26th January 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,422

TUESDAY, 26 JANUARY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigeria needs moral leaders to kill corruption —Buhari •No excuse for failure —Saraki •NASS's greatest —P4

achievement was stopping OBJ's third term bid —Dogara

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Don't drag me into $2.1bn issue, Okonjo-Iweala replies Falana

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Lagos declares war on rats, kills 4,400

—P6

—P8

Metuh gave me $2m to launder for him —Witness

—Pgs2,4

•Another witness recalls how Dariye allegedly diverted N1.12bn ecological funds UN seeks over $500 million to help Nigerian, CAR refugees —P44

Tribunal dismisses motion to stop Bello's inauguration —P12

Fire Code Enforcement officers inspecting wreckage of a fuel tanker that caught fire at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega filling station, on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Business District, Abuja, on Sunday night. PHOTO: NAN

NNPC records N255bn loss, remits N1trn to FAAC —P10

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Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Metuh gave me $2m cash to launder for him, witness tells court Sunday Ejike-Abuja

Federal High Court, Abuja was on Monday told that the National Public Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh gave $2 million to a wealth manager to exchange into naira notes and to invest. The revelation was made by Miss Nneka Ararume, who turned out to be the first prosecution witness after the court overruled the appearance of a principal prosecution witness whose statement and document formed additional proof of evidence that was served on Metuh, on Monday, in court. Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang overruled twice, the oral applications for adjournment by Metuh’s lead counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, and ordered that the prosecution open his case. In her testimony, Miss Ararume said she was a wealth manager with Assess and Resources Management (ARM) firm at the time on December 2, 2014 when she received a call from Metuh to meet him in his House with the financial report of Destra Investment Limited owned by Metuh. “When I got to his house at Princes and Princesses Estate, Abuja there were visitors sitting in the living room. He took me to his office in the house, where we discussed Destra Investment Limited portfolio after which he gave me the sum of $2 million cash, in $100 bills,” she told the court. The witness said further that Metuh told her that after converting the dollars into Naira, the sum should be paid into Destra Investment Limited’s Diamond Bank account. Miss Ararume said, when she got to her office she called a Bureau De-Change operator, Yenon Isie, who handled the exchange. After the exchange, she transferred the Naira equivalent of $2 million into Destra Investment limited’s Diamond Bank account and got confirmation from Metuh that he had received the alert. At this point, the defence counsel, Ikpeazu objected to cross examination of the witness and sought for an adjournment on the ground that they had no document to enable the verification of payment and bank account number. Defence counsel’s objection was, however, overruled by the judge, who ruled that there are adequate document including Destra Investment Limited’s Diamond bank ac-

count number in the proof of evidence, adding that it is not deserving to adjourn to justify cross examination. During the brief cross examination, the witness agreed that Metuh gave her the money to invest in Assess Resources Management, adding that Metuh was not around when she gave the money to Kabiru Ibrahim one of the Bureau De-Change operators. Also on Monday, another witness, Yenon Isie, a Bureau de-Change operator told the court that he sold $1 million in two trenches of $500,000 each to two other Bureau De-Change at N91 million and N92 million totalling N183 million

which was paid into the defendant’s account. Earlier, Metuh, through his counsel brought an application for the variation of the bail conditions granted him by the court on January 16, 2016, on the ground that he has not been unable to meet the conditions. Ikpeazu informed the court that the inability of his client to meet the bail conditions had adverse effect on his preparation for the defence and prayed the court to adjourn hearing in the matter. The prosecution team, led by Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment and his objection was upheld by the judge.

Trial has been adjourned today for the prosecution to call more witnesses. It would be recalled that the EFCC in the charge against the PDP spokesman along with his firm, Destra Investments Limited, alleged that he received N400 million, part of the money meant for the procurement of arms, from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014. Part of the charge reads, “That you Olisah Metuh and Destra Investment Limited on or about the 24th day of November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the court took possession of N400 million, paid into Destra

Investment Limited account with Diamond Bank PLC, account number: 0040437573 from the account of the office of the National Security Adviser, without contract award, when you reasonably ought to know that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), then National Security Adviser (to wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 152(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose welcoming the Zone 8 AIG, Mr Yahaya Garba Ardo during his visit to the governor, at his office in Ado Ekiti as part of familiarisation tour of the commands under the zone, recently.

Jonathan to hold world press conference in Switzerland FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan will, on Wednesday, hold a world press conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The Executive Director of the Geneva Press Club, Guy Mettan, confirmed this in a statement, saying the event is part of activities lined up by circle of diplomats, in honour of

Jonathan. The statement said Jonathan will be hosted to a dinner at Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva, on the same day. Mettan said the two major issues that Jonathan will address are: security and civil peace in Nigeria and West Africa, in addition to improvement of

health and education of children in the continent. He said accredited United Nations correspondents and Swiss journalists are expected to attend the conference. Jonathan has received international recognitions since he left office on May 29. In October, the Com-

Journalists must help sustain democracy —Fayose EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said journalists have the duty of helping to sustain democracy in the country by reporting the truth and not helping politicians to smear their opponents by spreading falsehood about them. He noted that journalists must not turn themselves to politicians while performing their duties, as that will not only shortchange the society, but mislead the people, who rely on them for information.

He stated this at the weekend, in Ado-Ekiti, during a parley with journalists. In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, on Monday, he quoted the governor as saying that feeding the people with misleading information would do more harm to the society at large than not feeding them with any information at all. “The importance of the media and media practitioners to the growth of democracy and the develop-

ment of democracy cannot be over-emphasised, but a situation whereby journalists descend to political arena and begin to feed the people with biased and false information is uncalled for. “Also, it is not good when journalists allow themselves to be used by politicians to smear and demonise political opponents. Those occupying public offices must be put on their toes, however, doing that does not require spreading falsehood about them or doing a hatchet’s job,” he said.

monwealth picked him to lead a team of international observers to Tanzania for the country’s general election. About three national dailies wrote editorials on the heroic act of Jonathan who congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, then his opponent, and voluntarily stepped down, after losing election. In its editorial, The Guardian of Tanzania wrote: “Jonathan’s voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that it is rare for sitting presidents in Africa to hand over powers to winning opposition parties.” Earlier in January, Jonathan also succeeded former President Bill Clinton as the keynote speaker at the Hope Global Forum in the United States. Recently, he made history as the first African leader to win the Martin Luther King human rights award.

Ondo LG elections: No going back —ODSIEC Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

THE Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODSIEC), on Monday, said there would be no postponement or change of date of the forthcoming local government election slated for April 23, 2016 in the state. The commission chairman, Professor Olugbenga Ige, who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, during a meeting with the representatives of various political parties in the state at the commission’s headquarters, said the commission is committed to conduct free and fair election. Ige said the commission has put all machinery in motion to ensure a free, fair and credible election and called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the commission to make the exercise a success. Some of the politicians who spoke at the meeting appealed to the commission to always carry them along in the preparation for the election No fewer than 27 political parties in the state excluding the All Progressives Congress (APC) attended the meeting.

Olatoye foundation set to honour Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Olatoye Sugar Foundation (OSF) has concluded arrangements to honour the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud AkinolaMakanjuola with an award of excellence at its empowerment programme slated for Sunday, February 14, 2016 as part of activities lined up for the launching and empowerment of the less privileged in the society by the foundation. The Founder of the foundation, Honourable Olatoye Temitope (a.k.a. Sugar) disclosed this during his visit to the Ikolaba residence of the Aare Musulumi on Sunday. He said his visit was to congratulate Alhaji Akinola on his installation as the new Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, and also, to intimate him of his foundation’s plan to honour him and five other people in Nigeria. He noted that the awardee was chosen based on his contribution to the growth and development of the less privileged and his philanthropic gesture.

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Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

2016 budget: Nigeria must borrow now —Sani

ENATOR Shehu Sani (APC-Kaduna Central) has said Nigeria must borrow funds now to invest in other sectors that will generate revenue. Sani told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, on Monday, that the prices of oil may not rise again. The lawmaker, while defending the proposed borrowing to fund part of the 2016 budget, said based on the dwindling prices of oil, it was evident that Nigeria would have to rely on other sources if the budget would be funded. He said: “We are hopeful that this budget will be fully implemented to address some of our economic problems. “It is the first budget without emphasis on oil. “It is the first post-oil budget. “A budget that will fund agriculture, solid minerals and power and will diversify the economy. “We are deeply concerned that if we go without diversification, the whole country will go bankrupt. “So, the whole essence of this budget is diversification. “We are not borrowing to party or to spend. “We are borrowing to invest and that is why I said that this borrowing is with-

in the safe limit of borrowing. “Nigeria’s external debt stands at about N10.6 billion, so borrowing is still safe because it is still 15 per cent of our GDP.”

According to Sani, what was most important was that when you borrow, you invest and we were going to invest in agriculture and solid minerals and that was the way forward for Nige-

ria. Sani said Nigeria must begin to spend money locally to grow the economy, rather than investing in the economy of other nations. Sani stated that half of

the money being spent by Nigerians on health and education in other countries would be enough to fund the nation’s budget, adding that foreign education costs $2 billion annually.

Buhari inherited a collapsed economy —Odigie-Oyegun

Says dwindling economy affecting APC Kolawole Daniel - Abuja NATIONAL Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun, on Monday, disclosed that the present government inherited the economy was in total collapse, saying that the dwindling economy of the country is equally affecting the party. He, however, added that the administration was working round the clock to improve the economy. According to him, “President Muhammadu Buhari inherited a collapsed economy. What we are doing is to clear the debris. “There will be plenty of good news in the next few months. We have to put up with the present deprivation, but we will smile tomorrow,” he said. The APC national chairman, during an interactive session with newsmen at the APC headquarters in Abuja, said “it is one of the main

concerns of the president, he is fully aware of the hardship we are going through,” stressing that “everything is being done to better the lives of the people.” On the funding of the party, he said “just like every other institution, the party is facing economic strains.” To rescue the party from its economic hardship, he said “the party has to come

up with innovation on how to raise money to fund its activities.” Concerning the economic hardship the party is facing, Odigie-Oyegun said the party had no cause to bother President Buhari for fund. “The party is suffering the strains of funding. We are working to raise resources within the membership. We have not asked for rescue from the

president because it is not part of his national assignment.” On Kogi State’s issue between Honourable James Faleke and the party over swearing in, Chief OdigieOyegun said: “As a party, we have prepared for every possible contingency in the Kogi situation, so whatever happens in the next few days, we are ready for it, as there is no question and

in the concession granted to our consortium vide your letter of May 8, 2009, was purportedly terminated pursuant to Article 16.1 of the Concession Agreement (“Agreement”) for failure to remedy the alleged breaches complained of in your letter dated August 28, 2012. “Please note that the consortium disputes the purported termination of the concession. We refer to our letter dated September 26, 2012 (copy attached) wherein we responded seriatin to the issues raised in your letter dated August 28, 2012 and demonstrated clearly that the ministry’s purported notice of the non-compliance with the agreement is premature and incurably invalid. We also emphasised the need for the grantor to comply with the agreement before it alleges non-compliance by another party. “Notwithstanding the above position, as committed patriots to the development of Nigeria, we continued with the project and recommended palliative works of 5th August 2012.

doubt about that. “I don’t want to go into the details of what is likely going to happen, that is still between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the legal authorities. “Just rest confidently, it is sometimes good to be expecting what is going to happen, keep your gun powder dry and watch,” he said.

Biafra: Court to decide Nnamdi Kanu’s bail Friday Sunday Ejike - Abuja JUSTICE James Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, slated Friday, January 29 to decide the application for bail of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and his co-accused standing trial for treasonable felony and unlawful possession of firearms. Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra alongside

two others, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu were being prosecuted on a six-count charge, bordering on treasonable felony and unlawful possession of firearms preferred against them by the Federal Government. Arguing the bail application at the resumed hearing on Monday, Kanu’s counsel, M.U.Udechukwu told the court that the offences for which the defendants were charged were bailable and

urged the court to grant them bail. Udechukwu, who cited sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to buttress his point, also added that the submissions of the prosecution in their counter-affidavit were not sufficient enough to warrant the court denying the defendants bail. In his submission, the prosecution counsel, Mo-

Stalled Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: FG yet to name nominees for arbitration THE ongoing rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan has been stalled because the Federal Government is yet to name nominees for arbitartion with Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited. These facts emerged on Monday, following the controversy trailing the N167 billion project, including the ongoing case in court. Findings revealed that BiCourtney Highway Services Limited had expressed its desire for arbitration in a January 29, 2013, letter to the immediate past Minister of Works, Mr Mike Oneolememen. But three years after the company offered to settle out of court, the Federal Government was yet to respond. The construction giant also went ahead to name a three-man team to represent it at the arbitration panel, but the government had not provided its representatives. Bi-Courtney’s letter, which was signed by Chief T.K. Akinbami, read in part: “We refer to the letter dated November 19, 2012, where-

The senator expressed confidence that the budget would address key areas of our national economy, such as diversification, job creation, poverty and economic growth.

subsequently, we engaged a major construction company to commence actual reconstruction works on September 23, 2012 and the company was active on site, until our receipt of the letter purportedly terminating the concession.” “We firmly believe that a dispute has arisen which should have been resolved in accordance with dispute resolution mechanism provided under Article 21 of the Agreement prior to the invocation of any termination clause. in the circumstance, we demand that the Dispute Resolution Board (“the board”) be set up forthwith, to determine the propriety or otherwise of your action under the Agreement. we hereby appoint the underlisted persons as our nominees to the Board. 1. Justice G.A. Oguntade, Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria 2. Prince Adesupo Adetona; Retired senior partner of Deloitte 3. Engineer B.G Giwa; former Acting Director Federal Highways

“Kindly appoint your nominees to the Board within 14 days of your receipt of this letter. as you are well aware, this should have been done earlier in the transaction. “For the avoidance of doubt we reiterate that your purported termination of the Concession is, according to law, invalid and should be discountenanced by all relevant parties.” Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola had alast week alluded to the challenges being faced by the Federal Government on the project. He said: “The LagosIbadan Expressway is a story of what investors don’t like.The Federal Government granted a concession to a private company (Company A) and later withdrew and cancelled it. The Federal Government then entered into a construction and financing agreement with another company (Company B). Company A went to court and got an order to cancel the financing agreement made with Company

B. “As things stand, work had been stopped on the construction of the road. The construction companies cannot get financing because of the court order, so they have laid off about 2,000 workers in an economy that has so much to do and needs to create work. “These two companies are Nigerian companies investing in Nigeria, which is a positive sign, because the local investors are the most important to any economy. “Regrettably, while not going into the merits and demerits of the Federal Government’s cancellation of Company A’s “concession”, it sends a not welcoming message to foreign investors if the decision was without basis or influenced by politics, which I cannot comment upon. “If that was the case, as a foreign investor I will be asking myself the kind of treatment that awaits me as a foreigner if the government does that to a citizen, but that is only one half of the story.”

hammed Diri, who is the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), prayed the court to refuse the bail application brought before it by the defendants. He informed the court that Kanu had admitted that he is a British citizen and that he sneaked into the country, adding that there was the possibility of him sneaking out if admitted to bail. Justice Tsoho had, last week, ordered that Kanu and his co-defendants be remanded in prison after a heated argument between the prosecution, Mohammed Diri and the defence counsel, Chuks Muoma. While the DPP wanted the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) for security reasons and convenience of conveying them to the court for their trial, Muoma, the defence counsel, prayed the court that his clients be moved to the prison for easy access. The Federal Government is accusing Kanu of plotting to split Nigeria, by creating a Biafra Republic with southeast, southsouth states, and parts of Kogi and Benue states, as component units. Kanu, who was first arraigned before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, told the court before commencement of the matter that he preferred being held in the detention than subjecting himself to a trial, which outcome would not be respected. He said his previous trials had various outcomes that were abused or neglected by the DSS and announced his outright objection to the trial in the court.

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Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Nigeria needs moral leaders to kill corruption —Buhari

•No excuse for failure —Saraki •NASS greatest achievement was stopping OBJ’s third term bid —Dogara Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, said Nigeria can only tackle corruption successfully if it gets moral leaders who will not steal the commonwealth. The president, who made the submission in a speech presented on his behalf by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, at the opening ceremony of the National Political Summit in Abuja, said for the country to sustain its democracy and gain respect across Africa, it must evolve moral leaders. The summit, organised by the Save Democracy Africa, headed by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ghali Umar Na’Abba, had as its theme: 2015 General Election: The Gains and Building Positive Political Culture for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria.” According to the president, “every step to the balance of a stable democracy is worth it. My support for sustained dialogue amongst political stakeholders and key actors in our country will help in speeding up the political evolution of our country, grow our politics, building understanding and definitely help our people. “For the Save Democracy Group Africa, as the name implies, has one objective of positively impacting the different culture in Africa, politics at the end must serve the people, the task of nation building primarily rest on the political elite, the strength of democratic institutions also rely on the commitment of that same elite to the success of these institutions. “I say selflessness and self respect because it requires a deep understanding of one’s role in the destiny of one’s people and those yet unborn to hold political power and yet allow one’s self to be subject to the rule of law and other restraining rules and conventions.” Also peaking at the summit, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said Nigerians were no longer attuned to excuses from public office holders, adding that the countrymen would vote out any leader who fails to perform. Saraki said the Eighth Senate, under his leadership, would ensure that there was no longer room for diversion of public funds.

According to him, the National Assembly would work with the executive to fight corruption in all sectors, adding that discretionary spending of government resources, unbudgeted expenditures, procurement abuses and diversion of public monies must stop. “The 2015 general elec-

tion has changed Nigeria for good. Its implications will continue to redefine the Nigerian political space for sometime to come. For the first time, the voice of the Nigerian people was definitive and unmistakable. They wanted change. “For those of us who, by this election, have been entrusted with shaping the

destination we travel from now, there is a clear and distinct warning, the change demanded by Nigerians from the 2015 election are not without consequences. The victory was won out of turmoil and strife. It was an election won on the belief that Nigeria, together, is our best chance of becoming the greatest of all black

nations,” he said. Saraki added that Nigerians had called on their leaders to stamp out corruption, improve governance, accountability, transparency, service delivery and human right protection, adding that the National Assembly was ready to roll out an array of reforms to ensure account-

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (left), receiving an award as Grand Patron of Save Democracy Group Africa, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, from former Deputy Senate President/National Council Chairman, Save Democracy Group Africa, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, at the summit of the group, in Abuja, on Monday. With them is the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. PHOTO: NAN

ability. In his presentation at the summit, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, said the decision of the legislature to stop the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the greatest achievements of the Nigerian legislature. He said the decision by the lawmakers helped to save Nigeria’s democracy from going the way of some emerging democracies in Africa, adding that the legislature had contributed immensely to the stability of Nigeria’s democracy. He said the 2015 general election was a success as technology impacted greatly on the exercise, adding, however, that there was the need to amend the Electoral Act to accommodate electronic voting. “Perhaps, the greatest achievement of the legislature in Nigeria was the unanimous rejection of the third term bid of former President Obasanjo,” he said, adding that the National Assembly was vehement in its rejection of a proposal to elongate the tenure of the president to 12 years. Meanwhile, a former interim leader of the Government of Liberia, Professor Amos Sawyer, has said Nigeria needed to build on the outcome of the 2015 elections. continues I pg6

How Dariye diverted Plateau’s N1.126bn funds —Witness Sunday Ejike -Abuja TRIAL commenced, on Monday, in the money laundering case against former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye, about nine years after he was charged. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting the matter called its first witness, who told the court how Dariye allegedly diverted the N1.126 billion Ecological Funds belonging to the state. The witness, Musa Sunday, a detective with the EFCC, who was led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, told the trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, that he was involved in the investigation into how Dariye allegedly diverted Plateau funds while serving as governor. He told the court how Dariye allegedly applied for the ecological fund in the

name of his state in 2001, but collected the money in person and diverted it. Sunday said, upon receiving the cheque for the N1.126 billion ecological fund, Dariye allegedly lodged it with his private banker, the Abuja branch manager of All States Trust Bank Plc (now defunct), with instruction on how it should be disbursed. The witness said investigation by EFCC operatives revealed that, the bank manager, allegedly acting on Dariye’s instruction, paid N100 million in the name of “PDP South-West” which funds was later traced to a company - Marine Float Nigeria Limited – allegedly owned by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. He said effort to make Atiku to refund the money had failed so far. Sunday said Dariye instructed the payment of

N178.8 million to an unregistered company - Ebenezer Retnan Ventures Limited, which was later discovered to belong to the ex-governor. He said Dariye paid N250 million to a firm - Pinacle Communications – owned by a contractor to the Plateau State government and said the decision to investigate Dariye was informed by a request by the London Metropolitan Police for Nigeria’s assistance in investigating some parties and companies linked with the former governor. Dariye is currently a senator, representing a senatorial district in Plateau State. “Based on the request, we moved to the mentioned banks. We first went to All States Trust Bank, Abuja, where we met with the branch manager, who made available to us information about the account of Ebene-

zer Retnan Ventures Limited. “From the mandate form of the account, we found that the signatory to the account was Haruna Dariye. The signature to the account was by the defendant (Dariye). The Account Officer, Awe Obesa, who marketed the account to the defendant, told us this. “He was arrested to confirm to us who Haruna Dariye was. He could not identify who Haruna Dariye was and we found that the circumstance surrounding the opening of the account was suspicious. We also found that there was no picture in the mandate card,” he said. The witness is expected to resume his testimony today by 10.00 a.m. The EFCC, in 2007, obtained the leave of an Abuja High Court to prefer charges against Dariye and filed a 23-count charge against him.

He was also accused of diverting state funds estimated at billions of naira while in office. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which the trial judge, Justice Banjoko, fixed November 13, 2007 for the commencement of trial. Before that date, however, Dariye filed an application, challenging the competence of the charge and the jurisdiction of the court. He argued that he ought to be tried at a Plateau State High Court and not the FCT High Court. On December 13, 2007, the trial judge heard and dismissed Dariye’s application for lacking in merit, a decision he appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja and subsequently to the Supreme Court. The apex court, on February 27, 2015 dismissed Dariye’s appeal and ordered him to submit himself for trial.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

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Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Don’t drag me into $2.1bn issue, Okonjo-Iweala replies Falana By Yejide GbengaOgundare

ORMER Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has stated that the attempt by Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, to mix her up in issues that have nothing to do with her in his letter to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a desperate joke filled with malicious intent from an integritychallenged charlatan

Okonjo-Iweala, in a release on Monday, stated that Falana was being used by corrupt individuals to tarnish her image, adding that it was not the first attempt by the lawyer to do this. According to her, this happened anytime she receives national or international recognition for her work. “He has resorted to this action because his previous efforts to tarnish my name - through his discredited NGO, and petitions to the EFCC – failed, because they

were lacking in credibility. “This latest effort to try to attach my name falsely confirms that Femi Falana is nothing but a tool of corrupt elements whose interests were hurt by the work I did in fighting corruption while in office. “These elements have now made a habit of making false allegations against my person whenever I receive any national or international recognition for my work. “The pattern is clear and Nigerians should be alerted to it. I will not be intimi-

dated from going on with my life and performing my duties. I will not give in to cowardly and unmanly bullying,” she said. The former minister further explained that the latest attempt to implicate her falsely suggested that the lawyer had no grasp of the facts, adding that contrary to allegations, she had absolutely nothing to do with the alleged misuse of $2.1 billion by the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA). She explained that the January 20, 2015 memo

2 killed in renewed cult clash in Kwara Biola Azeez - Ilorin TWO persons have been reportedly killed in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, by suspected cultists at different locations in a renewed cult crisis. Nigerian Tribune gath-

ered that one of the victims was murdered at Balogun Fulani junction in the town on Sunday night, while the other was killed at Tanke area on Monday, as the suspected cultists shot sporadically into the air to scare residents. According to an eyewit-

ness, the suspected cultists used motorcycles to perpetrate the act during the two operations. When contacted, the spokesperson of the police in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident at Balogun Fulani, stress-

ing that he was yet to be informed about that of Tanke area. He, however, assured that the command had mapped out strategies to curtail the killings, while assuring residents to go about their lawful businesses peacefully.

Anti-graft war beyond stealing —Gov Emmanuel Leon Usigbe - Abuja GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has thrown his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war, but warned that beyond the recovery of stolen funds, attention should also focus on attitudes, especially of people engaged in causing societal disruption

without just cause. Fielding questions from State House correspondents after a meeting with President Buhari, in Abuja, on Monday, he said governors were setting up structures to fight corruption in their various states. “It’s not only when money exchanges hands that is corruption. Somebody trying to influence an unjust cause is

corruption one way or the other,” he said. The governor added that corruption must be tackled in order for the country to move forward, describing the ongoing going effort at dealing with the menace as “fantastic.” Asked about his impression of the war, he said: “Fantastic! Fantastic! It’s something that if we must

N225m armoured cars: Judgement in Oduah’s suit against AGF stalled Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin -Lagos DUE to the transfer of the trial judge, the judgement in a suit filed by the a former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah, against the Attorney-General of the Federation could not be delivered. The scheduled judgment did not take place on Monday due to the transfer of

the presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, from Lagos to the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. Justice Abang, who was moved from Lagos to Abuja early this month, had, on December 1, 2015, fixed January 25 for judgment in the case, after taking arguments from all the parties in the suit. Court registrars to Abang, however, said Justice Abang

would return to Lagos on February 2, to deliver the judgment. Oduah filed the suit in July last year, praying the court to bar the Federal Government from investigating her over two armoured BMW cars reportedly procured at N255 million in 2013 by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) during her tenure as Aviation minister.

Nigeria needs moral leaders to kill corruption —Buhari continued from pg4

Speaking on the topic: “Building positive Political Culture for Sustainable Democracy in Africa,” Sawyer, at the summit on Monday, said the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria was historic, adding that its success averted breakdown of law and order in spite of tension prior to the poll. Elder statesman, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, who

also spoke at the event, said if Nigeria as a country must get it right, it must revisit and revive the past and produce leaders that would not steal. “I have a dream that Nigeria will build a very strong economy. I have a dream that Nigeria will take our proper place in the comity of nations. I have a dream that Nigeria will be great, but for Nigeria to become great, we have to visit the

past and try to revive the glory of the past in order to produce leaders like those in our past,” he said. In his opening remarks, the Director- General, Save Democracy Group Africa, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, had stated that the summit would be an annual event, adding that the concept was put together in the absence of credible platform for continuous dialogue in Africa.

move forward as a country we must tackle corruption. “I believe it’s essential to put in place strong institutional structures to fight corruption, to set up structures that would enable systems to run effectively without interference. All hands must be on desk in fighting corruption. “And when we’re talking about corruption we’ll start looking round. Corruption is a broad concept. If you have N10 at hand and you’re not honest about it, you will never be honest about it when you have N10 million at hand. “All the governors in Nigeria are waging the same war in their different domains, and trying to set up structures trying to see how we can minimise, at least, if not possible to deal with it overnight, to eliminate them. But at least, we must deal with corruption even to the barest minimum.” Governor Udom who said he was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to brief the president about investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom, said he was confident that the people of the state would want him to remain their governor, following the recent nullification of his election by the Appeal Court. The governor, who had challenged the Appeal Court ruling at the Supreme Court, observed that the people of Akwa Ibom knew who they wanted at the time they voted for him in the 2015 general election.

in which she sought and received the approval of former President Goodluck Jonathan for the release of part of the newly returned Abacha funds to the NSA for the purchase of arms was totally separate from the $2.1 billion issue. “The memo which is now in the public domain speaks for itself. The release of the resources was in response to an approval by the former president, following a meeting chaired by him after a committee had considered the request,” she said. Okonjo-Iweala added that it was a fact that some of the funds recovery was done under the regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo, when she was not even in government, reiterating that during the time she was finance minister in the second Obasanjo administration, $500 million was recovered. “As documented by the Field Study conducted by the World Bank with the assistance of national and international NGOs, this amount was properly applied. It is on record that I championed transparency and vigorously fought corruption during my two terms as minister. Among other actions, starting from the second Obasanjo administration, I, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, published monthly revenue allocations to all tiers of government for Nigerians to see,” she added. The former minister said while serving in the Obasanjo administration, she requested the assistance of the World Bank and Department for International Development (DfID), to build institutions and systems that could block leakages from the treasury, adding that this stalled after she left office in 2006 until August 2011 when she returned under the Jonathanled government. She said with the assistance of the Ministry of Finance team, she re-invigorated the establishment and use of the Integrated

Personnel and Payroll Management Systems (IPPIS), the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA). “All of this saved the country billions of naira by drastically reducing avenues for corruption in the public service. These facts are well documented in successive World Bank, DFID and IMF Article 4 Reports. “It is gratifying that the present government has adopted and is further building on these systems for the benefit of the country,” she said. She concluded that Falana was callous beyond belief for ignoring a fact of recent Nigerian history; the kidnap of Professor Kamene Okonjo, her 83-yearold mother, by agents of fuel subsidy fraudsters who were angry that she had blocked them from defrauding the country further. “The kidnappers had told the traumatised old woman that they were sent to punish me for refusing to pay some oil marketers,” she said. According to her, it was insensitive and, in fact, inhumane for Falana and his sponsors to level false accusations against someone like her, who went through a searing personal ordeal for her principled fight against corruption, adding that Falana’s attempt to implicate her falsely was a disservice to law, justice and the image of the country. “It is sad that a person who had earned some prominence as a human rights lawyer now tramples on the human rights of others as a political jobber,” Okonjo-Iweala stated.

news CAC commiserates with Oba Odulana’s family

By Tolu Olamiriki

he leadership of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Worldwide, has commiserated with the Oyo State government, the immediate and the extended families and the people of

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

the state over the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade. The president of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, stated this when he led a delegation of the church on a condolence visit to the family of the late

traditional ruler at his Monatan residence, Ibadan, on Monday, and prayed God to give the government and the families of the late traditional ruler the succour and the fortitude to bear the loss. While saying that the late traditional ruler lived a fulfilled life as he was a great

man, who enjoyed the grace of God in all spheres of life, the cleric said that he was a ruler, who holds fast to integrity, righteousness and justice. “He was favoured to ascend the throne at an advanced age and by the time of his death, he was com-

paratively one of the longest reigning Olubadans, coming second to the late Oba (Pastor) Isaac Akinyele, who happened to be the first president of CAC,” he said. He averred that the reign of the late traditional ruler witnessed a peaceful and progressive activities, which was manifested in Ibadan, Oyo State as well as the entire nation, most especially, life-changing developments. “No wonder God en-

dowed him with the grace of long life. He was one of the privileged few whose life spanned a whole century and crossed into a second century.” The cleric, however, urged Nigerians to learn from the leadership style of the late traditional ruler, which weigh an indication that God was with him through his sojourn, saying that he was an upright, happy and contended royal father.

Ex-Rep commiserates with Ibadan over demise of Olubadan By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

From left, President, Christ Apstolic Church (CAC), worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun; Olori Moriyike Lana and the General Superintendent, CAC Worldwide, Pastor Samuel Olusegun, during the visit, on Monday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

From left: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, University of Ibadan (U.I), Professor Gbemisola Oke; Vice Chancellor, UI, Professor Idowu Olayinka, and Olori Moriyike Lana, during the condolence visit by UI’s management to the Olubadan’s family, in Ibadan, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Oba Odulana was an-all round traditional ruler —Senator Adeleke Senator Isiaka Adeleke has described the transition to glory of Late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, as a great loss to humanity, coming at a time when all and sundry should have continued to tap from his immeasurable wealth of experience. This was contained in a condolence message sent by Senator Adeleke to the family of the late monarch and the people of Ibadan, in a press release signed by his media adviser, Olumide Lawal. Adeleke described Oba Odulana as an all round

traditional ruler, who distinguished himself, creditably well as a politician, educationist, businessman and a foremost nationalist, who impacted admirably on the lives of

his people. He affirmed, that Oba Odulana will continue to be a reference point in Ibadan due to his vigour and commitment to the creation of Ibadan State.

Adeleke, therefore called on all Ibadan indigenes, to continue the struggle for the creation of an Ibadan State as an enduring legacy for the sweet memory of Oba Odulana.

He was man of peace and father to us all —Ilupeju JacobSegunOlatunji-Abuja A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Mohammed Ilupeju, on Monday lamented the demise of the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, saying that the late monarch was a man of peace father

to all. This was contained in a statement made available to news men in Abuja, on Monday. Alhaji Ilupeju, who is a member of the Governing Council of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), said, “his services to God and hu-

manity were excellent. We are going to miss him greatly. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.” He appealed to the people of Ibadan to let the demise of the monarch unite them for the unity and progress of the ancient city, the Yoruba land and the country in Nigeria.

A former Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Honourable Babatunde Oduyoye has commiserated with the immediate family of the late Olubadan, the people of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria in general over the death of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, who joined his ancestors on Tuesday. Honourable Oduyoye, who is also the Chairman, Media Committee of Save Democracy Group Africa and Coordinator of a pressure group, Generation Next, said the news of the death of the revered monarch came as a shock, but noted that rather than mourn him, the people of Ibadan land should give thanks to God for a life well spent by Oba Odulana. In a statement released on Monday, he stressed that the family of the late monarch should also thank God for the life of the man who ensured that peace reign during his tenure as the Olubadan of Ibadan land. According to Honourable Oduyoye, “Oba Odulana was a peacemaker, astute administrator, a politician, parliamentarian and an educationist, whose achievements will forever leave indelible marks in the annals of Ibadan history as well as the country. He was a courageous man who protected the dignity of the Olubadan stool and ensured that the traditional institution of the country was well respected and honoured. “Oba Odulana was a role model. From his days at the House of Assembly and House of Representatives till his time as the Olubadan, his teachings on moral conduct and Christianity will forever be remembered. He was a worthy man whose life will be a source of inspiration to the coming generations,” Oduyoye said. Honourable Oduyoye urged the state government and the Ibadan traditional council to follow the tradition and due process of choosing the successor of the Olubadan, adding that the process should be free of rancor in order not to destroy the legacy of

the departed Olubadan who protected the stool with all dignity.

Court hands policeman life jail for 2013 murder of UNIBEN undergraduate Banji Aluko -Benin City A Benin High Court has sentenced a police corporal, Amadin Idahosa, to life imprisonment, for causing the death of 22-year-old undergraduate, Ibrahim Momodu. Idahosa had been arraigned for a one-count charge bordering on murder of Momodu at a location on Siluko Road, Benin City, Edo State, on May 27, 2013. State prosecutor, M. O. Omozeghian, during the trial, informed the court that the offence was punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap. 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, as applicable in Edo State. In her judgment, Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh, passed a verdict of manslaughter on Amadin, pointing out that a case of murder could not be proved by the prosecution counsel. Earlier, the judge had held that the evidence provided by the police witnesses were contradictory and meant to deceive the court. The claim that Momodu was shot because he was carrying a gun was also dismissed as a ballistic expert report held that the supposed gun Momodu carried had not been fired before. The judge also dismissed claims that the policeman acted in self defence. Counsel for the family of Ibrahim Momodu, Jefferson Uwoghiren, expressed gratitude that the tag of robbery stamped on the late Momodu had finally been removed, saying “civil action will be taken against the police for the untimely death of a young man.”

Nigerian Tribune

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Lagosmetro

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

NDLEA intercepts container of Tramadol disguised as condoms

Alausa staffers in N28.5m forgery mess

YejideGbenga-Ogundare

AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin Three members of staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment have been remanded in prison over allegations of forgery, impersonation and theft. The men, Babatunde Olaogun, 31; Babadola Adigun, 41 and Olanrewaju Jones, 40, allegedly committed the offences between November 17 and December 4, 2015, at the Ministry of Enviroment, Alausa. It was gathered that the men allegedly claimed to be the legal manager, account manager and transport manager of the ministry respectively, conspired together and forged a Local Purchase Order, (LPO), which they used in stealing three Toyota Camry vehicles from an auto firm, Affordable Cars Limited. Specifically, Babatunde Olaogun, the alleged mastermind of the fraud, forged an LPO marked MOE 2950/49 dated November 11, 2015, which they acted upon to steal the three Toyota Camry vehicles. The chasis numbers of the three Camry’s are: LT4BFIFK6FR488931; 4T4BFIFR506879 and 4T4BFIFKFR506904 which is valued at N28. 5 million. They were subsequently arrested by detectives from the Criminal and Investigation Department of the State Police Command, Panti-Yaba and charged before an Ebutte Metta Magistrate Court. Their offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 409, 363, 378 and 285(10) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. The trio however pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Their lawyers, Imonighara. O, Sadik Lateefat and Spurgeon Ataene, applied for their bail.

Nigerian Tribune

Scene of an accident at Apapa Wharf road, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Lagos declares war on rats, kills 4,400

he Lagos State chapter of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria on Monday said it had killed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme. Its president, Samuel Akingbehin, told the News Agency of Nigeria that his association carried out the exercise at Onigongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye and Mile 12 Markets. Akingbehin said de-rating the markets was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state. “The exercise is strategic in our effort toward the prevention of communicable diseases,” he said. NAN reports that this was part of efforts by the public and relevant agencies to de-rat markets that were the causes of the Lassa fever that had broken out in many states. The disease, since its outbreak, had killed no fewer than 76 of its victims and over 200 cases across 17 out of the 36 states are

quarantined and under observations. Akingbehin appealed to traders from across the state to show an understanding toward the efforts of the association to rid the markets of rats and rodents. He said the plan was to

de-rat markets in one local government area per day, starting from 5pm. The association decided on this time to allow traders and buyers transact their legitimate businesses. Akingbehin said: “We also decided to put the exercise in the evening due

to the nocturnal nature of rodents and our members had recorded successes in the markets visited till date. It took us about three hours to cover the Oshodi Market when our members went there for the exercise. “We will be visiting Suru-Alaba Market in

Orile-Ifelodun LCDA by 5pm with about 400 EHOs to de-rat it. “We are still calling on all other executive secretaries of the local government areas to assist us toward the elimination of rodents in our markets and our environments.”

Bariga cult clash: We are innocent —Suspects

•Your members died in the crisis —Police Olalekan Olabulo There was a sharp disagreement on Monday between the police in Lagos State and suspected cult members, who allegedly killed a 65-year-old woman in Bariga area of Lagos State. The state police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni on Monday afternoon paraded the suspects before newsmen at the Ikeja headquarters of the state police command. The suspects, however, claimed their innocence of the alleged crime and insisted that they were nowhere near the scene of the killing on the day of the

incident. The paraded suspects include Tanimola Ogbere, Afeez Olaide, Richard Abayomi, Nurudeen Lateef, Richard Ewa, Muhammed Musa, Kayode Dada and Adams Adelakun. The police boss stated that two members of the gang, identified as Bobo and Abayomi were also killed in the clash that also consumed the 65-year-old woman, who was burnt beyond recognition. The CP said “they were arrested through intelligent reports. The cultists vandalised some vehicles, parked along the road, while two members of

the Aiye group , Bobo and Abayomi were killed”. He also added that “but as a command with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties, we would not allow the cultists to have a field day again in places like Ikorodu, Ebutte Metta, Somolu and others. However, the suspects vehemently denied their involvement in the clash that led to the killing of the woman. The alleged cult leader Tanimola Ogbere said “I am not a kingpin. I also don’t know anything about the murder. I just returned from our town in Ondo State when I was arrested. “I swear to Almighty God,

I am not a cultist. I am a victim of circumstance. I am a sand seller. I am based in Ilaje. You people can verify in Ilaje. I travelled since August for my grandmother’s burial. I used the opportunity to fortify myself against physical and spiritual attack.” Another suspect, Kayode Dada also denied being a member of any of the cult groups and urged the state commissioner of police to ensure a thorough investigation into the arrest. “I am a bus conductor. We just returned from work and I was resting when two policemen grabbed me and the next thing I heard was that I am a cultist,” he said.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a shipment of prescription drugs, Tramadol and other illicit drugs disguised as condoms, belonging to two pharmacists at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos. The container was imported by two pharmacists, Onachukwu Benjamin Onwulu and Igboanugo Festus Tochukwu and the duo are being investigated in connection with the unlawful importation from India. The total weight of tramadol, a prescription drug belonging to the class of opioid that was seized by the NDLEA is 3,078.56kgs and it was discovered during physical examination at

the port by the NDLEA and operatives of other agencies. In recent times, abuse of Tramadol among youths has been reported across various geopolitical zones in the country, making it an important part of drug abuse. According to Mr Okugbenga Mabo, the Director of

Operations and General Investigations of the Agency, prosecuting the suspects would address lack of respect for due process by professionals. “We have observed an infringement of the law with adverse consequences on the nation. The drugs were imported without permit

by the relevant authorities. Prosecuting the suspects will serve as a warning to others. The case has been assigned to the joint task force of the agency for investigation” Mabo stated. Also speaking, the NDLEA commander at the Tin Can Port, Mr. Nse Jack Inam stated that the sus-

pects, 38-year-old Onuchukwu Benjamin Owulu of Benow Pharmaceutical Impex Limited based in Lagos and 35-year-old Igboanugo Vincent Tochukwu of Vingil Pharmaceuticals Limited Asaba were already being investigated. He added that “the

Murder: Teenager to be tried in family court

Four allegedly forged document to obtain N1bn loan

AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A teenager, Andrew Ovie has been accused of murdering a middle aged man by hitting him on the head with a bottle. Seventeen-year-old Ovie, it was gathered, allegedly hit one Ibrahim on the head during a heated argument. It was further gathered that Ovie who was in SS2 at the time of the incident had gone to see what was happening when a crowd of people had gathered at a brothel in Ogolonto. Ibrahim (the deceased) it was alleged had gone to the hotel with two underage girls. He was in the process of having sex with the girls when some people in the vicinity raised the alarm and a crowd gathered. During the commotion, Ovie allegedly hit Ibrahim on the head with a bottle and the latter slumped and died. Ovie was arrested and remanded in a correctional home from where he was brought before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court who ordered that he should be tried before a family court because of his age.

shipment of controlled drugs originated from India. Onuchukwu Benjamin Owulu imported 107 cartons of Tramanow, a brand of Tramadol weighing 1,078.56kgs while Igboanugo Vincent Tochukwu imported 250 cartons of Vingil Tramadol weighing 2,000kgs. Both suspects are being investigated”. Preliminary investigation carried out by the agency’s joint task force headed by Mr. Olumuyiwa Adeniyi revealed that both pharmaceutical companies did not obtain import permit for the said drug which is contrary to Section 11 subsection (a) of the NDLEA Act and the drugs were imported for illicit distribution as they were disguised with cartons of condoms and other illicit pharmaceutical products.

AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin Sorry state of the park named after the late activist, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti.

Govt bans daytime barricade of streets Bola Badmus Worried by the disturbing trend of closure of street gates across the state, the Lagos State government has ordered the immediate re-opening of all street gates and barricades in the nook and cranny of the state between 5am and 12 mid-night daily. The government warned that defaulting streets would have their gates pulled down within the next seven days. Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Community Development and Chairman of Community Affairs Advisory Council, Mr. Tajudeen Adeniyi Quadri, read the riot act on Monday while addressing journalists at the state secretariat in Alausa. According to him, the new order became imperative as there had been situations whereby fire fighters and

police were prevented from getting to emergency scenes on time due to street gates and barricades. Quadri, who addressed the briefing alongside the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, and others said as a responsive and responsible government, Governor Ak-

inwunmi Ambode had directed that the restriction on closure of street gates and barricades be strictly adhered to henceforth. Quadri said information reaching government was that gates were being locked in several places throughout the day, causing much inconveniences for residents who have to walk round to get to the main road. Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Govern-

ment and Community Affairs, Hon. Folami, warned that the state government would pull down gates and barricades in any defaulting streets. “In view of the challenges posed by the unrestricted erection of street gates, the state government is revisiting the directive on the gates and barricades. Any contravention of this directive will attract necessary punishment for defaulters,” Folami said.

Rape suspect spends two years awaiting trial AyomideOwonibi-Odekanyin A man, Adewumi Adetuyi has been accused of having forceful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, thereby defiling her. Adetuyi who has been in prison custody since 2014, was accused of having car-

nal knowledge of the victim sometimes in March 2014 at Oyelola street Anifowoshe, Ikeja. Adetuyi who was arrested and charged before an Ikeja High Court, pleaded not guilty to the alleged defilement. The Lagos State prosecutor, Hafeez Owokoniran

informed the court of the readiness of four witnesses to testify against Adetuyi. The presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, asked the prosecutor to ensure that the witnesses are present in court before adjourning the matter till March 24 for trial.

Four men, Johnson Salako, Toritseju Jemide, Enoche Ugbabe and Enebeli Theophilus have been accused of providing the Bank of Industry (BoI) with false information. The four men, it was gathered, were also alleged to have stolen N1, 424, 774, 000 belonging to BoI by falsely claiming to the bank that the money was meant to finance a project. To secure the loan, they also allegedly forged a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of Lands Registry of Lagos State which they used as security to obtain the loan. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission also accused them of forging the two title deeds which they presented to the BoI. While Enoche and Enebeli pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned before an Ikeja High court.

businessnews

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

NNPC records N255bn loss, remits N1trn to FAAC

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has revealed that it lost N255 billion at the close of business in 2015. The corporation, in the January 2016 edition of its Energy in Brief bulletin, also revealed that it remitted a total of N1.003 trillion to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) during the year under review. “Local operational challenges such as refinery capacity below commercial threshold, due to prolonged turnaround maintenance issues and pipeline vandalism and product losses, have also continued to cost the NNPC a huge amount of money. “A total of 2,447 vandalised points were recorded between January and November 2015, resulting in a total loss of 637,550 cubic metres of crude and products valued at N56.68 billion. These developments have put the corporation in a disadvantaged market position,” NNPC stated. Stating that the country’s three refining companies’ operations came to life in mid-December, the NNPC maintained that it met the target set by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, for the plants to come on stream. The oil firm said the refineries produced about six million litres of petrol daily in December. This, however, was before the Kaduna and Warri refineries were shut down last week by the corporation due to breaches in their product supply pipelines. The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Limited, a subsidiary of the NNPC, according to the bulletin, posted a production increase of 23 per cent as against the previous month’s performance. An analysis of the data indicated that the highest monthly loss by the corporation was recorded in September 2015 when it lost N46.5 billion. Further findings showed that the loss in September was reduced in October 2015 with the state-owned firm losing N12.2 billion. “A monthly loss of N14.3 billion was recorded in November 2015, up by N2.1 billion when compared to what it lost in October the same year,” the corporation said, attributing the losses to local operational challenges and persistent pipelines vandalism. The corporation’s group financial report showed that between January and Oc-

tober 2015, the oil firm recorded a group total loss of N241 billion. The figure, however, increased when the firm’s losses from January to November 2015 were computed, losing N255.28 billion during this period. The NNPC said it lost N58.68 billion between January and November 2015 to the rupturing of its

crude oil installations. It said the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), another subsidiary of the NNPC, also recorded an improvement in its year-to-date performance as reflected in the revenue posting of N31.34 billion. The firm also explained the recent petrol price modulation embarked upon by the Petroleum Products

Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). Price modulation, according to the corporation, is a regulatory adjustment approach that allows changes to a pricing template that protects the interest of consumers and investors alike. It said: “In Nigeria’s context, it is a quarterly price adjustment of the PPPRA’s current price template to

reflect the import cost variables. “The benefit of adopting a pricing modulation approach is that it addresses corruption and block leakages in current subsidy management methods, ensures appropriate planning to guarantee security of energy supply, logistics and distribution of petroleum products.

From left: Abiola Bashorun, intern at the National Information Officer of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos; Seyi Soremekun, recipient, United Nations Foundation Gold Prize for Development and Humanitarian Reporting; Augustina Armstrong-Ogbonna, Executive Editor/CEO, CSWeekly; Mayowa Adeniran, News Editor, CSWeekly; Seye Joseph and Associate Producer, CSWeekly, Busari Kemi, during the second edition of the Civil Society Weekly Radio Program on RadioOne 103.5fm, Lagos, recently.

Tony Elumelu Foundation, UBA partner US Department of Commerce on entrepreneurship Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

The Tony Elumelu Foundation and United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has partnered with the United States Department of Commerce to host a panel and roundtable discussion between members of the United States Presidential Council on Doing Business in Africa (PCDBIA) and a diverse community of African entrepreneurs. The 11 person US delegation, along with representatives of several US government trade and investment-focused agencies, was led by the Honourable Penny Pritzker – U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The Council visited Lagos as part of a fact-finding mission to help inform their upcoming report to President Obama on how to strengthen commercial engagement between the US and Africa, which will result in mutually-beneficial growth. A statement from the Foundation said the event was designed to allow representatives of the US Government to participate in direct and substantive discussions with Africa’s

emerging business leaders. It is an opportunity to engage in a dialogue that has the potential to influence U.S. foreign policy for Africa. The event, titled “Unleashing Africa’s Entrepreneurs: Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem to Empower the Next Generation of Africa’s Business Leaders,” brought together

American business leaders and Nigerian entrepreneurs to discuss challenges, solutions and innovations in the current African business environment. “President Obama believes, as I do, that the American private sector, working in partnership with the African business community, and African entrepreneurs can help address

many of the continent’s most pressing challenges, including creating jobs and opportunity for young people across the continent,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “I am proud to lead our Administration’s effort to support and empower aspiring entrepreneurs, both in the United States and across the globe.”

Market forces should determine exchange rate —Ambode The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has said that for a virile economy, the naira exchange rate must be allowed to respond to other macroeconomic changes in the economy. He stated this at the weekend while delivering his keynote address at the Nigerian Economic Outlook 2016 organised by the Net-Works Business Club, an exclusive Christian Business Club promoted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (City of David Parish) with the aim of providing a platform to empower people towards the realisation of their business potentials. The governor, who was

represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, expressed confidence in the regime of President Buhari to combat the fiscal failures of the past administration, which, he said, was responsible for the economy down-

turn we are experiencing following the crash in the price of crude oil, our major source of revenue. He said that the current policies must be time bound and give way for a more sustainable exchange rate policy that will bring confidence back to the system.

Onu, Mellor lead discusssions on sustainable development Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Head of Nigerian Office, Department for International Development Nigeria (DFiD), Mr Ben Mellor are set to lead discussions on sustainable development when the seventh edition of the thought leadership series, Sustainable Conversations, gets under way at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday, 28 January, 2016. Dr Onu will be joined by other discussants among who are Ochapa Ogenyi of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs; Dayo George, Corporate Director, Unilever Nigeria; Mr Yusuf Kazaure, MD and CEO, Galaxy Backbone, and Dr Hussaini Abdu, Country Director, PLAN International. Sustainable Conversations is a thought leadership breakfast series that focuses on the development of key sectors in the country. This edition, with the theme: “Fast-tracking targets through Technology and Education,” is put together by Nigeria’s innovative and fast growing telecommunications company, Etisalat, and renowned Management Consultancy firm, Thistle Praxis Consulting. Commenting on Etisalat’s support for the leadership series, Ibrahim Dikko, Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, said “Etisalat is delighted to be at the forefront of initiatives that can contribute to national development at all times. It is a further commitment of our company to being a very critical player in sustainable developments in Nigeria.” He added that critical sectors in Nigeria such as the education and ICT sectors, like in all developing countries, are too important to be left to the government alone, and noted that they would require strategic interventions from all, including private individuals and corporate organisations.

Blue chips stocks’ gain, lift market by N47.2bn KehindeAkinseinde-Jayeobalagos

Trading of Equities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the week began on a positive note as some highly capitalised stocks with strong liquidity boosted the market with market capitalisation adding

N47.16 billion. This represented 0.58 per cent increase as market Capitalisation and All Share Index closed at N8.24 trillion and 23,963.64 basis points respectively, compared to N8.19 trillion and 23,826.50 basis points recorded at the end of Friday trading.

Market breathe closed positive as 25 gainers were recorded at the end of Monday session at the Nigerian Bourse as against 16 losers. Guiness Nigeria Plc top the gainers’ table to close at N112.28 kobo per share as it added N10.43 kobo to its share value, representing 10.24 per cent increase.

businessnews

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Maritime labour meets FG over sack of 5,000 port workers Tola Adenubi-lagos

he Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has gone into series of meetings in Abuja to determine their response to the decision of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi who formally approved the plan by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to terminate relationship with stevedoring contractors handling a set of dockworkers known as tally clerks and onboard securities. The minister’s approval of NPA’s plan came at a meeting held over the weekend with representatives of the organisation, MWUN, terminal operators, stevedoring companies and top transport Ministry officials. Amaechi, who ruled at the meeting that NPA had every right and reason to terminate relationship the stevedoring contractors said to be employing about 5,000 dockworkers, however directed the port authority to pay the affected stevedores all outstanding money due to them in the next two weeks. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, PresidentGeneral of the MWUN, Tony Nted, revealed that the decision has forced the labour group into series of meetings which will decide their position on what the minister said. According to him, “although I was not at that meeting because I was seriously down with illness, but I am now in Abuja and will be holding meetings with my members who were there to decide our position on the Ministerial verdict.

“I have been fully briefed on what transpired at the meeting by my members and by tomorrow, we will come out with an official statement on the whole situation.” It will be recalled that the NPA had announced in 2015 that it would not renew the 10-year contracts signed with the stevedoring companies when it expired on December 15,

2015. NPA General Manager, Public Affairs, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said NPA’s refusal to renew the stevedoring companies’ contract was in line with the current port reforms and laws governing activities at the ports. “NPA does not have any security staff on ships any longer. It is no more the responsibility of NPA but

terminal operators according to ISPS code to employ security details on board. “You can go to a ship and you will see a security man who will ask you questions on what you came for and what you want to do. “They will ask you questions and give you a tag based on your mission. Paying for onboard security is against our own law

From left: Marketing Manager, Friday Enaholo; General Manager, Marketing, Ola Ijimakin; Product Manager, OTC, Femi Ajala and Corporate Services Manager, Oladimeji Oduyebo all of Fidson Healthcare Plc at a media briefing of Fidson Healthcare Plc 2016 Astymin Promo Campaign, held at the company’s head office, on Monday, in Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

FG blames pipeline vandalism on greed •Arrests 8 vandals OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

The Federal Government has blamed the increasing spate of pipeline vandalism on greed and urged Nigerians to protect Nigerian assets. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, made the disclosure in Lagos on

Monday at the inspection of newly discovered ‘Robert Island’ along Lagos water coast where the entire community was involved in product theft and pipeline vandalism. The minister, who expressed his frustration on how Nigerians vandalised the country’s assets, announced the arrest of eight vandals who have been handed over to the Nigerian

Navy for further questioning. According to him, “this is very frustrating. This is parts of the problems we are facing. Sometimes, I wondered why a community would allow this to happen. This is a massive operation as you can see. Over 200 trucks equivalent were being loaded here daily and transported through the Nigerian waters to be sold in

Reconstitute APCON board, practitioners tell FG Akin Adewakun-Lagos

The federal government has been urged to re-constitute the board of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) that was dissolved last year, noting that the

absence of the board has begun to take its toll on the nation’s advertising industry. The practitioners in separate chats with Tribune Business expressed reservations about the decision of the federal gov-

ernment to embark on an indiscriminate dissolution of boards of parastatals and ministries under it, without constituting new ones since then. Expressing his reservation about the dissolution, the President of the Adver-

Botswana based firm acquires 100% stake in FBN microfinance bank Chima Nwokoji-lagos

A Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) listed company, Letshego Holdings Limited (“Letshego”), yesterday announced it has acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in FBN Microfinance Bank (FBN MFB) from its parent, FBN Holdings plc. Letshego Holdings is the financial inclusion

at NPA. This is not a thing you do on sympathy because if you are held, you go for it. “For tally clerks, NIMASA regulates them. If the terminal operators that handle cargo want the services of those contractors, they will employ their services and tally clerk also. NPA does not employ tally clerks again,” he said.

focused group with consumer, micro lending and deposit-taking subsidiaries across Southern and East Africa. The acquisition of FBN MFB marks Letshego’s entry into West Africa, having successfully built a footprint in East and Southern Africa with 265,000 customers across nine countries. This development brings

Letshego’s footprint to ten countries, with a customer base of over 385,000; Nigeria, in particular, has been a key target market in Letshego’s diversification plans. Letshego Group has a clear strategy for financial inclusion that is underpinned by a focus on geographic diversification, customer experience, and innovation.

tising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Kelechi Nwosu argued that APCON, as apex regulatory body in the industry, should not have been classified as a parastatal, but a regulatory body, since it was set up by an Act. He, therefore, argued that rather than fight for a speedy re-constitution of the Board, what should be of paramount importance to stakeholders in the industry should be how to ensure that the regulatory body is treated as a regulatory agency and not a parastatal. He observed that the dissolution of the Board had begun to take its toll on the industry; since the body, for now, does not have a constituted authority to carry out its functions.

other countries.” He said he is hopeful that those arrested would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. “We hope that those apprehended will soon be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent for others to desist from these nefarious activities. It is a sign of the challenges we are facing. The more programmes and models, brought to curb pipelines vandalism, the better technology often deployed by the vandals,” he said. He agreed that the discovery was good but wondered “how many more of this do we have going on presently. It is an eye opener for us but it is very frustrating. I wish I have an immediate solution to this but clearly a lot more needs to be done. We discovered this with efforts from contracted security personnel but a lot more effort will be channeled into forestalling such activities to strive.” On the challenges of ending pipeline vandalism, the minister stated that “the more you secure one, the more open others become. What about the community that was lured into this? Why would they allow this to happen. The issue of protecting Nigerian assets remains the responsibility of all Nigerians and not just that of the NNPC.

Nigerian Tribune

Prudential financial, LeapFrog launch $350m investment into insurance market Chima Nwokoji-lagos

Prudential Financial Inc. (PFI) and LeapFrog Investments have launched a $350 million investment partnership to access high-growth markets in Africa. Managed by LeapFrog, the new investment vehicle will target investments in life insurance companies in Nigeria and other leading economies, including Kenya and Ghana, to be made over a three- to five-year period. Charles Lowrey, executive vice president and chief operating officer of PFI’s International Businesses, said “This investment expands PFI’s footprint into Africa, a continent that we believe offers tremendous potential for growth over the long term. We are delighted to partner with LeapFrog Investments, given their deep experience in Africa, and their impressive record of success as insurance investors focused on emerging consumers.” Doug Lacey, Partner at LeapFrog Investments, said “The global insurance industry is looking for ways to close the protection gap for millions of people in emerging markets. This partnership will help address that need. Nigeria is a very exciting market, ranked in the top three in Africa for growth prospects, alongside Kenya and Ghana. Insurance penetration in Nigeria remains low and we see real opportunities for growth. We are delighted to broaden our relationship with PFI, a values-driven partner whom we know well and greatly respect for its global leadership in life insurance, retirement and asset management.” PFI is an investor in LeapFrog’s most recent private equity fund, and also a member of the LeapFrog Insurance Innovation Circle, a knowledge-sharing and innovation initiative that convenes many of the world’s leading insurers and reinsurers. The company is a financial services leader with more than $1 trillion of assets under management as of September 30, 2015, with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

news Why there are conflicts in Nigeria —Buhari 12

Leon Usigbe - Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Monday identified poverty, injustice and the lack of job opportunities as factors responsible for inter-communal and intra-communal conflicts in Nigeria. He made the observation while receiving a delegation from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, an organisation active in the promotion of peace in Nigeria, in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to the president, in order to achieve enduring peace in the country, greater effort must be made to eradicate poverty and injustice. The president described ethnic and religious conflicts in parts of the country as outward manifestations

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

of underlying problems of joblessness, injustice and poverty. On conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, Buhari said that a plan to map out grazing areas would soon be presented to the Nigerian Governors Forum as a temporary solution to the frequent conflicts until

cattle owners are persuaded to adopt other means of rearing their cattle. The president commended the centre for the relative peace that had returned to Plateau State as well as their ongoing activity in Southern Kaduna. He agreed with the centre that dialogue was always

preferable to the use of law and order mechanisms and force in the resolution of conflicts. The Executive Director of the Centre, David Harland, told President Buhari that following their success in facilitating the settlement of the inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflicts in

Plateau State, the group had moved to Kaduna State. He expressed the hope that the techniques used in bringing peace to Plateau State could soon be deployed to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency and other conflicts in Nigeria.

Dickson in UK, avoids pressure from appointment seekers Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa BARELY few weeks to the inauguration of a new Restoration Government, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has travelled to the United Kingdom for a recess in order to return with renewed vigour and strategy to move the oil and gas rich state forward. Dickson, who eventually won the governorship election, became exhausted after campaigning in all communities in the upland and riverine communities of the state for their votes at the poll. A source who craves anonymity told the Nigerian Tribune in Yenagoa that beside the need to rest abroad, the governor’s trip was also informed to free him from the pressure of those seeking for appointments into various offices in the new government. Continuing, the source alluded that Dickson’s reelection was a collective projects embarked on by prominent Bayelsans and members of the Restoration Government, with everyone pushing to ensure that their interest is protected in the new government. While some of his commissioners had began to mount pressure to be re-appointed, other Bayelsans that worked for the governor’s victory have gone to obtain notes from highly place senior citizens of the state, both in the business and political circle, for recommendation to be appointed.

From left, former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Usman Bugaje; Secretary-General, Ja’amatu Nasir Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Aliyu and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, at the inauguration of an Inter-Religious Documentation Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, in Kaduna, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

Nigerians must work towards achieving peace —Sultan Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has said that nobody can import peace into the country, saying that it is Nigerians that can work towards achieving peace. He made the disclosure during the inauguration of the National Governing Board (NGB) for Inter-Religious Centre in Kaduna on Monday. “People may ask why do

we need another inter-faith platform?, let me say, the more, the merrier. “We have different people with different views and connections, every platform is important for us to achieve this exclusive peace,” he said. The Sultan noted that at the end of the inauguration, the board members would be moving to every nook and cranny of the country to sue for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

“We believe without peace there would be no stability and without stability there will be no development,” he said. He maintained that the board, like any order platform, will advise where necessary, pointing out, “this board is not replacing any institutions like CAN, JNI, etc.” Also speaking at the occasion, President of the Christian Council of Ni-

Tribunal dismisses motion to stop Bello’s inauguration Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE coast is clear for the inauguration of the Kogi State governor elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, tomorrow as the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, on Monday, dismissed two motions seeking interlocutory injunction to stop the inauguration. The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Halima Mohammed, while ruling on the motions brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), dismissed the motions because they were not con-

tained in the original petitions before the tribunal. She said though the tribunal had jurisdiction to entertain the motions, it could however not grant them as they were not contained in the original petitions. The tribunal held that granting the motions as filed by the two political parties would affect the life of the original case before the court. According to Mohammed, the motions seeking the order of tribunal to stop the inauguration of Bello as the incoming governor of the state were not

part of the case before the tribunal. Apart from this, the tribunal also struck out the motion seeking to stop the inauguration of Bello because he has no deputy as at the period of supplementary election of December 5, 2015, which was filed by the counsel to the LP, Reuben Egwaba. Mohammed, however, urged parties to be ready for the accelerated hearing of the substantive case which would commence from next sitting, warning that the tribunal would no longer entertain the pre hearing matters again.

geria, Emmanuel Udofia, recalled that about three years ago the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Royal Ahl Al-Bayt Foundation (RAABF) visited Nigeria to make on the spot assessment and engage stakeholders over the incessant Muslim/Christian conflicts in the country. “‘After the one week working visit, the joint delegation issued a report and among the recommendations made was the establishment of a centre for documentation of truth to be jointly run by Muslims and Christians,” he said. He said the centre would document truth as well as promote peace and reconciliation. Udofia said the centre will have two ceremonial presidents, Prince Ghazi president of AaI AI bayt Institute and Secretary General of WCC, while the Sultan and president of CCN will be ceremonial National chairmen. Other board members are Professor D.0.Noibi, Rev Yusuf Ibrahim Wushishi, Khalid Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Atiku Balarabe Gusau, Mrs Uzoaku Julana, Rev Timothy Yahaya and Hajiya Aishat Ahmed Hassan.

Police nab killer robber, 29 others Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE Kogi State Police Command on Monday paraded no fewer than 30 suspected criminals, including an armed robber, who allegedly killed three policemen on duty along Okene-LagosOgori Highway. The state Police Commissioner, Bensan Gwana, who paraded the suspects, said the armed robber, Mohammed Abdulrasaq, had killed three officers, DSP James Moses, Cpl Isiojola Gbenga and PC Yohanna Amos while carrying out their duties. According to the commissioner, two of the slain officers Moses and Gbenga, were ambushed, shot and killed by Abdulrasaq on December 10, 2015 while on duty, while PC Amos was killed on December 13, 2015. The commissioner further explained that late DSP Moses who was on transit along Akure-Abuja road was shot dead while stopping over at a mechanic workshop to repair his faulty vehicle and his service pistol carted away. He said following tip off, men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) engaged in manhunt for the hoodlums who were engaged in a gun duel that led to the recovery of the deceased service pistol and one AK47 riffle.

EFCC drags ex-NBA chair, court registrar to court over N60m fraud Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last Friday dragged a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yola chapter, Binanu R. Esthon and the Registrar Litigation, Adamawa State High Court, Shehu Mustapha, before a Federal High Court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. The duo was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N60million before Justice B. B. Aliyu of the Federal High Court, following a complaint alleging criminal conspiracy between them and a prima facie case established against them. According to a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Monday by EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, 501 staff of Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited who were disengaged from the company but had their entitlements withheld by the company engaged the former NBA chairman to institute an action against their employer.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

2016 YEWA PRAYS HELD AT ASADE AGUNLOYE PAVILLION EMPIRE GROUND, ILARO YEWA, OGUN STATE

From right, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, Evangelist Niyi Adebayo, Mrs Grace Oluwarohunbi, Bishop Michael Oluwarounbi, Bishop E. Aderounmu and the Bishop of Church of God Aladura.

HRM Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewa addressing the congregation.

From left, Olori Adeola Olugbenle, Olu of Imasayi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Yewa, Oba Gbadebo Adesola Oni and his Olori.

Bishop Michael Oluwarohunbi of Yewa Anglican Diocese ministering at the event.

HRM Oba Gbadebo Adesola Oni Olu of Imasayi dancing and Guest Minister, Bishop Praises Omole, Dean St. Francis of praising God. Asissi, Wusasa in action during his ministration at the event.

Senator Iyabo Arisulowo and other dignitaries.

A cross-section of congregation at the event.

A cross-section of congregation.

15 news Share/Tsaragi: We lost N318m to crisis —Share residents

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Biola Azeez - Ilorin

ALUABLES worth N318 million were lost by about 185 victims of Share community in the recent communal clash between residents of Share and Tsaragi in Kwara State. Speaking during the proceedings of the commission of judicial inquiry

probing the incident in Ilorin, on Monday, the spokesman of the victims, Olaosebikan Yinka, also told the commission that people suspected to be indigenes of Tsaragi also vandalised the auditorium of the UMCA Church in Share and destroyed property worth about N500,000. The commission, under the chairmanship of

Justice Sulaiman Akanbi, began sitting last week Thursday and took a total of seven evidences before it adjourned sitting. Other witnesses who spoke before the commission included a retired civil servant, Mr Sunday Aina, who narrated how his Jeep was riddled with bullets from gunshot allegedly fired by Tsaragi youths. A principal of Muslim

Community Junior Secondary School, Share, Mohammed Ibrahim, lamented that due to the level of damage suffered by the school, it would be impossible for students to resume academic works even if the ongoing strike action by teachers in the state were called off soon. Likewise, the Headmaster of Muslim Community Primary School, Moham-

From left, Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Olufunso and the wife of former president, Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo, during the fifth edition of the UPLIFTing the Aged programme, organised to support the needy aged by Mrs Amosun and to commemorate the 58th birthday anniversary of the governor, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Monday.

NMA, CLO protest unending abduction of medical doctors in Rivers Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

RIVERS State chapters of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), on Monday, staged a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt against the incessant kidnapping of medical doctors in the state. This was as they threatened to embark upon more drastic and farreaching actions, should the security agencies fail to do anything to arrest the situation, after the peaceful protest. The protesting doctors, many of whom had been in hiding since 2012 when they became targets of abductors in the state, were seen in large numbers, demanding an end to kidnapping. The protesting doctors, carrying placards with various inscriptions, called for the arrest of criminal elements which saw kidnapping as a way of life. They marched to the police headquarters along Moscow Road, and spoke with the Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, telling him that 21 of their colleagues had so far been kid-

napped from 2015 to date. They also disclosed that 11 of them were kidnapped in the last 25 days and that one of them died in captivity, while others were still nursing injuries. Chairman of Rivers NMA, Dr Furo Green, said it was worrisome that security agents were yet to arrest or arraign any person for involvement in the kidnap of medical doctors, in which

one medical doctor lost his life. “In the last 12 months, 21 doctors were kidnapped in Rivers State. 15 of those doctors are doctors who live and work in Rivers State, while six doctors work in neighbouring states. They just came to Port Harcourt or Rivers State to do work. “We are not aware that anybody or any group of persons have been arrested

or being prosecuted or have been convicted in relation to the kidnap of these doctors by any security organisation,” he said. Addressing the protesting medical doctors, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kimo, expressed sympathy over the death of one of the medical doctors in the kidnappers’ den, and pledged commitment to protecting them and others.

Warri pipeline bombing, act of sabotage —Maritime security agency Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

THE recent pipeline bombings in the Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State by suspected militants have been described as acts of sabotage which pose a great threat to peace, stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria. This was the submission of the Director-General of Maritime Security Agency (MASECA), Ovweghre Jacob, while addressing a press briefing at the week-

end in Abuja, declaring that the act was condemnable. He stated that MASECA condemned the bombings in very strong terms, adding that they were unacceptable, criminal, unreasonable and inimical to national interest, particularly in view of the dwindling national economy and the attendant challenges which the government was currently battling with. “The sad occurrence of pipeline bombings of January 16, 17 and 18, 2016 of

the Escavos-Warri-AbujaLagos pipelines in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Council of Delta State some days back by suspected militants are acts of sabotage which pose a great threat to economic wellbeing, peace and stability of the nation,” Jacob said. According to him, the perpetrators of the bombings must be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law with a view to preventing the resurgence of militancy in the NigerDelta region.

med Imam, told the commission that the school was completely razed down while the headmistress of UMCA LGEA Primary School, Share, Deaconess Deborah Ilori, told the commission that the hoodlums looted ceiling fans, generating set as well as windows of the school during the carnage. Also giving his own testimony, a pastor with the UMCA Mission, Share, John Gudubi, told the commission that the mission house was burnt down as he ran to save his life when the attackers came. He said he could not take any personal item out of the house and estimated the total loss suffered by the church and himself at well over N1.8 million. The commission admitted in evidence various documents and pictures including the death certificate of one of the victims, identified as Nurudeen Usman. All the witnesses were led in evidence by counsel to the commission, Abdulazeez Ibrahim, as well as lead counsel to the Share community, Dr Kayode Olatoke.

Why FG suspended NITDA boss —Shitu By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has allayed the fears of public over the suspension of the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Mr Peter Jack, saying a new leadership has been put in place for the smooth running of the agency. Shitu made this known in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while answering questions from journalists on the fate of the agency after the reported suspension of Mr Jack over allegations bordering on illegal recruitment among others, during the two-day maiden communications sector retreat organised by the ministry at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State. The minister had appointed a Director of Corporate Strategy and Research in the agency, Dr Vincent Olatunji, as the Acting DG, following the suspension of Jack. Shittu had said the suspension became imperative on the strength of deluge of petitions regarding several alleged wrong doings in NITDA and subsequent preliminary findings of an Investigative Committee set up by the ministry.

APC chairman removed in Niger Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

THE Chairman, Paikoro Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Niger State, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, has been removed by the party over allegation of financial impropriety, religious bigotry and antiparty activities. His removal was contained in a letter addressed to the state chairman of the party by chairmen of all the 11 wards that constituted the local government. He was accused of campaigning openly for candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party {PDP} in the recently concluded council polls because of religious differences. The ward chairmen alleged that Abubakar converted several sums of money meant for the party to personal use, which almost led to the failure of the party at the recently concluded local government election in the state. They also alleged that Abubakar did not vote in the said council poll. A source at the APC secretariat in the state confirmed receiving the impeachment letter, pointing out that the chairman of the party in the state, Jibrin Imam, has promised to look into the matter.

Prof Akinrinade to deliver Akintola’s 50th memorial lecture FORMER Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Sola Akinrinade, will on Saturday, January 30, deliver a memorial lecture to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the former Premier, Western Nigeria and the 13th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. The lecture, entitled “Corruption and Nigeria’s search for purpose fifty years on” comes up at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, by 1:00p.m. The lecture, according to the organisers, will be prefaced by an anecdotal presentation entitled “SLA (Samuel Ladoke Akintola) in the eyes of history” to be delivered by a former member, House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Kehinde. Chief Akintola was assassinated in the January 15, 1966 military coup.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Femi Ibirogba adefemi2007@yahoo.com 0811 695 4646

Root, tuber crops important for food, income security —Scientists

Femi Ibirogba, Nanning Guangxi - China

oot and tuber crops (RTCs), including cassava, sweet potato, yams, potato, cocoyams and other minor root crops are not only important to food security, but also to nutrient and income security of millions of households and countries worldwide. These were the submissions of world scientists, farmers, processors and product users of the crops at the just-concluded World Congress on Root and Tuber Crop in Nanning, China. According to the submissions of professionals at the event, “root and tuber crops are a component of the diet for 2.2 billion people as well as contributing to animal feeds and industry. “The annual world production of root and tuber crops is about 765 million tonnes (MT) consisting of potatoes (333mt), cassava (237mt), sweet potatoes (130mt), yams (53mt), and taro and other aroids (12mt). The global consumption of tropical root and tuber crops is around 110kg/capita/year. As such, tropical root and tuber crops compare very favourably with the main staple grain crops such as wheat and rice.” It added that “Roots and tubers are important because they meet local food preferences, providing an important part of the diet as they produce more edible en-

ergy per hectare, per day than any other crop, they play an important role in food security, nutrition and climate change adaptation, they provide important sources of income through direct sale and value-addition via processing for food and non-food uses.” Role in protein availability Uthai Kanto, Associate Professor, Kasetsar University, Thai Tapioca Development Institute, Thailand, one of the plenary presenters at the congress, said research and practical experiences in using cassava as animal feeds in Thailand had revealed that cassava is a basal feed ingredient that can be totally substituted for cereals in every kind of animal diets, including pigs, poultry, ruminants and aquaculture animals. This, he argued, has the potential to propel worldwide productivity and utilisation of cassava, reduce intense competition between man and animal for maize and other cereals, trigger employment generation around the globe and ensure availability of cheap sources of protein. Professor Kanto said, “Cassava has specific properties, including soft-starch, contamination of lactic acid bacteria and yeast, more acidic pH (4-6) and a low, but non-toxic content of HCN, which possess the antioxidant activity and has direct effect on immunity development of animals. “Animals on cassava diets always have an improved health status, more resistance to

diseases; require less to no antibiotic in the diet, low mortality rate while maintaining performance, productivity and carcass quality, similar to those on the cereal diets.” He said cassava is truly the functional feed ingredient for animal health improvement of, and for antibiotic-free animal production, satisfying the call for organic animal production. However, its utilisation, he added, requires a thorough understanding in quality control of cassava, feed formulation and feed processing of cassava diets to provide the appropriate diets for the animals. Ending poverty and hunger

Cassava has great potential to contribute to economies of the developing and developed countries and become a game changer in the efforts to create jobs, reduce crimes, create wealth and transform dreams of better life into realities.

Professor Hans Rosling, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Royal Swedish Academy of Science, while speaking on ’Cassava in a Global Perspective’ at the first World Congress on Roots and Tuber Crops in China, said Asia and Africa would have over 80 per cent of world population by 2100. He expressed concern over the ability of Africa to feed, educate and secure its expected larger population by then. He said, however, that cassava has great potential to contribute to economies of the developing and developed countries and become a game changer in the efforts to create jobs, reduce crimes, create wealth and transform dreams of better life into realities. Ending extreme poverty around the world fast, the health professor said, is easier than to end it slowly, and ending it fast requires infrastructure, education, agro-technologies, rights, credits, health, contraceptives, jobs and market, among others. Professor Andrew Westby, Director, Natural Resources Institute, Deputy Pro ViceChancellor (Research and Enterprise), University of Greenwich, during a presentation at the congress said, “Cassava plays important roles in the life of poor farmers in Asia and Africa and it is not an ‘economic inferior good’ because it is used for production of papers, animal and pet feeds, starch, ethanol and sweetener, among other industrial products.” Continues on pg17

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016 Continued from pg16

Westby added: “The tropical root and tuber crops are important parts of the diet in developing countries and important sources of income for those who sell them, with or without processing. Specific challenges and opportunities include the impacts of climate change and variability; post-harvest implications of pre-harvest pests and diseases, such as cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak; the need to add value to root crops, increasing incomes and creating employment and responding to urban growth, an expanding middle class and changing food preferences and developing effective and efficient processing equipment to support profitable processing by small and medium scale enterprises.” Country Manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria, Dr Paul Ilona, while talking on hidden hunger and the way forward, said bio-fortification of root and tuber crops is being driven and promoted to save billions of children and women suffering diseases emanating from deficiency in micronutrients such as iron, zinc, Vitamin A and other critical micro-nutrients and prevent others from being affected. “Over 375,000 children go blind yearly as a result of Vitamin A deficiency; over 1.6 billion children are affected with iron deficiency and over 450,000 deaths occur yearly as a result of zinc deficiency, with 75 percent and 25 per cent of the burden in rural and urban areas respectively,” he said. He argued that development of nutrientfortified staple crops using the best conventional breeding practices and modern biotechnology without sacrificing agronomic performance and important consumerpreferred traits appeared a better alternative because most affected households eat what they produce. Graham Thiele of IITA, Ibadan, said at the congress that more than 300 million people below the poverty line in developing countries depend on root, tuber and banana crops for food and income, particularly in Africa, Asia and the Americas. He added the CGIAR Research Programme on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) was working globally to harness the untapped potential of those crops in order to improve food security, nutrition, income generation and climate change resilience of smallholders. RTB, he emphasized, was changing the way the research centres work and collaborate, creating a more cohesive and multidisciplinary approach to common challenges and goals through knowledge sharing, multidirectional communications, communities of practice and crosscutting initiatives. Industrial utilisation Le Huy Ham, Director-General, Institute of Agricultural Genetics, Tuliem, Hanoi, Vietnam, revealed that over 66 industrial starch processing facilities and 13 major bio-ethanol factories were mopping up and adding value to cassava in Viet Nam, creating millions of direct and indirect jobs and keeping the industrial production going. Ham said: “Cassava is now considered to be most suitable crop for bio-fuel production in Vietnam because of its excess and low cost of production compare to other potential bio-fuel crop, like maize or sugarcane. Cassava in Vietnam has great potential but also big challenges. “To make cassava production profitable and sustainable, there are needs for varietal improvement for disease resistance and starch content, as well as cultivation technology. Modern methods of biotechnology for plant improvement, like genetic engineering, marker assisted selection and other methods of modern biotechnology should be involved in cassava breeding,” he said. Ming Peng, a researcher at the Institute of Tropical Biosciences & Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture

Nigerian Tribune

‘Crops important for food security’ Global warming and roots and tubers RTCs have been demonstrated to be resilient to climate change and consequently, it is planned that RTCs will be used extensively to feed the world by 2050. Cassava, for example is already drought resistant, will respond better than any other plant to high CO2 concentrations and high temperatures. Director, the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century (GCP21) and Coordinator of the WCRTC, Dr Claude Fauquet, said the conference was convened to cover all aspects of cassava R&D from genomics to products, and host group-interest, thematic workshop and satellite meetings, with focus on the current global concerns of cassava biology and utilisation, promoting the use of advanced biotechnological technologies to solve key technical problems, improve yield, nutritional quality and industrial utilisation, to help tackle global hunger and poverty. Claude said: “It is both a challenge and an opportunity; a challenge because so many conferences are being held in the world and we are adding another one, but it is also an opportunity to exchange information between crops and between fields of research and development, in order to raise together very important issues for root and tuber crops, such as food security for the global population by 2050, or the resilience of some of these crops, which will largely contribute to producing more food under the pressure of global warming threats.” “But,” headed, it is also a fantastic opportunity to attract donor attention to the urgent need for more scientific and technical investments to be made on these crops to achieve these goals and exploit their formidable potential.”

Audu Ogbe Sciences, Haikou, China, said “cassava is a typical tropical food, feed and bio-fuel crop, and has huge potential for biomass and starch accumulation, and the subtle responsibility to solar light, temperature, water and mineral elements which make it to be an ideal model plant for tropical crops.” Professor Rosling earlier said: “The regions where cassava is produced and used is where a large part, if not most, of the population and economic growth will take place in this century. The change of the distribution of the world population is most striking. By the end of this century, 80 per cent of the world population will be living in Asia and Africa and less than 10 % in West Europe and North America. “The world economic growth is also going tropical with now high growth rates in South Asia and Africa.” Ham also added that cassava has become

The world economic growth is also going tropical with now high growth rates in South Asia and Africa.

the third most important export crop in 20 years in Vietnam. “In Vietnam, cassava has been converted from food crop to industrial crop with high speed in recent years. Thank to wide adaptability. Cassava can be grown in all ecological regions in Vietnam, even in poor sloppy soil regions, contributing significantly to income of poor farmers,” he said. Speaking on ‘Progress in research and development of cassava in China’ and its impacts in industrial sector, Dr Kaimian Li of Institute of Tropical Biosciences and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China, said cassava mainly provides the raw materials to starch and bio-fuel processing factories, acting also as a potential food crop. Since 2008, he said, the Chinese government had set up a Chinese Cassava AgroTechnology Research System (CCARS), to fully organise and coordinate the development of the whole cassava industry and implements the industrial plans regarding cassava sciences and technologies, arrange cassava research at laboratories, and technological demonstration and transfer in experimental stations. Li added that through using CCARS as a platform, the great achievement in cassava research and development in China had been made to benefit smallholders and cassava-based product producers, particularly for sharing much useful information involved in cassava varieties, cultivation, processing and multiple cassava-based products, and then improve their product quality against the vicious competition based on their advantage.

Potato and yam Sanoussi Faouziath, speaking on ‘Ethnobotany, landraces diversity and potential vitamin A rich cultivars of sweet potato in southern and central Benin,’ Sweet potato is an important staple food in Benin, which unfortunately remains neglected by research and under-utilised. Within the varietal group, it denotes some yellow (27.45 per cent) and orange (3.92 per cent) flesh variety groups of sweet potato which constitute potential source of vitamin A. The study of the vitamin A (Caroten) content of those varieties is to be considered to fully exploit their nutritional potential. Morufat Balogun and Norbert Maroya of the Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA) in IITA, while presenting works on ‘R4D prospects of temporary immersion bioreactor technology for high quality seed yam production in West Africa’, revealed that the project would, in the first five years, increase yam productivity by 40 per cent for 200,000 smallholder yam farmers in Ghana and Nigeria; deliver key global good research products that would contribute to the longer term vision;; double incomes from yam for three million smallholder households in 10 years and contribute to food security for producers and consumers. Using Temporary Immersion Bio-reactors (TIB) technology, yam seed would be available year round, not seasonal; possibility of irrigation farming as with other crops, adaptable to changing climate would become possible and there would be an increase in profitability of foods, they said. They said quality of yam in Africa was low and tubers are being rejected in the international markets, adding that seed quality of yam would be assured with TIBs and more seeds would be available at reduced cost; farmers would produce more with less investment.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

editor

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

Special courts for corruption cases

ust of recent, the EFCC chairman stated some of the challenges the body faces with their cases at the law courts. I totally share his views on this issue and see that it’s high time we started considering instituting special courts for corruption cases where cases of corruption would be strictly treated with special judges well versed in criminal law. This is expedient for

us as a sovereign nation, considering the current crusade of war against corruption. If this war

would be a success, we must have anti-corruption courts just like the International Criminal

Court, where only cases of corruption would be treated, adequately, appropriately and timely.

This will help fast-track prosecution of offenders and give strength to the war against corruption.

Deflooding Lagos: The time is now To many pundits, including yours sincerely, the immediate past administration of His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), might not have lived up to their expectations, especially in his sec-

ond term. But I give it to him for being on point, in the area of Flood/Disaster Control, against the debilitating effects as predicted by meteorologists. The last administration was without any

doubt, pro-active by massively clearing drainages and dredging the canals around almost all the nooks and crannies of Lagos State, unlike on road construction and rehabilitation where discrimina-

tion and lope-sidedness largely existed then. Now that the rain has started showing early signs, I beckon on the present administration to replicate or even surpass the achievement of its pre-

move the state forward. The coming of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the chief executive of the state should be seen as the expectation of the vast majority of the people who are looking for positive change that had eluded them for the past

years when the state was stagnated without much achievement in all facets of human endeavour. We should all join hands with the new government. Bala Nayashi, No 1 Yashi area, Lokoja.

Kogi State gov-elect needs support The governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello needs the support of all the people of the state to succeed. This becomes imperative due to the expectations of the people, having seen a total neglect of the state in all index of development. Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s assumption as the next governor which could be defined as divine is the hand of Almighty God meant that to see to the development of the state. The people of Kogi State never envisaged what happened before 21st November, 2015 election, where the presumed winner could not live to see his ultimate dream of becoming the executive governor of the state againcome to pass. The people of Kogi State should see this as the clarion call on all and sundry and put the past behind them to move the state forward for the overall interest of everybody. The support for the incoming government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello would see the aspiration and the expectations of all the people of the state come to pass. Everybody should be carried along irrespective of religion, ethnicity and other parochial considerations. The appalling situation of Kogi State should be another reason for the people to come together. The in-coming administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello should place the state in the comity of the most developed states in

Ayinde Abiodun Sultan Bello Hall, University of Ibadan.

the country, which would be a pride to all Kogiites both at home and in the Diaspora. The task ahead the incoming administration is enormous which require all the people of the state to cooperate and ensure

the much-needed development is achieved to the benefit of the entire state. We also call on the opposition parties and some aggrieved members of the APC to cooperate with the governor -elect to give peace a chance in order to

decessor in environmental control by starting early enough, without necessarily waiting for the predictions of scientists. Though I do not know the size of the present year’s budget accruable to Environment, I urge, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and relevant agencies to wade into action immediately, by penetrating every part of Lagos, especially the hinterland, clearing the gutters and dredging the canals to ensure that there is adequate preparations before the rains descend heavily this season. Granted that flooding and its effects as natural phenomenon may not be completely eradicated but let it be evident that the government has tried its best to stem the tide to the barest minimum. By so doing, they in government would be seen to have been responsive and responsible to the citizenry and mankind, which is what governance is all about in the first place. To the writer, a matter of particular concern and interest is the plight of the people along the IjegunIjagemo axis, who desire a deep drainage that could be channelled into the canal behind the Ojo Military Barracks, in Iba/Ojo Local Government Area. Inhabitants of this vicinity are always cut-off from the rest of the state whenever the heavy flood empties and submerges at the middle of the road, in an area called ‘oju-odo’. I therefore passionately appeal to the state government to urgently come to their rescue, by initiating the channelisation as early as now, from the end of Ikotun-Ijegun road, down to Ijagemo inside. ‘A stitch in time saves nine’. Tony Anaele (8023373490), 15 Ademoye Street, Ikotun, Lagos State.

editorial

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Grass from the South for cattle in the North

HE menace that Fulani herdsmen constitute to farmers in different parts of the country is one serious problem to which the Federal Government has been striving to find an answer. In their search for fodder, the herdsmen have been driving their cattle from the far North to the southernmost parts of the country. The frequency of incursions of the herdsmen and their cattle into farmlands and villages has been very high and the destruction has always been extensive. The subsequent clashes have, more often than not, been bloody while the cost in human lives has been disturbing. The Federal Government has, at different times, come up with ideas on how the problem can be solved. During the administration of past President Goodluck Jonathan the government set up a panel to work on the modalities for the establishment of grazing reserves and routes for the herdsmen and their cattle. The idea, which was widely criticised, must have been abandoned after being found unworkable. In July last year, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, acting on the directive of the Presidency, constituted a number of committees. Among them was a committee on Strategic Action Plan for the Development of Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes nationwide. Reactions from various quarters were equally critical. The government was challenged to explain its mode of implementation and the wisdom in creating a new problem in the course of efforts to solve an existing one. The fact that there has been no follow-up since the plan was made public could be interpreted to mean that the government has hearkened to the questions raised about the feasibility of the idea. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Tuesday, January 12 in Ilorin came up with what looked like a novel approach to the problem. Expressing the government’s determination to bring the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen to an end in two years, Ogbeh said: “If the largest ranch on earth can be in Saudi Arabia with 153,000 cows and the Saudi Authorities grow grasses in the United States, ship them to Saudi Arabia to feed their cows, there is no reason why we can’t grow grasses in the south and transport them to the north to feed our cows.”

The idea of growing grass in the South to feed cattle in the North is no doubt a wide departure from the impracticable proposal of carving out grazing routes and creating grazing reserves. The new approach can put an end to contact between the herdsmen and their cattle on the one side and the farmers on the other side. It can bring to an end the constant conflicts and the human and material losses. It can bring about the elusive peace along the various grazing routes. The problem in Nigeria has never been a dearth or lack of ideas. It has always been with the yawning gap between policy and its implementation. The government has to spell out the modalities of implementation before the chances of success of the new idea can be determined. Will the government faithfully copy the Saudi model by growing the grass in the South and transporting it to the North? How does the government intend to grow the grass? Will it acquire farmlands by fiat and contract the job out to individuals or corporate bodies? That will be tantamount to forcefully taking over the farmlands which are the farmers’ sources of livelihood. It will be another way of carving their farmlands into grazing routes and reserves. As we have constantly maintained in our comments on this issue, farming, cattle rearing, fishing and hunting are traditional occupations in Nigeria. The government has equal responsibility to all those engaged in them. It will therefore be unjust to acquire land in the South to grow the grass needed to feed the cattle in the North. The government should mobilise Southern farmers to grow the grass which it should come back to buy from them on agreed terms. The grass should also be supplied to the cattle owners in the North on agreed terms. It is by so doing that the government can be fair to all concerned. In case the Federal Government does not intend to be directly involved, it should impress it on the cattle owners the need to invest in their own business by applying to individuals or state governments for land on which they can grow the grass they need to feed their cows. It is high time the government ceased to give the impression that the breeding and rearing of animals take precedence over other occupations. The new idea can bring the incessant conflicts between farmers and herdsmen to a decisive end. Its success or failure will, however, be determined by the mode of implementation.

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opinion

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Lassa fever: Africa’s embarrassment

or many Nigerians at the moment, the fear of rats and morbid apathy for rodents is the beginning of mental sanity and overall wellbeing as Lassa fever continues to spread like fire in the harmattan, ravaging the nation. As a matter of fact, this zoonotic viral infection triumphantly struts through several states of the country and is swiftly on its path to becoming a pandemic if drastic measures are not taken. Citizens and residents all over the nation literally live with their hearts in their mouths as the statistics of deaths and new cases come tumbling in, like ants over a scoop of honey, through the media with the breaking of every new dawn. Perplexed Nigerians exclaim and lament, some singing the death song already for it seems the authorities in the corridors of power still have their swords sheathed while Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF) takes over the game of power via its loyal emissaries, the currently infamous multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis). These agents of death are known to be the most common mouse in West Africa and are ubiquitous in human households. Ironic, but very harrowing also, is the undisputed fact that this sort of vermin is considered a delicacy in some parts of West Africa and eaten as food! In the last few months, since its reemergence in August, Nigeria has been at the front line in the battle against this dreadful virus which has been described by some as “the viral assassin,” but we seem not to have been capable of breaking the enemy’s formation and pulling down its stronghold as we are confronted with an appalling rate of spread and deaths in the last six months. One begins to wonder what on God’s green earth members of the NMA have been doing. Where are the self acclaimed geniuses in the medical and veterinary professions? Perhaps, they are yet to exist! The most horrifying thought in all of these is the commonness of the Lassa fever host in Africa and the fact that this is not the premier outbreak of the viral infection. Mortifying also is the fact that LHF was first described in the town of Lassa, Borno State in 1969, where it got its nomenclature. Fellow Nigerians, that was over four decades ago and even in 2016, our medical experts still misdiagnose LHF for other diseases! Lassa Fever has been with us since 1969 and is still regrettably being talked about with more frenzy today

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688

with a case fatality rate almost thrice the 15 per cent that WHO considers a very degenerative situation. How embarrassing, how shameful is it that in all these years, a continent,which has been recurrently ravaged by ordinary rats, the lowest in the pyramid of mammals, has failed expressly in coming up with some kind of treatment, antivirus or even vaccine to save her people? Today, Nigeria is on red alert as were Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Central Africa Republic and probably, other West African countries will be too, as these rats continue to be on rampage. Isolated cases have also been reported in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso and there is serologic evidence of Lassa virus infection in Togo and Benin. The number of Lassa virus infections per year in West Africa is estimated at 100,000 to 300,000, with approximately 5,000 deaths. Unfortunately, such estimates are crude, because surveillance for cases of the disease is not uniformly performed. In some areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia, it is known that 10%-16% of people admitted to hospitals every year have Lassa fever, which indicates the serious impact of the disease on the population of this region. In the last six months, since the current outbreak in Nigeria, the virus has spread from remote areas in a few states to more than half of Nigeria’s 36 states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja leaving a trail of barbaric deaths and national pandemonium in its wake. Lassa fever has reportedly killed about 63 people out of 212 suspected cases in 62 local government areas across 17 states in the country since its outbreak in August last

year and has rapidly transmogrified from a small town killer into a national emergency. Isn’t it bad enough that our country, Nigeria, is incessantly assailed by economic decay, unemployment, terrorism, among several other national growth-stunting vices? Do we have to lose half our productive population to Lassa before something significant is done? Africa has failed. Yes, Liberia, Guinea, CAR, Burkina Faso… All others have failed but Nigeria yet battles and I do solemnly hope that this for us, our combat against Lassa, won’t be our waterloo but it could be if all necessary forces are not engaged. I would posit that Nigeria must awaken from this continental slumber and lead the pack by taking the bull by its horns. These are precarious times. So, desperate measures must be taken regardless of whose ox is gored if we want to save ourselves. Veracity thinks that this nation has had enough of politicking and gambling with the lives of innocent Nigerians which can be attributed to setting up of health committees fraught with block-headed-figure-heads, parading themselves as experts and specialists. We will get nothing done if we continue to seek international intervention by running with tails in-between our black legs to the “white daddies” or use this LSH outbreak as another avenue to portray ourselves as beggars, seek funds from all over the world while the avaricious ones among us take to doing what they know how to do best with public monies- siphon them into private accounts! We must get back to the drawing board and re-strategise. If our infantry is not strong enough, then we must deploy a flotilla to attack LHF from the sea and if perhaps, our flotilla shows a scintilla of weariness; we must then unleash a squadron to annihilate this evil. We must stand and fight clean for we are accountable to posterity. I can only hope that after our generation is gone; our unborn seeds will not be left to fight the same battles we failed to vanquish. I hope that posterity will only read of Lassa fever and never have to contend with these fears and panics choking our national peace. I sincerely wish, that Nigeria would live up to its christening as Africa’s giant by obliterating this Lassa fever scourge.

Regulatory independence in the power sector By Odion Omonfoman

Electricity regulation is still at its infancy in Nigeria. Prior to 2005, there was no independent regulation of the power sector, as the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was both the operator and regulator of the sector based on the NEPA or Electricity Act, LFN 1990. The Ministry of Power and Steel had some level of regulatory oversight in the sector as well. The passage of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act in 2005, created the legal framework for electricity regulation as well as the regulatory instruments for the power sector. In 2014, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority (NEMSA) Bill 2014, was passed by the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Electricity Management Services Limited, one of the successor PHCN companies created by the EPSR Act. The NEMSA bill established the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority to regulate and enforce technical standards in the power sector. The Market Rules The EPSR Act established the development of a set of rules to be adhered to by participants in the electricity market, otherwise called the Market Rules. The Market Rules define the organisation of, and trading arrangements for the Nigerian electricity market and in addition, set out the conditions, general procedures and methodologies for the administration of the Electricity Market. The Market Rule is developed by the System Operator in consultation with Market participants and approved by the President upon recommendation by the Minister of Power. However, the Market Operator (MO), an entity not recognised under the EPSR Act, has been responsible for overseeing all market operation functions, including settlement functions, in the power sector. The Market Rules is a key regulatory instrument in the power sector. While NERC is not responsible for drafting the Market Rules, any amendments to the Market Rules has to be approved by NERC for such amendment to be effective. The Tariff Regulatory Methodology The Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) Methodology is a

tariff methodology adopted by NERC to regulate wholesale and retail electricity prices in line with the provisions of section 76 of the EPSR Act. MYTO sets generation, transmission and distribution tariffs based on a number of tariff setting principles and assumptions developed and agreed between NERC and the licensees. MYTO provides for certainty of tariffs to licensees and investors in the power sector. The MYTO methodology was first introduced in 2008 and has undergone several revisions over time. The first appointed Chairman of NERC, Dr. Ransome Owan and his fellow Commissioners were casualties of government’s interference in the power sector as they were removed by the Yar’Adua administration without following due process (as set out by the EPSR Act), well before the expiration of their five-year terms. That misadventure by government, coupled with the appointment of an Administrator for NERC, stymied effective regulations in the power sector and stalled the power sector reforms for over two years, including the implementation of the MYTO tariffs, until the Federal Government, in tacit admission of its errors, reached out-of-court settlement with Dr. Owan and the other Commissioners. The tenure of Dr. Sam Amadi as NERC chairman, was also not bereft of government’s undue influence over NERC’s ability to regulate the power sector effectively, particularly in the area of enforcing Market Rules and

tariff setting. The run up to the 2015 general elections saw a partisan NERC. One recalls the inter-party live debate between the PDP and the APC on the power sector, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and the participation of the former NERC Chairman in the debate. While the former Chairman of NERC was clearly illadvised in his participation and may have participated in the live debate in his official capacity, he ended up speaking for, and defending the policies of the then ruling party against that of the opposition APC. Perhaps no greater regulatory risk exists than that affecting and impacting the expected revenue requirement to a licensee. The recent stalemate between NERC and DISCOS on applicable electricity tariffs due to the removal of collection loss element in the MYTO 2.1 tariffs is an example. Regulatory risks can also be attributed to the behaviour of Market Operators and licensees. A situation whereby Market Operators, Licensees and interested stakeholders seek to circumvent regulatory orders or do not agree with regulatory orders issued by the Regulator, but approach the Presidency or the Minister of Power to seek redress or circumvent such orders, increases regulatory risks to the sector. Research has shown that regulatory independence is key to private sector confidence in the power sector and has a significant effect on the ability of government to attract and sustain investments in the power sector. Mixing electricity regulations or regulation in whatever sector, with politics create significant regulatory risks for investors. Following from the 2015 elections, independent regulatory institutions such as the NERC should not be seen to be partisan, and must be completely insulated from the electioneering process, political institutions and political exigencies. The National Assembly must ensure that our regulatory institutions are protected from the political process and remain apolitical and independent at all times, irrespective of the government in power. Odion Omonfoman is an Energy Consultant and the CEO of New Hampshire Capital Limited.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216,

Agric ministry plans irrigation in all states Collins Nnabuife-Abuja THE Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has pledged to make agricultural practices an all-year-round operation through the provision of irrigation facilities in all states of the federation. It also disclosed its plans to convene a national council on agriculture to brainstorm with state governors and other stakeholders on the way forward for the country’s agricultural sector. Minister in charge of the ministry, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this while exchanging views with members of Cotton Ginners Association of Nigeria led by the president, Alhaji Salmanu Abdullahi, in his office. He noted that more investments and innovations would be needed to reposition the sector as an alternative to crude oil. Ogbeh expressed displeasure at the tragedy that had befallen cotton production after tree crops like cocoa, palm oil and rubber formed major players in the economic growth of the country. He described the current yield of 300kg of cotton per hectare as very low, stressing that the use of biotechnology would be introduced to improve agricultural production in the country. He said: “We have to get back to business. Thank God oil is finished. The Ministry has no land, all we need is to give the way and the ministry will drive the campaign among the state governors.”

Marriage rites among Gbagyi people

UniAbuja challenged to save dying Gbagyi culture Clemetn Idoko-Abuja

challenge has been thrown the way of University of Abuja to save the dying culture of Gbagyi people through research and documentation. The Gbagyis are original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the fear is that the status of the territory was eroding the culture and tradition of the people. Dean of Arts and first female Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja, Mabel Evwierhoma, made the call when she delivered the 18th inaugural lecture of the university.

MDAs engaged in lopsided recruitments to face —Pg.22 sanctions

She noted that it was high time Nigeria began to plan for modernisation using indigenous culture.

Gbagyi cultural performers

acts to be perpetrated on local own. Evwierhoma called on the Federal Government to create a mayoral status for the indigenes of Abuja, in line with the recommendation of the 2014 National Conference. She said: “There should be a mayoral seat for FCT and it is important for us to support our culture so that they don’t become extinct. “As a lecturer in Theatre Arts, I believe strongly that we can use the Art to support any culture that is around us “After existing for close to three decades, the opportunity to research indigenous Gbagyi culture should be exploited by University of Abuja before it slips by.”

Crew 1. Christian Okeke chidiabujatribune@ yahoo.com 08030947856 2. Clement Idoko idokoajiga@yahoo. co.uk 08034412281 3. Kolawole Daniel kolawoledaniels@yahoo.co.uk 08030763782

Minister, Reps to probe Jonathan administration’s land-swap policy

—Pg.22

The don lamented the current situation whereby citizens embrace foreign cultures and allow what she described as genocidal

4. Adetola Bademosi gloriaadetola@ gmail.com 08182214290 5. Collins Nnabuife chideraacollins@yahoo.com 08039521408

Gbagyi tribe celebrates traditional festival.

Abuja Xtra email & GSM: abujaxtra@ gmail.com 08054501406

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Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

MDAs engaged in lopsided recruitments to face sanctions Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

T is now an offence for any Federal Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) to flout the Federal Character Commission Act on guidelines and formula for recruitment into the public service as the commission has vowed to sanction any MDA that circumvents the rules for selfish or personal interest. The commission bemoaned the continued lopsidedness in both bureaucratic positions and infrastructural facilities, but noted that it remained veritable instrument in rekindling loyalty to the country. In a maiden meeting with commissioners, directors and staff of the commission, its newly-appointed acting executive chairman, Dr Shettima Bukar Abba, announced the establishment of a monitor-

ing squad to observe wrongdoings by organisations with a view to correcting them by forcing them to always do the right thing. He disclosed that the operational committees in the commission would be reorganised to effectively analyse the employment records of all MDAs with a view to determining federal character balancing index. The chairman observed that doing so would ensure that states that were underrepresented in government establishments were given positive consideration. Abba assured that he would uphold the virtues of rule of law, transparency and fairness in all ramifications during his tenure so as to build a solid and transparent commission whose role would be appreciated by citizens.

Minister, Reps to probe Jonathan administration’s land-swap policy Jacob Segun Olatuji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammadu Bello, has promised to make all relevant documents available to the House of Representatives Committee on FCT to commence probe of the Land Swap policy of the last administration in the territory. The probe, among other things, is to determine the effectiveness or otherwise of the policy, level of infrastructural development in the designated districts as well as benefits thereof. It comes as positive response to pleas by original inhabitants of Abuja for the probe, after an allegation of fraud was levelled against implementation of the policy. Chairman of the committee, Honourable Herman Hembe, confirmed that the House has already passed a resolution mandating the committee to carry out the probe and also establish the status of undeveloped plots in high brows areas of Abuja with fully-serviced infrastructure with a view to identifying such plots and recommending what should be done with them. He said: “Another area is the Land Swap Agreement of the FCT with private de-

velopers. There are eight districts where these land swap arrangements have taken place and we are going to look at all these areas in our investigation.” According to him, the media coverage that will come with the probe will afford Nigerians the opportunity of knowing what injustice and deprivation they had suffered in the hands of a few privileged Nigerians. He said: “You are aware that when you are given a land, you are also given the terms of development and time frame within which you are expected to develop the plot. “I’m aware of about 840 hectares of land given to a private company, it was said that government couldn’t provide infrastructure for the development of the land and so the company still possesses that property illegally. “Most of the leg works will be done by members of this committee. The abandoned capital projects that exist in the FCT are enormous. We will ask for the documents and we don’t think that should take more than a day or two in terms of the hearing. The minister has promised to make relevant documents available to the committee.”

He, however, called on the government to come to the assistance of the commission to enable it overcome its operational challenges. The acting chairman thanked the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, for her magnanimity in treating

with dispatch the request for more blocks of office accommodation to enable the commission move out of its rented headquarters. He said, “The survival of the commission will ensure the integration of various nationalities into one common destiny.”

From left, a lecturer from Department of Veterinary and Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Junaidu Kabir; Registrar, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr Markus Avong; Chief Vetarinary Officer and Director, Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Dr Egejuru Eze and President, Nigerian Veterinary and Medical Association , Dr Sunday Edgar during a symposium on “Antimicrobial Resistance in Animals: A Threat to Public Health” held at their Corporate Headquarters in Abuja recently.

Programme Officer, Cleen Foundation, Ruth Olosin; Acting Executive Director, Cleen Foundation, Bonson Olugbuo and Assistant Programme Officer, Nnamdi Odo, during an interactive session on Constructive Civil Military Relation in Abuja recently.

Land scam: Trial of former council staff starts Feb 17 Sunday Ejike-Abuja AN Abuja High court sitting in Kubwa will on February 17, 2016 commence trial of a former zonal land manager in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Muhammed Ishaq, for criminal conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money by false pretence and abuse of office to the tune of N 5 million. Ishaq was arraigned last week on an 11-count charge before Justice Bello Kawu by the The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC.) Ishaq, who is the principal suspect in the alleged fraud, had approached one Ifeanyi Eke, claiming that he owned some plots of land- MF 45, E 296, E 293, E 295, E294situated at Apo Extension 111, for which he was paid N5 million by Eke. One of the charges reads: ‘‘That you Mohammed Ishaq sometime in 2009 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did make a false document titled ‘‘Offer of the Terms of Grant/ Conveyance of Approval’’ dated 16th

August, 2006 in respect of plot No E 296 with reference number OG 44398 situated at Apo Extension 111, purportedly awarded by Abuja Municipal Area Council in the name of Abiola Adekunle, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 363 Penal Code Law Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under section 364 of the same law.’’ Another count reads: “That you Mohammed Ishaq sometime in 2009 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did make a false document titled ‘‘Offer of the Terms of Grant/ Conveyance of Approval’’ dated 16th August, 2006 in respect of plot No MF 45 with reference number MISC 97162 situated at Apo Extension 111, purportedly awarded by Abuja Municipal Area Council in the name of Timba Oil & Gas, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Law Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under section 364 of the same law.’’

From left, Secretary General, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr Nasir Mohammed and the National President of the Union, Comrade Michael Alogba, during the organisation’s 2016 Solemn Assembly ceremony in Abuja, recently. PHOTOS: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Health emergency: minister launches response lines Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja MINISTER of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has launched a public call centre that will serve the country on all public health emergencies. In launching the centre, the minister expressed the determination of the present administration in providing access to healthcare information that would keep diseases away from citizens.

He urged the citizens to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the centre to help government prevent diseases, especially the current Lassa fever outbreak. Adewole urged citizens, who have symptoms of Lassa fever, to call any of the ten numbers 097000010 to 19 from anywhere in the country and such would be directed to the appropriate state Epidemiologists or referred to the nearest health facility.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

The 60-second

business coach PAGE 24

Nigerian Tribune

leadership &

management

with Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

PAGE 24

Leadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

forum

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Quote LEADERSHIP

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Henry Ford

Leading through adversity By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

OMETIMES the unexpected happens. Things turn awry and outcomes do not match projections despite extra effort taken to ensure that things turn out well. Often in life and business, adversity is inevitable. A government policy can turn the world of an organization upside down. So also can the introduction of a new technology take a company from the zenith to the nadir in a matter of days. A twist in the economy can take the wind off the sail of an organization; an accident, a health issue, death or a natural disaster can render the strategy of an organization ineffective. Adversity can manifest in different shades and colour but its essence is to cause a setback that will delay or disrupt the actualization of set goals. Continues on pg24

AdekunleSonola,ExecutiveDirector,CommercialBanking,UnionBank

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

leadership&management

Leaders and adversity Continued from pg23

Going through adversity can be devastating for individuals and organizations but adversity is not all gloom and doom as it provides an opportunity to come out stronger and get better. Dr. Cosmas Maduka At the outset, it seemed Cosmas Maduka was born for adversity and programmed to plod through misfortune all his life. He lost his father at the age of four and had to be uprooted from elementary school at the age of seven to assist his mother in her bean cake hawking business. By the time he was 12, he had been apprenticed to an automobile mechanic. At the age of 15, he was sacked by his master, who was also his uncle, for attending a church service. With the N200 his uncle gave him, he teamed up with his brother to set up a company called Maduka Brothers, specializing in the sales of automobile spare parts. The partnership, however, did not last due to ideological differences he had with his brother. When he parted ways with his brother, he got N300 as his benefit. With that sum, he set up another business in Nnewi. According to him, “I had my first breakthrough in business when I went to Boulous Enterprises to purchase motorcycle spare parts. There, I saw an innovation called motorcycle crash ban and bought many of them. Thereafter, I removed the address of Boulous on the carton, so that people would not know where I bought them. Then, I sold all the next day and joined night bus back to Lagos to buy more. I did that four times in a week and my capital rose from N300.00 to over N3000.00.” But the success did not last as he used the proceeds from the business to veer into importation of spare parts. But unfortunately he got a wrong consignment and lost his capital. He said, “It was a serious setback and I became indebted to many, even to my landlord, who I owed some rent arrears. As a result, my shop was locked and the business crumbled. Notwithstanding, I was willing to start again.” He had to engage in some menial jobs while his wife also picked up a paid job to raise money. After raising some money, he went into partnership with a friend called David and they established Cosdave. But the partnership did not work as a result of ideological differences. Following the breakdown of the partnership, he set up Coscharis Motors in 1983. This time, the business thrived and he has been able to sustain the success over the years. After a series of adversities and setbacks, Dr. Cosmas Maduka today sits atop a $500million conglomerate and is a respected member of the Nigerian business community. He is on the board of a number of companies and his business empire covers many cities and towns in Nigeria. Why effects of adversity linger While some individuals and organizations are quick to put the effects of an adverse

occurrence behind them and forge ahead into finding a solution or seeking alternatives, for others, it takes quite a while to live down same. In her 1969 work, On Death and Dying, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identifies the five stages of grieving which most people go through before getting over the effects of an adversity. The first stage is denial. At this stage, the affected person does not want to believe what has happened. He does not want to come to terms with the reality. He lives in denial believing that by so doing, what has been done will be undone. Next is the stage of anger. The individual is angry at everybody for what has happened. He keeps pointing finger and is unable to hide his fury against those pital perceived to have been responsible for the , United Ca O E C p u ro G occurrence. Sanni, Oluwatoyin After getting out of the anger stage, he gets into the bargaining stage, moaning what could have been had what he perceives to be the right thing had been done. Next is the stage of depression. The weight of the occurrence falls heavily on the individual and he begins to imagine what it would take to get out of the situation. The final stage is that of acceptance. It is at this point that he finally comes to terms with the reality of the irreversibility of the event and the need for him to make the necessary adjustment to move ahead. Some individuals go through every of the stages while some people are able to skip some to arrive at the final stage. Some people also spend more time on each of the stages than others. So, the length of time it takes to overcome an adverse occurrence is a function of how quickly the people involved are able to come to terms with the reality. Turning adversity around Overcoming adverse events requires taking some steps. Here are some of them. Face the reality This is the starting point for overcoming adversity. scharis Until the leader acknowledges the reality for what it is, ka, CEO, Co u d a M s a Cosm he will just be leading his people round in circles without tackling the issue. Others may be pardoned for wallowing in denial but not the leader. The counsel of Jack Welch, former chairman of General Electric, to his management team is instructive. He told them to always face reality as it is, not as it was or as they wish it were. Welch added, “The art of managing and leading comes down to a simple thing. Determining and facing reality about people, situations, products, and then acting decisively and quickly on that reality.” Identify the real issues The leader must also identify the cause of the adversity. It is not always that adversities are precipitated by external forces, sometimes they are caused by acts of commission or omission. The essence of identifying the real issues is not to embark on a blame game; it is to prevent a recurrence if it is something within the capacity of the organization to control or to position it to handle such occurrences better in future. Even sometimes when adversity is a result of external factors, strengthening the internal mechanism reduces its effects on the organization. Knowing the kind of bulwark to build against recurrence of adversity will be difficult without an analysis of the situation.

THE 60-SECOND business coach Be optimistic If there is anything that distinguishes great leaders from others it is their incurable optimism. Great leaders never live in denial, but they also never write off themselves or anyone else. They always believe the best will come to them. They are propelled by the fact that there is no situation their resolve and the cooperation of others cannot change. This quality is more desirable when there is a downturn. During downturns, the morale of most people tends southward. Low morale means depleted energy. The only thing that can energize the people is the leader’s enthusiasm and optimism. Without the people being adequately energized, it will be difficult to build the synergy necessary to revamp the organization.

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Right attitude In his book, Success Principles: How to get from where you are to where you want to be, Jack Canfield, says outcomes are not determined by what has happened but what is done with what has happened. This explains why two different organizations facing similar situations have different results. The reason is that they handle the same situation in different manners and they have different results. This has to do with the kind of attitude displayed by each of them. Canfield gives a formula, E+R=O, where E is event, R is response and O is outcome. He explains that while E is constant, R is a function of the attitude of the organization, especially its leader and that determines what the organization gets as well as what becomes of it. In times of adversity leaders should focus on what they can control and their responses to the situation because that, more than any other factor, determines the outcome. Facing adversity may be challenging but it is not the time to throw overboard the values an organization has been known for. It is not the time to cut corners or seek easy way out of the quandary. It is time to stay true to all an organization knows to be right because there will be life after the storm occasioned by the adversity.

Unite the people around the vision The essence of adversity is to delay the actualization of corporate objective or to force a detour from it. Great leaders mobilize their people around the vision of the organization in difficult times. Once the focus of the organization is allowed to shift during adversity, rebuilding may be difficult. Therefore, the leader has a responsibility to ensure that the people are motivated to stay focused on the purpose of the O, First E&P organization. E C , ro e B ideyem A la o Achieving this will require extensive comm e d A munication. The leader must continually engage his people in communication so that no one will be in doubt about the direction of the organization and why it is doing what it is doing.

g that s n i h t y n a If there isshes great leader distingui ers it is their t from oth optimism. Grea l, incurableever live in deniaoff leaders nalso never write e. but they es or anyone els themselvays believe the They alwcome to them. best will

Involve others in solution-generation process While the leadership of an organization has the primary responsibility for proffering solutions, it will be unwise for it to apportion monopoly of solution to itself. So, it needs to get others along in the process of fashioning a way out of the situation it has found itself. Apart from the obvious benefit of this, which is the multiplicity of options, there is also the unstated benefit of those involved in the process owning it. They feel honoured that they were involved in the process and work towards ensuring its success. Turn adversity to advantage Every act of rebuilding is a chance to improve on the earlier effort. That is one of the advantages of adversity. Going forward after a bout of adversity provides the opportunity to come out with a better performance because of the benefit of experience provided by the adversity. It is for this reason that adversity makes people better and organizations stronger. Dr Maduka has been able to build Coscharis into a world class business conglomerate because of the lessons he learnt from adversity experienced earlier.

5 ways to increase your leadership presence By Carol Kinsey Goman LEADERSHIP presence, that illusive but “we know it when we see it” quality, is a blending of personal and interpersonal skills that when combined, send all the right signals. It’s how you show up, how you make others feel, and how effectively you communicate both verbally and non-verbally. It’s the “wow” factor that sets you up for the next promotion and gives your career that extra boost. Leadership presence is not an attribute that is automatically assigned to you because of your business results. It is not necessarily reflective of your true qualities and potential. Instead, it depends entirely on how other people in the workplace evaluate you. The first key to building leadership presence is to realize that it is all about impression management. As Suzy Monford, CEO Andronico’s, says: “You need to show up each day the way you want to be perceived – which is simple to say, but difficult to accomplish unless you do your homework and really know yourself.” 1. Power up your confidence by priming your brain. Confident people (male and female) attract followers by being self-motivated, assured, and willing to take risks. But even the most confident people may suffer a crisis of self-doubt, and that’s where having a personal strategy

BOOK

becomes crucial. One key to displaying confidence is to change your physical posture by standing straight, holding your head up and pulling your shoulders back — or even holding a “Superman” or “Wonder Woman” pose for two minutes to elevate your testosterone (the power hormone) level. But another, equally effective strategy, is to prime your brain for higher confidence by recalling a time when you had power over another person or performed a task extremely well. Focus on what happened, how you felt, and what that experience was like. 2. Retain your composure John Sudol, author of “Acting: Face to Face,” coaches actors on how to prepare for an audition, and he offers an interesting insight that applies equally well to business professionals: “One of the things that can throw you off a well-prepared game plan might surprise you. It’s the snap judgments you make about what you read on the interviewer’s face. In an audition, that automatic judgment can provoke a variety of unwanted feelings and thoughts, such as anxiety, self-doubt, and insecurity. If enough stress is produced it can trigger a limbic response and put you into a freeze-fight-or-flee state. 3. Gain credibility by saying the word because Credibility is all about how you communicate. It’s about body language that’s aligned with your verbal message and it’s about being truthful, diplomatic, empathetic, succinct, and decisive. But certain words and phrases have almost magical powers to instantly increase your credibility. The word because is one of them. A study at Harvard, asked people to break into a line of strangers waiting to make pho-

tocopies. When asked simply if they could use the photocopier (“Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the machine?”), research subjects were successful 60 per cent of the time. However, when a reason beginning with the word because was added (“May I use the photocopier because I’m in a rush”), the request gained instant credibility, and compliance skyrocketed to 94 per cent. What’s more amazing, it didn’t seem to matter what the given reason was (“May I use the photocopier because I need to make copies”), compliance remained at about the same level, 93%. 4. Connect more powerfully by changing your focus. There is no more valuable commodity in today’s business environment, and no more valuable use of your time than to build your professional network, within and external to your organization. Gayle Hallgren-Rezac and Judy Thomson, networking masters and the co-authors of “WORK THE POND! Use the Power of Positive Networking to Leap Forward in Work and Life” talk about ways to optimize any opportunity to network. They say it begins with a change in attitude: Networking is not about promoting yourself or getting new business. It’s about creating or deepening professional relationships. 5. Display your natural charisma by warming up your body language. It’s well known that people won’t always remember what you say, but they will never forget how you make them feel. The body language of warmth includes positive eye contact, smiles (which we don’t see enough of in the workplace) and open postures in which legs are uncrossed, and arms are held away from your body, with palms exposed or resting comfortably on the desk or conference table.

Leading across borders

LEADING Across Borders is the leadership guide for the new business environment. The world’s economic center of gravity is shifting at a rapid pace – huge emerging economies have already emerged. As businesses operate in an increasingly global context, the most successful leaders are able to see through the eyes of others and to hear the voices of customers and colleagues from around the world. They build their own personal networks, navigate differences, and work effectively across new borders – both the physical borders between countries and the limits of old leadership paradigms. This book features direct input from people in critical roles around the world, advice based on deep practical experience, and new data that identifies the distinctive challenges of leading in an environment becoming more thoroughly interdependent every day. There is valuable advice for anyone taking on a global leadership role. You’ll find strategies and tools for working across cultures, leading inclusively, running a matrix team, innovating, integrating an acquisition,

and making tough ethical choices. Each chapter challenges established leadership models and shares hard-won expertise in dealing effectively with a changing reality that includes both fast-growth and slow-growth markets. You will learn how to serve more numerous stakeholders and to achieve your goals in a complex organizational structure without having direct lines of authority. This insightful guide helps you work more effectively at the self, team, and organizational levels, so you can get things done and grow your business. The increasing importance of China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, and other developing economies has opened the world of business leadership far beyond our own borders. This book gives

you a framework for coordinating it all, and being the leader your organization needs. Operate insightfully at the personal level in order to better lead others. Shape, motivate, and drive your global team to exceptional performance. Navigate differences in culture, language, economics, and more. Exercise your vision, influence, and expertise to lead your organization forward. The trend toward global leadership has emerged full-blown amidst the rising global economy. Today’s leadership must understand how to work effectively and efficiently across a variety of contexts. Leading Across Borders provides a roadmap to the new leadership paradigm, helping you expand your own skillset and create forward momentum.

leadership&management

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

TOPE POPOOLA is a Human Capital developement Consultant and Pastor. Please feel free to send questions, feedback comments on this column to

topheritage@yahoo.comorvisithttp//turbochargedforsuccess.blogspot.com

Leadership and the challenge of resourcefulness A dog strayed into the forest and got lost. Having wandered far into the jungle without a clue as to the way out, it became very tired. As the day wore on and night drew near, hunger set in. After what seemed to be eternity, the dog sniffed something like raw flesh and that seemed to energize its movement. It ran fast towards the smell and in a few minutes came upon the carcass of an animal. Most of the flesh was gone but it had a sizeable chunk of juicy bones, enough to satiate the famished palates of a forlorn dog. A few minutes after settling down to eat, it heard a rustling in the foliage ahead of it. Lifting up its head, it saw what appeared to be the silhouette of a tiger coming in its direction. The dog did not need a soothsayer to know that there was big trouble. It had to do something fast if it must stay alive. Running was out of the question. It could not match the speed of the tiger. Staying and doing nothing also meant becoming the tiger’s dinner. Suddenly the dog turned its back in the direction of the tiger’s approach. When it knew that the tiger was within earshot, it laid flat with a bone, pretending to relish the meal, while saying excitedly, “My oh my! I never knew tiger meat was so delicious! I need to kill tigers more often. I hope there are more in this forest” On hearing that, the tiger did not wait to question the reasonableness or otherwise of the statement. It simply turned round and ran from the scene as fast as its legs could carry it! A few days ago on a trip to Lagos, I had a conversation with a young lady. She holds a Diploma in Catering and Hotel Management and like many others in her shoes, was waiting at home in the hope that she would be able to open a restaurant and also provide catering services for people. I asked HOW she intended to do her business. She went on and on about how she did not have money. Of course she had no idea where I was headed with the conversation. I put the question to her again. It was about her strategy and not her means. In less than ten minutes of conversation, I was able to let her see possibilities she could tap with lit-

tle or no money. In the end, I saw her face light up with a “Waoh, I never saw that” look. She saw, I hope, that money was not and had never been her problem. Like many in her generation, she did not lack resources. What she lacked was resourcefulness. Her focus all along had been solely on the cash that she lacked rather than the options and possibilities abounding in and around her that, properly tapped, would have, over time, produced all the resources that she required. Resources are usually by products of resourcefulness but resources don’t produce resourcefulness. A resourceful leader will always outperform a resourced leader any day! Give a leader who is not resourceful all the resources in the world to run an organization and he will still complain. In no time, he will shrink the resources and the organization to the level of his mental limitations. On the other hand, give sparse resources to a resourceful leader to run the same organization and he will grow the organization to the level of his dreams. Resourcefulness is about looking at what is available especially in seemingly difficult situations, and transforming it to what is desired. It entails the employment of creativity, imagination, an uncommon measure of ingenuity along with analytical thinking skills. Resourceful leaders never restrict their thoughts and ideas by the evident boundaries set by available resources. They begin their thinking from outside the box that resources create. Resourcefulness comes in handy when you are faced with crisis that you have neither evident physical capacity nor material resources to resolve. What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Do you simply put your hands in the air and surrender to the crisis or you set off your thinking faculty and make a demand on resources in your inner man to work out a solution? The resource-minded person thinks from the problem but the resourceful thinks from the expected

outcome. According to Henna Inam, author of Wired For Authenticity: Seven Practices To Inspire, Adapt and Lead, “Positive energy is unleashed when leaders give themselves permission to connect and express themselves from the core of who they are. When leaders practice authenticity, creativity, engagement, confidence, and a sense of inner resourcefulness emerge.” Faced with a crisis, most of us would take the easy way out. If we can, we try to avoid the crisis or ignore it in the hope that it would just go away. Many would pray and fast. Others would give excuses for the crisis. Others still would blame someone else or a system for the crisis, all in an attempt to ease the burden of the crisis off their shoulders. To succeed as a leader or in any enterprise, you must never shy away from problems or take the path of avoidance or least resistance. Pregnant with a vision of a desired outcome, resourceful leaders simply measure the challenge with the visualized outcome and seek means of superimposing that vision on the present challenges. At that point, failure is not an option. Until failure becomes an unacceptable outcome in any venture or enterprise, it remains an unavoidable routine! Resourcefulness is the strength of leadership that makes it possible for the leader to identify all resources available and harness them to resource a vision. For the dog in the story above, physical strength could not have saved it. Neither could its ability to run. Even if it was a greyhound, it would never have been able to match the speed, agility and the hunting instincts of the tiger. It simply drew on one resource, the ability to think strategically. When there seem to be no adequate resources to accomplish the desired outcome, leaders simply apply resourcefulness by tapping on tangible and intangible capacity. To great leaders, whatever is presently available is always a platform for what is possible...continued Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!

Without it, nothing happens YOU cannot grow to become successful in both life and leadership without sacrifice. The truth is; each echelon of success has its own price and cost. And the higher you move in life, the bigger the size of sacrifice you are going to make. Also, when it comes to the issue of sacrifice, it is important I let you know that no one can pay the price for success for you. You will have to pay this price by yourself. Your dad cannot pay it for you. Your mum cannot pay it for you. Your husband cannot pay it for you. Your wife cannot pay it for you. And your friend cannot pay it for you. It is up to you alone! We live in a generation where people do not want to do anything by themselves. But when it comes to success in both life and leadership, you will have to pay the required price for it. Some months ago, I was listening to Thomas Dexter Jakes while talking on the sacrificial step he took before he was able to have a major breakthrough as an author. He said, “Just when I was about to trash the idea of being an author, an unusual opportunity was presented to me. The publisher said, ‘We will publish the book.’ But I would have to pay for the publishing! It would cost me $15, 000! My wife and I discussed it. We had the money. But it was all the money we had been saving for a house…We took the plunge and invested the money in the book, ‘Woman, Thou Art Loosed.’ It remains my highest selling book...Incidentally, though we had to put the house on hold for a while, we soon were blessed to purchase a much better one than what we’d expected to buy initially.” Every opportunity has its own price-tag and anything you sacrifice so that you can maximize an opportunity; you will get something better later. T.D Jakes would not have become a bestselling author of many books if he had not used the money they were saving

Muhammad Ali is unarguably the greatest boxer of all times. But he did not become a successful boxer without sacrifice. Ali was always the first in the ring and was always the last to step out of the ring. When it comes to success, you have to be very deliberate about it. No one is going to become successful in both life and leadership by mistake. Successful people become successful because they have learned not to stop practicing, reading through books, rehearsing…even when they are tired. Real growth occurs when people persist after getting tired. In this year and beyond, when you get tired, double your effort. Do not let tiredness stop you from becoming successful. Muhammad Ali said: “I learned to run until I was tired, then run even more than that.” This is the secret behind his success as a boxer. As a leader, read through books until you are tired, then study some more. If you can do it, you will definitely become successful in both life and leadership. The greatest boxer of all times said: “What counts in the ring is what you can do after you are exhausted. The same is true to life.” Run of the mill people do stop immediately they are fatigued. In fact, being fatigued does make champions double their efforts. You are going to stop yourself from being successful in both life and leadership when you stop reaching out for success as an effect of tiredness. Of late, I was listening to the story of a successful man and I was able to scrape together and glean these priceless words from him: “…one more sacrifice I made more recently, also boosting the time I have in a day, is the sacrifice of sleep. I get up at 4 in the morning, two hours before I leave for work, allowing me to get some of my priorities done first. I have been getting up between 5am and 7am {usually 7am} on weekends too.” Buddy, if sleep

does not become secondary to you, then you are not ready yet for success in both life and leadership. You are to be in control of your sleep; sleep is not allowed to control you. When you are in control of your sleep, you can come to a decision not to sleep, so that you can become more productive. Also, your personal time-efficient sacrifice will come from you boycotting television. One of the major reasons many people are not being successful in life and leadership is because of their television. To become successful in life, you may need to switch off your television. This will boost the time you have to focus on daily tasks—towards ultimate fulfillment. I want you to ask yourself this sincere question: is my television taking me away from success or it is drawing me nearer to it? If it is taking you away from success, then you may need to go and drop it inside your store. There are crucial principles of success I do know: first, decide exactly what is it you want. Second is to settle on the price you are going to have to pay and resolve to pay it. Obey this rule and you will be successful; ignore it and you will remain as you are. Buddy, after deciding what you want to become; then determine the price you are going to pay and resolve to pay it. Put what I am sharing with you into practice this year and you shall begin to become successful. Lastly, Steve Jobs said that in order to generate $ 1,35o they used to start Apple, he sold his Volkswagen microbus and Steve Wozniak sold his Hewlett-Packard calculator. They each made what was then a big sacrifice but it was really a small price to pay considering the fact that Apple is currently worth over $80 billion. You need to make your own sacrifices now, so that people can tell your story in the years to come.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

brands& marketing

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Akin Adewakun

m:08054683584 e:akadewakun@yahoo.co.uk

Seeing APCON as agency is an error —AAAN president

The President, Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr Kelechi Nwosu, in this interview with Akin Adewakun, bares his mind on issues affecting the nation’s advertising industry, while insisting that the federal government erred by classifying the apex regulatory body APCON, as an agency, instead of a regulatory agency. but there is no council to empower the registrar.

Kelechi Nwosu

My Projects for 2016 couple of projects are important to the leadership of the association. One is the Advertising Academy. We have been working hard behind the scene to get it going, we are now at the threshold of making sure it starts. The second important thing is our public advocacy project. We did create two campaigns in the last few months. One is the unity campaign and the other is the anti-corruption campaign. Some of those campaigns were done with people in government. The idea behind these campaigns is that we live in this country and if there are burning issues, we

The need for government to work with professionals One good thing is that the RegistrarAdvertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria’s (APCON), Alhaji Bello Kankarofi, switched on to this, that government should work with communication experts in our industry and from our association. One of the very first things he has done is to ask me to come and speak at the information officers workshop. And what I went there to talk about was how and why government should work with advertising agencies in our fold, to make sure that its communication is effective. So we are on this. But it requires persistent communication and presentation to them. I cannot claim that we have opened all the doors regarding this, but we‘ve begun to open closed doors. Having come close to government, one of the flaws I see in their communication is that they think first of effort and not effectiveness. Their communications are always full of clichés. So, government communication requires a much more support from us to change. It’s not going to change overnight.

should be able to intervene as communication experts. The most important thing is how to keep working with government, how to keep pushing the government to support our programme. We still have the APCON matter, which we are asking and imploring the media to support us on. The APCON council is still dissolved. Government has not re-constituted that council. We hear that they are in the process, and we think that that process is getting too slow, which may affect everything else that we do. You can imagine the legal profession for instance and medical profession going without The nation’s present economic any regulatory council. That is what we are gopredicament and the IMC indusing through right now. There is a regulator,

try I think that we shouldn’t cry over it. It’s a general problem that has beset all of us, including you, because advertising revenue will drop, transport cost might go up and this will affect all of us. It is therefore in our best interest to put up constructive suggestions to government on how to build the economy. On our part, we should also try to start thinking like creative people. Let me borrow the example of my office. I tell them that we can no longer continue to do the same thing and expect different result. Clients’ briefs may no longer come, but we’ve got to be more pro-active, open doors and have initiatives that we can sell to people. So creativity is going to solve the problem. You are not going to wish away the problem by just crying over it. We’ve got to have creative solutions to create wealth, to create enterprise, to create productivity. That is the mindset that we must have in the industry. Stakeholders hesitating to comment on burning issues We react. Concerning the dissolution, the message we got from stakeholders and our contact in government was that we should not be confrontational but look for a better way to go about it. They advised that we should go and talk to them diplomatically.

76% of our offerings sourced locally —Shoprite Leading retail supermarket, Shoprite, has again reiterated its commitment to the development of the local economy, adding that 76 per cent of products on its shelf are procured from the local market as a way of strengthening local business environment.. The supermarket which opened its first store in Lagos, in December 2005, today has about 99.5 per cent (2,230) Nigerian employees and has developed relationship

with approximately 300 leading Nigerian suppliers and small businesses, to further demonstrate its commitment to local enterprise. Interestingly, this has not failed to elicit comments from the local markets, especially the direct beneficiaries of the supermarket’s adherence to local content initiative. ‘It is one thing to farm vegetables, but having the right channels in place to reach

consumers is equally important,’ commented Dr Folashade Disu, CEO of Batfol Farms in Lagos, in a chat with Brands & Marketing on the impact of the retail supermarket’s activities on the local commerce. According to Dr Disu, Shoprite’s increasing expansion of business frontiers, had enabled its Farms grow its capacity in to be able to meet the demand for its produce. Another supplier, Mr Samuel Adedeji,

supervisor for feed mills at Fresh Country Chicken in Kwara, echoes these sentiments. ‘Thanks to unprecedented growth levels since becoming a Shoprite supplier, Fresh Country Chicken started an outgrower programme. Local community farmers are supplied with seed, maize fertilizers and herbicides, Fresh Country Chicken then buys back the maize at market rates after input deductions,” he stated.

brands&marketing

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Vitafoam, Vono merger to enhance shareholder value —GMD

L-R: Regional Director , South East 2, Chukwudi Onuegbu, Head, Retail Banking ,Nkolika Okoli and Business Development Manager, Eziukwu Road Branch , Aba, Chinedu Oguejiofor all of the Skye Bank Plc. at the Bank’s “Reach for the Skye” reward draw held in Ariaria International Market, Aba in Abia State.

Brand Focus: Brandlife and nation’s

advertising industry’s expansionism drive Gbemi Solaja – Lagos

othing could be more apt and soothing to the ears of stakeholders in the nation’s integrated marketing communications industry, in recent times, than the current news making the rounds that one of the nation’s leading marketing services companies, Brandlife Limited, is expanding its business frontiers to Kenya. The company, over the weekend, announced the expansion of its corporate headquarters to the East African country in order to accommodate continuous business growth and future market development plans. This extension, which includes a new contract with Hewlett Packard Inc. to provide marketing services in that region, also coincides with the company’s eightth anniversary. For the company’s Managing Director, Mr Julius Agenmonmen, the expansion provides capacity for increased marketing and unique activations to varied customers and the HP INC account as the company takes over from the previous marketing services agency, BBDO in Kenya. “Brandlife Limited is tremendously excited about expanding our business to a region which not only fits our strategic needs, but gives us a fresh, new landscape for building on our years of experience and successes’ the company’s chief executive stated. Besides being seen as a testament to the growth and success the company had experienced since its founding in 2008, many also see the development as marking the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s advertising practice history of providing world class marketing services in areas of brand activation, field marketing, digital signage and media monitoring beyond the nation’s market. ‘This expansion will help us to adequately service the Hewlett Packard (HP) INC account, which Brandlife has worked on for seven years, in that region. As you know, Brandlife is the official marketing services agency for HP INC in Nigeria. And of course, other businesses in that that region will have the opportunity to experience our numerous cutting edge value services,” argued Agenmonmen.

With the unabating slide of the price of crude on the global market, not a few have argued that the way out of the nation’s economic doldrums is to beam its search light on the non-oil sector. Perhaps, the development marks a step towards the realisation of a diversified economy, with the nation’s integrated marketing communication industry, being part of that effort.

“For instance, some experts in the industry have suggested that instead of stakeholders crying over foreign ‘invasion’ of the nation’s advertising industry, practitioners should be ready to re-tool and up their games to be able to expand their business frontiers beyond the shores of the country, a suggestion, many believe Brandlife’s recent move is in tandem with.

Hollandia Yoghurt unveils ‘Slurp It off Pack’ The nation’s drink market received a boost recently, as Chi Limited, makers of the leading Hollandia Yoghurt drink in Nigeria, announced its decision to introduce its new Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Slurp it off Grab’ ‘n’ Go Packs- a handy 315ml pack of Yoghurt, as a way of exciting its customers. A Marketing Executive with Sportslus Limited, Taiwo Adejare described the new Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Slurp it off’ Pack as innovative, noting that its introduction will afford consumers the opportunity to refresh on the move. “Most times we are faced with options to savour our snacks, but the Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Slurp it Off’ 315ml pack offers much more because it is healthy, nourishing, convenient and easily disposable. “The Hollandia Yoghurt ‘Slurp it off’ 315ml handy pack, with its dynamic prismatic shape and attractive cap is designed to hold an adequate quantity of yoghurt for an individual to enjoy with any snack,’ he added.

Speaking on the newly introduced pack, Managing Director, Chi Limited, Mr Deepanjan Roy, noted that since consumers desire Hollandia Yoghurt for different reasons, one of which is to be able to enjoy their snacks, along with their favourite yoghurt drink, the new offering is designed to provide answers for such craving. ‘We also know that health is one of the biggest motivating factors in consumers’ decision making process, so we decided to introduce the Grab’n’ Go pack for consumers who are on the move and desire a healthy drink with their meals,’ the company’s chief executive stated. He described the new offering as a product of studies that have Yoghurt as a calcium powerhouse and a source of high quality protein, with some researches suggesting that yoghurt may also benefit the digestive system, help immunity and offer protection from certain infections.

Group Managing Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi has expressed optimism and satisfaction on the recent merger with Vono Products Nigeria Plc, saying that it would translate into higher earnings and enhanced shareholder value. According to him, “shareholders of both companies overwhelmingly endorsed the merger at the recent general meeting, adding that the enlarged company would enhance growth in size. “Shareholders appreciate the potential benefits of the merger such as economies of scale, cost savings and improved operational and administrative efficiencies among others. “I can assure you that we at Vitafoam have always been thinking ahead. The issue of merger started about five years ago. Vitafoam is not just about mattresses only. We have many products for human comfort. As you all know, Vono is also a brand. “If we produce foam and Vono produces furniture, they are complementary. It is a strategic decision for Vitafoam to have Vono as a subsidiary. As you are aware, we have other subsidiaries such as Vitabloom, Vitagreen and Vitapur. Each of them produces distinct products. But they have something in common and this defines the unity of purpose. “We are truly a national company. We have a full fledged factory in Ikeja, Kano, Aba and Jos. We also have factories off shore. We operate at Sierra Leone and Ghana strategically to position the centre for inflow of dollar in the long term because these are dollar based business environment. They may not be generating expected profit for now but they have high prospect. The key issue is that Vitafoam as a group has a very bright future and the shareholder value would be greatly enhanced. As a mark of competence, Vitafoam is ISO certified,” Adeniyi said. Speaking on the business environment, Adeniyi appealed to the Federal Government to create enabling environment for manufacturers, in view of the effects of high exchange rate of the Naira on importation of raw materials. Corroborating him, Vitafoam’s Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr Olatunji Anjorin described the merger as a vertical one explaining that the furniture produced by Vono Products would complement Vitafoam’s foams. Anjorin explained that the consummated merger would put an end to past encumbrances militating against Vono’s growth, bring about more efficient expertise, shared value and improved technology.

Sharing, huge recipe for national development —MTN One of the nation’s mobile telecommunications service providers, MTN has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sharing beyond Yuletide, to enable the country achieve the much-needed socio-economic growth and national development. Speaking on this call, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, noted that a country with a generous populace, such as Nigeria, will certainly spur growth and national development. ‘This begins with how we relate with each other in our everyday lives, be it at home, in our offices and businesses, in school and even in religious settings. We live in times when we are better if we share what we have

as families and friends, irrespective of our ethnic, cultural, religious and social background. ‘What makes us copious as a nation is the love and unity that we share and this has made and kept us stronger over the years through thick and thin,’ he stated. Richard explained that the company’s ongoing sharing is good initiative, is hinged on the premise of sharing as a way of spurring growth and national development. ‘This is the thinking and philosophy behind our Sharing is Good initiative. As a brand, we are privileged to offer Nigerians our array of products and services that range from data services to caller ring back

tunez, airtime, gift songs on music+, customised message via caller feel services and many more,’ he said. According to Richard, “these products and services are ideal mediums for Nigerians to express love and gratitude to each other by sharing. ‘We believe that it is important that subscribers and indeed Nigerians imbibe an enduring spirit of sharing beyond festive seasons. The act of selflessness and generosity should become a way of life and this is one way we would not only help families and friends forge closer ties, it is an important component for national development,” he added.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

infotech

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Bode Adewumi

m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

Why we are leveraging on ICT at Babcock University â&#x20AC;&#x201D;VC

Professor Ademola S. Tayo is the President/ Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State. He has been an integral part of the foremost private institution having held various positions before becoming the head of the university. In this interview with Bode Adewumi, he speaks on the impact of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the success story of the school, as well as the partnership between New Horizons, the ICT Company that is driving the technology of the institution as he outlines his vision during his term.

hat are your visions for the institution? The vision of this present administration is to consolidate on the gains of the previous administration. Over the years, Babcock University has been leveraging on ICT, but we want to push it further to consolidate on the gains and that is why we are serious about the collaboration with the New Horizons to have what is called Total Classroom. We want to achieve a digital revolution, the first ever in this country, whereby we will have all our lectures and every other thing ensconced in ICT, thereby we will be the cutting edge when it comes to technology in delivering our lectures to students. We have started giving some of the gadgets to the students, like the tablets which will be an interface between the lecturers and the students. There will also be a software application where parents will be able to monitor the progress of their children. About a 170 classrooms currently have projectors installed, so it is not going to be chalk and board affair. There will be interactive boards and view pointers in these classrooms, with inverters installed in each classrooms, such that there will be at least for five hours of power supply, when there is power outage, so that the lecturer will still be able to log on and be able to teach interactively without any problem. Each of the students will also have all the lectures recorded, and with the arrangement with the New Horizons, we are moving forward by increasing the current 40 megabytes to about 300 megabytes, and all the devices used by the students will be powered by Airtel, so that they will be able to go online even while in their rooms. So there will be a total digital revolution in Babcock. This is because if you go to the outside world today, you will discover that technology is the real thing and we are in a global world. Our students may need to travel abroad for their postgraduate programmes and we do not want them to lag behind when it comes to using ICT to deliver. That is why this new administration is very passionate about that and we want to pursue that to a logical conclusion. Recently, your students came out in flying colours in different international examinations; how do you feel about this? I am so excited, because our Law Faculty, despite still being young comparatively, it is interesting to know that this year in the Bar Exam, Babcock University came first. In fact, we produced the third overall best student. There were only eight First Class students and Babcock had one of them of all the 44 Faculties of Law in Nigeria. It is not only in Law, because with the re-

erything into consideration because we are non-profit organisation; we do not want to put too much pressure on our students and their parents.

Professor Ademola cently released result of ICAN, the overall best student is a product of Babcock University. These, among others, are some of the achievements we have made in recent past. Our School of Nursing has been adjudged internationally as one of the best in Nigeria and we also have the best private university award given by the Nation Newspaper in recognition of the landmark achievements and in engaging the management staff. The Lord has been good to us and we want to collaborate with the Federal Government to move the bar of education forward in Nigeria.

We want to achieve a digital revolution, the first ever in this country, whereby we will have all our lectures and every other thing ensconced in ICT.

You did paint a picture of what we should expect perhaps in classrooms. What is the cost implication of this on the students and their parents? Nothing good comes so cheap and that is why when you look at the eight-point agenda of this administration, we try to do our best to cut cost so that we do not push everything on the parents. As I am talking to you, there is a construction going on, an Independent Power Project (IPP). I am not aware of any university in Nigeria that provides 24 hours of electricity to their students. When the light goes off, we on our generator, then we felt that we are spending millions of naira on power every day. So, because of that, now we have an MOU with the IPP, that will totally crash down the amount we spend on power as what we are trying to do is to block leakages, particularly now that we have many private universities that are coming up. We are very sensitive to that and as a non -profit institution, we want to be sure that we do not push the parents beyond limit and we will do our best to ensure that what we give to our students and their parents is reasonable. We are aware of the fact that we do not want to lose the market but at the same time, we do not want to compromise when it comes to quality. But I can assure you that concerning the bill, we will take ev-

Talking about power, what are you doing about researches in the school? The three mandates for any university is teaching, research and community development, but I do not believe that you should go into an area where you do not have enough knowledge. For example, we do not have an Electrical/ Electronic Department here and to go into an area where you do not have competence, you will even do worst because you will be venturing into the area where you are not cut for. We feel that we should venture into power generation and entered into a partnership with the IPP, we handed over a land to them to begin and it is not going to be financed by the university, as they will finance it and sell to us. And the agreement shows that the light will not blink for even one minute. If it blinks, the collateral damage will be for them, such that we are expecting that there will be 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply of electricity. Of course, power is so important for educational institutions because if you want to use ICT as we want to do, then you must have steady supply of power. There are a lot of facilities that are sensitive and that is why we are having a kind of agreement that there would not be a surge of any kind and we will able to do anything we want to do because we want this university to be the best in ICT t by taking advantage of the technology that is in the world today. What are your other plans for the school? Of what use do you have a graduate of Computer Science and cannot do any tangible thing on the computer? As an institution, we believe in holistic education development of the mental, physical, the spiritual and the social. The World Bank had a study in Nigeria and they discovered that when it comes to mental development, we have everything in the head, but when it comes to the practical application, we are not there. So many multinational companies today have to retrain many Nigerian graduates for months before they will be able to totally absorb them. Babcock University is very sensitive to that and that is why we want to fraternise with the industry. We want a situation whereby our academic programmes will be locally relevant and globally impactful. We have minimum academic standard produced by the National University Commission (NUC), but we want to go beyond the minimum and so this new administration wants to fraternise, we want to collaborate with international bodies to achieve excellence.

infotech

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

We want to create smart, digital Nigeria —Shittu Stories By Bode Adewumi

he Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has said that the Ministry of Communications Technology under his watch, is desirous of leveraging on the growth that has been recorded by past administrations in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector of the Nigerian economy, by ensuring that the growth reaches every farm and factory, hamlets and homes in the country. Shittu opines that it is common knowledge that ICT is redefining the ways of life of the people and that the time has now come to fully embrace ICT to enhance the lives of Nigerians, transparency and good governance if Nigerians were to fulfill the ‘change’ mandate that Nigerians voted President Muhammadu Buhari to bring about. The Minister, who spoke during the maiden Communications Sector Retreat organised by the Ministry of Communications Technology at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Oyo State last week, said the retreat with the theme: ‘Repositioning the Nigeria ICT Sector as the key Driver of the Nigeria Economy,’ was about the ICT as a key element for inclusive as well as progressive diversification and development of Nigeria’s economy. According to him, the ministry is out to create a smart, digital Nigeria to bring about the change that the country seeks. To achieve this aim, he said five steps had been identified or elements that will get the country towards the Smart Digital Nigeria. “We are building on the ICT sector growth by improving infrastructure and quality of service and also using smart government to deliver ICT and broadband penetration via government, soft infrastructure, commerce, broadband penetration, security and information accessibility. “We are also determined to increase revenue and reduce waste while fostering transparency and accountability and to focus more on innovative continuity for private sector led continuous innovation and growth. At the same time, we to migrate to a digitally Smart Nigeria through capacity building, job and wealth and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to flourish,” he said. The governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, while delivering his speech at the event, posited that ICT is pervasive and that it is useful in all aspects of the people’s endeavours , adding that the illiterate of tomorrow will not be somebody who cannot read nor write but somebody who does not have a knowledge of the ICT and what it stands for. The governor, while declaring the retreat opened congratulated

the ministry and its officials as well as the Minister for their foresight in organising the retreat and for choosing Oyo State as the host state. He said his administration is always happy to support any activity that would reposition the country and that as such, the retreat and what it stands to achieve

were all welcomed. According to the governor, the retreat was auspicious coming at a time the country is facing dwindling oil revenue and therefore the need to have a shift in revenue and job creation policies. He said it was his belief that the ICT sector is capable of generating rev-

enue and also arrest the menace of unemployment in the county. To this end therefore, Governor Ajimobi enjoined stakeholders to work together to ensure that the country benefits fully in the opportunities that are abound in the ICT sector of the nation’s economy.

From left, Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Kamanzi Stanislas and Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT, Mr Fatia Buhari, during the maiden Communications Retreat, organised by the Ministry of Communications in Ibadan, Oyo State, last week.

ASUS changes name, now Zenfone GO 4.5 ASUS has announced the change of name from ZenFone C 4.5 (ZC451TG) to ZenFone Go 4.5 (ZC451TG). From now on, ASUS ZenFone family will only have three series: ZenFone Selfie, ZenFone Laser and ZenFone Go. The company said the new naming will be easier for end users to remember. ZenFone Selfie (ZD551KL) ZenFone Selfie is the ultimate choice for selfies, with its twin 13MP PixelMaster cameras and a dual-colour, dual-LED Real Tone flash at both front and rear. ZenFone Selfie also features the fashionable multifaceted polygonal cover design aesthetic to the ZenFone, offering beauty and power in abundance. The great camera solutions are accompanied with top specs including octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 3GB memory, 32GB storage, and 5.5-inch IPS FHD 1920x1080 anti-scratch Corning Gorilla Glass 4 touch panel. ZenFone Laser 5.5 (ZE550KL) ZenFone Laser 5.5’s laser auto-focus technology empowers users to capture photos with perfect clarity in just 0.3 seconds. ZenFone Laser 5.5 is perfect for consumer who is looking for a phone with great performance and an amazing camera, because it equips with quad-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 2GB memory and 16GB storage and 5.5-inch IPS HD 1280x720 anti-scratch Corning Gorilla Glass 4 touch panel. ZenFone Go 5.0 (ZC500TG) and ZenFone Go 4.5 (ZC451TG) ZenFone Go series with portability on the go is for end users who are looking for a stylish and por-

table smartphone. ZenFone Go series comprises ZenFone Go 5.0 (ZC500TG) with 5-inch display and ZenFone Go 4.5 (ZC451TG) with 4.5-inch display. ZenFone Go 5.0 has a quadcore processor, 2GB memory, 16GB storage, 8MP rear camera and 5-inch Super Bright IPS HD

1280x720 anti-scratch Corning Gorilla Glass 3 touch panel with glove touch support available in black, white, red, and gold colors. ZenFone Go 4.5 has a quad-core processor, 1GB memory, 8GB storage, 5MP rear camera and 4.5inch touch panel available in black, white, pink and blue colours.

Gionee unveils M5 Mini, fast charging phone in Nigeria Smarting from the warm reception it received from Nigerians, leading global communication company, Gionee, has unveiled a new phone, the M5 Mini, that has 4000MAH super power charging ability into the Nigerian market The new phone has the capacity to work continuously for three days without being charged. It also has a functional power bank that can charge more than three phones at the same time. The new phone has a better user experience and it combines fashion with creativity. According to a statement by Mr Frank Chenlel, Director, African Region of Gionee, the M5 MINI as the name implies, is a compact version of the M5 and it is just as effective and stylish, but more affordable, which is the latest phone to be introduced to the Nigerian market. Elaborating on its unique features, Chenlel stated that M5 MINI is a 5.1 android OS device packed with amazing features and chipset, stressing that its design, software and battery capacity points to the fact that the device is specifically made for both light and heavy smartphone users and would suit the average Nigerian user. “Its smooth and sleek 2.5D water drop and 5.0 HD IPS screen sur-

face which delivers clear and sharp images with its 1280 x 720 HD resolution. M5 mini operates at a rather impressive processor speed of 1.3GHz Quad core. The implication of this is that your phone promises to operate at a speed that is truly deserving of a smart phone,” he pointed out. The phone is also equipped with a 2GB RAM size and 16GB internal storage. You are thus guaranteed to have enough space to store over a thousand songs, five hundred videos, hundred applications and your largest files and documents. Speaking further on the features, Chenlel said Gionee understands the importance and value attach to pictures and this is why the M5 MINI is endowed with 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras, which gives users satisfaction in taking those impulsive selfies with the selfie-enable front camera. Considering the challenge of power outages and the need for users to be in constant touch with contacts, M5 Mini is packed with outstanding battery capacity and equally capable of reverse OTG charging. The 4000mAh battery capacity offers users the freedom to use the phone without having to worry about needing to connect it to a charger.

Nigerian Tribune

Global partners join forces at Davos A new global dialogue focused on getting the next 1.5 billion unconnected people online was forged at a special session of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development held at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. The session was part of the Commission’s efforts to build momentum and reach out to world leaders to push the issue of broadband connectivity to the top of the global agenda. It is the first time that so many world leaders have affirmed the vital importance of broadband to national growth and coalesced around a common broadband vision. The session welcomed not just leading figures from the Broadband Commission, but prominent leaders from across government, industry and the finance sector, including the World Bank. They participated in a lively debate around investment challenges linked to building out broadband infrastructure in underserved communities. A new Discussion Paper developed by ITU as a contribution to the work of the Commission presented at the session estimates that it will take global investment of $ 450 billion in network infrastructure to connect the next 1.5 billion unconnected people worldwide.

How to win N1m, Dubai trip in Airtel Red Hot Promo On a daily basis, Airtel Nigeria is giving out N1 million, all-expense paid trip to Dubai, smart phones and free airtime through the daily draws in the Red Hot Promo. To participate and win in the promo, one needs to accumulate points to increase the chances of winning. To earn point, one can recharge one’s line, buy any TalkMore bundle, buy any data bundles, register for Access Money or even call 141 (MAMO). For instance, airtime recharge between N100-N199, will give a customer one point, while N200– N499 recharge, will earn a customer three points. A recharge between N500-N999 will give customer 10 points, while N1,000– N4,999 will get customer 25 points. To get 60 points, customers need airtime recharge of N5,000 and above. Bundle subscriptions such as Talkmore, Premier Connect, data bundle, Android bundle, SMS bundle, International or Roaming bundle gets 10 points each. With just Access Money Registration or MAMO fulfillment of bundles, a customer can score 20 points, while a transaction on Access Money, MAMO call in, use of extra credit or Value Added Subscriptions like Magic Voice, Airtel Radio earns a subscriber 10 points each. To check the points earned, just send POINTS as text to 576. The points scored by customers are accumulated throughout the promo. The Airtel Red Hot Promo, which runs from 4 December 2015 to February 1, is open to all customers.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

property

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Gbemi Solaja

m:07065220616 e:gbemisolaja@gmail.com

Experts express confidence in Nigerian real estate potential Stories By Gbemi Solaja – Lagos

otwithstanding prevailing uncertainties in the economy, experts have never been more positive about the real estate industry, urging the government to harness its potential especially in its direction towards a non-oil based economy. According to recent reports, despite unclear business environment, fresh investments are still taking place in the real estate sector with investors’ confidence on the increase. Nigeria is touted as the largest economy in Africa with compelling market fundamentals, including demographic boom, rapid urbanisation, a growing middleclass representing about 23 per cent of the country’s 170 million population, whose purchasing power is valued at about $28 billion. Nigeria’s population of approximately 170 million people makes it one of the continent’s premier destinations for property developments. While retail and office property dominate much of the interest in Nigeria’s property sector, it is only a matter of time before interest in the country’s industrial property landscape begins to increase, despite the nation’s well-documented power and transport infrastructure constraints as well as the impact of a lower oil price, according to a Standard Bank executive’s comment. The Principal and West African Specialist at Stanlib, Nnema U. Byrd, Africa, at a forum held in Lagos, maintained that construction activity in the country would remain resilient. According to her, over the next 40

years, 86 per cent of the global urbanisation would occur in Africa and Asia and by 2030, over 50 per cent of the African population will reside in cities, rising to 60 per cent or 1.2 billion people by 2050, the current population on the continent, which would in turn open up opportunities for infrastructure expansion; connections to road, rail and public transport vi-

tal for urban success; new infrastructural links between countries, towns and cities and so on. Similarly, Managing Director, FHA Mortgage Bank Limited, Roland Igbinoba, said that Nigeria’s real estate market was driven by demographic trends and urbanization, adding that unprecedented shifts in population would drive changes in de-

mand for real estate. According to him, Africa is becoming much more populated, creating more demands for assets; and real estate assets constitute 54 per cent of the world’s wealth, Africa’s population is rising rapidly at a time when population growth is slowing in other global regions and this will drive the demand for real estate.

Stakeholder calls for regulated building materials market Worried by the spate of importation of building materials, Executive Director, IPC Homes Limited, Adewale Oluwamomi Owomoyela, has called for a regulated building materials’ market to reduce flocks of inferior materials parading the construction industry. Omoyela, who expressed utmost disgust over the degree of lawlessness in the business, maintained that it was time for the government to intervene to avoid a national embarrassing situation. “In Dubai, for instance, there is a market where everyone comes to sell building materials. There is a lot more that they sell there. Here, we have those cluster of places around, but it is not well regulated, where you have a system where the government is involved in setting up a building materials’ market and there, they can regulate the quality of things that are being sold and also influence how these things are imported, stored and made available to people. “We should not just have a system whereby anybody can fly to China and buy pirated doors to sell in the country. I don’t believe that the government has to do everything, but until the government does the things they must do, it is going to be very difficult for the private sector to take

the initiative they must take. “And again, many of these building materials are imported. Let’s look at basic technology like cutting wood. Virtually everything is imported, so it does not help our economy generally at the macro level, and at the micro level, it does not help communities that could have been made stronger economically if these materials that we have locally can be harnessed. “There is no reason why we should be importing the Water Closet. I remember that when I was younger, there was a ceramic company at Ifo, Ondo state. We are not building on the resources we have and that is why we have to import most of these things that we could manufacture locally. “We should also raise our standards. All over the market, we have building materials that are hopelessly faked. So all of these things just make provision of housing difficult and these are things that only government can do. With this, the marketing of building materials can then be regulated.” Owomoyela, charged the government on multiplicity of strategies to solve the lingering problems in the construction industry, adding that with a blend of solu-

tions, end was in sight to the challenges, “but with the way we are going, the housing challenges may not be solved in reasonable time. There are exploits going towards mortgage but it is not enough. “Frankly, if we look at the housing challenge in the country, we honestly cannot say that we are doing all that we can to ensure that the challenges are surmounted. I personally believe that the main point of government trying to make mortgage accessible to a larger number of people is very nice, but it is just not adequate with one single strategy when dealing with housing, because housing in Nigeria is not that kind of problem, it has to be tackled with multiplicity of solutions.” He attributed deficits in the sector to lack of genuine partnerships between government and the private sector, calling for strategic alliances where needed. “There is no meeting of minds between the government and players in the industry, so you don’t necessarily see the cooperation that should be there. Government has the intention that housing should be affordable, but the necessary partnerships are not well cemented. The synergies are not well structured, so we are not seeing positive results.”

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Ondo LG poll: The clash among PDP, APC, others By Hakeem Gbadamosi

HE 1999 Constitution, as grundnorm, clearly defines the structure of government in the country. Apart from federal and states, the constitution stipulates that there must be democratically elected government at the local council level. Specifically, Section 8 states: “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed… ” It further provides for an independent electoral umpire for the council elections: State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC). The constitution went further in Section 4, Part II 3rd Schedule that “the Commission shall have power (a) to organise, undertake and supervise all elections to local government councils within the State.” At the moment, many of the 36 states in the country are without elected local government officials. Instead, caretaker committees are in charge of the administration at the closet tier of government to the populace, a trend that has continued to elicit concerns from groups and individuals, who say it is against the grains of the constitution and indeed democracy. The governors have given reasons for the trend to either litigations arising from the dissolution of elected council executives by governors or the creation of additional new council areas, coupled with the huge cost of conducting council polls in the face of other pressing demands. In line with his promise, however, Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has commenced the process of conducting elections into local council poll in the state. To underscore the seriousness of his administration on the matter, the State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has released the timetable for the poll. In February 2009, the elected council chairmen and councillors in the18 local government areas, who were elected in December 2007, were relieved of their positions by the present administration. This followed the removal of late Dr Olusegun Agagu as governor of the state by the Appeal Court. Since then, the local councils have been administered without elected officials. The then council administrators had challenged their removal in the court and the appointment of caretaker chairmen, whose tenures were revalidated by the State House of Assembly every six months. The litigation became one of the factors that have hindered the conduct of local government election. But the marriage of convenience between the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014 ended the power tussle between the sacked chairmen and the government.

During a stakeholders’ meeting, the state electoral commission, ODSIEC, announced the date for local government election along with the timetable. The Chairman of the commission, Professor Olugbenga Ige, said Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act of 2010, stipulated that there should be issuance of notice of election by the commission not later than 90 days before the election, hence the need to intimate all stakeholders over the development. The meeting was attended by representatives of the PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), among other political parties. But, the main opposition All Progressives Congress and quite a number of other parties shunned the meeting. The state chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) complained over what he considered the short notice given to parties for the meeting. Nonetheless, ODSIEC chairman explained that the aforesaid legal tussle was responsible for the decision of the commission to put the election on hold before now. “We were advised to wait for the final determination of the case and after the decision of the High Court; the chairmen went to the Court of Appeal, where the court rules that the state government was in order to have dissolved the council executives. As I speak to you, the case is still before the Supreme Court but their prayers have changed; they no longer ask the Court to reinstate them but that they should be compensated. What this means is that this position can be assumed to have been vacant since what they are asking for now is compensation. As far as we are concerned at ODSIEC, the coast is clear for us to conduct local government election,” the chairman said. However, despite condemnation from the opposition parties over the delay in the conduct of the poll in the past, the announcement of the plan and timetable has been greeted with mixed feelings. The APC in the state is divided over the issue. While some members of the party want

Despite condemnation from the opposition parties over the delay in the conduct of the poll in the past, the announcement of the plan and timetable has been greeted with mixed feelings.

Gov Mimiko their party to participate in the election, some described the planned poll as “unnecessary and wasteful.” The state chairman of APC, Isaacs Kekemeke, during a Leaders’ Consultative meeting of the party in Akure, specifically informed the members that the party, would not participate in the election. Kekemeke alleged that ODSIEC could not conduct a credible election because it lacked independence. He said the Central Working Committee of the party, State Executive Committee and the expanded executives of APC had met and deliberated on the issue and decided to boycott the election.” But the governorship candidate of the defunct Acton Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2012 governorship election in the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, was not on the same page with the chairman and his executive member. Akeredolu, who said though the election might be tilted by the PDP in its favour, stated that by participating in the election, the APC would have the locus standi to challenge the outcome at the law court. However, the governorship candidate of PDP in the last gubernatorial election, Chief Olusola Oke had a contrary view. He advocated total boycott of the election by the party, alleging that the local government election was designed to cause distraction for APC as it prepares for the next

governorship election in the state. However the APC national deputy chairman (South-West), Chief Pius Akinyelure cautioned the party members to exercise patience, as the matter will be tabled before the APC national leadership on the right step to take. Similarly, some members of the sacked council chairmen from PDP have also threatened to stop the election if the state government failed to honour the agreement to pay their entitlements. The group, under the auspices of 2009 Councillors Forum, but which comprises former elected local government chairmen, vowed to frustrate the effort towards conducting the election. The leader of the group, Yinka Akosile said: “We strongly hold opinion that our matter ought to have been addressed for the state government to conduct a credible local government election, instead of the deliberate misstatement of the facts of our prayers before the Supreme Court, “he said. Similarly, there is confusion in the camps of other opposition parties over the planned election. The leadership of SDP is yet to take a concrete decision on the issue as its state chairman, Korede Duyile said the notice on the poll was short. Meanwhile, the PDP has said there was no going back on the election, and challenged the opposition to test their popularity with the council election slated for April, 23, 2016.

politics&policy

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Self-inflicted problem responsible for decline in PDP’s fortune —Mwadkwon A former House of Representatives member from Plateau State, Honourable Simon Mwadkwon, speaks with ISAAC SHOBAYO on the controversy over official vehicles for National Assembly members, budget, defection of PDP members to APC, among others. Excerpts:

S a former House of Representatives member, what do you see to the criticism over the amount budgeted for official vehicles by members of the National Assembly? The work of legislators is very tedious. Apart from sitting to debate issues, they perform oversight functions on ministries and other government agencies. They supervise the executives to ensure that money appropriated to them is judiciously used. Without the oversight function the excess of the executive will not be checked. So, I am talking from experience. If I go to the National Assembly that does mean I don’t have a vehicle of my own. But oversight functions are official duties not personal assignments. It has to be carried out using official vehicles. Oversight functions are not for witch-hunting. The National Assembly members need to ask critical question in order to have adequate information about the ministries, departments and agencies. So, the argument over whether they can’t go for such duties in their personal vehicles sounds hollow. The level of investigation may be hampered or even compromised if there are no official vehicles to convey the lawmakers on oversight duties. Officials of government working for the executive arm might capitalize on that to thwart proper investigation. That explains why the legislators in the Eighth Assembly are agitating for vehicles to enable them have free hand to work. But during the Seventh Assembly, of which I was a member, vehicles were given but paid for by the lawmakers. They were not provided free of charge. At the end of the tenure there was deduction from our severance gratuity, the cars were still valued and what was outstanding were valued and removed from the severance gratuity. For example, from my own severance gratuity, which was supposed to be N5 million, they gave me N3.5 million, meaning they removed N1.5 million from the car that I used for four years. I don’t know why the issue is generating controversies. But I know the vehicles are not free, except if the rules have been changed. But those who oppose it predicate their argument on the economic situation for the country and the need for those in government to save cost. Even then, the legislative arm must still function no matter the state of the economy. The legislative arm will not stop functioning because the economy is down, likewise the executive, judiciary and others. Vehicles are bought for judges at both federal and state levels. Mr President would have to buy vehicles for Ministers, despite the harsh economy reality on ground. Then, what is the difference? Why should the legislative arm be singled out? In any system, the legislative is the target of the society because of their closeness to the people and the fact that both the executive and judiciary depend on the legislative arm to function. No matter the state of the economy, the vehicles are necessity instruments and more so that they are not given free of charge. If the economy is so bad, then they can go for low quality cars. During our time, we used Toyota Camry.

Mwadkwon

So, PDP created its own problems and that explains the exodus from the PDP to the APC. People then were fed up and actually looking for a change and APC made the offer. People just moved to APC in protest.

Many Nigerians considered the controversy over the whereabouts of the 2016 budget as ridiculous. What is your take on this? When I first heard that the budget was missing, I thought it was April fool in January. Later, I began to wonder because budget is a voluminous document, and once it is presented it would be in custody of the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Senate. I later got to know that the budget presented to the House of Representatives was there. It was that of the Senate that was missing. I found it ridiculous and disgusting. As a nation, it is a national disgrace for somebody to come out and say the budget is missing, somebody should be held responsible for that. President Muhammadu Buhari did not just come and dump the budget. So, that matter should not be swept under the carpet. It should be investigated accordingly. The news had been doing the round that the President discovered that the oil price had crumbled shortly after the budget was pre-

sented that is it was prepared at the cost of $37 per barrel and fallen to $27 per barrel, meaning it is no longer going to be a realistic budget. Secondly, there was also a criticism that the government is going to borrow to finance the budget which is very bad for any government. I believe such reason might have informed the attempt to withdraw the budget but then there are civilized way of doing it, there is nothing wrong if the President says we have realised that oil price is crashing and there is the need for amendment instead of ridiculing the country by creating unnecessary controversy. So, there is the need for the Presidency and the Senate to explain to Nigerians what actually happened. Based on the rate of defection from PDP, there are strong indications that your party PDP might find it difficult to regain its lost glory. What made PDP collapse is the level of impunity that took place in the party be-

fore and during the election, the disregard for members. You will recall that during the presidential election, only one form was prepared for presidential candidate. In this case, it was like the party had already taken the decision that only former President Goodluck Jonathan would contest. From the top to the bottom of the ladder, there were a lot of problems. I want to tell you the truth, even as a serving member of House of Representatives then, I cannot tell how delegates from my ward and the entire constituency emerged to come for election either at a local government level or at the state level. I don’t know who voted and the venue of the election. My local government election took place in Jos South, outside my council area. So, PDP created its own problems and that explains the exodus from the PDP to the APC. People then were fed up and actually looking for a change and APC made the offer. People just moved to APC in protest. But if you look at the present situation people are beginning to stay put, unlike three or four months back. Like in Plateau State, where I belong, it is a predominantly PDP state and a lot of people wish to remain in PDP because the change they expected from the APC, which is supposed to be holistic change, appears not forthcoming. I can tell you that Plateau State remains a PDP state. The PDP government in the state performed very well and to the admiration of the people in terms physical infrastructural development. But nothing is happening now under the APC, though people might attribute it to the economic situation. But then we still need to see some effort. So, for the people leaving PDP to APC, I don’t see any sense in that because the country is too big to descend to one-party state. There is the need for credible opposition for the nation to move forward, if we are true politicians and want to see some level of development in the country. Those that are running from PDP to APC because of the change of government are not serious-minded politicians. It is clear that such people do not believe in ideology of their party. I see APC as a conglomeration of several ideologies without holding on to particular one. As far as I am concerned, I have not seen any reason to leave PDP for now. The rush to join APC is simply for political patronage not that they believe in the ideology of the party. PDP congresses and convention are fast approaching. What are the stalwarts of the party in Plateau State doing to reposition the PDP? I agree that we have some challenges, challenges of confidence and trust. Senator Ike Ekweremaducommittee has come up with a wide range of recommendations on how to reposition the PDP. The committee, among others, had suggested that the idea of party leadership should be discarded because it carries a lot of problems. It makes some people to dictate to members arbitrarily. I believe this is a right step in the right direction. The party now recognises zoning because it tends to reduce tension that may come from members. In line with this, the party has zoned its presidential slot to the North. If the party adheres strictly to the recommendations of the committee, PDP would bounce back. Members of the party are of the view that congress that is billed to commence on February 27 will be free and fair at all levels.

politics&policy

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Why there is no opposition in Kwara —APC spokesman Alhaji Suleiman Buhari, the publicity secretary of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Kwara State, speaks on the Saraki dynasty, war against corruption, among other issues. BIOLA AZEEZ brings excerpts:

hat impact has the position of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, made on the

state? There’s a monthly federal allocation, which states rely on for survival. Since the last dispensation, Kwara has been facing the challenge arising from the shortfall in Federal allocation. It’s a big challenge to almost all states in the federation. Without the allocation, I don’t think most states can sustain the running cost of government. That’s what you use to pay workers’ salary and embark on projects. So, the current problem is affecting the federal government and states. We have been battling to pay local government workers. We hope that the problem will be solved soonest, as the government is working round the clock to get it resolved. Stability at the federal level will surely rub off on the states for them to enjoy whatever is available. How do you perceive the activities of the opposition party in Kwara? As far as I am concerned, there’s no opposition party in Kwara. We just have noisemakers, because a party that cannot win a seat in the state House of Assembly can be considered not to be on ground. So, I don’t see any serious opposition here. They are just trying to be relevant. The APC administration is the government of the people and by the way we operate the government, we have so much respect for the people. We are not there to promote impunity. Before we do anything in government, we make sure that it’s what the people want and not what we want as government. So, there’s that pervading understanding between the government and the good people of the state. That’s why we’ve been able to run the government smoothly. That’s also the reason we don’t find things difficult among the people, particularly in running the government. If they think they are in existence, I think there are lots of things to be put in place for people to know that they are certainly in opposition, especially in Kwara As far as APC and its government are concerned, we don’t believe there’s any opposition in the state. What’s your view on the place of the opposition in a democracy? I agree there should be a credible opposition in every democracy to provide constructive criticism to the ruling government. But, Kwara has its own peculiarity. As far as we are concerned, we don’t think we even need opposition in the state. We don’t need it because we know what our people want. APC is a party of the people and the leaders are not there just to enrich their pockets. We know what our people want. This is the party that was put together by the people of the state. So, to come out as the opposition in Kwara is like a waste of time, because the government knows the right thing for the people and knows how to deliver even within the meagre resources at our disposal. Opposition can only exist where the ruling government does not know what to do. But here, we know what to do, at what time and at the right time, depending on our resources. How do you think the current fric-

Alhaji Suleiman tion between some APC national leaders and the Senate President can be resolved amicably, I mean the allegation of betrayal leveled against the Senate President by some APC leaders, which has culminated in political and legal frictions. Let me correct something here. The Senate President did not betray anyone. That’s one. And I want the general public to understand that. Don’t forget, this is politics and one thing that is paramount in politics is interest. That’s it! I have to protect my interest, while you have to protect yours at all times. And where some of these people got it wrong was when they first came out on the issue of zoning. At a time, they came out that the Senate presidency was zoned to the North-Central. So, it’s because of the interest of some people that the party later tried to change the zoning arrangement. And when I see that I am capable to run for a political office and the party constitution allows me to do that, then I am free to do so (under freedom of rights and what have you). Once I see that I have the majority of people supporting me, I can go to any length to achieve that ambition. It’s

not really the fault of the Senate President because the party didn’t come out until the last day. So, when you have people behind you, you can go ahead. There was no time the party came out to say the position was not zoned to the North-Central. They are just finding one reason or the other to manoeuvre things one way or the other, which could not go anywhere. So, the Senate president didn’t betray anyone with the way he emerged. He tried as much as possible to protect his party. Don’t forget, if he had not done what he did that day, definitely a member of PDP (opposition) could have emerged as Senate President. So, what he did is a glory for APC, which I think by now they’ve realised, and that they appreciate what happened at the end of the day; because if he hadn’t done what he did, the opposition could have been struggling to hijack power from APC and such development would have a negative impact on governance. So, what happened was the wish of God. That’s how God has destined it. Therefore, no one could have stopped it. Then, how do you think the matter

Before we do anything in government, we make sure that it’s what the people want and not what we want as government

can be resolved? It has been resolved. It’s a normal happening in the political circle. A good politician expects all this. Yes. Those people that are against him are fighting for their own interest too; they want to protect their own interest. So, all the court matters; witchhunting here and there is normal. The Senate President even said it when he appeared at the code of conduct tribunal that if it was not because he emerged as Senate President, he would not be facing all what he’s going through. I think we have gone beyond that level now, because he’s the right person at that right time. He’s capable, competent, and he has the knowledge and the charisma. That seat, the red carpet are no small places for just anyone. There are many experienced politicians such as former governors and professionals. He’s the right person to work with President Muhammadu Buhari. And I think President Buhari knows he’s having the rightful partner to work with at this crucial period of the nation’s democracy. Why do you think people insinuate that the Senate President controls the machinery of government in Kwara? I hear such a lot. But, let me correct such impresion and not just because you are asking me the question. I have answered the question severally at different fora and media. People cannot just sit somewhere and spread all kinds of rumours. It’s not fair. He is not concerned as such with what’s going on in Kwara. What concerns him most is good governance. Do the right thing with what you are given. And from my experience, I don’t see him as that kind of politician. He’s not concerned about his own personal interest in politics. No! What concerns him most is the wellbeing of his people, the good people of Kwara and Nigeria as a whole. Since he emerged the Senate President, he hardly found time to come to the state, because he’s already engaged with a national assignment. So, I don’t know where people get such rumour, maybe because they know he’s the leader of the party in the state, or that the governor served under him as commissioner before he became the governor. He can only correct the governor if he’s getting it wrong as a more experienced politician. He has experienced a lot in the system. The governor can also meet with him to seek for pieces of advice. Apart from that, their insinuations that he’s controlling the government and all that are all lies.

What your view on the ongoing fight against corruption by President Buhari? The president is doing it perfectly well. You can see where he started from. He started with the immediate past government, because the amount of money involved cannot be ignored. We all know the level of security challenges being experienced by the people in the North-East and the whole country at large in the hands of Boko Haram. Imagine a government coming out with promises and pledge to rout insurgency, and the money voted to procure ammunition to fight insurgents being diverted for political campaign! It’s saddening. Many people had lost their lives, property and essence of living, while many cannot trace their families and homes again. It’s only a heartless government that will see such things and look the other way. The President started with that. So, he should continue. And the people arrested so far are those involved.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

tribunelaw

For enquiries, Lanre Adewole - 0811 695 4647 olanreade@yahoo.com

Rape cases: Amending the law to ease prosecution? Rape is one of the criminal offences that place a lot of burden on the prosecutor due to the difficulty in proving it, thus discouraging victims from reporting such cases. To ensure justice for rape victims however, experts have called for an overhaul of the rule. YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports.

even-year old Chideira Jaja was a precocious and intelligent girl whose usual liveliness and enthusiasm was colored with a deep seated pain that only love and counseling from discerning minds could heal. Her pain is the result of constant violation by three pedophiles since she was six years old; 43year old Kassim Mohammed, Oluwatobi Daramola and James Aniekan, who were alleged to have defiled the little girl serially between July 2012 and January 2013. Oluwatobi and James were said to be about 21 and 19, respectively although they allegedly claimed to be 17. Two of the men, James and Tobi were at different times in 2013 arraigned at a Magistrate’ Court in Lagos for the alleged defilement. Tobi was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with the hapless little girl contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. This was years back and Chidera’s case is just one of many cases of rape especially that of minors which has been on the increase in the last few years though few have the courage to make reports like Chidera’s aunt did. Section 357 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP 77, LFN 1990 defines rape as a situation where a man has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent, or with her consent, if the consent is obtained by force or by means of false threats or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false or fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or in case of a married woman, by personating her husband and the penal code holds that a man can be held guilty of rape if he has sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent, or with her consent, if consent was unlawfully obtained”. Rape has been defined in various ways but with the same meaning, United Nations (UN) says it is sexual intercourse without valid consent. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002 says it is physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration, even if slight, of the vulva or anus, using a penis, other body parts or an object and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in one of its annual Uniform Crime Reports defined rape as the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim. Rape is a criminal offence as stated in Section 2(4) of the Code and principles of evidence and judicial precedents provides that the prosecution must prove the concurrence of both physical (actus reus) and mental (mens rea) elements before it can secure a conviction. The burden of proof is a big weight on the shoulders of the prosecution as proof of rape majorly relates to the physical element of the crime. This means that before penetration, proof of unlawful carnal knowledge is virtually impossible though in some cases, it was held

that a degree of penetration so slight and light that it didn’t cause any laceration or injury of the hymen would be sufficient in law for the offence of rape to be complete. That is, even if the victim is yet to be disvirgined, the court can based on satisfaction from surrounding circumstances convict such accused person. Rape under Section 358 of the Code is punishable with life imprisonment and an attempt to rape is punishable by a term of 14 years imprisonment, with or without whipping. This indicates that rape is seen as a condemnable act under the law. Indeed, with what victims of rape are made to go through and the post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociation from reality, depersonalization, unwanted pregnancies and risk of sexually transmitted infections that many finally live with, the seriousness of rape as an offence cannot be over emphasized. Over the years, rape has been categorized into various categories; acquaintance rape, command rape, date rape, incestuous rape, fraud rape, underage rape, statutory rape, gang rape and marital rape among others but there is a low rate of rape prosecution cases. And the few that get reported are that of minors by outraged parents because most people believe the innocence of children but doubt the testimony of adult victims and give them little support so a great percentage of adult victims prefer to suffer in silence than face the shame.

The fact that the defense further makes it a terrible experience for those that are bold enough to seek redress has led to calls by stakeholders and pundits that legislation should prescribe a more severe punishment for rape. In fact, so many judges had in their ruling over the years made their stance on this known; Justice Muntaka-Coomasie J.S.C in the case of Popoola v State (2013) held that “the offence appeared to be heinous and heartless. The sentence meted out by the trial court amounts to abdicating its role as a judicial officer. I condemn such type of sentence. The sentence is unnecessarily lenient and loose.” In his own ruling Justice Ngwuta J.S.C stated that, “I join my learned brother in expressing disappointment that the appellant was given a lenient term of five years in prison. I think that the severity of punishment for rape, with particular reference to statutory variety, should rank next to capital punishment” Further, Justice Muhammed J.S.C in the case of Edwin Ejigbo v The state (2012) pronounced that “the facts revealed in this appeal are sordid and can lead to a conclusion that a man can turn into a barbaric animal. When the “criminal” was alleged to have committed the offence of rape, he was 32years. His two young victims: Ogechi Kelechi, 8 years old and Chioma, 6 years, were, by all standard underage. What did the appellant want to get out of these underage girls? Perhaps, the appel-

I join my learned brother in expressing disappointment that the appellant was given a lenient term of five years in prison. I think that the severity of punishment for rape, with particular reference to statutory variety, should rank next to capital punishment

lant forgot that by nature, children, generally, are like animals. They follow anyone who offers them food. That was why the appellant, tactfully, induced the young girls with ice cream and zobo drinks in order to translate his hidden criminal intention to reality, damning the consequences. Honestly, for an adult man like the appellant to have carnal knowledge of underage girls such as the appellant’s victims is very callous and animalistic. “It is against the laws of all human beings and it is against God and the State. Such small girls and indeed all females of whatever age need to be protected against callous acts of criminally likeminded people of the appellant’s class. I wish the punishment was heavy so as to serve as deterrent” Many reasons have been adduced for the low prosecution of rape offences by pundits. The reasons given include inability of victims to report cases to authorities due to shame and neglect shown towards rape victims in Nigeria by family and friends and even police officers, the lack of support from care agencies of government, general apathy on the part of the police and poor investigations, weak legal sanctions as though rape is punishable with life imprisonment, other related offences such as indecent assault, sodomy etc carries lesser punishment and a stiff legal requirement that demands eye witness account to rape incidents when it is rare to get such witnesses as rape is not carried out in public glare. Another factor that makes prosecution of rape difficult is the requirement of law that dictates that there must be penetration of the vagina no matter how slight. In modern times with different evolution, demand for penetration can in some cases; make it difficult for justice to be served. An example of this is rape of the anus and WHO confirmed this in its definition of rape as “physically-forced or otherwise coerced penetration, even if slight, of the vulva or anus, using a penis or body parts or an object.” In a bid to strengthen the sanction against rape, the Nigerian Senate in June 2015, passed the sexual offences bill which prescribes life imprisonment for rapists and anyone that have sexual intercourse with a child under 11 years but the bill was met with a lot of condemnation; Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka in his criticism stated that the bill if passed into law will empower the “clique of pedophiles” since it indicates that once a girl is marries, she is an adult irrespective of age while human rights lawyer, Femi Falana described it as obnoxious and threatened to go to court if it is passed into law. Falana alleged that when the bill was passed at its second reading in November 2013, it sought a penalty of life imprisonment for the defilement of children less than 18 years and accused the House Committee on Judiciary and Legal matters of illegally removing 18 and replacing it with Continues pg36

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Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Rape of minors on the rise in Nigeria By John Umoh

n recent years, the issue of rape of minors has become a recurring issue in Nigeria. According to a research result from NOI polls, seven in 10 Adult in Nigeria (67%) think there is a high prevalence of child rape in the country while 3 in 10 (31%) personally know of a victim of Child Rape in their local communities while 4 in 10 (36%) Adult Nigerians, representing the majority, claim that most often the offenders involved in the incident of child rape are close family relatives and neighbors (33%). An example is the case of six years old Tina, who was allegedly raped by her mother`s cousin who came to the house for a visit, but they decided not to prosecute him because they felt it would expose and put the family to shame. A nine year old girl was raped and murdered by an unknown assailant. These are cases of increasing sexual abuse which are reported daily in Nigeria. Child rape is one of the most disturbing forms of violence against children, unfortunately most families prefer keeping rape and sexual incident secret

to prevent shame. Victims of sexual abuse generally are female children hawking on the street, who are often lured by predator in the pretense of buying their articles to a room or an uncompleted building and are defiled recklessly. Many children are involved in forced labor to make ends meet. They could end up lured into secret places and raped. Under the law, child sexual abuse is often used as an umbrella term describing criminal and civil offenses in which an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor or exploits a minor for the purpose of sexual gratification. Despite increase in rape cases and low rate of persecution, Nigeria has been unable to deal with several issues hindering the protection of rights of children. Over time, legal practitioners have argued that weak legal sanctions and enforcement in rape cases is one of the reasons why there is a low rate of rape persecution cases in Nigeria, adding that it is not just practical to ensure maximum punishment, it is imperative that local law enforcement authorities enforce this punishment in a firm and decisive man-

ner. Child Rape has been described as one of the most traumatizing forms of violence against children, usually committed by a person in a position of power and trust in the child’s life with high number of rape cases go unreported mainly because parents want to protect their children from all forms of stigmatization and embarrassment. According to reports, 2004 witnessed the reportage of child rape cases in Kano State, 2005 further witnessed an increment in reported child rape cases that escalated to an alarming rate in 2007.

child rape cases in various parts of the country. In February 2014, a 27 year old man was arrested by the police in Osun state and charged following reports that he had raped a 2 years old girl at his residence in the Ifelodun Local Government area of the state. The frequency of rape cases raises the question; why is child rape on the increase in Nigeria and what should be done to curb this social anomaly? NOIPolls in partnership with the Stand to End Rape Initiative Group in its recent poll on the prevalence of child rape, the reporting of child rape cases and pos-

sible remedies to address the issue found out that majority think that child rape is prevalent in Nigeria while 19% are of the view that it is somewhat prevalent and an additional 14% of the respondents surveyed indicated that it is not prevalent at all. Various effects occur from child rape and defilement and these effects can be either long term or short term depression or in some cases both, anxiety, sleep disturbances or more grievous psychological symptoms which is said to be exhibited by 51 to 79 per cent of sexually abused children.

Rape cases: Amending the law to ease prosecution? Continued on pg35

11, though Chioma Nwigwe of the Eight Foundation explained that the I t is still 18 but the breakdown into diverse sub sections caused the confusion and called for an amendment. Many legal practitioners also agree that rape is a difficult case to prosecute especially for the prosecution and the victim as well as her family. A lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Abiade Olanwale also aligned with the as-

Peaceful assembly, rally, protest: Indispensable tools of engagement The confrontation that ensued between the Shi’ite Movement and the Nigerian Army some weeks back has left in its wake reactions, upbraiding and total condemnations, depending on which side each the commentators belonged or belongs. I have chosen to use the word ‘belong’ in its past and present form to draw home a point. The point is, some comments were made on the spur of the moment and many commentators have had to review their positions in the light of the facts that emerged after the unfortunate incident and the benefit of enlightenment Nigerians have received from informed comments. In the South East of Nigeria, rallies and protests have become means of expression of support for Mr. Kanu, who has been having a brush with the law on his activities on the resuscitation of agitations for Biafra. Reports have it that some of the rallies have led to confrontation between the protesters and security agencies, the aftermaths of which are usually unpleasant. Some supporters of the PDP Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, protested against his continued detention in EFCC custody without being formally arraigned in the Court. Luckily, he was arraigned last week. A trigger-happy police officer who killed a protester during the mass protests against fuel subsidy in Yaba area of Lagos during the last regime got convicted some

Furthermore, within two months in 2008, over a hundred cases involving underage victims were reported to the police authority prompting an alarm raised by the police authority about the steady and noticeable increment in the overall number of reported child rape cases in the state. Also in Lagos, the Police revealed that the command had recorded 678 cases of rape between March 2012 and March 2013 with an undisclosed number of the victims being underage. In recent times, the Nigerian media has reported the increased frequency of

weeks back. The above allusions to recent happenings in our dear country are meant to illustrate the various uses to which rallies and protests can be made. Our ultimate intention in this piece is to discuss assembly, rally and protest and their legal implications, in a fledgling democracy as ours. The right to peaceful assembly, rally and protest is constitutional fundamental right guaranteed under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and under various international legal instruments, for example Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act) It is equally a fundamental right of the people to express their minds in favour or against public policies of Government. It does not matter whether the reason for gathering together of people for rallies and protests accords or does not accord with the mood of the majority of the people.What matters is to ensure that people are allowed to assemble with a view to staging a rally or protest against whatever they perceive as being unfavourable to them or some other persons. However, assembly, rally or protest must be peaceful and must not infringe on the rights of others. This where the problem lies i.e how to keep assembly, rally and protest peaceful. Watching on social

sertion that rape is difficult to prosecute. According to her, “Yes, rape is difficult to prosecute because of the conditions that have to be fulfilled before rape can be established. Also, because of the cultural and emotional pressure on the family of the victim, most often than not, they opt out of prosecuting the rapist of their daughter or ward. “I don’t believe there is need for stiffer penalties for rape, the current penalty is enough. What we need is for authorities

in charge of prosecuting rape to stop taking bribes to bury rape cases by influential rapists and their families. Victim’s family should stop succumbing to pressure and start cooperating with law enforcement agencies in seeing that their daughters and wards get justice. We need change in the general permissive attitudes towards rape and rapists” Aside recommendations and call for enforcement of a stiffer penalty, pundits also asked that an ac-

complice of a sex offender should be made guilty of the act itself, medical evidence must be encouraged once a victim reports at a hospital or police station, abridgement of length of rape trial so evidence can be fresh, provision of forensic resources and personnel at police stations, protection of rape victim’s identity, eradication of blame and stigmatization of victims and the immediate treatment of victims especially against infections.

legal clinic

By Olatunde Femi Abegunde Esq.ACOArb

m: +234-0803 967 7683; +234-0809 401 7911 e: pinnacle.chambers@yahoo.com, femabed2007@gmail.com f: Olatunde Abegunde & Associates-Pinnacle Chambers

media how the Chief of Army Staff was practically begging the Shi’ite Movement members to please allow him and his men and officers to pass, I became confused and could not really comment on the propriety or otherwise of all that happened afterwards. The security agencies have a duty to protect people who gather to stay peaceful protests and rallies even if such are against government policies or actions. Their presence is not to intimidate protesters but to protect them and ensure that the rallies or protests do not generate into lawlessness. One legal issue that usually spring up whenever the issue of rally or protest is discussed is whether in this age and time the Public Order Act which requires any group desirous of staging a rally or protest to obtain permit from the Police before they can stage such. Ideally,if the request for permit is aimed solely at securing Police presence in protecting the people, probably no eye brow would have been raised against the provisions of that law. However, since the wordings of the particular give the impression that any rally

or protest in respect of which no permit is obtained, is illegal, the law is null and void since its provisions is in direct conflict with Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. In INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V ANPP & OTHERS (2007)18 NWLR (PART 1066) 457, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division did not miss the golden opportunity of affirming the decision of the Federal High Court which declared the Public Order Act was unconstitutional. The Respondents in the case were political parties who planned to hold rallies across Nigeria.They sought permit from the Police which was refused. This was what led to the institution of the suit. Finally, the point must be made that peaceful assembly, rally and protest are veritable tool of engagement in civilized societies. Citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, rally and protest must not be suppressed under whatever guise. In the same vein, the citizens have a corresponding duty to ensure that they do not engage in acts of lawlessness or infringe on the rights of others.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

features

A remarkable work of art at the popular Oba’s Square, Ring Road, Benin.

In Benin, art is everywhere you go By Banji Aluko

emarkably regarded as a city with a huge artistic and cultural presence, Benin has remained one of the profound references for all kinds of imaginative ingenuity. The large billboards and massive churches, occupying conspicuous locations, some of them headed by women, can never be too small to be overlooked in Benin as well. Every Sunday, hundreds of thousands of worshipers gather at the churches to worship and sing praises to God. Existing side by side with Christianity is a traditional institution and religion. Not even the popularity of Christianity has removed the traditional ways of living--culture, worship, arts and craft. One of the signposts is the ageless artwork--bronze, woodwork, brass and terracotta--adorning the streets of Igun and Igbesanmwan. The exact origin of bronze casting in Benin kingdom is hard to establish. What is certain, however, is that the art has been in practice since the reigns of Ogisos, the first well recorded royal dynasty. This ancient craft passed from father to son, from generation to generation continually to this day. There is something mystical about the artists and their artworks--the secret and knowledge of the work is said to reside within members of some families and is never known to people outside such families. Igun and Igbesanmwan are said to be one of the few remaining places in the world, where traditional bronze and brass castings are done. So, unlike many other places, where the people’s ways of life have nearly been eroded, the skills needed for casting were never lost in Benin, but were passed on from generation to generation. Today,

a guild of wood carvers and bronze casters operate at Igun Street, nearby Igbesanmwan Street and some other parts of Benin, using traditional techniques to produce amazing objects which stand as testimony to an ancient culture. Anywhere one turns in the streets, bronze and brass castings, wood carvings and other works of fine arts stare one in the face in these places that was listed in 1999 by the UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage site. According to Victor Osagie, one of the bronze casters in Igun Street, the secret to the survival of bronze carving in Benin is that for every male child born into the IgunEronwan quarters, bronze or wood carving is hereditary. “I was born into it and it is in me. I really did not learn it. For us, we only did some little training because it is in us. If your father is a bronze caster, automatically you will become one as well.” The art tradition, along with the palace of the Oba of Benin, built with its unique traditional architecture, is a testimony to the centrality of Benin as the fortress for culture and tradition in Nigeria. Anyone who knows the Kingdom properly knows that the palace is regarded as one of the greatest museums

The art tradition, along with the palace of the Oba of Benin, built with its unique traditional architecture, is a testimony to the centrality of Benin as the fortress for culture and tradition in Nigeria.

in the world because it still holds a large collection of royal court arts, scriptural pieces of past Obas in bronze and ivory and ancestral shrines. There is also the Benin Museum where ancient artifacts, some of which were taken away by the British during infamous 1897 of Benin, are stored and the Oba Akenzua Arts Gallery. Nothing more symbolises the affinity of the Benin people to their traditional mode of worship than the Holy Aruosa Church, a traditional religious and unique worship place where the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa, his palace chiefs, family members including men and women of Bini origin worship. Even its sanctuary-like appearance does not remove some features that make it look like a place for traditional religious worship. According to the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief Okhaemwen David Edibiri, the people of Benin have been able to combine their obligations as Christians with their traditional ways of worship without relegating any of the two, though he said that the practice was not limited to the Bini people alone. He said, “even in Yorubaland and Iboland, the people, who are predominantly Anglican, go to their traditional ceremonies and that does not make them pagan. If you do what your tradition asks you to do, I do not see any conflict with Christianity. I have been the Esogban of Benin for many years now and I have not found any conflict between Christianity and traditional way of worship. “The Benin tradition, unlike many other traditions, is very resilient. So many suggestions have been produced as reasons for this but I just know that the tradition does not easily give way. It has always been “this is how my grandfather did it and I must con-

tinue to do the same thing.” When a tradition is resilient and has survived centuries of attack, it is very difficult to wipe it out. What I think has made the Benin tradition to survive is that the tradition is well planted in the Benin people,” the man who interprets the oracle and the head of all traditional titles in the Bini Kingdom said. No wonder many in the ancient town, last month, trooped out to celebrate when the drums were rolled out to celebrate the annual Iguedohia Festival, irrespective of their religious affiliations. The festival, which in Benin tradition is a period for offering thanks to the gods for sparing their lives and to ask for blessings, is also used for offering sacrifices to some shrines in the palace of the Oba of Benin. During this year’s festival and like before, chieftaincy title holders displayed their emblem (Eben) as they dance the Ugie dance in their traditional attire, while the Oba seats majestically in the royal chamber watching with delight. The Igue festival is said to have endured and continues to retain its main features despite modernisation in all aspects of political, economic, sociological and technological development. The chief priest of Benin Kingdom, Nosakhare Isekhure, while explaining the significance of Igue festival noted, “The Igue festival is a period of anointing; that is why we say that the act of thanksgiving is not new to us. Igue is a period of thanksgiving because we recognise that the almighty God is a living entity. We heard that God is in human dimension, so once in a year, in order to recognise what God has done for us as we sanctify our heads because that is where god lives. We also thank God for the year, even as we also pray for greater things in the coming year.

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\\b\users\public\izzy\features opening Benin Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Akure International Event Centre:

Akure International Event Centre also called the Dome. inset: The International Conference Centre.

Ondo’s template for urban renewal

The administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State has opened up the state to the world as a tourism destination and new economic centre. TUNDE BUSARI reports the urban renewal effort which the Mimiko government has so far achieved.

pparently mindful of the enormity of the Akure International Event Centre, tagged The Dome, and its associated problems, the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko in October 2015 hosted a dedication service in which the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Joshua Ketiku and Pastor Tunde Adesida did not only bless the project but also offered supplication for its completion. Aside Portugal in Europe and Trinidad and Tobago in South America, Ondo State, Nigerian Tribune gathered, is the only one in Nigeria nay African,that can boast of the tourist facility. The allure of it was perhaps the attraction when the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) held its 2015 edition of its annual conference and general meeting at the centre. About 5000 members of the association who converged on the facility could not but salute the ingenuity of Governor Mimiko that gave birth to the facility. Also on January 19, 2016, Nollywood artistes, their families and fans also stormed the centre where some of them were formally unveiled as the state’s culture ambassadors by governor Mimiko. The successful test-run of the facility assured the government of the huge potential of the project as another internally generated revenue source. Hence, the increased pace of work to complete the dome before May, 2016. This much was confirmed by the project co-coordinator, engineer Ayo Babalola, who said save for certain hitch, the dome would have been delivered and commissioned. “It is not a matter of blowing one’s trumpet, we have set a high standard in tourism development with this project. Those who have entered here and used the facility praised the governor for putting up this huge project. I am saying it without being immodest that this is the only one in Nigeria. This shows our governor is exposed and using same to impact in the state,” Babalola said. One of the multiplying effects of the proj-

ect is the proposed five-star hotel to be sited in proximity with a view to maximising its economic benefit to the state. Already a magnificent upscale shopping mall, located at a walking distance, has commenced operation. The mall, which is an instant commercial success with the unprecedented patronage it records on daily basis, has also boosted the aesthetic feature of the GRA axis of Akure. Cinemas at the mall have returned the old night-life with families trooping to the halls to enjoy the best world rated movies on big screen. Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, who was simply overwhelmed by the enthusiasm expressed by the engineers as well as the guests who witnessed the Nollywood event, particularly recalled his experience at the cinema and looked forward to when the whole project would be in full operation and turn Akure to the city of Mimiko’s dream. The state coordinator of the public-private

It is not a matter of blowing one’s trumpet, we have set a high standard in tourism development with this project. Those who have entered here and used the facility praised the governor for putting up this huge project.

partnership that oversaw the mall project, Adenekan Olateru-Olagbegi, also recalled how governor Mimiko personally drove the investors behind the mall round Akure metropolis during their first visit. The governor, Olateru-Olagbegi stressed, did the unusual as his demonstration of his commitment to the urban renewal policy and his readiness to spare nothing in ensuring the smooth takeoff and completion of the mall in record time. “Did you know the investors shocked us? They showed they really meant business. They made a projection of 15 months but completed the mall in 14 months. This feat impressed everyone and gave credence to the public-private partnership concept. “All government needs to do is provide an enabling environment and right policy to protect business. The mall has changed a lot of things, especially in the area of employment of our youths. Ondo is getting it right and I am assuring you that with this pace, we are the next commercial nerve centre of Nigeria,” he said. Impressed by Governor Mimiko’s vision, the Commissioner for Works, Gboye Adegbenro said his work relationship with the governor has its root in development passion he shares with him, describing him as a man of life transforming ideas. Intercepted during a surveying of a proposed road expansion of some section of the Alagbaka GRA, the commissioner urged the people of Ondo State to distinguish between good governance and politics with a view to enjoying the dividends of democracy. “What we are doing in the state is not based on political sentiment. It is based on improving the life of our people. Governor Mimiko is apolitical when it comes to rendering service. That is why the development is touching all the three senatorial districts without any form of discrimination. Is it the mega school

or mother and child or transportation of students one wants to talk about?” He queried. Without a clean, beautiful environment, it is argued that no serious development can be achieved as filthy spaces would drive away investors and corporate personalities. Commissioner of Environment and Mineral Resources, Sola Ebiseemi, however, beat his chest and declared Akure as the cleanest city in the country. The three-time commissioner in the same ministry articulated Governor Mimiko’s aversion for stinking streets, adding that the success of the government policy has attracted private companies to take over waste management of the state and embark on waste-towealth projects. “We are now looking at mechanical land fill device, which a private company will soon commence. Waste vehicle assembly plant, training of 4000 youths and collaboration with higher institutions in training and awarding degrees are all in the pipeline to sustain our environmental management drive,” he said. All the achievements also rest on strong economic base of the state being the fifth oil-producing state and highest cocoa producer in Nigeria as well as largest bitumen deposited state. Aside the Olokola Free Trade Zone, another free trade zone is in the pipe line called Erona Free Trade Zone at Eseodo in Ilaje local government council. These, among other initiatives, according to the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dipo Abiola, would place Ondo State on a higher pedestal of development. “Omotosho Industrial Park in Ore is going to further open up the state, especially with its strategic location which makes accessibility easy from Lagos to the East. Ondo State is the new gateway for market and production,” he said.

news

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

FG wants speedy trial for looters •Wants 90-day trial period, special trial judges Lanre Adewole - Lagos

resident Muhammadu Buhari has submitted to the leadership of the judiciary, his requests for record-time trial of alleged looters of the nation’s treasury, Nigerian Tribune has reliably learnt. The demands, expected to be met by the judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, are reportedly creating ripples in the judiciary, due to what a highprofile source termed “the unconstitutionality of some of them (demands). Nigerian Tribune gathered that Buhari is demanding a time-frame to such trials, with 90 days (three months) reportedly proposed. Judges, adjudged upright,

are also to be head-hunted by the CJN for Buhari’s administration anti-corruption war. The demands, reportedly approved by the president, were said to have been packaged by the presidential committee on anti-corruption war headed by Professor Itse Sagay. The courts being manned by the targeted judges are also to become mainly anticorruption courts, handling only alleged corruption trials. The dedicated courts are said to be focussed on clearing the backlog of pending alleged corruption cases,

involving many past public office holders whose trials had been stalled despite being out of immunity cloak. An earlier attempt in the life of the administration yielded little success as many of the handpicked judges for consideration, failed the integrity test conducted by security agencies. It could not be confirmed if a new set had been shortlisted for the presidency’s desire. A senior source privy to the demands disclosed that there are other ancillary desires of the president for the demanded quick dispensa-

tion of justice that clashed with human rights of accused persons and constitutional provisions. Buhari’s Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, had been practically on the road, sensitising the populace on why the human rights of suspects and accused persons in alleged corruption cases, are being abridged by the current administration. Last week in Lagos, he said the human rights of the suspects in the alleged arms deal corruption case ended where that of others negatively affected by their

actions, began. It was learnt that Buhari is seeking the support of the judiciary leadership to stop giving bail to accused persons, throughout the period their trials would last, a period expected not to be more than three months. Interlocutory appeals to higher courts are also expected to be stopped in the course of the accused trials. Many of the stalled trials are being held by interlocutory appeals to higher courts where they usually pend for a longer period, with their pendency expected to stall the trial at the lower courts.

Health workers begin 3-day strike in FMC Umuahia CelestineIhejirika-Umuahia The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) of Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, on Monday, commenced a three-day warning strike to press home their demands. Their demands, among others, include the payment of arrears of 2013 promotion, uniform allowance to the nurses, payment of all outstanding check off dues to the unions among others. Speaking with newsmen at the FMC, Umuahia, leader of the union, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya, who is also the state chairman, Medical and Health Workers Association, said the union embarked on the strike to press home the demands of the union members after the expiration of the 14 days ultimatum and another seven days given by the union to the management in line with conflict resolution arrangement. According to him” based on management’s failure to avail their promise to pay up as agreed, we wish to declare that by 12 midnight today, all JOHESU members had to embark on three days warning strike and after which, if the management did not respond to address the issues, we shall not have any other measures than to commence indefinite strike, he stated. When contacted, the Chief Medical Director of the Centre, Dr Chuku Abali, acknowledged the non payment of promotion arrears to members of staff promoted in 2013.

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kennedy Opara (left), presenting a plaque to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammed Musa Bello, during a courtesy visit to the minister, in Abuja, on Monday.

Senate probes N5.4 trillion debt owed AMCON Taiwo Adisa—Abuja The Senate Committee on Banking,Insurance and other Financial Institutions headed by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim has commenced a probe into the N 5.4 trillion owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) by some firms. The huge debts, which is said to more than triple the N800 billion debt limit guaranteed to AMCON by the establishment Act, was

said to be the subject if discussions between its management and the Senate committee, on Monday. Though the meeting was held behind closed doors, sources in the senate said that the senators were worried that the AMCON was unable to retrieve the debts while the Federal Government is being forced to borrow to fund the 2016 budget. Managing Director of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru ,who spoke with jour-

nalists shortly after the meeting with Senators, said that the lawmakers were in support of its determination to recover the huge debts. He said : ‘‘We have seen that most of the debtors in AMCON are big men that fly in private jets, live in big mansions and they have taken money and they are not paying back. The Senate is really disturbed and they are ready to do anything under the law to ensure

FG to launch N/East recovery, peace programme Leon Usigbe - Abuja ALL is now set for the launching of a Recovery and Peace Building Assessment (RPBA) by the Federal Government in furtherance of its determination to rebuild and rehabilitate the North-East. According to a statement which emanated from the office of the Vice President, Yemi Osibajo, in Abuja, on Monday, the effort would be undertaken in collaboration with the World

Bank, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). It is an initiative that will be conducted within the framework of the Joint EU-UN-World Bank Declaration on international crisis recovery cooperation with the North-East states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba and Bauchi. The RPBA will essentially build upon existing initiatives and body of work on the North East

produced at the Federal and state levels, including the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) and the North East States Transformation Strategy (NESTS). These assessment efforts will provide a credible framework for coordinated and coherent support from humanitarian and development partners to complement series of Federal Government efforts towards restoring normalcy to these affected states.

that the N5.4trillion that is outstanding obligation of AMCON is repaid. “The Committee, the passion they have shown to us, is unprecedented. Because we show to them in its raw form the challenge that we are having, particularly now that the economy is not doing very well. And where you have less than 5 percent, less than 300 people, accounting for more than 80 percent of the outstanding obligation of AMCON. That is very disturbing,” he stressed “It is not criminal to borrow money it is only inappropriate not to come and pay those funds because these funds ultimately if we don’t pay them, somehow they carry government guarantee. So, the current body language of the government and from what I have seen from the Senate, there is a harmony and consensus as to the fact that these funds must be paid back.” In October last year, the House of Representatives commenced a similar investigation into operations of AMCON.

Police arrest minister’s attempted kidnappers JohnsonBabajide-Makurdi AN attempt to kidnap former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, at the weekend, was foiled by vigilance group at his country home in Ugbokolo in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State. The suspects were said to have been arrested and detained at the state headquarters of Police command in Makurdi. The Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that four young men stormed his residence at the wee hour of Friday, where they laid ambush before the vigilance group intercepted them. According to sources, the suspected kidnappers were said to have driven to the place in a white Toyota Camry with a golden lining, parked at the gate of Comrade Abba Moro’s house. It was gathered that as soon as the suspects were accosted by the vigilante, the young men were said to have claimed that their car was exhausted, ‘but the suspects persistently asked if Comrade Abba Moro was in the house’. Luck however ran out of the suspects when they ran into a road block mounted by policemen, it was further gathered that upon thorough search; guns, dangerous weapons and hoods were discovered in the car.

Afe Babalola presides over Delta education summit Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba Erudite lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and educationist, Chief Afe Babalola, will preside over the Delta State Education Summit, fashioned out to facilitate the emergence of a system anchored on teaching excellence and innovation. The Summit, which is expected to hold on January 27, is also to develop strategies for adequate funding of public school system. Chairman, planning committee of the summit and consultant on education to the state, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, at a press conference in Asaba, said revival of school sports as well as galvanising community and private sector involvement in the education of the child among others, would take the centre stage as critical stakeholders proffer solutions to numerous challenges in the educational sector.

news

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Lassa fever: 400 persons under surveillance in Rivers —Health Commissioner Dapo Falade And Iniobong Ekponta

ivers State government has disclosed that over 400 persons suspected to have contacted the dreaded Lassa fever are being followed across the state. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, made the disclosure while answering questions from newsmen at BMSH, Port Harcourt, on Monday. He also disclosed that his ministry, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Environment, had declared a war on rats in the state, with the intent to kill the Lassa fever-carrying rodents. The latest figure is an increase of 150 over the previous 250 persons since the outbreak of the disease which had claimed three lives since, including that of a medical doctor in the state-owned Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH). According to him, 400 persons were being “followed” in the wake of the death of the medical doctor, at BMSH, after contacting the dreaded disease. “We have over 400 persons that are being followed, following the death of the doctor. And, a lot of activities have been heightened to reach out to our people,” he said. The health commissioner, however, disclosed that there had not been any reported case of new contact, suspect or any confirmed case of Lassa fever since after the earlier confirmations. He also said the three persons, who were earlier quarantined in one of the surveillance centres, had been moved after testing negative to the lassa fever virus. Also in a related development, the Akwa Ibom State government has confirmed the arrival of rats-induced Lassa fever in the state, disclosing that no fewer than three persons have caught the syndrome with one deatgh recorded so far. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, raised the anxiety of the residents on Monday,, warning that the development has become a serious health emergency that deserves careful precautionary measures. According to him, out of the three reported cases, one of the victims, a woman, 53, succumbed to

the ailment before medics could effectively diagnose the problem, and therefore alerted the public to main-

•Disease claims one in A’Ibom

tain high level of personal hygiene. Determined to fight the emergency to a standstill,

Ukpong, enjoined the people to scare the rodents away from their immediate homes and surroundings

Abandoned children

by cleaning the environment, frequent hand washing, as well as consistent environmental sanitation.

Aanu whose photograph appears below, was rescued from her biological mother of unsound mind on November 5, 2014, in Osogbo.

From left, Managing Director of Elephant Group, Mr Tunji Owoeye; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe and the chairman of Coscharis Group, Mr Cosmas Maduka, during a rice stakeholders’ meeting with the minister, in Abuja, on Monday.

Benue re-run: No alternative to Senator Mark –Abba Moro •Mark is choice candidate —Youth Vanguard Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

Immediate past Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro has said there is no alternative to former Senate president, Senator David Mark, in the forthcoming rerun of the Benue South senatorial district. Moro, who spoke to newsmen in Otukpo, on Monday, said the Idoma people are more comfortable under Mark’s leadership in the Senate in the last 16 years, adding that ‘as a result of the good leadership of Mark, the Idoma people have resolved that it is better to revalidate the election of Mark in the re-run , only them can decide who their senator would be.’ He maintained that the people of the zone were ready with their PVCs to vote in Senator David Mark again, whom according to him, had given the zone a very good representation in

the last 16 years. Moro, however, warned that, “externalising political competition the way the rerun election is being carried out by the All Progressives Party (APC) was a direct invitation to political tension and violence the responsibility of which the APC in Benue State and its government must take.” Meanwhile, the Idoma Youth Vanguard an umbrella body of young people in the nine local government areas of Benue South senatorial zone of Benue State, at the weekend, called on all those working against the interest of Idoma nation ahead of the forthcoming rerun between the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to perish the idea. The body in a statement signed by its President, Mike Ocheibi, said the self-determination of the Idoma people cannot be sacrificed on the al-

tar of external forces, whose intention is to marginalise and subject the people to second class status in the political equation of Benue State. Ocheibi restated that it was by deliberate deci-

the 15 accused people and the two companies in the matter. Others accused in the suit are Chief C. S Sankey, Peter Harris, Adekunle Oladosun, Okechi Egwu, Lulu Ndubuka, Oyowole Ariyo. UKabiru Bello, and J.E Eriagbon; Samson Ebie, Steve Obodomechine, Mikky Dons Nigeria Limited, Mark Anaele, Ariyo Odunala, Peter Oriade, Olusola Fagbure and Obianwa Chuba. When the case was called, only the first accused was present in court.

Counsel for the prosecution, Mr Gordy Uche informed the court that he had not been able to effect service of the charge on the other accused persons, who he said, was responsible for their absence in court. Uche, therefore, urged the court for a short adjournment to enable prosecution to serve the other accused with the charge. Upon the submission of counsel, Justice Buba adjourned the matter to February 9.

Ogun assembly approves state request for new logo Gbemi Solaja - Lagos

Ogun State Assembly has granted approval to the state government’s request to change the state logo in commemoration of the state 40th anniversary. The new logo with a crest which symbolises agriculture, knowledge, enterprise and dignity, are the attributes of the people of the state. According to Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s letter to the assembly on January 4, 2016, “our beloved state will be 40 years on February 3, 2016; as part of the activities marking the occasion, the state gov-

Distressed bank, 15 others charged to court for N2.6bn fraud Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanyin — Lagos

A bank, Nigeria International Bank Limited and 15 others, on Monday, were charged before Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, for fraud and falsification of document, fraudulent alteration and diversion of over N2. 6 billion belonging to MicMerah International Agency Limited. The arraignment could not go on due to the absence of

sion that the Idoma people elected Senator Mark as the torchbearer because of his track record of achievements and unwavering commitment to the development of Idoma nation.

ernment is desirous of unveiling a new logo for the state to commemorate the anniversary. “I therefore, forward herewith the logo to the Honourable House for the required legislative concurrence to unveil it.” According to the release signed by the Head of Information of Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Jamiu Lawal, the approval was granted through a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Adeyinka Mafe, seconded by Honourable Yetunde Sogbein and supported by all members. In a related development, the Ogun State government said it has declared zerotolerance for improper waste disposal across the state, in order to maintain clean and hygienic environment at all times. The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, who stated this while chatting with newsmen in Abeokuta, said people who have not desisted from dumping refuse on road median and drainages, despite government’s recent campaign against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the roads, would face the consequences of their actions

Bose whose photograph appears below, was rescued from her biological mother of unsound mind on November 5, 2014, in Osogbo.

Joleyemi Christiana F. whose photograph appears below, was rescued from her biological mother of unsound mind, behind former Boorepo Chemist, Fagbewesa Street, Osogbo, on November 22, 2015. An appeal is hereby made to members of the public, who may have useful information about fathers or relatives of the children, to contact the Director of Social Welfare Services, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Abere, Osogbo, Osun State.

news

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

NDDC hands over N130m staff quarters to police in Rivers DapoFalade-PortHarcourt

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has handed over to the Rivers State Police Command, a new residential quarters which value was put at N130 million. Speaking at the inauguration of the project, built by the commission, in Port Harcourt, on Monday, the NDDC acting Managing Director, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said such a project was vital in the face of the security challenges in the Niger Delta region.

NDDC is also building barracks, containing an administrative building and six blocks of residential quarters. for the Nigerian Police Special Protection Unit, Base 6, at Omagwa in the outskirts of the state capital. Semenitari, in a statement issued by Head, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Mr Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, said the commission had commenced speedy completion and inauguration of projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of the region. She said the N130 million police staff quarters was

essential and necessary “in the face of recent security and economic challenges and incidents in the Niger Delta. “I believe it is incumbent on us to continue to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that these challenges are resolved and our people begin to move away from destructive to constructive engagement.” The NDDC acting chief executive said the project was part of a broad-based partnership with the Nigeria Police to add value to their effort at improving regional security.

According to her, as an interventionist agency, NDDC had a responsibility to make sure that those taking care of the safety were provided with befitting and comfortable accommodation. She said the commissioning was “a worthy testimony of the commission’s new commitment to the speedy and credible completion of projects.” Commending the contractors who handled the project, she said, “We do have examples of contractors who do their work diligently. This is one of them.”

Responding, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo, commended interventionist agency for its support for the police in the region. “I thank the NDDC, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police and I promise that the residential quarters will be well utilised for the benefit of the senior police officers,” he said.

APC can suspend me if... — Kaduna deputy gov

MuhammadSabiu-Kaduna

From left, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo; acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (Nddc), Mrs Ibim Semenitari and the state Director of Nddc, Mrs Akwagaga Enyia, during the inauguration of residential quarters built by Nddc for the police personnel, in Port Harcourt, on Monday. PHOTO: Nan

AU, FG partner to subdue impact of climate change Adetola Bademosi - Abuja

In an effort to subdue the effects of climate change in Nigeria, the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council, (AU ECOSOCC), with the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment, have disclosed plans to partner on the Green Heritage Guards of Nigeria (GHGN) initiative. The initiative is aimed at empowering youths as Nigeria ecological heritage preservation and development ambassadors. The duo, made the commitment when the Nigerian representative and chairperson, Health and Social Affairs cluster committee of the AU ECOSOCC Nigeria chapter, Dr Tunji Asaolu, led a delegation on a visit to the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, in Abuja, on Monday. Dr Asaolu, said the initiative was meant to saddle young men and women with the responsibility of protecting Nigeria’s ecological heritage through sensitisation from a civil

society perspective. He said with the effect of climate change on African countries, there is the need to bring together, youths, who will protect the country’s ecological heritage through training and sensitisation. “So, it becomes collective. It is part of our duty to the entire world to make sure that the green heritage of our communities is main-

tained and that is the kind of orientation that the guards will spread,” he said. In her response, the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, expressed the ministry’s readiness to join in the campaign that will ensure that ecological heritage of the country is preserved. She assured that the ministry will ensure that

the campaign goes beyond a day tree planting within FCT, state and local government’s capitals alone but that every Nigerians must be aware of the need to protect the country’s green heritage. She said both will share ideas on how to go about it because going green campaign is part of the ministry’s mandate.

Owners of undeveloped plots in Abuja may forfeit same to govt Christian Okeke - Abuja THE Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammadu Bello, on Monday, threatened that all beneficiaries of undeveloped lands within Phase 1 and 2, in Abuja, stand the risk of forfeiting the lands to government for re-allocation to persons he described as more able and willing developers. He vowed to ensure effective enforcement of all revenue generation options in areas where infra-

structure had already been provided with a view to raise sustainable funding with which to run the territory. Bello, while speaking with journalists on his visions, said his administration will not allow re-emergence of slums and squatter settlements in the city or the conversion of public lands to private use. According to him, there would be a review of outstanding issues of resettlement and compensation scheme affecting original inhabitants of the territory to

ensure that legitimate claims are equitably resolved. The minister stated that his administration would reform infrastructure maintenance system through the mechanism of infrastructure maintenance teams in all districts to undertake prompt repairs and management on a sustainable basis. According to him, his administration did not intend to embark on huge new projects that do not have any meaningful multiplier effect.

Kaduna State deputy governor, Barnabas Bantex, has declared that the state chapter of the All Congress Progressives (APC), can suspend him if found to be engaged in anti-party’s activities and disloyalty to the party. Bantex, however, said Governor Nasir El-rufai -led government is too busy implementing APC’s manifestoes and ensuring campaign promises to the electorate. Bantex, who spoke with journalists at the end of state APC executive council meeting and elected officials’ meeting, in Kaduna, urged party members to be disciplined and loyal to APC, at all levels, adding that the party is bigger than any member. Bantex, the immediate past state APC chairman, said the current administration would not be distracted, stressing that Governor el-rufai, had embarked on checklist of projects across the state for the people. “We are here today to work towards the party’s unity in the state. We are united and we will continue to be. We are calling on APC members to steer clear of things that will affect the party,” he said. “Our governor and all of us are too busy implementing APC programmes to the people of Kaduna State and we don’t have time. Free feeding programme is ongoing in public primary schools across the state, among numerous programmes. “We intend to massively deal with unemployment and other issues affecting our people.” When asked on APC’s recent suspension of a chieftain, he said: “APC is a disciplined party and if any member goes against the party’s constitution, that person will be disciplined.

Nigerian Tribune

Fayose, Fayemi, Olawumi, others bag Ekiti excellence award Adetola Bademosi - Abuja

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), BrigadierGeneral Johnson Olawumi, Editor of The Nation newspaper, Gbenga Omotosho and several others have been nominated for the forthcoming first Ekiti State Excellence Award 2016. The award ceremony, which was organised by the Ekiti State Young Professional Forum (Abuja), was aimed at rewarding excellence, accountability and people who are outstanding in their chosen careers. In a statement issued by the president of the forum, Desmond Agboola, in Abuja, on Monday, it stated that the vision of the organisation is to engender leadership and award distinguished Ekiti State indigenes.

Court jails Malaysia-based undergraduate over N25m internet scam

Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced an undergraduate of Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University, Malaysia: Hope Olusegun Aroke, to 24 years imprisonment for his involvement in an internet scam that fetched him 4000 riaait (N25,000,000). Aroke, 25, was arraigned before Justice Okunnu, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence; cheque cloning, wire transfer and forgery. The court found him guilty of the two charges and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on each of the two counts Troubles came for Aroke when an anonymous petitioner wrote to the EFCC alleging that the Kogi State-born undergraduate was involved in sundry fraudulent activities on the internet. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swung into action and investigated the internet dealings of Aroke. Investigations showed that he was involved in several romance scam that fetched him a total sum of 4,000 riaait (Malaysian currency).

news

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Oyo speaker stresses prudence, inaugurates 24 standing committees By Wale Akinselure

peaker, Oyo House of Assembly, Mr Micheal Adeyemo, on Monday, inaugurated 24 standing committees of the House with a charge that the committees should emphasise prudent management of resources in their scrutiny of the budget of various ministries departments and agencies. He specifically urged the Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation headed by Honourable Bolanle Agbaje to monitor the activities of the Oyo State Board of internally Generated Revenue towards ensuring that the IGR target of N76.6 billion set by the government in 2016 budget proposal was met. Speaking, Adeyemo enjoined them to carry out their oversight functions in line with relevant statutes of the 1999 constitution, while enjoining them to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in their execution of projects. He further noted the need for the committees to examine laws that had become obsolete and initiate requisite amendment.

“There is the need for budget discipline and setting the right priorities to meet the crucial needs of the citizenry. The era of spending government funds on frivolous and grandeur projects that have little or no direct bearing on the needs of the people should be considered gone.” “I want to charge the Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Ap-

propriation to dutifully monitor the activities of the Board of Internally Generated Revenue to ensure that it realises the target set by the government in the 2016 Appropriation budget proposal. Assuring of logistics support for the committees, Permanent Secretary, Oyo House of Assembly, Mr Paul Ishola Bankole reminded the chairmen of committees

that fuelling of Committee Bus, among other sundry expenses like servicing of meeting, dispatching of letters are to be funded with the monthly running grant being paid to members. Reeling out the Heads of the committees only, Adeyemo announced that the Committee on Public Petition and Human Rights will be headed by Honourable Olagunju Muideen while Honourable

Olukayode Akande oversees Judiciary and Justice. Others are Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation headed by Honourable Bolanle Agbaje; Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Bolaji Badmos; Inter parliamentary Relations and Legislative Compliance, Honourable Oguntade Samson; Solid Minerals, Honourable Jimoh Akintunde.

The remains of the Deputy Political Editor of Thisday, Prince Ademola Adeyemo, during a Fidau session held in his honour, at Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

NSCDC arrests 2 suspects with decomposing beheaded corpse Oluwole Ige - Osogbo Authorities of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Osun State, have arrested two suspected criminals with a decomposing corpse of a beheaded person. The two suspects were apprehended during a raid of a den of armed robbers and kidnappers situated at Apomu junction, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state. According to a press statement signed by NSCDC head of public relations and protocol in Osun, Mr Wale Folarin, the suspects, Alaba Folawiyo and Mu-

tiu Lawal, who dressed like lunatics were arrested, while the decomposing corpse of a beheaded unidentified person, was found in a building during the raid. Folawiyo, who led armed officers of NSCDC to the said building, was also caught with a Black Berry phone hidden inside a drug

pack, while items such as knife and perfume cans, were found in Lawal’s possession. Also various items belonging to their victims such as clothes, school bags, shoes, wristwatches, Automated Teller Machine Cards (ATM), electrical materials, roofing sheets, cooking utensils among others, were found at the

scene. Folarin said information indicated that the suspects have been in the area for a long time pretending to be mad men while carrying out their nefarious activities with others who are now at large. Meanwhile, five suspects who were riding in a truck which killed an uniden-

I have not defected to APC — Kogi Assembly chief whip YinkaOladoyinbo-Lokoja The Chief Whip of Kogi State House of Assembly, Honourable Friday Sani, on Monday, denied the allegation that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress

(APC), from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sani, who was elected under the platform of PDP, said he remained a member of PDP . Speaking with journalists in Lokoja, on Monday,

the lawmaker said being sighted at a dinner organised for Kogi State governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over the weekend, in Abuja, does not amount to dumping PDP. The lawmaker repres-

Gunmen abduct engineer, injure cleric in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa Less than a month after the conduct of governorship election in Bayelsa State, the peace in Igbedi community in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of the state was disrupted, as suspected gunmen invaded the community and abducted an engineer and inflicted bullet wounds on a cleric. The abducted engineer, is Mr Duncan Eke, while the cleric, was identified as Reverend Ezekiel Obata. The gunmen, it was

tified middle-aged man along Ife-Ibadan Road, were arrested by the corps while the driver of the truck is still at large. The said suspects have been handed over to the state command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the spirit of synergy among security agencies in the state.

learnt, were still at large, just as there are no information as to the whereabouts of the engineer but the cleric, who sustained bullets wounds is responding to treatment at a clinic in Polaku, a neighbouring community in the area. A source in the community told the Nigerian Tribune, that the suspected gunmen had been on trail of the engineer for some weeks before they finally succeeded in whisking him away to an unknown destination. Another source averred

that the cleric was affected by stray bullets shot to scare people away and forestall any resistance in their bid to kidnap their target. He said further that the gunshot in the area to frustrate any resistance lasted 10 minutes and as such, neighbours remained indoor. Relation of the abducted engineer had already contacted the police to commence investigation on the possible means to secure the freedom of their brother, though, as at the press time, contact has not been established and ransom has not

been demanded. The Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed the abduction of Engineer Duncan Eke and cleric, who suffered bullet wounds The statement reads: On January 24, 2016, at about 1240hrs, unknown gunmen abducted one Engineer Dunkan Eke, at Igbedi community, in Kolokuma/Opokuma council area. The abductors also shot and injured one Reverend Ezekiel Obata. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Asinim Butswat, said that efforts have been intensified to rescue the victim

enting Igalamela/Odolu constituency, said he remains a bonafide member of PDP, adding that he decided to participate in the dinner because of his belief in empowerment of the youth in the state. He said the governor-elect, is a young man, who needs the support of youths in the state, saying that his support for him does not mean that he has defected to APC. He denied having plans to disrupt the inauguration of the governor-elect, adding that nobody can re-convene the house without the speaker, Alhaji Momoh Jimoh-Lawal and said such attempt will be resisted. “Members of the House are united in their effort to protect the democratic governance in the state,” he stated.

Nigerian Tribune

Ademola Adeyemo, Thisday political deputy editor, laid to rest MR Ademola Adeyemo, the deputy political editor of Thisday newspaper is dead. He died on Sunday evening in his Olodo residence, Ibadan, Oyo State. He was aged 58. Adeyemo, popularly addressed as ‘Prince’ by his colleagues, was an indigene of Ibadan and an Oyo State correspondent of the Guardian newspaper before he joined This day newspaper as the Oyo State correspondent. He was later transferred to the head office in Lagos, having been promoted to the position of a deputy political editor, which he held till his demise. According to his widow, Mujidat Adeyemo, he died of heart attack after complaining of stress occasioned by a journey he undertook to Iroko, on Sunday. He was said to have driven to Iroko near Fiditi, a suburb of Oyo town, where he had gone to assist the wife of his deceased younger brother. Upon arrival around 5.00 p.m, the wife said Adeyemo complained of stress from the journey and that he needed to rest, adding that before he could be moved to a hospital, he gave up the ghost. He was survived by his wife, aged mother and five children: His remains were interred on Monday morning at his residence, Olodo, Ibadan, according to Islamic rites.

Group flays APC over military panel on Ekiti poll A socio-cultural group, the Unity Forum, has berated the All Progressives Congress (APC), over attempts to truncate the people’s will expressed in the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State through a military panel to probe the exercise. The group, which spoke in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday, through the organising secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulrasak and the publicity secretary, Mr Eniola Oluwagbemiga, condemned APC for showing anti-democratic tendencies by not accepting defeat in a fair and transparent electoral contest. “Despite that there is no provision for military court martial or panel in the country’s electoral process, this seemingly attempt is not only outrightly outrageous and provocative, but also condemnable.”

communitynews

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Aboru plank sellers protest planned demolition of shops Akin Adewakun-Lagos

lank sellers in Aboru, in Agbado/Oke Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos, recently staged a peaceful protest against the planned demolition of their shops by an unnamed estate developer. Some of the plank sellers, who spoke with Community News on the issue, expressed shock that some individuals in the community could give the developer the go-ahead to demolish the shops, which they had paid huge amount of money as rent on. One of the plank sellers, Aminat told Community News, that some of the shops were bought outright by the occupants, while others were being paid for on an annual basis. “The documents to support this are there. That somebody could come up with the idea of demolishing these structures under the pretext of building a more modern market in the area, after they had been paid for, is evil. “The question now is what happens to the existing arrangement? Would those funds earlier paid be refunded? Besides, why did they collect money as rent from us, when they knew they were planning an ultra-modern store in

the area?, she asked. we rotate the monitoring that sees strange move- have closed for business, we are not caught unAnother trader in the awares. We’ve divided of the place. The essence of ments around that place, will raise alarm,” Alhaji Saarea, Alhaji Salau, believes ourselves into groups and doing this is that anybody especially when we must lau explained. the idea was not well-conceived. “The area is not a place where a permanent building can be erected. We have NNPC line running through this place, and there was even a time the buildings in the area were marked for demolition by government, while some were actually demolished. “So why would anyone now come up with this claim of building a modern shopping centre here at our expense. This is totally unacceptable,” Alhaji Salau said. As part of their measures to ensure that they are not caught unawares, members of the plank sellers association have been divided into groups for effective surveillance, especially at night when the people must have shut down for business. “What we are doing now From left: Ekiti State deputy governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola; the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu; his wife, Olori Funmilola; Retired Anglican is to ensure that we keep Bishop of Akure Diocese, Right Revernd Michael Ipinmoye; Ikere Local Government Area chairman, Ola Alonge and Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, vigil on the place so that Most Reverend Felix Ajakaye, during the inauguration of the new palace in Ikere Ekiti. PHOTO: SAM NWAOKO

Epe Club offers scholarship to 77 indigent students Bola Badmus-Lagos

Seventy-seven students from different schools have been offered scholarship by a social club, Epe Club, with beneficiaries receiving a cheque

of N25,000 each. President of the club, Chief Lanre Rasaq, who disclosed this at a ceremony attended by the Lagos State deputy governor, Dr Aderanti Adebule, said the club embarked on the ini-

tiative in order to encourage some of the students who have problem in financing their education. Rasaq, who spoke at the club house, Epe, said the club had been giving

Lassa fever: Health official urges Ogun residents to take preventive measures A health official, Mr Saburi Ogunsolu, at the weekend, warned residents of Ogun State to adhere strictly to measures that will prevent the outbreak of Lassa fever, a deadly disease caused by rats. Ogunsolu, the Deputy Director, Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Department, Ijebu East Local Government Area, gave the warning while addressing staff and students of Federal Science and Technical College, Ijebu-Mushin. He was speaking during a sensitisation campaign on Lassa fever. Ogunsolu advised the people to avoid getting into contact with rats, endeavour to keep food items in covered containers, keep their environment clean and maintain personal hygiene. He reminded the people that Ogun State is one of the few states that has no known case of Lassa fever. “One case of Lassa fever in any territory is an outbreak that is why we are making every effort to prevent the disease from rear-

ing its head,” he said. Ogunsolu, who described the disease as severe, also urged the people to avoid contact with vomit, blood and body fluids of the sick while caring for them. “Biscuits, confectioneries or fruits bitten by rats should be avoided and our surroundings should not be littered with food remnants and unwanted items,” the health officer said. He also gave the signs

and symptoms of Lassa fever as high fever, general weakness, diarrhoea, cough, abdominal pain, red spots and bleeding from the nose, mouth, and ears. He called on the people to go for early treatment once they feel the disease had been contracted, noting that it is fatal not to do so. “Anybody who has symptoms such as fever, sore throat, diarrhoea and pink

eye, among others, should get screened immediately, for confirmation and treatment,” he said. According to him, treatment is free for those exposed to the virus in the state and other parts of the country. Ogunsolu, however, said that some people had immunity and may not come down with the disease, adding that researches were on to provide a vaccine for it.

bursary to students in the last 25 years, adding that another reason the club embarked on the initiative was because it was observed that Epe division was an educationally disadvantaged area. “We are not yet at the right position when it comes to education in Epe. We have therefore decided to give scholarship to encourage indigent students; we urge beneficiaries to spend what is given to them to pursue their education,” he said. Chief Rasaq observed that the intervention of the club had led to an increase in the number of students going to school, urging other clubs to emulate what Epe club was doing by giving value to education. Also speaking, the Lagos State deputy governor charged social clubs and organisations to be committed to making the soci-

ety better, by impacting on the lives of youths . The deputy governor, who was represented at the event by a director in the state Ministry of Education, Mr Yinka Olaniyi, however, noted that most social clubs were committed to social activities instead of taking steps to impact on the lives of youths and contribute their quota to making the society better. While commending Epe Club for the initiative, the deputy governor charged beneficiaries of the scholarship to justify the money expended on them by concentrating on their studies to enable them graduate with good grades. Responding, one of the beneficiaries, Omole Oluwaseun, thanked the club for the gesture, saying that the money given to him would reduce the burden of his parents.

Ndokwa community rejoices as dep speaker supervises projects Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

There was jubilation across Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State last week when the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Friday Osanebi, supervised the construction of ongoing projects he attracted to the area. The projects, distributed across the wards in the local government area, are blocks of six classrooms, with toilet facilities in each of the classes and other modern classroom furni-

ture. Speaking with Community News, the lawmaker said that the purpose of any genuine representation is for the positive transformation of the people, noting that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa should be applauded for his commitment to the transformation of Ndokwa land and Delta State in general. After inspecting the construction work in Umuobi primary school, in Umuobi, Ossisa ward one, where the deputy Speaker was first received by the highly

elated constituents, the lawmaker commended the community for their support and for creating a conducive atmosphere for the site engineers. Other places visited were Iselegu Primary School and Ibrede Primary School. Addressing the leadership of the community, Osanebi said: “We may give scholarship and pay bursary to our students, but when the learning environment is not fit and conducive, the students may still perform poorly. These classrooms are be-

ing constructed today to give our pupils and teachers the experience of schooling abroad. We are grateful to God and we salute our governor for his good plans for our people and Delta State in general.” Speaking further, the Deputy Speaker revealed that the projects would be commissioned and delivered on the 1st of March, 2016. Hear him: “ with our calculations and by the grace of God, the classrooms will be commissioned and handed over to the schools, on 1st of March this year.

Although construction work began about two weeks ago, we are closely monitoring and supervising the projects to ensure that the jobs are delivered with specification and on time”. Thanking the deputy Speaker, the President General of Ibrede Community, Mr Onomerike Afoke, said the community was happy and had confidence in the representation of Osanebi, adding that the school project was the first of its kind.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com From left, Republican presidential candidate Senator Marco Rubio speaks at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on Saturday, Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, poses for a selfie with a supporter in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday. PHOTOS: AP.

US presidential race enters final week before Iowa caucus

or months, the candidates who want to be the next United States president have been campaigning and debating as they try to convince voters that no one is better suited for the job. A week from Monday, voters in Iowa will finally get the first chance to give a tangible result to the race. According to VOA, the February 1 Iowa caucuses kick off a process in which each state will vote, leading to the Democratic and Republican parties naming their candidate at conventions in July. The latest polls indicate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is just about tied with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in Iowa. Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley is far behind. On the Republican side, billionaire Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz

are far ahead of the rest of the field of 12. Polls from the last week give Trump the edge.

There have been concerns among Republicans that if Trump is not chosen as the party’s nominee, he might

run an independent campaign and take a chunk of Republican voters with him. Independent run

Oscar-nominated actor and environmentalist Matt Damon has called on Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to resign, following revelations that his administration sought for months to minimise the water contamination crisis in the city of Flint. Damon, a co-founder of a global non-profit water rights organisation, told the Daily Beast that “at the very least he should resign.” He went on to say that “everyone is entitled to a fair trial in the United States... (and) that man should get one, and soon.” criticisms, Damon’s

Trump, Clinton attend church in Iowa Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton went to church Sunday morning in Iowa. Trump sat in the fifth row at the First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine, Iowa, attending the hour-long service along with his campaign manager and spokeswoman before heading to Muscatine High School for a campaign event. At one point, The Associated Press reported, Trump shared a prayer book with a woman seated to his right. The woman put her hand around Trump’s waist as the congregation sang “God is Here!” Trump later told reporters that the woman beside him was a supporter whose son was killed after returning

Donald Trump (left) and Hillary Clinton

from a tour of duty in the Middle East. The pastor urged the congregation to embrace Syrian refugees and Mexican migrants, and another speaker urged humility, The Washington Post reported. “I also want you to think about how this keeps your

otherNEWS

significance from getting blow up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are part of,” the woman speaker said. Trump highlighted that message during his campaign stop at the high school

UNICEF screens Malawi children for malnutrition In Malawi, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund or UNICEF is carrying out a mass screening exercise for malnutrition in children under 5 years of age, in 25 of the country’s 28 districts. The exercise is in response to a recent vulnerability assessment report, which reMalawi’s President Peter Mutharika vealed that 2.8 million peo-

ple in Malawi are facing food shortages, VOA said. Early one morning, the Chamba screening center in Malawi’s old capital, Zomba, is jam-packed with mothers who want their babies screened for malnutrition. Eliza Kadeya’s 3-year-old child was diagnosed as malnourished.

The resident of Chiwanganya village told VOA she was not surprised. “We don’t have food and it is becoming difficult even to find piecework to earn money for buying some food. And, for example, most of the babies you hear crying here is because of hunger,” Kadeya said.

Suicide bombers kill 25 in Cameroon Multiple suicide bombers attacked a town in far northern Cameroon on Monday, killing at least 25 people and wounding others. Local officials said up to four bombers blew themselves up in the town of Bodo on the Nigeria-Cameroon border. The town is

Calls mount for Michigan governor to resign over water crisis

in an area frequently targeted by Boko Haram militants. The Reuters news agency cites an official as saying two bombers hit the town’s central market, while others blew themselves up at the town’s main entrance and exit points. There was no immediate

claim of responsibility, but suspicion fell on Boko Haram. The group has carried out numerous deadly attacks in northern Cameroon since 2013, when the government began cracking down on militants using the region as a base to launch attacks in Nigeria.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya

afterward. “Just got back from church and it was good, it was really good,” he said. “I learned something. We talked about humility at church today, I don’t know if that was aimed at me, perhaps. Now I don’t think the church knew I was coming so maybe it was just by luck that we talked about humility.” Trump told reporters after the services that he has “more humility than people think.” He also said that church attendees did not know that he was planning to attend services there.

echoing those of Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, came just days after newly released emails from the governor’s office showed state officials belittling contaminated drinking water claims from Flint residents. Snyder has issued a public apology to the city, and last week said he had replaced some state officials. He also rejected earlier calls to resign, insisting that he will instead work to restore Flint’s critically damaged water system and boost public confidence in state government. Flint’s crisis began in 2014, when the cash strapped city sought to save money by drawing water from a local river rather than nearby Detroit’s water system.

Rick Snyder

UN seeks over $500 million to help Nigerian, CAR refugees The United Nations refugee agency and its partners are appealing for more than half a billion dollars to provide life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflicts in Nigeria and the Central African Republic. The funding would also assist the communities hosting the refugees. While all eyes are trained on Syria’s refugee crisis, the world has seemingly forgotten the conflicts playing out in Nigeria and Central African Republic, two of Africa’s biggest humanitarian crises, VOA said. The United Nations reports nearly a quarter-million Nigerians have fled to neighboring countries to escape the brutal and murderous attacks of Boko Haram militants. And, it says ongoing instability and violence in the CAR has forced almost a half-

million people to flee across borders. The new U.N. appeal aims to help these refugees as well as the communities sheltering them in Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo. Refugee agency spokesman Adrian Edwards said the appeal will provide protection for the refugees as well as basic life-saving needs.

Ban Ki-moon

45 news

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Again ex-NIMASA DG, others remanded in prison Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos

USTICE Raliat Adebiyi, on Monday, remanded in Ikoyi prisons, a former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and six other staff of the agency. Akpobolokemi and other staff of NIMASA were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged stealing of N754,740,680.00 belonging to NIMASA. The new charge LD/2181C/15 filed before Justice Raliat Adebiyi bordered on allegations of stealing and forgery. Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited. The first to fifth defendants (Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche,

Juan, Udoye) were alleged to have, between October 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015, within the jurisdiction of the court, converted to their personal use

N346,844,680.00 property of NIMASA released to them for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit

Scheme (VIMSAS). They were also alleged to have, on or about May 28, 2015, with a dishonest intent converted to their own use the sum

of N257,000,000.00 released for the implementation of VIMSAS. The defendants were alleged to have, with intent to defraud, knowingly

From left, acting Deputy Controller of Customs (Revenue), Mrs Elizabeth Isofi; Controller, Oyo-Osun Area Command, Mr Tolutope Ogunkua, and the Deputy Controller (Administration), Mr Abdusallam Hassan, at a news conference on activities of the command in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Fire guts Abuja NNPC mega station THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station at the Central Business District in Abuja, has been gutted by fire. A member of staff at the mega station, who preferred anonymity, told the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, that the fire started around 10.00 p.m. on Sunday when a tanker was discharging fuel. The source said no casualty or injury was recorded, but noted that some sections of the filling station were affected by the inferno. The source added that the fact that it was week-

end and late in the evening, reduced the risk of casualties and significant damage. He said officers and men of the Federal Fire Service, Abuja, were on hand to fight the fire and helped in preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. Witnesses confirmed that the prompt response of the fire service helped the situation. Yarima sani, a witness, said, “I was driving close with the intention to fill up my tank when we were asked to use a different road, that there was fire at the station. “I parked and trekked and I saw the fire service

people were already there helping to quench the fire,” he said. He added that some security personnel helped in controlling traffic. Commenting on the situation, Collins Elechi, Public Relations Officer, Federal Fire Service Abuja, confirmed the incident.

PANDEMONIUM broke out in Unguwar Rimi area of Kaduna metropolis in the early hours of Monday, when a car which parked near Hamdala Hotel for several hours was thought to be carrying improvised explosives made shop owners to close their shops. Eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune that since Sunday, the car had been parked and nobody came to

pick it. “This morning (Monday), we became suspicious when the went to open our shops and the vehicle was still there. “So we had to advise shop owners in the area not to open until we contacted the police. “Passers-by and motorists plying the road were also advised to take other routes,” he stressed. It was gathered that everybody decided to leave

day at the mega station. “The quick intervention limited the loss to vehicles alone. It could have been more devastating if it had happened in the day time,” he said. He called on filling stations to be cautious while discharging petroleum products.

FG to reimburse states’ expenditure on roads Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja MINISTER of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Monday, promised that the Federal Government would

Bomb scare in Kaduna Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

He said the fire started around 9.28 p.m. while a tanker was discharging petrol. Mr Elechi said the service received a distress call and quickly deployed its men to the scene. “Our fire fighters responded immediately to the fire outbreak on Sun-

the scene and stand at a distance to see whether the car would explode. Findings gathered the anti-bomb squad later came to the scene to inspect the vehicle and later conveyed it to the police command. When contacted, the police image maker, Zubairu Abubakar, confirmed the incident, but was quick to add that normalcy had returned to the area. ‘Kaduna, as I am talking to you, is safe. We thank God,” he said.

reimburse states that carried out construction works on federal roads across the country. He, however, said such reimbursement would be done after a thorough inspection of such projects by the Federal Government. Fashola, who stated this in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, during the inspection of Lokoja-Abuja Road, said the inspection was to ensure that the roads were constructed to specification and up to standard. The minister also said he was in the state to assess the power plant in Geregu, said his team would also inspect all the federal roads constructed by the Kogi State government for which claims were being made. He said: “We will also be looking at the state roads

that were done by the Wada-led administration, for which they are making claims, so we should be able to assess them whether they have been done to specifications that will qualify them for reimburse them. Speaking on the road construction on AbujaAbaji-Lokoja Highway, the minister said work was in progress, saying: “We started with the Abuja-AbajiLokoja Highway and some progress had been made; work needs to be completed and same story for all sections is lack of funding and that is understandable, because the 2015 budget made very little provisions for roads. “So, with the 2016 budget, hopefully if passed, we will be able to address some of these problems.”

forged a document entitled: “Re: Request For Payment as consultant for VIMSAS Administration Services,” dated May 25, 2015, purported to have been issued by Aroward Consulting limited. The offences were said to be contrary to section 409. They were also alleged to have forged a document entitled : Re: Final Invoice for Consultancy services, with respect to the development of VIMSAS Implementation framework, Reviews and Updates” dated April, 28, 2015. Specially, Captain Olopoenia, Udoye, and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited were alleged to have, on February 2, 2015, with a dishonest intent, converted to their own use the sum of N16,000,000.00 property of NIMASA. When the charge was read to them, all the defendants pleaded not guilty. Addressing the court, Dr Joseph Nwobike, counsel for Akpobolokemi (first defendant) informed the court that his client was facing three other similar charges before the Federal High Court in Lagos and had been granted bail. He urged the court to uphold the existing bail conditions granted Akpobolokemi, adding that there were sufficient materials before the court to enable the court grant bail to the first defendant. Nwobike also drew the attention of the court to a ruling delivered by Justice Onigbanjo of an Ikeja High Court, where an accused person was granted bail based on existing condition of bail granted by another court. Counsel for the other defendants aligned with the submissions of Nwobike and urged the court to grant the defendants bail in liberal terms. Ruling on the bail applications, Justice Adebiyi refused the request to admit the accused persons to bail, based on existing conditions giving in the sister case at the Federal High Court in Lagos. She held that it would be practically impossible for her to compel the sureties to produce the defendants if they (defendants) absconded. The court, however, granted the fifth and sixth defendants bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum. The matter has been adjourned till February 24, 26, 29 and March 18, 21 respectively for trial.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

I’m back to lift Stoke —Osaze

Eagles defence is the problem —Warwick

By Olawale Olaniyan UEFA ‘A’ Professional licensed coach, Brunks Warwick has warned the Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh to work on his team defence when they face Syli Nationale of Guinea today. Speaking with Tribunesport, the Nigerian born coach said so far, the Eagles have proved their critics wrong in the competition. “So far, the team is okay but the defence needs to be worked on, there must be stability. I watched all the goals we scored against Niger Republic, but against Tunisia, our defence was distabilised which calls for the serious attention of the coach. “I have seen Zambia and other teams play in the competition, so if you want to be a champion, you need to stay strong and that is why I give kudos to our players. “At least we need a draw against Guinea if we must move to the next stage, but I’m very optimistc that we are going to carry the day. I believe our boys too are equally determined to win though, our opponents are very fast,” Warwick said.

IGERIAN international, Osaze Peter Odemwingie says he is happy to play again for Stoke City, having made his first Premier League appearance since October last year in his team’s 0-3 loss to Leicester City last weekend. Odemwingie has struggled with injury this season, while competition from the likes of Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic has also contributed to his little playing action. However, the former West Brom player says he is poised to lift the Potters this time. “I’m happy to be back involved. Players are not happy when they’re not playing, but I’ve been training at my best to be ready,” he told the Stoke Sentinel. “You need more games to be back to your best so hopefully I will keep being part of the team and get that game time. “I hope I can play more. The boys have done great over the last month, but you know there

Osaze

CHAN 2016: Glo charges Eagles

to beat Guinea

I can’t leave Watford, Ighalo insists NIGERIA international, Odion Ighalo scored his 14th goal of the season in the English Premier League last weekend against Newcastle United to end Watford five-game winless streak, just as

are some times that fatigue kicks in and that’s why we have a big squad. “Hopefully it will get to my turn when the team needs me and I can contribute because I feel fresh.” Odemwingie says that Leicester City’s performance demonstrated why they sit at the top of the Premier League log. “It was a tough day. They were at their best. We saw why they are top of the table. We weren’t as good as we have been for most of the last few months and that was the price we pay. “They turn it on in the second half in many games. In the first half you might look at them and ask questions about why they are doing so well, but then we saw why. They are very fit, work hard for every ball and on top of that they have very good players. “A combination of that explains all the victories they have been getting,” he stated.

he restated he is unconcerned about the various transfer speculations surrounding him. Ighalo, however, maintained he is not bothering himself about the transfer speculations linking him

Ighalo

to moves away from Watford. “The news linking me to join Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are all rumours and speculations because no bid that I know of has been tabled by either club,” he said. “I am not bothering myself about this, but just concentrating on my game to keep doing well for the club to achieve our aim.” Ighalo last Saturday scored the Hornets’ opening goal of the game against Newcastle at home barely first minute into the second half. Watford’s last victory in an EPL game was a 3-0 spanking of Liverpool on December 20, 2015. This is the second recent victory of Wat- ford over Newcastle United after Watford won 1-0 in an FA Cup clash.

GLOBACOM, has urged the Super Eagles’ Team ‘B’ to work assiduously towards defeating the Syli Nationale of Guinea as they clash in today’s last group C game of the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. “We believe the Super Eagles should not be complacent in this match which we consider crucial in Nigeria’s march to glory,” Globacom said in a statement issued on Monday. “So far, the Eagles have done well in Rwanda and we believe they have the capacity to scale the Guinean hurdle into the quarter finals,” the statement added. Globacom expressed confidence in the capability of the Eagles’ coaching crew to evolve the winning formula that would overwhelm the fellow West Africans. “The fact that the Eagles have shown their scoring prowess in the tournament also gives us the confidence that Nigeria will prevail and we urge the players not to relent in their efforts until the match is won,” the statement further said, adding, “it is not over

until it is over.” Globacom also tasked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to spare any effort at motivating the players and the technical crew to secure the quarter-finals ticket. “We believe that the competition does not get more crucial than this and we urge the team to give the match against Guinea total concentration,” the statement added.

Super Eagles’ Ezekiel Bassey

47 tribunesport

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

CHAN 2016:

Guinea can stun Eagles

— Captain

APTAIN of Syli Nationale of Guinea, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura believes he and his team-mates could create an upset today when they clash with the Super Eagles in their last group C game at the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. He told supersport.com in Kigali that they will give all they have to stun the Eagles today and remain in the competition. “We have a job in our hands when we face Nigeria who have been in fine form especially since the first game. They are a superb side with a lot of talented players who can cause trouble at any moment, but in football it’s the 90 minutes that decide a

game not mere talk. “Many pundits are treating us like underdogs but I believe that is good for us since we have the element of surprise and if at all we can give 100 per cent as a team then, nothing is impossible when we face Nigeria on Tuesday,” Bangoura told supersport. com. “We are facing a herculean task when you read names such as Chisom Chikatara who have been in superb form, but again, we are determined to cause an upset even though some people might have written us off. “We have what it takes to also give the best in any circumstances regardless of our opponents even though we are wary of Nigeria’s ability and strength,” Bangoura stated.

Glo League: Enyimba begins title defence against Dolphins Okoro

... Our victory is non-negotiable —Okoro NIGERIA midfielder, Osas Okoro insists victory against Guinea in today’s last group game against Guinea at the ongoing 2016 African Nations Championship is non-negotiable. The Super Eagles face the Syli Nationale today at the Umuganda Stadium, Gisenyi with the victor progressing to the last eight of the tournament. Osas says the Super Eagles must take their destiny into their own hands by going for outright win against Syli Nationale. “We will give our best against Guinea to make sure we come out victorious at the end of the game,” Okoro told reporters in Kigali. Okoro has been impressive at the tournament; netting in Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Niger Republic, while he played a key role in the 1-1 draw with Tunisia which earned him the man of the match award. The Enugu Rangers player stated that determination remains the key reason behind his consistent performances at CHAN 2016. “My level of determination and seriousness plus the motivation given to us by the coach (Sunday Oliseh) before matches have been important. I felt

so excited when I was named man-of-the-match for the game against Tunisia.

“I was not disappointed that we did not win the game against Tunisia because the game was

Continuity behind Nasarawa Utd’s Super 4 success —Dogo NASARAWA United head coach, Kabir Suleiman Dogo has said continuity greatly helped the side to achieve success at the first pahse of the Glo Super 4 in Kaduna. The Solid Miners chalked five points to win the first leg of the competition ahead of challengers, Akwa United, Enyimba and Warri Wolves. Dogo said his side is not done with its impressive performance in Kaduna but will push for the winners in Uyo. “Continuity is the secret of our impressive performance in the first leg of the Glo Super 4 in Kaduna. “We had bulk of our players intact only few new ones to complement so it was easy for us to

not an easy one. Getting a point against a side as strong as Tunisia is a good result,” Okoro said.

A player of Enyimba (left) takes on a Rangers player during the 2015 Glo Premier League season. The new soccer season starts next month. hit the ground running almost immediately. “We proved with our performance in Kaduna that we are not pushovers as we hope to further raise the bar in Uyo. “For us the fight has just started as we will avoid distraction but remain focused on what we want to achieve with the Super 4. Certainly, the Super 4 will help us greatly to prepare for our continental assignment as well as the domestic league.

“The challenge in Uyo will be tough but we will strive to prove once again that our performance in Kaduna was not a fluke. “We will work hard to remain on top at the end of the day,” the former Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) coach told supersport. com. The second leg of the Glo Super 4 will hold at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium (Nest of Champions) in Uyo from February 1 to 5.

GLO Premier League champions, Enyimba will start the defence of their title on the road against Dolphins in Port Harcourt on the weekend of February 20 and 21. The People’s Elephant will have the psychological edge going into the new season having not suffered a defeat to Dolphins in their last nine meetings. Dolphins last defeated Enyimba in March 2011 when they won 2-1 at the Liberation Stadium with Emmah Godwin and Captain Ejindu scoring for the Port Harcourt side, while Chidozie Johnson netted for the Aba side. Enyimba also avoided defeat in their last four trips to the Liberation including a 2-1 win last term en route to winning their record premier league seventh title. At the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri Heartland will play host to last season’s runners-up, Warri Wolves, while there will be a clash of two newly-promoted sides when Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes go head to head. Tornadoes were relegated in the 2011/2012 season, while Plateau United was dropped to the second tier five seasons ago. Lagos will be the venue of the newly-promoted Ikorodu United and MFM FC. Ikorodu will host Abia Warriors in their Glo Premier League debut. It will be the first time in a decade that a top-flight match will be held in the commercial city of Nigeria. Meanwhile, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) which lost its coach, Gbenga Ogunbote to Giwa FC, another Glo Premier League side, will host rivals, Lobi Stars at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

SIDELINES

NO 16,422

N150

TUESDAY, 26 JANUARY, 2016

If not for Lassa fever, Lagos would not have known that the state should wage war against rats. 4,400 of them have so far been killed. That 4,400 rats were killed in just six markets in Lagos raises the fear of the population of these rats in the country! How many are they? How vulnerable are we?

CHAN 2016:

Guinea will give us a match —Eagles

UPER Eagles attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said he and his team-mates expect a tough challenge from Syli Nationale of Guinea when they clash today at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. The last group C match holds at 3pm Nigeria time at the Umuganda Stadium, Gisenyi and a draw will see Nigeria through to the next round with four points already in the kitty. Tunisia and Niger will meet in the other group C game. “No team is a pushover here in this competition even Niger that we beat 4-1 were too tough not to talk of the Tunisians. So we are not expecting any easy match in the championship not even against Guinea. “Guinea is a difficult side and will come all out to fight for the three points to go through to the quarter-finals. “At least a point against Guinea will cement a quarter final spot for us but we will not settle for draw rather go for outright victory. “Victory will give us a firm

hold at the top and serve as signal of our intention to claim the top prize at the end of the day,” the Warri Wolves player told supersport.com. Also, Prince Aggreh, said the Eagles are battle-ready for any level of opposition. "Every match is never the same. The Tunisians are a very good side, I am not saying the Niger team were not, but after the first game you will always expect that the second will not be easy as the first because everyone has seen what we can do. "We are confident but we don't want that confidence to get into our heads because it is going to always be a difficult competition and the other teams want to win their matches against Nigeria too. "Our coach has told us that we need to stay focused because there is still one game (against Guinea) to play in the group stage. "So we are very focused on the game as we are not expecting it to be easy since all the teams can qualify from the group," the Sunshine Stars player said.

Super Eagles' Onobi Paul, set for Guinea clash.

Chukwueze with his FIFA award.

Chile 2015: Chukwueze receives

U-17 World Cup Bronze Boot

Australian Open: I'm not under pressure to beat Sharapova —Serena Ganiyu Salman With Agency Report

NUMBER one seed, Serena Williams says she is not under pressure to maintain her about 12-year dominance over Maria Sharapova as both clash today in the quarter-final of the Australian Open. The pairing perhaps serves as a rematch of last year's final where the American humbled Sharapova 6–3, 7–6(7–5), to earn her sixth Australian Open title and her 19th Grand Slam singles title.

Interestingly, Serena has never lost to Russian Sharapova in their past 17 meetings which spanned over a decade, but tennis buffs would be looking forward to seeing another upset, which saw the 21-Grand Slam winner lose in the semi-final of the US Open last September to the 43rd ranked Italian Roberta Vinci. "I think the person who's winning could definitely feel the pressure because there are a lot of expectations," Williams who is eyeing her 22 Grand Slam titles told reporters.

"The person who is losing, they're thinking, 'Well, I have lost X amount in a row; I don't have anything more to lose.'" "In this situation, I don't have anything to lose because I'm just here," Williams said. "Every tournament for me is just a bonus at this point in my career, so it's an interesting place to be at." Serena, who won all the Grand Slams last year except the US Open, beat Margarita Gasparyan 6-2, 6-1 in just 55 minutes, to advance as number five seed Sharapova defeated Swiss Belinda Bencic 7-5, 7-5.

Serena

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has presented Golden Eaglets’ forward, Samuel Chukwueze with his adidas Bronze Boot he deservedly won at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Football’s world-governing body, FIFA, had admitted shortly after the tournament last November that it made a mistake in naming the Golden Eaglets’ captain, Kelechi Nwakali as the winner of the award, and said it will send another prize to the actual winner, Chukwueze. FIFA also in its letter directed Nwakali to keep his prize. NFF executive committee member, Alhaji Ibrahim

Musa Gusau and General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi presented Chukwueze with his prize in Abuja on Monday. FIFA had explained that although Nwakali and Chukwueze finished the tournament with the same number of goals (three) and assists to be joint third best scorer, Chukwueze played less number of minutes in the tournament and therefore, was the rightful winner. It will be recalled that Nwakali was also adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, a feat which earned him the adidas Golden Ball award at Chile 2015.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 26/1/2016.