26th October 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,356

MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2015

Funso Williams: New suspects quizzed •Court rules on killing suit Nov 24 —P4

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

N150

New Ooni to be announced this week •Heavy security in Ile-Ife —P16

How God used Fayose to pronounce me Speaker —Dogara —P4

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal (second left); Governor Muhammadu Bindo of Adamawa State (second right); Permanent Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Haruna Harman (left) and others, when the Federal Government delegation visited Federal Medical Centre, Yola on Saturday. PHOTO: NAN.

BVN: Scam alert rampant few days to deadline —P10

Debit cards smuggling, latest money laundering technique —NDLEA —P10

Saudi tragedy: Lagos to employ traffic personnel for 2016 hajj —P41

Buhari can't lead in a democracy —PDP

—P33

•Poised for 'war' over tribunal judgments •Tribunal rules on Delta, Plateau guber elections today

My car swerved several times, made 180-degree turn—Obasanjo —P38

Monday, 26 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

7 1. From left, Dr Oluwayomi David Atte, Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, former Kwara State governor, Chief Cornelius Adebayo and Reverend Olusesan Adebajo. 2. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu with Mrs Bisi Fayemi (middle). 3. From right, Chief Dele Ogunrinde, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu and the Chief Whip, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Sunday Akinniyi. 4. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran (middle), Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu (third left),

PHOTOS: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

5. 6. 7. 8.

Reverend Joseph Ezekiel (second left), Mrs Yemi Borisade (third right), Mrs Folusho Olaniyan (second right) and others. Adebajo family of Ikenne branch of the Awolowo Dynasty with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, Dr Oluwayomi, Dr David Atte and Chief Cornelius Adebayo. Olutunda family. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, in a group photograph with students of Mayflower School, Ikenne.

Monday, 26 October, 2015

news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

How God used Fayose to pronounce me Speaker —Dogara Akin Durodola in Israel

PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday, in Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel, publicly revealed how God used the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to win the battle associated with his election as Speaker. Giving his testimony at a special pilgrimage programme: “A day with Jesus for Nigeria in Israel,” organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Jerusalem, Honourable Dogara, who emphasised the importance of prayers in the affairs of a nation and individuals, said he had lost hope of becoming the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as many forces were against him until God himself intervened. “Concerning the race for speakership race, it was almost the same story to how I won the election to the

House. Some of our members and the powers that be said they did not want a fundamentalist Christian, that I am a fanatic. “At a point, I decided to leave everything to God, having realised that human efforts were not working, even my supporters had resolved to accept the deputy speakership offer, which I declined. “In the process, I think a few days, thereafter, that I ran into my brother, the governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, for the very first time. When I got to him, I did not know I was coming to meet a prophet, I thought I was coming to see a politician. “If they had told me what happened that day was going to happen, I would not have believed it. When we got to him (Fayose), he took us to a swimming pool, told everybody to remove his/ her shoes, asked us to hold our hands, kneel down and he started praying. “As he started the prayers, I said wow! I have never seen or heard a politician

pray in this version before, but I thank God that those prayers really worked for me.” The Speaker said he was not surprised at what Fayose had become, adding that his experience had turned him to a firebrand as testified by Fayose himself earlier during the programme. “Come and see the words coming out of Fayose’s mouth. He mentioned my name, saying ‘I pronounce you the Speaker of House of Representatives’, and he said the God who made his own possible, would make my own possible.” He urged Nigerian leaders to seek the face of God in the ruling of the country and not lean on their wisdom or knowledge alone, saying only then, the change all were clamouring for would come. Fayose and other governors present, including the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong had testified to how God, through prayers, changed their lives for better.

Funso Williams: New suspects quizzed Court rules on killing suit Nov 24 Lanre Adewole - Lagos A couple of suspects, both old and new (names withheld), have recently been quizzed in connection with the July 27, 2006 assassination of Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2007 Lagos governorship elections, Engineer Funso Williams, as fresh probe begins nine years after. Nigerian Tribune has also reliably learnt that the statement obtained from a high-profile old suspect (names withheld) by security agents, had been used in confronting another highprofile new suspect (names withheld). The fresh inquest is reportedly being coordinated at the highest security level, with a certain highly-placed government official being debriefed with developments and findings as new information is unearthed. It was learnt that after the new suspect was confronted with the claims of an old suspect, the former was said to have dismissed the recorded information with a wave of hand. The dismissive attitude of the said suspect, reportedly got those on the case to show more interest in the tips provided in the recorded interrogation.

The interrogation was handled by certain officers (service name withheld) from the North. At the weekend, Nigerian Tribune was told by security sources that fresh arrest of suspects might commence soon. Big-wigs in political and business arena, according to findings, may be pulled-in for interrogation. A certain popular military officer, now retired, was said to be the facilitator of the new pieces of evidence, on which the renewed probe was founded. The first round of interrogations was said to have been conducted with a hitech recording gadget, before being stored in certain electronic device (identity withheld), in order to have the new pieces of evidence well protected. Williams’ body was found in his Dolphin Estate home, tied up, stabbed and strangled to death. Leading politicians of his political party, opposing party, security details and leaders of the transport unions were arrested in connection with the murder. All were, however, freed one after the other, following judicial pronouncements setting them free. The last six suspects were

freed by the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, presided over by Justice Ebenezer Adebajo on June 30, 2014. Both President Muhammadu Buhari and the House of Representatives have spoken of the need to reopen suspected politicallymotivated assassinations yet to be resolved. Meanwhile, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, will, on November 24, rule on preliminary objections raised by some defendants in a fresh suit over the Williams’ assassination. A freed suspect, Bashir Junaid in suit no: FHC/L/ CS/1371/14, dragged 11 people to court, seeking fresh probe into the killing and hefty damages for his arrest and detention for a long time, despite a court order releasing him from detention. Defendants in the suit include the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Lagos command, former Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, Attorney-General of the Federation, Mrs Modupe Sasore, Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Bola Tinubu, Dr Muiz Banire, Mr Babatunde Edu, Mr Dele Alake and Mr Henry Oladele Ajomale. continues pg6

Monday, 26 October, 2015

news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Economic pains will be on for 10 more years —Jimoh Ibrahim

“

THE world economy will continue to be in pains for the next 10 years and there is hardly anything anyone could do at the moment other than to keep things together and avoid the extension of the likely recovery period.” This was the position taken by Jimoh Ibrahim, Group Managing Director of Energy Group. Ibrahim explained that the world economy was growing at seven per cent in 2007 when “we had the boom and the economy slid to about three per cent in 2008 and, by flow of average, the global economy has been oscillating in the last seven years, recording a growth of three per cent.” According to him, “even if the global economy is going to grow at seven per cent next year, it is not possible to enjoy drastic economic boom until we make up for the deficits of the last seven years.

“If you calculate that and using the probability on the Monte Carlo stimulation exercise, a 10-year bet is imperative if we have good governance and do things right.” Ibrahim advised government to be in congruence with the reality, with basic principle and relax the regulations regime if the fight against corruption would ever have any meaning. “Many regulations make government officials feed fat on corruption, as those who intend to keep business here do more public relations to stay on; the cost of such public relations is now unavoidable by the private sector. “There are signs of recovery, but our concern too is in the fact that there are dangerous conflicting signs and that is why it has become not immediately possible for the Federal Reserve Bank and the Bank of England to increase the interest rate.

“The price of oil will move up soon as we approach the weather situation and geomorphology conditions will assist Nigeria in getting better price for its oil,” Ibrahim posited and advised the Muhammadu Buhariled administration to take advantage of the incoming increase in the price of oil to prioritise government projects and use the pilot approach in delivering its promise to Nigerians. He also advised the National Assembly to come up with ways and constitutional means of monitoring federal allocation to states by way of revisiting Nigeria’s fiscal federalism, which, he said, would prevent wastage of government’s resources. Ibrahim advised Nigerians to give President Buhari a little more time in the face of the global trends of geopolitical movement and the China destructive innovation affecting the global economy.

Eze Ndigbo remains deposed —Deji Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo has maintained that the Eze Ndigbo, Mr Gregory Iloehike remained deposed, until the Ondo State Council of Obas take a final decision on the chieftaincy title of the Igbo in the state. He, had, however, pardoned him and Igbo traders in the town, who allegedly disrespected the monarch and the traditional stool. Oba Aladetoyinbo stated this in his palace during a peace meeting, where the leadership of the Igbo community in the state were led by some top state government’s officials to publicly apologise to the monarch. The monarch also ordered the reopening of shops at Mojere market at Ilesa garage, but warned the traders against causing any crisis over the leadership of the market until the Akure traditional chiefs resolved the matter and assured the Igbo indigenes that their interest would be taken care of in the market. The monarch appreci-

ated the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for his intervention, as well as Akure youths and elders for their peaceful disposition towards the crisis, but said the position of the Eze Ndigbo would be considered at the meeting of the state Council of Obas, which would hold next week. The team, led by the Chief of Staff to the state governor, Dr Kola Ademujimi, appealed to the monarch over the behaviour of the deposed Eze Ndigbo and sought for forgiveness of the monarch. Ademujinmi, who represented the state governor, appealed to the Deji of Akure

to forgive all the wrongdoings of the Igbo indigenes, noting that there would be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of crisis and appreciated the people of Akure for maintaining peace in the face of provocative situation. Also speaking on behalf of the delegation, Ikechukwu Anoliefo, said the Igbo people had found Akure a hospitable place, saying the Igbo had been living in the ancient town for over 100 years. Anoliefo appealed to the Deji to forgive their errors, promising that such action would not repeat itself in the future.

Funso Williams: New suspects quizzed Continued from pg4

The duo of Banire and Ehindero, who had filed preliminary objections to the suit, asked the court to dismiss the case raised against them. Banire specifically asked the court to strike his name off the suit. Ehindero who was the police top boss during the initial investigation denied the plaintiff’s claim that he dis-

regarded court order asking them not to keep the plaintiff in a dungeon of a cell. Though served, others are yet to file their statements of defence. Justice Rita Ajumogobia adjourned the suit till November 24 after counsel pleaded their cases. She is also expected to rule on the claim by Ehindero that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Dokpesi at 64: He is a man of courage —Mimiko ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has described the founder of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, as a man of courage and rare accomplishments. In a congratulatory message issued in Akure, on Sunday, congratulating the business mogul on his 64th birthday, Dr Mimiko

wished him more productive years in good health. The governor also described the celebrant as a goal getter with robust ideas, adding that he ventured into independent radio broadcasting in the country when there was doubt on its chances of succeeding. “Ray Power and AIT founder, by his uncommon

courage, encouraged many other private broadcasting stations to come into existence,” Mimiko said. He added that in its 64 years on earth, Dokpesi had demonstrated that with determination , sincerity of purpose and God’s grace, “no feat is too difficult for a man to attain if the motive is good.”

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Lagosmetro

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Obele-Odan pry school in bad shape — Investigation Sylvester Okoruwa

The deplorable state of a section of classrooms at Obele -Odan Nursery and Primary School, Itire Road, Lawanson, Surulere. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Govt to prosecute owners of stray animals, pets • Bans cattle on roads KehindeAkinseinde-Jayeoba

agos State government has reiterated its commitment to

prosecute owners of domestic animals and pets that stray within the metropolis. According to the State

Commissioner for Agriculture, Toyin Suarau, in a statement made available to Lagos Metro at the weekend, the state gov-

ernment would no longer fold its arms and allow the menace stray animals cause to continue. Suarau, at a meeting with

To assist in easing the flow of traffic on Lagos roads, the Deputy Director Transport Safety, Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr Jide Oduyoye left the comfort of his office to assist in controlling traffic at Lagos tollgate. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Oko-Oba Animal Market Cattle dealers in Agege Local Government Area, noted that it was disheartening that in spite of the government‘s awareness campaign on the danger posed by these stray animals in the society, the menace was on the rise. “Apart from causing accidents on our roads, these stray animals could also spread contagious diseases such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments that could lead to death,” he said. The commissioner revealed that the state government was sending agric-marshals to all the local government areas and local council development areas in the state as part of its stray animal control policy to put an end to the ongoing menace. “The state government is concerned and would no longer tolerate the habit of releasing herds of cattle at night along major roads

and highways in the metropolis,” he warned. He also enjoined all residents to cooperate with the authorities to rid the state of stray animals, while advising owners of such animals to take adequate care of them to avoid confiscations.

Obele-Odan Nursery and Primary School located at number 27 Itire Road, Lawanson, Surulere needs urgent attention to save the pupils in the school from continued insect bites and unhealthy environment. A visit to the school by Lagos Metro at the weekend revealed a deplorable learning environment in the school begging for improvement. It was noticed that out of the four blocks of classroom, only one of them is in a fairly good shape while the other three are in bad shape, with no windows, doors. Learning furniture was also grossly inadequate, with the chairs and tables for the pupils far lesser than

the pupils’ population. Flying insects also filled the environment were observed to have inflicted serious bites on the pupils who dressed in knickers and short sleeve shirts and blouses for school uniform. Most of the pupils of the school that attended an event in the school premises with Lagos Metro in attendance, were seen scratching their legs and hands, with the marks of insect bites very fresh on their bodies A former pupil who was present at the event told Lagos Metro that her parents had to remove her from the school because of the deplorable learning environment. Most of the teachers’ offices were also covered with strips of cloth due to lack of windows and doors.

The students of Ikosi Senior High School, Ikosi Ketu seen in this photo were clearing grass during school hours. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

How we packaged adulterated water for banks, homes —Suspects Olalekan Olabulo Five people who had in the past been selling adulterated water to homes and offices, including banks in Lagos State have been arrested by the police. The suspects were a few days ago arrested around Okota area of the state by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), who

responded to an alarm by one of the manufacturers whose products were being counterfeited. Lagos Metro gathered that the operatives of the RRS acted on a tip-off which led to the arrest of the suspects, Chukwuma Uzor, Ofonime Ikpe, 44, and three other accomplices at 3, Adesola Street, Ago-Palace Way, Okota.

Sunday Nnaduaga, the producer of one of the products, which the arrested suspects were adulterating, told the police that one of the suspects, Uzor, had once worked for him as a marketer but absconded after sometime. “I just noticed that he just stopped coming to office and efforts to reach him via his mobile phones proved

abortive as all his lines were switched off,” Nnaduagwu said He continued that “ Sometime ago, a friend of mine hinted me that he saw him distributing dispensable water to our customers, mostly banks and other big companies in Lagos. “Since that day I started to keep tabs on him until I caught him red-handed

NIMASA: Meeting over deceased port workers holds tomorrow Tola Adenubi Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has summoned the management of the Five Star Logistic Terminal Limited and the leadership of the dockworkers branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) over compensation benefits that will accrue to the families of the two dockworkers that died at the Tin-Can Island port recently. Disclosing this to Lagos Metro, the president of the dockworkers’ branch of

the MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, stated that, “NIMASA has summoned the management of the Five Star Logistic Terminal Limited and the leadership of the MWUN, dockworkers’ branch to a truce meeting on Tuesday. “The meeting is scheduled to resolve the issue associated with the compensation benefits that will accrue to the families of the dead dockworkers and is slated for Tuesday. We will be there to speak our minds.” It would be recalled that on September 19, a seaport worker, Samson Oheha, a

32-year-old from Delta State, had died at the Five Star Logistics Terminal in Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos. Another dock worker, Mr Pius Ifah, on a Wednesday, exactly 11 days after, and at the same Five Star Logistics Terminal, died. The management of the Five Star Logistic Terminal had stated that the firm was set to pay the families of Pius Ifah the late dockworkers compensation benefits. However, the terminal operator had kept sealed lips over Samson Oheha’s compensation benefits. According to findings, the

terminal operator saw Ifah’s death as an industrial accident caused by safety lapses in the terminal while that of Oheha was not caused by any safety lapses within the terminal. Oheha died after sea waves from another vessel passing by caused the reel paper on an anchored vessel which he was working on, to fall on him. “To the terminal operator, they cannot control sea waves emanating from another vessel; therefore they are not liable to pay any compensation benefit to the late dockworkers families. “Unlike in the case of

Ifah, where stacked heavyduty pipes, held apart by a wooden wedge instead of an iron wedge, rolled off and killed him instantly while he was busy working inside the Terminal,” a seaport worker who craved anonymity told Lagos Metro. Maritime labour had disagreed on the terminal operators view on compensation plans by insisting that since both workers died while working inside the Five Star Logistic Terminal, both workers are entitled to full compensation benefits from the terminal operator.

selling packaged water with several registered names in an unkempt environment. “Afterwards, I hinted RRS team on patrol which led to the arrest of the two suspects,” he narrated. One of the prime suspects, Chukwuma, who hailed from Mbaise Local Government in Imo State,confessed that “I decided to use the brand name because it has a ready market.” He continued, “We had many customers particularly new generation banks that patronise us. Before now, I had worked as a marketer for him but he was paying me poorly despite all the huge sales I made for him.” The suspect also stated that “The only way to make my own sales was to use his brand name which is acceptable to many people.” Ofonime Ikpe, who also adulterated another brand of table water, claimed that he was not Uzor’s business partner and that he only accommodated him to produce the water in his factory. “I made a big mistake for

allowing him to be producing the water in my factory. I regret aiding and abetting him in committing this heinous crime. He paid me just token from profit he made from the sales,” Ikpe lamented. The Commander of RRS, Olatunji Disu, an assistant commissioner of police, told Lagos Metro that the suspects were not only adulterating popular brands, but that they were also doing it in an unwholesome manner and selling them to various companies such as banks and unsuspecting members of the public. He advised members of the public to be wary of buying unhygienic water particularly as the festive period approaches. Hundreds of assorted brands of empty dispensable jars were among the items recovered from the suspects. The two suspects and other co-workers have been transferred to the State Investigation and Intelligent Bureau in Ikeja for further investigation.

businessnews

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Addax Petroleum, PENGASSAN on war path over looming mass sack Chima Nwokoji-lagos

BARELY six years after making strong case for definitive policies to increase employment opportunities for Nigerians, Addax Petroleum Limited is caught in a dilemma of reversing itself, having hinted plans to sack about 30 to 50 percent of its workforce; mainly Nigerians it had earlier sought to create jobs for. It is recalled that while making submission of its memorandum to the House of Representatives Joint Committee public hearing on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), July 30, 2009, the Chinese company had restated commitment to job creation. It stated,“Making Nigeria an attractive destination for oil and gas investment will undoubtedly ensure an increasing government take for many years to come and create a great many employment opportunities for a growing population...” But the looming mass sack has set management of the company and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on war path. PENGASSAN leadership, Addax Petroleum branch, led by Chris Ogienwonyi, told newsmen that the oil company has no justification for cutting its staff strength, stressing that the

problem with the company is more of resource mismanagement rather than oil price fall, high operating cost and other reasons given by the management. Addressing newsmen after a work-to-rule protest at the company’s head office in Lagos, the union leader faulted management’s approach and the reasons for staff rationalisation and challenged the company to publicly prove that the ratio of employees’ cost in relation to operational cost is high. They also demanded that the management provided total employee cost over the entire operating expenses, wondering if it was up to 10 percent.

From left, Cluster Head, Business Banking, Surulere, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr Chima Nwafor; Head, Personnel Banking, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mrs Korede Demola-Adeniyi; Secretary, Surulere Local Government Education Authority, Mrs Fatoke Yetunde Abeke and Head Teacher, Obele-Odan Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Lagos, during the presentation of Educational Materials to Pupils of Obele-Odan Nursery and Primary School, Itire, Lawanson to mark Ecobank Day, in Lagos, on Saturday. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

BVN: Scam alerts rampant as deadline approaches Chima Nwokoji-lagos

ith just 96 hours left to the expiration of the deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for bank customers, who are yet to register for their Bank Verification Number (BVN) to do so, online fraudsters and scammers have started sending new messages to gullible banking public. As the apex bank insists it will no longer extend the deadline after the October

30 date , scam alerts now reflect that a recipient’s account has been disabled as against “will be disabled,” that such mails normally reads. The BVN exercise which had been on for over six months initially ended on July 30th, 2015 but was extended by an additional three months following calls from many bank customers who could not register within the period. A typical scam alert according to some custom-

ers who received it over the weekend reads: “Dear Customer, Your ACCOUNT has been DISABLED to transact with your card internationally at the ATM, POS or online based on CBN October BVN deadline. This is because your BVN have not been properly validated with your Online account. Follow here to START VALIDATION. To stop the termination of your online account kindly follow our website below : htttp://firstbanknigera. com/FBN/login.aspx/

Debit cards smuggling, latest money laundering technique —NDLEA The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned travellers smuggling multiple Automated Teller Machine cards to desist from the act or face the law. In a statement on Saturday, the NDLEA described as money laundering, an arrangement of using multiple debit cards to withdraw money from multiple bank accounts to circumvent the minimum amount of daily withdrawal. “That criminal plan will not work because we shall continue to seize such cards and arrest the perpetrators at all entry and exit points,” said Ahmadu Giade, NDLEA’s Chairman. Mr Giade spoke following the arrest of two travellers, at the weekend, with 89 debit cards at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. Pauline Nweke and Frank Egesiokwu were arrested with 64 and 25 debit cards respectively during the screening of passen-

gers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to China. Mr Nweke, an Onitshabased trader, said that the debit cards belonged to his friends, relatives, and business partners. “I was on my way to China to buy goods when NDLEA officers arrested me with 65 debit cards,” said Mr. Nweke, 40, who hails from Enugu State and is married with two children. Victoria Egbase, Director of Assets and Financial Investigation at NDLEA, said that preliminary investigation showed that the suspects opened various bank accounts to facilitate withdrawal of money outside the country. Mr Giade said the suspects would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation. The duo’s arrest came less than one week after Pascal Udeh, another Onitsha-based trader, was arrested at the Lagos air-

port with 108 debit cards enroute China. “The arrests is an indication that smuggling of debit cards abroad is one of the latest money laundering techniques employed to evade financial regulations,” said Mr.

Giade. Last April, the Central Bank of Nigeria‎ reviewed the foreign exchange spending, reducing the daily cash withdrawal limit for ATM users to US$300 from a previous US$2,500.

“Failure to update your security questions/answers will lead to termination.Thank you for banking with us.” Nigerian Tribune checks reveal that old scam alerts came with different key phrases like, “Please note that your ATM Debit card will be disabled soon from performing transactions,Pending your registration for the new ATM card bank verification number(BVN) as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Please note that this registration is Mandatory. Simply copy and paste the link below in your browser and fill in the registration form to reactivate your ATM card immediately.” A banker who spoke on condition of anonymity said the scam mails usually appear as real official mail “from your bank into your email inbox, asking you to click a cloak link to complete an online form in or-

Electronic payment incentive scheme will encourage use of debit card —CBN Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that the newly introduced Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) by the apex bank is to encourage the use of debit cards for settlement of transactions in line with the cash-less policy. This was disclosed by the Senior Manager, Banking and Payment System of the CBN, Mr Ifeoluwa Omileye, during the CBN fair at the BTO Event Centre, Akure, Ondo State. Omileye explained that the scheme would provide

special offers for three groups of banking publics for using the cards to settle payment for transactions and listed the three groups to include the consumers that are the owners of the cards that are being used for transactions, the merchants and sales persons. The CBN senior manager said consumers would win cash rewards of N100,000, N50,000, and N35,000 for star prize, first runner up and second runner up respectively at monthly draw for using their cards to settle payment electronically.

He also said apart from the reward, no COT would be charged on their account for payment on electronic payment platforms while sales persons would be rewarded for encouraging consumers to use their cards to pay exact amount for goods and services to the last kobo. The CBN manager also affirmed that the deadline for the BVN remains October 31, saying that any bank customer that failed to register before the expiration of the deadline would not have access to such account until the registration is done.

der to link or update your BVN to your other bank account.” He said most banks in Nigeria are aware of this evil act and has been informing their customers of such scam, as no bank will ask for such personal information as PIN or account numbers online. “ No bank staff or its official will ever call or send an email requesting you to click on any link to update or link your BVN to your account whatsoever. “Kindly disregard any of such email if it arrive your inbox or better still report to your bank or CBN via the complaint section on their website. Better still visit bvn.com.ng for more info,” the banker advised. Appealing to those not yet captured under the scheme to ensure they don’t miss out on the rescheduled deadline, the CBN said there is no need for people to wait until the last day before they go for the registration. Hajia Khadija Kasim, Deputy Director, Consumer Protection Department, while addressing stakeholders at a one-day CBN sensitisation fair in Ibadan, said the BVN coupled with the cashless policy will go a long way to help the apex bank and other banks in the country tackle the issue of money laundering in the country. “The initial deadline was June 30th before we extended it to end of October. By now we expect all Nigerians to go before the expiration date and get their Bank Verification Number. Please Nigerians, come out and ensure that within the few days left for the registration, you are registered for the exercise, she said.

businessnews

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Huwaei named among top 100 best global brands By Paul Omorogbe

nterbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy, recently released its 2015 Best Global Brands report and following its debut on the 2014 list as the first mainland Chinese brand, Huawei appears on the 2015 list again, moving up six spots. According to Interbrand, “Huawei is once again a highlight in the 2015 Best Global Brands report released by Interbrand. Its brand value, approximated at 5 billion US dollars, increased by 15 percent compared to a year ago. In Interbrand’s annual report, it is also one of the fastest

Maritime workers suspend 3-day strike

rising brands in the technology sector, climbing from #94 to #88 in ranking. “Huawei’s significant progress is not a result of luck. Everything has stemmed from the belief that customers always come first, and the persistence in providing valuedriven products and services. Through their brand campaign, Huawei outlines ‘a better connected world’ and clearly illustrates how innovative ICT products, services and solutions not only break the boundaries of time and space to create smoother connections, but also enable the transformative evolution of enterprises and indus-

tries to drive progress in the world.” As Huawei’s 2014 Annual Report indicates, the company maintained robust growth in all business segments. In 2014, it recorded US$46.5 billion in annual revenue, a YoY increase of 20.6%. Net profits reached US$4.5 billion, a YoY increase of 32.7 per cent. Thanks to its robust growth worldwide and continuous innovation in products and services, Huawei’s brand has grown steadily both in value and influence. “Staying customercentric and creating value for customers form the foundation of Huawei’s brand,” said Kevin Zhang,

Huawei’s Corporate Marketing President. “We aim to achieve US$100 billion in annual revenue in five years. Any company that lacks ambition cannot go far.” Over the past two decades, Huawei has connected one-third of the world’s population, with its information networks covering more than 170 countries and regions. In order to utilize transformative trends in the future, Huawei is increasing investment in innovative technologies, such as cloud computing, Big Data, 5G, SDN, and NFV. By pushing the limits of technology, Huawei is well positioned to seize opportunities in

the digital era. It strives to provide full connectivity between people, between people and things, and between things. It will also continue to deliver innovative products to individual users, businesses, and organizations. As indicated by Interbrand’s professional evaluation in the 2015 Best Global Brands report, Huawei has progressed well over the past year in all its three major business segments – carrier, enterprise, and consumer. Its strong R&D capacity, forward-looking strategic plan, and open innovation have contributed greatly to its brand responsiveness, relevance, and presence.

Tola Adenubi-Lagos

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), on Saturday, said that it had suspended its strike which had paralysed activities at the nation’s ports for three days. This is contained in a communiqué issued in Lagos and jointly signed by Mr Olumide Oduntan, Executive Director, Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the President-General of the MWUN, Mr Anthony Nted. The communiqué made available to newsmen said that the agreement was reached after a meeting between the representatives of NPA and MWUN on Saturday, in Lagos. According to the communiqué, all outstanding payments to tally clerks and on board securitymen are now top priorities that will be paid as soon as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) issues have been resolved. It further said: “All statutory payments to NPA and charges due to stevedoring contractors on MV Hawk that berthed midstream at Bonny must be paid before the vessel is allowed to sail.”

From left, Deputy Chief of Staff to Kwara State governor, Mr Leke Ogungbe; first Vice President, CIBN, Deacon Segun Ajibola; Chief Country Economist, African Development Bank and Guest Speaker, Mr Zerihun Gudeta Alemu and President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Chief (Mrs) ‘Debola Osibogun, at CIBN 2015 Investiture Ceremony and presentation of awards to elected and Honorary Fellows of CIBN held on Saturday at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Conoil chairman assures investors of a bright future KehindeAkinseinde-JayeobaLagos

Despite challenges confronting the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, shareholders of Conoil Plc have been assured of adequate return on their investments. At Conoil’s 45th annual general meeting at the weekend in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, its chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga, assured

that the future of the company was bright and secure, while also predicting a brighter future for the nation’s economy. He noted that the company’s long-term future is assured beyond any doubt, adding that, “conscious efforts will be directed at achieving better execution, especially in the areas of marketing and customer management. Greater attention would be devoted

to cutting costs of operations in the different segments of the company’s business, while maintaining and improving on the quality of its products and services.” According to Adenuga, the operating environment in 2014 was a very difficult one for operators in the downstream sector as they relied mostly on importation of petroleum products to meet domestic demands

Chamber of commerce partners Unilever job creation Gbola Subair - Abuja

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (ACCIL) has entered into partnership with Unilever Nigeria PLC, a multinational company and high profile business establishments with a view to growing the nations’ economy. President of ACCIL, Mr Tonye Ejinkonye, speaking at the presentation of a membership certificate to the representative of Unilever in Abuja, said the

partnership was about the economy of Nigeria leveraging on the experience and capacity of Unilever as a multinational to create employment and business opportunities for Nigerians. According to ACCIL president, “So partnering with ACCIL as a member and as a strategic partner, the only thing that can come out of it is growing our economy, growing ACCIL, growing Unilever,

which will enhance economy, enhance business and create employment and business opportunities for Nigerians.” Noting that since Unilever was into production and manufacturing, he said the right avenue would be provided to market the products. Ejinkonye said it was the duty of ACCIL and companies operating in Nigeria to make the growing of the economy their focus.

“We want to attract high network companies and multinationals into the chamber to see how we can partner with them to build up the economy of Nigeria. All of us owe it as a duty to our country and to our youth, especially to develop our economy.” He said that the completion of ACCIL’s shopping mall would provide Unilever the opportunity of marketing its numerous products.

due to lower output from the local refineries. This, he stated, came at a high cost due to depreciation in the value of the naira and high bank charges. As part of the strategy to shore up its bottom-line, the chairman revealed that the company would consolidate its leadership position in the lubricant market by offering bouquet of quality lubricants to consumers as well as building new production lines to increase capacity. Continuing, he stated that “as the leader in the aviation jet fuel market, we are boosting our fuel dispensing capacity by acquiring additional stateof-the-art tools to meet the growing list of our local and international clientele of airlines.” The chairman also assured shareholders that the company would remain committed to its goal to be in the forefront of refined petroleum products marketing with double-digit growth.

Nigerian Tribune

business

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for friday, 23 OCTOBER, 2015

Monday, 26 October, 2015

WEDDING CEREMONY BETWEEN MR OLUWAKAYODE MURITALA BUSARI-GIWA AND FORMER MISS TITILAYOMI NOIMOT AYINKE BABANIJI HELD AT FOLAWIYO CENTRAL MOSQUE, SHITA , LAGOS, ON SUNDAY. PHOTOS: ALABA IGBAROOLA

4 5

1. The couple, Mr and Mrs Oluwakayode Muritala Busari-Giwa. 2. The couple. 3. From left, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Bayo Oyero,Mr Femi Adewumi and his wife, Mrs Iyabo Adewumi. 4. From left, groom’s parents, Alhaja Titilayo Latifat Busari and Immediate past federal legislator, representing Akinyele and Lagelu, Hon (TPL) Murital Kayode Busari SNR. 5. From left, Mrs Gbemisoye Olayiwola, Hon Ajaja Abira Adebukola, representing Ibadan North/South East Federal Constituency and Mrs Dairo Mojirade. 6. Bride father, Alhaji Soliu Hamzat Babaniji, Vice Principal (Academy) Arabic Training Centre (MARKAZ), Agege,Sheikh Sulaiman Abdulwahab A-guniyanwiy being welcomed by Groom’s father, immediate past federal representative, Akinyele and Lagelu, Hon (TPL) Murital Kayode Busari SNR.

7. From left, PS, Ministry of Physical Plaining and Urban Development,Oyo State,Alhaji Jelili Busari, former MD, ACON Petroleum, Chief Olalekan Busari and Hon Abiodun Awoleye representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency. 8. From left, Alhaji Abdurashid Bature, Alhaji Abdulazeez Isa, Vice Principal (Academy) Arabic Training Centre(MARKAZ), Agege,Sheikh Sulaiman Abdulwahab A-guniyanwiy, Senior lecturer, Markaz, Ustaz Abdulwahab Kuranga and P.A, Director, Ustaz Abubakar Mogaji. 9. From left, bride’s Parents, Alhaji Soliu Hamzat Babaniji, Alhaja Kudirat Babaniji, couple, groom’s parents, Alhaja Titilayo Latifat Busari and Immediate past federal honourable, representing Akinyele and Lagelu, Hon (TPL) Murital Kayode Busari SNR. 10. Alhaji Abdulazeez Isa presenting the marriage certificate to the couple 11. From left, groom’s parents, Alhaja Titilayo Latifat Busari, immediate past federal honourable, representing Akinyele and Lagelu, Hon (TPL) Murital Kayode Busari SNR, groom grandmother, Alhaja Wulimot Giwa and Alhaji Saka Jimoh.

16 news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

HID was a wonderful woman —Adebayo, Kwara ex-gov As Fayemi, others hail her Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

ORMER governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, wife of the former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Bisi Fayemi, a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Sunday Adeniyi, were some of the dignitaries that visited the Ikenne home of the Awolowos on Sunday, to condole with the family over the passage of Chief HID Awolowo. Adebayo, accompanied by Dr Oluwayomi David Atte, described Mrs Awolowo as a wonderful woman, saying her sacrifice and commitment to the nation would be greatly missed. The former governor said Mama believed in assisting those who needed help while recalling how she (HID) campaigned for his election into position of governor of his state. He said: “I consider myself as one of Mama’s children, in view of what I owe her in my political experience. She worked, campaigned and consulted widely on my behalf. She was a wonderful mother.” In her condolence message, Mrs Fayemi, wrote: “Mama, rest in perfect peace. You were a role model and wonderful mother.” The Chief Whip of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Akinniyi, said Mrs Awolowo was a mother of all, adding that the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation. The lawmaker said “Mama Awolowo has set a standard for Africa and Nigerian women. She will be remembered for life. She was a very dedicated woman, a rallying point to all, irrespective of political affiliations, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, to mention but a few.”

Also, children and grandchildren of Reverend Emmanuel Adebajo, the sage’s first cousin, paid glowing tributes in memory of the Yeye Odua. The grandchildren, Miss Demilade Opeaye and Mofepefoluwa Leshi, ren-

dered beautiful songs in her honour. Responding, Mama’s children, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Mrs Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, appreciated the Adebajo clan for the honour done

their mother. Oyediran described the visit and the rendition of the Adebajo’s grandchildren as “the best way to celebrate Mama.” For Dosumu Awolowo, the departure of their parents would not be “end of an

era” to all the good legacies they were known for. The Baba Ewe of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Ondo State, Chief Dele Ogunrinde, said Mama was the soulmate of the best president Nigeria never had. He said Mama and her

6 Northern govs meet again on security Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna SIX Northern governors of the states bordering the dreaded Kamuku Forest of Kaduna, met for the third time this year, on how to solve the problem of cattle rustlers. The six governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto met and brainstormed on ways of ending the security threats posed by the evil forest on Sunday. It will be recalled that in late July, joint security task force operating in the forest in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killed three robbers and recovered over 850 stolen cattle. However, addressing

journalists shortly after the closed-door meeting, chairman on the occasion and governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, said the meeting delved essentially on the progress made so far in tackling the menace of

cattle rustling. “After reviewing the effort of security agencies in the area, it was necessary to allow them to continue with operation in order to stamp out criminals from the forest,” he said.

Masari further disclosed that: “We have asked the joint task force, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps to continue with operation till further notice.”

Heavy security presence in Ile-Ife From Oluwole Ige and Vera Onana AS the people of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race await the selection of new monarch for the ancient town, this week, authorities of the Osun State police command, on Sunday, explained what informed sustained heavy security

presence in the community. Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that detachments of heavily armed anti-riot have been mounting security in the town since Saturday. In areas like Moore, Enuwa, Mayfair and Agbedegbede, heavy police presence was noticed, while

fully armed men of Department of State Security were also seen on streets across Ile-Ife. Though details informed the development still remain sketchy, credible sources told Nigerian Tribune on Sunday that solidarity protests in support of the royal ambition of one the contenders,

No territory still under Boko Haram’s control —COAS Isaac Shobayo - Jos CONTRARY to the insinuation that some parts of Borno and Yobe states are still under the control of Boko Haram insurgents, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has said no Nigerian territory is still under the control of Boko Haram insurgents. The COAS, who spoke with journalists shortly after addressing troops at the Headquarters of 3 Division, Marxwel Khobe cantonment in Jos, at the weekend, said the military

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to urgently put a halt to Nigeria’s current drift towards anarchy, economic distress and disunity by immediately setting in motion steps to implement fundamental resolutions contained in the 2014 national conference reports that were adopted consensually by all delegates of their free volition. A group, Nigerian National Summit Group (NNSG),

made the call on Sunday, in Lagos, in a statement signed by its executive secretary, Mr Tony I. Uranta, warning that Nigeria could still suffer the 2015 Bogey if it refused to begin restructuring now, as very important voices from the North had come out loudly in support of restructuring in recent times. The group recalled that the different statements made by former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Alhaji Ahmed Joda

The governors tasked the joint task force to redouble their efforts at safeguarding lives and property, while assuring people of the states that “the lingering insecurity in the areas will soon come to an end.”

New Ooni to be announced this week

had recovered all territories previously under the terrorists’ enclave. He said: “It is not true. No Boko Haram is holding any territory. Have you heard them (Boko Haram) making any claim of recent? We are more determined and we have more professional soldiers on the ground. We have been trained and equipped and ready to face the challenge posed by them.” Asked what will happen if the Nigerian millitary fails to meet up with the December deadline to rid the country of Boko Haram activities, the Army boss

said: “Well, I don’t envisage that. There are many options, but we will make sure that we meet up with the deadline. At this point, I think we are on course. We are not thinking of missing the deadline because we still have November and December.” Earlier, the COAS, while addressing the troops said he was in Jos on a familiarisation visit and to acquaint the troops of his vision to reposition the Army after being appointed a service chief. The troops, who had gathered at the cantonment

parade ground, however, took advantage of the opportunity and bombarded the Army boss with a lot of complaints most of which bordered on their welfare. Responding to their complaints, the COAS, who was flanked by the GOC, 3 Division, Major-General Hassan Umaru, stressed that the Nigerian Army, under his leadership, would be repositioned for more efficient service delivery, especially in the area of operations, administration and logistics and urged them to key into the vission to ensure that the plan succeeded.

Buhari must start restructuring Nigeria now —NNSG Bola Badmus - Lagos

husband lived together as two in one, who always planned for the future goodness of the masses. Students of Mayflower School, Ikenne-Remo (Foresight Hostel), were also part of the visitors to the Awolowos.

lent a ringing support to the drive towards true federalism. According to the NNSG, the former vice president had remarked that he regretted not supporting former vice president, Alex Ekwueme’s earlier call for the creation of six semiautonomous regions at an awards ceremony, which took place on September 18, 2012, affirming that Ekwueme obviously saw what some of them did not see at the time.

“As now obvious, from the above, this is not a call by just a few ‘disgruntled’ sections of Nigeria. The South-West, North-Central (Middle-Belt), South-East and South-South have been spearheading this campaign for true holistic change via restructuring for decades. “Now that Arewa chieftains like Joda and Atiku have admitted to this pressing exercise, President Buhari must recognise that the North-West and North-East strongly desire

restructuring also. So Mr President cannot but step up to the plate and fulfill his oath of office to serve Nigerians to the very best of his ability and opportunities. “We must not think that Somalia, Yugoslavia or Syria are mirages. If Nigerians do not calculatedly put an end to this national drift towards madness, we will have ourselves to blame. What a tragedy it would be if Nigeria’s failure were to happen under Buhari’s watch. We pray not,” the group said.

Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, late last week, prompted the police to deploy its men and officers to Ile-Ife. Similarly, some groups, which were uncomfortable with the ambition of Ogunwusi also sponsored demonstration around the major streets of Ile-Ife on Wednesday. The protests were peaceful, but security agencies decided not to take the developments for granted, hence, the deployment of anti-riot policemen to the ancient town. Another source hinted that possible announcement of Ooni designate might have informed the deployment of mobile policemen and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to contain any form demonstration that might accompanied the declaration by the kingmakers. Explaining the rationale for the deployment of antiriot policemen, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Osun police command, Mrs Folasade Odoro, said “you know what is happening in IleIfe now and we cannot afford to take anything for granted.” According to her, “we have to maintain the prevailing peace and protect lives and property. So, that is what informed our decision to deploy our men to Ile-Ife. There is nothing special about it and there is no need for the people to entertain any fear.” It will be recalled that early as 8.00 a.m. on Saturday, news had gone round that new Ooni may be announced, throwing the town into expectant mood and frenzy.

INSIDE LAGOS

Monday, 26 October, 2015

pixmart

ALABA IGBAROOLA: 08155975474

SYLVESTER OKORUWA: 08115708541

2 1

6 5 1. From left, Olokun Festival guest from Brazil, Iyanifa Ifadayiisi Ifatoun; overall winner, Students of Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja Cantoment, Adebusola Oseni; Esher Olugbenga; Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, Chief (Dr) Gani Adams and School Teacher, Miss Oluwatosin Oyebo, during the 2015 Olokun Festival Yoruba Quiz Competition organised by Olokun Festival Foundation at All Season Plaza, Agidingbi in Lagos. 2. 250 brand new Mitsubishi vans which were handed over to key distributors as part of Route-To-Market initiative to boost operational efficiency by the Managing Director, Mr. Roy Naaman(6th left) with Mr Bala Yesufu, Head, Corporate & Government Affairs (right) at the Cadbury Corporate Office, Agidingbi, Ikeja, recently. 3. Aare (Alhaji) Abdul Rasaq Okoya receiving a plaque of honour from the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Island Club, Chief Sunny Odogwu while the Chairman of Island Club, Mr. Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) watches during the 2015 independence anniversary organised by Island Club at the Club, Onikan, Lagos recently.

4. Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Adenekan (right) and children of Ilupeju Primary School and Community Primary School, Ilupeju, during the Nestle Healthy Kid Program to commemorate the World Chef Day Cooking Demonstration at Ilupeju Primary School, Lagos. 5. From left, Executive Secretary, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Mr. Uduma Cletus; Vice President, ABCON, Mr. Azubuike Igbokwe; Acting President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe; Director-General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs Roli Bode-George; Director, Technical Services, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba and Director, Assets and Financial Investigation, NDLEA, Mrs. Victoria Egbase, during the courtesy visit of ABCON delegates to the NDLEAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquartes in Lagos, on Thurday. 6. Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (second right) in a group photograph with the State Executive members, during the first State Executive Council meeting, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 26 October, 2015

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Still on Professor Adewole’s nomination

NE of the highlights of the second Ministerial Nominees List sent to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, is the inclusion of the name of Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, out-going Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan. The world-acclaimed obstetrician gynaecologist, is not a card-carrying member of the ruling party. He was picked by Mr. President on merit, towards the actual-

ization of his plan to have in his Cabinet, tested professionals and technocrats to effect the desired change promised by his administration. President Buhari deserves unreserved commendation and not condemnation, for looking beyond the orbit of politics to fish out Professor Adewole for inclusion in his cabinet as part of the infusion of change in the polity. By the singular act, the President exhibited ample courage and true sense

President Buhari, help us We are the recent recruits of the Nigeria Immigration Service. We applied for the job, driven by passion to serve our fatherland, we were invited to take the computer-based test, physical fitness test and oral interviews. We came out successful out of thousands that applied. The recruitment process was fair, credible and merit-based. Two thousand of us who were successful were asked to proceed to NIS training schools in Kano, Imo and Rivers states depending on our cadre to collect our appointment letters. Some of us are yet to collect our appointment letters. We were later directed to report to various state commands for three months induction training programme. We travelled from different parts of the country, risked our lives on the road, resigned from our previous places of work and abandoned our educational pursuits, believing that we had secured employment with the Immigration. In the course of our induction programme, some of us borrowed money to pay rent and feed for three months. Our induction programme entailed lectures, military drills, sweeping, cutting grasses and cleaning toilets. These we did for three months without pay. After three months of going through all these, we were sent home and now

we hear rumours of cancellation of the recruitment. I want President Muhammadu Buhari to look into our case. •Lawrence Peters, 10 Parkinson street, Asaba, Delta State.

of nationalism and commitment to give Nigerians quality service. I, therefore, appeal to aggrieved politicians who feel shortchanged by Adewole’s appointment, to see the perceived momentary denial of political patronage as part of their own sacrifice to the on-going political evolution, transformation and national integration being championed by President Buhari. I cannot in one breadth be craving for the inclusion of non-partisan professionals and technocrats as ministers, and in another breadth be condemning the nomination of a globally acknowledged professional of Professor Adewole’s stature, who in the emerging political configuration should be seen as a new-breed and a true representation of the true breeze of fresh air needed to ventilate the change mantra.

The drum of opposition against Adewole is being orchestrated by those still having the mindset that the same vegetation should be continually watered to continue to regenerate in the same environment, in perpetuity, even in this era of change. I call for sincerity on the part of the politicians and to appraise the situation objectively, and in total-

ity, in relation to other key state and Federal appointments, taking into consideration other exalted political offices, including, and not limited to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Besides, there are still many more positions to fill at the Federal level. I, therefore, plead with the political gladiators that we should all be cautious,

in our utterances and actions, not to throw the baby away with the bathwater, on the altar of partisan politics. Let us sacrifice our personal interest for national interest. •Iyiola Balogun, Ibadan. funs@yahoo.com

Boko Haram: We want lasting peace ALTHOUGH it is still early to judge the Muhammadu Buhari administration on its handling of the Boko Haram insurgency, it is, however, painful that people are still being killed on a daily basis in the Northern part of the country. As it is now, all Nigerians must come together to find a lasting solution to the problem of the insurgency; the fact that

the military has dislodged the terrorists from their hide-outs, and particularly in the Sambisa forest, is enough to halt the attacks, what we are still witnessing is still giving peaceloving Nigerians cause for concern. During the campaign period, Buhari had told Nigerians that he would defeat Boko-Haram within two months of getting to pow-

er, but today, the military is still trying to contain the insurgency. The attacks in Abuja a couple of weeks ago has shown that the insurgents are still capable of taking their reign of terror anywhere. I hope something will be done quickly to end this madness, because If nothing is done on time, it might spread to other states in the country. Therefore, military, political and traditional leaders should come under one roof to deliberate on how to bring about lasting peace to the country. This war cannot only be won militarily; we need the input of everybody, particularly religious and traditional leaders. •Jimoh Mumin jimohmumin@yahoo.com

Message to Sunday Oliseh SUPER Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, needs to manage the crisis in the team with maturity. After Vincent Enyeama resigned, Emmanuel Emenike has also joined him. There is the fear that more established members of the team would also be quitting soon. This is not good for the team. The Super Eagles need experience to surmount great teams, and it is not a good thing we are losing our experienced players. •Festus Agada, Surulere, Lagos.

editorial

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Senators’ pay reduction proposal

fter a spirited opposition to the proposal for a pay cut by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Senate has agreed to a downward review of the salaries and allowances of its members by 50 per cent. Senator Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi, representing Katsina Central, announced this to Senate correspondents in Abuja, 05 October 2015. According to him, senators agreed to implement the 50 per cent salary cut as part of efforts to key into the zero tolerance for corruption policy of the present administration, and to support all other policies and programmes the executive is embarking upon for “the benefit of Nigerians.” We recall that the Senate had earlier rejected a cut in salaries and allowances by suspending a consideration of the report of its Finance Committee, following sharp disagreements over recommendations by the committee. It is, therefore, pertinent to ask: Why did the senators change their minds and what is the benefit to Nigerians? What is immediately clear to us is that the Senate seems to be responding to the persistent public outcry that the salaries and allowances of the legislature are exorbitant and unsustainable, given the current low revenue accruing to government and the levels of poverty in Nigeria. It also shows that they are responding to the claim by President Muhammadu Buhari that the salaries of political office holders set by the RMAFC were too high. The president had called on RMAFC to review downwards the salaries and allowances. As the RMAFC was carrying out the review, the president and the vice president voluntarily cut their salaries and allowances by 50 per cent. We believe the gesture of the Senate is at best an expression of solidarity with the symbolic gesture of the president and vice president. However, it must be stressed that these gestures do not address the desires of Nigerians for a nimble government with minimal costs to any significant extent. In the first place, the voluntary pay cut seems to pre-empt the work of the RMAFC. Secondly, it is not based on any specific factor or foundations of setting wages and salaries in the public sector. Third, being a voluntary gesture, it does not amount to real reduction in salaries and allowances. This is because the Senate could change its mind and

decide otherwise. In any case, the operational salaries and allowances are still the existing provisions by RMAFC. That is what will inform the budget and the release of funds. We therefore insist that these gestures cannot replace the comprehensive review of salaries and allowances being done by RMAFC. There is no clear basis on which the current unsupportable salaries was arrived at. Apart from the claim that the country could afford it, RMAFC did not provide any justification for the salaries and allowances being paid to political office holders since 1999. Current realities have shown that fixing salaries on the basis of affordability without regard to other macro-economic variables and public service pay structure is ill-advised, unsustainable and regrettable. Even, when the price of oil was high in the international market and government enjoyed surpluses, Nigerians have decried the exorbitant character of the salaries and allowance of political office holders. There is need for a thorough, systematic and realistic review of the salaries of these political officials. Universally, the pay of political office holders is benchmarked to the salary structure of the public service in general. Secondly, wage review is also tied to inflation and cost of living indexes. Salaries are usually not set without taking into cognisance the short and long term implications on the economy. The RMAFC is supposed to have provided the technical basis for such adjustment, while providing advice to governments on how to increase their revenue capacity. Increasing or reducing the salary of public officers simply on the basis of immediate affordability or nonaffordability is not good enough. The RMAFC must justify its existence by strengthening its capacity to do its job with professional input and provide a rational and sustainable basis for the determination of salaries of political office holders. In doing this, it should also draw on the capacity and expertise of the Salaries and Wages Commission. Efforts must be made to clarify not just the salaries of these officials of government, but also all allowances must be spelt out and a justification provided for them. It must also ensure fairness in the determination of the salaries.

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founder: CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

Co-Founder/Chairman Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo (CON)

Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson

Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177

Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA

South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State

Snr. Manager (Advertisements) Kayode Titiloye Sales Manager Omotayo Lewis, Ph.D Consultant/Director Segun Olatunji, Ph.D

GOT NEWS?

Abuja Office: Suites G2. 05-07, PEB04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Beside NAPTIP Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja Advert Hot Lines: 08033199716; 08078891797 Kaduna Office: AN 20, Lagos Street, by Keffi Rd., Kaduna. Ikeja Marketing Office. Block C, First Floor, Motorways centre, Opp., 7up Alausa, Ikeja.

Contact: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com or call:08055069471, 08116954630

opinion

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Lasisi Olagunju Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053) “There is not a stir or a whisper when Louis de Rougemont steps onto the stage to recount his astonishing experiences. It is the most amazing story a man ever lived to tell — a breathtaking tale of catastrophe and miraculous events. But critics say he is an imposter with a gift of ripping yarns. Are Louis’s tales true? Or is he the greatest liar on earth?..” Louis is the principal character in Mark Greenwood’s 2012 adventurous book, “The Greatest Liar on Earth.” The character tells his great stories with great convincing skills and the whole world listens...and believes him. Is he a Nigerian? “The Greatest Liar on Earth” could have been written about Nigeria. Here, leaders tell tales about uprightness, truth and righteousness with twisted tongues of lies. They tell their stories believing that the gullible nation has no choice but to listen. You and I have been following the series on the channels of ministernominees or minister-designates. Every episode presents new yarns to chew on while we wait for the next. Did you enjoy the particular one where the actor swore in the name of the Almighty God that he never took a bribe in his life? I did. As he pronounced every word in that declaration, his face shone and showed he believed himself, if you didn’t, na you shabi, na your problem. But why not believe him, especially when you and I should know that what is shown on TV is the Abuja equivalent of shows I longed to watch inside the Amphitheater of Oduduwa hall during my undergraduate days? You probably watched yours inside the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Does it really matter where it is staged in today’s Nigeria where no chamber is sacred or hallowed enough to be saved the shame of profanity? You can’t enjoy your story, even if it is fiction, unless you believe it. Public office is about belief and believability. America’s first president, George Washington, has as part of his enviable history, a famous declaration: “I can’t tell a lie,”

‘I never took a bribe in my life’ and other stories

as he confessed, even as a young man, that he had cut a cherry tree — a sin in a society that sanctifies every object of creation. Can you and I remember our president, his party and repudiated covenants? And can we remember governors who can’t be held to account because they “don’t sign cheques”? There was another U.S. President, Richard Nixon with his famous “I am not a crook” declaration before editors of the Associated Press in the early, breaking days of the Watergate Scandal. Every student of investigative journalism can recall the historical, unravelling properties of that statement. Not even his taking refuge in the strong room of “executive privilege” could save Nixon, who was “not a crook,” from being indicted for crooked politics. And why would anyone be loud about not ever being a bribe taker? Is it because the politician noticed, like Graham Greene, that a bribe changes relations: “The man

who offers a bribe gives away a little of his own importance; the bribe once accepted, he becomes the inferior, like a man who has paid for a woman”? Or could it just be that the bribe-loathing politician does not want the effectiveness that goes with bribing to get elected into high offices? Or should we just ask him: what is a bribe? Is politics not all about giving and taking bribes? What goes on during political campaigns? Do you “mobilize” supporters to “mobilize” voters? Do you campaign with “campaign” materials, including ladies who lubricate the engine of the political machine? What is a bribe? Maybe there is so much stress, so much to worry about that we entertain ourselves with this drama of ‘confirmation of ministers.’ Politicians are great entertainers. Great entertainers are truthful liars. They get us laughing at ourselves as they tell you and I that we are not what we are or that they are not what they actually are. Voters are great spectators. They assess who entertains with the best “truthful lie” among leader-designates and then decide whom to vote in and whom to vote out based on their stage performance. Are we as bored as the Armenian king in folklore who organised a competition in search of the “greatest liar” in his kingdom? Is this about who can entertain most with mountainous caps, great garments and drooling yarns about honesty and uprightness? Is this Change all about clean mouths and stinking yansh? Are we ever going to be tired of listening (and believing) refined, inverted truths? Tomorrow, the show continues. And as we wait for the next episode, I advise we get the jury ready to do a conscientious grading of the characters. Note the dress, note the shoes. Assess the carriage and the swagger. Do not just listen to the words as they escape, read the lips especially. That is the way to go to ensure that the crown goes truthfully to The Greatest Liar we can produce. He/ she should then be the next Coordinating Minister of this Change regime.

Unregistered SIM cards: Keep them on, pay heavy fines… By Ibrahim Aduku The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), since coming under the headship of Prof. Garba Umar Danbatta, has changed the trajectory of the SIM registration exercise. It has raised the tempo and turned the heat on network operators to conclude the exercise and create a credible phone-user database for the country. The commission has taken a stand to the effect that continued use of unregistered SIM cards constitutes a threat to national security. This is understandable especially within the context of global trends in crime and terrorism. It is also a proactive security measure which enables the commission in conjunction with security agencies, to monitor and evaluate security issues and reports. It is in line with the foregoing objectives that Prof. Danbatta spoke during the NCC Day at the Abuja International Trade Fair. He said ‘The decision to undertake the drastic measure of deactivating these (unregistered) SIM cards is to ensure our collective and individual security as the dangers posed by the use of phones that have no identities behind the numbers is enormous. The security of life and property of this nation far outweigh our individual conveniences…’ In August, NCC issued to all telecoms services providers matching orders to deactivate unregistered SIM cards on their networks or face sanctions. But as is often the case, most of the network operators have been dithering on the directive, prompting the NCC to wield the stick. Subscribers with unregistered SIM cards as well as the service providers on whose networks such subscribers rely are therefore suffering inconveniences already. The subscribers can’t use their phone lines while the network operators are losing money. About N132 million in fines have been slammed on four of the GSM companies – viz MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat by the commission for contravening orders on SIM card registration. The companies had failed to pay an earlier fine

of N120.4 million at the deadline of September 7, 2015, given them by the NCC. On August 28, 2015, the commission had fined MTN, N102.2 million; Globacom, N7.4 million; Etisalat N7 million, and Airtel, N3.8 million, totalling N120.4 million for violating its directive to deactivate all pre-registered, improperly, and incompletely registered SIM cards on their networks. NCC directed the operators to pay up by September 7, 2015 or risk additional N100, 000 fine per day for each operator. The registration of existing SIM cards ought to have officially ended in January 2012. But the network service providers were allowed to continue to register new ones until when a harmonised and validated database is obtained, after which all unregistered SIMs will be deactivated. The scheme was conceived to enable operators to have a predictable profile about the users in their networks; and to enable the commission to effectively implement other value added services like Number Portability, among others. But some sort of lethargy accompanied the execution of the exercise such that it fell short of the seriousness of an official policy directive. All that has however, begun to change. Fresh guidelines were rolled out in a bid to bring the exer-

cise to a logical conclusion even though registration of newly acquired SIM cards will remain a continuous process. Amongst others, the guidelines require that there should be no more SIM swaps by telephone or through calling customer care; any SIM to be replaced must have been registered in the past; and that any user, wishing to replace a SIM card must be present in person or authorise a proxy with a Letter of Authority. The exceptions are for those replacing their SIM cards through a secured online portal. A subscriber must present a means of identification such as driver’s licence, national identification card, voter’s card or an identification letter from a traditional ruler and religious leader. Subscribers would also be required to present the SIM pack or other evidence of direct purchase/ownership of the SIM card in question. Where such information is not available, an affidavit attesting to the ownership and loss of the said SIM must be provided. According to the NCC, the draft SIM replacement guidelines are aimed at providing a seamless, effective and efficient procedure for SIM replacement across the country. It says: “The intention behind the development is to ensure a secure process for SIM replacement and curtail the incidents of fraudulent replacements which have become rampart in the industry.” An era of a new and orderly way of implementing policy directives is here. Societal development is progressive and one phase gives rise to another as a continuum. Development in the nation’s communications and technology sector has reached a point where critical policy decisions are closely monitored as a matter of course. This is more so when such policies border on national security and the wellbeing of individuals and groups. Operators who keep unregistered subscribers on their networks must, therefore, realise that they are not only aiding and abetting crime, but have wittingly become parties in the trend of phone-related crimes such as terror attacks, abductions and robberies scorching the land. •Aduku, a sociologist, writes from Ibadan.

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor

tribune

business

Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

Challenges as NDIC, telcos, banks drive financial inclusion with innovations

Cashless policy and financial inclusion were the thrust of the 14th edition of annual workshop for Business Editors and Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) organised by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in Ilorin recently. FEMI IBIROGBA examines the issues raised at the workshop and their effects on the economy.

inancial inclusion of the unbanked or the grossly under-banked Nigerians with no bank accounts, estimated to be over 39 per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is imperative, requiring drastic measures to get them onboard, but also challenging are intricacies of infrastructure, power source, internet facilities, telecoms interconnectivity and risk exposure, all of which must be fixed. The imperative of Nigeria becoming cashless with the goal of minimising cash transaction and economic dangers associated with it and the necessity of poverty eradication through financial empowerment have sparked off innovations from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the telecommunications companies (telcos), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and other stakeholders, ranging from Mobile Money System to online banking and e-wallets. However, challenges propping up with the various innovations, operators and regulators admit, are overwhelming. As technology explodes, so also does the sophistication of frauds, for as banks rely more on technologies, they increasingly have to make huge amounts of sensitive personal data readily available to customers, clients, vendors and employees through various platforms with risks of compromise via mobile apps and cloud servers. Tackling the challenges and achieving the financial inclusion were the main issues at the NDIC-sponsored workshop for business editors and financial correspondents in Ilorin, Kwara State, recently. Director, Banking and Payments System Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr ‘Dipo Fatokun, while delivering a lecture on ‘Enhancing the Capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises,’ said, “the majority of the unbanked have to rely on cash or informal financial services which are typically unsafe, inconvenient and inexpensive. “Large populations live in the rural areas at subsistence levels, with no access to banking, but their family members usually work in the cities and remit money home, using informal, expensive or risky means.” The situation was attributable to lack of bank branches in the areas, low credit worthiness of rural dwellers, inability to meet account opening criteria and means of identification, as well as grossly poor annual income, leading to intricacies of grossly inadequate contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), extreme household poverty, economic and infra-

structure exclusion. However, mobile payment system, especially in developing economies, is rapidly evolving and making tremendous impact in the economies and lives of citizenry through savings, payments and transfers, among others. A very good tool,

The provision of Passthrough Deposit Insurance coverage, therefore, mandates that the subscribers of funds domiciled in MMOs trust accounts in the deposit money banks be adequately protected

as Fatokun puts it, for effecting financial inclusion is the rapid growth of mobile telephony in Nigeria, put at over 120 million subscribers by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as the majority of the unbanked have access to mobile phones. Using this means, he added, would imply realising

the objectives of fostering financial inclusion; delivering on employment generation with the empowerment of existing and more informal small business operators; reduction in transaction cost and facilitation of economic growth. Other impacts that the widespread use of mobile telephony would bring, according to experts, are efficient monetary policy management, efficiency in payment system, facilitation of domestic and international remittances and faster payroll systems. There are, however, a myriad of challenges confronting the realisation of the cashless policy and financial inclusion through the internet and mobile telecommunication, ranging from erratic power supply to e-frauds. Managing Director of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said “some of the visible challenges confronting the entire e-banking, mobile payments and deposit insurance include inadequate and poor infrastructure arising from lack of constant power supply, poor linkage access roads and inadequate telecom services, as well as high overhead cost on the part of operators.” Suggesting the way forward, the syndicate committee at the NDIC-sponsored workshop advocated rapid investment in sustainable alternative sources of power, such as solar systems, to complement the national grid in the rural areas for financial inclusion. This, it said, would allow SMEs to embrace internet banking, Point of Sales (PoS) devices and mobile money, thereby driving financial inclusion and safer payment systems. The NDIC boss also identified e-fraud and web-based sharp practices as some the hurdles, saying, “It is worrisome to note that the banking system has continued to record very high incidences of fraud and forgeries in recent years…. The amount involved in 2013 was N21.80 billion as against N25.61 billion in 2014, which was a 17.5% increase with expected/actual loss increase from N5.76 billion in 2013 to N6.19 billion in 2014. “The types and nature of frauds and forgeries were largely web-based and ATM related, fraudulent transfer/withdrawal of deposit frauds and suppression of customer deposits, among others,” attributing some of the causes to weak IT infrastructure, poor internal controls due to contract staffing of clerks and tellers. Commenting on risk-mitigation strategies against e-fraud and associated risks, DirecContinues pg30

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

corporatefocus Lafarge: Bringing innovation into built industry Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

ssociated with new ideas or better ways of doing things, innovation is described by business dictionary online, as the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value. Innovation includes all processes by which new ideas are generated and converted into useful products. In business, innovation often results when ideas are applied by a company in order to further satisfy the needs and expectations of customers. Experts have identified Research and Development (R&D) as the backbone of innovation. It is probably in recognition of this that companies spend huge sums of money on R&D. The United Nations Habitat, while championing the cause for inclusive, sustainable and adequate housing for all, stated that by 2030, about three billion people, or about 40 per cent of the world’s population, will need proper housing and access to basic infrastructure and services such as water and sanitation systems. This translates into the need to complete 96,150 housing units per day with serviced and documented land from now till 2030. But projecting into the future without innovation may not give the desired result in the constantly changing world of today hence, the need for a robust research and development unit to drive innovation in forward-looking organizations. For instance, Research and Development is the cornerstone of innovation at LafargeHolcim. Lafarge has an annual R&D budget exceeding 170 million Euros, the largest building materials laboratory in the world and more than 1,300 employees in R&D and Technical programme. Lafarge also has formal partnerships with some of the world’s best research teams and universities in Europe, and the United States and Asia (including MIT and Berkeley). As one of the few full-service concrete producers capable of manufacturing an extremely wide range of concrete that can assist its customers with all their construction needs; Lafarge Africa is a leader in advocating concrete as cost effective and more durable substitute for asphalt in the Nigerian market. “Our portfolio includes products ranging from standard concrete used in everyday driveways and sidewalks to customized mixes used in complex high-rises that must meet strict design specifications to our proprietary technology, Chronolia, which lets users strip a wall from just a few hours after the concrete arrives on the jobsite among others,” the company’s on-site engineers explained. LafargeHolcim has the most innovative cement, concrete, and aggregates solutions to meet Nigerian customers’ needs. This is re-enforced by the firm’s capacity to produce superior products in the market with the same product quality as delivered in France, Switzerland, Canada, UK and other advanced markets with strict safety and regulatory standards. The firm also offers opportunity for Nigerian LafargeHolcim engineers and other staff to enhance skills and broaden horizons by working in factories and product development centres in Europe

Lafarge’s Easy Home scheme is being implemented in partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank to provide housing micro loan borrowers with free technical assistance to help them throughout the construction project.

Peter Hoddinott, Lafarge MD and America. Its presence in Nigeria goes beyond its core building materials operations to providing an enabling environment for investments and for communities to benefit from best practices on environment, relations and social responsibility. In Nigeria (which has a housing deficit estimated at 17 million units) Lafarge Africa is not only providing innovative solutions for the supply of affordable housing and infrastructure which will play a major role in realizing the country’s ambitions to become a leading emerging market economy, it is committed to building structures that last. Briefing the media after a facility tour of the factory in Lagos, General Manager, Independent Power Projects, Lafarge Africa Plc, Lanre Opakunle, said Lafarge is con-

cerned about building a stronger Nigeria in a manner that is safe, ethical and sustainable. What Lafarge is doing Specifically, Lafarge Africa Plc recently unveiled a partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Agence Francaise de development (AFD) on measures to aid provision of affordable houses for Nigerians. Hitherto, Lafarge Africa had unveiled its mass housing development plans in Nigeria, starting with N1.3 billion low-cost housing scheme for 3,500 low-income earners across the country; partnership with Federal Government for construction of mass, affordable housing in Abuja and the construction of all expenses housing

units for 1,000 villagers in Ogun State. In 2013, Lafarge Africa Plc entered into a tripartite agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD) and LAPO Microfinance Bank to finance the construction of low-cost housing tagged Ile Irorun for 3,500 low-income earners to the tune of N1.3 billion, targeting at first, 400 low-income earners in Sagamu and Abeokuta, Ogun State under the pilot scheme. At a housing micro finance academy held in Lagos recently, Chief Executive Officer, Aggregate and Concrete, Lafarge Africa Plc, Loren Zanin, said: “The challenge of providing access to housing for low-income earners has special importance to Lafarge. We see this not only as a challenge of our times, but also as an opportunity which is fully aligned and central to our strategic objectives. “Providing access to financing to low income families is obviously not enough. We discovered that a major problem for the low income home owners was the lack of knowledge on how to design and build a house properly. This is why we provide housing microloan borrowers with free technical assistance to help them throughout the construction project, from the preparation of the drawings, to the optimization of the bill of quantities, to the supervision of their job site. “In line with this, we have built a 14-member team of construction technical assistants intervening everywhere the programme exists. The end result is a significant improvement in the quality and safety of the construction”. Similarly, Managing Director, Lafarge Africa (WAPCO Operations), Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, reiterated the company’s resolve to constantly engage stakeholders on the need to adopt sustainable solutions unveiled by Lafarge. According to her, Lafarge Africa Plc (Lafarge Wapco) will continuously strive to create more value for customers and end-users by providing them with the highest quality products and solutions. While recommending the use of professionals in any kind of construction, Mr. Continues pg30

Monday, 26 October, 2015

+ entrepreneurship

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Ruth Olurounbi

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

Applications for Google business internship open By Ruth Olurounbi

emember we spoke last week about internship regarding ways to learn a business you’re passionate about? Well, today, we are excited to inform you that Google Inc is accepting applications for business internship programme 2016 across Africa – Senegal, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa. “Google internships expose you to the technology industry, as well as provide opportunities for personal and professional development. From being challenged, to collaborating with a team join our team to make an impact,” Google called out in a pitch circulated online. The internship, an annual programme, is designed for students who are currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme, who are maintaining student status throughout the internship, returning to education on a full-time basis upon completing the internship and have the ability to commit to a minimum of 10 weeks and up to six months at Google. Areas of internship include: sales and customer service, large customer sales, Google for work, people operations, marketing and responsibility, Google says. “At Google, one Googler can make a huge impact, and it’s no different with our interns–they are key players in our daily innovation. As an intern, you’ll have the opportunity to work on projects core to Google’s business, whether it be Sales, Enterprise, Finance, People Operations (HR), Legal, Product Quality, or Marketing. Our intern recruitment team will determine where you fit best based on your CV and the preferences you indicate on the application form,” the tech giant adds. Duration and start date of internship vary depending on the position.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and PR Manager, Google Africa

INSIDE

Q&A: Do I really need to register my business?

GTBank launches $15m SMEs development scheme

+ entrepreneurship Monday, 26 October, 2015

An explanation on Tribune advert promo

Q&A

Do I really need to register my business?

A lot of people have called in regarding the ongoing promotion on Entrepreneurship+ seeking clarification on some things. I thought it would nice to answer the questions here, to aid other potential advertisers that may be seeking more clarifications going forward. Yes, you can advertise on Nigerian Tribune’s Entrepreneurship+ for less than N50,000 a month. This is because, the Nigerian Tribune, in its customary gesture of supporting small business (SMBs) owners in Nigeria, is offering special discount packages to SMBs to advertise their products and/or services for as low as N50,000 per month or less, depending on the package they are subscribing to.

Dear Ruth, Thank you so much for the good work on Entrepreneurship+, I must confess that I find this “package” as you call it on the social media quiet useful and beneficial. I have learnt a lot from it. Thank you once again. I have a small problem I would like you to help me with. I am a small business owner and I am torn between registering my business or not. My family thinks that I should save myself future heartaches and register my business now, while my friends think it’s not necessary to register it as I could register it when it becomes big. I personally don’t know what to do. Please help me. Thank you. Taiwo. Dear Taiwo, First of all, thank you for reading Entrepreneurship+ and following us on the Social Media. And thank you for your kind words; I am glad you find the package useful to you. To your question, I think that your family is right; you should register your business as soon as possible, for several reasons. There are some certain privileges that come with registering your business – some of them being your company’s eligibility to access funding, your company/business’ reputation, and

How it works How this works is that interested business owners on the promo package will have their business adverts on Entrepreneurship+ every week until their subscription runs out. Note that this does not mean that your advert placements will run every day of the month until your subscription runs out, but weekly. As you know, the Entrepreneurship+ magazine is published once a week, therefore, that is when your advertisement comes out. The N50,000 subscription covers the offline (paper version), while the online platform of the Nigerian Tribune attracts different fees – again, depending on the package you are subscribing to. Benefits Nigerian Tribune is an international newspaper, with a website metrics that boasts of five million unique visitors per month, while Entrepreneurship+ boasts of 35,000 views per week and the paper version which reaches across Nigeria.

Femi Soneye, Publisher, PSN and Business Communications Consultant

ties will minimise damage to your brand. Choosing policies that unite people instead of polarizing issues that tear them apart makes good business sense. It also minimizes potential damage to you and your company.” Some of these issues in Nigeria, according to him, include for the minimum wage which he says is really critical. “Personally I think it should be increased, the issue of local government autonomy, issue of state police, issues of comprehensive health care and so on.” Soneye spoke to Entrepreneurship+ in an interview recently, when he said “a businessman should put his resources and influence behind issues, not political parties. Bringing people together is another way of achieving this, you see even though Nigeria is divided and most people have

their political party affiliations, and the National Assembly on its part consistently receives low approval ratings, most people support issues that make sense for the majority of the population.” This year, Soneye partnered with the US Centre for Strategic and International Studies to invite to Washington, Leaders of the PDP and the APC to discuss electoral roadblocks, share ideas on reform, and examine the roles and responsibilities of political candidates and party members during the election period. This meeting, he said, was the genesis of the peace accord signed by President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari at the time. “At that meeting, leaders of both parties agreed to sign the accord and advise their supporters and candidates to shun inflammatory rhetoric. The APC was repre-

sented by Alhaji Lai Muhammed, Professor Osinbajo, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Governor Yari, while the PDP had officials from the presidency, and Dr Doyin Okupe. That meeting gave birth to the ‘Abuja Peace Accord’,” he says. Soneye, who said the attributes of a successful business person, in his views are: integrity, quality, an understanding of time, confidence and humility, creativity and the ability to exceed clients’ expectations, added that an entrepreneur must always be informed, “even if you think you know a lot about something. It is imperative that you know your clients. How controversial an idea is ultimately comes down to what your customers think. Have a decent business plan. Always establish a framework for assessing opportunity. Hire the right person at the right time and be honest.”

Business structure James Maku, a sole proprietor of a textile business in Magama Local government area of Niger State, said: identifying the time of business structure you want to run is very important. According to him, determining the viability of your business concept is a critical key to moving forward. Many people do not understand the import of registering a business. Some of the reasons why it is encouraged to register your business are listed below: Reputation Those who have been in the business for decades registering your business makes it legitimate, thus earns you a reputation of being serious. It also endows you and your work some degree of responsibility and this will open doors for you, Mr Gboye Aderonmu, a business con-

sultant said. Business name and liability protection Aderonmu added that registering your business helps protect your business name from being used by another person. Once your business is registered, it is documented with your state and local governments, thus you’re legally protected other people using it, as other new businesses have to check if your business name has been registered with the state before they can legally use it. Aderonmu also said registering a trade name or trademark will add for more protection. As far as liability protection goes, a lawyer, Chuks Eze, said when someone registers their company, especially if it is a limited liability company, the person will receive personal liability protection for business decisions or actions of such company. To break it down, a business owner who runs a limited liability company is personally protected against company debts and legal matters. Business loans One of the requirements for taking a business loan from the bank is a certificate of business registration; same goes for some government and non-government organisations interested in taking out loans. Although there are different

eligibility criteria for securing these loans, one thing these lenders have in common is the requirement for the certificate of registration, Aderonmu said. How to register your business in Nigeria In Nigeria, a business is registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The CAC was established by the Companies and Allied Matters Act, which was promulgated in 1990 to regulate the formation and management of companies in Nigeria, according Bello Mahmud, the Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of the commission. The fee is subject to the structure of business you’re trying to get registered. For instance, the CAC said the registration of private company with share capital of N1 million or less attracts the fee N10,000.00, while registration of private company/Increase in Share Capital above N1 million and up to N500 million attracts the fee of N5,000.00 for every N1 million share capital or part thereof. Registration of private company/increase in share capital above N500 million attracts a fee of N7,500.00 for every N1million share capital or part thereof and so on and so forth. Note that on your application form, the CAC requires you to clearly state the name of your business.

GTBank launches $15m SMEs development scheme

Entrepreneurship & politics: Soneye weighs on why more entrepreneurs should do politics Nigerian entrepreneur based in the United States of America, Femi Soneye, publisher of a global news outlet, Per Second News (PSN) and Business Communications Consultant, is calling for more entrepreneurs’ involvement in Nigeria’s politics. According to him, this is a viable way to effect changes in the business space they operate in. Soneye says that more than anything, entrepreneurs in Nigeria need get involved in issues that are important to the growth of their businesses, as well as the development of the country. Going forward, Soneye advises that “publicly supporting a party is risky since there’s always a mixed bag of issues in any campaign. I have always known that staying out of the inner workings of political par-

more importantly, your credibility. Last year, I wrote an extensive article on why you should register your business and I have reproduced it in part here for you. I hope you find the answer you’re looking for. A very few people do understand why it is important to get their business registered. But before registering a business, a couple of things need to be sorted out first, business owners of several years advised.

Olusegun Agbaje, MD, GTB

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has launched a $15.2 million (about N3 billion) scheme in partnership with Agence Française de Development (AFD) to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development in Nigeria. According to a statement issued by the bank in Lagos, the initiative is designed to boost financing for business start-ups and development projects in Nigeria. “The partnership with GTBank, which is the first in Anglophone Africa, will support the growth of SMEs by providing a risk sharing mechanism on loan advances,” it said. It added that the scheme provides banks, private equity investors and other financial institutions a safer platform to increase participation in SME financing by providing foreign guarantees to local credit facilities advanced to SMEs. The Ariz Portfolio Guarantee Scheme, since its inception in 2008, has expanded to over 20 francophone countries in Africa and teamed up with more than 40 partner banks worldwide. The statement quoted Denys Gauer, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, as saying that “SMEs has a key role as drivers of economic growth and employment.” The envoy noted that in spite of widespread presence of SMEs in Nigeria, the sector faces major obstacles, including limited access to bank financing, mostly because of the risk factor associated with SMEs. Gauer said that the objective of the scheme was to facilitate SMEs’ access to finance by supporting the development of the GTBank portfolio of SME loans. Segun Agbaje, GTBank Managing Director, said in the statement that empowerment of SMEs remained pivotal to the sustenance of growth and development in emerging economies across the world. Agbaje said the sector though crucial to the economic make-up of the country, contribute little to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Monday, 26 October, 2015

moneymarket

anchor Chima Nwokoji

m:08032637535 e:chimatitus@yahoo.com

Former CBN governor calls for naira devaluation Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

ormer governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi has added his voice to calls for the devaluation of the naira. While criticising the bank’s currency policy on Friday, Sanusi said Nigeria will have to devalue the naira and loosen monetary policy to stimulate the economy hit by a plunge in oil prices. Though some analysts say economic circumstances in 2015 differed so much from that of 2013 when Sanusi defended the naira, Nigerian Tribune recalls that Sanusi while briefing journalists at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in September 2013, had said that the argument of those pushing for devaluation of the naira does not hold water in an import-dependent country like Nigeria. He said: “as far as the naira is concerned, the CBN has always said that we are committed to its stability. I know there are some people who don’t share that view. But I have not personally heard any economically valid argument as to the benefits of devaluing the naira up to

NIBOR October 23, 2015 Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 5.6683 14.1054 15.7091 17.0643

Change (%) -0.08 0.63 0.39 0.23

NITTY October 23, 2015 Tenor 1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12M

Rate (%) 4.5686 6.7998 7.1566 9.8273 10.8490 11.4560

Change (%) -0.19 0.44 0.10 -0.18 0.03 0.36

Government Securities Auction Date

10/21/2015

Security Type

NTB

Tenor

Auction No

21-10-2015-91 Day

Auction

Primary Market

Maturity Date

1/21/2016

Total Subscription

78334.95

Total Successful

36786.99

Range Bid

6.9000 - 12.5000

Successful Bid Rates 6.9000 - 8.4990 Description

Issue

Rate

8.499

True Yield

8.683

Amount Offered (mn)

36786.99

this point in time. “It will not improve our export nor reduce our imports into the country. It will not improve our fortunes as long as our structural reforms have not been implemented. He had also said that no central bank governor will say that he would support the currency at every cost,

“but we want to be very clear in our minds and to the public that there is no country in the world that would allow its currency to be just determined by the market.” Currently the Emir of Kano, Sanusi was removed in 2010 after he raised concern that tens of billions of dollars in oil revenues had

not been remitted to state coffers. But Sanusi told CNBC television on Friday that “It is wrong to think that you can keep the naira at a certain level when the price of oil is falling without depleting your reserves. “It does not speak well of us to pretend that the naira is appropriately priced.”

From left, Guest Speaker/Regional Director, Nigeria and Central Africa, Alcatel One Touch, Nick Imudia; Moderator, Top 50 Brands Nigeria Forum/Chief Executive Officer, V+O Communications, Josephine Aligwekwe; Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Ekeh and Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos, Joseph Okonma, at the Brands Nigeria Leadership forum (Top 50 Brands Nigeria ) held in Lagos recently. PHOTO: ALABA IGBAROOLA. CBN Rates as at 22/10/2015 Currency US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI RIYAL

DANISH KRONA SDR

Buying(NGN) 196 303.1924

Central(NGN) 196.5 303.9659

Selling(NGN) 197 304.7393

221.97 203.6364 1.6363 0.3201 276.1837 30.8249

222.5363 204.1558 1.6405 0.3301 276.8882 30.904

223.1025 204.6753 1.6447 0.3401 277.5928 30.9831

52.2625

52.3958

52.5291

29.7479 276.654

29.8238 277.3598

29.8997 278.0655

FGN Bonds Date of Auction Security Type Tenor Maturing On 2/13/2020 2/13/2020 3/14/2024 3/14/2024 2/13/2020 2/13/2020 7/18/2034 7/18/2034 Amount Offered (N mn) Subscriptions (N mn) Tot. Successful (N mn) Net Sales (N mn) Range of Bid Rates Successful Bid Rates Marginal Rate

10/14/2015 FGN Bonds 204.7868 5 Year 180 10 Year 180 5 Year 82227 20 Year

10/14/2015 FGN Bonds 205.4112 170.7672 1.4001 0.3028 240.1376 26.7946 15000 4161

9/16/2015 FGN Bonds 206.0355 171.2862 1.4044 0.3128 240.8675 26.8765 5000 2740

9/16/2015 FGN Bonds

1155 1155

17019 40 102.71 40.00

4161 40 82.17 40.00

2740 40 67.10 20.00

30 54.11 25.00

12.0000 - 16.0000 12.0000 - 13.1110 13.111

12.0000 - 16.5000 12.0000 - 13.8700 13.87

13.5000 - 20.0000 13.5000 - 15.9500 15.95

14.5000 - 20.0000 14.5000 - 15.9700 15.97

CBN Bills Date of Auction Security Type Tenor Maturing On 11/13/2003 2/20/2003 11/21/2002 9/19/2002 Amount Offered (N mn) Subscriptions (N mn) Tot. Successful (N mn) Net Sales (N mn) Range of Bid Rates Successful Bid Rates Marginal Rate

Nigerian Tribune

5/15/2003 CBN Certificate 204.7868 91 180 180 180 26.7127 82227 37767

2/25/2002 CBN Certificate 205.4112 170.7672 1.4001 0.3028 240.1376 26.7946 15000 4161

11/26/2001 CBN Certificate 206.0355 171.2862 1.4044 0.3128 240.8675 26.8765 5000 2740

17019

4161

2740

20.5

9/24/2001 CBN Certificate

1155 1155

19.5

weeklyreview Money Market Review and Outlook Liquidity levels remained robust all through last week. Dealers at Afrinvest West Africa Limited said this was in line with the recent trend, although lower than the levels in the previous two weeks. Hence, interbank money market rates remained at their low levels at the start of the week - 0.8 per cent for the Open Buy Back (OBB) and 1.0 per cent for the Overnight (O/|N) majorly due to the robust liquidity level in the system (over N800.0bn). On Tuesday, rates rose marginally as the OBB advanced 29basis points (bps) to 1.1 per cent and the O/N rate up 50bps to 1.0 per cent. The increase in rates was due to the scheduled Foreign Exchange (FX) intervention sales on Thursday for which deposit Money Banks were required to provide funds 48-hours in advance. Against this backdrop, “we observed a contraction in liquidity opening balance of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to N384.2billion on Wednesday, which led to a spike in money market rates, as the OBB settled at 5.3 per cent while the O/N stood at 5.8 per cent. There was also a Treasury Bills (T-bills) maturity worth N138.2billion, however dealers said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) conducted a Primary Market Auction (PMA) of the same amount on that day. On Thursday, market liquidity further fell to N329.2billion and this resulted in a marginal increase in money market rates. The OBB and O/N averaged 3.5 per cent and 3.9 per cent last week, which signifies a 2.7 per cent and 2.9 per cent week on week (W-o-W) increase relative to the previous week. Dealers said the T-bills market started the week on a bearish note and this persisted all through the week as sell offs were observed across board which pushed up average rate from 8.1 per cent in the previous week to 8.4 per cent on Friday. W-o-W, rates rose 39bps across tenors, which is attributable to the tighter liquidity in the money market. Foreign Exchange Market Review In the interbank market last week, the naira experienced some slight movements. On Monday, the naira traded at N199.10/ US $1.00 but appreciated by 2kobo on Tuesday (N199.08/ US $ 1.00) after the CBN reduced its intervention rate by 2kobo to N196.98/ US $1.00. This was sustained on Wednesday and held till the end of the week. At the Bureau De Change (BDC), the naira appreciated N2.00 at the start of the week (N224.00/ US $1.00). However, with increased pressures on the naira, there was a N1.00 depreciation to N225.00/ US $1.00. Despite the CBN’s position that the naira is appropriately priced at current official rate, the N28.02 spread between interbank and parallel rates, as well as the current pricing of the naira at forward market (6 month forward: N226.00/ US$1.00) suggests a high likelihood of adjustment in interbank pricing if administrative curbs on trading are removed said dealers at Afrinvest. Nevertheless, “we do not expect the CBN to make a significant re-adjustment in its intervention rate or administrative management of FX. Demand restrictive policies has already resulted in lower utilization of FX by DMBs and stabilisation of external reserves” the dealers said. In the coming week, dealers believe the naira will continue to trade at current levels but in a broader view, as the yuletide season approaches, pressures on the naira are expected to increase as demand for FX to fulfill monetary obligations intensifies. Bond Market Review In recent weeks, investors have been very bullish on the fixed income space as the bond market has been on a bullish run for some weeks now with increased participation from domestic investors as majority of the foreign investors have exited the market due to FX related uncertainties. Furthermore the robust liquidity levels in the financial system have also given investors the capacity to increase their stakes in the domestic FGN bond market. Accordingly, the bond market sustained its bullish run at the start of the week with increased buying interest in some short to mid-term tenured instruments (FEB 2020, JAN 2022, MAR 2024) with yields down 56bps, 61bps and 57bps respectively while the yield on the 20-year benchmark instrument JUL 2034 was down 12bps.

moneymarket ABCON faults use of BVN for forex transactions

Stories by Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

s s o cia t i o n of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has faulted the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make the Bank Verification Number (BVN) mandatory requirement for foreign exchange transactions. Recall that the CBN, on Wednesday, issued a circular which stipulated that the use of BVN for all foreign exchange transactions from November 1st, 2015 is manadatory. The apex bank also said that it would discontinue the sale of foreign exchange to BDCs that fail to provide BVN of its directors by the same date. In a statement issued on Friday, ABCON faulted the November 1st deadline, saying it is too close. It also said that making BVN mandatory for foreign exchange transactions, without adequate publicity, training and other measures, would enhance activities of the parallel market operators and widen the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market exchange rate. According to the statement, “The return of the CBN directives on the use of BVN on sales of forex to BDC clients will lead to the following: Confusion and delay in the use of applicable HS Code for processing of ‘Form M’; Cancellation of foreign credit lines by correspondent banks; Increased mistrust between regulators and operators; Increasing misery level of majority of Nigerians already in a significant poverty level; Decline in public confidence in CBN’s ability to sustain its macroeconomic objectives. It will set the pace for growing foreign interference in Nigeria’s monetary policies; loss of jobs; Increased fraud and other related financial crimes.”

Monday, 26 October, 2015

The association noted that while it was not totally opposed to the use of the BVN for foreign transactions, it believed that the November 1st date would be too early for such policy, in view of the preparations required for smooth implementation. Consequently, the association among other things recommended some measures that would facilitate

the introduction of BVN for foreign exchange transactions. It stated that, “The CBN should resume training of BDC operators for the use of the BVN platform, and there should be massive sensitisation of the public on the new policy.” The association also recommended a CBN/ABCON taskforce to monitor

compliance and eliminate non-compliant BDCs, adding that this must be complimented with enhanced security surveillance at the airports and boarders. The association also called for harmonisation of the different operational guidelines by the CBN and the National Financial Intelligence Units (NFIU), as well as a review of the scope

From left, Founder/Director, Interior Designers Excellence Awards (IDEA), Ms Titi Ogufere; Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Abubakar Suleiman; Managing Director, Alan Caray Technical and Logistics Limited, Mr Ronnie D’Souza and Board member, Interior Designers Excellence Awards (IDEA); Ms Bunmi Ajagbe, during a press conference to kick-off the 2015 IDEA Conference supported by Sterling bank in Lagos.

Increased liquidity to reduce borrowing cost in Q4 Expectations are high that the level of liquidity in the money market is likely to translate into low borrowing cost and possible increase in loan growth to the real sector in the 4th quarter of 2015. Relative to average liquidity level of N222.5billion in September, money market operators have said that robust liquidity in the system has led to Deposit Money Banks’ (DMBs) average cash balance of N673 billion in the past two weeks. “More importantly, we expect the high monetary and funding liquidity to translate into low rates in the credit markets and possible buoy loan growth to the real sector in the 4th quarter of 2015,” said dealers at Afrin-

vest. In the same way, OMO maturity of N120.0billion expected to hit the system on Thursday, 29 October, 2015 will add to liquidity, hence dealers expect interbank money market rate to continue to trade at single digit this week. The investment research company however, expresses concern that in the absence of clear-cut fiscal economic policy direction to complement the monetary stimulus, risk appetite of investors and DMBs will remain weak relative to potential. Dealers said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is yet to conduct any Open Market Operation (OMO) auction to mop up the excess liquid-

ity in the last 4 weeks. “We suspect that this may be deliberate as the CBN moves to foster lending to the real sector, in line with the agenda of the current CBN Governor. Asides, inflation in recent times has been driven by high cost of production (not demand pressure); thus allaying concerns that the increase in liquidity in circulation will pressure consumer prices,” dealers at an investment banking and research company, Afrinvest West Africa Limited observed. With stronger liquidity position, experts are concerned that competition for deposits among DMBs will likely reduce and this might in turn lower cost of deposits for banks in fourth

41 items: Letters of credit prior to June 23 to be paid from interbank Importers of goods and services who have established Letters of Credit before the release of June 23, 2015 circular in respect of the 41 items excluded from the Nigerian foreign exchange (forex) market can now get their forex from the interbank market. This was contained in a circular to authorised dealers and signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olakanmi Gbadamosi.

of BDC operations as defined by the CBN guidelines to reflect current market realities. Meanwhile, ABCON has written to the CBN Governor, highlighting the various factors responsible for the sudden rise in the parallel market exchange rate from N212 to N224 per dollar within the last three weeks.

To this end, CBN urges Deposit Money Banks to render weekly returns on the negotiated Letters of Credit as per the prescribed format. “For the avoidance of doubt, no bank or Bureau De Change (BDC) is to provide foreign exchange for any of the 41 items in respect. of Forms ‘M’ established after June 23,2015,” the circular obtained from the bank’s website read in part. Meanwhile, yields on Nigerian bonds are seen dropping as naira liquidity rises,

after it climbed marginally last week. Traders said increased liquidity drove bond yields down to about 12.90 per cent week before last from the peak of 17 per cent. “The market perceived that the government has the desire to drive down yields on fixed income in the near term and with the expected increase liquidity next week, yields are seen falling again,” one dealer said. Dealers said they expect a liquidity boost this week, in

part due to the disbursal of monthly budget allocations to some states and local government. The 10-year bond yield, which traded at 12.90 per cent penultimate week, rose to 13.60 per cent on Friday. However, some dealers said Nigeria’s interbank lending rate has jumped to 7 per cent as of Friday from 1 per cent at the end of last week as payments for foreign exchange and treasury bills have drained liquidity from the banking system.

quarter (Q4):2015 “as term deposits are likely to be re-negotiated downwards upon maturity to reflect the current liquidity dynamics.” This according to investment bankers may be a disincentive to bank customers to save, hence encouraging people to spend more. Also, “On the back of current lower yields in the fixed income market, banks’ net interest margin may be pressured in Q4:2015. “However, this may spur banks to reallocate assets by creating more risk assets in the retail space to buoy assets turnover. In addition, longer tenor instruments currently present attractive options within the bond market. “Moreover, stock market players may also decide to take medium to longer term positions on fundamentally sound stocks with valuations expected to be bolstered by lower discount rate and risk premium,” Afrinvest observed in a note to investors. Expectedly, in response to the high liquidity levels, money market rates have declined, with average Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) falling to 12.8 per cent from 16.2 per cent recorded the day before the September Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting was concluded.

Nigerian Tribune

Sterling Bank backs IDEA Awards Sterling Bank Plc has assured of its readiness to support initiatives that would encourage local production and consumption of locally manufactured goods and services to support the growth of the nation’s economy. The Bank’s Executive Director, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, gave the assurance at a press conference on the forthcoming annual Interior Designers Excellence Awards (IDEA) conference supported by the bank. According to him, it had become obvious that the country could no longer sustain its huge dependence on imported goods and services and that more attention needed to be focused on encouraging local production. He pointed out that by encouraging local production, the Bank was also promoting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) thereby contributing to national economic growth; stressing that Sterling Bank decided to support IDEA because the promoters of the conference share “our commitment and passion to promote local production and consumption especially as we come up with other initiatives to promote SMEs in the country.” Mr Suleiman who emphasized that Sterling Bank has, over the years, consistently patronised local works, explained that the country at the moment does not have the resources to continue to import all the things that we need. “So from supporting SMEs to backing national economic growth, we have many reasons for supporting IDEA 2015.” In her remarks, the Founder and Director of IDEA, Titi Ogufere noted that one of the major challenges facing the country today is over-dependence on imported goods and services that could be produced locally. “Instead of conserving our scarce foreign exchange and spending it on developmental programmes to enhance the local economy, we spend so much on importation and in the process stifle the local industry.” She described IDEA, an annual independent design award programme as a foremost significant event in the year for practitioners in the architecture, interior design, real estate and construction fields.

Monday, 26 October, 2015

capitalmarket

Nigerian Tribune

anchor Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba

m:08057336640 e:kehinde_07@yahoo.com

Oando records 27% profit loss, N180bn turnover

From left, Mr Vladimir Cherny, Business Development Manager, British Standards Institution Group, Middle East and Africa; Mr Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mrs Adedoyin Odunfa, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Jewels and Mr Agboola Samson Olusola, Assistant Director, Banking & payments System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the 2015 World Standards Day Conference in Lagos.

Oando Plc, listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg Stock Exchange, has announced unaudited results for the six months period ended 30 June, 2015. The company’s turnover decreased by seven per cent, N180 billion compared to N194.6 billion in first half of 2014, while gross profit decreased by 27 per cent, N37 billion compared to N50.5 billion (H1 2014). According to the company, Oando’s less than stellar numbers are indicative of the emergence of a new global oil order due to the continuing crude price fluctuation that has changed the corporate landscape for oil companies, and has far-reaching implications for the economies of oil exporters. A review of the half-year results of eight of the 10 oil and gas firms listed on the NSE main board showed that the companies made

value respectively, with Access Bank, Fidelity Bank and Wema Bank been a major driver. The Oil and Gas Industry followed with a turnover of 124.811 million shares worth N1.959 billion in 1,695 deals. The third

traded, measured by volume, responsible for 290.740 million shares worth N3.073 billion in 2,941 deals, contributing 29.29 per cent and 23.42 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Stock Market on slight rebound, gains 0.60% Stories By Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba -Lagos

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), in recent times is on a gradual pick up as the major market indicator showed, last week, that there is slight gain in trading activity. The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation, closed on Friday with an increase of 0.60 per cent at 30,011.89 and N10.314 trillion respectively. All other seven Indices finished higher during the week with exception of NSE Insurance, NSE Consumer Goods and NSE Lotus Islamic indices that declined by 0.81 per cent, 0.49 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively, while NSE ASeM Index closed flat. Investor on the floor of the Exchange market, last week, made a turnover of 992.719 million shares worth N13.11 billion in 14,252 deals in contrast to a total of 949.675 million shares valued at N10.280 billion that exchanged hands in 14,833 deals, in the preceding week, representing a decrease in activity but an increase in turnover. The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 712.270 million shares valued at N4.989 billion traded in 7,921 deals; thus contributing 71.75 per cent and 38.02 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and

place was occupied by the Industrial Goods Industry with 47.275 million shares worth N2.754 million in 606 deals. Oando Plc, Access Bank Plc and Zenith International Bank Plc were top three equities

Lafarge Africa records 6.9% decline in sales Lafarge Africa, in a release of its 2015 third quarter (Q3 2015) financial report, to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), recorded sales of N59.75 billion in the quarter, a 6.9 per cent decline compared to Q3 2014. On a sequential basis, the company’s profit and loss margin showed similar pressure on both top and bottom-line. Revenue declined by 13.9 per cent q/q, while gross profit margin of 28 per cent was 863bps lower than the previous quarter.

A 369bps spike in opex/sales as well as an over 300 per cent decline in other income, combined to offset milder finance costs, down by 26 per cent and a lower tax rate, down by 27bps. As such, profit before tax and profit after tax margins contracted by c.2000bps each to 35 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. According to the management of Lafarge Africa, the modest five per cent year on year rise in revenue was the combined result

Zenith Bank earnings grow by 23.1% in Q3’15 Gross earnings of Zenith Bank Plc in the third quarter of 2015 has increased by 23.1 per cent to N311.749 billion from the N253.283 billion recorded in Q3 2014. In a release to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), for the nine month period, gross earnings grew by 23.1 per cent year on year, supported by interest and non-interest income growth of 20.5 per cent and 32.3 per cent

respectively. In line with the industry trend, the bank reported a 99.2 per cent increase in loan loss expenses but this was not significant enough to dampen after-tax earnings which grew by 16.9 per cent y/y. Loans declined by 3.4 per cent q/q, taking YTD growth to 6.5 per cent. Deposit growth declined from the previous quarter by 3.2 per cent, translating to a 0.97 per cent decline YTD.

of improvements in its Ready to mix and Wapco businesses, recording 31 per cent and 11 per cent growth respectively, and a decline in Ashakacem’s performance (impacted by the unrest at start of the year). Also, net income which declined by six per cent was on account of an estimated N2.5 billion loss due to insurgent activity in the Ashaka catchment area. Overall, the result was reflective of challenges with efficiency across its different operations. Despite the company’s weak Q3 performance, the company remained positive on its medium to long term outlook and believed Lafarge continued to offer value. “Also, we see the recently completed acquisition of United Cement Company of Nigeria as a positive for the company given Unicem’s track record of delivering on earnings growth as well as its plans to increase capacity from 2.5mntpa to 5.0mntpa by FY2016. A key risk to Unicem’s contribution however is its high exposure to USD dominated debt (c. $784m),” the company stated.

a cumulative profit after tax of N18.490 billion as against the N42.797 billion recorded at the same time a year earlier. Nonetheless, Oando increased its 2P net reserves by 82 per cent from 230.6 million boe to 420.3 million boe and growing average production from 4,531 boe/day in H1 2014 to 55,399 boe/day in H1 2015. The company, listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg Stock Exchange, also released its financial statements for the twelve months period ended 31 December, 2014 in which its gross profit increased by 17 per cent, N69.8 billion compared to N 59.4 billion in 2013, and profit after tax decreased to N183.9 billion compared to N1.4 billion in 2013. The PAT numbers were impacted by impairments of N76.9 billion (41.8 per cent) in E&P, N16.9 billion (9.2 per cent) in underlift and JV receivables loss, N37.1 billion (20.2 per cent) in Rig business impairment, and N7.3 billion (3.9 per cent) in foreign exchange losses. 75.1 per cent of the impairments have been declared as non-cash related. Mr Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, during a visit to the NSE, explained that the company’s business “has experienced this change with the sale of 60 per cent of our Downstream business in line with our strategic goals, placing fundamental growth expectations on the Upstream division, as already evidenced in the 11 fold increase in production and 82 per cent increase in 2P reserves. The cash proceeds of the divestment will be utilised towards further optimiSation of our balance sheet.” He added that upstream players had been forced to record significant reductions in the fair value of their asset portfolios, noting that Oando was no exception to this global trend, which had led to the recognition of about N76.9 billion of impairment charges in our exploration and production business. “This impairment is as a result of lower oil prices leading to a reduced valuation of certain exploration and appraisal assets. We prudently booked an additional N16.9 billion write down on under-lift receivables and Production Sharing Contract receivables in our exploration and production business, and our energy services business realized impairments of N37.1 billion, as the current oil price environment has brought about reduced drilling activity and in turn reduced day rates accruable to our rig assets, as well as a weaker market outlook,” he said.

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

labour

OTUWA leaders move to rejuvenate for crucial roles in ECOWAS sub-region Stories by Soji-Eze Fagbemi

he Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA) held a threeday Special Delegates Coference in Abuja, aimed at rejuvenating the organisation. Tagged ‘Renewal Congress,’ by the OTUWA President, Comrade Alex Bonney, the special congress is to position the organisation to play its expected critical roles as a regional labour group in the West Africa sub-region. Bonney, while delivering his speech, said holding the special congress at this time is the greatest thing to happen to OTUWA and the region, adding, “today is a great day in the history of trade union development in the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) as we gathere here in Abuja for the rejuvenation of Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa. He stated that sub-regional trade unions had a key role to play in their respective Regional Eonomic Communities (RECs) to make sure that labour and employment issues become central to all socio-economic policies and programmes of their regions. For trade unions to play this critical role in the globalisation world, Bonney said they must be strong, influential and adequately organised, adding that there was the need to consolidate and strengthen sub-regional trade union organisations for them to remain relevant in their respective RECs. Specifically, he pointed out that OTUWA, as one of the sub-regional trade union organisations in Africa, had a duty to contribute effectively to the ECOWAS’ regional integration process. He, however, regretted that, the organisation had been inactive for a number of years and had not claimed its rightful place in the region. He stated, “I was elected as OTUWA president in 2009, nevertheless, OTUWA was not forceful to engage the ECOWAS and its secretariat. Furthermore, OTUWA rarely organised trade union activities for its affiliates due to a number of reasons.” According to him, some of the reasons include the crisis within the labour movement in Cote d Ivoire where OTUWA sectetariat was based, the sudeen demise of the organisation’s Secretary General, the political crisis in Côte d’ Ivoire from 2010 to 2011, and lack of institutional capacity such as human resources and finances. He commended OATUU and ITUC-Africa leaderships for working together with a view to reviv-

ing the organisation, stressing that this is a perfect spirit and should be kept alive. To this end, the Deputy President of NLC, Comrade Kiri Mohammed, advocated the relocation of the OTUWA’s national secretariat to Nigeria. Mohammed, who is the national president of Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), an affiliate of the NLC, suggested that the move would enable the organisation to effectively discharge its responsibility in the atmosphere of peace, with the support from the two major labour centres in the country. Also speaking, the NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, underscored the significance of the revival of OTUWA, insisting that it would not only lend credence to regional integration, but also ensure the unification of the various trade unions on the African continent. “For us, the working people of

Nigeria, the revival of OTUWA is a significant milestone that cannot be overlooked. The theme of this conference, ‘Uniting Workers to Promote Regional Integration in West Africa’, is germane, most especially at this time that regional integration and cooperation is a worldwide phenomenon, inspired by the success of the European experience. “The most compelling reason why the working people of the West African sub-region must come together under a formidable trade union organisation, is that like the West African countries, they are very small, not only in population, but also in terms of economic output, so also are our trade unions or labour centres. “Since development requires the organisation of social and economic activity on a much larger scale, we must have large and big trade union organisations in the region to be able to engage meaningfully. This

is because a big trade union organisation brings with it opportunities for a wide range of benefits associated with it; increased specialization, technical skills and capacity, competition, access to a wider range of technological knowledge, and greater sharing of ideas and experience in all areas of endeavour. “We must reflect on the fact that West African countries today are weakly integrated nationally, regionally, and internationally. Ethnic and socio-political divisions are particularly dominant in the region. Our trade unions are small and labour centres significantly fragmented in many of our countries, and these are impediments to regional integration. Regionally, West African countries are divided by a wide range of institutional, legal, socio-economic and cultural barriers. At the international trade union level, West Africa is increasingly marginalised.”

From left, Director, Market Development, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Matthew Iranloye; Zonal Controller, Lagos, Mr George Enyenkpon and Head, United Nations Office for Projects and Services, Mr Pius Otuno, during a seminar on accessing international markets through the United Nations Development Group - UN Office for project services at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

NUEE urges FG to suspend planned PHCN liquidation The Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has urged the Federal Government to suspend the planned liquidation of the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Mr Joe Ajearo, the General Secretary of the union, made the call during a protest by the workers on Thursday in Abuja. Ajaero said that the planned liquidation must not take place without settling outstanding major labour issues in the sector. “As at today, the Federal Government is still owing PHCN workers over N50 billion and all the staff are being owed one entitlement or

the other. “About 5,000 people have not been paid their severance and other benefits; so, how then can you be talking about liquidation, when you are owing the workers? “We also learnt that there was a liquidator; but we have never met him as stakeholders; any liquidator should have been able to meet with the workers of the establishment before talking of liquidation. “Because these are the people you are owing, whom you must settle before you liquidate.’’ Ajearo said that the union also learnt that the liquidator was paid

over N5 million for a period of six months that expired on Oct. 18 and was supposed to take over between Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. “This is why we are protesting; we are just sending a signal that any attempt to do it, we will resist it with force since we have not been settled.’’ He urged the Federal Government to overhaul the entire privatisation process, adding that this had led to untold hardship on workers in the power sector. “We want the Federal Government to pay us our entitlements and review the privatisation process,” he said.

TUC, others call for lifting of economic blockade on Cuba The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and its civil societies in collaboration with the Nigeria-Cuba Friendship, Business and Cultural Association have appealed for lifting of economic ban on Cuba by the US government. They made the call recenty during the visit of Cuban Ambassador, Carlos E. Treso Sosa and his deputy, Miriam Morales Palmera to the congress in Lagos. Speaking, Mr Carlos Sosa, Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria said that the US placed an economic blockade on Cuba because it refused to adopt the US model of operation in Cuba. According to Sosa, Cuba is known for being advanced in medicine and needed to interact with other parts of the world to be able to develop and grow its economy. He said the situation had become worse as Cuba could not transact business with members of the UN and the third world countries. “Things have become worse today than before with the present US government. The US government collected 40 million dollars as fine from a third-world country that had business deals with us. “Anything we buy from the US we pay in advance but we cannot sell our products to the Americans. We are also not allowed to spend dollars in our country,’’ he said. The Cuban ambassador said that the relationship with Nigeria started in 1805 but because of the blockade, countries who have relationship with the US would not want to associate with them. He added that the Cuba was developing in terms of health care production and needed to reach out to other countries of the world. He said that because of its advancement in medicine, Cuba has the lowest mortality rate in the world. In his remark, Mr Abdulkareem Motajo, President of the association called for the lifting of the embargo on Cuba, because the people are Africans through history. Motajo said that Labour in Nigeria was campaigning for the freedom of Cuba because some Africans and Nigerians were transported through slave trade to Cuba. He said that the people of Cuba had suffered for 50 years and needed economic freedom so that their country would grow. Also, TUC President, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, in his remark condemned the act, noting that some other countries would also suffer as a result of not buying health care facilities from Cuba. Kaigama, who was represented by Simeso Amachree, a senior official of TUC, said US not allowing Cuba do business with other countries contravenes the act of interdependency of nations.

tribunebusiness Confronting the challenges of financial inclusion, e-payment 30

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Continued from pg21

tor of Research Department of NDIC, Dr J. A. Afolabi, said deposit insurance for operators and customers is vital to the mobile money system because subscribers need assurance that their deposits and transactions are safe and available at all times, necessitating active involvement of NDIC. He said: “The growing number of Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) and subscribers in the country present new challenges, which include the safety and security of the depositors’ funds in the digital and virtual environment. “Sound and reliable Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), backed by the deposit insurance scheme and accessible to all are, therefore, essential for mobile payments and invariably financial inclusion,” adding that one of the objectives of NDIC was to protect large number of unsophisticated depositors, hence the need to protect the subscribers of MMOs. The provision of Pass-through Deposit Insurance coverage, therefore, mandates that the subscribers of funds domiciled in MMOs trust accounts in the deposit money banks be adequately protected, he added. While expatiating on investigations into e-banking frauds and forgery cases in the country, Deputy Superintendent, Bank Fraud Section of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Shazali, said though the percentage increase in fraud cases had been alarming, efforts were being made by the security operatives, CBN, NDIC, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBBSS) Plc and telecoms operators to demystify, resolve and prevent frauds. Between 2013 and 2014, actual loss to

Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, NDIC MD

Emefiele, CBN gov

fraud through the PoS increased from N5.8 million to N157.6 million. ATM loss also increased from N55 million to N2.7 billion, while Mobile Banking increased from N6.8 million to N13.3 million. Despite this, the EFCC investigator said the Bank Verification Number (BVN) initiative of the CBN and Bankers’ Committee, the use of E-FASS software and Know Your Customer strategies would go a long way in minimising the risk exposure and actual loss to e-banking in particular, while harping on imperative of effective use of KYC strategy by DMBs to checkmate loss to forgeries and bank frauds. “It is pertinent to mention that the CBN has been actively taking steps to improve

the process of monitoring electronic transactions with initiatives such as the BVN and the E-FASS software. However, Nigeria is still a long way off from adequately protecting itself from threats to its cyber security,” he said. He added that legal instruments such as ICPC Act 2000, EFCC Act 2004; Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007; Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and the Cybercrime Act 2015 are in place to help in the fight against e-fraud, malpractices and to regulate e-commerce and prosecute offenders, raising the hope that Nigeria would get it right by achieving the financial inclusion and its numerous advantages while making adequate provision for protec-

‘Bringing innovation into built industry’ Continued from pg22

Opakunle said the company continues to create new markets with its sustainable and affordable housing projects, adding that financing options for the affordable housing projects have been made easier with partnerships with a microfinance institution. “Lafarge’s Easy Home scheme is being implemented in partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank to provide housing microloan borrowers with free technical assistance to help them throughout the construction project. “Over the last five decades, Lafarge’s footprints are visible in the area of development of sustainable legacy through iconic buildings and infrastructure. We hope to sustain this legacy through the provision of decent, affordable and sustainable housing no matter the income level of Nigerians under our affordable housing scheme,” Opakunle added. He revealed that Lafarge Africa, Finland’s Wartsila and the World Bank’s IFC agreed in September to build a 220 MW gasfired power plant in the country to boost electricity supplies, at a cost of $400-million. Opakunle is confident that the project would enhance 1.4 mil-

lion households’ access to electricity and help mitigate energy problems of many firms in the country Value for Investors A benefit of being part of LafargeHolcim is that shareholders in Lafarge Africa can expect good returns on investments from a better managed organization and be part of a global brand leader. Lafarge Africa, in July, reported first half pre-tax profits that rose 13 per cent to N29.72 billion from a year ago. Turnover to end-June also increased to N116.7 billion from N104.15 billion last year. The firm’s finance and investment income increased to N3.5 billion from N1.71 billion naira in the previous year. In Nigeria, Lafarge management expects stable prices and growing volumes particularly over the second half of 2015 with both South Africa and Ashaka now fully operational. Lafarge has rewarded investors handsomely as its stock value has risen by 144 per cent in the past 5 years. The stock was up 8.2 percent, 20.34 percent and 126.21 percent respectively in 2011, 2012, and 2013. So far this year to July 29 the Lafarge Wapco’s stock has risen by 23 per cent, mas-

sively outperforming the NSE main stock benchmark which is down -11.95 per cent in the same period. Lafarge’s share price closed at N97.50 per share on Friday October 23, 2015. Lafarge Africa is a major blue chip firm on the NSE with a market capitalisation of N450 billion, equivalent to about 4.3 per cent of Nigeria’s entire equity stock market capitalisation. The company currently trades at a price to sales ratio of 1.83 xs and P.E ratio of 11.3 xs, according to Bloomberg data. “We continue to forecast earnings per share EPS of N11.3/ N11.5/N14.6 for FY15E/16E/ FY17E representing a three-year 26 per cent EPS CAGR for the group. At its current 8.1x P/E to December 2015, we think Lafarge Africa offers value,” investment firm Renaissance Capital (RenCap), said in a recent note. Lafarge and IFC On IFC’s partnership with Lafarge, the Country Manager of IFC, Eme Essien Lore, said: “Available statistics shows Nigeria has a housing deficit of about 17 million units and to meet up, the housing sector has to produce over 700,000 units of housing every year. Unfortunately, in Nigeria today, the formal sector is only churning out

about 1,000 units a year. “The most prolific developers in Nigeria can only churn out about 400 units a year; contrast that with developers in Latin America and East Asia who are able to build 5,000 - 10,000 units a year. So we have a real problem in Nigeria when it comes to trying to address housing challenge. “The partnership we have with LafargeHolcim has the objective to provide housing finance product offerings with the provision of technical assistance for construction and construction materials. I really like the term, housing microfinance, and I hope it becomes a household term in the banking community in Nigeria. “This partnership will enable market players to provide consumers with the financial tools that they need given their particular circumstance. “Most importantly, this enables us to target the informal market. Most of the statistics we’ve been talking about are focused on the formal market. This initiative will help us address the opportunity in the informal housing market. This cooperation is an important element of IFC’s strategy for finance and I’m personally excited about it because it will have a direct impact on people’s lives”.

Nigerian Tribune

tion of users’ wealth through insurance. Managing Director of NIBSS, Mr Adebisi Shonubi, while speaking on ‘Managing the risks of e-banking in Nigeria’, said NIBSS manages cheque clearing and settlement, Nigeria Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT), e-dividend, Nigeria Instant Pay (NIP), Point of Sales (PoS), ATM Switching, e-BillsPay platforms on behalf of participating banks for easy tracking, identification and resolution of transaction hurdles. He added that e-reference, EPCCOS, Anti-Fraud, e-identification verification, Authorised Signatory Verification and BVN had been put in place to checkmate frauds, protect depositors and e-channels users’ wealth. Shonubi argued that most e-banking frauds were associated with users’ disclosure of personal and security details, knowingly or otherwise, to third parties, while adding that insider collaboration in the banking system also accounted for rising cases of e-frauds. Benefits of BVN, he said, include credit checks; Know Your Customers (KYC); fraud management and transaction authentication. Speaking from the operator’s perspective, Managing Director of GTbank, Segun Agbaje, represented at the workshop, said emplacement of a number of policies and control mechanisms by DMBs and other operators to check-mate e-fraud and forgeries would go a long way in achieving the goals. Some of the measures, he said, are filling of appropriate register for ATM Card/PIN release; proper stocktaking of ATM cards Chip and PIN technology encoded in ATM cards; 24-hour contact centre hotline to escalate card-related issues and internal fraud management technology to monitor irregular transaction patterns. Other measures to protect users’ wealth, he added, include authentication of token requests; effective supervision and monitoring of tokens to customers; protection of e-banking with security encryption to prevent external cyber attacks and security login with PIN passwords, test Q&A, Token OTP, among others. Director of Research Department of NDIC, Dr Afolabi, also assured that “When funds are deposited by a custodian on behalf of one or more actual owners, the NDIC will insure the funds as if the actual owners had established the deposit in the insured bank. It is a coverage that guarantees the funds of subscribers of Mobile Money Operators in the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the event of failure.” Overall, while charting the way forward in an attempt to marry the contradictions of financial inclusion and threatening factors, the CBN, NDIC, NIBSS, financial journalists and business editors, among other stakeholders, agreed that continuous awareness and seminars on benefits of e-payment and transactions, as well as deposit insurance; improvement of security issues; empowerment of the poor and the financially excluded; provision of incentives for all e-payment channels; aggressive deployment of payment channels for easy availability and adequate training on oversight functions on e-payment schemes would help in the efforts over financial inclusion, cashless policy and resolution of associated crises. Also important are the imperatives of rapid investment in the power sector by the government and distribution companies; upgrade of telecommunications infrastructure by the telcos; improvement on policies and implementation strategies on the part of regulators and cooperation among MMOs and telcos for effective connectivity.

Monday, 26 October, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Wike

As concerned parties consider their next line of action, KUNLE ODEREMI X-rays some issues dominating public discourse in the judgment of election petitions tribunals in respect of governorship polls in Rivers and Akwa Ibo states.

T is a classic case of different folks, different strokes for the governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom states: Nyesom Wike and Udom Emmanuel. Weeks of controversy surrounding the petitions against their election last April filed before Election Petition Tribunals had dragged to months. What looked like an Act one scene one in the prolonged drama came to end on Wednesday and Saturday, when the tribunals gave their separate judgments on Wednesday and Saturday on the petitions before them. Before the judgments were delivered, most residents of both Port Harcourt and Uyo were gripped by apprehension, with the stalwarts of the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)

Emmanuel

Wike, Emmanuel: Two of a kind?

locked in accusations and counter-accusations bothering on alleged moves to influence the outcome of the tribunals. But with the verdict of the tribunals, it appears a lose-some-and-win situation for the main political parties and their main actors. In other words, the battle has only taken a new shape.

From the beginning, the petitions in respect of the elections in the two states had all the ingredients of a drama. The decision of the authorities to relocate the sitting of the tribunals to Abuja had elicited divergent views from the interested parties in the petitions. While the APC saw nothing wrong in the action, the PDP claimed there

The APC state chairman, Dr Amadu Atai, said his party would file an appeal against the judgment of the tribunal.

was more to it. The army of witnesses invited by the petitioners and the respondents, coupled with the gamut of documents assembled by them was also remarkable, as the sittings of the tribunals held the public spell bound. Expectedly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through its counsel made submissions tailored to justify all its actions in those states during the election that the commission declared Wike winner in Rivers and Emmanuel in Akwa Ibom. The separate judgments of the tribunals have sent many observers and party leaders back to the drawing board. A lot of bookmakers were proved wrong by the outcome of the tribunals, just as many others were dumfounded, given what they perceive as continues on pg32

politics&policy

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Posers over judgments continued from pg31

yawning gaps. In fact, the structure of the judgment delivered last Wednesday, in respect of the Akwa Ibom petition had raised the tempo of uncertainty and curiousity in respect of the Rivers election petition. Akwa Ibom The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal had nullified election in 18 local government areas of the state based on the petition filed by the APC, and its candidate, Chief Umana Umana, challenging the election of Mr Emmanuel of the PDP. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Sadiq Umar, ordered the INEC to conduct re-run election in the affected 18 local government areas, including Eket, Uyo, Onna, Nsit-Ibom, Nsit-Ubium, Ibiono, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit-Atai, Etinam and Oron. The judgment however has continued to raise a number of posers among stakeholders in the state. Most of the questions bother on the decision of the tribunal to peg its action on the 18 council areas; time frame for the re-run and the issue of a level playing field. One of such observers is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastian Hon, who reportedly discerned a lacuna in the tribunal’s judgment. He said: “I think an error of judgment has been committed, by nullifying in 18 local government areas, it means the governor was not validly elected and should not continue in office. However, under the Electoral Act, even if a governor is removed, he cannot vacate the seat until the time appeal is exhausted.” A member of the APC legal team in the case, Ubong Offiong, claimed by ordering rerun in 18 out of the local government areas, the tribunal had left a vacuum. He said: “I believe the tribunal could have said since election has been cancelled in the 18 local government areas and therefore the present governor was not validly elected, they should be a rerun within three months or a specified time frame. In that case, if any of the parties goes on appeal, the court would either uphold the judgment or change it.” The APC state chairman, Dr. Amadu Atai, said his party would file an appeal against the judgment of the tribunal. Meanwhile, PDP members were optimistic that their candidate would win even if the courts cancelled the entire election. According to them, what Emmanuel will need through the rerun is 150,000 votes. Incidentally, one of the affected local councils is Onna, where Emmanuel hails from. On the other hand, the APC will need to win in about 17 out of the 18 local government areas to keep hope alive in the rerun. It should be noted that all the councils constitute the majority of the population of the state. This is beginning to inform the various permutations by stalwarts of the APC and the PDP in the state. They also divided on the issue of Emmanuel remaining in charge when the tribunal has ordered a rerun in those council areas. While some contended that the power of incumbency could work in favour of the governor, others had a contrary view, since the onus of conducting the poll was within the purview of INEC. Nonetheless, APC leadership says its immediate concern was to file an appeal against the judgment. The state chairman, Dr Amadu Atai said the party would pursue the case to a logi-

Peterside

Umana

What Emmanuel will need through the rerun is 150,000 votes. Incidentally, one of the affected local councils is Onna, where Emmanuel hails from... the APC will need to win in about 17 out of 18 local government areas to keep hope alive in the rerun.

cal end. Rivers In the case of Rivers, the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Faraday Oruwese, said Wike polled 1,029, 102 votes (87.7 per cent of the total votes) to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the APC, Dakuku Peterside, who got 124,896 votes, representing 10.65 per cent. A total of 18 candidates contested the election, but only five governorship candidates had challenged the April 11 governorship election. The petitioners were Kemka Elenwo, KOWA party; Dakuku Peterside, APC; Charles Harry, All Progressives Grand Alliance; and Minaibim Harry, Social Democratic Party. The Justice Mohammed Ambrosa-led tribunal had on Friday issued notice of the judgment hours after the parties adopted their final written addresses. The petition-

ers called 56 witnesses. Counsel for the petitioners, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), argued that the resort to manual accreditation lacked legal justification when INEC had directed that card reader should be exclusively used for accreditation. He said there were only 293,072 accredited voters, comprising those whose Permanent Voter Cards were read, but whose fingerprints could not be verified by the card reader, alleging Wike and other respondents failed to justify the total accreditation of 1,228,614 votes. But the respondents – INEC, Wike and PDP – jointly called 40 witnesses, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds that it was constituted by unfounded allegations which the petitioners failed to establish. Wike’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), argued that Peterside was not qualified to contest the April 11 election because he was sponsored by

the APC in contravention of Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act. He also claimed that the petitioners failed to call witnesses who conducted the election. Similarly, PDP’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said the petition was incompetent and the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to amend the petition as it was full of bogus reliefs, while INEC’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), said the petitioners failed to prove the alleged irregularities. As members of the APC seem to be savouring the favourably judgment of the Tribunal to their party, those of the PDP are keeping hope alive because of indications that the respondent will appeal judgment. They are convinced that their principal has sufficient grounds to make sure he retains his seat via the Appeal Tribunal. Beyond that, many supporters of Wike and PDP members believe he has done sufficiently well since he was sworn in as governor in terms of good governance such that if there is a fresh poll within 90 days as pronounced by the Election Tribunal that will sway voters in his favour. On the whole, the curtain has drawn on the first stanza in the intense power struggle for the soul of Akwa Ibom and River states. Shortly, the second phase is expected to commence when the aggrieved parties in the conflicts head for the Appeal Court. In the meantime, the cacophonies triggered by the judgments of the tribunals will continue among the loyalists of the main gladiators, which in this case are the petitioners and respondents.

33 news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Buhari can’t lead in a democracy —PDP

•Poised for ‘war’ over tribunal judgments •It’s the usual broken record —Adesina Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

OLLOWING the nullification of the elections in 18 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, as well as that of Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, by the state governorship election tribunal and its order for a re-run, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of lacking the wherewithal to lead in a democracy. This was just as it vowed to resist what it observed as the attempt to subvert the will of the people and, therefore, called on its supporters to stand up and fight through all legitimate means. In a statement issued in Abuja, on Sunday, signed by its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party issued a rallying cry to all its members, sup-

porters and lovers of democracy across the country “to rise and use all lawful means to resist anti-democratic forces, now using the judiciary and security agencies in their desperate scheme to subvert the will of the people and destroy the nation’s democracy.” It said though it was seeking peace, it was not ready to accept the peace of a graveyard, neither was it willing to surrender the mandate freely given to it by the people in any part of the country, particularly in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Abia, Taraba and other states, where it won in the last general election. The statement read: “Let it be known, and clearly too, that no matter the strong-arming, threats and manipulations by the APC government, the PDP is not willing to and will never surrender the mandate freely given to us by the people in states, where we

won in the last general election, neither are the people of those states willing to allow sectional invaders to exert influence on those to be in charge of their affairs.” The PDP alleged that the desperation so far exhibited by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government in manipulating sensitive agencies of state like the judiciary and the security to further its bid to take over the rich states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta was totally against the spirit of democracy and peace bestowed by the PDP in conceding defeat at the presidential election, but instead an affront to the people and recipe for crisis in the polity. The party maintained that the prejudiced rulings by the Rivers and Akwa Ibom states governorship election tribunals, with their inherent contradictions, were a direct fallout of in-

terferences from the APC and some elements within the office of the president of the Court of Appeal, adding that they should be held responsible should there be any break down of law and order in the system. It also strongly cautioned against any interference in the Rivers and Akwa Ibom cases at the appeal level, as well as any further intrusion in the Abia, Taraba and Delta governorship election tribunals, which it observed, the APC was already boasting of controlling. The PDP said such would be a clear invitation to chaos in the land. The statement added: “In the last five months, after conceding defeat at the presidential elections and other polls where we lost, Nigerians are witnesses to the fact that the PDP has remained calm and steadfast to its commitment to providing mature, decent and

civil opposition with more interest on the peace, unity and corporate interest of our dear nation. “However, the ruling party and the APC Federal Government in their dictatorial inclinations are much more interested in playing crude, selfish and sectional politics and trying to use manipulation of judicial processes to forcefully take over states where we genuinely won in the elections. “Nigerians have noted APC’s definition of credible elections wherein governorship elections in Imo, Ogun, Plateau, Lagos and Yobe are all credible while those of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Taraba and Abia are rigged and must by all means be annulled. “In the light of the foregoing, therefore, leaders of the PDP across the country are now converging on a consensus not to surrender our national destiny and fate to the whims and caprices

Rivers election petition: Our mandate remains intact —Wike

As Dakuku says ruling has nailed coffin of electoral rascality Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has said notwithstanding the ruling on Saturday, by the election petition tribunal, nullifying his election, he will prevail and retain his mandate as state governor. He made this known in a state broadcast Sunday morning, insisting that contrary to the stance of the tribunal, the governorship election held across the state last April, with the people participating in electing their governor and state lawmakers. He faulted the tribunal for giving a ruling, which he said negated subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, noting that based on a judicial system built on the doctrine of hierarchy, lower courts were bound by the decisions of courts higher on the same or similar issues. He said he had instructed his team of lawyers to immediately commence the appeal process and have the decision of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal upturned. Wike, while appealing for calm among his supporters, said there was no cause for the alarm, adding that “by virtue of the constitution and the Electoral Act, I am

still your governor and will remain your governor until the exhaustive conclusion of the appeal process at the Supreme Court. However, in his own reaction to the judgment, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Con-

gress (APC) in the April election, Dr Peterside Dakuku, described the ruling as the final nailing of the coffin of electoral rascality in the state. This was as he also said the ruling was not just a victory for democracy, but also for

justice and the rule of law, adding that the judgment had vindicated Rivers APC. Noting that the perseverance of his party eventually paid off, he said: “This judgment is resounding, because at last,, we are vindicated. The journey, no doubt, was

tortuous, but the suffering was worthwhile. “It also shows that perseverance pays. This judgment no doubt also shows that we must continue to have faith in our judiciary as the last hope of the common man.”

Anxiety in Delta as tribunal rules on governorship election today Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri FOLLOWING the judgments delivered fully and partially in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, palpable fear has gripped the length and breadth of oil-rich Delta State, ahead today’s tribunal judgment on the April 11 governorship election. The petition was brought before head of the tribunal, Justice Nasiru Gunmi, by the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and Chief Great Ogboru. The trio are challenging the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, as winner of the election on the ground that vote cast in his favour was higher than the number of registered voters in the state.

Supporters of the three parties had, since Sunday morning, begun to gather in Asaba, venue of the tribunal for its final judgment. Nigerian Tribune gathered that water-tight security had been provided by a combined anti-riot policemen and the military to avoid the breakdown of law and order before, during and after the tribunal’s verdict. Preceding today’s ruling are allegations and counter-allegations of efforts being made by stalwarts of the PDP and APC to buy judgment for their candidates.

Meanwhile, the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has assured Delta indigenes to remain calm, as Okowa will come out of it victorious. Uduaghan gave this assurance in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Sunny Areh and made available to journalists on Sunday. Uduaghan contended that PDP and its governorship candidate defeated other opponents in the election, because it was the only party with structures at the grassroots.

According to him, “the international observers who monitored the governorship election in Delta State affirmed the results as being free, fair and without any form of violence. “In Delta State, PDP was the only party that campaigned vigorously and was in touch with the voters, even at the grassroots level. We worked hard for our candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to emerge as governor.” The former governor appealed to the PDP supporters to remain calm, as there is no cause for alarm.

Lalong vs Pwajok: Judgment to be delivered today THE governorship petition tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, will today, deliver judgment on a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok, challenging the victory

of Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the April 11 governorship election. In the governorship election, Lalong was declared winner of the election with 564, 913 votes, as against

his closest challenger, Gyang Pwajok, who polled 520, 627 votes. Pwajok had dragged Lalong to the governorship tribunal, alleging that the election was marred by rigging, corruption and malpractices.

of the sectional interests of the Daura and Bourdillon Mafia. “We want all to know that this party is able, willing and now ready to call up our members and supporters to use all means within the limits provided by the laws of the land to resist this evil plan to decimate the PDP and opposition. The peace we seek is not that of a graveyard, it is such as guaranteed by a well-recognised democratic system that treats all as equals before the law, irrespective of partisan and political affiliations. “We, hereby, raise a rallying cry to all our members and supporters of PDP nationwide, all patriotic citizens and all lovers of democracy to join the PDP in this fight to save our nation from the hands of the lying, deceitful and false prophets, who are bent on parading themselves as cruel conquerors of our democracy. “Furthermore, we request the international community to note that never in the history of our democracy has the nation witnessed such a divisive and antipeople government, whose actions have so polarised the polity and undermined national unity and cohesion, a development that spells doom for our democracy, if not checked. “We are, therefore, dutybound to counsel President Muhammadu Buhari to be cautious of tendencies that provide avenues for the destruction of the nation’s democracy, which he is a huge beneficiary of. “In the same vein, we call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed to note the looming danger and save the nation’s democracy and the institution of the judiciary by immediately checking negative actions emanating from elements operating within the office of the president of the Court of Appeal. “Finally, it has become necessary to remind all that this democracy was built on the principle of the rule of law and no political party, individual or group must be allowed to, by any means, appropriate or attempt to appropriate the will of the people at any time and under any guise whatsoever.” Asked for his reaction, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he had no reaction but dismissed the claim, saying, “it is the usual broken record.”

news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Bailout: Kogi tasks Buhari on ‘desperate’ politicians Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

HE Kogi State government on Sunday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to be deceived by the antics of selfish politicians that were bent on punishing civil servants in the state by blocking the bailout funds meant for the payment of the workers’ salaries. The government also vowed not to compromise its rights in the Nigerian federation even in the face of persecution by the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. A statement signed by the Chief Communications Manager to the governor, Mr Phrank Shaibu, called on Buhari as leader for all, not to be swayed by the antics of desperate politicians who were responsible for the woes of civil servants in Kogi State.

“What kind of desperation will make a man to callously and viciously wage war against the release of resources meant for the people of his state,” Shaibu queried. “The Kogi State government is of the firm view that the bailout funds is only a loan and not a presidential benevolence. This matter is not a personality contest

between Governor Idris Wada and the APC-led government. It is strictly about constitutionalism and the rule of law. “While the state government will always accord the highest respect to the exalted office of the President, it will not compromise a principled stand on the rights of its citizens in the Nigerian federation,

especially when it is being machinated by some desperate politicians from Kogi State for selfish reasons,” Shaibu stressed. He, however, called on President Buhari to as a matter of exigency, order the release of the funds so that the state could meet its obligations to its workers, emphasising that the eyes of the world are on

Nigeria as far as the case is concerned. “For one, the president has consistently stressed the role of morality in governance and there can be nothing more immoral than the wilful deprivation of the rights of our civil servants, whose allowances and emoluments have remained unpaid owing to the economic downturn,” he added.

Freezing of Accounts:

Zamfara to appeal judgment Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna ZAMFARA State government said it has started the legal process to appeal the recent judgment given by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos in the freezing of its accounts regarding the N3. 1 billion loan facility the state is owning Ecobank . This was contained in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu, at the weekend. The statement maintained that though the state government had taken the decision to appeal the judgment, “it is expedient for the state government to make some clarifications with the view to putting the record straight,” addimg that the loan facility in question was secured during the administration of former governor of the state, Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, April 20, 2009. According to the statement, the former governor obtained the loan amounting to N1.5 billion from the bank for a water project that was never executed for a period of 24 months, with interest which stood at N1,820,675,000. “The state ministry of finance issued an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order(ISPO) to the then Intercontinental Bank, where the state government’s FAAC Account was domiciled with the First Bank on April 20, 2009 and another ISPO and its Valued Added Tax Account domiciled on May 6, 2009."

From left, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarin; wife of the celebrant, Bisi; the celebrant and President, Ibadan Business School, Yinka Fasuyi; former deputy governor of Oyo State, Iyiola Oladokun; his wife, Yemi, at the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of Fasuyi, at All Soul’s Church, Bodija, Ibadan, on Sunday.

Education, priority tool for national development —JAMB boss By Kehinde Adio

THE Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde has described education as a priority tool for national development. Professor Ojerinde made the assertion recently,

while delivering a keynote address at the 13th annual conference of Nigerian Association of Educationists for National Development (NAEND) Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states zonal chapter, held at the Adeyemi University of Education, Ondo, Ondo State.

According to him, if a nation is seeking advancement towards the right direction, it must give education its right pride of place in the development process in that country. Professor Ojerinde noted that education provided the increasing number of citizens with

I will complete inherited projects —Gandunje Kola Oyelere - Kano KANO State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has reassured people of the state that his government would complete projects inherited from the immediate past administration, appealing for cooperation and understanding to move the state forward. He made the statement on Sunday, during inspection of construction of the third Kano city vehicular underpass, being constructed by the state government, at the intersection of Sheikh Jaafar road and Panshekara/Madobi road in Kano metropolis. According to him, the contract for the project was awarded during the eighth meeting of the state weekly Executive Council meeting, on August 19, at the

cost of N1, 125, 413, 808. 25. Governor Ganduje, who stressed the government’s determination to ensure thorough execution of the work and in good time, assured that his government would pay compensation for all property affected by the development. He, therefore, urged people to cooperate with the contracting firm to ensure hitch-free work, and appealed to motorists plying the adjoining roads, to also exercise caution because of movement of heavy plants and major ongoing engineering works in the area. To ease traffic congestion, he said access roads would be constructed, saying movement of goods service on the route would not be disrupted by the construction work.

The governor reassured people of the state that his government would complete projects inherited from the immediate past administration, and sought the cooperation and understanding of everyone to move the state forward. Earlier, the Managing Director of the state Water Board, Alhaji Auwalu Galdanci told the governor that his agency had already started excavating water pipelines on the affected roads to give way for the project. The governor, who was accompanied to the site by the state Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Shehu Haruna Lambu, among other public officials, expressed satisfaction at the level of work done so far on the underpass.

specialised scientists, doctors, teachers, among others, in relevant fields to help address the challenges in the workplace with contributions to all sectors of the economy. Professor Ojerinde explained that education makes people responsible citizens as they are more likely to be obedient and keep the laws of the land than the semi or stark illiterates. He said the role of education in nation building could be attributed to the fact that national development strides of countries are usually always measured through its educational system for meaningful development. Earlier in his remarks, the president, NAEND, Professor Oyetunde Awoyele stated that the conference was organised to give participants the opportunity of expanding their academic and professional knowledge. Professor Awoyele, who frowned on robbery, kidnapping, examination malpractices, among other criminal acts, stated that it was only through provision of quality education that Nigerian could boast of quality society and nation building.

Balance political appointment, Oke-Ogun Club 10 urges Ajimobi By Tunde Ogunesan OKE-OGUN Club 10 has appealed to Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to balance subsequent appointments from the region for equity. The Club in a press release signed by its President Yisa Ajisebutu, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, made references to some political appointments so far effected in the region. According to the statement entilted: “Oke-Ogun didn’t regret voting APC”, affirmed that “a lot of people wondered what made the people of Oke-Ogun to vote en masse for Governor Abiola Ajimobi in particular and APC in general. “The reason was not more than the fact that the good people of Oke-Ogun were able to read the good work that was started by Governor Abiola Ajimobi under the umbrella of APC and that if the opportunity was given to Abiola Ajimobi again and same was extended to the federal level, they (Oke-Ogun) would benfit largely. “The recent appointments both at the state and federal levels have put us right. The minister- nominee, Mr Adebayo Shittu, the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, Deputy Speaker, Honourable Musa Wasiu and the Deputy Chief Whip, Honourable John Olaleru are from OkeOgun. With the belief that that more would still come."

Ondo youths plan showdown with BEDC Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

THE Ondo National Youth Front (ONYF), at the weekend, warned the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) about the issuance of arbitrary bills to electricity consumers in Akure and its environs. The group stated this in a statement signed by the coordinator, Olusegun Adegbola and made available to newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital, threatened showdown with the electricity company, if it failed to regulate and normalise its billing system to reflect accurate charges rather than cheating innocent customers. The group said: “The current billing system of BDEC has become a matter of concern to the residents and electricity consumers in Ondo State which calls for urgent review and adjustment by the company, which has remained non-chalant to the yearnings of the people for months."

Monday, 26 October, 2015

features

Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

Deji, N’digbo face-off: When peace is in the balance

For a while now, the accord that existed between members of the Igbo community in Akure and their hosts has been threatened following a misunderstanding between the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo and the leadership of the Igbo people resident there. HAKEEM GBADEMOSI reports the various sides to the issue and why reconciliation is quickly needed.

Palace of the Deji

rior to the face-off between Igbo indigenes resident in Akure and their hosts, the harmony that existed between the two sides was exemplary. Such pleasing milieu resulted in the formation of ethnic groups and the pursuance of their interests in Akure. Akure residents of Igbo, Hausa, Urhobo extractions, among many others, have long played very crucial role in both the economic and social development of the state capital. However such peacefully mutual interaction was threatened recently between the representative head of the Igbo community referred to as Eze N’digbo of Akure, Gregory Iloehika and the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo. Nigerian Tribune gathered that trouble started following a leadership tussle among Igbo traders who are members of the Spare Parts Dealers Association at the popular Mojere Market, located at Ilesha garage of the town. The ensuing imbroglio among the members caught the attention of the Deji who, worried by a possible breakdown of law and order in his domain, sent for the warring factions with the intent of settling the impending crisis. It was reported that the Eze N’digbo, Iloehika, was equally summoned but allegedly would not report to the palace of the monarch on time. According to a palace source, Iloehike reportedly claimed to have been too busy to honour the monarch’s invitation and when he would eventually show up at the Deji’s palace, he was fully clad in royal regalia, wearing

a beaded crown, and in the full paraphernalia of a traditional ruler. This, including the allegedly disrespectful disposition of Iloehika while addressing the Deji and the council of chiefs, infuriated those present who insisted that he should apologize and forthwith be stripped of whatever royalty that he claimed to have. The youths,

Akure is reputed to be the abode of peaceful, law-abiding and accommodating indigenes. We will continue to allow integration of all Nigerians but we will not allow anyone to degrade nor trample upon our tradition and institutions

present, reportedly protested, demanding that Iloehika be taught a lesson. But the Deji insisted that calm be maintained. Irked by the allegedly disrespectful attitude of Iloehika, the Deji reportedly suspended him from parading himself as Eze N’digbo of Akure. Nigerian Tribune equally gathered that youths who loitered about the palace reportedly removed Iloehika’s crown and bead while the Deji asked policemen attached to him to see Iloehika off from the palace in order not to be manhandled by the angry youths. The news of Iloehika’s alleged maltreatment was illreceived by members of his Igbo community, “who, in solidarity, closed down shops and paralysed commercial activities at the popular spare parts market. They were said to have held a protest march around town insisting that the monarch lacked powers to ‘dethrone their Eze.’ However, Iloehika reportedly denied displaying arrogance towards the Deji’s stool, explaining that the monarch invited him to his palace on Sunday but could only appear on the Monday after, only to be manhandled by the angry youths at the palace. “The youths tore my beads and removed my crown. They attempted to beat me but the police officers at the palace rescued me,” he recalled. Nobody can dethrone Iloehika—Ohaneze Speaking on the development, the president general, Continues pg36

features

Monday, 26 October, 2015

‘We cannot have two kings in the same domain’

Shop of Iloehika barricaded with palm fronds

Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo Continued from pg35

Ohaneze N’digbo, Okechukwu Okorie said that Iloehika who was installed some four years ago by the Igbo community in Akure did not disrespect the Deji. He insisted that the Igbo traditional head could not be dethroned. “Any attempt to dethrone the Eze N’digbo would be resisted by all the Igbo community in the state. It is only the Igbo members who elected Iloehika that have the right to remove him from been our Eze N’digbo,” he said. Earlier, the Deji reportedly told Iloehika that “he had nothing against him and other Igbo members in the town but that “erecting a palace and being enthroned as a king here is an abomination to my ancestral heritage.” When Nigerian Tribune, however, visited the Mojere spare parts market, it was noticed that all shops within the market were still locked, while some members loitered about. ‘The Eze N’digbo was arrogant’ One of the traders, Sunday Udoka, who spoke with Nigerian Tribune, said many of the traders were tired of the development “since it is affecting our commercial engagement.” He explained that he was at the Deji’s palace when Iloehika was suspended and attributed his plight to arrogance, saying the matter would have been settled amicably. “Iloehika insulted the Deji, telling him to tread softly in order not to be dethroned like a former Deji who was deposed recently. He supported his arguments with biblical stories of some of the kings who erred in the Bible and were relegated to the background. The Igbos cannot take

tolerate this in their native land. They are not as accommodating as the Yorubas,” he said. The publicity secretary of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Kunle Famoriyo, while commenting on the issue, in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune in Akure, denounced “the unrelenting desecration of Yoruba culture particularly by the Igbo communities’ obsession with having a crowned king in Yoruba domains.” The group submitted that “it is globally accepted that there cannot be two kings in the same domain as there cannot be two captains in the same boat.” However, the Akure Council of Chiefs, speaking through the Asamo of Akureland, Rotimi Olusanya called on the state government and the police in the state to call the Igbo indigenes within the Akure metropolis to order over the alleged disrespect to the stool of the Deji of Akure. This was contained in a statement by the chiefs who said the call became imperative in order to guard against any crisis in Akure, just as they insisted that the peace enjoyed up until now should not be toyed with. They appealed to all indigenes and residents of the town to go about their lawful

We will dialogue and we are still doing that and we believe there will soon be a way out

duties while he advised all traders to open their shops and sell their wares. According to him, “Akure is reputed to be the abode of peaceful, law-abiding and accommodating indigenes. We will continue to allow integration of all Nigerians but we will not allow anyone to degrade nor trample upon our tradition and institutions. “The Deji of Akure is the only paramount Oba in Akure kingdom and all indigenes and inhabitants in Akure land are his subjects. Akure people are peaceloving and promoters of good and cordial relationship among all Nigerian residents in our fatherland. We do not discriminate. “The recent incidence with the Eze N’digbo, Mr. Gregory Iloehika, was as a result of high disregard for Akure people and our Kabiyesi.” He added that Iloehika “uttered some uncomplimentary expressions such as ‘your people caused the problem. King Solomon had advisers. I can only advise you and if you like, you take it and if you don’t like it, you don’t take it.’ He was also busy taking calls on his cell phone while speaking with the Deji. We considered this an affront to our people.”’ Meanwhile, both the state government and the state police commissioner, Mike Ogodu, waded into the crisis to nip it in the bud. While the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, directed the ministry in charge of local government and chieftaincy affairs to resolve the imbroglio, the police authorities in the state have met with the two groups. Oba Aladetoyinbo was said to have asserted his authority as the paramount ruler of Akure kingdom and tabled the terms and conditions for resolving the issue. He insisted that the Igbo leader be forbidden from wearing any crown and the title of Eze N’digbo be reviewed and replaced with a non-controversial honorary title. The monarch also insisted that Iloehika must apologize for his unruly behavior in at least three national dailies as well as go on air to tender an apology. He also stated that Iloehika must write a letter of apology to the Deji-in-Council. The Akure monarch was said to have tabled all these terms during a meeting with the state governor, Dr. Mimiko. It was gathered that Mimiko apologized to the Deji over the behavior of Iloehika during the meeting but maintained that the Igbo leader was not allowed to go against the tradition and customs of the

Gregory Iloehika land as there was no basis or constitutional backing for such. The governor praised Akure youths for their maturity and peaceful disposition towards the matter. The youths who were represented at the meeting by their president, Mr Tuyi Adekanbi, assured the governor and the gathering that Akure people “are peace loving and will continue to allow peace since there is no substitute for it.” He was also quick to add that such kindheartedness and peaceful disposition should not be taken for granted. It was also reported that secretary of the Igbo community in Akure, Ikechukwu Anoliefo, who spoke with Nigerian Tribune, stated that no concrete decision was taken during one of the meetings to find a resolution. “We will dialogue and we are still doing that and we believe there will soon be a way out. As regards the conditions and terms of the Deji, we have not taken a decision and we are still talking to our landlord, because he is our father and that is all I can tell you for now,” he said. Steps have been taken to see to the quick resolution of the brewing crisis as on Friday the Deji agreed, at a meeting with stakeholders, that the locked shops of Igbo traders be opened, just as he insisted that Iloehika remained deposed until the Ondo State council of Obas takes a final decision.

news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Cancer Research Centre to be built in honour of ex-UI VC •As Akande lauds his virtue By Laolu Harolds And Tunde Ogunesan

world class Cancer Research Centre will be built by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association in honour of the outgoing vice chancellor, Professor Isaac Folorunsho Adewole. To be sited within the University of Ibadan, the research centre, according to the National President of the association, Dr Kemi Emina, is meant to serve as a gift and a celebration in perpetuity of Professor Adewole’s outstanding achievements as vice chancellor. Dr Emina, who described Adewole as an achiever, role model and change agent, said the alumni association was embarking on the project in honour of Adewole because he has spent his life researching on cancer and medicine to save lives. At a special award dinner organised for him on Saturday, at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, Professor Adewole was conferred with the association’s Distinguished Alumni Award – the first time the association had conferred such award on any vice chancellor. To provide fillip to the Cancer Research Centre project, the Esama of Benin Kingdom and special guest at the event, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, announced a donation of N10 million. He also presented the vice chancellor two Benin bronze artworks (busts), which he said is the most precious gift the Igbinedions give to people. The alumni association, after conferring Adewole with its Distinguished Alumni Award, also presented to him a gift of a giant portrait of himself. IFA, as the outgoing vice chancellor is fondly called, was celebrated at the event, which was graced by an array of outstanding achievers. The chairman of the event and former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, while commending Adewole’s selfless service, said “I knew him by reputation. His contribution is spectacular to the development of University of Ibadan. The presence of the dignitaries here attests to his selfless service. Professor Adewole has been said to be selfless to this university and as we are celebrating his going away from office we are hearing that he has been appointed as a Minister of this country. Selfless people are always taken care of by God. We join others to pray that

God will continue to uplift (him).” Renowned Professor of Medicine, Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe, who was himself once a vice chancellor at UI, said in his tribute: “I’ve been privileged to witness Adewole’s growth in the last four or five decades, and I can say that he is one of the best vice chancellors this country has produced.”

The incoming vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Abel Olayinka, praised Adewole’s humility, selflessness, scholarship and ever-readiness to help others. Governor Isiaka Ajimobi was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, while Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State was represented by Mr

Muyiwa Ige. The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Elias Bogoro, attended the programme, though he left early without delivering a speech. While responding, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Adewole thanked members of Staff and students who worked with him for the successes

recorded and added that he was nobody without a supporting team. He also thanked the Alumni Association for the award given to him and urged followership to learn to celebrate a leader. Adewole further promised to personally go around and beg people for money to build the centre, which he said would look after the afflictions of Nigerians.

The celebrant, Chief (Mrs) Grace Modupe Osunkoya (second left); her husband, Chief Gbolade Osunkoya (second right); Oba Bamidele J. Odukoya (left) and Olori Adetohun Odukoya, cutting the 75th birthday cake of Chief (Mrs) Osunkoya, at her residence, at Odosenbora, Ijebu North, on Saturday. PHOTO: D’Toyin

Saraki not involved in teachers’ salary crisis —Kwara govt Biola Azeez- Ilorin THE Kwara State government has dismissed as false and unfounded, an online report linking the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, with the salary crises in stateowned Colleges of Education. In the statement issued in Ilorin, the Kwara State government dissociated the Senate President from the salary arrears at the affected institutions, and restated that Saraki neither controls nor interferes with the management of state government funds or institutions. The government therefore challenged anyone with contrary proof to publish it. The state government blamed its inability to pay subventions to the affected

tertiary institutions on the drop in monthly federal allocations to the state from N3.2billion to N1.8billion. Explaining further, the statement added that N1.7billion of the amount goes towards the payment of secondary school teachers, civil servants, pensions and gratuity per month, stressing

that the remainder is inadequate to cover the N500million monthly subventions to parastatals, including revenue-generating tertiary institutions. According to the statement signed by the senior special assistant on Media and Communications to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Dr Mui-

Education, mutual understanding, solution to Fulani/farmers’ crisis —Kwakwanso By Tunde Ogunesan FORMER Kano State governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, has called on the Federal Government to consider providing modern education for the Fulani herdsmen in the country, while also calling on Nigerians to understand the pe-

culiarity of the situation, in order to permanently put an end to Fulani/farmers’ feud across the country. Kwakwanso, a two-term governor of Kano State and serving senator, made this call at the weekend, during the official handing over of two flats-two and three bedroom each, to the Gov-

Overloading negatively affects W/African roads —FRSC boss Clement Idoko- Abuja THE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, has said that most of the roads in West African countries, Nigeria inclusive, are in a deplorable condition because of overloading of vehicles that ply them, especially articulated vehicles. Accordingly, Oyeyemi, who is also the chairman of the National Committee on the implementation of the ECOWAS policy on axle load control, has stressed

deen Akorede, the government was forced to suspend the payment of subventions to parastatals while expecting tertiary institutions and other revenue-generating agencies to pay workers from their internally-generated revenue in view of the huge drop in monthly federal allocation to the state.

that Nigeria would work for the implementation of the policy, not only in the country, but in other West African sub-region. FRSC Head of Media Relations and Strategy, Mr Bisi Kazeem, in a statement in Abuja, on Sunday, said Oyeyemi spoke during the stakeholders’ meeting on the implementation of the axle load control at the FRSC Headquarters, Abuja. Oyeyemi said Nigeria as a signatory to the protocol on axle load control as enacted

by ECOWAS must ensure that conducive environment for its implementation was created in the country to properly address issues of overloading both within and across the sub-regional roads. “Nigeria is one of the signatories to the ECOWAS protocol on the implementation of the policy on axle load control. We must therefore make concerted efforts to ensure that the policy is effectively enforced in the country,” he stated.

ernment College, Ibadan, as part of the school’s annual reunion of the Old Boys Association and jubilee celebration of the 1965 set of the school. Kwakwanso maintained that the issue of Fulani herdsmen and farmers is not peculiar to the South West alone, but that other parts of the country and even beyond also share in the imbroglio. Suggesting the best way to end the menace, Senator Kwakwanso said, “The issue of conflict between farmers and Fulanis is not common to the South West, or Nigeria alone, but all over the region. Education is very important here. If all Fulanis are given the opportunity to go to school, I don’t think they will waste their lives on their cattle going into the bushes fighting themselves and even animals in so many places. I think the key thing is education.”

Nigerian Tribune

Have a rethink, Delta pdp decampees urged Alphonsus Agborh- Asaba

Decampees from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State have been advised to have a rethink. A chieftain of PDP in the state, Olorogun John Oguma, who gave the advice in Asaba, at the weekend, said the decampees had once benefited from the party and should therefore not dump it because it lost election at the federal level. “I, therefore, appeal to all PDP members in Delta State to remain in the party and support the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in its effort to make life much better for all Deltans,” he said. According to him, those who are leaving the party today have once benefited from the system and are architects of the problem being faced by the party at the moment, adding that their exit showed that they are men of little faith and fair weather party men and women whose interest is not to grow the party, but grow their individual pockets. He noted that majority of the Yoruba states were in opposition for several years until APC came to power this year.

God-Will-Do-It Ministries holds convention The Greater Power Convention 2015 tagged: ‘Establishment’, a Christian gathering powered by God-Will-Do-It Ministries will commence from Tuesday, October 27 to November 3, by 9:00am and 4.00pm daily, while its vigil will hold on Friday at 9.00p.m. However, programmes will only be held in the morning on Sunday, while it will also be held in the evening on Monday. It is scheduled to hold at the church premises at 11, Farayola Layout, behind Bodija Market, Ibadan, with the presence of men of God including: Apostle Lawrence Achudume, Dr Akin John, Dr Chris Abhulime and Reverend Tony Akinyemi, while the hosts are Dr and Reverend Mrs G.F. Oyor.

news My car swerved several times, made 180-degree turn —Obasanjo

Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, said he is hale and hearty, having come out unhurt when his vehicle had a burst tyre along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Obasanjo, who is currently in Cote’d’ Ivoire to monitor the country’s presidential election, expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their show of love and concern, when the news filtered that he was involved in a motor

Monday, 26 October, 2015

accident. The former president confirmed that he really cheated death when one of the rear tyres of his vehicle burst while travelling to Lagos to attend the 80th birthday ceremony of Sir. Kesington Adebutu. In a release signed by one of his aides, Vitalis Ortese, said “Indeed he was involved in an accident on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, after Sagamu roundabout, while he was on his way to join in the celebrations of the 80th birthday anniversary of Chief Kess-

ington Adebutu in Tinubu Methodist Church, Lagos. “The vehicle he was travelling in suffered a burst left tyre at the rear and swerved several times, but did not hit any object or

any car in front or behind until it did a 180-degree turn and faced where it was coming from and he had to change vehicles. “President Obasanjo wishes to convey his deep

isolated one, called on Bayelsa people not to be intimidated, assuring that their votes would count. Speaking on a live radio and television interview programme over the weekend, he noted that the state government had received assurance from the Federal Government that the coming election would be free and fair as a combined team of special police mo-

...Niger Delta coalition warns against rigging plans Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE Niger Delta Patriotic Coalition has called on the newly appointed chairman

Group wants Kogi workers to support Audu Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

A non-governmental organisation, the Movement for Democracy and Good Governance in Kogi State, has described the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Audu, as a “new” man to be supported by the civil servants in the state. The group urged the workers to support Audu and his running mate, James Faleke, in the forthcoming election to guarantee their welfare. The movement, in a letter addressed to the workers on Sunday, signed by its Chairman, Jubril Yusuf and Secretary, Habuh-Rajan Suleiman, said the governorship candidate “is a new person different from the Audu that the workers knew.”

of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmud Yakubu, to desist from any attempt to connive with any political party to compromise the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State. This call, the group said had become necessary following reports that Yakubu was appointed to reclaim the Niger Delta region for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, Pastor Godknows Okauru said the negative criticisms which greeted the appointment of Yakubu was a cause for worry having heard from several quarters that some stalwarts of the ruling party have vowed to reclaim the Niger Delta region through every possible means. Okauru said President Muhammadu Buhari should remember that “he is the president of the entire country and not a select few” who might have supported or sympathised with his political goals in the past. He urged Buhari to provide a level playing field for all citizens to exercise their constitutional franchise according to existing rules in the world.

his welfare.” The incident occurred few hours after attending a memorial service to mark the 10th year of his late wife and First Lady, Chief Stella Obasanjo.

Why PDP’s plot to take Lagos by force failed —APC THE Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) explained that the loss of the presidential election on March 28 frustrated the orchestrated plan by the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to

take the state by force. According to the party, the then ruling party would have deployed everything in its arsenal, including security agencies and ethnic groups, to dislodge the APC government in Lagos

Bayelsa guber: Dickson tasks Sylva, opposition on free, fair election BAYELSA State governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva and other members of the opposition to work with his administration in delivering a credible election in the December 5 gubernatorial poll. Governor Dickson, who described the election as an

appreciation to all those, who by way of calls, personal messages and prayers, and indeed members of the general public, who have shown overwhelming concern about

bile squad and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be deployed to the state to conduct the election. Expressing optimism that the new INEC team would aspire to do better than its predecessors, Governor Dickson said the election would serve as a referendum on the stand of the Ijaws, as a people. His words: “There will be no molestation. I like to use this opportunity to assure you that you will be safe. Don’t allow the criminals and the ungodly to intimi-

date you from doing what is right. Feel free to vote according to your conscience. You will not only vote; your votes will count. This election is a single election and the whole nation and international observers will be here and voting will take place in your communities. You are the masters of your communities. Vote; stay there until the results are declared in every unit. I am willing to abide by your verdict. I have spent the past couple of years, providing service and leadership in the circumstances that we have found ourselves.”

if Nigerians had renewed the mandate of former President Goodluck Jonathan. “Had the PDP succeeded in stealing the presidency on March 28, 2015, it would have used the Army, Police, DSS (Department of Security Service), Civil Defence (National Security and Civil Defence Corps), OPC (Oodua Peoples Congress), a section of Afenifere and anything it could lay its hands on to ‘steal’ Lagos by force,” the APC alleged in a statement at the weekend. The statement, signed by the party’s spokesman in the state, Mr Joe Igbokwe, was reacting to the triumph of Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, in the last week’s ruling by the

Supreme Court in appeal filed by his PDP challenger, Mr Jimi Agbaje. Igbokwe said the resilience of Nigerians during the presidential poll to free themselves from 16 years of oppression and the decision of Lagosians not to embrace a party that had been rejected, frustrated the plans of the PDP. According to him, the ruling from the highest court confirmed that Lagosians actually voted for the APC on April 11, assuring that the party would not let them down. The statement reads: “The apex court’s verdict has proved at once and beyond reasonable doubt that our candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, won the governorship election.”

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bolaji Oluseyi Oluyemisi now MRS ABOYEJI OLUSEYI OLUYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. and I, formerly Ogundeji Kunle Emmanuel now ABOYEJI KUNLE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adewale Adijat Omobolanle now MRS AJIMOTI KHADIJAT OMOBOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. I, formerly Miss Akinrinle Banke Omolewa now MRS ADESEMOYE BANKE OMOLEWA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

39 CHANGE OF NAME

Monday 26 October, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sanusi Muinat Motunrayo now MRS IBRAHIM MUINAT MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Taiwo Basirat Jumoke now MRS ATOLOYE BASIRAT JUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Okechukwu Lovelyne Ijeoma now MRS ONUH LOVELYNE IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fayose Ojo Oluwafunmilola Odunayo now MRS IBITOYE OJO O L U WA F U N M I L O L A ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. The Zartech Ltd and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesiyan Remilekun Ayobami now MRS EMEKA DAVID REMILEKUN AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajadi Bolawa Bisola now MRS OYINLOLA BOLAWA BISOLA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note

I, formerly Akinsola Funmilayo Rasheedat now Akinsola Funmilayo Olabode. All former documents remain valid. G.T.Bank and general public take note

I, formerly Miss Rasheedat Atinuke Umar now MRS RASHEEDAT ATINUKE SADIQ. All former documents remain valid. Etisalat Nigeria and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Ojebiyi Afolashade Oluwabukola now MISS ADEKOYA AFOLASHADE OLUWABUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service, First Bank, Diamond Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olowolayemo Folasade Adeyinka now MRS DADA FOLASADE ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Popoola Deborah Olubukola now MRS FALADE DEBORAH OLUBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Oyo SOCU, Agency for Youth and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Tinuola Bosede Bakare now MRS TINUOLA BOSEDE OLUTOSIN-AREMU. All former documents remain valid.Federal Polytechnic, Offa and general public take note

I, formerly Miss Adebiyi Oluwakemi Elizabeth now MRS AJAYI OLUWAKEMI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abodunrin Toyin Omowumi now MRS OLAPADE TOYIN OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB, Oyo West LGUBEA and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oloyede Olajumoke Kafayat now MRS ADEWALE OLAJUMOKE KAFAYAT. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bella Joyce Oluyemisi now MRS KUKU JOYCE OLUYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ebhohimen Rosemary Isi now MRS AMOO ROSEMARY EBHOHIMEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Diepreye Otrofanowei now MRS DIEPREYE IMANI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Beauty Avwirorotomah Ogidiagba now MRS AVWIROROTOMAH ZIMMERMANN EMUVEYAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abdul Kareem Kehinde Maryam now OLAGOKE KEHINDE MARYAM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Owolabi Fatimo Toyin and Owolabi Felicia Oluwatoyin now MRS OLUWADARE FELICIA OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Oladokun Mojisola Oreitan now MRS OLADOKUN MOJISOLA SIKIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeniran Olaitan Modinat now MRS ADENIRAN OLAITAN TIRZAH. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kesiena Eseoghene now MRS ESEOGHENE IMONIGHARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunlowo Rahimat Adejumoke now MRS WAHEED OGUNLOWO RAHIMAT ADEJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abudu Rashidat Omolola now MRS OYETUNJI RASHIDAT OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Buliaminu Rukayat Opeyemi now MRS ADEOTI RUKAYAT OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebo Omowumi Omolola now MRS OKEDARE, OMOWUMI OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Lawal Shakirat Banke now MRS ADEDEJI SHAKIRAT BANKE. All Former documents remain valid. Oyo State Education Board, SUBEB and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ashiru Abidemi Adenike now MRS OLATONADE ADETOKUNBO ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alaka Latifat Adetoun now MRS ADEBISI LATIFAT ADETOUN. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Sunday Rotimi Ige now ROTIMI IGE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. FRCN Pensions Board, Ecobank, UBA, Access Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Muritala Shehu now MR ADEBAYO KAYODE OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Egure Sara Temilola now MARIAM ELIZABETH EGURE All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Lawal Ayodele Basirat now MRS OSUNMADEWA AYODELE BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid.Oyo State Education Board, SUBEB and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oreoluwa Omofolawe Arawomo now OREOLUWA OMOFOLAWE ADELEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Janet Owalude now MRS MUYIWA ADIGUN JANET. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sadiq Omotayo Suliat now MRS SANUSI OMOTAYO SULIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeniji Omolade Mary now MRS AKINJISOLA OMOLADE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluda Olubunmi Taiwo now MRS GIBSON-ROBERTS OLUBUNMI TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Famuyibo Oluwatosin Comfort now MRS OLUDIRAN OLUWATOSIN COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fagile Olayinka Susanna now MRS KOLUSADE OLAYINKA SUSANNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Chukwuocha Ugochukwu Chinedu now MARCO EDWARD. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc. and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bello Basirat Olufunmilola now MRS MAKINDE BASIRAT OLUFUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM, Oyo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Obisesan Aderiyike Omolara now MRS AZEEZ ADERIYIKE OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Owoseni Oluwakemi Olajumoke now MRS AJAYI OLUWAKEMI OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Nwaiwu Madonna Nkeiruka now MRS ODIONYE MADONNA NKEIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. Supreme Education Foundation and General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Modupe Funmilayo Sariyu Oyewoga Balogun now MRS MODUPE OLUFUNMILAYO SARIYU BAKARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abolude Oludolapo Mofiyinfoluwa now MRS FADAIRO OLUDOLAPO MOFIYINFOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Ajabor Augustus Ohumagholem now AUGUSTUS ABEL OHUMAGHOLEM OR ABEL AUGUSTUS OHUMAGHOLEM. All former documents remain valid. Unilever Nig. Plc, Zenith Bank, UBA and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Iwerhe Bose Ofumere now MRS ADIELE BOSE JOY OFUMERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adegboyega Amos Adeola now MRS ADENIRAN DUPE ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluwaseun Oluwawemimo Akinnigbagbe now MRS OLUWASEUN OLUWAWEMIMO NJOKU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akintunde Hannah Bosede now MRS AJIROTUTU HANNAH ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. ISON and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Ogunbiyi Akinkunmi Olaitan now MR ADEBOYE OLANREWAJU AKINKUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Laman Nape Josephine now MRS NARON NAPE JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Maureen Odion Alabi now MRS MAUREEN ODION OLOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adedokun Lydia Aderiike now MRS OLADIGBO LYDIA ADERIIKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State TESCOM and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Fukunle Busola Jokotola now MRS BUSOLA OLUGBENGAALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ojo Oluwatoyin Deborah now MRS AREMU OLUWATOYIN DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abiola Sherif Sanusi now ABIOLA SHERIF SANUSIOLOWOKERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Nafisat Odunola Salahudeen now MRS SALAWU NAFISAT ODUNOLA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oluwayemisi Olaitan Oluwole now OLUWAYEMISI OLAITAN OLOWOKERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olasupo Adeola Omowumi now MRS ALAO ADEOLA OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Lawal Ganiyat Damilola now MRS ADELEKE GANIYAT DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Alo Samuel O. now ALO SAMUEL OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Okachukwu Veronica Ubini now MRS UWAKWE PRISCILLIA OKACHUKWU VERONICA B.B. UBINI. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank, St. Joseph Catholic Church and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Temitope Mojisola Ogundiran now MRS TEMITOPE MOJISOLA OYEBANJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinbile Racheal Oluwaseun now MRS OSUOLALE RACHEAL OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bakare Sade Tawakalitu now MRS JOGUNOMI SADE TAWAKALITU. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bamidele Ronke Oluwaseun now MRS OGUNYODE RONKE OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. Osun State SUBEB and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oloyede Folashade Ajoke now MRS APARA FOLASHADE AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajani Adeola Taofeekat now MRS AJANI ADEOLA TAOFEEKAT OLUSESAN. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Babalola Temitope Rukayat now MRS ADEYEMOBABALOLA TEMITOPE RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Lawal Mukaila now LAWAL ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Famutimi Omowumi Olanike now MRS TAIWO OMOWUMI OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Banwo Mojisola Abosede now MRS BAYODE MOJISOLA ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akinola Leah Adedunmola now MRS ADEYEMO LEAH ADEDUNMOLA. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Olatunde Oluseye now MR AKINOLA JOEL OLUSEYE. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM, Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Jolaosho Simisola Moremi now MRS ADEYEMI SIMISOLA MOREMI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Shaibu Idenyi am the same person bearing Shaibu Idenyi Sunday. Now I want to be known and addressed as SHAIBU IDENYI SUNDAY. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bamgbose Fayoke Folahanmi now MRS OGUNRINDE FAYOKE FOLAHANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Osanipin Grace Motunrayo now MRS OLUSOLA GRACE MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Aderinto Adeola Alake now ADEKOYA ADEOLA ADERINTO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Measles leading cause of death among Nigerian children —NMA Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said on Sunday said that record has revealed that preventable childhood diseases like measles is one of the leading causes of death among Nigerian children. To fight this scourge and other such health conditions, the NMA called for immediate declaration of national emergency in the health sector; and put all machinery in place towards eradicating the negative health situation from the country. Addressing a press conference during the kick-off of the 2015 Annual Physicians’ Week, President of NMA, Dr Kayode Obembe said, in 2013 alone, there were 145, 700 measles deaths globally and about 400 deaths every day or 16 deaths every hour. However, Obembe observed that measles vaccination resulted in a 75 per cent drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2013 worldwide; while between 2000 and 2013, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 15.6 million deaths making measles vaccine one of the best buys in public health. “Whereas some states of the federation are doing well, data from the Nigerian Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 shows that some states performed woefully but change has come,” he said. He pointed out that there is no specific treatments for measles, as those that recover from the disease run the risk of developing

complications; such as: blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia. He emphasised that primary prevention of measles and other vaccine preventable illnesses remains “the game changer-top of

the pack in our efforts to eradicate these aliments.” Obembe said the week long activities were originally fashioned in line with the World Health Day activities of the World Health Organisation (WHO), adding that the 2015 Physicians’ Week

Terrorism/corruption: Nigerian leaders seek God’s face in Israel Akin Durodola In Israel

NIGERIAN leaders including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, state governors and lawmakers are presently in Israel, seeking God’s face over various problems including terrorism and corruption confronting the country.

Dogara, who led the leaders including Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; Samuel Ortom of Benue State; David Umahi of Ebonyi State; Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Darius Ishaku Taraba State also led two deputy governors including that of Imo State, Eze Madumere and Mr

Bamidele charges Fayemi, Fashola to act as real change agents EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the state for one of the “Grade A” ministries, saying; “Ekiti State, being one of the states created last in the country, deserves a ministerial portfolio that will have direct impact on the people, not just a minister for the sake of federal character.” According to a statement issued on Sunday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said his position was “not to favour any individual but in the collective interest of Ekiti people.” Governor Fayose, who said it was not enough for Ekiti State to have just a

able diseases; while the sub-theme: “The National Health Act 2014 and Immunisation,” will reflect on the near success story of Nigeria in it’s dogged determination and struggles to eradicate polio, measles and other vaccines preventable illnesses.

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, congratulating Senator Lanre Tejuoso’s wife, Mojisola, during a reception to mark her 50th birthday, in Lagos, on Sunday. With them is Senator Tejuoso (left) and the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

Fayose canvasses ‘Grade A’ ministerial portfolio for Ekiti Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

would hold at all the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The NMA president said the theme of this year’s celebration: “Routine Immunisation in the Change Era,” will target measles and other vaccine prevent-

ministerial slot as provided in Section 15 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, added that “President Buhari must give the Minister Designate from the state a portfolio that will benefit the state and its people.” Meanwhile, following their confirmation as ministers by the Senate, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele has charged Dr Kayode Fayemi and Mr Babatunde Fashola to “act as real change agents to bring rapid economic recovery to the country.” Bamidele, a member of the seventh House of Representatives, gave the charge in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Sunday. The All Progressives

Congress (APC) chief specifically advised that the former governors of Lagos and Ekiti states “to bring their experiences to bear and save the country from its present parlous economic situation.”

Martins Babale of Adamawa State and some federal lawmakers on the special pilgrimage programme organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), tagged: A day with Jesus for Nigeria in Israel. Dogara, while emphasising the importance of prayers at this moment in view of what the country was passing through, also stressed that the choice of Israel being a holy land. “We are here to pray for Nigeria and we enjoin our brothers and sisters in Nigeria to join us in these prayers, and with faith and confident that God will do according to the desires of our heart. “If you look at the problems confronting us back home; whether it is fight

against insurgency, whether it is fight against corruption, whether it is our inability as a people to rise to the challenges of development, certainly we need divine intervention and that is why prayer is important. “If you don’t pray, you don’t get anything. That’s the essence of this mission. So it is a call to prayer, it is a call to hard work, it is a call to serious planning,” he said. The Executive Secretary of NCPC, John Kenedy Opara hinted that the motive behind the programme which started three years ago was an instruction from God to gather senior government officials “from the presidency, national assembly and state governors together to pray and seek God’s face.”

NURTW urges FG to declare state of emergency on Kwara highways Biola Azeez-Ilorin

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the deplorable condition of highways in Kwara State. Speaking with journalists after his re-election for the second term at the eighth quadrennial state delegates’ conference of

the union, in Ilorin, at the weekend, the Kwara state Chairman of the NURTW, Alhaji Aliyu Issa Ore, said many lives and property had been lost due to dilapidated condition of the road. Alhaji Ore, specifically, listed Ilorin/Jebba/Mokwa, Ilorin/Egbe, Ajase/ Ila Odo among others as some of the highways that need urgent attention of the Federal Government,

adding that the declaration of state of emergency on the roads would enable the government to work on several pleas made on the bad condition of the highways and would also make the Federal Government pay attention to the roads. Meanwhile, the state council of NURTW has donated 20 Toyota Camry cars to administrative council members of the union.

Buhari heads to India for summit Leon Usigbe-Abuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is set to leave Abuja on Tuesday for New Delhi, India, to participate in the third Summit of the India-Africa Forum. The forum was established in 2008 as the official platform for the advancement of mutuallybeneficial relations between India and African nations. According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in Abuja, on Sunday, President Buhari, the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi and other participating Heads of State and Government will be at this year’s summit, which follows the second Summit held in Addis Ababa in 2011. The leaders will deliberate on issues of common concern to their countries such as climate change and international terrorism. They are also expected to discuss additional measures aimed at boosting joint collaboration to accelerate the pace of socioeconomic development in Africa and India, as well as further cooperation for the alleviation of poverty, and the eradication of hunger, disease and illiteracy.

9 suspected oil thieves nabbed in Delta Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

Nemesis has caught up with nine suspected oil thieves operating in Ughelli axis of Delta State as they were apprehended while trying to siphon crude oil from pipelines belonging to an indigenous company. Some of the suspects, however, said they were cash-strapped and deceived by their friends into participating in the illicit operation. Parading the suspects at the ‘222’ Battalion headquarters, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area, alongside their recovered tools of criminal activities, the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre of Operation Pulo Shield, (OPPS), Lieutenant-Colonel Isa Ado, said that they were arrested following a tip off. Those arrested included the driver of the vehicle that reportedly conveyed them to the scene of siphoning at about 3.00 a.m. He nevertheless claimed that he did “not know the real business.”

41 news

Monday, 26 October, 2015

4 suicide bombers, one other person died in Borno blast —Police

HE Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of five

persons in Saturday’s suspected suicide attack near Maiduguri. The Commissioner of Po-

lice, Aderemi Opadokun, made this known at a news conference in Maiduguri on Sunday.

“There was explosion on Saturday at about 0754hrs, when four suspected female suicide bombers det-

From left, Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; member representing Remo federal constituency, Oladipupo Adebutu and the minority leader, Leo Ogor, at the 80th birthday of business mogul, Chief Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu, in Lagos, on Saturday.

Again, Glo emerges Africa’s Top 2 most admired brand MORE accolades came the way of national telecoms operator, Globacom, on Thursday as it was named as one of Africa’s Top 2 most admired brands. This is the second year in a row that Globacom has been highly rated in the annual Brand Africa 100 rankings announced in Johannesburg. Remarkably, Globacom is the youngest brand in the Top 10 list. Other companies in the Top 10 are Dangote Group (Nigeria), Tusker (Kenya), Mukwano (Uganda), Simu TV (Tanzania), Zenith Bank (Nigeria), Peak Milk (Nigeria), Sasco (South Africa), and Star Beer (Nigeria). It was a good outing for Nigerian companies as 11 of them made the list. South African and Kenyan brands were joint second with four places each on the list. The rankings also showed that indigenous African brands are on the rise as they constitute nearly 25% of the The Brand Africa 100. The Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa and Chairman of Brand Finance Africa, Thebe Ikalafeng, said the rankings were increasingly significant.

“They are an important metric of the progress Africa is making in creating brands and services that respond to African conditions, needs and ambitions.” It is believed that Globacom’s commitment to innovation and affordable services since 2003 when it started business has set

it apart from competition in its various markets. One of its major accomplishments is its international submarine cable, Glo 1, which has provided the much needed Internet bandwidth in West African. Globacom recently launched what is regarded as the most innova-

tive offering since it pioneered per second billing in 2003. Called Free Tomorrow, the promo gives back to the subscriber the next day the total value of credit spent on calls, texts and data the previous day. The company has over 35 million subscribers across the three markets where it operates.

Arrest attacks on LAUTECH students, Oyo assembly urges CP By Wale Akinselure

OYO State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, to deploy competent crime bursting police unit to stem the tide of attacks on students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. This followed the House’s consideration of a motion by member representing Ogbomoso North Constituency, Honourable Wunmi Oladeji, that students of LAUTECH had recently become targets of armed bandits who steal, terrorise, victimise and burgle their hostels. According to Oladeji, such reported cases which occurred between

7:00p.m. and 2:00a.m. had become commonplace to the extent that students were forced by the criminals to have carnal knowledge of one another. Consequently, the plenary urged the Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, to deploy additional troops of crime bursting unit of the Police, Operation Burst, to complement the efforts of the community, LAUTECH authorities and vigilante groups. Also, the House charged landlord associations and vigilante groups to put in place security measures while urging the students to entertain visitors with caution. To this end, select members of the House led by the Speaker, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo met

with the state’s Commissioner of Police. Meanwhile, Honourable Wunmi Oladeji has appreciated the efforts of former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, supporters and stalwarts of Labour Party and the people of Ogbomoso for her recent victory at the election tribunal where her victory at the April 11 polls was upheld. In a related development, the protracted Community Service Punishment Bill, sponsored by Speaker, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo and member representing Akinyele II constituency, Honourable Bolaji Badmus, has passed the second reading stage at the state House of Assembly.

onated explosives at Dala Yazaraye village, near Molai on the outskirts of Maiduguri. “Five persons, including the four suicide bombers died in the explosion.” Mr Opadokun said that security agents had cordoned off the scene of the blast, which saw four persons injured. “Four people sustained injury and have been taken to the hospital for treatment,” he stated. The police commissioner said that investigation into the matter was in progress.

Lagos to employ traffic personnel for 2016 hajj Bola Badmus - Lagos

LAGOS State government has resolved to recruit traffic personnel to guide and enlighten pilgrims in Mecca for the 2016 hajj. The state decided to take the step to avert tragedies resulting from stampede and lack of knowledge of the terrain. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, said this at a reception held in his honour at the weekend. The commissioner said the state government would, in addition to engaging more clerics to educate the pilgrims on the hajj rites, including the symbolic throwing of pebbles, continue to do its best to ensure safety of the pilgrims. He added that the trained personnel would go on pre-visit to Jamarat before guiding the pilgrims. Emphasising the need for people to be guided and enlightened when embarking on the hajj, Abdul-Lateef said hajj pilgrimage had to do with traffic, hence, conscious efforts must be made on the part of the state government to guide against possible stampede and death. The commissioner, however, said the state government had begun arrangements to make the subsequent hajj stress- free for the state pilgrims.

AAUA Alumni holds national convention Oct 29 to 31 All is now set for the maiden annual convention of the Alumni Association of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, as a three-day event has been scheduled to hold from October 29 to 31, in the university campus. In a statement, the chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr Wumi Ajayi, said the first day of the convention would feature arrival and registration of members at 12:00 noon, followed by awareness walk around the campus, and alumni/student parley. According to Ajayi, activities on the second day include, the foundation laying ceremony of the Alumni Building, annual lecture, entitled, ‘The University and Alumni: 21st Century Expectations and Realities,’ conferment of awards on some distinguished Nigerians, and re-union feast, while the third day will feature sightseeing, among others. The annual lecture will be delivered by Professor Tola Badejo, former Vice Chancellor, Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo, Ondo State. Mr Patrick Oluyide sought the support of all members of the association towards having a successful convention, stressing the need for all hands to be on deck in building formidable structures for the alumni. Eminent Nigerians who will be honoured at the maiden convention include the Ondo State governor and Visitor to AAUA, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Aare Afe Babalola; Senator Bode Olajumoke; Bisi Ogunjobi; Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Honourable Jumoke Akindele; all past vice chancellors of the university, a former governor of Ondo State, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, among others.

Kogi varsity gets new VC Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

THE Kogi State governor, Idris Wada, has approved the appointment of Professor Mohammed Abdulkadir, as the vice chancellor of the Kogi State University, Anyigba. Until his appointment, Abdulkadir, a Professor of Economics at the Bayero University, Kano, was a member of the governing council of the institution. The new vice chancellor has however solicited the support of the stakeholders in the university.

42 communitynews

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Subsidise fish importation, fish sellers urge FG by tunde adegbola

yo State Fish Sellers Association has called on the Federal Government to subsidise the importation of fish

into the country, adding that the tax being paid for the importation of fish has made the cost of the commodity unaffordable to consumers. The call was made recently during a one day

protest by members of the association at union’s state secretariat at Babanla-Oremeji in OnaAra Local Government Area of the state. The protest was to register their grievance to the

CEPEJ raises the alarm over high rate of crime in Delta ebenezer adurokiya-warri

A Niger Delta-based NonGovernmental Organisation, Centre for Peace and Justice Environmental (CEPEJ), has raised the alarm over the high crime rate in the oil city of Warri and environs. The group has, therefore, advised the Delta State government to put adequate measures in place to check the nefarious activities of hoodlums. National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, made in Warri, decried the level of insecurity in the state, describing it as worrisome. “As Christmas is fast approaching, we have noticed that the incidence of armed robbery and kidnapping is rising. Everywhere people are complaining about robbery. We urge the state government to team up with security agencies and work out practical measures to check this ugly trend in Warri and environs as well as other parts of the state. ‘’We also urge security agencies to intensify their efforts so that the state will become uncomfortable to criminals that have brought sorrow, tears and blood to many homes in the state,” he said. He advised that “disciplined soldiers and mobile policemen’’ should be stationed in flashpoint areas in Warri and surrounding cities and towns to ensure that these areas become

crime-free, stressing that “no effort should be spared in the fight against criminal elements in the state’’. Comrade Mulade also urged the people of the

state to be proactive by supplying security agents and government officials with relevant information on time to nip crimes in the bud.

YOUTHS of Ado community in the diaspora, under the platform of Ufia Youths Association, have donated relief materials worth thousands of naira to internally displaced persons in Utokom, in Ado Local Government area of Benue State. The people were those displaced as a result of the crisis that trailed the dispute between Igede and Ufia communities a few months ago, over beheaded a man. The items include bags of

profit because consumers cannot afford buying them at such a high cost. “Where we asked distributors of fish in the state to stop unnecessary increment in the price of fish, they said customs dutywas responsible for the high price of frozen foods and sometimes exchange rate of naira to dollar. She, however, called on Federal Government to come to their rescue by subsidising the price of frozen foods as it is done for petroleum products or make imported foods tax-free. She added that the Fed-

The Chairman, Oyo State Fish Sellers Association, Alhaja Afusat Yussuff, addressing newsmen during the protest by fish sellers against hike in the price of fish, at the union’s secretariat, Babanla area of Oremeji-Agugu, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday. PHOTO: TUNDE ADEGBOLA

eral Government will remove/lower customs duty payment on frozen foods to make them profitable and affordable to the people. One of the fish sellers, Mrs Taibat Shittu, who has been in the fish business for more than 55 years, said she couldn’t believe one Titus fish could be sold as high as N250 in the country compare to 10-15 years ago. While speaking with Community News, a fish distributor in the state, the General Manager of Kollington Fisheries Limited, Mrs Foluke Adeleye, explained that increase in the price of fish is not their fault, adding that fish distributors are bound to sell based on the rate at which the commodities were bought. She further said: “Distributors of fish are not the ones manufacturing them, importers of fish determine the price at which the fish will be sold in the market. The fluctuation economic situation in the country has also contributed to the fluctuation of the price of fish. “For instance, look at the rate of exchanging one dollar to a naira, not to talk of the amount customs are billing imported goods. All these contribute to price fluctuation and it is only the Federal Government that can find a lasting solution to the situation.”

Rotary Club takes medical intervention to Mile 110, Kaduna communities byrotimiigeandmuhammadsabiukaduna

Members of Mile 110 community in Ibadan, Oyo State, were on Sunday, hosted by the Rotary Club international district 9125 to a health and fitness outreach.

The outreach, tagged: Rotarians for family health and HIV/AIDS prevention, was organised to sensitise the community on the benefits of safe sex, HIV prevention, among other health issues. According to the District President, Dr Mark

Ufia youths donate relief materials to IDPs johnson babajide-makurdi

Federal Government that fish selling business is no more a profitable business as it was before. In her comments, the chairperson of the association, Alhaja Afusat Yusuf, said the incessant increase in the price of fish had made fish sellers to be indebted, adding that people are now trying to opt out of the business. According to her, “Before now, we used to buy a carton of Titus fish at N6, 000, but now we are buying it at N15, 500. The high cost has made it difficult for us to sell fish and make

rice, table salt, bundles of zinc, cooking utensils and cutlery, cartons of detergent, footwear, clothing and cash. Leaders of the youths, Mr Matthew Onwe, John Akama, Emmanuel Okata and Age Christopher, expressed regret over the incident which led to the displacement of the victims from their homes which, they said, had brought them untold suffering. The Chief of Ikpafri village housing the displaced persons, Mr Nich-

olas Ogiri, regretted the incident which, he said, affected the relationship between the two border communities of Igede and Ufia. He called on the state government to strengthen security at the border to enable those displaced return to their ancestral homes. The spokesman of the displaced persons, who received the items on behalf of others, Augustine Ikor, appreciated the donors for the gesture, describing it as relief to the victims.

Malik, the medical outreach is part of its annual mandate to help community members to take care of pressing health challenges by providing free drugs and medical screening. Speaking on the adoption of Mile 110 community as a pilot project, Malik stated that the community fell within its area of jurisdiction in Iyaganku, and its unique underprivileged status in a neighbourhood of wealthy individuals, encouraged the club to adopt it. The Baale of the community, Chief Stephen Folorunsho Oyebode, while speaking with Community News, lauded the Rotary Club for the gesture, noting that it had helped the community a great deal since there is no health facility to cater for the almost 2,000 residents of the area. He said: “The Rotary Club 9125 intervention is a life saver. Presently, we have no health facil-

go through a lot of trauma whenever they are to put to bed and this has been giving us heartache. We were glad to have professionals in our midst, who helped us to know more about our state of health, they even gave us free drugs. Well meaning individuals, corporate bodies and government should also come to our aid”. Residents underwent malaria, cervical cancer screening, while those found with pressing health challenges were advised on how to manage their conditions or referred to hospitals for adequate treatment. In a related development, Rotary Club has commenced the distribution of free drugs, mosquito nets, sanitary towels and other healthcare facilities worth N10 million to communities in Kaduna State. Speaking with newsmen in one of the distribution centres, the President of Kawo-Kaduna Rotary Club,

Fasasi Akintunde Gbenga, said the medical service had become a tradition of the club, which is carried out every year to help the underprivileged. He said the free medical service would run for three days across six communities in Kaduna, noting that it was also conducting blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV screening, family counseling and referral to the hospital where the need arises. “We are making impact and recording successes in Kabala centre and other centres in the state. What we are giving each of them here for free is nothing less than N2,500 in private hospitals. We are giving them free drugs, sanitary towels and other healthcare facilities. In severe cases, we refer them to hospitals. We distribute treated mosquito nets to pregnant women. All the facilities, including logistics, are worth over N10 million.” he said.

Interview

Monday, 26 October, 2015

I was sent out of school because of unpaid fees —Dr Adebogun Dr Ola Adebogun is the Founder, Proprietor and Managing Director/CEO of Caleb Group of Schools. He is also the Visitor of Caleb University. He is an astute educationist who at a very early age, caught the vision of impacting and transforming the lives of young children both for God and humanity. To achieve this goal, he studied at the University of Port-Harcourt and Lagos State University where he obtained B.Ed in Educational Administration and M.Ed in Educational Management respectively. He also obtained a Ph.D in Educational Administration and Planning from Bayero University, Kano. Dr. Ola Adebogun started his career in education as a Class teacher. He later worked for several years in public educational institutions, including Mushin Local Government Education and Lagos State Ministry of Education. He was appointed a Principal Inspector of Education and also served for many years as a top executive of Lagos State Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (APPS). A combination of his strong passion for quality education in Nigeria and his response to the failing standards in the sector led Dr. Ola Adebogun into private practice. Having nurtured a vision for establishing an educational institution with strong emphasis on matchless academic excellence and towering moral values for many years, he established Caleb International School at the heart of Lagos Mainland in 1986. After two two decades of exceptionally prized achievements under his leadership, Caleb International School metamorphosed into a leading educational institution in Nigeria widely recognized as Caleb Group of Schools. Currently, the schools under the Group include: Caleb International School (Nursery/Primary) Magodo, Caleb International College, Lekki Caleb International College, Magodo Caleb British Academy, Magodo Caleb Educational Institute, Magodo, and Caleb University, Imota. Despite having made Caleb a household name in Nigeria synonymous with academic excellence and enviable moral standards, Dr. Ola Adebogun continues to work assiduously to ensure that all the schools within the Group achieve the fundamental mandate of turning out children and youths adequately equipped to compete globally and making significant impact in their respective countries. Aside his local training, Dr. Ola Adebogun has attended several international seminars and management programmes in the United States, Germany and UK. A man of many parts, he is a registered Member of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA).

n your own view, what makes Caleb International School unique from the rest? According to the Holy Writ, “a city set on a hill cannot be hid” – an instructive metaphor depicting the luminary stance of an erected edifice in the face of darkness. Caleb International School has its foundations on the irrevocable spiritual and moral principles divinely instituted by God himself. It is an environment that equips challenges and inspires students to have a transforming influence on the sin-sick world to the glory of God. We offer extensive curricular and extra-curricular initiatives where our students discover and develop their God-given potentials in the core academic areas as well as other aspects like music, drama, art and vocational study. We strive to deliver cutting-edge values by implementing adequate workflow systems, monitoring and control mechanisms to ensure the expected studentry service levels are delivered. These, among others make us unrivalled and unparalled on all fronts. What prompted you in choosing a very powerful slogan for the school’s motto, “Faith in God”? Faith can be defined according to the acronym, Forsaking, All, I, Trust, Him. Faith in God means we rely on Him and depending on His reliability. Having faith means realizing that God is bigger, greater, better than me – and He loves me greatly.

We believe that faith in God must be applied to all areas of life, that God’s Word has the answers to individual and global problems. As an educational institution, our goal is to instill faith in each child and in so doing develop a world-life view with Christ as the focal point. God is pleased with men of great faith and we strive assiduously to make Him pleased with our children by the life of faith they are expected to live. Caleb is 29 years old. Looking back to 1986, what would you say is the rationale behind your success? It is commonly asserted that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. For the Caleb family, our success story isn’t just the increasing number of students, but the extremely reliable investments vis-à-vis quality teaching, state-of-the-art apparati, gifted and passionate staff and every other meaningful output that has triggered the valued patronage of our esteemed parents. Above all, the underlining spiritual foundation predicated on the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the rhema of God’s presence in our midst are the key factors behind our growth. What motivated you to become a force to be reckoned with in the field of education? To the glory of God, the rationale behind my motivation can be attributed to three reasons: I read about some great men of God whom God used in their lifetime des-

Dr Ola Adebogun, Proprietor/Director, Caleb Group of Schools

pite their humble beginning, most especially George Muller a German evangelist who started an orphanage house with the aim of drawing the little ones to Christ. Other read profiles include Oral Roberts, a Methodist-Pentecostal televangelist and a Christian charismatic who founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University with the aim of winning souls to Christ, David Brenner the American stand-up comedian, actor and author, Charles G. Finney, the American Father of Modern Revivalism whose religious views led him to promote social reforms, such as abolition of slavery and equal education for women and African-Americans, and David Livingstone, the great African explorer and missions crusader just to mention a few. I strongly believed that if God could use those people tremendously as a result of their resolve, sacrifice and unwavering commitment, He can as well use me to draw the young ones to Christ in my chosen field. It is also as a result of the passion I have for education. I have long discovered the infatuated obsession to tutor and instruct the younger folks and moulding them on the denominator of sound teaching principles and standards, which explains the growth and expansion witnessed in Caleb over the years. As much as you are aware, talent is the natural potential that we are endowed with by God. It’s something you enjoy doing, something you’ve got passion for. It’s a gift! The Bible says, to some He gives 2 talents, 3 talents, 5 talents etc. It is so certain that every one of us is blessed and with diverse talents. As for my natural abilities, I discovered that I have the natural tendency to teach, encourage, motivate. All these I do with great passion, such that when I do any, it’s usually with a difference!

Thirdly, it’s as a result of my life’s experiences, i.e. what I underwent. According to Henry Ford, “Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward”. I remember with vividly my ordeal in Form 1 at a Secondary School in Ikorodu. On a fateful day, I was sent out of school because of unpaid school fees. Intuitively, I knew that if I should go home, there was no way I could return with the school fees so I decided to hide myself in the toilet, with the aim of returning to the classroom after a while. However, the Principal sighted me on my way to the toilet and immediately sent someone to fetch me. On that terrible day, he dealt with me like he was killing a snake – gave me the ruthless, brutal, pathetic beating of my life, so much so that I couldn’t cry as I whimpered in the excruciating pain. On the flip side of the coin, I really understood the Principal’s actions because he needed to pay staff salaries. There and then, I decided that if I could survive the brutality I’ll no longer attend school anymore. I related the whole episode to my parents who, upon seeing my anguish, decided that I should learn tailoring instead. This I did until Alhaji Jakande introduced free education, after which I returned to school. I couldn’t have undergone such upheaval in my life and not appreciate the modern day education. That explains why our school fees are relatively low compared to those of our contemporaries despite the quality of staff, qualitative education and modern facilities our students enjoy in Caleb. It’s been God all the while, and it’ll be Him all the way!

Monday, 26 October, 2015

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com Dr ‘Yomi Faparusi Sr, an American licensed physician, attorney and a researcher, currently running as Republican candidate for the United States Congress in the 4th Congressional District of Tennessee, hails from Ilakoto in Ode-Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, but was born and raised on the University of Ibadan campus, Ibadan, where he received his medical degree, and later in the United States, received his jurist doctorate (law) degree from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware, and got his PhD in Public Health, from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. In this e-interview with SEYI GESINDE, he speaks on his political ambition, activities in the US among other issues. Excerpts:

hat are your motivations for vying for a seat in the United States Congress? I have been blessed to have experienced the American Dream and I want everyone to have a good chance of achieving that as well. The American Dream correlates with the existence of the middle class and as such, I want to ensure that the middle class does not become extinct just as I saw firsthand growing up. America is a great nation but we are at a crossroad. What we need, in general terms, is a tone in Washington DC that focuses on the economy, unites Americans and calls for peace around the globe. I intend to run another positive campaign, based on issues. My campaign will continue to focus on what I stand for and not what or who I am against. I also want to rebrand Nigeria in the eyes of the world, that we are more than fraudsters and for every American child of Nigerian descent to be proud of that heritage. To what extent has the American Dream be of good advantage to you and how do you intend to help others benefit from it? I came to the US and I had the opportunity of assimilating into the American society despite being foreign-born, getting a PhD and a law degree, appreciating assets that improved my chances at experiencing the American Dream. Today, the “American Dream” is threatened,

other

Why I’m contesting for US Congress

Netanyahu defends holy site surveillance cameras in Israel

parusi Sr — Dr Yomi Fa ’s candidate for 4th Republican Party Congressional District of Tennessee

more than any time in our history. There is the possibility of a generation that would not be as financially stable as their parents’ generation. Everyone deserves to achieve the “American Dream.” Dreams come true in America! That’s the essence of my campaign, to restore the “American Dream” by addressing hurdles such as unemployment, unaffordable education and debt to mention a few. But what do you think the people are missing in Congressional representation which you stand to offer? The Tennessee 4th District has not experienced the same economic growth as some of the other congressional districts. What you see are mostly abandoned warehouses, glaring reminders of businesses that have left the district. Economic revitalisation starts with encouraging the growth of small businesses, having the clout in Washington DC to convince bigger corporations to have a presence in the district and a willingness to talk to unions and other stakeholders. As a medical doctor with 18

America is a great nation but we are at a crossroad. What we need, in general terms, is a tone in Washington DC that focuses on the economy, unites Americans and calls for peace around the globe.

years experience, do you think political representation would be more fulfilling than continuing growing your career in medical practice, through which you can equally positively impact on the society? Doctors need to actively participate in politics. We are very notorious for sitting on the fence only to complain later that they got shafted. Examples are abound in Nigeria, doctors did not participate in the Udoji awards meetings of 1973 and today over four decades after, doctors are still fighting for an appropriate salary scale. In universities, medical students rarely get involved in Students’ Union politics leaving their destiny to others. Likewise, when the debates were going on in the US on the Affordable Care Act, doctors were too “busy” to be at the forefront, in order to have a core input. Affordable and accessible health care is a passion of mine that could only be achieved through political representation. Growing my medical practice mostly advances my family and I, but not those who suffer from lack of access to health care. Also, as an attorney with interest in immigration law, the migrant issue is today, a big global problem, the reason most of these people blamed on poverty, what do you foresee this exodus to America and Europe will lead to? And solution? The US is a country of immigrants but the type of exodus we see today to America and Europe, especially due to wars, is unlike what we have seen in the past. Thus, we can only speculate what effects it would have using past results as a model to predict. That said, if properly managed, it could lead to smooth integration and assimilation creating prosperity and diversity. The backlash seen is because some feel this is being forced down their throats whereas it should be a part-

NEWS

nership with the communities. The best way to go about it is to do a better public relations campaign in the communities that are set to accept migrants, have town hall meetings where concerns could be addressed and so on. This is humanitarian in nature but nevertheless has to be explained in clarity to citizens. Where do you stand on US immigration reform? I am 100 per cent in support of proimmigration reform, if anything, I was an immigrant myself and majority of my legal practice is in the area of immigration law. It is very hypocritical that both political parties claim they hate the status quo on immigration, yet both the GOP and Democrats are pushing bills that have zero chance of becoming law. Like Krauthammer aptly stated, the GOP has to be prepared to answer the question: “After we secure the border then what?” Likewise, Democrats need to understand that an immigration bill without a definitive border security component is just plain politics. Unlike many politicians in the US, for me it is very personal. We will not totally agree on what Immigration Reform means. As such, I will not say “both sides need to work together” as that is a rather meaningless and politically safe statement. The truth is both sides have to compromise. True leadership sometimes involves putting your political career on the line to do what you believe is right. Many believe Republican is a party to beat at the coming elections, after it won the majority at the Senate and House of Reps in the second term elections, is that why you are also contesting on Republican platform? No. I am running because I am more aligned with Republican than Democratic issues. The truth is you Continues on pg 45

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that adding video surveillance to the sacred Jerusalem site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque is in Israel’s best interest. He told a cabinet meeting that the step would help to both refute claims that Israel wants to change the rules that allow Muslims to pray there but not Jews, and also to “show where the provocations are really coming from.” VOA reported that tensions related to fears about the rules changing have played a role in weeks of violence that left at least 10 Israelis and about 50 Palestinians dead. Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said a Palestinian stabbed and moderately wounded an Israeli in the West Bank, after the victim pulled over and exited his car, which Palestinians were pelting with rocks, the military said. The Palestinian fled the scene.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with his military secretary, Brigadier General Eliezer Toledano, (left), during the weekly cabinet meeting at his office, in Jerusalem, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP.

New York man creates ‘sovereign nation’ in US A New York man is building his own sovereign nation called Zaqistan on a remote piece of land in Utah, United States. Zaq Landsberg has created a yellow-and-red flag, official-looking passports and a border patrol gate guarded by a giant robot sentry for the realm, KSL-TV reported. “The conceptual goal is I want it to become a real country,” said Landsberg, its president. “I mean, that goal is not going to happen. It’s impossible, but going through the motions, (I’m) trying to make that happen.”

Zaq Lansberg

foreig naffairs

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Iraq war contributes to rise of IS – –Tony Blair •Finally apologises for 2003 invasion

‘US is divided mostly along racial and ideological lines’ Continued from pg 44

can’t agree with all the issues of a party but you weigh them. I tell many Nigerians, that we are more Republican than Democrat but the GOP loses many people on immigration and not condemning some Republicans who made racially inappropriate comments. Furthermore, I live in a heavily Republican district and there is some pragmatism that goes with running for office. This is similar to friends who told me they preferred JK Agbaje in Lagos State, but he was running on the platform of the “wrong party” or in Anambra State, where if you are not APGA, you need not waste your time. In expressing your interest for Congressional seat, you noted that ‘the United States is today so bitterly divided,’ along which area, what is the cause and how can you change the trend? The US is divided mostly along racial and “ideological” lines. The truth is many of these divisions are artificial but promoted by some who benefit from the division. When you look at people on the two sides of an ideological spectrum: both sides agree fully on 80 per cent of the issues, both agree on another 15 per cent but disagree on how to achieve the end goal. Thus, the real bone of contention is 5 per cent, which is sadly what politicians use to rally their base with divisive rhetoric. How you change the trend is find your common interests, maximise where you agree and minimise your differences with courtesy. As a black Republican, I do have a lot of leverage to close these gaps. Last year, you sought election to the US House of Reps at the same 4th Congressional District of Tennessee, but was defeated in the Republican primary, what are your chances now with your level of acceptability, especially as a Black man contesting against Whites? My chances are way better now and honestly, I do not think race played that much a significant role, after all, I could not get even my own people to come out and vote. Anyone who runs for office knows that the most important thing is to run, success is determined by your strategy but more by things aligning the right way, so some say 30 per cent work and 70 per cent luck, the luck is really God’s grace. Last year was my first time and with it came with rookie mistakes. I did a lot of canvassing but there were also mistakes made. Immediately I lost, I sought to address all those mistakes right away and I am seeing the dividend. As someone who grew up in Nigeria, you’re aware of the role of money and godfathers in winning elections, will you attribute these to why you initially lost in the primary or isn’t there anything close to that in US politics. Money played a huge role because how much you raise is seen as the most accurate measurement of your viability or chance of success. Here, I will say you have more of a “backer” than a godfather because the former

F helps you get access to donors with deep pockets without seeking to control you. So, how do you hope to raise such a huge amount of money US politicians are known to spend for campaigns via the electronic and other media, so you can have a more better outing this time round? I am tapping into a wider network than last time, starting earlier, using professionals and being less sentimental about how I go about raising funds. I have had the last year to work on fundraising strategies and reflecting on what went wrong the last time. A major change is that I am no longer relying on my immediate network of childhood friends and school mates but seeking those donors who are more focused on your issues than what party you belong to. What were your childhood fantasies and how was your growing up like? I wanted to be the governor of Ekiti State. I have always loved politics from an early age thanks to my dad. I also dreamt of becoming the U.N. Secretary General, hence I took French at “O” Levels. I was born and raised on the University of Ibadan campus, both parents being academicians and I had a very happy childhood. I saw firsthand Nigeria transformed from a wealthy nation to a debt laden nation and the resultant evisceration of the middle class. I was involved in Students’ Union politics despite being a medical student and I ran successfully for office as the Chairman of Alexander Brown Hall. I was also an activist, participating in “aluta” (protests). I was most active during the Abacha regime but after my lead was blown, I eventually had to leave Nigeria and was granted asylum in the U.S. Let’s look at the opposing views of the US and Russia, the two world powers with global influence, which is affecting the global fight against terror and economic stability, especially in Africa, what is the way forward? I am biased towards the U.S. so this is hard for me to answer since I endorse the American view. From a theoretical perspective, I will advise African countries not to choose sides because the old adage says “when two elephants fight, the grass suffers.” Like I stated earlier, look for where you have a common interest with the two and maximise these areas of agreement. The ultimate solution is developing the African nations economically and politically to be able to sustain themselves. What is your advice to the African leaders depending so much on the West for security and economic stability in their nations? African nations must strive for economic and political stability. They need to teach themselves how to fish rather than ask for fish. Of course, part of the problem is not having someone at the table, like a Congressman of African descent, so many African leaders have minimal clout. When dealing with their counterparts in the Western world. The talents necessary to make Africa great are there- we just have to take legacy over personal interest.

ormer British Prime Minister Tony Blair has finally apologised for the Iraq War. Blair said he accepts that the conflict has been a factor in the rise of Islamic State. Blair made the startling confession during a TV interview in which he acknowledged the ‘hell’ that had resulted from his and George Bush’s decision in 2003, to oust Saddam Hussein from power. In an interview by US political broadcaster, Fareed Zakaria, Blair is asked point-blank: “Was the Iraq War a mistake?” He replied: “I apologise for the fact that the intelligence we received was wrong. “I also apologise for some of the mistakes in planning and, certainly, our mistake in our understanding of what would happen once you removed the regime.” Mail online reports that when asked if the Iraq War

Tony Blair with British troops in Basra in Iraq in 2003, soon after Saddam Hussein was toppled. PHOTO: REUTERS. was “the principal cause” of the rise of Islamic State, he said: “I think there are elements of truth in that. Of course you can’t say those of us who removed Saddam in 2003 bear no responsibility for the situation in 2015.” Appearing remorseful he asks for public forgiveness for his failure to anticipate “what would happen once you removed the regime”. His dramatic admission comes 12 years after the

former Prime Minister refused to apologise for the conflict. It was recently revealed that he was challenged by former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett over the decision to go to war who warned him of the inevitable bloody aftermath. In 2007 Blair maintained his position saying: “I don’t think we should be apologising at all for what we are doing in Iraq.”

Tanzania’s rulers face tough challenge from opposition Voters in Tanzania are heading to the polls in presidential and parliamentary elections, with the ruling party facing its toughest test yet from opposition rivals led by former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa. In the lead up to Sunday’s polls, opposition leader, Lowassa tapped into mounting anger over corruption and the slow pace of change in East Africa’s second most populous country. Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi, reporting from Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es

Salam, said polling stations opened early to allow the stream of voters who want to cast their ballot before the major crowds turn out. “People have been coming since very early in the morning. They just want to vote

early so they can go home and go about their business and wait for the result,” Soi said. “Things are smooth and people are patiently waiting to cast their vote. They want free and fair elections.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron will face a fresh headache over Europe today, when Tory MPs join forces with Labour to fight a ‘tampon tax’ levied by the European Union. The rebel Tories have picked the fight over a five per cent VAT rate on female sanitary products, which is enforced

by the EU, as an example of the powers they think the Prime Minister should negotiate back from Europe. Mail Online reported that More than 50 Labour MPs are supporting a motion to insert a clause in the Finance Bill to remove the VAT charged on sanitary products.

British Prime Minister David Cameron

Ivory Coast held the first round of a presidential elec-

tion on Sunday. According to agencies reports, current President Alassane Ouattara, widely expected to win, said he wanted a “first-round knockout” victory. More than six million Ivorians are registered to cast their ballots at around 20,000 polling stations, with voting officially beginning at 7:00 a.m. (0700 GMT). Voting was delayed in

many districts of the country’s largest city, Abidjan, as poll workers rushed to organise materials. In the northern Abobo district, polling stations were still awaiting electronic tablets a couple of hours after voting should have officially begun. An elections commission official said the same problem had affected many polling stations in the area.

There are more than 63,000 polling stations and each station is only allowed 450 voters to speed up the polling process. PHOTO: AL JAZEERA.

otherNEWS Cameron faces fresh headache as rival MPs unite against EU tax

Ivory Coast casts votes in presidential election

An election worker prepares a ballot for a voter during elections in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP.

foreig naffairs

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Iraq war contributes to rise of IS – –Tony Blair •Finally apologises for 2003 invasion

‘US is divided mostly along racial and ideological lines’ Continued from pg 44

British Prime Minister David Cameron

Ivory Coast held the first round of a presidential elec-

There are more than 63,000 polling stations and each station is only allowed 450 voters to speed up the polling process. PHOTO: AL JAZEERA.

otherNEWS Cameron faces fresh headache as rival MPs unite against EU tax

Ivory Coast casts votes in presidential election

An election worker prepares a ballot for a voter during elections in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP.

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Nigeria qualify for 2016 CHAN By Ahmed Pele

IGERIA’S Super Eagles have qualified for the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) in Rwanda. The Super Eagles drew 0-0 with Burkina Faso in the second leg of their qualifying tie with Burkina

NFF tells Eaglets to forget Croatia loss NIGERIA Football Federation (NFF) has strongly advised the Golden Eaglets to put behind Friday’s 2-1 loss to Croatia in Coquimbo and refocus their minds on greater performance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015. Addressing the team shortly before their departure from Coquimbo to Vina del Mar on Saturday, NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical), Siji Lagunju said the Golden Eaglets can be back to winning ways if they discover the same strong mental attitude that saw them to an impressive 2-0 win against USA and 5-1 win over host Chile earlier in the tournament. “With my over 40 years experience in football as a player and coach, I can categorically tell you that the technical crew led by Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has done remarkably well in training and preparing you for this tournament,” he noted.

Faso at Stade du 4 Août, Ouagadougou on Sunday. A first half penalty miss represented Burkina Faso’s best chance to open the scoring before the interval but the opportunity was not taken. Nigeria won the first leg 2-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on October 17 courtesy of goals from Bature Yaro and Gbolahan Salami. The Super Eagles thus qualified on a 2-0 aggregate and join Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ethiopia, Gabon, DR Congo, Mali, Guinea, Tunisia, Morocco and the hosts Rwanda as sides that will compete at next year’s tournament. The 2016 Chan will commence on January 16 and end on February 7. While reacting to his team victorym Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh via his Twitter handle, @ SundayOOliseh said: “Praise God! Super Eagles qualify for CHAN 2016 on 2-0 aggregate Vs Burkina Faso”.

LSSC DG donate wheelchairs to WBA By Niyi Alebiosu

Oliseh

Ejidike secures new insurance cover for sports journalists THE Pillar of Sports in Nigeria, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike has secured a new insurance policy for all sports journalists in the country. This followed the Memorandum

THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Coprs (NSCDC) athletes that represented the country at the recently-concluded All Africa Games in Congo Brazaville have been commended for their superlative performance at the games. The Director of Sports, NSCDC, Ayodele Titus, described the athletes as worthy ambassadors of NSCDC, as 46 of them represented Nigeria in different sporting events at the end of which Nigeria won a total of 144 medals, comprising of 47 Gold,

of Understanding (MoU) which was signed last Friday at Bovina Hotels & Suites, Ilorin between the national secretariat of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the Office of the Nigeria

Senegal 2015: Siasia receives knocks over bogus

list of U-23 invitees

AN ever growing list of over 50 players called up by Nigeria U-23 coach Samson Siasia for next month’s Africa U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal has sparked off questions regarding the readiness of the team to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

According to Africanfootball. com with just about a month to the kick-off of the tournament in Senegal, both the coach and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have clearly shown they still have not grasped the herculean task ahead.

NSCDC athletes lauded over performance at All Africa Games By Nurudeen Alimi

DIRECTOR General of Lagos State Sports Commission, LSSC, Ayodele Agbesanwa has expressed happiness over the Team Lagos Wheelchair Basketball victory in the finals of the 4th Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship just as he donated wheelchair worth millions of naira to the Lagos State Wheelchair Basketbal l Association. Speaking with Tribunesport at the National Stadium, Surulere, Indoor Sports Hall , after the Tope Ogunkoya-led Team Lagos 3934 points win over their Team Oyo counterparts, Agbesawa commended the team’s fighting spirit in the course of the match, stating that Lagos remains the leading sporting state in the country. According to him the decisison to donate brand new wheelchairs to the association has paid off with the victory at the final of this championship which he will put an end to the association borrowing wheelchairs during competitions, adding that the sports commission will do alot more for various association in order to excel and make the state an envy of all others.

55 Silver and 42 Bronze. He noted that the contribution of NSCDC’s 46 athletes as members of the Nigerian contingent to Brazaville 2015 in no small way aided the success of the country winning 5 Gold, 10 Silver and 7 Bronze medals, totalling 22 medals. Ayodele said:”It is noteworthy that NSCDC have formed the nucleus of Nigerian teams in the last eight years and have won many medals for the country in series of major international competitions which included African Senior Athletics Championship (Ethiopia 2008), 2008

Olympics Games in Beijing, China, 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. “Also, the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique 2011, African Senior Athletics Championship (Benin Republic 2012), London 2012 Olympics Games, African Senior Athletics Championship (Marrakesh 2014) and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland”. Ayodele, however said the sports department of the NSCDC will not relent in its efforts at ensuring that Nigeria excel in the world of sports both at local and international level.

Will this be another open screening exercise, just like what Siasia embarked on when he first took charge of Dream Team VI? Siasia has also named 16 overseas-based professionals for a competition, which is not on the international football calendar. Four years ago, the then coach of the U23s Austin Eguavoen had only himself to blame when all but a handful of the foreign pros he invited featured at the inaugural tournament in Morocco because their clubs refused to release them. Has Siasia now received formal assurances from these overseas clubs they will release the players for the tournament in Senegal? Or is Siasia again playing to the gallery when he ought to be a lot more focused on the job at hand? The inclusion of Portugal-based Stanley Amuzie, who has been confirmed will be sidelined for at least another six months by a major knee injury that needed surgery, also raises a poser.

Pillar of Sports and top officials of the Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Lagos. In his remark, the National President of SWAN, Mallam Saidu Abubakar, who was in tears as he mourned the death of ace sports journalist, Dr Felix Okugbe, who he described as a hardworking and honest man, commended Ejidike for the historic step at providing insurance cover for all sports Journalists in the country. He wished the policy was activated before the death of Okugbe. Abubakar enjoined sports journalists to take advantage of the offer by Ejidike and get registered saying they stand to benefit from the policy. Chief Ejidike, while speaking on the occasion said he understood the risks involved in the process of sports reporting by members of SWAN hence the need to protect their lives. Ejidike, who is also the president of the Nigeria Karate Federation stated that he was inspired by passion to support sports in his capacity as a private businessman. While unveiling the package, the Divisional Head Technical of Standard Alliance, Mr Olukolayo Ezekiel said the company was happy to be associated with SWAN, the Pillar of Sports and the sports fraternity in Nigeria.

47 tribunesport

Monday, 26 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Barcelona approves record € 663m budget Barcelona saw a record €663 million budget approved on Sunday as the club look ahead to a more secure financial future. The club’s economic vice-president Susana Monje disclosed on Thursday that the budget - which represents the “highest in the club’s history” - was set to be presented at the weekend with an increase to wage allocation key in light of Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Barca currently spend €380m on wages before tax - 63 per cent of their total income - however, last season’s treble triumph saw an increase to over 70% that figure due to variables and bonuses, a figure which was in breach of FFP. In response the club increased income to €595m for 2015-16 thanks to a number of

new merchandising deals and sold the likes of Pedro to Chelsea before representing the new budget to the Assembly. “There is sufficient margin and we are not even close to the limit at this stage. “So Barcelona can take on renewals and new incorporations if the coaching staff consider these to be necessary,” Monje said on Thursday. Improved terms have been promised to Neymar, who was a summer target for Manchester United, but agreeing a financial package worth more than €600m was key with 655 from a total of 758 members voting in favour. Sunday’s green light from the Assembly sees Barca’s wage budget increased by around €8m, meaning they can renew the Brazilian’s current contract without any risk of infringing FFP regulations.

Sherwoood

Aston Villa sacks coach A

South African player dies in car crash South African defender, Cecil Lolo passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning in a road accident. According to Eyewitness News, the 27-year-old soccer player was driving a VW Golf GTI at the time of the accident when two vehicles collided on Spine Road just before the N2

Lolo in Khayelitsha. “It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of our brave warrior Cecil Lolo,” read a statement released by Ajax. “May his soul rest in peace.” The 27-year-old has been a key player for Ajax in recent years, and helped them win this season’s MTN8.

ston Villa have officially announced the sacking of its manager Tim Sherwood after eight months in charge. After ten games in the current league campaign, Villa are placed 19th in the Premier League table following a 2-1 defeat by Swansea on Saturday – the club’s sixth straight league loss. Villa in a statement on its website wrote; “Aston Villa Football Club has parted company with manager Tim Sherwood today. “The Board has monitored the performances closely all season and believes the results on the pitch were simply not good enough and that a change is imperative. “However, the Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tim for all his efforts during a difficult period last season and for the many positive contributions he has made to the entire football setup during his time with the Club. We wish him well in the future.

“Assistant manager Ray Wilkins, first-team coach Mark Robson and performance analyst Seamus Brady have also left with immediate effect and do so with our best wishes. “A search for a new manager has commenced and the squad will be managed in the interim by Kevin

MacDonald. “There will be no further comment from the Club at this stage.” The statement read. Ex-Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes is among those in the frame to replace Sherwood, 46. Appointed in February

to replace Paul Lambert, Sherwood reached the FA Cup final and led the club to a 17th-placed finish in his first season in charge, but has won one of ten league matches this term. Villa have not won since the opening day and are four points from safety.

Manchester derby ends in stalemate The 170th Manchester derby ends in a stalemate at Old Trafford as United and City failed to bridge each others defense for 90 minutes. The first half was well contested as both sides seek to cease initiative in the first Manchester derby of the season. The visitors had the first opening of the match as Raheem Sterling received a pass at the edge of the box from Fernandinho and let’s fly but his right foot shot went wide. Fernandinho then went into the referee’s book for a lazy challenge on Anthony Martial. Rooney saw his effort went wide at the other

end as he was unable to get his header on target. Juan Mata was showed a yellow card after an untimed tackle impeded Fernandinho who was about to play in Ivory Coast forward Wilfred Bony. There were no clear cut chances but time to book City captain Vincent Kompany who clumsily clattered into the very impressive Anthony Martial as the first half ended goalless. Manchester United began the second half on the front foot as Martial and Ander Herrera won quick corners and Chris Smalling saw his header go narrowly wide. City manager Manuel Pellegrini re-

placed Raheem Sterling with Jesus Navas. Jesse Lingard came on for Juan Mata as the Red Devils added pace to their front line while Marouane Fellaini replaced Bastian Schweinsteiger. City threw on Martin Demichelis, Kelechi Iheanacho for Ivorian duo of Yaya Toure and Wilfred Bony. Lingard came very close to open scoring after recieving a great pass from Martial but his effort only came off the post. Chris Smalling’s shot produced a superb save from Joe Hart and denied the home side a winner at the very end of the game as it ended in a stalemate.

SIDELINES

NO 16,356

MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2015

F you read my two previous writings on fifty-five years of Nigerian football, you would/might perceive that all I tried to do in them was to give some fresh attention to the subject of our football in the light – or darkness - of the current happenings in, at least, the national team. The point of view which I tried to put forward was clearly related to the football theory of joy and selflessness which our football personages/personalities of the past displayed – despite the pains and lapses of their times. As I struggled to reveal through my recourse to what I crave here to call my divine memory, there was a mixture of positive and negative emotions that Nigerian football these past fifty-five years generated in us. An acutely, effectively robust attraction toward the beauty of football displayed by selfless players of our perfect past combined with an equally intense fascination by the ugliness of the poverty of life of the average footballer after his excellently graceful performance in the field of play. The combination of the contrasted emotions made Nigerian football such a dramatic game/ sport loved and hated at the same time in my years of growing boyhood: We loved footballers and football yet we detested the lot of the footballer especially after his best days and years were behind him. When, as related last Monday, my school’s headmaster did not keep his promise to slaughter a goat for us members of our school’s football team after we beat our opponents to win the cup for our school, what my father told me sincerely was that if any of us was disabled in the field of play, the reward would not be different from our headmaster’s goat-promise that he didn’t keep. A footballer was like a prettily beautiful nymph to be discarded once the glow was gone – through injury or old age or loss of relevance. That sincere colloquy between my father and I gave me a sensation of repulsion, horror and of fear for the beautiful game that kept me out of it for good. But that did not stop my (from time–to– time) floating feelings for football. These floating feelings can be personal and pub-

N150

Within five months since May, several state governments across the country have borrowed billions of naira meant for providing critical infrastructure. While developmental projects are good, state executives should know that no society develops by borrowing. Real development comes when governments invest in their people and gear them towards creating wealth.

in&out with Tony Afejuku

08055213059

Eight great cities of Nigerian football lic at the same time. At times they can be simple and complex at the same time. When they are personal, I usually see myself in a tranquil state, especially when I watch on television a good match or when I stay glued to a radio to listen to a football commentary – both events normally give me a kind of art in football emotion. When the floating feelings tend to go public I do what I am doing now – sharing my football emotions and art consciously and deliberately with the public. This is why I am proposing now to halt my football recollections in an atmosphere of tranquility begun two Mondays ago with my floating feelings for eight great cities of Nigerian football. When I say eight great cities, I mean eight fabulously fascinating towns that helped immeasurably to develop and promote Nigerian football since – or, better stated, in colonial Nigeria – with unequalled passion and emotion. Ibadan, Oshogbo, and five coastal cities of Lagos, Warri, Sapele, Port-Harcourt, Calabar, and Jos (the tin-city) are the eight great cities of Nigerian football. At least from the 1930s to the 1960s these great towns were the cities of Nigerian football. There wouldn’t have been Nigerian football without them. Five of these cities – Lagos, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Warri, and Sapele were in Western Nigeria, unarguably the most cosmopolitan Nigerian region ever. It was the home of the most successful football squads known to Nigerian football: UAC, Marines, Railways, SCOA, WAFA, SAFA,

But some of the greatest players of Nigeria came from the above-listed Western cities and those from Eastern cities

Amukpe FA, Oshogbo X1, Ojojo Football Club of Warri, etc. But Kano City in Northern Nigeria in 1953 did the unthinkable by beating Dynamos Club of Lagos to take the challenge cup to the North, mainly through the heroics of their magnificent goal-keeper Onyemeze. But some of the greatest players of Nigeria came from the above-listed Western cities and those from Eastern cities such as Calabar and Port- Harcourt, and Jos in Northern Nigeria. For instance, as magnificent as Onyemeze of Kano XI was, he couldn’t displace Carl O’Dwyer of UAC from keeping for the national team. In fact, Onyemeze himself battled with goalkeeper Jaji of Lagos Dynamos for supremacy in the 1953 challenge cup final – even though the former was a greater keeper. (I’m grateful to Professor Bode Lucas of Bodija, Ibadan for this piece of information).

As I am writing this, I remember, as intimated me, the emotions of pain Warri people suffered when Warri X1 lost the 1956 challenge cup final to Railways of Lagos by 3 – 1. That was the first time Warri reached the final. In our boyish imagination any of the afore-mentioned football cities was the city to talk about when there was the need for an expression of significant thought. Even when we wanted to go to college, it was delightful, thrilling, to want to go to any college located in any of the cities - distance or no distance, so to speak. Then, too, it really mattered not where one came from. And footballers could be poached from any city, any club, from any frontier without inhibitions. The emotion of Nigerian football was electrifying. And our founding fathers were genuine founders of Nigerian football which they helped to nurse, nourish and grow rightly – or wrongly. And Oh! How I remember the Thermogen Cup competitions in Western Nigeria! The memories come and go and come ceaselessly …. I enjoy them as I enjoy fruit salad – which our NFF is not giving me now. Take us back there O youthful Mr. Pinnick! Create for your NFF now a record/research wing evidently to give us a perfect football future. What was it like to be a Thunder Balogun, an Oyeandor, Awoture, Uwalaka, Ebiyon Dediare, a Shaka Igben, a Khalil and an Anthony Egbokodo? Memories! Concluded.

FIFA presidency: Blatter declares support for Kalu

Orji Kalu

AS the FIFA presidency election gathers steam, the suspended President of the world’s football governing body, Sepp Joseph Blatter, has openly declared his support for a former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to occupy the exalted position. This was as Blatter faulted the candidature of former Secretary General, Jerome Champagne, and Prince Alli of Jordan. Speaking in Zurich, Blatter told a Swiss radio on Sunday: “The position of the FIFA president is too important to be left to just anybody. “I have heard of some candidates who want to take over from me. “But I find the businessman from Nigeria, Kalu, very qualified and interesting because he is not only a businessman, but a politician with lots of contacts and corporate

experience. “He can bring his great experiences to bear in the running of world football. “He is passionate about the game. “I remember how he sponsored one of Nigerian clubs to win the CAF championship twice. “He is a man that can take world football to the next level.” Blatter said though Kalu had not formally declared his interest, it was in the best interest of Africa to nominate him because of his deep passion for the game. He said: “If Africa hopes to win the support of other federations, then they must cue behind the Nigerian businessman. “Football has developed beyond just anybody taking over. “I sacked Jerome Champgne in 2010, so

how can he come back to lead an Association he tried to destroy. “You need a man who can command respect and win friends for football. “With Kalu, Africa stands a better chance.” The Confederation of African Football is expected to meet next week to decide on a candidate for the election scheduled for next year. Kalu and Segun Odegbami are the two candidates who have shown interest in the post from Africa.

EPL RESULTS Sunderland 3 AFC B/mouth 1 Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1

Newcastle Tottenham Man City Southampton

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. 26/10/2015.

0 5 0 1