30th November 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,381

MONDAY, 30 NOVEMBER, 2015

Synagogue building collapse:

T.B. Joshua, engineers for trial today —P8

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Boko Haram kills 7, abducts unspecified number of girls near Buratai's village —P2

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STOCK MARKET TOP 5 GAINERS

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How Abacha loot was spent —World Bank

FULL REPORT ON PAGE 12

—P2

Save us from Fulani terrorists, IDPs cry out to Buhari —P4

Terror thrives where good people keep mute —Buhari —P4

President Muhammadu Buhari, being received by the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Mongunno (second left); Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyema; Nigerian Ambassador to France, Mr Akeem Olawale Suleiman (second right) and the Nigerian Defence Attaché to France, Group Captain Bashiru Maman, as President Buhari arrives at the Paris Le Bourget Airport, France, to participate in the Climate Change conference... on Sunday.

Kogi: APC leaders plan crisis meeting today, may unveil Yahaya Bello •INEC doing hatchet job for APC —Wada

—P2

We'll mobilise our members against downward review of minimum wage —NASU —P15

news

Monday, 30 November, 2015

How Abacha loot was spent —World Bank

OCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has “received several documents from the World Bank totalling over 700 pages on information on the spending of recovered assets stolen by the late General Abacha, with some of the documents suggesting that Abacha loot was spent on roads, electricity, education, health and water.” This information was disclosed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, in a statement dated November 29, 2015. The organisation said, “SERAP can confirm that last week we received several documents from Ann May of the Access to Information Team of the World Bank following our Access to Information Request to the bank. We also received a letter dated November 24, 2015 from Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, Director of the World Bank in Africa. “In total, SERAP has received over 700 pages of documents, which we are now closely studying and scrutinising with a view to discovering whether the documents contain details that Nigerians would like to see and whether the information corresponds to the facts on the ground. After this analysis, we will respond to the bank and consider our options, including filing an appeal before the bank’s Access to Information Appeals Board and taking other appropriate legal actions nationally and internationally to discover what exactly happened to Abacha recovered loot,” the organisation said. The organisation said that “In the meantime, our preliminary review of some of the documents and the letter from Mr Rachid Benmessaoud have revealed certain facts which raise more questions about what exactly happened to Abacha loot: First, that Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as Minister of Finance, in a letter dated January 9, 2005, explained to the bank that around $500million (N65 billion) of Abacha loot received from Switzerland was programmed into and spent in the 2004 and 2005 budgets on roads, electricity, education, water and health across all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. “Second, Mrs OkonjoIweala explained to the

bank that N18.60billion was spent on roads; N10.83billion spent on health; N7billion spent on education; N6.20billion spent on water; and N21.70billion spent on electricity. She also said that part of the funds was spent on new and ongoing investment projects. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said that relevant federal ministries have the full details on the spending of repatriated Abacha loot. The bank noted that there was no funds monitoring and tracking

mechanism in place to trace the spending of Abacha loot,” the organisation also disclosed. “Thirdly, Mr Rachid Benmessaoud confirmed that the World Bank played a monitoring role in a return of assets by Switzerland but that the bank is not currently involved in the monitoring of spending of Abacha loot that has been returned to Nigeria in recent years. He said that the bank would be prepared to set up a mechanism to monitor the use of Abacha

loot if the Nigerian government request the bank’s assistance in this respect. “Given Mrs OkonjoIweala’s involvement in the spending of Abacha loot, SERAP calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently probe the role of the Ministry of Finance and relevant federal ministries at the time in the spending of Abacha loot particularly given the strong allegations of mismanagement that characterised the use of the funds,” the organisation said.

“Although Mrs OkonjoIweala said that Abacha loot was spent in the 2004 and 2005 budgets on roads, electricity, education, water and health across all six geo-political zones of Nigeria, there is no evidence of such projects as millions of Nigerians continue to travel on dead roads, while they continue to lack access to adequate electricity supply, water, health and quality education. Therefore, President Buhari can no longer continue to remain silent on this issue of public interest if

Nigerians are to continue to trust him in his fight against corruption,” the organisation also said. It will be recalled that in a letter dated October 15, 2015 and signed by Ann May of the Access to Information Team, the World Bank said that “In response to your request under AI3982, we would like to inform you that we are still considering your request and need additional time to provide you with a more comprehensive response.”

APC leaders plan crisis meeting today •May unveil Yahaya Bello By Taiwo Adisa and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja THE leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have been caught in a wave of dilemma, following the controversy that continues

to dog the planned resolution of the Kogi governorship debacle. Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune confirmed on Sunday that the leadership of the party planned a crisis meeting today, after which it would

announce Alhaji Yahaya Bello as a replacement for the late Abubakar Audu. A source in the APC said the party was grappling with three critical headaches, adding that talks among party leaders between Sunday and today

should yield the way forward. "We are currently grappling with three kinds of headaches right now. One is the insistence of Honourable James Faleke as the right candidate to replace the late Audu and the

INEC's position on Kogi is a hatchet job —Wada Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja GOVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State, on Sunday, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of carrying out a hatchet job by not declaring him winner of the governorship election in the state. According to a statement by the Chief Communications Manager to the governor, Mr Phrank Shaibu, the governor said having had more time to study the decision of INEC, he was

left with no choice but to conclude that the commission embarked on a hatchet job. Wada said in view of the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abubakar Audu, he should be declared the winner of the botched election, being the only surviving candidate with the majority of lawful votes cast in the election held on November 21. He said the conclusion was reinforced by the fact that “whatever votes Audu scored in the election died

with him,” adding that INEC simply overreached itself and wondered why a body established to be the custodian of the rule of law would ignore the fundamentals of the rule of law in arriving at the decision not to issue him a certificate of return. The statement described as specious, INEC's argument that APC’s right to substitution was sustained by the Electoral Act, saying the electoral body should know that it was for the court, not the commission,

to determine which course of action was effective or not. The governor said in arriving at the decision, INEC only carried out the directives of the Attorney General of the Federation, arguing that the AGF was not competent to issue directives to INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate. He added that such directives were null and void for inconsistency with the provisions of the constitution.

Boko Haram kills 7, abducts teenage girls near Buratai’s village James Bwala -Maiduguri NO fewer than four persons were killed, while unspecified numbers of teenage girls were abducted in Bam Village, about 7 kilometres away from Buratai village, the hometown of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai. Also in Gajiganna village of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State, the insurgents also killed three persons, including a soldier and carted away foodstuff. A resident of the Bam village, who fled to Miringa town, Mallam Ali Bam, told the Nigerian Tribune on phone that the insurgents came at about 3:30 a.m and set the whole village ablaze, after killing four people. According to him, the insurgents also abducted un-

specified number of teenage girls. A member of the Civilian JTF from Gajiganna, Mallam Aliyu Jibrin, told the

Nigerian Tribune that the insurgents, who came at about 8.30 p.m. on Friday, shot sporadically to scare people away, killed

one man, one woman and a soldier and carted away a lot of foodstuff befor they set ablaze the whole shops in the village.

Allow rules of engagement, COAS warns troops By Oluwatoyin Malik THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has directed that troops be sensitised and recommitted to the code of conduct and rules of engagement governing the conduct of troops deployed for internal security operations. The General Officer Commanding of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, MajorGeneral Laz Ilo, disclosed this recently during a press briefing held at the headquarters of the Division, in Ibadan. Major-General Ilo said

that this became expedient as a result of the gaps and, in some cases, outright negligence and misconduct which had been observed to be perpetrated by some of the troops. The GOC, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Timothy Antigha, said that COAS’s directive was to ensure a responsive and responsible organisation committed to securing the lives and property of all Nigerians from both internal and external threats. Explaining the reason behind the deployment of troops, Ilo said that the in-

ternal security situation in Nigeria had required that the Nigerian Army deploy personnel in virtually all states of the federation, including those within 2 Division’s area of responsibility. Quoting the provisions of Section 217 (2) (c), the GOC said that the code of conduct and rules of engagement set out the circumstances and limitations under which armed force might be applied to achieve military objectives in furtherance of government policy during internal security operations.

second is the refusal of the people of Kogi East senatorial district to accept the choice of Yahaya Bello. "There is also the issue of refusal of the chosen candidate and the existing running mate to work together," the source said. The dilemma facing the party leaders grew further on Saturday, following the insistence of Faleke that he was the right candidate to replace Audu. The source stated that while the decision to pick Yahaya Bello could not be faulted, as he was the runner-up in the primaries, the tough task was how to ensure the new candidate and the running mate work together for the good of the APC. It was learnt that a meeting of the leadership slated for today at the party's national secretariat would attempt to find solutions to all outstanding issues, after which the party would officially unveil its replacement for Abubakar Audu. "There is a crisis meeting planned for the party's secretariat today. It is expected that the meeting will help us sort out the lingering headaches. "If we get that through, we will be in a position to announce the replacement for Audu. The leaders are really hopeful of the Monday’s meeting," another source close to the party said on Sunday. The meeting is seen as a make or mar sitting, as the clock ticks towards the supplementary election already fixed for December 5 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Though effort to get party officials to confirm the development proved abortive, but a source close to the party confided in the Nigerian Tribune that Alhaji Bello would be presented to the public officially today.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

news Terror thrives where good people are silent —Buhari 4

Leon Usigbe - Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday observed that violent extremism and terrorism can only thrive and endure if good people remain idle and complacent. He made the declaration while speaking on behalf of other participating African Heads of State and Government at the closing of the Executive Session of the 2015 Commonwealth Summit in Malta. Buhari said that he was confident that terrorism will be ultimately defeated with greater international cooperation and collaboration. “We have had the opportunity to discuss, in a serene atmosphere, wide ranging issues that are of great significance, not only to the members of the Commonwealth but to the entire global community,” he stated. According to him, “Of particular note is the Action Statement on Climate Change, which is expected to herald our commitment to saving the planet for present and future generations. “Of equal significance are our deliberations on Radicalization and Violent Extremism. We are witnesses to the growing phenomenon of terrorism that is affecting us all, whether big or small. “The reign of terror will only succeed if peaceloving people choose to remain idle. But I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will defeat this scourge and restore peace.” While he reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Nigeria and other African member-countries to the promotion and protection of the core values of the Commonwealth, President Buhari also said: “I came into power via democratic principles and values espoused by this same body. Nigeria as a country will continue to protect and promote these democratic ideals.” He thanked the outgoing Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, for his exemplary service to the Commonwealth, assuring, “We in Nigeria will not forget his five memorable visits to our country dur-

Monday, 30 November, 2015

ing his tenure. As this is his last CHOGM in his present capacity, I know I speak for my colleagues from Af-

rica in expressing our immense gratitude and best wishes to him.” Buhari also congratu-

lated the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General-elect, Rt. Honourable Patricia Janet Scotland, with as-

surances that Nigeria and other African members of the Commonwealth would fully support her.

Executive Director, Dangote Foundation, Hajiya Halimat Dangote (left), presenting the prototype of the Hajiya Mariya Sanusi Dantata ultralmodern medical complex donated by Dangote Foundation, to the Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during the visit of the foundation to the Government House, on Saturday.

Buhari joins 150 world leaders for Paris COP21 Leon Usigbe - Paris PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari was scheduled to arrive Paris, France, Sunday evening to join about 150 other world leaders for the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) which aims to get nations to agree on how to deal with the issue of climate change. Even though governments have already committed themselves to limiting green house gas

emissions that interfere with the climate, there is no agreement yet on practical actions to take. This Paris meeting is therefore seen as the last chance to arrive at concrete binding resolutions over issues which have been discussed every year since 1992 under the auspices of the United Nations. President Buhari was expected to leave for Paris from Malta where he had participated in the

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He will present Nigeria’s statement at the opening session on Monday before participating in the launching of the International Solar Alliance same day, an initiative of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who has invited around 110 nations to join the alliance. The alliance is to be named the International

Save us from Fulani terrorists, Taraba IDPs cry to President Sylvanus Viashima -Jalingo INTERNALLY displaced persons (IDPs) in Taraba State yesterday called on President Mohammadu Buhari to save them from incessant attacks from terrorists disguising as Fulani herdsmen. The call came on the heels of recent Fulani herdsmen attack in Dan-Anacha, Gassol Local Government Area of the state where one person was killed and two others injured while on their farm in the area. Mr Iorumbur David whose two sons; Tertsea Iorumbur and Theophilus Iorumbur, were among the injured in the attack, told the Nigerian Tribune that the herdsmen killed one person on a nearby farm before attacking his

sons who were harvesting beans. “They were on the farm harvesting when suddenly the herdsmen came with their cattle and started eating up the farm. “My sons ran to DanAnacha and informed the police who accompanied them to the farm. But on arrival, the herdsmen who were well armed with AK47 removed their cutlasses and cut the crops down, while the police fled the scene,” he said. Iorumbur who spoke on behalf of the displaced farmers in Gassol said they returned to their places late August this year after they were chased away by the same Fulani terrorists parading as herdsmen. He said they managed to plant what they could eat,

“but today, all our farms have become grazing fields for Fulani herdsmen,” he lamented. He lamented that since the tribunal judgment nullified Ishaku’s election, the herdsmen had intensified attacks on IDP returnees in the area, killing at least six people and destroyed farms worth millions of naira. When contacted, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joseph Kwaji, confirmed the attack but said no life was lost. “They were actually attacked on their farm, but the police quickly moved in and rescued them alive. They are now receiving treatment at a private hospital in Dan-Anacha,” Kwaji said

Agency for Solar Policy and Application (InSPA) and is aimed at a host of African nations and others located between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. The president will thereafter attend a summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic which has been scheduled to take place on Tuesday on the sidelines of the COP21. Deliberations at the Paris meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic will focus mainly on the war against Boko Haram and other security issues of common interest to participating countries. Also on Tuesday, the president has been scheduled to participate in another COP21 sideline event entitled “The Conference on Climate Change and African Solutions” organised by the African Union (AU). Participating with the president at the meetings will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed and the National Security Adviser, Maj.-General Babagana Monguno (retd.) Meanwhile, France authorities have mounted right security to ensure the safety of the event following the deadly terrorist attacks that struck Paris recently.

Dangote: N7bn Kano hospital to be completed in 2016 CHIEF Executive of the Dangote Foundation, Hajiya Halima Dangote, has revealed that the ongoing construction of a multibillion naira state-of-the-art Operating Theatre and Diagnostic Centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital is due for completion next year. Hajiya Dangote made this revelation when her team visited the Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the weekend. She said the Operating Theatre and Diagnostic Centre would cost the foundation a staggering N7billion. She attributed the earlier delay to technical hitches and said the new contractor, Dantata and Sawoe, have returned to site. She also said that the routine immunisation programme of the foundation is being extended to Bauchi, Yobe, Maiduguri and Katsina states. She added that the foundation’s Business School’s Project at the Bayero University, Kano, has gulped N524 million, even as it injected N500 million into Kano School of Technology. Hajiya Dangote also revealed that the foundation is determined to build a 500MW of electricity station in Kano. She described some of the projects as “game changing projects” to be completed in the next two years.

...as govt reiterates commitment to stamp out insurgency Kola Oyelere - Kano KANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has reiterated government’s commitment to stamp out insurgency in the state and the country at large. Ganduje disclosed this during a visit to the site of Friday’s bomb blast at Dakasoye on Zaria Highway in Garun Malam Local Government Area of the state. He described the attack as another unfortunate incidence that resulted in the loss of innocent lives. “We learnt that two of the insurgents were inside the procession. One was captured before detonating what he was carrying and the other one immediately exploded. We also learnt that 21 died, but nobody can say precisely, because the Shi’ite took all the dead along and also the insurgent who did not detonate the bomb he was carrying,” the governor maintained.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

news

Monday, 30 November, 2015

I accepted TASUED honorary degree because of HID, Tai Solarin —OBJ •As HID bags posthumous award Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

IGERIA’S former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said his acceptance of the honorary degree of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, was because of the contributions of the duo of the late Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo and foremost educationist, late Tai Solarin, to the development of education in the country. Obasanjo gave this reason in his acceptance speech at the sixth and seventh combined convocation ceremonies of TASUED held on Saturday. The ceremony witnessed the conferment of post -humous honorary degree on the late matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty and business mogul, Alhaji

Aliko Dangote. The former president said “I really don’t indulge in accepting university degrees but, a number of reasons are adduced to why this has become a must for me. One is the name, Tai Solarin, who in his life time showed great commitment to education development. Two, for our Mama HID Awolowo, to join in the company of where she has

been honoured. It is also because of the 10th anniversary of the university. I consider it an honour to come and join in the celebration and lastly, because it is the first University of Education in Nigeria. For these reasons, I found it irresistible not to be here.” On why the proposed Federal Universities of Education had failed to

take off 12 years after he had left office, the former president maintained that only the National Universities Commission (NUC) could shed light on it. He noted that the Federal Government, during his administration proposed the upgrading of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, Alvan Ikoku College of Education and two others in Kano and

Zaria into full fledged university status, but got setback from the NUC. He commended the former governor Gbenga Daniel’s administration for establishing the first of its kind University of Education in the country. The posthumous award for HID Awolowo was received by her eldest daughter, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran.

New Telegraph constitutes board, appoints new editors Shola Adekola-Lagos

THE Board of Directors of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited has constituted its board and effected changes in the management of the New Telegraph newspapers. The board, in a statement issued on Sunday, approved the appointment of Alhaji Idi Farouk, a former Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), as the Chairman of the Board of New Telegraph. Other board members include Chief Solo Akuma; Mr Emeka Abone; Mr Olakunle Gidado, Managing Director, BP West Africa, and Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph, Mrs Funke Egbemode. The Daily Editor, Mr Yemi Ajayi is now the Managing Editor, Business and Strategy, while the Deputy Editor, Daily, Mr Emeka Obasi, becomes the Managing Editor, Publication and Operations. The Sunday Editor, Mr Emeka Madunagu, has been appointed the Managing Editor (South) while the Saturday Editor, Mr Lawrence Ani, is the Managing Editor, North and Abuja. Also, the board approved the appointments of new editors for New Telegraph titles. Mr Ayodele Ojo is the Daily Editor while Mr Geoffrey Ekenna is the Deputy Editor, Daily/ Group Head of Newsroom. Mrs Juliet Bumah is the new Sunday Editor while Mr Waheed Bakare takes charge of the Saturday Telegraph. Mr Felix Nwaneri is the new Group Political Editor.

From left, Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and TASUED’s Pro-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, after the award of Doctor of Science (Edu.) in Political Science on Chief Obasanjo, to mark the 10th anniversary and 2015 convocation ceremonies of the university, at the weekend.

FG to fund African water facility with $1m Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

THE Federal Government has revealed that it is set to contribute the sum of $1 million for the funding of African Water Facility. This was revealed by the President Muhammadu Buhari at an event to mark the 10th Africa Water Facility (AWF) anniversary celebration, held in Abuja Making the announce-

ment in Abuja on Friday, Buhari called on African countries to make more investment into the development and management of water in Africa. Represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, President Buhari noted that about $20 billion was needed to develop a robust water infrastructure in the continent, adding that, “As

it is our custom to take the lead in worthy causes, I am pleased to announce that the Nigerian government hereby pledges to contribute the sum of $1million. “The greatest challenge the AWF continues to face is the need to secure adequate funds. In fact the funding gap is almost at a critical point. The AWF urgently needs to receive indication of pledges at this

State govt not interfering in our finances —Kwara ALGON chairman Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kwara State, Alhaji Amadu Okandeji, has described the existing relationship between the state and the 16 local governments in the state as that of an elder and younger-brother of same mother. Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin at the weekend, Alhaji Okandeji, who is also the chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area, said that the state government had never meddled in the finances of the councils.

He said the controlling body for the disbursement of finances had been the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) which he said disburses fund on monthly basis. “There are three areas that bind our relationship. There was a time we had problems with payment of primary and junior secondary school teacher’s salary. They are under SUBEB. Then the Federal Government directed that their salaries should be a priority. “Second, we have joint project account, which we voluntarily subscribed to and it has statutory backing. We have been deriv-

ing much benefit. There are some of these capital intensive projects that can not be solely done by local governments. So we make our own counterpart contributions while the state does its own too. If the project is initiated by the local government, the initiating local government will contribute 60 per cent of the cost while the state government will complement with 40 per cent. But if the project is initiated by the state government, the state government will contribute 60 per cent while thebenefitting local government will pay 40 per cent.”

meeting today. “The cascading effect of water development is crucial to the attainment of all other development goals contained in the almost expired Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the evolving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” “Statistics has shown that Africa is facing challenges in the development and management of its water resources potential to meet portable water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower and tran-boundary water management. “The financing requirements of water security infrastructure are enormous. Financing the required water infrastructure is estimated at $20 billion a year from 2000 to 2025. Out of this amount, it is determined that $10 billion would be needed annually from development partners. “Current estimates suggest that the actual flows are around 20 per cent of the estimated financing requirement. This is grossly inadequate and requires a major scaling up to safeguard Africa’s future.”

Ugwuanyi partners ANAN to entrench transparency GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has affirmed the readiness of his administration to partner the Association of Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to entrench openness and transparency in the financial administration of the state. The governor, in an address when he received in audience the executive members of the association, Enugu state chapter, noted that members of the association constituted 95 per cent of the professional accountants in the civil and public service of the state. According to the governor, with such a strong presence in the bureaucratic structure of the state, members of the association have a key role to play in the effective implementation of the fiscal and other policies of government designed to improve the lot of the people. “I wish to assure you of the readiness of government to partner with the association towards the achievement of its objectives, more especially those of them that would be of benefit to the people of Enugu State,” he said. Earlier in an address, the state chairman of the association, Princess Roseline Egbo, had affirmed the readiness of the association to identify with Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration, having been following the governor’s aggressive infrastructural development of the state within so short a time of his administration. “We wish to be identified with your government by working closely with you and by offering our services as professional accountants, having been part of the team that has been responsible for the prompt rendition of annual final accounts of the state,” she said. In another development, the state government is poised to initiate and implement policies aimed at equipping youths to optimise their capacity to drive national development. Governor Ugwuanyi, in an address read by his deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezelo, on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of 2015 Batch ‘B’ stream two, corps members at their Awgu Camp, Enugu, noted that one of the key agenda of his administration is empowerment of the teeming youths.

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Reconstitute SURCON, surveyors appeal to Fashola By Nurudeen Alimi

HE Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS) has appealed to the Minister ofWorks, Housing and Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to re-constitute the Surveyor Council of Nigeria (SURCON), which was dissolved in 2014. SURCON is the regulatory body overseeing the activities of surveying profession in Nigeria. Speaking on Thursday, on behalf of his colleagues in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the newly-elected chairman of NIS in the state, Surveyor Ola Shiyanbola, during the 2015 Annual Luncheon and swearing-in of newly elected executive members of the association, said the re-constitution would go a long way in solving the problems facing the surveying profession in Nigeria. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153; I will want to congratulate the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, on his new appointment. And I wish him best of luck on the new assignment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am ,therefore, appealing to him to please, re-constitute the regulatory body overseeing SURCON. The council was dissolved in October, 2014. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By doing this, many

problems facing the institution will be solved, and the professional as a whole will be able to move forward. The minister should also look into the area of separating the survey con-

tents or components from engineering jobs. This is to ensure that competent professionals will be handling such aspects and the results will be rewarding to the country.

Sheathe swords, cleric tells CAC warring factions at CAN chairman's burial By Tolu olamiriki THE parties involved in the crisis rocking the Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC) worldwide, have been urged to reconcile so as to put an end to the protracted crisis in the church as a way of restoring peace and development into its fold. The coordinator of pastoral ordination training of CAC, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Pastor Samson Akinsulure, made the submission at a sermon he delivered during the burial service for the Oyo State chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and chairman of evangelical committee, of CAC, Pastor Johnson Olabisi, at his Basorun residence, Ibadan, at the weekend. Akinsulure, who described the late pastor as a viable soldier of God, said that he had contributed his quota to the survival of the church and now resting in the bosom of Jesus Christ,

adding that the late cleric served God and humanity till the end of his life. Speaking on the church's crisis, Akinsulure said Olabisi happened to be at the centre of the crisis and tried all his best to ensure that parties in the crisis resolved their differences. He, therefore, urged the current stakeholder s in the church to ensure that the death of Olabisi bring a lasting solution to the lingering crisis. He noted that many people that are involved in the crisis had died since it commenced on September 25, 1990 , adding that eternity is waiting for them and therefore, must decide where to spend it. Also, the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Chief Alake Adeyemo, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the pastor and said he was a strong pillar of CAN in the state.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Lagosmetro NBA urges Ambode to build more courtrooms Bola Badmus THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos State chapter has urged the state government led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to ensure prompt payment and upward review of subvention to the association. Besides, the leadership of the Bar in the state also implored the state government to build more courtrooms in the Badagry division of the Lagos State High Court. The association made the request when it met with the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem. Present at the meeting were Chairman of Ikeja NBA Branch, Mr. Yinka Farounbi; Chairman, Ikorodu Branch, Mr. Dofun Adetunji; Chairman Badagry Branch, Mr. Chris Okoye; and other executive members. The state NBA, while pledging to support the policies of the state government so long as they would better the lot of Lagosians, equally sought the assistance of the Commissioner for Justice in getting the judiciary to give adequate notice to members of the Bar whenever the judges, for any reason, would be unable to sit. Responding, the Attorney-General assured that the administration of Governor Ambode would focus more on people-oriented policies and give the Office of Public Defender (OPD) maximum support. Kazeem said the government would do this to enable the OPD to perform optimally as part of efforts to ensure the protection of the rights of the people. The commissioner, while describing the NBA as a veritable platform for all stakeholders in the legal profession to learn, exchange ideas and retool, advocated for a more cordial working relationship between the NBA and the state’s Ministry of Justice.

Danger zone: A location just like Orisun area of Magodo Isheri where mudslide killed four children. This area located at Isale Eko, Olatunde Street in Ogba could suffer the same fate.

Building collapse:

Synagogue trustees, engineers to face trial today

HE trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) will today, be arraigned before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over the collapse of a six-storey building in the church on September 12, 2014, which led to the death of 116 persons. Senior Pastor of the church, Prophet T.B Joshua is one of the trustees. The trustees will be arraigned before Justice Lawal Akapo alongside the engi-

neers that constructed the collapsed building. A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Bola Akingbade confirmed the scheduled arraignment. It would be recalled that Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos had dismissed the fundamental human rights enforcement suits filed by the engineers who constructed the collapsed six-storey building to stop their planned

trial. The engineers - Mr. Oladele Ogundeji and Mr. Akinbela Fatiregun, had filed two separate suits before Justice Buba seeking an order restraining the police from inviting, arresting or prosecuting them over the victims’ death. The Lagos State Government, had set up a Coroner Inquest to unravel what went wrong, and via a verdict delivered on August 7, 2015 by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, the Coroner had indicted the engineers and

Driver, conductor accused of stealing truck, goods AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A truck driver, Mohammed Abubakar and his conductor, Adam Yunusa, have been accused of stealing a truck and goods, both valued at N15.1 million. It was gathered that the suspects, Abubakar, 55, and Yunusa, 28, stole a truck with registration number RMG 48 SA loaded with 900 bags of

sugar worth N5.6 million. According to the police, the truck valued at N9.5 million belonged to Dangote Group of Companies. The offence according to the police the offences contravened Sections 285 (1), 337, and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded innocent of the charge when they were arraigned before an Ig-

bosere Magistrate Court. The Magistrate, Mrs S.K Omatepo, granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties each in like sum. She ordered that the sureties must reside in Lagos and their addresses verified by the court prosecutor. Omatepo adjourned the case till December 14 for mention.

recommended them for investigation and prosecution for criminal negligence. The engineers had filed the suits following the Coroner’s verdict, which attributed the building collapse to structural defect. The engineers had specifically rejected the Coroner’s verdict, describing it as “unreasonable, one-sided and biased.” But Justice Buba, in his ruling on the defendants’ preliminary objection, held that the engineers “had not made out a case of infringement on their fundamental rights even on the merit of the application,” and dismissed their applications. The judge, who noted that the Coroner Law was an enactment of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which is constitutionally empowered to make laws in the state, said “the Federal High Court could not dabble into the affairs of the state and start dishing out injunctive orders.”

On the prayer by the engineers asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Lagos State Attorney General or any officer under his authority from initiating or commencing criminal proceedings against them based on the verdict of the Coroner, Justice Buba held that such request was ungrantable in the circumstance of the case under review. The judge added: “The Coroner’s inquest is not a court of law; it does not find anybody guilty, it only recommends. The Federal High Court can not tamper with the Coroner Law, which is a Constitutional enactment of the Lagos State House of Assembly.” Shortly after the verdict, the State Government had assured that the affected persons would be swiftly charge to court. The assurance was contained in a statement issued by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Fire service warns against indiscriminate bush burning Bola Badmus THE Director Lagos Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, has attributed a recent fire outbreak at Owode Onirin to the nonchalant attitude of residents to bush and refuse burning. “We attacked the fire professionally bearing in mind that the area is surrounded by iron scrap markets and residential area and if not quickly put off could lead to disaster,” he said. Fadipe, however, urged the

residents to avoid the temptation of incriminate setting of bushes or refuse ablaze in the name of saving cost, adding that this could escalate and consume valuables, including houses and even human lives. He enjoined residents to patronize the local vendors for cutting of grasses or weed and LAWMA for the disposal of their refuse. Fadipe, while lamenting that Owode Onirin had witnessed many avoidable disasters in the past, ad-

vised both the residents and traders to be wary of what are being kept in their surroundings as they might turn out to be major contributor or instrument of fire outbreak. The fire chief, therefore, called for voluntary compliance to safety precaution thrust of the government. The chairman, Ifelorewa Iron Metal Dealers Association, Alhaji Wahab Adeoti, pledged the readiness of his members to comply with the safety directive of government.

Man accused of committing N1 million fraud AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin A 47-year-old man, Akeju Fadugba, who allegedly obtained N1 million under the pretext of buying a fairly used bus for one Waheed Oyeleke, was on Friday arraigned at an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court. According to the police, Fadugba and his accomplices fraudulently obtained N1 million from Oyeleke, with a promise to help him buy the bus. He said that after the payment in September, the accused stopped picking the complainant’s calls and also

started avoiding him. The accused was apprehended in his hideout at Lawanson after he was reported to the police. According to the police, the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,

2011. Fadugba, however, pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs O.I. Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till January 11 for trial.

Disaster averted at Ajah petrol station Sylvester Okoruwa WHAT could have resulted in a fire disaster was on Sunday averted at a Conoil Filling Station at Ajah,

Lagos State when a Toyota Camry car carrying a 50-litre jerry can of petrol in the boot caught fire right inside the filling station, with large number of persons and cars queued up to buy fuel. The timely intervention of bystanders saved the situation as they were able to move the burning car away from the scene. The fire was successfully put out after much effort. The fire brigade did not respond on time and when they came, the crowd drove them away for coming late.

Clearing agent bags 2 years’ jail time for fraud AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin

A Camry car burning near Conoil Oil station at Abraham Ogunsanya area of Ajah, Lagos on Sunday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Father of 4 nabbed in traffic for selling fake phones Olalekan Olabulo A 54-year-old father of four has been arrested by the police for selling fake phones in traffic. The suspect, Michael Bisa, was a few days ago arrested by operatives of the Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) who were on a surveillance patrol along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. A source at RRS described the arrest of the suspect as a result of the new security equipment provided to the police in Lagos State by

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. The suspect, who is a native of Delta State, allegedly confessed to the crime and blamed poverty for his involvement the crime. In his statement to the police, the suspect explained the tactics employed by him to swindle his victims under the false pretence. “What I usually do is called exchange. My prospective victims will have the mind of buying handset from me but unknown to them, I would have changed the real

handset for soap wrapped with cut to size carton put inside an envelope. “I will engage them in a discussion after showing them the real phone initially, and in the process of bargaining for the price, I will change it with the aid of white handkerchief to a fake phone. And I will tell them to keep the phone inside their pockets immediately that people are watching us,” he said. “As soon as they leave the spot, I will change my clothes so that the victim

does not recognise me,” he added. The suspect who reportedly has four children from three different women, explained that his friend, Hakeem Tijani, who is late introduced the act of stealing to him. “I was a refrigerator technician in Uvwie Local Government Area, Effuru in Delta State. I came to Lagos to look for greener pastures about 15 years ago, but my expectations were dashed when situations got so hard for me,” he narrated.

“I met one guy then, Hakeem Tijani, who is late and he was the one that introduced this act of stealing to me. I have been doing this illicit business for four years as it has been my only source of livelihood.” The image maker in charge of the state police command, P Joe Offor, confirmed the arrest of the suspect and warned the general public to be cautious of individuals and shops where they purchase their mobile phones in order not to fall victim of conmen.

A 32-year-old clearing agent, Olabamiji Samson has bagged two years in prison over a N320,000 fraud. The Magistrate, Mrs. Adenike Shonubi, sentenced the accused without an option of fine. “It will serve as deterrent to others,” Shonubi said. The convict lives at 6, Christopher Olubunmi St., Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos. Olabanji was arraigned on June 6, 2014 on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing. He had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N400,000 with two sureties in like sum. He met the bail conditions and came from home during the trial. The Prosecutor, Inspector Rachael Williams, had told the court that the offences were committed on May 5, 2014 at 5, Olaniyi Street, new Oko-Oba, Agege, a suburb of Lagos.

businessnews

Monday, 30 November, 2015

N13bn scandal: FG begins probe of MAN, Oron Tola Adenubi-Lagos

ndications are rife that the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, may have began probe of the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Mr Joshua Okpo, over mismanagement of about N13 billion remitted to the academy by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) since he took over as rector.

According to findings, the order for a full scale audit of the financial position of the academy by the minister was as a result of series of large scale fraud levelled against the rector. Ekpo was said to have stirred the honest nest giving his consistent allegation that the management of NIMASA had been starving the

school of funds through the agency’s alleged refusal to release the statutory 5 per cent subvention funds to the academy. It was gathered that the rector also told the minister of NIMASA’s attitude towards the release of the statutory funds, an action he said had continued to frustrate the infrastructural de-

velopment of the academy. The minister was said to have summoned the management of NIMASA to his office and asked why it was sitting on the subvention of MAN, Oron. However, the bubble burst when the minister was told by the Acting Director-General of NIMASA, Haruna Jauro, that the agency had

•It’s all falsehood —Academy remitted over N18 billion to the academy since 2009. At enquiry by the Minister, Mr Okpo said he only took over in 2011 to which NIMASA declared that a sum of N13 billion was remitted to the institution since the rector took over. Alarmed by the quantum of the funds, the minister was said to have become

Berger Paints reiterates commitment to shareholders Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Mr Peter Folikwe, has reiterated the company’s resolve to ensure shareholders’ value through commitment to the highest standards of corporate goals. Besides, Folikwe explained that his ongoing turnaround efforts at Berger Paints was to reposition the company to take its rightful place as one of the most profitable quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Speaking at the conferment of Fellowship Award on him by the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) at the weekend, Folikwe stated that within his short period of assumption of office at Berger Paints, the company’s earnings had grown by 50 per cent and 89 per cent respectively. Folikwe, who described the award as a call to duty, explained that he would continue to leverage on his training and exposure to advance positive changes in the corporate world. While giving the award, the President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Mr Ganiyu Koledoye, described Folikwe as a quintessential turnaround manager who has recorded milestones within the short period of assumption of office as the Chief Executive Officer of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc. Koledoye advised the new fellows to take active part in the activities of the institute in order to move it to the next level. The institute conferred fellowship on 20 distinguished members.

From left, Mr Yemi Akeju, President/Chairman of Council, Institute of Directors (IOD); Mr Jude Monye, Executive Director, Heritage Bank Limited and Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi, immediate past president of the institute at the induction of Mr Monye as a member of the institute in Lagos, recently.

Falling oil prices creating opportunities for logistics providers —LADOL Tola Adenubi-Lagos

Logistics service providers in the nation’s energy sector have been urged to take advantage of the otherwise worrisome free fall of oil prices in the international market to improve on their potential in providing the logistics needs of oil majors operating in the country. The advice was made by the Managing Director of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), Dr Amy Jadesimi, who maintained that rather than grieve over the bad news that oil price fall portends for the industry, harnessing the attendant opportunities offered by the development would be in the best interest of the economy. Jadesimi, a former investment banker, is hoping that renewed pressure on oil majors to cut costs will spur them to take advantage of a logistics base she has developed to serve a projected boom in deepwater oil production. According to her, “for the past 10 years, oil companies have agreed with us that they need a base in Lagos for deep offshore production and drilling support.

“They agree it’s more efficient, but they haven’t made the move because economically there wasn’t enough of an incentive.” She noted that Nigeria’s hopes of significantly boosting its oil exports which are currently about 2.1 million barrels a day, rest on expanding a fleet of giant floating production platforms similar to the Bonga vessel operated by Royal Dutch Shell. According to her, the advent of local content law in Nigeria has reversed the long lost hope of indigenous participation in the country’s energy sector, saying all that would be needed to up the ante was for the government not to yield to the quest of certain interest groups who were out to impose monopoly in the industry. She said the passage of the Local Content Act in 2010 had given a fillip to local business by requiring international oil companies to increase significantly their reliance on Nigerian staff and services. Nigerian energy companies, she said, have also increasingly been able to acquire assets such as oilfields and tap international capital markets to finance

projects. She said LADOL, which models itself as an exemplar of this trend, has developed its facility as the first fully Nigerian-owned hub to offer the kinds

of specialist engineering, manufacturing, port and shipbuilding services needed to support ambitious deepwater projects in the Sub-region.

SEC to expand capital market in 2016 Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

The Security Exchange Commission (SEC) has revealed plans to broaden the Nigerian Capital Market as an important tool for improving the nation’s economy. The SEC DG, Mounir Gwarzo, while briefing press at the weekend after the end of the 2015 third quarter meeting of Capital Market Committee (CMC) in Lagos, explained that the commission intended to focus on seven to eight initiative from the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan every year. He said the commission, from research, found out that transaction cost in the country’s capital market was expensive, hence the decision to a committee headed by Ade Bajomo, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Stock Exchange

Nigerian Tribune

(NSE), to look at how transactions in the market could be a bit cheaper. Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Sunday stressed the need for tax incentives to woo multinationals to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Mr Mounir Gwarzo, the SEC Director-General, made the call at a workshop organised bythe Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos. Gwarzo said that that government should be the key driver through tax incentives to ensure listing of more multinationals like telecommunication companies on the nation’s bourse. He said that the commission would interface with government in 2016 to come out with initiatives aimed at increasing the number of listed companies on the stock exchange.

livid with Okpo whom he said had no depicted the true situation of the disbursement. When asked to explain what he had done with that sum against the backdrop of lack of physical infrastructure in the institution, Ekpo was said to have given inconsistent and incoherent answer. ‘’I could have sacked you and your Finance Director straight away,’’ the minister was said to have threatened. He was, however, said to have ordered immediate audit of all the amounts said to have been remitted to the institution since 2009. In addition, Amaechi has decided, alongside NIMASA management staff and relevant ministry officials, to commence on-the-spotassessment of the facilities at the academy in a bid to ascertain to what use the amount received by the rector was put. ‘’We could have gone last week Tuesday but for the trip the Minister made to London to attend International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meeting. When they come back this week, we shall carry out the minister’s directive’’ a ministry source said. It was also learnt that the minister had asked for the model of a similar institution in Egypt to compare with what is on ground in MAN, Oron. Efforts to get the response of the rector on the financial status of the academy proved abortive as calls and text messages sent to his phone were not replied. When contacted, however, the Bursar of MAN, Oron, Folorunsho Kayode, said it was only the rector who could give the financial status of the academy. “As I am currently, I just finished the marriage of my younger brother in the village and I am tired. Also, I am an employee to the institution and it is only the rector who can talk on it,’’ he pleaded. The Public Relations Officer of the academy, Sidi Mpadiok, said accusations of financial recklessness against the rector did not just start today by some disgruntled elements. According to him, the rector had been accused of series of financial recklessness by people he described as disgruntled elements. “Well, I can’t answer for the financial status of the academy. NIMASA and the rector are the ones that can say things about the finances of the academy. Financial recklessness is nothing new and this has been addressed. Agitators have nothing new to say. Most of them are disgruntled and until we get the details, there is nothing I can say,” the institution’s image maker declared.

businessnews

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Dangote to build 500MW power plant for Kano

he pan-African conglomerate, the Dangote Group, has concluded preliminary arrangements to build a multi-million naira 500mw of electricity into the national grid for the people of Kano, the company management said at the weekend. Group Executive Director, Stakeholders Management and Corporate Communications, Mr Mansur Ahmed, disclosed this at the Dangote Special Day event at the Kano 36th International Trade Fair, just as the Dangote Cement mega promo triggered sales at the fair. According to him, the new power plan, which is part of the philanthropic gesture of the company, is meant to support the government’s efforts in the provision of electricity for the people in the region and when completed, it would benefit Jigawa, Katsina and some parts of Kaduna states. He said the Dangote Foundation was scaling up its charity works across several African countries and had started deepening its philanthropic gestures in the areas of health and education.

According to him, the foundation’s projects in Kano include the construction of a Diagnostic Centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, the building of eleven health care centres and 200 boreholes, as well as its nutrition programme. He said in the North Eastern part of the country, the Foundation has also pro-

vided over a billion naira to support the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) and is desirous of addressing the challenges of unemployment in the country. Companies from the Dangote Group that are on ground at the fair include Dangote Sugar Refinery, NASCON Allied Industries Plc (Dangote Salt), Dangote Cement Plc, and Dan-

sa Foods Limited among others. Some of the products being displayed at the fair include Dangote sugar, Dangote Cement, Dangote salt, DanQ seasoning, tomato paste, various ranges of fruit juice products and bottled water from Dansa Foods. Dangote Sugar is offering customers different sizes of granulated sugar packs

at the fair. One of the highpoints at the fair was the enthusiasm shown by the visitors to the on-going Dangote Cement Mega promo, which made some of them to order for cement on the spot. Dangote cement recently launched a promo through which it intends to financially empower its cement end users through

Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman; Controller, Highway Sanitation, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Juwon Akinyemi; LAWMA Official and Group Head, Cards & e-Channels, Sterling Bank Plc, Olugbenga Adams, during the bank’s bi-annual Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) exercise at Ojuwoye Market, Mushin, Lagos, at the weekend.

Nigeria’ll do well in economy if it gets education right —Mimiko A former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Professor Oluwafemi Mimiko, has said Nigeria will be out of the woods economically if it gets it right with the education sector. Professor Mimiko said this while fielding questions from journalists at the graduation ceremony of the participants of Senior Executive Course 37 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), themed ‘Repositioning Educational Sector for Global Competitiveness’ at Kuru, Jos, Plateau State. He said: “If we get it right at the level of education, Nigeria will be on its way to doing well in other sectors of the national economy. We need to do a lot of overhauling of the system, not just at the tertiary level, but also at primary and secondary school levels. “If you take a very thorough look at the policy framework of the nation’s educational system, the institutions for delivery and the structures, you would find that there is no question about the fact that we need to tinker with the policies.” Professor Mimiko also explained that members of the Senior Course 37 of the institute made good efforts

at reviewing the sector and giving appropriate recommendations to the government. He said: “We identified several gaps in the educational sector about which we made specific recommendations. The problem of the system is both a

question of structure and implementation. If we are able to get the two together on the basis of the report which we have written, Nigeria will certainly be out of the woods as far as the educational system is concerned.” Earlier, Vice President

and Supervising Authority of the Institute, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, had enjoined the graduates to put the nation before self and work to make Nigeria a better society. Osinbajo said: “The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Stud-

ies (NIPPS) has been the country’s study policy hub in the past decades. I hereby enjoin you, distinguished Nigerians, to always be the good ambassadors that you are. This is the time to really make the change and move the country forward.”

Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce re-unites us with our fans —Dbanj, Flavour, others Artistes on the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce train have disclosed that the concert has given them the opportunity to connect with their fans in the several locations across the country where the show has been held so far. The artistes who spoke after their performances at

the Nsukka, Enugu State, edition of the concert, Said that if Globacom had not brought them to Nsukka in the first instance, they would not have known how much the country side people appreciated them. The first of the artistes to speak was the Marvin Records singer, Di’Ja, who

said that “if Globacom had not brought me to perform here in Nsukka, how would I have known that these guys here can feel me and so much appreciate me like this”. “I was moved to tears seeing those guys singing along with me every line of all my tracks and their love for my song is so strong

Airtel CEO, ex-CJN, Mukhtar advocate joint effort to achieve SDGs Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, has called on business leaders, corporate bodies, entrepreneurs, policy makers, individuals and government to work together in order for Nigeria to initiate the key programmes aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr. Ogunsanya made this remark at the 2015 Annual

Dinner and Dance event of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Nigeria, where he was Keynote Speaker at the colourful occasion held in Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, 27th November, 2015. The dinner was attended by captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps and dignitaries including former Chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar (GCON); President, Lagos Chamber

of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Remi Bello; US Consulate General, Mr. Brian McCleary; South Africa Consulate General, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa among other guests. ICC also used the occasion to unveil its Business Charter for Sustainable Development. Kindly assist to find space for any of these pictures from the event in your esteemed medium.

and I need to appreciate Globacom for the opportunity to be here to experience, first hand, the love of my fans here in Nsukka”, she enthused. Also speaking in the same manner, another Marvin Records vocalist, Reekado Banks, noted that “coming to Nsukka on the platform of Globacom and having to see my fans asking for more has really redefined my perception of the upland folks. If the truth must be told, raw entertainment resides in the up country and kudos to my Nsukka fans and more Kudos to Globacom for cementing this bond between me and my fans here”. While assessing the show, contemporary high life singer, Flavour, noted that but for Globacom, he would have found it very difficult to believe that “I have this kind of huge fan base here in Nsukka”.

Nigerian Tribune

by making available over N300 million to be won by customers on daily basis through a draw. Speaking also at the Trade Fair, Regional Director Alhaji Yusuf Maitama, urged Nigerians to grab the opportunity offered by the Dangote Group as 183 millionaires will emerge in 90 days of the promo.. He said the fair has become a veritable avenue for the display of innovative products of the Dangote products and that visitors to the group pavilion will have the opportunity of buying the products at discounted prices. Speaking earlier at the opening ceremony, the Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce Rabiu Bako said the state government and KACCIMA are working together to encourage private sector participation to ensure the planned economic development of the state. Meanwhile, Chief Executive of the Dangote Foundation, Ms Halima Dangote, has revealed that the ongoing construction of a multibillion naira state-ofthe-art operating theatre and diagnostic centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital is due for completion next year. Ms Dangote made this revelation when her team visited the Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the weekend. She said the operating theatre and diagnostic centre would cost the foundation N7 billion. She attributed the earlier delay to technical hitches and said the new contractor, Dantata and Sawoe, have returned to site. She also said that the routine immunization programme of the foundation was being extended to Bauchi, Yobe, Maiduguri and Katsina. She added that the foundation’s business school’s project at the Bayero University Kano, has gulped N524 million, even as it injected N500 million into Kano School of Technology. Ms Dangote also revealed that the foundation was determined to build a 500MW of electricity station in Kano. She described some of the projects as “game changing projects” to be completed in the next two years. Responding, the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had done a lot for the Kano people, and the people of Kano would remain grateful forever.

business

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for FRIDAY, 27 november, 2015

top 5 gainers

top 5 losers

Monday, 30 November, 2015

The fourth edition of the 22 years old Oronna Ilaro Festival since it was endorsed by Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation in 2012 as a tourism festival on National Tourism Calendar, celebrated its Grand Finale at Asade Agunloye Pavilion, Yewa Empire Ground, Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun state

9 1. From left, Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, MD, IBD Hotels, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa Secretary to Ogun State Government and HRM Oba (Pst) Kehinde Olugbenle. 2. HRM Oba (Pst) Kehinde Olugbenle and OloriOmotayo Olugbenle. 3. HRM Oba (Pastor) Kehinde Olugbenle, MFR, (middle) Olori Omotayo Olugbenle with members Of Olu-In-Coucil. 4. HRM Oba (Pastor) Kehinde Olugbenle, MFR, (midde), Olori Omotayo Olugbenle with Baales. 5. From right, CHIEF Kayode Odunaro, Chairman of Oronna Ilaro Festival Central Planning Committee, CP Abdul- Majid Ali, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye, Chairman Grand Finale, Olori Omotayo Olugbenle, HRM Oba (Pst) Kehinde Olugbenle, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Rt. Hon. Suraju Adekumbi,

Speaker of OGHA, Senator Solomon Adeola, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications and Hon. Kunle Akinlade. 6. From left, High Chief Abiodun Jas Oyekan Adele of Ilaro and Engr. Femi Tetede. 7. From left, Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) and Senator Solomon Adeola, Vice Chairman, Senate Communication Committee. 8. Chief Kayode Odunaro, Chairman of Oronna Ilaro Festival Central Planning Committee giving his welcome address. 9. From left, Senator Solomon Adeola, V.Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Alh. Waidi Haruna, M.D. Wadoye Express Ltd. 10. Otunba Wasiu Taiwo, M.D. Continental Suites, Senator Gbenga Obadara, HRM Oba (Pst) Kehinde Olugbenle and Olori Omotayo Olugbenle.

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Monday, 30 November, 2015

Kogi election: APC would still win —Ohiare •Okun elders back Bello for ticket Ayodele Adesanmi-Abuja

he Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Mohammed Ohiare, has described as untrue, insinuations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would lose the rescheduled Kogi governorship by-election scheduled for next Saturday, if the party presents a replacement who is not an Igala person. Prince Abubakar Audu, the late APC candidate in the November 21 election, was an Igala man, the tribe which has the largest population in the state. Unconfirmed reports going round the state was that the electorate would not vote for any candidate who is not from Kogi East Senatorial District, an area populated by the Igalas. However, Ohiare, an Ebira by tribe, told newsmen in Abuja that any candidate produced by the APC from any part of the state

would be voted for, by the people. According to him “I don’t think the people will not vote for a candidate that is not Igala. We are all brothers in Kogi State, I don’t know why people are carrying this rumours too far. Is it an Igala man that will not see me as a brother? “Whoever the party presents from any part of the state would be embraced by all party members. All of us are stakeholders and

are ready to join efforts in order to move the state forward.” Meanwhile, members of the Okun Elders Forum in Okun area of Kogi State have declared support for the candidacy of Alhaji Yahya Bello as their preferred candidate to fill the vacuum created by the death of Prince Audu. A statement signed by the spokesman of the forum, Chief Funsho Atale and made available to newsmen on Sunday, hinged

their position on the need to move the state forward and in tandem with democratic principles. Chief Atale said “the elders took the position in the interest of the party, Kogi State and Okun,” adding that it was based on all these that the elders decided to throw their weight behind Yahya Bello the gubernatorial candidate of the APC. The elders, including Chief P.S. Alabi, Chief Remi Ogga and Dele Abu,

urged the leadership of the APC to align various interest groups to rally support for the candidature of Yahya Bello and ensure victory for the party during the remaining election slated for December 5, so as to move the state forward. The elders noted that this is not the best time for political horse trading as all hands must be on deck to get Kogi State back to the path of growth and development.

Ajimobi constitutes media team

Lawmakers, groups laud Ambode over security equipment Some lawmakers and various groups on Sunday commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for equipping the Lagos Command of the Nigeria Police with modern security gadgets and repositioning the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to effectively combat criminal activities in the state. In an interview with journalists, a lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Taofeek Adaranijo, described the development as a strong statement by the Governor that the security of lives and property is of paramount importance to him. Another lawmaker representing Ifako Ijaiye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Elijah Olu-Adewale, commended the Governor stressing that, “This surely is a good development for our state and it shows the commitment of Governor Ambode that security is top priority for him.”

By Wale Akinselure

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved the constitution of his media and communication team. As contained in a statement by the state Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade, the new Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy is Mr Yomi Layinka while Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Print and Broadcast is Mr Akin Oyedele. Until his new appointment, Layinka was the Chief Operating Officer of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), and doubled as a Senior Special Assistant to Ajimobi, during the governor’s first term in office. Oyedele was Chief correspondent with the Punch newspaper until 2014 and had served as Special Assistant on Media relations to Governor Ajimobi between December 2014 and May 2015 before this appointment. Also, Mr Femi Ipadeola was appointed Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on public affairs. Ipadeola was Dean, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, until his new appointment. According to the statement, these appointments take immediate effect.

From left, groom’s father, Alhaji Gambo Lawan; Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; Senator Danjuma Goje and the deputy governor of Borno State, Honourable Usman Mamman Durkwa, at the wedding fatiha of Gambo’s son, in Maiduguri, Borno State, at the weekend.

Unpaid wages: APC lawmakers to facilitate meeting with Ajimobi By Wale Akinselure

Stemming from displeasure of members of the Oyo State House of Assembly over unpaid wages, the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus, among other principal officers of the assembly, is expected to, at the end of its caucus meeting today facilitate a meeting with the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. The caucus, alongside other principal officers of the assembly, considered this step expedient to avoid further degeneration of members agitation over unpaid salaries and running cost allowances which reached its height on Thursday, November 19, when 20 members were absent at the day’s sitting. Members, overtime, have lamented unpaid salaries and allowances, noting that the last payment they received was part payment of their running cost and salary for August, while they were being owed furniture allowance. Speaking on heightened fears that the House was on strike, following its fail-

ure to convene last Thursday, as adjourned, Speaker of the House, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, said the House did not sit because members of some committees had to perform oversight functions that day, while he was also in Ilorin for a conference of Speakers across the federation. “We are not on strike. Why must we be on strike? On Thursday, we had a conference of Speakers of

all Houses of Assembly in Kwara State, which I attended and on the same day, the Ad hoc Committee on LAUTECH travelled to Ogbomoso for oversight functions. These are the reasons we were unable to sit that day.” “We don’t put condition to our sitting. The business and rules committee informs us that we have a job to do, and we sit. We are elected representatives.

If the workers have been working without getting salary; we are responsible individuals and the issue of unpaid allowances should not stop us from performing our legislative work. We will continue to do it. “I can assure you that many members will be present at the next sitting. It is just by omission or commission that we had 11 members present at the last sitting. “

We’ll mobilise our members against downward review of minimum wage —NASU Soji Eze-Fagbemi-Abuja The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of educational and associated institutions declared at the weekend that it would put all its members across the country on red-alert and mobilise them to resist any attempt by government to effect downward review of salaries. General Secretary of the union, Peters Adeyemi, speaking on the National Delegates’ Conference of the union, which begins on Tuesday, in Abuja, said the

conference would be used to deliberate and strategise on the plan by the governors to reduce the N18, 000 national minimum wages. He warned that Nigerian workers would confront any decision by the government that was against their election promises with stiff opposition. Adeyemi said: “We are going to use this conference to remind the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government that their promise was to create jobs, not to kill jobs when

they were campaigning. The workers will meet any decision by the government that goes contrary to this declaration, ferociously.” The NASU scribe also stated that the Delegates’ Conference will deliberate on the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement and funding of tertiary institutions and he pointed out that the issues of privatisation of staff schools and earned allowances of NASU members would also dominate discussion at the conference.

Prince drags Ondo govt, kingmakers before court Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

A Prince from the Irara family, in Arigidi Akoko in the Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Prince Tunde Olanipekun has dragged the Ondo State Government and kingmakers of the town before an Ondo State High Court sitting in Ikare, over the traditional stool of the town. Prince Olanipekun was seeking an order from the court to stop the monarch of Arigidi-Akoko, Alhaji Yisa Olanipekun from parading himself as the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko as directed by the court of appeal. This was contained in a suit filed by Prince Olanipekun before the court through his lawyer, Olalekan Akinrinsola of Femi Emmanuel Emodamori & co. Other defendants in the case include the state Deputy Governor, state Attorney General, the local government chairman, Alhaji Yisa Olanipekun, Pa Salau Olanipekun (Head of Irara family) and A.O. Oloruntoba (head, Arigidi kingmakers).

Monday, 30 November, 2015 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

1. From left, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Timothy Oguntayo; Country Manager, Google, Mrs Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor; Creative Director of Hesey Designs, Mrs Eseoghene Odiete-Ehikhuemelo and the Deputy Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Amaka Onwughalu, at the skye Bank SME Seminar series in Lagos. 2. From left, the Babaloja of Gbagi Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaji Akeem Kareem; Regional Sales Manager, PZ Cussons, Mr Oni Bashiru; the Iyaloja of Gbagi Market, Ibadan, Mrs Aminat Adewunmi and the Senior Brand Manager, PZ Cussons, Mr Olalekan Aro during the PZ Cussons Canoe relaunch, at Gbagi Market, recently. 3. From left, Managing Director, Stay Up Aviation, Mr Kenneth Oduah; Senior Manager, Vale Thomposon, Canada, Dr Peter Arinola; Manager for South African, Africa Seychelles Tourism and Culture Seychelles Allain St Ange, Mrs Lena Hoareau; Group Head, Travellinks Group, Mr Gbenga Oluboye and Mr A. Adesoji of SYJ Concept Nigeria Limited),during the seventh anniversary of Travellinks Group and award ceremony, held at the Lafia Hotel, Apata, Ibadan, on Thursday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

4. Mrs Iyabo Adetunji was with the pupils of Stephen Centre International School, Abeokuta, an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ogun State, to mark her 70th birthday. 5. The groom, Mr Toluwalope Iyiola and his bride, former Miss Oluwaseun Omidiora, at their wedding held at All Souls Anglican Church, Bodija, Ibadan, recently. 6. Mr and Mrs Oluwadamilare Ogunrinade during their wedding held at Lead City University, Ibadan, recently. 7. Mr David I. Kpue of the Federal Housing Authority (left) and his wife, Victoria at a thanksgiving mass and reception held in his honour by the Mbausu community, in Vandekiya Local Government Area, Benue State, for his contributions to the development of the community. 8. Prince Ademola Kehinde Bello and his heartthrob, former Miss Oluwabukola Tinuola Amodu, shortly after the solemnization of their wedding at the Registry of Oyo West Local Government, Oyo, recently.

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INSIDE LAGOS

Monday, 30 November, 2015

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1. President/Chairman of Council, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, presenting NIMN Fellowship certificate to one of the inductees, Asite Simon Avwiorayire at the conferment ceremony held at Golfview Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, on wednesday. 2. From left, Keneth Kamulegeya, guest lecturer and Commercial Excellence Director, NBC; Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, President/Chairman of Council, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), preseting an award to Best Marketing Student of the year, Mercy Onyinyechi Dike and Dr. Rotimi Olaniyan, 1st Vice President, NIMN at the 2015 Best Marketing Student Award Ceremony, at Golfview Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. 3. From left, Sportsman of the Year, Yakubu Adesokan (a special athlete with world record in weightlifting), Minister of Youth and Sport, Solomon Dalong; Sportswoman of the Year, Loveline Obiji and the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut at the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award in Lagos, recently.

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4. From left, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Centre for Change, Pastor Tunde Bakare; President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr.Joe Okei-Odumakin and, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, at the documentary Premiere on Gender-based Violence in Nigeria at NECA House, Lagos, on Sunday. 5. Popular saxophonist, Jerry Omole; Founder of SPAN, Mrs Sarah Boulos; Ace Jazz artist, Tee Mac and Vice-Chair of SPAN, Mrs. Olufunmi Olajoyegbe, during the Night of Musical Adventure at the Oceanview Marque in Lagos. 6. From left, Onyeka Okoli, Senior Brand Manager, Gulder, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Mrs. Ogundeji Ayobami, winner of a brand new Hyundai Elantra at a raffle draw in the Gulder Ultimate promo; Mrs. Toyin Ismail, Head, HRBP Supply Chain and Edem Vindah, Corporate Media & Brand PR Manager, both of Nigerian Breweries Plc at the prize presentation in the ongoing Gulder Ultimate Promo held at Nigerian Breweries Plc corporate headquarters in Iganmu, Lagos, on Thursday.

18 LETTERS TO THE

Monday, 30 November, 2015

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Technology and human reasoning

HERE is no doubt that there is a new development which has crept into the world of technology. Technology is growing and human reasonability is on the decrease. Technology teaches us many things which, ordinarily, would have been facilitated by our mental ability. God has created men to be thinkers and revolutionaries and has not made technology to be our teacher. Albert Einstein, a great thinker and philosopher of the 20th Century had a foresight of the present sit-

uation and put his thought thus: “I fear the day that technology will surpass human interaction and reasoning. The world will have a generation of idiots.” This man (Albert Einstein) foresaw the world to have a generation of idiots and amazingly this forecast is becoming a reality because even the younger generations have learned ways to use technology to solve all mysteries. People like Albert are heading to extinction and technology is taking charge. Creativity is now hard to come by as almost every-

If Faleke is not made the APC governorship candidate... WITH what is going on in Kogi State, it is becoming clearer that the running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr James Faleke, won’t be made the governorship candidate. It is now glaring that the Yoruba people in Kogi State are not respected politically. The politicians are only using our people to make the numbers. As a result, it is high time our leaders came together to fight for freedom. We cannot continue to be the second best in a state for years. It is either we are respected politically, or we fight to have our own state. What is happening in Kogi State is just like what Igbo people are experiencing in Nigeria. That is why they have been clamouring for the Biafra Republic. In Kogi, the Igala and Ebira have not given the Okun people the opportunity to rise politically. Our best position has always been that of the deputy governor. We are tired of staying in a state where we cannot rise politically. I am, therefore, calling on Okun legislators in the National Assembly, and those in the state Assembly, to come together to move a motion for the creation of the Okun State. We are not doing this based on political affiliation but for the

love of our homeland. •Caleb Adebayo, Kabba, Kogi State.

body base their inquiries on internet search engines rather than use their intelligence, we also fail to converse regularly and share knowledge as we spend half of our day focusing on technological gadgets, hence having the world filled with idiots is not surprising. Inhabitants of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries sourced their inventions from ideas, creativity, and consultations and now when we look back to those amazing inventions we find it hard to comprehend because of our decreasing level of reasoning. Novelists, critics and philosophers were then acknowledged and nobility was a very important virtue. Some of the notable great minds then were Walter Raleigh, Thomas Edison, Blaise Pascal, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and so on. People who never

stopped thinking, writing and creating and on whose philosophies and inventions we rely, rather than to build nobility far greater than theirs were limited by the resources of their time. Although, we may argue that technology is beneficial and indispensable but several deadly illnesses have crawled into our world due to the way we misuse the internet, radioactive equipments and other gadgets. I think the only way out is to reduce the rate at which we make use of technology or use it wisely to create better and safer innovations. We should all reduce our reliance on technological innovations and try to decipher puzzles on our own so as to increase our reasonability and brain power. Students should learn to solve simple arithmetic with their brains rather than base everything on calculators. We should also

make a change in our everyday activities by placing social interactions above our smart phones because there is no land as fertile as

the human mind. •Shittu Sodeeq Solape Mass Communication Department, The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Towards changing the mindset of the unemployed It is high time unemployed graduates looked beyond white collar jobs and focus on skills that would make them self-employed. I want to suggest small scale businesses like tailoring, barbing, dry cleaning, rentals, shoe making, carpentry, and many more. These are businesses that will make them employers of labour, especially with the education they acquired. Nigeria is a country which gives more attention to paper certification; this is why our country is not developing. It is high time we moved away from paper certification to real

vocational skills. This will enable young people establish their businesses. For our country to develop, we need as many businesses as possible. At the moment, if we can get 10 million youths to set up businesses, and each employs just two people, do we know how many people would be employed? The government’s responsibility is to provide conducive environment for such businesses to thrive by making sure that there are facilities, like uninterrupted power supply, good roads, among others, while the banks should assist with the granting of loans for business startups and expansion. What we have at the moment is nothing to write home about; companies’ profits are being hit by the cost of diesel, which they use in powering their operations. Those in the agribusiness sector find it hard to transport their produce to the cities for sale due to bad roads. I am, therefore, calling on unemployed people not to rely much on white-collar jobs as they are getting fewer by the day. It is high time they looked inward for how to earn a living, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth. As someone who is in the agribusiness sector, I know that this sector can absord millions of unemployed people. Our problem is just that our youths don’t want to start small; they want to be seen working in multinational corporations. We need to change our mindset now, particularly with the way things are. •Nelson Ekwale, Benin, Edo State.

editorial

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Governors and the minimum wage

HE Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), after a recent meeting, informed Nigerians of the dire economic situation facing many states across the country, suggesting that the situation, which necessitated a bailout arrangement from the Federal Government for many of the states at the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government, had, indeed, worsened. With the continuing decline in the price of crude oil adversely affecting the total revenue available to the country and thus affecting the revenue profile of the various states, the NGF noted that states had been unable to pay salaries of their workers, including meeting basic obligations, such that it had become necessary for them to embark on massive restructuring of their financial situations in order to ensure survival. Key methods of restructuring suggested by the NGF include the need to discuss the current precarious financial condition of the states again with President Buhari to jointly work out a concrete programme for the diversification of the economy, while the states would also consider reducing their financial outlays by reviewing the continuous payment of the current national minimum wage and the salaries of political office holders. Evidently, the governors have now seen the shortcoming of their earlier resort to bailout funds from the Federal Government to pay the backlog of salaries they owed. We had argued then that there was the need for the states to confront and address the basis of their inability to meet salary obligations rather than simply relying on bailout funds with interests to pay salaries. In any case, paying the backlog then would not translate into having the funds to continue to pay salaries as they become due without structural reforms to streamline the expenditure of the states with the revenue available to them. Unfortunately, even now that the governors have come to such realisation, they are still shying away from the real import of the current situation. For, rather than address the underlying basis of the parlous financial state, the governors are more comfortable trying to shift responsibility as suggested by the floating of the idea of reducing the salaries of political office holders. The truth is that there had been concern about the financial survival of the states even under the last government, and we believe that this should have generated immediate incisive reaction from the governors

rather than waiting till now to offer some platitudes. Why, for instance, would the governors wait till now to know that the current salaries of their political office holders are not sustainable? The more ridiculous position is to suggest that the states would stop paying the national minimum wage given the present economic situation. Does it occur to the governors that what they are suggesting amounts to a willful disobedience of a Nigerian law since there is a valid national law on the minimum wage? Do the governors know that there is no alternative to obeying legitimate laws of the land and that they cannot choose which laws to obey and which to disobey? Since they are in office according to law, any intention on their part to repudiate the law on national minimum wage would logically demand the repudiation of their own office and we should be expecting their resignation letters as soon as it becomes important for them to jettison the national minimum wage law. It could, however, be that the governors are only indirectly calling for the repealing of the National Minimum Wage Act in order to remove the burden of paying it, in which case it would be important to see how they want to achieve that while maintaining their persistently high salaries and emoluments and that of the members of the National Assembly. It has to be said that whereas the decline in the price of oil has contributed to the current parlous situation, there is no denying the fact that another major contributor is the high cost of governance arising mainly from the obnoxious, lavish style of political office holders, particularly the governors. Yet, none of the governors has seen it fit to substantially reduce the overhead incurred in running their offices. Rather than do this, it is the hapless Nigerian worker paid an insufficient N18, 000 naira per month that is the butt of their attention. We do not disagree with the governors that the cost of governance in the various states is too high; but we are convinced that where to start cutting the cost is with them and their political appointees. The governors are the ones who campaigned to hold their current office on the strength of running the states efficiently and with insight. This is the time to demonstrate the prowess they touted during the campaigns by coming out with inventive programmes that would raise productivity and revenue profile in the various states instead of planning the illegal act of not paying the national minimum wage.

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opinion

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Lasisi Olagunju

Lasgunju@yahoo.com (08111813053)

eath is a reality we all deny. Or rather, it is a fait accompli we delay in accepting. Humanity’s every step is a conscious movement against death and its finality. We quietly wish death for death while interning “our mortality in tombs of silence.” If man does not die, I would have known my ancestors’ ancestors. You probably would be living with yours. Even when death is certain, every act of man denies it: The rich seek successful children to perpetuate their success. The poor seek wealth with children so they can poke a sharp spoke in the eyes of mortality. But immortality demands much more. When we live right, at whatever age, we shame death and deny it its face of permanent closure. We live forever if we live right. Death is a compulsive thief. It steals not just the body — chassis, engine and all — but, many times, it takes away our ethereal preparation for its landing. Humanity is cowardly. But it is still skillful in its cowardice. Whether rich or poor, we shrink from any discourse on the subject of death and get animated by life issues. But then it comes like a thief and, however helpless we are in that moment of mortis resistance, we seize the self from being part of the body- we heave the substance and leave the unreal with the agent of finality. That is what mortals who are successful in shaming death do. They fly free and live forever. Because they lived right, they achieve what Catholics describe as “new creation and elevation, a rebirth... a participation in and partaking of the divine nature.” We are born to die. That is what philosophy tells us and Socrates actually posits that the pursuit of wisdom and public good is the real preparation for the certainty of death. But we spend the whole of our existence asking questions as we watch our transition from growth to decay. We do religion, do business, meet people, make

Apotheosis of grace

children, we even go to Space because there are questions that must be answered. We live to seek answers to so many questions, including why we were born and why and how we would die. And because the last part of the question series has, since the beginning of man, defied human understanding, we continue to rummage the undergrowth of the forest of life for clues.

Many have clues to questions of life and living. Very few have clues to questions of death. That is why material wealth and power alone have never apotheosised anyone. Those whose life and existence added value to the world and its inhabitants have never escaped elevation, at death, to share space with the divine. They get adored, worshipped and venerated. And this is where I am going. I was a participant-observer of the celebration of the late Yeye Oodua, Chief ( Mrs) HID Awolowo in life, and from the moment of her smooth passage on September 19, 2015 to the grand celebration of her epochal entry to immortality on Wednesday 25 November, 2015. For the past 20 years, I have been a worker in her company, a beneficiary of her industry, a quiet observer of her humanity. And the past four years have drawn me close enough to her to see her as she lived to reside in people’s hearts forever. So, when she moved and some watched the days and talked about state burial, I watched her passage rites and saw national acclaim. What is of the “state” may, in most cases, lack the loud endorsement of the people. The “national” that I witnessed for the matriarch of the people had fine contents of the unflattering appreciation of the people for a heroine. Some talk about her long life, I look at her well-lived life. Living true and good is like good water. They both have very straight, common definition: they do not have colour or smell. They are pure. HID’s is one beautiful life which ugly death could not take. Death is what has no etutu (panacea), Yoruba Ewi exponent, Olanrewaju Adepoju, philosophizes, but Dadakuada Ilorin bard, Odolaye Aremu, disagrees. Death has medicine, children are the antidote to death. And I add, children and living true, strong and straight confer immortality. HID has all. She lives!

Buhari’s trips are not for enjoyment By Garba Shehu

I have been amused, reading a number of jokes concerning the frequency of the President, Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips. Questions have been raised about why so many visits, and what are the benefits Nigeria is getting? I will make it clear from the beginning that the critic is entitled to his and her opinion and nothing said here is intended to silence him or her. Criticism goes with the territory and as it is often said in a wisecrack, if you don’t like the heat, get out of the kitchen. President Buhari came into office under the mantra of change. While Nigerians are yearning for change, you need someone who will set up the infrastructure, both at home and abroad for it. President Buhari is busy doing that. The change is manifest in where he visits and what he does. In the delegations accompanying him abroad, President Buhari has slashed the numbers, bringing them down to a tolerable or the bearable minimum. He went to the United Nations General Assembly in September with an unbelievable 32 officials in his delegation. These included his cook, his doctor and luggage officer. His predecessor in office went to the same meeting with 150 officials and family members the year before. Wherever they are given government accommodation and feeding, members of President Buhari’s entourage receive reduced allowances, thereby saving the government some money. In public diplomacy, experts say that it is better conducted through face-to-face interaction than through third parties. This is even moreso at the level of heads of state. To do by it by proxy is to miss the effect of fostering strong interpersonal relations between leaders, by which nations benefit. President Buhari has so far visited Germany, South Africa, USA, Niger, Tchad, Cameroon, Benin, Ghana, South Africa, India, Iran and Malta, where we are presently for the Commonwealth Summit. Mostly, these were due to either the United Nations, EU, African Union or energy and

security-related summits. They were mostly undertaken to attend specific meetings, not State Visits. Looking at these assignments, the trips are inescapable for the president. What would Nigerians say of their leader when see the array of world leaders assemble, as they would shortly be doing discussing climate change in Paris on Monday and their own president is missing from the table? Those of us who were around under Abacha read all the taunts about him being a sit-at-home leader. Abacha was despised for not representing his country abroad. President Buhari’s foreign visits have been marked by punishing schedules. They are always business-like and results-oriented. All trips have been marked by tight schedules. Meeting after meeting, happening back-toback morning, afternoon and evening. The president has had to travel overnight for some of these meetings. The visit by any president to another country is the highest act in international relations. It sends out a message that that county is important to the visitor. It is not like your usual vacation abroad. Official discussions involving political leaders, the military, the diplomats and at times, business people are held at multitrack levels. In foreign policy you stand on a quick sand of events and you slip up if take a rest or lose focus. Governments also know that their achievements at home will be meaningless if they cannot project them abroad. Who or where are the foreign investors,whose hand you are seeking if you can’t travel meet them? Will they come if they don’t know about the country? President Buhari

demonstrated a keen understanding of these when in the first week of his taking the office, he brought together foreign policy and all three cardinal objectives of his administration-security,economy and war on corruption- by embarking on visits to neighboring countries. In our recent history, much of the West had ignored Nigeria under the corrupt PDP administration for many years, which warranted the country’s tilt towards some Asian countries. As a consequence, this country has suffered past isolation of various types, including the denial of access to the arms-purchase market. President Buhari will definitely make Nigeria great, as all heads of countries around the world now take our country seriously. His foreign trips are for business, security of the country and bilateral contacts- contacts that get actualised by follow-ups and the love and support a leader enjoys at home and abroad. Today, the world is in a warm embrace of President Buhari, and Nigerians should be proud of the attention, love and admiration, importance, respect and investment he is bringing to Nigeria. These trips are not for enjoyment. Lastly, to answer those who ask all the time, what is he bringing back home? We are not a country of beggars. It is good if something is in the bag as the leader comes home from a trip. Culturally, we never return home from a trip without a souvenir for everyone left at home. Yes it is good he declares something upon his return. But the most important task for the President at this time is to reset the image of Nigeria abroad, given the damage it sustained over many years in the past. So far, in fairness, the president has projected a large image of Nigeria and of himself which should be a matter of pride for all our citizens. Marketing of Brand Nigeria can never be more important than currently it is. The President is doing a great job for the nation. He needs to be supported. •Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Group Business Editor

tribune

business

Sulaimon Olanrewaju

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

Economic expectations as CBN cuts interest rate by 2%

Holdings, Zenith, GTBank and UBA, that typically operate with significant excess liquidity on their balance sheets, RenCap said they could face considerable margin pressure given the low yield environment, while some banks such as Access and Stanbic IBTC could benefit more from lower funding costs compared with peers while dealing with systemic asset yield pressures. Kunle Ezun, an analyst at Ecobank Transnational Inc., remains hopeful that “The banks will be encouraged to lend to agriculture, solid minerals and real sectors that create jobs,” just in line with his colleagues. With the restriction on all cheap income lines, analysts at Afrinvest expect a significant medium term expansion in credit to the private sector (currently at N19.1tn in October 2015 and up 6.8 per cent Y-o-Y) by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs). This, they believed, would necessitate banks to improve on their risk management framework to identify opportunities and earn a relatively higher margin (compared to the cheap rates in the fixed income market) and buoy assets turnover and shareholders’ return.

Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

IX years after steady increase in lending rates, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), last Tuesday, November 24, 2015 resolved, among other issues, to reduce the benchmark interest rate otherwise called Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 13.0 per cent to 11.0 per cent. It also reduced the cash reserve ratio (CRR) from 25.0 per cent to 20.0 per cent. Chima Nwokoji examines the implication of this decision which took most analysts by surprise, expectations of Nigerians, how the decision will touch key sectors of the economy and cost of items in the market place. The Governor of CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday, June 5, 2014 unveiled his blueprint for the Nigerian economy. One of the cardinal promises which brightened the faces of manufacturers and entrepreneurs was that, “we shall pursue a gradual reduction in interest rates ... as well as provide complimentary developmental functions by creating an environment for Nigerians to live better and more fulfilled lives.” Perhaps still in pursuit of what will make “Nigerians to live better and more fulfilled lives,” the CBN governor barely a year and five months after, has fulfilled his promise. Against all odds in the economy, Emefiele and his team at the apex bank reduced benchmark interest rate by 2 per cent. Interestingly, that was a bigger reduction than forecast by seven of the 20 economists surveyed by Bloomberg, while the rest predicted the rate would stay unchanged. As it stands, market women and artisans are eagerly waiting and expecting to feel the impact of lower interest rate, foreign investors, fund managers and captains of industry have returned to the drawing board. The banks are not left out as they are adjusting for the transmission effect. However, most discerning investors, financial experts and economists are pessimistic that it will not have desired effects soon. They argue that the decision, like the refusal to devalue the naira, has political undertone and does not follow proper, conventional economic principles. This argument raises the question as to what is the real reason for the CBN’s decision. Why CBN decided on interest rate cut The MPC said the decision was taken after considering the difficulties in the domestic macroeconomic environment and the concern that the previous liquidity injections embarked upon through the lowering of the cash reserve ratio in the last MPC has not translated into improved credit delivery to sensitive sectors of the economy. “What we’ve decided to do at this meeting is that we must stimulate growth,” Emefiele told reporters after the decision. “We don’t have a choice.” In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the committee also said there was the need for the deposit money banks to

President Buhari ensure that “measures taken by the CBN to inject liquidity and stimulate the economy adequately translate into increased lending to the sectors with sufficient employment capabilities and the potential to generate growth.” Based on the above, stakeholders deduced that a slowdown in inflation and a weak economy is the major reason for the CBN to ease policy. The inflation rate fell for the first time in almost a year in October to 9.3 per cent, staying above the bank’s target band of 6 per cent to 9 per cent. The economy expanded 2.8 per cent in the third quarter from a year earlier, slightly higher than the 2.4 per cent recorded in the previous month. Regional Head of Economics, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, believed that CBN might likely take more measures that would release more money into the system following the confirmation of sub-3 per cent real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the third quarter (Q3) 2015. Impact of interest rate cut on banks Ayodeji Ebo, Head of Research and investment at Afrinvest Securities said that cost of fund will reduce but only a little, due to 25 per cent minimum mandated interest rate on savings deposits and the 80 per cent Loan to Deposit ratio regulation by the CBN that will continue to drive demand for deposits. He led other analysts from the company in concluding that Tier-1 banks, which are

net placers of funds in the Interbank Market and with higher deposit liability to fund, will be impacted more in terms of net interest margin. Tier-2 banks which, are net borrowers, would have their cost of fund reduced, though the lower interest income would still taper off Net Interest Margin. “We anticipate interest income earned by banks on investment securities and loans to reduce in the first quarter of next year as banks adjust to the lower primary auction rates in the bonds market and reduced interbank rates. “Overall, we expect Net Interest Margin to decline in Q1:2016 (from 6.4 per cent in Q3:2015). We expect a re-pricing of stocks in the stock market in the trading sessions ahead as investors are likely to go short on financial services and long on other valuesector equities,” an Afrinvest analyst stated. Also commenting on how banks might be impacted by the new regime of lending rates, a team of economists at Renaissance Capital (RenCap) stated that interest rates would clearly remain low for longer period which implied that Q4 2015 margin pressure on banks continues into 2016. “This, coupled with extant asset quality pressure, makes for a gloomy earnings outlook for 2016,” said the analysts. They, agreeing with Afrinvest, pointed out that some banks would have significantly more funding cost benefits than others, while some are better shielded from asset yield pressure given their loan/asset penetration levels. For the leading tier 1 banks like First Bank

CBN and Keynesian economics Most stakeholders are convinced that CBN effort trying to inject liquidity and stimulate the economy is a way of applying Keynesian economics which may not apply to the Nigerian environment. This is an opposing view to those who criticized Emefiele for not applying conventional economic principles. They had argued that monetary policy in Nigeria was becoming harder to predict as the CBN turns to unconventional tools to protect its currency and boost economic growth. Recent developments in the Nigerian economy and how almost everyone advances economic analysis may have explained why Peter Temin, a professor emeritus of economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said about modern day economists: “When things collapse, everybody becomes a Keynesian.” Yet, CBN’s aim of stimulating the economy, which had remained standstill due to dwindling revenue of the government and other tightening measures, falls in line with John Maynard Keynes’ argument on interest rate. He had said that cutting interest rates is fine for raising growth in ordinary times, because “lower rates induce consumers to spend rather than save while stimulating businesses to invest.” Keynes was the economist who demonstrated that monetary policy ceases to be effective once interest rates hit zero. He recommended that the best policy in a period of unemployment, rising food prices, debate about devaluation, no money in people’s pockets, was tax cuts and more spending by the government to put money in the hands of people who will now demand products which companies produce. True, he’s been dead since 1946, but a herd of analysts still believe the British economist, investor, and civil servant Continues pg22

Monday, 30 November, 2015 22 tribunebusiness Will interest rate cut stimulate the economy? Continued from pg21

Keynes has more to teach policy makers today about how to save the global economy and Nigerian economy in particular, than an army of modern Ph.D holders equipped with models of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium. Most economists said the symptoms of the Great Depression that Keynes correctly diagnosed are back, though fortunately on a smaller scale: chronic unemployment, deflation, currency wars, and beggar-thy-neighbor economic policies (a country that cheapens its currency, allowing it to export more (and create jobs) while importing less (hurting employment abroad). For instance, Emefiele has been preaching that Nigeria should do what Germany is doing. Germany is keeping its workers busy by producing goods and services for export, while not buying the goods and services produced by other countries. That explains why the surplus on its current account, the broad measure of trade and investment income, equals 7 per cent of its gross domestic product, the highest among major economies. Interest rate and naira Most Nigerians are eager to know what happens to the naira now that interest rate has been reduced. The answer was provided by former Managing Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustapha Chike-Obi. In an earlier interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Chike-Obi explained that interest rate and exchange rate should fall at the same time. “If you lower interest rate, the naira will fall. They move together. What is strange is that the naira is falling and interest rates are rising. That is not usual. What you don’t want as a system is interest rates rising and your currency falling. That is what is called double whammy. That means you are losing on both sides,” the financial expert and assets manager explained. He said what happens in the above situation is that as foreign goods are getting more expensive, so are local goods because interest rates are higher, meaning manufacturers do not have cheap fund to invest in production of local goods. “Local goods have to be cheaper or remain at the same price level, as foreign goods get costlier. That is the only way you can get people to produce local goods profitably. So, you have to clearly state what the problem is. The problem in my own perspective is that our economy is not growing fast enough and we are not productive enough. If we can address those two issues, then the naira will eventually start getting stronger,” said Chike-Obi. He believes there is need for even more interest rate reduction because it is difficult to see a local manufacturing business surviving at the current level of interest rate. To Chike-Obi, “If we do not increase our productivity, which requires a lot of infrastructure investment, if we do not make our capital and interest rate affordable for our businesses, in conjunction

with the level of the naira, I think we will continue to see the level of the naira get weaker, weaker and weaker. “The only long term cure for the naira is increased productivity in Nigeria, and how we get there, is a whole macro-economic question.” Razia Khan did not, like ChikeObi, talk about the fact that in economics, interest rate falls together with exchange rate, instead she believes that CBN might not allow the naira to fall further. “The inference from MPC’s policy choice is that there are no plans for imminent change to the fixed foreign exchange (FX) regime currently in place,” Khan stated. The naira has remained virtually fixed at N198 to N199 per dollar since Emefiele imposed the foreign-exchange restrictions in February, while policy makers in other major oil-selling nations, including Russia, Colombia and Kazakhstan, have let their currencies fall. Government and interest rate cut For the fact that certain economic policies are influenced by political considerations, a number of analysts said while African central banks from Ghana to South Africa are tightening monetary policy to protect their economies from plunging currencies, the CBN has reduced the benchmark rate, the first in six years. They maintain that lower interest rates will only help support President Buhari-led administration as it ramps up borrowing to fund the budget and compensate for drops in oil earnings, but may not reduce the pressure on the local currency. Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Derivatives Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said: “People are divided because they are starting to believe that decisions are being made devoid of any economic rationale. Some of the decisions being made now are made with political rationale.” President Muhammadu Buhari had asked lawmakers last week to approve a supplementary budget for this year that seeks to raise spending by 10 per cent and boost borrowing by an additional N1.6 trillion ($8 billion). Most Nigerians are worried that this type of budget will require larger deficit. General implications In a flash note to investors made available to Nigerian Tribune, the investment research company Afrinvest wrote that about N771.4 billion will be released to the economy. “Prior to the MPC decision, there has been a regulatory maximum on the remunerable Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) placement by each bank at N7.5billion. The MPC’s decision to complement this by a further 5.0 per cent cut in CRR will add approximately N771.4 billion to liquidity level based on October data from the CBN. “Given the lower financial market rates anticipated, we expect slight reduction in prime lending rate,” stated Afrinvest. In the short term, industry players do not expect the ease in monetary policy to immediately translate to increase lending to the real

Emefiele sector, especially given the high risk retail/Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) loans segment. Structural bottlenecks, weak quality of infrastructure and the current slowdown in economic activities constitute high risk to real sector lending, which would require more adjustments by the fiscal authorities to de-risk the sector, they argued. According to the investment research company, the CBN’s action to buoy aggregate demand side of the economy by increasing liquidity levels and reducing market rates would have a feedback effect on price and exchange stability in the short to medium term. As the CBN has remained resolute in its resolve to keep administrative measures in place to reduce depletion in the foreign exchange (FX) reserves and create a contrived stability in interbank FX rates; the effects would be felt in the parallel market for FX where rates would further depreciate, they said. The decision is seen by most analysts as a move that may not come without negative implications for the economy in the medium term. With the reduction in interest rate, Nigeria is likely to face increased capital flight consequences in the medium to long term, more so if the United States Fed raises its benchmark interest rate at its next meeting in December they argued. Immediate market reactions Dealers said the capital market is already reacting to the decision of the MPC. “We noticed a re-pricing of stocks in the equities market during the week as investors sold down on Banks (down 4.2 per cent) week on week (W-o-) relative to other sector (down 0.8 W-o-W). “Equally, the spike in financial market liquidity resulting from the reduction in CRR to 20.0 per cent as well as the expansionary 2016 fiscal year may further trigger inflationary pressure. While the decisions by the MPC ensued

from a need to grow the real sector through increased lending by banks, we believe risk considerations in the overall economy may force Banks to remain conservative at expanding their loan books, “dealers from Afrinvest said. Also, there are fears that Nigeria is likely to face increased capital flight consequences in the medium to long term, more so if the US Fed raises its benchmark interest rate at its next meeting in December. Welcoming the development, the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Remi Bello, stated that the current monetary policy stance is needed to stimulate the economy through increased lending to productive sectors at this time. According to him, the MPC decision leverages on the global monetary policy stance which appears to be focused on reviving/sustaining growth and employment generation. He, however, warned that “To maximise the benefit presented by MPC decision, issues such as access to foreign exchange for raw materials need to be addressed by CBN. “Bank fees and charges on credit facility (i.e, management, drawdown, insurance fees) which accounts for about 5 per cent of credit costs need to be reviewed by CBN as well.” Will prices begin downward trend? With the reduction in cost of borrowing funds from commercial banks, it will be expected that prices of goods and services will trend lower in the months and years coming. But this may not be possible so soon considering the fact that there are fiscal issues which the economy will still have to contend with. Umoh, who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Stellarchem Industry Limited, ruled out the possibility of prices coming down soon, pointing out that there were fiscal factors

Nigerian Tribune

which the government would have to address before prices of goods and services begin to trend consistently lower over a period of time. “Manufacturers still will have to spend about 40 per cent of their earnings generating electricity. And spend additional 40 per cent paying for security and access to passage on the roads. “Do not forget that corruption still takes its own toll. And we still have most of our raw materials coming from abroad, and 24 hours clearing of goods is not possible yet. The corruption level in the ports is still very high. “Previously, your documents will pass through about seven tables but now you have to pass through 126 signatures. Given the corruption level in the country, you know what each table entails. “In the light of the foregoing, we are not going to see prices crashing except if the government puts other things right. Corruption has to be tamed. Power generation and distribution have to be stabilised. And the billing from power distribution companies does not have to be erratic and outrageous as it is right now. “If all these fiscal policy issues are addressed by the government, prices of goods and services will continue to go down progressively until they get to the right levels that can make local manufacturers competitive with their foreign counterparts,” Umoh concluded. Former Executive Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Abdulrahman Yinusa, had previously explained that there were fiscal issues to tackle in the economy which were beyond the purview of CBN. “The CBN can only address the monetary aspect, but we still have fiscal issues to tackle,” Yinusa had stated. CBN’s condition Preemptive of the commercial banks’ reluctance to key into the new lending rates regime, the CBN has taken a position that the liquidity arising from the reduction in the CRR to 20 per cent, will only be released to the banks that are willing to channel its liquidity flush to employment generating activities in the economy such as agriculture, infrastructure and solid minerals. With this caveat, the apex bank leaves no doubt that it is out to walk the talk by the ruling party regarding reviving the economy and improving the living conditions of the people through production growth and every other legitimate means. It should be recalled that CBN also changed the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR to an asymmetric corridor of +200 basis points and -700 basis points, around the MPR. The new corridor, together with the lower MPR, resets the rate on the CBN’s standing lending facility at 13 per cent (15 per cent previously) and on the standing deposit facility to 4 per cent (11 per cent previously). In simple language, it implies that commercial banks will have to borrow from CBN at 13 per cent as against 15 per cent previously and deposit with CBN at 4 per cent as against 11 per cent previously.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

+ entrepreneurship

anchor Ruth Olurounbi

m:0811 695 4637 e:ruth.olurounbi@tribuneonlineng.com t:@Olurounbi

Spotlight:

2 Female Nigerian entrepreneurs

changing

the world By Ruth Olurounbi

eyoncé Knowles, the popular American songstress and entrepreneur, in her song, ‘Run the World’, alluded that women do indeed run the world. As witnessed globally, women in the 21st century have indeed began to rule the world. As the global day of celebrating women entrepreneurs – Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) and the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) annual conference both wrapped up last week, Entrepreneurship+ decided to take a look at two female Nigerian entrepreneurs ruling the world all the way from the Diaspora.

Adiat Disu

Adiat Disu, Founder, Adirée and Africa Fashion Week New York Adiat Disu, in 2009, launched Africa Fashion Week New York (AFWNY), after noticing an acute nonexistence of African designers at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York, to showcase Africa’s booming fashion industry to the world, according to LadyBrille, a magazine that celebrates and spotlights women in business and leadership around the world. Disu, who made the 2014 Forbes list of Youngest Power Women in Africa, a brand strategist, who is also founder of Adirée, a New York-based communication and brand strategy company, was once quoted in a BlackEnterprise interview that her company has “taken exclusive brands from Africa and placed them on nationally esteemed and recognisable stages,” adding that “through partnerships, quality productions, digital/social campaigns, and media placements Adirée is establishing the way consumers should view products from Africa (i.e. Made in Angola, Made in Zimbabwe, or Made in Nigeria).”

Nigerian Tribune

The AFWNY, industry watchers say is one of the biggest fashion events focusing on African fashion outside of Africa. Africa-America Institute was once quoted by Brand Power, a Nigerian digital magazine as saying that Disu’s Africa Fashion Week attracts more than 1,500 industry insiders, while the former New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, was said to have admitted that the event promoted tourism to New York with 70 per cent of designers coming directly from Africa. Continues on pg24

INSIDE Business etiquettes for entrepreneurs

P24

Why attitude is more important than intelligence P24

+ entrepreneurship Monday, 30 November, 2015

Why attitude is more important

How to debut your own talk show By Ruth Olurounbi As Nigeria’s broadcast media is going digital, I thought it’d be helpful remind you that there’s a big opportunity for you in this space, most especially if you’re looking to start your own talk show, either via independent podcasts, radio or YouTube. How to get started First things first, realism Be realistic. Wanting to host five guests for a 35-minute show may sound exciting, but is it realistic? You have to reasonably figure out your own pace, strength – mental, physical and psychological – and some other factors that go into scheduling an interview such as research, questions preparation, the general direction of the production, among others. Timing You also have to think about the timing, like how much time in the day can you give the show, how much time of their time can your guest give and how much time can your audience give to watch your show? What’s the point of having a show if you don’t have the audience? The general point is: You want to give your audience a good show and you don’t want to bore them to death at the same time. Identify your theme And this brings us to another point: identifying the theme of your talk show. But it is advisable that the theme is not straight jacketed. This will help you attract guests to your show. Let’s say you want to invite up and coming artistes, offering to play their song on the show is a way to attract guests, yet you want to spice things up a little but making them do something unusual – like cook their favourite meal on the show or something. That automatically helps you, the guest and the audience have a good time and everyone is happy. What this means for your talk show is this: you get more hits/ratings thanks to the word-of-mouth publicity from your audience and your guests. The venue or space

than intelligence By Travis Bradberry

Since you probably wouldn’t be using a studio, you will need to determine where you’re going to use for your recordings –your home or office – and it has to be quiet. You will also need to factor in space for your equipment. And speaking of equipment, you may want to consider which works best for you: hiring or buying your own equipment and yes, you will need to hire assistants. So, their pay should be factored into your budget earlier on. Content type Is your show going to be strictly video or audio, will it go live or will it be pre-recorded? This will help you with your budget, not to mention answering this question will help you understand plan your shows better. Who’s your target? And where do they fit into your show? Suppose you’re targeting a high number of commuters/travellers, you may want air your show during the rush hour (for radio) and if its youth targeted, you may want to do a research to know their habits and the number of hours they spend on the internet. And lastly, the script Make a list of your guests, schedule time slots for each one and generally have an idea of what you will be doing on air. This part is called scripting. A script is that guide that helps you keep within time frame of your show. Have fun!

Spotlight:

Oduok, an entrepreneur

changing

the world Continues from pg23

She is a lawyer, a journalist, a publisher and ultimately, an entrepreneur. In 2007, Uduak Oduok founded Ladybrille, a digital magazine that celebrates and spotlights women in business and leadership across the globe. After years of struggling with how

to fully express her African identity and the challenges she experienced as a girl child growing up in Nigeria, according to her unofficial bio she penned herself, she launched a blog that captured her passion for the law, her dual identity as an African and American, her love for the creative arts, while also advocating for issues dear to her heart – the

de-marginalization of the African woman and girl child. In 2011, www.africamusiclaw. com was born. In 2014, at the Social Media Week, Oduok, in a chat with Adeola Kayode, told young entrepreneurs that: “know your values and don’t compromise them, trust that you can do it, believe in yourself and go for it.”

Business etiquettes for entrepreneurs By Ruth Olurounbi Thanks to the social media, emailing and technology in general, a lot more people are having problems navigating through that awkward professional social situations. So every once in a while, we will be highlighting some business social etiquettes every entrepreneur should master. Today’s tip is from Business Insider.

The host should always pay Suppose you’re on a business launch with a client, here is how to navigate through, without launching yourself into a stressful situation. “If you did the inviting, you are the host, and you should pay the bill, regardless of gender. What if a male guest wants to pay? A woman does have some choices. She can say, ‘Oh, it’s

not me; it is the firm that is paying.’ Or she can excuse herself from the table and pay the bill away from the guests. This option works for men as well, and it is a very refined way to pay a bill. However, the bottom line is that you don’t want to fight over a bill. If a male guest insists on paying despite a female host’s best efforts, let him pay,” Barbara Pachter, author of “The Essentials of Business Etiquette,” said.

When it comes to success, it’s easy to think that people blessed with brains are inevitably going to leave the rest of us in the dust. But new research from Stanford University will change your mind (and your attitude). Psychologist Carol Dweck has spent her entire career studying attitude and performance, and her latest study shows that your attitude is a better predictor of your success than your IQ. Dweck found that people’s core attitudes fall into one of two categories: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. With a fixed mindset, you believe you are who you are and you cannot change. This creates problems when you’re challenged because anything that appears to be more than you can handle is bound to make you feel hopeless and overwhelmed. People with a growth mindset believe that they can improve with effort. They outperform those with a fixed mindset, even when they have a lower IQ, because they embrace challenges, treating them as opportunities to learn something new. Common sense would suggest that having ability, like being smart, inspires confidence. It does, but only while the going is easy. The deciding factor in life is how you handle setbacks and challenges. People with a growth mindset welcome setbacks with open arms. According to Dweck, success in life is all about how you deal with failure. She describes the approach to failure of people with the growth mindset this way: “Failure is information—we label it failure, but it’s more like, ‘This didn’t work, and I’m a problem solver, so I’ll try something else.’” Regardless of which side of the chart you fall on, you can make changes and develop a growth mindset. What follows are some strategies that will fine-tune your mindset and help you make certain it’s as growth oriented as possible. Don’t stay helpless. We all hit moments when we feel helpless. The test is how we react to that feeling. We can either learn from it and move forward or let it drag us down. There are countless successful people who would have never made it if they had succumbed to feelings of helplessness: Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because he

“lacked imagination and had no good ideas,” Oprah Winfrey was fired from her job as a TV anchor in Baltimore for being “too emotionally invested in her stories,” Henry Ford had two failed car companies prior to succeeding with Ford, and Steven Spielberg was rejected by USC’s Cinematic Arts School multiple times. Imagine what would have happened if any of these people had a fixed mindset. They would have succumbed to the rejection and given up hope. People with a growth mindset don’t feel helpless because they know that in order to be successful, you need to be willing to fail hard and then bounce right back. Be passionate Empowered people pursue their passions relentlessly. There’s always going to be someone who’s more naturally talented than you are, but what you lack in talent, you can make up for in passion. Empowered people’s passion is what drives their unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Warren Buffet recommends finding your truest passions using, what he calls, the 5/25 technique: Write down the 25 things that you care about the most. Then, cross out the bottom 20. The remaining 5 are your true passions. Everything else is merely a distraction. Take action It’s not that people with a growth mindset are able to overcome their fears because they are braver than the rest of us; it’s just that they know fear and anxiety are paralyzing emotions and that the best way to overcome this paralysis is to take action. People with a growth mindset are empowered, and empowered people know that there’s no such thing as a truly perfect moment to move forward. So why wait for one? Taking action turns all your worry and concern about failure into positive, focused energy. Then go the extra mile (or two). Empowered people give it their all, even on their worst days. They’re always pushing themselves to go the extra mile. One of Bruce Lee’s pupils ran three miles every day with him. One day, they were about to hit the three-mile mark when Bruce said, “Let’s do two more.” His pupil was tired and said, “I’ll die if I run two more.” Bruce’s response? “Then do it.” His pupil became so angry that he finished the full five miles. Exhausted and furious, he confronted Bruce about his comment, and Bruce explained it this way: “Quit and you might as well be dead.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

moneymarket

anchor Chima Nwokoji

m:08032637535 e:chimatitus@yahoo.com

NeFF to replicate South African SABRIC in Nigeria Chima Nwokoji -Lagos

he Nigeria electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) forum said it has concluded plans to establish a replica of the South African Banking Risk Information Centre(SABRIC) in Nigeria. Revealing this at the November 2015 general meeting, the Director, Banking and Payment System, Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Mr Dipo Fatokun said that after visiting South Africa, members who attended the working/understudy tore to South Africa, gained useful insight towards setting up a protective institution like SABRIC in Nigeria. He said hopes that establishment of the centre in Nigeria would further help in combating electronic fraud and build confidence in Nigeria’s payment landscape. According to him, members has been constituted to a harmonised committee that have written a report on the establishment of the institution. “All the aforementioned testifies to how proactive

our forum has been in responding to contemporary issues in the payment system security. As we know that payment system is a huge part of our lives, there is need to always be ahead of parties whose interest lies in subverting the system to perpetrate fraud,” he said. Fatokun further said though the year has not ended, the year-on-year comparism judging from the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System’s (NIBSS) report, showed clearly that there has been a 45.98 per cent reduction in attempted fraud, while there is 63.07 reduction based on actual loses from

2014 figures. “This reduction showed that fraud was better curbed and more effective measures were taken to combat fraudsters in 2015,” he stated. These achievements could not have been possible, but for certain steps taken by NeFF, part of which he said are: the memorandum of understanding signed by members which has facilitated industry collaboration. The forum’s deliberations led to the release by the Central Bank of Nigeria of three industry defining circulars that include: two-factor authentication for internal banking pro-

Money Market

Rate (%)

Change (%)

Open-Buy-Back (OBB)

0.77

0.06 ▲

Overnight (O/N)

1.02

-0.07 ▼

Government Securities Auction Date 11/18/2015 Security Type 182 Tenor 182 Auction No 18-11-2015-182 Day Auction Primary Market Maturity Date 5/19/2016 Total Subscription 63461.82 Total Successful 22824.45 Range Bid 5.0000 - 12.0000 Successful Bid Rates 5.0000 - 7.2500 Description Issue Rate 7.25 True Yield 7.5219 Amount Offered (mn) 22824.45

NIBOR as @ Nov. 27, 2015 Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 0.8767 8.9005 10.6292 12.6056

Change (%) -0.17 ▼ -0.32 ▼ -0.33 ▼ -0.11 ▼

NITTY as @ Nov. 27, 2015 Tenor 1M 2M 3M 6M 9M 12M

Rate (%) 0.9135 1.3802 1.5772 3.7338 5.3718 5.5117

Change (%) -0.05 ▼ 0.10 ▲ -0.37 ▼ -0.16 ▼ 0.29 ▲ 0.30 ▲

Emefiele, CBN governor

cesses, regulation of cardpresent fraud in non-EMV environment, and the creation of fraud desk for effective e-fraud control. He stressed that the year 2015 has been fruitful in the life of the forum, stressing that the forum’s resolve last year to ensure that it grows stronger, more committed and more proactive in the fight against e-fraud has been realised. According to Fatokun, the adoption of the e-payment channels as a preferred channel of payment increases the incidence of electronic fraud. This heightened incidence of fraud therefore brought to the fore the need for the creation of a body (named ‘the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF)’ which consists of all relevant stakeholders to actively and proactively react to this challenge to safeguard integrity of the e-payment channels. Also speaking,the deputy governor (operations) of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Suleiman Barau, said the e-payment needs the work of NeFF to ensure security of transactions and guaranteed customer confidence. He congratulated the forum for its achievements within four years of existence. Barau noted that since the establishment of the forum, the e-payment has been transformed; adding that NeFF will continue to receive full support of the CBN.

CBN Exchange Rates as at 11/27/2015 Currency US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN/ RENMINBI RIYAL

DANISH KRONA SDR

Nigerian Tribune

Buying(NGN) 196 294.98

Central(NGN) 196.5 295.7325

Selling(NGN) 197 296.485

207.4856 190.3837 1.5984 0.2971 268.5344 30.6461

208.0149 190.8694 1.6025 0.3071 269.2195 30.7248

208.5442 191.355 1.6066 0.3171 269.9045 30.8034

52.2026

52.3358

52.469

27.8042 269.206

27.8751 269.8928

27.946 270.5795

FGN Bonds Date of Auction 11/11/2015 11/11/2015 10/14/2015 Security Type FGN Bonds FGN Bonds FGN Bonds Tenor Maturing On 5 Year 10 Year 5 Year 2/13/2020 3/14/2024 2/13/2020 2/13/2020 3/14/2024 2/13/2020 Amount Offered (N mn) 30 20 40 Subscriptions (N mn) 71.05 83.90 102.71 30.00 20.00 40.00 Tot. Successful (N mn) Net Sales (N mn) Range of Bid Rates 7.0000 - 15.5400 6.0000 - 14.5000 12.0000 - 16.0000 7.0000 - 10.2490 6.0000 - 10.0100 12.0000 - 13.1110 Successful Bid Rates 10.249 10.01 13.111 Marginal Rate

10/14/2015 FGN Bonds 10 Year 3/14/2024 3/14/2024 40 82.17 40.00 12.0000 - 16.5000 12.0000 - 13.8700 13.87

weeklyreview Money Market Review As the Nigerian monetary authority maintains a relaxed stance, financial market liquidity remained at high levels last week. On Monday, system liquidity opened at of N708.9billion, money market rates stayed low at 0.9 per cent (Open Buy Back -- OBB) and 1.3 per cent (Overnight -- O/N). However, as no outflows left nor inflows hit the system, OBB and O/N rates added 0.1 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively while Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) rates closed at an average of 10.7 per cent on Tuesday. However, in order to further raise financial market liquidity to promote economic growth by increasing lending to the real sector, the MPC lowered MPR to 11.0 per cent, and slashed CRR further to 20.0 per cent. Consequently, money market and NIBOR rates fell to 1.0 per cent (OBB), 1.4 per cent (O/N) and 9.2 per cent accordingly. On Thursday, N162.4billion OMO Maturity hit the system easing market rates further to 0.7 per cent (OBB) and 1.1 per cent (O/N). Activities in the treasury bills (T-bills) market was generally bullish on all trading days this week. Average T-bills rates trended lower on Monday to close at 4.7 per cent from 5.2 per cent recorded on Friday. As liquidity concerns become dissipated, average T-bills rates closed at 3.1 per cent on Friday, indicating a week on week (W-o-W) decline of 2.1 per cent. Foreign Exchange Market Review After the much anticipated Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting which took place last week, the Committee left the foreign exchange policy untouched in its last meeting for the year. However, against the decision of the Committee to encourage real sector lending and further expand system liquidity, pressures may begin to mount on the FX rates in the parallel market as holder’s source for more dollar for imports. According an investment research company Afrinvest West Africa Limited, against no deliberate administrative measures by the Apex bank, the official window of the Nigerian foreign exchange (FX) market stayed unshaken at N197.00/US$1.00 on all trading days last week. Conversely, at the interbank market, there were relative changes in FX rates within a band of N197.10/ US$1.00 and N198.55/US$1.00 on all trading days last week. On Monday, offer rate depreciated 51kobo to open at N198.55/US$ from N198.04/US$1.00 on Friday. Following the weekly FX intervention that held during the week there was an appreciation in rates to N197.10/ US1.00 on Thursday. At the parallel market however, pressure on FX rate remained strong on all trading days in the week. Consequently, after opening at N237.00/US$1.00 on Monday, it rose to a high of N143.00/US$1.00 during the week following the increased pressure for FX after the MPC meeting. While the CBN remains unresponsive to pressures to devalue the local unit, dealers expect parallel market rates stay pressured in the sessions ahead. Bond Market Review Performance of the Nigerian bond market was generally bullish on most trading days last week. To start off the week, the bond market recorded a broad rise in yield across all instruments on Monday as average yields settled at 10.5 per cent, up 1.1 per cent from the 11.5 per cent recorded on Friday. This was consequent on investors’ expectations for a reduction in MPR after the MPC meeting that was to be concluded by Tuesday. However, on Tuesday, activity in the bond market was generally mixed as short to medium term investors sold down on their positions while longer tenored instruments (NOV 2028 to JUL 2034) appreciated 8basis points (bps) on the average. Following the decision of the MPC to free up liquidity, the reactions of investors within the bond market saw a remarkable reduction in average bond yields to 8.8 per cent from 10.6 per cent recorded in the previous day as prices crashed on MPC’s decision to cut interest rate.

moneymarket Low rates We did not ask any Nigerian bank to remain to recapitalise —CBN as N129bn 27

inflow, outflow balance out

There are expectations that a whopping N129. 2 billion Treasury Bill maturity will balance out with N 129.17 billion ($649.10 million) worth of local currency denominated treasury bills planed to be raised by the Federal Government. These traders anticipate will keep already low rates steady. While the maturities of the N129. 17 billion worth of T-Bills scheduled for raising December 2, range between 3-month and 1-year, the N129.2billion T-bills maturity is expected to come with a roll-over of the same amount. “We expect rates to trend even lower in the coming week as there exists little or no liquidity concerns,” one dealer told Nigerian Tribune. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria said it will issue N17.85 billion worth in the 3-month paper, N18 billion in the 6-month paper and N93.32 billion in the 1-year bill, using the Dutch Auction System. Yields on Nigeria’s bonds fell below 10 percent across maturities as trading started on Wednesday, traders said, a day after the central bank announced a surprise interest rate cut aimed at stimulating lending in Africa’s biggest economy. Traders said they are expecting lower returns on the short-date paper at the auction this week in tandem with the prevailing trend in the secondary market.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that no Nigerian bank is ‘experiencing stress,’ and as such has not compelled any to recapitalise before June 2016. This followed an online publication purporting that some deposit money banks in Nigeria are ‘experiencing stress.’ Describing as fictitious, CBN said the story as published “is not only false and baseless but a figment of the writer’s imaginations.” Reuters news online had published a story last week in which it stated that Central Bank of Nigeria has given three commercial banks until June 2016 to recapitalise after they failed to hit a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 10 per cent. According to the Reuters report which made reference an October 30 report of the CBN, claimed that the three banks were not named, but they were said to be among the group of 14 in Nigeria that have licenses to operate as regional and national lenders, with respective capital bases of N10 billion ($50 million) and N25 billion. In a statement signed by CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Muazu, the apex bank stated categorically that: “The CBN hereby assures the banking public that the Nigerian banking system is sound and all banks are in compliance with both the regulatory and prudential requirements.” It further recalled that the Governor, on November 24, 2015, during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing, also made it categorically

clear that no Nigerian bank is in distress. “The CBN therefore urges all bank customers and the general public to disregard the publication as it is false, mischievous and aimed at throwing the banking public into unnecessary panic,” the statement read in part. Meanwhile, responding to media enquiries, Wema Bank Nigeria Plc has already said that the Bank it is not among the banks asked by CBN to recapitalise. According to the bank, its present Capital Adequacy ratio (CAR) is presently 18.6 per cent (based

on Q-3, 2015 results) significantly higher than the 10 per cent CAR required for regional and national bank. The bank has existing shareholders funds of N44billion; significantly higher than the N25billion shareholders funds required for national banks, hence the request by Wema Bank to apply for the license. “The Bank’s decision to go National is largely for us to be able to take advantage of any opportunities where they exist. Our approach to the implementa-

tion of a national banking expansion will be a phased roll-out of branches. “First, we will quickly open branches in locations where we already have existing infrastructure and captive business to ensure we take immediate advantage of the latent business opportunities in these locations. Subsequently, we will take a cautious approach to expansion and only deploy resources to areas that have been assessed as commercially viable,” the lender wrote in an email response to newsmen.

Adeosun

Interest rate fraud rocks US, UK banking system Big banks and financial institutions in the United States of America and the United Kingdom have been made to pay billions of dollars to settle some of the cases brought by investors and governments, over interest rate manipulations. The banks have been accused of colluding in other areas of trading such as interbank rates, currencies and credit default swaps. This is even as the Serious Fraud Office has charged ten former employees at Barclays at Deutsche Bank for rigging interest rates.

Twelve of the biggest players in interest rate swap trading in US were sued for allegedly conspiring to block fund managers from entering the exchange market. The total notional value of interest rate swaps outstanding was about $320-trillion in the first half of 2015, according to a report this month by the Bank for International Settlements. The antitrust complaint filed in New York federal court by a public pension fund names most of the biggest US and Euro-

pean investment banks among the defendants, as well as trading platforms ICAP Capital Markets and Tradeweb Markets. According to reports seen by Nigerian Tribune, the banks in their role as interest rate swap market-makers, were said to have prevented buy-side investors from trading the swaps on exchanges. Buy-side investors are stuck in the banks’ “inefficient and antiquated” overthe-counter market and blocked from transparent, competitive pricing and faster trades so the dealers

can preserve “an extraordinary profit centre”, according to the complaint. This has allowed the dealers to “extract billions of dollars in monopoly rents, year after year”, the Chicago school teachers’ pension fund alleges in the complaint. The swaps, a type of derivative that can swing in value when central banks raise or lower rates, help pension funds, companies and municipalities manage risk and insulate themselves from changes in monetary policy. In a similar development,

the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom has charged ten former employees at Barclays, Deutsche Bank for rigging interest rates. This includes the first woman to face criminal charges over the scandal which has engulfed banks across the world and is the culmination of a three year probe by the UK watchdog. The charges are the first criminal proceedings against individuals accused of manipulating the Euro Interbank Offered Rate, which is known as Euribor.

Nigerian Tribune

CIBN to assemble top women bankers on economic empowerment Chima Nwokoji -Lagos The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has concluded arrangements to assemble top women executives in banks and other financial institutions in the country for a seminar on economic empowerment. This the institute said is to further empower Nigerian women and enhance their standard of living, A statement on Thursday signed by the Head, Corporate Communications and External Relations Folake Akintayo said the Seminar, scheduled for Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at the Bankers House, Lagos is the 3rd in the institutes series of Annual Seminar on Gender Economic Inclusion. It is meant to address key issues that will make women economically active and relevant in the financial services industry. The statement further noted that this year’s seminar is part of the public enlightenment programmes organized by the Institute to uplift the lives of Nigerian women in the banking and financial services industry and “it is expected to attract women working in the banks and other financial institutions and those who left active service.” Participants according to the statement will brainstorm on key sub-themes such as “An overview of Gender Structure in the Nigerian Financial Services Industry”; Financial Inclusion: A Veritable Tool for Achieving Gender Equality and Women Economic Empowerment; and “The Imperative of Change in the Financial Services Sector: X-raying the Gender Dimension. Top on the list of high profile and seasoned experts to address the participants at the Seminar are Mrs. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman, Access Bank Plc; Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson, Chairman, Board of Governing Council, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic; Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Accion Microfinance Bank; Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, Executive Director, Shared Services, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mrs. Eileen Shaiyen, Founder/Managing Director, H. Pierson Associates, among others.

capitalmarket

The Security Exchange Commission (SEC) last week held its 2015 third quarter Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting, where the development of the economy through the implementation of the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan was discussed. SEC Director General, Mounir Gwarzo, briefed the press on the meeting and the activities of the commission. Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba brings the excerpts:

Monday, 30 November, 2015

‘e-dividend, direct cash transactions to commence Jan 2016’

sure compliance. We also launched the National Investor Protection Fund. SEC, few years ago, took giant steps within its limited resources to set aside certain amount of money for investors’ protection fund. NIPF is different from the investors’ fund being managed by the NSE which is strictly to address issues relating to brokers and dealers or broker and broker firm. Its strictly with the firm’s dealing with stock exchange. The SEC NIPF would cover the whole market, investors, issuing houses, among others. The rules on the investment protection fund is already on the website. Apart from the board that was inaugurated, the verification committee was also inaugurated because the rule mandated that the verification committee must be in place to start work. Happy enough, the verification committee has been inaugurated and by the time we get to Abuja, the verification committee should sit down and start work. We hope that before the end of this year, the first beneficiaries of the investors protection fund would be paid. You need to look at the rules and modalities on our website.

Recapitalisation E said it over and over again that by the end of 30th September, any operator that did not meet minimum requirement would not fit in. And we have kept our word. People thought we were joking and people thought we would change the date but we said we would not change the date. We’re happy that a lot of Capital Market Operators (CMOs) responded and submitted their documents. After the closure of the time, we engaged 16 accounting firms that reviewed the submission. We have reached up to 90 per cent in terms of review of the submission. We have another three solid accounting firms to review the works of these 16 accounting firms. In about two to three weeks, we should have been able to finalise those who are able to make the minimal requirements. Before the end of December, we will come out with the final list. But from what we have seen, the compliance level has been quite good. Dematerialisation It is an issue we have been battling with for the last 30 to 40 years in this market. The records of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) and the registrars have not been the same. And we say for us to move forward, there must be handshake. All the records with the registrar must be transmitted to CSCS data. And with the support of the registrars and the excellent dedication of the CSCS, we have been able to do that. We have reached 90 per cent compliance level and by next week, we will be able to achieve 100 per cent dematerialisation of certificates that are with the registrars. e-dividend We’re aware of the excellent support and dedication and cooperation we’ve been receiving from both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NIBBS, in terms of the provision of the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) platform. A lot of reconciliations have taken place. We have reached about 70 to 75 per cent compliance level. We believe that a lot of public enlightenment will also enhance the initiative. By next week we are going to come up with another robust enlightenment programme, where investors will go to the banks. The banks have agreed that any investor that reaches their office, they’re going to provide them with all the necessary data. So, you either go to the bank or the registrar and they will give you an e-dividend form to complete. The moment you input the data, automatically it goes to the CSCS. We are determined to see that for the first time that the e-dividend thoroughly implemented. And we all know the huge success we will be able achieve;

Munir Gwarzo, SEC DG the unclaimed dividend issue would have been sorted out. This time around you don’t have to waste money to get dividend, rather it would be paid directly into your client’s account. Direct cash settlement Direct cash settlement is a process whereby a client gives his broker the mandate to sell his or her shares, once those shares are sold, payment are made directly into the client’s account. As against the practice now where considerations will be paid into the stock brokers account and the stock brokers will now take to his fees and remit the balance in the client’s account and in the process, in the past, a lot of things went wrong. But with the direct settlement, the moment those shares are sold, the consideration will be paid into the client’s account. I’m happy to report that at the CMCs, the members unanimously agreed that the commencement of the direct cash will be on 2nd of January 2016. So, we believe this will also improve investor’s confidence in the market. Non-interest finance We briefed the market on what we have achieved during our first outing in Kano where we did a very robust public enlightenment on the need for the government, states and other agency, to come to the market and utilise the window of the noninterest finance. We had in attendance the governor of Kano State and also the Emir of Kano and other key stakeholders. We are able to move to the south west anytime in February or March. The idea is that we move between zones within the country to propagate the gospel of taking advantage of that instrument. Deepening SEC activities

We are also looking in-house in terms of strengthening our activities. Part of our initiative in the master plan is the need for SEC to strengthen its capacity. We do not think we know all, but we think SEC should be a reference point in this market in terms of knowledge. If you’re looking for someone who is very knowledgeable in mergers and acquisition, you need to come to the SEC. If you are looking for someone to enlighten you on how to structure some of these structured finances, you come to SEC. If you’re looking for knowledge on investment protection, you come to sec. We’re upscalling our capacity. We are bringing a professor of econometrics to head our economy desk. There are other divisions we are fortifying. The whole idea is that SEC should be the point of knowledge. Any knowledge that you’re looking for within the capital market, when you come to SEC you should be able to find it. It’s an ongoing thing but we believe we will reach that level. Launch of corporate governance scorecard We had the representatives of the International Financial Council (IFC) who informed the gathering that Nigeria is the first to launch the scorecard in Africa. We worked with them for about nine months, we collaborated with so many of dynamics of the scorecard. Before it was launched, we had training with all the company secretaries of quoted companies on how they would fill the scorecard. We’re happy that one of the gurus in corporate governance launched the scorecard. Implementation of the scorecard is mandatory. We also have provision in our rules on corporate governance scorecards. And we’re going to jealously monitor the company to en-

Inauguration of the CAMMIC The idea of Capital Market Master Plan Implementation Council (CAMMIC) is to have a body that will engage the legislative, the executive and judiciary in terms of certain initiative within the capital market. We need a higher level intervention. For instance, now that the stock market is on the verge of going through the process of dematetrialisation, NSE has gone to appoint companies to drive the dematerialisation process. There are certain ways they can follow through with the process. It’s either there would be a law that will drive the process or by giving us dematerialisation law or certain provision of CAMMIC that would have to be amended. We need a lot of advocacy. So, the CAMMIC that will be in the vanguard to either interface with the legislative or executive to get the law changed or enacted. The CAMMIC will also do lots of work, they’ll be rearing for lots of company to be listed on the Exchange. There has been a lot of interface with the telecoms, the Discos and the Gencos. They will have the opportunity to engage both the BPE and the executive on the need for the government to be on the driving seat on delisting of companies. The government is the major driver of all companies in both grown and emerging market to be listed. Looking at the companies that are listed on our exchange, 90 to 95 per cent of them are through government initiative, indigenisation1, indigenisation 2, privatisation 1, privatisation 2. So, we think the government should take the driving seat. The CAMMIC composes of very excellent Nigerians, people of high integrity. People that know the market. NSE, SEC, CBN, PenCom are all members. Apart from the individual capacity, we look at institutions which have key roles to play in the market so that if there are issues with PenCom, maybe they need to amend some of their guidelines to give room for better investment by the PFS, PenCom is being represented. Within the CAMMIC, we have the project monitoring team. They serve as secretariat so that if there are issues that needed to be looked at, the project team will look to these issues, do a lot of researches, prepare papers and pass it to the CAMMIC.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

labour Abubakar moves to reposition NDE, as he bows out of office Sories By Soji-Eze FagbemiAbuja

he Director-General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, will bow out of office this week as his eight years as the head of the directorate has come to an end. Abubakar, whose exploits in this very important agency of the government cannot be wished away, however, made last minutes efforts to further reposition the directorate and ensure that the agency is in poper shape to continue to perform its statutory responsibility effectively, after his exit. Tagged: Repositioning NDE for 2016 and Beyond, Abubakar gathered all the senior management staffers of the agency from across the country for an interractive forum. The forum was held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. The managing director informed his management team that he would be leaving in the next four days but assured them that he was leaving behind a crop of technocrats who would lead the NDE to even greater success. “In four days, I will have served my eight-year tenure as director-general of the NDE. I have nothing but gratitude to God, and my fatherland for this rare opportunity. I am leaving the service a fulfilled man leaving behind a crop of technocrats that boast of the know-how and know-what of employment generation. The NDE under a revamped mother Ministry of Labour and Employment has a bright future ahead of it,” he said. In his address, Abubakar described the event as a family gathering aimed at reflecting on their collective efforts over the years “in our very critical task of employment creation for the teeming unemployed in Nigeria.” He said: “We are equally here to chart the way having been engaged in the business of employment creation for close to three decades.” According to him, it is part of the processes of re-engineering the NDE, for the task ahead, especially now that the scourge of mass unemployment has become a serious impediment to the collective aspiration in building a stable and prosperous nation. He pointed out that their presence further underscores the importance the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari attaches to employment creation.

The NDE boss said: “Over the years, the NDE has been engaged in the fight against mass unemployment through the instrumentality of skills acquisition in vocational, agricultural and entrepreneurial skills as well as activities in the public works sector and the provision of transient jobs

opportunities.” He hinted that the efforts of the directorate, no doubt, have yielded remarkable dividends. But he added that the ever changing forms and patterns of unemployment had made it necessary for the government to constantly review strategies and think outside

the box. This, according to him is in order to remain relevant and accomplish its mandate as an intervention agency of the Federal Government. He told the gathering that they cannot do less in the face of the startling statistics regarding unemployment in Nigeria.

Ngige cautions staff on travelling expenses IN line with the determination of the Federal Government to eliminate waste and maximise the use of scarce resources, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has directed an immediate minimisation of Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) in the ministry and agencies under it. The minister said: “Under this directive, no officer including the minister, minister of state and the permanent secretary will be allowed to stay out of the station for more than one night. Any officer, whose job is taking out of station for more than a night therefore, is expected to get the approval of the permanent secretary. This shall not exceed a maximum of two days. Any other stay that lasts for more than two days because of the peculiar nature of the duty shall be with the express approval of the minister. “This will apply for both local and international travels. Of course, no officer will travel abroad without the explicit approval of the minister, even if the cooperation partners or donor agencies are

sponsoring such. These are cost saving measures, which will also enhance productivity, and we are all expected to abide by it. The days when we stay for as long as possible to accumulate allowances for ourselves are now over.” The miister was speaking while addressing the management team

of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in his office. He said, “there is every need for the ministry and its agencies to key into the new development objectives of the Federal Government in streamlining its agencies as well as operations for efficiency and maximum output.”

Labour ministry wades into FirstBank, pensioners’ crisis Following several months of agitations by pensioners of First Bank of Nigeria Plc over neglect and poor welfare package being offered by the bank, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has waded into the crisis in an attempt to bring final solution. The pensioners under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) First Bank branch had, for several months, been at loggerheads with the management of the bank, asking for improvement in the welfare package. The union recently issued a 21day ultimatum to the management of the bank after which they were to face an industrial action. However, following last Monday’s meeting which was held in Lagos at the Ikoyi office of the Federal Ministry of Labour, the management of the bank agreed to look into the issue and report back to the union by January 2016. In a communique signed between the management of the bank and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (First Bank unit), at the end of the meeting, both parties agreed that status quo be maintained. The communique read: “That all outstanding will be forwarded to the incoming management for deliberation and further actions. That before the end of January 2016, the management will communicate back to both the union and the ministry on the said demands.” The signing was supervised by the Chief Labour Inspector (CLI) in the ministry, Mr D.C. Nwankwo. The communique was signed on behalf of the bank by Barbara Harper, group head, Human Capital; Olusuyi Bello (litigation) Legal Services and Babatunde Lasaki, head Media and External Relations.

NLC tasks labour minister on NLAC The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the challenges faced by the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) which has resulted in its inability to meet over the years. The congress stated this in a congratulatory message to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige. The message was signed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba. According to the congress, the NLAC is a tripartite body comprising of representatives of the Federal and state governments, employers and labour organisations with the primary responsi-

bility of advising the Federal Government on industrial and labour relations issues. The meeting of the council assists in addressing most of the developmental issues in labour administration in the country. Comrade Wabba stated that the appointment of Dr Chris Ngige as the Minister of Labour and Employment was coming at a time, when the country is faced with so many challenges, adding that the Labour and Employment Ministry, being the one under which industrial relations matters are coordinated have special role to play in ensuring industrial peace and harmony in the country.

The congress expressed concern over the prevalent cases of casualisation and outsourcing which a number of employers have resorted to as a means of cutting costs of human resources and maximisation of profits as well as the need to get the ministry’s Factory Inspectorate Division to be sufficiently equipped and function optimally. The NLC leadership pledged to seek audience with the minister on the issue of massive unemployment in the country and also offer their advice, ideas and suggestions on how to address the challenges of unemployment in the country.

labour

Monday, 30 November, 2015

‘Workers won’t accept any reduction in N18,000 minimum wage’ Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja

he rejection of the Governors’ Forum’s unpopular decision that the governors can no longer afford the payment of N18, 000 national minimum wage because of the sharp reduction in their Federal Allocation has spread to the state levels, indicating the readiness of workers across the country to fight any move to reduce the minimum wage. The two labour centre in the country - the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have rejected the pronouncement and vowed to resist it, warning that the workers would be mobilised to shut down the country and all other activities. The TUC, Rivers State chapter, has also indicated its readiness to tow the line of the labour centres, and warned that the workers will not accept any reduction in the N18, 000 minimum wage. The state chairman of TUC in the state, Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, said even though they agreed that the economy is in bad shape, a lot of other factors responsible for the current situation of the economy could be traced to poor governance and corruption by the political class. “While we agree that the Nigerian economy is in bad shape due mainly to fall in oil price from $115 per barrel in June 2014 to less than $48 per barrel now; we note that a lot of the factors responsible for the current situation of the economy can be traced to poor governance and corruption by the political class. “For instance, the political leaders at all levels did not stop the industry scale oil theft of some 400,000 barrels of oil per day; refused to diversify the economy away from oil and gas; refused to

pass the PIB; made no savings for the rainy day such that the excess crude account is just $2 billion external reserves is below $30 billion and Nigerian government debt is over $63 billion, among others. “The situation becomes clearer when you juxtapose Nigeria with Saudi Arabia that has a smaller population but external reserves

in excess of $900 billion. “We want to state very categorically that this is not a time for any unilateral action by any level of government as such will be resisted by the workers and the unions that represent them including TUC Rivers State.“We, therefore, appeal to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to dialogue with NLC and TUC with a view

to co-creating acceptable winwin solutions to the current economic crises rather than making vexatious pronouncements that are capable of deepening the economic crises and overheating the polity.” “For the avoidance of doubt ,workers will not accept any reduction in the meagre N18,000 minimum wage.”

Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Professor Dayo Fasakin, flanked by Registrar, Mr Felix Adetula (right) and Librarian, Mr A.A Olufinsawe, during an orientation programme for new staffers of the polytechnic in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, recently.

PENGASSAN frowns on fuel queues, urges govt to boost local refineries The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has condemned the perennial fuel scarcity and queues across the country and called on the Federal Government to boost local refineries to permanently solve the problem. The union said after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that the only permanent solution to the recurrent fuel crisis is to fix the refineries and build more to boost local refineries and do away with importation of fuel for local consumption. In a communique issued after the NEC meeting and signed by the President of PENGASSAN, Olabode Johnson and the Acting General Secretary, Lumumba

Okugbawa, the NEC-in session commended the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachukwu in putting back the refineries on stream to boost local refining capacity. The NEC called on the government to deal with the issue of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism that has been affecting crude oil supply to the refineries and crippling effectiveness and efficiency of the refineries. The NEC also urged the government to strictly adhere to regular Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries, and also desist from unduly interfering with the running of the Refiner-

ies. It further demanded a viable business model to ensure that refineries perform effectively and efficiently. The communique read: “The NEC frowns at the perennial queues in petrol stations all over the country and huge debts owed petroleum marketers from subsidy claims. The NEC calls on the Federal Government to put in place, a systematic process at thinning out importation of petroleum products and an aggressive strategy at improving local refining. “The NEC advises that deliberate steps at addressing the issues of supply and distribution of petroleum products should be

taken before contemplating full deregulation of the sector.” The union demanded that government should empower and strengthen the regulatory agencies, particularly the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to enthrone standards and business ethics in the subsidy regime. PENGASSAN also called on the government to be practical in implementation of the Guidelines on Contract and Casual Staffing in the oil and gas industry to ensure that managements treat all employees equally; and further resolved to frontally engage defaulting employers.

Nigerian Tribune

SSAUTHRIA writes Buhari, wants his intervention over CRIN crisis The Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institution (SSAUTHRIAI) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately intervene in the crisis rocking the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan. Already, the association has written both the President and the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina over the unresolved industrial crisis in CRIN. Addressing a press conference in Abuja at the weekend, General Secretary of SSAUTHRAI, Comrade Moshood Akinade, traced the genesis of the crisis and the events that led to the crisis. He blamed the crisis on the role played by the Chairman, Board of CRIN and the former minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. He said the association has written a letter entitled: ‘Unresolved industrial crisis in Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan: Call for Mr President’s intervention,’ and dated July 12, 2015 to President Buhari; made salient demands and appealed to the president to take urgent action on their demands. When there was no response from the presidency, he explained that SSAUTHRIAI wrote another letter to Mr Adesina but regretted that “as of today, nothing has been received from the Presidency.” Comrade Akinade said: “We are sad that the Presidency has not disclosed to us if any action has been taken despite the attachment of photographs of the staff that were macheted at the barbaric invasion of CRIN by known political thugs brought to the institute. After 136 days of the delivery of our letter dated July 12, 2015 we still do not see any justifiable reason by the Presidency not to have deemed it apropriate to inform us of the action taken, if any.” “We could have still waited but because of persistent harrasement, intimidation, denial of rights and acts of impunity which is the order of the day in CRIN.” He alleged that there was absolute industrial peace in CRIN before the assumption of duty by the executive director of CRIN, adding both the former minister and the executive director did all they do with impunity. The association therefore demanded immediate removal of the executive director and his prosecution along with the former chairan of the board of CRIN on the attack on staff of the institute. SSAUTHRIAI also appealed to President Buhari to appoint Dr. F.A Okelana, the most senior director, who was the acting executive director before the appointment ofthe present executive director.

Monday, 30 November, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Nigeria has chosen a wrong model of government —Gov Ayade Cross River State governor, Professor Benedict Ayade, who is also a former senator, had an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos. BOLA BADMUS brings excerpts of the session.

OUR predecessor complained about lack of funds as a result of which many things were left undone in Cross River State. But you came on board and embarked on a super highway project. Some people are skeptical that it may be a pipe dream. It is obvious that we actually have cash crunch in the country, but again at a point for me, giving my business background, I have never seen cash giving limitation. I believe idea should be the only limitation and not cash. You see in romantic economics, when things get so tough, when the economy is slowing down, the normal convention is that government must cut down the costs. So, government ordinarily is supposed to reduce the number of ministries, cut down allowances and salaries, run a lean structure to be able to be get out of the quagmire. But that actually is not the right way to go, genetics economics teaches us that it is at such times that government is socially sensitive and is supposed to expand. At this period of our cash crunch we have increased our number of ministries from 18 to 28. So, I would rather increase the number of commissioners. It is consistent with this romantic economics because as young people get unemployed, as the cash crunch bits harder, what happens is that people would look for alternative to survival. There is the survivalist system, which pushes them to a level when criminality begins to manifest, then we have social tension. So, you spend more on security, which is a non-productive aspect. And so you are just scrupulously playing round the clock. In America today, when things get real tough, government puts more money on people’s pay check, tax- payers’ increase their pay cheques for them to increase consumptions. At this time of cash-crunch, it is when people are supposed to consume more. And so we are definitely a ballooned government, expanding within the beacons of what is financially possible, to expand government to expand consumptions and that is why Cross River is going to have a very high number of appointees at the political level. They don’t add up to the risk or cost of living them unemployed. How do you mean? If you know what it takes for you to be a commissioner, and after four years to leave office and to be nothing, you have changed your consumption sophistry, increased

Ayade your perception of buying for life and can’t go back to the grassroots. At that point, you become very deadly, and so you have

this extreme political attitude that creates political high tension that eclipses and collapses the country. And so we must under-

In the face of cash crunch, we are able to manage what we have more delicately, cut all the luxuries that are available to government, but expanding the horizon of opportunities for the people.

stand that, at the point of financial crunch, government needs to expand to take care of the people until the economy begins to buoy. As it begins to buoy, the government shrinks and private sector takes over. That is the course we are taking in Cross River State. Today, we are among the states, which perhaps have not failed to pay salaries. We have not failed to pay salaries since I assumed office, beyond the 25th of any month. Yet, in the absence of cash, in the face of cash crunch, we are able to manage what we have more delicately, cut all the luxuries that are available to government, focusing emphatically on what is required continues on pg32

politics&policy

Monday, 30 November, 2015

‘Second term not an excitement for me’ continued from pg31

just to keep government running, but expanding the horizon of opportunities for the people. I believe the greatest asset I have got before the people of Cross River State is my history and my pedigree. It is feasible, you can feel the pulse. The state knows what I inherited, but I am strong, because in spite of the challenges of the state, the state is rich and great. If I don’t have the ideas, then I can say Cross River is poor. How can Cross River be poor with 123kilometre of Atlantic coast? How can Cross River State be poor with huge deposit of gold, bronze, tantalite, kaolin? I can go on and on. How can Cross River State be poor when they have most civilised souls, a people that are very refined, emotionally stable and poised, people who are not aggressive and materially crazy? The state is blessed with such abundant human resources. So, for me, I believe we inherited a very rich state, and so the honesty of my character, shall become relevant. The issue with Cross Rivers has to be about continuity. You have this project called Tinapa which was envisaged to be a big project to draw foreign investments to Nigeria. Has the state completely forgotten it and what has been the situation in the state concerning the project? For me, at this point in time, it is to make the press to give us support for the project that otherwise looks impossible. Little did I know that, what I conceived as a dream, (the super highway and deep seaport projects) would have the endorsement of the President Muhammadu Buhari. The President is known for his discipline, a President who is known for his words. So, for him to give his commitment that he will come to commission this project is indicative of his commitment. He has not just stopped at that. This week Friday, we shall have a team coming from some overseas countries, on the instruction of the Presidency, to come and look at the Super-Highway and the Seaport and think of the ideas of the partnership they can bring. This same projects today have enjoyed such a popular support that today we have $10billion being put aside that we are investing in the port. Today, we have letters coming from Chad and Niger requesting for land for boarded warehouse and industrial parks. The super highway was beset with political challenges, the issue of whether it was going through the National Park, because there were some people whose paths are dark or given to pride. So, the construction of anything that can frustrate the project will be a thing of joy. But of course, there are some people who also imagine that the success of these projects automatically provides a second term for a sitting governor and if you have an ambition to be governor, this is the time to frustrate the projects. Because the design was clear, we had three kilometers away from the National Park and that was why the President was so angry when he suspended his first visit to the state. We presented the design and it was like how come these people are telling me you are cutting into the National Park? We have no business with the National Park. I am a professor of Environmental Science and I have got maybe 50 per cent of years

Ayade

Why would a country like this run a vertically, mechanically politicised system when we can’t even afford means of production and the people are hungry?

of experience in the shore before I left active professional practice into politics. I have been involved in all these power projects. So, I am a celebrated name in my profession and so this is one of those things we do in my core profession. I would not act on professional breach to compromise this. Like I said, all those things have been set aside. They have been resolved and now they understand. The design is now acceptable to all the parties and we are moving forward. There are complaints from among members of your party saying the APC and the president are stifling the opposition. Are you one of the PDP governors they said are planning to join APC? As to why about three PDP governors are singing praises of APC President and hoping that this does not suggest that probably I am one of those governors who are pushing to defect to APC. I would like that question because it gives opportunity to do a little clarification. Between PDP and APC, there is no ideological difference; there is no philosophical difference. You are dealing with a nation that is at a basal living, hunger, pain, poverty, infrastructure. Whether PDP or APC, what we seek to address at this point are those fundamental needs. Maybe in 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years, we would have risen above those chal-

lenges of basic survival of living, then there would be an ideological difference. Then the issue of whether you belong to party A or B matters, whether you a bourgeois or you are proletariat, whether you believe those who control the means of production should be the ones you focus on or the labour should have control. Until we get to those issues where immigration is now an issue that defines political calculus, party is just a container, as a vehicle that conveys people to position of authority. But more importantly, politics ends at the poll, after which governance starts. As a regional leader, who leads a region called Cross River State, I need that fecundity with the national to be able to sustain growth in my state. What has been the problem that characterises Nigeria’s political landscape is that politics is a lifestyle. It is not a call to service. At the end of an election, I am eager to partner with the national government to do the best I can for my state. In the absence of a president, I cannot have an approval to do a deep seaport. In the absence of a president, I cannot secure, for example, any form of a sovereign guarantee in case I am seeking a facility. I cannot run a regional government without a relationship with the centre. Besides, my political philosophy is focusing on character, integrity of a leader. If I see that a leader is doing well, and looking at his right policy,

focusing on backward integration, I will celebrate and not condemn him. We spend N436billion annually on importing rice into this country and taking 50,000 jobs outside this country and now there is an aggressive policy focusing on rice production in Nigeria and setting aside fund dedicated to rice production in Nigeria for rice sufficiency. Is that a project that I should celebrate or condemn? Should I condemn that on the basis of party line? Or a president who sets aside $25billion Infrastructural Fund to rejig the economy, is that something to celebrate or to condemn? Until we recognise the fact that political structures are actually a vehicle to contest election, but for you to succeed, it is your worth, it is the value you bring to the office that you need to seek your re-election. And I use the opportunity to actuallycriticise the structure we run. We spend too much time doing politics. Immediately after my election, all I do is to focus on governance. That is why I don’t get involved in politics. The time of politics will come. It will ultimately lead to your re-election. Until it comes, focus on your business, the business that you sought to be elected as governor. Focus on governing the people and bringing the dividends of democracy to your people. I believe strongly that celebrating President Buhari for his statesmanship, I have not done enough. This is because the question that was asked is: Do you know giving higher credential to PDP state to be your first state to do a state visit, do you know it is a pass mark to PDP, do you know you are making PDP strong because it is a South-South state, that state did not vote for you? But the President came. I think the press has not done enough in that respect to show that, that is how statesmanship should be, that he is not an APC president but indeed a Ppresident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have chosen a wrong system of government, that is, the presidential system that gives room for elections upon elections which allowed politics to be played all through. We have more stable economies- Germany, China and on and on. We are using a most classic system adopted by fully developed economies. We are on the pedestal, yet we are still picking the same model as theirs. It is a wrong model. I have been in the Senate, I know how difficult it is to get a bill passed because the arguments are not focused on issues or subjects but on ethnicity or what I stand to benefit. At all times, we are more emotional than ideological. Why would a country like this run a vertically, mechanically politicised system when we can’t even afford means of production and the people are hungry? So, the press has much to do. Until you do your job right because you own the conscience of the masses, you are the intelligentsia that is supposed to educate the people. You have done your bit but I think you can do more because where we are now where we have been since 1999 because no matter how you talk, no matter the amount of grammar you speak in a political landscape, no matter how brilliant you are, without dropping money, nobody sees you as doing anything. So, he only person who can educate is the press.Second term for me is not an excitement. I stand on the honour of my late father and make a commitment that I would construct the super highway and I would achieve that as my legacy. That is my greatest dream. The desperation for a second term is not there for me because one will be struggling to satisfy political pressure at the expense of what?

politics&policy

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Why we won’t prune House Committees —Reps spokesperson Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. He represents Jada/Ganye/Mayo Belwa/Toungo Federal Constituency of Adamawa State. In this interview, he speaks on the welfare of House members, delay of 2016 federal budget by the executive arm of government, among other issues. KOLAWOLE DANIEL brings excerpts:

HERE appears to be an unending crisis in the House concerning the election of the Speaker and the composition of the committee chairmen. What is the situation now? Even at the time people were saying we were having crisis, there was none in the House. It was an imaginary crisis. Somebody won an election; it does not matter whether you win with one vote. There couldn’t have been a crisis out of the election. If there was any rigging confirmed or some people protesting against the election, you cannot term it as coming to a crisis. The election was keenly contested and someone won (the election). The only thing you would say is that because it was keenly contested, there were people who were not happy about the fact that they lost the election. So, you have to manage them in the sense of bringing everyone on board. I think that was precisely what happened. When even the committees were constituted, the leadership (of the committees) is the prerogative of the Speaker, in consultation with the principal officers of the House. He did just that. The standing rules say you are to consult; the standing rules do not say when you consult, the principal officer will give you the names to appoint. Consultation can be interpersonal. There is no strict definition on consultation and in this case, the Speaker wrote to the principal officers, which was circulated to the media. All the principal officers were consulted, except one person who said he was not consulted. You can imagine that out of the eight principal officers, only one person was complaining and later, these issues were resolved. We have passed the stage of crisis, we are talking of working for Nigeria and I think we are comfortable where we are. I can assure you that right now, there is no crisis. We are very supportive to the Speaker and members are supportive of the principal officers. There is a very good relationship between all the principal officers and the Speaker. I think it was all politics. The Committees of the House have been put in place. What should Nigerians expect? They should expect what we promised them. We promised change, and this change by the grace of God will come to pass. People keep asking, why should Dogara increase the number of committees when the Executive is reducing the number of ministries? They should under-

Namdas

When I came into the National Assembly, people said our wardrobe allowance was N9 billion. As I speak to you, I haven’t got an official car, whether it is through loan or otherwise. I’m almost six months in the National Assembly.

stand that this is an arm of government. We must not be dictated to by the Executive or copy everything the Executive does. Otherwise, there should not be another arm of government so that the Executive be making and executing the laws. What is happening is that in line with the change mantra of Mr President, if he reduces the number of ministries, it is our duty to have effective supervision, and effective supervision means that you must do the normal thing that has not been done over the years. Let me give you an example with education. In the sector alone you have about 30 tertiary institutions, not to talk of federal secondary schools across the country. There is JAMB, NABTEB, not to mention WAEC, TETFUND, UBEC and 27 people who constitute a committee cannot effectively supervise the education ministry. So, by the time you split it into two, there will be effective supervision: one is

basic education and the other is tertiary education. Most people don’t know about the legislature; it’s not like the executive. If you increase ministries you increase cost. It’s not like that in the House. In the committee level, whether you reduce or increase, it’s still the same amount. There is nothing like adding cost to it. I don’t get other monies because I’m the chairman of a committee. No chairman of a committee is on a salary, or has to collect a certain amount of money by virtue of his position. But as a minister, you have to be given an amount of money, including your aides. That is not what happens in the legislature, I think these are some of the areas of public misconceptions about the legislature. It works differently from the executive. The House has proposed a legislative agenda. Of what benefit is to the

citizens of the country? The agenda is simple. What we want to do is to fight corruption; make laws that can enhance the fight against corruption; make laws that can enhance the fight against insurgency; make laws that can lead to the creation of jobs and good governance. I have just given you an example, part of it is to increase committees for effective supervision of the ministries, we just had a session of IDPs, one of the committees newly created by Mr Speaker and for your information, the IDPs have no organised system to be administered; it’s just NEMA and some non-governmental organisations. Government needs to take a look at the people going there, there has to be some form of control. We are not saying that they are not doing their job, but there should be some measure of control. For me, I think the legislative agenda is seeking the growth of the economy and enhancing our image in the international community, and we do our business according to the rules and regulations set out. There is a belief that the National Assembly budget is shrouded in secrecy? But, you know that it is not in secrecy. You know that even at the committee level, nothing is done in the secret. I meant the budget itself, in the legislative agenda, it was promised that things would be open, continues on pg34

politics&policy

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Between House and birth control

KOLAWOLE DANIEL examines some issues that played out in the House of Representatives over a motion seeking birth control in the country, in the light of population explosion.

LANNING is a critical factor in the life of a nation. It provides window for sound policies, implementation and prosperity. Unfortunately, improper planning is regarded by some experts as the bane of Nigeria because the basic tools to propel the nation for economic growth and general development are largely in short supply. That is why today, the issue of population remains touchy in official circle. It was no surprise, when there was hoopla in the House of Representatives over the motion in respect of birth control. The seemingly harmless motion, which the initiator, explained was based on the need to check population explosion in the country, generated a heated argument among members of the House to the chagrin of some observers. So, the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, had to tactically rule on the motion without asking the House Committee on Population to work on the motion for further legislative guidance. A member, Honourable Babatunde Kolawole, had while moving the motion, prayed the Federal Government to curb population explosion in the country by urgently coming up with a workable population reduction policy. He suggested that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be made to educate Nigerians on the benefits of family planning. According to him, “a report by United States-based Population Reference Bureau (PRB), in its

Dogora 2011 World Population Data Sheet, released last year states that Nigeria’s population will be 433 million by 2050, subsequently making Nigeria the 3rd largest country in the world by 2050. “The implication of this is that Nigeria would be the third largest country in the world, behind India and China, even bigger than the United States of America (USA) and with only a 10 per cent of the land mass,” he stated. Kolawole noted that though the country had hit the 166 million mark, the nation’s population increased by about five million

on yearly, just as he claimed that the National Population Commission (NPC) was not alive to its responsibility of researching and monitoring the National Information Data bank. He added: “Unbridled population growth rate puts pressure on the country finances and infrastructure especially roads, housing, education, health, economy and is a catalyst for unemployment, crime, poverty among others.” Citing challenges facing over-populated countries like China (1.4 billion and India (1.28 billion), he expressed concern that “Nigeria - as a potential third largest country in the world - is heading in

such direction if it does not immediately commence the implementation of an action plan.” No sooner had the sponsor of the motion presentedg the motion than fireworks began. Some members mainly from the Northern part of the country said the motion should be jettisoned because it was antiIslam. But, others insisted it was in national interest. Opposing the motion, Honourable Sanni Abdul insisted that Nigeria had the land mass to accommodate any population increase hence, it was unnecessary for anyone to consider a legislative intervention for population reduction, let alone for members to sit and waste time debating the motion. To him, “it is a waste of legislative time” to debate the motion. Also, Honourable Balarabe Salame alleged that the mover of the motion was targeting Islam and Muslims, adding that Islam as a religion abhorred population reduction. On his part, Honourable Zakari Mohammed said that he was not against planning, but against the motion, stressing that the Constitution promotes a healthy family life. He would not support the motion. The Speaker, who later intervened, said:”There is no attack; it is about policy. It is not against Islam or Christianity. It is for planning. We must sit down and tell ourselves, can we accommodate five million more per year? We are representatives of the people. I don’t see how it is against a particular religion; it is for policies on population management.” The motion was subsequently referred to the House committees on Justice and Population for “advice on how to proceed.”

‘There are many misconceptions about NASS’ that? Every government has its own policies and way it handles its activities and all of us with the new government, we are expected to spend four years and we will learn from what is going to happen now. Experience is the best teacher. From the take off stage, I can guarantee that we will not allow a repeat of what is happening now in subsequent years. The government has a lot of things under its care. Let us take off first; we have four years to run this administration.

continued from pg33

including the salaries and allowances of the law makers. Even the supplementary budget submitted to us by the President, everything is there. There is no secret about it. That you want to pay N413 million subsidy, is that secret? That you want to pay Operation Dole, is it a secret that you want to give N5 billion to the IDPs? What is secret about it? I am talking specifically about the National Assembly budget? The National Assembly budget cannot be in secret for God’s sake. It is an envelope thing. The thing is this, if you know how much is being appropriated, if it’s N10 billion or N50 billion, but you know the figure that goes to the National Assembly, we don’t even know the figure but you know it’s ok. The point is that you can ask questions and it will come in 2016 budget; it will not be secret. These are issues of the past. When I came into the National Assembly, people said our wardrobe allowance was N9 billion. As I speak to you, I haven’t got an official car, whether it is through loan or otherwise. I’m almost six months in the National Assembly. Go to the state Houses of Assembly and the state executive councils, commissioners are riding good cars bought for them by governors. Have you seen one single car by one member of House of Representatives that was given to him by the National Assembly or the Federal Government? As the spokesman of the House, you are supposed to know every-

Namdas thing that goes on therein. There was an ad-hoc committee set up to review electricity tariff. Will the committee begin its investigation from the Obasanjo era or it will be from the Jonathan period? I will not be straight on this answer because they are about to round off their work and I will not like to comment on

their work. But, I will promise you that they are doing a thorough job. In a week or so, the results will be out. Now, we are in the last quarter of the year and we have not seen the 2016 budget. There are some arguments in some quarters that we should change our financial year. What is your take on

What kind of Executive-Legislative relationship should Nigerians expect henceforth? Nigerians should expect a very cordial relationship. It is normal that you have problems with your wife, but not every problem that you have with her that results into a divorce. Christianity and Islam frown at divorce. If there is an opportunity, you stay with your wife till thy Kingdom comes. Having issues will make you to live better. If I tell you that the Executive and Legislature will live peacefully, I don’t think that is being fair. But I can tell you that whatever will be done, will be done in harmony with real understanding between the Executive and Legislature. This is an APC government, and both the Senate and House of are led by the APC. I want to tell you that the policies of the APC and the government will be the driving force. We will have synergy so that we can work together. Whatever differences that will come will be for the betterment of Nigeria. But, I can tell you that we are going to work very smoothly together.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

features

Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

Maureen

16 years after relocation,

it’s gloom for Eku lepers

Egbo

Having been relocated to a leprosarium in Eku, Delta State 16 years ago after living off the highways, these lepers say the streets were kinder to them. PAUL OMOROGBE, who visited the lepers’ colony, tells their story.

epers from Delta State must have heaved a sigh of relief when on December 27, 1999 they were moved off the ever-busy Benin-Ore expressway and were relocated to a leprosarium in Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area, in an enclosure adjacent to the Delta State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Referral Centre. The relocation was at the instance of the Delta State government under the James Ibori administration. And so they moved to what is known as the Settlement and Vocational Training Centre for Persons Affected by Leprosy (PAL), Eku, Delta State. The leprosarium looked more of a settlement than a vocational training centre. There were no workshops or training rooms in sight to give evidence that any vocational training was going on there. The children not involved with the work on

ground were running around in their underwear seemingly oblivious of the stark contrast between their living conditions compared to their peers in the upscale estates of oil-rich Warri, the state capital Asaba or even the university town of Abraka just a few kilometres away. As the women busied themselves with the task at hand that would eventually put food in the mouths of their hungry little ones, the chairman of the settlement, Mr Lucky Egbo showed up. It took some convincing and persuasion to get him talking. ‘We met our needs while begging’ Speaking with Nigerian Tribune on their relocation from the highway to the Eku lepers colony, he said the government of Delta State had been magnanimous in taking them off the highways and harbouring

all lepers from the 25 local governments of the state in the leprosarium administered through the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development. “Ibori felt pity for us. The people at the ministry promised they would take care of us. When we were on the highway begging for money, despite the heat of the sun, the mosquitoes in the bush we lived in, it still felt like heaven because we could meet our needs, buy cotton wool and bandages to treat our wounds. We told the ministry about our needs and they promised to give us a monthly stipend. “At that time we were given N7,500 per month which we negotiated for and were managing to take care of our leprosy. When Uduaghan came in, he continued with the good work of Ibori; he even increased the stipend to N8,000,” he said.

While the cost of living rose through the years, the lepers continued to make do with what they were receiving, until last year when things began to change. “We were collecting this amount until about January 2014 when it was slashed to N6,000. “When that happened, we cried for an increment because the cost of wound dressing materials increased seriously. We wrote an appeal letter and they told us that because of the economy, money released to the ministry had reduced.” Russia Eruekaya, a member of the leprosarium said, “We asked them when they were about taking us off the streets, how they intended to feed us since we had been feeding ourselves before then. They told us it would be twice a day. Continues on pg36

36 features

Monday, 30 November, 2015

An abandoned government school project which was initiated for the children of the lepers.

‘Life on Benin-Ore expressway was better’

Emeka

John Continued from pg35

“This year, we were not paid our stipend for four months since January. After the elections and Okowa came in, we felt happy. We thought things would be better, but we were surprised when they gave us N2,750 instead of the N6,000.” At that point the situation became unbearable for the lepers since many of them have children that depended on them for the monthly stipend. Egbo, a father of two, said, “The stipend was for husband and wife each, and the two meals per day were for husband, wife and two children only. What of families with more than two children? From that stipend, we still buy fish to put in our food. Others with more than two children will fend from the stipend also.” “As we learnt of the N2,750, we also learnt that the meals would be cut to once a day,” Mr Eruekaya said, adding that the quality of the food was nothing to write home about. “The meals are not something you would your a dog.” “We weren’t happy about this and we went to negotiate with them again on the stipend and for them not to cut short the food ration. They later said they would give us N3,900 and will increase it when things get better. We still weren’t happy with this; we said the money was still too small and that we preferred to go back to the highways where we could meet our needs. We have children that go to school and there are books to buy. We hope that one day when our children grow and become relevant, they will take us out of here,” a despondent-looking Egbo said. Eventually, when the payday came, the lepers said only was received N3000 instead of the expected N3,900. The lepers protested on the streets of the state capital. The commissioner in charge of the ministry reportedly told them there must have been a mix-up and that the N900 was later paid them. ‘We dress our wounds every day’ “We are still begging the governor to listen to our cry. He himself is a doctor and he knows how leprosy patients are. We don’t go a day without dressing our wounds. We want him to increase the money even more than what it used to be,” Egbo stated.

Wards of the lepers trying to eke out a living through cassava processing. Life in the leprosarium Apart from the women who eke out a living from the cassava which they buy and process, the lepers depend on acts of charity by churches and non-governmental organisations that come from outside to donate food and other welfare items necessary for survival. The children who number over 100 attend a nearby primary school. However as they advance, they have to walk about 2 kilometres to where the closest secondary school is. And for the children of these lepers, that is where education ends. Their parents have no means to support them beyond that point. John Asaneya is one of such. It was through sheer determination that he sat his secondary examination this year and com-

What of families with more than two children? From that stipend, we still buy fish to put in our food. Others with more than two children will fend from the stipend also

pleted secondary school. He had dropped out some years earlier due to lack of funds. John is 35 years old and even has four children of his own. According to him, “My father died early. My mother managed to patch me through primary school. I dropped out and learnt driving and mechanic work. I didn’t have funds to establish. Many of us from here learnt different handiwork like welding, driving and many other things, but no money funds to continue. I had to be determined, focused and deaf to side talks to get through school.” Asaneya added that it was a frustrating experience competing in a society where money was needed for everything and none was in his pocket. He said his driving training was difficult due to payments he had to make and extra jobs like brick-laying he had to do to pay for the training. Another child of the lepers, Emeka Nwabueze, 23, said, “Our parents have tried their best to send us to primary and secondary school. Now, we are hustling to take care of ourselves and help our parents too. If the government can help us, majority of us are trying to join the forces: army, navy, air force or police.” “We, the children, are not lepers. If we find employment we can help our parents who have the disease. Education is important to us. We would like government to at least fence the primary school and make it safe for the children to attend like the others,” Oghenero Erere said.

One of the woman lepers described what survival in the community was like. Mrs Maureen Ogbe said, “We must eat. We must survive! Yesterday, I used the waterleaf and mushrooms from my garden to prepare a meal. We depend on missionaries to take care of us and they have been wonderful. They give us items and other materials. They have indeed been kind to us.” She confirmed that all the children at the leprosarium are forced to stop school beyond secondary level due to lack of funds. “My child is in the house. Where do I get the money to send him to school?” she asked. “We want scholarships for our children because we know if they become big in society they will take us out of here. So we hold that point very dear. We also have able-bodied youth who can work. We cannot provide money to further their education so they went to learn a trade. If the government can give them scholarships we will be very happy,” Eruekaya said. We are committed to their welfare— Govt Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, the state Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, stated that “We are probably one of the few states, if not the only state, that built a centre for the lepers. We were paying them N8,000 as monthly stipend. You know the situation in the whole country. Many states still owe salaries. But we are not. There is a scarcity of funds that is general. These people are not civil servants. It is part of the magnanimity of the state government to take care of them. They are special people. We had to reduce it to N5,000 per person because of what is on ground. We have paid them till September and the finance office has approved their October stipend. “Equally, the state government has built a new settlement for them. The reason why they have not moved there is because of the provision of water. I know that the ministry of water resources is working to ensure that water gets there and they are moved there. We are committed to their welfare. We also have a vocational programme for them. We are also encouraging them to get into farming. We are trying to make them meaningful to themselves.”

37 news

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Biafra: IYC warns against inciting speeches

Ohanaeze Ndigbo appeals to FG to release Kanu, other pro-Biafra activists From Chukwuma Okparaocha and J ude O ssai

HE President of Igbo Youth Congress (IYC), Mr Bright Ezeocha, on Sunday, said that leaders should stop all inciting speeches against Ndigbo to foster national unity and peace. Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Ezeocha urged the Federal Government to dialogue with the Pro-Biafra agitators. Ezeocha alleged that proBiafra agitators started due to provocative speeches by some Nigerians as well as the Federal Government’s disposition to Nigeria’s restructuring. Ezeocha said that the genesis of the agitation could be traced to when President Muhammadu Buhari told the whole world that he would not treat those who gave him 95 per cent votes

equally with those who gave five. According to him, the agitators expected leaders to condemn such statements and others from former leaders who at different occasions, described Ndigbo as conquered and defeated. “So if we must condemn the madness going on in the South East, we must also condemn those who incited the madness. “We are not only being treated like a conquered people, leaders are also telling us face to face, this is the genesis,” he said.

Ezeocha noted that the President’s body language and his kitchen cabinet appointment made the SouthEast felt unwanted. The youth leader added, ‘We are surprised that up till now, the President has not said anything about restructuring Nigeria and this is the only solution to bring peace. “It is high time; we sat down in any form of conference to chart the way forward by restructuring this country because the way this country is structured, it cannot stand the test of time.” He, therefore, urged the

Federal Government to stop all hate speeches of some present and former leaders against the Igbo. Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an apex umbrella of Igbo socio-cultural associations, has appealed to the Federal Government to free detained Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, without further delay. Rising from their meeting in Enugu on Sunday, the Igbo group in a joint meeting with the representatives of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign

State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), also urged the authorities to release all other pro-Biafra activists. In a communique signed by the President and the Secretary, Chief Gary EnwoIgariwey and Dr Joe Nwaorgu, respectively, the group said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the Diaspora, is gravely concerned by current wide-spread and public Biafra agitations in states of the South-East and some other states of Nigeria.”

CJN asks Appeal Court president to probe election tribunal THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has directed the Appeal Court President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to investigate the conduct of the Ogun State National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal under the chairmanship of Justice Ebiowei Tobi. This was contained in a letter dated November 19, 2015 with reference number NJC/ETD /B60/S.1/ X1/955 by the Chief Justice to the Appeal Court president This follows a petition written by the senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly, Prince Buruji Kashamu, alleging miscarriage of justice in the case instituted against his election by Mr. Dapo Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 28, 2015 National assembly election. The CJN writes in the letter, “I forward herewith a petition dated 29th October, 2015 by Senator Buruji Kashamu against the Ogun State National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal under the chairmanship of Hon. Justice Ebiowei Tobi for your necessary actions, please.”

ASUU, LAUTECH, honours late Prof Iyayi MEMBERS of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH branch) Ogbomoso, last Tuesday, organised a posthumous lecture to honour its former leader, the late Comrade (Professor) Festus Iyayi. The lecture, entitled: “Lessons Of Life And Times Of Festus Iyayi,” which was delivered by the ASUU chairman, University of Ilorin branch, Dr Taiwo Oloruntobaju, described the late Iyayi as a courageous, fearless and down-to-earth unionist, whose legacies would continue to be worthy of emulation by ASUU members in all Nigerian universities. He said Comrade Iyayi’s life was exemplary to ASUU and Nigerians as a whole, adding that ‘’His life taught humanity to live diligently. His life taught humanity that we must not be ashamed and equally defend any justifiable course we believed in.’’

Oke Ogun indigenes set to honour Shittu From left; former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan; Bayelsa State governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson; acting PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, during the commissioning of Restoration Bridge, after the governorship Rally in Bayelsa, at the weekend.

Bayelsa: Police strengthen security ahead guber election THE Police in Bayelsa said on Sunday, they had strengthened security in the state towards ensuring a hitch-free December 5 governorship election. This is coming just as the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase, is scheduled to pay a visit to the state on Tuesday. The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Command, Asinim Butwat, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa, that Arase is expected to address policemen deployed to ensure security during the election. “The Inspector General of Police, Mr Soloman Arase, is expected in Bayelsa, on Tuesday, to address officers and men deployed for election duty,” the PPRO said. NAN reports that other security agencies are deploying men and equipment from neighbouring states to bolster security ahead of the election. Scores of Armoured Personnel Carriers were seen

moving into Yenagoa, the state capital, on Saturday and Sunday morning. The state Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Oki, had told NAN that some 9,000 policemen would be deployed for the governorship election. Meanwhile, Operation Pulo Shield, the joint military operation deployed to the Niger Delta to secure oil installations, has said that it

will be on stand-by to assist the police and other security agencies in providing security during the election. The Media Coordinator of the operation, Lt.-Colonel Isa Ado, told NAN on Sunday, that troops were ready to provide back-up services and reinforcement during and after the election. “The police and the Department of Security Services will form the nucleus

of the security architecture for the election, while Operation Pulo Shield will be on standby to provide backup. “We are on alert to ensure that we have a smooth election in Bayelsa,’’ Ado said. NAN learnt that the Central Naval Command and the Nigerian Air Force will be moblised to provide security during the December 5 election.

Dwindling revenue: Aregbesola suspends confirmation of appointment of new civil servants Oluwole Ige - Osogbo HOPES of newly employed civil servants in Osun State, whose appointments have not been confirmed, were dashed as Governor Rauf Aregbesola has directed the immediate suspension of confirmation of their appointments. Similarly, workers, already due for promotion may have to wait in their

current level as all actions on advancement or promotion have been put on hold until further notice. Nigerian Tribune authoritatively gathered that the development may have been informed by the state government’s moves to cut down on its expenditures and other avenues through which finances of Aregbesola can be reduced. According to letter ob-

tained by Nigerian Tribune in Osogbo from the Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building, titled “Freezing/ Suspension of Confirmation of Appointment and Approvals of Advancement on Establishment Posts,” the decision of the state government was necessitated by the need to enforce belt tightening measures, with a view to save funds.

THE 10 local government areas in Oke Ogun and members in the Diaspora would on Saturday, hold a grand reception for the Minister of Communications, Mr AbduRaheem Adebayo Shittu, over his appointment as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The civic reception, which was contained in a statement by his Special assistant on Social and Online Media, Mr Toyese Oladejo, revealed that all the traditional rulers, community leaders, leaders of various religious bodies, civil societies, student bodies and a host of others are expected to grace the occasion. Prominent politicians from across the 33 local government areas of the state are also expected at the reception. The statement informed that the minister would use the event to express his deep gratitude to the people for their solidarity support to him. Mr Shittu would further make use of the ceremony to unfold his programme of action aimed at boosting social and economic developments in the area.

38 news

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Ogun empowers unemployed youths in digital job By Joseph Ajayi

ouths in Ogun State have been called upon to embrace the various opportunities in online digital employment as alternatives to seeking white collar jobs to enable them become self-reliant. This call was made by the Secretary to the Ogun State government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa while declaring open a one-day free digital job training programme for unemployed youths organised by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and Rockefeller Foundation, in collaboration with the Ogun State government, held recently at the Valley View Auditorium, Abeokuta. Adeoluwa, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Mr Omolayo Olorunwo, reassured the youth that the state government would not relent in its oars at ensuring that unemployment in the state was reduced drastically, adding that government would continue to assist the teeming youths in the state to make them productive. “This training programme organised for our unemployed youths is one of the various initiatives of the present administration to make them self-sustaining and reliant and enable them to add values to the society and become better citizens,”

Adeoluwa remarked. In his keynote address, the Ogun State Head of Service, Elder Sola Adeyemi, pointed out that the youths’ daring involvement in criminal and social vices without gender disparity was as a result of high level of unemployment in the society, emphasising that this necessitated the state government to collaborate with appropriate bodies to put the programme together. Elder Adeyemi, who was represented by the Director, Service Matters, Mr Oyejola Oyeneye, noted that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led government would continue to give hope and reduce the rates of unemployment through various human capacity buildings and wealth creation programmes. Speaking in the same vein, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Information Technology, Mr Bunmi Adebayo, charged the youth to see the programme as offering an opportunity to acquire necessary skills and tap into the job opportunities offered through the internet to generate more income for them. Adebayo further encouraged the youth to be steadfast in the use of ICT tools such as smart phones, computers and internet connection, adding that this would give them daily income if they were persistent at least for six months.

Apollo performs first combined heart, liver transplant By Gabriel Oshokha

A complex Combined Heart and Liver Transplant (CHLT), the first in Asia, has been carried out on a 30-year-old man from Tiruchengode, a small town in Namakkal district, Tamilnadu, by a clinical team at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, India. According to an expert in Apollo Hospitals, the complex procedure known as an en bloc CHLT involves surgery of the thoracic cavity (for the heart) as well as the abdominal cavity ( for the liver). Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon in Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, Dr Paul Ramesh, who made the disclosure recently, after having successfully completed the first en bloc CHLT in Asia, affirmed that the ground-breaking surgery showcased meticulous teamwork, expertise and modern infrastructure available in the sub-continent for complex multi-

organ transplants. “Only a highly successful heart transplant team and a highly successful liver transplant team, both working together as one team, could hope to accomplish an en bloc CHLT- a very rare procedure, anywhere in the world. “Over a decade of experience in solid transplants has enabled us with skills and expertise needed to carry out a complex and demanding procedure like this. Our successful heart transplants and liver transplants performed individually, gave us the foundation, strength and operational excellence to successfully complete Asia’s first en bloc CHLT. “I am extremely proud of Ponnar and his family whose trust in the clinical team at Apollo, gave us the inspiration to carry out this procedure and move the boundaries of clinical excellence a notch higher,” Dr Ramesh asserted.

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I, formerly Miss Gabriel Serah Olubunmi now MRS AYEGBA OLUBUNMI VERONICA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajadi Olaitan Olufunke now MRS FUNKE BRIGHT-AWOYELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND CHANGE OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, Adebayo Otolorin Raufu Shittu was born on August 13, 1962 and not August 3, 1962 as mistakenly written on my Bank Verification number (BVN). All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alabi Arinlade Alimot now MRS OWOSOWOYE ARINLADE ALIMOT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abidemi Helen Adebowale now MRS AGBOOLA ABIDEMI HELEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Olajire Olayemi Ojo now MR AKINWANDE OLAJIRE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adegoke Tomilayo Deborah now MRS ADEOSUN TOMILAYO DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adebisi Ismaila Babatunde now Ogunyemi Wasiu Aremu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Iyamu Scholastica now MRS SCHOLASTICA IYAMU OKOEGUALA. All former documents remain valid. Nnamdi Azikwe University, Anambra, PEDI, Ilesa and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fatuga Yetunde Toyibat now MRS ADELEYE YETUNDE TOYIBAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyedeji Yemisi Bose now MRS ADEWALE YEMISI BOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Momodu Aminat Ifeoma now MRS AKOWE AMINAT IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Onyemali Joy now OKOCHA JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, John Mary Esther, am the same person as JOHN INI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, SIYANBOLA DUPSY FUNMI am the same person as SIYANBOLA MODUPE ROSELINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly YusufuMuritala Aderemilekun now YUSUFU-ADEDIRAN ADEREMILEKUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, ADESINA ADEYANJU am the same person as ADESINA MURITALA ADEYANJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Adeniran Olusoji Samuel am the same person bearing Adeniran Samuel Aderemi. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adegbite Oluwakemi Recheal now BADMUS OLUWAKEMI FAUSAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omirin Olaoluwa Susanah now MRS AYENI OLAOLUWA SUSANAH. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State University, Ilesa Centre, Osun State College of Education Ilesa, Ministry Of Education, Osun State, Osun District Office, Ile-Ife and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Agbeginlere Rebecca Oluwafemi now MRS SIJIBOMI REBECCA OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Amusa Mutairu Ishola now AKINPELU MUTAIRU BABALOMOJO. . All former documents remain valid. Osun State SUBEB and general public take note.

I, formerly Abass Oyewole now ABASS OLAYIWOLA OYEWOLE. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adetunji Ronke Ikeola now MRS AKINPELU RONKE IKEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Hassan Rukayat Biodun now MRS TIJANI RUKAYAT BIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Kehinde Oluwaseun Grace now MRS AWODIJI OLUWASEUN GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olanke Olanike Oyeronke now MRS ADEDIRAN OLANIKE OYERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Azeez Afees Ayobami now LASISI AFEES AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bolanle Deborah Jegede now ADELEKAN BOLANLE DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Muhammed Remi Serifat now MRS MEJABI REMI SERIFAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akanji Olubunmi Alimot now MRS ADEYELA OLUBUNMI IYABO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Akpan Udoh now ABAH UDO. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adegbite Tajudeen Aderemi now ADEKUNLE TA J U D E E N / TA J U D E E N ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Rukayat Monike Azeez now MRS POPOOLA RUKAYAT OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Falomo Abosede Temitope now MRS AKILAPA ABOSEDE TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Kolapo Sakirat Oyenike now MRS FAMOBIO AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

news

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigeria on path to greatness —Osinbajo •As Gowon, others eulogise Jerry Gana at 70

By Yejide Gbenga—Ogundare and Bola Badmus

ICE President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has assured Nigerians that the country is on the path to greatness under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari as President of Nigeria. He made this remark on Sunday, at a thanksgiving service marking the 70th birthday anniversary of a former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, held at St. Mathew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja. Osinbajo, also called on Nigerian leaders and citizens alike to learn to do the right thing at all times as the ship of the nation is sailing towards greatness. He commended Prof Jerry Gana for his tremendous contribution to the development of Nigeria, say-

ing Gana, is one talented Nigerian that has used his knowledge for the good of the nation. The Vice President specifically told Gana that the great Nigeria advocated would be delivered in his life time. Osinbajo, recalled that when Prof Gana was the Director-General of Mass Mobilisation for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery

(MAMSER) under the regime of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, he spoke to the nation that “if you are a leader you lead well, if you are a professor you profess well and if you are a teacher you teach well and so on.” He said the message finds expression in the biblical parable of the Talents (Mathew 25:14-30), a challenge to both leaders and

the governed to ensure that the right thing is done at all times. A former Nigeria Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was among eminent Nigerians who paid glowing tribute to Professor Gana at the thanksgiving service. He congratulated Gana for reaching the beautiful age, saying Gana has done well in life while also commending him for his contributions to the success of

various administrations in the country. The Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, in his sermon, challenged Gana and other elder statesmen to help build a united Nigeria, free of corruption and prosperous country. He described Gana as a man of integrity and humility whose interest was to serve the nation.

1,500 jobs on offer as Mimiko revives ceramic industry THE Ondo State government has finalised preparations to re-launch its Golden Ceramic Products Company in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of the state, just as the stateowned concern is expected to employ about 1,500 workers. The 24-year-old moribund Golden Ceramic Products Limited is being resuscitated by the Governor Olusegun Mimiko led government, in collaboration with Jac-estee Nigeria Limited. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding for the re-opening of the concern on behalf of government in Akure, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Aderotimi Adelola, said the resuscitation of the company will create employment for teeming youths, boost income generation for the people and the state. Adelola affirmed that the development is part of efforts of the state to prioritise industrialisation which is included in the ‘A CARING HEART’ mantra of the governor and to aid genuine development of the state economy, hence, the need to rejuvenate the industry which had proved a hard nut to crack for previous administrations.

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole (second right); his wife, Olubukola (right); his mother, Mrs Florence Adewole (second left) and other relatives, during the thanksgiving service in honour of Professor Adewole, at Agbala Daniel Cathedral, Ojoo, Ibadan, on Sunday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Only public-private partnership can rescue Nigeria’s health sector —Health minister Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

THE Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has said that only the involvement of private sector operators and corporate organisations will bring the needed verve for the revival of the Nigerian health sector. Professor Adewole, who spoke in Ikere-Ekiti, at the weekend, said the country would have to partner with interested private and corporate business owners as well as philanthropists in the society for the health sector to be turned into a huge and dependable health tourism destination. The minister, who spoke at the inauguration of Iyaafin Bosede Olanipekun Special Amenity Ward, at the Ikere Specialists Hospitals, a ward donated by legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), noted that this measure became imperative as part of the ways through which

the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would revive the health sector. He said with partnership with private sector operators, quality healthcare delivery through improved

facilities would be made available and would curtail rich Nigerians’ penchant for travelling abroad for medical treatment. “The government has no option, in view of this economic recession which

hindered it from providing basic medical facilities, than to appeal to corporate organisations to play their corporate responsibilities and individuals to play their patriotic roles to rebuild health sector.”

...says Buhari’s health policy targeted at the masses By Tunde Ogunesan

THE Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, has assured that the health policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will prioritise provision of adequate health to poor Nigerians. Adewole stated this while speaking with journalists during a thanksgiving service, held in his honour for successful completion of his tenure as the vice chancellor, University of Ibadan and his appointment as the Minister of Health, at Agbala Daniel Cathedral, Km 145, Ojoo end of the Lagos/Ibadan expressway,

Ibadan. According to Professor Adewole, because of the enormous percentage of poor people in Nigeria, the current administration has carefully focused its health policy on this set of people. He said, “the current administration will ensure that we have a health care system that would cater for all their needs and that this administration is committed to putting health at the door step of every Nigerian. “We will prioritise and start with our people, and let me tell you that over 60 per cent of Nigerians are poor. Our priority will be poor people, followed by those who are

wealthy and we will make primary care the basis, and then put life in secondary care system by working with state and local government,” Adewole stated. Earlier in her message, the founder of Agbala Daniel Church worldwide, Archbishop Dorcas Siyanbola Olaniyi, speaking on the topic Thanksgiving, revealed that her relationship with Professor Adewole dated back to 1983. She said his choice was a round peg in a round hole and enjoined the new minister to be merciful in the discharge of his duty and carry out his duty with the fear of God.

Nigerian Tribune

Ajimobi poised to better first term record —Group AN Ibadan-based socio-political group, Ajumose Coalition Movement (ACM), has assured the public that the executive governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, would perform better in his second term in office than what he did during his first tenure, which earned him an unprecedented successful reelection. While reacting to Friday’s announcement of the members of the governor’s new media team, ACM said in a statement issued by its state coordinator, Ogbeni Wasiu Olatubosun, that Governor Ajimobi meant well for the state and would spare no effort to shatter his personal record of best performing governor of Oyo State which he achieved between May 29, 2011 and May 28, 2015 as he began to paddle the canoe of the state for another four years. “With the composition of a strong media and communication team to include a seasoned and reputable media practitioner in the calibre of Mr Yomi Layinka, as the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy as well as Mr Oyedele Senior, as Special Assistant on Print and Broadcast Media and Mr Femi Ipadeola, as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, the global community cannot be in doubt of better engagement of the public by the Ajimobi administration.

Ganduje appoints new members, board of internal revenue Kola Oyelere - Kano

GOVERNOR Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, in his determination to generate more revenue, has reconstituted a new state board of internal revenue by removing Alhaji Habu Fagge as chairman of the Kano State Board of Internal Revenue with immediate effect. However, the governor has approved the appointment of new Chairman and Directors for the Kano State Board of Internal Revenue also with immediate effect. In a release signed on Sunday, by the Director General, Media and Communications to the Governor, Baba Halilu Dantiye, the governor expressed commitment to overhaul and reform the Revenue Board to be able to face the present challenges of dwindling economic situation and scarce revenue.

news Army to Nigerians: Be vigilant, don’t rely on security forces only for protection 41

Chris Agbambu - Abuja

HE Nigerian army has said that citizens should not only rely on security forces for protection but should be security conscious and provide useful information to relevant security agencies, especially, as Christmas and the new year seasons approach. It said with the kind of intelligence it receives regularly, the citizens need to be proactive and security conscious. The director in charge of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka, while speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of Class 1992 Alumni of Mass Communication Department of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), at the weekend, disclosed that the military and other intelligence operatives are virtually in every local government council in the country to ensure security of lives and property. He, noted that the media needed to mobilise people during crisis as a cardinal element of national security effort. He said: “Internal security challenge is not a problem unique to Nigeria. The United States; United kingdom; France and many others, face similar challenges within their borders on daily basis. “The difference between these countries and ours is the management of threats by the government and the citizenry, how knowledgeable they are, how patriotic and united their citizens are against threats of insecurity and crisis.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

“The countries are never divided on political, ethical, professional ground among others, when the interest of the nation is the subject. These cushion the effects of these crises on their national security and image. “The fact, therefore, is that if Nigerians hope to build a nation of good brand, they

have to work for it. It is at a time like this that all patriots must rise to the occasion and place the interest of the country above every other consideration. “The media need to mobilise people during crisis as a cardinal element of national security effort. "They have a duty to en-

lighten the public on the true situation in national war effort to guarantee national security. The report must focus on national unifying factors, emphasising the desired end state of the armed forces, which is to safeguard public good. In his remarks at the occasion, the Head of Depart-

From left, Bride's father, Dr Ola Ajayi; bride's mother, Mrs Mopelola Ajayi; bride's grandfather, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi; the bride, former Miss Olugbeminiyi Ajayi; her husband, Mr Olumuyiwa Lawal; groom's mother, Mrs Adeyinka Lawal and the groom's father, Mr Ayodele Lawal, during the wedding of Mr and Mrs Olumuyiwa Lawal, at The Trinity Methodist Church, Lagos, on Saturday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

FG to understudy Australian mining sector —Fayemi THE Federal Government would understudy the Australian mining sector in the bid to reposition the country’s solid mineral sector, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said. The government will also be learning how the Australian government has been able to achieve synergy between communities, states and the government in resolving the recurrent conflicts between

communities and miners and settling the royalties due to states. Fayemi said the country needs to learn how Australia has been able to drive its country’s mining sector, which accounts for 8.5 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) and employs about two per cent of the workforce as the current administration is set to improve the nation’s economy through the sector.

Speaking in Abuja during a visit by the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonathan Richardson, to his office, on Friday, Fayemi said the increasing interest of the government is geared towards understanding the Australian mining sector and coming up with an approach that will be profitable to Nigeria. He said: “We need to learn how you have been able to particularly drive the Aus-

Wike orders speedy rehabilitation of major roads in P/Harcourt RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Wike, has directed that all rehabilitation and reconstruction works on critical economic roads in Port Harcourt, the state capital, be intensified. Governor Wike noted that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the roads remain vital to maintain the re-booting economy of the state. In a statement released by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor noted that the rehabilitation had been programmed to reach all major roads. He added that new roads being constructed in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Eleme and Ikwerre Local Government areas, will continue as scheduled. As at Sunday, a construction giant, Julius Berger, was consolidating on preliminary works on the re-

ment of Mass Communication, BUK, Dr Balarabe Maikaba, commended the Class 1992 Alumni for initiating the annual lecture on crisis communication, adding that the department had been upgraded to a fullfledged faculty with a new complex for media production.

habilitation of failed portions of Aba Road, the key arterial road in the state capital. The preliminary remedial works at the Waterlines stretch of Aba Road

is progressing, while another construction giant, CCECC, at the UTC junction end of Aba Road, had reached advanced stage in its rehabilitation work. Massive infrastructural

development is one of the key campaign promises of Governor Wike during the campaigns. He met a decayed infrastructural base, which he is addressing faithfully.

Kwara NUT suspends strike Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE Kwara State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has decided to shelve its planned strike over three months salary arrears. A statement issued and signed by the state chairman and secretary of the union, Alhaji Musa Abubakar and Alhaji Idris Ola, respectively, on Sunday, then appealed to members of the union to stay action and wait for further directive. The Nigerian Tribune gathered that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed had

met with the leadership of the union at the weekend, with a pledge to source for funds to offset the unpaid salary arrears. The state branch of NUT, had, last week, threatened to embark on an indefinite strike on December 1, if the state government failed to pay the outstanding three months salaries. The state chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Lateef Okandeji, had also pleaded for understanding of the teachers, attributing the non-payment to drop in the federal allocation ac-

cruable to the state and councils. “In view of the governor’s intervention, we appeal to our members to stay action and wait for further directives on the issue henceforth’, the statement read, while the union also appealed to the governor and the council chairmen to expedite action on the matter. The union also thanked the members for the understanding and commitment on the matter, saying that the union would continue to make their welfare a major priority in order to enhance the quality of education in the state.

tralian mining industry. The president is really very focused in this sector; not that we have choices anyway with the prices for petrol dollar dwindling, so, we have to look at alternatives for raising revenue for the country and clearly for the president, agriculture and solid minerals appear to be the most realistic or fastest way to begin to raise additional revenue for the economy. “The increasing interest of our government has made me get in touch and connect with what you are doing in your mining sector. Everything I have heard in the last 10 days of being in this position, points in the direction of Australia. Everybody is saying it to me factually, technically, commercially, I keep hearing, you get Australia, you fix the mining sector. Earlier, the Australian High Commissioner, said that his country would like to cooperate with Nigeria in the area of technical training and support as well as other areas the government might require. He added that over 100 Nigerians had taken advantage of short professional courses in specialised areas in Australia since 2010. Richardson, who stressed that Nigeria is well endowed with mineral resources, stated that security, rule of law, law enforcement, policy consistency as well as cheaper and reliable power supply would play significant role in building and sustaining investors' confidence in the Nigerian mining sector.

Ogun govt honours 62 retired nurses

OGUN State government has described the 62 nurses retired from its service as inestimable, valuable health care workers that offered their best in the overall development of the health sector in the state and Nigeria as a whole. The director, Nursing Services, Mrs Patience Odutayo, who disclosed this at the honouring and sent-forth ceremony of 62 retired nurses at the Nurses House, Abiola Way, Abeokuta, said that nurses were selfless health workers, who gave their best inspite of various challenges confronting them in their working environment. Odutayo, in a statement signed by the Hospital Management Board’s press officer, Mrs Gbemisola Ogolo, said that it was noteworthy that the retirees had given their best and left indelible foot prints on the sand of time in the health sector of Ogun State. Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the immediate past director, Nursing Services, Caroline Oduneye, said nursing service was based on honesty and dignity, which had been the tools for service improvement in the health sector.

Use ICT for economic diversification, NOUN VC tells FG Clement Idoko - Abuja THE Vice Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Vincent Ado-Tenebe, has urged the Federal Government to explore the full potentials of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the quest to diversify the nation’s economy. He spoke during the weekend in Abuja while declaring open 2015 Coders Technical Conference, which was jointly organised by NOUN and Coders4Africa (C4A), an African outsourcing company based in the United States of America. Over 300 Nigerian youths were trained on web and mobile application development by the experts at the conference held at the Public Service Institute, Kubwa, Abuja. Ado-Tenebe, who was represented by the NOUN Kubwa Study Centre Director, Dr Muhtar Alhassan, said ICT could play key role as a catalyst in the efforts to diversify the nation’s economy so as to ensure less dependence on dwindling oil revenue and boost the development of the non-oil sector.

news

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Senate goofed over position on reports of past crashes —AIB Shola Adekola- Lagos

HE Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has described as incorrect, the accusation levelled against the organisation by members of the upper legislature, which alleged it had been keeping the reports of investigation into past air crashes in the country. The Senate, had last week Tuesday, condemned the AIB for keeping the reports of investigation into air crashes in the country from the public. The upper chamber had subsequently mandated its Committee on Aviation to thoroughly investigate the remote and immediate causes of the trend and to report its findings to the Senate within two weeks. A distinguished senator that raised the matter before the Senate, alluded to the reports on Sosoliso crash

of 2005, Bellview crash of 2005, ADC crash of 2006 and DANA crash of 2012, as major reports that were yet to be in the public domain. In its reaction, the AIB which stated that it held the Senate and the distinguished senators in high esteem, added that it would not join issues with the premier legislative arm. It, however, declared that: “The AIB is saddened by this unjustified vilification of the Bureau on the floor of the senate as the allegation was mostly incorrect.” According to the Bureau,

the Senate was misinformed given the obvious fact that as of the time the debate was going on in the Senate, the reports were on the Bureau’s website (aib.gov.ng) and just a click away from any interested member of the public. “For record purpose, Sosoliso accident report, which had been released since 2006 and published in the national newspapers, has been on the Bureau’s website for several years now. Bellview and ADC crash reports have been published and on our website since

2012 while DANA’s preliminary report had been published since July 2012. Other outstanding accident reports are being diligently pursued. “A little research including a check on our website or the aviation committee of the Senate would have made this debate unnecessary. Happily, the Senate Committee on Aviation is aware of the diligence and the passion with which AIB has been pursuing the delivery of its mandate. The committee is also not unaware of the challenges

facing the Bureau, especially with funding. “It is, however, pertinent to let the public be aware that aircraft accident investigation, contrary to public expectation takes a little time as it is a complex and thorough exercise. The purpose of accident investigation is to determine facts relating to an accident and prevent future reoccurrence of similar occurrence by making safety recommendations. This demands thoroughness and leaves no room for assumption.”

State houses of assembly vow to get financial autonomy, independence Biola Azeez-Ilorin

IN support of the state houses of assembly’s move to achieve financial autonomy and independence in the country, the new Speakers of the 36 state houses of assembly, have unanimously vowed to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion with the Presidency. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, at the end of a twoday conference organised by the Kwara State Assembly, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the new chairman of the Speakers’ Conference, Honourable Ismaila Kamba, said that they would not make same mistake where a few state houses of assembly opted out of the matter. The issue of financial autonomy and independence was pursued from the state houses of assembly to the National Assembly, during the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo, by some state houses of assembly, before it was truncated by a few ones. “We will try to understand where that bill is and if necessary, we’ll refer it back to various Houses of Assembly for another presentation and forwarding to Mr President for assent. And I am very sure that we are not going to make the same mistake the other houses of assembly made.”

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (left) and the Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, exchanging pleasantries on arrival at the Asaba Airport, for the thanksgiving ceremony of Senator Ighoyota Amori, on Sunday.

Gov Ortom’s claims on Appeal Court ruling curious —Mark Taiwo Adisa- Abuja

IMMEDIATE past Senate President, David Mark, on Sunday, described claims credited to the Benue State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, that the state government did not interfere with the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which nullified Mark’s election, as being curious.

Senator Mark in a statement by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, indicated that the statement credited to the governor was curious. “We do not intend to join issues with anyone over the decision of the Court of Appeal in Makurdi, Benue State, that voided the election of the former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark,

as Senator representing Benue South “But we found it curious that the state governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, can come up with a frantic denial of playing any role in the judicial decision as if he sat on the panel,” the statement read. He stated that the statement made through Ortom’s media adviser, Terve Akase, was more

PDP loses majority seat in Plateau Assembly Isaac Shobayo - Jos

FOLLOWING the outcome of last Saturday’s byeelection held in Qua Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, to fill a vacant seat in the Plateau State Assembly, won by a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the APC has taken over the leadership of the House from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday, declared the APC candidate, Mr Eric Dakogol as winner in the bye-election held

for Qua’an Pan North Constituency of Plateau State. It will be recalled that before the death of the winner of the April House of Assembly election, the PDP had majority seats in the state Assembly with 13 members as against APC’s 11 members. Given Dakogol’s victory at the poll, however, PDP had lost its majority position as both parties now have 12 seats each in the 24-member state Assembly. Two parties, the PDP and the APC fielded candidates in the keenly contested election conducted in the five wards that comprised

the constituency. The INEC Returning Officer, Associate Professor Akkarven Ashakah, who announced the result at the Legislators’ Chamber in Qua’an Pan Local Government Secretariat, on Sunday, in the presence of the National Commissioner, Professor Anthonia Simbini, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Godwin Kwanga, party officials and other stakeholders, declared that Mr Dakogol of the APC polled 5,409 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Mr Alloy Oliver who scored 4,771 votes.

curious because he(Mark) did not accuse anyone of interference in the suit. The statement further read: “It is trite saying in African tradition that if an owl cried in the night and a child dies the following morning, we do not need to ask who killed the child. “Would it be wrong to conclude therefore that Ortom, through his media adviser, has personally or vicariously, taken responsibility for the panel decision to rule against Senator Mark? “On our part, we believe in the independence of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man but the governor’s quick denial of any role in the judgment, even when he had not been accused, is a subtle narrative of the role the state government played in this bizzare decision of the Appeal panel. “In Benue South, hate him or love him, Senator Mark adorns a garment washed by God which no man can stain.”

Nigerian Tribune

Don’t reject corps members, NYSC boss appeals to employers Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

DIRECTOR-GENERAL of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), BrigadierGeneral Johnson Olawumi, has again, appealed to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as employers of labour in the private sector, not to reject corps members. He said rejection of corps members would not only discourage them but will also serve as a stumbling block in achieving its mandate. Speaking at the swearing in of the stream II Batch B, 2015 corps members, at the Kubwa orientation camp in Abuja, the DG said corps members had reported in high spirit to serve their country, adding that they should be encouraged. He said although there are no penalties yet for any organisation that rejected corps members, circular s had been passed round the MDAs to this effect. According to him, “As it stands now, there is no punishment for employers who rejected corps members but I am aware that for MDAs, there is a circular to the fact that none of them should reject any corps members.”

Niger gov reiterates commitment to actualisation of mandate Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

NIGER State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has reiterated his commitment to actualising the mandate given him by the people of the state, his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, disclosed last Saturday. Governor Bello gave the assurance during a breakfast Search FM Radio programme, “The Morning Ride,” in Minna. The governor’s spokesman said his principal had been working assiduously to actualise the mandate given him by being focused on delivering service to the people, in the areas of health, infrastructure, agriculture, education as well as youth/ women empowerment. Baba Ndace said the issue of security is central to the administration’s change agenda, stressing that government is taking a holistic approach to the issue in order to stamp out crime and criminality in the state. Accordingly, he said that the state government had collaborated with Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in Minna, to carry out air surveillance to check the nefarious activities of cattle rustlers, robbers and other criminals.

communitynews OCF launches book, raises fund for community development

ByGbengaOlumideandTunde Adegbola

book written by prominent indigenes of Ogbomoso land entitled: “Ogbomoso land in perspective: Yesterday, today and tomorrow” has been launched. The book was edited and reviewed by Professor Segun Ajiboye and Mr Oyegade Adebayo, respectively. Also, a fundraising for various peo ple-oriented projects took place simultaneously with the launch of the book at 1,200 Lecture Theatre, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Saturday. The programme, organised by a socio-cultural organisation, the Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF) attracted crème-dela-crème of the society. Speaking at the event, a Political Scientist from the University of Ibadan, Professor Alex Gboyega, said development of community in the light of changes that we see should be people-oriented, adding that government should start focusing on the survival of people living in the country. In his keynote address, Professor Gboyega pointed out that the high rate of unemployment, diminishing opportunities for entrepreneurial self-actualisation and growing rate of crime and social deviancy had been responsible for the underdevelopment of the country. Also speaking, former In-

Monday, 30 November, 2015

spector General of Police and leader of Ogbomoso Community Foundation,

Chief Sunday Adewusi, said the arrival of the Ogbomoso Community Foun-

dation (OCF) on the scene of developmental efforts in Ogbomoso land has at-

From right, former governor of Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo; former Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunday Adewusi; Chairman, Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF), Dr Saka Balogun; Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo and his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funlayo Tanimola, at the launch of the book at 1,200 Lecture Theatre, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Saturday. PHOTO: TUNDE ADEGBOLA

THE Ogun State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and Unilever Global Fund has certified over 40 communities in Odeda Local Government Area of the state as open defecation-free areas. The communities at Opeji, Alabata and Alagbagba were presented the certificates each at Odeda, recently. Presenting the certificates, the Project Manager of Rural Water and Sanitation Agency(RUWATSAN), Mr Olatokunbo Sonde, said the certificates would discourage other communities in the local government area to defecating in the open place.

aged Ogbomoso sons and daughters to do all in their capacities to corroborate with the OCF to achieve its lofty goals and objectives in moving Ogbomoso to the greater heights. He also said that the book launch was targeted at raising funds for OCF developmental programmes. In his remarks, the chairman on the occasion, Senator Ayo Adeseun, said it is high time people of Ogbomoso who have attained a reputable position at the helms of affair of government started promoting indigenes of the community so that the community would not be deprived of its own share of dividends of democracy. Some attendee at the event included the Chairman, OCF, Dr Saka Balogun; Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo; former governors of Oyo State, Major General Oladayo Popoola (retd); Dr Omololu Olunloyo; Major General Abiodun Role (retd) and Air Commordre Layi Atanda (retd).

Coastal communities commend Mimiko over waterways clearing Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akurr

RESIDENTS of coastal communities in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State have commended the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, over the clearing of water hyacinths on the creeks and waterways. The people, who described the initiative as a welcome development

noted that it has also created employment opportunity for the unemployed youths in the area. Speaking on behalf of the residents, the National Coordinator of Ijaw Consultative Forum, Suffy Uguoji, said the clearing of the waterways have started yielding positive result in the area. He noted that before the present administration came on board, subse-

quent governments used to clear the waterways once in four years. Uguoji commended the state governor over his welfare programme for people of the state, adding that communities from riverine areas were not exempted from the programmes. He said: “Aside from procuring water-based machines to clear water hyacinth on our waterways, he also engaged unemployed

40 communities certified in Ogun over open defecation OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

tracted numerous peopleoriented projects. He, therefore, encour-

He enjoined the certified ones to sustain the community health sanitation programme in their localities. A member of the State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS), Mr Taiwo Dada, enjoined residents of the communities to enforce open defecation free in their environment and work together to avoid disease and live in good health condition. In her remarks, the Head of Environmental Sanitation, Mrs Sekinat Tekun, explained that officials of RUWATSAN and the STGS have pursued vigorously the project to ensure that the localities be rid of diseases, including water borne diseases, adding that the certificates can be withdrawn if they do not sustain it. Speaking on behalf of the certified communities, the

Baale of Alabata, Mr Saheed Adekunle, enjoined other communities to follow suit, promising that his community would sustain the practice in the environment.

He lauded the state government for ensuring the practice and for maintaining good water sanitation and hygienic condition in the surrounding.

youths known as Lakwa Vanguard in our communities to clear the waterways on daily basis. “It must be emphasised that before Governor Mimiko adopted this system, some towns and villages had been cut off from the rest of Arogbo Ikaw community due to blockages which hindered free movement of the people. “It is against this backdrop that we appeal to Governor Mimiko to approve the employment of more hands to work on the waterways as the work is enormous and also to reduce rate of unemployment in our communities.”

The communities, however, called on the state government and the leadership of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to construct new foot bridges in the coastal areas. He said: “Our foot bridges are also dilapidated which make life unbearable for the people of the area. These foot bridges connect the communities and it is like intra city roads. “We will appreciate the governor and OSOPADEC to construct new ones so as to improve the socioeconomic life of the people in the area.”

Grassroots women appreciate NURHI’s family planning intervention By Gbenga Olumide

WOMEN in Akinyele and Egbeda Local Government areas of Oyo State have appreciated the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) for extending the family planning services to their council area, saying it would go a long way in reducing maternal and child mortalities in the area. The women spoke during an Outreach Programme by NURHI to pri-

mary healthcare centres in the areas, recently. One of the beneficiaries of the outreach, Mrs Suliat Adejumo, said she had been hearing about NURHI’s intervention in family planning on radio, but did not benefit because her local government was not part of the first phase of the project. “However, in the second phase, I have really benefited from the services, and apart from this, I have been lectured on how

family planning can help one’s social and economic life. So, family planning is more than just spacing births,” Mrs Adejumo, a food seller, said. Another beneficiary at Egbeda Local Government Area, Mrs Tawa Aina, admitted that in a bid to stop further child bearing, she had been procuring abortions anytime she got pregnant, “but since NURHI brought the services to my health centre, I have not got pregnant.

“I already have six children, and don’t want more, but it is difficult to deny my husband his marital obligation, that is why I am so happy with the services NURHI extended to our council area,” Mrs Aina, a trader, said. From the professional point of view, the family planning coordinator at the Ajibode PHC, Mrs Adebola Oladele, said the health initiative is a great opportunity for women in the area.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

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Pope visits CAR with hopes of peace, reconciliation

ope Francis called for unity in the Central African Republic (CAR) and for people to not allow religious differences to divide them as he made a visit on Sunday to the country that for years has been torn by a conflict between Christian and Muslim militants. In remarks at the presidential palace in Bangui, he said he hopes upcoming elections will allow the country to “embark serenely on a new chapter of its history,” VOA reported. Ahead of his arrival, President Catherine Samba-Panza said on Saturday people see Pope Francis as a messenger of peace. “Many Central Africans hope that the messages he will deliver will inspire a national mobilisation and realization that Central Africans learn to accept each other again, learn to live together again and learn to go toward peace and reconstruction of their country,” she said. The CAR has endured nearly three years of violence since a mostly Muslim rebel group, the Seleka, overthrew President Francois Bozize in March of 2013. Killings by the Seleka triggered the rise of mainly Christian militias known as the anti-Balaka.

Burkina Faso votes for new president, legislators

Pope Francis arrives in Bangui, Central African Republic, on the third leg of his trip to Africa, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP.

Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with Samba-Panza, whose interim government mandate expires in January, as well as visit a refugee camp and hold Mass. On Saturday, enormous crowds greeted the pontiff

in Uganda as he celebrated Mass at an open-air shrine that honors 45 martyrs burned to death by a king in the late 1800s for refusing to renounce their faith. Pope Francis urged Ugandans to honor their sacrifice

by taking care of the elderly, the poor and the abandoned. “This legacy is not served by an occasional remembrance or by being enshrined in a museum as a precious jewel,” the pontiff said. “Rather, we honor them,

and all the saints, when we carry on their witness to Christ, in our homes and neighborhoods, in our workplaces and civil society, whether we never leave our homes or we go to the farthest corner of the world.”

Germany to send 1,200 soldiers to boost fight against ISIS

Angela Merkel

Germany could send 1,200 soldiers to the Middle East by the end of the year to provide service support to planes and ships of a coalition battling Islamic State, Germany’s top defence official told a newspaper on Sunday. Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to support the

Turkey preparing to hand over body of pilot to Russia — PM The body of the pilot killed when Turkey shot down a Russian jet was taken to Turkey late on Saturday to be handed over to Russia, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said. The body is being treated in accordance with the Orthodox tradition, Davutoglu said in a news conference in Ankara on Sunday before going to Brussels for a meeting with European Union (EU) leaders on migration. Reuters said he did not say how the body was delivered to Hatay in southern Turkey but said Russia’s military attache was going there on Sunday as part of procedures to recover the remains. Relations between Turkey and Russia have sharply deteriorated since Tuesday’s incident, with Russia imposing economic sanctions and revoking a visa-free agreement, while Turkey has sought to cool tensions,

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seeing the Paris climate change talks that start this week as a chance to mend ties. Davutoglu said that with different coalitions operating in Syria with differing objectives, similar incidents to that of the downing of the Russian jet could happen unless there was information sharing and coordination. Both United States along with other allies, including Turkey, as well as Russia are

carrying out air campaigns against Islamic State and other groups. Russia and Turkey have accused each other of aiding Islamic State, but both say they are battling the militants who have taken swathes of land in Iraq and Syria. However, Russia sides with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and has been accused by the West of using its bombing campaign to help him instead of targeting Islamic State.

offensive against Islamic State during recent talks with French President Francois Hollande, who called for more countries to help fight the militants after the November 13 attacks in Paris. Reuters said the plan, which still needs approval from parliament and was outlined by Germany’s Chief of Defence Volker Wieker in the Bild am Sonntag, did not include direct involvement in the coalition’s air offensive. In Germany, the public still dislikes sending forces overseas except for in peace missions, in part due to memories of Nazi militarism. A German frigate would accompany France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, whose planes will refuel the jets of coalition, Wieker said in the interview. “From a military point of view for the servicing of the planes and ships, about 1,200 soldiers would be necessary,” Wieker told the newspaper. He said he hoped to obtain

the necessary mandate by the end of the year. Wieker also said Germany was in talks with Jordan and Turkey about stationing Tornado aircraft for reconnaissance in the region. A senior German lawmaker said last week that Germany would deploy the reconnaissance jets to support France in the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria.

Voters in Burkina Faso voted for a new president and parliament members on Sunday in what is being called the country’s most open election in its history. Five million registered voters were qualified to select from among 14 presidential candidates, analysts said ahead of the election. But there was no clear picture of who might win. If no one earns more than 50 per cent of the vote, a second round will be held, VOA reported. Former President Blaise Compaore led Burkina Faso for 27 years before trying last year to get rid of a constitutional term limit and make himself eligible for another round in office. That move brought protests that forced him to resign.

Burkina Faso presidential candidate, Roch Marc Christian Kabore from the MPP. PHOTO: REUTERS.

Israeli officers shoot dead Palestinian attacker Israeli border police shot dead a Palestinian who stabbed an officer in Jerusalem on Sunday, a police spokesman said, the latest attack in a two-month wave of violence. Near a main gate of Jerusalem’s walled Old City, Reuters said the Palestinian pulled out a knife and stabbed a border policeman in the neck, moderately wounding him, before being

shot by officers, the spokesman said. Almost daily Palestinian stabbings, car rammings and shootings have killed 19 Israelis and one U.S. citizen since Oct. 1. Israeli forces have killed 94 Palestinians, many of whom were carrying out assaults and others in clashes with police and troops. Many of those killed have been teenagers.

Congo’s president urges national dialogue before elections

Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Joseph Kabila (centre) waves as he walks on the street. PHOTO: REUTERS.

Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has made a long-anticipated public call for a national dialogue to prepare for elections next year, an idea regarded with suspicion by his opponents. A successful presidential election in 2016 would mark Congo’s first-ever peaceful

transition of power after decades of autocratic rule and civil conflict since independence from Belgium in 1960, Reuters said. In an address to the nation, Kabila announced the creation of a preparatory committee but did not specify who would serve on it, nor when the dialogue itself

would begin. “I have decided on this day to convoke an inclusive national political dialogue and the subsequent implementation of a preparatory committee to address all aspects linked to its organisation,” Kabila said in a pre-recorded speech aired on state-run television on Saturday evening.

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Obama, other world leaders in Paris as climate change summit opens today

early 150 world leaders are expected to descend on Paris for the start of the United Nations climate change summit, which begins today (Monday) in the French capital, with the aim of reaching a landmark global deal on limiting greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a potentially historic event being held in extraordinary circumstances, CNN said. The leaders of the United States, China and India the world’s top three carbonemitting countries are among those scheduled to attend the opening day of

Activists wearing animal masks form a human chain during a protest, on Sunday ahead of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, in Paris. PHOTO: AP. the event, known as COP21. It’s being held amid heavy security after the deadly terrorist attacks that

struck Paris two weeks ago. French authorities have clamped down on public demonstrations in the aftermath of the attacks, blocking environ-

mental campaigners’ plans for a big march on Sunday in Paris to highlight the climate change issue. Refusing to be muted, some activists covered the

Syrian opposition:

city’s Place de la Republique with shoes to symbolise the steps that marchers were being prevented from taking. Protesters upset with those restrictions, among other things, clashed briefly with police Sunday. They threw shoes, tear gas, bottles and candles that police said were taken from memorials for victims of the attacks. Paris Police Chief Michel Cadot said taking the candles and using them against police showed “an extreme lack of respect to those events.” Officers responded with tear gas and 100 demonstrators were arrested, according to police.

...Activists stage global protests calling for climate controls Damilola’s Taylor: I collapsed on Hundreds of thousands of protesters joined worldwide demonstrations Sunday calling for adoption of global environmental controls as world leaders headed to Paris for the opening Monday of the United Nations climate summit. The VOA said activists linked hands in the heart of the French capital amid tight security in the wake of the deadly Islamic State terrorist attacks earlier this month that killed 130 people. But peaceful protests turned violent, with police firing tear gas at a small group of demonstrators and arresting about 100. With French officials banning marches, demonstrators, including U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, left about 20,000 pairs of shoes on the ground at the Place de la Republique. Demonstration organizers said the shoes weighed four tons and in-

cluded a pair the Vatican sent on behalf of Pope Francis. Reuters said about 20,000 pairs of shoes were laid out in the Place de la Republique in the French capital, from highheels to boots, to symbolise absent marchers after attacks by Islamic State militants killed 130 people on Nov. 13 and led France to ban a protest that was meant to be at the heart of the global action. Organisers, according to Reuters said the Vatican sent a pair of shoes on behalf of Pope Francis. One activist, dressed in white as an angel with large wings, held a sign saying “coal kills.” More than 2,000 events were being held in cities including Sydney, Berlin, London, Sao Paulo and New York, making it perhaps the biggest day of climate action in history on the eve of the Paris conference which runs from Nov. 30-Dec. 11.

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hearing he’d been stabbed

•Father recounts ordeal 15 years after son’s death On 27 November 2000, 10-year-old Damilola Taylor was on his way back home from Peckham Library, when he was stabbed with a broken bottle and left to die alone in a concrete stairwell. He had only been in Britain for three months after moving with his family from Nigeria.

Damilola Taylor

His father, Richard Taylor spoke to BBC Radio 5 live’s Chris Warburton on the 15th anniversary of his son’s death. “The loss can never go away. When the date comes through, I have that period of sadness to remember that, today, Damilola was stabbed to death.” The school photograph of Damilola which featured on newspaper front pages, was seen to sum up his happy and innocent personality. Richard Taylor described his son as “boisterous.” “Right from his babyhood, he was always smiling”, he said, “he had that charisma of being loved by everyone.” Football coach Dominic Welch remembers a kind and polite child who called him ‘uncle’.

“When Dammy came to the youth centre, he was such a lovely young boy,” he told 5 live. “He had massive amounts of respect for everybody.” Damilola’s father was working for the Ministry of Defence in Nigeria when he received the phone call to say his son had been stabbed. The news caused him to pass out. “I collapsed. That was all I remember until I was revived by the clinic. I never thought such a thing could happen,” he said. It took six years and three separate trials before Damilola’s killers were finally brought to justice. In 2006 teenage brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie were convicted of manslaughter.

Russian strikes kill 18, wound dozens Airstrikes believed to have been carried out by Russian warplanes killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens more on Sunday in a northern Syrian town held by insurgents, Syrian opposition media reported. The Associated Press reported that the Britainbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrikes struck the town of Ariha, killing at least 18 people and wounding dozens more. The Local Coordination Committees, an activist collective, said the airstrikes struck a busy market, inflicting heavy casualties. The Observatory, which relies on a network of activists inside Syria, said the airstrike destroyed three buildings in the center of Ariha. Ariha Today, a Facebook page that covers events in the town, said the airstrikes were carried out by Russian warplanes, killing 40 people and wounding more than 70. Conflicting tolls are common in the chaotic aftermath of violent incidents in Syria. If Russian warplanes carried out Sunday’s strikes it would be one of the deadliest incidents since Moscow began launching airstrikes in Syria two months ago. Opposition activists say scores of people have been killed by Russian strikes since the air campaign began on Sept. 30. An amateur video posted online showed several men being treated on the floor of what appeared to be a clinic. Blood stains could be seen on the floor’s white tiles. On the street outside, four men could be seen lying near the building, with several young men weeping over them.

Guinea’s last Ebola case, a baby girl, leaves hospital A health worker injects a woman with an Ebola vaccine. PHOTO: REUTERS.

A one-month-old baby girl who was Guinea’s last reported Ebola case left hospital on Saturday, delighting medical staff and putting the country on course to be declared free of the deadly virus. Guinea will become officially Ebola-free after 42 days if no new cases are reported following the

recovery of baby Nubia thought to be the first baby to survive after being born to an infected mother. Reuters said Ebola outbreak has killed about 11,300 people mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since it began two years ago. Liberia is now the only country

with confirmed cases after the virus re-emerged for a third time. “This is a very happy day for us,” Laurence Sailly, head of medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres’ (MSF) emergency team in Guinea, told Reuters on Saturday. “It was very moving for us and the family to be able to touch her without

gloves.” Family members and medical staff played music and danced to celebrate Nubia’s release from the Nongo treatment centre in the capital Conakry. She tested negative for the haemorrhagic fever last week, but MSF kept her in for monitoring.

Twin suicide attacks kill 5 in Cameroon Suspected Boko Haram militants detonated two suicide bombs in a village in northern Cameroon, killing at least five people, security sources and an official told Reuters. The attacks in the village of Dabanga, which took place on Saturday, are thought to be the latest in a series of cross-

border raids into Cameroon’s Far North Region by members of the Nigeria-based Islamist militants. “The provisional toll is seven dead, including the two suicide bombers, as well as two soldiers injured,” said a senior government source, requesting anonymity.

One of the security sources said a woman and her children were among the dead. Two other security sources said a gendarme had been killed. Cameroon troops are part of an 8,700-strong regional task-force designed to defeat Boko Haram which has killed thousands and displaced mil-

lions of people in its bid to create a caliphate in northern Nigeria. While authorities insist the force has been functional since August, there has been no sign of joint operations at a time when the Boko Haram insurgency appears to be intensifying.

Cameroon President Paul Biya

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Ondo FA queries ODSFA over Sunshine Stars banishment

Anderlecht set to beat EPL clubs to Osimhen’s signature

OP Belgian club Anderlecht look poised to beat several top English Premier League clubs to U17 World Cup hotshot Victor Osimhen, it has been exclusively gathered. Osimhen scored a record-breaking 10 goals at the recent FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile and has reportedly spared off interest from several top EPL clubs including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. But it has now been scooped that a Francebased agent has secured an exclusive mandate

from both Osimhen’s Lagos academy as well as Anderlecht to get the signature of the U17 shooting star. Anderlecht are willing to break the bank for the latest Nigerian scoring sensation after the missed out on another exciting youngster Taiwo Awoniyi. Awoniyi, 18, has signed for EPl side Liverpool but he is currently on loan at Bundesliga 2 side FSV Frankfurt. He and Osimhen are both in Senegal for the U23 AFCON, which doubles as a qualifier for next year’s Rio Olympics.

Osimhen

Henry rules out Chelsea from EPL title

Why Fort Group is supporting sport development —Momoh By Niyi Alebiosu

.Tips Liverpool to win By nurudeen alimi

FORMER Arsenal FC of England and FC Barcelona of Spain striker, Thierry Henry, has ruled out Chelsea Football Club from winning the English Premier League title this season. The former France international however, whittled the contenders down to five teams including Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool Football Club. He said: “With the exception of Leicester, every Premier League team should have done better this season. “Jamie Vardy has been amazing and I’ve nothing but admiration for how he has come from nowhere and used his hunger to break the Premiership scoring record.

Hakeem GbadamosiAkure

Henry “But, as well as they are playing, it’s unlikely Leicester will stay top and win the title. “For me, the teams in contention are Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and maybe Liverpool. “Chelsea should not even be in the conversation. If they get back into the top four it will prove nothing more than how poorly the top teams are doing. “If Chelsea had played like they did last year they would be ten points clear now,

with one hand already on the trophy. “But every time a team has had the opportunity to take charge at the top, they have wasted it.” Arsenal drew with Tottenham and lost at West Brom earlier this month and Henry fears the dropped points could come back to haunt them. He wrote in The Sun: “If [Arsenal] had beaten Spurs and West Brom like they should have done, they would be three points clear at the top.

THE Managing Director, Fort Group, Frank Momoh, has explained reasons behind his company’s decision to sponsor sporting activities in Nigeria. While speaking with Tribunesports by phone, Momoh, whose company has been supporting Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria (WBFN) in the last three years informed that his decision to support sports was to contribute his quota to the growth of sport in the country and to empower the personel involved. It would be recalled that the group recently supported the Nigeria Footbal Federation (NFF), towards the capacity building of about 20 states Football Association Chairmen who will be attending

courses in the United Kingdom. According to the Managing Director, Fort Group who also supported Sir Victor Ochei in the sponsorship of Wheelchair Basketball national to African qualifiers in Algiers, He sees sport as a unifying factor among Nigerians and that he will continue to support sport so as to put the country among top countries of the world. “To me, sport is a veritable tool for empowerment because it will improve the technical know how of our administrators. Their going to United Kingdom for a capacity building seminar will go a long way in broaden their knowledge as it will help in the development of the game and as well bring more ideas to the administration of their various associations,” he said.

FOLLOWING the sanction of Sunshine Stars of Akure by the League Management Company (LMC) over the disruption of Match Day 36 fixture of the just ended Globacom Premier League season, the Ondo State Football Association has queried the management of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) over its role in the saga. The state FA also accused the management of ODSFA headed by Akin Akinbobola of undermining the duty of the association in the state. This was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman of the Football body in the state, Chief Dele Ajayi and the FA Secretary, Babatunde Fagite and made available to newsmen on Sunday after an emergency meeting of the association in Akure. The FA in the communique directed the Chairman of ODSFA, Akinbobola to appear before the board to come and make clarification on the allegation leveled against the agency. The FA also alleged that the management of ODSFA had taken over virtually all the activities that were meant to be overseen by the FA. It also noted that the agency had refused to perform its statutory financial obligations to the FA in the state and refused to recognise the body in its various activities. The FA, however, directed the management of ODSFA to produce those involved in the distruption of the match between Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars that led to the banishment of Sunshine Stars from Akure to Lagos. “ODSFA has constantly masterminded hooliganism, thuggery and violence on and off the pitch. “The management of ODSFA has consistently disobeyed and disrespected the Ondo State Football Association, “it said. It added that failure to comply would lead to sanctions as appropriated by the laws of NFF, CAF and FIFA.

47 tribunesport

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Etoile wins CAF Confederation Cup title ETOILE du Sahel are the new CAF Confederation Cup champions after defeating Orlando Pirates 1-0 (2-1 on aggregate) in the second leg of the final at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse on Sunday. The Tunisians scored the only goal through Ammar Jemal (the same scorer as the first leg in Soweto last weekend which ended 1-1) and then put up a superb defensive display to protect their narrow advantage. Needing an away goal after drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Soweto last week, the Buccaneers were unable to find the back of the net against Etoile’s impenetrable defence, though they can take pride from a performance in which they were arguably the better team through the 90 minutes. Etoile settled the quicker of the two teams, but it was Pirates who created the first clear chance, with Thamsanqa Gabuza sending Thabo Rakhale through on goal on the right of the penalty area, but the winger scuffed his shot wide of the far post in the 18th minute. Shortly thereafter the home side suffered a major blow when they were forced to substitute leading goal scorer Baghdad Bounedjah due to injury, with the Algerian

suffering under a heavy challenge from Ayanda Gcaba. Nonetheless, Etoile shrugged off that setback and claimed the lead midway through the first half. A left-flank cross was deflected toward his own goal by Happy Jele and goalkeeper Felipe Ovono was unable to handle the ball cleanly, allowing Ammar Jemal to poke the ball home from close range. The hosts moved up a gear after taking the lead, playing with confidence and intelligence to force the Buccaneers onto the back foot, but they were unable to add to their advantage, leaving the score 1-0 in their favour at the break. Pirates, playing with a strong wind at their backs, were the better team in the second half, with Etoile prepared to sit back and look to soak up whatever the visitors threw at them. It was a risky strategy from the hosts, but their excellent defence held up and frustrated the South African side. Bucs’ only real threat at goal arrived late in the game when substitute Menzi Masuku sent a shot at goal direct from a free kick, but veteran goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi made an excellent save to keep his side in the ascendancy.

Arsenal, Chelsea risk FIFA ban SPANISH daily AS has reported that the Premier League duo of Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC are in line for punishment from FIFA. An alleged ban would be in relation to transfers for players aged under 18. The Catalan-based paper said that Real Madrid and Atletico will face sanctions after Barcelona’s two-window ban. They specifically name Chelsea

and Arsenal but claim that other big clubs in Europe are also under the microscope. No Gunners or Blues players have been named as potential problems for the Premier League duo, but AS report that they are being investigated. Barcelona are poised to complete their two-window ban in January when they will be able to register players once again.

Tyson Fury displays his titles belts. Inset is Wladimir Klitschko with blood stain on his face. PHOTO: DAILYMAIL.CO.UK

I’ll beat Klitschko again —Tyson Fury

YSON Fury says there is more to come from him after he beat Wladimir Klitschko to become the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion of the world. The 27-year-old Briton outpointed the 39-year-old Ukrainian in Dusseldorf, Germany to bring his nine-year reign to an end. “I think you have seen 65% of what I am capable of,” the selfstyled ‘Gypsy King’ told Sky Sports News. “That wasn’t as good as I can

Ugandan club buys motorcycles for players to earn more cash UGANDA Revenue Authority (URA) FC - one of the country’s biggest clubs - have encouraged their players to earn extra cash, by helping them to get into the lucrative motorcycle taxi business. URA are helping the club’s players to buy motorbikes, commonly known as boda bodas, which are widely used by businesses in Uganda to transport people and luggage. With the cost of living continuing to rise in the Ugandan capital Kampala, club chairman Ali Ssekatawa told BBC Sport they no longer want their players to strictly rely on the income they get from playing football. The club’s management has, however, asked the players to hire riders and not to ride the motorbikes themselves, due to the risk involved. “We are looking at a way of having a self-sustaining system and when our staff is sorted they can play well,” Ssekatawa said. URA FC are one of the most popular Uganda Premier League sides and have represented the East Afri-

can country in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions - Africa’s biggest continental club competitions. The numbers of boda bodas have recently ballooned in Kampala, but so have the number of accidents rising eight-fold in the past eight years, with businesses looking at safer ways of operating the bikes. Earlier this year URA FC’s commissioner Doris Akol promised they would help the players with an alternative money-making venture and club chairman Ssekatawa delivered 17 motorbikes to the players at the club’s training ground on Thursday. Long-serving defender and Uganda international Simeon Masaba said he favoured the initiative, as it will help the players to earn extra income for their families. “The club will be deducting our pay for some months so that we pay the percentage for the [running of the] motorbikes,” Masaba said. The defender added that although the motorbike business is risky, with thieves targeting the boda

bodas, he thinks if managed well it could make a good small business for the URA footballers. “This is a good move by the club and most of us are happy about it,” striker Robert Ssentongo added. Team coach Kefa Kisaala also received one of the bikes and said he was happy with the move.

do. I can go up another level.” The Manchester fighter insisted he would beat Klitschko again if the former champion takes up the option of a rematch - and would be happy for it to be in Germany. “If he had 10 years to train, the result would be the same next time,” Fury said. “I think he will take the rematch, but who knows when he gets home and has time to think about it. “It doesn’t really matter to me where I fight. Japan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, America - wherever it has to be. I’d like to come back to Germany again to fight Wlad. I enjoyed it here and I got a great reception from the German fans.” He added. “I might be allowed a voluntary defence before a potential rematch with Klitschko and I would like to have that back in England, probably in Manchester. It would be great to bring the titles back.” Fury is keen to spend time over the festive period with his family,

A player of URA FC (right) receiving the plate number to his motorcycle from an official of the club.

including pregnant wife Paris, who he serenaded at ringside after his victory. The couple already have a daughter, Venezuela, and a son Prince. But attention has already turned to who else Fury could face in defence of his titles. Irish legend Barry McGuigan told BBC Radio 5 live that David Haye, the British former world champion, making his comeback in January after three years in retirement, is “the obvious fight” for Fury.

Tornadoes wins NNL Super 4 NIGER Tornadoes are the champions of the Nigeria National League (NNL) following their 1-0 win over Plateau United in the Super 4 finals on Sunday in Abuja. Tornadoes led by coach Abdullahi Biffo got the only goal of the game from the penalty spot through Lukman Mohammed in the 59th minute. Coach Biffo has now won the NNL title twice having won it in 2013 with Giwa FC. MFM FC won the bronze medal in the battle of the Lagos clubs when they beat Ikorodu United 4-2 through penalties after game ended 2-2 at the end of the regulation time. Ikorodu United opened scoring in the fourth minute when Olisema Cyril converted a spot kick. MFM leveled scores in the 20th minute, when Onajite put the ball in his own net. Olisema Cyril restored Ikorodu United’s lead in the 26th minute, but MFM resorted parity in the 44th minute through Austine Ogunye.

SIDELINES

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MONDAY, 30 NOVEMBER, 2015

ET me state urgently that the recent gubernatorial election the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted in Kogi State was not inconclusive. The INEC Returning Officer, a professor called Emmanuel Kucha who declared the poll inconclusive clearly and certainly did not (and I rightly think he still does not) know his onions. What a professor whose judgment was clearly and certainly one that would invite criticism or censure for a pretty long time in our land, that is, if the unworthy judgment does not end up in our land, as Latinists would say, as abyssus abyssum invocat. The professor was quite, in fact, very uncritical in his opinion and interpretation of what transpired on Saturday, 21 November, 2015. The Returning Officer and his team did not exercise their discretion judiciously. I am not a lawyer – and I don’t need to be one - to know and understand what the electoral judicator did obviously, patently and un-smartly wrong. Even more surprising was (and is) the bad fact that the new overall umpire in Abuja, also a professor, did not wade in to correct a flagrant display of a blatant exercise of an outrageous discretion that sooner or later might turn out to be a burning hell that calls a burning hell in Kogi State and beyond to decimate our oneness in diversity. The late APC’s candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu and his running- mate, Mr. James Faleke had fragrantly won the election having polled nearly 41,000 votes in nineteen out of twenty-one local government areas against their PDP’s opponents’ nearly 200,000 votes in only five local government areas. The Kogi uncritical prime umpire and his team announced to my bewilderment that the gubernatorial poll was inconclusive. There was no way the defeated PDP candidates would bounce back from their throes and nadir of defeat even if the PDP candidates scored an impossible 40,000 or 45,000 votes in a questionably INEC recommended supplementary election for the APC and PDP parties out of 49,000 cancelled or voided improper ballots of would-

An Islamic State fighter was recently captured by Kurds fighters. While in captivity, instead of taking his punishment like a man, he was filmed crying like a baby. It is funny how those who act tough, sadistic, merciless, burning people alive and beheading many more others turn to cry babies when the shoe is on the other leg.

in&out with Tony Afejuku

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Kogi: Hell calls hell be or prospective voters who violated or disobeyed electoral instructions. Why the jaundiced decision of the umpire against the APC? Why this questionable judgment against the APC? What did the professor think he was doing? Did he wish to appear in my critical imagination as a Kogi gubernatorial electoral champion and hero? Now he has curiously appeared to me as an uncritical don and professor who loudly has landed us where we should not land in. Was he well-schooled for the job? Unfortunately, the main gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress kicked the bucket at the point his ripe and succulent mango was to be savoured by him and his running-mate particularly and his party in general, a party all the while I thought was a group led by positively wily strategists. The untimely fall of Abubakar Audu and other current happenings in the land are compelling me to change and alter my opinion and perception of the APC frontline strategists. How come that Ahmed Bola Tinubu and company did not close-mark rightly the professor in the news that is worse than bad, negatively controversial news? Did they take things for granted because they are the ruling party in the centre? Questions, questions and more questions we cannot answer – rightly or wrongly. Whether we like the APC or not we must support the APC to enjoy fragrantly its victory that is presently bitterly sour – courtesy

To support the APC is the right thing to do in the current circumstance. of an umpire not well-schooled in the good work of electoral umpiring. Indeed, to support the APC is the right thing to do in the current circumstance if hell must not call hell in Kogi State and Nigeria. I know one or two things or a number of things – the APC people can do – but who am I to so speak as I have spoken? May Allah’s will be done and may He bless the great soul of the chopping political titan. May APC swim out of its current river and tide of shocking strangeness and mysteriousness! My condolences go to the family of the fallen titan, and to all the good people of Kogi. But I cannot but ask crucially: Who “killed,” “poisoned,” the man who has died at the time he shouldn’t? Who “masterminded” or “programmed” the event that

Senegal 2015: Dream Team beats Mali 3-2

FTER a scoring three unreplied goals in the first half, Nigeria had to hang on to beat Mali 3-2 in their opening U23 AFCON Group B match in Mbour, Senegal, Sunday night. Tunisia-based Junior Ajayi has netted a brace, while Usman Mohammed has also been on target for Dream Team VI. However, after the interval, Mali fought back to score twice to leave this encounter on a nail-biting finish. Niane scored from the penalty spot after 55 minutes after he was fouled inside the box by Oghenekaro Etebo. And 10 minutes later, Souleyman Sissoko got Mali their second goal

when he drove through the Nigeria defence before he slotted past the goalkeeper. But before their second-half goals Mali carved out the better chances in front of goal after the first whistle and could even have scored within the first minute, but Adama Traore’s effort came off the crossbar and back into play. Nigeria soaked the pressure, before they finally got going scoring almost against the run of play in the 16th minute when Ajayi stylishly backheeled home after a superb run down the right flank by the impressive Stanley Dimgba. Mali continued to chase the game but it was Nigeria who doubled their

lead after 34 minutes, when Usman Mohammed turned in a loose ball from inside the box after a great cutback by Sincere Seth. But just a minute after this second goal, Nigeria goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel produced a big save when he blocked at point-blank range the dangerous Adama Traore. Mali also threatened to pull a goal back five minutes to the interval, but again Daniel was alert to cut out the danger at the feet of Niane. In first half stoppage time, Junior Ajayi made it 3-0 after Mali goalkeeper Diarra failed to hold a powerful shot fired by skipper Azubuike Okechukwu from the edge of the Etebo box.

ended abruptly the end of the man who was as sound as a bell on the day he fell? Maybe nobody did the horrible job. But if I were the Kogi PDP governor, I would not question the victory of his now gone front-line opponent. He and his party should accept their loss and leave Allah to judge the rest actions - because they lost the Kogi gubernatorial election and they know it. Allah works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. We shall question their conduct if they go to court, as they threatened, to “[re-]claim” a mandate they never had. The PDP strategists should think and re-think again. Tomorrow is another day. And who knows tomorrow? But the PDP people will not listen to me. Two final lines: first, if the PDP were in the position of the APC, I would argue in their favour as I have done here. Secondly, Nigerian investigative journalists and curious literary detectives must be cat- bellers and do their duty to our father-land by way of researching Prince Audu’s death. But who wan’ die for Nigeria as the dead man has died for Nigeria? In Kogi I see and smell hell calling hell. O yes and yes. The safest, softest path to Hell is the slopest of least resistance INEC has taken, yet we must pray rightly until …. Abyssus abyssum invocat. O King David, give us the right victory psalms! The rest is silence. Editor’s note: This column was done on Wednesday, November 25, 2015.

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Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 30/11/2015.

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