31st December 2015

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,404

THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER, 2015

FG to create one million direct jobs in 2016 —Osinbajo —P5

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Ketu killer-cop to forfeit N1.5m entitlements, monthly pension —P9

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Mixed reactions trail 50k reduction in petrol price —P11

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Reps not aware of fuel subsidy removal —Gbajabiamila —P4

Presidential media chat

Buhari talks tough on —P2 Kanu, Dasuki, El-Zakzaky

•May ban use of hijab •Says NASS members can't buy N50bn vehicles and collect transport allowance •Not sure if Chibok girls still alive •Why forex restriction can't be lifted DSS re-arrests Dasuki —P5

Kanu never apologised to Buhari —MASSOB, IPOB —P16

Corrupt persons have left our party —PDP —P10

Airforce cadets apprehended by Governor Akinwumi Ambode, Abdullahi Fahad (left) and Peter O. Solomon (right) for locking a citizen, Dahiru Lawal, in the trunk of their car, at Mile 12, on Ikorodu road, Lagos, on Wednesday.

Oyo gov election: Ladoja goes to Supreme Court —P13

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news

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Presidential media chat: Buhari talks tough on Kanu, Dasuki, El-Zakzaky Taiwo Adisa, Leon Usigbe, Clement Idoko and Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, said his government would deal decisively with the trial of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu; former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) and the leader of Shi’ite Muslims in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

The president, who spoke at his maiden media chat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, said the government would ensure the trial of Kanu, who is standing trial for treasonable felony.

He also justified the continued detention of Dasuki, saying that it was delicate to release some persons undergoing trial for corruption on bail.

President Buhari also said he was awaiting the reports of investigations into the Army/Shi’ite clash in Kaduna, adding that his government would not condone the existence of government within government.

The president dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the Federal Government was biased in the handling of the recent clash between members of the Shi’ite sect and the Nigerian Army, adding that though the Federal Government had been silent over the incident, the perceived silence was to allow the relevant authorities to conclude their investigations.

“Certainly I know something about the incident, I ought to do something about it, and, in fact, I must do something about it.

“I was in touch with the governor of Kaduna State when it happened, interestingly, the president of Iran spoke to me about it, but I told him that as a government, we have a system.

“I told him that if anything happens in one of the states, the governor has to physically visit the area and as the head of the Federal Government, I have to wait for official report before I can come out to make a statement. I am, therefore, allowing the army and Kaduna State government to come up with their reports,” he said.

He said the complaints about the group’s activities, which infringed on the rights of residents of Zaria and other towns, showed that many people were tired of their actions.

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) answering questions from a panel of journalists during Presidential Media chat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN Speaking on the leader of IPOB and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, President Buhari said there were criminal charges against him in court that he had to answer.

He noted that Kanu and many others had committed a lot of atrocities against the country that no government would allow to go.

“Technically, if you see the type of atrocities these people have committed against the country. A former president just wrote a letter to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and said give N40 billion to so so...to go and see his daughter in London while there are over two million people in IDPs, half of them do not even know their parents. Which kind of country is that?

“The one you are calling Kanu, do you know he has two passports; one Nigerian, one British. He came to this country without any passport. Do you know he brought equipment into this country, sophisticated broadcasting equipment for Radio Biafra? Which kind of government will allow that?” he said.

The president, however, said he was concerned that another group was emerging in the face of Boko Haram insurgency amidst other national challenges.

Also on Wednesday, the president gave indications of his determination to stop the planned purchase of vehicles worth about N50 billion by the National Assembly.

Buhari, who openly queried the planned purchase media chat, said he was alarmed that the National Assembly, after pocketing transport allowances, would still go ahead and purchase vehicles worth N47.7 billion.

Though he acknowledged that the National Assembly is another arm of government, he insisted on asking questions on the figures meant

for purchase of vehicles.

When asked what type of change he was bringing to the nation, Buhari retorted that the change was in the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“The change we are bringing is in the TSA. The second one which you mentioned is the vehicles, which is in billions. If I could turn down a provision of about N400 million to buy new cars for the Presidency, the legislature could as well do without spending huge sums on cars.

“The cars in the Presidency are good enough for the next 10 years. I understand there is a pool we have to maintain for heads of state and visitors, we have to maintain that.

“As for the National Assembly, we are having problems with them on TSA. I said everybody has to submit to TSA as long as Federal Government’s money is involved. They asked for vehicles of about N50 billion, I think I would have to have a closed door meeting with them. After all, they collect money for vehicle allowances. I think that is additional cost,” he said.

We don’t know the whereabouts of Chibok girls

The president also declared that the Federal Government did not know the whereabouts of the Chibok girls kidnapped in 2014 by the Boko Haram insurgents.

He told his interviewers that the government did not have any cogent intelligence on the whereabouts of the girls, adding, however, that if the government came across a credible leader of the Boko Haram who could guarantee needed information on the girls, it would be ready to enter into discussions.

Buhari stated that the government needed to identify the true leaders of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in order to properly negotiate for the

release of the over 200 secondary schoolgirls abducted from Chibok in Borno State by the sect.

He said the government was keeping its doors open for any meaningful effort towards securing the release of the abducted girls.

He said though the Federal Government is making efforts towards the release of the girls, the security and protection of other Nigerians would also be looked at by the government.

According to the president, government needed to be convinced that the Chibok girls were alive, just as he added that there was yet to be intelligence report as to whether they were still alive or not, saying also that he is working with neighboring countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroon in efforts geared towards the safety return of the girls.

Buhari again reiterated that the war against the Boko Haram insurgents had been technically won by the Federal Government, as the capacity of the sect to attach institutions like the barracks and other military institutions had been stopped and lamented, however, the use of teenage girls by the group to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

FG may ban use of hijab

Asked whether he will ban the wearing of hijabs by girls, like other countries fighting insurgency, he said government was considering banning wearing of hijabs by girls for the safety of the people, which, he said, was paramount.

Subsidy to end by March

He said the subsidy whereby government pays for importation of petrol will be a thing of the past by the end of the first quarter of next year, saying that “the price

of petrol is now low and our priority now is how to get our refineries working in the country.”

The president lamented that the previous administrations could not maintain the four refineries they inherited, adding that part of the effort by his government to reduce cost of governance that it slashed the numbers of ministries from 42 to 24.

Buhari said his government would place more emphasis on the development of the agricultural sector of the nation’s economy, adding that it would get the Chinese company back to complete the construction of railway, as country needed power, effective rail system and good roads.

Devaluation not favourable to Nigeria’s economy

President Buhari said he would not support the devaluation of the naira because it would not be favourable to the Nigerian economy.

The president said devaluation benefitted developed countries of Europe and America because they were productive economies, adding that Nigeria was a consumer economy, which needed to be stimulated into production to create jobs for the population.

“I have to be convinced before accepting the devaluation of the naira. Which country’s currency do we devalue the naira against?

“Devaluation is done between developed countries, in Nigeria; we are still importing ordinary toothpicks.

“We have banned the importation of toothpicks and goods we waste our foreign currency on,” he said.

The president said his priorities were not “people wanting to bring rice and luxury goods which do not encourage economic growth.”

He said his administration

had taken note of countries that were prepared to invest in Nigeria in spite of insecurity.

“Our main priority is to secure this country so that investors will not be scared of investing in any of the sector,” Buhari said.

Commenting on the challenges people faced in accessing foreign exchange, he said foreign exchange would be made available to the productive sector of the economy and not for luxury items.

He added that restrictions on foreign exchange could not be lifted because the money was not there.

Corruption: I won’t spare anyone While answering questions on his government’s anticorruption war, Buhari declared that the anti-graft war would spare no one.

He stated that the war would soon extend beyond officials of the immediate past government, adding that the incumbent government was determined to deal with anyone linked with corruption.

Buhari said that in his first sojourn in power, he never spared any corrupt person, adding that this time around, he would ensure no one was placed above the law.

According to him, during his time as head of state, he refused to spare anybody thought to have corruptly enriched himself at that time and would, therefore, not do so in his present administration.

“I swore by the Holy Quran that I will defend the constitution and whatever belong to Nigeria and anybody we accused, we will attempt to get the documents and prosecute them. It is up to them to prove themselves innocent before the courts.

“When I was head of state, I didn’t put anybody above the law. At this time, I assure you I will not put anybody above the law,” he said.

He added that as a military leader, he was able to arrest and detain people who were regarded as guilty until proved otherwise, noting that under the rule of law, government must be able to lay its hands on necessary documents to prove its cases against those accused.

“Thirty years ago, when I was in uniform and I found myself as the head of state of Nigeria, we arrested those that were perceived corrupt and put them in protective custody and we told them that they are guilty until they can prove themselves innocent.

continues pg5

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

news Reps not aware of fuel subsidy removal —Gbajabiamila 4

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Sponsored 327 bills in 6 months Bola Badmus - Lagos

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AJORITY Leader, House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, said on Wednesday that the 360-member parliament is not aware of government plans to remove fuel subsidy, but declared that the issue would be tabled before the House for debate once it resumed in January.

Gbajabiamila said this at a press conference in Lagos while giving reports of activities of the eighth House, disclosing that the parliament was able to perform better than the one it took over from, having sponsored 327 bills as against 132 presented within the first six months of the seventh Assembly The House Leader, while insisting that the House was not aware of any plan to remove fuel subsidy as government had not communicated its decision to the National Assembly, said that what had been heard so far were pronouncements from some quarters that should not be taken as government position.

Honourable Gbajabiamila, however, said his view on subsidy removal was different, expressing the belief that if government will remove it at all, “certain things need to be done before that.”

“So, that’s the debate for another day. I think that is the debate we would have on the floor of the House if and when the issue of subsidy comes up. Now, everything is just speculation.

I have read in the papers statements from certain quarters, including minister, seeming to suggest that subsidy would be removed.

“For me, I think it is one thing for the government to remove subsidy and I don’t think government is doing that and I would not encourage that.

“Again, it’s a debate for another time. We will engage in that debate when we get back to the House in January,” he said.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that the House has resolved to debate, in the New Year, whether or not the electricity tariff should be increased as well as conclude work on the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which he said could be broken into three segments to make for easier passage.

Speaking on the activities of the House in the last six months, the lawmaker said the highest number of bills

treated within six-month period since the eighth Assembly was inaugurated was a clear demonstration of its resolve to make laws and embark on legislative activities for the good governance of Nigeria.

Giving breakdown of the bills, he said, “In the first six months of the eighth Assembly, a total of 327 bills were sponsored as against 132 presented within the first six months of the seventh Assembly. 264 bills have passed through first reading and awaiting second reading while a total of 40 bills have been referred to committees.”

Speaking on the rationale that led to the presentation of 130 bills for first reading in just one day, Gbajabiamila said, “Let me quickly pre-empt those who have questioned the rationale behind the presentation of 130 bills for first reading in one day.

“Our legislature is presently confronted with so many defective and obsolete provisions in our laws.

What the current House has done is to put its members and the National Institute for Legislative Studies to work and in the course of reviewing existing laws, discovered provisions in our laws that had become obsolete both in language, spirit and effect.

“The Institute, therefore, recommended these bills for amendments and repeals. It was an all-encompassing exercise targeted at flushing out irrelevant and obsolete provisions from our laws. This step has been applauded by experts and it is the resolve of the House to continue to process these bills until they become law.”

According to him, in spite of a bumpy start in June when the House was inaugurated, the House has been able to step up to the plate and has busied itself in working for the progress of Nigeria.

“In keeping with the resolve of the president to address the issues of insecurity, unemployment and corruption amongst others, we developed a legislative agenda that will guide the House in achieving its set objectives.

“The bills and motions sponsored and passed so far are clear demonstrations of the house’s resolve to make laws and embark on legislative activities for the good governance of Nigeria.

“Bills have been presented and resolutions passed to address the issues of insecurity, unemployment,

economic reform, reform in the oil and gas sector of the economy etc.

“We are not there yet but we intend as a House to vigorously align with the hopes and aspirations of the Nigerian masses,” he said.

Gbajabiamila said that the eighth Assembly, in its six months of existence, investigated many issues that affected the development of the health, educa-

tion, power and energy sectors.

He said they also investigated and deliberated on welfare of IDPs and victims of terrorism, good governance and anti corruption, transportation, security and came up with resolutions.

Gbajabiamila said the house intended to pursue the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill in the coming year and present

further amendment to the constitution.

He said the amendment was to provide a more perfect document that would guide the nation.

“As a House, we have, through the instrumentality of the law, extended the 2015 capital budget to March 2016 in conformity with our constitution which prescribes a 12-month budget span, thereby ensuring

the continuation of the infrastructural development envisaged in the 2015 budget.

“On the 2016 budget, we will look at the proposals and the document with a fine tooth comb, dot the ‘Is’ and cross the ‘Ts’ where and if necessary,” he said.

Gbajabiamila said the eighth Assembly would appreciate continued support and understanding of Nigerians.

NDLEA foils recruitment of mules on Facebook Saves spinster from death Shola Adekola - Lagos

THE acting Chairman/ Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs Roli Bode-George, has alerted members of the public that drug cartels had invaded Facebook and other social media platforms for the recruitment of drug mules.

Bode-George raised the alarm as the agency foiled attempt by a drug trafficking organisation to recruit a 37-year-old lady, Ezeabata Uju Gloria, on Facebook as a drug courier under the guise of marriage proposal.

She was to smuggle 1.325kg of methamphetamine to Malaysia through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when she was apprehended.

The arrest turned out to be a lifeline for the suspect as drug trafficking is punishable by death in Malaysia.

A suspected leader of the cartel, who masterminded

the aborted smuggling of methamphetamine to Malaysia, was equally arrested.

According to Mrs BodeGeorge, “the agency has uncovered plot by drug trafficking organisations to use the social media for recruitment of drug mules. After a painstaking surveillance, we have successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs to Malaysia by a courier recruited online via Facebook.

Members of the public should be wary of these antics, ascertain a wholesome relationship and report suspicious cases to the agency.

Some of the tricks to watch out for include marriage proposals to unsuspecting female victims, unsolicited generosity like cash and other gift items as well as offering all-expense paid trip to Asia, Europe, America and South Africa.”

The NDLEA boss commended the swift intervention of the agency that led to the arrest and subsequent prevention of the suspect from smuggling drugs to Malaysia where a Nigerian

was recently sentenced to death for drug trafficking.

“The NDLEA will not relent in her statutory responsibility of saving lives and promoting healthy and peaceful society. This arrest is significant considering the fact that Malaysia recently sentenced a Nigerian to death for drug trafficking. The mode of recruitment is also instructive because of its mass appeal to youths. I expect lovers of social media to learn from this arrest. Meanwhile, we are working hard to dislodge drug cartels and halt their sinister plots,” she assured.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, who said that Ezeabata Uju Gloria was arrested following the discovery of methamphetamine in her luggage, declared “Gloria was arrested during screening of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight on her way to Malaysia at the departure hall. Substances that tested positive for methamphetamine

Airforce cadets lock artisan inside car boot Ambode rescues victim, orders probe Bola Badmus - Lagos

THE convoy of the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, at Mile 12 area of the state, apprehended two Airforce cadets while dehumanising an artisan, Dahiru Lawal, for allegedly breaking the windscreen of a Chrysler Stratus car with registration number KRD 267 DV. The cadets – Peters O. Solomon and Abdullahi Fahad, who claimed to be Airforce personnel attached to the Airforce Base in Ikeja, had allegedly forced Lawal in the boot of their car after dragging

him on the ground for the said offence.

Governor Ambode was returning from an inspection visit to Agbowa in Ikorodu, when he saw the situation and swiftly intervened to save Lawal who was gasping for breath.

Ambode wondered how such inhuman treatment could be meted to a fellow citizen just for slightly breaking the windscreen of a car.

The cadets, when questioned by journalists, admitted putting Lawal in the boot of their car, saying they apprehended Lawal while trying to escape into the nearby market after

breaking the windscreen.

Peters said: “What happened is that the boy broke the windscreen in front of my car. When I stopped, I asked him to come, the boy ran away. We dragged him back and put him in the boot.

“Not that I locked the boot. I only put him inside the boot, but I did not lock the boot,” he said.

Also, Abdullahi said himself and Peters were driving along Mile 12 after visiting a friend when they heard a bang on their windscreen and they saw Lawal attempting to escape.

Continues pg5

weighing 1.325kg were detected in her luggage. The drug was concealed in 26 packs of Indomie noodles, in a bag of foodstuff containing plantain, pepper, melon and other spices.

Further investigation led to the arrest of one Mr Philip Maduabuchi Akpaka (39years), who allegedly coordinated the travel arrangement for Gloria and gave her the bag containing the drugs.”

In her statement, Gloria who works with an accounting firm in Lagos admitted having a Facebook relationship that got her involved in drug trafficking, saying “I met a man on Facebook some months ago who lives in Malaysia. He told me while chatting online that he is from my state, Anambra, in South-East Nigeria. After some months, he proposed to marry me and I requested that he comes to Nigeria to meet with my parents as our custom demands. He promised to fulfil every marriage rite.

Months later, he invited me to Malaysia, promising to pay all the travel expenses.

After several appeals, I decided to visit him. The day I was to travel, he told me to take along a bag of foodstuff sent by his mother from the village. I was given the bag at the airport but in the process of checking it in, drug was discovered inside packs of noodles in the bag and I was arrested.”

Philip also admitted preparing the travel documents of Gloria on the request of his friend based in Malaysia.

“I am a transporter. My friend in Malaysia asked me to prepare travel documents for Gloria. He also asked me to give a bag to Gloria to take to Malaysia,” Philip stated.

Both suspects will soon be charged to court for conspiracy, unlawful possession and exportation of narcotic drugs.

news FG to create one million direct jobs in 2016 5

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Targets another million in first phase of conditional cash transfer

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OR the first time in Nigeria’s budgetary history, the Federal Government would be directly intervening in lifting people out of poverty through a series of measures already proposed in the 2016 budget, including the creation of one million direct jobs.

Explaining details of the social investment plans announced by the president last week while present-

ing the 2016 budget, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said “for the first time the budget is paying attention to the problem of poverty in a proper and direct way.

We have decided to address poverty and youth unemployment.”

Indeed, by committing an unprecedented half a trillion Naira for social investment spending and interventions, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration

is proposing to spend about 9% of the 2016 budget to address poverty issues directly.

The vice president spoke late Tuesday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, during an interactive session at the Nigerian Embassy with Nigerians resident in the West African nation, where he had gone to participate in the installation of the new democratically elected president, Mr Roch Marc

Christian Kaboré.

According to him, the Federal Government will create no fewer than one million jobs in 2016, adding that besides that, about one million extremely poor and disabled people would also benefit from the first phase of the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme proposed in the 2016 appropriation bill “to enable them live decently.”

Another approach the President Buhari-led ad-

ministration would adopt in dealing with poverty, he said, “is to make sure that market women and artisans get affordable loans,” while the homegrown school feeding programme would also commence in public primary schools in the new year.

Osinbajo said the homegrown school feeding programme would not only provide adequate nutrition to school children, but also promote local farming,

Presidential media chat: Buhari talks tough on Kanu, Dasuki, El-Zakzaky continued from pg2

“Now, I am here in a different form, in a multiparty democratic system, the only acceptable system is that those suspected of being corrupt are innocent until they are proved guilty.

“Having said that, we have been lucky to find some documents showing where public funds were diverted into personal pockets, we have some documents where Nigerian crude oil was lifted illegally and proceeds put into some personal accounts instead of the Federal Government’s accounts.

“And, of course, we have started going to court. As we get evidence, we are taking those people to court.

And for whatever is in the court, we cannot comment until we see what they do with the documents that we have presented.

“There are terrible cases of corruption. We can only appeal to Nigerians to be patient,” he said.

On money so far refunded by former government officials, he said he had not been able to disclose names and amounts refunded because they would be taken to court.

“Our main constraint is that eventually, those persons have to find themselves in court and under whatever circumstances, we cannot prejudge what the court would do. The documents we are going to submit and how the government will react to it through the Ministry of Justice is what we have to develop the patient to do.

Assuring that money had been recovered, he stated that “money has been recovered but whatever we recover, we have to end up in court because I feel personally as the president, Nigerians are trying to know the truth and the truth will be what the courts have discovered by submission made to them, in terms of documentation and the

documentation including bank statements: where money is recovered, where it was lodged, how much and which source, whether it was petrol from NNPC or money from customs and excise or money directly from Central Bank.”

On the apparent slow pace of the fight against corruption, he explained that there was the need to do thorough checks, especially as there were international dimensions to corruption.

“What we have been doing as government I am sorry we cannot reveal it,” he said.

On the possible reorganisation of the EFCC, ICPC, he wondered how many cases they were able to successfully prosecute in the past, saying that government had decided to be more thorough at this time.

According to him, “now we are being very thorough before we make the accusations. We have rule in the

court of law. Those that are corrupt, we have enough documents. If possible the amount of money, which currency, even maybe the shipping line. And if it is the CBN, under which governor, when, whether he got order directly from the president or whether he used his initiative between himself and ministers to transfer millions of dollars or billions of naira.

“By the end of the first quarter of next year, we will be kept busy informing Nigerians of what progress has been made.”

On the alleged lopsidedness of the fight against corruption, he said: “this boils down to what I had said that I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

Speaking on his ministers, he said “I don’t think I tolerate corruption. I don’t think I picked anybody that I know will embarrass my government. But if you have got any evidence against of my ministers, I

DSS re-arrests Dasuki after meeting bail conditions EVEN after perfecting the third bail granted by an Abuja high court, the operatives of the Department of the State Security Service (DSS) have refused to allow former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki, to go home on bail.

The DSS, in a dramatic turn, took custody of Dasuki shortly after perfecting the third bail granted him by Justice Peter Affem after two other courts had done same.

Counsel to Dasuki, Mr Ahmed Raji, confirmed to PRNigeria that the former NSA had met all the bail conditions given by Justice Affem but regretted that the court order was not obeyed by the security operatives.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court also in Abuja had granted the ex-NSA bail on November 3 in the charges

of unlawful possession of firearms but the bail was on November 4 scuttled by the DSS who instead of obeying court order laid siege on his Asokoro Residence and placed him under house arrest.

The claim of the security agents was that Dasuki was being investigated on another matter. He was later arraigned before Justice Yusuf Baba of the Abuja High Court on breach of trust and was granted bail but which the security operatives refused to obey.

Dasuki was also moved to another high court of Justice Peter Affem who also admitted him on bail on the ground that the offence was a bailable one.

He had since met the bail conditions but was not released from the custody.

Raji, who perfected the bail condition of his client, disclosed that the action of the security agents was an

affront to the rule of law under democracy. The lawyer appealed to the authorities of the security agents and

the Federal Government to respect court order and allow Dasuki to enjoy the bail granted him by a law court.

Airforce cadets lock artisan inside car boot Continued from pg 4

While narrating his ordeal in the hands of the cadets, Lawal who hails from Kaduna State, said he mistakenly damaged the windscreen with the load he carried, and that he took to his heels because he was afraid of what they might do to him.

“I ran into the market and they pursued me. They started beating me and dragged me to their car.

“I ran because I was afraid of what the cadets might do to me, while my boss and people around begged on my behalf, but

their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“The police also came to plead with them to open the boot but they insisted on taking me away and it was at that point that the convoy of the governor arrived to rescue me,” Lawal said.

The victim added that he lost his cell phone and the sum of N5,000 which he was having on him at the point that he was being dragged on the floor.

The governor had since ordered that the suspects be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

accept responsibility for the 36 ministers that I have.

“But if Nigerians have evidence against anyone of them, the best thing is to take them to court. I don’t think I picked any minister who is accused of corruption and have case in court. Tell me one out of the 36.”

When asked that not necessarily the ministers but some members of APC, who were arrested of corrupt allegation and nothing is happening to them, Buhari, said: “I know consciously that I did not pick any person that has been in court for corruption. I don’t think I will deliberately make that mistake.”

He insisted that if he found any member of his cabinet that is corrupt, he would sack the person, adding that “not only sacking, I will ensure that such person is prosecuted in the court.”

On the declaration of assets by his cabinet ministers, Buhari said that was a constitutional issue and that he did not need to force them, but they knew that they had to declare their assets in line with the constitutional provision.

boost agriculture and create jobs and wealth locally.

The Federal Government is getting assistance for its social investment programmes from international agencies including the World Bank, Imperial College among others.

According to the vice president, President Muhammadu Buhari has announced job opportunities for 500,000 graduate-youths to be engaged as teachers. He disclosed that another estimated 500,000 non-graduate unemployed people will be trained as artisans. Put together, the government will be creating about one million direct jobs.

“The country is destined for growth,” he said, adding that the proposal of N1.8 trillion, being 30 per cent of the 2016 budget proposal, for capital projects was to improve the power, rail, and road infrastructures to engender economic growth.

“The national economy is a private-sector driven and we want to encourage the private sector through adequate provision of power,” he said.

Osinbajo assured Nigerians that the fight against corruption was a continuous one adding that the President Buhari-led administration would not only prosecute those involved but also recover all the loot that had been traced.

“We will go after Nigeria’s fund wherever it is found and we will recover it,” he said, noting “our country is bound for greatness.”

Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, David Bala, disclosed that there are about one million Nigerians resident in the country and are mostly peaceful and lawabiding people.

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news

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

We are not aware of Shehu Sani’s suspension —APC Ward chairmen •Kaduna APC disintegrating —Elders Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

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orum of All Progressives Congress (APC) Wards Chairmen, Kaduna South, has said their Forum was not aware of the suspension of Senator Shehu Sani who is representing them in the Senate.

Speaking in a news conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, on Wednesday, the Acting Secretary of the Forum, Ado Mohammed Sani, disclosed that the purported suspension of the senator was a charade.

“We have 26 executives in each ward and for him to be suspended 2/3 members of the executive have to rectify the suspension.

“But to the best of our knowledge, most of the party’s executives were not aware of the suspension, either was the Forum informed.

According to him when the crisis started they made effort to see the governor, Mallam Nasiru el-rufai and the Senator.

“We invited the senator and the governor. We spoke with the senator first and we heard his own side of the story, while we contacted a top government official who promised to arrange our meeting with the governor.

“But to our dismay, the government official told us that the governor was not in town only to hear that some of the ward executives were having meeting with him at the polo ground,” he stated.

The APC ward leader expressed sadness over the crisis, maintaining that both the governor and the senator must give peace a chance and work towards developing the state.

“They should not forget that APC is a new party in the state and this crisis will not take the party anywhere,” he said.

When contacted, a top government official, who pleaded anonymity, contended that he is not in the position to talk.

Also, attempt to speak with the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Affairs, Alhaji Uba Sani proved abortive as all his lines could not be reached.

Meanwhile, elders of Kaduna State All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed worry that the party is disintegrating because of crisis rocking it at the State level.

In a statement signed by the leader of the elders and stakeholders, on Wednesday, a former com-

missioner of Education in the State, Mr Mataimaki Tom Maiyashi, called on the national leadership of the party to exercise its responsibility to arrest the drift arising from absence of an effective and functional party in the state.

Other stakeholders, who signed the statement, include Dr Stanley A. Mamman, Mr Joel Giwa, Senator Lawal Aliyu, Alhaji Auwal Isah Gote, Hajiya Hauwa Baba-Ahmed, Alhaji Yaro Rigachikun, Mohammed Kabir Ajuji, Murtala Abubakar, Alhaji Aminu Sani and Alhaji Kabir Salihu.

The names also included

Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed Baba, Hajiya Aisha Galadima, Dr Hakeem BabaAhmed, Ambassador Sule Buba, Alhaji Kabir Umar, Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro and Abdullahi Tanimu.

The statement said, “We are elders and leaders in Kaduna State All Progressives Congress (APC), in touch with popular concerns and sentiments, and concerned over the deteriorating state of our party in Kaduna State.

“We have earlier made public our advice to the national leadership of our party to exercise its responsibility to arrest the drift arising from the absence of an ef-

fective and functional party in Kaduna State.

“We have also advised the state governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai to re-visit his governance strategies, which are alienating large numbers of citizens from him and our party.

“The purported suspension of Senator Shehu Sani is one example of the result of the degeneration which is bound to occur as a result of the hijack of the remnants of our party by a clique that believes it owes its loyalty only to the governor.

“The fiasco which this development is generating is placing our party in severe disrepute and our mem-

bers in a state of intense grief and confusion.

“No Person shall exercise powers outside the party’s constitution. People claiming powers, including powers to query or discipline members should not themselves be holding powers that are illegal.

“The purported suspension of Senator Shehu Sani should be withdrawn. We advise that the Senator should not take legal steps to seek relief either.

“The right to free speech and to hold and express opinions are fundamental rights which our party should uphold, rather than breach.

Police rescue 2 kidnapped victims in Rivers Chris Agbambu-Abuja

THE Rivers State Police Command, on Wednesday, at about 4:30 a.m. in two separate coordinated rescue operations, rescued two kidnapped victims namely Jackson Sunday and Mary Monday.

The victims were kidnapped on different days at Rumuodara and Rumuigbo respectively in Port Harcourt but were rescued at Ogbakiri.

According to police public relations officer of Rivers Police Command, Ahmad Muhammad, the police, upon storming the hideout, the suspected kidnappers guarding the victims engaged the officers in gun duel.

He disclosed that three unidentified suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded while the victims were rescued unhurt.

One AK 47 rifle, one locally made pistol, 20 rounds of ammunition, charms and a Nissan jeep belonging to Jackson Sunday were recovered from the kidnappers’ den.

‘Education in Akwa Ibom remains free, compulsory’

From left, Globacom Brand Ambassador, Bovi Ugboma, with fans and Glo customers, Michael Yusuf, Joanna Udoh and On-Air-Personality, Jimmy de Hypeman, at the Glo Stand, at the ongoing One-Lagos-Fiesta, sponsored by Globacom, at Bar Beach, on Tuesday.

To become Glo ambassador, master your craft, Bovi charges youths Globacom brand ambassador and ace comedian, Bovi Ugboma has charged Nigerian youths to focus on self-development and become masters of their fields in order to get the best things of life,

including signing endorsement deals with conglomerates such as Globacom.

Bovi gave the charge during a question and answer session with fans at the Globacom pavilion at Bar Beach, Victoria Island centre of the

ongoing One Lagos Fiesta, sponsored by Globacom.

Responding to a question of what his experience has been as a Globacom ambassador and how an aspiring entertainer could break into that big league of signing such

Tipper crushes police officer to death, injures 2 others in Anambra Suzy Oruya-Onitsha

A tipper laden with sand on Wednesday rammed into three mobile policemen and crushed one of them to death, leaving two others with various degrees of injuries at New Tarzan Junction, along Enugu/Onitsha Expressway, Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when the driver of the tipper allegedly lost control of the

vehicle, as a result of brake failure while descending the hill close to where the police officers were controlling traffic.

The policemen were said to be involved in the control of traffic during this festive period before the ugly incidence.

The Ogidi Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Hassan Musa confirming the incident said that a policeman lost his life in the incident, while two others, who were injured have been hospitalised, adding

that the driver is currently in the police custody.

The DPO expressed regret that the incident occurred at a time people were expressing satisfaction that no fatal accident or robbery was recorded during the festive period in the area.

He attributed the crimefree Christmas celebration to the concerted efforts of Governor Willie Obiano, the police led by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Karma Horsea and other security operatives in the state.

a huge endorsement deal, Bovi said the focus of such an aspiring entertainer should be to achieve excellence in his chosen field of endeavour.

“Brand endorsement relationships are symbiotic in nature,” said Bovi, who confirmed that he signed an endorsement deal with Globacom in July 2015. He explained that the relationship is ‘give and take,’ adding that Globacom as a company loves to associate with artistes whose work speaks for them.

Bovi said it is Globacom’s way of reaching out to the youth and motivating them to attain excellence in their chosen fields.

The comedian, whose appearance at the Glo pavilion attracted many youths in the vicinity including up and coming artistes, advised Nigerian youths to focus on becoming masters of their fields and refrain from chasing fame for the sake of it.

The Akwa Ibom State government has emphasised that Education in the state remains free and comulsory This was stated in a press release made available to Nigerian Tribune by Governor Udom Emmanuel and signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Ekerete Udoh.

“The attention of Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to a malicious report in one of the local tabloids with the banner headline: AKSG abolishes Free and compulsory education policy.

“We wish to inform the good people of Akwa Ibom State that the report is false, ill-motivated and should be dismissed by the public as a desperate attempt by people who think they can win you over through lies and satanic propaganda.

“The 2016 Budget that His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel presented to the State House of Assembly on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 made it explicit that education remains free and compulsory in Akwa Ibom State and went further to state thus “In order to consolidate on our widely – acclaimed gains in this sector, we will continue to provide the basic facilities,” the statement read in parts.

9

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Ketu tragedy: Killer-cop’s family to forfeit entitlement,

monthly pension Olalekan Olabulo

T

he family of the late Sergeant James Stephen, who killed three people and himself in Ketu area of Lagos State, will forfeit his entitlement.

Members of the family will also do without his monthly pension, which would have been paid to Stephen’s family if he had not committed the offence before his death.

They may however take solace in the fact that they will be entitled to his monthly contributory pension scheme.

The late officer was dismissed by the panel set up to investigate the killing by

Lagos records 243 fire outbreaks in 30 days

the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni.

The panel also concluded that the killer policeman was on illegal duty at the hotel, where the incident took place, as he was reportedly not posted to the hotel.

The imagemaker in charge of the state police command, Joe Offor, confirmed the

•Police dismiss him

dismissal to Lagos Metro.

It was gathered that the affected policeman, having spent over fifteen years and having attained the rank of a sergeant was entitled to at least one million five hundred thousand naira.

With the dismissal, the late James Stephen’s family would have to forfeit

whatever entitlements that should have accrued to him if he had not committed any offence before his death.

A policeman, who spoke with Lagos Metro on the condition of anonymity, said “as a sergeant with over fifteen years, he is entitled to at least N1.5 million.”

He added that “his money

may even be up to two million naira, depending on the calculation with the Police Pension Office.”

Lagos Metro also gathered that the officer-in-charge of MOPOL 22 where the killer policeman last served, testified against him.

The late Stephen was alleged to be on illegal duty at

the hotel, as he was said to have been drafted to a bank and not the hotel.

Offor, while speaking with Lagos Metro, stated that the orderly room trial started from the day after the murder was committed.

He, however, declined comment on the entitlement of the deceased officer.

A head on collision between a Toyota Camry and a tricycle at Ikota area of Ajah, on Wednesday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Olatunde Dodondawa The Lagos State Government has called for cautions from all quarters as fire outbreaks increased in 2015.

It also warned residents to be wary of ways they handle any forms of fire, particularly during the harmattan period so as to prevent unintended fire outbreaks that can effortlessly get out of control and cause high percentage of fatalities.

The Director of Fire Services, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, made the call during his routine monitoring of the fire outbreak scenes and lamented the incessant outbreaks of fire in the state.

He stated that the agency responded to 257 fire emergency calls within the month of December, 1st-30th.

He added that 15 persons were rescued alive by the agency from incident scenes in different parts of Lagos while six bodies were recovered and 14 calls were discovered to be hoax.

The fire chief noted that most of the fire incidents happened in private homes, public buildings, warehouses, markets, sawmills and fuel tankers as a result of ignorance or sheer disregard to basic safety precautions.

Scene of a Petrol Fire incident along Lekki Ajah road on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ikoyi prison overpopulated by 1,284 inmates —Comptroller AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin Ten inmates from the Ikoyi Prisons were on Wednesday released by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade.

The Chief Judge said the gesture was aimed at decongesting the prison, to ensure deserving inmates are made to breathe the fresh air of freedom.

Atilade admonished the freed inmates to be of good behaviour and make positive impacts in the society.

“In congratulating the beneficiaries of today’s exercise, I must note that they are be-

•As CJ frees ten prisoners ing given another opportunity to start afresh, more so as it is coming on the eve of a new year.

“I do sincerely hope and pray that those being granted amnesty today will be of good conduct and would do no such thing capable of bringing them back into prison,” she said.

Atilade said that steps have been taken by the judiciary to facilitate speedy trials and dispensation of cases to ensure a drastic reduction in the number of

awaiting trial inmates.

According to her,”The newly introduced bail Information Management System (BIMS) is a ground-breaking innovation to improve the administration of criminal justice in Lagos State.

“Aside guaranteeing ease of access to relevant information as may be required for effective bail management, it is intended to eliminate all known challenges in criminal prosecution. “ She appealed to the Office

of the Public Defender, the Nigerian Bar Association and Non-Governmental Organisations to assist inmates whose cases are ongoing to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

Speaking, the Deputy Comptroller, Ikoyi Prisons, Mr Julius Ezugwu, said the facility which had a capacity for 800 inmates currently held 2084 inmates.

“The prison currently holds 2,084 inmates. The number of convicted inmates are 210 while those awaiting trial are 1,874.”

Ezugwu noted the very

cordial relationship that currently exists between the prison and members of the Criminal Justice System made up of the police and judiciary.

“The synergy and collaboration amongst us have translated into the orderly, stable and peaceful community that abounds in this prison,” he said.

The release of inmates is pursuant to the provisions of Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act CAP C40, 2007, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Thursday, 31 December, 2015 10 news Corrupt persons have left our party —PDP vice chairmen SIEC postpones LeonUsigbeAndJacobSegun Olatunji-Abuja

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HE Body of National Vice Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its weight behind the present administration’s fight against corruption but is confident that corrupt members of the PDP have defected from it.

In a communiqué made available to the media in Abuja, on Wednesday, following its meeting a day earlier, the body also said that it was concerned about the allegations against party members,

saying that if any PDP member was indicted by the ongoing probe into corrupt activities; such individual would face further sanctions in the opposition party.

While expressing its support for the war on corruption, the PDP National Vice Chairmen observed that if corruption was not eradicated the growth of Nigeria “as a nation will remain stunted.”

The body, however, dissociated the PDP, “completely from any corrupt practices while the party was in power.”

Signed by National Vice Chairman, PDP South

South and Secretary Body of PDP Vice Chairmen, the communiqué added: “the body notes with great concern the various allegations and charges against some PDP members that served in government, even as these allegations and charges are yet to be proven, we call on the President to also investigate some of his servingministers and associates that even more grievous allegations have been levied against.

“As a result, the body wishes to affirm as follows: “That the PDP, as a party, dissociates itself from any of its members so indicted.

“Any member so convicted shall also face intra party disciplinary action and will be severely sanctioned accordingly.

“That, the party stands steadfastly by the ideals of the G-34 founding fathers of the party.

“That the “Principle of the Rule of Law, “which was a cardinal focal point of the party while in government remains sacrosanct and immutable.

“That the body enjoins all PDP party members to remain resolute and wait the pending repositioning of the party where square pegs will be placed in square holes and justice

and equity will prevail.

“Furthermore we reaffirm that mediocre will no longer be allowed to govern the affairs of the Party. Power will now be returned to the people at the grassroots.

“We make bold to say that those who are corrupt have left the Party and those who left are indisputably mercenaries and Soldiers of Fortune.

“That in spite of having lost the Presidential elections, the PDP remains the largest party in Nigeria and Africa and we intend to keep it so.

“That the vast majority of PDP members at the grassroots are innocent and not corrupt and accordingly, we frown at and reject the notion and tagging of the PDP as a corrupt party.

“That Nigerians will realize in the very near future that the PDP remains the only viable choice for the Progress and Unity of Nigeria “The body hereby commends our Governors who are the leaders in the States and reiterate our call on them to remain resolute and steadfast.”

Tambuwal presents N174.3bn budget Governor Aminu Tambuwal laying the 2016 budget estimate before the state House of Assembly, in Sokoto, on Wednesday.

Stop campaign of calumny, I am with Buhari —Atiku Kola Oyelere-Kano

THE former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said that the rumour doing the round that he was in Dubai or any foreign country to plan against President Muhammadu Buhari was a calculation of detractors, who have lost focus and have resorted to cheap blackmails.

He, however, noted that the current efforts to set up a fight between him and President Muhammadu Buhari would fail because they are best of friends.

Atiku, who spoke in Kano, on Wednesday, through his long term political associate, Alhaji Abdullahi Sugar, declared that no amount of campaign of calumny by enemies of progress can cause disunity between him and President Buhari.

Alhaji Abdullahi Sugar noted that the duo of President Buhari and Atiku Abubakar are too sophisticated to fall for evil political machinations that would blow ill wind across

the divide.

In his words, “I want to make it clear that any attempt to jeopardise the fruitful relationship between President Buhari and Atiku would fail.”

“Atiku Abubakar wants

to see peace reign in the country, therefore any move by President Buhari to achieve these goals, has total support of the former Vice President.”

Abdullahi Sugar therefore enjoined Nigerians

to cooperate with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to deliver the dividend of democracy and the real change that would bring back the country’s lost glory.

$2.1bn arms deal: Illness stalls arraignment of former PDP chairman, son •Case adjourns till Jan 5 Sunday Ejike-Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not arraign former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Haliru Mohammed Bello, and his son, Abbah on Wednesday before a Federal High Court, in Abuja, due to an undisclosed illness, which the former PDP chairman is treating in a hospital in Abuja.

Mohammed and his son, Abbah are being held by the EFCC for collecting N600 million from the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The duo, which were supposed to be docked on Wednesday, before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, but the prosecution informed the court earlier that the former PDP chairman is on admission in an Abuja hospital, due to an undisclosed illness.

Mohammed and his son were part of those indicted in the N31 billion funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.

A former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda currently on trial in two separate courts before an Abuja High Court had, in his statement, admitted paying about N300

million into the account of BAM Properties, which was provided by Haliru Mohammed.

Abbah Mohammed is alleged to have received N600 million from NSA office in the name of Bam Properties, but the reason for the transfer of the money to the company was not disclosed.

The EFCC has already arrested and arraigned many top officials and companies related to the previous administration for receiving large payments from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from the funds set aside for the procurement of arms to tackle Boko Haram.

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Wednesday presented a budget estimate of N174.35 billion for the 2016 fiscal year with education getting the biggest sectoral allocation of 29 per cent.

Presenting the report before the state House of Assembly, Tambuwal revealed that the sum of N123.8 billion has been set aside for Capital expenditure while N50.5 billion has been set aside for recurrent expenditure.

He said education got the largest allocation in order to underscore his recent policy of declaration of state of emergency in the sector.

According to him: “The policy thrust of the budget is to ensure sustainable development of the state, by focusing on the critical sectors of investment in Education, Agriculture, Health, Environment Solid Minerals and Rural Development.

“The budget will also pay adequate attention to the implementation of various intervention programmes in the area of poverty reduction; to address critical targets of Sustainable Development Goals so as to achieve the aspirations of the citizenry for a meaningful life,” he added.

Sokoto LG polls The Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), on Wednesday, announced the postponement of the local government council’s election, which it had earlier planned for January 9, 2016.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Usman Abubakar announced the postponement at a news briefing in Sokoto.

“The postponement was due to the non receipt of the card readers we wanted to borrow from our sister agency, the Independent National Electoral Commision, INEC. “This was also due to bye-election which the commission would conduct in Bayelsa on January 9, 2016.

“Apart from the card readers, INEC would also train the ad hoc staff we want to use for the LG polls in the state,” he added.

Abubakar further said that the commission had fully arranged for the polls and had even acquired the non-sensitive materials required for the conduct of the polls.

According to the chairman, the commission may likely conduct the postponed polls in the first quarter of 2016.

Ensure security of lives, property, IEDPU charges security agencies Biola Azeez-Ilorin

The apex socio-cultural association of indigenes of Ilorin, the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) has implored security agencies to intensify efforts towards ensuring greater security of lives and property within the emirate in particular and the state in general.

In a nine-point communiqué issued at the end of its 2015 annual national conference, the union also called on the Emirate council to provide adequate security on the use of the Ilorin eid-praying ground to prevent abuse by unauthorised regular users.

The statement was signed by the national publicity secretary of the association, Alhaji Salihu Abdulwahab.

The IEDPU, which planned to donate the sum of N1 million, annually, for the maintenance of the Ilorin Central mosque, said that the sum would be spread over the year through monthly payments.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Mixed reactions trail 50k reduction in petrol price •PDP, NLC, IPMAN, Abuja residents react FromLeonUsigbe,JacobSegun Olatunji,Soji-EzeFagbemiAnd Olatunde Dodondawa

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that there was nothing to cheer in the new pump prices of petrol announced by the federal government who it has asked to explain its claims of subsidy removal.

The party said the new prices announced were a continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government by deception.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in Abuja on Wednesday said beside its deceptive element, the reduction in the N87 per litre pump price to N86 and N86.50 per litre for the retail outlets of the NNPC and retail outlets of private business concerns respectively offered too little to cheer.

The opposition party recalled statements made

by APC leaders in favour of crashing petrol pump prices when they were in opposition.

The statement added: “After heightened expectations occasioned by the promise to review the N87 per litre pump price of petrol made by the administration amid crippling scarcity of the product during the Christmas season, the announcement of this tokenism has come as a disappointing anti-climax, considering that only in January this year, the PDP Federal Government reduced the pump price from N97 to N87 per litre.

“That was done in the wake of the fall in the price of crude oil to between $42.65 and $50 per barrel.

The PDP government then, in reaction to the development in the global oil market, revised its pricing template that brought down the pump price by N2.84 more than the N87 fixed as the pump price of petrol.

The implication was that the Federal Government was still subsidising the N87 price by N2.84 per every litre of the product.

“The APC-controlled Federal Government, consequent upon stepping in the saddle on May 29, this year considered the market and decided through a supplementary appropriation to pay N413 billion as subsidy to petroleum marketers. In announcing the new pump prices, the APC Federal Government claimed that the subsidy element has been removed.

The question is; how much were we paying for subsidy when the pump price was N87? Has this marginal reduction now knocked off

completely the huge subsidy paid at N87 per litre or should it not have only further reduced the size of the subsidy?

“The APC government therefore must explain what it is trying to hide. The government could not have earmarked and/or paid a whopping N413billion in subsidy through its 2015 supplementary appropriation when petrol was selling at N87 per litre and now tells us that at N86 or N86.50 per litre, no subsidy will be paid. Is it trying to make the previous government look dubious or what?”

In another development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, disagreed with the process leading to the reduction in the price of fuel from N87 to N86.50, saying it is unacceptable.

Though, the congress said it was not against or oppose the price reduction but emphasised that the process of the reduction violates the law and signal

dangers ahead if accepted.

The General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Peters OzoEson, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, doubted the sincerity of the government and questioned how the government came up with its template to come up with the new price of N86.50; when the board of the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), which is constitutionally empowered to do this, has not met for two years.

He warned that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu, or the government cannot arrogate the constitutional power of the PPPRA board to itself, saying that the board of the agency include other stakeholders such as the markerters, Nigeria Labour Congress, labour unions in the oil industry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Petroleum and other stakeholders.

Ozo-Eson regretted that the government has totally

ignored and disobeyed the law and not subjected itself to the rule of law on the price reduction.

He said: “There is a law that stipulates how these things are done. In a democracy, government must act in accordance with the law. As of today, the board of PPPRA has not met in over two years and so the PPPRA cannot therefore be coming out with the templates and recommendations because the logic of the law that set it up was that it is a point where the major stakeholders can collectively look at the facts.

The law recognized those stakeholders as members of the agency, including the marketers themselves, including labour, labour unions in the oil sector, government, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Petroleum and so on.”

Also, following the announcement of reduction in pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol effective

January 1, 2015, marketers and other stakeholders have commended the Federal Government but urged on full deregulation of the downstream sector to pave way for needed investment in the sector.

While reacting to the pump price reduction, the National Operation Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Mike Osatuyi, called on the Federal Government to enforce full deregulation of the downstream.

According to him, “the pricing template is very marginal, it is still not bad provided that the product allocation is available. We hope that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would not ration product distribution to marketers because they have not open up the market.

“Now that the government is holding on to the larger percentage of petroleum product importation,

Daddy Showkey (right), signing a contract paper with as GOtv Ambassador, while the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, look on at the MultiChoice Office, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday.

NSE ASI appreciates by 3.79%, as Dangote Cement leads gainers Kehinde Akinseinde-Lagos

The equities market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Wednesday, closed with a positive strike, as NSE All Share Index, a major trend indicator, appreciated by 3.79 per cent to close at 27,777.83 basis points, an impressive turn out compared with the 0.40 per cent depreciation recorded on Tuesday.

Also, market turnover of the Nigerian bourse closed positive as volume moved up by 8.37 per cent against 768.82 per cent surge recorded in the preceding

trading session.

Market breadth closed positive as Dangote Cement Plc led 35 gainers against nine losers topped by e-Tranzact International Plc at the end of the day trade, an improved performance when compared with previous outlook with 23 gainers against 29 losers.

African Alliance Insurance Company Plc led the list of active stocks that recorded impressive spikes as it traded 1.25 million shares.

Dangote Cement Plc led the gainers chart with its

share per price advancing to N164.95 kobo after adding N13.05 kobo or 8.59 per cent. Nigerian Breweries trailed with a 7.83 per cent gain to close at N124.00 kobo per share, while First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc made an increase of 36 kobo to the N4.73 kobo it traded representing 7.61 per cent surge.

Unity Bank Plc led the gainers on the Financial sector of the Nigerian Bourse having appreciated by 6.86 per cent to close at N1.09 kobo per share.

Union Bank Nigeria Plc had five per cent increase

adding 30 kobo to its six naira per share.

On the other side, ETranzact International Plc led nine other laggards as it shed 16 kobo from the N3.20 kobo per share it traded, while Nahco followed with a 4.99 per cent loss having depreciated to N3.43 kobo per share.

Diamond Bank Plc was the first of the Financial Sector on the losers chart with 2.13 depreciation to close at N2.30 kobo per share.

At the end of trading activities at the Exchange, 1,411,119,613 shares worth N1.95 biliion changed hands in 2,559

let’s see what happens.”

On his part, the Chairman, IPMAN Western zone, Alhaji Ahmed Dabo, said that the pump price reduction was a welcome development.

According to him, “the government still has large control over the depot, while marketers would adjust to whatever price they instituted. We at IPMAN believed that total deregulation remains the best option in addressing the downstream sector. What we are interested in is availability of the product. The government should ensure adequate importation of products across the country.”

The Managing Director, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd., Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, said that deregulation remains a great solution to lot of problems and not just a solution to energy distribution problems.

He argued that deregulation is also a solution to the economic problems confronting the nation, adding that a lot of resources are tight up in the subsidy and the subsidy benefits are not directly benefitting the poor people.

Meanwhile, motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed mixed opinions over the Federal Government’s reduction of petrol pump price from N87 to N86 per litre at NNPC stations from Jan. 1, 2016.

A cross section of the motorists, at different petrol stations in Abuja on Wednesday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were positive that it would ease the suffering of Nigerians.

Some others, however, said it would not make any difference.

Mr James Akande said that the decision was ``a welcome development as long as it would create availability of the product for Nigerians’’.

Akande said though the action might not bring an immediate change in fuel availability in the country, Nigerian’s should focus on the long term results. ``As long as the measure will lead to availability of the product in the market then it is a very welcome idea,’’ he said.

Another motorist, Mr Jonathan Momoh, said that considering the current economic situation, even when the difference was not much, it was still appreciable. ‘’Directly or indirectly, most things depend on the cost of fuel because you need transportation to move around to provide goods or services; so it should affect the cost of products positively,’’ he said.

12

business

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

DAILY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) FOR WEDNESDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2015

news US renews collaboration with Nigeria, neighbours against Boko Haram 13

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he U.S. Government has restated its commitment to help Nigeria and its neighbours to counter terrorism acts by Boko Haram.

A statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, on Wednesday, however, said that much still needed to be done to ensure that the people of Nigeria and its neighbours lived in peace.

“The United States remains committed to

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

helping Nigeria and its neighbours counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror.

“Despite much progress over the past year—due in large part to newly bolstered Nigerian and regional efforts—more work remains to ensure the people of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria can live in peace.

“The conflict has affected the lives of communities across the Lake Chad Basin

region with some 2.5 million internally displaced people and more than 170,000 Nigerian refugees forced to flee their homes,’’ the statement said.

It said the U.S. had provided various forms of support for Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

“The United States provides advisors, intelligence, training, logistical support and equipment to our Af-

rican partners as they work to defeat Boko Haram.

“We also support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through on-going humanitarian aid and victim support services.

“The United States will continue working with our partners in the region to identify new opportunities to support their efforts to stop Boko Haram’s wanton violence and restore order in the Lake Chad Basin region,” it said.

The U.S. condemned the terrible attacks carried out

by Boko Haram in Nigeria from December 25 to December 28 as well as other recent attacks in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

It also extended condolences to the families of the victims.

“Boko Haram killed dozens of innocent people who were targeted as they went about their daily lives—attending service at a mosque, shopping in a neighbourhood market or simply travelling down a road.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and we stand with the people of Nigeria and the region in the fight against Boko Haram,” it said.

Shettima approves N20m bonus for ‘Civilian JTF’ members

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) at NEMA IDP camp in Fufore, Yola, Adamawa State, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Ladoja files appeal at Supreme Court He is fighting a lost battle —APC

By Tunde Ogunesan THE Senior Media Assistant to the Accord candidate in the last April governorship election in the state, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, has said that despite the spirited attempt by the APC and their agents in the judiciary to frustrate the efforts of Senator Ladoja to file his appeal at the Supreme Court, the petition has been successfully filed.

Latinwo said the former governor and Accord was able to meet the 14 days deadline within which to present their case before the apex court.

Alhaji Latinwo recalled that the appeal court panel, chaired by Justice Ogunwumiji, was alleged to have withheld the release of their judgement in an apparent move to frustrate the petitioners from going to the Supreme Court.

He wondered how it was possible, knowing fully well that the requirement of the law that the petitioners had 14 days to present their pe-

titions before the Supreme Court from the day judgement was given by the appellate court; the appeal panel refused to release its judgement, which was among the key documents to be submitted by the petitioners at the apex court.

He further stated that these documents were not released till about 4:30p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, while Wednesday, December 30, was the last day of the 14 days Senator Ladoja and Accord had to file their petition at the Supreme Court.

He, however, noted that if not for God and the determination of Senator Ladoja and his legal team, the petition would have suffered a technical difficulty. He gave glory to God that this deliberate and very obvious conspiracy against the honest pursuit of justice failed.

“The petition has been filed at the Apex court. Senator Ladoja also reiterated his belief in the Supreme Court to render due justice

to his petition and that of Accord. God is on the side of truth,” Latinwo said.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter has insisted that it has put paid to the political ambition of the Accord Party candidate, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, adding that the former governor was fighting a lost battle.

The APC, according to a statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, stated that it could only sympathise with the former governor who he described as “fighting a lost battle as far as the 2015 gubernatorial election in Oyo State was concerned for jejune personal reasons.”

As the battle over the 2015 governorship poll in Oyo State shifts to the Supreme Court, Sadare stated that the former governor could come back to people reckoning if only certain conditions were met by him.

Sadare said “In the first

place, it is to the common knowledge of the public that Ladoja’s political career has ended on a sad note and his pains in this regard are self-inflicted. If not self-delusion; what else can make a septuagenarian, who has had to lose same election consecutively for a record three times after being imposed on the people for a disastrous first term, believe he could be governor again in a state where competent and promising materials are in abundance?

“This was a man who never hid his contempt for political leaders, first class monarchs, eminent religious personalities as well as all leaders of thought while holding sway as governor of the state and this was largely responsible for turbulence of that time which eventually consumed him. With the same toga of disrespect for the wishes and aspirations of the vast majority, he continued to pursue a comeback bid but failed as he tried.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno, on Wednesday, approved a N20 million bonus for members of the vigilance group working with the military in the anti-insurgency operations in the North East.

Shettima announced the donation to the volunteers, popularly known as ‘the Civilian JTF’, at a meeting with members of the group in Government House, in Maiduguri.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor described his gesture as an appreciation for their efforts in the war against Boko Haram.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, gave the details of the gesture in a statement in Maiduguri.

“Shettima held closed door discussions with leaders of the vigilantes with focus on enhancing community policing during which he appreciated their gallant efforts and unveiled welfare packages for them.

“He said no amount of welfare package can equal the sacrifices being made by the volunteers, especially given the fact that some of them had laid their lives for the state,’’ Gusau said in the statement.

“Shettima announced a bonus of N20 million to the volunteers while directing that any backlog of their monthly allowances be paid immediately,’’ according to Gusau.

Nigerian Tribune

Plateau assembly extends tenure of LG chairmen by 2 months THE Plateau House of Assembly on Wednesday approved the extension of the tenure of the Management Committee Chairmen of the 17 local governments in the state by two months.

The approval followed a letter from Governor Simon Lalong, requesting for the extension of the chairmen’s tenure by six months.

Rejecting the governor’s six months tenure extension request, Mr Daniel Dem (Riyom Constituency) said that the constitution of the caretaker committees was illegal.

Dem, who is the Minority Leader of the assembly, explained that the elected chairmen, who were removed by the governor, still had a case in court challenging their removal from office. ‘’It was at the floor of this House that we adopted and approved three-month tenure for the management committee chairmen and later extended it by two months. ‘’We also reached a resolution that subsequently we will only extend the tenure of the chairmen by two months only,’’ he said.

Nasarawa communal crises’ victims get relief materials Ademola Adegbite - Lafia CENTRE For Women, Youths and Community Action (NAWYCA), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) in collaboration with the Unilever Nigeria PLC, on Wednesday, disbursed relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of communal clashes, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Nasarawa State.

Items distributed included 8,200 cartons of soaps; 8, 500 cartons of roll on; as well as 8,500 cartons of lotion and 2,600 cartons of spray.

While distributing the materials, the Executive Director, Mr Nawani Aboki, said the relief materials were donated by the Unilever Nigeria for onward distribution to the affected communities to help cushion the effect of hardship on the IDPs and OVC in the zone.

He explained that the victims were not only in need of food and raw cash, but also needed cosmetics to take care of their skin with a view to avoiding skin diseases, appreciating Unilever for collaborating with the organisation.

14 news

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

FG will digitalise civil service operations in 2016 —HoS

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he Federal Government has said that it will digitalise the operations of the Federal Civil Service in 2016 to forestall altering of vital documents by some officials.

The acting Head of the Civil Service (HOS) of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, stated this on Wednesday, in Abuja, when she paid an unscheduled visit to some ministries and government agencies.

She said the visit was to monitor the level of staff punctuality to duty, especially, after the Christmas holidays.

“It was necessary for me to come round today with some of my permanent secretaries when I observed the scantiness in some offices after the Christmas holidays.

“The essence is to find out what is really happening,’’ the acting HOS said.

She said that though some officials were on leave but some were playing truancy, adding that every issue of truancy in the service would be looked into.

The acting HOS, however, commended officials in the Ministries of Communication Technology, Power and Aviation who were punctual, adding that they would be considered for award.

One of such officials, Mr

Ebel Phillips in the Ministry of Power, while speaking with the acting HOS, said staff of the ministry had the culture of coming early to work.

According to him, the ministry has a disciplinary department that ensures that staff adhere to its rules and regulations.

Oyo-Ita also took the opportunity to inspect the attendant register of most of the ministries she visited.

She, however, said that it

was regrettable that staff records and other important information in the service were still being kept in files, adding that such would no longer be tolerated.

“The system whereby records of civil servants are kept just anyhow in piles of files in registries which could get eaten up by rodents cannot continue in 2016.

“During my tenure, the records and document management of the Federal Civil

Service will be fully automated,’’ she said.

She added that this would help address issues of ghost workers and the changing of official records at will by some officials.

She said that automation of records would also prevent officials from removing disciplinary documents from their files, adding that whatever was automated could not be tempered with.

Oyo-Ita added that the ser-

Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, presenting the 2016 Appropriation Bill before the state House of Assembly, in Jos, on Wednesday. PHOTO: Nan

Borno govt budgets N155bn for 2016 James Bwala - Maiduguri In an address tagged, “Budget for reconstruction, rehabilitation and Resettlement”, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, announced the sum of N155 billion for both capital and recurrent and expenditures out of which capital projects are allocated N103 billion, representing more than 70 per cent of the total budget, while recurrent gets N51 billion, representing about 30 per cent. Both expenditures are expected to be financed from a recurrent revenue of N155 billion comprising Federation Account Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N29 billion, Shettima said.

Education, which includes reconstruction of schools got the highest allocation of N27 billion

while the Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement got N10 billion for reconstruction of other infrastructure in destroyed in communities; Agriculture got N8 billion, Works and Transport N16 billion while healthcare was allocated N10 billion.

About N24 billion was bud-

getted for trade and investment, poverty alleviation and women empowerment in different sectoral allocations.

Governor Shettima announced that the 2016 budget size was less than that of 2015 fiscal year, including the previous year’s supplementary budget, by 29.16 per cent, due to the

dwindling revenue from the Federation Account as a result of the falling oil price at the international market.

“The Borno State 2016 Appropriation Bill is aptly tagged “Budget of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement”. There are extenuating circumstances which prompted us

NASARAWA State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the 2015 supplementary budget of N2.7 billion submitted by Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura into law.

The majority leader of the assembly, Honourable Tanko Tunga, representing Awe North state constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress

to re-direct the policy decisions of the state government in 2016 to the issues of rehabilitation and resettlement of the thousands of victims of the insurgency and the reconstruction of infrastructural facilities as well as public and private buildings destroyed by the insurgents across the state.

Lalong presents N154bn budget to Plateau assembly Isaac Shobayo - Jos Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, has presented a budget of N154,072,570,442.00, showing a drop of 28.5 per cent from the 2015 budget to the state House of Assembly.

Presenting the budget before members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, the governor said the drop in the budget is to

reflect realities on ground and the adoption of zero based budget in line with the Federal Government’s directive.

The governor, who said 2016 budget is projected to be financed from the funding sources for both the recurrent and capital, stated that his government had resolved to implement the budget to the best of its ability.

“However, we note that in the face of a wide range of

needs and narrow streams of income, we cannot deliver on all the expectations of our people within this year’s budget alone, we have ,therefore, streamlined and prioritised vital projects into short, medium and long-term interventions as identified during the town hall and stakeholders’ meetings.

“Gradually, but surely, we shall touch every sector and every community.

Nasarawa assembly passes supplementary budget of N2.7bn into law Ademola Adegbite - Lafia

vice was already working with its National Record Centre to ensure the full automation of records in the service.

“Already we have a programme on the electronic management system that will be rolled out next year and we are also going to develop an archival system and a soft ware for that,’’ she said.

She stated that the office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, would drive the programme.

(APC), moved a motion for the speedy passage of the supplementary budget bill to enable the state government discharge its duties effectively.

It was duly seconded by the minority leader, Honourable Mohammed Alkali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from Lafia North constituency.

According to him, “my colleagues, I want to call on you to give speedy pas-

sage to this supplementary budget submitted to the assembly by Governor AlMakura for approval to enable him deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

“Al-Makura had submitted a bill for a law to authorise the issue out of consolidated revenue fund of the state appropriation of N2,712,902,601.39k only for the service of the state government as supplementary budget for the

period of two months commencing from November 1, 2015 and ending by December 31, 2015.

“The supplementary budget was as a result of purchase of official vehicles of new assembly members, exigencies associated with appointments of new judges of the state and increase in personnel cost of Judicial Service Commission, among other unforeseen cost of governance,” he added.

It is in this respect that we plead for patience and understanding. I wish to, therefore, make a clarion call on all citizens, corporate organisations and others to exhibit their civic responsibilities and patriotic zeal in doing the needful, especially, as it relates to our drive and assertiveness to block all leakages with a view to improve revenue” he said.

He promised to run the government on the core value of the fear of God, justice, pursuit of peace, and unity and as well strive to build the social compact of an egalitarian society.

The governor, who said a budget is a statement of intent on spending, once legislated, further assured the people of government’s determination in its implementation and that fiscal discipline would be imbibed in expenditure pattern and strict observance of rules of engagement in due processes and the Procurement Act.

Nigerian Tribune

Bassa people declare support for Kogi gov-elect Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

The people of Bassa Local Government Area in the eastern senatorial district of Kogi State, have backed the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in fielding the governor-elect of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as its candidate.

The people noted that the decision of the party is supreme, urging members to abide by it and work for the unity and success of the party.

Speaking at Gboloko in the local government area, on Wednesday, the leader of APC in the council, Mr Peter Sokoa, said the people of the area were unanimous in their support for the NWC over the governorship election in the state.

According to him, the move was to ensure that the sudden death of the former governorship candidate of the party, Abubakar Audu, did not lead to breakdown of law and order within the party He said: “We gathered here today to unequivocally show our unflinching support and loyalty to the new administration which will be piloted by Alhaji Yahaya Bello. We are here to strongly affirm our stand that all the stakeholders and chieftains in Bassa have unanimously resolved to support the change God has brought to Kogi State” The APC leader, who lamented the current precarious nature of the state because of the non availability of basic social amenities, called on the people of Bassa to unite to enable the council enjoy the dividend of democracy from the new government.

Abandoned girl

A girl, about 10 years old, found at Edan, Oke-Ado Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, on April 14, 2014 Anybody with useful information that could lead to the discovery of the said girl’s parents or relations should, please, contact the Principal Social Welfare Officer, Ibadan/Ibarapa Zonal Social Welfare Office, Iyaganku, Ibadan or the nearest Police station.

15

news

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Moves to lobby Buhari ahead Jan 9 Bayelsa rerun poll failed —APC

Dickson never visited Villa —PDP Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

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he Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the visit to lobby President Muhammadu Buhari has publicly shown how desperate Governor Seriake Dickson is ahead of the January 9 rerun governorship election in Southern Ijaw and 105 polling units in five other local gov-

ernment areas of the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the APC Sylva/Igiri Campaign Media Director, Chief Nathan Egba, made available to Nigerian Tribune in Yenagoa.

He noted that his inability to meet the president could not be unconnected to his treasonable felony utterances and unwarranted embarrassment on President Buhari dur-

ing the December 5 and 6 governorship election, and that his plea for soft landing was misplaced.

Egba averred that President Buhari, who had received series of abuses and name calling from Dickson, refused to grant audience for being desperate and violence-prone attitude in the botched election and the forthcoming rerun poll in the state.

According to the state-

ment, Dickson had repeatedly alleged that President Buhari wanted to use federal might, including the military and police to rig the election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, former Governor Timipre Sylva.

The Sylva/Igiri Media DG said further that having stayed away from the villa for several weeks, it was a big surprise to see

Dickson at the villa, as the presidency declined to meet him and directed him to meet the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari, for his mission.

Meanwhile, the Restoration Campaign Organisation has denied reports that Governor Seriake Dickson was at the Presidential Villa to see President Muhammadu Buhari but was disallowed to meet with him.

This was refuted as “lies and figment of the imagination” of the APC in Bayelsa State, to think the governor would visit Aso Villa without any previous appointment.

In his response on Wednesday, by the Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, the PDP said reply was not intended as necessity to such statement as it was nothing but APC’s propaganda and recurring lies.

IG orders strict monitoring of firearms usage by officers Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, unveiling the inauguration plaque of the Abuluoma-Woji-road with bridge on Wednesday. With them is the deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, in Port Harcourt.

Ondo govt sacks 3 principals, 23 teachers over indiscipline Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure Three Secondary school principals and 23 secondary school teachers under the employment of the Ondo State government have been suspended indefinitely over their lackadaisical attitude to work and indiscipline.

This was disclosed by the chairman of the Teaching Service Commission in the state, Mr Francis Igbasan in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, during the presentation of promotion letters to over 2,500 teachers in the state.

Igbasan stated that the axe fell over the workers where their attitude to work was discovered during an unscheduled visit of members of the commission to over 72 secondary schools across the state.

He said, “the commission would not take the issue of indiscipline at work lightly again, the TESCOM of yesterday is different from TESCOM of today, any teacher or member of staff that is not serious at his or her duty post would be shown the way out.

“This government is try-

ing its best for workers of this state, so the workers too should reciprocate it with hard work.”

Speaking at the occasion, the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, announced that the commission had been directed to recruit 1,050 teachers im-

mediately.

Mimiko, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, stated that the recruitment would be based on merit and the recruitment examination conducted in 2014 would also be used.

The governor, while congratulating the newly pro-

moted teachers said, “we shall continue to ensure that the welfare of our workers is accorded its rightful place in the scheme of things and also ensure that our teachers are well trained and rewarded to enable them re-dedicate themselves to their duties and with vigour.”

Wike introduces security stipends to traditional rulers Says era of abandoned projects gone in Rivers In a move to improve security across the communities of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has approved the release of security stipends to traditional rulers to assist them enhance community security.

Addressing the 102nd Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday, Governor Wike said that the security stipends would assist the traditional rulers generate intelligence which would be forwarded to the security agencies for necessary action.

He said: “The security sti-

pend to traditional rulers, which will be disbursed to recognised traditional rulers, will start from 2016.

This stipend should not be used outside of gathering security intelligence.

“We shall also introduce special awards to traditional rulers who maintain peaceful communities. We believe these awards will encourage communities to take steps to improve security across the state.”

Governor Wike charged the traditional rulers to insulate themselves from partisan politics by ensuring that they remain neutral in all political matters.

In another development, Governor Wike declared that under his leadership, the era of abandoned projects was gone for good.

Commissioning the completed Abuluoma-Woji road’s bridge in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the governor stated that no local government area in the state would be neglected in the renewal programme of his administration.

He said: “I will never do any project that will be abandoned. No part of the state will be neglected in the infrastructure renewal programme of my administration.”

The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Solomon Arase, on Wednesday, called on senior police officers to monitor strictly the use of firearms and ammunition by officers under them.

The Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), ACP Olabisi Kolawole, disclosed the IG’s order in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Kolawole said the order was sequel to some alleged killings by drunken and trigger-happy policemen in different parts of the country.

He said that Arase expressed sadness over unlawful killings and restated the need for Assistant Inspectors-General, Commissioners and Area Commanders of various commands and units to monitor strictly the usage of firearms.

According to him, police personnel are supposed to account for arms and ammunition signed out to him or her to the supervisor.

“No policeman is allowed to dispense any bullet without accounting for it to the supervising officer.

“No police man is allowed to kill unlawfully. It is an offence to be drunk while in uniform and carrying gun.

“Policemen have been trained on how and when to use the fire arms,’’ Kolawole told NAN on telephone.

“They are not allowed to shoot indiscriminately.

Policemen attached to anybody can only use firearms if the person they are attached to is in danger.

Nigerian Tribune

Kogi employs 500 teachers Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja The Kogi State government said it had employed additional 500 secondary school teachers to further improve the education sector of the state.

The chairman of the Kogi State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Sylvester Onoja, who said this in an interview with Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, said the teachers were employed to fill the vacancies in sciences, mathematics and the languages.

He said although government had planned to employ 1000 teachers for the public secondary schools across the state, it was only able to engage 500 because of the dwindling income available to it.

According to him, those that were employed went through a transparent and rigorous process to ensure that the best among the applicants were eventually employed.

He explained that government had also made deliberate efforts to ensure that the new teachers were evenly distributed across the 21 local government areas of the state and avoid over concentration in the urban centres.

Katsina task force arrests 6 over rustling Katsina State Special Task Force against cattle rustling has arrested six people in connection with animal rustling in Funtua Local Government area over the weekend.

In the process, the 16man Task Force has also recovered 335 cattle, 119 sheep and one dog.

Confirming the development, the Director of Finance and Administration of Funtua Local Government Council, Alhaji Bishir Maikano, also disclosed that the arrested rustlers had been transferred to the headquarters of the Katsina State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution, with the recovered animals also being moved to Katsina, the state capital.

The District Head of Rimi and Kauran Katsina, Alhaji Nuhu AbdulKadir, who is also the chairman of Kaura Committee, which is charged with the task of returning the recovered rustled animals to their owners, also confirmed the arrest of the six people in connection with animal rustling.

Thursday, 31 December, 2015 16 news Over 100 PDP Kanu never apologised to Buhari —MASSOB, IPOB members defect

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HE Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has described as false, the claim that Nnamdi Kanu has apologised for his comments against some Nigerians, saying that it was an attempt designed to blackmail and weaken the resolve of Kanu.

The groups also alleged that with the current development, which they described as desperate, rather sinister move may be afoot to silence Kanu and disrupt the genuine agitations for the actualisation of Biafra.

The new leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, in his reaction, maintained that the report that Kanu had apologised to Buhari over Biafra was absolute falsehood.

“It is a calculated and systematic attempt by agents of the Federal Government using some ethnically prejudiced newspaper houses to attempt to discredit, disorganise and frustrate the Biafran agitation which has

gained international mileage and sympathy because of Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest and detention.

“This latest move and orchestrated campaign of calumny against Kanu by enemies and oppressors of Biafrans is a panic sign, following the global acceptance of Biafra. MASSOB and IPOB will not be discouraged or frustrated and no matter the level of provocation, we

shall not relent on our nonviolence struggle to actualise a sovereign Biafran state,” he said.

Also, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said the claim that Mr Kanu had expressed regrets and apologised to President Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders for his alleged uncomplimentary remarks and statements against them to facilitate his

release, was false.

In a statement signed by IPOB national coordinator, Mr Chidiebere Onwudiwe and the media and publicity officer, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB said it totally dismissed the publication, describing it as “the machinations of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) to save its face, having been disgraced by the court with granting of Kanu bail.”

According to IPOB, “DSS is not sincere, if they have respect for the constitution of Nigeria, they would have released Kanu as directed by the courts. Instead, they are looking for new charges which they will use to jail him, but they will fail again.

They are now looking for soft landing to chicken out of the case with the claim that Kanu is apologising, a claim that does not hold water.”

Shi’ite leader, El-Zakzaky, not in Kaduna prison —Authorities AUTHORITIES of the Kaduna Convict Prison, on Wednesday, denied claims that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, was in the prison.

The Controller of the Kaduna Prisons, Abubakar Argungu, who denied the claims, however, said 191 members of the Islamic

movement were in the custody of the prison.

Argungu said “we only have 191 followers of the Shi’ite sects in our custody. But we do not have their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, with us.”

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government said on Wednesday, has said it will soon name members of the judicial commission of in-

quiry into the recent clash in Zaria between the Nigerian Army and Sheikh El-Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

The government, in a statement issued by Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the composition and terms of reference of the

proposed commission had been concluded.

It added that efforts were being made to contact all the nominees for the membership of the JCI as well as secretariat and resource persons.

The government explained that the holidays had made the process of contacting the members of the commission difficult.

Niger Delta youths urged to shun face-off with FG Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

NIGER Delta youths in Nigeria and in the diaspora have been urged to shun any act of criminality that could lead to another faceoff between the Niger Delta region and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The chairman, representing Egbema and Gbaramatu Development Foundation (EGCDF) in Warri North, and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State, Chief Michael Johnny, made the call on Wednesday in Warri.

The A l l pr o g re s s i ve s Congress (APC)’s chieftain said that the people of Niger Delta were peace-loving individuals who were ready to ensure the Buhari-led administration deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

“We don’t want to experience war anymore in our region; any leader that will instigate our youths to go back to the creeks to cause another problem for us should be avoided.

“Our communities are still under rain and sun; our people don’t want to experience another hardship anymore; let all of us come together and support the Buhari-led government that would bring development to our communities,” he admonished.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Mr Edward Dickson, flanked from right by the Chief Accountant, Mrs Oluremi Olufisayo; Senior Manager, Advertisement, Mr Kayode Titiloye; the coordinator,Tribune Christian Fellowship, Mr Samuel B. Afolabi and Pastor Sunday Oyewo, during the end of year thanksgiving service, held at the company’s boardroom, Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, on Wednesday. PHOTO: ALOLADE-GANIYU

Ganduje pledges amnesty to repentant cattle rustlers KOLA OYELERE Kano

KANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has expressed his determination to grant amnesty to cattle rustlers in the state, who are ready to desist from the unwholesome act and willing to embrace legitimate work.

Dr Ganduje made the promise at Dawakin Kudu, during the presentation of 534 herds of cattle by the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammad Katsina, which were recently recovered from rustlers.

He said the cows were recovered from Falgore Forest in Dogwa Local Government Area of the state, disclosing that a joint police and army offensive would soon commence at Falgore Forest to dislodge the remaining criminals.

He also commended security agencies in the state, for their consistent efforts at combating cattle rustlers, as well as other

criminal activities.

Earlier, the police boss told the Governor that the command had also recovered no fewer than 11 camels, believed to have been rustled

from Niger Republic and smuggled into Nigeria.

Other animals recovered were donkeys, chickens, vehicles and assortment of banned drugs, noting

that one Okozie voluntarily returned over 311 cartons of banned drugs, and was thereafter advised to desist from distributing fake and adulterated drugs. .

Shiite condemns NTA’s documentary on sect Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

THE Shite Movement in Nigeria has condemned a three-minute video clip about it recently shown on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

In a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna and signed by the sect spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, on Wednesday, the sect rebuffed the claims that it had a military wing and that their activities were a threat to the nation.

The statement berated the campaign of calumny orchestrated by the Nigerian Army on NTA, saying, “they are frantically searching for

ways to cover up their crimes or worst still, even justify it through these mischievous propaganda campaigns.

“In the past, Nigerians were told that the reason the Nigerian Army killed over1000 members of our members, attacked and destroyed the Zaria Husseiniyah and attacked the residence of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibrahim, shot him, his wife and killed his children in front of him, was because our members wanted to “assassinate Nigerian Army Chief”.

“In this video clip another reason was given to justify that Zaria massacre. Credible information was received

that the sect is stockpiling arms and weapons in its headquarters (Husseiniyah)”.

“In this propaganda video, the Nigerian Government claimed it received “credible information”. The question to ask here is, from who did the Nigerian Government received this “credible information?”

“The fact that they did not find a single bullet in the Zaria Husseiniyah means that the information was not credible. “ It also proved that the Zaria massacre was an imperialist agenda to ignite a bigger conflict in Nigeria, that willplungethe Nigerian nation into an unending crisis.

to APC in Enugu Jude Ossai - Enugu

OVER 100 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, on Wednesday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The event which took place at Eke in Udi Local Government Area of the state, attracted high profile people including leaders of the APC in the state.

Leading the defectors, Mr Emeka Udeh, said that he convinced his friends to join PDP because he realised that APC truly stood for positive change, adding that it was high time more people embraced APC in Igboland.

Udeh noted that they were not being affected by bandwagon syndrome, stressing that their action was based on reality on the ground.

Also speaking at the event, the spokesman of the APC Southeast Leadership Caucus, Osita Okechukwu, described the exodus of the ex-PDP faithful to APC as historic and memorable.

Okechukwu said, “For me, today is historic and memorable, as it has signaled the exodus from the PDP and other political parties in Enugu State to APC. Whereas, we do not want one party state in Nigeria; however, we welcome you for your humility and joining the party from the grassroots - Eke Ward. The ward is the primary unit and the soul of the party.

Adamawa SSG apologises over alleged hate speech THE Secretary to Adamawa State Government(SSG), Dr Umar Bindir, has apologised over the alleged hate speech he made against Yola Fulani race.

Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Yola, Bindir said the reported audio speech now trending in YouTube was doctored by some mischief makers to malign him.

Bindir said as a Yola Fulani man himself, there was no way he would go out of his sense to attack his kinsmen as being portrayed in the speech.

He explained that the purported audio speech was made during a courtesy call on him by the state branch of Nigeria Society of Engineers(NSE), where he spoke on lack of development in Yola over the years due to pettiness of the various tribes citing his tribe, Fulani, as example.

“As a Fulaniman from Yola, I decided to give example with our people.

17

Thursday, 31 December, 2015 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

From left, Rector, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr Olatunde Fawole, Dr J.O. Adeniji-Soji and the Deputy Rector, Dr Adebisi Adeniran, at the inaugural lecture presented by Dr Adeniji-Soji, at the institution, recently. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

From left, a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Lasun Yusuf; Chief Ismail Akinade-Fijabi and Honourable Segun Ogunwuyi, during the 10-year remembrance fidau for the late Alhaja Fatima Abeni Akinade-Fijabi, at her residence on Monday. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN.

President, Ibadan Social Group, Mr Niyi Ogunsola, flanked by members of the executive committee of the group, during the end of the year party held at the Club House at Iyaganku, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN

Children of Chief (Mrs) Emily Omolola Idowu, duirng her lying-in-state in Ogbomoso.

Chief (Mrs) R.R. Biobaku presenting gifts to the Motherless Babies Home at Akobo, Ibadan.

From left, Justices O.I. Aiki, Eni Esan and O.M. Fadeyi, during the Oyo Sate Judiciary Christian Fellowship Christmas Carol, held at High Court premises, MKO Abiola Way, Ring Road, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

From right, Alhaji Dauda Odelade, Alhaji Mufu Adisa Gbayawu, the member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East federal constituency, Honourable Adedapo Lam-Adesina; Chief Ayo Eniade and other political and community leaders in the constituency, during the stewardship and accountability town hall meeting organised by the lawmaker, held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, at the weekend.

Sir Biyi Adesanya, flanked by Reverend David Ademola (left) and Reverend Chibuzor Daniel Egbo, at Christmas Carol of Biyi Adesanya and Co, held at Odutola Shopping Complex, Imalefalafia, Ibadan. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

From left, Chief Lekan Alabi, chairman on the occasion; Chief Executive Officer of the Mother and Girl-Child Protection Initiative (MAGI), Alhaja Adijat T. Malik and Chief Adegboyega Shodeinde, chairman, Board of Directors, MAGI, during the 2015 vocational training graduation ceremony of MAGI, held at Felele Rab, Challenge, Ibadan, recently. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

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

18

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

SEND YOUR SHORT MESSAGES TO: 08054005323, 08055001746

yournews Politicians should focus on education

W

HENEVER

a politician wants to give back to members of his constituency, he buys motorcycles, grinding machines, stoves, among others.

Most of our politicians are so uninnovative. They should look at policies that will empower the people for years to come.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy is a

good example. Politicians should make lasting impression in the lives of the people, and this can only happen through education.

I am happy that President Muhammadu Buhari is someone who knows the value of education. He should focus on developing

our educational system, as this is the solution to our challenges. A well-educated person will be able to think for himself, and will

DPR, punish fuel hoarders OIL marketers are a apart of the problems facing our country. They just keep inflicting suffering on the people by shutting their filling stations, while cre-

ating artificial fuel scarcity. I want the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to shut any filling station found to be hoarding fuel for at least six

months. That will serve as a lesson to the others.

Enough is enough.

Tayo Isola, 08062086668

not be easily manipulated by politicians. I believe if successive governments had focused on education, we will not be having the

Boko Haram challenge we are having in the North East at the moment.

Sesan Ajibola, 08055164562

Attention, Adebayo Shittu I am happy that, an indigene of Oyo State is made a substantive minister in the country. Barrister Adebayo Shittu is Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, and this is an assignment that he will discharge to the best of his ability.

Now that Barrister Shittu, an erudite lawyer is part of those running the affairs of the country from Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, he should not for-

get his people at home.

The minister should use this opportunity to assist the under-privileged in the state, particularly in the area of securing employment.

Barrister Shittu should prove that he is a man of the people by looking after the welfare of people of the state.

•Jimoh Mumin, 08034435211

N5,000 stipend: FG should teach youths how to fish THE Federal Government is attempting to give the multitude of the unemployed in the country a piece of fish, instead of teaching them how to fish.

This project, if approved, may end up turning some Nigerians into millionaires.

Before the project can takeoff, we need a database of all unemployed people in the country.

We also need to know

On FG’s anti-corruption war governance?

What corrupt public officials don’t know is that the more they build on false ground, the larger their destruction.

It is high time Nigerians began to accept that money is not all things; we should change our orientation. We should work towards making this

country a better place for ourselves and the future generation.

Femi Dada, 08183920427

Need for free healthcare for the aged I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to come up with a programme that will transform and have direct impact in the life of Nigerians, particularly in the health sector.

Having said this, I want to propose a free comprehensive healthcare plan for

•Nosa Osawaye, 07030680798

NLC, demand for increase in workers’ pay

Kindred choppers. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

FREEDOM that money cannot buy should elude those who have mismanaged the wealth of this country.

It is now very clear that President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to enthrone justice and change in the national leadership.

If those who were in power yesterday could be arrested to face charges on what they had perpetrated against the state, then this will sound a note of warning to future political office holders, and all Nigerians.

Now, what else does it take to achieve change in

the ministry that will be in charge of the disbursement. However, government needs to tell us what the N5,000 is for; is it for investment or to keep body and soul together? We should stop deceiving ourselves, the only way out of our economic challenges is to go back to agriculture.

young children between zero and five years, and then for the aged from 65 years and above.

If this is done, it will improve the health of these groups of Nigerians who need special health attention.

I want to specifically say it would benefit retirees. It

is not uncommon to find many retirees developing one ailment or the other upon their discharge from service. Therefore, if there is a health plan for them, it will prolong their lives, so that they can enjoy the benefits of their service.

•Adesina Isaiah, 08038061934

ALTHOUGH some state governors are complaining that they can no longer pay the minimum wage, which is N18,000, I think it is even important for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to demand for an increase in workers’ pay.

There are three classes of people, that is, the lower, middle and the upper class, but if the truth must be told, those on the lower rung of societal ladder who earn N60,000 monthly are not finding it easy at all. This means they are being paid N2,000 per day.

These set of workers are living in abject poverty.

With the current economic realities, a family of six

will need about N4,000 daily to ensure moderate living.

What is notable, however, is that those in the upper class constitute less than 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

So we can say that a higher percentage of Nigerians are just struggling to just get by economically.

As a result of this, governors should not even think of reducing workers’ pay at this point in time; they should even look at ways through which they can increase the pay.

Pastor V. Oluwansebebe, 07060520065

19

editorial

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

The Saudi-led 34-nation coalition against terror

S

AUDI Arabia has announced the formation of an alliance of 34 Muslim nations to tackle ‘the Islamic world’s problem with terrorism and will be a partner in the worldwide fight against this scourge.’ According to the Saudi Defence Minister and Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, arrangements would be made for ‘coordination with friendly peaceloving nations and international bodies for the sake of supporting international efforts to combat terrorism and to save international peace and security.’ He stated further that Islam forbids ‘corruption and destruction in the world’ and that terrorism constitutes ‘a serious violation of human dignity and rights, especially the right to life and the right to security. Currently, every Muslim country is fighting terrorism individually ... so coordinating efforts is very important.’

Alliance members are drawn from the Middle East, Africa and Asia and will work ‘to coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism.’ It is a surprise to many that the Saudi-led coalition, which will be based in Riyadh includes Nigeria. It also includes nations with large and established armies such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt as well as war-torn countries with embattled militaries such as Libya and Yemen.

So far, all the group’s members are also part of the larger Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which is headquartered in Saudi Arabia. More than 10 other ‘Islamic countries’ have expressed support for the coalition, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Saudi Arabia’s regional rival, Iran, is not part of the coalition.

Saudi Arabia and Iran support opposite sides in the wars raging in Syria and Yemen. Hakeem Azameli, a member of the Security and Defence Commission in the Iraqi parliament has called the coalition “a sectarian coalition” due to the dominance of the alliance by states having majority Sunni Muslim populations.

The new coalition against terrorism is a welcome development. It is, indeed, a response to the worldwide call for a broader international cooperation in the fight

against terrorism. The coalition is very important because it marked the first major show of commitment by the Islamic world to collectively tackle global terrorism which has been defined by a claim to Islam, arrow-headed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, popularly referred to as ISIL or the Islamic State.

Two factors are important in Nigeria concerning the coalition. The first is that it is desirable that the coalition embrace all Muslims in the world regardless of whether they are Shia or Sunni for the alliance to become a real force for a concerted global effort to fight terror.

The current exclusion of Iran may virtually drive her towards the formation of a rival Shia alliance. Such a development might have destructive consequences, as we are already seeing in Yemen and Syria. Currently, Nigeria has had some challenges with the conflict between the security forces and El-Zakzaky’s Shia in Zaria, Kaduna State with the risk of the conflict evolving into another serious challenge to Nigeria’s stability.

Thus, a coalition that embraces all countries with significant Muslim population whether Sunni or Shia would be ideal.

Two, the inclusion of Nigeria in the coalition should not be interpreted to mean that Nigeria is a Muslim state.

Although the constitution declares Nigeria as a secular state, Nigeria is without doubt a multi-religious state. The constitution clearly barred any adoption of state religion.

Nigeria’s membership of the 34-nation alliance must be seen to be justified by at least three factors: first, Nigeria is committed to global peace and security; second, the country is faced with the challenge of dealing with the terrorist Boko Haram group that has pledged allegiance to ISIL and should collaborate with other countries to address this challenge; three, Nigeria has a large population of adherents to the Islamic faith. Membership of the alliance of the 34-nation coalition against terror does not and should not by any measure cast Nigeria as an Islamic state, just as its controversial membership of the OIC does not render it an Islamic State.

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20

opinion

Thursday,31 December, 2015

Boko Haram: The end, ultimately, is in sight

By Louis Okoroma

T

HE recent bomb attacks in some parts of the country by suicidal Boko Haram members which has cost several hundreds of lives since the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), is a stark reminder that Boko Haram and its agents remain the greatest security threat to the happiness, progress and corporate existence of the Nigerian nation and people. It shows also that the group is a deadly and inhuman organisation that does not care about human life but delights in making a mince-meat of humans by wasting them. Thus it is not for nothing that a recent international report categorised the group as the deadliest terrorist group in the world.

The threat posed by Boko Haram is all the more challenging because the group has affiliated itself to international terrorist groups notably, Al Qaeda, Al Shabab, and the notorious ISIS. However, with the international community including the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin deploying arsenal against the Islamic State, and terrorists worldwide, the days of Boko Haram and all terrorists are numbered.

Terrorists the world over are facing annihilation or at least the last fight of their lives, as the West and Russia, including the People’s Republic of China have united to end once and for all the threat which these depraved people represent. The merciless butchering of innocent people at a cinema in Paris, the bombing by ISIS or their affiliate of a Russian civilian aircraft over the Egyptian Sinai recently, which killed 243 Russian tourists and the brazen attack at a popular hotel frequented by diplomats and foreigners in Bamako, Mali, forced a reluctant international community to close ranks to obliterate a scourge that has become the greatest threat to human civilisation, and peace.

Therefore, Nigerians should be confident that as long we remain vigilant and lend our best endeavours to a committed and sincere leader like President Muhammadu Buhari, no matter how many bombs Boko Haram explodes, the latter has no future in Nigeria. It is a matter of time before the group is consigned to the dustbin of history.

It will be recalled that a couple of months ago, President Muhammadu Buhari gave an ultimatum to the Army High Command to defeat and degrade the insurgents disturbing our land

by the end of December, 2015 to enable the planned economic and infrastructure master plan for the North-East region and other regions of the country to take off, and allow the thousands of displaced persons to return to their homes and their lives.

Unfortunately, this has not happened. There is no doubt that it will eventually come to pass a little later than envisaged.

- When PMB gave that deadline to the Army High Command, this writer recalls that the Army said they would be able to accomplish the desire of the president and ensure that the menace of the Boko Haram is a thing of the past. In fact the president had done most things required of him to ensure that the terrorists would no more have a hiding place. President Buhari spent valuable time and energy building an international and regional coalition to confront the threat. He visited neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroun, Niger and Benin as well as the influential G-7 summit in Germany, in search of assistance and understanding. These countries all pledged support. Even the entire countries that make up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), pledged support and cooperation to fight the threat posed by the Boko Haram. The African Union was not left out. These important institutions and countries declared terrorism an enemy and unequivocally consented to fight and defeat it wherever it reared its monstrous head.

The president went on to do the unprecedented but needful.

He moved the Command and Operational headquarters of the Army to Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, which used to be the birth place of the insurgency. This was done so that Army Commanders and Field Officers would operate from locations near the theatre of combat and where the insurgents are found.

President Buhari gave the ultimatum to defeat the Boko Haram by the end of December 2015, because of his no-nonsense approach to issues and because when Buhari was in his prime as a divisional Commander of the Nigerian Army, he dealt with similar irritants called Chadian rebels with dispatch, routing them from Nigerian territory and they never returned! The situation today is different as the Boko Haram had been left to acquire military clout and territory. It is gratifying however that in spite of daunting challenges of terrain, hostile weather and familiarity of the well-armed terrorists with the geography of the North-East of the country, the Nigerian Army of today under General Buratai has carried out its tasks with professionalism and resounding success. The Army since the coming of PMB has found its lost rhythm and fighting ability and has succeeded in forcefully removing the Boko Haram from occupying any inch of the nation’s territory. Even the popular Sambisa forest once occupied by the terrorists and which became a no go area for our soldiers has become a forbidden forest of death for the insurgents. The remaining task for the Army is to ensure that liberated areas are re-occupied by the inhabitants by collaborating with other security agencies including the police, to man and keep vigil over the liberated areas. This would entail a boost in the number of the Army personnel via fresh recruitment to beef up the infantry.

Back to the deadly irritant of incessant bomb explosions by Boko Haram suicide bombers, Nigerians need to unite and endeavour to gather intelligence for the security forces. No longer able to stand and confront a better mobilised and motivated Nigerian Army, the terrorists understandably will deploy their remaining capabilities into bomb making and deadly explosions to sow disaffection sufficient enough to turn the people against the government.

•Okoroma, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

Still on the falling value of naira

By Chinedu Moghalu

NIGERIA operates two broadly classified foreign exchange markets. There is the official market, where the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funds banks, which in turn fund their customers’ offshore transactions. Banks basically bid for foreign currencies at the CBN on behalf of their clients. Banks also trade their own foreign exchange liquidity amongst themselves, at a small premium over the CBN rate, but still under the ambience of the official market.

The other foreign exchange market is the parallel market.

It is big credit to the reform of this market since its dark, chaotic past, decades ago, that it is hardly again called “black market” that it once was. Today, the parallel market is officially recognised and funded by the CBN. Whereas the official market is mainly for wholesale transactions, the parallel market serves retail purposes. Industrial imports are funded through the official market, as well as officially recognised trade and foreign consumption bills.

On the other hand, the retail market accommodates all sorts of transactions, many of which are off the official radar and sometimes counter-productive to trade.

However, the official and parallel markets, to a lesser extent, serve the financial stability policy purpose of the Central Bank. The CBN also uses its exchange rate policy to manage inflation. For a country that meets substantial local demands for intermediate and finished products through importation, the domestic inflation is largely pressurised by the prices of imports.

In the past few months, the CBN has for good reasons prioritised stability of exchange rate in the official market. It has drawn an exclusion list of avoidable imports from being funded in the official market. With the forex demand for the items transferred to the parallel market, rates in that market have soared. But in truth, the effect of this has had almost no negative impact on the standard of living of the average citizen. The prices of locally produced items, especially food,

have remained relatively stable and benign for the inflationary outlook, according to recent data by Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.

What is apparent, therefore, is that the parallel market is subordinate to the official market. The official market is also much bigger than the parallel market. With this alone, the anomaly of profiling the foreign exchange market by parallel market rates is obvious. Yet, the abnormality of a smaller part defining the bigger part has held sway in sensational reporting of the foreign exchange rates since the country started dealing with the practical implications of fallen oil prices with low reserve buffers since November 2014.

So, we hear and read the screaming headlines of the naira crashing to an “all time low” and the currency exchanging at 280.00 to one U.S. dollar. The sharp rises in the dollar exchange rate have been in the parallel market. But this volatility has not been allowed to extend to the official market where the most economically important transactions are funded. Although the dollar exchanged for N280.00 at the Bureau de change (BDC) in the week before Christmas – and even retreated immediately, by the way – at the official market, the dollar has continued to exchange at N199.00 since March.

While parallel market rates should not be denied the deck, it is pandering to sensationalism for them to be headline

grabber. Unwittingly, the existing reportage is serving the interests of speculators. Sensational reporting of an increase in the exchange rate can drive further increases by building a surge of speculative demand pressure.

What is anticipated has a huge influence on the reality in financial markets. As much as speculation can drive up equity prices, even so can it drive down the value of the currency. While the two asset classes are driven in two opposite direction by the same stimulus, the consequences are the same: financial instability.

It is important to understand the reason for the disparity of up to N80.00 (as at December 18th) between the official and the parallel markets. Contrary to the reportage in the media, the official exchange rate is the reporting exchange rate for the economy. Allowing this rate to adjust rapidly, can cause irreparable damage to the economy years after the country achieves a better foreign reserve position. This risk is especially true because of the speculative demand for dollars in the system.

Given this factor, the CBN has taken a position – which, reasonably, is backed by the Administration of President Buhari – to protect the official market from speculation and damaging devaluation. It is of course far less damaging both in the present and the future if the uncontrolled exchange rate adjustment takes place in the parallel market.

At the return of more auspicious times, the CBN can easily deploy policy measures that would correlate the parallel market to the official market. This can be as simply as supplying more liquidity to the parallel market or relaxing the extant restrictions in the official market.

Perhaps the CBN should have more consideration for increasing the public awareness of the objectives of its foreign exchange policy and their practical implications right to the local market.

•Moghalu is Head, Corporate Communications, Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

21

Thursday, 31 December, 2015 Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

maka nd’igbo NGO enrolls 2,000 widows for rural health insurance scheme in Enugu

From right, Governor Ifeanyi Ughwuanyi of Enugu State; his wife, Monica; wife of the leader of Enugu State House of Assembly, Mrs Lilian Ezeugwu and the leader of the House of Assembly, Honourable Ikechukwu Ezeugwu singing praises during a Christmas holy mass at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Independence Layout, Enugu.

Jude Ossai - Enugu REPRIEVE came the way of widows in Nenwe Autonomous Community of Enugu State as over 2, 000 of them are to benefit from a Rural Health Insurance Scheme sponsored by Jonalfa Hope International Foundation.

The founder of the foundation, Chief Chris Chukwu, announced this last week during the inauguration of Nenwe Health Scheme in the community.

Chukwu, an indigene of the community, noted that the gesture was to bring succour to the widows whom he said were suffering untold hardship.

He said that Nenwe, comprising of 27 villages, had over 3000 widows.

“We embarked on a re-verification exercise to have an authentic data of widows in the community and the actual number we will be sponsoring.

“At the end of the exercise, 2000 widows were captured and we are making a commitment to sponsor them in 2016 and beyond as our finances can go,” he said.

Chukwu, a retired Air Vice Marsharl, said that the foundation had deposited the sum of N2.5 million out of the total sum of N7.2 million required for the scheme in one year.

He appealed to the managers of the scheme to review downward the registration fees for enrollees to enable more people to participate.

“The registration fee of an enrollee per annum is much and we urge the managers to take another look at it.

“We have already deposited the sum of N2.5 million in the accounts of Nenwe Community Mutual Health Association to ensure we started at a solid footing,” he said.

Chukwu said that the foundation was also compiling a comprehensive data of all orphans of primary school age in the community in a bid to train them.

“Our mission is to bring succour to the less privileged and other vulnerable groups. Our vision is towards a society free of the tears of poverty,” Chukwu said.

In an address, the Enugu State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mrs Akunna Ochor, commended the people of Nenwe for embracing the scheme.

Ochor said that the community was the first in the South East to embrace the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme.

She said that it had been a tortuous journey to formalise the agreement between the managers and the community and expressed happiness that all processes had been concluded.

The coordinator regretted that most people in the rural communities did not know about the scheme which she said would help them lead a healthy life.

Ochor appealed to the people to embrace the scheme, adding that there were several incentives in the scheme.

“In any community that gets about 1000 enrollees government will intervene and assist pregnant women and children below five years in such communities free f charge,” she said.

How Ndigbo celebrated Christmas Jude Ossai - Enugu

T

HE 2015 Christmas celebration has come and gone, but the memory still lingers on.

To some, it was a gloomy period as they wailed and cried either because they were bereaved or were in the hospital for medical treatment. Some had no money to even eat a meal.

But to many people in Igbo land and elsewhere in the Christendom, it was not only a period of joy celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, but an occasion to shower love on their loved ones. Some, particularly the philanthropists, used the period to extend gifts to the less privileged in the society.

In Enugu State, many people travelled to villages to mark the birth of Christ. The entire Coal City was deserted as journey to the rural areas began as early as December 20. The same story occurred in major

Sorrow as Anambra community buries kidnapped monarch —pg22

cities in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states where there was also mass exodus of people to the villages.

In Enugu, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi enjoined Christians in the state to celebrate the Christmas praying for the country in these hard times.

Ugwuanyi urged them to pray with faith and trust in God knowing that redemptive mission of Christ, who died on the cross for mankind, was ushered in by Christmas in which Christians celebrate his birth.

One thing that thrilled Governor Ugwuanyi was the prompt payment of workers' salaries in the state this year.

Maka Ndigbo observed that the workers, who had often received their salaries on the 25th of every month, had thought they would celebrate the Christmas without taking their salaries, but the governor surprised them when they received alerts signifying the

NMA boss urges health workers to seek alternative to strike —pg22

payment of salaries even when the state had not collected its allocation from the federation account for the month.

In some of the villages visited, there were huge celebrations as some communities had their special days within the yuletide while in big cities like Enugu, social life was at its lowest ebb.

In Amufie, Amachalla, Enugu-Ezike in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, youths also used the period of the Xmas celebration to engage themselves in inter-community football competition.

However, despite the happiness that characterised this year's Christmas, the high cost of fuel caused severe hardship to motorists in the zone. In rural areas, a litre of fuel was pegged at N200.00, making motorcyclists to hike their fares.

CREW Jude Ossai-Enugu-South East Bureau Chief 08052817955 Joe Nwachukwu- Owerri 08033271227 Suzy Oruya- Onitsha 08063653735

22 makand’igbo

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Sorrow as Anambra community buries kidnapped monarch Suzy Oruya - Onitsha

I

T was all wailing and crying at Umuchukwu Community in Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State, as the Traditional Ruler, Igwe Michael N. Ukaegbu Nnanyelugo 1 of Umuchukwu Kingdom, who was kidnapped and later released, died and was buried.

The monarch was reportedly kidnapped in his palace on 11th April 2007 and bundled into the car boot of his abductors and whisked away to an unknown destination.

A search party was set up and, assisted by a philanthropist in the community, Dr Godwin Maduka, the monarch was found wandering in a forest at Aguluzigbo in another Local Government Area of the state.

He was assisted by the traditional ruler of Aguluzigbo Igwe A.N. Eze Anaekwe to reunite with his family.

The Igwe was said to have eventually died as a result of the trauma he went through which worsened his health condition before he later died.

The monarch was born on 20th February 1940 to the humble family of Chief Ukaegbue Okoronkwo of the legendary Unamouegbulam Kindred, Okpuma Dynasty in Iswiama village .

Igwe Michael was the 3rd child, but the first son of his parents. At the time of his birth, traditional farming and herbal medicine were the main occupations of his parents, yet they enrolled him at Okegbe Primary School, Owerre-Ezukala at the age of six years.

He finished his primary education (Standard six) with distinction in 1952.

In those days, parents looked up to successful people in the society and

would wish their children to be celebrated likewise. Given this understanding, his father enrolled him for artistic and creative designs under the tutelage of Chief S.O. Onwucheka, MD, Chukwas and Sons Art Industry, based in Umahia Abia State Igwe Ukaegbue married in 1969 to his wife Lolo Theresa Ukaegbu, nee Onwubiko, from Ogwuada village OwerreEzukala and the union was blessed with nine children.

Igwe Ukaegbu ascended the throne in February 1976 when traditional rulership was first introduced in the Old Anambra State, former Nkerehi community and now Umuchukwu community which installed him as its traditional ruler, becoming HRH Igwe MN Ukaegbue Nnanyelugo 1 of Umuchukwu .

He was in 1977 given certificate of recogniation consequent to his installation by the governor of Old Anambra State, Col. John Atom Kpera.

Paying tribute to him, his nephew, Dr Godwin Maduka, said he was the founding father and architect of Umuchukwu development, describing him as a colossus who represented everything good and noble in Umuchukwu Kingdom.

Maduka said that his 38-year reign ushered in a transformation of a hitherto rural village into a modern town where peace, development and prosperity reigned as he was instrumental to the delivering of Umuchukwu from the shackles of the devil, from deity worship, to the town where God is glorified.

In his tribute during the last Ofala of the monarch, the Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, said “undoubtedly, the monarch lived a good, richly fulfilled life having served as a traditional ruler of

ESUT students to smile as research centre is proposed for varsity Jude Ossai - Enugu STUDENTS of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT ) will soon smile as a world class research centre is to be sited in the institution.

Maka Ndigbo gathered that the Social Research Centre is intended to introduce core research ethics and practices in order to improve on research methods.

According to the former Students' Director of Research, Comrade Ozor Ugonna, "the ESUT Social Research Centre is a unique, international-standard research complex offering impressive and effective capabilities to support Social Research Innovation".

Ugonna, who spoke to Maka Ndigbo on Tuesday in Enugu, explained that the ground-breaking Social Research Centre would attract academics and other research lovers from all walks of life.

"An hour glass, unique cowries, atlas, maps, books of records, fossils, antiquities, artifacts, fossil testing machine, hides, beads records of philosophical and sociological scholars, the statues of Late Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Kwame Nkruma of Ghana, Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria; statues of Socrates (The Thinking Man), Plato and Aristotle; a live image of the Technological Evolution of Man; a statue of the Monument of Ability derived from the ESUT logo and EA statue pit of the slave trade".

Asked why he delved into the project, Ugonna said that it would help propagate practical learning in ESUT,

broaden the motives of researchers, re-orient researchers on core research methodologies and link researchers to multiple-choice of resource materials putting into consideration the quality of facts relayed.

He also explained that it would encourage undergraduates to imbibe research practices in order to ameliorate brain drain.

"This project was conceived in October 2012 and has been pursued since then.

It has passed three evolutionary stages and is, at the moment going, through a thorough preliminary stage which will amount to a more universal, conventional and widely acceptable standard", he concluded.

Umuchukwu for about 38 years”.

“His joining his ancestors, as painful as it is, must be accepted as an act of God,” he advised.

Speaking, an industrialist and leader of Progressive People’s Alliance,(PPA) in the state, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, prayed for ever lasting peace in the community, adding that peace was the tool with which to develop a community.

He expressed satisfaction with the contribution of the late Igwe’s nephew, Dr

Godwin Maduka, whom he described as the light in Umuchukwu, having brought infrastructural development there and assisted mostly the down trodden.

He called on the people to embrace peace and pray fervently for God’s intervention in all they did, recalling that since the community changed its name from Nkelefi to Umuchukwu, good things had continued to happen through D. Maduka who is one in a million.

Igwe-Ukaegbu remains being carried for burial

NMA boss urges health workers to seek alternative to strike Jude Ossai - Enugu THE 2015 physicians’ week of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State branch, ended recently, with a call on medical doctors and other health workers in the country to seek alternatives to industrial actions in the interest of patients.

Although, government took the chunk of the blame, for not implementing agreements with relevant unions, participants agreed that the option of strike action was not the best. The theme for the 2015 physicians’ week was routine immunisation in the change era: Targeting measles and other vaccine preventable diseases.

Worried by the frequent industrial disputes by health professionals, Chairman of the Association, Dr George Ugwu, appealed to his colleagues to apply utmost caution, as they defended their professional call.

He continued: "Yes, everyone knows we are right one hundred per cent to

Director of Medical Services, Enugu State Ministry of Health, Dr Ejeh Ndubuisi Mike (right); Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association,(NMA), Enugu State, Dr George Ugwu; Provost, College of Medicine, Anambra State University, Awka, Professor Frank Akpuaka; Chief Consultant Paediatrician at the Institute of Child Health, UNTH, Dr Beckie Tagbo and Dr Cyril Dim of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UNTH, at the 2015 physicians' week at Hotel Toscana, Enugu on Monday.

fight for our rights, but please, let us show that milk of human kindness in us as we go about this. We should also think of the image of the profession and understand that our primary role is to save lives".

Dr Ugwu, who received encomiums from his colleagues and seniors in the profession for his style of leadership, called on the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to the health sector, adding that poor funding of the teaching hospitals and health institutions was a major cause of the frictions between health workers and their management.

He maintained that unless Nigerian government allocated sufficient funds to health, as it was in developed countries, healthcare delivery in the country would remain epileptic.

According to the medical expert, “Nigeria is blessed with quality manpower, but unfortunately, we don’t have adequate facilities to function at optimum level and our doctors are not motivated.”

He disclosed that during the week’s activities, the association organised free immunization and screening exercises for common medical conditions in Enugu and at Orba, in Udenu Local Government Area of the state as well as an interactive session with medical elders, teachers and leaders of the profession.

The NMA boss explained that the purpose of the interactive session with medical elders was to enable young doctors tap from the fountain of their rich experience and expertise needed to keep the profession evergreen, pointing out that during the dialogue, critical issues such as mentoring, medical ethics, and discipline, love for the profession, reduction of industrial disharmony and strikes were extensively discussed.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

education

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

Battling hooliganism in Osun schools

V

IOLENCE, cultism and hooliganism are fast taking the centre stage in public secondary schools in Osun State as some students have turned themselves to terror machines, making life miserable to their fellow students, teachers and host communities.

The development, which is already creating concern among stakeholders, including teachers, parents and the state government, is capable of setting back the clock of knowledge impartation in the schools.

Investigations by Tribune Education revealed that hardly a month passes without one violent clash or the other being recorded in some schools, most of these involving cult groups and notorious gangs among the secondary school students, whose activities and usually violent attacks are synonymous with those by known dreaded cult groups in tertiary institutions.

Naturally, these have raised questions on what could be responsible for the sudden and unabating upswing in violence and gangsterism among secondary school students in Osun.

Indiscipline among the pupils and disrespect for the school authorities are fast turning Osun public secondary schools to dens of criminals and thugs, and there seems to be no quick fix solutions in sight from any quarters, including the state government.

Early this March, no fewer than five public secondary school students were expelled by the state government for their involvement in violent crises that paralysed academic activities in two secondary schools in Osogbo, the state capital.

Tribune Education recalls that students of Osogbo High School and Government Technical College, both located few metres away from each other, along the Osogbo-Iwo road, had in February engaged one another in deadly clashes, which compelled the government to shut the schools.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Ministry of Education, Mr Lawrence Oyeniran, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the state government decided to expel the students after a careful consideration of the cases that involved the two schools.

Similarly, on the 10th of December, 2015, the state government shut down six schools within the capital, with a view curtailing the growing level of chaos in the affected public schools.

Tribune Education reliably gathered that the violence which erupted in Anglican High Schools 1 to 5 that week snowballed into full scale attacks the following week when suspected cultists invaded the school premises with dangerous weapons.

According to credible sources, “some suspected cultists attacked the Anglican High Schools 1 to 5 and Adenle Middle School – all located in the same compound at Testing Ground area of the town three times last week, forcing teachers and

OLUWOLE IGE writes that Osun State government is putting in efforts to rid its educational system of indiscipline, cultism and other criminal activities making its public schools unsafe for learning.

Entrance of Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Osogbo.

Inset: Governor Aregbesola students to scamper to safety. At the heat of the attack, a member of the Peace Corps was axed on the head.”

Sources in the affected schools also informed Tribune Education that trouble started when a student identified as Toheeb Oluaye strangely ordered a female Home Economics teacher out of class.

“Toheeb had been coming to school with a dane gun, because of insinuations that members of the Peace Corps were being returned to schools to instill discipline among students,” he said.

When the Police and Department of State Security (DSS) operatives got wind of the development, they stormed the premises of the Anglican High School last Friday, and arrested Toheeb.

Indiscipline among the pupils and disrespect for the school authorities are fast turning Osun public secondary schools to dens of criminals and thugs, and there seems to be no quick fix solutions in sight...

But some people believed to be members of Toheeb’s cult group allegedly invaded the school and attacked both the police and students.

The source said further: “when the police arrived, some people who were not in school uniform mobilised and attacked them. Two teachers, one female and male, were injured during the melee.”

At the end of the crisis, six secondary school students alleged to be masterminds of the incident were arrested and arraigned before a magistrate’s court in Osogbo the following day.

When contacted over the development, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Lawrence Oyeniran, simply declined to comment on it, saying “it is a subject I don't want to talk about. Maybe you can see the deputy governor.”

Speaking on the incident, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Osun State chapter, Mr Amuda Wakili, said when he heard about the development, he ordered teachers to stop going to school.

But the state government said the spate of violence in public schools in the state is part of the rot it inherited from the past administrations, but that it will not relent in its various reforms until violence is completely rooted out of public schools.

It said that the long years of abandoned education sector in the state had turned the schools to breeding grounds for gangsters.

In a statement, the Director, Bureau of

Communications and Strategy to the governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, said the ugly incidents such as those that happened at the Anglican High School and Adele Middle School were part of the results of long years of neglect of the education sector.

The statement recalled that Governor Rauf Aregbesola had at the official unveiling of the first Mega High School in the state lamented what he called a deplorable situation in public educational institutions which had constituted breach of the peace to the entire community in the past.

Okanlawon said: “When the government commissioned the Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo, Governor Aregbesola made no mistake admitting that the old school system and outlook encouraged pupils to behave almost like animals.

“What happened recently was just part of the remnants of the culture of violence inherited in our schools five years ago and which this administration has battled vigorously. It could have been worse.

“But the dogged pursuit of excellence in character molding and academic brilliance under the present administration in the education sector has stemmed the tide. We are not relenting until we stamp out the last instance of anti-social behaviour in our schools.”

While appealing to parents and guardians, the statement said members of the public must complement the efforts of the government through adequate monitoring of their school children to avert bad company and shameful conducts.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

‘Academic and moral excellence is high on our agenda’ Crescent University, Abeokuta, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. In this interview, its registrar, Zacchariya Ademola Ajibola, a barrister, shares with LAOLU HAROLDS some of the things that stand the institution out as the pioneer Islamic university in Nigeria. Excerpts

Crescent University prides itself on being the pioneer Islamic university in Nigeria. What exactly is ‘Islamic’ about this university? Does one need to be a Muslim to be a student or work here?

When in early 2000, the proprietor (Judge Bola Ajibola) conceived of the idea of establishing this university, it was premised on his observation that at the tertiary education level, there was a stark absence of the provision for university education that was sensitive to or attended to the needs of the people from the Muslim faith, in the way that it existed with the other faiths. He noted that among the long list of private universities that existed then, there wasn’t a single one that came out to present itself as representing the interests of the Muslim faith.

He felt that it was befitting that such an establishment existed to provide education within that gap and also give people within the Islamic community an opportunity to express themselves at that level. This led to a summit of academics who sat down to design and plan the idea of Crescent University.

The word ‘Islamic’ is essentially the idea that one, faith and belief in the omnipresence of the Creator is acknowledged, and that the philosophy and the chosen or overarching faith (belief) for the institution is the Islamic faith. And as he himself, growing up, attended a missionary school which at that time was run by the Baptist Church, he found that there was a lot of benefits not only in what they learnt in terms of the regular curriculum but also in terms of character moulding and discipline that was taught by the Christian missionaries. A lot of those teachings stood him in good stead in growing up, and had a lot to do with all he was able to achieve in his adult life. So, he felt that now that he is in a position to give something back to the society, his own chosen faith, Islam, also has something to offer by way of character moulding and discipline for young students aspiring for university education.

But what you will find is that the curriculum and range of programmes are not essentially different from what you would find in any other institution. Many of our students are from the Muslim background, but there are many others who are not. A fair percentage of both our staff and students are from other faiths, but we have taken steps to ensure that there is an allowance within our curriculum/programmes/activities that anyone who spends time attending their degree programmes here also has the opportunity to understand and improve their knowledge of the Islamic faith and also hopefully be a little better off in terms of their spiritual growth and moral discipline.

Specifically, what are some of those things done differently here from the public universities that many believe give students too much liberty?

I think the opportunity that private institutions have as far as students’ experience is concerned is, first and foremost, that they are established with some purpose. There is a desire beyond the teaching or preparation of students for employment that the establishment of the university allows them to do. It’s no coincidence that by far the majority of private universities have one faith-based inclination or the other; and one common feature is discipline. The unique opportunity that private universities have is obviously the extra degree of control because of the nature of ownership, and usually also size in terms of population of students. Typically, at Crescent University, we would require our students to obtain permission before exiting the university and they are limited to only a certain number at a given time. And quite often, parents themselves make Crescent University their choice

Ajibola

because they want that kind of control effected. We also are concerned about appearance. Again, obviously, there are religious dictates about dress code, and we have tried our best not to be overly rigid about it, particularly recognising that we also have students who are not from the Islamic faith. But again, decency in appearance is something that runs through all religious and even nonreligious societies. We insist that the length and tailoring, particularly for females, should not be ones that would draw unnecessary attention or reveal what will be considered by many as indecent. And for our male students too, we also insist that they too observe appropriate dressing.

Of course, the university has a place of worship that is essentially for those who are of the Muslim faith; but we don’t disallow our students who are from other faiths from accessing whatever has been provided to fulfill the obligation of their faiths. Typically also, the sale or use of alcoholic beverages is not allowed.

Do all your students reside on-campus or do some of them come from home?

We do run a 100 per cent residential policy. Again, at the establishment of the university, there was a debate as to the wisdom in doing so, particularly given the cost; but the proprietor said the idea of Crescent University was not just to add to the number of graduates, but to provide an opportunity for the inculcation of character and discipline in students, and that having a hostel presents a bit more opportunity to do that; because then you are not just seeing them in the classroom during the day when usually people comport themselves, but you are seeing them even when they are a bit more relaxed in their own environment. Those we allow exemptions from hostels are in some cases mature students who have families and are resident in Abeokuta here. This also applies to part-time students who work during the week. We allow them to come from their respective homes to attend their programmes and go back. And then, rarer but occasionally too if a student is experiencing a particularly serious ailment that requires more monitoring than we can offer, we sometimes insist that they should remain with their family; but as soon as there is improvement, we review the situation and encourage them to resume back on campus.

How many students do you have now at Crescent University?

In total, about 1,500.

Without government subvention or TETFund

grants, how do you manage to balance providing quality education with ensuring staff welfare?

This is indeed a challenge for private institutions, and that is why you find a lot of private institutions charging the fees they do, because there is no other way of doing it if you are going to remain open. The requirements of the National Universities Commission as far as programmes are concerned are quite stringent, and every university is always charged to do whatever it has to do to ensure that it provides it. The other aspect of the challenge with staffing for universities in Nigeria is that in some cases, those staff don’t exist; those with the requisite qualification. There are only so many professors in certain fields, and beyond that there is very little you can do. So, sometimes, you find yourself having to go abroad (and we have done that in some instances) in order to meet the requirements. The other area of support is of course that there is a system of associate staff; and the older universities that are fortunate to have a better compliment of staff and are able to afford some of the time of their staff to be lent to some of the younger universities. Those opportunities are taken up by many private universities.

And we do give appointments to professors from neighbouring universities like University of Ibadan, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and the likes in order to augment the staffing requirements of our own departments. But as far as finance is concerned, it is primarily from tuition fees and also from time to time, we do benefit from endowments from well meaning members of the public.

What should we expect from Crescent University in the coming year?

We have just celebrated our 10th anniversary. That has provided an opportunity for us to reflect on those 10 years and what are those things that the university has done well, and maybe those things that it hasn’t done quite well in? Essentially, the way forward for us is to consolidate on that and continue to improve on those areas that are our strength. We have been encouraged by our graduates so far and many of them that have left here have gone on to undertake postgraduate programmes, not only within Nigeria but abroad and their performance has been commendable. That is one thing that we intend to maintain; to ensure that the academic excellence is maintained. And the issue of moral excellence is still high on our agenda. We continue to invest our time and resources to ensure that we look into what else it is that we can do to ward off unwanted practices and improve on good conduct.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Kogi recruits 500 secondary school teachers Yinka OladoyinboLokoja

K

OGI State government says it had employed additional 500 secondary school teachers to further improve the education sector in the state.

The Chairman, Kogi State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Sylvester Onoja, who disclosed this in an interview with Tribune Education, maintained that the teachers were employed to fill vacancies in sciences, mathematics and languages.

He said although government had planned to employ 1000 teachers for the public secondary schools across the state, it was only able to employ 500 because of the dwindling income available to it.

According to him, those who were employed went through a transparent and rigorous process to ensure that the best among the applicants were eventually employed.

He explained that the government has also made deliberate efforts to ensure that the new teachers are evenly distributed across the 21 local government areas of the state to avoid over-concentration in the urban centres.

He said, “We have recruited 500 teachers because we are repositioning our secondary education in Kogi State. We are at the stage of posting the new

teachers now, but we are going to hold an induction course and then post with effect from this December.

Speaking on the process

of posting of the newly employed teachers, Onoja said: “We have set up a committee to do the posting, the committee is made

In pursuance of its academic brief and further expansion of academic and professional courses, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, IkejiArakeji, Osun State has embarked on plans to commence medical studies during the 2015/2016 session.

Speaking during the sixth Convocation Press Conference of the University, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sola Fajana said the college of Health Sciences will offer courses in Nursing, Environmental Health, Medical Laboratory Technology, Health Information Management, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Optometry.

The college building has been commissioned during the convocation ceremony and Fajana said the college is at the stage of resource verification by the National University Commission (NUC).

Fajana said the university would be collaborating with some other health institutions to train its medical

bution of teachers across the state. The process is void of political influences.”

By Olatunji Awe

The Press Council, Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, during their excursion to Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, recently.

CRUTECH alumni want lawmakers to support research, devt Anthony UbongCalabar Newly inaugurated National President of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) Alum-

ni Association, Mr Eyam Abeng, has appealed to lawmakers representing Cross River State both at state and national levels to contribute 40 per cent of their constitu-

Jabu plans college of health sciences

By Adewale Oshodi

up of management staff of the teaching service commission, unions, ANCOPPS and ASUSS so that we could have even distri-

Medicine finally takes off.

He said the university would require about N3 billion to build and equip a teaching hospital which would serve the College of Medicine and that will happen in due course.

Explaining the rationale behind the establishment of the College of Medicine, the University’s Registrar, Mr Wale Aderibigbe said the idea was not contrary to the belief of the Christ Apostolic Church which established the institution.

According to him, divine healing does not mean abstinence from drugs and refusal to receive medical treatment but God’s intervention especially in cases beyond human capability.

He said: “Having a medical school is not contradictory to the belief of the Christ Apostolic Church which established JABU. Even medical doctors say they care, but God heals.”

Giving a breakdown of the graduating students, the VC said out of 816 students who will bag various degrees during the convocation, 21

graduates made first class; 242 made second class upper; 426 made second class lower division and 93 made third class.

He also added that the National University Commission has granted approval to JABU to commence Postgraduate programmes in Economic, Political Science, Mass Communication, Religious Studies, and English Language.

ency allowances to promote research and development in the state.

Abeng, who made the appeal during the inauguration ceremony of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association, said the contribution would be used to establish a research and development fund as well as the inclusion of the alumni in the convocation seat of the governing council of the university.

This came as he promised to operate an open door policy which would be anchored on accountability and equity.

He said: “We shall always present a statement of account in every quarterly

Rufus Giwa Poly governing council meets staff, inspects projects

NEC meeting. The sustenance of internal unity of our alumni remains our priority.

“This administration is committed to improving the standard of the association in particular as well as our alma mater in general.”

Abeng promised to mobilise funds through public private sector partnership to build a befitting alumni complex as well as embark on corporate social responsibility projects in collaboration with critical stakeholders.

He further said his administration would encourage students on programme exchange with foreign universities.

In a bid to foster the development of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Chairman, Governing Council, Honourable Alaba Lad-Ojomo, recently led other council members to meet with the entire workforce of the institution for a mutual relationship and also to inspect ongoing projects.

In his speech, the governing council said the current council is committed to working for the development of the polytechnic.

He added further that all members of the council are desirous and passionate to contribute their quota to the development of the institution with a view to making it first among equals in the comity of tertiary institutions.

The chairman expressed satisfaction with the relative peace being enjoyed at the institution, while he acknowledged the great physical and infrastructure development it has brought to the institution.

“We must continue to embrace peace in order to have a stable academic calendar. We will leave no stone unturned to make sure the inst itution is reputable by all standards, and this also includes the welfare of staff,” he said.

In his remark, the acting Rector, Mr Idowu Boniface Ologunagba, lauded the Visitor to the institution, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, for making prominent Nigerians members of the 10th governing council.

He described the governing council as “highly competent and 21st-century compliant.”

The Registrar, Mr Peter Tale Akinlabi, intimated the governing council with how the institution takes seriously the issue of staff discipline and ensure strict adherence to the institution’s staff manual.

FUTA don advocates improvement in food processing technology To further support the nation’s economy, science and technological education must be repositioned with adequate funding, well equipped laboratories and workshops that will allow engineering graduates to design and fabricate functional equipment for local food processing.

This was the submission of Tayo Nathaniel Fagbemi, a professor of Food Science and Technology, while delivering the 73rd Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, at the Main Audito-

rium of the university.

Professor Fagbemi called on the government to establish a Centre for Development of Nigerian Foods (CNDF) which will develop processing of under-utilised crops into pilot plants from where Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can take over.

He also urged the government to make concerted efforts to ensure constant supply of electricity to facilitate profitability of the venture.

Fagbemi also called on tertiary institutions like

FUTA to partner with government in the fabrication of prototype food processing machinery to study and solve problems through adequate research.

The lecturer who spoke on the topic, ‘Food Processing: Guaranteeing Food, Nutrition and Health Security’ said the poor state of applied science and technology has led to the nose-diving of the scientific efforts of the early 60s and 70s, which allowed local talents to make meaningful and original contribution to

technological growth.

He noted that the ‘Asian tigers’ that looked at Nigeria with envy in the 60s have left her behind and made substantial improvements to the design and fabrication of their traditional food processing equipment.

He called for a renewed interest in applied science and technology with adequate funding to encourage cottage industries to design and fabricate equipment for food processing and reduce dependence on importation of machinery and equipment.

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education

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

FG decries poor reading culture among youths Clement Idoko-Abuja

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HE Federal Government has decried the poor reading culture among youths, saying this is responsible for their poor academic performance at all levels of education in the country.

In an attempt to redress the trend, government has taken the ‘Read Campaign’ to some schools across the country.

The train, led by the former Minister of State for Education, Dr Jerry Agada, was at the L.E.A Primary School, Gyadna, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where pupils were encouraged to imbibe the reading culture from the young age.

The campaign was organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to instill reading culture into the day-to-day activities of school children.

Agada, who incidentally created the National Read Campaign Committee during his stint as Minister of State for Education, told Tribune Education at the event that the Federal G overnment had made wise decision to take the read campaign train to the community so as to educate pupils in the grassroots on the benefits of reading.

Agada said, “What we have always said about reading is that it is for everybody. So, instead of staying at the city centre doing what we do, we decided to come to the inte-

rior to let people know that when we talk of reading, we are talking to everybody.

“We believe that we are making an impact and a time will come when the totality of all our actions will reflect in the performance of our students. The committee is asking from the government total support.

“For instance, what we are doing here today is part of the Federal Government’s support through the Federal Ministry of Education. If there had not been support, this wouldn’t have happened. We expect supports from stakeholders too.

“For instance, the books donated here are written by some of us, including myself, which is part of my support to encourage reading amongst our pupils.

While lamenting that most Nigerian youth devote their substantial time to the use of social media and surfing pornographic sites, Agada said, “If we continue with this type of advocacy, reading will occupy its own space alongside Internet activities.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Director of Education, Information and Documentation, Mrs. C. O. Ogbede, explained that the observance of the World Reading Day was put in place by the READ campaign unit of the ministry to inculcate a reading culture in Nigerian youth; hence help to curb the poor performance of students and pupils in public examinations in the country.

While admonishing the

students on the various benefits of reading, she said, “the more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to tackle any challenge you will ever face. Reading can release

stress. As a matter of fact, a recent study shows that reading is a better stress reliever than music or any other methods.

“Through reading, we can travel to places we have

never been before through the author’s creative descriptions and our mind’s amazing imaginative skills we can see these places as if they are in front of us.”

Also in her remarks,

Lecturers and students of Business Education, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, during their excursion to Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, recently.

School holds free eye test for pupils

By Olatunji Awe TINY and Great Creche and Nursery School, Ogbomoso, recently conducted a free eye test for, and donated glasses to pupils found to be deficient in Vitamin A. In a unique end-of-year party, the school decided to conduct a free eye test for pupils. Almost 55 pu-

pils were tested and over 15 pairs of glasses were given out.

According to Taiwo Adedapo, co-founder of IGOVIL, “the exercise was borne out of the fact that the company chose to give back to the society rather than being purely profitoriented.

“We understood children from the ages of 18 months

and we discovered that five years are always neglected when it comes to issues of their sight. That’s why we have chosen them as the beneficiaries of our donation.”

The exercise was a partnership between two different bodies –African Centre for Innovation and Leadership Development (ACILD), a non-govern-

Canadian school partners school in Osun

By Tunde Busari DELTA School District, Canada, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kunike International School, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The MoU was signed at a special meeting of the school’s board office recently.

Representatives of Kunike International School were led by the school’s Director, Amos Adekunle, and included the board’s chairman and secretary, director, proprietress and vice principal (academics).

The delegation met with the Delta Board of Education and senior management staff, including Superintendent Dianne Turner.

Director, International Programmes, Delta School District, Deirdre Annette, said, “We are very ex-

cited about this partnership. Kunike International School came highly recommended by the Canadian Trade Commissioner in Nigeria who visited their campus and confirmed that they have excellent academic standards.

“Kunike students have

travelled extensively and will bring an added diversity to Delta school communities.”

Details of the agreement provides that Kunike students in lower grades will go to study in Delta for shortterm sessions and older students will go on a full-time

basis to graduate from Delta schools. Delta will also provide summer camps for the Nigerian students.

During the visit, the delegate toured schools and met with staff and students.

They were also in close contact with the school’s facilities and studied areas where

their students will fit into Delta school system.

It was learnt that Kunike students will begin to go to Delta schools in July 2016, making Nigeria the 28th country with a strong partnership with Delta School District international students programme.

Ukanka FedPoly to get full accreditation in 2016 —Rector The rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, in Akwa Ibom State, Professor Balama Obomanu, has assured the Federal Government and intending students of the institution that accreditation for programmes and courses will be secured in 2016.

Professor Obomanu stated this recentnly during a Christmas Carol/Solemn Assembly held at the polytechnic’s Multi-Purpose Hall at the temporary campus of the school in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Gov-

the Head Teacher, of the school, Mrs. Alli Bolanle, expressed joy that the school was chosen, considering the drastic drop in standard of education in Nigeria.

ernment Area of the state.

He maintained that the institution was poised to provide qualitative education to Nigerians and others, and that he is currently working with relevant stakeholders in the education sector to guarantee accreditation for engineering and other programmes in the polytechnic as well as put in place structures and facilities to enhance learning.

Expressing joy over the feats so far recorded by the institution, which he

boasted is ahead of its contemporaries, the rector commended the Federal Government for its wisdom in establishing new polytechnics to cater for the educational needs of Nigerians.

He thanked the immediate past governor of the state, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the state government for their support and encouragement towards the smooth takeoff of the school.

He maintained that the

preliminary programme presently run by the school is intended to groom students toward educational advancement. He commended staff for their dedication to work and praised students of the school for their good conduct exhibited so far.

The carol and solemn assembly were hosted, according to him, to give the institution the opportunity to appreciate God and also re-dedicate the school to God for a smooth 2016.

mental organisation dedicated to the development of sub-Saharan Africa, and IGOVIL, a company that sells glasses to people with sight deficiency, in conjunction with Tiny and Great Creche Nursery School.

The proprietress of the school, Mrs Folasayo Omobola, expressed satisfaction with the exercise.

“My school is basically for children not above five years, and this was as a result of my passion for kids. I also find out that a lot of schools do not focus on these set of children as they are more of nursery and primary.

“As a matter of fact, we don’t just run a pre-primary school, but we run a kind of school, that insures its pupils with the insurance company and we close at 6pm to allow children whose parents close late from work,” she said.

A parent who was present at the event thanked the organisations for the exercise and urged other parents to take care of the sight of their children, as this goes a long way in helping them fufill their dreams.

She further stated that parents should not be against the use of glasses for their children because there are some deficiencies that medication alone cannot correct.

27

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

aviation

anchor Shola Adekola

m:0803 365 4818 e:sholanig@yahoo.com

Indiscriminate tanker parking: FAAN to restore airport hydrants Stories By Shola Adekola Lagos

A

s part of efforts to stop the recurring indiscriminate illegal parking along the airport road axis by tankers claiming to be distributing fuel into the airport, the Federal Government is considering revamping the fuel hydrant at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, as part of its plans to stop the illegality.

Speaking to journalists during the visit and familiarisation tour of the Minister of Transport, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh Dunoma said the situation was a safety and security concern.

According to him, talks were already on with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to look into the issue and solve it once and for all.

Dunoma said: “We are looking at restoring the fuel hydrant at the airport and if that is done, we will no longer need the trailers even if they were never authorised to be here in the first place.

As you know, the fuel hydrant system was stopped a while ago, and about six weeks ago we saw the Group Managing Director of NNPC to restore the lines but you know it has been a long time and so a few things need to be done to establish that the line is still okay.

“We are also talking to the NSA as the parking is not only a safety and economic concern because of the gridlock it causes around that axis but for the security implication, we hope to resolve this very soon.”

FAAN had in August 2013 relocated the tanker drivers to a permanent site within the environment after years of causing havoc on the highways at the airport.

However, despite the relocation to a permanent site, the tanker drivers who hide under the guise of lifting and supplying aviation fuel to airlines in the airport, line up their vehicles on the road and threatened to down tools whenever their action was challenged by the airport authorities.

The height of the illegality is that other tankers that supply Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) have taken advantage of the chaos caused by the aviation oil tank-

ers and have annexed the airport road from the Oshodi Apapa Expressway.

On the gridlock along the Oshodi Apapa Expressway, the minister

while responding to questions, said that the solution would take an inter-governmental tripartite of the Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Power, the Ministry

of Transport and the Lagos State government to get to the route of the gridlock once and for all, stating that all would be done to make Nigerians heave a sigh of relief.

Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, Group CEO and President, Arik Air Ltd

SAHCOL obtains ISAGO certification for Kano airport station The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano Station, has passed the International Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO), conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

This certification signifies that SAHCOL at Kano airport has now modelled its operations to the ISAGO standards, as a result of making commitment to operate to globally accepted industry best practices.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Communications,

South African Airways celebrates Yuletide with orphans South African Airways (SAA) hosted the children of the Arrow of God Orphanage to a treat at the Silverbird Cinemas in Lagos where they watched a movie, ate and drank to celebrate the Yuletide.

According to the South African Airways Country Manager, Thobi Duma, the airline has had about five year’s relationship with the orphanage and this is part of its annual package for the kids.

“At this time of the year, people are busy giving and sharing with their families and this is our way of contributing to the Corporate So-

Nigerian Tribune

cial Responsibility in Nigeria and also to show gratitude to Nigeria for accommodating South African Airways.”

Furthermore, Duma said the aim of the event is to make the kids feel special, enjoy themselves and have fun like other privileged children just as she also expressed her gratitude to Silverbird Cinemas for its complimentary offer of the cinema to show the movie to the kids.

The excited kids expressed their gratitude to SAA after watching their movie ‘Hotel Transylvania.’

SAHCOL, Basil Agboarumi, the registration, which was in accordance with the provisions of the ISAGO Program Manual, covers the operational disciplines of Load Control (LOD), Passenger and Baggage Handling (PAB), Aircraft Handling and Loading (HDL), Aircraft Ground Movement (AGM) and Cargo and Mail Handling (CGM).

While the Lagos station of the company was first certified in 2011, the certification of the Kano Station now brings to three (Lagos, Abuja and Kano) the number of SAHCOL stations admitted on the IATA website as an ‘ISAGO Registered Provider,’ having undergone an ISAGO Audit and cleared all findings.

ISAGO audit is essential to promote safer ground operations, understanding of high-risk areas within ground operations. The audit also eliminates redundant audits from airlines, hence, promoting a uniform audit process and harmonised standards that improve quality standards in aviation ground handling.

Arik celebrates Xmas with musical concert Arik Air held Christmas Concert at its headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on December 17 with all members of the airport community, including parents, children and staff of the airline.

Arik used the occasion to also unveil its Christmas lights, which since installation had embroidered that part of the airport with special illumination and beauty.

Attendees of the event were feted with music concert by Don Solomon, Lumen Christi Choir and Orchestra; Lumen Christi Band and Tariah Welsh.

The event was presided over

by Very Reverend Monsignor Dr Pius Kii who said “The God of Glory exchanges the splendor of heaven for the obscurity of Nazareth; the Son of the most high condescends to pass for the Son of a village carpenter.

“He has taken our funny human parts, the belongings of a woman’s child and called them his own. We can thus say with St. John ‘God has loved the world as to give us his only.”

Arik said it was using the occasion to rejoice and appreciate Nigerians at the Christmas and to wish everyone a better year ahead.

The chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, said while lighting up the Christmas tree that he was very happy to witness the occasion adding that the airline decided to fete its staff and others in order to share love and appreciation just as he declared that anyone in the company could grow to head the company with commitment and hard work.

He recalled that the President of the world’s major aircraft manufacturer, Boeing is the son of a man who worked as a mechanic in the company and urged the workers to commit themselves to the company because they would reap the benefits therein.

Arumemi-Ikhide said the airline has lofty plan for the future and talked about the plan to go to the stock exchange and the delivery of new aircraft in the years ahead.

He also urged children to read their books and work hard in school because they are to succeed the present generation and lift the country to a higher level of growth and development.

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aviation

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

crucial moment

Etihad Airways unveils world class medical facility for employees

With Shola Adekola

0803 365 4818

State airports not for political show

There is no doubt that aviation in Nigeria is facing challenges which are directly or indirectly dragging it back.

While some of the challenges can be traced to policy summersault on the part of the government through the ministry of aviation, others are connected to local politicisation.

The local politicisation has been made possible with the failure of the government to allow the sector to be managed in line with the rules and games upon which aviation as a global practice is laid.

In view of the obvious challenges created by the bad policies, different people with different motives are hiding under this to achieve their personal political gains.

Top on this list is the political class many of who believe they can use their positions to get what they want under the guise of providing the popular dividends of democracy to their people without due diligence.

This brings to fore the ongoing controversy trailing the move by some state governors to build airports for their states.

While this idea is not new to the system as some state governors had in the past built airports in their states for the purpose of opening up such states to boost economy and transportation. Among such states owned airports are: Bauchi, Jigawa, Delta, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Katsina.

Besides these states, another group of states that want to follow suit include: Ekiti and Nasarawa.

Criticisms have continued to trail the declaration of the new set of state governors to build airports in their states with majority of such critics describing such moves as misplaced priorities.

Even some of the critics have alleged that the reason behind building such airports is just to use the opportunity to siphon public funds.

In actual sense, governors have the rights to carry out projects in their states therefore, it may not be totally out of place for any governor to build airport or anything for his state.

However, the idea of building an airport is beyond political gains in view of the necessary requirements needed to bring such idea to a reality.

It is known that there are rules and recommended standards put down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for an airport to be constructed.

It is not only the terminal building that makes up an airport but other components including; a good runway, tarmac, control tower, adequate fire cover, adequate security and many other facilities such as gangways.

It is no more hidden that many of state owned airports in the country are deficient due to lack of safety components. Some of the airports had at one time or the other be downgraded in the past due to one deficiency or the other.

Many of the state airports are disaster waiting to happen because they don’t have the required components that make up an airport as witnessed in the recent use of ladder to disembark passengers at the Bauchi airport.

Sadly, amidst these illegalities, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has failed to do much in ensuring the state airports meet safety international standards.

The relevant aviation authorities including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA) should wake up from their slumber and let any state that wants to build an airport realize the implications.

Nigerian Tribune

Country Manager, South African Airways, Nigeria, Thobi Duma, celebrating Christmas with one of the children at the Arrow of God Orphanage in Lagos.

ICAO to help fix Africa’s funding, coordination challenges

Stories By Shola Adekola - Lagos resident of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, has declared the intention of the global organisation to help African countries subdue their challenges and enable them to effectively initiate standards and policies that would aid them.

He made this known at the 25th triennial Plenary Session of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), in Cairo, Egypt where he highlighted that the challenges to Africa with regards meeting aviation standards stemmed from funding and coordination regarding technical, managerial and financial resources required to ensure effective implementation standards and policies.

P

According to the ICAO President, although ICAO’s function to address these challenges under its ongoing No Country Left Behind initiative (NCLB), the body has gone a step further to provide African States with the assistance and capacity building they require.

“Besides ICAO’s work to address these gaps under its ongoing No Country Left Behind initiative, ICAO’s further commitments to provide African states with the assistance and capacity building they require, whether through the ICAO Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan), or the ICAO/ AFCAC Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) programme.

“Many of the challenges

Africa face today are tied to shortfalls in funding and coordination, especially regarding the technical, managerial and financial resources required to ensure effective implementation of ICAO standards and policies

by African States.

“Whether we are talking airport development, the modernisation of air navigation technologies and infrastructure, or greater liberalisation in African skies, no targets will be met unless African aviation training capacity is sufficiently expanded,” he commented.

The council president also expressed concern on the global security situation, stating that due to recent terrorist-related incidents on the continent, aviation security concerns have been heightened.

No sacred cows in airlines’ debts recovery —Amaechi Henceforth, the breach of Aviation Safety and Security regulations under any guise will not be tolerated by the present administration.

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, issued this warning to key players in the sector during a joint press briefing with the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, after the tour of facilities at the Murtala Mohammed Airport complex and all the aviation agencies.

Amaechi admonished all service providers to ensure that they operate within the ambit of the law and regulations as regards safety and security and the adequate maintenance of their facilities.

While declaring that there was no packing space in the air to carry out repairs, he insisted that everything must be done on ground to ensure total adherence to laws and regulations guiding safety of lives and property.

Furthermore, he emphasized that Safety and Security

were not negotiable under the administration of President Buhari.

While commending all the agencies for trying to improve on facilities, the Minister however charged that there were rooms for further improvement on those critical areas of facilitation, es-

pecially the conveyor belts.

According to him, one of the priorities of the Buhari administration was to see to the completion of the ongoing projects, especially the construction of new terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt by December, 2016.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has opened the doors to a new worldclass medical facility in Abu Dhabi for its 23,800 employees.

The complex includes an aviation clinic, employee visa medical centre, as well as an Emirates ID centre.

Speaking on the development, Etihad Airways’ Chief People and Performance Officer, Ray Gammell said, “As a global employer of choice, we pride ourselves on offering best-in-class services to our fast-growing workforce of Emiratis and expatriates.

“The new facility will allow us to further our development of well-being programmes aimed at looking after the health of our employees, while improving efficiency and productivity.”

According to him, the new expanded aviation clinic was part of Etihad Airways’ strategic plan to consolidate its position as the foremost clinic of its kind in the region.

With about 30 medical experts including 10 fully-qualified doctors, six dedicated examination rooms, nine medical consultation rooms and the latest medical devices for staff assessment, the clinic promises to deliver the best healthcare to the airline’s employees.

The airline’s Vice President Medical Services, Dr Nadia Bastaki, said: “The new state-of-the-art aviation clinic demonstrates our enduring commitment to offer high standards of medical services to our people, including pilots and cabin crew. The clinic is regulated

by Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).”

4,000 members of Airport fire cooperative enjoy loans in 2015 Almost 4,000 members of the Airport Fire Cooperatives benefited from various types of loans from the Murtala Muhammed Airport fire safety cooperatives in the last one year.

The president of the cooperatives, Mr Richard Tella, in an interview with some journalists in Lagos on the activities of the cooperatives in aviation industry in Nigeria in the last one year, said virtually every member numbering about 4,000 have benefited in different ways with 6 per cent interest rate.

Tella disclosed that the six per cent interest loan was

redeemable within a period of 15 months, adding that it was a way of encouraging members of the cooperatives.

According to him, the harsh economic situation had forced Nigerians to make cooperatives as their last resort as it had become very cumbersome to get loans from the conventional banks.

He said mechanism had been put in place to checkmate the activities of loan defaulters as loans given out were deducted from source.

Tella expressed delight that the cooperative had been able

to assist members to have their own houses at the cooperatives estates at OPIC and Iyana Iyesi in Ogun State, own cars and businesses through the loan scheme.

“We bought new cars for members and two estates in Ogun State. We also have some blocks of flats at the police estate in Idimu in Lagos.”

Tella explained that as part of expansion of its scope and to increase its revenue generation, the cooperative was making frantic effort to acquire some plots of land within the airport for the construction of guest houses in Lagos and Abuja.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

anchor

maritime

Tola Adenubi

m:07068476673 e:adenubiadetola@yahoo.com

2016 expectations dim amid persistent cargo lull, job losses

Nigeria’s maritime sector was characterised in the latter part of 2015 by persistent cargo lull and attendant job losses.

In this report, TOLA ADENUBI examines stakeholders’expectations in the New Year.

T

HE fortunes of operators alongside government agencies witnessed a downward trend from the middle of 2015 because of a lull in activities at the nation’s maritime domain due to government policies that contributed to the diversion of vessels away to other ports in the West African sub-region.

Many operators were forced to declare redundancy, leaving many jobless as there was less work to do at the ports. Revenue collecting government agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) were also not spared from the whirlwind as many commands failed to meet up with their annual revenue target or even come near what they amassed in 2014.

Seaport workers’ expectations Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector have expressed the hope that situations turn around in the nation’s maritime domain come 2016. Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune in an exclusive interview, the President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Tony Nted, stated that the government needs to address the issue of vessel diversification to other neighbouring ports in the West African sub-region.

According to him, “for now, 2016 remains bleak to us at the MWUN because as I am speaking to you, there is no single vessel berthing at the whole of Apapa and Tin-Can port due to unfavourable government policies.

“Prior to now, vessel used to compete for space at the Apapa and Tin-Can port during this end of the year period. Sometime, we used to have about 27 vessels at Apapa, while about 15 vessels would be at the Tin-Can port. That was how we used to have our hands filled up during the end of the year.

“But all that has gone. As I speak to you, Apapa and Tin-Can ports are virtually empty. There is no activity going on at the port. The government policies on rice and the auto policy have led us into the worst ever end of the year activity in 2015.

“With 2015 ending low, one can only pray for a better 2016. We honestly hope the budget presen-

tation helps the nation’s economy to pick up. Three months ago, three vessels came in with rice, but only one was allowed into the country. The other two were turned back to other ports, even though we all know those rice will still find their way back into the Nigerian market, courtesy our porous borders.

“2016 will be a very hard period for dockworkers and to a larger extent Nigerians, because many have been laid out of jobs due to lack of activity at the ports. The implication, if this situation persists, is that so many people will still get kicked out of jobs.

“Not just the dockworkers alone, it will also affect the shipping companies and even the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Even the seafarers are fast becoming endangered species because the vessels are no longer coming. If there are no jobs, which vessel will the seafarer crew or man?

“As I am talking to you, so many companies are seeking for redundancy at the ports. They are calling us to tell us that they want to reduce their workforce. Many of these firms told us that they are unable to meet up with their overhead cost due to less work to do.

2016 will be a very difficult year for port workers although we hope with the budget presentation, things turn around.”

In a separate chat with the President of the Dockworkers branch of the MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju hoped that government lift its ban on so many importations because it is crippling activities at the seaport.

“We hope the government lifts its ban on so many importations because it is turning the seaport into deserts for port workers as there is less work to do these days. We hope the government lifts its ban

The government policies on rice and the auto policy have led us into the worst ever end of the year activity in 2015.

on some of the import so that activities can resume back to normal at the ports,” Adeyanju stated.

Investors’ expectation In a separate chat with the President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) who also doubles as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Starzs Investments Group, Greg Ogbeifun, he expressed the hope that the 2016 budget would transform the nation’s economy.

He said: “From my personal perspective, I will like to see a 2016 where the Nigerian shipping and maritime sector will grow to the extent of establishing an indigenous fleet that will actively participate in the exportation of our oil.

I will also like to see an indigenous commercial fleet that will be involved in importations into our country.

“We may have to start thinking of re-inventing a shipping line, maybe not a national shipping line, but a shipping line that will have a framework that will involve the current ship owners in whatever configuration. Their involvement will help in drawing from their experience they have gathered overtime in their involvement

in the upstream and downstream operations.

“Even if it’s only trans-shipment along our coast, there should be a way of re-establishing a fleet that can provide job opportunities for the Nigerian public and also provide a platform for the training of Nigerian mariners.

“If you remember, Mr President earlier banned some vessels after he took over the reins of leadership, but had to unban this vessel because there was no fallback position for him. If Nigeria had about 10 to 15 crude carriers that are exporting our crude, apart from the job opportunities they provide, it will also enhance our position economically.

“At the moment, all our exports are done by foreign crude carriers and Nigeria is losing colossally in that respect. So come 2016, I am hoping all stakeholders will come together, working with the new government, to see how we can actualise our shipping industry in respect to exports and imports.

“Framework is something that has to be dialogued about to see how the private sector can collaborate with the public sector in order to make this happen for the overall good of this country.”

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maritime

Nigerian Tribune

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

FG, stakeholders hold talks over fate of 5,000 seaport workers

NPA still owing 18 month arrears —MWUN StoriesbyTolaAdenubi-Lagos

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OLLOWING the expiration of the December 15, 2015 deadline set by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to terminate its contract with stevedoring firms, findings have revealed that the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMOT) has taken it upon itself to dialogue with stakeholders on who will be responsible for the welfare of the about 5,000 tally clerks and onboard security men.

Confirming the move by the FMOT to the Nigerian Tribune in an exclusive chat, the President of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC), Mr Bolaji Sunmola, stated that since December 15 when the contract between the NPA and stevedoring firms expired, tally clerks and onboard security men are still at the ports.

According to him, “The FMOT is working on the issue of the tally clerks and the onboard security officials. You know the contract between the stevedoring firms and the NPA expired on December 15, 2015; but the tally clerks and the onboard security men are still at the ports. Their jobs are still there.

“So the government is looking at alternatives instead of outright sack approach because the tariff for payment, which existed when the stevedoring contract was on, has not changed.

The money to pay the workers is already embedded in the tariff plan which includes the cargo throughput fees. So the workers’ money which covers their welfare is still being collected at the ports as cargo throughput fees, therefore they cannot be laid off.

“The government is dialoguing with stakeholders on the way forward. Since the stevedoring firm’s contract is over, somebody has to be in charge of paying salaries of the tally clerks and onboard security men because their money is already embedded in the tariff plan at the ports.

“What the stevedore contract meant before December 15 was that the stevedoring firms pay the tally clerks and onboard security men while the NPA pays the stevedoring firms in return from the money it makes on cargo throughput. The stevedoring firms acted as middlemen in that arrangement.

“But with the expiration of that contract, the government is looking at shifting the responsibility of who will pay the tally clerks and the onboard security men to another person (party) because their money is already embedded in the tariff plan at the ports.”

He, however, declined to give the identity of the stakeholders holding talks with the FMOT over the issue.

In a separate interview with the President of the Dockworkers branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade

Adewale Adeyanju, he also reiterated the fact that the Federal Government was in talks with stakeholders over who handles the payment of the tally clerks and onboard security men.

He said: “The MWUN,

NPA, stakeholders and the FMOT are currently holding talks to ensure the situation does not become a crisis. The talk is centred on who will be responsible for their payment, since the stevedoring contract has

expired.”

He also explained that the workers were still being owed about 18 months’ salary arrears.

“The management of the NPA are yet to pay them.

They are still being owed

...As minister plans to meet indigenous ship owners AS part of plans to improve the lots of the impoverished indigenous shipping industry, the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, will meet with the local ship owners to understand their challenges and table his plans for the industry before

the investors.

The minister, who said this at the end of his maiden tour of transport facilities and agencies in Lagos, however stated that the plan had not been discussed; adding that it was a personal decision which, he thought, would

be applicable to solving the problems of under-development of the indigenous shipping industry.

Experts have said that the indigenous shipping industry is capable of creating jobs for millions of Nigerians if developed.

Rotimi Amaechi

Cancer treatment: APM Terminals renovates LUTH oncology section APM Terminals Apapa Limited has aided the diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients in Nigeria by renovating the Oncology Section of the Radiotherapy and Oncology Department of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), one of the best teaching/specialist hospitals in Nigeria.

Speaking during the commissioning of the renovated clinic on Monday, the Deputy Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Mr Olufemi Ransome-Kuti, said cancer is a leading cause of death in the world today, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

This fact, he said, aroused a passion within the company to support the care and treatment of cancer patients.

“The renovation of the oncology clinic is a corporate

about 17 to 18 months arrears. NPA is blaming the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for the delay. We hope that before next year, the whole issue would have been sorted out,” he stated.

social responsibility initiative of our company in line with one of our core values, constant care, which focuses on sustainable business environment. This includes our employees, customers and their families,” he said.

Head of the Radiotherapy and Oncology Department of LUTH, Professor Remi Ajekigbe, said along with everyone in the department, he was happy to see the on-

cology clinic take a facelift and was grateful to APM Terminals for taking the initiative.

According to him, “cancer is a gloomy disease, and taking care of cancer patients in a gloomy environment will be double jeopardy.”

A recovered cancer patient and Managing Director of Bricon Global Consult, Abigail Simon-Hart, who worked with APM Termi-

nals on renovating the oncology clinic, praised APM Terminals for taking the lead and sponsoring the renovation work.

Sharing her experience, Simon-Hart stressed the importance of early detection of cancer and the need to have an environment conducive for treatment, which she said, would aid the speedy recovery of patients.

The industry saw hope in the 2003 Coastal and Inland Shipping Act, popularly known as the Cabotage Act, which provided competitive advantage to the local shipping lines in the form of right of first refusal, among others, as well as establishing a special fund, the Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF), but the Act remained largely unenforced.

Feeding questions on the matter, Amaechi, noting that the maritime industry is private sector driven, explained that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration would implement policies that would encourage public, private sector participation and investments towards diversification and growth of the nation’s economy.

“The maritime sector globally is largely private sector driven with the governments providing the appropriate policy and regulatory framework to improve investments and safeguard the nation’s waterways.

“But what I think I would do is to first meet with the indigenous ship owners and try to understand who they are and what their challenges are so that I can come back to present their issues to the Federal Executive Council,” he said.

The minister, who agreed that the potential in the maritime sector remains largely untapped, noted that this sector’s contribution to the nations GDP was very poor.

He also said the Federal Government would streamline all the agencies in the maritime sector for a more effective and efficient performance to meet the expectations of all stakeholders.

Customs intercepts smuggled goods worth N23.07m The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ikejab, has said it had intercepted smuggled goods valued at N23.07 million.

A statement signed in Lagos by the unit Public Relations Officer, Mr Uche Ejesieme, said that Comptroller Sani Madugu, head of the unit, made the dis-

closure while inspecting the seized goods.

The statement stated that “the anti-smuggling drive of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, received a major boost following the seizure of smuggled frozen poultry products concealed in a specially-built compartment of a truck.

“The unit also seized 82 bales of used and new ladies’ bags and school bags,” the statement quoted Madugu as saying.

The Lagos Roving Patrol Team of the unit, headed by an Assistant Controller of Customs, Mr Adamu Abubakar, intercepted a white Mercedes Benz truck along Ajao Estate-Oshodi

Expressway, suspected to be laden with the smuggled goods, the statement added that.

It explained that the truck, with the suspects, was brought to the unit for further investigation, and upon physical examination, revealed that the truck had 555 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015 With Adewale Oshodi tribunearts@yahoo.com 08054005323

After 30 years on wheelchair, accident victim documents her experiences

By Adewale Oshodi

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OLUKE Idowu’s story is one that touches the heart. For the past 30 years, she has been confined to the wheelchair following a terrible accident she had when she was 30 years of age. Now, at 60, she looks back, while sharing her story with the public through her autobiography, Willing on Wheels.

Born in Ibadan in 1955, she attended St. Louis Grammar School, Ibadan from 1968 to 1972. She then proceeded to the Kwara State College of Technology and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where she bagged an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy-respectively.

The young Foluke was just settling into her job as a Higher Executive Officer (Accounts) at the University of Lagos, when in 1985, at the age of 30 years, she had a ghastly accident, and she lost the use of her legs.

This alone was enough to set her back in life, but strong Foluke took it as the will of God, and moved on in life.

Although it wasn’t easy, it is the reason she has released her autobiography, Willing on Wheels, which details her 30 years of survival following the accident, and now at 60, Foluke is using her story to encourage people who feel they have reached the end of the road due to the challenges they are facing.

Last week, those who had admired Foluke over the years (and still admire her) joined her at the Catholic Church, University of Ibadan, where she presented the book to the public, and it was simply a day of tributes for a woman who braved all odds despite her challenges to contribute positively to the development of the country.

Speaking first was the chairman on the occasion, General Oladayo Popoola, who described Mrs Idowu as a strong woman who had shown to the world that one should not be limited by the circumstances one finds oneself.

“We cannot continue to say that I would have done this if not for my condition; Mrs Idowu has shown that if we put our minds to those things we want to achieve, then we will achieve them, although it will not be easy.

“I, therefore, want to commend Mrs Idowu for the manner in which she has been lifting people, particularly the physicallychallenged.

“With her, we have been able to know that we are only limited by our minds and not our conditions,” General Popoola said.

The Director of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), an arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Oyo State, Reverend Fr Ezekiel Ade Owoeye, also commend the fighting spirit of Mrs

•Mrs Foluke Idowu

Idowu, saying she never gave up when it mattered most.

“She could have given up after that accident, but she didn’t, and that is why we are celebrating her today,” Rev Fr. Owoeye said.

Reviewing the book, a professor of Broadcasting and Film at the University of Ibadan, Hyginus Ekwuazi, described the book, Willing on Wheels, as one that will touch the emotion of readers.

“The book details how the author was

looking forward to a bright future as an accountant, and then the accident that claimed the use of her legs.

“It further reveals the emotional trauma the author went through, realising that she will never be able to walk again, but being a strong woman, she took it as an act of God. “Accepting that God knew about her predicament, the young Foluke picked herself up and looked into the future.

“Today, she has been able to change her world; she has impacted positively into the lives of her fellow Nigerians through her activities for people with disabilities,” Professor Ekwuazi said.

Also at the event was a former Registrar of the University of Ibadan, Mrs Omotayo Ikotun, who admitted that Mrs Idowu would always continue to amaze her.

“Despite her challenge, she is always happy; she is such a pleasant person to be with,” Mrs Ikotun said.

Another dignitary at the event was Barrister Ade Adekanmbi, a former Special Adviser in Oyo State, who also described Mrs Idowu as a role model for physicallychallenged people.

Barrister Adekanmbi, who is visuallyimpaired, admitted that he learnt a lot from Mrs Idowu.

“Many other people have Mrs Idowu as their role model, and they believe if she can achieve her life’s goals, they can too, despite their challenges,” the lawyer said.

Today, Mrs Idowu is an advocate, trainer, researcher and counsellor. She has held several leadership positions in different organisations in the country.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens set global box office record THE seventh instalment of the nearly 40-year-old space saga opened with a record-breaking $248m (£167m) in the US and Canada.

JJ Abrams’ film has also achieved the largest four-day weekend total in British and Irish cinemas with £34m.

That sum is almost 28 times more than its nearest rival, the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler comedy, Sisters with £1.2m.

The Force Awakens’ takings were almost £15m more than the £19.3m that saw Jurassic World claim the record for the largest four-day weekend in the UK and Ireland earlier this year.

But it cannot claim to have had the biggest opening ever in British and Irish cinemas - a record currently held by the most recent James Bond film, Spectre.

That film’s £41m first-week tally, however, was based on seven days of takings as the film opened on a Monday.

The new Star Wars film also set a new opening night record in the US and Canada.

The Force Awakens made $57m (£38.3m) on Thursday night, beating the previous record of $43.5m (£29.2m) held

by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Analysts say the space saga could become the biggest-selling movie of all time.

The latest film returns to “a galaxy far, far away” some 30 years on from the action of 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

It sees original trilogy stars Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprise their Han Solo and Princess Leia roles alongside younger franchise newcomers.

“Our sole focus has been creating a film that delivers that one-of-a-kind Star Wars experience, and director JJ Abrams, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and the Lucasfilm team have outdone themselves,” Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said.

Meanwhile, author Steve Silberman has won the £20,000 Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction for his book about autism. The judges said Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and How to Think Smarter About People Who Think Differently was a “tour de force” of journalistic and scientific research.

32

arts&review

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

‘How I combine medical practice with writing’ Dami Ajayi, a medical doctor, is the author of Clinical Blues, a collection of poems. In this interview, he speaks on how he combines medicine and writing, as well as other literary issues.

EXCERPTS:

lives in a form which will outlast our existence.

Do you think it would ever come to a time when you would lay down your medical tools to pursue writing full-time?

Yes, of course, after I retire from the medical profession after a long fulfilling career.

How did you conceive the idea for your book, “Clinical Blues”?

It began in the middle of medical school.

We had just graduated from the cadaver room to the clinic. It was a different experience. I felt like an observer who was not quite impressed by what he saw. The grim reality of death was overwhelming, maybe overbearing. My methodical response was poems which tried to make sense of it all.

Y

OU are a medical doctor; how did you find yourself in writing?

I started writing way before I got my medical degree. However, it is not a new trend, writers amongst doctors. Since Anton Chekov, there had been Maugham, Williams Carlos Williams and even from Nigeria, there are writers like James Henshaw, Wale Okediran and even Femi Oyebode. I am just following that tradition.

You co-founded a magazine while you were at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; how did it all start?

It began in 2008, one fateful afternoon at the English Department in O.A.U. Emmanuel Iduma and I met in front of one of the Student Magazine Boards. We had a long talk about our lives as aspiring writers, our literary idols and the rejection letters which we were both gathering in staggering numbers. It started as a vague idea. Iduma said you know we can start our own magazine and I was like yes, we can. This is six years after and we have got Saraba still growing stronger.

You have an interesting poem, “I Know What Lagos Does to Dreams”. In reality, is Lagos a harsh place to live?

•Dr Dami Ajayi This question reminds me of my favourite song about Lagos, Chris Ajilo’s Eko O Gba Gbere, which loosely translates to Lagos does not take shit. Lagos can really be a harsh place to live in, man.

Emphasis on the word “can”. In Lagos, the rich and the poor live together in a kind of harmonious chaos. You need to stand your ground in Lagos lest you are swept away by spivs, thugs and even law enforcement guys. I wrote that poem in response to being overwhelmed by Lagos on my return after a nine-year absence.

Do you care about style when you write?

I guess style is another name for an abiding technique. I aim for beautiful expressions, that is my style.

When writing, is the length of a poem a major concern to you?

No, it isn’t. Every poem has a mind of its own. It is the job of the poet to follow

the poem to wherever it wants to go.

As a Medical student at the time, did you read lots of literary books at the expense of your medical books?

Yes, I did and I got lucky and passed my exams.

What is your main interest as a writer?

To bear witness to my time. To tell the stories of my generation. I strive to do this in the various art forms that I can wrap my hands around.

What does medicine and literature have in common?

There must be a common ground.

They both intersect on humanity. While medicine is concerned with perpetuating humanity by curing ailments and preserving our existence, literature is concerned with taking the minutes of our

ing been admitted to hospital earlier this year.

Actor Alex Winter, who played vampire Marko in The Lost Boys, paid tribute to his former co-star on Twitter.

“RIP Brooke McCarter and condolences to the family,” he wrote. “We had some very very good times together back in the day.”

Egypt to buy back statue from UK

•The late Brooke McCarter horror conventions.

According to People magazine, the father-of-one died from liver failure at his home in Tampa, Florida, after hav-

A hustler in the city NOT abandoned but alone, a girl wonders on the smoky streets of Lagos The outrage, the traffic and the hustle The chavs, the real and the dupes The peak of surrender Amidst the mists of paranoia Not abandoned but alone, a girl moves on the bustling streets of Lagos The pavilion of dreams, the hopes The epistles of Dos and Don’ts Remembering to watch your own back Two eyes = one back Every Man for himself.

Lost Boys actor, McCarter, dies at 52 BROOKE McCarter, best known for playing a vampire in The Lost Boys, has died at the age of 52, his family has said.

The US actor played Paul, a member of Kiefer Sutherland’s blood-sucking gang, in the 1987 horror comedy film.

In a statement, his “heartbroken” family said he died last Tuesday “from the genetic liver condition alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT)”.

The message describes McCarter as a “loving son, brother, father, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend.”

The Facebook statement added: “We appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Born in 1963 in Philadelphia, McCarter was a high school athlete and model before landing his best-known screen role.

As blond-haired “lost boy” Paul, he met a grisly end after being knocked by a dog into a bath full of garlic-infused holy water.

Unlike some of his co-stars, who included Jason Patric, Corey Feldman and the late Corey Haim, McCarter did not go on to pursue a full-time acting career.

Instead he worked in the telecommunications industry while also making music and occasionally appearing at

POEM

AN Egyptian government minister has called on the citizens of his country to raise the £15.76m needed to buy an ancient statue sold by a UK museum.

Northampton Borough Council sold the Sekhemka statue to an overseas buyer in July 2014, but the British government put a temporary export ban on it.

Antiquities minister Mamdouh elDamaty said Egypt should buy the statue.

The UK Department for Media, Culture and Sport said it could not comment on this development.

Not abandoned but alone, a girl hopes on the rowdy streets of Lagos For whence cometh her help From the skies above they say The high winds and cool breeze Or the revered scotching sun that welcomes the great showers On the bridge over troubled waters the hazard lights on caution signs out Paranoia comforts thyself Shall they come for me?

At least...

Abandoned but not alone Surrendering to these streets Where princes dwell and dwellers go hungry Where the tarred roads welcome hungry feet and the red lights harbour sellers Where one girl’s dreams wait to be fulfilled Amidst the hustle and bustle That is, Lagos Living.

•TOYIN OKEDIRAN, olutoyintito@gmail.com

33

Thursday, 31 December, 2015 Editor:

health you&EYE

Sade Oguntola sadeboguntola@yahoo.com 0805 506 9260

naturalhealth

sex,sexuality&You

Save yourself from heart-breaking cholesterol in chicken skin

INSIDE

By Victor Ogunyinka

C National Assembly should pass the traditional medicine bill Page 36

natural health Five fruits a day make one smoothie

HEALTH QUOTE

Page 37

hicken is unarguably the official protein provider of the ChristmasNew Year festivity and it has been that way since chickens walk on two legs.

White meats, with chicken and turkey inclusive are mostly recommended as a healthy source of protein without the fear of cholesterol, which could have a long time effect on the heart. But the question is, is chicken really better than other meat source all because it is white?

According to Mrs Yemisi Solanke-Lawal, nutritionist and CEO, Evergreen Health and Social Care International Limited, Lagos State, chicken in itself has numerous health benefits but to enjoy the best of chicken, it must be deskinned.

Chicken has some very interesting health benefits; lean organic chicken is a very good source of high density, low fat protein, and a good source of selenium, zinc, niacin, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and Vitamins B6 and B12.

Experts have explained that the protein in chicken lends itself to muscle growth and development and help support a healthy body weight and aid weight loss.

Chicken, like its brother fowl, turkey, is high in an amino acid called tryptophan, which gives you that comforting feeling after consuming a big bowl of mom’s chicken soup. In fact, if you’re feeling depressed, eating some poultry will increase the serotonin levels in your brain, enhance your mood, blasting stress, and lulling you to sleep.

Chicken is also found worthy of preventing bone

related ailments like osteoporosis and arthritis. Every good source of protein is capable of enriching the work rate of the heart and chicken is not left out.

Enough said about the benefits of chicken, the worrisome aspect is the fact that the part where we find more delicious is the part experts have warned us against and that is the skin.

Mrs Solanke-Lawal hinted that eating the skin of chicken should be discouraged because chicken skin is high in Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) commonly known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, which has been proven to cause a number of health problems.

The extent of ‘bad’ in the cholesterol is more than meet the eye. As LDL starts

building up, it actually clings to the insides of arteries. This plaque formation makes arteries incredibly narrow and hard, which is a condition called atherosclerosis. Because of the constriction, blood doesn’t flow as freely. Blood cells could get stuck or, as the blood passes through, part of the plaque could break off. A clot could occur, stopping or dramatically slowing blood flow. If a blood clot does occur, it could cut off blood circulation to your heart or brain, which causes a heart attack or stroke, respectively.

Furthermore, experts revealed that cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in the blood.

Instead, it bonds to carriers called lipoproteins, which transport it between cells.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food —Hippocrates

Lipoproteins are made up of fat on the inside and protein on the outside.

There are two main types of cholesterol that are carried by different types of lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are sometimes called “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries, causing heart disease. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are referred to as “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to the liver. Your liver then processes the cholesterol out of your body. It is important to have healthy levels of both types of cholesterol.

People with high cholesterol have twice the risk of heart disease as people with healthy levels of cholesterol. Statins, the most common medication that treats high cholesterol, are the most widely-used drugs in all of human history.

Some questions have been raised as to whether chicken should be deskinned before cooking or after cooking.

Nutritionists have not been able to agree on whether the skin should be cooked along or not.

Some argued that cooking the skin with the body injects good flavour in the chicken and lowers the fat calories.

Mrs Solanke-Lawal however answered that deskinning the chicken before cooking is more ideal.

She added that “although some argue that the skin provides its own flavour, which adds to the taste of the cooked chicken, the fact is that even if that were so, when it comes to healthy eating, we should be more focused on good health than the flavour.”

34

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Dr. Ben Ajayi

The true meaning of thank you

I

have often been asked by readers of this column, who know me very well, how I have been able to write every week despite my busy schedule. Today I am going to tell you the secret. I don’t really write the articles – you write them!

Did I hear you ask, “How?” You provide the inspiration, the encouragement and often the actual words in my conversations with you on the road, in public places and in the course of my work. In your flattering comments you often give me the theme of another article. In your action and inaction, you provide me with real life situations. Today, Thursday December 31 is the last day of the year and most appropriate day to thank you again.

Some of you readers have gone much further to support the cause of eye care in Nigeria in various ways. Some by sponsoring sight preservation or restoration surgery for poor patients; others by passing on the messages of blindness prevention promoted by this column and a good number have actually joined forces with us as partners for sight by becoming members of the Partnership for Sight Initiative of Nigeria (PASSION). There are those who took part in our Glaucoma Campaign rally to create awareness for this dreadful scourge of irreversible blindness and some have gone ahead to push me to

compile and publish in a book form the articles from this column. One very good friend actually went ahead to commence the process of publishing the articles.

I am overwhelmed by your love and support and I would like to say a big “Thank you” to every one of you. Of all the ethnic nationalities in the firmament, the Yoruba are, perhaps, the most generous and effusive in saying “thank you.” A Yoruba man would say THANK YOU immediately after a good turn and as many times as he runs into you that day. The following day, he will say “eseun ana” (thank you for yesterday’s favour) and subsequently, “eseun ojo” (thanks for the favour of the other day).

As a young man, I used to wonder if the appreciation was not too exuberant and out of proportion to the favour received!

But now, I know better. I know you can never really thank anyone enough for any favour so generously bestowed. I know that behind the exuberant appreciation is a subtle message that more is expected tomorrow. I know above all, that there’s a depth of love captured in those words that can only be brought to the fore subtly with repetition.

I therefore cannot really thank you enough for your love, generosity, time and donation to the cause of eye care in Nige-

ria. As a true Yoruba, I should continue to thank in the traditional Yoruba way, every day for the next 365days. I intend to do just that. But if you don’t receive a repetition of this page every hour; every day for the next 365days, it is neither because Nigerian Tribune newspapers do not have the wherewithal to carry the message nor is it because I have deviated from the traditional Yoruba style of conveying the message, but because I have written it with today’s technology that ensures that it stays permanently in your heart and mind.

The poem below – The True Meaning of Thank You, is dedicated to you all. I wish you a glorious 2016 and God’s abundant blessing.

I am overwhelmed by your love and support and I would like to say a big “Thank you” to every one of you

0805 400 5447

you-and-eye@gmail.com

The true meaning of THANK YOU, Two words worth more than gold.

It’s a prayerful wish that means, You’ll receive more than you give, And greater good will come your way.

It’s a great blessing to give.

The more you give, The more “Thank You” you receive.

And that’s an awful lot of prayers!

Habitual takers forfeit this beautiful prayerful wish.

Everyone has something to give.

Some give out of their talent, Some out of their time, Others out of their treasure.

Each one’s as good as the other If from the heart it comes.

And the best THANK YOU comes From those who can’t repay your kindness, Or even mutter THANK YOU. But with a little smile from the heart say it all.

Thank you for reading this little poem of mine, And for the smile even though I cannot see, I know’s there on your face!

Breakthroughs galore: A transformative year in medicine On the day before her first birthday, Layla’s parents were told that all treatments for her leukaemia had failed and she was going to die.

The determination of her family, doctors and a biotechnology company led to her being given an experimental therapy that had previously been tried only in mice.

The ‘miracle’ treatment that has so far saved her life was a tiny vial filled with genetically engineered immune cells that were designed to kill her cancer.

It raises the prospect of similar methods being used to treat a whole range of ge-

Layla Richards, the baby who marked a new era of medicine. Photo: Great Ormond Street Hospital.

netic disease.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, a group in China announced it was the first to successfully edit the genome of a human embryo.

The breakthrough at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong showed the errors in DNA that led to a blood disorder, beta thalassaemia, could be successfully corrected in embryos.

Gene editing has also been used to make mosquitoes resistant to malaria and to make pig organs suitable for human transplant.

The techniques have thrown up a huge number of ethical issues including concerns about the creation of designer babies.

A pivotal meeting of the world’s leading scientists said it would be “irresponsible” to allow the creation of genetically altered humans, but that basic research involving embryo gene editing should continue.

If you have flu, your immune system seeks out and destroys the virus. But tumours can masquerade as healthy, normal tissue to evade assault.

Immunotherapy stops cancer hiding and

exposes it to the immune system.

Data from two large trials presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual conference showed lung cancer survival was doubled in some patients with such an approach.

And tumours were shrunk in nearly six out of 10 patients with advanced melanoma cases.

But the averages hide some remarkable stories. The few patients who responded best to treatment went from terminal cancer to no cancer at all.

Some doctors declared that the world was now on the cusp of a “post-antibiotic era” after finding bacteria resistant to drugs used when all other treatments have failed.

They identified bacteria able to shrug off the drug of last resort - colistin - in patients and livestock in China.

Resistance has since been found in Europe, Africa and other parts of Asia.

It raises concerns of the “antibiotic apocalypse” in which treatments fail and chemotherapy, surgery and organ transplants become near impossible.

However, resistance is only a problem for as long as there are no new drugs coming through.

But in a sign that the apocalypse might yet be averted, a team in the US believe the decades-long drought in antibiotic discovery could be over.

The team at Northeastern University in Boston developed a novel method for growing bacteria that has yielded 25 new antibiotics, with one deemed “very promising”.

Source: BBC

35 everydayhealth

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital commissions ICU

By Sade Oguntola

C

ritical care services in Nigeria like other West African countries had been hampered by government apathy towards funding of hospitals capital and manpower flight overseas.

Recently, things are somewhat improving with the government’s willingness to invest more in healthcare, and clampdown on resource diversion in the country.

To save capital flight overseas and provide improved health care services, the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba (NARHY) Yaba under the Command of Brig. Gen. CB Wanda, Consultant ENT Surgeon last Tuesday, Commissioned the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital during its annual medical lecture.

Speaking during the occasion, obviously elated Wanda, the Commander of 68 NARHY said that the new Intensive Care Unit is meant to serve both military and civilian patients of the hospital who are in need of critical care.

An intensive care unit (ICU), also known as an intensive therapy unit or intensive treatment unit (ITU) or critical care unit (CCU) or Emergency Treatment Unit, is a special department of a hospital or health care facility that provides intensive care medicine.

Intensive care units cater to patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses and injuries, which require constant, close monitoring and support from specialist equipment and medications in order to ensure normal bodily functions.

According to him, the era of moving patients from 68 NARHY to other hospitals like Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to obtain similar services is gone.

To this effect, the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon said that the hospital is now fully equipped and ready to serve patients with severe and lifethreatening illnesses and injuries, which require constant, close monitoring and support from specialist equipment and medications in order to ensure normal bodily functions.

He also said that the 68 NARHY ICU is staffed by highly trained doctors and nurses who specialise in caring for critically ill-patients.

It is also distinguished

from normal hospital wards by a higher staffto-patient ratio and access to advanced medical resources and equipment that is not routinely available elsewhere, he added that common conditions including, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) trauma, multiple organ failure and sepsis

can now be treated at 68 NARHY ICU. He also explained that patients may be transferred directly to an intensive care unit from an emergency department if required, or from a ward if they rapidly deteriorate, or immediately after surgery if the surgery is very invasive and the

patient is at high risk of complications.

Highlights of the occasion were the lectures presented by the Corps Commander Medical, Maj. Gen. OA Ogunbiyi CMH and the guest lecturer, Dr Ibironke Desalu, Associate Professor of Anaesthesia of the Lagos University Teaching Hos-

pital.

Wanda, who is the Commander of 68 NARHY, further observed that the Intensive Care Unit was developed by the previous Commander Maj. Gen. PAA Falola, Consultant, Ophthalmology and completed by him.

He encouraged those who have patients in need

of intensive care to avail themselves of the opportunity presented by the new Intensive Care Unit.

Commenting, the guest lecturer, Dr Desalu, that this is good and landmark development in the management of the critically ill patients and commended 68 NARHY for such an achievement.

UNICEF advocates birth delivery in health facility

By Victor Ogunyinka

Corps Commander, Medical/Consultant anaesthetist Maj Gen OA Ogunbiyi and Brig Gen CB Wanda, Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon/ Commander of 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba (NARHY) cutting the tape during the commissioning of the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, recently.

Nigeria to commence local manufacture of vaccines in 2022 Newton-Ray Ukwuoma -Lagos Following a recent report by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) to remove Nigeria from the countries benefiting from the subsidy on vaccine supply in 2022, the Federal Government in partnership with May & Baker Nigeria Plc is finalising initiatives to commence local manufacture of vaccines for immunization in Nigeria.

Mr Nnamdi Okafor, the Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, made this known in a statement on Monday during an end of the year parley with newsmen in Ogun State, citing the grounds for Nigeria’s removal from vaccine funding on the rebased economy that has put the country as one of the richest in Africa.

Mr Okafor, who acknowledged a degree of tardiness in the joint venture with the Federal Government on local vaccine production, assured of a timely commencement of the project.

He said that “the recent

development about the withdrawal of subsidy in 2022 by GAVI has opened the urgent need for alternative sources for funds for the supply of vaccines for routine immunisation.

“At a recent meeting of stakeholders, it was agreed that the most viable alternative will be the local manufacture of vaccines. This will reduce cost and guarantee availability. We shall therefore step up efforts and with

the collaboration of our partners, the Federal Government, we assure you that the project will soon take off,” he said.

He also expressed optimism about the country’s capacity to become subsistent in the production of vaccines for immunisation and other health products as pharmaceutical companies in the country like May & Baker have attained World Health Organisation

(WHO) status for good manufacturing practice (GMP) and can free the country from importing some medical products abroad.

Okafor also disclosed the financial testament of the company within three quarters putting the percentage growth figure in turnover at nine per cent increase of the same period in 2014 and 165 per cent growth in profit before tax before September, 2015.

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has stated that it is important for pregnant women to deliver in a health facility for the improved health of both mother and the newborn baby.

This was made known after participants of its weekly opinion poll (U-report) revealed that some women still patronise traditional birth attendants for delivery.

While responding to questions on where women in their community give birth, 19 per cent of respondents opined that women in their community don’t give birth in health centres, stating that they either give birth at home or at the traditional birth attendants’ house.

UNICEF however advised pregnant women on the importance of delivering in a health facility for the improved health of the mother and the newborn baby.

Expert discovers anti-aging therapy

By Gabriel Oshokha Dr Shahin Nooreyezdan, a Senior Consultant, Cosmetic Surgery, Apollo Cosmetic Clinics, Delhi, has disclosed that a new therapy called Ultherapy, non-invasive cosmetic procedure provides an immediate smooth effect by slowing down the aging process, creating new structural collagen and eventually tightens it, thus, improving the skin texture and tone.

Dr Nooreyezdan said the

breakthrough in skin antiaging treatment called Ultherapy is being used in more than 55 countries, adding that about 40 scientific papers have been published on the procedure.

He noted that more than twice, same figure of scientific lectures have also been delivered at various platforms.

Dr Nooreyezdan stated further that Ultherapy is a micro-focused ultrasound treatment for skin tightening, an ultrasound system normally used for viewing baby growth in pregnant

ladies.

According to Dr Nooreyezdan, Ultherapy also called ‘lunchtime lift’, requires no overnight stay at the clinic, noting that “you can literally choose to get it done in your lunch hour and go back to work.

It is a mere 60 to 90 minutes treatment that uses your body’s own regenerative response to gently and gradually restore memory to the skin and underlying tissue.”

He said Ultherapy bypasses the surface of the skin, specifically targeting

the deep structural skin tissues where collagen lives, adding that the technique uses ultrasound pulse energy to enter the tissue, working from the insideout delivering thermal energy.

Dr Nooreyezdan added that Ultherapy is recommended for those between 35 and 60 with early signs of laxity, saying that these patients would see results within three to six months with a single treatment, while patients over the age of 60 may require a second treatment in six months.

36

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

healthpeople National Assembly should pass the traditional medicine bill

Professor Dayo Oyekole is the Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Practitioners (NANTMP). He discusses with VICTOR OGUNYINKA constraint facing the traditional medicine practice and how government could make herbal medicine a force to reckon with.

I

n truth, is there any ailment herbal medicine cannot cure?

Practically, there is no ailment that would defy herbal cure because from the time of our forefathers, it is believed and practised that for every ailment, there is a natural solution, it has been like that and it is working as such.

Are you saying herbal medicine is 100 per cent effective?

No system of medicine have ever recorded 100 per cent success story. It depends on how you do it. Hippocrates, as far back as 400BC stated succinctly that healing is a matter of time and sometimes a matter of opportunity. If you are confronted with a situation, depends on how early you intervene and how much knowledge you have about it.

There are instances when the client brought to the herbalist has been subjected to a lot of experimentation, surgeries and manipulations, when they could no longer do anything successful, they say let’s try that herbal man, which means the person presented is a dying person.

Such may not really respond to treatment early enough as a fleshly diagnosed person, so, those are the few failures that may occur.

You’ve mentioned the word ‘herbalist’ a couple of times and people see herbalists as fetish people, is this myth or fact?

It is a pity that misconception is very rampant in our society especially among the religious leaders. I have listened to several sermons where they scolded the congregation against patronising herbalists.

This statement is borne out of ignorance. An herbalist is a person who is knowledgeable in the act of using herbs for the cure and prevention of diseases.

And herbs are plant materials whether roots, bark, leaf or other parts. But they now misconstrued an herbalist for a ritualist, they are quite different.

Compared to an orthodox setting, an herbalist centre looks unkempt; don’t you think that is a dent on the practitioners?

One thing is if you don’t teach them, you cannot blame them. The average conventional medicine practitioner has passed through series of trainings and practical orientations, but an herbalist inherited the knowledge maybe from his father in the village on a homestead. We are now advocating that the government should provide the opportunity for them to standardise, refine and repackage their practice. The difference is packaging not in the efficacy of the material. You can get to an herbal home and see them keeping a lot of waste products, the environment may not be too conducive, and it is because they don’t have personal training in personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.

How do we trust an herbal man that acquired his skills from his ancestors over a graduate that went through series of practicals and experiments with our health?

The World Health Organisation has played it safe as far back as 1978; traditional medicine is defined as a system of healing that relies on information or knowledge passed on from generation to generation either verbally or in written form. So, it recognises even oral recitation to make this work. It is not a deficiency in knowledge that the people are having, it is the orientation that is missing. The reason herbal medicine is not developed is because we are depending too much on foreign ideas, funding and control. The medical profession in Nigeria is heavily sponsored by foreign collaborators. The pharmaceutical industry now sponsors research, training fellowship and many other educational facilities in medical practice. When they now come to address the public, they say it is those pharmaceutical products that are best. It is because they have been sponsored. I will want to see a situation whereby our traditional professionals are so empowered to the extent of being able to establish their own research grant and teaching hospitals. Then, they will be able to show that they are up to the task.

If orthodox practitioners look up to the foreigners for sponsorship, who are the herbal practitioners going to look

up to?

We have to look inwards and plough back the proceeds of the natural substances we get from our own country. Oil resources are a natural substance coming from decayed plant and animal that are fossilised and created the oil resources. We will now get the oil money and plough it back to plant development and animal sustenance because that was the original source of the oil. So, if we devote some billions into research and development on plant medicine, I assure you that we will end up making a lot out of it.

Why is your association not a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN)?

This is because Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) was setup in 2006 to exist as the umbrella body on its own under the Ministry of Health for development of traditional medicine in its wildest sense. It can only collaborate but it does not subsist under them, but it is still supposed to work under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Don’t you think incorporating your association into the PSN would be easier to make your voice heard?

It is difficult to achieve that because the pharmacists see herbalists as competitors. They know that where they stop is where the herbalist starts. So, because of that, the arrogance is always there because they have formal education and why would you bring a farmer from the village to work with them on the same table? What we believe is that we should have our own department in the Ministry of Health; we should also have faculties of herbal medicine in the universities and if possible have university of herbal medicine.

Do we have enough teachers for all these?

There is bound to be a beginning for everything we are doing. When Aristotle started impacting knowledge on the Greek philosophers that became men today, they were just sitting under the tree jotting down

points. From there, the genius out of them was just coming out and they were really replicating the ideas of the great master. I wouldn’t mind teaching throughout the day if they can provide a conducive atmosphere for that.

Most of these courses have been well structured, I have drawn the curriculum but funding is the limitation. I believe we have enough people to teach those courses presently in this country.

We can even establish a university and have enough manpower to handle them. What is more?

Many Nigerian universities depend on foreign experts in the past to assist them especially in the northern part until the time they could be self-sustaining. So, we can invite some people from China, India and from Western Europe to join us; we have done that for them, I have travelled to the United Kingdom and South Africa to assist them, so, why can’t they come here to complement our efforts if the government provide the opportunity for that.

What are the plans of your association for the coming year?

From inception, the NANTMP has not been given the necessary support that are expected of it from development agencies just because the association was at formative stage, but having tried to run it for almost eight years now, we know our weaknesses, opportunities, challenges and prospect. The last election took place just last week and a new crop of people are coming out. Our main focus is to create the necessary awareness among the development agencies as to the dire needs for standardisation, funding and training programmes.

Secondly, there has been no bill or law controlling the practice of traditional medicine in Nigeria till now and that is why it is difficult to really apprehend anybody perpetrating quackery.

Other professional bodies are established under law; they have their various guidelines and the condition for registration of practitioners, herbal medicine has none. They only said it verbally that state government should setup boards of traditional medicine, yes, they did, but they are not operating under the national statue. So we want to appeal to the National Assembly to please pass the bill controlling traditional medicine in Nigeria. During the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the bill passed through the first and second readings, but was not passed the third time and that was the end of the bill.

The institutional support and the funding are the two main targets of focus of our administration.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

natural

Five fruits a day make one smoothie

By Victor Ogunyinka

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here are many sayings and sermons on the efficiency and importance of fruit consumption; some advised we take 10 others say more than one fruit would do. Well, whatever it is, taking fruit just got more interesting with the discovery of smoothie.

How early researchers arrived at the name ‘smoothie’ is everyone’s guess. For starters, simply put taking fruits make you smooth.

Olubunmi Balogun, a food microbiologist, defined smoothie as a thick beverage made from blended raw fruit and/or vegetables, with other ingredients, which includes water or crushed ice, sweeteners (sugar, honey, syrup), dairy products ( milk, yogurt ,cheese), chocolate and herbal supplements.

“Smoothies have been popular worldwide since 90s, some people take it for breakfast some for refreshment in the afternoon (trust me it is really refreshing when cold) and it could also serve as a great dinner,” she added.

One general fact about fruits is that when it comes to nutrients, one would be spoilt for choice. Experts revealed that taking a glass of smoothie means taking loads of nutrients into your body at a time without being scared of refined sugars, colourings, additives or some other dangerous chemicals added to drinks we take.

The road to smoothness and healthy lifestyle isn’t without its distractions. The task of gathering fruits and preparing them for blending (If you’re lucky with power supply though) could expose one to not-too-healthy options like processed juice.

Unlike smoothie, which in most cases isn’t premade, juice is always up for pick on the shelf but may not have all the nutritional presence of smoothie.

Typically you can have sex about six weeks after delivering a baby. Of course this does not mean you want to have sex, it just means your body will not explode if you have sex at this time Sincerely, sex after childbirth could be scary and difficult. It is not just that you still look pregnant, your nipples are dripping milk and you are really tired; it is all about the fact that sex after childbirth can actually hurt.

For the past few weeks now we have discussed this topic and it is just best to state the reason why sex could be painful after childbirth.

The extra stitch. If you had a vaginal birth and tore naturally or the doctor had to cut the perineum; the space between the vagina and the anus and you needed stitches and you got the extra, unnecessary stitch at the perineum that is supposed to make your vaginal opening smaller.

(Though sometimes women ask for this, most of the time they don’t. Some women don’t even know they got this, all they know is that their vagina feels smaller and they have no idea why). This can cause pain with sex. It is not that the stitch does not heal correctly; it is the fact that your vagina is smaller. This can lead to pains.

No extra stitches. These stitches will heal well, but sometimes they can leave you with scar tissue at the perineum. This can be really problematic with sex because scar tissue makes everything tighter and more sensitive. It can make muscles in your vagina too tense when they are supposed to be relaxing.

Natural tear. This is the same as above. Even with natural tearing you are going to have some scar tissue.

If you don’t work through this scar tissue, massage and knead it, then it can create painful sex.

Breastfeeding, vagina dryness and low libido.

Breastfeeding can lower your natural hormone levels inside and outside the vagina, making sex dry and lowering your sex drive. If you don’t have sex drive, your vagina will not get wet. When your vagina doesn’t get wet enough, there is friction and this feels like sandpaper and tearing. If you experience this, use some lubricant.

5. Having sex and worrying about the baby waking or being in the room. The good thing about the pelvic floor; the support muscles in the pelvis that keep up all your organs and span from all around your va-

Balogun explained that processed fruit juice would have lost majority of its nutrients in the processing, thereby replacing it with sweeteners and other additives.

“Unlike processed juices, smoothies consist of the entire fruits or vegetables, skin and other parts and contain all of the fibre from the vegetables. However, the blending process breaks the fibre apart (which makes the fruit and vegetables easier to digest), but also help create a slow, even release of nutrients into the blood stream and avoid blood sugar spikes.

“Smoothies tend to be more filling, because of the fibre,

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

Reasons postpartum sex hurts! gina and clitoris to all around your anus and from one hip to the other, basically is that they respond to your thoughts. Your pelvic floor is a mind reader. When you are scared, nervous, anxious or uncomfortable, your pelvic floor muscles will automatically respond and tense up. This makes vagina and your anus smaller; in that moment. This is a really primitive response. It is your body’s

health and generally faster to make than juice, so, they can be great to drink first thing in the morning as your breakfast, or for snacks throughout the day. By including the fibre in your smoothie, the volume will increase. Also, you can pack more servings of fruits and veggies into a single serving of juice than you can into a smoothie,” she explained.

Some of the nutritional benefits of smoothie, according to Balogun include “vitamins, minerals and enzymes that raw food contains, if we don’t get enough of these in our body our reserves becomes low, leaving us more susceptible to illness and disease. Smoothies have several benefits over their solid forms; our body can absorb the nutrients in smoothies more easily because blending helps break down hard to digest plant cell walls.

“Vitamin A is essential for immunity and bone development, high level of it could reduce the risk of several chronic diseases, it’s also good for vision (Apple smoothies).”

Protein and Magnesium works in muscle contraction as the relaxer it is also good for the heart (carrot smoothies) other nutrients include vitamin C, B iron.”

Other benefits include weight loss, build muscle and helps maintain a healthy athletic performance, serves as a detoxifier, encourages deeper sleep, it comes handy and can be consumed anytime of the day, reduces carvings for junks and sweeteners, maintains cognitive balance, affords one the pleasure of eating more than one fruit and vegetable at a go and it is very delicious!

In case you are not sure what fruits to mix together, Balogun recommended the blend of orange, carrot, mango; tangerine, pineapple, apple; grape, banana, strawberry; lemon, papaya (paw paw) and water melon (mixing some of these combinations with ginger would be just great too).

old-fashioned way of trying to protect your reproductive parts. It is important that you have sex when the timing is right for your mind. When your brain is more relaxed, your vagina is more relaxed.

Cesarean section. Just like the stitches, c-sections leave scars. If you don’t work this scar, the scar tissue will grow down into the layers beneath it and really create problems. This can cause bladder problems, bowel problems and…painful sex.

Attempted vaginal delivery and a c-section. Both your pelvic floor and abdomen have been through hell and back. You might have perineal tearing and a c-section scar. Then you have a lot of reasons why sex could hurt, so work the scars in both places to minimise and eliminate the problem.

If you find yourself with any of the above, it is not the end of the world. The very first thing to do is to let your doctor know. With this, you need a specialist. Your gynecologist will be your best bet here. He will help you out and if there is the need for you to see other specialists; then he can refer you. It is not that bad though, the most important thing is for you to do the right thing at the right time.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Saraki

The Senate in 2015: How far, how well?

Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, examines the state of the Senate, Nigeria’s upper legislative in the outgoing year 2015, presenting a picture that evokes mixed feelings.

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HOUGH the journey into the 8th Senate started on June 9, 2015, the life of the chamber can be said to have started taking shape before that day. A number of stakeholders had designed the way they wanted the election of the leadership of the chamber to go and thus taken steps to ensure things went as designed.

While the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which took over majority seats, delayed its plans for the leadership structure of the chamber, the main actors in the battle for top positions in the red chamber didn’t leave things to chance.

In fact, as soon as election results started streaming in, calculations as to where the seat of Senate President and the Deputy would go became rife. Even though there was no real zoning programme on ground, then Senators-elect from the North Central

started nursing a feeling that the position of Senate President would come to the area.

Somehow, Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator George Akume started out as the forerunners. While Saraki belongs to the New PDP wing of the party, Akume was a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which formed part of the legacy parties that coalesced into the new ruling party, the APC. Forces immediately started milling around Saraki and Akume for the top job.

But the party kept things till late before it intervened. And when it did, it was obvious the long period allowed for campaigns by the APC had constituted a huge obstacle to the realization of the party’s objectives.

Saraki had campaigned to almost all senators, old and new, while Akume was being made to understand that the party would fix the situation. Senator Ahmad Lawan, who also joined the race along the line, was also of the belief that party supremacy would deliver the Senate Presidency and then, the battle raged with Saraki on one hand and Akume and Lawan on the other.

At the time the APC organised a shadow selection arrangement to determine its candidate for the top job, it appeared too late, as loyalists of Saraki walked out of the selection process. It all laid the background for the crisis that snowballed into national reckoning on June 9, as Saraki emerged the

By and large, the 8th Senate in the first six months has been more of motions, public hearings and few oversight tours. No law has so far been passed, with executive bill virtually nonexistent; the lawmakers have had to contend with their own wits.

Senate President against the wishes and dictates of the APC hierarchy.

A lot of meanings have been read into Buhari’s handling of the issues emanating from the election in the Senate thus far. While some believed that the President was creating avenues to enforce party supremacy, others believed that he was only creating a scenario which would make the Senate subservient to the executive all through his tenure.

The President was also said to have made it clear to Saraki that he was ready to maintain official line of communication with the number three citizen. While the heat was on, many expected the Saraki-led Senate to go on the offensive. Saraki however maintained a different posture; insisting most of the times that the Senate would work for Buhari’s success. But the situation appears to be changing in recent weeks, as Buhari and Saraki have been credited to hold some regular talks, even though the latter is still battling the asset declaration case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Despite the absence of cordial relationship the Senate under Saraki has suffered its main sparring partner, the executive, the chamber appears to have defined its focus and remained largely within the lines. Days after his emergence as the Senate President, Senator Saraki hosted a number of groups, including a coalition of Civil Society groups, where he espoused what looked like the agenda for the Senate under his leadership.

He told the Dr Clement Nwankwo-led coalition that the Senate under his watch would address the monumental corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by ensuring the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and ensure transparency in the oil sector.

He also declared the readiness of the Senate to stop leakages from the funds accruing to federal agencies adding that “such era where there was deliberate non provision of operational budget for agencies of government to function was over.” He added that the 8th Senate would attempt to amend 1999 Constitution Amendment bill and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended to guarantee free and fair election in the country.

He spoke of the Senate agenda thus: “Some of us have strong views that issues of budget must be transparent, particularly; days are gone where agencies like the NNPC would be functioning without operational budget. We must move away from that because one of the key issues that we have now is the issue of revenue leakages due to lack of transparency. You have raised a number of bills, one of which is the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which is key to deepening the electoral process.

“More importantly, is the Constitution Amendment, which was unfortunate that after all the work that was done, it could not be assented to. I can assure you that as soon as we resume, we will begin discussion on how to go about bringing all those bills that are people-oriented bills back with a view to fast tracking their passage. As soon as we resume, we will find a way of fast tracking some of these people-oriented bills that are still left to be attended to.”

He further said: “On the issue of transparency of oversight, we will work very hard to continues pg39

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politics&policy

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

How we can take Nigeria to the next level —Yusuf The deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Lasun Yusuf, in this interview with OLAWALE OLANIYAN, speaks on why there is faction before the emergence of the Speaker House of Representatives and why Nigerians should be hopeful for President Buhari administration, among other issues. Excerpts:

hat is the current relationship in the House between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after the initial crisis that trailed the emergence of principal officers of the House?

The situation in the House is calm and peaceful. There is no difference between the parties, because that is the way we run the House; no difference either APC or PDP. We run one House and it (House) is for Nigerians. So, there is no difference.

You mean the members are in a good relationship with the executive arm of government?

Again, I need to commend President Muhammadu Buhari, I think he understands that the Legislative of arm of government has a role to play and the man is doing very well and because of that I commend him. In fact, he will be one of the few Nigerian presidents that understand what the legislative arm actually means and does because, close to seven months he has done very well. He has not tried, for one moment, rupture the peace in the House. President Buhari is fantastic and I commend him for that. I want Nigerians to be hopeful because eventually the man is going to do very well and solve some of our problems, of course, one person cannot solve all the problems, but I know President Buhari will still try to solve some of our problems. He has a good relationship with both the Senate and the House and because of that, we are ready to support him and his government.

But, the general impression is that there are factions in the House, as some members are said to be for Dogara, while others are for the House Leader, Honourable femi Jagbabiamila?

Of course, this is normal in democracy because we have a House of 360 members.

How can you rate the House under Dogara in 2015?

We are doing very well. You know Nigeria is at time when a lot of things are going wrong, and both the legislators and the executives are trying very hard to sort out the grey areas so that Nigerians can derive

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Adebayo Alao-Akalay claimed in an interview that PDP is dying. Do you agree?

I don’t normally talk about other parties.

I only know that APC is at the centre now and for the first time in the history of Nigeria, a progressive party is at the centre.

So, what I am bothered about now is how my party is going to transform its manifesto and its campaign promise we made to the electorate into policies and aimed at improving the welfare of the people, So, I don’t know much whether PDP is dying or not. What I know is that APC is at the centre, and we must struggle very hard to make sure that we better the lots of Nigerians.

The two stood for election in respect of the Speakership. One person won; the other one did not win and there were two camps.

But now, the House is calm and peaceful, and its one House.

Yusuf good benefits from the system. We are trying very hard because in the next one or two years, Nigerians are able to sit in their house peacefully, with security taken care of, with their welfare taken care of and with infrastructural amenities provided by the government. We are making sure that Nigerians don’t feel that they have wasted their votes; we are trying to show Nigerians that we can do it and we will do it and make sure that we return turn Nigeria to the path of the glory.

Former Oyo State governor, Chief

Your message to Nigerians as we enter 2016?

I want to let Nigerians know that we have to stand up for our country and make sure we develop it. The citizens of the other nations at one point or the other, stood up for their countries and contributed to the development. That is why they are where they are today. I am imploring Nigerians to stand for the betterment of the nation and contribute their own quota so that Nigeria can be great.

We have a lot of ups and downs and I know with time, with the support of everybody, we will be able to get to where we are desire and deserve to be as a country. I am urging Nigerians to be patient with the President, to be patient with our party (APC), and to also remember that they must contribute their own quota to make sure Nigeria becomes a great nation.

The twists and turns in the upper chamber continued from pg38

see the areas where there can be improvement on our part. As duly elected representatives of the people, we will work closely with every stakeholder in our onerous task of building a prosperous, secured and egalitarian society, where the dividend of democracy will be felt by the people.

He also submitted: “On our part as legislators, we will be open, transparent and accept to work together as a team in order to transform our abundant resources to the betterment of Nigeria and Nigerians. The Senate President assured that the senate under his leadership will be steadfast and improve on our oversight functions. The budget processes will be transparent, we will continue to prevent revenue leakages and enact laws that are relevant to the welfare of the people.”

Having defined the focus for the 8th Senate, the chamber kick started its assignments amidst series of bickering. The manner of Saraki’s emergence had already created the avenue for existence of what is referred to as “axis of evil.” The chamber, having been divided into three segments; the senators of Like Minds (SLM), who are pro-Saraki, the Senate Unity Forum (SUF), led by Senator Ahmad Lawan, the candidate adopted for the Senate top job by the APC and the largely Non-Aligned senators, who only support issues as they emerge. The last class is occupied by mostly returning senators, who are the smallest of the three groups.

With Senator Kabiru Marafa as the spokesman of the SUF, there is hardly a space for peace. The senator and his colleagues in the SUF brought up the question of alleged

forgery of the Senate Standing Rules 2015 and the subsequent court case on the matter. There have been walk outs and commotions on the floor. On record, this Senate appeared the most troubled since 1999.

Somehow, the Saraki Senate Presidency has however managed to ensure the matters don’t snowball into long closures of the chamber. Besides the one-month closure in June, which was as a result of the simmering crisis, the chamber has kept itself afloat in the midst of the crisis.

But like some experience senators predicted, a crack in the chamber can only be exploited by the executive, which they believe is always wary of the powers of oversight that resides in the legislature. Thus, while the bickering among the lawmakers continued, the leadership also found a way by which the tasks before the lawmakers did not get derailed.

In effect, therefore, the executive has been the most beneficiary, as the chamber keeps giving it whatever it wanted. While a number of lawmakers frowned at the President’s penchant for appointing candidates into offices before seeking Senate’s confirmation, they could do nothing to stop the candidates who were so appointed. President Buhari

had appointed the Management Boards of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) before sending letters seeking their approvals to the Senate. Some saw this as taking away the power of scrutiny from the Senate and raised issues, but when the matters came up for confirmation, the lawmakers eventually passed the nominees, who had already spent months on the job.

One of the key assignments handled by the Senate is the ministerial screening. Many stalwarts of the APC had raised eyebrows that allowing Saraki remain on the seat to clear Ministers could be dangerous. They expected the man to retaliate the president’s cold reception. It was alleged that the suit pending against the Senate President at the CCT was part of the move aimed at getting him out before the ministerial list found its way to the senate.

When the lists eventually got to the senators in two batches, Saraki and his colleagues cleared all. The Senate President was seen to have bent over backwards in accommodating all Buhari’s men, even though he emerged the first senate President in

Besides the one-month closure in June, which was as a result of the simmering crisis, the chamber has kept itself afloat in the midst of the crisis.

contemporary history not to have a single nominee in the federal cabinet.

Following Saraki’s disposition to the ministerial nominees and the eventual clearance, Senate watchers had accused the man of leaving himself bare. They claimed that giving Buhari all he wanted, without a bargaining chip, could be dangerous for the Kwara State-born politician. But, another school of thought believed that with Saraki orchestrating the approval of all nominees of the President, Buhari should be able to see that he doesn’t have an enemy in the former governor of Kwara and should warm up to him for nation building.

Unlike the previous sessions, the current Senate has had to handle more of motions than bills. With executive bill hard to come by, senators have been largely restricted to members’ bills, which they take through the first and Second Readings on instances and then motions. Motions have been flying in from all angles, leading to the setting up of probes into ecological issues, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) Army/Shiite clash in Kaduna, fire incidents in parts of the country, among others.

By and large, the 8th Senate in the first six months has been more of motions, public hearings and few oversight tours. No law has so far been passed, with executive bill virtually nonexistent; the lawmakers have had to contend with their own wits. But the executive has been the better for all the acrimony among the senators; smiling home as it were.

The cracks within the Senate tend to allow the contending parties to work in favour of the executive; thus Buhari’s nominees have had to easily scale some huddles that would ordinarily appear difficult to surmount.

40 politics&policy

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

The House in 2015 Kolawole Daneil - Abuja

F

OR the legislative arm of government, the outgoing year marks a watershed in the annals of the country. For the first time, the opposition party was able to end the 16 years of dominance of the National assembly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Besides, a new governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC) had to share honour with the PDP now donning the garb of opposition in the overall power sharing and distribution in the two chambers of the National Assembly. In other words, the tradition of winner takes all gave way to a new power structure and equation in the legislature, as the APC only does not enjoy an absolute majority in terms of membership in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The twist became a source of intense supremacy tussle in the Senate and the House, to the chagrin of many observers.

No doubt, 2015 has been an intriguing year in the House right from the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly on June 8, 2015. The contest for the leadership of the House among the power blocs in the APC in particular, was keen and at the end of the day, Honourable Yakubu Dogara clinched the Speaker of the House.

His emergence brought to the fore the existence of about two camps: the Consolidation Group, which backed the Speaker and The Loyalists, comprising the allies of Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who was indeed the anointed candidate of the APC the Number 4 seat in the country.

The crisis deepened, when the Consolidation group insisted that Honourable Gbajabiamila could not be a principal officer in the House because he was from the SouthWest, where the deputy Speaker, Honourable Lasun Yusuf, also hails from.

However, after a series of meetings designed to reach a compromise on the matter, the Speaker eventually named Honourable Gbajabiamila as House Leader. Events in the House further took an interesting turn when Honourable Dogara named the 96 chairmen and their deputies of the various Standing Committees of the House. The APC got 48, while the opposition PDP got 46. One committee each went to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). The sharing formula soon became another seed of discord, as it did not go down well with The Loyalists.

The protest culminated in Honourable Gbajabiamila writing a letter to the Speaker, dated October 20, 2015, complaining that he was not given the due consideration in the appointments of chairmen and their deputies to the various committees.

He said the necessary Rules of the House on such matter were breached. The letter read: “Honourable Speaker, you will recall that I have on several occasions, in the last four weeks, met with you both at home and in your office to get an understanding and appreciation of what was going on with the composition and appointment of chairmen and deputy chairman of House committees. Honourable Speaker, I acknowledge your right and prerogative to determine the leadership of the House committees and I intend to work with you after such determination has been made. I intend and have stated on many occasions privately and publicly to work with you for the progress of the House.

“However, I am constrained at this point to ask that due consideration is given to the provisions of our House provisions of our

Dogara House rules. “Order 7, Rule 10 paragraph (a) of the House Rules which states that the Speaker; shall in consultation with Principal Officers, appoint the chairmen and deputy chairmen from among the members on the committee. “On the role of the Majority/ House Leader; Order 7 Rule 27 (2) (c) says that the Leader of the House shall liaise with committee chairmen and other functionaries of the House.

“Honourable Speaker, in the light of the foregoing provisions of our Rules and in line with parliamentary tradition world over, undermining the office of the leader, or any other principal officer, would not strengthen the legislature or our democracy. The situation where any principal officer, whether from the majority or minority party, only knows of the appointment referred to above upon announcement on the floor will not augur well for the progress of this House. I have taken the liberty to write to you on the matter for record purposes and in the hope that every principal office in this House it’s due (consideration) as enshrined in our House Rules.” To address the issues raised

by House Leader, Honourable Dogara summoned a meeting for October 22, 2015 through a letter dated October 21, 2015.

In terms of legislative activities, one issue

that elicited so much public curiousity in the outgoing year about the House was the presentation and First Reading passage of 130 Bills in one day. Out of the 130 Bills, 127 of them were Amendment Bills, seeking to review existing Acts of the National Assembly. A total of 11 of the Bills seek to repeal existing laws and replace them with new and more efficient ones, while 12 of the Bills are fresh ones.

Dogara shed light on the action of the House on the matter. He said: “This is the first time in the history of this House that such number of Bills has been presented.”

To ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the House in the discharge of its functions through its committees, the House organised a retreat for the chairmen and their deputies. It was principally meant to them abreast of best legislative practice.

The icing on the cake on the activities of the House in 2015 was the presentation of N6.08 trillion 2016 Appropriation Bill

by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Speaker used the historic occasion to reassure the executive arm of government of the fully support of the House. The budget will be subjected to scrutiny when the House resumes on January 12.

To demonstrate the importance of the

In terms of legislative activities, one issue that elicited so much public curiousity in the outgoing year about the House was the presentation and First Reading passage of 130 Bills in one day.

budget to the House, Dogara stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, Mr President, distinguished colleagues, this is one war that must not only be won but must be won expeditiously and decisively if the change mantra is to deliver ultimately : It is a divine second chance for Nigeria to pull herself out of the vicious circle of debilitating poverty; inequality; squalor; unemployment; graft and insecurity, indeed it is the season for the enthronement of good governance.

While thanking Mr President for meeting the Constitutional requirement for the presentation of the budget estimates, I wish to reiterate that a well crafted budget is not an end in itself, the real meat of a budget is in it’s implementation. While the National Assembly will endeavor to diligently scrutinize and pass the budget in good time to facilitate early commencement of it’s implementation.

“In this regard, and in order to aid Mr President to execute and implement the budget, it may be necessary to take a second look at the constitutional definition of Financial year. Section 318 of the Constitution defines a ‘Financial Year’ to mean ‘any period of twelve months beginning on the first day of January in any year or such other date as the National Assembly may prescribe’.The National Assembly, going forward, may need therefore, to prescribe another date as the financial year in line with provisions of Section 318 of the Constitution, whenever the budget is not passed before January 1 in any given year. The letter and spirit of the Constitution requires that the Financial year shall not be less than 12 months. The date of commencement of the financial year may change but not the 12 months period, it seems.

41 news

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

States still owe salaries, allowances in spite of bailout funds —Survey

S

ome states are still defaulting in their financial obligations to their workers in spite of the bailout funds by the Federal Government to assist them to pay outstanding salaries and allowances.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the Federal Government released N338 billion to 27 states as bailout funds to pay their workers backlog of salaries and allowances.

This was occasioned by the falling monthly allocations to states from the federal allocations, due to the drastic fall in crude oil prices at the international market.

A survey by NAN across the states indicated that many state governments still owe salaries and allowances after collecting the funds.

The Osun government, on its part, received N34.8 billion bailout from the Federal Government, but NAN learnt that the workers are still owed about four months salaries.

Mr Subair Oloyede, the S e cre t a ry , O s u n S t a t e Association of Medical and Dental Officers (OSAMDO) expressed displeasure at the non-settlement of backlog of salaries.

“The state government asked us to exercise patience when workers were being owed up to eight months salaries.

“It is, indeed, uncalled for that we are now being paid half salaries in spite of the receipt of the bailout fund meant to settle workers’ salary arrears,” he said.

Oloyede said that members of OSAMDO had been on strike for three months now, while the state government had yet to address their grievances.

The Publicity Secretary of APC in Osun, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, however, said the bailout fund was judiciously used as directed.

“After the release of the bailout by the CBN, payment of salaries of workers had been consistent,” Oyatomi said. “ A M e m o r a n d u m of Understanding between the state government and the committee inaugurated on disbursement of bailout loan was signed before the disbursement to ensure that it was well spent,’’ he said.

In Kwara, Dr Muideen

Akorede, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, confirmed that workers in some agencies, departments and tertiary institutions were owed salaries.

He, however, said that workers in the core civil service were not owed salaries and allowances.

Akorede attributed the delay in salary payment in the state to the sharp drop in federal allocations to the state.

He said the state, which used to collect an average of N3.2 billion monthly, now received about N1.8 billion monthly.

The Ondo State Government said that it had only paid salaries and bonuses of its workers up to October.

Mr Kayode Akinmade, the Commissioner for Information, told NAN in Akure that Gov. Olusegun Mimiko had, however, ordered immediate payment of leave bonuses.

“This is a proof that the current administration values all workers in the state and is committed to improving their welfare,” he said.

In Ekiti, the state government said the bailout fund was devoted solely to payment of workers’ salaries.

Governor Ayo Fayose told NAN that the state only got N9.6 billion out of the over N29 billion it initially applied for.

Fayose, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, also said out of the N5.6 billion applied for by the 16 local governments

in the state, the Federal Government only approved N991 million.

“We applied for N29 billion for bailout fund and it is to cover August and September 2014 salary arrears owed by the immediate past Kayode Fayemi administration.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Cross River said that the Cross River Government still owed gratuities of some retired members.

A member of the NLC Joint Negotiation Committee, Mr Ndoma Akpet, disclosed this in Calabar.

He said although the government had fulfilled its electioneering pledge by paying salaries on time since assumption of office, the payment of gratuities remained a problem.

“Non-payment of gratuities of retired civil servants for some years now has remained a problem despite the bailout funds.

Workers in local governments in Bayelsa State said that payment of their salaries was not up to date.

One of the workers in Yenagoa Local Government Area said the payment was not steady, stressing that they were yet to receive November salary.

“It has been very difficult to survive without salary for months; y o u k n o w when you are not paid you cannot afford to pay school fees of your children, especially in private schools.

“Putting food on the table will also be a challenge if you

are owed backlog of salaries by your employer,” she said.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Bayelsa Chapter, however, explained that the state was yet to get the bailout fund.

It called for quick release of the bailout fund approved for the state government to settle some outstanding salaries of its workers.

Kano State government said it had not used the N20 billion bailout funds for the payment of pension arrears and salaries of newly-recruited health workers.

The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, said that part of the money would also be used for the settlement of arrears to workers recently promoted.

He said that part of the facility would be disbursed to the 44 local governments in form of bailout package.

He said the 44 local governments were expected to spend the money on development projects, especially the five-kilometre road dualisation projects initiated by the immediate past administration.

“The state government also intends to use the money to pay some st u d ent s of Cor por at e Security Institute, Gabasawa, who were not paid allowances for nine months,” he said.

Kebbi State said it had not benefited from the bailout fund being provided by the Federal Government to states that had difficulties paying workers their salaries.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale, told NAN in Birnin Kebbi that the state was not a beneficiary of the bailout fund as its workers were not owed salaries.

In Katsina State, the state government said it had since collected N11.5 billion as bailout fund from the Federal Government.

The Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Aminu Masari on Media, Abdu Labaran, told NAN part of the fund would be used to settle outstanding pension and gratuities to retired local and state government workers.

“The money had since been deposited in the state government’s coffers pending the conclusion of an ongoing verification exercise of the intended beneficiaries,’’ Labaran explained.

In Sokoto State, the State House of Assembly had since approved that the state government should access the N10.093 billion intervention fund to pay salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits of workers.

This was disclosed in the state House of Assembly following a motion moved by the House leader, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar (APCTureta), on the need for the state to access the intervention fund.

Abubakar said that the fund would ease the sufferings of the people in the state, especially the settlement of backlog of the pensions, gratuity and other allowances to the workers.

Why Oyo workers continue to receive salaries bi-monthly —NLC

By Wale Akinselure

Against the backdrop of the yearnings of Oyo workers for regular payment of their salaries, the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has reiterated that the situation where workers tend to receive their salary once in two months was the better option in the face of current realities.

According to chairman, Oyo NLC, Mr Waheed Olojede, the option in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the state government, was better than acceding to the option of retrenchment, payment of half salary or basic salary.

In a review of the outgoing year which he described as

bad and critical for workers, he maintained that the agreement that 90 per cent of Federal Government allocation received by the state, be committed to clearing accumulated arrears subsisted.

Specifically bemoaning that many workers had struggled to celebrate the festive period, he urged the state government to mitigate a recurrence of similar hardship in 2016, through well-planned programmes of action.

“The MOU we signed with government is based on allocation received and on current realities. We have said no to half salary. Our position with government is that no worker will be retrenched and that is why we are managing the

situation the way we are.

Oyo State has fared better in the payment of salaries when compared to some other states.”

“We have not entered into any agreement with government that they would not pay again. The only sacrifice is that we are getting our salary piecemeal.

I do not think retrenchment is an option regardless how things go. With the situation in Nigeria as a whole, we consider that this is a better option to retrenchment or half salary, payment of basic salary. Among other options, this manner of payment is the best option for now.”

Speaking on what was regarded as a staggered arrangement, State Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade had hinted that government

would not retrench workers, noting that insufficiency of funds meant workers would receive once in two months.

While acknowledging that salaries arrears would continue to occur, he assured that the situation was bound to improve as funds improved from the Federal Government.

“It is a staggered arrangement like once in two months. Because of the insufficiency of funds, the issue of arrears will keep occurring. If a worker receives salary once in two months, the implication is that, within six months, arrears of three months would have occurred, so what government has agreed is that whenever funds from Abuja improve, we will clear the arrears,” Eniade said.

Abandoned babies

Deborah Boly Seyi Hope, a girl of about threeyear-old was abandoned by her father. The subject was taken to Mrs Tunrayo Osonoji of No. 3, Adekunle Street, Owode, Ogun State, on August 28, 2015 for custody. Her father had since failed to show up, while all efforts aimed at tracing his whereabouts proved abortive.

Esther Seyi Hope, a girl of over one-year was abandoned by her father.

The subject was taken to Mrs Tunrayo Osonoji of No. 3, Adekunle Street, Owode, Ogun State, on August 28, 2015 for custody. Her father had since failed to show up, while all efforts aimed at tracing her whereabouts have been futile.

Grace Hope, newborn five-month-old baby girl was delivered by an insane woman, at Ayetoro road, Itele Awori, Ogun State, on May 15, 2015 at about 08.30hrs.

Tope Amosun, a girl of about four years old was abandoned by her mother and found around General Hospital, Idi-Iroko, Ogun State, on May 11, 2015.

Anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of their mothers/relatives, should please, contact the nearest police station or the Director of Social Welfare Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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Thursday, 31 December, 2015

foreign affairs withseyigesinde

otherNEWS n Putin calls for cooperatio in message to Obama

in t Vladimir Putin, Russian Presiden to United States ge a New Year messa ama, has called for President Barack Ob eir countries to ren th cooperation betwee l challenges. na tio na ter in to d spon s said ties between es Pr ted The Associa gton reached a postMoscow and Washin d en Russia annexe Cold War low wh nsula and threw its peni Ukraine’s Crimean rn ratist rebels in easte pa se d hin be t suppor Ukraine. th tions responded wi The US and other na ainst Russian ofag economic sanctions mpanies and entire co ficials, state-owned y. om on ec e th of sections Puednesday quoted The Kremlin on W as a am Ob to greetings tin’s New Year’s and ia ss Ru n ee tw be s saying the “relation crucial to ensuring are es at St d ite Un e th global security.”

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

How Europe refugee crisis, ISIS attacks, Syrian war, Iran nuclear deal shaped 2015

In arguably the most harrowing photo of 2015, a Turkish police officer stands next to the body of Syrian refugee Aylan Kurdi, 3, whose boat sank while carrying refugees from Turkey to the Greek island of Kos. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES.

From the refugee crisis in Europe to Islamic State uprising and Syrian civil war in the Far East, year 2015 was characterised by heart-breaking events which shaped it in a way far different from those of previous years. Seyi Gesinde reports.

Hopes for peace as CAR holds long-delayed election

tions in Bangui, Central African A man casts his ballot during elec AP. Republic, on Wednesday. PHOTO: African RepubPolls opened in the Central much-delayed a in y, sda dne lic (C.A.R.), on We l end nearly three election that many hope wil istians and MusChr n years of violence betwee p. cou 3 lims since a 201 h for Wednesday’s The VOA said security is hig tion, which was elec tive presidential and legisla day to deal with Sun m fro d aye del most recently technical difficulties. n deployed to senU.N. peacekeepers have bee of the armed forces sitive areas, 300 members , and 1,800 police gui on guard in the capital Ban ch in other areas wat ng ndi sta and gendarmes of the country.

Ki-moon has U.N. Secretary-General Ban olders to commit called for “all national stakeh the elections are t themselves to ensuring tha dible manner.” cre and l cefu conducted in a pea

lence elseas or instability and vio ar W vil pe Ci ro n ts observed that as long Eu ria Sy in s re economic migran of we Refugees crisi sts ble r, rsi pa ve pe ca we r d ho wa ke rs, il loo he civ ly Ot . ’s rd ere Syria n 2015, Europe ha nities. ing wh lems, let alone runn ing better job opportu s provided heart- and the European econ handling its own prob rts’ predictions a de- seek ee , ug ers ref ek -se of job ux cts pe The infl reach omy attra the world, despite ex ote books with titles ant people desperate to gr of mi es d ag an im ee ug ing wr ref ch eny the wren cons cade ago, when ma will ury.” At failing with deadly ill Run the 21st Cent influx pressure on Europe Europe,sometimes W e Th pe ro g.

Eu din hy ee cc “W to su e ng lik en gli oft ug re str ll mo t sti s bu e. wa ted continu inent quences, us borders, highligh a time when the cont onomic recession, it was US sed Europe’s poro le Extension of po ec nd ex ha ep de to a w m ho fro er e ov pe an emerg ro ist s.

Eu ee an in ug gh th ref wi Af ly a million many troops in differences in hit by a wave of near escape the horrors of the new life to Europe’s te ve no ga of d s an rie ts, sto an r gr Othe to immi rties. The refupa t an gr Most were seeking a’s mi am im tiOb an nationalist and s across 2015 included d political problem course gee crisis also create n an- decision to reverse tio tra ama adminis mbat Ob co e S. Th U. . tic ep lan ke t At “a d an the uld take in wo it at th r istan be an em gh pt Af the troops in nounced in Se ees in 2016. But in ug his ref of n d ria en Sy e 0” th ,00 h least 10 dino at- throug ris and San Bernar , and going Pa on e th of y, s nc ath ide en es erm at pr aft in ickly swung to concern ck Burundi’s president thre blo peace negotiations tacks, compassion qu rs politicians moved to ing pe al lat ee loc ca d ek es an ac te, , pe sta bia l, s AU Colom State federa to fight t s entering the United tic tensions in the Wes t Pierre Nkurunziza ha uslim refugees from lan M At e Th . es iti un Burundi’s Presiden , mm if rs co lem pe eir sa kee th ru ace Je to pe d ng ion n Un Bank an or relocati threatened to fight Africa ce bris len de vio lt of ha ry to y ve co ntr dis cou e th they are deployed in the nes s of lives. from Malaysia Airli that has claimed hundred the , ion un nth and Re mo t s Eas on thi dle 0 lier Mid 37 t ear Flight flee terror in the Al Jazeera reported tha psed to send Syrian families entering Turkey toIMAGES. lla dy co rea s a wa it t d, tha an d Isl sai African Union (AU) ch Europe. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY d a ping force to protect ci- rea crane in Mecca an a 5,000-strong peacekee s of unrest triggered the at e ed mp sta ly nth dead vilians caught up in mo he s t ion tha cis ril de Ap cement in Hajj, China’s

by Nkurunziza’s announ d hil e-c on m. a ter n rd do sial thi to aban would seek a controver a ponse to the AU plan, res policy in favor of c bli pu t firs his In nd uru an Nk y, ay, lic esd po on Wedn two-child The moon broadcast on state radio to respect” Burundi’s appears to give s ha e the arrests (yes, there on ery “ev t tha d ziza sai e) agency reiconic Christ ws the ne rs ute Re a were more than on to borders, according at the Redeemer ls cia offi r of senio port. statue wings in ase principles, they will tho e FIFA, the organiz lat vio ng y nni the stu e this cas “In n s dia ee run ers Bu ov ry y and eve tion that photo from have attacked the countr n”) cou e all Th otb ... m “fo , r the t (o eiro agains Rio de Jan soccer his will stand up and fight t to a camp in Bangui, during Brazil. PHOTO: ed and it will respond,” gives his blessing during a visiTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES. ack ncis around the world. att Fra e n Pop bee ve ha l wil try PHO ca.

Afri of r tou ion AFP/GETTY nat e landmark thre 43 he said.

IMAGES. Continues on pg

I

43

foreig naffairs

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

An injured Syrian child waits for treatment at a makeshift hospital in the rebel held area of Douma, north east of the capital Damascus, following reported air strikes by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES.

US President Barack Obama This terrifying frame from amateur footage shows the hooded Rezgui borhters aiming their AK47s at the police after the massacre at the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES.

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin

2015, year Queen Elizabeth II became longest reigning monarch in British history Continues from pg 42

ISIS terrorists strike on three continents •ISIS terrorists struck at 4 locations in Paris killed 130 people •2 suicide bombers killed 102 people at peace rally in Turkey •Russian passenger plane downed in Sinai, 224 people killed •Radicalised couple shot 14 dead in California President Barack Obama, probably had in mind its geographical ambitions in the Middle East when he told an interviewer on November 12 that “we have contained” the Islamic State. Howevr, a day later, the world discovered that the Islamic State was taking its fight beyond its home territory, when three teams of ISIS terrorists struck at four locations in Paris, killing 130 people. But ISIS’s efforts to take the fight to its enemies had begun even earlier.

In July, a suicide bomber loyal to the Islamic State killed 33 people in Suruc, Turkey, not far from the border with Syria. Three months later, two suicide bombers, one the brother of the Suruc bomber, killed 102 people at a peace rally in Ankara. On October 31, a bomb brought down a Russian passenger airliner over the Sinai, killing all 224 people on board. And then on December 2, a husband and wife who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State’s caliph, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, killed 14 people in a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. The attacks

prompted renewed Western air strikes against the Islamic State, redirected domestic politics in France and the United States, and raised ominous questions about what 2016 might bring.

Iran’s nuclear talks produce a deal After the talks began in off and on since 2002, they finally produced a deal in July 2015. Formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it wasn’t sealed until September, when 42 United States Democratic senators voted to block a resolution to stop it. Neither the P5+1 nor Iran got all it wanted in the JCPOA. Iran got sanctions relief, but it had to agree to give up 97 per cent of its stockpile of enriched uranium, slash its number of centrifuges by twothirds, and shut down a heavy-water reactor. Iran also had to agree to on-site inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. If Iran violates the JCPOA, sanctions can be reimposed.

Greece’s demand for austerity relief rebuffed by EU Alexis Tsipras became the Greek prime minister in January 2015 by pledging to get Greece better repayment terms on its massive debt.

Despite appealing to other debtburdened European countries for solidarity and trying to isolate EU power, Germany, by dredging up memories of Nazi atrocities, the EU refused to give Tsipras what he wanted. He then tried to strengthen his hand by calling a July referendum in which 61 per cent of Greeks voted against accepting the EU’s of-

Queen Elizabeth II of UK

The crash site of a A321 Russian airliner in Wadi al-Zolomat, a mountainous area of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, after taking off from the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES.

fer. The EU nonetheless held firm, insisting that Greece would get help only if it agreed to significant, and painful, economic reforms. Tsipras blinked. A week after the ‘no’ vote, and faced with the imminent collapse of the Greek economy, he accepted the EU’s offer. Despite not delivering the relief that he promised, Tsipras and his Syriza Party won new elections in September.

But Greece’s economy remains troubled.

Russia intervenes in Syria The four-year-long Syrian Civil War, which has killed more than 200,000 people and forced as many as nine million to flee their homes, took a turn in September when Russia without warning began conducting air strikes from bases in Syria. Moscow insisted it intervened to join the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State, but in practice its planes targeted Syrian rebel groups looking to topple Russia’s longtime ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia’s military operations were not

coordinated with those the United States and its allies were conducting against the Islamic State, raising concerns about an unintended confrontation between the two sides. A version of those fears materialized in late November when Turkish F-16s shot down a Russian fighter jet, killing one of the pilots.

Turkish officials insisted that the Russian plane had ignored repeated warnings not to enter Turkish airspace. Russian officials disputed those claims and accused Ankara of a “planned provocation.”

On the diplomatic side, Russia’s intervention prompted an effort to find a negotiated settlement to the Syrian conflict.

World leaders strike deal on climate change The world’s climate is changing, in good part because of human activity. But governments around the world have been slow to address the potentially catastrophic threat. The landmark 1992 Kyoto Treaty failed to deliver its promised emissions cuts, and not just

Mourners gather around the grave of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah at the Al-Oud cemetery in Riyadh following his death in January. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES.

Other events of the year

•Pope Francis on his first historical visit to Africa • The Eurasian Union is formed • The first solar aircraft to circumnavigate the globe • Expo 2015 is held in Milan, Italy • The Large Hadron Collider reaches its maximum operating power • The world’s first fully sustainable, zero-

carbon, zero-waste city • The first self-regulating artificial heart • A new generation of hi-tech supercarriers • The United States and South Korea dissolve the Combined Forces Command • The first large-scale solar updraft towers are operational • Personal biometric scanners for online banking

• DDR4 memory reaches the home PC market • Windows 10 is released by Microsoft • The Archival Disc format is launched • The Carteret Islands are abandoned • The Dawn probe arrives at Ceres • The New Horizons probe arrives at Pluto • Trucks with emergency braking systems are mandatory in Europe

because the U.S. Senate declined to provide its consent. The 2009 Copenhagen climate summit opened to much fanfare but was laced with acrimony and produced little. The 195 countries that turned up in Paris in late November for a new climate-change summit avoided that fate. After two weeks of intense talks, they produced the Paris Climate Accord, the first to commit nearly every country to reduce its emissions of heat-trapping gases. The 31-page document hardly solves the climate-change challenge, however, which is why some climate-change activists criticised it for being too little, too late.

Saudis intervene in Yemen Saudi Arabia launched air strikes in late March against its neighbor Yemen with the help of nine other, mainly Arab, countries. The move came after Houthi rebels captured Yemen’s capital Sanaa and drove Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile in Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, who belong to a minority Shiite sect, receive support from Iran, Saudi Arabia’s mortal enemy. The Houthis also have the support of forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted during the Arab Spring and who once had good relations with Riyadh. The Saudi-led intervention put the United States in a bind. Washington feared that the intervention could become a quagmire and worried that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an enemy to the Houthis as well as the United States, would benefit from the ensuing chaos.

Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest reigning monarch in British history On 10th September 2015, Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history surpassing the record held by Victoria, her great-great grandmother. Having ascended to the throne on 6th February 1952, Elizabeth II has now reigned for 63 years and 217 days.

The six decades of her reign have witnessed enormous changes on the world stage including the dismantling of the British Empire, the civil rights movement, the growing empowerment of women in society, the development of the Space Age, accelerating globalisation, the fall of communism in Europe, the end of the Cold War, the dawn of the information age, and the rise of China, to name but a few.

New Horizons arrives at Pluto In July 2015, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft performed a close flyby of Pluto, becoming the first mission in history to visit the distant world. This probe – launched in January 2006 – had travelled 3 billion km through space. At its closest approach, it flew 12,600 km (7,800 mi) above the surface, with a relative velocity of 13.8 km/s (49,600 km/h; 30,800 mph).

• The deadline for the Millennium Development Goals • Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah died in January and was buried in Riyadh •US,Trans-PacificPartnershipfinallygetsdone • China devalues currency amid economic slowdown • Electric car ownership reaches 1 million worldwide

44

communitynews

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

‘Oke-Ogun/Baruba Road dualisation captured in Oyo 2016 budget’

By Wale Akinselure

T

he Deputy Speaker and member representing Saki West in Oyo State House of Assemby, Honourable Abdulwasi Musa, has said that the 9.8 kilometers Oke-Ogun Polytechnic/Ilesha Baruba boundary road dualisation project, construction of Aiyetoro-Ishia road and Alubarika area road have been captured in the state’s 2016 budget.

Honourable Musa disclosed this on Monday in Saki town hall, while expressing his commitment to the educational advancement of his people through the sponsorship of free coaching classes for candidates registered to sit for WAEC and NECO examinations from Saki West state constituency.

Musa expressed hope that the intensive coaching programme will reduce the number of students who perform woefully in such external examinations.

According to him, the programme was a way of implementing the recommedations of a group of educationists he instituted on how to reduce the woeful performance of candidates in external examinations.

While assuring that competent scholars had been hired for the coaching programme, he added that core subjects to be captured in the coaching programme include English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Literature in English and Financial Accounting.

Musa, who formally commissioned a constituency office in Saki, affirmed his commitment to

implement projects that would ameliorate poverty among the people and the lawmakers’ resolve to collaborate with the executive to enhance the allround development of the people.

He also pointed out that a bill for the establishment of Oke-Ogun Development Corporation was

being co-sponsored with another lawmaker to facilitate the development of Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State.

In their separate remarks, an industrialist, Chief Tejubiyi Ishola and former Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Saki West Local Government Area, Engineer Yunus

building of police posts in communities around Saki town and an area com-

Bola Badmus-Lagos

Executive Secretary, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area

Councillor empowers widows, orphans in Okitipupa Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

Residents of Erekiti/ Iju Odo communities in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have commended the Supervisory Councillor in the area, Honourable Bukola Abilawon, for empowering widows, orphans and the underprivileged, especially women.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Mrs Abio-

dun Akinfe described the gesture as unequal, saying no political office holder has ever remembered widows in the area.

Akinfe said the donations have put smile on the faces of beneficiaries, adding that “we appreciate the councillor for this donations, especially the clothes and food items given to us.”

She, however, called on other political office hold-

News to herald his annual “Ifa Olokun Festival” holding on Saturday, January 2, 2016 said his celebration of the cultures and traditions of Yoruba is his way of promoting the race.

Awopetu, who is also the Awurela Agbaye, also disclosed that he celebrates the festival to give

thanks to Olodumare for what he has done in the previous year.

According to the statement, the festival, which will attract dignitaries from Cuba, Brazil as well as Nigeria to Aralopon Irojo area, will also witness prayers, cultural displays, Iwure among others.

ers to emulate the councillor by bringing the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of their people, especially those at the grassroots.

Speaking while donating the items, Honourable Abilawon said she included widows and women in the empowerment programme in order to support them in their businesses and encourage them to be independent economically.

She described women as “home and nation builders”, saying that the gifts would provide support for the home and raise tomorrow’s leaders.

She also said that the present administration in the state gives priority to education, hence the need to provide instructional materials and books to students.

She pledged to continue to support education in the communities as, according to her, “education

mand office of the Nigeria Police to enhance security in the area.

Ojokoro LCDA tackles poverty, empowers over 2,000

Ogunpa canal in Ibadan, Oyo State taken over by refuse. PHOTO: NAN

‘Celebrating cultural festivals, not idol worshipping’ A renown traditionalist in Osun State, the Awise of Ijesa land, Chief Awopetu Olokun, has said that the celebration of cultural and traditional festivals is not idol worshipping.

Chief Awopetu, who made this known in a statement issued and made available to Community

Gbadamosi, commended the Deputy Speaker for his initiative to ensure the educational of his people.

They described the gesture as the first in the political history of Saki community.

Other speakers at the event also urged the lawmaker to facilitate the

is the best legacy that could be given to our children to build the nation and our immediate communities.”

The councillor disclosed that the donation was made from monetary assistance by private individuals who believe in her project of giving succour to the needy.

Also speaking, the lawmaker representing the area in the House of Representatives, Honourable Mike Omogbehin, described the empowerment programme as unprecedented and urged other political office holders to emulate the gesture by giving back to the people of their communities.

On his part, the Ilu of Iju-Odo, Oba Festus Olumoyegun, also commended the councillor and encouraged others to follow her footsteps, saying: “our people will feel the impact of democracy if this empowerment programme is organised periodically.”

(LCDA) of Lagos State, Honourable (Mrs) Fausat Olajoku, has empowered over 2,000 artisans and residents of the area, while expressing the belief that through such programme, the people of the area would no longer be idle.

Beneficiaries were trained in fashion designing, beverage making, among others.

The LCDA boss, who spoke at the empowerment programme, said grassroots empowerment schemes could only be beneficial to the people if well utilised, maintaining that the council embarked on the programme to ensure that more of its citizens get engaged in one trade or the other.

According to her, the two-month skills acquisition programme had enabled more than 2,000 beneficiaries to become independent, start their own individual businesses and become employers of labour.

Olajoku, who congratulated the beneficiaries and wished them luck, also appealed to them to make judicious use of the opportunity to pave way for others.

She also expressed appreciation to the instructors and all those that contributed in one way or the other to the success of the programme.

“I am quite sure that my people, especially the beneficiaries would no longer be idle. Once again, I say congratulations and I make bold to say that the council intends to do more in future,” Olajoku said.

Earlier, the Head of Administration of the LCDA, Mr. Rasheed Pedro, expressed optimism that the programme would go a long way in engaging the people thereby making them productive.

Pedro, while advising the beneficiaries not to relent but strive hard to develop their talents, expressed gratitude to councillors who contributed to the success of the programme.

45 tribunesport

Thursday, 31 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

By Ganiyu Salman

F

ORMER international, Emmanuel Amuneke is Tribune Sports Personality of the Year following his exploits in 2015.

Former Nigeria captain and coach, Stephen Keshi clinched the 2013 edition of the award, while reigning Africa’s fastest woman, Blessing Okagbare (MFR), won the last edition.

Amuneke’s choice became a herculean task given the fact that a number of Nigerians too made huge impacts in sports in the outgoing year.

The Tribune thus pays compliments to Wellington Jighere, who emerged the world scrabble champion on November 8, in Australia; coach Manu Garba who led the Flying Eagles to win the African Junior Nations Cup in Senegal in March this year; Samson Siasia who coached the Dream Team to clinch the Rio 2016 Olympics ticket as well as the African U-23 Championship title in Senegal; German-born Williams Voigt who led Nigeria’s D’Tigers to win the African Basketball Nations Cup ‘AfroBasket’ in Tunisia for the first time; Odunayo Adekuoroye who remains the only Nigerian wrestler to have secured the 2016 Olympics ticket so far and also won the gold for her team, Mumbai Garuda at the maiden India Pro League Wrestling; as well as the quartet of Yakubu Adesokan, Esther Onyema, Loveline Obiji and Bose Omolayo, who all set new world records at the 11th All Africa Games held in Congo Brazzaville, among others.

Perhaps, Amuneke deserves the crown this year having led Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets on November 8 to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile for a record fifth time with goals from Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye.

Also, the victory enabled Nigeria to equal Brazil’s record of being the second country to have won the cadet championship backto-back.

However, his success in Chile did not come on a platter of gold.

First, he was a member of the Manu Garba-led technical crew which won the FIFA U-17 title in 2013, and the knowledge he acquired was put to bear on the job when he was elevated to handle the Eaglets.

Save for some level of patience exhibited by the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick, Amuneke would have perhaps become history in Nigerian football as the Golden Eaglets finished fourth at the African U-17 Championship in Niger Republic.

The Eaglets had lost to the Amajimbos of South Africa 0-1 in the semi-final and 1-3 to the Syli Babes of Guinea in the third place match, thus the only consolation was the Chile 2015 World Cup ticket Amuneke delivered to Nigeria.

Many Nigerian soccer buffs were sceptical as to the ability of the Imo State-born trainer to lead Nigeria to a successful outing at the global stage, let alone defend the trophy Nigeria won in 2013.

“I’m extremely happy for Emmanuel (Amuneke) because he, along with other officials, have demonstrated that they are goodfathers to you all and I’m glad that I was able to withstand the pressure to sack him when the team failed to win the African Championship trophy in Niger Republic,” Pinnick had declared before the Eaglets humbled African champions, Mali 2-0 in the final decided at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, Chile.

Perhaps, Amuneke in Chile, was able to justify his seemingly ‘failure’ at Niger 2015 that his objective then was not to win the African title but the World Cup ticket.

One other remarkable thing about Nigeria’s victory in Chile was the fact that it marked the first time Nigeria had produced the highest goalscorer as well as the tour-

Emmanuel Amuneke (left) on duty during the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Inset: The trophy won by the Golden Eaglets and the celebration which greeted Nigeria’s victory as Amuneke was lifted by his joyful lads.

Amuneke is Tribune Sportsman of the Year

nament’s Most Valuable Player since the maiden championship in 1985.

Victor Osimhen clinched the adidas Golden Shoe with 10 goals, the first time ever by any player, while the captain of the Eaglets, Kelechi Nwakali, won the adidas Golden Ball.

Also, Amuneke became the fifth Nigerian coach to lift the World Cup after Sebastian Brodericks (1985), Fanny Amun (1993), the late Yemi Tella (2007) and Manu Garba (2013).

Amuneke is also among the few former players who become successful coaches, as it is believed that not every successful player becomes a successful coach.

The former FC Barcelona player verred into coaching after injury cut short his playing career in 2000. He started as an assistant coach at Saudi Premier League side, Al-Hazm in 2008 from where he became a scout for Manchester United.

After completing a two-year coaching course in Europe, he later became the head coach of Julius Berger FC, his former team in December 2008, but was sacked halfway in his first season.

The 1994 African Footballer of the Year became the coach of Ocean Boys in November 2009 and later, a national team coach serv-

ing in the U-17 team.

Unarguably, Amuneke has been a household name in Nigerian football since 1994, having ‘single handedly’ delivered the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to Nigeria with his brace against Zambia in the final in Tunisia.

Also, two years after featuring at the USA ‘94 World Cup, he hits the headlines again when he scored Nigeria’’s winning goal in the 3-2 defeat of Argentina at the Atlanta ‘96 Olympics final, while injury forced him out of the Eagles squad to the 1998 World Cup in France.

His success at Chile 2015 with the Eaglets came as a surpise to many given the result recorded at Niger 2015, but Amuneke proved to be a great tactician.

He brought in eight new players to the squad to Chile 2015 while he retained 13 lads who had been part of the team from inception and this eventually paid off.

“The U-17 World Cup is here again and we have picked the best players for this assignment to represent our country. We have brought in new players to add value to the team that secured the ticket for Chile at the last African U-17 Nations Cup in Niger Republic and we believe this crop of playerswould give their best in Chile, as we are the

defending champions,” Amuneke had declared after releasing the World Cup squad to the press.

The 1991 All Africa Games bronze medallist following Nigeria’s triumph in Chile, however, said the journey has just begun.

“We are thankful for everything. We wanted to bring the players to their dreams and we did it. Thanks for the support. We feel like we are at home. We have worked very hard for this success and we hope to continue.

“The players will go home now but their journey is not over yet. Personally, I’m really happy. I have football in my blood, as a player and as a coach. This is what I want to pass to my players,” Amuneke had told FIFA.com while basking in the euphoria of victory.

Though, it is u ncertain as to whether Amuneke will tinker the next U-17 team, but there is no denying the fact that he has made a mark in coaching.

“I have been in this category for years and to be honest I am not interested in continuing with the U-17s. We have to be honest with ourselves. One has to move forward and I am looking forward to the next challenge. We will see what the future brings,” Amuneke was quoted as saying.

46

tribunepools

DR. JK POOLS – 07039275802

(36XX 36) 06-07-25-29-46.

Welcome back to stakers after a short break. This week will begin another Poological race and smile among stakers particularly my enrolled customers.

As I keep saying enrollment is more beneficial to free readers club. Now, those who want to win and smile should enroll with N5, 000. Act wisely now to pay in favour of Mr. Ekhomu – John, Zenith Bank a/c number – 2085795936. Now, please pick two bankers from 6-7-25-29-46 and to the above bracket BANKER and NAP. Goodluck says Dr. J.K Pools

25XBK 27 LUCKYMAN

08054352685 NEW YEAR BONUS FOR ALL OUR FANS A prosperous New Year to all our fans enter the new year with Big fortune call for our new year Bonus 3 sure draws to kick start the new year call now and hit big fortune on pool year 2016 a year of fortune 25xbk 27

36 BET 37 THE-LILIES 08086944309

ON SALE 3 JACKPOT X5 TO KICK START THE NEW YEAR Happy new year to you all start the new year with big jackpot call now for our 3 jackpot X5 and start the year with big jackpot send N1, 500 MTN Card and win big Jackpot on pools 36 BET 37.

45XXX 25 SIR-BRAKA 08078052128

Celebrate the New Year with big winning on pools call for our 3 Napable Draws with only N1000 GLO fortune is assured Happy New Year.

MISTER-DRAW 08030415683

Bury town to hold fleet wood plus 2 super draws cost N2000 MTN Card We wish you a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

4 MEMBERS. 4 BANKERS= 08162705220=

WK 24 FREE NO 1X 2X WK 25 PAIR 9. 12 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 24= 2016 KEY 1X 3X 11X 12X PAIR 1X 2X 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 25= 2016 KEY NAP NAP NAP NAP 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 26= 2016 18. NAP NAP NAP NAP 4 BANKERS N5000 WK 27= 2016 KEY NAP NAP NAP NAP Stakers try to get 4 members 4.

This wk 25 BROWN cost N5000 wk 25 No NAP NAP NAP NAP. Send MTN Card to 08162705220

CHAMPION NEW YEAR WIN – 08069759520

46 MUST 48. AGAIN Week 24 – and week 25 – Naps was controlled on gazzetted DUNDEE UTD on 48. WIN AGAIN. And ABERDEEN HOME 47.

Week 24 – 3x 19x 36xxx - 47x 48.

Week 25 – X X X - 48x 49 Cost N10, 000 as your New Year gift .

Strictly on payment – ATM payment transfer only. Cal & Win. Happy New Year.

SHADOW 08087670776 11 PAIR 12

Shadow the master of them all is out again in big way with 3 nap draws and a pair. This year 2016 is year of harvest of draws for all pool stakers especially those stakers that patronize shadow every week. Its only N1,500 MTN recharge card for this week only.

NIDAS – 08033510149

(2 X 3 X 5) for 2 and 3 draws against weeks 26 and 27 special releases.

Cost free as New Year gift in week 25. While week 26 cost N25, 000 and week 27 cost N50, 000 cash.

Call NIDAS for payment details.

Happy New Year.

IBUKUN OLU NAPS 070268398337 PERM 1,17,32,35,46

Readers of Nigerian tribune should now go all out with Above five games for winning line against week 27,29,31. Special release next week 3 gazette draws cost N10,000. Cash. Happy new year in advance MANCITY SYSTEM F. A. CUP SYSTEM C 08135888720= 1 NAP 3= WK 24 FREE NO 12X 32X Two Bankers N3000 Wk 23 NO 10X 20X PAIR 8X 9F Two Bankers N3000 Wk 24 No 1X 3X PAIR 12X 32X 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 23 NO 10X 20X 27X 33X 4 Special Draws N6, 000 Wk 24 No 1X 2X 3X 12X 32X Stakers try to get MANCITY. 4 SPECIAL Draws this 24 Cup cost N6, 000 two Bankers Wk 24 cost N3000 we set for 4 wks operations Wk 24 No 1X 2X 3X 12X: 4 Bankers wk 25 No NAP NAP NAP NAP send MTN to 09038633666= 08135888720.

Thursday, Dec. 31 - Jan.6 2016

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE POOLS PAGE THE WINNERS CHOICE GET A COPY AND WIN

MBA EXPERT – 08104694618

PAIR – 27X 28. WK.24 – 2X 30F 47X (3X 9F) Last week recorded a mixture success and failure with just 3/5 as against anticipated of worst 4 over 5 draws.

However, it was still laughter at the end with winning lines. Having partially satisfied my numerous callers, particularly Abeokuta, Akure, Ibadan etc the impatient ones need to keep to their fate. Good things is bound to happen again this 3rd F.A cup with improvement over weeks 17 and 21 cup draws from stable of MBA Experts/De maikel Associates. The pair of 27/28 from past record of compulation strengthens hope of good outcome. Please call as fixed price has been pegged down to N35, 000 (Thirty Five Thousand Naira) only. It is another golden opportunity. Good luck with best wishes this 2016

JOSEPH RESUMPTION(STAKERS’ CHOICE) XMAS FUNFAIR AT JOSEPH THE STAKERS CHOICE PLACE.

Congratulations, in God we trust, Xmas Naps recorded another on ASTON V VERSUS W.W.W. = westbrom walford and westham.

Week 10- ASTON N. – WESTBROM = 7+8 = 15xxx NAP Week 20 – ASTON V. – WATFORD = 9+10 = 19xxx NAP Week 24 – ASTON V – WESTHAM = 35+36 = 71 ? (2x32x) Calculated directory = 71 minus 49 = 22 = 77 – 49 = 22f.

Number 22 to fail = 12x 32xxx Week 24 = 12x 32x 35x 36xxx 4/4.

11 draws with 4/4 Naps = left an indelible injury to promoters Accounts.

L;ast week again we gave birth to 5 millionares winning instruction is directed by the assistance of our foreign Experts – N50, 000

OBINYAN PROMISES PROSPEROUS 2016

The guru of pools compilation and computation in Africa and chairman / managing Director of kings and Gorge group of forecast papers. Prince Willy Ehi Obinyan said he was now posed for more action from this week, to enable all to have a fullfiled winning experience to 2016. This followed is recent impressive performance of his paper with surprise draws emerging from fixtures. Africa No 1. Bookmaker said he was well set to put smiles on the faces of the stakers. He therefore enjoined therefore advise stakers onto get copies of his paper pools telegraph, Zesters pools guild. Murphy sports, shoot pointers, NEW Dream and final result.

OLA-CITY GOT 3 XMAS DRAWS CORRECT Wk 24 on nos. 13x 19x 36x vow to get 3 new year draws for this week correct again Pair 31xxx 34xxx Phone 08140575314 The compiler of Ola-City International and sir Waddy Naps who get his 3 Xmas Draws for week 24 correct on Nos 13x 19x 36x assures stakers of his 3 fixed New Year Draws for this week 25 and week 26 cost N10, 000 cash each week.

We congratulate our customers of last week victory and endurance on the previous games. Those who send their appreciation fees with N10, 000 cash for week 25 release will get our 3 Draws for New Year today.

Pay your N10, 000 to first bank in the name of Olafenwa R. Ola-City Account No 3033318854 and collect the draws on phone after confirmation of your payment.

BEST BARGAIN INTERNATIONAL 08092621480 WK 25= 18CBK, 19 CBK + OTHERS.

A new thing is about to happen in the lives of stakers, starting from this week and it only for those who believe and will strike the iron when it is hot. It has never happened that we are releasing two bankers which have been fixed by the bookmakers and the Pool Panel. We did this deliberately so that stakers will know that draws are fixed. Coupon Nos 18 and 19 must draw this weekend, with other fixed draws to complete the winning formula.

Interested stakers should call me on 08092621480 for us to discuss on the token amount involved in the deal. Get in touch with me so that you can prepare very well for week 26 and week 27 games don’t waste this chance.

MID-WEEK SUPER ON 1BK ON 13XX… NOW GIVES 22/23. (08087176217)

The Juicy Mid-Week International was again on song last week in the 1Bk series with No 13xx which played 1-1.

Last year, the effect of frozen pitches was not felt very much, but as climate changes, no fewer than 10 matches suffered postponement and the threeman panel had to adjudicate their results out of which only Nos 36 and 40 were given draw. More matches are likely to suffer the save fate this weekend.

Some experts are in tune with the mindset of the panelists. Just ally yourself with them. Be watchful and read between the lines to discern who and who know what they are talking about rather than beating about the bush.

Use Nos 22/23 this week. They will be paneled as draws if postponed or have a draw if played. Our 1BK still sell for N1, 500. 00, 2 Drs cost N3, 000.00 and 3 Draws cost N15, 000.00 on 08087176217 Happy New Year.

HOPE NAPS & CO. 08107128449

USE THESE NOS TO COMPLEMENTS YEAR 2016.

(BANK 15X 22) (15X 22) (15X 22) It is sure for you to win with the pair Hope do assures stakers & fans that you must start the year 2016 with better things. These are solid for a 2 3 weeks winning.

Call Hope Naps & Co. and pay to first Bank PLC. On Account No 3088328923 in person of Mr. Gbadebo Stephen A. New year winning start here wk 25, 26 & 27. Each wk cost just N10, 000.

Make sure your payment are confirmed and the release will be sent to you.

By phone

ADEOTI SYNDICATE . 07051327960 (17XX 19)

MIDDLESBROGH. I DERBY.1 (19X) SHEFF. WED.2 FULHAM. 2. (17X) Special release for members only:- all members of adoti syndicate should expect their new year gift before friday of this week 25 as I have said.

Week 26 FA cup 3rd general release cost N10,000 cash wek and pay your money to Ahmed Shafiri A/C Nos. 2001788431.. Zenith bank Ibadan .

And all those who want to be a member should send money N25,000 cash to the account after confirmation of your payment the game will be send to your Week 26 FA cup Round 3 Banker pair= MILTON K.D (20X) Q.P.R.(22X) GET NEXT WEEK THURSDAY TRIBUNE FOR FULL DETAILS . 070051327960.Thanks Goodluck.

DR, SANJ., FIRST WIN 2016 WELCOME GIVE WK25.. !!!

“CHESTERFD vs SHREWSBURY” ON A (WK-NUMBER) = NOS: (25XX, 25XX, 25XX) 1-1 score dr. + two-others = 3/3..100% ADD nos:- 11 pair 48. “XXXX” ITS SMILES TO ME ..!!!

07038878227 OR 08189427447…

UNCLE J.J HOPE 2016 = 08103222635 WK 25 NO 7X 7. 7.

C WK 25 NO 7X 7X 7X PLUS. 3.

OTHERS COST N7500 WK 25. BROWN. NO7. NAP NAP NAP= N7, 500 OPEN your current Record wk4 to wk 5 = wk6 to wk7.

Wk15 to wk16 and wk21 to wk22. Opponent of mancity and NO4 to meet in wk5 to draw wk5 key No 9x 12x 13x 22x = 4/4 wk6. Opponent Mancity Yandaway tam No 4 to meet in wk7 to draw plus. 3. Others cost N6, 000 wk 15 Opponet of Mancity and away team No 4 to meet in wk16 to fraw plus.3. others cost N6,000 wk16 key No 2x 16x 17x 30x = 4/4 wk 21. Opponent of mancity and away team No 4 to meet in wk 22 blue plus 3 others cost N6,000 wk 22. Blue key 10x 14x 30x 46x 4/4 KEY opponent of ManCity in wk 24 away team No 4 in wk 23 tomeet in wk 25 to draws wk 25 No 7.

7. 7. Plus. 3 others cost N7, 500 Wk 25 No 7. NAP NAP NAP= 4/4 Send MTN Card= 08103222635.

HERITAGE NAP

08032428186 (19 MUST 48)

As we enter the New Year which is full of promises, the above pair must supply this weekend with other gazetted draws. Pay N25, 000 and get the game to start the New year on a winning note. That is what we have for you.

CHARITY NAP 08054325929

WESTHAM VS LIVERPOOL (10) Mr fixed is back again after a long holiday in England. This week 25, I CHARITY NAP ‘MR FIXED’ promised all my fans and customers not to worried this week. That come rain or sun our Nap must click. Don’t doubt call for Nap details= NAP 10xx 10xx 10xx= Ordained Good-Luck

Check the fixed draw update current keys:- in wk05, “SHREWBURY” at away Nos:- 25xx(1-1)score dr. in wk06, “CHESTERF’D” AT HOME NOS:25XX(0-0)(1-1) Its total winning to welcome the tribune fans to 2016 betting season.

John Dr. sanj winners club registration is progress (from 1st jan to feb 29th, 2016 ) Now we are in the second leg of all matches of U.K.2015/2016. Visit our sms on +2347038878227. (first win at nos:- 25xx,(11 pairs 48)”X NIGERIAN TRIBUNE THE WINNERS CHOICE HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016..!!!

OUR-BONUS TWO PAIRS 45,46.)&(48,49.) REPLACE LAST WK23.

SHORT-GUN 08050614477/

SOLOMON RESORT (RESCUE TEAM) = SRRT. 09091111800 (12X 19X 32X 36XX)

SIR MICHAEL NAP 4XXXCBK 08130011263

“Y=Y” YEOVIL vs YORK = (READ & WIN Y-Y ON BAR (46) Congratulations our long expected winning sequence is set now, if you remember vividly we’ve been off and on this page thank God you are part of the winning team this week . get rescued to 2016 year of double , double in all ractifications. Good health is the gift to all from God = 21xx46. Congrats our back to back sure win is schedule on fixed matches N50,000 = Welcome to 2016 = wise men year

08168241902 (25 HOT 48)

We gave stakers 2 and 3 as the most formidable pair last week and it played 2/2. This week, the above pair is also for your enjoyment and other fixed draws. The game cost N25, 000.

Join the experts and stop losing your money in the New Year.

Congratulations to all those that got my release last week as they won with 1XX, 2XX, 3XX, 3/3 the pair 6F, 13XX making 4/5.

Meanwhile, another 3/3 and 4/5 this week cost just N15, 000. Call for acct no. or mode of payment and bank on no. 4 to draw this week

IBUKUN OLU NAPS – 07026839837 WEEK 25 FREE AGAINST WEEKS 27, 29, AND 31 RELEASE

PERM 1, 17, 32, 35, 46.

Next week 3 gazette Draws cost N 10,000 cash.

AMUKO & ASSOCIATES PREPARATORY CUP NAPS.

PRAGMATISM – 07036539499/07059758040 NEW YEAR GIFT WEEK 25 NAP – 12 – 15 – 19 — PAIR – 11- 14.

Read pools Telegraph for full details against weeks 26 to week 30. Sure WIN. MR SOLUTION (SILENT LEADER) REMAINS MAGNANIMOUS – ON FIXED DRAWS FAITHFUL INTERVENTION NEW YEAR NAP IS IRRESISTABLE TO 2016 AMUKO & ASSOCIATES – THE CUP MANAGER – WELCOME YOU TO 2016 and 3RD ROUND CUP NEXT WEEK – WE OPERATES ONLY IN CUP WEEKS. HAPPY NEW YEAR

NEW CURENT INFORMATION KEY – 09038633666 4 SPECIAL DRAWS WK 25 N10,000. TWO BANKERS = N5,000 Week 22 Blue N6,000 No 10x 12x 14x 15x Week 23 Red N6,000 No 18x 27x 32x 33x Week 24 Purple N10,000 No 01X 12X 13X 35X = 4/4 Week 25 Brown N10,000 No Nap Nap Nap Nap = 4/4

Send MTN card to 09038633666.

Check Nigerian Tribune wk 22 and wk 23 for details.

MR. CYRIL = 08154836338(22XX 19X) 12X 19X 36XXX – 03X

CHESTERFIELD ON WEEK NUMBER WINNNING CONFIRMATION. Week 26’ 2014/ 2015 and week 25’ 2015 / 2016.

Week 26 (14/15) 9x 37x 49xxx 31xx 28 Week 25 (15/16) x x x - 22xx 19 The Naps and the pair were on pure calculation and tabulation on directives Week 26’ 2014/15 – chesterfield met portvale = c + p = 3 + 16 = 19 The sum was ‘19’ 1st alphabet HOME and AWAY teams added together to form a pair with 4 game up.

On No 19 2014/ 2015 – Huddersfield and Watford H + W = 8 + 23 = 31xxx On 2015 / 2016 week 25 – 1st Home plus away. On week no chesterfield and Shrewsbury C + S = 3 + 19 = 22xx 19 And other tabulated 3 Naps cost N25, 000 = New Year reduction.

47

tribunepools

PROFF INNOVATION – 07069009601

PRE CUP NAP – CUP – AFTER. 3 WEEKS NEW YEAR NAPS 25 MUST 26 Week 25 – x x x – 25 x 26 Week 26 – x x x – 25 x 26 Week 27 – x x x – 25 x 26 Congratulations our 3 weeks to 2016 welcome Naps is strictly on confirmed winning information from the source. Lets make a good winning impact to your 2016 finance. He who starts well ends well – N25,000

BRIGHT NAP 09054631427

19x 29x 30x 36x 46xx.

The newest happing in pool history. Let’s brighten your winning chance with our annual week 25 sure bet.

We came on pools page on our customers/clients several appeals more so, we wanted all to benefit from our milky release to welcome you to 2016. confirmed 3 sure draws from the above games with a committed reasonable fee. Good luck

AKIN MR AKIN – 07067202291 (48x 49)

01X 13X 36XXX 6F 19X Last week Xmas Naps gave a good account to all our clients with colourful Xmas celebration and our ABC and WESTHAM Away No 1 reference to our last week draws formation got 1x 2x 3x. In fact last week we splashed draws for Xmas.

DUNDEE and DUNDEE UTD = D and D controlled our last week 25 sure NAPS. Week 10 – 2014 – 11x 26x 36xxx – 46x 47x Week 25 – 2015 – x x x – 48 x 49.

PAIR – KILMARNOCK and DUNDEE = 48X49 Akin 2 in one Xmas and New Year Naps is to Usher you to prosperous 2016 and NEXT LEVEL. N50,000.

Good luck.

Mallam Bawa Musa with free New year Nap

08052506287 Hot pair 2,3 9 am welcoming all stakers into 2016 with 3 free accurate Nap draws for their New year festivities . If you want to be part of this winning spree in week 25, you can call me to the three Nap draws absolutely free, but you will have to pay N100,000 cash after you win with the nap . Just Nap ,win and enjoy the New year . call 08052506287

INNOCENT NAP

08095602502590 31X 32X 4 Special Draws wk 24 cost N6, 000 Wk 23 No 10x 20x 27x 32x= 4/4 Wk 24. No 3x 12x 13x 35x with 32x 33f Wk 25 No NAP NAP NAP NAP. One Bankers N2000 Wk 23 No 27x wk 24 No 32x wk 25 No Nap 2 Special draws wk 24 No 10x 20x Pair 15x 21x Wk 25 No 12x 13x Pair 32x 33f= wk 25 No NAP NAP PAIR XX Time for winners try to get INNOCENT NAP 4 Special draws this week 25 BROWN N6, 000 cash,, 2 special draws cost N4, 000 and 1 bankers for N2, 000. One banker, wk 22 No 14x wk 23 No 20x wk 24 No NAP 08095602590 for your booking.

DOSA 08072216644 18 PAIR 19

With DOSA draws are very easy to see. Make sure you didn’t miss your chance of becoming a millionaire this week 25. Just send N1, 500 MTN recharge card to DOSA and win with his 3 naps and a pair. happy new year to you all.

SINBAD NAP – 07083993858

02X 13X 40XXX 19X= (11 must 12) Winning spree at Sinbad for Xmas.

Now millionaires winning place.

Our New Year further win is to enable all to benefit from our New source winning spree. Don’t be left out again. N25, 000= call for details.

LAWRENCE NAP For week 25. 35 CBK

I command coupon no 35 to draw on Saturday and other Naps.

Happy New year in advance. Call 09050512097.

EMIRATES –

08087104491 (11 SURE 12)

Dundee utd home 48 and away 48 in weeks 24 & 25 made bankrupt promoters in another problem . Fly Emirates to safe place. Winning continues – N25,000 Happy New Year.

EDITOR’S PLACE 12 x 19

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR ESTEEM READERS. LETS WIN TO 2016.

YEAR OF MULTIPLE HAVEST

PLEAID DE MAXWELL – 09099968585 (25 X 26) (36 X 37) (46x 48)

Welcome to 2016, free pair to starts your year of celebrations. ARSENE WENGER the best tutor in England as Arsenal occupied the first position with 39 points from 19 matches, Leicester was a bit unlucky with goal difference that made Arsenal ahead of them because they were on the same points. Leicester drew 0-0 with Man – City gave Arsenal the chance to top the League. Infact it is not yet over, lets wait a while for the difference.

MORINHO at old traford?

Call your tokin manager for your 2016 fresh win at De Maxwell draw clinic.

DIAMOND NEW SPOT NAP 08102874949 = (15X 19)

2 WEEKS DIMENTIONAL FIXED NAP. Week 24 – BRENTFORD ON MONTH OF PLAY Week 25 – NEWCASTLE AWAY NO 1 (month) Weeks – 15 ‘2014 and 24’ 2015 Week 15 ‘2014 – 02x 03x 13x 36x 47x 5/5 Week 24 ‘2015 – 02x 03x 13x 36x 47x 5/5 Now week 26’ 2009 and week 25’ 2015.

The usual full odd payment winning week is sure again.

Diamond winning spot is to give you a new winning experience strictly for Adults – N30, 000 – N100, 000 = now welcome to 2016 winning SPOT. 2014 Award winning manager.

NAZAR MASTER PLANS BIG FOR 2016

The leading pools company in Oyo State and environs, NAZAR Master Pools Company Limited, Ibadan has unfold its plan for 2016 with mouth – watering incentives and dividend pay out on top of the agenda.

The company disclosed this in a statement made available to TRIBUNE POOLS during the week.

According to the pools company, “we have put in place huge dividend pay out on our Treble Chance odd, while winnings on our fixed odd shall be paid as and when due. Other incentives are in place for industry who are doing business with us. Therefore, stakers should continue to bet on our odds during the new year. We also appreciated our stakers and Agents for their support & Understanding over the years. psalms 107 vs 29.

ZENITH NAP – 08146879314 (19x 36)

NEW YEAR STARTING NAP = 2016 TWICE A YEAR WINNING DIRECTIVES KEY: NEWCASTLE AWAY No. 1 Week 6 – 2012/13 – 12x 15x 34x = 36x Week 22 – 2013/14 – 11x 14x 33x = 36x 2014 4/4 confirmed win at Zenith peak of wealth.

Week 25 – 2014/2015 – x x x = 19 x 36 Week 37 – 2015/2016 – x x x = 19 x 36 OH Yes, our week 24 Zenith Nap focus and bouyant your Xmas merriments. Now the New YEAR Celebrations Nap to Usher you to prosperous 2016 Nap is scheduled again – N35,000. Good luck

TRIPE SPICE GREETS THE TRIO PANELISTS WITH 4 – 12 (08035324990)

Your indomitable triple spice international formally greets the trio of Tony Green, Gordon Banks and Roger hunt, the three wise men who fix panel result weekly.

They have numerous task this time around as most football pitches are waterlogged and frozen with ice. More games will be postponed this weekend. Not to worry we know them in- out. Just remain focused and stick with credible, intelligent and knowledgeable experts. You will be glad you did.

Coupon Nos 11 & 12 are fixed for a fine draw this week, panel or no panel.

Use them to advantage and add them to our 1BK for a good dividend. Our 1BK cost only N1, 500.00, 2 Draws sell for N3, 000.00 and 3 sure draws cost N15, 000.00. Happy New Year! Phone or call 08035324990 now!

MR. SOLUTION (SILENT LEADER)08072974729

XMAS WIN – 01X 02X 03X 12XXX. The solution to 123 as Nap – equal to ABC at home on numbers 1,2,3 – without Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Controlled ABC on 123 draws. And BOURNMOUTH and BRETFORD O on the same digit numbers. = 02 and 12.

Opponent of Bournmouth was Crystal P=C=3 Opponent of Brentford was Brighton = B=2 = 01x 02x 03x 12 Thank God Xmas was staker week of big winnings and fulfilled celebration .

Whao! NEW YEAR NA-P IS READY FOR YOUR CONSUMPTION WITH UNLIMITED CELEBRATIONS. Money makes festivals agog. Promoters are now out of shell please invest with reliable promoters as all banks were no longer granted loan till 2016.

Join the solution master the silent leader to safe entrance to 2016, HAPPY NEW YEAR – N50,000 = win again

AKIN MR AKIN–07067202291 (01X 13X 36XXX 6F 19X)

Last week Xmas Naps gave a good account to all our clients with colourful Xmas celebration and our ABC and WESTHAM Away No 1 reference to our last week draws formation got 1x 2x 3x. In fact last week we splashed draws for Xmas.

DUNDEE and DUNDEE UTD = D and D controlled our last week 25 sure NAPS. Week 10 – 2014 – 11x 26x 36xxx – 46x 47x Week 25 – 2015 – x x x – 48 x 49.

PAIR – KILMARNOCK and DUNDEE = 48X49 Akin 2 in one Xmas and New Year Naps is to Usher you to prosperous 2016 and NEXT LEVEL. N50,000. Good luck.

IKECHUKWU BACK AT NEW YEAR – 08168157259

48 SURE 29

DUNDEE UNITED MUST OLDHAM Congratulatory New Year sure win with refrence to every week 25 = gazette Naps for your Xmas confirmed celebration.

Week 25 2014 – 01x 15x 32xxx DUNDEE UNITED Week 25 2015– 05x 18x 40xxx DUNDEE UNITED Week 25 2016 x x x – DUNDEE UNITED To God be the glory, to witness another prosperous Year, with our annual week 25—3years 2014, 2015 and 2016 winning directives on authentic winning information from the source.

New Year sure Nap cost N25, 000 for only. Happy New Year.

WEEK 24 XRAY

Congratulations, our pools compiler are the best in 2015/2016 most especially in the tail end of the year . Xmas meriments turned to jamboree with our compilers free Xmas win.

4 members, prof. one bankers, Magic kingdom, Short Gun and showed class on Sinbad 2 banker series and our pair mangers add to our Readers winning dividend Zenith, Hope, Fortune Donor , Innocent, Dr B4 Dr, Akin, Madam Hillary and Solomon Resort In the annual meeting held last week with our compilers they all promised good tidings starting from this week. Don’t be left out call them now and ride to 2016. HAPPY NEW YEAR & WINNING WEEK.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH TEXT MESSAGE OF WRITE UP WITHOUT ADVERT IS REGARDED VOID . PLACE YOUR ADVERT FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLICATION OF YOUR FORECAST. THANKS POOLS EDITOR

Thursday, Dec. 31 - Jan.6 2016 MODUPE (08033566694) 14- 29- 44. 2drs Call for super winning now.

DR. JACKSON – 08156829811

FREE NEW YEAR WIN 19X 11X 12X 36X 48XXX The above sure win permutation win is absolutely free but the three direct Nap cost N5,000 now, I said now.against week 26 naps that cost N50,000 = flat welcome & Goodluck to New Year

SUNDERLAND SYSTEM

31.32. 09038460009= 31 NAP 32 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 22 NO 12X 13X 21X 30X WITH 14X 15X 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 24 NO 11X 12X 13X 32X 35X WITH 11F 12X 4. Special draws N6, 000 Wk 25 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP= N6, 000 Two Bankers N3000 Wk 22 NO 10X 12X PAIR 14X 15X Two Bankers N3000 Wk 24 NO 35X 47X PAIR 12X 13X Two Bankers N3000 Wk 25 NO CUP CUP CUP CUP Time to win pool this wk 25 Sunderland system 4 special draws this wk 25 play 4/4 correct hurry to get your copy today two Bankers cost N3000 wk 22 NO 10X 12X PAIR 14X 15X. 4 Bankers wk 24 12X 13X 32X 35X Send MTN Card 09038460009.

MADAM EMILA. WINNERS CHOICE – 08068523407

The winning line for New Year. 3, 9, 10, 16, 30, 35 Weeks 26 and 27 cost N15, 000 each week. For more information Contact me on 08068523407 wishing you Happy and Prosperous New Year.

FORTUNE DONOR IN ABSOLUTE CONTROL

AS WE NOW OFFER 7-12-42(22/23) ON NEW YEAR GIFT – 08099111828 Have you been watching our performance in the last few weeks?

Have you been partaking and benefitting in our 1bk series?

We authoritatively gave 46pp/47xx last week for free and asserted that we are entering the New Year on a good winning note. Kindly use 7-12-42-22/23 on the new year gift. Same set sells for N50, 000.

00 next week and week 27, on 08099111828

AUTHORITY NAP –

09030084552 (03 MUST 10)

EVERTON must WESTHAM – a bonus and other 3 sure Nap as your New Year gift call now details.

022 CODE

08059580326 (9 PAIR 10)

Happy new year to all my fans, this year is your year of happiness as 022 code present 3 nap draws and i hot pair this week 25 first week with the year 2016. I want all my fans to win this first week in the year 2016 therefore send only N1,500 MTN recharge card to me and laugh with member of your family on Saturday.

JOHN SUPER TIPS 1X 35X 46

Readers, now John Super is back to business I have no gold or silver to give but draws is my food just nap above 3 draws against next week release cost N25,000. Call 08160052969

PRAGMATISM

07036539499/07059758040

NEW YEAR GIFT WEEK 25 NAP – 12X 15X 19.

PAIR ——————— 11 and 14 Call now for your winning instruction and Read pools telegraph for full details against weeks 26 to 30.

Sure win. Happy NEW YEAR. Congrats

PETER NAP

08076546261 (3, 10, 12, 24)

Happy new year in advance to all stakers. Meanwhile the above four games will perform. My weekly release cost just N25,000. Pay to savings acct no: 3023114822 First bank in person of Mr Onaolapo Peter. G and call on 08076546261 for more information on 3, 10, 12, 24 this week.

AMUKO & ASSOCIATES – 07014686970

FREE PAIR = 36XX48 Prepares you to 3rd round cup on fixed matches as draw from different venues are known as cup specialist because we only operates in cup week.= Be prepared

WEEK 25 STATUS EKO -10, 48 LKO -08 SUNDAY - 19 VOID -13, 21

MAGIC KINGDOM 08056753098/07085060512 NAP - 8X 9X 10XX PAIR 42 AND 44

LAST week our game got 3/5. this week again the above games is for all my customers now register as magic kingdom fan club on Monday with N50,000 in favor of Balogun Adesina Kamoru. FCM Bank no 0279550010 or WEMA bank no 0206965116 or GTBank a/c no 0115505082. Call 08056753098 or 07085060512. For details. Good luck

FAITHFUL – INTERVENTION – 08082899957

MIDDLESBRO – MANSFEILD Week 24 – 2013, 2014 and 2015.

FREE 2 BANKERS Nos. – 01 X 40xx 13x 19x 32xxx – NAP. 06f.

OUR ANNUAL 3 YEARS WEEK 24 SENSATIONAL WIN. Despite the panels ordeal last week yet we got our records right. No 6.

Played 0 – 0 to 92 mins before the referee allowed an offside goal from Everton. No excuse for failure Win with your Faith with us. Welcome WEEK 25 NEW YEAR WIN with FAITHFUL MIDDLESBRO and MANSFIELD ( M–M) on the same digit to unveiled 3 fixed matches to welcome you to a prosperous year of success with bountiful harvest 2016. Faith is your first banker and your call is your winning assurances to 2016. Our intervention winning team is to put unlimited smiles to our friends faces which you are one. Welcome to 2016 with N80,000 = unregrettable fee.

NEW CURRENT INFORMATION 09038633666= WK 25 NO 37. 40

KEY

=

WK 24. BANKER. ASTON V. NO 1X 12X 13X 35X= 4/4 Wk22 blue = stoke No 10x 12x 14x 15x with 30x 31x Wk 23 RED NO 18X 27X 32X 33X= N6000 Wk 24 PURPLE NO 1X 12X 13X 35X= N10, 000 Wk 25 BROWN NO NAP NAP NAP NAP= N10, 000 Key every week 22 blue. Bank stoke to deaw wk 22 No 10.10.10 plus. 3. Others cost N6,000 to draw every wk 23 RED bank no 18. 32. To draw Wk 32 No 18.32 plus 3. Others wk 23 No 18.32. plus. 3. Others cost N6,000 TWO. BANKERS N5000. WK 24 NO 13X 35X PAIR 1X 2X TWO. BANKERS WK 25 NO NAP NAP PAIR NAP NAP wk 23 RED = 2015 NO 18x 27x 32x 33x with. 18x.32x. Wk 24= 4 SPECIAL DRAWS COST N10, 000 WK 24 NO 1XX PLUS. 3. OTHERS Wk 24 No 1x 12x 13x 35x wk 25 No NAP NAP NAP NAP. Hurry up to bet your copy to pay = 09038633666.

NJOROGE MR ASSURANCE 08177474535 - 25x 26x 27x

PROMOTERS IN HOT CHASE. YES the P.P.A. decisions on numbers – 23, 24 and 25 last minutes panel Home win annoyed the management of Assurance winning group. Congrats, they promised stakers to be rest assured that the promoters will pay dearly for the panels action.

25x 26x 27x = 2 draws Mr. Assurance wishes all our friends a prosperous New Year we also thank you for your patronage over years. God bless.

ATTENTION ALL COMPILERS, OUR POLICY ON NO ADVERT NO WRITE UP STILL IN PLACE — MANAGEMENT

SIDELINES

no 16,404

n150

THURSDAY, 31 December, 2015

“With the slump in the price of oil and its effect on government revenue, it is doubtful whether government can single handedly, without resort to some other source of funding, bankroll the much-needed maintenance of some federal roads.”

Last week I began an examination of the proposed reintroduction of toll gates on some Federal Roads within the country. I referred to the controversy which the announcement of the Minister for Roads has attracted and stated my view that given the poor level of funding for the maintenance of roads it is imperative that the toll gates be reintroduced so as to attract the funds required to keep the roads in good condition. This week I intend to continue with my analysis of the subject by looking at the history of toll gates and the advantages associated with it.

TOLLING IN HISTORY According to Wikipedia, a toll road “is a public or privateroadway for which a fee (ortoll) is assessed for passage. It is a form of road pricingtypically implemented to help recoup the cost ofroad constructionandmaintenance, which (onpublic roads) amounts to a form of taxation.” It is also stated that “Toll roads in some form have existed since antiquity, collecting their fees from passing travelers on foot, wagon or horseback; but their prominence increased with the rise of the automobile, and many modern tollways charge fees for motor vehicles exclusively… Toll roads have existed for at least the last 2,700 years, as tolls had to be paid by travellers using the Susa–Babylon highway under the regime ofAshurbanipal, who reigned in the 7th century BC. Aristotleand Pliny refer to tolls in Arabia and other parts of Asia. In India, before the 4th century BC, the Arthasastra notes the use of tolls. Germanic tribes charged tolls to travellers across mountain passes. Tolls were used in the Holy Roman Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries. A 14th¬century example (though not for a road) is Castle Loevestein in the Netherlands, which was built at a strategic point where two rivers meet…Many modern European roads were originally constructed as toll roads in order to recoup the costs of construction, maintenance and as a source of tax money that is paid primar-

OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Litt

An ex-convict, Wasami Dennis now in police net has confessed that he was in the habit of stealing items in Ghana and selling them in Nigeria, saying it was easier to rob in Ghana. The words of elders are true: “it is what a man loves to eat that will eventually kill him.”

afeonthursday

aareafe@gmail.com

Proposed reintroduction of Toll Gates on federal roads (2) ily by someone other than the local residents. In 14th¬century England, some of the most heavily used roads were repaired with money raised from tolls by pavage grants.”

The following are generally regarded as the advantages of toll gates: (i) Procurement and dedication of funds-The funds acquired from the tolls are dedicated exclusively to the maintenance of the roads. This eliminates any form of interference in allocation of funds to the roads. (ii) Improved roads- The roads are usually upgraded and expanded before being tolled. This expansion provides increased capacity and thus reduces congestion. The upgrade of a road generally also improves the safety and decreases accidents. (iii) Job creation-Tolling leads to job creation and ultimately may positively affect a country’s gross domestic product (GDP). GDP is defined as the total value of all final goods and services produced in the country.

It is for these reasons and more that several countries including the United States and the United Kingdom operate tolls on some roads.

LEGAL BASIS AND HISTORY OF TOLLING IN NIGERIA As I stated last week toll gates are not exactly new to Nigeria. By virtue of Section 2 of the Federal Highways Act, Cap F13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the power to erect toll gates resides in the minister. The said section provides as follows: (1) The minister shall have power to

erect, equip and maintain toll gates on any federal highway as and when required, with the approval of the president.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the minister may prescribe such fees, dues or charges that may be payable at any toll gate erected, equipped or maintained pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.

(3) In the exercise of the powers conferred upon the minister by subsection (2) of this section, the minister may classify the categories of vehicles plying or passing through any toll gate covered by the provisions of this Act and the amount payable by such category of vehicles.

(4) The minister may authorise in writing any officer, agent or person to exercise any of the powers conferred upon him by subsection (1), (2) and (3) of this section.

However, following widespread abuse of the system, the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo announced the scrapping of the toll gates and the introduction of a road tax which would be built into the cost of petrol and which would be used to maintain federal roads all over the federation. However, subsequent events revealed that the issue of road maintenance required much more.

For one most if not all federal roads degraded almost to the point that they became almost impassable. The SagamuOre-Benin Express road which served as a link between the south west and the Eastern part of the country experienced gridlocks of monumental proportions. Also not spared was the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway which could no longer accommodate the huge traffic from the Lagos end of the road to other parts of the country. The de-

terioration of the roads was particularly aggravated by the collapse of the rail system and non-development and or utilization of the inland waterways. Therefore heavy merchandise coming in through the ports which should have been transported by rail or via the waterways were transported with heavy trailers without any regard for their effects on the roads. To make matters worse, weighbridges which would have kept an effective check on the volume of load transported on the roads went into extinction.

Consequent upon the above and following persistent calls by Nigerians for decisive action on the roads, the government awarded contracts for the reconstruction of some roads the most notable being the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. However with the slump in the price of Oil and its effect on government revenue, it is doubtful whether Government can single handedly, without resort to some other source of funding, bankroll the much needed maintenance of some Federal Roads. It is in the light of this that I believe Nigerians should support the decision of government. However Government must on its part ensure that the toll gates are operated in a transparent manner so as to avoid the problems associated with the operation of the toll gates in the past. Happily, the current minister having overseen the introduction of toll gates on the Lekki Expressway during his tenure as the governor of Lagos State must be familiar with the expectations of Nigerians on a matter such as this.

He must therefore bring this experience to bear on the reintroduction of the toll gates. That, after all is what good governance should be all about.

Mourinho’s departure brought harmony to Chelsea —Mikel

By Ganiyu Salman NIGERIA international and Chelsea star, John Obi Mikel has said the departure of Jose Mourinho is a blessing in disguise.

Mikel posited that the exit of the ‘Special One’ has brought to an end what the Blues technical director, Mike Emenalo described as a ‘palpable discord’ between the sacked Portuguese manager and his players.

He told sportmail that the atmosphere in the dressing room of the Blues has improved under new manager, Guus Hiddink who held Manchester United to a barren draw on Monday, af-

ter a 2-2 draw with Watford at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. “We’ve moved on from that and the atmosphere has improved since the change of manager. It’s fine now, we’ve just not been getting results.

“Jose is a fantastic manager and will always be a fantastic guy. But sometimes football is a cruel game and you have to move on. Is it the right decision? Who knows? We’ll only see in the future,” said Mikel, who earned plaudits after the Watford game from Hiddink for bringing stability into the defence of the Blues.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner also believes Chelsea which occupies the 14th on the EPL ta-

ble can finish among the first four.

“Top four? I don’t think it’s gone.

We’ve got lots of games to catch up and if we keep going in this direction and keeping clean sheets, we will definitely score goals. We’ve had three games now without losing, we are also taking the right steps,” said Mikel who had his 351st appearance for the Blues against Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Mikel is said to have netted $4million from endorsements with his Amstel Malta commercial.

“Mikel hit it rich with the Amstel Malta advert as he will pocket about N800million over a number of years,” said a source.

Mikel

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 31/12/2015.