27th September 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,599 TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER, 2016

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Nigerian Tribune

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TODAY'S SPECIAL

Good sleep, nutrition, exercise key to good mental health

By Olaronke Jaiyeola, with Agency Report YOUR mental health is as important as your physical health, as you may not have a healthy body if you don't take care of your mind. The mind has a lot to do and should be refreshed and rejuvenated.

It is important for you to take care of yourself mentally, so that you can do the important things in life — whether

Saudi Arabia announces austerity measures, slashes ministers' salaries —P37

working, learning, taking care of your family, venturing into business or whatever is important to you.

Good mental health helps you to enjoy life and cope with problems. It offers a feeling of well-being and inner strength. Just as you take care of your body by eating right and exercising, you can do things to protect your mental

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Tanko Yakassai to Tinubu:

Speak out now against injustice rocking APC —P2

•Timi Frank, Olusola Oke back Tinubu on Oyegun's resignation

How FG may sell NLNG Continues pg35

—P2,12,35

•To insist on repurchase clause • Afenifere, ACF, NLC kick against sale of national assets •Selling national assets convenient but flawed —Soludo

AfDB to support Nigeria with $4.1bn

•$1bn loan for 2016 budget at 1.2% interest rate •EFCC, ICPC to get $3m —P3

Edo: 25,000 conventional officers, marine police unit, police dogs deployed —P4

Senior Political Analyst, CNN and Professor, Harvard Business School, David Gergen (left), with the Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony O. Elumelu, at a reception hosted by UBA, during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and the United States (US) Africa Business Forum, in New York, at the weekend.

Pastor who invaded shrine to be charged with malicious damage —P7

2

news

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

How FG may sell NLNG Leon Usigbe -Abuja

A

PPARENTLY determined to sell off some national assets, including the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), the Federal Government has hinted on plans to ensure that it has the opportunity to buy the companies back if sold.

The government is con-

sidering a proposal on the sale of the assets as a means to raise much needed foreign currency to beef up the dwindling foreign reserves of the country.

Facts emerged from the Presidency, on Monday, that government planned to introduce a repurchase clause in any sales agreement it may enter into on the sale of the national as-

sets.

Top Presidency revealed in Abuja that the Federal Government had no plan to sell-off its shares outrightly in the NLNG, where it owns 49 per cent shares and the 51 per cent owned by private foreign interests.

The source volunteered that what the government might consider was to reduce its current 49 per cent

To insist on repurchase clause

shares by five per cent, so that its shares might be slightly reduced to 44 per cent or thereabout to raise the much needed dollars.

“The Federal Government doesn’t own the entire gas company and will certainly not sell-off its entire shares, but it is open to the possibility of selling down its 49 per cent ownership by five per cent or thereabout,” the

Demolition: Lagos govt not kind to our family —JK Randle Olalekan Olabulo -Lagos BASHORUN J. K. Randle has described the latest demolition of his property in Onikan area of Lagos State by the government as “unkind and unfair to the Randle Family.”

He also claimed that the family owned the land where the state secretariat was built and had not been paid any compensation till date.

Randle also said he was still expecting the state gov-

ernment to apologise and compensate him for demolishing the building.

While speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the telephone on Monday evening, he said “I expect that the governor will issue an official statement, sometime between today and tomorrow because he is actually dealing with a legacy issue.

“For the last hundred years, the Randle family had contributed to development in Lagos, starting with my grandfather. He was looking

out of the window in Marina and saw a man defecating in the open and he protested to the colonial master to build public toilets.

“When they refused, he started building public toilets all over Lagos and some of them are still in place today. You can see them at Ajele, at the back of the Cathedral Church and Iddo.

“Even the place where the Lagos State seceratriat was built belongs to the Randle family. They have never given us any compensation.

You can go and check the fact.”

Speaking on some other exploits of the family, he said his father contributed to education, sports and other developments in the state, adding that “my father was a contemporary of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He contested an election under the Action Group and lost but he organised a party for the winner at Island Club.

Politics is an opportunity to serve and that is what the Randle family is noted for.”

Senate intervenes in seizure of Jonathan’s cousin’s land Gives army, FCT minister two weeks to prove ownership Taiwo Adisa -Abuja THE Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), headed by Senator Dino Melaye, has intervened in the controversy surrounding the piece of land seized by the Nigerian Army from Chief Robert Azibaola, cousin of former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

The army had, three weeks ago, seized the premises of Karkata Construction Company belonging to Azibaola, claiming that the land belonged to it.

But the Senate committee, after receiving a petition from the company, summoned the army and the Minister of FCT, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, to a hearing on Monday.

At the hearing, the senators directed that the army must, within two weeks, provide evidence of its ownership of the land, while the minister is also expected to provide documents to prove the real owner of the disputed land.

Army spokesman, Colonel S. K. Usman, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune three weeks ago, had said the company was occupying a land that belongs to the army, adding that it would not be allowed to retain the land.

On Monday, the Chief of Army Staff, LieutenantGeneral Tukur Buratai, who was represented by a

team led by Major-General Pat Ake, disagreed with the Minister of the FCT on the ownership of the disputed land located at Maitama extension axis of Abuja.

Senator Melaye, who presided over the meeting, said the lawmakers were dismayed with series of petitions from members of the public and also reports in the dailies, which confirmed that the army had deployed its men to

take over the 238 hectares of land spanning over 400 plots in Maitama extension district.

He stated that the seizure by the army without notification to the allottees and the minister would not be condoned by the Senate.

FCT minister, who spoke at the hearing, said ownership of lands were conferred by titles to the land, adding that the FCT would check the records and re-

port to the Senate within two weeks.

Major-General Ake also told the committee that the army was duly allocated the land, adding that his team would furnish the Senate with relevant documents.

Senator Melaye, however, asked the army and the FCT minister to ensure justice was done, adding that all the parties should return to the committee in two weeks.

source said.

It added that as in other potential asset sales, there would be a repurchase option that guarantees the Federal Government an opportunity to buy back any such assets if circumstances change anytime in the future.

The Federal Government is considering the sale of some national assets in order to beef up its foreign reserves,” the source said.

The government is working on the assumption that with foreign reserves of the country shrinking, there was the need to take some drastic steps to shore up the reserves.

It is hoping that an injection of about $15 billion into the reserves will have a positive impact on the entire economy as a multiplier effect.

Presidency source confirmed a proposal that would enable the government to raise between $10 and $15 billion quickly from asset sales.

It is considered an imperative as the monthly foreign earnings of the country had dropped drastically to as low as about $300 million in some months this year.

The presidency source said while there had been no list drawn-up of the proposed assets to be sold, there was a clear decision not to sell any critical asset of the country and certainly no plan to outrightly sell off any asset whatsoever.

“Some of the intended sales could be in form of time-bound leases, advance renewal payments

on leasing licenses and concessioning which would attract buoyant signature fees.

“If we even want to sell down certain assets, while our target is to get foreign currency, specifically dollars, the option would also be opened to Nigerians at some point to buy limited shares through the Nigeria Stock Exchange,” it added.

The source also spoke on the concessioning of the East-West lines of the Nigeria Railways, which it said was almost a done deal, saying that General Electric (GE) would be the concessionaire and would invest invest $2 billion into the economy, including for the refurbishment of the single-gauge lane of the lines.

Under the deal, GE is expected to hire back some of the laid off staff of Nigeria Railways and also open a transport university in Nigeria while building/ assembling train coaches here in the country.

“The important thing to keep in mind is that the sales of some of the assets is an option to raise the much needed dollars at a critical time for the Nigerian economy,” the source noted.

The Presidency source added that if and when such a sale is done, “Nigerians can be sure that there would be no shady deal, considering the character of the Nigerian leadership at this time.

“Generally, whatever we sell, we shall get real value for, and we shall include a repurchase clause into any such sales agreements.”

Tanko Yakassai to Tinubu: Speak out now against injustice rocking APC Timi Frank, Olusola Oke back Tinubu on Oyegun’s resignation From Taiwo Adisa and Kola Oyelere ALHAJI Tanko Yakassai, political adviser to former president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, on Monday, urged the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, not to hesitate to speak out against injustice in the party.

Yakassai also asked Tinubu not to hesitate to tackle President Muhammadu Buhari if he is seen behind anything objectionable.

Speaking in Kano, on Monday, the former political adviser noted that Tinubu’s political travails were well-thought-out and plotted in the Presidency.

He recalled that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asserted at one time that APC government had been

hijacked by a cabal now in control of day-to-day affairs of running the government.

“People are inclined to believe what the Senate president has said,” Yakassai said, adding that “from all indications, every right thinking person will figure out a sinister plot to completely scheme out Tinubu from the hierarchy of APC and I want to believe this is coming from the Presidency.”

Tinubu, it will be recalled, had kicked against the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, over the crisis rocking the party in Ondo after the primaries to elect the standard-bearer for the governorship election in the state and had called on the national chairman to resign from his position.

Joining him in the call, on Monday, one of the aggrieved gubernatotrial aspirants in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, told the Nigerian Tribune that the outbursts of Tinubu were a clear signal to the enormity of the wrong perpetrated by the party in Ondo.

He said Oyegun was a threat to the APC, adding that the travails of the party had to do with absence of truth.

“Oyegun is a threat to the survival of the APC. For someone like Tinubu to speak out, it shows you that we are not just making noise. The injustice perpetrated in the primaries was unheard of and no one can put it better than Asiwaju,” he said.

Also, the deputy national publicity secretary of the party, Comrade Timi

Franks, declared that more party leaders were set to join the call for Oyegun to resign.

Frank, in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, said the call by Tinubu for Oyegun’s ouster was a vindication of his earlier cries against the leadership style of the national chairman.

According to him, “more people will speak out if the national chairman refuses to heed the call by Tinubu to resign.”

According to him, “it is very clear that I’m one of the first persons that took the bull by the horn to foresee what is happening today in our party. I came out earlier on to say there were issues and crisis in this party. As at that time, I was alone; nobody knew where I was coming from.

“The founding father of

our party has concurred to my earlier call that Oyegun should resign as the national chairman. That should let you know that I foresaw what they didn’t see.

“Today, the BoT is not in place. Tell me, if I have issue, where will I run to?

Do I run to an NWC where Oyegun will preside over to drop my case that will not be answered? The answer is no.”

He said if urgent steps were not taken, the party might have itself to blame on the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

He added that the party’s leadership should immediately call for an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) to resolve “frictions” within the party.

news AfDB to support Nigeria with $4.1bn loan

3

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

•$1bn loan for 2016 budget at 1.2% interest Leon Usigbe-Abuja

T

HE African Development Bank (AfDB) will support Nigeria with the sum of $4.1 billion loan in various sectors of power, infrastructure, agriculture and for the private sector, the SMEs financing and lending.

This was just as it promised the country the sum of $1 billion at an interest rate of 1.2 per cent to enable it to tackle the N2.2 trillion deficit in the nation’s 2016 budget.

President Muhammadu Buhari also assured that Nigeria had the people and the resources to surmount her economic problems.

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, revealed the package he had for the country when he led a delegation of the bank on a visit to Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

He said the AfDB’s package included $1 billion of budget support, $300 million to create jobs for 185,000 youths, $250 million towards North-East infrastructure development, $1 million grant to deal with challenges of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), $300 million for infrastructure development around Abuja, $200 million for Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to deepen facilities, among others.

Receiving the bank chief, President Buhari had said: “God has given us people and resources. It will take hard work on our part, but we will make it. We will get out of our problems.

We are determined to produce what we eat, and stop importation. We will also chase those who stole, and get them to refund.”

The president said the country appreciated helping hands being lent by the AfDB, assuring the Nige-

rian-born Adesina, who was the immediate past Minister of Agriculture, that “we will not let you down. Your country won’t disappoint you.”

On his part, the former Minister of Agriculture appreciated President Buhari for the support the country gave when he ran for AfDB presidency, thus making him the first Nigerian to occupy such position since the bank was established in 1964.

He also lauded the president for successes recorded in securing the country, particularly in the NorthEast, noting that “there can be no development without adequate security.”

The AfDB boss described recent economic decisions taken in the country as “bold, tough, uncomfortable, but right,” adding that Nigeria would reap the dividends in the short and long run.

“You can count on the AfDB as a true friend of Nigeria. You should support massive investment in infrastructure, and we are here to also support.

Closing the infrastructure deficit will enable growth and create employment.

Nigeria is too big to fail,” Adesina said.

Speaking to State House correspondents after an earlier meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Economic Management Team (EMT), Adesina expressed delight with what he described as “President Buhari’s push on anti-corruption and stance on governance.”

He argued that it was necessary to build institutions, noting that AfDB would give a total of $4.8 million as grant for institutional support, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) getting $2 million, and $1million to Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“You can always count on my support, and that of the AfDB,” he said.

Adesina said the bank’s lending portfolio in Nigeria would grow to a total of $10 billion by 2019.

He dismissed claims that Nigeria was already in debt crisis, noting that the country was only experiencing liquidity problem.

He said: “It is very important for me to be here and to talk to the Nigerian government about the challenges and opportunities that are in Nigeria.

“I think the times are difficult, there is no doubt about that, but I want to commend the government for being bold in taking the right decisions.

“I think that the fact that

•EFCC, ICPC to get $3m

the price of crude oil has gone down is a big challenge because you have 98 per cent external forex revenue coming from the sector.

“So it has created calibrations. I’m not going to go into the details of all the problems, but what is important is what we going to do about it.

“I’m not here to lecture the Nigerian government.

I’m here to support very strongly. We have said we are going to support the Nigerian government with the budget support to be able to deal with some of fiscal imbalance that they have.

“We are looking to consider for an award $1 bil-

PRESIDENT Muhammed Buhari has removed Ahmed Galadimawa Aminu as Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and 12 other heads of federal agencies and replaced them with substantive ones.

While Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau has been appointed to replace Aminu as the new Executive Secretary of PTDF, Buhari has approved the appointment of Aboloma Osita Anthony as the new substantive Director-General of Standard

Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer Babachir Lawal, conveyed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Monday.

The statment indicated that Mr Joseph Ari has been appointed as the new Director-General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), while Engineer Usman Abubakar is the new chairman of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

Other appointees and their organisations include Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim

it will actually grow, we expect to invest in Nigeria by 2019 a total of $10 billion.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, revealed that the loan was concessioned at 1.2 per cent interest rate and would be used on the critical sector.

According to her, “What has been great relief to us in the economic management team is the synergy between what we are trying to do and what the AfDB repositioning under Dr. Adesina is trying to focus on. And most of the sectors, the specific programmes that the bank has are the very areas that we want to focus on the economy.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, flanked (from right), by Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun; President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina; Chief Economist of AfDB, Mr Celestin Monga; Vice President, Corporate Services, Mr Alberic Kacou and the Country Director, AfDB, Mr Ousmane Dore, at the State House, on Monday.

Probing $17bn looting of crude oil and gas necessary —ANEEJ

By Yemisi Aofolaju

THE proposed plan by the National Assembly to probe the alleged looting of crude and gas totalling over $17billion between 2011 and 2014 has received a boost.

Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Jus-

tice (ANEEJ), Reverend David Ugolor, who gave the commendation in a release he personally signed and made available to Nigerian Tribune, was of the opinion that probing this fund would go a long way in sanitising the corruption-ridden country, as well as take it out of the

Buhari replaces heads of 13 federal agencies Clement Idoko-Abuja

lion to help to deal with that particular deficit. In addition to that, there are other challenges that the economy has which is in terms of diversifying and deepening the level of diversification in critical sectors, so agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing as well as industrial sector is very important.

“So the bank is going to provide in total between 2016 and 2017 $4.1 billion to Nigeria in various sectors of power, infrastructure to agriculture and for the private sector, the SMEs financing and lending.

“I expect that our portfolio in Nigeria will not decrease

(Pantami), Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Engineer Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Monitoring Board; Mamman Amadu, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Barrister Sharon Ikeazor as Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has Princess Akodundo Gloria as the new national coordinator and Chief Executive, while the

Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) also has Alhaji Ahmed Bobboi as the new Executive Secretary.

President Buhari also appointed Umana Okon Umana as the new Managing Director of Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority and Sa’adiya Faruq as the new Federal Commissioner for National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons.

He has also appointed Yewande Sadiku as the new Executive Secretary of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

current economic woods.

Accordin g to him, ‘‘The latest plan by the National Assembly to unravel whatever circumstances which may have led to the theft of national resources to the extent that we are now in recession is a welcome development. We believe that if proceeds from oil and gas were effectively managed, it would not have opened up room for as huge as heist of $17billion.

Though the time span indicated by the lawmakers is a start, a probe from 2011 to 2014 barely can address the remote causes of the huge loss to Nigeria, and all the individuals behind the oil heist.”

While expressing hope that those behind the stealing of the collective resources must not only be tracked, but identified and brought to book, ANEEJ noted that the probe would facilitate the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB). “ We at ANEEJ are interested in the success of the

probe of the over $17 billion, which to us, will further draw attention to the need to quickly pass the PIB which seeks to regulate the oil and gas sectors and check corruption and cases of fraud.

“As much as we support the National Assembly in its plan, setting up a concurrent template for the use of monies to be recovered from this probe is very crucial. If this can be done quickly, there will be no need for Nigeria to tinker with the idea of selling off its national assets.

“The alleged National Assembly probe of oil and gas accruals from 2011 to 2014 must be able to set the benchmark for the proper account of the number of crude oil barrels Nigeria produces per day,’’ the release stated further.

“The hitherto practice of multinationals giving unverifiable number of barrels of crude from Nigeria which is another form of stealing will be regulated,’’ added Rev erend Ugolor.

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016 4 edopolls IGP orders revised security operation plan, restriction of movement

•Police deploy 25,000 officers, marine police unit, dogs Chris Agbambu-Abuja with agency report

T

HE InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has expressed determination to ensure that the rescheduled Edo gubernatorial election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

This was he ordered the activation of the revised operation plan for the governorship election, slated to hold throughout the

state tomorrow.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, “the revised election security operation plan will guarantee free, fair and credible election, secure electoral process, enable eligible voters exercise their franchise freely and voluntarily, protection of election materials and officials, ensure adequate security before, during and after the election.

“In the same vein, protection of life and property in the entire state will be of paramount importance.

However, the police will be firm and decisive in dealing with any infractions of the law, actions and activities that constitute breach of peace and contrary to public order.”

The statement further noted that “for the avoidance of doubt, the police will mobilise and deploy adequate resources and personnel to prosecute

•NSCDC deploys 20,000 personnel

the Edo governorship election conclusively.

“To this end, in order to achieve the expected outcome of credible election acceptable to all stakeholders, the police will deploy 25,000 conventional police officers.

“Tactical Teams include, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Special Protection Unit, Force Animal Branch, Police Air

wing (Aerial patrol), Marine Police Unit (Riverine Patrol).

“This is in addition to the deployment of other sister agencies to ensure a robust security template for the election.

Also, police helicopters, gun boats, armoured personnel carriers, police dogs and technical platforms will be deployed.”

Furthermore, the statement stated “the IGP wishes to entreat all police officers and officers of

Early distribution of materials, threat to free, fair election —PDP Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

NATIONAL caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

has raised fears that the early distribution of nonsensitive election materials by the Independent National Electoral Com-

Abuja, on Monday night,

by Dayo Adeyeye, the National Publicity Secretary of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led committee,

mission (INEC) is a threat to the conduct of free, fair and credible election in Edo State.

In a statement issued in

Edo INEC takes delivery of sensitive materials THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has said it has taken delivery of sensitive voting materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria, in Benin, on Monday.

The INEC Assistant Director on Voter Education

and Publicity, Mrs Prisillia Sule, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, on Monday.

Sule said that party agents of the 19 political parties, participating in

the September 28 governorship election, had been invited to witness the retrieval of the sensitive materials at the CBN. She also said that INEC headquarters had deployed National and Resident Electoral Commis-

sioners to assist Edo REC, Mr Sam Olumekun, to conduct the election.

NAN reports that fiercelooking armed security operatives were seen in and around the IkpobaHill office of the commission.

Non-indigenes in possession of PVCs —Immigration Banji Aluko-Benin City THE Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that some nonNigerians, especially Chadians, Malians and Nigeriens, living in Edo State, were in possession of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), which they hope to use during Wednesday’s governorship election in the state.

State Comptroller of the NIS, Mr David Adi, who addressed leaders of the Malians, Chadians and Nigeriens living in Edo State, said intelligence available indicated that the foreigners of ECOWAS extraction were preparing to vote on Wednesday.

He, however, warned their leaders to deliver the message to them that the NIS was capable of identifying them if they attempted to vote during the election, adding that the NIS will have personnel in all the polling units with the target of identifying and

prosecuting any foreigner who presented himself for voting.

He said, “No foreigner is allowed to participate in the election because it is for only Nigerians. The Nigerian Immigration Service will not tolerate any attempt by any group of foreigners to truncate this election.

“Any foreigner caught with PVC will not only be prosecuted, but will also be repatriated. We want this election to go down in history as the most transparent, credible and freely conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“We have resolved to assist INEC to succeed. There is a synergy among security agencies to ensure that the Edo State governorship election is free, fair, credible and conclusive.

“Every polling unit in the 18 local government areas will have an immigration officer and they have been deployed to man polling

units and are well trained to fish out any foreigner.”

Responding on behalf of the non-Nigerians, president of Niger Republic Citizens in Edo State, Alhaji

Haliru Ibrahim, gave the assurance that he would talk to his people to stay away from polling units and pray for the success of the election.

Oyegun rallies support for Obaseki Banji Aluko - Benin City

THE national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, has appealed to the people of Edo State to vote for the party’s candidate, Godwin Obaseki in tomorrow’s election.

Chief Oyegun, who spoke in Benin City, said two parties have dominated the politics of the state in the last 18 years with one recording failure and the other performance, saying that the natural thing was for voters to vote for the APC, which he said had developed the state.

He said: “It is incontestable that compared with the first ten years of the PDP administration, the nearly eight years of the

present APC administration has witnessed tremendous growth in the infrastructural and human resources development of our State.

“I believe that all true patriots of Edo State would like a continuation of this tempo of development and even at a higher pace.

Whatever personal misgivings that one may have, we must acknowledge the massive development that this government has brought to our state.

“We must look beyond ourselves and focus on the greater good of our state and her people. This is not the time to settle personal grudges. All hands must be on deck to ensure the sustained development of our State.”

Igbo denies endorsing candidate Banji Aluko-Benin City AHEAD of governorship election holding in Edo State, on Wednesday, the Igbo Community Union (ICU), an umbrella body consisting of Igbo natives living in Edo State, has denied endorsing any of the political parties or candidates participating in the election.

At a media briefing held in Benin, the socio-cultural organisation, disclosed

that as a non partisan group, its involvement in the Edo State governorship election did not go beyond offering prayers for candidates contesting the election or their representatives, who visited the organisation during the period of electioneering, remarking that its mandate was not to endorse or adopt any contestant.

In a press statement read by its caretaker committee chairman, Professor Nathaniel Anny Aniekwu, the ICU, stated that in line with their civic duties, its members were free to vote for candidates of their choice, encouraging them to do so without fear or intimidation.

Prof Aniekwu also clarified that ICU in Benin City does not provide for any

person to adopt the name or title of Eze-Igbo or EzeNdigbo in Benin or Edo State, adding that all Igbos in Benin were subjects of the Oba Of Benin.

Igbo community Union does not have preferred candidate and has not endorsed any candidate. Your vote is your power to influence government; don’t waste it. Go out and vote.”

the party observed that ahead of the Edo gubernatorial Election, INEC had already distributed some non-sensitive electoral materials such as electoral observer and monitor tags on Sunday.

“We believe that the distribution of these materials started too early and pose a threat to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the state,” the party said.

It added that these materials are traditionally distributed the day before elections, to prevent them from being cloned or copied by people keen to disrupt the electoral process.

“We will strongly resist all efforts to rig this election. Our party will not stand meekly while we are deprived of a certain electoral victory.

“We urge our teeming members and supporters in the state to come out en masse on election day to vote for our candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

We urge them to implement the simple plan – come out early, vote and remain till votes have been counted and the results declared,” the party said.

all sister security agencies deployed for the election to conduct themselves in the best professional manner, maintaining apolitical disposition and strictly adhering to the rules of engagement.

“The good people of Edo State are advised to be law abiding and warned to refrain from any action that will jeopardise the existing peace and security in the state. The Nigeria Police on its part will discharge its statutory functions effectively, unbiased and in accordance to the principles of democratic policing.”

The IGP has also directed the Commissioner of Police in Edo State to enforce the restriction of vehicular movement from 12 midnight today to 6.00p.m. tomorrow, except those involved in essential duties who must be properly identified.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Monday, said it had deployed 20,000 personnel for the governorship election.

This was contained in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Okeh and issued to newsmen in Abuja.

The statement said that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu, had directed the immediate deployment of 20,000 personnel for the election.

Muhammadu advised the personnel to work in synergy with other sister security agencies in order to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

The CG also charged the youths in the state to shun thuggery and all forms of vices that negate peaceful conduct of election.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Metro...

Nigerian Tribune

crime, security, court

The Passat car used by the hoodlums during their operation on Monday.

The robbery suspects felled by the Anti-Robbery Squad from A-Division, Warri, Delta State.

4 bank robbers meet waterloo in Delta Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

F

OUR robbery suspects were, Monday afternoon, gunned down during a

shoot-out with operatives of the Nigeria Police, Warri Area Command.

The incident occurred on Ajamimogha Road, the heart of Warri, in Warri South Lo-

cal Government Area of the state.

The robbery suspects, it was gathered, specialised in dispossessing bank customers of their hard-earned

money at ATM points in the city.

One of the felled suspects, popularly known as Ovie, was described as very notorious in the city.

Gunmen kill traditional ruler in Benue Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

UNKNOWN gunmen, Sunday evening, killed the paramount ruler of Mbayongo district in Gbise, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Awuhe Alev.

Gbise is a community where the most wanted suspected criminal, Terwas Akwaza aka ‘Gana’ lives, and security operatives recently invaded the community in search of the suspect.

Metro learnt that the gunmen invaded the palace in Vingir village around 7:00 p.m, though the reason for the attack was not known as at the time of filing this report.

Sources said that as soon as the gunmen stormed the palace, they started shooting sporadically to scare away neighbours, after which they shot the dead.

The body of the monarch had been deposited at the General Hospital in Katsina-Ala.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the killing, saying that the command got wind of the killing at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The PPRO added that dozens of armed riot policemen had been deployed to the area to beef up security and to ensure the killing did not degenerate into crisis.

He added that the police

were yet to discover the motive for the killing, but added that investigation into the murder was in top gear, just as he assured that the culprits would soon be arrested.

They were said to be executing their act using a Passat car when luck ran out of them, as men of the Anti-Robbery Squad from ADivision swooped on them.

A witness, who spoke to Metro at the scene of the gun duel, said the whole area was like a war zone while the shoot-out lasted, as commuters and shop owners scampered for safety.

Area Commander, Warri Area Command, Mohammed Muazu, who confirmed the incident, said some arms

and ammunition were recovered from the daredevil hoodlums.

When contacted by Metro, the police image maker, Delta Police Command, Celestina Kalu, said that two locally made double barrel cut-to-size and six live cartridges were recovered from the hoodlums.

According to Kalu, the deceased, who met their waterloo at about 1.30 p.m. on Monday, specialised in robbing bank customers in the oil-rich city.

Senate FCT Committee orders arrest, slaughtering of roaming cows Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja HENCEFORTH, wandering cows within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), either assisted by the herdsmen or not, would be

slaughtered anywhere they are found or arrested with an option of N50,000 fine per cow, or both.

This is to control their movement within the metropolis.

In recent times, cows had been constituting a nuisance to both visitors and the locals in the metropolis, often causing gridlock for hours preventing commuters on emergency duties and even

invading private residential premises.

However, the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday, gave the order during a meeting with the Minister of

2 passengers arrested with arm, ammunition in Lagos Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos TWO passengers of a commercial bus in Lagos have been arrested with arm and ammunition by the police in the state.

The suspects, Moses and Toheeb (surnames withheld), were a few days ago arrested by policemen from the Abattoir Police Division.

It was gathered that the

suspects had engaged the driver of the bus in an argument when policemen raced to the scene and arrested them.

A source at the police station, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with Metro, said “it appeared that they were returning from a robbery operation when they were arrested.”

The police source added

that “a pistol, two live cartridges, a laptop and assorted mobile phones were recovered from them.

“The driver of the bus said that the suspects joined the bus at Salolo bus stop and that he suspected them in the course of the journey to Agege,” the police source added.

The image maker in charge of the Lagos State Police

command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.

She said “they were conducting themselves in an unruly manner when our men from the Abattoir Division arrested them.”

She added that the police were investigating the source of the firearms and the mission of the arrested suspects.

the Federal Capital Territory and his officials that cows seen on the streets within the capital territory be slaughtered or arrested with an option of N50,000 per cow.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye ( APC Kogi West), who presided over the session, said that residents had always been disturbing him with complaints concerning the cows roaming around the metropolis, adding that they complained of the inconvenience and the nuisance they had been constituting.

The minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, in his response disclosed that his office would address the matter accordingly.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Oluwatoyin Malik

08116954633, 08078891950 e-mail: tribunecrimedesk@gmail.com

Oyo policemen arrest 27-year-old male who impersonates as female

By Oluwatoyin Malik

A 27-year-old male hairdresser, Idowu (surname withheld) has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for impersonating as a female to deceive unsuspecting males in order to get money from them.

Disclosing the arrest to Metro on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, a Superintendent of Police, said that the suspect was apprehended by a team of Swift Response Squad (SRS) at Molete in Ibadan at almost midnight on Friday, September 23 when he could not give a good account of himself.

The PPRO added that Idowu was discovered to be a female during the course of investigation, as he was found to have worn a padded bra, short sleeveless gown, female sandals, wig and lipstick that gave him the looks of a female.

In an interview with Metro, Idowu, who said he did not know he was committing any offence disclosed he had always displayed feminine features since he was very young. The Edo State-born man who lives at Railway Quarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, told Metro that “I have always been fond of dressing like a female since I was young but I started using it to get money over two years ago.

“I used to dress like a female to clubs and drink joints in different parts of Ibadan

to dance; and because of my deft dance steps, men usually showered me with money. After dancing, I would pack my money and

leave. But I am more active whenever the year gets to ‘ember’ months.”

When asked how he used to respond to love overtures

from men who would have been attracted to her and her dance steps, Idowu said they usually took his phone number and connected with him

secondary school mates knew me like this and they got used to me. I am not a homosexual; I have my girlfriend, I was just making money through the feminine features I possess,” he stated further.

He disclosed to Metro that he was coming from a drink joint at Molete, Ibadan where he had gone to dance and was on his way home when he was stopped by the police.

Pastor who invaded shrine charged with malicious damage Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

A pastor, Wale Fagbenro, who attempted to destroy a traditional shrine in Ketu area, Ayetoro, in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, has been charged to court.

This was disclosed by the acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, on Monday.

The PPRO said Fagbenro was charged to court for malicious damage and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.

It will be recalled that the pastor, sometimes last

week, attempted to pull down a traditional shrine and reportedly went dumb.

He was said to have regained consciousness after the intervention of the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Abdulaziz Adelakun.

Metro learnt that a spiritual cleansing and ritual process were carried out before he fully recovered.

“What he did was wrong, so he must be charged to court. If it was the other way round too, they will also be charged to court.

“Everyone has a right to worship whatever deity one chooses without fear, the PPRO stated further.

90% of awaiting trial women are pregnant, nursing mothers —NHRC

Idowu, when dressed as a female

The real male Idowu

Zamfara police command arrests 4 child traffickers, others ZAMFARA State Police Command has arrested four female suspected child traffickers and other criminals operating in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria, reports.

The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Adaji Gabriel, who made the disclosure on Monday, in Gusau, at a press briefing, said the other criminals included robbers and cattle rustlers.

He named the four suspected female child traffickers as Rita, Josephine,

on the Whatsapp. “But if you look at the Whatsapp chats on my phone, you will see that I used to embarrass them through my responses, telling them I have no need to respond to their proposals,” he added.

The young man who is fair in complexion said that his mother used to tell him to stop walking or behaving like a female but he was already used to that way of life. “Even my primary and

Maryam and Chizeba (surnames withheld).

He said that investigation conducted by the anti-human trafficking unit of the command revealed that the four suspects rented a room for a pregnant woman, Hadiza (surname withheld), at Filin-Jirgi area in Gusau.

He stated further the suspects took care of and waited for Hadiza, who hails from Shinkafi Local Government Area to deliver her baby and promised to buy the child for N200,000.

According to the police commissioner, after the delivery of her baby boy, Hadiza refused to hand over the child to the suspects as earlier arranged, but reported to the police.

Gabriel said the woman, her baby and four suspects were in the custody of the command.

He added the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Gabriel said other suspects arrested by the command included cattle rustlers, rob-

bers, rapists and members of a criminal gang, led by one Buharin Daji.

He said dangerous weapons, including eight AK-47 rifles, were recovered from the suspects.

He disclosed that the suspects were under investigation by the command after which they would be charged to courts.

Gabriel appealed to the public to continue to provide the police with useful information on criminals and their activities.

THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says 90 per cent of women awaiting trial in prisons across the country are either nursing mothers or pregnant, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, made this known when he received Mrs Gloria Shoda, national president, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in his office in Abuja, on Monday.

Angwe said the percentage was derived from the commission’s recent prison audit in the country.

He said the commission needed the collaboration of the NCWS to provide an immediate intervention in this regard.

“In our prisons today, we have a lot of nursing moth-

ers, who are being locked up with their children and are nursing these children in the prison cells.

“We also have instances where such women who are still carrying babies in prison are also pregnant.

“It is also sad to note that more than 90 per cent of these nursing mothers are still awaiting trial. These are women that would have been released on bail while awaiting their trial.

“But they are kept there in prison with their children who are made to serve prison terms when their mothers are not yet convicted,’’ Angwe said.

He remarked the commission was particularly concerned because there was no amount of compensation that would be given to such a child or even the mother that would be commensurate with hardship endured.

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news

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Dogara, Tambuwal, Udoma, Onyekpere differ on executive/legislative roles in budget process Adesanya Adejokun -Abuja

S

OME stakeholders have expressed divergent views on the interpretation of executive and legislative roles in the process of making budgets for Nigeria.

While members of the National Assembly present insisted that 1999 Constitution did not envisage the legislature as a rubber stamp, a cabinet minister and another civil society activist insisted on collaboration between the two arms for the benefit of Nigerians.

At the Gallery Colloquium to discuss Nigeria’s budgetary process in Abuja, on Monday, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, insisted that it was part of the duty of legislature to introduce fresh items, increase allocated sums and even reduce prices presented by the executive in budget proposals.

According to him, those advocating that the legislature should neither increase budget estimates nor introduce new projects were only trying to import British parliamentary practice into Nigeria’s presidential democracy.

Dogara noted that if framers of the Constitution did not want the National Assembly to add or subtract from budget estimates, they would have openly specified it in the document, adding that since Nigeria patterned its Constitution after that of the United States, then similar rules must apply.

He then proposed a comprehensive budget reform programme to include review of legal framework to ensure that budget estimates were submitted within stipulated timeline; timeframe within which leg-

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Kudjo Mathew now TOUSAINT HOUNKPATIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Olaoye Adetunji Kamorudeen am the same person as Olaoye Adetunji K.O. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADETUNJI QAMORUDEEN OLAOYE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ibrahim Amubaili Alebiosu now IBRAHIM ALEBIOSU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Blessing Ojone Olofu now MRS BLESSING OJONE ABDULMALIK. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

islators must pass the budget; short to medium term development plans and; that medium term expenditure framework must become more detailed to give a clear and unmistakable direction of the following year’s budget.

In addition, project selection process must be more transparent to ensure equitable distribution of projects; extensive stakeholder consultation by the executive in the process of compiling budget; legislative and executive must collaborate on budget preparation; clear budgetary targets must be clearly spelt out.

Dogara, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Speaker and current governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal all agreed that henceforth, public hearings would be conducted for Appropriation Bills so that members of the public would have input.

In his presentation, Tambuwal canvassed that budgets must be made more lucid, inclusive and implementable in addition to being accessible to every citizen.

He also advocated a reform of the entire process of

budget making.

The governor lamented absence of planning in the process of making national budgets.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives also said the constitution must be amended to compel sitting presidents to present budget proposals three clear months to the end of year while National Assembly must also have a deadline within which to process and pass the document.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, in a keynote address, observed that there were no clear cut best practices “when it comes to whether the National Assembly has power to increase and add to budget estimates presented to them by the executive.”

Citing examples of jurisdictions where the assembly could only reduce or remove items from budget proposals, Udoma also listed countries where the legislature was empowered to tamper with the document during processing. The minister explained that in Nigeria, both arms of government should evolve a convention to follow.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

businessnews Naira hits record low on black market 11

T

HE Nigerian naira fell 1.1 per cent to a record low of N445 to the dollar at the black market on Monday as

Diamond Bank reinforces business strategy, set to surpass industry expectation IN a bid to boost the bottom-line, surpass industry average and meet shareholders’ expectation at the end of the current business year and beyond, the management of Diamond Bank Plc has reinforced its business strategy and strengthened its firm position as one of Nigeria’s biggest financial institutions with world-class customer service delivery.

Apart from beefing up the human capacity, the bank deployed cutting edge digital mobile technology, which reduced cash cycle and consolidated its hold on the MSME segment while still growing its corporate market. According to the Bank, these have helped in expanding its local market share and deepened its global reach.

To align with current business realities and point the future direction of its service delivery, Diamond Bank also refreshed and renamed some of its financial products.

The Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie, affirmed that although the industry is going through numerous challenges due to a lot of internal and external influences such as the slump in crude oil price in the international market, foreign exchange volatility and regulatory headwinds, Diamond Bank is continually on the lookout to optimise new opportunities for growth presented by these realities.

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

the dollar woes of Africa’s biggest economy persist.

The naira was sold at the parallel market for N440 per dollar on Sunday, as the lingering foreign exchange scarcity increased to a new level.

The local currency, which closed at N436/dollar on Thursday, eased to N435 in the early hours of Friday

PZ Wilmer and the Nigeria Institute for palm oil Research (NITOR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop Nigeria on oil palm research, removing tolerant and diseases resistant planting materials through cross fertilization.

The MOU was signed on behalf of the two organisations by Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Chairman Kola Jamodu, PZ cussion PLC. At the occasion the aims and objectives of the MOU were mentioned.

Reacting to the development, the Minister of Agriculture and development commended PZ Willmar for their support and continued faith in the economy

flection of the market.

Reuters quoted Gwadabe as having said, “The market is being driven by speculators who are taking advantage of the poor implementation of central bank policy requiring banks to sell dollars to bureau de change operators to ease pressure in the market,” adding that most commercial lenders

are reluctant to comply with the directive.

The central bank’s instruction accompanied its licensing of 11 new international money transfer operators last month in its efforts to boost dollar supply.

The naira exchange rate on the official interbank market closed at N308.370 to the dollar.

Kwara State Gorvernor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed (second left), presenting Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the Group CEO, Investment One Financial Services Ltd., Nicolas Nyamali; Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah (third left) and other stakeholders during the signing of Infrastructural Development Fund-Kwara (IF-K) at the Government House, Ilorin on Monday.

NIWA, MTN, others on collision cause over N1bn ROW fee Tola Adenubi-Lagos INDICATIONS are rife that the National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) and leading telecommunication operators are set for a collision cause over the agency’s demand for N1 billion as charges for telecommunication fibre optic that constitute Right Of Way (ROW) along government bridges located

PZ Wilmer, NITOR sign MOU

By Ouwapelumi Fadairo

and finally closed at 439/ dollar.

Traders said that speculators and strong demand from parents buying dollars to pay school fees abroad are putting pressure on the Nigerian currency, though the president of the association of bureau de change operators, Aminu Gwadabe, said the rate is not a true re-

in spite of the challenges.

“The collaboration will go a long way in getting the urgently required innovation to drive the oil palm industry,” he said.

He also promised to allocate more funds to research institutes under the ministry to enable them play the needed role in improving local productivity.

According to Chief Jamodu, “the MoU is to promote research that will help to quicken Nigeria’s quest to attain sustained oil.”

Others present at the ceremony include the Executive Director, NIFOR, Dr Omorefe Asemota; Chief Executive Officer, PZ Cussion Nigeria Plc, Christos Giannopoulous and Managing Director PZ Wilmer, Mr Santosh Pulcui, among other.

across Nigeria’s navigable inland waterways. The telecommunication operators NIWA is demanding N1bn from include MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat.

According to a source close to NIWA who declined not to have her name in print, “NIWA was established by National Inland Waterways Act No 13 of 1997 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, and saddled with responsibility, among other things, to improve and develop inland waterways for navigation.

“The agency is also to ensure the development of infrastructural facilities for a national inland waterways network connecting the creeks and the rivers with the economic centres using the river-ports as nodal points for intermodel exchange and the development of indigenous technical and managerial skill to meet the challenges of modern inland waterways transportation.”

It would be recalled that the Director, Legal & Regulatory Affairs/ Company Secretary, Airtel Nigeria, Shola Adeyemi, recently said that the N1 billion sum demanded as Right Of Way fees for fibre optic cables laid within the Northern part of the country is coming despite the fact that similar fees had already been paid to the Federal

Ministry of Works.

He said NIWA’s demand amounts to double taxation and multiple regulations for which stakeholders are seeking government intervention.

Adeyemi who was reacting to multiple taxation in the industry listed some of the effect as including possible diversion of foreign direct investments to other jurisdictions considered more investor-friendly.

“Industry may not be able to adequately support law enforcement agencies to in-

vestigate crimes at affected locations. Probable barrier to broadband roll out with attendant adverse impact on internet penetration and services and unconventional tactics employed by the MDAs for the collection of the levies which result in damage and injury to operators’ staff and property.”

It would be recalled that telecommunications operators have decried situations where they are forced to pay taxes and levies that are not their statutory responsibilities.

Nigerian Tribune

Unity Bank partners women group on entrepreneurship development THE need to create wealth through conscious financial management skills was the crux of the paper presented by the Head, SME Banking of Unity Bank, Mr. Opeyemi Ojesina, at the ‘Lagos And The Woman Conference’ held in Lagos over the weekend.

Mr Ojesina who spoke on ‘The Place of the Women Entrepreneur’ enjoined women to shift from mere buying and selling to creating businesses that meet needs on a longer term.

He charged women to strive to have a clear understanding of the concepts of the businesses they engage in as a guarantee for attracting the funding support they seek from banks.

Mr Ojesina who noted that good business ideas are as important as finance for budding entrepreneurs urged women to be open to sharing creative business ideas as that could be the leverage upon which funding support could be found.

“Believe that you can start small and shelve the idea that you must have all the money or materials to take off. Existing businesses attract funding easier than yet-to-take-off ones,” Mr Ojesina said.

He commended the Amazing Amazons, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), under the leadership of Mercy Makinde for initiating ‘Lagos and The Woman Conference.’ According to Mr Ojesina, the awareness created by the conference will not only promote entrepreneurship development, but also build the confidence of women in their pursuit of financial independence.

He noted that the initiative tallies with Unity Bank’s focus of supporting rural economy.

Dangote $17bn refinery to create 300,000 jobs —Official THE Dangote Industries Limited $17 billion-refinery project will create over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs by the first quarter of 2019, the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Olakunle Alake, has said.

Alake made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, adding that the refinery, petrochemicals and fertiliser plants were in one location.

He said the project would be the single largest stream in the world.

“The refinery and fertiliser projects will create job opportunities for the communities and Nigerians when it

becomes operational.

“The refinery will have a refining capacity of about 650,000 barrels of crude a day,’’ he said.

Alake said the project would force down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in the country and save money spent on importation.

He said that projects such as these would optimise government revenue and wean Nigeria from relying solely on oil.

According to him, the best way to diversify Nigeria’s economy is through agriculture and the fertiliser plant is in line with that goal.

The chief operating officer said that the 98 per cent of

basic engineering on the fertiliser plant had been executed, while the construction had progressed by 30 per cent.

“By the time we finish our gas pipeline it will be able to generate about 12,000mw which can be exported to other African countries.

“We will have the capacity to store four billion litres of products and load 2,680 trucks per day.

“The project will aid the country with about 7.5 billion dollars forex savings on importation.

“It will also generate five billion dollars forex earnings from savings and another 5.5 billion dollars export earnings,’’ he said.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Recession: Selling national assets convenient, but flawed, says Soludo Sanya Adejokun- Abuja

F

ORMER governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo has laughed off the proposal to sell of critical national assets as a way of generating needed income to fund 2016 budget and also shore up foreign reserves to boost investor confidence.

He warned that reclining to such easy short cuts will mean the country repeating past mistakes as it misses the key point and has the danger of understating the serious work required.

In an essay on the subject on Monday, Soludo revealed that his initial reaction to such suggestion was labelling it a “joke” until the senate and National Economic Council (NEC) endorsed it what is at best a “convenient but flawed call.”

“Part of the legacy of the oil resource curse on matters of public finance is a mindset that resorts to easy, albeit lazy approach to ‘quick fixes’ with a gaze on the short term even when the issues are structurally long-term.

So, I understand the mental framework that drives such a proposal especially given the pressures to show immediate results,” he said.

“But for the record, it is our considered view that the proposal is based on a false foundation. Our thesis is that in extreme, exceptional circumstances, sale of certain assets could be a last resort option, but that Nigeria is currently not near that threshold and the institutional framework for its effective use is also not in place.

He spurned the hypothesis that asset sale would spawn an “optimal level of reserves for confidence” such that once investors see $35 billion or $40 billion as reserves, they would stop speculation.

According to him, the matter in question is “critical”, especially due to the assumption that the move would help to “build reserves and provide funds for immediate spending” and thus ensure that this recession will be the “shortest” ever.

“Furthermore, we argue that any sale of assets now amounts to chasing pennies when by acts of omission or commission, we are losing pounds. Such a hasty auction of national assets can only benefit a privileged few with cash and access while jeopardising Nigeria’s longterm economic interests” and that it will be a historic mistake to embark on such voyage.

“The argument that sale of assets is the only way to reflate the economy out of recession is troubling, and suffers what economists might call policy myopia or time inconsistency problem,” he said.

“First, imagine if previous

governments used asset sales as a strategy to ‘reflate the economy’ during previous periods of economic recession or crisis. Alternatively, if we auction away some valued national assets for the short term goal of reflating the economy out

of recession, what will happen during future cycles of recessions and economic crisis?

“The global economic system is inherently and cyclically crisis-prone. Prudently managed economies are preparing for the next

cycles of global crisis, and the IMF has already warned of persisting vulnerabilities.

What shall we sell then?”

He maintained that “a hasty auction of the assets” would short-change Nigeria, saying privatisation of national assets is not an

Nigerian Tribune

ideological matter but plain pragmatism.

“Reasonable people can have a good debate about the composition of public assets for sale at any time.

Although government is yet to be definitive about the assets being proposed for sale, it is reasonable to object to any scheme that will hurriedly sell performing public assets that guarantee future flows of revenue and forex to future generations such as the NLNG, AFC shares, JVs in oil and gas sector, etc,” he said.

Stock market opens week with N5.5bn gain Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba -Lagos

From left, Chairman/CEO, Emzor Pharmaceuticals; Dr Stella Okoli, Founder/Chairman, Made in Nigeria Group; Prince Adesegun Oniru; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Vice Chairman, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, Chagoury Group, Ronald Chagouri, at the opening day of the Made in Nigeria Festival, holding at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island on Monday in Lagos. PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria broadband penetration reaches 20.95% —NCC PROFESSOR Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says that Nigeria Broadband Penetration has reached 20.95 per cent.

Danbatta said this on Monday in Abuja while presenting the first progress report of the eight point agenda he unveiled to the media in 2015.

According to him, broadband is a flagship of the eight point agenda he unveiled in Kano and Lagos.

“The active mobile broadband penetration released by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development shows that Nigeria has reached a penetration of 20.95 per cent.

“On the percentage of internet penetration, the country has reached a milestone of 47.44 per cent, second to South Africa in the continent,” he said.

Danbatta said that the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development was set up by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UNESCO in 2010.

He said that the provision of the National Broadband Plan that had a set target of 30 per cent penetration from 2013 to 2018, also accentuated emphasis on broadband penetration.

According to him, the commission recognises its prime responsibility in the actualisation of the national broadband plan.

He said the commission was set up with the aim of boosting the importance of broadband on the international policy agenda and expanding its access in every country.

The NCC boss said that the commission was also set up as a key strategy in accelerating progress towards national and international development targets.

“We have been able to articulate a regulatory framework that will enable

strategic and systematic licensing and deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country.

“A broadband implementation monitoring committee has also been established within the commission to give proper assessment on regular basis of broadband infrastructure deployment.

“These steps are critical success factors, which we have identified and primed for various broadband ini-

tiatives.”

Danbatta said that the commission had been able to fine tune the infrastructure provision licenses awarded for Lagos and North central zones.

He said the commission had already advertised the bidding and selection process for interested service providers in the remaining five zones designed for effective coverage of the nation under the Open Access Model.

Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan begins vocational training for 420

By Wale Olapade

THE Federal College of Agriculture, Moore Plantation, Ibadan has admitted 420 participants for its 2016 vocational training in different aspect of agriculture.

The training exercise which was declared open on Monday, September 26, 2016, would till October 14 train participants in Cat fish production, poultry production, use and maintenance of agricultural machinery, modern beekeeping and honey production, cassava processing and. Utilisation.

And local and exotic vegetable production.

Speaking at the event, the Provost of the college, Dr Babajide Adelekan, said the eighth edition of the vocational training is in fulfilment of the institution’s national mandate to empower

the participants to be more economically productive.

According to Adelekan, more than 1,000 participants have been trained in different areas of agriculture since the commencement this programme seven years ago.

“The vision and unflinching efforts of the present administration in the country towards the restoration of Nigeria’s lost glory in agriculture are not in doubt at creating jobs, providing food security for the people and distributing wealth among the populace.

“The commitment of the Federal Government to this initiatives is evident in the continual assistance rendered to the college to continue to conduct this vocational training programme.

“The vocational training is intended to equip participants with knowledge and

skills of modern agricultural production.

“It is also intended to impart skills and other competences that can help the unemployed, the retired and other interested individuals to function productively, become self-reliant, create, wealth and overcome the unemployment scourge.”

For the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and representative of the Minister of Agriculture, Mr O. A .Awe, “the initiative was a welcome development and a measure to ensure food security at a time oil has disappointed the nation.

“This avenue is a start-up for all participants present here today and I want everyone to become fully empowered and take up the empowerment drive to the letter at the completion of these programmes.”

THE Nigerian Stock market resumed the last week of the month of September on a positive note as lead key indicators added 0.06 per cent.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) grew by basis 16.09 basis points to close at 28,263.16 points compared to last Friday’s closing figure of 28,247.07 points.

Market capitalisation closed the day at N9.709 trillion following a gain of N5.5 billion, compared to N27.7 billion gained last Friday when market Capitalisation closed at N9.703 trillion.

Trading activities showed investors’ sentiment turned negative as market breadth closed with 16 gainers to 23 losers.

Flourmills Nigeria Plc topped the day’s advancing stocks with a gain of 4.99 per cent or N1.00 to close at N21.04 per share.

Cadbury Nigeria Plc followed with a growth of 4.95 per cent or 78 kobo to close at N16.53 per share, Skye Bank Plc appreciated 4.76 per cent or 3 kobo respectively to close at 66 kobo per share, Champion Breweries Plc garnered four per cent or 10 kobo to close at N260 per share and Law Union Plc improved 3.64 per cent or two kobo to close at 57 kobo per share.

On the flip side, Betaglas Plc led the day’s declining stocks for the second consecutive session losing 9.71 per cent or N3.39 to close at N31.51 per share, followed

by Caverton Plc that lost 9.52 per cent or 10 kobo to close at 95 kobo per share, Conoil Plc fell 8.24 per cent or N3.50 to close at N39 per share, Oando Plc fell 4.93 per cent or 29 kobo to close at N5.59 per share and Livestock Feeds Plc depreciated 4.40 per cent or 4 kobo to close at 87 kobo per share.

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editorial The case of Major General Patrick Falola Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

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ECENTLY, Patrick Falola, Commander of the Armed Forces Hospital in Kano and former Director of the 68 Military Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, was demoted from the rank of Major General to Brigadier General by a Special Court Martial for alleged fraudulent misapplication of the hospital’s property. Major General Falola was first arraigned in May 2016 on a two-count charge before a court martial presided over by Air Vice Martial James Gbum for admitting international students from Espan Formation University, Cotonou, in Benin Republic between July and September, 2015, for training at a military hospital. The court martial discharged and acquitted him on charges of conduct prejudicial to the service but convicted him for using the Nigerian Army’s property to train students from the Republic of Benin without following the necessary procedure.

While AVM Gbum, who presided over the court martial, declared that the court’s decision was based on Sections 103 and 66 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A 20 Laws of the Federation 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Ukpe Ukpe, the prosecuting officer, claimed that the judgment was a balanced one as the court was very liberal in meting out punishment. However, the defence counsel, retired Wing Commander Enokela Onyilo-Uloko, insisted that the conviction had no legal backing and was an attempt to tarnish the clean record of his client. He stated further that there was no law stating that senior officers must take permission from the higher authorities before allowing such training. He consequently declared the intention to appeal the judgement.

Considering that the judgement of the Army court martial is subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Army Council, we call on the council to disconfirm the decision.

The punishment is uncalled for, and entirely meaningless given the circumstances. It seems at best a disincentive to hard work and public service. During the proceedings, the Army presented the service record of the General to the Special Court Martial. He was described as an officer of impeccable character noted for his intelligence, honesty, transparency, dedication to work and enthusiasm for military service. It was also noted that he had always been an outstanding medical officer of the military.

Nigerian Tribune

The General, as senior consultant ophthalmologist, was reported to have served Nigeria as the chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), Lagos State chapter. It was noted in the records that he significantly upgraded all the hospitals where he served. For example, he refurbished and set up the Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Unit at both Greek and Yaba hospitals. He transformed the Bonny Camp (Lagos) Eye Centre to a world-class status; he introduced laser equipment worth millions of naira at no cost to the Nigeria Army, but by sheer dedication to work and resourcefulness. He is reputed to be an exemplary military administrator, clinician and surgeon. He was singly commended for his prompt and professional handling of the cholera outbreak in Jos, Plateau State, and his proactive initiatives to prevent Lassa fever and Ebola outbreaks in the barracks. Over the years, no charge of breach of military discipline was brought against him.

As many senior military officers have pointed out, Falola’s predecessors who had similarly admitted students for training without any authorisation from the Army headquarters were not prosecuted because no such requirement for permission is contained in the extant military laws. Again, the distinguished officer has not been accused of benefiting in any way from the said admission of foreign students for training at a military hospital. How then could he have been guilty of fraudulent misapplication of the hospital’s property? The trial conveys the impression that he is merely a victim of circumstances being punished for some undisclosed offences.

We call on the Army Council to consider General Falola’s outstanding service performance in reviewing the decision of the Special Court Martial. Indeed, upholding the decision would send a wrong signal to conscientious and diligent officers that the Army is an organisation that does not give due regard to meritorious service and outstanding performance in case of trouble. Indeed, we are of the view that the allegations could have been addressed administratively without the full drama of a court martial given the nature and consequences of the issues involved.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

LETTERS TO THE

editor

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

On NERC’s policy somersault

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HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), two years ago, introduced a very laudable scheme called CAPMI, to help willing customers get energy meters installed for them and bridge the metering gap in the country. The scheme enabled customers to pay for energy meters, its accessories and installation, while the Electricity Distribution Companies

(Discos), in-turn, paid customers back over a period of 24 months with interest.

The scheme also assisted the Discos that didn’t have the funds to execute a comprehensive roll out plans, thereby metering their numerous unmetered customers.

With the commencement of the scheme, some Discos leveraged on this to meter their customers, while others did not.

For those that did, they

Why FG should not sell our national assets DUE to the economic situation in the country, some ‘experts’ have suggested to the Federal Government to sell some national assets, including the refineries and the Nigerian Liquidfied Natural Gas (NLNG) so that the government can raise about $15billion to survive on.

Let me state clearly that there is nothing wrong in selling national assets; in fact, I believe government has no business in running companies, but the problem we are having in Nigeria is that this will present those who have enriched themselves illegally the opportunity to buy these national assets.

The sale of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is a great example of what I am talking about. If we are to know the ownership structure of all the companies that bought the former PHCN, then we will discover that most of them are people who had stolen from the state.

It is unfortunate that corporate watchdogs are not very effective in the country like in other developed countries of the world.

I believe we are not working towards becoming like Russia, where politically-connected businessmen bought state firms for a fraction of their current value, thereby catapulting them into instant billionaires.

If there is any need to sell these assets, then those who are behind each bid should be made public.

We don’t want a situation whereby some people, due to their connection to the corridors of power, will buy assets left for us by our founding fathers.

•Nelson Ekwale, Benin, Edo State.

developed a process for the smooth running of the scheme — from payment by customers, to physical installation of the meters, to the payment plan to refund to customers, which was incorporated in the billing system.

Contractors approved by NERC were employed to supply and install meters for customers who paid.

The operations of the scheme led the Discos to employ more staff, while creating new department in implementing same.

While the scheme was being improved upon, and customers were taking advantage of it to get metered, thereby stopping the crazy estimated bills, the regulator, NERC, suddenly instructed the Discos to wind it down for no justifiable reason.

This action by the regulator is denying hundreds of willing customers who

want to get their houses or business places metered under the scheme that opportunity.

As a result, this has further widened the metering gap being experienced now.

Also, various contractors who had made huge investments in various types of energy meters, meters ware houses, logistics and meter installation personnel’s training, might lose their investments, while trained meter installation personnel will lose their jobs In addition, the Discos using the scheme to bridge their metering gap may not be able to continue as they lack the needed funding to embark on a meter roll out plan for their numerous customers.

The Discos had equally made investment on the vending system for the pre-payment and billing system for Maximum De-

mand Customers to automatically generate the repayment to customers who have advanced the Discos’ money to buy energy meters. The vending and billing systems need to be modified at a cost. More so, in-house staff who had been trained and employed to run the scheme may become redundant.

Furthermore, the regulator did not provide an alternative to the CAPMI scheme, neither did it have the dexterity to sanction Discos that did not participate in it before its winding down.

Also, the regulator is confused about how to successfully run the scheme to achieve its goals.

The issue of prices for the various meters under the scheme is no longer realistic because of the current high exchange rate of $1 to N420.

Again, there were cases of delay in the supply and

installation of meters beyond the stipulated period for customers who had paid, but this was not beyond the regulator to handle.

These impediments were not enough to wind down the scheme, as the few Discos that embraced it had substantially reduced the metering gap and assisted willing customers to get metered.

The cases of estimated crazy billings was also reduced, while contractors provided jobs for technicians in the sector.

The regulator should, therefore, look into how all the impediments identified during the scheme can be removed and the programme sustained.

•Babatope Oluwagbemiga, Lagos.

Let’s recognise our paralympians JUST as they made the country proud in 2012, our paralympians have done the same at the Rio Paralympics.

After the event, Nigeria emerged as the most successful team in Africa, with eight golds. As a result, I want the Federal Government to host these athletes who have done us proud, thereby giving them a sense of belonging.

Most of them had achieved their feat with little support from government quarters, but we must show appreciation to them for flying the flag of the country high in far away Brazil.

Apart from the Federal Government, the athletes’ respective state governments should also honour them, as well as our corporate organisations.

We shouldn’t say we will not appreciate these heroes because of the economic situation of the country. They need to be recognised.

•Tunde Akanji, Offa, Kwara State.

opinion Look beyond what you see 15

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

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HAT we look like through the retina of another homosapien’s optical system as well as the world’s adulations or criticisms tremendously matters to us, doesn’t it?

However, an inexplicably talented young woman wrote some lyrics that amidst other excruciating soul searching exercises should form our disengagement from the “what do they see?” cul-de-sac and get us trailing the paths of the street labeled “what do you see?”

Henceforth, we might want to refrain from too frequently soliciting that we be appraised from the lens of another man’s magnifying glass for an effectual answer sometimes, could only come from one source- YOU! No mortal could ever unravel the intricacies of another mortal’s being and shed light on the stark darkness of a man’s core save for divinity and maybe, man himself. Wouldn’t looking inwards always, strengthen us? Not totally disregarding external opinions but meticulously, after intense ferocious self foraging, subjecting the external opinions to evaluation by our internal findings.

So, next time you stand in front of your body sized mirror, you might what to say to your reflection “what do you see?” You should want to ask yourself “who is this person, starring right back at me?” and we will get closer to unraveling the enigma in us.

But if we fail to tear off the layers and see ourselves clearly, then an imminently inevitable danger of abuse looms for of all of the wonders of creation, a mortal is the most mercurial. This nature of man transforms self discovery into a herculean, but eminently significant task.

What do you see? What does your reflection show?

Allow me a partial digression as I would like to travel centuries back on the waves of history. Let me share a tale of quaint events that is often told by my kinsmen. It is a tale about the era when man survived primarily on hunting and lived in caves.

In that period of the early man, who enjoyed virgin landscape and climate, lived two brothers. One beloved of his father and the other prejudiced. The father loved his younger son very dearly because he was a chip of the old block. His voice, physique, gait, behaviour, everything was his father’s, but his strength. The old man gazed with awe upon his younger son as

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688

a reflection of himself but, loathed his older son.

Life in the cave was torment for the older son, he did all the hard work, but the favored son got the best piece of meat. Time passed and boys became men, but the status quo remained.

Several years of being discriminated against and psychologically tortured eventually rubbed off on the older

It is in such times as these that we must collectively and consciously work towards pulling off the cloak that casts darkness over our minds eyes because it is in looking with our minds that we can find a pathway through this labyrinth of national woes.

son. So, all he ever saw of himself became what he saw through his father’s eyes in a lifetime of futile efforts to get his father’s approval.

However, several dusks and dawns passed and the young men reached a marriageable age. The ruler of the kingdom announced that every young man must enter into a competition that would require them to embark on an arduous journey fraught danger.

It would be a test of hubris, strength; compassion and wit and whoever that returned successful would be made husband to the ruler’s daughter and would automatically become next in the line of rulership.

All the young men entered the competition with fervor but the old father prayed only for the success of his young son.

Repeatedly, he told his older son not to compete because he could never be successful. Stung by the venom in his father’s tongue, he vowed not to return except he was successful.

You can tell who returned successful! Years of hunting paid off and he was able to conquer the hardship of the quest. In fact, his favored brother only returned alive due to his help but when asked how he was able to accomplish the task, his reply was “I saw beyond what I could see.”

Our Nigeria is in disarray, there is visible hunger and fellow countrymen are caught in-between the rock and a hard place.

Children just recessed back to school, there are bills to be paid but salaries are delayed, jobs are cut off and retrenchment is the new promotion. Our naira keeps plummeting and though the international oil market seems to be picking up, there is no visible positive effect on our economy. The nation is in recession and the commoner feels the sting the most because even garri is costing a whole lot more and kerosene has become some precious liquid.

It is in times like this that we need to employ the savvy of our innermost eyes if we must survive. It is in such times as these that we must collectively and consciously work towards pulling off the cloak that casts darkness over our minds eyes because it is in looking with our minds that we can find a pathway through this labyrinth of national woes.

Civil servants as public liabilities?

By Femi Babatunde TIME it was when the nation’s civil service could boast of the finest traditions of service. Not anymore. It is a shadow of its old self today. As an institution, it is now largely enmeshed, rather ashamedly, in a cesspool of corruption, incompetence, nepotism, and all the similar negatives adjectives you could get. Ever heard the sobriquet ‘Evil servants’? That is how far we have come!

It is very regrettable that while the more serious nations of the world are busy entrenching dynamic institutions that would advance national interests, our leaders seem to have perpetually chosen the pathway to mediocrity in nationbuilding.

Globally, the civil service as a fundamental institution of government provides the solid foundation upon which societal yearnings, aspirations, dreams and vision are realised. It is that statutory enclave volunteered by the people to coordinate the day to day running of the people’s commonwealth. Unlike the political class whose operation and place in government is tenured, the civil service enjoys the rare thrust of permanence that enables it provide administrative stability. Hence, the progress of nations is tied to the operations of the institution of the civil service. It should not be surprising that many of the leading nations and economies of the world have some of their brightest brains retained in the civil service with work ethics that naturally wire them to truly serve the people.

It is indeed worrisome that in this era of vaunted ‘change’, the civil service is still a loose uninspired institution in need of urgent reform. For without this it cannot provide the requisite intellectual and moral base upon which the evolving dream of a greater nation can be built. But do those in authority realise the centrality of an urgent revolutionary reform in the civil service?

Nigeria is what it is today because of the active connivance of the civil servants and the often clueless political class to rape the commonwealth of the State. Anyone familiar with the bureaucracy of the civil service would know that it is absolutely impossible to consistently thrive in plundering the nation without some civil servants actively showing the way!

As it has been severally argued, the incursion of the military regime in Nigeria meted a great damage to the patriotic spirit the Nigerian civil service was known for. Of particularly reference here was the 1975 mass purging of the service under Gen. Muritala Muhammed regime and similar subsequent attacks, that have only dealt monumental damage to the moral rectitude of the civil service; in that, as Ambassador Dapo Fawora, one of the nation’s finest diplomat and intellectual, argued in his memoir Lest I forget, it occasioned the lowering of standards and loss of morale and commitment of civil servants. Meritocracy was utterly sacrificed while mediocrity, nepotism, tribalism and corruption were entrenched.

However, one could also safely argue that the return to civil rule in Nigeria since 1999 has not in an anyway left the civil service better. It has even left it worst, I would submit – so much that the service today has become most unattractive to some of our brightest brains, as it was decades earlier.

As a matter of fact, the reason many citizens associate with many agencies and ministries of government today is that they are one bunch of necessary evil. To carry out even the most minor transactions in some offices without greasing the palms of attendants, is almost unthinkable. Bribery has become a lifestyle in many offices supposedly established to serve the interests of the public. You don’t need to be told that the rest of the world has since left us to our own ways in a wholly digitally-driven knowledge economy!

The estimation of civil servants by the political class is rather unfortunate. For them, the civil service is only a tool for political advantage during elections and thereafter. In

many instances, civil servants are used by unscrupulous politicians to advance their flawed interests. Of course, they also serve as compasses when it is necessary to steal and also cleverly cover the tracks.

In many states of the federation and even at the federal level, it is disheartening to note that merit has given way to ‘man-know-manism’. What you get in the system is no longer what you deserve but how well positioned and aligned with the political party in power. Promotion, in many instances, is now a herculean task that only the ‘connected’ can pull.

The non-partisan code is only a reality on the pages of paper and without relevance in practice. For those at the federal level, your ethnicity, not your competence and track record is a determining factor, at least not with the federal character doctrine.

The age-long saying that a labourer deserves his reward no longer holds true in our case. And that is why workers are owed several months of salary in many states. The economic recession has only worsened things.

The result is that the defining attribute of service for the good of the nation is now being jettisoned by many a civil servant. They seem to have discovered that it does not make much sense, after all, serving the nation when it consistently fails to meet one’s needs. You should not be surprised to know that several civil servants today are ‘proud’ saboteurs of government programmes and activities. I was in an office recently and saw a woman hawk ‘panla’ (dried fish) to that office. I was alarmed when her colleague told me that the woman was a worker in the same government establishment, but now uses the time that ordinarily should have been devoted to serve the government to pursue her own business.

Would you blame her? How else is she expected to survive when her employer has refused to pay her salary? This is the typical situation in many government establishments today.

The civil servant who ordinarily should be an advocate of change and continual progress of the collective good and dreams has become a public liability.

•Babatunde is a public affairs analyst.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

agriculture How farmers can avoid clash with herdsmen COLLINS NNABUIFE spoke with the National President of Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Pastor Segun Adewumi, on the activities of herdsmen in farms and how to use cassava to grow the economy, among other issues.

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HAT did the association make from the last National Cassava Summit held recently?

It was good that we held that summit, it was an enlightenment programme for people. Cassava is our gold, it is a better economic promoter than the fossil fuel, because cassava can actually give us something more than N15 trillion.

So, to make cassava a national product is something we are trying to work on, as well as create the enlightenment on it.

Secondly, cassava is something that can be grown, cultivated all around the country.

The nation is targeting $5 billion annually from cassava, is this realistic?

It is very modest, but in our own case, I think we can target something more than that if we focus on cassava. Let me give you a simple analysis; in this country, we have 84 million hectares of arable land, if we could use just five million hectares for cassava farming, that means we will be able to get 200 million metric tonnes of cassava.

From the 200 metric tonnes, if we look at the industrial starch for example, at the ratio of four tonnes of fresh cassava roots to one tonne of cassava starch, that is about N350,000 as being sold now and it will translate to N20 trillion.

And there are other things we call byproducts, so we can actually make money.

Besides that, we will also create employment. So cassava is actually what we need in Nigeria to move forward.

What exactly are we not doing right

to promote cassava?

What former President Olusegun Obasanjo did on cassava was inspirational, it was an inspiration for him, he saw the vision, but as a President, he wouldn’t have gone out to start planting cassava himself.

He sold the vision to us, but those who implemented it did not actually get the strategy to do it well, it was picked up by the former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina and that was the area of cassava bread.

He (Adesina) was convinced that he could continue it and other countries that heard of it like Cameroon, Brazil and other countries are now putting 20 per cent of cas-

The three major cassava products; ethanol, industrial starch and cassava flour are raw materials for numerous industrial items with limitless market potential.

sava flour into their bread, Nigeria is yet to achieve that.

The problem is the implementation strategy, the last administration did their best but due to certain problems which the present administration is trying now not to fall into.

For instance, N10 billion was released for the promotion of cassava bread, so the N10 billion was shared between the growers, processors, the master bakers and other areas where it was necessary, in our own case, the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) disbursed to us, we cultivated 29,500 hectares, by the time the cassava was matured, I think something was wrong with the processors, the bank did not disburse to them, so they didn’t have the equipment to take off, so the cassava rotted away because there was no processing and by the time some of them got the facilities by themselves, the working capital that was supposed to be given to them was not available.

So, maybe because of banking problem, our cassava rotted away, so all these are the things that the present government is looking at to make sure they don’t fall into the same mistake.

The nation is targeting 45 million jobs from cassava alone, what can be done to achieve this?

There has to be a Cassava Committee that will drive it, you cannot drive a commercial programme in the ministry system, it has to be commercially done, so majority of the members will come from the private sector.

Secondly, we said there are two types of cassava programmes, there is the one for the smallholder and the Industrial cas-

sava, mechanized farming does not require much people, but at the same time, it will trigger industrial revolution.

The three major cassava products; ethanol, industrial starch and cassava flour are raw materials for numerous industrial items with limitless market potential.

We import over N600 billion worth of ethanol into the country, the ethanol we produce is just two per cent of what we use in this country, you can see how much we can save. For the cassava flour, we are thinking we could save N300 billion from the importation of wheat if it is substituted with 40 per cent cassava flour, so these are areas that will create jobs.

In Cassava Growers Association, we are looking at youth empowerment through cassava farming, we are thinking if a contiguous land of about 10,000 hectares is cleared by the government and demarcated into blocs of 10 hectares each, and allocated to youths, every youth will make N2 million profit after their allowance yearly and if you now want to help the youth and look at it as a career, then we add five hectares to the portion of every youth until they have 25 hectares, they will be earning N5 million every year and apart from that, we form them into cooperatives that can own processing factories, specialised equipment.

What do you make out from the present administrations diversification to agriculture vis-a-vis the budgetary allocation to the sector?

The fact is that the government position is the provision of enabling environment not actually putting money into the programme. As far as Nigeria is concerned

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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08116954637, 08039521408 especially our government in the south, they are not living up to expectations at all, in the north, they can have contiguous farms because they lack thick bushes. For instance, cassava is better cultivated in the north, it costs less in the south because bush clearing in the north is less, weeding is less, the soil type here is soft, you need to make heaps in the south because they have coarse soil but in the north, the soil is normally soft.

So, in diversification, we need to collaborate with the government to give them insight to what we know which they may not know.

What is your take on the herdsmen and farmers feud?

Our farmers need to be enlightened about herdsmen’s activities, when you have a farm, you have to do wire fencing around the farm, so the herdsmen that are moving in the night, if the farm has no demarcation, he will not even know when the cattle enter into the farm.

But if you do a demarcation, we call it wire fencing, except you want to do it maliciously and destroy the farm. That’s the value where we have big farms with clear demarcation, the question of herdsmen destroying the crops will not be there and it is safe for us. If you say there should be no cattle in your state, that means meat will be more expensive in your state.

Some of our farmers suffered over 70 per cent as a result of the activities of herdsmen in their farms. As a mature association and the need to promote peace, we called our farmers who are more than 1.5 million and told them not to engage in fight with the herdsmen, all our farms were insured by the National Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC), all we need to do is to show evidence that your farm was actually ravaged and present it to NAIC, but we did that and NAIC wrote back to us that what happened in the farm was malicious damage which their insurance did not cover.

We appeal to the government to look into this, they said their insurance covers natural disasters like flood, locust invasion, but when it comes to malicious damage, when the farm is deliberately damaged they said it is not part of their insurance cover.

How much foreign exchange has cassava brought to the country in the last two years?

To be frank with you, don’t listen to anybody that says there is any foreign exchange brought by cassava apart from garri, there is nobody who can supply cassava to any other country for now because the cost of production here is too much for world market.

So, we have to have a world class planting practice of agronomy, for instance, the Minister of Agriculture told us that we have 30,000 tractors, but in South Africa, they have 85,000 tractors for over a million farmers, where an average farmer will have 2 to 3 tractors, so there is no way we can compete, but with the efforts being made now, slowly we will get there.

So, I can tell you authoritatively, there is no export of cassava except garri and when we are exporting it, the problem is that our gari is not recognised, you have to use the Ghana label, so we are talking to the government about the need to standardise and give us the power to compel the people that produce garri to standardise it, to sanitise it,, so they can’t just produce in an unclean environment and for the sake of lassa fever.

Oyo Fadama III begins training of rice, cassava farmers Collins Nnabuife - Abuja IN line with the World Bank support to implement projects aimed at empowering farmers to boost food production and increase income, Oyo State Fadama III AF has started training rice and cassava farmers with Pre-disbursement Training and Capacity Building at Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) Zonal office, Moor Plantation Ibadan.

The State Project Coordinator, Mr Nathaniel Olayinka in his address stated that 13 local government areas: Atisbo, Oorelope, Orrire, Surulere, Ibarapa North, Oyo West, Oyo East, Ido, Oluyole, Ogo Oluwa, Iseyin, Saki West, Iwajowa and Kajola had fulfilled the necessary conditions to benefit from fadama III AF Project.

He said the development objective of Fadama III AF was to increase income of users of land and water resources anchored on cassava, rice, sorghum and horticulture crops value chain in the states that have comparative advantage and link them to organised markets.

Mr Olayinka added that objectives of the training workshop are to let the beneficiaries know roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Project, and to build and improve the capacities of the beneficiaries to increase their agricultural productivity.

He also said that Oyo State Fadama III AF Project is committed to massive and sustainable local rice and cassava production by providing inputs at cost-sharing arrangement of 50 per cent to farmers that are ready to pay their beneficiary contributions.

Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Oyewole Oyewumi in his keynote address said the State’s Agricultural and Rural Development Plan under the restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda of Governor Abiola

Ajimobi administration has started yielding good results with various agricultural projects in the state.

He said that local rice and cassava production would increase and become sustainable with the involvement of Fadama III Additional Financing Project.

He added that the country’s agricultural

Wine Fair brings taste of America to Nigeria

By Doyin Adeoye THE United States Consul General, Francis John Bray and the United States Regional Agricultural Counselor for West Africa, David Wolf, last week hosted agribusiness leaders to a large wine tasting event.

With the theme, ‘A Taste of America,’ the event provided agribusiness leaders and other friends of America a unique opportunity to experience a wide selection of the finest United States wine brands available in Nigeria.

At the event, Consul General Francis John Bray introduced the new United States Regional Agricultural Counselor for West Africa David Wolf to Nigerian agribusiness leaders and stakeholders.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr Wolf said, “The Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA) seeks to address food security challenges in countries they operate in. It mostly supports these challenges by building food and market systems that expand trade and economic development.

“The USDA has trained more than 230 Nigerians in the United States through its Faculty Exchange, Cochran, and Borlaug Fellowship programs in subjects such as food safety, aquaculture, pest management and food processing.”

The USDA’s goal, he added, is to help Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food distribution, and to bring more Nigerian products up to acceptable standard for the international market.

The programme offered members of the United States-Nigeria agribusiness community an opportunity to build professional networks, as well as discover new products, ideas, and innovations in the agriculture industry.

sector must intensify efforts on local rice production to close the wide demand-supply gap which has resulted in volatility of rice prices in the world market, and that rice production must be sustainable to meet demand of the ever- growing population.

Oyewumi noted that rice importation could no longer be sustainable under volatile exchange rates and high demand for local consumption.

Mr Oyewumi stated further that Oyo State Fadama Project has contributed to State government commitment to agricultural transformation agenda with training of farmers, empowerment of youths and women and distribution of farm inputs to 360 rice and 245 cassava farmers to cultivate 360 and 245 hectares of rice and cassava farm lands.

He commended the World Bank for supporting federal and state governments to boost agricultural activities and achieve selfsufficiency in food production, and urged the farmers to utilise the opportunity provided by the Project to improve their livelihood, production and income.

The regional head, National Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Mr Ogunbiyi advised farmers to insure their farming enterprises at two per cent of the total cost of production as premium, adding that insurance covers losses from the crop growth to physiological maturity and the corporation should be notified within 30 days of the incidence. On ravaging of farms by Fulani/Bororo herdsmen, farmers are advised to intensify efforts in the communities to prevent conflicts and guard against such destructive activities.

18

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara (left), with the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale, at a programme in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

From left, Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muktar Usman; Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr Felix Abali and a representative of the Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Ikechi Uko, during an interactive session between major stakeholders in aviation sector and the minister, at Protea Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Togolese Ambassador to Nigeria, Tazo Tmanawoe (left), presenting plaque to Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, during a courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, Ilorin.

Pa Augustine Ofobrukwetan Ewhro, assisted by his children to cut his 80th birthday cake, at Functions Hall, Jogor Centre, Ibadan, recently.

From left, Mr Adeyemi Akintayo; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; president, The Olomide Organisation and founder, Olalekan Olomide Platform for Development, Mr Kolawole Olomide and Mr Maroof Aderemi, during a visit to the Olubadan, recently.

The couple, Mr and Mrs Adewunmi Oladiti, flanked by the groom’s father, Chief Salmon Akanni Oladiti, national chairman, Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of NUPENG and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Olanike Oladiti, at Civic Centre, Sabo, Ondo.

From left, National President, Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), Evangelist (Mrs) Funmi Aragbaye; General Overseer, Sanctuary of Christ Evangelical Church, Pastor (Dr) Gbade Ojo; his wife, Ronke and the guest preacher, Pastor (Mrs) Rose Oyedele, at the 12th annual women conference of the church, held at the church auditorium, Adesola, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: REMI ANIFOWOSE

Evangelist (Mrs) Opeyemi Olusola, cutting her 40th birthday cake and assisted by her husband, Pastor Ayodele Olusola and their children, Pius Olusola (left) and Patrick Olusola, at the auditorium of Jessus Discipleship Ministry, Challenge, Ibadan, on Saturday.

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

19

politicsnews

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Makarfi, Sheriff’s joint peace committee emerges this week From Leon Usigbe, Abuja.

From left: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Honourable Tobi Okechukwu; deputy chairman of the committee, Honourable Emmanuel Egwu; and chairman of the committee, Honourable Nicholas Ossai, during an investigative hearing on the allegation of the breach of privileges of the House by Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin, former chairman of the Appropriations Committee, in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

FOLLOWING the recent truce reached by the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and claimant to the office of the national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, both camps are working towards raising a joint reconciliation committee by the end of this week to fashion out modalities to lay the long-running leadership crisis to rest.

Makarfi confirmed this in a phone interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja on Monday, saying that his consultation among party stakeholders was expected to end soon to enable him

Padding: Ethics Committee concludes hearing on Jibrin

T

HE House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges, on Monday, concluded public hearing on its investigation of a lawmaker from Kano, Abdulmumin Jibrin.

At the resumed hearing, Jibrin failed to appear before the committee. He is accused of breaching the privileges of members.

Nicholas Ossai, the chairman of the 11-member committee, said Jibrin had been accorded enough privilege to defend himself.

Ossai said there was no reason Jibrin should not appear before the committee since his demand that the proceeding be conducted before members of the public had been met.

“He asked that we invite media, civil society organisations, student unions, members of the Nigerian Bar Association and some university lecturers, which

we did from the first day,” Mr. Ossai said.

The committee was convened by the House on September 21 after a lawmaker, Emmanuel OkerJev, moved a motion seeking the suspension of Mr. Jibrin for allegedly breaching members’ privileges by distributing internal House documents to the media.

The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, whom Jibrin accused of budget fraud, said the Kano lawmaker, through this action, had inflicted damage to the image of the National Assembly.

Jibrin indicated over the weekend that he would not appear before the committee, citing impartiality and questioning the independence of its members.

This contradicted Jibrin’s earlier statement in which he gave conditions that Mr. Ossai cited as the only ground under which

he would honour the committee’s invitation.

During the sitting, Ossai gave the clerk of the committee 30 minutes to make efforts to reach Mr. Jibrin.

The clerk said he tried to contact Jibrin through phone call and text message, without success.

“We assured him that, as a member of this committee, he would be given fair hearing. The commit-

tee also went out of its way to make sure that this proceeding is made public. I think this committee has been seen to have observed the dictates of the Constitution on the matters of fair hearing,” Ossai said.

“It is a duty for this committee that at all time Nigerian are carried along and we have done that.”

Ossai said he had chal-

Babangida Aliyu’s son’s wedding reception turns into a re-union for PDP Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

THE wedding reception of Mr.Ibrahim Babangida Aliyu, the first son to a former governor of Niger state, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, on Sunday, in Minna the state capital almost turned into a members of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP).

The wedding of the banker was about the only gathering that has brought together the, who-is-who in the PDP in Niger state since Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over power on the May 29, 2015.

Why sale of national assets must wait —Abaribe Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said on Monday that the planned sale of national assets must wait while government infuses a multiplicity of policies to tackle the current economic recession.

The Senator, who spoke on a Channels Television breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily on Monday said that there are genuine fears among the class of Nigerians opposed to the sale of government assets.

According to him, the Nigerian experience has been that the foreign reserves had been used to fund items

that don’t contribute to the real sector, adding that selling government’s assets to boost forex inflow would only lead to more problems.

The Senator said: “Let’s put is in context. Why do we need to sell the assets? The ostensible reason is that we are short of foreign inflows and therefore we have deficit and we cannot fund manufacturers who use those forex to import needed raw materials.

“But that has not been our experience. Our experience has been that whenever you go and look at the usage of forex you will see that it is tilted more to importation of finished goods not really for manufacturers and so

lenged Jibrin or anyone else to come forward with evidence showing that he had compromised or expressed bias over the scandal. He offered to willingly excuse himself from the committee in the face of such proof.

Ossai said after the hearing that his committee would analyse evidence before forwarding it findings to the House in the shortest time possible.

forth. It’s more of importation of finished goods, payment of school feeds abroad and all manners of invisible transfers. And it is those invisible transfers, which form a bulk of what we need. And so the fear is assuming you sell everything or you sell part of something it and it comes in and it goes out in this same invisible transfers without affecting the real sector or the manufacturing sector and all that, where would you be? And so that is why you found that there is a divided opinion in the senate among those you all contributed to say there are several ways in which you can use to reflate or get an economy going.

“You ar1e going to use all manners of policies and

bring all of them together.

But I think if you listen to Ben Bruce that is where the problem is for the economy today: lack of confidence; that is just it.

First you must have to fix that. Once there is no confidence in an economy, it doesn’t matter what you do.

According to the Senator, the plan by the House of Representatives to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to address a joint session of the National Assembly appears a step in the right direction because it will help engineer the confidence needed to boost the economy.

He said the government got things initially wrong when it condemned everything and

Notwithstanding pleas that the wedding Fatiha should not be turned into political gathering, the reception which took place at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna strictly on invitation, the Talban Minna, had hundreds of guests mostly friends and political associates from within and outside the state present at the reception.

Two former Nigeria’s First Ladies, Honourable Justice Fati Lami Abubarkar and Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, wife of the immediate past Vice President, Jummai Namadi Sambo joined the former governor’s wife, Hajya Jumai Babangida Aliyu, to welcome the latest couple into her home.

Also, the wife of a former governor of the Power state, Senator Zaynab Kure and a former member, Niger State House of Assembly, Hajiya Sada’atu Kolo, led the women group, mostly members of the PDP, to special dance steps to rejoice with the Aliyu’s family.

to submit names from his camp for the committee.

He said his consultation task was not straight forward as he had to seek input from all the organs of the party including the Board of Trustees (BoT), PDP state governors and other stakeholders unlike Sheriff who he observed does not need to hold extensive consultations before forwarding his names.

The former Kaduna State governor said he was committed to the reconciliation to restore the party to vibrancy as he noted that he had nothing personal concerning the office of the national chairman.

He said: “Our consultations should end this week.

We hope to set up the reconciliation committee by the end of this week.

“You know, I have to consult with party stakeholders, BoT, state governors and others. He (Sheriff) doesn’t have to do that to send the names of his members.

“But we are hopeful that by the end of this week, we will have the committee.”

Hopes were raised last Tuesday when both factions of the party agreed to bury the hatchet and work together.

The two factional leaders had resolved to reunite the party to enable it to perform its role as a viable opposition platform.

Both factions appeared at a joint news briefing in Abuja where they disclosed the new understanding.

They had promised to embark on extensive consultations with their respective loyalists to fashion out a way to cement the new unity after about four months of bitter rivalry.

The secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi and the acting Deputy National Chairman of the Sheriff faction, Cairo Ojougboh, jointly addressed the press conference where they announced the new peace initiative.

Ojougboh, who read the resolutions of the two factions, had said that they met and took “a holistic review of the state of affairs” of PDP. The statement, which was jointly signed by Makarfi and Sheriff, said the resolution was without prejudice to the outstanding matters in court.

It said: “This is without prejudice to all outstanding matters in court. At a meeting held this morning between the two of us, a holistic review of the state of affairs of our great party, PDP, was deliberated upon.”

20

politicsnews

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Defection: APC dismisses PDP’s threat to recall Dariye I saac Shobayo - jos

A

S controversy continues to trail the defection of Senator Joshua Dariye from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State, the party has dismissed the threat by the PDP to initiate his recall

from the National Assembly.

Former Governor Dariye had, last week on the floor of the Senate, defected to APC, with PDP in Plateau State has been threatening to reclaim its mandate and drag him to court.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, the state capital, the

Ex-lawmaker asks govs to forfeit security votes

By Kunle Oderemi

A former member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Kehinde, on Sunday, said ways to reduce the cost of governance rather than the sale of some national assets remained the veritable solution to the current economic challenges facing the country.

He spoke against the backdrop of the raging debate over moves by the Federal authorities to sell some national assets towards raising funds to finance the current national budget, which has suffered serious setback owing to declining external revenue and economic recession.

Kehinde advocated a three-pronged remedy to tackle the economic crisis, among which is setting in motion necessary measures to return the country to parliamentary system of government; part-time legislature; drastic cut in the pecks of office of elected public officials.

He particularly frowned at what he described as the innumerable number of aides and humongous security votes of state governors.

“A part-time legislature and a return to parliamentary democracy are necessary imperatives to take us out of recession.

Governance in Nigeria today has become a very viable business enterprise.

How do you explain a convoy of vehicles, innumerable number of aides and security votes,” he stated..

The legal practitioner opposed any plan to sell the national assets as similar patrimony disposed of in the past amounted to a rip off of the nation.

He said: “I don’t believe the sale of our national assets is the only way out

of the woods of recession, which is a self- inflicted agony. What has become of our previous national assets that had gone down through sale/ privatisation in the past?

The list includes: NAFCOM, NITEL, Oku Iboku, Iwopin, and Jebba mills; , Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Itakpe Iron ore plant, Nigerian Airways and electricity companies, among several others. I also remember the Nigerian National Shipping Line.

(NNSL).

“The only panacea to our challenges is a sincere and committed leadership. The sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as Minister of Finance, did not borrow a dime to prosecute the Biafran war between 1967 and 1970.

We need a strong and focused economic team, regardless of political leanings or affiliations.”

state secretary of APC, Alhaji Bashir Sati Musa, dismissed the threat of PDP, claiming that no serious politician would want to remain in the PDP, considering the crisis rocking the party at various levels across the country.

“PDP had better put its house in order; the conditions for defection are well spelt out, one of which is crisis within a political

AS Nasarawa State prepares for its 20th anniversary on October 1, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Nasarawa State chapter, has described the state as a glorified local government when compared to it peers during.

The state was created on October 1, 1996 by the Abacha administration.

The state’s APGA secretary, Emmanuel Yaro, made the remark in an interview with Nigerian Tribune on Monday in Lafia, the state capital.

According to the APGA secretary, the PDP failed the state in its 12 years of

He added that Dariye was a big asset to APC as a former governor and serving senator who has an electoral value because he is a grass-roots mobiliser.

He said with the defection of Dariye to APC, PDP is finished in Plateau State adding that the noise of his defection has to do with his pedigree as a grassroot mobiliser.

In his reaction, the

state deputy chairman of PDP Hon. Amos Gombi, said by leaving the PDP, Senator Dariye could not under the circumstance lawfully and legally retain the seat of the senator representing Plateau central as his action was clearly in violation of the provision of section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara (right); Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during the public presentation of ORDERPPER.NG in Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

Ondo 2016: 9 former aspirants back Akeredolu Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

SOME aspirants who contested in the governorship primary election of the All

Nasarawa, a glorified local government at 20 —APGA GODWIN AGWAM- LAFIA

party.

“PDP, for quite some time now, has been unstable and in crisis.

“Senator Dariye spelt out his reasons for leaving the party and anyone who has been following the trend of events in the party knows that the reasons are genuine and fundamental,” he said According to him, APC will receive the senator with open arms.

administering the state, as no meaningful development was achieved under their watch.

He added that the incumbent government of Umaru Tanko Al-makura brought in developmental strides in its first two years, but lost focus afterwards.

He alleged that, rather than focusing on its developmental agenda, the government politicised issues in the state, which led to conflicts.

Yaro lamented that after 20 years of its existence, the state could not boast of adequate basic social infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, compared to its peers.

He called for a sober reflection and a change of attitude to move the state forward.

Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have thrown their weight behind the winner of the primary, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

The aspirants, during a meeting convened

by Dr Tunji Abayomi in Akure, Ondo state capital, pledged their support to Akeredolu.

They included Jamiu Ekungba, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Mrs Jumoke Ajasin Anifowose, Tunji Abayomi, Victor Olabimtan and Bode Ayorinde.

In a statement issued by the convener at the end of the meeting, Abayomi quoted Chief Jamiu Ekungba as saying: “I wish to say that I am not only accepting the verdict of the primary but appealing to the other aspirants to come together to rescue Ondo State.”

He further quoted Alasoadura as saying: “We all know that the election was very credible. Aside that, anything that will take away the victory of the legitimate winner will spell doom for the party at

the polls” On her part, Chief (Mrs) Anifowose said “It is better and more honorable to accept the result of the primary and work for victory for APC, “ while Olabimtan said “I am in support of Rotimi Akeredolu. The primary was okay.”

The convener of the meeting, Abayomi, said: “There is also no evidence that the so called strange delegates voted solely for him. In consequence, I cannot just understand why we should not support the result and work to win on November 26, 2016.

“I distributed the delegates list without any complaints in the hall. I have further confirmed from the Chairmen of the LGAs that the delegates list in controversy was in fact approved by the Kekemeke Executive.”

It will be recalled that the decision of the leadership of the party to submit the name of Akeredolu as the party’s candidate caused further division within the party in the state.

Some camps in the party

described the decision as undemocratic, the process that produced Akeredolu.

Three of the aspirants including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2012 governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke; Dr Olusegun Abraham and a lawmaker representing Ondo North at the Senate, Professor Ajayi Boroffice, had petitioned the party over the result of the primary election.

The trio at a press conference frowned at the alleged undemocratic behaviour of the leadership of the party over its decision to pick Akeredolu as the party’s candidate and specifically accused the national chairman of the party, John Oyegun, for over-ruling the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC).

However, most of the aspirants who participated in the election have gone underground and this was attributed to the fact that many of the unpopular who contested for the ticket live outside the state or country.

21

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Tunde Busari 08127593530 Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare 08116706853 Tunde Ogunesan 08116954634

Nigerian Tribune

The

South-West Edited by Kehinde Oyetimi 08074626431

Got news for us? Contact: southwesttribune@yahoo.co.uk or southwesttribune@gmail.com

Cultural dancers performing during the 130th Yoruba Peace Treaty Day at Imesi Ile, on Friday.

Kiriji War Remembering the sour phase of

a people’s history

One of the most tragic chapters in Yoruba history was the unfortunate Kiriji war which lasted for 16 years. It is today regarded as perhaps the world’s longest civil war. The war, which was stopped by the signing of a Peace Treaty on September 23, 1886, resulted in unimaginable devastation and loss of lives. With the Kiriji Festival celebrated every year in commemoration of the peace treaty, TUNDE BUSARI, TUNDE OGUNESAN and OLUWOLE IGE report the continued relevance of the celebration particularly as this year marks the 130th edition of the festival.

T

HE role played by Aare Latoosa of Ibadan in the protracted Kiriji war that raged the Yoruba nation between 1877 and 1893 is incontrovertible in Yoruba History. Latoosa was the commander-in-chief of Ibadan armed forces which were engaged by the Ekiti-

parapo army.

The war was fought to resist the Ibadan expansionist policy, as well as despotism of the Ajeles who took law into their hands and freely trampled on the freedom of their host communities. The Balogun of Ilesa, Ogedengbe, then struck an alliance with

Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi and confronted the confident Ibadan army in a mother of all battles.

The inference is that Aare Latoosa is key to any event relating to the war that shook the Yoruba nation to its root. When, however, Aare Latoosa is not part of such event,

it raises a question of the likely reign of the old suspicion 130 years after the peace treaty that formally brought the war to an end, was signed in Imesi-Ile in the present day Osun State.

Continues on pg24

Inside Hope for the incarcerated: Day Oluwo visited Ekiti: The long Ilesa prison

road to 20

22 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ekiti: The long road to 20 Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI is the youngest of the six states that make up the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The state was carved out of the old Ondo State on October 1, 1996, by the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) headed by the then president and commander-in-chief of the Nigerian armed forces, General Sani Abacha.

Ekiti was among the six states that were announced during the 36th Independence Day broadcast by the late General Abacha.

The announcement of the state: ‘Ekiti’ was a culmination of sustained lobbying and of a well-structured struggle led by a number of prominent sons and daughters of Ekiti.

Following the announcement by the Head of State, Ekiti State came into being and thereby capped the meticulous struggle by a people who had, in a number of years before then, joined their efforts with people from Akure, Owo, Ondo, Akoko, Okitipupa, Ilaje and others from the old Ondo Province, to demand their own separate state, Ondo.

The struggle for the old Ondo State, which was carved out as a separate State from the Western State in February 1976, was led by the late J. B. Akinyede, a Lagos-based lawyer of high repute, who hails from OdeEkiti. However, a number of years after the successful struggle for Ondo State by the people of the old Ondo Province, the people of Ekiti within the same creation, still were not quite satisfied with the aftermath of the struggle. The Ekiti people complained of numerous things they viewed as being lopsided in the scheme of things in the new Ondo State. Thus the struggle for a state for the Ekiti was conceived.

A frontline Ekiti indigene, Chief Deji Fasuan, on why the struggle for Ekiti State began, noted that after the creation of Ondo State, “there soon grew up some uneasiness arising from the different sub-ethnic groups that made the new state.” Chief Fasuan explained further that “notable of these were the Ekiti (believed to be more than 50 per cent of the population), Akure, Akoko, Owo, Ondo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo among others.”

Fasuan, in his book, “Scaling Accidents of Life, an Autobiography plus Political Gladiators of my Time” said: “While the military administrations of Squadron Leader David Ita Ikpeme and his successor, Brigadier

Etsijolomi Tuoyo lasted, much of the grumblings were contained. The contentious issues were appointments in the public service and the siting of economic of capital projects in the component parts of the new state.”

Chief Fasuan added: “Things got somewhat out of hand starting from the civilian administration that took over power in 1979. The civilian governor, Adekunle Ajasin, an Owo indigene of modest means, presided over a turbulent administration.

This administration made substantial progress in the area of employment, especially of youths with tertiary education. But for financial handicap, it could not do much in providing infrastructure such as roads, which were sorely needed in the much neglected area.

“Education made some noticeable advancement as new schools and teachers’ colleges were set up with the cooperation and participation, in many cases, of local interests. In the long-run, however, all schools were ‘nationalised’ and taken over by government purely on ideological, not altruistic reasons.”

The actual struggle for Ekiti State

Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

The excerpts from Chief Fasuan’s book stand to reason because he mooted the idea for the demand for Ekiti State from Ondo State for reasons he stated in the same publication. Chief Fasuan’s bully pulpit on the creation of Ekiti State even flows from an idea he said he mooted in a submission to the the military administration of President Ibrahim Babangida, which led to the creation of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State. According to him, “after the Confab of 1989, I settled down finally in Ado Ekiti and started thinking on how to get our people to believe that their political salvation lay in a new state to be carved out of Ondo State.”

He noted that “at first, the idea was greeted with bemusement with many people, including genuine patriots, thinking it was an idle dream. How was it possible for an Ekiti State to survive in a desert of poverty and non-identifiable natural resources.” Despite the pessimism, he pressed ahead with the idea of “Ekiti State” and wrote a letter to 24 other people with whom he hoped to build a platform to bring others on board and make the dream a reality. Chief Fasuan started with what he called : ‘The Wednesday Group’ and in a letter dated May 29, 1991,

he suggested meetings of the like minds “to fashion a modus operandi for a Wednesday Group as it were.”

He noted that while those he contacted dragged in their initial pessimism, including a failed inaugural meeting in Lagos (attended by two who were pessimists out of the 18 invitees) the then federal government announced the creation, of Kogi, Osun, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Adamawa, Edo, Delta and Taraba states. Ekiti was left out.

He said: “These two episodes and more convinced my committee which has now changed its name from ‘Wednesday Group’ to ‘Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State’, to believe that we should modify our method if we were to achieve our goal.”

The elders statesman also explained that monarchs were also enlisted in the struggle, noting that “the Obas led by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Alaaye of Efon and Obanla of Ìjèsà Isu played prominent roles in these exploits.”

Thus, with the success of the struggle came the announcement of Ado Ekiti as the state capital and the administrative areas are 16 Local Government Areas namely: Ado, Ekiti East, Gbonyin, Ekiti Southwest, Ekiti West, Efon, Emure, lse/Orun, Ido/Osi, ljero, Ikere, Ikole, Irepodun/lfelodun, Moba, llejemeje and Oye. Indeed, in the simplest of terms, what led to the agitation by the Ekiti people for their own state, was also the same reasons for the call for the creation of old Ondo State.

Chief Fasuan, who retired as a permanent secretary in the Ondo State public service, observed that the Ajasin government ran into problem in the administration of the public service. He alleged favouritism in government and public appointments; ‘God-fatherism’, nepotism against the Ekiti folks in the service of old Ondo State, among other ills as some of the reasons the people felt they neede their own state.

He said: “The culminations of our vicissitudes in the old Ondo State were the series of events that flowed from the internal politics of the ruling party. The convulsion affected the political, administrative and legislative functions of the state government.

The series of problems and experiences naturally led to reactions and frustrations, first among Ekiti public servants in Ondo State and among the general population of Ekiti Continues on pg23

23 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

New challenges, new horizons Continued from pg22 in the new state.”

“Today, Ekiti State is situated entirely within the tropics. An online source said it is located between longitudes 40.51 and 50.451 East of the Greenwich meridian, and latitudes 70.151 and 80.51 north of the Equator. It lies south of Kwara and Kogi s states; East of Osun State and bounded

by Ondo State in the East and also in the south.”

According to the 1991 Census, the population of Ekiti State was put at “1,647,822 while the estimated population upon its creation on October 1st 1996 was put at 1,750,000 with the capital. Mainly an upland zone rising over 250 metres above sea level, Ekiti has a rhythmically undulating surface. The landscape consists of ancient plains broken by steep-sided outcropping dome rocks. These rocks may occur singularly or in groups or ridges and the most notable of these are to be found in Efon-Alaaye, Ikere-Ekiti, Erio, Okemesi-Ekiti and many other Ekiti communities.”

Ekiti State in the growth of South West Ekiti State may be the newest in the South West geo-political zone, but the entity called ‘Ekiti’ has eternally been known to have contributed to the growth of the region, nay humanity in various ways. And since Ekiti State was created 20 years ago, those contributions have not ceased, in both human and economic endeavours, which have aided the growth of especially, the South West region.

It is trite when it is stated that “Ekiti State is the home of professors.” This axiom is because indeed, Ekiti is the home of education.

The people know that their biggest industry remains education and that is why its alias is “Fountain of Knowledge.” The “fountain of knowledge” appellation sums up what the state has contributed to the region in its 20 years.

Thus, apart from the array of successful academics Ekiti is known with, the state is also endowed with successful men and women in business as well as notable politicians.

For instance, in the recent past, Professor Bamitale Omole, Professor Biyi Daramola and Professor Bolaji Aluko (all from Ekiti State) were Vice Chancellors of various federal universities at the time in the country.

Ekiti citizens also have successful businesses in and outside the state. In the glorious era of the Western Region, farms in Ekiti State were top of the range in cocoa and timber produce, two of the commodities that contributed immensely to the economy of the region.

Since the creation of the state, Ado Ekiti, the state capital has been growing tremendously in terms of infrastructure and human capital development. The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III told newsmen recently that the town had become one of the targets of criminals because it had assumed a new status as a state capital. Oba Adejugbe raised the issue of land speculators whom he said bough land from the indigenes at high amounts and reconstruct the old structures to suit their modern day needs.

The monarch had pointed out that when the prominent sons and daughters of the state succeeded in the struggle for the creation of Ekiti State, and Ado Ekiti was announced as the state capital, he had hinted the people of the community that the privilege would also come with its cons, as the town frowns and transforms. Thus, he attributed some of the societal ills witnessed in Ado Ekiti to its status as the capital of Ekiti State and said it was one of the prices to be paid as a transformation from a local government headquarters to the state cap-

Production at Clay Products Limited, Ire Ekiti, which is one of the manufacturing companies partly owned by the Ekiti State government. ital in 1996.

The Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports Development in Ekiti State, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi, was of the opinion that in terms of infrastructure, Ekiti had developed in leaps and bounds compared to when it was not yet a state.

Ogunsuyi said: “When the state was created, the military administrator had no place to stay. So the chief judge then, His Majesty, Oba Ajakaye, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Had to vacate his quarters for the administrator to stay there. But today, the state has no such problems. So, in the area of infrastructural development, Ekiti has grown well.”

The new challenges However Ogunsuyi regretted that it was worrisome that some of the governments that had ruled the state had deviated from what he referred to as “the Ekiti Agenda.”

According to him, “elder statesmen Chief Deji Fasuan, Chief Afe Babalola, the Ewi of Ado; Obanla of Ìjèsà Isu; the Alaaye of Efon and all the others who struggled for the creation of Ekiti State had a dream of a state that would, among other virtues be united and grow together. But politics of hatred is what plays out most of the times.

“We’ve had a time in Ekiti State when we had a governor for one day and there was a time a man from Ògùn State was the governor, a man from

Governor Ayodele Fayose

Our people should learn to play politics with tolerance because in the end, it is our people that suffer the consequences. Ògùn State was also the president of the country. When national issues were discussed, Ekiti had no form of representation.

We had Ògùn State deciding for us. It was that bad. So, for whatever it is worth, that is injustice.”

Ogunsuyi said it should be viewed as “utter lack of patriotism” for some indigenes of the state to turn politics in the state into an avenue of dragging the state back. “Our people should learn to play politics with tolerance because in the end, it is our people that suffer the consequences.

For instance, when a project is conceived by the government, the House of Assembly would have also looked at it before it is executed. But some people would go to the extent of even going to court to stop government from executing projects. Imagine that the market under construction in Ado Ekiti, some people were going about in the night maligning the person of the governor on why the project should be rejected.

They even went to court to stop the project.

Meanwhile, this is a market that was a total slum, which didn’t have access to fire fighting vehicles when a fire incident occurred there.”

To further but-

tress the need for unity among Ekiti people Ogunsuyi said the Funmi Adunni Olayinka Women Development Centre constructed by the Fayose administration “in memory of his political opponent” and his “rehabilitation of former Governor Segun Oni, who was rejected by the previous administration” but regretted that “instead of forging unity, they are rather fueling the fire of disunity in the state.”

Also regretting the lack of unity among the political elite of the state, Chief Fasuan regretted that the state was yet to fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers. Particularly, he also lamented the perennial political instability in the state which has seen it produce eleven chief executives, and adding that the people have not enjoyed the best of governance. He however expressed fulfillment that Ekiti was created as a result of an epic struggle of patriots who came together and worked hard to see the dream fulfilled.

The elder statesman advised Ekiti people to shun what he called “childish views and pedestrian thinking” and gravitate to higher climes in their thoughts and vision saying envy, character assassination and destructive tendencies have drawn back the state’s development. He said: “We have not had the best in governance in Ekiti; within a space of 20 years, Ekiti had 11 chief executives, some phoney ones, some ruling for 20 hours.

“There was a day Ekiti had three pretending governors, the one who had been illegally dismissed, the deputy who said she was acting in that capacity and the speaker who by the Constitution should succeed him. We have not had the best in Ekiti in terms of governance. Each of them has tried in the light that they saw it but they did not epitomize our vision.”

For Ogunsuyi, however, “we must work hard to improve on our level of political unity for the benefit of our state. We should support the government because I. Supporting the government. We support our people.

We are always better together not apart. Let us go to election not as war but as a contest.”

The Ekiti people at home are ready to invest their energy in the state but the Ekiti people in the diaspora must also bring their expertise not as a tool of division, but as a tool of unity for the benefit of a state. “That is our dream Ekiti in the next 20 years,” Ogunsuyi stated.

24 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Yoruba’s longest civil war Continued from pg21 Last Friday, September 23, 2016, the 130th Yoruba Peace Treaty anniversary held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital with the Governors of Oyo and Ogun States sending representatives. While the Secretary to the State Government, Olalekan Ali, stood in for Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Onanuga attended on behalf of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, the event was put together by the Yoruba Academy and the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

Other Yoruba sons in attendance included: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Chief Segun Odegbami, Prof. Dawud Noibi, Mr Ayo Afolabi, Mr Tunde Kelani, Dr Kunle Olajide, Prof. Wale Omole and the Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), Commission, Mr Dipo Famakinwa.

As the Ibadan event was holding, so also was it holding at Imesi Ile, where in attendance, among other dignitaries, was a member of Osun State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.

At the two gatherings, the central point was the cause of the war and need for Yoruba nation in the federated Nigeria to rise and promote peace and unity for rapid progress among the comity of nations. The Secretary-General of Kiriji Cultural Foundation, Mr. Kehinde Kolawole said the war brought out the determination of Yoruba people to rise against oppressive rule, and called the people to use the quality for the unity and development of the nation.

However, Prince Adegboyega Mabinuori, the Arole Aare Latoosa picked a hole in the unity campaign, describing it as a cosmetic statement not meant for people like him.

He stated in strong terms that his recent experience, regarding the peace treaty anniversary, had shown him that the old suspicion generated by the war still subsists among the Yorubas.

Mabinuaori argued that the way organisers of the events allegedly ignored some historical details, left much to be desired and insulted some key personalities involved in the beginning and end of the war. “When I realized the organisers are not showing genuine commitment to the memory of the Kiriji War, actors like Aare Latoosa, I decided to keep my peace at my home. How can anybody or group organise such an event without involving Ibadan?

“It does not and would not appeal to historians. I attended a couple of the events but decided not to attend again. It looks like they want to reduce it to an Osun State event whereas before Osun was carved out of the former Oyo State in 1991, we were together. Aren’t we still brothers despite the creation of new states?” he queried.

The outspoken Mabinuori further queried the justification of leaving out the Alaafin of Oyo from the anniversary despite the role the monarch played in the event leading to the historic peace treaty.

He alerted the Yorubas on the danger of distorting history, saying it would not help whatever unity being preached at public fora.

If Alaafin was not carried along in the event, he argued, the credibility of the event was questionable. Mabinuori also pointed out that the Alaafin was the beginning and the end of the war, recalling that the monarch, at the climax of the war, sent

From left, Honourable Bosun Oyintiloye, representing Obokun State Constituency; Owa Oye of Imesi Ile, Oba Enoch Adeyemi (Oyoyo II) and another traditional ruler during the annual commemoration of Yoruba Peace Treaty Day, in Imesi Ile . a message to the British to end the war to save Yoruba nation of further bloodshed.

The message, according to him, led to British intervention and the eventual peace treaty.

The 12-article treaty reads in part: “Now, therefore, we, special commissioners appointed by His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos for the purpose of executing the said treaty in accordance with the provisions thereof, do hereby proclaim, in the name of the signatories of the said treaty, that peace has this day been established and shall henceforth continue forever between the signatories of the said treaty and between their respective peoples.”

“The point I am making is that we should give recognition and respect to whom it is due. Have they forgotten that it was Latoosa who sent his brother Ajayi Ogboriefon to Jalumi War where the Hausa/Fulani and Tapa were stopped from invading Yorubaland? Latoosa was aged and instructed Ogboriefon to deploy masquerades at the battlefront to scare the Hausa/Fulani. The strategy worked and Ibadan won that war and pushed Hausa/Fulani back.

“Have they forgotten that Aare Latoosa was the first and only one to have combined both civil and military leadership?

It is unfortunate that we don’t care about our war heroes. We don’t care about those who made sacrifice for Yoruba. As long as we don’t care about them, I am afraid something would happen to the unity being preached everyday,” he said.

Aside Mabinuori’s grouse, the state of the site where the treaty was signed is nothing but a tourist attraction.

Although historical objects such as stone anvils which blacksmiths used to manufacture bullets, gun powder and other weapons, plus the carved stone on which Ogedengbe, the commander of the Ekiti Parapo, are still found there, it was gathered that they had been overgrown by weeds.

Same goes for the cenotaph erected for the signing of the peace treaty on September 23, 1886 as well as the road that leads to the site.

Against this background, Oyintiloye, who averred that tourism sector should be leveraged on to harness its potential for economic rebound and long-term stability, contended that for the potential in sectors such as tourism to be translated into reality, it was imperative to adequately address the rudiments and critical gaps by promotion and creation of an enabling environment, infrastructure and reputation management and perception of the country.

According to him, “All natural endowments, landmarks, historical places and places of attraction which are key selling points of the sector must not be allowed to stand alone, but must be seen as composite in driving the sector for employment generation and foreign exchange earnings.”

In the same vein, the Owa-Ooye of Imesi-Ile, Oba Enoch Adeyemi (Oyoyo 11) described the Kiriji site, where the treaty was

The event was to celebrate the end of Kiriji war, as well as to allow Yoruba discuss how the lessons of the war could help them maximise opportunities in the next century.

signed as a veritable source of economic development and potential that government should tap into.

Owa-Ooye observed that the significance of the celebration was to re-emphasise the promotion of peace and the cooperation for development among the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole.”

Historians at the Ibadan event emphasized the need to bring innovation to some products that stand Yoruba out such as food, clothing and local technology. They urged that these products be exported with the added advantage of also exporting Yoruba culture to the world.

Ms Bamidele Olateju warned that Yoruba must tie their future to innovation if they want to be relevant in the next century. He added that consciousness of creativity in the modern world must be taken into cognisance, thus advising that Yoruba culture must be embedded in modern innovation.

In his remark, Professor Banji Akintoye, said while Yoruba agreed to end Kiriji war in spite of the huge number of warriors across the towns and communities, they failed to use their military strength to resist the White people who came to colonise them. He posited that the combination of all the armies would have successfully repelled the colonialists successfully.

This, he said, teaches that Yoruba will be a better force and be a major player in the globalized world if they choose to combine their strengths to play together as one bloc economically, politically and culturally.

Welcoming participants, ARG Chairman, Honourable Olawale Oshun, said the event was to celebrate the end of Kiriji war, as well as to allow Yoruba discuss how the lessons of the war could help them maximise opportunities in the next century.

He added that the programme was also aimed at fostering unity among all political leaders, traditional rulers and other leaders in Yorubaland.

25 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Oyo-Ogbomoso dual carriageway:

Succour at last Ongoing construction work.

The last section of the Ibadan-Ilorin dual carriageway awarded by the Federal Government over 14 years ago recently got a new lease of life. The inauguration of the construction of the Oyo-Ogbomoso axis recently brought joy to motorists, particularly those within the South West corridor. TUNDE OGUNESAN reports the exercise that brought back hope.

T

HERE was indescribable happiness when the news broke that efforts had been re-ignited to ensure the construction of the Oyo-Ogbomoso axis of the Ibadan-Ilorin dual carriageway project.

This was the case when top government functionaries were present at the inauguration of the project. Those present at the ceremony included the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Senator Ordia Clifford, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Honourable Akeem Adeyemi and the lawmaker representing Oyo Central District at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

The contract for the construction of the road which begins at Ibadan and goes through to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was awarded in March 2001. The project was a brainchild of former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his first term in office.

The project was divided into three sections.

The first section commences at Ojoo in Ibadan and ends at Irepo Market in Oyo; the second section begins from Oyo and stops at Ogbomoso, while the third section which starts from Ogbomoso ends at Gerin-Alimi Roundabout in Ilorin.

This project, if completed, will eventually bring an end to the nightmare of transporters and other users of the road.

The old Ibadan-Ilorin road had become a concern for the people of the South-west. Plying the roads unconsciously brought people closer to their Creator, at least for the moment they pass through the road termed “valley of death.”

In that case, when a public vehicle departs the motor park, the first 10 minutes of the journey was always prayer moment, both for the driver and the passengers, for successful journey.

This practice had become a norm, not because the people loved prayers, but it seemed to be the assurance for a safe trip. In many situations, most passengers in commercial buses get set as ‘co-pilots’ with rapt spiritual attention devoted to the source of their religious beliefs.

Now, with the move to complete the road, the journey from Ojoo to Ilorin could now become a pleasure ride.

This relief was clearly evident on all the faces of stakeholders who attended the flag-off ceremony recently at the Elete, Atiba Local Government, Oyo. In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Senator Sunmonu said, “We have voted for a “change” government and it is important that we too change our mindset. If I give a grinding machine to a woman who cannot afford to pay her rent she will end up selling the grinding machine for half of the price I bought it. That is not empowerment. Likewise, if I dish out cash gifts, it will not achieve much. So when we sat down to think of what we can do we decided to make a push towards bringing investment back home.

“This road will cost billions of Naira to complete. That money will be invested in the local community: those who will supply the contractor, labourers will be employed and petty traders will all benefit from the investment, not to talk of the general public who will have use of a good road. There is no money or empowerment I can do from my personal pocket that can match that kind of investment. This is the kind of “change” government I campaigned to my constituents about.”

Senator Sunmonu while revealing her legislative effort of including the budget for the project in the 2015/16 budget also commended other legislative members from the state for their input.

This road project was mooted over 36 years ago and we have had six federal administrations that failed to complete it. Good road network is a prerequisite for buoyant economy.

According to her, “While I am able to copiously account for my contribution to this project, I am very much aware that other relevant stakeholders played important roles in the budgeting of funds for resumption of work.

Understanding the importance of the road between Northern and Southern Nigeria, the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Bukola Saraki was very forthright that the road must be budgeted for and monitored the process to ensure its inclusion. Distinguished Senator Kabiru Gaya, the chairman, Senate Committee on Works, played an extremely important role in ensuring that the road was budgeted for and the impact of his deputy-chairman, distinguished Senator Ordia Clifford, was very telling. Likewise, distinguished Senator Mohammed Goje who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee played an incredibly significant role; particularly because during the reconciliation of draft budgets between the two chambers it was discovered that the lower chamber had not included the road in its budget.”

The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi while flagging off the road commended the Federal Government for the approval which gave way for the final completion of the road.

“We believe that the contractor will work day and night to deliver a standard job in good time. This road project was mooted over 36 years ago and we have had six federal administrations that failed to complete it. Good road network is a prerequisite for buoyant economy.

“Lessons derived from this is that we should always choose our representatives based on integrity, godliness, patriotism and selflessness, which are attributes exhibited by our Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, representing Oyo Central at the Senate, as well as other legislators that partook in the revival of this project,” Senator Ajimobi stated.

In his address, the chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya, said that the project was a cardinal project for the Buhari administration.

He said, “We all know that bad roads are a

major cause of accidents, leading to loss of lives and properties and the present government will not tolerate shoddy jobs.

“I, therefore, enjoin the contractor handling this road to do a good job different from what was done on a section of this road. It is imperative to inform you that President Buhari has this road as a cardinal project.”

The representative of RCC, Mr. Nader Yusuf, assured the governor and the senate team that the project would be completed with best quality.

Some residents who spoke with Nigerian Tribune also expressed their appreciation at the development. Pa Kolade Adisa and Mrs Hadejah in separate interviews said they hoped work on the road when completed very soon would put an end to the incessant loss of lives on the road.

Nevertheless, when completed the hope is that at the Oyo/Ogbomoso axis villages and institutions there will experience better businesses.

For example, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, is one of the institutions that will be positively affected by a new expressway. In addition, more than 15 villages will be exposed.

The villages include: Adetunji, Elete, Asani, Elega, Idode/Tokun, Olode, Ijawaya, Ipeba, Senbe, Busari, Tokotoko, Alagbon, Alaidon and Owode/Elete.

Hopefully, the new dual carriageway when eventually completed will put an end to auto crashes as a result of bad roads. Vehicular movement from Ibadan to Ilorin, especially of articulated vehicles would be more trouble-free, lives would be safer while commuters plying the road would do so with some level of comfort.

Corroborating this hope, Senator Sunmonu declared that “the Oyo-Ogbomoso Road that was once a death-trap will not be a death-trap for much longer. By the special grace of God, this road will be completed soon. Despite the financial constraints Nigeria is facing, it is this joint effort that has caused President Buhari’s APC government to budget N6billion for the resumption of work on the road.”

26 thesouth-west The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi (Telu I) recently visited the Ilesa Prison where he identified with the inmates and gave them hope of a new life after incarceration.

TUNDE BUSARI reports the monarch’s outing.

T

HE usually quiet ambiance of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Ilesa, was suspended on Thursday September 22, 2016 when the gate of the facility was opened to the Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi and his delegation.

The atmosphere was electrified when the monarch alighted from his black Mercedez Benz into the waiting procession of a team of senior officers of the service led by the Deputy Comptroller of Prison, Ope Fatinikun.

It was indeed a wonderful day in the history of the prison located at Ayeso axis of Ilesa on Ile-Ife road. What made the day significant, according to Fatinikun, was that it was the first day such a first class traditional ruler would visit the yard since it was built in 1900, clearly fourteen years before Nigeria was born.

It was built by the British imperial power when it was ruling the northern and southern protectorates with a view to maintaining its law and order and also suppressing pockets of resistance to its rule.

The prison officials did not waste time as they ushered the Oluwo into the office of the deputy comptroller where he signed the visitors’ logbook and held a brief interaction on his mission with the officers.

“I decided to come here not as any form of show-off of wealth or to gain cheap publicity but to fulfill my vision of making impact in the life of the downtrodden and hopeless class in the society. I am who I am today not by my power or wealth or connection but the special grace of God. “So, identifying with inmates here today is my way of appreciating God and showing the inmates that regardless of the condition they are in today, all hope is not lost. I want to also appreciate Nigerian Prison Service for the neatness of this environment. My coming is an eye-opener of sort to evaluate the condition of Ilesa Prison yard,” he stated.

Through with the formalisation process, the deputy comptroller then led the traditional ruler to the chapel which was built and donated to the prison by the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christ Church of God (RCGG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye in 2005. The 100-seat capacity chapel has since served the Christian inmates.

Oba Akanbi was welcomed into the chapel by inmates many of whom he shook hands with.

Oba Akanbi expressed his conviction that some of the inmates were not only redeemable could live better lives after serving their respective terms.

For the sake of clarity, the Oluwo went down memory lane and came up with relevant examples of prominent figures that also passed through the prison yard in their lifetime but came out and became greater personalities.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, he recalled, was in prison for about three years, yet he came out and became the president of Nigeria.

Chief MKO Abiola, the royal father also recalled, was in incarceration. Although

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Hope for the incarcerated:

Day Oluwo visited Ilesa prison

The Oluwo and senior prison officials during the visit.

Abiola died before his envisaged release, he transformed into the symbol of Nigeria’s democracy.

“In South Africa, former President Nelson Mandela was also in prison for about 30 years, yet he came out and ruled South Africa for four years. I am citing the above examples to show you that God is always there to do what looks impossible to us.

Prophet Yusuf who is referred to in the Bible as Joseph also had a taste of your experience. What happened to him in the end?

When there is life, there is hope. I want you to remain strong and reflect on those things that brought you here and resolve from today not to go back to them. Our God is a listening God. He is also a forgiving God. He will forgive you and make you

So, identifying with inmates here today is my way of appreciating God and showing the inmates that regardless of the condition they are in today, all hope is not lost.

better but only if you are also ready to turn to a new leaf,” he said.

There was a silence that pervaded the hall as Oba Akanbi spoke from his heart.

The prison officials appreciated the traditional ruler for being ready to improve the lives of people beyond his domain.

“I am surprised the way Kabiyesi was articulating his points. This shows his level of exposure and determination to positively affect other people. Nigeria Prisons Service really appreciates his visit because of its uniqueness.

“Coming not just to talk, but to donate some items at a place far from his town, is still a surprise to me. I am using this opportunity of Kabiyesi’s visit to urge other well-to-do citizens to also visit prisons and make their own contribution,” the deputy comptroller appealed.

Oba Akanbi was accompanied to the prison by the Onto of Iwo, Chief Fatai Alani, Barrister Taofeek Tewogbade, Honourable Adekunle Gbadebo, Aare Olayemi Olaleye, Mutalib Olagold and others. Representatives of the Federation of Iwo Students Union (FISU) at Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, were also present and welcomed the Oluwo to Ilesa with placards.

Gbadebo described the visit as unprecedented in the history of any traditional ruler from Iwo and gave kudos to what he called the unusual discretion of the Oba Akanbi.

He said he would not forget the Ilesa prison experience in haste for offering

him an opportunity to see life inside the prison. However, he called on government to give more attention to the condition of prisons.

Gbadebo said prison was supposed to rehabilitate the inmates rather than worsen their condition.

Barrister Tewogbade also expressed similar view on the need to improve the condition of Nigerian prisons as a wise investment for a better future of the inmates.

“Our Kabiyesi has once again shown that he is a true leader who has human feelings. I was close to shedding tears while watching him speak with the inmates. He gave them hope and assurances that they still have another life to live after leaving the prison. As a lawyer this is what this society needs to check crime rate,” he noted.

The Oluwo, aside from donating some items including a cow, also affected the release of five inmates who were behind the bar over their inability to pay their respective fines. That gesture further raised inmates’ hope and also boosted their morale as they left the hall in high spirit. Corruption in the society, the monarch argued, encourages criminal activities among the youths, and he urged leaders to always lead with fear of God to make crime unattractive.

“This is what I am working on in my town and I am very happy with the new Divisional Police Officer of Iwo Division, Chief Superintendent of Police Abiola Haruna who keys with my vision of reducing crime in my town,” he disclosed.

27

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Soji-Eze Fagbemi m:08179047919 e:sojiezek@yahoo.co.uk

NULGE demands autonomy for LGs, LCDAs Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos

T

he Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has frowned at the encroachment of Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) by the State Governors and demanded for its autonomy for effective economic development.

Speaking at the 10th Quadrennial State Delegates’ conference of NULGE, Lagos State Chapter, the National President, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, stated that “the union is not happy with how state governors administer local governments.

Infact, the encroachment over local government administration is taking new dimensions across Nigeria.

“We cannot continue to fold our arms and now, there is need for different approach on how to free local governments from the shackles of State Governors. We will partner Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on moves to ensure constitutional amendment that will free local governments from the State Governors.”

He, however, thanked Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, over prompt payment of salaries for workers in the state.

“Lagos State remains the only state that does not owe salaries throughout the federation,” he said.

Besides, the new elected President of NULGE, Lagos State Chapter, Comrade Afolabi Ajose, thanked all delegates that attended the Delegates’ Conference and voted him as their President. He assured to consolidate on his achievements during his tenure in an acting capacity between 2015-2016.

He stated his achievements to include non examination conversion, non examination promotion which will be effective from 2017, bulk payment of leave bonuses, restoration of salary incremental step, zero balance salary account, workers forum for all members and distribution of parcels of land to beneficiaries.

Others include reconstruction of NULGE State Secretariat, initiating and ensuring implementation of training of intending retires on skill and vocational acquisition and ensuring industrial harmony within the 20 local government councils, 37 LCDAs and LAWMA. He commended the efforts of Ambode who he said provided a platform for the enumerated achievements.

“Institutions without a visionary leader are as good as dead. The Lagos State Government Service Commission has, in an unquantifiable way, been a pillar of support and ladder on which we had been able to climb to this height.

We salute the astuteness, tenac-

ity, doggedness and the sagacity of the Commission under the amiable leadership of Honorable Babatunde Rotinwa,” he said.

In his Goodwill Message, Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Local

Government Service Commission (LGSC), Mrs Bolanle Ogunmola, stated that “ today is very remarkable in the history of NULGE because of peaceful conducts of all members and delegates present.

However, let us all key into this

government’s vision because it’s a government of inclusion.

“I congratulate all the executives for peaceful conducts of the conference today and will also urge you to live up to your promise because you will be held accountable.”

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige

NULGE President paints gloomy pictures of LG in Nigeria, Africa in Brussels Stories By Soji-Eze Fagbemi The President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel has painted a gloomy picture of local government in Nigeria and other African countries at a world leaders conference, held in Brussels, Germany.

In a paper titled: “Situation of local government in Africa,” presented at the Local Arrangement Government System (LRG) meeting in Brussels, Khaleel said in almost all parts of the African Continent, Local Government is in a parlous state.

According to the NULGE president, local government in Nigeria and other African countries “is chronically under-resourced, not managed efficiently, and is unable to provide the services that our people need.”

Khaleel said in Nigeria, the functions and responsibilities of local government have been hijacked by the state government and that while development has eluded the people at the local level, the state governors corruptly enrich themselves with money that belong to local government.

The NULGE president said “In Nigeria, not only is Local Government continually undermined and over-ruled by National and State Government, elections for local assemblies are ignored or are

undermined, and it is indefinitely postponed. In their place are established Transitional or Caretaker Committees largely made up of appointees as a reward for loyalty to the powers that be. Their legal status being such that they do not have the authority to draw down funds earmarked for local government functions.

“Revenue collection by local Government in Nigeria, despite legislation being in place is chronically hampered because funds from central government are misplaced, withheld or subject to ‘penalties’ that undermine its value, and this often results in the remainder not being sufficient to pay salaries.

“In Nigeria, some local government workers have not been paid for up to 18 months, and the much heralded harmonization of terms and conditions of State and Local Government Workers has failed to materialise 10 years after being agreed.”

He pointed out that the hijacking of local government services

by State Government in Nigeria is also a grave concern, and especially of those elements of service delivery that deliver an income.

Khaleel said: “Today as we speak, almost all revenue generating items starting from sales of markets daily tolls, construction of roads, motor parks, slaughter houses, environmental, rates etc have been outsourced / contracted

out by State governments. The Law on Internally Generated Revenue stipulates that the State shall give to the local government 10% of whatever is being generated on a monthly basis notwithstanding what the local government themselves can get. In practice, this is not attainable and no State has ever been punished for reneging or otherwise.

“Other countries have similar experiences. In Swaziland local government workers are the most hit. Their rights are constantly violated and abused by the government of the day. Union leaders are treated as enemies, and are not even allowed to meet as they deem fit or necessary. Collective Agreements that are reached are neither implemented as agreed nor implemented at all. Workers do not receive a living wage, and service delivery, especially in rural areas is largely non-existent.

“In Botswana, the President continues to wield considerable power and via Gazette can dissolve or de-list District Councils at will because they are not protected by the Constitution. In South Africa, levels of corruption in Local Government has reached alarming levels, and in part explains why the Governing party lost considerable votes to other parties despite historic loyalties in recent local government elections.”

NASU laments states inability to pay workers’ salaries The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), rose from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja and lamented the inability of about 27 State Governments to pay workers’ salaries as and when due running into several months.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, NASU insisted that payment of salaries is a statutory obligation which must be fulfilled.

The communique said: “NEC is even more disturbed by the reports that the bailout funds released to State Governors for the purpose of clearing the arrears of salaries were diverted by some State Governors to other purposes aside from the purpose for which the funds were released.

In the spirit of the fight against corruption, NEC therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate all those involved in this heinous crime and bring them to book.

“NEC noted that the economic recession is biting very hard on workers and therefore demands the immediate payment of all outstanding salaries to workers.

NEC called on State Governors who are not able to fulfill this obligation to workers to resign.

NEC in sympathy with the plight of workers affirms its support for NLC’s position of ‘No Pay, No Work.’

On the funding of education, NASU said “NEC-in-Session condemned the inadequate funding of this important sector over the years despite agitations by the public. It however, recalled that the last administration released an intervention fund of N200 billion in 2014 to the Universities for some critical infrastructures with a promise to thereafter release N100 billion for two consecutive years but reneged on the promise.

“NEC therefore appealed to the present administration to adopt and fulfill this promise for improved funding.”

The NEC-in-Session also noted that the Federal Government had since November, 2015 failed to release in full Personnel Emolument to Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other Tertiary Institutions which had negatively affected the payment of salaries to workers in these institutions in full for months.”

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with Bode Adewumi m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

NCC plans to monitor network providers for unsolicited text messages, calls Stories By Bode Adewumi

T

he Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it has drawn a monitoring plan to check unsolicited messages and calls.

This information is contained in the second quarter report of the Compliance Monitoring Enforcement Department pasted on NCC website.

The report said the department held series of engagement sessions with critical stakeholders to ensure hitch-free implementation and full compliance.

It said the move followed complaints from telecom subscribers on the menace of unsolicited text messages and nuisance calls from mobile network operators in the industry.

“The commission issued a direction to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on April 19, 2016 to

ASUS out with VivoBook Series ASUS has announced the VivoBook Series, mainstream 14 and 15-inch laptops (X441 and X541) designed for immersive entertainment and daily productivity.

VivoBook Series laptops are powered by up to 6th-generation Intel Core processors and feature up to discrete NVIDIA GeForce graphics and 16GB RAM. Speaking on the new products, Mr Simplice Zaonogo, the Country Product Manager of ASUS in Nigeria said “These laptops have ASUS SonicMaster-enhanced 3W transmission-line speakers, with 24cc audio chambers for truly powerful audio delivery, an ergonomic keyboard with 2.3mm key travel and a large touchpad with palm-rejection technology.

“These lightweight, portable laptops, are available in Silver Gradient, Chocolate Brown, Red, White, and Aqua Blue.

ASUS VivoBook Series laptops are mainstream models designed to give users a high-end multimedia experience. The ASUS Sonic Master-enhanced 3W transmission-line speakers with 24cc audio chambers deliverrich deep bass and immersive audio, while ASUS Audio Wizard provides five preset audio modes for different kinds of content.”

Speaking further, he said that ASUS Tru2Lifevideo technology optimises the contrast and sharpness of every pixel in every video frame for incredibly realistic visuals with rich detail, adding that ASUS Splendid features four modes (Normal, Eye Care, Vivid, and Manual) to cater to users’ requirements, and optimises visuals for richer and deeper colours.

dedicate short code 2442 on their networks for use by subscribers to opt-in to the ‘Do Not Disturb’ database to restrict unsolicited marketing messages (Voice and SMS) on their mobile lines.

“All MNOs have been directed to ensure full compliance with the directive on July 1 or risk a fine of N5 million only.”

It would be recalled that NCC on

September 12 issued final warning to telecommunication operators who still send unsolicited text messages (SMS) to customers.

The warning was contained in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, where he reiterated the commission’s readiness to protect subscribers from unsolicited text messages and calls from MNOs.

He stated that in spite of earlier warnings to telecommunications service providers to activate their Do-Not-Disturb facility, the commission was still inundated with complaints by subscribers.

He called on the service providers to immediately comply with the directive as further complaints from subscribers would be taken as serious infractions.

From left, Portfolio Manager, Africa TMT, Mr Adam Thompson; Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr Lanre Kolade and Executive Head of Department, Internet of Things (IoT), Vodacom Business Africa, Mr Tony Smallwood, at the NigeriaCom ICT Leaders Forum held in Lagos, last week.

Stakeholders canvass end to over-regulation in telecoms sector Telecoms industy stakeholders have appealed to individuals, community leaders, local and state governments to help sustain the sector by removing obstacles such as multiple taxation, denial of Right of Ways (RoW), vandalisation of equipment among others.

This was the high point of discussions during the recent Quarterly Seminar of the Nigeria Information & Communications Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) with the theme: ‘The impact of Over-regulation of Telecoms Industry on Service Quality’, which was sponsored by Airtel Nigeria in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said NCC has taken several efforts toward stemming over-regulation in the telecoms sector.

He said some of the efforts include meetings with state governors and the Nigeria’s Governors Forum with the view to convincing them to take another look at the telecoms industry and create environments that will favour the operators and thus be able to contribute more in terms of investment, employment and taxes.

“Currently, the NCC has met with the governors of Kano, Ogun

and Kaduna States and they have promised their support towards helping the commission create and sustain an enabling environment that would allow telecom operators and services to grow,” he added.

Head, Enforcement at NCC, Mr Efosa Idehen said the telecoms industry represents the ‘next big thing’ that will help turn around the fortunes of the country.

“Let us not kill the industry that wil be the next big thing through overregulation,” he added.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Association of Licenced

Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbenga Adebayo, said an industry with high service quality will meet customers’ needs, while remaining economically competitive.

Adebayo, who chaired the event said “there is one question we need to continue to debate: shall we continue to regulate technology or service?, adding that, “when you regulate technology, you regulate the infrastructure, which includes GSM, LTE, Fibre and Fixed Network, when you regulate service, you regulate the content and over the top services.”

Nigerian Tribune

Microsoft, Cchub partner on #WINsiders4good Fellowship Microsoft and Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) have announced a new partnership in entrepreneurial mentorship and support through technology with the launch of Windows Insiders for Good (#WINsiders4Good) Fellowship at the CcHUB office in Yaba, Lagos, last week.

The announcement marks the first step by the programme to deepen its relationship with Africa, starting with Nigeria. The partnership with Co-Creation Hub is meant to open opportunities to Nigerian entrepreneurs, who have brilliant ideas that they want to use to change their world. As such, the Winsiders4Good fellowship will support twenty Nigerian entrepreneurs seeking to improve the lives of Nigerians.

According to the Director of Software Engineering, Microsoft Corp, Mr Bambo Sofola, WINsiders4Good focuses on how to use technology to solve complex problems.

“We have thousands of Windows Insiders in Nigeria, and tens of thousands across Africa. We want to collaborate more closely with them and other Windows users to make this a truly international product. One in seven Africans is Nigerian, computer usage is soaring, and tech centers like Yaba represent a manifestation of that growth. We think it is a great time and place to learn from likeminded techies and entrepreneurs who are solving complex problems and creating opportunities in Lagos and greater Nigeria,” Sofola stated.

Entrepreneurs, who qualify for the Fellowship programme, will receive Microsoft hardware, software and six months of tailored technical mentorship to help bring their innovative ideas to life, while also allowing them to collaborate with the world’s largest community of people who use simple technology to solve problems.

Confirming this, Sofola stated that “Microsoft and CcHUB will connect entrepreneurs to a global community of people like them, prioritize and fix the technical issues that can hinder them from reaching their goal, provide mentors for technical and strategic questions for six months, and provide hardware and software to bring their ideas to life.”

IoT critical to future business success in Nigeria —Vodacom boss With the increased interest in adoption and growth in the number of connected “things” across Africa, the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to transform business operations and maximise efficiency across all sectors.

According to Mr Tony Smallwood, Vodacom’s Executive Head of IoT, “IoT drives digital transformation, helping businesses to remain relevant in today’s digital world. Overall, 63 per cent of adopters say they have seen “significant” ROI from adopting IoT”.

Smallwood disclosed this during his keynote address on understanding IoT applications in strengthening digital business in Nigeria at the recently concluded

NigeriaCom ICT Leaders Forum.

“By 2020, more than seven billion people and businesses and over 30 billion devices will be connected to the internet. The question is no longer about the adoption of IoT, but rather its application to drive business success.

“We have an ecosystem of partners who specialise in specific aspects of IoT integration, who have deep knowledge in their respective industries. In collaboration with our partners we are able to easily integrate an entire value chain for our customers, small or big”, Smallwood explains.

“From consumer goods to finance, energy and utilities, manufacturing, agriculture and health,

there is no industry that has not been impacted by the potential of the Internet of Things. IoT solutions securely provide a view of critical systems, keeping businesses in control and reducing costs across all operations.

“Linking almost any type of remote machine or devices to critical information systems and collating real-time data can help to increase visibility throughout the supply chain. Vodacom’s IoT solutions support wireless payment devices and e-readers, energy usage and smart metering, chilling cabinets, goods and remote asset monitoring systems and community health management solutions,” he added.

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Nigerian Tribune

with Tunde Alao

m: 07039438430 e: tunalao@yahoo.com

Mortgage bank refutes allegation of funds diversion Chukwuma Okparaocha -Lagos

A leading primary mortgage bank, Resort Savings and Loans Plc, has debunked claims it withheld and diverted funds meant for customers.

The firm made this known in a statement signed by its Head of Legal Department, Chidi Ahaotu, where it also stressed that the allegations were based on misinformation and lack of coordination on the part of the customers.

“Our attention have been drawn to news making rounds that Resort Savings and Loans Plc, a mortgage bank based in Lagos with branches across the country was deliberately holding the funds of some of its customers and di-

FG’s economic diversification policy to enhance survey practice, experts predict Tunde Alao

T

he economic policy embarked upon by the Federal Government, especially, the shift from the dependency on oil to agriculture and exploration of mineral resources is said to have provided an enormous opportunities for practising surveyors in Nigeria.

At their gathering recently, the Association of Private Practising Surveyors in Nigeria (APPSN), while identifying surveying as the bedrock of sustainable development programme in any society, noted that meaningful development must as a matter of necessity, have its roots in surveying.

Chairman of the association, Mr Odetunmibi Olufemi, at the annual workshop of the APPSN, Lagos State branch, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), with the theme, ‘New Nigeria: The Roles, Right and Responsibility of Surveyors in National Re-Birth,’ ascribed the frequent, constant and often collapse of various infrastructure across the country to not having the right foundation.

According to him, the nation must realise that surveyors are better equipped to ensure that right foundation are put in place for all aspects of national development.

He therefore, called on private practising surveyors to continuously engage in training and development programmes in order to enhance competence and high professional standards.

Chairman Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Lagos State branch, Mr Gbenga Alara, also charged all registered members of the association to live by the ethics of the profession.

Alara who is also a fellow of the institution, said that the workshop, aside being a fulfilment of mandatory professional require-

ments and responsibility among others, was also aimed at serving as a forum for reminding practitioners of the need to maintain decorum and high professional ethics among members.

However, the guest speaker at the occasion, Chief Yemi Soladoye, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Arbitration, appealed to surveyors to expand the horizon of practise beyond guiding construction and development projects or determination of precise location of roads or buildings and proper depths for foundations.

Rather he sees the role of surveyors as nation builders who provide

price guidance and risk classification on land and the environment.

He admonished all registered professional not to see their job as just overseeing the quantitative and metric aspects of a project, adding that the surveyors’ job should not end on approval of survey plan, pointing out that they have a responsibility to resolve the issue of fake Certificate of Occupancy (C of Os).

He berated practising surveyors for indicating their responsibilities to the quacks, who he said are always on ground, while “they just sit in their offices and signing documents for the quacks.

“Instead of surveyors to employ quacks, the latter are now inadvertently employing the services of the former,” he said, adding that it is time the practitioners stand up to their responsibilities.

Soladoye also urged surveyors to tap into economic reconstruction embarked upon by the Federal Government, adding that the paradigm shift from oil to agriculture and solid mineral resources.

“The new trend has to deal with land, and surveyors are in best position to seize the initiative for individual prosperity and collective growth of the profession,” he counselled.

verting such funds to other purpose by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC),” Ahaotu said.

“It was also alleged that the bank diverted loans disbursed to nine mortgage beneficiaries by FMBN and gave them incorrect information about their applications for National Housing Fund,” he further stated.

He insisted that the allegations were based on misinformation and lack of coordination on the part of the customers. “Regrettably the customers had unresolved issues with the bank with respect to their failure to produce the title deeds of the properties in question,” he said.

Also according to him, when the complaint of the Consumer Protection Council came to them, the company swiftly replied them with the correct position of things via a letter dated August 5, 2016, which was duly received and stamped in the office of its Director General.

The legal practitioner further noted that following the intervention of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) the disbursement of funds to batch 54 had been recalled while Resort is in the process of transferring the funds to FMBN. “At RSL, we operate by the rules.

It will be unprofessional on our part to release funds for a project that does not seem to conform to the laws of the land. We are a law abiding corporate organisation and we must follow due process in releasing funds to our clients/ customers.”

Professionals task Buhari on abandoned government buildings in Lagos For quite some years now, many properties belonging to the Federal Government have been suffering from either outright abandonment, or under-utilisation, thereby constituting dangers to lives and property in their immediate vicinity.

But according to experts, apart from the perceived dangers they constitute, most of these buildings are very much suitable for conversion into other usage other than the purposes for which they were originally built.

All the while, experts in the real estate sector, especially, the builders, architects and estate surveyors are at a loss on how a nation could wantonly subject such iconic properties to an “unmitigated abuse.”

Prior to the advent of President Buhari, observers traced the unwholesome situation to political differences between Lagos and Abuja, because while Abuja was under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos has been under the control at various times under the Alliance

for Democracy (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now the APC. “For the sake of posterity, it’s time that President Buhari should use his position as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a strong leader of APC to ensure that these properties are put into proper use, sell those that need to be sold, and lease out or concession others to private investors,” urged Mr. Samuel Odedina, a Canada-based Estate Surveyor, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune in Lagos recently.

To Mr Akin Adejumo, another Lagos based Estate Surveyor, Lagos and Abuja will do well to have some rethink over the affected properties, including the Independence Building which used to house the Ministry of Defence and the Glass House by Okesuna Street, Lagos Island.

“Others that require such attention are the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ministry of Education Building, the National Assembly Complex at Tafawa Balewa Square and the 37-storey

NECOM House at No.15 Marina Street, which was allegedly sold to a company owned by an Ogun State born politician at a paltry sum of N4 billion.

“Besides, NITEL Building, former Supreme Court Building, former Navy Headquarters on Marina, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once used, the NNPC Complex in Ikoyi, NITEL offices at Falomo and Iponri and the uncompleted NPF Building at Okokomaiko, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, among others, also need attention.

It would be recalled that sometime during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, efforts were made by Wale Babalakin to buy the Old Federal Secretariat, but some powerful people, under the pretence that the land on which the property was sited belongs to Lagos, hence, it ceased to belong to the Federal Government.

This group has amongst them, Chief Femi Okunnu, a former Federal Commissioner in the First Republic, whose argument has been that the Land Use De-

cree that vested land under the Federal authority was no longer valid since Lagos had ceased to be the nation’s federal capital.

At a point, the immediate past Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who also wasn’t well disposed to the sale of the property, once told his audience at the 6th Town Hall meeting on security, that these abandoned Federal Government properties served as hideouts for criminals, including armed robbers and miscreants, popularly called Area Boys.

“There are a number of abandoned offices and houses all over Lagos resulting from the movement of Federal agencies to Abuja. These buildings attract criminals and miscreants who use them as hideouts for planning criminal activities and sharing their ill-gotten loot,” he said.

According to a security source, there is a 17-storey building constructed in the 70s by the Federal Government in the Okokomaiko area of Badagry Expressway, which wasn’t put into any use.

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Nigerian Tribune

We also received half salary, JOHESU LAUTECH cries out Institutions must think out of the box —Commissioner

By Wale Akinselure

T

HE Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has bemoaned the payment of half salary to workers of the hospital for the months of January, February and March, 2016, urging Oyo State government to reverse the decision.

JOHESU, in a statement

signed by its chairman, Lawal Abiodun and secretary, Akanbi Serifat, decried the hardship foisted on health workers, praying the state government to pay the remaining 50 per cent of their January to March salary and pay in full April salary.

JOHESU’s agitation seconds a similar agitation by the Association of Resident Doctors of the hospital.

“On behalf of all the affiliate unions of the Joint

Health Sector Union (JOHESU) LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, we want to call the attention of the government of Oyo State and well-meaning Nigerians to the half salary being paid the workers of the hospital since January 2016.

“We appeal to your Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to come to our rescue by reversing the decision of paying 50 per cent salary to our members from April

salary and see to the immediate release of the three months arrears of January, February and March 2016.

“Though we have been striving hard to keep the hospital services running, our situation is now so critical that it is difficult to feed ourselves and family members. How can one explain a situation in which one works for a full month but is being paid half salary?”

In view of the agitations,

Commissioner for Information, Mr Toye Arulogun, has said that it is high time the management of institutions thought out of the box.

He pointed out the need for state institutions to focus on generating revenue internally rather than reliance on subventions and salaries, adding that the current times demanded new line of thinking.

“This is the time for people to think out of the box, think differently.

The allocation is not coming in the quantum that it used to come from Abuja.

So, you see that the state government is focusing on improving its Internally Generated Revenue.

I dare say that some of these institutions must

3,082 disputes handled in 5yrs —Oyo mediation centre

begin to look inwards.

They cannot live on subventions forever and subvention is not statutory.

Ooni appoints Sooko Laekun of Ife THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Adegboyega Ogunwusi as the Sooko Laekun of Ile Ife. The new Sooko, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, is a top business man with interests in property, construction, farming and mining.

Sooko Ogunwusi will be installed on October 8 at the Afin Adimula in Ile Ife at 10:00a.m. prompt, while reception follows immediately.

By Wale Akinselure

Members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), during a peaceful rally at the entrance of the institution, on Monday. PHOTO: OLAYINKA OLUKOYA.

FUNNAB SSANU protests, demands removal of VC Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta MEMBERS of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), protested on Monday and demanded removal of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole.

They also called on the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, to set up a visitation panel for the university and ensure dissolution of the Governing Council.

SSANU members, who were in hundreds, staged a peaceful rally at the entrance of the university.

Addressing members at the rally, the union’s branch chairman, Comrade Rotimi Fasunwon, said members of the association had been harassed by the management, based on the petition written to the Presidency and agencies of government saddled with the responsibilities of investigating issues bothering on fraud, incompetence, nepotism and flagrant disregard for the

rule of law and due process.

The union also declared a total work-to-rule action against the management of the university, saying the action would be sustained until justice, fairness and equity are restored.

Nigerian Tribune recalled that three members of the association, who wrote an 18-point peti-

tion to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were suspended indefinitely by the university management, some weeks ago.

The union said that the suspended members referred to as “whistle blowers” had done a good job by exposing corruption in the system, and wondered

why they should be persecuted.

They, therefore, called on all the agencies of government saddled with the responsibilities of fighting corruption to live up to expectation of Nigerians by aligning with the anticorruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Ekiti Assembly explains passage of revised 2016 budget MR Segun Adewumi, Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, on Monday, said the passage of the revised 2016 budget was aimed at accelerating the development of the state.

Adewumi made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, while commenting on the budget earlier presented to the assembly by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

NAN reported that Fayose had sought for the lawmakers’ approval to review the initial budget of N67 billion presented to them in December 2015 to N70.5 billion.

The deputy speaker said the assembly had agreed with the explanations offered by the governor for upward review of the budget for the purpose of accelerating even development across the state.

According to him, this becomes necessary in view of the emerging developmental projects that needed to be accommodated in the revised budget to meet their completion target.

Adewumi, however, dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the cooperation of both arms of government on the issue of budget review and other matters were self-serving.

“It is the constitutional

duty of the lawmakers to make laws for the good governance of the state from time to time, including those that are of immense benefits to the general public.

“This is exactly what we have done, and we owe no one any apology for living up to the dictate of our constitutional duty.

“People in the opposition can say whatever they like about the harmonious relationship that exists between the current crop of lawmakers and the executive.

“We are not bothered about them as long as we are convinced that what we are doing is in tandem with the expectations of our constituents,” he said.

A total of 3,082 disputes were reported in Oyo State and the sum of N23,467,462 retrieved in the last five years, the state Mediation Centre disclosed on Wednesday.

Director, Oyo Mediation Centre, Mr O. S. Thomas, who made this disclosure at the state’s event to mark this year’s World Peace Day, hinted that 340 disputes involving tenants/landlords, employers/employees, land owners, contractors, debtors, couples, labour unions had been handled in the past six months.

Calling for more involvement of traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders in resolving disputes, Thomas said 2,454 cases had been resolved from the reported cases.

In his speech around the theme, “Mediative approach to peace building and conflict avoidance”, the state’s Attorney General, Mr Oluseun Abimbola, maintained that negotiation should be embraced by all in resolving disputes in the society.

Warning of the spiralling effect of unresolved disputes, Abimbola noted “entitlement mentality” and “exercise of power” as reasons for many disputes in Nigeria.

He called for early resolution of disputes where people negotiate interests, adjudicate their rights, seek co-owned resolution of disputes and focus on the need for peaceful coexistence.

Prince Abimbola Adegboyega Ogunwusi

Oyo PDP PRO dies at 56

By Tunde Ogunesan THE Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State branch, Honourable Kehinde Salawu, is dead.

The former member of the state House of Assembly was aged 56. He was reported dead on Monday morning during a brief illness, according to his twin brother, Taiwo Salawu.

Taiwo, in his emotion laden voice, described the death of his twin brother as a personal loss.

He said, “I have lost a friend, a brother, a confidant, someone who is close to my heart. Kehinde is gone.”

Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Yinka Taiwo, has described the death of Honourable Salawu as a big loss to the party in the state.

Taiwo, said late “Honourable Salawu was an hardworking man. He knew his job and did it well. We can only pray to God for the fortitude to bear the loss.”

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Nigerian Tribune

Ondo PDP denies candidate’s trade off to settle crisis Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

F

OLLOWING the resolve of the factions within the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP) to settle its differences, the party in Ondo State, on Monday, denied trading off its governorship candidate in the state as a way of resolving

the leadership tussle between the party chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, and his rival, Ali-Modu Sheriff.

This was contained in a statement issued and

signed by the state Publicity Director, Ayo Fadaka, who said there was no iota of truth in the rumour, insisting that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Mr Eyitayo

The groom, Mr Tobi Oyetade and his wife, former Miss Priyanka BuraGohain, flanked by the bride’s parents, Mr and Mrs Atul Chandra BuraGohain (left) and the groom’s parents, Deacon Adebayo and Dr (Mrs) Modupe Oyetade, at the wedding thanksgiving service, held at Union Baptist Church, Osogbo, on Sunday.

Akeredolu pledges to unite party to ensure victory in Ondo Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, on Monday, pledged to unite the party in the state to ensure victory.

Akeredolu stated this in Akure, the state capital, while inaugurating his campaign for the governorship election.

He promised people-oriented government if elected governor of the state.

The APC candidate said the party would romance with the people to usher in good governance while the state will be industrial hub for foreign investors.

He urged members of the party to join hands with him in bringing the change being anticipated by the people, urging them to forget the past to ensure victory for the party in the next election.

He said. “The APC delegates, in their wisdom, voted for me during the primaries, based on my integrity and character in order to bring good governance to the people of the state.

“We are going to overcome our challenges without any fear because of our belief and trust in God. I am assuring you that APC will win the November 26

governorship election.

Akeredolu commended the National Working Committee of the party and National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, for its steadfastness and said “the need to have a good government in Ondo State and to bring change in the life of our people pave way for my candidature. The journey to change has started in the Sunshine state.”

Meanwhile, 13 out of the 18 youth leaders across the

council areas, alongside the three senatorial districts of the state rejected the choice of Akeredolu as the party’s standard bearer.

This was contained in a communique issued by the youth at the end of its meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the youth, the state Deputy Youth Leader, Mr Sheed Lateef, premised the rejection of Akeredolu on the Appeal Committee report

to redress the dissatisfaction over the September 3 primaries, which was said to be fraught with irregularities.

According to them, “We are surprised when we learnt that the National Chairman overruled the majority of the National Working Committee members who had voted in support of the recommendations of the Appeal Committee.”

OOU reopens today

By Laolu Harolds AUTHORITIES of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, have announced today, September 27, 2016, as the date for the resumption of academic activities on the campus.

This was part of decisions taken during the management meeting, held on Monday, as made available to the Nigerian Tribune by the university’s Head of Corporate Affairs Division, Mr Niyi Oduwole.

On Thursday, September 22, 2016, the OOU branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also called off its one-month strike.

According to the statement signed by Oduwole, students are expected to resume today for the conclusion of the suspended

2015/2016 academic session, while the conclusion of examination for the returning students have been slated for 3rd to 17th October, 2016.

Lectures for the 2016/2017 session for freshers begin on October 24, while matriculation for fresh students has been fixed for November 26.

Jegede remained the PDP’s governorship candidates in Edo and Ondo states respectively.

Expressing surprise on the alleged trading off of the names of the candidates, he said: “It is totally false. There is no trade off of any kind. Such a rumour should be totally ignored.”

He noted that while reconciliatory moves are on to strengthen the party, trading off the governorship candidates of the party, in the two states, was not considered as a condition to sheathe sword by the two leaders.

Fadaka expressed the conviction that the party’s candidates would come top in the governorship elections, stressing that voters in Ondo and Edo states have always had confidence in the ability of the PDP to deliver on its promises, “having seen the an-

UPN candidate pledges to build on legacies of past leaders Hakeem Gbadamosi – Akure CANDIDATE of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Bola Aidi, on Monday, promised to build on the five cardinal programmes of the old leaders of the party, if elected as the governor of the state.

Aidi, who stated this at a press conference, in Akure, the state capital, listed the cardinal programmes to include free and qualitative education, employment, job creation, free health services and integrated and rural development.

He noted that successive governments had failed to build on the foundation laid by the former governor of the state, late Adekunle Ajasin and, however, pledged “to pursue with vigour, the five cardinal

Demolished Ibadan building lacked sound structural base —Oyo govt

By Wale Akinselure OYO State government has said that it was compelled to carry out a controlled demolition of the storey building of No. 6, Olanipekun Street, Ososami, Ibadan, on Sunday evening, to prevent the loss of lives that was bound to occur if the house suddenly collapsed.

The state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, said the 58-yearold mud bricks building had become defective and was already falling apart in phases.

Arulogun said the state government acted upon a distress call from residents of neighbouring house as well as the advice of building and physical planning experts before it embarked on the demolition.

Specifically, Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Physical Planning, Urban Development and Environment, Mr Waheed Gbadamosi, said the building was found to have no sound structural base and no pillars to support the decking.

Gbadamosi said the structure had tilted to the right because the base could no more

tics of those who promised and failed.”

He added that “the PDP is one strong, big family” and that the party has an effective mechanism for resolving any internal dispute.

Already, both Makarfi and Sheriff had met and come up with a communique tending towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two party leaders.

Supporters of the factional candidate in the state, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, at the weekend celebrated the adoption of their principal to replace Eyitayo Jegede, as the candidate of the PDP in the November 26 governorship election.

However, the PDP in the state has stated repeatedly that Ibrahim has dumped the party for Accord Party saying he had ceased to be member of the party before the crisis in the party.

carry the weight upon it.

To prevent environment hazards, Gbadamosi said the state government was set to remove the rubbles.

Speaking further, Arulogun said that the state government contacted son of the owner of the house, one Mr Niyi Osunseyi, based in the United States of America, before the structure was brought down.

He empathised with the residents of the demolished building, who were cordoned off from reclaiming their valuables and property, noting that government’s action was to avoid imminent loss of lives.

programmes of the party and return the state to the path of progress, develop and honour.”

The UPN candidate denied report that he was being sponsored by the state governor for the November election in the state.

He said the party should not be linked with a rumour that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were sponsoring some lesser political parties in order to merge with them and acquire their followers and supporters before the election day.

Aidi said the party remains the father of all political parties in the SouthWest.

He said, “It is not possible for us to be sponsored

by Governor Olusegun Mimiko. The platform on which we are is greater than that of PDP or APC. UPN is the grandfather of all parties in the SouthWest.

“The UPN is being sponsored by the entire Yoruba race and can never be sponsored by any government or any individual.

We can never be stooges of Mimiko.

“Some other parties can form alliance with the PDP or APC, but we in the UPN are independent, nobody can buy us with money.”

He also promised to resuscitate all moribund legacies of Chief Adekunle Ajasin.

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Biafra: Judge hands-off Nnamdi Kanu’s trial, returns case file to Chief Judge Sunday Ejike-Abuja

J

USTICE John Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, washed his hands off the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment.

Kanu, alongside his co-accused, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, who are facing a six-count charge of treasonable felony, slammed against them by the Federal Government of Nigeria, had asked the Judge to disqualify himself from trying them on the ground of bias.

When the matter came up on Monday, Kanu’s counsel, Chuks Muoma (SAN), brought an application where-in he claimed that the court was biased

in the manner it has so far handled the matter.

He told the court that his client had written a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and that it would only be proper for the court to suspend hearing of the case pending the outcome of investigation by the NJC. Muoma also informed the court that the NJC had responded to Kanu’s petition against the judge, saying they are investigating the matter.

Kanu’s counsel said, “We are only asking the court to hands off the case; my cli-

ent has lost confidence in this court.

“Following the development, all we are asking this court to do is to hands off the case pending the outcome of the NJC Investigation as it would not be proper for the court to continue with this matter when investigation is ongoing. It is in the interest of justice that we are asking the court to hands off the case.

“I would urge the court to transfer the matter; I would suggest that it be sent back to the CJ,” Muoma said and claimed

that the court was acting in line with the suggestion of President Muhammadu Buhari that Kanu was not going to be released under any circumstance.

Justice Tsoho, in a short ruling, held that he had no personal interest in the trial of Kanu and returned the case file to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another Judge.

The judge also condemned the attitude of the defence counsel, saying he acted un-professionally through utterances and added that he did not care if he took the case to an-

other planet.

Justice Tsoho ruled that since the defence counsel noted lack of confidence in the way the court had handled the case, “it is only reasonable for the court to disqualify itself from further hearing the matter.

“Accordingly, this case is hereby forwarded to the Chief Judge for further reassignment,” Justice Tsoho ruled.

He said logically, the procedure would have been for the court to wait for the response of the NJC so as not to pre-empt council’s decision.

Don’t sell national assets in a hurry, senator advises Buhari THE senator representing Oyo South, Adesoji Akanbi, has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against hurrying to sell national assets to help the country out of recession.

Business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, recently suggested that it made more economic sense to sell off the country’s assets such as the multi-billion dollar Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Joint Ventures, and use the proceeds to help the economy out of recession.

The proposal has been backed by Senate President Bukola Saraki and the National Economic Council which comprises state governors with the Vice President as the Chairman; Central Bank Governor, Finance Minister, and others.

But Senator Akanbi said that sale of national assets should only be the last resort, adding that they might be undervalued if sold at desperate times.

He said: “The assets will end up with the capitalists, who actually don’t have the resources. They will then run to banks to take deposits of ordinary Nigerians to buy assets which originally belong to them, the ordinary Nigerians. So, what you have eventually is a situation where Nigerians are exploited through banks and also dispossessed of publicly owned assets.”

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Ephraim Ademowo (right) and the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (left), during the 2016/2017 Legal Year Service, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on Monday.

Lagos committed to rule of law —Ambode Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin-Lagos with agency reports

THE thrust of the policy of the Lagos State government is to enthrone the rule of law and also protect the underprivileged, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said on Monday.

He spoke at a church service held at the Ca-

thedral Church, Anglican Communion, Marina, as part of activities marking the commencement of the 2016/2017 legal year for Lagos Judiciary.

Ambode called on the Bench to discharge its duties with the fear of God, saying “the judiciary remains the last hope of the citizens.”

“We are gathered here

again the same way we came last year to seek the protection of God in this legal year.

“Jointly with all of you and even those of us in the executive arm, we have a tough task of delivering justice to the citizenry.

“Our administration is determined to enthrone the rule of law and protect the less privileged and that

No amount of intimidation ’ll stop our reconstruction efforts —Shettima •Needs N30bn to reconstruct Bama GOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno, on Monday, said he was going ahead with the planned rebuilding of damaged buildings, in spite of recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of the state.

Shettima stated this while interacting with newsmen in Bama, headquarters of Bama Local Government Area of the state.

He was reacting to the recent attacks by insurgents at the border villages of Logumani and Dara/Jamal, where an army officer and two soldiers were killed.

The governor, who relocated his office to Bama since last Wednesday, to launch the reconstruction and renovation of over 2,500 destroyed houses, shops and public buildings in Bama, in 2014, said “the Boko Haram insurgents are merchants of fear.

“They are also vendors of fear. They want to instill fear in us, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

“I think we should be stubborn enough to follow our convictions against the wanton destruction of lives

and property, not only in this state, but the entire affected sub-region of the country.

Meanwhile, the Borno State government has said that it required about N30 billion for the reconstruction of structures damaged

by Boko Haram insurgents in Bama.

Dr Babagana Umara, the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

is why we lay so much emphasis on judicial sector reforms which I believe should be replicated everywhere.”

Pointing out the second to the last stanza of the national anthem, Ambode said peace and justice must reign in the country.

He added: “We must all be able to say that Lagos remains the Centre of Excellence; we have come a long way and I am like a son to you and I thank you for receiving me all the time.”

He, however, charged judicial officers in the state to embrace fairness, uprightness and fear of God in the discharge of their duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bishop Johnson Akinpelu, gave the charge at the service attended by judges and magistrates as well as senior advocates of Nigeria among others.

In his sermon, The Rt Revd Johnson also charged the judiciary to use justice to protect the less-privileged in the state and ensure that justice should not just be done but must be seen to be done.

Prof Adewole inducted Fellow of Royal College London NIGERIA’S Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has been inducted as a Fellow of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, United Kingdom.

The minister, who is a past President of African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), received his Fellowship, on Friday, in London.

Fellow ad eundem is awarded to persons who are not members of the college, but have contributed to the advancement of the science or practise of obstetrics and gynaecology and whom council considers to have furthered the interest of the specialty.

At a side discussion with members of the media, Professor Adewole talked about his Fellowship, saying: “I think it is not really an award or honour to me as an individual. I think it is an award to Nigeria. An award to all for what we have done over the years, not just by myself but my collaborators, co-workers, my students and colleagues done together across the world to promote the health and well-being of women and children.”

On maternal deaths in Nigeria, the new Fellow added that the country is doing all she can under a new regime of changes within the health services.

He said: “By records, we have not done so well with under-five mortality and maternal rate. There is a new sense of urgency in the industry that things must take a new turn. That we must change the trajectory and that we must remove Nigeria from the pariah status nation that we have founded ourselves.

“The causes are not too far-fetched. If the woman does not do well in pregnancy and during labour and delivery, then the baby is not expected to do well. If we failed to immunise our children, we expect the under-five mortality to be low because children who are not immunised are prone to preventable illnesses.

“When we do not have a healthy system that is resilient, that is strong and responsive; we expect things to be poor. That is why we see our new collaboration with international bodies very relevant and give rooms for exchange of scholars and scholarship.”

The event was attended by global scientists and practitioners and only three persons were awarded Fellow ad eundem the highest of such.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

From left, Human Resources and Administration Coordinator, Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation (ABC), Miss Adetoun Adele; Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mrs Dolapo Oyedipe and the Project and Fund Coordinator, Dr Olusola Orinlowo, during a press confrence to mark the third anniversary of the foundation, at ABC Foundation, Adeoyo, Ring Road, Ibadan, on Monday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO - OKE.

N8bn currency scam: Plea bargaining stalls trial

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USTICE Joyce Abdulmaleek of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Monday, adjourned till tomorrow, the trial of four accused persons in the case of alleged N8 billion currency scam.

Abdulmaleek adjourned the trial based on the prayers by the defence counsel following the plea bargaining arrangement entered into by

the fourth accused person, Oni Ademola.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the other accused persons facing trial include Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola and Togun Philip.

“I shall give the opportunity to know the content of the plea bargain and whether it affects their case.

“It is my own view that the

Episode 11 of Glo’s Professor Johnbull flays noise pollution GLO-POWERED TV Drama series, Professor Johnbull, this week, flays noise pollution from electricity generating sets as an offshoot of epileptic power supply in the country.

The episode tagged: “Voice of the city” chronicles the implications of noise pollution which includes loss of productive man-hour, arising from sleeplessness, occasioned by running power generating sets round the clock.

NTA Network, NTA International as well as NTA on StarTimes, will beam the episode on Tuesday (today) from 8.00 p.m to 8.30 p.m. during which viewers will connect with Professor Johnbull’s ‘proximate’ people, Olaniyi and Mama G, as they bicker over the inconveniences of using generating sets during power outage.

The episode enumerates the issue of epileptic power supply and brings out the need for every member of the society to contribute their quota towards managing the ugly trend.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom said: “Voice of the city will not only highlight one of the challenges confronting us as a nation, the episode will also, in a very comic way, emphasise the need for good neighbourliness. This makes the episode a must watch for all.”

Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor popularly known as Mama G, makes a second

guest appearance on the drama series raising some issues which viewers will find interesting. They will be pleasantly forced to stay glued to their TV screens in order to find out what transpires between Mama G and Olaniyi (Yomi Fash-Lanso), the community restauranteur.

Professor Johnbull’s American-returnee nephew, Ifeanyi Ogundare describes what Voice of the city depicts as the episode unearths the effect on the community. How do Mama G and the erudite Professor cope anytime the neighbourhood is thrown into darkness and they are faced with noisy power generating sets?

issue of plea bargaining is solely an affair of the fourth defendant and the prosecution.

“Let me also state that the issue of plea bargaining cannot stall further examination and cross examination of the accused persons,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the case slated for trial was stalled by Adebisi Adeniyi, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes’ Commission (EFCC).

Adeniyi told the court that Y.A. Ruba, counsel to the fourth accused person, Ademola, had entered into a plea bargaining arrangement with the commission.

He further stated that the arrangement had reached 95 per cent completion stage, adding that every process would be completed before the next adjourned date.

However, all the defence counsel opposed the continuation of Monday’s sitting, saying they needed to have knowledge of the content of the plea bargaining arrangement.

They expressed the fear that the arrangement might affect their own cases.

The four accused persons are standing trial over an alleged N8 billion CBN currency scam.

200 market women protest over stores in Delta Alphonsus Agborh, Asaba.

OVER 200 market women from Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State defied heavy downpour on Monday by protesting to the Ministry of Justice in Asaba, the state capital, urging for the possession of stores allocated to them at the Sapele ultra-modern market by the previous administration in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the traders, the President of the Delta State market traders, Mrs Queen Macgrey Aminoma, expressed concern over the traders from Sapele Local Government Area over inability to have free access to

the stores even after payment had already been made to the government.

Mrs Macgrey, while lamenting the incessant harassment of her members by the agents of Sapele Local Government Area, she commended the step taken by the state Attorney-General in resolving the matter.

She appealed to the state government to prevail on the authorities of Sapele Local Government Area from harassing her members.

Addressing the women, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Mrakpor, advised them to remain calm.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Nigeria may not attain education for all till 2070 —UNESCO

We’ll prove prediction wrong —FG Clement Idoko - Abuja

T

HE United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said going by current trends, Nigeria will only achieve universal primary education by 2070.

This was contained in the Global Education Monitoring 2016 Report, tagged: “Education for people and planet: Creating sustainable future for all,” which was launched by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, on Monday, in Abuja.

The report was predicated on the fact that Nigeria currently has over 10.5 million out-of-school children roaming the streets.

Adamu, however, said the report was not sacrosanct, adding that the Federal Government would work assiduously with relevant stakeholders to prove the prediction wrong.

He said this aspect of the report “is regretable, but this has further challenged us to work harder in order to prove them wrong. In coming weeks, the Federal Ministry of Education will

launch the strategic plan, ‘Education for change: A Ministerial action plan 2016-2019’ to move education sector to the desired destination.

“We must not allow the prediction to come to pass.

This calls for concerted efforts and initiatives that will address our current challenges, including outof-school children, gen-

der disparities, low enrolment and retention and inadequate infrastructure, among others.

“I, therefore, call on all partners and relevant stakeholders in education sector to work collaboratively to ensure the implementation of the strategic plan. I have no doubt that if fully implemented, the

plan will ensure that Nigeria gets on the path towards the achievement of these global targets by 2030,” he said. .

“The report has brought to the fore, the type of education that is vital to the attainment of the new development goals of poverty reduction, hunger eradication, improving in healthcare delivery system, attaining gender equality,

achieving sustainable agriculture and building resilient cities that are more equal, inclusive and just”.

The regional director, UNESCO Abuja regional office, Mr Benoit Sossou, in his remark, called for reform of the education sector in order to ensure that people are given vital skills and knowledge .

From left, Swiss ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Eric Mayaraz; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai; Adamawa State governor, Muhammadu Bindow; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the vice chancellor of Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, Professor Kyari Mohammed, during a regional conference on peace building and reconstruction in Chad Basin, organised by MAUTECH in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, in Yola, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

Boko Haram substantially degraded —Abdulsalami Says Adamawa gov has no bulletproof cars

Kabeer Gwangwazo - Yola with Agency reports A former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Monday, in Yola, Adamawa state, expressed satisfaction that the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East “has been substantially degraded.’’

Abubakar, who was the guest speaker at the opening of a three-day regional conference on “Peace building and reconstruction in the Chad Basin,’’ however, noted that terrorism was an enemy difficult to defeat.

The conference is cohosted by the Nigerian Army and the Centre for Peace and Security Stud-

ies, Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola.

The former Head of State lamented that the insurgency had taken unprecedented toll on human, property and ecology of the countries around the Chad basin.

According to him, planning for post-insurgency situation – peace building and reconstruction in the area, requires a clear understanding of the cause of the conflict.

Quoting statistics from the United Nations (UN), he said as at November 2015 there were over 2.2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in

Nigeria, over 158, 000 in Cameroon, over 66,000 in Chad and 47, 000 in Niger.

“Similarly, there are 93,000 refugees in Niger, 64, 000 in Cameroon and 7,000 in Chad as at November 2015,’’ he said.

He said during the period, 1.6 million IDPs were in Borno State alone, being the epicenter of the insurgency, while 218,000 villages and hamlet were affected by the insurgency.

He said that infrastructure damaged included 18,000 houses and 22,000 schools.

“In Borno alone, the following were damaged: 1, 630 water sources, over 700 electrical distribution

lines and 1, 205 government institutions. This is a colossal damage.

“As a result, 952, 000 children of school age are currently displaced, among, which are tens of thousands of orphans,’’ he said.

Still quoting from the UN, Abubakar said the losses recorded due to the conflict during the period amount to 5.9 billion dollars or N1.8 trillion.

“This of course, is deepening the state poverty in a region classified among the poorest in sub-Sahara Africa.

“The statistics also show that as at November 2015, three million people are

UNICEF laments violence against children in Nigeria

Isaac Shobayo - Jos THE United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has said that about six out of every 10 children in the country, experience some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence before the age of 18, annually.

The UNICEF communication officer, media and external relations, Samuel Kaalu, said this during a media orientation programme in Jos,

the Plateau State capital, on Monday, adding that research and findings revealed that violence against children are on the increase in the country.

“One in two children experience physical violence; one in four girls and one in 10 boys, experience sexual violence and one in six girls and one in five boys, experience emotional violence.”

He commended the Plateau State government for waging war against violence against children, adding that the state is the fourth in Nigeria to respond to the call made

by President Muhammadu Buhari, during the launch of the national action to end violence against children.

According to him, in response to the call by President Buhari’s call

to end violence against children campaign, it will be launched in Plateau State by Governor Simon Lalong, on Thursday.

According to Kaalu, the orientation and ethical training is to sensitise the media as well as enhance their skills on reportage of children issues as part of efforts to raise awareness on the need to end violence against children campaign in Plateau State.

trapped in areas regarded as inaccessible and likely to be killed or become victims of security incidents, human rights violation, physical abuse, extortion, raping and sexual violence, among others.’’

Meanwhile, General Abdulsalami, has called on the media to always verify facts before publishing them.

General Abdulsalami said this while reacting to stories by a section of the media about the use of bulletproof cars by the Adamawa State governor, Senator Muhammad Umar Jubrilla Bindow, despite the current economic recession in the country.

“I have been to Adamawa State twice and I was in the same car with the governor on both occasions. I didn’t see any bulletproof cars.”

He, however, maintained that the media has vital role in assisting Nigeria to reposition itself as a country with a strong commitment to good governance them by making public office holders accountable .

General Abdulsalami commended Governor Bindow and urged the people of Adamawa State to contribute their own quota by supporting Bindow-led administration.

Kwara Poly expels 5 students for various offences Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE authorities of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has approved the expulsion of five students from the polytechnic for their involvement in various offences.

According to a statement signed by the Assistant Registrar (Academic Affairs), Mr AbdulRahman Ola Muhammad and made available to journalists in Ilorin, on Monday, their expulsion was sequel to the approval of the report of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee, said to be in accordance with section 14.2 of the students regulations.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the institution had also approved that Olutayo Oluwatobi Elizabeth, be rusticated from the polytechnic for a semester over unruly behaviour against a member of Dress Code Committee, while the result of Toluwaleke Gbenga Adeniyi, would be withheld pending his appearance before the students disciplinary committee.

The statement also added that all students involved are to vacate the Polytechnic campuses and hand over all polytechnic property in their custody to their respective Heads of Department.

Jigawa govt releases N87m for reconstruction of mini bridge Adamu Amadu - Dutse JIGAWA State government has released over N87 million for the reconstruction of a mini bridge at Gwaram in the state and Darazau, in Gombe State for easy movement of vehicles in the area.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Works and Housing, Honourable Aminu Usman, while addressing newsmen in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Monday.

He said that the recostruction of the bridge would end the current problem facing motorists from Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi states, coming to the state.

Alhaji Usman said that the state government awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the road to Arkel Nigeria Limited, adding the construction firm had already been mobilised to commence work on the project.

He said that the road is very critical for socio-economic development of the area as it linked the North West and North East together.

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Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Good sleep, nutrition, exercise key to good mental health Continued from front page

health. Keeping the mind healthy requires serious work.

According to Dr Olusegun Akinwotu, a consultant psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), adequate sleep, good nutrition and exercise are critical to maintaining good mental and physical health. Speaking further, Dr Akinwotu advised people to avoid doing things that would keep them awake all night, “because when one is unable to sleep well, such a person is exposed to higher risk of breaking down with mental illness. Such an individual just finds out subsequently that his or her behaviour changes because he or she has not been able to rest well.”

On the place of nutrition to mental health and how good nutrition promotes mental health, the consultant psychiatrist said “once a person eats well and is able to have a balanced diet, it helps promote good mental health.”

The food you eat can have direct effect on your energy level, physical health, and mood. A “healthy diet” is one that has enough of each essential nutrient, contains many foods from all of the basic food groups, which provides the right amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight and does not have too much fat, sugar, salt or

alcohol.

By choosing foods that can give you steady energy, you can help your body stay healthy.

This also helps your mind feel good.

Exercise and mental healthRegular physical activity is important to the physical and mental health of everyone, including older adults as it brings about mental alertness and feeling of wellness. Being physically active can help you continue to do the things you enjoy and stay independent as you age.

Regular physical activity, ranging from brisk walk, jogging, dancing to skipping and cycling over long period of time can produce long-term mental, as well as physical health benefits. That’s why health experts say everyone should be active every day to maintain good health.

Sleep and mental health Your mind and body will feel better if you sleep well. Your body needs time everyday to rest and heal. If you often have trouble sleeping — either falling asleep or waking during the night and being unable to get back to sleep — one or several of the following ideas might be helpful to you: Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.

Avoid “sleeping in” (sleeping much later than your usual time for getting up). It will

make you feel worse.

Establish a bedtime “ritual” by doing the same things every night for an hour or two before bedtime so your body knows when it is time to go to sleep.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.

Eat on a regular schedule and avoid a heavy meal prior to going to bed. Don’t skip any of your meals.

Eat plenty of dairy foods and dark green leafy vegetables.

Exercise daily, but avoid strenuous or invigorating activity before going to bed.

Play soothing music on a tape or CD that shuts off automatically after you are in bed.

Take a warm bath or shower before going to bed.

Place a drop of lavender oil on your pillow.

You need to see your doctor if: You often have difficulty sleeping and the measures listed above are not working for you.

You awaken during the night gasping for breath.

Your partner says your breathing stops intermittently when you are sleeping.

You snore loudly.

You wake up feeling like you haven’t been asleep.

You fall asleep often during the day.

Stress and mental health

Stress can happen for many reasons.

Stress can be brought about by a traumatic accident, death or emergency situation.

Stress can also be a side effect of a serious illness or disease.

There is also stress associated with daily life, the workplace and family responsibilities. It’s hard to stay calm and relaxed in our hectic lives. With all we have going on in our lives, it seems almost impossible to find ways to de-stress. But it’s important to find those ways. Your health depends on it.

Common symptoms of stress include: Headache, sleep disorders, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, low morale, depression and anxiety.

With stress accumulating, mental illness might just be at the door, but according to Dr Akinwotu, the mental illness is largely hereditary.

He, therefore, urges people with genetic predisposition to mental illness to avoid stressful lifestyles which could trigger the illness.

And should a person come up with mental illness, “such should be given necessary support by making the person see a psychiatrist and not be stigmatised.

“Mental illness is treatable if presented early at the hospital and if patient could comply with prescribed medications,” he added.

Afenifere, ACF, NLC kick against sale of national assets

NLC plans nationwide protest From Soji-Eze Fagbemi and Bola Badmus, with Agency Report

Y

ORUBA soiopolitical group, Afenifere, on Monday, kicked against the proposed sale of the national assets, describing the move as a prodigal attitude to run the government.

It called on Nigerians to stand up and resist it, while the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also urged the Federal Government to drop the plan, in order to tackle the nation’s economic recession.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), while kicking against the proposal, also vowed to mobilise workers across the country to embark on a nationwide protest should the government go ahead to sell the assets.

Spokesperson of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on phone, selling the country’s assets to fund budget of just three months left in the year was uncalled for, when the government had, on several occasions, come out to admit that it already borrowed a sum of N2.4 trillion in one year and had N3.5 trillion locked up in Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“It is a prodigal attitude to run the government for anybody to tell us that he wants to sell our assets to fund 2016 budget when

we have three months left to the end of the year, and when you have recorded borrowing of N2.4 trillion in one year. You said you have N3.5 trillion locked up in Treasury Single Account (TSA) and said you have recovered money from looters, to now say you want to sell our assets to fund the year’s budget three months to the end of the year, is the height of insincerity,” he said.

The Afenifere chieftain said it was even sad that such move was being considered in an era of change promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC)led government.

He said: “It is sad that it is in our years of change that all our major assets are going to be disposed off,” adding that, “our fear is this, if we are going to sell all our major assets to fund three months’ budget, are they going to sell all Nigerians into slavery to fund 2017 budget? It is so absurd.”

Speaking further, Odumakin accused the Federal Government of being insincere in the loot recovery exercise, saying from different figures supplied by key government officials, it was difficult to ascertain the total amount so far recovered from looters.

“Initially, they started by saying they have recovered trillions from looters, now we are not even transparent in our loot recovery.

When Lai Mohammed (Minister of Information

and Culture) addressed a press conference, he gave a different figure. I think, only recently, either the Minister of Budget, also gave yet a different figure, saying only N78billion and $3million was recovered.

So which is which? What is going on?

“I think Nigeria should not allow this to happen, Nigerians should stand and reject any attempt to sell our collective patrimony to finance this rubbish.”

The ACF, in a statement issued in Kaduna by Muhammad Ibrahim, its national publicity secretary, said selling strategic, viable national assets to take the economy out of recession was inappropriate.

The group also condemned the call by some prominent politicians and businessmen on the Federal Government to consider selling the national assets to get the country out of recession.

“Past privatisation exercise did not yield the desired result in terms of judicious use of proceeds by the government or management practices of the assets by the new owners.

“ACF considers it unwise for the Federal Government to contemplate selling off major national assets like the Oil refineries, Federal Airports, NLNG. “They can be used as security against needed funds to boost the economy. “ According to the forum, the amount to be realised

was not worth the exercise, adding that the recession was temporary.

ACF noted that national assets; including the Nigeria Airways, National Shipping Line, Ajaokuta Steel Company, NITEL, NEPA, sold to selected Nigerians and their foreign collaborators had not added value to the economy.

It added that most of the sold assets ended up comatose, adding that “the ones that survived, their service delivery cannot be said to be better.”

The ACF said the government should consider the advice of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the commission had said “Nigeria’s assets like the NLNG and other strategic national resources should not be sold to meet short term financial obligation.”

ACF suggested that unnecessary allowances of public officers and overhead cost that formed over 40 per cent of the annual national budget should be converted to capital allocation to boost the economy.

“This is the time for national sacrifice in order to bequeath an enduring legacy to the next generation.

Positive change usually comes with painful necessary sacrifice,” ACF added in the statement.

However, the NLC said it would dialogue with the Federal Government on

the need to jettison the proposed sale and to show its commitment, the NLC inaugurated a committee alongside the Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU) to engage the Federal Government.

But the congress warned that should the process of dialogue fail to reap desired results, it would mobilize its members nationwide for nationwide protest.

Addressing journalists following the inauguration of the committee in Abuja yesterday, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba decried the proposed sale of the national assets; describing it as anti-people.

Besides the threat for a mob action against the move, the Congress is also considering dragging the Federal Government to Court, and 20 lawyers have already indicated interest to represent the Congress in court.

The NLC president admitted that the congress has been passive on so many national issues, but assured that, henceforth, it will engage the government vigorously and ensure that the assets are not sold.

Wabba added that the congress has also resolved to engage the services of intellectuals to come out with alternative policy ideas than the ones being canvassed by government.

He said: “We will approach this issue from

three dimensions. One is what we are doing now. To inaugurate a think-tank to engage the government.

Two, we will mobilise to the street to canvass for policy change when dialogue fails or we can do both side by side. Thirdly, we will engage the services of our progressive lawyers to seek legal interpretation.”

He blamed the current recession in the country on corruption and mismanagement.

According to him: “The major problem is tax evasion. Only workers pay real tax. If the high and mighty pay tax, there will be enough resources for development. The Panama scandal revealed that some people currently canvassing for the sale of our national assets are part of the rot in the system.”

The congress also wants the Panama paper scandal investigated, while those Nigerians whose names were mentioned should be investigated and brought to book.

He advised the Federal Government to take stock of assets that have been privatised, to see the failure into the process.

“We are opposed to sales of national assets. The consequences will be more grievous than what we are running from. All of us must stand up,” Wabba declared.

The 10-member committee assured the NLC that they would be patriotic and do a thorough job.

36

communitynews

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

Lagos: Erosion throws residents of Shagari Estate into darkness

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ESIDENTS of Shagari Estate, Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Lagos, have been thrown into darkness as the base of some electric poles in the area have been eroded.

Investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) had switched off electric supply to the area to avert impending danger.

Mr Olufemi Ojo, the Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman in the area, told NAN that the problem had been on for a long time.

Ojo said that the case had been reported to the Sole Administrator of the LCDA, Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi, and other relevant government agencies, but that nothing was done to remedy the situation.

According to him, continuous rainfall for the past two weeks has further weakened the concrete base.

He said that emergency agencies had also visited the site to evaluate the problem and proffer solution.

“From investigations, the problem was caused by the blockage of the canal by illegal structures.

“The Lagos LASEMA told us that the would remedy the situation and some houses would be demolished,” Ojo told NAN. The LCDA administrator, on his part, urged IKEDC to urgently repair one of the collapsing poles at Shagari Estate, before it wreaks havoc.

He told NAN that the situation constituted threat to the lives and property of residents in the area.

Ogunwuyi said the pole, located at Zone A, AB Street., Shagari Federal Low Cost Hosing Estate, had slipped out of its base and could fall any moment soon.

He said that the problem was caused by erosion which is eating up the base of the pole.

Ogunwuyi said erosion has been eating the base for close to five years and that the council had reported the matter to appropriate authorities.

According to him, there is nothing the state government could do until the IKEDC is ready to repair the pole base.

“I have spoken with an official of the IKEDC in the area, who claimed to have reported the issue to the head office at Ikeja.

“I have also notified

LASEMA and its officials had come to inspect the erosion devastated site.

“Any rainfall may cause serious disaster in the area,” he said.

Ogunwuyi further noted that it would be a great di-

saster if nothing was done in time to avert the impending danger.

The administrator said he had advised occupants of nearby houses to vacate the site in order to avert endangering their lives.

Meanwhile, an official of IKEDC in the area has said that efforts were in top gear to ensure that the problem was fixed.

The official, who pleaded anonymity, however told NAN that the mat-

ter had been reported to IKEDC headquarters in Ikeja.

“We will swing into action as soon as the needed equipment and facilities to remedy the situation are available,” he said.

The lawmaker representing Ibadan South-East Constituency I, in Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Fatai Adeniyi (second right); former Commissioner for Science and Technology in Oyo State, Mr C.O. Amusan and community members, during the inauguration of a borehole provided by the lawmaker at Agbongbo, Ibadan. PHOTO: DARE ADEKANMBI

Ogun Assembly calls for cooperation in waste management by gbenga olumide

OGUN State House of Assembly has called for a synergy between the state Ministry of Environment and local government areas for the proper disposal of refuse across the state.

The Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Honourable Tunde Sanusi, gave the charge during his visit to the Ministry of Environment, State Environmental Protection Agency and State Emergency Management Agency, in continuation of the 2016 budget assessment tour.

Sanusi stressed the need for a dumping site to be located in all the local government areas for proper waste management and to boost the state economy.

He called for the necessary regulatory framework for the take-off of the Private Sector Participation (PSP) programme on waste management and disposal.

According to him, “there is need for partnership with the private sector on the polluter pay principle while modalities are being set by government on means to access the eco-

logical fund that would aid effective waste management.”

He further advocated for a comprehensive work plan to ensure that the waste generated are used as raw materials and beautification of the

state.

He also called for adequate protection of street sweepers.

Responding, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, said that as part of measures to ensure clean and

healthy environment, the ministry had put in place an environmental task force for effective monitoring of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in addition to maintenance of medians.

Group empowers 250 Makoko youths chukwuma okparaocha-lagos

A Non-Government Organisation (NGO), SoughtOut Cities Arts, Skill and Empowerment Initiative, on Sunday, empowered no fewer than 250 youths of Makoko Community in Lagos State through vocational training.

The Director of the Initiative, Mrs Eunice Okoh, who expressed satisfaction with the turnout of applicants, said that about 1,000 applicants applied for the programme after which 250 were shortlisted, and subsequently trained free of charge.

Okoh said: “I am sincerely thrilled by the turnout for the programme.

We received about 1,000 applications but shortlisted 250 as against the 200 we planned for.

The director said that the organisation also invited a dance trainer from the United States of America with a couple of other trainers so as to ensure the success of the programme.

She added: “I was thrilled by the commitment of participants, who did not relent in their quest and desire to be empowered with diverse marketable skills.”

She added that the third edition of the group’s empowerment programme and the first in Makoko community was done in partnership with Abel Enikanologbon Organisation.

“We trained youths in various vocational skills including bead making, fashion creation and design make-up, decorations, catering, dance, music and computer/

graphics design.

A special guest at the event, Alhaja Alimat Sowemimo, commended the efforts of the trainers and organisers, stating that such action would help reduce the number of unemployed youths.

Sowemimo, a solicitor with the Lagos State government, advised the youths to ensure they carved a niche for themselves in order to be distinguished in the labour market.

One of the beneficiaries, Miss Esther Okpoe, described the training as “inspiring and life-changing”.

Okpoe said, “The training was really inspiring.

We were trained on how to make bags, bow ties, hair clips, ear rings, bangles and baby dresses with needle and thread with less use of sewing machine.”

Security: Police laud monarch, community ebenezer adurokiya-warri

THE Delta Central Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, ACP Usman Ndanbabo, has commended the people of Idjerhe kingdom for their collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, which has contributed largely to the elimination of crime and other social vices in the area.

Ndanbabo, who visited the palace of the traditional ruler of Idjerhe kingdom, Erhiekevwe 1 (JP), Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom, accompanied by the divisional police officer of Jesse town, Mr. Agaga Moses and the D.O of Mosogar, Mr. Victor Ikewun, said he was particularly impressed by their show of hospitality to non-indigenes and their cooperation with security agencies in the area.

The new area commander, who hails from Niger State, disclosed that in all his postings to police formations across the country, he had discovered that the Urhobos are the most hospitable people in the country.

He, however, appealed for the continued support and cooperation of the people for better community policing.

He said the police needed information from the people if they must perform ultimately since they were no magicians.

According to him, all stakeholders must be adequately involved in the police’s quest to rid the society of crime.

He pledged that his men would from time to time, visit the palace to rub minds with the people of the agrarian community on how best their work should be done for the benefit of all.

The area commander who was also at the Jesse Divisional Police headquarters, applauded the effort of the police, the vigilante, the anti-kidnap group, including members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) for their good work and effective crime control.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Idjerhe kingdom, who was represented on the occasion by his second-in-command, Chief Gabriel Emeje, the Iyasere of Idjerhe kingdom, commended the area commander and his team for their visit to the kingdom.

37

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

foreig naffairs 08116954632

with seyi gesinde foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Saudi Arabia announces austerity measures •Slashes ministers’ salaries, cuts public sector bonuses

C

USTODIAN of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ordered on Monday cut in salaries of ministers by 20 per cent and of Shoura Council members by 15 per cent in a series of Royal Decrees.

Apart from ministers’ salaries cut by 20 per cent, there will also be scale back financial perks for public sector employees, according to a Cabinet statement and royal decree.

The decree also includes a 15 per cent reduction in benefits toward a car and housing for Shoura members.

There will be 15 per cent cut in the lump sum

amount spent on Shoura members, including the price of vehicles, expenses for drivers, maintenance and fuel during their fouryear term, Saudi Gazette

reported.

Another other Royal Decree scaled back financial perks for public sector employees.

The King also ordered

King Salman

US election: Historic debate to help voters decide between Clinton, Trump —Poll HALF of America’s likely voters will rely on the presidential debates to help them make their choice between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday.

The results show the stakes for the White House rivals as they prepared to face off on Monday at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, for their first of three one-on-one debates, a prime-time TV spectacle expected to draw a Super Bowl-sized audience of 100 million

Americans.

Some 50 per cent of likely voters think the debates will help inform their decision of whom to support, including 10 per cent who say they are not currently leaning either way, according to the opinion poll.

Some 39 per cent said the debates will not help, and

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton

11 per cent said they did not know how the debates would affect them.

In a strong signal that most viewers will also be hoping the debates bring clarity, some 72 per cent of respondents said they want to see moderators point out when a candidate says something that is untrue.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump

stopping provision of vehicles for senior officials until the end of 1438 Hijra. Ministers and those in similar ranks shall pay the amount exceeding SR1,000 toward their monthly landline and mobile phone bills.

However, another decree gave exemption for troops involved in combat operations along the southern border and those involved in security, military and intelligence operations outside the Kingdom from a moratorium on annual increment for the Hijri year 1438.

The Cabinet, chaired

by King Salman at AlYamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday, decided not to give any annual increment for the year 1438H. There will also be no financial increase while renewing contracts or extending their period as well as in re-hiring staff.

Rescuer carrying an injured child for emergency treatment in Syrian hospital.

PHOTO: AL JAZEERA.

Syria crisis: Bodies litter floor at makeshift hospital in Aleppo HOSPITALS are struggling to cope in Syria’s Aleppo as government and Russian fighter jets continued to pound the city’s rebel-held east, killing more than 200 people in under a week.

Al Jazeera’s Amr alHalabi, reporting from a makeshift hospital in the city, described a bleak situation as the hospital overflowed with dozens of dead and wounded people.

“Dead people are on the floor of this makeshift hospital,” Halabi said. “The situation here is desperate.”

Bodies littered the ground inside and outside the facility, as volunteers and relatives carried severly

wounded people inside, looking for somehere to put them down on a floor already full with air raid victims.

“There is not enough space for us. We have to leave immediately to make more room for those injured,” Halabi said as a stream of ambulances ferried in the dead and wounded, overcrowding hospital wards.

“It looks like judgement day,” he said.

At an emergency meeting of the UN on Sunday, the US, Britain and France accused Russia, a key military backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, of war crimes.

Colombia govt, rebels prepare to sign historic pact FARC, Colombia’s biggest rebel movement, will sign a historic peace accord with the government on Monday aimed at ending a war that has lasted five decades and killed 220,000 people.

The pact will be signed by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and a rebel fighter known by the alias Timochenko, in the city of Cartagena, in a process that took more than four years to finalise, Al Jazera

said.

Fifteen South American presidents, UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State John Kerry, are scheduled to witness the signing ceremony.

More than 2,500 guests have been invited to wear white as a sign of peace, and Santos will add his signature to the 297-page accord with a pen made from a recycled shell used in combat.

The signing ceremony

will not officially close the deal, though. Colombians are being given the final say on endorsing or rejecting it in an October 2 referendum.

Opinion polls point to an almost-certain victory for the “yes” vote, but some analysts warn that a closerthan-expected finish or low voter turnout could bode poorly for the many challenges the country faces implementing the ambitious agreement.

otherNEWS

Pope meets Congo’s Kabila, calls for dialogue to end violent clashes POPE Francis has met with Congolese President Joseph Kabila, with the Vatican insisting that Congo’s government use respectful dialogue to end violent clashes with opposition forces over delayed elections.

The audience Monday,

according to VOA, was a brief 20 minutes, with interpreters.

The pope didn’t greet Kabila in the reception room where, according to Vatican protocol, Francis would normally greet a visiting head of state. Rather, a glum-looking Francis waited for

Kabila in his library.

Clashes have erupted between security forces and demonstrators after Congo’s electoral commission said November’s presidential vote wouldn’t be possible, and a court determined Kabila could

stay in power until another election is organised.

The Vatican said the pope and Vatican foreign minister insisted on dialogue among politicians, civil and religious authorities to ensure peace and the common good.

Facebook blocks accounts of Palestinian journalists EDITORS from two Palestinian news publications based in the occupied West Bank have said that their Facebook accounts were suspended last week and that no reason was provided, alleging their pages may have been censored because of a recent agreement between the United States social media giant and the Israeli government aimed at

tackling “incitement.”

Last week, four editors from the Shehab News Agency, which has more than 6.3 million likes on Facebook, and three executives from the Quds News Network, with about 5.1 million likes, reported that they could not access their personal accounts.

Both agencies cover daily news in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Al Jazeera said it contacted Facebook for comment, but it did not respond by the time of publication.

Nisreen al-Khatib, a translator and journalist at the Quds News Network, told Al Jazeera that the publication believes the account suspensions were triggered by an agreement between Facebook and Israel earlier this month,

Pope Francis with Congo’s President Joseph Kabila, on Monday. PHOTO: AP.

in which they agreed to jointly combat what Israeli claims is “incitement”

by Palestinians on social media.

According to Al Jazera, Al-Khatib said that even Quds News Network’s non-political vertical that focuses on “entertainment” and “international news” had been suspended, although access was later restored.

38

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016 Editor: Wale Emosu tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08111813054, 08055444383

I’m ready for Zambia clash

Maigari, others lead Flamingoes to FIFA Women’s World Cup

—Ezenwa F

C IfeanyiUbah goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has dispelled fears that he was badly injured during Sunday’s top-flight oriental clash against champions, Enyimba FC, saying he is set for the October clash with Zambia in Ndola.

The Super Eagles suffered a minor muscle cramp in the 70th minute and was subsequently replaced by Uche Okafor in the Nigeria Professional Football League matchday 37 tie 1-0 win against the People’s Elephant in Nnewi.

The former Sunshine Stars keeper is among the 23 Eagles invited by manager, Gernot Rohr, for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifying match against the Zambian opposite, the Chipolopolo in Ndola on Sunday, October 9.

Ezenwa said he is 100 per cent fit and will be on duty in his side last day NPFL make or mar clash at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC this weekend.

“I merely picked a little muscle cramp in the clash against Enyimba. The decision to replace me by substitute goalkeeper, Uche Okafor was mainly precautionary.

“I’m 100 per cent okay and will be in Lagos for the crucial last day match against MFM FC of Lagos.

“The report is not correct that I’m injured and doubtful for the Super Eagles World Cup assignment against Zambia in Ndola on Sunday, October 9,” Ezenwa told supersport.

Jos Appeal Court orders non-tampering with subject of LMC appeal •Fixes October 11 for hearing THE Court of Appeal, Jos Division which sat on Monday has directed that there should be no attempt to tamper with the subject matter of the appeal filed by the League Management Company (LMC) against the orders of Justice I.I. Kunda of the Plateau State High Court, Jos. This is even as the Inspector General of Police on Monday increased police presence on the premises of the LMC to protect the staff and its activities.

In a related matter, the Court of Appeal also resolved the issue of who can make legal appearance for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The court ruled that Barrister Maduabuchi who was ap-

pointed by Yahaya Adama, an ally of Chris Giwa , cannot claim to be representing NFF when their group is still battling in court to prove their claim at the Supreme Court.

Justice Kunda had, amongst several rulings, ordered the LMC to reinstate Giwa FC in the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and also the committal to prison of LMC chairman, Shehu Dikko and Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer on contempt charges.

The rulings emanated from a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by one Mustapha Abubakar, a supporter of Giwa FC who claimed that the expulsion

of the club from the NPFL has denied him the right to get value for season’s ticket he purchased.

Ezenwa (right)

Team Nigeria wins ITF U-18 Circuits TEAM Nigeria emerged overall winners of the 2016 ITF West/Central Africa 18 and Under Circuits which ended in Lome, Togo at the weekend.

Nigeria topped with four gold and one silver medal to edge Korea to second spot with four gold medals.

Egypt and France placed joint third with one gold and one silver each while

USA and Cote d’Ivoire bagged a gold each to finish joint fourth in the 19day circuit.

Oyinlomo Barakat Quadri was the standout player in the three-leg circuit which served off on September 6 in Cotonou. The 13-yearold debutante won a total of four gold and a silver medal which notably include an unprecedented

Ghana coach, Grant owed 3 months salary —Report HEAD coach of Ghana’s Black Stars, Avram Grant has gone unpaid for the last three months as part of the continuing battle between the Ghana FA and the country’s sports ministry, to GHANASoccernet reports.

The website reported that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), which is responsible for the payment of the salary, has frozen the payments due to a directive from the country’s sports ministry.

FORMER president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari is on the delegation of Nigeria for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which begins this weekend in Jordan.

The Famingoes delegation was due to depart Abuja on Monday night aboard Emirates Airline and will have a stopover in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before connecting another flight to Jordan.

Nigeria begins its campaign in the global championship on Sunday against the young Samba girls from Brazil and later face North Korea and England in the preliminary stage.

The Flamingoes, quarterfinalists at the last three editions of the championship (Trinidad and Tobago 2010, Azerbaijan 2012 and Costa Rica 2014), pounded Namibia and South Africa home and away to qualify for this year’s World Cup.

This is the latest battle between the ministry and the Ghana FA, with the former’s refusal to pay for air fare and accommodation almost derailing the Black Stars’ final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with Rwanda earlier this month.

Grant’s contract with the Black Stars runs to the end of the 2017 AFCON finals, but the former Chelsea manager may be forced out sooner rather than later due to ongoing

tension between sports minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuije and the Ghana FA.

Avram Grant

three straight girls’ singles titles.

At the final of the third leg of the world-ranking tournament which attracted over 80 players from Africa, Europe, Asia and North America, the player from the Aces Tennis Academy in Lagos defeated Marion Karine Job of France 6-3, 6-3 at the Stade Omnisports for her record feat.

“We are very happy with the achievement of Barakat who the ITF identified as one of the best junior players in Africa going by the scholarship given to her last year. The Nigeria Tennis Federation has focused more on junior tennis in recent years and that is why we are now among the top teams in Africa,” NTF President, Sani Ndanusa said.

She had twice defeated Carmine Becoude of Benin Republic 6-0, 6-2 and 6-2, 6-2 in the final, to win the singles in the first two legs which took place in Cotonou and Lome.

39 tribunesport

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016

ITTF World Cup:

I’m not under pressure —Quadri

W

ITH few days to the commencement of the 2016 ITTF World Cup, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri believes his world rating would not put him under intense pressure to excel in Saarbrucken, Germany.

Quadri, whose performance at the 2014 edition of the championship remains the best by an African when the Nigeria got to the quarterfinal stage and the Oyo State-born athlete will be making his third appearance at the tournament as the continent’s flagbearer.

“I am not under any kind of pressure to play in Germany again because I am now getting used to playing under pressure and as a matter of fact I am going to Germany to enjoy myself without any kind of pressure. Statistics showed that I am not one of the favourites for the podium finish but similarly I am not really going to be playing without confidence as I always believe strongly in my capability. I am praying for a favourable draw that will favour me and if Ronaldo during the training session ahead of God answer my prayer to be on tonight’s UEFA Champions League clash with a good side of the draw, I believe that surprising the world more Borussia Dortmund. than I have done in the past is

Ronaldo trains ahead Dortmund clash CRISTIANO Ronaldo was on his best behaviour and showing no signs of Saturday’s strop as Real Madrid trained at Signal Iduna Park on Monday ahead of clash with Borussia Dortmund tonight.

Los Merengues meet Dortmund in the Champions League tonight looking for their first win in three matches.

All eyes will be on Madrid forward Ronaldo in Germany after a dramatic weekend in La Liga.

Ronaldo was substituted in the 72nd minute of Madrid’s clash with Las Palmas last Saturday in the game which ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Portugal captain was visibly disappointed as he left the field, refusing to make eye contact with his manager, Zinedine Zidane as he made his way to the bench.

However, the talisman appeared to be in good spirits in training on Monday, clearly smiling and laughing during a session overseen by Zidane.

Zidane’s decision to replace his star man against Las Palmas backfired as the Spanish minnows netted an 85th minute equaliser to ensure Madrid dropped points for a second game running.

The Frenchman downplayed suggestions of a rift after the match, though, insisting Ronaldo was rested in order to keep him fresh for the match against Dortmund.

“It was not that [Ronaldo] was playing badly,” the 44-year-old coach told reporters after the La Liga match.

“We are playing on Tuesday [tonight] and Cristiano must rest too sometimes. It was just for that. He was playing well. Tonight [Saturday] I took him off thinking of Tuesday’s game.”

possible,” he said.

Quadri’s debut at the tournament was in 2009 and he is expected to compete against top 19 players across the globe, including world’s number two and three, China’s Xu Xin and Fan Zhendong as well as Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, who is the current European champion ranked sixth in the world.

Seven-time Olympian, Segun Toriola is expected to guide Quadri during the tournament and the President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi believes Toriola’s experience would be helpful for Quadri in Germany.

“This is a really serious test. Nearly all the top 10 players will be there. Germany has always been a good place for Aruna. He has a large fan base there and his attacking style is so popular with the crowd.

If he remains calm and focused like he was in the Olympics then he should go far in the competition. I am always quietly confident but unlike past years his success so far has ensured that he holds no surprises for the top players. He is a top world class player now and if his forehand is firing then he will be a handful for anybody. With Toriola’s experience to guide him and a bit of luck on his side he can go very far,” the NTTF boss said.

The draw for the tournament holds this Friday at Saarland Hall while the group matches will start on Saturday.

Quadri

Gabon ready to host AFCON 2017 —President Bongo PRESIDENT of Gabon, Ali Bongo has insisted that that the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will go ahead in his crisis-ridden country.

The biennial fiesta is due to take place from January 14 to February 5 next year but was thrown into doubt after violence broke out following Bongo’s controversial reelection in August.

“As we speak, there is no reason for this Cup not to take place here,” said Bongo in an interview with state TV channel Gabon Television, which was reproduced on Monday by Union newspaper.

“The stadiums are ready and we’ll have some great matches.”

Bongo was speaking following Saturday’s decision by Gabon’s constitutional court to validate the disputed election results.

Gabon’s opposition claimed Bongo’s victory on August 27 was obtained through vote fraud.

Four days later, violent clashes erupted as demonstrators set parliament ablaze and clashed with police, who made a thousand arrests.

Opposition figures say more than

50 people were killed. The government has given a toll of three dead.

The draw for the tournament which started in 1957 is due to take place in the capital Libreville on October 19.

Reigning champions, the Elephants of the Ivory Coast are

among the 16 nations taking part in a tournament originally awarded to Libya before it was switched to Gabon in the wake of violence and instability breaking out in the north African country following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

Ivorien PSG player, Aurier jailed for elbowing cop IVORY Coast footballer, Serge Aurier, who plays for Paris StGermain (PSG), has been sentenced to two months in jail for elbowing a police officer.

Aurier was also fined €600 (£521, $674) in damages over the incident at a Paris nightclub in May. He will remain free pending an appeal, which means he could play for PSG in the Champions League tomorrow evening.

The 23-year-old was suspended earlier this year over his comments about the then-PSG coach Laurent Blanc.

Aurier was convicted on Monday of elbowing a police officer after leaving a nightclub in the early hours of 30 May. The defender had been stopped to

take a breath test after leaving a Parisian nightclub.

According to the police account, the officer involved needed to take a day off work to recover from his injuries.

Aurier denied the charge, arguing that he was a victim of police violence.

In addition to paying damages, he was charged a further €1,500 (£1,304; $1687) to cover court costs.

The PSG defender has had a troubled year. His suspension from the Ligue 1 side in February came after he appeared to use homophobic language to insult thencoach Laurent Blanc.

He also called his team-mate Angel di Maria a “clown” as he answered fan questions on social me-

dia app Periscope.

On Friday, he was sent off for a foul in the first half of PSG’s Ligue 1 match against Toulouse.

Despite the sentencing, Aurier is expected to be available for PSG’s tie against Ludogorets in Bulgaria tomorrow evening.

Aurier

SIDELINES

NO 16,598

TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER, 2016

N150

Ronaldo insulted Zidane’s mother following substitution —Report REAL Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly insulted manager Zinedine Zidane after he was substituted against Las Palmas on Saturday evening.

As reported by Sport, the 31-year-old was caught by cameras muttering to himself while on the bench after being withdrawn from the action. It’s stated Ronaldo said the Spanish equivalent of “your f--king mother” or “f--k you” in the direction of the Zidane.

“Not just that, but he also said...a Portuguese expression somewhere between ‘f--k yourself’ and ‘for f--k’s sake,’” the piece added.

Ronaldo was withdrawn from the game in the 72nd minute with Madrid leading 2-1, although a late goal from Sergio Araujo salvaged a point for Las Palmas.

It was the second draw in a row for Real, capping off what’s been a frustrating week for Zidane and his players.

They still remain top of the standings in La Liga after six games played, although wins for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid mean they have just one- and two-point buffers to their rivals respectively.

Tonight’s Champions League fixtures Sporting vs Legia Warsaw

Bitter tears are being shed in Lagos as the state government demolishes shanties in flood-prone Ikoyi, Lekki and VI. Those affected are counting their losses and should be given temporary relief, after all, isn’t it true that anyone carried away to death while sleeping in a flood-prone house will not live to tell the story?

Nigeria vs Zambia:

Hopeful: Balogun

Balogun optimistic of speedy recovery N

IGERIAN defender, Leon Balogun, has expressed sadness at his latest injury which will sideline him for a couple of matches but hints he hopes to be available for the October 9 Russia 2018 cracker against Zambia in Ndola.

Balogun, who features for German Bundesliga side FSV Mainz, got injured in his side’s match against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday and had to be replaced.

Reports say the centre back

will miss at least the next two matches for his club.

In a Twitter post on Monday, the Super Eagles player wrote: “Not delighted about my injury at all!”

But he was quick to add that “It’s part of the game though,” adding that he will be back shortly. “Good thing about it, I’ll be back real soon,” Balogun said on his Twitter handle, @LeonBalogun.

Balogun is one of the 23 players that have been invited for Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Juventus Dortmund

vs Real Madrid

Sevilla

vs Lyon

CSKA Moscow vs Tottenham Monaco

vs Bayer

... Zambia names new technical crew

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi

Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho (left) and Zambia’s goalkeeper, Kenedy Mweene.

THE Football Association of Zambia has announced a new Chipolopolo technical team, including an assistant coach to Wedson Nyirenda.

Meanwhile, Nigerians will see a familiar face come October 9 as Davis Phiri is named goalkeeper coach.

Phiri was in Zambia’s goal as Nigeria defeated Zambia 5-4 on penalties during the 2010 Africa Nations Cup in Angola at the quarter final stage.

FAZ announced recently that former Kaizer Chiefs striker Wedson Nyirenda will lead the team on a caretaker basis until a permanent coach is hired.

Speculation was rife that former South African coach Gordon Igesund

was close to getting the job.

However, with these developments, it looks Igesund’s chances of landing the job are slim as he was tipped to take over from George Lwandamina.

Aggrey Chiyangi remains in the team as he filled the same role during Lwandamina’s tenure whilst Davis Phiri continues as goalkeeper coach.

New technical team: Acting Head Coach: Wedson Nyirenda, Assistant Coach: Aggrey Chiyangi, Assistant Coach: Chintu Kampamba, Goalkeeper Coach: Davis Phiri, Acting Team Manager: Stanley Kaseko, Kit Manager: Goodson Mboozi, Team Doctor: George Magwende, Physiotherapist: Davis Mulenga, Physiotherapist: Gibson Chaloba.

Technical Advisor: Danny Kabwe.

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. 27/9/2016.