31st August, 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,579 WEDNESDAY, 31 AUGUST, 2016 www.tribuneonlineng.com

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TODAY'S SPECIAL

How to break seven common bad money habits

By Kehinde Oyetimi TIME and time over, it has been established that how one spends money is basically tied to certain habits. For instance, someone who is ostentatious is bound to spend more. Rising above economic recession starts with adopting smart habits. Certain habits go a long way in determining how badly, or well, one manages one’s money.

Financial expert and content marketing writer, Nancy

Mann Jackson, argues that bad money habits can be exceptionally hard to break, whether they’re ingrained from one’s upbringing or stem from a lack of knowledge about personal finance. Continuing, she argued that “even when you have the best intentions and a strong financial plan, those enduring rituals will continually derail your money success.

Boko Haram

Continues pg6

Warplanes consume 1.9 million litres of aviation fuel monthly •As military raids more militant camps in N/Delta

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Lawyers are not rogues, NBA fires back at EFCC •Demands apology from Magu —P4

Nigeria, UK sign MoU on return of stolen assets —P4

Sheriff kicks against BoT's position on way forward Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg (left), with kids at CcHub, a local innovation centre, at Yaba, Lagos, during his visit to Nigeria, on Tuesday. STORY ON PAGE 11.

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Stolen assets: ‘UK no longer safe for Nigerian looters’ As Nigeria, UK sign MoU on return of stolen assets

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FFORTS by President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption received a boost on Tuesday, as the British government said there is no safe place for stolen assets in the United Kingdom (UK), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

This came as the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British government on the modalities for the return of Nigerian stolen assets.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, signed on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja on Tuesday.

Malami said that the MoU reflected the desire and willingness of both countries to continue cooperation and mutual support.

Malami said that this was in the responsible and transparent return of all recovered assets.

He outlined the objectives of the MoU to include the fact that the processes of returning stolen assets was a partnership recognising the interest of both countries and based on mutual understanding, confidence and trust.

“That both countries recognised that they have a mutual interest in ensuring that returned assets are not at risk of being misappropriated again.

“And that both countries recognised they have obligations toward their own citizens for providing such assurances.

“That both countries rec-

ognised the importance of ensuring that the highest possible standard of transparency and accountability are applied for the return of assets.”

He gave the assurance to the international community that all funds recovered

would be judiciously utilised for projects that would benefit the poorest segment of the Nigerian society.

Earlier, leader of the UK delegation, British Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Goodwill, said that the MoU provided the

mechanism by which monies could be returned.

Goodwill, who is also a member of the British Parliament, noted that there was no safe place for stolen assets in the UK. “Our ability to recover and return stolen assets should

send a clear message to all who may seek to habour such assets that there is no safe haven in the U.K,” he said.

According to him, the British government is committed to the return of all funds looted from the Nigerian State.

Members of Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) marching in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-terror war, at the entrance of National Assembly, Abuja, on Tuesday. Photo: Sunday Osunrayi.

ASUU to FG: Honour all agreements N aza Okoli - Lagos THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has again urged the federal and state governments to quickly honour all aspects of the agreements they entered into with the union, in order to prevent a major crisis from scuttling the “peace in

the nation’s public universities at this critical period.”

This was the thrust of a press conference held on Tuesday, by the Lagos zone of ASUU, at the University of Lagos.

In his speech, the coordinator of the zone, Professor Olusiji Sowande, said even though members of the

union had always favoured less drastic means of resolving dispute with the government, it was unfortunate that “the only language the government appears to respect is that of strike.”

Among the issues raised by the union are the “nonrelease of Needs Assessment Intervention Fund,

inadequate funding of state universities, renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, non-implementation of agreement concerning earned academic allowances and the refusal of the National Pension Commission to release the license for the take-off of Nigerian Universities Pension Management

NBA fires back at EFCC, says lawyers are not rogues Demands withdrawal of statement Sunday Ejike - Abuja THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the statement credited to the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, calling lawyers in the country rogues.

General Secretary of the NBA, Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday, called on the commission to withdraw the statement with immediate effect.

Olagunju accused the EFCC boss of using uncivil language of ‘rogues’ and ‘vultures’ on lawyers, who are performing their constitutional duties.

The General Secretary

“We are keen to do this as soon as the necessary legal process allow.

“As outlined at the summit, we will be taking steps to accelerate the procedures for identification and confiscation of illegally acquired assets.”

He said that they were as committed as Nigeria in ensuring that beneficial ownership of assets was made available to relevant authorities so they know who the real owners of assets held in the UK are.

“Forty jurisdictions, including British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies announced that they will automatically share beneficial ownership information relating to companies, trusts, foundations, Shell companies and other relevant entities and legal arrangements.

“It is important that everyone can see how returned assets are used to benefit Nigerians. We have therefore agreed in this MoU to be fully transparent about this.”

The signing of the MoU is a follow up to the agreement reached at the London anticorruption summit in May.

said “the inaugural address of the NBA president was a statement of nearly 30 pages, which sets out the vision and direction of his programmes for the Nigerian legal profession.

“He committed himself to leading a brave new Bar fully aligned with the aspirations of Nigerians in their quest for national development, which can only be anchored on the Rule of Law built on strong institutions.

“In the paragraph of the statement dealing with corruption, the NBA president restated the commitment of the NBA in the fight against corruption.

“He commended the modest achievement of the EFCC, but called for

the reform of the agency to enhance its capability to deliver on its mandate on a consistent and sustainable basis, devoid of political interference and on the basis of well established institution, safeguard that demands proper regulation of the wide discretionary power involved in the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters.

“The NBA condemns, in the strongest term, the use of abusive and uncivil language of ‘rogues and vultures’ by the chairman of the anti-graft agency.

Name calling and abusive language is not expected of any public institution. It is unacceptable. The NBA demands unequivocal withdrawal of these statements

and unreserved apology from the EFCC,” the statement added.

The association called on the EFCC to get its facts correctly before making statements or insinuations.

Last weekend, Magu, the EFCC chairman, described the Nigerian Bench as one populated by rogues and vultures and that such group of people cannot sit in judgment over others or command their respect.

Magu stated this in a statement by the spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, in response to the call by the new president of the NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud, for the restructuring of the anti-graft agency.

Mahmoud had, after his inauguration as the presi-

dent of the NBA, called for the restructuring of the EFCC and that the anti-graft agency should be stripped of its prosecutorial powers.

But the EFCC, in the statement by Uwujaren, said the call by Mahmoud was a selfserving one, adding that the aim of the call was to create “a cabal of untouchables” since some of the country’s senior lawyers were undergoing trial now for cases of corruption.

The statement said: “It is too much of a strange coincidence that the suggestion to strip the EFCC of its prosecutorial powers is being floated a few months after the commission, in unprecedented fashion, arraigned some senior lawyers for corruption.”

Company.”

Sowande said: “Based on the ASUU-FG Memorandum of November 2013, Nigerian universities required N1.3 trillion for the revitalisation of the universities in Nigeria, in order to favourably compete with other universities around the world. This amount was based on the outcome of the FG-conducted Needs Assessment of Public Universities in July, 2012.

“In the December 11, 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), government agreed to release the funds in six installments over a period of six years, starting with N200 billion in 2013 and subsequent payment of N220 billion each in the remaining five years, spanning 2014 to 2018, but government is in arrears of N605 billion as at the third quarter of 2016.”

Sowande also described as condemnable, the “decline in the budgetary allocation to education from 11 per cent in 2015 to eight per cent in 2016.”

Sowande, who said members of the union were “frustrated and increasingly agitated,” urged the government to “act fast to forestall the impending consequences leading to industrial dispute.”

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Boko Haram: Nigeria’s warplanes consume 1.9 million litres of aviation fuel monthly —CAS

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HE Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Tuesday, said its planes consumed an average of 1.9 million litres of aviation fuel each month, to fight and prosecute insurgency in the North-East.

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the NAF logistics seminar held in Lagos.

The seminar was tagged: “Repositioning NAF logistics for Efficient Employment of Air Power in response to Contemporary National Security Imperatives.”

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence, General Muhammad Dan-Ali, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Danjuma Sheni.

Also present was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major-General Isidore Edet; Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs) Western Naval and Logistics Commands, Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai and Beegroy Ibe-Enwo, respectively.

Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) Logistics and Tactical Commands, Air Vice Marshal Sani Ahmed and Air Marshal Muhammad Mohammed, were also present at the ceremony.

According to the CAS, the NAF had managed to continue its operations across the country, despite the scarcity of aviation fuel, because it was determined to ensure that no Nigerian territory was under siege.

“To support air operations in the North-East, the NAF must put an excellent plan that will ensure availability of aviation fuel in the operational area, whether the product is locally available or not.

“The service consumed an average of 1.9 million litres of aviation fuel monthly.

The main fighter air plane we use consumes 2,500 litres/hour and we fly at least two air planes at a time.

“At that consumption rate, the two consume 5,000 litres every hour and we run two missions.So, we are talking of about 10,000 litres just for one aircraft time.

“We have so many other airplanes like the Alpha jets which consume 2,400

litres/hour. They also fly in formation and that means about 4,800 litres. There are other air planes that fly on a daily basis.

“Our desire is to ensure no territory of Nigeria is under any threat. To achieve that, we must have sound logistics strategy to ensure that materials and

spare parts are available when required.

“Our logisticians, therefore, must work assiduously to ensure the product is available for operation. In a war situation, no excuse is acceptable,” he said.

Abubakar said the service consistently sought ways of

standardising its logistics procedures and operations, in line with current global best practices.

According to him, the seminar was apt, considering the current security situation in the country which requires discipline and detailed planning.

“The sustained air operations have granted a greater latitude to the ground troops to rescue additional hostages mostly women and children who were abducted by the insurgents,” he said, adding that “Boko Haram’s will to fight has been seriously downgraded.

Military raids more militant camps in N/Delta Militants dare military, launch ‘operation crocodile tears’ Call troops in Warri to order, IYC tells Buhari From Chris Agbambu and Ebenezer Adurokiya

TROOPS of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have carried out more raids at the camps of militants in the Niger Delta.

They also continued with their show of force, patrols, as well as free medical outreach programmes in the region.

According to a source, the troops, on Monday, carried out a raid on suspected oil bunkerer and militant camps at Afiagbene, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, with the help of the Nigerian Navy helicopters, speed and gunboats.

During the raid, Nigerian Tribune learnt that the troops discovered two generators, a locally-made double barrel gun, a dane gun, three live cartridges, two pumping machines, one 32-inch LG television, one Kenwood amplifier and four 50 litres of liquid suspected to be crude oil, at Ayakoromo junction.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), during a night operation conducted on Tuesday, also successfully destroyed a new Boko Haram camp located between Malam Fatori and Kangarwa in Northern Borno.

The new camp is about four to six kilometres

away from the terrorists’ location attacked earlier on August 20, 2016, by NAF Mi-17 helicopter within the same vicinity in a similar night operation that led to the death of about 300 insurgents.

The post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) mission had revealed that surviving BHTs converged on the new location.

The information was later affirmed by series of followup Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that led to the latest strike.

The air assault, it was learnt, is, therefore, expected to further degrade the capability of the insurgents, while fostering the creation of the necessary enablement for ground troops to operate.

In another development, NAF Alpha Jets also repelled an attack by BHTs on troops of the 153 Battalion who were on fighting patrol at Ala Lumshe.

Meanwhile, members of the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) have defied the heavy presence of Nigerian troops in the Niger Delta region, claiming to have blown up the Ogor-Oteri delivery trunkline operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Shorelines in Delta

State.

The economic sabotage, however, could not be confirmed from officials of NPDC as of the time of filing this report.

The group, in a statement signed by General Aldo Agbalaja and made available to journalists early on Tuesday, claimed that its Uproot Team B carried out the act at about 3.00 a.m.

The militant group also intimated its declaration of “Operation Crocodile Tears” to counter the ongoing military drill, tagged: “Operation Crocodile Smile” in the region.

It served a notice to workers in most oil and gas facilities operational in Urhobo land of the new offensive, enjoining them as well as residents in Warri and other oilbearing areas to quit in their own interest.

“With the launch of their ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is also serving a notice on the commencement of our ‘Operation Crocodile Tears,” the statement said.

The group flayed the Federal Government for saying it was ready for dialogue while, in actual sense, it was launching an offensive against the region in the name of a

training exercise.

On the Edwin Clarkled stakeholders’ peace and dialogue initiative, the group said it had no confidence in it, accusing some of the participants as creators of insurgency in the region.

Also, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the troops to order and asked them to halt further harassment and intimidation of innocent citizens.

Spokesperson of the umbrella body of all Ijaw youths worldwide, Eric Omare, in a statement issued on Tuesday, accused the troops of subjecting villagers in various communities in the creeks to impending hunger and fear.

“The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide called on military officers carrying out the military operation styled ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta to stop the constant harassment and intimidation of innocent villagers along the Warri and Forcados Rivers in Delta State.

“For the past two days, villagers plying these rivers have been subjected to all sort of harassment and in some cases deprived from having access to their communities,” he said.

Police nab herdsman with AK-47 rifle, ammunition in Enugu A 20-year-old herdsman, Ibrahim Adamumale, has been arrested by the police in Enugu, for allegedly being in possession of an AK-47 rifle.

The suspect, who claimed to have hailed from Nasarawa State, was also found with 24 rounds of live ammunition.

Spokesman of Enugu State police command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency

of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, in Enugu.

Amaraizu said the suspect, who revealed that he lives at Hausa quarters in 9th-Mile area and had some cows at Affa-Udi bush, was arrested on Sunday.

“The suspect was nabbed by the combined efforts of the police and the members of the public from Affa-Udi community acting on a tip off.

“The suspect before he

was nabbed had expended about six shots on the air to evade being nabbed.

“Before now, the police and members of the public have gathered information about the suspect’s antecedents in relation to bearing of sophisticated weapon within Affa-Udi axis in Udi council area and its environs,’’ he said.

Amaraizu said the suspect was already helping the police in their investigation to determine how he came

about the rifle.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, had expressed delight at the effort of his men and the community that led to the arrest of the suspect.

“The commissioner has reassured that under his watch, he will continue to partner relevant stakeholders and sister security agencies for a safe, secure and peaceful Enugu State.’’

Nigerian Tribune

Don’t use force on N/Delta militants, Col Dangiwa cautions Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

FORMER governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (retd), has advised President Muhammadu Buhari against the use of military force on the Niger Delta militants, saying military option may further inflict collateral damage to the nation’s fragile economy.

In a statement titled: “War In The Niger Delta: A Most Dangerous Option”which he issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday, he noted that the Niger Delta militancy should not be equated to the Boko Haram insurgents.

According to him, the activities and ideology of the two groups are not the same, urging President Buhari to engage in a meaningful dialogue to end the crisis in the Niger Delta.

“I am really frightened by the sudden escalation in the Niger Delta Region where there are reports of skirmishes between our security forces and the Niger Delta militants.”

He pointed out that “this is happening after the President was quoted as vowing to deal with the militants as he did Boko Haram”.

While condemning the position of President Buhari over the Niger Delta crisis, Umar argued that “all factors considered the use of military force in an attempt to resolve the lingering crisis is not a good option and must therefore be discarded.”

Security: FCT Police

Commissioner appeals to residents for support Chris Agbambu - Abuja

THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, on Tuesday, enjoined residents of the Federal Capital Territory to complement the efforts of the command in its efforts at providing security for lives and property, by taking serious the issue of their personal safety and security and avoid making themselves cheap targets to criminals.

Muhammad Mustafa reiterated that the command had evolved proactive security measures that had been instrumental to the recent successes recorded in the fight against crime in FCT. He called on members of the public to collaborate with the police, by providing vital information about criminals and their hibernating spots.

6 news Breaking seven common bad money habits Continued from front page

For instance, if you’re trying to get out of debt but constantly feel the need to splurge on expensive dinners out to keep up with your friends, it’s unlikely you’ll reach your goal.” Financial analyst with Forbes, Michael F. Kay, while commenting on investment and fixing bad money habits, stated that considering one’s system for managing money is key to incremental financial success.

Below are some bad money habits identified which, eventually undermine one’s financial wellbeing.

Habit #1 Shopping for entertainment There are people with obsessive shopping habits. They see shopping as entertainment, finding pleasure in it. Shopping for entertainment has grave consequences on one’s budget and eventually affects one’s financial security.

Cure: Ensure that you stay out of shopping malls and avoid online shopping sites; find other ways to engage yourself productively and realign your idea of productive fun.

Habit#2: Spending more than your income/salary Going beyond what you earn as salary or regular income is one of the worst money habits that hurt your financial health. This

has been a constant habit that has ruined many people. Overspending simply implies spending beyond your income.

Sarah Schmalbruch, Business Insider of the Financial Post, argues that “moderation is key here. There’s no problem with doing these things when you can afford them, but if you find yourself doing them all the time and feeling a little tight in the wallet, it might be time to find some alternatives.”

Cure: You must distinguish between your wants and needs. Wants are usually not pressing. They are things that you can do without. But your needs are absolutes.

When you are able to do this monthly, it helps you to control your finance.

But if on the other hand you have to spend more than what you earn, then you must increase your income.

Habit#3: Impulsive expenditure It has been established that impulsive spending is emotional purchase. Many people are guilty of this. They buy things because the product catches their fancy.

Cure: Think through before you make any purchase. Constantly differentiate between what is essential and what is merely luxurious and unneeded.

Habit#4: Spending before saving This is ruinous. It is wrong to only save what is left after you might have carried out

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

all your purchases. The usual instinct is to quickly buy all that you need the moment your salary/income comes in.

Cure: You must have a certain percentage that must first be deducted as savings immediately your salary/income comes in.

That must have been kept aside before you begin spending. This must be constant. You build your budget on whatever is left after you must have deducted your savings.

Habit#5: Excessive indulgence in habits that are financially strenuous There are certain habits that strain your earnings. When drinking, smoking or gambling become uncontrollable, they strain your income/salary. You may not immediately recognise this as a waste but it drains your finance and puts you under pressure.

These habits in themselves could have far reaching negative impacts on your health.

Cure: There is absolutely nothing more damaging than indulgence in habits that threaten your health. These habits must be stopped and you must ensure that you engage in practices or routines that develop your overall wellbeing.

Habit#6: Believing that more cash would bring more financial freedom It is a general assumption but it is not true.

More cash does not necessarily translate into financial freedom or happiness. If you

Flood claims 14 in Benue, Niger From Johnson Babajide and Adelowo Oladipo

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downpour that lasted a few days in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has washed away 10 persons.

Also, four people were feared dead as 200 others were displaced in Niger State, on Monday, following a heavy rainfall that lasted several hours between last Sunday evening and Monday morning at Ebo/ Gbacinku ward and Muye/ Egba Ward of Lapai Local Government of the state.

Disclosing this to the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Boniface Otese, said only one corpse had so far been recovered.

Otese, who was speaking on the alert of possible flooding in the state, explained that the usual cause of flooding in the state had taken a new and frightening dimension, adding that rather for River Benue to overflow its bounds as being expected, “it is streams that link to the river that is wreaking havoc in recent times.”

According to him, “in the last few days, 10 persons were washed away at Kereke stream, in Guma Local Government Area of the state, up till now, only one corpse had been recovered, even the person will be buried tomorrow (Monday). The villagers are still in search of the nine other persons”.

The SEMA boss further hinted that the scourge of stream flooding in the same council area was devastat-

ing, as Ukor stream was overflown and it stopped the wife of the state governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom, from using the road to her husband’s country home in

Gbamjiba, headquarters of Guma Local Government.

In Niger State, the flood completely ravaged about 23 communities in the two wards of the council areas,

while no fewer than about 80 per cent of farmlands and residential buildings were ravaged, as farms like fish ponds, rice plantation, melon farms, and live cattle

have awful money habits, you may be earning more but be in constant debts.

Cure: You must be very prudent with whatever your earnings are. Financial prudence is needed no matter the amount of money that you earn. It is not the amount but the judiciousness that you introduce.

Habit#7: Late payment of bills Undue postponements of payments of electricity bills, children’s school fees, house rents and loans among other essential bills could place pressure on you. When you delay the payment of bills without tangible reasons, you increase your expenses immensely. In very many cases, it has been observed that late payments attract huge interests or late payment charges.

Cure: Ensure to pay your bills as at when due. You can set up auto debits of your accounts at specific dates. When you do this, it takes the stress off your neck.

Nimi Akinkugbe, CEO of Bestman Games, a personal finance professional and author of the book, A-Z of Personal Finance, states that “it is possible to turn your financial life around. Your attitude to your debt problems can hinder your financial recovery.

With interest, late payment penalty charges and the attendant fees and charges, you will find that almost all your money goes towards debt service.”

were washed away during the downpour.

The Director-General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Mallam Ibrahim Ahmed

‘$30m UN pledge for North-East inadequate’

As Dangote Foundation spends N4.5bn on Boko Haram victims Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

ALHAJI Aliko Dangote and internationally renowned musician, Bono, have described the $300 million pledge made by the United Nations (UN) to help victims of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East as paltry and grossly inadequate.

Dangote said although he had so far spent about N4.5 billion on the victims in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, he was prepared to put in more.

“We are not going to wait for the international community to salvage our situation,” Dangote declared.

At a media event to announce the launch of a new partnership between the Dangote Foundation and the One Campaign to tackle immediate and ongoing challenges facing Nigeria, particularly concerning Islamist insurgency in Abuja, on Monday night, Dangote announced he was joining the board of One Campaign.

Bono, lead singer of rock group U2 and co-founder of the One Campaign, was also actively involved in the global campaign that led to the debt forgiveness, which Nigeria received from the groups of London and Paris clubs in 2005.

At a press conference held

at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the two, who were in many of the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, Borno State, said the $300 million pledged by the United Nations was not even enough for UNICEF alone to spend in the region concerning the enormity of the problem.

During their visit to Maiduguri, on Sunday, the duo were told about the severe malnutrition in the region, which the UN had warned could see the death of

49,000 children by the end of 2016 unless massive food and nutritional supplement were provided for them.

“This is very inadequate.

Only UNICEF alone will lap up this figure,” observed Bono, who recalled the disturbing tales told by children and women he interacted with in some of the camps.

Also speaking on their experience in the camps, Dangote narrated the story of a boy who did not understand the concept of parenthood.

“When Bono asked him the whereabouts of his father and mother, the boy was just looking. He did not understand what the word, father, means.

“He also spoke with a woman with an infant, but who was not breastfeeding the baby even when the child was crying. When she said she could not breastfeed the child, we did not understand until she lifted her cloth and we discovered that her chest was completely flat,” Dangote said.

2,000 Borno IDPs return to Banki border town Govt set to relocate IDPs from 3 LGAs THE Borno State government, on Tuesday, returned about 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Bama to their respective communities in the border town of Banki, after the military had successfully reclaimed the area from the Boko Haram terrorists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the returnees were part of the 40,000 IDPs evacuated to the General Hospital, Bama, following the escalation of the Boko Haram crisis last year.

Alhaji Modu Ali, the caretaker chairman of Bama Local Government Area, supervised the transportation of the IDPs back to their

communities from Bama, headquarters of the local government.

Addressing newsmen at Banki, Ali thanked Governor Kashim Shettima for providing logistics for the exercise.

He also commended the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for its support to the IDPs during their stay at the Bama camp.

Ali urged the IDPs to be security conscious and law abiding as they returned to their ancestral homes.

A spokesman of the IDPs, Alhaji Bukar Mustapha, thanked the state government for returning them home.

Also, the state government announced, on Tuesday,

that it planned to immediately relocate the IDPs from Konduga, Mafa and Dikwa Local Government Areas taking refuge in Maiduguri back home.

Alhaji Babagana Umara, the Commissioner for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, stated this while meeting with BrigadierGeneral Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.

Umara said the action followed the directives of Governor Shettima after the attainment of peace in the areas which were hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Inga, stated this on Tuesday, in an interactive session with some journalists in his office at Ebitu Ikwe Road, GRA, Minna, the state capital.

He added that the tragedy caused hardship and setback on both the economic and social activities of the affected communities.

He, however, stated that the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, whom he said, had paid an on-thespot assessment and condolence visits to the affected communities, in company with the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bahgo.

He stated further that Governor Sani Bello had also promised that the state government would soon provide the victims of the flood disaster some emergency relief assistance, with a view to alleviating the sufferings of the people of the communities.

The NSEMA boss, stressed that efforts were also being made by the government, through his agency, to move the victims to new resettlement sites provided by the government.

The state governor, Alhaji Sani Bello, however, called for the Federal Government’s quick intervention to address the various ecological challenges.

A press statement signed by Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Sani Bello, a copy of which was obtained by the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, in Minna, stated that affected local government areas included, Lapai, Shiroro, Muyan, Gurara and Bida. Others are Lavun, Wushishi, Mokwa and Borgu.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Lagos vows to restore Ikoyi, VI, Lekki’s original master plan Akin Adewakun

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AGOS State g o v e r n o r , A k i n w u n m i Ambode, has reiterated his government’s resolve to restore the original master plan of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki areas of the state.

Disclosing this in Lagos, on Tuesday, while setting up a special committee that would implement the plan, Ambode noted that it had become imperative for his government to bring environmental sanity to every part of the state; since it was obvious that the city’s master plan was being distorted.

Describing the state government’s resolve on the plan as non-negotiable, the governor added that his administration, through the committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, would do everything within its power to rescue the fragile environment in the state from avoidable impediments.

He noted that, over the years, there had been gross abuse of urban planning and environmental laws, a development that had made the decision to embark on a major clean-up of the environment, in order to restore it to its desired form, imperative.

Governor Ambode stated that cases of abandoned properties had become very rampant, with miscreants and criminal elements taking over such properties as their base to wreck havoc on innocent residents of the state.

"The neat road sides of the past now parade pockets of kiosks, illegal parking lots, unapproved mechanic workshops, roadside beer parlours and commercial centres.

"In addition, original residential areas now have industrial and commercial concerns located there, distorting the balance of the environment.

"These bad environmental practices, thriving in these prime areas, can no longer be tolerated and will be brought to an end immediately.

These areas must regain their lost glory as this administration demands a return of environmental normalcy.

"A safe, clean and

prosperous Lagos is non-negotiable; that is the commitment of our administration. We will not allow these environmental

infractions to continue. We cannot allow our beautiful environment to be destroyed by people who have no regard for beauty, serenity,

law and order," Governor Ambode stated.

The governor, however, appealed to stakeholders in the state to give the

committee the maximum support required for the success of the initiative, for the overall benefit of the state.

armed robbery.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, said in a statement that the four suspects, namely Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh would be prosecuted in

accordance with the relevant laws applicable to the alleged crimes committed.

Kazeem said he had already issued legal advice for the prosecution of the suspected kidnappers, assuring that the suspects would be charged for offences of conspiracy,

kidnapping and a two-count charge of murder and armed robbery.

He added that the charge would be filed expeditiously at the state high court to ensure prompt prosecution of the suspects.

Besides, the commissioner said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, as part of its commitment to making the state a safe place to live and do business, would continue to support law enforcement agencies in the investigation and apprehension of all criminals, especially those involved in heinous crime of kidnapping, armed robbery and murder.

According to him, "Governor Ambode is committed to ensuring that Lagos State becomes a nogo area for criminals who target innocent citizens for kidnapping and collection of ransom.

"My office will continually give the necessary support to the police in apprehension, investigation and prosecution of criminals in Lagos State," Kazeem said.

He, however, urged residents to promptly provide information that could lead to the apprehension of criminals, assuring that government would continue to work assiduously to ensure that criminals were brought to justice.

He also said the state government was desirous to prosecute, to logical conclusion and promptly, all criminal cases, as well as ensure that suspects were brought to justice swiftly.

It will be recalled that during the unfortunate and dastardly crime, the security guard in the palace and a commercial bike rider were killed, while the traditional ruler was whisked away and kept in captivity for about 21 days.

The sustained pressure and intelligence gathering from law enforcement agencies, however, led to the rescue of the traditional ruler, while the four suspects were apprehended in the process.

Govt set to prosecute kidnappers of Oniba Bola Badmus

LAGOS State government, on Tuesday, commenced moves to charge the suspected kidnappers of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, to court for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and

From left, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Representative of Victoria Island/Ikoyi Residents Associations (VIIRA), Dr Ishola Salami; Sole Administrator, Oniru/Victoria Island LCDA, Princess Aderemi Adebowale and another representative of VIIRA, Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Muse, during the inauguration of a committee on clean-up of Victoria Island/Ikoyi/Lekki areas, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday.

3 arrested for impersonating govt officials Olalekan Olabulo THREE people impersonating government officials to extort motorists around Berger area of Lagos State have been arrested by operatives of the Zone 2 police command .

The arrested suspects, identified as Ajala Kabiru, Olasunkanmi Popoola and Kazeem Hassan, were

reportedly caught in the act.

The image maker in charge of the zone, Muyiwa Adejobi, a superintendent of police, confirmed the arrest to Lagos Metro.

Adejobi, while confirming the arrest, said "With the effort of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, AIG

Abdulmajid Ali, to curb touting, extortion and illegal revenue collection on major highways within the zone, the zonal command has arrested three suspects at Berger Area, boundary between Lagos and Ogun states, on Saturday, for extortion and illegal revenue collection at the Lagos end of the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway.

23-yr-old boy arrested for defrauding Nollywood star’s fan Olalekan Olabulo A 23 year-old suspect, Sylvester (Surname withheld), who opened a Facebook account to defraud a fan of a Nollywood actor of huge sums of money, has been arrested by the police in

Lagos State.

Sylvester was arrested by the police after the Nollywood star, Michael Godson Ifeanyi, reported that some unnamed persons had cloned his Facebook account .

Confirming the arrest of the suspect to Lagos

Metro, the image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, said the suspect would be charged to court for obtaining money under false pretence.

The arrested suspect and others had reportedly collected a huge amount

of money from fans of the actor under the guise of organising a film festival.

The suspect was arrested by policemen from the Maroko divisional police station, while trying to collect N3 million from a France-based fan of the actor.

He added that the zonal command had received series of petitions and complaints from various transport associations/ unions for illegal toll or revenue collections and, even, extortion by some touts or hoodlums, who disguise as government agents/officials, on highways within the zone, particularly on Lagos/ Ibadan, Sagamu/Ijebu Ode/ Benin Expressways and at various points in Lagos and Ogun states.

The police spokesperson added that "the AIG has also challenged government revenue agencies (agents) and departments to always issue marks of identification or personal identity cards to their staff."

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Nasarawa killing: FG summons Al-Makura, NLC/TUC Soji-Eze Fagbemi -Abuja

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HE Federal Government, on Tuesday, summoned the Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Al-Makura over the labour union crisis in the state, which led to the killing of two workers.

Also summoned to a meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, was the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), also led by its president, Comrade Bobboii Kaigama.

The state government, on Tuesday, however, declared

that the dead workers and others who sustained injuries during the crisis would be adequately compensated, based on the Employees Compensation Act. Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who chaired the negotiating meeting, said President Muhammadu Buhari frowned on the situation in Nasarawa State and, in consonance with his power, mandated him to intervene with a view to resolving the crisis.

Addressing the two parties, Ngige said “moreso, when the issue has resulted in the loss of two lives, Mr President asked me, after reading the communique

of emergency NLC National Executive Council meeting in Lagos, to do the needful, so that we can get peace back to Nasarawa State.”

At the meeting, Governor Al-Makura was represented by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Yusuf Usman.

Other state officials at the hearing were the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Othman Ibrahim Ahmed; Commissioner for Finance, Dominic Bako; Head of Service, J. I. Ancho; Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and ICT, Hamza Mohammed; Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Musa Dangama and the Perma-

Stop parading yourself as Owatapa, Osun govt tells Agoro

Apologise to me before 7 days, Agoro tells govt

By Gbenga Olumide OSUN State government has, through a letter, issued a warning to Dr Olapade Agoro, asking him to stop parading himself as the Owatapa of Itapa-Ijesa.

The letter, signed by Femi Ogundun, dated August 19, 2016, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, Rural and Community Affairs, said the title of ItapaIjesa does not exist, adding, therefore, that Agoro’s action ran contrary to Section 21(3)(a) and (b) of the Chief Law, Cap 25, Laws of the State of Osun 2002.

“You are to stop disturbing the peace of Erinmo-Ijesa and other communities of the State of Osun. The security agencies have been requested to ensure that you do not engage in any activity that would threaten the prevailing peace in ErinmoIjesa and environs and to also ensure that you stop parading yourself as oba,” the letter read.

“I am to add that this letter serves as the final warning,” the letter added.

The government also added that the letter was sequel to the earlier correspondence to Dr Agoro from the state government, dated March 21, 2016 on the issue and series of other correspondence/petitions on the issue of Atapami of Itapa-Ijesa received from the Chambers of Elerinmoin-Council, indigenes and non-indigenes of Erinmo community, Erinmo-Ijesa Elders Forum and erudite practitioners.

Reacting to the development, Dr Agoro said Governor Rauf Aregbesola, with the numerous challenges bedeviling his government, should put a stop to his diversionary antics on Owa Atapami chieftaincy.

He also asked the government to apologise to him within seven days of service of his reply.

He further denied ever receiving any letter from the permanent secretary under reference CD.9/19/ VOL.III/555 of November 20, 2006 containing the said piece of advice by the government which had prompted the government to give him a final warning.

“May I be allowed to inform you correctly that the issue of Owa Atapa or that of Atapa chieftaincy restoration is a settled matter in the case of Agoro vs Aromolaran and for better punctuation of some key issues now subject matter of appeal before the Court of Apeal, Akure, in suit No: CA/1/223/2003.

“In addition is the fact of pending suit No: HIL/m.16/

2006 Agoro vs Odunayo a.k.a. Elerinmo ANRS and which case seeks answer to the issue of Elerinmo of Erinmo Itapa-Ijesa being statutory tenants of Owa Atapami on Itapa-Ijesaland.

“And as well my written submission dated July 28, 2016 delivered and received on August 4, 2016 by the Osun State government instituted judicial commission into disputed chieftaincy declarations and other allied chieftaincy matters,” he said.

Agoro, in the letter, concluded that “this is hereby demanding within seven days of service of this letter on you, a well worded letter of apology to be seen and approved by me; and thereafter to be placed as advertorial matter in half size page of three of Nigerian newspapers.”

nent Secretary, Salaries, Khahid Musa.

Ngige said the hearing was the first leg of the reconciliatory meeting, adding that it had become necessary because the in-house mediation had failed.

He described the death of two workers during the demonstration in Nasarawa State as unfortunate, adding that the team of the Federal Government, which he headed, would listen to officials and government of Nasarawa State, take their brief and all supporting documents, after which it would meet with the NLC and TUC in the same way.

“I am sure that after this, we will get peace back to Nasarawa State,” he assured.

The NLC president, Comrade Wabba and the TUC president, Comrade Kaigama, commended the balance the issue.

Wabba regretted that it was unfortunate that the state government allowed the crisis to get to the level, saying that the NLC and TUC at the national level had tried to nip the crisis in the bud without success.

“All of us must, therefore, subject ourselves to rules and regulations. It is a dispute of rights not of interest.

It is on issues that border on remuneration. We pledged that the organised labour

will cooperate. We are committed to the process and the laws,” Wabba said.

Kaigama, on his part, regretted that what was agreed upon in their previous negotiation was not what was done at the end of the day, adding that “if we all abide by the rules, there won’t be crisis in the country, but obviously if one of the participants is not abiding by the rules, there will be crisis.”

Mr Usman, who represented the governor, said the Nasarawa State government had already reverted the decision that caused the crisis and, therefore, called on the minister to ask the workers to call off the strike.

He explained that the major crisis was caused by the introduction and implementation of a new salary scale, a departure from what had been in existence.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.25 p.m., when the representatives of the governor could not take a decision on one of the issues in contention.

The government said it would not pay the workers for July and August, during which the workers were on strike; but the workers and the labour were insisting on the payment of the two months salary, because the government was the cause of the crisis.

The government agreed to pay the shortfalls of the salaries during which the contentious new salary scale was implemented to the workers, while it also agreed to compensate the dead and the injured workers based on the Employees Compensation Act.

Alleged N2.3bn fraud: Orubebe’s absence stalls arraignment again Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE absence of a former Minister of Niger Delta Affiars, Godsday Orubebe, on Tuesday, stalled his arraignment before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for alleged involvement in the diversion of about N2.3 billion again.

Orubebe, Oludare Lawrence Alaba (an Assistant Director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affiars), Ephraim Tewolde Zeri (Director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited and the company are named in the six-count charge marked: CR/265/2016, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016 10 businessnews Oil prices may rise, as oil discovery hit 70-year low Seaports Sanya Adejokun-Abuja with Agency Report

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HERE are signs of possible spike in prices of crude oil in the international market as exploration activities are currently at 70-year low and supply shortfall lying ahead.

Explorers in 2015 discovered only about a tenth as much oil as they have annually on average since 1960 but they’ll probably find even less this year, spurring new fears about their ability to meet future demand.

With oil prices down by more than half since the price collapse two years ago, drillers have cut their exploration budgets to the bone.

Global benchmark Brent advanced 0.6 percent to $49.57 a barrel at 2:12 p.m. in London on Tuesday.

Oil prices at about $50 a barrel remain at less than half their 2014 peak, as a glut caused by the U.S. shale boom sent prices crashing. When the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to continue pumping without limits in a Saudi-led strategy designed to increase its share of the market, U.S. production retreated to a two-year low.

This situation has adversely affected Nigeria and other countries depending on exportation of crude oil since mid-2014 when prices plummeted with most of them facing balance of payment deficits and the economy of Nigeria suffering dire consequences.

This year, drillers found just 736 million barrels of conventional crude as of the end of last month.

That’s a concern for the industry at a time when the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that global oil demand will grow from 94.8 million barrels a day this year to 105.3 million barrels in 2026.

While the U.S. shale boom could potentially make up the difference, prices locked in below $50 a barrel have undercut any substantial growth there.

New discoveries from conventional drilling, meanwhile, are “at rock bottom,” said Nils-Henrik Bjurstroem, a senior project manager at Oslo-based consultants Rystad Energy AS. “There will definitely be a strong impact on oil and gas supply, and especially oil.”

Global inventories have been buoyed by full-throttle output from Russia and OPEC, which have flooded the world with oil despite

depressed prices as they defend market share. But years of under-investment will be felt as soon as 2025, Bjurstroem said.

Producers will replace little more than one in 20 of the barrels consumed this year, he said.

Global spending on exploration, from seismic

studies to actual drilling, has been cut to $40 billion this year from about $100 billion in 2014, said Andrew Latham, Wood Mackenzie’s vice president for global exploration. Moving ahead, spending is likely to remain at the same level through 2018, he said.

Exploration is easier to scratch than development investments because of shorter supplier-contract commitments. This year, it will make up about 13 percent of the industry’s spending, down from as much as 18 percent historically, Latham said.

The result is less drilling,

even as the market downturn has driven down the cost of operations. There were 209 wells drilled through August this year, down from 680 in 2015 and 1,167 in 2014, according to Wood Mackenzie.

That compares with an annual average of 1,500 in data going back to 1960.

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun (right), with Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Ltd, Babs Omotowa, during a visit of the Nigeria LNG team to the minister in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Banks deposit average of N100.22bn excess liquidity with CBN daily Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

EVEN as manufacturers continue to blame lack of funds for poor performance of the sector, fresh facts have emerged that Deposit Money Banks keep a daily average of N100.22 billion with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to earn interest.

The latest CBN second quarter 2016 economic report available on its website indicated that total deposit by banks at the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) window during the review period was N6.012 trillion with a daily average of N100.22 billion, compared with N6. 614 trillion recorded in the first quarter of 2016.

The cost incurred by CBN which is the net interest earned by banks from placing their excess liquidity as deposit with the CBN in the past six months stood at N1.74 billion, compared with N1.08 billion, in the preceding quarter.

Similarly, the report stated that “total request for Standing Lending Facility (inclusive of Intraday lending facilities converted to overnight repo) during the review period amounted to N4.066 trillion, with N1.46 billion in interest earned, compared with SLF of N560.80 bil-

lion and interest earned of N0.28 billion in the preceding quarter.

Banks access the SLF to borrow from the CBN while they access the SDF to place deposit with the CBN. Currently the CBN charges 14 percent as interest rate on loans to banks through the SLF while it pays 7.0 per cent as interest on deposit placement through the SDF. The CBN’s report also indicated that the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in

an estimated deficit of N1.090trillion, indicating an increase of 96.4 per cent above the provisional quarterly budget deficit of N555.49 billion.

Provisional data indicated that federally-collected revenue during the second quarter of 2016 was N1.159 trillion. This was 51.3 per cent and 8.6 per cent lower than the quarterly budget estimate and the receipts in the preceding quarter, respectively.

Also, data indicated that the total assets and

liabilities of the commercial banks stood at N31.231trillion at the end of the preceding quarter of 2016, representing an increase of 9.6 per cent over the level at the end of the preceding quarter.

The funds were sourced, mainly, from time, savings and foreign currency deposits, foreign liabilities and unclassified liabilities. The funds were used, mainly, to increase claims on private sector, acquire foreign and unclassified assets.

Nigeria’s economy unfavourable for Spanish investors, says envoy PABLO Segrelles, economic and commercial counsellor at the embassy of Spain in Nigeria, says the current state of the Nigerian economy is discouraging to potential investors.

Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday, Segrelles said this year’s economic situation in Nigeria would adversely affect his country’s importation of oil, gas and other products from Nigeria.

“Until this year, the volume of trade between Nigeria and Spain was much larger than most people are aware of. In 2015,

Spain imported more than €4 billion worth of products from Nigeria. But this would be less this year because of the fall in prices of oil and the current economic situation,” he said.

“Even at this time of the year, Spain has not imported up to €300 million worth of products from Nigeria.”

According to Segrelles, Nigeria’s current economic situation is unfavourable for trade and business transactions between the two countries.

He also said Spanish companies that had indicated trade and investment interests in Nigeria

were being discouraged by the current challenge of Nigeria’s foreign exchange policy.

The envoy also expressed optimism that there was the tendency for more Spanish companies to engage in long-term trade and investment with Nigeria, for the future.

“The current economic situation in Nigeria is reducing Spanish exports into Nigeria,” he said.

“But I think that in the long run, there would be a lot of Spanish companies that would do business or invest in Nigeria on longterm basis.”

terminal operators resisting regulation —FG Tola Adenubi-lagos

THE Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello has revealed that despite the desire of the Federal Government to implement reforms in the Nigerian maritime sector, some seaport terminal operators are resisting regulation.

Speaking on Tuesday at a one day talk shop on a decade of Nigerian Ports Concession, organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Bello bemoaned the attitude of some seaport terminal operators to the change mantra of the Federal Government.

“The maritime concessionaires, shipping companies and others have shown enough courage to invest in Nigeria; we should never forget that they have option to move elsewhere.

“However, there is need for the private sector to behave responsibly. There are a lot of sharp practises going on inside the ports like not positioning the containers when it’s time to do so, rent seeking activities etc.

“We have found out that some terminal operators are very far ahead than others. While some terminal operators have embraced automation, certain terminals operators are still operating primitively. These terminals will not embrace automation.

These terminal operators resist regulation vehemently, not knowing that the regulation is for their own good.

“For example, the case we have with the terminal operators and some shipping companies has taken the shine off the regulation we have put in place. This has also brought a lot of delay in some areas where we would have gone very far by now.

“This is so because some of these terminal operators believe we cannot audit them, or that they are above the law. It is important that investors subject themselves to the laws of the land where they are operating in. After all, they are operating in other courts, so why is Nigeria’s case different,” he said.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO, visits Nigeria •Says ‘there’s so much energy and so much potential here’

By Ruth Olurounbi

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ARK Zuckerberg, the cofounder and CEO of 1.65 billion-monthly-users social media networking platform, Facebook, on Tuesday, arrived in Nigeria.

Quartz magazine reports that more people use Facebook in Nigeria than anywhere else on the continent, with an estimated 16 million active users every month in the country, 44 per cent of them access Facebook every day.

This is the billionaire’s first visit to Nigeria and the African continent.

Zuckerberg, third on Forbes’ list of the richest people in the world with a net worth of $54.1 billion as of August 30, 2016, wrote on his Facebook wall that he was at the CoCreation Hub, Yaba, Lagos, where he would be “talking with kids at a summer coding camp and entrepreneurs who come to CcHub to build and launch their apps.”

Yaba is known in the international community as the Silicon Valley of Nigeria.

Zuckerberg’s previous post showed that he was in Italy, where he had met with several dignitaries before heading for Nigeria, a visit that was not announced until he was actually in the country.

“Next stop: Lagos! This is my first trip to sub-Saharan Africa. I’ll be meeting with developers and entrepreneurs, and learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria. The energy here is amazing and I’m excited to learn as much as I can.

“Our first stop is the Co-creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB) in Yaba. I got to talk to kids at a summer coding camp and entrepreneurs who come to CcHub to build and launch their apps. I’m looking forward to meeting more people here!,” he wrote on his wall.

The Facebook founder’s visit, during which he met with local businesses and developers, is an effort to understand how Face-

book (FB, Tech30) could “better support tech development and entrepreneurship across Africa,” the company said in a statement.

The Cable News Network (CNN) quoted Zuckerberg as saying: “There’s so much energy and so much potential here. I just want to walk around and meet folks.”

It will be recalled that in June this year, his foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, invested a $24 million in Nigeria’s Andela, a two-year-old start-up co-founded by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, which trains African software developers and gives them full-time jobs at international com-

panies. Andela is headquartered in Lagos and Nairobi, Kenya.

Aboyeji has since left Andela to launch another start-up.

CNN Money quoted Andela’s director, Seni Sulyman, as saying it was a thrill to welcome Zuckerberg to Nigeria in a written statement. The statement read in part: “Mark’s visit demonstrates to all Nigerian developers and entrepreneurs that they’ve caught the attention of the tech world, and they are capable of succeeding on a truly global level.”

There has been a lot of Facebook-related development in Nigeria, major ones being “Free Basics”

CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday announced the licensing of 11 new international money transfer operators.

In a statement signed

by Isaac Okorafor, Acting Director, Corporate communications, the bank said this was in furtherance of efforts to liberalise the foreign exchange market, ensure liquidity and make

Apart from his investments in start-ups around the world, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, in 2015 pledged to give 99 per cent of their Facebook stock to causes benefiting the public interest during their lifetimes.

Through the newly formed Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the duo said they would fund charities, companies and policies that “advance human potential and promote equality.”

Zuckerberg became a father for the first time in December 2015 and has taken to posting photos of milestones with his daughter, Max, on Facebook Forbes reported.

Nigeria: China firm, partner win $1.85bn railway construction contract

By Ruth Olurounbi

CHINA Railway Construction unit and partner have said that they won a construction project worth $1.85 billion in Nigeria.

The company said in a release on Tuesday that its unit China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co Ltd form a consortium with China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group Co Ltd and won bid to build a light rail line in Nigeria for $1.85 billion The construction period, it said would last four years.

Shell divests assets for $425m

By Ruth Olurounbi with Agency Report

From left: GMD/CEO Odu’a Investment Company, Mr Adewale Raji, Chief Olajumoke Ogunkeyede (Osun), Dr (Mrs) Adepeju Esan (Oyo), Alhaji T. Ola Bello (Ogun), Chief (Dr) Isaac Akintade, chairman, Odu’a Investment Company and Dr Sikiru Tae Lawal (Ekiti), during the turning of sod ceremony of Odu’a Development Project at Jericho GRA, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

PenCom to open N5.8trn pension fund for infrastructure development Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

NATIONAL Pension Commission (PenCom) says it is working with other stakeholders to ensure that a considerable portion of the N5.8 trillion pension fund currently available in the pool is utilized in developing infrastructure and housing needs of Nigeria.

The commission has also created the Micro Pension

Department to drag majority of Nigerians working in the informal sector into the formal pension system as a way of both securing their future and enlarging the largest pool of savings available in the country.

Head of Investment Supervision at PenCom, Mr. Ohimeme Ohioma who spoke during the Third Quarter Forum of Finance Correspondents Associa-

CBN licences 11 new money transfer operators Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

which launched recently in Nigeria of which Zuckerberg showed his support for the Jobberman team; the $24 million investment in Nigeria’s Andela; the Facebook’s developer workshop happening today and an additional Facebook partnership with Cool Link aimed at launching Express Wifi in Lagos sometime this week, which was earlier reported

by TechCabal.

Facebook, which Zuckerberg cofounded in 2004 when he was 19, now has 1.65 billion users monthly as of March 2016 and had invested heavily in virtual reality, artificial intelligence and improving global Web access.

Nigerian Tribune

foreign exchange more readily available to low end users.

Okorafor said the licensing was in line with the existing Guidelines on International Money Transfer Services in Nigeria (2014).

The new operators include: Trans-Fast Remittance LLC, Worldremit Limited, UAE Exchange Center LLC, Wari Limited S, Home-

send S.C.R.I.L, Small World Financial Services Group Limited, Weblink International Limited, Cashpoint Limited, DT&T Corporation Limited, FIEM Group LLC DBA Ping Express and CP Express Limited.

CBN also then reiterated its commitment to providing an enabling environment for international money transfer services in Nigeria.

tion of Nigeria (FICAN) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday said that by 2019, at least 40 percent of pension fund assets would be invested in infrastructure and housing.

According to him, the guidelines approved for investing pension funds stipulates that 15 percent can be invested in infrastructure bond while another five percent could be invested in infrastructure fund.

Incidentally he noted, only about four percent of the of the N5.8 trillion has been invested in infrastructure so far because investors are not taking advantage.

Ohioma explained that for projects to benefit from pension funds, there must be a full repayment guarantee by the Federal Government; strong political will; and transparency in development of the project.

He mentioned the advantage one advantage of investing pension funds in infrastructure is that the returns will not be eroded by inflation.

The Head of Investment Supervision disclosed that the PenCom Director General, Mrs. Chinelo AnohuAmazu has held a meeting with Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Ibrahim Magu to work out ways of ensuring that employers who deduct pension contributions from their staff without remitting are brought to book.

He said that very soon, such employers will be arrested and prosecuted.

Ohioma also stated that in responding to requests of many Nigerians working outside the formal sector to be captured in the contributory pension scheme, the new department to take care of workers in the informal sector.

ROYAL Dutch Shell plc, through its affiliate Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell), on Tuesday, announced that it has secured an agreement to sell 100 per cent of its record title interest in Gulf of Mexico Green Canyon Blocks 114, 158, 202 and 248, referred to as the Brutus/Glider assets, to EnVen Energy Corporation, through its affiliate EnVen Energy Ventures, LLC. In line with Shell’s global divestment plans, this transaction includes $425 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close in October.

The Brutus/Glider assets include the Brutus Tension Leg Platform (TLP), the Glider subsea production system, and the oil and gas lateral pipelines used to evacuate the production from the TLP, the company said in a written statement.

The Brutus/Glider assets have a combined current production estimate of approximately 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).

Shell is a leading, global deep-water operator, with a strong development pipeline and production on-stream in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, and Malaysia as well as exploration and appraisal opportunities. Shell currently produces approximately 600,000 boe/d and plans to increase production to more than 900,000 boe/d by the early 2020s from already discovered, established reservoirs.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

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editorial

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

States and the renewed drive for IGR

T is obvious that the state governments are feeling the brunt of the current economic slowdown in the country as many of them are not able to pay salaries and are barely existing as ongoing government entities. This is essentially because, except for the clear exception of Lagos State, all the states are mainly dependent on allocation from the centre to survive, as they are not able to generate any appreciable internal income. Indeed, many have contended that the problem with the federal structure in Nigeria is the lack of autonomous existence by the states in the form of sustainable internally generated revenue (IGR). It is therefore understandable that many states, in the light of the current economic squeeze, have started to concentrate on how to shore up their IGR, with many of them introducing new forms of taxes and levies in order to do this.

We appreciate the renewed interest of the state governments in driving their own existence by relying on IGR, as every government should necessarily survive and be dependent on the outcome of the productive activities of its own people which usually manifests through taxation.

This is one realisation that should guide the activities of state governments in Nigeria rather than the perennial reliance on the monthly handout from the federal purse.

Yet, it is important for the state governments to appreciate the fact that this renewed interest in IGR has to be pursued as a platform for the expansion of the productive activities in order to generate more income rather than be seen as an attempt to increase revenue no matter their productive capacities.

It is, of course, the case that the tax nets in Nigeria and in every state are spectacularly deficient in capturing all eligible tax payers as governments in the country do not have all the needed information to ensure that this is done.

Nigeria is particularly bereft of data on virtually anything as the country does not know the number of its citizens and is not able to determine the number of them involved in productive activities. The implication is that at every point, there are gaps in the coverage of any aspect of life in the country, such that no government is sure of how many people should realistically be paying taxes to it. This is the situation at the heart of the corruption that defines and nurtures the tax system in Nigeria as it allows the tax operators to play games with the government.

Without adequate data, it is not difficult for tax operators to manipulate what individuals should pay, and indeed

which individuals should even be paying which taxes at any point. The state governments would, therefore, be on point by working to remove the distortions in the tax system, to ensure that all those who are to pay taxes are captured within the tax net and are made to pay the expected and appropriate amount. The renewed interest in IGR should indeed be about making sure that individuals do not corner what should go to the government coffers and that those who should pay taxes do not dodge such payments. This is the obligation of government and it should be seen to be doing this in order to ensure that citizens fulfil their own obligation of sustaining governments by paying their taxes.

Unfortunately, it would seem that rather than do this, state governments have been concerned more with seeking to bridge their income gaps by imposing all kinds of taxes and levies on hapless citizens. In many states, tax operators are competing among themselves in determining who could come up with more new tax initiatives, such that citizens end up paying multiple taxes for the same processes or on the same items. Indeed, in some instances, taxes are imposed without regard to the actual production in any enterprise, with the government already imposing targets of revenue to be met. In the end, these indiscriminate taxes have the potential of killing the enterprises as businesses would normally fold up if they are overburdened with tax. What began as a drive for more government revenue could then end up depressing the overall income, as government would not be able to tax these enterprises going forward after using taxes to kill them.

Governments that are sensitive use tax as an instrument to ginger up production within their economy with the aim to expand the tax regime only by expanding economic and business activities. This is what should underpin the current drive for more IGR by the state governments and not an unconscionable desire to impose all kinds of taxes on the citizens. State governments would not see any appreciable increase in IGR in the long run if businesses start to fold up because of the avalanche of taxes. We would therefore advise that the drive for IGR be tempered by an appreciation that taxes and revenue to government would rise only when economic activities rise, such that states governments are not seeking to increase IGR when economic activities are going down. Imposing unnecessary tax burden would only further depress the economy and lead to lower IGR in the end.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08053412982.

It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

FG should hire foreign economic experts

N

IGERIA is in such a mess economically at the moment, and I feel we need all the help we can get if we are to get out of the situa-

tion. There are economic experts who have helped their countries out their economic difficulties in the past, and I think such people can be hired by the Nigerian government

to assist the country with ideas.

It is not that there are no economic experts in Nigeria, but we need new ideas to save our econo-

Remembering the late Professor Ade Adefuye YOU did not indicate August which year and like a thief in the night at about midnight of August 27, 2015, Lanre Ashiru called me and asked “Lawyer what happened to Prof”.

I surfed the internet and alas, the news of your death was breaking. I quickly dashed to your cousin’s (Sanu Otudeko) place and we both started praying for the news to be false, or a rumour. This time around, God did not answer our prayers as the news of your death was confirmed to be true.

Dear Prof, I have mourned you for a whole year and I shall now begin to celebrate you forever.

Prof, in whatever role I knew you, from whatever vantage position you were, you stood apart as a special person: Your special leadership qualities and warm, charismatic personality were very apparent. Your services to Nigeria, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth and the world at large are well documented and appreciated by all you met in the course of your sojourn during your lifetime.

In addition to your devotion to your duties, either as a lecturer or a diplomat, you found time for your wife (Aunty Sola), your children (Bunmi, Tolu and Baba), you found time for your sisters (Bola, Seun and Toyin). In fact, you found time for almost everybody.

It was a privilege for me to have known you. I will forever cherish our moments together, either at Calabar Kitchen in Abuja, at my office in Ibadan or your office in Washington DC, whenever I visited. I will forever cherish your bright and beautiful smiles while drinking “my cheap wine” visiting me in

Ibadan and Ijebu–Ode. Bro Ade, as you were called by Bola, Seun and Toyin, O daaro!

My Prof, my Prof! as I

called you, sleep tight as my guys say.

•Adeniyi Uthman, Ibadan.

my. However, before some people begin to say I am having colonial mentality, I want to remind Nigerians that the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, is not a British, but a Canadian. It is high time we swallowed our pride and reach out to those who can help us regain our economic vibrancy.

A couple of years ago, Greece was on the brink of total economic collapse,

but with the help of the European Union economic team, the country is now stabilising, unlike Zimbabwe, which is still suffering years after its economy began to have problems after the country expelled its White farmers from their lands.

We should also not forget the economic crisis in Spain and Italy. These two countries are now experiencing rapid growth as

Do we really need LCDAs in South West?

FOR some time now, states in the South Western part of the country have been creating Local Community Development Areas (LCDAs), which are to function like the Federal Government- recognised local governments.

The Lagos State government started this experiment during the tenure of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Since then, Osun, Ogun and Oyo states have followed suit.

However, my problem is that I don’t really know what purpose the LCDAs are to serve, although the governments claim that they will bring development closer to the people.

Since the LCDAs are not recognised by the Federal Government, there will be no funding for them from the Federation Account, rather, the LCDAs carved out of the Federal Government-recognised local governments will only share

out of the allocation of that local governments.

With this, I don’t think the LCDAs serve any purpose. In fact, it will create more job openings for the people, but in a situation whereby states are finding it hard to pay their workers, employing more workers to man the LCDAs will further increase the wage bill of government.

If the idea behind the LCDAs is to be able to reach more citizens in or-

der to generate tax, then it will defeat the purpose of governance because before the government can morally call on the citizens to pay taxes, then it ought to have fulfilled its own side of the bargain by providing schools, health centres, housing, among others for them, but all these are lacking today.

•Jimoh Mumin jimohmumin@yahoo.com

a result of the assistance they obtained from the EU economic experts.

Although most of the policies that are working for Greece, Spain and Italy are not easy for their citizens, they nevertheless realised that was the only way for their economies to survive the recession.

Today, one can say the economies of these countries have withstood the turbulent period, and in the next couple of years, they will start experiencing exponential economic growth.

Therefore, asking for help is not a shame, but an opportunity to regain lost glory, while repositioning the economy on the path of progress through the advanced ideas of foreign economic experts.

Consequently, it is necessary for the Nigerian government to identify foreign economic experts who will help our economy bounce back from the direction it is currently heading.

•Nonso James, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tackling unemployment in Nigeria IT is high time unemployed graduates looked beyond white collar jobs, and focus on skills that will 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.

•Nelson Ekwale, Benin, Edo State.

15

opinion

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

TICAD 6: Six takeaways from President Buhari’s participation

By Garba Shehu

T

HE Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 6) just ended in Nairobi, Kenya and in attendance were several African Presidents and Prime Ministers including our own Muhammadu Buhari and the co-convener of the conference, Shinzo Abe, the head of the Japanese government.

The TICAD seeks a win-win partnership between Japan and Africa. A key objective of the conference is to build up African ownership of its own vision of growth and development.

In furtherance of this, Japan seeks to differ with the other players on the continent by placing emphasis on high quality infrastructure that do more than job creation by transferring technology through the training of youth and women.

The conference held every five years from the time it started in 1993 until the last one in 2003 when it was decided that it should be convened every three years instead. The one that just finished is significant in the sense that this was the first time it took place in Africa. They met in Japan all the time in the past.

Another significant departure is the recognition of the role of the private sector in the economic take-off of the continent.

In this respect, more than 100 Chief Executive Officers, CEOs from leading Japanese companies accompanied Prime Minister Abe. This is a clear indiction that more and more Japanese companies are eying the African continent. A modest number of Nigerian business and state-owned enterprises were equally present.

From its start, Prime Minister Abe made known the intention of Japan to spend 10 Billion Dollars in the next twelve months and overall USD 30 Billion over a three-year period on areas key to African economies, targeting infrastructural projects such as roads, energy, ports,hospitals and training institutions. The money will partly be disbursed through the African Development Bank, ADB. At the end of the conference, a statement tagged “Nairobi Declaration” was issued. Among its highlights is the launching of “Initiative for Food and Nutrition Security for Africa, IFNA.” This aims to bring African governments together to swiftly implement food and nutrition security policies and programs.

There were important resolutions taken on economic diversification and industrialization; promotion of “resilient health system for quality of life” and measures for the promotion social stability and shared prosperity.

For Nigeria in particular, “TICAD 6” milestones include the important meeting between President Buhari and Prime Minister Abe, at which event problems militating against the inflow of Japanese investment into Nigeria were discussed and agreed upon.

Japanese companies had done a lot by way of investment in

the past in Nigeria but there has noticeably been a drop in the last decade or two. Chiefly to blame is the problem of security, disguised in official discussions as “business environment.”

President Buhari used this meeting effectively in giving assurances that the problem is being addressed. Boko Haram terrorism is nearly gone and sabotage in the Niger Delta will soon be ended preferably through dialogue and if not, by force of arms.

Coming into close personal contact for the second time, the two leaders discussed the issues of trade and investment, health, peace and development of the continent. In addition, they discussed issues in diplomacy and international relations.

President Buhari’s statement at the Head of States’ round table meeting with business leaders underscored the serious efforts government is making to improve Nigeria’s notoriously bad business environment.

At this meeting, he announced the coming into place of a soon-to-be inaugurated “Presidential Enabling Business Council, PEBEC.” He described it as an inter-ministerial council to oversee the efforts of government to remove various bottlenecks that stifle business and economic activity to give way to the right enabling environment and investment climate in Nigeria. It will be powered by the government but will be private-sector driven.

According to its vision, the PEBEC will make Nigeria one of the most attractive business destinations in the world. It will start with the modest effort of moving the country up 20 points in the World Bank ranking in the ease of doing business in the first year, taking it into the top 100 at the end of the four-year mandate of the current administration.

A third takeaway is on the the sidelines of the TICAD where the Nigerian government delegation met a good number of big Japanese enterprises. Collectively and individually, these businesses expressed their intention of either coming in newly or expanding their participation in Nigeria’s private sector. The companies with varied interests in power, agriculture, automobile, motor cycles, textiles, financing and the service sector

included the Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited, representing Honda Motor Co. Ltd; Japan Tobacco Inc., Marubeni Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation.

Others included Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Tsusho (Nigeria) Ltd., an affiliate of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, West African Seasoning Co. Ltd., affiliate of Ajinomoto Co. Inc., and Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO. At these meetings, they explored the scope for the incentive packages the Nigerians government will give them so as to deepen and expand their investments. These included export rebates, access to Foreign Exchange, land, interest rates, transparency in business regulation and favorable regulatory structure.

The fourth important takeaway is the formation of a new group KENSA made up of industry leaders on the continent, Kenya representing East Africa, Egypt for North Africa, South Africa for the south and Nigeria, from West Africa.

The four countries agreed to consolidate their quadrilateral grouping initiated at the 19th July UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) meeting and decided to expand business and trade between the four of them, inject impetus into the CFTA, the African Union-inspired free trade agreement among African countries and to coordinate their positions on trade and investment inside and outside Africa.

Fifth, Nigeria and Kenya seized the opportunity of the meeting of their leaders to not only strengthen bilateral relations but to follow up on the achievements of the State Visit to Nairobi by President Buhari earlier this year.

From the time of the visit, both countries have seen a growing impetus for trade and investment between them. Kenya which discovered oil lately is picking lessons from Nigeria’s vast experience in oil and gas. Nigeria is learning from Kenyan experience in managing animal grazing. There are efforts on both sides to share experience and promote private sector participation in trade, cooperatives, micro finance, cotton farming and palm oil processing.

Sixth, under the auspices of the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council NIPC, several memoranda of understanding, MOUs were signed between Nigerian parties and their foreign counterparts. From many of these, investments and jobs will follow.

On the President’s delegation were the Ministers of Agriculture, Health, Budget and Planning and Trade and Investment.

There were also the National Security Adviser, NSA and the Director-General National Intelligence Agency, NIA. Members of the delegation expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the conference and the side engagements.

•Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity).

Economic crisis: Agriculture not the magic solution

By Simon Kolawole ANYTIME I hear Nigerian presidents, ministers, governors, economists, analysts and commentators declare that agriculture is the alternative to oil, and that the solution to Nigeria’s economic woes is to return to the farm, I am tempted to jump up and ask at full volume: “Who has agriculture alone helped?”

Some states have hilariously declared work-free days for civil servants to go to the farm. It would be nice to see those farms and how well the emergency farmers are doing. We’ve been told again and again that agriculture, as Nigeria’s biggest employer of labour, is the magic solution to unemployment; that we will export agricultural produce and earn plenty of forex; this is surprising.

I’ve been hearing this fairy-tale all my life. When I was a primary school kid, General Olusegun Obasanjo, then head of State, asked Nigerians to tighten their belts because the oil boom would not last forever. He added drama by tightening his military belt on television. He launched Operation Feed the Nation (OFN). My grandfather responded by setting up a garden in our backyard. President Shehu Shagari did Green Revolution.

The Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) by General Ibrahim Babangida was basically about diversifying into agriculture. In different shapes, forms, sizes and packaging, we have been talking about agriculture for years.

Since we love glamorising our exploits in the export of cocoa, coffee, palm oil and groundnuts before the oil boom doom, I will pick on just cocoa to dispel this ill-conceived notion and neverending campaign that agriculture is the magic wand. We used to be the biggest producer of cocoa in the world. Chief Obafemi Awolowo utilised cocoa revenue to develop the South-West when he was Premier of the region in the 1950s. But we dropped the ball along the line and Cote d’Ivoire overtook us, and now, we are lamenting.

The solution, therefore, is for the South-West to revive the

cocoa farms.

Okay, let us talk about Cote d’Ivoire’s fabled cocoa wealth.

Cote d’Ivoire produces 33per cent of world cocoa and exports to manufacturers in the United States and Switzerland. This West African nation earns a whopping $2.5bn annually exporting raw cocoa. Unfortunately, one of the companies that buy cocoa from Cote D’Ivoire, Mars, according to the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), made $18bn in 2015. Don’t forget that Cote d’Ivoire’s gain was just $2.5bn.

We should wonder how just one company, which manufactures chocolate, can earn seven times more than a whole country, which farms and exports cocoa. On ICCO’s list of the world’s top 10 companies in net revenue from chocolate, we have three from the United States of America, two from Japan, two from Switzerland, and one each from Luxemburg/Italy, Argentina and Turkey. None from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia — the world’s three biggest producers of raw cocoa. Surprisingly enough, most of these companies that process raw cocoa into chocolate do not have cocoa farms. We need to wake up, Africans!

I apologise if I have created the impression that agriculture is

useless; that is not my intention, after all, agriculture is part of our culture. Millions of Nigerians are farming rice, beans, cassava and corn. That is huge employment. Also, we certainly can produce many food items that we are currently importing and burning precious forex on. But is that why governors are declaring work-free days for civil servants to go and plant melon and maize to solve Nigeria’s economic problem and stop the dependency on oil? If only these governors knew that Switzerland does not grow one tree of cocoa, yet makes the world’s most elegant chocolates!

Let us break this whole agriculture logic into pieces. If we really want to diversify from oil and create proper value chain, then agriculture must give birth to industry. If agriculture currently employs, say, five million Nigerians, agro-allied industry can employ 15 million in the value chain. So why do we spend so much time discussing farming and not industry? For example, how many graduates can a tomato farm employ, compared to a factory making tomato purée? The factory will employ or engage the services of engineers, technicians, chemists, marketers, accountants, communicators, lawyers, administrators, drivers, and so on. It may even have a clinic and employ doctors and nurses.

Sure, agriculture is very important in a primitive economy like ours. But we always miss the bigger picture. One, we need full optimisation of the sector to enhance productivity. A country like the US knows this much better: the percentage of the population engaged in farming is insignificant, but it is so optimised that the output is out of this world.

Therefore, we can do with better technology, storage, conditioning, packaging and transportation. Most importantly, our brains should focus on how industry can bring out the real value of agriculture and spark off a chain of economic activities that will create millions of good jobs and generate billions of dollars in revenue to investors, employees and government.

•Kolawole is a public affairs analyst.

16

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

tribune cartoons

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

GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA •

Born on Sunday, 11 November, 1877 in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.

•

The Church “Cherubim & Seraphim” was founded by Moses Orimolade Tunolase.

•

Moses Orimolade was named Orimolade Okejebu.

Like most religious founders, a lot of mysteries surrounded his pregnancy period, the birth and childhood. Sometimes, it was said that the foetus of Moses was complaining of being suffocated when his mother was cooking; the foetus assisted the mother to lift firewood in the farm and so on.

•

In 1925, Moses Orimolade established The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim, ESOC&S. The church was born out of the Anglican Church community.

•

ESOC & S is a Spiritual Christian Church with membership in the Christian Association of Nigeria. Today, the church has about 10 million members that worship in about 1500 branches all over the world including the United Kingdom and the United States.

•

He slept in the Lord on Thursday, 19 October, 1933.

SEGELUULU

CHURCH BOY

FUNOLOGY

Moses Orimolade Tunolase “Baba Aladura”

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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

A

B

17

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

inside

nigerdelta

Silver jubilee: Delta honours Chevron, others with corporate awards Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

C

hevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL was, on Saturday August 27, 2016, bestowed with a prestigious award.

The award was in the category of an “Outstanding Corporate Tax Payer in Delta State and the Nation” by the Delta State government during the Gala Night organised as part of the activities to mark the Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebration of the State in Asaba.

Other corporate award recipients in different categories included: Seplat Petroleum Development Company PLC; Rain

oil; Crown Feed and Livestock Farm; Central Bank of Nigeria; Zenith Bank; and United Bank for Africa.

CNL made a visible mark during the celebration from August 26 to 27, as the only multinational oil company that participated in the Economic and Investment Summit and the exhibition organized by the State Government to commemorate the event.

The Chairman/Managing Director, Mr. Clay Neff, led the company team comprising the Director, NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, Mr. Monday Ovuede, the General Manager, PGPA, Mr Haastrup, the Area Manager, PGPA West, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, and some PGPA employees to the opening ceremony of the summit and ex-

hibition.

On behalf of the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Clay Neff, the General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, (PGPA) CNL, Mr. Deji Haastrup, received the award which was presented by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Ovwigho Igbuya, on behalf of the State Government.

At the exhibition, Mr. Brikinn made a presentation of the Company’s footprints in terms of social investments in Delta State and elsewhere in Nigeria to a team of guests, led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his Sokoto State counterpart, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, who visited the Company’s exhibition stand on the second day

of the event.

Also highlighted were CNL’s efforts in the area of the Nigerian Content development and Chevron’s investment in development of economic value chain and Peace in the Niger Delta region through the Partnership Initiatives for Niger Delta Development (PIND).

The Summit was declared open by the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and was attended by top federal government functionaries, including the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, stressed that security and safety were key components of attracting investors and sustainable economic growth in the state and Niger Delta Region in general.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the state would continue to harness its growth potentials and vast human and material resources even in the midst of the prevailing economic downturn and emphasized the need for partnership with the private sector for accelerated socio-economic development.

How insecurity, bad roads will affect Calabar carnival Anthony Ubong-Calabar

General Manager, PGPA, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Deji Haastrup (right), receiving the award from Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Honourable Monday Igbuya.

Our roads not good, communities tell Edo guber aspirants Banji Aluko-Benin City Ikhuse, Oah, Ivbioddohen, Okeigho Ivbieleke, Avbioghola, Ikpeyan, Iloje and some other communities all belong to the Okpuje/Ilueha sub-clan in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

They speak the same sub-dialect of the Owan language and are all located on the same road. Like many other Nigeria communities, they are daily confronted by poor water supply, poor electricity supply, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor road network, among other challenges.

Among the problems facing the communities, however, none bothers them as the condition of the road linking them to Uzebba, the capital of the Okpuje/Ilueha clan. The road, which is about six-kilometres in distance, starting from Ikhuse and terminating at Uzebba, is what affects them more than any other thing. The reasons are not far-fetched.

Inhabitants of these communities are largely farmers; hence, they rely on the road to transport their farm produce to Uzebba. The road is, however, in a terrible condition, making life and living difficult

for the people of the area.

According Mr John Stephen, one of the residents: “This road is very important to our people because they cannot survive without it; they need the road to evacuate their farm produce and interrelate with their neigbouring communities. It is now a political road and everything about it is now politics. We are not asking for much. It is the only road that connects these places to Uzebba. We are aware government has constructed so many roads in Benin, Iyamho, Esan and some other places.

They should please remember that there are people living here as well.”

History of the road Findings showed that the road was first awarded for construction and completed during the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion (1999-2003).

Some members of the Okpuje Patriots (OP), a social organisation consisting of prominent sons and daughters of the area scattered all over the world, however, said that the constructed road was “washed away” about six months after. They blamed the former state government and

local government chairman for what befell the road.

New promises After receiving raw deals from politicians in about three times, the people said they had decided not to participate in the forthcoming election and watch as they do not want to be fooled again. They were particularly angry at the flag off of the road on June 6, 2016, by the Edo State government.

According to Mr Stephen, “Suddenly, when information got to them in Benin that our people have resolved on ‘no road, no vote,’ they came up with the flaggingoff of the road. There is now fresh agitation among our people saying that they cannot continue to use our people to get votes and we now asked the government to tell us the cost of the project, its duration and the contractor that is handling it. I’m speaking the truth. I’m neither APC nor PDP. My concern here is the plight of my people who suffer a great deal because of the hardship imposed upon them by successive Edo State government.”

Since its inception by the Donald Duke administration in 2004, the Calabar Carnival has grown beyond expectations. In fact, it has become one of the major events in the 32-day Christmas festival. It has metamorphosed from being just a mere Calabar event to an international event which attracts over 20 thousand tourists to the state every December. This has, however, boosted the state tourism industry, thereby making it a preferred destination for business and leisure. In fact, it has placed the state on a higher pedestal and made it more conspicuous on the world tourism map.

But insecurity which has crept into the once peaceful state, may mar this year’s edition of the carnival. Though the security situation has been brought under control by government, there are still worries in some quarters as to whether the now peaceful security situation in the state would be maintained ahead of the carnival. This is because by December this year, visitors and tourists will throng the city to savour the rich cultural offerings of the carnival. How prepared are the security agencies to stem the tide of crime in preparation for the event? This is one question currently on the lips of Cross Riverians and Nigerians alike who believe that the now peaceful security situation in the state must be maintained for a hitchfree carnival.

An hotelier, Chief Michael Nnamso, in a chat with InsideNigerDelta in Calabar, said though the rate of crime in the state had drastically reduced in recent times, there was the need for security agencies to be more vigilant, especially now that the carnival was fast approaching.

18

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

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

The allure of Fams Embassy Suites, Badagry

By Wale Ojo Lanre

B

ADAGRY to some people is a paragon of tourism which hosts; the slave Port of Point of No Return, the first one storey building, where the English Bible was translated to Yoruba by the late Bishop Ajayi Crowther, first primary school, first drinking water well, first place the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was preached and also the relics of Slavery and Slave Trade is found wanting when it comes to having remarkable hotels and lodges of world standards and intercontinental ethics.

To many, Badagry is just a home to history, slave relics and monuments of national value, not aware that within Badagry lies one of the most sophisticated hospitality havens called Fams Embassy Hotel.

And one wonders why people think there are no good hotels Badagry, but this puzzle was solved by the explanation that, when you talk of Badagry, people always used the pre 2014 status to judge its development and atmosphere. A period when the road to Badagry was in bad shape, when one has to spend almost four hours getting to Badagry from Festac Town.

But it is gratifying that things have started changing for the better for the road to Badagry is motorable now, thanks to the efforts of Governor Akinwumi Ambode whose frequent visits to the town in preparation of its being christened Lagos Tourism Hub has rubbed off on the maintenance of the road and in strict observation of traffic rules which has helped to keep traffic flouters away from the ever busy junction of Agbara Estate.

So, they are unaware that, it is not only the road to Badagry that has been rehabilitated but that the city is a proud host to a classically beautiful and well portioned world class hotel.

It is one hotel which you cannot miss while approaching Badagry from Lagos not just because of the colourful array of flags which belong to many countries, but the sheer architectural configuration of the building which stands like a watchman or a conductor looking for passengers.

And exactly, the sheer architectural configuration of the hotel which singles it out as a unique entity characterising the quality and standard of facilities there in.

One thing which you cannot but notice is the warm reception accorded an entrant right from the gateman and the door man who bows in respect.

You are not mistaken because the front office of Fams Embassy Suites could only be compared to a royal waiting room fit for the Emperor, princes and princesses as it is decked with surplus luxury, splendour with the well trained first impression managers affectionately smiling attending with promptness laced with robust sense of responsibility.

As you are being checked in, the almighty PHCN struck! But before one could bat an eyelid, within 30 seconds the light was back. A feat traced to the automatic change over system fixed to the three 100kva generating sets planted for the hotel to combat the menace of erratic power supply.

As one steps into the reception, the Wifi indicator on the phone clicked informing one of the availability of a powerful and fast internet facilities though coded but free.

The 50 rooms of different categories are excel-

lently apportioned with exquisite furniture, fixtures and fittings kingly beds with therapeutic foam, soft pillows, beddings and duvet which enhance sweet dreams while the bathrooms are equipped with items that a lodger can check in without necessary toiletries, tooth brush, paste, slippers and room coat as all are available in pairs in the bathroom ex gratia.

The restaurant and bar are big, fitted with comfortable seats with electronics configured aptly to complement and aid full consummation of drinks, food and relaxation in the most alluring ambience ever.

The restaurant which is manned by two chefs with experience in intercontinental hotels serves local, continental, intercontinental and African cuisines bearing in mind that Badagry is a border town which plays hosts to international customers. The maximum order time for any menu is 30 minutes.

Offering room for complete entertainment is the roof top Night Club with gadgets and disco / clubbing appurtenances. The night club which is padded is a hall fitted with gallery, games arena, disco platform and Disc Joker pavilion with lighting effect that gives the desired Eldoraldo awareness.

Conference organisers, event packaging outfits and seminar holders could not get a better place or venue of hosting than Fams Embassy Suites with its development supportive conference room on level 2 of the hotel. The conference room instructional facilities which are already mounted and ready for use.

The swimming pool arena is an Olympic affairs structured with a pool bar and mini restaurant. It is encircled from the hotel’s building with wide space for party and social event. Reinforcing this is the ultra equipped gym which is tucked on the 2nd floor of the hotel which offers the opportunity to trim down and in good shape.

Capping it all is the roof top open event centre which offers an aerial panoramic view of Badagry for users. It is a large area which is capable of accommodating over one thousand guests.

Everything about Fams Embassy Suites is not only classical, splendid and sophisticated, but also planted to offer guests the maximum comfort and satisfaction in accommodation, feeding, entertainment, relaxation and educational development.

According to Mr Fatai Sokunbi, Chief Executive Officer Fams Embassy Suites “We built this hotel first as our response to the push factor of contributing to the development of Badagry and also of offering the best hospitality service ever you can get anywhere.

“Gauge our staff by their commitment and sense of purpose to duty, we engaged only 100 staff directly, take a look at our facilities, TVs, air-conditioning machines, furniture, right from the tiles, marble, settees, chair, tooth brush and toiletries, the restaurant and taste the food noticing the time you order and time of delivery, our swimming pool including our laundry equipment will dazzle you, you will find out that these are top notch effects which are planted here to tell the world that you can get the global ranking hospitality service here in Badagry. And we shall be happy to serve the excellent service you deserve by patronising

us. This is our covenant with buyers. We shall not disappoint you. Welcome to the world of Fams Embassy Suites our word where we redefined hospitality service. It is a deal.”

Do you have hotel, restaurant or resort to showcase?

For details call 08033490986

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tourism

IFE Tourism Zone, following its formal declaration February this year, has continued to witness waves of activities, organisations and individuals visiting, to pledge commitment to the speedy development of the zone into a foremost destination in Africa, especially given the personal involvement of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, in the historic project.

The latest move was the formal opening of Motherland Beckons – Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO) office at the Enuwa Palace.

The ceremony was performed by the Ooni, who is also the grand patron of Motherland Beckons, an organisation founded by Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, which is dedicated to the promotion of Africa and enhancing linkage between the Diaspora and Africa, Motherland.

Speaking at the occasion, Oba Ojaja 11 enunciated an ennobling vision of uniting Nigerians in the Diaspora and that he has a responsibility towards them as he sees them as one of his primary constituents in his grand design of fostering peace, unity and development of Nigeria as well as Africa.

The monarch also emphasised the significant role of the Diaspora in the development of the nation. He said that even America was developed by immigrants from Europe and not the native Red Indians. Oba Ojaja 11 then used the occasion to express gratitude to the members of NIDO America for their warm reception and hospitality accorded him and his entourage during his visit to the USA in June.

He urged NIDO members not to relent on their efforts in contributing to national growth and development and showered royal blessings on them and stressed that the new NIDO office is for NIDO America, NIDO Europe, NIDO Africa and the Caribbean.

In his remark at the event, the Chairman of NIDO America, Samuel Gbenga Adewusi, said he was delighted by the warm reception accorded his team by the monarch even as he expressed joy and happiness on Ooni delivering on the promise he made to them in February, with respect to opening a befitting office for NIDO within the confines of the Enuwa Palace, Ile-Ife. He announced a donation of 400 e- books

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Ife Tourism Zone gets Motherland Emirates adds Guangzhou to its Beckons —NIDO office As Ooni of Ife hosts Ileya Omo Oodua festival committee

Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and (left) Mr Wale Williams, Managing Director, Franchise & Enterprise Concerns and others.

on information technology, amounting to about 10, 000 pages to the new NIDO office

by NIDO America while promising to follow up with more materials, physical and monetary donations on behalf of NIDO Europe and Africa that were also represented at the event.

Adewusi said that the office will be devoted to promoting the activities of Motherland Beckons and NIDO within the continent.

Meanwhile, in furtherance to his drive for peace, unity and cohesion amongst the Yoruba race home and abroad, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi is hosting a one week festival titled Ileya Omo Oduduwa festival this December.

The festival which was earlier planned for this August was postponed by the Ooni mainly because for centuries, the month of December is regarded as the month of celebration of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.

Speaking to journalists at the declaration, Mr Wale Williams, the coordinator of the

Israeli Embassy assures better relationship with NCPC THE Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Reverend Tor Uja has solicited for more deeper working relationship between Nigeria and Israel.

He disclosed this recently in Abuja while receiving in audience the Charge de’ Affairs of the Israeli Embassy in Nigeria, mr Nadar Goren in his office.

The NCPC Boss informed the Diplomat that he was in Israel recently where he met with pilgrimage leaders on how to move the industry forward. He also said that the visit was an opportunity to explore the great things the Lord had given to Israel as a nation.

In the words of the Executive Secretary, “ we want to see Nigeria prosper and stabilize”, hence the need to build a deeper working relationship with Israel.

Earlier, the Charge de’ Affairs of the Israeli Embassy stressed the need to bring creativity and innovations to bear in the organization of pilgrimage.

He described the administration of Reverend Tor Uja as a new era that would usher in positive changes in Christian pilgrimage.

He affirmed that both of them have a lot of shared interest promoting relationship between Israel and Nigeria.

festival and managing director of Franchise & Enterprise Concerns Limited said: ‘The Arole Oduduwa is determined to ensure that his effort at bringing together every person born as Yoruba anywhere in the world is achieved, our own job is to ensure that it is well celebrated by all as one people with a pride of rich culture, and language.”

He further said: “we were initially concerned about hosting the one week long festival every August, but the king in his wisdom was not lost of the importance of the month of December to every Yoruba person home and abroad and wants to strengthen that symbol to buttress his desire for peace and unity in the world.”

The festival which is slated to take off with seven different large floats coming in from all parts and entering Ile-Ife on the opening day depicts the seven children whose descendants all make up the Yoruba race with over 500million in population with descendancy in 85 countries of the world, “we want to rival the Rio carnival by hosting the most colourful home coming festival ever”. Wale said, “Today, the Middle East is now a no go area for tourism, the world is looking to us in Africa to provide that tourism supplement and now Nigeria is still an untapped tourism haven. Beating drums, showing colourful dances and displays, and celebrating our people, cuisine and culture are not fetish things that many of us are fond of singing.

We need to be proud of who we are and start talking with one voice to show our true positive selves as a race”.

Williams whose firm has hosted the Oyo Festival and Samodun fiesta in Oyo State spoke more on the different events for the festival. ‘We will open with the Adura Oodua which will have 50 top Yoruba kings in attendance, the two major religions will be represented by five leaders, 85 international leaders and 3000 mothers will pray for the entire Yoruba race to open the carnival with fanfare. The Irawo Oodua awards will be the hallmark of the event while other events like Omidan Oodua will celebrate our amazons. Most of our youths don’t know about Pupupu, Oba Luwo, Emotan, Mino Lalisca, Yeyelagaba and a host of other women. These are Yoruba women that led and became role models for what we are today. Each day, there will be different celebrations depicting us as a people.The festival is slated to hold from December 4 to 10.

NEXT WEEK

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Reverend Tor Uja with Charge de’ Affairs Israeli Embassy Abuja, Mr. Nadav Goren during his visit to NCPC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

Why we inaugurated Badagry Convention Visitor Bureau —Ashamu Fadipe

global list of A380 destinations EMIRATES, voted the World’s Best Airline 2016 at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, announced recently that it will operate its flagship A380 on services between Dubai and Guangzhou from October 1, 2016, the 67th National Day of People’s Republic of China. This follows the airline’s recent announcements of A380 deployment on its Milan and Johannesburg routes.

Guangzhou will join more than 40 destinations on Emirates’ extensive global network served by its highly popular A380 aircraft, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, London, Paris, Sydney, Toronto, Auckland, Bangkok, and Seoul.

Since the route’s inauguration in 2008, Emirates has been flying a two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its daily flights between Guangzhou and Dubai, and the airline has seen steady growth for its service on the route. Once the A380 service commences, it will increase capacity by 15 per cent to meet the growing travel and trade demand from Southern China to Dubai and beyond.

Emirates will deploy its three-class A380 on the Guangzhou route, offering a total of 491 seats, with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 mini pods with lie-flat seats in Business Class and 401 spacious seats in Economy Class. Flight EK362 will depart Dubai at 10:20am and arrive in Guangzhou at22:05. The return flight, EK363, will depart Guangzhou at 12:15am and arrive in Dubai at 03:50*.

Emirates was named the World’s Best Airline 2016 and the airline with the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards recently. All Emirates customers travelling on the A380 can access more than 2,500 channels of on demand audio and visual entertainment, which includes Chinese content on its ice entertainment system, featuring the latest movies, music, TV programmes, podcasts and games, as well as free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with family and friends during flights.

In addition, First Class and Business Class customers can comfortably socialise or relax in the renowned Onboard Lounge on the upper deck of the Emirates A380. Emirates EK362/363 offers First Class customers the exclusive service of the on-board shower spas during flights, which makes Emirates the only airline in the Guangzhou market offering this premium customer product on an A380.

Emirates is keen to support China’s economic, trade and connectivity ambitions as China looks to connect the world through the Belt and Road Initiative.

With its wide network across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, Emirates serves 56 cities in 31 of the 65 countries identified as part of the Initiative and is a ready-made connector of people and trade.

20

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

with Doyin Adeoye

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

If we do not permit the earth to produce beauty and joy, it will in the end not produce food, either.

—Joseph Wood Krutch

ecoscope

Flood Alert:

Climate change predicted to halve coffee production by 2050 CLIMATE change is going to halve the area suitable for coffee production and impact the livelihoods of more than 120 million of the world’s poorest people who rely on the coffee economy, according to a new report by the Climate Institute, commissioned by Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand.

The report findings follow stark warnings by some of the world’s biggest coffee producers, including Starbucks and Lavazza, who have said climate change is posing a severe risk to the industry.

Climate change is already impacting coffee crops around the world, according to the report. In Tanzania, where 2.4 million people’s livelihoods rely on coffee, production has fallen by about 137 kilogramme per hectare for every 1C rise in the minimum temperature on farms. Overall there has been a 50 per cent decline there since the 1960s.

Extreme temperatures and unusual

high-altitude rains have also sparked costly waves of pests and disease through coffee farms. In 2012, coffee leaf rust affected half of the coffee across Central America, while some producers in Guatemala lost up to 85 per cent of their crop.

In 2012 and 2013, the damage in Central America amounted to about $500 million and put 350,000 people out of work.

How climate change will impact coffee growers in coming decades will vary by region. Scientists think Nicaragua could lose the majority of its coffee-growing areas by 2050, and in Tanzania, coffee yields were projected to reach “critically low levels” by 2060.

By 2080, scientists think wild coffee, which is important for genetic diversity of farmed coffee, could be extinct.

For consumers of coffee, all of this will impact flavour, aroma and price, the report said.

EBay, Pinterest, Etsy vow to prevent illegal wildlife trading on services E-COMMERCE giant, eBay along with Etsy, Gumtree, Microsoft, Pinterest, Tencent and Yahoo, have signed on to a new commitment to prevent the sale of illegal wildlife products on their services.

The initiative is in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Traffic and was announced recently to coincide with the World Elephant Day. Under the new policy, companies are seeking to prohibit the sale of wildlife animals and animal body parts that are sourced illegally, as well as protect species that are threatened by extinction. These include rhino horns, pangolin parts and turtle meat.

It is the first time that conservation organisations have partnered with multiple tech companies.

“It is tremendously encouraging to see that leading online marketplaces and social media platforms are fighting back against wildlife cybercriminals to stamp out the illegal sale of endangered wildlife from their sites,” Peter LaFontaine, campaigns manager for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said in a statement.

NCF calls for urgent action

By Doyin Adeoye

F

OLLOWING the impending flood to be witnessed in many parts of the country, as declared recently by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and as indicated in the 2016 Annual Flood Outlook of the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) and corroborated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has urged Nigerians to take actions that would reduce the impact of the imminent disaster.

According to the regulatory agencies’ declaration, many states across the country will be affected, and in fact, some communities in Benue, Gombe, Kano, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, have already been overwhelmed by flood.

In a statement signed by Mr Adeniyi Karunwi, the Director General of the foundation, it urged Nigerians to engage in various short and long term sustainable measures that can mitigate the effects of climate change which we are experiencing, rather than live in fear of the flood.

“The time to act is now as the reality of the impact of climate change is clearly manifesting in our daily lives. We therefore urge Nigerians, especially people living in flood-prone areas to as a matter of urgency, embark on decongesting and clearing of drainages in and around their surroundings, and engage in proper waste management by disposing of their wastes in designated dumpsites only.

“We also implore all, particularly business organisations, to consider cutting down on fossil fuel usage and promote energy use efficiency in their business operations towards the attainment of a green economy, as well as prioritise keeping the atmospheric temperature below 2°C so as to minimise the threat of the looming natural disaster,” it said.

The foundation further warned coastal states such as Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta and others, to take necessary actions in curtailing the activities of illegal sand miners

as this will also help prevent coastal erosion in the communities. It called on regulatory bodies involved to be fully prepared to handle the consequent emergency situation in manners that will prevent or minimise losses.

NiMET had recently warned of potential flooding in 11 states across the country between August and October, urging state governments to take pro-active action against the imminent disaster.

Revealed in a statement signed by the NiMet Head of Corporate Communication, Eva Azinge, the affected states include Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue,

ecofact

GLOBAL warming and climate change affect absolutely everyone and everything on this planet.

Here are some facts about how the phenomena are literally changing the planet and how we live our day-to-day lives.

• Roughly 75 per cent of the annual increase in atmospheric CO2 is due solely to the burning of fossil fuels • Carbon dioxide constitutes only 3.6 per cent of total greenhouse gases out of which 0.12 per cent is attributed to human activities.

• Over the last 50 years, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increase by 30 per cent due to burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emisBorno, Cross River, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara.

Azinge said NiMET had predicted flooding in the 11 states due to the cumulative high intensity rainfall in those parts of the country in June and July, adding that with the current rainfall, there were prospects of flooding in August and October.

“After thorough analyses of rainfall data from our observatories nationwide for June and July, soil moisture has either reached saturation, or near saturation levels. This is due to cumulative high intensity rainfall in some parts of the country in June and July.

“This means that floods should be expected in these areas because the soil is no longer able to absorb more rainwater in the coming weeks which coincide with the peak rainy season,” she said.

The agency said that although many parts of the country would experience lower than normal total rainfall due to the effect of El Nino, flooding could still be experienced in such areas, particularly those that are naturally prone to flooding.

The agency therefore, advised governments, communities and individuals in these vulnerable parts of the country to take proactive actions such as clearing

water channels and drainages, and also avoid activities that block the free flow of water.

Acknowledging the tree planting effort of some state governments, NCF encouraged other states that are yet to commence such initiative to do so in order for such to act as natural flood barriers.

“The reactivation of existing community early warning system that can assist vulnerable communities to plan and mitigate the impact of flooding as it affects livelihood, farmlands, and survival is also a very strong step that should be taken as priority by state governments at this time,” it added.

Guinness partners WaterAid to provide solar powered water system in Bauchi

By Doyin Adeoye

By Doyin Adeoye

IN a renewed bid to deepen health and sanitation practices, Nigeria’s only total alcohol beverage company, Guinness Nigeria Plc and WaterAid Nigeria, have partnered to construct two solar-powered water facilities in Gwam, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The Guinness Nigeria/WaterAid Gwam water facility, which was formally unveiled at a colourful ceremony, is one of two major water schemes which the brewing giant has delivered this year in collaboration with its international Non-Governmental Organisation partners, and the 34th site for the Guinness Nigeria, ‘Water of Life’ initiative in Nigeria.

The Gwam water scheme, which comprises two solar-powered boreholes and two blocks of toilets, will benefit about 20,000 people.

Guinness Nigeria’s Corporate Relations Director, Mr Sesan Sobowale, used the occasion to reiterate the company’s commitment to initiatives that improve access to safe

water. In his remarks, he noted that Guinness Nigeria will continue to play a leading role to promote water stewardship in Nigeria, while thanking WaterAid for its transformational work in promoting health and hygiene in the country.

“Diageo’s water blueprint articulates the role we will play as a business to tackle a wide range of water-related issues both in Nigeria and globally. In furtherance of this blueprint, Guinness Nigeria has prioritised interventions that improve access to safe water especially in communities that face acute water scarcity.

“We have also invested in technologies that help us manage our water use. The construction of the Gwam water scheme is in furtherance of our efforts to help more Nigerians access clean drinking water. Our hope is that by improving access to clean water, we can help people in Gwam community improve their hygiene and overall wellbeing,” Sobowale said.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Ghali Abdulhameed, expressed the state

government’s gratitude over the newly constructed water scheme, adding that the water facility will support the state government’s drive to improve health and hygiene for Bauchi State citizens.

“This intervention is indeed timely and commendable. Water is an absolutely essential resource that is vital for the health and wellbeing of our citizens. We, the people of Bauchi State, are therefore delighted that Guinness Nigeria and WaterAid have joined forces to improve access to safe water in our state. We are immensely grateful for this intervention,” he said.

WaterAid International’s Chief Executive, Ms. Barbara Frost, in her remarks, underscored WaterAid’s vision to help create a world where everyone, everywhere has access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

“It is great to see that the Bauchi State government, Guinness Nigeria and WaterAid are working collaboratively to tackle the challenge of water scarcity in the state. I would like to thank the government of Bauchi State for creating a conducive environment that has enabled WaterAid to

sions like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and other gases, trapping more heat in the lower atmosphere.

• The rising temperatures will cause more deaths not due to natural reasons but as a result of overheating and rapid spread of deadly diseases.

• Worldwide, one hundred million people live within three feet of sea level, and much of the world’s population is clustered in coastal areas.

Gender gap costs sub-Saharan Africa $95bn annually —UNDP

GENDER inequality is costing sub-Saharan Africa on average $95 billion a year, peaking at $105 billion implement its programmes in the state. in 2014, or six of the region’s GDP, jeopardising WaterAid will continue to partner varithe continent’s efforts for inclusive human developous stakeholders in Nigeria to transform ment and economic growth, according to the Africa lives by improving access to safe water, Human Development Report 2016. hygiene and sanitation,” she said.

Tagged ‘Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s It would be recalled that last year, Empowerment in Africa,’ the report was published Guinness had executed similar water by the United Nations Development Programme projects in the Adigbe area of Ogun (UNDP).

State and in 10 communities across “If gender gaps can be closed in labour markets, three local government areas of Cross education, health, and other areas, then poverty and River State. hunger eradication can be accelerated,” UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark, said at the launch on Monday.

According to her, achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is the right thing to do, and is a development imperative.

The UNDP report analyses the political, economic and From left, Country Director, Water Aid Nigeria, Dr. Michael Ojo; Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria social drivers that Plc, Mr Sesan Sobowale; International Chief Executive, WaterAid, Ms. Barbara Frost and the Commissioner for hamper African Water Resources, Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Ghali Abdulhameed, at the commissioning of water and women’s advancesanitation facilities constructed by Guinness Nigeria Plc in Gwam, Bauchi State.

ment and proposes policies and concrete actions to close the gender gap. These include addressing the contradiction between legal provisions and practice in gender laws; breaking down harmful social norms and transforming discriminatory institutional settings; and securing women’s economic, social and political participation.

Deeply-rooted structural obstacles such as unequal distribution of resources, power and wealth, combined with social institutions and norms that sustain inequality are holding African women, and the rest of the continent, back.

The report estimates that a one per cent increase in gender inequality reduces a country’s human development index by 0.75 per cent.

While the continent is rapidly closing the gender gap in primary education enrolment, African women achieve only 87 per cent of the human development outcomes of men, driven mainly by lower levels of female secondary attainment, lower female labor force participation and high maternal mortality.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Tunde Dodondawa m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com

PwC tasks Nigeria on fiscal, regulatory, licensing reforms

From left, Mr Forum Doubara, Director, Business Development, Secol-USA; Mr Osa Owieadolor, MD, Platform Petroleum Ltd; Mr Konyebagu Opute, GMD, Platform Petroleum Holdings Ltd and Mr Sunny Oputa, Chief Executive, Energy & Corporate Africa, at the second Africa Small & Marginal Oil Fields Development Conference 2016 held in London, UK recently.

THE latest oil and gas review report of the global professional auditing and services firm, PriceWaterHouse Coopers (PwC) has urged Nigeria to reform its regulatory, fiscal and licensing systems to attract oil and gas investors.

PwC contends that the country needs the petroleum industry act for better management of the oil and gas sector of the economy.

The PwC’s ‘Africa Oil and Gas Review 2016’ report noted that the decline in the global oil price had led to a reduced level of industry activity, stressing that the impact was more acute on countries like Nigeria that traditionally depend on oil and gas revenue.

The company’s Africa Oil and Gas Advisory Leader, Chris Bredenhann, said, “It is an opportune

government revenue earnings as oil sector accounts for approximately 90 per cent of the nation’s foreign exchange.

“A major challenge which therefore, remains is securing the crude volumes to a level that ensures we deliver the revenue target fully aware of the fact that price is internationally determined. We are therefore working assiduously to resolve the security issues so that we can guarantee volumes.

“Given the low oil price, sustainable returns need to be maintained. To achieve this, we are working on cost saving measures that ensure safe and profitable op-

erations of the assets while guaranteeing adequate margin for both government and investors.

“Initiatives such as service sharing for clustered assets, standardisation of operating framework and contracts, resource pooling and reducing contract cycle time will be pursued,’’ he said.

Baru maintained that to diversify the source of government revenue and capture value across the entire value chain, the corporation will aggressively pursue domestic refining to take advantage of improved refining margin during the period of low oil prices.

FG to unveil petroleum sector roadmap next month Stories by Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

T

HE Federal Government has announced plans to unveil a petroleum sector roadmap next month, as part of its efforts to unlock the potentials in the oil and gas sector amid low crude oil price.

The government’s plan to move the sector forward was disclosed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ibe Kachikwu at the recently concluded annual conference by the National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) in Lagos with the theme ‘Low Oil Price: Impact and the Way Forward.’

According to him, five other regulations to provide clarity on the position of government with respect to the management and development of the sector are also to be rolled out by September.

The minister explained that at a time that capital for investment is shrinking worldwide, there is a need for government to come up with forward looking policies that will encourage the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to grow the sector.

Kachikwu stated that some policies in the oil and gas sector inhibit the flow of investment into the sector, adding that government was doing all it can to ensure that such obstacles were removed in order to encourage private sector participation.

According to him, ‘‘Everywhere you look, there is crisis looming around. And if we are not consis-

tent with our policies, we will lose our market. Reforms are often not easy because they cause changes, sometimes dislocation and inconvenience, but for our industry I am encouraged that we have the determination to see through the structural changes that are needed to create the conditions for prosperity in the near future.

The lessons of the past ought to enable us to respond decisively.”

On his part, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the decline in oil prices from $110 per barrel in June 2014 to $45 per barrel in July 2016, has significantly impacted

FG, energy stakeholders to meet at Power summit LEADING development finance institutions and heads of Nigeria’s most accomplished energy companies will meet with national government at EnergyNet’s Powering Africa: Nigeria Investment Summit, taking place in Abuja from 1214 October 2016.

Over 50 public and private sector decision makers will address 300 power developers and investors to discuss the driving factors behind power development in Nigeria. The investment summit will underpin Nigeria as a hub for regional gas development as well as an important market for clean and renewable energy.

Key themes of the conference include how to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix, regulation policy to promote international investment in renewables, and examining Nigeria’s off-grid energy market- pro-

moting energy access for everyone.

This meeting follows EnergyNet’s recently concluded 18th Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in London this June, which welcomed 2,200 vetted investors from the Americas, Europe and Asia, and government representatives from 30 African countries.

Major deals were signed at the meeting including a merger between Harith General Partners and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), KFW’s US$150 million 15 year loan facility to AFC, Access Power’s $7 million award to three renewable developers, Mainstream’s $117.5 million Africa Clean Energy Equity Funding and DFID’s two Compacts in Kenya and Sierra Leone, to name a few.

“For 24 years EnergyNet has supported governments across the continent playing an advisory role

helping policy makers meet the very best private sector investors.

“Our role is not unique; however our approach is as individual as a thumbprint, highlighted by the trust the World Bank, Power Africa, IFC, FMO, Proparco, DFID, AfDB and many more who place their trust in EnergyNet, which supports our position as a market shaper when it comes to global energy development,” says Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet. The meeting is officially endorsed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria. It has the official support of the UK’s DFID-funded Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, of Germany’s GIZ and of the European Union.

time for local governments that want to attract oil and gas investors to reform their regulatory, fiscal and licensing systems.” Bredenhann said the complexities and challenges facing the oil and gas industry had become daunting.

“As uncertain regulatory frameworks, taxation requirements and corruption continue to rank at the top of industry’s challenges in the country, it is also high time that government made significant changes.

“Furthermore, players must look at the current state of the industry as an opportunity to reinvent themselves. Given the state of the industry, we think that stakeholders must also consider making changes to their business models.

“Change is the way to survive in the ‘new energy future’. We need to see new business models, new products, new energy sources and new strategies to meet the new reality,” he stated.

Even with all the anticipated positive impact of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) on the oil and gas sector of the economy, it has remained mired in inexplicable stalemate, unable to find its way back to the legislature from the executive to which it was returned in 2014.

In contrast, Ghana, which has a very young oil industry compared to Nigeria, this month passed the Petroleum Production and Exploration Bill into law to replace the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 1984, an indication of the seriousness the country attaches to it.

First introduced in December 2008 by the late President Musa Umaru Yar’Adua to the sixth National Assembly, the PIB aims to re-position the oil and gas industry for greater efficiency, openness, and competition.

Designed to strengthen the capacity of indigenous Nigerian companies so they can compete with international oil companies in the search for, and acquisition of, hydrocarbons, the legislation also proposes to reduce exploitation in the sector and limit, to the barest minimum, government exposure to oil and gas production through joint venture operations.

However, the bill has never been well received by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria most of whose officials fear that some provisions therein may be inimical to their investment interests.

There were other contentious issues of environmental concerns and community rights that stakeholders have also bickered over, necessitating a review and its withdrawal in 2011.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

‘FG must align its policies to address policy conflicts’ Stories by Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

M

ARGINAL field operators in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to align its policies in other to address the resultant policy conflicts affecting their operations.

They argued that it is time for the government to align its policies in order to avoid multiple regulatory conflicts by its agencies which frustrates the operations of marginal field companies. They also enumerated issues of multiple regulators from the side of government and incessant risk emanating from host communities.

They stated this ashen they converged at the 2016 Africa Small & Marginal Oil Fields Development Conference, with the theme ‘Find It, Commercialise It,’ in London on 17 and 18 August.

Speakers, panelists and participants were drawn from decision makers, senior officers and top players mainly from Government regulatory directorates, national oil companies, independents, indigenous marginal field operators, investment banks, service companies, consulting firms and global industry related media.

Some of the challenges they stated included funding issues, shortage of Forex due to low oil prices, insecurity and deferred production due to attacks by militants, fiscal issues that pertains to royalty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT); low oil prices and market volatility, declining Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) due to country risks, problems of technology, equipment availability, lack of standardised processes, failure of local banks to grow domestic investment market due to funding of International Oil Companies’ (IOC) divestments.

However, the conference provided a forum for gaining insight on available opportunities in Africa; knowledge sharing among industry peers and networking.

Some of the top rated keynote speakers that made presentations at the conference included Emmanuel Bekee, Deputy Director/ Head, Upstream, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigeria; Dr. Amy Jadesimi, Managing Director, LADOL; Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Chairman, Platform Petroleum; Engr. Felix Amieye-Ofori, Managing Director, Energia Ltd; Sam Olotu, Chief Technical Officer, LEKOIL; Engr. Osa Owiedalor, Managing Director, Platform Petroleum; Emmanuel Konyebagu, Group CEO, Platform Petroleum; Damien Mauvais, Managing Director of Standard Bank, London; Adeleke Adedipe, COO, LEKOIL; Joseph Medou, E & P Director, Petrosen; Beal Rogers, CEO, Africa Fortesa and Sunny Oputa of Energy & Corporate Africa.

Conference speakers and participants examined risk and challenges facing the development of marginal fields and what government could do to make marginal oil field operators successful. By looking at how to unlock the potential of marginal

oil fields from the perspective of an indigenous operator, to how another indigenous marginal field operator survived the storm after several pitfalls to become a success story, participants narrowed down various ways of de-risking marginal field and its uncertainties.

Also discussed was the exigency on the part of government to recognise that for the objectives of promoting marginal field development to be achieved fully, government must be proactive to global issues, support marginal field operators and should not use same yard stick to bench mark or regulate marginal field operators and international oil companies.

They also posited that indigenous companies should ensure corporate governance, by avoiding family laden organisation and anything that will dent their reputation,

create a high performance corporate culture to be a preferred place to work by their employees, build strong team with technical and organisational expertise, uphold social license and robust community relations, have proper internal control system, show competency in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), seek for quality alliance/ partnership and invest in human capital to ensure capacity building through quality training.

On a distinct presentation and discussion on how to access capital for the development of marginal oil fields in Africa, it was established that for indigenous operators to receive funding they have to put the right story to banks. This will entail a clear strategy which shows a well defined route to production; presenting a right team that has a track record of value creation and

also indicating that they have done it before.

The indigenous company seeking for fund must also show consistent progress towards production and should not over promise or under-deliver. It is also important that such companies should be able to demonstrate asset value through access to good data, opinion from credible third party and present a well identified upside by way of intents for future acquisition.

Through various didactic quality presentation and panel session on gas monetisation and gas to-power; participants agreed that gas from marginal fields if aggregated in clusters would be a great asset for socio-economic development and gas to power projects will not only drive economic buoyancy but could also de-risk community unrest through the provision of electricity.

From left, Chairman, Oshodi Zonal Electricity Installation Contractors Certification Panel (ZEICCP), Mr Oyinlade Adewale; Managing Director/ CEO, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Mr Peter Ewesor; members of Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN), Mr Joseph Adebayo Coker and Mr Samuel Panah, during the inauguration of Oshodi Zonal Electricity Installation Contractors Certification Panel (ZEICCP) at the National Meter Test Station, Oshodi, Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: OVADJE ELLIOT

Offshore West Africa reschedules Conference to June 2017 OFFSHORE West Africa has rescheduled its 21st Edition of Annual Conference and Exhibition to hold in June 2017, as against its earlier scheduled January 2017 date.

The Managing Director of PennWell International, owners and producer of the exhibitions, Mr Glen Ensor stated that “due to a number of factors, most pressingly the current economic climate facing the oil and gas industry, PennWell Corporation have decided to re-schedule the 21st edition of Offshore West Africa Conference and Exhibition. It is our belief that this change of date will enable our many loyal exhibitors, speakers, sponsors and attendees to benefit further from the event as these economic factors become more manageable.

“Offshore West Africa has over the past years become the premier event for the oil and gas industry within the West African region and it is our aim to further establish this and improve upon

previous editions for the benefit of all who attend.”

Earlier in January this year, the Offshore West Africa took place in Lagos and it was a threeday exhibition of both prominent local and international organisations, a dual-track conference programme and a successful Youth Empowerment Programme (in collaboration with Lonadek and the Energy Institute Nigeria).

It also played host to a record-breaking attendance for the second year in succession with over 2,700 visitors and delegates from more than 40 countries around the world.

Ensor also revealed that the 2017 edition of Offshore West Africa has been granted Trade Fair Certification, enabling PennWell to organise an official United States Pavilion at the prestigious industry event.

Through Certification, the United States Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce recog-

nises PennWell’s professional capability to organise a United States Pavilion and certifies the event as an excellent opportunity to showcase US products and services.

“We are extremely pleased that Offshore West Africa 2017 has been granted Trade Fair Certification from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and as such been enabled to organise a US Pavilion for a variety of U.S. Exhibitors to showcase their industry innovations, technologies, products and services to the West African Oil & Gas marketplace,” he added.

The Managing Director noted that the new addition to the Offshore West Africa event is one of many new initiatives from PennWell for the 2017 event, including further Corporate Social Responsibility Plans, additional exhibition pavilions and other innovative ventures which will enhance the experience of attending this event as either an exhibitor, speaker, delegate or visitor.

Nigerian Tribune

Folawiyo delivers first Lagos oil to UK in Sept THE much anticipated first ever crude oil export cargo from the Aje field, offshore Lagos, will be shipped to the United Kingdom in September.

Following the commencement of the first oil production at the Aje field in May 2016, Panoro Energy, the London-based energy firm in partnership with operator Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited (YFP), announced in July that the first crude oil lifting for export from the Aje field would begin by the end of August.

The company, while announcing its second quarter 2016 results and operations updates on Tuesday, however, said it expected to sell the first cargo of Aje crude during September and that Glencore Energy UK Limited had been selected for its offtake.

The firm confirmed that Nigerian regulators recently officially approved production and the export sale from Aje. It said in the update that the average gross daily production at Aje as calculated from May to mid-August was 5,500 barrels of oil per day (bopd), which included the entire testing, commissioning, and approval period completed in mid-July.

The current AJE partnership is made up of YFP, the operator, New Age (African Global Energy), First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Ltd, Energy Equity Resource, Panoro, and Jacka Resources, PR Oil and gas.

YFP is a wholly owned Nigerian company, and retains the operatorship of OML 113. After over 25 years of exploratory, appraisal and development activities, YFP has successfully pioneered the opening of the Frontier Benin Embayment as the AJE Field is the first to record production from this part of Nigeria and it is the first production outside the Niger Delta region.

Commissioning of the Front Puffin FPSO was successfully completed after its arrival in Nigeria on 16th March 2016. Oil produced from the AJE Field will be stored on the Front Puffin FPSO which has production capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day and storage capacity of 750,000 barrels.

In his comment, the Chairman of YFP, Tunde Folawiyo, said that “the attainment of this milestone is indeed a laudable achievement not just for YFP but for the Nigerian oil and gas industry as a whole and Lagos State which can now be addressed as an oil producing stare.

“Recording this achievement in the present global oil climate together with the peculiar challenges of the field is clearly no mean feat.

We are very proud of and appreciate the efforts, determination and commitment of the entire Aje Project team, past and present. The consistent support from our regulator, the DPR, Ministry of Petroleum Resources and our financiers.

We believe this crucial support will spur us on to even greater achievements.”

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016 Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

APC govs’ search for economic redemption Muhammad Sabiu, who was at the 4th Progressive Governance Lecture Series organised by the Progressives Governors Forum last Thursday, highlights the main issues discussed by members of the forum and their implications for the nation.

Okorocha

I

T was evident that they had become seriously concerned about the rising public agitations on the need to fast track government efforts at bringing succour to the citizenry. The public outcry had taken a dizzying frenzy because of the spiraling effects of globally economic downturn, sharp decline in the price of crude oil in the international market and the abysmal neglect other sectors that had hitherto been the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. Thus, a number of frontline actors in the present federal and state administrations that converged on Kaduna, the political headquarters of the North on August 25, had the singular agenda of giving fillip to the system, especially at the state level.

Indeed, the 4th Progressive Governance Lecture Series, organised by the Progressives Governors Forum was quite eventful.

As the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Indoor Hall, Kaduna, venue of the epic event had previously hosted important political events, this meeting of the APC governors would not be an exception. The topic of discussion was equally apt as Nigerians eagerly waited to see how the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would tackle the mirage of economic, social and political woes facing the country. A civil servant who was at the venue of the event and pleaded for anonymity, captured the present reality of the country. He declared that the prices of food stuffs and other consumables were beyond the reach of most Nigerians. According to him, he came to the hall to hear what the guest speaker, a former Central Bank Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, would say on the topic: Building The Economy of States: Challenge of Developing In-

Gov Yari

clusively Sustainable Growth.

At exactly 12 noon, the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, was ushered into the spacious hall in company of the host governor, Mallam Nasir el-rufai; chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Mr Rochas Okorocha, and chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari. After the usual exchange of banters and the national anthem, Governor el-rufai set the ball rolling by declaring that the country was facing an unprecedented economic crisis. The governor, who attributed to the present crisis to both the past and the present circumstances, maintained that there must be a fundamental shift from what Nigerians are doing as a country in order to progress and develop.

According to him, the worst job in the country is to become a governor. Nonetheless, he commended Osinbajo, the chairman of the National Economic Council, for his commitment in ensuring that regular meetings of the council are held to find solutions to the economic woes bedevilling the country.

el-Rufai

Osinbajo agreed that the country was indeed facing an economic crisis but he added that the crisis was not insurmountable. According to him, the country has the capacity to be a great nation. He remarked that no country in Africa had human and material resources like Nigeria, saying “what is paramount is for us to bring our act together and make a difference.” He added: “Without us taking responsibility for our problems, little could be done. We have a few years to transform this country and I believe those seated in this hall here are the ones saddled with the task to make the difference.” He noted that though it could take months and even years to overcome some of the issues, the APC leaders must make things happen.

In his own remarks, Okorocha stated that the governance lecture series was organised to find common grounds on which to develop and promote global best practices on some of the major challenges facing the states. He disclosed: “The challenge before us today is how to reposition the economic situation of our people.” With crude oil revenue plummeting to the lowest level in recent times

APC needs to come clean with Nigeria, explain to Nigerians the agenda and steps it intends to take within the time line to get there.

and with allocation to states from the Federation Account diminishing by about 60 per cent, he said it was apparent that the country was facing a serious economic recession. Okorocha stated that more than 120 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line, earning less than N400 per day. The APC leaders, he said, would therefore need to think outside the box with a view to having a better country.

“I reiterate my optimism and confidence that APC leaders, as ably led by President Muhammadu Buhari, are irreversibly committed to bequeathing not only the change promise but the Nigeria of our dream.”

However, the guest speaker, Professor Soludo began by saying that when he was invited to speak on the topic he thought he would only be addressing the APC leaders, only to be confronted by a cross section of Nigerians at the hall. He said he was confused on what to do because, “this is the moment to say the truth.” And the audience responded: “Tell us the truth!”

The former CBN governor noted that, over the years, Nigerians had been living in a fool’s paradise, adding that now is the time to start rebuilding and getting things right. The professor of Economics faulted the current monetary policy of the APC government, saying that the Nigerian economy, in terms of the dollar, had collapsed by 50 per cent. He maintained that no state could develop sustainably if the overall governance and economy were in crisis. He also alluded to the point raised

by Okorocha that most Nigerians were living in abject poverty. Soludo noted that 11 states in the North, with the highest population growth and affected by desertification, were the ones suffering from the worst form of poverty in Nigeria. He said: “55 million people in 11 states are under serious threat (Adamawa; Bauchi; Borno; Gombe; Katsina; Jigawa; Kano; Kebbi; Sokoto; Yobe; Zamfara) and these account for 40 per cent of Nigeria’s land.” Incidentally, he said, these states were also the poorest in Nigeria, with crop yields dropping by 20 per cent.

To this end, he maintained that “the collapse of oil price was a great opportunity and blessing for Nigeria, as it offers ample room for the states to improve on their revenue from the less than 5 per cent of GDP they currently record.” Nonetheless, he expressed the belief that the country could get out of the woods, as he noted that this would be the first time Nigeria would be expected to transform its economy without external conditionalities. He recalled that in the previous administrations, economic policies were being monitored and teleguided by the super powers and other multi-lateral organisations.

He warned that the government must have the discipline to see its programmes through, stressing that the way out of the poverty cycle for the states would be to develop the education sector so that the children of the poor would be given the same opportunity as others to participate in the economy. He contended that APC governors should move from an election winning coalition that only wanted to grab power to a governing team. “With the control of the Federal Government and 23 states in the country, the APC has no excuse to fail. The APC should go back to its manifesto and instigate frameworks that will engender the atmosphere for growth as Nigeria cannot develop with the current structure where institutions are created only to share from the federation account,” he added.

25 politics&policy President Muhammadu Buhari returned from Nairobi, Kenya last Sunday after attending the sixth meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), hoping he had made a case for more Japanese assistance for Nigeria as he bids to steer the country back to the path of economic prosperity. LEON USIGBE, who was at the summit, writes on its outcomes.

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Nigeria: Looking to Japan for economic revival

l

ast weekend, President Muhammadu Buhari, led a delegation to Nairobi, Kenya to participate in the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), joining 34 other leaders from the continent.

Launched in 1993, TICAD is a panAfrican development forum pioneered

by Japan to promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners. It is co-organised by the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC). Its innovative approaches include advocating African ownership and the international community’s partnership; promoting the participation of international organizations, donor countries, the private sector and non-governmental organisations to Japan-led aid initiatives; and creating follow-up and review mechanisms to ensure progresses of each project. All previous five meetings of TICAD were held in Japan. The sixth meeting in Nairobi with the theme: Advancing Africa’s sustainable development agenda TICAD partnership for prosperity was thus the first to be held on African soil.

At the conference, Japan and nations sought a new type of win-win partnership amid unstable social and economic conditions on both divides.

They attended the conference hopeful of an evolution of a new framework that will create a sustainable business and investment environment that can withstand sharp drops in commodity prices and fight escalating threats such as terrorism, which hampers growth.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on his part, was keen to promote Japanese businesses and push for a bigger share in the last frontier as global players such as China are competing aggressively to gain access to the market.

He observed at the summit that Africa had made substantial progress as a continent, keying into some cuttingedge technologies, some of them provided by young Japanese, which have brought benefits to the people of Africa. But, he recognised that problems remain in Africa though they can be solved. “Whatever problems there are in Africa, they are quite simply there to be solved, period,” he observed in his opening address at the summit, where he also noted: “And Japan is a country that ardently hopes to resolve the issues facing Africa together with Africa, and will not let up in its efforts.”

Abe told the African leaders that his country would “indulge in as much vitality and self-confidence as we can

Buhari from you, when you are moving forward with your eyes firmly fixed on the future.” He said that was why some 70 Japanese companies sent executives to the Nairobi TICAD meeting. Stressing the Japanese renewed interest in Africa, he said: “We have a feeling in our gut that in Africa, where possibilities abound, Japan can grow vigorously.

Japanese companies can grow vigorously. It is Japanese companies that are committed to quality. Theirs is a manufacturing philosophy that holds

each individual worker in high esteem. Our hunch is that the time has come to make the best of Japan’s capabilities, Japanese companies’ capabilities, for the advancement of Africa, where you seek nothing but quality in your socio-economic development. We must not let a good opportunity slip away.”President Buhari was delighted that Japan had kept faith with TICAD with demonstrable commitment towards the realisation of its objectives since its inception, especially given the

Our vision and objective is to make Nigeria one of the most attractive and the easiest places of doing business in the world.

fact that it already implements some other initiatives like the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017, the official Development Aid and investments from Japan to Africa, as well as the joint engagement: “African Development towards the 21st Century: the Tokyo Agenda for Action,” a landmark action Plan aimed at achieving key deliverables.

Buhari emphasised the imperative of a viable partnership like TICAD, in view of the challenges Africa is facing, saying: “Today, many countries in Africa including the oil-producing ones are wisely seeking to diversify their economies away from monocropping.” He believes that a partnership of this nature with Japan will help efforts in transforming African economies. He listed areas ripe for cooperation to include Industries, agriculture, Information Technology, Science and Technology, etc., which he said will be of great benefits to Africa and to investors from Japan.

TICAD VI provided Buhari the opportunity to publicly praise the government of Japan for its assistance to Nigeria in recent times particularly in the effort to defeat Boko Haram where Japanese assistance has been helpful as well as fighting diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis for which Japan has recently donated $800million as part of the $1.3billion made available to the Nigerian Health Sector by the Global Fund. “The Japanese assistance through the United Nations Children’s Fund in the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram has been very heart warming,” Buhari told the TICAD VI summit.

He was also desperate to lure more Japanese private sector players to invest in Nigeria by telling them that one his most important priorities was to create the right and enabling environment for business and investors in Nigeria. “Our vision and objective is to make Nigeria one of the most attractive and the easiest places of doing business in the world. We believe government has a particular responsibility to create right and attractive environment for businesses and economic activities to thrive,” he assured.

The summit ended with the adoption of a three-year plan titled the Nairobi Declaration that seeks to promote structural economic transformation, resilient healthcare systems and social stability for shared prosperity.

Prime Minister Abe told Buhari and the other African leaders that his country would commit $30 billion in public and private support for infrastructure development, education and healthcare expansion in the continent in the next three years. Nigeria can hope for a piece of the pie.

26

politics&policy

Wednesday, 31 August, 2015

APC, Buhari not behind PDP’s woes—Kaze Honourable Bitrus Kaze is a two-term member of House of Representative and staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party. In this interview with ISAAC SHOBAYO, the former federal lawmaker speaks on the impasse in the party and other issues. Excerpts:

W

ERE you part of the last PDP convention in Porthacourt where the tenure of Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee was extended by 12 months?

I didn’t go to the Port Harcourt convention because there was an Abuja court judgement which had not been appealed or set aside by the Court of Appeal, which says the tenure of the national chairman and 18 others would last till 2018. A court in Lagos said there must not be election into the office of the national chairman, secretary, auditor and others. Because of those injunctions, I think the Port Harcourt convention was in disobedience ofcourt order. That is why I didn’t go. Some people are saying the blockade of the convention was a blessing to PDP, the caretaker said a convention was held. It is still a controversial convention and more controversial than the initial one.

Given the conflicting court judgments, it being alleged by some PDP members that the ruling APC is fuelling the crisis. Do you subscribe to this?

I align absolutely with the elder statesman, Doyin Okupe, who said I am in an opposition party, I never voted for President Buhari, I have never voted for APC and I can tell you that you can blame anybody. You cannot blame President Buhari or APC for the travail that has befallen PDP of late. Was it Buhari that sent Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Ayo Fayose to go and call Ali Modu-Sheriff to be our party chairman? Was it APC that sat down in Wadata Plaza and overwhelmingly voted for Sheriff against others that were brought from the North East?

Remember that the name Sheriff was

not even listed, yet he was elected at the NEC meeting in Abuja.

We know how to blame opposition, we know how to blame the government in power but on this count, personally, I don’t see any reason why I should blame them because it is our own making. We knew Sheriff very well, we knew for example that he was barely two years in the PDP, we knew that the man had not fulfilled the constitutional provision of the party. But we went ahead to legalise illegality.

If President Buhari has done anything to aid Sheriff, it is our making. We gave him the opportunity in the first place. If we had thrown out impunity and insisted on fair play, credibility, certainly, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

But why is it difficult to resolve the impasse?

It is our expectation that we will overcome the crisis. PDP is an abbreviation of People’s Democratic Party, the first word is people. The party is owned by the people and that is why the slogan is “Power to the people.” Those who founded the party had it in mind that the supreme will of the people shall be the final decision of the party. Unfortunately, impunity has taken over, credibility has lost its place, fair play is a stranger to the party. Justice, equity and fair play have no place in the party. In the party today, a few caucus party leaders have become a cartel and formed themselves into law.

When we lost election, the party became sober. It establishedthe Ekweremadu post-election committee and the deputy Senate President did an excellent work because he came out with a report that was accepted and commended by everybody.

As I speak to you, that report has been

totally jettisoned. So, how do you expect PDP to come out of the problem? Somebody said it somewhere that our party finds it difficult to tolerate court adjudication because once a matter is taken to Aso Rock, it would be sorted out in the name of family affair.

Now, we are no longer in government, we are now in opposition. No matter how powerful the party may be, it cannot be more powerful than the constitution of the country which established from which it derives its power. So, every citizen whether he belongs to PDP or APC is free to approach the court once they are aggrieved. Eventually, we have seen that the power of the court is affecting the smooth running of the party.

Are you satisfied with the silence of National Judicial Commission (NJC) on the conflicting judgements?

I heard that the NJC is taking steps in this regard. Nobody is happy with the conflicting judgements. I can tell you that the conflicting judgments that you are seeing is the transfer of the impunity from the PDP that is reflecting on our judiciary. If PDP had sorted out itself fairly, nobody would have gone to court in the first place. These judgements can be sorted out very clearly because there was an established record of who went to court first, which judgement came up first, which was disobeyed first, which orders are still subsisting and which cannot subsist.

The person who the case handed over to and who was never assigned the case— all this can be established. I believe that the NJC will address the situation. Some of those issuing conflicting judgements might be correct, but those wrong must be sanctioned. They have not helped the PDP. Unfortunately, the Court of Appeal has not made any pronouncement.

Do you suspects or see the hand of fifth columnists in the crisis?

From the comment of all the contending parties in the PDP, I am not sure who

Kaze

is free. I suspect there might be fifth columnist. Why I said so is that one of the prominent contenders to the seat of the national chairman said if they were not able to arrive or reach agreement with any of the contending parties, it meant invariably that the other group would have to look the other way. Also, a prominent party leader from the South-West said if the other party did not agree with the terms on ground, they would abandon the carcasse of the party and form another one. It is clear to me that even if there is no fifth columnist, there are people behind the scene or that some of our party leaders may already be looking the other way.

If people continue grand standing and not willing to shift ground at all, certaintly, there could be other options they are considering. If somebody said they would leave the party in the hands of his opponent and let the party die, there is something to it. I don’t know if it is the work of fifth columnists or not. But from the pronouncements of our party leaders, certainly, they are looking beyond PDP.

‘No factions in Oyo PDP’ Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia is a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of the leaders of the party in Oyo State. In this interview with NURUDEEN ALIMI, shares his thoughts on the party’s convention in Port Harcourt, as well as the state of the party in Oyo State. common occurrence in any political party and other non-political organisations . As a matter of fact, the crisis rocking some political parties are more than that of the PDP, they are just trying to sweep it under the carpet. So, I am very sure the issues at hand in the PDP will be resolved internally and it is also my believe that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, therefore, All will be well with the party as soon as possible.

Olopoenia

WHAT is your take on what can be described as the botched PDP national convention in Port Harcourt recently?

What transpired in Port Harcourt is no big deal as far as I am concerned. It is a

As one of the leaders of the party in Oyo State, are you aware that there are PDP factions in the state?

To the best of my knowledge, there are no factions and there can never be one.

As far as I am concerned, there is only one PDP in the state and that is the Yinka Taiwo-led executive. I will say it is gravious for anyone to say the PDP State Oyo

State is divided. Although there there is internal crisis in the party, that does not suggest in any way that there are factions.

It is important to state here that PDP, despite not being at the helms of affairs in the state at the moment, remains and will forever remain a force to reckon with in the political circle. I will only advise those who are thinking of forming another faction to have a rethink as there will be no room for such. The party remains one in Oyo State and we will do everything possible to make all the party members a united force.

There are reports that there is indee the Senator Ayo Adeseun group. What exactly is the situation?

I learnt the group has dragged the chairman of the PDP in Oyo State, Yinka

Taiwo, to court. Let me state categorically that the group has no locus standi to drag Taiwo to court. With what we have on the ground, the group cannot lay claim to the control of the party in the state. The reason I said the group cannot function is that the leader of the group who is from Ogbomoso, to the best of my knowledge, is only in control of one local government out the five from the zone.

Former House Leader, Honourable Mulikat Akande, is fully in charge of three local government areas, while Honourable Olusegun Odebunmi representing Ogo Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives has full grip of one local government. Even in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo and Oke-Ogun zones, no notable politician from these zones is with him.

By the grace of God, Oyo PDP will witness a turnaround which will make it the envy of other political parties as new members will be willing to join. Let me also state emphatically that most of our notable members in the state are ready to return to the party in order to take it to an enviable height.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

features

Lagos rain of fury, agony

One of the flooded sections

Gbemi Solaja- Lagos

E

lectric cables laid bare on the ground, the heavy storm which blew during the 17-hour rain washed them across Ogunyomi Street in Oworo; a red taxi struggled to hold its balance in the thick rain water around Alapere. Cars of different makes and sizes were trapped in the rain water for hours along the Lagos - Abeokuta express road. A house on the Ijesha Street was submerged in rain water; television sets, fridges, radio, kitchen utensils swam across one another in a particular compound in Ifako. At Owutu, residents scooped water out of their houses throughout the day. This was the state of things after the downpour in different locations in Lagos.

In Nigeria’s commercial capital, it is never pleasant when the clouds thicken and the atmosphere is blurred. Within

the blink of an eye, anxiety and apprehension pervades the air.

“Rainfall is not a negative thing, but in Lagos it appears to have become a nightmare. It is no longer prayed or wished for.

It is usually a time of extreme anxiety and shock because you don’t know what will happen,” Sade, a resident of Ifako stated.

Now, after the recent downpour which swept across the city, residents in the flood prone areas tell their tales with teary eyes. For these people who live in flood prone areas, the psychological effect of the rains is disheartening.

Ilasanmaja, Ojuelegba, Agege, Mushin, Oworonsoki, Iyana-Ipaja, Surulere down

We always experience this problem every time it rains heavily; the road on both sections become heavily flooded and it is not uncommon to find water flooding our shops. During such periods, business activities become totally paralysed

to Lagos-Abeokuta expressway roads are always flooded whenever it rains Residents of highbrow areas of Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah were not spared either.

“It depends on how many hours it rained and even more the time of the day. All I can say is that it has never been funny anytime it rains around here in Oworonsoki,” said Moyo while describing a typical raining day within the metropolis.

“The anxiety and panic associated with losing properties and items to flood is damaging, and recovering from the experience is never easy,” Tola insisted.

“Many houses in the area become lagoons when it rains. I am tired of the flood situation here. I have lost almost all my electronics to this flooding of a thing,” Ivie, a mechanic commented.

“Many commuters get stranded and the traffic situation is just burdensome Continues on pg28

features Despite being partially deaf, technologically-gifted Nigerian builds DVD device 28

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

By Adewale Oshodi

Maja with the device

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T a time when Nigeria is going through serious economic challenges, and there are calls for the country to diversify the economy from being oil dependent one to the manufacturing sector, this may be the best period for the country to value its creative minds.

In the past, Nigerian citizens have displayed great intelligence with innovations that if they were from other countries of the world, they would have been rewarded and compensated due to their creativity.

We’ve had Nigerians develop cars, helicopters, telecommunication transmitters, televisions, and even attempted ground breaking vaccines like the HIV/AIDS vaccine, among others, but being a country that kills dreams, none of these brains ever thrived with their innovations.

As a result, one wonders what the future will have for Ayodele Maja, a 26-year-old partially deaf young man who has developed a DVD player. The DVD today is popular among Nigerians, particularly the youth. Ayodele’s innovation is definitely enough to turn him into a millionaire, if properly managed.

However, as the country is struggling to diversify its economy, it is expected that the necessary government agencies will support Ayodele’s innovation. Ayodele’s DVD, incased in plastic, is not different from the regular imported DVD players.

It can be controlled remotely, and can even work for several hours, since it is specially developed not to overheat even if powered on for several days.

While Ayodele’s DVD player might look beautiful, his life has been a struggle.

After working as a bus driver for several years, plying Ibadan to Abuja, he felt he had had enough when the struggle for leadership in the Oyo State’s National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) was brewing.

“Even before that, the owner of the bus I was driving was not treating me well, and when the leadership crisis started, I felt it was time to quit.

“Because I had flair for electronics, I decided I needed to go and get formal training in electronics. This I did for just three months; that was enough for me to

set out on my own.

“I began getting clients, and I was doing fairly well. I can repair television, radio, DVDs, computers, and all that, but the idea of building DVDs didn’t just come to me.

“I needed money so badly some time ago and I had so sell the DVD I was using, but I was not comfortable not having a DVD player I could be using to watch films and listen to music; but because I already know everything about electronics, I just

pieced together some components I had bought when I last travelled to Lagos, and behold, it worked well.

“I had the DVD machine encased in a plastic container, and when I was using it in my shop, somebody saw it and marveled. He then asked me to sell it to him, which I did for N4,000.

“Since then, I have had several other orders, with many clients coming back to buy for their friends and relatives. There was

My years as a commercial bus driver could be described as my years in the ‘desert,’ but I believe that I have found my calling now

Our communities are in a mess—Residents Continued from pg27

any time. Virtually all the roads around Agege Motor Road from Ladipo to Ikeja cannot be navigated when it rains. No matter the intensity of the rain, this area is always flooded,” Oye lamented.

Oworonsoki/Bariga residents were also devastated as a result of the rain on Saturday, with many describing the losses as just irreparable.

While recounting his ordeal, Mr Ojo, a father of four said, “We were all stranded as there was simply no road to pass.

Roads were completely flooded that one couldn’t differentiate where a gutter was and where a road was.”

While narrating his experience, a resident of Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, who craved anonymity, said some parts of his community was flooded with rain water after the downpour that started at midnight in Ikorodu.

“My entire community is a complete mess, as all ditches, potholes and drain-

ages were all covered by brownish rain water. Cars got stuck for hours, and my entire business came to a standstill,” he further lamented.

Similarly, another resident of Area 1 Estate at Adura area of Agbado, Mr Simeon Odeleye, complained that rainy season always brought untold hardship on everyone around, including traders, who he said often had their businesses crippled as a result of water flooding their shops and stalls.

“We always experience this problem every time it rains heavily; the road on both sections become heavily flooded and it is not uncommon to find water flooding our shops. During such periods, business activities become totally paralysed and everywhere will be very messy,” he lamented.

Mrs Enitan Oworu, who lives in Lekki area of Lagos, noted that many parts of Lekki often turns to no-go areas due to the difficulty in accessing roads, while in very bad situations, houses could even

be flooded. “Anytime there is a major downpour, everything in Lekki comes to a standstill. The roads become flooded with water while the drainages tend to overflow with rain water,” she said.

In his account, Mr Chuks Onwuka, a resident of Abule Taylor area of Agbado, gave an account of how he crashed his newly refurbished vehicle as a result of the state of his street road, which he said was made worse by hours of rain.

“For about two days, I could not go out with my car because the rain had completely made my street road very unusable; the road leading in and out of my street is so bad that any time it rains vehicles will not be able to go out or come in,” he said.

“But on Monday, I felt I had to go out with my car because I felt the road was dry enough. I had barely driven a few meters from the gate of my house when my vehicle skidded off the road and hit a fence closeby, I am only grateful to God that nobody was anywhere close by, because

even one I did that had television screen on it, and it was working perfectly before I sold it.

Now, what is the next step for Ayodele? “I want to be able to mass produce the device so that it can become cheaper. I want to be selling them for just N2,500 because there are still many people who can’t afford the N4,000 I currently sell them.

“Apart from that, I want to urge the Nigerian government to assist me so that I can go to the United States or Japan to learn how to produce the intelligent circuit (IC) which is the brain power of all electronics.

“If I can get this opportunity, then I can return and also create a more beautiful case for the device so that I can be producing them en masse.

“The Nigerian government should not forget that Japan, South Korea, United States, Germany, among many other countries, developed through technology, and this is really the time to support those who are innovative technologically so that we can also develop our manufacturing sector.

“If the government, or even wealthy individuals can assist me, then I can export the device to other developing countries, particularly in Africa; one area where mine will be different is that it will be cheaper compared to the ones imported from Asia,” Ayodele said.

Despite not having formal tertiary education, Ayodele, who is hard at hearing, said he had always been fascinated by electronics.

“Right from my young age, I have always loved to dismantle electronics, particularly radio and television, and I believe this is my true calling.

“My years as a commercial bus driver could be described as my years in the ‘desert,’ but I believe that I have found my calling now.

“I just want the Nigerian government, and even wealthy businessmen to invest in what I am doing, and there will be huge benefit for both parties.

“Nigeria can be the leader in technology in Africa, but this will be determined by how the country supports its citizens who are technologically-gifted.

“I am, therefore, calling on the Nigerian government, through the Minister of Science and Technology, to support my innovation so that we can begin to build a country that can thrive through technology,” Ayodele said.

I would have definitely hit that person,” Mr Onwuka stated “Here, about three families have vacated this house. At present, there are two of us in the compound. The rain was just too much. My other neighbour moved out yesterday evening because he could not fix the damages in his room to enable him pass the night,” Isiaka, a resident of Masha stated.

“It was not until Monday that we could go out of the house, the entire road was covered with mud and the other side flooded. Throughout yesterday nobody moved from their rooms, we stayed indoors “The government has to do something about this flooding issue. It is very serious, people loose properties worth millions of naira. Just yesterday, my friend down the street told me how she almost lost her daughter while she was struggling to safeguard her electronics and stop rain water from gushing into her kitchen,” Oyetomi declared.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

maka nd’igbo Erosion in South-East zone worsens Jude Ossai - Enugu

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ROSION has become a serious threat in all the five states namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States that make up the southeast geo-political zone.

Nigerian Tribune's investigation revealed that erosion devastation is real in Igbo land as some parts of the zone have had their soil, rock removed from one location to another.

The worst hit is Anambra State where gully erosion has displaced many families from their ancestral land.

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, is also at the precipice of going under as facilities, which include the Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) and auditorium of the institution under construction may be destroyed by an encroaching gully unless something is done to save them.

It was gathered that the school had sunk

over N8bllion into erecting some of the structures now being threatened.

Further checks showed that in Anambra State alone, more than 900 erosion sites exist in over 177 communities. Notable among them are Oko, Ebenebe, Nanka, and Agulu.

A resident in Agulu, who simply identified himself as Ifeanyichukwu, said erosion had devastated their land, making many of them homeless.

A gully erosion site at Omogba, Enugu State

Respite for rural dwellers in Enugu as Ugwuanyi assures of even development Jude Ossai - Enugu GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured the people of his administration’s commitment to provide development projects in every council area in the state, praying for the turn-around of the state economy.

Ugwuanyi, who spoke through the Chairman of the Enugu State Urban Renewal Committee, Architect Chris Offor during the committee’s inspection tour of the ongoing construction works in the state noted that the present administration carefully designed a blueprint of development strategy that would ensure the execution of projects in all the communities in the state.

He regretted that the present economic challenges in the country had slowed down the vision.

Offor said that Governor Ugwuanyi still maintained his vision to give every council area in the state a sense of belonging, adding that his administration was on the verge of awarding contracts for the construction of 25 roads, including bridges, across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

He, therefore, called on communities that were yet to feel the impact of the administration to exercise patience and continue to offer special prayers for a positive turnaround in the nation’s economy.

The chairman disclosed that the tremendous achievements the governor had been able to record so far were in keeping with his promises as contained in his inaugural address, assuring that rapid development would still be extended to

other areas.

Offor also commended the quality of work done by most of the construction companies handling the road projects, stressing that it was in line with the promise the governor made to the people of the state to provide quality leadership for the overall benefit of the state.

He noted that Nike Lake, Abakpa Nike and 9th by pass roads, started by the present administration, had been completed.

Responding on behalf of other construction companies, the project manager of Ferotex Construction Company, Mr John Nkwueke, thanked the state government for its support and cooperation, which he said, made it possible for them to deliver quality work within the agreed time frame.

Ifeanyichukwu, however, blamed the problem of the erosion on human activities especially indiscriminate dumping of waste products as well as felling of trees.

A report from Abia State also tells of untold hardship the people of OhafiaArochukwu axis and the Umunneoche Local Government Area are undergoing as a result of life-threatening natural disaster.

The people of Nguzu-Edda and Abia Iwerre communities in Afikpo South Local Government Council, Ebonyi, have some of the worst erosion sites in the region.

It was also learnt that the Federal Government is leaving the erosion problem to the affected people alone to solve the problem as it has merely, through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), intervened in the area.

But the irony is that the more the government intervenes, the more new erosion sites are discovered. For instance, as of now, the NEWMAP is intervening in Amachalla gully in Awka South, UruokpalaUmudunu erosion in Abagana Njikoka, St. Thomas Aquinas/Nero Plaza in Awka, and the New Heritage erosion site at Omogba, Onitshayet new erosion sites are developing in the area.

In Imo, the Akwakuma erosion has narrowed the road to Onitsha and other adjoining areas. For Enugu, parts of Udi and Ezeagu, on the Enugu- Onitsha road, are seriously ravaged by erosion. The road, which is a dual carriage way, has been reduced to one lane with various parts of the road washed off. In Enugu State, respite seems to be on the way of the people of the state’s 29 communities as they are benefitting from NEWMAP intervention in erosion control.

Disclosing this at a roundtable media conference as part of its activities to mark the World Environmental Day in Enugu recently, the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mrs Agatha Lechukwu , said that N20milion had been earmarked for the beneficiaries to start their livelihood, stressing that that there were extensive community mobilisations and sensitisations on erosion control measures.

“The innovative is a multi-sectoral project which supports state-led interventions to prevent and reverse land degradation on a demand-driven basis.

Initially, it was focused on gully erosion sites in the southeast states that threatened infrastructure and livelihoods as well as re-establishing and securing ecosystem functions in the North especially states in the Sokoto-Rima and Niger basins”, she added.

According to her, “NEWMAP uses a holistic watershed management approach and the use of world best practices in engineering designs and structures and no less attention to livelihood issues. We apply bio-remediation measures which is the use of vegetation (grass) to complement civil works in treated gully erosion areas to enhance regeneration.”

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016 30 news Plateau PDP accuses Lalong of reckless spending

It is figment of your imagination —Lalong Isaac Shobayo - Jos

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau State, has accused Governor Simon Lalong of reckless spending and challenged him to explain how over N97 billion received as revenue in the past one year was spent without anything to show for it.

In a swift reaction, Governor Lalong, through his

Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, said the figure was a figment of the party’s imagination, adding that PDP in the state is still suffering from postelection trauma.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, the state chairman of PDP, Honourable Damishi Sango, said despite the huge sum received, it was not utilised towards alleviating the suffering of the people, adding that more than a year,

the people are still languishing under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

Sango also want the governor to explain why his administration spent N1.4 billion to purchase and install GPRS tracking devices in 100 cars, adding this translates to N14 million to track a car for a year.

The PDP chairman further accused the APC- led administration of creating

Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (right), interacting with corps members at the launch of the 2016 tree planting campaign at Bissalam Village, Dange/Shuni Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Sokoto to commence production of anti-malnutrition supplements FOLLOWING the increase in number of malnour-

Convention

THE key of Salvation World Outreach and Deliverance Ministries (KOSWODEM), Salvation Chapel, Adenuga Area, Gbongan, Osun State, will hold the 2016 annual prayer conference tagged: “Peace be still”, at the Salvation Chapel, on Thursday, September 1 to Friday, September 9, at 5.00a.m. and 5.00p.m daily.

It will feature fire conference for all ministries and church workers, from Thursday, September 1 to Saturday, September 3.

Evangelist Lanre Blessing, is the host minister.

Evangelist Lanre Blessing

ished children in Nigeria, especially, in the Northern states, the Sokoto State government said it will start producing Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a nutrient used for treating malnutrition.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Shehu Balarabe, who said this in Sokoto, said the state government can no longer afford to continue to spend on the importation of RUTF, which is produced from groundnut paste.

“In the past, we imported Ready to Use Therapeutic Food from South Africa and United States. However, we’re now working to stop that. We will soon start producing it here in Sokoto.

“RUTF is highly nutritious and is made from groundnut paste. We also thank God that Dangote is investing in the production of the drug in Nigeria, so we commend him for that.”

Balarabe said that if proper measures are tak-

en, all that was needed in Nigeria for proper nutrition is available. He added that “breastfeeding can save Nigeria in excess of N300 billion every year.

Breastfeeding is part of nutrition and it’s free.”

Earlier, a nutrition specialist, UNICEF, Sokoto field office, Paul Mudzongo, had, charged the newsmen to wake-up to their responsibilities by holding public office holders accountable as they discharge their duties, so as to ensure transparency in the way they utilise funds allocated to children-related issues.

He also urged the media to be in the front burner through their reportage in getting government committed in the fight against malnutrition.

Mudzongo, advocated a renewed commitment and immediate attention by governments at all levels in Nigeria to curb the trend of malnutrition by adopting a comprehensive state and multi-sectoral nutrition strategic action.

unnecessary distraction by engaging in whipping up sentiments and controversy over the handover notes from the previous administration.

Reacting to the allegations, the state governor, through Nanle, said all the allegations were just an attempt to stir up controversy and sentiment to cover up their failure.

Nanle said that the figure reeled out by the opposition party were far away from the truth, adding that the government only received a sum of N10.5 billion from the bail out and N14 billion for budget support fund ,adding that the latter was a loan in principle, staggered for 13months.

The Director of Press and Public Affairs, who said the allegation of N14 billion for GPRS and trackers, were figment of the party’s imagination, challenged PDP in the state to throw the vouchers of those figures in public domain, instead of concocting imaginary figures to spite the administration on a rescue mission.

“So, they are just waking up from their slumber, it is good for them. But, we are challenging them to come up with vouchers to back up their claim and place it

in public domain because credible opposition is borne out of fact. From all indica-

tions, they are yet to come out of post-election trauma,” he said.

Edo 2016: Court strikes out Ize-Iyamu’s case

AN FCT High Court, on Tuesday, struck out Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s suit on the disputed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Edo State governorship election slated for September10 The judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, struck out the suit following a notice of discontinuance by Ize-Iyamu’s counsel.

Adeniyi, in his ruling, also refused the application to award cost to the defendants but struck out the case from the court’s list.

He said “this suit is hereby struck out from the course list of this court.

“I shall not be awarding any cost in order to enable the plaintiff reconcile with the third defendant.’’

Ize-Iyamu’s counsel, Mr Chidi Aninwoya, had informed the court that his client had filed a notice of discontinuance in the suit.

Ibrahim Mohammed, the counsel tothe Independent National Electoral Commissin( INEC) and Edward Aibangbee, who represented Iduoeyekemwen, did not oppose the withdrawal of

the suit.

While Aigbangbee requested the court to grant his client N100, 000 cost, Aninwoya urged the court not to grant the request to award cost.

Ize-Iyamu had filed an originating summons challenging the alleged planned move by INEC to substitute him for another candidate at the forthcoming governorship election.

Ize-Iyamu participated in the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee organised on June 20, party governorship primaries in Edo State and scored 584 votes to defeat two other aspirants, Mathew Idurioeyekemwen and Mr Solomon Edebiri.

In the originating summons, Ize-Iyamu argued that INEC, under sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act 2010 as (Amended), did not have the power or the right to substitute a candidate for a political party.

He, therefore, urged the court to restrain INEC from carrying out its alleged plans to substitute him as the party’s candidate for the Edo governorship election.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

FUNERAL SERVICE OF PRINCESS EYINADE OYINDAMOLA OMIDIORA, JP (NEE ADESOJI-ADEREMI), WIFE OF BALOGUN BISI OMIDIORA, BALOGUN OF IFE, AGED 81 YEARS ON SAT. 6TH AUGUST, 2016 AT ST PETERS’ ANGLICAN CHURCH, IREMO, ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE

Chief E.A. Shonekan, GCFR, former head of Interim National Government consoling Balogun Bisi Omidiora (husband to the deceased) with former Director of UAC, Mrs Onasanya.

From left, Mr Adedokun Omidiora, Balogun Bisi Omidiora and Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief Titi Laoye Tomori.

From left, Chief Joseph Sanusi , former CBN Governor, former VC, OAU, Ile-Ife, Professor Wale Omole, Balogun Bisi Omidiora and another guest.

Balogun Bisi Omidiora with Chiefs and Obas representing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at the reception at Ile-Ife.

Balogun Bisi Omidiora and his children performing the dust to dust rites on Princess Eyinade Oyindamola Omidiora.

From left, Balogun Bisi Omidiora, Chief A. Odeyemi and Mrs Aina Sowemimo Coker at the service.

General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd) and Chief Aluko Sasere of Ilesa.

Chief Lawrence Amu (left) and Chief Femi Okunnu.

Senior Chiefs representing the Oba of Lagos, Oba Akiolu at the thanksgiving service, Ile-Ife.

A cross section of Balogun Bisi Omidiora’s children.

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south-westnews

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Iwo Road, Agodi, Akobo, Odo-Ona identified flood prone areas in Oyo •As govt sets to commence dredging of 14 rivers

By Wale Akinselure

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N view of rainfall hitting its peak period of the year, Oyo State government has cautioned residents of flood prone areas of Ibadan, like Akobo, Sawmill, Temidire, Ebenezery, Gbaremu, Omi, Aba Alamu on the need to evacuate whenever rain persisted for over 30 minutes.

This is just as the state’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said it had engaged contractors to commence the dredging of 14 identified streams and rivers and unblocking of blocked drainages at Iwo Road interchange and Agodi Gate area of Ibadan.

As a matter of urgency, the streams and rivers identified for dredging are located in Aba Alamu, Osun Abolowojaiye, Ebenezery, Owode, Temidire-Oje-Beyerunka, Omi, Oloro, Ayedada-EgbedaTuba-Papa Eleye, Foworogun River, Gbaremu, Arooye Stream, Anifalaje, Yokele and Odo Ona. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Isaac Ishola, had earlier hinted of the commencement of sensitisation against dumping refuse in drainages, and avoiding low, broken, submerged bridges and culverts, whenever rain persisted for about 30 minutes.

Coordinator, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, Mr Dayo Ayorinde, assured of collaborative efforts with the ministry to ensure that the dredging of the 14 rivers commenced immediately.

He hinged on the state government’s efforts to avoid a flood disaster as forecasted by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), but enjoined residents in flood prone areas to be cautious, especially, when rain persisted.

“Government has 14 identified rivers that we need to quickly dredge and the dredging will commence this week. The Ministry of Environment has taken the contractors to the flood prone areas that have been identified.

There is no cause for alarm because actions are being taken. However, even if water bodies are clean, the

people still need to be careful. After continuous rains for over 30 minutes, people who live in these flood

prone areas should evacuate,” Ayorinde said.

Ayorinde listed ongoing emergency measures in

Abatakan and Abonde areas of the state, as well as civil works which he said had commenced at Ogbe-

re-pegba, Cele Rainbow, Ola Adura and Sasha Oshajin out of 14 priority areas identified.

Professor (Mrs ) Bolanle Awe (third left), commissioning the school hall renovated by the United Kingdom (UK) Old Girls, St Annes Molete, Ibadan, while from left are Mrs Folasade Ogunlade, Principal; Mrs Kofoworola Otesile, President, Old Girls Association; Mrs Motolani A. Akinkoye; Professor Bisi Sowunmi and Mrs Mosunmola Adekoya and others. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Oyo plans ranches for herdsmen to minimise clashes with farmers THE Oyo State government says it plans to establish cattle ranches for herdsmen to stem the increasing waves of clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Mudashiru Abdulganiyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, at a workshop on conflict prevention and peaceful coexistence for traditional rulers.

Abdulganiyu explained that all stakeholders were being carried along in the plan as violent conflicts between

herdsmen and farmers were not healthy for peaceful coexistence in the state.

“The state government is considering the issue of ranches so that the herdsmen will not just be going out uncontrolled and destroying people’s farms.

“Establishing ranches is part of the agreed policy that the government is trying to bring up so that it will minimise the conflict between the herdsmen and the farmers.

“Government has some agencies that are looking into the issue of ranches,

which normally mediate in conflicts between the herdsmen and the farmers alongside traditional rulers of the various areas.”

The commissioner also said that the menace of violent conflicts in the state had been minimised since Governor Abiola Ajimobi became governor.

“When Governor Abiola Ajimobi came in as the governor in 2011, there were lots of problems in Oyo State, particularly in Ibadan, especially with the National Union of Road Transport

LCDAs will accelerate development —Oyo govt OYO State government has reiterated its commitment to fast-track development through the implementation of the further amendment local government bill 2002 as contained in the Oyo State Gazette number 23, Volume 27, dated August13, 2002.

It will be recalled that the state government, last week, disclosed executive council’s approval of additional 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) following the resolution of the state House of Assembly, on June 16, 2016, that the state government should establish LCDAs for effective development at the grassroots.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and

Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, emphasised this during a live programme on AIT Ibadan, on Tuesday, saying that the establishment of LCDAs would enhance service delivery by the government to the people.

According to him, “The establishment of LCDAs will not only improve public service delivery management, it will indeed fast-track, expand and accelerate equitable and spatial development in the state.”

Arulogun further confirmed that the establishment of LCDAs was a response to the yearnings of the people of the state through their representatives in the House of As-

sembly.

In his words: “To ignore the voice of the people is to deny them of their desires. This government will not do that as it would be tantamount to being antipeople.”

The government spokesperson also affirmed that the creation of LCDAs in the state would give those who have been on the periphery the opportunity of being close to a development centre, thereby promoting a stronger sense of belonging.

He added that the existing staff members would be redistributed and redeployed since the new LCDAs will be carved out of the existing council areas.

Workers (NURTW).

“The NURTW members were always causing crisis and killing innocent people.

“When Ajimobi came, he said the menace will not be allowed to go on and that it has to stop,” he said.

Abdulganiyu said that the governor exercised the political will to stop acts of lawlessness in the state and empowered the security agencies to do their work.

“He (Ajimobi) called in the security agencies, which rounded up all the troublemakers.

The commissioner commended the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for organising a workshop on Conflict Prevention, Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence.

“I believe it is a very good move and impressive that I saw all the traditional rulers who are present because they are key stakeholders in the society.

“When anything happens in any community, the first person that the people will contact is the traditional ruler.

“Traditional rulers are the ones who contact state and local government authorities; they are very important stakeholders in the resolution of conflicts and peacebuilding in the society,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune

Ibarapa Central LG boss eulogises Ajimobi, swears in committee members

By Tunde Ogunesan THE transition committee chairman, Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State, Honourable Azeez Oladejo Rufai, has showered encomium on the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajumobi, for his benevolence that saw to his emergence as the chairman and his approval to the names of committee members.

Honourable Rufai stated this at the swearing-in ceremony of the secretary to the local government and other committee members, held recently at the council secretariat in Igbo-Ora. He, however, admonished the newly sworn-in officers to be above board and key into the transformation, reformation and repositioning agenda of the state government.

Rufai assured stakeholders that his door is opened to ways and means of making the council great.

The newly officers are Mr Adebisi Wahab (Secretary), Fasasi Najeem, Adeleke Subair, Aliu Risikat, Adejumo Taiwo, Adejumoke Idowu, Morawo Bashir, Ijaola Jamiu, Ganiyu Kabir, Oguntade Felix and Elder Aderoju Adediran.

Oba Odusanya installed as new Olu of Idi-Oke THE people of Idi-Oke in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have been charged to cooperate with the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led government in its commitment to ensure the rapid transformation of the state.

The Chairman, Transition Committee, Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area, Honourable Kayode Sodiq Idowu-Ojumo, gave this charge while presenting an address at the installation and presentation of staff of office to Oba Saheed Ifalohun Odusanya, as the new Olu of Idi-Oke in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area recently.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, who was represented by the Director, Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs J. O. Olatoye, commended the citizens of Idi-Oke for keeping faith with the state government mission to rebuild the state.

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south-westnews

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

SEC fingers 4 SWC members behind Ondo APC crisis Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

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HE State Executive Committee (SEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, on Tuesday, alleged that some members of the State Working Committee

(SWC) (names withheld) are behind the crisis rocking the party in the state.

The secretary of the party in the state, Rotimi Rahman, stated this during a press conference in Akure, the state capital.

Rahman, who stated that the crisis was orchestrated

by the people in order to whittle down the effort of the party leadership, both at the state and national levels, in winning the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The SEC, however, declared its vote of confidence in the leadership of

the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu; National Vice Chairman, South-West, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the state Chairman, Honourable Isaac Kekemeke.

The SEC maintained and re-affirmed Kekemeke as the chairman of the party

in the state and expressed readiness to work with him to ensure a free, fair and transparent primaries for the governorship election.

Rahman said “Kekemeke remains the party’s chairman in the state. We further affirm our confidence in the leadership of the National Leader of our great party, Senator Bola Tinubu.”

He said further “We the SEC unequivocally dissociate from this animalistic tendencies in all regards as same is unwarranted and ill-conceived and will never be allowed to materialise since their spon-

sors, who are hell bent at destroying the good work of our great party, have now been exposed.”

The APC in the state has been enmeshed in leadership tussle in the last two weeks following the alleged endorsement of one of the aspirants jostling for the governorship ticket of the party.

Some aggrieved members of the party took over the party’s secretariat, sacking the state Chairman, Kekemeke.

However, the leadership of the party has slated the party’s primaries for Saturday, September 3.

Malnutrition subjected 195,245 Osun children to stunted growth —UNICEF Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

From left, Secretary to Ondo State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola; Chairman, Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Professor Olugbenga Ige; Governor Olusegun Mimiko; deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo and commissioner of ODIEC, Mrs Adejoke Adebusoye, during a visit by the ODIEC officials to the Governor’s Office, in Akure, on Tuesday.

Ondo 2016 guber: PDP’ll win by large margin —Akinruntan Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, representing Ilaje Constituency 1, Honourable Abayomi Akinruntan, has expressed optimism about Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winning the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Akinruntan, who stated this on Tuesday, in Akure, the state capital, said the choice of the party’s candidate for the election had

positioned the party ahead in the contest.

He maintained that “PDP will not only win the election but by a large margin,” saying the APC government at the centre had failed to fulfil its change promises to the people of the country in the last one year.

The lawmaker commended the stakeholders in the PDP for producing a prostate candidate, jettisoning the call from certain individuals for the zoning of the governorship ticket at the

expense of merit.

Akinruntan said “We have thought it worthy to let the party faithful, citizens and dwellers of Ondo State understand that Eyitayo Jegede is the best candidate for the November 26, 2016 gubernatorial election.

“The numerous peopleoriented programmes and developmental projects embarked on by the current administration must continue in the state. The neighbourhood markets, mother and

Buhari to visit Osun tomorrow Oluwole Ige – Osogbo PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will be on official visit to Osun State tomorrow (Thursday).

Meanwhile, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Gboyega Famodun, on Tuesday, called on the citizens of the state to come out in their numbers to welcome the president.

In a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, the chairman said Nigerians had a duty to support the president in his effort to clean up the country of corruption that is primarily the cause of the economic collapse that has brought

hardship to the majority of people in the country.

According to Famodun, “Osun joined the rest of Nigerians to vote massively for change and the peoples’ hope that the president will effect the change remains unshaken, in spite of the challenges that economic recession poses.

“We in Osun are not in any doubt that a bright future lies ahead for the state under the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari and his team who are working tirelessly to reverse the economic downturn that has hit Nigeria so badly, especially Osun State.

“Since the APC came to power, Osun has ex-

perienced revolutionary changes in human capital development, educational renewal, commercial expansion, agricultural invigoration, massive youth employment and empowerment including environmental sanitation like no other time in Osun’s history,” Famodun asserted.

While welcoming the president to see for himself the progresses that have been made in Osun under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, he called on the president to do all he can to lighten the burden of the state, which is amongst the worst hit by the country’s current economic difficulties.

child hospitals, free shuttle buses for our children, quality education delivery, mega schools, dualiasation of major roads and other road projects across the state and so on.

“In all, the party has made the best decision coming to the conclusion on the ticket for the November election.

Jegede is a man with professional credibility, integrity, diligent in his work and with a sounding track record as the Attorney General and Justice Commissioner and in him the image of God is seen. These attributes are what makes him the perfect man for the job.”

THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, lamented that 195,245 children below five years are being subjected to stunted growth in Osun State due to acute malnutrition.

It maintained that it was imperative for the state government to pay adequate attention to early child care that would cover children below three years so as to tackle malnutrition, which would enhance its school feeding programme.

This disclosure was made by a nutrition specialist with UNICEF, Mrs Ada Ezeogu, while addressing participants at a media dialogue on child malnutrition, with the theme “Good nutrition, invest more”.

While explaining that the data of malnourished children from Osun was generated from the National Nutrition and Health Survey 2015 report, she averred that 21.8 per cent of children in the state are stunted in physical growth, noting that the situation could

be effectively handled if the early child care is included in the school feeding programme.

Ezeogu, however, lauded the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for the school feeding programme, stressing that proactive measures should be explored in addressing the problem, just as she maintained that the current 21.8 per-cent malnutrition level in the state was worrisome.

She further expressed concern that over 50 per cent of infant deaths in the country were precipitated by malnutrition, adding that government at all levels and stakeholders should strive to checkmate the situation, with a view to preventing avoidable infant deaths.

Ezeogu stated that “one out of three children in Nigeria do not get adequate feeding. Nursing mothers should ensure exclusive breastfeeding of their children from birth to six months of life and to ensure optimal infant and young child feeding in the first 1,000 days of life.”

ARG, Ekiti traditional rulers meet, explore ways of S/West cooperation Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti A socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), has met with Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, to discuss plans for a conference for all monarchs across the SouthWest states, including Kogi and Kwara.

The National Chairman of ARG, Wale Oshun, who led a six-man delegation of the group to address and invite the monarchs to the conference, explained that the conference, billed to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, would “aid better under-

standing and cooperation among the people.”

Others who came with Oshun are Chief Segun Odegbami, Chairman (Conference) Planning Committee; Ayo Afolabi, General Secretary; Kunle Famoriyo, Publicity Secretary; Bunmi Awotiku, Coordinator, Ekiti State chapter and Segun Balogun, Programme Officer.

Oshun pointed out that the ARG was equally networking both The Yoruba Academy and Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) to ensure the preservation of the Yoruba language and culture, and to also explore the region’s

economic progress.

He said: “The entourage has visited some state governors and we have written to Governor Ayodele Fayose also for a meeting where we also wish to explain our purpose and seek for more cooperation and support.

“Yoruba people, currently, are not acting like one united people and not speaking with one voice on issues of common interest. This is unlike other ethnic groups in the country. Our group has taken up this challenge and the first move is to work out ways on greater unity and cooperation among the region’s monarchs.”

34

news

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Court turns down application seeking to stop Kashamu’s arrest Sunday Ejika - Abuja

A

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, declined to grant an order sought by the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial

District, Senator Buruji Kashamu, to restrain the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police (NPF) from arresting him.

Kashamu had, through his lawyer, Godswill Mrakpor,

Oyo police command to get additional area commands

By Oluwatoyin Malik

OYO State Commissioner of Police, Mr Sam Adegbuyi, has said that the state police command will soon have additional two or three area commands in the state, in addition to the four currently in existence, in order to improve on security.

The four that are currently in place include Agodi, Iyaganku, Oyo and Ogbomoso area commands.

The police commissioner said this at the inauguration of Eminent People’s Forum, an initiative of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, in the state, on Monday.

He noted that the 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), had been added to the 33 local government areas in the state, which has shown that the state, is indeed, a pacesetter in moving development and security closer to the grassroots.

Personalities invited as members of the forum, include top government officials, traditional rulers community and religious leaders, senior military and police officers (serving and retired), labour union leaders, lawyers, journalists, market leaders as well as leadership of farmers and herdsmen, among others.

The police commissioner said that the forum is aimed at ensuring active partici-

pation in security matters, rather than the passive stance of several communities.

He referred to the practice of community policing as “sine qua non to solving myriad of security problems confronting every nation,” adding that it had proved to be an “effective instrument for sustainable peace and tranquility needed for cultural, socio-political and economic activities to thrive, especially in a democratic society.”

He enjoined the people to take the clarion call back to their domains as relevant stakeholders so that it would help in contributing to the security of the state in particular and the nation.

He added that the step would help in being fully prepared against incursion by criminally-minded people from neighbouring states who were recently dislodged from their hideouts, adding that the strategic partnership with the police would also go a long way in achieving the desired objectives if specific issues of security concerns were identified and addressed by the Forum from time to time.

He emphasised the stance of the IGP on zero tolerance for corruption, adding that the Police Force is the only organisation that arrests and parades its men whenever they are found wanting.

Don advises on economy, governance A fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, has identified why Nigeria remains at the low ebb of productivity when compared with other nations, charging the institute to brace up in order to arrest the situation.

Olagoke, who bagged a fellowship member of NIM during his investiture in Lagos, recently, spoke on “Management: A universal key to sustainable dynamics of life,” stressed that “well informed people are easy to govern because they will be there for the leaders to resist any incursion as witnessed in advanced nations”.

He charged the institute to impact on the government and Nigerians on the issues of running a corruptfree nation with sustained environment.

Olagoke, the founder of Safaudeen-in-Islam worldwide with international headquarters in Ibadan, recommended the concepts that can easily turn the nation around into high productivity culture of service and better work attitude.

“Suffice it to say that this institute cannot afford to allow quackery and mismanagement to dominate it.

Much as government needs to respect the NIM in this respect,” he said.

filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit and accompanied it with a motion ex-parte for injunction.

He had sought an order of the court to restrain the DSS and the NPF (the respondents) from taking steps to arrest him pending the determination of the substantive suit.

When the matter came up on Tuesday, Justice Okon Abang, declined to grant the exparte injunction and rather, ordered that the respondents be served with the motion for them to be in court on the next adjourned date to show cause

why Kashamu’s prayers, as contained in the ex-parte application, should not be granted.

Kashamu, in a supporting affidavit, stated that the security agencies are acting based on a “politically motivated petition” authored by one Oladipupo Adebutu from Ogun State.

The senator alleged that there were moves to arrest him and transport him to the United States to face drug-related charges and further argued that the move to arrest and extradict him was contrary to orders

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earlier made by the Lagos division of the Federal High Court in two suits marked: FHC/ L/CS/49/2010 and FHC/L/CS/508/2015, which he had filed on the same issue.

A statement issued on Tuesday by Austin Oniyokor, the senator’s media adviser, however, said: “we wish to state that the case has nothing to do with extradition. The only extradition case that was in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015, has been dismissed by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July, 2015.”

He added that the extant

suit had to do with a petition written against the senator by a member of the House of Representatives from Ogun State, Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, “in which he made all manner of unfounded allegations and requested the security agencies to take certain steps that could inhibit the fundamental human rights of the senator.”

Oniyokor also said that in a bid to forestall an infringement on his rights to free movement and association, that Kashamu filed the fundamental human rights enforcement suit in court.

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Wednesday, 31 August, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Yekinni Ismaila Babatunde am the same person as Tunde Azeez.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as YEKINNI ISMAILA BABATUNDE. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akinkunmi Folorunsho Olanrewaju now ADEBAYO JAMES OLANREWAJU and my correct date of birth is 28th of October, 1974 . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Sariyu Busari Bandele now MURIANA SARIYU BANDELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Adebayo Opeyemi Ibraheem am the same person as Adebayo Ibraheem. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO OPEYEMI IBRAHEEM. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Dasola Kadijat Muritala now TAJU DASOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly M i s s Babatunde Morenikeji Adijat now MRS IJAODOLA MORENIKEJI ADIJAT. All former documents remain valid.

British Embassy and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mercy Udo Ewa am the same person as Udo Mercy. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MERCY UDO EWA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omodara Opeyemi Victoria now MRS AJISAFE OPEYEMI MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to affirm that my name is OYEKUNLE, OLUSEGUN AMOS and not Oykeunle Olusegun Amos. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adedeji Janet Abosede now MRS AJALA JANET ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Bello Mariam Bisola now SULAIMON MARIAM BISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Cyriacus Obiawuchukwu Agu now NWOSU CYRIACUS OBIOMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Odelola Oluwaseun Mary now MRS AKANJI OLUWASEUN MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Idiyeh Moses now IHIABE MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladipupo Rashidat Oluwaseun now MRS OLADELE RASHIDAT OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Afolaranmi Adenike Elizabeth now MOLOKWU ADENIKE FRANKLIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

I, formerly Miss Okosun Oluwakemi Racheal now MRS FATOYE OLUWAKEMI RACHEAL. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc, Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly M i s s Olawuni Victoria Oluwabunmi now MRS ABIDOYE VICTORIA OLUWABUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ajasa Adejumoke Rasheedat now MRS OGUNDARE ADEJUMOKE RASHEEDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Beauty Isibor now MRS DANIELS BEAUTY NOMWENIGHO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oyegoke, Mathilda Oyebimpe now NDAME, MATHILDA OYEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Onanuga Adesola Tinuke now MRS AZEEZ AJOKE ADESOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Olufemi Oladele now OLABISI EMMANUEL OLUFEMI. All former documents remain valid.

UBA Plc, Union Bank Plc and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Awokoya Daniel Olanrewaju now AWOKOYA DANIEL DAMILARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Egemonu Evangeline Onyinyechi now WOLELERE AVANGELINE ONYINYECHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeyemo Jonathan Adejare now ADETUNJI JONATHAN ADEJARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladipupo Tolani Ayisat now MRS ABIDEMI TOLANI AYISAT. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Modupe Kemi Oluwasanmi now MRS MODUPE KEMI OLUBORODE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ehinola Bolanle Joy now MRS OKUNADE BOLANLE JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Omonojo Oladunni Martha now TEMITURO OLADUNNI MARTHA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Arowosaye Hafsat Adewumi now MRS KOLADE HAFSAT ADEWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

SUBEB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Awero Yidiat now AKINTAYO YIDIAT MOJIRAYO and my correct date of birth is 12/3/1964. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bello Simiat Temitope now ADEYEYE SIMIAT BELLO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

36 news

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

PDP crisis: Sheriff kicks against BoT’s position on way forward •Insists on dissolution of Makarfi-led caretaker committee Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe- Abuja

T

HE leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday, as the factional national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, kicked against the resolutions reached on Monday by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) on the way forward for resolution of the crisis in the party.

In a statement by the acting deputy national chairman of the faction, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, entitled “Our position and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday on the resolution of the party BoT on the crisis, Sheriff declared that “the resolutions fell short of the decision reached with the Dickson/Mantu reconciliation committee.”

Sheriff, who insisted that he stood by the early position that the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee should be disbanded immediately, as the committee was alien to the constitution of the party accused the chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibril of fueling the crisis in the party.

While faulting the vote of confidence passed on the caretaker committee by the BoT, Sheriff said “in any case, his tenure has expired, as he had spent more than 10 years as secretary and chairman of BoT, which runs contrary to the constitution.”

According to Sheriff, “we completely reject the vote of confidence passed on the illegal caretaker committee, because a committee that has failed twice to successfully organise a convention on two occasions is a failure.

“Having deliberated on the reported outcome of the BoT meeting of August 29, we have resolved to state as follows, that the resolutions fell short of the decision reached with the Dickson/ Mantu reconciliation committee.

“The agreement we had is that Sheriff should chair a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where Makarfi will attend as a member of the BoT, at the meeting, a chairman of Convention Committee will be agreed upon, a new Convention Committee set up, including all other sub-committees— Zoning, Finance, Accreditation, among others.

“The venue of the conven-

tion will be in Abuja, where a new leadership of the party will emerge, internal democracy will be respected and confidence will return to the party.

“And we had hoped that opportunity will be given, where everybody will meet under one umbrella, shake hands and will see the PDP re-emerge for the challenges

ahead.”

It will be recalled that the board had, on Monday, rose from a crucial meeting on how to resolve the crisis and directed Caretaker Commit-

tee to hold the next national convention of the party in Abuja and that a new convention planning committee should be put in place by the committee.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Minister of State in the ministry, Honourable Mustapha Baba Shehuri and others, at the site of the collapsed building at Jumai Kwanashi Crescent, Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

It added that the Planning Committee should be approved by the party’s NEC. The communique of the BoT read in part: “The next convention should be held in Abuja.

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

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

Inmates population in Nigerian prisons hits 63,000 —FG

•Says 72% inmates awaiting trial •As UN offers assistance on prison decongestion Clement Idoko - Abuja THE Federal Government has revealed that total inmates population in Nigerian prisons stands at 63,000, with about 45, 263 of them awaiting trial.

Government has, however, entered into partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and concluded plans to drastically reduce overpopulation in most of the prison yards across the country.

Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd) and UNODC Country Representative, Ms. Christina Albertin, made the disclosure on Tuesday, in Abuja, at a workshop on effective implementation of non-custodial measures in Nigeria.

The partnership was also aimed at reducing the incessant jailbreaks recoded in some prisons across the country.

The current Prisons Service records as of August 29, showed that a total inmates population was 63, 000, with 17,897 convicted (28 per cent), while 45, 263 (72 per cent) were awaiting trial.

Albertin said the justice project aimed at supporting improvement prison conditions across the country was being funded by the European Union and being implemented at the federal

level and other nine states.

The focal states, according to her included Anambra, Bayelsal, Benue, Cross River, Imo, Kastina, Lagos, Osun and Yobe.

The project, she said “is aimed at supporting improvement of government at the federal and state levels, with the aim of enhancing the functioning of the justice sector, including reducing undue delays, im-

proving prison conditions and reducing backlogs.

“Backlogs and undue delays in the trial of criminal cases and unresolving civil disputes remain key problems in the justice sector and is one of the main causes of very high number of awaiting trail detainees in prisons across Nigeria.”

Dambazzau explained the non-custodial measure was primarily designed for mi-

nor crimes or other special category of prisoners without restriction of confinement in prison custody.

He added that “advantages of non-custodial measures includes saving the offenders from the trauma of imprisonment, preventing further contamination in criminalities through the prison informal socialisation process, offering the opportunity for genuine

penitence, promoting effective reintegration of offenders and reducing the financial burden on government in the administration of criminal justice.”

The minister, however, expressed confidence that with the range of expertise gathered at the workshop, feasible ways of applying measures as widely as possible within the confines of the law would be provided.

NASRDA sets up viewing centre for annular eclipse tomorrow AS part of its mandate, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has set up a viewing centre for the annular eclipse that will occur on Thursday, September 1.

The eclipse will be experienced between 7.15 a.m. and 10.03 a.m, with slight variations in actual timing across the country.

In a press statement by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr Felix Ale, the agency has arranged a viewing centre to enable members of the public, pupils and students from various schools to view the eclipse, using specially designed viewing instruments provided by the space agency.

He said the eclipse was an astronomical event and

an occurrence of nature for man to behold, but could not be viewed with the naked eyes, as this could cause permanent damage to human eyes.

The eclipse will be experienced at varying obscurities, with the Southern part of the country having the highest degree of obscurity of 80 per cent and in the North, the lowest obscurity of 45 per cent.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, there will be a partial eclipse, with an obscurity of 60 per cent and the first contact at about 7.17 a.m, with maximum eclipse at 8.32 a.m, which will end at 10.00.a.m.

Also, Lagos will experience its first contact with the eclipse at 7.15 a.m, with a maximum eclipse occur-

ring at 8.32 a.m and ending at about 10.00 a.m.

The agency has called on the general public not panic or attach any spiritual connotation to this appearance of the eclipse, as this is a natural occurrence, which has been accurately predicted by science. Hence, NASRDA have developed necessary capacity to accurately make these predictions.

The viewing centre which has been set up by the agency will be open to the public on Thursday, from 6.45 a.m to pupils and students, so as to observe the annular eclipse as part of its continuous programmes to expose Nigerians and students to matters concerning astronomical environment.

While appealing to the general public not to panic or adduce any mystical interpretations to this event, it is also necessary to advise that nobody should observe the eclipse with naked eyes, as this can cause damage.

Therefore, the agency has also concluded arrangements to provide limited number of special solar filters to members of the public to savour the rare natural occurrence in appreciation of science and nature.

An annular eclipse occurs when the sun and moon are exactly in line, but the apparent size of the moon is smaller than that of the sun, hence the sun appears as a very bright ring or annulus surrounding the dark disk of the moon.

37

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Rising numbers of women in their 70s are giving birth in India LIKE any new mother, Daljinder Kaur is besotted with her newborn.

But Kaur, who recently gave birth to a baby boy, is not like most first-time mothers. She’s 72 years old – one of the oldest women in the world to give birth.

101 East reporter Mary Ann Jolley travels to India to investigate the country’s booming in vitro fertilisation industry, as doctors are accused of endangering the health of women and babies.

She finds an industry out of control, where there are no laws to protect older women who are desperate to become mothers, or the young women who are pumped full of hormones

and paid to donate their eggs.

“It’s almost 40 years since the first IVF baby was born in India,” says Jolley.

“Since then, there’s been an explosion in the number of IVF clinics yet there are

still no laws governing the industry.”

Jolley meets the doctor who is helping women like Kaur have babies. Dr Anurag Bishnoi tells Jolley he has helped more than 100 women over the age of

Daljinder Kaur. PHOTO: AL JAZEERA

Newborn twins among 6,500 migrants rescued from Mediterranean

A man carries his 5-day-old son after being rescued from a crowded wooden vessel in the Mediterranean Sea. The pair were fleeing from Libya. PHOTO: CNN

A

five-day-old newborn peers out from a pink blanket. His dark, almond-shaped eyes stare directly at the camera, his tiny hand tucked underneath his chin.

His short life has been anything but easy.

He, his twin brother and his mother were among the 6,500 refugees and migrants rescued in a 30-hour period while attempting to make the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean.

Médecins Sans Frontières’ ship Dignity 1 and the

Spanish humanitarian group Proactiva Open Arms rescued people who were aboard 15 rubber boats and one wooden vessel Monday.

The twins and their mother were transferred via Medevac for treatment in Italy, according to a tweet from MSF. As many as 3,000 of the migrants were rescued off the coast of Libya by MSF, Proactiva Open Arms and Italian coast guard crews and one rescue took place in Maltese waters.

A total of 40 different rescue operations were

responsible for bringing in the 6,500 migrants and refugees, including European Union’s Marine mission “Sophia,” which fights smugglers; and Frontex, the European Agency tasked with border security.

The Italian coast guard said the rescued migrants are being taken to ports in Calabria and Sicily.

CNN recently witnessed the rescue of 366 migrants and refugees by the private humanitarian agency Migrant Offshore Aid Station. The rescuers pulled people, mostly from African nations, from waters a few miles north of the Libyan city of Sabratha. Read the tale of that desperate day at sea.

The number of people plucked from sea on Monday was much higher than the average. Just two weeks ago, in the week that started August 14, the route was used by 2,197 migrants, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Monday’s rate nearly tripled that weekly amount.

50 have babies. He insists his clinic in the northern Indian town of Hisar only treats older women who pass rigorous health checks but critics say he is putting women’s lives at risk.

Jolley meets another of his patients, Rajo Devi Lohan, who previously held the world record for the oldest first-time mother. She was 70 when she had her daughter in 2008. Since then, she’s been diagnosed with cancer and had three operations to repair a ruptured uterus. “The doctor didn’t tell me anything about the dangers and I never felt that there was any danger,” she says.

other NEWS Somalia truck bomb targets Mogadishu’s SYL Hotel A truck bomb has exploded outside a hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, in a heavily secured area close to the gates of the presidential palace.

A BBC reporter says politicians are among the injured and 12 people are reported to have died.

The Islamist al-Shabab group, which is affiliated

Suicide attack targets Chinese embassy in Apple should repay Ireland £13bn Kyrgyzstan —European Commission A suspected suicide car bomber rammed the gates of the Chinese embassy in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, according to authorities.

“As a result of the explosion, only the suicide bomber terrorist died,” Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jenish Razakov told journalists at the scene of Tuesday’s blast.

Razakov also said that three Kyrgyz employees of the embassy were in hospital after being wounded in the attack.

Local medics said their injuries were not serious.

A spokesman for the interior ministry said the explosion happened inside the compound at about 4am GMT. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al Jazeera, reporting from Bishkek, said a large security operation was under way following the blast.

IRELAND should recover up to €13bn (£11bn) from Apple in back taxes, the European Commission has ruled.

After a three-year investigation, it has concluded that the US firm’s Irish tax benefits are illegal.

The Commission said Ireland enabled the company to pay substantially less than other businesses, in effect paying a corporate tax rate of no more than 1%.

Ireland and Apple both

to the United States government report.

The victims Sebastian speaks to all spent time at what they call The Dark Prison, widely believed to be the same purpose-built torture facility that the SSCI code-named Detention Site Cobalt. Sebastian tracks the black site’s most likely location to an old brick factory on the outskirts of Khwaja Rawash airport in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Even with redactions, the SSCI

report of what happened there reads like a horror film: isolation in total darkness, constant deafening music, rectal rehydration, keeping detainees in coffin-shaped boxes, and chaining one detainee to the wall in a standing position for 17 days.

Dozens of those tortured – like Mohamed Ahmed al Shoreiya Ben Soud and Khalid Al-Sharif – were never charged with a crime and have now been released.

said they disagreed with the record penalty and would appeal against it.

“Member states cannot give tax benefits to selected companies - this is illegal under EU state aid rules,” said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

“The Commission’s investigation concluded that Ireland granted illegal tax benefits to Apple, which enabled it to pay substantially less tax than other businesses over many years,” she added.

‘China’s Jack the Ripper’ caught after 28 years on the run A suspected serial killer accused of the rape and murder of 11 women has been caught after almost three decades on the run.

Chinese police said this week that Gao Chengyong, 52, was arrested after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes which began 28 years ago.

Gao targeted young women dressed in red,

Libyan CIA torture victims speak on experience

IN Search for the Dark Prison, a moving two-part Fault Lines documentary on Al Jazeera, Sebastian Walker sets out on a global quest to find the victims of the CIA’s infamous torture program.

Post 9/11, the CIA tortured 119 detainees from 20 countries, according to a heavily-redacted 2014 Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) report. 26 of these did not meet the CIA’s own standards for detention, according

to al-Qaeda, says it is behind the attack.

The Somali Youth League (SYL) Hotel is a popular meeting place for officials and has been targeted before.

Local media report that a security conference was scheduled to take place at the hotel on Tuesday morning.

“Security forces tried to stop the bomber who used back roads before he sped through checkpoints near the presidential palace and detonated the bomb,” the Associated Press news agency quotes police officer Col Ali Nur as saying.

Serial killer who from 1988 to 2002 raped and murdered 11 women including an 8-year-old girl was arrested in Gansu. PHOTO: TWITTER

who he followed home before raping and killing them, often by slitting their throats, according to Chinese state media.

CNN stated that he would also mutilate the bodies of the victims, some as young as eight years old, leading to his being dubbed “China’s Jack the Ripper.”

According to state media, Gao confessed to 11 murders in Gansu province and Inner Mongolia between 1988 and 2002.

The majority of the attacks took place around Baiyin, a city of around 1.7 million in northeastern Gansu. Such was the panic caused by the murders at the time that women avoided walking unaccompanied at night, and the local authorities offered a 200,000 yuan ($30,000) reward for any information.

38 communitynews Isokan Muslim community commends Oluwo

By Tunde Busari

M

EMBERS of Isokan Muslim Community, on Monday, paid a visit to the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi Telu I. The president of the group, Alhaji Rasheed Fasasi, said the visit to the palace followed their observation of the words and actions of the Oluwo, who comes across as a traditional ruler desirous to elevate the town to the level of a developed community.

He said the visit was unprecedented because never in the history of the group had it paid such visit to the Oluwo’s palace.

He stated that the group was satisfied with the performance of the traditional ruler, urging him to continue in his effort to breathe a new life into the town.

“Our Alfas never taught us to go to any Oba. And we have never for once departed from that teaching.

But having observed the Oluwo since he came, we have realised that he is here for a mission. No one else could have sent him except almighty Allah.

“This is why we decided to visit him and pray for him. We are wishing him a long reign in good health to further promote Islam and

project Iwo as a town of Islamic scholars,” he said.

Asked on his position on Oluwo’s action at the prayer ground during this year’s end of Ramadan prayer, Fasasi commended the royal father’s action, describing it as a symbolic gesture portraying the religious status of the town.

He declared that Iwo, being a Muslim town, needed to be showcased in that light, lauding Oba Akanbi for educating the world that a king is not only a traditional ruler but also a religious leader who must always

Community development, my priority —Iwajowa LG boss

By Gbenga Olumide

THE Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Modepoola Egunjobi, has reiterated his commitment in ensuring the dividends of democracy get to every community.

Egunjobi said this at the swearing-in ceremony of members of the caretaker committee, at the council secretariat, Iwere-Ile, Oyo State.

The local government boss highlighted some of his achievements in the council despite dwindling allocation to include, electrification

BANK: CITIBANK NIGERIA LIMITED WEEK ENDED: AUGUST 26, 2016 SN CUSTOMER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87

AFRICAN FOUNDRIES LIMITED AFRICAN FOUNDRIES LIMITED CITI GC NBIM CITI GC NBIM CITI LN GC PLATINUM CITI LN GC PLATINUM CITI LN GC PLATINUM CITI LN GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PRIORITY GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC PROCTER AND GAMBLE NIGERIA LIMITED PROCTER AND GAMBLE NIGERIA LIMITED RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A STANDARD CHARTERED BANK UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. AFRICAN WIRE ALLIED INDUSTRIES CITI GC NBIM CITI GC NBIM CITI GC NBIM CITI GC NBIM CITI GC NBIM CITI LN GC CORE CITI LN GC PLATINUM CITI LN GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PRIORITY CITI NY GC PRIORITY RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A STANDARD CHARTERED BANK WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL VENTURES LTD WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL VENTURES LTD WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL VENTURES LTD WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL VENTURES LTD WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL VENTURES LTD ABVEE INDUSTRIES LIMITED AFRICAN WIRE ALLIED INDUSTRIES AFRICAN WIRE ALLIED INDUSTRIES ASSENE-LABOREX LTD ASSENE-LABOREX LTD ASSENE-LABOREX LTD ASSENE-LABOREX LTD ASSENE-LABOREX LTD ASSENE-LABOREX LTD ASSENE-LABOREX LTD CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED

lead by example.

“A highly placed Islamic scholar called me after the festival and sought to know my position. I bore my mind. I told him that the Oluwo did it to make a statement; that he did not mean to usurp the role of the chief imam.

While appreciating their visit, Oba Akanbi promised to continue to thread on the right track for the good of indigenes and nonindigenes resident in Iwo. “I am happy for your visit.

I am ready to make Iwo a great town,” the said.

of two major communities, asphalt patching of potholes on two major roads, grading of feeder roads across the council, among others.

He appealed to the newly sworn in committee members not to lose focus but work assiduously for the development of the council, urging them to live above board and shy away from acts that could bring the administration into disrepute.

Also speaking, the Head of Local Government Administration, Mr Akin Funmilayo, commented on the scope of governance that had expanded at the grass roots.

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016 RETURNS ON SOURCES OF FUNDS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK BANK: CITIBANK NIGERIA LIMITED WEEK ENDED: AUGUST 26, 2016 S/N CUSTOMER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE

EXCHANGE RATE

CCY

AMOUNT

22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16

315.00 239.52 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 355.68 356.36 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 244.00 270.00 265.00 280.00 240.46 240.46 240.46 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 356.94 356.94 356.94 356.94 315.00 355.20 239.52 239.52 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 325.50 325.50 325.50 321.75 315.00 354.51 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 261.00 266.00 276.00 239.52 239.52 239.52 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 355.05 355.05 355.05 355.05 314.50 315.00 315.00 315.00 231.00 315.00 315.00 355.20 314.50 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00

USD AUD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD EUR EUR USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD AUD AUD AUD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD EUR EUR EUR EUR USD EUR AUD AUD USD USD USD USD EUR EUR EUR USD USD EUR USD USD USD USD USD USD USD AUD AUD AUD USD USD USD USD EUR EUR EUR EUR USD USD USD USD USD USD USD EUR USD USD USD USD USD USD USD

5,000,000.00 460,792.96 240,892.86 206,284.58 6,448.03 111,415.27 39,057.57 40,818.85 150,000.00 50,000.00 55,276.12 75,711.98 6,211.14 96,675.96 279,254.24 18,354.10 60,000.00 2,180,048.53 6,957,284.46 6,136,348.57 4,675,088.74 687.39 11,451.80 87,429.85 125,408.89 258,599.21 67,389.99 200,000.00 400,000.00 20,000.00 18,480.00 100,000.00 22,458.49 15,306.08 7,248.32 16,899.78 298,125.77 150,000.00 60,888.76 7,960.39 1,079.13 119,150.61 100,000.00 100,000.00 2,571,631.21 2,571,631.21 3,165,498.04 15,000.00 550,000.00 145,715.51 183,877.16 75,000.00 45,000.00 80,000.00 861,209.19 1,124,667.76 2,619,744.62 44,033.03 2,168.96 5,756.28 84,660.33 25,000.00 20,000.00 250,000.00 119,846.77 89,010.63 28,044.59 15,847.14 645,502.93 16,000.00 29,980.00 1,000,000.00 270,000,000.00 286,662.50 23,489.09 6,564.26 19,077.90 20,000.00 200,000.00 15,000.00 35,000.00 30,000.00 300,000.00

AFRICAN WIRE ALLIED INDUSTRIES CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI LN GC PRIORITY CITI LN GC PRIORITY CITI NY GC CORE CITI NY GC CORE CITI NY GC CORE COCA-COLA NIGERIA LIMITED FLOATING OPERATIONS PRODUCTION MSD IDEA PHARMACEUTICALS PROCTER AND GAMBLE NIGERIA LIMITED RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A SGS SOCIETE GENERALE DE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC CORE CITI NY GC CORE CITI NY GC PRIORITY DRESSER-RAND NIGERIA LIMITED INVENSYS SYSTEMS NIGERIA LIMITED. NEC WEST AFRICA LIMITED NOKIA WEST AFRICA (NIGERIA) LIMITED NOVO NORDISK PHARMA LTD RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A SUNTORY BEVERAGE FOOD NIGERIA CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC PRIORITY COVIDIEN NIGERIA LIMITED EQUANT NIGERIA LIMITED EQUANT NIGERIA LIMITED GE INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (NIG) GE INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (NIG) GE INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (NIG) NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE NOVARTIS NIGERIA LIMITED RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A SERVICE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL SERVICE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL SERVICE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI HK GC PLATINUM CITI NY GC CORE CLINTON HEALTH ACCESS INITIATIVE CNOOC ENERGY SERVICES GRANITE SERVICES INTERNATIONAL RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 3M MINNESOTA MINING MANUFACTURING BG EXPLORATION AND PROD. NIG. LTD BRISTOW HELICOPTERS (NIG) LTD. CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CITI LN GC PRIORITY CITI LN GC PRIORITY CITI LUX GC CORE CITIBANK N.A. SOUTH AFRICA DELOITTE CONSULTING OVERSEAS JAPAN INTL CO-OPERATION AGENCY LENOVO TECHNOLOGIES WEST AFRICA LTD NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE PEPSICO BEVERAGES INTERNATIONAL LTD SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGES NIGERIA

RETURNS ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK

ITEM OF IMPORT LOAN REPAYMENT LOAN REPAYMENT REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS INTERBANK FX SALES CERINOX BR - BEER RECOVERY PLANT RAW MATERIAL FOR PRODUCING PAMPERS RAW MATERIAL FOR PRODUCING PAMPERS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS INTERBANK FX SALES INTERBANK FX SALES INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS INTERBANK FX SALES PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS EXXONMOBIL ENABLE 2705 HH(PLASTIC RAW MATERIAL) INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL: HOT ROLLED STEEL CHEQUERED SHEETS OTC FX FUTURES TRADE ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 22-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 23-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16

EXCHANGE RATE 315.50 315.50 315.39 315.39 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.00 328.25 356.36 356.36 315.50 320.40 315.50 315.50 315.39 315.39 315.39 315.39 315.39 357.31 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 320.40 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 244.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 265.50 265.50 265.50 265.50 265.50 265.50 265.50 265.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50

CCY

AMOUNT

USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD CHF EUR EUR USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD EUR USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD

2,499,975.00 1,249,993.00 18,654.68 4,942.67 45,664.26 45,687.37 773,286.77 126,485.15 3,196.82 327.13 41,788.61 570,705.00 380,000.00 27,720.00 27,720.00 475,435.82 25,500.00 679,334.00 400,000.00 12,936.22 12,420.33 2,416.78 233,479.21 217,360.70 8,056.04 2,018.38 2,662.02 476.79 1,250.02 310.31 31,917.38 364.89 367,698.02 14,000.00 40,544.90 4,162.78 11,843.10 38,154.33 9,138.53 160,703.13 190,494.85 5,000,000.00 3,400.00 4,192.00 17,684.00 6,577.00 13,252.00 85,505.00 66,143.00 87,499.87 1,314,762.24 18,003.00 109,476.74 1,328,259.92 639,223.14 75,189.89 52,895.11 109,934.40 50,877.24 61,899.50 173,106.00 44,458.95 72,458.64 86,025.60 269,974.19 87,499.87 67,433.51 41,671.21 108,687.96 137,768.21 319,611.57 28,675.20 59,895.41 84,070.81 147,980.07 52,895.11 649,386.96 109,476.74 61,899.50 129,829.50 68,884.10 41,648.58 41,671.21 28,675.20 67,433.51 134,987.09 63,535.53

SN CUSTOMER

ITEM OF IMPORT

88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174

OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CERINOX BR - BEER RECOVERY PLANT ICoCA MEMBERSHIP DUES REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTERBANK FX SALES SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE OTC FX FUTURES TRADE REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS INTERBANK FX SALES INTERBANK FX SALES INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL: HOT ROLLED STEEL COILS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS REPATRIATION OF EQUITY SALES PROCEEDS OTC FX FUTURES TRADE LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE SODIUM PLAMITATE

CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CITI NY GC PRIORITY DE UNITED FOODS INDUSTRIES LIMITED GE INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (NIG) GE INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (NIG) GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC PRUDENTIAL GUARDS LIMITED RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A RECKITT BENCKISER NIGERIA LIMITED RECKITT BENCKISER NIGERIA LIMITED SEVEN-UP BOTTLING COMPANY PLC WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL VENTURES LTD ACCESS BANK PLC ADDAX PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CHI LIMITED CITI NY GC PRIORITY RBC INVESTOR SERVICES BANK S.A UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC ZENITH BANK PLC. AFRICAN WIRE ALLIED INDUSTRIES AFRICAN WIRE ALLIED INDUSTRIES CITI LN GC PRIORITY CITI NY GC PRIORITY CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED PRIME PLASTICHEM NIGERIA LIMITED PRIME PLASTICHEM NIGERIA LIMITED PRIME PLASTICHEM NIGERIA LIMITED PRIME PLASTICHEM NIGERIA LIMITED PRIME PLASTICHEM NIGERIA LIMITED RECKITT BENCKISER NIGERIA LIMITED

DATE OF FUND PURCHASE 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 24-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 25-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16 26-Aug-16

EXCHANGE RATE 265.50 280.50 280.50 280.50 244.50 280.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 270.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 326.56 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.00 417.78 244.50 244.50 244.50 244.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 276.50 266.50 266.50 266.50 266.50 266.50 266.50 261.50 261.50 261.50 261.50 261.50 261.50 315.50 315.50 315.00 315.00 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 231.00 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50 315.50

CCY

AMOUNT

USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD CHF USD USD USD USD USD USD USD GBP USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD USD

75,026.86 84,070.81 269,974.19 29,540.00 104,760.00 67,433.51 39,499.36 44,458.95 41,648.58 68,884.10 319,611.57 30,949.75 57,350.40 19,262.77 480,348.00 84,228.00 210,765.41 104,760.00 1,805,466.38 125,775.26 985,003.20 869,683.20 1,075,714.56 75,189.89 295,960.15 109,934.40 52,895.11 59,895.41 53,346.04 102,120.00 678,418.27 1,198,650.78 360,750.00 6,000.00 347,318.26 250,000.00 24,940.00 195,835.00 6,991.83 325,200.00 11,950.00 129,829.50 104,760.00 60,834.75 37,594.95 1,195,238.40 75,189.89 108,682.15 328,334.40 41,671.21 28,675.20 137,768.21 159,805.79 41,648.58 67,433.51 87,499.87 134,987.09 19,262.77 84,070.81 109,476.74 37,594.95 217,420.80 109,476.74 611,562.85 108,682.15 39,930.28 75,189.89 125,775.26 52,895.11 19,262.77 87,499.87 500,586.29 49,588.65 113,773.15 105,554.92 202,955.00 563,317.15 436,682.85 36,829.15 89,990.98 270,000,000.00 100,237.50 61,875.00 200,475.00 309,375.00 247,500.00 89,020.00

39

Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

corporatesport

With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08116954642

SON sets new agenda for sports federations

T

HE acting Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr Paul Angya believes the war against fake

and substandard products could also be won through the sports sector because of its unique merchandising opportunities that helps to grow the nation’s economy.

Dr Angya stated this, while receiving the delegation from the Federal Capital Territory Badminton Association, led by the Association Chairman, Mr

Gabriel Gbayan who paid him a courtesy visit at the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Headquarters in Abuja Monday.

The Acting Director Gen-

eral identified sports as one of the best avenue to win the war against substandard goods; he warns that adulterated goods and products can hinder the success of athletes on and off the sporting arena.

According to him, “sports is a global tool for sustainable economic development and to this end sports administrators should protect the integrity of the sector by ensuring compliance in all their activities.

He assured that the SON will continue its massive publicity enlightenment campaign through collaboration with sports stakeholders with the aim of

getting rid of substandard sports goods.

On the occasion of the Federal Capital Territory Badminton Association’s visit to his office, Dr Angya thanked the Board for the timely courtesy call, while also pronouncing the Association as the first sport brand ambassador of the organisation.

The FCT Badminton Association Chairman, Mr Gabriel Gbayan appreciated the acting DG for the hospitality accorded his team and promised to work harmoniously with the standard organisation of Nigeria (SON) to promote its core values.

Ogun FA organises Adebutu U-18 football tourney

From left, Managing Director, Flykite Production, Jenkins Alumona; Public Relations Manager, GOtv, Efe Obiomah and coach, Boxing Hall of Fame, Femi Babafemi during the press conference on GOtv Boxing Nexthen Search 2, held at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym, Surulere, Lagos.

Rio Olympics: SWAN President blames stakeholders for Team Nigeria’s poor outing By nurudeen alimi THE President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Honour Sirawoo, has said that every stakeholders should take responsibility for Nigeria’s poor outing at the just-ended Rio 2016 Olympics where the country won just a bronze medal in the male football event.

Sirawoo, stated this shortly after his arrival from Brazil, noting that rather than just heaping blames on the Minister of Youth and Sports, stakeholders including sports administrators, National Assembly committees on sports and sports journalists should also share part of the blame.

“We should all share part of the blame. I guess if we had all raised our voices about Nigeria’s preparation especially judging from our performances at the London Olympics in 2012, though some sports writers did, which were

overlooked, am sure we would have had better preparations for the Rio Olympics,” the nation’s number one sports writer stressed.

He recalled that shortly after Nigeria’s poor performance at the London 2012 Olympics, committees were set up to examine the country’s performance and prescribe workable way forward in ensuring better representations in subsequent competitions, emphasizing that if those submissions were followed, Nigeria could have been better positioned at the Games.

The SWAN boss argued further that had the National Assembly Sports Committees in the course of their oversight functions inquired about the athletes’ preparations for the Games and waded into the delay in the release of funds, perhaps we may have had a better outing.

“We can’t continue with

this blame game attitude when there were ample opportunities for us to fix the process; for years, we have been shouting after failure without shouting about the process before the failure,” he stated While commending the Dream Team VI for salvaging some pride for the country through the male football event, the SWAN President enjoined Sports Writers to be alive to their responsibilities of being the watchdogs and report appropriately lapses in the various sports sectors.

“Rio Olympics has just ended. Many countries have started preparations for the 2020 Olympics in Japan. We have no reason not to start preparing from now. As Sports journalists, let me assure you that our members will be on the trail of the sporting federations and to consistently find out what they are doing towards talents’ hunt and moves to keep athletes

in shape for future challenges.

Sirawoo expressed reservations that the National Sports Festival which has been a veritable platform for the discovery of talents has been in abeyance for nearly four years and called on the Federal Ministry of Sports and Government of Cross River to urgently resolve pending issues and ensure that the games hold soon.

“Unless we urgently define the place of sports in national development, employment opportunities and international public relations, sports may die a natural death. If that happens, we have to bear with the attendant effects of increase in social vices and youth restiveness. Sports is a wonderful avenue to engage our teeming youths, earn foreign exchange and boost tourism which will in turn benefit the economy of the country,” he summed up.

THE Ogun state Football Association has concluded arrangements to organise a successful fourth edition of Sir Kesington Adebukola Adebutu Under 18 football championship in the gateway state.

The football fiesta which is scheduled to start in september across the four principal zones of Ijebu, Remo, Egba and Yewa will get underway with the screening of all eligible players in each of the zones.

According to the chairman, Ogun State football association, Alhaji Ganiu Majekodunmi, all clubs are expected to meet with the association secretary,

Sir Kesington Adebukola Adebutu

Elder Victor Idowu for all the registration formalities at the football association office, within the MKO Abiola stadium, kuto Abeokuta.

The statement added thateach team is expected to register 22 players and ensure they collect their licenses but each player must submit three passport photographs to the football association, inside the MKO Abiola stadium complex in Abeokuta.

Majek said, ‘this year’s edition of the championship will witness more innovations and will be keenly competed for among clubs going by the standard set by the FA.”

SIDELINES

NO 16,579

WEDNESDAY, 31 AUGUST, 2016

N150

A land grabber (omo onile) who beat up a site worker for refusing to give him money at Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, has been slammed with a three-month sentence by an Ogudu Magistrate Court. The jails are no doubt waiting to receive others who refuse to labour with their hands and prefer to reap where they have not sown!

Aguero gets three-match ban

Rohr leads Eagles’ training Moses, Madu join

Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association for elbowing West Ham’s Winston Reid.

Aguero could face a three-match ban, including City’s Premier League games with Manchester United on 10 September and Bournemouth on 17 September.

The 28-year-old would also miss the EFL Cup third-round game against Swansea.

Aguero is out of Argentina’s upcoming two World Cup 2018 qualifiers with a calf injury.

Referee Andre Marriner did not see the 76th-minute incident during City’s 3-1 win on Sunday and the FA has decided to take retrospective action.

He has until 6pm today, August 31 to respond.

team today

S

UPER Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr took charge of the Nigeria senior men’s squad, Super Eagles, for the first time on Tuesday as the team began training sessions ahead of Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.

Rohr and a number of players could not fly to Uyo from Lagos on Monday as ARIK airline eventually cancelled their flight after many hours. But the entourage landed Rohr in Uyo on Tuesday afternoon.

On arrival at the team’s Le Meridien Hotel, Coach Rohr had a meeting with his assistants, backroom staff and players present, before the evening’s training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has In camp as at Tuesday evening were urged Nigerians to throw their weight behind Skipper Mikel John Obi, assistant captain new national team head coach Gernot Rohr.

Ahmed Musa, goalkeepers Emmanuel Rohr was appointed earlier this month as Sunday Oliseh’s replacement but his appointDaniel and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defendment has generated discontent in several ers Musa Muhammed, Chidozie Awaziem, quarters over a perceived lack of the required Abdullahi Shehu, Jamiu Alimi, Leon Balocredentials to coach a top side like the Super gun, William Troost-Ekong and Elderson Eagles.

Echiejile, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi, WilA member of the technical and development fred Ndidi and Nosa Igiebor and forwards committee of the NFF, Paul Bassey, says Rohr Brown Ideye, Imoh Ezekiel, Kelechi Ihewill succeed as Nigeria coach and is drumming anacho, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo and up support for the 63-year-old trainer.

Victor Osimhen.

“A few years ago, a certain barman, Clemens Team administrator Dayo Enebi Achor Westerhof, was appointed as Super Eagles confirmed to thenff.com that Belgium– coach and the decision to hire him was critibased Moses Simon and Slovakia–based, cised by many.

Kingsley Madu will arrive today.

“We know how it ended as Westerhof reThe delegation of Tanzania’s Taifa Stars mains the most successful coach this country is expected to arrive in Nigeria also today, has ever had. while the match officials will jet in tomor“I don’t think it is right to criticise a man even row. before he has commenced work.

Meanwhile, Rohr will use a test game “I know many Nigerians will want us (NFF) against Nigeria premier league side, Akwa to hire the best (coaches) like (Jose) Mourinho United to ascertain the fitness of his playand Sir Alex Ferguson but the truth is that Rohr is the coach we can afford right now. ers and also gauge the technical demands “That a coach has failed while coaching other of the match venue. countries does not mean he will fail with Ni“He said he wishes to fully ascertain the geria. match fitness of his call-ups as well as have “The truth is that with the quality of foota practical measurement of the size of the ballers this country is blessed with, any coach pitch of the Akwa Ibom International Stawho comes here is almost guaranteed 60 perdium.”

...As NFF rallies support for coach cent success.

“We are appealing to Nigerians to throw their support behind Rohr,” Bassey told supersport.com.

Rohr’s first assignment as Nigeria coach is on September 2 when the Super Eagles face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo.

Aguero

Dalung urges NFF to pay Siasia MINISTER of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has charged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay the U-23 National team’s Coach, Samson Siasia.

The Minister gave the charge when Siasia paid him a visit Monday in his office in Abuja.

Siasia had visited with his wife Eunice to thank the Minister for his support to the Dream Team from Atlanta to Rio where they won Bronze in the football event of the Rio Olympics and to officially inform him that his contract with the NFF has ended.

Barrister Dalung directed the SecretaryGeneral Dr Mohammed Sanusi who was also present to ensure that Siasia gets the arrears of his five month’s salaries.

“Please pay him his five months’ salaries.

They said he has resigned but he just said that his contract expired after the Olympics.

His contract expired but you are owing him five months’ salaries and you have gone to employ a foreign coach and will pay him in dollars. It means you don’t like yourselves and nobody will sympathize with you.

Please spare me the stress of talking about this salary issue or going to war with you on it. Please pay him and other coaches their outstanding salaries” Dalung said.

The Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation Dr Sanusi however said that efforts were already being made to pay the coaches their salaries.

“We have held meetings and we are waiting for the money to drop. The money is already there in our account but we need to regularize the TSA procedures before we can claim the money. We are almost through with the process. Once that is concluded, we will pay them” Sanusi assured.

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