30th August, 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,578 TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

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TODAY'S SPECIAL

How to package vegetables for export

By Ruth Olurounbi GLOBALLY, there is a huge demand for Nigeria’s fresh fruits and vegetables and the supply seems short, thus, there is the need for more involvement in agri-food exports from Nigeria, experts in the business have said.

Nigeria’s non-oil export volume has recorded an impressive growth from $260 million in 2012 and $310

million in 2013, to $612.73 million in the first threequarters of 2015, according to available data from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

And, as the council targets $30 billion earning from non-oil export from the $2.7 billion it currently stands, an opportunity presents itself in a global demand for Nigerian foods such as vegetables, fruits and other commodities.

Tension in Warri over heavy military presence Continues pg9

•Avengers to Buhari: You can't win oil war, halt hostilities —P4 •Community warns against attack

Ambode appoints Subair as LIRS chairman —P12

Ondo 2016: APC secretariat laced with fetish objects

•Jimoh Ibrahim emerges in parallel PDP congress in Ibadan Secretariat of the Ondo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure, sealed off with fetish objects, on Monday. PHOTO: HAKEEM GBADAMOSI.

—P32

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Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Tension in Warri over heavy military presence No cause for alarm —Army Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

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ENSION, on Monday, mounted in Warri, Delta State, over the heavy presence of military hardware and personnel on the occasion of the ongoing ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ of the Nigerian Army in the state.

Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, it will be recalled, kicked off the training exercise on Saturday, in the state, where he said the special military drill was not intended to witch-hunt the people.

The troops, on Monday, went round the oil-rich city on a “show of force” exercise in a peaceful manner amid apprehension among residents.

The exercise began around 9.00 a.m, as the troops went round communities in Udu, Uwvie and Warri South local government areas of the state.

They were accompanied by sophisticated military equipment.

It was gathered that some other troops were deployed to the volatile creeks of Warri SouthWest.

Meanwhile, the Commander, ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’, BrigadierGeneral Benbella Raji, of the 4th Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin, Edo State, at the end of the “show of force”, said there was nothing to fear, as it was meant to enhance military operation.

According to him, residents of the area needed

not entertain fear, saying their presence would rather improve the security situation of the area and the region.

“This exercise was launched by the Chief of Army Staff a few days ago.

“It’s natural for people to fear when they see troops and military equipment moving en masse, but there is nothing to really fear.

“This is how the military showcases their preparedness to security situation and it is also meant to as-

sure them that the safety of the populace is paramount to us.

“There is rules of engagement that guide exercise of this nature which is also meant to build civilmilitary relations.

“As we speak, there is free medical outreach by the Nigerian Army around the Olu of Warri’s palace.

“They should be assured that their safety during the period of the exercise is guaranteed,” the military boss assured.

However, the Nigerian

Army, on Thursday, in Warri, flagged off a twoday free medical outreach for residents of the oil city.

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Adama, Commander of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army Medical Services and Hospital, said the free medical outreach was part of military support to enhance cordial relationship between the civilian community and the uniformed men.

Adama stated that aside treatment for various types of illnesses, the

medical team was also embarking on health talks, especially on Lassa Fever, which claimed a doctor in the state recently.

Meanwhile, the people of Kokodiagbene community in Gbaramatu kingdom of Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state have cried out over heavy presence of military personnel in the creeks.

The community, in a statement issued by its chairman, Mr Sheriff Mulade, said although the deployment of the military

Militancy: Mind who you dialogue with, Itsekiri cautions FG Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri AN Itsekiri body, the Warri Study Group (WSG), has cautioned the Federal Government to be mindful of who to dialogue with during the proposed dialogue to end hostilities of militants in the Niger Delta region.

The caution, according to the group, was necessary as a follow-up to the August 19 meeting of stakeholders of Niger Delta coastal states, held at Effurun and August 25 Abuja interactions between some Ijaw monarchs and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

Chairman of the group, Edward Ekpoko and secretary, Tony Ede, chided the various stakeholders pretending to be relevant to the cause of the region.

“Emergence of some traditional rulers, elders

and politicians now coalescing into different groups – all pretending to be peace ambassadors or mediators seeking resolution of the Niger Delta Crisis.

“As to be expected, the government appears to be giving listening ears to the so-called leaders/elders, who possibly could have been the architects of the recent violence in the region,” it alleged.

The group recalled in an earlier letter in June, to President Muhammadu Buhari, on the present situation in the region, it had felt that some serving and former governors and cronies were hands-ingloves with the militants.

It added that today, “WSG had been vindicated after some traditional rulers and elders were said to be aiding and abetting the militants.

“After encouraging the young boys (some of who

benefitted from the amnesty programme) to carry arms against their fatherland, sabotaging the national economy, they are re-emerging as peace brokers.

“The problems they are allegedly fighting have not suddenly come up in just one year of the tenure of Buhari. Is it because Buhari is no “brother”?

“Some of these elders and traditional rulers are acting the script of the militants and have only

recruited and/or assembled some few innocent ones and/or those willing to be bought outside their ethnic nationalities to give it a semblance of a Niger Delta struggle for better life, conditions and infrastructures,” WSG noted.

On the communique issued by conveners of the recent Effurun stakeholders’ meeting, WSG frowned that it failed to condemn the renewed militancy and was signed

Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri NIGER Delta Avengers (NDA), on Monday, told President Muhammadu Buhari to halt hostilities in the region, while reminding the president that he cannot win the oil war.

The group, in a statement

signed by its spokesperson, Brigadier-General Mudoch Agbinibo and published in its website, expressed shock that instead of relishing its offer of olive branch and cessation of hostilities in the region, the president still insisted on war.

It said only sincere and

•Call for freezing of Dogara’s accounts •Whoever is involved will not go scotfree, EFCC vows A coalition of over 30 civil society groups, on Monday, took to the streets of Lagos and onward to state office of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to protest the lingering budget padding controversy rocking the House of Representatives, calling on the commission to investigate and prosecute the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and others mentioned to be involved in the budget saga.

The protesters, led by Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria (CN), Comrade Tosin Adeyanju and Comrade Femi Lawson, Ex-

ecutive Director, Centre for Public Accountability, were seen displaying various placards with the inscriptions such as “No immunity for economic criminality, probe budget padding,” “EFCC, probe NASS illegal allowances,” “Save Nigeria from legislative thieves,” among others.

They demanded that the 10 principal members of the House of Representatives fingered in the budget padding ought to be arrested and should not be walking freely on the streets of the country, as they were not above the law.

Comrade Adeyanju, who spoke on behalf of

the groups before delivering their petition to EFCC Deputy Director (Operations), Lagos Office, Iliyasu Kwarbai, made the demand.

He also demanded that the bank accounts of Dogara, who superintended over the alleged budget padding be frozen, if the bank accounts of a sitting governor had earlier been frozen on account of alleged fraudulent practice.

Adeyanju said, “He has no immunity. If governor’s accounts are being frozen, I don’t know why Speaker Dogara’s account should be left free.

“These characters must

only by Chief Edwin Clark and Professor G. G. Darah, both from Delta out of the six coastal states, while also concluding that the Abuja meeting of some Ijaw monarchs with Kachikwu suggested that it is an all Ijaw affair.

The group condemned the criminal activities of the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups in the region, tasking the Federal Government to bring all perpetrators to justice.

You can’t win oil war, Avengers tell Buhari

Budget padding: Groups protest against Dogara, others at EFCC Lagos office Bola Badmus - Lagos

personnel in the Niger Delta was a welcome development to help protect oil installations/ facilities, but warned against any attack on the people.

Mulade appealed to the military authority to apply professionalism and diplomacy in their engagement.

He added that the deployment of military personnel and equipment has raised unnecessary apprehension among residents of the riverine communities in the state.

be brought to book. This is a national movement that is going to move to every corner of the country to make sure that the right thing is done. It is on this note that I present this petition on behalf of over 30 civil society organisations, on behalf of taxpayers who have no voice, to you, to please, take action on this because Nigerians are suffering. These few people cannot continue to retrogress this nation.”

EFCC Deputy Director (Operations), Lagos Office, Kwarbai said while receiving the petition, expressed appreciation that the groups were joining

the commission in its fight against corruption, vowing that the EFCC would not spare any Nigerian found wanting on the budget padding saga, no matter how highly placed such individual was.

Kwarbai, who disclosed that several petitions had earlier been received from Nigerians by the EFCC on the same budget padding saga, said preliminary investigations had since been commenced, noting that whoever was indicted among the House of Representatives principal officers ar any other would by invited thereafter by the Commission.

genuine disposition to its demands were expected from the president and not further tough talk.

In a statement laced with tone of angst and seeming frustration, the group said no amount of troop surge and simulation exercises would make the president win the oil war.

According to the militants, “the world should know that with the pronouncement in Kenya and attitude to the military build-up in the Niger Delta, it is crystal clear that the military has nothing less than a pre-determined genocide in Niger Delta.”

It alleged that the military training exercise going on in the region was a surreptitious plan to commit genocide against the people, in violation of extant international laws.

The group further said the action to codename the exercise by the army “Operation Crocodile Smiles” negated the original plan, adding that the exercise should have been codenamed “Operation Crocodile Tears.”

5 news Nigerians are battling with hunger, Okogie tells Buhari though it is not an easy task to lead, by campaigning renowned priest for the office, the president and Emeritus offered to take the enormous Archbishop of the task of leadership upon Catholic Church, himself.

“Nigerians are waiting for Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has called on you to fulfill the promises President Muhammadu you made during the Buhari to, as a matter campaign. They voted you of urgency, retool his into office because of those administration, in order to promises. The introduction leave a credible legacy by of town hall meetings is a 2019, adding that cries of commendable idea, but, in “hunger” could be heard practice, you, not just your across the length and ministers, must converse with Nigerians. breadth of the country.

“You are the president, Cardinal Okogie, in an open letter to the president you must be accountable on Monday, stated that to them. The buck stops the chant of change as the on your desk. Even if your campaign slogan ushered administration has no magic the president into power, wand, at least give some adding that though change words of encouragement.

Speaking on the Nigerian was desirable, it must be a economy, Cardinal Okogie change for the better.

He appealed to President stated that it had never been Buhari not only to make the in a state as terrible as it was change real, but also to take at present, while he called a critical look at the manner on the president, as the of appointments he had pilot of an aircraft flying in turbulence, to lay the blame been making.

“Last year, when you for the present situation in assumed office, the chant the country on the doorsteps of ‘Change’, your campaign of the entire political class slogan, ushered you into the and not just a few members of the opposition.

Presidential Villa.

“Turbulent times bring “Today, cries of ‘hunger’ could be heard across the the best or the worst out of length and breadth of our a pilot. We can no longer vast country. Nigerians blame the turbulence on hunger, not only for food, past administrations. You but also for good leadership, know quite well that some peace, security and justice. of the officials of your This letter is to appeal to administration served in dispensations. you to do something fast, previous and, if you are already doing Blame for what we have something, to redouble your been experiencing is, in fact, bi-partisan in character. effort.

He further explained that “Change is desirable, but it must be a change for the it was time to revitalise industries, better. Let this change be moribund real. Change is not real reinvigorate the agricultural when old things that we sector, make the country ought to discard refuse to tourist and investor friendly, pass away. You will need in order to enable young to take a critical look at men and women to find your cabinet, at the policies fulfillment by contributing and programmes of your to the common good, adding administration and at those that none of the lofty goals who help you to formulate could be achieved without good education. and execute them.

On the administration’s “You will need to take a critical look at the manner war on corruption, Cardinal of appointments you have Okogie described the desire been making. It is true that as just and noble, but commonsense dictates cautioned that such a war that you appoint men and must be waged with just women you can trust, but means.

“Those who have stolen if most of the people you trust are from one section the wealth of this country of the country and practice have broken the laws of the same religion, then you our country. They must be and all of us are living in treated according to the law and not outside the insecurity,” he said.

The Archbishop prayed law, and the outcome of that it would not be written the judicial process must be on the pages of history that respected by government.

Nigerians died of starvation Even accused persons have under President Buhari’s rights. Where those rights watch and urged him as the are violated, we risk a president and chief servant descent to anarchy.

“It is our candid opinion of the nation to live up to the huge expectation of millions that corruption is not of Nigerians, “because a found in only one party. No political party in Nigeria has stitch in time saves nine.”

According to him, this was a monopoly of looters. That the second year of Buhari’s is why we need an EFCC that administration, after which is thoroughly independent he and his party promised of the presidency and an to lead the masses to the Attorney-General without Promised Land, adding that party affiliation, working in partnership with various

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

A

independent accounting institutes. This will ensure that we come up with an objective list of those who plundered our treasury,” he said.

He concluded by asking the president to pardon him if he sounded like a gratuitous counselor, adding that as a public figure and religious leader, he owed him the truth and nothing but the truth and he had offered such counsel to quite a number of presidents in the country before.

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

He said “the success of the leader is the success of the citizens and if there is no solution to Nigeria’s problem, there may be endless war.

“You strike one town, you gain it, and you come again to regain it. Remember that you cannot put a crown on your head. It is the people who put it on you.

Otherwise, one day, you will get tired of it. Please listen to the legitimate cries of your fellow citizens,” Okogie stated.

First produce city in Nigeria inaugurated

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi (right) and the Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development, Honourable Abubakar Bwari, at the exhibition stand, during the fifth International Mining Investment Conference/Exhibition on Nigeria, in Abuja, on Monday.

NLC decries Buhari economic policies

Says FG sabotaging proposed N56,000 minimum wage Soji-Eze Fagbemi -Abuja THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday, declared that virtually all the economic polices of the present administration are aimed at eroding the little gains achieved by Nigerian workers in recent years.

Its president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, during the 14th NLC Rain School, also alleged that the Federal Government was sabotaging the proposed N56,000 new minimum wage submitted to it.

To this end, the congress warned the workers to brace up for the struggles ahead, adding that the government did not seem to get its acts right.

“The challenge before all of us in an economy that is technically in recession is that our governments didn’t seem to get their acts right. If you look at the responses, it is geared towards taking away the gains that we have been able to make over the years.

“The issue of our wages, our pension and gratuity are gradually being treated

with ignominy and that is why we must come together and resist all forms of divide and rule tactics which they may want to construe to weaken our collective resolve.

“As it were, nothing has changed, and if the narrative has not changed, we must do what we need to do to engage the system.

In fact, if not because of what we did, government would have started another round of increase in the petrol pump price.

“This is because if they had predicated the initial increase on the exchange rate of Naira to a dollar, which has been on a free fall from the beginning of last year, the price would have shot up,” he said.

The NLC president regretted that rather than helping to solve the problem, prescriptions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stabilise the value of the Naira had not worked, leaving the Nigerians workers on the vagaries of price mechanisms which had weaken their purchasing power.

He warned the workers never to expect their demands to be achieved

easily, adding that their interest could only be protected through collective struggle and agitations.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), it will be recalled, had, on April 26, jointly presented a proposed new minimum wage of N56,000 to the Federal Government, with a clear message that the current N18,000 minimum wage was no longer feasible under the present economic reality.

Following the presentation, the Federal Government and organised labour, on May 26, agreed on the composition of a 16-member technical committee, to work out modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

However, almost four months into the composition of the committee, the NLC president said the committee had only met once, a development he described as “a surreptitious move by the Federal Government to sabotage the process.”

According to him, the minimum wage was long overdue.

VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo, in Edo State, on Monday, inaugurated the ground breaking ceremony of the 136 million-dollar first Integrated Produce City (IPC) in Nigeria.

The project is sited at Ugbokun, near Okada in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo. Represented by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the vice-president said the venture would transform the lives of thousands of people in the country.

Osinbajo said the country could not continue to measure its price and value by the quantity of crude exported.

Chairman of IPC, Professor Pat Utomi, said the project, which has Edo, Delta, Kogi, Ekiti, Anambra and Ondo as catchment states, would have 50 factories when completed.

He said the project would help to assist the Federal Government in transforming the economy by generating jobs and increasing commercial activities in the catchment states.

He said the proposed city would have regional wholesale produce market as agro allied industrial park, a preservation park, export hub and farm inputs as well as implement and equipment centre.

He said the project would also have a waste conversion and disposal facility as well as other modern city facilities.

Tagged the Agric Value Chain Solution Centre, the IPC chairman said the support infrastructure would include 24 hours electricity and water supply as well as residential accommodation.

Earlier, the Edo Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Joe Okojie, said the project was timely and in tandem with the Agricultural Policy of the state.

He promised that the state would provide the enabling environment for the success of the project.

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Nigerian Tribune

Lagos Man who named dog Buhari to do with President Buhari Lekan Olabulo THE Lagos zone 2 command of the Nigeria Police has dissociated President Muhammadu Buhari from the case involving a man who named his pet dog ‘Buhari.’

The police, in a statement made available to the Lagos Metro and signed by the zonal Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the ‘Buhari’ in question was not President Buhari .

According to the police, a son to the Alhaji Buhari had reported the case to the police claiming that the arrested Igbo man was referring to his father.

Deplorable state of Ijora causeway, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Court grants woman leave to enforce 16 years’ land judgment Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare

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USTICE Ganiyu Safari of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has granted leave to a woman, Alhaja Tayibat Adeniji, to enforce a judgment delivered by Justice A. O. Holloway (retd) on November 20, 2000 over a parcel of land at Soliyi, Ogudu, in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.

Justice Safari granted the application “in order for the judgment creditor/applicant to be able to reap the benefits of the judgment.”

In the court ruling, the judge held that, “I find merit in this application and hold that it is necessary to grant same in order for the judgment creditor/applicant to be able to reap the benefits of the judgment and ruling.

“Leave is, hereby, granted to the judgment creditor/applicant to enforce and execute the judgment of the Honourable Justice A. O. Holloway (rtd) delivered on the 20th of November 2000 and subsequent ruling by Honourable Justice D. Okuwobi on the 25th day of January, 2001, outside the statutorily prescribed period. This shall be the order of this court.”

Another judge of the court, Justice Okuwobi, had, on January 25, 2001, granted Adeniji possession of the land. On November 23, 2001, she refused an application by the plaintiffs to set aside the

order of execution.

The plaintiffs, Babantunde Thomas and Anthony Olokodana, had sued Adeniji, claiming that they were entitled to be issued with a certificate of occupancy in respect of the land at Soliyi Village, Gbagada.

They also sought N500, 000 as damages, as well as an order restraining the defendant (Adeniji), from committing further trespass on the land.

Justice Holloway in his

judgment in 2000 had held that the land belonged to Adeniji, stating that, “The defendant has produced receipt of money paid to the Oloto family and testified as to how the land was sold to her under the customary law.

“She would appear to have equitable interest on the land which is more than could be said of the plaintiffs. The defendant, therefore, has a better title and she is in possession.”

Adeniji had applied before Justice Okuwobi for a consequential order and warrant of possession, which she granted, ruling that “The applicant (Adeniji) is entitled to the possession of the land comprised in the judgment of this court delivered on 20th November 2000.

“I hereby make a consequential order that the plaintiffs give up possession of the said land covered by surveys KESH/2904A and KESH/L/2904B at Ogudu

Soliyi, within Kosofe Local Government Area forthwith.”

Adeniji, on January 8, 2016, prayed Justice Safari for an order granting her leave to enforce/execute the judgment outside the statutorily prescribed time.

She said her inability to fully execute the judgment before six years elapsed was due to financial constraints, adding that she was now prepared to execute the judgment completely.

Task Force impounds 98 motorcycles at Mile 2, FESTAC Bola Badmus THE Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit has impounded a total of 98 motorcycles in a raid of Rainbow Bus Stop by NNPC, Mile 2 area of the state, during which a total of 98 motorcycles, including tricycles were impounded.

Speaking through a statement made available to Lagos Metro, by the Task Force Public Affairs Officer, Mr Taofiq Adebayo, the Chairman of the agency, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed that the operations were carried out, based on persistent petitions from members of the public around Festac and Mile 2, about criminal activities perpetrated by operators of both motorcycles and tricy-

cles.

The Task Force boss disclosed that residents living around these areas complained that criminals were using both motorcycles and tricycles to dislodge them of their valuable properties during day-time and at night.

He said the affected residents asserted in their petition to the agency that they

could no longer sleep with their eyes closed.

According to the statement, a resident, Alhaji Wasiu Olaniran, said it had become worrisome seeing these people on daily basis, using motorcycles and tricycles to perpetrate criminal activities around the area, pointing out that valuables such as wallets, neck-chains and telephones were always

objects of While vowing to cripple the activities of criminals, hoodlums, cultists and land grabbers, making lives unbearable for people in his zonal command, AIG Abdulmajid Ali also assured the good people of Lagos and Ogun states of adequate security and unalloyed maintenance of law and order.

Adejobi, in the statement, said “The attention of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, has been drawn to series of uncomplimentary comments and publications in respect of the case of a man, Joe Chinakwe, who was arrested and charged to court by the Ogun State police command for naming his dog “Buhari” and wishes to state categorically that the matter was grossly misconstrued.”

The police image maker added that “the zonal command wishes to clarify and set the records straight that the case, as it was erroneously perceived, has nothing to do with the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, but with one Alhaji Buhari, the biological father of the complainant, Alhaji Halilu Umar, all of Ketere Area, Sango Otta in Ado-Odo Otta Local Government Area of Ogun State.”

He continued: “Also, it’s fundamental to state that the man was not charged to court for christening his dog ‘Buhari’, but for the behaviour of the suspect and circumstances surrounding the matter when Mr Joe, who had been having conflicts with his neighbour (complainant) named his dog, Buhari, his neighbour’s father’s name inscribed Buhari on both sides of the said dog, and started parading the dog with swagger amongst his neighbours and/ traders who are mostly Northerners.”

The pokice also stated that “The said Joe was actually attacked by the people around for his action before he was rescued by the police. The timely intervention of the police prevented a crisis or inter-tribal crisis in the area.

“The zonal command, therefore, seeks the understanding of members of the

Omo Onile bags 3 months imprisonment for beating up Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A land grabber, popularly called Omo Onile, has bagged three months in prison for beating up a site worker for refusing to give him money.

It was gathered that Lekan Adetona, 37, connived with others still at large to

severely beat up the site worker when he refused to give them money.

The incident happened at a building site on Anobi Street, Alapere, Ketu.

The incident was reported by the complainant, a site worker, on the same day.

The complainant, a welder, had on that day

went to meet some of his friends at a site on Anobi Street, where they were to carry out some construction work.

On getting there, he didn’t meet them and as he turned to return to his shop, a group of three young men, led by the accused, attacked him.

They beat him to a pulp as they demanded money from him, thinking he was the site engineer.

Adetona and his Omo Onile boys were accused by the complainant of going about terrorising people over their property and trying to claim money for ridiculous reasons.

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Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

metro has nothing —Police public on the action of the man,which was capable of causing breach of public peace, an offence the man, Joe Chinakwe, was actually charged for under Section 249(d) of the Criminal Code.

“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Lagos, AIG Absulmajid Ali, appeals to the general public to understand the action of the police in the matter, which is in consonance with the primary duties of the Nigeria Police as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and accept it as a professional way of preventing total breakdown of law and order.”

Lekan Olabulo A Niger Republic national, accused of being a member of a seven-man robbery gang that burgled shops in major markets on Lagos Island, has been arrested by the police .

The suspect, Yakubu, was, on Saturday, arrested by operatives of the newly-structured Anti Kidnapping Unit of Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police.

The spokesperson of the zone, Muyiwa Adejobi, who

Edited By Lanre Adewole 0811 695 4647

Nigerien, one other arrested over Idumota, Balogun shops break confirmed the arrest of the suspect to Lagos Metro, further disclosed that another member of the gang, Isa Musa, was also arrested.

The Zone 2 police spokesperson also said the police recovered more than 10 bags of stolen goods, which included underwear and other clothing items.

Adejobi told Lagos

Metro that police operatives, attached to the newly-re-structured Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, arrested two members of a seven-man gang, who specialised in shop breaking at Idumota, Balogun and some other markets in Lagos State, on 25/08/2016 at about 03.45 in the morning,

immediately after their operations at Idumota/Balogun markets.

He added that ‘The arrest of two members of the gang was as a result of the swift response of the police operatives to a tip-off on the regular criminal acts (shop breaking) of the syndicate, which have caused untold hardship and worries to the

Prophet in trouble for falsely accusing landlord AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A Prophet, David (surname withheld), of Presence Redemption Ministries, has been accused of allegedly giving false information about his landlord to the police.

The Prophet was alleged to have, on November 4, 2015, given false information against his landlord, one Joseph Agaga.

The Police further alleged that the Prophet had falsely informed the police that his landlord wanted to forcefully take over the parcel of land where his church was located from him, an allegation which led to the arrest and detention of the landlord.

However, the police, upon conclusion of the investigation, found out that the land belonged to the landlord, and consequently arrested the Prophet and charged him before an Ebute Metta Magistrate court for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

site worker The convict was unlucky and was arrested by the police with the help of people around, who knew his whereabouts.

He was charged before an Ogudu Magistrate Court where the Magistrate, Sule Amzat, sentenced him to three months imprisonment.

The goods recovered from the suspects

The Nigerien

Ambode inaugurates 33,000 litres fuel dump facility for police Bola Badmus - Lagos LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday, inaugurated the newly-rehabilitated fuel dump for the state police command, reiterating his unwavering commitment to keep Lagos safe, secured and uncomfortable for criminal elements and their collaborators.

The facility, which has 33,000 litres capacity for both diesel and premium motor spirit (petrol), was rehabilitated by the state government for the purpose of dispensing fuel to vehicles used for patrol and surveillance activities by the police in the state.

Governor Ambode, while speaking at the inauguration, said provision of the facility was in line with his administration’s determination to further enhance security of lives and property in the State.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties

Nigerian Tribune

and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr Oluseye Oladejo, stated that his administration, since inauguration, had left nobody in doubt about its commitment to keep Lagos safe and secured.

“Since our inauguration, we have left nobody in doubt about our commitment to keep our state safe and secured. We have demonstrated commitment to this course through massive investment and the provision of modern security equipment to strengthen the crime fighting capacity of security agencies, especially the state police command.

“Till date, we have empowered security agencies with 100 Saloon cars, 195 Ford Ranger Pick Ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Hilux and several others.

“These were provided with the main objective of facilitating mobility of officers within the nooks and crannies of the state.

“With this dedicated fa-

cility, the state government has once again made a clear statement of its determination to make Lagos uncomfortable for criminals and their collaborators,” he said.

The governor said he was not oblivious of the fact that the major requirement for efficient running of vehicles is regular fuel supply and maintenance, adding that such necessitated the

approval he gave for the revamping of the old and dilapidated fuel dump at the State Police Command.

Earlier, the police commissioner, Owoseni, thanked Governor Ambode for once again demonstrating that he was a worthy partner, adding that the commissioning and handing over of the facility was a milestone to the Police.

owners of some affected shops in the markets”.

Adejobi also said the 21year- old Yakubu and Issa, 48 and a father of five, from Borno State, Nigeria, of no fixed addresses, had been in this dirty ‘business’ for years before their arrest at Obalende.

The duo, according to Adejobi , were arrested while waiting for the arrival of receivers of their stolen wears, which included undies.

“More than 10 bags of undies and wears worth millions of naira and one unregistered Toyota Corolla, which is their operational vehicle, were recovered from them,” the police spokesperson also said.

He continued: “Due to thorough search conducted on their operational car, two cultlasses, two chisels and one heavy cutter were recovered at the bonnet of the car where they were concealed after their operation.”

Adejobi also stated that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 command, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, had directed the Officer-In-Charge of anti kidnapping unit of the zone to effect the arrest of other fleeing members of the gang and their receivers to allow for proper investigation and prosecution of the case.

While vowing to cripple the activities of criminals, hoodlums, cultists and land grabbers, making lives unbearable for people in his zonal command, Ali also assured the people of Lagos and Ogun states of adequate security and unalloyed maintenance of law and order.

Leader of Oshodi pick-pocket group, 20 others nabbed Olalekan Olabulo A self-acclaimed leader of the pick-pocket gangs in Oshodi and neighbouring communities has been arrested by the police.

The suspect, Kasali, popularly known as Babangida, and 20 other hoodlums, who were, at the weekend, arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, were allegedly responsible for robbery and other attacks unleashed on innocent citizens and passersby at Oshodi and neighbouring communities .

Lagos Metro gathered that Kasali was feared by his colleagues for his ruthlessness and popularity.

“Some of his colleagues earlier arrested gave him out as their leader, and that he is the one that goes around to collect items stolen or snatched from passers-by to sell and share the proceeds to members,’ a police source said.

Kasali, the source stated, had been to prison four times while one of his accomplices also arrested, Yusuph, 18, from Ogun State, was just out of prison for the eighth time.

Upon completion of preliminary screening, four out of the 21 arrested suspects, who could provide satisfactory information about their identities, were released.

While confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police, SP Dolapo Badmos, reassured people of the state, of maximum security, adding that the suspects would face the full wrath of law.

The suspects have been transferred to the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment for prosecution.

news PDP crisis : Hold next convention in Abuja 8

BoT tell Makarfi-led caretaker committee Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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HE Board of Trustees (BoT) of the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, rose from a crucial meeting on how to resolve the crisis of the party, and directed the

Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee to hold the next national convention of the party in Abuja.

In a communique read by its chairman, Senator Walid Jubrin, after meeting the body, also directed that a new convention planning

GIS has made employers of labour, stimulated socio-economic growth —FG 41, 161 graduates benefit from scheme Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

THE project director, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Dennis Chukwu, on Monday, said with the implementation of the scheme, jobless graduates have become employers of labour, thus stimulating socio-economic development in the country.

He said about 41, 161 graduates had benefited from the scheme, comprising 68 per cent males, 31 per cent females and one per cent vulnerable, explaining that GIS was designed by the Federal Government as interventionist programme to tackle growing rates of unemployment in the country.

Chukwu made the disclosure in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, during the career development and entrepreneurship skills training organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) for beneficiaries of GIS. Represented by Mrs Oyidiya Okore, he maintained that GIS since inception, had demonstrated high prospects for job creation and social protection of Nigerian youths, stressing that “the programme presents

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abideen Adekunle Lateef now OYELEKE LATEEF ADIGUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly John Thomas Onwu now JOHN CHIBUEZE THOMAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

opportunities for graduates interns to gain employment in organisations, where they worked in other organisations or self-employment.”

According to Chukwu, “so far, 41, 161 have benefitted from the scheme. Over 35, 000 have exited the scheme, with thousands of them having secured jobs.

Many have secured credit facilities and grants (including You WIN Grant) to expand businesses they set up using GIS monthly stipends of N30, 000 and many have set up cooperative associations, some of which have transformed into SMEs. Rather than seeking for work, they are becoming employers.

“As government, we can boldly say that the purpose of setting up the Graduate Internship Scheme, which is for unemployed graduates to acquire employable skills, is being achieved. However, as long as thousands of graduates still remain unemployed, we will continue to improve the capacity of the scheme to absorb more applicants.”

committee should be constituted by the caretaker committee.

It added that the planning committee should be approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

The communique read in part: “The next convention should be held in Abuja.

“To ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair convention, a new convention planning committee should be constituted by the National Caretaker Committee and approved by NEC.” Walid added that the BoT should facilitate the raising of adequate funds for the party and urged the board’s reconciliation committee, headed by Professor Jerry Gana, to continue with all good efforts for the reconciliation.

Passing a vote of confidence on the national caretaker committee, the BoT charged the committee to as soon as possible, convene a meeting of the NEC to accordingly approve proposals for moving the party forward.

Recall that the planning committee of the botched convention of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was headed by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, which the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction kicked against.

Sheriff had insisted that as part of the conditions for resolving the crisis in the party, Governor Wike should not be the chairman of the convention planning committee.

Sheriff also demanded that the convention should be shifted from Port Harcourt to Abuja.

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

9

news

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

How to package vegetables for export Continued from front page

Babatunde Ogunyemi, CEO, Thelma Farms Ltd, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, speaking with Nigerian Tribune, said “there is a huge demand for local, indigenous vegetables around the world, but there is no adequate supply to meet this demand.

“This, therefore, presents an opportunity for business among Nigerians interested in agri-food export.”

Ogunyemi’s farm sits on a 350-acre piece of land in Ijebu Ode, producing vegetables like ewedu, tete, soko, okra exclusively for exports into Europe.

“I do freshly cut vegetables; we grow and process for exports. We only produce for export,” he says.

First things first – research To export, however, a prospective farmer must first do his/her home work and must be ready to commit to the rules of engagement in the business.

“Export business is a commitment for a long, long term. Know your strengths and go for it,” the NEPC counsels on its website.

“Your starting point is: ‘where I am going

to sell, what am I going to sell, and what are people going to buy?’ There’s an American farming adage that says ‘if you can sell it, you will sell it.’ And that is where agribusiness starts from - who will buy? Once you’ve sorted out who will buy, you need to sort out how to produce - your production mechanism. Once this is sorted out, then you will have to sort out your logistics.

Don’t forget, the export I do is perishables, so you need to understand the production techniques. If you don’t understand the technique of production, then you’re going to run into problem,” Ogunyemi said.

Globally acceptable practices From the production point to the market, a set of requirements must be met which assures the quality of produce to be exported. Some of those requirements, according to Ogunyemi, include crop management, harvest and post-harvest practices. For fresh vegetables, the crucial part of it is harvesting and processing.

International communities are very keen on the standardisation process, which is very important, not only because it “addresses the quality and homogeneity of products, but also because it determines

Herdsmen menace: Declare state of emergency, senator tells FG Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Communication, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of deliberate policy, declare state of emergency on the activities of the herdsmen in all parts of the country.

Nnaji, who condoled with families of the victims of the recent attack by the suspected nomads on the people of Attakwu community in NkanuWest council area of Enugu State, noted that until

governments at all levels recognised the menace as a national concern, all the public outcries would amount to nothing.

He told newsmen in Abuja that apart from ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book, to serve as deterrent to others, the Federal Government should come up with stringent measures to tackle the issue once and for all, in the interest of the country.

The lawmaker who contributed to the motion on the massacre of people

of Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, presented on the floor of the Senate in April, revealed that there should have been massive reprisal in Enugu then but for the prompt action of security agencies.

He, however, warned that Nimbo attacks should be taken as an eye opener for the government to tackle the problem head long, while he also prayed the Senate to come up with stringent measures to tackle the issue in the interest of the country.

Only qualified, registered teachers will be allowed to practice —Minister MINISTER of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has said only qualified teachers, who are duly registered, would be allowed to teach in the country to ensure professionalism.

Adamu said this while briefing newsman on the sidelines on the presentation of a draft roadmap, tagged “Education for Change: A Ministerial Strategic Plan 2016-2019’’ to education stakeholders, in Abuja, on Monday.

He said the teaching profession had declined and there was the need to ensure professionalism to improve the quality of education.

“Teacher education itself is dying simply because non-professionals have now become teachers.

“Therefore, the

professionalisation and registration of teachers will help make sure that the profession is reorganised with quacks kicked out.

“So, nobody should be employed as a teacher if he or she does not have a teaching qualification; there is no magic if you are not qualified as a teacher: you cannot teach,” Adamu said.

According to the minister, teaching qualification means the person had undergone the course of philosophy of education and the method of teaching.

Adamu said the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TCN) was in the forefront of ensuring that only qualified and registered teachers would be allowed to teach in Nigeria.

The minister listed funding as one of the major challenges in the sector, saying that it had not been fully funded.

He mentioned other challenges in the sector to include: out-ofschool children, cultism, examination malpractices and indiscipline.

“Only 17 per cent of applicants are admitted into the university and there are 11 million out-ofschool children.

“About 25.3 million students at all levels of education are out- ofschool in the country.’’

Adamu expressed the hope that the strategic plan would help address the problems in the education sector, saying “this document is the solution to the problems in the sector.”

the types of presentation, packaging and labelling which facilitate marketing and guarantee quality for consumers,” Jose Alvarez Ramos, Agricultural Counsellor at the Spanish Embassy in the Netherlands, wrote in Marketing and distribution of food products: A priority for developing countries, in CTA Bulletin.

Documentations for export “You need to register with NEPC and Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Services.

You could do a membership of three years or five years, same with the Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Services,” Ogunyemi says. Of course there are rules guiding an exporter’s registration processes and they are available on agencies’ websites.

Packaging to prevent perishing You need to understand the plants formation and how they live, Ogunyemi counsels, saying “the moment you harvest, they start dying - if you can rehydrate, then you can probably help them live longer and then don’t forget they expire and what that means is that they can easily start cooking themselves, so you have to work out the best technique.

“Transport to the destination centres (wholesale markets, superstores) must be organised in such a way that the quality of the products remains unchanged. This is one of the ‘bottlenecks’ in the chain which also impedes trade between the lessdeveloped countries. For the transport of fresh fish, the use of refrigerated facilities is essential,” Ramos also notes.

To ensure proper preservation and distribution of these products, Ogunyemi says an exporter must take

the perishable nature of fresh products into consideration to determine their handling, transportation, preservation and consumption.

Current and possible challenges would-be exporter may face Lack of proper and internationally acceptable infrastructure within export terminals presents major challenge exporters of perishable food products face on a daily basis. According to Ogunyemi, “lack of temperature controlled areas at the airport is a big minus for the country.

Ghana and Ivory Coast have temperature control areas, but Nigeria doesn’t.”

In an effort to preserve the freshness of his farm produce, Ogunyemi says he loads the products into temperature-controlled trucks from his farms to the airport, but loses control over the processes when the products get into the airport. According to him, if care is not taken 35 degree heat at the airport terminals could cook the vegetables before they get to their destinations.

Another challenge is that there are only two airlines that provide early airlifting services in Nigeria. Add to that is exponentially high cost of air cargo and fuel prices to produce the said vegetables.

“If we want to be serious about exports in this country, we must get our infrastructure right. Cost of aviation is very high. The cost of air cargo is very high - a cargo from Costa Rica which is in South America to UK costs an equivalent of 30 cents, in Nigeria, we pay over a dollar for a shorter distance. From Costa Rica to the UK is about 14 hours, while from Nigeria to UK is six hours and we are paying over a dollar per kilo,” he says.

10 news

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

10 escape death as Abuja building billed for demolition collapses We’ll go after those responsible —FHA Christian Okeke - Abuja

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BOUT 10 people escaped death on Monday, when a four-storey building being developed as an annex to Haastrup Mall and Entertainment Centre and billed for demolition this week eventually collapsed on 444 Crescent, Wupa District in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The building plot was allocated by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in 2009, but the developer commenced additional structure which was not approved by the authority.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the collapsed building was supposed to have been demolished in June, but officials of the authority had to suspend the exercise after thugs were mobilised to attack the demolition team.

On the fateful day, the team was moving to the now collapsed building after successfully demolishing another illegal building on 1st Avenue, which was a gray area converted to residential area by a developer, before it met a tense situation and decided to temporarily suspend the operation.

Nigerian Tribune equally sighted one of the three contravention notices with reference number FHA/ABJ/ES/TP/ DC/004 and dated March 30 served on the said developer by the authority.

Managing Director of the FHA, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin, confirmed that there was tension and unfavourable security situation created by thugs on the day the demolition team from the authority went to demolish the structure.

He said the authority’s

development control personnel noticed that work had commenced on the structure at the back of an approved mall which was not covered by the earlier

approval and moved in.

Al-Amin equally confirmed that the authority, after the failed attempt to demolish the ill-fated structure, went into consulta-

tion with the development control department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for its support in handling the contravention, while a fol-

low-up meeting was scheduled for this week before the structure eventually came down.

According to him, all the construction workers res-

Scene of a collapsed four-storey building on 444 Crescent, Citec Estate in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Port Harcourt-based lawyer murdered by gunmen Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt PORT Harcourt, Rivers State-based legal practitioner and human rights activist, Mr Ken Atsuwete, was shot dead by gunmen in Aluu community, Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of the state, Monday morning.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the assailants stormed the late Atsuwete’s residence in the early hours of Monday, dragged him outside his house and shot him several times, leaving him almost dead.

He was said to have been

taken to Nimi Briggs Hospital within the University of Port Harcourt, but the rescue was late, as he was confirmed dead by the hospital due to excessive loss of blood from the bullet wounds.

When contacted, Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident, saying the police was on top of the matter.

Astuwete was one of the counsel for a former chairman of the Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, who is standing trial for a murder-related offence.

The last public appearance of the assassinated legal practitioner was at the 56th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), held last week, in Port Harcourt and where he was one of the speakers.

Meanwhile, the assassination is eliciting reactions, as the publicity secretary of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Chris Finebone, alleged that it was politically-motivated.

The Rivers APC spokesman called on the police authorities and the DSS to unravel the circumstances

surrounding the killing of Astuwete.

Also, Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL), where the late Atsuwete also worked, Mr Anyankwe Nsirim-Ovu, condemned the dastardly act.

“Worthy Itsekiri son, human rights lawyer/activist of repute was gunned down early hours of today. Ken is handling some of the politically sensitive human rights matters in Rivers and, indeed, in the region. He is outspoken. He is the lawyer on the Ojukaye Amakiri matter,” he said.

Pandemonium in Kuje Prison as inmates attack officers No crisis in the prison —Controller Clement Idoko - Abuja THERE was a pandemonium at Kuje Medium Security Prison on Monday, following an attack on some prison officers on routine cell-search.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that riot broke out in the prison at about 10.30 a.m, leading to sporadic shooting by the prison officers in an attempt to quell the uprising.

Controller of Prisons Fed-

eral Capital Territory Command, Mr Daniel Odharo, who confirmed the development, said the incident occurred when staff of Kuje Prison carried out a routine cell-search, which was part of the prisons operational guidelines to prevent breach of security within and around the prisons.

He added that inmates tried to resist the exercise, which led to altercations between the search party and the inmates.

He, however, said this was quickly put under control, adding that “no prisoner was injured, no property damaged and the yard is calm and peaceful.”

Odharo stressed that the security and well-being of prisoners in the Federal Capital Territory would continue to be held in priority and would never be compromised.

Nigerian Tribune gathered from a source within the prison that the trouble

started from one of the blocks and spread to other blocks within the facility.

It will be recalled that in June this year, two inmates escaped from the Kuje Medium Security Prison, among other cases of jailbreaks recorded in recent times.

On July 30, no fewer than 13 inmates escaped from Koton Karfe Prison in Kogi State. 10 days later, no fewer than 15 inmates at the Federal Prisons in Nsukka, Enugu State, escaped in an-

other jailbreak that reportedly took place late in the evening.

Also this August, no fewer than 14 inmates of the Abakaliki Prison in Ebonyi State capital, were feared killed during a jailbreak bid under the cover of a prison riot.

A source said a team of security operatives had been drafted to the facility to contain the uprising, but could not tell whether any inmate had escaped.

cued from the site were taken to hospital and were responding to treatment.

The FHA boss stated that the authority had not encountered what he described as “this kind of thing of this magnitude before,” saying “we are known by our quality.”

He disclosed that in addition to sealing off the site and an order for further work to stop, the authority had deployed personnel to study the situation on ground, vowing that the remote and immediate cause of the collapse would be made public.

Al-Amin hinted that there would be punishment for those who contravened the law, but said the authority had to first ascertain the level of contravention.

Nigerian Tribune observed at the site of the collapsed building that personnel of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FHA and the Federal Fire Service undertook rescue operations, in conjunction with other relevant agencies.

The operatives were seen using sniffer dogs and other equipment to ascertain if more persons were still trapped.

This collapse came barely two weeks after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammadu Bello, said he had given clear instruction that illegal buildings within the purview of his administration would no longer be demolished by the administration, but that the owners were being encouraged to dismantle them by themselves.

Also, last Saturday, the minister said that his administration would not engage in demolition of shanties except those that must be removed to pave way for roads and to improve on the health of the dwellers, saying focus would be to upgrade such slums.

The minister had said “even if there is going to be demolition or relocation of people, there is a clear instruction now that no more destruction; give people reasonable time and notice and also encourage them to do the dismantling by themselves. That way, you reduce tension and more importantly, you allow them to salvage what has economic value. That’s what we have been doing and it has worked.”

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businessnews

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigeria FX market trades $372m as offshore funds buy bonds •Naira depreciates against dollar Chima Nwokojji with Agency Report

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IGERIA’S currency market registered $327 million worth of trades on Monday, about six times more than its usual volume, the market regulator told Reuters.

That included a single $270 million transaction at 345 naira per dollar, by foreign investors buying local currency bonds, Bola Onadele, the managing director of FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, said in an interview. Other transactions were carried out from 314.50 to 317.34 per dollar.

Average trading is around $50 million a day on normal days. It might reach $100 million on days the central bank intervenes in the currency market.

Traders also said the central bank sold an undisclosed amount of dollars, close to the end of market session, to help prop up the naira. The currency closed at 305.50 on Monday, around the level where it’s closed for the past week.

Monday’s surge in trading came after the central bank said on Friday that it would offer 212.85 billion naira ($675 mln) in treasury bills maturing between 91 days and one year on Wednesday. The debt will be sold on Wednesday.

The bank has been selling short-dated open market bills at yields as high as 18 percent in an effort to attract offshore funds,

most of whom fled Nigeria’s bond and equity markets during a financial crisis that began when oil prices plunged.

The crisis ultimately led the central bank to let the

naira’s value float, in June.

From its controlled rate of 197 naira to the dollar, the Nigerian currency plunged to as much as 309 to the dollar on the interbank market and 412 to the dol-

THE Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has rung changes in the agency by redeploying 19 senior management staff including General Managers.

Under the new arrangement, Akinbayo C. O. and Ephraim Okon who were Assistant General Managers Admin and Commercial respectively are to serve as Acting General Manager and Assistant General Manager to oversee the agency’s London and Abuja liaison offices respectively.

The London office and the Abuja Liaison Office were formerly headed by Abdullahi Buhari and Mohammed Nasir Anas respectively.

Meanwhile, General Manager ND & JV, Madubuike Ugowho, is now General Manager, Special Duties, while the General Manager, Western Ports, Ajayi Micheal Kayode was

foreign exchange in the country.

The local currency had hit an all-time low of N412 against the greenback at the parallel market on Friday, August 26, after

From left, Norden Thurston, Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc (SBC); Sunil Sawhney, Managing Director, SBC; Chidozie Ibekwe, 7Up HBS Scholarship recipient and Yinka Adesina, General Manager Human Resources, SBC at the presentation of the Harvard Business Scholarship to Ibekwe in Lagos.

Ibekwe, 6th recipient of 7Up Harvard business school scholarship SEVEN-UP Bottling Company Plc, Lagos has announced Chidozie Ibekwe as the winner of the 2016 edition of the 7Up Harvard Business School MBA Scholarship.

An electrical engineer, Ibekwe, who works in Lagos with a consulting firm,

had his early education at King’s College Lagos and University of Lagos before proceeding on scholarship to the University of Mississippi, United States of America to continue his studies.

He becomes the sixth recipient of the 7Up Harvard

Reform: Bala Usman rings changes in NPA, redeploy GM’s Tola Adenubi-lagos

lar on the black market . ($1 = 315 naira).

The Naira fell to a new low of N413 against the United States dollar on Monday, August 29, amid the continued scarcity of

asked to report to the Managing Director for duty as General Manager, Public Affairs.

Captain Ebubegu Ihenacho, who previously the General Manager, Public Affairs was asked to report to Executive Director, M&O for duty as General Manager, M&C Western Ports.

Also, Talabi Tolulope, who was General Manager, C&SP, was asked to report to the Managing Director for duty as General Manager, NB&JV while General Manager, Marine and Operations, Goje Abdulahi Aliyu, was asked to report to Executive Director, M&O for duty as General Manager, Eastern Ports.

On his part, General Manager, London Office, Abdulahi Buhari is to report to the Managing Director for duty as General Manager, SERVICOM. General Manager, Abuja Liaison Office, Mohammed Nasir Anas, is to report to Executive Director,

F&A for duty as General Manager, Admin, while the current General Manager SERVICOM, Kabir Edward was asked to report Executive Director, M&O for duty as General Manager, M&C Eastern Ports.

The General Manager, PP&D Yusuf Ahmed, was redeployed as General Manager, HSE and is also to report to Executive Director, M&O while General Manager, Maintenance, Obinomen Peter Micheal, was directed to report to the Executive Director, E&TS for duty as General Manager, Capital Projects.

General Manager, Eastern Ports, Asanga Joshua, was redeployed to Marine operations as General Manager and he is to report to Executive Director, M&O while Mohammed Ahmed Rufai who was General Manager, Capital Projects was asked to report to Executive Director, E&TS for duty as General Manager PP&D.

Business School Scholarship since its inception in 2010.

Managing Director of Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Sunil Sawhney, said “the mission of Harvard Business School is to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. As part of the many CSR initiatives of SevenUp Company Plc, the 7Up Harvard Business School Scholarship was launched in 2010 to commemorate the 50th year anniversary of the company.

“Every year through the scholarship, a Nigerian resident in the country gets the opportunity of a top quality education from this prestigious school at no cost and with no bond to the company.

The objective being that in the future they become leaders in different sectors of the Nigerian economy driving growth and

development for a better society for all. I would like to congratulate Chidozie as the 6th recipient of the scholarship.”

General Manager Human Resources of the company, Yinka Adesina, said the 7Up Harvard Business School Scholarship is in tandem with the CSR policy of the organisation which is aimed at empowering people and creating a better society.

He added that the company’s CSR initiatives are diversified touching areas such as community development, education, health, sports, arts and entertainment.

Some of the company’s initiative include partnerships with Pan Atlantic University on Infrastructural build, support for LEAP Africa to train young Nigerians on leadership, among others.

closing at N409/dollar on Thursday, August 25.

The British pound and the Euro went for N530 and N455 on Monday at the parallel market.

Aside the ban on the banks, forex dealers said the demand pressure on the dollar, is being mounted by summer travellers and parents paying schools fees of their children studying overseas.

It was gathered that some Bureau de change operators have been finding it difficult to access their forex account and get dollar supply, after the central bank suspended nine commercial lenders from the market last week.

However, sources at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed on Monday that discussions was still ongoing between the apex bank and the Body of Bank CEOs, following which CBN will consider the plea by eight bank executives whose institutions were suspended from the foreign exchange (FX) market last Tuesday.

It was gathered that the CBN might consider giving them more time to return the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/ Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company dollar deposits held by the affected banks to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) domiciled with the CBN. At the interbank market, the naira closed at N318.83 to the dollar as against N314.95 on Friday, August 26, with traders saying interbank rates would ease this week when part of July’s budget allocation must have entered the banking system.

The local currency at the same market strengthened slightly against pound Sterling as it exchanged at N399.1969 compared to Friday’s N 402.9965 the British pound. It also strengthened to N341.2741 on Monday as against Friday’s N344.5585/Euro Nigeria’s currency market registered $327 million worth of trades on Monday, about six times more than its usual volume, dealers said.

Africa Re deepens insurance market with awareness campaign Gbemi Solaja-Lagos

AFRICA Reinsurance Corporation has said it is embarking on a major insurance awareness campaign as part of its repositiong efforts to guarantee that insurers fulfil their roles in the African markets.

Currently, insurance penetration in the country stands at 0.3 per cent,

only 4.3 million vehicles have genuine motor insurance covers out of about 12 million, this is unhealthy for the growth of the Nigerian economy, the Chief Executive Officer, Africa Re Corporation, Ken Aghoghovbia said at a press briefing in Lagos, at the weekend.

Even more worried by this, the reinsurance com-

pany pledged its continuous support to fostering the development of the insurance and reinsurance industry in Africa through the awareness campaign The CSR initiative will bridge knowledge perception gaps in the insurance market, just as it would correct negative and prevalent perceptions plaguing the industry, the added.

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 12 businessnews Auto industry: FG boosts local production to 384,000 Gbemi Solaja-Lagos

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HE Nigeria Automotive Council (NAC) has stated that it will continue to build capacity for local production of made in Nigeria vehicles.

While addressing journalists in Lagos, the Director-General of the council , Aminu Jalal, decried that despite capacity to produce 384, 000 vehicles every year, the country managed to assemble only 25,000 last year, a trend that is unwelcomed.

He noted that the Federal Government sought to build the volume of assembly to a point where foreign investments could be generated.

Represented by the Director-General, Policy and Planning, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Luqman Mamudu, he noted that the development would enable Nigerians own brand new vehicles

assembled in the country.

“As a matter of fact component manufacturers are already coming to us. We are going through the process of surveying to see how we can marry them with the local ones.

At present, we are building three laboratories which is gulping not less than three billion as we speak. We are preparing for the next

stage of component development,” he added.

He noted that the council had also put in place programmes to curtail influx of second hand vehicles.

According to him, the council has continued to evolve strategies to curtail second hand vehicle without upsetting anybody.

On vehicle acquisition, he described the credit

purchase scheme, which has been working for two years as an asset financing opportunity that would speed up vehicle acquisition in the country.

“In America for instance over 80 per cent of car purchases is through loans nobody goes to buy at the flat rate but here we probably see it as a shame but it does’ nt matter,” he added.

MSME fund: Bank to access more loans THE Managing Director of LAPO Microfinance Bank says the bank will access more loans from Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development fund.

Godwin Ehigiamusoe, the Managing Director LAPO, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday.

According to him, the bank has accessed about N500 million from the development fund and will access more of the loan for the benefit of its clients.

He explained that the loan was cheaper, especially for the clients and it did not have much risk.

“We have already accessed as much as N500 million from the CBN’s N220 billion MSME fund.

We are in the process of accessing an additional loan and we believe that we will access more,’’ he said.

From left, Manager, Ejirin Road Branch (Ijebu-Ode) of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Oluwatosin Adegbenle; Balogun of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Agboola Alausa; representative of FCMB Founder/Head, Corporate Affairs & Media Manager, FCMB, Mr. Louis Ibe; Chairman, Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee, Otunba Wahab Osinusi and a member of the committee, Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Osibogun, during the Pre-Ojude Oba Festival press conference held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

2017 budget: FG trains 4,254 officers AHEAD of 2017 budget, the Federal Government on Monday commenced the training of planning and budget officers of 800 Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) nationwide.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, said at the opening in Kaduna that 4,254 officers

would train on ZeroBased-Budgeting (ZBB).

Represented by Director, Fiscal Policy Department, Mr Joshua Fadola, said the training was designed to equip the officials with knowledge, tools and skills in preparation for the 2017 budget.

Udoma said that the training was being con-

Ambode nominates Subair as new LIRS boss Kasali Qudus-Lagos

FOLLOWING the retirement of Folarin Ogunsanwo as the LIRS Chairman, Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has nominated Ayodele Subair, as the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

In a letter read on the floor of the state House of Assembly, on Monday, Ambode explained that Subair’s nomination followed the retirement of Mr. Folarin Ogunsanwo as LIRS chairman.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Habib Aruna stated that Subair, who was born on May 21, 1960, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the Metropolitan University of Manchester, United Kingdom and a Master’s Degree in Business administration from the University of Lagos, boasts of over thirtyfour years working experi-

ence.

Subair, who started his career with the Price WaterHouse Chartered Accountants before venturing into private practice in 1987, is presently the Managing Partner of Hamzat Subair and Co. Chartered Accountants.

He was also the pioneer Director of Lagos State Lotteries Board and had worked with various international agencies such as the International Finance Corporation.

The governor, also on Monday, approved the appointment of Engr. Abiodun Dabiri as the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.

Dabiri joined LAMATA in 2008 and was until his appointment the Head of Procurement/Operational Contract Manager for the Agency.

Born on January 2, 1964, Dabiri holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s De-

grees in Civil Engineering from the University of Lagos.

He is a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria.

ducted simultaneously in seven cities across the six geopolitical zones of the country, with 1,830 participants from Abuja/North Central being trained in Abuja.

He said 384 officers from North East were in Gombe; 504 from North West in Kaduna; 408 in Lagos and 486 from South West in Ibadan.

Others are 330 from South-South holding their training in Uyo and 318 from South East in Enugu.

According to him, the goal is to enhance the capacity of the planning and budget officers to utilise innovative planning and budgeting concept in preparing the 2017 budget. ``As we prepare to fully implement the Federal Government ZBB, there is the need to equip planning

and budget officers in our MDAs with the knowledge, skills and tools required for the ZBB using the 2017 budget preparation platform. ``The key areas of focus would be basic concept of public sector budgeting, overview of zero based budget and medium term expenditure,” he said.

The minister said at the end of the training, the officers would be acquainted with the concept, and application of ZBB in public sector budget.

Udoma said that they are also expected to master the medium term expenditure framework, medium term fiscal and sector strategy and other related concepts.

He added the officers would also understand the link between policy, planning and budgeting.

Power fully restored to Lagos airport Shola Adekola-Lagos

AFTER two days of power outage which crippled flight operations at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport at the weekend, power has now been fully restored.

The power surge which started on Saturday till Sunday adversely affected the K16 transformer that serves the air-bridges and

rendered them unserviceable which adversely affected operations of departing flights.

The heavy rainfall complicated issues as it further delayed attempts by engineers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to effect repairs immediately.

According to the general manager, corporate affairs, FAAN, Yakubu Dati, power

has finally been restored as the FAAN engineers successfully corrected all defaults and normalcy was again restored at affected areas.

While assuring airport users of safety and security at the airports, FAAN apologised to passengers, airlines and the general public for the inconvenience caused by the interruption.

Nigerian Tribune

FCMB supports 2016 Ojude Oba festival to boost tourism

FIRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has explained that its continuous support of the Ojude Oba Festival is borne out of its commitment to celebrate and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, while also boosting the tourism sector in line with the government’s ongoing drive to diversify the country’s economy.

Consequently, the bank has assured that its participation in this year’s edition of the festival, which holds in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 will be grand, exciting and rewarding for the thousands of people within and outside the country that would grace the fiesta.

FCMB has in the past 10 years continued to play a significant role in ensuring the success of the festival.

The Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo, reiterated this at a press conference organised by the Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee held at Ijebu-Ode on Monday.

In a goodwill message to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona on the occasion of this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, the Chief Executive Officer of FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun, congratulated the monarch for upholding the values of Ijebuland and raising the status of the event over the years.

He stated that FCMB is committed to the longevity of the Ojude Oba Festival, and was proud to be associated with it.

In the same vein, the Founder of FCMB Group who is also the the Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, Otunba (Dr) Michael Olasubomi Balogun, in a goodwill message to the paramount ruler of Ijebuland expressed his gratitude to the Awujale, especially considering the paramount ruler’s selflessness in attending to the different requests and yearnings of the people of Ijebuland.

In a message delivered on his behalf by Mr. Olojo, the spokesman of FCMB, Otunba Balogun commended Oba Adetona for his, “distinguished and exemplary leadership over the years which have continued to endear you to all of us’’.

While congratulating the entire indigenes of Ijebuland, the FCMB Founder also prayed that the monarch’s reign would, ‘’continue to bring joy, prosperity and robust health, all in abundance to the entire Ijebu race, at home and in the diaspora, in all that you endeavour to do for our people”.

29

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Soji-Eze Fagbemi

m:08179047919 e:sojiezek@yahoo.co.uk

Innoson Motors employs 200 Niger Delta ex-militants About 13,000 to be trained, reintegrated in agriculture Stories By Soji-Eze Fagbemi

I

NNOSON Motors has employed 200 Niger Delta ex-militants, who recently completed their training in Automobile Technology and Plastic Manufacturing.

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Co-ordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig General Paul Boroh, said the ex-agitators have been offered permanent employment by the company.

The 200 beneficiaries of Amnesty Programme have undergone skills acquisition training in automobile technology and plastic manufacturing.

The training, which is a partnership with the Innoson Group has 120 beneficiaries training in automobile technology and 80 in plastic manufacturing at the Innoson-Kiara Academy, Umudi, Nnewi, Anambra State and Emene, Enugu State respectively.

“Innoson Motors has offered 200 of them appointment. I urged them to immediately take up the appointment because they still have much to learn,” Boroh disclosed while giving an update on the amnesty programme.

He explained that the pro-

gramme is part of an Education-for-Employment Initiative conceived by the Presidential Amnesty Office and some of its key partners, for youths in the Niger Delta region.

Before their graduation penultimate Saturday, Boroh said the

120 ex-agitators who were trained in automobile technology, were able to build a 31-seater bus from the scratch to completion on their own.

He also explained why about 71 former Niger Delta militants who were trained abroad as pilots are

unemployable.

He said the pilots, who were trained in Lufthansa, Jordan, South Africa, USA and Dubai, were unable to secure employment because they were yet to undergo the last stage of their training, which he referred to as “type-written.”

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige

JUSUN wants ‘no work, no pay’ provision removed from Trade Union Act THE Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has advocated the removal of the ‘no work, no pay’ provision from the extant labour law in the country, the Trade Union Act. JUSUN made its position known as it elected its new national executive members during its third National Delegates Conference in Katsina at the weekend.

The National President of JUSUN, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, who was re-elected at the delegates’ conference, advocated that ‘no work, no pay’ be expunged from the trade dispute act.

This, according to him, is necessary because such provision negates the whole excess of collective bargaining, social dialogue and of course, increases productivity.

“I read in the dailies where a state governor who owes my members seven months salaries on the pretence of ‘no work, no pay,’ 18 months for local government workers, 42 months arrears of pension and gratuities is saying it is a criminal breach of contract for employer not to pay workers salaries, what a hypocrisy?

He said the union is determined to continue fighting to ensure independence of the judiciary, in ac-

cordance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The JUSUN president further stated that the union intends to approach the same court to apply for garnishee of accounts of defaulted state governors.

According to comrade Adamu, both government and private sector employers today, breach the labour law, regulations and order, while ignoring Section 15 of the Labour Act, CAP L1, Law of Federation, 2014.

The Act says “wages shall become due and is payable at the end of each period for which the contract is expected to subsist, that is to say daily, weekly or at such other period as may be agreed upon, provided that where the period is more than one month, the wages shall become due and payable at intervals not exceeding one month.”

Meanwhile the union has also elected its new executives to pilot the affairs of JUSUN for the next four years. The newly executives who were returned unopposed include Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu as President and Olasami Toye Dido as Deputy President.

Others are Babaguri Abbo as Na-

tional Financial Secretary; Ezeh Chinnedu as National Organising Secretary; Abioye Emmanuel, Vice president South West; Abdul Nasir A. Mohammed, Vice Presi-

dent, North West; Ahmadu Bello, Vice President, North East; Musa Jimoh, National Treasurer and Saidu Magaji as the National Assistant Secretary.

Boroh explained that without them undergoing the type-written training, they would be unemployable, adding that “without the type-written training, you are not employable as a pilot.”

However, he pointed out that plans had been concluded to send them back to complete their training in type-written, even as he emphasised that the trained pilots were already looking forward to it.

“That (type-written) is the final stage of the training, it is an industrial type of training one needs, to qualify for employment as a pilot.

They were not given that training, and they did not do that specialised course which should qualify them for employment.”

He, however, pointed out that irrespective of the trade or profession they learnt, they will all be trained to focus on agriculture because of the present administration’s efforts to diversify from the mono economy dependent on oil to agriculture and mineral resources.

He stated that 26,606 out of the ex-agitators have been trained till date, to remain 13,395, many of whom would also be launched into agriculture.

“The programme started in 2009, and since then, we have been busy trying and empowering beneficiaries. I have a case load of 13,395 yet to be trained. Others have been trained in many fields.

However, most of the remaining beneficiaries will be launched into agriculture, and will soon commence training at the National Bio-Resource Centre, Odi, an agricultural research centre.

States, private institutions must respect minimum wage —FG Ngige meets Labour leaders, Nasarawa govt over crisis today THE Federal Government has declared that state governments and private institutions must respect the set minimum wage because it is a law of the land which must be respected by all public and private institutions.

It made the clarification as it wades into the crisis between the organised Labour and the Nasarawa State Government over the state government’s unilateral reduction in minimum wage and the ensuing crisis that followed, which has led to the killing of two workers.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who made the declaration, has therefore, scheduled a meeting between the two parties for today at the conference hall of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The meeting is the

continuation of the negotiation which started last week.

However, the minister warned in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Media, Prince Samuel Olowookere, that any state government or private institution cannot tamper with the minimum wage unilaterally, because it is the law arrived at through a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“To avoid further escalation of disputes of this type all over the states of the federation, state governments are hereby advised to always negotiate any issue that touches on the salaries and wages of workers, in order to ensure that they obtain a Collective Bargaining Agreement (BCA) before these remunerations are tampered with.

“I wish to add for the avoidance

of doubt that the issue of minimum wage flows out from the Minimum Wage Act, 2011. It is therefore a law of the land that must be respected by all in both public and private institutions,” the minister said.

On the issue of planned reduction of working hours to justify some of the states move to reduce salary, the minister said it is illegal and against the extant Labour law and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention which Nigeria is a signatory to.

He added that “In the same vein, the issue of arbitrary reduction in the hours of work runs against the ILO regulation; Convention 1, which has been adopted and domesticated by Nigeria. This law prescribes eight hours of work in a day and not more than 40 hours in a week.”

30

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

OneCard launches lower denomination with Bode Adewumi multi-purpose m:08055001765 recharge cards e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

ATCON urges National Assembly to drop proposed Communications Tax Bill Stories By Bode Adewumi

T

HE Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has called on the Senate and the House of Representatives to discontinue the debate on the Communications Services Tax Bill currently in front of the two Houses.

The president of ATCON, Mr Olusola Teniola, who spoke during the Communications Service Tax Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos last week, said the bill would send wrong signals to would be investors as it may scare them away from investing in the telecoms sector of the country’s economy.

“Our policies,” he said, “must continue to be investmentfriendly. It has been established that revenue from voice is still significant and it must be stressed here that the investment that is required to deepen the penetration of Broadband in Nigeria is much greater than the one we used to provide voice telephony.

“In view of this, the said Communications Service Tax bill should be stepped down so as to encourage investors and make the sector more attractive for foreign direct investors.”

ATCON’s position, according to him, “is that whatever we are doing as a nation must not be done to deter investors from staking their hard-earned money on the Nigerian telecommunications businesses.

“ATCON is working with other relevant agencies to increase the Foreign Direct Investment to the sector which is highly capital intensive. This cannot be achieved if the government is considering introducing Communications Services Tax, which will deter further investments to be made.”

He said the multi-billion telecoms sector investors have deepened investments and transformed every facets of the economy, hence, content of the Bill will not only stifle the growth of the telecom industry, but also destroy the stellar achievements of the sector since it was liberated.

“As we all know that Nigerian telecoms subscribers are already paying tax because VAT is em-

bedded in calls made and data consumed. If the bill sails through it would reduce the subscribers’ consumption of data and reduce length of a voice call, this will result in drop in revenue that would accrue to telecoms operators which will in turn reduce the contribution of the sector to our GDP. “The Return on Investment (ROI) would be badly affected as a result of the above illustrations.

From left, Country Manager for Nigeria, Infinix mobile, Mr Bruno Li; Senior Vice President, Vendor Management, Jumia Nigeria, Mr Thomas Simonet; Marketing Communications Manager, Infinix mobile Nigeria, Olamide Amosu, MTN’s General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Mr Richard Iweanoge and Head of Marketing, Infinix Mobile, Mr Bryan Hou ,at the launch of the Infinix Note 3, in Lagos, last week. Photo: OVADJE ELLIOT

NiRA laments operators’ slow migration to IPV6 THE Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has said only four of the 103 Autonomous System Numbers (ASN) registered in Nigeria were live on Internet Protocol Version Six (IPV6) platform.

NiRA’s Vice President, Mr Mohammed Rudman, made this known at the International Capacity Building and Enhancement workshop on IPV6 in Lagos, last

week.

The workshop was co-hosted by the Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria (ATCON), Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), University of Ibadan (UI), in conjunction with the Africa Network Information Centre (AfriNIC).

Rudman said that the four ASN on the IPV6 platform were not

New Horizons, Caleb University sign MoU on international ICT certifications CALEB, a foremost Nigerian private University and New Horizons, World’s largest ICT training institution, have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a view to integrating international ICT and e-business certifications into the university’s academic curricular.

At the MoU signing event at the University, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Diji Aina was full of excitement at the great opportunities which the programme will primarily accord the students, irrespective of their academic disciplines, and the relevant university staff members who will also enjoy periodic staff training.

Speaking, the vice chancellor reiterated that the seamless

Nigeria as a nation needs a lot of investible funds to build infrastructural facilities and provide employment for her teeming population and especially our growing youths. As we know that Nigeria’ telecom industry still needs 50,000 base stations to be able to improve on Quality of Service and to reach the unserved and underserved parts of the nation,” he added.

mandatory schedule will guarantee that every student of the university will undergo specialised international certification-based professional IT and e-business skills training and acquire a minimum of four international professional licenses in lucrative technologies.

He reasoned convincingly that given the global economic challenges and the shrinking employment opportunities worldwide and in Nigeria especially, Caleb University graduates will be able to use the extra internationally validated professional skills-set as the ‘’Icing on their BSc and BA academic Cakes’’ to become the toast of the employers for lucrative jobs as well as get opportu-

nity to become self-employed as Specialists and Consultants in these globally hot skills and certification areas.

Similarly, he expressed the joy at the twin advantages that the strategic partnership will bestow on the staff members in terms of the free of cost refresher ICT and E Business trainings that will boost their official and personal productivity and the second benefit of an annual financial awards/prizes that will be won by 3 best academic lecturers for academic excellence.

In the same vein, Mr Tim Akano the MD/CEO New Horizons Nigeria commended the visionary management of the University for the Partnership initiative.

properly propagating IPV6 on the internet.

He said that over 30 organisations had acquired IPV6 from AfriNIC, but most of them were not using it.

According to him, the internet world has been using the Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPV4) in the last two decades.

“In spite of its tremendous success, IPV4 is showing signs of strain, especially in its fast depleting IP address space and its growing security concerns.

“IPV6 preserves everything good in today’s internet, and adds much more, such as virtually unlimited IP address space to connect everyone and everything.

“It has stateless auto-configuration, seamless mobility, automated network management, endto-end security and new optional service levels,” he said.

An IP address is a postal address for each and every Internetconnected device which enables websites to send the search information to access the appropriate website.

IPV6 is the most recent version of IP, the communications protocol that provides an identification and location system for computers on networks and routes traffic across the internet.

ONECARD Nigeria, a fast moving consumer goods company, has introduced N20 and N50 denominations of its multi-purpose recharge card nationwide.

One1Card is the first of its kind in the globe with unique ability to recharge multiple services. The N20 & N50 variant recharges all mobile networks with one single code *979*PIN#.

Mr Tunde Odulaja, Chairman, OneCard Nigeria, while speaking on this development said the company is committed to providing easy and convenient recharge solutions for all Nigerians in all cadres of society.

“OneCard is excited to be providing more flexible recharge options to Nigerians with the small denominated cards.”

Also speaking on the N20 & N50 cards, GM, OneCard Nigeria, Mr Femi Muka, said the introduction is also a response by the company to demands for lower denominations from the market.

He explained that the N20 & N50 denominated recharge cards will be useful for both voice and data needs and complements the efforts of various operators in serving every Nigerian.

He concluded by saying that in the OneCard picture, every Nigerian counts and if there is a recharge need anywhere, OneCard will be very delighted to meet this need just like it has done with the launch of these cards.

ntel unveils 2 for 3 promo, delights subscribers with unlimited data NATCOM Development and Investment Company (NatCom) (trading as ntel) has unveiled a two for three data promo for customers who want to enjoy more data for less on its 4G/LTE Advanced network. ntel is offering prospective customers who buy any of the 4G/ VoLTE-enabled TecnoCamon C5 or Konka R2 devices the opportunity to enjoy three months data for the cost of two months.

Subscribers who visit ntel outlets in Lagos and Abuja will enjoy superfast Internet access and make crystal clear HD calls on the devices which also supports streaming, browsing, messaging and hotspotservices without data caps or throttling.

The Konka R2 device, which is just making its way into the Nigerian market, is a steel with its Quad core Cortex A53, 1.3GHz processor, and ideal for subscribers who want a whole new experience with smartphones. It is also a great device for taking selfies on account of its wide 5.5 inches screen.

The silver-plated device offers users two micro-SIM slots, Android 5.1, 2gb RAM, 16gb ROM, back camera of 13mp and long battery life.

15

opinion

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

The police is your friend

I

N this country, a phrase that was created with the aim of dissipating the fears and misconceptions of the general public about the police force has more or less diminished into a hilarious irony. Say those words to a troubled Nigerian and experience a full episode of nervous breakdown accompanied with irascible transfer of aggression. It wasn’t like this in the beginning but today, it is so…

Last week, while embarking on one of my numerous voyages around the South West, I heard another one of the several tales of police misdemeanor, but this one struck a chord because it had a ‘happy ever after’ conclusion. Well, not for the police but for the victim. The man behind the wheels of the saloon car that conveyed me on this particular trip looked interesting. Interesting in the sense that he had a huge disparity with the regular look of members of the NURTW… pardon me, but this driver looked refined, level headed and responsible. He wore very decent looking clothes and had a sparkling gold band on his finger…invariably, he looked like a responsible husband and a law abiding citizen. I had read all of this in a few minutes because usually, I have the gift of seeing through people but I had no inkling that in a few hours, my intuitions will be confirmed and they were when he shared his recent experience at the hands of the police with the passengers aboard after we passed a police checkpoint.

“These people never cease to amaze me,” he began. “One would think they actually have the interest of the people at heart with the way they are paraded on the highways, but the truth is far from it. In fact, they make this country worse,” he lamented and began relieving his ordeal.

Recently, after conveying passengers to Africa’s largest city, Ibadan, he discovered a tablet in his cab. The device’s battery, according to him, was dead, but he knew for certain that a passenger must have left it behind. So, he searched for a matching charger and brought it to life. Few minutes after he powered the device, a call came through and he received it. It was the owner calling from another phone to trace the device and he was as a matter of fact, in luck. The driver immediately said, he told the owner not to worry,

that he discovered the device in his cab and was willing to give it back. An elated passenger praised his integrity and honestly, virtues which are rare in recent times and they arranged for a meeting that same night. The owner, however, was Lagos bound that same night and was already in another cab heading for Lagos. The driver reassured him he would immediately set out for the Lagos Park to return the gadget and he did at about 9.30pm. But, when he finally got to the park where the owner of the device supposedly was boarding a cab to Lagos, he couldn’t get through to him; for like the love of a treacherous woman, our mobile networks disappoint the time one needs them the most. So, after trying in futility to get in touch with the owner for an hour, the driver gave up and decided to head home. Due to the lateness of the hour, he couldn’t get a motorcycle back home and he decided to walk.

It was on his way walking back home that the owner of the device eventually got through to him, pleading profusely while raining curses on the network service provider. Unfortunately, he had to leave for Lagos without the device but they made another arrange-

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688 ment to make the exchange the following day. A few minutes after the call, a police patrol van intercepted the driver and interrogated him. According to him, “I simply told the truth but it didn’t mean anything to them.” The driver was bundled into the back the patrol van and the police went on picking up strays from bars, clubs and roadsides till the van was filled.

At about 1 am in the morning, the police stopped the van at a junction and told its occupants to pay N5000 each if they wanted to be set free. Some people paid and were sent on their way while the others, who couldn’t afford to pay on the spot along with the driver, were taken to the station. As soon as they arrived at the station, they were told that their bail just became N10,000 and they should call their family members or friends to come for them.

From 6am, people started coming in and all the others were released on bail except for the driver. The officers got furious and told him to decide on who to call of rot at the station. Immediately, he told them he wasn’t going to pay a dime for bail because he had committed no crime. At that point, they decided to check his story and called the owner of the phone. The person corroborated the driver’s story and pleaded with them to let him go but they didn’t.

The police insisted that someone must come to bail him. Left without a choice, he called his wife who had already been severely stricken with panic. When she got to the station, the police requested for bail of N10,000 which she said she didn’t have because her husband had committed no crime.

They later asked her to bring N2000 for his release and she refused still but since she was already at her wits end, she bluffed. She told them to go ahead and keep her husband but once he spends 24 hours unlawfully detained, she will be heading to the court. It was at that point that the driver was released unconditionally. At N5000, real criminals may have been released…people who may have been going to commit a crime and at N10000, more criminals may have been released that night, people who may have actually just committed a crime. However, the police couldn’t care less so far the money was paid but the police are your friends, aren’t they?

Imperativeness of true federalism

By Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi MY first contribution to this national debate was first published by the Sunday Tribune on July 14, 1996. It was entitled: ‘Imperativeness of Constitutional Federalism as against Federalism of Might.’

Today, the debate of an imperativeness of true federalism in the country has gathered new momentum, but with some scary dimensions.

In one breadth, the restructuring which had been the most popular subject in public debate in recent time can ostensibly be scaring. This has to be so in the face of various violent threats to the sovereignty of the country from some sections of the country in recent time.

In view of recent calls for either a Niger Delta or Biafra Republic to be carved out of the present sovereign country called Nigeria.

To these comic secessionist, restructuring to them may mean nothing short of a plebiscite to determine the desirability or otherwise of Nigeria as a single political entity and sovereignty.

With Boko Haram in the North-East, IPOB in the South-East and Niger-Delta Avengers in the Niger-Delta, any government with a President that swore to defend the indivisibility of the country as a sovereign nation has to be cautious and circumspect for any quick response. He should avoid any trap to break the country.

Some have always called for the implementation of the 2014 National Political Conference as the only panacea for the unity of the country. But the question is which aspect of the recommendation is the needed tonic to keep the country together? Is it the aspect that recommended the creation of more States in the country at a time when the present 36-State structure had been too burdensome for our national economy? To the extent of receiving memoranda on the state-creation at a time some discerning minds were calling for the collapsing of some of the States for a stronger zonal arrangement, the Confab had already undermined its own value in National Discuss.

To me, any meaningful restructuring has to start with a big caution. The first is the indivisibility of the country as one sovereign country. The second is any thought of any form of Confederation just as General Gowon warned at the 1967 National Conference.

The truth of the matter is that Nigeria has gone a long way in history as a political family for any sane mind to contemplate

its break. Any meaningful restructuring has to do with power devolution from the centre to States. For instance, Agriculture should be left for the States to develop their natural potentials.

Agriculture should be removed from the concurrent to the residual under any constitutional reforms. For any reforms to be made, the First Republic Constitution should be the most credible working paper for guidance. Another aspect that needs a revisit is education. A situation in which education policy is centralised is an antithesis to true federalism. If education was centralised in the First Republic, the Western regional government headed

by Chief Obafemi Awolowo would have been hampered from formulating the free education policy at that time. Yet, it was that policy that made Western region a model for other regions and made Chief Awolowo a hero of all times. It was in the same vein that the West would not have been able to launch the revolutionary Farm Settlement scheme if it had depended on the centre for its agricultural policy.

Back to education, for Nigeria to be a true federation, the Federal Government has to be checked of some excesses in that sector. A situation in which the federal government regulates admission policy even for State owned universities through the FG owned Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is the least desired in a federal set up.

The Federal might had also on many occasions led to arbitrariness in the so-called federal Intervention Fund in the tertiary sector of education. The same thing can be said of the so-called Ecological Fund which the federal government applies indiscreetly to destabilise the country randomly. In a nutshell, the excessive wealth at the disposal of the federal government had turned out to be a destabilizing factor for the unity of the country.

A true federalism should be based on brotherhood rather than paternity like the one we are operating now.

But to me personally, and this is very saddening, it is unfortunate that the craze for a Shield of Federal Might had taken some section of traditional rulership in the country for the federal attention. This they make under the aegis of National Conference of Traditional Rulers. If we allow this to continue, it will not be long for marriage, burial and other customary matters be transferred to the Federal Government.

My opposition to the National Conference of Traditional Rulers is not borne out of personal hatred for any of my royal brothers involved, all of whom I hold in high esteem, but out of my conviction as a true federalist with the slogan ‘Unity in Diversity’.

It amuses me when some of my brothers claim that they want a central law for national relevance. The first question is under what laws were they installed in the first instance? Whereas all those in the various tiers of government are there under a uniform system, i.e., popular election to either executive or legislative arms, the same cannot be said of traditional rulers. There are divergent sources of different monarchies line in any true federalism. Some like the caliphate is purely a religious institution.

Under this arrangement, you cannot have a non-Muslim Emir.

To the Yoruba on the other hand, it is secular heredity. Under this arrangement, a particular religion has no place under the Yoruba royal institution. Even the word ‘Royal Father’ means different things to many cultures in the country. Whereas, the Emir and Yoruba Oba are accorded high reverence with some degrees of permanency, the same cannot be said of other cultures where their so-called royal fathers are not more than just one of them among subjects. That has to do with the Republican nature of such cultures.

Suffice to say, however, that the old functions of traditional rulers are still present in multiple forms to meet the challenges of modernity. Among such new functions which modernity had imposed on traditional rulers in their various communities is the modern perennial motor park disputes among Transport Unions.

The traditional institution has to compliment the Police and other allied security agencies for necessary mediation whenever dispute occurs.

•Oba Adeyemi is the Alaafin of Oyo and Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

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Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

agriculture Agribusiness: The need for govt to step up action Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

A

GRICULTURE, as known, is the largest employer of labour, it accounts for over 70 per cent of the nation’s work force with youths and women dominating in total.

In the past, the government treated agriculture as a development project which was primarily aimed at alleviating poverty instead of taking it as a business.

About four years ago, the government realising the

Agric project set to create 720,000 job opportunities

untapped potential of the agricultural sector, took some strategic steps to make agriculture a business by providing a level playing ground for the private sector to invest in the sector.

Agribusiness which was introduced later, over the years recorded over $5.6 billion private sector commitment in agriculture.

According to a resource person at the Public Validation of the Annual Progress Report on New Alliance and Grow Africa Agreement, Dr Manson Nwafor, in 2013, the government made a commit-

ment to complete 27 projects by 2016 which will assist private sectors and development partners to invest in agriculture.

He said the development partners on their own made a commitment to spend in aid $500 million between 2013 and 2016, while the private sector committed to invest $3.8 billion in 10 years.

Currently, the private sector and the development partners have done remarkably well in meeting up with their commitments, but the government has not done up to 50 per cent of its commitment

records reveal.

According to him “as at today, government was meant to complete 26 tasks, but only 9 have been completed which is about 35 per cent achievement rate of what government was supposed to do to make the environment more suitable for investment.

It is obvious that the government need to step up its action if it really want to diversify the economy using agriculture as the driver.

There is need to revisit the commitments to ascertain if there are things to change or improved on so that the key players will

continue to live up to their commitments.

The process also need to be reviewed because sometimes the objective and target will be wonderful but the process may be faulty.

Nwafor also said the “New Alliance ultimate objective is to increase food, nutrition, security, the theory is that if private sector investment is increased, complemented with government expenditure, the objective can be achieved.”

He called on non-state actors to play the role of monitoring groups to monitor how the commitments made were fulfilled, make

By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Youth Agric Mandate (YAM) has promised to create 720,000 job opportunities both skilled and unskilled through agriculture business and entrepreneurship for the teeming youths across the country before 2020.

The Group Head, Akinolu Olubayo, made this known while speaking on the theme: “The Role of Youth in Economic Diversification in Agriculture and Technology Innovation for Nation Building and Wealth Creation”, during the group’s launch and press conference in Ibadan recently.

Olubayo informed that the programme would reduce dependence of beneficiaries on the government and will enhance economic development for sustainable growth, adding that there was an urgent need for the government to consider diversification of various sectors of the economy so as to attain solid economic growth.

He disclosed that 20,000 youths are expected to benefit from the job opportunities in each of the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.

Olubayo further noted that petroleum had contributed substantially to the country’s revenue since its discovery, saying that it was a known fact that for a country to attain growth and development, its economy had to be diversified.

Flood: Veterinarians tell fish farmers, livestock owners to relocate Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE Veterinary Council of Nigeria, VCN, has told fish farmers and livestock owners to immediately relocate to safer areas.

The Registrar, VCN, Dr. Markus Avong made this known a while speaking on the alerts on flooding given by relevant government agencies.

Avong while commending

the early warning from the government to people living on floodplains and measures to take to contain the natural disaster said people should heed the warning and do the needful.

“As you know relevant authorities have alerted Nigerians and asked them to move out of floodplains, and Veterinary Council of Nigeria stands by that.

“Livestock farmers should

comply with government directive and what generally Nigerians will do to move away from areas that are prone to flooding to avoid any calamity.

“I think we should be happy that government is proactive giving warning Nigerians should adhere to the alert of government by moving away from areas prone to flooding in order to avoid any calamity.

“We are expecting that provision for the safety of livestock is made locally and to move them early to safer areas except if you have large poultry for commercial purpose, but there the challenge here is because people get their visibility study from persons who give them feasibility study to locate such capacity of poultry farm on flood prone area, and is very low,” he said.

inputs and constructively criticise the process.

He also noted that a monitoring mechanism have also been put in place to monitor and evaluate relevant actors in agriculture investment.

Another stakeholder from the New Alliance, Arnaud Dornon, called for accountability among stakeholders and investors regarding the commitments made in the agricultural sector.

The government needs to formulate more policies that will further attract the private sector to invest in agriculture, there are other agricultural value chains that is still untapped.

There should be enough awareness campaign from the government, sustainable business policies should be put in place thereby providing a good environment for businesses to thrive.

On more private sector investment, Segun Falade, who is a manager in Nigeria Flour Mill, said from 2012 till date, private sector have made tremendous investment in the agricultural sector.

Falade, also said that the Nigeria Flour Mill, currently have made a N35 billion investment in sugar production using our local sugarcane.

“From what we have seen in the last couple of years, especially from 2012 up till now, there are quite a lot of improvement in the investment that have been coming in the agriculture space by the private sector,” he said.

The Chairman of Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG) Emmanuel Ijewere said good business environment attracts private sectors to invest.

Ijewere also said that Nigeria is currently in rehabilitation centre because it was carried away with oil boom which made it become addicted to oil.

His words: “A private investor goes to look for where he will invest, if you make the place attractive, the Private investor will invest. Nigeria population is an advantage to attract businessmen to invest. It is all about establishing partnership with government to make the environment much more conducive”.

17

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

For enquiries, contact:

08116954637, 08039521408

‘Oyo state is making headway in cotton production’ Olufolake Ganiyat Ishola is the state co-ordinator, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Oyo State. In this interview with TUNDE OGUNESAN, she shares the council’s efforts at reposition cotton production in the state.

W

HAT basically is the function of your

council?

Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is a federal government parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, established by Decree, now Act No 37 of 1987, and vested with the mandate to promote the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant natural raw material resources. We started operation in 1988. But in Oyo State, it is the oldest state coordinating office because we started here since 1991.

We also have the mandate to draw up policy guidelines and action programmes on raw materials acquisition, exploration and development; review from time to time, raw material resources availability and utilisation with a view to advising the federal government on the strategic implication of depletion, conservation, and or stockpiling of such resources, advise on adaptation of machinery and processes for raw material utilisation, encourage the publicity of research and other information relevant to sourcing of raw materials among others.

With over 25 years of operation so far in Oyo state, what have you been able to do here so far?

The first thing we were able to do was to collate the available raw materials here, put them in a book so that we can have a raw material display, anybody that comes around, we will be able to say that this is all that

is available in the state and that of the country at large.

Since then, we’ve been able to be farmers’ friends. One of the main things that we have done is to boost agricultural seedlings in the state.

We realised in the course of our findings that farmers are not having hybrid seeds, high yielding seeds and early maturity seeds and we have a lot of research institutes that have done a lot of work in helping in this aspect. In short, we’ve been able to do that for cassava, sugar cane, soya beans and now, we are talking of talking of cotton.

On that cotton farming, we have been able to make seeds available to farmers in the last 10 years nationwide, under the umbrella of the National Cotton Farmers Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN). The council has been able to give seeds to NACOTAN members for the past years. This is because we realised that cotton is cash crops, something that can give us money, it can eradicate poverty, it can employ a high number of our population. Now, we’re into popularisation of cotton and boost its production.

What effort are you making on the production of Cotton in large number?

Right now in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state, we have 10 local government councils that have been involved in cotton plantation. And I can speak of eight local government that have cultivated a minimum of 20 hectares of land for cotton production, that aside from farmers contribution. All these, are as a result of the awareness by our council. Initially, there were farmers that were in-

volved in cotton plantation but not as much they are now involved now.

In this regard, I want to give kudos to the Oyo state government through the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, because the state government hasn’t appoint commissioners then. She was cooperating and by the time we explained to her what it is all about, she embraced it and was able to convince the Local government councils to embrace it.

Now, we have plantation in Saki west, Saki East, Atisbo, Kajola, Itesiwaju, Orelope and Iseyin local government councils, to mention a few that have planted at least 20 hectares.

The planting period is six months and by January, we should start harvesting. In Oke-Ogun area, we plant between May and June to early July, in forest zoneOyo, around Ibarapa area, you can still do it till July ending.

Borno, Yobe, five others to benefit from IFAD’s $85.5m agric support scheme Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

SEVEN northern states in Nigeria have been listed to benefit from $85.5 million agriculture support scheme initiated of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Government.

The beneficiary States includes Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara while breakdown of the financial support includes $500, 000 grant from IFAD, $15 million grant from ASAP and $70 million as loan from

IFAD. The National Programme Coordinator, IFAD-CASP, Muhammad Lawal, during a facilitation training workshop at the weekend, in Abuja, he stated that the Climate Change Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Programme (CASP) was specifically designed to boost agriculture in the seven northern states in savannah belt of the nation.

He said the programme which will be in partnership with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would run for seven years.

While speaking, IFAD Country Programme Manager, Ms. Atsuko Toda said about 120 programme officers from the selected states are to assist in the programme implementation, adding that the officers are to design an 18 months plan and map out means to realise the plan.

Borno State Programme Officer, Baba Ali-Yusuf, while commending the initiative, stressed that it would help restore livelihood of the people earlier sacked from their homes during the boko haram insurgency.

25 women farmers generate N800, 000 in 8months Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

A group of 25 women farmers who returned to Pakka Community, Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa after Boko Haram attack, have generated N800,000 in eight months from their farms produce.

The Secretary of the group, Mrs Comfort Danladi made this known in an interview with Nigerian Tribune in Abuja.

She said the group made the amount after acquiring financial literacy training facilitated by the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN).

Danladi said the group whose members are predominantly small holder farmers producing rice, beans, maize, groundnut and petty traders, lost four of its members during Boko Haram attacks in 2014.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the President, Mrs Hannah Gundiri said the loan was facilitated by RUFIN after training the group on financial literacy and it was shared among the members according to their capacity.

In Kenya, Ogbeh harps on need to improve Nigeria’s agricultural extension system Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

THE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, in Kenya, stressed the need to improve the country’s agricultural extension services in order to improve productivity from the Grassroots.

The Minister recalled that successive governments have made efforts to resuscitate the agricultural extension system and several millions of Naira have been spent in the process.

Ogbeh made this known at a Sasakawa Side Event at the Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD 6), Nairobi , Kenya.

According to him “Over the past 20 years, the growth of the programme has been impressive in terms of its spread and reach. For ex-

ample within this period, Nigeria worked with more than 4,500 extension agents and 3 million smallholder farmers in the diffusion of improved crop varieties including wheat, maize, rice, cowpea, peanut, soybean, tomato, pepper, groundnut, millet, sorghum, sesame, cotton, and cassava technologies.

“The programme operates by working collaboratively with innovative farmers, to establish production-scale plots to demonstrate packages of improved technology for improved agricultural productivity and food crop marketing through improved access to seeds and seedlings, better fertilizer application methods and crop protection, as well as improved crop management methods through the administration of Management

Training Plots (MTPs).

“The interventions of SG2000 have resulted in a widespread adoption of improved crop production technologies by over 500,000 smallholderfarmers in Adamawa, Kano, Gombe and Jigawa States.

Capacity building of extension agents and farmers has been a major program priority and activity of SG 2000 since 1993.

It will be recalled that the Sasakawa-Global 2000 (SG2000) programme commenced in Nigeria in March 1992, following the signing of a partnership agreement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to work with federal and state agencies with the overarching objective to raise agricultural productivity and improve food crop marketing in the country.

18

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

From left, Oyo State branch chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Kola Akosile; Manager, Operations, Environment Health and Safety, British America Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), West Africa, Mr Jide King; National President, MAN, Dr Frank Udemba Jacobs and the Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperative, Princess Taibat Adeyemi, during the trophy presentation to BATN, winner of MAN’s “Best Kept Industrial Premises” award, at the 33rd annual general meeting of MAN, South West, held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, last week.

From left, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi and Chief Alani Bankole, at a programme in Lagos. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

Immediate past chairman, Association of NGOs that work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (AONN), Oyo State chapter, Mrs Omotosho and the President of Human of Substance Empowerment Initiative (HOSEI), Abiade Abiola, presenting scholarship award to one of the beneficiaries, recently.

From left, Most Senior Prophet Sunday Edibo, Apostle Oluwole Adegoke, the newly ordained Baba Aladura of the Solution C&S Ministry Worldwide, His Eminence Prophet Gideon Adebare Owoseni, the Supreme Head of the Unification Church Worldwide, His Eminence Prophet (Dr) Solomon Adegboyega Alao and other guests, at the installation ceremony held at the Solution City, Mekun Apata, Ibadan.

From left, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, bride’s father; Mrs Stella Elaiho, groom’s mother; newly wedded couple, Mr and Mrs Osagie John Elaiho; the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi and his olori, bride’s mother, Mrs Irabor and the groom’s father, Mr Jerome Elaiho, at the wedding held at the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja, last weekend. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

From left, Mr Adetunji Adegunle, former chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Ogun State branch; Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, chairman, African Planning Association and Mr Nureni Ashaye, chairman, Ogun State branch, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, at the swearing-in of new executive members of the institution, held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library,Abeokuta.

From left, Oyedun Tosin, Agbooro Tosin, Akinola Lanre, Dr Adediran Babs, Adegbaju Toyin, Dr Olatunji M.B, chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State chapter; Ambassador Adedokun Henry, Executive Vice-President, JCI Nigeria; Adeleke Adeyinka, President, JCI Premier; Okelola Opeyemi, Adedeji Oluwabunmi, Olajide Yusuf, Dr Shittu Usman and Dr Ipeayeda, after a meeting of Junior Chambers International (JCI), recently.

Professor Kayode Bamiro and his wife, Omobola, at the funeral service for Mama Mary Oyebimpe Olanipekun, at First Baptist Church, Ilora, Oyo State, recently.

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

19

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Oyo new LCDAs: One issue, many voices

The announcement by the Oyo State government to create additional 35 Lcal Council Development areas in the state has triggered a debate among stakeholders in the state, writes WALE AKINSELURE.

L

ast week, Oyo State hit the front burner again, following an announcement by the Chief of State to the state governor, Dr Gbade Ojo, that the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, had resolved to implement the gazette No. 23, Vol. 27, August 13, 2002, which recommended the creation of additional 35 local council development areas (LCDAs) to the existing 33 local government areas in the state. However, to avoid contravening the provision of the 1999 Constitution, which recognises 774 local government areas, the government, like some other state governments, changed the 2002 gazette’s nomenclature from LCDAs. Furthermore, it premised the move on the June 16 resolution of the state House of Assembly, which asked the executive to move towards the creation of LCDAs so as to bring government much closer to the grass roots. The boundaries of the existing local government areas were therefore redefined to reflect the new local councils and their wards. In effect, 14 LCDAs would be created in Ibadan zone, eight in Oke- Ogun area, seven in Ogbomoso, four in Oyo and two in Ibarapa zone. The list of proposed new local council areas includes Akinyele East, Afijio West, Soro, Ibarapa North East, Asabari, Araromi, Irepodun and Ogbomoso Central.

Historically, the creation of 35 local government areas, which was gazetted during the administration of the late Governor Lam Adesina, did not go unchallenged.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Yinusa Ogundipe; Chief Bode Amoo, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, Ambassador Olusola Sanu, Professor Akinwunmi Ishola, and others had sued the then governor, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice at an Oyo High Court, Ibadan, on the matter. The plaintiffs claimed that the process of creating the new councils was wrong, arguing that the referenda were carried out when no bill had been presented to the State Assembly and that none had been passed by the state legislature. However, following a meeting attended by Adesina, Chief Kola Daisi, Chief Bayo Oyero, Alhaji Arisekola Alao, Chief Bisi Akande and others, the suit was withdrawn and the executive council subsequently sent the bill to the House of Assembly, which was eventually passed into law and gazetted in 2002.

The Ajimobi administration said its decision to activate the 2002 gazette was in response to the yearning of people for more local government areas in order to fast track grass root development. Some observers and stakeholders in the polity have however raised what they considered as critical issues on the initiative, a few which bother on efficient and effective administration, funding, legality and political undercurrent. The authorities are conscious of most of these issues, which

Dr Ojo offered clarifications. For example, he said the creation of the LCDAs was in response to increasing population and large landmass, coupled with the need to enhance socioeconomic development in different localities of the state. To give legal backing to the change in nomenclature in the 2002 gazette, he said Ajimobi had mandated the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice to initiate an executive bill to the state Assembly to amend the 2002 gazette.

On funding, Ojo stated that the new LCDAs, upon creation, would be compelled to generate revenue themselves so as to survive financially. His words: “We are not expanding the geographical size of the state. We are just increasing the number of local council areas so as to bring government closer to the people. So, it is still the same territory that is being managed.

The LCDAs are created out of the existing local government areas.

“Creating LCDAs does not increase the cost of administration. When they come on board legally, workers in an existing local government that belong to new LCDA will be automatically transferred to run the LCDA. It does not mean number of workers will increase automatically. No doubt they may have to recruit but the local government has its own allocation different from the state government and that level is not as bad as the state level.”

“It is an experience that has worked in some other states. Other states may have done it, but are a pacesetter state and will do it better. As a tier of government with devolution of power in Nigeria’s fiscal system, when a new tier of government is created, that tier of government must survive financially. They have to generate revenue.

Moreover, the local government is a tier with its own allocation from the Federal Government in which the state government also contributes a certain percentage of its IGR,” Ojo argued.

Suffice it to note that the 1999 Constitution, in the Fourth Schedule, assigns a number of responsibilities to local councils to include: collection of rates, radio and television licences; construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains and other public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces, or such pub-

lic facilities as may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a State. Others include provision and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal; participation of such council in the government of a state as regards the provision and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education; the development of agriculture and natural resources, other than the exploitation of materials; the provision and maintenance of health services.

But, Section 7 of the same constitution ties the councils to the apron strings of state governments by empowering the latter to legislate for their creation, structure, composition, finance and functions. In terms of financing, for example, the con-

Creating LCDAs does not increase the cost of administration. When they come on board legally, workers in an existing local government that belong to new LCDA will be automatically transferred to run the LCDA.

stitution places the local councils under the control of the states. Section 162 (6) creates a “State Joint Local Government Account,” the definition of which is further provided in Sub- Sections 7 and 8 to which the state is given powers to pay local councils under its jurisdiction on “such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly … or as may be prescribed by the House of the State.”

A lecturer at the Department of Political science at the University of Ibadan, Dr Lafenwa Stephen, situates the place of local councils in a proper context in governance. According to him, the main aim of local government to be closer to the people may still not be achieved if certain fundamental issues are not addressed. He advocated autonomy of local governments, popular participation through election, inclusive government that is accountable to the people and not to those who appoint them.

“If the existing local government areas were effective, government will be very close to the people. The same argument of government being very close to the people was advanced when we had Ibadan Municipal Government (IMG). We then said IMG was too big and too far from the people and 11 local governments were created.

What impact has that creation brought Continues on pg 20

20

politics&policy

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

It’s time to leave PDP for Sheriff —Odeyemi From Diran Odeyemi, who is the spokesman of the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was an aspirant for the position of deputy national publicity secretary before the national convention of the party was again put on hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In this interview with ARAMIDE SHANU, he sheds light on some issues surrounding the PDP crisis. Excerpts:

A

S an insider, why do you think the crisis rocking your party appears to defy solution going by the botched national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State?

It is because the PDP crisis is multi dimensional, as has both internal and external factors. It is being exacerbated by the fact that the party has no definite leadership that could direct and issue specific instruction towards moving the party forward. Members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) the party are not decisive and assertive on party discipline, as well as strict adherence to the party constitution, hence the current total confusion in the party. And I want to add that the PDP lacks a coordinated strategy to reposition itself as an opposition waiting to reclaim power from APC in subsequent elections. Do not forget that we are lost the 2015 general election partly because there was nobody to give direction. So, what we are still seeing now is the hangover of that period.

Be that as it may. The raging crisis also underscores the inordinate ambition of many leaders in the party because of their belief that whoever is able to control PDP structure will be in a veritable position to dictate affairs in the party as we journey into 2019 elections. So, it is so sad that such individuals would not see the need to subsume their narrow interest in the overall desire of the party to rediscover itself now.

Now, talking about the external factor, which is about the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), it will be in its own interest if the crisis of confidence among PDP leaders persists. A united PDP could become a thorn in the flesh of an APC that is yet to fulfill most of its preelection promises to the electorate. But by and large, if PDP is able to survive its challenges, the impact on the political space of the country can be better imagined, especially in subsequent elections.

One of the claimants to the post of PDP national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sherif has given conditions that could restore peace, which include holding the convention on a neutral ground. How would you react to his proposal?

Sheriff is on a programmed mission. That is why you see him being represented in courts by certain set of lawyers getting judgments against PDP in a particular court; getting the police to stop our convention at the very last minute. Therefore, the conditions or options he has offered are not meant to solve the problem on the ground but to purposely rubbish PDP and its constitution that vested power in the initial national convention scheduled for May 21, this year in Port Harcourt that gave birth to the National Caretaker Committee with Senator Ahmed Markafi as chairman. If the party agrees to hold the convention in Abuja as being proposed by Sherif, I can bet that he would change his stand that he meant Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, and not Abuja. Don’t forget that he was chosen to act national chairman for three months to pave the way for a substantive one, only for his to begin the process of emerging as the presidential candidate of the party in 2019. His plan is to conduct a convention based on his whims and caprices by naming the organising committee, selecting state delegates and choosing Abuja as the venue for the convention.

Of what relevance is Jerry Gana-led reconciliation committee, given the Rivers State episode, Sherif’s peace option and the one-year period granted the Makarfi committee to steer the ship of the party?

The Gana committee has completed its assignment.

With Sherif hard-line posture and conditions, the

Odeyemi

committee had no choice than to leave him and move on which was why they played an active part towards making a success of the Port Harcourt convention before it was aborted. However, the extension of tenure of Markafi by a year, to me, amounts to postponing the evil day. I don’t see an end to about 15 court cases instituted against the party being disposed of within a year. I am sure that some of the cases will get to the Supreme Court. As it is now, the chances of PDP during the forthcoming governorship polls in Edo and Ondo states is suspect, though we can take a pragmatic step.: let us leave PDP for Sherif and merge with other like-minds to form a new party or rebrand with an existing one. Through this, we can reorganize and give opportunities to individuals, who are not happy wherever parties they are, to form the bulk of a new alliance that can provide responsive and responsible opposition to APC.

The challenges of funding, personnel Continued from pg 19

upon the people,” Lafenwa queried.

Dr David Enweremadu, who is of the same department in the university, cautioned against comparing Oyo to Lagos State, which pioneered LCDA creation during the Tinubu administration. He noted that Lagos combines a high amount of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with human population. Enweremadu also warned against undermining salient sections of the constitution in creating LCDAs. He stated: “Ordinarily, the creation of new local councils to reach out to the nooks and crannies of the state should not be a problem, but the critical question is how the new local councils will be financed. You can create as many local governments as you like if you can fund them. If they can’t be funded, it is a drain of resources,” Enweremadu said.

In their separate reactions, the Oyo state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP) and Accord Party (AP) described the LCDA discourse as illtimed, in view of the anticipated local government election in the state government. Chairman, Labour Party, Mr Gbenga Olayemi said the existing 33 local governments were ineffective due to lack of autonomy and inadequate funding. “The idea of creating LCDA is not totally a bad idea but the timing is wrong. Governor Lam Adesina had good intention when he conceived the idea of bringing governance closer to the grass roots. But at this time, there is no basis for creating LCDAs. The existing 33 local governments are not functioning because they have no autonomy,” Olayemi stated.

The state SDP publicity secretary, Akeem Azeez, also raised the issue of funding at a period the government lacked funds to fulfil its financial obligations to workers and the entire citizenry. “This is ill-timed. The state is bleeding on account of non-payment of salary to workers and pensioners. So,how would the newly created LCDAs get take-off grants from a state that cannot meet up with his financial obligations to workers, contractors and the citizens. This is a greek gift to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public to regain its long lost positive image and credible perception among members of the pub-

Gov Ajimobi

lic.”

The state chapter of the Accord Party equally queried the creation of LCDAs, with the publicity secretary of the party, Dr Nureni Adeniran, caliming that it could be ploy by the authorities to delay the conduct of local government election in the state. “The councils have been run with caretaker committees, whose members only receive salary. Council funds have always been trapped under the weight of the state joint account. Now that 35 LCDAs are going to be added, there will obviously be additional burden for the already cumbered councils,” Adeniran said.

However, the Baale Ekotedo, Elder Taye Ayorinde, chided those who said the creation of LCDAs was illtimed. He posited that each LCDA would be compelled to be more responsible for its affairs than before, which he said would engender revenue generation. “There is no time that anything is not right. This move is apt now.

Many people in Oyo state do not pay tax. Each LCDA will ensure that people pay their taxes and become more responsible for their areas than before. The people do not have to look up to any chairman of any local government.

Communities themselves will want to take responsibilities of making their communities viable.

“You run your affairs on your own and this encourages self government. Communities will learn to manage their affairs themselves. Government should not be made to do everything for the people. Communities will know how to collect money; they will know how to renovate what should be renovated; they will know how to uplift what should be uplifted; they will learn how to take of children that are loitering all over the streets; they will know how to control miscreants in your area.”

“I was the Chairman, Commodity Monitoring and Pricing for the Oyo state government during the Lam Adesina administration. When I was going around all the local governments in Oyo State, I found some doing disservice to the others. This LCDA creation is necessary. In doing this, each and everyone who has the opportunity, the knowledge, wisdom and understanding, will be able to lead the community aright. We should not look at the negatives,” Ayorinde said.

In his response to the insinuations that the initiative was designed to hamper the conduct of council poll, Chief of Staff to the governor, Ojo, said the state Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) would advise the government on whether it was prepared to conduct election into the existing local government and LCDAs. “LCDAs creation has nothing to do with OYSIEC’s preparation for local government election. In Ogun state, elections would hold into both the LCDAs and local government areas. The OYSIEC has to take its time to prepare to do a good job. Don’t forget that at the national level, we have instances of inconclusive elections.

“The governor has the right to decide whether an election will hold both in the LCDAs and existing local government. There has not been election in the past 9 years which means that the commission is starting from ground zero. That would require a lot of preparation and they have to prepare very well so that they don’t fail. What matters is that the state is preparing for local government election. The date that the election will hold should not be a subject of contention,” Ojo said.

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Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

features

What I did to OBJ in 1999 before he became president —Bishop Wale Oke

The Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, speaks on national and religious issues and how he feels clocking 60. KEHINDE OYETIMI and RITA OKONOBOH provide excerpts.

the villa over 40 times. For me, I don’t play to the gallery. I’m not looking for the praise of men but I just want to do what God asked me to do. I’m not claiming to be very close to him, but I know him and he knows me.

On clocking 60 I’m grateful to God for clocking 60. I thank God that they have been 60 productive years, 41 of which have been spent in the service of God’s kingdom. Life is not about duration but the impact one has made.

The most challenging period of my life was when I was young and struggling because my parents were poor. I trekked barefooted to school and led every class I attended until I got to the university. My father had to sell his cocoa farm to educate me. I had to supplement by weaving baskets, selling firewood and working as a farm labourer. Those times when my parents struggled to give me a better life, those were the challenging times and I’m so grateful to God that they lived to see me rise. My father died at 97 and I gave him a royal funeral. My mother will be 90 next year and she’s living fine. The beginning of the ministry was also challenging. Praying and fasting for the means to spread the gospel and as the ministry grew, God taught us not to be proud and forget our beginnings.

The ‘rise’ in the ministry I would say it was just the grace of God. I wanted to go to Obafemi Awolowo University but I made a mistake in the concessional examination. When they admitted me to the University of Lagos, I didn’t want to go because I didn’t like Lagos but it was at UNILAG I met my destiny helpers. That was where I met Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who was my lecturer in Mathematics in 1977. That was where I met Pastor W.F. Kumuyi. So, it’s divine grace and arrangement.

I thank God for His wisdom. It is the blessings and grace of the Lord that I can say is the reason for the rising. Bishop Oyedepo and Pastor Ashimolowo are my friends.

When we became friends, we had nothing.

Best and worst moments There are so many glorious times. For instance, when I got to know who my wife would be, when I got married, the day I had my first son, the day we possessed this land, the day we opened the university, the day God opened the door for us for international ministry; there are so many. And for the challenging moments, when you think everything is going to collapse and that there is no hope. The greatest challenge I have had is with men. Jesus Christ has taught us to walk in wisdom with everybody. When God makes you big to any degree, you have all kinds of people around you. And if you’ll be a great leader, you must have a large heart and know that nobody is perfect. You must respect people’s identity. If I had the opportunity to begin again, I would travel the same path. By the grace of God, I was the one who anointed Former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the next civilian president of Nigeria after he left prison. Who am I? How did that anointing happen?

I’m at liberty to tell it now because I gave him a commitment that while he was president, I wouldn’t talk about it, to respect him and the office. A day after he came out prison, I saw his photograph on the front page of a newspaper, looking so haggard, skinny and I said ‘how can a nation do this to its former president?’ and I found myself praying for him for the next 45 minutes. The Holy Spirit then directed me to anoint him as the next president of Nigeria in 1999. That evening, about 400 pastors were present at a meeting with me and I asked if any of them knew how I could connect with General Obasanjo.

Nobody knew. However, I knew that God’s word would come to pass. Two days later, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, who is based in Abeokuta, called me to come and preach for him. I asked him if there was some way I could connect to Obasanjo, and he said his late wife, Stella attended his church. He arranged a meeting with Obasanjo. After the

Bishop Oke service at Abeokuta, we went to Obasanjo’s place. For the first one and half hours after we met, we were talking about his experience in prison; how he fasted, read the Bible about three times; how he wrote five books while in prison, and he said he had promised God to serve him if God took him out of prison. When he finished, I told him that God sent me to him to pray for him that he would be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The response was instant. He said he was not interested. To quote him verbatim, he stated that he had been a very important person in Nigeria and a very important prisoner. I just want to rehabilitate my life. I told him God sent me and he still said he wasn’t interested. I then asked to pray with him. We were four at that meeting: myself, General Obasanjo, Apostle Achudume and a personal assistant. He

removed his cap and I prayed for him and anointed him and proclaimed him executive president of the federal republic of Nigeria by the word of God and I left. It was not two weeks after that IBB visited him to draft him into politics, and the rest is history.

When the Yoruba politicians heard that I went to pray for Obasanjo, they sent a team to me, and advised me against getting into politics and stated that they wouldn’t vote for him. I told them I wasn’t a politician, but that God asked me to pray for him. When eventually Baba won the election, he sent a letter appreciating what God did. After being sworn in, he asked what next, and I told him to hold a thanksgiving service. And that was what he did. Unfortunately, I was out of the country on the day the thanksgiving service held. And throughout his tenure, I was close to him. I must have visited him at

For the first one and half hours after we met, we were talking about his experience in prison; how he fasted, read the Bible about three times; how he wrote five books while in prison, and he said he had promised God to serve him if God took him out of prison.

Succession plan Every mega church has a structure. There is a limit to what one person can do. The better structured a church is, the bigger they are. Take for example the RCCG, they have a very strong structure of various levels. If there is a structure, then there is a succession. If God calls me today, the church will grow bigger. There will be no crisis about succession because the arrangement is clear.

But the greatest headache of church leaders is the question of ‘who is capable?’ Leading a big church is not a piece of cake. It is not our church but the church of Jesus Christ and He will give leader to each church when the time comes. If your first son or towns man succeeds you, there’s no problem with that, as long as it is what God wants. Take for example, the RCCG. Baba Akindayomi and Pastor Adeboye were not related. God told Baba Akindayomi that his interpreter was his successor, that is Pastor Adeboye and Baba Akindayomi wrote it down and sealed the document, called a member of the council and asked him to promise not to open it until after he passed. He wrote in that document that Pastor Adeboye should lead the church after him, Pastor Adeboye should lead his funeral service and that no one should anoint pastor Adeboye. He said that by the time he was being buried, the mantle would fall upon Pastor Adeboye and that was what the church did. Although there was criticism, time has come to prove that the old prophet was tight. Every genuine leader seeks the heart of God. The church’s 34th annual convention Participants are coming from around the world. It started last Sunday and will take place till Sunday, September 4th, 2016. We Continues pg??

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features

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

‘We must not explain away corruption’

should call a spade a spade and give us justice. We want to call on President Muhammadu Buhari. We love and trust him, that’s why we voted for him. He has experience as an elder statesman to father the nation without discrimination.

What we’re seeing is not pleasant. We’re seeing discriminatory appointments, insecurity multiplying and people not being brought to book. However, we have not lost hope. Our mandate given to President Buhari is still valid. We urge him to use the remaining three years to father the whole nation and let all Nigerians feel a sense of belonging.

Continues pg??

want everybody to come and get blessed because one word from God can change a man’s life forever. People have problems everywhere and challenges vary from people to people but God alone is the ultimate solution to all these problems.

Let’s pray for our nation. If our leaders are confused, let’s pray that God gives them wisdom. If we put our future and destiny in the hands of politicians, we are finished. Let us put them in God’s hands. We are calling this meeting so we can pray for ourselves and our nation. Nothing is too difficult for God to solve.

On Precious Cornerstone University (PCU) Very soon, the university will take off. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved that the convention ground serve as the take-off campus for between three and five years, during which period we will work on the permanent site. The vision of the university is to contribute to correcting the rot in the educational system. Cultism, strikes, and the like are affecting the years of our youths, especially as it disrupts the academic calendar. These are some reasons we want to contribute our part as a mission – the PCU is a mission university – to societal development.

The NUC has given us a nod. We want our youths to have sound education in all areas – spiritual, physical and mental. The PCU will promote excellence in morals, academics and even sports. We will also promote entrepreneurship among youths so they can become job creators. We will have zero tolerance for cultism and strike because we don’t want to waste the years of our children. On the cost, we will give scholarships to deserving indigent students. Establishing and running a private university is very expensive and we are on a drive to raise a N2 billion endowment fund. From our master plan, we were told that there is no breaking even until the seventh year. We are for all classes of persons in the society. We are not in it to make profit but to contribute to correcting the rot in Nigeria’s educational system and to raise a new generation of leaders that will give us a great tomorrow.

State of the nation The state of the country calls for prayers. We pray God gives this administration the wisdom to diversify successfully, so that we can have many streams of income and that the welfare of people can be improved. Let us not lose hope.

Let us look up to God. The spate of insecurity in the land is alarming. While I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts on Boko Haram, other issues are coming up and we shouldn’t live in denial. I read a report recently that the Commissioner of Police stated that the persons set ablaze were looters, and my heart sank. That’s not right or just. Don’t explain away evil. Even if we assume they were

Declining moral standards, church proliferation and the youths When sin abounds, grace abounds much more. It depends on how one looks at it. There are youths who are very fervent for the Lord. At our church, they have the consciousness of working for the Lord. I’m not saying all youths are doing very well, but for those who are, they are reaching out to their colleagues. At the convention, we have the youth mega jam which is open to all youths, within and outside the church. Other churches also have activities targeted at the youths. We need to reach out to the youths of today so that we don’t lose the hope of tomorrow. We are conscious of that and we are reaching out to them.

Bishop Oke looters, should anybody take the law into their hands and burn them down? Should it be the police that would justify jungle justice? Who says they’re looters? Has a court of competent jurisdiction convicted them as looters? Even if they have been convicted, is killing the appropriate punishment for such offence? What law in Nigeria guarantees that? Such statement coming from the police is discouraging. The police are asking Nigerians to lose confidence in that institution because they should be the ones who should uncover the truth and bring the culprits to justice. The Inspector General of Police should look into the case. As a spokesman of the church and as a leader in the church in Nigeria, we refuse to believe that those people were looters. We want the case to be investigated. Those people were Christians that were worshipping and some Muslim fanatics rounded them up and burned them alive. That’s wickedness. The police

Corruption, past administration, economic woes and way forward I didn’t enjoy the benefit of being able to give the past administration counsel, I prayed for them. However, because of a particular revelation, I knew that the past administration would not continue. It was after they left that things began to come to light. Not just the corruption, but the wickedness behind the corruption. For example, fake bulletproof vests and armoured vehicles that ak47 bullets could pierce through were bought to fight insurgency. Why should someone steal at the expense of human lives? It is mindboggling.

How can people be so cruel? If their children were in the military, would they put them at such risk? I think God saw this wickedness and threw them out. And they did everything to remain in power, even shifting the election by six weeks, which in itself amounts to monumental corruption, because you don’t shift the goal post while the game is on.

However, if they had changed it for six years, they would still have lost because God wanted them out.

So, for this current administration, I want to advise them on effective diversification of the economy which should be done urgently and diligently because Nigerians are suffering. They should oil their information machinery because they are allowing Nigerians to run away with the wrong information that they are the cause of our economic woes.

There should be a medium of educating Nigerians properly on the cause and steps taken to solve the problem. Thirdly, they should call on Nigerians to pray for God to intervene.

How Osun school feeding system changed farmers’ fortune Farmers, pupils and parents are smiling in Osun State following the success of the government school feeding scheme.

TUNDE BUSARI reports ALTHOUGH the O’ meal scheme, an Osun State Government initiative to feed public elementary school pupils was conceptualised as a lifeline to students and their parents, farmers in the state have, since, reaped bountifully from the gains of the scheme.

Started in 2006 as one of the 13 pilot states including Federal Capital Territory, the scheme has elevated Osun State to a model among other states of the federation as pupils from kindergarten to primary four are fed daily with balanced foods that are rich in protein, with fish, meat, vegetables and fruits while they are de-wormed twice a year.

Consequently, it has generated jobs and economic empowerment for the jobless, while the small and medium scale enterprises have also witnessed an unprecedented reactivation.

Nigerian Tribune findings revealed that on a weekly basis, no fewer than 40 herds of cattle; 10,000 crates of eggs; 20,000 chickens, over 400 metric tonnes of fish are needed to feed the pupils.

About 500 youths were trained and empowered for mass fish production under Osun Fisheries Out-Growers Production

Scheme (OFOPS). The scheme supplies well over 400 metric tonnes of fish regularly for the school feeding while cultivation of cocoyam through a cocoyam rebirth programme was also encouraged.

At a start, over 1,000 cocoyam farmers (selected across the nine federal constituencies in the state) were trained and assisted to mass cultivate pink cocoyam for inclusion in the school feeding menu. The number has risen to over 15,000.

The success of the feeding programme has drawn some delegates from 35 states including the Federal Capital Territory to the state during which the Deputy Governor, who doubles as commissioner for education, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, addressed them.

Laoye-Tomori, who directly supervises the implementation of the school feeding, explained that the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration extended the beneficiaries of the school feeding programme in 2012 to primary four and rechristened it Osun School Feeding and Health Programme (O-Meals) adding that the real impact of the programme cuts across many sectors. disclosed that the state governments free meals had impacted positively on school enrollment from 155,318 to 194,253 after four weeks of its implementation.

According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics Report of 2013, Osun has the high-

Osun State pupils benefiting from the scheme. est primary school enrollment rate in the country and the lowest number of children of school age being out of school, she revealed.

The deputy-governor added that through the programme, the state was able to capture the actual figures of school pupils being fed under the programme costing the government a sum of N18million per week.

She said a total of 3,007 food vendors were engaged, train, kitted with uniforms and made to undergo medical screening.

The vendors, she said, were given loan in

kind for cooking utensils and organised into 124 functional cooperative investment and credit societies for effective administrative purposes.

Mrs. Laoye-Tomori noted that the success of the programme has attracted compliments and accolades from both local and international fora. In 2014, for instance, the British Parliament invited the State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to talk on the implementation of the school feeding programme after which the parliament gave it an ovation.

23 thesouth-west Tunde Busari 08127593530 Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare 08116706853 Tunde Ogunesan 08116954634

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The

South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056

Got news for us; contact: southwesttribune@yahoo.co.uk or southwesttribune@gmail.com

Inside Ife Odan black soap industry.

Thriving business in the midst of squalor

Inside

Black soap production:

Owa’Tapa historical facts

24 thesouth-west Production of the traditional black soap; Ose dudu, is a thriving major industry in Ife Odan community in Osun State but in spite of the brisk business and massive daily production, the people still live amidst squalor and abject poverty as retailers and middlemen make huge profits while producers manage to make ends meet . YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, who witnessed the various stages of production of black soap in the community reports.

A

lone fuel station that had long ceased operation and is now home to goats and other stray animals stood sentry at the entrance of the town, intimating people that they are entering a settlement, after a rather long stretch of road bordered on both sides by farmland and bushes.

The journey on motorcycle took 40 minutes as it was discovered that getting a commercial cab or bus from Iwo town is a mission that will take hours or the better part of the day, as few commercial vehicles ply the old route to Ogbomoso town now.

After passing through some villages; Obamoro, Odooran, Ikonifin, Afiku and Jagun Ode, on a fast moving bike on the very free road, just coming in contact with not up to 10 vehicles, none of which is commercial transport and about 20 bikes conveying farmers to their plantation, one stumbles suddenly on the town.

Welcome to Ife Odan village in Ejigbo Local Government area of Osun State; the historic home of traditional black soap. This community, which is divided in the middle by the Ogbomoso road, is not known for any other craft aside the production of the local black soap in huge quantity, though it has nothing physical to show for its exploit in soap making in terms of infrastructure or basic amenities.

Soap production is a hereditary craft in Ife Odan and it is a craft that dates back to time immemorial as the oldest people in the community according to the history of the land also met the craft in existence and had maintained the agelong craft through the decades.

The whole community is a collection of dilapidated shacks, collapsing mud structures and outdated brick buildings with wooden windows and corrugated roofing sheets while virtually every household has a number of blackened drums and huge fire places in front, signifying the production of local soap.

The entire town is pervaded by an aura of lack and living below average; the only lively spots are the various soap making sites that can be found in almost every household in the community, here, there are myriad of activities going on simultaneously and people of varying ages, both male and female were seen sweating beside hot drums and stirring soap on fire.

The origin of the black soap, popularly called ose dudu or abuwe, was traced to the Yoruba people of South West Nigeria but the soap has received widespread use in other West African countries especially Ghana, where it was introduced

by Yoruba women who went to trade in pepper and now, Ghana also produces the ose dudu which they call Alata Samina; alata meaning pepper seller and samina meaning soap, in honour of the Yoruba pepper sellers that took the soap to the gold coast.

The ose dudu varies in colour, from deep jet black to light

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Ife Odan black soap industry:

Huge sweat, little gains

Iya Oyo stirring soap to mould it together.

brown depending on the ingredients used in making the soap. This however does not affect the quality or reduce its acclaimed anti bacterial and anti fungal powers. What causes the difference according to Mrs. Sabaina Adepoju, is the kind of palm kernel oil which is called yanko that is used.

If the yanko is allowed to fry till its black, then the soap will be black.

“There isn’t much difference in the soap; it still performs the same functions. The only difference is that when we want it to be black, we leave the yanko on fire until it burns

Basket of finished black soap ready for the market.

Nigerian Tribune

The ose dudu varies in colour, from deep jet black to light brown depending on the ingredients used in making the soap.

completely and turns black before we start adding the other things. But the brown one is neater; people use both irrespective of the colour and get the same results.

“The yanko for black soap cannot be extracted by machine; it must be done locally to make it black. People don’t discriminate between the brown or white soap; the only people that ask for the black one are those that use it for traditional medicine, religious purposes or baths. They believe it must be black for it to be efficient, so they ask for black soap but really in normal use, there isn’t any difference. In fact, the brown one is neater,” Mrs. Adepoju stated.

Ingredients used for black soap production are basic; shea butter, red palm oil, coconut oil, roasted plantain skins and roasted cocoa pods. Some people add other materials like Agoa bark, oils and scents but these are not basics and can be left out. In Ife Odan, the basic material used is palm kernel oil (yanko) and ash from roasted cocoa pods (eru igba koko). Also, the soaps come out darker when roasted planContinue on pg25

25 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

‘This is not a trade I want my children to continue’

A soap maker about to remove already formed soap from the fire.

A soap maker putting palm kernel oil on fire to start production.

Continued from pg24 tain skin is used in lieu of cocoa pods.

The traditional process of making black soap is a tedious one that needs excessive energy and engages the muscles.

The base oil is extracted from palm kernel chaff by hard pressing while the ash is made by burning cocoa pods and plantain skins. The resulting ash solution and the palm oil are mixed and cooked in water and semi-liquid hot soap is then scooped off from the pot and placed on a hard surface to cool and harden.

In simple steps, ash is prepared from plant waste like burning cocoa husks, banana steam and leaves, palm bunches e.t.c, after this, potash is leached from ash using hot water. The ash is then boiled while the oil is added gradually to break up the foam it produces while boiling and rigorous stirring is required until a thick jelly-like substance is formed. This is scooped and left on a surface to cool and harden The life of a black soap producer is not an easy one as the process is not only cumbersome and energy sapping but also time consuming. For the Ife Odan producers, the effort put in is not commensurate to what they make, as despite the huge quantity of soap they produce, what they make is only to keep hunger at bay and just manage life.

A black soap maker, who identified herself as Iya Oyo but claimed to have been born and bred in Ife Odan, stated that soap making is a craft she inherited from her mother. She explained that it is hard work and only gives money for daily living, adding that in this age, you cannot boast of getting what you really want from the proceeds.

“I am Iya Oyo though this town is where I was born. This place was Oyo State before the creation of Osun State. I inherited this craft like every other person in this town; we grew up in the trade and our children are also joining us now but God should make a way for our children, this is not a trade that I want my children to continue.

“It is hard work and though we make enough to sustain our family, what we get is only sufficient for daily living. We have many people coming to buy from the cities in bulk and even those that take it outside the country in large quantities so we are always working to meet the huge demands but the effort is not commensurate to what we get,” Iya Oyo concluded.

Her sentiments were echoed by Mrs. Sabaina Adepoju, who stated that though soap making could be termed as lucrative because there is always demand for their products, the reality of the economic situation demands that if one can get additional source of income, he should embrace

it, adding that soap making is very tedious and leaves little chance for other things except petty trade which is why most of them also sell palm oil though they do not produce it.

A young man, Saheed Abdulkareem also told Nigerian Tribune that soap making involves a lot of trouble. Though he also inherited the trade from his mother, he started out on his own two years ago and claims he has his own client base. However, he also confirmed that the stress involved in producing the soap outweighs the income.

Nigerian Tribune discovered that the economic situation of the people remained poor because the products are bought from them at prices that are below the market rate.

After dissipating their energy in production, people come from the cities to buy in bulk at extremely cheap rates. Consequently, the retailers and middlemen smile to their banks while the producers continue to languish in poverty.

Nigerian Tribune met a regular customer of the Ife Odan soap makers on ground but the man who, it was gathered, comes from the Eastern Part of the country to buy the soap was vehement about not having his name in print. Investigations however revealed that he comes to the community during the last weekend of every month and leaves with a truckload of the product.

One of the soap makers however informed Nigerian Tribune that they suspect that the man who mixes freely with them and packs the soap with them when he comes to hasten the process, uses it to produce one of the packaged black soaps being used in the city.

As the gospel of using organic products to prevent diseases and elongate life rises, so does the demand for natural products like the black soap which in recent years has become more popular because of its numerous uses and because it is now commonly used by beauty experts.

The number of people that uses black soap is said to be on the increase and this is evidenced in the level of demand for the Ife Odan soap; the people now work round the clock to

The number of people that uses black soap is said to be on the increase and this is evidenced in the level of demand for the Ife Odan soap

Mrs Adepoju and her team packing soap, ready for the market.

meet the demands of their numerous clients. This translates to more work but not much difference in financial freedom for the people.

Mechanizing the procedure to meet demands is however not in the plans for the poor soap makers as they hold the belief that this will reduce the quality and efficacy of the soap.

The people of the sleepy Ife Odan community in spite of their friendliness were experts at evading questions especially when it comes to the issue of their craft. Many were of the assumption that people come from the cities to learn the basics of the trade in order to start mass production and cut them off the market.

Nigerian Tribune moved around the town and out of the many outlets, only two people were ready to discuss the procedures involved with the condition that it will be a practical session.

The trick of the craft was treated like a secret that should not be revealed though Saheed Abdulkareem, on his part, expressed the willingness to take on trainees from outside the soap making community.

The reticence on the part of most of the soap makers according to one of the women stems from the fact that people come every time to talk about soap making and they only talk and get nothing in return while she accused some entrepreneurs of pretending to be researchers just to learn the trade.

“We have been used time and time just to get information, in the city, don’t they pay to get information. They tap our ideas then go to the city to use it. It has to stop; this talk and talk without money is enough,” she murmured.

Their secretive attitude to talking about the technique of producing black soap also forestalls any suggestion on how to reduce the stress involved in the process using simple equipment or any advice on need to review pricing.

Though many agreed that people that buy for commercial purposes from the city rip the producers off in terms of what they pay, they seem satisfied to continue selling at their current price while many are too set in their ways to think of ways of improving their situation.

Consequently, even youths in the community that are already in the trade are content to follow the step of their parents and are not considering evolving or getting a more simple and efficient way to tackle production and review prices.

And in spite of their seeming wish for a better life, the Ife Odan soap makers continue mass production of local soap that are sold at cheap cost daily and continue to wallow in squalor, putting in so much effort but reaping meager profits.

26 photonews

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

ITAPA IJESALAND HISTORICAL FACTS

Photographs and documents showing historical facts and traditional rites, etc performed during and after installing Oba (Dr) Olapade Agoro as Owa Tapa of Itapa Ijesaland, Osun State, Nigeria. (June 1982 till date)

Elerinmo of Erinmo, Oba Job Oyeyemi paying homage by prostrating to the Owatapa at Imogun/ Tapa, during the Ije ceremony in 1982.

Maidens during the traditional rites preceding Oba Agoro’s installation.

A letter from Obokun Local Government to Oba Agoro on March 16, 1984.

His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr) Olapade Agoro, the Owa Atapamo of Ijesaland (arrowed) being led out of Ipebi, in 1982.

Elerinmo of Erinmo, Oba Job Oyeyemi pouring libation before the Owa’ Tapa in 1982.

A letter of invitation to Oba Agoro from Obokun Local Government to attend conference of South West traditional rulers.

27 photonews

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

ITAPA IJESALAND HISTORICAL FACTS

Photographs and documents showing historical facts and traditional rites, etc performed during and after installing Oba (Dr) Olapade Agoro as Owa Tapa of Itapa Ijesaland, Osun State, Nigeria. (June 1982 till date)

Akinla of Erin Ijesa, Oba Adeosun in prayer session with Owa’ Tapa, Oba Olapade Agoro.

Oba Agoro after his installation in September, 1982.

Elerinmo of Erinmo (left), in council with Owa’ Tapa, Oba Olapade Agoro shortly after his installation in 1982.

Oba Agoro (right) with the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Owolabi during Atapa’s installation.

Another document showing that Erinmo is a tenant of Atapa.

A letter from the late Ooni of Ife Oba (Dr) Okunade Sijuwade to Oba Agoro on March 30, 1983.

Documents and pictures produced by Owa’Tapa of Itapa Ijesaland

Oba (Dr) Olapade Agoro Ph.d

Documents showing that Erinmo is a tenant of Atapa.

Tel: 08053444404, 07031593131, 08027244747

email: olapadeagoro2002@yahoo.com. Also follow us on youtube

28 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Government should not negotiate with any insurgent groups —CNPP boss Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare

T

HE head of the Conference of all political parties (CNPP), Olapade Agoro, has advised the federal government not to negotiate with any insurgent group in whatever form it appears as this will not help the country but will rather encourage other such groups to spring up and make demands.

Agoro in an interview with Nigerian Tribune stated that President Muhammadu Buhari, who he described as a gentleman with fine character should not negotiate but rather continue to tackle all security issues. “He should never negotiate with Boko Haram; that will bring trouble, when you negotiate with one, another group will resurface. He is winning the war already, when your enemy starts shouting that it is time to negotiate, they are already feeling the brunt so he should go ahead with the war and negotiate with nobody.

“He should tackle insurgency without looking back and should not be dissuaded to negotiate with anybody.

Jonathan negotiated and negotiated with fools and in his time Shekau was killed a number of times and at one time, a corpse was shown to us as Shekau and now, he is still talking, how many Shekau was killed?,” he asked.

He further advised the government to inject money recovered from looters into the economy so that life will become easier for the people and companies that had folded up could get a new lease of life while it will also return thousands into the employment market.

“The money recovered

from treasury looters should be used to revive industries that are folding up and give them a time frame to return it. We have industries that must be revived all over the country; those companies must first be brought back to life. People are saying that we should go back to agriculture, do we get results from agriculture immediately?

It is a systematic area that takes time, you can’t harvest immediately,” he stated.

Further, he called on government to review activities of research agencies and organisations, adding that the nation is just wasting resources paying the staff of such bodies. “What are these agricultural research agencies researching? They must be made to research and produce. Each research agency being funded should do research and produce food.

Any agricultural university that cannot research and

WORRIED by the polarisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, a group identified as PDP Youths Revitalisation Forum (PYRF), has urged warring factions of the party to close ranks in the interest of peace and unity.

It will be recalled that two state executives of the party, led by Hon Soji Adagunodo and Dr Bayo Faforiji had emerged after the party held its congress on April, 2016.

But, the group in letter written to the two factions, a copy of which was obtained by the Nigerian Tribune appealed to both executives to sheath their sword and allow peace and cohesion to return to the party ahead of the 2018 governorship elec-

stated.

He concluded that the myriad of problems on ground is too much for the president to could tackle within the spate of one to three years. “Unfortunately he made the mistake, forgetting that those that made the nation dark during Jonathan’s era are now part of the APC, they are back. So the people who did the damage are back in the government, that’s the first problem.

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (middle); representative of the Minister of Environment, Mr Olayinka Tejuosho (left) and Secretary to Ondo State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola (right), during the visit by the Technical Panel Review of Federal Ministry of Environment to the governor, in Akure, at the weekend.

Ondo 2016: Group clamours for Owo/ Ose governorship candidate Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure AHEAD of next Saturday’s primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, a group known as ` Owo/ Ose Egalitarian Group (OEG) has called on the leadership of the party to consider zoning the party ticket to Owo/ Ose axis of the Northern senatorial district of the state.

The group who stated this while speaking through its coordinator, Akin-Olotu Famadenuyi, noted that the people of the area have been sidelined in terms of political appointments and elective posts since the commencement of this political dispensation in 1999.

According to the group, the Akoko axis of the senatorial district has bene-

‘Why PDP warring factions must close ranks in Osun’ Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

also produce food should be folded up.

“In agriculture, the foundation has already been laid, let the Science and Agriculture minister work out modalities that will make this work.

They should stop researching and start producing food.

Let us have food first before we start talking of new agriculture. There are many research bodies that should be able to produce what will feed Nigerians,” Agoro

tion.

According to the letter, which was endorsed by the coordinator of the group, Comrade Adewumi Abiola, part of the measures to ensure amicable resolution of the crises was the correspondence forwarded to all concerned persons, stalwarts and stakeholders on ways of resolve the contending issues.

The letter reads in parts, “we believe that the PDP is one family and therefore we have decided not to join any of these factions or their leaders in their show of shame.

“We call on the zonal executive committee to make use of the provisions of the PDP constitution as amended in 2012 (Chapter vii, Section 27, Sub-section

2, Article a) which gives the zonal executive committee the power to harmonize, coordinate and review all activities of the party within the zone.

“Our recommendation based on this provision is that the result of the congress should be annulled.

Any faction that believes it has the needed number to lead the PDP in Osun State should go back and gather their strength again for an all-inclusive and well monitored congress.

“New ward and local government congresses should be held. Fresh state congress should be conducted which should be monitored by the zonal leaders and private accredited observers”, the letter added.

fitted more than the Owo/ Ose axis saying the area had produced a governor, Senators and ministers and should concede the governorship ticket to aspirants from Owo/ Ose axis of the district.

“The Akoko people cannot be aggrieved with Owo/Ose candidature because they have gotten more than a fair share of political offices up to date. Akoko area has been the beneficiary of political offices, either elective or appointive since the beginning of the present democratic dispensation.

“They have produced a Governor, two deputy Governors, Speakers of the House of Assembly, Chief of Staff to the President, high ranking ministers, Federal board appointments.

“They also have the sitting (incumbent) Senator, in person of Professor Robert Ajayi Boroffice.

That is the highest political office in the Northern Senatorial district now. The silent consensus has been that when the Governor is in Akoko, the Senator comes from Owo/Ose axis and vice versa. Akoko has an array of aspirants in the

race presently.”

The group however called on the leadership of the APC to concede the slot for the people of the area for equity of treatment saying “ we urge the party to beam its searchlight on Owo/ Ose axis for the position of the next Governor of Ondo State as they would find more than enough people already screened for the exalted office. “ The group noted that though the situation at hand in the state called for integrity and dynamic leadership with transparent honesty, character, self-discipline, devotedness, unflinching loyalty towards developing the state and said the area is blessed with politicians of repute who can turn things around in the state.

“We are very concerned about the quality and capability of whoever should aspire to lead Ondo State now in the face of the dwindling oil revenue, our zero industrial base and poorly developed agricultural sector. We opine strongly that the office of the governor can and must not be adventured light-heartedly any longer.”

Nigerian Tribune

Ex- Akala’s aide, 1,500 others defect to APC

By Tunde Ogunesan THE former Deputy Chief of Staff to ex-governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Alhaji Rasaq Gbadegesin has led over 1,500 former members of the Labour Party in Ogbomoso to formally defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a ceremony held at the D.C School, Orita Naira,Masifa, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Alhaji Gbadegesin was received into the progressives’ fold by the APC chairman Ward three, Ogbomoso North Local Government, Elder Amos Adewole and was presented with the symbol of the party, with another aide, the former Senior Adviser to Governor Alao-Akala on Special Duties, Alhaji Raifu Akanji who also defected to the ruling party in the state.

Gbadegesin in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune revealed that the former governor, Alao-Akala, remains his father and will forever be grateful to him.

He said although his decision to join the APC was personal, “Otunba AlaoAkala remains my father and I will forever be grateful to him for the privilege to serve him in all capacity.”

According to him, “I decided to defect to the All Progressives Party (APC) on my own volition because of the feelings and circumstances in the country. In Ogbomoso politically, we have always pitched our tent with a party with federal presence. So, seeing me joining APC is not out of place.

“APC is the ruling party in Oyo State, at the Federal and Local Government level, there would be little or no contribution in your community if you belong to the minority class. If we are in politics because of our community, the town where we come from, we will be able to serve our people better when we belong to the party that controls federal and state governments.”

“As far as I’m concerned, I joined APC as Rasak Gbadegesin Kareem.My mission is to add value to the party (APC) and whatever that comes thereafter is secondary. My expectation is to ensure that APC becomes a winning party in this part of the state, anything I get along the line is a plus but my aim as I said earlier is to contribute to the success of the party at the grassroots level,” he said.

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Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Chukwuma Okparaocha

m:08038984495 e: chukscop2005@gmail.com

We’ll solve socio-economic problems with architecture —NIA executive Chukwuma Okparaocha-Lagos

From left, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Nike Akande; Chief Executive Officer, Novare Equity partners, Derrick Roper; representative of the Lagos State governor, Benjamin Olabinjo; Chairman, PAN Nigeria, Malam Munir Ja’ afaru and the Chairman, Novare Real Estate Africa, Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), during the official opening of Novare shopping mall in Lagos.

THE newly inaugurated executive of the Nigerian Institute of Architecture (NIA), Lagos State branch, has stated its commitment towards solving socio-cultural and economic problems in Lagos State through forming a formidable partnership with the Lagos State government.

Led by its Chairman, Fitzgerald Umah, the executive said architecture if well harnessed, had the prospect of helping to solve Nigeria’s myriads of socio-cultural and economic problems irrespective of regions, religion of tribal differences.

The elected chairman in his inaugural speech stated that the new executives had hit the ground running with a series of

Day developer commissioned $82.8m Novare Lekki Mall Tunde Alao -Lagos

T

WENTY-ONE months after its ground-breaking ceremony, the multi-billion naira Novare Lekki Mall was last week, officially commissioned and opened for normal business activities.

The N31.5 billion mall, described as the biggest in Nigeria, is a retail market with 22,000 square metres that promises fresh, comfortable and convenient shopping experience.

The retail market in Nigeria, despite the challenges in the economy, according to experts, has enjoyed considerable interest from both local and foreign investors who, in the last 10 years, have invested over $3 billion in the market and delivered close to 200,000 square metres of retail space to the market.

“The retail facility is strategically located in Lekki area of Lagos and is the largest so far in the city,” said the Chairman of the Novare Group, Fabian Ajogwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

He noted that the mall is driven

by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), valued at over $83 million (an equivalent of R1.245 billion and N31.5 billion), and is funded by a mixture of equity and debt financing.

Ajogwu, at the commissioning attended by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by his Special Adviser for Commerce, Mr Benjamin Olabinjo, noted that Novare Lekki Mall is a development of the Novare Africa Property Funds, which has a mandate to develop and manage modern retail and commercial facilities across sub-Saharan Africa.

According to him, Novare Africa Property Fund I and II, domiciled in Mauritius as foreign investors into Nigeria, is managed by Novare Fund Manager.

Besides, he hinted that Novare Africa Property Fund II, which includes an investment in Novare Lekki, announced its final close at the end of June 2016, having raised $350 million (R5.25 billion) for investment in a portfolio of new developments in, amongst others, Nigeria, Zambia and Mozambique.

Johan Blom, the mall’s Centre Manager, who represented the managing director of the Novare Real Estate Africa, described the mall as “world class shopping complex with state of the art facilities and exquisite architecture built to the highest international standards and set to be one of the largest retail shopping malls in West Africa.”

Shoprite, the ubiquitous South African retail chain, and Game are the anchor tenants in this mall which has about 100 shops, including restaurants and five Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, as well as 1,000 parking bays.

Its other tenants include Adidas, HealthPlus, Pep, MTN, Tantalizers, Swatch, Levi’s, Spur, Nike and Stanbic IBTC Bank. The mall has recorded 95 per cent interest with 75-80 per cent occupancy rate.

Mr Peter Bamkole, an engineer and a director of the company, hinted on the relevance of this project which, he said, transcends financial value, explaining that “from the development stage until the date it becomes operational, the mall will empower over 5,000 Nigerians with direct and indirect employment.”

The mall, which is situated near

the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos Business School and Lakowe Lakes Golf and County Estate, is easily accessible from the Lekki-Epe Expressway and is expected that many of its customers will come from new housing estates in the Lekki Peninsula and Sangotedo areas.

In his comment, Novare Real Estate Africa’s MD/CEO, Mr Jan Van Zyl, noted that the completion of the mall on schedule and within budget was a testimony of the team’s ability to successfully undertake retail and commercial

property developments in Nigeria and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, pointing out that “Novare Lekki Mall incorporates the latest elements in modern shopping centre design and aims to provide visitors with state-of-the-art facilities in a user-friendly, safe and pleasant environment.”

In his address, Ambode assured investors, both foreign and local, the commitment of his administration to provide the enabling environment and other necessary support, including security of life and property in the state.

visits and activities that would benefit the profession in Lagos State in the long run.

He said architecture had moved beyond designing sophisticated buildings to a means of solving socio cultural problems, eradicating poverty and creating a livable community and that the chapter was fully ready to work with the Lagos State government to achieve this.

He enjoined all architects in all sectors of the profession in Lagos to join hands with the new executives to move the profession forward and create a more robust relationship with other allied professionals in order to enhance the standard of the construction industry in Lagos.

The chairman further promised to work enormously on student mentorship for architectural schools in Lagos thereby tackling quackery from the roots.

It will be recalled that the NIA, Lagos State chapter, recently inaugurated its new executive council, which it hopes would help steer the affairs of the chapter for the next two years.

The inauguration followed an election that was held in July 2016 at the Freedom Park, Marina, Lagos.

The honorary General Secretary of the Nigeria Institute of Architects, Mr Abimbola Ajayi, on behalf of the institute’s president, Mr Tonye Braide, had conducted the swearing-in of the new chairman, who afterwards took over proceedings by swearing in the other executive members.

Experts canvass city planning in advance to combat population explosion Tunde Alao -Lagos

APPARENTLY reacting to the socio-economic problems facing the entire globe and in the quest to safe the situation, experts are out to promote economic development capable of enhancing wealth creation, attract investments and maintain law and order.

To get these done, they believed that cities must be adequately planned in advance to make them sustainable for population growth.

These were the focus at the launch programme of the 2016 World Cities Report, organised by the United Nations-Habitat at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with the theme ‘Urbanisation and Development: Emerging Futures.’

Director of the Nairobi, Kenya-based Regional Office for Africa, UN-Habitat, Professor Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, said while rural to urban migration was inevitable, it should not be chaotic if cities

were well planned to accommodate the drift whenever it occurred.

According to Oyeyinka, urbanisation includes the provision of good roads, drainage systems and provision of housing for the teeming population. He, however, lamented that many cities in the world still relied on outdated modes of planning and unsustainable forms of urbanisation.

The director was also of the view that planning regulations were often too detailed and inflexible thereby making compliance so challenging that people often tended to bypass them altogether.

“Besides, genuine accountability and administrative capacity to implement public polices based on accurate information entails a new urban agenda.

“The new urban agenda should convey a sense of urgency, have a clear means of implementation, adopt a city-wide approach, propose concrete strategies and actions and be flexible to integrate

regional differences,” he said.

He further noted that the role of planning was to make cities more productive and that this could only be made possible through the establishment of transparent laws that governed the operations of cities with special attention paid to housing.

He further noted that over the last 20 years, housing had not been central to national and international development agendas, while governments’ involvement had only focused on the middle class and home ownership that few could attend.

Making allusion to Nigeria, the professor observed that the bane of urbanisation was structural unemployment which he said was as a result of the movement of farming population to urban areas with skills not relevant to the urban modern sectors and a tertiary education void of practical skills and experience in the operation of industrial machinery.

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Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Ondo APC crisis: Secretariat sealed off with ‘fetish objects’ Deji of Akure condemns development Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

R

ATHER than thaw, the crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, on Monday, took another dimension

as the surroundings of the party secretariat, located on Oyemekun Road in Akure, were laced with fetish objects.

The objects, included goat and dog heads; red, white and black cloths; local pap,

salt and some cash prepared in a plate, sprinkled with red palm oil while palm leaves were tied at the entrance of the party office to signify the sealing off of the premises.

This prevented staff at the secretariat from gaining en-

try while the secretariat became centre of attraction.

Some of the workers who wanted to forcefully enter the office were cautioned by some traditionalists who explained that the fronds tied around the gate signified

From left, secretary of Ondo PDP Electoral Committee, Mr Bernard Mikko; factional PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim and the leader of the Sheriff-led Ondo PDP governorship primaries committee, Mr Ali Gulak, at the PDP primaries held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

Jimoh Ibrahim emerges Sheriff-led faction’s candidate for Ondo guber

By Tunde Ogunesan and Hakeem Gbadamosi DESPITE an order from the High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Monday, restraining the Ali Modu Sherif-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state from conducting a parallel primaries, the faction, on Monday, in Ibadan, elected Mr Jimoh Ibrahim as its candidate.

In her ruling, Honourable Justice Omolara Adejumo, at exactly 9:10a.m. on Monday, ordered the faction not to conduct any other primaries aside the one conducted by the Clement Faboyede-led executive.

The presiding judge also ordered the faction’s aspirants, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Bamiduro Dada, Niran Sule and Abiye Ademuyegun, from presenting themselves as aspirants for such parallel primaries.

However, the faction’s election, held in Ibadan, produced Ibrahim as the winner of the contest.

The election had five aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party.

Three aspirants namely Mrs Abiye Ademuyegun, Honourables Bamiduro Dada and Niran-Sule Akinsuyi, however, withdrew for Dr Ibrahim before the election commenced. Only the former Commissioner

for Local Government under the administration of Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Mr Olusola Ebiseni, decided to contest the election.

The three aspirants expressed their determination to work with Dr Ibrahim to take the state to an enviable height.

In their separate speeches, the three aspirants withdrew their participation from the election and promised to support the eventual winner.

After much delay all through the night, the electoral committee, headed

by Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, commenced the process at around 6:48a.m. with accreditation of the 801 delegates from the 18 local government areas in the state.

Other members of the electoral committee are Shetima Shehu, Chief Tunji Akinosi, Elder Layi Falaju, Mala Sheriff, Ozo Uchechukwu Ngwu, Bimbo Balogun, Prince Poroye Bill Biyi, Ikenna Nnajioffor, Lawan Gana Karasuwa and the secretary of the committee, Bernand Mikko.

Immediately after accreditation, each aspirant was given three minutes to present their manifestoes to the delegates. It was at that point that the three aspirants withdrew their participation from the election.

In the election, which lasted over two hours, Ibrahim polled 502 votes, Ebiseni

41 while 17 votes were declared void.

As the chairman of the electoral committee announced the result, the hall erupted with celebrations as delegates expressed their joy over the eventual completion of the primaries.

He said “Jimoh Ibrahim has emerged the winner after an open and organised gubernatorial primaries before all the official delegates of PDP in Ondo State. This is internal democracy in action. We have not asked any delegate to vote for anybody or write the name of a particular candidate for the delegates.

While speaking after he was declared winner, Dr Ibrahim promised to create jobs, establish industrial hub in the state and improve education.

He said “I will only oc-

cupy one seat in Ondo State and that is the position of the governor of the state by God’s grace after the governorship election. The rest belong to the people. I have managed over 8,000 workers, 16 companies and have two national honours. And when you talk of integrity, I have first-class integrity.”

The National Vice Chairman and South-West chairman, Makanjuola Ogundipe and the South-West Secretary, Otemole Adepegba, were in attendance.

Meanwhile, the Director of Media and Publicity of the party in the state, Yemi Akintomide, said the venue for the primaries was relocated to the South-West zonal secretariat of PDP in Ibadan by the Honourable Ahmed Gulak-led Ondo State Governorship Primaries Committee constituted by the national chairman, Senator Ali-modu Sheriff.

‘No entry’.

However, the objects were later cleared by some people under the watch of security operatives before the gate leading to the office was opened around 11:30a.m.

Reacting to the development, the chairman of the party in the state, Honourable Isaac Kekemeke, described it as part of the antics of the detractors to further destabilise the party, before they will eventually defect to another party.

He said the activities of the people “are going beyond a mere crisis within the party but an attempt to kill the party in the state.”

Kekemeke said the objects and action of the people should be seen as desecration of the culture of the land and said whosoever is behind the atrocity should face the wrath of the land.

Dissociating itself from what it termed as a sacrilegious act, the Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, condemned the activities of the hoodlums who used the traditional palm fronds, which is the traditional means of sealing off premises in Akureland, to seal off the APC secretariat.

In a statement issued and signed by the monarch’s Chief Press Secretary, Adeyeye Michael, the traditional ruler said using such method to seal off premises remains the prerogative of the palace only.

The Deji of Akure said: “The Deji of Akure remains non-partisan and a father to all political aspirants and never authorised such and wishes to inform the general public that such act did not emanate from the palace.

“It is certain that those who carried out this condemnable act are not aware of the cultural and traditional implications of this action.

“The palace is apolitical and therefore should not be dragged into the internal wrangling of any party.

“We want to state without mincing words that the palace has nothing to do with and equally condemns it in its entirety.”

...We’ll review primaries —NWC Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe -Abuja THE National Working Committee (NWC) of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to review the outcome of the primaries it ordered for Ondo governorship election, held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, during which Mr Jimoh Ibrahin emerged the winner.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by its national organising secretary, Mr Okey Nnaedozie, the party said the decision to review the exercise became necessary, following the “series of phone calls and petitions regarding the processes of the primaries.”

The statement reads in part, “while the result from the exercise is at best tenta-

tive, until approved by the NWC, the NWC wishes to assure all aspirants, stakeholders, members and teeming supporters of the party in the state that it will comprehensively review the processes and circumstances of the exercise accordingly.

“This decision is as a result of serious reports claiming that proper accreditation was not done for the exercise.”

Nigerian Tribune

Ogbomoso club felicitates with Omotoso at 80 THE Ogbomoso Recreation Club (ORC) has saluted the virtues of hardwork and commitment of Chief Theophillus Adebowale Omotoso on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Contained in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Bayo Babatunde, the club especially noted Omotoso’s fatherly disposition to members, close relationship with the trustees of the club and contribution to Ogbomoso community.

Especially, the group averred that the conferment of the honorary chieftaincy title of Atobase of Ogbomosoland on Omotoso evidenced his commitment to the service of humanity.

“The entire members of the Ogbomoso Recreation Club (ORC) are very much delighted to celebrate with you on the glorious occasion of your 80th birthday. As you join the octogenarian club, we note with joy your great interest in the affairs of the ORC which was amply demonstrated by being a foundation member, and ever since you remained committed to the promotion of its ideals.

Ibadan Boys High School alumni launch website

By Tunde Adegbola CLASS of 1983 set of the Ibadan Boys’ High School (IBHS), Oke-Bola, in Ibadan, Oyo State, has launched the school’s alumni website which will serve as a global platform for gathering all alumni of the school with a vision to make the school one of the best in the country.

The official launch of the website, www.ibhsoba.org, was held at the School Hall in Oke-Bola, and was attended by notable persons in the society who have one way or the other passed through the school.

Speaking during the event, the National President of Ibadan Boys’ High School Old Boys Association (IBHSOBA) and the Asiwaju of Ibadanland, Chief Bode Amoo, commended all members of the 1983 set for their efforts and initiatives, especially for creating the website, saying the step would help propagate the standard of the school to the rest of the world.

The coordinator of the ’83 set of IBHSOBA, Mr Segun Ayodeji, said the first reunion of the set was made possible through a social media platform within a short period, and provided an avenue for cross-fertilisation of ideas among the alumni.

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Nigerian Tribune

Glo urges continental action to save African cultures from extinction

Backs 2016 Ojude Oba Festival

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the African cultural spectrum have been called upon to salvage the continent of Africa’s belief systems from near extinction.

Next generation network and Nigeria’s biggest corporate supporter of cultural Renaissance, Globacom, made this call on Monday in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, during a press conference to formally announce the company’s sponsorship of 2016 Ojude Oba Festival.

Mr Folu Aderibigbe, the company’s Commercial Coordinator, Business Enterprise who represented

the Globacom at the occasion, stated that provision of strong platforms for the diverse people across the country and empowerment for them to fully express their cultures and traditions have become more expedient now, adding that this would help to preserve Nigeria and Africa’s cultures and prevent it from being swept away by the rising tidal waves of globalisation.

According to him “the new wave of modernisation in our country has made our young people to believe that age-old cultural activities which are mainly

synonymous with Africa are primitive and should be exterminated.

“Unfortunately, this has become an ill-wind that will blow no one any good because the effort to downplay our cultures and traditions has also come with the jettisoning of sound moral values which were the hallmark of traditional African societies,” he observed.

According to Aderibigbe, “the so-called modern lifestyle and values cannot be said to be a good replacement for the teaching of morals among our youth which our cultures and traditions offered through

the ages. The challenge has been further compounded by the decision of educational authorities to abolish the teaching of History in our schools. We, therefore, wish to align with the school of thought which has appealed to our leaders to reintegrate History as a subject into the country’s academic curriculum as it is often said that someone who does not know where he is coming from will not know where he is going.”

The Glo Commercial Chief emphasised further that “our youth have been so much influenced negatively by unbridled modernisation

that the equilibrium that results in complete integration between our culture, social values and modernisation has been lost.”

Aderibigbe further observed that “what prominent now among our youth are borrowed cultures and poor imitations of Western ways which are detrimental to our identity as a race.

This trend has also culminated in near annihilation of our local languages in a way that parents would rather teach their children English than our own language. Mothers no longer use our language, proverbs and local ballads to tell the stories of our past in a way that underscores the importance of those past occurrences towards charting

a path for our future.”

According to him, Globacom believes that as a proudly Nigerian telecommunications company with global footprints, “we owe it a duty to the present generation and posterity to collaborate with all men and women of noble intentions to sustain the renewed drive towards the cultural renaissance of our great nation.”

“This is why Globacom enthusiastically backs the custodians of our cultures like the organisers of Ojude Oba Festival for the painstaking efforts they have made to celebrate our cultures and reinforce our values of integrity, hardwork, excellence and creed,” he said.

Ekiti outlaws open, night grazing as Fayose signs anti-grazing bill Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

From left, Chairman, Ojude Oba 2016 Festival Committee, Otunba Wahab Osinusi, Commercial Coordinator, Business Enterprise, Globacom, Mr Folu Aderibigbe; the Omeso of Ijebu, Chief (Mrs) Bisi Osibogun and member of the committee, Chief Agboola Alausa, at the Ojude Oba press conference, held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Monday.

Stop shielding criminals, Ajimobi tells highly placed individuals

By Oluwatoyin Malik THE governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has warned eminent personalities in the state against shielding criminals in their domains, enjoining that such people should rather be exposed and made to face the law.

This was just as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Sam Adegbuyi, pointed out that many security threats bedevilling Nigeria currently would be effectively managed if all would join hands to fight them by proffering solutions without ethnic, religious or political colouration.

The statements were made at the inauguration of Eminent Persons Forum at the command headquarters at Eleiyele, Ibadan, on Monday, which was attended by eminent personalities across different classes.

The state governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, appreciated the IGP’s initiative, just as he warned

highly placed individuals against harbouring and protecting criminals.

Adeyemo pointed out that some of such notable individuals were usually the ones to pick their phones and call security agencies to release arrested suspects due to personal reasons, but emphasised that rather than do that, they should expose them.

He pledged the state government’s continuous support to the police through financial commitment to security so that they would be able to effectively combat crime, but said that the government could not do it alone.

The deputy governor enjoined the stakeholders to contribute to the established Security Trust Fund

to assist the police and other security agencies to ensure peace and security.

According to the Commissioner of Police, the Eminent Persons Forum, an initiative of the current Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, “is the bringing together of personalities who are influential in their various fields of human endeavours.”

UNICEF raises fresh concern over malnutrition in South-West UNICEF has expressed fresh concern over the level of malnutrition in the South-West geo-political zone and attributed the situation to poor adherence to Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF).

The UNICEF Communication Specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, expressed the concern in Ibadan on Monday at the opening of a two-day media dialogue on child malnutrition.

The theme of the conference is, “Good nutrition, invest more.”

According to Njoku, the assumption that malnutri-

tion is only in the northern part of Nigeria is not true and misleading.

The communication expert, quoting a 2013 survey, said that the South-West had 22 per cent stunted children under the age of five.

He said malnutrition was a national problem.

Njoku, who narrated his Owerri hometown experience in Imo, said studies had shown that 13 per cent of children born to rich families also suffered malnutrition.

The Communication Officer of UNICEF, Mrs Bless-

ing Ejiofor, said Media Coalition Against Malnutrition was aimed at creating opportunities for media advocacy on child nutrition through sensitisation.

“It also provides media partners with the knowledge and materials to support advocacy for child nutrition, acquaint the media with malnutrition situation in Nigeria with particular reference to child malnutrition,” she said.

Mrs Ogunbumi Omotayo from the Federal Ministry of Health said “Nigeria has the highest number of stunted children under age five in sub-Saharan Africa.

people of the state, particularly the farmers.

“It will also put paid to Fulani herdsmen carrying arms and ammunition in the state, stopping the development that has prevented our people from sleeping with their two eyes closed.”

EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has signed into law, a bill prohibiting open grazing in Ekiti State, thereby outlawing open and night grazing among other acts, in the state.

Fayose signed the bill, which was passed into law by the state’s House of Assembly on Thursday, at a ceremony in Ado Ekiti, where he warned those who might break the law.

Among other things, the law prescribes six months jail term for offenders.

MADAM Abigael Ikeola The bill was entitled “A Oladipupo Ishola is dead.

Bill for A Law to regulate She died on June 2, 2016 and Control Cattle and at the age of 80. Christian Other Ruminants Grazing wake-keep comes up on Friin Ekiti State and Other day, September 2, 2016 at Matters Connected There- Pade Village, Akinyele Local with, 2016.”

Government Area, Ibadan, The Speaker of the Asbetween 4:00p.m-6:00p.m. sembly, Pastor Kola OluwaFuneral and outing service wole, had presented the bill will take place at Methodto the governor at a gatherist Church, Nigeria, Oniing where traditional rulers, chiefs and community karahun, Ikereku Circuits, leaders from all the com- Ibadan, by 10:00a.m. on munities in the state were Saturday, September 3, 2016, interment at the present.

The law provides that church cemetery while encattle rearers should graze tertainment of guests foltheir cattle in the morn- lows at the same venue.

She is survived by sisters, ing at places already earchildren, grand children and marked for the purpose.

According to Oluwawole, great-grand children among grazing areas had been whom are Chief Oludare provided in Iworoko and Ishola, Zonal Marketing Erifun and in the various Officer, OYSADEP and Mr communities in all the 16 Amos Akinlabi Ishola JP, local government areas of former Editor, Sketch Press the state.

Ltd, Ibadan.

Governor Fayose warned that any cattle rearer that flouts the law would be charged and if found guilty, pay the value of whatever is destroyed, after a valuation by the relevant agencies.

Oluwawole had said at the passage of the bill that “it will promote a kind of cordial relationship between the cattle rearers and the Madam Abigael Ishola

Madam Ishola’s burial activities begin Sept 2

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 34 news journalists Oil exploration: Lagos Assembly calls for protection of host communities Veteran laud FG over

T

HE Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, called for a stakeholders’ meeting of government officials, oil investors and host communities, following oil discovery and exploration in Badagry area.

The call followed a motion moved by Mr Folajimi Mohammed (APC-Ikeja I), on the need for the state to be proactive in protecting the host communities from environmental degradation.

The motion was seconded

by Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (APC-Eti Osa II).

Mohammed, chairman, House Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, urged the state government to do everything possible to protect the people and the communities within area of exploration.

According to him, the stakeholders’ meeting has become crucial to adequately prepare to prevent a repetition of the current agitation in the Niger Delta over environmental degradation.

“The stakeholders should come together to discuss the socio-economic importance of the exploration of oil in the state and related issues.

“Efforts must be made to ensure that the state does not go the way of Niger Delta and other oil-producing states in Nigeria who are suffering from environmental degradation with the activities of oil companies.

“The discovery of oil in the state has made Lagos an oil-producing state but it is important to consider the

consequences of the exploration,’’ Mohammed said.”

Yishawu, chairman, House Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure said, ``We need to learn from oil exploration in Niger Delta. We do not want a repeat of what is happing in the Niger Delta’’.

The Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Rotimi Olowo, called for a development plan by the investors to protect the environment and the people.

“Our target should not

Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (left), listening to the chairman, Sokoto State Committee for the Revival of Agriculture, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, during a meeting with bankers and rice farmers, in Sokoto.

Rape: el-rufai proposes life jail Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

GOVERNOR Nasir ElRufai of Kaduna State, has proposed life jail for rapists in the new Child Right Bill forwarded to the State House of Assembly for passage into law.

The deputy director, Civil Litigation in the state Ministry for Justice, Mr Irimiya Samson,said this in an interview with newsmen in

Kaduna ,on Monday.

Samson said that the development became necessary, following incessant cases of rape in the state ,particularly, with minors, recorded on daily basis.

He noted that the current penalty for rape in the Penal Code was very light, as such, it was important to make the law more strict to curtail the trend.

‘The incidences of rape have become very rampant in the state. It is particularly disturbing that the offenders are mostly elderly men whose victims are toddlers and minors.

“In curbing this abominable act, the state government has decided to invoke a stiff punishment for offenders in the child right law.

“As such, when the bill

Education ministers deny fighting rumour As Anwukah denies writing resignation letter Clement Idoko - Abuja

THE Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, on Monday, denied allegations of in-fighting raging between them since their assumption in office.

A drama, however, ensued when the Minister of State for Education went haywire and started raining abuses on anybody insinuating that he had tendered resignation letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal.

In anger, Anwukah shouted at journalists, saying it was stupid for anyone to insinuate that he wrote a

resignation letter to SGF or had any rift with Adamu.

The two ministers spoke with newsmen on the sidelines of the venue of the presentation of the sector’s roadmap “Education for Change: A Ministerial Strategic Plan 2016-2019.”

The ministers insisted they were and would continue to be great friends.

Adamu had accused journalists of being responsible for the rumours, which he maintained was targeted at generating headlines that would increase the sales of newspapers and also pull media traffic to the various outfits.

He said: “This is the creation of journalists. I don’t think that there are

any two ministers in this country working as closely as Tony and I, because we have never disagreed.

“Somebody was asking me a question and that question was actually designed to get a headline and probably somebody wants a headline, that is why they said we are quarrelling. Me and him and unfortunately on that day also I forgot that you sent Obioma to represent you and didn’t recognise his presence. They want to sell their papers.

“Tony and I? If you don’t have any personal agenda, you will never have quarrel with anyone and I think our duty is to try to move the education sector forward, that is all,” he added.

is passed, anyone caught would remain behind bars for life.” He added that the law also criminalise child trafficking, child labour, street hawking and begging, which are common practices in the state.

“Similarly, exposing children to obscene materials like pornographic content, has also been criminalised.

“Offenders would be imprisoned or made to pay a fine of N500, 000 for individuals and N1million to N5 million for companies, plus a twoyear ban.

“The proposed law also de-emphasise detaining children for juvenile offences, having realised that detention do not help children in anyway.

“What the law proposed in place of detention, is community service, which in all sense ,could instill some level of discipline in juvenile offenders.

“Education was also covered in the law, making it mandatory for every child to acquire basic education,” he added.

Samson also said that the state government would be involved in issues bordering on welfare and development of children. According to him, based on the proposed law, government would take away children from parents, caregivers, or guardians who failed to cater for children under them.

be limited to environmental protection of the area; we need to talk on the infrastructure and economic gains by the people and their communities.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni said, ``Oil spillage will come; there is going to be oil degradation of environment and we need to be proactive’’.

Mr Setonji David (APCBadagry II), said that he received the news of the oil discovery in the area with mixed feelings because of the environmental degradation in Niger Delta occasioned by oil exploration companies.

David, the chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development said, ``I hope our communities will not be devastate’’.

“Fishing activities would be affected in the area if the government does not do anything about it.

“We need Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the discovery to know what would eventually happen to our people, when exploration starts.

“We should take all the necessary steps so that we would not regret the discovery. There is need for proper steps to ameliorate the environmental implications,’’ David said.

The lawmaker said that a percentage of whatever would be accruable to the government should be dedicated for the development of the area.

He, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the state government to protect the host communities.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said, “There is a need for us to be proactive and learn from the past so that we can safeguard our state and host communities.’’

Obasa suggested that there should be a stakeholders’ meeting which would bring the host communities, government officials and investors together to avoid what happened in Niger Delta.

“We must safeguard the host communities and we must commend companies that have been investing in oil exploration in the state over the years before oil was eventually discovered there.

“All necessary infrastructures must be put in place to protect the state and the host communities so that we would prevent what is happening in Niger Delta from happening in Lagos State,’’ he said.

Obasa said that oil companies had to stop exploration if they had started so that the state government would be better prepared before they start operation.

Oyo-Ogbomoso road THE League of Veteran journalists, Oyo State, has lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in mobilising contractors to site for the construction of the abandoned Oyo-Ogbomoso Express way.

The Ibadan-Ilorin dual carriage road project was flagged off in October 2001 by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

But while contractors were mobilised for the IbadanOyo; and Ogbomoso-Ilorin axes of the project, the OyoOgbomoso tranche was left out.

In a statement signed by the chairman of the League, Alhaji Wale Adele, it said it was a cheering news that the government was able to capture the project in the capital projects in the 2016 budget.

Convention

WORD of Life Mission Int’l (Bethel City), OdoOna Kekere, Arapaja Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State, will hold its 25t annual convention tagged “ Beloved” from August 29, till Sunday, September 4, at the church auditorium. The 2016 annual convention will commence with a morning session lecture at 9.ooam till 12noon daily, while the afternoon session with a workshop, will start at 2.00pm and end at 4.00pm daily and the evening session with revival at 5.00pm daily, at the same venue. There will be a night vigil on Friday, September 2, by midnight. The grand finale of the programme and convention thanksgiving service, will take place on Sunday, September 4 by 10.00am at the church auditorium.

The event will also feature salvation, drama, songs ministrations, deliverance as well as the cutting of the anniversary cake. Guest artistes expected at the convention are Life of God Drama Ministry, Word of Life Voices among others, Ministring are Prophet Gideon Owoseni, Pastor Albert Oladele, Pastor Femi Akinnoye, Pastor Joseph Oluwatunmise, Pastor Sunday Adeboje among others. Reverend (Dr) David Oyedeji, is the founder and pioneer general overseer of the church while Pastor (Mrs) Lizzy CIa Oyedeji is the hostess and Prophet (Dr) Hezekiah Olaoluwa Oyedeji, is the current General Overseer of the church and the host.

Prophet Olaoluwa Oyedeji

35 news

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

We will not pull out, Northern CAN insists Chris Agbambu and Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

T

HE Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said it will not pull out from the parent body of the association as speculated in the media.

This was just as the association condemned the recent killings in the Zamfara College of Education, calling on the government to ensure the safety of students in the college.

This was contained in a communique issued and signed by the chairman of Northern CAN, Reverend Yakubu Pam and the Public Relations Officer, Reverend John Hayab, at the end of the Northern CAN delegates meeting, at COCIN headquarters in Jos. According to the communiqué, “It was agreed by all delegates at the meeting that Northern CAN would not pull out of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to form a different body.

“The delegates condemn in its entirety the recent killings and religious radicalism that was displayed at Zamfara College of Education, by some students of Islamic faith.

“We call on government to ensure Christian students at secondary and higher institutions in the North, are given full protection from any form of molestation.

“The delegates also resolved that Northern governors as chief security officers of their respective states, should ensure Christians in their states are not intimidated, molested or killed by religious fanatics under any guise.

“Northern CAN delegates at the meeting also expressed their reservation over the recent visit of the United States Secretary of State to Nigeria, John Kerry that excluded Christian leaders from meeting him, rather chose to make his first port of call Sokoto, to meet the Sultan and select Northern Governors.”

The delegates also resolved that nobody or group outside the Northern CAN chairman or the public relations officer should henceforth speak or issue a statement on behalf of Northern CAN. In another development, the Northern CAN has decried persistent attacks on rural farmers.

Its Chairman, Reverend Yakubu Pam, made the condemnation in Jos, on Monday, saying that the situation could hamper the achieve-

ment of food security.

“Farmers are killed on the fields and this has forced them to abandon the farms; hunger is imminent in the

country if nothing is done about this,” he said.

The association chairman called for special protection for farmers, stressing out

that farmers were vulnerable to attacks because their farms were normally in forests.

Pam also drew govern-

ment’s attention the constant abduction of young girls and appealed for special security for those in the villages.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (left), sharing medical packs among mothers/newborn babies. With him is the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Sam Ngwu, during the kick-off of this year’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, on Monday.

Gowon expresses worry over division among Christians Isaac Shobayo - Jos APPARENTLY worried by the division in the body of Christ in Nigeria, former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, has stated that the division currently assuming an alarming proportion may destroy the body of Christ.

The former head of state, who stated this at the Northern delegates’ meeting of Christians Association of Nigeria, held at the Church Christ in Nations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, charged Christians to unite for common goal.

Represented by former deputy governor of Taraba State, Dr Bitrus Gani, Gowon said the conflict being experienced in Nigeria could be resolved if the church could agree on a common course to achieve a common goal.

In his welcome address,

the CAN chairman of the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Reverend Yakubu Pam said the events of the recent past were challenges to their faith, both spiritual and otherwise.

Pam said it is imperative to take a second look at their condition and present

a common front in tackling their problems and other matters of concern, noting that his stand has always been in favour of dialogue among Christian brothers.

“By so doing, this will be a new beginning for the Christian Association of Nigeria in the north as it would be a body where our youths

Kwara set to review laws Biola Azeez - Ilorin GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has hinted that the state will soon commence the process of reviewing its laws to meet with current realities, as the last law review was carried out in 2006.

Speaking while receiving Forum of APC’s former members of the state House of Assembly in Ilorin, on Monday, the governor also promised that contractors handling the

ongoing Ilorin metropolis water project, would soon be mobilised to site.

Governor Ahmed, who said the state government was now financially stable to jump-start its major infrastructural projects, added that it was determined to fulfil its obligations to workers in the state.

“The major areas where we have constraints are some higher institutions of learning as a result of ongoing efforts at reforming how

Professor Johnbull’s Episode 7 X-rays discrimination against girl-child DISCRIMINATION against girl-child is the focus of episode 7 of Glo- Sponsored TV comedy series, Professor Johnbull which comes up on the Network service of NTA, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and on NTA Startimes on Tuesday, between 8.30pm and 9.00pm.

Baby Bomboi is the title of the episode which dissects the general belief among Nigerians that a boy is better than a girl-child, hence they give the boys preferential

would find solace, it would be a body that provides succour for Christians living in poverty, would serve as a voice against violent attacks against Christian farmers living in the rural communities and of course would partner and seek wisdom for our leaders in authority,” Pam contended.

treatment and generally discriminate against the girls.

The programme will provide answers to the following questions: is a male child better than the female? Does the sex of a child determine how far the child will go in life? And will the girl-child thrive like her male counterpart if given the same affection?

Also, what is the reaction of Athan, (Stan Kamandi), when he receives the news of the birth of his fifth girl-

child? And how did grandiloquent Professor Johnbull react to the plight of the girlchild?

Viewers will get answers to these questions and enjoy other educative scenes when the scintillating comedy TV drama series, Professor Johnbull, comes on air this Tuesday.

The repeat broadcast of the programme will be shown on the same channels on Friday and at the same time.

their incomes are appropriated,” he said.

Governor Ahmed, who said the delay in announcing necessary appointments and constituting boards of parastatals and commissions was mainly a function of current economic challenges, assured that another set of appointments would soon be announced.

Also speaking, Honourable Wole Oke, who spoke on behalf of former honourable members, acknowledged Governor Ahmed “administration’s efforts to sustain regular payments of salaries to state workers and pensioners despite financial constraints facing your administration, and happy that you are one of the three governors designated by the NLC as labour friendly governors.”

On diversification of the state’s economy, the forum recommended that the administration should synergise with local government councils in the state towards mobilising the people across board to engage in massive commercial agriculture through cooperative groups.

Again, police arrest 15 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists in C’River Anthony Ubong - Calabar THE Cross River State Police Command has again arrested 15 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists, who have been terrorising residents of Calabar, the state capital.

This is, however, coming barely one month after 11 suspected criminals were arrested by the police for various offences.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, who paraded the suspects before newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Calabar, on Monday, said the suspects were arrested at various locations in the state.

He said on August 16, a team of policemen on surveillance received a distress call that some group of armed boys were about to kidnap the managing director of a popular hotel in Calabar.

On receiving the information, the Police Commissioner said, the surveillance team swiftly swung into action and arrested two of the suspected kidnappers.

1.8 million children for malaria drugs in Sokoto M uhammad Sabiu - Kaduna IN a bid to mitigate the effect of malaria infection across Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has kicked off the houseto-house campaign for the administration of preventive drugs which targets estimated 1.8 million children.

Speaking in Isa Local Government Area of the state, during the flag-off, Tambuwal said, “Government has adopted many strategies in solving the menace of malaria and other health related diseases in the state.

According to him, the government has sponsored health personnel for capacity building ,provision of health care facilities and provision of essential drugs, among others.”

He said his administration “would pay more attention to human resources development, equipping of health care facilities and provision of medicament for effective and efficient services to the people at the grassroots.”

Tambuwal added that “the ongoing upgrading and renovation of health facilities at Yabo, Dogon Daji, Silame and Illela will soon be completed.”

news Edo 2016: INEC confirms Sept 10 election date

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Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

Commences training of presiding officers

Distributes PVCs Friday

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has confirmed September 10, as the date for governorship election in Edo State.

This was contained in a statement signed by chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and released in Benin, Edo State, on Monday.

It said that the notice of confirmation is in accordance with Section 46 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

According to the commission, the election process will commence at 800 a.m. in all polling units across the 18 local government areas in the state, with accreditation and voting conducted simultaneously.

It advised all eligible voters to ensure that they cast their votes only in centres where they registered.

It also said that only persons whose names appeared on the voter register and had valid voter card would vote in the election.

Meanwhile, INEC has commenced a three-day training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers ahead of the governorship election in the state.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO),of INEC in the state, Mrs Priscilla Sule, said on Monday, that the training would hold simultaneously in all the 18 local government areas of the state.

Sule said the trainees would take charge of the 2, 627 polling units and 4, 011 voting points in the state.

Also, INEC has started

sensitising market women in Edo State, in preparation for the governorship election, the commission’s PRO, has, said.

Sule made this known in Benin on Monday, saying the sensitisation was aimed at enlightening eligible women on the need to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and vote.

She said “we have been

sensitising them on the need to check their polling units and be sure that their names are among those cleared to vote.

“We also try to educate them on the need to seek assistance from any of the election officials at the polling units where it becomes necessary.’’

She urged the women to strive toward assert-

ing their rights, pointing out that they could only have a say in government if they participated in the process that determined who governed Edo State.

Meanwhile, INEC has said it would commence distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to registered voters in Edo State, on Friday, ahead of September10 governorship

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, addressing party faithful and supporters, at Urhonigbe, Orhiomwon Local Government Area of the state, on Monday.

PDP group vows to resist rigging Esan group drums up support for Ize-Iyamu, Yakubu Banji Aluko - Benin City

MEMBERS of the Edo PDP Youths Vanguard, have warned those allegedly planning to rig the September 10 governorship election to have a rethink, vowing to defend the people’s votes and mandate The group, which constitutes youths of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a press statement signed by its secretary-general, Andrew Umoru, said God that made it possible for governors, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Nyesom Wike of Rivers states, will also do it for the Edo PDP. The group urged all relevant stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, security agencies and the 19 political parties participating in the election to play by the rules in the interest of peace and democracy.

“Like the next governor

of Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had said, we love peace because war is very expensive. We are, however, not weak and those who plan to tamper with our mandate should get ready for the worst because we are ready to

defend our votes and mandate.’’

Meanwhile, an Esan socio-cultural group, the Ikolo Esan, is rallying the Esan nation of the Edo Central senatorial district to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) and

vote for the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor IzeIyamu, in the September 10 governorship election.

The group said the call became necessary because of what they described as the marginalisation of the Esan people.

At an interactive session in Benin city that was well attended by Esan sons and daughters within and outside the Edo State capital, participants agreed that the Esan nation had not fared well under the administration.

Obaseki shuns debate for governorship candidates Banji Aluko - Benin City

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday night, shunned a debate organised for governorship candidates of political parties in the state ahead of the election.

The debate that was put together by a group called Eggheads and tagged: ‘Mandate’, was the second debate Obaseki has shunned following the one organised by the Benson Idahosa University (BIU) earlier this month.

However, in a reaction, the deputy director in charge of communication,

media and publicity of the Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation, Greg Ogiogwa, said there was no need to take part in the debate, adding that they were not sure of its credibility, objectivity and impartiality, saying that the way and manner the invitation and publicity were put up, were not up to the standard.

“There is only one reputable debate organising group in Nigeria, the Nigeria Election Debate Group, which consists of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria and reputable media houses.

Meanwhile, 12 candidates of various political parties, including that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), KOWA, the Social

Democratic Party (SDP), the Action Alliance (AA) and the United Progressives Party (UPP) participated in the debate.

A candidate of the UPP, Adviser Nowamagbe, on the occasion, said he would recover stolen funds from past administrations in the state to provide stable electricity supply and adequate security.

Nowamagbe stunned the audience when he declared that he was prepared to swear at the Ogun shrine at the palace of the Oba of Benin to demonstrate his preparedness to adhere to his campaign promises, challenging other candidates to do the same.

When asked of his roles in the Lucky Igbinedion’s administration, the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, said it was a different thing being the Chief of Staff to the governor or Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and being the chief executive.

He said his campaign promises and how he planned to achieve them have been highlighted in a brochure, the Simple Agenda, which he said, contains his manifestos, adding that he has impacted positively in his Orhionmwon Local Government Area by empowering many and ensuring that road leading to his community was tarred.

election.

The deputy director, Voter Education and Publicity, at the commission, Mr Nick Dazang, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday, in Abuja.

Dazang said that the distribution of the cards would be done from Friday to Sunday at registration areas and wards across the state “for registered voters who are yet to obtain the PVC’’.

“The distribution of PVC in Edo State is tentatively and provisionally scheduled from September 2 to 4.

“This will afford the voters who have not collected their PVCs, the opportunity to exercise their civic rights in the governorship election scheduled for September 10,’’ Dazang said.

He, however, advised registered voters in the state, including those that were registered in the recent exercise, to ensure that they collected the cards within the stipulated period.

On preparation for the election, Dazang said that the commission was “fully ready’’ to conduct free, fair and credible poll in the state.

He said that while the commission had already distributed the nonsensitive materials, the sensitive items would be moved from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vault in Benin to the commission’s office for distribution on Wednesday.

He assured that smart card readers would be distributed in time and well charged ahead for effective performance during polling.

On security during the exercise, the director said that INEC had been meeting with security agencies under the platform of Inter- Agency Committee on Election Security (ICES).

According to him, the security committee is working to ensure a secured election environment.

“We are also having our final stakeholders meeting in Benin on Wednesday, to be addressed by the Chairman of INEC and the Inspector-General of Police as part of efforts to ensure that the election is peaceful,’’ he said.

37

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Emotional tribute to eight-year-old Italy quake victim

A

firefighter has written an emotional letter to an eightyear-old girl who died shielding her little sister when a powerful earthquake hit parts of Italy last week.

More than 290 people were killed and many more were injured by the earthquake and the country observed a national day of mourning on Saturday with flags at halfmast amid a state funeral for the victims.

“Hello little darling. I only managed to lend a hand to pull you out of your prison of rubble,” read the letter.

“Forgive us for arriving too late but you had stopped breathing by then. I want you to know that we did all we could to get to you.

“When I go to my home in L’Aquila, I will know that there is an angel watching over me from above. You will be a shining star in the night.”

The girl’s four-year-old sibling survived 16 hours under the rubble before she was pulled out by rescue workers.

“She’s doing well and the swelling has gone down,” her cousin Alex told Al Jazeera from a camp set up for those who lost their homes.

“She’s getting better, playing with dolls and watching cartoons. She’s four and spent 16 hours under the rubble, it’s a miracle [that she survived].”

The first funerals were held on Friday in Pomezia, south of Rome, home of six of the victims.

Al Jazeera reported from the town of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region, said

Some of the victims of the earthquake in Italy recently being rescued.

there was an “incredibly sorrowful” atmosphere at the funeral.

She said while most relat-

ives who lost loved ones are still in shock, some are angry that it took rescue crews so long to reach badly hit vil-

Brazil’s President Rousseff defends record at impeachment trial

Brazil’s president, Ms Dilma Rousseff.

BRAZIL’S suspended President Dilma Rousseff has defended her record during her impeachment trial in the Senate.

She is accused of illegally manipulating the budget to hide a growing deficit.

Ms Rousseff said her conscience was “absolutely clean” and that she had not

committed any crime.

Senators are due to vote later this week on whether to remove her from office for good or whether to reinstate her, BBC said.

Ms Rousseff is accused of moving funds between government budgets, which is illegal under Brazilian law.

Her critics say she was trying to plug deficit holes in popular social programmes to boost her chances of being re-elected for a second term in October 2014.

Ms Rousseff began her defence by reminding senators that she had been re-elected by more than 54 million

Clinton’s aide, Abedin, leaves husband, Weiner, after sexting report HUMA Abedin, one of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s top aides, said on Monday that she was separating from her husband, Anthony Weiner, after a sex scandal similar to an earlier incident that led him to resign from the United States Congress.

“After long and painful consideration and work on my marriage, I have made the decision to separate from my husband,” Huma Abedin said in a statement.

“Anthony and I remain devoted to doing what is best for our son, who is the light of our life. During this difficult time, I ask for respect for our privacy,” Abedin added.

lages.

Some are also questioning why supposedly quake-proof buildings collapsed.

Reuters reported that Abedin’s announcement follows a New York Post report late Sunday that New York mayoral candidate, Anthony Weiner Weiner recently sent and his wife, Huma Abedin. PHOTO: REUTERS photos of his boxerphoto of himself on his pubbrief-clad genitals – one while he was in bed with lic Twitter timeline instead their toddler son – via Twit- of via a direct message to a woman, as he had intended. ter to another woman.

When Weiner made a The photos were part of a months-long exchange second unsuccessful run for between Weiner and the wo- New York City mayor, expliman and many of the mes- cit photos surfaced in July sages were sexual in nature, 2013 that he had recently according to the Post report. sent under the pseudonym Weiner resigned in June “Carlos Danger” to a young 2011 from Congress, where woman in Indiana.

Weiner said he had underhe represented a New York City district, followed a sex- gone therapy after the first ting scandal in which he ac- sexting scandal, according cidentally posted an explicit to media reports.

voters.

She said she had always honoured and upheld the Constitution.

She also reminded senators of her past as a resistance fighter who opposed military rule.

She said that even when she was tortured she continued to fight.

Her fight, she said, had been for a more equal society and that the achievements of her government in that field were now “at risk”.

She added that she was determined to continue her fight against the attacks against her, which she said amounted to a “coup”.

Ms Rousseff said she had been “unjustly accused” of crimes she said she had not committed. “I can’t help but taste the bitterness of injustice,” she said.

otherNEWS Pretoria Girls High racism protest backed by SA minister A South African minister has thrown his support behind protesting female students, who accuse their high school of operating a racist hair Protesters of all ages have been gathering outside the policy. school gates this morning in solidarity. PHOTO: BBC Black pupils at the pupils say they are banned private Pretoria Girls High from having. say they have often been told The minister also criticised to straighten their hair. the school over student com“Schools should not be plaints that they had been used as a platform to dis- warned not to speak to each courage students from other in their own languages. embracing their African “It is unacceptable to ban identity,” Arts and Culture students from speaking their Minister Nathi Mthethwa African languages at school”, tweeted in support. he wrote on Twitter.

BBC however stated that “This is about our identity the school has not yet com- as black people. We’re tired mented. of being told to be less than The school’s code of con- what we are so we can fit in,” duct has a detailed list of one of the protesters told me. rules about hair, but does The reports of alleged ranot specifically mention the cism at the school have resafro hairstyle, which some onated across the country.

Acknowledge your defeat, opposition tells Gabon’s president

GABON opposition candidate Jean Ping called on President Ali Bongo on Monday to “acknowledge his defeat” in Saturday’s presidential election, a head-on challenge to the Bongo family’s half-century rule over the oil-rich nation.

After publishing numbers on Sunday that showed him comfortably in the lead based on a small percentage of votes, Ping called on Monday for Bongo to step down.

“I encourage Ali Bongo to submit to the verdict of the ballot box,” he told a news conference, without providing more voting figures.

Reuters revealed that Bongo’s camp also says it is

Gabon’s president, Ali Bongo

set to win and has accused Ping’s supporters of fraud.

On Twitter, his spokesman Alain Claude Bilie By Nzé called Ping’s news conference “the start of an odious attempt at a coup de force.”

Gabonese law forbids candidates from publishing their own results before the official count, expected on Tuesday.

The country’s interior minister called Ping’s move to pre-empt an official announcement of the poll results by declaring victory an attempt to manipulate the democratic process.

Gabon’s one-round election means the winner simply requires more votes than any other candidate. In 2009, Bongo won with 41.73 per cent of the vote.

A Ping victory would reverberate throughout a region where strongmen in power for decades have often used their control of state institutions and resources to fend off political competition.

Syria war: US warns over Turkish-Kurdish violence THE United States has said that fighting between Turkey, pro-Turkish rebels and Kurdish-aligned forces in northern Syria is “unacceptable” and must stop.

Clashes in places where socalled Islamic State (IS) was

Barrack Obama (right) and Recep Erdogan

not present were a “source of deep concern”, the US envoy to the anti-IS coalition tweeted.

Turkish forces have attacked what they say are Kurdish “terrorists” since crossing the border last week.

But the Kurdish YPG militia says Turkey just wants to occupy Syrian territory.

Ankara says it aims to push both

IS and Kurdish fighters away from its border.

Turkish forces and allied factions of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) forced IS out of the Syrian border city of Jarablus on Tuesday and have since pounded neighbouring villages held by Kurdish-led, US-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF).

The Turkish military carried out 61 artillery strikes around Jarablus over the past 24 hours Reuters news agency reported on Monday.

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 38 communitynews Abijaparako, Alagbara receive staff of office olayinka olukoya-abeokuta

OGUN State government has assured that it would leave no stone unturned towards engendering improved economy and all– round development of rural areas through the engagement of traditional rulers.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, gave the assurance at the installation and presentation of staff of office to Oba Aderemi Ogunye as the new Abijaparako of Ijebu-Igbo and Oba Lukman Agun-

Seaman’s Schnapps adds glamour to Osun Osogbo festival

By Bode Adewumi

IN its efforts to promote Nigeria’s culture and tradition, Seaman’s Schnapps from the stable of Grand Oak, added colour, glamour and style to the just concluded Osun Osogbo festival by not only promoting the traditional Ayo Olopon game, but by presenting gift to many participants at the event.

Ayo Olopon afforded lovers of the game the opportunity to showcase their skills in both the male and female categories.

The competition was aimed at deepening the Yoruba culture by encouraging men and women to play the traditional game.

Speaking on the occasion, the winner of the Ayo Olopon competition (male category), lauded Grand Oak Limited for its continued support for the sustenance of the game.

Also, Mrs. Bosede Arolasuyi, who won the female category, said: “my coming out to participate is to encourage other women to embrace the traditional game,” adding that, “May God continued to bless Seaman’s Schnapps, for rewarding the winners of the competition.”

Speaking during the courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed,who was represented by Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, said: “the present administration is totally committed to the continued preservation and sustenance of cultural heritage especially the sacred grove which is sine qua non to the beginning of existence of modern Osogbo as a city.”

biade, as the Alagbara of Agbara in Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Area of the state.

Amosun, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, in Ijebu-Igbo and Agbara respectively, pointed out that government would not relent in its effort at ensuring that dividends of democracy cut across the nooks and crannies of the state, urging the public at large to continuously support government by ensuring that peace reigns as a critical element in the promotion of meaningful development.

The new Abijaparako on his part, urged members of his community to join hands with him to restore the glory of the land with a passionate appeal to the youth to tread the path of peace and progress.

At the installation and presentation of staff and instrument of office to Oba Agunbiade, the governor pointed out that the installation was the second in Yewa Traditional Coun-

cil in less than two weeks.

He said: ‘’All hands must be on deck to pave the way for the speedy development of this area. We all know that government alone cannot meet all the needs of the people, hence

the need to embrace the spirit of communal efforts.”

Oba Agunbiade, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the governor and his team, Agbara kingmakers, the ruling house and members

of the community, noting that his ascension to the throne was divine.

The Transition Committee Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdul Mojeed Ekelojumati, expressed de-

light in the consideration and approval of the installation by the governor and appealed to the people to come out en-masse to exercise their franchise in the up-coming local government elections.

From left, the Olugedegede of Gedegede, Oba Walidu Sanni; Elerikiti of Eriti Akoko, Oba Ogunleye Amos Sunday; Oluyani of Iyani Kingdom, Oba Joel Sunday Dauda; the Gbaluwe of Igbotu Kingdom, Oba Ajayi Adeniyi; Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Federick Akinrutan; Onibuyi of Ibuyi, Oba Rufus Akinrimade; Olubara of Ibaramu Akoko, Oba Olusegun Atibioke and the Oluro of Uro-Ajowa Akoko, Oba Ipinmoroji Timothy Adeyemi, after the meeting of traditional rulers on Conflict Resolution and Unity in Yorubaland in Akure, Ondo State, recently. PHOTO: Hakeem Gbadamosi.

‘Don’t go ahead with LCDAs creation’

A

community leader in Erunmu, Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, Chief Simeon Funmilayo Adeweso, has decried the slow pace of development at the grass roots, just as he advised the state government against the planned creation of additional 35 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.

Chief Adeweso gave the advice in Erunmu, at the weekend, while speaking with newsmen on the recent announcement by the state government on its intention to create additional 35 LCDAs in the state.

According to him, “creation of additional 35 LCDAs is unconstitutional. The mushroom councils will be phased out as soon as local governments get autonomy.

They are not the solution to underdevelopment at the grass roots, especially when one considers the fact that existing local governments

in the state are not viable enough to stand on their own.

Creation of LCDAs and the attendant duplicity of political offices will further eat into the meagre federal allocation being received by the existing local government areas.”

Rather than creating LCDAs, Chief Adeweso suggested that the existing

local government areas be broken down into administrative units for efficiency, productivity and rapid development as it operates in advanced countries.

He said: ‘It was the same developmental drive that informed the decision of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo to decentralise the

Western Region by creating divisional offices to oversee the affairs of the various parts of the old Western Region when he was the Premier of the region,” he said.

While emphasizing the importance of local government areas to the socioeconomic and political development of any country,

Ubulu-Uku community makes 18-year-old king September 5 alphonsus agborh-asaba

SEVEN months after the gruesome murder of the traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Highness, Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue III, by suspected herdsmen, his son, Noah Chukwuka Akaeze I, will be crowned on September 5, 2016 as the new royal father.

According to a letter from Government House in Asaba, the ceremony which

holds at the royal palace in Ubulu-Uku, will be presided over by the governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who will present the Staff of Office to the new king. This followed the conclusion of traditional and official processes for the crowning of Obi Akaeze I, who is 18 years old.

The Delta State government had earlier issued a letter of formal recognition to the new king on the recommendation of Ubulu-Uku Council of Chiefs, the Council of Tradi-

tional Rulers of Aniocha South Local Government Area and the chairman of the local government area.

According to a press statement issued by the Secretary to Ubulu-Uku Royal Palace and Obi-in-Council, Barrister Joe Obazei, the official coronation of Obi Akaeze I was delayed due to the death manner of the passing of Obi Ofulue III after his kidnap. He stated that the anxiety and tension created by the murder having died down, it was time Ubulu-

IBNELG sensitises residents, traders to flood disaster IN compliance with the Oyo State government’s directive, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ibadan North- East Local Government Area of the state, Mr Rasheed Afuye, has sensitised residents living in the area to flood disaster.

While addressing residents and traders, the local government boss warned them to desist from dumping refuse in drainages, streams, road median, waterways and display of

Adeweso called for shared responsibilities among the three tiers of government.

“The federal, states and local governments must make their presence felt at the grass roots in relation to education, healthcare, welfare scheme for the elderly as well as other social amenities,” he said.

goods on roadsides.

He said the sensitisation campaign was necessitated by the recent flood alert by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, which named Oyo State as one of the floodprone states during this year’s rainy season.

He also commended the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for embarking on environmental rejuvenation such as the introduction of weekly environmental sanitation, dredging of riv-

ers, beautification and landscaping of environment.

He noted that the local government had also taken proactive measures in this direction by embarking on dredging of Onipepeye River and others.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Ayokomi Adisa, advised the people not to stay under high tension wire during heavy downpour, avoid submerged bridges and

ensure proper waste disposal.

Also, in his remarks, the Local Government’s Director of Environmental and Health Services, Mr. M. A. Tijani, said environmental officers will not relent at ensuring strict compliance with environmental sanitation laws.

Some of the places visited during the sensitisation campaign were Iwo Road, Gate, Oje, Bere, Oranyan and Basorun markets.

Uku moved on.

Chief Obazei thanked all Ubulu-Uku chiefs, sons and daughters for presenting a united front in those trying times occasioned by Obi Ofulue III’s abduction and death.

He also thanked all wellwishers who showed concern.

He extended an invitation to such people of goodwill to be part of the dawn of a new era in the kingdom.

“You mourned with us in our trying times, please come felicitate with us in our joyous moment,” Chief Obazei stated.

He also thanked Governor Okowa, for his support to the kingdom since the report of the kidnap of the late Obi. Chief Obazei stated that while the people of UbuluUku Kingdom are moving on after losing their king, the police and other security agencies still have a duty of giving justice to the people by prosecuting those associated with the kidnap and murder of their late king.

The ceremony is expected to be attended by all sons and daughters of Ubulu-Uku at home and in the diaspora.

39

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Nigeria’s Sadiq Umar (middle) challenged by a Japanese player during their group match at the just-ended Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Nigeria Premier League standard impresses S-West NRA

By Niyi Alebiosu

THE South West zone of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), has applauded the current developments and progress of the Nigeria Premier League being administered by the League Management Company (LMC).

This, the zone believed was as a result of the excellent performances of referees, just as it reposed confidence in the national leadership and executive of the association under the presidency of Mr Tade Azeez.

This was contained in the communique issued at the end of its zonal meeting held last Saturday and made available to Tri-

NFF should take glory for Rio Olympics bronze —Adamu

F

ORMER Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Amos Adamu, has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), to take full responsibility for the bronze medal outing of the Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics 2016.

Adamu noted that, the NFF under the leadership of Amaju Pinnick took a vital decision in sending the Dream Team VI to Atlanta, USA for intensive camping. Even when the minister denied the presence of the team in Atlanta, the NFF continued with the camping exercise. It was this persistence that eventually earned Team Nigeria the only medal at the Rio Olympics.

“The truth of the matter is that, if Amaju had waited like the other sports federations’ president for the Sports Ministry’s funds which came two weeks to the Rio Games, to commence serious camping for the Games, the Olympic soccer team

wouldn’t have been well prepared to win bronze.

“It is imperative that the NFF should stand firm to take the glory for helping Nigeria not to return empty-handed from the Rio Olympics just as it was the case at the London 2012 Games.

“As little as the bronze

medal looks, it is better than nothing. I want to commend the leadership of the NFF for its visionary decision. This will also help the career of the players and officials who are today proud winners of an Olympic medal. I am in sports and I know how difficult it is to win a medal in

the Olympics,” he said.

The former FIFA and CAF executive committee member also denied report attributed to him, where he was quoted to have said that the Eagles is doomed following the employment of Gernot Rohr as technical adviser of the national team.

Rio 2016: Ejidike calls for sports sector reform NIGERIA’S Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike has called for urgent revitalisation of the sports sector following the unimpressive performance of the country’s contingent to the justended Rio Olympics.

In a statement made available by his media aide, Prince Olayioye Ajide, he noted that Nigeria is fast retrogressing in international meets.

He emphasised the need to overhaul the whole system be it facilities, admin-

Nigerian football gives me sleepless nights —Lulu Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

ERSTWHILE President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, has said that he felt bitter and sad with the state of Nigerian football.

The country's senior national team, the Super Eagles, failed to berth a place in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), while the defending FIFA U-17 world champions, the Golden Eaglets were bundled out of next year's African U-17 AFCON by the Junior Menas of Niger Republic meaning Nigeria would not be available to defend the cadet

World Cup title.

Speaking shortly after being honoured by the Kogi State government last weekend with Sports Excellence Award as part of activities marking the state's 25th anniversary, Lulu declared that as a Nigerian he was sad with what was happening to Nigerian football.

"Naturally as a Nigerian and someone who has served at that level, I feel so bitter, I feel so sad," declared the former NFF boss However, the former Director of Sports at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, appealed to Nigerians to give the current NFF board the

opportunity to redeem itself by correcting whatever that might have gone wrong.

"We should give the actors the opportunity to transform the system in line with what the Federal Government wants," he said and admitted thatthose running the affairs of the country's football were going through some challenges.

"Though, during my tenure at the NFF, we never had the enabling environment and we were so definite on the type of contracts we entered into because for you to succeed, you must look for a genuine kit sponsors and

bunesport which was signed by the South West zonal co-ordinator, Mr James Odeniran.

The communique also commended the leadership of the NRA for its proactive action on the welfare of its members over the recent ugly incidents in Delta, Akwa and Ekiti states.

“We have to express commendation to the LMC for the rapid development in our league and at the same repose confidence in the leadership of our noble association in its quest to improve the standard of officiating and at the same the welfare of our members in the recent ugly attacks in Delta, Akwa and Ekiti states,” the communique reads in part.

ensure that they live up to the terms of their contracts.

"There is no doubt that those saddled with the responsibilities in NFF now are going through some challenges because they are wearing the shoes now and know where it pinch them.

"I believe they should be able to plan properly, identify sponsors and make sure that all the sponsors live up to their responsibilities by fulfilling all the terms of the contract which should be to the benefit of Nigerian football. I think this can be done; it is all about determination and commitment," Lulu stated.

istrative structures, training, technical, promotion and development of sports which he noted are highly imperative if Nigeria must occupy her rightful position in the world of sports.

Ejidike noted that, the performances of the Nigerian athletes and players at the Rio Olympics were manifestation of the country’s poor preparations toward the meet.

“Now is the right time to find our rhythm ahead of the next Olympics in 2020 by overhauling the sector which will be a springboard for progressive performance in all future international meets.

“Even the bronze medal won by the U-23 team was as a result of their self effort as there was no motivation as such. Imagine a situation where John Mikel Obi had to pay for players’ hotel accommodation. Under such arrangement, how do you expect brilliant results? No progressive programme for athletes, no consistent research findings and development that will discover budding talents. We need sports revitalisation,” remarked Ejidike who is also the president, Karate Federation of Nigeria.

He added that with sound sports policies and implementation, Nigeria has a bright future in the sector.

SIDELINES

NO 16,578

TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST, 2016

On Wednesday, 120 people died in a Central Italy earthquake. Scientists boast of their many inventions, yet they have no answers when nature asks disturbing questions, for instance through earthquakes. So how does anyone go through life, armed with science alone?

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Tanzania clash:

Ideye, Imoh land in Eagles’ camp

Siasia

Rio Olympics fallout :

Siasia had no official car as Dream Team coach —NFF T Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Monday, said that there was no clause assigning official car to Samson Siasia in his contract as the head coach of the national U-23 team, the Dream Team.

Siasia, who led Nigeria’s U-23 team to a bronze finish at the just-ended Rio Olympics was reported last weekend to have said his official car was taken away from his wife.

“Even before I returned from the Olympics, the only car they gave me, they took it away from my wife. That is just awesome.

“That is not how to treat someone who was out there seeking glory for the nation.

Let them eat their national team,” Siasia, who led the Olympics Eagles to win silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics was quoted as saying by a national daily.

NFF’s Deputy Director (Communications), Ademola Olajire, while reacting to the issue in a telephone

chat with Tribunesport, declared that Siasia’s contract with the NFF did not include provision of an official car.

“The question you should ask him is, did his contract with the NFF as U-23 team coach include provision of any official car?

“The car in question was newly brought when Sunday Oliseh got the Super Eagles job. So, when Siasia handled the Eagles for two matches in March, the car was given to him as there was no immedi-

ate need for it in the absence of a substantive Super Eagles coach,” Olajire said.

The NFF spokesman further cleared the air on Siasia’s alleged resignation.

“There is no need for any resignation from him. His contract with the NFF expired at the end of the Rio Olympics. The coaching crew’s job ended with the Olympics,” Olajire told Tribunesport.

On the issue of backlog of salary owed the former Super Eagles coach, Olajire informed that Siasia would be paid as

OLYMPIACOS striker, Brown Ideye as well as Rio 2016 Olympics star, Imoh Ezekiel are among the early arrivals at the Super Eagles training camp in Uyo ahead of Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.

Other players confirmed to be in Uyo as of the time of this report are Turkey-based Musa Mohammed, Kano Pillars defender, Jamiu Alimi, Rangers goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel and youngster, Victor Osimhen.

This is the first-ever callup for Nigeria’s U-20 striker Osimhen, who will sign a professional contract with German Bundesliga out-

fit, Wolfsburg next January.

Officials also disclosed that the newly-employed Eagles technical adviser, German Gernot Rohr along with his assistants and “a handful” of players will also join up later today after a flight delay from Lagos.

Already, Coach Salisu Yusuf who led the Eagles to the last two games and assistant coach, Imama Amapakabo are in Uyo for the game.

Nigeria takes on Tanzania in a final AFCON qualifier on Saturday.

Both teams have been eliminated from the competition, but the Super Eagles will use the game to prepare for a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Zambia on October 3.

soon as funds were available to the federation.

The coach, who led the Flying Eagles to a second-place finish at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup had told BBC Sport at the weekend that he had enough of Nigerian football.

“I have reached that point where I have to say I have had enough. I’ve gone several months without getting paid, years of being derided and disrespected by the sports authorities in Nigeria but I am done already,” he said.

Ideye

Kenya officials docked over alleged theft TWO Kenyan Olympic officials have been granted bail after appearing in court over alleged mismanagement of the national team at the justended Rio Olympics.

Francis Paul, the secretary-general of the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (Nock), Pius Ochieng, Nock’s vice chairman, and a third man, Stephen Soi, are be-

ing investigated for theft, abuse of office and neglect of duty.

The officials are blamed for a series of problems facing Kenya’s athletes.

They have made no comment.

Bail for Mr Paul and Mr Ochieng was set at $2,000 (£1,530). Mr Soi had already been released from police custody for medical reasons and his bail will be

set on Wednesday ( tomorrow) .

The charges against them have not been finalised and the police have a further 21 days to investigate before the men next appear in court.

BBC in Nairobi, reports that athletes have complained about kit going missing, as well as poor travel and accommodation arrangements for the just-

ended Olympics.

There have also been complaints that officials took friends to Rio de Janeiro at the expense of coaches being able to travel.

Team captain, Wesley Korir, who is also an independent MP, has been outspoken about the problems.

He said that the athletes had been put through

“hell” while staying in poor accommodation after the Olympic village was closed.

BBC further reports that the situation has become known as “the Rio fiasco”.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for an investigation into what went wrong.

Kenya came 15th on the Olympics medal table, winning 13 medals overall, including six golds.

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. 30/8/2016.