27th October 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,620 THURSDAY, 27 OCTOBER, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

TODAY'S SPECIAL

Want to shed weight? This is how

IT’S a familiar story: You pledge to honour a daily routine and count every last calorie. But soon, you’re eating cupcakes at the office and grabbing some fatty snack, thinking, Oops, diet over.

There is a better way: Swap the all-or-nothing approach for one or two healthy switch-ups in your daily routine. “Doing this can lead to more weight loss than you ever imagined,” says Marissa Lippert, RD, author of The Cheater’s Diet.

Continues pg5

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Sack of 3,000 workers:

NUPENG threatens mass protest, issues 21-day ultimatum —P8

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Boko Haram: Buhari inaugurates committee to —P8 rebuild N/East

Protesters storm Supreme Court, ask arrested judges to step down

•NJC writes DSS, explains why affected judges can't be suspended —P4 •Afenifere to Buhari: Remove ministers mentioned in corruption allegation Trial of Fayose's associate over money laundering begins today

•EFCC lines up 3 Zenith Bank staff as witnesses —P35

PDP kicks against FG’s planned $29bn external loan —P35

Members of Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria (FONGON), during their protest, asking arrested judges to step down on the Supreme Court/Presidential Villa Road, Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI.

Ondo APC candidate: Abraham asks court to stop Akeredolu —P30

AD meeting ends in fracas in Abuja, 2 NWC members arrested —P29

FEC approves implementation of N500bn social investment fund •Targets 3.5 million primary school pupils for —P5 homegrown feeding programme

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Want to shed weight? This is how Continued from front page

In fact, we talked to readers who knocked off 10, 25, even 60 pounds with some easy tweaks. Borrow their slim-down secrets to transform your body the real-world way.

Swap your go-to order “I used to eat out at restaurants up to nine times a week!

By cutting back to just once a week and ordering a grilled chicken salad instead of a large bowl of pasta, I’ve lost 20 pounds in one month.” —Kerri Butler, Joplin, MO Skip the salty aisle “I reached my goal weight after I stopped routinely buying snacks at the grocery store. If I wanted a bag of chips or a candy bar, I had to walk to the store to get it.

That inconvenience usually made me ignore my cravings.”

—Heather Del Baso, Worcester, MA Have a 300-calorie breakfast “I used to skip breakfast, but now I never go without. I always eat about 300 calories of a healthy mix of protein and whole grains. My go-to meal: a sandwich with natural peanut butter and apple butter. It keeps my hunger down so I snack less throughout the day. In a little over a year, I’ve shed 65 pounds.”

Get fit in five “I try to fit in small bouts of exercise whenever possible, like doing jumping jacks or crunches during television commercials or dancing while washing dishes. This burns

extra calories and keeps me from mindlessly munching in front of the TV. Now my clothes fit way better, and I’m more toned than ever.”

Kick the habit “I quit smoking, and right away joined a gym and started working out with a personal trainer. There was no way I could exercise and feel healthy if I kept lighting up. I’ve already dropped 37 pounds in three months!”

Do a purge “I totally cleaned out my pantry. Once I replaced the foods I used to overindulge in, like ice cream, with lower-cal snacks, such as roasted sunflower seeds or Special K Chocolatey Delight cereal, I began making better choices automatically.

Now, I’m slimmer than I was before I had my two kids!”

Healthy up your happy hour “After work, my colleagues and I always grabbed dinner— and it was usually deep-fried. Then we changed things up. Instead of nights out, we started walking and running around a local track. A year later, I’m down 40 pounds.”

Get fired up “I loaded my iPod with jams that make me look forward to going to the gym. They energise me, allowing me to pick up speed on the elliptical—and because I want to hear my entire playlist, my workouts are longer now. Two months later, I’m down 13 pounds and have killer legs.”

Pile on the veggies “By adding vegetables to the foods I love—like eating pizza topped with arugula and green peppers instead of pepperoni—I became so full so quickly that I no longer had room to eat things like chips or super-rich desserts. I said good-bye to four dress sizes!”

Run your butt off “When I wanted to fit into my skinny jeans again, I started running 20 minutes a day during my lunch hour. In two months, I’ve lost 20 pounds, have tons of energy, and just finished my first 5K. Those jeans? They’re too big now!”

Don’t supersize it “When going out for fast food, I used to get the large-size value meal. Now, I satisfy a craving by ordering just one item: a small order of fries or a six-piece box of chicken nuggets. So far, I’ve shaved off 16 pounds in seven weeks, and I’m on track to being thinner than my high school self for my 10-year reunion later this year.”

Nix nighttime eating “Each time I needed to lose the baby weight, I stopped eating after 6:30 p.m. five nights a week. The other two evenings were reserved for nights out. Most of what I’d eat at night was junk food anyway, so it took only two months to get my pre-baby body back.”

Adapted from www.health.com

Protesters storm Supreme Court, ask arrested judges to step down Saliu Gbadamosi and Sunday Ejike -Abuja

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group, Forum of nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria (FONGON), on Wednesday, staged a protest in Abuja, asking all judges arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) to step aside, pending the outcome of their trials in court.

An attempt by the group to enter into the premises of the Supreme Court was blocked by security operatives at the gate of the Presidential Villa, where the chairman of the forum, Wole Badmus, addressed journalists.

The group later made a detour and stopped over at the entrance of the National Assembly, where its leader threatened to mobilise 50 other groups to besiege the courts of the affected judicial officers, if they failed to step down.

The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, among other demands, urged the Federal Government to call Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose, to order, for allegedly using their immunity to obstruct the course of justice.

Throwing its weight behind the efforts by President Muhammdu Buhari to rid the judiciary of bad eggs, the group noted that unless something was urgently done, the few bad eggs in the judiciary were capable of spoiling the good ones and added, “that is why we have decided

to add our voice to the raging controversy over the arrest of some Judges and Justices over alleged corruption.”

The group, however, expressed worry over the seeming silence of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade union

Congress (TUC) and other mass-based labour unions over the matter.

“This is definitely one of the few moments when

silence is not golden. We are of the view that peopleoriented organisations should be front runners in this noble cause. Judicial

fraud is the height of heist against humanity. We, hereby, call on them to join the struggle if they cannot lead,” the group stated.

Afenifere to Buhari: Remove ministers mentioned in corruption allegation Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE Pan Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, on Wednesday, called for the removal of ministers fingered by the judges who were accused of corruption, saying they should go through process of law to ascertain their involvement or innocence.

The group also faulted the invasion of the homes of some Supreme and High Court judges by operatives of the Department of Security Services(DSS).

The group stated this after its meeting, in a communique read by the publicity secretary, Yinka Odumakin.

It condemned corrupt practices within the judicial system, but frowned on the approach of the DSS and its mode of approach to the arrest of the judges.

According to the communique, “we cannot be saying that only judges that are accused should be investigated. Ministers too, who have been accused, should step aside and face prosecution.

“For the ministers who have been mentioned for attempting to pervert the course of justice, we are asking that such minister should step aside immediately as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“After that, they should go through due process of the law to either ascertain their innocence or if they are

guilty and it is established, they should be punished according to the laws of the land.”

Odumakin said: “No society should tolerate corruption because what is on offer and being sold is justice. A corrupt judge is worse than a thief and what is on offer is justice and that negates the soul of any society.

Therefore, the society must do all it can to ensure that its judges are free of corruption. However, in the present instance, we have a few observations about the modus operandi of the actions against these judges.

“We believe that it is not the duty of the DSS to investigate corruption.

Investigating corruption is within the purview of the EFCC, ICPC and the police and if the DSS come across any crime that borders on corruption, it is to gather their evidences and hand over to those agencies of government to ensure that they investigate and prosecute those who are involved in the offence.”

The group, however, called on the National Judicial commission (NJC) “to ensure that all allegations against the judges are thoroughly investigated and those who are found guilty should be dealt with accordingly.

“Those need to be prosecuted, be prosecuted, those who need to be tried be recommended for trial so

that we can put sanity into our judiciary,” the group said.

It commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) for rising in the defence of separation of powers.

Speaking on the nation’s economy, the group noted that no concrete step had been taken towards revamping the economy of the country.

“We have observed that the nation is yet to see concrete steps being taken to ensure that the nation is taken out of recession. We have not seen any sound

policy of the team that is working on the economy at a time like this.

“Nigeria’s economy is parlous, worrisome and disturbing, such that today we have seen it leading to massive loss of jobs, even Dangote is sacking workers. Unemployment, increased suicide rate and untold hardship are being visited on our people,” it added.

The group, however, called on President Buhari “to look for the best hands and brains in Economics across the country, who can be

called upon to formulate policies and economic programmes that will take this nation out of recession.

The group also commended the Governor Ayodele Fayose over the steps taken in curbing the activities of the herdsmen in the state and also called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the menace.

They, however, expressed disappointment over the threat by the Myietti Allah, harassing the governor and threatening to go against the laws of the land.

NJC writes DSS, states why affected judges can’t be suspended •CJN, NBA meet today Lanre Adewole -Lagos THE National Judicial Council (NJC), on Wednesday, delivered a letter to the Department of Security Service (DSS), explaining its reluctance to suspend the serving judges among the seven judges arrested in a midnight raid by the security agency.

In the letter dated October 26, which the DSS received on Wednesday, the council explained its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, including the power to sanction judicial officers by suspending them.

The council noted that three of the seven judges affected in the raid had been sanctioned already,

because the due process of law was followed in bringing them before the council for sanction.

It also noted that apart from recommending their premature exit from the Bench, one of them, Justice Auta of Kano Division, who was caught in an earlier sting operation by the DSS accepting marked money as bribe, was equally recommended for criminal prosecution by the council.

It, however, said on the four serving judges, including two justices of the Supreme Court, the request by the DSS, dated October 10, seeking their suspension by the council fell short of the constitutional procedure for suspension sanction,

since no accusation had been placed before the council for consideration.

The council explained that evidence of wrongdoing against the serving judges must be placed before it for consideration and action.

According to the NJC, there were no petitions before it against Justices Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta, adding that Justice Dimgba was among the seven being currently investigated by panels set up by the council.

Nigerian Tribune has reliably learnt that despite not being on suspension, the two justices of the apex court had not been sitting on cases since their arrest Continues pg5

5 news FEC approves roll out of N500bn social investment programmes Thursday, 27 October, 2016

•FG targets 3.5 million primary school pupils for homegrown feeding programme •FEC approves completion of 215MW Kaduna power plant Clement Idoko -Abuja

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HE Federal Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved the roll out of social investment programmes captured in the N500 billion allocated in 2016 Budget, in order to create jobs and cushion the effect of the current economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who briefed State House correspondents shortly after the council meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the programmes would be implemented in four parts.

She disclosed that the Federal Government has so far released N720 billion for capital expenditure in the 2016 budget, adding that 50 per cent capital expenditure has been disbursed.

She also disclosed that N25 billion has so far been released for the Social Investment programme of the Federal Government aimed at cushioning the effect of the present economic challenges.

According to her, first is the homegrown school feeding programme which is targeting 5.5 million primary school people in all the states of the federation from primary one to three.

She disclosed that as of Wednesday, 11 states were fully ready to start in the first phase that would feed 3.5 million school children.

She noted that the second programme, which was a job creation programme was aimed at preparing 500,000 university graduates, who would be trained as teachers, agricultural workers and also as health support workers.

“They will be deployed to work in their local community. They will be receiving a monthly stipend of N30,000 monthly for a period of two years,” she said.

Ahmed further disclosed that the third programme was the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), where one million care givers would be given N5,000 monthly for a period of two years.

She noted that focus had been given to the extremely poor and vulnerable in the society, while special emphasis was being placed on providing for as many people as possible in the North-Eastern part of the country where there were a lot of internally displaced persons.

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning said the enterprise promotion programme,

which was the fourth one, was essentially the loan scheme that would be handled by the Bank of Industry.

According to her, 1.6 million people, made up of market women, traders, artisans, small businessmen and youths would be given loan from N10,000 to N100,000 with a repayment period of three to six months and administration cost of five per cent.

She added that the N500 billion was budgeted for the social investment Programme in the 2016 budget, saying “We are rolling out with this first four programmes and it will continue till 2017.

She said: “On the Social Investment Programme what we are doing today is to tell Nigerians that the programme is starting. We have approval from the steering committee in sum of N150 billion.

“So far N25 billion has been released into the account and there is another N40 billion that is in the process of being released into the account. Remember we had said implementation will be done in stages as the states are ready for each of the programme they are added into each of the schemes.

“The school feeding programme has started in some states like Kaduna, Osun, the Federal Government is only adding its resources to it. The Federal Government will handle from primary one to three, while the states will handle from four to six.

“The cooks have been selected, banks are in place.

The only thing that needs to be done, including training the persons, as well as taking data of the school children, have been done in those nine states.

“There is no spending yet on the national social investment programme, we are just kicking off, the funds will be released to the Bank of Industry this week for the EIP programme and for the school feeding programme, it is only after the cooks have performed that they will get their first payment.

“For the job creation programme, it is when the graduates have resumed and have worked for the first month that money will be released to them.

On the 2017 budget preparation, the minister disclosed that this was in advanced stage, saying the Economic Management Team had reviewed it extensively.

She added that the next step was for the document to be brought into the Federal Executive Council

for approval, thereafter it will be sent to the National Assembly.

She explained that the borrowing plan that President Buhari had sent to the National Assembly for 2016, indeed included the amount that was required for both local and foreign borrowing to fund the 2016 budget deficit.

She said: “The budget implementation itself is on course, the 2016 budget is fully performed to date in terms of personnel, that is to say we are not owing salaries at the federal level.

“Operational expenditure has been disbursed for eight months and the ninth month is just

being processed. Capital expenditure has disbursed to the tune of nearly 50 per cent. About N720 billion has been released, from the MDAs N1.5 billion as at the end of September.

“We are targeting to with the cooperation and assistance of the National Assembly will be approved inside of this year so that we will start implementation in January next year,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Works, Housing and Urban Development, Babatunde Fashola, also told State House correspondents that the Council approved completion of 215 megawatt Kaduna power plant.

He said he presented a

memo seeking procurement and implementation defects and lack of budget support for the project which was started 2009 and should have been completed in 2012.

He said: “But we are now in the position that we can complete this project by next year to add 215 megawatt of power to the national grid. And, in particular, dedicate some of the power to Kudan dam in Kaduna to support industrial complex there.’’

Fashola disclosed that the second project approved by the Council was the construction of sub-station to evacuate 40 megawatt of power from the Gurara

hydro electric power plant phase one to connect into Kaduna and to enable it to interconnect to Mamdo transmission substation.

He added that this would strengthen the transmission grid, saying these two approvals would complete ongoing projects which was a commitment of the administration to create jobs because contractors will return to site.

He said this would also increase power generation by 215 megawatt, noting that “from Kaduna, we will get 40 megawatt extra into the grid from Gurara phase 1 and we are also expanding the transmission across the country.”`

Women supporters of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, protesting the ruling which froze her $15 million account, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday.

Patience Jonathan vs EFCC: Ijaw women stage protest outside court •Court fixes Dec 7 for hearing Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Lagos with Agency Report IN solidarity with the former first lady, Patience Jonathan, over a freezing order made by the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the her account, over 100 women, on Wednesday, stormed a Federal High Court in Lagos, chanting songs of protest.

The EFCC had, on September 22, ordered the freezing of some bank accounts belonging to the former First Lady.

The commission had asserted that this was due to the ongoing investigation of alleged money laundering.

However, Patience Jonathan, in a fundamental rights suit instituted against the EFCC, is asking the court to issue an order, directing the unfreezing of her accounts forthwith.

She is also claiming the sum of $200 million against the commission as damages for infringing on her fundamental rights.

The presiding judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi, has fixed December 7 for hearing of the suit.

Apart from the EFCC, other respondents are Skye Bank and a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripama-Owei Dudafa.

Also joined in the suit are Pluto Property and Investment company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, Transocean Property and Investment Company Ltd and Globus Integrated Service Ltd. When the case was called on Wednesday, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, announced appearance for the EFCC, while Mr Granville Abibo appeared for Jonathan.

Addressing the court, Oyedepo informed the judge that the case was coming up for the first time, adding that some of the respondents had yet to be served with the court’s processes.

He said the case was

not yet “ripe for hearing,” having been served with the processes on October 19 and is yet to file a response.

His submission was, however, not contested by the counsel for the plaintiff.

NJC writes DSS, states why affected judges can’t be suspended Continued from pg4

and release from DSS office.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sat once after his release but had since not sat, following the uproar that trailed his resumption of duty.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the names of Okoro and Ngwuta had been removed from panels assigned to cases in which they were involved.

The two judges had also not requested to be included

in panels to sit on cases, though they had been coming around to their chambers at the apex court.

As stakeholders struggle to find a common ground regarding the future of the stung judges, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) committee would meet today at 11.00 a.m.

The meeting is expected to hold at the Supreme Court.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Metro...

Nigerian Tribune

crime, security, court

NAFDAC raids Aba Market, seizes expired drugs from counterfeiters THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has in a major enforcement operation raided the popular Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State, where many shops were closed and cartons of expired amino acid drugs being revalidated were confiscated.

The raid, coordinated

by Abia State office of the agency, was part of the sustained enforcement operations across the country by NAFDAC to rid the markets of fake and counterfeit regulated products.

Chief Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC, Abia State, Mr Olisa Okeke, who led the operation in company with security personnel and journalists, explained in an interview that the product, Amino-Fit, with red colour containing 10 tablets in a sachet and with batch number, B00313D, was manufactured in April 2013, with March 2016 as expiry date.

Okeke, however, noted that the dealers decided to clean the original expiry date and write a new date on the pack after the drug had expired to enable them to continue selling it to unsuspecting consumers.

According to him “some days ago, we got a tip-off that some persons were rewriting (re-validating) expiry dates on amino-acid drug, Amino-Fit and we went to investigate it at 21, Abagana Street, Aba. “Our aim was to find and mop up the re-validated drugs. On getting to the place, we met a lady who operates a hair salon in the building.

“While speaking to the lady, a young man suspiciously answered the question posed to the lady from an opening behind a locked gate.

“This led the team to look in different directions only to find the expired products being re-validated stacked inside a shop next to the salon through an opening by the door,” he said.

Okeke said the team then forced the doors of the shop open and found the re-validated products inside.

According to him, the suspects escaped through the fence into another compound behind the building housing the shop.

He, however, said 14 cartons of the re-validated expired pharmaceutical products were confiscated, while search for the culprits behind the deal continued.

He revealed that the premises had been sealed pending the time the culprits or the owner of the property would come to give account of what happened in the building, adding that the screen-printing equipment that the suspects were using to re-validate the products were also recovered during the operation.

The NAFDAC boss in the state, therefore, advised the public to be careful and check the expiry date on products before buying, so as to avoid paying for expired products.

“Buyers of food and drug products around us now have to be extra-careful, because unless you are very careful and look very well, you will not see that they have changed the expiry date,” he said.

An accident scene on Oladipo Diya Way, after Prince and Princess Estate junction at Gudu in Abuja on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Train crushes man to death in Enugu Jude Ossai - Enugu

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RAGEDY struck on Tuesday in Enugu, as a train ran into buses and traders at the Ogbete Main Market, killing an elderly man and leaving many people with various degrees of injuries.

Metro gathered that the

train which was said to be returning from Port Harcourt, the River State capital, was on a high speed,as it ran into to the market without horning.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, said the train almost smashed a tricycle operator at Zik Avenue area before getting to the Ogbete Market.

One of the drivers, who narrowly escaped death during the incident, disclosed that “God saved Nigerians because what the man driving the train planned was to massacre people and set the whole place on fire.

“If not for God, who moved the vehicles out miraculously, we all would

have perished.

When contacted, the Enugu State police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amarizu, confirmed the incident, describing it as horrible.

He wondered why the train driver should be on high speed without horning.

Police arrest teacher for sexually harassing student Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos

A teacher has been arrested by the police in Lagos State for alleged sexual harassment of one of his students, a twelve- yearold girl in the Ikotun area of the state.

The suspect, Olamilekan (surname withheld) confessed to have sexually harassed the student, but insisted that he only instructed the victim to suck his manhood.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest of the suspect and added that he would be charged to

court.

The suspect, however, blamed the act on a supernatural force, but expressed his readiness to face the consequence of his action.

The suspect, while speaking with newsmen said “I usually taught the victim and two others after school at Ikotun.

“When the girl was brought to my place, I said they should buy a notebook for her, but her parents didn’t. So, last Wednesday, I gave her an assignment, but she didn’t do it.

“When she came to me on Thursday during school period, I asked for the notebook, but she said her

mother did not give her money.

“I told her to go to JSS 1 class and join the other two girls that I would soon be with them. When I was done with my classes, I taught them for the day.

“I told the girl to follow me that I would buy the notebook for her at a woman’s shop near my house.

“She followed me, I bought the book for her and she said she was hungry. In order for her to understand what I would teach, I bought biscuit for her and as I was about to go, the woman said I should bring her bottle, which had been with me.

“I told her I would bring it later, but she refused and said the girl should follow me to the house so as to bring the bottle. That was how the girl followed me to my house and I took her inside our parlour.

“I put her on the chair and put my manhood in her mouth. It just came over me. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t touch her private part. They have done a test and confirmed I didn’t touch her private part.”

Olamilekan also claimed that “she didn’t cry and she didn’t complain, but went home and reported to her parents and they came to

the school to complain.

I teach them Business Studies.

“I know that I have committed a crime and I am guilty. Whatever is my punishment, I would face it and hope God would have mercy on me,” he said.

Badmos stated that the suspect was handed over to the police by the school’s head teacher, who reported the incident.

She also warned parents to always ensure close relationship with their children, especially the girls, so as to be abreast of their challenges.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Oluwatoyin Malik

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

Man remanded in prison for allegedly impersonating Bishop Kukah

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OR allegedly impersonating Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Catholic Diocese to defraud Chief Afe Babalola, a man, Abdulrahaman Muazu, is facing trial at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The accused and others now at large had sometime in June, obtained N2.5 million from Babalola, founder of the Afe Babalola University in the town, according to the prosecutor, Femi Falade.

He said they impersonated Kukah and under false pretence defrauded Babalola.

Falade said: “The accused presented himself as Bishop Kukah, who is preparing for the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East and obtained the sum of N2.5 million from Chief Afe Babalola.”

He told the court that he had assembled two witnesses to proceed with the prosecution of the case

and asked for an adjournment to enable him to prepare.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the accused, who was represented by a lawyer, Mr Tinuade Baderin, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

The offences contravened Sections 1(3) and 11 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Justice D. U. Okorowo remanded the accused in prison and adjourned the case till November 16 and 17 for hearing.

Police arrest man for raping 14-yr-old girl Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

A 35-year-old man, Mohammed (surname withheld), has been arrested by the police in Niger State, over allegation of forcefully having carnal knowledge a 14-year-old girl, (names withheld), at Barke Saleh area of Minna, the state capital, after pretending to be assisting the victim.

The incident occurred at about 8.45 p.m. last Saturday, when the victim, in the company with one of her friends, was searching for her money which she lost on the fateful evening, after which the suspect accosted her and lured her to his house in the neighbourhood under the pretence that he would give her back the exact amount she had

Students and pupils crossing Lanto stream on their way to school at Shadadi in kuje Area Council of Abuja on Wednesday.

Police nab man for defrauding businesswoman of N2m in Lagos Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos

A 60-year-old man, Nwogu (other name withheld) has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of about N2 million in Lagos State.

The man, however, insisted that he became a member of the syndicate, after he fell victim to fraudsters in Iyana Ipaja area of the state.

The suspect was arrested by detectives from the Area G Police Command, Ogba, after the Area Commander received a complaint on the activities of the man and other members of his gang .

The arrested man had reportedly lied to the victim that he had some goods at the port and that he needed money to clear the goods, when he defrauded the woman.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, while

speaking on the arrest of the old man, described him as a “serial fraudster.”

Pa Nwogu reportedly approached the victim at the Ikeja Computer Village, where he promised her a large return on whatever she could contribute to the clearing of the said goods.

Badmos also stated that preliminary investigation revealed that the old man

was a member of a syndicate that printed fake money and duped people with double transaction offer.

It was gathered that the victim, after being promised a good return and part of the goods, quickly went to the bank and withdrew N900,000, which she handed over to Pa Nwogu.

After about a week, Pa Nwogu and other mem-

bers of his gang reportedly called the victim to tell her that they could not clear the goods at the port and that they needed more money.

The woman was said to have sent another N700,000 to the gang and also gave another N400,000, when she was told of a need to bribe some customs officers.

The victim said “I was

Gunmen kidnap Anka LG vice chairman in Zamfara Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

SUSPECTED gunmen had, on Tuesday, kidnapped the vice chairman of Anka Local Government Council of Zamfara State, Alhaji Yahuza Wuya.

Metro learnt that the local government official was on his way to his village after closing from work.

Eyewitness told Metro that the abductors might have been trailing him from Anka,

the headquarters of the local government council.

According to the source, “as soon as he joined the connecting road to Wuya, his abductors overtook his car and blocked him. They asked him to alight from his vehicle and dragged him into their own vehicle and zoomed off.”

Speaking on the development, the chairman of Anka Local Government Council, Alhaji Mustapha Gado, said

“it is true my vice chairman had been kidnapped since Tuesday.”

Gado maintained that the council and other security agencies had jointly embarked on rescue mission to secure his release.

“Already, he stated that they were in touch with the abductors, demanding N5 million as ransom before he would be released to us,” he said.

not happy, because I was expecting that I would make more profit from the business; that was what prompted me to involve myself in it.

She also added that “when I got to their house, the fraudsters refused to give me the goods as promised, it was then I got annoyed and threatened to involve my lawyer in the deal.”

The suspect said “I was into clearing agency when I was duped by some fraudsters at Iyana- Ipaja through similar method.”

He added that “then, I was introduced into the business by a syndicate also at IyanaIpaja. We have been doubling money and defrauding innocent members of the public.”

Badmos said the state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, had directed that the old man should be charged to court.

lost.

Metro gathered that the under-aged girl innocently followed the suspect to his house, believing that Mohammed would fulfill the promise to assist her with the money as he had promised.

It was further learnt that no sooner than she entered the suspect’s residence that he closed the door, bolted it at the back and allegedly forcefully made love to her against her consent.

Further checks revealed that the victim, who was said to be staying with her mother could not go back home until about 12.45 a.m. the following day (Sunday), October 23 after suffering some bruises on her private part.

It was further learnt that on her arrival at home in the early hours of the fateful Sunday, she was said to have been crying uncontrollably, as she was also bleeding from her private part and she narrated her ordeal to her mother after questioning.

An insider police source at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) at the state police command headquarters, Minna, told Metro that upon the complaint by the mother of the victim, one Madam Hajara (surname withheld) at the police station, that the girl was taken to the Police Clinic Minna for medical examination and treatment.

The reliable police source who craved for anonymity in a brief chat with Metro, added that the suspect was promptly arrested by the police, after which he allegedly confessed to the crime.

Also when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger State Police Command, Mr Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident, adding that the command had commenced discrete investigation into the matter after the arrest of the suspect, disclosing that at the completion of the investigation, the suspect would be arraigned in court for trial.

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news

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Boko Haram: Buhari inaugurates Danjuma-led Committee to rebuild North-East Clement Idoko -Abuja

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, has inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI) at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, with the determination to restore normalcy and stability in the North Eastern part of country, devasted by Boko Haram insurgents.

PCNI, which is expected to coordinate the humanitarian efforts on resettlement and reconstruction of the region, is chaired

by General TY Danjuma (retd).

Buhari, speaking at the inauguration urged members of the committee to approach their task with dedication, accountability and transparency.

He also tasked them to take a quick look at the conditions of the over 2.4 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and take urgent remedial measures to alleviate their plights.

He said: “Today marks an important milestone in our desire and determination to restore normalcy and stability to the North Eastern part of our country.

“The devastation to human lives and livelihoods by the insurgency in the North East is severe, with more than an estimated 20,000 persons killed, an estimated 2.4 million persons displaced and billions of naira worth of personal and public assets destroyed.

“Many humanitarian intervention efforts, national and international, have worked over time to assist in coping with the task

of bringing succour to the IDPs in and outside the region, with most of these efforts aimed at providing short-term emergency assistance and relief to the victims of the violence and displacement.

“However, there remains a need for better coordination

of these efforts particularly the humanitarian resettlement and reconstruction of the region,” Buhari said.

He said though “the worst of the insurgency is behind us,” many of the IDPs who are willing to return home to pick up their lives and move forward have nothing

THE Senate Committee on Customs and Excise said on Wednesday that it will undertake a probe of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and also amend its Establishing Act. Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who stated this during an oversight tour of Customs Headquarters said that the probe would enhance the revenue generation capacity of the NCS. He said that it was regrettable that a report of the Ministry of Finance had shown that the NCS generated N400 billion less that its 2016 revenue target.

The Senator said: “We are looking into the operations of Customs service, looking at the areas of revenue gen-

Government is committed to providing effective coordination and guidance towards addressing the humanitarian crisis, the resettlement and reconstruction of the North East region.

“To this end, I have established the Presidential committee on the North East

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, with the chairman of the Presidential Committee on the North-East, General Theophilus Danjuma and other members, during the inauguration of the committee, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

NUPENG threatens mass protest over sack of members Ebenezer Adurokiya -warri

FOR losing over 3,000 of its members to mass sack by oil majors in the country so far, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), has threatened to mobilise a mass protest if the Federal Government does not find a way to recall the affected workers.

The oil workers union therefore, handed the Federal Government 21 days to redress the mass sack of its members or face mass ac-

tion very soon.

The union gave the warning in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, by the Central Working Committee at a meeting in Warri, Delta State.

The oil workers decried the sack of over 3,000 workers by oil majors and service companies who are closing shops on account of the economic recession.

The communiqué was presented to journalists by the President of NUPENG,

Senate begins probe of Customs, may amend Act Taiwo Adisa -Abuja

to return to.

“They have lost everything to the insurgency. In addition, social and public services are also absent due to the massive destruction of public and private infrastructure,” he added.

The president, however, assured that the Federal

eration and possible leakages with a view to finding solution.

“We have done a very detailed work here; we have established contacts with the commands.

“All we are interested in doing is to bring up a robust position that will help the NCS earn more revenue.

“In order to do that effectively we are looking at their current modus operandi with a view to refining how things are done so that more revenue can accrue to the service.

“By the time we look at the operations of some of these ports, we will come back and look at how best to amend and alter the existing Act. “We want to create a document that will be bold enough to earn the country the kind of revenue we are

looking for from non-oil sector.”

He also spoke on the discovery that oil majors were not accessible to the service for payment of levies adding that the Senate will amend aspects of the law to correct the imbalance.

He stated: “There are some limitations that has not made it possible for Customs to perform the way they should according to their mandate.

“Those are things that we will also look at and remove all obstacles to enable them function effectively.”

While receiving the committee, the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (retd), said that the service would submit relevant documents to the Senate to enhance its planned probe.

Igwe Achese.

It flayed the Federal Government for worsening the crisis in the oil industry by its failure to meet its Joint Venture cash calls and stifling the populace by concentrating on fight against corruption while the economy suffers.

The communiqué read in part: “As I address you, Chevron has wound up its Eastern operations and their offices closed.

“A total of 1,500 workers were sacked without their entitlements and nobody is saying anything.

“As we speak, many companies have left, others are winding up.

“ExxonMobil has asked its contract staff to go, that it can no longer pay them.

Pan Ocean, Sapiem, Grand

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oladele Christiana Olayinka now KEHINDE RACHEAL OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr. Adebanjo Adegbenga Joshua now MR. BANJO OLUWAGBENGA JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AND I, formerly Miss Amole Abosede Elizabeth now MRS. BANJO ABOSEDE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Petroleum, Hercules Offshore, all around Warri have closed shops.

“About 3000 workers have already been sacked by various oil companies.

“Federal Government should act fast to avert further loss of jobs. There is too much redundancy in the oil industry.

“NUPENG will take all necessary action to drive home its demands if government fails to act in 21 days.

“We are 100 per cent in support in the fight against anti-corruption, but there must be respite for Nigerians.

“Right now, our members and even those in other sectors are no longer able to pay school fees for their children and even afford rents.”

Initiative (PCNI), under the chairmanship of General T.Y. Danjuma (retd), GCON, a man of proven integrity, outstanding patriotism and dedication.

“He will lead this committee comprising members who have been carefully chosen from a wide spectrum of stakeholders. The committee will be the apex coordinating body for all interventions in the region, including those by the public, private, national and international development partners.

“The committee is domiciled in the Presidency and is charged with the responsibility for developing the strategy and implementation framework for rebuilding the North East region.

“The PCNI will not exist in perpetuity or isolation. Rather, it will exist for a period of three years, where after, it is envisaged that a long-term regional development framework or entity may be established,” he said.

According to Buhari, PCNI will be funded through federal, state and local government appropriation, as well as funds from the private sector and international development partners.

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to give the PCNI their maximum support to enable it to deliver on its mandate.

In his remarks, the Committee Chairman, General Danjuma, reminded Nigerians that the task of rebuilding the North East region is the collective responsibility of all citizens.

He acknowledged the contributions from various sources, particularly during the previous fund-raising ceremony for the Victims Support Fund for the North East.

Danjuma, however, noted that only half of the pledges made during the fund raising were redeemed.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

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businessnews

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Tony Elumelu advocates ‘structured philantrophy’ for Africa’s business devt

•Says ‘we can’t afford to ignore entrepreneurship’ •As his foundation hosts entrepreneurship forum on Friday

By Ruth Olurounbi

A

HEAD of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum, the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs, scheduled for Lagos this weekend, Chairman of UBA Plc and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu, has made a call to international community to embrace “structured philanthropy” in support of rising entrepreneurs “with great potential, as a means to achieving sustainable development in Africa.”

The forum is expected to celebrate the 2016 cohort of Elumelu Entrepreneurs, selected from over 45,000 applicants in 54 African countries.

Elumelu made the call to the French business community, global stakeholders and influential Africans in the development world to embrace during a live interview conducted by Serge Michel, Editor-in-Chief at Le Monde Afrique, to an audience of high level political and business leaders, including the French Development Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of international organisations, such as the World Bank, and the IMF, as well as representatives of civil society and selected journalists.

Elumelu spoke in Le Club de l’Economie in Paris, France, on Monday.

Elumelu explained that “the biggest obstacles to development in Africa are a lack of an enabling environment, infrastructure and access to electricity.

Imagine a young entrepreneur having to provide power access for a growing business.”

Proffering solutions to some of the obstacles, he

said “it is important that Africans increasingly embrace ‘structured giving’ because it helps us, assist worthy individuals who are not part of our families, or neighbourhoods, but who have great need and potential.”

Drawing from the achievements of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme as an example of how Africans can solve their own problems via entrepreneurship and better governance, Elumelu said Africapitalism is one of the key to solving the African challenges.

“Better governance will solve our problems. We can’t afford to ignore en-

trepreneurship. We need to do both. We need government to realise that the success of entrepreneurs will lead to more success for government. Government can’t create all the employment opportunities needed in the economy.

Only the private sector can do this. Government must create an enabling environment to allow businesses to thrive,” he said.

Bill Gates, a co-panelist at the event, buttressed this point during his session, saying: “states can no longer fund themselves their development, by giving back; we tap into the best part of ourselves. Ev-

MINISTER of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, on Wednesday, told the visiting Director, African Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Abebe Aemro Selassie that infrastructure development was a priority of the Federal Government.

Taking the visiting IMF chief through some of the initiatives of the current administration, the Minister said the current administration was doing everything to make Nigeria

the event organisers said.

The forum, according to organisers, will feature interactive learning sessions between the African entrepreneurs on one hand and thought leaders, investors and veteran entrepreneurs on the other.

Young entrepreneurs from across 54 countries in Africa are expected to interact with 500 business leaders, 32 speakers, as well as several established entrepreneurs and policymakers to forge partnerships, share insights and fashion Africa-made solutions to accelerate the transformation of Africa.

Investors gain N7.5bn , as stock market improves by 0.08% Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba-Lagos

TRADING on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recovered from three-day losing streaks as key Indices of the equities segment gained 0.08 per cent on Wednesday.

Specifically, All Share Index (ASI) grew by 21.87 points to settle at 27,120.39 basis points. Investors gained N7.5 billion in contrast to N163.6 billion lost on Tuesday as market capitalization appreciated to N9.315 trillion.

The performance of the market was primarily due to improved investor sentiments tracked by the market breadth that closed flat with 17 gainers against 17 losers.

Unilever Nigeria Plc topped the days’ price gainers with a growth of N2.11 to close at N48.01 per share, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Betagla Plc followed, as they improved by 50 kobo each to close at N146 and N31.50 per share each.

Etranzact added 47 kobo to close at N5.12 per share, and Dangote Sugar completed the top five gainers list with an appreciation of 28 kobo to close at N6.50 per share.

Yemi Kale gets another 5 years as statisticiangeneral From left: Group Executive, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Patrick Akinwuntan; Group Chief Executive Officer, ETI, Ade Ayeyemi; Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Charles Kie and Group Executive, ETI, Eddy Ogbogu at the unveiling of Ecobank Mobile APP in Lagos, on Thursday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Amending NLNG act will reverse its achievements —NLNG boss Olatunde DodndawaLagos

THE Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria LNG (NLNG), Tony Attah, has warned that any amendment to the Act that es-

tablished the company will have negative effects on the business model of the company.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Senate Committee on Gas in a statement released by the company and made

FG committed to infrastructure devt —Adeosun Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

erything significant we’ve done was through partnerships.”

Elumelu urged French investors to connect with local partners, while also calling on both the public and private sector to invest back into the continent by focusing on entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, the second cohort of the Tony Elumelu entrepreneurs will congregate for the second annual Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum, between on Friday and Saturday, this weekend.

This will be a gathering of the entire African entrepreneurship ecosystem,

Nigerian Tribune

productive in every aspect.

This, she said, would be achieved by shifting emphasis to the development of infrastructure, which had been neglected by previous administrations.

According to her, with a population of about 180 million people, Nigeria has no choice but to be productive, saying this can only be achieved through infrastructure.

Festus Akanbi, Adeosun’s Media Adviser said in a statement Wednesday eve-

ning that the minister recalled that “The allocation for capital projects in 2015 budget was just 10 per cent while the recurrent was 90 per cent which had been the case in the past six to seven years.”

She assured that the Federal Government is working with the private sector, and justified Nigeria’s deficit budget, saying there is no problem with running a deficit budget as long as it is done with emphasis on capital project financing.

available to the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, Attah argued that the business model of the company was made possible by the NLNG Act which is currently being threatened by a proposed amendment by the National Assembly.

He said that the proposed amendment would have adverse implications for NLNG’s ability to continue its business profitably, to attract future investments, and to help build a better Nigeria.

“NLNG needs all the necessary support to be able to go to the market to raise $15 billion for Train-7 investment which is capable of generating 18,000 jobs.

This will enable Nigeria resolve most of the youth restiveness in the country; help the company to remain a global player in the natural gas market and to

help build a better Nigeria.

We believe we can achieve all these with your help,” he said.

He assured that Nigeria has sufficient proven and non-proven gas resources to the extent that the country was referred to in a global conference, as “gas country that has some oil”, whereas the country actually classifies its economic strength in terms of oil and not gas.

Nigeria’s proven and estimated gas reserves is put at 187 and 600 trillion cubic feet (TCF) respectively, are more than sufficient to serve domestic and commercial needs of the country.

He also pointed out that Nigeria LNG has helped to reduce gas flaring from 65 per cent at the commencement of its operations to about 20 per cent as at today.

Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-renewal of Dr Yemi Kale’s tenure as the Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), for another term of five years.

He was first appointed in August 2011 for an initial five-year term. Before assuming office, he was the Special Adviser to the then Minister of National Planning.

A statement issued by Media Adviser to Minister of Budget and National Planning, James Akpandem disclosed that Kale received his undergraduate degree from Addis Ababa University and a Doctorate from the London School of Economics & Political Science.

He has served on several Presidential committees and advisory bodies and is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government leadership in government programmes.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

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businessnews

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria breaches debt service country-specific threshold by 0.10% •Cannot borrow more than $22.08bn in 2017 •As naira weakens to N460/$ despite forex sales to BDCs Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

J

UST as President Muhammadu Buhari seeks approval from the National Assembly for a foreign loan of $29.960 billion to address infrastructure deficit in the country, fresh facts have emerged that with debt service at about N1.4 trillion, Nigeria has already breached the Countryspecific threshold (of debt service) by 0.10 per cent as at end of December, 2015.

Also, data from the Debt Management Office showed that the maximum amount Nigeria can borrow in 2017 from both local and foreign sources must not exceed $22.08 billion without it violating its debt threshold.

Nigeria had a borrowing space of 5.89 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $374.95 billion which will take its debt limit to a country-specific threshold of 19.39 percent of its total public debt-toGDP ratio, it said.

Total public debt-toGDP ratio for 2016 is projected at 13.5 percent, DMO said in a debt sustainability report seen

by Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday.

Specifically, the ratio of Public Debt-to-GDP was 13.02 percent as at end of December, 2015, which was still within the Country’s Specific limit of 19.39 percent in the medium-term (up to 2017).

However,” the liquidity ratio revealed gross weaknesses in the structure of the economy, as the ratio of Public Debt Service-toRevenue of 28.10 percent as at end of December, 2015, breached the Country-specific threshold of 28 percent, highlighting a potential risk to the debt

portfolio. This could be worsened by the developments in the international oil market, as further decline in global oil prices would exert undue pressures on the already fragile economy, including the debt position in the medium to long-term.

The debt office notes that this buttresses the urgent need for concerted efforts to be intensified to diversify the revenue base of the country away from oil.

The 2016 DSA exercise adopted the updated version of the joint World Bank/IMF Debt Sustainability Framework for

Low-Income Countries (DSF-LICs) analytical tool, which was released in August, 2015 The revised DSF-LICs was used to assess the country’s debt sustainability based on the Baseline and Optimistic Scenarios over a 20-year projection period under various assumptions.

Earlier, the World Bank had warned that Nigeria should be worried about the percentage of its revenue that goes into servicing of debts rather than the size of the debts.

The World Bank Lead Economist for Nigeria, Khwima Nthara, said this

a central bank move to channel dollars to retail currency outlets failed to ease liquidity shortages, traders said.

Also, unofficial currency dealers said the naira exchanged for N500 on Wednesday as against N495 to the Euro and N555 compared to N550 to the British Pounds Sterling it resumed earlier in the week at. This is even as the local currency at the official window sold for N 373.1377 on Wednesday as against N373.7 to the British Pounds and N 333.7588 compared to N332.7 to the Euro which it started the week at.

Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, ABCON, disclosed that the CBN brokered a meeting between Travelex and ABCON which led to the commencement of the sale of Forex in Abuja, Kano and by extension, Port Harcourt.

The ABCON President said that the BDCS in Abuja got $20,000 each from the sale of Forex by First Bank on Tuesday, adding that Abuja environs would also benefit from the sale.

Conoil records 54% increase in profit Kehinde AkinseindeJayeoba-Lagos

From left: Partner and Head, Advisory Services, Bisi Lamikanra; Senior Manager, Management Consulting, Bode Abifarin; Head, Department of Professional Practices, Agnes Lutukai and Director, Audit Services, Robert Araeb all of KPMG Nigeria at a press conference and presentation of KPMG report on Africa Banking, Industry Retail Customer Satisfaction Survey held at KPMG Head Office, Victoria Island on Tuesday, in Lagos. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Brace up for rail concessioning, Amaechi tells workers Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

BRUSHING aside loud grumblings againstthe the plan, the Federal Government has insisted on

concessioning Nigerian Railway.

This is because handing over the facility to a genuine investor would guarantee enormous benefits,

No plan to increase electricity tariff – Discos THE Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) on Wednesday said it had no plan to increase the current tariff being paid by consumers.

Mr Sunday Oduntan, ANED Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) had not submitted any proposal to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Com-

in Washington, United States, while answering questions from journalists from several African countries through video conference to mark the release of a report on the continent’s economies entitled: ‘Africa Pulse’.

Nthara said Nigeria’s total debt profile was sustainable but added that the cost of servicing it, especially the domestic debt, was too high and out of sync with the country’s revenue profile.

Meanwhile, naira hit its weakest level on the black market in more than a week at N460 to the dollar on Wednesday, as

mission (NERC) on tariff increase.

“It is not true that we want to increase the tariff by 200 per cent because we do not have any right to do so.

“When you talk about tariff review or increase, it is the responsibility of a regulator and that work belongs to NERC. “We should understand how the system works because it is the work of the regulator to decide whether there should be tariff review and not DISCOs,’’ said the ANED official.

He urged the National Assembly to reconsider the stoppage of the bond provided by government in order to address the liquidity challenge facing the power sector.

“We are not asking for subsidy but that government should step in and provide a bond,’’ he said.

Oduntan said that the business of electricity distribution were presently not bankable because no bank would lend DISCOs money with the huge deficits in their books.

as it stressed that there was no going back on the plans to concession the corporation.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made government’s position known while receiving the PresidentGeneral, Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies, Mr. Mohammed Yunusa, who led other union leaders and members to the Federal Ministry of Transportation in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Public Relations, Yetunde Sonaike on Wednesday, Amaechi appealed to the union and other similar groups in the country to give peace a chance and allow Nigeria to progress in the right direction.

The minister told the workers’ representatives that the transportation ministry should not be burdened with unprofitable agitations and actions capable of denying Nigerians the long awaited benefits of Nigerian Railway Corporation’s concession.

Amaechi however, assured the union leaders that no staff of their organisations would lose their jobs in the process.

He said he would ensure that the new management of the corporation took steps to complement government’s efforts for a harmonious work environment.

Amaechi reportedly said, “Mr President is a ‘propeople’ who would not like anyone to be sacked, adding that the new investors would place priority on workers’ welfare.”

CONOIL Plc has sustained its impressive performance so far this year with 54 per cent increase in its Profit Before Tax for the ninemonth period ended September 30.

The performance of the major fuel marketer indicated resilience in braving the stifling operating environment in the downstream sector of the nation’s petroleum industry.

The unaudited results of the oil marketing company submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday showed profit before tax of N2.72 billion , an increase of 54 per centover the N1.76 billion recorded in the previous year, while profit after tax increased by 51 per cent ; from N1.2 billion last year to N1.81 billion.

Earnings Per Share increased by 51 per cent from N172 last year to N261. The company however, recorded a six per cent increase in revenue from N60.2 billion to N63.9 billion.

According to the management of the company, the impressive result was attributed to efficient allocation of resources, its long term and pain-staking strategic business planning and its strict adherence and implementation of global operating standards in all its business processes.

It would be recalled that the oil major recorded a scintillating performance in its half year results this year. It recorded profit before tax of N1.566 billion, representing a growth of 196 per cent from N528.5 million recorded in the corresponding period last year. It also posted a whopping 190 per cent increase in profit after tax from N359.4 million last year to N1.04 billion this year.

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editorial

O

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Towards a credible census

N Tuesday, October 18, the Senate called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to set machinery in motion to conduct a housing and population census in 2018. A census was last conducted in the country between March 21 and 30, 2006 during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, and another one ordinarily ought to be held this year following a United Nations provision.

The Senate’s move followed a motion by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi entitled “A call for the Federal Government to Expedite Action on the Planned 2018 National Census.” Hunkuyi said: “The population census should be carried out within an adequate timing and an objective of conducting an acceptable exercise.

The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), NPoPC, Ministry of Budget and National Planning and other supervising agencies must make adequate provision in 2017 budget as critical prerequisite to achieving 2017/2018 population census.”

And contributing to the discussion, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said: “As we approach the next census, we must take advantage of the developments in technology and make the results of the exercise acceptable. We want this exercise to count; every Nigerian must be counted and no one should be counted twice. If we do this, we will be able to plan.”

To be sure, no country makes meaningful progress without possessing relevant data on population figures. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is notorious for the lack of relevant data for national planning, despite boasting a host of agencies saddled with that responsibility. In any case, anytime a census is done, there is usually no agreement on the results arising from the bitter ethno-political rivalry within the country and the potentiality of a census to shape regional, state and ethnic relations and the balance of power. Thus, the results of the first post-independence census conducted in 1962 were withdrawn, and the 1963 figures were derided. The results of the 1973 census were discarded, and the 1991 census which put Nigeria’s population at 88.9 million was hotly disputed. The first page of the census form provided space to list up to nine members of a household, and hardly any household reported a lower figure.

Prior to the 2006 census, there was acrimony between the North and the South over the agitation by Northern elite that vital issues such as ethnicity and religion be left out of the census questionnaire. Worse still, thousands of unpaid enumerators abandoned the job in anger during the exercise. On December 30, 2006, the results announced by Samu’ila Makama, then chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), put Nigeria’s population at 140 million, with the North being 75 million persons and the South, 65 million persons.

Predictably, the results turned out to be controversial, not least because it indicated that there were more males than females in

the country. Ohaneze Ndigbo said it had reduced the Igbo to a minority ethnic group; a state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, quipped that his domestic servants were not even enumerated, while Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos flatly rejected the state’s official figure of 9,013,534 persons and went ahead to put the “authentic figure” at 17,553,924 persons. This made Makama to accuse some states of breaching the constitution by usurping the NPC’s responsibility. Academics in the North however welcomed the results, pointing out that early marriage was more common in the zone, and that the North being mostly polygamous would have more population than the mostly monogamous South.

However, confirming the politicisation of census results, Chief Festus Odimegwu, then chairman of the NPC, said in August 2013: “No census has been credible in Nigeria since 1816. Even the one conducted in 2006 is not credible. I have the records and evidence produced by scholars and professors of repute. If the current laws are not amended, the planned 2016 census will not succeed. Nigeria has run on falsehood for too long. It is either we do an accurate census or we will not do anything.”

Partly because the federal allocation formula gives population a weighting of 44 per cent and given the implications for representation in the National Assembly, census exercises in the country have over the years tended to be prosecuted like a war. Yet the question can be asked whether anyone has ever seen developed countries like the USA conducting a population census. Countries desirous of growth and development simply take advantage of technology to determine their population strength. Nigeria has many sources of information, including the biometric verification number (BVN) for banking transactions, the national identification card, the permanent voter card (PVC), driver’s licence and international passport, among others. Even though these data pools cannot realistically be expected to capture Nigeria’s entire population given the state of development and infrastructure, it is saddening that no serious effort has been made to harness their potential gains.

What is more, the primary health centres which are supposed to be gathering data are ill-equipped for the task, and countless numbers of Nigerians are still far from civilisation, trapped in appalling conditions. A significant percentage of births are not in the formal sector, and government must look at how to bring the informal demographics into the formal sector through aggressive provision of infrastructure. This last point cannot be stressed enough, because rapid urbanisation has the benefit of co-opting previously neglected populations into the national matrix.

Thus, while we are not against a population census being held in 2018, we urge the Federal Government to explore other means of getting population figures at any point in time, especially with the use of technology.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

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•Motherhood! PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

Capitalising on economic crisis to develop Nigeria

W

ITH the financial crisis in the country today, the Federal Government can still capitalise on this to develop our economy. At the moment, it makes no financial sense to import, as the stress of obtaining forex is a challenge on its own. The fall in the value of the naira will also mean that there will be less profit on imported products.

The solution, therefore, will be for investors to establish their manufacturing firms in the country.

Today, imported products are becoming more expensive, and it is having an impact in the love Nigeri-

ans have for foreign products. The average Nigerian can no longer afford those luxury products they used to buy a couple of years ago because of how expensive they are now, which came about as a result of the depreciation in the value of the naira.

The only thing left for Nigerians is to make do with our local products, which are affordable.

This, therefore, means that more jobs will be created to meet the needs of Nigerians for certain products.

President Muhammadu Buhari has a lot to do to stabilise the economy. He should, therefore, bring

together political economy and finance experts to proffer solutions to our economic problems.

However, what we must understand is that we are in this mess because we did not diversify our economy

aid.

For the past 11 years, residents of Ogwuashi-Ukwu and the entire Aniocha South have been living in darkness. Before the coming on board of BEDC, officials of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) refused to repair the faulty trans-

we are suffering economically now.

•Oladejo Taiwo, 08035505314

Oyo govt, tar road leading to Olubadan’s palace SINCE the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, ascended the throne of his forefathers, then one would have expected the Oyo State government to tar the road leading to the palace of the monarch.

The condition in which the road is does not show that it leads to the palace of the foremost royal father in Ibadan.

As the father of everybody in the state capital,

many important dignitaries across the country do visit the palace, and it does not speak well of us that this is how the road leading to the Olubadan’s palace is.

I am, therefore, calling on the state government, under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to quickly start work on the rehabilitation of the road leading to the palace.

It is also important that

Delta govt, save us from darkness in Ogwuashi-Ukwu I am using this opportunity to appeal to the Delta State government, and the management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), which is in charge of the supply of electricity to Ogwuashi-Ikwu in Aniocha South local government area, to come to our

when the going was good.

Our love for foreignmade goods, which are inferior to ours in most cases, is the major reason

formers, or erect fallen electricity poles, and for several years, the area was without electricity. Even when the BEDC took over the reins of PHCN, nothing has changed, and here we are, still crying of lack of electricity supply.

I want to say that students of the Delta State

Polytechnic, OgwuashiUkwu are the worst-hit, as well as those whose businesses rely on power.

I am, therefore, calling on the state government and BEDC to help us out as it is not easy living in darkness.

•Ngozi Osodi, 09074457675

prominent Ibadan sons and daughters who have the contact of the governor prevail on him to rehabili-

tate this road immediately.

•Abayomi Babatunde, 07054556784

On death penalty for kidnappers KIDNAPPING is on the rise in the country, and it is important that the government takes tougher measures to curb this evil act.

There is hardly a day that Nigerians are not treated to news about someone who has been kidnapped.

Nobody is safe any longer, and fear now rules the hearts of Nigerians. The consequence of this is that more Nigerians will develop heart related illnesses.

It is as a result of this that I want to commend the Lagos State government for setting in motion the law that will make kidnapping punishable by death.

This is definitely the only

way to arrest the situation, and it is necessary for other states, and even the Federal Government, to also apply the capital punishment to those involved in kidnapping.

Those who are into this illegal act know what they are doing. They cannot blame the fact that they resorted to crime simply because things are tough for them, as there are many other people who are also suffering in the country but have not seen crime as an option.

Tumini George, 09095687489

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opinion

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Ending lingering crisis over LG creation

By Eric Teniola

T

HERE is a lingering problem over the way and manner local governments have been created arbitrarily in this country. The problem became worse under the military. Some call it military nepotism, and as it is now, with the 1999 Constitution very difficult to amend, it seems we have to live and endure with the problem for a long time.

Before independence in 1960, there were 240 native authorities in Nigeria; the North had 144, the West had 55 and the East had 47. The states we referred to as East had 72 local governments in 1979, while the zone we referred to as West, including Lagos, had 60. The states that we group as the old North had 152 local governments in 1979, while the old Mid-Western region, which we named as Bendel State, had 19 local governments. In total, we had 303 local governments.

For example, Lagos State had eight local governments in 1979. And they were Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Somolu, Mushin, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Ikeja. The same Lagos State now has 20 local governments according to the 1999 Constitution. In 1979, Kano State had 20 local governments namely, Kano (Metropolitan), Dambatta, Ringim, Minjibir, Gezewa, Bichi, Dawakin-Tofa, Gwarzo, Tundun-Wada, Rano, Wudil, Dawakin-Kudu, Dutse, Jahun, Birnin-Kudu, Gaya, Hadejia, Keffin-Hausa, Gumel and Kazaure. Now, the old Kano State has been broken into two states, Jigawa and Kano respectively. The present Kano State has 46 local governments while Jigawa has 27 local governments. In short, the old Kano State of 1979 now has 73 local governments. Imo State had 22 local governments in 1979. Now, Imo State has been broken into Abia and Imo with some part even forming Ebonyi State. Abia State now has 18 local governments while Imo State has 28 local governments. In 1979, Rivers State had 10 local governments; now, the state has been broken into two, Bayelsa and Rivers. Rivers State has 23 local while Bayelsa has eight local governments. Kaduna State had 14 local governments in 1979, but now, it has been broken into two, Katsina and Kaduna states. Katsina now has 34 local governments while Kaduna has 23 local gov-

ernments. Ondo State had 18 local governments in 1979, now it has been broken into Ondo and Ekiti states. The present Ondo State now has 18 local governments while Ekiti has 16 local governments. Ogun State, apparently one of the few states that has not been split, had 10 local governments in 1979, namely, Abeokuta, Odeda, Obafemi Owode, Ifo-Otta, Egbado-North, Egbado- South, Ijebu Ode, Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ijebu Remo. The same Ogun State now has 20 local governments. The Mid-Western Region was created in June 1973 following an Act of the Parliament. The region was renamed Bendel State on May 27, 1967. In 1979, the state had 19 local governments namely, Oshimili, Oredo, Okpebho, Isoko, Ethiope, Bomadi, Burutu, Okpe, Warri, Orhionmwon, Ovia, Etsako, Ika, Agbazilo, Owan, Ughelli, Aniocha, Akoko Edo and Ndokwa. Now, the state has been split into two, Edo and Delta. Edo has 20 local governments while Delta has 25 local governments.

In 1989, we had 589 local governments in Nigeria. We now have 774 local governments. The last exercise on the creation of local governments in Nigeria was carried out by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in 1995, when he appointed Chief Arthur Mbanefo as the Chairman of the panel.

It is instructive to point out that there will always be constant conflict on creation of local governments in this country as long as states blessed with more local governments earn more than states with less local governments.

As a way out, maybe, we should return to the measure adopted in 1963. Maybe, that will reduce conflict; but just maybe. Section 140 of the 1963 Constitution (1) says, “There

shall be paid by the Federation to each Region a sum equal to fifty per cent of – (a) The proceeds of any royalty received by the Federation in respect of any minerals extracted in that region; and (b) Any mining rents derived by the Federation from within that Region (2) The Federation shall credit to the Distributable Pool Account a sum equal to thirty per cent of — (a) the proceeds of any royalty received by the Federation in respect of minerals extracted in any Region; and (b) any mining rents derived by the Federation from within any Region.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the proceeds of a royalty shall be the amount remaining from the receipts of that royalty after any refunds or other repayments relating to those receipts have been deducted therefrom or allowed for.

(4) Parliament may prescribe the periods in relation to which the proceeds of any royalty or mining rents shall be calculated for the purposes of this section.

(5) In this section, “minerals” includes mineral oil.

(6) For the purposes of this section, the continental shelf of a region shall be deemed to be part of that region.

There shall be paid by the Federation to the Region at the end of each quarter, sums equal to the following fractions of the amount standing to the credit of the Distributable Pool Account to that date, that is to say— (a) to Northern Nigeria, forty ninety-fifths; (b) to Eastern Nigeria, thirty-one ninety-fifths; (c) to Western Nigeria, eighteen ninety-fifths; (d) to Mid-Western Nigeria, six ninety-fifths.

142 Each Region shall in respect kin respect of each financial year pay to the Federation an amount equal to such part of the expenditure incurred by the Federation during that financial year in respect of the department of customs and excise of the Government of the Federation for the purpose of collecting the duties referred to in Section 136-139 of this constitution as is proportionate to the share of the proceeds of those duties received by that region under those sections in respect of that financial year.”

•Teniola, a former director at The Presidency, lives in Lagos.

Tackling Africa’s climate challenges

By Chinedu Moghalu THE financial cost of the 2012 flooding across Nigeria was officially put at N2.6 trillion by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). With housing and agriculture being the two highest affected sectors, the crisis dealt very hard blows on the affected communities and food production.

On the one hand, the huge financial loss highlights the scale of the natural disaster and the humanitarian needs that attended it. On the other hand, the financial cost is so huge that, given the fiscal constraints to meeting these needs, the affected communities will bear the brunt of the disaster for many years. This is quite unfortunate.

In Africa, drought, flood and cyclones have been wrecking havoc on livelihoods in communities and across countries. For example, a severe drought between 2011 and 2012 affected the whole of East Africa. As a result, over 9.5 million people experienced crushing food shortages; and the disaster also brought about a refugee crisis. The prospects of extreme weather shocks show that African populations are increasingly susceptible to climate risks. The grim reality is that some people would be traumatised again and again by repeat experiences, going by the large size of the areas that are prone to these risks, and the harrowing experience of displacement.

Climate disasters are likely to occur more frequently in light of the rise in global temperatures and the rise in sea levels. Precisely because of very limited capacity for crisis response, Africa is especially vulnerable to climate disasters. With the certainty of natural disasters, the challenge to surmount them is how to build resilience in vulnerable communities and deliver timely assistance when the risks crystallise. These are no mean challenges at all, given my affinity to Nigeria’s 2012 experience.

Many of us often dismiss the capability of Africa to rise to this and many other daunting challenges on the continent, citing the lack of political will and effective policy-making to unlock the required resources; not the

least, financing.

But this is not always the case. African policy-makers came together in 2012, under the aegis of the African Union (AU), and founded the African Risk Capacity (ARC) as a specialised agency for financing climate resilience and crisis response.

The initial returnable fund of $90 million was provided to the Agency by the governments of Germany, through BMZ and KfW Development Bank; and the United Kingdom, through DfID. The objective is to provide African countries with early funds, linked to pre-defined national climate contingency plans, and for leading response in the event of climate disasters. This initial assistance is hoped to reduce Africa’s reliance on external funding to address climate risks.

The ARC is a weather insurance mechanism for the member-countries of AU with the combination of a climate risk analytic, the Africa RiskView; and a financial arm, ARC Insurance Company Limited. Africa RiskView is a risk modelling platform, which provides early warning and parametric insurance tools that trigger the need for an insurance payout when the risk that is covered crystallises. This automated process aids the objective of delivering timely response.

The ARC is already off the ground. No less than 37 countries have signed up to the initiative, including Nigeria. The initial risk pool, which covered the 2014/2015 rainfall seasons, consisted of Kenya, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. The drought insurance policies issued to the countries totalled nearly $130 million in coverage for a total premium cost of $17 million.

The first set of insurance payouts, totalling over $26

million, has been made under this initiative in January 2015, with Mauritania, Niger and Senegal benefiting as a result of drought conditions in these countries in 2014.

Five other countries have since joined the pool. This has increased the drought coverage for the 2015/2016 rainfall seasons to over $190 million.

However, the ARC aims to do much more. It targets up to 30 countries for coverage of its drought, flood and cyclone policies, totalling approximately $1.5 billion by 2020. An estimated 150 million Africans will benefit from the risk covers. For this, however, only $300 million in premium payments is required.

This underscores the cost-benefit of early intervention through the African Risk Capacity which guarantees that every dollar spent on its insurance saves nearly four and a half dollars that would be spent after a crisis is allowed to crystallise. The potent question therefore is, how do Africans push towards the target coverage of the scheme?

This question has engaged my thought as we need to ensure that Africa does not continue to be a graveyard for good initiative, due to lack of awareness, cynicism and inability to put our money where our mouth is.

Irrespective of the cost-benefit of this risk insurance, it potentially faces the general apathy towards insurance in Africa, which makes the continent the least insuranceprotected region of the world. This challenge can be surmounted, in part because of the governmental stakeholding of the ARC and because it can be a basis of peer review by the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) with regard to citizen protection from natural disasters. But there is also a need to leverage local advocacy. Sufficient awareness needs to be raised at national level about this scheme.

Civil society actors can take this further by intimating local representatives, especially legislators, on the need to provide covers for the vulnerable communities they represent rather than having to face the challenges of responding to the humanitarian crises that often follow such disasters.

•Moghalu lives in Abuja.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

maka nd’igbo How Enugu celebrated 2016 World Polio Day

NAFDAC confiscates N68.2 worth of fake drugs in Enugu Airport Jude Ossai - Enugu

Jude Ossai - Enugu

N

NAMDI Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, was a cynosure of all eyes as residents of the Coal City, mostly women, at the weekend, precisely October 24, gathered at the arena to commemorate this year’s World Polio Day. The event, which commenced at the stadium, later moved to Poly Clinic and Michael Okpara Square Hall in Enugu metropolis.

Speaking at the occasion, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi, wife of Enugu State governor, used the occasion to call on mothers to ensure that efforts to prevent polio in the state were sustained.

Mrs Ugwuanyi, during the flag-off, explained that the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration had since its inauguration been working to provide quality health care, noting that polio eradication was one of such noble objectives.

Urging mothers to always

Wife of Enugu State governor, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi immunizing a baby as part of activities marking World Polio Day at Poly Clinic, Asata, Enugu. keep a close watch on their babies’ health, Mrs Ugwuanyi advised them to practise exclusive breastfeeding until six months.

“You have to ensure that you immunize them against polio and other diseases. Don’t forget that polio is dangerous,” she added.

Also speaking, the District Governor-nominee of Rotary District 9142 Enugu, Dr Dan Ajawara, said Rotarians across the world remained committed to the goal of “kicking out polio”.

That global commitment has yielded positive results, he said,

adding that it’s regrettable the virus had resurfaced in Nigeria despite the success of massive immunisation campaigns.

The high point of the occasion were the administering of oral polio vaccines on some children and unveiling the polio plaque.

Steer clear of our land, Anambra community warns its neighbour Suzy Oruya - Onitsha THE people of Nkwelle-Ezunaka Community have refuted the claim that they are set to renew hostility with its neighbour, Osile Community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State over alleged encroachment on the disputed land located at Agricultural site in Okpuno Ezikwelle.

Sounding the note of warning while reacting to the purported encroachment, the President General of NkwelleEzunaka community, Mr. Ikechukwu Nnalue said: “In 2015, they encroached on our land located at the Agricultural site in Okpuno Ezikwelle, and allocated some portions to butchers, block molders and other artisans, destroyed buildings and damaged our economic crops. We lost N40 million worth of property. They did these without respecting the Enugu Appeal Court order that nobody should enter the land pending the determination of the substantive suit filed by Osile people when we defeated them in the lower courts”.

“We defeated them in 1927 when Stephenson gave judgment against them and in 1935 when Hanson gave judgment

that he stood by the judgment of Stephenson and they dragged us to Otuocha High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Joseph Nweze and the judge directed that both of us should go and measure our land which we did, but Osile did not and instead went to Enugu Appeal Court and the appellant court directed that nobody should enter the land in dispute pending the determination of the suit, but now Osile people have encroached on it”.

The PG revealed that they also accused him of shooting people and was taken to Abuja and later released because of his innocence.

“They should not see our obedience to court directive as weakness. We are law abiding citizens and always respect the court.

They should steer clear of our land.

“We call on the state government, boundary commission and Surveyor General of the Federation to prevail on Osile people to abide by the court order and also help us to restore our land from Osile land grabbers”.

In his defense, the President General of Osile community, Mr Donatus Mbanefo, after rising from a town hall meeting, denied

the allegation and accused Nkwelle -Ezunaka people of selling the said land to land developers.

He hinted that they had obtained Supreme Court judgment on the disputed land in 2012 in their favour.

According to him, the judgment with accompanying survey-

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

or plan has been submitted to the state boundary commission and wondered why it had not been enforced.

He warned the illegal developers to steer clear of the land, stating that the community would use all legal means to recover their land.

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated fake drugs and unwholesome products worth sixty eight million, two hundred and sixty four thousand naira (N68, 264,000.00) at Akanu-Ibiam International Airport Enugu.

Briefing newsmen in Enugu last week, NAFDAC Deputy Director, Port Head, Mr John Okwori, said the consignment included unlabelled chemicals, drugs in Chinese language only, fake sex enhancing devices, counterfeit labels of popular products like: Chelsea Dry gin and Amarula drink.

According to Mr Okwori, eleven large cartons of Chelsea Dry gin labels which could be used to package gin worth sixty four million, seven hundred and sixty four thousand naira were seized.

The deputy director further explained that as part of NAFDAC efforts to rid the country of fake and unwholesome products, it had arrested one Mr Ugochukwu Uguegbulu for importing fake drug known as Gyno Aaktarh Vaginal capsules (200mg) imported from Dubai.

Okwori said other consignments which the agency seized were imported without approvals from NAFDAC and were equally abandoned by the owners even as investigation is on to track the importers.

He stated that they were under strict directive from Acting Director General of NAFDAC that the relatively young Akanu-Ibiam International Airport should not be allowed to be turned into a smuggling channel and as such, “we are proactive and equal to the task.

Federal Road: Enugu govt appeals to FG Jude Ossai - Enugu THE Enugu State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to reimburse the amount spent on rehabilitation of FG roads in the state totaling over N22.8 billion, saying that it would enable the state to speed up the ongoing projects in the state.

The appeal came even as the State Executive Council on Monday approved the award of contract for the rehabilitation of more sections of the Federal Government road along 9th Mile (Mechanic Village) – Egede Junction –Umuoka – Okpatu - Army Checkpoint and additional works at Holy Catholic Church Ochima Town to Opi Junction.

Briefing journalists at the Government House, Enugu, after the State Executive Council meeting,

Gov Ugwuanyi the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, noted that the contract, which was awarded to Comag Steel and Construction Company Limited at the sum of N114,841, 938.75, was shaped by the need to curb the negative effects of the dilapidated sections of the road to boost the socioeconomic fortunes of the state.

Dr Udeuhele also disclosed that the council applauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his remarkable contributions towards the emergence of Enugu Rangers International Football Club as champions of the Nigerian Professional Football League after 32 years, describing him as a “jinx-breaker” who had made the state proud.

The council equally approved the participation of the state government in the “Saving One Million Lives“ Federal Government programme aimed at enhancing access to immunisation and utilisation of Vitamin A for the benefit of the people.

On the issue of security, the council reminded the public that the state’s Emergency Number (117) was fully functional and available on the MTN and Airtel networks.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

Reflections on ANA members’ train trip to Abeokuta

By Hameed Olutoba Lawal

W

HEN I got the message at short notice that the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Oyo and Osun chapters would be travelling by rail to Abeokuta for the first ever meeting of the South-West chapter of the literary association, that comprise Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos states, christened ‘Jamboree,’ I looked forward to the trip with excitement. The excitement arose from the fact that the trip would afford me the opportunity of my first train ride.

Though the sight of a train is not strange to me. As a kid at Kaduna, I remember vividly the childhood adventure of going to hunt for grasshoppers in the bushes beside a train track. I could also recall that on few occasions, the sight of trains in motion crossing the road with its booming horn at Ibadan and Lagos, but I have never travelled by train before until this memorable day.

To meet the call time of 4:00pm, I left Oyo town as early as 2:00pm and arrived the railway station in Ibadan, the take off point, at 3:00pm. While awaiting the train at the railway terminus in Ibadan, the sight of abandoned passenger and cargo coaches, aging structure housing the offices elicited memories of train services in the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s. This important sector of the economy went comatose, but there have been recent attempts to revive it by the Federal Government. While some of us who had boarded train in these golden years recalled that the long wait for the train was a characteristic trait of train services, first timers reasoned that if transportation by train is revived and modernised with efficient service, it has the potential of being an alternative to road transport for passengers and goods. An added advantage is that of easing Nigerian roads of heavy duty vehicles.

After about three hours waiting, the train arrived the Ibadan terminus at 6:30pm. As the train zoomed off at snail speed towards Abeokuta, it was a jolly ride. Though the journey, which is about one hour by road, took us about two hours, 30 minutes, but there was no dull moment. As the train moved, swerving left and right, the long journey to Abeokuta turned a memorable one with readings, riddles and jokes from ANA members. While this was on, the curiousness and inquisitiveness in me made me to stroll to other sections of the moving train. While the seats are as comfortable as that of luxurious buses and planes, there are two toilets, a bar and restaurant to give the passengers the hospitality of an hotel while on a long journey. However, with the door to one of the toilets yanked-off or removed for repairs, the odour of urine assailed the noses of passers-by and passengers sitting near the toilet.

We arrived the Abeokuta terminus at about 9pm. We disembaked and the train continued its onward journey to Lagos. Two buses arranged by the host chapter, Ogun ANA picked us from the terminus to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abeokuta (Ile Iwe Irohin). At Ile Iwe Irohin, we were given a warm reception by the Chairman and his Secretary. After a welcome address by the Chairman and information on the programme lined up for the meeting, we were treated to a sumptuous

•A cross section of ANA members on the rail track in Abeokuta. dinner of Ofada rice. Other programmes lined up for the following day, September 1, 2016 were the visits to Professor Wole Soyinka’s residence and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidential Library. We later retired to the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Guest House to pass the night.

The programme began the following day, with the zonal meeting at the NUJ Secretariat (Ile Iwe Irohin). It was revealed to

us that the meeting was the initiative of the Chairman, Oyo State Chapter, Dr. Solomon Iguare. It was resolved that the zonal meeting should be sustained to strengthen interface of creative writings and creative writers in the region. Subsequently, a committee was constituted to suggest the modalities of reviving the moribund Ekiti State chapter.

After our breakfast of yam, bread, fried egg and tea, we left Ile Iwe Irohin in a convoy of

two buses to tourist sites of Professor Soyinka’s residence and Chief Obasanjo’s library.

The plan to visit Fela’s family house and Olumo Rock was suspended due to logistic problems and time.

Our first port of call was the nobel laureate’s residence at Kenta, Idi Aba. Though he was not around to receive us, his domestic servants ushered us into the compound.

The house, which occupied large expanse of land, was built mostly of burnt bricks.

As we could not access the interior part of the building, we proceeded to the amphitheatre within the residence. We took group photographs and had a reading season before leaving the environment surrounded by green vegetation for Chief Obasanjo’s Presidential Library.

At the Presidential Library, Kobapo Road, Oke Mosan, we marveled at the large expense of land which houses the library, a five star hotel, a mini zoo and a rocky bar, which are tourists’ delight. Strolling round the library environment shows that it only occupies a small portion of the land, with the relaxation spots of the hotel, mini-zoo and the interior and the exterior of the rocky bar occupying larger portion. The jamboree cum field trip ended with this visit, which leaves us with sweet memories of these tourist sites in the ancient city of Abeokuta. We, thereafter, left the library for the motorpark to charter a commercial bus back to Ibadan.

Unlike the train, the journey by road from Abeokuta to Ibadan lasted just one hour.

•Lawal is a member of the Oyo State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

Malgwi, Aishida for October Abuja Writers Forum THE October 29 edition of the Guest Writer Session will feature Aishida Dele, Doris Malgwi and Musa Idris Okpanachi in Abuja.

Doris Malgwi will be reading from her debut novel, The Crippled Eagle. Born to Aba and Deborah Nuwamyung in Kaduna, her educational grooming spanned St. Barth’s Zaria and Ahmadu Bello Univerity, where she took a degree in International Studies.

Writing has been a passion which she has followed from childhood. Inspired by a variety of writers including Chika Unigwe, Mary Higgins Clark, Tami Hoag, Iris Johansen and James Hadley Chase, she has been drawn to the thriller genre.

She is married and has two sons. Currently resident in Abuja and writing at her leisure, her ongoing project is a sequel to The Crippled Eagle.

A multiple award-winning poet and scholar, Dr. Musa Idris Okpanachi, who hails from Kogi State, teaches at the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.

Okpanachi’s new volume of poems, Music of the Dead can be regarded as continuation of the exploration of power and its abuses, which characterise his two previous collections: Eaters of the Living and From the Margins of Paradise.

According to Eugenia Abu, “Okpanachi’s verses are deep, trenchant, jolting us to the reality of our times …(and) he uses all the words in his literary jaw juxtaposed with themes of today, philosophers of old and themes of yesteryears to get us to listen. For lovers of poetry, it is an incredible collection…. For the uninitiated, it is an education.”

•Aishida

•Malgwi

While the writer and critic, Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, sees Music of the Dead, as appropriating “the trope of protest – associative of the poetry of the earlier generation of poets – to continue the tradition of social commitment in Nigerian literature.”

Aishida Dele (aka Aishida) is a songwriter, composer and guitarist, as well as a professional baker. An indigene of Ondo State, he was born to Olabode and Victoria Aishida. He spent his formative years in Jos, Plateau State, and started learning the rudiments of music at an early age in the church choir, before moving to Abuja, where he joined Open Mic Forum Nigeria.

In 2014, Aishida released his maiden album, Shield, and in 2015/16, he released a

single, Africans, which had popular airplay on radio and TV stations. The video was directed and shot by Kasim Ibrahim.

He draws musical inspiration from the likes Lionel Richie, Don Moen, CeCe Winans, Age Beeka and Asa. Aishida has done gigs with Six FootPlus, D’Banj, Age Beeka, M.I. Abaga and other international artistes like Henhouse Prowlers, Bobby Ricketts and Chris Thomas King.

The Guest Writer Session, an initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum, started in June 2008 and is in its eighth year. It is a platform for promoting both upcoming and established writers, while enabling direct and immediate interaction with a live audience.

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arts&review

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Unveiling Okediran’s stories of laughs, tears, hopes and fears A review of Dr Wale Okediran’s new book, Keepers of the Tribe

by Ikechukwu Nwaogu.

T

HE Patron of Nigeria’s first International Writers’ Residency and former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Wale Okediran, has landed on the bookshelves with his latest offering, a collection of short stories titled: Keepers of the Tribe, which I have the honour to be reviewing. In 15 very enjoyable tales, he chronicles (in fiction, of course) his experience as a lawmaker, a father, a medical practitioner, adviser, and mentor.

In the stories, which have a variety of themes, he pays homage to his training and practice in the medical profession, touching on sensitive topics like religious killing, fatherhood, drug trafficking, and the plight of widows. A number of the stories have been released in various media and publications over the years, but they have never before been presented in one solid, cohesive and coherent body of work. Again and again he showcases his wealth of experience, turning to different climes and regions to site his work.

The strong introspection in ‘’Holy Moses’’ is very gripping; ‘’At that point, the sleeping figure stirred and Zacchaeus jumped with fright. A plaintive murmur now rose from the man; a murmur, saddening and startling as if another human voice, different from that of the prophet started emanating from the sedated figure. Sounds hesitating and vague now flooded the room. From a whimper, the sounds ascended into the

level of a growl before descending slowly into words that flowed out gently from the prophet’s feverish lips in a murmuring stream of soft and monotonous sentences.

Where can one…lay the…heaviness…of one’s trouble…but in a friend’s heart…?”

The prophet sighed, paused for a while and then droned on; “I trusted my friends and my brother but there is no worse enemy and no better friend than a brother…” His voice fainting. Then another sigh, and then a stir and soon, he was snoring.’’

In “The Patient With The French Bible”, Okediran examines the Nigerian Health Industry, marriage vis-a-vis parental consent and the inhumanity of man, where a parent, without meaning to, brings his daughter a

great deal of sorrow by refusing kindness to an injured patient. The story begs us, in its own way, to remember our humanity, as kindness is a debt that is always paid back with interest, and from the most unlikely of sources. His exposition of the Health Minister’s behaviour was very disturbing; ‘’Cocooned away from him, the distant images of unknown faces in poorly equipped and overcrowded hospitals have all been drowned by files of contracts, staff promotional exercises and allocation of health manpower. Now, face to face with reality and in the midst of his official aides, journalists and television cameras, Dr Bature found the visit most disagreeable. Apart from the heat and flies, the hospital floor was still filthy despite all hasty attempts to clean it. Although the nurses were clothed in sparkling white uniforms, he knew that they would take them off once he turned his back. The bed sheets were clean, but he was able to imagine what was hidden beneath them. Yet, all that was of no importance.

What mattered to him at that point was for him to complete the inspection in the eyes of the journalists and hurry back to Lagos to the comfort of his air-conditioned and perfumed office and hence to his Easter break with members of his family’’.

The title tale, ‘’Keepers Of The Tribe’’ took off on a high note with the trial of a populist leader; ‘’It was a cold overcast morning at the beginning of November when the great trial began. As he stepped out of the Black Maria, the cold, dry harmattan breeze pasted the flowing blue robe of the accused to his body. Instead of the robust person we were all used to, what we saw was a fraillooking figure who smile and wave sadly to

‘My radio plays are for a better society’ BROADCASTER, writer, advertising practitioner and former university lecturer, Gbenga Ariba, has said that he writes so that we can have a better society.

He was speaking minutes before the presentation of a collection of 15 radio plays he wrote while working at Radio Nigeria. The collection titled, ‘Radio Plays’ was presented on October 13 at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Broadcasting House, Ikoyi, Lagos.

“Most of the plays I write are about human beings, I write so that we can change ideas, we can improve, have a better society. Those are the things I write about.

I like change and before change came, I have been writing about change. Because, basically, many things we do are out of place and we cannot continue using the cane on everybody but by talking to people in a persuasive manner and listening to radio or watching television, you know that what I am doing is not good enough and then you change. Most of the things I write about are about change and how society can be better,” he said.

Ariba, who lamented that there are no radio plays to speak of now as was the case in his days at Radio Nigeria, said one of the reasons he published the collection is because he lost many scripts to fire.

“At the height of my writing I did nothing to keep my plays. I was just writing.

Then there was a library where we kept the plays but all of a sudden someone said they should burn everything. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear about it. That was how I lost a lot of plays. There was also a fire incident at RN2 (Radio Nigeria 2) and I lost virtually every script I wrote on ‘Citizen Muda’, which can’t be less than 80 scripts. Within a period of 10 years I

•Ariba was contributing an average of 10 scripts a year. There was ‘Long Throat Junction’, too. But the plays I wrote, sometimes I just go through and see old plays so that is why I decided to publish them.

“And, again, why did I really publish, apart from documentation? I happen to be lucky to teach mass communication in one or two universities. It is unfortunate that there are not many books if you teach broadcasting, radio drama, television drama, or docudrama and say go and do something. Most students will tell you they don’t have a reference. So this is one of the reasons why I published. I feel I should publish my works because I feel I can contribute something to knowledge,” he said.

The book reviewer, ex-Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and scholar, Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, who titled his review, ‘Seeing with the Ears’ noted the interconnectedness between radio and television. “(Radio) makes pictures with words... The pictures that radio makes can be limited only by human imagination. This is what

makes it possible for a radio play to take a character, surround that character with space and makes that character interfere with meaning by movement and gesture...

The result is a very powerful theatre, the blind man’s theatre. In this theatre, that which is well executed, instantly acquires the value of reality,” he said.

Ekwuazi added that all the plays in the collection are directed at the fabric of the society and that all the plays are meant to disseminate ideas and provide information amongst others Director General of VON, Osita Ikechukwu, congratulated Ariba for remaining active in spite of his retirement. He enjoined guests not to abandon their talent as it is acknowledged globally that Nigerians are highly talented.

Adeyinka Amusun, who represented the Director General of Radio Nigeria, Mansur Liman, said it was a thing of joy to be in the presence of the generals in the radio industry. He said they were looking into the archives of Radio Nigeria to unearth the scripts that were still there for the benefit of the future generations.

Tunde Bajulaiye, the book presenter, said he has known the author for quite some time as a family friend but most importantly, as a very committed professional. “One thing we lost in this country was that when the military came to power, we lost that quest for excellence. Everybody got interested in making money but Gbenga happens to be one of the very few that kept doing what he loves doing,” he said.

Veteran broadcasters including Sydney Ufeli, Kehinde Young Harry, Seyi Martins and Ariba’s wife were among those at the presentation ceremony.

the crowd. The people all tried hard to hold back their tears as they looked at his drawn, exhausted but resolute face. The more courageous of the crowd however erupted into a spontaneous outburst of Hail Juba!

Hail Juba! as they tried to shore up their hero’s confidence’’. The story ended with a reminder of the Yoruba proverb that “he who throws stones into the market will only hit his own children” is brilliantly brought to our consciousness, as the callousness of General Batuta backfires in a way that he never thought possible.

In “The Dogcatcher of Alakia” came a brilliant twist in the difficulty with the identity of a stray dog; ‘’ Yekini now turned to the fat man. “Sir, what colour is your own dog?” “A black dog with a white tail”. “Are you sure?

Black dog with a white tail or white dog with a black tail?” “Em..Em..it’s a white dog with a black tail the man replied.The policemen turned to the man in anger. “But you reported the loss of a black dog with a white tail not a white dog with a black tail”.“Em..yes – yes, it is a black dog with a white tail” the man replied. Yekini shook his head. “Which one are we to believe? A black dog with a white tail or a white dog with a black tail or it is a matter of deficient ocular appreciation of colouring and observation?”

From the rustic background of the setting of ‘’The Dog Catcher’’ Okediran takes us to the cross country junketing of “The Search For Moses”, where a mother desperately in search of her missing son was forced to ‘steal’ the same son from the custody of his custodian who was not ready to release the baby.

As the reader moved from story to story, he encounters the sad and heart wrenching tale of a medical student who encountered the body of his missing twin brother in the University’s cadaver room. The revelation was couched in an emotionally gripping rendition; ‘’ A wave of panic now swept through Kehinde as he stood quivering on the spot. Then as if in a trance, he went over to the cadaver, took another look and caressed the face. He almost looks alive, Kehinde thought to himself. At first, nobody in the room spoke but at the sight of Kehinde caressing his dead brother’s face, the room now buzzed with moans and whispers. The ladies started whimpering and wiping away tears while the boys manfully resisted the tears. Even Jerome was doing all he could to fight back his tears. As the truth now hit him fully, Kehinde turned away, gasped, burst into tears and broke into a blind run through the narrow aisle of the laboratory knocking against the cadaver tables as he fled into the deserted corridor outside. At first, no one tried to stop him for they were all overwhelmed by the nightmarish spectacle’’ The same suspense and variety of themes and entertainment can be gleaned in the other stories such as ‘’A memory of Easter, ‘’Just One Trip’’, ‘’The Baby In The Storm’’, ‘’The Village Doctor’’ ‘’The Doctor And The Graybeards’’, This Too Shall Pass’’, The Search For Moses’’, ‘’Born In Kano’’ and ‘’Election Day Fever’’.

The author relishes us with a dash of poetry in ‘’A Memory Of Easter’’ when the suicide victim asks the rhetoric question; ‘’Do you think I’m mad?’’ to which the doctor replied; ‘’ “You’re not mad. You’re very hurt and frightened, and very desperate, and you feel you have no right to live because what you saw as your symbol of success is gone….

No, you’re not mad only disillusioned and there are no mercy killers for the disillusioned. You’re the only one who can help yourself by getting over this painful and temporary setback. The secret of joy is the mastery of pain.”

Readers from all walks of life will find a connection with the many characters that dance through the 15 stories and 234 pages of laughs, tears, hopes and fears.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

education

Editor: Laolu Harolds 08111845016 tribune.education@yahoo.com

History: FG allays fears of curriculum overload Says teaching of History in schools begins 2017 Clement Idoko - Abuja

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HE Federal Government has dismissed fears being expressed in some quarters that the reintroduction of History as a separate subject will overload the current nine-year basic education curriculum.

It says the teaching of History in schools will commence next year, and that it is set to introduce positive changes in education in a way that would enhance the socio-economic development of the country.

FG to construct dams in 3 Federal Universities 2017 Adelowo Oladipo - Minna DETERMINED to find a lasting solution to the persistent water shortage in some federal universities in the country, the Federal Government plans to construct water dams in three of these institutions next year.

The Federal Universities in Owerri, Jos and Abuja have been chosen to have the project on their campuses to mitigate the problems, following the revelation by the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, that the project has been captured in the 2017 budget.

Adamu disclosed this at the 7th International Conference on Water Resources and Sustainable Development, held at the GidanKwano main campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the Niger State capital, last Thursday.

He stated further that other federal universities that had long made similar requests would have to wait until the 2018 budget preparations, because his ministry did not receive the proposal details before it concluded works on its 2017 budget.

The vice chancellor of the host university, Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Professor, had raised the issue when he told the gathering the problem the institution had been facing with regard to inadequate water supply.

Professor Akanji, whowas represented by the deputy vice chancellor (Academics), Professor Oluwole Morenikeji, had said that over N4 million was being spent on diesel alone on monthly basis to power the generators that supply water to the university, while an additional N5 million is paid to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) every month as electricity bills, despite epileptic power supply to the university.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Hajiya Rabi Jimeta, who represented the Minister of Water Resources, in her remarks at the occasion informed the university authorities that the ministry had received no official request from FUT Minna for construction of water dam at the GidanKwano Main Campus of the university in Minna.

She said the names of three universities that were so far captured in next year's annual budget were the three federal universities earlier mentioned. She then advised FUT Minna to submit its request officially to the ministry as soon as possible, with the view to having it captured in the 2018 budget.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, disclosed these while flagging off the disarticulation of the History from Social Studies curriculum for the Basic Education in Nigeria.

He said History is a critical subject that cannot be subsumed under Social Studies.

Adamu noted that the Federal Government is aware of the importance of History and the need for its continuous inclusion and reinforcement in the curriculum, especially at this time in the history of Nigeria.

According to him, the study of History will enable learners become well enlightened citizens of the society who respect diversity and strive for attainment of the unity of Nigeria as one indivisible entity.

He further spoke of the need to inculcate positive values of service, morality, discipline, courage, nationalism and patriotism as shown by the history of the nation’s heroes and heroines.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Professor Ismail Junaidu, explained that separating History from Social Studies as a stand-alone subject would not overload the 9-year Basic Education curriculum.

He said necessary adjustment would be made to the curriculum in order to create period for teaching of History, and that the subject must be given prominence in schools, especially at a period of national rebirth being pursued by the current administration.

Junaidu also disclosed that there are enough teachers to teach the subject, since History is being offered at the tertiary education level.

He recalled that the National Council on Education (NCE), the highest policy making body in education in Nigeria, had at its 61 Ministerial Session of September, 27th-30th, approved the disarticulation of History from

the Social Studies curriculum, to be taught as a separate subject in both primary and junior secondary schools in Nigeria.

President, Historical Society of Nigeria, Professor, Chris Ogbogbo, said History should occupy prime position in the basic education curriculum because every Nigerian child must have good knowledge of the history of the country after spending nine years in school.

He said: “Basically, the challenges will have to do with retraining the teachers. Yes. The facts of it are clear, but the interpretation we give to it matters. We need to have a workshop to retrain the teachers with regard to what kind of interpretation we should be giving to our history.

“There are challenges of textbooks to be written; we already have a proposal before the Minister of Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund with regard to production of History textbooks for Nigerian history.”

Founder, Elizade University, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo (right) inaugurating the new governing council of the university. With him (from left) are the registrar, Mr Omololu Adegbenro; the vice chancellor, Professor Kunle Oloyede, and the pro-chancellor and chairman of council, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

Elizade Varsity inaugurates 2nd governing council FOUNDER of the Elizade University, IlaraMokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, has inaugurated the 2nd governing council of the institution.

Speaking during the event, Chief Ade-Ojo said that he was painstaking in selecting the members, describing them as people with passion for education who he believes would help him achieve his vision for the university.

Chief Ade-Ojo said that he established the university purposely to groom sound minds that would solve the developmental problem of the country. He also disclosed that the craze for overseas education by young Nigerians also prompted him to found the university.

He attributed the developmental problem Nigeria is experiencing to lack of purposeful application of knowledge by Nigerian graduates. He noted that Elizade University has

incorporated entrepreneurship programmes in its curriculum to ensure its graduates are job creators rather than job seekers.

He urged the members the governing council to support him in his bid to make Elizade University the best in the county and one of the best in the world.

In his response, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, former managing director, Access Bank Plc and current president, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. AigbojeAig-Imoukhuede, thanked Chief Ade-Ojo for finding him worthy to lead the governing council.

He promised that his team would work harmoniously with the founder, board of trustees and management of the university to help the institution achieve its goals.

Other members of the council include the

Lisa of Ilara-Mokin, Chief (Dr) Ayo Ojo; wife of the Minister of Solid Minerals and former First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr (Mrs) BisiAdeleye-Fayemi; the managing director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olakunle Ade-Ojo; the Group Executive Chairman, Bode Adediji Partnership, Mr. Bode Adediji, and Professor TheophilusLadapoOlawoye, a retired professor of Biochemistry.

Others are the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Meristem Securities Limited, Mr. AbegundeOluwoleOladipupo; Director, Teaching and Learning Centre, AdekunleAjasinUniversity, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, ProfressorNiyiAkinnaso; and Group Executive Chairman/Managing Partner, OlusolaAdekanola and Company (Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners), OtunbaOlusolaAdekanola.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

UTME: JAMB registrar pledges to standardise CBT centres Clement Idoko- Abuja

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EGISTRAR and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has pledged to work with all relevant stakeholders to standardise Computer-Based Test Centres approved for the conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination across the country.

He said the board would not only sustain the CBT mode of test administration, but would improve on it, and that the introduction of the CBT is critical towards ensuring the credibility and integrity of the board’s examinations.

Oloyede disclosed these when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Victory International Institute of Theology and Education in Kwali, Abuja. He said that the board plans to ensure that every CBT centre has 250 functional units of computers.

According to him, the board will work hard in collaboration with institutions to standardise all the examination centres across the country to forestall lapses that were noticeable in the previous examination.

But he said that government alone cannot provide the facilities needed for the administration of examination; hence the need for partnership with other institutions and credible private institutions.

While commending the

management of Victory Institute of Theology and Education for providing state-of-the-art facilities for the training of Advanced Level candidates, he also expressed the readiness of the

of the institute to provide an enabling environment for JAMB examinations and for training quality candidates for advanced levels.

He explained that the institute comprises four schools,

namely, a theological school affiliated to University of Jos; a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Special Study Centre with 150 students; Sam Ale College of Advanced Studies,

an affiliate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for Intermediate Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB), as well as Sam Ale International Academy, SAINTA.

GbongGwom Jos seeks FG’s help for UNIJOS over burnt library Isaac Shobayo -Jos

Cross section of the granduands of The Selected Preparatory Career College (TSPC), Toll Gate, Ibadan, at the 2016 Valedictory and Prize - Giving Service of the school last Saturday at the school’s auditorium. PHOTO: MODUPE GEORGE

TSPC chair highlights importance of qualitative education at valedictory service

By Modupe George THE Chairman, Board of Directors, The Selected Preparatory Career College (TSPC), Toll Gate, Ibadan, Mr Olanrewaju Asamu, has charged government, religious and corporate bodies, as well as philanthropists in Nigeria to be more participatory in the effort towards making qualitative education available to all and sun-

Again, AAUA graduates shine at Law School THE Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba -Akoko, Ondo State, is fast establishing itself as first among equals going by the regular feats of its graduates at the Nigerian Law School in recent years.

One of its students, Miss Falade Faith Olayinka, has hit the headlines by bagging a First Class Honours in the 2015/2016 Bar Part II final examinations.

This heartwarming development follows on the heels of the outstanding performances of graduates of the university at last year’s Law School examination where two graduates of the institution, Opeyemi Akeem Longe and Ebunoluwa Bamigboye, were celebrated by the university’s management for their outstanding results at the Bar Final examinations.

Longe, who was the first student to bag First Class

board to partner with other institutions.

Earlier, the Chancellor, Victory International Institute of Theology and Education, Professor Sam Ale, expressed the preparedness

in Law at AAUA in the institution’s 16-year history, also bagged a First Class and emerged the best nationally at the Law School for that year.

dry, saying without education, there can’t be any society.

Mr Asamu made this call during the 2nd Valedictory and Prize-Giving Service of the school, which was held at the school’s auditorium.

According to him, “the situation of education in the country now is nothing to write home about and except we are all prayerful and do the needful, we are going nowhere. Government has neglected education for too long, but if we all join hands together, everything will return to normal.”

The chairman also hinted: “the bedrock of any economy is education and except people are trained to do things with their hands, we are going nowhere,” he said, while advising that govern-

ment should invest more in vocational training of students, so that when they finish schooling, they can be self-reliant, not relying on government to provide them with jobs.

Addressing the graduands, he enjoined them to be disciplined, trust in God, remain focused, determined and be more target-oriented, noting that the era of telling stories why things cannot be done or achieved is over.

The Director of School, Mrs Taiwo Adeyinka Asamu, in her remarks, thanked Almighty Allah for making the day a reality against all odds, adding “it is, indeed, worthy of celebration.”

She said: “We know that schools have resumed for another session, but we

Federal University, Gusau, to admit 1,000 Muhammad Sabiu Kaduna THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved 1,000 admission spaces for the 2016/2017 academic session for prospective students who applied for admission in the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.

This was disclosed by the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Magaji Garba, while fielding questions from journalists in his office in Gusau recently.

He said that in the 2016/2017 academic year, a total of 2,500 students applied through JAMB

to study various degree courses in the university.

However, JAMB has only offered 1,000 admission spaces for the university, saying that, with this development, securing admission will now be based on merit and with all the catchment areas considered.

Professor Magaji said that the university, which was established three years ago with three faculties and 18 courses, has been growing steadily.

According to him, an additional Faculty of Engineering has been introduced which contains four departments, including Electrical, Mechani-

cal, Civil and Mining Engineering, with a view to complement federal government’s readiness in diversifying the economy.

“We introduced the Faculty of Engineering in order to adhere to the federal government’s policy of economic diversification considering how Zamfara State is blessed with abandoned varieties of solid mineral resources,” he added.

On the challenges the university is facing, the vice chancellor said delay in the payment of compensation to land owners by the state government has been the major constraints facing the university.

postponed the Valedictory and the Prize-Giving Day programme till this time so that we can see the results of our students, before releasing them, and sincerely speaking, we give glory to God. With what we have seen, all of them can gain admission into the university without any problem.”

She encouraged the parents of the graduands not to relent in their efforts, even if they have to make certain sacrifices to ensure that they all attain greater heights in their academic pursuits, while enjoining the graduands to be good ambassadors of the school, wherever they go.

According to the principal of the school, Mr Shefiu Oyebisi; “we are so happy and proud of the performances of our students in all the external examinations.

“They wrote the examinations by themselves and they all performed very well.

To this extent, we believe they can study anywhere in the world. Presently, some of them have gained admissions into different universities.”

Mr Habbeb Usman Lanase, one of the parents of the graduands, who testified of TSPC said, “The standard of educating students here is very high. The teachers are competent; before I brought my son here, he wasn’t good in Mathematics, but immediately he got here, everything changed, and today, he made B2 in Mathematics in WASCE.”

THE chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council, Gbong Gwom Jos, His Majesty, Da (Dr) Jacob Gyang Buba, has called on the Federal Government to intervene and assist in the rehabilitation of the burnt Library Complex at the University of Jos, saying such intervention is necessary in view of the economic reality in the country.

Da Jacob Gyang Buba, who made the call when he led the state Council of Chiefs and Emirs on a courtesy call on management of the university, described the incident as a colossal loss to a university.

He expressed concern that the incident happened at a time the country is experiencing economic recession, and at a place where the country's future is being built. He called for intervention from the government, TETFUND (Tertiary Education Trust Fund), philanthropists and other public-spirited individuals and organisations.

The royal father assured the university management that the traditional council would do everything it could to support the university and to assist it in its effort to recover its land that has been encroached upon.

In his response, vice chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako, recalled with nostalgia that the foundation of the library complex was laid in 1981 and commissioned in 1997.

He described the building as iconic to the university, and one which gives it a symbol of being a tertiary institution.

Professor Maimako said the university management had launched ‘Operation Beauty for Ashes’ and encouraged Nigerians to donate books and other library resources to replace those lost in the inferno.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

We must focus more on research and development —Landmark Varsity VC Professor Aize Obayan is the vice chancellor of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State. A professor of Counselling, and a former vice chancellor of Covenant University, Sango Otta, Ogun State. He spoke with BIOLA AZEEZ on issues bordering on standard of education, youth unemployment and impact of agriculture in national development.

Excerpts.

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O you agree that the standard of education has fallen in Nigeria?

That notion is erroneously conceived. In the actual fact, standards don’t drop; instead, we should examine the conditions, the capacity building and provision of infrastructure. Our universities used to be a beauty to behold in the past, but today, we are battling with the issue of admission into these universities. We need to examine the number of candidates who sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). We must consider the issue of the population and the ratio of the available facilities, among others. Today, in many of those universities you see students going for photocopies in machines without ink. There are no good toilets and dining facilities in many others. Students sort out their own accommodation, losing precious time in the process. In the area of quality and standard, only very few universities can today compete with their peers in Europe or the United States. Again, in the area of policy formation, I want to fault the idea of each of the successive ministers of education coming on board with different policies causing disconnect in the system. The input of technocrats should be added in this respect. We need proper statistics on what our needs are at every time, especially knowing the time and the type of training to embark on. We need to support bursary and bring back the golden era of scholarship awards to students. Under the Internet technology, are we putting our vision where our mouth is.

Very soon, 2020 will come to an end, but where is Nigeria in all these? We need to holistically examine all these be-

December, we today have rice on our table.

If we use every arable land to plant rice in Nigeria, importation of the staple food will stop and our nation will be better for it.

Prof. Aize Obayan fore we should be talking of the standards of education in Nigeria.

How useful is agriculture in solving the worsening youth unemployment in Nigeria?

The issue of unemployment can’t be arrested without us creating massive job opportunities. When we talk of economic theory, land is no doubt a major factor of production. Every arable land should therefore be turned into farm land. Many rural dwellers are becoming aged and sickly.

How much support do they get? I want to say zero, especially in the area of health facilities. As we make the agricultural sector very attractive, it begins to make sense, but it will not be fully attractive without technology which will surely make it grow. Even in the areas of dairy and livestock, we need chemical applications to make them grow.

But modern technology should equally come with the issue of bio-sciences. We must also ask for the place of research and development, especially soil test, and not this trial and error thing. We need to forecast weather to know when to plant and when not to plant. Farmers must know this. These and many other things are what we do here and the nation can borrow from it. We did most of these things in the 60s in Nigeria. We had groundnut pyramid, cocoa exportation, rubber plantation and palm oil exportation. Last year after much teaching and research works between September and

What is your personal experience as a vice chancellor of a university promoting agrarian revolution?

I have the best of gardens at home; in fact, we have harvested fresh cucumber, garden eggs, tomatoes and vegetable there. Do you know that I have not bought okra for nine months now! I am eating well and saving money. You don’t have to be a big farmer to be a part of this revolution. You can start from the planting of corn. The mindset is to have little garden at home. Agricultural revolution has a way of restoring the dignity of the black race. Good meal has a way of changing our health habit. Charity must begin at home. We need to go commercial and not teaching alone. That is our aim and we are gradually getting there. Very shortly, we shall become the food basket of the nation.

What is the vision of Landmark University?

The primary vision of Landmark University, in addition to its emphasis on it becoming a world class university, is its quest to drive an agrarian revolution by digging the treasure in mother land Africa towards bringing out the dignity in the black race. It is clear from the idea of the visioner/Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo, that the university will have a clear focus and that excellence will be her pursuit as far as research focus, community development and enterprise that take cognisance of agricultural issues are concerned.

These were excellently put in place and brought into manifestation on March 21, 2011, which was the ‘Founder’s Day’ of the great university. Our graduates are produced with the mindset that agriculture must be practised. Among the existing colleges in the university, it is the College of Agricultural Science that encapsulates the vision. College of Science supplies the much-needed research into agricultural projects, soil crops and agricultural economy; and very soon, veterinary science, food science and veterinary medicine will spring forth.

‘At Pathfinder College, we have zero tolerance for exam malpractice’ Deacon Titus Alao Soetan is the 52nd president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He is also the proprietor of Pathfinder College, Ibadan. He shared some of his experience in education administration, among others, with TAIWO OLANREWAJU and BOLATITO ABOLADE As a Chartered Accountant, what are you doing in education, and what time did you start Pathfinder College, Ibadan?

A Chartered Accountant is an all-rounder, if I may say that.

We have one of our members that set up a radio station. I know some of our members that are in entertainment; some are in estate management and development, and some are in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Once you are a trained chartered accountant, your total man is developed. Chartered accountants are trained to be managers.

So, being in education is not strange to an accountant.

Why did you start a school?

When I look at my background, I have a feeling that without education, there is a limit to which you can rise in life. Although it doesn’t mean that if you are educated you will get to the peak, but without education, you will probably have a limit of where you can get to. When I look at my background, being a son of farmers, my parents were farmers and with that if I was not educated, maybe I would be a poor farmer in the village. I believe in helping; it’s not for profit, but to be able to touch as many lives as possible. I think that’s what led me to education.

I want you to assess the students’ performance, having presented the first set for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and

you get to the examination hall and you must be able to stand on your own.

You once said your parents didn’t send you beyond secondary school. How did you manage to get to the peak of your career?

My parents did not send me beyond secondary school, for which I am eternally very grateful, because without that I couldn’t even have got anywhere. After secondary school, I came to Ibadan to live with my uncle. At that time it was easy to get jobs, even as a clerk. I got a job as a clerk and from there, I was doing part-time studies for the professional examination. Within two or three years, I got a scholarship from the Western Region at that time, which is a rare commodity now and you have to know somebody; but then I never knew anybody. It was on merit. I was given a scholarship. After I finished my Ordinary National Diploma (OND) at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, I went to the United Kingdom (UK) to complete my professional studies.

Deacon Titus Soetan National Examination Council (NECO).

The performance was excellent, being the first set. We are happy that we could have that kind of performance for the first set.

I want to thank the parents who believed in us because it is not easy to take your children to a school that is untested, that is just starting.

What is your stake on examination malpractice, and your school’s stand on it?

Our school has zero tolerance for examination malpractice.

When a secondary school student is adapted to examination malpractice, what will he/she do when he/she gets to the university? I think it is a malady in our society, this cutting corner by all means. When you are helping a child with quick things like that, I believe people are destroying the life of such child. So, we tell our students, you are alone with God when you get to the examination hall, but we will do everything legitimate that we can before

Were you on scholarship at The Polytechnic Ibadan too?

No, it was after my studies at The Polytechnic that I got the scholarship. While at The Polytechnic, I sponsored myself; the money I saved while working as a clerk was what I used to pay my fees and did every other thing. Life was generally better then.

What subjects are required for one to be a chartered accountant?

In fact, it is the simplest profession. If you do science, you can be an accountant; if you do arts, you can be an accountant; but basically, English and Mathematics are necessary. And if you offer subjects like Accountancy or Economics. Even if you don’t, you can still be an accountant. For instance, I was in Abuja last week and the Minister of Trade, who is an accountant, was first a medical doctor. I have seen engineers and pharmacists become chartered accountants. Once you have the interest, there is nothing stopping you from becoming a chartered accountant.

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Thursday, 27 October, 2016

ASUU OAU holds congress for missing professor

By Laolu Harolds

A

GAIN, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife branch, last Thursday held a special congress in honour of a Professor of Nuclear and Medical Physics in the university, Professor James Bolarinwa Olomo.

It was exactly three years on Thursday since Professor Olomo mysteriously disappeared while on field work in Eket, Akwa Ibom State where he was on engagement as a Radiation Safety Adviser (RSA) to an oil company.

According to accounts of the incident, read again on Thursday by Professor Akintunde Balogun on behalf of the chairman of the OAU chapter of ASUU, Dr Caleb Aborisade, Professor Olomo was said to have checked into the Hotel Farlem situated on 8, Archibong Street, Afaha-Uku, Eket on Thursday October 17, 2014.

He left his room temporarily three days later, left his hotel key at the hotel’s front office, with the impression that he would soon return, with most of his personal effects still in his room. But that was the last anyone has seen or heard of him.

All efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful since then.

At the Thursday special congress, as ASUU OAU has

done every year since his disappearance, the union described Olomo’s disap-

pearance as “a shock” to the union, Olomo’s immediate department, and the univer-

sity as a whole.

It also appealed to the Nigeria Police, the Osun

State government where the missing professor hails from, and the Federal Gov-

(Seated), Founding Principal Federal Government College Okigwe, Imo State, Mr Dominic Ukpe (2nd left); Chairman, Federal Government College Okigwe Old Students’ Association (FEGOCOOKOSA), Uyo chapter, Mr David Atadiaha (1st right); (Standing) Media Adviser to former Vice President and Grand Patron of FEGOCOOKOSA, Mazi Paul Ibe (1st left); National President of the association, Mr Okey Chikwendu (4th left), and others when a delegation of FEGOCOOKOSA paid a courtesy visit to the pioneer principal of the school at Okom, AkwaIbom State, over the weekend.

Community involvement key to solving problems in education sector Kola Oyelere - Kano

Members of Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Osogbo 1984 (ANCO 84) set (from left): Olateju Gbadebo, Abimbola Usman-Bello, Adewole Afolabi, Mujidat Salawu, Pa Emmanuel Oyetade (former principal), Richard Awosoga, Maruf Salawu (president), and Waheed Nasir, during the re-union get-together of the set, in Osogbo, Osun State recently.

Old students set to raise N20m devt fund for alma mater

By Bode Adewumi A group of old students of the Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Osogbo, specifically the set that got admitted in 1979 and graduated in 1984, is set to raise about N20 million for the development of the school.

The fund, which will be sourced from members, private organisations as well as philanthropists within two years, will be used to address urgent infrastructure needs, especially identified projects that will be of immense benefits to the 42-year-old school.

The set’s Director of Administration, Mr Adewole Afolabi, who dropped this hint at the maiden re-union meeting of the set held recently in Osogbo, Osun State, where their set’s principal, Pa Emmanuel Oyetade, and some former teachers were honoured, emphasised the need to strengthen public-private partnership as a veritable

ernment to use every means possible to find Olomo.

Several members of the union spoke glowingly of the missing professor, and the vacuum his absence has left in the Physics Department and the university.

His wife, Mrs Henrietta Olusola Olomo, who came with four other people, expressed her belief that Professor Olomo would still be found. She appealed, tearfully, to government at all levels to use everything in their disposal to help find her husband.

After all, she said, other people had gone missing and had been rescued by government.

The vice chairman of ASUU OAU, Mrs Deborah Makinde, presided over the congress.

tool of development.

“Our intervention activities are geared towards complementing government’s efforts as government alone cannot shoulder all the responsibilities of funding education. Besides, it is going to be our own way of giving back to the institution that made us what we

are today,” he said.

The president of the set, who is the current Registrar, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Mr Maruf Salawu, expressed his happiness for meeting most of his colleagues 32 years after leaving the school.

He noted that there was a need to intervene positively

to preserve the school for future generations. While lamenting the rot which public schools have become to the gain of private schools, he said the solution to turn the tide rests on everybody.

Value was further added to the convivial atmosphere with paper presentation by two notable alumni, Hon-

Umahi sacks Ebonyi Varsity bursar, suspends ASUU Clement Nnachi - Abakaliki GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State has suspended the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of Ebonyi varsity chapter, Professor Ndubuisi Idenyi, and also sacked the varsity bursar.

Accordingly, the governor had equally suspended the immediate past chairman of ASUU in the institution, Professor Emeka Nwakpu,

for alleged misinformation on government policies concerning the university.

The governor issued the directive in Abakaliki, the state capital, in a state wide broadcast on Wednesday, on the lingering crisis between the government and members of the union.

“The reappointment of the bursar for a second tenure did not follow due process and lacks constitutionality,” Umahi declared.

Umahi equally announced the freezing of the accounts

of the institution with effect from Wednesday, 19 October 2016.

“Nobody should receive salary in the university till further notice, the tenure of the leadership of ASUU in the university has elapsed and I will not talk to them because it is an illegal executive.

“I here by direct the state commissioner for education to relocate to the university on Monday, and open an attendance register for lecturers regarding compliance to

ourable Justice Kola Adegoke of the High Court, Osogbo, who enlightened the audience on ‘Importance of Will’, while Dr Nasir Waheed, Medical Director, Olaolu Hospital and Maternity, Idiroko, Ogun State, spoke on ‘Heart Attack and Heart Failure’, with emphasis on the need to live a healthy life.

duties.

He however appealed to the striking lecturers to suspend the industrial action and go back to work immediately.

It will be recalled that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ebonyi State chapter, began an indefinite strike on Monday over alleged inability of the state government to meet their 8-point demands bothering on the gazette of staff of the university.

GOVERNOR Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has said that community participation in education is a means of increasing resources, ensuring its costeffectiveness and improving accountability of schools to the community, thereby improving quality of education in the country.

He therefore stressed the need for increased community participation in the state, in view of the vast challenges in the sector and the limitation of resources at the disposal of government.

He said: “More than ever before, communities, individuals and groups must come together to save education sector in Kano State, going by the number of our children going to school, the challenges of poor infrastructure and even facilities at all levels, from basic to tertiary institution.”

According to him, there are areas in which communities could be involved in education, ranging from sourcing for funds and renovation or construction of classrooms to provide teaching and learning aids as well as auxiliary facilities.

Dr Ganduje made these assertions during a reception organised by Rano Education Promotion Committee in honour of Mr AuwaluAbdullahi Rano, who single handedly renovated AbubakarIla Primary School in Rano town, headquarters of the local government.

23

Thursday, 27 October, 2016 Editor: Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

health

Only Nigeria still strives to be polio-free in Africa

As the world celebrated another World Polio Day on 24 October 2016, VERA ONANA writes that Nigeria remains the only country on the continent of Africa yet to be certified polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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S Nigerians joined millions of people around the world to celebrate this year’s World Polio Day on Monday, 24 October, 2016, hope is renewed that despite the setbacks suffered in the North East, Nigeria will again get a clean bill of health.

The World Health Organisation in 2015 announced that polio was no longer endemic in Nigeria. It was reported as the first time that Nigeria had interrupted transmission of wild poliovirus, bringing the country and the African region closer than ever to being certified polio-free.

It was described in 2015 by the publicprivate partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), as a ‘historic achievement’ in global health.

According to records, since 24 July 2014, Nigeria did not report a case of wild poliovirus and all laboratory data confirmed that 12 months passed in Nigeria without any new cases.

But before then, just in 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide. In 2014, the disease was only spreading between people in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Thus, making Nigeria the only country yet to eradicate the polio virus.

Sadly however, after getting so close to being certified polio-free, the Federal Government confirmed two new cases of polio in Borno State, a development that

dealt a massive blow on Nigeria’s hope of being certified polio-free by July 2017.

This year, as Nigerians join other nations of the world to mark the World Polio Day, the need for vaccination of every child is being preached vigorously with the hope that the nation could be certified polio-free in the near future.

According to health care professionals, poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. In about 0.5 per cent of cases, there is muscle weakness resulting in an inability to move.

The weakness most often involves the legs but may less commonly involve the muscles of the head, neck and diaphragm.

Many but not all people fully recover. In those with muscle weakness, about two per cent to five per cent of children and 15 per cent to 30 per cent of adults die.

Experts say poliovirus is usually spread from person to person through infected faecal matter entering the mouth. It may also be spread by food or water containing human faeces and less commonly from infected saliva.

Fourty-five-year-old Margaret Adiyo, paralysed in one leg expresses her sadness at what the lack of knowledge cost her. “Who knows, I may not have been in this condition if my parents were given the right orientation years back. They didn’t know, I was carried from one traditional home to another. It was only some years

ago that I became knowledgeable enough to understand that my partial paralysis is as a result of polio. This could have been prevented, but I am happy that more children will not have to go through what I did as the word is really spreading but we must spread it the more.”

It has been established over the years, since the first polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s by Jonas Salk, that the disease is preventable with vaccination. Though, a number of doses are required for it to be effective but how well have this message of vaccination been spread? How vigorous is the sensitisation for the immunisation of children against the dreadful polio virus?

It is to this effect that members of the Rotary club nationwide took to the streets to sensitise the country further. In Abuja, over 5,000 Rotarians, volunteers, celebrities and guests took a two-kilometre walk from the old parade ground in Abuja to mark the World Polio Day. Also in Ibadan, hundreds of Rotarians in collaboration with the Oyo State government flagged off the celebration of the day with a vaccination section at the Ibadan North West Local Government Clinic before embarking on a procession from Mokola, Ibadan with some polio survivors to the Sports Complex at Adamasingba for other sporting events including para soccer, basket ball on wheels and a variety of others.

While commemorating the day, the NC/ CEO of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

SEX, SEXUALITY&YOUR HEALTH

NATURAL HEALTH

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(NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu in a statement issued reflected on the hard work that had gone into ensuring that Nigeria becomes polio-free in 2017 before the set back was recorded in the North East.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government and all stakeholders towards ensuring that Nigeria will attain the status of being polio-free in the nearest future.

“The commitment of our government, people and partners will not be broken.

This time, we are pushing further into those areas that have been previously inaccessible by security challenges. We are determined to reach every child with the Polio vaccine.

“As Nigeria’s National Public Health Institution, the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control is working with our colleagues at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to continuously improve response activities.

“We know that vaccines work and will continue to work with partners to ensure our citizens continue to trust and participate in the immunisation exercises. We also know that our surveillance needs to be stronger; and this is why we work day in day out to strengthen our surveillance systems, by taking disease detection closer to our citizens.”

According to WHO, Nigeria has made remarkable progress against polio, but “continued vigilance is needed to protect these gains and ensure that polio does not return. Immunisation and surveillance activities must continue to rapidly detect a potential re-introduction or re-emergence of the virus.

“Eradicating polio will be one of the greatest achievements in human history.

It will have a positive impact on global health for generations to come. Nigeria has brought the world one major step closer to achieving this goal and it’s critical that we seize this opportunity to end polio for good and ensure future generations of children are free from this devastating disease.”

24

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Dr. Ben Ajayi 0805 400 5447

Are you seeing rainbow around lights?

F

EMI Williams, a Professor of Pathology, was one of our favourite teachers in the then Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

Willy Sarcoma (WS), as he was fondly called was big, brilliant, talked big and always in bow-tie. He would walk majestically into the lecture hall and deliver a smooth one-hour lecture without any notes. “There are 150 causes of Optic Atrophy but I will give you only 120,” he would say.

We would listen with rapt attention as he reeled out the causes, one by one, waiting for him to stumble because we felt there was no way he could keep all in his head.

He always disappointed us by his effortless delivery as if he was reading a script.

Pick any textbook of Pathology, you would find your lecture notes contained a lot more stuff!

It was amazing how WS came to my mind. That morning, I wore a bow tie!

The first patient, 40-year-old Mrs Timothy, walked into my consulting room complaining of seeing rainbow or haloes around lights since the past three months.

I waited patiently for her to tell her story and asked a few more searching questions. Even before examining her eyes, I had narrowed down the possible causes to

five.

“What is her problem?” I asked my young colleague who had been listening. “Glaucoma,” he answered. “On what assumptions did you base your impression?” I asked. He did a good job of it, laying down the principles of how and why a patient would see haloes around lights.

“Doctor, give me five common causes of her symptoms.” I asked again.

He was too slow coming out with them so I took over. “There are over 120 possible causes of seeing haloes around lights, but I will give you only 50.” He looked dazed. I could read incredulity written on his face.

Then how do you do it?”

He asked again. “You provided me with all the answers and more when you laid down the basic principles of how an eye could form haloes.

He definitely thought I was bluffing. The cock crowed! Suddenly, I remembered my great teacher, WS. “Now, I am beginning to sound like him.” I thought to myself.

Having committed myself, I knew I had to go the whole hog. “Doctor,” I said. “The cause would depend on the associated symptoms and signs. If the patient sees haloes and has blurring of vision, there are at least 10 causes; if the haloes are associated with pain, I can immediately think of another 10 causes. I could recall eight causes each, for haloes associated with other visual problems, behavioural and mental problems. Then there could be a multiplicity of symptoms with various combinations. In no time, I had given more than 50 causes.

“You are a genius sir!” He exclaimed, apparently impressed with the smoothness of the delivery. “Not at all!” I replied.

“Then how do you do it,?” He asked again. “You provided me with all the answers and more when you laid down the basic principles of how an eye could form haloes. I just built on the foundation you have laid.” I said in reply. It was his turn to ask, “What has this lady then?”

“First of all, let us recall her symptoms – three month history of seeing haloes with some blurring of vision. There is no pain

your mental

you-and-eye@gmail.com

or redness and no headache. The eyes look normal externally; the space between the cornea and the iris is deep; looking inside the eyes, there is evidence of damage to the nerves at the back of the eyes and the intra-ocular pressure is very high - more than twice the normal range.”

“This is definitely chronic glaucoma. I was right!” He exclaimed. “You were right but not quite. We still need to examine the angles of the eye to determine if they are open or closed. Ordinarily, chronic glaucoma patients don’t see rainbows except the angles are narrow or the pressures are very high as in this case. This distinction is therefore important and crucial for correct management.”

Mrs Timothy has been listening to our conversation all along. She has now become very worried. “Am I going blind?” she asked. Just as I was about to answer, my vision became blurry. I thought I was seeing haloes. My tie was too tight! Quickly, I adjusted my bow tie and felt immediate relief. “Your eyes will outlive you” I replied, “We need to carry out some tests to determine the type of glaucoma you have.

It is most likely chronic narrow angle glaucoma. Surgery may be necessary. All you need to do to keep your sight is to follow our instructions, use your medicines and pray.”

healthyou &

With:

Jibril Abdulmalik (Consultant Psychiatrist) jabdulmalik@gmail.com

Returning Chibok girls and the challenges of psychosocial rehabilitation THE heart-warming news of the return of some of the abducted Chibok girls after nearly two years in captivity was a very welcome relief and good news amidst the sea of socio-economic hardships across the nation. The warm embrace of the Federal Government as well as the jubilations have been all well and good.

But if we pause for a minute, we will realise that beyond the abducted Chibok girls, we are actually dealing with a human tragedy of monumental proportions in our society.

The Boko Haram scourge has resulted in the kidnapping of several groups of girls as well as the killing of school boys such as the Federal Government College BuniYadi episode.

It is estimated that between 500 and over a thousand girls may have been kidnapped by the insurgents. But, what is unclear is the availability of a systematic psychosocial intervention plan for survivors, victims and their families.

Indeed, we have also been witnessing several episodes of kidnapping across the length and breadth of the country, with children and the elderly being seen as particularly vulnerable and unlikely to display significant resistance. So, how exactly should families, the society and the government deal with the emotional and psychological reactions to the nightmare of kidnapping?

How should the returning Chibok girls be rehabilitated, especially psycho-social rehabilitation?

Reduce publicity and enhance privacy: While it is understandable that the gov-

ernment would want to provide photo evidence that the girls have been truly returned and re-united – especially against the back drop of initial denials about whether any abduction even took place in the first place.

However, having established that point, the girls need to be allowed some private time to process and come to terms with their circumstances. I sincerely hope that the ongoing media blitz will soon be stopped and every Tom, Dick and Harry would not be organising photo-op meetings under the pretense of ‘hosting the girls’. I sincerely hope that the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) hierarchy or whoever is in charge should give consideration to giving them room to feel normal and to breathe again…away from the public eye. Indeed, one stark example

It may be best to relocate the returnees away from their normal home environment – even if it is a temporary relocation, where they can avoid daily reminders of what transpired

of ill-advised media insensitivity was by an international reporter for a global news network who was shoving a microphone into their faces and asking questions while they were being ushered into a hall. This principle applies, even for individuals who have been kidnapped and eventually return back home. While our communal instinct is for all well-wishers to throng the place and rejoice with the families, it is ill-advised. And at the very least, should be curtailed.

Ensure comprehensive medical check-up: Being held in captivity comes with health challenges. From under-nourishment to the possibility of infections - a comprehensive physical check-up is crucial.

Psychological therapies: The range of adverse and often traumatic experiences that the returned girls must have gone through is likely to have left emotional scars that may be deep-seated, and may result in lifelong impairment and disability. The least of these emotional scars is a reluctance to ever trust another human being again. They may also be going through emotional turmoil, with feelings such as guilt (‘survivor guilt’); shame and embarrassment (my parents and family members – everyone now knows that I was married off and have returned with a baby); suicidal ideas (maybe I should have died, so that I will be saved from the humiliation and taunts); misinterpreting looks as reflecting that everyone is whispering behind their backs; as teenagers, wondering if they will ever be able to live a normal life, get married and have a career e.t.c. Symptoms

of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) such as recurrent nightmares, getting easily startled and frightened, avoiding any reminders of where and what they have gone through, memory flashbacks e.t.c. are also likely to be common.

Family members too – especially parents may also be wracked by guilt and a sense of failure that they were helpless and could not protect their daughter from such negative experiences. Siblings too will also have concerns and worries, and be unsure how to react or behave. Thus, the entire family needs psychological help to navigate all of these uncertainties and worries.

Social rehabilitation: It may be best to relocate the returnees away from their normal home environment – even if it is a temporary relocation, where they can avoid daily reminders of what transpired. For example, I imagine it will be traumatic to see on a daily basis, parents and family members of other girls still in captivity or whose death they witnessed. Or walking by the school where they were abducted. Social resettlement in different communities without advertising their identities such that they are not stigmatized and can attempt to start picking up the pieces of their life should be strongly encouraged. An individualized plan to help each and every one of them based on an objective assessment of their strengths should also be prepared. And the society needs to help them re-integrate as seamlessly as possible without making them feel awkward or different.

25

healthnews

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Toothpaste with antibacterial agents best for cleaning —Experts

By Sade Oguntola

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dentist, Dr Patricia Ayanbadejo, has recommended that Nigerians should be buying toothpastes with anti-bacterial agents to clean their teeth, saying they are better in preventing tooth decay, tooth sensitivity and gum problems.

Ayanbadejo, an associate professor of Dentistry, LASUCOM, speaking at the Continuing Medical Education Seminar organised for dentists and sponsored by Oral B in Lagos, stated that toothpaste with anti-bacterial content were helpful in preventing bacterial plaque which irritates the gums and can lead to gum disease.

The dentist, represented

by Dr Modupeore Shorunke at the occasion which was organised in partnership with the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), stated that plague-induced gum disease had become a problem globally.

According to her, “Currently, over 90 per cent of patients seen in our dental clinic have some degree of gum disease across all age groups and socio-economic status.

“Despite brushing every day, many people still find it difficult to maintain that level of plaque control that ensures that the gums are healthy. Just as fluoride is for prevention of tooth decay, so anti-bacterial toothpaste helps to kill the bacteria in plaque that causes gum disease.

“Plaque that causes gum disease hide in certain areas that the toothbrush might not get to, so the anti-bacterial toothpaste can deal with it.”

The expert named antibacterial agents in toothpastes to include Triclosan, stannous fluoride and Zinc citrate, saying that these substances also help in stain removal, breath freshening, preventing tooth sensitivity and ensuring that the mouth feels cleaner and healthier.

Ayanbadejo, saying that a bleeding gum was the foremost sign of a gum disease and without any prior injury to the gum, however stated that an effective plaque control was best achieved by brushing twice a day, daily flossing and two annual visits to the dentist for tooth scaling and polishing.

The expert, however, solicited support to further research into local plants such as bitter kola and local chewing stick (pako ijebu and orin ayan), saying that they were potential candidates for producing anti-bacterial toothpaste for gum disease prevention.

Dr Tayo Otubanjo, a Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Lagos Business School, in his lecture on “Winning Marketing Strategy in a Re-

cessionary Economy”, said that the dental sector is generic, urging dentists to break the mould and ensure that each dental practice builds itself into a brand.

Otubanjo, who emphasised the need to give outstanding customer services, create loyalty programmes

and appreciative events for their clients, added that “what customers need may not necessarily be in terms of the available product, but things like good quality reception and prompt attention at the clinic.”

Tolulope Adedeji, Brand Marketing Director, P&G Nigeria, stated that more work

was needed to promote and ensure ample support for oral care hygiene of Nigerians, thus the company is planning the CME for dentists.

Adedeji, describing dentists as critical partner of the company’s toothpaste brand that was launched five years ago, said “the more dentists know,

the better they also can give services to patients as they come.”

She added that “Oral B Mobile Dental Clinic Programme is to reach over two million Nigerians annually through its various free dental checks in the community.”

From left: Dr Modupeore Shorunke, Senior Lecturer, Department of Dentistry, LASUCOM and Foremost Periodontist in Nigeria; Tolulope Adedeji, Brand Marketing Director P&G; Dr Tayo Otubanjo, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Lagos Business School and Ifeoma Chuks Adizue, Brand Manager Oral B during the Continuing Medical Education Seminar organised for Dentists sponsored by Oral B in Lagos

Budget 2017: Oyo assembly promises public participation

By Sade Oguntola

THE Oyo State House of Assembly has promised to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the health sector to ensure meaningful inputs and transparency in the 2017 Appropriation Bill.

The Speaker, Mr Michael Adeyemo, said this during a courtesy call on his office by a civil society organisation, the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) on Monday in Ibadan.

Adeyemo said that the legislative arm truly appreciated the importance of budgetary provisions in addressing some of the health challenges in the state.

“The Eighth Assembly recognises the importance of the health system in shaping the economy and societal development.

Providing enabling policies and adequate fund mobilisation is critical to health care delivery.

“The house recently passed the Health Insurance Agency and the Violence against Women Prohibition Bills, which was stonewalled in the previous assembly,” he said.

Adeyemo said that working in collaboration with civil society groups would give room for proper scrutiny and enhance the effectiveness of the budget.

Earlier, Dr Emmanuel Abanida, the Executive Secretary of the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), appealed to the house on collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders in the health sector.

Abanida said that recognising their role in legislations would give room for meaningful contributions and wider consultations.

“We want to ensure that the state government gives proper attention to the health sector. Health is an important factor in economic development and poverty eradication.

“Increased allocation will also help the country to achieve the UN SDG Goal 3 which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” he said.

He called for the passage of state level laws and policies to back family planning programme.

“Research has shown that effective family planning programme has been able to reduce maternal mortality rate by 40 per cent. We need adequate budgeting for family planning to facilitate accessibility and reduce the cost of family planning services,” he said.

According to him, budgetary provision for family planning in the state will increase the use of contraceptives.

“I wish to express our profound gratitude to the leadership of this house in demonstrating humility and willingness to address issues that have to do with women and children,” he said.

Meanwhile, advocates under the aegis of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFAH) have said inflation and increasing population have really affected the health sector allocation in Oyo State in the last decade.

Saving One Million Lives: Minister cautions against misappropriation of funds THE Minister of Health, Prof.

Isacc Adewole has advised the Health commissioners in the North -East to carefully utilize the save one million lives funds given to them by the Federal Govenment in Abuja at the launching the programme, to enable them receive more funds in the second phase of the programme in 2017.

The Minister alerted the Health Commissioners on Thursday 20th October 2016 while speaking at the operationalization meeting of the save one million lives programme organized for the Commissioners of Health of Bauchi, Gombe Taraba, Adamawa and Borno held in Maiduguri,, Borno State.

It should be recalled that in July 2016 Federal Government has presented a cheque of 1.5 million US Dollars each to the 36 states of the federation and FCT to improve maternal and child health in their states.

Speaking during the meeting, the minister said: “Today I am to share knowledge with you on how you can derive maximum benefits from the save one million lives initiatives. I am impressed with your presence, however, I must say it clearly that the money given to you should not replace your budget for health , rather it is an addition, it is to augment, do not allow it to be the only budget for health in your state.”

“I hope we can still score you on your budgetary allocation on health, how much do you budget for health, how much do you release, how do you utilise it, how many lives do you save, how do you improve governance structure among others”. He stressed” Adewole said that the save one million lives initiative gives room for practical assessment of health performance and determines whether state government would be able to receive more funds in the next coming year or otherwise.

Sola Olagunju Foundation deworms, fortifies children

By Vera Onana

THE Sola Olagunju Foundation (SOF) has begun a medical outreach aimed at administering vitamin A and deworming tablets to children in Oyo State.

The flag off of the medical outreach took place at The Apostolic Church, Elewura, Ibadan. The foundation was handpicked by an establishment in the United States of America, Vitamin Angels, to ensure that children between 5 and 69 months in all 33 local government areas in Oyo State are fortified with vitamin A and dewormed in a series of administrations.

Speaking at the flag off of the outreach, the President/ CEO of the foundation, Chief (Mrs) Olusola Olagunju, explained that SOF was the only foundation chosen in Oyo State by the partner organisation in the United States. She added that the selection process was rigorous and all the care givers were trained and ascertained qualified to administer the drugs.

According to her, “SOF has been given the mandate to touch children in all the 33 local government areas in Oyo State. I decided to start here, which is my place of worship. Charity, they say, begins at home. We have

many children here. Today, we shall touch 15 churches by the grace of God.” Johnson Oluwaseun, an executive member of the foundation, while giving a brief presentation to sensitisise parents before the administration of the drugs, stressed that only children between six months and five years were eligible.

Oluwaseun added that SOF had been mandated by the partner organisation to administer the vitamins and albendazole in a four-month series.

“This is not a one-time thing. It is continuous. The benefits involved include good health, better vision

and making sure the children are free from worms for better nutrition.”

However, Oluwaseun explained that a few side effects like nausea, loss of appetite, mild abdominal pains, slight headaches, diahorrea and fatigue may arise from the drugs. He therefore urged parents to be on the look out for the symptoms but assured them not to panic.

He admonished that if the symptoms persisted for more than two days, parents should seek medical intervention as the side effects do not last for more than 48 hours and only occur in five out of every 100 children.

26

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Neem plant compound shows promise for prostate cancer

natural

health

By Sade Oguntola

P

ROSTATE cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. However, it has a survival rate of about 86 per cent. Of those diagnosed, thousands still die from the disease each year.

Unfortunately, conventional diagnostics and treatment options for prostate cancer leave much to be desired. Conventional diagnosis includes Prostate Specific Assay (PSA) testing and biopsy, which are prone to false positives and carry risks of side effects.

Treatment typically involves drugs, surgery and/or radiation, all of which are risky.

However, a number of safe and all-natural strategies have been shown effective against prostate cancer, including exercise and supplements.

Most recently, researchers discovered a chemical compound derived from neem plant (Dongoyaro) that appears to have a potent ability to suppress prostate cancer cells without any significant adverse effects.

The findings were published in Antioxidants & Redox Signaling in April 2016.

The compound nimbolide has been shown in several studies to have anti-cancer benefits. Until now, it has never been investigated in relation to prostate cancer.

Using an animal model, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) showed that oral administration of nimbolide over 12 weeks reduced the incidence of tumours by 70 per cent and the spread of tumours by 50 per cent when taken orally for three months.

Its benefits seem to be due to a series of complex actions in the body.

Originally native to India and the Indian sub-continent, the neem plant — part of the

Neem mahogany tree family — is commonly found in Nigeria. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and can also be found in soaps, toothpaste, skin care products and dietary supplements. It is also used to ease gastrointestinal problems and strengthen immune function, and as both a spermicide and an insect repellent.

Meanwhile, the team plans to embark on a large-scale study on the side-effects and other potential molecular targets of nimbolide.

They are also keen on investigating the efficacy of nimbolide when combined with other drugs for prostate cancer therapy.

That said, consuming neem either in supplement or tea form, experts say, can automatically provide nimbolide. But the whole herb will provide only a small amount of nimbolide, far lower than the amount used in the study.

Previously, an American study published in the British Journal of Nutrition reported that ginger root can also kill prostate cancer cells. They estimated that 100 milligramme of ginger extracts per kilogramme of body weight taken daily would reduce prostate cancer growth by 50 per cent over an eight-week period. Roughly, eaten 100 grammes of fresh ginger daily will offer the same results.

Not only can ginger root cure cancer, it is a natural remedy for travel sickness, nausea, indigestion, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, loss of appetite, chills, menstrual cramps, heartburn, indigestion and many other gastrointestinal problems.

Earlier a study published in May, 2015 in the journal Phytochemical Research, had suggested that extracts of breadfruit provide novel treatment for prostate cancer.

Postpartum care after a vaginal delivery

I

T is very normal that after child birth your newborn becomes top priority, but you must understand that postpartum or after child birth care and hygiene is very important, too. Pregnancy changes your body in more ways than you could think of, and it doesn’t stop when the baby is born. There are lots of things to be taken care of; from vaginal soreness to urinary problems, here is what to expect as you recover from a vaginal delivery and tips that can help you.

Vaginal soreness If you had an episiotomy or vaginal tear during delivery, the wound might hurt for a few weeks. Extensive tears might take longer to heal. In the meantime, you can help promote healing, by trying the following tips: •If sitting is uncomfortable, sit on a pillow or padded ring.

•Use a squeeze bottle to pour warm water over your vulva when you are urinating. Press a clean pad or washcloth firmly against the wound when you bear down for a bowel movement.

•Cool the wound with an ice pack, or place a chilled witch hazel pad between a sanitary napkin and the wound.

•Take pain relievers or stool softeners as recommended by your health care provider.

While you are healing, expect the discomfort to slowly improve. Contact your health care provider if the pain intensifies; the wound becomes hot, swollen and painful; or you notice a pus-like discharge.

Vaginal discharge You will have a vaginal discharge; lochia for a number of weeks after delivery. Expect a bright red, heavy flow of blood for the first few days. The discharge will gradually stop, becoming watery and changing from pink or brown to yellow or white.

Contact your health care provider if the following occurs: •Heavy vaginal bleeding •Your discharge has a foul odour •You have a fever of 38 C or higher Contractions You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpain, during the first few days after delivery. These contractions, which often resemble menstrual cramps help, prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the womb. These contractions tend to be stronger with successive deliveries. Your health care provider might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Contact your health care provider if you have a fever or if your abdomen is tender to the touch. These signs and symptoms could indicate a uterine infection.

Urination problems Swelling or bruising of the tissues surrounding the bladder and urethra can lead to difficulty urinating. Fearing

This breakthrough for prostate cancer by Nigerian and Korean scientists had received a patent. It is a composition of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), containing extracts of fruits, leaves, or stems, or fractions thereof as active ingredients and has received patent for preventing or treating cancer.

In Nigeria, African breadfruit is called ukwa in Ibo. It is afon in Yoruba; ize in Benin, Jekri and Sobo; izea in Ijaw; and ediang in Efik.

But researchers continue to look for foods (or substances in them) that can help lower prostate cancer risk. Scientists have found some substances in tomatoes (lycopenes) and soybeans (isoflavones) that might help prevent prostate cancer.

Also, foodstuffs such as local pear, cabbage, chilli pepper, green tea, Moringa oleifera and cloves are widely reported to posses prostate cancer chemopreventive compounds.

So far, most research suggests that a balanced diet including these foods as well as other fruits and vegetables is probably of greater benefit than taking these substances as dietary supplements.

But a meta-analysis of available research, published in 2010, found that fish consumption was associated with a 63 per cent reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality, even though no association between fish consumption and a significant reduction in prostate cancer incidence could be found.

Also, sulforaphane found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli has been shown to cause death of prostate cancer cells. Three servings of broccoli per week may reduce your risk of prostate cancer by more than 60 per cent.

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com the sting of urine on the tender perineal area can have the same effect. Difficulty urinating usually resolves on its own. In the meantime, it might help to pour water across your vulva while you’re sitting on the toilet.

Contact your health care provider if you have any signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection which includes; •A strong, persistent urge to urinate •A burning sensation when urinating •Passing frequent, small amounts of urine Pregnancy and birth stretch the connective tissue at the base of the bladder and can cause nerve and muscle damage to the bladder or urethra. You might leak urine when you cough, strain or laugh. Fortunately, this problem usually improves with time. In the meantime, wear sanitary pads and do Kegel exercises to help tone your pelvic floor muscles.

To do Kegels, tighten your pelvic muscles as if you are stopping your stream of urine. Try it for five seconds at a time, four or five times in a row. Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions. Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day.

Haemorrhoids and bowel movements If you notice pain during bowel movements and feel swelling near your anus, you might have haemorrhoids; stretched and swollen veins in the anus or lower rectum.

To be continued

27

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Shola Adekola

m:0803 365 4818 e:sholanig@yahoo.com

Why we cannot abandon Nigeria — Ethiopian Airlines Stories by Shola Adekola - Lagos

T

HE enviable African carrier, Ethiopian Airlines early in the week marked its 70 years of existence and 56 years of operations into Nigeria promising to continue to provide better services on the route against all odds.

Speaking while marking the anniversary of the airline in Lagos, its Country Area Manager in Nigeria, Solomon Begashaw who recalled the commencement of flights into Nigeria in 1960 when Nigeria got her independence, said Ethiopian Airlines being a Pan-African carrier cannot afford to abandon Nigeria because of temporary challenges.

The carrier which presently operates into four Nigerian cities: Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano, said it will continue to show solidarity with Nigeria in times of challenges.

“Ethiopian has been in the highs and lows of Nigeria from the crisis periods of Nigeria down to the current economic crisis, providing the link between Nigeria and the outside world there by showing its African soli-

darity with the country.

It will be recalled that following the ongoing economic challenge confronting Nigeria, many foreign airlines including some African carriers have either stopped operations to Nigeria while others have reduced their frequencies.

Ethiopian Airlines on the contrary has chosen

to weather the storm with Nigeria by refusing to either cut or stop operations despite the myriad of challenges facing the country.

According to Begashaw, “As a Pan-African carrier, it has always been our source of pride to serve our beloved continent, Africa, both in good and bad times.

The Senior Sales General Manager, Nigeria, Ethiopia Airlines, Solomon Begashaw (middle); Representative, Nigeria, Mrs Adetola Alabi and Sales Manager, Nigeria, Mr Omerenna Elias, at a press conference on the airline’s 70 years of operations globally and 56 years of operations into Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.

BA celebrates 80 years of operations in Nigeria Brings together families with Joyful Reunion TO celebrate her 80 years anniversary of flying to Nigeria, the British flag carrier, British Airways (BA) has introduced what it called the Joyful Reunion Initiative to

make it possible for long lost family members and friends in Nigeria and the UK to connect.

With the understanding that there are several

IATA promises to promote travel trade in Nigeria INTERNATIONAL Air Transport Association (IATA), the global body regulating major aviation operation has agreed to review and sustain guidelines that will enhance and promote the growth of travel trade business in Nigeria.

At a meeting with the Executive of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) led by its Nation-

al President, Mr. Bankole Bernard, IATA promised to review the interest rates charged against defaulting travels agents who delayed remittal of funds to IATA and a faster updating of exchange rate on its Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) link to help discourage speculation and confusion among travel agents.

Dusankostic, regional director of IATA who received

the NANTA delegation in Amman, Jordan regional Headquarter, of IATA, Africa and Middle East, also assured that the global aviation regulatory body will henceforth play more proactive role in the training and retraining of NANTA members, adding that IATA would back a possible presence of a second DIP Provider in Nigeria.

Stakeholders react to the election of FAAN MD as President, ACI-Africa AVIATION stakeholders have commended the recent emergnce of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engineer Saleh Dunoma as the President of Airport Council International, African region (ACI-Africa) last week.

Dunoma was elected last week during ACI-Africa con-

“Our presence in Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s, same time the Federal Republic of Nigeria got independence from foreign colonisation. Ethiopian has been part of Nigeria’s historic growth and always considers itself as a partner in the history and growth of Nigeria as a country.

ference in Maputo, Mozambique.

Reacting to his election, industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe said that Dunoma’s election signified the high rating and confidence ACIAfrica has on the FAAN boss and their acknowledgment of the pivotal role Nigeria is playing in the air transport

industry in Africa.

“The election of Dunoma signifies that Africa still have hope in Nigeria. It is not because we have some of the highly rated airports in Africa, but Africa still believes that Nigeria is in a position to make a difference, so the election is an incentive to Nigeria to contribute more to the development of aviation in Africa,” Aligbe said.

friends and families in Nigeria and the UK who desire to see themselves but are unable to, largely due to lack of fund for air ticket.

The ‘Joyful Reunion’ is a way of reuniting such individuals with family members in the UK that they have not seen for a long time.

BA will be providing free return tickets to winners of the Joyful Reunion initiative to unite with their families, after a long period.

Speaking on the initiative, Kola Olayinka, British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, declared, “BA sees itself as a carrier of many stories across the two countries, UK and Nigeria. Just as we have connected many lives, we are using this opportunity to connect even more lives, and this is because we understand the deep running connections of kin and kith in Nigeria, this is why as a part of the BA at 80 anniversary, the airline has introduced the Joyful Reunion Initiative to make the dreams of some individuals to see each other again, come true.”

crucial moment 0803 365 4818

With Shola Adekola

Nigeria’s Senate should avoid creating more panic for travellers THE Nigeria’s Senate last Thursday precisely warned against what it called imminent plane crashes in the country if nothing was urgently done to reposition the country’s aviation sector.

The alert followed a motion tagged; “Disturbing Development in the Nigerian Aviation Industry” by Senator Dino Melaye which was backed by Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The outburst has continued to generate negative criticisms across the sector.

While the National Assembly has the right to its observations particularly in the area of adopting policies and making laws through the process of deliberation which are the bedrock of good governance, it becomes worrisome when the upper chamber decides to complicate issues affecting the aviation sector under the pretense of finding solutions.

It is true that all is not well with airline business and even the sector in general, but for the upper chamber to come out to shout of imminent plane crashes is a disservice to the country’s aviation sector.

In the first instance, in the cause of making such a statement, the lawmakers have succeeded in creating panic and indicting the aviation authorities especially the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as the regulatory body before the global body.

No wonder the latest reaction to the senators’ gaffe, came from the Managing Director, Centurion Security Services and a one time Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) who lashed at the Senators for playing God. According to him, the National Assembly and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority cannot absolve themselves from any plane mishaps which causes are traced to poor maintenance and lack of foreign exchange.

“The NASS alarm for me is a smart way to shield itself from any blame as a result of air mishap. The NASS and the NCAA to a large extent, are part of the problems. They can’t be raising alarm when they have not been seeing to have done the needful.

“Let me repeat myself again here as l have done several times in both electronic and print media; the travails of the sector particularly those of the airlines and the alarm that was raised by the NASS are not necessarily the lack of foreign exchange as the private and public operators in the sector make sufficient forex earnings to sustain their operations.

“If the NASS and the NCAA are both claiming ignorance of the problems in the sector or are insisting that the travails are only about lack of forex, then we can rightly conclude that they are equally lacking in the knowledge of their various responsible oversight functions.”

From interactions with many other stakeholders across the sector, Group Captain Ojikutu has spoken their minds even as they accused the senators of grandstanding.

Going by the wrong signal sent out not only to the travelling public and the outside world of imminent crashes, the lawmakers have indirectly indicted itself by failing to assist the sector in times of difficulties they have listed out only to come out to raise the alarm.

Question from key players include: what the lawmakers stand to gain by coming out to create tension in a sector that is struggling to remain despite the barrage of distractions coming from all quarters including the ones coming from the lawmakers.

Agreed that the sector is facing a lot of challenges, but coming out with such an alarm falls short of expectations from the lawmakers. Like Nigeria, other countries have their own challenges but their leaders will never destroy the entire system through such an unguarded statement.

If the lawmakers know that much about the problems confronting the sector, they should be more proactive in finding solutions to them rather than make remarks that will further compound issues.

28

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

NIMAREX chairman blames NPA for failed review of port concession Says terminal operators erred too Stories by Tola Adenubi - Lagos

T

HE Chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) organising committee, Ayorinde Adedoyin, has blamed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for failure to review the Nigerian ports concession agreement after 10 years of operation.

It will be recalled that the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and House of Reps Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways had revealed recently during a joint hearing that the Nigerian ports concession agreement has not been reviewed in the last 10 years despite the fact that the agreement says it should be reviewed every two years.

Speaking exclusively to the Nigerian Tribune, Adedoyin explained that the NPA could have called for the review as at when due but chose not to do so.

“I think the NPA should be blamed for not calling for the review of the port concession agreement after a decade of operation.

However, the terminal operators should not be totally exonerated from the blame as well because they could have called the attention of the NPA to the review after every two years if the conditions

had not been favourable to them.

“The ports concession was an agreement signed between government and the private sector.

NPA represented government while the terminal operators are the private investors. If conditions have not been right for the maritime concessionaires, i am very sure they would have called the attention of the NPA to the aspect of the agreement that calls for a re-

view after two years.

“That is why I said we cannot totally exonerate the terminal operators from the blame, although the NPA should take the larger chunk of the blame because we operate a Landlord-Tenant port operation model.

“We need to understand that the port concession agreement was a document that was signed by the two parties involved. So if they

both signed that every two years, it should be reviewed, and that was not done, then both parties should be blamed, although the regulator and landlord should take the higher blame.

“I have signed many business agreements in the past and if issues arise, people will ask you if you signed or were forced to sign. In the case of the ports concession agreement, both parties signed that it

WACT launches LIFT to ease terminal processes

From left, Country Manager, APM Terminal, Mr David Skov; Chairman APM Terminal Apapa, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Head of Africa, APM Terminal, Peter Volkjaer Jorgensen; backrow, Chairman, Supreme Offshore Limited, Mr Chidi Ofong; Mr Koye Edu; Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Rotimi Ogunleye; Permanent Secretary, Lagos Global, Mr Olajide Bashorun and Country Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr Uyi Akpata, during a group photo session after a meeting in London recently.

POF: ANLCA, NAGAFF on collision course over status of Declarant THE Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) are currently on a collision course over the status of a declarant in the collection of the Practitioners Operations Fee (POF) expected to takeoff by January 1, 2017.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, had recently, in a meeting with all the leadership of the five freight forwarding and licensed customs associations, and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), approved the collection of the POF from January 1, 2017, with 65 per cent of the money collected going into the CRFFN account (out of which 25 per cent will be remitted into the Federal Governments’ Treasury Single Account (TSA) while the remaining 35 per cent will be given to a customs licensed company who is the declarant of cargoes on which the POF would be collected.

The National President of AN-

should be reviewed every two years.

“That it has not been reviewed for the past 10 years is totally wrong. Both parties should be blamed for not calling for the review, even though NPA, as the regulator should take the lion share of the blame.”

The Senate Committee on Marine Transport and House of Reps Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways have threatened to revoke the Ports concession agreement following irregularities observed in the extension of some terminal operators contract and the failure of the NPA to call for a review of the agreement 10 years fater.

LCA, Olayiwola Shittu, who spoke exclusively with the Nigerian Tribune, stated that the Customs laws recognise only a customs license company as the declarant of cargoes.

According to him, “Have you tried to go and see the declarations that are being made for Customs purposes? If you see the declarations made for customs purposes, then you will know that a declarant is a licensed customs company.

“The declarant is a licensed company that makes the declarations for Customs purposes; and without Customs clearance, there cannot be any cargo processes within the ports.

“The declarant is never an individual. The declarant is the company that is licensed by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

“When Customs releases any cargo at the ports, shipping companies release cargoes to the de-

clarant; terminal operators release cargoes to the declarant, they all don’t release cargoes to an individual.”

The Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, while speaking to newsmen had kicked against the decision, saying that a licensed customs agency cannot be classified as a declarant.

Customs commend Tin-Can command for detecting suspected cocaine importation THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commended the Controller TinCan Island Customs Command, Comptroller Bashar Yusuf for what it described as “outstanding diligence” following the detecting of importation of substances suspected to be cocaine concealed in bags inside a 1 by 20ft container with Number CMAU 0451954/0 belonging to Nigerite Nigeria Limited.

The commendation was contained in a letter addressed to the

command dated October 20, 2016 and signed by the Deputy Comptroller-General E I & I. On the fate of Nigerite since the company is a beneficiary of the customs fast track, the Controller stated that if a fast track company conceals or un-manifest products, appropriate sanctions will be applied, which include, but not limited to removal from fast track opportunity for breach of trust.

The controller stressed that the

non-manifestation of the bags fuelled suspicion of foul play which necessitated the involvement of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for due diligence analysis, investigations and feedback.

Speaking further, the controller informed the media that there were other products that were manifested in the said container, which is called ‘Virgin Cellulose Tasman’ for the manufacture of cement.

THE West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), operated by APM Terminals at the Port of Onne, has launched an online terminal services platform which enables customers to have better control over their cargo’s movement.

The digital platform will help optimise logistics operations by providing real-time visibility into the status of cargo within the container terminal. Customers can select needed terminal services and book and pay online from their own office, rather than by coming to the terminal.

These new services will help companies that handle the cargo movement throughout Nigeria operate more effectively and efficiently.

“We are pleased to offer these on-line services to help make our customers’ operations more efficient. This tool will further enable business in and around our port communities,” explained Aamir Mirza, Managing Director of WACT. Upon signing up, customers will have access to three core features: visibility into the movement of their cargo, support in getting their container in or out of the terminal at timings of their convenience and online order and pay services. Additional services will be added to the platform based on customer demand.

Initial reaction to the platform has been positive. Ify Fancy, an import customer at WACT, who was one of the first customers introduced to LIFT, was excited knowing customs inspections can be booked through the platform without having to come to the terminal.

29 politicsnews

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Accord petitions DSS over plan by splinter group to breach public peace •Asks faction to join another party

By Dare Adekanmbi

T

HE national secretariat of Accord Party has petitioned the

Oyo State Director of State Security Service to nip in the bud, alleged plans by a splinter group which claims to be a faction of the party to cause

a breach of public peace.

The petition dated October 25 and which was received by the DSS the following day was signed by the national secretary

of the party, Dr Nureni Adisa.

Adisa, who described the factional group as a “renegade group of disgruntled former mem-

bers of Accord,” accused the group of planning to cause mayhem in the party by setting up a secretariat directly opposite its own in Samonda.

He alleged that the faction had “done everything humanly possible to cause a breach of public peace,” but that Accord “known for its discipline and peaceful mien has refused to be drawn into the fray.

“We wish to report to you for urgent action, an intent to threaten the public peace by a section of the political class which styles itself, Accord Rescue Group.

“However, the latest provocative action of these fifth columnists is the intent to designate a two-storeyed building

directly opposite the Accord secretariat at Samonda as the state office of a purported faction of Accord in Oyo State.

“This is with a view to causing undue provocation to the only legal body of Accord in the state which may result in bloodshed.

“We realise that freedom of association is guaranteed in the constitution. However, in a multi-party democracy such as ours, if one is not fulfilled in a particular party, such has the right to move to another party.

“We therefore call on you to call the group in order to avoid mayhem, which is inimical to the present peace being enjoyed in the state,” the petition said.

Ortom’s aide resigns Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (third left); Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yussuff (second left); Senator Dino Melaye (right) and a cross-section of Nigerians in Switzerland, after an interactive session with the Senate President and members of his delegation to the 135th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, on Wednesday.

THE Special Adviser to the governor on Special Duties, Mr Joseph Kiyagba has resigned his appointment from the cabinet of Governor Samuel Ortom in Benue

Parties, stakeholders sign peace pact ahead Ondo poll Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure POLITICAL parties and stakeholders in the November 26 governorship poll in Ondo State, on Wednesday signed a peace accord to ensure a smooth and violent free election in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Ondo state command, Mrs Hilda Harrison, who coordinated the pact, warned politicians and their supporter against breaching the existing peace in the state before, during and after the election.

She stated that the peace pact became necessary “to prevent violence and maintain law and order and peace before, during and after the election and to avoid any conduct that will endanger the political stability of the state and the national security of Nigeria.”

The police boss, who warned against the removal of posters by political rivals, stated that some ugly incident had been recorded in the state over

the development but assured that the perpetrators would soon be arrested.

Harrison also noted that there were reports of sporadic shootings during campaigns and warned against the use of any object that could cause harm to the people.

“Play the game by the rules and stay away from trouble and be a law abid-

ing for peace to be sustained in our state. Do not take laws into your hands, report those destroying posters to the security agents,” she advised.

The commissioner, however, disclosed that more than 24,000 police personnel would be deployed to the state to compliment his men on ground to ensure the success of the election.

She urged the politicians and parties to run issuebased campaigns refrain from campaign of calumny, religious sentiment, ethnic chauvinism or tribal jingoism.

The peace accord read: “To forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose any act of electoral malfeasance whether per-

petrated by supporters or opponents; to commit themselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence to this accord, if necessary, by state peace committee made up of respected statemen and women; “to respect the rule of law and abide by the provision of section 129 of the Electoral Act 2010 on Electoral offences.”

AD meeting ends in fracas in Abuja, 2 principal officers arrested Christian Okeke - Abuja THE crisis rocking the Alliance for Democracy (AD) assumed a new dimension, on Wednesday, in Abuja, as an emergency National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the party was disrupted, leading to the arrest of two principal officers members by the police.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Mrs Olayinka Nola, who confirmed the incident to Nigerian Tribune, said trouble started when one of the ranking officers raised

a motion that the meeting was illegal.

She reportedly claimed that the party’s constitutional procedure to call for a NWC meeting was not followed and that no agenda was attached to the invitation.

She alleged that in his motion, the said officer also stated that some people, who were not members of the NWC, were invited to the meeting and demanded to know on what capacity they were invited.

The motion was said to have been seconded by

the other officer, who was later arrested by the police.

There was commotion, following the motion, which made one national officer of the party to invite the police on the instruction of another AD leader.

The policemen, who quickly arrived at the scene, subsequently arrested the two party stalwarts who, Nigerian Tribune gathered, were still in police custody at Police Divisional Headquarters, Lagos Street, Garki 11, as at press time last night.

According to the spokeswomen, “Following the

arrest and detention of the two principal officers of the party, the meeting was disrupted.”

She added: “The party had scheduled a National Executive Committee meeting on 3rd November 2016, which is usually preceded by a National Working Committee meeting.

“Majority of NWC members did not see the need for an emergency meeting a few days to the scheduled meetings. AD urges members to remain claim as the matter is being addressed.”

State.

Confirming this to Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr Bem Melladu, said that the adviser had turned in his resignation letter.

The SSG said that the state executive council accepted his resignation letter but declined comment on the reasons the former special adviser adduced for his resignation.

“It is true that the former special adviser to the governor on special duty, Joseph Kiyagba, has resigned his appointment and the state executive council has accepted his resignation letter. But I cannot tell you reasons adduced for his resignation. I think that is personal to him,” he said.

The aide, before his resignation, had been battling with an alleged murder case in court, warranting the assignment of his portfolio to the Special Adviser to the governor on Revenue, Honourable Benjamin Anchaver.

He was arraigned and remanded in prison by the chief magistrate, Mrs Theresa Wergba, in June 6, 2016, over the alleged murder of a Senior Special Assistant on security to governor Ortom, Mr Denne Igbane in May this year.

He had, however, been granted bail since July, 11, 2016.

30 politicsnews

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Ondo APC guber ticket: Abraham asks court to stop INEC from recognising Akeredolu Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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USTICE Nnamdi Dimmer of a Federal High Court in Abuja will tomorrow, (October 28), hear an ex-parte motion filed by Dr Olusegun Abraham, one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 3, 2016 governorship primary of the party in Ondo State.

Abraham, in the motion filed by his counsel, Professor Akinseyi George, on October 7, is asking the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting Rotimi Akeredolu as APC authentic candidate for the November 26, 2016 election in the state.

Akinseyi asked the court to give an interim order and interlocutory injunction stopping the commission from accepting Akeredolu’s name from the party as APC candidate, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed and served.

Attached with the exparte motion are 10 and 86 paragraphs affidavit deposed to

by Abraham on October 7, with 15 annexures to support the motion.

Akinseyi said: “In an urgent application of this nature, the court has a duty to prevent irreparable damage which will be done if the interim order sought is not granted.”

Joined as defendants in the case are the APC, Akeredolu and INEC. According to Dimgba in a bench ruling, “In a matter of sensitive nature like this, it will be fair if all parties to the suit are present in court before an order is made.

“In my view, in the circumstances of the entirety of this case, it will not be proper granting the preservatory order sought without hearing from the other parties.

“It will be in the interest

of justice to order the respondents to appear before me on October 28, 2016, by noon to explain why the preservatory order should not be granted.

“This motion is hereby adjourned till October 28, 2016 for the respondents to appear in court to explain why the orders sought by the applicant should not be

granted,” he added.

Abraham came second in the September primary election of the party, in which Akeredolu emerged top, to fly the party’s flag.

However, some of the aspirants, aside Abraham, complained of irregularities during the primary election.

One of them, Olusola Oke, claimed that the final voting

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship election petition, after it was pasted on the gate and walls of the Edo State secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday.

Ondo guber: Recognise Jimoh Ibrahim now or risk jail, PDP tells INEC Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja AS the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares to publish the final names of candidates of for the November 26, 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, factional national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Adewale Oladipo, on Wednesday asked the commission to immediately recognise Dr Jimoh Ibrahim as the authentic candidate of the party for the election Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the outcome of the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the party, he said the demand was based on the valid ruling of the Federal High Court that declared Jimoh Ibrahim as the authentic candidate of the party in the election which the Commission has

failed to comply with Oladipo said in the event of INEC publishing “another name apart from his as PDP’s candidate in the election, “somebody in the commission will go to Kuje prison for the contempt of the law.”

He stated that in a ruling, the court declared “that IMEC, the 1st Respondent/ Alleged Contemptnor shall accept and process for the purpose of its functions and activities in organization and conduct of Ondo State Governorship election only the nomination of Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim who emerged from primary election conducted by the 1st and 2nd judgment Creditors/ Applicants on 29th August,2016 as the Candidate of the PDP in the said Ondo State Governorship election slated for November 2016.

“We are urging the INEC to be completely neutral

in the Ondo gubernatorial election We are not asking for any favour for our candidate. He went through the party primary and won.

We submitted his name and that of his running mate to the INEC. “While doing this, a court order came to reaffirm him, Jimoh Ibrahim, as the authentic candidate. INEC must

comply with the court order; anything otherwise is going against the law of the land. So, we are calling on the INEC to give recognition for the candidature of Jimoh Ibrahim, as a matter of urgency to enable the Party kick start its electioneering campaign for the election in the state.

“PDP, as a party, is committed to winning Ondo

THE Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has granted the prayers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Young Democratic Party (YDP) and their candidates, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Nurudeen Inwanfero respectively, for subsituted means of serving the All Progressives

Congress (APC) and the Edo State governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki, petitions arising from the conduct of the September 28, 2016, governorship election.

Chairman of the threeman tribunal, Justice A. Badamasi, who allowed the petitioners to argue the motion ex parte, outside the pre-hearing session of the tribunal, ruled that the petitioners could serve the

APC and Mr Obaseki with the petition and all other processes by substituted means.

The petitioners, in their separate documents, named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Obaseki as first, second and third respondents respectively.

Counsel for the PDP and the YDP, Kingsley Obamogie and Mr Ugo Nwofor

State again and again, because the state belongs to the PDP from the onset.

The opposition had tried in the past to win the state but failed, just as the PDP had tried to win Lagos State severally but failed. We are full in support of our candidate who is Dr Jimoh Folorunso ibrahim, and we will back him to victory.”

Ondo 2016: Face your internal crisis, Oke tells APC Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the forthcoming election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, on Wednesday, chided the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its unguarded statements concerning his campaign tours, urging them to face their

internal wrangling and leave him out of their woes.

Oke, who spoke through the chairman Media and Publicity of his Campaign Committee, Mr Kolawole Olabisi, frowned at “an unguarded statement” credited to the APC, berating Oke for expressing his feelings over the deplorable state of the roads in the state during his campaign tour of Ondo East Local Govern-

Tribunal grants substituted service order on APC, Obaseki Banji Aluko - Benin City

was marred by corruption and that the results that produced Akeredolu, who scored 669 votes to emerge the winner of the contest among the 24 aspirants, was marred with irregularities.

Oke, who polled 583 votes to come third during the poll, allegedly that the process and outcome of the primary election was corruptly rooted because the delegates’ list used for the exercise was allegedly doctored and injected with fake names.

According to him, 383 names were allegedly directly injected into the list thereby altering the main configuration list that would have produced a rancourfree governorship primary election of the party in the state.

respectively, in separate exparte motions, alleged that APC and Obaseki were avoiding receipt of service from the bailiff, hence the need to serve them by pasting the tribunal processes on the wall or doors of their last known addresses.

Obamogie argued that the motion was in compliance with Section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, which he relied on and

prayed the court to grant the petitioner.

They argued that the grounds for their application were that the bailiff of the tribunal had made several attempts to personally serve APC and Obaseki the petition but all to no avail, hence the “leave of the tribunal is required” for the APC and Mr Obaseki to be served by substituted means.”

ment Area of the state last Monday.

He said: “Isn’t it a shame that a party which has the serious business of campaign on its hands could start bellyaching on the business of another person?

One would have expected the state government who had neglected the roads networks across the state in the past seven and a half years to be the one attempting to defend itself and definitely not the APC. “What this has shown is that Olusola Oke is their problem, because he has the overwhelming support of the people of the state as shown from the legions of members of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have been flocking into our party, the AD in the last few days.”

Oke, however, called on the APC not to weep more than the bereaved, advising the party to face the internal strives bedeviling it and leave him out of its woes.

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Nigerian Tribune

Improved primary healthcare services our goal —Ajimobi

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YO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has assured that an improved primary healthcare service was his government’s priority, urging stakeholders to come up with sustainable workable plans to ensure this.

Ajimobi, speaking through his Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, made this known at Oyo town, on Wednesday, during a day retreat for stakeholders on the passage of the bill for the establishment of State Primary Health Care Agency in Oyo State.

The governor emphasised the commitment of his government to ensuring better health services to all citizens of the state.

He declared that the passage of the bill would ensure the integration of all primary health care services been delivered under a single management body, with adequate capacity to coordinate services and resources.

According to him, “this is a domestication of an act done at the national level to bring healthcare delivery at the primary level to all nook and crannies of

the state. Its benefits are tremendous.

“Before January, the agency will become very functional and most of the

activities would be done by insurance for different socio economic strata.”

Deputy Speaker of the House, Musa Adbulwa-

siu, who said the bill had been pending for two and half months before the Assembly, declared that “the bill’s focus is on making

healthcare available to the people, especially at the grassroots level.”

Dr Emmanuel Abanida, Executive Secretary, HE-

FRON, said the need to have a coordinating mechanism for PHC in every state cannot be over-emphasised.

Obasanjo charges advocacy groups on accountability

By Tunde Busari

FORMER president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has charged non governmental organisations and foundations involved in charity

works to be more transparent and accountable in the utilisation of funds entrusted in their care for charity works.

Speaking at the launch

of the Cancer Awareness and Diagnostic Centres in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the former president opined that these would further encourage public-

spirited individuals and organisations to get more involved in philanthropic gestures as obtained in advanced countries.

The event, tagged: ‘No to

Conduct LG poll, appoint commissioners, PDP urges Aregbesola OSUN State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, called on Governor Rauf Aregbesola to immediately set machinery in motion to conduct local government election and appoint commissioners that will serve the state.

The PDP, in a statement issued in Osogbo by its spokesperson, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said even if the results would be written before polls are held, elections should be conducted into local government areas to confer legitimacy on those that would

run last layer of government in the state.

The last local government election in the state was held 10 years ago during the Olagunsoye Oyinlolaled administration of the PDP while no commissioner had been appointed two years into the second term in office of Governor Aregbesola.

According to Odeyemi “After those elected completed their tenure in 2011, executive secretaries and their team were chosen

by Governor Aregbesola and were later replaced by council managers ap-

pointed from top echelon of career officers in the local government.”

The statement reads: “Even if Aregbesola would pre-write the result, let him conduct local government election and stop this charade. Osun people are not happy with him, inclusive of All Progressives Congress (APC) members.

“Nothing is moving here.

Only himself, deputy, SSG and Chief of Staff are ruling the state which is why the state has been in the news for wrong reasons.”

“Local government election was recently held in

Ogun State. Oyo State is planning its own, and these two states have commissioners in their various ministries but nothing of such is happening in Osun State despite all of them being controlled by APC. “Let our governor appoints his APC members so that the state can move forward.

“Things cannot continue this way. The presidency, press and indeed the rest of the country should prevail on Aregbesola and save Osun from this brink and quagmire,” Odeyemi concluded.

Cancer, Fund Me’, was organised by Primus Torchbearers, a philanthropy and advocacy organisation, which was marking its 40th anniversary and plans to raise funds to establish cancer awareness and diagnostic centres in Abeokuta and the other two senatorial districts of Ogun State.

While acknowledging the efforts of such foundations, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Jim Ovia Foundation, Obasanjo added that it was imperative on wealthy and public-spirited individuals to complement the efforts of government at all levels to address some of the challenges plaguing the society.

Some of the dignitaries at the event included a former Senator, Dr Femi Okunrounmu and a former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Professor Opeoluwa Adekunle, who was the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the event.

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Ambode bans multiple inspection of industries, workplaces in Lagos Bola Badmus - Lagos

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AGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has placed a ban on multiple inspection of industries and workplaces in the state, to avert the pitfalls associated with the practice.

Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, disclosed this at a press conference he addressed on Tuesday, in Lagos, saying the state government had introduced harmonised inspection of factories and other workplaces in the state to replace the old system.

“This new system entails having a joint inspection team of all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) rather than the previous modus operandi of having four MDAs going on separate factory inspec-

tions.

“As you are aware, Lagos is a mega city with a burgeoning population of over 21 million people and it is Nigeria’s financial, commercial and industrial nerve centre with considerable number of manufacturing industries, more than 200 financial institutions and well over 8,000 recognised business concerns and commercial outlets,” Ogunleye said.

He explained that in line with global best practices, business concerns in the state were expected to comply with all the existing laws and regulations of the state government and subject themselves to inspection, monitoring and supervision by the state’s regulatory agencies.

“It is against this background, with various complaints received from the Organised Private Sector

Implement National Health Act, Oyo NMA calls on FG

By Sade oguntola

THE Oyo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Federal Government to implement the National Health Act passed into law since 2014, saying it was central to relieving health challenges Nigerians now face due to the ongoing economic recession.

The association said the “economy is biting harder and the more reason the act should be implemented because with hunger and reduction in immunity, many people are getting sick than we think about.”

Chairman of the Oyo NMA, Dr Mojisola Atalabi-Oladele, speaking during a press conference on

Wednesday, in Ibadan, stated that the implementation of the National Health Act was the way forward to minimising problems of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Atalabi-Oladele stated that the economic recession was biting Nigerians harder, as according to him, more Nigerians are unable to buy prescribed drugs and are therefore becoming sick.

According to her, just as the Federal Government implemented laudable programmes like Bank Verification Number (BVN) and Treasury Single Account (TSA), which she said are yielding positve result, the National Health Act should also be implemented.

Buhari’s daughter, Fatima, set to marry Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna THE second daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Fatima Buhari, is set to marry the former Managing Director of The Federal Mortgage Bank, Alhaji Gimba Yau. A close family source told the Nigerian Tribune that the wedding of Fatiha is slated for Friday 28th October, 2016 at Maiaduwa, Daura, the home of President Buhari.

Already, it was gathered that invitation cards have been distributed to members of the diplomatic community, politicians, top gov-

ernment officials, friends and well wishers of the Buharis.

Source revealed that Daura is already getting a different look, as the town is being decorated and refuse dump cleared before the day.

It was also gathered that the wedding will be a low key one as the president has warned against having a pomp ceremony.

‘The wedding of Fatiha will Insha Allah hold at 2.30pm after Juma’at prayers. Then guests are expected to leave, source added.

Fatima’s mother is President Buhari’s first wife whom he wedded in 1971.

(OPS) on over-regulation, multiplicity of inspection and unilateral/unauthorised sanctions and levies imposed by some MDAs, that the state government has taken the necessary step to harmonise inspection of factories and other workplaces by regulatory bodies of the state.

“This laudable scheme will be the first in Nigeria and Lagos State, being a pacesetter, always creates conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” he added.

Senate orders FG to include History, Civic Education in schools’ curriculum Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

SENATE on Tuesday resolved to include History and Civic Education in the nation’s secondary schools’ curriculum to further inculcate the spirit of pan-Africanism in our youths.

The lawmakers equally urged the African Union (AU) to set aside a day for the celebration of former president of Nigeria, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe and other pan-Africanists.

At the resumption of the session, they noted that the struggle for unity of Africa as championed by the founding fathers of the continent was fast evaporating the psyche of Nigerian youths.

The resolution, however, followed a motion sponsored by Senator Shehu San titled: “Need to Include pan-Africanism in Nigeria Secondary Schools Curriculum” and drew the attention to what he called rapid evaporation of spirit of pan-Africanism in the mind of the youth.

Senator Sani, who represents Kadunna Central, said inclusion of pan-Africanism in schools will “ ensure that we do not voluntarily surrender the dream of the founding fathers of Africa.”

According to him” Nigeria as the giant of Africa which has helped many countries to attain self rule, there is the need to include the spirit of pan-Africanism in Nigerian child to be nurtured in a manner that we can continue to be our brother keepers.

The Senator also disclosed that the dreams of the founding fathers might disappear if younger ones are not inspired about pan-Africanism.

The lawmakers, however, resolved and voted for the setting aside of a day in Nigeria and other African countries, for the celebration of the founding fathers of the continent.

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Validating UTME exams for 3 years harmful —JAMB Registrar •Senate makes U-turn, suspends amendment of JAMB Establishment Act Clement Idoko, Abuja with Agency Report

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HE Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Isha’aq Oloyede, has said that the bill seeking to validate the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for three years will do more harm than good.

Oloyede said this when he received a delegation of the Senate Committee on Education in his office, in Bwari, FCT, on Wednesday.

He said that he appreciates the good intentions behind the proposal, but said the approach may not solve the problem it seeks to address.

This came as the Senate reversed its earlier resolution extending the validity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result conducted by JAMB from one year to three years.

The Upper Chamber also announced the suspension of the amendment processes of the JAMB Establishment Act to allow wider consultation with the relevant stakeholders and experts.

Oloyede, speaking during the visit, said “They (Senators) must have considered many things before arriving at the decision.

“My appeal to the House of Representatives and the President is that it will do more harm to students than good.

“When there is a problem, rather than study it and look for strategy to solve them, we will jump into conclusion which can be more dangerous than the original problem.

“When you look at the issue of three years, somebody mentioned that that is what is done in Britain and US. There is a basic difference. They are conducting aptitude test and aptitude test will last longer. We are conducting achievement test and you can’t compare the two. If you want to go in that direction why not, but there will be change of infra-

structure, everything will be in place. You don’t midway into a system.”

However, the leader of the visiting delegation, Senator Ajayi Boroffice (APC-Ondo), said the policy would benefit Nigerians if adopted eventually.

Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial Dis-

trict, said that the bill had passed the second reading and would soon undergo public hearing.

According to him, the bill, when passed, would also help to improve the educational standard in higher institutions in the country.

“Bills are passed in stages and one of the most im-

we believe it will be better for it to last for three years.

“It will reduce burden on parents, students and even on the institution that is conducting aptitude test; I think it is what is good for all of us.

“We do not make laws for an individual, but for the country and in the interest

of all of us, the bill must not necessarily be at the convenience of the organisation.

“Since we do not want to make laws that will impede the progress of any institution, we are bound to listen to what they are saying.’’

He, however, commended the board on the remarkable progress made in the past and urged the management to continue to improve on their performance.

“The lives of millions of Nigerians depend on the board and I hope that the confidence they repose in the organisation will be justified.”

Extra judicial killings: Reps summon IGP, others Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

From left, wife of Lagos State governor and Chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Mrs Bolanle Ambode; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Governor Adams Oshiohmole of Edo State; Chief Kessington Adebutu, who received the Friend of COWLSO Award; Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, at the closing ceremony of the 16th Annual National Women Conference, organised by COWLSO, at Eko Hotel, on Wednesday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Recession: Nigerian leaders should look for solution, stop lamenting —Oshiomhole Bola Badmus - Lagos EDO State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the nation’s political leaders to stop lamenting over the poor state of the nation’s economy, but rather proffer solutions on how the country could get out of its current recession.

This was just as the governor paid glowing tributes to Governor Ambode’s strides in vehicular traffic management in the state, saying that Ambode had demonstrated that leaders were not

supposed to lament what did not work, but to proffer solutions.

“You have shown that our task as leaders is not to lament what does not work, but to think through how to make it work and that you are doing; that you have done and I know that you will continue to do,” he said.

The governor said this on Wednesday, while speaking as guest of honour at the closing ceremony of National Women Conference, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Of-

53 illegal immigrants repatriated to Niger Republic —NIS Comptroller THE Niger State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service said on Wednesday that 53 illegal immigrants have been repatriated to Niger Republic.

Mrs Tamuno Adedeji, Comptroller of Immigration Service in the state, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Minna.

Adedeji said the state government provided vehicles

portant stages is the public hearing.

“When public hearing is held, JAMB, schools and the public will be invited to make inputs.

“Once that is done, we will collate it and send to Senate for third reading.

“We saw that JAMB result is only valid for one year and

for the transportation of the illegal immigrants to the border post at Jibia, in Katsina State.

“We successfully handed them over to the Niger Republic Immigration officers at the border post,’’ she said.

Adedeji said that the immigrants were repatriated because their presence constitutes security threats in the state.

She said that most of the illegal immigrants possess expired documents, while others have no legal documents to back their legitimate stay in the country.

The comptroller said that the command has taken proactive security measures to ensure only immigrants with proper documents are allowed into the country through Babana border with Benin Republic.

ficials (COWLSO) in Lagos, emphasising that lamentation would not bail the country out of its economic downturn.

The governor, who spoke at a programme that had in attendance the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, his Kebbi State counterpart, Senator Atiku Bagudu and other prominent Nigerians, however, urged women to be resilient in the face of the present adversity and demonstrate their potentials as great economists.

Speaking further on vehicular traffic management in Lagos State, Governor Oshiomhole recalled that his coming to the venue of the conference was smoothsailing, in spite of initial fears that he would spend like two hours to drive to Ikoyi from Ikeja Airport.

“As I was coming to this place today, I noticed something that I think is worth celebrating because of its impact in helping family unity and family union.

Why will you wake up at 5am or 4am just to be at work at 8am devoting all the time to traffic?

“The reason was because

of the huge traffic challenges, but when I received the invitation for today’s event and I was advised that it was 10am and I know my brother, Governor Ambode keeps to time, I said we have to get up early and I told my wife that we are going to spend about two hours from Ikeja Airport to get to Ikoyi, but I was very pleasantly surprised that coming from Ikeja to this place, it was like flying a first class aircraft from Alausa to the heart of Ikoyi.

Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, earlier in her address, said the 3-day conference had opened the mind of participants to new ideas, information and statistics, saying that the women were better empowered to become change agents.

Mrs Ambode explained that the success story of the conference could not have been without the excellent cooperation of the women who formed COWLSO, counseling them to put all what they were taught at the conference into use in their respective offices and homes.

THE House of Representatives, on Wednesday, summoned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and other security agencies, to appear before its committees on Police Affairs and Human Rights, to give insight into the recent killings in Bayelsa State and other states of the country.

The House also resolved to investigate the circumstances of the killings, look into the steps taken to prevent such reckless and avoidable killings in future and commiserate with the families of the victims.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Honourable Douye Diri entitled, “Need to investigate extra judicial killings in Bayelsa State,” at the plenary, on Wednesday.

While moving the motion, Hon Diri said that the police had tried in their own way to keep the society safe from criminals.

He, however, expressed concern that while carrying out their constitutional role in Bayelsa State, Ekeki community in Yenagoa Local Government, the police was alleged to be engaged in extra judicial killings of innocent citizens.

According to him, “In the last two weeks, the Nigeria Police, Bayelsa State Command/ JTF had shot and killed four innocent Nigerians, namely Innocent Kokorifa, 17 Izu Joseph, footballer with Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan; Inyan, 30 and Godgift Oduku, five-year-r old girl.”

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Ogun workers’ crisis: NULGE backs strike, calls for national protest Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja

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IGERIA Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has declared total support for the striking workers in Ogun State and said it would back any national action against the state government in

solidarity with the workers.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to call for a national protest against the government of Ogun State over anti-labour practices.

He called on NLC and the TUC to storm Ogun State and help the workers against the onslaught of the state government against them.

Comrade Khaleel, who is also the National Treasurer of the NLC, said both the NLC and the TUC have

taken same step against the governments of some states, which included Imo, Nasarawa, and also mediated in a similar situation in Osun and Oyo states.

After what they described as “last warning,” following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum, workers in the state, under the state chap-

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela (second left), presenting a cheque of N.1million to Miss Yetunde Lawal (middle), in Ibadan, on Tuesday. With him are Special Adviser to the governor on Education, Dr Bisi Akin Alabi (left); her Senior Special Assistant counterpart, Mrs Bolatito Adebisi and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Aderonke Makanjuola.

Oyo presents N.1m to primary school pupil for academic excellence OYO State government has said that it would continue to reward academic excellence, just as it presented a cash reward of N100,000 to Miss Yetunde Lawal, the overall winner in the 2016 mathematical competition, organised by the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), for primary schools pupils in the country.

This was in addition to the honour bestowed on Miss Lawal by the wife of the governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, at the 2015 Oyo State Officials Wives’ Association (OYSOWA) and the state House of Assembly for her academic feats in various examinations and competitions.

Miss Lawal was a pupil of a public school, Ansarudeen Basic School (ABS), Fiditi as at the time of writing the examination.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, while presenting the cheque to Miss Lawal at the Conference Room of the ministry, on Tuesday, commended her for her various feats, saying that she (Miss Lawal) had demonstrated that public school pupils and students get quality education.

Professor Olowofela appreciated the efforts of Governor Ajimobi for fulfilling his promises to reward academic excellence.

The commissioner stressed that the state government would not reverse

its stand on no automatic promotion.

Olowofela commended the staffs of A.B.S, Fiditi, for their efforts towards giving Miss Lawal the required knowledge and education which made her to excel among her peers.

In his response, the father of the awardee, Mr Lawal Mutiu, appreciated the state government for its disposition towards reforming the education sector, advising that parents should encourage and support their children.

Oyo judiciary holds memorial court session for deceased former CJ As lawyers call for real independence of judiciary

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare and Mariam Olateju THE Oyo State judiciary, on Wednesday, held a memorial court session inside the High Court 1 of the High Court premises, Ring Road, Ibadan, for a deceased former Chief Judge of the state judiciary, Justice John Olagoke Ige, who died on September 28, 2016.

The memorial court session, described as one of the greatest honour that could be given a member of the bench, was to pay tribute and give due recognition to the late Justice Ige, who many described as a quintessential and incorruptible judge.

Speaking at the court session, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, who described the

late Justice Ige as a righteous judge, added that he had an eventful career on the bench and made indelible imprints in the legal horizon, having handled and determined landmark cases.

“In the course of his career, my Lord distinguished himself as a judicial officer per excellence.

“I have decided to downplay the events that happened in few days of my Lord’s career as a judicial administrator. This is due to the personal lessons I learnt from the scenario.

“I shall, however, want to give a summation of the character, life and times of that erudite judge we stand to celebrate today as graphically portrayed by the former Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olateru

Olagbegi, in a speech delivered on October 14, 2008, to his lordship, “Honourable Justice Olagoke Ige, an erudite scholar, incorruptible judge, dependable and kindhearted friend, above all, a complete gentleman.

“The hallmarks of his lordship are humility, simplicity, diligence, thoroughness, patience and brutal candour. He is an erudite scholar and totally incorruptible,” Justice Abimbola stated.

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Seun Abimbola, stated that “the celebration of an upright and erudite judge like Justice Ige, brings to the forefront the need for complete reformation of the judiciary.”

ters of NLC and TUC, as well as the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, last week resumed its earlier strike which was suspended in March.

The workers demands included “Immediate payment of outstanding 12 months unions’ check-off dues, outright stoppage of contributory pension deductions, and immediate payment of 12 months of deductions, which included (bank loans’ repayment, co-operatives’ savings, Ileya/festivals savings, and gradual payment of retiree gratuity).”

The NULGE president regretted that information at their disposal revealed that thugs allegedly used by government officials attacked the labour leaders and some union members who gathered to prosecute the commencement of the strike.

“NULGE members in all the states of the federation will be ready to back any action called by organised labour, especially the NLC and TUC, at the national level to fight the injustice going on in Ogun State.”

Girl-child marriage, evil —Cleric Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta

THE Bishop of Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, The Right Reverend Andrew Igenoza, has described girl-child marriage as evil.

He said this while fielding questions from journalists at a press conference heralding the celebration of Crowther week, put together by the seminary, in memory of the first African Anglican Bishop, Samuel Ajayi Crowther, on Wednesday.

The bishop, who doubles as the rector of the seminary, made veiled reference to the alleged forced marriage between a 14-year-old girl, Habiba Isa and Jamiu Lawal.

The clergyman, flanked by the registrar of the institution, Venerable Wilson Sambo, Venerable Sunday Abodunrin and Reverend Abraham Olusola-Niyi, described the act as “immoral” and abuse of a girl-child that must not be encouraged.

Bishop Igenoza argued that so many complications attached to early marriage.

“A 14-year-old girl is not strong enough to face the rigour of motherhood.

There are lots of complications that might happen to the victim.”

Nigerian Tribune

Ekiti cleric commends Fayose over achievements THE Dean of the Cathedral of Ekiti Anglican Diocese headquarters, Ado Ekiti, Very Revd Francis Bankole, has lauded the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on his achievements within two years of his assumption of office.

Reverend Bankole stated this while speaking with journalists at the church’s headquarters, on Sunday.

“I want to also commend him in the areas of protection of lives and property of the good people of the state,” he said.

While speaking on the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration of the creation of Ekiti State Anglican Diocese, Reverend Bankole stated that awareness rally and revival had already taken place on Sunday while lecture and symposium held on Tuesday with the theme: ‘Impact of Anglican mission on Ekiti State.’

Reverend Bankole, who is also the chairman of the anniversary planning committee, however, congratulated the Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese, Reverend C. T. Omotunde, on the commencement of the anniversary programme, while he also rejoiced with all members of Anglican Diocese in Ekiti State, praying that God would grant everyone strong health to celebrate more of it on earth.

Oyo Rep member inducted as ‘UI Staff Club honorary member’

By Dare Adekanmbi THE lawmaker representing Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Temitope Olatoye, has been conferred with the honorary membership of staff club of the University of Ibadan.

Speaking at the induction ceremony, which was held at the institution’s premises at the weekend, the President of the club, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, explained that Olatoye’s induction was based on benefactions to the school.

Honourable Olatoye had built classrooms, donated sets of computers and books to the university, as part of his give-back-to-the community programme.

His induction was witnessed by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Senator Lekan Balogun; Professor Segun Ajiboye, chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UI chapter, Dr Deji Omole; Professor Tajudeen Akanji; Professor Wole Akinsola and others.

35 news Army confirms return of missing soldiers in Borno

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

T

HE Nigerian Army, on Wednesday, said a sizeable number of the 39 soldiers declared missing after suspected Boko Haram’s attack in the border town of Gashigar in Borno, last week, had returned.

Major-General Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“It is true that about 39 soldiers were declared missing. I want to inform you that a sizeable number of our soldiers had returned to base,” Irabor said.

He, however, admitted that a few soldiers were yet to be found.

“I think it is only a handful that have not been found,” Irabor said, declining to state their exact number.

He said the military was engaged in an ongoing operation to uproot the terrorists from the area.

“Operations are ongoing in the area. I think that we will give you the details in due course,” Irabor said.

He also said the military was focused on rescuing the remaining Chibok girls from the Boko Haram terrorists, in spite of the release of the 21 girls by

the insurgents.

“We have a task before us that anyone held by the Boko Haram terrorists must be rescued. We will

do everything possible to rescue them,” Irabor said.

He said the military had recorded progress in its quest to apprehend

collaborators of the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

“So far, we have arrested 30 suspects in connection with

the crime of collaborating with the terrorists. We have four soldiers, two policemen, vigilantes and other civilians,” Irabor said.

APC moves to probe Timi Frank over attacks on Oyegun Kolawole Daniel -Abuja IN what appears a move to check his persistent attack on the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party, on Wednesday, set up a five-man disciplinary committee to investigate its deputy national publicity secretary, Comrade Timi Frank.

Frank had recently insisted that the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, should resign, in solidarity with earlier calls by national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The committee, at a briefing with newsmen, said it would probe Frank over a petition it allegedly received from a member of the party in Akwa-Ibom State, Mr Aneka Akpabio.

The committee was set up by the national vice chairman, South-

South, Utufam Etah, and had Solomon Edoja as chairman, Ben Davidson Opute as secretary, Dr Wilson Samuel, Dan Akpan and Tony Odey as members.

Frank and the petitioner would be invited by the committee.

Chairman of the committee, Edoja, promised to make its proceedings open to the public.

“We are going to sit in the public. People will be allowed to come and watch our proceedings,” he said, adding that the committee has two weeks to report to regional office of the party.

Asked what the committee would do should Frank fail to appear before it, Edoja said: “He is a honourable (member). He is a national officer of the party and, we expect him by all standards, that he will come, as a honourable man, a respected member of the party, he will want to show the way.”

From right, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and a former governor of Edo State, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, at the coronation of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’ Akpolokpolo, Ewuare 11, recently.

Trial of Fayose’s associates over money laundering begins today EFCC lines up 3 Zenith Bank staff as witnesses Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, said it would call three witnesses to prove that Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, is guilty of the 11-count charge preferred against him and three others.

Agbele, Sylvan Mcnamara

PDP kicks against FG’s planned $29bn external loan Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, kicked against the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly, seeking approval

Kaduna govt to provide 50,000 hectares to farm wheat Muhammad Sabiu -Kaduna GOVERNOR Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State has declared war on unemployment, even as he said the state government had concluded arrangement to make available 50,000 hectres in 2017 for wheat farming.

He made this known at the training workshop on wheat production, processing and utilisation, organised

by Lake Chad Research Institute, in collaboration with the state government, on Wednesday.

for an external borrowing of $29.96 billion and the movement of N180 billion appropriated for special intervention in the 2016 budget to funding of “critical recurrent and capital items.”

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by its national publicity secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party called on President Buhari to, “first and foremost, explain to Nigerians what his administration has done with the so-called ‘recovered looted funds’ and how far the 2016 budget is faring.”

The party, while disagreeing with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government on the proposed loan, insisted that “President Buhari must itemise what he intends to finance with this proposed borrowing of almost $30 billion, instead of lumping it up in a coded term and

plunge the nation into burden of debt.”

According to the party, “this approach cannot be the preferred solution to the economic quagmire.

Nigerians need to know how much revenue government has been able to generate from crude oil, non-oil and independent revenue sources since assumption of office from May 2015 to

Ltd, De Privateer Ltd and Spotless Investment Ltd, are being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency on allegation of money laundering to a tune of about N4.6 billion, allegedly transferred from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd).

At the resumed hearing of

September 2016.”

The party said the clarification would boost confidence of Nigerians on the management of their resources, especially in this period of recession, before thinking of engaging in external borrowing It pleaded with the two chambers of the National Assembly to reject the request by the government.

the matter on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu, informed the court that the matter was adjourned for the commencement of trial, adding that the prosecution had lined up three Zenith Bank Plc officials from Ekiti State as witnesses in the matter.

The defence counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, challenged Shittu’s appearance for the prosecution on the ground that there was no motion or letter to the court or defence counsel on the change of counsel by the prosecution, in line with Order 9, Rule 35 of the Rules of the Federal High Court.

Ozekhome told the court that it was one Johnson Ojogbane that had been appearing in the matter for the prosecution and that the prosecution ought to have communicated to the court and the defence of change

NDDC fails to show approval evidence of 1,691 contracts Taiwo Adisa -Abuja THE Senate Committee on Public Accounts has indicted the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over alleged lack of accountability.

This came as the commission failed to show the lawmakers evidence of approval of some 1,691 contracts.

The committee, which interacted with the NDDC on Wednesday, discovered

that the commission could not provide evidence for approval of 1,691 contracts out of the a total 1,697 contracts awarded by the commission between 2014 and 2016.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Andy Uba, directed the commission to, within seven days, furnish it with evidence of approval of all the contracts and relevant certificate of no objection from Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The commission was also queried for running 22 bank accounts before the implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA), whereas only four were approved for it by the government.

The Senate Committee also questioned the huge tax debt profile of N28.7 billion incurred by the commission against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and ordered it to start offsetting the debt.

of counsel, according to the law.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had, as part of the conditions for the N500 million bail granted Fayose’s associate, ordered that his travel document be deposited with the court and should not travel outside the country without the permission of the court.

Parts of the bail conditions were that the defendant shall produce two sureties in the sum of N250 million each with proof of ownership of a property in Abuja or Lagos.

In his submissions, Shittu told the court that it was the State that had the locus standi to challenge his appearance, adding that the change of counsel by the prosecution would not prejudice the defendant in anyway.

In a short ruling, the trial judge said there was no sufficient reasons by the defence to stop the commencement of trial and agreed that it was only the state that could challenge Shittu’s appearance in the matter.

Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter till today to commence trial and directed Shittu to talk to the EFCC to release the defendant’s international passport to the registrar of the court, so as to make it available to him after satisfying the court on the need to travel outside the country.

36

communitynews

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

Delta monarchs condemn illegal creation of new kingdom Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba THE Delta State Traditional Rulers Council has condemned in strong terms, the carving out of new kingdoms from existing ones and installation of unauthorised persons as traditional rulers without recourse to the law.

This condemnation was part of the resolutions reached at the inaugural meeting of the council in Asaba.

Chairman of the council and Obi of Owa Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor 11, said the reported carving out of a kingdom from Akugbene Mien in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state and installation of a king was unacceptable, null and void.

The traditional council insisted that such development was strange to the tradition and culture of the people of Delta State, attributing it to the mischievous tendencies of some

LG boss affirms commitment to council facelift THE Chairman of Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Olalekan Afuye, has assured people of the local government area of his determination to give the council a facelift.

The local government boss gave the assurance while supervising illegal structures at Araromi auto spare parts markets, Agodi, Ibadan and unallocated space beside the local government secretariat, Iwo Road.

He said that in spite of the enormous size of Araromi Market which serves Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states, there is no parking space for customers.

Afuye added that his administration would construct an ultra modern parking space that would prevent illegal parking and serve as source of revenue generation to the council.

He, however, said that all parties concerned were informed before embarking on the demolition exercise.

traditional rulers and politicians who want to take advantage of their wealth and positions to cause trouble in such kingdoms.

The council, therefore, called on the state government to order security agencies to immediately clamp down on persons involved in such acts of lawlessness to serve as deterrent to others.

The royal fathers maintained that if not checked, such act could degenerate into full blown crisis in the affected communities.

Earlier in his inaugural address, the council chairman assured members that their interest would be protected.

The Chairman, Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Olalekan Afuye (right), presenting mosquito nets to a resident of the council, during the commencement of net distribution in the council.

Looming crisis: Kute residents appeal for Oyo govt’s intervention by tessy umunakwe

S

OME residents of Kute community in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State have called on the state government and other relevant stakeholders to intervene in what they described as a possible breach of peace in the area.

The residents, led by Mr Ayodele Aluko, averred that unless something urgent was done, the face-off between members of the community and the imme-

diate past president of the Central Landlords Association, Alhaji Nureni Wahab, could snowball into a major crisis.

According to the residents, majority of who live in Zone 13 (the community is made up of 25 zones), trouble started when members of the zone took it upon themselves to grade a major road in the area.

The road, they contended, falls under the jurisdiction of the Central Landlords Association and links four

N/Delta/FG dialogue: Group urges leaders to avoid pursuit of selfish interests ebenezer adurokiya-warri

AHEAD of the proposed meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari over the Niger Delta issue, members of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PNDF) have been urged to eschew the pursuit of selfish interests.

The advice came from the Chairman of Kokodiagbene community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Comrade Sheriff Mulade in Warri.

Mulade, who is also the National Coordinator of

the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), said the newly formed PNDF meant to protect the interest and collectively speak for the people of the region, was a welcome development and long overdue.

The community leader observed that due to ethnic sentiments, the people of the region had not been able to come together under one umbrella.

“I believe that this group will be above board and not play the

Foundation gives scholarship to 300 in Offa biola azeez-ilorin ABOUT N6 million has so far been disbursed to more than 300 beneficiaries of Adesiyun-Olafimihan Foundation Bursary Award since the programme commenced 14 years ago.

The scheme, founded by a deceased community leader in Offa, Kwara State, who was also an educationist, Chief (Mrs) Felicia Adesiyun,

zones in the community.

Their resolve to grade the road, they revealed, was borne out of the realisation of the apathy displayed by the leadership of the central landlords association of which Alhaji Wahab was then the president.

“The road was in a very deplorable condition, to say the least. Road users were having a hellish time as their cars were getting stuck and damaged and many man-hours were lost.We, members of Zone 13, then resolved among ourselves

is aimed at assisting brilliant indigenes of Offa who have gained admission into secondary and tertiary institutions in the country.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Offa, the coordinator of the scheme and eldest son of the founder, Professor Adeyinka Adesiyun, charged beneficiaries to use the money for the purposes intended.

Professor Adesiyun also

urged them to face their studies, saying that the scheme would be an annual event.

Another member of the founder’s family and a medical doctor, Dr. Olusola Adebiyi, expressed happiness that the scheme had produced eminent doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, captains of industry and other professionals.

Also speaking, the proprietress of Olalomi Group of

stomach infrastructure game because members are well respected. I urge Niger Deltans to give them maximum support”, he said.

Comrade Mulade, urged members of the group to display maturity, honesty and all-inclusive leadership role.

According to him: “It is worthy of note that Niger Delta needs peace to develop, therefore PNDF should not see this as another opportunity to negotiate for themselves as it is the act of some of our leaders.”

Hospitals, Chief (Mrs) C.O. Olafimihan, charged the beneficiaries to be serious in their studies, urging them to emulate the philanthropic gesture of the founder when they secure jobs.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Alhaji Najeemdeen Mustafa, thanked the founder for her kind gesture and urged other individuals and groups to emulate her.

to grade the road having realised the apathy on the part of the central landlords association which has jurisdiction over the road,’’ Aluko, who is the immediate past chairman of Zone 13 said.

He continued: “Consequent upon this decision, and having spent about N26,000 on the project, we decided to stop the annual N2,000 levy paid into the coffers of the Central Landlords Association. We also chose to name our zone as Unity Estate for administrative convenience. This obviously did not go down well with Alhaji Nureni Wahab, who was then the president as he has since been taking steps to frustrate our efforts in spite of the fact that he is also a member of the zone .”

According to him, the recent action by Alhaji Wahab, even after leaving office, was the order he gave for the defacement of all the signposts in the zone.

“These were the signposts I erected when I was the chairman of the zone and he was the president,” Aluko said.

Also speaking on the issue, a spokesperson of indigenes of the community, Chief Kamorudeen Babalola, disclosed that the indigenes could not mediate in the matter because, according to him, “Alhaji Nureni Wahab does not honour our invitation.”

In his reaction to the allegations, Alhaji Wahab said they were gross falsehood designed to malign his integrity.

He noted that he had been in the community long before many of the residents came and, therefore, could not be the one causing problem in a community where he had made signifacant

contributions towards its development.

Having learnt that the matter had been reported to Akobo Police Station, Nigerian Tribune sought confirmation from the Divisional Police Officer, SP Ugobo Ola and he affirmed that the case was brought to his attention.

He said the feuding parties were expected to hold a meeting with the caretaker chairman of the local government, after which they were to report back to him.

LCDAs: Omoluabi forum lauds Ajimobi A non-government organisation (NGO), Omoluabi Progressive Forum, has commended the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for creating new Local Council Development Authority (LCDAs) in the state, saying it would go a long way in bringing development to the grass roots.

According to a release made available to the Nigerian Tribune and signed by the group’s coordinator, Engineer Alaba Dada, the group also lauded the government’s environment policy, which was largely responsible for the prevention of flooding during the rainy season.

“We also want to commend the efforts of the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, on the release of the 21 Chibok girls.

“We hope that the rest of the girls will be released as soon as possible,” the group said.

37

Thursday, 27 October, 2016

38

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FOR F.A CUP 1 & A WK. AFTER CUP 1 WKS. 17 & 18 NAP : 10X 22X 25X PAIR: 30 X 49X Nap and perm the five games above and send for your 2 weeks operation release wk 17 F.A cup round 1 and week 18. A week after cup round one send your five thousand naira N5,000 cash. Each week to Ahmed Shafiri a/c nos 2001788431 Zenith bank Ibadan or MTN chard of N5,000.. You will get your game after confirmation of your payment. Last week result have nothing to do with the release. Call me if there is any amendment for any one on above five games. Thank. Goodluck.

MADAM EMILIA – 08068523407 (12 OR 23)

THE WINERS CHOICE OF POOLS STAKERS STAR PAIR FOR WEEK 16 PURPLE!!! 12 OR 23XX This key system is set to control 4 weeks colours operation with guaranteed 3 NAP draws and a pair (on sale at N35,000 each week is current) so don’t miss out. It is your turn to win now! For futher information call – 08068523407. Best wishes to you all & Goodluck.

AMUKO & ‘CUP’ ASSOCIATES – 07014686970 ON PARADE AGAIN IN 1ST ROUND CUP WE ONLY OPERATES IN CUP WEEKS

God is good, another cup week is here with unique setting of the cup teams as ever like never. Numbers 1- 49 teams were calculated and positioned in alphabetical order at home in each division. A B C D E etc. Punters beware, this season cup draws are specially designed out of Experts/Bookmakers expectations but only on pools panel board exclusive gazette. Amuko arrived with P.P.A. 2016/2017 cup draws management directory for cup – 1,2,3,4, 5, 6 and Semi Final -ONLY BE PREPARE – WEEK 17, 1ST CUP Nap — N50,000 = CUP AWARENESS AT AMUKO & ASSOCIATES. With fresh annual week 17 first round cup = WIN – SURE – NAP CONGRATULATIONS WATCH OUT FOR OUR ADVERT NEXT WEEK.

Thursday,27 - 2 November, 2016 MODUPE NAP – 08033566694

NAP. 08X 24X 33XXX= BET Starting of our 3 weeks operational Nap. call for your 2nd and 3rd winning details. FREE! FREE!!

FREE!!!= 20xxcbk and 3 others= 4/4= Goodluck.

IBUKUN OLU NAPS

07026839837 FOR WKS 16, 17 PAIR 4XXX 5XXX The managing director of Ibukun Olu naps has promise all readers and stakers to release 3 gazetted draws this week 16 and week 17 F.A cup do not miss it, did you remember our performances last season. A week to the first cup and cup week when our games play 3 over 3 correct, history will repeat itself free pair 4XXX 5XXX.

MADAM FAJOBI BACK FOR CUP 08079826939 NAP 26, 36

I assure all stakers and my customers of 3 correct nap draws in week to cup, and F.A cup week. If you are interested in winning, weeks 6 and 7 is your chance cost of nap is only N5,000 cash weekly pay at first bank to Fajobi Gbenga Olasunkanmi, a/c no. 3058742139.

MOLLY ONE BANKERS GROUP=

08055230300= 13XX 14XX

NEW SYSTEMS SET FOR WK 16 A WK TO CUP AND WK 17 F.A CUP 1 COST N25000 4. BANKERS WITH GOD one Bankers N2000 Wk 16 NO NAP WK 17 NO NAP. MOLLY one Banker N2000 Wk 15 NO 24X 24X Wk 16 No Nap Wk 17 No Cup. USA One Banker N2000 Wk 15 No 21X wk 16 no nap wk 17 no CUP BIG MAN one Banker N2000 Wk 16 No Nap Wk 17 No CUP Wk 18 No Cup. Stakers try to molly one Banker Group.

4 Special draws this cost N25, 000 Wk 12 No 9x 12x 27x 34x Wk 13 No 7x 10x 11x 12x= with 17x wk 15 RED No Wk 15 No 10f 11f 21x 24x wk 16 a wk to cup No Nap Nap Nap Nap N25, 000 send MTN Card 08055230300.

AUSTINE CHUKWU 08054462577

NAP-12×13×38××PERM 5,21, Winning continues with me. keep the pools page records every day week and read my weekly space.

Play the above games very well to prepare you for our next wee (cup) 5bankers. Read our next week advert for details.

LABAEKA IS BACK – 08053333522(40 MUST 04)

Middlesbro must Luton and other 3 fixed matches for your week 15 sure win call for your winning details. Goodluck.

DOSA 08072216644 9 PAIR 13

You are all invited this week 16 to come and witness the meaning of pool staking as Dosa now ready to release 3 draws and a pair to the staking public. Pool promoters will vomite all they have swallow to pool stakers this week 16 through the help of Dosa cost N5,000. MTN recharge card. You are told

PETER NAP

(20 PAIR 21) 08076546261

Congratulation again to any wise stakers that will get my release this week, as the setting that got 1xx, 8xx, xx, 3/3 the pair 34xx, 35F making 4/5 will get it again though the pair 34xx was published free the weekly release cost N25,000 pay to the saving acct no: 3023114822 first bank in person of Mr Onaolapo Peter. G meanwhile bank on 20 pair 21 for X. This week real winning club reg is N1m. Do not miss it – unfailing pair & nap.

HEAD MASTER 08032747136 NAP 11,12, 13

This is the time to deal with promoters enough is enough, stakers are you prepare to be one of those staker who will regain all their money from promoters don’t be a doubting Thomas. Its time for you for weeks operation is now out.

Nap 13, 40, 41.

A.T.M LIVE

07040478677/08056390550 NAP: 12.20.39. PAIR 28 X 38 The above nap and pair will produce passmark come Saturday so stakers are advised to use them against wk 17 and wk 18 cup week, and week after cost N25,000 cash pay to Mrs Modupeola Oseji, a/c no: 2016981168. UBA bank nearer to you Good luck.

WEEK 15 FINAL RESULT

01, 07, 08, 21, 24, 29, 33, 34, 39, 45, 48 — 11 draws.

TORQUAY

TWO BANKER WK 15 N3,000

X07X X08X WK 16 PURPLE NAP NAP

TELFORD

LINCOLN

TWO BANKER WK 15 N3,000 X21X X33X WK 16 PURPLE NAP NAP

TWO BANKER WK 15 N3,000 X24X X34X WK 16 PURPLE NAP NAP

SEND MTN CARD TO 09038460009

PETAFE - 08059186433 Week 15 = 10, 21X, 29XXX - 19, - 34X = 3/5.

Week 16 = X, X, X - 30 - 31 = 3/3 and 4/5 Call for your 3 draws a week to FA Cup setting and purple colour setting. Cost N10,000 or N200,000 payment after winning. Call 08059186433 and win. Best of Luck.

WK 16. A WK TO CUP= WK 17. F.A. CUP I KINGSTON CRONDON.K YEOVIL TWO BANKER WK 16 N3,000 NAP NAP

TWO BANKER WK 16 N3,000 NAP NAP

CUP CUP

CUP CUP

WK 17 CUP I

TWO BANKER WK 16 N3,000 NAP NAP

WK 17 CUP I

WK 17 CUP I

CUP CUP

08103222635

SEND MTN CARD TO

CHUBY POOLS INTERNATIONAL -

(TEL: 08163631159)

WK16, SOLID 3 GAMES FOR 2 DRAWS: 2,4,5.

Dear fans, indeed I have caused you damages, I am very sorry for using wrong information that caused pain. Kindly bear with me and let us forge ahead. I have seen where I made mistake I promise from this wk16 that my coming back from United Kingdom must be a big fortune to anyone who have mind of forgiveness and continue with me. I will never disappoint any one of you again. kindly make use of this 3 games for 2 draws to make cash against our 3 draws in first cup which will cost N30,000 cash. special 3draws this wk16, cost only N10,000 cash. Always call for account detail. 2x 4x 5x - 2draws.

WERRIBEE.C

BALCATTA

TWO BANKER WK 15 N3,000

TWO BANKER WK 15 N3,000

16. CUP I

16. CUP I

X21X X24X NAP NAP

X29X F30F NAP NAP

MODBURY

TWO BANKER WK 15 N3,000

X34X X39X

16. CUP I NAP NAP

4. SPECIAL DRAW THIS WK 16 BLUE N25,000 SEND MTN CARD TO 08162705220

MR. SOLUTION – 08072974720.

3 WEEKS STRAIGHT NAP & WIN ON ANNUAL SCHEDULED 2015/2016/17 The current winning diary as this is stock.

A week to cup – cup= a week after cup Weeks 16 – (Cup) 17 and 18.

Week 16 2015 – 05x 14x 47xxx – 19x= 9drs Week 17 2015 – 11x 23x 38xxx – 20x= 11drs Week 18 2015 – 15x 22x 46xxx – 21x= 9drs.

Records are only by the wise, confirm the above winning statement from your nearest agent and start winning with US – now. Weeks – 16= N50, 000, wee 17 N500, 000 and week 18= N1 Million.

Expert another 3 weeks full payment win again. Get solution to all your finances call & Win. S Mr Solution is here. N50, 000= starting fee. Welcome & Goodluck 08072974729.

WEEK 15 XRAY.

11 DRAWS OF FULL ODDS (100-1) (80-1) (60-1) (40-1).

The above odds is approved by Government is different states in Nigeria.

Congratulations to all stakers with higher paid odds .

Our pools page compiler are now getting hotter every week they are now known as stakers friend and promoters problem. Congratulations stakers our compilers promised better deals ahead.

Our one banker medal went to finance solution, and Dr Sam, Tony and Austine Chuckwu narrowly missed on free win series.

Alhaji Sadiku, Madam Emilia, Joseph, Double Shuffle, Peter, Vic Destiny, with confidence, Madam Faleti, Sir Micheal, Mallam Bawa Musa, Innocent, Luckyman Godwin, Labaeka, Bolu one, Dosa and Zenith got their free pairs promised correctly that added to our readers winning dividends. Stay with our pools compiler for sure win.

Please appreciate their kind gesture.

ATTENTION ALL COMPILERS, OUR POLICY ON NO ADVERT NO WRITE UP STILL IN PLACE —MANAGEMENT.

39

tribunepools

JACOBSON NAP 07065292905 18 MUST 47.

Jacobson fixed win congratulates all clients on board with us in recent time. For their safe landing week 6 and week 10. – our case study (reference).

Priston on No 18 away in week 6 -13drs.

Newcastle No 18 home in week 1010drs.

Now Fixed = PRESTON at home Newcastle at away 18. week6 -11x 26x 33xxx - 19x week10 -14x 24x 41xxx - 17x week16- x x x -18x 47 Meeting of preston and Newcastle controls 3fixed draws and bonus pair for our dear stakers winning delight= N50,000. Goodluck.

WINNER CODE 505 08135637650 (32 NAP 34)

UK SYSTEM TWO BANKERS N2000 WK 13 NO 10X 11X WK 14 NO 19x 20x wk 15 No 8X 21X WK 16 NO CUP CUP POWER X POWER N2000 WK 13 NO 14X 15X WK 14 NO 9x 13x WK 15 No 21x 29x Wk 16 No Nap Nap Wk 17 No Nap Nap Winner code 505 two Bankers N2000 Wk 13 No 3x 8x Wk 14 No 18x 19x Wk 15 No 29x 39x Wk 16 No Nap Nap. Adesure Nap two Bankers N2000 Wk 13 No 11x 12x Wk 14 No 5x 6f Wk 15 No 1x 8x Wk 16 No Nap Nap Nap Nap 4 Expert. 4 Special Draws this Wk 16 cost N25, 000 Wk 13 No 10x 14x 15x 17x Wk 14 No 13x 18x 19x 20x= 4/4= 4/4 Cost N25, 000 Wk 15 No 8x 21x 24x 29x Wk 16 No Nap Nap Nap Nap= 4/4. Send MTN Card 0813560750. The Game will send to you by text message.

EMIRATE WIN AGAIN-08087104491 42 MUST 47.

Our free win in week 14 on 18×41×48××× left an incredible memory In many promoters finances. 3direct winning Naps continue at Emirate on our unequal winning scheduled week15v callers would never forget their winning experience on 8×29×48××21f.

Call now for week 16 sure WIN =#25,000 again

ALHAJI SADIKU, MASTER OF CUP

0883573342 PAIR 6, 14

In weeks 16 and 17 week to cup and cup week, 9 have the genuine unstoppable key for 3 automatic nap dras: cost N15,000 cash per week pay at GTB to Alhaji Sadiku Adedoja, accts no. 0030411077

MAITO NAP-

08030785634/09081225081 NAP - 4x 19x 37xx HOT 45x 12 Sure win at Maito super winning pay point on Dover on 47, it controls 3sure draws and the above pair cost #25,000=payment to Sule Ishola at wema bank no0221601707. Call for you winning details.

VICTORY AT LAST VENTURES (42 XX 47)

Four weeks operation authentic information from uk congratulations in advance week16 is free without any condition , to enable you generate money to procure the rest three wks, i.e wk 15,16,17 call us for the 3secret draws please stake wisely goodluck.

SUNDERLAND SYSTEM 09038460009= WK 16 PAIR 32 NAP 34

ENGLISH SYSTEM BOOKLET OUT N30,000. MEMBERSHIP N50, 000 Wk 15 No Nap Nap Nap Nap 4/4 with 26. 25 Two 4. Bankers N6, 000 Wk 16 A WK TO CUP NO NAP NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 4. Bankers N6, 000 Wk 17 F.A. CUP I NO CUP CUP CUP CUP= 4/4 4. Bankers N6, 000 Wk 18 A WK AFTER CUP NO NAP NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 Two Bankers N3000 Wk 16 A WK TO CUP NO NAP NAP PAIR 9. 10 Two Bankers N3, 000 Wk 17 F.A. CUP 1 NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP Time to win pool this Wk 16 Sunderland system 4 special Draws this Wk 16 will play 4/4 correct hurry up to get your copy today two Bankers cost N3000 4. BANKERS COST N6000 Send MTN Card

BOLU ONE–07031916067

31X 33X 38X – 2 DRAWS

Congratulations to all our week 15 winners, winning continues at Bolis place. Again you are advised not to be left out of our sure win this week. Call Bolu & win N20,000 – Goodluck.

BIG BROSS-07053681965

40X NOTTS. CO X 40 X LUTON 40XX. Notts.co / Luton = control our 3 weeks nap for weeks 16, 17, and 18. Call now for other 3 sure draws and your winning details.

Goodluck.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE

THE WINNERS CHOICE WISE STAKERS DELIGHT GET A COPY AND WIN.

M.B.A EXPERT — 08104694618 PAIR – 05 XX 04.

Both even and colour draw graph favour coupon number 05 this 4th purple pools settinds. The no has 3 draws back to back for EVEN and 3 draws upright graph. The same sequence applies also to No. 09 with common features. However, the trio of Nos. 11X 20X 31X share similar graph draw postures. The 1st and the last of the 3nos are twins, viewed from their graph sequence upward movement (ascent) while the middle number(20) descends just as it has dual roleswhich are unique with 4 weeks of unfailing pairs the trend goes on. Call/text again to 08104694618. Goodluck

PATRICK SURE WIN ON TOP – 08154836338

08X 21X 34XXX – 33X 01X (READ & WIN) COVENTRY and COLCHESTER on same digits Crawley and game on top 2 bankers, Watford and Sheff Utd/ Middlesbro in weeks 05 and 15= 10/10. Weeks sure Win. WIN – SURE – NAP GATESHEAD AT HOME 49. KEY. D.F.G. at Home 47, 48, 49= DOVER, FORESTGREEN and reference to week 14’ 2015 of 13 drs.

In week 14’ 2015 – CHESTER and DOVER were the only omitted games.

In week 16’ 2016 – CHESTER and DOVER a sure draw Week 14’ 2015 – 13x 20x 37xxx 49xxx Week 16’ 2016 – X X X = 46xx 47x Your winning is crystal clear this week again. Join the progressives – N50, 000= 08154836338= Call & Win. Goodluck.

STAKEHOLDERS LAUDS NAZAR MASTER ON DIVIDEND Stakeholders in the Pools industry have lauded NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan, for its commitment to the development of the disclosed in a statementn issued by the leading Pools Company inn Oyo State and environs, which was made available to TRIBUNE POOLS during the week.

According to the Pools company, “We have continued to recieve accolades from stakeholders in the Pools business for our honesty of purpose and prompt payment of winnings. They also commended us for the big dividend we are paying of recent.”

TRIPLE ON THE MOVE WITH 19 – 40 – 48 5/6 (08035324990)

Your Indomitable Triple Spice International is at it again. All in our desire to continue to assist all punters recoup all past loses.

In this connection, we heartily give all punters 19 – 40 – 48 – 5/6 for bountiful harvest. You are sure to be blessfull with the Nos. let all lovers of pools invest heavily in the numbers to enable them purchase same set next week at only thirty thousand Naira. (N30, 000. 00).

Start calling 08035324990 from bank unfailingly. Goodluck!

GODWIN NAP – WIN AGAIN = 08156829811

21X 29X 34X 39XXX 08X SHEFFUTD (READ) ROTHERHAM AGAIN HOME 17 – WKS 11 and 15.

Week 11 – 21X 29X 34X 39XXX – 09X 31X = 10drs Week 15 – 21X 29X 34X 39XXX – 08X 21X = 11drs Sheff Utd must be on digit of 1 = 31X 21X Congratulation we splashed out draw again as we did in week that put many promoters in trouble.

PETERBORO MUST CHARLTON – 09 PAIR 22 Weeks 12 and 16, pair and other rescheduled draws. Our recent winnings is directed by our foreign reliable Experts = N25,000 –again.

HOPE WITH 3 DRAWS AGAIN (08107128449) PAIR 18×38×

Mrs. Stephen Gbadebo A. compiler of Hope Naps said his 3 direct draws for this week 16 and week 17 cost #20,000 each week Interested stakers to pay #20,000 cash to first bank plc. In the name of Stephen Gbadebo A Account No.3088328923 you will receive your 3 draws when your payment is confirmed. =18×××38.Goodluck

AKIN MR AKIN-07067202291(12 GLUE13) BRIGHTON MUST CARDIFF

WIN-WIN-WIN-Our long awaiting special Naps to first round cup is correctly approved by the P.P.A board. Win from week 16 to week 18, a week after cup.

The above pair is a must as a case study and other scheduled/fixed draws starting fee-#25,000=doubt fee.

WITH CONFIDENCE= 08166222529, 08139714848= 34 NAP 41

Two Bankers= N5000 Wk 15 RED NO 21X 24 PAIR 28F 29X Two Banker= N5000 Wk 16 A WK TO CUP NO NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP Two Bankers N5000 Wk 17 NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP One Bankers= N2500 Wk 15 RED No 39x Pair 20x 21x Wk 16 NAP PAIR NAP NAP One Bankers= N2500 Wk 17 F.A CUP NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP. League Table Two Bankers= N3000 Wk15 NO 29X 39X PAIR 8X 9F WK 16 A WK TO CUP NO NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP WK 17 F.A CUP NO CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP. LEAGUE TABLE One Banker N2000 Wk 15 NO 48X WK 16 NO CUP WK 17F A CUP NO CUP Stakers try to get with Confidence two Bankers this Wk 16 PURPLE cost N5000 two N2500 League table two Bankers cost N3000 one Bankers cost N2000 we set for 6 Wks operations. Wk 15, 16, 17, 18.

Send MTN Card 08166222529. The game will send to you by text message.

MADAM THE MADAM ON ACHIEVE WIN. 08023329191 (18XX 47).

2014-2016. CONGRATULATIONS ON ANNUAL SANDWICH 3WKS CUP. NAPS. WEEKS-16,17 ND 18 3WEEKS IN 3YEARS=2014,15 & 16.

40 MUST 47.

—2013 — 2014 — 2015 — 2016 WK.16 – 7X 21X 36X — 8X 36X 49X — 5X 26X 47 — X X X WK.17 – 9X 15X 44X — 5X 19X 44X — 2X 21X 35X — X X X WK.18 — 3X 23X 40X — 7X 24X 48X — 10X 22X 46X — X X X The above chat shown our previous years performance. Welcome to the Madams of Mr Joshua winning pay point = N50,000 — Call our media manager for more details (Mr Joshua 08023329191) — Good luck =

ZENITH CONFIRMED HOME OF WINNERS.

08146879314. (20 MUST 21) ROTHERHAM HOME 17 and ASTON.V. on MONTH OF PLAY Bradford C, must OXFORD. Utd = 21X 29X Week 11 — 21X 29X 34X 39XXX — 10drs (4/4) Week 15 — 21X 29X 34X 39XX — 11drs (4/4) COVENTRY — COVENTRY – on SUNDAY DATE OF PLAY. Confirmed in weeks 11, 15 and 16 = 10, 11, 12 draws.

Another 3 fixed matches and numbers are scheduled as draws again – strictly on our Experts advice. Congrats, our current winning program is designed to appreciate our Esteem clients worldwide. At Zenith your winning is our strength = N50,000 = again. BRADFORD.C MUST. BOLTON = 20X 21 Good luck.

FORTUNE DONOR DONATES 5/6 (08099111828)

Let us put last weeks disappointment behind us and concentrate on this week’s fixtures as the week portends good amen for winning streaks.

Number 5 and 6 on the coupon this week will surely oblige us with a deserving XBK mandatory. Don’t worry about the teams’ league table standings on form and sequence, they are one of the best pairs on the cards. Combine them with our 1BK and smile to your bank. Our 1bk costs N1, 500. 00, 2 Drs sell for N3, 000. 00, and 3 Drs cost N15, 000. 00 on 08099111828. Best of luck.

Thursday,27 - 2 November, 2016 SAMUEL & SOLOMON – 09091111800.

23×24×33×34××-3/4.

End of our 3weeks 13,14 and 15 winning gazetted clusters and twin win =ended last week.

WATCH BOLTON and BRISTOL.R at Home Nos.21&22 with reference to weeks 11,14 and 16.

Week 11- 09X 31X 39XXX 20X21 Week 14 - 05X 13X 41XXX 20X Week 16 - X X X20XX21 The formidable combination of the 2reputable compilers assures another 3weeks win.

Our 3weeks winners needed no story when our performances adjudged us.

Other prospective winning desired stakers are welcome -#50,ooo=the duo of s.s. irresistible win

LAWRENCE NAP 08160052969

FOR CUP WK 17 FREE PAIR 12 XXX 13 Readers of Nigeria Tribune and stakers should get ready for first round F.A cup wk 17. We promise to release 4 gazetted draws next week cost N100,000. Cash now book for your copies congratulations in advance.

4 MEMBERS 4 MEMBERS 4 BANKERS - (08162705220) 2. 47

4 BANKERS COST N6000 WK 16 2016 NO A WK TO CUP NO NAP NAP NAP NAP= 14. 34 4 BANKERS COST N5000 WK 17 F. A WK 1 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP WITH CUP 4 BANKERS COST N5000 WK 18 A WK AFTER CUP NO NAP NAP NAP NAP WITH 4 BANKERS COST N5000 WK 19= 2016 NO NAP NAP NAP WITH NAP NAP Stakers try to get 4 members 4 bankers this wk 16 cost N6, 000 4 member ENGLISH system booklet out N30, 000. Winner membership Aussie 2016 N50, 000 KEY EVERY WK 16 PURPLE BANK NIGER NO 2. 47. TO DRAW PLUS 4.

OTHER N6000. Send MTN Card 08162705220.

IKE CHUCKWU NAP 08168157259

04X 07X 18X 40X 27X 47XXX FREE PUZZLE WIN From the stable of Ike & Bros in preparation for our new cup key scheduled to on 3 fixed draws next week cost N100,000=NOTE-The above free games is sure Winning MUST, the best 3 draws cost N10,000=to prepare for our next 3weeks Naps.

Make good use of this golden opportunity now Goodluck.

CHARITY NAP

08054325929(40 FIXED 40)

Ladies and gentlemen, your man Mr Fixed draw is all out this week and called all good Stakers to hold onto Charity Nap as their best mind you many are called but few are chosen. Nap No TT.Co. vs Luton= 40xxx 40xx 40xx plus 2 other Nos – NAP BET SURE. Nap cost= N20, 000= and call for Nap details.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE GIVES 40/41 (09052942626)

We continue our scintillating performance with our gift on coupon Nos 40 – 41 for one sure Draw.

Recall our past weeks had been a resounding success in the continue with the trent.

All punters are therefore urged and enjoined to use the pair maximally – combine the duo with our 1Bk and get 2/3 unfailingly.

Start a successful journey with Double Shuffle, and you will be glad you did.

FORTUNE NAP (08067881958)

WK 16 NO. 10X 19X 37/5X 1 Free to enable you buy our wk 17 F.A. cup first round release cost: N25,000.00 after wk 16 result for wk 17 F.A cup release. Call: 08067881968.

MR BILLY 08034970970 NOW OUT WITH 13 OR 18 + 2BKS. Yes it is time for you to win pools. This wk16 with another two bankers and one alt. thus must give us 3/3 and 4/5 on Saturday number 13 and 18 must draw with another 2bks and one alt. cost #10,000=. Don’t miss it sir .Registration for 2016/2017 eng season is still on. Its now #75,000= you can pay twice.

SIR MICHAEL NAP

(32 PAIR 47) 09091874579

LAST WEEK RELEASE GOT 24XX, 33XX, 39XX 3/3 the free pair got 8xx, 16F making 4/5 Another 3/3 and 4/5 cost jest N20,000.00 call for acct no of mode of payment.

ATTENTION PLEASE!

ALL ADVERTS ARE TO BE FULLY PAID

NEW VICTORIOUS VICTOR – 08126994034 3WKS GUARANTEED WINNING FOR WKS 13, 14 & 15 Week 13 = 10X 11X 12X — 39X 24X - 5/5 Week 14 = 18X 19X 20X — 39X 24F - 4/5 Week 15 = 33X 34X 35x — 39X 24X - 4/5.

Sorry our week 15 last week nap – cut one, apology to all our new clients but the pair got the two. Never mind another 3 weeks win is at hand again = A WEEK TO CUP = CUP = AWEEK AFTER CUP 3 WEEKS CUP — SENSOR/ CENSOR NAP Week 16, week 17 and week 18 SURE Win. New subscriber — N50,000 = congrats old CLIENT. Good Luck.

AMUKO & ASSOCIATES IS BACK – 07014686970 The real cup managers are back for 2016/2017 cup session. WE OPERATE IN ONLY CUP WEEKS’ that is why we only speak cup language, and we are known as CUP MAGNATE.

ZENITH CONFIRMED HOME OF WINNERS — 08146879314 (COVENTRY ON SUNDAY DATE OF PLAY) 3RD TIME WINNING GAZETT In week 11, 15 and 16 of 10, 11, 12 draws respectively.

WIN - SURE - NAP= BRADFORD MUST BOLTON = 20XX, 21XX.

DRAW COMMANDER

BEST ENGLISH MAGIC

TWO BANKERS N3,000

WK 16 NAP NAP PAIR 2 4

WK 17 CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP

WK 18 CUP CUP PAIR 41 47

TWO BANKERS N3,000

WK 17 CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP

WK 16 CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP

WK 18 CUP CUP PAIR CUP CUP

SEND MTN CARD TO 08095602590.

MODUPE 3 WEEKS NAP 08033566694

STARTED WELL IN WKS 15, 16 & 17=

Week 15= NAP= 08X 24X 33XXX Week 16= NAP= X 20X X Week 17= NAP= X X X Call for your sure winning details. Call 08033566694 and WN.

RELIABLE DR. NICHOLAS REMAIN STAKERS NO 1 CHOICE. FINLAND

ONE BANKER WK 15 N2000 21X WK 16 A WK TO CUP TWO BANKERS COST N3,000.

WK 15 NO 8X 24X 4 BANKERS. COST N10,000. SEND M.T.N

TO 09038633666

DENMARK

ONE BANKER WK 15 N2000 29X WK 16 A WK TO CUP TWO BANKERS COST N3,000.

WK 15 NO 21X 39X 4 BANKERS. COST N10,000. SEND M.T.N

TO 09038633666

BARNET

ONE BANKER WK 15 N2000 39X WK 16 A WK TO CUP TWO BANKERS COST N3,000.

WK 15 NO 21X 24X 4 BANKERS. COST N10,000. SEND M.T.N

TO 09038633666

DAVID SUPER NAP REMAINS STAKERS No.1 CHOICE (07088103080) (40XX 47)

ANNUAL 3WEEKS TO FIRST ROUND CUP .as controlled and directed by the P.P.A. the original book makers with draws directory.

Week 16’2013- 09X 16X 33XXX 9-13X =11drs Week 16’2014- 08X 21X 43XXX 09-13X =13drs Week 16’2015- 05X 19X 47XX 19-41X =9drs Week 16’2016- X X X 40-47 =10/12drs The above annual week 16 winning statement is culled from 2016/2017 winning directory=Expect another full payment this week as promised last week. Stakers relief pay point-#50,000 = congratulations.

TONY NAP-08067236910.

22X 32X 47XXX—PAIR (04X42).

The above Nap & Win is to prepare you for our special cup Nap in week 17.= Payment to Anthony Akindasa, Union Bank A/C 0000236064, or Skye Bank no – 3010812220 . call for your winning details.

DR. B4 DR-08062748396 (42XX24) GILLING HAM and GRIMSBY.

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“The general discussion of justice is divided into the realm of societal justice as found in philosophy, theology and religion, and procedural justice as found in the study and application of the law….The concept of justice differs in every culture”.

T

HE judiciary in Nigeria and the administration of justice as a whole have recently come under intense searchlight precipitated by the invasion of the homes of some judges by officials of the State Security Services. Prior to this there had been widespread discontentment about the manner Judges and Lawyers are perceived to have contributed to the challenges encountered in the judicial sector such as undue delay in the prosecution of corruption cases. In this regard, instances of the inability of the prosecution to either expeditiously conclude corruption cases or secure convictions have been cited as evidence of a collusion between the judiciary and lawyers to frustrate the efforts of law enforcement agencies to bring to book those who have corruptly enriched themselves with public funds. It was due to this very fact that I decided some months back to devote a series of articles to the issue. I discussed several factors including the erosion of societal values, training of lawyers, the process for appointment of judges and the remuneration of judicial officers. Looking back on the events of the previous weeks I realise that it is important to revisit these matters again.

Without a doubt, there is indeed cause to worry over the slow pace of prosecution of not just corruption cases but indeed virtually all cases in Nigerian courts. Experience has shown that cases drag on for years without any meaningful product in terms of verdicts of acquittal or conviction of the accused person. In one particular instance which is often referred to as a source of embarrassment to the country, a former governor was acquitted of corruption charges by a court in Nigeria only to be convicted of charges brought on the same facts as those filed in Nigeria, by a court in the United Kingdom. In yet another instance, an accused person who had been convicted of embezzlement of

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

A man in Abia State has told the police of how he was instructed by a mad woman to cut the head of a dead woman in order not to run mad himself. Hmmm, when someone takes such ‘instructions’ from an insane person, the psychological state of such person should be questioned.

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Justice: Loss of public confidence

—Another look at the role of lawyers and judges billions of Naira in pension funds was sentenced to two year imprisonment with an option of fine of N250,000. Furthermore, a former governor was also convicted and given an option of fine of M3million while his co-accused was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. According to a report titled ‘Justice of impunity’ prepared

by Prof Bolaji Owansanoye, the amount embezzled and in respect of which charges are pending amount to about N1.3trillion.

The cases are said to include that of 15 former governors, 4 former ministers, 5 former law makers and other made up of former federal and state public servants.

Without a doubt these indeed are worrying cases. But is the judiciary alone to blame? Do lawyers also have a share of the blame and to what extent? Is there not a need to also look at other factors including the lack of political will as pointed out by some including the Chief Justice of the Federation? Let me state straightway that the Judiciary and Lawyers, although not entirely unworthy of blame have for far too long been unfairly isolated as the sole cause of the delay in the prosecution of cases. As I will discuss in the coming editions, there is just so little a Judge or indeed a lawyer can do in certain circumstances.

WHAT EXACTLY IS JUSTICE? It is difficult if not impossible to attempt a definition of the term “Justice” within the limited space offered by this article.

This is because historically the concept of justice has been subjected to so much

debate and analysis and is now generally accepted to be dependent on a lot of factors such as culture with the effect that one can hardly offer a definition of the concept that will be acceptable to all. This difficulty is well captured by Wikipedia which offers the following in respect of the concept “Justice”: “Justice, is a concept whose content several times has been subject to a philosophical as well as legal treatment. There is no universal definition of the term. In its most basic form, “justice” is the systematized administration of punishment and reward. Further to this, one can say that justice excludes randomness. The concept of justice is based on numerous fields, and many differing viewpoints and perspectives including the concepts of moral correctness based on law, equity, ethics, rationality, religion, and fairness. Often, the general discussion of justice is divided into the realm of societal justice as found in philosophy, theology and religion, and procedural justice as found in the study and application of the law….The concept of justice differs in every culture” For the purpose of this discussion I feel that it is sufficient to state that what the average Nigerian means, when he refers to injustice or the slow pace of justice delivery in Nigerian Courts is that the Courts have failed to act in a manner required of them to meet the expectations of litigants who have taken their matters to court for adjudication particularly in some cases where the very existence of those litigants depend on a speedy determination of the

Unpaid bonuses : Falcons threaten to boycott AWCON ‘NFF preparing team well for competition’ IT has been revealed that the Super Falcons may shun participation in the upcoming 10th Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3.

The title holders are pitched in Group B together with arch-rivals Ghana, Mali and newcomers Kenya.

According to a source who disclosed to supersport.com, the players are not happy that the football body, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has not deemed it necessary to settle, as promised, the side’s outstanding qualifying match allowances and bonuses.

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“The players are unhappy that to date the NFF has only paid N10, 000 qualifying bonuses to each of the players to enable them to travel back to their respective homes after April’s successful qualifying match against the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal in Abuja.

“The NFF had cited financial challenges, promising to pay their bonuses and allowances soon but that’s yet to see the light of day.

“They want all the outstanding allowances paid forthwith or they will stay away from the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

“They are not happy that NFF has continued to treat them as outcasts compared with the male counterparts, Super Eagles who were handsomely rewarded with four and five thousand dollars respectively for a draw and win in the failed 2017 AFCON qualifying campaign.

“They have told whoever that cares to listen that their presence in camp as well as training for the championship should not be misconstrued as weakness or evidence of their preparedness to participate in the biennial football competition.

“They said the country is in for a big shock unless the federation does the needful by quickly paying off their backlog of

cases. With respect to criminal matters, I feel that the sense of injustice is closely linked to a perceived unevenness in the application and interpretation of the law between the rich and the poor, between the haves and the haves not and between the government and the governed! But are lawyers and judges solely to be blamed? I think not!

Firstly, the profession of the law is one that is governed by certain rules and regulations. The profession is one that has developed in the course of the centuries certain norms which bind all lawyers and judges. I have been a lawyer for over fifty years and I believe this fact eminently qualifies me to draw from my personal experiences in making this point. A lawyer who accepts a brief of a client can only execute that brief within the facts supplied to him by that client as lawyers do not manufacture facts for their clients while judges cannot go outside the evidence before it.

In stating this I do not wish to be mistaken as saying that instances do not abound in which lawyers have gone beyond that which is legally permissible and have indeed cast upon themselves the inglorious task of manufacturing facts which they perceive as best suited to the preservation of the interest of their clients. However, I am confident that the vast majority of lawyers remain guided by the rules of the profession.

To be continued…

AARE AFE BABALOLA SAN, CON

match bonuses.

“The players said they are ready to cooperate with the head coach, Florence Omagbemi, to successfully defend the African title but on condition that their arrears of bonuses are paid forthwith,” said the unnamed source to supersport.com.

But while reacting, Dayo Olu Ibidapo, of the Communications Department of the NFF said: “Our Falcons have been training and are getting ready for the AWCON and the Federation [NFF] on its part, despite the issues of funding, is working hard to ensure all national teams are well prepared for their different competitions,” he revealed.

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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. 27/10/2016.

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