive submits; whether the National Assembly has the capacity or capability to hire consultants outside the influence of the various ministries, departments and agencies who will determine the costs of capital projects to be included in the budget submitted by the executive.

Once again, an example from the United States from where the Nigerian model was copied would suffice. In the United States, estimates may be altered by legislative action to reduce or restrict particular appropriations. The legislature may, however, not add to the budget or move money from one programme to another.

After introduction of the budget or before final action on the budget, the executive may write to amend the estimates. Again, it is to be noted that while the legislature cannot add to the budgets of the executive branch, it can add to the legislative and judicial budgets. Also, funds cannot be redirected to other purposes by the legislature.

Continues pg 17

17

politicscommentary

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Implications of the impasse Continued from page 16 A legacy of conflicts General Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigeria’s military ruler between 1976 and 1979.

In 1999, he was elected President of the Federal Republic and was in office for two consecutive terms until 2007. His time as president was replete with conflicts with the National Assembly, especially over issues of appropriation and budget implementation. It was then the popular belief that Obasanjo was still bearing the carriage of a military ruler and did not understand or was not ready to submit to the dictates of participatory democracy.

At a point, the National Assembly introduced the concept of Constituency Projects into annual budgets independent of what the executive sent to it in the appropriation bill. It was a tug of war at the beginning with Obasanjo insisting that it was wrong for the assembly men to so alter the estimates he sent to them. This took a long time to resolve but the President eventually gave in. Trouble again reared its head concerning constituency projects when legislators insisted that monies appropriated for such projects be released to them personally for execution. On several occasions, the legislature threatened to impeach President Obasanjo over these issues. Eventually, the executive obviously decided to end the squabbles by simply signing the Appropriation Bills into Acts but embarking on selective implementation.

The House of Representatives accused Obasanjo, among other things, of using the Consolidated Revenue Fund without appropriations and spending money in excess of appropriations. The uneasy relations continued and by August 2002, the House of Representatives gave the president the ultimatum to resign or be impeached. The Senate later joined in the threat of impeachment. For the eight years that Obasanjo was president, the cat-andmouse game with the National Assembly over budget raged, with allegations that the executive never executed budgets faithfully.

Although President Umaru Yar’Adua was ill most of his time in government, quarrels over budget preparation, appropriation and implementation did not abate. This was to the extent that on a day that Yar’Adua was billed to travel out for medical treatment, an obviously ill president was forced to address the National Assembly, even as the two chambers bickered over which one of them was to host the president.

Besides, the 2008 budget season witnessed some large-scale altercations between the executive and the legislature.

The executive complained of distortions, while the legislators insisted on their power of appropriation. The government announced its intention to table the matter before the Supreme Court but it was later discovered that time was against the executive as it planned to file the suit late in April. It was reasoned that the suit might drag beyond June and to avoid a total government shutdown by June of that year, the President adopted a political solution.

In 2012, a serious contention over oil price benchmark for the 2013 budget caused a deep-seated bickering between President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly. Desirous of keeping part of revenue accruing from crude oil sales in the Excess Savings Account, Jonathan proposed a benchmark of $75/barrel but the National Assembly insisted on rais-

Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance

ing it to $80/barrel. The issue became so contentious that it took the leadership of the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve the issue.

Earlier, on July 20 of the same year, the House of Representatives, threatened to commence impeachment move on President Jonathan over what it described as poor implementation of the 2012 budget.

The lawmakers also cautioned the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the non-release of funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to implement projects. They also warned Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to stop her alleged violation of the 2012 budget as passed by the National Assembly and release the first and second quarters’ appropriation to the MDAs and implement the budget to the letter.

But throughout the several episodes of contention over budget appropriation and implementation, neither Jonathan nor his aides or officials raised their voices against the legislature until his tenure ended in May 2015.

Current imbroglio The current contention over 2016 budget was triggered by two factors: President Muhammadu Buhari’s percieved lack of adequate preparation for the challenges of governance escalated by long standing misunderstanding of legislative limitations on power of appropriation. The power of National Assembly to appropriate is apparently not absolute if the United States’ example is anything to go by. Over the years, the executive arm has only grumbled about what the National Assembly (NASS) appropriates for itself but NASS has always tampered with whatever the executive submitted by increasing

the estimates, joggle figures and introduce brand new projects.

Even though Buhari poses as a tough, no-nonsense leader, his very first major avenue to show that his administration would be different and that it had good intentions, which was the preparation of his budget, was allegedly hijacked by socalled budget mafia in the civil service and greatly bungled.

To be sure, the budget estimates was presided over by a Director of Budget appointed by the administration itself. However, it took the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, to publicly disown the estimates for his ministry at a budget hearing session in the Senate to expose the ills in the budget. A numbers of ministers soon followed that path at hearings of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Thus, a cesspool of long standing illegal dealings in the annual preparation of budgets was uncovered. Following investigations, hundreds of civil servants were either redeployed or demoted.

On March 23, the National Assembly passed the N6.07 trillion budget, which was N17 billion lower than that presented

by Buhari on December 22, 2015. They subsequently forwarded an executive summary to Buhari for his assent. The President however declined, insisting on seeing details. When eventually details were forwarded to him, all hell was let lose. It was revealed that many new projects have been added, while costs attached to others were either increased or reduced. Four weeks after, Buhari has just formally communicated his reservations to the legislature asking that the bill already passed by the two chambers be passed all over again.

Looming shutdown?

Section 82 of the Constitution states: “If the Appropriation Bill in respect of any financial year has not been passed into law by the beginning of the financial year, the President may authorise the withdrawal of monies in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of meting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of government of the Federation for a period not exceeding six months or until the coming into operation of the Appropriation Act, whichever is the earlier: “Provided that the withdrawal in respect of any such period shall not exceed the amount authorised to be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation under the provisions of the Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly for the corresponding period for the immediately preceding financial year, being an amount proportionate to the total amount so authorized for the immediately preceding financial year.”

Fortunately, the National Assembly had

If the law forbids the legislature from reworking a passed budget, what is the way out? That is the question the legislature and the executive must answer in the next few days.

earlier passed a resolution extending the life of 2015 budget to March 31, 2016. Buhari also has constitutional authority to continue to incur recurrent expenditure up to last year’s amount, until the end of June even though capital spending, which ordinarily should have lapsed by December 31, must cease by the end of March courtesy of NASS’ amendment.

Again, Section 58 of the constitution gives the National Assembly the power to override a presidential veto. Each of the two chambers needs only to pass the bill again with two thirds majority vote. Once this happens, the president need not assent because it has thus become an Act. And Section 59 (i) clarified that “the provisions of this section shall apply to (a) an Appropriation bill or a supplementary appropriation bill, including any other bill for the payment, issue or withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the federation or any other money charged thereon or any alteration in the amount of such a payment, issue or withdrawal; and (b)a bill for the imposition of or increase in any tax, duty, or fee or reduction, withdrawal or cancellation thereof.”

Happily, both chambers of the National Assembly appear to have bowed to Buhari on the need to rework the budget and remove contending aspects. The House had initially resolved to work on the document again but the Senate refused, insisting that Buhari should sign the budget as passed and then send a supplementary bill. With this sharp division in the positions of both chambers, it means that there may not be an override of presidential veto, which in itself may pose a danger to the economy as there will not be a budget. Also, existing political and social exigency will force either of the contending parties to bow to the wishes of the other.

As of now, the NASS is perceived by majority of Nigerians as the guilty party. And in a polity where most citizens including corporate entities rely on the Federal Government budget, legislators may ill afford to be cast in the light of compounding the woes already afflicting majority of the citizenry.

Last week, the Senate resolved to break the dice over the budget crisis by announcing the composition of a peace committee to meet with Buhari. The delegation is to persuade the President to sign the budget in view of the fact that the National Assembly is already constrained by Section 59(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The Section recognises that the budget, once passed to the President, cannot be returned and that if the President refuses assent within 30 days, the lawmakers are expected to vote for an override of the veto.

The section which deals with Mode of Exercising Federal Legislative Power: Money Bills states that “where the president, within thirty days after the presentation of the bill to him, fails to signify his assent or where he withholds assent then the bill shall again be presented to the National Assembly sitting at a joint meeting, and if passed by two thirds majority of members of both Houses at such joint meeting the Bill shall become law and the assent of the president shall not be required.”

So, if the law forbids the legislature from reworking a passed budget, what is the way out? That is the question the legislature and the executive must answer in the next few days to save Nigeria from a total government shutdown.

18

politicscommentary

By Tope Ajayi

T

HE past few weeks must have been the lowest point in Senator Bukola Saraki’s political career.

Quite literally speaking, he was dragged to the market square, denuded, and sprayed with opprobrium so thick that his traducers would hope never washes off.

As the prosecution chief witness reeled out fantastic stories of serial cash lodgments and illegal salary earnings, everyone gasped in disbelief. Powered by the social media, the stories leapt across boundaries within seconds. As the stories were retold and re-circulated, they grew weirder and wilder. Cash lodgments totalling N70 million became N70 million paid into Saraki’s account 70 times in one day! Some said it was actually $70 million dollars paid into his account 50 times in a day.

People brought out their calculators to multiply 70 million by 50, still the sheer absurdity of the result did not clear their minds.

As the stories grew wilder, public anger against Saraki grew in geometric proportion. He was brutally savaged in the social media, ridiculed in the newspapers, cursed in the market places, abused in motor parks, and mocked by his political enemies. It was a timely diversion for a country brought to its knees by fuel scarcity. To an anguished people, who have to rely on the black markets to keep their lives going, this was a comic relief.

The Saraki story became the new tales by moonlight!

If this was all that Saraki’s political opponents set out to achieve; they have done a good job so far. Never before has a Number Three citizen in the land been so publicly humiliated. In fact, it is difficult now not to think that the damaging testimony of the prosecution witness was an end by itself; calculated as it were, to achieve this very objective of eroding the Saraki brand. Anyone familiar with court proceedings would clearly see that what happened at the tribunal was more evocative of an inquisition, programmed to pander to the mob, rather than a trial meant to serve the cause of justice.

What became clear also was that Saraki is on trial in two courts: the court of law and the court of the mob. Even as the trial at the court of law is still at a very early stage, he has already been found guilty and condemned in the court of public opinion.

As one commentator noted, the prejudicial value of the prosecution’s story overwhelms its probative value; but who cares!

In his testimonies so far, what the prosecution witness has failed to show was how his stories relate to assets declaration offences for which Saraki was charged. At best, the link between his testimonies so far and the charges remains circumstantial. Assum-

ing it was true that 50 lodgments were made into an account in one day, this would appear suspicious on the face of it, but it does not prove anything. It is certainly not a crime for anyone to choose to make 100 payments into his account in one day, if he so decides.

What is potentially criminal was how he acquired the money, not how it was paid into an account.

So far, the witness has only succeeded in instigating the public and exciting mob imagination with suggestive stories and conspiracy theories, without proving any case of wrongdoing. Perhaps more significantly, we should ask what the issue of Saraki collecting salaries after leaving office has to do with assets declaration.

Was the prosecution trying to prove that the half a million naira or so that he was allegedly receiving as salaries after leaving office was used to acquire the assets under trial or in off-setting some of the loans he was said to have taken? This particular aspect of the testimony was nothing but sheer mischief, targeted at damaging him in his home state and nothing more.

Otherwise, one should ask, which of the 13 charges against him does it apply to? This case therefore, is like dragging a man before a court for sleeping with another man’s wife, then proceed to argue that he stole money.

Then when you were asked how the two were related, you say oh, you were just trying to prove that it was the stolen money that he used in enticing the woman. Anyone interested in justice should still ask for what offence exactly you were charging him.

Many have wondered why Saraki’s lawyers have failed to raise objections to some of the stories told by the prosecution witness, especially when they all seemed to have bordered on allegations of financial crime rather than assets declaration. Even though they noted that they reserved their objections to the time of cross-examination, my guess is that they had been caught unawares. They must have come to the tribunal ready to defend a case of assets declaration and not to prove that their client was not a money launderer.

They must have come to the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear how the Code of Conduct Bureau conducted its investigations into Saraki’s assets and how they came to the conclusion that he had not fully declared his assets, only to be confronted by EFCC

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Saraki

The mob and Saraki’s trial agent reeling out investigations allegedly conducted by the EFCC. They must also have wondered whether the case was an EFCC case or a Code of Conduct Bureau case; and why, if it was a case of financial crime, they were not at a high court where cases of financial malpractices should ordinarily be tried, instead of a Tribunal. Saraki has been shouting that his case was political, but his lawyers must have assured him they could get him justice in the courts; now they should know better.

Jonathan Swift, said truth limps, while falsehood flies.

Truth would eventually catch up, but by the time it does, falsehood would have done its damage and truth’s victory would at best be puerile. Could be that by the time Saraki’s lawyers begin cross examination, they would be able to destroy the stories of the prosecution witness, and quite im-

Trial by the mob runs counter to the natural cause of justice: the guilt of the accused, rather than his innocence, is presumed.

probably under this political circumstance, even get their clients off the hooks; but the damage to Saraki would have been done.

This is the mortal danger of trial by the mob; it runs counter to the natural cause of justice: the guilt of the accused, rather than his innocence is presumed.

All Saraki’s political opponents that are gloating at his travails should however realise that what is being set before our eyes, is a very dangerous precedence. This is not Saraki on trial, but the entire political elite. Mr Danladi Umar said he made a mistake in dismissing the case against Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2011, and therefore could not apply the same standard of justice in the case of Saraki; all well and good.

What is certain is that a Pharaoh would mount the throne someday soon, who would not know any Joseph; and all chickens would come home to roost!

Perhaps, what is also unprecedented about Saraki’s trial is the overwhelming support he had received from his colleagues in the Senate. Under President Olusegun Obasanjo alone, we had five Senate Presidents: Evan Enwerem, Chuba Okadigbo, Anyim Pius Anyim, Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani. Some were removed with ignominy for no apparent infraction other than refusal to do the bidding of the Executive. The current class of

senators must have been familiar with recent history of leadership instability in the Senate and how the highest law-making body in the land could easily be turned into an appendage of the executive.

I do not think that any of those who are standing with Saraki are doing so because they think he is a saint. What has been clear to them from the beginning however was that this particular trial is not about corruption. In fact, it is not even essentially about Saraki. What is on trial is the very independence of the Senate and its right to freely choose its own leadership. Those who want to get Saraki out must have calculated that all they needed to do was to tarnish him as much as they could so that the Senators would not even want to touch him. They have been gravely mistaken. They have failed to take into account that this is the most educated set of senators we have had in a long time, if not ever.

They could easily see though the subterfuge; and that is why even as he was being roundly vilified by the public, senators were still insisting that he remains their only choice as Senate president.

However, by so declaring, the Senators were not demonstrating their loyalty to Saraki, but to the principle that is necessary for the preservation of our democracy.

Ajayi writes from Abuja

19

Monday, 25 April, 2016

+ entrepreneurship

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Ruth Olurounbi

m:0811 695 4637 e:ruth.olurounbi@tribuneonlineng.com t:@Olurounbi

Are ‘illegal’ forex charges by Nigerian banks killing SMEs?

By Ruth Olurounbi

D

OING business in Nigeria is no easy task. If inadequate power infrastructure doesn’t get you, corruption in this case, multiple taxation, will. If you’re lucky enough to survive that, fuel crisis will do you in. But luck has nothing to do with your profit margins if you are an exporter of products in Nigeria. It seems as if Nigeria is out to get you, if you’re an SMEs or worse, a start-up.”

That was Kemi Adeyemo, an exporter of Shea butter in the south west of Nigeria.

She was speaking against what she termed as “corrupt practices in Nigerian banking industry,” last week. According to her, her business trades at black-market rates, even though officially, the naira is begged at N197 to a dollar.

The belief is that since the Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) had allowed forex deposits in Nigeria’s commercial banks, transactions in forex would be in accordance with the official rates, as stipulated by the CBN, but as business owners who deal exports would realise, this is not exactly so.

The CBN, in a statement in February 2016, said it had investigated over 6,000 complaints relating to unauthorised bank charges brought to its notice and that banks had been compelled to refund over N6.2 billion to affected customers in 2015 alone.

However, the bank, which said it “always ready to checkmate banks and protect customers from illegal, excessive charges,” did not specify what the nature of the illegal charges were.

Earlier this month, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) had accused 22 commercial banks in Nigeria of illegal fixing of forex rate. According to the group, in a letter sent to the CBN, Chartered Institute

of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ) OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law, complained that the cap on the interbank foreign exchange rate, which it said “contravened the Foreign Exchange Act of 2004,” was impacting negatively business operations in the country.

According to the group, this “unethical practise” was crippling businesses in the country.

Biola Anifowose, who imports cars, agrees.

According to him, the cap in the forex purchase has crippled his business, which has in effect, plunged him into debt.

“As I speak with you, I am in debt. Whenever I make transactions on my domiciliary account, the bank charges me the parallel market rates, which sometimes is between N320 and N350 to a dollar, as against N197 or N198 to a dollar. If you do the calcula-

tions, you will see how much that costs me to buy vehicles to Nigeria to sell, not to talk of how much it costs to clear the vehicles and the port. This is seriously killing our business, my sister. I don’t know what the government wants us to do now,” he said.

Following up on these allegations, investigation revealed that many banks’ records do not indicate the exact exchange rates, as the differences are usually recorded as sundry, thus, making it difficult to track the alleged bank charges.

There are unsubstantiated reports that Godwin Emefiele may have been in the know of what is going on in the banks, and industry analysts are of the views that although he may not control what operates in individual banks, he still remained culpable of “unethical practices” as it was his job to monitor the economy and to ensure that nothing threatens its health.

Continues on pg21

20

+ entrepreneurship between each. We may end up with a uniform N250/dollar rate. This will stop the corruption in the banking sector, and will reduce the risks and pressures on the dollar, and in time may enable the naira to regain power. As the Naira regains power due to this process and other economic policies hopefully being instituted, the devaluation can progressively be reduced till the ate returns to below 200.

As I have said before. For majority of Nigerians and as far as current inflated prices go as a result, the Naira is already devalued. Only the cabal get naira at the CBN official rate. So who are we fooling?

Dr Peregrino Brimah is an international business person and a rights advocate and coordinator of ENDS, a socio-philanthropic human rights organisation. In this interview with RUTH OLUROUNBI, he contends that current forex policies would turn out to be the final blow to small businesses in Nigeria, as only big businesses are left to survive.

Y

OU have been on the campaign against what you called illegal deductions on foreign transactions by Nigerian banks. You even alleged that the CBN is enabling these banks in this situation, how specifically do you think the CBN is doing this?

The central bank is the apex bank, in charge of regulating and overseeing all activities of commercial banks. While the commercial banks are regulated by the CBN, the customer deals with the commercial banks and not the CBN whose duty is to regulate their products and services in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

The central bank in new policies since the Buhari administration has claimed to be regulating access to foreign exchange by limiting the amount of withdrawals per month and per year for customers. It claims this is to shore up the Naira.

However while in the past, Nigerian debit card dollar withdrawals were converted at the official exchange rate, today under new policies they are converted at the parallel market rates and above. In recent withdrawals I have made the past days, my cards gave me between 299 and N305/dollar. This is the parallel market rate. I have never heard of a country where its banks serve dollars at the black market rates. I call all these illegal because we clients have not received any memo to this effect. This is because the banks and apex bank know that these operations are unconstitutional.

How do we know exactly that these charges are illegal? Are there provisions that prohibit banks from charging same as parallel markets? And, do we know if the CBN is aware that these charges are occurring in the Nigerian banks?

As Section 16 of the CBN Act 2007 clearly states, “the exchange rate of the naira shall be determined from time to time, by a suitable mechanism devised by the (Central) Bank for that purpose.” The exchange rate has been set at about 198. Nigerians as I have earlier stated, do not interact directly with the CBN, but through commercial banks. The N300 ranging parallel market rates these banks are giving clients are set by who? The central bank has reneged its duty according to its Acts and Section 16 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, and has deregulated the system and

21

Monday, 25 April, 2016

put customers totally at the mercy of the whims of the banks. This has opened up opportunities for massive foreign exchange trading corruption right within the walls of the banks like never before seen in our history.

Many business owners involved in export and import businesses say that their banks charge them same rates as the parallel markets, thus, crippling their businesses.

What is your view on this?

While the government has changed, the central bank has remained under the same management. As has been seen with reversals on dollar access policies, the current administration cannot be said to have a clear vision on controlling the foreign exchange market. As a foreign businessman myself, I cannot complain enough about the problems the lack of access to CBN rate dollars and provision of dollars at parallel market rates is doing to my business.

These policies are going to be the final blow to small businesses while only big business will survive. Even before now it was next to impossible to buy dollars at the bank rate through banks. The complications for processing the Form M and other documents are made essentially un-conquerable. Small businesses are left to buy dollars from the BDC rates, at the same rate on the streets as in the commercial banks. This has been a devaluation of about 50 per cent since mid last year when dollar exchanged at about 160.

Zinox’s Leo Stan Ekeh, a wellknown Nigerian businessman had predicted the collapse of 90 per cent of Nigeria’s businesses if access to foreign exchange was not eased up. Many shops are already folding up while Nigeria is being aggressively exploited by its neighbours who are rushing in to buy up our products at half the prior cost.

The increased predating on the devalued system by Chad, Niger, Togolese and other neighbouring businessmen is leading to inflation in the system as a second consequence of the convoluted system.

The predictions for Nigerians and Nigerian businesses are bleak. Even when the administration finally fixes the forex system, Nigeria would need years to recover from the inflation and effects on businesses.

International communities have called for the devalua-

Could we characterise these charges as part of corruption President Buhari is fighting against?

I have compared the foreign exchange scam going on to the fuel subsidy scam of the Jonathan era. I believe these are pretty much the same types of windows for the amassing of wealth by the politically connected and their enrichment while the masses wither.

The wealthy like Dangote have been promised access to CBN rate dollars while the rest of us individuals and small businesses have no access. Whereas small businesses employ 70 per cent of Nigeria’s labour, the big businesses barely employ 20 per cent. I see this is corruption and oppression of the masses once again.

There should be equal access for all Nigerians, or no access to any.

Forex policies:

Many shops are already folding up — Brimah, Int’l trader tion of the naira. Do you think this could serve as solution to the alleged fraudulent charges by the banks?

Initially I had believed that anything to do with devaluation was bad. But upon further examination of the characteristics of our present crisis, I had a re-think. There are two major problems of continuing as we are now with the Venezuelan system of two drastically different exchange rates, Central bank and parallel market: Firstly, this is an avenue for tremendous corruption.

People are round tripping dollars, both physically and on a spot and making a killing. All you have to do one of the privileged few who is connected with the banks and has access to Central bank rate dollars. You do not have to risk being caught by extracting the dollars and selling it on the streets, or physically round-trip by actually buying products at these convenient rates, which will make you twice as competitive as the common businessman. All

you need to do is “sell your access.” Find a regular businessman who needs products and offer him a suitable parallel

I have never heard of a country where its banks serve dollars at the black market rates. I call all these illegal because we clients have not received any memo to this effect.

market rate. Then collect payment and process the Form M for him. This will be done legitimately and without any possibility of detection of prosecution.

Access to a million dollars at the official rate will make you half a million dollars in a day. This new window of corruption due to the dual rates is why the newspapers have been brimming with allegations and accusations of “round-tripping” by members of the Presidency and top ruling party politicians.

The second issue why devaluation may be the better solution at this time is in effort to regulate and limit the devaluation of the Naira in the parallel market, which is really the only access to dollar for the common Nigerian. Devaluation is not a permanent thing but should be done according to the prevailing conditions, till the rate can come back to reasonable limits. If the government allows the central bank rate to fall toward the parallel market rate at which it is sold by all banks, it is estimated that the two rates will meet at about half way

What do you think of the newly imposed stamp duty on bank transactions? Would you say this is a new way to defraud Nigerians?

There are a host of unwarranted and excessive charges levied on customers by Nigerian banks. While a few appear to originate from the banks, what is disturbing is that many of these excessive and oppressive charges are actually directed by the apex bank.

The apex bank policies have forced their cash-less policy on customers not with incentives but rather with levies. These levies or fines as they are better called are taxed on almost every transaction made through the banks under the Central bank directives.

What is stamp duty? This is extortion.

Where in the world do you see them charging clients for receiving payments? Banks are happy to receive your money as the money is used by them for their profiting business.

Banks beg for deposits and even entice customers to do so all over the world, with bonus points, flyer miles and other perks.

The institution of this new stamp charge is the latest in a series of such extortion policies enforced by the Central bank. This Stamp charge adds on to the levies per mile on all transactions. There are just so many of these taxations, it is unbelievable. I have operated accounts abroad for years. There is no single deduction from my accounts.

Nigeria charges to send you text messages.

Charges you when you deposit, when you transfer or withdraw money. The banks charge you for new ATM cards, account maintenance charges, ATM card maintenance charges, hardware token charges. There are just so many charges, some by the banks and many granted by the CBN. Abroad, all these services are free. Who does all this money go to? Does it go the CBN and Nigerian economy or stay with the banks for their largesse?

It is clear that Nigeria has fallen victim to this extortion because we have had both recent apex bank directors as bank men.

Both the current governor, Godwin Emefiele and the immediate former one who instituted many of these levies, now Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi are bankers. There is a clear conflict of interest here and predilections to serve the bank’s interests where they have shares and overwhelming vested interests. We hope in the future non-bankers are appointed to that office who will hopefully serve the interests of the people and not the banks.

In the last few months, we have witnessed policy somersaults from the CBN, prompting some sense of lack of confidence in the direction the nation’s economy is going. Do you think these concerns are legitimate?

They are legitimate. We would have confidence in the system if there was a clear and consistent policy direction. This is lacking.

For one thing, I do not trust the same CBN governor who oversaw the corruption and tanking of Nigeria’s economy leading us up to this point. Secondly, there appears to be a lack of a single policy idea and the competing and contrasting policy directions in making a mess of the whole thing. New policies and restrictions are thrown out every day, usually with the customers’ convenience appearing to be a least concern. While the global economy as related to oil prices is at the back of a lot of this confusion, the government’s body language is not yet reassuring and we are seeing corruption continuing in the system along with the demonstration of a yet strong hold on the system by corrupt persons (cabal) willing to continue sabotaging the system to their benefits.

In terms of policies structuring, how would you rate Godwin Emefiele’s performance as a CBN governor in comparison with say Charles Soludo?

I rate both Godwin Emefiele and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi very poorly. Soludo was a people’s man, these two recent governors are bankers. Virtually all their policies have been to quadruple bank profits while frustrating and crippling the masses. Sanusi passed on the baton to Emefiele, his brother and partner. I see both men’s policies as identical. I actually predicted this the minute I saw Jonathan selected Emefiele. You can only have the interests of banks protected when you bring a bank manager. This is natural. But a system can never work and be sustained if you ignore and exploit the masses just for the pockets of a few.

Some stakeholders in the financial industry are of the view that an economist should, moving forward, be appointed as the CBN governor, as against a banker. Do you agree with them and why?

Absolutely. The more important question is: do I feel confident President Muhammadu Buhari will do so? No. Unfortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari seems disconnected or purposely shielded from the realities on the ground and the pressing issues and reasons why Nigerians voted for change.

A lot of what the new administration has been doing, apart from its war against corruption and terror, have been typical policies of the past democratic years. If not practices and policies of Jonathan, then those of Obasanjo.

It would be uplifting to see someone from outside the banking system selected as its new governor.

Are ‘illegal’ forex charges by Nigerian banks killing SMEs?

Continues from pg19

Last year, Peregrino Brimah, an international business man had raised the alarm that the CBN was enabling the banks to defraud customers to the tune of billions of dollars via illegal deductions on foreign transactions.

At the time the CBN had capped forex withdrawals to $300 or N60,000 and Brimah alleged that “with each withdrawal of a permitted $280 in cash obtained at the ATM, Nigerians are billed upwards of $319 from most Nigerian debit cards, a whopping $39 extra per withdrawal.”

According to him, the banks were raking up millions of dollars daily converting at the black market rate from all Nigerian customers using ATM cards in travel, for study or all other purposes abroad.

Last week, when Entrepreneurship+ caught up with him, he maintained his stance, saying in an interview featured on pages 20 and 21 that “in recent withdrawals I have made the past days, my cards gave me between 299 and 305 Naira/dollar. This is the parallel market rate. I have never heard of a country where its banks serve dollars at the black market rates.

I call all these illegal because we clients have not received any memo to this effect. This is because the banks and apex bank know that these operations are unconstitutional.”

As small business owners lament of the alleged illegal charges, corporates are reportedly being exploited by some bankers using the forex scarcity, allegedly extort customers. A source in one of the multinational companies in Nigeria told Entrepreneurship+ that the company is finding it particularly hard to access forex to fund its operations. According to the source, the company had to, at some point, result to getting products from its company in Ghana to keep its market share in Nigeria, when it could no longer meet with bank demands in order to access

forex from CBN. According to a travel operator in Abuja, who spoke anonymously with Entrepreneurship+, some banks demand about N50 on a dollar from he and his colleagues to enhance their bid for CBN dollars. According to him, that was the only sensible way to keep their business alive, as their businesses deal mostly in forex, especially ticketing.

Effects of this on SMEs President Muhammadu Buhari has consistently ruled out the possibility of devaluing the naira, saying he is yet to see how it will benefit Nigerians. However, analysts are of the view that the “effect of the naira trading unofficially at N320 instead of N200 is being felt because of the failure to adhere by the banks. There is pretty much a gang up to devalue the currency unofficially so that the official devaluation can now take place with ease as its ill effects have already been factored into the economy,” according to Jude Fajokwu, Africa Analyst at Thaddeus Capital, in his latest report, “Nigerian Naira Devaluation: What is the fuss all about?”

According to him, government’s policy failure to peg the naira at approximately N200 to a dollar is due to the failure of checks and balances by various structures within the system necessary to support this policy.

“The banks in Nigeria exchange dollars received at the official pegged rate and pay out dollars (debit the naira account of their customers) at the unofficial rate of 320 naira. This is simply put a manipulation of the currency system to force through an official devaluation by those entrusted to enforce it on behalf of the government,” Fajokwu said.

It will be recalled that exchange rate against the dollar was pegged at N197 in February last year but a foreign exchange shortage has seen the naira hit record lows on the parallel market in the last few months. It traded between N320 and N350 at the parallel market on Friday.

22

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Group Business Editor

tribune

business

Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

China-Nigeria currency swap

Any impact on Naira, inflation and living standards?

The recent currency swap deal struck with the chinese government by President Muhammadu Buhari has generated a lot of reactions.

As Nigerians seem to be coming to terms with the reality or otherwise of the mega swap transaction, CHIMA NWOKOJI examines the implication of the deal on the economy and what may or may not accrue to the country despite high expectations.

T

HERE had been reports that Nigeria would borrow at least $2 billion from China to finance the 2016 budget, but the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said President Muhammadu Buhari did not discuss the issue of loan during his week-long trip to China.

The trip according to him, ended up attracting investment worth $6 billion to the country.

China is the leading trading partner of Nigeria. Nigeria imports several products from China, including, but not limited to raw materials, industrial machinery and motor vehicle spare parts. On the other hand, Nigerian exports are mainly crude oil. Therefore both in terms of volume, value and direction, the terms of trade are stacked in favour of China against Nigeria.

The need to reduce this imbalance could have been one of the reasons for the swap deal. This why the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, disclosed that there is an ongoing talk between the Federal Government and China to enable the Asian country import some of its own requirements from Nigeria.

“We are talking to China so that it would also be importing some of its items from Nigeria, so that the trading balance can be sort of reduced,” the gov-

Nigerian Tribune

ernor said at a press conference at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, on the last day of the 2016 World Bank/IMF spring meetings.

There are therefore big questions begging for clear answers. Why did China choose this period to negotiate with Nigeria? Why are most people opposed to the transaction despite all the baptism that has been performed on it? How will this latest deal better the life of Nigerians? Will the current pressure on the Naira reduce? What happens to imported inflation and trade imbalance between Nigeria and China?

Is this another exercise that will endup in a crisis of false expectations?

What is a currency swap?

Investopedia online dictionary describes a currency swap as a swap that involves the exchange of principal and interest in one currency for the same in another currency.

However,it further to introduce ‘Hara-Kiri Swap,’ which explains a cross-currency swap devoid of any profit margin for the originator. In Japan, hara-kiri is a form of slow ritual suicide. When used for currency deals, the swaps were dubbed hara-kiri because they turned out to be a form of financial suicide for the institutions that offered them.

Another question which analysts consider pertinent in this context is whether Nigeria has actually committed financial hara-kiri in the recent deal or not?

But citizens may not yet get appropriate answer to this until further details of the currency swap is made available.

Explaining the concept, frontline economist and Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company(FDC), Mr Bismark Rewane, and a Continues on pg22

23

tribunebusiness

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

‘Currency sneap, a good development for Nigeria’ Continues from pg21

team of experts from the firm said the current Nigeria deal is essentially a countertrade agreement (trade by barter) as it involves the exchange of crude oil for goods from China.

On the other hand, foreign exchange (FX) swap agreement is a contract in which one party borrows one currency from, and simultaneously lends another to, the second party, says FDC. “Each party uses the repayment obligation to its counterpart as collateral and the amount of repayment is fixed at the FX forward rate as of the start of the contract.

Thus, FX swaps can be viewed as FX risk-free collateralised borrowing/lending.

Nigeria’s past experience This is not the first time Nigeria has attempted a countertrade agreement. In 1985, Nigeria signed three separate deals with Brazil, Austria and Italy. In addition, Nigeria had earlier tried to diversify its external reserves away from the US dollar monopoly. In 2011, erstwhile CBN Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, converted 10 per cent of the country’s external reserves into the Chinese Yuan. At the time, Nigeria’s $32billion reserves level was 79 per cent in dollars with the rest largely held in Euros and Swiss francs.

How the currency swap will work In describing how the deal will work, the FDC in its latest economic bulletin said the Central Bank of Nigeria will convert a certain portion of its external reserves say $3billion to Naira (N200 x $3bn = N600bn) and deposit with the Peoples Bank of China. The Chinese government will give Nigeria the Yuan equivalent of $3billion.

If a Nigerian trader wants to import spare parts from China, such trader will approach Nigerian bank, pays N40 million for $200,000 (at N200/$).

“Nigerian bank opens Letter of Credit (L/C), confirmed by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). Nigerian bank credits ICBC with N40 million, goods are shipped and documents negotiated. ICBC is long Naira and short Yuan and ICBC needs to import goods from Nigeria i.e. oil at $43 per barrel (pb). “ ICBC pays NNPC with naira at $43pb x N200. Nigerian oil exports to the rest of the world reduces by the volume sold to China.

Nigerian yuan earnings increase and dollar revenue reduces by the same amount,” FDC described.

Also,other experts explained that the Nigerian government deposited the Yuan in Chinese banks with interest for a term period of seven years. The Chinese government will provide dollar equivalent of the Yuan to Nigeria at a spot rate for a term of seven years. At maturity, the Nigerian government will raise Dollar to repay the Chinese government and liquidate its term deposit at Chinese banks too.

Some believe it is a win-win situation because it will afford Nigerian importers easy access to Yuan which is also a convertible currency. It is acceptable in the US and other advanced countries. They agreed that the decision to also help build infrastructure like rails fulfil the law of comparative advantage which underlies the principle of currency swap.

Any impact on trade, Naira and inflation While a team of analysts from FDC believes that it will provide a negotiating platform for Nigeria to extract better trade and investment concessions from other Western countries, the CBN governor noted that the development would help to reduce the deficit in trading between the two countries drastically, as part of Nigeria’s deal with China was that the country became the Asian country’s trading hub in West Africa.

His words, “China has appointed South

Africa as its trading hub for Remnibi transactions in the South African region, has appointed Kenya as its trading hub for East and Central Africa.

“And Nigeria, the mandate that we signed is for us to be appointed as the trading hub in West Africa. In all, we expect that it is going to be mutually beneficial.

“Will Nigeria benefit from this? I want to say categorically that Nigeria benefits from this. It’s less pressure on the dollar and consequently on our reserves.”

However, analysts at FDC believe that the impact on external balance would be neutral.

“Nigeria will end up importing more from China and selling more to China. It is the economic equivalent of Archimedes’ principle. In the end, oil revenue will not change and import volume will not. Destination of exports and origination of imports is all that will change,”the analysts said.

Demand for dollar has affected trades from China because Nigerian importers sourced for Dollars to import from China and there won’t be any need to get dollars on the black market for importation from China.

With this, you don’t need to convert the Yuan to dollar, as well as the naira to dollar, before you transact. It would boost business activities.

On foreign exchange pressure, the question is, will this transaction make the Naira stronger in the Forex markets? The answer according to FDC is No. “The impact on the currency pressure is neutral. This is because the swap deal does not increase the inflow of forex into the country. The Yuan volume is the object that is immersed in the Nigerian dollar pool. The amount of Yuan will be equal to the dollars displaced,” they submitted.

Other experts did not totally agree with FDC analysts on this. Associate Professor of Economics, Nasarawa State University, Wale Coker believes that, “It is going to reduce pressure on the naira because Nigeria imports a lot from China and since 2011, we have added the yuan as part of currency in our foreign reserves.

“We expect that the Yuan in our reserves will increase together with dollar, pound sterling and euro. It means it is better to trade with China because of numerous importation from China,” he stated.

Nigerian importers will access Yuan more easily than dollar, to finance importation from China. Nigeria can also raise a standard bond which is dominated in Yuan.

Will this deal help curb inflation? “No. This is because the root cause of the spike in consumer prices is the scarcity of foreign exchange and other cost push factors. The currency swap deal has not addressed this

issue. Therefore, the problem of soaring inflation remains,” said Rewane and his team.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate climbed to the highest in almost four years in March, to 12.3 per cent.

This, on an annualized basis according to analysts is the highest since July 2012, from 11.4 percent in February.

Food prices rose 12.7 per cent in March from a year ago, compared with 11.4 per cent in the previous month, driven up by transportation costs, the planting season and foreign-exchange movements, the statistics agency said.

Overall, the deal will boost bilateral trade volumes between Nigeria and China. It will also increase Nigeria’s dependence on China for imports of raw materials and equipment “It guarantees China a significant portion of Nigeria’s trade but our trade with the rest of the world will reduce due to lower foreign reserves. The agreement will allow Nigerian traders to transact business with the Yuan instead of dollar.

“You will see more Chinese cars, TV sets, smartphones and ‘tourists.’ Crude oil sales between Nigeria and China would be settled in Yuan/Naira and access to Yuan would also be easier. The swap will eliminate challenges arising from transactions with the US dollar and promote business flexibility between Nigerian and China,” stated FDC analysts.

China, master of swap deals?

China is stepping up its role as the lender of last resort to some of the world’s most financially-strapped countries. Nigerian Tribune findings reveal that for a number of years now, the Chinese government has been entering into these swap agreements with various countries. The swaps typically last for three years after which they are renewed or increased. As of 2015, the People’s Bank of China had signed 31 currency swap deals totalling RMB3.14 trillion. China has a trade volume of RMB10.747 trillion with these 31 countries.

South Africa is the only African country that has signed a currency swap deal with China.

Other non- African countries include: the United Kingdom, EU, Russia, Australia and

Some believe it is a win-win situation because it will afford Nigerian importers easy access to yuan which is also a convertible currency.

the UAE amongst others.

Chinese in 2014 expanded a $24 billion currency swap programme to help Russia weather the worst economic crisis since its 1998 default. China has provided $2.3 billion in funds to Argentina since October as part of a currency swap, and lent $4 billion to Venezuela, whose reserves cover just two years of debt payments.

By lending to countries shut out of overseas capital markets, Chinese President Xi Jinping is bolstering the country’s influence in the global economy and cutting into the International Monetary Fund’s status as the go-to financier for nations in financial distress.

While the IMF tends to demand reforms aimed at stabilizing a country’s finances in exchange for loans, analysts speculate that China’s terms are more focused on securing its interests in resource-rich countries.

“It’s always good to have IOUs in the back of your pocket,” said Morten Bugge, the chief investment officer at Kolding, Denmark-based Global Evolution who helps manage about $2 billion of emerging-market debt. “These are China’s fellow friends and comrades, and to secure long-term energy could be part of the motivation.”

China and Russia signed a three-year currency-swap line of 150 billion Yuan ($24 billion) in October 2014, a contract that allows Russia to borrow the Yuan and lend the ruble. While the offer won’t relieve the main sources of pressure on the ruble — which has dropped 41 per cent since last year amid plunging oil prices and sanctions linked to Russia’s annexation of Crimea — it could bolster investors’ confidence in the country and help stem capital outflows.

Argentina received $1 billion worth of Yuan as part of the three-year currency-swap agreement with China. In Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro added $4 billion he borrowed from China to the country’s reserves after they fell to an 11-year low.

“I don’t think this is a broad policy to support any country that asks for Chinese help,” Steffen Reichold, Bloomberg quoted an economist at Stone Harbor Investment Partners in New York, as having said in an e-mail. “Several countries are currently in a tight spot and the Chinese are offering to help. That buys them some goodwill and influence, and promotes the use of the Yuan.

Bilateral trade between Nigeria and China has grown rapidly in the last decade. Trade volumes have risen by 432.1per cent from $2.8 billion in 2005, to $14.9 billion in 2015.

Last year, Nigeria accounted for 8.3% of the total trade volume between China and Africa, and 42per cent of the total trade between China and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This showed that compared to the other countries above, Nigeria’s trade volume with China alone accounted for 18 per cent of the total trade with Nigeria’s major trading partners.

Criticisms Critics of the new policy have based their argument mostly on the fact that the agreement fails to address an issue generally believed to be Nigeria’s greatest economic challenge, namely: inadequate local manufacturing industries that are export-oriented.

While the objective of the swap deal is to correct the trade imbalance “the reality is that the deal will increase the dependency complex and parasitic relationship between Nigeria and China,” says FDC. Associate Professor Wale Coker, stated further, that “Although, we are in a weaker position. Currency swap is best done when countries have comparative advantages in one area or the other. We are at a disadvantage because it is as it China has come to bail us out. But in the long run, it is a good development for the country.”

24

Monday, 25 April, 2016

moneymarket

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Chima Nwokoji

m:08032637535 e:chimatitus@yahoo.com

weeklyreview

Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu ( 9th from left), GMD, Phillips Oduoza (10th from left), Group Managing Director Designate (15th from left) Board Chairmen from the 18 subsidiaries in Africa and some members of Executive Management’ after inauguration of the UBA group board forum in Lagos.

Banks accused of frustrating government’s forex policy

E

VEN as President Muhammadu Buhari over the weekend insisted that he is yet to be convinced that Nigeria would benefit from a devaluation of the naira, Deposit Money Banks have been accused of sabotaging governments foreign exchange (forex) policy aimed at stabilizing the local currency.

Jude Fajokwu, Africa Analyst at Thaddeus Capital made the allegation in his latest report titled ‘Nigerian Naira Devaluation: What is the fuss all about?’

According to Fajokwu, the failure of the government’s policy to peg the naira at approximately N200 to a dollar is due to the failure of checks and balances by various structures within the system necessary to support this policy.

“The banks in Nigeria exchange dollars received at the official pegged rate and pay out dollars (debit the naira account of their customers) at the unofficial rate of N320.

“Yes, the effect of the naira trading unofficially at N320 instead of N200 is being felt because of the failure to adhere by the banks. There is pretty much a gang up to devalue the currency unofficially so that the official devaluation can now take place with ease as its ill effects have already been factored into the economy.

“This is simply put a manipulation of the currency system to force through

an official devaluation by those entrusted to enforce it on behalf of the government,” Fajokwu who analyses macro indicators across countries from

North, West, Eastern and Southern Africa stated.

The official exchange rate against the dollar was pegged at N197 in February last year but a foreign

exchange shortage has seen the naira hit record lows on the parallel market in the last few months.

It traded at N320 on the black market on Friday.

Rates to decline on N96.4bn worth maturing OMO bills MONEY Market rates are expected to trend upward in the earlier trading sessions of the week as Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) provision for foreign Exchange (FX) but will decline towards the week’s end as inflow of N96.4billion worth maturing Open Market Operation (OMO) bills hits the system on Thursday.

Yields on Nigerian shortdated treasury bills rose significantly at an auction on Wednesday where the central bank sold a total of N167.51 billion ($841.76 million) worth of debt with maturities ranging between three months and one year.

The central bank said it sold N36.78 billion of three-month paper at 7.88 percent yield, about 1.78 percentage points higher than at the last auction on April 6.

A total of N35 billion worth of the 6-month treasury bill was sold at 8.99 percent against 8.69 per cent at the previous auction, while N95.73 billion of the one-year treasury bill was sold at 10.24 per cent compared with 9.48 per cent previously.

Investors demanded a total of N253.19 billion against

445.86 billion subscriptions at the last auction.

“In the week ahead, we expect money market rates to trend upward in the earlier trading sessions of the week as DMBs provision for FX but will decline towards the

week’s end as DMBs get refunds for unfulfilled bids at the FX intervention auction as well as expected inflow of N96.4 billion worth maturing OMO bills on Thursday,” dealer from Afrinvest have said.

UBA establishes board for group integration, knowledge sharing CHAIRMAN, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Tony Elumelu has formally inaugurated a Group Board Meeting, as a platform for group integration, bonding and knowledge sharing.

This followed a three-day forum which was held in Lagos, between April 6 and 8, 2016. According to the bank, 90 participants comprising of the entire Board of United Bank for Africa Plc(UBA), Chairmen and CEOs of UBA subsidiaries in Africa and the United Kingdom, Group Strategic Business and Support Heads, amongst other special invitees and guest facilitators, were in attendance.

The group forum serves as an interactive platform for knowledge sharing on issues ranging from corporate governance, institutional history, board effectiveness, brand projection, empow-

erment and accountability amongst others.

Speaking during the Forum, Elumelu said “As long term investors and Africa enthusiasts, we are committed to the markets in which we operate and to the wider African economy. We will continue to work with credible partners and governments across Africa to identify and develop those critical growth poles required for the sustainable development of all African economies.”

The maiden forum coincided with the 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of UBA which held on April 8, 2016. Participants were also able to celebrate the Bank’s stellar financial performance and the staff who made this possible at the annual UBA CEO Awards ceremony, which was held the next day.

Money Market Review Financial system liquidity remained at low levels throughout last week.

Open Buy Back (OBB) and Over Night (O/N) rates remained at 4.0 per cent and 4.6 per cent. However, OBB and O/N rates rose 2.8 per cent and 1.8 per cent to 5.8 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively on Tuesday as system liquidity further reduced.

Dealers at Afrinvest West Africa Limited said this was on the back of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) provisioning for the foreign exchange (FX) intervention auction which pressured O/N rate further on Wednesday to 7.3 per cent.

OBB and O/N rates however declined 0.5 per cent apiece on Thursday and settled at 4.5 per cent and 5.0 per cent on Friday, up 0.5 per cent apiece respectively week on week (W-o-W).

Activities in the treasury bills market was mixed last week. Average T-bills rate closed at 8.3 per cent at the end of Monday’s trading session but declined 0.1 per cent to 8.2 per cent by the end of Tuesday’s trading session as buying interest increased. Average T-bills rate settled at 8.1 per cent by mid-week. There was a T-bills auction on Wednesday by the apex bank; the treasury bills auctioned were N36.8billion, N35.0 billion and N95.7 billion of the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day instruments at stop rates of 7.9 per cent, 9.0 per cent and 10.2 per cent which were higher than stop rates at the previous T-bills auction.

Dealers associate the increase in stop rates to higher interest rate expectation by investors. As a result, the market reacted as average T-bills rate rose 0.6 per cent to 8.7 per cent by the end of Thursday’s trading session, eventually closing at 8.6 per cent on Friday.

Bond Market Review Sentiment in the bonds market last week was mixed but broadly bearish. Average yield across benchmark bonds rose 0.1 per cent from last Friday’s close of 12.0 per cent to 12.1 per cent at the end of Monday’s trading session.

On Tuesday, average yields on benchmark bonds rose 0.9 per cent with increased activity noticed on the FGN MAR 2036 instrument as it was added as a 20Y Tenor benchmark.

However, dealers at Afrinvest observed that yields moderated 0.4 per cent to 12.6 per cent as investors positioned in bargain opportunities, eventually settling at the same level on Friday. W-o-W, benchmark yields are up 0.6 per cent as market continues to price in tighter liquidity and higher interest rate expectation into valuation.

“We expect these factors to continue to impact positioning decisions of investors,” the dealers.

Foreign Exchange Presently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is still unable to adequately meet dollar demands as the Apex bank continues to refund Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for huge volume of unfulfilled bids at the weekly foreign exchange (FX) auctions. The impact of the FX unavailability is being felt across sectors especially the petroleum sector as difficulties with importation of refined crude continues to adversely affect economic output.

Liquidity in the financial system has also been fluctuating widely with a feedback on market rates.

However, speculative pressures remain relatively passive in the foreign exchange market, hence the stability in exchange rates at all segments of the FX market, though the wide spread between the official rate and parallel market rate remains.The official Naira/Dollar rate at the official segment of the market stayed unchanged at N197.00/$1.00 whilst the interbank rate remained at N199.50/US$1.00. The Bureau-de-Change segment of the market maintained the stability observed in recent weeks as the naira traded at N322.00/$1.00 from Monday till Wednesday then appreciated to N320.00/$1.00

by Thursday.

Dealers expect that the relative calmness in the foreign exchange market will continue in the week ahead. Although, the comprehensive details of the Yuan/Naira currency deal remains unavailable, “we believe completion of the transaction has the potential of reducing the dollar demand pressure especially for imports from China. “This is likely to rein in speculative pressures in the FX market in the interim,” Afrinvest believes.

25

Monday, 25 April, 2016

capitalmarket

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba

m:08057336640 e:kehinde_07@yahoo.com

Union Bank promises shareholders dividend soon

From left, Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Emeka Emuwa, Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (UBN); Cyril Odu, Chairman, UBN Plc and Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Capital Market, NSE at the UBN Plc Facts Behind the Figures Presentation (FBF) at the Exchange on Thursday.

UNION Bank of Nigeria has assured shareholders of its commitment towards ensuring returns for their investments.

The banks Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Emuwa, at the company’s ‘fact behind the figures’ at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) explained that the board is set on moving impediments towards profiteering.

Emuwa said the bank was not able to declare dividend for the year ended December, 2015 due to negative retained earnings.

He stated that regulatory policy stipulated that a company must not declare dividend with negative retained earnings.

Emuwa pointed out that the bank would engage professionals to ensure that the impediments that resulted to the accrued cost were removed.

Emuwa explained that the bank

Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa, others record N212.3bn profit Stories By KehindeAkinseinde-Jayeoba-Lagos

D

ANGOTE Cement Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc and two others quoted cement manufacturing companies on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have recorded a total profit after tax of N212.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Relating to the results of the 2015 financial year, there is an increase of six per cent compared to N199.5 billion profit after tax recorded by the same firms in the same period of 2014.

Analysis of the results showed that Dangote Cement was the only company that recorded impressive results in the year under review as its profit grew by 14 per cent from N159.5 billion in 2014 to N181 billion recorded in 2015.

Of the N212.3 billion reported by these four firms, Dangote Cement contributed about 85 per cent.

With spikes in cost of sales and operating expenses, Lafarge Africa Plc recorded a profit after tax of N26.99 billion in the period under review from N33. 5 billion in the corresponding year, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc’s recorded a 37 per cent decline in profit from N1.9 billion in 2014 to N1.2 billion in 2015.

According to the result, Ashaka Cement Plc recorded the weak profit in the period under consideration, dropping by 39 per cent from N4.6 billion of the previous years to N2.76 billion in 2015.

Analysts have said the increase in the performance of Dangote Cement was as a result of the company’s expansion across Africa as indicated in revenue that rose by 98 per cent.

They expressed that this performance had translated into increased patronage of Dangote Cement shares and investors returns, as the company has been the major driver of activities in the equities market.

They added that Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeastern part of the country and Naira devaluation reduced Ashaka Cement, Lafarge Africa and Cement Company of Northern of Nigeria profit.

In a statement by CEO Dangote Cement, Onne van der Weijde, “We had a great year in 2015 with volumes increasing 35 per cent as new factories performed very successfully across Africa, gaining significant market share against long-established incumbents,” the statement read.

“In our home market of Nigeria, we increased sales by 3.2 per cent against the worst economic crisis the country has faced in many years, which demonstrates that the Nigerian market is very robust.

“We’ve succeeded in new markets, proved that our business model works throughout Africa and we’ve created a strong founda-

tion for the next wave of expansion in Africa’s exciting growth markets and beyond. We have had a very strong start to 2016 and are well on the way to becoming a global leader in cement.”

The company lost and also benefitted from the depreciation of the Nigerian naira and the current exchange rate regime.

Fidson Healthcare records 18% profit growth FIDSON Healthcare Plc. has announced a Profit After Tax (PAT) for the period ended December 31, 2015 recorded an 18 per cent growth.

According to a statement released by the company, also filed to the Nigerian Stock Exchange

Guinnss records N30bn profit for Q1 2016 GUINNESS Nigeria Plc has a profit of N30.3 billion for the 9 months period ended 31st March 2016.

In its financial statement submitted to the Nigreian Stock Exchange (NSE), the company recorded a revenue of N69.62 billion for the period under review, as against N39.7 billion recorded in the corresponding year.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Peter Ndegwa, observed that the third quarter sales of N39.4 billion were impacted by a tough operating environment and the lapping of a very strong quarter in the previous year, “particularly with distribution gains for the Orijin brand.

The economic slowdown and

rise in inflation continue to cause a shift towards lower margin value products.

“However, we are starting to make progress in the broadening of our portfolio and also seeing resilience in our core brands.

We are also focused on driving efficiency throughout our operations to address the continuing pressure on margins. We anticipate that the year will be challenging as we incur one-off costs to reshape our business and continue to broaden our portfolio in order to drive future growth.”

It will be recalled that Guiness Nigeria Plc shareholders approved a dividend of N4.8 billion for the period ended June 30, 2015, with a pledge by the

was targeting cost to income ratio of 60 per cent for the financial year ending December 31, 2016 by ensuring drastic reduction in cost to income ratio against the 67 per cent posted in the 2015 financial year.

He stated that the bank’s cost to income ratio stood at 183 per cent in 2011, 96 per cent in 2012, 71 per cent in 2013 and 67 per cent in 2014.

The chief executive officer said the bank would also embark on strategic partnerships to ensure sustained growth in 2016 and beyond, adding that the bank would improve its business process and branch network, and channel optimisation to sustain growth and development.

He stated that the company would be a leading mid-tier bank by 2018 on a trajectory to be top tier by 2020.

According to him, the bank will ensure client retention and acquisition, risk management and recoveries, as well as cost management.

Also speaking, Oyinkan Adewale, the bank’s Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, explained that its 6.99 per cent non-performing loan had almost 200 per cent coverage.

Oscar Onyema, NSE’s Chief Executive Officer, commended the bank for the timely release of information at the nation’s bourse.

Onyema said “stock market is driven by timely relevant and accurate information.”

board and management to maintain sustainable growth for the business through good business strategies and quality products.

The Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Babatunde Savage, at the 65th Annual General Meeting late last year had said although the operating environment remained daunting during the period under review, but the company is now poised for better performance in the 2016 financial year and beyond.

Savage said: “Going into the 2016 financial year, the board and management are resolute in their commitment to improve the performance of the company and deliver greater value and return on investments to shareholders.”

(NSE) showed that the PAT grew from N631 million in 2014 to N744 million in 2015.

The company noted that this sterling performance is in spite of a 16 per cent decline in turnover to N8.21 billion.

“Which was a result of the challenges to sales and distribution faced during the first half of 2015 largely due to the general elections. The upturn in sales witnessed in the second half of the year was curtailed by the paucity of foreign exchange for the importation of products and essential raw materials, which severely affected product availability,” it disclosed.

The financial results also showed an increase of 6 per cent in operating profit from N1.45 billion last year to N1.52 billion.

According to management, the increase is largely as a result of the company’s cost optimization strategy and a reduction in selling and distribution expenses.

Fidson said: “The company’s cost improvement trend, which it embarked on a couple of years ago, is in line with its strategy to drive efficiency in the face of a challenging business environment.”

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

labour ILO DG, Guy Ryder

Soji-Eze Fagbemi- Abuja

A

CROSS the globe, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work will be celebrated this week.

As a member state of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), attention will be focused on the standardisation and effectiveness of occupational safety and health (OSH) in Nigeria and how the ILO is ensuring a safe work environment in partnership with Nigerian Government.

Statistics by the ILO shows that each day, 6,400 people die from occupational accident or disease globally, amounting to 2.3 million deaths each year. Also over 313 million workers suffer non-fatal occupational injuries each year, equating to 860,000 people injured on the job daily.

This means that increasingly, more people die at work than at wars. The statistics are simply grim and perhaps scary. But even more worrisome is the ILO’s estimates that occupational accidents and diseases result in annual 4 per cent loss in global gross domestic product (GDP) or about 2.8 trillion US dollars in direct and indirect cost of injuries and diseases.

In Nigeria, the story has not been different. Analysts say the work environment is increasingly getting precarious for workers in different sectors of the economy as they are daily exposed to worsening health and safety situations with increased cases of deaths and injuries at work.

As a long-standing ILO priority, occupational safety and health were recognised as a fundamental human right in the 2008 Seoul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work. Thus the ILO sets aside every April 28 to commemorate the world day for safety and health at work and to raise awareness on occupational safety and health.

This year’s theme, “Workplace Stress: a collective challenge” has been described as apt by stakeholders in the Labour and health sector, owing to the increasing pressure workers face to meet the daily challenge associated with their jobs. Numerous surveys and studies confirm that occupational pressures and fears are by far the leading source of stress for workers across the world and that these have steadily increased over the past few decades.

According to the ILO, Work-related stress is determined by work organization, work design and labour relations and occurs when the demands of the job do not match or exceed the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. The workplace factors that can cause stress are called psychosocial hazards.

These include work environment and work equipment; task design; workload, work pace; work schedule. The impact of work related

World Day for Safety:

ILO, FG partner on safe work environment

stress on productivity and economic costs are huge as workers commitment would not be guaranteed while it reduces efficiency and accuracy in performance. However, the ILO has severally emphasized that if OSH is effectively standardized in workplace and employers are committed to it, stress induced factors in workplace would be eradicated or at least, reduce to barest minimum.

As the issues of occupational health and safety continues to raise more concern among the tripartite partners, that is labour, employers and government, the ILO has re-emphasized its commitment to support the Nigerian government in its effort to ensure that health and safety at work is taken seriously.

Over the years, the ILO has shown its commitment to ensuring safe work environment in Nigeria by giving both technical and financial support to the Nigerian gov-

ernment and other social partners like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Director of ILO Country Office, Abuja which is in charge of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Mr. Dennis Zulu, had during the 2015 world day for safety and health at work, urged Nigeria to ratify and domesticate relevant ILO conventions, review and sign into law the Occupational Health and Safety which was submitted to National Assembly in 2005.

According to the ILO director, the International Labour Standards along with relevant laws and policies would give impetus to the promotion of safety at work.

“Some of the Conventions that need to be ratified include C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and C187 – the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and

Health Convention, 2006. Adequate regulation is urgently needed to enforce such safety culture in all organisations,” he said.

Recently Zulu also stated that the ILO is currently supporting the effort of Federal Government to develop a national OSH profile in Nigeria, and that the work is ongoing. Already he said the ILO OSH specialist has provided technical support in preparing a National OSH checklist.

According to him, the ILO stands ready to provide technical, financial and moral support to the Government of Nigeria on OSH related programmes.

Though the Nigerian government has domesticated ILO convention 155 which emphasize safe work environment, analysts say enforcement in Nigeria has been a major problem. However, there is increasing confidence that with the continued support of the ILO, Nigerian workers will begin to experience improvements in health and safety within the workplace.

This view was shared by Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who spoke ahead of this year’s OSH day.

“The ILO is cooperating with us.

As a matter of fact, at the last ILO meeting in Addis Ababa, where the theme was decent work in Africa, we got the director general of ILO to agree to visit Nigeria at the earliest possible time. Also the country office in Nigeria has been upgraded so that they can give us technical support in terms of expertise.”

The minister regretted that despite the support by the ILO, the Nigerian government over the years have not given workplace safety a top priority. He however assured that the Federal Government is now ready to improve its partnership with the ILO to address the issues of occupational safety at work places.

He said, “Occupational safety in Nigeria has not been given its pride of place. The department of safety and health in the federal ministry of labour is supposed to have inspectors who are supposed to be visiting factories. But today, they don’t have the tools to do that. They don’t even have the personnel from the audit of personnel I have done since I came on board. But I assure that once the budget is signed, we are going to remedy that situation.

We will have enough personnel to go into the field.

“We will use this year’s celebration to alert employers of labour in the country that a lot need to be done in the area of occupational safety. I am sure that after we have created the awareness and when we start our sanctions, we will be doing so rightfully” Also speaking, the Head of Occupational Health and Safety at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Maureen Onyia-Ekwuaze said Nigeria is yet to show much

interest in occupational Health and Safety as it affects workers despite support by the ILO. She lamented the non-passage of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) bill into law by the 7th Assembly on the ground of technicalities. She however said the NLC is ready to reintroduce the bill to the National Assembly.

She said, “ILO is already supporting this process. The first bill we have pushed to theNational Assembly, ILO supported the tripartite to come up with that bill. They held meetings for several years and came up with that bill.”

She also added: “in Nigeria, employers don’t take issues of occupational health and safety serious not because they don’t know that it is important but largely because most of them think keeping up to date on health and safety of workers will make them spend more money.

But research has shown that when your workers are healthy and the workplace is secured, you will make more profit, because it will attract more people to your investment”.

On the choice of this year’s theme, “workplace Stress: a collective challenge,” she said it was chosen because Nigerian workers are dying as a result of stress due to non-payment of living wages, while workers are struggling to make ends meet.

She said, “Most times workers in Nigeria refuse to go on leave not because the employers don’t allow them, but they prefer to continue working just to make more money” According to comrade Maureen, other countries who take issues of safety and health at work seriously, tend to gain from it and make more profit.

She said, “the other thing NLC is doing is collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour in pushing for a review of the safety law in Nigeria is to allow for the establishment of safety committees in workplace. These committees would ensure a bipartite committee that can look at issues of workers and safety”.

She however called for support from the ILO for the tripartite plus to do a profile of occupational health and safety in Nigeria so that the country can get the basic programming in the health and safety sector.

According to her, even though it was evident that a safe and secured workplace boosts productivity of workers, she lamented that actual statistics of workplace accidents in Nigeria is lacking, because Nigeria does not have a frame work for that.

However, she expressed satisfaction that with the outcome of the meeting between the ILO country Director and the Minister of Labour and employment last week Thursday in Abuja, the ILO has also assured the country of its commitment to partner with the government to ensure accurate data of occupation accidents.

27

Monday, 25 April, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

features 10 days in the hellhole

I lost my senses—Rev Dziggau Says ‘My co-pastor died of exhaustion’

Reverend Emmanuel N. Dziggau is the President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (TEKAN). The foremost cleric, who was abducted on March 21, 2016 with two other prominent pastors of the church, Reverends Iliya Anto and Yakubu Dzarma, had a most grueling experience in the hands of their abductors. They were abducted along Abuja-Kaduna highway. Unfortunately, Reverend Anto died while in custody of his abductors, while the other two regained their freedom. In this interview, Reverend Dziggau tells MUHAMMAD SABIU of their ordeal. Excerpts:

W

HAT really transpired on March 21, 2016?

I am a very free man; I like to move around and meet with people, as well as to take part in social engagements. Now, there is this land the church bought about 15 years ago, which we want to build a seminary on. So on the March 19, a Saturday, I planned to clear the piece of land. The following day was a Sunday, and you know we have church activities, so I did not go. But on Monday, March 21, as early as 7:30am, myself, with the vice president of the church, the late Rev Iliya Anto and Rev Yakubu Dzarma, drove to the site located along Abuja-Kaduna highway, and immediately we got there, we started working on the site. Around 3pm, the fuel in the bulldozer got finished and we decided to call it a day. My vice president, the late Reverend Anto, was returning to Abuja. I was in my vehicle with Reverend Dzarma, while late Reverend Anto came with his driver. So around 4:30pm, we had not driven up to two minutes when we were stopped by the kidnappers.

How many were they, and was there no way you could have escaped?

They were about 20 in number, and they were strategically-positioned that it would be difficult to escape because we ran into them. Some were holding cutlasses and sticks, while some had AK47 rifles. They asked us to come out from our vehicles and immediately we did, they started beating us.

They then took us to the western side of the farm land and asked us to follow them. Reverend Dzarma and some of the abductors were in front, while the late Reverend Anto and other abductors were in the middle; myself and the other abductors were coming behind. They strategically formed themselves into groups to handle each of us.

What happened after that?

We trekked for some minutes along a bush path I must say here that before this, the later Reverend Anto was not feeling too well; he just decided to join us to clear the farmland. So with the beatings and the long trek along the bush path, his health deteriorated. Our abductors were not happy that he could no longer walk. He tried to explain to the boys about his health status, but this got them angrier, and they beat him the more, while also tearing his clothes. They then collected his phone and called one of our pastors, explaining to him that we had been abducted, and that one of us was ill and he had collapsed in the forest. They said because he could not keep up with the pace of the others, he had been left to his fate in the forest. They described to the pastor the location which they were making the call.

only looking for ‘food.’

What did they demand for while you were with them?

Our kidnappers initially demanded for N100million from the church, but they later brought it down to N50million, before they settled for a paltry amount. But the truth is, I have never seen that kind of money in my life. The church didn’t have this kind of money either. So, they told our negotiators if they were bringing the ransom, they should come along with food and yoghurt. So, when the person that was given the ransom came, he brought rice, chicken, water and yoghurt to the kidnappers.

So they collected the ransom?

Definitely! After they collected the money, they took us on a bike which we rode for almost three hours inside the bush before we got to the main road somewhere between Abuja and Kaduna border. The kidnappers then gave us N4,000 each to use as transport in case nobody came to pick us. They also asked us to forgive them.

Reverend Dziggau I was watching them because they were in front of me; they cut down some leaves as a sign to make it easy for the search team to trace were Reverend Anto collapsed.

How was Reverend Anto’s corpse discovered?

When we regained our freedom, I was told the search team from the church could not find Reverend Anto on time, and when he was finally found, it was his corpse that was found.

So what happened after you left Reverend Anto behind?

We trekked bare-footed in the thick forest without food or water; don’t forget we were kidnapped around 4:30pm on Monday, but we arrived our final destination around 3.30pm the following day. We stayed with them for 10 days before we were freed.

Throughout the period, I bathed only twice, while Reverend Dzarma bathed once.

One of the abductors even got married to a young beautiful Fulani girl during our ordeal, and they celebrated the wedding by slaughtering three chickens

How would you describe where you were held?

Where we were kept was in-between a mountain; the heat was just too much, and as a result, we could not sleep well. How could one even sleep when we lay on the bare ground, and had leaves to serve as our pillows? We were fed with rice, which the Hausa will call ‘garau garau.’ Sometimes they gave us beans. They fed us mostly once a day, but sometimes twice.

Were you afraid for your lives?

I begged them to allow me to speak with my wife and the church if they intended to kill us. I had carefully drafted what I would tell my wife and the church. I was completely out of my senses. Then, one day, I heard our abductors talking in Fulani dialect about killing somebody and I responded in Fulani dialect, asking them why they carried out such dastardly act. They were surprised that I could speak the Fulani dialect. Since then, their hostile attitude changed towards us. They would bring chicken and give me a small portion. One of the abductors even got married to a young beautiful Fulani girl during our ordeal, and they celebrated the wedding by slaughtering three chickens. They cooked the chickens and offered us half of it.

The groom, one of the kidnappers, asked his bride to greet me. She was confused and he told her to greet me in Fulani dialect. Later, the groom met me and told me that his wife did not know that he was a thief, and I jokingly told him that he was not a thief but was

Have you truly forgiven them?

As men of God, we have forgiven them; I want to believe that the prayers from people all over the world lead to our freedom.

When we were released, the messages I got from my email from people from the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, South Africa, among others touched my heart. I believe it was their prayers that touched the hearts of the kidnappers.

They knew you were clergymen and they still went ahead to kidnap you…

Honestly, I really don’t know. That’s where I want the press to come in and really keep the government and the security agencies on their toes. The press has a big role to play here. The press must do everything in its power so that the government can know what is happening in the country. Nobody is safe in this country anymore.

Can you give a brief background about yourself?

I was born in 1952 in a village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

With that, you can see that I am 64 years old.

I started my missionary work in Kano State in 1981. So I have been doing God’s work for 35 years now. Today, by the special grace of God, I am the president of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (TEKAN), which has branches in 31 states of the country; I am also the head of TEKAN ECWA Fellowship with about 30 million members. I am married and I have two children. The eldest is a graduate, while the second is still in the university.

28

features

Monday, 25 April, 2016

From left, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, (NAPL), Brig. Gen. Umaru Mohammed; the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin who represented President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Tukur Buratai and others at the commissioning of the filling station.

Ecstasy as Army sites own filling station in Minna Adelowo Oladipo -Minna

W

ITH the recent commissioning of the Nigerian Army Property Limited’s (NAPL) mega oil and gas station in Minna, Niger State capital, both motorists and commuters have much to smile about. According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, (NAPL), Brig. Gen. Umaru Mohammed, the company is a business venture of the Nigerian Army, just as the Mega Oil & Gas station is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

He stated further that there was a plan to set up similar filling stations across the country and in places like Kaduna, Ibadan, Enugu, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, with a view to delivering 24-hour service to the army and the general public.

The ecstatic crowd that converged on the NAPL Mega Oil & Gas station along Nnamdi Azikiwe Road to witness the commissioning of the station by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, included citizens of Niger State led by the governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and other royal fathers led by the chairman of the traditional council, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouq Bahago.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Tukur Buratai said shortly after the commissioning by President Mumammadu Buhari the establishment of similar mega oil & gas stations in other states of the federation and Abuja was to ensure that the NAPL creates employment by making available petroleum products and lubricants to compliment whatever it could in the distribution sector of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

The army boss said, “One of the purposes of establishing our own mega oil and gas station is to make it provide the public with 24 hours service and efficient delivery, fuel availability at all times. Once there is fuel at the various depots of the NNPC, there will be fuel here with orderliness and discipline.”

According to him, the NAPL was planning to set up similar filling stations across the country in places like Kaduna, Ibadan, Enugu, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

He also charged the Nigerian Army personnel to continue to remain professionally responsive and loyal to the constitution of the country, just as he commended the Federal Government for its continuous support of the armed forces

in tackling insecurity in the north eastern part of the country.

“The Nigerian armed forces have made appreciable progress in the fight against terror,’’ he declared.

He later inaugurated a multi-office complex and quarter guards at the Headquarters of Training and Doctrine Command, (TRADOC) Nigerian Army, Minna, rehabilitated by the office of the COAS. Also in attendance at the inauguration of the multi office complex and quarter guards was the TRADOC Commander, Major Gen. Mobolaji A. Koleoso among other senior officers of the Nigerian Army present at the occasion.

Earlier in his remarks, while inaugurating the NAPL mega filling station, the President Buhari urged the Nigerian Armed Forces to sustain the tempo on the war against insurgency in the North-East of the country.

He stated further that one of the top priorities of his administration was to enhance the capacity of the armed forces to discharge their duties effectively, saying, “I want to emphatically state that one of the top priorities of this administration is the enhancement of capacity of the armed forces to discharge their duties effectively and we will continue to provide the needed support for the armed forces for efficient service delivery.’’

The President also commended the zeal of the armed forces in tackling other security issues across the country, stressing that the establishment of the filling station was

One of the purposes of establishing our own mega oil and gas station is to make it provide the public with 24 hours service and efficient delivery, fuel availability at all times

in line with the policy direction of his administration. “This is part of current effort to reposition the Nigerian Army to meet contemporary realities,’’ he said.

Buhari said that the project would afford the army optimum utilization of its human and material assets in practical business ventures, adding that the measure would improve the wellbeing of the armed forces personnel, their families and the country.

He opined that the business venture would afford the army to serve the country in their various areas of specialisation for enhanced service delivery.

Meanwhile, the operations controller, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Niger State, Abdullahi Jankara Isah, said that “What the Nigerian Army is basically doing is to really establish a kind of business related outfit that can serve the military and the Nigerian populace. This is what we want. It goes to show that everybody is important if Nigeria is to move forward. We must all work together to ensure our individual and collective goals.

“In fact, I like the concept the incumbent administration at the centre is developing now; it starts from Niger State and it is going to be replicated all over the country very soon. You also know that oil and gas business or environment is one of the most volatile environments all over the world. It is no longer news especially when we recollect how NUPENG and allied associations behave. They can wake up one morning and decide to go on strike thereby shutting down the nation.

The military would not imbibe that idea because they don’t go on strike.”

He stated this in a brief interview with Nigerian Tribune, while also adding that “If we have anything to contribute to that kind of project to succeed, we will not relent on our efforts to do just that.”

Abdullahi Isah noted that the Nigeria Army Properties Limited had approached the DPR operational office in Minna on the rules of the game, stressing that his office was able to give them all the requirements.

Nigerian Tribune, however, gathered that the filling station which commenced sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Kerosene (DPK) immediately after inauguration, has six pumps for dispensing fuel, one pump each for dispensing diesel and kerosene.

The first motorist who purchased Petroleum Motor Spirit from the filling station, Danjuma Mohammed, told reporters in a brief encounter that the product was sold at the approved rate of N86.50 per litre.

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

IN

of

Late Prof.

OLUWADARE EMMANUEL

FUNMILAYO (1942 - 1991)

Who joined the Saints Triumph

At the rising of the sun and at its going down, we remember you.

At the beginning of the year and at the end thereof, we remember you.

When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember you.

When we have joy and achievements to share, we remember you.

As long as we live, you shall live in our hearts.

Remembering you is easy, we do it every day. Missing you is the pain that will never go away.

Goodnight Papa, because we hate to say goodbye.

Wife - MRS OLUFUNMILOLA OLUFUNMILAYO FUNMILAYO CHILDREN: Barr. Moronke Akinwumi Dr. Ifetayo Olawuyi Mrs. Modesayo Awokola Mr. Ebenezer Funmilayo

GRAND CHILDREN: Akintunde Akinwumi Oscar Olawuyi Timilehin Akinwumi Ashley Olawuyi Oluwadarasimi Akinwumi Diwura Awokola Cameron Olawuyi

SISTER Princess Doyin Baderin

Signed: Ebenezer Ibukun Funmilayo (for the family)

30

south-westnews

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Olubadan names Alloy Obi leader of Igbo community

By Nurudeen Alimi

T

HE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has named Chief Alloy Obi the leader of Igbo community in Ibadan.

Oba Adetunji made the pronouncement at his palace, Popoyemoja, Ibadan, on Friday.

He noted that the pronouncement of Chief Obi would definitely put an end to the lingering crisis surrounding the leadership of Igbos living in Ibadan.

Olubadan, while addressing other members of the Igbo community, who were at the palace to witness the brief ceremony, stressed the need for them to take note of the fact that nobody else, aside Chief Obi, should parade himself as the leader of Igbo community in Ibadan.

“Alloy Obi has been given a chieftaincy title of Balogun by one of my predecessors.

From my own end, I now pronounce him as the leader for all of you Igbos in Ibadan.

And I want to state here categorically that nobody should act contrary to what I have said here today. Anyone who does that is fighting me and I will not hesitate to fight back,” he said.

Asked whether the new development would put an end to the leadership tussle between the two parties laying claim to the leadership of Igbo community in Ibadan, Olubadan stated that: “The two parties were here and the series of investigations carried out favoured Obi and that was why I asked him to come today and receive royal mandate for him to become the leader of all Igbos in

Ibadan.”

While speaking with the Nigerian Tribune shortly after his pronouncement, Chief Alloy Obi said: “History has been made today as the Olubadan of Ibadanland has annointed

me as the leader of Igbos in Ibadan. So, today is a great day for the entire Igbos and that is the end of the crisis rocking us all along.

“It has also been confirmed that I am the authentic leader of Igbos here

in Ibadan, so that is why we are here and I really appreciate the Olubadan, the chiefs and the entire people of Ibadan as well as my people under the umbrella body of Igbo General Assembly. They are fantas-

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (left) with the leader of Igbo community in Ibadanland, Chief Alloy Obi, after Obi was named leader of Igbo in Ibadanland, at the Olubadan’s palace, Popoyemoja, on Friday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

Ondo LG: PDP clears 18 chairmanship seats, loses one out of 203 councillorship seats Hakeem Gbadamosi -Akure THE Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) on Sunday, declared all the chairmanship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last Saturday local government election in the state winners of their various local councils.

The Chairman of ODIEC, Professor Olugbenga Ige, who announced the result disclosed that candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ANCP), won the councillorship seat in ward 9, Oba Ile in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

Ige, who described the ex-

ercise as peaceful, free, fair and credible said the commission was able to live to its promise of conducting a fair election, saying there was no formal complaint before the commission over the conduct of the election.

He said all 14 political parties that participated in the election have lauded

Universities must be able to influence society positively —Don

By Tunde Ogunesan

EDUCATION institutions in the 21st century have been charged to wield significant influence in shaping future societal, economic, political, social policies and practices of the nations.

This advice was given on Thursday by the Dean, College of Management, University of Wisconsin-Stout, United States of America, Professor Femi Adekola, at the Convocation lecture of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

Adekola, a professor of management, in his paper titled, “Maintaining A Quality University of Technology Education in the 21st Century: Leveraging Globalisation, Modern Technology and Sustain-

tic people. In 1996, I was made Balogun N’digbo of Ibadanland. So, today the Olubadan has confirmed through his pronouncement that I am the true leader of Igbo community in Ibadan.”

ability” said that as knowledge centres that inform and engage citizens, they have much to leverage the socio-economic growth and development.

He called on education institutions to brace up, warning that globalisation, technology and sustainability are essential in effecting quality University of Technology education in the 21st Century.

Professor Adekola said “globalisation challenges us to rethink, not only on how much education is needed but also its ultimate purposes. So, LAUTECH should continue educating the next generation to be globally connected so that they are not angry population who don’t move around and live in areas that feel stagnant in a lot of ways.

“With TECHNOLOGY, let’s first be clear that it is not the solution to the education of the 21st Century; it is rather a tool to aid learning. Any learning concerning technology should be based around the pedagogical theme and objectives for the learners.

“Twenty first century Professors themselves also need to be highly technologically literate, needing the competence and confidence to prepare their students for a global information society. A global education should teach about issues that cross national boundaries, and interconnected systems on economic, political and technological grounds.

Globalisation and technological advancements are delivering and increasing

access to the world and subsequently academic courses should reflect this global outlook.”

He said institutions need to identify their competitive advantages, sustain and construct strategies on such to survive in a competitive market of higher education.

“The quality of education is a central factor of competition, and therefore, to maintain competitiveness, Higher Education institutions must undertake significant planning that will determine sustainability in a highly competitive environment. This requires strategic thinking in management of resources and capabilities while producing students with appropriate preparation for the 21st Century’s market and societal relevancy.”

ODIEC over the conduct of the election and pledged that the commission would always be ready to conduct a free and fair election in the state.

The ODIEC boss, however, attributed the success of the election to the cooperation and support of all stakeholders, including security agencies, media and political parties, saying the support encouraged the commission to achieve its goal.

He appreciated all the political parties that participated in the election for playing the game by the rules, saying this allowed the commission to conduct free, fair and credible election.

The chairman said all the candidates who emerged as winners will be issued Certificate of Return on Monday (today) at the ODIEC office.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Tribune learnt that the inauguration of the 18 newly elected chairmen would come up today at 10 a.m. at the multipurpose event centre, the DOME. Some of the elected chairmen include Pastor Oluwole Arowolo, North-East; Abiodun Ogunbi, Akoko South West; Babalola Bamidele, Akure North and Adebayo Alarapon, Akure South.

Nigerian Tribune

Fire razes 6 houses, petrol station in Ondo NO fewer than six houses were razed in an inferno that gutted a Mobil petrol station on Saturday evening, in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the fire, which began at 7.30p.m. was as a result of a spark which emanated from a house beside the Mobil filling station.

NAN also learnt that no life was lost in the inferno, but the absence of a fire service station in the town worsened the situation.

An eye witness, Prince Ayoola Odidiomo, told NAN that no life was lost in the fire outbreak, but that six houses were razed in the inferno.

“It was through the efforts of residents that the fire was put off to stop further wreckage.

“We saw the fire this evening burning the Mobil petrol station before we later discovered that the fire started from a house beside it, which was loaded with diesel.”

Maharaj ji advocates parliamentary system of govt

By Tunde Adegbola FOUNDER, One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaj ji, has advocated for a parliamentary system of governance in tandem with traditional structure, to abate current socioeconomic challenges confronting the nation.

He added that the current anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government was a welcome development, urging Nigerians to be actively involved in the change effort.

Maharaj ji made the declaration at a ceremony to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of Maharaj ji Villlage in Ibadan, SouthWest Nigeria.

Sat Guru also urged Nigerians to retrace their steps back to traditional root, and do away with erroneous western beliefs and philosophy, as this would help boost the nation’s posterity.

He, however, cautioned that if Nigeria must succeed in international football competitions, foreign coaches should not be employed to manage the country’s football teams.

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south-westnews

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Ajimobi gives condition for return of mission schools

O

YO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has promised to hand over mission schools to owners, who have genuine proposal for the development of such schools and proven commitment to education advancement.

The governor made the promise in his address at the Archdiocesan reception for the 34th Council of Bishops at the Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu House, Molete, Ibadan, on Saturday, which was attended by bishops and archbishops of the Methodist Church across the country.

He said this in response to a request by the Prelate of the church, Dr Samuel Uche, for the return of mission schools to their original owners for what he called proper running of such schools.

The governor stressed that any religious body or organisation without a questionable intention would be allowed to run such schools inasmuch as they met the requirements that might be set by the government.

Ajimobi said: “The government will look critically into this request, as we be-

Rotary Club takes free medical test to Bodija Market

By Tunde Ogunesan

OVER 200 people from Bodija Market, Ibadan, at the weekend, benefitted from the free medical health tests sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bodija Estate, District 9129, as part of its project for this year’s Rotary year.

As early as 10.00 a.m., members of the club had gathered at the open space of Alao-Akala shopping complex, Bodija Market, Ibadan, with six medical officers to conduct free medical service for the market people.

According to the president of the club, Mr Kayode Odeleye, people were tested on two major killer diseases - blood pressure and diabetes.

Mr Odeleye said “Many Nigerians died suddenly because of diabetes, hypertension, while many would not even know that they are carrying the disease because they don’t undertake regular medical check ups.

“So, to help the mass of humanity around Bodija where our club situates and operates, we decided to organise a blood sugar and blood pressure screening in the heart of Bodija Market to help the numerous men and women in the market who has no access to regular check.”

lieve that the church and the mosque are veritable sociopolitical avenues to reach out to the people with government’s programmes and policies.

“Your request, however, would receive favourable consideration if they are found to be genuine and in the greater public interest.

If we receive genuine proposals and we are convinced of the commitment of such schools to education development we will consider it.

“The current state of economy in the country requires the collaboration and coop-

eration of all and sundry for us to progress. Any organisation or group willing to partner the government in any sector to accelerate such progress will be welcomed.”

Ajimobi urged the congregation and the church in general to rededicate themselves to God and to continue to pray for the uplift of the country, while advising the people that only a combination of hard work and prayers would lift the country out of the abyss of poverty.

According to him, finding solutions to the economic

recession confronting the country was no longer the responsibility of the government alone, but a collective obligation of all citizens and private institutions.

The governor added, “It will be to everyone’s joy if the Methodist Church in Nigeria can continue to propagate patriotism and oneness with support for the government towards enhancing productive economy and general development.”

He also commended the church for what he called its huge contributions to the spiritual rejuvenation of

the people, which, he noted, had contributed immensely to the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the state.

Earlier, the Prelate had said that the Methodist church would continue to partner the state and federal governments in all spheres of development.

Besides, he vowed that the church would continue to pray for the government and the people of the country to get out of the prevailing economic challenges, stressing that whatever affects the people would also affect the church.

From left, Olori Taibat Omosalewa Ogunwusi, Prince Oluropo Ogunwusi, who is the the only surviving son of the late Olori Marian Ogunwusi and Prince Tunji Ogunwusi, grandson, during the funeral service of Olori Marian Ayeyemi Ogunwusi, at St. Paul’s Church, Ayegbaju, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Saturday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

No going back on education development levy —Ekiti govt Says 7 Catholic schools, other mission schools have paid EKITI State government has said that there was no going back on the N1, 000 and N500 Development Levy being paid by private and public primary and secondary schools respectively in the state.

He added that mission schools in the state would not be given preference treatment over other schools and that “no other body apart from the federal and state governments has power to make policies concerning the operation of both private and public schools in the country.”

The government noted that the decision on the Education Development Levy of N1, 000 and N500 for secondary and primary schools respectively was reached by all stakeholders at the Education Summit held last year, saying that “it is wrong for any organisation to claim that it has its own education policy that is different from that of the state and that no law empowers the state government of Ekiti to impose Education Development Levy

on pupils/students of mission schools in Ekiti State.”

The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Jide Egunjobi, who made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, disclosed that seven schools owned by the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti

State had already complied with the government policy by paying the development levy, dismissing the threat to sue the government by the Catholic Diocese.

“Christ The King Catholic College, Ire; St Theresa`s Catholic School, Ikole; Ave Maria International College,

Osun; St Joseph`s Nursery/ Primary School, Ado; Immaculate Nursery/Primary School, Ilupeju; St Philip Catholic Nursery/Primary School, Otun and St Louis Nursery/Primary School, Ikere have all complied with the government directive on the development levy,” he said.

Osun permanent secretary, others released by kidnappers

By Oluwatoyin Malik and Oluwole Ige

THE Permanent Secretary of Osun State Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade who was abducted by armed men along with a director from the ministry, Mr Tajudeen Badejoko and her driver, Mr Oladapo Arogundade Ajani, on Friday in Kogi State, has been released by their captors.

Though details of their release still remained sketchy as of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Head of Service (HOS), Mr Sunday Olayinka Owoeye, confirmed their release in

a statement made available to journalists.

The statement reads in part, “this is to inform the general public that to the glory of God, three staffers of Osun State civil service, Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Tajudeen Badejoko, Director of State Audit and driver to the Auditor-General of the state, Mr Oladapo Ajani Arogundade, have regained their freedom from their abductors this evening of Sunday, April 24, 2016.”

Their release was also confirmed by the Kogi State Command’s Police Public Relations officer, ASP Wil-

liam Ovye Aya, who said that the kidnap victims’ rescue took the combined efforts of police officers and men.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the three kidnap victims were released at about 4p.m., but the facts surrounding their release were still sketchy as at the time of writing this report.

But a reliable source disclosed that a ransom of N5million was paid before the Permanent Secretary and two others were released.

According to the source, the kidnappers had demanded N50 million but the negotiators told them that they could only afford N5 million.

Nigerian Tribune

Ambode mourns Jafojo Bola Badmus - Lagos

LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed sadness over the news of passage of former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, describing the death as a great loss to the state, even as he said his contribution to the development of state would not be forgotten in a hurry.

Jafojo, who was deputy governor during the administration of former governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, during the Second Republic, died on Saturday, in his Lagos residence at the age of 80.

The governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, said, “Alhaji Jafojo was part and parcel of an administration during the Second Republic that has been widely applauded across Nigeria for achieving several milestones which is still being made reference to.

“He was an astute politician who was very loyal to the course of developing the state and together with Alhaji Lateef Jakande, they formed a strong partnership and set the template for the development of Lagos State.”

...He was a great patriot —Obasa ChukwumaOkparaocha-Lagos

THE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, has stated that with the demise of the former deputy governor of the state, Chief Rafiu Adeyefa Jafojo, the nation has lost a great patriot, who he said stood for equity and justice.

Reacting to the death of the former deputy governor in the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Obasa, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, described the deceased as one of the founding fathers of modern Lagos, whose efforts in the Second Republic laid the solid foundation from which Lagos had evolved and developed over the years.

“Papa was a very patriotic Nigerian who was well known for his progressive pro-democratic ideals and promoter of equity and justice. Together with Alhaji Lateef Jakande and other members of the 1979-1983 Class, they laid a solid foundation for the development and growth of the state.”

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Refineries: We are not inviting foreigners —FG Ademola Adegbite- Abuja

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HE Federal Government, on Sunday, said it would not invite foreign partners to take over refineries, but it would continue with importation of petroleum products to augment the supply of the products.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, while making the disclosure, declared that Port Harcourt Refining company now produced five million litres of petrol, while Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company produced two million litres of petrol per day.

According to him, “we are not inviting foreign partners to take over the refineries.

We do not have the funds, even now that they are working, they are probably working at about 60 per cent or below capacity, so you need to upgrade these refineries and get them to a level where they will operate at 90 per cent capacity

or more.

“It requires money and total investment for that is in excess of about $700 million and we don’t have it”, the minister stated categorically.

He said even at full capacity of the refineries, the country would still import petroleum products to augment the supply of petroleum products.

The minister said going forward by 2019 when the co-location refineries would become operational, the country would stop importation of petroleum products

and become a net exporter.

In a statement signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, (NNPC), Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, quoted the minister of saying he would not relent until queues were no more in filling stations across the country.

The statement said the minister made this known, while re-commissioning the Bonny-Port Harcourt Refinery crude pipeline recently rehabilitated after being out

of use for so many years, due to incessant pipeline vandalism.

Dr Kachikwu explained that Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company was also scheduled to start production soon, adding that the coming on stream of the three refineries would go a long way to ensure sufficient supply and distribution of petrol across the country.

He stated that the NNPC under his watch, has been able to recover the two critical crude supply pipelines which were Escravos to

Warri and Bonny to Port Harcourt crude supply pipelines, stressing that they were critical to the downstream sector of the industry.

“Port Harcourt is back in production, Warri is back in production, Kaduna as at today is receiving crude and will soon be back in production. Lagos is easing off now from fuel scarcity and Abuja is doing the same thing and once Kaduna begins production, the North will see a lot of improvement,” he added.

Rivers produces 1st, 3rd prize winners in 2016 Spelling Bee •Ogun comes 2nd Bola Badmus- Lagos

MISS Ruth Ejims, a 12-year-old student from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, has emerged as the first prize winner of the 2016 Spelling Bee national final, which took place in Lagos, at the weekend, while Miss Tirenioluwa, a 10-year-old student from Ota, Ogun State, picked the second position.

The third position went to a 10-year-old Master Daniel Ogwala, another student from Port-Harcourt in Rivers State, with all the winners of the keenly contested exercise decorated by the immediate former champion, Miss Onyechi Obiaguna.

The first winner, Ruth, besides winning a cash prize of N250,000 and becoming an Ambassador of Betamalt, the sponsor of the contest, would now have an opportunity to travel to Washington DC in the United States next month to participate in the final of Spelling Bee, with a shopping allowance of $500.

Tirenioluwa, who came second, won a cash prize of N150,000 while Daniel collected a cash prize of N100,000. The schools’ coaches of the winners also went home with various prizes.

Senator Smart Adeyemi (third left); deputy governorship candidate to the late Alhaji Abubakar Audu, Honourable James Faleke (third right) and a cross section of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, during Senator Adeyemi’s defection to APC, in Iyara ward, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, at the weekend.

350 research findings ready for commercialisation- FG Ademola Adegbite- Abuja

THE Federal Government has said about 350 research findings are ready for commercialisation under an agency in the Federal Ministry of Sci-

ence and Technology.

The minister in charge of the ministry, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed this while receiving a delegation of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce

and Industry in his office in Abuja.

He, therefore, urged the private sector to take advantage of the development, by supporting the government, so as to en-

Fuel scarcity: DPR clamps down on erring filling stations Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

THE Operations Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Niger State, Mr Abdullahi Isah has clampdown on some major and independent petroleum marketers in the state capital, Minna, and its environs, sealing off two NNPC affiliated stations in Minna, at the weekend.

The DPR Controller, Mr Isah in conjunction with his team, while intensifying surveillance on some filling stations in the state capital and its environs, where many filling stations were compelled to sell the product at government approved price of N86 per litre, warned them against hoarding the product.

Two Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) affiliate filling stations sealed off by the DPR, the Nigerian Tribune learnt, were NNPC station at Shango on Minna-Suleja Road and the NNPC affiliate station at Maitumbi area of Minna , on Minna-Gwada Road all within Minna metropolis.

The DPR, Nigerian Tribune gathered, also compelled some independent marketers in the state,who had been selling the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) above the official pump price, to revert to government approved pump price of N86.50 Kobo per litre to the general public, under very close supervision and to ensure the product is dispensed accordingly whenever it is brought to

the state.

The state DPR boss, who ordered the closure of the NNPC affiliate station in Shango, on the outskirts of Minna for selling the product with only one pump out of the 18 pumps in the station to the public, described the situation as a plot to hoard the product and thereby sabotaging the efforts of the department in the state.

He said the station would remain sealed until at least, six of the pumps are functional, saying the attitude of the operator at station did not only amount to sabotage but a deliberate attempt to inflict suffering on the public ,who were made to queue for several hours before getting the product.

able the current administration to achieve its set goals.

Dr Onu explained that involvement of private sector would help in creating jobs and additional wealth, saying most importantly, it would bail out Nigerians from poverty.

The minister harped on the fact that involvement of the private sector in commercialisation of the research findings, would improve the nation`s economy, noting that the ministry was ready to collaborate with the Lagos Chambers of Commerce in exhibiting inventions and discoveries of the ministries to the world.

“We want to use this medium to commend the Lagos Chambers of Commerce for its contributions towards economic development of our country. You are the foremost chapter of chamber of commerce in the country. And you have done so much over the years to promote business, particularly among Nigerians,” he stated.

Senator Adeyemi formally defects to APC Taiwo Adisa-Abuja

FORMER chairman of Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi has formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and picked the registration card of the All Progressives Congress APC).

In a brief ceremony held in his Iyara ward, in Ijumu local Government Area of Kogi State, the senator, in an address, said he was joining the APC to enable him to serve his people better.

He added that he had utilised the mandate given to him in the past to better the lots of the people, saying that he was hoping that those coming after him would follow the same footsteps.

The senator, who got the Card Number 14542741, said he needed to be in the APC, so that he could directly talk to the people in government without a sense of enmity.

“I need to be in the APC so that we can jointly with Honourable Faleke and my brothers work for the betterment of our people. When I talk to the people in goverbment about the deprivation of our area as a member of the APC, they will not see me as an enemy,” Senator Adeyemi said.

ICAN holds public symposium tomorrow THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ibadan and District Society, as part of its contributions towards entrenching transparency and accountability in both private and public sectors, will hold a public symposium tomorrow.

The symposium’s theme is “Whistle-blowing as a panacea for fighting corruption in Nigeria.”

Whistle-blowing, according to an announcement sent by the chairman, Public Lecture Committee, Adetunji Adepeju FCA, “involves a person or group of persons making a disclosure of illegal, corrupt, fraudulent or illegitimate practices to the persons or agencies that may be able to effect an action.”

The event will hold at Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, off JoyceB Road, off Ring Road, Ibadan, at 10.00 a.m.

Mr Obafunso Ogunkeye, Mr Nelson Anomaka FCA and Prince ‘Bade Oyedepo FCA will present papers at the event.

33 news B/Haram: 1.9 million IDPs in camps —NEMA

Monday, 25 April, 2016

Chris Agbambu -Abuja

A

total of 1, 934, 765 displaced persons are currently living in formal camps, host communities and satellite camps in liberated communities as a result of the insurgency in NorthEastern states of Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa.

Yola camp coordinator, Saad Bello, disclosed this on behalf of the DirectorGeneral of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani

Sidi, when he took the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Samanthan Power, round the facilities at Malkohi IDP Camp in Yola, Adamawa State, at the weekend.

He said there were 32 formal camps in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, with a total of 189,783 IDPs. Borno State has 19 camps with 150, 858 IDPs; Yobe has 9 camps with 31, 988 IDPs and Adamawa has four camps with 6, 937 IDPs. The camp coordinator added that there were 14 satellite camps in liber-

ated communities, mainly in Borno State with 216, 184 IDPs. “The camps with the highest population are Ngala with 70, 505; Dikwa 53, 636; Bama 27, 000 and Damboa/Sabon Gari 25, 311,” he said.

Saad said host communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states had a total of 1, 391, 613 IDPs. “Borno state has the highest with 1, 158, 362; Adamawa 125, 689 and Yobe 107,562,” he added.

He said: “Federal Government, through the coordinating agency, NEMA and relevant line Ministries,

Departments and Agencies, have been trying to meet the needs of the IDPs in the provision of food, nutrition, non-food items (NFIs), temporary shelter, medicament, psycho-social therapy, security and protection.

According to him, as the government continued in the efforts to meet the needs of the IDPs, more supports were critically required for the IDPs across the three identified kinds of camps before they return back to their communities.

“The critical areas where further support is needed

are food, non-food items (including basic household needs), shelter, WASH, education, nutrition, protection, health and sexual reproductive health and psycho-social helps,” he noted.

Speaking, the U.S. Ambassador to UN , Samanthan Power, who led the high level delegation from US to the Malkohi IDPs camp and host communities, told them that they were there to determine what more could be done to defeat Boko Haram so that they could return back to their communities.

“I know how difficult these last years have been for you and, on behalf of President Barack Obama, I express my sympathy and my condolences for all you have lost and our resolve to try to make things better together,” she said.

Alumni of Republic of Belarus institutions meet in Abuja THE maiden meeting of distinguished personalities from various institutions, who were trained in Belarus, resident in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, are to meet on April 30, 2016 in Abuja.

A statement signed by Mr Archibong Asuquo, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abuja, on behalf of the Organising Committee, said series of activities had been lined up to mark the ground breaking reunion billed to hold at Valencia Hotel, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

The activities include: Tour of Abuja, general meeting, inauguration of alumni body, board of trustees and patron of the association. The event will be rounded off with a Gala night at the same venue.

Shiite clash: Group faults report by Amnesty APC wins International federal Ademola Adegbite -Abuja

A village market in Ugboju community, as life returns to some communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, on Sunday. PHOTO: NAN.

Police deploy officers in N/East Chris Agbambu -Abuja

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HE Nigerian Police have deployed hundreds of officers and equipment in the North-East to take full control of recaptured territories as directed by the Federal Government.

Also, about 10, 000 internally-displaced persons in Yobe State have returned to their homes under police protection.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, AIG Tunde Ogunsakin, who disclosed this, stated that the displaced persons were encouraged to return home, following the opening of the Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Biu road and the Maiduguri-Biu road which had been shut for years, by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant- General Tukur Buratai.

“I can tell you that the police have started taking over control of the affected areas in the North-East.

New officers and men have

been posted; equipment and logistics requirements have arrived. We have started taking full control,” the AIG said.

On how the officers would cope with the office space and weather challenges,

Ogunsakin said the physical construction of police stations would take time, but said in the meantime, tents would be used by the personnel.

He disclosed that a training programme for police-

men from the zone, comprising Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states, was to be held at the Yankari Games Reserve, with the theme: “Roles of Policemen in IDP programme,” for the officers.

Grazing reserves bill: Go and clear Sambisa forest for Fulani herdsmen, group tells Buhari Oluwole Ige -Osogbo AS controversy trails the proposed Grazing Reserves Bill of President Muhammadu Buhari led-Federal Government to the National Assembly, a group, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), on Sunday, told President Buhari to go and clear the den of Boko Haram sect, popularly called ‘Sambisa Forest’ for its proposed ‘Grazing Reserve Project,’ for the Fulani herdsmen.

The group, in a statement signed by its executive chairman, Comrade Alimi Adeniyi Sulaiman, argued that the Fulani herdsmen had portended danger to the

peaceful co-existence of the country since assumption of office of the president.

Reacting to the controversial proposed bill on the ‘Grazing Reserves,’ CHRSJ expressed fear that the bill would increase avoidable crisis in the land through the violent resistance across the region of the country, saying the Fulani herdsmen had become dangerous species across the states of the federation.

Sulaiman, who doubled as the chairman of the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS), advised President Buhari to drop the idea of forcing the grazing reserves bill on the

states, contrary to Section 17,18 and 20 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, in order to save the country from imminent violent problem.

He described the proposed grazing reserves bill idea as ill-conceived, illegal, unconstitutional, self-serving, retrogressive, day-light robbery and time bomb, which was capable of igniting monumental crisis across the length and breadth of the nation, noting that, “it is evil to conceive such an impunity idea which poor farmers across the land, were victims of the Fulani herdsmen.”

A human rights group, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET), has faulted the report of Amnesty International (AI) on the Army/ Shiite clash, describing it as gross misrepresentation of facts and an attempt to incite sectarian crisis which can snowball into a full blown conflict.

Its Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac, who told newsmen in Abuja, said Nigerians must unite to request that Amnesty International’s intrusion in Nigeria’s affairs stopped immediately.

According to the group, “the Amnesty International’s report entitled: “Unearthing the Truth: Unlawful Killings and Mass Cover-Up in Zaria,” is another futile attempt to divert attention from the many atrocities of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) which Amnesty International has fruitlessly attempted to defend in the past.

“Despite its criminal intent, one must acknowledge that Amnesty International unwittingly mentioned a fact here. The people holed up with the extremists inside the compound, got repeated entreaties from the Army to come out but they refused.

“This speaks volumes; it depicts the mentality of those who have been brainwashed to the point of hearkening to their manipulators while disregarding state institutions.

constituency bye election in Yobe THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Amaturu/Tarmuwa/Gujba/Gulani Federal Constituency bye election, held on Saturday.

The Yobe federal constituency seat became vacant, following the appointment of Khadija Bukar as a minister in the federal cabinet.

Professor Sunday Alao, the Returning Officer of the election, on Saturday, in Damaturu, declared APC candidate, Abdullahi Kukuwa, as the winner.

Kukuwa scored 23,745 votes, while his closest rival, Nasiru Hassan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 6,990 votes.

Adamu Dina of the Advance Congress for Democracy (ACD) scored 163 votes, while Jibrin Ladan of the National Conscience Party (NCP) scored 139 votes.

Mr Zannah Ibrahim, Yobe State Commissioner of Police, said there was no violence recorded in any of the four local government areas where the election took place.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Kukuwa was a member of the Yobe State House of Assembly representing Gulani Constituency.

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Monday, 25 April, 2016

Labour warns Bello against planned sack of workers Don't distract him, Kogi APC warns Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

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HE organised labour in Kogi State, on Sunday, vowed to resist any attempt by the state government to sack any worker employed by the state government from 2009 till date.

The labour force, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), also lamented the non payment of workers' salary for months by government.

A communique issued in Lokoja, the state capital, after their meeting, however, tasked the state government to find means of paying the outstanding salary of its workers.

The communique, which was jointly signed by NLC chairman, Onuh Edoka, TUC chairman, Ranti Ojo and the JNC chairman, Aaron Akeji, told the state government to use the February 2016 allocation to offset the outstanding salary for the month of December, 2015.

The workers condemned the payment of salary in piecemeal, regretting that the payment of salary for months of October and November 2015, spanned three weeks for each month.

It called on the state government to direct the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to

release the February allocation to local government areas to cushion the effects of non payment of salary to local government workers and teachers.

But the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has said it was regrettable that the workers were blaming the current government for non payment of their salary after paying two months salary within his first 57 days in office.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Mr Kingsley Fanwo, he said

"Labour was on indefinite strike before the inauguration of the current administration but the Governor intervened to settle the industrial dispute.

Meanwhile, the local chapters of APC in the state have warned against distracting Governor Bello, from focusing on the development of the state.

The people noted that what the state needed at this moment is concerted efforts and unity of purpose that could alleviate the suffering of the people.

Lawyers not consultants to corrupt people —NBA boss Adamu Amadu - Dutse PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh, has said lawyers are not consultants to corrupt people, pointing out that they are doing their job to ensure that justice prevails in the country.

The NBA president said this at the weekend, in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, while addressing newsmen shortly after a reception organised in honour of the former NBA chairman, Dutse branch, Malam Adamu Turaki Muhammed, who was recently appointed as a federal high court judge.

"I said this over and over,

when you have prosecution, you have lawyer, is lawyer a consultant to corrupt people? No, lawyers must do their work". he said He said that the NBA is fully in support of war against corruption as well as behind Due Process .

Alegeh, also faulted the attempt by the National Assembly to amend the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), saying that it is a wrong time.

The NBA president, had earlier disclosed that the association had zoned the position of president and vice president to the North, during its forth coming election of new national executives.

Edo 2016: Edo North group adopts Ize-Iyamu Adebanji Aluko - Benin THE governorship ambition of former Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has received a boost following his adoption by past political office holders in Edo North senatorial district.

The decision to back the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, was made by the former political office holders, who are members of PDP and some other affiliate groups such as the women and youths groups during a meeting held at the weekend in Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area The ex-political office holders said after a thorough check on all the aspirants jostling for the Edo State governorship seat in all the political parties, they have come to the conclusion that Pastor IzeIyamu ,is the best ,considering his experience and wherewithal, A former speaker of the Akoko-Edo legislative

council, Honourable Ade Ajayi, boasted that in IzeIyamu, the PDP's hope of reclaiming Edo State from the All Progressives Congress (APC), was certain, adding that like minds from APC were willing to team up with them once Ize-Iyamu ,emerged PDP candidate.

He said, "we have taken serious effort to put this together. We have looked at the profiles of all the

aspirants across the party. We have since discovered that he is capable of bringing together those things needed to ensure victory for PDP." Honourable Richard Olori, from Akoko-Edo council, moved the motion for the adoption of Pastor Ize-Iyamu, while six other people from each of the six councils in the district seconded the motion.

CDK to open ceramic factory in Sagamu May Tola Adenubi - Lagos CDK Integrated Industries has disclosed its readiness to open a state-of the-art Porcelain and Ceramic Factory in Sagamu, Ogun State in May Disclosing this to newsmen recently, the Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of the firm, Dr Khater Massaad, stated that the ultramodern factory is located in Sagamu, According to him: “Our aim is to produce high

quality ceramic tiles and sanitary ware products; everyone is in need of high quality products. We aim to meet the best quality in the world matching and possibly, surpassing the American and European standards.”.

Dr Massaad said that CDK Integrated Industries is already engaging Nigerians that keyed into the vision of the company as a professional organisation with global best practices."

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Seun Gbenga Alagbe now MR IGE GBENGA ALEGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abimbola Amdalat Kareem now ABIMBOLA AMDALAT GBEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Cyprian Obere now CYPRIAN OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaniyi Oluwakemi Opeyemi now MRS ADEYEMI OLUWAKEMI OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ogunbiyi Funmilayo Adeola now ETTE FUNMILAYO ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sodunke Modupe Elizabeth now MRS OLAOJO MODUPE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Busari Ridwan Ajibola now BUSARI RIDWAN OTAOBAYOMI AYINDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Akanmu Oluwaremilekun B. now AKANMU REMILEKUN MUHEDIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Akande Funke Lydia now AKANDE OLUFUNKE OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olusanya Oluwaseun David now OLUSANYA OLUWASEUN OMOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Kayode Adetokunbo Akintunde now MR KAYODE TAIWO AKINTUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogundele, Modupe Stella now OMOTAYO-TOMO, MODUPE STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olabinwonninu Oluwakemi Akanbi now ABAYOMI OLABINWONNINU FASHOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Micheal Adebisola now JIMOH MIKAIL ADEBISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

WAEC, NECO and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Opunamah Andabafa now NAMAH ANDABAFA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ruth Ndarake Mbon now MRS RUTH NDARAKE JEMINIWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Azeez Ganiyat Olaide now MRS FOLARIN GANIYAT OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Wekono Love Juliet am the same person bearing WEKONO IFEOLUWA LOVE JULIET. That all documents carrying both names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sulaiman Latifat Folake now MRS SALAAM LATIFAT FOLAKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

35 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Nwobodo Cyprian Mbah am the same person bearing Nwobodo Cyprian Ngozi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as NWOBODO CYPRIAN MBAH. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

I, formerly Alex Erhire Ekanone now ALEX ERHIRE EKANONE-PAGSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Isola Toyin now MRS. RABIU TOYIN APEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Makinde Oluwakemi Kafayat now MRS. HASSAN OLUWAKEMI KAFAYAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bosede Olajumoke Osalusi now MRS BOSEDE OLAJUMOKE ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akpovwovwo Rachael now MRS. NWABUWENE RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Gbemisola Risikat Ahmed now MRS. GBEMISOLA AHMED SALVADOR. All former documents remain valid.

University of Lagos and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajayi Rosemary Oluwatoyin now MRS. ARINDE ROSEMARY OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sodia Iyabode now MRS. ARE IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Omoyeni Rosemary now MRS IYOHA OMOYENI ROSEMARY. All former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Immigration Service and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Monday, 25 April, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayinde Aminat Adeola now ABDULAHI AMINAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Annabel Tega Ikolo now MRS. ANNABEL TEGA IDOGUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Gbotemi Seyi Feyisayo now O L U WA G B O T E M I FEYISAYO SEYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adewale Atinuke now BUKOLA OLOGBONYO ATINUKE ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Ezeigwe Theresa Ndidi, my name was wrongly written as Ezigwe Theresa Ndidi on my Bank Verification Number (BVN) instead of Ezeigwe Theresa Ndidi.

Henceforth, my correct name is EZEIGWE THERESA NDIDI. All documents bearing these names are mine and remain valid.

Union Bank Plc, NIBS and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Akinrinwoye Oluyemi Abosede, am the same person bearing Akinrinwoye Oluyemi Grace. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS OYAWALE OLUYEMI ABOSEDE GRACE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Hannah Bukunmi now MRS AYANLOLA HANNAH BUKUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ifeyinwa Benjamin Okeke now MRS IFEYINWA CHIAZOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ola Akanji now AKANJI OLAIDE MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajayi Oluwakemi Abosede now MRS FAMILUSI OLUWAKEMI ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Chigbo Ifenyinwa Lucy now MRS METU IFENYINWA LUCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Nbe-Dee Gideon Barimagha O. P. now GIDEON BARIDI NBE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaoye Folasade Temitope now MRS FAROTIMI FOLASADE TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ogunbodede Tunmise Babatunde now OGUNBODEDE OLUBUNMI TUNMISE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adetutu Cecilia Odunola now MRS AJANI SAWDAT ODUNOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyedele Fausat Oyebola now MRS MURITALA FAUSAT OYEBOLA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Muhammed Ganiyat Titilayo now MRS ALEBIOSU GANIYAT TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Oyeku Oluwatobiloba Abisoye now MRS UMARU O L U WA T O B I L O B A ABISOYE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Engineer Eluwole Olaposi Olayinka now ENGINEER ELUWOLE OLAPOSI SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abioye Omobolanle Kuye now MRS ABIOYE OMOBOLANLE BALOGUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Tope-Mulatto Adenike Margaret now MRS. FAMUYIDE ADENIKE MARGARET. All former documents remain valid.

OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Owolabi Moridiyat Olamide, formerly Owolabi Moridiyat O. or Owolabi Moriliat or Owolabi Moridiyah. Henceforth, I wish to be known and called OWOLABI MORIDIYAT OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. Corporate Affairs Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Owolabi Hamidulai Gbenga, formerly Owolabi Hamid or Owolabi Ahmid. Henceforth, I wish to be known and called OWOLABI HAMIDULAI GBENGA. All former documents remain valid. Corporate Affairs Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Awe Abdulfatai Oladipo now MR. SHITTU-AWE FATAI MAYEGUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Saudah Oyindamola Adeboye now MRS SULAIMON SAUDAH OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Owolabi Gasali Olasunkade, formerly Owolabi Gasali or Owolabi Kasali or Owolabi Gazali.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and called OWOLABI GASALI OLASUNKADE. All former documents remain valid. Corporate Affairs Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Shoyoye Mariam Olaide now FUADALEBIOSU MARIAM OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Comfort Chinyere Kekeson now MRS COMFORT CHINYERE ISIBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adelani Adekunle Ezekiel now ADEDEJI ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abraham Yetunde Funke and Adewale Yetunde Funke now MRS POPOOLA YETUNDE FUNKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bakenne Saidat Motunrayo now MRS BAMIGBELU SAIDAT MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, ALADE ISLAMIYAT AYINKE am the same person bearing ABIOLA ISLAMIYAT AYINKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Racheal Omolayo Fagbamila now MRS RACHEAL OMOLAYO POPOOLA. All former documents remain valid.

Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bilikisu Boladale Tiamiyu now BILIKISU BOLADALE ANIFOWOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bashorun Mojisola Damilola now MRS KOLADE MOJISOLA DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Joy Bridget Idehnere now BRIDGET JOY EBOH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Mohammed-Gazal Kazeem Kayode, formerly known and called MohammedGazal Kazeem or Mohammed-Gazal Kasim. Henceforth, wish to be known and called MOHAMMED-GAZAL KAZEEM KAYODE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Corporate Affairs Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Olawale Rasidat now MRS ADEWUMI RASIDAT. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Alaba Waheed now KUFEEJI OLANREWAJU ALABA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, ADEBOJE AYODELE MONDAY am the same person as ADEBOJE AYODELE ADEMOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ojeyinka Olusola Abisola Caroline now MRS ADEMUYIWA OLUSOLA ABISOLA CAROLINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akinpelu Taibat Aderonke now ADENIJI TAIBAT ADERONKE ABOLORE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Omolara Mujidat Babatunde now OMOLARA MUJIDAT ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ahmed Musbau now MUSIBAUDEEN HAMMED ABIMBOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Adigun Abimbola Adebisi now MRS FAMODIMU ABIMBOLA ADEBISI. All former documents remain valid.

LAUTECH, Ogbomoso and general public take note.

I, formerly Funmilola Ogunmola now MRS FUNMILOLA JOHN OMECHEMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Ogunkoya Olubukola Olufunke now AWOYEMI OLUBUKOLA OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyinlola Olukemi Oladoyin now MRS GBADEGESIN OLUKEMI OLADOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

Workforce Management Centre, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Tijani Rashidat Dolapo now MRS ADELABU RASHIDAT DOLAPO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajayi Mosunmola Tosin now MRS OLATUNJI MOSUNMOLA TOSIN. All former documents remain valid.

National Institute of Horticulture (NIHORT) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Agbaye Blessing now MRS OYELEYE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Olusola Akanke Lawal am the same person bearing Bankole Olusola Atoke. Now, I wish to be addressed as LAWAL OLUSOLA ATOKE All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Peters Seyi Monday now PETER SEYI MONDAY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adewumi Opeoluwa Adeduntan now MRS ADEWUMI OPEOLUWA ADEYEMO. All former documents remain valid. Akinyele Local Government Universal Basic Education Authority, Moniya, Ibadan and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adelanke Mercy now ADELANKE ANU BALOGUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogunlade Abigael Oluwaseeke now MRS AJIBOLA OLUSEEKE ABIGAEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adedigba Adeola Funmilayo now MRS FAMOYEGUN ADEOLA FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olalusi Adeyoyinsola Modupeore now MRS ONAKPOMA A D E YOY I N S O L A MODUPEORE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Victoria Aina now MRS AKINLOLU VICTORIA AINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, FEMI JAMES am the same person bearing SERIKI SAHEED ABIODUN. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Quadri Faosiyat Oluwanisola now MRS LAWAL FAOSIYAT OLUWANISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ogungbade Bolanle Ajarat now MRS OYEDOKUN BOLANLE AJARAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bakare Abiodun Mukaila now BAKARE ABIODUN MIKAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yekeen Akeem Atilola now OMOTAYO AKEEM ATILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kola-Ojo Olaitan Blessing now MRS OGUNTOYE OLAITAN BLESSING. All former documents remain valid.

LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, GTBank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Samuel Abiodun Oluwaseyifunmi now OLOPADE ABIODUN OLUWASEYIFUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

WAEC, University of Ibadan, and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bamitale Olushola Adeyemi now BAMITALE OLUSHOLA FOLA-ADELEGAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abayomi Mohammed Fashola now ABAYOMI OLABINWONNINU FASHOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Adeleye Osho Aderopo am the same person as Adeleye Olayinka.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADELEYE OSHO ADEROPO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc, GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Mahammad Bashir now BASHIR MUHAMMAD KHAIRUDDAI and my correct date of birth is 21st July 1996 not March 3rd 1993. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Abassi Adetona Tokun , am the same person bearing Adetona Abassis Adetokun. Now, I wish to be known, called and addressed as ABASS TOKUN ADETONA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, SALAMI OMOYEMI MODINAT am the same person bearing SALAMI OMOYEMI ATINUKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyekale Oyeronke Esther now MRS ESTHER OLONADE DADA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyemo Titilope Bose now MRS ADEYEMO TITILOPE BOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

36

communitynews

Monday, 25 April, 2016

NPC sensitises Osun communities on biometric fingerprint census oluwole ige-osogbo THE National Population Commission (NPC), Osun State office, has commenced sensitisation programme in Osun communities ahead the biometric fingerprint census exercise.

This was disclosed by the Federal Commissioner of NPC in Osun, Dr Lere Oyewumi, during a courtesy visit to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, at his palace in Iwo. Oyewumi recalled that during the 2006 census in the state, Iwo was the only town that recorded the highest population, noting that this development had assisted the state to add up more statistics in terms of demographic planning.

While explaining that the sensitisation programmes would be carried out in Ejigbo, Ilesa, Ila-Oragun and Ile-Ife. He said there was need for residents and natives of the communities to participate in the exercise so that the revenue allocation and other dues from the Federal Government to the state government would not be reduced.

He commended the Oluwo for the effective sensitisation of his subjects, with a view to ensuring that the NPC conduct a successful exercise.

Oyewumi disclosed that

the major reason for the commission’s visit was to prepare the people and create awareness for the effective participation of the people in the census.

The commissioner appealed to Oluwo to set up a committee of retirees, town planners and geographers to assist the commission before the commencement of the exercise.

Responding, the Oluwo of Iwo expressed his satisfaction with the initiatives of the NPC ahead of the biometric fingerprint census.

The Chairman, Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Mr Tayo Ogundare (middle), flanked by other local government officials, during their courtesy visit to the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Professor Kayode Soremekun.

Ota Ward 3 resists call to merge communities with new LCDA olalekan olabulo-lagos

R

ESIDENTS of Ota Ward 3, under the auspices of Ota Ward 3 Stakeholders, have appealed to Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the state House of Assembly and the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission not to take away part of the communities that fall under the ward .

The stakeholders, which comprise members of the traditional institution in the town, major political parties and Community Development Association, urged government not to tamper with the delineation made

by INEC.

The residents made the appeal following agitations by some people that some communities under Ward 3 should come under SangoIjoko Local Council Development Area.

The communities include: Ota GRA, Araromi, Idi Orogbo, Ejigbo, Alli Isiba, Joju, Eyin Garage, Igbala, Ketere and others .

The Ajana of Ijana Quarters in Ota, Chief Segun Akinyemi, on whose territory the communities fall, urged government not to be distracted by calls to alter the new LCDA present arrangement.

The Ajana, who completely opposed the call that some communities should be taken away

Best students in Ago-Are awarded scholarship by tunde adegbola A non-government organisation, Ajoro Foundation, based in Ago-Are in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, has awarded scholarship to 25 students adjudged to be the best in the area.

The students were selected from various public secondary schools in the town and examined before scholarship was awarded to them.

Speaking at the event, the founder of the foundation, Mr Wole Ogunbola, said his family had been engaged in philanthropic activities, targeted mainly at orphans and widows, for the past 20 years, but the foundation was established in 2011 aimed at supporting brilliant students, by giving them a meaningful and re-

warding future.

He said: “Education has been identified as a means of making the future of youths. Many of them are exceptionally talented but are unable to get the needed assistance to realise their purpose in life.

“The efforts of this foundation have been yielding fruitful results, as it has been able to sponsor the education of a number of orphans from secondary to university level, some are already gainfully employed and there are undergraduates in different universities who have won our scholarship.

“In the last five years, over 700 students from Ago-Are have benefited from the annual extramural classes organised

by the foundation.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ago-Are community, Mr Mathew Ajewole, eulogised the founder of the foundation, describing him as kind, patriotic and selfless.

from Ward 3 and be included in the new LCDA, described the agitation as borne out of “greed with the intent to marginalise us.”

He said: “Any move to take these communities away from Ota is a decision borne out of greed with the intent to marginalise the people of Ota. “I wonder why some people will come from nowhere and say Sango is no more part of Ota.This is unkind and it is the highest level of insult.”

The Ajana also said that any attempt to take Ota GRA, Alli Isiba and other communities away from Ota will amount to “robbing Peter to pay Paul” and urged the state governor, the House of Assembly and the state

electoral commission not to be part of the plan.

Chief Nosiru Deinde, the first Chairman of Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Area, also called on the governor and the state assembly to disregard the call to take the communities away from Ota and merge them with the new LCDA. He said, “These communities have since time immemorial been part of Ota and in 1987, they were officially confirmed by the then National Electoral Commission.

“I wonder why they are saying these communities are not part of Ota any longer. Sango is even a foreign name.”

He added “ the agitators are non-natives. They are settlers in these communities. Government should

Otuoke benefits from free healthcare service Justin ebipade-yenagoa FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan’s community, Otuoke, on Monday, benefited from free healthcare services rendered by the Physiotherapy Department

of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

No fewer than 300 people have so far benefited from treatment of muscular-skeletal and neuromuscular conditions by a team of physiotherapists at

CSDP empowers 252 communities in Osun oluwole ige-osogbo

OSUN State government through its agency for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) has disclosed that no fewer than 252 communities have benefited from the state government’s micro projects programme.

The disclosure was made by the General Manager, Osun CSDP, Mrs Funmi Abolede, during a press conference in Osogbo, the

be very careful not to be misled.”

Also commenting, the chief convener of the group,Wale Adenopo, called on the state governor and the state House of Assembly not to be distracted by those agitating for communities to be taken out of Ota Ward 3 .

The Balogun of Ota, Chief Idowu Balogun, also told Community News that “ it is indisputable that all these communities belong to Ota and they all fall under Ota Ward 3.”

He added: “the agitators ate only trying to distract the governor from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people . There is a clear boundary between Ota Ward 3 and Sango ward.”

state capital Abokede said 311 micro projects have so far been executed across all the local government areas of the state.

According to her, “in our bid to improve the access of the poor to infrastructural services for human development in a sustainable manner, we have been able to impact positively on these communities.”

Abokede further explained that “the CSDP is co-funded by the World

Bank and the state government. The state government has contributed its counterpart funding to the tune of 650million between 2009-2015.”

She pointed out that the next phase of the project would focus on the physically challenged.

Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of CSDP, Mr AbdulRahaman Musa, noted that the state government was committed to reducing poverty to the barest minimum through agency.

the one-week programme.

Head of Department of Physiotherapy, FMC, Yenagoa, Mr. Gbenga Popoola, said the aim of the programme was to contribute to the healthcare of people at the grass roots as part of the social responsibility of the hospital.

He explained that physiotherapy is the treatment of disease, injury or deformity by physical methods such as massaging, heat treatment and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.

He said the exercise was also designed create awareness on the benefits of physiotherapy and its place in the health of the people.

The free healthcare service was rendered at Otuoke village square and the FMC Extension Centre in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area.

37

Monday, 25 April, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

African longest serving leader seeks re-election after 37 years

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea president

C

ITIZENS of Equatorial Guinea are heading to the polls in a vote expected to hand Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the incumbent

president and Africa’s longest serving leader, another seven-year term in office.

The country’s opposition leaders and international civil society groups have

Israel releases 12-year-old Palestinian girl from jail AT the Jbara checkpoint near Tulkarem, the al-Wawi family and human rights groups’ representatives waited patiently. The 12-yearold finally emerged, after having spent 2.5 months in a prison, making her the youngest Palestinian female detainee. As her relatives embraced her, the girl, clad in a pink shirt, fought back tears and said nothing.

D* was arrested on February 9 near the illegal settlement of Karmei Tzur, just north of her hometown of Halhul. Now, out on early parole, D served more than half of her sentence of 4.5 months in an Israeli

prison for attempted voluntary manslaughter and illegal possession of a knife, Al Jazeera.

The family had appealed her detention, citing international legal norms, and Israeli law, which prohibits the imprisonment of children younger than 14 for the country’s citizens.

D is the first child in her family, which includes six girls and three boys, to see the insides of a prison cell.

Her father, 54-year-old Ismael al-Wawi, had been working in Israel for more than 25 years before Israeli authorities revoked his permit on the day she was arrested.

already dismissed Sunday’s vote as “not credible”.

Obiang, 73, faces six mostly unknown opponents, with most of the opposition boycotting the poll.

Election results will start to come in after the polls close at 9pm local time and final results are expected on Monday.

Obiang, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea for nearly 37 years after overthrowing his uncle in a coup, is accused of presiding over one of the world’s most corrupt and repressive governments.

Critics accuse Obiang of failing to distribute the country’s oil wealth to the population of about 700,000.

But according to the poor living in the slums, the money seems to be going to a few people.

They allege it is going to Obiang’s family, the inner circle of the government.

They say there is not enough distribution of wealth.

Some opposition parties are boycotting the election, but others are participating, although they say campaigning was difficult and have questioned the credibility of the electoral process.

Some key countries have chose to remain quiet about the vote.

According to the UN 2014 Human Development Report, the country has the highest per capita gross domestic product of Any African country - about $37,000.

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has ruled out deploying United States ground troops in Syria and says military efforts alone cannot solve the country’s problems.

“It would be a mistake for the United States, or Great Britain... to send in ground troops and overthrow the (Bashar al-) Assad regime,” he told the BBC. He also said he did not think so-called Islamic State would be defeated in his last nine months of office.

But he said: “We can slowly shrink the

Syria conflict: Obama rules out ground troops for Syria environment in which they operate.”

Mr Obama, who has been on a three-day visit to the UK, also warned that Britain could take up to 10 years to negotiate trade deals with the US if it votes to leave the EU in a June referendum.

The US president later arrived in Hannover, Germany, where he hopes to boost support for the controversial

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) deal.

President Barack Obama

Solar Impulse 2 lands in California after Pacific flight AN experimental plane flying around the world without a single drop of fuel landed in California after a two-and-a-half day flight across the Pacific.

Piloted by Swiss explorer and psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard, Solar Impulse 2 touched down in Mountain View just before midnight (3 a.m. ET).

The Solar Impulse 2 (pictured flying over San Francisco) has made stops in Oman, Myanmar, China, Japan and Hawaii. PHOTO: AP.

“It’s a new era. It’s not science fiction. It’s today,” Piccard told CNN from California after his successful voyage. “It exists and clean technologies can do the impossible.”

Images of the elegant solar aircraft, which has the wingspan of a Boeing 747 but only weighs about as much as an SUV, flying over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco Bay mark a significant achievement. The team has seen the project beset with problems and setbacks during its pioneering airborne circumnavigation.

“I’m very happy that everything works extremely well and the airplane is functioning as it should,” Piccard’s business partner and the plane’s other pilot, Swiss engineer Andre Borschberg, told CNN by phone from California just ahead of the successful, onschedule landing.

otherNEWS

Turkish police arrest Dutch journalist for insulting Erdogan on Twitter A Dutch journalist was arrested

by Turkish police early Sunday morning at her home in Turkey after she insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Twitter.

Ebru Umar, a well-known columnist for the Dutch Metronewspaper, tweeted that police were at the front door of her home late Saturday night and they

were taking her to a police station for questioning.

“Police at the door. No joke,” she tweeted. She followed up with another tweet saying, “I’m not free, we’re going to the hospital,” as she left her home in Kusadasi, a resort town in western Turkey.

Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman Herman van

Gelderen, confirmed that Umar had been detained but gave no details.

“We are aware of it. We are in contact and we’re following the case very closely,” he said.

Umar published a column last week that caused a political firestorm after the Turkish consulate reportedly sent an email

to Turkish organisations in the Netherlands asking them to report anyone who insults Erdogan on social media.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he would question Turkish authorities about the email, and said he was unsure what the Turkish government hoped to achieve.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Papa Wemba, King of Congolese Rumba, slumps, dies on stage PAPA Wemba, one of Africa’s greatest musicians and known around the world as the king of Congolese rumba, died early Sunday after collapsing on stage at a music festival in the Ivory Coast, officials said. He was 66.

Papa Wemba had performed Congolese rumba music legend, three songs at the Urban Musical Papa Wemba. PHOTO: REUTERS

Festival Anoumabo (FEMUA) in Abidjan before collapsing in front of thousands of fans, organisers said.

Fellow performers rushed to his aid, but he died before reaching the hospital, officials said.

The cause of death wasn’t immediately known, VOA said.

Culture Minister Baudouin Banza

Mukalay confirmed the musician’s death Sunday, calling it a “great loss for the country and all of Africa. ...

He was a self-made man, a role model for Congolese youth.”

FEMUA officials expressed “deep sorrow” at Wemba’s death.

Born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba in June 1949 in what was

then Belgian Congo, the singer has been at the forefront of African music for more than four decades. He rose to fame beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, with the band Zaiko Langa Langa. The band featured a guitar-based fusion of Latin and African dance styles.

38

Monday, 25 April, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Rowing federation targets early preparation for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Playing against R/ Madrid ‘ll be a dream come true

THE Secretary General of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation, Mrs Olubunmi Ola-Oluode has described the commissioning of 20 rowing/kayak boats donated by Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC to the federation as landmark event in preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Speaking last Thursday after the commissioning by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung at the Bics Boat club in Lagos Olubunmi said, “We believe the commissioning of the boat will help the grassroots developmental programme that the federation is trying to target towards the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.”

Reacting to questions from journalists, Oluode explained that despite the qualification of two of its elite athletes for the 2016 Olympics

—Iheanacho

•Ozil

Ozil breaks Lampard’s EPL record MESUT Ozil has created more chances in a single season (137) than any other player in Premier League history.

The German midfielder broke Frank Lampard’s previous record of 134 during the 0-0 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, on Super Sunday.

Lampard, who last played in the Premier League for Manchester City during the 2014-15 campaign, broke the record for Chelsea during 2008-09, when the Blues finished third.

Following the 2-1 win against Leicester in February, Ozil became only the 13th player to create more than 100 chances in a Premier League season.

That day, with 12 games left of the season, he moved to 106 more than both Steven Gerrard or Ryan Giggs ever did in one term.

Ozil has also bagged 18 assists this season and is on course to break Thierry Henry’s record of 20. He has been nominated for PFA Player of the Year - to be decided on Sunday night - but was not included in the PFA Team of the Year.

Opta defines a chance created as “an assist or the final pass or pass-cum-shot leading to the recipient of the ball having an attempt at goal without scoring”.

Florent Malouda (117 - Chelsea, 2010-11), Cesc Fabregas (116 - Arsenal, 2006-07) and Leighton Baines (116 - Everton, 2012-13) round up the top five of most chances created in a season.

NIGERIA youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho, has said it will be a dream come true for him if he feature in Manchest City squad against Real Madrid tomorrow in on UEFA Champions League game.

The Taye Academy of Owerri product has been a hit for Manchester City this season scoring a brace Saturday in a 4-0 spanking of Stoke City to take his goals’ haul this term to 11.

“I think I should dream about that because it’s a great team to dream to play against,” he said.

“It would be a dream come true to play against them.

“I think I’ll be happy when I play against them.”

On his two-goal performance against Stoke, Iheanacho said: “It was a great performance by everybody, everybody really did well, so it depends on who the manager picks. Everyone is fit to face Madrid.”

ITTF hails Lagos govt over Nigerian Open

•Iheanacho

THE world table tennis ruling body, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has hailed the Lagos State Government for keeping faith in the annual Nigerian Open which has remained one of the most followed tournaments in Africa.

According to the President of ITTF, Thomas Weikert, the or-

Pillars wallop 3SC 6-0

K

ANO Pillars Football Club of Kano recorded the biggest win of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League season on Sunday when they thumped visiting Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan 6-0.

Emmanuel Edmund grabbed a hat-trick with Ifeanyi Matthew, Adamu Mohammed and Nafiu Ibrahim also getting on the scoreboard.

Pillars now have 21 points from 12 matches.

Ifeanyi Matthew opened scoring for Pillars with a low drive after 11 minutes, before Edmund doubled the lead in the 37th minute.

Edmund grabbed his brace in the 58th minute and completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute, before late strikes by Adamu Mohammed and Nafiu Ibrahim.

The heavy defeat has clearly showed up the sharp divisions of Shooting Stars, whose players have not been paid for the past five months.

game in Rio, the federation under the leadership of Rear Adminral Festus Porbeni (rtd) has decided to focus more of its attentions to grassroots developmental programmes which will start in earnest very soon.

According to her, “Presently, we are looking at the forthcoming developmental program one in Gombe state.”

Olubunmi revealed that the federation is waiting on the government after they have written to his Excellency, the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo intimating him of their desire to bring the sports down to the state.

“We want to take the sport there and get as many as are around the riverine area in the Northern region because we have so many of them in Lagos, Western region and Niger Delta.

“We want to explore the Northern Part of Nigeria.”

•Afeso Attah was in goal for 3SC during the match

ganisation of the tournament has made it to become one of the cherished competitions across the globe as well as the highest prize money in the ITTF Challenge series.

In the last three editions, the ITTF Nigerian Open has become the star tournament of the Lagos International Classics with players across the globe gracing the tournament while it has also attracted more players to Lagos since its inception in 2013.

An impressed ITTF chief believes the Lagos State has created a conducive environment coupled with the support given to the tournament has continued to put Africa on the world table tennis map while two of the continent’s best players – Aruna Quadri of Nigeria and Omar Assar of Egypt are regulars of the championship. “I have heard a lot of good things about the Nigerian Open and I think this should be attributed to the good organisation of the competition.

I must commend those in charge of the championship and we hope we can use it to bring in more ITTF tournaments to Africa. All those involved in the competition and those who made it possible must for the efforts they have put in to make the tournaments continue to be staged annually. I hope we can get more of that into Africa,” he said.

Also, an Executive member of ITTF, Khaled El-Salhy believes the tournament has become a brand for Africa. “It is great news that the Nigerian Open has gotten a title sponsor and this is a proof of the professional organisation of the tournament in the last three editions.

39

Monday, 25 April, 2016

schoolsport

Nigerian Tribune

Anchor: Nurudeen Alimi oladimejialimi@yahoo.co.in 08111847089

Babatunde Popoola is the Director of Sports and Training, Oyo State Sports Council.

He is also an international basketball referee and the President, Nigerian Basketball Referees. Popoola in this interview with NURUDEEN ALIMI emphasised the need for an awareness to raise the standard of school sport in the country. Excerpts:

A

S a product of school sport, how would you describe sport during your days as an athlete and now?

School sport then was mainly an avenue to discover talents for the states and nurture them till they are ripe enough to represent the country at various levels. Almost all events are competed for in school sport competitions and most students then always looked forward to the competitions.

In my school then, Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, we had a lot of sporting facilities and it was mandatory for boarding students to go out for training for at least two hours every morning. So from there, we received tutelage from coaches who usually come from the ministry of sports and the state sports council. Those days, every athlete always looked forward to represent the state but now things have changed, only selected sports now participate in school sport and even these selected sports, the way they organised the qualifying series is not proper. In those days, you must play against schools within your territory like Oyo town for example, we have Olivet Baptist High School and the rest of them.

After the zonal qualifiers, it will be the turn of the state before a winner could emerge. But now, most of the qualifying series are not properly handled, I think they just handpicked some schools to go for competitions and this is seriously affecting the development of school sport because there is no competition back at home before going for a particular tournament. If you ask sceondary students about school sport nowadays, you will be shocked they do not know anything about it because the fun are no longer there as it used to be in those days.

As a sport administrator now, what do you think can be done to revive school sport?

The first important thing to address is that there must be an awareness. As I said earlier, an average secondary school student does not know anything about school sport these days. There must be an awareness since the school sport federation is under the ministry of education now. Then the education ministry must create a kind of awareness for everybody and there must be a particular competition channelled towards school sport development. No doubt, we have so many of them on the ground already which are majorly sponsored by corporate organisations.

These competitions should not be used to pick winners from school sport, instead there should be a school sport competition where a programme will be drawn and which will last for two or three months before a winner could emerge. If the

Every student must embrace one sport —Popoola

Popoola awareness can be created, gradually the lost glory of school sport will be restored.

Another important aspect is the knowhow. When I was in secondary school, we had a coach from the sports council and maybe the education ministry need to work hand-in-hand with the state sport council where we have the technical people.

From the look of things now in terms of manpower, even the number of coaches in the state sports council is very low maybe if these two things can be looked into and then the facilities. How many schools for instance in Oyo State have volleyball courts? How many of them have even football pitch, basketball court or tennis courts? So all these things need to be looked into. There must be competitions purposely for school sport development and this must be an annual event

while every student must be encouraged to embrace at least one sport. And on the area of know-how, there must be good working relationship between the ministry of education and the state sports council because that is the foundation of any sport where the basics will be taught.

If you teach wrong basics now, no matter what you are going to develop is going to be wrong. So it is not because you are a Physical and Health Education teacher, you do not specialise in a particular area and you now go and start teaching all sports in school.

Theoretically you can teach, but when it comes to praticals you will definitely fail, you are just going to mislead the students. In the area of facilities, at least there must be one sport facility in the school. If, for example, the

closest school to us here is St. Gabriel’s High School, it should have a basketball court and another school in the area should have a volleyball court so that at the end of the day, coaches can go there, train them during break time. I remember when we were junior coaches in the sports council, it was part of our duties to go to schools to discover talents.

We do go early before the morning devotion, sought permission from the school authority to train our players. We do even go there during break time for an hour to train students then immediately after school hours, we still go there to give them tutelage on various sports.

But nowadays, things have changed, even teachers will not allow them to come out for any form of training, they (teachers) will tell you they are in school to learn and not for sports.

SIDELINES

NO 16,486

N150

MONDAY, 25 APRIL, 2016

N

IGERIANS are dying and dying and dying every second, every minute, every hour, every day.

Nigerians are dying – dying badly. Things are so bad, so horribly bad for them and the country, their country that they cannot but horribly die the way they are horribly dying under our president of change.

We want change that is change and we are getting it – change that is change we all want that is turning (or that has turned) into an illusion: the change of an illusionist, a cynic and a pessimist. Maybe Nigerians after all have been duped by the breeze of change - change of hot, crushing air and its hollow words of hollowness.

But the country is seeing change – real change that has turned our president into a president jetting every now and then to all places that attract his presidential fancy hungry for wherewithal to give Nigerians decent existence. Maybe our jet-loving president will fetch us natural manna and treasure from his travels sooner or later, but how many languishing Nigerians would have long gone before then?

This is one huge question I cannot answer.

We must urge our president to prolong his stay at home before he hops out again.

He must realize that every adventure that takes him from us cannot but fatigue his presidential thought and imagination.

Is our president not also the minister of our Petroleum Ministry? Are his adventures that have fatigued him not the reason for his failure to detain the havoc petrol scarcity has caused us so far? Mercy of Allah! Is Prophet Theophilus Olabayo right again? Is the mighty prophet of truthful visions right again?

On Monday, 7 December, 2015, I offered my readers “Prophetic offerings for Buhari.” Let me drag here pertinent words as the pre-eminent prophet served them at the material time he uttered them then: “Nigerians will soon be trekking stretches of miles. And many and many people will

Lagos cemeteries are now reportedly renting out graves and ejecting corpses. But shouldn’t the living be wary in playing the tough landlord to dead tenants?

in&out with Tony Afejuku 08055213059

Nigerians are dying abandon their vehicles as petrol problem eases and escalates. And people will withdraw their children and wards from schools…. There shall be visible hunger in the land, I mean real hunger, and there shall be sicknesses and diseases resulting from the pains caused by this regime….

We have seen nothing yet.”

And in my present moment of writing, many are still dying on account of hunger, on account of their exploitation for the benefit of oil-marketers, and on account of lack of labour through unemployment that debars them from having money to take care of their needs.

In exasperation I called an influential, in fact, a super-influential grass-roots APC chum of mine, and literally cried to him: “Cursed you folks for deceiving the people. What a change you all have given the dying people. What illomened change! When we meet I can hardly refrain myself from seizing you and giving you a hiding.” “Be calm, my friend and master,” said he coolly, in an unusual calmness, without displaying any iota of anger or any dot of emotion;

Our patience is waning and almost bursting.

This is the simple truth he must hear “you need to understand that we must reclaim the swamp before we erect any structure…. The past regime of many years in power put us where we are now.

We must fill the swamp with sand in the morning before the people enjoy their noon and evening. Please do not be so passionate. We shall shave with the right razor all those, everyone, with unkempt hair and beard at the appointed time.”

I did not wish to engage him metaphor for metaphor. All I heard myself say was this: “May Buhari’s Allah bless Nigeria and save Nigerians from dying and dying every wretched and blessed day under his adventurous presidency.”

As I sincerely said this prayer of truth, my mind went back to Prophet Olabayo’s words. And I said coolly to myself: “Can this president of change serve the people as the people deserved to be served before his appointed hour? To get an answer to my question to myself I looked in vain for an astrolabe I never had and which I never will or may have. But we must compel our president to serve the people and save them from dying the death they don’t deserve to die. Never have we had it so bad; never have we had it this bad. Our president may be reclaiming our wretched swamp of wretchedness unleashed on us by yester-years’ men and women, but we want to live for our land.

He must rescue us before his appointed hour knocks on his door. Our patience is waning and almost bursting. This is the simple truth he must hear.

‘Wenger has brainwashed Arsenal fans’

Wenger

JAMIE Redknapp didn’t hold back in his assessment of Arsene Wenger by claiming the Frenchman has ‘brainwashed’ the Arsenal fans into thinking a top four finish is acceptable.

The Gunners are out of the Premier League title race and remain just five points ahead of Manchester United in the race for fourth.

Speaking before the Gunners’ disappointing goalless draw with Sunderland, the Sportsmail columnist was frank in his assessment of the experienced manager.

He told Sky Sports: ‘You know what does my head in when I look at that, every year we talk about getting into the top four.

‘(Talking to Henry) When you look back at your career do you think, ‘Weren’t it great when I finished in the top four?’

‘You think about how much you won and this is what unfortunately… I think Arsene has brainwashed the fans. And for people to say ‘we got into the top four every year’, that’s not good enough for Arsenal.

‘A lot of my friends that support Arsenal actually think to have a change they might have to not finish in the top four. It might be the best thing that could happen.

‘At least something has to be done because while they keep finishing in the top four it’s like it’s ok. That’s not ok for Arsenal.’

Arsenal were lucky to come

from the Stadium of Light with a point as struggling Sunderland caused Wenger’s men all sorts of problems.

Petr Cech had to come to the Gunners rescue on a number of occasions as he denied Jermain Defoe, Yann M’Vila and Wahbi Khazri in the second half.

RESULTS Sunderland Leicester

0 4

EPL

Arsenal 0 Swansea 0

ENGLISH FA CUP SEMI-FINAL

Crystal Palace

Kano Pillars Warri Wolves Wikki Tourists Heartland Abia Plateau Utd Lobi Stars

2

Watford

6 2 3 1 3 2 1

3SC 0 Giwa FC 0 Ifeanyi Uba 0 Sunshine 0 MFM 1 River Utd 1 Tornadoes 0

NPL RESULT

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Telephone: 08165728976; 08073598322. 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. 25/04/2016.

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