August 03, 2015

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•50 insurgents killed in Borno community raid •Teachers to governors: don’t divert bailout funds •Indigenous firm Arco battles Agip over contract •One dead in NURTW, RTEAN clash in Kwara •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3295 MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

P2 P6 P4 P9

NEWS Page 2

Ooni absent as son weds in Lagos

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Revealed: Who is who on lists of big bank debtors Six customers owe N27.91b B

ANKS are exposing the businesses and people behind the mountain of debts threatening to kill the sector - courtesy of a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive that expired at the weekend.

Barring unforeseen developments, some of the banks will begin the publication of their debtors’ list today.

The publications are coming on the heels of the July 31, 2015 deadline set by the apex bank for the debtors to pay up.

By Simeon Ebulu and Collins Nweze

The lists, an official of one of the banks said, is just a part of the whole. “Some debtors have entered into various payment schemes to avoid being shamed by this exercise,” the bank official, who pleaded not to be identified because of “the sensitivity of the action”, said.

The debtors are to be blacklisted and banned from participating in the foreign exchange market as well as trading in the Nigerian Government Securities market. The publication of

WHO OWES WHAT

•Starcomms Ltd. •Kesio Associates •Dec Oil & Gas •Alliance Energy •Hajaig Construction •Sapta Int'l Ind. Ltd •Petroleum Int'l •Best Aluminum the debtors’ lists is to be a continuous exercise.

Union Bank is owed huge sums by 176 debtors. Six customers collectively owe the bank N27.91 billion. They are

N3.08b N328.1m N15.7b N4.92b N2.99b N1.87b N1.25b N1.11b

Dec Oil & Gas, owing N15.7 billion following a 1999 contract finance loan that expired in 2000. The directors of the company are Patrick Ugboma and Pius U. Malaka.

Other debtors include Alliance Energy, which is owing the bank N4.92 billion. The term loan approved in 2004 expired 2006. The directors are Akinwale Omoboriowo, Kojo Anan and Timi Austen-Peters.

Hajaig Construction is owing the bank N2.99 billion on a loan approved in 2012 and which expired in 2014. The directors are Abdul Nasser Hajaig, Rud Wan Hajaig and Mohammed Hajaig.

Sapta International Industries Limited is owing the bank N1.87 billion over a 1987 term loan that expired in 1988. The directors are Alex Aloy Nwokodikwa and Clement Nwokodikwa.

Petroleum Project International has a debt of N1.25 billion over a term loan obtained in 2004 that expired in 2007.

The directors are Akinwale

Omoboriowo, Kojo Anan and Timi Austen-Peters.

Best Aluminum owes N1.11 billion for import and lease facilities obtained between 2010 and 2012. The directors are Chief Godwin Nweke and Chief Pius Nweke.

Fidelity Bank’s debtors include the telephone firm Starcomms Limited, which owes N3.08 billion cumulatively in the three accounts it runs with the lender under the same name and directors.

The first account, which got in 2009 an overdraft which expired in 2014, is owing the bank N1.68 billion; the second account, a term loan approved in 2011 and which expired in 2014, is indebted to the tune of N1.16 billion.

The third account, also an Continued on page 2

NNPC, others get deadline on queries From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) to respond to all outstanding queries within 30 days or face sanctions.

The development has created anxiety in more than 50 MDAs, including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Department Continued on page 2

Title-crazy civil servants to go From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

T

ITLE-CRAZY civil servants are scared of being sacked, The Nation learnt at the weekend.

Officials, who violated the Public Service Rule banning titles until after retirement, may be retired in the coming civil service reforms.

Only those whose titles were traditional-

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

ly inherited may be spared but their postings and conduct will be put under watch.

According to sources, the government is disturbed that most of the Continued on page 2

•HONOUR FR OM A NEIGHBOUR: President Muhammadu Buhari being honoured with the traditional title of “Manahouwhe’ Gbede” (I will never FROM forget you) during a state gala lunch in Cotonou, Republic of Benin...at the weekend. Watching are: Benin President Boni Yayi (second left) and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

AGE 2 •PA Benin to join anti-Boko Haram war with 800 troops •P

•SPORTS P15 •JOBS P35 •CEO P37 •MOTORING P39 •POLITICS P51 •FOREIGN P56

2

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

NEWS Who is who on lists of big bank debtors Continued from page 1

overdraft approved in 2007 and expired 2014, is indebted up to N239.65 million. The directors are Chief Maan Lababidi, Paul Edwards, Tajudeen Dantata, Omar Lababidi, Dr. Chris Ogbechie and Olusola Oladokun.

Fidelity released a list of 28 customers with “delinquent” loans. Other customers include Kesio Associates, which is owing the bank N328.1 million and Diesel Solutions (N324.28 million). Patemglobal Limited is owing the bank N268.5 million.

Kasolute Nigeria Limited owes Sterling Bank Plc N475.3 million over an overdraft loan

•Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp relocated from Borno State to a boarding school in Kano State…the weekend.

NNPC, others get deadline on queries Continued from page 1

of Petroleum Resources and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) – all indicted in the 2012 Auditor-General’s Report.

The report questioned the deduction of N2,308,749,174,308.54 Excess Crude Oil/PPT/Royalty from oil and gas revenue before the balance was paid into the Federation Account.

The Office of the Auditor-General was finalising the compilation of 2013 Report.

Worried by the refusal to answer audit queries , Buhari threatened to wield the big stick.

He also directed that henceforth, all audit queries must be answered within 24 hours.

A statement by the Senior Spe-

cial Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari was irrevocably committed to tackling administrative and bureaucratic corruption.

The statement said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Auditor-General of the Federation to ensure that all outstanding audit queries are conclusively resolved within 30 days.

“President Buhari has also ordered that henceforth, all audit queries must be answered within 24 hours.

“The orders followed the President’s displeasure on hearing that audit queries remained unanswered for long periods, sometimes running into years, under previous administrations.”

Shehu said those who violate financial regulations will henceforth pay a heavy price.

He said: “The era of impunity is gone. The President is taking the war on corruption to the civil service. He is not happy that standard operating procedures and financial regulations are no longer being observed as they should.

“President Buhari will ensure that public officials and civil servants in the service of the Federal Government pay a heavy price from now on for violating financial regulations or disregarding audit queries.”

He added that the President was determined to “put an end to the present situation in which, rather than respond to legitimate audit queries, violators of financial regulations in government

resort to threatening, bribing or mounting other forms of social pressure on auditors.

“On his watch, President Buhari wants to see firm action against those who violate extant financial regulations, not the prevarications and shenanigans that went on in the past in the form of endless probes and public inquiries.”

Some of those with outstanding queries in 2012 AGF Report are: *NNPC -(1) Deduction of N2,308,749,174,308.54 Excess Crude Oil/PPT/Royalty from oil and gas revenue before the balance was paid into the Federation Account.

(2) Failure to remit revenue from domestic crude oil sales totaling N936,027,634,479.81 as Continued on page 58

Title-crazy civil servants to go Continued from page 1

top civil servants with honorary awards actually bought them at high fees.

The affected civil servants violated the rules which grants them the right to such honors only after retirement.

Besides committing the resources of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) to such awards, most of the civil servants used the win-

dow to “grant favour to groups, persons, and communities in violation of their oath of office.”

A highly-placed source said: “mass shake-up is imminent in the civil service. Some corrupt elements at the top and chief executives of parastatals may be removed or retired.

“Instead of facing their duties, what we have been experiencing is that some permanent secretaries, directors,

chief executives of parastatals and top civil servants have been indulging in a rat-race for honorary awards and chieftaincy titles.

“They have used such awards to influence employment, promotion and even the sites of projects. Such officials have no business in government again.”

The government made refrence to two subsisting circulars, banning such indulgence

by civil servants.

They include: April 6, 1998 circular Ref. No. 58358/S.5/ C.1/32 and HCSF /062/S. I/ V/1/7 of 20th June 2013.

The 1998 circular, signed by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Gidado Idris, said: “The government has observed with concern that the time honoured practice of honouring deserving persons with hoContinued on page 58

approved in 1999, which expired in 2000. Just Jays Limited owes the bank N254.7 million; Alcun Industries Limited owes N192.1 million. G.Cyrus Global Resources is owing the bank N187 million.

One bank executive told The Nation that many of the banks offered some debtors who made moves to settle “their long-outstanding loans the option of rescheduling, or making part-payment of the loans.

“Those that have reached this understanding with their banks have their names removed from the published debtors list, “ he said, adding that the other category whose Continued on page 58

Nigeria’ll establish two consulates in Benin Republic, says Buhari

N

IGERIA is to have two new consulates in Benin Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured.

He made the promise on Saturday night during a meeting with Nigerians residing in Benin Republic.

According to the President, provisions will be made for the establishment of the consulates in next year’s budget if it passe through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said: “I think I will direct your ambassador to make the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that by the time we are doing the next budget, it would be included.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

“Although we are trying to cut down on the number of ministries, the morale of Nigerians in the Diaspora must be considered.

“This is because we are so many. We are aggressive whether in business or other facets of life. So, we, as a government will do everything possible to look after Nigerians wherever they are.”

Stressing that it was customary of him to meet the representatives of Nigerian community wherever he goes and answer their questions, he said that he has always told Nigerians to reContinued on page 58

Ooni absent as son weds in Lagos

C

ONTRARY to assurances from the Ife Traditional Council that Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife, would return home from a trip to London to grace his son’s (Adegbite) wedding, the monarch was not at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos, venue of the royal wedding yesterday.

The royal father was reported to have died in London last week Tuesday but the palace chiefs repeatedly denied such reports, saying the media has been unfair to the Ooni.

They assured that the Oba was scheduled to attend yesterday’s wedding between Prince Adegbite and Dolapo.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo and Jane Kolade

There were reports over the weekend that the remains of the Ooni were brought back to Ile-Ife but that the palace chiefs will need more time to officially break the news.

But Ife Chief Priest Olajide Farotimi Faloba again denied that the remains of the Ooni arrived in the ancient city at the weekend.

He said: “If his (Ooni’s) corpse has arrived, I’m the first to know.”

The chief priest said that the mere fact that everyone, including our correspondent, could have unhindered access Continued on page 58

50 insurgents killed as troops repel insurgents attack on Borno community

N

O fewer than 50 insurgents were killed over the weekend as out-ofcontrol Boko Haram militants clashed with troops.

The troops overpowered the rampaging insurgents and repelled them from raiding Bita, a village in Borno State.

As the troops counted their gains, reports came that Senate President Bukola Saraki and some senators plan to visit some of the battle fronts in Borno State today.

A military clearance was being finalised for the trip as at the time of filing this report.

A top military source, who

Benin to join anti-Boko Haram war with 800 troops

D

EMONSTRATING his commitment to the anti-terror war, President Thomas Boni Yayi said at the weekend that the Republic of Benin will contribute 800 troops to the Miultinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The new pledge of 550 is higher than the 250 troops the Nigerian neighbour promised earlier in the year by the its President.

The MNJTF is a regional force comprisFrom Yusuf Alli, Abuja

gave confidential information said: “We are closing in on the insurgents; we are carrying the battle to them this time around.

ing of troops from countries in the Lake Chad Basin including Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Its mandate is to combat the Nigeria-based extremist Boko Haram sect.

President Yayi made the announcement on Saturday during a oneday visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Republic of Benin.

Deployment of the regional force has been delayed for lack of funds.

“Though we have not included casualty figure in our release but our records have shown that 50 insurgents fell during encounters with troops.”

At a meeting in Cameroon in February, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger agreed to deploy around 8,700 troops, with Benin pledging 250.

The six-year-old uprising has killed thousands of people and dislodged millions from their homes. It assumed a regional dimension this year with regular attacks in Niger, Cameroon

A combined effort by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops repelled the latest Boko Haram on Bita, as the sect continued its onslaught on communities in Borno State.

The NAF said its fighter jets successfully scuttled a planned raid by the sect on the community.

NAF Headquarters’ spokesman Air Commodore Dele Alonge made the confirmation in a statement issued yesterday.

He said a large number of insurgents were killed in the operation, carried out by troops in the area.

Air Commodore Alonge said the NAF will continue to provide aerial support to the ground force in all operations carried out by

Continued on page 58

troops in the troubled Northeast.

The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force using its AlphaJet, provided combat air support to the ground force to attack the insurgents where they were observed to be mopping up to carry out a deadly attack on the village.

“Consequently, a large number of the insurgents were killed and several others, injured.”

Air Commodore Alonge also said the NAF Alpha-Jet conducted an armed reconnaissance along Bita to Gwoza road, and through Yamtege, Hamdaga, Dure and Pulka.

According to him, NAF will continue to give all necessary support to the ground force, through its intensified and per-

sistent efforts in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

He said the momentum will be sustained in the ongoing operations against the terrorists until all portions of Nigeria’s territory have been reclaimed, safe and free from the insurgents.

The new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadeeq Abubakar, has pledged to improve NAF’s fire power in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

Meanwhile, logistic arrangements were being made last night for today’s visit of the Dr. Saraki and some of his colleagues in the Senate to the battle fronts.

It was, however, learnt that the trip will be “strictly guided by security operatives.”

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The military clearance and the scope of the trip are being worked out.

“The Senate delegation wants to have first-hand information of the situation at the battle fronts. The delegation will identify with troops and those who are internally displaced.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS

Agip’s, Arco’s

• Former United States House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Edward Issa (third left), former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ( second right) and members of Issa’s entourage during his visit to Tinubu in Lagos...at the weekend.

For over one year, Arco Group Plc, an indigenous company with interests in oil and gas maintenance services, has been at war with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over the award of the contract for the maintenance of its gas plants. Assistant Editor SEUN AKIOYE examines the intrigues of the oily deal

•NNPC chief Andrew Yakubu

T •From left: Executive Director, Resources, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Ms Obi Ibekwe ; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos(UNILAG), Prof Rahamon Bello; GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza; and Deputy Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof Duro Oni at the presentation of N52.9m endowment for the UBA Professorial Chair of Finance to the university...at the weekend.

•From left: Representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen. Obasina Ogunbiyi, Deputy Commandant/Director of Studies, Nigerian Army College of Logistics Lagos, Brig-Gen. Julius Oni; representative of GOC 81 Division, Brig-Gen. Yakubu Auta; and representative of Flag Officer Commandant West, Rear Admiral Begory Be-Enwo during the graduation PHOTO:MUYIWA HASSAN. ceremony for Logistics Staff Course 12/2015 in Lagos... at the weekend.

HE business deal looked good- on paper. Alfred Okoigun, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of Arco Group Plc, also thought so and appended his signature.

No one could accuse Okoigun of naivety in oil and gas; his pedigree comes in leaps and bounds. He is a former pioneer student of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Warri, Delta State and also a member of the pioneer staff of Warri refinery.

In 1980, he took a big risk, resigning from the refinery to set up his business specialising in the maintenance of heavy machines in the oil and gas sector. He partnered with an Italian company, Nuovo Pignone Spa, and began to develop capacity for Nigerians in the boisterous oil and gas sector.

His company acquired a reputation as an efficient service provider in the area of maintenance and operations support to upstream and downstream sectors in the industry winning contractors from reputable companies.

In 1999, General Electric Company of the United States of America (USA) acquired Nuovo Pignone Spa and the emerging company became known as General Electric Oil and Gas. The Nigerian subsidiary also became known as General Electric International Operations Nigeria Limited (GEION).

Business was good as the partnership despite the change in status was able to bid and win a major contract in a Joint Venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and another Italian company, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) to maintain the latter’s rotating equipment, gas turbines and machines at NAOC’s OB/OB, Kwale and Ebocha gas plants in Delta and Rivers states. That was in 2006.

This may have been one of the biggest contracts for Arco, but it also would turn out to be its biggest nightmare.

In the beginning was trouble

•From left: Partner, Management Consulting, KPMG, Joseph Tegbe, Managing Director, Smile Communications, Michiel Buitelaar, Enterprise Director, Airtel, Tawa Bolarin, Chief Executive Officer, Spectranet, David Venn, and Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Funke Opeke at the 2015 MainOne/Business day broadband Summit in Lagos.

Trouble began almost immediately the contract was signed. Although Arco was a partner in the project, as stated in the contract approval letter from the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) on June 6, 2006, its status was however reduced to the position of a sub-contractor by NAOC. Arco felt this was a deliberate ploy to degrade it in clear violation of NNPC approval.

Perhaps the best indicator that Arco

•Ayisire

was a capable partner occurred in 2006 after an escalated crisis in the Niger Delta led to the massive exodus of foreign nationals working in the oil and gas sector.

GEION also withdrew all its 18 expatriates leaving Arco to carry on with the operations and maintenance of the operations for six months. According to Denis Ayisire, Arco’s company secretary, the company performed so well in the absence of the foreign partners ensuring the smooth, uninterrupted and efficient operations of the gas plants.

This position was reinforced by a letter dated January 14, 2007 from NAOC to Arco requesting for two staff of Arco who were on vacation to report to OB/OB gas plant. This, according to the letter, was to make up for the absence of expatriate staff that fled the country during the unrest. The letter was signed by the Land Area Manager, G.N.T Okai.

The letter reads: “We sincerely hope that these dedicated and highly professional personnel of yours will be adequately compensated in the future and particularly during this trying period of our collective effort and responsibility of having to maintain uninterrupted operations.”

But when GEION came back after the forced exit, it rewarded Arco allegedly by snatching 19 of its staff and further reduced the scope of Arco’s job by introducing third-party com-

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS

s signed, sealed, undelivered deal It is very easy to see the link between Plantgeria, NAOC and GEION. They simply want to promote a fellow Italian company to the de triment of a wholly Nigerian company Arco Why do you want to write about it? Are you aware the case is in court? The ethics of journalism, as I know it, stipulates you can’t write about a case already in court and I think you should know that

•Josef

Agip Compliance with this Act and promotion of Nigerian content development shall be a major criterion for award of licenses, permits and any other interest in bidding for oil exploration, production, transportation and development or any other operations in Nigerian oil and gas industry •Purgatorio

pany to perform Arco’s scope of work in the contract. Also, GEION acting with NAOC allegedly wrote a letter to NNPC to drop Arco from the contract.

At the expiration of the initial contract and its extensions in 2011, Joint Venture partners decided to advertise a tender for the replacement contract.

However, there was need to award a stop-gap contract for the maintenance of the plants to either of GEION or Arco.

But before this could take place, NAOC allegedly issued a Purchasing Order every two days to GEION at a cost of $87million per annum, which has been active since 2012.

In order to plug this drain in the nation’s treasury, NNPC conveyed a meeting in Abuja on July 17, 2013 with GEION, NAOC and Arco.

GEION and Arco were asked to prepare separate quotations for the work scope. Arco quoted $37million for the entire work per annum.

GEION reportedly stuck with the $87million cost.

An Italian Mafia?

A source close to the NNPC said: “They defy regulators and do what they like, I am not sure many communities have benefited from their Corporate Social Responsibility.”

This statement perhaps may contain more truth than intended as documents shown to The Nation revealed

Local Content Act that NAOC acting in concert with GEION made a deliberate plan to remove Arco from the contract it jointly won with Nuovo Pignone Spa. Between April 29 and May 10, 2013, NAPIMS, a subsidiary of the NNPC and NAOC conducted a Joint Technical Evaluation of companies wishing to bid for the maintenance service of the rotating equipments at OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale gas plants. Forty three companies were evaluated for capacity to carry out maintenance services on the gas plants.

In the technical evaluation result, a copy made available to The Nation, Arco Petrochemical was scored 8.01

by NAPIMS and 8.68 by NAOC with Sudelettra Nigeria Limited coming a distant second with a score of 6.38.

Also in the result, Plantgeria Nigeria Limited scored 6.05.

However, it was curious that about one year after the conduct of the technical evaluation, NAOC refused to engage the services of the highest scorer in the examination. This situation prompted series of interventions between NAOC, NNPC and NAPIMS, with the government agencies insisting that Arco should be allowed to take over the maintenance contract.

A letter from NAPIMS to the Managing Director of NAOC on March 4, last year reveals the position of the NNPC. In the letter signed by Fidel

I. Pepple, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS informed NAOC that its decision in favour of Arco was based on the following: Non support for the current high cost, excessive manpower regime, Arco is part of the contracting entity that is handling the maintenance work; Arco was able to handle the full scope during an earlier security crisis when GEION abandoned site; and Arco agreed with the manpower loading necessary to deliver the scope as proposed by the NAOC JV even though GEIONE rejected it.

Pepple concluded: “ Please be advised that NAPIMS cannot support an interim contract award to an entity based on a tender process that is yet to be concluded. We therefore reiterate that the interim contract be negotiated with Arco Petrochemical Company Ltd based on the manpower loading that was earlier agreed. Please convene a meeting urgently to negotiate the contract for a six (6) month extension while we are trying to resolve the issue of the substantive replacement contract.”

NAOC, in a March 18, last year letter, requested to engage the services of Plantgeria Nig. Ltd for the maintenance services in place of Arco examination. On April 14, last year, a reply came from NAPIMS affirming their earlier stand that Arco be given the contract being the most competent company.

“We write to reiterate NAPIMS Management’s position for the JV to negotiate with Arco Petroleum Ltd………Please be reminded that NAPIMS will not continue to support the huge cost of maintaining the facilities under the current maintenance regime beyond May, 2014,” NAPIMS said.

That meeting never held forcing NAPIMS to write another letter on June 13, last year rejecting the nomination of Plantgeria.

“NAOC proposal to execute an interim contract with Plantgeria for a replacement tender of which award recommendation has not been presented for NNPC Board consideration and approval is declined and not approved.

“NAPIMS will not support any cost expended on NAOC maintenance services contract for gas turbines and related equipment for OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale Gas Plants arising from NAOC execution of such services with Plantgeria.”

Plantgeria Company Ltd, according to several sources knowledgeable in the oil and gas sector, was brought into the picture by NAOC and GEION because it is an Italian company.

“It is very easy to see the link between Plantgeria, NAOC and GEION. They simply want to promote a fellow Italian company to the detriment of a wholly Nigerian company and in flagrant disregard for the Local Content Act, which stipulates that Nigerian companies should be given priority in the oil and gas sector if they can demonstrate competence,” Ayisire said.

According to the information gathered on its website www.plantgeria.com, Plantgeria was incorporated in 1981 and primarily specialised in auto mechanic, vehicle and equipment sales and leasing, generator repairs, provision and maintenance of central, split and window air conditioners. Over the years, the company has also been involved in oil and gas facility maintenance and modifications and wellhead/Xmas tree valve maintenance.

At least three members of the company’s management are Italians. The Managing Director is Mr. P.L Carrodano. The General Manager, Marco Purgatorio, graduated from the Academy of Art in Rome and had a Higher National Diploma in Mechanic Hyperbaric Diving with 20 years experience working in diving and marine

sector. The Coordinating Manager, Waldemar Josef Grabowskia, has over 30 years of working in commercial trading, shipbuilding and ship repairs.

Collateral Damage The stalemate in awarding the contract of the maintenance of the gas plants is also a major test case for the Local Content Act, which is to ensure that indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector are not muscled out by multinational companies.

In order to give more opportunities to Nigerians who have demonstrated competence and keep with the best practice in the global oil and gas sector , the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act was in place in April 2010. This is at the center of the suit filed by Arco.

Section 3 (2) and (3) provides the following: “ There shall be exclusive consideration to Nigerian indigenous service companies which demonstrate ownership of equipment, Nigerian personnel and capacity to execute such works to bid on land and swamp operating areas of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“Compliance with this Act and promotion of Nigerian content development shall be a major criterion for award of licenses, permits and any other interest in bidding for oil exploration, production, transportation and development or any other operations in Nigerian oil and gas industry.”

Arco sees the action of NAOC in refusing to award the contract to it as a major slap on Nigerian laws and statues by foreign companies.

But, according to a senior official of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the dispute between Arco and NAOC is not about local content but commercial in nature.

“We have intervened in the dispute between the companies and we found out that it is not about local content law but it is simply commercial, that is why we cannot come in between them. If it is about local content, the law gives us the power to intervene but I assure you this is commercial,” he said.

But Arco insisted it is an abuse of the law. It said the action apart from running contrary to Nigerian laws, will also affect the employment of over 400 highly skilled Nigerian technicians and engineers.

The gas plant OB/OB has an average monthly gas production of 40,000,000 Metric Standard Cubic Feet (MSCF) while the average monthly gas supply to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) Bonny is 28,000,000 MSCF. Some experts also believe that the stalemate can endanger gas supply to the various power generating stations. Last week, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced that Nigeria has recorded another peak of power generation at 4,662 megawatts, a situation which has seen improved power delivery to many Nigerian homes.

“This impunity if allowed to continue any further may hamper this progress and the attendant change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Ayisire said.

Arco believes that the intention of NAOC is to edge it out from the maintenance contract and replace it with a “ company that would only repatriate its profit outside Nigeria.”

The company said the loss of jobs for 400 employees may have a ripple effect on the economy and greatly hamper the efforts of the present administration from reviving Nigerian economy as well as putting an end to impunity in the oil and gas sector.

To enforce NNPC’s orders, Arco instituted a court action at the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on January27 against NAOC

and joined the NNPC, NAPIMS and Conoco Philips Petroleum Nigeria Ltd as co-defendants. In suit, the plaintiff is seeking several declarative and injunctive reliefs against the defendants jointly and severally restraining the parties from “awarding or taking any step or steps to award to any person, company or firm except to the Plaintiff company, any contract whether designated as interim, stop-gap, 4+1 years or whatsoever described….for the maintenance of Gas Turbines and Rotating Equipment.”

However, NAOC initially declined to enter an appearance but filed a notice of preliminary objection. On February 3, the court granted an interim injunction restraining NAOC from awarding the contract to any other company.

The order, according to the counsel to Arco, B.E.I Nwofor (SAN), was simply disregarded by NAOC and GEION. On March 13, NAOC allegedly facilitated the entry of Plantgeria employees into the plant “ with a view of taking over the plant,” says Atoyebi. He also alleged that NAOC instructed its security personnel not to allow Arco employees into the plant from April 30.

This action prompted the court to issue a notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court under Order 1X, Rule 13, Judgment Enforcement Rules to Plantgeria. After months of legal tussle, the presiding judge, Lambo Akanbi on June 30 ordered that “the parties maintain status quo” and subsequently adjourned the case to October 26.

According to Ayisire, this order has again been disobeyed by GEION, NAOC and Plantgeria, with NAOC using its security personnel to prevent Arco engineers from gaining access to the plants. According to an affidavit filed by Pius Onodjohwo, a staff of Arco, NAOC facilitated the entry of Plantgeria to the premises of the gas plants “for the purposes of taking inventory and familiarisation.”

Onodjohwo, who took pictures of the visitors, said the group was led

by NAOC employees, made up of four expatriates and seven Nigerians. The group allegedly repeated this visit on March 17 and 18.

No end in sight There appears to be no end in sight to the stand-off between the companies, despite a court order and advice from NNPC and NAPIMS. When The Nation contacted Taju Adigun, the Manager, Government and Institutional Relations at NAOC, he declined to give any official statement.

“Why do you want to write about it? Are you aware the case is in court?

The ethics of journalism, as I know it, stipulates you can’t write about a case already in court and I think you should know that,” he said.

Subsequent calls and text messages to him went unanswered. Also when Chidozie Okafor, Head, legal department at NAOC was contacted, on hearing the subject of enquiry merely responded “ this is the wrong person” several times even though he had earlier acknowledged his identity.

On July 24, there was a slight upsurge in activities at the offices of Arco, the cause of this action was a letter written by GEION instructing Arco and its employees to compulsorily vacate the plants on or before July 31.

This situation has thrown the issues wide open and may serve as a test case for the oil and gas sector. With an oil giant pitted against a small indigenous company, stakeholders await the pronouncements of the court and the Presidency.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS

•Chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation, Mr Sam Omatseye (fourth left); Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina (fourth right); Deputy Chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation Mr Tunji Adegboyega (left); Editorial Page Editor Mr Sanya Oni (second left); members Kunle Abimbola, Steve Osuji (third right),’ Femi Macaulay (second right) and Editor, The Nation on Sunday Mr Festus Eriye at a dinner hosted by the Guild of Editors for Adesina in Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLAIMS

NUT to governors: don’t divert bailout fund

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EACHERS, under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), yesterday advised governors not to divert the bailout funds for workers but ensure that such funds are used to pay salary arrears.

The NUT expressed concern about the continuous delay in the payment of teachers’ salary by many states despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention, aimed at helping cashstrapped states in paying arrears of salaries which they owe workers.

Besides, the union urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in the fight against the Boko Haram sect and further secure schools in the Northeast, the region most affected by insurgency.

Secretary-General Obong Obong said in a statement issued in Abuja: ”The Nigeria Union of Teachers has been following recent developments in the education sector in the country.

“As an organisation saddled with the responsibility of protecting the rights and welfare of teachers as well as promoting and advancing the course of education and the teaching profession in Nigeria, the NUT particularly appraised the state of af-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

fairs in the primary and secondary education sub-sector with a view to highlighting our concerns for the attention of all tiers of government.

“We commend the concerns so far showed by President Buhari and we believe Mr. President is committed to repositioning the education sector for the benefit of the citizenry and the development of the nation.

“The NUT is concerned about continuous delay in the payment of teachers’ salary by a number of state governments despite the intervention of President Buhari with bailout funds provided to help them pay arrears of salaries to workers in the affected states.

“While the non-payment of the backlog of salaries and other entitlements owed teachers has caused untold hardship and pain to the affected teachers and their dependents, it is even more disturbing to note that the bailout funds for some states are reported to have being seized by banks due to debts owed by the state governments.

“This development to say the least, undermine the commendabel efforts made by

Fake doctor owes Fed Govt N17m

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A

N assessment by Integrated Personnel and Payment Information System (IPPIS) has shown that Martin Ugwu Okpe, who impersonated his friend to work in the Ministry of Health since 2006, owes the Federal Government more than N17million in salaries and allowances.

IPPIS arrived at exactly N17,024,017.90 through pay slips and performance evaluation cards as money Okpe owes government.

The amount excludes tax and union dues through nine years which were paid to the government, according to IPPIS. The health ministry is looking for “full retrieval” of money that accrued to Okpe in the past nine years, according to Permanent Secretary Linus Awute.

Okpe worked in the Department of Health Planning

President Buhari to address the precarious issue. The NUT therefore calls on the affected states to ensure that funds are not diverted but used for the payment of the salary arrears without further delay.

“Also of concern to the NUT is the reported threat by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to withhold the results of candidates who wrote the May/June 2015 WESSCE in 19 states due to non-payment of registration fees of over N4 billion by the state governments.

“It is important to state here that the policy of the states to take responsibility of the payment of the WASC Examination fees is commendable, as it was meant to lessen the financial burden on parents and guardians.

“However, the failure of the debtor – states to fulfill their pledge to WAEC smacks of the characteristic lip service and political grandstanding of governments to public education, which is key to the transformation and future wellbeing of the Nigerian children.

“Certainly, this unwholesome development portends danger to the future and educational prospects of the candidates and we demand

•Okpe

Research and Statistics as a Grade-12 senior medical officer using the credentials and name of a Dr George Davidson Daniel, his friend and a doctor doing residency in Jos. Okpe was charged to court last Tuesday and remanded in Kuje prisons pending the fulfilment of his bail condition. The court will hear the case on October 10.

that the issue be timely resolved by the affected states to ensure prompt release of the result to the candidates.

“Government should not toy with the future of our children on the altar of politics. If they are not sincere and committed to paying the exam fees to their students, they should stop the grandstanding and allow parents to take the destiny of their children in their hands.

“Furthermore, the NUT observed with dismay the recent protests by parents and candidates seeking admission into higher institutions over the alleged increase in the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut-off marks by some universities as against the decision of the 2015 combined policy meeting on admission that pegged the cut-off marks at 180 for universities and 150 for other tertiary institutions such as polytechnics and colleges of education.

“The protest was also directed at the policy of JAMB assigning candidates of universities with surplus applicants for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to other Universities with lower number of applicants than their capacities attracted the anger of the pro-

testers.

“Although, the policy of JAMB is well intended to reduce waste and to provide the candidates space in institutions other than their first choice, it is our view that the policy failed to take into account the right of the candidate to choose his/her institution of learning.

“It is therefore our submission that in order to draw a nexus between the laudable objective of JAMB and the desire of the candidates to choose their institutions, JAMB should reconsider the position of a second choice University for all candidates.

“We wish to use this opportunity to once again draw the attention of the Federal Government to the need for the retirement age of primary and secondary school teachers to be raised from 6065 years as in the case of Judges and Tertiary school Teachers.

“This has become imperative considering the alarming rate of teachers’ retirement without a corresponding recruitment which has resulted to acute lack of teachers experienced by states across the country.

“A case in point is the reported policy of Katsina State government to re-en-

gage retired teachers to fill existing vacancies in the primary and secondary education sub-sector in the state.

“While this stop-gap approach employed by Katsina State is commendable as it would provide temporary solution to the problem in the short-run, it cannot be seen to be a preferred and enduring solution to the deplorable issue of teachers is less cost effective as it involves payment of both monthly pension and the salary for the contract appointment.

“Government should therefore consider as a matter of necessity the raising of teachers retirement age from 60 to 65 years in order to further benefit from the experience of the teachers as well as to address the man power needs in the school system.

“The NUT will not fail to reiterate its call on the Federal Government to intensify its efforts in the fight against insurgency, particularly in the Northeast of the country.

“We urge the administration of President Buhari to do more in securing our institutions of learning to ensure safe environment for effective education delivery in the country.”

JTF commander brokers peace between firm, host community

HE Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, has brokered peace between the Okomu Oil Palm Plantation and the Okomu Community in Edo. A statement yesterday in Yenagoa by the spokesman of the JTF, Lt.-Col Isa Ado, said the two parties had been at quarelling for many years.

The community had accused the company of neglect and environmental pollution without compensation and non-employment of Okomu citizens.

Anka said the reconciliation of the feuding parties by the commander followed several meetings at the Headquarters of the JTF and in Okomu town.

The statement quoted the traditional ruler of the community and the Apoi of Okomu Ijaw, Dr Biowei Yuyu, as thanking the commander for the reconciliation and promised to maintain the agreement accord reached.

The Managing Director of Okomu Palm Company, Dr Graham Hefer, thanked Atewe for mediating in the dispute, which he said had affected the production of the company for some time.

The statement said the commander and the traditional ruler also inaugurated a nine-

member Development Council to oversee affairs between the company and the community.

“It was agreed that the company should withdraw all pending litigations against the community immediately and put the two borehole sunk for the benefit of the

community in good working condition.

“The company also promised to provide job opportunities to qualified indigenes of the community,’’ it said.

Anka said that the commander of the JTF also promised to sink an additional borehole to complement the two already donated by the company.

NIMASA redeploys directors

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HE management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the redeployment of some of its Directors and Deputy Directors.

The approval for the redeployment was given by its Acting Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro.

According to the NIMASA boss, the redeployed officers are expected to reposition the agency towards meeting its core responsibilities as enshrined in the NIMASA Act and other enabling instruments governing the agency.

Mr. Ibrahim Jibril is now the Director of Administration and Personnel Services department. Mr. Felix Bob Nabena is Director of

By Oluwakemi Dauda

SERVICOM. Mr Olayemi Abass takes over as the Head of Financial Services department. Mr. Suleman Abdulsalam is the Acting Legal Adviser. Mr. Mohammed Sani is the Head of Procurement department while Hassan el-Yakub is Head of Cabotage Department.

Hajia Lami Tumaka is now the Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations. Aisha Musa has been redeployed to Head the Western Zone. Mr. Isichei Osamgbi is Deputy Director, Maritime Guard Command. Mr. Dele Ejekuko is in charge of Zones in the DG’s Office and Mr. Eric Orji is the Acting Registrar of Ships.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS DHQ: we’re reviewing cases of deserter, dismissed soldiers

Our battle against criminals, by Lagos anti-robbery chief

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HE commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Tunji Disu, has said armed robbers will be kicked out of Lagos State.

ACP Disu said his men arrested over 181 suspects last month.

He told The Nation at the weekend that the RRS did a crime mapping of the state and is better placed to curb armed robbery.

He said: “When I was posted to head the RRS, we did crime mapping in line with the directives of the CP and located areas that are prone to crimes. ”We identified Oshodi, Ikorodu, Ijora among others as areas where traffic robbers, bag snatchers as well as those who steal from children and in houses were rampant. So we decided to start with those areas with greater number. ”We raided under the bridges and other hideouts of the miscreants and in most cases, the suspects put up resistance.

“We discovered that they post spies, including juveniles on ground who informed them of police arrival. At times we saw their spies playing cards.

“We were able to arrest the 181 because of the commitment of my men. They have shown great understanding and have remained committed

T

‘

Lagosians should not be afraid.

They should go to sleep with their eyes close

’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

in our drive to ensure that Lagos is safe for residents and business.

“Lagosians should not be afraid. They should go to sleep with their eyes close because the police would clamp down on criminals. ”But as you know, the police cannot do much without information that is why we are appealing to the general public to furnish us with useful information that will assist us serve them better.”

Disu added that the suspects have been handed over to the relevant offices for further action.

On what the RRS was doing in respect of incessant cult clashes in some areas of the state, Disu said the CP had issued a directive to all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to fish out criminal elements obstructing public peace, adding that no stone would be left unturned in maintaining peace and security across the state.

• Nigeria's Ambassador to Philippines Dr. Yemi Farounbi with Philippines Senate President Mr. Frank Drillon during the ambassador's farewell visit to the senate president … at the weekend.

Cross River recruits into Green Police, garment factory

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HE Cross River State government begun recruitment into its garment factory and Green Police.

The garment factory and the Green police are two of several opportunities designed by Governor Ben Ayade to create over a thousand jobs to mark his 100 days in office.

Ahead of its inauguration, the garment factory is expected to absorb several hundred women, mostly widows while the Green Police, a nonarm bearing organisation established to protect the state’s vast forest reserve and the environment, will employ about a thousand.

Ayade, while conceiving the two projects, said it was a more institutionalised way of empowering the people, noting that the era of giving out handouts was over.

Since the job vacancies for the two projects were advertised a few days ago, over 6,000 have submitted their resume to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

Ayade, upon his inauguration on May 29, 2015, had promised to rekindle hope by breaking the vicious of cycle of employment that had been the lot of the citizenry for sometime now.

“With the commencement of recruitment into the state’

•Ayade

garment factory and the Green Police, Cross River State youth and women, especially widows can now heave a sigh of relief as their situations look to be taking a turn for the better,” said a source.

Expectations as RCCG’s 63rd Convention begins

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RDINATION of deacons and deaconesses as well as meetings of church leaders, workers and Council will today open activities at the 63rd Annual Convention of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Today’s opening is coming on the heels of a three-day meeting of the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, with workers and ministers.

The meeting, which usually precedes the yearly event, serves as preparatory platform ahead of the weeklong spiritual pragramme that will usher the church into a new calendar year.

This year’s convention has “The All Sufficient God” its theme and Pastor Adeboye will by 8.30pm tomorrow, preside over a welcome service to be attended by mem-

bers from all over the world.

Redeemers from parishes from over 180 countries are billed to attend the convention to feature activities including baptism, bible studies and meetings of the venous departments of the church.

In his welcome message in the convention’s programme, the general overseer urged every participant to come expectant as nobody is expected to go back empty handed.

He said: “We therefore welcome you to the convention of the “The All sufficient God. This year’s theme holds a lot of promises for all of us who will participants in all the processing’s and over lives will be imparted in ways we have never imagined.”

According to him, the “All sufficient one” has enough blessings to give all His children because there is no

shortage in His store house”.

Contrary to insinuations that motorists often experience gridlock whenever the RCCG holds programme at the Redemption City, the church blamed the situation on failing portions on the 120kilometre highway.

According to the Head, Public Relations Unit, Pastor Segun Adegbiii, RCCG, as part of its Community Social Responsibilities (CSR) spends millions of naira to fix the bad portions to ease traffic.

He said special parking lots have been designated and shuttle buses provided to ensure that no vehicle is parked indiscriminately.

Besides, Pastor Adegbiji said the regular police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had mobilised their men to control traffic. He urged participants to cooperate with the law enforcers.

HE Nigerian Army has said it is reviewing the cases of all dismissed and deserter soldiers.

The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, said the Nigerian Army was reviewing some recent disciplinary cases and was yet to arrive at any decision to recall any soldier.

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a correspondence making the rounds in some media regarding an administrative procedure to review some recent disciplinary cases in the Nigerian Army.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that the Nigerian Army is reviewing all recent disciplinary cases due to the wave of litigations and petitions by some aggrieved personnel,’’ he said.

He urged the public, not to misconstrue the recent directive to mean total recall of dismissed and deserter soldiers.

Prominent Nigerians and human rights activists had urged the government to reconsider the cases against the soldiers because of the peculair situation in which they had to fight the terror war.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS

•Officials of Football Forum: Dr Rauf Ladipo (left), Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi (third left), Mr Adegboye Onigbinde (fifth left, back row) and other members of the forum during a visit to Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (centre), Deputy Governor Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga (fourth left) and Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Modupe Adekunle (second right) in Abeokuta...at the weekend

Boko Haram kills 13 villagers in Borno

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USPECTED Boko Haram insurgents yesterday killed 13 residents at Malari village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Eyewitnesses said the village, which is located on Bama Road, was attacked by gunmen in a convoy of about 11 Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles laden with explosives and petrol-bombs.

From Duku JOEL, Maiduguri

They reportedly burnt several homes and razed shops and kiosks.

A resident, Shettima Bulama, said he escaped to Maiduguri, the state capital.

Shettima said: “Sunday’s attack on our village was terrifying and shocking. We were surprised by how they were able to overcome the soldiers patrolling the road

every hour without being killed by the insurgents.

“It was devastating because my neighbours had to flee into nearby bushes and farmlands before escaping to Maiduguri. Many people were killed and several houses and shops were burnt.”

He said the insurgents attacked the village because of the alleged information the villagers were passing to sol-

diers and the police on the operations and hideout of the insurgents.

Shettima said although no religion condones the killing of innocent persons, the insurgents were interested in hoisting terrorism on Borno State.

Security sources, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the incident.

But they were not specific on the casualty figure.

Reps Minority Whip to Buhari: clarify Gbajabiamila’s emergence

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OUSE of Representatives Minority Whip Yakubu Barde has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to clarify the emergence of Femi Gbajabiamila as Majority Leader.

In a statement yesterday, titled: “Between Buhari and Gbajabiamila: who is lying?”

Barde urged President Buhari to respond to reports that he intervened in installing Gbajabiamila.

The statements reads: “Today (yesterday), we woke up to read stories in most dailies attributed to House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, in which he claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari did intervene in making him the House Leader.

“Gbajabiamila addressed

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

reporters during an interactive session at the National Assembly in Abuja on Friday, where he said President Buhari and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declined his offer to withdraw from the race.”

Barde quoted Gbajabiamila as saying: “But on principle, the President did not accept it; my party did not accept it, and I thank God for the kind of confidence they have in me to deliver the goods for the party.

Who am I to say no? It was on principle that we stayed on course.”

The Minority Whip said: “To say the least, we are shocked by the revelation from

Gbajabiamila that indeed President Buhari meddled in the affairs of the House of Representatives, contrary to his earlier stance.

“Nigerians may recall that President Buhari told the world that he would not interfere in the emergence of leaders of the House.

“President Buhari said he was ready to work with anyone who emerged and reiterated this stance in his famous inaugural address: ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.’

“However, with the latest revelations by Gbajabiamila, we are not sure who is telling the truth between the two men.

“It is either one of them lied to Nigerians or both men jointly and separately lied.

“If, as Gbajabiamila claimed, President Buhari did influence his emergence as House Leader, it will rather be unfortunate.

“We are alarmed by this development because it portends a danger to our democracy and the independence of the Legislature.

“The President must resist the temptation to use his power and influence to compromise the institution of the National Assembly by directly involving himself in the emergence of principal officers of the House.

“We will continue to resist any attempt to compromise the independence of the House, as protected by the Constitution.”

Wike: we’re working for organised development

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IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has said his administration is working to achieve an organised development of the state.

He said the construction of a modern complex for spare parts dealers and automobile technicians was a manifestation of his administration’s efforts to develop every sector.

Wike spoke at the weekend when he performed the groundbreaking of the complex at Kilometre 17, Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The governor recalled that since the creation of the state on May 27, 1967, spare parts dealers and automobile tech-

The governor hailed the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), in partnership with SPATMART Limited, to provide accommodation for spare parts’ dealers and automobile technicians.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

nicians had operated haphazardly in unplanned locations and uncertain sections in Port Harcourt and its environs, especially at Ikokwu and Olu Obasanjo Road.

He said this had hindered the development of the areas.

Wike acknowledged the service technicians rendered to the state, despite the wor-

ry to residents and visitors, who share in the vision of making Port Harcourt one of the best cities in the country.

The governor hailed the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), in partnership with SPATMART Limited, to provide accommodation for spare parts’ dealers and automobile technicians.

He said: “While we contend with the high population

of the city and the need to move them to a more suitable and comfortable location, we cannot but also appreciate the value of the services they provide to the commercial viability of the state.

This is why we commend the proactive initiative of the GPHCDA to propose a modern facility on a 28-hectare land, in partnership with SPATMART Limited, to accommodate spare parts dealers and automobile technicians doing business in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas.”

Wike noted that the facility would boost the state’s economic development and create numerous business opportunities to improve the quality of life of the people.

Saraki appoints two aides From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor, Abuja

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ENATE President Bukola Saraki has appointed Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi as his Special Adviser on Legal Matters and Mohammed Isah as his Special Assistant on Public Affairs.

A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said El-Sudi started his law practice in Kano in 1990 and served as the Special Adviser on Legal and Legislative Matters to the then Taraba State governor between 2002 and 2003.

It recalled that in 2007, El-Sudi was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He was again appointed Taraba State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in 2009.

He was a member of the Seventh House of Representatives.

The statement added that Isah was a Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, now Sokoto State governor.

Media lawyers congratulate Odusile AWYER in the Media Forum (LIM) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday congratulated Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile on his election as the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

In a statement in Lagos by LIM Chairman John Austin Unachukwu, the forum urged Odusile to improve the welfare of journalists.

The forum urged journalists to cooperate with NUJ’s new executives to contribute to nation-building.

The statement said: “It is our firm belief that the new NUJ Exco will definitely improve the lot of Nigerian journalists.

“Once again, we say congratulations.”

L

‘Insecurity won’t recur in Akwa Ibom’ From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

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KWA Ibom State outgoing Police Commissioner Gabriel Achong has said insecurity will not recur to the level it was before he assumed office last year.

Achong, who retired on July 31, after 35 years of service, spoke at a dinner in his honour at the Police Officers Mess, on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the state capital.

The outgoing police chief said Akwa Ibom State experienced a reduction in crimes during his tenure.

He said before his assumption, there was a high level of insecurity across the state.

Achong noted that with the support he got from the state government, his men, the media and the public, criminality was brought to a low level.

The former police chief said the foundation he laid for the state’s security would ensure that criminality would not recur.

He called for more support from the government, the media and the public for the incoming police commissioner and the command.

Achong promised to always support the state, even though he had become a private person, in the fight against crimes.

The outgoing police chief promised to assist the incoming police commissioner, the command, the state and the country.

Achong recalled that he was among 152 persons who join the police force on the same day.

The outgoing police commissioner said he was blessed to be among the 40 retiring after 35 years of service still in good health.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS ‘Mark didn’t win senatorial poll’ From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE Justice Dipeolu Mosunmola-led National and State Legislative Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, at the weekend heard that a certified true copy of results produced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not reflect the true situation at the March 28 poll for Benue South.

The petitioner, Daniel Onjeh, told the court during crossexamination that the first respondent, David Mark, did not win the election with 49,423 votes because the result of the election was concocted and falsified.

A witness, Adeola Olayiwola, said his team observed irregularities in 700 units of the 1,015 polling units in Benue South.

Olayiwola, however, denied that he distorted facts in his analysis and made errors during interrogation by counsel to Mark, Kenneth Ikonne.

Onjeh was led in evidence by his lead counsel, Oso Adetunji.

He tendered Form EC8A (1) for 794 polling units in Benue South, Zone C form EC8B(1) for 75 council wards in Zone C, form EC8C(1) for nine local government areas of Zone C and form EC8D(1) for Benue South Code SD-021/BN. His attempt to tender Form EC8E(2) was, rejected, following application by counsel to the respondents, that it was not listed.

One dead in NURTW, RTEAN clash in Kwara A FRACAS between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State yesterday allegedly claimed one life.

Weapons, such as cutlasses and machetes were used. Vehicles were vandalised. It was learnt that the secretariat of

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

one of the unions was torched.

Many people were injured.

The state in 2013 proscribed Offa and Erin-Ile branches of NURTW and RTEAN, following communal clashes.

The latest clash was allegedly caused by a disagreement between the two

unions on the manner of conveying students of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa going on internship to Ondo, Ekiti and other neighbouring states.

Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed that one person was killed.

He said 10 persons were arrested, adding that they were

Youth council dissolved in Jigawa From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse •Adamawa former Head of Service, Alhaji Abubakar Girei, presenting an award to the Best Pupil in English Grammar, Miss Nouri Muhammad, at the Garba Ibrahim Memorial Islamic Academy’s graduation and prize giving day in Yola ...yesterday.

Court dismisses interlocutory application against Ortom, others

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MAKURDI High Court, presided over

by Justice Sampson Itodo, has dismissed an interlocutory application brought

by Chief Terkula Suswam, elder brother to Benue State exGovernor Gabriel Suswam and Chief Goddy Ikyeleve.

The application seeks an order of the court restraining the Benue State government, the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Mike Gusa and the House of Assembly (defendants) from causing the arrest of the plaintiffs and an order of the court restraining the defendants from taking action against the selection and appointment of the plaintiffs as first -class chiefs in the state.

The ground of the application, according to counsel to the plaintiffs, Samuel Anchaver, was what the plaintiffs called the purported nullification and invalidation of the selection and appointment of the applicants as first- class chiefs.

But the judge held that granting the application, which rests on the discretion of the court, will imply allow-

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

ing the plaintiffs to occupy the offices in dispute before the resolution of the case.

Justice Itodo said the claim by the applicants that their selection on May 2 was done same day as an earlier order of court restraining the Benue State government from going ahead with the exercise was an issue that would be determined during trial of the substantive suit.

He dismissed the application and ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit.

Anchaver said he was disappointed with the ruling.

He said his clients came to court for reason of personal liberty arising from threats of their arrests by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Gusa said granting the application would have amounted to granting the relief sought by the applicants.

Counsel to the defendants, Prof. Tony Ijoho, described the judgment as sound, saying they looked forward to an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit.

‘Badeh’s confession vindicates condemned soldiers’

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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HE confession of ex-Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh that the security force under him was ill-funded and illequipped has vindicated the Army, a lawmaker has said.

The legislator, Moshood Oshun, representing Lagos Mainland 2 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, who was reacting to Badeh’s valedictory speech in an interview with reporters at the Assembly complex, said with the confession by the former chief of Defence Staff, it was clear that Nigerians had been living by the grace of God, rather than reliance on the military.

He advocated the probe of how huge funds running into trillions of Naira, meant for security, particularly the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, were spent.

Oshun said: “Badeh’s confession is a confirmation that many of those who held portfolios in the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan administration were not competent. There are questions to ask concerning his attempt to seek public sympathy.”

He said he wondered what Badeh had to say about what happened to the huge money allocated yearly to fight the Boko Haram insurgency during Jonathan’s tenure.

The lawmaker said there was nothing new in most of the things Badeh said, because Nigerians complained about the challenges and expected the former chief of Defence Staff and “his cotravellers to resolve the crisis.”

He added: “Instead, they deviated from the calling and helped the last government to politicise the military and de-focus a military that was hitherto an international pride.

“Today, many soldiers are languishing in prisons for complaining that they were not properly equipped to fight Boko Haram.”

Oshun urged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to investigate how the military arrived at its present sorry state and to review the system to boost its morale.

“There should be no sacred cow. Anyone found culpable should be punished,” he said.

assisting the police in their investigations.

A member of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Hassan Oyeleke, described the incident as unfortunate.

He said: “We are just recovering from the 2013 communal clashes, which were triggered by the same unions.

We are tasking everyone in the community to rebuild the over 200 shops at Owode Market destroyed during the clashes. What is in a union?”

PHOTO: NAN

J

IGAWA State Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar at the weekend dissolved the executive members of the Youth Council of Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement in Dutse, the capital, by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Fanini.

He said the dissolution followed a conflict.

The statement said a sevenman Caretaker Committee had been constituted to oversee the affairs of the council and organise an election.

The committee, which is chaired by Salisu Rabiu, has Aliyu Yahaya as the vice chairman, Muhammad Mujaddadi as the secretary, Dr. Usman Abba Ahmed as the public relations officer, Bello Jibir as the welfare officer, Muhammad Sani as the assistant secretary and Kamilu Nasuru as the treasurer.

Tribunal: Saraki opposes tendering of documents

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OUNSEL to Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Election Petition Tribunal in Ilorin, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), at the weekend opposed the tendering of electoral documents.

Saraki’s opponent, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate in Kwara Central, Alhaji Abdulrahman

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Abdulrazaq, is challenging the declaration of the former as the winner.

Ali argued that the documents were not listed or referred to in any of the deposition of the witness.

Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulwahab Bamidele, aligned

with the submission of Ali. Aliyu Alarape Salman (SAN) stood in for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But the petitioner’s counsel, Mr. John Obumse, justified the admissibility of the documents, saying they were relevant to the case.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Joshua Mejebi, admitted

the documents as exhibit ‘P1’.

Counsel to Saraki, APC and INEC grilled Alhaji Abdulrazaq, who appeared as the second witness for almost 30 minutes. His personal assistant, Oloyin Abdullateef Adebayo, was the first witness, who testified at the previous sitting.

Justice Mejebi adjourned the case till August 10.

Three feared killed in Kwara OPC clash

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HREE persons were feared killed at the weekend in Agbamu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The death allegedly occurred when rival factions of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) clashed.

No fewer than five members of the group, who reportedly sustained injuries in the fracas, were receiving medical treatment in private hospitals in the

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

area.

It was gathered that trouble started when some members of the OPC, who were expelled from the group, stormed St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Agbamu, venue of the 10th anniversary coronation of Arigbamu of Agbamu, Oba Samuel Olusola Dare, to protest their expulsion before the OPC National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams.

Pa Oyefeko dies at 85

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HE death has occurred of Pa Solomon Temitayo Oyefeko, popularly called Baba Oye. He was 85.

Born in Sagamu, Remo, Ogun State on March 3, 1930, Pa Oyefeko worked with UAC Nigeria before travelling to the United Kingdom in 1958 for further studies.

He returned in 1966 and joined the employ of Yaba College of Technology as an assistant lecturer, rising to the post of a chief lecturer in 1981. He later became the head of Department of Building & Quantity Surveying. He was the pioneer director of the School of Environmental Studies.

The deceased was a fellow and former president of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB); fellow, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS); third president of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) and member, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) to mention a few.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mojisola Oyefeko, brothers, sisters, children (Mr. Tunde Oyefeko, Mrs. Dupe Solanke and Mrs. Yemisi Oyinlola), grandchildren and relatives.

Burial holds on August 21 after a funeral service at Yaba Baptist Church, Yaba, Lagos.

It was gathered that the development infuriated the state chapter of the group , which eventually led to violent clash among the members.

The security men at the venue had hectic time in putting the situation under control.

A security officer at the venue confirmed that three members of the group lost their lives in the melee.

Several others were serious injured.

“We never envisaged this

kind of security breach. Hence, we would have called for reinforcement from other neighboring police stations. By virtues of their large numbers, they held everybody into ransom.

“I can confirm to you that three members of the group were shot dead and several others were seriously injured. The injured ones have been taken to nearby private hospitals”.

Police spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi could not confirm the incident when contacted.

Court lifts order on praying ground

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LAGOS High Court sitting in Lagos has lifted an order of an interim injunction barring Alhaji Abu Kazeem Iginla and a Lagos based business man Mr. Lateef Oladele Aregbesola from carrying out further development on Ayobo Muslim Faithful Eid Praying Ground in the state.

Justice Ganiyu Safari vacated the order following a memorandum of appearance and counter affidavit to the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction by counsel to Alhaji Iginla, Adeniyi Adekanla.

According to the judge: “It will not be wise for me to extend the order of interim injunction, moreso, when it was granted exparte whithout hearing other parties to the suit.

“Now that parties, especially claimants and 1st defendant (Mr. Abu Kazeem Iginla) have joined issues with both parties laying claim to the ownership of the subject matter of this law suit, I am of the view that the justice of this case deserves that the order of interim made by the court on 14 of July, 2015 be discharged and the parties be heard on merit of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (fourth left); Secretary to Osun State Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (third right), President, Ijesa Society Group Chief Tunde Aluko (third left), the group’s First Vice President, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (fourth right), its Second Vice President Chief Obafemi Aluko (second left),Ade Famuboni (right), other members of the society, Chief Tunde Olojo and Dr. Niyi Adedeji, when they visited the governor at Government House, Osogbo.

Ogun to sanction defaulters of haulage law

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NY company or individual truck owner in Ogun State, who fails to comply with the haulage commercial vehicle law, will be sanctioned.

The Director of Geological Services in the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Steve Ipinniwa, gave the warning during the enforcement tour of the agency to some private organisations operating in Ota and its environs.

He said the ministry’s officials have started full implementation of the enforcement of the provision of the state’s “Commercial Vehicle (Haulage Fee) Amendment Law of 2013”.

Ipinniwa said the administration was worried by the unwholesome activities of commercial vehicles operating for private organisations in the state.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been empowered to ensure that relevant stakeholders and concerned agencies work in tandem with the government to come up with measures to halt the illegal acts.

‘Why Fed Govt should invest in education’

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HE senator representing Lagos Central, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised that education is vital to making meaningful changes in the country.

She said Nigeria would face a dangerous future, if the youth do not acquire the right education.

The Federal Government, the senator said, must invest heavily in education to have an upright youth population and a corruption-free society.

Mrs. Tinubu spoke at the weekend at the inaugural lecture of the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) at the Faculty of Education of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

She spoke on the theme: Students as panacea in the emerging new Nigeria.

The senator noted that the efforts of past administrations were not enough to stabilise education.

Describing students’ activism as the driving force of social change in the past republics, the senator noted that today’s students had not lived up to expectations.

The reason, she said, is that the ideals that give meaning to life were being eroded, adding that students’ bodies were not insulated from the rot.

Woman dies from dog’s bite in Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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ETECTIVES from the Criminal investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) of the Ondo State Police Command are probing the cause of death of a middle aged woman, Florence Aladenoye, who was reported to have been bitten by a dog.

Sources said the incident occurred last week at Alade-Idanre community.

The dog was owned by a resident, Olafingbesote Afolabi, who is in police custody.

The victim was reportedly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre(FMC), Owo, where all attempts made by the medical personnel to save her life proved abortive.

The incident was said to have been reported at the Alade- Idanre Police Post, where the Divisional Officer (DO) led a team of homicide detectives to the scene of the incident and arrested Afolabi.

The suspect was said to have told the police that the dog belonged to her and that she did not immunise it.

Police spokesman Mr. Wole Ogodo, said the victim was rushed to the hospital shortly after the dog bit her, but was confirmed dead after all efforts by the doctors to save her life were unsuccessful.

He confirmed the arrest of the dog owner, adding that the police had taken his statement, just as he said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at Alade-Idanre General Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.

Ogodo warned that dogs and other domestic animals must be immunised.

•Senator Tinubu: students are partners in nation-building

By Wale Ajetunmobi, Education Reporter

She said: “Nigerian students today have not lived up to the expectations, let alone become positive participants in the business of nationbuilding. We live in difficult times, an era when all ideals that give meaning to life are being gradually eroded. Unfortunately, students are not insulated from the societal rot; that, in a way, may be partly responsible for the sorry state of students’ unionism.”

Recalling the progressive activities of the past leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mrs. Tinubu said it would be impossible for the present crop of students’ leaders to cause positive change, if campuses were not rid of vices that have been impediments to quality education.

She added: “To rid Nigeria of vices and corrup-

tion would be an uphill task. The social vice called corruption has been so permeated into our nature that it will take the act of God to eradicate it. It is my ardent believe that, as long as our students have uncorrupted minds, all hope is not lost for our country.”

To set the country on the path of change, the former Lagos State First Lady said students must imbibe the virtue of honesty, discipline and hard work.

She said there was need for societal re-orientation that would reward hard work and punish crimes.

“We cannot fight corruption in a country, where a public officer found to have embezzled billions of naira is fined a couple of millions of naira in the name of plea bargain. What type of message are we sending to our youths; that they can do anything and get away with it by plea bargain?

“We need to put more

efforts in our actions to send clear message to our youths, because many of our leaders are not being seen as good role models for them to emulate,” she said.

For students to be effective in building a new Nigeria, Senator Tinubu urged them to positively engage in seven areas of national life, including family, religion, education, talent development, public communication, economy and governance.

The lawmaker, who said the era of violent students’ unionism had passed, said: “Students must be actively involved in the process of development of their immediate communities. Students can form local pressure groups to monitor programmes of their elected representatives.

“This local pressure group can also influence the society by carrying out socially-beneficial programmes, such as debates,

street carnivals, environmental sanitation and education on harmful effect of drug use, prostitution and armed robbery.”

The senator said she was proud of the Lagos students for their foresight and their thought on issues affecting the wellbeing of the nation.

She said students have key role in nation-building and such role must be carried out in line with decorum and civility.

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Tunde Babawale, described NULASS as one of the most organised students’ bodies on the campus, praising the Lagos State students for the peaceful conduct of their elections.

At the event were member of the Lagos State House of Assembly Segun Olulade, former Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly Lola Akande and representative of the Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adebimpe Rufai, among others.

APC to Fayose: it’s too late to denounce your thugs

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KITI State All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Governor Ayodele Fayose not to disown the “thugs he imported into the state to foment trouble”.

The party noted that denouncing them and their activities was tantamount to the “use and dump antics of the governor”.

The party’s spokesman, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement yesterday, noted that the thugs, known as “Fayose’s Boys”, had been terrorising members of the opposition and innocent citizens since the governor assumed office.

“For the governor to now try to distance himself from the hoodlums was a dishonest denunciation of the youth he raised for various acts of crimes and violence in the state,” Olatunbosun said.

The party, which spoke in reaction to Fayose’s threat to deal with hoodlums, said Ekiti people were not deceived by the governor’s threats.

It noted that his threat was a face-saving measure to distract attention from his com-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

plicity in promoting violence in the state.

The statement reads: “It is diversionary to now threaten the hoodlums with the police that the governor has been using to provide cover for the hoodlums to perpetrate their crimes and attacks on the opposition in the last nine months “It is an irony that Fayose is denying association with his thugs in the wake of intra-party violence that rocked the PDP in the state in the last three days, leading to the shooting of the state part’s secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko.

“We as a party have written many petitions to the security agencies over the menace of thugs quartered in the Government House

by Fayose, who were also provided with the police cover to attack members of the opposition in many towns in the state.”

The APC spokesman regretted that even though the security agencies were in possession of these petitions, they had not arrested

a single thug for all the atrocities the “Fayose boys” had committed against the opposition in the state.

“Fayose’s thugs had attacked the APC secretariat many times, destroying many vehicles and injuring many APC members in the process.

“Despite knowing their identities, the police have not arrested any of the hoodlums but have curiously been giving them cover on the instruction of Governor Fayose.

“The violence, which the PDP unleashed on the state three days ago, is a confirmation of our earlier claim that the PDP is a party that harbours thugs and a breeding ground for miscreants. The open brandishing of weapons by thugs loyal to the two PDP factions and the subsequent exchange of gunfire is an indication that the state is not safe for anyone,” he explained.

He added that the same thugs the governor was denying association with were the ones that attacked opposition members in Igbemo, Ijan, Aisegba, Ado-

Ekiti, Ikere, Erijiyan and many other towns, including the weekend attack by PDP factions engaged in gun-battle at the party secretariat.

“We also wish to remind the police that Fayose’s special adviser and a commissioner who were once caught with guns, axes, petrol and acid were released on the orders of the governor without charging them to court and so there is no way Fayose can claim innocence in the gale of violence in the state.

“We call on the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to act now before the state is plunged into anarchy with innocent citizens falling victims.

“This is the time for the police to also act on the many petitions our party had written on the nefarious activities of Fayose thugs.

We particularly implore the police to investigate the role of Fayose’s ADC and some police officers who give cover and coordinate the thugs to attack innocent members of the opposition,” he said.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

NEWS

•From left: Assistant Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr. Suleiman Tola; Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) Dr. Patrick Dakum and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Mr. Victor Idem, at the NAN Forum in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lagos is engine room for Nigeria’s growth, says Ambode

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AGOS State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday told a delegation of United States (U.S.) Congress that the state was the citadel of the nation’s growth.

He spoke when he led top chieftains and lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at an interactive session with the American delegation, led by Congressman Darelle Issa, at the Lagos House, Marina.

Issues on deepening democracy, trade relations and tackling Boko Haram insurgency were discussed at the meeting.

Ambode, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, said the U.S. democratic experience was one that would be beneficial to Lagos and Nigeria.

The governor hailed the U.S. government for its role in ensuring the peaceful conduct of this year’s general elections and added that the country has benefitted from American democratic cre-

•U.S. lawmakers urge alliance to tackle Boko Haram dentials.

“The parliamentary structure that we have is synonymous with what is obtainable in the U.S. “APC as a party is the first in the history of Nigeria to unseat an incumbent government and we want to imbibe the tenets of democratic values,” the governor said.

Ambode told his visitors that the state was leveraging on its population and cosmopolitan nature and “the most buoyant economy in West Africa”.

“I want to let you know that you are in the commercial capital of Nigeria. Lagos represents the future citadel of entrepreneurship in this country. As we speak, the population is nearing 21 million of which four million are actually middle class. We’re the fifth largest economy in Africa and our GDP has hit $131 billion, more than 42 African countries put together”, he said.

The governor said the

thrust of his administration was to be able to touch as many lives as possible and make life easier for residents.

The state government, Ambode added, was committed to pursuing this ideal in the next four years.

To achieve this, the governor said his administration was ready to entrench moral leadership.

He added that it would latch on to the experience of the U.S. to better the lot of its people.

He listed the areas of collaboration the state government was looking forward to as including security and trade relations.

Darelle, a Republican, explained that though America could be viewed as possessing high democratic values, it was also striving towards perfection of democracy.

He urged that rather than emulating the American democracy, Nigeria should strive to

better the U.S. experience.

He advised Lagos State to as a matter of urgency, collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling issues of insecurity in the country, especially the Boko Haram menace.

The fight could not be left alone for the government at the centre to handle, the head of the delegation said.

Among those in attendance at the interactive session include members of U.S Congress, Carolyn Manoney, Sheila Jackson Lee and Blake Farenthold; Lagos APC Chairman Otunba Henry Ajomale; Women Leader, Southwest AP, Mrs. Kemi Nelson; Acting U.S Consul General in Lagos Ms. Dehab Ghebreab and Secretary to the State Government Mr. Tunji Bello, House of Representatives and State Assembly lawmakers from Lagos, among others.

‘Ritualists’ throw woman’s body from vehicle

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LEEING “ritualists” at the weekend threw the remains of a 23-yearold woman off a moving vehicle onto a refuse dump at the Olomo-Ore Junction in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and sped off.

The victim, who was identified as Sitira at Lafenwa Divisional Police headquarters, Abeokuta, where her body was taken to after it was pulled out from the refuse dump, was said to be a trainee-stylist.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Females’ items such as pants, “leggings”, brassieres, camisole, make-up kits and a pack of cotton wool littered where the suspected ritualists hurriedly threw Sitira’s remains.

Esther Adewuyi, who identified herself as a relative of Sitira, told reporters that the late stylist lived with her mother in Iberekodo village in Abeokuta North Local

Government Area.

Esther said she was last seen in their house on Saturday evening planning her graduation from apprenticeship.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told The Nation that the girl was killed at the spot where she was dumped by the assailants, adding that besides the injury on her right hand, there was no suggestion she was killed for for rituals.

Adejobi, a Deputy Super-

Court to hear APC candidates’ appeal today

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HE Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, will today hear an appeal brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two of its candidate, Festus Aregbesola and Gbenga Edema, on the dismissal of their petitions by the state House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal.

The two different appeals filed by APC’s counsel Charles Titiloye and its candidates challenged the dismissal of the two petitions for Akure South Constituency I and Ilaje Constituency II. The judges, led by Justice

From Damisi Ojo , Akure

Anthony Ogar, on July 8, dismissed the petitions during the pre-hearing session.

The tribunal raised technical points of law of non-compliance with Electoral Act and ruled that the petitioners must file application for pre-hearing session for each and every respondent’s reply before the tribunal.

It said failure to do so amount to the abandonment of the petition with consequence of dismissal.

In the two appellants’ briefs, Titiloye argued that the tribunal erred in law to have

refused to apply the doctrine of waiver contained in paragraph 53(2) of the first Schedule to Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

He argued that a party, who has taken fresh step in the election petition after awareness of a non-compliance with the rules, is deemed to have waived the said noncompliance with the rules of the tribunal.

Titiloye, on behalf of the appellants, prayed the appellate court to allow the appeal and revert the petition back to the tribunal for trial on its merit.

intendent of Police (DSP), added that no one knew those who carried out the killing.

The police, he said, have started investigation into the incident.

Workers’ screening: Oyo NLC warns against victimisation •Govt denies witch-hunting From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan •Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi

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IGERIA Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State Chapter has urged the state government to honour its pledge on the screening of civil servants.

It warned the government not to use the exercise to witch-hunt, victimise or sack any worker.

The labour union said it would mobilise its forces to resist any attempt by the government to use the screening to sack any worker in the state’s civil service.

The government last week ordered a fresh screening for workers, even as

they were been owed four months’ salary.

The state NLC Chairman, Mr. Waheed Olojede, gave the warning while speaking with The Nation at the weekend in Ibadan.

Olojede said although the NLC was told about the screening at a meeting with the Head of Service, “it is pertinent to state that the labour union would not accept any attempt to use the exercise to victimise , witch-hunt or sack any worker in the state civil service under any guise”.

But the state government explained that the screening was meant to verify the true figure of workers and their qualifications and has nothing to do with the

witch-hunting of any worker.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Ismail Alli, who spoke with our reporter, defended the government’s action, saying that the exercise had no ulterior motive.

The intention of the screening, he said, was to “have a dependable database and consolidate government’s record to know who are on ground and their positions”.

“And that is why we are doing it where they resume duties every day. Secondly, we also want to know whether people have acquired the right qualifications over the years. So, it’s just to ensure that people are in the right places. That is just it. There is no other ulterior motive behind it.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

12

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Why have I not died?

•Father of burnt kids bemoans loss

“W

HAT am I still doing on earth? Why has death not taken

me away? I have lost all I worked for in my life”.

With these words, Alhaji Abdul Raheem Aminu, a businessman, yesterday bemoaned the death of his three daughters and loss of his property in a fire in Isolo, Lagos, on Friday.

He wondered why God had not taken his life despite ‘my wish for death’.

His two daughters, Feranmi, 7, Pelumi, 5 and a step-daughter, Christiana Adebayo, 12 died in the fire which gutted a section of some lock-up shops at Rainbow Avenue, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

Some parts of the building were also damaged.

Some family members, who came to sympathise with him, blamed the police for the tragedy.

The fire, they said, was sparked when a L300 bus, laden with jerrycans of petrol, being chased by the police rammed into a stationary bus parked beside the road.

The ensuing fire, they said, engulfed three cars, more than 10 shops and a building.

Speaking with The Nation on his sick bed at St Jacob Hospital in Ejigbo, Aminu, in tears, said he owns the building gutted by fire.

His wife, Tunrayo, also on sick bed, could barely speak, she wept uncontrollably.

On why the children slept inside the shop, Aminu said the place is not a shop, rather a room behind the shop.

“My wife uses three shops in that building, I own the building; behind the third shop is a small room where they sleep in case they don’t feel like coming to the other apartment not quite far from that place,” he said.

According to him, the children and his wife have been sleeping in the room behind the shop for seven years.

“They have a separate place bathroom and rest room - different from that of the tenants in the

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AGBUS Asset Management Company, operators of Lagos metropolitan red buses yesterday said that it was ready to engage more females as drivers in its fleet.

Mr Babatunde Disu, the Managing Director of LAGBUS, gave this indication in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Disu noted that female drivers were more caring and careful, adding that being gender sensitive,would facilitate the realisation of the mandate of the company.

“We are interested in getting more female drivers because they take good care of our buses and are more careful on the roads.

“We want more of them to come into the system; we are calling on those who are interested to apply,’’ he said.

Disu also said that the company was ready to train any lady or woman, who was interested in driving the metropolitan buses.

He said that successful ones would be certified by the Lagos State Drivers In-

•The burnt vehicles...yesterday

•Alhaji Aminu on his sick bed... yesterday

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

house. It is unfortunate that this happened. Oh my God,” he said.

A family member, who led our correspondent to the scene, said Mrs Aminu sells grocery and runs

•Mrs Aminu on her sick bed... yesterday

a hair dressing salon in the building.

There is a sign board, GOD WITH ME SALON at the entrance of one of her shops. Though burnt, the printing is still legible. It has two chambers with heavy protectors at

the entrance. The first chamber was used for business; the second chamber, residential.

Beside it is a small room for bath and rest room. The shop led to the room. There is a door connecting the room with the compound of the

residential part.

The younger Aminu, otherwise called Alfa said in case they did not want to open the shop for business, the other exit could be used.

He said, a burnt Toyota Pickup with Lagos number-plate AKD 791

LAGBUS ready to engage more female bus drivers stitute (LASDRI) before a bus would be allocated them.

Meanwhile, one of the female bus drivers, Rose Joseph, a mother of two, has urged passenger to see them as a professional and always encourage them.

“Area boys and men on uniform harass us, sometimes at non-designated bus stops, sometimes when we are trying to help passengers.

“Although its challenging, but you need to be focused and determined; the management even gave some considerations to women,’’ Joseph said.

Mrs Abimbola Agbekola, an accountant and a graduate from University of Lagos, also a driver, urged females to join the programme and make living from it, adding that “what a man can do, a woman can do better.”

Agbekola said driving articulated vehicles, such as the LAGBUS, was a way of empowering the female gen-

der.

“My husband saw the advert in a road show organised by the management, and he told me when he got back home, and ad-

vised me to apply because he knows I have passion for driving.

“You may not have driving skill but management of LAGBUS will train you and

you will be certified by LASDRI. “I have passion for it, so I do not listen to what the passengers say, but try to be focused.

“This is an opportunity for female gender to empower themselves and make life better, instead of waiting for their husband to do everything for them,” she said.

•MosanOkunola Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary Princess Opeyemi Akindele assisted by Baale of Akinogun Chief Martins Ladega to open the renovated Kokumo Health Centre

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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NEWS ‘Pay Amnesty beneficiaries to avert chaos’

•Guest speaker, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (second left), receiving her National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) award of Life Membership from Deans, Students’ Affairs Division, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos, Prof. Tunde Babawale (right).

With them are: new President, NULASS, Daniju Sultan (left) and special guest, Mr Olusegun Olulade, at the inaugural lecture of the newly elected officers of NULASS and its National Council at UNILAG...at the weekend

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PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Oshiomhole orders probe of IDPs

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said he will not be swayed by the stories in the media to support those said to be victims of Boko Haram insurgency at a camp in Uhogua village in Ovia North East Local Government Area.

The camp, which accommodates 1,300 internally displaced persons (IDPs), is run by the International Christian Centre for Mission under Pastor Solomon Folorunsho.

The governor, who spoke in Benin, the state capital, promised that his administration would support the IDPs after security agencies would have completed

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

profiling those in the camp.

Oshiomhole noted that anybody could pretend to be a displaced person.

He said: “Who are these people? How did they get here? How do we manage them?

“For security purposes, we don’t just get carried away by newspaper headlines. We need to ask questions. We will ask the guy: what was his interest?

“After the profiling is done, we will move in to see what we can do.”Solomon had told reporters that there were 400 persons in the camp before 900 others were brought from the Northeast.

The cleric explained that the centre was for mission work and discipleship, to care for needy children from across the country Nigeria.

He added that the place had been operating since 1992, catering for children from villages, especially those who had been abused, oppressed and orphaned.

Solomon said: “We had about 400 children before we saw the need of children from the Northeast, whose parents were killed. Some of them ran to the mountains, where they ate sand, stones and leaves. There were some who started dying of malnutrition and diseases. Some of

Kinsmen to Boroh: don’t betray Buhari’s confidence

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INSMEN of the newly appointed Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), BrigGen. Paul Boroh, yesterday urged him not to betray the confidence reposed in him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Boroh hails from Trofani in Sagbama, the same local government area of Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.

The kinsmen, under the aegis of the Trofani Patriotic Front (TPF), described Boroh as a seasoned professional and an unbiased administrator.

They hailed Buhari’s forthrightness in selecting him.

TPF’s Chairman Christopher Abarowei and Secretary Sunday Koinyan, addressed reporters in Yenagoa, the state capital.

They urged Boroh to use his experience to positively affect the lives of the beneficiaries.

Abarowei said: “Boroh is a true Kabowei son with the highest level of integrity and dedication to the growth of his fatherland. Therefore,

‘We’ll support Boroh to succeed’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

FORMER leaders of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday promised to help the newly appointed Coordinator for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), to succeed in his job.

The ex-leaders, under the aegis of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing an indigene of Bayelsa State to head the Amnesty Office.

LPCDI’s President Pastor Reuben Wilson (aka General), spoke in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The cleric noted that despite the overtures by political jobbers to occupy the office, President Buhari appointed a technocrat and a security expert to handle the PAP. Wilson said: “We are hopeful that Boroh will play a key role in resolving the crisis surrounding the region, being a Bayelsan.

“Before now, many political jobbers had tried to hijack that position but failed. President Buhari looked inwardly and appointed a credible person to handle the affairs of the region.” he will not misplace the confidence reposed in him by President Buhari.

“We implore the new coordinator to proactively address issues affecting the Amnesty Programme as they concern the payment of tuition fees

and other allowances, especially of youths studying abroad.”

Abarowei urged Boroh to adopt a novel approach in dealing with matters affecting the region.

He urged the youth to promote peace and unity.

Dickson’s aide Amgbare joins APC

M

R Ebitemi Amgbare, an aide to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, has resigned his appointment ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

He was said to have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday, following his exit from the Dickson administration.

Amgbare was the general manager of the state’s Transport Company (BSTC).

He became popular when

he obtained a court judgment annulling the election of former Governor Timipre Sylva in 2007, which changed the state’s political calendar.

Amgbare contested the 2007 governorship election on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

It was gathered that the former aide, who is said to be close to APC National Leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, joined the progressives yesterday.

Amgbare, who has a progressive root, may join the race for the APC’s ticket.

Prior to his resignation, he was said to have complained about paucity of funds to run the state’s transport company.

In a text message, Amgbare said: “This is to inform the public that I just resigned as the general manager of Bayelsa State Transport Company. I am grateful to the governor, for the opportunity to serve in my former capacity.”

them ran to Cameroon.

“I started getting phone calls that those of us from the South should rescue the children because they were just wandering about the streets.

That was what prompted us to set up a committee of pastors who located the children and brought them together to verify their identity.

“We have orphans and vulnerable children from other parts of Nigeria. I am a Christian. I grew up as a sick child and was a punching bag. I am a Nigerian and cannot fold my arms to see people suffering. We felt, as Christians, that we should do our little bits.”

HE Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) has urged the Federal Government to release funds to settle the stipends of former militants to sustain the fragile peace in the Niger Delta.

CEPEJ’s Executive Director Sheriff Mulade spoke yesterday in Warri, Delta State, while reacting to the appointment of Brig.-Gen. P. T. Boroh (retd) as the new coordinator of the Amnesty Programme.

He said: “While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a Niger Deltan as the new helmsman, we call on the Federal Government to release without further delay funds for the payment of salary arrears of the former agitators and rejig the programme for efficiency.

“To say that Brig.-Gen. Boroh is a round peg in a round hole is merely stating the obvious, being an acclaimed peace-keeping and conflict management expert and the commandant of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC) in Kaduna.

“CEPEJ believes that going by his experience in security and peace, he will make significant contributions to the nation’s security and consolidate on the relative peace and security in the Niger Delta as well as help to pay the backlog of stipends of the former agitators.

“We urge the new coordinator to formulate a policy framework that would lead to

‘

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a Niger Deltan as the new helmsman, we call on the Federal Government to release without further delay funds for the payment of salary arrears of the former agitators and rejig the programme for efficiency.

‘

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

the speedy resolution of recent hitches in the implementation of the Amnesty Programme, such as the non-payment of outstanding allowances to exmilitants.

“We strongly believe that without the cooperation of the beneficiaries and critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta, the policies of the new coordinator would not bring about the needed result.”

The CEPEJ chief condemned the attitude of some beneficiaries in resorting to violent protests to demand the payment of outstanding stipends.

He urged them to always dialogue to drive home their grievances.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

14

NEWS

Job placements for ITF trainees hit 70 per cent, says DG

T

HE Industrial Training Fund has achieved over 70 per cent job placement for its trainees across major sectors of the economy, the DirectorGeneral, ITF, Dr. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko has said.

She said the ITF’s focus was to ennsure 100 per cent employment for trainees that benefited from various trainings conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association and other organisations.

Chukkas-Onaeko spoke in Washington, DC, United States, while briefing stakeholders on the ITF-NECA collaboration.

She said, “Our focus is to achieve 100 percent employ-

ment for all trainees that come on the platform. And so far, I would say that we have done quite well.Up to 70 percent get retained by the companies that work with us to train these people, and some go to sister companies, other companies that offer the same services, and they get employed.”

Over 74,000 Nigerians have been trained in various vocational and technical areas under the 1,000 per state training scheme, while about one million benefitted from the overall ITF training projects, in-house and across industries in the last one year.

The DG noted that the ITF would continue to increase the number of trainees in the coming years to further ad-

dress the issues of unemployment in the country. Already the process of training two million annually has commenced, according to ITF. “I have told my team that we should look at training and working on getting jobs for at least 50 percent of four million people to be trained.

That is because the need is huge. If we don’t do this considering the number of youths that graduate from the universities every year, from the polytechnics and even the secondary schools, the unemployment rate will continue to grow at a very high rate,” the DG said.

She added that the ITF would adopt a holistic approach in tackling skills problems and called for the

cooperation of both the public and private sector stakeholders in ensuring the right skills for sustainable development of Nigeria’s economy.

“The number of those living below poverty line is also high and we just need to do everything possible to reduce it. Because the figures are high, we need positive collaborations to achieve success, which is why we have entered into collaborations with different stakeholders. With concerted efforts and innovative thinking, we will get there,” she stated.

While restatingthe Fund’s commitment to job creation and poverty alleviation, the ITF boss said it was the ITF’s

responsibility to lay the foundation for sustainable growth and development through training for impact.

The DG added that the Fund was collaborating with youths to identify their needs in a bid to work out solutions to leverage on their comparative advantages to develop critical sectors.

“Right now, we are engaging more of the youths to work out solutions, to help us identify their needs. I have worked with them to carry out some feasibility studies on some two areas that are emerging and they are excited about the work to do,” she said, even as she was quick to add that ITF trainees were not just being trained for the Nigerian employers

I’m not running away from EFCC, says Kuku

T

•Kuku being wheeled into an ambulance From Sikiru Akinola, Ibadan

His words: “The success of the Amnesty Programme is my pride. Failure of the project may take us back again to what we witnessed some years back. I am proud of the template and legacy I left behind. Today, Amnesty project has trained pilots as we have sent our students to the best aviation school in the

world. We have about 100 students in Lufthansa training school in Germany.

“In addition, we have about 550 students in the United States, more than 300 in Europe and more than 1000 in Nigeria.

I, therefore, urge the new coordinator to take human audit and balance it with what was allocated to the agency in order to draw a line between those frivolous and malicious peti-

tion being sent around.

“I am a patriotic Nigerian; I have future and image to protect. Therefore, my integrity is more important to me than vanity of this world. The total liberation of my people of Niger Delta from poverty, unemployment, backwardness and illiteracy motivated me to design a program that will empower our youth.

“I have no regret serving

Nigeria under former President Goodluck Jonathan. As human being, we must have made some mistakes in course of discharging our duty. I have no foreign bank account, I have no house anywhere apart from Nigeria and I have since returned all government properties in my possession, including my diplomatic passport before leaving office.”

PDP’s BoT meeting in Bayelsa sparks row

I

T was meant to bring peace. But a meeting by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State to reconcile feuding groups ahead of the December 5 governorship election has provoked more controversies.

The Acting Chairman of the party’s BoT, Dr. Haliru Mohammed, it was gathered, presided over the parley which was convened on Sunday at the courtyard of the former President Goodluck Jonathan in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the meeting was at the behest of Jonathan, who was said to be making efforts to halt the exodus of his party men to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A core decision taken at the gathering, it was learnt, was the lifting of the suspension and expulsion of party leaders by the State Working Committee (SWC).

The SWC, in a move supported by the Governor Seriake Dickson, expelled for

‘

It is senseless to say that a sitting governor who also initiated the reconciliation and a former governor who is the chairman of the reconciliation committee were barred from attending a meeting. It is unbelievable. Nothing of such happened

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

anti-party activities during the last general elections.

They were sanctioned a few months after the state chairman of the party was suspended for allegedly diverting N40million campaign funds donated by the former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke – an allegation he denied.

But the move backfired and led to a prolonged crisis that saw some disgruntled people pitching their tent with the APC. The Saturday meeting, which started at 11am, however, ended with antiDickson forces claiming that the governor and the chairman of the state Reconciliation Committee were barred from the gathering.

One of the anti-Dickson party members said the

meeting, insisted that Dickson and Alameiyesiegha should not be part of it.

The source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The two were asked to leave and were accompanied out of the venue by Haliru before the meeting commenced. They accused Alamieseigha of taking sides and insisted that he should not be party of the gathering.

But a loyalist of the governor who spoke in confidence said nobody was walked out of the meeting.

He said: “This is part of a campaign of calumny against Dickson. I was present at the meeting and nobody was walked out. It is senseless to say that a sitting governor who also initiated the reconciliation and a former governor who is the chairman of the reconcilia-

EFCC sues Goodie Ibru, others for alleged N1b fraud

By Adebisi Onanuga

F

ORMER chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Kingsley Kuku has said he is not running from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Kuku, who is said to be receiving medical treatment at the St. Andrew Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, explained that he was already in the United States (U.S.) for his medical procedure before the letter was sent to his former office in Abuja.

He sent a photograph to show he has just undergone surgery.

He said: “The letter from the EFCC is just a mere invitation and why would any reasonable leader shy away from making clarification on his stewardship when necessary?”

Speaking on phone with The Nation, he promised to return to Nigeria. He hailed ?President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) as his successor, promising to give him all necessary support to make him succeed.

alone.

She said, “We are not just training for the Nigerian industries. We believe that when the youths are empowered and they want to go to Europe, US, Asia, wherever, they should go well skilled, ready to add value to that society.

“So, my focus is to ensure that ITF is well-positioned to deliver effectively, efficiently on its mandate, which is to build indigenous capacity sufficient to meet the needs of the industry, both in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

’

tion committee were barred from attending a meeting. It is unbelievable. Nothing of such happened”.

Also, the Secretary of the state Reconciliation Committee, Chief Thompson Okorotie, said there was no time the governor or any member of the party was walked out of the meeting.

He said the Haliru-led committee met with groups separately as part of diplomacy in resolving the crisis.

“Dickson had an engagement to inaugurate the Nembe City stadium. So after concluding his meeting with the committee, he was allowed to go for his engagement with his entourage. We also followed him to Nembe.

“Alamieyeseigha followed us to Nembe. Even the former President left shortly because the committee wanted to be left alone with

the people they invited to meet. So, it is not true that he was walked out of the meeting,” he said.

Also, the state Secertary of PDP, Mr. Godspower Keku, said the meeting ended peacefully, with a call on feuding members and stakeholders to close ranks, ahead of the forthcoming governorship poll.

He said the meeting resolved to rescind the suspension and expulsion of some members, who had despite the internal squabbles, remained in the PDP, unlike those, who defected to the opposition.

He said the decision was taken in the best interest of the party, especially with a crucial election around the corner.

According to him, the decision was taken on Dickson’s request.

He, however, pointed out that, the lifting of the suspensions was still subject to the ratification of the state’s working committee, which is expected to deliberate on it soon.

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sued former Chairman of Ikeja Hotels Plc, Mr. Goodie Ibru for alleged fraudulent conversion of N1,092,228,915.75 said to be property of the hotel.

He was, in addition, alleged to have fraudulently converted 63,084 pounds sterling and $33,976, also said to be property of the hotel.

Mr. Ibru is facing an 11count charge offence of conspiracy to steal and stealing by fraudulent conversion in the suit before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of the High Court of Lagos State.

He was charged with three other corporate organisations as defendants – Associated Ventures International Limited, IHL Services Limited and Clearview Investment Limited.

The EFCC, in the first and second charges, alleged that Ibru and other defendants had, between January and December 2010, conspired to steal by fraudulently converting N867,700,990 property of Ikeja Hotels Plc, which sum was allegedly received through Starwood Limited(Managers of Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja) as profit due to the hotel.

In the third count, the anti-graft agency further alleged that the defendants, had between June and October 2010, with intent to defraud, fraudulently converted to personal use, a sum of N55,102,485.50 received through Starwood Limited as profit due to the hotel.

The defendants were also alleged to have, with intent to defraud, fraudulently converted to personal use, various sums received through Starwood Limited as profit due to the hotel: 10,075 pounds sterling and $13,373; N21, 366,013.00; N120,550,661.00; 2,400 Euros; 50,6099 pound sterlings and $20,603 - between January 2010 and February 2015.

EFCC alleged that the defendants also, with intent to defraud, fraudulently converted to personal use N27, 508,766.25 in February 2010, property of Ikeja Hotels Plc, which sum was said to have been received through Clearview Investment Limited as proceeds of the sale of Ikeja Hotels property.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

NATION SPORT

PSG want to win all possible - Al-Khelaifi

P

ARIS Saint-Germain president, Nasser AlKhelaifi is confident the club will continue to improve and become a dominant force in Europe.

Laurent Blanc's men added to last season's domestic treble with a 2-0 win over Lyon in the Trophee des Champions in Montreal on Saturday.

The Ligue 1 side also beat the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea to the International Champions Cup in their preseason tour of the United States.

And Al-Khelaifi is confident the team will add more titles over the coming years and begin to challenge the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

"Once again, I am a proud and happy president of Paris Saint-Germain," he said of their latest trophy win. "I congratulate the players and the staff for this victory - our third in a row.

"It is a reward for the tremendous work done by the

•Khelaifi

players and staff during preseason, which was also marked by our victory in the International Champions Cup against our leading European rivals.

"These victories confirm this success and all our ambitions remain the same: to win all possible titles in France and continue to grow in Europe."

Taechaubol announces Milan agreement

B

EE Taechaubol has confirmed an agreement has been reached to buy a 48-per-cent stake in Milan from president, Silvio Berlusconi.

The Thai businessman was granted exclusive rights to discuss a deal with Milan's owners in early June and those talks have now reached a successful conclusion, with Berlusconi and his company Fininvest holding the majority share.

"A great honour to complete the AC Milan agreement with president Berlusconi, a phenomenal leader," Taechaubol

posted on Instagram with a picture of himself and the Milan president.

Meanwhile, Taechaubol gave an insight into his plans for the club in an interview with Mediaset – a company owned by Berlusconi.

"We signed an agreement that allows our investors to start working very soon for the club", he is quoted as saying.

"We agree we want to grow Milan more around the world.

I will be seen most at San Siro in the role of a supporter with president Berlusconi."

Guardiola laments late goal in Supercup defeat

P

EP Guardiola lamented Bayern Munich's inability to see out the final minutes of the DFL-Supercup, as Nicklas Bendtner starred for Wolfsburg.

Bayern appeared destined to win their fifth Supercup title courtesy of Arjen Robben's opener five minutes into the second half, only for substitute Bendtner to force penalties

•Guardiola

with his 89th-minute equaliser on Saturday.

And Bendtner was the hero in the shoot-out as Wolfsburg emerged 5-4 victors after Xabi Alonso missed his spot-kick.

Guardiola paid credit to Wolfsburg, who finished runners-up to Bayern in the Bundesliga last season.

"Congratulations to Dieter [Hecking] for the Supercup," said Guardiola, who watched on as Bayern lost the Supercup for the third consecutive year.

"It's not easy to play against such a great team. A team that plays in the (UEFA) Champions League. Especially last season they did very well.

"It's a pity because we just had to defend for about two or three [more] minutes. We haven't played badly. It's not easy to play against Wolfsburg.

They play very wide, have a good direct passing game and put in dangerous crosses.

"We will try to get here again next season by winning the championship. It goes on and on.

"First, the Audi Cup, then the match in the DFB-Pokal, and then the start of the Bundesliga. We now focus on the next goal."

Vidal targets Champions League win with Bayern Munich A

RTURO Vidal says the chances of achieving European glory is what convinced him to leave Juventus for Bayern Munich as he is desperate to win the Champions League this season.

The Chile international reached the Champions League final with the Serie A champions last season, but believes he has a better chance of winning the competition with Pep Guardiola's men.

"I have come here to win the Champions League," he told reporters.

"Hopefully it will be this year, but I will spend several years here and hope to win as many cups as I possibly can.

"I will play in midfield

•Arturo Vidal (right) in action in the German Super Cup the same way I did with the national team and with Juventus. That is where I feel more comfortable."

Vidal made his official debut for Bayern on Saturday as they lost out on the first piece of silverware of the season to Wolfsburg in

the DFB Supercup.

The 28-year-old previously enjoyed a spell in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen between 2007 and 2011.

Ronaldinho returns to Brazil top flight

R

ONALDINHO marked his return to

the Brazilian top-flight by helping set up Fluminense’s goal in a 1-0 win over his former club, Gremio.

The former Brazil international and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year was making his first appearance since his departure from Liga MX outfit Queretaro.

Ronaldinho drifted a long pass to Wellington Paulista, who nodded down to Marcos Junior to score the 77thminute winner in Rio de Janeiro.

•Ronaldinho

Gremio had been reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Walace saw red.

Fluminense are third in the Brazilian Serie A, while fittingly for Ronaldinho, the clash was against the club he grew up at in Gremio.

The 97-time Brazil international has enjoyed spells at Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro and Fluminense since his decorated career in Europe came to an end in 2011.

Ronaldinho is contracted at Fluminense until the end of 2016, when he will be 36.

Lampard targets MLS play-offs for City

M

IDFIELDER Frank Lampard is confident New York City can make the MLS play-offs and push for the title after making his debut on Saturday.

The former Chelsea and England star made his debut at Yankee Stadium, coming on for the final 20 minutes of City’s 3-2 loss to the Montreal Impact.

Jason Kreis’ men have been inconsistent, winning just one of their past four matches to be three points outside the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

But Lampard feels there is enough quality in his team, with Andrea Pirlo and David Villa alongside him, to push for a top-six finish.

“There’s obviously things we need to improve because we’re not winning enough games,” he said.

“I don’t have too many fears to be honest. I think we have the quality we’ve got in the team. I think once we get a bit of time to settle down, we’ve got a long week this week, important games coming up.

“We’re all aware of that but it’s within us to do what we want. I think there’s enough ability here to go on a run of wins, put us in competition for a play-off spot which is what we all want here.

“We’re here to go to the playoffs, we’re not here to make up the numbers in year one. We want to go all the way.”

Lampard said he had not trained enough ahead of his debut, which was delayed by

a calf injury.

However, the 37-year-old said he was keen to be involved and he hopes an improvement in fitness will lead to him contributing more.

“I’ve only been able to train with the team the last day and

a half, two days, really,” Lampard said.

“So it was quite pushy to be involved today but fair play to Jason, he wants me involved and he understands I really want to be involved. So it’s 20

minutes under the belt if anything.

“As I say, from now on, now I’ve got that and I’ve come through. I need to get right, I need to get fit as I possibly can, train with the team and try to contribute.”

Fournier ´worried´ by Lyon pre-season

L

YON coach Hubert Fournier acknowledges his side have plenty of work to do ahead of the Ligue 1 season, after being comfortably beaten by Paris Saint-

Germain in the Trophee des Champions.

PSG added another trophy to their collection in Montreal on Saturday with a routine 20 success as Lyon's difficult pre-

•Fournier

season campaign continued.

Despite new deals for Nabil Fekir, Anthony Lopes and Samuel Umtiti and the acquisition of Claudio Beauvue, Lyon have won just one friendly.

With a 6-0 Emirates Cup drubbing at the hands of Arsenal fresh in the memory, Fournier acknowledged the need for improvement.

"It's worrying. We came across a better team than us... but there was a world of difference. There is a lot of work to do," he told reporters.

"Beyond losing against Paris, what is worrying is the moods and concerns of some players that penalise us collectively and individually.

"There are things to be resolved but I'm not surprised, there have been many changes and we see that they are struggling to meet these changes.

"We must quickly regroup.

The performance does not match the high investment that was made this summer. We are disappointed.

"Since the beginning of our preparation, we have seen behaviour that has not been in line with the highest level."

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

NATION SPORT COMMUNITY SHIELD

Wenger hails defensive solidity •Monk

Swansea still working on Michu exit – Monk

S

WANSEA City are still working towards an agreement that will see Michu depart the Liberty Stadium, says manager Garry Monk.

Michu proved a huge fans favourite with the Welsh club after he plundered 18 Premier League goals in his debut season in 2012-13 – form that saw Swansea chairman, Huw Jenkins value him at £30million.

However, he struggled to replicate that form in his second campaign and spent last season on loan at Napoli where injuries restricted him to just three Serie A appearances.

The 29-year-old forward is not a part of Monk’s plans for the coming season, but Michu – who has been linked with former club Rayo Vallecano – has yet to find a new club.

“We’re still trying to come to an agreement that suits both parties and hopefully help Michu find what he needs to find,” Monk said.

“But we’re in the same situation as I’ve spoken about before.

“You’d imagine (he’ll leave permanently). He has just this year left on his contract, so we’re just trying to come to an agreement that suits Michu himself and this club.”

•Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas - who was booed by the Gunners faithful at Wembley - is challenge by Aaron Ramsey

A

RSENE Wenger hailed Arsenal's defensive solidity as he recorded a first win over Jose Mourinho to lift the Community Shield on Sunday.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's solitary goal was decisive at Wembley as Arsenal retained the Shield with a 1-0 victory over Premier League champions Chelsea with new signing Petr Cech able to keep a clean sheet against his former club.

Wenger was pleased with the effort on show in the curtain-raiser and hopes his new defensive line-up, led by Cech, can build on their impressive end to the 2014-15

•Mourinho

COMMUNITY SHIELD:

Mourinho throws away medal

C

HELSEA manager, Jose Mourinho threw away his Community Shield medal after his side's 10 defeat to Arsenal at Wembley.

The Blues boss threw the medal into the crowd before walking down the Wembley tunnel with Bobby Gill, aged 10, catching it.

"It's the medal for the loser... it's a good memory for him," Mourinho told BT Sport.

"Chelsea was the best team,

had the more initiative, had good control and good ball possession.

But you know it is that moment of the season where everyone is behind - the energy, the intensity to turn results is more difficult because people are not sharp, and don't have intensity.

"Arsenal defended with a very low block, they defended with 10 men they put everybody in front of their line with very good organisation so, congratulations."

•Rooney

campaign.

"We have suffered physically (at times) today, the pitch was not great," Wenger told BT Sport. "We got 1-0 up, but perhaps fought too much to protect our lead.

"But overall it is good, throughout pre-season we have been solid defensively, it is a good place (to be) ahead of the new champion-

ship.

"Pre-season has gone quite well, we have built on the continuity of last season. We have a good spirit."

The performance of Cech impressed Per Mertesacker, the central defender heaping praise on Arsenal's new goalkeeper after his assured display.

Mertesacker added: "He

has so much experience, he gives us a huge boost before the season, his contribution massive, but let's not expect too much.

"It's another win, we've played a decent pre-season so far, it's good prep for (the) first game. It says nothing, but is a title for us, it keeps confidence high. We are pretty happy with our performance."

Rooney returns as Villarreal spoil Ferguson´s party

V

I L L A R R E A L spoiled Duncan Ferguson's testimonial - running out 2-1 winners against an Everton side that featured the

club's former striker Wayne Rooney as a late substitute.

Ferguson - who scored 72 goals in 273 games across two spells for the club - was introduced for the final seven minutes of Sunday's friendly at Goodison Park shortly after Manchester United star Rooney came off the bench.

Rooney's reception included boos and cheers from the home crowd many on Merseyside still unhappy at the manner of his exit to United in 2004 - while Ferguson was treated to a rapturous welcome.

The pair played together during Rooney's first-team debut in 2002, but reunited the duo failed to haul Everton back after Gerard and Matias Nahuel put the Spanish side in control.

Tyias Browning handed Everton hope, but Roberto Martinez's side failed to give their former striking hero a win ahead of the side's Premier League opener against Watford on Saturday.

Despite the hosts enjoying the better of the opening half hour, Everton fell

behind to Gerard's closerange finish eight minutes from the break.

An outswinging corner was flicked on by Leo Baptistao to allow Gerard to convert from inside the penalty area - Leighton Baines and Leon Osman having lost their men in the box.

Ross Barkley was among those introduced at the break, but Everton continued to lack a cutting edge in the final third.

That was punished shortly after the hour when Nahuel outmuscled Seamus Coleman before clipping the ball over Tim Howard.

Steven Naismith went close twice before Chelsea target John Stones appeared to pick up a knock.

Rooney came on for the final 16 minutes to a mixed reception from the Goodison Park crowd and smashed a shot wide prior to Ferguson's introduction.

Browning headed home from a corner to reduce the arrears, with Ferguson failing to connect with another setpiece soon after as Villarreal held firm for the victory.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Quest for renewable energy

Banned!

• It’s not enough to ban the 113 oil vessels, government must lay charges against their owners and their local collaborators

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HE focus of the Buhari administration’s battle against impunity and brazen criminality appears to have shifted to the legion of foreign vessels facilitating illicit trade in the nation’s crude. Citing a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in a letter dated July 15, banned 113 crude oil tankers from engaging in crude oil, gas loading activities in any of the terminals within the Nigerian territorial waters. The affected vessels were also barred from movements within the nation’s territorial waters with immediate effect. The letter gave no reason(s).

However, industry sources listed among possible reasons, alleged sharp practices in outturn figures –differences between the volume loaded and the figures eventually delivered at the port of discharge, and perhaps failures to settle port and maritime charges.

Indeed, the global oil tanker industry association, INTERTANKO, may have admitted to much of the infractions when in a note to its members, the association’s general counsel, Michele White, observed: “Our current understanding is that these ships may have been targeted due to a failure to provide official outturn figures at their last call and/or commercial differences between load and discharge figures for cargo and free water”.

Interestingly, the note was sequel to its protest letter to the NNPC requesting that the latter rescind the ban in the absence of “evidence or grounds” for the ban. The relevant portion of the let-

ter read – “INTERTANKO protests in the strongest possible way that these bans should be lifted with immediate effect until grounds and evidence for the ban have been given to each vessel and vessel owner/operator, and the owner/operator has had an opportunity to respond.”

We think the issues are quite clear. Nigeria as a sovereign country not only reserves the right to determine those who can do business within its territory, but also under what conditions such activities can take place. If merely in the context of the ongoing clean-up of the oil industry value chain, particularly the mess known to attend the trade and transportation of Nigeria’s crude, the measure would seem both apt and timely.

INTERTANKO’s position is no doubt understandable. The issue is whether the protection and defence of the rights and interests of its members can be regarded as superior to the strategic interests of a sovereign nation. Would INTERTANKO have preferred that the vessels be allowed to carry on despite what the body itself admitted to as possible corporate derelictions?

Can INTERTANKO claim to be oblivious of the industrial scale theft of oil that has gone on for so long almost unchallenged in Nigeria’s maritime environment involving its members? Would it have been too much to expect that the global tankers body collaborate with the Nigerian authorities to end a scourge sapping the nation’s juices while giving its members a bad name at the same time?

At this point in time, the message must come clear from the Federal Government,

that whereas the culture of denial – or playing the ostrich – may have served INTERTANKO and other such vested interests in the past, such has no place under the current presidency.

That is not to say that the Federal Government does not have more work to do in this regard. Indeed, the ban can only be a first step. We expect the Federal Ministry of Justice to lay out specific charges bordering on economic crime against the offending vessels and their local collaborators, either locally or in foreign jurisdictions. The justice of it demands that the owners and their collaborators have their days in court. The same goes for functionaries in the NNPC, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the maritime security agencies. For once, the nation wants to see the lid lifted on the activities of specific functionaries whose roles contributed to bringing the economy to the current state.

‘Indeed, the ban can only be a first step. We expect the Federal Ministry of Justice to lay out specific charges bordering on economic crime against the offending vessels and their local collaborators, either locally or in foreign jurisdictions. The justice of it demands that the owners and their collaborators have their days in court’

Access vs. quality

•The Federal Government should not interfere in varsity admissions

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HE Federal Government’s decision to overrule a recent directive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) does little to help resolve the admissions crisis currently facing the country’s universities, in spite of its avowed good intentions.

In an attempt to streamline the nearchaotic situation in popular universities which regularly attract far more candidates than they can possibly admit, JAMB had, at its 2015 Combined Policy Meeting, directed that applicants for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) would be reassigned to other universities with lower numbers of applicants.

Based on that decision, schools like the universities of Ibadan, Ilorin, Lagos, Calabar and Benin, as well as Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, were sent lists of candidates which excluded

‘The huge numbers seeking admission are indicative of an institutional anomaly characterised by the lack of viable alternatives ... and the overwhelming preference for white-collar jobs. By compelling universities to reopen their gates to students who met the minimum cut-off marks initially specified by JAMB, government has simply reinstituted the problem without solving it’

those who had been assigned to other schools which were not their first-choice institutions. In addition, the University of Lagos took the opportunity to raise its cutoff marks for the post-UTME to 250 from the 180-mark minimum approved by JAMB as a means of further reducing the pool of candidates to manageable levels.

These measures have led to protests by parents, students and other stakeholders who argue that it is unjust to ostensibly change the rules in the middle of the game. It was apparently in response to this outcry that the Federal Government overruled JAMB. While government may have acted from the best of motives, it must be realised that intervening in the actions of a government agency with a specific mandate is not the best thing to do. JAMB’s measures were aimed at partially resolving the so-called crisis of access that has continued to bedevil tertiary education. About 1.475 million students sat the UTME in 2015. There are places for only about 30 per cent of that number; in the 2012-2013 academic session, the nation’s then -128 universities admitted just 520,000 candidates out of the 1.735 million who sought admission.

Government’s intervention does nothing to solve this recurring problem. Several schools have been swamped by far more candidates than they have the capacity to admit. About 85,495 UTME applicants sought admission to University of Ilorin; University of Benin got 60,020 applicants. Even if they exceed their admission quotas as they are known to do, none of these schools will admit up to 10,000 candidates each.

It is clear that the issues are much more fundamental than just those of admission.

Universities are by definition competitive entities reserved for those who have the intellectual ability to secure entry to them. The huge numbers seeking admission are indicative of an institutional anomaly characterised by the lack of viable alternatives like sound vocational education, the widespread disregard for other forms of tertiary education and the overwhelming preference for white-collar jobs.

By compelling universities to reopen their gates to students who met the minimum cut-off marks initially specified by JAMB, government has simply reinstituted the problem without solving it. Once again, universities are going to witness chaotic scenes as postUTME venues are forced to accommodate more candidates than they can cater for. Fraudsters and other criminals will have a field day ripping off desperate parents and applicants. Candidates who never had a realistic chance of getting into their preferred schools will see their hopes frustrated for yet another year.

Nigeria can no longer afford to turn its annual university admission process into a mad rush in which thousands of hapless candidates suffer needlessly.

Rather than interfere in the work of JAMB, government should simply scrap it and permit universities to set their own admission criteria. It should focus its energies on offering workable alternatives in vocational education, upgrade qualified monotechnics and polytechnics to universities, and expand the scope of other forms of tertiary education. Only then will the country no longer have to make the false choice between access and quality.

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IR: The world marches towards December United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP21) Paris Climate Summit to know what effort governments are taking on how to cut emissions for the post 2020 period.

Ahead of the conference this year, Nigeria inaugurated a nine-man inter-ministerial committee to prepare the framework for its active participation. Nigeria’s commitment should go beyond attending alone but also ensure national implementation of the climate change policies with reference to its obligation under the climate change convention and also the development of national policy on climate change.

Some countries have promised to cut their emission. EU for instance promised to cut theirs by 40% by 2030 and Switzerland has promised 50%. For now, Nigeria has not made any declaration on percentage reduction on its climate emission but awareness on the need to shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy is on to save lives and the nation’s economy. Nigeria cannot ignore the need to reduce harmful effects of climate change and the call for an end to human activities that contribute to it. Shifting from fossil fuel to renewable energy will directly contribute to poverty alleviation by providing the energy needed for businesses and employment.

Renewable energy technologies can also make indirect contributions to alleviating poverty by providing energy for cooking, space heating, lighting and contributing to education by providing electricity to schools.

Nigeria must begin to institutionalise its development of energy efficiency and renewable energy with appropriate goals and objectives to increase the use of renewable energy resources in areas where grid extension is too costly and where opportunities for the use of renewables is needed. Nigerian government does not need subsidies for fossil fuels as it impedes the pace of the transition to renewable energy use. Likewise, market transformation mechanisms similar to that adopted in the developed countries which will encourage more rapid development of its energy efficiency and renewable energy potential should be explored.

Active participation of Nigeria in the global climate change deliberation to negotiate a better deal for Nigeria and Africa is therefore necessary. The suggestion that oil-producing countries should be compensated for their projected income losses in the event of their energy diversification should be vigorously argued and canvassed. Nigeria can only be sure that its interest is protected in the emergent global reduction strategy if it increases its level of participation in climate awareness.

It is imperative that full attention be paid to ways through which the Nigerian economy can be diversified and steered away from fossil fuels both in terms of production and consumption. No oil spills, no climate change, no radiation danger, no nuclear waste – renewable energy is simply the energy we can trust. We can achieve a Nigeria with 100 per cent renewable energy.

•Bakare Wale, Ilorin, Kwara State TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Discipline of a soldier could help move Nigeria from era of impunity. Military regimen is built on structures.

The foundation of the nation’s governance is collapsed by leaderships who did not have resistance to unruly factors. Democracy could borrow strict adherence to orderliness of the military occasionally to strengthen its institutions. This is by no means to suggest the superiority of a military regime to democratic dispensation.

Nigerians who are politically aware sensed the leadership disaster in the country prior to the last presidential election. Call of duty prompted them to favour a retired General. Opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s candidacy in the last election were mostly operating from the standpoint of the horrific past military leadership

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EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Making a soldier a democrat experience repeating itself. Like deja vu, some recent actions of the president are giving them jittery feelings. One may choose to look at these unfortunate decisions and utterances by the president as part of the floundering of making a soldier a democrat. Luckily, the lack of leadership tools that made military regime dark are suffused with the broad canvas and colorful palette offered by democracy for the president to paint with.

It is a common saying that old soldier never dies. However, one will beg the president to bury some of the intractable qualities that make military system unappealing. He should consult extensively within the confines of democracy before embarking on policy decisions. Democracy is not a one man’s show but rather a drama encompassing of different frameworks. It will behove him to consider many factors in the Nigerian context before for-

Boko Haram: Yes we can!

IR: THE e activities of Boko Haram has without doubt resulted in catastrophic socioeconomic damage, aggravating Nigeria’s unemployment crisis as well as engendering fear in the minds of potential investors, among other adverse effects. At the initial manifestation of the terrorist tendencies of Boko Haram in the 2000s, the government treated the sect with kidgloves hoping it will die a natural death. Unfortunately, the sect has grown into a monster ravaging our society. This is a lesson for government at all levels to pay conscious attention to happenings in the environment, a vital lesson in crisis management.

Despite being a ‘made-in-Nigeria’ phenomenon, the tentacles of Boko Haram have spread to neighbouring Cameroon, Niger, and other countries. The sect has carried out dastardly attacks in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Mali. These countries have also been used by the sect for refuge, training, transit, planning attacks as well as recruiting new members. Boko Haram has also reinforced its position by forging strong international alliance with Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), al-Qa`ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), among others. Furthermore,

the crisis that occurred in the North African countries of Libya, Egypt and Tunisia popularly known as Arab Spring which has ensured the proliferation of arms and ammunitions in large scale has also strengthened Boko Haram as weapons are readily available to the sect.

Nigeria’s fight against the insurgent group hitherto has been beset with numerous challenges. Like a recurring decimal, wanton corruption among public office holders especially those involved in the fight against Boko Haram in one way or the other, has ensured that defeating Boko Haram will remain a Herculean task, unless there are concrete efforts to reverse this trend.

Inspite of these challenges however, it is not all hopeless. We must continue to support the Nigerian military in whatever capacity to ensure victory against these daredevil insurgents. The change of baton in the hierarchy of the armed forces offers a glimmer of hope as these new officers are not unfamiliar with the fight against insurgency as well as the territory of the north-east. This is a major plus which if maximally exploited will contribute in no small measure to Nigeria’s victory over the Boko Harm sect. As an indication of the reinvigoration of the army in the

fight against insurgency, it has been revealed that the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Turkur Buratai, has established a special force with the requisite skills needed to navigate the expansive North-east region of Nigeria, to complement the ground troops in the fight against terrorism.

Cheering is also the news that the revitalized Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) which was headed by Maj. Gen. Burutai prior to his appointment as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff and its headquarters located in N’Djamena, Chad, is set for action.

Beyond these however, getting the fight against Boko Haram by the government must include conscious efforts aimed at reducing poverty in the country, addressing the al-majiri scenario in the northern part of the country, halt in the growing unemployment level in the country, among others. All these are long term efforts geared towards the avoidance of a resurgence of insurgent groups such as Boko Haram as “an idle hand is the devil’s workshop”. Similarly, neighbouring countries must also take the war against Boko Haram to the next level, in order to complement Nigeria’s effort in the fight against terrorism.

Ishola Ebenezer Lagos.

mulating a policy decision. It is not enough to appoint someone to an office, for example, based on his sentiment alone.

The qualities that made him an astute soldier could wind up causing his undoing as a democratically elected president. The love of his people and followers could hamper his realization that he is the president of a nation of many tribal and religious groups. Resoluteness of attempting to live up to the expec-

tations of his zealous supporters could derail his focus of executing a fair governance.

Welcome to democracy! It will not take long before the president exhausts his grace period. There will not be military shield to protect him from the firing shots of opponents.

It is either he has the constitution on his side or he will face a hostile battle to complete his tenure.

Nigeria is fortunate at this point in history to have President Buhari who is worldly acclaimed to be a man of integrity. That, in itself, is a saving grace for the mess made of the country by previous leaderships. He can only be better by allowing the forces of democracy to carry him along. One believes he cares enough for the country to make the change.

•Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

Need for Economic Reconciliation C’mittee

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IR: THE election of President Muhammadu Buhari has brought about some level of trust in governance of the nation by the international communities and the Nigeria people. His election on March 28 brought peace instead of the anticipated chaos. The peace that existed from election of President Buhari is more important than the celebrated acceptance of defeat by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan by a few who are looking for ‘non-scarlet’ cloth to clean their dented faces.

It is hoped that by the antecedent of the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Odigie Oyegun, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and others, the economy will be meticulously managed considering the empty treasury and battered economy APC inherited from PDP. While prudence is required from the President and his team, Nigerians from all walks of life should join their hands together, support them and believe in their ability to bring the desired change. Public servants, civil servants, workers in private sector, industrialists, religious leaders, civil society and non-governmental organizations should with sincerity of heart and purpose, work hard toward this new course of national development.

Fraud and other corrupt practices

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should be exposed at both low and high places. The take off Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries is a welcome development. After 16 years they are now working.

Having said this, it is clear that the new administration needs money to be able to fix the economy and fight insecurity. Every segment of the economy is sick and needs urgent attention. As oil price is not stable, and with the devaluation of naira, one other way to generate money is for all who have defrauded our commonwealth to return the money for national development. As the President said that he was not going to probe anybody but will recover money stolen from the national treasury, it may mean that he has ‘granted economic amnesty’ to looters of our economy.

I therefore recommend the establishment of Economic Reconciliation Committee to manage the process and the proceeds. They should take advantage of this economic amnesty.

Anything short of this, civil society organizations and well meaning Nigerians must mount pressure on the President to initiate a probe. Impunity must stop.

• Dr. Eugenes Ndelekwute, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

COMMENTS

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T looked like denialism, culturally endorsed and encouraged. Media reports that said Oba Okunade Sijuade, the Ooni of Ife since 1980 and a pre-eminent Yoruba monarch, was dead sounded like nonsense to the community’s circle of chiefs. High Chief Joseph Ijadola, the Lowa of Ife, presented the sense of the palace: “We were all shocked when we heard the rumour. If at all such an incident had happened, the traditional council would be the first to know and to break the news to the entire public. Sixteen of us are his chiefs and when he was travelling out, he didn’t look like he was going to die and should that have happened to him, we would have been informed even before anyone would hear about it.” It is noteworthy that Ijadola didn’t say that kings never die, or that Oba Sijuade could not die.

With the question of the king’s mortality settled, Oba Sijuade cannot be dead and alive at the same time. It is interesting that Yoruba cultural thinking accommodates the conceptual possibility of life after death just as it accepts the reality of death after life. In other words: If he is not dead, he will die; and if he is dead, he will not die. The essence of this belief is that there is an enduring partnership between life and death. In this context, the eternal lesson of the drama of colliding and conflicting claims about Oba Sijuade’s existence and exit is the marriage of mortality and immortality.

In the global village of the communication age, news travels fast and far. This reality poses a powerful challenge to the conservative information management that is culturally prescribed in the event of a Yoruba king’s death. There are complications because Oba Sijuade reportedly died in a foreign land, on July 28 at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London. If the reported death had happened in the Oba’s domain, it would have been perfect for the enforcement of traditional secrecy. The London dimension instantaneously internationalised the news, and it is unsurprising that traditionalists are wrestling with modernity and modernised media.

In addition, in an increasingly open world, the space of mystification is shrinking, which is a potent challenge to the romantic mystique associated with certain ancient cultural practices. To allow a reign of silence for a specific period before announcing a king’s death, as reportedly dictated by Yoruba tradition, is out of sync with the information philosophy of the 21st century, which is speed-oriented.

The beginning of a seven-day Oro festival believed to be related to the reported death deepened the drama, though traditionalists observed that important and clearly defined rituals expected to publicise the death of an Ooni have not been performed, meaning that Oba Sijuade may not be dead as reported.

Interestingly, the source of confusion is not Oba Sijuade’s first obituary. According to the Secretary, Royal Traditional Council of Ife, the Ladin of Ife, High Chief Adetoye Odewole, ”They did it in 1984, also in 2004 and now, these people are coming up with another rumour. Oba Sijuade remains in sound state of health.”

Critical obituarists focused on Oba Sijuade’s alleged unprogressive tendencies in the country’s political sphere

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N a syndicated publication in several newspapers and primetime news-reports in the electronic media, a group known as the Public Interest Lawyers League, accused the Department of State Security (DSS) of intimidating, coercing and detaining vital witnesses of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at Abuja. Earlier, the same group of lawyers had accused the DSS of harassing the Akwa-Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, Austin Okojie so that he will acquiesce in the execution of an alleged plot to deny the PDP the governorship seat in the state. Of course, not to be left out in this DSS-bashing game is a group of senators and members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State under the auspices of Rivers State Caucus, National Assembly, led by Senator George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers South-East Senatorial District), who claim that the secret service is being used to armtwist the hands of the electoral tribunal hearing the petition against Governor Nyesom Wike.

A single thread that runs through their protests is the unsubstantiated claim that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has elicited the services of the DSS as a manipulative and armtwisting tool to reclaim the governorship seats from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states. In a press statement signed by Abdul Mahmud and Mathew Jibril, President and Executive Director respectively, the Public Interest Lawyers criticized the DSS over what it described as “certain hideous occurrences, outside of the courtroom, that portend clear and present danger to the ends of justice in the election dispute”. Similarly, the group claims that the allegations against Okojie “were inappropriate and the APC had no right to conclude that the man’s actions (Okojie) were criminal without any proven evidence”. Given these protestations, the pertinent question remains: Are these protests being driven by political considerations or genuine concerns for the promotion of justice in election matters?

It would appear that the protestations from these groups with regard to the activities of the DSS in election matters border not only on ignorance but on the need to ensure that INEC officials and PDP members accused of the promotion or commission of violent crimes during the governorship elections in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers States are not tried and punished. These critics of DSS activities do not seem to appreciate the fact that the same activities by INEC officials could lead to two different outcomes – the one, electoral; and the other, criminal. For instance, the non-release of election result sheets by a resident electoral commissioner to the polling centres and booths as required by the electoral law could lead to the distorted outcome of the result of an election, as well as the maiming and killing of voters arising from the violent disruption of election proceedings. In this circumstance, are the police or the DSS expected to keep hands at akimbo and allow injustice to prevail?

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Obituary of confusion without considering the difficulties of a monarchy in a democracy. Oba Sijuade’s cultural radiance and relevance, distinct from his alleged political incorrectness, cannot be disregarded.

An illustrative narrative: It was July 2013. The 10th Orisa World Congress was holding at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Ile-Ife, regarded as “The Source” and a culturally significant Yoruba town, was an appropriate setting for discussions on the challenges of the Orisa way of life, especially in the context of a diverse globe, and contending faiths, some of which have the advantage of apparent numerical dominance. The variegated gathering, which included participants from the United States of America (USA), Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico, demonstrated the appeal of the Yoruba religion beyond its local provenance, and brought instructive international perspectives. An all-male family of four from Cuba, a Chinese couple who lived in Venezuela and a densely bearded white American were among the alluring sights.

It is worth noting that in 2005 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the Ifa Divination system to its list of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” A multitude of gods or orisa makes up the Yoruba pantheon, with Ifa as the oracular mouthpiece of Olodumare, the Almighty in Yoruba religion.

Oba Sijuade, the community’s revered traditional ruler and the Grand Patron of the Orisa tradition and religion, took advantage of the forum to name July and August as “Yoruba cultural months” starting from 2014. ”I implore all descendants of Oduduwa to return home every year during these months to celebrate our culture and religion,” he said, at the opening ceremony at Oduduwa Hall, OAU. Oduduwa, regarded as the progenitor of the Yoruba people, is artistically represented by

an imposing wooden sculpture carved by Lamidi Olonade Fakeye, which was unveiled at the front of the university theatre in 1987 by Oba Sijuade himself.

Oba Sijuade also said: “Celebrate the values, virtues and treasures of our towns and cities. Hold public events, conventions and activities that showcase the invaluable riches of Yoruba culture and religion. These are the treasures that have made Yoruba culture and religion a global heritage of humanity.”

On the last day, it was time to visit Oba Sijuade’s palace.

In a large decorated hall with shimmering lights, the Royal Court Band played danceable melodies, and the visitors socialised in a setting that reflected monarchical grandeur.

Oba Sijuade, 83 at the time, was resplendent in a white flowing robe which he wore over purple attire. He wore purple shoes and a glittering white cap. It was momentous that three devotees were installed as Cultural Ambassadors at the party. They were: Suriname-Dutch American Tony Van Der Meer, Chinese Chiu Ming Ho, and Michelle Abimbola, a white American. There was a mystic dimension to their installation, or perhaps more precisely, their initiation; one by one, they went briefly into an enclosure formed by powerful traditional chiefs who created a human screen that prevented any view of their encounter with the Oba in the sacred space.

The 10th edition of Orisa World Congress in Ile-Ife, with the theme “Culture and Global Peace,” was the fourth in the ancient town, and six others have been held in Brazil, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, and Cuba. Founded by Prof Wande Abimbola in 1981, Orisaworld is “an organisation of practitioners and scholars ofOrisa tradition, religion and culture”; the group’s overriding aim is “to revitalise and rejuvenate the Orisa culture and all its traditions.”

It is memorable that Oba Sijuade spoke of a religion that would never die: “I hereby make the following proclamation: the religion of Yoruba land; the religion of Oduduwa who descended from Heaven on a chain of iron; the religion of Oranfe who lives in a house of perpetual fire in Heaven; the religion of Ifa, witness of destiny; the religion of Sango, the great warrior and giant, child of Oranmiyan; the religion of Oya nicknamed oriirii, eater of she-goats, the female warrior who wears a sword as part of her outfit; the religion of Osun nicknamed ewuji the greatest mother of all; the religion of Obatala, owner of ancient Iranje; will never perish.”

‘Oba Sijuade cannot be dead and alive at the same time...the eternal lesson of the drama of colliding and conflicting claims about Oba Sijuade’s existence and exit is the marriage of mortality and immortality.’

PDP, DSS and election matters

By Nkemjika Now, it must be mischievously absurd to suggest that the investigation of a resident electoral commissioner whose activities wittingly or unwittingly led to the death of innocent voters on Election Day is tantamount to the police or the DSS interfering in an electoral matter before an election tribunal or the courts. The truth of the matter is that while election tribunals and the courts are meant to redress distorted election results arising from the manipulation of an election process – rigging, the police and the DSS are required by law to investigate, arrest and prosecute all those, including INEC officials, whose actions engendered crises and violent crimes in the electoral process. And there is no law that I know in this country or elsewhere in the world which says that election tribunals and security agencies cannot carry out their different constitutional responsibilities in election matters, simultaneously.

From the benefit of the appraisals just made above regarding the different outcomes – electoral and criminal – that could manifest, for instance, from the single action of a resident electoral commissioner, it becomes clear that almost all the groups or interests using the media to demonize the DSS and its operatives over the election matters in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states are simply crying wolf where there is none. In the light of what we know about the killings on the day of the governorship election in Akwa-Ibom State allegedly arising from the actions or inactions of the resident electoral commissioner, what do we make of the ranting of the Public Interest Lawyers League that the DSS has been unduly harassing Okojie because of “the interest of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Akwa-Ibom’s natural resources”? Similarly, in the light of the reported widespread violent crimes and killings that graced the Rivers State governorship election, can any rational mind take seriously the moronic insinuations by the Rivers State Caucus, National Assembly, led by Senator Sekibo that “they have witnessed the modus operandi of the DSS and have come to the conclusion that what’s happening can be best described as dictatorship in a democratic regime”?

No matter what anybody might like to say to the contrary, the Public Interest Lawyers League and the Rivers State Caucus, National Assembly, among others, are just the public arrow-head of the hierarchy of the corrupt and discredited past PDP henchmen in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states. Their strategy is to cry foul and sound alarmist in order to embarrass the Buhari Presidency in the hope of getting it to interfere and obstruct the DSS from carrying out its constitutional duty to

Nigeria regarding the atrocities that were committed by INEC officials, - high and low - in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states during the 2015 general elections that led to the death of innocent voters. The members of these groups are no democrats interested in protecting the peoples’ mandate. They are simply the fronts for PDP politicians in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states interested only in protecting their anticipated loot and underserved privileges they hope to reap and enjoy over the next four years if the PDP governments of Emmanuel Udom and Nyesom Wike are given the oxygen of life by the election tribunals.

Nigerians must, therefore, resist these characters masquerading as public do-gooders for the peoples of Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states by extending their undiluted support to the DSS in its crackdown and investigation of Okojie and Mrs. Gesila Khan, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, with regard to their activities during the 2015 general elections that reportedly led to the death of innocent voters. After all, there is nothing special about INEC officials to warrant their being treated with kid gloves or as persons above the laws of Nigeria. The DSS must, therefore, continue its investigation of the activities of INEC officials in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states, whether or not they are witnesses in the petitions filed at the election tribunals. There is no known law in Nigeria, including the Electoral Act that precludes the DSS from doing its work because suspects in the cases its operatives are handling are witnesses in matters before election tribunals and the courts.

•Nkemjika, is Co-author of “Oil Exploration in Northern Nigeria: Problems and Prospects”.

‘It would appear that the protestations from these groups with regard to the activities of the DSS in election matters border not only on ignorance but on the need to ensure that INEC officials and PDP members accused of the promotion or commission of violent crimes during the governorship elections in Akwa-Ibom and Rivers States are not tried and punished’

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

22

COMMENTS

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RESIDENT Buhari’s visit to the United States of America (US) has come and gone.

And its outcome has meant different things to different people depending on the angle from which it is viewed.

Broadly speaking however, there is no doubt the nation stands to gain from such engagements given the globalization of the world economy and the prime role of the US in its affairs. It was also significant in the sense that it represented a demonstration of confidence by that government in the capacity of our democracy to endure.

Of course, his hosts gave assurances of assistance in the war against the Boko Haram insurgency; the repatriation of looted funds stashed in the vaults of other countries by marauding leaders and such other measures that will aid the nation’s economic development.

But there were two issues in the course of the visit that should not and cannot be glossed over.

This is because they seemed to have cast some slur on the overall success of that visit. The two saw the presidency issuing statements ostensibly to contextualize what was said in the course of the event. The first was the statement credited to the President while answering questions from journalists. He had said “going by the election results, constituencies that gave me 95 per cent cannot in all honesty be treated on the same issues with constituencies that gave me five per cent. I think these are political realities. While certainly there will be justice for everybody but the people who voted and made their votes count, they must feel the government has appreciated the efforts they put in putting the government in place”.

The second came from his prepared speech at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). It read, “unwittingly and I dare say, unintentionally the application of the Leahy Law amendment by the US government has aided and abated the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its

‘The Leahy Law does not aid and abet the Boko Haram terrorists. Boko Haram is propelled, reinforced and sustained by weird fundamentalist Islamist ideology and the army of their unseen sympathizers. The law only imposes some constraints in the prosecution of the insurgency war’

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Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Postscript of Buhari’s US visit extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, raping of women and girls, and in other heinous crimes. I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Law”.

On both scores, the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina was quick to issue statements either clarifying what the president actually meant or canvassing positions urging the public to be wary of misconstruing what was actually said. Curiously, in all these interventions, he did not say the president was misquoted but only sought to place the statements within the context he would want them to be understood.

But in doing these, he inadvertently created two sets of problems. The first is the presumption that the larger public is incapable of properly contextualizing both statements and therefore needed to be helped out. How he came about that conclusion remains largely curious. Second, the clarifications also created the impression that either the presidency was very uncomfortable with its position on the two issues after they went public or it was under pressure from some unseen quarters to defend them. There is also the third suggestion that the president only realized the full purport of the statements after they had gone public. The extent to which those seeming clarifications achieved the desired objective remains largely illusory.

Before we go into the context of those statements, it will be helpful to bring into focus Adesina’s clarifications on them. The objective is to fathom if there are any differences between them and what the president actually said.

On how the president will treat those who voted for him, Adesina admitted that what was attributed to the president actually came from him. But then, he contended that the president also said the

STILL don’t get the feeling that Nigerians realize how bad things have become for the economy and that we are facing a future of slow growth. The change mantra is going to be hard and painful no matter what the government and politicians say. This prognosis is pessimistic and rightly so. Crude oil prices, Nigeria’s major export is down by over 55%. The US is aiming to change its law to allow it export crude oil. Soon that will be the case and the consequences on prices will be catastrophic. Oil now sells for 48 dollars. This price is temporary. Further declines are expected. Major oil companies are cutting budget, scaling back projects and downsizing work force.

Ninety percent of export from Nigeria is on this one commodity with 70 percent of government revenue expected from it.

Governments across Nigeria have undertaken deep budget cuts—some states including federal government have paid or in arrears of many months of salary payment requiring bailout package—in addition there has seen an 18 percentage fall in value of naira since 2014 and rising inflation to 9.2 percent. There is hardly any mitigating circumstance ahead. We don’t have any cushion anywhere to cover our fiscal deficit. All those (APC chieftains in particular) who are hoping President Buhari’s campaign promises will be fulfilled had better wake up (the opposition PDP and others opposed to the ruling party are most likely going to make political capital of this). The truth is that President Buhari will struggle to meet a small percentage of his promises over the next four years. As a matter of fact if he manages to achieve 40 percent of his promises, he should be re-elected.

The money to fund aggressive development that Nigeria’s need is simply not there. How much capital his government is able to attract to bridge the gap in infrastructure spending is unclear. The President Jonathan privatization programme of the power sector is dodgy and has not yielded the kind of improvement Nigerians expected. Nigeria economy is still largely a generator powered economy. President Buhari may likely seek a review of Jonathan privatization programme. We have to wait until he unveils his economic plan.

Business cost remains high rendering local manufactured goods uncompetitive. Cheap foreign, especially, Chinese imported products continue to dominate the local market. Demand by Nigerians for imported products appears not to be slackening. Tougher measures beyond the CBN policy of excluding some categories of products from accessing foreign exchange are needed. The transportation sector is in crisis. Roads and railway transportation is in crying need of massive investment, which if properly packaged under the circumstance can be private sector driven. However, Nigeria’s experiment with the Public Private sector Partnership (PPP) model has not been such a huge success. Yet without fixing transportation, it

constitution has guaranteed the rights of every part of the country. According to him, “what this means is that those who voted five per cent will get their due and will not get things commensurate with five per cent votes”. He accused unnamed persons of not balancing the entire statement. The first flaw here is with the concept of what is due to those who voted five per cent. It cannot definitely be the same with what is due to those who voted 95 per cent. There is problem because of the introduction of ratio or proportion. Having brought in this exogenous variable, the clear interpretation is that it will be the prime yardstick for the distributions of the spoils of office. There is absolutely no ambiguity in this. Buhari even went further to admit this consideration as political reality. There are thousand and one angles from which the president could have approached journalists’ question on the matter without bringing in the matter of ratios.

The argument that the constitution guarantees the rights of every part of the country or that there will be fairness for everybody on that account, cannot mitigate the harm in that position. It could even be further developed to imply that but for such constitutional guarantees, the percentage of votes cast in the last elections would be the only determinant of the president’s relations with parts of the country.

If you ask me whether the president should have gone into such comparisons, my answer will be capital No! He could have referred his audience to his much acclaimed inaugural statement that he belongs to nobody and belongs to everybody. That could have sufficed. It was therefore a huge contradiction and monumental error to be talking of percentages in the presence of that international audience. By extrapolation,

the president succeeded in saying that he belongs to those who massively voted for him in that election. He has to live with that foreboding reality, attempts to clarify it notwithstanding.

His aide also said in respect of the Leahy Law, the president’s statement was misconstrued. According to him, it should be seen as a passionate appeal to the US government to soften on the law to enable Nigeria intensify action and win the war against Boko Haram. The aspect of the written statement that is said to have been misconstrued and those who misconstrued it is hazy. What that portion of the written speech said is very clear.

Being a written speech, the president must have taken time to go through it and possibly agreed with its content before going public. It is a different ball game if the disputed section was not laced in diplomatic niceties; conveyed unintended meaning and thus inappropriate for that audience. The problem with the statement is in its sweeping assertion that the Leahy Law amendment by the US aids and abets the Boko Haram terrorists group.

The Leahy Law does not aid and abet the Boko Haram terrorists. Boko Haram is propelled, reinforced and sustained by weird fundamentalist Islamist ideology and the army of their unseen sympathizers. The law only imposes some constraints in the prosecution of the insurgency war. That is the proper perspective. The blame for this vague presentation is still that of the presidency. It was at liberty to have expunged that section if it was sufficiently satisfied it would create doubts for the administration.

Be that as it may, the discomfort of the government with that portion could possibly have arisen from fears from two quarters-one from the host government and the other from the home country.

The US was bound to show discomfort with the statement given the wrong impression it created.

On the other hand, the presidency is bound to be scarred by its likely interpretation at home. The second plank is more so given the politicization of the issue of human rights abuses in the war against Boko Haram. Before now, much of the reservations of the US government on that war had hinged on this singular issue. It is for the same reason it refused to sell categories of arms and ammunitions to the last regime. Discomfort could have been aided by the fear that the new regime was about to fall into the same trap.

There is also the issue of local propaganda. Those who opposed the previous regime had made issues out of its purported human rights abuses.

Amnesty International has also been notorious for levying copious allegations along this line without regard for the grave human rights abuses by the fundamentalist group. It would appear this dialectic is at the heart of the current discomfort.

Economy: PMB at a crossroads

By Paul Odili is hard to think of development.

Lagos as a port city is in need of decongestion. Tin Can and Apapa sea ports are stretched to a breaking point. The offsite infrastructure that supports these ports is choked or not available.

Nigeria needs to energise new port cities of Warri or Port Harcourt. Lagos cannot take any more of the pressure. The economy is suffering because of this choke hold.

If a calculation is done on the average losses incurred by businesses and individuals trapped perennially in Lagos traffic, the inefficiencies is horrendous. This is no way to run a modern economy.

Buhari talks about his energy level and memory to recall small details and really at 72 that is an issue of importance (surprisingly his admission did not raise serious debate/concern over his ability to do the job). He therefore needs to find the right team with the right balance to tackle some of the huge challenges of today. And as he slowly works his way through the rot he met in the system, he is losing time. For everyday there is no articulation of direction, the country is on a pause. Yet the country cannot afford a longer pause.

Now if the data by the National Bureau for Statistics is an indicator of the situation with unemployment, then President Buhari is facing more grim problems. Current NBS estimates put the percentage of Nigerians looking for work at 24.6%. That is 13.4 million of the 54.6 million active labour force that needs to find jobs. This is apart from the estimated 3.7 million persons that enter the job market annually. The unemployment situation has a reached a crisis point. Young educated Nigerians are unemployed for years, living with their parents in to the 30s and becoming stale and of no use to employers of labour eventually. The question is which sector should the country focus on and how should that be done. So far there has been no strategy in this regard.

Often Nigerian politicians and policy makers talk about agriculture as the preferred sector. That is true to the extent that we are looking at our lingering inability to feed ourselves in the short run. In the middle to long term, agriculture can scarcely be the sector to accommodate the large unemployed labour force despite its low entry level.

Government as a key enabler must reduce risk to those who even undertake to venture into agro-business.

Agriculture without value addition will not amount to much. This is where electricity becomes an important sector President Buhari should focus upon it like a laser beam.

Without electricity nothing will work. Food security will not be successful. Stating this fact requires no great leap of imagination. Energy is the foundation of the modern economy. Nigeria governments over the years have not found a way to resolve this issue. The country continues to suffer. Serious countries all over the world go beyond the pale if the need arises to protect their energy security.

Nigeria sleeps walk over energy issues.

Like many things that we have in abundance, the country has not paid enough attention to energy diversification. Policy makers talk glibly about promoting renewable energy option in the energy mix, yet not much has happened. We have abundance of sun and we have access to a long coastline and other estuaries for wind power and hydropower to mention a few. Renewable energy is faster to decouple and can easily play significant role in the country’s energy mix. Gas based electricity system is fine, we know it is cheaper but somehow the country has not managed to tackle the incessant sabotage and commercial gridlock it has locked itself into with the oil companies, which is why Nigeria has its gas flared or liquefied for export. While the country struggles to meet its energy needs. Something is not right somewhere. President Buhari has to look at the energy problem and adopt a broad approach that embraces all viable solution. Renewable energy solution is just one such important solution.

I hope President Buhari succeeds and this is beyond partisan consideration. The average Nigerian deserves to in their life time live in a country that is economically successful. The APC government has a historic chance to prove that this wish can be done. But so far the auguries are not good. I hope I am proved wrong.

• Odili is a journalist based in Delta State

‘Like many things that we have in abundance, the country has not paid enough attention to energy diversification. Policy makers talk glibly about promoting renewable energy option in the energy mix, yet not much has happened’

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

T HE CEO ‘We’ve redefined standardisation

JOBS A market of many benefits

harmonisation’

- P. 35 News Brief

Fed Govt’s inability to pay cash calls stifling oil sector’s growth

Govt mulls reforms in tourism, others THE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said the Federal Government is planning to carry out reforms of the hospitality and tourism, housing, sports, River Basin and health sectors to encourage growth.

–Page 26

‘Textile industry can create 400,000 jobs’ THE National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTW) has said the revival of textile industries will lead to the employment of over 400,000 workers.

–Page 26

Dangote Cement makes N121.8b profit DANGOTE Cement posted a profit after tax (PAT) of N121.808 billion in the sixmonth period ended June 30, 2015, indicating a 21.65 per cent increase over the N95.440billion announced for the same period of last year.

–Page 26

- P. 37

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HE inability of the Federal Government to pay its counterpart funding of Joint Ventures (JV), also called ‘cash calls,’ which stands at over $5 billion, is taking a toll on the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, a source has lamented.

As at last January, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that represents the government in the JV projects owed $5 billion in cash calls.

Besides, NNPC is the senior partner in the JV with 60 per cent interests and in the JV arrangement.

Cash calls are paid according to the proportion of equity holdings to fund oil exploration and production and crude oil; earnings are received in the same ratio.

A source told The Nation that

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

the crash of oil price worsened the situation as the government doesn’t make efforts in any way. Before the oil glut, payment of cash calls and requests for payment for anticipated future capital projects sent by JV operators (mainly the international oil companies) to the government as non-operating partners had been a challenge, with payments either being partially made or not at all.

The Managing Director, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, Elizabeth Proust, also said resolving JVs funding could increase production substantially; adding that the government and the industry needed to implement a sustainable solution to deliver the requi-

site funding.

The source noted that funding challenge has adversely affected production output by 200,000 barrels per day. Production from JVs, which in the past, accounted for about 95 per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil output, has continued to decline yearly as international oil companies increasingly shift offshore due to onshore risks including funding, oil theft and sabotage, he added.

With the continued oil crisis, the NNPC will be unable to meet their JV funding obligation this year. According to Platts, a United States based publication that provides information on energy and metals data recently quoted sources at the NNPC as saying the Corporation has informed its Joint Ven-

ture partners that this year’s capital expenditures will be cut by 40 per cent from the initial proposed budget of $13.5 billion. The $13.5 billion has been the level that has been maintained in the past three years, but because of the drastic decline in oil prices, that level cannot be sustained this year, the source added.

The Public Relations Officer, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Emmanuel Ojugbana also said: “Oil companies are owed billions of dollars in cash call arrears putting the jobs of our members and other workers in the industry in jeopardy as companies easily rationalise disengagement of staff and reduction in welfare packages due to lack of funds.”

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$54/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb • From left: Executive Director, Abuja Directorate, Keystone Bank, Mr. Shehu Abubakar; Chairman, Arik Air, Mr. J.I.A. Arumemi-Johnson; Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank, Mr. Philip Ikeazor; and Director, Arik Air, Capt. Umar Faruk, during a business meeting at Keystone Bank Head Office, Victoria Island, Lagos.

RATES Inflation

8.4%

Treasury Bills 10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

Minimum capital: SEC, NSE screen capital market operators T HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) would this week begin the preliminary verification of the operating status and compliance of capital market operators with the minimum operating standards and capital requirements.

SEC, Nigeria’s apex capital market regulator, and NSE, Nigeria’s only stock exchange and a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) that controls the secondary trading market, had both given capital market operators a July 31 deadline to submit their status reports on minimum standards and capital requirements. It expired at the weekend.

By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

Sources said both regulators would commence the verification of the reports submitted by the operators this week to determine the compliance status of each operator.

SEC would be considering the ongoing mergers and acquisitions and reclassification of functions among capital market operators as part of compliance and enforcement process as the apex capital market regulator prepares to enforce the September 30, last year deadline for the new minimum capital re-

quirements for capital market operators.

In a July 4 circular to capital market firms, the apex capital market regulator had directed all capital market operators which might have opted for mergers, acquisitions or any other form of business combination as a vehicle to meet the new minimum capital requirements to file their notifications with the Commission not later than July 31, 2015.

The directive also applied to capital market operators proposing reclassification or reduction of their registered functions, including those seeking to downsize from

stockbroker to sub-broker, broker-dealer to either broker or dealer and from multiple functions to a single function among others.

Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Mounir Gwarzo, last week insisted that the September 30, this year deadline is sacrosanct.

He said the Commission would work ahead and ensure appropriate mechanism is put in place to forestall any negative spillovers from the recapitalisation exercise.

“This market strives on integrity, our word is our bond.

We have agreed that 30th of September is our deadline on recapitalisation, SEC is

• Continued on page 26

‘Ballooning recurrent expenditure, others crippling economy’

By Akinola Ajibade

A

SIDE the dwindling oil revenue, and the al leged stealing of an estimated $150 billion by top government officials, the yearly growth in recurrent expenditure over capital provision and lack of sizeable portfolios as evident by the appointment of numerous political office holders, have been identified as reasons the country is cash-strapped.

The Chief Consultant, B. Adedipe, Associates (a management and financial consultancy firm), Dr Abiodun Adedipe, who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, also blamed the failure of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government to generate revenues that are proportionate to the allocations given to them by the Federal Government, lamenting that lack of effective tax system and failure of successive administrations to plug leakages have resulted in the paucity of funds in the country.

He said the recurrent expenditure had been growing over the past five years in Nigeria, without commensurate growth in earnings, arguing that the development is not good enough for a country that want to be strong fiscally.

He said the appointment of aides, such as Special Advisers, Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants for key government officials are some of the ways through which public funds are being wasted, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari is working hard to have a sizeable portfolio and further reduce wastage.

He said it was wrong to conclude that the dwindling oil revenue, caused by glut in the global oil market was the main reason Nigeria is broke.

He said: “It is a fact that oil is the most critical sector in Nigeria because about 80 per cent of the export earnings is derived from it. But the dwindling oil revenue, occasioned by the glut in the global oil market should not be used to judge the financial position of the country.

“There are various sources of generating revenues in the country. But the issue is what do we do with what is available in terms of earnings.

There is management of funds, largely due to low remittance of money into the fiscal purse by MDAs that generate and collect revenues, but what they retain is more than what they deliver into fiscal account.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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BUSINESS NEWS ‘Textile industry can create 400,000 jobs’

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• From left: Head, Human Capital Management, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Taiwo Olupeka; best graduating trainee of Skye Graduate Intensive Training, Michael Emetoh; and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, during the graduation of Streams 39 and 40 of the bank’s Business Training School, Ibadan ... at the weekend.

Dangote Cement posts N121.8b half-year profit

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ANGOTE Cement posted a profit after tax (PAT) of N121.808 billion in the sixmonth period ended June 30, 2015, indicating a 21.65 per cent increase over the N95.440billion announced for the same period of last year.

According to the half-year results released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the weekend, the cement company achieved a 20.23 per cent growth in profit before tax.

Its profit before tax grew from N107.070billion to N128.726billion in the period under review. This followed a 15.94 per cent rise in revenue, with the company realising N242.215billion revenue as against N208.909billion in the first half of 2014.

Dangote Cement grew its revenue to N114.7billion from N103billion in the first quarter of this year on the back of its expansion programme, which saw it com-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

mence operations in some African countries. Its net profit for the quarter also rose by 44.1 per cent to N68.6billion from N47.62billon in the first quarter of last year.

Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement, Onne van der Weijde, said: “Our new plants have made excellent starts across Africa in the first half of 2015 and our operations now stretch from Senegal across to Ethiopia and down to South Africa, making us a truly pan-African leader in cement.

“Our strategy has been to enter markets with higherquality cement produced at lower-cost factories and as a result we are building strong shares in key African markets, despite well-established competition. The increasing diversity of our business is demonstrated by the fact that 22 per cent of volumes were sold outside of Nigeria and this has

helped to offset some of the uncertainties in our home market. We will build on these early successes in Africa as we continue to expand our business across the continent.”

He said the 1.5metric tonnes (mt) factory in Senegal, which opened in January, made an excellent start, particularly in the second quarter, and provides more than 30 percent of all cement sold in Senegal while the new 1.5 million tonne cement-grinding facility in Cameroon began operation in late March.

Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with 40mt of capacity operation, including three plants in Nigeria, an import terminal Ghana and recently opened factories in Ethiopia, Zambia, South Africa, Senegal and Cameroon.

The plants are fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer facility, with production capacity of 29.25 million tonnes. The Obajana

T

By Akinola Ajibade

forts to reform, the health sector, BPE and the Federal Ministry of Health had begun a review of the sector’s legislations.

He said the reform would help in repositioning health sector for better performance, by reducing the influx of Nigerian medical practitioners abroad.

He said failure to regulate medical practice has opened the sector to unqualified operators, adding that such activities would end soon.

He said the Federal Government was reviewing the five bills introduced to revive the transport sector before presenting them to the National Assembly for approval.

According to him, once

the bills are passed, other new regulatory agencies would be set up or existing ones restructured to move the sector forward.

He said: ‘’The passage of the Bills will facilitate private sector investment in infrastructure like railways, roads and inland waters ways and this would require manpower training and capacity building to drive the emerging change Nigerians yearn for.’’

Dikki expressed hopes that the bills would be passed by the 8th National Assembly since the 7th National Assembly failed to pass them before it tenure expired.

He said the government had promised to privatise the refineries and that this would require the passage of the correct Petroleum In-

By Toba Agboola

cessant delays and nonpayment of salaries of workers had worsened the poverty level in the country.

He noted that because of the situation, the poor workers had been turned into working beggars.

Aremu urged all tiers of government and private sector organisations to ensure timely and consistent payment of workers’ salaries.

According to him, this will improve productivity and national development as well as reduce youth restiveness and other threats to industrial harmony and investment safety.

He also urged Buhari not to relent in his resolve to address corruption in the country, stating that corruption had inhibited the growth of many companies, emaciated the workers and retarded industrialisation, national productivity and growth.

Aremu said: “With already frustrated millions of the unemployed and insurgency fuelled by suicidal desperately poor, Nigeria risks mass national revolt of the poor if nothing is done to urgently alleviate the worsening misery of the majority in the face of the opulence of the ruling class.

Minimum capital: SEC, NSE screen operators • Continued from page 25

• President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

plant in Kogi State is the largest in Africa with 13.25 million tonnes of capacity across four lines. While the Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12 million tonnes.

The Gboko plant in Benue state has four million tonnes of capacity. Through investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and is transforming the nation into an exporter serving neighbouring countries.

Govt mulls reforms in tourism, other sectors HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) at the weekend said the Federal Government is planning to carry out reforms of the hospitality and tourism, housing, sports, River Basin and health sectors to encourage growth.

Its Director-General, Benjamin Dikki, spoke when a former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney and leader of delegation from Greenpark Worldwide, paid him paid him a visit in Abuja.

He said the reforms were necessary to make the sectors more competitive and foster the nation’s growth in the face of declining earnings from crude oil.

In a statement signed by the Head, Public Communications, BPE, Alex Okoh, Benjamin said as part of ef-

HE National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTW) has said the revival of textile industries will lead to the employment of over 400,000 workers.

Its General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu, said the revival of the industries would also create several millions of indirect jobs.

Stating that industrialisation is strategic to reducing the high unemployment rate in the country, he praised President Muhammadu Buhari for commencing plans to revive the textile and garment industry.

Aremu said it was commendable that Buhari had directed the inauguration of a special committee to look into the revival of the cotton and textile industry.

He said: “Labour demands that the revival committee be inclusive of all the stakeholders, including the sector’s labour unions and employers’ association.

“President Buhari will make history like the late Premier of the Northern Region, Ahmadu Bello, if he brings back the industry, which had hitherto employed over 400,000 people. Labour will partner with the government to realise the goal of re-industrialisation of the country.”

The labour leader said in-

dustry Bill (PIB).

On sports, the BPE’s boss said Dikki said the government had indicated the desire to privatise the country’s refineries and this would require the passage of the correct PIB. He expressed the optimism that the National Assembly would have the opportunity to review the original Bill of 2008, which when passed, would achieve the desired result for Nigeria.

On the sports sector, the DG said a lot of potential abound in the sector, which, if well harnessed, would boost the economy.

Earlier, Gozney said Greenpark could support the privatisation of the Federal Government, in view of its role as a training management firm.

not going to move the date, that date is sacrosanct and we have told the market that we will not change. We have told them all the options that we have, those that want to step down from their functions we have told them to do so in good time so that we can move on,” Gwarzo said.

The NSE would be screening stockbroking firms, which are members of the Exchange, to determine the appropriateness of their resources to their various functions.

The NSE had directed the stockbroking firms to submit notification report that should state the capacity that each firm desires to operate in the market on or before July 31, 2015.

Stockbroking firms were expected to choose from the four categories of operations including broker-dealer, the highest level; broker, the second level; dealer, the intermediate level and subbroker, the lowest level similar to investment agent to without any trading privileges.

The reclassification is in furtherance of the implementation of the minimum operating standards (MOS) of the Exchange, which became effective on January 1, 2015.

The minimum operating standard (MOS) requirements were introduced last year by the management of the Exchange. The MOS requirements relate to all the dealing members of the Exchange and they address the five broad areas of manpower and equipment; organizational structure and governance; effective proc-

esses; global competitiveness; and technology.

SEC had in late 2013 announced major increases in minimum capital requirements for capital market functions under a new minimum capital structure that was initially scheduled to take off

by January 1, 2015. It however extended the deadline to September 30, 2015.

Minimum capital base for broker and dealer was increased by 329 per cent from the existing N70 million to N300 million. Broker, which currently operates with capital base of N40 million, will now be required to have N200 million, representing an increase of 400 per cent.

Minimum capital base for dealer increased by 233 per cent from N30 million to N100 million.

Also, issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, will now be required to have minimum capital base of N200 million as against the current capital base of N150 million. The capital requirement for underwriter also doubled from N100 million to N200 million.

Trustees, rating agencies and portfolio and fund managers had their minimum capital base increased by 650 per cent each from N40 million, N20 million and N20 million to N300 million, N150 million and N150 million. A Registrar will have a minimum capital base of N150 million as against the current requirement of N50 million.

While the minimum capital base for corporate investment adviser remained unchanged at N5 million, individual investment advisers will have to increase their capital base by 300 per cent from N500,000 to N2 million.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

ISSUES The downturn in the global oil market is adversely affecting operations of Nigerian upstream companies, the exploration and production (E&P) and service companies. Level of jobs has dropped abysmally, compelling these firms to drastically scale down on their investment and workforce. EMEKA UGWUANYI looks at the situation.

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HE global oil glut has continued to send economic shocks around the world. The hardest hit have been countries whose economies depend heavily on oil for a significant percentage of their foreign exchange earnings, such as Venezuela, Angola, Azerbaijan and Nigeria among others.

An energy expert, Mr. Kazeem Bello, said the fluctuation of price in the oil market is a normal occurrence, but the concern now is that the current slump in price might last longer than usual following the discovery of crude oil in many parts of the world and the new wave of alternative energy sources, particularly shale oil, which will have adverse effect on Nigeria.

He said the country's failure to take cushioning measures against volatility risks by implementing fiscal buffers and hedging mechanisms has left it at the mercy of the crisis. He noted that Nigeria didn't save for the rainy day by investing in the oil and gas sector or putting substantial part of proceeds from oil sale in period of boom in its sovereign wealth fund like other producer countries. Money is drawn from such funds in times of downturn like the one currently being experienced for reinvestment into the oil industry for more output and for capital projects.

Significant drop in revenues

Bello said the likes of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have over $2 trillion in their Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) accounts; one of their numerous fiscal buffers, hence the oil crisis has so far had very little impact on their respective economies. Also laudable is Mexico's adoption of a hedging mechanism before the oil downturn at $76.40 per barrel, saving the country an inevitable exponential loss in the wake of the free fall in price.

The Chair of the Nigeria Natural Re-

‘

Upstream firms face uncertain future over oil glut • One of the Seawolf Lonestar’s rigs siezed by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

source Charter (NNRC) and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia noted that crude oil prices had fluctuated over the years, but the current decline highlighted the importance of planning. Speaking at a policy dialogue entitled 'Implications of the Falling Oil Price for Policy in Nigeria,' organised by the Centre for Public Policy Alternatives, a Lagos-based think-tank, he commented on the need for a hedging mechanism, saying, "because we don't have a hedging mechanism, we are

completely left at the mercy of the oil price."

Inevitably, oil and gas companies globally have been adversely affected by the falling oil prices with their revenues and profits on the decline. Seplat Petroleum Development Company's profit after tax amounted to N4.83 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2015, which represents a drop of 33.4 per cent year-on-year. Full year outlook indicates after tax profit in the region of N20.21 billion for the company in 2015. The company may therefore, lose as much as half of

Companies have taken to proactive measures to cushion the effect of the downturn including cuts in capital expenditure (capex), downsizing of operations and cancellation or suspension of contracts

’

the profit figures of N40.48 billion it reported in the preceding year. In April 2015 the Wall Street Journal reported that BP's UK version of net income fell 40 per cent from a year earlier and its cash flow plunged by more than 75 per cent, while Total SA of France net profit fell by 20 per cent. Both companies reported lower revenue from oil sales as crude traded for about $54 a barrel in the first quarter of 2015, half its price a year earlier. The publication further stated that, to demonstrate how challenging the market has been for big oil companies, these numbers were considered better than expected by analysts. In January, Total reported a $5.7 billion loss for the fourth quarter of 2014, while BP's losses totalled almost $1 billion.

Companies have taken to proactive measures to cushion the effect of the down• Continued on page 28

28

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

ISSUES •Continued from page 27

turn including cuts in capital expenditure (capex), downsizing of operations and cancellation or suspension of contracts. At the end of 2014 Shell said it was deferring spending in many areas and this would result in a reduction in capital investment from 2015 to 2017 of over $15 billion. Chevron Corporation announced a $35 billion capital and exploratory investment programme for 2015; 13 per cent lower than the total investments for 2014. ExxonMobil said it would slash its capital spending by 12 per cent to $34 billion from about $38.5 billion last year, while French oil major, Total cut capital spending by $2 billion to $3 billion from last year's total of $26.4 billion.

In Nigeria, there have been cuts in Joint Venture budgets. In third quarter of 2013, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of the national oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which foresees government's investments in the upstream sector of the industry, ordered a 30 40 per cent cut in the Joint Venture (JV) budget followed by a similar directive in first quarter of 2015. This has led to the stalling and suspension of several ongoing projects.

New opportunities have been deferred or completely cancelled. This singular move led to a significant drop in the Nigerian rig count from 51 in September 2013 to 27 in June 2015 - a 47 per cent reduction.

The drop in rig count has had a negative effect on other manufacturing and services businesses such as drilling fluids and chemicals, drill bits, casing services, and marine vessels, among others, leading to multimillion dollar losses to indigenous services companies who have made substantial investments towards acquiring assets, technologies and capacity to execute projects. The President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), an umbrella body of Nigerian firms that play in the upstream, Mr. Emeka Ene told The Nation that over 6,000 jobs were lost in the oil services segment of the industry as at first quarter of 2015. He said many oil firms have lost their expatriate workers to recession because they are unable to raise enough money to maintain them. He said with the lingering downturn in the industry, companies may be compelled to further reduce their capital expenditure and personnel. He said even highly technical workers such as geologists, engineers and others have lost their jobs.

Ene advised that if Nigeria will not face this kind of situation in the future, the Federal Government should start investing in the industry now and encourage investors to come in now that oil price is low and help produce cheap barrels, which will be sold in period of high price.

Negative impacts of the downturn

However, the highest losses are indigenous rig owners who are stipulated by the Nigerian Content Act of 2010 to acquire by direct purchase at least 50 per cent of deep water assets, which can be valued at as much as $650 million and above. These local companies are expected to demonstrate this ownership at the tendering stage with no guarantee of contract commitment. Tendering is unusually lengthy because of bureaucracy and outdated manual processes with cases of tendering going on for over five years with no conclusion in sight. Acquisition of these assets usually requires these companies to borrow from local banks at interest rates averaging 20 per cent or more. These rates make the indigenous companies uncompetitive especially when compared to foreign oilfield service companies that have access to finance at significantly reduced interest rates and grants from their governments.

A combination of falling demand for rigs and cheaper foreign options has led to local rigs being left idle - according to a February 2015 BBC report. Industry analysts have said this is the worst oil rigs market they have seen globally since 1985.

Idle rigs are in themselves cost centres as there is a daily maintenance cost of several thousands of dollars to ensure they don't deteriorate and are ready to use as and when required. Consequently, companies have to invest on manpower that supports every oil rig idling by- from staff on board the rigs to office support and supply related companies.

The Group Lead of the NNRC Expert Panel Core Sector group, Mr. Gbite Adeniji, said oil companies were beginning to renegotiate contracts, adding that some clients were delaying payments. According to him, "there is a general waiting game in the industry. In

Upstream firms face uncertain future over oil glut

• The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr Joseph Dawha

• Ene

‘

• Exectuvite Secretary Nigeria Content and Development and Monitoring Board, Denzile Kentebe

the service sector, several companies will go out of business. Borrowing from the banks in this kind of environment is almost suicidal. Contractors are beginning to lay off staff. The implications remain that projects will be cut, while the optimism that heralded those indigenous companies in the industry is dampening."

Examples of indigenous companies that have caved in to the pressure are Seawolf Lonestar and NRG Drilling to mention a few. Seawolf has since gone out of business with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) seizing its three rigs. The company terminated the contracts of its 450 employees who are presently being owed 22 months outstanding salaries and the company has been unable to service its loan agreement with First Bank of Nigeria.

Govt not helping matters Besides the lack of investment in the oil and gas industry, which has led to diminishing reserves and production, government's failure to put in place measures that will fasttrack implementation of projects as well as payment of its counterpart funding of Joint Venture (JV) projects operated by the international oil companies (IOCs), has significantly stalled growth of the oil industry.

Nigeria is said to have the longest contracting process in the world. It takes between 18 months to three years to conclude a process of awarding contract for a project.

As a result of the length of time, initial bud-

The plunge in crude oil prices has further aggravated the Federal Government's inability to fund Joint Venture (JV) agreements with international and indigenous oil companies

’

gets of most projects are altered and reviewed upwards, making projects costs in Nigeria very high.

The Federal Government runs joint venture projects with the multinational oil firms in Nigeria, where it holds 60 per cent interest. Unfortunately, it has been a challenge over the years to pay its part of financing operation of those JV projects.

According to an industry operator, the plunge in crude oil prices has further aggravated the Federal Government's inability to fund Joint Venture (JV) agreements with international and indigenous oil companies.

Prior to the oil glut, payment of cash calls and requests for payment for anticipated future capital projects sent by Joint Venture operators to the Government as non-operating partners had always been a challenge, with payments either being partially made or not at all.

In the Joint Venture operation, the ownership of assets is between Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on behalf of the Federal Government and international oil companies (IOCs) such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total, Eni and some local oil firms, among others. In the arrangement, all parties contribute to funding oil exploration and production operations in the proportion of their JV equity holdings and receive crude oil produced earnings in the same ratio.

As at January 2015, NNPC owed $5bn in cash calls to its Joint Venture partners. The

‘

In the service sector, several companies will " go out of business. Borrowing from the banks in this kind of environment is almost suicidal. Contractors are beginning to lay off staff

’

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Total E&P Nigeria, Elizabeth Proust, buttressed the need for prompt payment of cash calls (counterpart funding). She said: "Resolving JV funding could increase production by 2.8 billion cubic feet per day by 2020.

Government and industry need to implement a sustainable solution to deliver vital funding."

This particular challenge, according to operators, has adversely affected production output by 200,000 barrels per day. Production from Joint Ventures, which in the past accounted for about 95 per cent of Nigeria's crude oil output, has continued to decline yearly as international oil companies increasingly shift offshore due to onshore risks including funding, oil theft and sabotage.

According to the Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, Emmanuel Ojugbana, "Oil companies are owed billions of dollars in cash call arrears putting the jobs of our members and other workers in the industry in jeopardy as companies easily rationalize disengagement of staff and reduction in welfare packages due to lack of funds."

Evidently, with the continued oil crisis, the NNPC will be unable to meet their JV funding obligation this year. Platts, a US-based publication that provides information on energy and metals data recently quoted sources at the NNPC as saying "The NNPC has informed its Joint Venture partners that this year's capital expenditures will be cut by 40 per cent from the initial proposed budget of $13.5 billion. The $13.5 billion has been the level that has been maintained in the past three years, but because of the drastic decline in oil prices, that level cannot be sustained this year."

The government has also come to the realisation that the current JV funding model isn't working; over the years a series of models have been adopted as a source for alternative funding proving futile. In 1993 the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) model was adopted as the preferred petroleum arrangement with IOCs. Under this arrangement, the concession is held by NNPC and it engages the IOC or the indigenous company as contractor to conduct exploration and production on behalf of itself and NNPC. The contractor takes on the financing risk and if exploration is successful, the Contractor is entitled to recover its costs on commencement of commercial production. If the operation is not successful, the Contractor bears the loss.

The second model adopted was the service contract. Under this model, the contractor undertakes exploration, development and production activities for, and on behalf of NNPC, at its own risk. The concession ownership remains entirely with NNPC, and the contractor has no title to the oil produced.

The contractor is reimbursed the cost incurred only from proceeds of oil sold and is paid periodical remuneration in accordance with the formulae stipulated in the contract.

The contractor has the first option to buy back the crude oil produced from the concession.

Proposed models

Industry experts have suggested more appealing alternatives for all concerned parties such as a Modified Carry Arrangement (MCA). The MCA is a financing agreement whereby the IOC will advance a loan to NNPC for the purpose of investing in upstream projects with an understanding that the IOC will be reimbursed through a combination of tax relief and incremental oil production derived from the JV operations.

Another option is reducing the percentage of government equity (usually 60 per cent) in the operations and letting the IOCs and indigenous companies cover exploration and development costs.

Suggesting a way forward, the Head of Energy, Ecobank Capital, Mr. Dolapo Oni said: "The best option will be to incorporate these Joint Ventures and list them on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), so that they can raise their funds through equity or debt directly, and also pay dividends to investors."

To date, alternative funding models adopted by some IOCs has witnessed some success. ExxonMobil has successfully generated about $15 billion of alternative capacity through external financing and Modified Carry Agreement. This has accounted for about 70 per cent of current JV production.

ExxonMobil's model of external financing entails that commercial banks provide funding for approved JV work programme at costeffective, market driven borrowing rates; the lenders have no recourse to JV assets and the loan is secured by revenues from forward sale of incremental production volumes.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

29

MONEYLINK employs CBN urged to review COT policy over weak Skye62Bank trainees banks’ earnings T S HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been urged to review its policy on Commission on Turnover (COT) charges given the prevailing headwinds in the financial sector and economy, which are hurting banks’profitability.

The President, Concerned Banks Stakeholders (CBS), an advocacy group seeking better earnings for banks, Jonathan Chikezie, said only few banks are complying with the new policy, which stipulates the gradual phase out of the COT charges on current accounts by next year.

The apex bank, he said, had directed banks to reduce COT from N3 per mile

By Collins Nweze

or per N1,000 to N2 in 2014; N1 this year and to a zero charge by 2016. The lenders were also banned from taking COT fees on returned outward clearing cheques, reversal of transactions and all bank-induced debts.

Chikezie disclosed that only few banks had complied with the guidelines while others flouted the provisions.

“We found out that while some banks are charging the prescribed COT on all

Why banks are rejecting dollar deposits, by Balogun

T

THE Group Managing Director, First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB), Ladi Balogun, has said commercial banks are not collecting cash deposits in dollars to discourage naira speculation.

The bank chief told Reuters in a conference call that the lenders took this position because the local currency had been battered by the fall in oil price, which affected the dollar flow into the economy from the international market.

“Banks no longer accept dollar cash due to large speculation on the currency. However, commercial lenders will continue to receive dollar transfers from other banks. His comments were confirmed by another Nigerian lender, which asked not to be identified,” he said.

“We are constrained due to the current influx of foreign exchange cash deposits we have been receiving in recent times, and the lack of

available foreign exchange cash outlets, to stop receiving foreign exchange cash deposits”.

Likewise, Standard Chartered Bank, has told customers it would no longer accept foreign exchange deposits in cash due to an unprecedented influx of cash deposits by customers.

In a note to its customers, the bank said it would stop receiving forex cash deposits from August 11, “until the situation improves.”

“We are constrained due to the current influx of foreign exchange (FX) cash deposits we have been receiving in recent times, and the lack of available FX cash outlets, to stop receiving FX cash deposits,” the bank said, adding, “However, the bank will continue to receive, into your domiciliary account, your inward FX telegraphic transfers from other banks. You will also continue to have access to funds in your domiciliary accounts.”

transactions, others are still charging up to N4 per N1, 000 turnover. This is four times higher than the currently prescribed minimum of N1 per N1, 000,” he said.

He said banks have been under revenue pressure as a result of the cash reserve requirement policy, adding that compliance with the N1 and eventually zero COT is likely to see further drop in the performance of banks.

“Many banks see COT as an essential cost recovery mechanism for the branch network and related infrastructure provided for servicing customers. This might explain the unwillingness to comply. This is why the CBN needs to take a position on whether these guidelines still hold. If so, they should be enforced. The apex bank should take

firm action because it is not fair for some banks to be complying while others do not,” he said.

He explained that the ‘Guide to Bank Charges’, first issued in 2004 provided a standard for the application of charges in the banking industry and minimised conflicts between banks and their customers.

The policy document was later reviewed because some sections within the document had become obsolete and created room for ambiguity and conflict. These flaws, Chikezie said, led to a review of the guide to bank charges after consulting with banks, discount houses, Bankers’Committee, financial experts/consultants.

The result was the introduction of a revised guide to bank charges, issued as a regulation on applicable charges on banking services and products offered by banks to customers.

Ex-PENCOM CEO Ahmad joins FBN Holdings’ Board

F

BN Holdings Plc., the leading and most diversified financial services group in Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Mr. Muhammad K. Ahmad as a Non-Executive Director.

He is a seasoned public sector executive with over 35 years experience spanning the public sector and the financial services industry.

He served as the pioneer DirectorGeneral and Chief Executive Officer of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), who oversaw the growth of the pension industry in Nigeria from ground zero to a N4.7 trillion Asset Under Management industry.

He was also a pioneer staff member of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC), where he rose to become

a Director. He has served on the Board of various companies and committees, including banks and not-for-profit organisations.

In a statement, the firm said the appointment, apart from deepening the already rich cumulative experience of the Board, is also in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Guidelines for Licensing and Regulations of Holding Companies in Nigeria, which require that the aggregate number of directors from the subsidiaries and associates should not exceed 30 per cent of the membership of directors of the financial holding company.

The appointment, subject to CBN approval, brings the number of directors of the Holding Company to 10.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,652.18 1,108.44 121.26 1,087.30 1.3451 1.3635 1.0178 1.1855

DATA BANK

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,652.18 1,107.62 120.38 1,087.00 1.3361 1.3635 0.9999 1.1855

GAINERS AS AT 17-07-14

KYE Bank Plc has employed 62 fresh graduates who also completed an intensive seven-week basic banking training programme at the Skye Business School, Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a statement, the lender said the new intake acquired basic banking training programme, adding that they have diverse academic backgrounds and impressive academic records.

Addressing the new Skye Bankers at the graduating of streams 39 and 40 of the ‘Skye Graduate Intensive Training (SGIT), Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, urged the new employees to uphold integrity and professionalism in their various assignments.

The bank chief said the lender placed a high premium on staff training and manpower development as a way of building a knowledgeable and competent work force in order to see the employees excel in their assigned tasks.

“We have given you a good foundation; you must continue to build on this foundation to be knowledgeable and to excel in your careers,”he said.

The Skye Bank boss urged them to continue to seek new knowledge to become knowledge- based employees, noting that continuous learning would bring about improvement on their jobs.

He also charged them to embrace team spirit, hard work and integrity to succeed in their careers.

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 7/14/14 7/9/14 7/7/14

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Amount Offered in ($) 350M 300m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 305.4m 279.08m 342.8m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES July 16, 2014

Inflation: June

8.2%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

154.73

155.73

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves

$38.3bn

US Dollar

5.10

7.82

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$110.44

Pounds Sterling

264.9442

266.6565

2.00

2.10

5.00

Money Supply (M2)

N15.9 trillion.

AIRSERVICE

1.80

1.89

5.00

Euro

209.4116

210.765

MANSARD

2.41

2.53

4.98

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N16.76 trillion

Swiss Franc

172.2668

173.3801

Yen

1.5201

1.5299

CFA

0.3021

0.3221

238.3011

239.8412

24.9375

25.0995

Riyal

41.258

41.5247

SDR

238.5318

240.0734

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

NAHCO

4.73

UNITY

ASHAKACEM

21.00

22.00

4.76

COSTAIN

0.65

0.68

4.62

ETRANSACT

3.45

3.60

4.35

CCNN

9.14

9.50

3.94

BETAGLAS

41.47

43.00

3.69

STANBIC

21.76

21.62

3.64

LOSERS AS AT 17-07-14

SYMBOL UAC-PROP

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

9.55

8.63

-0.92

49.00

38.00

-2.00

131.68

125.10

-6.58

JBERGER

47.97

45.58

-2.39

NNFM

UACN GUINNESS

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Rate (%)

Rate (%)

Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

1M

12.175

12.101

3M

13.328

13.225

6M

14.296

14.-85

16.30

15.49

-0.81

1.21

1.15

-0.06

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

AFRIPRUD

2.87

2.73

-0.14

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

HONYFLOUR

3.10

2.95

-0.15

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

NPFMCRFBK

1.05

1.00

-0.05

315.00

300.00

-15.00

Yuan/Renminbi

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

July 4, 2014

July 7, 2014

T-bills - 91

9.98

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.00

10.07

T-bills - 364

10.22

10.22

Bond - 3yrs

11.26

11.37

Bond - 5yrs

11.36

11.41

Bond - 7yrs

11.77

11.86

FOREX RATES

PAINTCOM

SEPLAT

WAUA

30

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 31-07-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 31-07-14

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

31

EQUITIES

FMCG companies struggle with sales, profit in first half

F

AST Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies appeared to indicate industry-wide pressure on sales and profitability as first half earnings showed general decline in the topline and bottom-line of the companies.

Interim earnings reports for the first half ended June 30, 2015 by FMCG companies including Unilever Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills, Nigerian Breweries and Dangote Flour Mills among others indicated that the persistent fall in consumer disposal income might have constrained the marketplace and prof-

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

itability in the sector.

Nestle Nigeria recorded turnover of N65.92 billion in first half 2015 as against N67.2 billion in first half 2014. Profit after tax dropped to N8.89 billion in 2015 as against N11.84 billion in 2014.

Nigerian Breweries half-year pretax profit declined by 8.5 per cent to N30.39 billion while total revenues grew by 7.2 per cent to N151.61 billion.

Unilever Nigeria witnessed a major slump in profit as pre-tax profit dropped by 95 per cent

from N2.08 billion in first half 2014 to N94.07 million in first half 2015. Profit after tax declined by 94 per cent from N1.46 billion to N85.57 million. Total sales had dropped marginally by two per cent from N29.28 billion to N28.72 billion.

However, while Unilever Nigeria’s overall results declined, the business improved performance in overheads with a decline of four per cent from the last quarter, and interest cover declined from coverage of four in half year 2014 to one in half year 2015.

Analysts said consumers’ purchase preferences had shifted to

accommodate the rising prices of petrol and a consequent rise in the price of transportation and energy requirement.

Analysts noted that the positive trend which characterized the Nigerian economy in the last decade took a downward turn with the slump of global oil prices in 2014 pointing out that this trend continued into the first and second quarter of 2015 and was further escalated in second quarter by a lull in the retail market in March and April.

While the country’s general economic outlook within this period grossly affected the financial sta-

tus of several businesses, many predict that the economy will settle last quarter of this year as the new administration settles down and the country has a clearer direction on government policies While some analysts have anticipated that oil prices may slump further with Iran’s entry into the crude oil market, many are hopeful that the economy will indeed pick up once the new administration have fully settled down. The uncertainty around oil revenues and President Buhari’s pledge to support local manufacture are hopefully indicative of a stronger focus on non-oil revenue generation.

Honeywell Flour Mills outlines growth plan

H

ONEYwell Flour Mills Plc plans to leverage on in creased local input to reduce exposure to foreign exchange volatility, improve its logistics and consolidate its market share as part of comprehensive growth plan to drive the performance of the company in the years ahead and minimize external influences on earnings.

Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, said the company plans to build on some successes recorded in the last financial year, including the wide acceptance of its new flour brand: Honeywell Composite Flour (HCF) which contains 10 per cent High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF).

According to him, the company will continue to evaluate opportunities to increase use of local inputs in its portfolio that helps it to reduce its exposure to forex volatility.

He outlined that the management has been implementing new initiatives to improve outbound logistics and service delivery including the operation of off-site warehouses and optimization of its 24-hour loading programme.

Jaiyeola said Honeywell Flour Mills is also taking a leading role in the engagement with the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other stakeholders to find immediate and long term solutions to the traffic problems in Apapa.

He added that te company is also focusing increasing penetration to the retail segment, energizing its loyal customers and activating new consumers, stressing that the company is constantly seeking out innovative and cost efficient best practices in manufacturing to improve performance.

“This year’s unfavourable extraneous factors have proven more challenging and less controllable and adversely impacted our results. We remain optimistic that lost volumes will

be recovered in the near term and that we will be back on the growth trajectory. Thankfully, we have begun to see signs of recovery in the key markets in the North East following the successes recorded by the Federal Government in the war against the insurgency,” Jaiyeola said.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Honeywell Flour Mills for year ended March 31, 2015 showed that turnover dropped from N N55.08 billion in 2014 to N49.06 billion in 2015. Gross profit dropped from N10.46 billion to N7.5 billion.

Profit before tax slumped to N1.43 billion in 2015 as against N4.24 billion in 2014 while profit after tax declined to N1.12 billion in 2015 compared with N3.35 billion in 2014.

The company noted that the pressure experienced in the top-line reflected the intense competition around price war going on in the industry and the falling Naira.

The company attributed the latest performance to several factors including the Apapa traffic gridlock and declining infrastructure around the ports.

“Roads leading to and from Apapa have effectively become car parks.

Truck parking facilities around the ports that should have been completed years ago seem to have become abandoned projects. These problems have compromised our logistics efficiency by frustrating the prompt loading of products resulting in longer loading turnaround times and reduced stock turnover,” the company stated.

Jaiyeola lamented the economic loss arising from the falling Naira, the perennial chaotic traffic and debilitating condition of the roads leading in and out of Apapa.

According to him, the company’s customers, suppliers, haulage partners and staff demonstrated great courage, loyalty and commitment during these challenging times.

•Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki (right) with former British High Commissioner to Nigeria Sir Richard Gozney, when the latter led a delegation from Green Park Worldwide on a courtesy visit to the DG ... Friday.

Investment One re-launches savings product

I

NVESTMENT One Financial Ser vices Limited has re-launched ‘myPASS’, one of its investment products designed to cater for the retail segment of the market. ‘myPASS’, the acronym for ‘My Project Aimed Savings’, is a product aimed at individuals and groups seeking higher returns on their savings and investments without tak-

ing risks on their principal.

In a statement, Investment One stated that the product was also designed for individuals or groups looking to save towards achieving certain project goals which include mortgage payments, asset acquisition and funding educational pursuits among others.

According to the company, re-

CWG records N8.6b turnover in first half

C

OMPUTER Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc recorded marginal growth in turnover to N8.6 billion in the first half of this year as the information and communication technology company continued to chart the path to predictable growth and returns.

The six-month report for the period ended June 30, 2015 showed turnover of N8.6 billion in first half 2015 as against N8.4 billion recorded in comparable period of 2014. However, business margins were squeezed from 20 per cent in 2014 to 14 per cent in 2015, as the company was unable to fully pass increased costs to her customers.

The report showed that there was a seven per cent increase in operating expenses to N1.4 billion in 2015 as against N1.3 billion in 2014. The company blamed the increase in operating expenses on one-off re-

structuring expenses.

Executive Director, Finance and Operations, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc, Mr. Kunle Ayodeji, said the performance of the company in the first half reflected the challenging business environment during the period, with many organisations holding back on new capital expenditure and investments, as the economic direction of the new government is being observed.

He said the company is making a shift towards recurrent and subscription businesses which are more predictable, have increased margins and are less dependent on macroeconomic challenges, especially those arising from foreign exchange.

He noted that the loss of N350 million recorded during the period reflected the continued difficulty of

the Nigerian business environment in 2015 pointing out that with a significant segment of the company’s business dependent on international procurement, the difficulties of foreign exchange sourcing had a negative impact on the results.

He added that the first half result was affected by the recognition of foreign exchange losses of N277 million and the write-off of N103 million, arising from the cancellation of a transaction duly recognized in fourth quarter of 2014. However, the company finished with a strong cash position of N1.3 billion at the end of the quarter.

It should be recalled that the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group, Mr. Austin Okere in a recent publication highlighted the yields from the company’s subscription busi-

ness model which started in the second half of 2015 and the products being better positioned to withstand macroeconomic shocks.

The products under the new business model include the CWGSMERP, the cloud based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) product for SMEs, the award-winning Openshopen.ng which is an eCommerce technology platform, CWG-SES Teleport Services providing digital satellite broadcast, cloud solution for micro finance institutions in partnership with MTN (dubbed MTN XaaS), CWG’s Mobile Financial Services in partnership with CIT Vericash, Finedge Solution, which has powered Diamond Yello Account (DYA), electricity theft detection & prevention systems, and CWG’s IGR Solution for States amongst others.

search results had shown a gap in the market for project-aimed investment products which necessitated the development of the product. The research also showed that busy professionals and business owners are preoccupied with various activities and have limited time dedicated to proper investment and financial planning.

The company stated that the product was re-launched to further create awareness of the benefits of the product to the retail segment of the market in order to partner with them to meet their various goals including owning homes, successful completion of their wards’ educational pursuits and purchase of various equipments to ease life and business.

The statement noted that ‘myPASS’ could also be used to make periodic payments such as house rent, school fees and professional examination fees. “’myPASS’ product is designed to fit various categories of individuals and groups with varying degrees of disposable income in order to meet the specific circumstances of customers which informed the creation of three variants of the product namely ; ‘myPASS Orange’, ‘myPASS Silver’ and ‘myPASS Gold’,” the company stated.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

32

BUSINESS AFRICA

‘South African unions may accept pay offer’ T

HE leaders of South Africa’s biggest gold producers said it’s likely unions will accept an improved pay offer as the industry looks to avert a repeat of a strike that crippled the world’s biggest platinum mines for five months.

Gold has dropped 10 percent since wage talks started June 22, touching a five-year low and hurting companies already contending with higher output costs. In the revised proposal, producers reduced their wage-deal term to three years from five and said they would increase basic pay by more than before.

“I think it’s extremely likely that they will accept,” Harmony Gold Mining Co. Chief Executive Officer Graham Briggs told reporters in Johannesburg Friday. “It’s a fair offer. It’s a final offer.”

A strike over pay halted most South African mines of the world’s three-biggest platinum operators

from January to June last year.

“The appetite for anything similar to what happened in platinum is not very high,” Sibanye Gold Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Neal Froneman said.

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. and Sibanye proposed to raise monthly pay for entry-level workers by 1,000 rand ($79) annually for the three years started July 1, 2015, they said last week in a statement. Harmony offered a 500-rand increase.

Basic pay is currently about 5,800 rand. Living-out allowances will be raised by 100 rand in the first year from 2,000 rand now.

The revisions would mean increases of as much as 11 percent for Harmony’s lowest-paid workers and 13 percent for Sibanye and AngloGold employees in the first year, the companies said Friday.

South Africa’s inflation rate was 4.7 percent in June.

The increase of monthly pay doesn’t translate into higher benefits, and the offer only applies if all four unions agree to it, the companies said.

The National Union of Mineworkers, which speaks for about 52 percent of employees at the producers, this month lowered its demand for basic pay to 9,500 rand. While that was 9.5 percent below its previous request, it’s still at least 60 percent more than current wages. The organisation is disappointed with the offer, NUM General Secretary David Sipunzi has said .

The NUM, Solidarity and UASA will respond to the proposal by August. 7, while the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union said August 4, Elize Strydom, the chief negotiator on behalf of the producers at the Chamber of Mines, told reporters.

Zambian copper mines to face power cuts MINING and energy group Vedanta Resources Plc (VED.L) said power supply at its copper mines in Zambia would be cut by up to 30 percent.

Vedanta said it was in talks with power supplier Copper Belt Energy Corp Plc and the Zambian government over the timing and magnitude of the power cut.

The company also said core profit at its Zambian copper mines fell 78 percent.

Power cuts in north-western Zambia, Africa's second-biggest copper producer, have affected production at mines run by Canada's First Quantum Minerals (FM.TO) and Barrick Gold (ABX.TO), an industry body has said.

Ecobank profit rises as African lender continues cost cutting ECOBANK Transnational Inc.'s first-half profit climbed 26 percent as Africa's most geographically diverse lender maintained its efforts to curb expenses.

Net income for the six months through June rose to $244 million from $194 million a year earlier, the Lome, Togo-based bank said in a statement published on the Nigerian Stock Exchange website . Revenue was little changed at $1.07 billion.

"We continued to drive cost efficiencies in our businesses," Chief Executive Officer Albert Essien said in the statement. Essien steps down in September and will be replaced by Ade Ayeyemi, CEO of Citigroup Inc. in sub-Saharan Africa.

The pan-African lender has shares traded in Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast and operates in 36 countries in the continent. Its cost-to-income ratio improved to 62.5 percent in the first half from 68.1 percent a year earlier. Total assets dropped 0.4 percent to $23.3 billion.

South African bonds attract foreign investors

• From left: Sa’adatu Bello Executive Commissioner Legal and Enforcement Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Mounir Gwarzo Director General SEC; Hon. Zakawanu Garuba Executive Commissioner Corporate Services SEC and Ade Bajomo Executive Director Nigeria Stock Exchange at the Second Quarter Post Capital Market Committee (CMC) press briefing in Lagos.

‘Plane debris on remote island is breakthrough in Flight MH370’

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LANE debris washed up on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean is almost certainly part of a Boeing 777, a Malaysian official and aviation experts said, potentially the biggest breakthrough in the search for missing Flight MH370.

Malaysian investigators are expected in Reunion on Friday and the object, identified by aviation experts as part of a wing, would then be sent to a French military laboratory near Toulouse for checks, French police sources said.

National carrier Malaysia Airlines was operating a Boeing 777 when the ill-fated flight disappeared in March last year en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, creating one of the most baffling mysteries in aviation history. It was carrying 239 passengers and crew.

The plane piece was found last Wednesday washed up on Reunion, a volcanic island of 850,000 people that is a full part of France, located in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar.

Reunion is roughly 3,700 km (2,300 miles) from the broad expanse of the southern Indian Ocean off Australia where search efforts have focused, but officials and experts said currents could have carried wreckage that way, thousands of kilometers from where the plane is thought to have crashed.

MH370 is believed to be the only 777 to have crashed south of the equator since the jet came into service 20 years ago.

If the debris is confirmed to be from MH370, experts will try to retrace its drift back to where the bulk of the plane likely sank on impact. However, they cautioned that the discovery was unlikely to provide any more precise information about the aircraft's final resting place.

Nevertheless, the search area for MH370 could be refined, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said.

"I presume that if this wreckage does turn out to be from a Boeing 777 that the analysts will do their best ... to try to work out exactly where it came from," he told Australian radio.

"I don't know how accurate that will be but I dare say it will give us some more evidence and it might enable us to further refine the search area, it might," Abbott said.

Aviation experts who have seen widely circulated pictures of the piece of debris, which is about 2-2.5 meters (6.5-8 feet) long, said it may be a moving wing surface known as a flaperon.

France 2 television showed a picture of the part with the figures "657 BB" stamped on its interior. That corresponds to a code in the 777 manual identifying it as a flaperon and telling workers to place it on the right wing, according to a copy of a Boeing document that appeared on aviation websites.

"It is almost certain that the flaperon is from a Boeing 777 aircraft," Malaysian Deputy Transport

Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi told Reuters.

Boeing Co has declined to comment on the photos.

A source close to the French investigation said the plan was to transfer the wing flap to France's European mainland, along with a fragment of luggage that had also been found in the area.

A spokesman for Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said a preliminary look indicated the luggage had not been in the water for long.

Truss said the search for the main wreckage site would ramp up again once the stormy southern hemisphere winter had passed.

"There is still a significant part of the priority search area that we haven't looked at ... I'm still confident that we'll be able to find the aircraft in that area," he told Australia's Sky television.

Investigators believe someone may have deliberately switched off MH370's transponder before diverting the plane thousands of miles off course. Most of the passengers were Chinese. Beijing has said it was following developments closely.

Lingering uncertainty surrounding the fate of the plane has been agony for the families of those on board.

"Even if we find out that this piece of debris belongs to MH370, there is no way to prove that our people were with that plane," said Jiang Hui, 41, whose father was on the flight.

SOUTH African bonds are up against quickening inflation, rising interest rates and the prospect of a Federal Reserve rate increase. That's not deterring offshore investors.

South African rand debt attracted the largest inflows in July out of eight emerging markets including Russia, Turkey and Poland, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Foreigners bought a net $600 million of the nation's bonds in the month, the most since April, the data show.

Benchmark yields have climbed 120 basis points since January, making them the fourth-highest among emerging-markets tracked by Bloomberg indexes. The sell-off pushed yields to a level where they compensate investors for the risk of a Fed rate increase, which would draw money to the dollar, as well as prompting a tightening by the South African Reserve Bank as inflation accelerates, according to Pioneer Investment Management Ltd. "We increased positions in the last three months," Hakan Aksoy, a portfolio manager at Pioneer, which oversees $244 billion, said by phone from London. "If there's another sell-off, we would like to increase duration risk" in South African debt, provided the Fed doesn't exceed expectations for rate increases this year, he said.

Economists project a 50 percent chance the Fed will start with interest rate increases at its September meeting, according to the median probability of 46 economists in a Bloomberg News survey. Almost half the economists said the policy rate, currently near-zero, will end the year in a range of 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent.

South African bonds could benefit if the Fed proceeds more cautiously, said Aksoy, who favours maturities from five to 15 years. Fed policy makers said the labour market and housing have improved, moving closer to ending an unprecedented period of near-zero interest rates, without providing a clear signal on the timing.

Vivendi to expand universal music’s reach in Africa, China

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IVENDI SA announced a fiveyear plan to expand the reach of Universal Music Group by investing in digital channels, new countries and adding partnerships.

Universal Music’s Chief Executive Officer Lucian Grainge has agreed to stay on at the record label until at least 2020, the French media group said in a statement Friday.

Chairman Vincent Bollore is working to transform Vivendi, selling off the company’s telecommunications assets and making acquisitions in media and entertainment. Revenue at Universal Music rose in the first quarter after declining in 2014 as the company’s digital sales and improvements in its licensing business paid off.

In the next five years, Universal Music will invest in Africa, India and China, which are “high-potential markets for music,” and “accelerate the monetisation of music on digital channels.”

The plan may point to a shift to more paid subscription models, where labels and artists take home most of the subscription fee, instead of ad-funded “freemium” services such as Spotify Ltd., Liberum analyst Ian Whittaker said in a note. It also means that Vivendi is committed to Universal Music, and won’t

sell or spin off the label in the near term, he said.

Vivendi said last week that it sold its remaining shares in Telefonica SA’s Brazilian phone company, exiting Brazil and further reducing its exposure to phone-company assets. The company’s already disposed of assets in France, North Africa as well as its holding in video-game maker Activision Blizzard Inc., freeing up resources to buy media and content businesses.

Vivendi rose 0.3 percent to 23.76 euros at 1:30 p.m. in Paris. The stock has gained 15 percent this year.

A weakening currency, rising inflation expectations and a desire to stay a step ahead of the Fed were among reasons cited by South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago when he raised the policy rate for the first time in a year last week, to six percent from 5.75 percent.

The consumer inflation rate, which rose for a fourth month in June to 4.7 percent, is forecast by the central bank to peak at 6.9 percent in the first quarter of next year, and remain outside the three percent to six percent target for two quarters. The government projects the economy will grow two percent this year, after expanding 1.5 percent in 2014, the slowest pace since the 2009 recession.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

33

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL Weak oil prices hurt Exxon Mobil, Chevron results

P

•Swiss Bank

Swiss central bank records 50b Swiss franc loss

T

HE soaring value of the Swiss franc against the euro has led Switzerland’s central bank to report a first half loss of 50 billion francs (£33bn).

The bank, which is owned by the Swiss Federal Government, said the loss could affect its ability to pay a dividend this year.

Those dividends are traditionally used to pay for public services.

Switzerland shocked markets in January when it abandoned its fouryear currency peg to the euro.

The move saw the Swiss franc skyrocket in value as investors piled into the currency over fears of a renewed eurozone debt crisis despite the imminent onset of quantitative easing by the European Central Bank (ECB).

The continued strength of the Swiss franc is hurting exports from the country which are down 2.6% this year. The tourism industry has also reported fewer visitors and retailers are also struggling.

The first-half loss was almost entirely - 47.2bn francs - the result of losses on foreign exchange positions, which occurred in the weeks that immediately follow the bank’s decision to remove the currency peg against the euro.

Since ending the 1.20 francs per

euro cap, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has intervened in the currency market by buying euros to weaken the franc, which currently hovers at around 1.06 francs per euro.

The bank, which also has several private shareholders, warned that its full-year results would rely heavily on developments in the gold, foreign exchange and broader financial markets.

“Strong fluctuations are therefore to be expected, and only provisional conclusions are possible as regards the annual result,” the central bank

said in a statement.

The SNB said euro-denominated assets made up 42 percent of its investment portfolio at the end of June, unchanged from the end of March, and 32 percnt was held in US dollars, also unchanged.

Peter Hegglin, the head of Switzerland’s 26 canton finance directors, said he was “not going to assume” that the first half loss would mean the SNB would not be paying a full year dividend, suggesting the bank could still reverse its fortunes.

LUNGING crude oil prices weighed on quarterly earnings at the world’s biggest oil company.

Exxon Mobil reported it earned $4.2bn (£2.68bn) in the second quarter, which marked a drop of more than 50 percent from last year.

Profits increased in the company’s chemical unit during the period, but that was not enough to offset the oil price drop.

Since last year, Brent crude oil prices have fallen more than 40 percent.

“Our quarterly results reflect the disparate impacts of the current commodity price environment, but also demonstrate the strength of our sound operations, superior project execution capabilities, as well as continued discipline in capital and expense management,” said Rex Tillerson, Exxon Mobil’s chairman and chief executive officer. The massive drop in crude oil prices also weighed on results at oil producer, Chevron.

Second quarter profit fell 90 percent from last year, to $571m (£365m).

“Second quarter financial results were weak, reflecting a crude price decline of nearly 50 percent from a year ago,” Chevron chief executive officer, John Watson, said.

“Our upstream businesses were particularly hard hit, as lower prices reduced revenues and triggered impairments and other charges,” Mr Watson added. “Downstream operations continued to deliver strong financial performance, reflecting both high reliability and improved margin.”

Eurozone inflation, unemployment steady in July

I

NFLATION in the eurozone held steady in July, as falling energy prices offset rises in industrial goods. The annual inflation rate stayed at 0.2 per cent, according to the flash estimate from the EU’s statistics agency Eurostat.

Energy prices fell 5.6 per cent, compared with a 5.1per cent drop in June.

Food, alcohol and tobacco prices rose 0.9 per cent.

Eurostat also said that the unem-

ployment rate was unchanged at 11.1 per cent in June, for the third month.

James Howat, European Economist at Capital Economics, said the figures were not positive: “Worryingly, surveys of employment intentions have weakened recently, suggesting that the labour market recovery will remain pretty weak.”

He also pointed out that the ECB still has a lot of work to do to hit its inflation target of “below, but close

to, 2 per cent”.

In March, the ECB began a massive •1.1 trillion bond buying programme in an attempt to stimulate the eurozone economy.

Policymakers spent much of last year in fear of deflation. The worry is that if price falls become entrenched, consumers and businesses will delay purchases and investment in the expectation that prices will fall further.

Lloyds Bank payment protection claims bill tops £13b

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LOYDS Banking Group received £22.5 billion of taxpayers’ money during the financial crisis. Lloyds Banking Group has set aside a further £1.4b to compensate customers who were mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) as it reported a 38 percent rise in half year pre-tax profits.

It means the bank has now set aside more than £13b in compensation.

Last month, Lloyds was fined a record £117m by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) over the missold PPI. The bank said profits for the six months to the end of June were £1.19b,

compared with £863m a year earlier.

The PPI charge had been widely expected. The three months to the end of June mark the last quarter in which the bank can make set aside PPI compensation against its corporation tax bill.

Lloyds called the additional provision for PPI “disappointing”. It said the extra provision reflected “higher than expected reactive complaints with higher associated redress”.

The bank said it had identified about 1.2 million previously defended PPI complaints for re-review at the end of 2014.

That had now increased to 1.4 mil-

lion cases, the banks said.

Those cases were being reviewed after the FCA fined the bank as a result of an investigation into the way that some 2.3 million complaints were handled.

The FCA found the bank mishandled complaints between March 2012 and May 2013 The bank also recorded a previously reported loss of £660m on the sale of TSB to Banco Sabadell, which it said was now complete.

Lloyds’ chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio said: “Today’s results demonstrate the strong progress we have made in the first half of the year.

“We remain focused on our aim to become the best bank for customer sand shareholders, while at the same time supporting the UK economy.”

The government has reduced its stake in the bank from 43 percent at the percent. The government has been steadily reducing its stake in the bank over the past year with share sales to institutional investors.

It is expected that the government may announce a discounted share sale to the public - similar to many of the privatisations that took place in the 1980s - in the early half of next year, when its stake is set to be as low at five percent.

U.S. employment data drag down dollar, treasury yields

T

HE dollar tumbled and benchmark U.S. Treasury yields touched multi-week lows on Friday as an unexpectedly weak government reading of American labour costs dulled prospects for higher U.S. interest rates.

Wall Street stock prices rose, also taking a cue from the Employment Cost Index data showing the smallest quarterly increase in 33 years. Oil prices declined for a second day on growing worries about global oversupply.

The dollar index declined 0.7 percent, with the basket of major currencies heavily weighed down by a one percent jump in the euro to

$1.1036. The index, which has been rising steadily, earlier touched a near one-week high.

Treasuries prices rallied, with yields on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes falling to a three-week low of 2.2550 percent with the price rising by 17/32 of a point.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield fell to a fresh two-month low of 2.9040 percent from a yield of 2.9390 percent prior to the data. The price was last up 29/32 of a point.

The Employment Cost Index, which is the broadest measure of labour costs, rose just 0.2 percent last quarter, the U.S. Labour Department

reported. Economists had forecast a 0.6 percent rise in the report, which follows a GDP report widely seen as allowing the Federal Reserve to hike rates beginning as early as September.

“The magnitude of the miss was definitely a bit of a surprise, especially as people were really gearing up for a September (rate) hike. This definitely puts a lower probability on that,” said Stanley Sun, interest rate strategist at Nomura Securities International in New York.

Wall Street’s Dow Jones industrial average rose 3.14 points, or 0.02 percent, to 17,749.12, the S&P 500 gained

3.44 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,112.07 and the Nasdaq Composite added 22.40 points, or 0.44 percent, to 5,151.18.

European shares fell slightly with commodity stocks leading the market lower, but remained on track for a 4-percent monthly rise with worries receding about Greece’s membership of the euro area.

China’s CSI300 index ended flat after a late dip to leave it down 14.7 percent on the month. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 1 percent, extending its July losses to 13.4 percent despite recent support measures by the country’s authorities.

BA reports big jump in quarterly profits BRITISH Airways (BA) owner International Airlines Group (IAG) has reported a big jump in quarterly profits. IAG reported a 25 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to •449m (£315m) for the three months to 30 June.

Chief executive Willie Walsh told the BBC’s Today programme the results “reflect the underlying strength of the airlines”.

IAG is in the process of buying Irish carrier Aer Lingus.

The group is still waiting for approval from stakeholder Ryanair, which Mr Walsh is confident they will receive.

“What Ryanair has said is that they do intend to sell us their stake,” he said.

Mr Walsh also said the weakening euro had an impact on the company’s results in the first half of the year: “We continue to take cost out of the business, with both employee and supplier unit costs down at constant currency, and improvements in productivity levels,” said Mr Walsh.

Honda records 20% rise in profit JAPANESE car giant Honda’s net profit jumped 20% in the first quarter on strong sales in its biggest market, North America, and cost-cutting moves.

Its net profit rose to 186bn yen ($1.5b; £960m) in April to June from 155.6b yen a year ago widely beating expectations of 145.7bn yen.

The company said a weaker yen helped offset higher quality-related costs.

Honda recalled another 4.5 million vehicles earlier this month over faulty airbags made by troubled firm Takata.

Japan’s third biggest car maker has been the hardest hit by the continuing saga over a deadly defect in airbags made by the equipment parts maker, with 24.5 million of its cars being recalled since 2008.

Seven people have been killed in Honda cars which were fitted with Takata air bags.

“There is a possibility that Honda will need to recognise additional provisions when new evidence related to product recalls arise,” the company said in a statement.

Barclays cuts 150 investment bank jobs BARCLAYS Plc (BARC.L) is cutting about 150 staff from its investment bank as part of the British bank’s attempt to cut costs and improve profitability in the business, a person familiar with the matter said.

Affected staff, which included managing directors, were said this last week, the source said.

Barclays last year said it would cut about 7,000 investment banking staff by the end of 2016.

It cut about 2,500 in 2014 and expects to cut a similar amount this year and next, and this week’s redundancies are part of that.

It was not clear in what areas most of the cuts would be.

New chairman John McFarlane said the investment bank remained a core part of the bank and he was pleased with an improvement in its return on equity this year, but he said it would continue to scale back in areas where it is not strong.

Analysts expect more cuts in trading activities to allow capital to be diverted to higher-returning advisory and underwriting activities.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

34

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

NAICOM unveils guidelines for business T

HE newly introduced Market Conduct and Business Practice Guidelines, shall guide insurance institutions in the nation, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has said.

The commission said failure to abide by the guidelines, which take effect from last month would attract stringent sanctions.

This was made known by the commission’s Deputy Director, Administration and Supervision, George Onekhena, while presenting the rule books to operators at the just concluded 2015 Maiden Insurance Mega Conference in Abuja.

Onekhena said the Commission is ready to get tougher on erring operators going forward.

He said NAICOM released the guidelines in exercise of the power conferred on it by provisions of

•To sanction erring operators Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

section 49 (1) of National Insurance Commission Act 1997.

He said the release of the guidelines marks the beginning of RiskBased Supervision in the industry, stating that they are partly an extract from the World Bank Risk Based Supervision.

He stressed that the Commission would implement the guidelines to as recommended by the World Bank.

He said: “The guidelines, among others, set out the framework for fair policies, procedures and effective claims management, trade practices and fair treatment of customers, operations, pricing, com-

mission and associated returns as well as foreign facultative reinsurance placement by reinsurance brokers.

“Others are appointment, operation, expansion and documentation, registration requirements, accounts, returns and International Financial Reporting Standard harmonisation carve-out for insurance brokers in Nigeria”.

He further said the objectives of the guidelines are to set out minimum standards required from insurance institutions in their dealings with clients, policy holders and shareholders and other stakeholders.

“It seeks to promote greater fair-

ness and transparency between policyholders and insurance institutions, establishes strong market conduct among practitioners and stakeholders.

“It establishes strong market conduct among practitioners and stakeholders. Strong market conduct ethics serve to reduce mistrust that may exist between clients and insurers, and enhanced mutual confidence improves market efficiency. Conversely, weak market conduct ethics are usually the major reason for the poor development of an insurance market.

“It also provides the board of directors and management of insurance institutions with a frame-

Carmudi, Custodian partner on online car insurance

Staco posts N5.9b gross premium

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S

TACO Insurance Plc has posted a gross premium of N5.96 billion in the financial year 2014 as against the N5.76 billion achieved in 2013 Chairman, Dere Otubu has said.

He made this known during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

He said the company was able to achieve the result in spite of the tough domestic terrain in the year under review.

He added that the company’s profit before tax stood at N137.68 million.

He, however, noted that the net premium dropped to N4.42 billion in 2014 from N4.67 billion recorded in 2013 due to the company’s resolve to reduce risk exposure by embarking on more adequate reinsurance.

This, he said, gave rise to increased reinsurance expenses.

He said the regulatory role of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and other secondary regulators has continued to have positive

•From left: Staco Company Secretary Mrs. Taiwo Ogunbajo; Chairman Otubu and Oyefeso at the event in Lagos

By Fatima Shehu

effects.

He added that industry players conducted business with better ethics and professionalism.

He said: “Firms within the industry have embraced mergers and acquisitions to enable them wax stronger.

“Investors are encouraged with the

improvement in regulation which is tending towards the global trend of RISK based supervision. Foreign entities and private equity forms made inroads into the insurance sector during the year”.

Managing Director, Sakiru Oyefeso said their primary objective at the beginning of the reporting year was to consolidate their position as one of

the leading insurance companies in Nigeria, by confronting the challenge in the area of solvency margin.

He said the company has overcome the challenge of solvency margin during the year as the solvency margin stood at N4.57 billion in 2014 compared to the previous year 2013 when solvency margin was N1.03 billion.

Royal Exchange records N9.4b gross premium, pays dividend

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OYAL Exchange Plc has recorded a gross premium written of N9.43 billion at the end of 2014 financial year, an increase of four per cent from N9.08 billion in 2013.

The company’s total assets rose by

work for the establishment of policies and procedures for effective claims management. This is imperative as insurers stake their reputation and financial stability on the quality and efficiency of their claims operations.”

Onekhena added that the guidelines provide principles to ensure customers are treated fairly, both before a contract is entered into and through to the point at which all obligations under the contract are discharged.

He said the guidelines state the responsibility of the insurance institutions in ensuring that their activities are properly coordinated and carried out in a professional manner while it also sets out the general licensing and authorisation requirements for insurers, intermediaries and other insurance institutions.

28 per cent to close at N26.27 billion as against N20.27 billion the previous year, an increase of 28 per cent.

The company during the review year met claims obligation to the tune of N2.43 billion.

Also from a profit before tax

N315.63 million, the company is paying a dividend of two kobo per 50 kobo share held by members of the company.

Royal Exchange Chairman, Kenneth Ezenwani Odogwu made this known during the company’s 46th

•Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, inaugurating the Centre for Insurance and Financial Management Studies (CIFMS). With him is Rector Dr. Yeside Abiodun Oyetayo.

Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

He explained that the low profit was as a result of the rise in management expenses which rose to N3.09 billion in 2014 compared with N2.53 billion in 2013.

According to him, this was attributable to on-going branch expansion, retail business development and investment in e-business and information technology.

On the prospect, he said the company sees significant growth in Takaful and micro-insurance services in the retail insurance space, as a means of boosting insurance penetration and driving financial inclusion amongst the lower income class.

Group Managing Director, Chike Mokwunye, said the performance of Royal Exchange Group in 2014 was a show of resilience.

He said: “At group level, we ran a two-prong business growth approach focused on sustaining old businesses and at the same time acquiring new direct businesses.

“The company also diversified its revenue base by deepening its tentacles in traditional financial services markets and concurrently branching out into frontier market segments”, he said.

O make vehicle insurance more accessible to car owners, Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited is set to provide vehicle insurance on its leading car platform, Carmudi, Head, Business Planning & Strategy Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited, Oladele Akinsanya, has said.

He made this known during the roll-out of the initiative.

He said Custodian finds in Carmudi a firm desirous of making the online environment the preferred commerce avenue for every Nigerian - a drive that is consistent with Custodian’s commitment to make insurance available to all and still remain at the cutting edge of technological deployments, product offerings and service delivery.

He said insurance penetration in Nigeria had continued to fall in spread and depth, despite the country’s economic growth.

He added that less than one per cent of the Nigeria carries valid insurance despite that the country has 166 million people.

Of the 1.3 million Nigerians who carry insurance, the majority, about 63 percent, are car insurance.

He pointed out that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria has the highest automobile accidents in Africa, with about 7,741 accidents last year.

Less than 67 per cent of the vehicles involved had insurance, placing more strain on the vehicle owners.

Akinsanya explained that to access this service, customers are required to visit the Carmudi Nigeria website, click on the Custodian and Allied Insurance Banner or the Get Insurance Link, and fill the form provided.

This done, an instant quote is generated and the customer is able to procure his or her valid motor insurance cover on the spot at competitive prices.

The classes offered include the Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft and Comprehensive Motor Insurance Covers.

Managing Director, Carmudi Nigeria, Amy Muoneke said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled about this partnership. ‘’Working with Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited will enable us to offer safety and peace of mind to our customers, in addition to affordable cars.”

35

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

• NSE trading floor

A market of many benefits O

N June 2, the Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC), literally with a stroke of pen opened window of opportunities for capital market operators and other enterprising Nigerians to make money from the market.

The rule on investment agents, otherwise known as sub-brokers, allows individually registered stockbrokers and professional members of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and nonstockbrokers first degree holders to set up their private firms and deal as investment agents in the market.

To registered stockbrokers, it opens a window of freedom and a shortcut to bypass the current restrictive regulatory framework that limits a stockbroker’s professional practice within a registered stockbroking firm as against other professions such as Medicine, Law and Accounting, among others that enable professionals to practice as individuals. To other first-degree holders, the multitude of self-employed, underemployed and unemployed people, the new rule is an opportunity to engage in the limitless opportunities in the capital market.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday, July 13, started the implementation of the sub-broker framework. Between SEC, the apex capital market regulator that signed on the sub-broker frame-

On June 13, the capital market adopted a new rule, allowing sub-brokers to deal as investment agents, thereby creating opportunity for Nigerians to participate and earn income from the market, reports TAOFIK SALAKO. work, and the NSE, the originator and implementer of the sub-broker framework, Nigerian capital market authorities appeared to have opened enormous wealth and self-dependence for millions of aspiring Nigerians. The sub-broker framework was first codified into guidelines in the second half of 2014.

The draft guidelines were approved by the Rules and Adjudication Committee (RAC) of the National Council of the NSE for exposure to stakeholders for comments in October 2014. Between October and November 2014, the guidelines were exposed for stakeholders’ comments. The draft guidelines and stakeholders’ comments received thereon were considered by the RAC at its emergency meeting on December 10, 2014 and the RAC consequently approved the revised draft guidelines for submission to the National Council of the Exchange, which approved the draft guidelines at its December 11, 2014 meeting.

The guidelines were submitted to SEC for approval on December 18, 2014, which nearly six months after, approved the sub-broker framework on June 2, this year. The appreciable regulator-operator collaboration between SEC and NSE gave birth to this initiative. SEC had in 2013 laid the foundation for sub-brokerage firms and sub-brokers by including the two as part of legal operators in the marketplace. The NSE’s sub-broker framework built on this.

How to start a sub-brokerage firm and be a sub-broker The guidelines on sub-brokerage define a sub-broker as “any person or entity not being a dealing member, that is registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission as a sub-broker; and acts on behalf of a dealing member as its agent for assisting investors in buying, selling or dealing in securities through such dealing member.”

The sub-broker helps the broker to market securities, collect investor’s mandate and documents and foster the agent-principal relationship between the broker and investor by facilitating securities trading and rendering of returns to the investor. Beyond the knowledge of capital market, the capital requirement for the sub-brokerage practice has been deliberately made affordable to ensure that it serves the purpose of democratising investors’ access to the market. The minimum capital base requirements for sub-brokers are specified in Section 67 of the SEC’s Rules and Regulations 2013, which prescribes the minimum capital for corporate and individual sub-brokers at N1 million and N500,000 respectively.

In addition to registration by SEC, the NSE’s framework outlined specific eligibility criteria for sub-broker. It is only a sub-broker that is registered by SEC and meets the eligibility criteria of the NSE, that can be engaged by any dealing member or stockbroker.

Besides general provisions on knowledge about the theories, rules and operations of the capital market, the main requirement an individual that is sponsored as a sub-broker is that such a sponsored individual shall be an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) or a first degree holder in relevant fields as may from time to time be determined by the Exchange in line with the Rules and Regulations of the SEC, with a minimum of five years’ post working experience, excluding National Youth Service. The other requirements lie within the purview of the stockbroker-sub-broker relationship and agreement.

Dealing members are required to ensure that their clients are not acting in the capacity of sub-broker unless such clients are registered with SEC as subbrokers. Dealing members are also required to execute agreements with each of their sub-brokers specifying the rights and responsibilities of the dealing members and sub-brokers as provided in the Rules and Regulations of the Commission.

Any stockbroker, who wishes to transact business with a sub-broker shall submit an application for approval pursuant to Article 8 of the Rules and Regula•Continued on page 36

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

JOBS

A market of many benefits •Continued from page 35

tions Governing Dealing Members to the Exchange in writing with supporting documents such as a certified true copy of the Registration Letter of the sub-broker issued by the SEC, a copy of the documents evidencing the qualifications of the sponsored individual(s) of the sub-broker, a completed standard form guarantee document completed by the dealing member, a copy of the agreement between the sub-broker and dealing member and any other document(s) that may be required by the Exchange.

Besides, the onus lies on the stockbroker, who is the principal in the stockbroker-subbroker relationship, to ensure that the subbroker complies at all times with the rules and regulations governing dealing members and all capital market rules and regulations, including the know your customer (KYC) requirements. The dealing member shall be responsible for the internal review of activities of the sub-broker and shall ensure that supervisory controls are put in place to monitor the activities of the sub-broker. The dealing member is expected to submit a quarterly report of its review of the activities of the sub-broker in a form to be prescribed by the Exchange with the dealing member’s quarterly report.

Vast opportunities The sub-broker serves as the outpost for the stockbroker and since there is no limit to the number of sub-brokers that a stockbroking firm can engage, the sub-brokerage framework creates a win-win situation for all the stakeholders including the regulators, which benefit from more coordinated and disciplined transaction process with higher levels of accountability. The stockbroking firms can reach the critical mass of urban and remote potential investors through a relatively cheaper mechanism than branch networks. With the new rule, existing and potential investors can have better interface and doorstep services at no extra costs while the self-employed, unemployed, underemployed enterprising Nigerians can draw on their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to earn legal living without harassment of quackery. Nigerians will directly benefit from the immense job-creation potential of the framework and addi-

tionally leverage on the potential mass capital formation that comes from expanding domestic investors’ base to generate the much-needed domestic capital to bridge infrastructure gap and fuel the much-needed industrial growth, creating a cycle of wealth and better living standards; the sole objective of any government and the main elixir to socio-economic and political problems.

Head, Broker Dealer Regulation, NSE, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, said the sub-broker framework was developed with a view to enhance financial inclusion by attracting new entrants to the capital market particularly those based in remote, rural or semi-urban areas where investors are more likely to be less sophisticated and may not have access to modern technology infrastructure.

“It is also to discourage illegal capital market operators from taking undue advantage of investors and to create an enabling environment for micro-operators to participate in the capital market in a regulated manner,” Shobanjo, who is officially saddled with interpreting the rule, added.

Latest report on the job situation in Nigeria by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that 97,020 employees left the formal sector in the first quarter of the year.

According to the report, the highest numbers of exits in the formal sector were in trade, accommodation and food services, and the education sector, accounting for 11 per cent, 13 per cent and 37 per cent of the total.

Nigerian capital market is regarded as an emerging market; a vast ocean of opportunities. With a growing population of some 170 million, Nigeria’s large population, and vast geographical space too, is both an advantage and disadvantage. Currently less than five per cent of the Nigerian popula-

• Mounir Gwarzo, Ag. DG SEC

• Oscar Onyema, DG NSE

tion is participating in the capital market, underlining the potential challenge and opportunity of capital market penetration.

Besides, while the market is still largely equities-based, the increasing emergence of new products and the development of the debt market hold out large future opportunities for securities dealers and marketers.

The collective investment segment, otherwise known as mutual fund, is a good example of the opportunities that sub-brokers can explore. With some 52 funds in 10 various sectors and total assets of some N160 bil-

lion, the mutual funds segment is still largely undeveloped. No fewer than 300,000 Nigerians are participating in collective investment schemes. This contrasts sharply with the situations in other emerging and developed markets where mutual funds are the largest investors in the market. While the poor penetration and low participation represent major challenges for the government and capital market authorities, they also represent huge untapped opportunities for sub-brokers, who can tap into the relatively developed cooperative system and Nigeria’s natural communal perspective to foster micro mutual funds.

‘Besides general provisions on knowledge about the theories, rules and operations of the capital market, the main requirement an individual that is sponsored as a sub-broker is that such a sponsored individual shall be an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) or a first degree holder in relevant fields as may from time to time be determined by the Exchange in line with the Rules and Regulations of the SEC, with a minimum of five years’ post working experience, excluding National Youth Service’

Regulated marketplace Many have expressed reservations that the sub-brokerage framework may be counterproductive and exacerbate the issue of touting, contrary to the intention of the rule.

President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Shehu Mikhail, said the subbrokerage system might make the market to porous unless proper checks and surveillance were put in place.

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC EMPOWERMENT CLINIC

Which is better: Exceptional specialist or effective generalist? (II)

By Goke Ilesanmi

one who knows about many different things and can do them well. Let us continue from where we stopped.

Language and specialism mentality

•Ilesanmi

L

AST week, we said competence is very crucial in what ever we do to be able to establish the necessary credibility and become a brand. We expatiated that competence can easily come from “Specialism” (the right British English word called “Specialisation” in American English).

We said the need to have multiple streams of income is often emphasised as one of the ways to achieve financial sufficiency. We added that this necessity readily challenges us to be a generalist capable of generating income through different sources or skills. We explained that a generalist is to some-

Also, the strong desire of most Nigerian parents for specialism has even made them to restrict the language acquisition of their children to English alone, all in the name of compelling them (the children) to attain proficiency in it. Such linguistic restriction is due to ignorance because, God has blessed children with Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that makes them naturally ACQUIRE languages upon exposure to those languages. But adults LEARN second languages (that are not their mother tongue).

So if we speak twenty languages to a child at the same time, he or she will speak all of them fluently. Note that the LAD is active in a child till the age of eight or nine. If your child cannot speak the mother tongue, it will be difficult for him or her to attain maturity in English because he or she will not be able to think first

in the mother language before transferring knowledge to English for a complementary process.

Personal transformation In a related development, when I came back to journalism from where I was lecturing at the polytechnic in those days, I was so addicted to specialism that I was writing just one column (on Language use). Later, my managing editor told me to add a book review column to it and review business books. But I was reluctant initially because I did not want to “dilute” or “pollute” my specialism.

Eventually, I started combining the two columns and soon, more commendations started rolling in torrents for me from readers.

As a result of reviewing books in different areas of business and personal development, companies and individuals started consulting me in different areas of knowledge as an expert. In fact, before long, the Economics Department of the University of Lagos invited me as the Keynote Speaker for Economics Week.

Eight days later, the Accounting Department also invited me as Keynote Speaker for the Accounting Week.

It is noteworthy that stories

abound, for instance, about mechanics that had been specialists of just a particular brand of vehicles and suddenly found themselves jobless when such a brand got out of circulation.

Just imagine the threat to the jobs of those who are post-office specialists now with the advent of the International Network (Internet)!

Entrepreneurship and distinction Entrepreneurs have also been classified as generalists and specialists.

Generalist entrepreneurs are strategic thinkers. They are big-pictureoriented, prefer environments where they can use their resultsdriven nature, enjoy autonomy and independence, and are stronger risktakers. This is the source of their need to win and their belief that they are always right. They are, therefore, self-confident.

However, specialist entrepreneurs are tactically oriented, prefer operating within their areas of expertise, are more detail-oriented, and prefer environments that provide both security and stability. Specialists are typically more risk-averse, unless they are working within their areas of expertise. Therefore, doing things

by the book by following rules, policies and procedures is more important to them.

Final note Even though it is good to be a specialist, it is risky to limit yourself to one thing. So it is better to exploit all your potential and diversify your undertakings for more opportunities.

PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Professional Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.

Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

37

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

THE CEO Until recently, Nigeria and indeed, Africa had no clear and coordinated approach to standardisation of products. This made the continent a dumping ground for substandard products. But the trend begun to change two years ago when the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Director-General Dr Joseph Odumodu was elected African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) president. Under his watch, over 800 standards have so far been harmonised. There are plans to harmonise a total of 1,500 standards in the next one year before he leaves office. In this interview with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA, Odumodu says ARSO is using standardisation to break down trade barriers and build a more robust economy for Africa. He spoke on this and other issues. Excerpts.

W

HAT stage are you are in terms of harmonisation of standards across the region, and enhancement of intra-African trade.

In 1991 there was what they call the ‘Abuja Treaty’. And it was in that treaty that African countries talked about the creation of African economic community. In that treaty also, they identified the importance of quality infrastructure in the development of the African continent. There were also other issues that they highlighted issues of the fact that we are not talking to each other enough.

Africa was not trading with each other. Africa was trading with other economic communities. What was also identified as a major cause of it was the fact that we were already used to the quality of products that were coming from other continents, but apparently we did not trust each other about the quality of products we were circulating amongst ourselves. ARSO was actually formed about 50 years ago by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). But I must say that not much was done after the formation of ARSO in terms of using it as a vehicle for creating economic development for Africa because just like Nigeria, nobody talks about how we can use standards to create or to develop our economies. Today, at least in the last four to five years, everybody is talking about quality infrastructure and the fact that even though we have lived with measurements, standardisation and all that, defining them in the context of how they can help to facilitate trade was not there; I don’t think we’ve created that linkage. Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) was there developing standards; sometimes they go to the industries and harass people for not complying with the standards and all that. Today, we now know that if I want to trade with Ghana or South Africa, we need to speak the same language.

I gave an analogy at a conference that a standard is like our mothers who know how to cook and somehow if they want to cook Egusi soup, they didn’t need to read from any standard book, but they knew how to get the right measures of salt, pepper and everything and it comes out wonderful in taste. It’s also the way that standard is. You cook for yourself; maybe you don’t need a standard or you put the standard in your

• Bello

‘We’ve redefined standardisation ’ ‘Today, at least in the last four to five years, everybody is talking about quality infrastructure and the fact that even though we have lived with measurements, standardisation and all that, defining them in the context of how they can help to facilitate trade was not there’ head. But if you have to cook for somebody else, you begin to look at how we can cook for everybody so that we all can accept the same taste. And then think about cooking for another country and that’s where the harmonisation of standards comes in. It is that harmonisation that creates a basis for you and I to do business. So, harmonisation has started happening, but we also have limited ourselves to where we have what we call comparative and competitive advantage.

What are the areas?

In Africa, we are reputed for exporting agricultural products to other parts of the world, and that has also defined where we have developed competences. So, if you look at cocoa, cotton, etc those are the areas where you can see African countries have done business in and that’s also what we have tried to do to begin first of all to deal with each other because we have cocoa in Nigeria, we have cocoa in Ghana, but because of agricultural and geographic differences the cocoa in Nigeria may have certain advantages over the cocoa in Ghana or vis-versa. I will give you an example. Cocoa has a tendency to take what they call heavy metals from around it like lead and

mercury. So, in defining a standard for cocoa you must define the limits for some of those heavy metals that have impacts on health. So, today, in Africa we have actually harmonised like maize, garri; there are lots of products in the agricultural area that we have harmonised. We’ve also defined in the area of engineering, in the area of chemicals. Those areas, as I said where we have the ability to develop products. There we have about 800 standards that are already harmonised. However, in some areas, you know what we are doing is we do within Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), we do within East Africa, we do within the Southern region; we also do within the Northern African union (Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and others).

There’s a lot of work that has been done within ECOWAS now; there is a lot of work done within East Africa. In fact, the East Africans have already started harmonising with the Southern Africans through their Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA). So, they have already done a lot of work. But even at the auspices of ARSO what we’ve done is to select some of them and harmonise. Somehow I tell people that Africa seems to be blessed with

strong countries within each of those groups such as Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Those are the countries that are leading the process of harmonisation.

Have we achieved where we should be? No we haven’t. Have we started redefining intra-African trade from 10 per cent to 25 per cent? We haven’t reached there, but I think we’ve created enough bases for those businesses to happen. But we also realised that apart from quality infrastructure there are also other forms of infrastructure that are required. For example, we want to create some geographic linkages. If you want to travel to Cameroon it may actually be easier for you to go to London and come back to Cameroon. Because it is how the goods will move that also people will be able to move.

But what is good is that the Heads of States of African Union defined the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) to be promulgated by 2017. Some people say it’s too early. We don’t think it’s too early because we are working towards it; we believe that we can cross the bridge when we get there.

So, we are creating an opportunity for the Heads of States to make the decisions. In fact, I am headed to South Africa and at that meeting we are all standardisation, metrology, accreditation; all the groups in Africa I am meeting because we need to summit the paper to the AU Heads of States meeting and it is all in furtherance to the realisation of the 2017 CFTA. You know you cannot force everybody to do it; it’s a kind of moral suasion. If we do this it will be beneficial to us as Africa. If we do this we can industrialise Africa; Africa has a huge population and our population is growing. In fact, when I look at Africa and I look at Nigeria I say Nigeria is just a microcosm of all the African challenges because we are saddled with invasion of sub-standard products. We are saddled with poverty, disease and all that. But I think what we can do is using standardisation to break down trade barriers and then to ensure that we can build a more robust economy for Africa. If we do that and keep away bad products, because what we are doing now is how can we support our weaker African brothers. Some of them don’t even have standards bodies.

Those of us who are developed in standards give standards to them and then we do what we call bi-lateral agreement or mutual recognition agreement so that we can trade seamlessly in such a way that we can support them, we can learn from each other about what is done successfully and then we can build a better Africa.

To achieve this there will be need for capacity development across various countries. How can you make this happen because it is one thing to have the standards and another thing to implement the standards?

When we do ECOWAS harmonisation, it is led by Nigeria, because some of the countries are not endowed with what we have so, we are the one who lead the process.

Today, West Africa has what we call Quality Policy for West Africa. It was championed by Nigeria. So, we are actually providing technical support to smaller countries. I know, for example, we’ve done something for Cameroon. We’ve trained some other countries like Liberia where they set up their standard bodies and we helped as Nigeria to train them so that they can all come to the same level. The reason why we are also doing that is not because we know too much, but because apart from being our brother’s keeper, we need to build everybody to come to the same level. If we don’t come to the same level how can we trade?

We can’t speak the same language and all that. So, those are some of the things that are being currently done. Nigeria and Kenya, for example, have actually done a lot in capacity building. And at the last meeting too, we were mandated by ARSO to provide capacity for lesser endowed African countries for free because at the end of the day, like I said, we are doing it for Africa and Africa’s growth.

It seems West Africa is being left behind in the implementation of the CFTA agenda.

How do you think you can use your office as ARSO President to drive the agenda?

I don’t know if it’s an accident, but yes, ECOWAS appears to be at the tail end of the progress that we have made so far. But I must say that we have made so much progress in the last two years. But our lack of appreciable progress is also as a result of our historical antecedents. We had two ECOWAS basically, and there is this ten•Continued on page 38

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

THE CEO

‘We’ve redefined standardisation ’ •Continued from page 37

dency of us not speaking enough with each other. So, we have the French-speaking and English-speaking and even among the English-speaking we don’t even speak with one voice. So, there are a few challenges, but what we have also done is to provide the leadership that we can use to drive it because today I am president and I don’t want a situation where we will be the regional economic group that will keep Africa behind. So, like I said we have made so much progress in the last two years, but East and Central Africa are so far ahead already.

There are also reasons why they are far ahead because there is geographical, language and there is a lot of traffic among them already. And most of the multilateral agencies somehow, whether by accident, reside within those two communities. For example, we have United Nations Economic Community for Africa. But like I said we are making better efforts. Let me look at Nigeria. When we started in 2011, Nigeria did not have metrology, no accreditation, but today Nigeria is showing strongly. We have actually within two or three years built enough grounds to level out with countries like South Africa and Kenya. In the next two years, I can assure you, we will be clearly at par with all of them. That parity is also what will help to accelerate the process of integration in Africa.

A lot of products have been harmonised.

Is there any common product within this region that has refused to be harmonised?

I am not actually tracking what is not being harmonised. Let me give you an example. Garri has been harmonised in Africa and if you see garri in South Africa or in Nigeria or anywhere it is the same garri, it has the same specifications anywhere. You know when we are harmonising at the level of the international community that because of technological advances you will now begin to see products that are being dropped, but in Africa we have not attained that level. We really need to put efforts to harmonise before we begin to dump products.

How many more products do you hope to harmonise within the next one year?

I don’t have the figure off hand, but in the next one year, because I have just one year to go, we will make sure that we would have done up to 1, 500 in total. But like I said harmonisation is also driven by the market need; we don’t want to harmonise for the fun of it, we want to harmonise what we can trade on with each other. And what I’ve also found is, for example, in Cameroon they have a factory that does intermediates for cocoa powder and all that. So we have cocoa in Nigeria, crude, and we can harmonise with them so that we can also feed into that industry that they have there. But one good thing about harmonisation is that you can use what you have done partly to continue to do some work elsewhere and in a very seamless way as if you are running one factory.

ARSO came out strongly during the meeting against the issue of dumping in the region. How does ARSO intend to go about checking dumping?

In our meetings we agreed on the fact that Africa seems to have one big enemy, because if you look at Africa in the context of industrialisation it does appear that Arica stepped back in the last 10 or 15 years and if you investigate that you find out that the growth of certain Asian economies also resulted in decline of industrialisation in Africa. That’s not a challenge. I think what is a challenge is that because of the weak regulatory framework in Africa it is easy to bring those products; maybe that’s what you are also referring to as dumping. There is nothing wrong with bringing products into economies once they attract the right price and there is quality, but the point is when you are sending sub-standard products into African economies. It’s not fair; it’s actually inhuman as far as I am concerned. So, what we have done also is to work with our colleagues first to share our best practices. But one thing I found that shocked me was that every country we went to they were going through the same challenges as Nigeria. So, I think they must have found out that maybe there were certain initiative that we introduced such as issues of registering the products, issues of con-

sumer education; because the reason why these products come into Africa is because African consumers are very ignorant. So, we are sharing best practices; we are sharing experiences, and we are also helping our weaker colleagues. Remember if Africa forms a continental free trade area the weakest point will be the weakest countries that those products can come into and then they can get to the rest of Africa so, everybody must be at the same level and that’s what we have committed ourselves to.

You visited some Asian countries identified as culprits in the business of bringing in substandard products. What motivated you to do this?

We are engaging those people at another level. We are engaging them now at the level of the African Union. Like I said I am going tonight for a meeting and those are the initiatives that we are also canvassing.

The point is that if Nigeria fights with a big economy Nigeria may not be too successful, but if Africa fights there is going to be somebody listening and that is the basis for our strategy now that let’s fight as Africa because we have the critical mass. And if Africa for example says if you don’t do this we will ban products coming from you they will listen because I am sure Africa constitutes maybe over 50 per cent of their manufacturing output.

Can you pick out some segments of the economy that are beginning to feel the trickle down effects or benefits of these actions?

I think one that sticks out is the cable manufacturing area. We’ve done a lot of interventions within the cables and I am happy that the cable manufacturers are now giving testimonies that things are getting better for them. I must also say that if you go to some of them like Coleman Wire and Cables, they’ve actually made huge investments in recent times. There is also Cutis Cables in Nnewi, Anambra State. So, there are actually exciting testimonials. We also can talk about the galvanised metal products, the one we call zinc. When we did some review of standards we actually found out that almost 30, 000 employment positions were filled within the industry and now those people are able to export their products outside of Nigeria. The most astonishing for me though is in the re-enforcement bars. If you go and ask the big construction companies especially the multinational ones in Nigeria, way back in 2011 they bought everything, they imported everything from abroad. Of course, it cost them more because you have to put money down to be able to import products like bars that they use for their buildings. Today, most of them are importing less than 20 per cent of their requirements. Why? Because they found the local re-enforcement bars are now competing at the same level with the internal products that they are buying. For example, for the re-enforcement bars, we told them that we needed to create some traceability. So, today if any building comes down or you go to the market I can tell you who made what. So, you cannot hide in the crowd. Even if a building comes down, during the investigation we are able to tell where and who made what because there are identity marks. When I came I found out that most of them do not have quality assurance systems; we insisted that they must have, they must buy equipment and those equipment must be calibrated and people who must work there must also be people who are well trained. And these are also showing in the kind of the outcome of the quality of the products. I think what is

• Bello

critical on this job is having the passion and a single-minded approach to pursuing it. I think what we have seen in Africa is that if you look away people turn round and want to make profits because the consumers are largely ignorant. And then don’t lose concentration; if you lose concentration they will go back to their old ways.

In the area of SONCAP is there any window of opportunity or concession to manufacturers to fast track their import process?

The SONCAP is a scheme to keep away products that do not meet the standards especially when they are coming from outside. What we have done is to single out manufacturing, maybe because of my experience in manufacturing also, that these people need their materials when they need them. And two, they are already challenged with a lot of infrastructure issues, even delays at the ports. So, what we’ve done also is to facilitate and to make sure that there is a small window that we have created for manufacturers to obtain permits to bring in those products without having to pay an arm and a leg as against those who are importing finished goods and I think the manufacturing industry is better for it.

How far has SON gone in reducing the preponderance of sub-standard products?

Also the destruction of seized substandard products amount to economic waste, you indicated the possibility of recycling. Is that arrangement still on course?

Yes, but you know we are not government, but what we have done is to encourage businessmen to invest in recycling plants. For example, when you seize tyres, tyres contain some metals. The rubber can be used

‘We are sharing best practices; we are sharing experiences, and we are also helping our weaker colleagues. Remember if Africa forms a continental free trade area the weakest point will be the weakest countries that those products can come into and then they can get to the rest of Africa so, everybody must be at the same level and that’s what we have committed ourselves to’

by other heavy industries for providing energy basically and then the other part goes to the steel industry as raw material. But generally, the level of sub-standard products in Nigeria has reduced in the last three years. It may have been constant in the last two years; I mean whatever level it is has remained constant and the reason is obvious. I said to somebody yesterday government in its wisdom removed SON from being at the ports and that singular action now hampered the drive for reducing substandard products in Nigeria because today we are not at the ports so, we do not even know what is coming into Nigeria. As an organisation we devised another alternative. We went to the markets. The markets are risky, they are more difficult and we are also limited. There are 1, 400 people in SON. There are over 1, 400 markets in Nigeria so, I can’t even send one staff per market and I don’t know how effective one person will be in a market. So, it does appear that we have slowed down in the drive to reduce those products in Nigeria, but what we have done now is also to segment. Today, for example, our statistics show that electrical/electronic products constitute over half of the substandard products. So, what we’ve done now is that within one month we are launching a campaign on what we call ‘Operation Flush’ and we are going to focus on electrical/electronic products and you will hear because if I am running a campaign or if I am doing something people will hear because I will do it in a way that if people don’t complain then you are not effective. People are going to complain even to the president that this man is disrupting our business, but actually we must disrupt businesses of people who do not want to do the right thing. So, we are going to hit them, we will actually hit at all levels; we will go to the markets, we are reviewing the SONCAP certification for those products. But we are also going to be talking to the consumers. So, it’s going to be a three-pronged approach, that’s why we call it operation flush. The consumers must also be tutored on what to look out for when they want to buy electrical or electronic products. The more people stay away from those products the less they will bring them in. And I can tell you watch out before the end of the year you will see a new lease of life for industries because there is an inverse relationship between reduction of substandard products and the health of the manufacturing industry.

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MOTORING

V

OLKSWAGEN overtook Toyota as the world’s largest carmaker by sales in the first half of the year, achieving its long-held ambition three years ahead of target.

This development is coming barely one month after Volkswagen restarted production at the Nigerian plant to increase global market and sales potential.

VW has been pushing for greater scale under Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn’s eightyear reign, propelled by adding brands and factories and above all, enhancing sales in China.

The German group had on July 17 reported 5.04 million deliveries in the first half year, outmanoeuvring Toyota’s 5.02 million cars between January and June of the corresponding period.

Toyota, due to announce firsthalf earnings tomorrow but admitted sales were dragged down by a slowdown in emerging markets and increased taxes on mini vehicles in Japan.

VW’s rapid expansion has masked underperformance in the United States and Brazil, where it has been slow to upgrade models and adjust its offerings to market trends, analysts say.

Although boosting market share and brand awareness, VW’s race for volume has triggered a costly proliferation of models and equipment, espe-

•Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen overtakes Toyota as world’s biggest carmaker Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

cially in its core passenger-car brand where profit margins have languished amid growing

inefficiencies.

With over 310 models and nearly 120 factories worldwide, VW’s size may be turning into a disadvantage, forming the back-

drop to a leadership crisis in April when ex-chairman Ferdinand Piech was ousted after publicly criticising Winterkorn.

VW’s top management has since been trying to regain the initiative, though other top players, notably its unions and stakeholder Lower Saxony, are seeking to influence the course of its move to a leaner structure as VW is pushing 5 billion euros of cost savings in its core division.

Wolfsburg-based VW last year started shifting its focus to boosting earnings quality to help fund growing technology needs and plant upgrades.

VW has a goal of “moderately” raising deliveries from last year’s record 10.14 million cars. The group will publish first-half results on Wednesday.

But staying on top will be a challenge for the German maker of the Golf and Polo, as deliveries are falling in China, destination of a third of its global sales, making it overly reliant on relatively stagnant western European demand.

“We are certain that further growth is possible, which is why Volkswagen is constantly searching for new opportunities to increase global market and sales potential and we appreciate the fact that we are able to strengthen our business relationship with our professional partner Stallion,” Volkswagen Africa Sales and Marketing helmsman Wolfgang Ratz told the media at the inauguration of the Volkswagen plant in Lagos.

Five contestants eliminated in Ranger Odyssey competition

F

IVE among the 20 contestants of the ongoing Ranger Odyssey competition have been eliminated.

They include Johan Henn, Xoliswa Nontanda, Giftson Onuiri, a photographer from Lagos, Gavin Jones, sales manager from Johannesburg and Pretoria-based IT administrator Monica Nkosna.

However, Moyosore Fawole, the owner of a Nigerian construction company, was also scheduled to head home. But, in a dramatic surprise twist for the remaining 14 contestants, there was an additional voting session where each person was given the opportunity to vote one of the four eliminated contest-

ants back into the game. The results were tallied up along with those of the team of instructors, and Fawole was given a lifeline and the opportunity to continue through to the end of the 2015 Ranger Odyssey.

“I’m really happy to be back in the game, although I had already made peace with the fact that my trip had ended,” Fawole said, adding: “This has been a fantastic experience, and I feel very fortunate to be able to see it through to the end.

“I’ve always had a bucket list and driving across the desert was on it, so the fact that I got to do it in the amazing Ford Ranger was even better. Through the Ranger Odyssey

I’ve gained lots of 4x4 driving experience and skills, and I’ve even amazed myself. This whole experience has been a blessing throughout.”

For Nkosna, the elimination came as somewhat of a surprise. “I don’t know what went wrong because I did not see this coming,” she said.

“I didn’t do too well when it came to the theory, but when it counted I think I pulled my weight. The experience was great, I learnt a lot and I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Odyssey,” she said.

Jones was similarly disappointed to be leaving early, but was upbeat about the entire experience, saying: “I’m not surprised and to be honest

I’m okay with being eliminated. I had a feeling walking into the elimination that it was going to happen and in all honesty my marks on the exams were indeed shocking. The early mornings don’t go well with me, neither do the tests. But it has been a life-changing adventure, and the trip and all the people have been phenomenal.”

Onuiri said: “Unfortunately I don’t think the other contestants understood me, but overall I feel good about how I played the game. My scores have been pretty low but I was hoping for a second chance.

“I know that it was a competition and not everybody wins but at the end of the day, I think the experi-

Jaguar F-PACE scales test hurdles

•Jaguar FPACE hot test image

F

ROM the searing heat and dust of Dubai to the ice and snow of Northern Sweden, the new FPACE has been tested to the limit in some of the most inhospitable environments on earth.

Jaguar’s performance crossover offers an unrivalled blend of performance, design and practicality. To ensure that every system functions perfectly even under the most extreme

conditions, the new F-PACE has been subjected to one of the most demanding test programmes the company has ever devised.

“We developed the F-PACE to offer the ride, handling and refinement demanded from a Jaguar, together with exceptional levels of ability and composure on all surfaces and in all weathers,” said Andrew Whyman, Vehicle Programme Director, Jaguar F-PACE.

“Just as we paid obsessive attention to detail over the engineering of every single component, we’ve exhaustively tested the F-PACE in the most challenging conditions to ensure that it will exceed the expectations of our customers around the world,” Whyman said.

At Jaguar Land Rover’s test facility in Arjeplog, Northern Sweden, average winter temperatures rarely ex-

ceed -15°C and often plummet to 40°C. The 60km of purpose-built handling tracks, mountain climbs, inclines, split-friction straights and offroad areas are ideal for optimising the calibration of the all-wheel drive system, Dynamic Stability Control and technologies such as Jaguar’s revolutionaryAll-Surface Progress Control. The work done here makes sure that, whether on asphalt, snow or ice, the F-PACE delivers the connected steering feel and agility fundamental to Jaguar dynamics DNA. In Dubai, ambient temperatures can exceed 50°C in the shade. When vehicles are left out in direct sunlight, cabin temperatures can soar to 70°C – exactly what’s needed to ensure that everything from climate control systems to infotainment touchscreens function perfectly in extremes of heat and humidity.

And while the test engineers can relax in air-conditioned comfort as they drive in city traffic, this part of the test cycle is designed to place the cooling systems under very high load through a combination of high ambient temperatures and low airflow.

The F-PACE has also been driven over gravelled mountain passes. This is the first time that a Jaguar test programme has included this uniquely challenging environment, and it is this attention to detail that will help to make Jaguar’s first performance crossover the benchmark in its segment.

ence is the real prize. I only wish I got to continue right to the end, even if I didn’t get to win because this journey has been the highlight of my life.

“Ford doesn’t just produce vehicles. Ford is a brand that produces safety, comfort and security – everybody deserves to experience a Ranger,” he said.

For the remaining 15 contestants, they have just one day left to raise their game and battle it out for the exceptional ultimate prize: an Odyssey Ranger for a year, plus the equivalent of R5 000 fuel per month.

The winner of Ranger Odyssey 2015 will be revealed at a Ford event in Sandton on August 11.

ABC trains 400 staff

A

BC Transport has concluded a productivity enhancement training for its driving crew. No fewer than 400 drivers and attendants from coach, cargo and haulage took part in the workshop held in Lagos and Owerri respectively.

The drivers and attendants were primarily trained on vehicle maintenance, tyre management, and operational challenges.

The workshop was aimed at imbuing the staff with the necessary skills to manage modernday quality service delivery and customer relationship.

The company had earlier celebrated drivers and attendants who did not record any accident at its Accident-free Award ceremony.

At the event, over 200 drivers and attendants were awarded cash prizes.

The annually event saw drivers who had had no accidents for five years in a row also honoured.

Meanwhile, the company’s Cargo Express has opened an office in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

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Taxation

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LECTRONIC-TAXPAY is an online self-service tax payment system which gives taxpayers the opportunity to pay their taxes through their banks’ online payment portals. It is an initiative of FIRS in collaboration with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). It is meant to facilitate payments of taxes from the comfort of taxpayers’ offices or homes.

Taxpayers can pay using the electronic channels provided by their banks such as the banks’ internet banking platform, branches and mobile banking platforms.

Conditions to be met by taxpayer before using e-Taxpay platform • Register and obtain your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) • Have an account with any bank of your choice and subscribe to the internet banking function of your bank.

• Have sufficient funds in the account to cover the tax liability/transaction.

Steps to take to make payment through e-Taxpay platform Having registered and received a TIN, an active internet banking account and sufficient funds, then; • Decide the channel to use; • If you decide on internet banking channel, log on to your bank’s internet banking platform e.g. GTBank Online Banking, FirstOnline, etc; • In the case of GTBank Online Banking, select the “Payment” option in the menu; • Then select “NIBSS E-Bills payments” under the “Payment” option; • Select the account to debit from, to continue; • Once inside the NIBSS E-Bills payments, select “New Request” to start a new payment. This will take you to the NIBSS platform; • Then select “FIRS e-Taxpay” from the displayed list services that the NIBSS platform provides, in order to start the tax payment in particular; • You then enter your TIN (FIRS/JTB-TIN) or the TIN of the taxpayer you want to pay for; • Click “verify” to validate that the TIN belongs to the taxpayer making the payment; • A pop-up will appear with the TIN details. If ok, then go to the next stage; • Select the tax type (e.g. Company Income Tax, Pre-Operation Levy, Value Added Tax, etc.); • Enter the amount to be debited (tax sum being paid); • Accept service charge for the bank (if applicable); • Confirm that all the information provided are correct and valid; • Submit the request.

After a successful transaction, the system will generate an ‘e-acknowledgement’ which can be printed online, or sent to a specified e-mail address. The ‘e-acknowledgement’ is a confirmation of the transaction of payment of tax to FIRS which would be presented to FIRS field office for the issuance of statutory FIRS receipt to the taxpayer. A TAXPAYER SHOULD PLEASE ENSURE THE ‘e-acknowledgement’ IS SUBMITTED TO THE TAX OFFICE OF DOMICILE TO GET A GOVERNMENT TAX RECEIPT FOR THE PAYMENT MADE.

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Samuel Ogungbesan

Tax payment made easy...

By Embuka Anna

Real time notifications: The platform also notifies the taxpayer and FIRS through SMS alert and real time email. FIRS can view payment transactions and reports online, in real time.

Tax types that can be paid using the eTaxpay channel: e-Taxpay can be used to pay all tax types and levies collected by FIRS. They include: • Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) • Education Tax (ET) • Companies Income Tax (CIT) • Value Added Tax (VAT) • Personal Income Tax (PAYE for residents of FCT and non-Residents) • Withholding Tax (WHT). This requires a schedule to be uploaded on the platform; • National Information Technology Development Fund Levy (NITDEF) • Capital Gains Tax (CGT) • Pre-Operation Levy (POL) • Stamp Duties (SD) and late filing penalty FAQs (Frequently asked questions) on the use of the FIRS E-Tax Pay Solution 1. What is the FIRS E-Tax Pay Solution?

Answer: The FIRS E-Tax Pay is an acronym for FIRS Electronic Tax Payment Solution.

2. What is the specific function of the E-Tax Pay? Answer: The FIRS E-Tax Pay is an electronic tax payment platform that enables individual and corporate taxpayers effect tax payments via their respective bank accounts using selfservice channels provided by any Nigerian Bank. It is based on the recipient’s account and would place a debit on the recipient’s

account while applying the credit to FIRS CBN’s account real-time.

3. How does the e-tax pay solution work?

Answer: The e-tax pay solution is hosted on the internet banking platform and bank branches of commercial banks and will be available to any taxpayer who has access to the internet via PC, or handheld devices such as mobile phones. It will enable the bank customers who are registered for internet banking make their tax payments online and also via bank branches.

4. Will a taxpayer be charged for using the e-tax pay solution?

Answer: No, there is no additional cost to the taxpayer for using the e-tax pay internet banking solution. Only the normal bank charges such as Commission- On –Turnover agreed between the customer and the bank would apply.

5. What is the specific requirement of a potential taxpayer to use the e-tax pay solution?

Answer: Taxpayers that intend to use the e-tax pay solution must have registered and obtained a valid TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) from any FIRS or JTB office and would have done their respective selfassessment in order to use the e-tax pay to pay their tax liabilities. The e-tax pay solution prompts for a valid TIN upon Login and performs a system validation with the TIN before populating with the taxpayer’s records.

6. Can a taxpayer use the e-tax pay to pay all FIRS taxes?

Answer: Yes, the e-tax pay can be used to pay all FIRS taxes. It has a drop down menu list showing all FIRS taxes. The taxpayer simply has to select the tax type he intends to make payment for.

7. Would a taxpayer receive confirmation if the transaction is successful?

Answer: Yes, the taxpayer would receive a confirmation that the payment is successful and a system generated reference ID would be issued. The system would also generate an e-acknowledgement confirmation to the taxpayer which he can use to obtain his tax payment receipt/credit notes from FIRS office.

8. Does the e-tax pay solution send notification?

Answer: Yes, the system would send an e-notification immediately the transaction is successful.

The taxpayer would also receive a debit notification via email and SMS from his bank confirming the payment.

9. Can taxpayers use the FIRS e-tax pay solution to make tax payments online now?

Answer: Yes. The solution has been implemented in all commercial banks. All bank customers that have their valid i-banking tokens and have registered for i-banking can access the e-tax pay under their internet banking menu under the NIBSS ‘e-billspay’ service and select FIRS e-tax pay as their tax payment channel and follow the prompts towards making the payment. They also have to have valid TINs. 10. What are the specific self-service payment channels under the FIRS e-tax pay solution?

Answer: The specific channels wherein a taxpayer can make payments are: internet/online banking, mobile banking and bank branches. For internet and mobile banking platforms, a taxpayer can access these self-service channels using PCs, Laptops, notebooks, smart handheld devices and mobile phones.

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Bobbi Kristina for burial today

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HE body of 22-year-old daughter of Bobbi Kristina, daughter of American musicians, Bobby Brown and the late Whitney Houston, will be interned today, in New Jessey.

Kristina died in hospice care on July 26, six months after she was found face down and unresponsive in a bathtub at her Atlanta home on January 31. She never regained consciousness after the incident.

Reports say she will be buried beside her mother at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, New Jersey.

A celebration of the life and times of the only offspring of the famous musical couple together was held as a private funeral service at St. James United Methodist Church, Alphretta, Georgia, at the weekend.

It was a gathering of family members and close friends, while fans converged outside to pay their last respect. Afterwards, guests were treated to a quiet meal at the Houston family estate.

The body of Kristina was carried in a silver casket to the church, where the invitationonly service included grandmother Cissy Houston; Bobby Brown and his wife, Alicia; and celebrities including media mogul Tyler Perry and singer Monica.

Emotions rose, as ‘Whitney Houston gave her daughter a final goodbye’, with the final song being Jesus Loves Me by Whitney.

During the ceremony, members of both the

By Jane Kolade

Brown and Houston families spoke as well as Tyler Perry. Although he was not listed as a speaker, Bobby Brown wrote a special message in the funeral’s program which read, “I also will always love you.”

Animosity between the Brown and Houston families rear its ugly head again during the funeral, but Perry was on hand to put it under control, when Kristina’s aunt, Leola Brown attempted to interrupt Pat Houston, who was preparing to speak at the ceremony.

Perry had also been in touch with the family since Kristina’s hospitalization, and had helped in planning the funeral.

A few days to the funeral, Kristina’s ex, Nick Gordon, who was being fingered in the deceased crisis, sent an email to her father and aunt, begging to be allowed to attend the service.

He wrote: “I loved Krissi with all my heart, and I am destroyed that she is gone, and I need to say goodbye.” He went on, “Krissi loved me very much, and would want me there.”

Another mild drama was said to occur during the funeral when Alicia was rushed to an Atlanta area hospital after suffering a seizure.

A source told TMZ that once Alicia got to the hospital, she was able to walk inside with little help, and that Bobby Brown has been by her side.

Omoni shares boat cruise shots

By Jane Kolade

S

TAR actress, scriptwriter and producer, Omoni Oboli recently shared pictures of herself on a boat cruise on the social media. Also on the cruise were international, Africa-born music star, Akon, billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu, and producer Jesse Jagz.

The hardworking mother of three, and wife to Dr Nnamdi Oboli is a Foreign Languages graduate of the University of Benin, and shot her first movie as an undergraduate.

The lovely diva has several awards under her belt, the latest being the 2014 ELOY award for best actress of the year for her role in her movie, Being Mrs Elliot. She also won the 2010 Los Angeles Movie Award for best actress in a narrative feature, and best actress award at the Harlem International Film Festival.

• The late Kristina

Toyin Adegbola extols Ajigi Jaga

F • Ajigi Jaga

OLLOWING the demise of popular Yoruba movie actor, Muftau Adio, otherwise known as Ajigi Jaga, a couple of artistes have extolled the virtues of the late thespian. One of them is Nigerian actress, producer and director, Toyin Adegbola.

Speaking to The Nation, the actress who also goes by the alias, Asewo To Re Mecca said that his death came as a rude shock to the Yoruba movie industry.

“I thought he has seen a lot of things in life and this is the time to enjoy the job. But the truth is, when God says it’s your time, there’s nothing anybody can do. Ajigi Jaga was a nice person during his lifetime. He was a very pleasant person to be around. He was very religious.

He never drinks. As one who has known

By Ovwe Medeme

him for the past 30 years, believe me when I say, he will be sorely missed,” she said.

The actor died on Friday, July 31 at his Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos residence. According to information, his death occurred as a result of complications following injuries he sustained from a motorcycle accident about two weeks ago.

Until his demise, the actor was a member of The Golden Movie Ambassadors (TGMA). He recently got married to a young bride, Taiwo Hassan.

Mayunga Nalimi releases new video

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

Solagbade Sola shoots new videos

O

NE of Nigeria’s fast-rising gospel music sensations, Solagbade Sola Olaonipekun, is set to release two new videos: Anu Oluwa, a track from her third album and My year of Harvest, a track from her new album. This is coming shortly after the release of her fourth album.

Both videos are due to be released on August 1. By dropping both videos, the songstress intends to take Lagos State and its environs by storm while fulfilling God’s prophesy.

“The new videos would take my career • Jahdiel

T

HE 2015 winner of Airtel Trace Music Star, Mayunga Nalimi, has released the musical video for his debut single, Nice Couple.

The video shoot, which took place in Orlando East, South Africa, according to information released by the producers, sees Mayunga Nalimi touchdown in Johannesburg from his native country of Tanzania to embark on the new beginnings of a promising musical career since he was reveal as the winner of one of Africa’s biggest talent search competition on 18 April 2015.

Mayunga was crowned and mentored by international megastar, Akon and awarded a grand prize that includes a record deal with Universal Music.

Nice Couple as reported is available for download on iTunes in 107 territories worldwide, as well as other online music sharing sites like Deezer, Beatport and Vevo.

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

to the next level and give me the much needed recognition she deserves,” she says.

The videos, according to information, were shot by South Africa-trained music video director, Oluyinka Davids, founder and CEO iFocus Pictures.

Speaking on why she shot two videos at a time, she said; “I have been led by the Holy Spirit to go all out and spread the goodness of Christ through this medium.

Though, it was capital intensive, but I am sure that God who started his work will finish it.

“The decision is also part of my plans to give my career a facelift. It is necessary to approach my career with all the seriousness it deserves. So, shooting new videos and working with David of iFocus is the height of it all. The Holy Spirit has given us the direction to follow and we remain committed to the calling,” she said.

• Solagbade Sola

Jahdiel out with Dis my Hanz out

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OSPEL crooner, Grace Okoduwa, aka Jahdiel has released a new video for her song, Dis my Handz.

The song is presented in her signature soulful and spirit-lifting style, and is introduced with guitar stringing.

The talented singer, on Tuesday July 28, tied the knot traditionally with her longtime beau and fellow gospel crooner, Eben while their white wedding is said to be fixed for November 30.

Jahdiel came to the limelight years back with her song Heritage, which made her a

• Omoni Oboli

By Jane Kolade

household name in the Nigerian gospel industry, including Europe and the U.S. where she has taken her tours.

The singer’s stage name Jahdiel, a Hebrew name which means “Jehovah brings joy” or “Jehovah makes me to rejoice” is true to her calling of bringing joy to all who listen to her songs. The multi-talented, award-winning singer has been singing since age five. She started playing instruments at the age of 13 in her church choir.

• Mayunga

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NATION SPORT

Keane: United won´t overtake Chelsea

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ANCHESTER United have recruited heavily as manager Louis van Gaal prepares for his second season in charge, but former captain Roy Keane doubts whether his former club can overtake Chelsea.

It has been another pre-season spending spree at Old Trafford, with Van Gaal investing heavily to sign Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian and Sergio Romero.

The quintet's arrival comes after Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Angel di Maria were brought to the club last season, though the latter is poised to join French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Keane, however, still believes United are lacking the necessary personnel to trump Chelsea in the Premier League race, having finished fourth last term.

"United have gone away from what they were about; they are a bit like the late 80s, buying a lot of players thinking they will gel but it doesn't happen that quickly, as much as they'll definitely be stronger this year," Keane told the Sunday World.

"Van Gaal's had a full preseason this year. They've looked good from what I saw in preseason, but they had a good preseason last year too."

Keane added: "I don't think the

spine of United is strong enough, I still think they need a centre-half maybe. United will no doubt be better next year, they'll need to be stronger out of the blocks, but if I was a betting man, which I'm not, I'd still go with Chelsea.

"Chelsea are the team to beat; with the strongest spine. I think they're after the boy [John] Stones too, and if they add him, if Chelsea players show the same hunger and desire they did last year, they'll win the league.

"Mourinho has good players, bloody good players. It looks like he's got a good spine to the team, John Terry, their goalkeeper, the couple of lads in the middle of the park, Diego Costa, [Radamel] Falcao and Eden Hazard too."

•Keane

Wembley loss has no bearing on new season - Terry

J

Blanc hopeful over Ibrahimovic ‘s knee injury P

ARIS Saint-Germain coach, Laurent Blanc is hopeful Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knee injury is nothing serious after his side clinched the Trophee des Champions.

First-half goals from Serge Aurier and Edinson Cavani saw the Ligue 1 champions to a 2-0 win over Lyon in Montreal on Saturday.

But a knee injury to

Ibrahimovic threatened to sour the victory, with the Sweden international in discomfort late in the game.

Blanc said the 33-year-old was battling with the injury, but hopes his recovery is quick.

"It's a kick he (Ibrahimovic) received on the knee. Five minutes before the end of the game, when he kicked the ball, he felt some pain," he said.

"What is annoying me, is that we have to stay 10 hours in a

plane. That's not the best way to get better.

"The medical staff will work with him. I hope there is no issue to come."

Blanc was pleased with his team's performance after they struck twice in the opening 17 minutes at the Stade Saputo, with Lyon reduced to 10 men in the second half when Maxime Gonalons saw red.

"We won 2-0. There are plenty of reasons to be pleased about

it. We had a lot of chances and we scored two goals. In my opinion, we could have scored even more," he said.

"The opponent didn't have any opportunity during the game. We controlled the match.

"We have all the reasons to be pleased about our performance. In every aspect of the game, individually and as a team, I have reasons to be happy. A great afternoon for myself."

Ronaldo dodges question on FIFA Scandal

T •Blatter

HE corruption scandal surrounding Fifa and the 2022 Qatar World Cup is a sensitive subject in football at the moment, especially, it seems, for Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Football's governing body has been rocked by the indictment of 14 individuals, including nine past and present FIFA

officials, on charges of racketeering conspiracy and corruption, leading to president Sepp Blatter's imminent stepping down from the organisation.

And the Real Madrid talisman became extremely agitated and began to swear when he was asked about the subject in an interview, eventually storming out of it.

"I don't care about FIFA and Qatar!" he told CNN when the subject arose. "I don't give a f***! Speaking about FIFA, come on."

The FBI are continuing to investigate FIFA and the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively, amid claims that officials took bribes in exchange for their votes.

OHN Terry feels Chelsea's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal will have no bearing on the upcoming Premier League season.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's stunning first-half strike was the difference at Wembley on Sunday, as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger finally beat Jose Mourinho at the 14th time of asking.

But while Chelsea captain Terry was frustrated to have to lost the season's traditional curtain-raiser, he insisted the result will not have any effect on where the Premier League title ends up next May. "I thought we were on top if anything. These games are always a bit slow with players finding their feet and fitness, but it's disappointing we didn't win," said the former England skipper.

•Terry

"Losing is just horrible in all aspects - forgetting the record [Mourinho's unbeaten run against Arsenal], it's a trophy that's gone now. It means a lot, because you've earned the right to be here so we're just disappointed.

"It hurts, it doesn't matter if it's a friendly or the Community Shield - it's a trophy at the end of the day."

When asked if the defeat will have an impact on the campaign ahead, Terry replied: "I don't think so. I think it's one of them where they'll probably come out and say differently.

"They do mean something, but win or lose, I don't think you can say that."

Diego Costa was absent on Sunday due to his troublesome hamstring, and Terry admitted Chelsea lacked a cutting edge without last season's top scorer.

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OTHERSPORT ... OTHERSPORT ...

NATION SPORT

Andy Murray visits Vettel: 'I will try to make the impossible possible' White House ahead of F ATP Citi Open

•Murray

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OLLOWING a few weeks of well-earned rest, Andy Murray returns to competitive action on the American hard courts in Washington this week with the world No 3 taking in a visit to the White House on Saturday.

A semi-final defeat by Roger Federer at Wimbledon followed by a heroic display for Great Britain against France in the Davis Cup left Murray feeling drained by the end of July.

The 2013 Wimbledon champion, however, has returned refreshed ahead his appearance at the ATP Citi

Open on Monday.

Andy Murray paid a visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Saturday ahead of the ATP Citi Open this week Murray will compete in the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters before his attention turns to the US Open at the end of August.

Murray, who claimed the title at Flushing Meadows in 2012, paid a visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Saturday as he continues his preparations for the ATP500 event in Washington.

The 28-year-old is clearly a House of Cards fan as he posted a picture on his

Instagram account inside the White House titled: 'Got the chance to visit the White House yesterday! Was a very cool experience.

Unfortunately president Underwoo... Sorry Obama wasn't there.'

Murray, who has one of the deadliest serving games on the circuit, also posted an image of a sniper on the roof of the West Wing.

Murray enters this weeks tournament as top seed and will compete in a strong field with reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic in attendance as well as Kei Nishikori and Lleyton Hewitt.

Rory McIlory...and other costly slips

ERRARI's Sebastian Vettel is adamant that he is still in the running for the Formula 1 world championship title, despite being 42 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton.

The German took his second victory of the season at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix whilst his closest rivals faltered in the searing heat of the Hungaroring.

Ferrari has enjoyed a welcome return to form this season after a difficult 2014, taking two victories before the summer break in Malaysia and Hungary.

Vettel has also been a podium regular this season, finishing in the top three seven times out of a possible ten, on his way to third place in the drivers’ standings.

When suggested to Vettel it is now 'game on' in the title race when the season resumes in Belgium later this month, he replied: "It has always been.

"We know we have to remain realistic, that there is still a lot of work to do and a lot of catching up to do.

Usain Bolt, Mo Farah not among drug cheats-IAAF

U

SAIN Bolt and Mo Farah are among the athletes who are racing clean, according to the avalanche of data released this weekend.

A database of more than 12,000 doping tests from 5,000 athletes said to be from the IAAF was reported by German broadcaster ARD/ WDR and The Sunday Times.

But both Bolt and Farah, along with fellow Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill, reportedly tested clean.

World 100m and 200m world record holder Usain Bolt is running clean according to leaked IAAF drug data Great Britain's Mo Farah, winner of the 5000m and 10,000m golds at London 2012, is also a clean athlete

N injury incurred during a friendly football kickabout with friends

A •McIlroy

ruled Rory McIlroy out of last week’s‘ Open’ at St. Andrews.

Little has been revealed about the exact cause of the injury. Was it a late bone-crunching tackle a la Paul Scholes from a so-called friend, or a simple slip on a tricky surface, as Rory stretched to reach a stray pass?

One thing we do know is that it could prove costly for the world’s Number One golfer.

The New Testament letter to the Hebrews warned against the dangers of slipping. Addressing Jews who had converted to Christianity, and left behind the proud history and impressive ritual of their Jewish faith, the author attempts to discourage any second thoughts about the step they had taken.

He is keen to underline the superiority of the faith they have freely chosen, and warns them to pay attention to the truths of their new faith, “lest at any time we should let them slip” (Hebrews 2;1 King James version).

The Greek word translated ‘slip’ occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, but had a range of applications in the first Christian century.

•Vettel

•Mo Farah

The ARD documentary also made further allegations of widespread doping in Russia and cover ups in Kenya.

And the German TV documentary which alleged

that analysis of elite athletes' blood values showed that at least one in three medal winners at track endurance events between 2001 and 2012 had been doping.

I’m only yanking your chain, Lance Armstrong

A

CHEEKY Irish joker has challenged shamed cyclist Lance Armstrong to a race — on his child’s tiny bicycle.

And the infamous American racer, who was banned from cycling and stripped of his seven Tour de France titles over a doping scandal, has vowed to take up the challenge.

Drug cheat Armstrong has even told his opponent from Co Waterford that there will be none of his old funny tricks — promising a “level playing

field”.

The unusual race was arranged over a bout of Twitter banter yesterday.

Waterford man Michael tweeted Armstrong a picture of himself on a tiny child’s bicycle, adding: “I know you’re banned from competing professionally but I will race you anytime, anywhere.”

Armstrong surprisingly took the tweet in good spirits, and responded with a funny reply of his own, as he noticed Michael had a flat on his back wheel.

50

51

MONDAY AUGUST 3, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

BAYELSA POLITICS

B

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson is in the eye of the storm. His bid for a second term has become a tough battle between his camp and his foes, in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dickson is fighting to remain in the Creek Haven, the Government House, next year.

Thorny path to second term: The first obstacle against the governor’s reelection bid is the crack in the PDP. The crisis between Dickson and the former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has not been resolved. The former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was a pillar of support for Dickson when he competed for the ticket with his predecessor, Timpreye Sylva.

Mrs. Jonathan resigned her appointment as a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State. After her resignation, the friction led to the factionalisation of the PDP. Sources said that Mr. Weripamowei Dudafa, a former presidential aide, was being sponsored by Mrs. Jonathan. According to them, the former first lady was planning to use the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) as a platform to campaign against Dickson. The leader of the group, Hon. Talford Ongolo, a former Speaker of the old Rivers State House of Assembly, who is the Chief of Staff, was shoved aside to pave the way for the former deputy governor, Werinipre Seibarugu, an associate of Mrs. Jonathan.

The group has continued to wax stronger in Bayelsa. Its office on Isaac Boro Road, Yenegoa, is always alive with partisan activities.

Bayelsa State Governor is Seriake Dickson is fighting to get the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for a second term. Correspondent MIKE ODIEGWU examines the obstacles on his way.

Crack in PDP The governor moved swiftly by whittling the influence of Mrs. Jonathan. He sacked members of the State Executive Council perceived to be loyal to the iron lady. Last year, Mr. Francis Egele, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr Ayakeme Massa, Trade, Investment and Industry Commissioner, and Dr Anapurere Michael Awoli, the Health Commissioner, were removed. Also dropped from the council were Mr. Nelson Belief (Tourism Development); Mr Gesiye Isowo (Special Duties (Federal Projects); Mr. Parkinson Macmanuel (Science, Technology and Manpower Development), Mr. Zuwa Konuga (Capital City Development), and Dr. Sylvanus Abila, (Environment).

Other prominent politicians, including the Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, the Special Adviser on Federal Government Projects, Chief Remi Kuku, were sent packing. The aggrieved politicians may have resolved to team up with Mrs. Jonathan to work against Dickson’s re-election bid.

Suspension and defection The PDP was further torn apart by the suspension of founding members. The Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba, was suspended in controversial circumstances by the State Working Committee (SWC). The development worsened the bad blood between Dickson and Mrs. Jonathan.

Inokoba, an associate of the former President, was accused of financial impropriety.

However, the suspension is yet to be upheld by the National Working Committee (NWC) as stipulated in the PDP constitution. Therefore, ahead of the election, the PDP has two factional chairmen-Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff and Inokoba. The Federal High Court was has restrained Inokoba from parading himself as the chairman. Yet, Dokubo-Spiff is yet to be recognised by the NWC. The governor has filled the leadership vacuum. He set up a committee chaired by his deputy to investigate the activities of erring chieftains during the last general elections. He also vowed to punish those indicted of antiparty activities. Consequently, nine chieftains were punished. Expelled from the party were Dudafa, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange and former Acting Governor Nestor Binabo, former Deputy Governor Werinipre Seibarugu, Mr. Chamberlain Kren Ikidi, Mr. Osomkime Blankson, Mr. Emmanuel

•Dickson

•Dr. Jonathan

•Dame Jonathan

PDP, APC and politics of second term in Bayelsa Okponipre, Mr. Ebikapade Dibiya and Joyce Fouyowei.

Dokubo Spiff said the Executive Committee of the party has adopted the recommendations of the disciplinary committee in an unanimous voice vote.

He, however, noted that some of the indicted members, who are in the National Assembly or holding appointments at the national level, would be referred to the national body of the

PDP for further disciplinary measures in line with the provisions of the constitution.

He said: “The State Working Committee met after receiving the report and deliberated on it and the State Executive Committee took a unanimous voice vote, based on the gravity of the offences and the attitudes of the affected members. Some were expelled, others suspended and a few others were reprimanded and exonerated.”

Defending the disciplinary action, Dickson said that it would check indiscipline and disloyalty, which are inimical to the survival of the party. He said chieftains who sponsored candidates against the PDP in the state in the last elections were disloyal members.

Dickson stressed: “You cannot have a situation where party leaders will sponsor candidates on the platform of other political parties • Continued on page 52

52

THE NATION MONDAY AUGUST 3, 2015

POLITICS

•Admiral Jonah

The PDP is full of betrayal and deceit. There is lack of ‘internal democracy and it is a party where the highest bidder always has his ways ’

•Alaibe

•Sylva

•Alamieyeseigha

Dickson’s thorny path to second term • Continued from page 51 to contest for political power and space against our party. And they do so with impunity, campaign openly while they are PDP members benefitting from the platform provided by our party. This can no longer be tolerated.

“This is a PDP state, but our party’s strength will wane, if we do not maintain party discipline. We cannot tolerate a situation where a few people consider themselves above the party and do things with impunity without regard for the authority of the leadership of the party just because they are in one leadership position or the other which by the way were positions they got through the instrumentality of the PDP.” But, Inokoba fired back. He described the activities of the governor and the disciplinary committee as null and void, accusing Dickson of destroying the party. He said the crisis was engineered by the governor to send potential governorship aspirants out of the PDP and pave the way for him as the sole candidate.

He said: “As the truly elected chairman of the PDP in the state, I am the only one that can summon any meeting of the executive committee or set up any disciplinary committee”.

Failed reconciliation The defection of prominent chieftains is a setback for the PDP. The defectors-Senator Clever Ikisikpo, Mr. Nadu Karibo and Hon. Azibola Omekwe-dumped the PDP for the APC, citing the protracted crisis as the reason for leaving.

Former President Jonathan’s move to reconcile the warring chieftains were belated. Many members have berated him for failing to stop his associates from leaving for the APC. They alleged that he refused to call them to order as they sowed the seed of discord. Although he called a meeting, many aggrieved chieftains shunned the parley. Sources said Mrs. Jonathan’s associates refused to attend the fence-mending meeting because of the presence of the Dickson and his supporters.

For the PDP to retain power next year, party elders said the aggrieved members should rally round Jonathan and Dickson. Jonathan has endorsed the second term aspiration of the governor and party members to support him.

The former President also set up a three-man committee headed by former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to reconcile the aggrieved groups and individuals.

Other members are King A. J. Turner and Chief Thompson K. Okorotie.

A house divided

Former President Jonathan’s move to reconcile the warring chieftains were belated. Many members have berated him for failing to stop his associates from leaving for the APC. They alleged that he refused to call them to order as they sowed the seed of discord. Although he called a meeting, many aggrieved chieftains shunned the parley Despite the endorsement of Dickson for a second term by Dr. Jonathan, Dickson’s kinsmen, under the aegis of Ogbia Joint Initiative (ODJI), said rejected the endorsement. Then, a gale of defections followed. Dr. Jonathan’ friend, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, defected to the APC. Ikiogha, a founding member of the PDP, Chief Victor Awala, Mr. Paul Ajuwa, Mrs. D. Irene, Mr. Prince Abeki, a former commissioner, and over 150 former councillors led the ruling party.

At a rally in Yenagoa, Ikiogha said he decided to quit the PDP because it is party of betrayal and deceit.

He said: “The PDP is full of betrayal and deceit. There is lack of internal democracy and it is a party where the highest bidder always has his ways.”

Division among elders Dickson’s second term ambition has divided the party elders under the umbrella group, the Bayelsa Development Forum (BDF) headed by Chief Thompson Okorotie. Those opposed to the governor’s ambition have left the group. Following their exit, they held a meeting in Yenagoa to map out strategies. In attendance were former commissioners, special advisers and local council chairmen.

Majority of them came from Dickson’s Bayelsa West Senatorial District. At the meeting, they formed a group, the Bayelsa Peoples Consultative Assembly (BPCA). Senator John Brambayefa from Sagabama, where Dickson hails from, was

elected chairman of the group.

Speakers flayed the Dickson administration, saying that it has made the state stagnant. They were unanimous in their clamour for change.

Brambayefa disclosed that a 14member committee has been set up to work out the modalities for their defection to the APC. Also, an elder statesman, Alex Ekiotimin, said decried what he described as the inhuman polices of the governor. He accused him of disregarding elders, adding that their decision to join the APC was in order.

But, Dickson described the elders as greedy and hypocritical politicians.

He said: “This is an opportunistic lobby group, desperately in search of power without any modicum of integrity. They should be reminded that contrary to their assertions, they actually constitute the problem of development in the state. Their selfish conception of politics and attitude in government are what had retarded development in the state since the era of the late statesman, Chief MelfordOkilo.

“Bayelsans can never exchange the present peace and tranquility in the state and the unprecedented level of development for the chaos and unmitigated rent culture of the past”.

Dickson said the aim of the group is to return the state to the era when state resources were shared among few people at the expense of development.

He added: “Since 1999, these are the same people, who benefited in state and federal appointments, which came with huge influence and

privileges, but what did they do with such power and influence?

“What has been their contribution to economic development and empowerment of Bayelsans? All they want is free access to money, which will enable them to live big at the expense of development.”

Also, the PDP said the defection to the APC is insignificant, although it acknowledged that it was unfortunate and embarrassing.

The party said the defectors were not grateful to the platform that offered them opportunities to rise to stardom.

The Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osom Makbere, alleged that the defectors have wrecked havoc on the platform before leaving for the APC. He said: “These fellows, who actually have no electoral value and whose fibre are also spent, are creating the impression that they are moving with supporters.”

He said the defectors took undue advantage of the PDP’s defeat at the centre to reposition themselves as APC members, adding that they did so to curry favour and attract patronage from the APC leadership. He said it is shameful and disheartening that the defectors were the key men of the former President.

Makbere added: “They ought to remain faithful to the party in this period of sober reflection as a way of demonstrating our appreciation and eternal gratitude to the party for providing the platform for us as a minority to produce the President.

“But they are now busy jumping ships in passion for greener pastures.

This clearly show them as people who are untrustworthy, disloyal, unfaithful and treacherous”, he said.

He said the defectors sought to fly the flag of the party at the last general elections, but lost out by divine providence.

He said: “It is repugnant that most of these persons are beneficiaries of the magnanimity of the Seriake Dickson Restoration Government which either appointed them to senior sensitive positions or awarded them contracts. These are the ones turning around to say that nothing is happening in the state.”

Makbere said Dickson has recorded many achievements in the areas of good governance, rule of law, safety of life and property, education, rural electrification construction ad equipment of hospitals.

He added: “We are not perturbed by these show of shame because the party ad the government enjoy massive support from within and outside the state. We use this opportunity to appeal to our teaming party supporters ad the general public to remain calm and collected and have unflinching confidence in the government and the party”, he said.

Divided cabinet The State Executive Council is also divided over the governor’s ambition. Commissioners and special advisers are attending anti-Dickson’s meeting in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital, by the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, who may run for the governor in the APC. A source said: “Timi Alaibe hosted a meeting in Port Harcourt. I have the names of Dickson’s aides who were in attendance. Even people in Government are in the opposition.

The governor is aware of all the moves by some of his appointees to join forces with his detractors and move against him.”

• From left: Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, Father Mathew Hassan Kukah, Mr. Trevor Henry, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air Capt. Ado Sanusi, Sokoto State Deputy Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Mr. Hamza Bukar and Secretary to Father Kuka during their visit to the governor in Sokoto, the state capital.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

53

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Traders, firm in row over Alade market A

•The room behind the shop where the children were burnt to death... yesterday

•The burnt part of the building... yesterday

XJ, seen on the premises, was brought for repair.

“The driver of this pickup has paid part of the charges for repair only for the unfortunate incident to occur.

What will he tell the owner?

E

XECUTIVE Secretary of Ayob-Ipaja Local Council Development Area, Mr Ayinde Dele has flagged off a free health exercise campaign in the council.

Declaring the exercise open, Ayinde said the free health exercise is meant to bring improve healthy living of the people of the council.

The free health exercise which was carried out in con-

PHOTOS: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Same thing goes for the commercial bus that the fuel-loaded vehicle collided with, it was also brought for repair,” he said.

He urged the police to seek way of arresting of-

fenders instead “of these ceaseless chasing and sometimes shooting indiscriminately. The casualties could have been worse than what we see.”

ROW has broken out over the popular Alade Market in Ikeja, Lagos.

The traders and the market’s concessionaire yesterday traded words over an alleged attempt to burn down the market.

The traders under the aegis of Concerned Traders of Alade Market (CTAM) accused the concessionaire of attempting to torch the market.

But the concessionaire, Master Reality International Concept Ltd (MRIC) denied the allegation, saying those it sent there to take possession of the market for its development were the ones being accused of attempted arson.

The traders held a protest against a plan to relocate the market from the complex.

They said government should have made a better alternative arrangement for them before depriving them entrance to the market.

Some entrances into the complex were locked, with traders deprived access to their shops.

They alleged that the matter was in court and that the option the government was giving them was not conducive for their operations.

“Looking at the situation on ground, these people have children and relatives and they feed on these businesses. When you are keeping them out of a shop, you should provide a comfortable place for them.

“Nobody says you should not develop the market, but look at them…” one of the a sympathisers said.

Some of the persons in the complex have been there for over 13 years and they are lamenting that they would not get patronage in the new place.

MRIC’s Managing Director Layi Omotola, an engineer, said his company had signed a 30-year agreement with the Ikeja Local Government Area to turn the mar-

•Council chief stops work on proposed mall

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

ket into an ultra modern shopping mall on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) platform.

According to him, attempts in the last five years to take possession of the market have frustrated the traders.

His firm, he said, had developed close to two hectares of land behind the present market and built about 194 shops for the traders’ use.

“Yet these traders had insisted they won’t move, alleging that the place is inhabitable. We have addressed all their concerns and officials of the Ministry of Urban Development and Planning has approved our intervention, yet, only eight of the traders have paid for shop in the new place in five years.”

He said his firm is under pressure to begin the project because of the expiration on July 31, of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive to banks to publish the names of their debtors.

According to him, while interest on the N9.6 billion bank loan for the development of the market has quadrupled, the foreign loan of $50 million obtained five years ago, for the development of the proposed shopping mall, is also being eroded by the skyrocketing rate of foreign exchange, now pegged at N195 to a dollar.

He said: “As local investors, we are receiving the heat and the traders have refused to be reasonable.

Our humility in not enforcing our rights to possess the site is turning to stupidity and that is why we decided to commence construction today.”

Work, he said, has been stopped, following the intervention of the council’s Executive Secretary Adekunle Adeokun, who

‘

Looking at the situation on ground, these people have children and relatives and they feed on these businesses. When you are keeping them out of a shop, you should provide a comfortable place for them

’

called for another meeting.

The meeting came up with a 15-man committee to design a road map for the relocation of the traders and the project’s take-off.

He said his company would indemnify all traders willing to move to the proposed mall, promising that they would be given the right on its completion.

The firm, he said, would build 384 shops, in the proposed mall for the traders.

Adeokun said he suspended the project to ensure amicable resolution of outstanding issues.

He said when the market was built in 1976, it had provision for 250 traders, adding that today, the traders’ population is put at 1,000.

“The original owners pay only N7,200 per annum to the council, while these people rented out their shops for N500,000 and above. That is why we thought of redeveloping the market so that we can get commensurate value for the prime location of the market.”

Council begins free health screening junction with the Association of Community Pharmacist of Nigeria (ACPN), IDERA Zone witnessed large turnout of beneficiaries at the council secretariat.

Dele urged the people to avail themselves of the free health care exercise to check their health status and live a healthy life style.

“The greatest gift you can give yourself, family and people around you is healthy you; it is when you are healthy that you can go about with your business, make money and pay your tax to the government,” he said.

Assuring the citizens of the continuity of the free health exercise, Dele appealed to

them to stop the use of unprescribed drugs and to always patronise the primary health centre.

Also speaking on the occasion, ACPN Chairperson Mrs Nsese Mfon said they carried out the free health exercise because of report of serial unnecessary deaths in communities.

“We found out that there

are serial deaths among our people because of self-medication and lack of regular medical check, we decided to go round the communities to start telling them on the need to take seriously checking of their health status regularly and stop the use of un-prescribed drugs,” she said.

IDERA Community Development Committee

chairman, Comrade Abiodun Coker thanked the council and the ACPN for the free health service.

Coker said as a way of helping the council to achieve more success in the exercise, his association will keep up the work of enlightening the public on the need for them to go for regular medical check-up.

•Member, Lagos State House of Assembly Hon AbdulSobur Olawale (left) assisted by Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Executive Secretary Dawood Olajobi to plant a tree •Member, Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Moshood Oshun (second right); Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary Mrs Christy Otuyalo with (from left) Ezekiel Obideyi; Sulaiman Alade and Maxmus Ugwuoke at a Tree Planting Campaign in Lagos

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

54

CITYBEATS Three held for ‘traffic robbery’

T

HE Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has arrested three persons for allegedly robbing in traffic in its determination to cleanse Lagos of such miscreants.

The suspects, described as robbery kingpins were arrested at Mile Two and Iganmu.

Two of them, Murtala Saka, 22, and Bashiru Muibi, 26, were arrested about 10:50pm last Friday, around the National Theatre, after allegedly robbing some motorists around IjoraOlopa. ýThe victims contacted the control room, which directed the RRS operatives to the scene.

The third suspect, Ugochukwu Otuneme, 33, said to be a leader of a gang that terrorised people in Mile Two, was arrested while trying to rob a motorist.

Otuneme was said to have broken one of the side glasses of his victim’s ve-

Lagos to prosecute owners of stray animals

T

•One of the suspects

By Precious Igbonwelundu

hicle last Tuesday in traffic and was sighted by RRS operatives who swooped on him.

The suspect, who claimed that he came to Lagos in 2010 and worked as a bus conductor before joining the gang, blamed the devil for his mis-

•Other suspects

deeds.

RRS Commander Tunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police said Saka and Muibi have been charged to court.

Otuneme said he would also be charged to court after preliminary investigations.

Urging motorists to wind

up their glasses in traffic, Disu appealed to residents to be vigilant and security conscious.

He enjoined residents to report suspicious movements to the police, noting that the Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni was determined to make Lagos unsafe for criminals.

HE Lagos State Government said it was set to prosecute owners of stray animals within the metropolis to make Lagos a safe haven.

A statement by the state Ministry of Agriculture said that the government would no longer fold its arms and allow the menace to continue. ‘’In spite of government’s concern and awareness campaign on the danger posed by these stray animals in the society, the menace is still on the rise. ‘’Apart from causing accidents on our roads, these stray animals can also spread contagious diseases such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments that could lead to death, ‘’ it said.

The government, the statement said, would deploy Agric-Marshals to all the local government areas and local council development areas, as part of measures to curb the menace. ‘’The state government is concerned and will no longer tolerate the culture of releasing cattles at night along major roads and highways in the metropolis, ‘’ it said.

The statement urged residents not to panic but move to a safe place when they

•Governor Ambode

Akinwunmi

come across stray animals such as cows, horses, dogs, pigs, rams, goats, monkeys and others.

It also appealed to residents to cooperate with the authorities to rid the state of stray animals, while owners of such animals were also advised to take adequate care of them to avoid confiscation and prosecution. ‘’Residents can call any of the following dedicated lines for immediate response if accosted by any stray animals; 08077775657, 08057761762, 07033348402 and 08023934920. ‘’Together we can make Lagos a safe place, if we all say no to stray animal on our roads, and save lives, ‘’ it said.

Council chief woos firms on IGR

By Basirat Braimah

A •Former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun (middle) assisted by member, Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Adefunmilayo Tejuoso to present gifts to Bab-es-Salam Home Deputy Head, Ustadh Muhammad Shaaban as part of activities marking Ladi-Balogun’s 40th birthday. With them are Bab-es-Salam Home Supervisor Ustadh Nurudeen Bakare (second left) and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Alhaji Mukadam Azeez... yesterday

‘He abandoned me for another woman’

A

29-YEAR-OLD woman, Bunmi Makanjuola, has prayed an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her four-year-old union with her husband, Davies.

Mrs Makanjuola said financial issues were a major problem in their home.

“I sponsored our wedding and since then, I have been the one catering for our needs. At times, when I get him a job, he refuses to work,” she said.

The petitioner, who lives

By Basirat Braimah

at Abel Ademola Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, said she is responsible for their house rent.

She said her husband was always angry whenever she asked for money from him.

The petitioner added that he later decided to travel abroad.

She said: “When he told

me about travelling out of the country, I also gave him my passport so that if the processing works out, we would travel together. But, I was shocked when I got to know my husband processed another woman’s passport and they eventually travelled together.”

Mrs Makanjuola said she hasn’t heard anything from

him, adding that she has not got her passport back.

“It’s been over one year since he left me and he has refused to reply my mails. If he is not interested in me anymore, he should let me know because I need to start a new life,” she said.

The court’s President, Mr Hakeem Oyekan, adjourned the matter till August 15.

GEGE local government Executive Secretary, Omofunmilewa Adejombo has charged business owners to assist the council in raising its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He gave the charge at an interactive session with the business stakeholders at the council secretariat in Agege.

According to him, a good economy is important to the development of any nation.

He said: “This year our country’s major source of economic revenue – the oil – has been badly affected at the international market which has resulted in a drop in our foreign earnings, thereby affecting the state monthly allocation and this has affected us as a local government.”

Adejombo said the payment of local government permits and dues would enable the council to serve the community better and initiate projects.

“Agege Local Government has been earmarked as part of the new business development plan of this present administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. The plan will favour our council in terms of tourism, road construction and expansion, transportation, health, environment and many more.

“It is my belief that one way or the other, you would have engaged us in your corporate social responsibility (CSR), but we are seeking more from you all, as responsible partners, let us know where you intend to support us and how we can also assist you enhance your business,” Adejombo said.

A participant, Hafis Bolaji, urged the council to engage miscreants, otherwise called ‘Area boys” in other to prevent them from harassing business owners in the market.

Baby needs N2.4m for heart surgery

A

FIVE-MONTH old baby, Emmanuel Njoku, needs N2.4million for a corrective heart surgery in India. His indigent parents cannot afford the amount.

His mother, Mrs Joy Njoku, cut a pitiable picture last Thursday when she brought him to The Nation Corporate Headquarters in Matori, Lagos for help.

According to his mother, he was one-month old when Dr Chinyere Uzodinma, a Consultant Paediatrician and Cardiologist at MeCure Health Centre at Oshodi,

Lagos, diagnosed Emmanuel of enlarged atrial septal defect, pulmonary artery stenosis and a dilated right heart.

She said: “Two weeks after his birth, I noticed his breath was noisy. I took him to Isolo General Hospital where a scan was done on him but later went to MeCure Health Centre where he was diagnosed with a hole in the heart.”

The 36-year-old housewife said Emmanuel hasn’t been growing well, adding: “He just clocked five months and he hasn’t been reaching for things. He doesn’t suck for

long as he is always tired. I have been using a feeding bottle to feed him. His tongue is becoming black and he cries a lot. I cry always because I know he is in pain. Since his birth, I have been extremely happy but now my happiness has been cut short.”

Mrs Njoku said the family had spent N270, 000 on drugs, adding that when they contacted the Indian hospital, they were advised to wait till Emmanuel clock six months to see if the hole would close on its own.

“Each drug costs N7,500 coupled with other expenses.

The medication makes him urinate often so the pain relieves him. I really pray we find favour because in few weeks, he will be six months.

My husband trades in drinks, we can’t afford it. We need help,” she said in tears.

The family is appealing to individuals, government and non-governmental organisations for assistance.

An account has been opened at DIAMOND BANK with A/ C No: 0037198537 with the name: NJOKU JOY NWAKAEGO. She gave her numbers as: 08038874909 and 08107715668.

•Baby Njoku

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 03, 2015

55

NEWS Woman delivered of quadruplets in Abakaliki From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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•From Left: Comptroller-General of Prisons (CGP) Mr Ezenwa Ekpendu, Comptrollers of Prisons, Enugu State Command Sir Ikechukwu Uchenwa; Edo State Command Mr Etowa Nkanu; National President, Prisons Officers Wives Association (PROWA), Mrs Lizzie Ekpendu and wife of former Minister of Interior, Mrs Ori Moro at a memorial service in honour of the CGP’s mother at Mbaise in Imo State ... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

‘PDP NWC post-election committee a ruse’

By Joseph Jibueze

A

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Ben Onyechere, has described the post-election committee set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), as diversionary.

He said the NWC ought to have resigned for allegedly being responsible for the party’s electoral woes.

Onyechere, a former Special Assistant to former VicePresident Alex Ekwueme, said if the leaders have the party’s interest at heart, they must accept responsibility for its failures.

He said: “The committee set up by the unrepentant NWC is not only an aberration, but repulsive and diversionary.

“It is a slap on our cheeks that the same people, who prosecuted the worst electoral failure in the history of democracy, are bent on holding on to their despicable positions, long after the chairman had resigned. They even constituted a fact-finding committee on the failure, a mockery of our sensibilities.

“It is unbelievable that irrespective of the corruption that transpired during the primaries, they have not been sacked.

“It is clear that the NWC has embarked on another senseless jamboree in the name of opposition by confronting the Buhari-led government on every front, in efforts to stave away calls for their sack”.

Fire at Abia INEC office T

HE Abia State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was yesterday razed by suspected arsonists.

The commission’s spokesman, Enabor Godwin, said he was unaware of the incident.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has condemned the dastardly act.

Ikpeazu, who inspected the scene yesterday, was shocked at the damage.

He urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to bring the culprits to book.

He called on the police and the Army to tighten

•Ikpeazu condemns act • PDP, APGA trade words From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

security in all INEC formations to forestall a recurrence.

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chairman Augustine Ehiemere said the fire was a smoke screen by the PDP-led administration to cover its electoral fraud.

Ehiemere was shocked that anyone would say APGA started the fire when APGA needed electoral materials to

strengthen its petition at the tribunal.

His words: “Government burnt down the place to destroy evidence against its fraud; they did it because the tribunal had ordered INEC to assemble the electoral materials today”.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Emma Nwaka condemned the incident, describing it as an act of the devil.

Nwaka refuted allegations that his party burnt

Ugwuanyi sets up advisory panel

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NUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the week-

end, inaugurated a 15member Economic Advisory Committee.

The committee was mandated to promote sustainable economic growth and engender adequate employment for the people.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ugwuanyi noted that the economic future of the state depended on the committee. He urged them to develop a template for tackling current and future economic challenges.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

The governor told them t o p ro m o t e f a i r i nco m e distribution, attract local and foreign investments, and mobilise funds to increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with the establishment of industries.

Ugwuanyi enjoined the people to approach the committee with advice, information or any assistance to facilitate its work.

The committee members included the Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese

of Enugu, Prof Obiora Ike (Chairman), Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, former Minister of Power Prof. Barth Nnaji, Chief Chilo Offia and former Aviation Minister, Fidelia Njeze, among others.

Ike thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve. He said Enugu State has everything to achieve the welfare and security of its people, adding that these potential became real if good governance principles were employed.

the office to cover its fraud.

“We won the election; INEC was so convinced with our victory that its order for a rerun in certain polling units excluded Obingwa, which had always been a PDP stronghold. I repeat, PDP has no hand in the disaster,” Nwaka said.

Police spokesman Onyeke Ezekiel confirmed the inferno, saying an investigation into the matter would soon begin.

Rep decries ‘marginalisation’ HE member repreof Southeast senting Ehime Mbano,

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Ihitte Uboma and Obowo constituencies of Imo State in the National Assembly, Chike Okafor, has condemned the exclusion of the Southeast in the appointment of principal offices of the House of Representatives.

Addressing reporters at the weekend in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the lawmaker urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to address the continued neglect of the zone to engender the genuine spirit of Federal Character.

He said contrary to beliefs that the party failed in the zone, APC faithful contended against formidable forces at the risk of their lives to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not repeat the feat of 2011.

“On Tuesday, July 28, the House of Representatives reconvened and the remaining

Salary: Umahi’s no-cash claim is a lie, says APC

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has faulted the state government’s claim of paucity of funds as reasons for its inability to pay workers.

Governor Dave Umahi had at different fora, blamed his administration’s inability to pay two months’ salary arrears on paucity of funds.

But the APC, in a statement by its Chairman, Nwachukwu Eze, alleged that the state received N4.6 billion as

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

its share of President Muhammadu Buhari’s bailout fund to states.

His words: “Since its inauguration, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government, which promised to fulfil a “Divine Mandate” to the Ebonyi masses, has shown anything but live up to its bogus mission.

“First, President Muhamnadu Buhari approved N720 billion bailout fund, exclu-

sively for the payment of back-log of salaries, of which Ebonyi reportedly received N4.6 billion.

“Our party is also aware that the state received other funds remitted by the APCled Federal Government, which according to reports, covered funds spent by the last administration on road construction.

“We find it ridiculous therefore when the same government continues to brain-wash the people with the tonic cocktail that there

is no money, even to pay civil servants that had never been owed.

“The governor should pay workers the 100 per cent minimum wage he promised during his campaign rather than his ridiculous attempt to cut their existing salary table.

“The APC in Ebonyi State gives him a 48 hour-ultimatum to either pay workers or resign from office.

“We disapprove of the N6 million annual stipend for the wife of the governor as

WOMAN, Mrs. Nwigboji, was at the weekend, delivered of quadruplets, four years after her wedding.

Mrs. Igboji is said to be stable at the Mile Four Catholic Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebony State.

Her husband, Chidubem Nwigboji was full of joy.

He said he married his wife in 2011 and they had been having difficulties with having children. His parents and friends advise him to remarry.

His words: “We married in 2011 and my wife suffered from fibroid that same year.

She was operated upon and we had been waiting since then.

“Last year, my wife told me she noticed pregnancy signs and I told her to hold on until she went for an ultra-sound; the report showed twins.

“After some time, I asked her to go back for the ultrasound and it was quadruplets’’.

Nwigboji encouraged expectant couples to trust in God. “I saw hell in these four years because there was nothing people did not tell me; some told me to marry another wife. My relations did not help matters; they mounted pressure on me to marry someone else but I promised God that I will not do that.

“Today, God has blessed me with these babies at once and am very grateful. Though I don’t have money, I am fulfilled looking at them.”

Chairperson of Women Development Centre (WDC), in addition to other remunerations by the House of Assembly amidst the terrible hunger that is ravaging the state.

“With the foregoing therefore, it is safe to conclude that the masses have lost confidence in Umahis’s leadership in just less than two months. The people are surprised that the government, which claimed to have excess power, has brought them excess hunger”.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

principal offices were filled, marking the beginning of full legislative business.

“You may recall that the Southeast APC had nominated me for the post of Deputy Majority Whip, a nomination that was accepted by the presiding officers. But as you already know, the final position is that the Southeast is the only zone that is excluded from the leadership caucus while one zone occupies two plum positions. This is the first time we are having this scenario since 1999.

“On principle, I accept the outcome of that session in good faith and sincerely congratulate the leadership.

“However, in view of the realities in the process of constituting the leadership, I am constrained to plead with our party to review its definition of inclusiveness and rethink its perception and treatment of the Southeast.

“If our ideology of leadership involves, even in the minutest, the integration of every section of our country, then our pontification on Federal Character should go beyond lip service and rhetoric to the practical embrace of every section in the spirit of the change we have promised.

“The national leadership of our party should not continue to place the Southeast on the fringes in the scheme of things.

As far as the Nigerian project is concerned, every region must count if we must get it right,” Okafor said.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

56

FOREIGN NEWS Attackers killed Burundi leader’s aide

Zimbabwe seeks Cecil the lion killer’s extradition from U.S.

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CLOSE aide of Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has been killed in an attack on his car in the capital, Bujumbura.

Gen Adolphe Nshimirimana was a former army chief of staff and intelligence chief.

The attackers targeted his car in the Kamenge district reportedly with machine guns and rocket launchers.

Burundi has been racked by unrest since April, when Mr Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office.

Opponents argued this contravened the constitution and there was a failed coup attempt in May. A presidential election was then held last month which Mr Nkurunziza won, but which was boycotted by the opposition.

Gen Nshimirimana was reportedly in charge of the president’s personal security and had been central in cracking down on protests.

Witnesses to the attack said four men in military fatigues had sprayed the car with bullets.

Other witnesses said rockets were also fired.

Presidential adviser Willy Nyamitwe told Reuters: “He has been killed by a bullet... He was in the car with some bodyguards but I don’t know exactly what happened.”

Dr. Palmer

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S outrage grows over the killing of Cecil the lion, Zimbabwe has called on the United States to extradite the American dentist who shot the prized big cat.

Zimbabwe has started extradition proceedings and hopes the United States will cooperate, said Oppah Muchinguri, the African nation’s environment minister.

Walter Palmer “had a well-orchestrated agenda which would tarnish the image of Zimbabwe and further strain the relationship between Zimbabwe and the USA,” Muchinguri said.

Palmer, his professional hunter guide, and the owner of the land where the hunt took place are accused

of an illegal hunt under the country’s Parks and Wildlife Act, Muchinguri said in a statement.

Specifically, Palmer is accused of financing an illegal hunt, and he and the professional hunter are also accused of illegally using a crossbow “to conceal the illegal hunt” so they wouldn’t alert rangers on patrol, she said.

The landowner allegedly allowed the hunt to be conducted without a lion quota and without the necessary permit, Muchinguri said.

“The professional hunter, client and land owner were therefore all engaged in poaching of the lion,” she said.

She added, “This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all genuine, animal-loving conservationists who believe in sustainable utilization of natural resources.”

Palmer, from Minnesota, has said he relied on the expertise of local guides “to ensure a legal hunt.”

“I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt,” Palmer said in a statement Tuesday.

He allegedly paid $50,000 in early July to hunt the lion with a crossbow near Hwange National Park in west-

ern Zimbabwe.

Cecil — a major tourist draw at Hwange — was lured out of the park sanctuary with a dead animal on top of a vehicle, according to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force.

The 13-year-old lion, recognizable by the black streaks in his mane, suffered a slow death, the conservation group said.

Palmer’s whereabouts are publicly unknown amid the uproar over the hunt, though his representative contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday, the agency said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the circumstances of the lion’s death.

“The service’s investigation is ongoing and appreciates that Dr. Palmer’s representative voluntarily reached out to the service,” the agency said, offering no detail about the correspondence.

This week, the Fish and Wildlife Service made a public appeal to Palmer, asking him to contact the agency: “That investigation will take us wherever the facts lead. At this point in time, however, multiple efforts to contact Dr. Walter Palmer have been unsuccessful,” said Edward Grace, the Fish and Wildlife Service’s deputy chief of law enforcement. “We ask that Dr. Palmer

UN: Myanmar flood death toll ‘to rise’

UK firm probed over Somalia ‘corruption’

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T

HE death toll from floods in Myanmar is expected to rise over the coming days, the United Nations has warned.

Four western regions have been declared disaster zones after heavy floods, caused by monsoon rains, left at least 27 people dead.

But rescue teams have not yet reached many areas and are still awaiting reports on the worst-hit regions.

In the neighbouring eastern Indian state of Manipur, a landslide buried a village, killing at least 21 people.

Heavy rains are normal in monsoon season, but many people in Myanmar - also known as Burma told the BBC that the rains were particularly strong in recent weeks.

Wind and rain from Cyclone Komen added to damage.

Yesterday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said some 156,000 people were affected by the floods in 12 districts but the total could be “significantly higher”.

The UN also said: •there was “extensive damage” to camps housing 100,000 Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state

•Myanmar floods worst in decades

•the city of Kalay, with 400,000 people, is accessible only by air •at least 100 houses were destroyed by landslides in Chin state •Haka town in Chin state, with a population of 40,000, is inaccessible by road due to landslides On Saturday, Mg Mg Khin from Myanmar’s Red Cross told the BBC the country was facing “a big disaster”.

Heavy rains are expected in many states, including Chin, Rakhine and Magwe, over the next two days, fore-

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

casters say.

Thousands of people are sheltering in Buddhist monasteries, but one report said people from the Rohingya Muslim minority were turned away from some shelters.

The Burma Times said security forces turned away Rohingya Muslims from abandoned schools and community centres in Rakhine.

More than half a million acres of rice paddy fields have been flooded, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation said. A state of emergency has

Suicide attack hits Turkish troops

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WO Turkish security troops have been killed and 31 wounded in a suicide attack by Kurdish PKK militants, the regional governor’s office says.

A tractor laden with explosives was driven at a military police station, reports by Turkish media say.

The attack happened early yesterday near the town of Dogubayezit in Agri province, near the border with Iran.

Since 24 July, Turkey has carried out hundreds of air raids on PKK bases on both sides of the Iraq-Turkey border.

The Turkish state news agency, Anadolu, said that the tractor was carrying two tons of explosives that were detonated by a suicide bomber.

Turkey’s army said in a statement that “long-range guns” were also found. Four of the injured were in a serious condition, it said.

Images in the Turkish press showed a badly-damaged building with the

or his representative contact us immediately.”

Meanwhile, a White House petition requesting that Palmer be extradited to Zimbabwe may receive a response from the Obama administration.

The petition needed to receive 100,000 signatures by August 27 to get a response. It had more than 175,000 signatures by Friday afternoon.

Muchinguri said that there was also much outcry in Zimbabwe and that nearly 500,000 people via Facebook had called for Palmer’s extradition.

“We are taking this issue seriously,” she said, adding that Palmer should be tried in Zimbabwe.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered this week outside Palmer’s dental practice in Bloomington, Minnesota.

In an email obtained by WCCO, Palmer wrote a letter to his patients, saying, “I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion. That was never my intention.”

The U.S. State Department said that as a matter of policy, it would not comment on specific extradition requests.

roof destroyed.

The regional governor did not say how the PKK had been identified as the group behind the blast. The PKK has not commented.

AFP said it would be the first time the PKK was accused of deploying a suicide bomber during recent clashes.

The PKK has been blamed for a series of attacks, leading Turkey to attack its positions Turkey says the group was behind a number of attacks in the last two weeks: · On Sunday, a Turkish soldier was killed and four others hurt when a mine exploded under their convoy in the south-east of the country · On Friday, five people died when a police station and a railway line were targeted · On Thursday, three troops died in the southern Sirnak province after gunmen opened fire on their convoy

Turkey’s official news agency says about 260 Kurdish fighters have been killed in strikes in northern Iraq and Turkey since 24 July. It has also targeted positions held by the Islamic State group.

At least six people were killed and several wounded in further Turkish air strikes on Saturday, said local officials in eastern Turkey.

Turkey considers both the PKK and IS terrorist organisations.

The PKK has been fighting Turkey for an autonomous homeland for the Kurds.

More than 40,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since the PKK began an armed uprising in 1984.

In 2012, the government and PKK began peace talks and the following year a ceasefire was agreed.

However, the ceasefire ended in effect when Turkey launched raids against Kurdish separatist camps in

been declared in several regions of Myanmar after the worst flooding in decades. Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed.

The country’s president has visited people living in temporary shelters and the army is leading relief efforts.

Many in Myanmar said the rains are the worst in many years The rain began in mid-July and Burmese have been fleeing badly-hit areas.

Rescue efforts in Manipur have been hampered by floods and landslides.

HE Serious Fraud Office has opened a criminal investigation into British company Soma Oil and Gas. The SFO said the matter was related to corruption in Somalia.

In a statement, Soma said it was “confident” that there was “no basis” to the allegation.

The company’s directors include former Conservative Party leader Lord Howard and Lord Clanwilliam, but Soma said “no suspicion whatsoever” was attached to either man.

The SFO released a statement saying whistleblowers were “valuable sources of information”.

It added: “We welcome approaches from anyone with inside information on all our cases including this one – we can be contacted through our secure reporting channel, which can be accessed via the SFO website.”

Soma said the allegations were from a third party, not from a current or former employee.

“Soma Oil and Gas has always conducted its activities in a completely lawful and ethical manner and expects this matter to be resolved in the near future,” it added.

The BBC understands that a UN monitoring group has also been investigating Soma over a capacity building programme which it signed with the Somalian government last year.

Hollande denies striking compensation deal

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RESIDENT Francois Hollande has denied claims that France has agreed to pay compensation to Russia for cancelling the sale of two warships.

Mr Hollande said no agreement had been reached, contradicting an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Discussions are under way. I will make a decision in the coming weeks,” Mr Hollande told a news conference.

France stopped the planned sale after the outbreak of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The deal, for two Mistral helicopter carriers, was worth •1.2bn (£843m; $1.3bn).

Russia made an advance payment of about •840m.

The first of two - the Vladivostok - was supposed to be delivered to Russia in November 2014.

Vladimir Kozhin, a military technology adviser to Mr Putin, said on Friday that negotiations over compensation were “completely finished”.

“Everything has already been decided, both the time-frame and the amount,” Mr Kozhin told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

But Mr Hollande’s comments suggest that the agreement is still in question.

Sources close to the talks, quoted by Russia’s Kommersant daily, have suggested France will compensate Russia to the tune of •1.16bn.

That sum includes the amount that Russia has already spent on special training for 400 sailors, on port infrastructure in Vladivostok for the two warships and on developing four prototype Êà-52Ê helicopters.

The compensation deal was discussed last week at talks between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and French Defence Secretary-General Louis Gautier, Kommersant reports.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

57

FOREIGN NEWS

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Calais is a global migration crisis- Britain, France

HE British and French governments have warned that the world is facing a “global migration crisis”.

In a dramatic joint intervention, Theresa May, the Home Secretary, and her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve, call on countries across Europe and Africa to help solve the emergency caused by thousands of migrants congregating at their border.

Writing in the Telegraph, they warn would-be immigrants planning to make the “desperate” journey in search of a better life that Britain’s streets “are not paved with gold”.

As a first step to make Britain less attractive, the Home Office announced plans to cut the

weekly cash allowances that support thousands of failed asylum seekers with families.

The announcement came as figures showed the number of suspected illegal migrants detained in Britain has soared by almost a fifth since the Calais crisis erupted.

Bedfordshire police – which covers Toddington services on the M1, one of the first stops for many truckers arriving from France – reported a sevenfold year-on-year increase in illegal entries in June.

In their article, Mrs May and Mr Cazeneuve promise that solving the crisis is their joint “top priority”, and disclose that European efforts so far this year have smashed 17 “callous” gangs trafficking people across the Mediterranean to Europe.

But the two ministers demand that Greece, Italy and other European countries take responsibility for stopping the flow of migrants from Africa.

Mrs May and Mr Cazeneuve, the French Interior Minister, made their highly unusual joint statement amid growing tensions over continued delays at Dover for holidaymakers and lorry drivers hit by the chaos at Calais.

However, they warn that the issue cannot be left to Britain and France alone to solve.

“What we are currently facing is a global migration crisis,” they say.

“It is a priority at both a European and international level.

Many of those in Calais and attempting to cross the Channel have made their way there

through Italy, Greece or other countries. That is why we are pushing other member states, and the whole of the EU, to address this problem at root.”

On Saturday Downing Street announced further steps designed to alleviate the pressure at the Calais border.

Under a deal agreed between Britain and France, French police reinforcements will remain in Calais for the rest of the summer, while the UK will spend up to £8 million on a significant increase to the 200 private security guards patrolling the Eurotunnel perimeter.

Britain will offer to pay for more security guards to be provided at the flashpoints in Calais and Coquelles, as well as extra CCTV and floodlights.

•The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall had a close encounter with an eagle in a flap at a flower show on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

PHOTO:GETTY IMAGES

Obama came, saw and conquered

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RESIDENT Barack Obama for the most part of last week captivated the African people especially the eastern part of the continent with his visits to Kenya-the land of his father’s birth and Ethiopia, where the African Union (AU)-the precursor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) is headquartered.

The effervescent and charming leader of the free world was visiting Kenya as the first sitting American president to do so. He was given all the adoration befitting a home coming son and he in return wasted no opportunity to remind his kinsen as the first Kenyan American president of the United States. Obama was politely rebuffed or somewhat ignored when he touched on the issue of gay rights no matter how he wedged it around the issues of human rights and choice. Our very own President Muhammadu Buhari did no less during his visit to the White House; in effect telling President Obama thanks but no thanks. Gays, lesbians as well as homosexual relationships are anathema to our culture and ways of life.

In other fronts, he scored mightily in attacking corruption, bad governance, injustice, trampling on the people’s fundamental human rights among most African leaders.

His Global Enterpreneurial Summit was the gem of the Kenya’s visit-that is if you set aside his Sister Auma Obama’s overbearing and exhilarating narrations at every stop about a brother who has taken the family name to the highest of imaginable loftiest heights on planet earth.

Anyway, the GES was Obama’s brainchild as set forth at his now famous in his A New Beginning address

at the University of Cairo in 2009. It was conceived as an inclusive tool to encourage innovations, the spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity especially in Muslim Majority Communities (MMC’s) in taking their destiny of growth in their own hands with help and assistance from those who have passed through the path before. He was happy to announce at the Nairobi Summit that over 200 accomplished entrepreneurs and seasoned business innovators were invited from over 120 countries to the Summit and enjoined Africans and potential leaders of industry to rub minds with them and tap from their wealth of experiences in business innovations, creativity and immensely bold acumen.

Three women entrepreneurial Centres are billed for take-off in Africa this year namely in Zambia, Nairobi and Mali with over1600 women designated to benefit from these centres.

Also more than $1billion has been secured through financial institutions to help achieve the goals set forth by the centres.

Ethiopia was a little tricky but as usual President Obama put up his best in a country which has a horrendous human rights abuses, high rate of journalists’ incarceration and intolerance for the opposition. Its last May’s parliamentary election has the ruling party securing 100per cent of the seats while the opposition and civic society leaders were hounded into prisons without due process leading to the death of two opposition leaders.

But America looked at it from a different prism; taking note of Somalia’s collaborative efforts at fighting the dreaded al-shabab ter-

•Mohamed (left) and Fahmy

Al-Jazeera verdict delayed again

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N Egyptian court has again delayed a verdict in the retrial of three al-Jazeera journalists convicted of aiding the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy, Egyptian Baher Mohamed and Australian Peter Greste were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison in July 2014.

Their convictions for spreading false news were overturned and they were freed in February to await retrial.

Mr Greste was deported to Australia and is on trial again in absentia.

The journalists strenuously deny collaborating with the Muslim Brotherhood, which the Egyptian government considers a terrorist group, after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013.

At a hearing yesterday, the journalists were told the verdict would be delayed until 29 August.

Italian police seize money from Snoop Dogg at airport

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MERICAN rapper Snoop Dogg real name (Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.) left Italy $205,000 lighter on Saturday after police seized money from him at an airport in Calabria.

During a normal check at Lamezia Terme, the rapper was found with $422,820 in U.S. cash, a police source told CNN. The maximum amount of cash that passengers traveling through Italy can carry without declaring it is •10,000 ($11,010.25). The rules were put in place to prevent money laundering.

To be exact, Italian Finance Police seized $205,933, the source said.

The rapper arrived in the country's southern region earlier this week in his private jet for a performance in the village of Montepaone. He told police that the cash was to pay his band for concerts in Italy and elsewhere, the source said.

Snoop Dogg then left for London. The finance police will open an investigation into the Italian concert and how the rapper was paid.

Global Focus DAYO FAKUADE, Foreign Editor sms 08134230367

daborgu@gmail.com rorist group and the fact that Addis Ababa is home to the continental body-the African Union.

It was even suggested by critics in Washington that including Nigeria on his itinerary would have been more rewarding for a nation which went through a peaceful transition of political power for the first time since 1999 in spite of the menace of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Also, this would have sent positive vibes and reminders to other African countries holding elections this year.

He chastised sit-tight African leaders who do not know how to throw in the towel when the ovation is loudest; rather seeking extra-legal means of period elongation referring to Burundi’s President Pierre Nkunriziza who recently won a disputed and unconstitutional third term elections in his country having muscled the highest court in the land to do his bidding. He even joked that he could have won a third term in the U.S. had the constitution allowed him. It is also noteworthy that Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, who is the current Chairman of the AU was not invited to Addis Ababa for the parley.

Well, so much for a president who promised to be back again on African soil, but at that time not in suit.

This visit barring any unknown, will probably be Obama’s last before handing over the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C.

PHOTO AP

to the next occupant, democrat or republican come January 20, 2017.

Greece is not disappearing soon from our radar despite the pyhhric victory the nation seem to have scored early in the month as in no to bailout referendum but yes to bailout conditionalities in order to stay alive and in eurozone.

Now the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is threatening not to go along with the eurozone’s agreement for the three-year 86 billion Euro bailout unless it comes with tougher reform conditions. The global financial institution is asking for more reforms from Greece AND a debt forgiveness plan from Eurozone before it can acquiesce to Greek’s request.

Already, Greece embroiled in his own internal crisis within the ruling Syriza party members, has tried to repay a debt of 2 billion Euro to the IMF hoping to use this as a leverage to secure the first tranche of 24 billion Euro until this new wrench is thrown into the wheel.

Well, meetings are on-going in Brussels and barring any last minute change of mind by the IMF board, hope is fast fading for the third round of bailout for Greece, a nation with so much notoriety for failing to make through on its debt repayments as at when due.

Moving on to Turkey and the web of entanglement cum political wheeling and dealing vis-a-vis its involvement in the Syrian war.

Late in 2012, Turkey’s government

of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a peace agreement with the Kurdish Turks with whom it has been at war for a very long time which claimed thousands of casualties from both sides over time. It was at best a fragile truce but it held until last week when charges and counter-charges between the two decidedly brought Turkey into blame game of fatal dimensions. On another hand, Turkey is fighting off aggression with the armed groups in Iraq and Syria as well as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) justifying its assertion that Turkey is using the ISIL as a smokescreen to unleash terror on the Kurdish people, pointed out to the fact that of almost 1000 terrorists rounded up during the latest string of altercation, only 187 were noted ISIL fighters while more than 800 Kurdish fighters were hounded into prisons.

America has been quick to side with Turkey saying it has the right to defend itself. That reminds one of the usual Washington refrain whenever Israel plummets stone-throwing children of Palestine with American-taxpayers’ rockets and gun boats.

The atmosphere in that region of the world is already perilously precarious and devastating without an escalation of the fragile peace efforts between Turkey and PKK. Finally, a shred of evidence in form of a panel resurfaced on a remote Reunion Island off the Indian Ocean last week. It is a piece from a Boeing 777 the same type aircraft with Flight MH 370, which flew sharply off its route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing and disappeared on March 8, 2014 with 239 on board. As it is been confirmed that it probably came from the ill-fated aircraft, it only brings tragic reminder to families who lost loved ones in the tragedy. We shall be following the investigation as it unravels.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

NEWS Nigeria’ll establish two consulates in Benin Republic, says Buhari Continued from page 2

•Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka (second left), being assisted by his wife Folake to receive a souvenir from Mrs Lara Oshiomhole…yesterday. With them is Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Ooni absent as son weds in Lagos Continued from page 2

into the palace showed that the corpse of Ooni was not inside the palace as reported by some newspapers (not The Nation.)

He said he had just come out of the inner palace and could authoritatively confirm that Ooni’s corpse was not anywhere in the palace.ý Speaking with our correspondent yesterday inside the Ooni Palace, known as Ile Oodua, Chief Faloba, who is also one of the Ife kingmakers, maintained that Oba Sijuwade is alive.

“If truly Ooni is dead, the palace gates must have been shut and no one can have access into this place, he said.

When asked why the palace was deserted and devoid of human and vehicular traffic, Faloba said there was nothing unusual about that since Ooni was not around.

His response: “I was from the inner palace and there was nothing to show that Ooni is dead or his corpse is inside there. If truly such a thing happened, there can never be access into to the palace, the pal-

ace gate must have been shut by now and all markets in Ife would have been closed. Some trees in the market will be brought down to prove that we are mourning the death of our king.

“But nothing like all these as you can see for yourself. As I am speaking to you now, people are in joyous mood with the Ooni’s son, Adegbite, who is getting married in Lagos.

“If it is true that Ooni is dead, we the chiefs are the first to know and to announce it. We are the owner of our culture and kingship in Ife kingdom is sacred and we treat it as such.”

Also, an elderly person, who preferred anonymity, said that some parts of the town were sprinkled with the cow blood as a sacrifice for peace in the community.

However, he too denied that Ooni’s corpse had arrived and noted that the Oro festival had no connection with the reported death of Oba Sijuwade.

Meanwhile, only the guards and four policemen were on guard at the main gate of the palace.

Only two or three persons entered the palace at short intervals. They were allowed in after security checks.

The atmosphere around the town, particularly at Enuwa, very close to the palace was not different from what it used to be when the Ooni was around.

The Sijuwade royal family and the Olowu family of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State yesterday hosted a galaxy of dignitaries to the wedding of their children - Prince Adegbite and Dolapo.

Prince Adegbite is the son of the Ooni through Olori Monisola and Dolapo is the daughter of Mrs. Olowu, a former official with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The superlative wedding of the Ife blue blood to the media socialite was one to remember.

The guests cut across the royalty, business, politics, music and government among others.

Only guests with valid and verified invitations were allowed into Landmark Events Centre, venue of the strictly-by

invitation wedding.

A list of actors – members of the bride’s constituency forced their way in.

But despite the tight security, a mammoth crowd turned up for the event from far and wide, with groups coming from as far as Ijebu-Ode, Ilorin, Osun and Epe to honour the debonair prince and his lovely bride.

The event began with the traditional engagement, which lasted for more than two hours. The bride was resplendent in her pale-grey traditional lace outfit, while the prince looked regally in his white Aso Oke attire.

The friends of the bride donned coral floral head gears atop red cord lace materials, while friends to the groom donned peach Aso Oke caps atop white native attires.

Amidst outpouring of love and well-wishes to the new couple, the bride’s father’s statement captures the torrents of wishes for them.

“It is a great day! We all cross our fingers and wish the couple the best of married life,” he said.

Reform: Fear grips Perm Secs, directors over awards Continued from page 2

nourary degrees, diplomas, fellowships, etc. is being abused.

“The situation has deteriorated to the extent that laid down procedures for bestowing such honours are no longer observed. In some cases, the intentions for giving the award appear less than noble.

It is hardly surprising that these awards no longer command much respect.

“Accordingly, serving pub-

lic officers are hereby banned from accepting honorary degrees, fellowships, etc. from local or foreign universities, polytechnics and other higher institutions. This, of course, does not apply to fellowships and memberships awarded by accredited professionals bodies to their bonafide members. This circular takes immediate effect.”

The 2013 circular was issued by a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federa-

tion, Bukar Goni Aji. It said: “It has come to the attention of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation that some Civil Servants are in the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles and other sundry neutrality which are core values of the Civil Service.

“Accordingly, serving officers are hereby banned from accepting Chieftaincy titles until after retirement from service. This is to stem the ob-

served abuse in the award of these titles and shield the civil servants from unnecessary distraction from our core responsibilities.

“However, where a civil servant must hold a traditional title bestowed on him/her by inheritance or receive any award, due clearance must be obtained from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. This circular takes immediate effect.”

spect their host’s culture and laws.

He noted that there were a number of problems in South Africa which did not portray Nigerians in good light.

“Some of them are in prison for committing a number of crimes. But for you who are so close home, you should do your best in being good ambassadors of the country,” he said.

On whether there was any cooperation with Benin Republic towards fighting Boko Harm, he said: “Yes, they have identified with the countries of Lake Chad Commission which comprises of Cameron, Chad and Nigeria. He (Boni Yayi ) made an undertaking of providing a number of troops to join the Task Force troops of the Chad Basin Commission countries to fight the Boko Haram.

“I will not mention the number of troops because it is a security issue. As you know, Nigeria is expected to make a bigger contribution. By yesterday (Friday), we are supposed to take the troops off the ground.

So, Benin Republican through the President is participating in fighting Boko Harm.”

Answering the question on what the Federal Government

was doing to facilitate the return of those who may so wish, the President said: “I believe a lot of you are doing well and are better off here. So, the question of facilitating your coming home does not arise.

“We don’t want you to come back home and be unemployed.

Don’t come and add to our problems. If you have something doing here please continue doing it.”

Towards opening a campus of the National Open University (NOUN) in Benin Republic, he urged them to pass a formal letter through the ambassador who will write the ministry of education.

“And I think the possibility of expanding the facility may be examined,” he stated On how the government will assist to improve their businesses, he said: “I think what the government can do is through your ambassador. If the embassy sends a report from your representatives, I believe the ministry of commerce and industry will examine it and whichever suggestion they raise, the Federal Government will look at them.

“The Federal Government here in Nigeria will ensure that people don’t just earn their salaries but that they do exactly what they are paid for,” he said.

Who is who on lists of big bank debtors Continued from page 2

names are missing from the list, are those that are contesting their indebtedness in the courts.

“The CBN has directed that all cases that are in the purview of the courts should be reserved for judicial determination and resolution,” the official said.

He said the Loan Recovery unit of the banks were still working hard, compiling the list of other debtors. “This publish and shame strategy would continue, as the next category of NPLs falls due, except otherwise directed by the regulator, he stressed,” the source said.

A CBN official, who spoke in confidence, said the resolve of the apex bank to adopt “the publish and shame” strategy was as a result of the failure of persuasion which many of the banks have adopted over the years. He warned that this would be the beginning of a long-battle aimed at recovering all outstanding loans due the lenders.

Some of the facilities in the bank books are classified as overdrafts, project financing, term loans and others which

are said to be unauthorised credit advances. The NPLs range from one to over five years in many instances.

However, there are strong indications that much pressure is being mounted by some prominent debtors against the publication of the debtors' list. The Nation learnt that about two to three banks have withdrawn the list they sent to some media houses for publication, saying they required more time to clean them up.

A banker, who craved anonymity, said he was concerned that the strategy that these debtors applied in the past to evade settlement of their debts might come to play again. He said many of the debtors were strong enough to offset their indebtedness, but regretted that lack of determination to apply the rules always favoured them.

A Lagos lawyer, Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), told The Nation earlier that it would be an uphill task to get the true debtors' list published, pointing out that even if a list is published, it would never be the authentic one.

NNPC, others get 30-day deadline to reply audit queries Continued from page 2

well as $998,881.77 interest earned on the Joint Venture Cash Calls in 2012 *DPR——(a) N377,264, 685, 789.54 questionable deductions in favour of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). (b) $706,880,265.22 unpaid by 21 oil companies as royalties on oil. *The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) got N1, 454,035, 989,899.78. *PPPRA——Payment of N229,740,438,597.27 as subsidy *Office of the AGF———To explain the difference of N41,856,530,921.54 as well as pay back total sum of N1,901,213,713,587.07 into the Federation Account.

The Nation had exclusively reported some of the outstanding queries from the Auditor-General of the Federation in connection with NNPC and some of its sub-

sidiaries.

The 2012 Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF) report questioned the deduction of N2,308,749,174,308.54 Excess Crude Oil/PPT/Royalty from oil and gas revenue before the balance was paid into the Federation Account.

The query came on the heels of the inability of the Auditor-General to obtain a legal authority for the creation of the Excess Crude Oil/PPT/ Royalty Account.

Of the deductions, N477,448, 498,6 19.22 was drawn in favour of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and N377,264, 685, 789.54 in favour of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) got N1, 454,035, 989,899.78.

The report also discovered payment of various sums of interests to the Federal Government’s excess proceeds of PPT/

Royalty Account accruing from fixed term deposits that could not be established.

It was also reported that $219,247,398 .77 was credited to the FGN Excess Proceeds Crude oil sales account and $443,844,581.47 was credited to PPT/Royalty Account as interest on fixed term deposits.

“In addition, $221,219.79 was credited to the FGN Excess Proceeds of crude oil sales account; $453,803.13 was credited to PPT/ Royalty Account as interest on ordinary deposits.

“However it was noted in the report that ‘the authority for placing the funds’ which yielded the above interests in deposit account was not made available as requested.

“The banks where the deposits were made, principal sums deposited, tenor and rate were also not made available for audit verification as requested.

“During the examination of the statements of the Bank for International Settlement Account of FGN Excess Proceeds of PPT/ Royalty Account, the AGF also observed that ‘an amount of $500m was debited into the account on the 29th August 2012 and described as interest on fixed term deposit’.

“The Accountant General of the Federation, in the report, was queried to explain the difference of N41,856,530,921.54 as well as pay back N1,901,213,713,587.07 into the Federation Account, out of which N1,132,619,890,792.96 is for joint venture cash calls (JVCs); N260b is for petroleum subsidy; N477,448,498,619.22 is for excess crude sale and N31,145,324,174.89 under remittance of revenue deducted at source by NNPC from the revenue proceeds in accordance with Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution.”

A Presidency source said: “By this directive, President Muhammadu Buhari is only asserting the roles of the Auditor-General of the Federation as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

“You can see that we have suffered a systemic collapse over the years. When Buhari said he inherited rot, some Nigerians thought he was crying wolf. In fact, since 1999, MDAs have been treating AGF queries with disdain.”

Section 85 (4-6) of the constitution states: “(4) The Auditor-General shall have power to conduct checks of all government statutory corporations, commissions, authorities, agencies, including all persons and bodies established by an Act of the National Assembly. “(5) The Auditor-General shall, within 90 days of receipt of the Accountant-General‘s financial statement, submit his reports under this section to each House

of the National Assembly and each House shall cause the reports to be considered by a committee of the House of the National Assembly responsible for public accounts. “(6) In the exercise of his functions under this Constitution, the Auditor-General shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.”

Benin to join anti-Boko Haram war Continued from page 2

andChad.

President Buhari also visited Cameroon on Wednesday in a bid to bolster support for the regional force. The President’s trip to Cameroon completed his consultations with leaders of the Lake Chad Basin nations.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

59

NEWS Buhari running communist economic agenda, says PDP

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•Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono (left); Director-General, Industrial Training Fund, Mrs Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Abdulkadir Musa, after President Muhammadu Buhari's briefing at the Nigerian embassy in Washington DC, United States.

Nigerian, UK firms partner on business opportunities

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BOUT 100 delegates representing 56 companies from Nigeria and the United Kingdom have explored opportunities for collaboration at the annual Nigeria-UK Supplier Engagement programme organised by Shell Nigeria Exploration Company Limited (SNEPCo). It was in conjunction with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI).

The event, which was held in Lagos at the weekend, according to Shell’s Corporate Media Relations Manager Precious Okolobo, brought together companies engaged in a wide variety of activities in the oil and gas industry including engineering, maintenance, fabrication and subsea support services. The UK delegation, which included Nigerian experts in the diaspora who SNEPCo had reached in previous business summits in Aberdeen and

London, first met with Shell Companies in Nigeria companies on areas of need and technical gaps.

The Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Osagie Okunbor, said: “The striking feature of this year’s business summit is the presence of Nigerians in the diaspora in the UK delegation. It shows that, our engagements with Nigerians to take up opportunities back home in the oil and gas industry, is being well received, and this is good news for everybody.”

The UK delegation also held networking meetings with their Nigerian counterparts which included several members of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

“Shell has a long-term and continuing commitment to Nigeria, its people and the

economy,” said Chiedu Oba, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria in a welcome address.

“One of the most significant ways we have delivered on that commitment is by increasing the participation of Nigerian companies and individuals in our supply chain and operations – to ensure that as many Nigerians as possible benefit from our activities and business,” he added.

The General Manager Production PSC (Production Sharing Contract) in the National Petroleum Investment and Management Services (NAPIMS) enjoined the participating companies to work towards taking advantage of upcoming opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He reiterated the importance of local content in the growth of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. UKTI Director Chris Maskell

thanked Shell for the continued support on the NigeriaUK Supplier Engagement programme.

Speaking at a reception organised by UKTI for the suppliers, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Denzil Kentebe lauded the Shell initiative to foster partnerships that will help local vendors strengthen their technical capability.

SNEPCo initiated the Nigeria-UK Supplier Engagement programme in 2009, and this has led to some 27 partnerships between Nigerian and UK companies with another 43 partnership discussions progressing well. Shell Companies in Nigeria are major contributors to the national economy, not only through the energy they produce and the revenues generated, but also via achievements in supply chain, local content and social investment.

EU, UNODC support anti-corruption agencies

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IVIL Society Organisations (CSOs) and 14 anti-corruption agencies will this week receive training on how to develop national action plan for the implementation of United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) under the European Union funded ‘Support to Anti-Corruption in Nigeria’ project. It is managed by the United Nations

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor Arts

Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The two sets of trainings for ACAs and CSOs are scheduled to hold in Lagos from August 3 to 6.

The objective of the training is to strengthen capacities to develop strong and evidencebased anti-corruption activities in alignment with inter-

national commitments of Nigeria in fighting corruption.

The training, which targets representatives of Anti-Corruption Agencies specifically aims at enhancing the knowledge of the participants on the United Nations Convention against Corruption and its review mechanism; raise the awareness about the outcome of the UNCAC country review;

Boko Haram: Damaturu market shut

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RADERS were yesterday chased out of the Damaturu Sunday Market where a female suicide bomber killed 20 people last week.

Most of the traders, who came from far, were stranded, as stern-looking soldiers blocked entrances to the market.

Our correspondent learnt that some traders, who earlier gained entry into the market, were chased out by security agents, who began the exercise about 8:30am.

The Chairman of the Traders Association in Yobe State, Usman Muazu, decried the action of the security agents.

He said an announcement ought to have been made at least 48 hours before the market day, to avoid the losses incurred by the traders.

He listed some of the markets billed for closing as: Kukareta, Damaturu, Ngelzarma, Nanawaji, Katarko, Mafa, Sasawa and Banbangida.

A military source said a de-

•Traders stranded From Duku Joel

cision was reached between the government and the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the closure of the markets.

The Office of the Secretary to Yobe State Government and the Office of the Director of Press to Governor Ibrahim

Gaidam denied information to that regard.

The Director of Security, Yakubu Damagum, in a phone chat with our correspondent said he was not aware of any meeting with security operatives concerning the closure of the market.

Villagers resorted to selling their goods on the roads.

APC to Niger governor: don’t spare HE All Progressives corrupt members Congress (APC) in Ni-

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ger State has directed Governor Abubakar Sani Bello not to spare any politician, including party members, who may have dipped their hands in public funds.

The directive was contained in a statement yesterday in Minna by the Publicity Secretary, Jonathan Vatsa.

The party said the directive was line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption stance.

“Niger State was looted under the Peoples Demo-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

cratic Party (PDP) government for eight years. Even if it was yesterday that the governor appointed any of our members and he is found wanting the next day, such official should be axed,” the statement said.

APC said self-centred government officials, who do not see their appointments as service to humanity, but a way to enrich themselves, should be shown the way out.

brainstorm on activities to implement the UNCAC in practice following the review; and develop an action plan for the full implementation of Chapters III and IV of the UNCAC in Nigeria.

In the same vein, the training component for the CSOs aims to raise participants awareness on the current evaluation cycle of the UNCAC, and the second cycle (2015-2019) to cover Chapters II and V (Prevention Measures and Asset Recovery); provide the requisite skills to engage in the UNCAC review process; and help set advocacy agenda following the release of the first assessment report on Nigeria’s compliance with UNCAC.

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of running a communist economic agenda.

The party kicked against the administration’s attempts to repeal the provisions of the Foreign Exchange and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, otherwise known as Decree No.17 of 1995 and to replace it with “unilateral imposition of new regulations”.

A statement yesterday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, kicked against what it described as moves by Buhari to deny Nigerians the right to freely open and operate domiciliary accounts.

“This Act remains the subsisting law regulating the operations of domiciliary accounts in Nigeria and by its provisions therefore, Nigerians are empowered to freely open and operate domiciliary accounts.

“As such, any enactment and or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are deemed void. Thus, the recent foreign exchange transaction restrictions by this government are illegal, unlawful and void.

“Besides the provisions of the law, the PDP declares this administration’s archaic communist economic agenda as unworkable and unsustainable”, the statement said.

The party reminded President Buhari that “this is 2015 and not 1984”, stressing that trade and import restrictions are archaic and outdated.

It added that “We are practicing a proper democracy

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

and not the dictatorship of the politburo under a communist regime”.

The PDP also said the apparent absence of an economic team in the third month of the administration was leading the country into economic quagmire and doldrums.

The statement continued: “In the past, we had given examples of the devastating effect of lack of an economic team and a clear-cut fiscal policy by this administration as evidenced in the lull and painful decline in the stock market, spiral rate of inflation, the disastrous outing of the government team in bilateral talks during the recent visit to the United States of America and the shambolic state of our economy at present.

“This confusion has been extended to operations and regulations of the foreign exchange transactions in Nigeria wherein the government is making it impossible for honest Nigerians to engage in free trade and regulate their personal activities as guaranteed by the constitution, and this is clearly an agenda to illegally impose a communist economic regime on Nigerians.

“In a desperate attempt to create a semblance of movement out of the clearly motionless and stoic state of affairs of this government, they have reeled out bans and complete clampdown on free trade. One begins to wonder therefore whether we are not heading back to the era of import duty licenses and regulation of commodity prices”.

60

THE NATION MONDAY AUGUST 3, 2015

APC is large enough to accommodate everybody. Senator ‘ Bola Tinubu has been fair to everybody no matter which divide of the state such a person comes from ’

POLITICS EXTRA

Emeh, a lawyer, is former Rivers State Commissioner for Transport and Chief of Staff. He spoke with reporters about the succession crisis in the Southsouth State and other partisan issues.

‘APC should conduct primary in Ondo’

‘Southsouth should produce next AGF’ T HERE is the clamour for the Southsouth zone to produce the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation. What is your take on this?

I have always advocated that one of the best things you can find in life that will not bring trouble in any society is equity. When you apply it, whatever decision you are making from the point of equity, fairness, fair play will work out fine. The south-south region has always looked forward to when the Nigerian nation will begin to appreciate that the region is a very important component of the country. Every region is as important as the other, but it will not be out of place to say that the South-South region can be adequately described without mincing words, as the most important region in the country, being the region that produces the wealth which other regions are feeding on at the moment.

So, we deserve a special treatment. Even when our young men went ahead to demand this special treatment, though in their own form through what they called militancy, most people did not understand that they were doing so, as a way of driving home their point, that the region deserves special attention.

In the present dispensation, I have no difficulty in believing that President Buhari will pay special attention to the region and more importantly, the fact that every region has picked one important position or the other except the South-South region, we are very expectant.

What it means is that the only next important position left untouched at the moment is the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). I don’t need a soothsayer to tell me that the decision is deliberate, it is designed and set aside for the people of south-south since other regions have been settled. We believe that the next SGF should come from the south-south region, and we don’t need much debate on it.

Both the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, are jostling for the position. What is your expectation of them?

It is quite interesting to note that the two of such persons are being

•Emeh considered. I have read about this in the national dailies, and I am also aware that Chief Oyegun has opted out of the race, what it means therefore is that Rt. Hon. Amaechi is a candidate that has no competitor anymore. So far there is no other name that we know to have shown interest, or been penciled down to occupy that position.

I would have said that both exGovernors have sufficient pedigree for the position, but now that Chief Oyegun has opted out, let us concentrate on the fact that Amaechi having been a two- term Speaker in a complex state as Riv-

The Southsouth, being the producers of the wealth of this country, deserve to be taken of by the government at the centre and I know President Buhari is disposed to carrying us along

ers, and thereafter Governor for eight years, also in such a peculiar state as ours, we have no doubt that he has acquired sufficient knowledge, sufficient experience and sufficient information and therefore adequately ready to occupy and perform any administrative function of any type, irrespective of what name that office or position is called.

I don’t see a person who has managed a place like Rivers State as a governor for eight years and would not be able to creditably perform in the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is just a component of government. I believe that, if it is the wish of the Federal Government to narrow the appointment of the SGF, to the South-South which in any case deserves the position and Amaechi is from the South-South, there should be no difficulty in situating him to the office, if that is what the president would wish to do. In any case every person in APC appreciate the enormous contribution of Amaechi in the formation and nurturing of APC culminating in managing the party’s presidential campaign directing the election that threw up General Mohammadu Buhari as the winner.

Both as South-Southerner and as a person, I think, it is like the proverb which says that, “you put a palm fruit into drum of palm oil”.

I have no difficulty to believe that in view of Amaechi’s experience, just like any other person who has had high level of experience shouldn’t have difficulty in performing very well in the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF. What do you think the SouthSouth region really needs from this new political dispensation?

We have discussed a little bit in that regard, but for the sake of emphasis. If you build a house, chances are that you would not want to be kept at the corridors of the house. You will need a room.

You cannot finish building a house, and you give the room and parlour to the visitor, and remain at the balcony of the house. The Southsouth, being the producers of the wealth of this country, deserve to be taken of by the government at the centre and I know President Buhari is disposed to carrying us along.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

•Kekemeke

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GROUP, Ikale Youth Congress (IYC), has called on the national leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to ensure a level playing ground for governorship aspirants in Ondo State.

The group urged the party not to jettison the chances the party has on the basis of zoning.

It lamented that the political method adopted by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)

in picking the party’s candidate during the last governorship election, cost the party the chance to unseat the Governor Olusegun Mimiko, despite the political machinery put in place by the leaders.

In a statement, signed by the Coordinator of the group, Mr. James Atenuoro, said the group has urged a chieftain of the party in Ikale, Dr. Paul Akintelure, to join the race.

He said Akintelure is a worthy leader who can lead the people of the state out of wilderness.

Akintelure was the South Senatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011 and deputy governorship candidate of the party in 2012.

IYC said Akintelure should not settle for anything less than the governorship in the next year.

It said the medical doctor has touched many lives in the area, stressing that both young and old are beneficiaries of his philanthropy.

The group said it is awaken by the need for an Ikale man to finish the good work of the late Governor Olusegun Agagu, who had laid the foundation for a better sunshine state.

Aide: Lalong ’ll complete projects

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HE focus of the 2015 budget estimates of Plateau state government will be the completion of on-going projects inherited from the immediate past administration.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Rauta Dakok disclosed this while presenting the breakdown of the 2015 budget estimates.

The sum of N215.4 Billion budget estimates of the state has already been passed by the state house of assembly and singed into law by the state governor Simon Lalong.

Dakok said: “The new government of Simon Lalong has expressed interest in the completion of all inherited capital project in the interest of people of the state.

She added: “This was why the lion share of N37.4 billion of the 2015 budget was allocated to the ministry of works to enable the ministry complete those ongoing projects.

“Other relevant ministries like that of transport, Land, as well that of Urban Development have also bee allocated adequate funds

•Lalong From Yusufu Aminu Idegu and Jude Dagwam, Jos

in the budget to ensure the completion of ongoing projects under their ministry.

“You will agree with me that the timely completion of these inherited project is also in pursuance of peace, security, welfare of civil servants as well as to improve existing social infrastructure of the state.”

‘PDP is dead in Lagos State’

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• Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (second right), Chairman, Board of Trustees, Eko Club Chief Alaba Williams (right), President, Eko Club Alhaji Babatunde Faruk Grillo (second left), a trustee of the Eko Club, Mr. Rilwan Dawudu (left), a trustee, Alhaji Yomi Ayepola (right behind), past President of Eko Club Alhaji Muritala Ashorobi (middle behind) and former Chief of Staff Mr. Lanre Babalola (left behind) during a courtesy visit to Fashola at his Surulere residence last week.

POLITICIAN, Chief Babatunde Olorogun – Etti, has called on Lagosians to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to salvage the country.

He also urged Buhari to steer the ship of state away from economic hardship, political wrangling and insecurity.

Speaking in Lagos, shortly after defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olorogun-Etti praised, Senator Bola Tinubu for piloting the party along the path of greatness. He described him as a dynamic and brilliant politician.

He said: “The development, growth and peaceful co-existence of the state should be paramount to us. APC is large enough to accommodate everybody. Senator Bola Tinubu has been fair to everybody no matter which divide of the state such a person comes from. Therefore, any indigene of Lagos State who loves this state, who believes he has a stake in the development of this state with a passion, has no reason to be in PDP” he said.

Olorogun Etti also hit at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos chapter, saying that it has no future in the state.

“It’s time to face facts. The PDP is finished in Lagos State. PDP can no longer compete in any serious way in Lagos. The local government election in the state will be a formality” he said.

He urged his supporters to go to their wards and register in the APC.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

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BUSINESS EXTRA

Access Bank, GBCHealth seek private sector support on policies

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CCESS Bank Plc and GBCHealth are collaborat ing with other technical partners to train over 3,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from across Africa to implement work place health policies that promote behavioural change towards treatable diseases.

Speaking at the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA) Technical Forum 2015, jointly hosted by Access Bank and GBCHealth, the bank’s Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe urged the private sector to see opportunity in the health arena to both do good and to deliver returns to shareholders. He said the bank has a dedicated business unit that caters for NGOs and multilateral organizations, helping it to provide a safe and transparent channel for international donors and NGOs to move funding to local partners.

“We continue to develop new ways to finance and address growing businesses in our continent, and we are committed to making sure these businesses adhere to sustainable banking principles. Working with partners like GBCHealth and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, amongst others, we will continuously provide African leadership with our support to secure a better future for the health of our people,” he said.

By Collins Nweze

Speaking also at the Access Bank/ GBCHeath Business Leadership Awards Dinner held in Lagos, Wigwe said the event is to recognize health champions who have made immense contribution to Nigeria’s journey towards a better health for all.

He said the honoured demonstrated leadership, example setting and ownership for improving healthcare and the quality of life for people in Nigeria adding that today, the world faces massive threats from diseases, child and maternal mortality.

“I believe we need action at every level, from the community to the global, to address these threats and create a better and healthier world.

Achieving this requires us to work innovatively through partnerships with other sectors – non-profit, health, education, transport among others to development in Nigeria and society as a whole.

The bank chief says his lender supports the efforts of government, nonprofits, medical and pharmaceutical companies in preventing and treating diseases especially those diseases, such as Malaria, which disproportionately affect the people of Africa.

He said malaria accounts for more cases and deaths than any other coun-

try in the world. Malaria is a risk for 97 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

The remaining three per cent of the population live in the malaria free highlands.

“Working with partners like GBCHealth and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, among others, we will continue to provide African leadership and support in securing better health for our people,” he said.

“Our vision is for a world where anyone in Africa has the same chance for life as another person anywhere else in the world. I don’t think that is ambitious, I think that it is what everyone deserves. Tonight, we have an opportunity to work towards this vision by connecting with key stakeholders and making plans for collaborative approaches”.

He said there are an estimated 100 million malaria cases with over 300,000 deaths per year in Nigeria.

This compares with 215,000 deaths per year in Nigeria from HIV/AIDS and that malaria contributes to an estimated 11 per cent of maternal mortality.

“The bank said it is committed to finding new ways to sustainably support the efforts of government, nonprofits, medical and pharmaceutical companies as they work to prevent and treat diseases, especially those which disproportionately affect the people of Africa,” he said.

•From left: Content Manager, StarTimes, Ayoola Idowu and Public Relations Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, Israel Bolaji, during a press conference to announce StarTimes ‘Win a Trip to Germany” promo in Lagos.

Flour Mills targets acquisitions for growth

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LOUR Mills of Nigeria Plc, the country’s biggest miller by mar ket value, will seek expansion opportunities in Africa after streamlining its domestic business to focus on food in the continent’s biggest economy.

“That will be the next phase of growth,” Chief Executive Officer Paul Gbededo said in an interview on July 24 in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. The company will target joint ventures and acquisitions in other countries, he said, declining to name them or give a time frame.

Flour Mills, which sold its stake in United Cement Co. of Nigeria Ltd. to Lafarge Africa last year to focus on food and agriculture-related activities, has invested over $1 billion in areas including feed-mill expansion, sugar refining and vegetable oil production in the last five years, Gbededo said. The company plans to invest in sorghum mills at its Northern Nigeria Flour Mills unit with a target of 20,000 to 30,000 metric tons of the foodstuff annually in the next three to five years, he said.

Nigeria is attempting to revitalize its agriculture industry to diversify the

economy away from crude oil, which accounts for about two-thirds of government revenue. The Central Bank of Nigeria last month restricted the sale of dollars to importers of some goods, including food, in an effort to conserve foreign exchange and boost local production.

The opportunities that exist in food in Nigeria are present in many African countries, according to Gbededo.

“Food that we can grow here — where we have comparative advantage, we have to be investing in that and grow our capacity in feeding ourselves,” he said.

The company plans to raise as much as N40 billion ($202 million) in equity this year or in early 2016 to as it seeks to reduce debt and increase working capital, he said. “We will continue to invest in key growth areas of our portfolio.”

Flour Mills Nigeria shares fell 0.1 percent to 28.99 naira at the close of Lagos trading, extending its decline to 26 percent this year, valuing the company at N76 billion.

Dangote Cement profit jumps on African growth

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ANGOTE Cement Plc, Afri ca’s biggest producer of the building material, said firsthalf profit rose 28 percent as the benefits of expansion helped make up for “uncertainties” in its home market of Nigeria.

Net income was N121.8 billion ($614 million) in the six months through June, compared with 95.4 billion naira in the same period a year earlier. Sales gained 16 percent to N242 billion.

The company has 40 million metric tons of installed capacity across three cement plants in Nigeria, an import terminal in Ghana and factories that have recently opened in Ethiopia, Zambia, South Africa, Senegal and Cameroon, it said. The share of cement sales outside Nigeria has increased from 8 percent of the company total last year to 22 percent in the first six months of this year, culminating in 33 percent during June, Chief Executive Officer Onne Van Der Weijde said on a conference call on Friday.

“The African expansion is now taking place very rapidly,” Van Der Weijde said. “From basically a pure Nigerian operation we are all of a sudden a Pan-African operation.”

Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, said

in June that the cement unit is investing in 16 countries on the continent to tap demand for building materials as governments invest in infrastructure. The company is spending billions of dollars for expansion across the continent, it said.

The company expects to start production at a plant in Tanzania in September, followed by one in Republic of Congo in 2016, according to a slide presentation posted on Dangote’s website. A new plant in Kenya may start up late in 2017, Van Der Weijde said.

The company is still targeting sales volumes of 18 million to 19 million tons this year, despite challenges in Nigeria, he said.

In its home market, Dangote has grappled this year with fuel shortages that hurt demand, as well as a decline in market share after the company raised prices to protect its profit margins amid a devaluing local currency.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude producer, has been hobbled by a halving of oil prices in the past year and the toll of an Islamist insurgency in the country’s north. The economy is expected to grow 4.8 percent this year, down from 6.3 percent in 2014, according to the International Monetary Fund.

How mobile solutions is changing lives, by IBM chief

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HE utility value of mobile technology is almost second to none, Director, IBM Systems, Central & West Africa, Rasheed Ola Jimoh has said.

He explained that in sub-Sahara Africa, the mobile phone has proven to be an innovative and transformative tool for positive social and economic change, empowering individuals, communities and organizations in a variety of ways.

One key area where mobile is transforming realities and becoming positively disruptive is in healthcare services. Driven by some of the fastest mobile subscriber growth rates in the world, cheaper mobile devices, and continued innovation, emerging mobile health solutions are saving lives – an estimated million of them by 2017, according to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

“Despite the growing interest in Mobile Health (mHealth) initiatives across sub-Sahara Africa, adoption rates of mobile solutions vary widely. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), needs to do a lot of

caching up in this regard”.

“Healthcare experts meeting at the “Future of Health” conference organized by Nigeria Health Watch in June 2015, argued rightly that Nigeria’s healthcare systems and structures were literally still in the dark ages. Clare Omatseye, a pharmacist and President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria stated that Nigeria needs greater and smarter use of technology to tackle the challenges facing the health sector, pointing out that the health sector is stuck in an analogue world, while patients had already arrived in the digital world,” he said.

He explained that in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates informational medical apps are gaining traction but infrastructural challenges in other countries have limited adoption of consumer-facing apps and hampered integration with local health systems. An emerging opportunity, however, exists for healthcare providers and other enterprise organizations looking to improve operational and logistical health delivery. Instead of wrestling with the

underlying infrastructure, organizations can overcome the current barriers to adoption and deliver more holistic medical care to their citizens.

“While the population is eager for mHealth solutions, most African countries still lack the required infrastructure to support widespread deployment of apps that might integrate personal medical information. They first need to deploy Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, from which health organizations can pull, analyze and share patient medical histories, and which could be integrated into mobile health apps. In a healthcare ecosystem that encourage citizens to select a variety doctors and specialists instead of one primary care physician, the consolidation and ownership of medical information is challenging for public leaders and confusing for consumers,” Jimoh said.

Inward-facing enterprise mHealth apps, which improve the logistical and operational efficiency of healthcare solutions, are a potentially easier way to deliver mobile technology’s benefits to pa-

tients without having to tackle infrastructural transformation. By deploying apps internally, the additional burden of educating consumers and nurturing widespread adoption is eased – an added benefit of improving citizens’ healthcare experience without requiring their participation.

“Initiatives which improve accessto medical supplies, track immunizations, and allow remote diagnostics have the potential to transform the entire regional healthcare landscape– resulting in higher referrals, faster diagnoses, and dramatically improved patient experience. Telehealth apps, for example, can reduce the need for patients to travel hundreds of kilometers to visit a GP or specialist. Mobile diagnostics, which allows health professionals to send test results from the field, would give citizens in remote areas access speciality care prefessionals in other countries, in real time”.

He said that Enterprise mHealth apps enable a “distributed” model of healthcare provision – healthcare field agents can consult with patients and collect the neces-

sary information, relay it back to specialists, and receive treatment recommendations. Once established, these apps can also be more easily mandated and rolled out by local governments.

In Zambia, the government partnered with IBM to deploy a mobile program aimed at better managing the inventory and delivery of 200 life-saving prescription drugs. Staff from three local health facilities are now using mobile devices with barcode scanners to record stock and generate real-time views of supplies. The solution also allows workers to transfer supplies and identify trends, thereby preventing gaps in the medical supply chain and ensuring that citizens have access to the medications they need.

For a country that sees around 100,000 deaths each year due to preventable and treatable diseases, the benefits of the mobile-based system are self-evident. Healthcare providers and institutions in Nigeria and other African countries will do well to replicate this Zambian scenario in their domestic health sectors.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

SPORT EXTRA AHEAD 2015 ALL AFRICA GAMES

28 taekwondists to fight for 16 slots in Team Nigeria

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ROM the 28 athletes that were invited to the 2015 All Africa Games camp by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), 16 will make the final cut for the Games.

This was disclosed by the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, who admitted that the short preparation would not allow the federation to set a particular target for the team.

“We will be competing in eight weight categories for men and women. We be prune the team to 16 from the 28 invited to camp. We will be considering the response of the athletes coupled with their fitness level because we have short time to prepare for the games. We thought we will be embarking on foreign tour. But as the tour has been ruled out, we need to make do with what we have as we will not be using six

By Olalekan Okusan weeks to prepare the team for the games against some of the African teams that have been competing globally in the last two years,” Ashiru said.

The NTF boss, however, said that for now, the federation cannot ascertain the number of medals it hopes to win in Brazzaville until after the last two weeks of the camping.

“For now, we know we have been given target of two gold medals by the National Sports Commission (NSC), but we are aware of the potential of our athletes and we can only comment on this until the last two weeks of the camping exercise when we must have known the strength of the team. But we know we cannot perform less than what we have been achieving at the games and I am sure we can still exceed this target set by NSC,” he added.

Ganaru off to winning return

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ETURNING Kano Pillars coach Mohammed Babaganaru began his second spell at the club on a winning note as the champions beat Lobi Stars 2-1 at home on Sunday.

Babaganaru replaced Okey Emordi, who was fired as Pillars labored to keep pace with the likes of Enyimba and sunshine Stars in the first round of the championship.

Pillars now have 30 points from 20 games.

Mercurial midfielder, Rabiu Ali scored the opener for Pillars with a header in the 21st minute, when he connected Adamu Hassan's cross.

Midfielder Mohammed Shagari doubled the hosts’ the

lead with a 35th minute strike.

Anthony Okpotu reduced the deficit for Lobi Stars with a strike in the 50th minute.

• Rabiu Ali

'Governor's N2m gift did not tear us apart' T

HE Management of Enugu Rangers have debunked report in the that N2million given to the club by the Governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has torn the team apart.

In a press release made available to NationSport, the Rangers Director of Media and Publicity, Foster Chime noted that what transpired between few backroom staff of the club was the usual friendly misgivings amongst crew that were immediately resolved amicably.

According to Chime: "It will be foolhardy for an unknown source to see what was a friendly action amongst the crew as negative and the management wish to advise such sources to verify their facts with the club management before going to the press with unconfirmed story."

The club's image maker told NationSport that the management of the Flying Antelopes have expressed gratitude and deep appreciation to Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his magnanimity and fatherly support for the club since assumption of duty.

Chime mentioned especially the Interactive

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri

Forum the Governor had with the members of board, management, players and technical crew of the club on Thursday at the Government House Enugu, where he hosted the team to a dinner, doled out N2million to the team and also made a pledge of a coaster bus for the team as well as directive for payment of the five months arrears of salaries owned the players and officials.

• Rangers players celebrate

Amapakabo faults draw at Enyimba

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NUGU Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo has expressed huge disappointment picking just one point out six against oriental neigbhours, Enyimba.

The Coal City side were forced to a 1-1 draw by Enyimba in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 20 clash on Sunday at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba. Enugu Rangers were pegged 1-2 by Enyimba in the first fixture clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Forward, Onoriode Odah

scored the match opener for visitors, Rangers in the 9th minute while former Enugu Rangers man, Musa Najere even score for the hosts, Enyimba.

Amapakabo said his side would have picked more points than they did from both legs if not some sore missed chances.

“I feel bad with the 1-1 score line at Enyimba as this is a game we deserved to get more than just a point.

“Picking just a point out of six is not really a good one for us in the ongoing league season.

“In both legs of the encounters we created more chances which we did not use and I do

not understand why the players allowed those chances to go unused.

“Now we know we have issue with goal scoring, we will go back to work on the lapses aimed at coming out far better in subsequent matches.

“I think I’m greatly disappointed with the overall score line more so as we were able to claim a mere one point out of six,” said the former Enyimba and Sharks coach to supersport.com.

The score draw upped the Flying Antelopes points haul to 28 from possible 60 in the 20-week old Nigerian top flight.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Siasia praises players • Congo fans hold Le Roy hostage

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IGERIA’S U- 23 national team, the Dream Team VI yesterday qualified for the Africa U- 23 Championship that will produce Africa’s three automatic representatives at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil after playing a goalless draw with hosts team Congo.

But as the Congo fans celebrated the Nigerian team and hailed them for their wonderful display in Pointe Noire, their coach Claude Le Roy was almost manhandled, but was rescued by the security personnel at the Stadium.

The host fans, NationSport gathered were angry that despite giving their team over 100 per cent support the team still failed to secure a 1-0 victory that could have earned it qualification ticket of the African U- 23 Championship.

Congo fans shortly after the end of the game, held Le Roy hostage and it took the intervention of the security agents to get him back to the dressing room. The fans then hailed the Nigerian team until they left the pitch.

Veteran sports journalist and member of the NFF Technical Committee, Paul Bassey led the NFF and the team officials in singing in the team’s bus until they got to their hotel as Deputy General Secre-

• Chairman Technical Committee of the NFF Chief Felix Anyansi Agu raises hands in celebration with the Dream Team VI players and coaches in the dressing room...

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja tary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, the Chairman NFF Technical Committee Chief Felix Anyansi Agu and team’s Chief Coach Samson Siasia and the rest of the technical crew also joined in singing praises to Almighty God that made victory possible for the team.

Siasia praised his boys played to instruction and was proud of their effort. “I am very proud of these boys because they took the fight to the Congolese and played to instruction. They were determine, which showed in their game and could have scored.

But we must savour this victory for now and we thank God for this victory,” he said.

Falcons crash out of Rio Olympics

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IGERIA will not be represented at the 2016 Summer Olympics women’ s football tournament following a 2 - 1 loss to one of the emerging powerhouses of African football, Equatorial Guinea, in Bata.

The Super Falcons had it at their back of their minds that they needed to score in Equatorial Guinea to stand any chance of progressing to the final round of qualifiers after playing out a 1 - 1 draw with their opponents in Abuja.

They did give themselves a glimmer of hope, with Washington Spirit new • Okobi

RESULTS England - Community Shield Arsenal 1 - 0 Chelsea Netherlands - Super Cup FC Groningen 0 - 3 PSV Int'l - Club Friendlies QPR 1 - 1 Atalanta Telstar 1 - 2 Excelsior Cologne 3 - 2 Valencia E.Frankfurt 3 - 2 FC Tokyo Everton 1 - 2 Villarreal Sheffield 1 - 1 Hull City Southampton 1 - 1 Espanyol West Ham 1 - 2 Bremen Swindon 1 - 2 Liverpool Albion 1 - 0 Sevilla Schalke 1 - 1 Twente FC Porto 3 - 0 Stoke City Es'irspor 7 - 1 Lokomotivi Laguna 0 - 3 Palmas Galatasaray 1 - 0 Inter Osasuna 2 - 0 Bilbao Nantes 1 - 1 Maritimo Italy - Coppa Italia (AET) Casertana 1 - 0 Lecco Viterbese 0 - 2 Ancona 1905 Alessandria 2 - 0 Alt’entino Pavia 3 - 0 Poggibonsi Pisa 4 - 0 Sestri Reggiana 3 - 0 Rovigo FeralpiSalo 5 - 1 Fano

signing, Ngozi Okobi scoring in the first half to put Nigeria 2 - 1 up on aggregate.

And five minutes after the intermission, the African champions had a chance to increase their lead, but struck the cross-bar.

The hosts managed to conjure up an equalizer before the 86th minute, which pushed the game into extra time after four minutes.

Equatorial Guinea won over two legs after getting the game - winner in extra time, while the Falcons failed to utilize their scoring opportunities.

Oshaniwa opted out of Hearts debut

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UWON Oshaniwa has told AfricanFootball.com he opted out of making his debut for Scottish club Hearts yesterday..

The former FC Ashdod of Israel defender, who just signed a three-year deal with the Scottish top-flight team, said he was in the coach’s plan to face St. Johnstone, but he opted out.

"The coach wanted me to play against St. Johnstone, I was in his plans for the game, but

• Oshaniwa

when he asked me if I wanted to play, I told him no, so he asked me to do the work out with the team, which I did and I watched from the stand," Oshaniwa told AfricanFootball.com.

Hearts defeated St. Johnstone 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller on the Scottish league’s opening day. Oshaniwa arrived in Edinburg on Thursday, signed a three-year deal on Friday night for Hearts.

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘The Leahy Law does not aid and abet the Boko Haram terrorists. Boko Haram is propelled, reinforced and sustained by weird fundamentalist Islamist ideology and the army of their unseen sympathizers. The law only imposes some constraints in the prosecution of the insurgency war’ EMEKA OMEIHE

VOL 10 NO 3295

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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E arrived Abeokuta in the first ink of dusk, at about 5pm. We were visiting the city’s most iconic figure, the white-haired, white-bearded, tall, grand fellow of many battles and accolades.

Before we made the turn to the bush, a sign was unmistakable. Louis Odion, the writer in resting, who sat beside me in the car, read the sign. Roared Louis in a guttural register: “Any trespasser will be shot and eaten.”

The imprimatur of the poet. All around were trees. We drove on, and a sense of rural splendour fell over me. The serenity of trees. Birds. Leaves in lush colour. Earth Edenic. Modernity alienated. A shadow cast not by twilight but by the peculiar colouring of a forest. It was as though I was on my way to my mother’s home village in Delta State.

In a few moments, we saw what looked like a clearing. Looking farther, a big house, unpainted but tasteful, with a grandeur one would describe as quaint. Nothing ornate.

Not the windows, not the stairwell. It was a house sitting in arboreal paradise.

The vehicles parked, and in a few moments, the guest of honour, the sprightly Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and his elegant wife, Iara, materialised from a vehicle. We moved in and waiting was chief host, playwright, poet, writer extraordinaire Wole Soyinka. It was billed as a lunch but the vagaries of technology associated with his flight arrangement turned it into a dinner. Former governors, Babatunde Raji Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi, had visited earlier in the day.

As we sat, I delved into wordplay and described the setting as “Adamic.” The Edo Governor appreciated it and turned to his wife and they exchanged a joke about the Garden of Eden, and the wife quipped that if the Governor was the Adam, then she would be the Eve. At that moment I started to contemplate Adams, just as W.S. served wine and later asked us to the dinner table with his wife Folake.

I thought here was Adams, and the story of the man in the past few months revolved around women. The first was his wedding.

He, a Nigerian, above 60, and the bride young and from Cape Verde. The news generated quite an attention. Those who attacked, especially young men, were probably envious it was not them. Those women who condemned the bride, mostly girls, were also envious she was not them. I wonder what W.S. thought about the

RIPPLES

JONATHAN’S EX-CSO, OBUA, BACK IN HOSPITAL–News

Get well soon...but DSS must FINISH what they STARTED

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

Comrade and his women

‘

When the Edo Governor started lashing out at the other women, attention swiftly turned from his beauty parlour to the beasts of the economy •Oshiomhole

couple during the bonhomie of conversation over wine and food. He, too, wedded Folake, but to less flurry of envious rage, maybe because we did not have Internet or Facebook then. But essentially he was a prophet of his own nuptials with his play, The Lion and the Jewel. I told myself, we had two lions and two jewels at the table.

Nothing about this irony propped up in the conversation, and so I reined in my mischief. I took my time to watch, speak with and listen to a man I had admired all my life. That was enough peace for me eating his jolof rice, fried plantain and fish

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CCORDING to a certain African folklore, mother tick, the wizened matriarch of the blood-sucking specie of mites is said to have told her little ones to always stay calm and take cover each time humans begin to act up and begin to switch on the heat. “Stay quiet and lie low my children,” mother tick would admonish her fledgling parasites in hushed tone, “whatever is heated up would eventually grow cold.”

Could this be the unfolding scenario in Nigeria today? Is the new All Progressives Congress (APC) government losing the momentum that brought it to office or is it actually planning diligently to unleash the real transformation?

Apart from the fact that 30 days after inauguration, the President’s core backroom team (chief of staff and all the secretaries) is not yet in place and running, people fear there may be some disorientation when they eventually come on board. The civil servants may just get used to reporting directly to number one to the detriment of the appointees. This will mean that there may be so much bad blood that crucial tasks requiring urgent action may be jeopardised.

One notable example is the ongoing

’

with the lubricating grace of red wine.

But what I also thought of were Oshiomhole’s other women. The one was former so-called coordinating minister of the economy, Okonjo-Iweala and, of course, the big-eyed oil minister Diezani AlisonMadueke. When the Edo Governor started lashing out at the other women, attention swiftly turned from his beauty parlour to the beasts of the economy.

Adams had noted how the so-called World Bank, Harvard and all the phony accolades of western brilliance of the finance minister gave us nothing but poverty. Ngozi was a failure. She was a disaster. When the Edo governor reeled out her financial

iniquities, I felt especially vindicated. Very early I was not moved by her resume. She was not trained for the Nigerian economy, just like her bow-tie colleague now roosting like hens in another African agricultural employment. She was trained about the dependency of African economies. I know because I attended quite a few of them and I inoculated myself against their paradigms.

She did not and that explains why she met a buoyant purse and left a leaky one.

Then he visited the United States with President Muhammadu Buhari, and when he returned he unleashed a bombshell. One minister stole as much as six billion dollars from our purse. How much is that in naira?

In my own calculation, it is at least N1.2 trillion. That money will pay all the salaries owed the state workers, build quite a respectable cancer centre in the country. He would not say who the minister is out of decency. But we cannot but know that the finger pointed at the oil minister. She was the only one who could have had that kind of access. The American officials cannot say such a grave thing without evidence.

Diezani was the worst of the Jonathan era.

She was a disgrace of a minister just as Jonathan was a scandal of a president.

We raked in the most money in that era, we are broke today because of them. Adams had to come out with the facts because he, too, was outraged. It was Adams the activist, the fulminating labour leader that squared off against Iweala and Madueke.

Was it not in the same era we had other women, like Mama Peace, and Stella Oduah. Mama peace, the first lady, with whom many Nigerians lost patience, spoke as though the nation was a Mammy Market and all Nigerians were subaltern, backwater denizens without culture.

The evening eventually came to an end after close to four hours of exchange of jokes, ideas, etc. I could not but also note the sheer number of carved masterpieces in W.S. home. I called back his recollections of his search for an African artifact to as far away as Brazil. He wonderfully delineated the adventure in his memoirs, You Must Set Forth At Dawn.

We left into the bush again, and then back into the urban jungle. But it was a gradual descent into modernity. We saw buildings here and there interspersed with bushes until it was bricks and tars and cars.

is not the opinion of the columnist featured above HARDBALL •Hardball NNPC probe: What mother tick told its children attempt to probe the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). After the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) last Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari set up a four-member committee to probe an alleged misappropriation of about N3.5 trillion by the NNPC and another N2 trillion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA). The panel comprises the governors of Edo (Adam Oshiomhole), Gombe (Ibrahim Dankwanbo), Kaduna (Nasir el-Rufai) and Akwa-Ibom, (Emmanuel Udom).

NEC is a conclave of all the governors of the land and the president; it meets every month to deliberate on broad national issues. Now the matter of NNPC is crucial being Nigeria’s most strategic asset and again, being at the core of the unbridled corruption that ravaged the country in the last few years. Flashing a searchlight on this body is neither an ad-hoc affair nor a matter for busy governors.

NNPC is Nigeria’s putrid honey pot. It

requires a truly forensic audit of its affairs in the last five to 10 years. There is need to ascertain the true picture and completely revamp and upgrade its processes. There is need for even a forensic review of an earlier forensic audit by a certain accounting firm.

NNPC is the heart and soul of the nation; it is an elaborate enigma, a jigsaw puzzle that would solve most of Nigeria’s problems if handled right.

This is why Hardball is worried that after 30 days of the CHANGE administration and after all we know about this bastion of corruption, we can only come up with this kind of committee. If we mismanage the NNPC affair, it means that we are not gonna get much else right. With this excited crowd of panelists to probe NNPC, the blood-suckers, like mother tick, would take one look and chuckle to themselves: “We thought these fellows were serious!”

•This article was first published on July 6, 2015

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