27th April 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,488

WEDNESDAY, 27 APRIL, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

Budget ready in days —Saraki •As NASS leadership meets Buhari in Aso Rock —P29

Nigerian Tribune

Metuh falls from chair, rushed to National Hospital —P30

@nigeriantribune

TribuneOnline

FirstBank grows earnings by 4.9% —P9

Fulani herdsmen invasion

Nigerian Tribune

N150

IGP orders arrest of those selling petrol in jerry cans —P32

Outrage over Enugu killings •MASSOB, Afenifere, Anglican Bishop, Methodist Church Prelate, Emir of Ilorin want FG to stem tide now •Enugu gov weeps, declares 2 days fasting •FG expresses worry, orders operatives to crush security threats —Pgs2,4 •Reps order police, DSS to address killings Bodies of doctors arrive in Ekiti amidst wailing Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti

No free land for grazing zones in Oyo, Ajimobi warns

Dr Akinyele Alexander

Dr Adeniyi James

•Launches major agric programme

Dr Tunde Aladesanmi

SCORES of sympathisers thronged the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday evening, as bodies of doctors from the state, who died in a road accident, alongside the driver, arrived in the state in an atmosphere of heavy gloom. continues pg30

—P32

Dr J. B. Ogunseye

Mr Olowookere Ajibola (driver)

Dr O. J. Taiwo

Dr Olajide Olayiwola

Protesters storm NASS, want SUVs returned —P29

news

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Fulani herdsmen invasion: Enugu gov in tears, as he visits community Jude Ossai-Enugu

OVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Tuesday, was in tears when he visited victims of the Fulani attack on Ukpabi-Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state. Ugwuanyi was in company with the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr Nwodibo Ekechukwu, the GOC 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, and the Enugu State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC). The governor, thereafter, declared two days fasting and prayer in the state, asking residents to commit the situation into God’s hand. He said: “It calls for sober reflection; this is a trying period, not just for this community, but for all of

us.” Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, has confirmed that another dead body has been recovered in the area.

“The Enugu State police command has commenced a full scale investigations into the alleged killing of six persons on 25/4/16, at Nimbo, in Uzo uwani Local Government Area of

Enugu State, by men suspected to be herdsmen. “Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Nwodibo Ekechukwu, had mobilised and left

Reps order IGP, DSS to address killings Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

THE House of Representatives, on Tuesday, mandated the Inspector General of Police (IGP ), Mr Solomon Arase, to carry out thorough investigation into the killings allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in Enugu State, with the aim of bringing them to book. The House equally invited the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mallam Lawal Daura, to explain the measure DSS was putting in place to stop the killings. The resolution by the

House followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Honourable Chukwuemeka Ujam. The lawmaker, while moving the motion, lamented that findings had revealed that a number of persons had been declared missing due to the attack allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen. According to him “Eye witnesses indicate that this mayhem was perpetuated by an army of masked herdsmen emerging from the bushes and attacking their victims. “These merchants of death were armed with

guns, bows, arrows and swords and engaged in sporadic shooting for a lengthy period of time, sending shivers to the inhabitants of this community and hacking any person within sight to death,” he said. To this end, he said recurring events by the Fulani herdsmen threatens

Jude Ossai-Enugu

THE leadership of the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra ( MASSOB) has

•Orders operatives to crush security threats

THE Federal Government, on Tuesday, expressed worry over incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in some sections of the country. The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who disclosed this on Tuesday, in Abuja, when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, said “Mr President sends me a memo almost every week asking me what we are doing to resolve this (Fulani herdsmen/farmers) crisis.” The minister spoke at a public hearing on the motion on the “urgent need to address the incessant clashes between herdsmen, farmers and their host communities in Nigeria’ and introduction of micro irrigation (drip irrigation) for farmers in Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency in Adamawa State and in other parts of Nigeria,” organised by House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services. This is coming just as the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Honourable Onyema Chukwuka, appealed to the committee and stakeholders to make appropriate recommendations that would “go a long way in guiding the House in the enactment of appro-

priate legislation that will guarantee peaceful co-existence amongst the rural communities, provide affordable credit to Nigerian farmers, enable the farmers to procure fertilizer and other farm inputs with minimum effort, provide enabling environment for all season farming, ensure increased agricultural production both as a means of guaranteeing internal food security and diversifying the economy from over dependence on oil, amongst many other prospects.” The minister, who expressed concern over criticism trailing the proposed importation of grasses for cattle, especially on social media, warned that the challenge might boomerang if no concrete action was taken in check mating the menace.

Meanwhile,, the Federal Government has ordered all security agencies in the country to crush and deter all crises that have the potential to breach the peace and national stability. While it restated that its first priority was to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry, government said all socioeconomic activities in the country must continue to thrive without any hindrance from criminal elements and terrorists. Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad DanAli, gave the order on Tuesday, in Abuja, at a seminar on “Media Management in Crisis Situation,” for Information Officers of the Military, Security and Response Agencies, which was organised by the Centre for Crisis Communica-

tion (CCC) with support from the Defence Headquarters DHQ, as well as the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP). Declaring the occasion open, he said, “all security agencies in Nigeria have been called upon to crush and deter the threats of crises and conflicts that have potential to disrupt peace and security of our country. “Our security and response agencies are constantly engaged in the essential tasks required for meeting the internal security objectives of ensuring safety and security of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, its population and all the critical infrastructure. Our government will not relent in this primary objective,”he pledged.

Igbo group condemns attack Kola Oyelere-Kano

THE Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) in Kano State has berated the attack on people and farmlands by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country, saying if this onslaught is not promptly addressed, it may lead to new security challenges in the country. This was contained in a communique signed by the President-General of IDA,Chief Chi Nwigu, a copy which was made available to the Nigerian Tri-

bune, on Tuesday,He said except the Federal Government promptly responded with the right policy action, it might eventually snowball into a threat to the socio-political development of the country. His words: “the assembly condemned the unchecked violence of Fulani herdsmen in various communities in the East, West and North-central Nigeria.” They regretted the recent cases of attacks in Agwu in Enugu State and

the security of the country. In his contribution, the House Minority Leader, Honourable Leo Ogor, said, “it is important to address this issue once and for all.” When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, it was unanimously supported by members.

cident and bring them to book,” he said. The police spokesman said normalcy had returned, as security had equally been beefed up in the area and its environs by the commissioner of police to avoid further breakdown of law and order, as well as further attack in the area. “The Commissioner of Police, Nwodibo Ekechukwu, has vowed to bring perpetrators to book. Ekechukwu, who was in the area, charged people of Nimbo to continue to be law abiding and never to take laws into their hands,” he added.

Leave Igboland or face reprisal, MASSOB tells herdsmen

We’re worried —FG Jacob Segun Olatunji, Kolawole Daniel and Chris Agbambu-Abuja

with operatives to ensure that the incident did not degenerate into uncontrollable situation and to work out modalities/strategies aimed at fishing out those behind the unfortunate in-

Agatu in Benue State. However the assembly commended President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on its efforts at resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the North-East . They, however, wondered why the victims of Igbo extraction who were equally displaced by insurgency and denied their means of livelihood by Boko Haram, were not factored into rehabilitation programmes of the Federal Government.

condemned last Monday’s Fulani herdsmen attack on the people of UkpabiNimbo, in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. To this end, the MASSOB leaders have warned the Fulani herdsmen to leave Igboland or face reprisal. In a statement signed by MASSOB’s Director of Information, Edeson Samuel, and made available to the Nigerian Tribune, in Enugu, on Tuesday, the Igbo group said the attack on the Igbo was getting out of hand. “We wish to remind Ndigbo and Biafrans that these killings and destruction of property of our people by Fulani herdsmen are getting out of hands. The fact that MASSOB believes in non violence does not mean that we cannot defend ourselves. There is limit to human endurance, it is a pity that Amnesty International has never for one day wrote a report against Nigerian military and Fulani herdsmen over the killing of our people.” According to Igbo activists, “The massacre of MASSOB/IPOB members in Aba, the Ezu-River killing of six Igbo traders in Abuja (the Apo six) the invasion of Igbo land by the Fulani herdsmen. Amnesty International has not and will never see reasons to indict Nigerian government because they are being controlled by the North. “A lot of crimes have being committed against the Easterners, but Amnesty International kept mute, but if it were in the

North, amnesty International will quickly write a report. Shame to the leadership of Amnesty International. “Fulani herdsmen invaded Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing of over 130 people, many houses, vehicles, motorbikes were set ablaze. It is on record that the Nigeria police received security report on Friday 22/04/2016 that over 500 Fulani herdsmen gathered in that community to attack them. “It is time for the people of Kogi, Benue and Plateau states to rise up and defend their land and save their people from this Fulani herdsmen, because a stitch in time saves nine. The Nigerian army which knows how to arrest innocent citizens in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State and hand them over to the police and these innocent citizens were taken to Umuahia, and detained for days for no just cause. The army also received security report of Fulani invading Uzo-uwani, but could do nothing to save this community from Fulani herdsmen.” “We will not fold our arms and watch our people murdered in cold blood. Where are the South East governors, the South-East senators, the South-East members of House of Representative? All the South-East members of state House of Assembly, what are they doing over this Fulani herdsmen invasion of our land?,” the group concluded.

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) is committed to the provision of improved service delivery to its customers whilst ensuring that power supply connections to its network is not dangerous to the health and safety of the public by the provision of appropriate safety standards. In this regard BEDC hereby requires that its customers and the general public to note the following ongoing improvement exercises: 1. ENUMERATION: A door to door enumeration of its existing customers and potential customers including the state of the network has commenced. BEDC solicits the cooperation of the public with its Enumeration Team when they visit the various premises. In this regard, part of the process involves the assessment of electricity load in each premises, filling out BEDC relevant forms and provision of acceptable identification by the occupier. 2. PAYMENT CHANNELS: Improved and varied payment channels has now commenced to provide options and convenience for customers in paying their bills. The available payment channels are as follows: a. Any Commercial Bank branches via the NIBSS eBillsPay and Interswitch PayDirect; b. At designated Automated Teller Machines (ATM) via quickteller in the following Bank branches StanbicIBTC, Zenith, GT Bank and Heritage Bank in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti . Other banks to come live soon. However, also available at all Bank ATMs across Nigeria. c. Online on our website www.bedcpower.com and www.quickteller.com. d. Via Point of Sales Terminal (POS) with any BEDC Designated Agents across Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti State. Please contact your nearest Business Unit or call 08039012323 for any further information required in relation to these payment channels. 3. CUSTOMER CARE: Our customers can contact us through any of the following channels: a.

Head Office: No 5, Akpakpava Street, Benin City, Edo state

Walk In: Speak with a customer care officer at your local Business Unit

Speak with a call Agent on 08039012323

Write to us via: customercompliants@bedcpower.com

Visit our website www.bedcpower.com

In addition you can call BEDC on the following telephone numbers for all customer complaints issue: a.

08027783409 - Safety related issues

08039012323 - Technical, Commercial and all other issue

On any suspected abnormality including suspected tout activities, extortions and unauthorised demands, please call our whistleblowing number on 09038857888 or 09038857889 4. ENFORCEMENT AND MONITORING: An Enforcement and Network Monitoring Team has commenced inspection of premises to ensure that:

6 months. Reconnection with only be done after payment of appropriate fee as in (ii) above. The above is not applicable to customers who have notified BEDC of their prolonged absence from their premises. Any customer with issues in this regard can contact Enforcement Unit at the Head office or phone to request for visit to premises for appropriate examination of meter and load in order to avoid disconnection. 5. BILLING: In order to provide better billing information to customers, BEDC has commenced migration to a new billing system. Effective April 2016, the new billing format commenced for all Maximum Demand (MD) customers and all other categories of customer Edo. Customers in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti will be moved to the new billing format within the next 3 months. Customers are invited to note the following relating to billing information: a. Reading of customer’s meters is expected to be done monthly or at least once in 3 months. Whenever a reading is not done in any month, an adjustment of any estimate used in billing will be done within the subsequent reading. b. Where a customer’s meter is found to be obsolete or incorrect, the meter reading will be suspended and direct/estimated billing will be utilised prior to the replacement of the meter. Such suspension will be notified to the customer in a letter. c. All customers under estimated billing will have their estimation done based on NERC approved cluster billing average methodology. Where bypass is noticed during meter reading and/or billing period the read information may be suspended and customer billed appropriately on Direct/ Estimated using the NERC cluster billing methodology. Customers may call 08039012323 to obtain further information on how this methodology is derived. 6. METERING: BEDC has commenced the replacement of obsolete meters within the network and solicits the cooperation of customers when the technicians visit to make such replacement or to assess meters. In the first phase of replacement, customers with meters installed before 2001 should assume that their meters are obsolete and same will be replaced in due course. In addition, customers who wish to access the NERC approved CAPMI Scheme, should note the following; d. Application requests should only be made directly to the relevant BEDC Business Unit locations. e. Verification and visit to premises will be made subsequent to such requests f. No payment for meters should be made until customer receives a written approval of request letter from the company. g. Amount to pay and the bank account for such payment will be stated in the approval letter. Customers should note that no additional payment is to be made outside the amount in the approval letter. h. BEDC does not request for any processing fee payment and customers are enjoined not to patronise any third party or touts nor pay money to anybody except the designated bank account.

Connection to the network are in line with safety standards

i. Customers will be metered within 45-60 days of payment.

Only paying customers are on the network.

j. Movement of meters without formal notification and approval from head

Bye-pass or illegal connection to the network is NOT allowed to operate.

office is illegal.

The public is hereby notified that the following observed anomalies will be disconnected from the network during this process: i. Customers who have not paid their bills within 10 days of the delivery of bill. Reconnection will only be made after payment of bill and payment of reconnection fee. ii. Customers who have by-passed their meter by removing part or all of the electricity load from reading on the meter. Such customers will only be connected when they have paid the appropriate fine (penalty/loss of revenue) as well as the reconnection fee. iii. Prepaid customers who have not vended / recharged their meter in the last 08039102323

www.bedcpower.com

Signed:

MANAGEMENT BEDC BUSINESS UNITS DELTA STATE: Agbor, Asaba, Effurun, Obiaruku, PTI, Sapele, Ughelli, Utor Udu, Warri EDO STATE: Auchi, Evbuotubu, Evbuoriaria, Etete, GRA, Ikpoba – Hill, Okada, Sokponba, Ugbowo, Uromi EKITI STATE:

Ado–Ekiti, Ido–Ekiti

ONDO STATE:

Akure, Igbara – Oke, Ondo, Owo

customercomplaints@bedcpower.com

@bedcpower.com

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016 4 news Anglican bishop warns against looming civil war

•Set to mobilise IPOB, MASSOB Jde Ossai-Enugu

RCH-BISHOP of Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, Right Reverend (Dr) Emmanuel Chukwuma, has condemned, in its entirety, the invasion of Fulani herdsmen on Ukpabi-Nimbo community, in Enugu State, warning that churches in Igboland are set to mobilise members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for Actualissation for Sovereign State of Biara (MASSOB) and other Biafra agitators against the Fulani herdsmen in Igboland. Addressing a press conference in Enugu, on Tuesday, Bishop Chukwuma said another civil war might break out due to activities of the Fulani herdsmen, stressing that Ndigbo would no longer condone the blood-thirsty Fulani herdsmen who, he noted, had continued to harass, maim, kill, rape women and destroy farmland in communities in Igboland without reprisal. Archbishop Chukwuma, who is also the chairman of the South-East Chris-

tian Association of Nigeria (CAN), wondered why Federal Government and South-East governors had remained silence in the face of provocation, adding that it was high time the Igbo governors rose to the security challenge. “Why has there been no arrest up till now? We call on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency in Igboland over the Fulani herdsmen threat to security in the zone or else we will declare war against the Fulani herdsmen. “...We will mobilise IPOB, MASSOB and other Biafra agitators against the Fulani herdsmen in the zone. I feel bitter, I feel aggrieved. I feel sad that government at the centre and our governors cannot protect us. Failure to curb the activities of Fulani herdsmen will make us to ban the Fulani herdsmen from rearing their cattle in the zone. “Any attempt to harass any Igbo youth, or any community in Igboland will not be taken lightly. We will not tolerate it in Igboland. “We are declaring war against the Fulani herds-

men. We are calling on Northern elders to caution their people (Fulani herdsmen). Government should speak out against this Fulani menace,” the cleric added. He said the failure of the

South-East governors to rise to the challenge, the zone would pass a vote of no confidence in them. “Where did the Fulani herdsmen get the AK-47 rifles? We will bring our own ‘Ogbunigwe’ out to defend

LEADERS of Pan -Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Tuesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent action towards the series of attack by the Fulani herdsmen across the states of the country. The group, which made this call after its monthly meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, specifically condemned the latest killing of over 40 Nigerians by the Fulani herdsmen in Enugu, and frowned on the continued silence by the Federal Government. While reading the communique of the group after the meeting, the Publicity Secretary of the group, Yinka Odumakin, said the group was worried over the position of the government, saying the Federal Government seemed to maintain indifference over the killings by the herdsmen. The communique read: “The meeting is worried about the recent spate of killings by Fulani herdsmen across the country as evident in Agatu killings, the murder of Olu Falae’s guard in his farm, the killings in Ibadan and the latest being the heinous murder of over 40 Nigerians in cold blood in Enugu. “We are worried that Fed-

eral Government seems to have maintained indifference to the wanton killings going on across the country against the provisions of the constitution. “That the Federal Government has a duty to protect the lives and properties of every citizen of Nigeria and we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to speak up on this matter and to take urgent action to restore the sense of people of Nigeria, especially in the South and Middle Belt.” Afenifere also frowned on the report of the Department of State Service (DSS) that claimed that the bodies of five corpses buried in a mass grave were Fulani herdsmen, saying the report was to create tension in the land. The communique read: “We are also worried that the DSS, which highly went to the press to say that they discovered a grave in the South-East where they said they found bodies of the Fulani men without any DNA has continued to maintain silence also over these killings across the country. “The DSS had failed to establish that the bodies are from any ethnic group. It’s an organisation for all Nigerians and, therefore, should be concerned and should make the report on the killing on across the country not just what they called

civil war does not meant we will remain slaves forever even in our land. We will defend our land with our blood and anything including ‘Ogbunigwe’ the mass destruction weapon,” he said.

Agbekoya cries out over killings THE Agbekoya Farmers Revolutionary Group (AFRG) has called on the Federal Government to caution and call to order Fulani herdsmen over the incessant killing of innocent farmers in the country. Baale of Agbekoya Farmers Revolutionary Group, Pa (Chief) Olalere Ayalu, made the call in Lagos against the backdrop of attacks on farmers by Fulani herdsman in Lagun, Iyana Offa, Offa, Alalagba, Lapala and their surrounding Communities in Lagelu Local Council Area of Ibadan, Oyo State. Baale Ayalu alleged that a group of Fulani armed men attacked these communities at night, injured a guard and carted away valuables worth millions of naira, adding that those Fulani herdsmen had no respect for human life as they invade the communi-

ties and kill farmers unchallenged. “In search for grazing pastures, according to them, they have left their footprint in practically every host community in the country that has had the misfortune of having them as visitor. They have rendered some villages in Oke-Ogun “a gaping wound”, Baale Ayalu said. In the same vein, the national secretary, Agbekoya Farmers Revolutionary Group, Mr Sola Ariyibi, urged the Federal Government to call the Fulani herdsmen to order and stop killing innocent farmers across the States. He said the menace had been getting out of hands as the farmers had no interest in farming again for the fear of being killed by the herdsmen who carry sophisticated weapons.

Afenifere tasks Buhari on herdsmen attack Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

our rights. We will match force with force. “Another civil war is looming because of the notorious activities of Fulani herdsmen. Ndigbo cannot keep quiet any longer. That we were defeated in the last

the killing of people from certain ethnic group among the over 250 groups in Nigeria.” The group, however, called for an urgent meeting of all the governors in the South-West states to deliberate on how to put an end to the Fulani herdsmen activities in Yorubaland. Afenifere also called on lawmakers at the National Assembly to wake up to defend the people who voted for them to represent them,

saying “now is the time to defend them.” They said “In view of the fact that Yoruba nation has had more than fair share of this siege in the country by these Fulani herdsmen, we demand immediate meeting of all South West governors irrespective of their party affiliation and ensure that they meet to device means and ways to protect the lives of their citizens and properties against these invaders who are rampaging everywhere

Mr Ariyibi said it was not that the farmers and the Agbekoya could not challenge

We can’t keep sacrificing human lives for cattle —Methodist Prelate By Rita Okonoboh

PRELATE, Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), Most Reverend S.C.K. Uche, has condemned the menace of Fulani herdsmen and called on the Federal Government to take immediate action and send the herdsmen packing. This was contained in a communiqué presented by the Prelate, who spoke on behalf of the Council of Bishops, at a press conference organised at the end of the 34th Annual Council of Bishops, which took place from Monday, April 18, to Monday, April 25, at Methodist Cathdral, Agbeni, Ibadan, Oyo State. While commending President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration on their almost one year in office and urging them to be conscious of the robust expectations of the citizens, the council opposed the creation of grazing zones canvassed by government and rather called for the creation of ranches, noting that grazing zones might create more problems for the country. “A situation where Fulani

Emir of Ilorin warns FG, condemns killing Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has warned the Federal Government on the activities of rampaging herdsmen, saying it is threatening existence of Nigeria as a corporate entity. Speaking when the vicepresident, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, paid homage to him in his palace, in llorin, on Tuesday, the royal father said the government should be more serious in dealing with the incessant security issue. The royal father, who spoke against the background of recurring cases of herdsmen/farmers attacks in most parts of the country, said the call became imperative so that

it does not degenerate to a repeat of Boko Haram menace. The emir, who is the chairman, Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, said the herdsmen were not Nigerians, adding that they were migrating herdsmen from other parts of Africa. “People get it wrong when they describe the rampaging and destructive herdsmen as Fulani herdsmen. They are not Fulani. They are wandering and migrating tribe of people going everywhere. They are here to destroy the Nigerian entity. So, it behoves the Federal Government to be more serious on the issue so that it doesn’t become another Boko Haram on our hands,” he said.

the menace in Yorubaland, adding that they only wanted peace to reign.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, who thanked God for the victory that brought the APC into power and the achievements recorded by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, told the vice-president that much was still being expected of the administration by the people. “People believe you are up to the task. And the prayer is that you should perform to people’s expectation to save Nigeria and its people from socio-economic problems bedevilling the country,” he said. The vice-president described his visit to the state, and Ilorin town in particular, as an homecoming, saying it would have been unusual for him not to have paid the homage.

herdsmen would sack a whole community/villages and kill people in their hundreds in a bid to feed and protect their cattle is most barbaric, primitive, lamentable, senseless and demonic. “More worrisome is the seeming helplessness of the Federal Government over this carnage. In most cases, sending relief material with the attendant media condemnation is not enough. “Council, therefore, urges the government to take immediate action by sending these herdsmen packing, for we can no longer keep sacrificing human lives for the grazing of cows. Council is opposed to the creation of grazing zones canvassed by government, but rather should establish ranches,” he stated. The council also made recommendations on the petroleum sector and requested President Buhari to, “as a matter of urgency, appoint a substantive minister of petroleum who would be answerable to him and not assume the role by himself, as this has proved counter-productive,” noting that “Mr President has so much work to do for us and so should not be a Minister of Petroleum.” They called on the Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, to “listen to the voice of reason and drop the controversial bill on religious preaching,” and also appealed to government at all levels to look into the predicament of the girlchild, the rights of female children and all children, and ensure the safe return of the kidnapped Chibok girls. The council was presided over by Prelate Uche and had the Secretary of Conference, Right Reverend Chibuzor Raphael Opoko; Prelate Emeritus, Dr Sunday Olatunji Makinde, archbishops and bishops across Nigeria in attendance.

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

businessnews

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigeria, Iraq disruptions send crude prices upwards •As World Bank raises crude oil forecast for 2016 to $41/barrel Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

ISRUPTIONS in crude oil production in Nigeria and Iraq are among recent developments in the industry that have shot global prices from around $25 to $40 per barrel according to new figures from the World Bank. The bank, which also cited improving market sentiment and a weakening dollar, has thus raised its 2016 forecast for crude oil prices to $41 per barrel from $37 per barrel in its latest Commodity Markets Outlook, as an oversupply in markets is expected to recede. Crude oil market rebounded from a low of $25 per barrel in mid-January to $40 per barrel in April following production disruptions in Iraq and Nigeria and a decline in non-Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries production, mainly United States shale. A proposed production freeze by major producers failed to materialise at a meeting in mid-April. “We expect slightly higher prices for energy commodities over the course of the year as markets rebalance after a period of oversupply,” said John Baffes, Senior Economist and lead author of the Commodities Markets Outlook. “Still, energy prices could fall further if OPEC increases production significantly and nonOPEC production does not fall as fast as expected,” David Theis, a Manager at the

Bank said in a statement. All main commodity indexes tracked by the World Bank are expected to decline in 2016 from the year before due to persistently elevated supplies, and in the

case of industrial commodities, which include energy, metals, and agricultural raw materials, weak growth prospects in emerging market and developing economies.

THE institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has stressed the need for every organisation either, private or government to strengthen the mechanism of whistleblowing so as to reduce corruption to the barest minimum in Nigeria. This was disclosed in a day public lecture/Syposium organised by ICAN on Whistle-blowing as a panacea for fighting corruption in Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday. Another speaker, Prince Oyebade Oyedepo, said whistle-blowing is not only to fight corruption, but also to promote good corporate governance in the country, adding that the underlining factor in whistle-blowing is to preserve public interest. He highlighted the challenges of whistle-blowing

energy commodities, such as metals and minerals, agriculture, and fertilisers, are due to decline 5.1 per cent this year, a downward revision from the 3.7 per cent drop forecast in January.

From left, Prince Ganiyu A. Adebayo, Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ibadan District Society (second left); Mr Nelson Anumaka of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (second right); Mr Obafunso Ogunkeye of Ogunkeye and Ogunkeye legal practitioners and Prince Oyebade Oyedepo of Oyebade Oyedepo and Company, during a symposium on whistlebowing as panacea for corruption in Nigeria, organised by ICAN, held at the Kakanfo Inn, Off Ring Road, Joycee B Road, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

‘Borno, Lagos, Abuja residents buy cheapest pms’ Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

AS Nigerians continue to groan under the yoke of acute shortage of petroleum products especially premium motor spirit (pms), an official Federal Government data has revealed that Nigerians living in terrorists infested Borno State had access to the cheapest in March, 2016 at N87 per litre. Lagos State is the only oth-

er place where households actually bought the commodity for less than N100 at an average of N90 per litre during the month under review even as official pump price remained at N87 per litre in most filling stations. In the its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for March, 2016, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that “there has been significant rise in average petrol price as a result of

ICAN urges FG on whistle-blowing advocacy to curb corruption By Wale Olapade

Energy prices, including oil, natural gas and coal, are due to fall 19.3 per cent in 2016 from the previous year, a more gradual drop than the 24.7 per cent slide forecast in January. Non-

as enormous, ranging from threats to life, property, stigmatisation among others to whistle-blowers. On the contrary, Oyedepo said for whistle-blowing to be effective and protect the right of whistle-blowers there must be a structural policy that will ensure the safety of whistle blowers. Elucidating on the effectiveness of the theme of the event, the Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade explained, “Legal framework to fight corruption has been observed to be less effective these days probably due to the fact that it is evidencebased and some loopholes that are traceable in law, thus whistle-blowing is being considered as one of the most direct methods of shinning light on corruption. “Corruption often goes unchallenged when people do not speak about it. Witness accounts offer invalu-

able insight into corruption and are powerful in the fight against. The exposure of the multimillion naira financial scam (Dasukigate, N2.1 million arms deal) and the sharp medical practices in our society, whistle-blowing play a crucial role saving resources and lives.

sustained petrol scarcity. It said there was a 31 percent price increment yearon-year and 36 percent increase in average pms prices in March 2016 when compared with the previous month. The report presents average monthly prices actually reportedly paid by households for pms across the 36 states and FCT, revealing that Cross River- N160, Sokoto- N160 and Nassarawa- N167 are the thre states where actual price of the commodity were highest during the month. However, events since the beginning of April indicate that the prices have since shot up much higher than the previous month. Only on Monday, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu appealed at a town hall meeting in Lagos that the success of his tenure so far should not be

judged by inability of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to provide fuel. “Do not judge our work on the basis of the difficulties you have had in fuel supply”, he warned adding “we are working feverishly at solution. We are looking at intelligent solutions.” Kachikwu who doubles as Group Managing Director of NNPC said fuel trucks are being diverted to other countries rather than points of sale in Nigeria, revealing that no truck in Nigeria has a tracker and the NNPC is at the mercy of the truck drivers. “Over 30 per cent of (fuel) supply is diverted. Last week, members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) workers asked Kachikwu to resign from his position for failing to solve the problem of acute shortage of pms.

CSCS bags ISO certification Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba-Lagos

THE Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has been awarded ISO 2007:2013 Certification by the British Standard Institute (BSI), a leading organisation in audit management systems and processes. The certification is the world’s highest accreditation for Information Security Management System (ISMS). The company was awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Certification after undergo-

ing series of intense audit processes which began in September 2015 last year. Receiving the certificate presented by Mr Ahmed Bashir, Director, UK Trade and Investment who represented the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ray Kyle’s, Mr Kyari Bukar, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, CSCS expressed his gratitude. “I am delighted that we are now ISO certified. As you are aware, information is a

valuable asset that can make or break your business. We, in CSCS, are mindful of this fact, hence we embarked on this arduous but rewarding task about a year ago. When information is properly managed, it allows you to operate with confidence. Information security management gives you the freedom to grow, innovate and broaden your customerbase in the knowledge that all your confidential information will remain safe and secure.”

NNPC trucks involved in fuel diversion in Ilorin —DPR Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Kwara State has seized two trucks including an NNPC truck for alleged diversion of over 56, 800 litres of petrol in Ilorin. Speaking with journalists during the directed sale of the petroleum product to motorists at official pump price of N86:50 in Ilorin on Tuesday, the DPR Controller in the state, Mr Phillip Salvation, said the second truck was meant for one of the major marketers in the state. The Controller, who said that the owner of the independent marketer’s filling station where the NNPC truck was found, failed to provide document to exonerate himself from allegation of diversion, adding that the filling stations involved would be sealed up. The DPR boss said that the NNPC truck allegedly loaded 20, 800 litres of petrol, while that of the major marketer loaded 46,000 litres. He said motorists should stop patronising any petrol filling station selling above official pump price, adding that any one arrested over cases of diversion, smuggling, over pricing would be dealt with accordingly.

SEC seeks police collaboration on capital market infractions Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has urged law enforcement agencies to collaborate with the commission in its quest to ensure zero tolerance on infractions in Nigeria’s Capital Market. Director General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo who stated this when he led members of the management of the commission on a visit to the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase in his office in Abuja, Monday said this could be done by ensuring that perpetrators of fraudulent acts are brought to book appropriately. Gwarzo solicited the support of the IGP to enhance the ongoing co-operation between the force and the commission towards ensuring that laid down rules and procedures are adhered to in the capital market. He expressed appreciation for the work that Nigeria Police have been doing since the collaboration started and sought for more in areas of specialized discipline such as forensic investigation to enhance the operations of the Capital Market.

businessnews FirstBank grows earnings by 4.9% 9

By Ruth Olurounbi

BN Holdings Plc recorded gross earnings of N505.2billion, which is a 4.9 per cent rise over the N481. 8billion posted in 2014. According to a statement by the bank, the 2015 growth was driven by a 9.3 per cent year on year growth in interest income to N396.2 billion; supported by growth in increased interest income on loans to customers by 8.2 per cent year on year as well as higher volumes in treasury activities. The Group also reduced its operating expenses from N236.8 billion in 2014 to N223.6 billion in the year under review. But the Group recorded a dip in Profit Before Tax (PBT) in the year under review as this went down to N21.5billion from the N94. 1billion recorded in 2014. This represents a slide of 77.1 per cent. Similarly, the Profit After Tax (PAT) went down by 82 per cent from N84 billion in 2014 to N15.1 billion in the year under review. Post-tax return on average equity for the year was 2.7 per cent against 16.7 per cent in 2014 and post-tax return on average total assets was 0.4 per cent against 2.0 per cent in 2014, while earnings per share closed at N0.43 against N2.35 in 2014. The Group’s Net interest income went up by 8.7 per cent to N265.0 billion, from the 2014 figure of N243.9billion. Operating income also moved up from the N356.2billion of 2014 to N364.4 billion in the year under review. But Non-interest income dipped to N99.4 billion from N112.99 billion of 2014, a slide of 12.0 per cent. Total assets went down by 4.1 per cent to N4.2 trillion in the year under review from the N4.3 trillion it was in December 2014. Similarly, customer deposits declined by 2.6 per cent to N2.97 trillion, from the 2014 figure of N3.1 trillion just as customer loans and advances also slid by 16.6 per cent from N2.2 trillion in 2014 to N1.8 trillion in the year under review. However, there was an improvement in First Bank’s liquidity ratio from 44 per cent in 2014 to 58.6 per cent in the year under review. Basel 2 CAR for First Bank Nigeria also moved up from 15.8 per cent in 2014 to 17.1 per cent in 2015 just as Basel 2 CAR for FBN Merchant Bank moved up from 22.5 per cent in 2014 to 24.9 per cent in 2015. Commenting on the results Mr. U.K. Eke, the

Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, noted that “This has been a very difficult time in the history of our institution. Despite the tough macroeconomic and regulatory backdrop during the year, our underlying business remains strong as reflected in the gross earnings growth of 4.9 per cent to N505.2bn - clearly a leading position in the industry. Furthermore, the Holding company platform has provided support in mitigating the impact of credit losses and the vulnerabilities experienced by our Commercial Banking business. “In coming periods, our primary focus is to drive efficiency and operational excellence across all oper-

ating companies. Key initiatives in achieving this, as we eliminate the value eroding factors and seek to reposition the Group towards a new growth path, include: enhanced focus on moderating risk appetite, risk management practices and culture; disciplined cost containment; asset optimisation; and, synergy realisation. We will be sustaining the drive to improve cross sell initiatives, improve performance and returns from our subsidiaries to provide diversified and sustainable revenue for the Group. Whilst acknowledging the challenges facing the Group, we are committed to achieving our set tasks. Amongst those, one priority stands

out above all else – the need to restore shareholder value whilst building long-term sustainability into our businesses.” In his comments, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, MD/ CEO of FirstBank and its subsidiaries, said: ”FirstBank and its subsidiaries recorded a 2.3 per cent y-o-y increase in gross earnings, which however translated into an 89.2 per cent decline in profit before tax. The soft performance was driven by the high impairment charges resulting from the adverse macro-economic environment. “Whilst we acknowledge the weaknesses that became apparent in our

Wedneday, 27 April, 2016

risk management processes and practices, our focus going forward is to strengthen our risk management processes and practices; to enhance the overall control environment within the bank to aggressively drive down the cost of operations while leveraging existing and future investments in technology to drive customers satisfaction by improving the ease of doing business with the bank. We will also focus our attention on driving better performances from all our subsidiaries in the months ahead. We believe that this will take us in the right direction and help us to achieve sustainable success going forward.”

From left: Dr Jide Idris, Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; Herbert Wigwe, GMD/CEO, Access Bank Plc and Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, former Minister of State for Health Nigeria, Co-Chair, PHN during the CEO Roundtable on World Malaria Day with the theme, ‘Malaria Elimination in Nigeria - Challenges & Opportunities for Investment’ held at Access Bank Head Office in Lagos.

Treat farmers as entrepreneurs, Elumelu tells African govts By Ruth Olurounbi As an estimated 6.3 billion people are project to live in urban cities by 2050, putting a strain on the supply of safe and sustainable food to feed the population, Chairman, Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa and Founder, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu on Tuesday called African governments and donors to treat the agriculture sector on the continent as a commercially viable sector with a potential to create millions of jobs and dollars in revenue. This is more so as multiple challenges face small scale farmers and easy access to markets still an uphill task, the symposium was an avenue for stakeholders to discuss and recommend specific actions on how to tackle problems of global food secu-

rity. In a keynote address to agribusiness investors and stakeholders at the Global Food Security Symposium in Washington, DC, Elumelu said agriculture should not be seen as a social welfare program, rather African farmers should be treated as entrepreneurs as governments create the enabling environment for MSMEs to access finance. He advocated for public and private sector collaboration, recommending the adoption of an Africapitalist approach to achieve the transformation and growth needed to meet the increasing demand for safe and sustainable food, saying Africapitalism promotes the private sector’s commitment to Africa’s development through longterm investment in strategic sectors of the economy that

create economic prosperity and social wealth. “If the public and private sector work together in shared purpose, we will be able to retain the desired knowledge and manpower in rural areas in order to support agriculture. We will also be able to control the rate of urbanisation, because we would have made it possible for our young people to earn a good living and grow their businesses right where they were born and raised as agro-allied entrepreneurs,” he said. He also advocated for large investments from private sector to promote mechanised farming and processing as well as capital to partner with the government to provide key infrastructure supportive of sustained growth in the agriculture sector. “I believe that if we trans-

form the agriculture sector, we will transform the African continent,” he said. Elemulu also appealed to the U.S. government for a decisive congressional action to reform emergency food assistance by providing USAID with the flexibility to ship or purchase food regionally to avoid distorting local markets, further impoverishing local small holder farmers in Africa. According to him, flexibility is the right way to approach food aid that will save more lives. “Food aid must not become an industry. As an African, I want to appeal to the U.S. Congress and the next president of the United States to make the correct and courageous decision in the next re-authorisation of the farm bill to fight famine with flexibility,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

Dangote Cement revenue hits N140bn in Q1 2016 Dangote Cement has recorded a revenue of N140.5 billion in the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was against the N107.2 billion posted in the same period in 2015. The figure is contained in the company’s unaudited result released on Tuesday in Lagos. The report showed that the revenue increased by 22.5 per cent compared with the figure achieved in the same period of 2015. The company stated that total sales during the period under review stood at 6.4 million tonnes (MT) against 3.8 MT posted in 2015, indicating an increase of 68.4 per cent. Its operating profit margin, the report stated, stood at N56.1 billion against N58.44 billion posted in the first quarter of 2015, showing a decrease of four per cent. Commenting on the result, Mr Onne van der Weijde, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, said that sales volume increased in all territories the company was operating. He said sales in Nigeria increased by 45.4 per cent to 4.5 MT after a price reduction.

BPE takes stock of failed privatised companies Sanya Adejokun- Abuja Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is currently reviewing the data of failed privatised enterprises in the country to ascertain their performance index to upscale them. Acting Director General of the bureau, Dr Vincent Onome Akpotaire, who spoke on a television programme, noted that the data on these enterprises had not been sufficient hence the need for the review. He said it was in the realisation of the objective that his administration had decided to partner with anti-graft and security agencies in the country to carry out thorough due diligence on prospective investors willing to buy government assets. He regretted that despite the huge success the Bureau had recorded in the reform and privatization programme of the Federal Government, only the failed exercises that were usually highlighted.

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Govt immortalises Braithwaite, names Dolphin Park after him

From right, son of the late Tunji Braithwaite, Yele; daughter, Omowunmi; the widow, Grace and daughter, Mrs Olaolu Branco-Rhodes, at the service of song held at Yard 158, Oregun, on Tuesday. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Corruption: Police to monitor LASTMA officials Chukwuma Okparaocha

olice officers have been drafted into the group to monitor officials of Lagos State Management Authority (LASTMA) due to increased corrupt activities. The disclosure was made by LASTMA’s Managing Director, Mr Chris Olakpe, when visited by the members of Lagos State House of Assembly Transport Committee. The Committee charged the Lagos State Management Authority (LASTMA) to caution its corrupt officials who have been alleged of extorting motorists. Honourable Jude Idimogu, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2 levelled the accusation, during the visit which was part of legislative oversight functions. According to him, the committee gathered that the officials of LASTMA often use touts to extort money from motorists in the state, which he said was against the law of the state. The lawmaker stressed

that members of the public served as watchdogs to the officials while operating on the road, while urging them to desist from corrupt acts. Responding, the Managing Director of LASTMA, Mr Chris Olakpe promised to checkmate his men, add-

ing that the agency had set up monitoring and surveillance unit to guide against corrupt acts. “I have injected police into the monitoring group to fish out the bad eggs among our officials,” he said. Olakpe also urged the law-

makers to assist the agency to be part of the State Security Trust Fund, pointing out that LASTMA needed fund to purchase some materials such as rain boots, coats, motorcycle amongst others. The Chairman of the

House Committee on Transport, Honourable Fatai Mojeed assured the agency of the support of the House for efficiency of their duty. The committee also visited the Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority amongst others.

Lagos State Government on Tuesday immortalised late Dr Tunji Braithwaite by naming Dolphin Park, Ikoyi after him. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode announced the honour at the Service of Songs for the deceased at Yard 158, Oregun. The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Oluranti said the immortalisation was in the recognition of Braithwaite’s contribution to the growth of the state and Nigeria in general. In his tribute, Ambode said the deceased deserved his place on the honour scroll of the state. According to him, the Braithwaite family would be called for commissioning when the facility is touched up. Ambode added that the activist and legal luminary during his life time fought for true democracy as he joined other democracy icons like Bola Ige, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Bola Tinubu and others to fight the military government of late General Sani Abacha.

1,340 beggars, destitute evacuated, 31 abandoned babies rescued The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said a total of 1,340 beggars, destitute and mentally challenged persons were rescued off the streets of Lagos in the last one year, just as it said about 73,664 patients were screened and helped to trace their homes through various media platforms. Speaking at the ongoing 2016 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, to commemorate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s one year in office, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the government, in the period under review, released and re-

united 590 rehabilitees with their relations for re-integration, while 1,228 persons were rehabilitated at the Rehabilitation and Training Centre in Majidun. Akinbile-Yussuf, who addressed the briefing jointly with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said many of the rehabilitees were subsequently placed on vocational training to make them contribute positively to the society, adding that 43 drug dependents rehabilitees, who probably had lost hope, were restored back to their functional ability and another 20 placed under vocational training at the Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre in Isheri.

The Commissioner, who reeled out many other social interventions which the Ministry embarked upon in the last twelve months, said the development was part of the vision of Governor Ambode to create an environment that is safe, conducive and prosperous not only for investors but the citizenry in general. Besides, the Commissioner reminded residents that the law banning street trading and begging is very much in force in the state, warning that government would not hesitate to apply the full wrath of the law when necessary. She said: “In the last one year, the Lagos State Government under the lead-

ership of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode recorded many achievements in the area of social welfare and for instance, I can categorically tell you that a total of 634

Juvenile cases were successfully handled under the Family Social Services, while a total of 110 applications for adoption were successfully screened.

UNILAG students reject Naza Okoli The leadership of University of Lagos Students’ Union on Tuesday described as illegal, the suspension of both the executive and legislative arms of their union by the university management. The students, who addressed journalists at International Press

Centre, Ogba, Ikeja, urged all students to boycott the conditions given by the management for resumption. According to the President of the Union, Mr Mohammed Olaniyan, to sign the undertaking would amount to “signing away their rights.” He said: “As students and social engineers who have been taught

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

metro LASU lecturer denies killing 2-yr-old girl Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

The vandals, Nwankwo and Omeoha, with the bars recovered from them.

Vandals remove 17 support bars from Third Mainland Bridge Olalekan Olabulo Less than 24 hours, after a vandal was arrested by the police in Lagos for vandalising bridge railing in Ijora, two others were arrested committing the same offence on the Third Mainland Bridge. The two suspects, Godwin Nwankwo and John Omeoha were, on Monday, arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on the Third Mainland Bridge for vandalising over 17 bars of reinforcement. The lead suspect, Godwin

Nwankwo claimed that he stole the railings because he was hungry and there was no alternative means for him to get money. He noted that he had passed through the manhole several times and he was curious to find out what was there. He pointed out that, last year, he entered the manhole twice to steal railings. He added that this year, “I have entered the hole four times. From the money I made from those sales, I have saved N5, 000 in my bank account. “Yesterday, I went there

again. I invited my friend, John Omeoha. We stole 17 bars which we planned to sell to scavengers in order to raise funds. “Unfortunately, just as we were bringing out the metal from the manhole, RRS operatives sighted us and arrested us. My plan was to raise money to enable me relocate back to Enugu, where I repair handsets before coming to Lagos. I want to leave Lagos because my life has been meaningless here.” His accomplice, John Omeoha though admitted to have been arrested

t resumption conditions by professors and a plethora of intelligent academics. We find it illegal and draconian that the University of Lagos management would suspend the University of Lagos Students’ Union on the basis that we peacefully agitated for our rights. “Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of

the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) grants the right to peaceful assembly and association. We, therefore, find the management’s assertion that the union was suspended because of violence that erupted out of the peaceful protest, unacceptably misleading. “We challenge the

management to show to the world what facilities of the school were damaged in the course of the peaceful protest. Without mincing words, we reiterate that we stand for what is right on behalf of the student populace of the University of Lagos, even in the face of gross victimisation.”

alongside the main suspect at the scene of the vandalisation, he insisted that he was only helping Godwin. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest of the suspects to Lagos Metro and added that the police in the state would continue to protect public and private properties in the state.

A law lecturer at the Lagos State University, LASU, Gbenga Ojo has denied involvement in the alleged murder of a two-year old girl, Racheal, who allegedly fell into a deep well last week in Egbeda. Ojo wrote a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Onikan and also sent a copy of to the Vice Chancellor of LASU. In the petition, Ojo claimed that his photograph was maliciously used to illustrate a story published online in Naijagists.com, indicating that he was the one involved in the incident. He therefore prayed the AIG to use his office to investigate the allegations, unmask the faceless blackmailers and bring them to book. In his account, he narrated that one Gbenga who shared his name is a staff of the Lagos State University, Lagos, while his wife, Busayo works at the Ministry of Finance and lives in Abeokuta, Ogun state adding that the couple have two children, a boy and girl. It was earlier reported that two year old girl, Racheal lived with her father at 8, Jesse Street, Egbeda,

against the wish of his wife Busayo. It was while she was playing in the compound that she allegedly fell into 80 feet well and died. The matter was reported at Gowon Estate, Police Station, where the D.P.O begged them to bury the corpse. He added that the whole story was put on the internet, and they illustrated the story with the lecturer picture as the Gbenga involved in the incident in the publication uploaded on the 21st April, 2016. Denying the allegation, the lecturer said: “It is true, my name is Gbenga. It is also true that, I lecture at Lagos State University Ojo. In fact, I lecture law. But definitely, I am not Gbenga referred to in the story. I do not know any Busayo or Racheal. I am not married to any Busayo. I do not have a daughter by name Racheal. I do not have a two years old daughter for that matter.” He also denying ever having anything to do with the police investigation, claiming that, his picture was interposed maliciously, contrary to section 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cyber crime (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act 2015.”

Building collapse: Synagogue engineers sent back to Kirikiri Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin and Olufunmilayo Iseotan

The two engineers involved in the construction of the collapsed guest house at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), which claimed over 116 lives, mostly foreigners, have been sent back to Kirikiri Maximum Prison pending the hearing of their bail application. Justice Lateef LawalAkapo of an Ikeja High court, on Tuesday adjourned ruling on their bail applications till May 3, 2016. Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, were last

week remanded in prison pending the hearing of their applications for bail which held on Monday. Their hope of regaining freedom on Monday was however dashed as the court adjourned ruling. In her application dated April 19, 2016 brought pursuant to Section 115 of Section 2 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, counsel to Fatiregun, Titi Akinlawon argued that the offences committed by the defendant were bailable. “He has been charged before for the same offences at the magistrate court and did not jump bail. So if granted

bail now, he will also not jump bail,” she argued. Counsel to Ogundeji, Olalekan Ojo also told the court that granting him bail would put his client in best position to prepare for his trial. However, the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Idowu Alakija urged the court not to grant the defendants bail. She argued that while the court had the discretion to grant bail or not, the 4th defendant (Ogundeji) did not have an address within the jurisdiction of the court and therefore might jump bail if granted.

12 news Modu Sheriff: 1 dead, 3 others injured as APC, PDP supporters clash in Jigawa A damu A madu - D utse

IGAWA State Police command has confirmed the death of a middleaged man, Ismaila Isyaku, allegedly killed by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the visit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff and other party stakeholders to the state. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abdul Jinjiri, said shortly after the end of PDP meeting, the command received a report of an attack on Ismaila Isyaku of Zai area of the city. He said as they arrived the scene, the victim was taken to a hospital where he was confirmed dead as a result of injuries sustained. “We never know about the injured but we are aware that one person, was arrested in connection with the killing and he is cooperating with the police in investigating the case”. The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the clash was

as a result of provocative slogan made by some APC members, who gathered on the Kiyawa Road, chanting “Bamayi”, which provoked PDP supporters and led to the clash which left one dead. Reacting to the killing, the Special Assistant on Media to the Jigawa State governor, Mallam Bello Zaki, said that PDP supporters attacked some APC members, killed one and injured three others. Alhaji Zaki, described the attack as an act of terrorism. The special assistant alleged that after the PDP stakeholders’ meeting, the thugs went round Dutse, attacking people perceived to be APC members, When contacted, the vice chairman in charge of the Jigawa central zone of PDP, Alhaji Aminu Jahun, denied the allegation, saying that it was baseless and an effort to blackmail PDP. Alhaji Jahun said that “the gathering was peaceful and orderly in accordance with the public gathering acts agreed with security agencies.” “Security officials were there, they are living

witnesses of all that happened and how it happened, it was peaceful and orderly,” he said.

Anniversary

THE 15th anniversary and thanksgiving service of Bethesda Church of God Inc; with the theme: “In the name of the Lord”, which commenced with a rally and evening revival from April 25 till 28, will also hold a power night on Friday. There will be a thanksgiving service on Sunday, at the church auditorium, Abibu/Animasaun Street, Near Power Line, Arometa, Eleyele, Ibadan. The guest minister of the event is Bishop Mike Afolabi while other clerics include: Pastor Biyi Adeleke, Pastor Andrew Suberu, Pastor Yinka Yekeen, Evangelists: Biola Adeleke, Clement George and Temitope Fayemi. Chief hosts are Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Tunde Logun.

Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Tunde Logun

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

editorial

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

South Africa: The Zuma example

R Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, recently apologised to South Africans after dragging that country through the tortuous route of what he himself referred to as “confusion and frustration” occasioned by his refusal to admit blame for diverting public fund to sponsor the upgrade of his country home to the tune of $ 15 million. Until South Africa’s highest court ordered him to refund the misappropriated money within 105 days, President Zuma stonewalled the citizens of South Africa, refusing to heed the call of sensitive and responsible leadership of that rainbow nation. If the highest court in South Africa had demurred, Mr Zuma was on the way to further traumatising the institutions in that country for personal greed and lack of compunction. It is indeed regrettable that a character like Zuma took the reins of power after Thabo Mbeki despite his modest credentials. A notable ANC stalwart, it was easy and convenient for him to deploy the party structures against Mbeki who had been too engrossed in strengthening institutions and developing African renaissance and peer review mechanism to bother about his local political fate. Zuma only saw an opportunity to supplant Mbeki and, like all ruthless and ambitious politicians, he went for the kill. Since he mounted the saddle in South Africa, the pace of socio-political growth in that country has arguably slowed down, arising from his retrogressive worldview and crude, primordial inclinations. It is doubtful that President Zuma can take his country any further than his predecessors did. If the late Nelson Mandela, his incarceration for 27 years notwithstanding, could muster enough urbaneness to become a global leader and icon, it beggars belief that all the ANC could offer down the succession line years later was Zuma, a provincial thief who would think nothing of the shame in stooping as low as stealing $ 15 million to upgrade his country home and then waiting for the highest court in the land to alert him of his gross larceny. President Zuma does not fit the role of 21st century African leader in the progressive dream and the earlier such characters like him are eased out of the party structure and succession line, the better for the continent and its people.

If the sleaze and aggrandisement which the misappropriation of public funds represented was shameful, Zuma’s refusal to admit his faults despite overwhelming evidence was execrable in epic proportions. In one of the videos doing the rounds on the internet, a lady representative in the parliament was prevented from speaking her mind by the Speaker as she insisted that the President was a thief. The ANC is fast losing credibility as the country’s natives are now to be found in the opposition parties holding critical party offices which should be ominous to the ANC considering its trajectory as the party which symbolised the freedom of the country from the clutches of apartheid. The rest of the continent should no longer allow such obviously limited political personages like President Zuma in its presidential palaces riding on the wings of charisma or cheap populism. The sentiments which propelled the late Mandela to root for him has proved to be stale and tragic as Zuma himself has thrown the country back in time by his abominable and reprehensible conduct. It is ironic that his tenure has given the opposition more visibility than ever, suggesting the possibility of a surprise in the next elections in South Africa. Under Zuma, xenophobia assumed alarming dimensions, as South Africans descended on innocent foreigners in their mistaken belief that they were responsible for the economic woes of the indigenes. Both Nigeria and South Africa have a responsibility in the continent to be the beacons in the their respective spaces and if President Zuma is willing to trash his country’s reputation and potential, Nigeria should show better rectitude through its political office holders, although, sadly, this is not the case. We think that these negative and indecent conducts by politicians and office holders tend to draw hugely from their credibility and hinder service delivery seriously. Because the continent is challenged by weak institutions, reprieve will continue to elude the citizens. In the case of President Zuma, it s South Africa’s good fortune that it still has a court that could not be compromised. But for that, the doom in the country would have been unprecedented.

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo CON (1915 - 2015)

Chairman Rev. (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran Co-Chairman Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA

Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177 South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State

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

GOT NEWS?

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

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

14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

editor

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

Remembering the late Tunji Braithwaite

HE late Dr Tunji Braithwaite, a champion of Nigeria’s prodemocracy movement, was one heroic individual who showed that eloquent courage can shake repressive and treacherous regimes. His political and social construct recognised the evil forces and economic constraints surrounding the oligarchic political regime in Nigeria with a profound understanding of social change dynamics and outcomes, and he also paid an exceptional attention to the quality of state institutions, the design of public policy and the promotion of self-directed role of leaders and stewardship in nation-building efforts. Indeed, Braithwaite’s exit from the political landscape marked the beginning of the end of cour-

age, character, vision and ideology. He belonged to the last generation of welfare and pro-people ideologist who participated in the struggle for national liberation through the demand for human rights and he became a revolutionary force for the enthronement of civil rule in Nigeria. His political and legal activism was driven by great intellectual and ideological ferment and his words ring true today. His austere political leadership and intellectual notions of human rights continue to expand today, and no doubt enrich the political conversation on the national question and the urgent need to tinker with the territorial dimensions of the contrived Nigerian state. He represented a socio-political movement that is unequalled in the Second Republic politics in Nigeria, particularly in the

area of political party formation, organisation and ideology devoid of ethnicity and religious colouration of that era. As we celebrate the exit of one of Nigeria’s finest social crusaders and political reformists, it is painfully clear that ‘mosquitoes and rats’ are still looting the commonwealth with reckless abandon and the tragedy of the Nigerian situation is that majority of the elite are still engaged in

misappropriation of public wealth squirreled away in offshore accounts which weigh down social investment and development. Furthermore, Nigerian elite have failed to transform their political kingdoms into ecstasy. The inescapable image, therefore, is a picture of a people deprived of their basic needs in conditions of extreme hardship as state managers (Governors) and leaders fail to, or seem in-

capable of advancing policies and programmes that would alleviate the plight of the ordinary man, which Braithwaite championed and campaigned for in the last 50 years of his political activism. The principles and people revolutions which Braithwaite stood for is not all lost. The forces of progress may have been defeated several times over but certainly not destroyed. In

nation-building efforts, wherever there is manifest oppression, there is bound to be resistance. Braithwaite represented social resistance, equity, restructuring and, indeed, liberation of the common man from the stronghold of buccaneers in high places.

owed workers, while ensuring that salaries are paid promptly. Kogi is rich in mineral resources, and with the decision by the Federal Government that states could harness the resources within their boundaries, then our state should not lack money again. I am happy that the governor is a businessman;

he should use his business acumen to develop these resources, or form a partnership with foreign companies. Therefore, there should be no reason for government to owe workers.

•Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje, Lagos. 08034745325

Economic, political saboteurs hindering Buhari PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari definitely means well for the country, but economic saboteurs are hindering him from performing to the best of his ability. Today, we still hear of vandals who destroy electricity cables, or even fuel marketers who divert the products to neighbouring countries. It is so unfortunate some of these saboteurs have found partnership with some members of the security agencies who provide cover for them in exchange for a percentage of the evil proceeds. For example, those fuel marketers who engage in sharp practices make enormous profit which they could only dream of when the situation is normal. These marketers make their money in an atmosphere of chaos, and they will not want the situation to normalise. However, President Buhari needs to be ruthless with saboteurs if he truly wants to succeed in his assignment.

Apart from the economic sabouteurs, there are also political saboteurs who want the president to fail so as to make it look as if Nigerians made a mistake in voting for this government. While it is not easy to be on top of every situation in the country, I want the president to know that Nigerians will not accept the excuse for his failure. Already, it is almost a year since he assumed the presidency, and we have three years left, but these days, the years fly by, and very soon, it will be the end of the tenure of this government. It is not enough to continue to blame previous governments; what Nigerians want is for them to live good lives, and it is not too much to be asking for good roads, stable power supply, among other social amenities. •Idayat Kassim, Ilorin, Kwara State.

No reason for Kogi to be poor PERMIT me to use your widely-read newspaper to reach out to the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on the plight of workers in the state. For years now, civil servants have not really enjoyed successive governments, and with the assumption of Alhaji Bello as the executive governor of the state, we felt the relationship be-

tween the workers and the executive would become smooth, but with what we are seeing, it might take longer before the relationship smoothens out. I want Governor Bello to forge a closer relationship with the civil servants, who will largely determine his performance in office. The governor should first settle all the arrears

•Ibrahim Salim, Ogori Magongo, Kogi State.

opinion

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Grazing reserves: When trouble sleeps By Azuka Onwuka

S cattle rearing by Fulani herdsmen a Federal Government project? Why this question, someone may ask? Let us look at this scenario. If I need to set up a factory to make soaps or motor spare parts, or a farm for yam or rice, or a poultry farm, or a fish pond, or a school, or a newspaper house, I look for land/property to buy or lease or rent. Even if I want to sell clothes or meat or books or beans, I look for a shop to rent for my business. If I make a loss or profit, it is my business. The government does not care about it. Even though the government does not provide any free land for me, it – local government, state government and federal government – still comes to collect different taxes from me. Recently, newspapers reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had mandated the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Audu Ogbeh, to establish 50,000 hectares of land across the nation within six months for the grazing of Fulani herdsmen’s cattle as a way of ending the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers. So, the questions are: Are these cattle national project (like a road or a power station that serves the whole nation) that the Federal Government will take land from different parts of the nation for their grazing? When the cattle are sold, do the farmers pay the money into the federation account for all the states to share? If I need a cow, is it handed over to me free of charge as a Nigerian citizen? Yes, in his asset declaration, President Buhari said he owns 270 cows. Are we joint-owners of those cows too? If these cows are privately owned, on what basis should Buhari mandate Ogbeh to establish 50,000 hectares of land across the nation for their grazing? Is this fair? Is it just? A newspaper’s editorial entitled, “FG’s grazing reserve: invitation to chaos,” quoted Ogbeh as saying: “We are faced with cattle grazing challenge now and the conflicts. A lot of people are getting killed. It is my business to solve that problem. The President has told me so. I have done my survey and I have taken my decision that we have to grass up 50,000 hectares of land in the next six months

across the northern belt before we move South. I’m bringing improved grass seeds. I will multiply it and I’m going to solve the problem of grazing. Whether critics like it or not, it’s my business.’” While that was on, the issue of the Grazing Reserves Bill at the National Assembly reared its head. The bill, which has passed the Second Reading, seeks to establish grazing reserves across the states for Fulani herdsmen as a way of curbing the conflicts between them and the locals. On the surface, it looks like a well-intentioned bill, but looked at critically, it portends danger. The way many people in the South view it is that it is a subtle way of creating an official territory of the Fulani within each state of the federation. The relationship between the Fulani and the local communities where they operate has been turbulent. From Taraba to Plateau, to Benue, to Ondo, to Edo, to Delta, and to Enugu, it has been a tale of bloodshed. Recently in Agatu, a farming community in Benue State, for instance, the figure was put at over 300 people killed, houses burnt and villages sacked. Days after the Agatu attack, it was reported in the newspapers that armed Fulani men occupied Agatu with hundreds of their cows. The government did not send soldiers or police or the Department of State Services (DSS) to the place. It was so bad that the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, could not visit the scene until after five weeks. When the Inspector-General of Po-

lice, Mr Solomon Arase, addressed the two sides, he did so in the Benue State capital, Makurdi, rather than in Agatu. At that meeting, a leader of the Fulani herdsmen, Ardo Boderi, claimed that what sparked-off the crisis was the killing of their 10,000 cows in Agatu. That was a justification for the massacre by equating human lives with cattle and admitting taking the law into their hands. At the end of that meeting, there was no report that the man or any of the Fulani was arrested, even if merely for questioning. A similar scenario has played out in all the states where the Fulani attacked the locals. There is no report that any suspect has been arrested for the killings, even though the Global Terrorism Index has named Fulani herdsmen as the fourth deadliest terror group in the world. They killed 1,229 people in 2014. The Fulani herdsmen are even captured in photos bearing guns within Nigeria. Rather than take some measures to curb their attacks, the government looks the other way and decides that the best way to deal with them is to pacify them by giving them other people’s land. Some have even argued that the killing of locals by the Fulani herdsmen could have been a strategy to instill fear in the people and make them succumb to part with their land “for the sake of peace.” The message the government has sent out to the communities is that it will not protect them against any attack from Fulani herdsmen, but if they defend themselves against the Fulani, government will come for them. Therefore, trying to carve out any part of any state as grazing reserves for Fulani herdsmen will be seen as a covert territorial expansion of the Fulani into all parts of Nigeria. It should be resisted by the National Assembly. Those who engage in cattle rearing should invest in the creation of ranches within their environment where cattle will be well taken care of without any contact with people in the streets. The cows will become healthier, bigger and more nutritional. They will also yield more milk that is more nutritional. And there will be no conflict between cow owners and communities. •Onwuka is a public affairs analyst.

Still on the Ogoni cleanup By Fegale Nsuke

DURING the build-up to the 2015 presidential elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC), had hinged its campaign on one major advantage — President Buhari’s credibility. Buhari became exceptionally unique, standing out as an open, honest and most believable among the candidates for the presidential election. At least, his party’s campaign messages made him so. It was an offer that would attract many among a Nigerian political class where lies, failed promises, self interest, rights violations, and insensitivity to the sufferings of the poor were dominant. Buhari’s long absence from political leadership, his previous success at prosecuting the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), were attractive credentials to impress anyone that he had something different to offer and represented a deviation from the politically corrupt system we now commonly acknowledge. For me as an Ogoni, I understood that the decision of about 400,000 eligible Ogoni voters cannot determine the outcome of presidential elections, though it plays significantly in the local and state contests. Besides, I had become worried that in over four years after the Ogoni UNEP report had been submitted to former President Goodluck Jonathan, no action had been taken to implement it. President Buhari’s announcement to fast-track the implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoniland was, for me, a turning point. At least, it gave hope that our struggles, pains, losses, sacrifices and violations were not all going to be in vain. I began to see that Ogoni and its environment could possibly be saved from an inevitable calamity had the new government continued with the policies of the former regarding this issue. At a recent rally in Gokana, Ogoniland, the president of MOSOP, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, expressed hope in the government’s commitment to a clean Ogoni. Pyagbara seemed happy with the efforts of the environment minister, Amina Mohammed, and hoped that her commitment would yield positive results. I saw the same

commitment on the part of the minister during her visit to Ogoniland last February. Her assurances were firm and built confidence. But what followed has not been encouraging. It’s degenerating into the usual Nigerian political speech –some kind of “clean-mix” - a term that has been synonymous with political maneuverings at top government levels. It’s time to back all the promises and commitment with action. The “Saint” reputation and “Integrity” of President Buhari could begin to come under question with the delay in concrete action to fast-track the Ogoni cleanup process. The president needs to show some concern about his promises and how his commitment and methods can be seen as different from what we have seen in the past. Ogoni is dying from a poisoned environment and just like the president found time to seek Ogoni votes for his presidential ambition, the president needs also to find time to visit Ogoni again and to tell them: “I am not for Shell, I am not for repression, I am not for death. I am for a healthy environment, I am for Ogoni rights and those of every Nigerian and that is why I am for everybody.” These words will not only help build Buhari’s image beyond Ogoni, it will engender greater love for him within Ogoni as the people watch to see further actions taken to implement the report. I am conscious of the fact that there are several other issues affecting the Ogoni. The most outstanding is the failure of the Nigerian system to protect the Ogoni people and our environment. Yes! Nigeria has, indeed, failed to protect the Ogoni. But a starting point to address

the issues will be to save dying population. Whether the pains will be forgotten and better relationship be built without suspicion will depend on government’s responses to these issues. I have maintained that the Ogoni contribution to the Nigerian budget is greater than those of 20 states put together. We fund the Nigerian states in which the dominant Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups split themselves into states and use the resources coming from Ogoni to sustain their unproductive state. It is appalling that most Nigerian states cannot survive without the federal allocations, yet, communities like the Ogoni, where huge revenue are currently generated, do not have even drinkable water. That should sound strange for people who thought that the stoppage of oil flow in 1993 meant that Ogoni no longer made contributions. They still steal our oil in parts of Khana and Oyigbo. Besides, we have two oil refineries in Ogoni, two seaports, two fertilizer plants and a petro-chemical complex. What we get from these institutions are waste emissions that worsen our environmental disaster. Nigerian lawmakers have not helped the situation; they have been very insensitive to the plight of the people who live in the hydrocarbon-polluted environment of the Niger Delta, where the deafening noise from flow stations wouldn’t give them sleep and the ravaging flares of Shell have killed the natural habitat. Nigeria and Shell have gotten the best out of the oil-producing communities, yet even while on danger list, the environment is still not treated with some priority. Despite the plethora of violations - political, economic and social problems facing the Ogoni today, we seem to have dwelt so much on the cleanup, not because it represents the solution, but because we are on the speed lane to death. We want the government to urgently fix the environment and all our other demands, including the right to self determination. •Nsuke, the publicity secretary of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), sent this article from Port-Harcourt.

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) •Born on December 20, 1940. He is an indigene of Delta State, Nigeria.

CHURCH BOY

FUNOLOGY

• Sagay Itsejuwa Esanjumi attended Government College, Ughelli, Delta State, from 1954 to 1959. He was a member of the first batch of students who got admission into the Faculty of Law, University of Ife in 1962. He obtained Masters Degree (LL.M) in International Law from Cambridge University in 1968. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 1998. •Professor Itse Sagay is a distinguished legal scholar, a Professor of Law as well as human rights activist. He is the former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin. He is a constitutional law expert.

SEGELUULU

•Sagay has over the years taught and written on the following areas of law: Law of Contracts; Public International Law; Family Law; Law of Succession; Constitutional Law; African Customary Law; Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. •In August 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption headed by Professor Sagay. The Committee’s duty, among other things, include to advise the Buhari-led administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption, and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

THERE ARE 10 DIFFERENCES IN THE CARTOONS BELOW. THE DIFFERENCES SHOULD BE MARKED IN B

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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

Nigeria’s tourism sector fertile for investment —Gani Adams tells Nigerians in South Africa By Wale Ojo Lanre

IGERIANS in South Africa have been called upon to survey the tourism sector back home when considering where and which sector is viable for investments. The National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, who is also the worldwide convener of Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), made this clarion call on Friday, 16th April 2016, in Johannesburg, during the formal inauguration of Oodua Progressive Union, South Africa chapter. In his welcome address at the formal launching of the sociocultural association, which drew a large number of Nigerians across the ethnic lines to the event held at the Hellenic Orthodox Hall, 62 Fifth Street, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg, Otunba Adams said, “I am particularly happy that this hall is filled today, not only by the Yoruba who today’s event is meant for, but by also other nationalities which make up the great nation called Nigeria. This has emboldened me to advise you all to survey the tourism sector back home when considering investment platforms.” He pointed out, “I am glad that God is rewarding your labour in South Africa. This country is germane, conducive and breeds

room for prosperity but I must, however, counsel you to always think of investing whatever you gained here back home. You should be able to ensure the sustainability and permanence of your efforts here in Nigeria and the tourism sector is one of the veritable grounds for such investments.” Otunba Adams declared “the cultural–tourism sector is still largely under invested. South Africa is a country which has harnessed the socio-cultural tourism heritage in creating employment opportunities, empowering the citizens, lubricating wealth and adding aesthetic value to the environment. Majority of you have not only been bystanders but active participants and implementers of the process of development in this country. You have thus participated, experienced and understood how these things are done. Your wealth of experience in these areas will be a huge benefit for Nigeria and your business at home particularly in the hospitality sector which South Africa is noted for”. He revealed that part of the reasons why the OPU was formed was to serve as a clarion call for all Yoruba in Diaspora, not only to remember their cultural heritage but also to be a whistle blower to “those of you in Diaspora on investment and investible opportunities at home”. Otunba Adams said, “Apart

from being a socio–cultural organisation, OPU is also out to open eyes of members to investment opportunities at home and to direct them to business platforms waiting for investors to develop”. Otunba Adams disclosed that OPU is not a merry making, mere socio–cultural organisation but one which the founder of Yoruba land inspired to be inaugurated and which has been at the vanguard of resuscitating the culture and tradition of Yoruba in 65 countries. “I must made it clear that OPU, within a few years of inauguration has been able to make landmark cultural impact in 65 countries of the world stoking the dying embers of the cultural heritage and pristine culture of Yoruba and making the race an enviable one, thereby restoring the glory of the past”. Otunba Adams said, “It has not been story of cultural dancing and making speeches all over the world alone. OPU has been a voice of note in national discourse which has influenced the path of good governance in Nigeria”. He revealed, “Apart from serving as a tool of cultural resuscitation and regeneration, OPU is the only socio – cultural organisation which has initiated and inaugurated a housing project for its members. This housing project has saved a lot of mem-

bers from being defrauded by relations, friends and land speculators”. Otunba Adams also disclosed that, “by the grace of God, OPU has been able to ensure the establishment of Yoruba cultural schools in Holland, Sweden and Senegal.” The OPU members in South Africa distinctly showcased that they were not only happy for the inauguration of their own chapter, but extremely glad that the event was held with pomp and ceremony. Apart from the two Nigerian South Africa based juju acts who dazzled the Otunba Adams-led delegation, which include Oba Joseph Adewole, the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Chief Bola Doherty, a chieftain of Yoruba Council of Elders, Ambassador Yomi Fash Lanso, Otunba Femi Davies, CEO, Metro news, Mr Layi Ogunfowokan, Assistant Secretary General, Oodua People’s Congress, Prince Segun Olalekan Akanni and others, the four traditional dancing groups which thrilled the guests assured all that the Yoruba in South Africa are quite in touch with home. In his response after receiving the Staff of Office, Prince Adeniyi Olatunji, OPU Coordinator, South Africa chapter, commended Otunba Adams for initiating “a veritable organisation which is comparable only to the one founded by the Jews before the

creation of Israel, to the one the Germans founded to protect its cultural heritage called ‘Goethe Institute’, to the one which China is still using to protect its culture despite the scourge of globalisation which is eating and sweeping away the cultural heritages of many nations.” Prince Olatunji described Otunba Adams as a saviour sent by Oduduwa to rescue “the pristine Yoruba race from committing cultural suicide which was imminent, save for the emergence of OPU.” He promised not only to adhere and pursue the vision of OPU in South Africa with all his energy but will galvanize members in exhibiting Omoluabi traits which will make not only the Yoruba proud, but a shining stars of Nigeria in Diaspora. Chief Doherty, in her words of exhortation, called the OPU members to remember that they were the mirror of Yoruba. “You need to set yourself apart in manners, deeds and acts so that other nationalities in South Africa will wish to be Yoruba”, she said. Lending his voice of wisdom, Mr Yomi Fash Lanso, a cosmopolitan Nollywood crooner who is also a cultural Ambassador of the OPU challenged the members to, “Let your light of being products of a civilized culture shine among the people of South Africa. Let your light of being from the pedigree of Oduduwa radiate to your neighbours, acquaintances, friends and well wishers here in South Africa. Let them see that you are truly descendants of the tree of Omoluabi which is the hallmark of Yoruba.” Capping the event, which was described as one of the best cultural–tourism programmes ever held in South–Africa by Nigerians with no crisis and trouble, the Owa of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Adewole offered a wonderful prayer for all present which was laced with divine and kingship authority to the delight of all. For Prince Adedapo Adesanmi, a South African-based Nigerian who has distinguished himself in real estate and who was impressed by the packaging and focus of OPU, said, “With what I have seen this night, with the speech of Otunba Adams, with the vision and direction of this organisation, OPU is a pride to Yoruba land in particular and Nigeria in general. This is a truly and sensibly socio-cultural organisation which strives to add value to Yoruba race. Kudos to Otunba Adams for the vision.”

tourism

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Chops Foods and Drinks, Johannesburg: Where Nigerians find value of food By wale Ojo lanre

HE political – cultural relations between Nigeria and South Africa has led to influx of the citizens of the two nations into each other’s countries. As a lot of Nigerians are daily jumping into available flights heading for South Africa and South Africans are daily scrambling to Nigeria for business, leisure, religious and cultural memories. One of the fears of some people leaving their domiciled environment is basically whether the desired culinary desires will be available. This is essential for many do not joke with their normal and daily diet and always careful of whatever they passed down their throats. In South Africa, some Nigerians have not only established restaurants and bars, but to ensure that the foods served there are wholly of Nigerian brand and ingredients. One of such is Chops Foods and Drinks

Bestman located in Midrand , South Africa. It is an African setting, diagonally shaped gaboozle hut with its interior decked with the pictorial beauty of Nigerian landscape and tourism sites. Chops is one of the few restaurants established

by a Nigerian where one can satisfactorily have its choice of African food According to Mr Bestman Nze Jumbo, a former University of Lagos Students Union Leader said, “The setting up of Chops Foods and Drinks was actuated

by the urgent need to make available African dishes to satisfy the ever present visitors from Nigeria in particular and other West African countries in general.” He disclosed, “When I relocated to this country, most of the pubs and restaurants were European in content, service and outlook. Even, South African restaurants were not so many. Thus, the onus was on some of us, who have gathered experience in this sector before we moved here to rise to the dictates of the circumstance and do something needful and worthwhile.” At Chops, Midrand, the choice is yours, your taste dictates their service. It is how do you want it or what do you want. “Here, it is about your choice and taste. We ensure that our primary ingredients are from Nigeria. The menu is African, the cooking is African and the taste is Nigerian”, Bestman revealed He disclosed that, “the restaurant business in South Africa is encouraging if the operator stays and abides by the rules of the business. Here, you cannot just cook for cooking sake. The hospitality business here is regulated, monitored and controlled for quality, hygiene and health. Thus whatever you eat here apart from being an authentic Nigerian affair is of the highest hygienic quality”.

Gov Amosun: Yemoji Natural swimming pool, By wale Ojo lanre GOVERNOR of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has been commended for the wonderful packaging of the first ever Ogun State Drum Festival which attracted thousands of tourists and an impressive number of diplomats with the attendance of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi , Ojaja II, who also came in company of his Olori and Dr Sally Mbanefo, Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC. The Drum festival has added value of importance and has elevated the status of Ogun State from a low performing tourism state to a hope rising state of action, this is because the Drum Festival was spectacular, beautiful, exciting and great in concept, packaging and celebration. At least the people of Ogun State will be better for it for the two days the event lasted as it attracted multitude of tourists who must have parted with money before leaving the state. And I am sure if the department of statistics has conducted a financial survey on what came in during the two days , it will further help the Governor in getting a proper insight to what tourism activities and events are capable of doing and achieving for the economy of the state . It is needless to be telling the public that Ogun State is a paragon of tourism. There is no contention in this going by the numerous tourism sites which the state is blessed with .Right from the ever famous Olumo Rock , the first Church in Ake, the Centenary Hall, Bilikisu Sugbo Grove, Alake’s Palace, Itoku Market, Omo Forest Reserve, Hilltop Golf Resort, Yemoji Natural Swimming Pool, Ijebu Ode, Oyan Dam

in Abeokuta North, Iwopin Boat Regatta, Oronna Shrine in Ilaro, Tongeji Island in Ipokia, Old Manse at Ogbe in Abeokuta, Ota and Ijamido river shrine, so many that the state just need to enhance these sites to boost the economy of the people . Inasmuch those events like Drum festivals are good; their shelf span is short and could only be elongated if the state has several interesting places which could lure

the attention of the tourists to extend their stay in the state with the hope of visiting these places. Ogun State has many places which can retain the attention and cultivate the interest of those who hurriedly left the state after the close of the Drum Festival. For, most of them would have gone back with half of the money which would have been spent in Ogun State if there are many

other places to visit. Yemoji Natural Swimming Pool, Imagbon, located on Kilometre 6, Ijebu OdeEpe Road is once upon a time an exciting tourists spot which hosted tourists all over the country not just because it is a naturally built swimming pool neither because its water has therapeutic and medicinal impact on the body just like the Dead Sea in Israel and Jordan but also because the

tourism

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Win a trip to Israel promo is at no cost to the federal or state government —Opara

Opara THE Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara, has said that ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ promo would create a platform that would enable every Christian to go on Holy Pilgrimage at no cost to the federal or state government. He made this statement at a special day of prayer for Ekiti State and its leadership, as well as the launch of ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ (WAT-

TI). He explained that pilgrimage is meant for Christians who are spiritually rich, but materially poor so that they could have a divine encounter in Israel and have their faith renewed and strengthened. Mr Opara stressed that aside the divine encounter which pilgrimage offers, it also helps in transforming the lives of Christians. He posited that for the country to experience change across all spheres of life, the citizenry should be encouraged to participate in activities that would uplift their minds and bring about spiritual rebirth. He added that there was no way Nigeria could change except the individuals themselves are changed. He expatiated that the ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ raffle ticket costs only 500 naira to enable as many Christians as possible to afford it and be able to participate in the raffle draw. He urged the Christians to always pray for the leaders both at the state and federal levels. In his remark at the event, the Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Adolphus Ekpe said that the vision of about two years had come to reality with the formal launch of Win a Trip to Isreal promo. According to him, “Win a Trip to Israel is

a Nigerian brand and should be embraced by all Christians”. The Director General spoke through the Zonal Coordinator South-West office, Ibadan, Mr Tayo Fsanhaumi Mr Ekpe said that ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ promo was an innovation initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two commissions. He explained that the idea was to ensure the sustainability of Christian pilgrimage by providing opportunity for the financially challenged Christians to perform the spiritual exercise at minimal cost. Also speaking, Governor Ayo Fayose described pilgrimage as a veritable programme which provides Christians the opportunity of coming together to pray. He equally described pilgrimage as a spiritual exercise which enables Christians to have a lifelong encounter in the Holy Land. The Governor who was represented by the Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka

Twins Tourism: China to celebrate Nigerian Twins in Mojiang

Imagbon is crying!

Amosun site was kept in proper condition conducive for tourism activities. For many years Yemoji Natural Swimming Pool was it then must visit port for

fun loving tourists, swimming buffs and picnickers for the private managers ensured the fitting of facilities and provision of infrastructures which made the place an attraction to many. However, tragedy befell Yemoji Natural Swimming Pool when the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism on one hand, which is the leaser and the lesse, the private company managing the site could not come to reach an acceptable term of agreement on the site. Thus, the lesse was asked to vacate the premises on the term agreed which he did thus stripping the site of all the facilities and infrastructure which it bore to bear. Immediately the premises were vacated, the hoodlums took over and for five years, Yemoji was the den of armed robbers and cultists. This was the situation, until recently when Mr Taiwo Adigboluja, an indigene of the Imagbon, who was propelled by altruism and love for tourism summoned courage to clear the premises of the site and opened the place up. This was done with the tactic approval and permission of Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Governor Amosun will not only add value to the tourism assets of Ogun State but also create avenue of employment and mobilise wealth if he can just pay little attention to Yemoji Natural Swimming Pool which is crying and calling for enhancement. The name of Governor Amosun will never go into absolute forgetfulness in the history of tourism development in Nigeria if this wonderful, once exciting and fascinating attraction could be enhanced. God bless Governor Amosun God bless Ogun State.

commended the NCPC for the noble initiative of ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ which offers the less privileged Christians the opportunity of embarking on Holy pilgrimage to Israel. He thanked the Executive Secretary of NCPC, John Kennedy Opara for the choice of Ekiti State as the first state in the SouthWest for the launch of ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ promo. He explained that the state government had provided tickets for the low income earners to enable them participate in the raffle draw. Four winners emerged in Ekiti State following the raffle draw which was supervised by the Governor’s representative as well as representative of the DG, National Lottery Regulatory Commission. Mr Awojolu Korede, Olowoyo Emmanuel, Adeniran Segun and Usha Ekwuagon. Two of the winners were physically present and were immediately given forms to fill by the NCPC officials.

Oguntoye Taiwo & Kehinde THE People’s Republic of China will celebrate Nigerian twins, Oguntoye Taiwo and Kehinde at the 12th International Twins Festival in Mojiang, Pu’er City Yunnan Province. The Mojiang International Twins Festival is one of the most recognised festivals in Asia and the event has over the years attracted thousands of participants from around the world to promote and celebrate culture in diversity. As a result of what the organisers termed “outstanding achievements” through mutual respect and understanding of each other’s works, the World Twins Tourism initiators, Oguntoye Taiwo and Kehinde who were recently named The Most Famous Twins in African Tourism by The African Sun Times are the only twins to represent Africa at this year’s Twins Festival in China.. Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye are the cofounders of Twins World Creations (TWC), an organisation established a decade ago

to research and develop the relevance of twins to the tourism sector of the world’s economy as well as events conceptualisation, public/community relations and marketing. TWC has developed products on twinning among which is the Nigeria Twins Festival which has meta-morphosed into a world -class festival. Nigeria being the country with the world highest concentration of twins with credit to the land of twins, Igboora land, Oyo State. The duo are currently working on World Twins Festival, a Guinness Book of Records category for Nigeria’s tourism boost through twinning. The Mojiang International Twins Festival is hosted by the Mojiang Hani People’s Culture Sports Radio & TV Tourism Bureau and is scheduled to hold from April 30 to May 3, 2016. This year’s activities will include Hani Nationality traditional show and bonfire welcome party, twins star talent competition show, local cock fighting, bird fighting, Hani Long Gourmet Tasting, awards ceremony among others.

ecoscope

US: Working globally

to improve water security

United States’ Special Coordinator for Water Resources, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science Affairs, Aaron A. Salzberg, recently had a teleconference with journalists across some African regions on transboundary water issues and the Water for the World Act, among other germane issues. DOYIN ADEOYE, who was among journalists gathered at the US Consulate, Victoria Island, Lagos, writes.

LTHOUGH a lot of progress has been recorded in the global water challenge, today, somewhere between 1.5 and two billion people still lack access to water that is safe to drink, while more than two billion people lack access to basic sanitation. With a high proportion of these people in Africa, particularly in poor and rural populations, this lack of safe water, sanitation and basic hygiene, remains

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

one of the leading causes of death of children under five, and a major source of both physical and cognitive stunting which can have a major impact on development outcomes. Salzberg, who is the first person to hold the title of Special Coordinator for Water Resources, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science Affairs, noted that “Many countries throughout the world remain water insecure; they remain at risk of shortages of water, lack

Anyone who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes, one for peace and one for science — President John F. Kennedy, 35th

with Doyin Adeoye

m:08038000394 e:doyinadeoye@tribuneonlineng.com t:@kreatif_ink

of water for drinking, water for food, for industrial use, or are at risk of floods and other water related natural disasters. “Climate change, of course, is exacerbating many of these challenges and this water insecurity is becoming a growing impediment to economic growth and an increasing source of tension between communities and countries.” However, he reaffirmed the United States’ commitment in ensuring that people have sustainable supplies of water, adding that the “United States is working globally to improve water security. This means increasing access to safe drinking water and sanitation, improving water resources management, and promoting cooperation on shared waters.” Through capacity building, investment in infrastructure, diplomatic engagement, science and technology cooperation, and partnerships, a lot is being done to ensure that many people in the world have access to safe and clean water. The Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act, which was passed recently by the United States Congress, makes access to drinking water and sanitation a priority for United States foreign assistance. “This new Act, which was just passed in 2014, asks the President to identify priority countries based on need, and to prioritise United States foreign assistance for drinking water and sanitation to those countries. I think the real intent behind the legislation is to see whether or not we can make significant progress in those countries that are furthest behind, in providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation to its people. “We have just begun looking at the implementation of this piece of legislation and are working hard to think through how we’re going to do that in these priority countries. We have identified that list of priority countries and again, many African countries like Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia are on this list,” he said. Many water resource alternatives such as improving water use efficiency, rain water harvesting, desalination, recovering, recycling, and re-using water, among others, have been suggested over time, yet there seems not to be enough progress in putting these desired alternatives in place. Salzberg, however, noted that help in this regard, have been coming in form of new technologies that are helping to mobilise resources. He stated further that there are a number of communities, particularly in rural areas, that are looking seriously at how to expand rainwater harvesting, ground water recharge, and all these things in the areas that they are trying to do, to better manage their water resources. Reacting to a question from a journalist in Madagascar on criteria used in allocating money for different projects in each country, the environment diplomat noted that the level of need as well as the opportunity to make a difference is often given utmost consideration. “We are fundamentally trying to improve the conditions for the poorest populations. So the level of need is probably the first thing that we would look at. The second thing that we would look at is the opportunity to make a difference. Are we uniquely positioned? We think of the technology, the skills and the money that we are bringing. Are there other donors who are working in that particular area? “We also look at the commitment of the community itself, or the commitment of the government. Water and sanitation investments are some of the most challenging to achieve sustainable gains on. And what we find is that the level of commitment by the government, by the local communities in maintaining these types of investments is absolutely critical to ensuring sustainability,” he said. In terms of funding, the United States generally spends upwards of 400 to 500 million dollars annually to address drinking water and sanitation issues worldwide. Since the inception of the Water for the Poor Act, development assistance support for drinking water and sanitation activities in Africa has gone up almost tenfold.

President of the United States

Nations sign The goal of the United States historic Paris is to ensure that people have climate deal the water they need, where they need it and when they need it.

According to Salzberg, the United States on an average spends between 150 and 250 million dollars annually for drinking water and sanitation activities in the African Continent, thereby improving the water security of countries in Africa. “The goal of the United States is to ensure that people have the water they need, where they need it and when they need it, without living in fear of floods and droughts, and working with countries throughout the world to achieve that goal,” he said. Concerned about transboundary water issues in Africa, a journalist in Kigali, Rwanda, asked if conflicts indeed arise from the use and management of water across countries in the continent. In his response, Salzberg noted that in reality, Africa is home to the largest number of transboundary basins in the world and cooperation over water resources is the only alternative. “I think every single country on the continent shares water with one or another country. And this isn’t just surface water and rivers, but also groundwater. So these resources come under increasing pressure and the competition over these resources is going to continue to grow. However, it is our hope that countries will realise that cooperation over water resources is really the only alternative. Conflict over water doesn’t make sense for a lot of reasons, as cooperation over water can yield very meaningful benefits, economically, socially and politically. “We, from the State Department, view water systems as the backbone of economic development for many regions throughout the world and I think this is particularly true for Africa. There are many river systems within Africa that could drive economic growth in ways that few things can. And the cooperative management of those river systems is critical in realising that full economic potential,” he said. Assessing African countries’ efforts in following scientific standards in the drinking water and sanitation sector, Salzberg said “there are a number of African countries that have made some significant progress in addressing some of these challenges. While access to piped water remains a tremendous challenge within the African continent, access to drinking water and sanitation is beginning to improve. “However, many people particularly in rural communities still rely on surface water to drink and by that I mean rivers, lakes, irrigation canals and the likes. Access to piped water is still very low within Africa. So in terms of meeting proper drinking water standards, I think we look towards piped water where you can better monitor water quality, better monitor supplies, better ensure 24/7 access. And there are some countries that have made some significant progress in that regard. Botswana, for instance, between 1990 and 2015 increased access to piped water by 52 per cent. “Also within the same period, Ethiopia reduced open defecation rates by 64 per cent. Senegal has also made progress on piped drinking water. Angola, Guinea, Benin and Malawi have made progress in sanitation. So there are homegrown examples that we can draw from that might enable the continent to reach the level of service and the quality of service that it needs to in the future,” he said.

IN an extraordinary show of support for the Paris Climate Change Agreement adopted last December, 175 Parties, including 174 countries and the European Union, signed up to it at a ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday. This record far exceeds the historical record for first-day signatures to an international agreement. The ceremony, held the first day the Paris Agreement was open for signature, marked the initial step toward ensuring the agreement enters into force. The agreement can enter into force 30 days after 55 Parties accounting for 55 per cent of global emissions deposit their instruments of ratification. “The world will have met the requirement needed for the Paris Agreement to enter into force,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “if all 175 Parties that have signed today take the next step at the national level and join the Agreement.” Fifteen countries submitted their ratifications during the signing ceremony, including small island developing countries that are on the frontlines of climate impacts. These countries included the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Somalia, State of Palestine, Barbados, Belize, Fiji, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Samoa, Tuvalu, Maldives, Saint Lucia, and Mauritius. Several countries announced plans to join the agreement in 2016, including Australia, Argentina, Cameroon, Canada, China, France, Mali, Mexico, Philippines, and the United States. Other countries, including Brazil, the European Union, and the Russian Federation, pledged to swiftly work to complete the necessary steps for joining the agreement.

Some of the African leaders at the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).

UNEA- 2: African Ministers pledge accelerated action

on sustainable development, climate change

MINISTERS of environment and representatives of over 45 African countries have agreed to accelerate action on issues ranging from the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to climate change and the illegal trade in wildlife. At the close of the sixth special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) held in Cairo last week, they also pledged to engage strongly, with a common approach, in the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2), which will be held in Nairobi from 23 to 27 May 2016, to shape the global environmental agenda in support of Africa’s priorities. In his remarks, President of AMCEN and Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Dr Khalid Fahmy, stressed the need for African countries to continue engaging actively in climate change negotiations. According to a press release from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the meeting was held just over a month ahead of UNEA-2, where major decisions of relevance to Africa will be taken. African countries intend to table a set of resolutions, ranging from natural capital and illegal trade in wildlife, to health and the environment, with focus on lead battery recycling. African countries’ effective engagement in UNEA-2 will ensure that national and regional priorities are addressed, especially follow-up on the implementation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as Agenda 2063. Mr Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director, UNEP said: “Africa is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, a dynamic and growing population and, crucially, an energy potential that the continent can and must tap into

to support the global transformation to sustainability over the next few decades. “The decisions taken at AMCEN today demonstrate that Africa’s leaders are

committed to both the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement as a means of building a sustainable future for every citizen on this diverse continent.”

World heading for catastrophe over natural disasters, risk expert warns THE world’s failure to prepare for natural disasters will have “inconceivably bad” consequences as climate change fuels a huge increase in catastrophic droughts and floods and the humanitarian crises that follow, the United Nations’ head of disaster planning has warned. Last year, earthquakes, floods, heatwaves and landslides left 22,773 people dead, affected 98.6 million others and caused $66.5 billion of economic damage. Yet the international community spends less than half of one per cent of the global aid budget on mitigating the risks posed by such hazards. Robert Glasser, the special representative of the secretary general for disaster risk reduction, said that with the world already “falling short” in its response to humanitarian emergencies, things would only get worse as climate change adds to the pressure. “If you see that we’re already spending huge amounts of money and are unable to meet the humanitarian need, and then you overlay that with not just population growth, but with climate change, where we’re seeing an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and the knock-on effects with respect to food security and conflict and new viruses like the Zika virus or whatever, you realise that the only way we’re going to be able to deal with these trends is by getting out ahead of them and focusing on reducing disaster risk.”

tribunebusiness

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

energy

anchor Tunde Dodondawa

m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

Finding lasting solution to fuel scarcity menace Fuel scarcity has continued unabated with no immediate solution in sight. Despite efforts and promises by the Federal Government, Nigerians still waste several man-hours attempting to buy fuel. In this report, OLATUNDE DODONDAWA examines new strategies by the FG to meet the earlier deadline of May 7th as promisedby the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

ith the adoption of one-cargo-per-day policy and the increased involvement of oil marketers in fuel importation and distribution, there was a little improvement in the nation’s fuel situation. Consequently, some stakeholders were optimistic that the prolonged scarcity would soon come to an end. For instance, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had indicated that fuel supply and distribution situation have drastically improved in Abuja and Lagos State. The NNPC and its downstream subsidiary, the Nigerian Products Marketing Company (NPMC) had noted that 12 cargoes laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol were discharging in Lagos, Calabar and Port Harcourt ports in order to wet the nation with robust supply and distribution of petrol. The Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad had, after a tour of some filling stations in Abuja and its environ, maintained that the situation was under control. Specifically, Muhammad had informed that the NNPC, the Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketing Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are all trucking out petrol from their various marine and inland depots to stabilise the situation. Factors causing the lingering in fuel scarcity, a survey conducted in Lagos on Monday showed that the situation has worsened again for some reason because, many companies, who got allocation to import the product for the second quarter of 2016 have not yet been able to do so. A top official in one of the companies, who preferred not to be mentioned, said it would take between 25 and 37 days to source funds for fuel importation. “We were lucky to have been shortlisted for fuel importation. But we have not yet started to import the product. It would take some weeks to do a few essential things before the importation can start. Once we are able to source funds as well as do other things, we would start to import. For now, we have no other option than to depend on the

NNPC for supplies,” he stated. The poor state of some major facilities, such as depots and pipelines due to vandalism, were said to have affected distribution. More so, many consumers as well as illegal operators were said to have been involved in panic buying of the product. Expectedly, there were indications that transport fares and prices of food items have risen in many parts of the nation as a result of the current fuel scarcity. For instance, bus operators charge about N500 from Ikeja to CMS in Lagos, instead of N250. It also cost commuters N750 to move from Ikorodu to Obalende, instead of the previous N400 as a result of the scarcity. Transport operators who trade blames on the subject confirmed that the price of fuel has risen from N86.50 to N300 per liter in the black market as scarcity worsens in Lagos, Abuja and other cities. Many filling stations did not have stocks of the product. They maintained that although, the NNPC has commercial stocks of fuel it lacked the capacity to ensure the product get to the filling stations. The operators maintained that some of the corporation’s pipelines were vandalised, thus affecting fuel distribution. The transport operators further disclosed that only a few stations have the product to retail to motorists and other users. They confirmed the emergence of long queues in most parts of Lagos and its environ as well as Abuja and other cities. Illegal operators were noticed hawking fuel in jerry cans along major roads and streets. “The truth is that many families now find it impossible

In order for the populace to reap the benefits of our joint efforts, we advise the public to refrain from panic buying and we assure the buying public that we shall continue to work hand in hand with the NNPC and the Federal Government to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies all year round.

to feed themselves because of the market situation. The hike in fuel price has culminated in high prices of food items, thus making them unaffordable to them. The sad situation is worsened by the inability of many states to pay their workers as at when due,” Mr Bamidele Amigun, a transporter said. The Chairman of MOMAN, Mr Akin Akinfemiwa, has expressed optimism that the Federal Government would provide sufficient allocations in the second quarter for the importation of petroleum products. He said that the allocations have been evenly divided between the NNPC and the petroleum marketers. According to him, “the Federal Government, NNPC and the major marketers have put in place a structure to ensure the effective distribution of these allocations to the retail outlets and as a result, PMS has become readily available. “In order for the populace to reap the benefits of our joint efforts, we advise the public to refrain from panic buying and we assure the buying public that we shall continue to work hand in hand with the NNPC and the Federal Government to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies all year round.” Boosting domestic refining capacity Nigerians received with joy the news that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are now producing seven million litres per day of petrol. Dr Ibe Kachikwu disclosed this in Port Harcourt during re-commissioning of Bonny-Port Harcourt Refinery crude pipeline that has just been re-habilitated after being cut out of use for so many years due to incessant pipeline vandalism. He also assured that Kaduna refinery is in the process of receiving crude and will begin to refine product soon. “Our immediate concern is to make petrol available through the interventions and processes put in place, so that the queues will disappear within the next one to two weeks. ‘‘We have enough products lined up to ensure that the supply gap which created the problem is bridged. In order to ensure effective distribution we are working with IPMAN, MOMAN and over 1,000 NNPC staff nationwide to ensure we overcome the obstacles in the distribution of the products.” PETAN back modular refineries One of the suggestions on the way out of lingering fuel scarcity is the establishment of modular refineries. A modular refinery is a processing plant that has been constructed entirely on skid mounted structures. Each structure contains a portion of the entire process plant and through interstitial piping the components link together to form an easily manageable process. The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, recently endorsed the building of modular refineries to solve the recurrent fuel scarcity in the country. He spoke at the recently concluded 2016 African Modular Refinery seminar in Lagos. Osinbajo, who was represented by Ambassador Jide Olu, highlighted the need for modular refineries, noting that they will not only address the fuel scarcity problem, but move Nigeria away from being a net exporter of crude oil to a big producer and net exporter of petroleum products. He said there was no better time to start than now because of changes in the global oil and gas space. “Rather than merely extracting crude oil and exporting it and importing finished products, Nigeria should take full advantage of the oil and gas sector by refining crude and exporting it. That will mean full use of the oil and gas resources,” he added. continues on pg36

energy

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

How Iran drove OPEC production up in March By Agency Reports

he latest OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report has indicated how Iran drove production up in March. OPEC is now 13 nations with the addition of Indonesia. OPEC production was up 15,000 barrels per day in March but there has really been very little change since June of 2015. OPEC uses secondary sources such as Platts and other agencies to report their production numbers. The numbers are pretty accurate and usually have only slight revisions month to month. The big gainer in March was Iran while the biggest loser was the UAE. Notice that the UAE says their production recovered in March, from their big drop in February. But OPEC’s secondary sources say they did not, they fell another 100,000 barrels per day. Algeria peaked in November 2007 and has been in a steady decline since that point. Angola has been holding steady since peaking in 2008 and 2010. Ecuador appears to have peaked

last year. It is likely production will be down, but only slightly, in 2016. Indonesia has shown

an increase in recent months but their oil rig count has dropped from 35 in December

of 2014 to 10 today. That does not bode well for their future oil production.

From left, immediate past chairman, Odigbo Local Government, Ondo State, Mr Joseph Ikumamoyi, Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor, Dr Bola Ademutimi; Secretary to the Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola; Chief State Head, Ondo/Ekiti State, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC), Ernest Edgar; Chief Technical Officer, Mr Ashok Acharya and Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade at the signing ceremony of an agreement between BEDC and Ondo State on power restoration to indebted councils held in Akure, last Friday.

FG targets six months contracting cycle The Federal Government is set to cut the contracting cycle in the oil and gas industry from its current two to four years to six months as done in other countries, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has said. Kachikwu stated this at the stakeholders interactive workshop on the Nigerian Content Policy organised by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. He identified the long contracting cycle as a major contributor to the high cost of production per barrel of crude oil in Nigeria compared to other member countries of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). He listed other challenges to include multiplicity of bidders, application of manual tools in bid evaluation and divergent tender requirements by approving entities such as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and the International Oil Companies (IOCs). The minister, who was represented by the Group General Manager, (NAPIMS), Mr Sajebor Dafe Stephen, stated that the contract approving entities were already implementing his charge to strategise and develop a single contracting procedure, which will soon be issued to the industry. He also confirmed plans to categorise companies that have invested heavily in the economy and become local content champions for specific work scopes in a way that will facilitate contract opportunities.

These measures, he said, will enhance transparency and further boost investor confidence. He stated that a good number of Nigerians had been motivated by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act to acquire high cost marine vessels and oil rigs, and assured the Act’s provision of first consideration for Nigerian owned assets shall always apply in tenders related to utilisation of rigs or marine vessels. With the emergence of a new crop of indigenous owners of marine vessels, he said the new focus was on the local construction of vessels, adding that an assessment of shipyards was on-going and government will provide incentives and enablers that will enable local yards to construct vessels at

competitive cost. While appreciating the fact that some firms, including the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) accessed its ongoing fabrication and integration yard expansion of the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), the minister regretted the challenges faced by some other companies in accessing the NCDF. He stated that government was currently reviewing the operating model for NCDF, adding “it is my hope that the revised model will see more Nigerian firms access NCDF for commercial and developmental interventions.” Kachikwu charged Nigerians to keep faith with the Local Content policy as an instrument for the industrialisation of the economy, noting that other prosperous juris-

dictions succeeded because they adopted their preferred development policies and sustained the programmes for long periods. He challenged the National Assembly to consider the possibility of expanding the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act to other sectors of the economy especially information and communication, automobile, construction and power for maximum socio-economic gains. Kachikwu solicited the support of the private sector and the international community for Nigerian Content implementation and assured that the Act is not intended to drive foreigners out of the industry but to encourage domiciliation of industry activities in-country through genuine partnerships.

Nigerian Tribune

Sanctions were just lifted, in the middle of January, on Iran. Their production was up 208,000 barrels per day in February and another 139,000 bpd in March. Their production is expected to be up by 100000 from 500000 to 600000 barrels per day by year’s end. However it is believed Iran will be the only OPEC nation with any significant production increase in 2016. Most other OPEC countries will be flat to down slightly. Iraq, after first going over 4 million barrels per day in June 2015, has struggled to hole that level. It is very likely that Iraq has peaked, or at least peaked for several years. Iraq still depends on foreign investment to increase production and that seems to be drying up. Kuwait has increased production slightly in the last three months but the trend may not continue. Kuwait will take a huge hit in April due to the strike. Libya is struggling. Their political problems are getting worse, not better. Nigeria’s problems, according to the reports, continue to increase. Their production dropped to 1,722,000 in March, their lowest level since August 2009. Saudi is producing every barrel they possibly can. They will be lucky to hold this level for much longer. Qatar has lots of natural gas but their oil production has clearly peaked and is now in decline. Their production was unchanged in March and there is no idea what is going on in the UAE. After peaking in January they have since dropped 227,000 barrels per day. Not much can be said about Venezuela. Their conventional oil is in decline but their bitumen production is keeping production relatively flat. But their political and economic problems are getting worse.

‘We’ve enough products to bridge the supply gap’ continues on pg36

“The advent of shale oil and gas is a technological revolution that has changed the oil market, moving to an era of long low oil prices. We, therefore, need to add value to our oil and gas resources to remain competitive. “It is in this regard, the Federal Government will prioritise the adoption and execution of a National Oil and Gas Master Plan later this year. Nigeria and Africa should think of modular refinery in the content of regional value gains and market sizes since production is increasingly coordinated across various geographical locations,” he said. The Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr Bank-Anthony

Okoroafor, also agreed with the Vice president on the need to build more modular refineries to enable self-sufficiency in fuel production. Okoroafor urged the Federal Government to allow the four refineries it owns to be run by private investors to make them operate and produce optimally. “Refinery business is a business on its own. Governments do not run such businesses. It was good at the initial stage for government to kick-start such investments and be able to build capacity. Government has no capacity to run refineries,” he said. The PETAN chief criticised giving jobs in onshore and swamp terrains to foreign oil companies when competent indigenous companies are available. He said that the associa-

tion is keen to achieve value added local content to Nigerians. He said PETAN’s goal is to bring jobs hitherto exported to other countries back to Nigeria, create a hub for oil and gas service in-country. He said before now, Nigeria loses $380 billion and two million jobs to capital flight on oil and gas service jobs. He said there is a Nigerian Content Law, which states that 100 per cent onshore, swamp jobs should be given to Nigerian companies. “So any job that can be done by PETAN company or by a competent Nigerian should not be given to somebody outside the country, it is criminal,” Okoroafor said. However, where there is skills gap, PETAN encourages alliance with foreign companies, primarily to grow capacity.

He said at the height of militancy in the Niger Delta, expatriates fled the region while indigenous companies’ workers continued with the jobs without fear of being kidnapped. “Nobody can develop our country better than we can do. But anywhere that the capability does not exist in the country, anybody can do the job. But where the capability exists, it has to be done by the Nigerian company,” he said. Conclusion All the above strategies without eventual deregulation of the downstream may prove fruitless because many stakeholders have argued that only deregulation, which the current government is against, can attract investors to the downstream sector.

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

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, in this report, underscores the significance of the local government poll held in Ondo State on April, 23, 2016.

OR citizens of Ondo State, last Saturday marked another turning point in the history of the state. For the first time in seven years, voters went to the poll to elect local government chairmen and councilors in all the 18 local council areas in the state. To some, the conduct of the poll brought a big relief after months of intense horse-trading, while others saw the exercise as ushering a new phase in the struggle for the soul of the state. As expected, the election was truly a race between the giants and the minnows after the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some other parties declined to participate, citing certain grounds. Despite their non-participation, the election was peaceful but with a low turnout of voters. The governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the 18 chairmanship seats and almost all the councillorship seats. Many bookmakers were proved wrong as the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ANCP) won one of the 203 available seats as announced by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission on Sunday. There were attempts by APC to stop the election at the eleventh hour, by taking the matter to the state and Federal High courts. However, the three cases filed by the party were thrown out by the judges for lack of jurisdiction, as the court described the action of the party as an abuse of court process. The APC had approached the court to stop the election on the ground that the Supreme Court had not ruled on the suit instituted by former local government chairmen sacked in 2009 by the administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko. But, Justice Folashade Olubanjo ruled that the conduct of local government poll was under the purview of the state government and its relevant agencies. In specific terms, APC and other parties that refused to participate in the poll had hinged their withdrawal on perceived credibility problem of the electoral umpire. While some opined that there was no way any opposition party would be allowed to win the election, some faulted the timing of the election which is coming at the tail end of the tenure of the PDP administration in the state. The administration has spent seven years out of its statutory eight years at the helms of affairs. The governor is in the last lap of his two terms of four years each. On a number of occasions before the poll, the opposition parties had consistently criticised the administration for delaying the election, despite the promise of the governor to respect the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended that prescribes duly elected executives at the local council level. The decision of the APC and a few other parties not to participate in the poll did not bother the governor. He said they were only exercising their rights, as there was no law compelling the parties to participate in the election. He said: “It is within the constitutional power of any individual or party to boycott an election they want to boycott. All I know is that in the last one week, there have been up to three court cases that have been decided at both state and federal courts that everything is in order that the election

LG poll: Mimiko ends seven-year waiting game

Mimiko should proceed.” Local council chairmen in all the 18 local government area of the state, who were elected in December 2007, were kicked out of office by the administration in 2009 following the removal of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, as governor of the state by the Appeal Court. Since then, no attempt was made to organise council election until last Saturday in the state. The sacked chairmen challenged their removal in the court. So, the government had been appointing caretaker chairmen for the local government areas, whose tenures were revalidated by the State House of Assembly every six months. The legal matter introduced a major dimension to the controversy over the administration of the local councils. The government cited the litigation against it by the former chairmen as one of the factors hindering the conduct of local government election. But, the marriage of convenience contrived between the Labour Party (LP) and PDP in the state in 2014 brought an end to the tussle between the sacked chairmen and the state government.

Election Day Though the people of the state complied with the no movement restriction while security operatives were seen in polling units to maintain law and order, there were slight hitches on the part of the ODIEC. Acreditation of voters failed to commenced at 8am as scheduled and the officials of the state electoral body were not available in a number of the polling units until 10 am. However, the Chairman of ODIEC, Professor Olugbenga Ige, explained that the delay and lateness of some officials of the commission at polling units was due some logistic challenges, which the commission was able to manage. The results of the election confirmed the ‘prediction’ of the opposition parties, as the ruling PDP in the state won all but one of the available seats. Also in three or four local government areas, PDP candidates were the sole contestant in the election. Somehow, one factor made the election to stand out: things were done orderly as voters exercised their right without intimidation or

The local council poll in Ondo may have come and gone, but the battle for the soul of the state among the major parties has just begun, as the countdown to the governorship election begins.

molestation. It was against this spirit that a legal practitioner, Mr Ademakinwa Raji, noted that election would no longer be a do-or-die matter, especially if all elections are conducted without inducement of voters. He noted that “though some parties boycotted this election, it was the best in recent times in the state because people cast their votes without fear or intimidation.” The lawyer said it would have been absurd for the PDP in the state to induce voters with money to facilitate the local council election when the civil servants in the state are being owed salaries. He claimed the government deliberately organized the poll now as part of its strategies ahead of the governorship election in the state. Nonetheless, he said the performance of the newly elected chairmen within the next six months would go a longer in determining which way the pendulum would swing. The chieftains of other parties that took part in the poll commended ODIEC for the manner it handled the election. He stated that the commission lived up to its promise to be fair and just by creating a level-play field ground that would allow voters to exercise their right. They noted that notwithstanding some hitches witnessed during the election, the commission should build on its achievements in subsequent polls. While Tunji Kalejaiye of LP from Okitipupa Ward 1, said the electioneering was peaceful and commendable, a member of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Taiwo Ogunyemi said: “ I think this election has vindicated the state government of rumours of intimidation and force to prevent people from exercising their constitutional right. However, APC kicked against the results of the election, which it claimed clearly vindicated the party’s position. It said no party can win all the available seats in a fair contest. Its director of publicity, Steve Otaloro alleged the results were written before the poll. He also claimed that the PDP fielded its members as candidates of some mushroom parties that do not exist in the state to create the impression of a contest. The APC opined that it was known to everyone that the people of the state did not come out to vote, wondering where the ODIEC got the votes it announced. Otaloro stated: “The outcome of the local government election in Ondo State, where the unpopular PDP in the state won all the 18 chairmanship seats clearly vindicated our position that this election is a mere selection process, as those said to have been elected had been selected beforehand. “The PDP is the only party that fielded candidates in the election and contested against itself. The party also used deceptive manners to field their party members for some mushroom parties that do not exist in the state. Even when it was evident the election is no contest one, they still rigged in huge figures to create the impression of impressive turnout.” In the opinion of some pundits, the local council poll in Ondo may have come and gone, but the battle for the soul of the state among the major parties has just begun, as the countdown to the governorship poll begins.

politics&policy

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

S’South NASS members have abandoned the people —APC national vice chairman National Vice Chairman (South-South), of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Prince Hilliard Eta, in this interview with ANTHONY UBONG, speaks on the ongoing intrigues over 2016 federal budget, controversy over the Lagos-Calabar railway Project, among other issues. Excerpts

HAT is your take on the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Bureau? I think we focus too much on this issue; we should divert a little bit of our focus to nation building. The issue is not about how the APC will feel if Saraki is removed as the Senate President but what the constitution of Nigeria says. Until we have another ground norm, the Constitution remains the ground norm of Nigeria; it is the supreme law of Nigeria-what does it say? It does not matter what they people think even within the party. It is very possible for people to have emotion and sentiments towards each other. Their utterance would reflect those emotions and sentiments but what is important is what the law says. If a clerk is taken to the court and is found guilty, I am very sure most Nigerians won’t be asking these questions. For me, I am indifferent to it- I depend more on the law and on the Constitution. That is my personal view, it does not represent the view of the party. I speak as a Nigerian on this matter. Don’t you think the current siuation could pave the way for a PDP man to take over from Saraki as Senate President? We are practising presidential democracy. As I speak with you, President Barack Obama is of the Democratic Party; the head of the congress is a republican. We have a majority in the Senate. They are unpatriotic forces that are planning to take charge of the Senate and deprive the President from the focus of nation building. They think that that would be a major distraction to that focus. They want the PDP to take the Presidency of the Senatethey would be writing history not just for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but for themselves. In this fight for the birthing of a new Nigeria, at the end of the day, history would define who stood on what side of the spectrum. There are two sides now in Nigeria, whether anybody likes it or not. There are those who said that corruption is almost killing us and that the President must be supported to kill it, else corruption will kill us. There are others who are fighting back and saying that it does not matter-in fact, there are some people who said bring back our corruption. So, anything that we do at this moment, history will remember us for it. If we have members of our party who want to connive and collaborate with forces within the Senate to take the Presidency of the Senate to the PDP so that we would be distracted from the mandate that was given to us, we can only say to them, we bid our time for history. So what can the party do if that happens? Let’s talk about the 2016 federal budget with regard to the controversy over the Lagos-Calabar railway Project? It has been clearly proven that there has been sabotage. Even if they argue to and

forth about the Calabar-Lagos railway, how about the Calabar-Itu road? The N6 billion which the President budgeted was reduced to N1. 7billion, N4.3 Billion was taken by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation to his constituency in Kano for projects that were not the intentions of the President. So, if that has been proven, can they now come and tell me that the Calabar-Lagos railway project was not in the budget? The Chairman of Transport Committee of the Senate, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, of course, has told Nigerians that this matter was on their table. Rotimi Amaechi, the Transport Minister, had gone there to defend that particular aspect of the budget. So, for me, it is self-serving for them to now say that the Calabar-Lagos rail project was not in the budget. Having said this, have you not experienced a very loud silence on those who are in the House and in the Senate representing all the States that are involved in this project- I am talking about the senators from Cross River State, I speak of the senators from Akwa Ibom, I speak of the senators from Bayelsa. All of a sudden. It doesn’t matter whether you like my face or not but if you bring a project that will empower my life and the life of my community hate me for all you care, I will enjoy the amenities that you have brought. The President has brought most of these things to the South-South and South-East. The senators and the House members of reasons known to them have removed these projects so that the people will think that the President is against them. My take on the matter is that all projects that Mr President intended for the people of the South South must be returned to that budget. The President has been kind to us in the South-South, he has not turned around to look at the number of votes that we gave to him. He has risen above pettiness. I call on our people, whether they are in PDP or in APC, to know that they are representing our people. In this part of the country they are people who have lived their life from cradle to grave and they have never sighted a train. But there are other areas in this world where those things are taken for granted. Let these senators and the House members not lead our people to stone age era. Would you say you are disappointed with the National Assembly members from the South-South over this issue? When you have a party that worships on the altar of godfatherism, you can be sure that one of the greatest consequences of that would be that those who benefit from it do not have any allegiance to the people;. They have their allegiance only to their godfathers. Look at the three states that are involved in this matter in the South-South: Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa because we do not have senators from Rivers as I speak. Look at those people; were they elected by their people? I can swear that my own senator was not elected by our people. He knows inside of

Etta

It has been clearly proven that there has been sabotage. Even if they argue to and forth about the Calabar-Lagos railway, how about the Calabar-Itu road? him that he was not elected by our people. He can only have his allegiance with his godfather, not the people of the Southern senatorial district of Cross River State and this is replicated in all our Senatorial districts and our federal constituencies. Until a time when the people of the South-South and South East would begin to participate in the process of leadership engineering where they would be allowed to participate in the electoral process, we would not have responsive and responsible representatives in the National Assembly. Haven’t you seen the depth of representation from the South West in our national life? Compare these to what is happening in the South-South and in the South-East, you will know that there is a gulf of differ-

ence and it is simply because our people have been shut out in the process where these persons emerge as our leaders. I want to assure our people that before the end of the present administration institutional changes would be brought to bear on the electoral process such that our people’s vote will begin to count. Talking about elections, the APC could not win on Akwa Ibom State or Rivers State, now Edo State governorship elections is by the corner and there are fears that the APC may not retain Edo. How would you react to this? Let me say that Rivers and Akwa Ibom states were donated to the PDP by the Supreme Court. You need to go and read the reaction of Professor Itse Sagay about the judgement of the Supreme Court. I happen to know and I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that those states were donated to the PDP by the Supreme Court. As far as I am concerned APC did not lose those elections, those elections were donated to the PDP by the Supreme Court. I am just reiterating the position of my party. Not only Nigerians observed those processes. Observers came from all over the globe. In all the 36 states of Nigeria, they singled out Akwa Ibom and Rivers. We are not even contesting the governorship of Cross River State, my home state, because we lost that election but for Rivers and Akwa Ibom I stand by my position that those two elections were donated to the PDP.

politicscommentary

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Nigerian languages: Time for NASS, state lawmakers to act By Kehinde Ayoola

HILOSOPHERS are in agreement that language is one of the most valuable possessions of the human race, because it encapsulates the roots, philosophy and culture of its native speakers. Not only does language define us; but it is also the essence of our being and identity on the global playing field. Our language is the tool for developing our self-image and self-worth, not only as individuals, but as a nation, a people and a civilization. Hence without the requisite use of our native languages for serious matters of state by our Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, we run the risk of rendering our people incapable of digging deep into the mines of cognitive depth, knowledge and wisdom that will distinguish us as Nigerians or Black Africans. Viewed from the perspective of Linguistic Human Rights, it is apparent that the Nigerian electorate is being severely short-changed by the ‘overuse’ of English and ‘underuse’ of indigenous languages in governance, especially for legislation at the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. If Nigerian legislators were truly elected by Nigerians to make laws for Nigerians, then it is high time laws were put in place to give opportunity for our legislative houses to involve indigenous Nigerian languages in the legislative processes. The Nigerian Constitution Although Paragraph 55 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that the business of the National Assembly shall be conducted in English and the three major Nigerian languages, it doesn’t seem as if anything has been done especially at the House of Representatives to challenge the monopoly of English in Nigerian legislative processes. Of course what the constitution says about the use of indigenous languages for the business of the National Assembly has some challenges of interpretation. For instance, the recognition given to Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba in the Nigerian Constitution has created the erroneous impression that other languages have little or nothing to contribute to nation-building. It could also be interpreted to mean that any person who neither speaks English nor any of the three national languages will not be able to participate directly in the business of the National Assembly. Indeed, the formal use of these three languages even in their primary domains has been on the decline for decades. The cold truth starring all of us in the face is that all of the three socalled ‘major languages’ can be more accurately described as minority languages because they are being emasculated, eclipsed and effectively sidelined by English. In view of the advance in information communication technology (ICT), there is no excuse for the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly to continue the prevailing practice of minorising indigenous Nigerian languages in our law-making processes. The benefits of indigenous languages in parliament Although it is convenient and cost effective to continue using English alone in the National Assembly, Nigeria’s position as an emerging African democracy and a leading light in Black Africa dictates otherwise. The continued development of the language of the former colonial master as the sole official language at all levels of governance in Nigeria casts a gloomy shadow on the future of the coun-

try as an independent African nation. The global stature of English with its attendant socio-political and economic advantages does not justify its unquestioning acceptance in Nigeria as being “more equal” than our less influential indigenous languages. The language of participatory democracy The English language has been the main weapon used by the Nigerian elite class to gain undue economic and political power and exclude ordinary Nigerians from enjoying their fair share of the much touted dividends of democracy. It appears that both the Nigerian ruling elite and the underclass are united in the perception that Nigeria belongs to the English-speaking elite alone. This explains why the exclusion of the ordinary people from the scheme of things in the country continues to blossom unchecked as the elite continue to appropriate the country’s resources and plum positions to themselves using the English Language as their sickle. To achieve true participatory democracy in Nigeria, Ayo Bamgbose, Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at the University of Ibadan, has suggested that more attention should be paid to the use of local languages for mass mobilisation. He argued that instead of making the masses to learn English, the language of the ruling elite, Nigerian ruling elite must endeav-

Our prestige and integrity as citizens of a modern African nation are at stake if we fail to upgrade, rehabilitate and institutionalize our indigenous languages

our to learn the language of the masses. Likewise, Oladele Awobuluyi at a lecture delivered first at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, in 2013 and later at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2014, wondered why black Africans stuck to the language of their former colonial masters as if it was an inevitable consequence of colonisation. He referred to the example of the Arabs in North Africa and the Indians in Southeast Asia whose indigenous languages were given prominent roles after they became independent countries. Please permit me to observe that our prestige and integrity as citizens of a modern African nation are at stake if we fail to upgrade, rehabilitate and institutionalize our indigenous languages. The unchecked relegation of indigenous languages in Nigeria has the unpleasant consequence of alienating future generations of Nigerians from their roots, watering down their cultural heritage, and diminishing their self worth as members of a race that is distinct from Arabs, Europeans or Asian. All patriotic Nigerians, especially the elite, need to have a positive attitude about their mother tongue and other indigenous Nigerian languages. They need to appreciate the inherent absurdity in promoting a foreign language at the expense of their own native languages. They also need to realize that their native languages are by no means inferior to English or any other world language; hence it is in our individual and communal interest to use and update them so that they can cope effectively with the demands of modernization. Towards Attaining Some Measure of Linguistic Equity in Nigeria The current provision in the Nigerian Constitution and National Policy on Education (NPE) that gives the highest status to English and unequal recognition to the three major languages in Nigeria has to be revised to meet contemporary realities. The following are some suggestions aimed at achieving an amicable resolution to the challenges posed by the choice of official language in Nigeria: •After due consultation with Nigerians through state Houses of Assembly, the Na-

tional Assembly should establish a pool of up to fifteen or more National Languages comprising the dominant language(s) of each of Nigeria’s 36 states. It should afterwards make it mandatory for each state of the Federation to choose its official language(s) from the pool; •English should remain the central language of the Federal Government and all communication emanating from it should first be in the language. However, in addition, or as an alternative where appropriate, all spoken or written communication meant for the consumption of the Nigerian public must be translated and disseminated in the fifteen or more National Languages, as appropriate; •English should remain the central language of the National Assembly while the fifteen or more National Languages should serve as alternate languages. However, simultaneous translation facilities should be installed in the chambers of the National Assembly (or state Houses of Assembly where more than one language is used) so that honourable members can avail themselves of the option of contributing to discussions in any National Languages that suits their fancy; •Ordinary Nigerians must be given the option of using either English or the approved National Language(s) in their state/local government area for official interactions and documentations within the jurisdiction of Magistrate Courts and Local Council secretariats; •Except in specially licensed international schools, the language of instruction from basic 1 – 9 in all private and public schools must be the Language of the Immediate Environment (LIE) as approved by both the local and state governments (states should be given between five and ten years to fully implement this provision); •National Languages should be the first choice of governors, traditional rulers and other high ranking public officials, especially when engaging in official/public interactions in their primary domains. With the adoption of a systematic language policy, Nigeria will effectively check the underuse of its indigenous languages for education and other serious matters of state. Instituting and enforcing an indigenous language-centred policy will not only save indigenous Nigerian languages from endangerment and extinction, but it will rescue them from the mortuary of irrelevance and the mass grave of globalization. Nigeria’s future is in your hands Nigeria has a better chance of gaining the respect of the world and being regarded as an equal with other nations when it uses its indigenous Nigerian languages for governance and formal education. Very much like many other tendentious practices such as denominating its contracts in dollars and over-reliance on western medicine for the treatment of African conditions, Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development through overdependence on a foreign language. Nigeria is too endowed to look down on itself; the population is huge, young and virile and the regions are littered with abundant resources. If a country has what people are looking for; the international community will do business with it even if its people do not speak English or any of the so-called global languages. Ayoola is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

features

Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featurestribune@yahoo.com 080111845048

Seven cars recovered from suspected armed robbers by the Rivers State Police Command.

Rivers’ clampdown on crime:

Guns, ammunition and charms recovered from the suspected armed robbers during the shootout.

Police arrest 319 suspects, rescue kidnapped victims, recover arms, stolen vehicles Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt

OLICING and effective law enforcement has been a great challenge, with the country’s security apparatus not being able to find solution to the ever increasing menace of criminals and elements of criminality in several parts of the country. This can explain why men of the underworld are still thriving, despite the arrest, prosecution and killing of several of them, over the years. The case of Rivers State is not quite different from what obtains in several urban centres across the country. The police, traditionally charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order, appeared to have been overwhelmed by cultism, kidnapping and armed robbery which are becoming almost daily occurrences in most parts of the state. Social and economic activities have been grounded as people now retire to their homes early in the day to avoid the blazing guns of the criminals. It is, however, without any iota of doubt that the state police command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is not relenting in its bid to rid the state of criminals and criminal tendencies or, at least, reduce their menace to the barest minimum level. Several Commissioners of Police who had the privilege of serving the state, indeed, did make efforts in this wise. Undoubtedly, the current Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo, was not oblivious of the daunting challenge ahead of him when he took over from immediate predecessor, Mr Chris Ezike, as the number one chief law enforcement officer in the state, last February. He came to office at the peak of the heat generated over the last legislative rerun election held in the state on March 19. He then had the onerous task of curtailing the excesses of some political extremists and, at the same time, contending with the criminal elements in the state.

He, indeed, plunged headlong into his task, chasing the bad elements right into their enclaves. Barely two months after assuming office, Kimo had recorded some remarkable achievements as several suspected armed robbers, cultists and kidnappers had been dispatched to their graves, while several others are in police custody, awaiting prosecution for their dare-devilish activities. Just Monday, last week, the police, acting on a tip off, engaged some hoodlums in a fierce gun battle at the Psychiatric Road, Rumuigbo. At the end of the encounter, the criminals were bloodied as one of them was killed, while the stolen item, a Toyota Venza, was recovered from the bandits. The suspected robber killed in the shootout was said to have armed himself with all sorts of charms and amulets, but all these failed during the gun fight. The importance of the incident could neither be found in the killing of one of the armed robbers nor the recovery of the car. It was the fact that the police swung into action immediately after receiving a distress call from the owner who sighted his car being driven dangerously by the robbers. The car was said to have been stolen some few days earlier. The Commissioner of Police, on Tuesday, the following day, addressed a press briefing where he told newsmen of the feats he had so far recorded since when he assumed office, last February and, unarguably, his revelations were quite remarkable as they could be likened to a harvest of criminals in the state.

Underscoring the importance of Rivers State to the South-South region, nay the entire country, being the Treasure Base of the Nation, Kimo started by saying, “The police, in our quest to rid this state of criminal activities, we are not relenting. Therefore, on April 18, 2016, at about 10:30 am, following information that a Toyota Venza, snatched at gunpoint, some days ago, was sighted along Psychiatric Road, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt by the owner. He saw the hoodlums in the vehicle and identified the vehicle. They were driving in a dangerous and suspicious manner. He put a call to the police immediately and the police went into action. “SARS operatives, led by OC SARS, other tactical teams were all drafted to the location and the entire area was cordoned off. On sighting the police, the hoodlums engaged the police in a fierce gun battle. At the end of the day, one of the hoodlums was fatally wounded. “One Toyota Venza vehicle was recovered; one Toyota Camry vehicle was equally recovered; two Lexus jeeps were equally recovered; one AK 47 rifle was recovered with 270 live ammunition; six sacks of suspected dynamites were equally recovered from the hoodlums. A police vehicle was blown off by the hoodlums,” which he disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had promised to replace the vehicle. Many people who were at the office of the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the venue of the press briefing, were held

What is germane and what should be emphasised is this issue of vigilance; the will, the courage from members of the public. What is important is for people to partner with the police. Confide in us and give us timely information about the criminals.

spellbound as Kimo reeled out his prizes of war since assuming office, just about two months ago. “It may interest you to note that from February 2016 till date, we have been able to arrest 52 suspected armed robbers. Equally, we have been able to fatally wound 80 armed robbers. The number of suspected kidnappers that were arrested is 34; number of suspected kidnappers that were fatally wounded was 13. The number of kidnapped victims that were rescued is 17. Number of suspected cultists that were arrested is 60; number of suspected cultists that were fatally wounded is eight. “Number of firearms that were recovered is AK 47 rifles, 30; pump action guns, five; locally-made pistols, 25; shotguns, five; double-barrel guns, four; single-barrel guns, five; assault rifles, two; locally-made long guns, two; English pistols, eight. Number of assorted ammunition recovered, 807; IED materials recovered, 12. Number of magazines recovered, 30; number of assorted vehicles recovered, 15.” The man was however not ungrateful to the media as he praised the practitioners in glowing terms and admitted that they had significantly helped the state police command and other security agencies to expose the men of the underworld and their activities. He, nonetheless, solicited for more support from the media, even as he called on members of the public to be courageous and put information on criminals at the disposal of the police. “What is germane and what should be emphasised is this issue of vigilance; the will, the courage from members of the public. What is important is for people to partner with the police. Confide in us and give us timely information about the criminals. With this, we will be able to achieve a lot; we will be able to rout these criminals and declare them persona non-grata.”

features

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Chibok girls: Infiltrating the forest Boko Haram calls home

S night falls, the curfew comes into effect. Nobody is allowed on the streets. Anxiety hangs in the air. Those unable to make it home before sunset are shepherded to roundabouts to wait until day breaks. This is Maiduguri — a city on the edge. The capital of Borno State, it is at the heart of the Nigerian Army’s battle to retake Boko Haram territory. A place where no one is above suspicion; where young girls, packaged as suicide bombers, are sent by militants to realize the group’s brutal jihad. Teenagers outside of the city’s comparative safety — like the Chibok girls — are targeted and snatched away by Boko Haram. Forced into marriage, they endure years of rape by their self-proclaimed husbands. Then they volunteer to die. The risk of being strapped with a bomb more appealing than remaining in the group’s Sambisa Forest stronghold, their personal hell on earth. And yet, despite the threat of suicide attack, Maiduguri has become a beacon; an oasis in the northeast of Nigeria where a civilian joint task force works to protect its inhabitants. Today, an estimated 2.5 million people have been displaced across the northeast of the country and the city’s camps has become a haven for over a million people left homeless. With limited access to health care, clean water and sanitation, the risk of illness is high. The tension is palpable and everyone is on alert. The Sambisa fortress The campaign to eradicate Boko Haram and recover the girls, code named “Lafiya Dole” — meaning “Peace by any means” in Hausa — is coordinated from Maiduguri. Nigeria’s government has been condemned — with critics both at home and abroad — for its ineffective response to the mass kidnapping. But it isn’t until you come to the region that one truly comprehends the mammoth task placed on the shoulders of the nation’s troops. It has long been thought the Chibok girls were spirited away to the Sambisa Forest — a dry savannah of harsh terrain. Originally marked as a game reserve by colonists, it was overrun by the Islamic insurgents

several years ago. Covered in soft, light sand and brutal, dense bush, it is ideal for burying improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, and shielding militants from prying eyes. Two years ago, when CNN first visited Chibok after 276 girls were taken from their school dormitory at gunpoint, parents described how they followed their daughters’ trail to the edge of the forest. But with danger lurking amid the vegetation, they were unable to go any further.

cameras. “We rely a lot on the Americans that supply ISR (intelligence surveillance reconnaissance) and give us some form of information as to the clusters of persons on the ground itself.” It’s from this intel, says Ragi, that troops then use the most basic of tracking skills to hunt for evidence of people passing through. “Sometimes we see children’s footprints,” he says.

‘We see children’s footprints’ In recent days, CNN joined the Nigerian Army as troops patrolled to the east and west of Maiduguri, close to the front line in the Sambisa Forest. The heat was relentless, dehydration an ever-present risk as we canvassed a 120-kilometre wide search grid. We saw village after abandoned village as we journeyed across the country. Carcases of burnt out cars, pockmarked ground and crumbling structures dotted the landscape. What Boko Haram couldn’t loot, they burned. Entire towns razed. We travelled for hours in a heavily armoured convoy — complete with mineproof trucks carefully directing us from the front. Alongside soldiers, we saw them scouting the difficult terrain, walking long stretches through thick shrubs where camps could be hidden. Brigadier General B.A. Ragi of the 29th Task Force Brigade laments the paucity of needed equipment, like thermal imaging

Militants ‘decimated’ The Nigerian Army is also armed with 30 drones that have been distributed to units. These are deployed while troops are out on patrol and offer early warning to enemy activity. Ragi says the ISR planes provide an “eye in the sky” that has helped the soldiers immeasurably, directing them to enclaves of Boko Haram captives. But not their target — the Chibok girls. Nigeria has been working closely with the United States, running operations based off of air reconnaissance that they have provided. This has led to clearing a significant portion along the east of the forest and some promising wins, says Nigerian Army Major Gen. Leo Irabor. He is the theater commander orchestrating the entire campaign back in Maiduguri. Irabor claims over 2,000 women and girls have been rescued in the last several months. “We do have pockets of the Boko Haram terrorists still left in some places but very largely we’ve decimated them,” he says. There is a sense among the military that as Boko Haram has lost their territorial footprint, they are regrouping and using asymmetrical tactics, deploying waves of would be suicide bombers some successful, some not — to inflict terror as opposed to the ground assaults they once unleashed. Irabor believes the militant group’s current capacity is “limited” and credits his force’s recent missions for the halt in attacks. Just last month, the Nigerian Army captured Boko Haram’s camp in Alagarno forest, once considered the group’s “spiritual base” in the northeast. Irabor continues telling CNN that intelligence surrounding the current location of

The question of the Chibok girls remains a sore point in our history. The biometrics of the girls are not known to us

the Chibok girls does, in fact, point to the Sambisa corridor, where his forces continue to advance deeper. But while proud of the accomplishments of his men, he says they need more international support. “The question of the Chibok girls remains a sore point in our history,” he says. “The biometrics — as it were — of the Chibok girls are not known to us. Those are the issues which I believe are among the challenges. A message to Chibok’s parents Following a two-year-old trail while waging war against Boko Haram’s brutal insurgency has been trying but Irabor remains resolute. He believes the missing teens are now being moved in clusters so as not to attract unwanted attention and is leaving no stone unturned. The commander explains that while his forces advance on the Sambisa Forest, they are also running down other leads on the whereabouts of the Chibok girls. “It’s a belief,” he says. “But beyond that, we’re also getting some intelligence that (they) maybe somewhere on the Niger-Lake Chad border areas.” Despite the obstacles his men face, Irabor is optimistic the Nigerian Army will ultimately be victorious in their mandate. The recent “proof of life” video obtained by CNN, has reinvigorated their resolve to bring back the girls. “(It) gives us hope that what we have in mind — in terms of operations — that that is going to yield results.” There are few things worse than a child being ripped away from its mother. For two years, this has been the unimaginable reality for the parents of the missing Chibok girls. But the commander has a message for them: “Keep hope alive.” Irabor says: “We are working assiduously so that all of them are rescued and brought back to live in their communities. “I think that the light is beginning to shine and in a short while we’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel.” This story was written by Lauren Said-Moorhouse in London, from reporting in Nigeria by Nima Elbagir and Sebastiaan Knoops. Photograph by Adam Dobby.

29 news

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

FG determines to save $45.5bn spent importing steel, aluminium yearly —Osinbajo Biola Azeez - Ilorin

HE Federal Government has said that it is determined to save over $45.5 billion being spent by Nigeria in importing approximately 250 million metric tonnes of processed steel and aluminium products per annum in the next few years. Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of an integrated steel project owned by Kam Steel Company, an indigenous steel company in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Tuesday, the vice-president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said the government hoped to realise the objective with investment and support of indigenous steel mills in the country. The vice-president, who said that the 30 existing steel rolling mills in the country had capacity of producing about 6.5 million metric tonnes per annum, added that 18 of the mills in operation produced 2.8million metric tonnes per annum from melting of scraps. “Yet, according to the world steel needs, the global iron and steel estimated demands is $9.6 trillion per annum,” he said. He, therefore, said the country must be ambitious in its industrialisation effort in this area, adding that “indeed, the need for increased levels of investment in these areas has never been more demanding than this time. “Steel plays unequivocal roles in the industrialisation and infrastructure plan of the Federal Government. This administration is committed to fast-tracking Nigeria’s industrialisation and is committed to ensuring that there is a conducive environment, not just for industrialists, but particularly for the steel industy. “We encourage investors like Kam Industry, to participate in the “industrialisation efforts of this country and to ensure that we become necessary force for steel products within the shortest possible time. “We have found that one of the ways to achieve this goal is by making Nigeria more business-friendly and attracting local and foreign investment, thereby creating much needed jobs.” However, any perception in the investment community that Nigeria is not a conducive place to do business with effectively, deflate the mechanism for mas-

sive investment required to bring the poorest Nigerians out of poverty. “We are not unaware of the challenges currently facing industrialists in Nigeria. And this is why on our part, government remains relentless in our efforts to remove the obstacles and roadblocks that have long afflicted industrial activities in Nigeria. “We are already making serious efforts to ensure

that we actualise every bit of the change agenda, which we laid before the people of this country when we were elected. Indeed, we are repositioning the country for inclusive growth and sustainable development, by getting the fundamental rights through the fiscal, monetary and trade policies. We are committed to diversifying the economy away from over-dependence on oil and creating

an enabling environment to facilitate private sector-led growth and development. “The government is investing in critical infrastructure by encouraging the private sector and advocating growth inclusion, particularly job creation, among other social safety net initiatives. “To attain this feat, this administration is prioritising key areas, such as manufacturing, industrialisation,

agriculture and agro-allied sector and solid minerals. We are determined to diversify the economy through increased production and export promotion. We will support companies such as Kam Industries in promoting local material content and patronage of made in Nigeria goods. “We targeting an enabling environment from which it is progressively easier to do business. Our policies are

From left, acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju; Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Chairman, KAM Steel Integrated Company, Dr Kamorudeen Yusuf and the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Olusegun Awolowo, during the foundation laying ceremony of KAM Integrated Steel Project, in Jimba Oja, Ganmo, Kwara State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Budget ready in days —Saraki

predictable and consistent with macro-economic stability with the government acts as a partner to business and investment and not a competitor.” Also speaking, the Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Mr Kayode Fayemi, said the presence of the vice-president at the event, was a demonstration of the current government’s commitment to an economic diversification strategy. “This enabling environment is what has given Kam Industries the muscle to do this project. Two weeks ago, I was in Okpella, Edo State, for a similar foundation laying ceremony, where the Dangote Industry was also putting on the ground a billion dollar cement factory in Okpella and that clearly shows that the policy thrust of Kam is mirroring what this government is all about. “We want to ensure that we achieve the backward integration that you highlighted in your policy thrust. We are committed to ensuring to put in place import substitution that will reduce the foreign exchange expenditure of the country on import. We are also committed to ensuring that we revive the Ajaokuta Steel plant and we want to work with you in achieving all of these objectives,” he said.

As NASS leadership meets Buhari in Aso Rock Leon Usigbe - Abuja SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, assured that the 2016 Appropriate Act will be ready for signing in a matter of days. He gave the assurance after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari by the leadership of the National Assembly, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. In attendance at the meeting was Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, among others. According to Saraki, committees were already working to clean up the areas of disagreement which had caused the president to delay his assent to the fiscal document. “We just finished a meeting with the president and vice-president. We came to let them know some of the solutions that we found in moving the budget process forward and we are happy to say that we have agreed on the way forward and we believe that this process will be completed in matter of days rather than weeks.

“So, it is good to Nigerians and all of us. We have found a way forward and in a matter of days, the budget will be ready for president’s assent,” he said. He added that “we have committees that have been set up on our side and also on the executive side. We will engage over the next few days to

just tidy up a few loose ends here and there and the outcome will be satisfactory to everybody.” Asked whether the budget would be signed this week, he said “You heard what I have said, I said it is a matter of days and not weeks. So, you can start counting the days. Which means that between

now and Monday or Tuesday, I’m hopeful that the budget will be signed.” On his part, Minister of Budget Planning, Udoma Udoma, said “we have agreed to work together to resolve all issues in the next few days and we have also agreed on the modalities for doing so. So, it was a very good meeting, very positive

and within the next few days, all issues will be resolved. “We are working together, both the executive and the legislature, to sort those things out, within the next days, all matters will be resolved.” Earlier in the day, President Buhari had met with Honourable Dogara over the impasse on the 2016 budget.

Protesters storm NASS, demand return of SUVs No protest can force any senator out of office, Ndume insists A group, “Occupy National Assembly,” stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. Members of the group wore green and white Tshirts, carrying placards with various inscriptions: “Legislators, stop budgetpadding,” “Return exotic cars,” “Saraki must go,” “Enough is enough,” among others. One of the leaders of the group, Sadiq Jidda, told newsmen that based on all the allegations against Saraki, it was high time he

resigned. Jidda said they were not happy with the National Assembly in the area of lawmaking. He also complained about the salaries, allowances and constituency projects of the legislators. “What does a legislator have to do with projects? We are gathered here to occupy the National Assembly. “Senate President should resign, his integrity is in question and he has been indicted. “Yes, he has not been convicted, but his integrity is in question,” he said.

However, some other members of the group said they were not only demanding Saraki’s resignation, but were protesting many other issues in the National Assembly. Meanwhile, a pro-Saraki group “Save Nigeria Group,” insisted that it was not necessary for Saraki to resign. Leader of the group, Mr Solomon Adodo, said those calling for Saraki’s resignation did not mean well for the country. To prevent the two groups from gaining entry into the complex, security agencies closed the gate. The gate remained closed

while the protests lasted. In a related development, leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, said on Tuesday, that no amount of protest would force any legislator to resign. Ndume was reacting to a protest by Occupy National Assembly group, calling for the resignation of the Senate President, Dr Saraki. Ndume stressed that there was a democratic process of recalling any senator, adding that protest was not the constitutionally recognised process. He described the protest as a “wrong precedence and anti-democratic.”

30 news

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Debate on PIB suffers setback in Senate Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

HE planned debate on the new Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill (PIGB) slated for Tuesday suffered a setback, following a strong opposition mounted by members from the Southern part of the country against it. The opposition was on the ground that copies of the bills, meant to be presented for second reading, were not available to the lawmakers. Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, who

raised the objection to the debate, said copies of the bill were supposed to have been circulated to all members to study ahead of formal debate, so that they could make useful contributions. Following this, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who presided over the day’s plenary, ruled that the debate be stood down till today, even as he said Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, who presented the bill, be allowed to read the lead debate. Despite the intervention, Akpabio again said “without belabouring the issue,

I can come under order 43 by your indulgence to make personal explanation. “Mr president, distinguished colleagues, I believe that we are discussing about the economy of Nigeria since 1960, the mainstay of the economy of this country has been crude oil and, therefore, the Petroleum Industry Bill is such an important bill that will affect people suffering in this country. It will affect even the budget of the Federal Government that we are doing today. “It is not the kind of bill that we can stay here and gloss over and then allow

somebody to do a lead debate without senators having the bill in their hands. “It is something we must study and come and make our own inputs, because we have to make sure that if that bill is properly done and then the president signs it into law, then it will help the economy of this country and it will also help to generate more income and enhance the living standards of Nigerians. “I think it is an exercise in futility for my brother to do a lead debate when the bill is not circulated to senators.” The Senate President,

however, disclosed that the document was circulated last Thursday, adding that “I am sure, in order to give them time to retrieve what was distributed on Thursday, we would step it down so that they can go and get the document that was distributed. “And also, we observed that the financial compendium is not there that was no time to do the three issues. So, please ensure that the bill that has been distributed on Thursday is brought and we will now put it before the next debate,” while calling on Senator Alasoadura to ensure that the financial compendium was attached to the bill. As soon as Senator Alasoadura presented the bill as Senate Bill, Senator Kabir Marafa rose to oppose the development, saying that the Senate was taking undue credit for

sponsoring the bill. Marafa, who spoke through a point of order, contended that the bill was an executive one and so, it was wrong for the Senate to present itself as its sponsor. “As far as I can remember, the PIB was an executive bill, submitted to this chamber and as an executive bill, it was submitted wholly as one bill to be considered equally and thoroughly. “To my greatest surprise, the presenter here is telling us that he has separated the bill into parts and pieces to be considered and I don’t know where he drew that authority from, because the executive has already submitted one bill and not part and pieces,” he said. But the Senate President interjected, saying there was no bill on PIB from the executive in the Senate.

Bodies of doctors arrive in Ekiti amidst wailing We will immortalise them —Fayose Continued from front page

From left, Globacom’s Head, Billing, Semuan Ighodalo; Head, Prepaid Products, Sola Arowogbadamu and the Director, Information Systems, Ajay Satyarthi, with the awards won by the company at the Beacon of ICT Awards, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, at the weekend.

NASS clerk: Commission defies Saraki Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja CHAIRMAN of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Dr Adamu Fika, on Tuesday, refused to carry out the order of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, to reverse the appointment of Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori as acting clerk to the National Assembly, insisting that the Senate president was ill-informed on the matter. Fika, in a leter dated April 26, 2016, a reply to Saraki’s letter dated April 21, 2016, said the Senate president was ill-informed about the development, adding that Omolori happened to be the next most senior clerk. He stated that the decision to appoint Sani-Omolori acting clerk to the National Assembly was taken at the commission’s 440th meeting held on the April 20, 2016, adding that the commission discovered that the incumbent deputy clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Ben Efeturi, would proceed on pre-retirement leave on August 2, 12 days before the outgoing clerk, Salisu Maikasuwa, would be due to retire. According to him, the implication of that development was that “Efeturi is time

barred for the acting appointment.” He also stated that the choice of Omolori was to ensure continuity in the system. But the appointment of Omolori as acting clerk appeared to have polarised the National Assembly, as sources revealed that it was a slap on the seniority and order of civil service. It was also revealed that some forces in the NASC had ganged up against Efeturi for sometime now and only used the appointment of Omolori to get at him. A source in the Assembly insisted on Tuesday that the rules were very clear on who should take over from the

outgoing clerk, insisting that it would be a violation of the international norms which would not be applicable to the NASS. The source warned that the appointment of Mr SaniOmolori was capable of injecting bad blood into the bureaucracy, as it was contrary to civil service rules which recognise order of seniority in the appointment and which favours Mr Efeturi ahead of Omolori to succeed the outgoing clerk. Fika’s letter to the Senate president read in part: “I wish to kindly invite your attention to the reason alleged in your letter to have been used to deny Mr Bene Efeturi from

Glo wins big at Beacon of Nigeria’s ICT Awards THERE seems to be no stopping the laurel collection by the next generation network, Globacom, as it again emerged the biggest winner at the annual Beacon of ICT Awards held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, last weekend. At the awards, which was the seventh edition, Globacom was named “Internet Company of the Year,” “Best GSM

Company of the Year” and “Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year”, winning in three straight categories. Communications Week Media, organisers of the award and publishers of Communications Week, said Globacom was voted best in the three award categories in an online poll conducted from November 2015 to March 15, 2016.

being appointed as the acting clerk, being that he was not duly appointed as deputy clerk of the National Assembly. “It is necessary to place on record the career progression of the two officers in the hierarchy of the National Assembly as follows: “Deputy Director: Mr Efeturi 1st January 2004, Mr Sani-Omolori 1st January 2003; Director, Mr Efeturi 1st January 2008; SaniOmolori, 1st January 2007. “Acting Clerk, Mr Efeturi, 4th February 2010; SaniOmolori, 4th February 2010; substantive clerk, Mr Efeturi, 25th March, 2010; Mr SaniOmolori, 25th March 2010. “It should be noted that in the Nigerian public service, seniority is determined at the time of consideration for promotion and career progression chart leading to it. “Seniority has never and is never decided by the date of appointment to the service nor date of retirement from service or indeed the number of years spent in the service. “From that above analysis, denying Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori appointment as deputy clerk to the National Assembly in 2014 was improper, being that he was senior to Mr Benedict Efeturi.”

The sympathisers had been led by Governor Ayodele Fayose, who waited with his entourage at the Fajuyi Square, where he received the seven ambulances that conveyed the bodies. Governor Fayose then led a procession that included the motorcade as they marched to EKSUTH mortuary, where the bodies were deposited. Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, said the bodies were deposited at the EKSUTH mortuary for the families to see them before they were dispatched to their various locations for burial. Governor Fayose told newsmen at the mortuary that the state government had already commenced plans to immortalise the deceased, while he charged the

families and citizens of the state to take heart. Fayose described the incident as “an everlasting pain,” adding that “we would assist their families in whatever way we can to assuage their pains.” The six doctors were Tunde Aladesanmi of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI); Ojo Taiwo of EKSUTH; Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) state secretary, Akinyele Alex; J. Ogunseye of the Health Management Board; President, EKSUTH Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Olajide Olayiwola; Dr Adeniyi James of the FETHI and the driver, Mr Moses Ajibola. They had died in an accident in Kaduna State, on their way to the annual national conference of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), currently ongoing in Sokoto State.

Metuh falls as chair collapses under him Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja NATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, was, on Tuesday, rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital, Abuja, following a heavy fall from the chair on which he was sitting. The incident occurred as the national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was about to inaugurate caretaker committees of Borno and Kebbi state chapters of the party,

inside the National Working Committee (NWC) hall. As Metuh came in to assume his seat, the swivel chair collapsed under him, aggravating the injury he had sustained on his back. The party spokesman had, days earlier, complained to reporters about his sore back. After the fall, Metuh appeared unable to rise to his feet on his own strength and had to be helped up by policemen who stood behind him. He was consequently taken to hospital for treatment.

31 news

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Top speed caused Ekiti doctors’ death —FRSC

Commonwealth doctors, Fayemi, Afe Babalola, Arise, Ajayi, others mourn Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti, with Agency Report

HE Kaduna State sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Tuesday, attributed the accident that claimed the lives of six Ekiti State medical doctors to top speed. The Sector Head of Operations, Deputy Corps Commander, Salisu Galadunci, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kaduna. NAN reported that the accident occurred on Sunday, at Doka, on the Abuja –Kaduna road. “Twelve medical doctors and a driver were in an 18-seater bus travelling to Sokoto for Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)’s annual conference and had a tyre

burst due to over speeding. “The vehicle overturned with the occupants and six of the doctors died along with the driver, while six others survived with various degrees of injuries. “Bodies of the victims were evacuated to St Gerard Hospital for depositing and medical attention,” he said. Galadunci noted that top speed was responsible for a larger percentage of accidents on Nigerian roads. The official advised drivers to desist from over speeding to save lives. Meanwhile, one of the survivors, the Ekiti State NMA’s branch chairman, Dr John Akinbote, has blamed the death of the doctors on lack of immediate medical attention. Akinbote made the claim while speaking with journalists on his hospital bed

on Monday, at St. Gerard Hospital, where other surviving doctors are currently receiving treatment. He said: “Those that died would have survived if we got good medical attention from the point of the accident to the Doka General Hospital in Kaduna. “It became even worst when we got to Doka Hospital and there was no single doctor to attend to us and the only nurse on duty had no first aid facilities to administer treatment. “I am sure, if FRSC personnel that took us to Doka Hospital and the nurse on duty had medical facilities to give first aid treatment, our doctors and driver wouldn’t have died.” Another survivor, Dr Stephen Ayosanmi, said the driver had slammed the brakes when the tyre burst

Boko Haram fighters now have new uniforms —Army Kills insurgents Chris Agbambu -Abuja THE Nigerian Army said, on Tuesday, that its troops had uncovered Boko Haram’s new mode of dressing and means of identification. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja, by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman. According to the Army spokesman, Boko Haram fighters were now identified with uniform made of green-colour material and use of ropes on their legs and neck. Usman said the discovery was the latest development in the ongoing clearance operation against remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists

in the North-East. He said troops of 22 Brigade Garrison and 3 Battalion made the discovery on Monday, while on a long range fighting patrol of Gima village in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State. Usman said the troops came in contact with some elements of the Boko Haram insurgents in the area who scampered to safety on sighting the team. He said the team was, however, able to apprehend two terrorists in their newstyled uniform during the operation at Gima village. He added that the patrol team recovered one Isuzu Canter lorry which was concealed with grasses, five motorcycles and two bags of

Commission receives 796,152 applications for police job THE Police Service Commission (PSC), in Abuja, on Tuesday, said it received 796,152 applications for enlistment into the Nigeria Police. Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the recruitment site had been running effectively after initial hitches. Ani said the commission did not anticipate any crowd as successful applicants would be invited batch by batch after collation of the names. He said they would be communicated through their email addresses. The spokesman said there would be no room for compromise, as selection and

collation would be done electronically. He said there was nothing to worry about the increasing number of applicants as the selection process would be strictly followed. He said 229, 817 applications were received for the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) cadre. Ani added that 188,315 and 378,315 applicants applied for the Inspector and Police Constable (PC) cadres respectively. The commission recently said, in a statement, that it would recruit 500 Cadet ASPs, 500 Cadet Inspectors, 1,500 Specialist Officers and 7, 500 Constables in the recruitment of 10,000 policemen.

gunieacorn. The Army spokesman listed other items recovered in the operation as three Dane guns, a solar panel, three bows and arrows, among others. He said the arrested suspected insurgents were currently being interrogated to further assist in the clearance operation. In continuation of efforts of clearing the remnants of Boko Haram in their various hideouts and enclaves, troops of 7 brigade, 8 Task Force division have also embarked on clearance operations since Monday, in which they cleared Boko Haram hideouts of Gratte, in Kukawa Local government Area of Borno State. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel S.K. Usman, said during the clearance operation, the troops killed seven Boko Haram terrorists, including a notorious kingpin, popularly known as the Albani of Monguno. According to him, the troops also recovered two vehicles, seven motorcycles, one AK – 47 rifle, two Boko Haram terrorists hoisted flags, three vehicle tyres, one vulcanizing machine, one solar panel and bundles of chewing stick (Aswaki) which the terrorists believed had spiritual and medicinal values. The Army spokesman noted that it was gratifying to report that the troops morale remained high, as they dominated the general area with a robust fighting patrol, in continuation with the clearance operations.

causing the bus to somersault. Those who lost their lives in the auto crash included Dr Alex Akinyele; Dr Tunde Adesanmi; Dr O.J. Taiwo; Dr J.B. Ogunseye; Dr O. Olajide; Dr Atolani Adeniyi and the driver, Mr Ajibola. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) has described the death of six members of the Ekiti State chapter of the NMA and a driver, as a rude shock. Dr Osahon Enabulele, the Vice-President of CMA, made the remark in a statement he made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday, in Abuja. NAN reported that the six members were among the Ekiti State delegation to the 56th NMA Annual General Conference slated for Sokoto. Enabulele, in the statement, said the deceased members had made tremendous sacrifices to uplift healthcare of humanity. According to it, the entire health personnel of CMA were saddened by “this untimely death of their members in the ill-fated crash.’’ It also described the death as a great loss to the medical profession and the entire nation. It added that the crash happened at a time when the doctors were preparing to make greater contributions and selfless sacrifices to the entire health system. The demise of the doctors came at a time when the nation was in dire need of more quality health human resources, it said. “Hearing about the tragic death of our six distinguished colleagues along with their driver, we have been unable to hold back our tears. “These truly dedicated, diligent, selfless and altruistic medical doctors and Nigerians had made tremendous sacrifices for the care and uplift of humanity.

“We are particularly saddened by these untimely deaths and we deeply mourn all those who lost their lives in the ill-fated crash. Also, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the death, in an auto crash, of six medical doctors from Ekiti State and their driver, describing the development as devastating and deeply saddening. Fayemi, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said the death of these care givers was a tragic loss not only to their respective families, but to Ekiti State, the medical profession and to him personally, having had a personal working relationship with some of them in the health care delivery programmes of his administration in the state. The former governor said: “losing seven citizens, including six dedicated and patriotic doctors in one accident is not only disheartening, it is troubling.” “It is indeed a terribly sad moment for the entire people of Ekiti State. “My condolences go to the families of the deceased, the government and people of Ekiti State, and the Nigerian Medical Association. Meanwhile, a former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Sikiru Tae Lawal and former members of Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Ayo Arise and Honourable Opeyemi Bamidele, respectively, expressed their condolences over the doctors’ death, describing it as a national calamity. Lawal, who prayed to God to grant the families to bear the irreparable loss, urged the medical personnel handling the survivors to do all within their powers to ensure that these people fully recuperate to abate the grief. Bamidele and Arise, in separate statements appealed to the Federal Government and other stake-

holders to fashion out means of making Nigerian roads safer for motorists, to prevent untimely death of innocent Nigerians. Bamidele in a statement by Ahmed Salami, bemoaned the doctors’ death and called for proactive actions by stakeholders to reduce carnage on Nigerian roads. Bamidele, who commiserated with the people of Ekiti State, the NMA and the families of the deceased, said losing such professionals to death was rather regrettable and saddening. Arise, who said the incident was national calamity, said: “It saddens my heart that six consultants working in critical sections of the state and federal tertiary hospitals could die in one swell swoop. These are not just doctors but consultants in various fields of the health sector.” A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr Kole Ajayi, also expressed shock over the incident. Ajayi, a former governorship candidate in the state, who was addressing reporters on his return from a one-month consultation trip to Ekiti stakeholders in Europe, described the death of the doctors as a catastrophe for the entire Ekiti people and Nigeria in general, saying “for a state to be suddenly depleted by six doctors at a time means the health sector may never be the same for a while.” He prayed that God almighty would grant the individual families fortitude to bear the irreparable losses. Speaking further, Ajayi expressed concern over regular vehicular accidents on the same road which recently claimed the lives of a serving minister and his family. He, therefore, advised the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to put in place machinery, gadgets and equipment for speed checks on the highways to prevent future occurrences.

FETHI CMD decries protests, says ‘it’s political’ Says ‘Other victims in stable condition, recuperating’ Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti THE Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), Dr Lawrence Majekodunmi Ayodele, has decried the protest directed at him by Senior Staff Association members of the hospital and charged the workers not to fall prey to politicians’ antics. Reacting to the development by telephone from Sokoto, on Tuesday, Dr Ayodele said it was “un-

fortunate” that he could be linked with the death of the doctors by some people just for political reasons.” He said: “It marvels me that people could link me with a death that happened in an auto crash in a modern world like this. This is very unfortunate and barbaric, because the doctors of other hospitals were involved in this very sad incident. “Should we now conclude that those that died in EKSUTH and Ekiti State Hospitals Management

Board were killed by my colleague, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe and the state government? What they wanted to do is to heat up the hospital and create atmosphere of unrest which will not be to the benefit of anybody.” Speaking on the survivors of the accident, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ekiti State, Dr John Akinbote, the FETHI CMD said they were “stable and responding to treatment.”

32 news

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

No free land for grazing zones in Oyo, Ajimobi warns Launches major agric programme

YO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said the proposed creation of grazing zones across the country is ill-advised, warning that the proposal was against the spirit of the Land Use Act and overriding public interest. The governor bared his mind on the raging controversy trailing the alleged sponsorship of a bill at the National Assembly, for the creation of grazing zones for cattle across the country, as a panacea to the perennial clash between trespassing herdsmen and farm owners. Ajimobi spoke during the launch of the ‘AgricOyo,’ the Oyo State agriculture initiative, held at Paago, via Iseyin, in Oke Ogun zone of the state, on Tuesday. At the event were investors, outgrowers, beneficiaries, institutional partners, outtakers, traditional rulers, and top officials of the state. The governor said: “This is the time to call a spade a spade. Those clamouring for creation of grazing zones across the country should have a rethink. It is against the Land Use Act; it is against the law of natural justice to seize people’s land to cater for someone’s cattle. “Grazing zones could be created for those who are traditional cattle rearers in their areas. I’m not against that, but you cannot come here and tell me you want to occupy our land for grazing zones. The land exists in our respective states and as such, the rigthtful owners should decide what to do with them. “Anybody outside this zone willing to rear cattle here will need to approach the state to buy the land and we offer what is available with rules. There is no free land for grazing zones. We need to take this firm position. It won’t happen.” On the new agriculture initiative, the governor was upbeat that it would create one million direct jobs across the agriculture value chain, thereby taking many unemployed youths off the streets. Ajimobi said the state would become the food basket of the Southern part of the country in the shortrun when the programme commenced in full swing, with the ultimate ambition of feeding the country.

The governor, who said that the initiative was aimed at diversifying the economy of the state, assured the people that the programme would add value to the lives of citizens of the state across different sectors. He said: “I am elated that the agricultural initiative has attracted these important dignitaries in the Agriculture business world, as well as a vast majority of our youths as beneficiaries of the scheme. “This project will reduce over-dependence on oil,

create wealth, alleviate poverty, encourage productivity, create jobs and bring about the overall socio-economic uplift of Oyo State. “Farming is very profitable and we will do everything possible to make it attractive in Oyo State to diversify our economy.” He said the phase one of the project would focus on the production of maize, cassava, rice, poultry, soya beans and aquaculture. Speaking on the anxiety of farmers over security of their lives and their farm-

lands in the face of the menace of the marauding herdsmen, the governor charged the farmers and the entire rural dwellers to be more vigilant and report suspicious activities of offending cattle rearers to security agencies around them. He warned that it was illegal for the herdsmen to destroy farmlands and attacks farmers in the guise of feeding their animals. While welcoming the governor and his entourage, the caretaker chairman of Iseyin Local Government

Area of the state, Alhaji Saheed Alaran, said agriculture had always proven to be a major aspect of the social and occupational lives of the people. He said: “This programme will benefit the state immensely, through the provision of food and employment to our teeming youths, through the synergy between the state and the local government administrations.” In her opening remarks, chairperson of the state Agricultural Initiative Committee, Mrs Tolu Shadipe,

lauded the efforts of the state government in ensuring that the vision became a reality, a development she said would take agriculture back to its pride of place for the economic benefit of the people of the state. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi and the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Adekunle Salawudeen, in their separate remarks, commended Ajimobi for the initiative, which they said was unprecedented since the days of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Budget impasse: We will resolve crisis this week —G-77 senators Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE G-77 Senators’ Forum, headed by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said on Tuesday, that it will ensure an amicable resolution of the crisis dogging the 2016 budget this week. Akpabio told newsmen that the crisis would be resolved before Friday. He also said that contrary to media reports at the weekend, the group was not formed to fight President Muhammadu Buhari, but to support him in giving Nigerians good governance and deepen democracy. He added that the group was also out to work in conformity with the Senate leadership as presently constituted, for enactment of laws that would make Nigeria more responsive and responsible to her citizenry and help the citizenry to be more patriotic to the Nigerian project. According to him, “this is a maiden attempt to brief the press on the G-77 that you have been hearing about. It is true that a group like that has emerged in the Senate. And it is important

for us to let you know that that group’s intention is to deepen democracy, to ensure good governance and also ensure that we shore up the image of the Senate and redirect affairs with our great numbers, so that at the end of the day, Nigerians can get more dividends of democracy from this administration. “I want to assure you that the entire 77 senators who make up this group are all poised to ensure that there is good governance in Nigeria. And we want to support Mr President to ensure that he gives out dividends of democracy to Nigerians. “All the social media reports that are insinuating that this group is meant to confront the executive or ranking senators are not true. “As I speak to you now, outside this 77 senators, most of my colleagues who have been in the Red Chamber for a long time are applying to join the group. And they want to move it to G-90 so that we can always speak in one voice. “The lingering issue on the budget is something that we feel is embarrassing to Nigeria, not just to

the National Assembly as a whole. If we had a group like this, by now that issue would have been brought to an end. But just to reassure you that Mr President will have his budget. And

we are doing everything possible to rejig the details of the 2016 budget for Mr President to sign as soon as possible. And we hope we can finish that by this Friday, so that things can

Judicial commission suspends sitting, visits grave sites of 347 Shi’ite members Muhammadu Sabiu - Kaduna with Agency Report THE Judicial Commission of Inquiry(JCI) investigating the recent Army/Shi’ite clash, on Tuesday, suspended its sitting and went on a fact-finding mission to grave sites and other structures belonging to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Zaria. At the sites, where over 300 members of the shi’ite were buried in a mass grave in Mando, the Director General of the state Interfaith Agency, Alhaji Namadi Musa, affirmed the burial of the shi’ite members. Also, the commission were in Zaria and received by the Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Shehu, who took them round the

shi’ite sites. Among the sites visited by the commission was the ‘Darul Rahama’, the training site and burial ground of the shi’ite at Dambo village, as well as the home of the spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, in Gyallesu. The commission also visited the Hussainiya camp, which used to serve as the administrative headquarters of the sect, as well as the Islamic centre at Unguwar Danmagaji. During a courtesy call on the Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris, chairman of the commission, Justice Lawal Garba Mohammed, told the monarch that they were in his emirate on a fact-finding mission, over the recent clash between the army and the shi’ite. Responding, the traditional ruler enjoined the

IGP orders arrest, prosecution of persons selling petrol in jerrycans Chris Agbambu - Abuja CONCERNED by untold suffering, as well as hazard emanating from the activities of black marketers, especially those who sell petroleum products inside plastic containers/jerry cans, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and FCT/State

Commands Commissioners of Police to arrest anybody found selling petrol and other petroleum products in plastic containers. Force spokesperson, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, who announced this on Tuesday, said the IGP, who was worried at the manner black marketers block roads by selling fuel in jerry cans, said apart from the hardship this act was causing

kickstart in the Nigerian economy.” He further stated that the group was apolitical as it had its membership drawn across party lines of the Senate.

fuel buyers, it had also rendered some innocent and law-abiding citizens homeless, due to fire outbreak from jerry can petrol storage. He noted that fuel products were highly inflammable and if not stored and handled properly, could seriously endanger people, property and the environment. While warning fuel at-

tendants at filling stations to desist from selling petrol inside jerry cans, Arase said both the buyers and the sellers of the products would be arrested and prosecuted under the law. The IGP, while assuring Nigerians of the police’s readiness to fulfill its constitutional mandate, appealed for a more cordial relationship between the police and the public.

commission to be impartial, so they could write their names in gold. He also charged Nigerians not to abuse the rights given to them by the constitution to become lawless and disobedient to constituted authorities. Meanwhile, the IMN has advised the Nigerian Army to stop casting aspersions on the Country Director of Amnesty International, Ambassador M.K. Ibrahim and concentrate on clarifying its role in the alleged destruction of the sect sites and the mass burial in which they were involved. This was contained in a press release issued to newsmen in Kaduna, by the spokesman of the sect, Ibrahim Musa, on Tuesday. This statement noted that recently, the Nigerian Army, through its spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman issued a statement condemning the renowned human rights group over its report on the atrocities committed by the army in Zaria, last December. He accused the organisation of being biased, hasty and intruding into the internal affairs of our country, among others, without providing any proof to counter those that informed amnesty’s report.

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

news

‘Embrace transparent process to accommodate Unilorin ASUU members into national body’

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016 Wednesday, 27 April, 2016 CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Justina Justina Alaba Alaba Dohiwe Dohiwe now now MRS MRS JUSTINA JUSTINA ALABA ALABA OLUGBOYE. OLUGBOYE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Yahya Yahya Zainab Zainab Omotunrayo Omotunrayo now now MRS. MRS. ABDULRAHMON ZAINAB ABDULRAHMON ZAINAB OMOTUNRAYO. All former OMOTUNRAYO. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. Th Thee Polytechnic, Polytechnic, Ibadan Ibadan and and general public take note. general public take note.

I, I, formerly formerly Lawson Lawson Titilayo Titilayo Oluwatosin Oluwatosin now now ODUBELA ODUBELA TITILAYO TITILAYO OLUWATOSIN. OLUWATOSIN. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME I, I, Mrs. Mrs. Otamimafolayomi Otamimafolayomi Zainab Zainab am am the the same same person person as as MRS. MRS. IBRAHIM IBRAHIM ZAINAB ZAINAB YOMI. Th at all documents YOMI. That all documents bearing bearing these these names names refer refer to to me me and and remain remain valid. valid. General General public take note. public take note.

I, I, formerly formerly Pastor Pastor Gabriel Gabriel Oladele Oladele Olorundare Olorundare now now AJAYI AJAYI TAIWO TAIWO OLADELE. OLADELE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Adeosun Adeosun Toyin Toyin now now MRS. MRS. OLANIYAN OLANIYAN TOYIN TOYIN O. O. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Lilian Lilian Iyabode Iyabode O’Dwyer O’Dwyer now now MRS MRS LILIAN LILIAN IYABODE IYABODE SIJUADE. SIJUADE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, formerly Olanrewaju I, formerly Olanrewaju Latifat Latifat now now LASISI LASISI LATIFAT LATIFAT FOLASADE. FOLASADE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Omotosho Omotosho Victoria Victoria Olajumoke Olajumoke now now MRS MRS BAKARE BAKARE VICTORIA VICTORIA OLAJUMOKE. OLAJUMOKE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note. CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATIONOF OFNAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Oluwagbemiga Oluwagbemiga Sunday Sunday Akeju Akeju now now SUNDAY SUNDAY DANIEL DANIEL AKEJU. AKEJU. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Ogidigbo Ogidigbo Deborah Olaoluwa now Deborah Olaoluwa now MRS. MRS. ADELABU ADELABU DEBORAH DEBORAH OLAOLUWA. OLAOLUWA. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Alaba Alaba Adeniran Adeniran now ALABA TAOFIKI now ALABA TAOFIKI MUHAMMED. MUHAMMED. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Adeniyi Adeniyi Baliqis Baliqis Olaide Olaide now now MRS. MRS. ADISA ADISA BALIQIS BALIQIS OLAIDE. OLAIDE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. NYSC NYSC and and general general public public take take note. note. CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Sani Sani Isa Isa now now ISSA ISSA RAMBO RAMBO SANNI. SANNI. My My correct correct date date of of birth birth is is July July 6th 6th 1994. 1994. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Adeyemi Adeyemi Tunde Tunde Uthman now ADEYEMI Uthman now ADEYEMI TUNDE TUNDE ADELODUN. ADELODUN. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. First First Bank Bank Plc., Plc., and and general general public public take take note. note.

I,I, Olu-Alege Olu-Alege Olagoke Olagoke Oluseyi Oluseyi am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Olu-Alege Olu-Alege Olagoke Olagoke O. O. Henceforth, Henceforth, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as OLUOLUALEGE OLAGOKE OLUSEYI. All ALEGE OLAGOKE OLUSEYI. All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names refer refer to to me me and and remain remain valid. valid. GTBank GTBank Plc., Plc., and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Tessy Tessy AdewumiAdewumiMartins Martins now now THERESA THERESA OLISENUKA OLISENUKA ADEWUMIADEWUMIMARTINS. All former MARTINS. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Mrs Mrs Muritala Muritala Fatimah Fatimah now now MRS MRS HOSENI HOSENI SAUDAT. All former SAUDAT. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. Union Union Bank Bank Plc Plc and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Shodeinde Shodeinde Taiwo Taiwo Monsurat Monsurat now now MRS MRS ODERINDE TAIWO ODERINDE TAIWO MONSURAT. MONSURAT. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Ojo Ojo Oluwaseyi Oluwaseyi Grace Grace now now FASUNHAN FASUNHAN OLUWASEYI OLUWASEYI GRACE. GRACE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Eunice Eunice Olufunmilola Abajingin Olufunmilola Abajingin now MRS EUNICE now MRS EUNICE OLUFUNMILOLA OLUFUNMILOLAAFOLABI. AFOLABI. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. GTBank Plc., valid. GTBank Plc., Diamond Diamond Bank Bank Plc., Plc., and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Rabiu Rabiu Sakinat Sakinat now now MRS. MRS. RABIU RABIU SAKINAT SAKINAT KEREMINGORO. All KEREMINGORO. All former former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. SUBEB, SUBEB, Wema Wema Bank Bank Plc, Plc, First First Bank Bank Plc Plc and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Oderinde Oderinde Kudirat Kudirat Omotayo Omotayo now now MRS MRS ABIOLA ABIOLA KUDIRAT KUDIRAT OMOTAYO. OMOTAYO. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. NYSC NYSC and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Olawole Olawole Toyin Toyin Ayinla now Ayinla now OLAWOLE OLAWOLE TOYIN TOYIN SAOBAN. SAOBAN. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Lamidi Lamidi Adesokan Adesokan Nafi Nafiuu now now ABDUL ABDUL HAMMED HAMMED ADESOKAN ADESOKAN NAFIU. NAFIU. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I,I, Ochola Ochola Audu Audu am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Edo Edo Ochola Ochola Cyril. Cyril. Henceforth, Henceforth, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as AUDU AUDU CYRIL CYRIL OCHOLA. OCHOLA. All All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names refer refer to to me me and and remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Oluwabunmi Oluwabunmi Esther Esther Michael Michael now now MRS MRS OLUWABUNMI ESTHER OLUWABUNMI ESTHER JOHNSON. All former JOHNSON. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Akande Akande Ebunoluwa Comfort Ebunoluwa Comfort now now MRS. MRS. OLAWOYIN OLAWOYIN EBUNOLUWA EBUNOLUWA COMFORT. COMFORT. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Elega Elega Queen Queen Joy Joy now now MRS. MRS. OSHO OSHO QUEEN QUEEN JOY. JOY. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. Banks Banks and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Adebayo Adebayo Ariyike Ariyike Omowunmi Omowunmi now now AYODELE AYODELE ARIYIKE ARIYIKE OMOWUNMI. OMOWUNMI. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Oluniyi Oluniyi Oluwatosin Florence Oluwatosin Florence now MRS AGBOOLA now MRS AGBOOLA OLUWATOSIN OLUWATOSIN FLORENCE. FLORENCE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Okoye Okoye Stephanie Stephanie Nnedinma Nnedinma now now MRS MRS ONYILO ONYILO STEPHANIE STEPHANIE NNEDINMA. NNEDINMA. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. Authorities Authorities concerned concerned and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Kudaisi Kudaisi Olubusayo Olubusayo Oluronke now ADISA Oluronke now ADISA OLUBUSAYO OLUBUSAYO OLURONKE. OLURONKE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, formerly Adesina I, formerly Adesina Tajudeen Tajudeen A. A. now now ADESINA ADESINA TAJUDEEN TAJUDEEN AYODELE. AYODELE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Ikhina Ikhina Hammed Hammed Shehu now HAMMED Shehu now HAMMED ABUBAKAR. ABUBAKAR. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, formerly Akanni I, formerly Akanni Adedoyin Adedoyin Itunu Itunu now now ALAPE ALAPE ADEDOYIN ADEDOYIN ITUNU. ITUNU. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Florence Florence Olubunmi Olubunmi Oshinowo Oshinowo now now MRS MRS FLORENCE FLORENCE OLUBUNMI OLUBUNMI AREGBE. All former AREGBE. All former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Ojareri Ojareri Blessing Blessing now NDUKA MERCY now NDUKA MERCY UGOCHI. All former UGOCHI. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. First First Bank Bank Plc., Plc., and and general general public public take take note. note. CORRECTION CORRECTION OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Adeniran Adeniran Ibukun Ibukun Jumoke Jumoke now now MRS. MRS. IDOWU IDOWU IBUKUN IBUKUN JUMOKE. JUMOKE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I,I, Abolade Abolade Olosunde Olosunde am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Oseni Oseni Abolade Abolade Olosun. Olosun. Henceforth, Henceforth, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as ABOLADE ABOLADE OLOSUNDE. All documents OLOSUNDE. All documents bearing bearing these these names names refer refer to to me me and and remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Durodola Durodola Esther Esther Eniola Eniola now now MRS. MRS. AYODELE AYODELE ESTHER ESTHER ENIOLA. ENIOLA. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note. CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Martins Martins Fakorede Fakorede now ARIBISALA FEMI now ARIBISALA FEMI ODUNAYO. All former ODUNAYO. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General public General public take take note. note.

he chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin branch, Dr Usman AbdulRaheem, has advised the national body of the union to tread softly by putting in place a transparent process of integrating an all inclusive process that will accommodate opinion of majority members of the branch. Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, on Sunday, Dr AbdulRaheem faulted the recent purported plan by some members of the national leadership of the union to impose minority group as new executive council of the union over the vast majority members of the union in the university. According to him: “Majority of the Academic staff of the University of Ilorin were willing and ready to reintegrate with the national body provided the NEC was ready to put in place a transparent process that is all inclusive and accommodate the opinions

of the majority of members at the branch”. AbdulRaheem said that, “Unilorin ASUU had never been aversed to returning to the mainstream of ASUU hence, there had been ongoing talks with the national leadership of ASUU through the zonal branch” He also noted that both parties have agreed to withdraw the court cases instituted on the matter since the crisis began while discussions were ongoing on the lifting of ban placed on the Unilorin branch of the union. He, however, called on the national leadership of the union to steer clear such fruitless efforts in order not to truncate the current peaceful efforts being put in place to reintegrate the local chapter of the union into its national fold. He observed that the recent invasion of some members of the national leadership of ASUU to cause disharmony in the university would not yield any positive result.

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME I,I, Chief Chief Lekan Lekan Aderemi Aderemi Ladipo Ladipo am am the the same same person person as as OLALEKAN OLALEKAN ADEREMI OLADIPO. All ADEREMI OLADIPO. All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names are are mine mine and and remain remain valid. valid. Banks Banks and and general general public public take take note. note. CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

I,I, Wasiu Wasiu Wahab Wahab am am the the same same person person as as Olukuawu Olukuawu Wasiu. Wasiu. Now Now wish wish to to be be addressed addressed as as WASIU WASIU WAHAB WAHAB OLUKUEWU. OLUKUEWU. All All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names are are mine mine and and remain remain valid. valid. general general public public take take note. note.

I,I, Nurudeen Nurudeen Seun Seun Bello Bello am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Olakunle Olakunle Nurudeen Nurudeen Bello. Now, I wish to be known Bello. Now, I wish to be known and and addressed addressed as as OLAKUNLE OLAKUNLE NURUDEEN NURUDEEN BELLO. BELLO. My My correct correct date date of of birth birth is is August August 25, 25, 1983 1983 not not August August 25, 25, 1982. 1982. All All documents bearing these names remain documents bearing these names remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

CORRECTION CORRECTION OF OF NAME NAME II was was wrongly wrongly addressed addressed as as Andrew Andrew Bola Bola Adewumi Adewumi instead instead of of AKINLADEJO AKINLADEJO ANDREW ANDREW ADEWUMI ADEWUMI as as my my correct correct name. name. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note. take note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, Nwakpa Nwakpa Chukwuka Chukwuka am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Nwangele Nwangele Kingsley. Kingsley. Now, Now, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as NWANGELE NWANGELE KINGSLEY. All documents KINGSLEY. All documents bearing bearing these these names names remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Olayioye Olayioye Oludayo Oludayo now OLAYIOYE now OLAYIOYE CLUADIUS CLUADIUS OLUDAYO. All former OLUDAYO. All former documents remain documents remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Amusa Amusa Mufuliat Mufuliat Omowunmi Omowunmi now now MRS MRS AKANDE AKANDE MUFULIAT MUFULIAT OMOWUNMI. OMOWUNMI. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note. CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I,I, Adebayo Adebayo Abosede Abosede Kafayat, Kafayat, my my name name was was erroneously erroneously written written as as Kafayat Abosede Kafayat Kafayat Abosede Kafayat instead instead of of Adebayo Adebayo Abosede Abosede Kafayat. Kafayat. Henceforth, Henceforth, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as ADEBAYO ADEBAYO ABOSEDE ABOSEDE KAFAYAT. KAFAYAT. All All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names refer refer to to me me and and remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I,I, Abimbara Abimbara Muhammed Muhammed am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Abimbara Abimbara Muhammed Muhammed Adekunle Adekunle and and Abimbara Abimbara Muhammed Muhammed Kunle. Kunle. Henceforth, Henceforth, II want want to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as ABIMBARA ABIMBARA MUHAMMED. MUHAMMED. All All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names remain remain valid. valid. First First Bank Bank Plc, Plc, Guaranty Guaranty Trust Trust Bank Bank Plc Plc and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Ojo Ojo Iyabo Iyabo Aishat Aishat now now MRS. MRS. JOSEPH JOSEPH FAITH FAITH ANIKE. ANIKE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. NYSC NYSC and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Kayode Kayode Seun Seun Adewale now KAYODE Adewale now KAYODE SEUN SEUN OLAWALE. OLAWALE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Bello Bello Titilayo Titilayo Ifeoluwa Ifeoluwa now now MRS. MRS. ALLI ALLI TITILAYO TITILAYO IFEOLUWA. IFEOLUWA. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. University University College College Hospital Hospital (UCH) (UCH) Ibadan Ibadan and and general public take note. general public take note.

I, I, formerly formerly Ameed Ameed Sariyu Sariyu Titilayo now AMEED Titilayo now AMEED SARIYU SARIYU ARIKE. ARIKE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Clement Clement V. V. Julius Julius now now OLAGUNJU OLAGUNJU CLEMENT CLEMENT JULIUS. All former JULIUS. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Oni Oni Stephen Stephen Seun Seun now now ONI ONI STEPHEN STEPHEN ALAO. ALAO. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. FCMB FCMB Bank Bank Plc., Plc., Diamond Diamond Bank Bank Plc., Plc., and and general general public public take take note. note.

I, I, formerly formerly Ipadeola Ipadeola Rasaq Rasaq Ajani now IPADEOLA Ajani now IPADEOLA RASAKI RASAKI AJANI. AJANI. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, Adiele Adiele Anthonia Anthonia Ngebe Ngebe am am the the same same person person as as CHIKE CHIKE NGEBE NGEBE ANTHONIA. ANTHONIA. All All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names refer refer to to me and remain valid. me and remain valid. UBA UBA Plc., Plc., Zenith Bank Plc., and general Zenith Bank Plc., and general public public take take note. note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Miss Miss Fasola Fasola Mercy Mercy Olukemi Olukemi now now MRS. MRS. OGUNBAMERU MERCY OGUNBAMERU MERCY OLUKEMI. All former OLUKEMI. All former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note. CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION OF OF NAME NAME

I,I, Azeez Azeez Moshood Moshood Aremu Aremu am am the the same same person person bearing bearing Abdul Abdul Azeez Omolayo. Henceforth, Azeez Omolayo. Henceforth, II wish wish to to be be known known and and addressed addressed as as AZEEZ AZEEZ MOSHOOD MOSHOOD AREMU. AREMU. All All documents documents bearing bearing these these names names refer to me and remain refer to me and remain valid. valid. General public take note. General public take note.

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

I, I, formerly formerly Idris Idris Nagode, Nagode, Alfa Alfa Nagode Nagode respectively respectively now now SHITTU SHITTU IDRIS IDRIS NAGODE. NAGODE. All All former former documents documents remain remain valid. valid. General General public public take take note. note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Alesinloye Victoria now PASTOR ORI B AMIDELEMOYO V I C T ORIA KAODILICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ojo Adija now RASAKI ADIJA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akeem Adegbenro Wahab now AKEEM OJO WAHAB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Uchenna U. Onuora now UCHENNA U. EMEGWARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olawale Bello Micheal now OLAWALE BELLO MORUF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Omotoso Olumide Olugbenga now OGUNDARE CHARLES OLU. All former documents remain valid. UNILORIN and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebola Oluwatoyin Opadere now MRS ADEBOLA OLUWATOYIN OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ayekulehin Oluwatunmise Caroline now MRS ADEGOKE OLU W A T UNMISE CAROLINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Ogundimu Ishola Raufu am the same person as OGUNDIMU ISHOLA DAVID. Any documents that both names appear on it should be regarded as mine henceforth. FCMB Ota, other banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ojo Oluwabukola Elizabeth now MRS AKINTOLA OLU W A B UKOLA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Helen O. Okporovwedowho now EMUHIAR HELEN OGOJOWHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abubakar Adijetu now ABUBAKAR HADIZAT ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oladele Serifat now MRS. OKUNOLA SERIFAT MORADEYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akindugbagbe Theresa now MRS. OYELOLA THERESA. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Miss Adedapo Aderinola Bose am the same person bearing Miss Adedapo Bosede Aderinola. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLANIYAN ADERINOLA BOSE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluwakemi Ponle now MRS MODINAT OLUWAKEMI OSENI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Hazzan Saidi Adewale now MR. HASSAN SAHEED ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc., other Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Muhammad Adiza Belinda Adesuwa now MRS BABATUNDE ADIZA BELINDA ADESUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ayodele Titilayo Ebunlomo now MRS. OLAYIWOLA TITILAYO EBUNLOMO. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Olujoba Omoyemi Abike now OLAYENI FOLASADE BOLARINWA. All former documents remain valid. SEAP and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akangbe Halimat Bukola now MRS. LATONA HALIMAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olalere Monsurat Omolade now MRS AKADIRI MONSURAT OMOLADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Temitope Hannah Ottu now MRS. HANNAH TEMITOPE OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ayodeji Francis Joel now ADULOJU SUNDAY FRANCIS. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Oyewale Suliyat Dasola now RAFIU SULIYAT DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyeyemi Rachael Yonke now MRS. OLADIPUPO RACHAEL YONKE. All former documents remain valid. Federal Government Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; College, Ipetumodu and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyetunji Damilola Kehinde now MRS. OGUNYINKA DAMILOLA KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Government and general public take note.

I, formerly Ajiboye Tinuade Toyin now MAKINDE TINUADE TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Agnes Oladejo now OGUNREMI FOLUKE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abisoye Gbenga Michael ABISOYE now OLUWAGBEMIGA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Kemi Eunice Akande now EUNICE TOLA AKANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Seluwa Aanuoluwapo Mary now ADEBAYO AANUOLUWAPO MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Okedele Sunkanmi O. now OKEDELE OLASUNKANMI ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ayakpo Ikulowei now BOSCO IKULOWEI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ezekiel Blacky am the same person as FOSKO FOSKOS. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olawuyi Bukola Tawakalitu now MRS. SALIMON BUKOLA TAWAKALITU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I, formerly Latifu Ojo Alani now LATEEF OJO ALANI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Animam Onyemaechi Progress now OSANEBI ONYEMAECHI PROGRESS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, AYODELE ABIOLA OLUWAKANYINSOLA am the same person as NOJEEM ABIOLA OLUWAKANYINSOLA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ngozi Rufina Okafor now MRS NGOZI RUFINA AMANAMBU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adeoba Febisola Florence now AKINROLABU FEBISOLA FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Haruna Ishaq Muhammed now ISHAQ MUHAMMED HARUNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This Box is for Sale

I, formerly Miss Ariteshoma Oghenerukevwe Eyide now MRS ARITESHOMA OGHENERUKEVWE EYIDEUWOGHIREN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Emily Iwuchukwu now MISS EMILY AMASUNYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adekola Oluwasola Abimbola now MRS. AWOYELE OLUWASOLA ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Owolabi Bolaji Morolake now MRS ORESEGUN BOLAJI MOROLAKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayandiran Ayanleke now AYANDIRAN AYANLEKE JIMOH. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Adegbulugbe Festus Taiwo now MR. ADEGBULUGBE EBENEZER ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly John Erale now JOHN ERALE-ODIGURE. All former documents remain valid. Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and general public take note.

I, formerly Olayemi Ayobami now OLAYIOYE OLUYEMI AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaosun Oluwayemisi Mojirayo now MRS. IDOWU OLUWAYEMISI MOJIRAYO. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Labiran Mayowa Eniola now OGUNMODEDE MAYOWA ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olaitan Kafayat now AKOREDE ASIATA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Hassan Abimbola now MISS AFOLARIN ABIMBOLA FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Yusuff Rafiat Abimbola now ABOLARIN RAFIAT ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Balogun Idowu Olusola now AREOYE IDOWU OLUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., Ilesa, Diamond Bank Plc., Ilesa and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Jerome Hopland Nwajiofor now JEROME CHUKWUDI NWAJIOFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Badejo Motunrayo Felicia now MRS. ADESOYE MOTUNRAYO FELICIA. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Ministry of Education and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Popoola Tolulope Precious now MRS ALAKEJI TOLULOPE PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oresegun Adebosola Abiola now MRS. MAKANJUOLA ADEBOSOLA ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Erinoso Gabriel Akanji now OWOLOLA GABRIEL AKANJI. All former documents remain valid. D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori Ewekoro, Ogun State and general public take note.

I, Awoderu Ayomide Iyabo am the same person bearing Awoderu Ayomide Temilade Iyabo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AWODERU AYOMIDE IYABO. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akindele Oluwatomilola Mary now MRS. OSHINLOYE OLUWATOMILOLA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinwonmi Abidemi Ileyemi now MRS. AKINRODOYE ABIDEMI ILEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odedele Taiwo Esther now MRS. AKINLUSI TAIWO ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Taiwo Abiodun Temitope am the same person as Taiwo Abiodun Caleb. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO ABIODUN TEMITOPE . All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Emiola Mojisola Kudirat now MRS. ADEBAYO MOJISOLA ADUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ndubuisi Cynthia Chiamaka now MRS. MENE CYNTHIA CHIAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr. Apeko Olaseni Samson now MR ANTHONY OLASENI SAMSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Samuel Sesan Olori now SAMUEL SESAN MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Akanji Tawa Yetunde now ADEBIYI AKANJI YETUNDE TAWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Adekunle Hayyishat Olajumoke my name was mistakenly written as Adekunle Hayyisat Olajumoke instead of Adekunle Hayyishat Olajumoke. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Olorunlola Abdulwasiu Adeleke now MR. OLORUNLOLOLA WASIU ADELEKE. All former documents remain valid. The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Ogundare Adeola Taiwo now OGUNDARE ADEOLA ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Otegbeye Adedamola Atinuke now MRS AKANGBE ADEDAMOLA ATINUKE. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bello Temitope Juliana now MRS OLATOYE TEMITOPE JULIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Makinde Taye now MRS AKINSETE TAYE HASANAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Shorinola Mojisola Ibidunni now MRS ABUBAKAR MOJISOLA IBIDUNNI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ikpidi Anthony Muwei now ANTHONY IKPIDI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ikhenemue Oroti and Kwode Oroti now KWODE OROTI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Meka Justina Wemimo now MAFOLABOMI JUSTINA WEMIMO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Orus Oruwari now OGUN MITCHELL OYINMIEBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This Box is for Sale

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

news

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Bailout Fund: Ondo rejects ICPC report, demands retraction

he Ondo State government has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to retract the incorrect information published on the bailout received by the state government to pay its workforce’s outstanding salaries. The government, in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, described the report as misleading, stating that the state government added N50 million to the bailout fund, before it could pay the outstanding salaries arrears till June 2015. Government said the bailout funds which it collected was N9.443.06, but augmented it with N50 million

which brought the total disbursement to N9.493.91. According to him, all relevant documents and bank transfers on the disbursement of the funds were presented to ICPC officials that were in the state to monitor the disbursement of the fund. “Each claim of payment was investigated and confirmed to be true by the

ICPC investigative team, and at the end of its visit, the government was commended for its effective operation, clinical and accurate disbursement of the said fund,” the statement said. Akinmade stated further that the labour union leaders in the state were duly briefed and gave their approval for the disbursement

process, urging the antigraft agency to correct the misrepresentation. Condemning the report, the government said “it is unimaginable that a government that is paying the highest minimum wage to its workers in the country against all odds, would divert loan given it to enable it fulfill its monthly obligation to the same workers, follow-

ing the near collapse of the nation’s economy which has made the obligation challenging. “Government thus called on the ICPC to investigate the report and as a matter of urgency put the record straight, by reporting its exact findings when it came to the state to make verification on the bailout fund application.”

We ‘ve used balance of bailout to augment Dec salary —Benue State Johnson Babajide -Makurdi

AS pressure mounted on the Benue State government by people of the state, urging it explain how it disbursed the bailout funds, following the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) release, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Mr David Olofu, on Tuesday, stated that the balance of the bailout had been used for the payment of 2015 December salary. Olofu had earlier on Sunday, while reacting to a report released by ICPC, stated that the N1.6 billion balance had not been diverted, but failed to explain where the money was kept. Federal Government had given the state N28 billion bailout funds of which N12.5 billion was meant to defray the backlog of the state civil servants’ salaries inherited from the previous administration, while N15.5 billion was not given to local government workers to defray the three months salaries. Few months after the state government accessed the bailout funds, rumours did the rounds that a state government official had embezzled N1 billion from the funds but the state governor, Samuel Ortom swiftly dismissed the rumours and described it as a figment of some people’s imagination. Meanwhile, Public Complaint Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has said more can of worms would be unveiled concerning how the state government looted the bailout funds.

From left, Mr Oyefeso Musbau, Alhaji Akeem Kosoko, celebrant’s wife, Alhaja Bola Owoyemi, the celebrant, Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi, Dr Muiz Banire, Alhaji Fatai Oluwole and the celebrant’s daughter, Mrs Ifedolapo Salaudeen, during Alhaji Owoyemi’s 60th birthday, at his Parkview Estate residence, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Kogi workers to embark on strike over non-payment of salaries Organised labour in Kogi State, on Monday, in Lokoja, said it would embark on strike to compel the state government to pay the outstanding fivemonth salary arrears to workers. This was contained in a communiqué issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) at the end of an emergency meeting. The communiqué was jointly signed by the state NLC chairman, Mr Onuh Edoka, chairman of TUC Mr Ojo Ranti Matthew and the chairman of JNC, Mr Aaron Akeji. The communiqué stated that the state government reneged on its previous promises to pay the salary arrears. It also condemned piecemeal payment of salary, adding that salaries for the months of October and November, 2015 were paid three months after each of the months was due. The communiqué also decried the exclusion of workers employed between January and December, 2015 from receiving the November, 2015 salaries. It urged the state gov-

ernment to pay the affected workers as they had worked for the month. According to the communiqué, “the state government is claiming that the employment of the concerned workers was irregular, since there was an embargo on employment in the state.’’ In a reaction, however, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello, said it would be inappropriate for the workers to blame the government for the failure of the past administrations. Fanwo said Bello’s administration was able to pay two months’ salary arrears within 57 days in office. “Labour was on an in-

definite strike before the inauguration of the present administration, but the governor intervened to settle the industrial dispute,” he said. He said the governor would undertake a holistic appraisal of the situation, after the ongoing screening exercise, with a view to addressing the salary issue once and for all.

Kaduna LG workers won’t get April salary now —Commissioner The Kaduna State government, on Tuesday, said payment of local council workers in the state for the month of April, would be delayed, due to inadequate funds to pay them. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Bashir Saidu, disclosed this to newsmen in Kaduna, at the end of the State Executive Council meeting. He said the government would pay the salaries after the conclusion of its verification of the local council workers. The commissioner said all the 23 local councils in the state received a cumulative amount of N2.1

billion from the federation account, which he said, was not enough to settle workers’ salary of N2.4 billion. “The April 2016 salaries for local government council and local education authority staff will be delayed until the committee working on the concluding phase of payroll verification for local governments completes its work. “We express our regret for this delay, but we trust that local government workers will understand that real danger beckons if personnel costs continue to exceed revenues without any steps being taken to remedy it.”

Saidu also said the government would scrutinise the allowances paid to the local council workers in order to remove those not entitled to certain categories of allowances. He hinted that the review of the allowances would mostly affect health workers collecting allowances they were not legally entitled to. “For example health workers that are in urban areas and are not entitled to collect rural posting allowance would not be paid such allowance.’’ He said the current practice where every worker in the system received shift allowance would no longer continue.

Nigerian Tribune

DNA twin abducted, kidnappers demand N10m By Rotimi Ige The entertainment community was shocked on Tuesday, when news flittered in that musical twin brothers, Clint and Blair Roberts, were kidnapped on their way to Lagos. The brothers, who gained fame after their appearance on Glo’s X-Factor, competition in 2013, were said to be travelling to Lagos from Abuja, when their bus was ambushed. The ambush reportedly took place in Kogi State. According to eyewitness reports, the gunmen shot the driver of the bus, robbed all the passengers and kidnapped the 20-year-old brothers. “This is not the end for us as we are going to use this platform to build on our musical dream. People should look out for us in the near future,” the talented brothers had said after their eviction from the show. The kidnappers had reportedly contacted the family, and are asking for N6 million ransom. According to an eyewitness at the scene of the kidnap, the driver of the bus, which is owned by a popular transport company, was reportedly shot in the eye, during the robbery operation.

Kano NYSC coordinator commends Ganduje for support Kola Oyelere - Kano Kano State coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mallam Abdullahi Baba, has commended the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, for the support given to corps members, during their service programme in the state. He said there was the need for adequate security for corps members. He added that the issue of security is a collective responsibility from all relevant stakeholders. Mallam Baba said this on Tuesday, during a preparatory programme for the commencement of orientation exercise for the 2016 Batch “A”, to commence today (Wednesday). According to him, going by previous orientation programmes held in the state, the Kano State government, had contributed greatly to the development of the scheme in various ways

south-westnews

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

‘South West, most food insecure region in Nigeria’ By Ronke Sanya

GRICULTURAL experts have decried increased dependency rate of South West Nigeria on food production from other regions of Nigeria, revealing that the South West is the most food insecure region in Nigeria.

This submission was made at the 29th annual SouthWest Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage Systems (REFILS) workshop, held on Tuesday, at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. Professor Akinwumi Omo-

tayo of the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources, management and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in his keynote address, lamented over the rate at which indigenous farmers were fast disappearing in the South West, “non-Nigerians are settling

down on our farms in the South West and taking over the farms. Water melon is now being produced in the South West because migrant farmers are settled in the South West and they have started production, here in the South West.” He added that the South West is increasingly becoming vulnerable to food inse-

curity because, “we continue to depend on food importation from other regions.” He gave the estimated statistics of South West’s dependence of food items from other regions to include, “Tomato 75 per cent; Onions 99 per cent; Yam 60 per cent; Cowpea 99 per cent; Maize 80 per cent; Soybean 90 per cent,” as at 2012.” On Fulani herdsmen’s invasion of the South West, Omotayo said, “Fulanis are becoming daring and belligerent by the day and it is becoming unclear whether they are farmers or criminals. They are also reducing farming activities in the South West due to their invasion of farms in the zone.”

‘Sacked BCOS journalists will be reinstated’ By Tunde Ogunesan

Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba (Dr) Abdulrasheed Adewole Akanbi (middle), being decorated with a Doctorate Degree award of Public Administration by the President/Chancellor, Courage University, Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, Dr Taiwo Ajayi (right) and the Registrar of the institution, Mr Isaac Olagunju, at the Oluwo’s palace, Iwo, Osun State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

UI shut indefinitely By Tunde Ogunesan THE authorities of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan have asked the students to vacate from the school premises at or before 4.00p.m. on Tuesday, following the two days protest that ravaged the institution. The Director of Communications, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, informed Nigerian Tribune that the directives became necessary in view of the protest embarked upon by the students on Tuesday morning. The protest, which began on Monday, Nigerian Tribune confirmed, continued on Tuesday morning as students trooped out from their hostels in large numbers as early as 7.00a.m., chanting solidarity songs and mobilising their colleagues to shut down vehicular movement within the university community. The two days of uninterrupted protests by students of the institution, fortified by members of NANS, which were used by the students to, among others, question the suspension of a union leader by the Students’ Disciplinary Committee, over lack of power and water among other municipal needs on campus. The students’ protest led

to chasing of other students off lecture rooms with canes while entrance gates and road networks within the university were put under lock and key and barricaded. Sources informed Nigerian Tribune that the management alleged that the students had turned the protest to anarchy as they took to destruction of properties in the school. The Ajibode, Poly and second gate entrances and exits of the institution were barricaded, thus, restricting movement of vehicles to and fro the university. Some of the students covered their faces, while some carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘UniIbadan, Say no to victimisation,” among others. But the President of the Student Union Government, Olateju Aliu, said “the students started the protest as a result of injustice, inhuman attitude of the management. The way out is that a senior cadre officer of the management should come out to address us.” But the management, in a special release on Tuesday, dated April 26, 2016 and titled “Closure of the university due to the disturbance of peace and threat to lives and property on campus by some students of the institu-

tion (UI) and other students from nearby institutions” and signed by the institution’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr Olujimi Olukoya, formally announced the closure. According to the statement, “It is evident from the events of Monday, 25 and Tuesday, 26 April, 2016 that some students of the University of Ibadan, and persons who claimed to be members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South West Zone from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso; Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo; The Polytechnic, Ibadan; Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan; Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan and Federal School of Statistics, Ibadan, are determined, not only to disturb the much cherished peace and tranquility on campus, but to threaten the lives and property of the entire university community. “These elements are operating dangerously by the heavy masks most of them are wearing, thereby threatening the peace and security of innocent students who are law abiding and staff at their various places of work. “Majority of these persons

have been going round the campus to disrupt classes and assaulting students and lecturers from their classes and offices. “Fresh in the memory are the disruptions and vandalism at the Departments of Anatomy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Physics, Archaeology and Anthropology, to mention just a few. “It has been gathered that these persons are going under the fathom claim of a one semester rustication of a student, who ordinarily should have been expelled for gross misconduct, as well as power outages and inadequate provision of water, which the university management is working round the clock to address. “Based on the foregoing, and the need to protect the cherished lives and property on campus, University Management has decided, after wide consultation, that all students are to proceed on break until further notice. “Consequently, all students are to vacate their respective halls of residence and classes on or before 4.00 p.m. today, Tuesday, 26 April, 2016. “Any student found in the libraries, halls of residence or classes stands the risk of outright expulsion,” Olukoya stated.

THE Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun, has assured members of the union that the body has taken drastic measure to ensure that its members, who were affected by reorganisation exercise at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) early this year, would be reinstated in two weeks time. Comrade Opadotun stated this on Tuesday, while making his presentation during the workers’ day round table themed, “The plight of Nigerian workers in a dwindling economy,” held at the Dapo Aderogba hall, NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan. According to Comrade Opadotun, who also lambasted labour leaders for poor attitude to union matters, in his response to a charge by a former National President of NUJ, Comrade Lanre Ogundipe, said the Union decided to seek political solution to ensure that the affected journalists were reinstated. He said “in our own way, we have decided to seek political solution in the case of our members who were recently reorganised at the BCOS. I can tell you that we did not leave them to their fate. We have some workers, senior officers, who took government to court in a case like this. They won, but till now, they are still at home. “What we want is respite for our members, so we embarked on political solution. And I want to assure you that our members, I mean journalists, who were recently sent home from BCOS, would return to their work in two weeks time, by God’s grace.”

Nigerian Tribune

Osun landlords protest non-payment of compensation Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

ABOUT 300 landlords, whose houses were demolished by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration about four years ago to pave way for the expansion of roads project in Osogbo, the state capital, on Tuesday, stormed the state House of Assembly to protest against nonpayment of their compensation. The protesters, who besieged the Assembly complex in the morning, displaying various placards with different inscriptions, lamented that many of their members have died since they commenced their agitation to get compensation from the government in 2012. Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that the aggrieved landlords, under the aegis of Association of Owners of Valued Demolished Buildings, ambushed the Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salam, on his way to his office, urging him to prevail on Governor Aregbesola on their behalf, with a view to get their dues. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the chairman of the association, Mr Moshood Oladejo, explained to the Speaker that the failure of the state government to pay their compensation had rendered them homeless. He lamented that the businesses of the affected landlords have crumbled since their buildings were demolished, stressing that they relied on their buildings as source of income, considering their old age, which made it difficult for them to work again. Oladejo also explained to the Speaker that most of the affected landlords were battling serious health challenges due to the demolition of their buildings.

Koleoso clocks 78 Saturday THE 78th birthday celebration of the former National Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleoso, comes up on Saturday, April 30 at Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to a release issued by the celebrant, who was also the former Secretary to Oyo State government during late governor Lam Adesina’s led administration, the birthday celebration, which will be on a low key, will be at his premises in the early hours of the day.

Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

corporatesport

With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08179073009

17th Milo Basketball Championship:

Lagos agog for Western confab finals

From left, Ex-International and Let’s Play Ambassador, Victor Ikpeba; proprietor and chairman, governing council of Top Faith International School, Dr Emmanuel Thomas Abraham, principal of the school, Amah Amah and General Manager SuperSport West Africa, Felix Awogu during the SuperSport Let’s Play Initiative held at Top Faith International Secondary School, Mkpatak, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

he organisers of the IAAF Bronze Label race, Okpekpe International 10 km Road Race have sealed an agreement with `MYLAPS Sports Timing’ to provide the timing device for the race. Dare Esan, the spokesman of the race said in a statement released and made available to Corporate Sport on Tuesday that a Netherlandbased, internationally recognised automatic sports timing company would provide an èasy to use, accurate and reliable timing system’ that ensures flawless timing for all the participants. “This is the first time a company with such huge credential will be providing any athletics event in Nigeria with a world-class timing system. This is a demonstration of our determination to organise a race, worthy of a gold label status. We are stopping at nothing at ensuring that we meet all the requirements for the organisation of the only IAAF bronze label race in Africa in 2016’’. Esan noted that one of the conditions set by the Worlds’ Athletics governing body for a ÌAAF label race must fulfill ìs to ensure an adequate timing system is used’’. According to the IAAF, for a race to be accepted, it must provide full electronic timing by use of active or passive transponders. “Real time splits and final results should be made available to media, spectators and online. And to ensure this is done, we have gone for a company, whose founders invented, automatic sports

Okpekpe 10-km Road Race:

Organisers to use MYLAPS Bib Tag System timing some 33 years ago. Today, most major events like the Boston, Rotterdam and Melbourne marathons previously used stopwatches and thumbs to keep track of results, now rely on MYLAPS’ technology. “We recognise our position as the leading road race organisers in Nigeria and one of only two in Africa this year. To confirm this status, we have to join the MYLAPS

Sports Timing family’’. “The company will be responsible for producing the results for the race. We shall be using the MYLAPS Bib Tag System at the race. All the athletes will simply wear their bibs as they are used, visibly on their chests – and they will be able to view their results directly after the event. “They do not need to wait for anybody to tell them

whether they have broken the course record or have recorded an area record or personal best. Through MYLAPS Sports Timing, athletes can record lap times, collect performance data,’’ said Esan Meanwhile MYLAPS Sports Timing Company has expressed happiness at becoming the official timing company for the Okpekpe Race.

All set for Prince Royal Cup 2016 Arrangements are in top gear towards the successful hosting of the maiden edition of Prince Royal Cup 2016 scheduled to commence on May 15. The football competition been sponsored by Prince Babatunde Oyekanla philanthropist and organised by Kayog Sports International will parade 36 teams in the state as participants. Iyiola Yemi, the project Coordinator and Chairman, Kayog Sports International told Corporatesport on Monday that teams from all the eight zones of the state will participate in the football competition aimed promoting healthy rivalry, development of football in the state and keeping the youths away from social

vices. He also informed that the matches will be played at various stadia in the state which includes; Olubadan

Stadium, Ogbomoso Township Stadium,Oshadep Stadium, Saki, Iseyin and Eleruwa Stadium respectively.

The Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos will come alive this week when the Western Conference finals of the 17th Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship dunks off Thursday. According to the Secretary General of Nigerian School Sport Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Jospeh, eight states including host – Lagos are expected to converge for the tournament, which serves as qualifiers to the national championship scheduled to hold in Asaba, Delta State capital. Besides Lagos, other teams aiming for places in the grand finale are Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Osun and Ogun and they are expected to arrive Lagos on Wednesday for the tournament which will kicks off with screening of teams. “We are going to ensure that we do thorough screening this year and to ensure that we have proper students competing in our tournaments. Also we are introducing biometrics screening this year so that we can have the finger print of all the participants so we can check cheatings in all our events. As this biometrics will help us to have data of all the participants for future events. This we hope and believe will help us to improve the competition to the admiration of our sponsors,” she said. Joseph, however, lauded the management of Nestle Plc for keeping faith with the tournament in the last 18 years where most of the national players discovered. “We will forever remain

CFA whips visiting Indian teams The Cowbell Football Academy (CFA) hosted the Indian International Language School, Ilupeju, Lagos on Saturday to a friendly match between its U-10 and U-15 teams respectively, at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The 40-minutes game was flagged off at 9:35am, with the CFA U-10 side beating their Indian Counterpart with a whopping 5-1 victory, while the

game for the U-15 team which flagged off an hour later recorded a 4-0 victory in favour of the Cowbell Team. Satisfied with the performance of his players, Hycienth Nkwocha, Head Coach/Technical Coordinator, Cowbell Football Academy; explained that the players are usually recruited when they are young before they are trained on the metrics of the game of football.

According to him, “When we catch them very young, we groom them and this helps them in the future unlike us, who started very late. Besides, they are learning very fast and we must use this medium to train them and improve on areas where they are lacking in skills and techniques. Both teams displayed aggression, strong attacking spirit, goal-oriented style of football and they are disciplined.”

grateful to the management of the Nestle Plc for their unalloyed support to us and we cannot but appreciate them for what they have done to Nigerian children with the support for school sports. There has never been any consistent basketball tournament like the Milo School Championship and for us at NSSF, we are really delighted to have them as partners,” the NSSF scribe admitted.

Ahead World Classics: Union Bank table tennis team embark on friendlies By Nurudeen Alimi AHEAD of this year’s Lagos International Table Tennis Classics, Union Bank of Lagos table tennis team has embarked on series of friendly games to shapenup the players ahead of the tournament. Speaking with CorporateSport in Ibadan last weekend during one of the team’s scheduled trips for various friendlies, Sport Officer, Peter Okoro, noted that the friendlies lined up for the players became necessary in order to know their level of preparedness for the international tourney as well as other future competions. “We are in Ibadan to play some friendly games. And it is pertinent to note that we are not here to win but really know how fit and ready our players are for the challenges ahead. Knowing our mistakes in the friendly games will help us put whatever lapses in proper perspective. We still plan to come to Ibadan and also travel to some other places to play some friendlies before the International Classics”. He noted. Secretary, Union Bank table tennis team, Olabode Akinshola, informed that Union Bank has nine players that will be vying for honours in the Lagos International Classics adding that they can not afford to fail, hence, the need to expose them to series of friendly games.

SIDELINES

NO 16,487

N150

WEDNESDAY, 27 APRIL, 2016

EUROPE’S TOP 10 FINSHERS

Player Kelechi Iheanacho Luis Suarez Cristiano Ronaldo Karim Benzema Zlatan Ibrahimovic Imanol Agirretxe Gonzalo Higuain Lionel Messi

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Robert Lewandowski

Club Manchester City Barcelona Real Madrid Real Madrid PSG Real Sociedad Napoli Barcelona Dortmund Bayern Munich

Mins/Goal 81.27 83.77 84.21 85.93 88.45 90.31 94.59 95.95 98.27 98.89

Different reasons have been given as being responsible for fuel scarcity in Nigeria. The latest by the Minister of state for Petroleum Ibe Kachikwu is that the product has always been diverted to neighbouring countries like Cameroon and Chad. Honourable minister sir, that is a good historial perspective, but don’t you think Nigerians are more interested in a lasting solution to the problem?

Goals 11 53 47 27 42 13 32 40 37 38

Blatter to testify at Platini’s ban appeal

‘Iheanacho is Europe’s deadliest finisher’ By Olawale Olaniyan

IGERIA’S Kelechi Iheanacho has emerged as the deadliest finisher in all of Europe’s top five leagues in terms of minute-to-goal ratio barely one full season with Manchester City. According to Dailymail, Iheanacho’s 11 goals have come at an average of every 81.27 minutes,

his minute-to-goal ratio stands at 81.27 - a figure that surpasses illustrious forwards such Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo and better than anyone in Europe’s top five leagues. Based on players having scored 10 goals or more this term in all competitions, Iheanacho’s nearest challenger is Barcelona forward Luis Suarez. The 29-year-old has scored 53

times at a minute-to-goal ratio of 83.77, Real Madrid duo, Ronaldo (47 goals) and Karim Benzema (27) sit third and fourth respectively in this list at 84.21 and 85.93 respectively. The left-footed ace won the FIFA U-17 title with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in 2013 at the United Arab Emirates and is a favourite for the country’s U-23 squad for the Rio Olympics.

Dabiri-Erewa hails Nigerian-born UK boxer, Joshua By Nurudeen Alimi THE Senior Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigerian-born United Kingdom boxer, Anthony Femi Joshua, who recently won the IBF World Heavyweight title.

Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement made available to Tribunesport on Tuesday noted that Joshua’s feat reflects hard work, tireless dedication and brave heart. She, however, wish him well in future endeavours. The British professional boxer was born to a Nigerian mother and father, spent his early years in Nigeria before returning to the

United Kingdom. With his recent feat, He is now the current IBF heavyweight champion who also holds the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. Joshua is ranked the world’s sixth best heavyweight boxer by The Ring magazine and the second boxer in history to win professional world title doubling Olympics champion at the top weight. He is expected to defend his title on June 25, 2016.

Iheanacho

FORMER FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, will testify during Michel Platini’s appeal against his ban from football, following a request from world football’s governing body, a source close to the case said on Tuesday. Platini, the suspended head of European football confederation UEFA, will challenge his six-year ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland on Friday. “Blatter will testify on Friday, at the request of FIFA”, said a source who was not authorised to discuss the case publicly, but confirmed the information first reported by L’Equipe newspaper. In December, FIFA’s ethics judges found Platini guilty of ethics violations, conflict of interest and other offences in connection with a 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million, 1.8 million euro) payment he received from Blatter in 2011.

Ronaldo agrees contract with PSG

REAL Madrid attacker, Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed a contract with Paris Saint-Germain, ending speculations about his return to former club, Manchester United according to a report from Spanish newspaper, Mundo Deportivo. The Portuguese star, however, will only move to the Ligue 1 champions if he fails to agree a new contract with Real Madrid. Los Blancos still want to retain the forward’s services, but are under pressure to agree terms with him after he approved a firstrefusal deal with PSG. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to depart at the end of the season, Laurent Blanc’s men see Ronaldo

as the perfect replacement. While Real president Florentino Perez is thought to be keen on keeping the three-time Ballon d’Or winner at the Bernabeu, Ronaldo could be tempted by the PSG. According to Mundo Deportivo, Laurent Blanc’s side have promised to bring in several signings in the summer to ensure they are challenging in the Champions League. The news comes as a blow to Manchester United, who had hoped to lure the 31-year-old back to Old Trafford as part of a £300 million summer spending spree.

Dalung lauds LMC/ La Liga partnership By Niyi Alebiosu

Josua

YOUTH and Sport Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has reaffirmed government’s commitment towards making Nigeria investment friendly. The Minister gave the assurance when a delegation of the Spanish Professional League La Liga and the Management of the League Management Company paid him a courtesy visit in

Abuja ahead of today’s Technical Partnership Agreement between the LMC/ Nigeria Premier Football League and La Liga. Barrister Dalung praised the LMC for keying into the policy thrust of government for the development of the elite league which provides jobs for one thousand youths in the twenty clubs and stimulates business activities within the areas matches are played.

“The league in Nigeria is indeed a major tool for social cohesion. Government is committed to putting in place, enabling administrative and legal frameworks for international business partnerships”. According to the Minister, government will work with and support the managers of football in the country for meaningful projects like the international collaboration with Spain.

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. 27/4/2016.