27th January 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,423

WEDNESDAY, 27 JANUARY, 2016

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Oyediji's claim to Olubadan throne, exercise in futility —Ajimobi —P6

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Lassa fever: Undergraduate, 18 others under watch in Ogun

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We won't devalue naira —CBN

•Retains monetary policy interest rate at 11% —P10

Fayose, Aregbesola in dramatic make up —P16

•Yoruba agenda interest should be paramount —Fayose —Pg2 •The war is over —Aregbesola

How Metuh's firm, 77 others got paid for contracts not executed —Witness —P4

All set for Bello's inauguration

•New Kogi gov to be inaugurated without deputy —P5

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (right) and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr Ayodele Fayose, during a visit by Governor Fayose to the Government House, Osogbo, on Tuesday.

Afenifere condemns excessive borrowing to finance 2016 budget —P5

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Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Fayose, Aregbesola in dramatic make up

•Yoruba agenda interest should be paramount —Fayose •The war is over —Aregbesola Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

KITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, paid a visit to his Osun State counterpart, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday, at the Government House, Osogbo, the state capital, in a dramatic make-up after the 2015 general election. The visit took many by surprise, because of the political differences between the duo, given the highly divergent role they played during the 2015 presidential poll. The two governors unequivocally underscored the significance of the seemingly rapproachment in their separate Twitter handle and speeches on the visit on Tuesday night. According to tweets from the verified handle of Aregbesol, a governor elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the visit of Fayose, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a major critic of the APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, is historical. “I am honoured to play host to my friend and brother, the executive governor of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose.” “@GovAyoFayose I celebrate you for the maturity and clear headedness that your visit to Osun today represents. “The visit of @GovAyoFayose to Osun today shows that though we differ politically, the Yoruba race remains united. “I gave @GovAyoFayose my word that I will continue to work with him and other Yoruba leaders to better the life of the average Yoruba man,” the tweet read. Campaigns for the presidential candidate of the then governing PDP, former President Goodluck Jonathan and incumbent President Buhari had pitched the two governors against each other. Fayose had unambiguously deployed all arsenal in support of Jonathan in his re-election bid, just as Aregbesola, APC governor, was the arrow head of the Buhari campaign in the SouthWest. The verbal exchanges between Fayose and Aregbesola had not only heated up the polity, but also polarised the politically sophisticated people of the South-West. Speaking on the rapproachment in Osogbo, Fayose said the interest, uni-

ty and agenda of the Yoruba race should be paramount to all political leaders of the ethnic group, irrespective of party affiliations. He noted that the recent visit of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was instructive to all and sundry, as it heralded a new dawn in Yorubaland. According to Fayose, with the visit, the monarch had challenged all Yoruba leaders on the critical need to eschew issues and interest capable of further polarising the race. “I believe in the Yoruba race; it comes first before the office of the governor. The visit of Ooni to Alaafin is instructive. It taught us a lot of lessons. We must do everything to fight for the race and stand to make sure nothing happens to our leaders. Politics will come and go. Beyond any other interest, we must come together in reinvigorating our economy. “I will never decamp to

any other political party. I have the right to my views and will continue to push it forward. The strength of democracy is responsive opposition.” Describing as untrue and baseless, speculations that he was in Osun to seek the help of Aregbesola to beg President Buhari because of his critical views on the president’s administration, Fayose declared: “I remain in PDP to play the opposition role. Without opposition in a democracy, there will be dictatorship, and those promoting dictatorship in a democracy will end up in the stomach of the dictator.” He said he was in Osun for the unity of Yoruba race, adding that the race was greater than any political office. “This is my first official visit to any APC state in Nigeria. I am not in Osogbo to ask Aregbesola to help me beg as being speculated in some quarters. We are all Yoruba, politics is like wa-

ter, it can flow anywhere. “I was moved by the historic visit of the Ooni of Ife to the Alaafin of Oyo and I am of the opinion that the Yoruba leaders must unite. “The Yoruba nation must not be rubbished. Our leaders must not be rubbished, irrespective of the political party they belong to. “I believe in the Yoruba race, the race comes first before the office of the governor. The race is eternal while that of governor is momentary. We must watch today to be guided by tomorrow. I am here for the unity of Yoruba as it affects the Oodua, the progenitor,” Fayose emphasised. While reiterating his resolve to remain in the PDP, the governor said, “I remain in PDP to play the opposition role. In all of this, there must be fairness. There must be equity and the rule of law must be followed. We should remember that power as it was transient for the PDP, it can also be transient for the party in power now.

“For me, I don’t want to contest which party is dead now or which one is alive. Whether or not PDP is dead, time will tell.” In his response on the occasion, Aregbesola described the visit as a demonstration of maturity by Fayose, emphasising that it took a very matured human being to know that political power was ephemeral. “Osoko has said that he is not going to leave his party, but the reality today is that PDP has served its term in Nigeria. When a horse is dead, it is either you abandon it or you bury it. “I want my good friend and brother to know that PDP has exhausted its stay in Nigeria; it can no longer be revived. Let us look at a political party that will give hope to our people. Opposition must be for a purpose, I stand by you on the unity of Yorubaland and that our leaders must not be put down in the country. “The war is over. We are in a season of mobilising our

people to agriculture such that we will economically have the strength to give leadership to the nation and Africa. Our energy must be directed at bringing human and physical development, we have enough in this region to give leadership,” Aregbesola stressed. He assured Fayose that he would stand by him in his effort to galvanise the people of the South-West for accelerated development. The Osun governor lamented the present economic situation of the country, noting that there was an invasion on the economy of Nigeria to the extent that the country was losing 75 per cent of its income due to oil glut. “At this point, wise people must have an alternative to oil which part of it is your visit. We must use our culture and affinity to form a bond that can make our people live a normal life, it is a duty that we owe our people, States and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Crisis brews in Ikere-Ekiti over kingship

•We are ready for war —Olukere •He should not test our will —Ekiti govt Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti FOLLOWING an announcement by the Ekiti State government recently that it knew only the Ogoga as the traditional ruler in Ikere-Ekiti, the Olukere, Oba Ayodele Ganiyu Obasoyin, has charged the state government not to foment violence in the community. Oba Obasoyin, who addressed newsmen, in reaction to the government pronouncement, made by the deputy governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, at the weekend, warned that the community was on the brink of a crisis, following the pronouncement as, according to him, “my people are enraged and they are ready to go to war.” He insisted that the Olukere had long been in Ikere before the arrival of the Ogoga and that the government was unfairly treating the Ikere aborigines by such declaration and warned that it might lead to violence in the community if not properly handled. The traditioanal ruler, who displayed copies of official documents to show that he was properly installed, claimed that his life was under threat, alleging that the government was engaging in double speak on his kingship. He cried out over alleged threat by Governor Ayodele

Fayose-led government to deal with him over the lingering supremacy battle with his rival and Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu. Oba Obasoyin, who was installed in 2014, said the fact that the present government had vehemently failed to respond to three memos he had written to it, advocating that the staff of office be presented to him, further corroborated his claim that it was taking side. “A couple of weeks ago, Governor Fayose called me to his office and warned me against giving Ogoga any problem and that he would fight me with all the paraphernalia of office if I should take any action

against my rival. “The Attorney General, Barrister Owoseeni S Ajayi, Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo, Commissioner, Kayode Oso, Fayose’s CSO and one of his sisters were present at the meeting. “I want to say that Ogoga, whom Governor Fayose was parading as his recognised king came to this town in 1836 from Akure, this is on record. About six Olukere had been installed before he came. Why should the landlord now become a tenant. Ogoga was my errand boy and nobody can rewrite this in history. “Governor Fayose must learn from Ife-Modakeke communal crisis. They

should not do anything that would promote war in this land. If the government of Ekiti has any problem with the Federal Government, it shouldn’t use Ikere as a testing ground.” Speaking further on the alleged desecration of his stool, Oba Obasoyin added: “Though, I assumed office in 2014, the last voucher showing payment of salary to Olukere dated back 1989 and it was on government’s website that there were two kings in Ikere Ekiti.” Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, said it was better he remained silent and avoid precipitating

crisis in the community. “Government advised him in good faith. It is a sound advice that he should not disturb the Ogoga of Ikere or any other citizen of the town or the state for that matter. Ogoga has been the recognised monarch for ages and if he or anybody else wants himself to be recognised, he should channel his complaints properly. “He should, at best, be appealing to the government and not create any kind of rancour between him and the government. He shouldn’t test the will of government. He shouldn’t precipitate any crisis because once there’s a breakdown of law and order, we know who to hold.’’

Ex-IGP, Sunday Adewusi, dies at 79 By Tunde Ogunesan FORMER Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunday Adewusi, on Tuesday, died around 8.30 p.m. at the National Hospital, Area 11, Abuja. Adewusi, the Asiwaju of Ogbomoso, born on December 6, 1936, succeeded Adamu Suleiman as the Inspector General of Police between 1981 and 1983. According to the former governor of Oyo State, Chief

Adebayo Alao-Akala, who confirmed his death, the late police chief was a gallant offcier who served Nigeria with commitment and dedication. “The Asiwaju of Ogbmosho, Chief Sunday Adewusi, is a father who, in no small way, contributed to my success in life. “He is a rare officer and boss who served Nigerian police force gallantly. His contribution to the image of police is still a reference point

up till today. He will be sorely missed by the police, Ogbomosoland, Oyo State and Nigeria in general,” he said. Adewusi was born in Eggon Local Government area of Nasarawa State to the family of Pa Abraham Ishola Adeyinka Adewusi and Princess Eyiolawi Abeje. He began his educational career at Mada Station and attended both the Church Missionary Society and Roman Catholic Mission Schools from 1944 to 1948.

He proceeded to Baptist Day School, Jos, Plateau State, between 1949 and 1950 to complete his Standard Six education. He joined the Nigeria Police and had his basic police training at the Police College from 1957 to 1958 as a cadet sub-inspector. He was the ADC to the then Governor-General of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, having been shortlisted among 14 contenders for the position.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

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Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

How Metuh’s firm, 77 others got paid for contracts not executed —Witness Sunday Ejike - Abuja

NOTHER witness brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday told Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that contracts were awarded to about 78 companies, including Metuh’s company, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) without due process. The witness, Bali Ndam, a legal officer in the office of the National Security Adviser, who appeared before Justice Okon Abang as the third prosecution witness for the EFCC, said one of the companies in which the contract was awarded to was Destra Investment Company belonging to Metuh, adding that the money was meant for “security services.” Ndam said the NSA’s office had, in January, transmitted a letter to the EFCC, giving names of companies it awarded contracts to. He said the letter included 78 companies and individuals, amongst them, Dextra Investment Limited. He also told the court that N400 million was transferred from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the account of Destra Investment Limited, belonging to the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, for a non-existing contract. The payment, done in electronic form, was said to have been for security services rendered by Destra Investment Limited. Testifying for the prosecution in the ongoing trial of Metuh for alleged N400 million fraud preferred against him by the EFCC, Ndam informed the court that the former NSA authorised the transfer of the fund to Metuh’s company account. The witness also tendered the schedule of payment which authorised CBN to make the payment to Destra Investment Limited. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, the witness informed Justice Abang that the office of the NSA, to the best of his knowledge, did not award any contract to Destra Investment Limited to which it received N400 million. He said, as the legal officer in the NSA’s office, whose schedule involved legal drafting, legal opinion and contract fretting, he never came across any document indicating that a contract of N400 million

was at anytime awarded to Metuh’s company. However, attempt to tender three different documents against Metuh by the prosecution was vehemently opposed to by counsel for Metuh, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, who insisted that the witness was not the author of the documents and could not be cross-examined on them. The documents were the petition, dated November

28, 2015; list of companies that benefited from the epayments and the schedule of payment that authorised CBN to transfer huge sums to various companies and individuals during the tail end of the last administration. Apart from claiming that the witness was not the author of the document, the counsel argued that there were discrepancies on the heading of one of the docu-

ments sought to be tendered, which indicated that it was not the same as one written against the defendant. In his ruling, Justice Abang dismissed the objection and admitted the documents in evidence. The judge said the witness, as a staffer of the Federal Government, which put Metuh on trial, could testify and tender documents on behalf of the government or

any of its agency. Justice Abang also said the documents did not need certification because they were mere correspondences from private organisations and individuals and not titled documents that required payment of specified amount as demanded by law. Under cross examination by Ikpeazu, the witness read out a portion of the tendered document to the effect that

“due process was followed in awarding and payment for the contract.” The witness agreed that the Administration and Finance Department was responsible for payment of contract costs, while he also read out another portion in the tendered document to the effect that the “payment was for purchase of three operational vehicles. continues pg5

Dariye wanted in UK for money laundering, EFCC tells court Sunday Ejike - Abuja A detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Musa Sunday, on Tuesday, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja that former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye, is still wanted in the United Kingdom (UK) over allegation of money laundering. Dariye, who is also being prosecuted by the EFCC over same offence, was arrested and detained briefly in 2004 by the London Metropolitan Police. He was granted bail and expected to report back as the case was still pending before London Metropolitan Police. Sunday, a prosecution witness in the money laundering case against the former governor, disclosed this while testifying in the trial of Dariye, who governed Plateau between 1999 and 2007 and now the senator representing Plateau Central senatorial district. EFCC slammed a 23-count charge against the former governor before Justice Adebukola Banjoko. The witness, while being cross-examined by Dariye’s lawyer, Garba Pwul, confirmed that the decision by the EFCC to investigate Dariye for alleged money laundering was informed by information provided by the London Metropolitan Police, adding that the case was still pending in London. “The defendant (Dariye) was granted police bail by the UK police and he jumped bail. The investigating police officer (IPO) in London, Peter Clerk, was in Nigeria in the course of our investigation,” Sunday said. The prosecution indicated in its proof of evidence that the current chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, may testify in the case, as he is listed as one of the 33 witnesses to testify. Magu led the five-man team of EFCC detectives that investigated the case.

Earlier, in his evidence-inchief, Sunday gave details of how Dariye allegedly moved funds from the account of the Plateau State Accountant General in Lion Bank (now defunct) to an account in All States Trust Bank (now defunct) allegedly owned by a firm, Ebenezer Ritnan Venture Limited, linked to Dariye. He said when the state Accountant General, Sham Damisa, a deputy director, Treasury, Nuhu Ali Madaki and the deputy director, Inspectorate, Silas BumBut, could not justify the payment of N204 million to Dariye’s firm, they were charged to court. The case is also before Justice Banjoko. Sunday, who identified some bank drafts allegedly used in moving funds from the state Accountant Gener-

al’s account with Lion Bank, said all the money was paid into an account in All States Trust Bank, belonging to Dariye’s firm. “All these drafts were traced to All States Trust Bank and were all raised in the name of All States Trust Bank, but paid into Ebenezer Ritnan’s account. In the course of investigation, we found that there was no contract between the state and Ebenezer Ritnan Venture. “From investigation, we further found that the defendant was the account holder. We discovered some property, which the defendant used part of the money to purchase. We applied for interim forfeiture order to confiscate the property. “The Metropolitan Police found that money moved from Ebenezer Ritnan to a

bank in London. Some of the information we gathered were sent to Metropolitan Police. The lead investigator in London was Peter Clerk. The London authorities later treated the case in the UK. “Our investigation in Nigeria and documents tendered clearly showed that the defendant was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London, granted bail, jumped bail and escaped to Nigeria. “We also saw a Diamond Bank draft of N204 million drawn from the Plateau State Accountant General account, but paid into Ebenezer Ritnan’s account. The instruction for the payment was given by the Accountant General, Sham Damisa, Nuhu Ali Madaki, Deputy Director, Treasury and Silas Bum-But, Deputy

Director, Inspectorate. “In the course of investigation we invited these people to prove to the commission what job was executed by Ebenezer Retnan to have warranted the payment, but they could not show that any job was done for the state and for which the state paid the money. “For failing to provide reasons for this payment, they were charged to court. They are currently on trial before this court. In the course of the investigation, the defendant was invited to make statement, which he did at the Asokoro office of the EFCC,” the witness told the court. Justice Banjoko admitted Dariye’s three statements, made in 2007 in evidence, as exhibits P13(a), (b) and (c) and adjourned the matter till February 2.

$2.29m scam: EFCC accuses Ohakim of intimidating witness It’s a ploy to destabilise my defence —Ex-gov Sunday Ejike - Abuja THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday told Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the life of one its witnesses is in danger, following an allegation of intimidation levelled against him by a son of former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, who is being tried over corruption charges by the anti-graft agency. Ohakim, who was Imo State governor between 2007 and 2011, is facing three counts of money laundering charges arising from his alleged purchase of the house at 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot No 1098, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja, with cash payment of dollar equivalent of N270 million in November 2008. He was also accused of failing to declare the property as part of his assets when asked by the EFCC to do so. The prosecution said the offences bordering on cash

payment of N270 million violated section 15(1)(d) and Section 14(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. At the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, Mr Festus Keyamo, said the EFCC witness, Mr Abu Sule, who had testified before the court on how he allegedly helped Ohakim to illegally acquire the huge edifice at Asokoro in Abuja, called him at about 9.00 p.m. on Monday and informed him about Ohakim’s second son, Emeka, who came to the witness’ office at Asokoro and made inquiries about his (Sule) residential address. “The witness called me around 9.00 a.m. yesterday that the second son of the accused person came to the his office at Asokoro and made inquiries about the residence address of the witness. “He asked three people. He asked one Itakpo, Okoh (taxi drivers) and one Architect Sola, which they refused

to show him,” he said. He said he wanted to consult the defence, but that the matter was not the issue of counsel to counsel because the defence could not protect the witness. “It is the court that can make words of caution to the other party,” Keyamo said. In his reaction, Okakim’s legal team, led by Professor Awa Kalu, vehemently opposed the allegation raised by Keyamo. “We want to register our approach to an issue that should have been settled somewhere. I have no doubt that this allegation was meant for the purpose of destabilising the defence. “When the court stood down he had the opportunity to discuss the issue with either the counsel or the father of the son, but he didn’t raise any caution. “In African tradition, when a young boy misconducts himself, the attention of his parents should be drawn to it. “We find this issue very

disturbing. It is on record that the PW2 testified on November 2, 2015 and only yesterday, the young man would go and find out the residence of the witness. “Since Keyamo refused to give the defence opportunity to investigate the matter, we urge the court to dismiss this story,” Kalu said. As tempers flared between both parties, Keyamo stood up and loudly said: “I will not sit down and watch him cast denting words against me. I will never treat the issue of threat to life in private that is my position.” In his intervention over the disagreement that ensued, Justice Ademola said the issue ought to have been brought to his chambers. “Let us adjourn this matter till tomorrow (Wednesday) when tempers are calm at 12.00 p.m. “Having regard to what transpired in court, this criminal charge is hereby adjourned till January 27 for trial,” Justice Ademola said.

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Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Afenifere condemns FG over excessive borrowing to finance 2016 budget Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

HE Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Tuesday, rose from its monthly meeting criticising the 2016 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the budget is characterised by excessive borrowing. The group, which met at the residence of its national leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State capital, also condemned some of the policies introduced by the Federal Government in its attempt to revive the economy. Reading the issued communique of the group after the meeting, the publicity secretary, Yinka Odumakin, stated that the group observed collapse in virtually all the sector of the economy, noting that the decisions and recommendations of the 2014 national conference remained the only panacea for the nation’s challenges Odumakin noted that all the measures employed by the Federal Government to solve the nation’s problem by diversifying the economy would not yield positive results without first embarking on the complete restructuring of the country. “All these measures, to us, showed that the Federal Government wants to run away from ways of solving the problems, which is to diversify the economy. Diversifying the economy is not possible without restructuring the country and we are saying and insisting on that, to get out of this economy crisis.” “We have noticed the increase in kerosene price, which can only increase the hardship of poor people of Nigeria. We noticed the im-

position of N50 stamp duty on every bank deposit, which we considered an anomaly. A Central Bank should be encouraging bank culture in the country, but it is now trying to discourage banking culture, because many people will not want to take their money to bank again. “Having gone through the

whole budget as presented, we have seen many headies in it which suggest that either we are not aware of the situation or as a country, we are doing more of what brought us to where we are. There are scandalous expenditure in the budget which cannot be justified,” he said.

He said the schedule of payment admitted by the court, which authorised the payment of N400 million into Destral Limited account was not forged, adding that it actually emanated from the office of the NSA and was authorised by the then NSA for implementation. The witness also admitted that he made a statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

mendation of 2014 national conference. “The last government organised the conference and said they are going to implement the report, since government is a continuum, the present government should immediately implement it, so that we can create the new corridor of prosperity

2016 budget against women interest —Senator Tinubu Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja THE senator representing Lagos Central in the red chamber, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, said the 2016 budget proposals were anti-women. The senator, in her contributions on Tuesday, said the budget, as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, was against the interest of women in the country. She stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC), in its manifesto during the 2015 election campaign, said it would evolve a comprehensive empowerment programme for the women, adding, however, that the 2016 budget was a far cry from the promise. According to her, “going

through the budget of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, I discovered that the total allocation to the women ministry is so meagre and I think it would be the least allocation to have ever allotted to the ministry. “When we look at the functions of this ministry, we see that the ministry is divided into two divisions; human resources and capacity building, economic services and women cooperatives, but when we look at the first division which is the human resources and capacity building, they are supposed to promote education, development of women in the civil, political, socio-cultural and economic sectors. “When we talk about change, that doesn’t mean

we are going to dodge and support what would not work, but we are just starting and this is not the best way to start, this is not going down well with us. “Looking at the amount allocated to the women in the budget, which is less than N4 billion with capital expenditure of N3 billion, then the balance could not do anything. It was just as if we have been used during the campaign and dumped,” she said. Senator Theodore Orji, in his contributions to the debate, said Nigerians expected that the budget would be passed without delay, adding, however, that the document had failed to propose plans on diversification. “If we are diversifying, we have to pay attention to the key areas of the economy

like agriculture and mineral resources and if we fund these ministries, it will help us,” he said. Senator Samuel Anyanwu believed that the budget was nothing but a walking corpse, going by its deficiencies in projections and allocations. Anyanwu, who is the chairman of the Committee on Ethics Privileges and Public Petition, said though change was good, it must be dynamic, adding that going by the outlook of the budget, it was a change in the negative direction. The senators are expected to complete the debate on the general principles of the budget today and possibly pass it through the second reading for more legislative works at the committee levels.

that will take Nigeria out of the current crisis we are facing,” the group noted. Speaking further on the 2016 budget, the group said “we were embarrassed and scandalised by the processes that characterised the presentation of 2016 budget, which is unprecedented in the history of our country. That a budget will be presented, declared missing without knowing how another one resurface is worrisome. “If there were mistakes in the ealier budget presented, government should have come out clean and said sorry, we make mistakes and we want to correct the errors. We asked the Federal Government that this should not happen again in our country, it is embarrassing and scandalous.” The group, however, threw its weight behind the anti-corruption crusade of President Buhari, but said the crusade should be holistic and not sectionalised. It also congratulated the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and commended him over his steps to foster unity among Yoruba rulers, while members commiserated with the people of Ibadan on the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana.

Reps pass 2016 budget for second reading Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja THE House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed for a second reading, the N6.08 triliion 2016 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari in December last year, after hot debates for and against it among members. This came as the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Doga-

ra, appealed to members to put the overall interest of the people first over their own personal interest, in the consideration of the bill for passage. Dogara pointed out that the debate so far was illuminating, adding that it should be a guide to the House in the perfection of the 2016 appropriation bill at the various committee stages in the interest of all and sundry. Leading a number of law-

How Metuh’s firm, 77 others got paid for contracts not executed —Witness continued from pg4

The group advised the Federal Government to revisit the recommendations of the 2014 national conference, saying this would take the country out of its present economic doldrums. “The Federal Government should immediately consider the restructuring of this country along the recom-

(EFCC) on January 21, after the case against Metuh had been adjourned for trial. He, however, disagreed with the defence counsel that he was procured to manufacture evidence against the defendants, claiming that “it is not true.” “I am on oath to say the facts as they are and it is not true that I was procured to manufacture evidence in this matter, simply because of my statement of January 21. As a

matter of fact, investigations are still ongoing,” he said. Metuh, who has a pending application for variation of the conditions of bail granted him by the court, was also produced in court on handcuffs by prison officials on Tuesday. The court fixed today for the hearing of the application for variation of the bail terms, which his lawyer said he had laboured unsuccessfully to meet.

makers that kicked against the budget, House minority leader, Honourable Leo Ogor, lamented that the 2016 budget was what could best be called an incomplete budget. Ogor declared that there were a lot of things that got missing in the budget, noting that the budget of many government agencies were conspicuously missing in the proposals. He cited the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act FRA 2007, which stated that the Finance Minister shall cause to be attached to the budget, the revenue and expenditure projections of all the government agencies. He argued that N6.33 trillion being the budget of about 15 agencies was missing in it and quoted Section 18 of the FRA that stated that: “notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the FRA shall be the basis of the laying of the annual budget.” While noting that Nigeria “is currently facing many challenges, including depleting stock market, fall in crude oil price, among oth-

ers,” Ogor pointed out the need to give Nigerians a budget that would stand the test of time. According to him, “this is an era of change and I want to identify with the change. We have to look at this budget in a more holistic manner.” The House leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, while countering Ogor’s claim in a point of order, said as long as the president fulfilled the constitutional requirements of laying the budget, “the issue of the Fiscal Responsibility Act does not arise.” In his contribution, Honourable Lovette Ndisi, reiterating Ogor’s claim, said at least three proviso of the FRA had been breached, adding that the deliberations were only a mirage. Also contributing, Honourable Jibrin Abdulmunin, chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, said “various agencies in Finance ministry should step up action in the raising of monies to fund the budget,” while calling on the various committees in the House to

take oversight of the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) seriously, “to make sure the budget is fully implemented.” Honourable Samson Okwu observed that the drop in the budget benchmark for crude oil price from $38 to $28 had affected government’s revenue projections in the budget, while stressing the need for government to diversify into other revenue sources apart from oil resources. Other lawmakers, including Dennis Amad, Abdulrazak Namdas, Golu Timothy, Osai N Osai, Jerry Alagboso and Dennis Agbo, in their separate contributions, harped on the need for government to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil for its revenues. Through a unanimous voice vote, the budget passed into second reading and was committed to the House Committee on Appropriation and its relevant sub-committees by the Speaker, Honourable Dogara, for further legislative inputs

news

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Oyediji’s claim to Olubadan stool, exercise in futility —Ajimobi Leon Usigbe - Abuja

OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has dismissed as an exercise in futility, the quest by the head of Seriki family line in Ibadan, Chief Adebayo Oyediji, to be installed the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Oyediiji is laying claim to the throne following the death of the last occupier of the throne, Oba Samuel Odulana, last Tuesday, after about eight years of peaceful reign. Fielding questions from State House correspondents after officially coming to in-

form President Muhammadu Buhari of the royal father’s demise, Ajimobi argued that Oyediji was not qualified to become the Olubadan. He traced the history of the Seriki lineage, saying

that the claimant was only entitled to be promoted to Ekerin and not Olubadan. The governor explained: “The Seriki house started during the period of Chief

Adisa Akinloye and it has been decided even long ago that to be, after the Seriki line, you have to join if there are concurrent deaths of both the Ekerin and Asipa, then you can qualify as

Seriki to be Ekerin. “But now, there is no vacancy for any Ekerin. “The man who lays claim to be the next Olubadan, even if he were to be a Seriki now, which he is not, he

Oba Odulana will be sorely missed —Sunmonu SENATOR representing Oyo Central District at the Senate, Monsurat Sunmonu, has described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana as a traditional ruler with enviable qualities. Oyo Central Senatorial District comprises Lagelu Local Government, where Oba Odulana was born and where he lived until his death on Tuesday, January 19. Senator Sunmonu, in her tribute to the late monarch, whom she described as one of her constituents until death said: “Oba Odulana was a man of good reputation, a ruler who spent his entire life serving Ibadan and Nigeria at large, meritoriously. He was a father anyone could rely on because of his forthrightness, courage and candor. He was very popular among his people and Nigeria as a whole. “As one of my highly responsible constituents, Kabiyesi will be sorely missed.” The senator commiserated with the Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, the Olubadan-in-Council, his immediate family members and the entire Ibadan indigenes on his demise. Rather than mourn him, Senator Sunmonu said everyone should take solace in the fact that he lived a life worthy of emulation. Stressing that death was a necessary end of every living being, the lawmaker urged his family and the entire Ibadan indigenes to sustain Oba Odulana’s good deeds and legacies, which she emphasised, would continue to place Ibadan high among cities of the world.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone II, Kalafite Adeyemi (left), delivering the message of Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to Olori Moriyike Odulana and Professor Femi Lana, during a condolence visit to the late Olubadan’s palace at Monatan, Ibadan. PHOTO: OLUWATOYIN MALIK

Oba Odulana lived an active royal life —IGP By Oluwatoyin Malik THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has described the late Olubadan of Ibadan as a monarch who lived an active royal ife, saying that he will be sorely missed by the people of Ibadanland. The IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone XI, Mrs Kalafite Adeyemi, stated this on Tuesday, during a condolence visit to the palace of the late Olubadan at Monatan area of Ibadan. Mrs Adeyemi, who said she was wearing two caps during the visit, also commiserated with late Oba Odulana’s family on behalf of other state police

commands under Zone XI, including Oyo, Osun and Ondo states. Recalling Arase’s visit to the late monarch in November 2015, when he was on a day working tour of Oyo State police command, Adeyemi said the IGP was surprised to hear of the news of the king’s demise, adding that he would have loved to be in Ibadan himself, but for the exigency of duty. “The IGP, on behalf of the entire police force, condoles with the people of Ibadanland and the family of our late royal father, who had gone to rest with his ancestors. He also prays for the repose of the monarch’s soul,” the Adeyemi stated further.

Responding, son of the late monarch, Professor Femi Lana, said rather than mourning his father, “what we are doing today is celebrating.” He attributed the peace associated with his father’s reign to the cooperation he got from the police to ensure security. “There is something I want to reiterate. Everybody talks about Kabiyesi being peaceful and everybody enjoying peace, it could not have been possible without the police,” he said. The cooperation and collaboration between the police and the late monarch, according to Professor Lana led to the donation of a pick-up van by Oba Odu-

lana to the police to enable personnel watch over the Monatan community. Speaking on the demise of the monarch, Professor Lana described it as peaceful, disclosing that on the day of the monarch’s death, he took his lunch after Holy Communion was administered to him and said he wanted to sleep. “It was a change of life through peace; no sickness, no headache. God just said it was time to join Him,” the don remarked. He also reiterated that the government had announced February 12 for the late monarch’s state burial, adding that the family and the government had been meeting to finalise burial plans.

...He served Ibadan with all his strength —Olatoye CHAIRMAN, Committee on Urban Development and Planning of the Federal House of Assembly, Honourable Temitope Olatoye, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana. Accompanied by another member of the House, Honourable Adamu Muhammed and hundreds of loyalists, he commiserated with the family on behalf of

the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and other members of the Federal House of Assembly, saying the entire nation would miss the late monarch. Olatoye said Oba Odulana served Ibadan with all his strength and what he had, praying that God would grant him eternal rest. In his response, first son of the late monarch, Professor Lana Odulana, said:

“We are missing our father, but mama will be the one to miss him the most.” He added that his (Olubadan) death came as a surprise, because he was hale and hearty until he passed on. Honourable Olatoye also visited the Olubadan-designate, High Chief Adetunji at his residence in Oopo. He was received with drums and shouts by the people. He was later called

into the inner chamber of the house, where he had a word with the new Olubadan-designate. Olatoye also stopped at the residence of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Chief Dauda Akinola and his council members in his residence. He congratulated him on behalf of the Speaker and others at the House of Assembly.

would only be promoted to Ekerin, he cannot come from Seriki to be Olubadan. It is not going to happen. “We have had one before that was promoted to Ekerin and along the line, he died. So, the people laying claim to Olubadan is just exercise in futility.” The Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, is in line to succeed the late Olubadan. The governor revealed that he was at the Presidential Villa to intimate the president of the transition of the royal rather, noting that the late Oba Odugade was not an ordinary king. He said: “My mission here basically is to see Mr President and intimate him of the recent transition of the Olubadan, who passed on a couple of days ago. “We had to wait for the traditional message from the palace before we could convey this to the president. I am glad that I have been able to convey it. “You may even ask why conveying such to the president, at least he was just an Olubadan? “If you must know, the Olubadan is not an ordinary king. Apart from the fact that he worked for the Federal Government, he was once a Minister of Labour under Alhaji Tafawa Balewa government, when he was prime minister; he worked as a parliamentarian and a minister. “He was part of the delegation to Britain for the Nigerian conference. Therefore, he was a national figure, hence he was honoured with a Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). “He contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria. So, he stood out as a king. I am glad to say that having seen the president, he has assured me that he would be attending the burial ceremony. “The beauty of the Olubadan institution makes it unique in the whole of Nigeria. It is the only institution where we know the next 20 or 50 kings. “We don’t fight over it. Every house can produce an Olubadan, including my house. “So, it is not limited like in some areas, where you say this is the only family or these are the families. Every son of Ibadanland can become the Olubadan of Ibadanland. “Therefore, we feel it is a rancour-free succession programme, where everybody is qualified to be there. So, we know the next to the next, in fact we know the next 100th Olubadan.”

news

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

From left, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; Director Hybrid Solutions, Mr Marcio Maros; MD/CEO of Power Generation and Integrated Energy Solution (Powergies Group), Mr Semiu Odeyinka and Mr Alabi Olaoluwa, during the courtesy visit by Powergies Group to the Senate President, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Saraki tasks foreign investors on local content Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, urged foreign firms investing in Nigeria, especially in the power sector, to ensure they comply with the Local Content Act in their operations. Saraki, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, stated this when a delegation from the Power Generation and Integrated Energy Solutions (Powergies Group) visited him, reminding them that the Senate would continue to support and encourage foreign investors coming into the country inasmuch as they were ready to inject the required local content in their operations. He said he was particularly pleased that the Powergies Group had identified the country as viable place for investment in the area of renewable energy, believing that this would help in meeting the power needs of Nigerians, especially those living in the rural areas. According to him, “I agree with you entirely about how we missed it when we started oil and gas sector and it took us much time before we started to talk about local content. “I think in the area of energy, we should not make the same mistake. I am talking on behalf of my colleagues. I

am fully in support and I encourage local content in the development in the energy sector and that is also looking at how we can really use solar energy as one of the means to provide energy for Nigerians,” he said. He said the Senate was presently working on reviewing relevant legislations that would take out existing bottleneck and challenges against businesses. Leader of the delegation and Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Powergies Group, Mr Semiu Odeyinka, said the company was in the

country to invest in the power sector through the development of sets of solar and hybrid generation plants. He said: “We intend to bring customised power solutions in electricity to areas in Nigeria, where there is no access to electricity by generating 900 megawatts of electricity using solar energy.” Odeyinka, however, urged the Senate and other relevant stakeholders to make the business environment in Nigeria investment-friendly, promising that the Powergies Group would build local content into all its activities in the country.

NSE boss calls for attitudinal change By Tunde Ogunesan NATIONAL President, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Otis Anyaeji, has called for change of attitude amongst its members, saying they need to buckle up in discharging their duties an engineers. Anyaeji, who was on a courtesy call on the Ibadan chapter of the association, on Tuesday, disclosed that it was high time engineers in the country exhibited complete professionalism in their field and stamp their authority as far as the profession was concerned. He said “There is need for our people to take over the affairs of engineering field

and the totality of engineering activities in the country as authorities, just like other professionals. You must control and command activities in your field and set standard as well as pace. “You need to own, practise and enjoy it. This will remove the old practice of pratronising quack engineering personel to the detriment of professionals by the public. We must stand firm to set the pace in our field, nobody will do this for us.” In his address, the NSE president, Ibadan Branch, Olowe Bolarinwa lauded Anyaeji, saying his present administration would move the NSE foward.

NSA to conduct simulation exercises against terrorism in Abuja •Residents told not to panic Christian Okeke - Abuja RESIDENTS of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were on Tuesday, advised not to panic as the CounterTerrorism Crisis Response Working Group being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is set to conduct simulation exercises on prompt response to terror

attack on some public buildings in the territory. The simulation exercise, according to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, was a pre-emptive and precautionary measure against terror attacks in Abuja. The objective of the simulation exercise, according to the statement, was to develop the Federal Capital Crisis Re-

sponse Doctrine to dynamic attacks on the territory. According to the statement, the simulation exercise would be conducted at 9.00 a.m. within the precinct of Garki Mall, near the Garki International Market on February 1, while another exercise comes up on February 2, at the International Conference Centre, Area 10 Garki, Abuja.

Nigerian Tribune

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Lagosmetro Following growing rate of disasters in the state in recent times, Lagos State government said it has granted approval for setting up of Emergency Management Volunteer Groups across all the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state. This disclosure was made on Tuesday by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode while speaking during a stakeholders meeting on Public Advocacy for the Prevention, Mitigation and Rescue of Emergency Occurrence in the State, which took place at the Blue Roof Hall, LTV 8 Complex, Agidingbi. The General Manager, LASEMA, Mr Michael Akindele, also said other challenges confronting emergency responders, including difficulty in crowd management, attack of law enforcement and emergency officers were also discussed with a view of checkmating them. He noted that in addition to 750 local emergency responders, LASEMA would also get 50 Emergency Response volunteers in 57 local government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) totalling

2,850 volunteers to enhance the capacity of the emergency agencies in the state. The idea, Akindele explained would help in reducing response time which was also known as golden hours in emergency management parlance. “Today’s programme is prelude to what should be expected from us in 2016. How do we enhance response size? This is simply by ensuring that response managers are close to the scene of the emergency. “The media and all those that have passion for the safety of lives are welcome as volunteers in the scheme. It is road map to emergency management in the state,” he said.

A car razed on Lekki Ajah expressway on Monday, in Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Gov Ambode commissions N2bn ultra modern warehouse

OlatundeDodondawaand Lauryn Joel - Lagos

s part of its efforts to boost the economy and expand the tax base of the state, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, has commissioned an ultra

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Pastor arrested for receiving stolen car as ‘seed’

2,850 volunteers to be recruited for disaster management Bola Badmus

Nigerian Tribune

modern warehouse worth over N2 billion (€8.3m) built by Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria PLC. Speaking at the commissioning of the facility, the governor commended Friesland Campina WAMCO for increasing its investment in Lagos State despite the chal-

Overloading of goods and human beings on Lagos road. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

lenging economy and for contributing to the growth of commerce in the state. Represented by the Attorney General of the State, Justice Adeniji Kazeem, Ambode urged the management of company to continue with its best practices in the discharge and

management of industrial waste and effluents noting that the new finished goods warehouse is in alignment with environmental ‘Green Goals.’ According to him, “This new warehouse that we are commissioning today will certainly boost your distribution capability. Also, it will increase the number of employees, wholesalers and retailers. Of course, the direct consequence is that our state in particular and, Nigeria in general will enjoy more access to quality nutrition. “I will like to add that Lagos State is proud to have provided an enabling environment for this company and its brands to have thrived for over 60 years. This is also the reason why the Lagos State Government deemed it very important to rehabilitate Acme and Damson roads, thereby enabling this facility.” In his speech, the Managing Director of Friesland Campina WAMCO, Rahul Colaco, states that the company is guided by compliance to global, best practice in Food Safety and Quality regulations. He stated fur-

ther that Friesland Campina WAMCO’s newly-completed finished goods warehouse features a capacity of over 14,000 pallet positions and is executed with LED-lights which avail brighter surroundings and align ourselves with environmental Green Goals. “We are really pleased with this new warehouse, which allows us to continue to meet the growing demand of our operations. This means we can offer our customers better stock guarantees, accruing from the state-of-the-art facilities of this investment.”

A clergyman, Titus Onwuchekwa, who was recently arrested by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police command, has given the details of how a member of an armed robbery gang ‘sowed a seed’ of a stolen jeep into his life. Reverend Onwuchekwa explained that he made strenuous efforts to confirm the genuineness of the car documents, including consulting a military officer, who authenticated them. The suspected armed robber, Felix Osas, whose gang was allegedly responsible for some of the robbery operations around Alaba International Market, however insisted that he sold the vehicle to the clergyman. Reverend Onwuchekwa admitted to have paid for the Pajero Sports Utility Vehicle, which was recovered from him by the police and pointed out that what he paid was far below the market price of the vehicle. “I don’t t know that it was a stolen vehicle. I suspected it might be a stolen vehicle but I was told that the papers were genuine. I came to Lagos for a church programme and when we finished, I saw the vehicle on display for sale around Alaba area. “I contacted the seller through the number on the vehicle and he came to meet me, where the vehicle was parked. When he came, I told him that I was a pastor and that I wanted to take the vehicle to the east. “We agreed on N500, 000 but I could not afford to pay in full and he told me to bring

what I had that he was using it to ‘sow a seed’ into my life for God’s blessing. I gave him my details and I promised to pay the balance of N150 000, but I was yet to pay, when policemen came to arrest me. “I did not know that it was a stolen vehicle,” the cleric explained. Felix Osas, while speaking with Lagos Metro confessed to have told the clergyman that he was using the vehicle as a seed but added that he was only interested in what Onwuchekwa could afford. “Yes, it is true I told him that I was using the money to sow a seed into his life but that was after he had agreed to pay N500, 000,” the suspect said. Osas however denied that he was a member of the armed robbery gang but just a receiver of some of their stolen vehicles. The Lagos police boss said that the gang was responsible for some of the inter-states robbery operations.

Julian Madu, owner of MADAK Enterprises has been ordered to pay the sum of N55, 000 over the sale of unregistered wine. Lagos Metro had earlier reported that Madu, who carried out business at 8, Offin Road, Oke-Arin, Lagos, under the trade name of MADAK Enterprises was charged by the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control

(NAFDAC). He was arraigned before a Federal High Court on January 22 and had pleaded guilty to the offences. The Chief Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC, Folorunsho Idowu, who testified against Madu said that sometime in 2015, a petition was received from a law firm O. KAYODE & CO on behalf of the brand owner, complaining of sale of fake Moet and Chardon Champagne. According to the witness,

Lagos to build world biggest digital library Naza Okoli - Lagos The Lagos State Government is set to build the biggest digital library in the world. This was part of the projects unveiled on Tuesday at a special session

organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Education and presided over by the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who is also the head of the Ministry. Tagged “Strategic focus for Education in Lagos,”

the event was put together to showcase all the educational projects earmarked by the State for 2016 Making the presentation, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said the

LG workers on N6, 000 monthly, owed five- year salary Chukwuma Okparaocha After allegedly being left unpaid for five years, non -teaching staff in Epe Local Government have sent an SOS to the state government for the payment of their money to help them take care of their families. According to information gathered by Lagos Metro, the residents who were employed by the Babatunde Fashola administration in 2010 are yet to receive any amount of money despite the fact that they were duly

Fake wine manufacturer convicted, fined AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin

From left, Special adviser to Lagos Governor on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh; Lagos State deputy governor, Dr Idiat Adebule and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde at a news conference on the 2016 Education Budget in Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: Nan

the sale of the fake wine to the supermarket was traced to the accused through the sales receipt tendered by the supermarket. He said that the accused was eventually apprehended and brought to the NAFDAC office through the assistance of the market union at Oke-arin. The witness told the court that the statement of the accused was taken in which he admitted selling the products to the supermarket.

employed by the state government. Led by Mr Isiaka Ishau the group of the affected people numbering about 20 during the peaceful protest to the Lagos State Government lamented that for the past five years, they had been living from hands to mouth, a situation they insisted took turn for the worst since the economic situation in the

country got worse. In an interview with Lagos Metro, Ishau remarked that they had been on the issue before the immediate past government in the state left office, but that all entreaties made to have their money paid fell on deaf ears. “As I am talking to you, we have not been paid a penny since we were duly employed in 2010. We are not

riffraff begging for money, neither are we asking for what we are not entitled to.” He therefore called on the current Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to revisit the issue and give them a life-line by paying their outstanding money, while at the same time enlisting them in the state’s payroll henceforth.

Govt bans owanbe on school premises By Naza Okoli Lagos State Government has said social functions and parties would no longer be tolerated within the premises of any public schools in the state. The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule disclosed this on Tuesday, at a press conference on “The strategic focus of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration on education for 2016.” She said: “The governor has directed that schools will no longer be used for social activities any longer. We want to implore members of the public to report any school that violates

this directive and we would ensure that defaulting schools are sanctioned accordingly.” The deputy governor, who also functions as Commissioner of Education also warned private school owners in the state to uphold the highest ideals ethics and standards in their various schools. “Much as private schools are partners in the sector, we would not fold our hands and watch the standard flop. Some schools even operate without registering with the government. We want to urge such schools to do the right thing or government will have no choice but to do what it has to do,” she said.

Earlier, Special Adviser to the governor on Education, Mr Obafela BankOlemo, said 10 new model schools with state of the art facilities and two new technical colleges will be built in the course of the year. He also revealed that 324,000 tablets would be supplied to Senior Secondary School students, adding that plans have been concluded to have all students in both public and private schools in the state registered under the Lagos State Student Personal Administration Number (LASPIN).

current largest digital library in the world is located in Egypt. “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, and Lagos is its commercial capital, so there is no reason why the largest digital library shouldn’t be in Lagos,” Bank-Olemoh said. He further disclosed that more than 17 per cent of the total budget for 2016 had been set aside for education, saying “For the first time, more than 17 per cent of the total budget will go to education.” Adebule in her comments said the administration would build new model secondary and primary schools to be called Ibile Schools. She said beginning with senior secondary school students; every secondary school student would be equipped with electronic tablets. The deputy governor also gave the assurance that the Lagos State University (LASU) had been positioned to become the best in the country. Other projects provided for in the budget include the Free meal programme, construction of “smart classrooms”, and a massive upgrade of existing facilities in all the schools in the State.

businessnews CBN refuses to devalue naira 10

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

•Retains monetary policy interest rate at 11% Gbola Subair-Abuja

gainst the expectations of financial analysts, the Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday left headline interest rate at 11 percent while advocating a very sound macroeconomic policy to bail out the economy from the pains of the current oil price shock which it said would remain in Nigeria for a very long time to come. CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, addressing journalists shortly after the end of the 105 edition of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja, said although the oil crisis of 2008 and 2009 lasted for just eight months, the current oil price shock which is about 14 months now would last for much longer time. Consequently, the governor said “it is imperative to brace up for a longer period of low government revenues from oil sources, which would necessitate hard and uncomfortable choices as the economy transits to more sustainable sources of revenue, consistent with the economic realities and strategic objectives of the country. In the circumstance, certain tradeoffs must be envisaged and duly accommodated.” To reduce the pains on Nigerians, Governor Emefiele advocated a very sound micro economic policy. “In view of the foregoing, the imperative for consistently sound and coordinated macroeconomic policy has become inevitable. In the medium term within which monetary policy is cast, the need to allow policy to produce the desired outcomes becomes a key consideration in the policy mix. “Consequently, the bank is fine-tuning the framework for foreign exchange management with a view to ensuring a more effective and liquid foreign exchange market, taking into account Nigeria’s strategic develop-

ment priorities; with the policies being designed within an environment of regularly ensuring consistency with monetary and fiscal policies. He said the committee believed that given sound and properly coordinated monetary, fiscal, and external sector policies, there is wide room for optimism about the medium to long term macroeconomic prospects

for the Nigerian economy, especially, given the clarity in the policy direction of the administration, the various interventions in the real sector; gradual improvement in the power sector, and the reinvigorated fight against corruption. “The Committee also believes that the effect of the softer monetary policy stance adopted at the last

SIX-THREE former staffers of MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunication service provider, will this morning converge on the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Lagos, with their family members and friends to express their displeasure with the service provider and protest the health condition of one of them that is suffering from stroke and is unable to take care of his health.

narios differently, we will continue to discuss at the management at the Monetary Policy Committee levels, we would try as much as possible to share our thoughts with various authorities with the view of harmonising our position so that Nigerian are not distracted by the crude oil prices so that we can be able to run our economy very well.”

From left: Manager, Corporate and Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi; Dean, Student Affairs, University of Lagos, Professor Tunde Babawale; recipient of Etisalat Nigeria 2015 Merit Award, and Student of Accounting Department, UNILAG, Akinsulire Yewande Oyebusola and Director, Office of Advancement, University of Lagos, Ronke Salaam, during the Etisalat Merit Awards Scheme 2015 presentation of cheque ceremony held at University of Lagos.

Customs sets N1trn revenue target for 2016 Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

THOUGH the Budget Office has yet to give the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) revenue target for 2016, the Service says it is targeting about N1trillion for the fiscal year. This was revealed on Tuesday in Abuja by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd) while speaking with newsmen in Abuja shortly after the event organised by the Customs to mark the 2016 International Customs

Day. According to Ali, the N1trillion target was one the customs set for itself, saying that the Service was yet to receive the revenue target for the year from the Budget Office. He stated that the selfimposed target was achievable if all leakages were blocked, while the Customs’ system worked perfectly and government policies favoured the Service. “We have not received the target from the budget office. But we normally set a target for ourselves and we

Unlawful termination: 63 MTN ex-staffers, family storms NIC today By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

MPC, should start crystallizing soon through expansion of credit to critical sectors of the economy,”he said. On whether the naira will be devalued or not, he said “we are already working on different scenario, the models are being worked out, we have them and we will work in them and we will look at them as much as possible. “We shall look at the sce-

The 63 ex-staffers, who were pioneer staff members of MTN, had dragged the communication company before the National Industrial Court to contest what they described as their unlawful termination by the company on November 17, 2009 in a suit delineated NICN/LA/596/2013. MTN Nigeria is expected to open its defense on the unlawful termination of the employment and trade restriction of the 63 staff. The Judge and President of the

National Industrial Court, Justice Adejumo (OFR) had in a court ruling on June 2, 2014, dismissed the preliminary objection filed by MTN Nigeria challenging the 63 Customer Relations staff unlawfully laid off in 2009 to file the suit in a representative capacity. The 63 ex staffers who were Customer Relations Staffers are alleging that the layoff by MTN was carried out without notice, reason and contrary to the organization’s human resource

are looking at, by the grace of God, working and blocking all leakages and making sure that our system works perfectly and hopefully the policies of government will also be in our favour, we hope to cross the N1trillion mark,” the ComptrollerGeneral stated. While acknowledging the fact that the Customs was dependent on the rate of import and export, the former military administrator of Kaduna State submitted that all the NCS had to do were to reinvigorate its system, make sure it worked perfectly and block leakages “Ours is dependent on trade facilitation. It is de-

pendent on export and import. What we will do is to be able to reinvigorate our own system, block all leakages, make sure that the system is working perfectly. With that, once we get influx of import and export, we will collect the right revenues and put in government coffers,” Colonel Ali (retd) stated. He informed that the NCS had digitalised its operation, saying that the Service was working towards having a fully digitalised all its operations to the extent that any wouldbe importer would had no human contact in clearing his goods but any need to pay the stipulated fees.

Nigerian Tribune

Declining crude price: stakeholders opt for cost reduction measures Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry in West Africa region may have opted for cost reduction measures to stay afloat as decline in crude price persists. Speaking at the ongoing 20th Offshore West African Conference and Exhibition (OWA) in Lagos, on Tuesday, major industry stakeholders said it is high time for the West African oil producers to look into cost reduction measures, innovations and regulatory policies that would guarantees sustainable investment in the continent. In his welcome address, Ensor said “guessing the oil price rebounding soon is a max game, with Iran coming online in the market and lack of demand from China, we assume that these relatively low oil price is going to stay for a while, therefore the participants at the OWA conference this year are intellectually looking at the best way forward to survive in the really tough moment “Nigeria as an oil producer needs to continue to increase in transparency and make the act of doing business within its territory easy and sustain that process. The big word here is cost control; you need to bring down the price at which you continue to produce to maximise profit.” Chief Executive Officer, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Alexander K. M. Mould, said the oil-producing firms should plan for longer period of low oil prices. He tasked the African governments of policy stability and consistency, noting that the long term of political risk in the continent has largely impacted negatively on businesses. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Libya are having a relative high cost of production especially in the offshore and we may have to shut down some wells and reduce production at a particular point.

Shittu charges financial institutions, others on local service providers By Bode Adewumi

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Financial Institutions and other companies to repatriate their data currently hosted in overseas data centres to indigenous service providers.

Shittu made the call at the opening of the 1st Annual Summit on Data Localisation in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja. He said that the call became imperative following President Mohammadu Buhari’s directive to leverage Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ICT development in Nigeria to deliver mass-

creation of qualitative and sustainable job to young Nigerians and for economic diversification. He said that the ICT industry contributed 11 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the end of September 2015, adding that it was a sharp rise from 2001, when the sector contributed only 0.6 per cent of GDP.

businessnews

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Stock markets rally as oil rises above $31 a barrel •Nigerian market indices drops by 0.5% as Seplat tops gainers KehindeAkinseinde-Jayeoba with Agency Report

uropean markets turned positive on Tuesday afternoon after Wall Street opened higher on hopes for a deal to tackle the global oil glut. The FTSE 100 in London rose 0.5% to 5,907 points, while Frankfurt and Paris both added more than one per cent. Europe had followed Asia lower after Shanghai tumbled 6.4 per cent to its lowest close since December 2014. Brent crude jumped three per cent to $31.41 a barrel, reversing earlier falls, while US oil was up 2.4% at $31.07. Oil made gains on hopes that both OPEC and nonOPEC producers would take action to tackle oversupply. Share markets have had a rocky start to the year as worries over slowing economic growth in China have intensified, while commodity prices have also been buffeted. Although China’s economy is still expanding, the pace of growth is slowing, reducing demand for products such as coal and iron ore and thus their prices. Oil prices were hit again earlier on Tuesday by figures from China showing annual rail freight volume - a key economic indicator - fell 11.9 per cent last year, compared with a decline of 3.9 per cent in 2014. Daniel Ang, an analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore, said demand remained weak, adding that “it is going to be very difficult to maintain higher prices. “Wherever you look China, oil and the US, there is no clear evidence of improvement in economic fundamentals,” said Tatsushi Maeno, Managing Director at PineBridge Investments. Commenting on the Shanghai slide, Kaiyuan Securities analyst Yang Hai said “we’ve seen another stampede driven by panic.” Rabobank’s Michael Every said: “It’s just another in a long series of slumps that we have seen in this market, and it’s not the last we will see either because the market is still overpriced. And too many people want to get their money out - it’s been a bubble since it began last summer.” He expected Shanghai, China’s top mainland stock market, to fall a further 10% before stabilising. The index has already fallen about 17 per cent this

year. On the FTSE 100, the top risers were all miners, including Anglo American, Glencore and Randgold Resources. Gold rallied to its highest level since November, up one per cent at $1,114.70 an ounce. The safe-haven commodity has risen nearly five per cent this year, after sliding more than 10 per cent in 2015. The US Federal Reserve’s rate-setting committee starts a two-day policy meeting on Tuesday and is not expected to make any

change. Meanwhile, Chinese state media have warned billionaire investor George Soros against betting on falls in the yuan or the Hong Kong dollar. Soros, who made more than $1 billion from shorting sterling in 1992, has said he was betting against the S&P 500, commodity-producing countries and Asian currencies, although he has not specifically mentioned the yuan or Hong Kong dollar. China’s central bank has been making plenty of li-

quidity available to the banking system to avoid any cash squeeze ahead of the long Lunar New Year holiday early next month. Traders said that the bank would inject 440 billion yuan (£46 billion) into the money markets, the biggest daily injection in three years. Meanwhile, trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday closed on negative trend with the market indicators dropping by 0.5 per cent with persistent profit taking. The All-Share Index lost

131.61 points or 0.5 per cent to close at 23,832.03 compared with 23,963.64 posted on Monday. Similarly, the market capitalisation which opened at N8.241 trillion shed N45 billion or 0.5 per cent to close at N8.196 trillion. A breakdown of the price movement chart indicated that Nestle led the losers’ chart, dropping by N16.16 to close at N708.85 per share. Unilever Plc came second with N2.05 to close at N39.04, while Glaxosmithkline Plc depreciated by N1.40 to close at N26.50 per

The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe (left), discusses with the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), when the latter paid a visit to the minister, in his office, on Tuesday.

NEPC, agric minister list path to economic transformation •As NEPC plans to increase non-oil earning to $30bn The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Ministry of Agriculture have proffered ways to transform the sector as a key sector for job creation, food security and foreign exchange earner. The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe, speaking in his office, on Tuesday, when he received the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo, who was on a courtesy visit, lamented that the country had not been able to achieve the full potential of the sector when compared to its abundant human and natural resources especially in the agriculture and solid mineral sectors. The minister, therefore, announced plans to organise a national Agricultural Summit aimed at engaging the youths to get their buy-

in and change the orientation that agriculture was only meant for never-dowell in the society even as he commended the NEPC for articulating a Zero Oil Plan to support the rapid diversification of the Nation’s economy through non-oil exports. He noted that although there are several inhibitions to achieving a total diversification from oil to non-oil the Minister was optimistic that the challenges were not insurmountable. However, he maintained that the same advocacy must be carried to the door-steps of the Governors in their respective States in order to make the states self-reliant and increase their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Corroborating the minister’s position Awolowo explained that NEPC, as part of its strategies to re-

position the non-oil export sector adopted a one-stateone product programme, aimed at each state of the federation to develop and promote a choice exportable product where it has comparative and competitive edge for exports and can do well at international market. He added that for national strategic export products, 13 products in three categories are now in focus. They include agro industrial such as palm oil, cocoa, cashew, sugar and rice; mining related products such as cement, iron ore/ metals, auto parts/cars, aluminium and, oil and gas industrial products such as petroleum products, fertilizer/urea, petrochemical and pethanol. Awolowo said the Nigerian Diaspora export programme, which has three

major components, is targeted at Nigerians in the Diaspora through cuisine beyond borders, establishment of Nigerian Heritage Houses and encouraging our teaming the Diasporas to invest in the non-oil export sector. “More recently, we have developed the Zero Oil Plan, in response to this administration’s charge that Nigeria must begin to look for new drivers of the economy. The plan is Nigeria’s strategic effort to build an economy that does not need oil to survive and can serve as a major flagship economic programme for the country,” he added. The plan identifies 11 strategic products\sectors, and 21 countries, for Nigerian goods, to grow nonoil foreign exchange from US$2.7 billion today, to US$30 billion in five years.

share. Nigerian Breweries dropped N1.16 to close at N101.64, while Lafarge Africa declined N8.45 to close at N78.30 per share. On the hand, Seplat Plc topped the gainers’ table, increasing by N6.34 to close at N170.88 per share. Cadbury Plc followed with a gain of N1.34 to close at N15.92 per share, while Julius Berger also increased by N1.10 to close at N43.10 per share.

Minister tells MTN to drop lawsuit over fine South African cellphone operator MTN should drop its legal action over a $3.9 billion fine imposed in Nigeria to help facilitate talks on a possible settlement, the Nigerian telecommunications minister said on Tuesday. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) slapped a $5.2 billion fine on MTN in October for failing to disconnect users with unregistered SIM cards but after weeks of negotiations reduced it by 25 per cent. Reuters reported that MTN, which makes about 37 percent of its revenue from Nigeria, then filed a suit in the West African country questioning NCC’s legal grounds for imposing the penalty. “I’m not aware of any out-of-the-court settlement,” telecoms minister Adebayo Shittu told reporters. Shittu said President Muhammadu Buhari will have the final decision on the matter, adding that MTN might be advised to withdraw the court case filed against the fine. “If they withdraw it creates a better environment, an environment where there is no stress or pressure on either side,” he said. A judge in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, last week gave the company until March 18 to try to reach a settlement with the Nigerian authorities over the fine. The prospect of a lower fine boosted MTN shares. The fine equates to more than twice MTN’s annual average capital spending over the past five years. Nigeria has been trying to halt the widespread use of unregistered SIM cards amid worries these are being used for criminal activity, including by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

business

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for TUESday, 26 january, 2016

top 5 gainers

top 5 losers

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

14 news

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

We’ll soon unveil monumental cases of corruption —Lai Mohammed •Says corruption already fighting back •FG to sustain fight against corruption with vigour Taiwo Adisa and Clement Idoko - Abuja

INISTER of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Tuesday, in Abuja, that the government will soon unveil some “monumental cases of corruption” which he said would make the previous revelations, tip of the iceberg. Mohammed, who stated this in Abuja, while addressing a team of Bureau Chiefs and Editors, said the administration would remain resolute in the war against corruption, notwithstanding what he called corruption already fighting back. According to the minister, some forces who were bent on preserving the status quo were already engineering moves against the fight against corruption via organised forms of attacks against the anti-graft war. He said: “Let me restate for emphasis, that when we give instances of mindboggling acts of corruption, our intention is not to vilify anyone, but to sensitise Nigerians as to how harmful corruption is to the country and the people. The truth is that what we have revealed so far is nothing, but the tip of the iceberg. Nigerians should stay tuned for more shocking revelations in the days ahead.” He also revealed that the Federal Government would continue its prosecution of the war against corruption notwithstanding the organised fight against it. “Well, I can tell you today that corruption is already fighting back and it is fighting hard and dirty. Sponsored articles have started appearing in the newspapers and in the social media, while ‘talking heads’ have started making the rounds in the electronic media, all deriding the fight against corruption, as well as this administration. Not stopping there, they have been creating distractions by sponsoring articles in both local and international media to deride the administration’s policies generally, tag the president a budding dictator and even write off his 2016 budget. We know that the sole purpose of these attacks is to distract attention from the war on corruption. “It is saddening that some otherwise credible voices have unwittingly allowed themselves to be railroaded into the bandwagon of procorruption orchestra. They engage sophistry to try to rally Nigerians against the

anti-corruption battle. One hack writer even said the disclosure that 55 Nigerians allegedly stole N1.34 trillion between 2006 and 2013 did not trigger any anger among Nigerias. A disclosure that made the front page in over a dozen Nigerian newspapers, played widely in the international media and attracted the attention of the world’s most powerful country and global financial institutions cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand,” he said. According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would not be distracted or intimidated into abandoning or weakening the fight against corruption, “which is a war of survival for our nation. No amount of media or other attacks will stop the fight. The pseudo-analysts and hack writers will labour in vain in their quest to stop the train of this anti-corruption fight.” The minister further submitted: “We call on Nigerians not to be taken in by the antics of the sponsored denunciation of the anti-graft war. The treasury looters, who have so much resources in their kitty, and their cohorts will throw everything but the kitchen sink at this administration, but we have no doubt that Nigerians are discerning enough to know the truth which, in the words of President Bu-

hari, is that unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. “Gentlemen, you have a big role to play in continuously educating and informing Nigerians about the evils of corruption. Recall that in the so-called Dasukigate, $2.1 billion meant for the fight against Boko Haram was diverted to other uses, including over N4 billion for spiritual purposes, N13 billion for Maritime University land, N2.1 billion for publicity and hundreds of millions of naira for political patronage. That explains why we lost many soldiers to the fight against Boko Haram, which in turn created many widows and orphans, in addition to pushing millions of Nigerians from their communities into IDP camps. This explains why the war dragged on for years until President Buhari assumed office and, within just seven months, strengthened the capacity of the military to decimate Boko Haram. It is also instructive that not one of those who disbursed or collected the Dasukigate funds has denied giving or collecting the money, even though they have given different reasons for doing so. “Let’s talk more about the cost of corruption. Have you noticed that whereas Nigeria’s national budget

has increased from just over N900 billion in 1999 to over N6 trillion in 2016, poverty has also increased almost by the same proportion. The reason is not far fetched: Appropriated funds have mostly ended up in the pockets of a few looters.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government has vowed to sustain the fight against corruption in Nigeria with vigour, saying all public officials found to betray public trust will be asked to account for their actions. The government has also assured Nigerians that the challenges of the ailing economy, were being addressed to put the country on a sound economy foundation. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said this on Tuesday, in Abuja, when he received the national executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its national president, Mr Waheed Odusile, in his office. He appealed to the media to support the administration of President Buhari, in actualising key objectives of the government aimed at transforming Nigeria to a country of “our dreams.” He said: “The media has a major role to play in ensuring that this government achieves its key objectives. This is because there are powerful forces in our society, who will use

media to discredit the government, in order to achieve selfish interests. “A major case in point is the fight against corruption that some have described as selective. Also, we have amongst us economic saboteurs, whose preoccupation is to exploit prevailing circumstances to wreak havoc on the economy, through illicit activities and wanton destruction,” he added. While stressing that the fight against corruption in Nigeria was now with vigour, he said for the first time since the nation’s return to democracy 16 years ago, top public officials found to have abused their offices were being prosecuted. Lawal, who noted that the successes that the Nigerian military had recorded in improving security in NorthEast, had been applauded both within and outside the country, said the Boko Haram insurgents had been degraded with all territories they once occupied fully recovered from them. He added that government was addressing the challenges of the ailing economy, through the 2016 budget proposals. NUJ president, in his remark, urged the Federal Government to strike a balance in its anti-corruption war by observing the tenets of the rule of law.

He said just like Nigerians voted for change, the media was also keying into the change mantra so that the administration could give the best to the nation. He noted that the media in the country today were passing through very difficult times and that as a union, it was a seriously concerned that most media outfits were not paying their staff as a result of such challenges. He said: “The media is divided into the print and broadcast media. And to bring out a production everyday is a very difficult challenge. The bulk of the materials used to produce the newspapers is sourced outside this country and the duties on these materials are so high that we are appealing that government should help us by lowering the tariff because media is supposed to inform, educate and entertain and if it keeps producing on high cost, media outfits won’t have enough to pay their workers. “We are concerned that the state of Nigeria today is killing the industry and we need government to assist us, so that we will keep our members employed, because if the industry dies as a result of journalists being retrenched, the labour market will swell up again, hence the need for government to intervene,” he said.

All set for Bello’s inauguration in Kogi

•Buhari, Osinbajo expected •Committee nominates 3 candidates as dep gov Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja ALL is now set for the inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the fourth civilian governor of Kogi State today, with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo expected to grace the event. The governor will, however, be inaugurated without a deputy, as the supposed deputy governor, James Faleke, has refused to deputise Bello. Atmosphere in the state on Tuesday, particularly in the Central Senatorial ,where the governor hails from, was that of ecstasy and joy. Major towns in the state were dotted by huge banners, congratulating the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate over the inauguration. The Lokoja Confluence Stadium, venue of the event, was also given a facelift, to make it attractive and add spice to the event. Addressing newsmen on

the preparations for the event, chairman of the media sub-committee of the inauguration, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola, said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the inauguration would go ahead as planned. He said necessary preparations had been made to ensure that the event was successful. According to him, the transition committee of the outgoing government and that of the new one had met to ensure a smooth inauguration. Ajibola added that adequate security arrangements had been made with the security operatives in the state, saying the event would be hitch-free. He, however, reiterated the decision of the organisers of the event not to allow masquerade in Lokoja, the state capital, during the programme. He explained that the decision was taken because the masquerades and their owners might not be able to

control themselves as they might be too happy. Speaking on the deputy governor, Ajibola said Faleke was yet to agree to be deputy to Bello and, therefore, might not be available for inauguration. He, however, said the issue would be handled at party level as promised by the national chairman of the APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun. Meanwhile, the crisis over the choice of a deputy governor for the new Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, continued on Monday, as a committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shop for a new candidate from the Kogi West Senatorial District has come up wit a final list of three people for the post. This came as the co-ordinators of Yahaya Bello Campaign Organisation in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state had dissociated themselves from the purported endorsement of Gowon Egbunu for the

deputy governorship slot in the state. The co-ordinators, who spoke through their spokesmen, Paul Anema and Nichodemus Adejo, said their signatures on the document that claimed they endorsed Egbunu were forged, as they never participated in any meeting where such decision was taken. The co-ordinators said the news of their endorsement was a blatant lie that was meant to cause disaffection among the party members in the state. However, the committee shopping for a replacement for the deputy governorship candidate of the party, James Faleke, was said to have completed its assignment and reduced the number of contenders to three. The committee, headed by a former APC House of Assembly candidate in Lokoja II State Constituency, Samuel Mogbole, was said to have come up with the names of Dr David Atte, Mrs Justina Abanida and

Mr Kola Bamisaye. The selection committee is expected to submit its report to the national secretariat of the party this weekend after the inaguration of Bello as governor. The committee was said to have reduced the names from initial seven to three after considering the contributions of the people to the growth of the party and their political strength, particularly in Kogi West Senatorial District. Abanida is from Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, Atte hails from Itakete-Ide in Mopamuro Local Government Area, while Bamisaye is from Ekinrin-Ade, Ijumu Local Government Area, the town Faleke hails from. Sources, however, told Nigerian Tribune that members of the committee may zero in on Abanida, because of her gender, which might be used to appeal to the womenfolk and get their support and her broad knowledge of the state.

news Buhari welcomes America’s support for security, development 15

Leon Usigbe - Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration will continue to welcome support and understanding of the United States as it strives to achieve greater internal security and socioeconomic progress in the country. He gave the assurance on

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving a delegation led by the United States Secretary of Commerce, Ms Penny Pritzker. With the delegation were the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, and three others. Buhari applauded ongoing American collaboration with his administration on security and developmental issues. The president said: “I re-

main grateful for the reception accorded me and my team when we visited the United States at the invitation of President Obama. “We discussed security, corruption, infrastructure, and many other issues. “We thank America for sending experts to train our troops and providing hardware for our military because we must first stabilise the country before we can

move it forward.” Also speaking, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, said that although Nigeria currently faces serious challenges, it is also a time of great opportunities for the country. He said: “It’s time to diversify our economy from oil. We’ve always talked about it, but never got round to doing it. The opportunity has come now. We have all it takes to be an agricultural

nation. We also have solid minerals and we must develop our infrastructure in order to aid business.” Pritzker said in her remark that she was in Nigeria with 10 leading American business men and women, at the prompting of President Obama. According to her, “The purpose is to understand better the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Nigeria. Our team is very optimistic about your government’s commitment to security, good governance, fighting corruption, having reliable and regular regulatory policies.”

NHRC appeals to US over money laundering, illegal arms importation Sunday Ejike - Abuja

From left, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the United States Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker and President Muhammadu Buhari, duing the visit of US envoy to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Assets declaration: Erring customs officers will be sanctioned —Ali Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

THE Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd), on Tuesday, declared that Customs officers who refused to declare their assets as directed at the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum would be sanctioned. The former military administrator of Kaduna State had penultimate Friday given all officers, including Deputy Comptroller Generals, Assistant Comptroller Generals, Zonal Coordinators, Customs Area Commission Comptrollers and other officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) 14-day ultimatum to declare their assets in compliance with the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He had hinged his directive on a new measure put in place to push transparency and compliance with the rule of law. Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the event, organised by the Customs to mark this year’s International Customs Day, with the theme, “Digital Customs: Progressive En-

gagement,” in Abuja, Ali expressed the belief that the affected officers would comply with the directive. “I believe my officers will comply and when we get there and they did not, we will apply the law as it is. For now, I am sure that they will comply,” the ComptrollerGeneral declared. Earlier in his speech on the

occasion, Ali stated that in line with the change mantra of the present government, operatives and stakeholders should not abuse the process and corrupt the system. He warned that any act calculated to distort and compromise the integrity of e-customs would not be tolerated and would be met with appropriate sanctions.

“In line with the change mantra of the present government, let me, therefore, remind all operatives and stakeholders alike not to abuse the process and corrupt the system. Any act calculated to distort and compromise the integrity of e-customs will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate sanctions,” he warned.

Scrap NUC, JAMB, don tells FG Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

THE principle of true federalism should be applied in the administration of tertiary institutions of the country, a university don, Professor John Okpako Enaowho, has said. Speaking at a two-day Delta State education summit, which opened in Asaba, on Tuesday, Professor Enaowho also called for the scrapping of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in order to avoid retrogression in education. Delivering his paper entitled “Formal planning development in Nigeria ed-

ucation: The paradox of autonomy and dependence” of which he delved extensively on funding challenges in the universities, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt said that universities can generate fund for selfsustenance. While condemning the centralisation powers of NUC, the don stated that by scrapping JAMB, universities can admit as many students as possible to enable them generate money to operate independently. He cited the United States of America which has eight of the best 10 universities in the world that have free hands to operate, adding

that education should be removed from the shoulders of the Federal Government as it has so much at hand. Chairman of the occasion, Chief Afe Babalola, who was represented by Professor Isreal Aruboloye of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, suggested that members of the public should be encouraged to endow university for research and also assist indigent brilliant students. The erudite lawyer was of the view that missionary schools should also be encouraged by federal and state governments to establish institutions where morals and characters are given a pride of place.

THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has appealed to the United States government to help halt money laundering and illegal importation of arms and ammunitions into the country. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Ben Angwe, made the call on Tuesday during a visit by a 10-member US government delegation of experts on defence and security in Abuja. Angwe who identified economic terrorists and the violent Boko Haram sect as the two contending forms of terrorists in the country, explained that those who stash away stolen public funds in foreign bank accounts belong to the class of economic thieves that the US government must assist Nigeria to defeat. He lamented that most European countries aid in the looting of such funds that could have been used to improve dying infrastructures in the country. The NHRC boss appealed to the US government to help repatriate such funds that have found their ways into Europe. Angwe further expressed President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to tackle corruption and end insurgency in the country. Earlier, the leader of the US delegation from the White House Security Governance Initiative, Ambassador Stephen J. Nolan, said they were in the country to seek areas of engagement that can contribute to the strengthening of key government institutions.

Nigerian Tribune

Group lauds new Ooni THE Confederation of Nigerian Youths (CONY) has lauded the newly crowned Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, for promoting love among the traditional rulers, especially in the SouthWest Zone. The group disclosed this in a statement made available by the National Protocol/ Media Director, Mr Yusuff Afolabi. It said that history was made recently as the new Ooni became the first to visit Oyo town since 1937 to attend the 45th anniversary on the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. The group also described the new king as someone who has good intention towards the social and moral development of youths. The group pleaded for more unity among the traditional rulers and urge people to embrace peace in all fronts.

Aregbesola appoints Alakija as Osun varsity chancellor Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has appointed Mrs Folorunso Alakija as the Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo. The appointment, according to the governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, takes immediate effect and will be for a period of five years. According to the statement, “statute 3(1) (a) and statute 5 of the Osun State University Law (2006) provides that the university shall have a chancellor, who shall, in relation to the university take precedence before all other members of the university and when he is present shall preside at all meetings of convocation held for conferring degrees, diplomas, certificates and other awards.” Aregbesola, while congratulating the new chancellor said that Mrs Alakija’s antecedent and sterling qualities as a God-fearing woman, a person of honour, integrity and successful business woman will no doubt impact positively on the running of the state university. He pointed out that the government looks forward to a good working relationship with the new chancellor. In her acceptance letter addressed to the governor, Alakija said “It is with pleasure that I receive and accept the appointment as the chancellor of the Osun State University.”

news

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Lassa fever: FUNNAB student, 18 others under surveillance in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

GUN State Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, has disclosed that 19 people including an undergraduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), have been placed under surveillance over Lassa fever in the state. Ipaye, at a press conference in Abeokuta, on Tuesday, said the undergraduate (names withheld) had a contact with the index case recorded at Ahmadiyyah Hospital, Ojokoro, Lagos State, recently, while the others are workers of the hospital who reside in Ogun State. The commissioner said the undergraduate had been provided with a thermometer to measure her temperature while Disease Surveillance and Notification officers had been at-

tached to the remaining suspected victims. “As a state, we are being extremely proactive, we do not have a confirmed case of Lassa in Ogun State, but in the last three days, we have two reported suspected cases, but I need to let you know that none of these cases has been confirmed to be Lassa fever.

“I also wish to state that the 19 primary contacts with the index case of Lagos are under monitor through our active surveillance system. “We have been monitoring them over the last 12 days. As you are aware, the incubation period of Lassa is 21 days, we still have about nine days to keep

a close look at them, but I need to let you know that we have not seen any symptom in these 19 primary contacts. “We are still monitoring other secondary contacts, others who have contacts with these 19 cases. One of the primary contacts is a 24-year-old female student of the Federal University

of Agriculture in Abeokuta here. We see her everyday and we have given her a thermometer to monitor her temperature on daily basis. She is a student, but she has not shown any symptom of Lassa fever and we will continue to monitor her for the next 10 days,” the commissioner explained.

It’s a sign of uncleanliness, poor infrastructure —Jimi Agbaje Newton-Ray Ukwuoma - Lagos

ERSTWHILE governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State and professional pharmacist, Mr Olujimi Agbaje, has expressed regret over the outbreak of Lassa fever in the country, attributing its recurrence to poor sanitation and the country’s state of development. Mr Agbaje made the statement while speaking with the Nigeria Tribune at the Servier Leadership programme held on Monday in Lekki, stating that the prevalence of the viral disease in Nigeria was a sign of the state of cleanliness and the need for infrastructural development across the country. Mr Agbaje, however, believed that the country will surmount its challenges in good time. He said “It is unfortunate that at this time of our development we still have issues like Lassa fever. It is a sign of the state of cleanliness in the country. It is a sign that we need more developmental structures in our society. I hope that this will be over and gone in no distant time.” Meanwhile, speaking at the leadership conference, Agbaje charged young leaders to cultivate virtues that evince trust, reliability and humanness more than educational qualification and intelligence.

Members of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria displaying a poster containing information on prevention of Lassa fever, during a sensitisation programme at Garki Model Market, Abuja, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Mitigate its effects on poor Nigerians, doctors tell FG By Sade Oguntola

NIGERIAN doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to mitigate the effect of Lassa fever on the poor, just as the association assured Nigerians a strike-free year from its members. NARD’s President, Dr Muhammad Adamu Asikira, stated this when executive members of the association paid a courtesy call to the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan management as part of the associations’ NEC meeting. Asikira, who noted that challenges such as insecurity, struggling economy and different epidemics ranging from Ebola, bird flu and Lassa fever had continued to take its toll, especially on the poor, expressed concern given the nation’s health facilities and monies lost due to medical tourism. Asikira said the association was embarking on further sensitisation of members of the Sabo community and Bodija markets, all in Ibadan, adding, that “it is our collective interest as we

meet in Ibadan to work together and see how we can improve the health care system so that the best can be given to Nigerians. “The outbreak of Lassa fever is an issue of national emergency, which we will discuss and come up with a formidable strategy that can forestall future outbreak.” NARD, who remarked that

preventive health education is important to prevent the disease, decried medical tourism, however urged the Federal Government to revamp the secondary and primary health care services as well as ensure a structured and well funded residency programme to ensure accessible healthcare for all. Chief Medical Director, UCH, Ibadan, Professor

Temitope Alonge, however, said that Nigeria’s residency training can only be reviewed when there is data to back it up despite the nation’s growth in population. Alonge said that currently there was no budget line for residency training, adding that this was important in making the programme to train more doctors in specialist care.

Outbreak, national embarrassment —Minister MINISTER of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has described yearly outbreak of Lassa fever in the country as a national embarrassment. Adewole disclosed this at the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) health policy dialogue Series ‘1‘, on Tuesday, in Abuja. Adewole explained that rather than discussing on control measures, efforts should be geared toward ending the scourge. “At emergency National Council meeting held last week, we inaugurated a committee on Lassa fever eradication because I do not

believe we should be talking about control, but rather this country should sign off the obituary of Lassa fever. “I call it an embarrassment because as a nation we cannot witness Lassa fever every year. It is rather abnormal for a nation that has resources like us to be witnessing such epidemic,” he said. Adewole, however, said other efforts of the government at ending the scourge include existence of eight functional diagnostic centres across the country and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). According to him, there is also intensified effort by the government in establishing

additional laboratories in Bauchi, Niger, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa and Ogun states. He assured that with the strengthening of the nation’s epidemiology surveillance and response “Lassa fever would be put under lock and key.” Adewole further said the nation needed to be proactive and institute evidence based measures to confront varying health challenges. He assured of the president’s commitment toward quick implementation of National Health Act which encompasses adequate and quality healthcare services to all the populace.

Nigerian Tribune

Vet doctors warn against bush burning Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

RIVERS State chairman of the Veterinary Doctors Association, Dr Nathaniel Bakura, has advised against bush-burning during farming season, saying it may help spread Lassa fever. Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, he said continuous bush-burning during the season may force rodents out of their natural habitats to seek refuge in residential abodes. In the course of the forced movement, he said rats running away from bushburning might find their way to houses and have contacts with humans and increase the possibility of Lassa fever infection. “Continuous bush burning during the farming season may displace the virus causing Lassa fever from their natural habitat and precipitate the rodents to run into residential abodes. “Most people, through the traditional way of farming, engage in bush-burning in the course of their farming activities. It is not a good act at all. “The fire creates a harsh and hostile environment for the rats which are being smoked out and consequently, look for new homes. “And in communities, homes or offices that are not well kept, the rodents have the opportunity to come in. So, when you understand this, you will be able to contain the spread of Lassa fever,” Bakura said. The veterinary doctor called on state governments to subsidise the cost of fumigation as a way to encourage residents to fumigate their homes against invasion by rodents. “We need to collaborate through a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach: medical doctors, veterinary doctors, animal scientists; ecologists, health officers, communities, parasitologist and health officers. “Other sectors, including the ministries of agriculture, health, information, as well as environment, must collaborate together to contain the spread of Lassa fever,” he said. Meanwhile, the Head of Oncologist Department of the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Rawlings Jamabo, has appealed to state and federal governments to provide free treatment for cancer patients across the country.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA

Pascal Dozie • Born on April 9, 1939.

FUNOLOGY

• He is a native of Egbu in O w e r ri, Imo S t a t e , Nigeria. • P a s c a l Gabriel Dozie is a Nigerian business titan.

CHURCH BOY

• He studied at London School of Economics, where he earned a degree in Economics, then a Masters in Administration from City University in London in 1963.

SEGELUULU

• Dr Pascal Dozie is the founder and former Chairman of Diamond Bank Plc. He is a former Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria and past President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He is the chairman of MTN Nigeria. He works in different sectors of the African economy, both public and private. • In 2009, he received the African Business Lifetime Achievement Award.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

There are 10 differences in the cartoons below. the differences should be marked in b

18 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

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.

Now that states can control their natural resources...

ITH the decision of the Federal Government to allow states to mine the natural resources in their domain, I think this is a great opportunity for the states to become financially buoyant. What is left now is for the state chief executives to be creative in how to go about harnessing the resources in their domains. A state governor should be a creative person in whose hands the development and growth of the state lies. When we have governors who are bril-

liant, and are good human resources managers, it won’t take time before such states become prosperous, no matter what they are getting from the Federation Account. What most governors do today is just waiting for the money from the Federal Government and spend it. Anybody can do this as far as I am concerned, however, a governor who sees the money from the Federal Government as extra, but uses his brain to generate enough revenue locally is the real man. Now, it is an opportunity for the states to generate

huge money from the resources in their domain; the first thing for the governors to do is to draw up a list of resources in their localities. They can then look

ing system, as it will alienate them from their customers. Everyday, one hears of promos by finance institutions in a bid to make Nigerians keep their monies

at how to produce in commercial quantities. There should now be no reason for states to say they can no longer pay workers’ salaries.

•Vincent Ekpe, Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

How to beat fraudulent BDCs I want to commend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, for the manner in which he explained what the country is passing through economically to members of the National Assembly last week. During Mr Emefiele’s Senate hearing, he was able to

The N50 stamp duty THOSE who came up with the issue of the N50 stamp duty should rethink it as it will bring about a lot of negative reactions from the public. Before now, we were saying that only a tiny percentage of our population use the banks, but with this policy, we are certain to see more people dumping the banks finally. This new policy states that the Federal Government will be taking N50 per every N1,000 withdrawn from the banks. I understand the need for the Federal Government to generate enough money considering what we are experiencing economically, but the fact is that Nigerians are already overtaxed, and this new system will only take more people away from the financial system. People will no longer have confidence in the system, and in a bid to keep their monies at home, there will be an increase in crime rate, particularly armed robbery and burglary. The Federal Government should rethink this and look at other ways to generate the much-need revenues. Government can look further at taxing luxury items such as private jets, mansions, cars, wrist watches, among others. This particular stamp duty tax will only make things worse for the bank-

at those who need those resources locally and internationally. It is after they have been able to establish this that they can go ahead to look

in the banks, but the stamp duty will only make Nigerians, particularly the unlettered, have a rethink. •Yetunde Soares, Lagos.

explain to Nigerians what many people didn’t know about the fall in the value of the naira against the major currencies of the world. Mr Emefiele was able to let us know that Bureau De Change (BDG) operators were partly to blame for the fall in the value of the naira, as they have resorted to round tripping, among other negative acts. We must not forget that BDC operators recently held a press conference where they claimed that the CBN was planning to bring in a global forex company, Travelex, to take over the currency market in the country. When this came to light,

naira was N307 to the United States dollars, and all of a sudden, the local currency rose to N296 to a dollar. This shows that there is truth in what the CBN governor is saying about BDC operators. I, therefore, would support the apex bank if it actually will bring in Travelex, or other foreign currency operators to take over the forex segment in the country. This will make the naira stable, as well as prevent the continuous dipping of hand into the country’s foreign reserves. Therefore, if the CBN can toughen its stance on BDC operators, while also

focusing on the import sector, which drains our forex, then we might just be able to halt the free fall of the naira. It is also important that some individuals, as well as companies that run foul of the law should be punished if we are to bring sanity into the financialsystem. •Nelson Ekwale, Benin, Edo State.

Ooni, come to our aid I want to use this opportunity to call on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to come to the aid of the Yoruba in Kogi and Kwara states. The Yoruba in these two states are being relegated to the background, particularly politically, and it is high time our revered royal father stepped in. The Ooni, alongside other royal fathers in Yorubaland, should come together to discuss how to go about presenting the plight of the Yoruba in these two states to the Federal Government. What we really want is for the Yoruba in Kogi and Kwara to be merged with their kiths and kins in the South West. This is what we have always wanted, but unfortunately, our people in the mainstream Yorubaland have not found our cause as something to fight for. With the new Ooni, we believe we have a great chance to achieve this now more than ever before. I hope our Ooni can come out with the modalities towards presenting our case to the Federal Government as soon as possible. •Idowu Adedeji, Kabba, Kogi State.

editorial

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Killer-policemen on the rampage

ECAUSE he felt offended that he was not offered alcoholic drink which he requested with threat of firing gunshots if they did not oblige, a drunk police sergeant in uniform, Stephen James, went berserk and consequently shot dead twin brothers â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and their friend identified as Jeje. According to media reports, the tragic incident which happened outside the premises of Paulson Hotel on Anibaba Street, Ketu, Lagos State, threw the entire neighbourhood and its environs into chaos with passers-by and residents reportedly scampering in different directions. When the gravity of his act dawned on him, James reportedly shot himself in the chest and died. It was alleged that James had been known to be firing gunshots indiscriminately and all complaints of the residents to appropriate authorities had fallen on deaf ears. In fact, and sadly, on the cusp of inexplicable human rage and frustration, before the arrival of the victims at the hotel, he was reported to have been harassing and threatening other hotel customers that he would resort to killing somebody on that day if his request was not granted. The event was a sad commentary on activities of policemen who are supposed to protect lives and properties but turned murderers. Without mincing words, Nigerians are already fed up with the activities of uncultured and undisciplined policemen. For decades, the issue of killer-policemen on rampage has been raised over and over, but things seem to be getting worse. While we sympathise and commiserate with the families of the victims, we are pained that the killing of the three young men by the stoned and rampaging police sergeant is just one of the many stories of police abuses and brutality in the country. We are worried that in this unfortunate case is a likelihood of a drug and alcoholic drink abuser and an apparently frustrated officer in the service of the police. The uncharitable and out-of-the-mind circumstances in which the Police had been reported to have interacted with, assaulted, brutalised, dehumanised, maltreated and murdered civilians do not only hint at questionable existence in the NPF of people without sound minds, they also suggest by their conduct are drug abusers while on duty. Many sad

tales of police inhumanity in the country, to a great extent, cast aspersions on the sanctimony of the professional training that is provided at the time of joining the Force and subsequent capacity building courses and workshops that are organised from time to time. It is in this light that we see as a welcome development the psychiatrist test that the top echelon of the NPF announced recently to be conducted on the new entrants into the NPF and officers and men already in the service. In looking at the rampant cases of police brutality in the country, there is obviously the problem of indiscipline and frustration. It is sad that, in the course of asking for gratification, the police have murdered countless number of ordinary Nigerians. Unfortunately, the bad police sergeant also killed himself; even if he is tried post-humously, there is nothing for him to feel as punishment for his criminal conduct. That his bad conduct in the neighborhood had been reported to the hotel and police authorities on several occasions without any corrective actions should not be swept under the carpet. This is worth investigating by the high authorities of the police in collaboration with the Police Community Relations Committee structures at the local government level. On the rise are cases of many civilians who had been arrested for one offence or the other and who had alleged that they were abused or tortured and forced into signing confessional statements admitting to crimes they knew nothing about. This bad situation is not unconnected with the culture of impunity that has persisted in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s police force. Such culture is often times protective of police officers involved in brutality, extrajudicial killings, corruption and abuse. The Nigerian government has repeatedly expressed willingness to address this problem in the criminal justice system, improve access to justice, and reform the Nigeria Police Force. However, despite several reforms and outlined programmes in recent years, which charted courses for improvement, little has been done. The continued tolerance of massive human rights abuses by police hierarchy makes it very difficult to achieve change at the lower levels. This is why it is necessary to start changing the whole concept of policing in Nigeria.

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opinion Revisiting the Bayelsa guber poll 20

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

By Ogundana Michael Rotimi

IRST of all, congratulations to Governor Seriake Dickson for his hard-earned victory in the just-concluded Bayelsa State gubernatorial election, which has, therefore, secured him his second term in office. But like many other Nigerian elections, it was not without violence and loss of lives. No fewer than five people lost their lives in the election. A process that naturally has nothing to do with arms and terror, turned out bloody. Nigeria, 17 years into democracy, still struggles to hold a peaceful, free and fair election. Worse as it was, even in a state like Bayelsa, one of the smallest states in Nigeria, both in land mass and population, the just-concluded gubernatorial election was marred with violence and loss of lives. By now, Nigeria should have come of age democratically. Elections are not wars and should never be seen as a do-ordie affair. It seems to me that since the day of Nigerian independence, political offices suffer violence and the violent takes it by force. But this shouldn’t be so! Beginning from the 1964–65 general elections, violence had been a major feature of electoral politics in the country. The electoral process during the Second Republic in Nigeria (1979–1983) was also highly laced with violence, especially during the second election of 1983. The structure of politics, despite the alteration in the structure of the federation from three (later four) regions of the First Republic, to 19 states, was still largely driven by ethno-religious forces, where each party maintained its stronghold in a given regional/ethnic domain. Also, the 1993 elections which produced the Third Republic and perhaps the fairest election in the history of Nigeria won by Chief MKO Abiola but annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida, ended in violence. Nigeria’s Fourth Republic has witnessed five general elections (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015), and is yet to show profound evidence of a growing democracy. All of these elections were marked with controversies, just as their processes and end products encountered credibility and legitimacy crises, and none has gone without violence.

Structurally, violence manifested in the form of systemic disequilibrium predicated upon double standards. But then, as long as the large population of the citizenry remains in abject poverty and largely depend on a group of political elite for their survival, electoral violence will continue to persist. As long as informal patronage systems, poor governance, exclusionary politics, and the socio-economic uncertainties of losing political power in states where almost all power is concentrated at the centre persist, election will always end up in violence. As long as our electoral process and the electoral contest itself, such as failed or flawed elections, election fraud and weak or manipulated institutions governing the electoral process persist, our elections will always turn out to be violent and chaotic. Also, as long as the socio-economic realities of losing power in a nation where all political power and economic resources of the state lie in the hands of the incumbent, coupled with a porous electoral system and weak or biased electoral institutions persist, elections risk turning out into a do-or-die affair. This trend not only poses a threat to the peace and security of the country, but also risks undermining the long-term sustainability of our democratic set up.

The implications of this violence are enormous. It means we tend to lose everything we have struggled to build over a period of time within a short time when elections become violent. It further exposes us to the unpleasant conditions that in turns, have negative effects on the economy. It threatens the productivity of a nation and gradually distorts the peace and corporation in the society. We cannot confidently become a nation of our dreams if our elections are continually marred by violence. It is a shame that violence is usually anticipated to play a prominent role in our elections after 17 years into the Fourth Republic. In societies where the structural conditions of elections create high incentives for violence, the institutional and administrative arrangements in place for regulating the electoral contest can play a key role in either mitigating or instigating election-related violence. Although Nigeria has witnessed a significant democratic progress over the past 17 years, but there are still enormous variations between our democratic setup and that of a successful nation. Precisely, due to the increasing reliance on a flawed electoral process as a means of distributing and regulating political power in our society, the stakes of elections are often high. This calls for a great urgency to support the establishment of effective and legitimate electoral institutions and electoral frameworks; institute reforms aimed at lowering the stakes of elections; encourage the devolution of powers; improve the socio-economic standing of the populace; and devise strategies to prevent and manage electoral violence Besides, reforms to spontaneously and sporadically improve the lives of ordinary citizens must be put in place, while political offices should become less attractive and luxurious. In that case, we would have successfully moved beyond simply establishing a formal constitutional democracy, to a practising and performing democracy. •Ogundana is a public affairs analyst.

How multiple taxation is crippling businesses By Smart Adekunle

Local Government Area of Edo State who mounted a blockade at the entrance to the brewery. What was their grievance? The council officials, who were led by Itohan Ogbeide, Chairman, Ikpoba-Okha LGA, claimed that Guinness Nigeria had been obstructing the local government from collecting fees from third-party logistics companies engaged in the provision of haulage services. The action reportedly caused disruption to the legitimate business activities of the company for several hours. In their response, Guinness Nigeria, which is the largest employer of labour in Edo State after the state government, called out the action for what it was – blackmail intended to force the company to assume agency for revenue collection from the logistics services providers on behalf of the Ikpoba Okha Local Government. Laughable as it might sound, this shocking development raises some posers. One, a business can wake up one morning without prior notice and find that they have been shut out of their premises under the pretext of a very flimsy claim. Secondly, how do we get LGs to be more professional in their modus operandi? Alternative modes of dispute resolution could have been used in the scenario described above that provides all stakeholders a win-win outcome. Thirdly, why should a corporate organisation that has paid its companies’ income tax, education tax, capital gains tax, among others, be saddled by the local government with a third party cost or be expected to act as revenue collection

THE death knell has sounded for many businesses in Nigeria as a result of multiple taxation and the overbearing attitude of many state and local government officials who go about obstructing lawful business activities under the guise of revenue generation. Worse hit are the small scale industries that have no financial clout to muscle their way through these pernicious challenges. Local governments are supposed to be the bedrock of governance and development because of their proximity to the people at the grassroots, but a performance evaluation of how LGs have fared is disastrous, owing to crass leadership, self-aggrandising motives and a citizenry that are not given to interrogating government officials. This dysfunctionality is even more glaring in terms of revenue generation. A critical look at the revenue collection system in Nigeria reveals that indeed local governments are empowered by law to impose and collect certain defined taxes and levies within their jurisdictions as a means of revenue generation to fund the effective and smooth running of the affairs of the local governments. However, in a bid to generate funds by all means, many of these local governments act as if they are above the law by resorting to thuggery, violence and mounting barricades and road blocks that obstruct lawful commercial activities. So, how will commerce flourish in our states when there is this dangling scepter over the heads of corporate organisations? I recall an event that took place last month which provides an apt illustration of this monstrous and unacceptable behaviour, which is fast becoming the default mode for many LGs. The incident happened in Edo State. News reports monitored on 23 July 2015, claimed that operations at the Benin Brewery of Guinness Nigeria were disrupted by officials of Ikpoba Okha

agent for a local government? Till date, many stakeholders still complain about the quality of service from many mobile telecoms operators but how many people remember that these operators have suffered and are still being bludgeoned by the menace of multiple taxation and riotous activities of officials of local government and state agencies. Buoyed by what they assume are the jumbo profits of telecoms service providers, virtually every arm of government in the country has been up in arms against these operators, brandishing taxes and requests for payment in one form or the other. From local government to state government to airport authorities to the Consumer Protection Council, and officials of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, there have been never-ending demands for payments in one form or the other, even when the subsisting Telecommunications Act of 2003 is explicit on the organ of government with regulatory and tax oversight of the telecommunications industry. A case in point is the issue of Planning/Building Permit fee, which is under the purview of the state government. However, LGs also demand for erection permit, installation permit, telecom building permit, which are unknown to law. These extraneous taxes and levies have led to the closure of many Base Transceiver Stations across the country and resulted in poor network performance by the telcos. Clearly, there is an urgent need to tackle the problem of multiple taxation and the opprobrious methods used by state and local government officials to extort money in the name of taxation from business entities across the country. Acts of brigandage by council officials will only drive away potential investors, as such making their communities unattractive for large scale investment possibilities along with its attendant benefits which include sustainable growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. •Adekunle writes from Lagos.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

Brazil has a lot to offer Nigerians in cultural tourism —Consulate General By wale Ojo Lanre

he Consulate–General, Brazilian Embassy Nigeria, Her Excellency, Maria Figueiredo has declared that Brazil has a lot to offer Nigerians in the cultural tourism sector but regrettably, not much of the opportunities are being accessed by the sector players. Figueiredo disclosed this interview with the TTM in Ile-Ife where she called on Nigerians to ‘avail themselves of these opportunities .for the symbiotic benefits of the nation. She pointed out that though Brazil and Nigeria have a long standing relationship on culture and trade but “It is not as geometric scale as expected”. Figueiredo revealed “Not that Nigerians are not scrambling for Brazilian visa or visit, but there is a dearth of genuine business-minded Nigerians particularly in the cultural–tourism and educational sector. There are many opportunities waiting to be explored in Brazil in commerce, culture, transportation and particularly education”. She disclosed “I am particularly interested in an increased level of cultural–tourism relationship and exchange between our great countries. There are many things we share and many things that are unique. An increase in the level of our relationship will allow a comparative peer group benefits which will be good for our citizens, the nations and the world” Figueiredo said that the federal authority in charge of tourism and culture should establish close rapport with the Brazilian authority because of the wealth of experience and know-how in the tourism sector, adding that “Most of the tourists from Nigeria are either invited by the universities, government or bodies, but I want a situation where there will be tourists in and out of the two countries”. She revealed “majority of those who claim to be heading

for Brazil under the cover of tourism are majorly migrants who constitute illegality in the country. This is not what I am saying. For there are lot of sites, cultural, historical, religious, ecotourism and wonderful sites in Brazil”. “Our door is ajar for the consummate and business-oriented Nigerian who is ready to within the confine of legality explore any areas of business, development and growth. Brazil is home of the Africans. For you to know, African contribute descents 70 per cent of the population. Almost every one of us has the African blood running in our veins. So, I expect a better relationship between the citizen of the two countries”. She called on parents in Nigeria to seek information about the educational opportunities in Brazil “Nigerians should obtain information about the educational system in Brazil which is not only qualitative, but free. Brazil offer free tuition in their universities and education institutions. I want Nigerians to avail themselves this information and make use of the opportunities”. The ambassador who is in Nigeria for a second time posting disclosed “Nigeria is making steady progress and advancement in development and growth which the country should build on. This is my second time of working in Nigeria. I was here some years ago and now back, I can tell say Nigeria, I mean Lagos is now better than my first experience here. The country is great with great

There are many opportunities waiting to be explored in Brazil in commerce, culture, transportation, and particularly education

people”. She described Ile–Ife as “a historical town of note which majority of the African descents in Brazil see as their root. It may interest you that I have been found to be from Osun State and an Osun adherent. This is typical of any Brazilian. Ile–Ife is important and significant to a typical African descent fellow in Brazil”. Talking about Nigeria cuisine, Figueiredo said that “Nigeria like Brazil has a lot of delicious meals. But for me, I am in love with akara, kilishi and dodo Ikire”. The Ambassador who said that she tasted Dodo Ikire for the first time, a day preceding this interview pointed out that ‘it is not only tasty, but delicious. It is pure and tasteful. I love dodo Ikire and I will buy a lot whenever I am going to Brazil for my friends . I am sure they will love it”. She described her experience at the Ooni Palace as “a wonderful and spectacular packaging of cultural display by wonderful people in a wonderful manner which will remain evergreen in my memory”. Figueiredo disclosed “We are going to open a new vista of relationship with the palace. The Ooni is a man of prodigious cultural consciousness and is bubbling with ideas of how to employ culture and tourism in empowering his people, the Brazilian Embassy will be ready to help in germination of the ideas and linking the palace with interested investors in Brazil. Also, you know, the Embassy will be ever ready to help in procurement and issuing of visas to team from the palace to Brazil”. She called on Nigerians wishing to travel to Brazil ‘our job here is to ensure that as many genuine Nigerians gained access to Brazil. We are here serving your interest. There is no need going through a third person or an agent. The Embassy is opened for you to seek information and get details of your interest in Brazil. We are here to protect the interest of Brazilians and establish good relationship with Nigerians in Nigeria and Nigerians going to Brazil. For I wish Nigeria what I wish my country”.

tourism

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Oba Abolarin discovers another Waterfall in Oke–Ila Orangun!

The new water fall By wale Ojo Lanre

hen a righteous man reigns, the rat breeds joyfully in the bush fish will consummate freely like a fish inside the river while human earns blessing from heaven, procreate bountifully, prosper lavishly, enjoys life abundantly and blossoms in deeds, acts and words These have been the lots of the indigenes and people of Oke-Ila Orangun, Ifedayo Local Government, Osun State, since the enthronement of Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, Aroyinkeye 11 as the king of the hitherto sleepy agrarian historic town. One of the turning points which the town has witnessed since day one of his ascension of the throne is the reversal of the epithet “Sleepy’ which has been the adjunct for the town whenever it is being referred to or mentioned in any article, the ‘sleepy’ adjunct has changed to’ vibrant town. It is no longer Oke–Ila, the sleepy town in State of Osun, but now Oke–Ila, one of the most vibrant towns in Osun State.” The vibrancy of Oke–Ila Orangun and its emergence as 21st century development oriented town is not just a wishful desire of momentous brain wave, but a Godly blessing and inspiration of the personality of the fellow who the people selected and who received the mercy of the Lord. It also confirms the axiom that status of a post does not matter, but the mindset of the occupier.

Oba Adedokun Abolarin and some journalists at the fall. It is trite that when a small man with small mind is given a house bigger than his size, he may reduce or collapse the house to fit his frame instead of looking or hiring part of it out to generate wealth, but when a big man is forced inside a cocoon because of his body and mind, expands and creates more space for himself and others. The Bible affirms that when a righteous man reigns, the people rejoice. Of course, the people of Oke–Ila has causes and reasons to rejoice in having an Oba who has been able to explore his cosmopolitan status in accentuating their es-

Oba Adedokun Abolarin sence of life as proud indigenes and products of Oke–Ila, Who has equally made his people reign and the epicentre of his rule. In applying his experience to transform the rawness of the environment to vivacity of municipality, has unveiled the sociocultural tourism potentialities inherent in the community and which have been covered, buried and trampled upon in the past for the glory and respect of the people and the town. Without missing his focus, Oba Adedokun started with the Isinro Festival, a pre-historical generational festival of culture, dance and tradition of the Oke-Ila

people which his people have been hosting annually since the emergence of the town, but which its celebration has been localised and restricted. Oba Abolarin said this must not be. And since, it has never be, Oba Abolarin has raised the bar of the celebration of Isinro festival from a mere community convivial traditional festival to an international carnival of culture, tradition and communal reunion which attracts thousands of tourists and well wishers yearly to the town. Continues on pg23

tourism

yo is Toluwalope OgundaEkiti d the newly crowne . In this State Miss Tourism interview with e Taiwo OLadejo, Thty si Ekiti State univer aled undergraduate reve her intentions in in the promoting tourism ugh state and ways throcan be which the ministry e the improved to improvuntry. economy of the co

Tourism t n e m p o l e v e d not just the function of governmentism ur —Miss Ekiti To

As the new face of tourism in Ekiti State, how prepared are you in promoting the ministry within and beyond the state? To start with, all glory and honour belong to Almighty God, and my appreciation also goes to the organisers’ of the Ekiti State Miss Tourism, the preparation has started after winning the contest and I have been trying all my best in making sure tourism in Ekiti State is pronounced to the entire country, I have been to some of the tourist sites in the state and a few centres outside the state in order to access and make the next move in promoting tourism in the state. Also, I have been in contact with some of the stakeholders in the sector on how to get things done, therefore within this short period spent, the preparation have been smooth and I am getting ready for the role as the queen of tourism in the state, to ensure the growth of the ministry. What are your intentions in promoting tourism in the state? Firstly, I will like to be a role model to those within and outside the sector, since the process begins from me, then I will be able to influence others, and as someone driven by passion for tourism, one of our intentions is to promote cultural and tourist centres in the state, through this promotion, many citizens of the state will know more of tourist centres, leading to more tourists visiting these sites. Promoting our cultural heritage is also part of my plans in order to ensure that the culture of the state is maintained by those in the state. To achieve this, we tend to use the media, either the mass or traditional in achieving the stated aims. I will represent the state within and outside, also for cultural and tourism programmes, I intend to serve as ambassador for tourism in the state, other assistance needed in promoting tourism in the state, within my capability will be granted. Are you not asking for assistance from the state government? The state government is trying in promoting culture and tourism in the state, but we will want them to do more in helping the sector, since we cannot do it alone. We will want the state government to help us in funding and also, make awareness in the media on the importance of preserving our culture and the need to embrace our custom/ culture by all and sundry, besides, we will want the government to promote tourist site, within the state, because not all are aware of many of these centres, thereby limiting the promotion of tourism in the state. Do you believe tourism can truly improve the economy of the country? Tourism can improve the economy of the country, but the federal and state governments have more to do in achieving this, the attention given to tourism should be increased in order to ensure the ministry waxes stronger, but this should not be limited to the government only, private sector and individuals should also join in achieving this. The tourist centres should be improved upon, some of these tourist centers are to be restructured and made attractive in other to acquire more tourists to the sites. Where do you see tourism in the state in the next few years? Tourism will grow in the country and I believe that if more attention is given to this sector, tourism in Ekiti State will be a better one, thereby attracting more investors into the state. With this, the economy of Ekiti State will surely improve, tourism will surely develop to the standard that the stakeholders in the sector are expecting.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Oba Abolarin discovers another Waterfall in Oke–Ila Orangun! Continued from pg22

The internationalisation of Isinro festival by Oba Abolarin has cultivated the attention and focus from government and individual investors and has attracted to the town the establishment of another petrol station in responding to the quests of unceasing tourists as well as government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in tarring the road network in the town. The Ayinkunugba Waterfall, one of the most soulful and thrilling waterfalls in Nigeria is planted in the town by nature, but it takes the grace of God and the persistent value added efforts of Oba Abolarin that has helped in achieving the modicum of publicity and the cry for enhancement which this unquantifiable natural blessing has got recently. The good news again from the vibrant town of Oke–Ila Orangun is the fact that Oba Abolarin’s penchant for digging out the natural blessing of the town has again yielded a stunning discovery of another waterfall in Oke–Ila! This waterfall is shielded away by a heavy, thick jungle of Ogan Forest which is located on the right part of the Oke – Ila Orangun bound road. Oba Adedokun could not hide his feeling at the discovery of the waterfall and thus, he personally led the writer and other tourism buffs including the palace staff into the thick forest of Ogan. Getting to the site of the waterfall provides an insight into Oba Abolarin’s favourite tourism slogan “RURAL OURISM”. For the path to the waterfall harbours exciting ground for picnic, carnival under the canopy of plants and romantic spots . The evidence of the fall was felt by our ear’s drum which was hit by the sound of the fall on the floor. “Kabiyesi, we are closer to the fall “Tope Eluyefa, one of the journalists on the trip noted. The just discovered waterfall though located in steep gorge offers different features from Ayinkunugba. It is only accessible through the peak of a hill which offers a spectacular view of a fall down the stairs but having about four naturally created swimming pool spots as it heads down in torrents. The waterfall in Ogan Forest will adequately cater for picnickers and film makers who will find its features useful for the advancement of their endeavours. Oba Abolarin who offered special prayers and thanked God for the blessing of the fall revealed that “It is not that we are unaware of water here, yes, there is Ogan water, but we never knew there is a fall here. We never knew that the fall is as beautiful as this. We never knew that we are again blessed by Almighty God with another fantastic natural tourism site. We never knew the magnitude of this fall, with unique features different from Ayinkunugba Waterfall” He disclosed “I am happy about this. I will take the necessary step to intimate the chairman of my local government and also inform the Governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who has been so good to this town about the new discovery. I thank my progenitors, the founder of this town, for locating us in a land full of blessings and natural wonders”.

24 Short answers to hard questions about climate change

Here are quick answers to often-asked questions about climate change. This should give anyone a running start on understanding the problem. How much is the planet heating up? As of October 2015, the earth had warmed by about 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. The number may sound low, but as an average over the surface of an entire planet, it is actually high, which explains why much of the world’s land ice is starting to melt and the oceans are rising at an accelerating pace. Is there anything I can do? You can reduce your own carbon footprint in lots of simple ways, and most of them will save you money. Will a tech breakthrough help us? Even Bill Gates says don’t count on it, unless we commit the cash. As more companies, governments and researchers devote themselves to the problem, the chances of big technological advances are improving. But even many experts who are optimistic about technological solutions warn that current efforts are not enough. How much will the seas rise? The real question is not how high, but how fast. The ocean is rising at a rate of about a foot per century. That causes severe effects on coastlines, forcing governments and property owners to spend tens of billions of dollars fighting erosion. But if that rate continued, it would probably be manageable, experts say. Is there any reason for hope? Scientists have been warning since the 1980s that strong policies were needed to limit emissions. Those warnings were ignored, and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have since built up to potentially dangerous levels. So the hour is late. But after 20 years of largely fruitless diplomacy, the governments of the world are finally starting to take the problem seriously. A deal reached in Paris in December commits nearly every country to some kind of action. Religious leaders like Pope Francis are speaking out. Culled from New York Times

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

ecoscope

Oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050 According to a new report from the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, if we continue our ways, the world’s oceans will soon be home to more plastic than fish. “The best research currently available estimates that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today,” the report reads. “In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean is expected to contain one tonne of plastic for every three tonnes of fish by 2025, and by 2050, more plastics than fish, by weight.” In other words, in just 34 years, plastic trash in the ocean will outweigh all the fish in the sea. According to Huffington Post, the study describes plastics as the “ubiquitous workhorse material of the modern economy” and finds that after a short first-use cycle, 95 per cent of plastic packaging material value, or $80 billion to $120 billion annually, is lost to the economy. At least eight million tonnes of plastics, equivalent to one garbage truck every minute leak into the ocean each year, according to the World Economic Forum. The 36-page report, “The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics,” also offers hope. By redesigning materials and developing new technologies, the research shows it is possible to eradicate plastic waste. Achieving such systemic change, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation said in a statement, will “require major collaboration,” including from consumer goods companies, plastics manufacturers, businesses involved in collection and recycling and policymakers.

hat has the ministry put in place ahead of the state’s 40th anniversary? Ogun state will turn 40 by February 3 and the state government is planning to launch some of its projects that she has done from the first term till the second term of this administration. So talking about the environment as it affects the anniversary, we have been up and doing in the ministry because the environment touches practically everyone and everywhere. So, we are ensuring that we have a clean and safe environment even as we celebrate. How has the ministry fared over the years? We’ve done quite a lot and we are still doing more, because the environment is such that we cannot do it all; it is an ongoing process. Just like we live daily, the environment has to be taken care of daily as well. We have been able to make a lot of moves in the area of waste management, our cities are cleaner. And the ministry have also been able to put in place laws that will ensure that our people comply with the way the environment is meant to be. We’ve made laws on the way they dispose their waste, as well as laws that have to do with tree planting. So we’ve done a lot on improving the aesthetics of the city, especially on going green. If you had to prioritise environmental issues in the state and Nigeria as a whole, what would that be? From the function of the job I have taken as the Commissioner for Environment, I will say waste management, because everyone generates waste. There is the municipal waste and industrial waste. So people still need to be oriented on the proper ways to dispose their waste and on how to take care of their immediate environment. After that, we still have to reach out to our industries as well, because

with Doyin Adeoye

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

Environment minister urges SDGs: Can Nigeria fight these environmental WASCAL to key into INDC issues by 2030? Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina J. Mohammed, has urged the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) to key into Nigeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), as it begins the process of preparing a research agenda on climate change for the sub-region for the period spanning 2016 to 2020. The minister made this disclosure in Abuja on Thursday, 21 January, while speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop on the WASCAL Research Agenda 2016, where she stressed that the agenda would not only bridge the gap between educational institutions and the government, but also with the industries. “Nigerians are already profoundly aware of the damage caused by climate change impacts. The 2012 floods that killed several people and displaced more that 2.1 million people are stack realities. These impacts are threatening the livelihoods of Nigerians, as well as aggravate regional conflicts such as depletion of the Lake Chad in the North East, and the associ-

ated collapse of economic and institutional fabric, which has proved a breeding ground for terrorism.” According to her, the current administration has come with a change agenda that is committed to an economic transformation which places inclusive, green growth at its heart. “This change includes engaging our universities and research institutes in various fields to collaborate with the government to safeguard and improve on the lives of Nigerians. Mainstreaming climate change into all facets of our lives would indeed require the outputs from credible researches undertaken in these institutions. A successful government must fully develop its institutions to embark on research and innovations that focus on our national goals.” In his remarks, the Vice-Chair of the WASCAL Governing Board, Professor Adeniyi Osuntogun, said that a core area in the centre’s future emphasis is to improve the livelihoods of the population in the sub-region under climate change and climate variability.

By Doyin Adeoye The international community over the last decades has adopted quite a number of environmentally related agreements, one of which is the new global development agenda agreed by the United Nations (UN) in September 2015, which is a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The universal agreement which is based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030, carefully balances the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. Integrating the environment and development is essential, as any human development, largely depends on a healthy environment. While some of the goals are basically environmental, others such as Ending Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and the likes, need a good environment for a successful implementation. Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation With more than 40 per cent of people around the world affected by water scarcity, it is essential to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. This figure is however, even projected to increase with the rise of global temperatures as a consequence of climate change. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), although 2.1 billion people have gained access to improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling supplies of safe drinking water is a major problem impacting every continent. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four peo-

Ogun will soon begin to generate clean energy from waste — Hon Oyeleye

Honourable Bolaji Oyeleye is the Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State. He speaks with Doyin Adeoye on the works of the ministry, especially ahead of the state’s 40th anniversary.

their activities impact on the environment as well. They will have to comply with best practices in the way they run their plants and industries, so as to reduce water and air pollution to the barest minimum. Ogun State is one of the few environmental conscious states in the nation, what strategies do you put in place to ensure this? We have done quite a lot in terms of advocacy and enlightenment for our people. But I will like to say that her Excellency, the wife of the state governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun has also contributed immensely to our achievement on environmental issues. She launched the Green Education for the Youth (GEFTY) initiative which has to do with young children in schools, where she has sponsored through the project a number of students abroad. The sponsored children were picked across the nation, so it wasn’t just restricted to Ogun State. So that is an initiative that we are proud to talk about. And also from the ministry, we plan to have advocacy in schools, to educate our students on how to keep the environment clean and safe

because if we fail to take care of the environment, we might not have anywhere to stay at the end of the day. That is why it is important for us to keep emphasising the imperativeness of being conscious of our environment, especially to our young children, so they could imbibe the right environmental practices from a very young age. What is the state doing to cut down on its gas emissions, as that is the global focus now? The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency is going to come out with a number of regulations to ensure that we key into that. Alongside that, we intend to make our monitoring and enforcement team very virile and active, so that they will be able to police the nooks and crannies of the state against every potential source of pollutants, gas emissions inclusive. So basically, we intend to be on top of our game as regards monitoring all industrial, manufacturing, commercial and hospitality facilities in the state. Also at the COP 21 event that held in France in December, 2015, we had a side show where his Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun en-

gaged investors on the 108,000 hectares reforestation project in the state. This is a project we are keenly interested in making sure that it happens. We are presently partnering with a multinational, Lafarge Holcim. So we were in France to talk about the project and to ensure that more investors buy into the project. The project apart from helping us to reclaim the deforested land will also serve as regional carbon sink belt. The state carried out a tree-planting exercise when GEFTY was launched in 2013. How has it been monitoring and keeping up with this? It is something we do annually, especially in line with the Tree Planting Day. So we intend to keep up with this. Maybe sometime later in the year, we will have to do that. In addition, all our medians and side roads are to be landscaped and adorned with both ornamental shrubs, shade providing tress and lush green grasses. Many states are coming up with various waste recycling projects, especially in the area of waste conversion to energy. Is this also the same for Ogun?

We are at that point where we are doing a reorganisation of waste management. We intend sometime later this year to launch the Private Sector Participation (PSP) in waste management at which point we will call private investors to come and participate in waste management in the state. Hitherto, it has been the exclusive duty of the government to manage waste in our major cities: Ifo, Ota, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Mowe, Ibafo and Abeokuta. We have been responsible for waste management, but we’ve seen that this is not sustainable in the long run because it is more or less like a drain pipe in the resources of the governments, so we are bringing in PSP in waste management very soon. And that point, we will be able to talk about waste to energy. We are trying to get the connections right first, but presently we are discussing with quite a number of companies that have shown interest in establishment of biomass thermal plant, which is clean energy, in the state. Very soon, all these efforts will become visible.

ple are likely to be affected by recurring water shortages. Goal 13: Climate action The goal urges the global community to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, as almost every country across the world is affected by the effects of climate change. With greenhouse gas emissions now more than 50 per cent higher than their 1990 level, strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of more vulnerable regions is essential. Goal 14: Life below water With over three billion people depending on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods, this goal focuses on the conservation and sustainably use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. The UNDP noted that there has been a 26 per cent rise in ocean acidification since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Goal 15: Life on land Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood, as plant life provides 80 per cent of our human diet. According to the UNDP, today, the loss of arable land is at 30 to 35 times the historical rate. Drought and desertification is also on the rise each year, amounting to the loss of 12 million hectares and affecting poor communities globally. Achieving these goals demands huge commitment from every country, and it is important for Nigeria as a nation to align them with our national development plan. So how can Nigeria localise the SDGs, as well as ensure that a lot is done in the 15-year development framework? “With the right policy in place and an enabling environment from government’s legislation, this will attract private investors, as well as encourage the public to play their part. So, I believe that we can get there. We might not be able to solve it, but we will make a very good head start for sure,” said Paul O’Callaghan, CEO, WestAfricaENRG Limited. Mr Ayodeji Ogunyemi, Director, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young Nigeria, noted that to compliment efforts on climate change, a wider environmental protection plan for Nigeria would be valuable. “To achieve this, there is a need for a Nigeria climate change master plan. I understand that the Ministry of Environment already has such a plan or similar, but the plan needs to be updated with the outcomes and targets from last year’s COP 21, as well as have all costs, benefits and financing assumptions reworked. It then needs to be faithfully executed and closely monitored. All stakeholders, development agencies and others that are key to the success of the plan should be sensitised early and Oyeleye given the opportunity to the planning process.”

tribunebusiness

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

energy

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

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

We must learn to protect Nigerian assets

Some of the 500,000 30-liter gallons sighted on the Island with some loaded with petrol. INSET: Chief Aminu Joshua pointing at a numbered vehicle used to transport stolen fuel with some gallons recovered at Robert Island.

— Minister

The discovery of Robert Village, an Island on Lagos waters, by local vigilante, where theft of premium motor spirit (PMS) is a normal business. In this report, OLATUNDE DODONDAWA, who visited the Island with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, reports on the activities of these vandals.

here are several communities along the coast of Nigerian waters where vandals deliberately breach the pipelines and siphon petroleum products with modern tools, which only can be used by people that understand the business of oil and gas operations. However, at Robert Island, it was discovered that the entire community members were involved in the illegal trade because every houses and huts visited had large storage ‘depot’, which were used to store the siphoned products for onward transportation to neighboring countries, among which are Benin, Togo and Ghana. In Robert Island, there was no presence of security personnel, except the local vigilante and group who look some journalists a gandent tour of the on the community and over 500,000 of 30-liter gallons were discovered with modern equipment used in siphoning of petroleum products. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, expressed his frustration on the discovered the volume of product theft that have been going on for years at the Island. “This is very frustrating. This is parts of the problems we are facing. Sometimes, I wondered why would a community allowed this to have happened. This is a massive operation. Over 200 trucks equivalent were being loaded here daily and transported through the Nigerian waters, to be sold in other countries. “This is a good discovery, but how many more of this do we have going on presently. It is an eye opener for us, but it is very frustrating. I wish I have an immediate solution to this, but clearly a lot more needs to be done. We discovered this with efforts from contracted security personnel, but a lot

more effort will be channeled into preventy such activities to strive,” he said. On the challenges of ending pipeline vandalism, the minister stated that “the more you secure one, the more open other become. So, modern solution is long term, because it goes beyond sealing up the place. “How about the community that was lured into this. Why would they have allowed this to have happened. The issue of protecting Nigerian assets remains the responsibility of all Nigerians and not only for of the NNPC. “The community lived here, saw what was going on, but kept quiet and hope nobody finds out after they may have collected sti-

We need to realise that the solutions to Nigerian problems are Nigerians. Some people will say there are Ghanaians and Togolese among them, but they strive with the support of Nigerians.

pends from the vandals. The job of the GMD goes beyond touring around the bushes, it is the job of the security outfits to protect this country primarily. The country has huge problems ranging from militancy in the Niger Delta region to siphoning of fuel into gallons. “We need to realise that the solutions to Nigerian problems are Nigerians. Some people will say there are Ghanaians and Togolese among them, but they strive with the support of Nigerians,” he said. He however urged for more vigilant and hoped Nigerians will play their parts in being honest with the country. In a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, the head of a vigilante group who discovered the illegal activities, Chief Aminu Joshua, also known as ‘King One’ said he and his team discovered the island with the nefarious activities few weeks ago and mobilised his team and takes over the island from the oil thieves. According to him, “I was invited sometimes in October by the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), during the scarcity to help secure pipelines, which are subjected to vandalism. I was directed to work with their security contractor outfit known as UTM.

“When we began surveillance, we discovered several lines that have been breached by the vandals. Two weeks ago, we were able to over power them and secure this island from the community. Our investigations revealed that these activities have been going on secretly for years without anybody knowing it.” He stated further that the location of a resort known as ‘Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure’ may have exposed their activities. “The situation of the resort may have exposed their activities because we gathered that they had threatened the management in the past relocated within a stipulated period,” he said. He alleged that some unknown officials of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), may be of possible assistance to the vandals by providing them with information on when the fuel is being passed through the pipelines. “What I can say is that what you are seeing today is a child’s play when compared with what is actually going on along this coast where pipelines are laid. We detected a massive site at Ilase (another Island on same axis) where the bigger operation is going in. We arrested them, but today they are back at the place and the officials are acting as if nothing is going on right now,” he said. “We are appealing to the Federal Government through the minister of State for Petroleum Resources to support us in the fight against vandals, because this country belongs to us all,” he concluded. In his reaction, the minister assured him of total support and directed the contractor, whom the NNPC had formally engaged, to report to his office any officials that may hinder smooth surveillance of the pipelines.

energy

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

IBEDC to install 300,000 smart meters within 12 months Stories by Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

n its efforts to ensure adequate metering and effective billing systems for its numerous customers within its network, the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said it has concluded plans to install 300,000 smart meters in next 12 months. This will be in addition to the over 100,000 smart meters deployed in the last two years when the company was taken over by the new

management. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the Deputy Managing Director, IBEDC, Mr John Ayodele, stated that “we have robust plan to meter all our numerous customers in an attempt to address the challenges of estimated billing. We have deployed over 100,000 prepaid meters within the last two years when we took over and we have replaced several thousands of old meters which we inherited.”

Estimated billing, popularly known as ‘crazy billing’ has been a major challenge for power consumers and there have been calls for every customer to be metered by each distribution company. Ayodele said the company has embarked on massive meter roll out programme in which it committed N4billion to get over 300,000 customers metered to eliminate the need for estimated billing. “We are also investing over

N200 million in providing a more efficient billing system. Customers’ complaints on billing would soon be a thing of the past.” “Furthermore, over N5billion has been earmarked in aggressively strengthening our distribution network while expanding to new areas and we have set out new strategies aimed at expanding the workforce for better service delivery,” he said. The company said it believes that the new tariff which will become effective

in February will go a long way to address the funding gap in the power sector. In a presentation to journalists recently by the Chief Commercial Officer, IBEDC, Mr Deolu Ijose, it was explained that the IBEDC tariff structure, which has been designed in line with the directives from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will be affordable and pocketfriendly to all its customers. According to the new tariff structure, fixed charges

Benin Disco to invest N2.7bn on smart-meters The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) is set to further cut down the number of its customers without smart-meter by 100,000 just as it indicated readiness to invest N2.7billion needed to place all its over 741,000 customers on smart meters. Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, BEDC, Mrs Funke Osibodu, stated that the company had recruited 250 young graduates in a bid to give top service to its 741,376 customers. According to her, the recruitment is in two batches. “The first batch consisting 100 young graduates has been completed while 150 young graduates for the second batch are undergoing training as we speak,” she explained. Furthermore, she stated that “We don’t have control over generation and transmission. We are like collection agents for the entire power industry. Across the financial value chain in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), we get just 25 per cent of the total collections. “Once we collect the billing from the customers, the generation companies (GENCOS) get 60 per cent, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) gets 11 per cent. We are directed to meter all our customers within one year, but we are constrained by the limit of capital expenditure (CAPEX) that we can invest. We, at BEDC cannot spend above N4 billion per year as capital expenditure and if we invest above that, we won’t be able to recover our investment due to the present tariff structure.”

have been eliminated while the low income earners that fall under Residential (R1) will enjoy subsidy on the tariff. Residential customers are customers that use their premises exclusively as residence, house or flat or multi storey building. R1 customers will pay N4 per kilowatt while R2 customers will pay N23.09 per kilowatt. R3 and R4 customers, who are low voltage (LV) and Hugh Voltage (HV) Maximum Demand (MD) customers will pay N41.31 per kilowatt. Customers that use their premises for any purpose other than exclusively as a residence or as a factory for manufacturing goods are classified as commercial. Commercial customers that fall under C1 will pay N27.66 per kilowatt, customers under category C2 will pay N38.87 per kilowatt while customers under category C3 will pay N38.87 per kilowatt.

Powergas to drive alternate power solution in manufacturing sector

From left; Chief Commercial Officer, Deolu Ijose; Group Chief Financial Officer, Dr Olu Olasehinde; Managing Director, John Donnachie; Deputy Managing Director, John Ayodele and the Financial Controller, Ronke Owotomo; all senior management staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), during a media interaction with journalists at their Head Office in Ibadan recently.

Nigerdock delivers Sonam Topside for Chevron/NNPC DSO gas project A leading fabrication company, Nigerdock has announced successful completion of the largest topside module fabricated entirely and fitted in Nigeria at the company’s fabrication yard on Snake Island, Apapa, Lagos. The SONAM non-associated gas well platform production topside module was delivered as part of the domestic supply obligation (DSO)-MEREN gas gathering compression platform (GGCP) and SONAM non associated gas wellhead platform project which was sponsored by Chevron/ NNPC joint venture. Weighing in at 2700tons and with a height of 28 meters, a width of 40 meters and length of 50 meters, it is the largest topside module ever built in-country and significantly was achieved by an indigenous company. The Sonam topside module is the final piece in the

set of structures built by Nigerdock for the project. Nigerdock’s scope on the project comprised the construction and load out of flare bridges, flare towers, jacket piles, LQP deck, LQ bridge, the MEREN and Sonam jackets and the topside module. Speaking during the load-out ceremony at the weekend, the Chairman of Nigerdock and Jagal Group, Mr Anwar Jamarkani said “we are truly humbled to play a part in such landmark achievements, which will, no doubt have a transformative effect on our economy. However, we believe we can do much more and raise the bar. Nigerdock is prepared to take on even more ambitious projects and we commit not to rest on our laurels, but to ensure that Nigerians have something to be proud of. “We recognise the government’s goal of economic diversification and are fully

aligned to play our part in making it a reality.” According to the Acting Managing Director, Nigerdock, Mr David Murray, “Nigerdock is proud to have been entrusted with the opportunity to deliver this landmark project. This great achievement would not have been possible without the effort and drive of our very talented workforce who have shown diligence and dedication from the very start of this project.” Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Mr Clay Neff, stated that CNL is committed to the Nigerian content not because it is the law, but also because it is the right thing to do and also part of the way we operate.” He stated further that the Sonam NAG platform project will enable the delivery of up to 300mmcuf of gas per day to Escravos gas plant. “This will help to signifi-

cantly boost the Nigerian economy. We pride ourselves not only on achieving our goals, but also on how we achieve them,” he said. The construction project, according to the company, involved a 1000 man strong workforce who expended over 2.5 million man-hours without any lost time incidents (LTI) which was achieved without compromising globally recognised and industry regulated safety standards and objectives. In all, a total of 3,268,537 man-hours were expended on the project which has an overall tonnage of 3500 tones. “All of these structures are required to deliver a combined 420 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) of natural gas to chevron’s Excravos Gas project which provides feedstock for power generation, a major demand for Nigeria’s power sector.

An alternate power solution firm, Powergas, said it is set to change the fortunes of manufacturing firms throughout sub-Saharan Africa through its ‘Gas on Wheels’ services. In a statement by the firm made available to Nigerian Tribune, the company said it is providing firms with a real alternative to dirty and expensive diesel fuel, offering the region’s manufacturing sector a new lease of life. Speaking on the challenges faced by most manufacturing companies in Nigeria, Mr Deepak Khilnani, Chief Executive Officer, Powergas Africa said “the need for the adoption of gas to power solutions by manufacturers in Nigeria is inevitable because energy cost is a major challenge faced by most manufacturing companies today. “This has become imperative; more so, in these tough times where organisations are concentrating on cost optimization, import substitutions and energy security, and Nigeria’s domestic gas reserves tick these three boxes perfectly.” He noted there is a gap between the end-users and gas producers, due to developing gas pipeline infrastructure, “which Powergas is dedicated to fill in with its novel ‘Virtual Gas Pipeline’ solution in the form of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

energy

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

NEITI accuses oil firms inadequate metering The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) said it is intensifying efforts to stop international oil companies from defrauding Nigeria of billions of naira due to inadequate metering facilities at the production and export terminals. Mr Ogbonnaya Orji, Acting Executive Secretary of NEITI, lamented that presently royalties are being paid by the international oil companies, IOC, based on computations using lifting volumes instead of production volumes. Orji stated that several efforts to entrench transparency in the metering process had been met with resistance from the IOCs, hence the decision to collaborate with the Nigerian Academy of Science to fash-

Pipeline vandalism: Experts urge FG to engage

indigenous investors, community leaders Stories by Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

ollowing the resurgence of Niger Delta militancy, an oil and gas expert, Mr Wilson Opuwei, has urged the Federal Government to engage indigenous investors and community leaders in finding a lasting solution to the challenge. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, Opuwei, who is the Managing Director of Dateline Energy Services, condemned the recent bombing of oil installations in some parts of Delta State by suspected militants but cautioned the government that a military invasion would not solve the problem. According to him, “I must say that it is unfortunate that this should be happening at a time when our economy is

currently in a state of flux, as a result of the change of guard from one government to another, the somersaults in monetary and fiscal policies as well as the drop in global oil price which has put pressure on the naira against the dollar amongst others. “However the recent spite of pipeline bombings couldn’t have been as a result of agitation but economic sabotage. My advice to government would be to employ strategic engagements, deploy intelligence gathering and investigations as well as consult with

community leaders because the criminal elements also live amongst them and not a military invasion that could lead to killings of innocent citizens. “Subsequently, government should downplay militant engagement for now and work through state governments, intellectuals and well-meaning industry operators who are investors having the development of the nation at heart.” Furthermore, he said government should remember that the Niger Delta region is

stability in the region. “President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration should not repeat mistakes made by previous governments who only engaged some militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme without carrying along other critical stakeholders in the region. “The government should at this time engage indigenous industry operators, community leaders and investors who are equal stakeholders in addressing the challenges of the region.

Chevron, ENN sign Gorgon LNG Agreement Chevron Corporation has announced that its Australian subsidiaries have signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) with ENN LNG Trading Company Limited (ENN) for the delivery of Lique-

fied Natural Gas (LNG) to China from the Chevronoperated Gorgon natural gas project in Australia. When the deal is finalised, ENN is expected to receive up to 0.5 million metric tons per annum (MTPA)

Solid minerals sector generates N10.8bn in 2015 — RMAFC The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) said the solid minerals sector generated 10.8 billion in 2015. The acting chairman of the commission, Shettimma Abba-Gana, disclosed that the states that contributed to the revenue generated had been paid 13 per cent of the sum based on the principle of derivation. He said the derivation principle affected both the oil mineral producing states and those producing solid minerals.

made up of people who have worked tirelessly for the development of the region as an integral part of this nation and deserve a right to social security, equality and well-being considering that they the goose that lays the golden egg. “Government should recognise the efforts of some leaders who have contributed somehow towards the development of the area in other ways aside being in government as they have been behind the peace and

“Some states did not generate much, but some states did generate a lot and those states got some money. So, virtually all the states, any revenue that came to the federation account from that N10.8 billion states got their 13 per cent. “But that is the beginning, they now know that they can get it so they will also now begin to monitor the more whatever revenues in solid minerals in their states will now come into this.

“Virtually every state in the federation has some solid minerals of varying degree and types, and so no state should be idle, every state has something. “Therefore if states begin to show interest in those solid minerals in their states, they can look for investors. “They can partner with those investors, invite them, encourage them, create an enabling environment for those investors to come and work on those solid minerals in the state.’’

of LNG over 10 years, with deliveries starting in 2018 or the first half of 2019. “This is a step in the development of our Australian gas business and our global LNG portfolio. It also represents further progress with new LNG buyers in China who are poised to transform the LNG landscape in that country,” said Mike Wirth, Executive Vice President, Chevron Midstream and Development. “As first LNG production from the Gorgon Project draws near, we welcome ENN as a new customer. This deal shows the competitiveness of LNG supply from Chevron’s Australian projects,” said Roy Krzywosinski, Managing Director, Chevron Australia. As Chevron continues to grow into one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers, this HOA follows the recently announced

non-binding LNG supply HoA with China Huadian Green Energy Co., Ltd. ENN LNG Trading Company Limited is one of the subsidiaries of ENN Energy Holdings Ltd., which is one of the largest natural gas distribution companies in China. ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. operates in 146 cities across 17 provinces and autonomous regions, with over 11.3 million residential and 52 thousand industrial/ commercial customers. ENN’s Zhoushan LNG receiving terminal is being constructed and expected to be in operation by 2018. The Gorgon Project is a joint venture of the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47.3 per cent), ExxonMobil (25 per cent), Shell (25 per cent), Osaka Gas (1.25 per cent), Tokyo Gas (1 per cent) and Chubu Electric Power (0.417 per cent).

ion out a means to stop the IOCs from shortchanging the country. “NEITI is working to ensure that the correct estimates of Nigeria’s crude oil lifted is gotten and we will not depend on estimates given by the IOCs,” he said. He further stated that the funding of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) Joint Venture (JV) cash call was fraught with a lot of irregularities, adding that due to the delay in the payment, the country is forced to pay higher than usual. Orji disclosed that NEITI is working with the NNPC over the unbundling of the corporation, stating specifically that issues about the unbundling process would be discussed at a meeting between officials of NEITI and the NNPC. He explained that Nigerians have come to the realisation that prudent management of the country’s resources is key, especially with the huge resources the country had lost to mismanagement over the years.

Oil swap deals:

Why Aiteo, Ontario CEOs will not be arrested By Agency Reports The representatives of the Chief Executive Officers of AITEO and Ontario, chika Onyebuchi Uko had explained why their clients will not appear before the House of Representatives due to the fact that the case is still pending before a competent court. Chika Onyebuchi Uko who represented AITEO told the committee that her clients would not appear because there was a case against the sitting of the Committee and their appearance would amount to prejudice. “My clients will not come until that case is dispensed with,” she had told the committee. When the Committee asked her to present a copy of a restraining order against the investigation, Uko could not. Mohammed told her the futility of that move saying that the House was constitutionally empowered to embark on such investigations. The House of Representatives had threatened to issue bench warrant of arrest against the chief executives of the two trading companies involved in crude oil swap arrangement with the NNPC following their refusal to appear at an investigative hearing.

tribunebusiness

OW did ILP partnership with MTN Foundation start? I wrote a proposal intimating the foundation of many disabled people lacking mobility aids and appliances such as wheelchair, tricycle, crutches, guide cane, Braille machine, Braille wristwatch and walking sticks. After many evaluation and assessments, the proposal was accepted and expanded to cover all the states in the country. Initially, my proposal was to work with 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and to carry out vulnerability index needs assessment of the various categories of persons with disabilities. It grew to become something that is being done yearly and extended to all the states. MTN Foundation gives between 3,000 and 5,000 assisting devices in each of the phase of its assistance in partnership with the ILP. We are currently looking forward to Phase 5 of the project. Over 20,000 physically challenged have benefitted from the foundation’s assistance free of charge. The goal is to improve their mobility, socio-economic life, the right to independence and indirectly to be able to receive better education, healthcare, information and employment for improvement of their quality of life. With the assisting devices, some of the physically challenged could get employment, start their own businesses like shoemaking, sell recharge cards, able to further their education while some were able to get married. One thing I could say I have achieved was to shift the focus of MTN Foundation’s corporate social responsibility to the need of the physically challenged persons. It has enhanced the independent living of people with disability. How does ILP operate? ILP works with the society at large and its philosophy is to integrate people with disabilities to the mainstream of the society and to live normal life. In all the 36 states, we have field officers trained to collate data. We have the Vulnerability Index Needs Assessment forms and we ensure the forms reach all the local governments in the country. It guides us gathering information on the needs of persons with disabilities and for their recommendation when necessary. We also interview those with disabilities to be sure of the assisting aids to give them. How has the journey been? The journey so far has been good and at the same time tedious. If you take the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics of people with disability, it was even more than 10% but now 15% due to terrorism, displacement, etc. In the case of Nigeria, we are talking in the neighbourhood of 20 million to 26 million people living with one disability or the other. Most of the time, well-meaning people and organisations are not attracted to funding issues that involve people with disability.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Why we partnered MTN on disability — Idowu Chief Executive Officer, Independent Living for People with Disability (ILP), Mrs Foluke Idowu, speaks with LANRE AKINMOLADUN on the challenges of changing perception about physically challenged people and MTN Foundation’s support for the group.

What are the challenges in changing perception about physically challenged? It is a very difficult task because the perception could be traced to the tradition, culture, ethics and belief of the people. Some people

With the assisting devices, some of the physically challenged could get employment, start their own businesses.

believe that you experience disability because one is cursed or has sinned. There are so many reasons that surround the phobia. The best thing we can do is to support persons with disabilities. For example, I use a wheelchair, if I don’t have it, I will not be able to go out or to get to the hospital. Now, I can seek social interactions that can move me from the margin to the mainstream of the society. What are the skills provided for members of your NGO? They are not members per say, we work with the society at large. Our philosophy is to integrate persons with disability to the mainstream of the society. For each state, we have field officers. A person with disability should live within the community, hold his/her own opinion and live a fulfilling live as a normal being. We don’t have a group of physically challenged gathered in one place. Even if you go to a rehabilitation centre, our own idea of independent living is that after reaching a level of proficiency, they must move from the centre to the community to start a

trade or get employed.

existence.

What led to your own experience? I travelled to Ibadan and my mother-in-law in her usual boisterous custom helped with the shopping and running around. When it was time to return to Lagos, my husband could not take us back because he was taking opportunity of his leave to catch up on a number of errands while I was tired and hoping to rest and prepare for work on Monday. I was so tired as a result of the market run that I slept off in the car immediately we set out. I woke up with a terribly uncomfortable feeling of impossible pain all through my body and near-complete disorientation. Someone was pulling my hand and calling ‘Sister! Sister!’ from what seemed like an infinite distance away. I believe I answered ‘Yes’, but that was all I recalled until I was suddenly wide awake on a hospital bed, my face and part of my head were being sutured, and there was another worldly pain coursing through every fibre of my

Has your family been supportive? My family was a pillar of strength. I knew the value of my husband in those dark days; my mother, my mother-in-law, my brothers and sisters. Both mothers were first among those in the hospital each morning, helping to bathe and clean me up. My husband did so much running around that I became worried that he might break down. My children frequently had to do things their mates never had to, like caring for me instead of the other way round. The fact that we all have the courage to continue is something commendable. I am a happy woman. The children too are okay even though they did not have all the good things that we would have wanted them to have. I also know that they have gone through hard times but they are not spiritually poorer for it; it has only made them understand the hard times of others and brought more meaning and purpose to their lives.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor tai_adis@yahoo.com

Our men and women in uniform are doing their best and we must all give our support. But, what it means is that the national security team has to have their eyes on the national security ball.

Dickson

What I expect Sylva to do —Dickson

Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson recently emerged victorious in the governorship election in Bayelsa State. In this interview with newsmen, he declares that his victory was made possible by the people who remained resolute in backing him. Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA presents the excerpts:

HAT are the unique lessons you have learnt from the recent governorship poll in Bayelsa? I just learnt a lesson which I have always known but a number of people underrate this. For anyone seeking elective office, you must go to your people. Power comes from God and the people. In the election, of course, most of you know that I and my team spent almost six weeks campaigning in a way and in a manner never before done in the politics of Bayelsa. And the governorship politics of Bayelsa can never be the same again after now because again, we have raised the bar in terms of interacting and communicating and engaging the people. We prepared and educated them for all that eventually later came. So, we visited community after community, as against the former practice of a candidate just making peripheral appearance in a Senatorial district in a local government two, three days for governorship campaigns in Bayelsa. Those days are over. But, this one was very penetrating, engaging and I was able to connect with the people and I had the people

on my side. If elections are conducted 100 times, I will win 100 times, unit after unit, ward after ward, community after community, local government after local government. We prepared the state for elections, and I was saying while we were campaigning that the other side was not campaigning. They were not preparing for election. They were using their control of their party at the centre as a basis for compromising security and distorting and compromising the general security and law and order in the state. The lesson from this is that after God comes the people in an election for those who do not believe they can even say the people first. But, I am a man of faith and I believe that God allows people to have power when He chooses so and the people also play a part. We also saw the benefit of non-violence because the story would have been worse if we had not laid that foundation in our campaign. We warned everybody not to be violent but to resist intimidation and turn out to insist on their right to vote, insist that their votes count and that their votes are counted. That’s what we saw.

So, are you probing the violence? First of all, I again condemn the unnecessary violence and bloodletting and the maiming and destruction that followed. You just need to know that all the people arrested are from one side. All of them, those that I mentioned that have taken over communities all of them one party- the APC. The victims are all one party, the PDP and my supporters and that’s the reason we didn’t even allow people to celebrate the victory. There were no formal celebrations because of the cost of the victory. The victory came with a very high cost and I pray that those who are injured and are in various hospitals receive speedy recovery, and we will work with the families to bury the dead. We pray that God will grant their souls eternal repose. All in all, the election generally went well, I want to thank the people for defying all odds to come and cast their votes. So, we are very concerned about the loss of lives and the destruction that happened. That is the more reason that with the final results declared apart from saying I would not want any formal celebration that even on account of the violence, the injured and the dead even for their memory, my opponent should have accepted defeat, call and congratulate me and then, join me to reconcile the state and build a new Bayelsa from the ruins of the old. Unfortunately, he and his party are still seen to be talking about a litigation, which they are free to embark upon. That is disrespect to the memory of those who were killed and those who were injured because he seems to be saying he is not tired of supplementary elections. When you realise that every election or supplementary election comes with this cost we are talking about makes it all the more insensitive. In seven local government areas, he was defeated properly. As a matter of fact, by our records, when he goes to court eventually, we will prove that the votes in Brass Local Government, which somehow the officials of INEC connived with some at gunpoint to write for him,were not valid votes. Even the few votes that they accredited to him, that were written for him, will come under severe scrutiny. We may have a situation where, in the end, people will know that we won eight out of eight local government areas. He seems to be suggesting that there should be another supplementary election, which means he doesn’t care about the dead, the injured, how many houses that were destroyed. This is when you use that word desperation. A man has lost an election clearly in a way and manner he lost. If it were in some decent climes, some people will be answering questions right now with what happened in Bayelsa. It is unfortunate to now say that not enough people have been killed, not enough communities have been ransacked by militants, not enough people have been terrorised, we should still go for a supplementary election, an election he knows that in any polling booth where this election takes place, he doesn’t stand a chance. The results have proved it. We won in the end by over 48, 000 votes. The results have proved it and he seems to be suggesting that he is not tired of elections. For us, these elections have been won and lost and the honourable thing to do is for the sake of democracy, for the sake of Bayelsans- the people he once led, is for him to stop this war against this people, boasting that they will manipulate the judiciary to give him victory or upturn the will of the people. I don’t know what he wants to get out of the judiciary in this clear election. Some people feel that they can lose elections and run to the judiciary, intimidate and blackmail the judiciary to get what they want. If he doesn’t get what he wants, he will say the judiciary is Continues on pg31

politics&policy ‘Why peace must return to Bayelsa’ Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Continued from pg30

compromised. If he doesn’t get INEC to do what he wants he will say INEC is compromised. If he doesn’t get the Commissioner of Police to undermine the law for him, he will say he has been compromised and they will change him again and again. I hope this has to stop. Someone in APC, someone in government, someone has to rise up and tell this gentleman, enough is enough!

Having been re-elected at a time that Nigeria, including Bayelsa as a major oil producer, is witnessing a fall in the price of oil, are you concerned about the dwindling revenue that will accrue to the state, based on your campaign promises and how you are going to deliver them? Secondly, you alluded to people being armed and we do know that after elections such arms are never retrieved and they help to empower the youths to go into the creeks. Is this a cause for concern for you as you go into your second term? You have asked two questions which are very critical. I have always maintained the position privately and publicly, which is that after elections, especially after the last presidential election, that all governors irrespective of how they feel about that election, should come together and support Mr President and the Federal Government in two critical areas in line with the questions. One, on the issue of national security and law and order, and the second one is on the economy because we have always known that the times will be very trying because we have seen a very steady decline in our revenues for the past one and half years. It is possible that the APC that was in opposition didn’t see that coming. I made this call over and over. What I have seen is an insufficient attention by the federal team. The team around the President, for example, they seem to have taken their eyes off the economy, they seem to have taken their eyes off this core national security imperatives and instead of focusing on the economy: and on national security challenges, they are focusing more on political conquests and expansion of the sphere of authority of their party and all the type of intrigues going on even within their party. I am of the view that the team around the President is not expansive and broad enough, I am seeing a lot of unnecessary restriction, I am seeing an unnecessary concern about political ego. The President took over the reins of the country at a time that calls for all hands to be on deck; when we should be forming a national consensus. Take for example; more people have died at the hands of Boko Haram between from May last year till date than for a relative period in the last administration. What that means is that the Boko Haram threat remains a serious challenge. Our men and women in uniform are doing their best and we must all give our support. But, what it means is that the national security team has to have their eyes on the national security ball. When you tie that with the possibility of the consequences that this economic downturn will have on this country this year, and going forward, I don’t see what time the team around the President should be spending on political conquests as they are doing, deploying national assets and resources in areas that are not necessary. Then, what do you think ought to be done now? What is necessary is for consensus to be formed on the economy. With Iran pumping more and getting involved in the oil trade, we are going to have further glut in the oil market with the attendant reduction in the international price of crude. That is a seri-

Dickson ous matter because that will have an impact on even the internal law and order situation, because every hungry man is an angry man. States are not going to be able to pay salaries, including the Federal Government. With the way it is, how are you sure you are going to be able to pay even the salaries of your soldiers and your law enforcement officials and judicial personnel and all the critical workers that you need as well as in place to keep our nation going? These are the challenges facing the country. Quite frankly, I am very surprised and shocked that, in spite of all these challenges, what we see is that people are more interested in battles, in fights and fights, instead of making friends and building national consensus. My view is, after elections, you address the problems of the country and the state; build consensus and move forward. I am very concerned therefore by the way the country is going in the area of security in the Niger Delta, I don’t think that the approach of selective law enforcement, selective enforcement of order, selective deployment of military and security personnel is the solution. We should just draw a line and say no to criminality, violence and irresponsible criminal conducts. That’s not happening. There are people who have killed. There are people who have been allowed to arm others adding to our security situation in Bayelsa and in the Niger Delta. Our security agencies know them, the APC and others know them and they don’t care.

We are addressing Boko Haram, you are now opening a needless political war under that. You are now allowing violent elements to be brought in support of them with elements of state power. These are the challenges going on. There are different accounts as to how Boko Haram started. One account is very similar to this. I kept raising the alarm that the right thing; even now, it’s not late for the security agencies to pick up these guys, cause a massive investigation and show the supremacy of the state because any society where non-state actors have a share of the instrument of coercion, that’s a failed state and we should not allow that. My government stands for peace, law and order, as well as security. They have compounded our challenges, even in spite of our dwindling resources, because enforcing the law is also very expensive. But, we are going to get that done. All I am asking is cooperation and professionalism on the part of federal agencies. No governor controls the instrument of enforcing law. Unfortunately, when people talk about state police, they misunderstand it. You are in your state and they send you a commissioner of police, one after the other every week and there is nothing you can do. You’ve got to take them in and work with them. We call for understanding and support from the Federal Government so that we can again keep Bayelsa and the Niger Delta safe. You talked about the economic

My government stands for peace, law and order, as well as security. They have compounded our challenges, even in spite of our dwindling resources, because enforcing the law is also very expensive.

issue, which is very real. The good thing in Bayelsa is that we have spent the first term laying the foundation: Schools have been completed; some 90 per cent we need to complete because investment has already been made on them. The roads are there and the airport is about 70 per cent complete. So, the hard decision has been taken; the investment has already been made. We just need to follow through. That’s the good thing but then, there are challenges of meeting the recurrent obligations and expanding social security. That we’ve been doing for the aged and paying school fees for WAEC forms, GCE, NECO, scholarships and all those things will now unfortunately be affected. But let’s get it clear, our country is in a very difficult financial and economic situation with the drop in oil prices. That calls for seriousness; it calls for decision; it calls for consensus. But, the vision has to come from the Federal Government. It has to have a team that can build consensus and then not picking fights everywhere as they are doing; not polarising the country. What are you doing to bring back the unity of the Ijaw nation which has been fractured by the election, and are you disappointed that the President has not congratulated you after your election? Again, we heard of the adoption of your sister and your commissioner for local government, so far Nigerians have not heard much about efforts made to rescue them what about the king that was shot during the election? Let me start with the king. I have been getting periodic reports and updates about him. He has a bullet lodged right in his brain. I am concerned about the condition of the king and I receive very regular updates; his medical team updates me regularly. On cases of kidnapping, I have always treated these as crimes in their own right. That’s why immediately they occurred, I said nobody should read any motive to it. If it was the other side, they would have screamed to high heavens and pointed accusing fingers. At our level, with what we know, we feel we should allow the security people to do their work. I know that some work is going on. My position has never changed. Even before I became governor, my position is that once anyone is kidnapped, whether it is my blood relation, once you are a citizen of Bayelsa, or you are a human being and this kind of thing happens to you, I am equally affected. So, that’s the way I look at it. I am very concerned; agencies are working. Our prayers are with their families and it’s not only happening in Bayelsa; it’s also happening in other states in the country. Kidnapping is bad. It’s terrible. We condemn it and we hope they will regain their normal life. The Ijaw nation is united. Yes, a contest among brothers is bound to generate some divisions, even in a family, but they are no sharp divisions as such. He has his own party men and some supporters. But the bulk of our people, the majority of our people are unflinching in their support for me, not just in Bayelsa, but across the Niger Delta states [across the South-South]. The Ijaw nation is united. There are some efforts that some people are making, using various levers of federal might to get a chunk of support for themselves. I wish them well and advise that they use proper and legitimate means in doing so now that elections are over. We are looking ahead; we are looking at reconciling everybody. I have offered a hand of fellowship to Chief Timiprye Sylva, the APC, I hope that superior reason will prevail.

32 politics&policy

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

The fireworks in Senate over 2016 Budget AYODELE ADESANMI presents details of the initial scuffles that dogged the presentation of the 2016 federal budget in the Senate and the first set of debates on the general principles of the all-important document.

N January 20, the Senate eventually commenced debate on the general principles of the 2016 federal budget after largely resolving the hullabaloo around the document. The original budget, as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, on December 22, 2015, was presumed missing and to locate its whereabouts, an investigation committee was set up. The Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Samuel Anyanwu that was given the enormous task, found out that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, was at the centre of the whole saga. Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, had informed the Senators on January 14 that, “We have received the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on investigations surrounding 2016 Appropriation Bill. “Our finding is that Senator Ita Enang; the SSA to the President on NASS Matters printed copies of the 2016 Appropriation Bill and brought to the Senate. We have discovered that what he brought is different from the version presented by Mr. President. “We have resolved to consider only the version presented by Mr President as soon as we receive soft copy of the original document from the Executive.” However to calm frayed nerves, President Buhari sent in a letter dated January 15, 2016, but which was read in the Senate on January 19, 2016 that read: “It will be recalled that on Tuesday, 22nd December 2016 (sic), l presented my 2016 budget proposal at the joint sitting of the National Assembly. I submitted a draft bill accompanied by scheduled of details. At the time of submission, we indicated that because the details had just been produced, we would have had to check to ensure that there were no errors in the detailed breakdown contained in the schedule. That has since been completed, and l understand that the corrections have been submitted. “The National Assembly would therefore have the details as submitted on the 22nd and a copy containing the corrections submitted last week. It appears that this has led to some confusion. “In this regard please find attached the corrected version. This is the version the National Assembly should work with as my 2016 budget estimates. The draft bill remains the same and there are no changes in any of the figures.” As soon as the letter was received and read at the plenary, the senators decided to put the controversy behind and set dates for the debate on the general principles of the budget. Though many of the senators got their copies of the budget on the first day of the start of the debate, this made many of them not to grab the details as expected. In spite of that, some still displayed that they know the ingredients of what an implementable budget must contain. The debate was, most of the time, tailored towards party lines by the contributors. Senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposi-

Saraki

We know what is going on in the global economy. This budget is predicated on an oil benchmark of $38 per barrel

tion Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were engaged in a war of words. While senators of the APC commended the budget for being a “people’s budget,” their PDP counterparts never agreed with it, saying it was “a budget of change in the wrong direction.” The budget, totaling N6.08trillion, was premised on $38 oil price benchmark with oil production estimates of 2.2m production per day and exchange rate of N197 to a dollar. The sum of N984 billion was budgeted as domestic borrowing and N900 billon as the amount to be borrowed from outside. It has N2.684 trillion as recurrent expenditure and N1.85 trillion as capital expenditure with N1.475 set aside for debt servicing. It was however found out that PDP senators had initially planned to block the start of the debate on account of procedural mix up by the Rules and Business Committee and the fact that the details promised by President Buhari were not presented but Senate President Bukola Saraki appealed to senators to allow the debate commence. The leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, in his Lead Debate, described the 2016 budget as a framework that will consolidate and add impetus to the change agenda of the present administration, as well as “promote economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction and service delivery to all Nigerians.” He added that the proposals in the budget are laudable and are tailored to meet the

critical needs of the country “at this point of our democratic evolution and to deliver on the dividends of democracy especially the first year of this administration.” But his submissions were promptly rejected by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South), an economist, who opened the floor on the opposition front. He tore the budget apart, saying that the budget was a wrong document that cannot help Nigerian economy in any way. He advised that the executive needed to retrieve the document and prepare another ‘beneficial’ budget. Senator Abaribe further disclosed that the role of the opposition was to help the government to get its priorities right, adding that the government should withdraw the budget and go back to the drawing board in view of the irregularities detected in it. He said: “We know what is going on in the global economy. This budget is predicated on an oil benchmark of $38 per barrel, and I can now say that with oil being $28 today, this budget is dead on arrival. This budget is indeed unique; the first budget that has ever been sent out to the public of Nigeria and after the budget presentation. The finance minister has never come to explain the details of the budget as it is normally done. “It is a budget of change, I agree but it is a change in the wrong direction because it is based on zero budgeting, requiring all expenses to be fully justified; a budget that increases spending up to 30 per cent based solely on borrowing, in what way is it justi-

Ekweremadu fied? That is the question we want to ask the people who brought this budget of change. “This budget has moved the 2015 budget from N4.45 trillion to N6 trillion and we felt that moving it on zero based budgeting should actually show how it is done. Of course we get nothing; all we get is that we are going to borrow.” The lawmaker added that a budget that moves domestic spending within Aso Villa from N580 million to N1.7 billion could not be a budget of change, adding “We were told that in the revised budget there was an adjustment due to error, we agree but what has happened is that the money up to N7 billion were moved from buying vehicles and spread to different offices.” He also questioned the request for increases in Villa spending especially the planned renovations. He said: “They are going to renovate the Villa with N3.9 billion, what else do you want to renovate there that Nigerians will see in the Year 2016?” Another PDP Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP Delta North) said that the budget was a “fraud” adding that “because it is not predicated on the right oil justification of N38 per barrel. They should fill these gaps so that we will not pass this budget and they will go back again and fill the gaps with different figures.” He stated that the budget had three legs, “the legal aspect of it, that is why we are here, to enact it into law, the political aspect, which is the manifesto of a political party and of course, the economic side, by doing that, we have to think of the interest of Nigerians and Nigerians alone. He described the budget as the most important document that is being presented to any legislator in a year and believed that “we must look at it passionately as Nigerians. I have many other issues; I have decided to produce a full critique of the budget, which I would submit to the Appropriation Committee.” continues pg28

33 politics&policy continued from pg27

Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe South), who stoutly defended the budget, said that it was a people’s budget. He said: “Indeed we have to fund part of this budget by borrowing because in the previous administration a huge chunk of our common patrimony our resources have been stolen. I believe that the challenge of this economy is not the current prices of oil in the world market. The challenge is and has been always corruption, corruption. 55 privileged Nigerians in the last 16 years stole 1.34 trillion.” He added: “This is the 17th budget I am debating in the National Assembly with the exception of 2005 appropriation, there was never an implementation of more than 40% Nigerians was shortchanged for 26 years. The proposal before us is the first in the last 17 years that an allocation of 30% of the appropriation is given for capital and for the first time in a genuine, sincere, honest and transparent manner the executive arm of government has deemed it necessary to give ordinary Nigerians something, some succour, some hope and genuine one for that matter that we have 500 billion naira allocated to the school feeding and social and the safety nets generally. “Mr President 2015 budget when we debated it here the proposal was 500 billion naira for the entire capital and we said it and it came to pass that they were not going to implement even half of that. In fact at that time I mentioned that Nigerians with over N179.9 million will have only about 200 billion naira in a budget of 4.9trillion. Today, Mr President distinguished colleagues we have a budget that provides 30% in the first instance and so many other social safety nets that will be of the advantage for Nigerians, Nigerians that are most vulnerable that have little or nothing. This is again the first budget presented to the assembly in the last 17 years in which revenue from oil is not predominant and is not overwhelming” Senator Babajide Omoworare (APC Osun South) explained that for the first time, a federal budget was not concentrating on baking the national cake and sharing the cake and this is the most beautiful budget since I got here. We are where we are now because we did not make hay when the sun shines at a point in time. He stated: “We had an era when there was impunity and corruption and the refineries were not working for 16 yrs. Modular refineries which should not take more than one year to construct. Empty containers leave Nigeria as we don’t export anything” Senator John Enoh, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance (PDP Cross River Central) insisted that he is not too sure whether the budget is going to be passed adding that “l think we need to be careful and look out for what the market price of oil is going to be at the time that this budget is going to be passed.” The second amendment he said has to do with the exchange rate which the budget has N197 to one US dollar adding that if you compare that to the parallel market in spite of the implications of what it may have in terms of the purchasing power of the Naira, “we need to be a bit more realistic and practical in terms of real exchange rate.” He explained that the budget has an estimated expenditure figure of about N6.08 trillion adding that about N3trillion is the available revenue that government can have with a deficit of about N2.2 trillion. He said that the capital expenditure is expected to be 1.8 adding that we have deficit figure that is higher than the capital. “What it means is that some components of what we are going to borrow are going to be used for recurrent

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

The controversy over contents

Ndume

Adeyeye

If we are going to move this country forward, we must go back to what we did in the days of Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

item and I think we need to be a little bit careful on this basis. Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu also told the senators that they had to look critically at the budget proposals. He said: “I know that if my income is N100, 000 and suddenly I start earning N30, 000 and I tell my children that we will now be spending N120, 000, they will start wondering where I will get the money. “The problem we have is that over the years we have seen prosperity and we have adjusted to it and now we are seeing a downward trend in our revenue, we don’t seem to be addressing this issue. We have always increased the budget of this country from between 10 and 20 per cent; I just want to appeal that for the first time we should be able to reduce that budget by the same 20 to 30 per cent. That is in order for us to be realistic otherwise it will not be implementable.” Ekweremadu observed that during the great recession in America they had to inflate the economy by doing more projects adding that, “We are in recession; whether we like it or not, people have to make sacrifices. So, I appeal that instead of financing in deficit through borrowing and mortgaging the future, we need to look inwards and raise the money. I believe that as we look at the spending side, we have to look at the revenue side: we have not been creative enough to raise money to run this country. In many countries, they have the communication tax law which ensures that everybody that makes a call or sends a message pays tax to government.” Senator Olugbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East) also lamented that some good proposals contained in the budget might not

be realised unless a supplementary budget was brought by the Presidency. Ashafa queried: “Where is the money for recruiting and training 500,000 teachers going to come from? Is it going to come from states, which cannot pay salaries? It is also good that we are proposing to pay N5, 000 to unemployed youths, how are we going to raise the funds?” On the second day of the debate, some senators called for heavy taxation to make up for the shortfall in revenue. He explained that instead of relying heavily on borrowing substantially for the implementation of the budget, heavy taxation was a better option. One of the proponents of the option was the Senate Chief Whip, Professopr Olusola Adeyeye (APC Osun Central). He stated that without spreading the dragnet of taxation in the country to all needed areas, there would be no money to fund the budget, in view of the dwindling oil revenue. He said the country needed to go back to the model of governance used during the First Republic, where every adult was made to pay tax and not now that only civil or public servants pay tax. He stated: ‘‘If we are going to move this country forward, we must go back to what we did in the days of Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe. Nobody in my village will go to his farm until he can produce his tax receipt; we need ingenuity to bring this to pass. We must begin to tax things like cigarette, alcohol; you beat your wife you pay heavily. “Text messages cost N3.81 a page: if we add just N1 to a page of text message and we say that money belongs to government we will make billions. “We must install toll roads but that is not enough: across the world, when you park at any airport you pay per hour; we must do

what the rest of the world does. “We must begin to tax allowances; Nigeria is the only country that shelters the bulk of the earnings of its workers and call it allowances. You don’t want your allowances taxed? They will be taxed because they must be taxed.” Also the Senate deputy Minority Whip, Abiodun Olujimi (PDP Ekiti South), warned that if the budget was allowed to pass as it was drafted, it might send the country back into the list of pariah states. The budget, she said, only made projections for heavy revenues through massive borrowing without stating any plan for repayment of such loans insisting that as things are presently, the N6.08 trillion budget which came with a deficit of N2.2 trillion may end up having a deficit of N2.6trillion, which will invariably make the country to borrow average of N500million for its financing. She stated: “Mr President, my worry about this budget is very simple and I am not a financial expert but I see that the expenditure and deficits are the major problems and the clog in the wheel of its progress. Right now Mr President, we have a deficit of $11 on every barrel of oil that we sell and in the budget we have a deficit of 2.2 trillion that is $11 deficit in 2.5- 2.6 trillion, that’s not a serious problem, the problem is if we need to borrow to manage this 2.6 trillion it means we will be borrowing 500 million everyday of this year. “I think Nigeria needs a better budget, I believe there is the need for change and the change is not in this budget yet and there is a need for us for Nigeria a strong economic team and social developers who can bring required change we want. We will run with this budget but there are so much more to be done.” Senator Dino Melaye ( APC Kogi West), in his contribution, believed there was nothing wrong in borrowing in a situation we presently find ourselves in the country pleading that monies projected for borrowing this time around , would not end up in people’s pockets as it was in the past without anything on ground to show for them. According to him, “There has been a lot of agitations about borrowing. There is nothing wrong with borrowing. The United States, the strongest democracy today, is the highest borrowing nation in the world. The spokesman of the Senate Senator Sabi (APC Niger North), described the budget as unique and innovative; bold and courageous in strategy and tactics. He said: “Mr President this budget being innovative has shown that for the first time like many of my colleagues have already stated the capital budget has gotten about 216% increase. This increase is also very obvious that we must take note of our past experiences whereby capital budget implementation is usually not up to our expectations and I will like to implore that the MDAs must be strengthened in their implementation capacity. “The new oil revenue and independent revenue have been carefully targeted to increase our revenue in flow; government owned enterprises are known to be the ATMs of past government. In this budget I think the ATM will stop working, Nigerians will begin to get the flow of revenue that will provide basic services to them. There is blockage of all the leakages and we know the operating surpluses of most of this government owned enterprises are avenue through which Nigerians have been shortchanged in the past. This budget as carefully laid out strategies to ensure this does not happen.”

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

inside

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

nigerdelta

Pipeline vandalism: APC, JTF, Ayiri in conspiracy to nail Tompolo —Group •He should show up in court —APC •Ayiri is a patriot —Group Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

embers of the Military Joint Task Force (JTF), Itsekiri youth leader and Chief Ayirimi Emami, have been accused of conspiring with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to nail former militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo. A group, the Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC), based in Ayakoromo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, made the allegation in a statement signed by its national president, Alaowei Cleric, Esq, and made available to InsideNigerDelta in Warri. The group said the travail of Tompolo stemmed from his refusal to defect to the ruling APC after a lot of persuasions from the leaders of the party in the Niger Delta in the build up to the Bayelsa State governorship election. It described as suspicious how JTF could allow Chief Ayirimi, an APC new entrant and a bidder for pipeline contract surveillance to accompany them to inspect the facilities destroyed by militants a week ago. “Nigerians are aware that Tompolo had raised the alarm before and after the destructions of the oil facilities by yet-to-be identified criminals that some APC members were sponsoring their thugs to bomb oil facilities in the creeks and blame it on him. “Some APC chieftains in Bayelsa and Delta states were fingered by reports on news and social media even after the incidence. While the JTF is making painstaking efforts to comb the creeks, the FG and the task force are silent on the allegations Tompolo raised,” the statement read in part. The group said its suspicion of the conspiracy became evident when the Minister of Defence barred representatives of the Delta State government and Chief Ayirimi from accompanying them to inspect the vandalised site. “Our suspicion has been awakened by a newspaper publication (not Tribune) of January 18th, 2016 edition where Ayiri has been featured in the front page of the said paper with the team of security operatives led by the Commander of the JTF, Major Geneneral Alani Okunola to inspect the destroyed pipeline at Egwa II in Warri South West LGA. “If someone, who has been accused of complicity in the incidence should be allowed to direct the security operatives to inspect the bombed facilities because he is a chieftain of the ruling party, then the taskforce is on a mission to play the political card. “This, therefore, gives us no reason to doubt that the EFCC and the security operatives are playing out a script prepared by the APC. If it was a member of the PDP that has been fingered in this incidence,

Minister of Defence, Brig. General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), third from left, on the spot assessment of the vandalised pipeline in Egwa community in Warri South-West Local Governemt Area of Delta. would the JTF have allowed such a person to direct them to the scene of the event? “Our suspicion became concretised when the JTF refused to allow the Delta State government delegation to follow the Minister of Defence to inspect the destroyed pipelines with the excuse that the exercise is purely a military affair. “It was the same military exercise that the task force allowed Ayiri who is not only a civilian, but also one of the culprits being fingered by all and sundry, to direct them to the scene. What a surprise? “How Ayiri got to know the pipelines in the Egwa II Flow Station in Gbaramatu Kingdom is a mystery because we are reliably informed that he has little or no knowledge of the area,” the group asserted. The group has, therefore, alerted the public that Tompolo is being persecuted and made a scapegoat by his traducers for his uncompromising stance against the

whims and caprices of power brokers in the ruling party. Meanwhile, the JTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Isa Ado did not pick calls made to his mobile device as of the time of filing this report. The National President of Movement for the Protection of Iwere Homeland, Development and History, James Aderojor Ereku, has, however, in a statement in Warri, described the attacks of Chief Ayirimi as “a veiled attempt to send a false signal that the Itsekiri nation is against the patriotic actions of Chief Ayirimi Emami. Ereku added: “It was a national embarrassment that some faceless groups will come out openly to defend Tompolo-led negative action on the nation’s crude oil and gas pipelines situated in Itsekiri land, which has led to the shutting down of Kaduna and Port Harcourt Refineries, loss of N470 million daily to our already precarious economic situation as well as the loss

of 600 mega watts of electricity.” The spokesperson for the APC/Emerhor Campaign Organization in Delta State, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, while reacting on phone, said Tompolo should honour the court’s invitation to answer the criminal case hanging on his neck instead of hiring individuals and groups to front for him or castigating others for his predicament. According to him, “before now, no report of vandalism. But Tompolo was asked to come to court, he did not show up in court. Then, the bombings. They said Tompolo could never be arrested and that Festus Keyamo asked him to buy some properties. “He is running away and his people are blowing up pipelines; let him come to court and mention it to the court.”

Delta graduates first set of 771 entrepreneurs

Total calls for peace in troubled Rivers communities —pg35

Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com

—pg35

CREW

Dapo Falade -Rivers 08078891924 lasep09@gmail.com

Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa 08065400743 austinebipade@gmail.com

35 insidenigerdelta

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Delta graduates first set of 771 entrepreneurs Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

he first set of trainees in the Delta State Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) have graduated. The initiator, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said the entrepreneurship programme was the way out of the mess the monoeconomy Nigeria was enmeshed in at present. The governor spoke at the passing out ceremony of STEP and YAGEP graduates at the Songhai-Delta, Amukpe, last week. He observed that over the years, Nigeria had depended largely on revenue from oil which had led to economic uncertainties as a result of the downturn in price of oil in the international market. He said his administration was com-

mitted to empowering Delta youths to be entrepreneurs through requisite training, empowerment and mentoring programmes. The governor commended the fresh entrepreneurs for successfully completing the training programme. “Before we start any empowerment programme, we will be sure that we have the money to finance it because it is a programme that we believe in; even as you receive starter packs, it is not yet uhuru, but you have to be committed and look up to God, stay focused and don’t be deceived; be wise and believe in yourself. “This life is not about money but about your success. You are being trained as job creators; if you are ready to grow as the Chief Job Creation officer that is ready to render assistance at all times, the micro

credit agency will be ready to assist you to grow,” he averred. Okowa reiterated that there was no discrimination in the selection process and such would not be witnessed in subsequent processes for the training programme. The state’s Job Creation Officer, Professor Eric Eboh, commended Governor Okowa’s administration for its commitment towards the positive engagement of Delta youths.

He disclosed that 771 trainees were trained in the three-month training duration programme. “While the trainees were in their training centres, we monitored them, obtained feedback from them and ensured discipline; there will be starter packs to support them and it varies from enterprise to enterprise,” Professor Eboh said. He added: “Our emphasis will move to mentoring because of our interest in their successes.”

Activist laments dearth of economic trees in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa Niger Delta Environment Right Activist (ERA), Comrade Morris Alagoa, has regretted the dearth of economic trees in the region and Bayelsa in particular, owing to routine deforestation activities in the state. Expressing his disappointment with the development at a seminar in Yenagoa, Alagoa averred that the economic importance of trees could not be over-emphasised in balancing the eco-system. He pointed out that lumbering activities had endangered economic trees, as several trees were felled daily, thereby causing medicinal trees to go into extinction in the state. The ERA activist, who is also a Friend of the Earth (ERA/FOE), expressed disappoitment that while the daily deforestation had continued unabated, concerted efforts were not made to plant trees to cover the void. According to him, “most of the trees have been in forest for ages, as they are not planted, but given as an endowment

of nature; hence, the need to avoid indiscriminate cutting of trees to accelerate development, when on the contrary we (mankind) are only destroying our heritage and forestry. Alagoa alluded that interplay of the trees emited oxygen that were breathe, adding that when the forest was extinct, then human survival would also be endangered. He reasoned that the unfriendliness with the environment/economic trees had also hampered wildlife, as most animals had gone into extinction, owing to the absence of shades and trees to interface with. According to him, some of the developed countries generate a lot of economies from forestry, wildlife and reserves, such as the South African Republic, Kenya and Zimbabwe, among others. He also blamed oil spillages from rustic and ruptured pipelines for the dangers posed to forest reserves and economic trees in the state, adding that if oil multinationals would be alive to their responsibility of replacing worn out pipes, it would save forest reserve and eco-trees.

A cross section of graduating entrepreneurs last week.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa inspecting a cross section of Delta State Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) Skills Traning & Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), during their passing-out ceremony at Songhai-Delta, Amukpe in Sapele LGA last week.

Total calls for peace in troubled Rivers communities Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt

il giant, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG) Limited, has advocated peace as the panacea for meaningful grassroots development. The oil company made the call in view of the communal clashes that recently rocked some communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State. The spate of the crisis, ignited by supremacy battle between two rival cult groups, led to many people and residents of the affected communities abandoning their homes. However, speaking at the opening ceremony of the 14th edition of the NNPC/ TEPNG OML58 Football Competition, held last week, Executive General Manager, Field Operation of the oil company, Mr Jean-Claude Vachet, admonished the people to eschew bitterness and pursue peace. The Egi communities had been the regular host of the operations of the Total, Operator of NNPC/TEPNG Joint Venture, with the yearly football competitions being part of its social responsibility to the host communities.

The communal crisis, however, forced the oil multinationals to move the 2016 edition of the football competition, usually held within the ONELGA communities to Elele Okaniali in Ikwerre Local Government Area. Vachet, represented at the event by the Community Affairs Service Manager of the oil company, Mr Okechukwu Obara, said there was need for the people to maintain a friendly relationship. Speaking on the essence of the football competition, he said it was aimed at demonstrating to the people the importance of peace and friendly co-existence. “This year’s competition is a special edition. For this reason and in recognition of the festering security challenges currently beleaguered our communities, the usual age restriction has been relaxed for this year. “It is against this background and our determination to encourage peace and reconciliation among our youths that we adopted ‘Playing for Peace and Reconciliation’ as theme. “We enjoin all participating teams, management and their supporters to embrace peace and play for reconciliation, friendship and unity among our teeming youths”, Obara said.

Also speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Rivers State Football Association, Chief Omieneokuma Kile, charged the communities and youths to use football as an instrument of peaceful settlement. He said the football competition hosted by the oil multinational should not just be seen a means of unfair challenge, but rather as an avenue for the promotion of peace in Total’s host communities. The traditional ruler of the community, Chief Nwogbidi Jonathan, JP, expressed

regrets that the annual football competition by the oil company was moved away from Omoku because of communal clashes. Jonathan, who is the chairman, Egi Traditional Council, Egi Palace, said it was worrisome that one of the beneficial activities accruable to the Egi communities was taken to another local government area. He assured that the people of ONELGA would do everything possible to ensure that peace returned in Egiland and every other parts of the local government area.

Community Affairs Service Manager, Total, Mr Okechukwu Obara, who represented Executive General Manager, Field Operation, Mr Jean-Claude Vachet, speaking during the 14th Edition of the NNPC/TEPNG OML58 Football Competition, at Elele Okaniali, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State,

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

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

Nulge reads riot act on imposition of candidates Abiodun Jimoh - Benin City

he Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has vowed to disqualify any aspirant under undue influence of politicians, community leaders and non-subscribing members of the Union during the forthcoming local branch election. The branch election is scheduled to hold on 25 February, 2016 at the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) and

seventeen local government council across the state, while Owan council branch election will hold later in the year. The secretary of the Union, Comrade Chukwuemeke Aguonye, revealed this while addressing stakeholders in the said election in Benin City that it has become imperative over the years that politicians, community leaders and youths had always posed problems for the union during elections. Aguonye said “The state secretariat is prepared for

Council chairman promises to clear backlog of salaries The Caretaker Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr Chukwudi Ezinwa, has assured the staff of the local government and the people of the community of his intention to clear the backlog of salaries, owed by his predecessor. Ezinwa further disclosed that that would not stop him from embarking on various developmental projects that would help in bridging the gap of infrastructural facilities in the area. According to him, “it is quite unfortunate that a duly elected council chairman can abandon its workers by denying them their statutory salaries and allowances. This administration will not embark on any project without clearing these salary arrears to put smiles on the faces of workers who are creating the wealth,’’ he said. Ezinwa said that this could be done by expanding the economic base of the area through lawful and aggressive collection of revenues to support the statutory monthly allocation to the council. He also promised to ensure that serious measures are adopted to block leakages to save enough money to offset the accumulated salaries arrears. “My government will en-

sure prudent management of the resources available to the council and eliminate all forms of corrupt practices in the system. I am optimistic that within a space of three to six months, this issue of unpaid salaries will be a thing of the past,” he said. He then urged the staff of the local government to brace up for the administration’s policy to reposition the area as absenteeism, lateness and indolence would not be tolerated.

this election. This has been done before but we are ready to do it in a better way this time around. “The secretariat is ready for it, and we are monitoring event as it unfolds. As far as I’m concerned, that era of imposing candidate on workers in Edo state has gone for good. “Another point is the situation where people who are non subscribing members of the union nor local government workers will be directing the affair of original member, simply because some people wanted to impose their stooge on real union members, we will not allow that to happen again. “There are instances whereby political office holders in the council like the chairmen, councilors and party leaders were rooting for a particular candidate.” “Some will even go as far as convincing the management staff, the HOLGA, the treasurer and some of the HODS to convince the workers to vote for their sponsored candidate while others will even bring politicians from their local communities, especially the host community council headquarter to achiever their devilish objective.”

He also expressed displeasure on the activities of some leaders and youths, who he alleged usually threatened the workers to vote for a particular candidate. “It has happened before while some will even involved cultists and thugs to molest workers. At the moment, we have put machinery in motion to check all these anomalies because we want it to be purely local government workers affairs. “So if you are not a local government worker, you can neither have a say nor participate in the election, be it politicians or community leaders. If you have a candidate you can have it on your own and sell the popularity of that candidate to workers instead of imposing him or her on them. “If the workers buy into that candidate’s agenda, they will vote for him and if not, you can’t force the candidate on them. “If we discover any member or contestant engaging in this act, he stand disqualified automatically not minding whoever that is sponsoring him.” He, however, warned all contestants to abide by the regulations to move the union forward.

Gov Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State

Truancy: LG boss threatens to sack erring workers The Chairman, Pankshin Local Government Council of Plateau State, Mr Stephen Jings, has threatened to sack any worker engaging in truancy. Addressing council workers at the Pankshin Legislative Chamber recently, Jings expressed his displeasure at the attitude of some staff who hardly re-

Ogun moves to improve revenue in LG areas Olayinka Olukoya Abeokuta OGUN State government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has taken steps to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in all the 20 council areas in the state. To this end, the ministry recently organised a workshop for all Local government transition chairmen, local government heads of administration and directors of health, on ways to generate revenue on sanitation in the area of refuse collection and disposal. Addressing the workshop, the Commissioner for Local Government and

Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Olajide Ojuko, said the essence of the workshop was to boost revenue base in the council areas in the area of environment. He added that there is a proposal before the state government to set up mobile court in each of the council areas, so as to monitor the areas during monthly environmental sanitation exercise. “The situation we found ourselves today is that the state and local government are looking inward on ways to increase their revenues, and this cannot be achieved unless all stakeholders come together in one direction.” The Chairman, Ogun

State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Kunle Adeosun said allocation from the Federal Government had been dwindling and this has affected government actual performance across the state.” He decried the low rate of internally generated revenue at the local government levels, which he said was due to leakages in revenue collection from the operators and non-payment by potential tax payers and self-employed. The Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Olusola Sonuga, commended the ministry for putting the workshop in place, pointing

out that there was no way governance could be successful without carrying the local government along. He noted that other ways of improving their IGR is by employing environmental marshal in local governments to enforce environmental sanitation, adding that this would not only provide employment opportunities, but will also ensure there are enough personnel for tax collection. In his remarks, Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ogun State, Alhaji Mojeed Ekelojumati appreciated the state government for the workshop, he stated.

port to work only to return at the end of the month to collect salaries. “The extent of truancy in this council is alarming and we are tired of tolerating such for enough is enough this time around. Any staff that fails to report to work on three occasions without any formal excuse would face disciplinary action or outright removal from our pay roll,’’ the chairman said. Jings noted that a responsible, committed and hardworking worker stimulates growth and development at the council, state and national levels. “We have noticed some people are working here with us and working somewhere else and this calls for disciplinary measures; they shall indeed face the music,’’ he said. The council boss, however, directed the Director of Personnel Management (DPM) to provide time book for the workers to sign at the point of reporting and closing for work. He also announced a bonus of N5,000 to the 26 staff that resumed work immediately after the Christmas celebration as a way of appreciating their commitment to work.

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Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Abacha loot: FG to recover another $750m —Minister •Says speedy prosecution of 800 terrorism cases on Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

he Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday, said all arrangements had been concluded by the Federal Government to recover an additional $750 million from the nation’s looted money by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, otherwise known as “Abacha loot.” The minister stated this in Abuja, during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Justice. Malami, in addition, said his ministry was also aiming to recover £6.9 million of looted funds from the

convicted one-time governor of Delta State, also known as “Ibori loot,” on behalf of the Federal Government. According to him, “in respect of the recovery of looted assets, the ministry will engage in an agreement waive policy of using Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements or other bilateral and multilateral instruments to seek cooperation with other jurisdictions to ensure the repatriation of illicitly-acquired assets in foreign jurisdictions. “The collaboration will equally involve the engagement of foreignbased counsel to attend to matters on behalf of the Federal Government.

Low- hanging fruits being targeted in this initiative include $750 million ‘Abaca loot,’ as well as the sum of GBP 6.9 million of the ‘Ibori loot,” he stated. ‘‘In the long-run, the ministry will be in a position to coordinate the recovery of Billions of Dollars in foreign jurisdictions, based on current estimations,” Malami added. Speaking on the efforts of the Federal Government to prosecute those apprehended for terrorism activities in the country, the minister said, “my ministry is currently processing approximately 800 terrorism cases for prosecution.” According to him, ‘‘as of

yesterday we have received 800 case files on terrorism offences from the police and we are set for the immediate prosecution of the cases. “The resources required for the successful prosecution of these cases, as well as the general coordination of the criminal justice sector as envisaged under the ACIA, were fully captured in the original budget proposal made by the ministry to the Ministry of Finance,’’ he stated. Malami also revealed that the the nation owed a whopping sum of N75 billion in judgment debts over the years. Said he: ‘‘It is equally necessary to highlight the fact that the ministry’s cur-

rent liability for judgment debt is in the region of N75 billion. “The ministry has, however, proposed the sum of N16 billion to meet a portion of the outstanding sum in 2016, out of which the Budget Office has proposed an extremely low sum of N 709, 155, 140.00 which does not meet even 1 per cent of the outstanding judgment debts,” he said. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Razak Atunwa, had said the purpose of the interaction was to allow the committee appraise the situation in the ministry and deliberate on finding legislative solutions to challenges it might be encountering.

Share/Tsaragi: Judicial commission of inquiry to take testimony of Etsu Tsaragi, Olupako of Share Biola Azeez-Ilorin

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry in the recent Share/Tsaragi communal dispute has ordered that the traditional chief of Tsaragi community, Makama of Tsaragi and one Alhaji Shiroko, as well as two others, should appear before it on Monday, February 1, 2016. The commission, in its sitting, led by Justice Suleiman Akanbi, on Tuesday, also said it would take the witness of the Etsu Tsaragi and that of the Olupako of Share in their respective palaces for convenience and security reasons. At the sitting, no fewer that seven witnesses were taken and cross-examined by the counsel for the commission, Mr Ayodeji Ibrahim and that of the Share community, Mr Adeboye Oluwaseye. It will be recalled that Tsaragi community has earlier expressed dissatisfaction over the composition of the commission and refused to send representatives to the sitting. Speaking during the proceeding, an indigene and youth leader of Share community, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Ajibola, appealed to the judicial commission to assist in finding lasting solution to the persisting boundary dispute between the two communities, shedding tears while counting the numerous damages done to his kinsmen.

N60m fraud: Court to hear case against ex-Adamawa NBA chairman March 14 Justice B.B Aliyu of a Federal High Court sitting in Adamawa State has fixed March 14 to 17, 2016 for the hearing of a N60 million fraud case insti-

tuted against the former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yola, Mr Binanu R. Esthon and the Registrar of Litigation, Adamawa State High Court, Shehu Mustapha. The duo of Esthon and

Mustapha were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice Aliyu on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of

Nigerian Air Force locally reconfigure trainer aircraft for combat roles Chris Agbambu-Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force, in its bid for increase selfreliance, has successfully reconfigured two demilitarised Alpha Jet in its inventory that were hitherto acquired without weapon delivery capability. The two aircraft are among the four Alpha Jets bought from the United States in 2015, by the immediate past administration to enhance the operational capability of the NAF to combat Boko

Haram insurgency in the North-East. However, the aircraft could not be deployed to the theatre of operation before now due to the inherent weapon delivery deficiency, hence its limited use for training purposes. The urgent need, in recent times, to commit more NAF platforms to ‘OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE’ to enhance the success of the counter insurgency operation necessitated the Service to look inward to seek ways of achieving its drive

By Kehinde Adio

GOING by the facilities on ground, the crop of teaching staff and the National Universities Commission (NUC) academic report of Bowen university, the institution has satisfied what is required of a standard institution to produce constructive graduates for the Nigerian economy. A group of parents, led by Dr Sola Owonibi, a senior lecturer in a public university, made the assertion on Tuesday, at the 14th matriculation ceremony of the institution. Dr Owonibi stated that he conducted a research on Bowen University on its teaching and research facilities, as well as human capital development on the campus, and found out that the institution have not less than 64 professors with many other doctorate degrees as teaching staff before he made up his mind to bring his child to the institution for admission process. According to him, academic stability and discipline informed his final decision to accept the admission offer given to his child, having passed the university’s Post University Tertiary Matriculate Examination (Post UTME) and the interview.

Al-Makura appoints 41 new aides

Nigeria Air Froce officials inspecting one of the reconfigured aircraft, on Tuesday.

By Yejide Gbenga Ogundare

‘Bowen varsity meets varsity high academic standard’

for self reliance through research and development. The NAF had earlier looked overseas for assistance without much success to get the aircraft reconfigured for combat roles. A number of vendors invited to Nigeria to assess the platforms had concluded that it would be difficult or almost impossible to undertake the project since the original equipment manufacturer had long closed down the production line.

N60million (sixty million naira). Mustapha and Esthon were arraigned following a complaint alleging criminal conspiracy between the duo and the establishment of a prima facie case against them. Staff members of the Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited, five in number, that were disengaged from the company but had their entitlements withheld had instituted a case against the company. The disengaged staff filed the suit through Esthon at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, and had judgment entered in their favour, but they alleged that Esthon, in connivance with Mustapha, the registrar of the court, diverted part of the funds meant for the settlement of their entitlements to personal use.

Governor Umaru AlMakura of Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, appointed 41 new Senior Special Advisers (SSA), Special Assistants and Personal Assistants (PAS). This was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government (SSG),Umaru Azores, and made available to newsmen in Lafia. The statement added that out of the 41 appointments, three were SSAs, nine SAs and 29 PAs. The statement quoted Azores as saying: “This is the time for us to work because the litigation is over; the government needs to get the right people in the right places.” It said the current administration would engage “the most qualified people” into different responsibilities to reposition the government. According to the statement, all appointments take immediate effect. It urged the appointees to report to the Governor’s Office for onward directives.

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Crude oil price crash a blessing —Ahmed Biola Azeez -Ilorin

WARA State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed said that the slide in crude oil prices could translate to good tidings for Nigeria if the country seizes the opportunity to develop its potentials in the non-oil sectors to finance infrastructural development. Speaking during an interaction with a team of Course 38 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, in Ilorin on Tuesday, the governor said a shift of focus on a single product economy, through exploration and exploitation of potentials in agriculture and other natural resources, would cushion the prevailing harsh economic realities in the country. Governor Ahmed, who said that Nigeria was passing through the danger of dependence on mono-culture economy, added that the survival of its economy lies in diversification. “Most countries that developed anywhere in the world were those that had been challenged as their ingenuity was brought to the fore. People who live in harsh environment have no option but to be innovative. “No doubt, the time is

now, we all stand up, take advantage of agriculture and use it to drive an economy that will employ and also feed Nigerians. This is the time for us to take that advantage,” he said. Ahmed said it was worrisome that Nigeria is a major importer of rice despite its potentials of being the food basket of the West African sub-region, adding that a proper synergy between the federal and the state governments must evolve on how to properly explore and exploit vast solid minerals in the country for economic growth. The governor called for extensive sensitisation of the citizenry that the national wealth of the country must come from a regenerative process through the development of primary products locally. He added that “we must take advantage of the land, the surface water, the sunshine and most importantly the population to transform this country into an economic hub.” Governor Ahmed, who commended the Armed Forces for protecting the territorial integrity of the country, also called for their greater involvement in the nation building programmes under a democratic dispensation.

Adeleke lauds Ogiyan of Ejigbo at 80 THE Senator representing Osun West District in the National Assembly, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, has described the Ogiyan of Ejigboland, Oba Omowonuola Oyegade Oyesosin, as a fountain of knowledge and wisdom, from whom all and sundry, should tap from. Senator Adeleke, said this in a goodwill message signed by his media adviser, Olumide Lawal, to the traditional ruler on the occasion of the celebration of his 80th birthday anniversary. Senator Adeleke described Oba Oyesosin as a true custodian to the exalted throne of Ogiyan, whose 42 years of reign has rubbed off positively on the people of Ejigboland in all spheres of life. Senator Adeleke, who recalled with pride the traditional ruler’s tremendous support for him in 1991, when he was contesting for the governorship race of Osun State, the effort which went a long way in his emergence as the first civilian governor of the state. Senator Adeleke stressed that the entire well-being of the traditional ruler is a clear study in trust and faith in God, humility, total ded-

ication and commitment to the ideals of his high office as Ogiyan of Ejigbo. As a father to all, the senator recalled, that the the traditional ruler exudes royalty and carriage in its true sense of it that is very rare to come by among his peers. He said the 80 years sojourn of Oba Oyesosin in the land of the living is not a mean feat but a true manifestation of God’s grace and blessings on the life of the traditional ruler, who has remained a reference point in selfless service to humanity. Senator Adeleke said that the traditional ruler is not the complaining type but a traditional ruler who is even ready to share the little he has with the needy, thus, making him a man of the people.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016 Wednesday, 2727January, 2016 Nigerian Tribune Wednesday, January, CHANGE OF NAME 2016 CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME

I,CONFIRMATION Mr Ani Sunday Jude OF am NAME the same Mr. Ani Jude I,person Mr AniasSunday Jude Sunday am the same Chinecherem. person as Mr. Henceforth, Ani SundayI want Jude to be known and addressed Ias want MR. Chinecherem. Henceforth, ANI SUNDAY CHINECHEREM to be known and addressed as MR. JUDE.SUNDAY All documents bearing these ANI CHINECHEREM names All remain valid. General JUDE. documents bearingpublic these take note. names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oladoja CHANGE OF NAMEnow Adeola Olubukola I,MRS. formerly Miss ADEOLA Oladoja AYODEJI Adeola Olubukola now OLUBUKOLA. All former MRS. AYODEJI ADEOLA documents remain valid. OLUBUKOLA. All Idi-Ape former Access Bank Plc., documents remain valid. Branch, Ibadan and general Access Bank public take note.Plc., Idi-Ape Branch, Ibadan and general CHANGE public take note.OF NAME I, formerly Adunni Taiwo now CHANGE OF NAME TAIWOTaiwo RASIDA. I,MUSTAFA formerly Adunni now All former documents remain MUSTAFA TAIWO RASIDA. valid. General publicremain take All former documents valid. note. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Saidat CHANGE OFJimoh NAME nowMiss MRS. AMUDA I,Bukola formerly Jimoh Saidat SAIDATnow BUKOLA. former Bukola MRS. All AMUDA documents remain All valid. Oyo SAIDAT BUKOLA. former SUBEB and general documents remain valid.public Oyo take note.and general public SUBEB takeCHANGE note. OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly Mr. Meduoye OF NAME Anfani Adepoju MR. I, formerly Mr. now Meduoye MEDUOYE ANFANI Anfani Adepoju now MR. GODWIN. All ANFANI former MEDUOYE documents remain valid. GODWIN. All former First Bank Plc., documents remainIgbokoda valid. BranchBank and Plc., general public First Igbokoda take note. Branch and general public takeCHANGE note. OF NAME NAME I, CHANGE formerly OF Baba Ansho I,Kwembe formerly Baba ANSHO Ansho now BABA Kwembe now TERSOO. BABA ANSHO KWEMBE All KWEMBE TERSOO.remain All former documents former documents valid. General publicremain take valid. note. General public take note.

NAME I, CHANGE formerly OF Irene Egbe I,Evbuomwan formerly now Irene IRENE Egbe Evbuomwan now IRENE EGBE OWIE. All former EGBE OWIE. All former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. General public take note. General public take note.

OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly Sodiq Ajerinola I,now formerly Sodiq Ajerinola SODIQ JIBOLA now MUMINI.SODIQ All JIBOLA former MUMINI. All former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. General public take note. General public take note.

I, Fadipe Oyinkansola Mercy am CONFIRMATION OF NAME the same person bearing Fadipe Mercy. Henceforth, I,Mobolanle Fadipe Oyinkansola Mercy amI wishsame to beperson known bearing and addressed the Fadipe as OLAGBEGI Mobolanle Mercy. MOBOLANLE Henceforth, I MERCY All wish to be OYINKANSOLA. known and addressed documents bearing MOBOLANLE these names as OLAGBEGI MERCY OYINKANSOLA. All remain valid. General public take documents bearing these names note. remain valid. General public take note.CHANGE OF NAME

I, CHANGE formerly OF Mrs. Uche NAME now I,Assumpta formerly Chisara Mrs. Uche MISS OKAFOR ASSUMPTA Assumpta Chisara now CHISARA. former MISS OKAFORAllASSUMPTA documents remain valid. CHISARA. All former General publicremain take note.valid. documents General public OF takeNAME note. CHANGE I, CHANGE formerly Miss Oyelami OF NAME RonkeMissnowOyelami MRS. I,Eunice formerly AMAO Ronke EUNICEnowRONKE. Eunice MRS. All formerEUNICE documents remain AMAO RONKE. valid. Oyo SUBEB and remain general All former documents publicOyo takeSUBEB note. and general valid. public take note.OF NAME CHANGE I, CHANGE formerlyOF NAME Ogunsami now I,Aderinsola formerly Bukky Ogunsami OYEYIOLA ADERINSOLA Aderinsola Bukky now BUKKY. All former OYEYIOLA ADERINSOLA BUKKY. documents All remain former valid. documents General publicremain take note.valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

NAME I,CONFIRMATION Adeyemi AdesolaOF Remilekun I,am Adeyemi the same Adesola person asRemilekun Adeyemi am the sameRemilekun person as Adeyemi Adesola Friday. Adesola Friday. Henceforth, IRemilekun wish to be known and Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI ADESOLA addressed as ADEYEMI REMILEKUN. All ADESOLA documents REMILEKUN. All remain documents bearing these names valid. bearing these remain First Bank Plc.,names Skye Bank Plc.,valid. and First Bank Plc.,take Skye Bank Plc., and general public note. general public take note.

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NAME I, CHANGE formerly OF Miss Egbidi I,Patience formerly Miss Eki now Egbidi MRS. Patience Eki now MRS. OLOFINTUSIN PATIENCE OLOFINTUSIN PATIENCE DOJA. All former documents DOJA. All former documents remain valid. General public remain valid. General public take note. take note.

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I, formerly Taofeek CHANGE OF NAME now HAMMED I,Abdulahi formerly Taofeek ABUDULAHI DOLAPO Abdulahi now HAMMED TAOFEEK. All DOLAPO former ABUDULAHI documents remain valid. TAOFEEK. All former General publicremain take note.valid. documents General public takeOF note. CONFIRMATION NAME

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I, Mr Ogundele Oluwole Akanmu CONFIRMATION OFOgundele NAME am the same person as Mr. I,Stephen Mr Ogundele Oluwole AkanmuI Oluwole. Henceforth, am thetosame Mr. Ogundele want be person knownasand addressed Stephen Oluwole. Henceforth, as MR. OGUNDELE OLUWOLEI want to be All known and addressed AKANMU. documents bearing as MR.names OGUNDELE OLUWOLE these remain valid. Access AKANMU. All documents bearing Bank Plc., and general public take these note. names remain valid. Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.CHANGE OF NAME

I, CHANGE formerly Oyedele Temitope OF NAME now OYEDELE I,Oluwadamilola formerly Oyedele Temitope O L U WA D A M OYEDELE ILOLA Oluwadamilola now TEMITOPE. former O L U W A D A All MILO LA documents remainAll valid. General TEMITOPE. former public take remain note. valid. General documents public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly Abogun Dare I, formerly Dare David nowAbogun ADEYEMI David now ADEYEMI DARE DAVID. All former DARE DAVID. All former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. General public take note. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME OF NAME I, CHANGE formerly James Udomah I, formerly James Udomah Elizabeth now ADEOTI Elizabeth now ADEOTI ELIZABETH. All former ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. General public take note. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME OF NAME I,CONFIRMATION Miss Adegoke Florence Oluranti

I,amMisstheAdegoke same Florence person Oluranti bearing am the same person Mrs Amos Florence. Now, bearing I wish Mrs Amos Florence. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as to be known and addressed as MRS ADEPOJU FLORENCE MRS ADEPOJU FLORENCE OLURANTI. All documents bearing OLURANTI. documents bearing these names All remain valid. General these remain valid. General publicnames take note. public take note.

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I, formerly Lawal I, formerly Lawal Ayinde now OLAITAN Ayinde now OLAITAN OLAYINKA. All All former former OLAYINKA. documents remain valid. documents remain valid. General public take note. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME CONFIRMATION

I, CHANGE formerly Yekeen Suliyat OF NAME I,Abiodun formerly now Yekeen SANUSI Suliyat SULIYAT ABIODUN. All Abiodun now SANUSI former documents SULIYAT ABIODUN.remain All valid. General publicremain take former documents note. General public take valid. note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME NAME I, CHANGE formerly OF Paul James I, James nowformerly PAUL Paul ONDEKU now PAUL ONDEKU ABDULLATEEF. All ABDULLATEEF. All former documents remain remain former documents valid. General General public public take take valid. note note CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME CHANGE formerly Miss Miss Greta Greta Kesiana Kesiana I,I, formerly Obehin Omoluwa Omoluwa now now MRS MRS Obehin GRETA KESIANA OBEHIN GRETA KESIANA OBEHIN OMONIYI. All former OMONIYI. All former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. General public public take take note. note. General

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Aladesanmi Olufunso Olufunso Banji Banji Adewale Adewale I,I, Aladesanmi am the the same same person person as as Aladesanmi Aladesanmi am Olufunso Adewale and Aladesanmi Olufunso Adewale and Aladesanmi Olufunso Banji. Banji. Henceforth, Henceforth, II wish wish Olufunso to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as to ALADESANMI OLUFUNSO BANJI ALADESANMI OLUFUNSO BANJI ADEWALE. All All documents documents bearing bearing ADEWALE. these names names remain remain valid. valid. First First Bank Bank these Plc and general public take note. Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Adedapo Adedapo I, Mariam now MRS Mariam now MRS ODEYALE MARIAM. MARIAM. All All ODEYALE former documents documents remain remain former valid. General General public public take take valid. note. note.

formerly Ajeigbe Ajeigbe Toyin Toyin I,I, formerly Remilekun now AJEIGBE RAMAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. Date of Birth: 1/7/1982. General public take note.

formerly Alonge Alonge Olayemi Olayemi I,I, formerly Eniola now ADEYEMI OLUYEMI ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Hassan Olusola Luqman now ENNESI HASSAN OLUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Christian Chigozie Okeke now CLARK CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Olagoke Margaret Margaret Olawumi Olawumi now now MRS MRS AGHA AGHA OLAWUMI OLAWUMI MARGARET. MARGARET. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME CHANGE

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Awe Victoria Ibilola now MRS OGUNBODE AWE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. University of Ibadan, Nigeria Customs Service and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that TITUS OKORIE HENRY now wishes to be known and addressed as ONUH TITUS OKECHUKWU. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I,I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Onafadeji Onafadeji Olawunmi Olajumoke Olawunmi Olajumoke now MRS OMOTOSO now MRS OMOTOSO OLAWUNMI OLAWUNMI OLAJUMOKE. OLAJUMOKE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note note

39 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Opakunle Florence Tomi now MRS. AJANAKU FLORENCE TOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwasola Iwalehin now MRS. OGOROGHO SOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omotoso Omolara Grace now MRS. OGUNMAKINJU OMOLARA GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. I, formerly Miss Omisakin Mary Adebanke now MRS. OLADIPO MARY ADEBANKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fadoju Temitope Josephine now MRS. AKINLAMI TEMITOPE JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeoye Barakah Olajumoke now MRS. LAWAN BARAHAH OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

I, formerly Miss Oji Nnenna now MRS. OJOTU OLAH NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyenekan Adetutu Rhoda now MRS. FABAYO ADETUTU RHODA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Rebecca Oluwasoji Okeniyi now MRS. REBECCA OLUWASOJI ABIOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Faturiyele Titilayo Mary now MRS. RIYELE TITILAYO MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Omolesho Muinat Bimbo now MRS. AGBENIGA MUINAT BIMBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Florence Adetola Ajayi now MRS. FLORENCE ADETOLA AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME AND CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, formerly Mustapha Olamide now MUSTAPHA FOLASADE OLAMIDE. My correct Date of Birth is 01/01/1978 and not 10/05/1979. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Badmus Adejoke Oladunni now MRS. ABIODUN ADEJOKE OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. Ijebu North-East Local Government, Education Authority Muroko/SUBEB, Abeokuta and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Gbele Joseph Wurus now ENDORO JOSEPH WURUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Lasisi Awawu Kemi now MRS. ALO AWAWU KEMI. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aluko Omolewa Olalonpe now MRS. OLATUNJI OMOLEWA OLALONPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajani Sakirat Oluwabukola now MRS. FADIRAN SAKIRAT OLUWABUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omole Christianah Adejola now MRS. ODUYEMI CHRISTIANAH ADEJOLA. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Taiwo Egbebi Jacob now TAIWO JACOB JUSTIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Emmanuel Waretimi Alegba now EMMANUEL WARETIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adedoyin Oluwabukola Florence now MRS. ADEFUSI OLUWABUKOLA FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. School of Nursing, University College Hospital (UCH), Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Nursery & Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public take note.

I, formerly Omogboyega Babatunde Akinola now OMOGBOYEGA BABATUNDE DERICK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ijalana Titilope Dorcas now MRS. OGUNLEKE TITILOPE DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Janet Chinyere Iwu now MRS. JANET CHINYERE GNANIH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Amina Raji Mohammed now MRS. IBRAHIM AMINA TIJJANI. All former documents remain valid. Law Enforcement Agencies, Parastatals and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, AZEEZ SHINA am the same person as AZEEZ MURITALA ADESINA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Adedeji Kudirat Titilayo, I was mistakenly written my name as Fasiku Kudirat. My correct name is ADEDEJI KUDIRAT TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunnaike Abosede Deborah now MRS. TAIWO IFEOLUWA DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Ajayi Comfort Bolanle now MISS YUSUF COMFORT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Raheem Taye Oluwatoye now RASHEED OLUWATOYE RAHEEM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeniran Margaret Bose now MRS. ADESOYE MARGARET ADEJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Jonise Ifejola Patricia now MRS. ADEBAYO IFEJOLA PATRICIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Atilola Emily Ayobami now ODUMUSI EMILY AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaiya Sadiat Funke now MRS. ABIOLA SADIAT FUNKE. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Pensions Board and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Nyeche Liferace Hartstrong now HARTSTRONG NYECHE JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Irinsanmi Taiwo Mary now AKINNUSOTU TAIWO MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ayebo Bukola Comfort now MRS. BUKOLA COMFORT ORESANYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Kuye Olajuwon Olumide now KUYEOLAJUWON AMORORO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sunday Keye Oluwadeji now Abdulsalam Mustapha Omotayo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Diana Ehiole Alofoje now MRS. CHRISTABEL EHIOLE ALLEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Vivian Adaugo Achara now MRS. VIVIAN ADAUGO OKEKE. All former documents remain valid. Army Post Housing Department and general public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

I am Kayode Segun Femi but my name was wrongly quoted as Kayode Segun Shobowale in some of my documents and Date of Birth as 24th day of April, 1966 instead of 20th day of April, 1966. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as KAYODE SEGUN FEMI and my correct Date of Birth is 20th day of April, 1966. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akinsola Oluwatoyosi Adedara now MRS OWOLABI OLUWATOYOSI ADEDARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Regina O. Attah now MRS ODIBA CHARITY REGINA. All former documents remain valid. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Jalingo College of Nursing and Midwifery, GTBank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yomi-Bada Olorunmayowa Virtue now MRS. SOGBESAN O L O R U N M AY O WA VIRTUE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Kareem Olufunke Rashidat now MRS ADELEYE OLUFUNKE RASHIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omirinde Adenike Abosede now MRS. R A H E E M - O G U N TA D E ADENIKE ABOSEDE MARIAM. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Handsome Ojakovo now HANDSOME OYOUVWE UFUOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fatoyinbo Deborah Feyisayo now MRS AKINADE DEBORAH FEYISAYO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Fakunle Fatimat Abolore, Faith Abidemi Fakunle now OLUSEYE FAITH FATIMAT. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Bashir Olawale Abubakar now ILLIAHSU ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Famisa Adenike now MRS. OGUNLAYI ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adio Oluseye Olaoye now OYEDOKUN OLUSEYE OLAOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akanbi Ayobami now AKANBI JOSHUA CALEB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Obagade Micheal Idowu now IJIBADEJO OBAGADE DAVID. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Janet Mbaneme now MRS. JULIANA OGBECHIE UZOAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyeniran Oyelola Beatrice now MRS. SAMUEL OYELOLA BEATRICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Oladepo Adeola Omolara now MISS ADETUNJI ADEOLA OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Wema Bank Plc., Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Oyo State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Mr Reuben Faremi am the same person bearing Mr. Reuben Faremi, Mr. Reuben Ifaremi and Mr. Reuben Ifaremilekun. Henceforth, I want to be called and addressed as MR. REUBEN FAREMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oladipo Lawrence Oladayo now OGUNDELE LAWRENCE OLADAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akintola Bilikisu Afolake now MRS. ODEYEMI AFOLAKE BILIKIS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oguntunji Felicia Olaitan now MRS. OGUNNIRAN FELICIA OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kuye Omotolani Modinat now MRS HAMZAT OMOTOLANI MODINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Lami Amodu now MRS. AMODU-LAMI H. ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Farinde Funmilayo Racheal Ezekiel am the same person bearing Funmilayo Ezekiel. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as FARINDE FUNMILAYO RECHEAL EZEKIEL. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc., Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Suraju Adeyemi now SURAJU ALIDU ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Salami Silifat Oluwayemisi now MRS DINA SILIFAT OLUWAYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Okogun Esele Blessing now MRS AKANDE ESELE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. FRCN, Ibadan and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Thankgod Samuel Anthony now ANYEBE SAMUEL THANKGOD. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bukola Silifat Amzat Akanbi now MRS BUKOLA SILIFAT AMZAT AMUSA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Feyintola Risikat Abeni now IBRAHIM RISIKAT ABENI. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public take note CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Gbolagade Bukola Nafisat now HAMMED BUKOLA NAFISAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Mohammed Abu am the same person as Mohammed Abubakar Garba and Abu Muhammed Lawan. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMED ABU. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyemo Omolara Feyisara now MRS. OYEWOLE OMOLARA FEYISARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogundiran Mary Toyin now MRS OGUNTONA MARY TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State SUBEB and general public take note.

I, Mrs. Adekeye Ojuolape Veronica but that Veronica was mistakenly put as Victoria. Now, I am MRS. ADEKEYE OJUOLAPE VERONICA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sasi Omolara Toyin now IBRAHIM OMOLARA TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Elokun Precious Akanisoko now ELOKUN PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. All Nigerian Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Obi Anthony Chukwuemeka now MR ODIONYE ANTHONY CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Friday Ibrahim now ABUH FRIDAY. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., GT Bank Plc., Stanbic IBTC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oloromide Bolaji Oluwatoyin now OSTMAN OLUWATOYIN GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

news

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Fire razes 300 shops at Station market in Kaduna Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

NE person was reported to have died, while about 500 shops were destroyed as a result of fire outbreak that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, at the Railway Station Market, in Kaduna South local government area of the state. An eye witness told the Nigerian Tribune that the fire started around 2a.m. and until 12 noon, the fire was still on without the state fire service attempting to putting out the fire, leading to the destruction of goods worth over N100 million. He said one of the traders in the market died inside his shop during the fire outbreak. The cause of the fire was still unknown but it was gathered that it could be as a result of electrical fault in

the market. While another version had it that the fire emanated from a restaurant located right in the middle of the market. Igwe Onyeka lamented that the fire destroyed five of his shops that were rented to traders in the market. Igwe said, “I was sleeping when I received a phone call around 2.30a.m. that the Station Market was on fire. Before I got there, the damage has been done. Three of my shops rented out to

the traders were all razed. The damage was too much; goods worth millions of naira were lost. One woman bought goods worth N1.1 million yesterday and everything was lost to the fire, another woman beside my shop lost goods worth over N5 million. Also, Vice Chairman of the market, Mr John Nwokoye, while narrating his ordeal said that though he did not know how the fire started, he received a call from one of his

boys around 2a.m. that the whole market was in flame. He added that over 500 shops with goods worth over N100 million perished in the fire. Nwokoye blamed the state fire service for not doing enough to stop the fire and save the goods. Nwokoye said, “I didn’t see any fire service, I learnt one came complaining of lack of water and went back, before it reached the bridge it broke down. Goods worth about N100 million was lost

to the fire, I have two shops where I sell foodstuffs and provision and they were both burnt. The number of shops burnt was over 500, one person was killed by the fire, he was locked inside his shop where he died.” Meanwhile, Kaduna Railway Market that was gutted by fire in the early hours of Tuesday is to be rebuilt and the traders relocated from the current place, the state governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has said.

15 wounded, 11 buildings burnt in C’River communal clash Anthony Ubong - Calabar

No fewer than 15 persons have sustained different degrees of injuries while 11 residential buildings have been burnt following a communal clash between Oyaba village in Wanikade and Ihetazi in Wanihem, Ukele North in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State. The clash, which came on the heels of a boundary dispute, has also caused the displacement of over 130 persons, including women and children. It was also gathered that farms, economic trees and household property were also destroyed while sources of water such as streams and wells were poisoned with chemicals by the warring communities. Chief Christopher Okoko of Oyaba community, whose property was destroyed during the clash, told newsmen that fully armed men from Ihetazi community stormed Oyaba village at about 3p.m. on Saturday, January 23 and unleashed mayhem on the people of Oyaba community. He said those who dared to challenge them were shot and wounded while the elderly, children and women were chased away from the village. He said 15 persons that sustained bullet wounds were currently being treated in various hospitals and clinics. “The attack is senseless and barbaric because both communities have lived for ages as brothers and have inter-married.”

Scene of the fire incident where stalls and wares were razed at a Railway Station Market, Kaduna, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Enugu police uncover 3 dead bodies in shallow grave Jude Ossai - Enugu

FEAR has gripped residents of Enugu, the Enugu State capital, following the discovery on Monday evening, of dead bodies buried in shallow graves at Ugwuaji community, along the Enugu Port-Harcourt Express Road. Nigerian Tribune gathered that security operatives have swung into action to crackdown on the alleged “ritualist” and his cohorts, who killed and buried the deceased persons. The corpses were buried inside the foundation of the building suspected to be a church under construction and totally covered with concrete. It was gathered that construction of the building, whose owner could not be immediately ascertained, commenced recently and was at the foundation level before the gory discovery on Monday. A source said one of the workers at the site, who heard about the burial of the deceased inside the foundation before it was concretised, alerted security opera-

tives about the evil act. Policemen were said to have ordered some labourers to dig the foundation open before the corpses were discovered. The discovery was said to have attracted several passersby and motorists plying the road to the scene. They expressed shock at

the discovery and called on security agents to do everything possible to fish out the perpetrators of the act, who they suspected could be “ritualists.” Some residents of the neighbourhood alleged that the building, believed to be a proposed place of worship, belonged to a ritualist, who

disguised as a man of God. “I was travelling when I saw the crowd there and had to stop. This is wickedness of the highest order. Accusing fingers are being pointed at a particular new church along that road; I don’t know who did this; but I must say that the wicked will never go unpunished.”

Bayelsa: Judicial commission on election violence sits today Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

Palpable fear grips those with questionable character and the opposition political actors sequel to commencement of sitting by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State to investigate the cases of violence and killings that characterised the governorship election in the state. The inaugural sitting of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Margret Akpomiemie, which was slated for last week, was rescheduled to today, Wednesday, January 27, due to poor attendance by petitioners

and witnesses. Nigerian Tribune gathered that poor public enlightenment and required notice were attributed to the poor attendance witnessed; others claimed that the poor logistics and finances required by petitioners and witnesses in remote coastal communities may have led to the poor attendance. Some members of the APC in the state however, insisted that the alleged bias judgment in the decision by Governor Dickson to set up the panel was responsible for the absence of petitioners and witnesses. The chairperson of the

Commission of Inquiry, Justice Akpomiemie, noted that while rescheduling the sitting of the panel that the decision for the adjournment was due to poor attendance of the public for the inquiry. Akpomiemie said, “No electoral materials or injured victims from the election violence are present in the panel of inquiry.” It would be recalled that Governor Dickson had during the inauguration of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry asked them to unravel the perpetrators of widespread violence and killings of innocent Bayelsans during the election.

Nigerian Tribune

Gov Ikpeazu kicks off 4 additional roads in Aba CelestineIhejirika-Umuahia

Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has flagged off the construction of four additional roads in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, bringing the total number of roads currently being undertaken by his administration in Aba in the last seven months to 29. The roads, flagged off by the governor include the Ohazu, Ozuomba and Ibere roads, linking the Port Harcourt road as well as the Umuola-Umuokahia road in Obingwa Local Government Area. Speaking while flagging off the four roads, Governor Ikpeazu said that he was concerned about the plight of the residents of the area and described the roads as strategic in the economic development of Aba.”It is unfortunate that these people still wade through flood even in dry season,” he lamented. According to him, the state government was constrained to commence the rehabilitation of the Obohia road due to some encumbrances on it, following the award of the contract for the road by NDDC to a contractor and stated government’s readiness to reconstruct the road if the contractor was not willing to do it.

UNILAG changes hostels facility managers over bed-bug issue THE University of Lagos, on Tuesday, said it had changed the facility managers that are maintaining the students’ hostels for effective maintenance. The Deputy Dean of the Students’ Affairs of the institution, Dr Karo Ogbinaka, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. NAN recalls that students of the institution had in October 2015, protested the continuous presence of bedbugs and mosquitoes in their hostels, which often threaten their health. They also complained about poor state of facilities in the various halls of residence. According to Ogbinaka, the university management was taking steps to ensure the comfort and improvement in the welfare of the students. “Because we want to get the best for our students, the facilities in place now are a lot better. “It is in the light of this that we have decided to change the contractors we are using as facility maintenance managers.”

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016 41 news Alakija donates N1bn law building to Ajayi Crowther varsity Encourage cultivation of By Tunde Ogunesan

R Modupe and Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, who donated N1billion worth of building to the Faculty of Law, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, have described the gesture as a testimony of the love of God for their family.

Cervical cancer leading cause of cancer related deaths —Expert By Gabriel Oshokha Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in developing countries, and remains the most common gynecological cancer and the third most common malignancy in women worldwide, a Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist in Apollo Cancer Hospitals, Hyderabad, Dr Anand Reddy, has disclosed. Dr Reddy, who recently made this disclosure, asserted that the highest incidences tend to occur in populations with low screening rates combined with a high background prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and liberal attitudes towards sexual behaviour. He stated that the risk factors associated with increasing predisposition for cervical cancer includes initiation of sexual intercourse at young age, multiple sexual partners, poor access to healthcare, presence of infections such as HPV,HIV, among others. He explained that human papilloma virus (HPV) is a double stranded DNA virus that can be easily spread through direct sexual contact from skin and mucous membranes of the infected people, adding that it is estimated that more than 90 per cent of cervical cancers are related to the presence of HPV, which according to him, is now accepted as a necessary cause of most cervical cancers. Dr Reddy noted further that regular screening of women between the ages of 21 and 65 years with pap smear test decreases their chance of dying from cervical cancer, adding that females less than 21 years of age should not be screened regardless of the age at sexual initiation. He disclosed that Quadrivalent vaccine (HPV 6,11,16,18 and Bivalent vaccine (HPV 16,18) are the two FDA approved vaccines against HPV, saying the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to get routine cervical cancer screening as recommended.

Mr Modupe Alakija flanked by his wife, Folorusho, disclosed this on Tuesday, at the commissioning of the modern law faculty built by the Alakijas. The building is reputed as being the largest and most modern law faculty in Nigeria. Alakija, who revealed that he had been condemned to succeed, even by his parents, because he never paid so much attention to education, by living a wayward lifestyle, said the donation is a testament of God’s faithfulness. “This building is a testimony of the love and faith-

fulness of God Almighty on my family. As a young man, I did not pay much attention to academics, but was involved in drinking and partying. To the extent that my father condemned me that I will serve my mates. As a matter of fact, I was almost the blacksheep of the family. Nobody expected anything good out of me. “But later on, I realised my responsibility to myself, first and foremost, and to the others. “I gathered my acts together and went to study Law and called to the Nigerian bar. This surprised everybody. And I could remem-

ber in 1971 while standing in front of a High Court in Lagos, an old friend of mine we used to drink together saw me and said “Alakija when did you become a lawyer? And how?” It’s all the grace of God. “Later on, I met my amiable wife, my pillar and my strength. And we joined all our resources together with a determination to build up a happy family. I eventually worked for eight years in a law firm. I wished my father is alive today to see that I am not serving people at an hotel in Ikoyi,” stated Alakija, who ended his speech with a hymn “Blessed assurance.”

The three-storey building designed by Architect Mobolaji Adeniyi, according to her, houses the entire Faculty of Law which consists of four departments with offices for lecturers and head of departments. The structure has mute courts for practical sessions, two libraries- a big library and an e-library, students centre with offices of the students’ union of the faculty, seminar rooms, five big classrooms that can take up to 100 students. Other features of the building include a big auditorium at the back which can contain about 750 people.

From left, Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh; Mrs Folorunsho Alakija; her husband, Mr Alakija and Chief Wole Olanipekun, at the inaugurion of Alakija Faculty of Law building, donated by the Alakija family to Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: Nan

UNILORIN ASUU tasks FG on free education to IDPs’ children •Donates over N3m cash to IDPs in Abuja Clement Idoko -Abuja

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin, on Tuesday, donated over N3 million cash to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in some camps in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to alleviate their plight. The lecturers have also called on the Federal Government to give free education to all school-age children in IDPs, as well as to ensure rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram insurgencies in various IDP camps across the country. Vice Chairman of ASUU, UNILORIN chapter, Dr Lanre Ajibade, who presented a cheque worth N3,078,092:91 to the internally displaced persons in various camps in Abuja, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the lecturers were moved by compassion for the unfortunate victims of Boko Haram terrorism. He explained that the lecturers had unanimously agreed to donate one per

cent of their November, 2015 salaries to assist victims of the insurgency. Ajibade, who represented the ASUU chairman, UNILORIN chapter, Dr Adulrasheed Adeoye, said: “The donation was not a one-man thought but it was

unanimously conceived by all the members of the ASUU of the university to assist those affected by the Boko Haram insurgencies. “On 27 October, 2016, we met at our congress and said what can we do to assist, now that we have children

without father and mothers without husband, especially those in the IDPs camps. It was against that premise that we asked ourselves if we can donate one per cent of our salaries for the IDPs and unanimously, it was adopted.

Kogi elders preach peace ahead gov’s inauguration Ahead of Wednesday’s inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Kogi State, some elders of two senatorial districts in the state, have urged the people to refrain from any act that could cause a breach of the peace, during and after the swearing in ceremony. The elders assembled under the aegis of the Kogi West and Central Forum for Equity and Justice, gave the charge in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of their sub-group at Rockview Hotel, Abuja, at the weekend. The communiqué signed by former Health Minister, Professor Eyitayo Lambo,

former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission, Dr Tom Adaba and a retired banking executive, Alhaji Idris Yusuf Tawari, noted that the much needed unity and development of the state, could only be achieved with determination in an atmosphere of peace. The elders affirmed the constitutional right of all those who participated in the disputed November 21, 2015 governorship election in the state. to seek redress in court for any grievances they may have. Pending the outcome of the cases before the courts and the election tribunal, the elders counselled that the people of the state, re-

gardless of their political affiliations should ensure that the in-coming administration is given the right environment to commence the much needed rebuilding and repositioning of the state after the years of ruin. The communiqué also enjoined the people of the state, particularly parties to the electoral dispute, to accept the outcome of the ongoing judicial process, and to support the eventual winner so that the parlous state of affairs in the state could be reversed and the state put on the path of rapid economic and social development. The meeting was attended by 26 leaders from Kogi Central and Kogi West districts.

good virtues, C&S tells FG

Biola Azeez -Ilorin To achieve the desired change in the nation, the Supervising Pastor of Cherubim and Seraphim Church worldwide, Moses Popoola has called on the Federal Government not to merely echo change mantras, but to encourage cultivation of good virtue among people of the country. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, on Monday, Popoola said if the young ones grew up as responsible citizens and deviants expunged from anti-social activities, socio-economic development of the country would be accelerated. He said further that that all stakeholders including government, family, school, religious and traditional leaders should be involved in promoting good virtues in the society. The clergyman advised that monetary inducement should be de-emphasised in politics, as way of curbing corruption in the country. Popoola, who said spraying of money at parties and similar practices that promote mismanagement of wealth should be discouraged, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that there is no sacred cow in the anti-corruption fight of his administration, to give the fight credibility and to make it successful.

Abandoned babies

A boy of about 3 years old was abandoned at under the Bridge, at Alakia Area, Ibadan on May 23, 2015.

A day-old boy was found at Mosfala Junction Area, Ibadan, on January 15 on 2016 Anybody with useful information that could lead to whereabouts of these babies’ parents or relatives, should please, contact the Principal Social Welfare Officer, Ibadan/ Ibarapa Zonal Social Welfare Office, Iyaganku, Ibadan or the nearest police station.

news

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Kogi: Concentrate on rural development, IPAC tells Bello Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

he Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), on Tuesday, set agenda for the new administration of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, charging him to concentrate on rural and grassroots development. The council, in a statement by the state chairman, Ibrahim Itodo, said there was the need for the new governor to devote more time and resources to the rural communities in the state. According to the organisation, the largest percentage of the people live in the rural areas, who have the capacity to contribute to the economic development of the state. He said government should approach the rural development agenda

through construction of feeder and access roads in those communities. The statement read: “The greater mass of the electorate, having the bulk of PVC to determine critical political mandate, resides in the rural areas, where social amenities for a vibrant economic development are highly required. “The logical point to kick -start the proactive administration of this state is with

an aggressive statewide rural roads network. Newly opened, or rehabilitated roads that will connect to asphalt laid access roads and in turn, linked to the major roads are required to facilitate our rural produce, especially, perishable agricultural market to service our growing urban population”. The IPAC, however, noted that the rural roads project should be built upon the

template of earth moving equipment that was started by the administration of Governor Idris Wada. Apart from rural and grassroots development, the council also charged Bello on the welfare of the people of the state through provision of sustainable water supply and efficient primary health care delivery. According to the statement, with modest road network to every commu-

nity in the state, the welfare of the people should also attract state intervention by provision of water supply through rehabilitation of existing boreholes and drilling of new ones. It also said there was the need for commitment to the sustenance of intervention by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), to rapidly revive educational infrastructure statewide.

Muslim women lament harassment, stigmatisation Bola Badmus - Lagos Muslim women in the country have lamented the stigmatisation and harassment of women in Hijab across the country, expressing worries with the way the Nigerian army harassed women within and outside conflict zones because they put on hijab regarded as a symbol of the Muslim faith. The National Amirah of Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef, expressed this concern on Tuesday, at a press conference in Lagos, to herald the forthcoming World Hijab Day. The Muslim women “note with suppressed anguish the harassment of Muslim women in hijab by officers and men of the Nigerian army within and without military installations in different cities all over Nigeria,”she said Hajia Abdullateef recalled that, “Muslim women remembered with painful nostalgia the hopefully isolated incidents of harassment, persecution, emotional and psychological anguish hijab had suffered in Nigeria in recent time, especially after President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that the nation might consider a ban on hijab if terrorists continue to use women in hijab to bomb innocent Nigerians.”

From left, National Amirah of Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Hajia Nimatullah Abdulateef; representative of Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Hajia Rashedat Umar and the wife of Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hajia Shukurah Abdul-Hakeem, at a news conference on the forthcoming World Hijab Day celebration, in Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO:Nan

Former BSU ASUU boss, 3 others die in auto crash Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

FORMER chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), Benue State University chapter, Dr (Mrs) Regina and three other people lost their lives in an auto crash along

Akwanga, Lafia-Makurdi Road , Nasarawa State. The accident was said to have occurred on Sunday evening, when they were on their way to Makurdi from Abuja, her car, Toyota Camry, was said to have collided with an on

coming car along the Akwanga-Makurdi Highway. The Nigerian Tribune learnt that all the occupants of the ASUU chairman’s vehicle, including her driver, were burnt beyond recognition. According to a lecturer:

Benue South rerun to hold Feb 20 Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

AT last, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has scheduled February 20 for the Benue South senatorial district rerun between Senator David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Benue State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Professor Istifanus Dafwang, disclosed this on Tuesday, during the IPAC/ INEC interactive session held in preparation for the

rerun in the state. The INEC boss said all nonsensitive materials had already been put in place, while sensitive materials were being prepared even as he assured of the availability of all the needed sensitive materials as at when due. He explained that the commission would be adopting simultaneous accreditation and voting process in which voters would go to their polling units with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by 8.00 a.m, on the election date. The INEC boss further said that the whole elec-

tion process will be completed by 4.00 p.m. that day, at the polling unit and 6.00 p.m, at the registration areas, wards and the local government areas, adding that collation of votes would commence immediately after voting. While urging contestants, key stakeholders, opinion leaders, party supporters and voters to adhere to the rules of the game as enunciated in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Acts 2010, as amended, he charged them against hate campaign that may heat the polity.

“The accident happened with her car. The car got burnt, it looks like we might not see any part of her body because the only thing we can see from the pictures we got is the skeleton of the driver, who was track-fixed on the seat and burnt.” It was gathered that she had gone to Abuja to attend a lecture which though, ended on Friday but was said to have stayed for the weekend in Abuja Ironically, the Nigerian Tribune learnt that the late ASUU boss, who was an Associate Professor would have been given full professorship in March before the incident occurred. The state governor, Chief Samuel Ortom and his deputy, Mr Benson Abounu as well as other government functionaries, paid condolence visits to the families of the deceased, on Tuesday.

LG chairman donates vehicle to NDLEA in Nasarawa

Ademola Adegbite - Lafia THE chairman, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Mr Abashiya Koto, on Tuesday, donated a Peugeot 504 car to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to tackle drug abuse and other social vices in the area. According to him; “some Nigerians, especially the youth, are in prisons today because of the intake of hard drugs, armed robbery and other social vices, that is why it has become necessary to educate the youth on the danger of drug abuse and other social vices in the society”. While donating the car in Akwanga, the chairman said the donation was imperative, considering the increasing rate of drug abuse among Nigerians, especially, the youth. Mr Koto, therefore, called for a change of attitude and appealed to religious and traditional leaders as well as other stakeholders to tackle drug abuse and other social vices in the country. Said he: “I will continue to initiate people-oriented projects in this local government so as to better the standard of living of my people, as well as to fight poverty, unemployment and ensure the security of lives and property.

Dangote to deliver lecture at ABU convocation Friday Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

The vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Garba, has disclosed Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will deliver the 38th convocation lecture of the university slated for Friday. Professor Garba made this known at a pre-convocation press briefing held in the university, on Tuesday. He also said that the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, will be the chairman on the occasion. According to him, 13,149 will graduate with First Degree while 4,598 will get higher degrees. Garba stated that no honorary doctorate degree would be awarded this year. Professor Garba, who justified the choice of Dangote as guest a lecturer, said that his success as Africa’s richest man and a great entrepreneur is not by accident, adding that’ Dangote needed share the secret of his success with the university.

communitynews Youths in Ondo coastal communities lament abandoned projects

Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

ouths from coastal communities in Ondo State, under the auspices of Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), have called on the Federal Government to review cases of abandoned projects in the Niger Delta region, particularly Ondo State. The NDYM President, Agbejoye Adetoye and the Secretary, Akinjeji Friday, who spoke during a press conference, lamented the rate of infrastructural decay and abandoned projects in the area. They lamented that many of the projects awarded by previous administrations to transform the area had been abandoned even when the contractors handling such projects had collected over 70 per cent of the funds meant for the projects. They also accused the contractors handling some of the projects of using substandard materials. They observed that despite the immense contributions of the people

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

of the area to the nation’s economy, the people are

still living in abject poverty.

The group leaders, who denied their alleged pro-

Bauchi State governor, Muhammed Abubakar (right), presenting a generator to a beneficiary, Alhaji Ya’u Imam, during the inauguration of Azare/ Madangala constituency Community Development Empowerment Scheme, at Azare, in Bauchi State, on Sunday. PHOTO: NAN

Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

The Managing Director of United Nations

Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Mr Philippe Scholtes, has commended the Del-

ta State government for establishing the biggest leather and foot wear factory in Sub-Saharan Af-

them to remain prayerful and commit those in authority to God so that the nation can overcome its current challenges. Okogbuo said his aim was to alleviate the hardship the women were facing in view of the fact that his mandate as a legislator is to better the lot of the people of his constituency and Abia State as a whole. He said as a lawmaker, he would continue to champion the good of the downtrodden and would

not deviate from sponsoring or supporting bills that would alleviate the people’s hardship. He further enjoined his colleagues and other elected politicians in the country tofight the cause of the underprivileged at all times. Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke with Community News, prayed God to shower more blessings on the lawmaker. One of the beneficiaries, a sacked but reinstated teacher, Mrs Patience

Ekwutos, told Community News that since she was reinstated in 2014, no single kobo had been paid to her as salary, expressing joy over the bags of rice and N5,000 cash given to each of them by the lawmaker. Mrs Chinwe Nnabia, a teacher from Aba South; Mrs Anna Anaoru, a teacher from Aba North and Mrs Peace Nkurika, a teacher from Aba South, all commended Honourable Okogbuo for his magnanimity.

rica. Mr Scholtes made the commendation when he led UNIDO team on appraisal visit to the leather works/shoe factory at the state Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Centre at Issele-Uku recently. According to him, UNIDO is not only proud of the level of commitment of the initiator of the facility to training and production, but is also encouraged by the expansion of the centre. Mr. Scholtes noted the tremendous progress made by the artisans in their designs and quality of their products and ability to find market.

Akoko communities organise prayers for peace, development Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

Communities in the four local government areas of Akokoland have unanimously decided to work towards the same goal which is to bring unprecedented development to Akokoland. The people of the communities, who took the decision during a special joint prayer session organised by the local government chairmen from the area, also lamented the level of infrastructural decay in the area. Speaking before the com-

Niger Delta Ministry, Professor Claudius Daramola, however, expressed disappointment over the failure of the minister to visit some of the abandoned projects, especially the housing project at Kofawe in Igbokoda. They accused ministry officials of diverting the minister’s tour to Aboto to inspect OSOPADEC projects. “Nevertheless, we want to sincerely apologise to the minister for our actions. We were only protesting against the shoddy job done by contractors and their efforts to cover up. “This was not known to the minister. We are peace loving people. We are calling on the minister to review cases of abandoned projects and other projects embarked upon by the Niger Delta Ministry in our area”. the group said.

UNIDO commends Delta for establishing biggest leather factory in Africa

Lawmaker donates cash to widows, sacked women teachers Relief came to widows from Bende South constituency and sacked nonindigene primary school women teachers in Abia State recently as the state House of Assembly Minority Whip, who also represents Bende South constituency, Honourable Chibuzo Okogbuo, distributed over 100 bags of rice and cash to them. Speaking while making the presentation at his constituency office in Bende, the minority whip urged

test against the visit of the Minister of State of the

mencement of the prayer session, the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, called for peaceful coexistence in the area, particularly during the forthcoming election in the state, saying that the area can only witness unprecedented development in a peaceful atmosphere. He called on the people of the land to speak with one voice by presenting just one credible candidate from Akoko to represent the interest of Akoko people. The Olisua of Isua Akoko, Oba Akinyele Adesun-

loye, on his part, lamented that most politicians, represent the area have failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. He said: “We only see these politicians during electioneering campaigns but we will not tolerate this again. Anyone who wants our votes will have to tell us his agenda for the land and what the people of the land will benefit if he becomes our representative.” Oba Adesunloye further called on all political office holders from the area, especially those in the National Assembly to pres-

ent before the chambers a bill to reconstruct the road linking the South-West and the North . One of the organisers of the prayer session and chairman of Akoko North-East Local Government Area, Asiwaju Wale Ozogoro, said the prayer session was put together to seek God’s intervention in the development of Akokoland. “We, the four local government chairmen in Akokoland, decided to seek the face of God for the development of Akoko and to also look at those things that yet to be done and

pray to God to assist us to accomplish them. “We are also here to seek God’s favour as election is around the corner, so that we can have a governor from Akoko extraction. Our leaders and traditional rulers are all yearning for an Akoko indigene to be next governor. “We are also praying for the peace of the land. We want peace to reign in Akokoland. We are also looking at the issue of kidnapping, we are seeking the face of God so that this heinous crime will not continue here.”

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA). Mrs Shimite Bello, assured that with time, the centre would be replicated in each of the local government areas of the state . According to her, “the immediate past administration in the state established the factory having sent 15 artisans to Italy. They are now trainers at the centre. The idea behind the initiative is to manufacture leather products that will be the same or of better quality than the,” made in Italy label’. Earlier, the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, had assured UNIDO of partnership in the area of entrepreneurship and skill acquisition in line with his administration’s job and wealth creation programme. Governor Okowa gave the assurance when he played host to Mr. Scholtes and his team in his office in Asaba. He added that the state government was ready to also partner with UNIDO in the area of agro-business, especially aquaculture, palm and cassava production and processing.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Senegal interrogates 900 people in counter-terrorism operation

enegal said on Tuesday it had interrogated some 900 people over a three-day period as part of efforts to prevent attacks by Islamist militants following a series of strikes in the region. The former French colony has a reputation for stability in an otherwise turbulent region, having never suffered a major attack, despite sharing a border with Mali where al Qaeda-linked fighters have been active in desert areas for years, Reuters said. But two high-profile attacks targeting foreigners in the capitals of Mali and Burkina Faso since November have added to signs that an Islamist insurgency is spreading, prompting Senegal to boost security. “Nearly 900 people were called in for questioning in the context of the security campaign led by national police amid the terrorist threat,” said police spokesman Henry Boumy Ciss, referring to a weekend campaign in the capital Dakar and the nearby city of Thies. A second security source confirmed the information, adding that 925 people had been questioned. Ciss said those interrogated were not targeted because they were terrorism suspects, but as part of a general vigilance campaign.

Most were subsequently released but some were held and charged with a range of crimes not related to militant activity, such as drunkenness and traffic offences, he added. Seydi Gassama, executive director for Amnesty International in Senegal, said that police were authorised to conduct such operations provided there were government instructions. However, the group will

closely watch for any potential rights abuses in the heightened security context, given a history of police excesses, he said. Diplomats have denied rumours of a specific threat to capitals of Dakar and Abidjan, both major hubs for Westerners working in the aid, diplomacy and financial sectors. “... We want to avoid an unnecessary psychosis among both Americans

and Ivorians,” said the U.S. embassy in Abidjan on Sunday, urging citizens to remain prudent. But everywhere there are signs of heightened security. Police officers stop and search vehicles near Dakar’s beachside restaurants while armed guards are conducting patrols through Western style shopping centres in both capitals.

Kenyan soldiers have abandoned a camp in the southern Somali town of El Adde following an attack by al Shabaab, a military spokesman said, and the islamist militants said they had taken full control of the base on Tuesday. The Kenyan troops, part of an African Union (AU) force in Somalia (AMISOM), according to Reuters, took heavy losses when al Shabaab launched a dawn raid on the camp near the Kenyan border on Jan. 15. David Obonyo, spokesman for the Kenya Defence Forces, said the troops had vacated the camp, and were now stationed nearby. Al Shabaab, which has links to al Qaeda and seeks to overthrow Somalia’s

Western-backed government, said it had killed more than 100 soldiers in the attack. The militants are seeking to drive the AU force out of Somalia. Kenyan officials have not yet revealed the death toll but newspaper pictures of coffins draped with Kenyan flags bringing back dead soldiers has increased pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his military chiefs. Al Shabaab has inflated casualty figures in the past, while other official estimates often play down numbers. In a statement, al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, said the group was now in control of the town. “This morning we peacefully captured El Adde,” he

told Reuters, in a claim that was echoed by local residents. Kenyan officials have not yet revealed the death toll but newspaper pictures of

otherNEWS CAR legislative polls annulled, orders rerun

Senegal’s President Macky Sall

Kenyan troops abandon Somali camp to al Shabaab militants coffins draped with Kenyan flags bringing back dead soldiers has increased pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his military chiefs.

Man deported from US because of skin colour

A volunteer arranges replicas of guns and helmets placed on the ground to symbolise Kenyan soldiers serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). PHOTO: REUTERS.

Police issue more than 100 flood warnings across UK The “remnants” of the storm that brought severe blizzards to the United States is hitting parts of the United Kingdom, bringing heavy rain, gales and travel problems. Western areas have borne the brunt, including Cumbria, where some schools have closed and roads are flooded, BBC said. Ferries to the Scottish Islands and Isle of Wight are disrupted, and in Edinburgh, a man was hurt when a broken chimney smashed through a bus window. The Army is working to help shore up defences in some high-risk communities. The Met Office has issued yellow - be aware - warnings for rain and there are more than 100 flood warnings

David Cameron

and alerts in place. A first band of heavy rain and high winds is now moving south and east, but a second band is forecast to arrive from the west overnight into Wednesday. Among the main developments: Gales have blown over a number of lorries, including on the A1 northbound at Dunbar in East Lothian and on the Woodhead

Pass, in the Peak District. The pass is now closed as winds are reaching up to 100mph. Hundreds of homes across Wales have been hit by power cuts. In Edinburgh, a man was injured after a chimney was blown off a roof in high winds and smashed through a bus window. Hovertravel services between Southsea and Ryde

Central African Republic’s Constitutional Court has annulled the results of a legislative election, citing irregularities, setting back a transition to democracy after years of conflict. Observers, according to Reuters, had praised the peaceful nature of the polls, meant to end a rocky transition period punctuated by violence between militias drawn from the Christian majority and a mostly Muslim alliance of Seleka rebels. “The court has decided to cancel the (legislative) election of 30 December 2015 and to reschedule it for the whole country,” Zacharie Ndouba, the court’s president, said late on Monday. He said that some of the candidates appeared to be implicated in the irregularities, adding that more than 400 complaints had been logged.

on the Isle of Wight are suspended to due to high winds. Ferries services between the mainland and the islands of Scotland are also disrupted. Some rail lines have been affected by flooding, including in Cumbria and Ayrshire. Some schools have closed in Keswick, one of the places worst hit by the storms last month. The Environment Agency said it has teams on the ground in Appleby, Keswick, Cockermouth and Glenridding, as well as in Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Calderdale and York. The heaviest rain on Tuesday was over Cumbria and south-west Scotland, with the Welsh hills and the moors of south west England affected to a lesser de-

gree. Shap in Cumbria saw about 50mm (2in) of rain, while 12-25mm (0.5-1in) fell in other areas. After a brief dry spell, more rain is to come on Wednesday, with yellow warnings in place for much of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and western and southern England. Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said the Army was helping to build temporary defences in areas at risk of flooding and more military personnel were on standby. “The real issue for us is the cumulative effect of a series of rain fronts falling on ground already saturated,” she told the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

A man on a business trip to the United States has said he was held for 13 hours “with little food or water” then thrown out of the country because of his skin colour. Amreet Surana, who works for a UK security company, was held in Detroit while trying to catch a connecting flight to the firm’s branch in Arizona, BBC said. He said officials treated him “like dirt” then concluded he was an “illegal immigrant denying a US citizen a job.” US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) denied racially profiling Mr Surana. The 24-year-old, who resides in Thurmaston, Leicestershire, travelled to the US as a temporary business visitor, which allows citizens to stay in the country for “90 days or less” for tourism or business.

Rwandan President Kagame

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Pope urges Iran to promote political solution in Middle East

Burundi agrees to welcome South Africa’s role in dialogue

ope Francis has urged Iran to use its “important role” to promote peace in the Middle East and help halt the spread of terrorism and weapons trafficking, VOA reported. The pope made the appeal during a 40-minute closeddoor meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Vatican Tuesday. A Holy See statement after the meeting pointed to the “relevant role Iran is called on to play” to find political solutions to the problems the Middle East is facing, specifically terrorism and arms trafficking. Since elected, about three years ago, Pope Francis has emphasized mediation and dialogue as the best way to solve conflicts. Rouhani’s visit to the Vatican marked the first meeting between a pope and an Iranian president since 1999. His trip to Italy is also the first state visit by an Iranian president to Europe in nearly two decades. Rouhani’s four-day visit

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani (right) is welcomed by Pope Francis at the Vatican, on Tuesday. PHOTO: REUTERS.

to Italy and France is seen as part of Iran’s effort to reach out to its old partners following the implementation of the nuclear deal with six nations, including the United States. Rouhani has shown great interest for foreign investment since the lifting of international sanctions that followed the deal. Before going to the Vatican, Rouhani told a forum of business leaders in Rome that “Iran is the safest and most stable country of the entire region.’’ Rouhani has described the

Brazil mobilises troops in fight against virus carrying mosquitoes

talks leading to the nuclear deal as a potential blueprint to resolve Middle East con-

flicts, including Syria’s civil war. Iran also wants to end de-

Eritrea orders men to be polygamous or risk jail, activists protest Eritrean activists have protested against what they said was government’s plan to force their men to marry more than one wife or risk being jailed for life. In what could pass as an ‘April Fool’s Day’ prank, the activists, according AFKinsider, posted the claim allegedly from the Eritrean government asking men to marry at least two wives

due to an acute shortage of men occasioned by causalities during the civil war with Ethiopia. The online news medium said a copy of a scanned decision of the Grand Mufti surfaced on the social media site on Thursday last week and showed the State of Eritrea calling for all men in the country to marry at least two wives and the

A health worker stands in the Sambadrome as he sprays insecticide to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit the Zika virus, in Rio de Janeiro, on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP.

Brazil is mobilising some 200,000 military troops in its fight against the Zikacarrying mosquito, which is blamed for spreading a virus that is linked to horrific birth defects. The health minister, Marcelo Castro, said the troops will travel to homes across the country distributing pamphlets and offering advice on mosquito eradication, according to Rio de Janeiro’s O Globo newspaper The newspaper also quoted Castro as saying that the government would distribute mosquito repellent to 400,000 women who receive government benefits. On Tuesday, Rio de Janeiro sent fumigators into the city’s Sambodrome stadium, which will be used for the upcoming carnival celebrations and will also be used for Olympic archery competition in August. The World Health Organization said the mosquitoborne Zika virus could be linked to 4,000 suspected

cases of microcephaly in Brazil, which results in abnormally small heads in newborns and can affect brain development.

cades of diplomatic distance with the United States and other Western counties.

A man with his three wives.

otherNEWS

government assuring that it will pay for the marriage ceremonies and houses. The document, which could not be independently verified, says any man or woman who oppose the decision “will face a life sentence.” A Standard report showed that activists had translated the memo written in Arabic to: “Based on the law of God in polygamy, and given the circumstances in which the country is experiencing in terms of men shortage, the Eritrean department of Religious Affairs has decided on the following: “First that every man shall marry at least two women and the man who refuses to do so shall be subjected to life imprisonment with hard labour. “The woman who tries to prevent her husband from marrying another wife shall be punished to life imprisonment.”

Burundi’s government said it would welcome any offer by South Africa to facilitate the ongoing intraBurundian dialogue. According to VOA, Foreign Minister Alain Nyamitwe said although such an offer has yet to be officially made, his government would not refuse it if it is made because South Africa played a critical role in the Burundian peace process in the late 1990s and early 2000s. East Africa Communitymediated peace talks led by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have so far failed to yield practical results. The last talks that were scheduled to resume on January 6 in Uganda’s capital, Kampala did not take place because the Burundian government said the date was set by mediators without consulting the government. Nyamitwe said if South Africa offers to facilitate the dialogue, its role would not be incompatible, but rather complementary to what is being done by President Museveni and the East Africa Community. “I don’t think it has been confirmed yet, but I believe South Africa, being a country which has immensely contributed to the peace process in Burundi in the late [19]90’s and early 2000, it’s absolutely a country that can play a critical role in the dialogue process that we have embarked upon.” Nyamitwe said his government has not yet received any request from South Africa, but if such a request is made, it would be formulated and processed through diplomatic channels.

Shooting reported at US naval medical centre President Barack Obama

Authorities responded to reports of three gunshots fired around 8 a.m. (11 a.m. ET) on Tuesday in the basement of Naval Medical Centre San Diego’s Building 26, medical center spokesman Mike Alvarez said. Alvarez said the incident is being treated as if it’s an active shooter situation.

A shooting has been reported at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, according to the centre’s Facebook page. “An active shooter has just been reported in building #26 at Naval Medical Center San Diego,” Tuesday morning’s post reads. “All occupants are advised to run, hide or fight. “All non-emergency response

personnel are asked to stay away from the compound.” On its website, Naval Medical Centre San Diego bills itself as “the largest and most comprehensive military healthcare system in the Western United States.” It has eight clinics for active duty personnel and nine primary care sites for their family members.

South Sudan needs arms embargo, leaders killing civilians — UN panel The United Nations Security Council should place an arms embargo on South Sudan, while the oil-rich country’s President Salva Kiir and a rebel leader qualify to be sanctioned over atrocities in a two-year civil war, United Nations sanctions monitors said in an annual report. The confidential report by a U.N.

panel that monitors the conflict in South Sudan for the Security Council stated that Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar are still completely in charge of their forces and are therefore directly to blame for killing civilians and other actions that warrant sanctions. A copy of the report was seen by Reuters on Monday. The 15-member Security Coun-

cil has long-threatened to impose an arms embargo, but veto power Russia, backed by council member Angola, has been reluctant to support such an action. Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said on Monday he was concerned that an arms embargo would be onesided because it would be easier to enforce on the government.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

N92m up for grabs at Lagos international marathon Bola Badmus-Lagos LAGOS State government on Tuesday expressed its readiness to stage a hitchfree international marathon on February 6 which has a total prize money of N92million. The marathon through which the first prize winner will go home with $50,000, is expected to be declared open by governor Akinwunmi Ambode, while the president of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), Lord Sebastian Coe with his counterparts from no fewer than six countries are expected to grace the event. Speaking at a joint media briefing in Lagos, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde said 12,000 athletes have already confirmed participation in the event which include 60 international male marathoners adding that up to 20,000 participants are being expected at the final count. He said out of the 20 gold class marathoners in the world, 18 had already confirmed their participation in the male category, while six gold marathoners in the female category had also confirmed participation. According to Ayorinde, participants are expected from countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Bahrain,

Eritrea, Morocco, Cameroun, Uganda and India, while about 120 professional athletes in Nigeria will slug it out with their foreign counterparts in the tournament. He disclosed that the takeoff of the 42.195km race would be at the National Stadium, Surulere by 7am. Ayorinde who disclosed that the total prize money for the event was N92million added that, the second prize winner will earn $40,000, while the third prize winner will go home with $30,000. Ayorinde added in the Nigeria category, the first prize winner will get N1 million as second prize attracts N750,000 while N500,000 goes for third prize.

Australian Open:

Serena records 18th win over Sharapova As Federer, Djokovic clash in semis NUMBER one seed, Serena Williams on Tuesday maintains her dominance on Maria Sharapova as she cruised to the semi-final of the women’s singles of the Australian Open. The defending champion who is eyeing her 22nd Grand Slam title, saw off fifth seed Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 at Melbourne Park. It was Serena’s 18th straight win over the Russian, who will now face fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the

semi-final. The world number one called for the doctor at the changeover but powered on stronger than ever in the second set, making it 12 games out of 15 as she sealed victory after one hour and 32 minutes. “It was super intense,” said Williams. “She’s an incredibly intense and focused player who was world number one. “When you’re playing someone so great you have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity.”

Sharapova was equally effusive about Williams. “She’s at a different level. She makes you work. That’s inspiring.” Meanwhile, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will meet in the semi-finals after straight-set victories. Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam champion who has won the tournament four times, beat Tomas Berdych 7-6, (74) 6-2, 6-4, while top seed and defending champion, Djokovic saw off Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Ikhana, Abiodun eye 3SC job By Niyi Alebiosu

F Coach Kadri Ikhana (left) and ex-3SC coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, before 3SC/Enyimba Glo Premier League game last season.

Serena

O R M E R technical adviser of Enyimba, Kadiri Ikhana and former Sunshine Stars trainer, Henry Abiodun are eyeing the coaching job of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), as the 2016 Glo Premier League season is scheduled to start next month. Tribunesport scooped that the two highly rated coaches have been invited by

the Oyo State House of Assembly’s house committee on sports for interview. Abiodun was said to have already appeared before the committee for interview last Tuesday, while Ikhana is scheduled to take his turn tomorrow. The chairman, house committee on sports, Honourable Niyi Adesina who confirmed the invitation of the duo, told Tribunesport by phone that Ikhana will be their guest tomorrow.

Adesina added that things must be done the right way so that the management of 3SC would not just bring in any coach to the club. According to him, the involvement of the house commiittee was to ensure due process so that the best hand was picked for the club with the sole aim of doing well in the new league season. He stated that the committee will look into various issues ranging from players transfer to the case of the former

coach of the club, Franklin Howard who left the club without handing over the official car and the key to his apartment when he was relieved of his job last season. “These are some of the issues we have to look into. Nobody is saying anything about the case of the coach again. How can somebody leave with government property and nothing has been done about it? We have to review the way the club (3SC) is being run,” he added.

Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

corporatesport

With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08116954642

Etisalat supports charity golf tournament in aid of less privileged IN demonstration of its commitment to empowering Nigerians, Nigeria’s, most innovative and customer-friendly Telecommunications Service Company, Etisalat, recently supported The Capital Golf Invitational Tournament, a charity golf tournament, with the aim of raising assistance for the less privileged members of the society. Commenting on the reason for supporting the worthy cause, Modupe Thani, Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria said the company was delighted to identify with the less privileged in the society, and offer them assistance. “We at Etisalat are delighted at this opportunity to demonstrate our human contribution to the betterment of the society,”she said. In his remarks at the gala night, Hamid Abbo, Captain, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Golf & Country Club, Abuja, lauded Etisalat

for supporting the tournament just as he announced that money raised through the registration of participants for the tournament will be donated to Ace Charity. One of the highpoints of the event was the presentation of trophies to winners of various stages of the tournament with Emeka Okata receiving a giant trophy being the star prize– for emerging the overall winner of the tournament. The tournament featured a ladies’ competition, pro and amateur golf challenge, special pre-event cocktail, a gala night with entertainment and a fashion show hosted by top designers. The tournament fused golfing excellence with lifestyle and entertainment and presented two days of exceptional golf in Abuja as golfers vied for honours at the first Capital Golf Invitational on the lush greens of IBB International Golf & Country Club.

Enosoregbe, Adegoke Are Tennis Masters champions FORMER National champion Clifford Enosoregbe got back to winning ways with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Christian Paul - a player who got in through a concessional wild card. Enosorogbe who was dethroned by Thomas Otu at the end of 2015 did not drop a set throughout the entire tournament and got a winner’s cheque of N250, 000 and a bonus of N30, 000 for winning his three round robin matches. The ladies’ event was won by Sarah Adegoke without a drop of sweat as Aanu Ayegbusi retired after three games on health grounds. She also got N250, 000 and an additional bonus of N30, 000 from the round robin stage. The Rainoil Ikoyi Club Tennis Master featured the top eight players in Nigeria with a wild card slot at the discretion of the organisers. The two wild cards at this year’s championship roundly justified their inclusion

as Marylove Edwards, 14 & Under champion of the ITA Junior Tennis Circuit, beat sixth ranked Pauline Ebijimi 6-1, 6-0 in the round robin while Paul got to the finals. The Masters was postponed from December 2015 because of the rescheduling of the Lagos Governor’s Cup from October to December.

From left, Captain, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Golf & Country Club, Abuja, Hamid Abbo; Specialist, High Value Sponsorships and Event, Etisalat Nigeria, Amaka Agu and General Manager, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Etienne Gailliez during the Gala Night of The Capital Golf Invitational Tournament sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria in Abuja at the weekend.

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon:

Patoranking signs for race

Ready to attempt whole 42km

OPULAR Nigeria Dancehall, artiste Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie a.k.a Patoranking is the latest celebrity act to sign on for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. The multi-award winning musician was at the Lagos City Marathon office at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday where he picked a form to

register for the first full international marathon in Nigeria in three decades. Patoranking after completing his registration formalities said he was quite excited at the Lagos Marathon project and he hinted that he will be going the whole mile on February 6, 2016 when over 20,000 athletes are expected to participate in the first edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

“Of course, I am happy to sign on for the race, trust me I will run on that day, I know I can go the whole 42km” Patoranking boasted. Patoranking who currently is an accomplished artist said if he was not into music, he would definitely have been into sports as he also has a soft spot for keeping fit and staying healthy. “If not music, I am sure I will have been a sports per-

Public Affairs Managers, East and Central Region, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited; Mr Ekuma Eze (centre) presenting trophy to Umueziama Football Club, Irete, Owerri, winners of Irete Unity Football competition sponsored by NBC limited.

son, I really like this idea of a marathon, even if you say I don’t have fats to burn; running can help me ease out stress so I am going to be part of the participants on February 6.”The Lagos-born artiste submitted. Already positive that the Lagos Marathon will be a huge success, Patoranking enjoined those yet to register to make the most of the little time left to also register and be part of history. On his part, Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission and head of the organising committee for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Deji Tinubu commended Patoranking for identifying with the Lagos race while he again assured that everything is on course to see that February 6, 2016 will be a memorable day in Nigeria’s sports history. Athletes that have registered their ambition to be part of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will from Tuesday, January 26, 2016 start collecting their bib numbers for the February 6 race the Organising Committee have announced.

SIDELINES

NO 16,423

WEDNESDAY, 27 JANUARY, 2016

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The top echelon of the Police has recently ordered officers and men attached to VIPs in the country not to carry bags for their principals again. Good talk; but how many of those officers will love to go back to their usual beats and office desks rather than carry bags?

CHAN 2016:

Nigeria’s Jamiu Alimi (right) watches as Alseny Camara of Guinea dazzles during Tuesday’s CHAN group C final game at the Rubavu Stadium, Rwanda.

Eagles crash out, lose 0-1 to Guinea By Mojisola Adewunmi

UINEA stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the 2012 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) following a 2-2 draw in the final qualifier at the National Stadium, Abuja. It was the last game of coach Samson Siasia as Super Eagles coach as well as the ‘valedictory’ game for goalkeeper Dele Ayenugba, who was beaten twice in the match. The Super Eagles also on Tuesday suffered a similar fate as they lost 0-1 to Syli Nationale in the last group C game to crash out of the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. It was a bad day for the team handled by coach Sunday Oliseh, who needed a draw regardless of goal margin to advance, but failed to cash in on the advantage. The match hero turned out to be AS Horoya midfielder, Ibrahima Sankhon who jabbed the ball past goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa at close range in the 44th minute. On resumption, Chisom Chikatara came on to replace Paul Onobi and his inclusion added bite to the Eagles attack. Coach Oliseh had before half time brought in Bature Yaro in place of Usman Mohammed, while Bright Onyedikachi later replaced Sunshine Stars striker, Tunde Adeniji in the 61st minute. Guinea however, qualified as second place winner behind Tunisia which also finished with

five points and superior goal advantage following their 5-0 spanking of the Menas of Niger also on Tuesday. Meanwhile, former Nigeria handler, Christian Chukwu has admonished that the home-based Eagles be kept together to form the mainstream of the senior national side. He also lamented the loss to Guinea. “I consider the result as bad and terrible for Eagles to lose 0-1 to Guinea. That’s a bad way to end a championship campaign that started quite well. “Well, that’s football. There is nothing any of us can do to change the result, it’s just unfortunate. “However, I will like this CHAN

squad to be kept together to form the bulk of Super Eagles so that in the next competition, we will be certain we have a team already on the ground,” the former Kenya coach told supersport. com. Chukwu added that “the sure lesson from the CHAN is for us not to neglect the home-based players in our football programme and to always keep them busy with competitions.”

FIFA confirms 5 for presidential poll THE five candidates to take over the FIFA presidency from the banned Sepp Blatter stepped up the frantic hunt for votes on Tuesday as the campaign entered the final month. FIFA sent a formal notice to the 209 member associations on Tuesday confirming that Prince Ali bin al Hussein, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne would take part in the February 26 vote in Zurich. “The ad-hoc electoral committee has formally admitted and declared the candidates eligible

Osimhen in Germany to complete Wolfsburg deal VICTOR Osimhen has left Nigeria for Germany ahead of completing his transfer to Wolfsburg, Goal can exclusively reveal. Goal obtained pictures of the teenage striker at the Murtala

Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with his father and three sisters before he departed for Europe. The youngster and his father departed for Germany via a Lufthansa flight on Monday

Ramires linked to £25m China move

CHELSEA’S Ramires is close to a £25m move to Chinese Super League side, Jiangsu Suning FC. The Brazil midfielder, signed from Benfica for about £17m in 2010, agreed a new four-year deal in October, but has only started seven Premier League games this season. Jiangsu finished ninth in China’s top tier in 2015 and is managed by

former Blues defender, Dan Petrescu. Ramires has helped the Blues win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Europa League. Since Guus Hiddink took over from Jose Mourinho last December, Ramires has found it hard to break into the Dutchman’s plans as the tactician instead prefers

for the election of the office of FIFA president at the extraordinary FIFA Congress,” said the letter. The world body has faced major pressure since US and Swiss authorities launched major investigations into FIFA and Blatter, 79, was banned for eight years for misconduct. While Sheikh Salman, head of the Asian Football Confederation, and Infantino, the UEFA general secretary, are seen as the frontrunners, all five are lobbying hard for votes in a races in which many observers say a surprise is still possible.

John Obi Mikel back in the starting line up, making the Nigerian a crucial part of a more defensive side. Meanwhile, fans however, lament the potential sale of the Blues cult hero through the social media. A fan Sabrina through @SabFrniCFC tweeted “If we sell Ramires and consider RLC his remplacement, we’re doomed.”

Ramires

night. He is expected to put pen to paper this week after his lawyers back home must have studied the contract carefully. Osimhen has spoken highly of the Bundesliga club side and how the programme that the coaches have for him swung his decision ahead of a few other suitors. The lanky striker scored 10 goals to set a new goal record at FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile last year and has since become the toast of many European club sides including reported interest from Arsenal. However, Osimhen has opted for Wolfsburg where he expects to develop into a world-class senior striker.

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. 27/1/2016.