Pipeline shutdown: Nigeria loses N2.6bn daily
Media remain most viable agents for change –Osinbajo
…Bonny Light export drops by 330,000bpd
T
Buhari
Vol. 5 N0. 1188
per barrel in the global market. The unprecedented setback amounts to N2.6bn at
he nation’s crude oil export has dropped by about 330,000 barrels per day, amounting to $13.32m at the current $40
UDEME AKPAN
Friday, August 28, 2015
P.7
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
National Mirror Online
N150
@NationalMirror
Buhari appoints SGF, CoS, others
ROTIMI FADEYI AND DENNIS AGBO
A
bout three months after he assumed office, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday announced six key positions in his government. In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesi-
…appointments shock Ndigbo
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>
Drug trafficking: NDLEA apprehends crew’s accomplice P.5
North-South power evacuation under threat ...as vandals hack transmission tower P.4 Members of “Bring Back Our girls” group in a solidarity rally of 500 days of Chibok Girls abduction in Lagos, yesterday.
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News
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Buhari appoints SGF, CoS, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
na, Buhari named Engr. Babachir David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Also announced yesterday was Alhaji Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff to the President. In the appointments released, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) was named as Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service; Mr. Kure Martin
Abeshi as ComptrollerGeneral, Nigerian Immigration Service; Senator Ita S.J. Enang as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives). According to the statement, the appointments are with effect from yesterday.
Lawal, the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation hails from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja; Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunica-
tions consulting firm in 1990. He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria. Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology.
He has worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years. The new ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Colonel Ali, holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Criminology. He was military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998.
President Muhammadu Buhari (left) with Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Pipeline shutdown: Nigeria loses N2.6bn daily CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
the current exchange rate of N200 to a dollar, thus constituting a major bane on the nation’s economy. This follows a shutdown of two major crude oil pipelines - Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, and Nembe Creek Trunkline, NCTL, yesterday because of vandalism and oil theft. Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, SPDC, which shut the pipelines, indicated that the action became necessary to enable it carry out maintenance of the facilities in the Niger Delta. The two pipelines are important, especially as they are used to deliver Bonny Light to Bonny export terminal. TNP and NCTL have the capacity to deliver 180,000 bpd and 150,000 bpd respectively. Spokesman of SPDC, Mr. Precious Okolobo, main-
tained in a statement that the company had already declared a force majeure in order not to incur any liabilities from international buyers. “SPDC JV declared force majeure on Bonny Light exports effective August 27, 2015, following the shutdown of the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, and Nembe Creek Trunkline, NCTL. “A leak was reported on the TNP at Oloma in Rivers State, while the NCTL is shut down for the removal of crude theft points. SPDC is working to repair and reopen the two lines as quickly as possible,” he said. There are strong indications that power generation will be affected as TNP also constitutes an important facility for the delivery gas liquids to Afam VI power plant. Electricity generation had shown improvement because of increased gas sup-
plies to power plants. The Presidential Task Force of Power, PTFP, yesterday disclosed that the nation generated 4,080.86mw. Of the megawatts generated, 3,997.81mw was distributed, while the balance was used to stabilise the system. Although this is a great improvement, the nation’s epileptic power supply may not be resolved as the 4,080.86mw remains far below the estimated 14,630mw daily national demand. Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, also disclosed that it transmitted as much as 4,810.7 for distribution to consumers yesterday. In a statement signed by the General Manager (Public Affairs), Seun Olagunju, this new peak follows the record set on Tuesday, when 4,748mw was wheeled by TCN network. Managing Director/CEO, TCN, Paul Stefiszyn, the suc-
cess was a result of the cooperation by gas, generation, distribution companies and TCN working together. Stefiszyn said: “The Federal Government has been very supportive in coordinating activities across the value chain. We are now aiming to achieve 5, 000mw in a short time, which obviously will be an important milestone for the Nigerian economy.” Investigations showed that many power plants, including Egbin, the nation’s biggest have increased generation, mainly as a result of increased gas supply in recent times. The increased generation is also said to be a direct function of increased water supply in hydro plants because of the rainy season. Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said further improvement should be expected before the end of 2016
based on expected completion of work on gas pipeline maintenance. Amadi indicated that the sector which was faced with vandalism and inadequate gas supply was now improving. He said: “The gas problem is getting better. We had meeting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and officials told us of improvements coming up. We hope that by the end of July, with the repair work going on, we might be able to do may be above 5500mw.” Amadi had maintained that when the East-West Gas Pipeline is completed by the end of 2016, NNPC would assure of more gas that could raise supply above 6000mw. He had remarked that TCN had “moved to 5,500mw wheeling capacity. Gas is a challenge but it is being addressed. Hopefully, the new government would do more with vandalism.”
The new ComptrollerGeneral of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi, hails from Nasarawa State. He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller. His educational qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Meanwhile, Igbo were yesterday frenzied to the their shells on the realisation that the South East could not make the list of any of the major appointments so far made by President Muhammadu Buhari. Both the SecretaryGeneral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nworgu, and the President of Igbo Youth Movement, Elliot Ukoh, failed to react to the appointments made by President Buhari, without an Igboman making the list. But a cross section of other people who spoke with our correspondent expressed utter disappointment with what they called “punitive exclusion” of Ndigbo from the federal government by the Buhari administration. They said it was unfair that President Buhari was seriously taking it against the Igbo that they did not vote for him in the last election. His actions, they argued did not portray him as a statesman and father of the nation. One Obinna Egbuji said: “This is not how to be a President. How can he completely exclude Ndigbo from appointments as if we are not part of Nigeria? What option is he leaving us with?” An Enugu based lawyer, John Duhu, said: “We have been waiting that he will appoint Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu as SGF not knowing that Buhari meant his words that he will share positions according to the voting pattern. What it means is that he has excised us out of Nigeria.” A businessman, Friday Nwaro, however felt differently and blamed Ndigbo for rejecting Buhari at the polls. “That suits us well, next time, we will learn the hard way what is called national integration when time comes for another election,” said Nwaro.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Friday, August 28, 2015
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Photo News
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
L-R: Deputy Head of Mission, Irish Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Eoghan McSwiney; Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy and Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, during a working tour of Guinness Nigeria Plc by the Irish Ambassador, yesterday. L-R: Cameroon Minister of Labour, Mr. Gregoire Owona; Prime Minister, Philemon Yang; President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the commissioning of Dangote Cement Plant in Cameroon, yesterday.
L-R: Nigeria Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Mr Michael Harvey; Acting Consulate General, United States, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr Linus Awute, at the Warehouse In A Box groundbreaking ceremony in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN
L-R: National Key Account Director, Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, Limited, Yanju Olomola; Shoprite Festival Mall Branch Manager, Olajide Ahmadu; Customer and Commercial Leadership Still Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Vincent Emokpaire and Key Account Manager, NBC, Grace Owolabi, during the opening of Shoprite Festival Mall at FESTAC Extension, Lagos, yesterday.
National News
North-South power evacuation under threat …as vandals hack transmission tower Chidi Ugwu ABUJA
T
he much talked about transmission loop being constructed for easy and effective evacuation of electricity generated from South to North may not be completed in record time following activities of vandals, who hacked a 330kva transmission tower at Oronta Community, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State. Authorities in the power sector have declared that the North-South loop, when completed, will enable stranded power from Alaoji, Gbarain and Afam power plants to come unto the grid unrestricted.
Our correspondent gathered that the beauty of the loop is that if certain part of the network is lost, power will still have room to go on a different direction to reach customers. But management of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, the firm in charge of Nigerian Independent Power Projects, NIPPs, yesterday raised the alarm over activities of vandals, who hacked the transmission tower. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, NDPHC’s Executive Director, Abdullahi Salisu, said activities of the vandals have stalled the projects. “We have various incidences and cases coming up in the court to
deprive Nigerians from getting the fruits of what the gigantic project is set to give to this country. “And the cases are so frivolous like do not pass through my shrine; do not pass through my grave yard; I have a plantation worth N1bn. I mean so frivolous. But of critical as we speak today, we have fresh case that have stuck to our flesh in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State. “One of our towers which cost huge amount of money to construct was hacked down by some miscreants led by a medical doctor. As far as we are concerned that is an economic sabotage to the nation. And as a law abiding company we reported this matter to the police.
“However, the response we got gave us some concern that we are not going to get justice for the citizens of this country. So, we wrote to the Inspector General of Police to transfer the case to Abuja where we believe the investigation of the case will be done dispassionately. “The IG invited the principal culprit; statements were taken from him, statements were taken from us, statements were taken from the contractors in charge of the construction of the tower. “And the conclusion was that there is prima facie case against the person and they are ready to take him to court for prosecution. “But unfortunately for
us, in the typical characteristic manner of some our police in the profession, he had gone to file a fresh case against the police, NDPHC, against everybody claiming that his fundamental human right is being infringed upon” he said. Salisu put the cost of the damaged tower at N42 million. He, however, wondered how the rights of one man can override the rights of over 180 million Nigerians whose collective assets have been damaged. According to him, the legal tussle is holding the country to ransom as the company has been stopped from getting the right of way to the project site. “This guy is holding
the country to ransom. That is part of the case he filed recently. He has gone to the police to report that our contractor is forcibly entering the site. And the police are inviting the contractor and by extension our company to come for explanation. This we believe is uncalled for. “Nigerians should know that what we are doing is not for us, it is not for any individual, it is for the generality of the country,” he stated. Salisu further lamented that the delay in the project is costing the country huge sums of money because in an international contract such the construction of the transmission lines, equipments deployed are paid for in hours.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
News
Friday, August 28, 2015
5
Drug trafficking: NDLEA apprehends crew’s accomplice OLUSEGUN KOIKI
N
ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said it has arrested an Arik Air staff, Mr. Chibuzor Oliver Ikechukwu, over his role in the trafficking of 20kg cocaine to United Kingdom by a detained cabin crew member of the airline, Mr. Chika Egwu Udensi. This is as the agency directed that all airport workers entering restricted areas must be extensively screened to prevent recurrence of the act. NDLEA revealed that the 20kg of cocaine found with Udensi in London was concealed within the construction of laptop bags while the quantity and estimated street value of the cocaine is over N100 million. NDLEA stated that Ikechukwu, 35, before his arrest, worked as a catering loader for the airline and was found to have subverted airport security by concealing the drug in catering supplies. Media statement by the spokesman of NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, alleged that preliminary
investigation revealed that both suspects had been infiltrated by a suspected drug cartel. According to Ofoyeju, Ikechukwu in his confessional statement told narcotic investigators that he was invited into the illicit drug deal by his colleague, Udensi, a senior member of the Arik Air cabin crew that was arrested in London on flight W3101. He confessed that Udensi introduced him into the drug deal, adding that “whenever Chika gives me the drug, I will hide it in catering supplies. Chika knows where to collect the drug inside the flight. “They pay me N400,000 per bag. I was expecting N1.2 million for the three bags that I smuggled into the aircraft.” He stated that Ikechukwu hails from Isialagwa North Local Government Area in Abia State and he’s graduate of Business Administration who was employed by Arik Air in 2009. Besides, a source close to the airline confided in our correspondent yesterday that most of the crew memberS of Arik Air that were invited for interrogation on Wednes-
day were released later at night on the same day. Those invited were support staff that worked on the flight before it departed Lagos while the crew invited included two pilots and members of the cabin crew comprising an Australian and a South African. Meanwhile the Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, has directed that henceforth all airport workers must be exten-
sively screened. He stated that the agency took the decisive measure to avert infiltration of airport workers by criminal syndicates, stressing that airline officials and airport workers would be subjected to comprehensive search at all times. He insisted that the agency would resist any act capable of undermining security at all entry and exit points
around the airport. The NDLEA boss stressed that all catering trucks, luggage trucks, aviation fuel tankers, machines and personnel whose duty directly or indirectly relate to the tarmac and flight operations would be subjected to full screening. As part of investigation, the rented apartment of Chika at Pastor Ojediran Street, Ejigbo,
Lagos, was searched by operatives of the NDLEA. NDLEA stated that Chika lives in the apartment with the mother and siblings while his wife and children are based in Canada. The latest Range Rover car belonging to the prime suspect parked on the airline’s premises had also been moved to the NDLEA office as exhibit.
L-R: APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Mr Segun Oni; National Auditor, Dr George Moghalu; APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun and Deputy National Chairman, North, Alhaji Lawan Shuaibu, at the APC National and State Auditors Workshop in Abuja, yesterday.
Political parties urge INEC to sustain use of technology
S
ome political leaders have advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to sustain its technology innovations in electoral processes, as it prepares for Kogi and Bayelsa states gubernatorial elections. The leaders told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja yesterday that card readers, Permanent Voter Cards, coding of election results and materials should be strengthened. Chairman of InterParty Advisory Council, IPAC, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf, urged INEC not to jettison the use of technology in election processes. He advised that the innovations should be used in the conduct of Kogi and Bayelsa elec-
tions. Yusuf, who is the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, said innovations adopted in the conduct of 2015 general elections were helpful in improving the elections credibility. “My advice to INEC is to scale up on its use of technology, which was very helpful in the 2105 general elections. “The commission must make sure it improves on that. We should never turn back to the old system. The only way forward is to keep advancing on these use of technologies,” Yusuf said. He said IPAC was already sensitising eligible voters yet to be registered in Kogi and Bayelsa to make use of the recently announced
Zakari
date. INEC had said Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, in Kogi and Bayelsa would hold from Sept. 2, to Sept. 7, for people to register. “We are calling on those who have attained the age of voting (18years) as well those who missed the last registration to go and register. “We also call on those who registered last time
but could not collect their PVCs to go and collect them from their centres,” Yusuf said. National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Mr Sadiq Abubakar, urged INEC to sustain its technology used in 2015. Abubakar stressed the need for the commission to adopt lessons learnt from previous elections for the conduct of Kogi and Bayelsa elections. The SDP stalwart, however, said the party was already preparing to participate in Kogi election, adding that “SDP is going to give a good fight in the elections. “We will soon have our primaries, date yet to be announced.” He said the party’s nomination form for Kogi governorship election was about N2m.
“The amount, however, depends on some factors; for female aspirant, the form is given free. “We also give waiver if need be. Some make contributions to the party’s candidate after emerging,” he added. Abubakar expressed confidence in the current management of INEC, led by Hajia Amina Zakari. He assured INEC would conduct free and fair elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. “The acting chairman is somebody who is very familiar with the process and she has been meeting with the leaders of political parties. “She has been the chairman of the committee on political parties for almost four years, the longest serving chairman for the
committee ever in INEC. “All through her tenure as the chairman of the committee, political parties have an excellent relation with her; there was no petition whatsoever from any of the registered political parties in respect of her. “We believe in her capacity and ability to lead INEC to conduct free and credible elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states,” he said. Prof. Bankole Okuwa, National Chair man, Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, who expressed the party’s confidence in the conduct of credible election in Kogi, said his party would also be participating in the election. Okuwa said the party was already preparing for the state elections.
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News
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Weapons procurement: Probe panel to include Defence Ministry Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA
A
s the 13-member Presidential Investigative Committee put in place to probe the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces since 2007 is set to begin work, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the inclusion of Ministry of Defence in the committee. Buhari had last Monday directed the setting up of the committee to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces. Speaking with State House Correspondents yesterday after officials of the Defence Ministry met with the President at the Presidential Villa, Permanent Secretary, Ismaila Aliyu, said the inclusion of the ministry was necessary because it has a lot to contribute to the work of the committee. According to him, apart from the administrative and financial support of the ministry, it is also to make sure that policy thrust was being complied with in the area of procurement of relevant equipment according to specification of the
Armed Forces. Aliyu said the ministry was involved in the procurement of arms until recent years when the responsibility was shifted to the services. He said: “Mr President has asked that the ministry of defence be included in that committee, the ministry was very involved in the procurement in those years, so definitely we have something to present to that committee. So we are part and parcel of that committee. The ministry is very excited that this committee has been formed, because our own concern apart from the administrative and financial support is to make sure that policy thrust is complied with, procurement of relevant equipment according to specification of Nigerian Armed Forces.” He expressed hope that at the end of the exercise, the country would have procurement that would be value added, cost effective and meet the needs of Nigeria both locally and internationally. Aliyu explained that the country was making remarkable progress in the fight against insurgency, saying the Armed Forces was ready to carry out the directive of the President to defeat the Boko Haram sect by November.
FG warns civil servants against disclosing ‘classified’ info Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA
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s the 13-member Presidential Investigative Committee put in place to probe the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces since 2007 is set to begin work, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the inclusion of Ministry of Defence in the committee. Buhari had last Monday directed the setting up of the committee to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.
Speaking with State House Correspondents yesterday after officials of the Defence Ministry met with the President at the Presidential Villa, Permanent Secretary, Ismaila Aliyu, said the inclusion of the ministry was necessary because it has a lot to contribute to the work of the committee. According to him, apart from the administrative and financial support of the ministry, it is also to make sure that policy thrust was being complied with in the area of procurement of relevant equipment according to specification of the
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (third left); Chairman, Disability Group (USA), Mr Chukwuka Ezewuzie (fourth right); former Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Rep Abike Dabiri-Erewa (second left) and other Nigerians in Diaspora during a courtesy visit to the vice president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN
Buhari’s leadership restoring confidence in governance –APC govs Livinus Menedi YOLA
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rogressive Governors Forum, PGF, yesterday threw its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership, saying it has reawakened the confidence of Nigerians in governance. The progressive governors, at the end of their meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, also resolved to tackle the menace of poverty and unemployment in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The forum, accordingly, set up a committee to
come up with a Marshal Plan of action to be used in APC-controlled states. It also said it would support the party to ensure it wins coming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who read a communiqué at the end of the meeting, restated that the PGF, which is the umbrella body for the 22 governors of APC, afforded the governors the opportunity to share their CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as MISS ONWUKA ANULIKA GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS COSMAS ANULIKA GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.
LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that several documents, including all land documents relating to all that property measuring 2884,867sqm and known as Plot 12, Cadastral zone 09-07, Karu, Abuja, (with file no: FCT/ ABU/M/SC 3034) belonging to TRIANA LIMITED were destroyed in a fire incident that gutted TRIANA LIMITED’S building on 25th June, 2014. The AGIS, FCDA and general public should please take note.
LOSS OF DOCUMENT EZIOYI NOBLE ASSOCIATION ADO-EKITI The general public is hereby notified that the original copy of Certificate of Incorporation, belonging to EZIOYI NOBLE ASSOCIATION ADO-EKITI with registration no CAC/IT/No41757 got lost. All efforts to locate the said documents proved abortive. The association is on the verge of acquiring another certificate through Corporate Affairs Commission to replace the lost one. If the lost document is found by anyone, please contact the nearest police station. Any objection to the acquiring of another certificate should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi ironsi street, maitama, abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: EZIOYI NOBLE ASSOCIATION
thoughts on governance. Okorocha said the forum was solidly behind the President and expressed solidarity with him, while noting that within a short time, the administration had begun to restore the confidence of Nigerians in governance and brought stability to the country. The meeting, according to the communiqué, discussed bailout to states by the Federal Government
and financial support expected from APC states to the party. Okorocha noted that the governors, who are perturbed by the level of poverty in the country, resolved to set up a committee to draw up a Marshall Plan of action to be used in addressing the issues in their various states. The committee is to be chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu.
PUBLIC NOTICE OGUN STATE MINISTRY OF FINANCE OKE - MOSAN ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE OF NIGERIA
PUBLIC AUCTION DISPOSAL OF ABANDONED /UNCLAIMED MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES.FROM 7TH OF SEPTEMBER TO 18TH OF SEPTEMBER 2015.
This is to inform the General public that the Ogun state Ministry of Finance intends to auction all unclaimed motor vehicles and motorcycles by public auction. interested members of the public are hereby invited for the auction sales of the abandoned motor vehicles and motorcycles. Date of inspection at various Trace Zonal Command and Vehicle inspection Offices ; 28th of August to 4th of September, 2015. DATE OF SALES : MON, 7TH OF SEPTEMBER - TUES, 18TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2015. Trace Headquarters, Abeokuta 7th-8th September 2015 (motor Cars, trucks and motorcycles) and VIO, Ibara and kotopo (motorcycles) Mowe/Ibafo unit command, 9th-10th September 2015,( Cars and trucks) Akute unit Command, 11th September 2015,(Cars, buses and trucks) Sagamu/Ogere and Ijebu-Ode Zonal Command, 14th-15th September 2015,(Cars, bus, Containers and trucks) and VIO, sagamu/Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo. (bus and motorcycles) Ifo/Otta and Ilaro Zonal, 16th-17th September, 2015,(Cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles) and VIO, otta and Ilaro, (cars, bus, Tricycle and motorcycles) Trade Fair, Abeokuta, 18th September 2015,(trucks) For Further details please contact AUCTIONEERS : AUCT. IDOWU SALIU 08033076919 AUCT. AIH M. O. LAWAL 08023972605 AUCT. TEDDY OLATUNDE 08030409779 AUCT.KALEYEMI SONDE 08034454229 AUCT. E. A. SHONUBI & SONS NIG 08024163588 AUCT. AIH TAJUDEEN OWOLABI 08033761482 AUCT. BOLU. J. OGUN 08026581692 AUCT. OLAYIWOLA ADETU 07027985034 Signed : AUCT . MRS. I. A. LAWAL
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Media remains most viable agent for change –VP Osahon Julius
YENAGOA
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L-R: Air vice Marshal James Gbum (Nigerian Air Force); Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin (Nigerian Navy); EO Nze (Nigerian Army), Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan; Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Aliyu Isma’ila, during a briefing session with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:STATE HOUSE
National carrier committee begins sitting in Lagos Olusegun Koiki
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12-man National Carrier Ministerial Committee inaugurated on Monday by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Binta Bello, yesterday commenced sitting in Lagos. The meeting, which commenced in the early hours of the day at the annex office of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, MMIA, Lagos, was rounded off around 5pm and it is with the mandate to fashion out modalities for the project. A committee member, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the committee was at the moment taking presentations from stakeholders and Price Water House, consultants for the project. The source confided in our correspondent that major sittings of the committee would commence from next week as the team would take both written and oral applications from professionals and stakeholders in the sector. He explained that the essence of meeting with proven experts in the sector was to ensure that everyone was carried along in the project. He, however, said the committee could not determine when the nation would be presented with a new national carrier, stressing that it would take a long process.
He said: “You know it is not what we can get overnight. There will still be the issue of Air Operator’s Certificate, AOC, for the airline and other regulations the new airline will have to comply with. “You know, we have short and long term plans in setting up an airline. The technical partnership too should be put into consideration. Those are the things we need to work on first before giving a specific date for the project. But, one thing I can tell you is that it is very achievable. At the end of the exercise, we will give government
a template on how to go about it in a manner that is transparent and actionable.” It would be recalled that Bello had on Monday inaugurated a committee led by the former Managing Director of Discovery Air, Captain Mohammed Abdulsalam with the mandate of reviewing previous consultants’ submissions and recommendations on a national carrier, review the report on the failure of the defunct Nigeria Airways and other failed private airlines. The committee was given four weeks to complete
its assignment and submit its report, was mandated to consult widely with stakeholders on the establishment of a national airline, including interested international partners on setting up a carrier on the basis of Public Private Partnership, PPP, model. She also charged the committee to invite the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to determine the debt profile of domestic airlines to serve as a guide in its recommendations, and to develop the optimum model for a national carrier for Nigeria.
ice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday restated the importance of the media to hasten the process of development as the nation, saying the media remain the most viable platform in promoting change. The vice president, who spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, at the opening of 11th session of Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, conference, said the theme of this year’s conference: “Nigeria the change we need, Role of the Editors” was instructive and significant considering the earnest yearnings of Nigerians for change. Represented by FolasadeYemi, the vice president said, “The media remain the most viable platform in promoting change and the media can and must also hasten the process of development through its watchdog role by influencing people to be agents of change, especially in the area of attitudinal change. Development cannot achieve its success without communication and communication cannot succeed without development. Change cannot happen without communication. You have the moral obligation of ensuring that information and messages dished out to the public are in the best
NYSC gets N200m for corps members’ start-up capital Joel Ajayi ABUJA
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irector General of National Youth Corps Service, NYSC, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, has disclosed that the scheme had secured over N200 million bank facilities to be accessed by corps members as a start-up capital in businesses. Olawumi revealed this shortly after he met with Commander, Guard Brigade, Brigadier-General Musa Sanni Yusuf, to forge collaboration on skills acquisition programme for serving corps members in Abuja. To this end, the DG directed the NYSC Director, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Develop-
ment, SAED, Mrs Mary Dan-Abia, to commence partnership with the brigade’s skills acquisition centre in Keffi, Nassarawa State. According to him, the problem of accessing credit facilities by corps members had been a huge challenge faced by the scheme, adding that they had been strategising to see that the issue was addressed. He said: “Now, the issue is that when they get this training they don’t have start-up capital, but we have been doing a lot to see there is opportunity for them to get start-up capital. We have the NYSC Foundation as we speak, the NYSC Foundation has just approved loan worth N10 million for corps members. “Corps members, based
on business plan they submit, could get as much as N250,000 and N400,000. We have also signed MoU with Bank of Industry, BoI, though it is yet to take off, but we are working on it. “A couple of months ago, I also approached Heritage Bank and the bank is setting aside the sum of N200 million under a package where corps members will get a soft loan and the only collateral they will have to drop will be their discharge certificate. “We are also talking with the Central Bank Governor to see that a micro credit loan could be arranged specially to address corps members in this category.” Earlier, Brigadier-General Yusuf assured the NYSC that the brigade had made adequate security arrange-
ments to ensure the safety of corps members serving in FCT, adding that they would continue to partner with the scheme in the areas of training of corps members and other related needs. According to him:“I am here on behalf of the Guards Brigade, officers and their families to commend you on the collaboration and support we have received from the NYSC so far. “I want to promise that this collaboration, support and understanding will be maintained. “If there is anything we need to improve on in terms of our relationship or training to new corps members or any other areas, the Guards Brigade is here to support and assist.”
interest of Nigerians and Nigeria. You should also be reminded that the generations of people are accessing news and information in newspapers or any of the medium has different set of expectations of news they will get.” In this regard, it is of utmost importance that editors are aware of their roles. It is also important for planners to include the mass media in their planning in order for the project to succeed. He therefore urged media practitioners to remain objective in the discharge of their duties with the aim of improving the lives of the citizens, just as he thanked the NGE for the great role they have been playing over the years. In his address, National President, Nigeria Union Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Waheed Odusile, called on the leadership of Nigerian Guild of Editors and media managers in the country to ensure the regular payment of salaries of journalists employed in their companies. Odusile also called on NGF to ensure total eradication of quacks practicing in the media industry, noting that quackery has brought disgrace and created a major challenge in the industry. He also lamented the non- professional role of social media reporters, saying that social media are non- professional and do not have required skills to practice as journalists. Odusile described the activities of the social media as a huge challenge to the profession and called for a legislation to check the acts of quackery and untrained social media journalist Also speaking at the event, Acting President, NGF, Mallam Garuba Shehu Mohammed, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the height of insurgency in the country and provide a better society for the masses. He called on the president to fight corruption in the country and give the citizen a sense of responsibility and belonging and urge him to guarantee safety of lives and property, fight armed robbery and wanton killings”
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Court to hear Osun judge’s suit against Assembly Sept 3 BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO
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L-R: Treasurer, ICAN, Mr. Tayo Phillips; Deputy Vice President, Mr. Ismaila Zakari; 51st President, Otunba Samuel Olufemi Deru and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during a courtesy visit to the governor, at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
Ambode optimistic of Chibok girls return L agos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday expressed optimism that the search for over 200 Chibok school girls kidnapped on April 14, 2014, will end in the safe return of the girls. The governor spoke when members of the BringBackOur Girls Campaign Group under the auspices of Women for Justice, staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja. He told the protesters that like many Nigerians, he was extremely pained that the girls were still missing for the past 500 days, however, he urge them to continue to pray for the girls to return home safely. “As a parent, I empathise with their parents and understand how they feel. I can only add my voice to that of millions of Nigerians and our friends from the international community that the girls will soon come back home,” he said Ambode also commended organisers of the peaceful protest for their initiative to engage in the rally to remind Nigerians and keep hope alive for the missing girls, while assuring that his administration strongly aligns with President Buhari`s pledge to do all within his capacity to ensure that
the girls are rescued alive. “I quite appreciate the initiatives of you organisers to fight for the missing girls. Let me say we quite appreciate your concern. I want to say categorically that my administration strongly believes in the pledge of President Buhari that the girls would come back alive. “Most of us were very concerned and pained when the girls were declared missing and we were more disturbed about the reaction of the then President Goodluck Jonathan, which was globally condemned as inadequate. “We thank God that President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to bring back our girls. I want to say categorically that my administration fully identifies with the position expressed by President Muhammadu Buhari that the girls will be brought back alive,” he said. Ambode assured that his administration would continue to cater for the internal displaced persons as demanded by the group. Earlier, Coordinator of the BringBackOurGirls Group in Lagos, Ms Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, in her address read by Dr Abiola Akiode, recalled that exactly 500 days ago, about 276 female students of Government School, Chibok, Borno State were
abducted by Boko Haram, 57 of them managed to escape on their own, while 219 remain in captivity. “We are aware that the Chibok girls are not the only victims of the insurgency in the North East, but because we know their names, their pictures and parents, we will continue to use them as symbol for the ongoing crisis in the country. We can`t claim to have defeated Boko Haram with-
out rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents,” she said. The group told the governor to impress it on the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, NGF, to take a strong stance for action to curb the insurgency, rescue the girls and other Nigerians and as well cater for internally displaced persons across the country.
ustice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of Osun State High Court yesterday adjourned hearing of a suit filed by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede against the state’s House of Assembly for Thursday, September 3, 2015. It would be recalled that the serving judge had sent a petition to the assembly leveling various allegations of financial misconducts against Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi LaoyeTomori. She also called on the assemblymen to examine and investigate the governor and his deputy over those allegations upon which the Speaker, Najeem Salam, set up an ad-hoc fact-finding committee. But the House of Assembly, after adopting the report of its ad-hoc panel that investigated the allegations, dismissed Oloyede’s petition and recommended her for sanctions. Filing the application for the motion on notice on Thursday, August 27, 2015, Mr Lukman Ogunseitan, who held brief for Ogunlesi, stated that his
client was ready to challenge the “illegality” of the action of the House of Assembly. Those joined in the suit as respondents included Hon Salam, chairman of the committee, Hon Adegboye Akintunde and six other members of the committee, the Clerk of the House of Assembly and the state Judicial Service Commission. Oloyede also filed a motion ex-parte asking the court to grant her permission to institute a legal action against the state lawmakers over their recommendation calling for her sanction by the National Judicial Commission, NJC. In her applications, she asked that the recommendations of the ad-hoc committee be quashed and that their actions be declared illegal, unconstitutional and null and void. Ruling over the application filed on her behalf by Mr. Lekan Ogunlesi (SAN), the presiding judge, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe granted all the five prayers sought by the applicant and ordered that the 11 respondents listed be served while adjourning the case till September 3.
1,200 children die daily from malnutrition in Nigeria FRANKA OSAKWE
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efore today is over, about 1,200 children in Nigeria would have died from malnutrition, while out of those that survive, one in 3 will be underweight and one in 5 stunted, Head of Nutritionist, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chris. Isokpunwu, disclosed this yesterday. He spoke at a United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, malnutrition workshop holding in Calabar, Cross River State. According to him, recent data from National Demographic Health Survey, NDHS, showed that in the North West, more than half of the children (54.8 per cent) are stunted and this is an indication of long term malnutrition.
“Malnutrition in Nigeria is not exactly as a result of lack of food, but what we eat. Even the rich are affected because they do not know the right food to give their children. Many do not know that exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months will prevent illnesses,” he said. According to him, one intervention to stop malnutrition is by giving micronutrient supplements and de-worming as well as behavioural changes such as cleanliness, immunisations and complementary feeding. In his presentation, child nutrition specialist from UNICEF, Arjan de Wagt, revealed that malnutrition is associated with 55 per cent of child mortality in Nigeria. He said this is the reason why childhood killer diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, measles and others
thrive more in the country despite medical interventions. According to him, one in every five children are stunted in Nigeria, while two out of every three children are not being fed properly and these situation has contributed to high infant and child mortality. Aside child mortality, he said the impact of malnutrition is felt all over the nation with increased low weight babies, low weight and height in adolescent, early pregnancy, child growth failure, low intelligence and chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. According to UNICEF report 2015, about 1.7 million acute malnourished children in Nigeria are in dire need of treatment. In view of this, UNICEF in collaboration with the Federal Government re-
cently started a community based management of acute malnourishment (CMAM) for severely malnourished children in 11 northern states. However, Arjan expressed worry that 2 out of every three children in the 11 states currently receiving CMAM still have not received the treatment as a result of low funding. “Most states need CMAM so there is a need for government and donor agents to scale up their support,” he added. Furthermore, Arjan noted that 13 per cent of child death would be averted if 90 per cent of mothers exclusively breastfed their infants for the first 6 months, and another 6 per cent of child death would be averted if mothers provide adequate and timely complementary feeding from 6-24 months.
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24th anniversary: Osun moving towards right direction –Aregbesola Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO
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sun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said the state was moving towards the right direction under his watch, thereby making the dreams of its founding fathers close to reality.
Aregbesola in his congratulatory message on the occasion of 24th anniversary of Osun State creation, signed by Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said his administration was committed to bringing government closer to the people and igniting a revolutionary development paradigm that sets the state on an enduring pedestal. Congratulating people of the state for what he described as their genuine efforts to build an independent, virile, virtuous and productive Yoruba state, Aregbesola, however, pledged his government’s irrevocable commitment to the cause of ensuring the
realisation of the very dreams for the creation of the state. The statement reads: “We are irrevocably committed to a development paradigm that will lift our state to compete with any proud human habitation anywhere in the world. “We appreciate the fact that the masses, who are the focus of our development strategies, identify the reasons behind our many efforts. For example, our ambitious urban renewal project is aimed at transforming to the 21 century modern cities with life-changing infrastructure in place. “Projects such as the Oranmiyan New Town, a Central Business District, organised transportation system aided by road networks for the purpose, a functional emergency response scheme in health, security and transportation sectors, modern recreation parks and gardens are all geared towards creating modern environments that our people can call their own.”
Man found dead after losing job in Ondo Ojo Oyewamide AKURE
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ecomposing body of a 33-year-old man, Gbenga Ogundana, has been discovered in his rented apartment at Orisunmibare Street, Ondo Road, Akure. The discovery came four days after the victim’s family members and fellow tenants saw him last. His remains had been deposited at the mortuary of Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for postmortem examination. Many suspected that Ogundana, who was recently sacked from his place of work, might have poisoned himself. But it was learnt that Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CIID, of the state
Police Command was currently investigating the cause of his death. Sources said Ogundana’s elder brother, Segun, had visited him after failing to pick his phone calls and found the windows and door of the deceased’s apartment firmly locked from within. The unpleasant odour coming from the deceased’s apartment made his elder brother suspicious. Men from the state Police Command were said to have forced the door of the apartment opened and met the decomposing body of the deceased on bed. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident, saying the command had begun investigation to unravel the mystery surrounding the death.
L-R: Chairman, Inner Wheel District 911, Mrs Olayinka Ayanwale; trainee, Miss Omolara Ayodeji; Immediate Past National Rep, Mrs Osanike Ajadi and Head, Vocational Training Centre, Mrs Zainab Ikheloa, during the vocational training and empowerment of trainees by Inner Wheel District 911 in Lagos, yesterday.
Giesi family endorses Adedoyin for Ooni stool Kemi Olaitan IBADAN
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ith the race for Ooni stool gathering momentum, an arm of the Giesi ruling house of Ile-Ife, the Adesogba family, yesterday threw its weight behind the candidacy of an educationist and businessman, Dr. Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin. The family in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, declared Adedoyin, proprietor of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, The Polytechnic,
Ife, Hilton Hotels and other business concerns, as its sole candidate for the exalted stool, which became vacant following the demise of the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, on July 28 this year. The statement, jointly signed by eight princes and two princesses on behalf of the family, said Adedoyin, who hails from Agbedegbede lineage of the dynasty, was eminently qualified to succeed Oba Sijuwade by virtue of his pedigree, stature, investments, philanthropic activities and immense contributions to human,
physical and industrial development of the town. They listed among the aspirant’s investments, First Access Microfinance Bank Limited; Hilton Hotels; Odududwa Univeristy and The Polytechnic, Ife, all located within the four local government areas of Ifeland, as well as Oduduwa Polytechnic, Idimu, Lagos State, and Our Saviour’s University, Delaware, USA. They said Adedoyin is “a bona fide son of Agbedegbede compound where he has been involved in all developmental projects” and possessed the knowl-
edge and skills as an astute and effective manager of men and resources needed to make a success of the office of the Ooni. Those who signed the statement included Princess Kehinde Sijuwade Elugbaju (Nee Adewole), Princess Adekanmi Adelugba, Princeess Olufunmilayo Busayo, Princess Adedokun Adedoyin, Prince Gabriel Adedire Adewole. Others are Prince Adebolu Adewole, Prince Adekola Adewole, Prince Adekunmi Adewole and Prince Tilewa Bimbo Adewole.
on their children through an examination summary passage.” She further stated that the committee set up to examine the allegations contained in the petitions established a nexus between some published allegations by a particular political party, which contested previous elections in the state and the alleged “offensive” examination summary passage set by the affected education officials. Stressing that the disciplinary committee was able to establish cases of “dishonesty” and “negligence” with reference to the origin of the exam question, Folarin emphasised that the senior officers admitted negligence and lack of discretion, consequent upon which they were sanctioned appropriately. “A case of “dishonesty” or negligence was made with reference to the origin of the exam question. Breach of Rule 04420 (1) (a)
(b) and (d) of Public Service Rules was established”. Commenting on Rule 04420 of the extant Ogun State Public Service Rules, chairman of the commission explained that the Civil Service Commission is an autonomous body created by Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution with powers to appoint persons to offices in the State Civil Service; dismiss as well as exercise disciplinary control over such persons holding such offices. The commission’s chairman also stressed that the affected officials are fully aware of their rights and procedures of the commission and can exercise such right if they are dissatisfied with the commission’s decisions. Folarin however, maintained that the Civil Service Commission will continue to guide its neutrality code as well as punish any breach of the commission’s rules.
National Mirror recalls that the Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, had penultimate Wednesday ordered the immediate sacking of six officials of the state’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology over their involvement in setting a comprehension passage used in the English Language examination conducted by the ministry for the Unified Examination in Public Secondary Schools for the third term of 2014/2015 academic session. The affected officials included two Grade Level 17 officers, Mrs. Folashade Oresegun, who was the Director, Education Support Services and Mr. Rotimi Odunsi, who was the Director, Curriculum Development and Evaluation: an English Language teacher in Mayflower Secondary School, Ikenne, Mr. Emmanuel Adegbenro; Majekodunmi Oluwole (GL 16), a Grade Level 10 officer, Mr. E.O. Asegbe (GL 10), Taylor Damilola (GL8).
Civil Service Commission explains why six officials were sanctioned Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA
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ollowing public outcry over the dismissal of six officials of the state’s Ministry of Education, Ogun State Civil Service Commission yesterday broke its silence and justified why it sanctioned the affected education officials. A statement issued and signed by its chairman, Mrs. Aderonke Folarin, said the commission took the punitive action against the six officials for willful breach of section 04420 of the Public Service Rules even when they were fully aware of its existence. Folarin said prior to the punitive action against the officials, her commission had received petitions from some parents of the students who wrote the alleged “offensive” examination question paper wherein they alleged “intolerable partisan political influence
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UNODC seeks collaboration of CSOs with anti-graft agencies Dennis Agbo ENUGU
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nited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, has advocated a synergy between the different anticorruption agencies and Civil Society Organisations in the country. UNODC is a European Union, EU, funded agency, which supports Nigeria by promoting good governance and contributing to the country’s efforts in enhancing transparency, accountability and combating corruption. At a seminar by antigraft agencies with CSOs in Enugu yesterday, UNODC National Programme Officer (coordination and partnership), Kehinde Osotimehin, noted that the essence of the two days workshop was to build a relationship between CSOs and government’s anti-graft agencies that would be sustained over a long period of time. Osotimehin stressed that to achieve the desired goal, consultations, dialogue, partnership on
roles and responsibilities would remain key factors for both groups to tackle corruption in Nigeria. She said CSOs could help in conducting survey on corruption, engage in monitoring, prevention of graft, sensitisation, self accountability and abstain from partisan politics. “We are working together for better future, sharing responsibilities and building effective partnerships by bridging CSOs and state institutional gap,” she said. UNODC National Project Officer, Sylvester Atere, stated that there is a risk of a fragmented and poorly coordinated anticorruption sector in the country, hence a need to strengthen the capacities of law enforcement and prevention agencies. Participants at the seminar, drawn from different anti-corruption agencies and the CSOs interfaced on their challenges and prospects and agreed on common methods of partnership.
Anambra at 24: Obiano calls for prayers
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overnor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, presidentsgeneral of town unions, women leaders, politicians, market leaders, public servants and youth organisations to pray for success and good of the state. Obiano made the appeal in a statement issued in Awka yesterday as the state marks its 24 years of creation, According to him, the state remains the hub of investment and beacon of light. He urged citizens, wherever they reside, to continue to conduct themselves with dignity, industry, diligence and patriotism for which they are renowned. “Shun all acts or vices that would portray the state or its citizens in bad light,” Obiano said, adding that the present administration had made giant strides in securing lives and property and government had wiped out the menace of kidnappers and armed men.
According to him, people in the state now sleep with both eyes closed. The governor also said remarkable progress had been made in the area of education, health and maintenance of a healthy environment. “Our aggressiveness in the agriculture sector has not only ensured food sufficiency but also increased employment in the state. “The state’s policy initiatives in the area of commerce and industry have increased the tempo at which investors now throng the state. “As we celebrate the creation of our dear state, we should continue to pray for the leadership to ensure progress and prosperity,” he said. The state was created in 1976 from the then East Central State by the regime of Gen. Murtala Mohammed with capital at Enugu. A further state creation by the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida on Aug. 27, 1991 divided Anambra into two states, Anambra and Enugu, with Awka as capital.
Suspected criminals paraded by Imo State Police command in Owerri, on Wednesday.
Police arrest serial rapist
…for defiling over 100 female students Chris Njoku, OWERRI
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mo State Police Command has arrested a serial rapist, one Ifeanyichukwu Alozie, for his alleged defilement of more than 100 female students in one of the higher institutions in the state. The rapist, from Umuobia Agbaja community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state, was arrested by operatives around one of the tertiary institutions in the state, following a tip-off. Parading the suspect
alongside other criminals at the command headquarters, Owerri, acting Commissioner of Police, Dave Akinremi, said Alozie had made useful statements revealing his involvement in the rape of more than 100 female students since 2011. According to him, further investigations are being conducted, adding that the suspect would soon be charged to court. The commissioner also disclosed during question and answer session that the alleged killers of a popular self -styled, muscular security attaché of a sprawling
night club, Orange Room, located in World Bank area of Owerri, Marvellous Emmanuel (30), nick-named “Incredible” who was shot dead in the premises of the club in the early hours of Saturday August 1, 2015, would be arraigned as soon as investigations into the case is concluded. “The suspects will be paraded when the police conclude its investigations in the murder case,” he explained. Akinremi also said operatives arrested one Chidiebere Umar (22) of Mgbeshii Umuagwo in Ohaji area
of the state, suspected to be member of a gang who shot and wounded an inspector of police deployed in Nkaraha junction, Port Harcourt Road, Umuagwo. The suspect, he said made statements that led to the arrest of other members of the gang. He appealed for cooperation from the public in tracking down criminals in the state, adding that the police would do everything possible to ensure safety of lives and property in its determination to weed the state of all forms criminal activities.
Workers’ strike: Okorocha denies purchasing private jets with state fund Chris Njoku, OWERRI
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mo State government yesterday denied allegation by striking workers that Governor Rochas Okorocha bought private jets with their money. The government said the jets bought by the governor were the ones auctioned during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. Organised labour on Tuesday shut down socioeconomic activities in the state, accusing government of using state fund to purchase private aircraft, while it owed civil servants and pensioners’ backlog of salary arrears. The workers said the government should sell off the jets and use the proceeds to settle their sala-
ries. But reacting to the allegation, the state government through a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, said such falsehood had been the stock in trade in some quarters, adding that there was no truth in the allegation. “Therefore, as a government, we want to deny with high sense of honesty that since May 29, 2011 when Owelle Rochas Okorocha became governor, he has never bought any private jet either directly or through any proxy. “The government challenged those behind the allegation to make their facts public to fault their denial,” he said. However, the government said the period Governor Okorocha bought
jets was years before his becoming governor, during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration when some of the Presidential Jets were auctioned. “The governor bought jets then under the aegis of Lamonde Aviation, alongside few other Nigerians. Since he became governor, he has never bought any private Jet,” the statement stated. The government also cleared the air on the issue of debts status of the state, saying that the Debt Management Office, DMO, recent publication of states and their respective debt profiles penultimate week had vindicated the government. According to the statement, Imo State only owed N37bn, which it said was far from the hundreds of billions the opponents of the government have been
claiming to be the debt status of the state. The statement described the claim of the labour leaders that government owes the civil servants, teachers and local government workers three months arrears of salaries as false. “This is not true. The government has paid civil servants, teachers and local government workers up to the month of June. The government has not also sold any of the parastatals as falsely claimed. We stand to be challenged on all these. “The government also observed that some people in the state and some media houses have been relying on that development to be blackmailing the governor and the government by publishing glaring falsehood against them,” the statement added.
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Police seek help on maintenance of helicopter Richard Ndoma CALABAR
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ssistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, Tunde Ogunsakin, on Thursday called on governments of five states to assist the command in fuelling and maintaining the Bell 412 surveillance helicopter to boost the command`s operation. The AIG also appealed to governments of Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ebonyi states to aid the zone with operational vehicles to enable them intensify the fight and subdue the rising wave of different types of criminality in the zone. Ogunsakin made the appeal while speaking at a security meeting with service commanders and government of the states to intensify efforts and come up with modalities on how to ruthlessly deal with all forms of criminalities in the zone. “I therefore, urge your assistance in fuelling and maintaining the aircraft,” Ogunsakin said. The zone 6 police boss
South South
Friday, August 28, 2015
sought assistance from the state governments for provision of additional patrol vehicles to complement available ones for safer highways and peaceful environment within the zone, lauding government of Rivers State for promising to make available communication equipment to link the joint operations room with field and helicopter troops. “The joint nature of these operations requires a joint operation room to be located in zone 6 Headquarters. I appreciate the Rivers State government who graciously promised to provide communication equipment to link the joint operations room with the troops on the field and helicopter troops,” the AIG maintained. Ogunsakin stated that zone 6 would collaborate with the JTF to ensure that lives and property are protected stressing that there won`t be any conflict of interest in the course of carrying out their operations, adding that the aircraft given to them by the IG and operational vehicles they are asking for would aid their operations.
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CNS indicts naval personnel on crude oil theft Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI
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ewly appointed Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, yesterday made an astounding admittance that naval personnel deployed in the Niger Delta region were part of those responsible for increasing wave of illegal oil bunkering and oil theft that have remained unabated in the country. The CNS declared that his men are aiding and abetting oil theft and other maritime crimes by illegally escorting unscrupulous elements, which constitute corruption. Ekwe-Ibas made the declaration on Thursday during his visit to the Nigerian
Navy Engineering College in Sapele, Delta State. The naval chief caught the eyes of the media when he said, “We aid and abet illegal bunkering, aid and abet crude oil theft, we indulge in illegal escorting, constituting corruption. “These are fraudulent acts that can land you in jail. Some of us have been very diligent. The good ones must bring out the bad elements so that we don’t tarnish the white uniform we are wearing.” The CNS, who used the visit to address all naval formations and ratings in the state, said such indulgence by naval personnel not only constitute crime, but tarnish the reputation of the Nigerian Navy. He told the officers that,
“As navy, we are to defend the marine space, assist other agencies in the waterways and maintain internal security. In the course of our duties, some of us have had to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Navy.” According to him, “the central command accounts for the largest losses to oil theft. The guys perpetuating these illegal acts are within our means, they don’t fly in the air. They navigate the waterways and we must stop them. Keep away from illegal bunkering and crude oil thieves. If you indulged yesterday, let it be the last time.” Speaking further, the naval chief warned that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is very firm against corrupt practices, noting that
they must carry out their duties professionally. He charged officers of the Central Command to intensify their efforts to ensure that the country’s waterways are rid of oil theft and other marine crimes. Ekwe-Ibas also warned against molestation of civilians by the navy, while noting that their duties was to defend them as anyone caught would be severely dealt with according to the law. He promised to vigorously tackle welfare of personnel stressing that the navy suffers worst accommodation problem amongst Nigerian military as efforts were on to upgrade existing accommodation and building of new structures towards remedying the situation.
Bayelsa guber: Dickson radiates confidence as poll draws closer …says APC has no structures on ground
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arely five months to Bayelsa State governorship polls, Governor Seriake Dickson has expressed strong convictions that he would be re-elected, as he has an edge over his opponents, running on a record of concrete achievements rather than promises. Dickson, who made the assertion in a special interview with newsmen in Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital, stressed that the restoration support base was far more robust now than it was in 2012. The governor explained that in 2011 when he was running for the governorship election, he did not have the benefit of a support base comprising assembly members, local government chairmen and councillors, as compared to now when all these groups are on board. Responding to the question of whether he was not concerned about his support base being depleted due to the recent defections from the PDP to APC, Dickson said a number of those who have decamped were loyalists to for-
mer Governor Timipre Sylva, who were displaced when the restoration government came on board, pointing out that the development was not a big deal as they have gone to join their benefactor. While describing his ‘record of service in the last 3 years as good enough,’ Dickson expressed confidence that though, power comes from God, the people appreciate the development strides of the present government in the midst of daunting challenges. He noted that, the forthcoming election was not only about him, but also about securing the future of the people and the state, stressing that it was incumbent on Bayelsans to vote for development, security and prosperity, which his government represents. Dickson, who described members of the All Progressives Congress, APC as propagandists, whose antecedents were well known by the people, expressed confidence that whoever emerges as its flag bearer would be roundly rejected and defeated at the polls,.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Dr. (Mrs) Folasade Yemi; Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson; Ag. President of NGE, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad and Prof. Etonnibi Alemika of the Department of Sociology, University of Jos, during opening ceremony of the 11th Edition of All Nigerian Editors Conference at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday.
PDP, INEC frustrating our case at Rivers tribunal –APC Olajide Omojolomoju
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ll Progressives Congress, APC, has described as deceitful, obstructionist and provocative, the petition written to President Muhammadu Buhari by 16 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, federal lawmakers from Rivers State over the state’s Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, saying those who are blatantly obstructing the course of justice are the same ones now trying to play the victim. APC in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Moham-
med, said that despite the order from the tribunal, the damnable duo of Rivers PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have colluded to ensure that Rivers State APC neither gets the certified true copies of requested documents nor inspect the electoral materials used for the gubernatorial poll. It said: “Because we are a law-abiding party, unlike the anarchists in the PDP and their flagrant INEC collaborators, we reported this to the tribunal, which then said it was not up to it to enforce the order given earlier. This was why we reported to the security agencies, especially the police and the Department of State Services, DSS.
“Even though the Inspector General of Police, IGP, intervened to ensure the order of the tribunal was carried out, Rivers INEC still refused. This was why the DSS, seeking to prevent a breakdown of law and order that could result from the intransigence of the Rivers INEC, now invited the obstructionists to impress it upon them to carry out the order of the tribunal. Despite these efforts, the order has still not been complied with till today.” Mohammed also denied that the military was being used to intimidate anyone, saying the APC only subpoenaed the soldiers, who played a major role in the elections, not only in Rivers, but in the entire Niger Delta
region, in view of the violence unleashed by the PDP on APC supporters before, during and after the elections. He said it was an open secret that the PDP rigged the elections not only in Rivers State, but also in Akwa Ibom State, where the party and the state INEC have also refused to allow APC to have access to electoral materials, and where indeed vital documents have been destroyed. He urged the 16 PDP lawmakers to tell their people to stop constituting an obstacle to the course of justice by allowing Rivers APC access to the election materials, instead of writing frivolous petitions and blaming the victims of their lawlessness.
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Friday, August 28, 2015
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Unhealthy meat: Abuja residents at risk of cancer –Perm Sec Omeiza Ajayi
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xcept for few vegetarians, a large chunk of over five million inhabitants of Abuja, the nation’s federal capital territory, are at risk of developing cancer. This is because the meats processed in the territory’s abattoirs are carcinogenic. Permanent Secretary in FCT Administration, Engr John Obinna Chukwu, made the frightening revelation yesterday at a meeting with Chief Veterinary Officer in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdulganiyu Abubakar. He lampooned the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the FCT Administration for
doing very little to reverse the trend. According to him, he had on several occasions drawn the attention of the secretariat to the prevalence of unsafe meat in the territory, especially the less than hygienic state of the abattoirs and the poor handling of slaughtered animals. “I have told the agriculture secretariat that they should increase public awareness and routine enforcement to ensure that those practices stop. However, what they have done, I don’t know. “If you go to abattoirs in the FCT, you can’t believe that what people are eating as meat are not healthy; because even the water used to wash the meat are dirty,” he said, adding that a situation whereby people use tires to burn animals before
selling them to the consuming public was wrong. “In this city, you see people carrying meat on motorcycles, and most of our abattoirs are an eyesore. One of the most worrying issues to everybody today is cancer. A situation whereby people use tires to burn animal skin (Kpomo) that everybody is after (to consume) in this part of the world is bad. And these people are everywhere. That is one cause of cancer,” he added. Chukwu, however, expressed delight that despite the outbreak of avian influenza in about 20 states of the federation, the scourge did not get to the territory, describing it as a divine act especially as the FCT was caught unawares. “I am happy to learn that the outbreak of avi-
an influenza did not get to the FCT, but I think it is an act of God, not that we did anything against it, because there is nothing on ground to prevent its outbreak. We are doing the little we can, but enough needs to be done. People should live up to their expected responsibilities; it is not a matter of buck-passing, it is a joint effort. “The population of the FCT is such that we cannot continue to only depend on an act of God; something fundamental must be done,” he charged. The permanent secretary also charged the council to ensure that they would do all that is neces-
their specialist hospital is to be sited. He said; “If you say it is possible to guarantee that the establishment of the Veterinary Specialist Hospital would not lead to
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communicable diseases in the area, we will consider providing an alternative site for you in case the present site is not suitable”.
Military arrests 3 suspects for impersonating GOC Inusa Ndahi MAIDUGURI
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uthorities of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Borno State, arrested three persons who claimed to be members of Civilian JTF using the name of General Officer Commanding the Division, Major General Lamidi Adeosun, and other senior officers in sary to avoid the spread the theatre of operations of communicable disease to extort funds from relations and friends of those to people in Kubwa where being investigated by the Division for terror-related offences. The three suspects, according to Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Tukur Gusau, are Alhaji Baba of Gwange Ward Area, Abubakar Tijjani Lawan of London Ciki Ward and Umar Ali of Gidan Dambe Ward, all in Maiduguri metropolis. Parading the suspects before newsmen at the headquarters of the Division in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, Gusau also said troops of the Division apprehended one Mr. Bashir Ali suspected to be supplying petroleum L-R; Kwara State Head of Service, Hajia Zahra Omar, Colonel A.A Ojajuna, General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major products to Boko HaGeneral Laz Ilo, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed and Commander, 22 Brigade,Sobi, Brigadier General Abdul Nani, during a ram terrorists in their courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin....Wednesday hideouts. The supplier of the products according to Gusau, was arrested However, the gover- proval of Governor Ab- Adviser, Rural Energy at a filling station in Wole Adedeji nor’s Senior Special As- dulfatah Ahmed’s request Support Services and Al- Maiduguri while using ILORIN sistant, Media; Muyideen to appoint Special Advis- haji Abdullahi Duro Mu- Peugeot 504 vehicle fabwara State Gov- Akorede, who made the ers.” hammed, Special Adviser, ricated with extended ernor, Abdulfatah announcement in a stateThose appointed in- Emergency and Relief. 500 litres tank capacity, Ahmed, yesterday ment, said the develop- cluded Barrister Gobir Others are; Mr. Amos and that during interroannounced the appoint- ment was “to strengthen Hassan Ahmed, Special Justus Sayo, Special Ad- gation, the suspect (Ali) ment of nine Special Ad- governance and assist Adviser, Labour Matters; viser, Forestry Services; confessed that he use visers. in the realisation of his Alhaji Aliu Zakari Gunu, Alhaji Manzuma Kawu the vehicle to ferry up This is coming on the (Ahmed) administration’s Special Adviser, Local Abdulmalik, Special Adto 3,000 litres of petroheels of a widely reported development aspirations.” Government; Mr. Aanu viser, Environmental Serinformation that the state Similarly, Secretary to the Ayodeji Ibiwoye, Special vices; Alhaji Amusa Bello, leum products daily. Gusau therefore said, has collected its portion State Government, Alhaji Adviser, Agriculture and Special Adviser, Security; “the Nigerian Army of President Muhamma- Isiaka Gold, said the ap- Rural Water Support Ser- Barrister Suleiman Atoviewed these acts of du Buhari’s bailout grants pointments followed “the vices; Alhaji Musa Abdul- lagbe, Special Adviser Lefor states. criminality as a well House of Assembly’s ap- lahi Mohammed, Special gal Matters.
Ahmed appoints nine Special Advisers
the spread or outbreak of
calculated attempt by some Boko Haram terrorists collaborators and sympathizers to bring to ridicule the successes recorded through the combined efforts of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Airforce under Operation Lafiya Dole. “It becomes imperative to alert the general public about the activities of such criminals and to be wary of their activities. “It is also important to note that Nigerian Army will not be deterred or compromise its professional duties in the ongoing campaign against insurgency in the country by releasing those arrested in connection with terrorism without applying due process or rule of law. “The public would recall that 182 suspected Boko Haram terrorists found not to be culpable of any link with terrorism were released by the Army to Borno State Government during the last Nigerian Army Day Celebration in July, and that any person or group of persons soliciting money on behalf of any member of the Armed Forces or other security agencies or government officials in Operation Lafiya Dole to facilitate the release of Boko Haram terrorists’ suspects is not better than Boko Haram terrorists and will be treated as such,” he stated. Gusau however requested the general public to promptly report such criminals to the nearest military base or any other security outfits for necessary actions.
Friday, August 28, 2015
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Politics
Odunayo Oyewole Akinrinsola is a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State. Akinrinola insists that it is high time Ondo people elected a man with mindset of turning the fortunes of the state around by reviving all ailing and dead industries and also creating enabling environment for more businesses to grow in the state. ROBERT AWOKUSE brings excerpts: What is the situation on ground pertaining to the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State? Pertaining to the warm up to the election, I can tell you that a lot of aspirants are coming up from every nooks and crannies of the state. I can also tell you that a lot of groups are springing up to agitate for their rights. People are talking about zoning or no zoning, but I can tell that there is nothing like zoning in the All Progressives Congress, APC. As far as I am concerned, the state has to move forward. We have the incumbent governor, Segun Mimiko, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and in the APC, we have quite a number of us who want to run for the same seat. So what I can say now is that the atmosphere is becoming electric and interesting, everything is channeled towards next year. We are all building ourselves; we are building up the campaign and strategy we want to use. That is exactly what is happening in Ondo State at the moment. You are eyeing the governorship seat on the platform of the APC. What prompted you to throw your hat in the ring? I must say this, you must be part of it, we cannot sit at the back of the fence and expect that one day our state move forward. If you have been to Ondo State, you will realise that the state lacks infrastructure despite its abundant resources. We were clamouring for change at the federal level, which eventually happened; but we have not seen any change in Ondo State. In the past eight years that the present governor has been there, you can’t really point to any significant developmental project that has been done. Talk about roads, it is still the same road I grew up to know that the leads from Ondo to the capital, Akure that is still there. Also, the poverty level of the state is so high to the extent that somebody having the accumulated state funds has now turned himself to a godfather that people are
‘Ondo needs a man with developmental agenda’
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I’VE DISCOVERED THAT WITH MY LEVEL OF EXPOSURE AND WITH THE EXPERIENCE I GATHERED AND ATTAINED IN THE BUSINESS
WORLD, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IF ONDO STATE IS WELL MANAGED BY PEOPLE
WHO KNOW THE STATE’S PROBLEMS, SURELY WE WILL MAKE HEADWAY now looking up to for crumbs to come down to them. As it is now, it is time for Ondo State to be liberated, so I have looked at all these things and realised that it will be nice for us to have new ideas; a purpose driven vision towards reviving the state. What really prompted me to run for the seat is that I’ve discovered that with my level of exposure and with the experience I gathered and attained in the business world, I have come to the conclusion that if Ondo State is well managed by people who know the state’s problems, surely we will make headway. And I must confess that if you don’t discover a problem, there is no way you can know the solution. Ondo State as it is now, virtually has no socio-economic development. How many airplanes ply Lagos to Akure monthly? Not to talk of daily or weekly basis. That gives you a clear picture of what I am trying to say that when you talk of economic development, Ondo State has nothing to show. Ondo State is blessed with a lot of
natural resources but how to channel the manpower towards actualising the real benefit of these resources is a major problem. We are blessed with natural resources and we have not been able to do what can make the people relevant. When you graduate from Ondo State, you have to come to Lagos to look for job. These are some of the things that I have considered that made me say that for us to move forward, we must not depend solely on allocation from the Federal Government, which as at now is not being properly managed I have the interest of the state at heart and I think we should move from where we are to another point of improvement. Ondo State is not feeling that impact of change and that is why my campaign mantra is ‘wind of change’. Mimiko would definitely want to bring on board a successor, are you not afraid that his popularity may affect APC chances? Personally, I am not afraid. Yes, the PDP may have its agenda; we also have
our own plans and strategy too in the APC. If you’ve been able to get feedback from the people as regards the Mimiko administration, then you will know what I am talking about. Another thing you should know is that Ondo State has gone beyond somebody coming to impose a candidate on them. And APC doesn’t even buy the idea of imposition of any candidate. If indeed it is true that Mimiko’s PDP administration has performed like his loyalists are saying, the electorates would decide. We have a lot ideas and programmes that can revive the Romanian Wood Industry; Okitipupa Oil Palm Mill, Oluwa Glass and other state owned industries that have remained comatose over the years. I always say this and I will continue to say it; to manage a business is more difficult than managing a state. This is what we will provide: a direction, innovative and transparent approach to public governance. If we come in by the grace of God, it is going to be a total overhauling, we will be starting afresh. What should Ondo people expect in your first 100 days if you eventually emerged the governor of the state? If my people decide to make me their governor, in my first year as the governor, we will make the state relevant and conducive for investors to come in. So if I become the governor, I want to bring my business ideas, experience and exposure into running the government of the state. I will do everything to market the state in such a way that investors will be very willing to come in. Ondo State is blessed with vast land where industries can be cited. Contesting election into the office of governor is not a piece of cake. How prepared are you financially to run for this election? Anything you want to do in life and you are not passionate about it, you can’t achieve it. But if you are spending your hard earned money on something you believe you are doing for the interest of the masses in the state, definitely, such a thing is not at loss. I must confess to you, whatever we need to do as regards the coming election, it is going to be well taken care of. I am not rich, God is the only rich one, but for this election, I can tell you that I am fully ready financially, spiritually, morally, physically and political. And I know that by the grace of God, we will be there.
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Friday, August 28, 2015
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APC trains auditors, urges lead in accountability, transparency OBIORA IFOH ABUJA
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ll Progressives Congress, APC, has engaged its internal auditors across the country in an intensive training, asking national and state officers of the party to give utmost consideration to the current drive for probity and accountability by conducting their affairs in a transparent manner. Speaking at a training workshop held yesterday in Abuja for state auditors from the 36 states of the federation, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, told the party
officials that the victory at the polls has imposed greater responsibility and expectations on the APC which must be met. He said the activities of APC is now beginning to attract greater interest of the general public and the international community due to its present status as the governing party. He said: “I want to remind you that the great victory, even comes with a greater sense of commitment and responsibility, now that we are in government and in line with the party manifesto and change mantra. “I call it a journey because all of us must be
involved and no one can be left behind in this new order of management of affairs our great but long suffering country, we must bear in mind that we are the change agents worthy of emulation. “You will agree with me that our victory at the polls has laid on our shoulders
more responsibility and exemplary leadership and we cannot emphasise that too much.” APC National Auditor, Chief George Muoghalu said the task before him is to establish a well structured internal audit department that would meet an acceptable world stan-
dard and ensure transparency. Muoghalu said his tenure as APC National Auditor will not count as successful unless the structures of the party at the national and state levels are made functional and vibrant. He said the intention
of the workshop was to try and close the existing gaps between the National Auditor and those at the state levels, adding: “Our party is a ‘going concern’ and every effort geared to safeguard its assets, reduce waste and ensure accurate financial reporting should be prioritised.”
TMG launches Quick Count for Kogi guber poll WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA
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ransition Monitoring Group, TMG, has launched Quick Count in Kogi State ahead of the November 21 gubernatorial election. TMG Chairman, Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, who disclosed this at a workshop for media practitioners and civil society organisations, CSOs, in Lokoja yesterday, stated that the Quick Count Project was adopted during the presidential and gubernatorial elections in 14 states of the federation. He explained that Quick Count is also known as parallel vote tabulation which provides most timely and accurate information on the conduct of voting, counting and in observation methodology that can independently verify the accuracy of official election results. Zikirullahi, represented by TMG Vice Chairperson, Hajia Nimota Goroso Giwa,
ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI
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kiti State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman, Chief Idowu Faleye, has been quizzed by the police allegedly over the dud cheque issued to pay the rent of the party’s state secretariat. Following a petition written by the owner of the building and former PDP chieftain, Chief Ropo
pointed out that TMG is Nigeria’s premier citizen observer group, which comprised 400 CSOs, noting that TMG has observed transition from military rule and subsequent elections. He said: “TMG is undertaking the Quick Count for Kogi State gubernatorial poll to provide voters, candidates, political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with independent information about whether the official results would reflect the ballot cast at polling. If INEC official results fall within TMG’s estimated range, then public, political parties and candidates should have confidence that official result reflected ballot cast at polling.” He posited that Quick Count is keeping a tab on the election day, adding that there are other events which would happen before, during and after elections which demand close watch.
L-R: Director, Democracy and Development Studies, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Gabriel Jiya; Director, Political Civic Education, National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoba and Chairman of the Occasion Chief Clifford Thomas, during roundtable on the appraisal of the 2015 General Elections In Nigeria, in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA
Adeyemi vs Melaiye: Tribunal dismisses Melaiye’s application WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA
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ogi State National Assembly and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, has dismissed two applications brought before it by the senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaiye and the All Progressives Congress, APC. Melaiye through his counsel urged the tribunal to dismissed itself from hearing the re-trial of the petition, believing that entertaining it would amount to acting contrary
to the judgment of the Court of Appeal Melaiye asked the tribunal to declare the petition as abandoned because of the petitioner’s failure to pay for filling fee for the application for issuance of pre-hearing notice. In his ruling on the two applications, chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Akinniyi Akintola dismissed it for lack of merit. Melaiye’s counsel had argued that the Appeal Court judgment, which ordered for the re-trial of the petition, specifically stated that the re-trial must be heard by Justice
peal Court, describing the application by the 1st and 2nd respondents as frivolous and ungrantable, believing that it was “a calculated attempt at delaying the course of justice and frustrate the hearing of the petition.” In his ruling, Justice Akintola aligned with Olatoke’s prayer, saying that it has jurisdiction to entertain the case, adding that the transfer of the case to the panel was known to the first panel and not shrouded in secrecy as opined by the 1st and 2nd respondents and therefore dismissed it for lack of merit.
Akon Ikpeme, who first dismissed the petition, saying that the other panel headed by Justice Akintola has no jurisdiction to entertain the case. Counsel to Senator Smart Adeyemi, Dr. J.O Olatoke, SAN, urged the tribunal to refuse the application, saying that the transfer of the case from the first panel to the other is a mere administrative decision of the Appeal Court President and cannot be disputed at the tribunal. On the issue of payment, Olatoke informed that the issue has already been dealt with at the Ap-
Police wade into Ekiti PDP rent dud cheque crisis Adesanya, Faleye was interrogated in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday evening by a special police squad from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, before he was later released on medical grounds. The PDP owes N1.5 million rent and the cheque issued for payment was rejected by an old generation bank based in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Police Public Relations Officern PPRO, in Ekiti State, Alberto Adeyemi, who confirmed the development in a telephone chat with journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said the officers were from the Force Headquarters, Abuja. Sources said Faleye, would have been taken to Abuja immediately after the interrogation but reportedly pleaded that he be
released on health ground to receive medical attention and turn himself in on Tuesday next week after he might have been examined and certified fit by his doctor. But Faleye said he told the police officers that he knew nothing about the cheque which was not in his handwriting nor contained his signature. The embattled PDP
chairman said those who signed the cheque in question during the heat of the crisis rocking the party in the state had now been expelled from the party. Denying being arrested or released on health ground, Faleye said he told the police officers that he was not part of the cheque issue, adding that the police said they would continue with investigations into the
matter by interrogation all those involved in the issuance of the dud cheque. Trouble started in the party when a faction, which purportedly replaced Faleye with Mr Tunde Olatunde, claiming Faleye had resigned and no longer a signatory to the party account, issued a cheque for the rent but the cheque was rejected by the bank.
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Politics
Friday, August 28, 2015
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I represent the change that works –Baba-Ali
national secretariat unofficially showed l came first, even though for reasons best known to it, the party has not released the result. But as journalist backed by the FoI Act, you are free to ask for that report to confirm what I am saying.
Suleiman Baba-Ali is one of leading aspirants in the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for the November 21 Kogi State gubernatorial poll, taking place tomorrow. The former Commissioner for Health in Kogi State ad former MD/CEO of Team Nigeria Trust Fund, speaks on why he should be his party’s standard bearer in the election. DEBORAH DIDI brings excerpts: Why do you think you should be the next governor of Kogi State? I am running for governor of Kogi State because Kogi State is not working. The state is suffering in the midst of plenty. For instance, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals categorised 34 minerals as commercially viable minerals in the country, 22 of them are in Kogi State. It only requires a leadership with foresight to harness these and address the issue of unemployment as well as economic development. But the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government in the state is only thinking of the allocation from Abuja. Any government that is still relying on Abuja for survival needs to have its head examined. Why do you think you are the one that will effect this change? First, I am the only one amongst the 28 aspirants who have cognate experience and exposure at both public and private sectors. I rose to become Executive Director of Capital Oil Plc, l was commissioner at the state level, I was MD/CEO of Team Nigeria Trust Fund at the federal level and served at the international level as chairman
Can you let us in into some of your agenda for the state? First, based on my experience as an entrepreneur, we will aggressively pursue Public-Private Partnership, PPP. Dangote Cement is in Obajana, not because he likes the faces of Kogites, he is there because he knows he can make money. We will provide the conducive atmosphere for business to thrive and in the process galvanise economic and industrial development in the state. Secondly, there are too many leakages in the state, from ghost workers to ghost schools and ghost industries. We will plug all these loopholes. What is your take on the agitation for power shift in the state? Again, I am the best candidate to address this issue. I am not sure and I stand to be corrected, if any of the aspirants is as strongly connected to the three senatorial districts as l am. My father is from Kogi West, my mother is from Kogi East and my wife is from Kogi Central. Who amongst the aspirants is standing on the tripod that holds the state together? None, except me. Which in effect means every Kogite should be comfortable with me.
Baba-Ali
of the marketing and communication commission of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa, an organ of the African Union. So, I come with that CV unrivalled by any of the aspirants. Secondly, in a series of three different screening committees conducted by the elders and stakeholders in the Kogi Central and West senatorial districts of the state for 17 of the 28 aspirants, I came first each time. Even the screening of all the 28 aspirants by the
Your final word to the delegates… My dear delegates, we have the best opportunity now to present the captain of our best eleven as the next governor of Kogi State. There is nothing wrong with Kogi except the leadership. The PDP has lost the sympathy of our people. They are yearning for change. It has happened at the federal level, it is now time to effect the same in Kogi State. Suleiman Baba Ali is that changeagent that will make Kogi work again.
100 days: Rights group scores Buhari, El Rufai high, Okowa low AMOUR UDEMUDE ASABA
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human rights group, Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged, Centrep, has given a pat on the back to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir elRufai on their achievements so far in the last one hundred days in office. Centrep however scored low the administration of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, saying that for Okowa, it has been 100 days of business as usual, of commotion in governance of the state and reminiscent of the television drama series, Fuji House of Commotion. In a press statement signed by Centrep Executive Director, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, a human rights lawyer and made available to National Mirror in Asaba, it noted that the score card of President Buhari’s 100 days in office is very high in terms of his anti-corruption crusade, fight against impunity and insecurity as he has used the above period to tirelessly lay the foundation
of a new and a prosperous Nigeria. Ikimi said: “President Buhari’s 100 days in office as President is rated very high in terms of his anti-corruption crusade, fight against impunity and insecurity. “I equally score Governor el-Rufai of Kaduna State high as he has used the said period to begin massive reconstruction of his state for the benefit of future generation. “However, in Delta State my score card for Governor Okowa is low as it had been a 100 days of business as usual. To put it succinctly Governor Okowa’s 100 days of in office has been 100 days of commotion in governance of the state, reminiscent of the television drama series, Fuji House of Commotion.” He said after Okowa’s first public outcry of inherited N637 billion debt profile with a call on Deltans to be ready to make sacrifices necessary to put the state on path of economic recovery, he took a loan of N10 billion from a commercial bank without the approval of the state House of Assembly. Carpeting Okowa for his over bloated appoint-
ment of over 100 political aides, despite his outcry of dwindling economy in the state, Ikimi noted that the common feature of the appointments made so far by Okowa was that of duplicity of job description and functions, and dissipation
of public funds. He said: “For instance, Okowa has a Chief Press Secretary, a Communications Manager, four Press Secretaries for electronic media, Social Media, print media and community newspaper, all doing the same job of im-
age laundering for the governor, while the state is saddled with a debt burden of N647 billion or more. “Within 100 days in office, Okowa has appointed 12 civil commissioners as his first batch of commissioners in the state and over
100 political aides either as special advisers, special assistants, project directors and personal aides, including a 30-man advisory and peace committee headed by Professor Sam Oyovwaire, a former Minister of Information.
Kogi’ll be better under our govt –Abatemi-Usman ROBERT AWOKUSE
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frontline All progressives Congress, APC, aspirant for the Kogi State gubernatorial election, scheduled for November 21, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has said that Kogi people will have reasons to be happy if he is given the chance to take over the mantle of leadership in the state. Abatemi-Usman made the remark in a statement issued by his media adviser, Michael Jegede, to congratulate the people of Kogi on the 24th anniversary of the state. Urging the people to thank God for the gift of life, the immediate past senator for Kogi Central sena-
torial district, lamented the stagnation occasioned by bad leadership, which has remained the bane of infrastructural and socio-economic development in the state in the past 24 years. He said: “I congratulate my fellow citizens of Kogi State on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of our beloved state. Though, there is nothing on ground to call for celebration, we have to thank God that we are alive to witness this day. Kogi State, created on August 27, 1991 from the old Benue and Kwara states, was set up to achieve rapid growth via the comparative advantages of human capital, vast mineral resources and good governance, which would cascade to development for the good people of Kogi
State. “However, since the return to democratic rule from 1999 to date, the story has been that of stagnation and negative growth. The state is now amongst the poorest in Nigeria with negative indicators such as low life expectancy rate, high infant mortality rate, poor infrastructure, high unemployment, low literacy level, to mention a few. It is abysmally appalling and pathetic that after 24 years in existence, we cannot as citizens from Kogi be proud of our own dear state. My fellow Kogites, we just cannot allow this to continue. The time for change has come and we must all join hands together to make it happen. Kogi will certainly be better under our govern-
ment if we are given the chance to come on board.” He added that with people oriented programmes, Abatemi-Usman said his administration will ‘Activate Kogi’ simply by activating the existing potential and inherent capabilities of our resources both human and material; focus on liberating our people by establishing structures via institutions and using best laid down processes in order to positively affect the socio-economic fabric of our people; make Kogi State and her indigenes truly prosperous socially and economically; capitalising on our diversity, cultural backgrounds, ethnic dispositions to create a progressive ‘One Kogi’; among other laudable programmes.
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Editorial
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER
SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS
Senate’s searchlight on EFCC boss, Lamorde
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nited Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, who visited Nigeria early in the week, at a dialogue on democracy in Abuja with the theme “Dialogue on Democracy, Human Right, Development, Climate Change and Countering Violence and Extremism” and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, blamed bad governance, mismanagement and injustice by political leaders as responsible for growing terrorism worldwide. “…When you are absolutely in despair, when you have absolutely no hope for your own future, when the leaders do not care about their own people on inclusive governance, the people find some other means. Leaders have not been paying attention; they are not speaking with the people. That makes extremism to take root. We have to prevent this. “That is why I highly commend President Buhari. In his inaugural speech, he said he will get rid of inequality; and he will get rid of corruption and run an inclusive government”, Ki-Moon says. Vice President Osinbajo said at the same function that about “110 million Nigerians are extremely poor, illiterate and do not have voices”. Back home, however, all manner of criticisms, from the tendentiously sponged to the sublime and those standing on their last legs, are being bandied to downplay, diminish
or frustrate what appears the radical resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari government to curb some of the national drawbacks identified by the UN scribe, namely, bad governance, mismanagement and injustice by political leaders, which now pose serious threats to the survival of Nigeria. One good example currently on the floor is the partisan disposition and doublespeak of the leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country’s Senate in respect of its moves to publicly investigate allegations contained in a petition filed by one Mr. George Uboh against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde. The petitioner accused Lamorde of fraudulently diverting over N1 trillion from the proceeds of corruption the antigraft commission recovered between 2003 and 2008. Reports had it that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions would two days ago commence public hearing on the grave allegation. The EFCC, as a government agency, and sounding confident, says it is ready to defend the allegation, but is insistent that due process be followed by the Senate in its probe. The commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement, described Uboh’s petition as mischievous and intended to smear
WE SHUDDER AT WHAT SPECIAL INTEREST THE
PDP COULD BE HAVING IN THE LAMORDE INVESTIGATION THAT WARRANTED ITS HARSH VERDICT AGAINST IT Lamorde. “The EFCC, as an agency that is founded on transparency, is not afraid of any ‘probe’ or request for information regarding its activities by individuals, groups or organs of government; so far as such requests followed due process of law… Even if the EFCC had not returned a kobo of recovered assets in its 12 years’ existence, in addition to the yearly appropriated funds from the Federation Account, it will be nowhere near a trillion naira”, a portion of Uwujaren’s statement said. But reports last Tuesday said while the Senate leadership was bent on going ahead with the public hearing, PDP members in the Senate would not have anything of such. Indeed, one part of a widely publicised statement credited to former Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, who is now the Senate Minority Leader; the Minority Whip, Phillip Aduda; Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha; and Deputy Minority
ON THIS DAY August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech at a rally. The event was one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States’ history, where civil and economic rights for African-Americans were canvassed. It took place in Washington, D.C. The late Martin Luther King, Jr., standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his historic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in which he advocated racial harmony.
Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to
August 28, 2003 An electricity blackout cut off power to around 500,000 people living in south east England and brought 60 percent of London’s underground rail network to a halt. The power outage occurred in parts of southern London and north-west Kent. It was the largest blackout in South East England since the Great Storm of 1987. Even before the blackout, the UK media were anticipating a UK equivalent of the ‘Northeast blackout’ of 2003.
Whip, Abiodun Olujimi, claimed as follows: “The PDP Senate leadership reassures the Nigerian public of its support for the war against corruption by the Federal Government of Nigeria, but hastens to add that such fight against corruption should be total and not selective. Nigerians need peace at this period of economic challenges precipitated by falling oil prices; and actions that will overheat the polity and generate unnecessary friction between the executive and the legislature should be avoided”. Except the Senate probe infracts any ingredient of due process, and until it is proven beyond reasonable doubt by a competent court of law that the ongoing campaign against graft is one-sided and meant to humiliate the just, or rob the innocent of their fundamental human rights, we think it would be preposterous for anyone to presume the measure as selective. We shudder at what special interest the PDP could be having in the Lamorde investigation that warranted its harsh verdict against it. As critics rightly say, one of Nigeria’s huge problems is that the country yokes itself with countless unresolved issues and moves on, only for the same unresolved scares to keep haunting the nation. The Senate probe should proceed without further threats or hindrance. Lamorde should be allowed to publicly clear his name and affirm his integrity.
x August 28, 2011 Hurricane Irene struck the United States east coast, killing 47 people and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage. Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the US during late August 2011. Irene is currently ranked as the seventh costliest hurricane in US history. The ninth named storm, Irene was the first major hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Friday, August 28 2015
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Problem with setting time frame in asymmetric warfare Counter-terrorism Tips With
Ethelbert Oney ethelbertoney@zissltd.com, 08029929121 (sms only)
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n a counterterrorism situation like we currently face, it is unnecessary for us to place a time frame to end it because offensive measures have never been known to achieve victory in the history of terrorism. The only likely situation where a time frame to end asymmetric warfare succeeds (though not decisively) is probably where dialoguing is involved. A time horizon in counterterrorism planning criteria is only achievable with duration and visible prediction, for instance, a short term less than three months – as immediate criteria. A medium term criteria is usually three to twenty four months (interim criteria); and the long term criteria must constitute between two and 10 years or more (final criteria). Time horizons have much flexibility in their criteria, and transition period must be created between short and long term planning. However, it is necessary to establish interim criteria because it facilitates and speeds up revision of counterterrorism strategy, a task that is not easy to carry out because it requires the expertise and energy of counterterrorism specialists. Setting a time frame is usually counterproductive against a deadly terrorist
organisation that kills en mass without warning and with its members willing to die for their cause. Another downside to such assertions, such as “we will crush them in six weeks, three months, four months etc”, is that it creates lack of trust and confidence in the citizens when such time comes and the threat level still remains the same or even worst. As a specialist in terrorism and former analyst manager in one of UK’s leading consulting firms on Terrorism and Insurgency, I wish to reiterate that we must refrain from strengthening our enemy by divulging our intended strategies to the media before even embarking on it. The necessity of secrecy in counterterrorism situation based on unsubstantiated claims helps the enemy. The offensive approach in a terrorism situation is regarded as a short term approach because when you put your enemy to the ground in a fighting contest, what do you think happens next? He will continue to plan and struggle on how to get back at you, and if he cannot retaliate instantly, he will employ other hands to assist achieve his aims because he unsettled scores. But if you apply wisdom, diplomacy and engage him in a heart-toheart discussion, definitely your defeat stays permanently. As I have always stated, counterterrorism differ from a conventional war that can be won on a battle field. In fact, in terrorism situations, no party wins in the end. Let the Buhari administration’s plan constitute the three criteria’s stated above and follow it systematically so
COUNTERTERRORISM DIFFER FROM A CONVENTIONAL WAR THAT CAN BE WON ON A BATTLE FIELD that Nigerians, particularly those in the northeast region, can move on with their normal lives. In Northern Ireland, the British government resorted to a formidable set of military and police measures, emergency laws and special courts, for containing the Irish Republican Army (IRA), while simultaneously pursuing a political strategy, which after three decades, bore fruit in the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement. Why can’t we expand our options like these of the UK? Yes, it is a bit complicate to unravel a new challenge such as Boko Haram’s threat over night. This is why terrorism is a game of quantity. The best option is to first understand it and whereby it proves extremely confusing, to involve experts. Terrorism from inception has always been a naked struggle for power, and the struggle is rooted in the maxim, “who shall wield it, and actually from which end?” On a professional point of view, Nigeria should find which end to wield this naked struggle for power with Boko Haram by applying diplomacy, because it is a productive mechanism. Fair enough, we have an 8, 700 strong multi-national joint taskforce, which to
date has not yielded expected results except some superiority claims from Chadian President that his men has been the driving force against the transnational sect. The truth is no single nation can excel in a terrorism situation. Recently, President Idriss Deby of Chad advised Nigeria not to go into dialogue with Boko Haram, which resulted in the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau brandishing him a “hypocrite and tyrant”. The Chadian leader also stated in another forum that Shekau was dead and replaced. This is puzzling. Is there something which we ought to know but as a matter of fact do not? And can we ever know that unknown sometimes in the future? Terrorists are able to survive and prosper if the government and military they oppose are relatively confused, badly financed, organizationally inept, corrupt, politically divided, and poorly informed. Effective counterterrorism operations require government forces to distinguish active rebels from non-combatants without destroying the lives and living conditions of the latter. This is an extremely difficult political and organizational problem even for well-equipped and well-paid modern militaries. For Nigeria, a key strategy is to block fresh recruitments by Boko Haram leaders who glorify, advocate, and market martyrdom and the death culture. Unless we can impede radicalization of the sect and its recruitment, we are condemned to a strategy of stepping on cockroaches one at a time.
Why the EFCC must continue to exist TOTUNBO ADISA
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ust when many were beginning to give the leadership of the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, a pat on the back, having been convinced that the hitherto believed toothless dog was waking up to its statutory responsibility, a group of civil society organisations, under the aegis of the Coalition for Civil Liberty and Equity (CCLE), recently staged a protest against the Commission’s head honcho, Mr. Ibrahim Larmode, in Abuja. In the build-up to the widely reported protest, they ventilated their anger through all available means, while urging President Muhammad Buhari to relieve Lamorde of his post. If my memory has not failed me, it was the first time ever in the history of the Commission that such a spectacular lampooning of EFCC’s leadership had happened. But what then is Lamorde’s seemingly unforgivable sin? According to a release jointly signed by both Mallam Isa Haruna of the Arewa Front for National Advancement (AFNA) and Muideen Olaniyi of the Network for National Integration (NNI), the “sudden resurgence of the EFCC after a long period of hibernation and lack of direction under Mr. Ibrahim Larmode amounts to grandstanding and cosmetic effort to deceive the present
NO WAY CAN THE PRESIDENT BE DECEIVED BECAUSE HE HAS A CLEAR VISION OF FIGHTING CORRUPTION administration and Nigerians that the anti-graft body was working.” But I beg to disagree slightly with the authors of this idea. I wonder what Lamorde and his team stand to benefit if the sudden gusto of arresting and prosecuting suspected looters of our treasury is only intended to deceive the newly elected government of Muhammad Buhari. The truth is, no way can the President be deceived because he has a clear vision of fighting corruption. Besides, rather than vilify Lamorde, I think it is germane to pause at this junction to ask why the EFCC was allegedly not spitting fire under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. A popular saying among the Yoruba is that ‘’Amukun eru e wo, o ni oke le nwo, e o wo’le. (When you see a load sitting delicately on the head of a cross-kneed person, you should trace the cause to his badly shaped legs.” In other words, if you have a leadership that appears to pay lip service to the fight against corruption, as was the case under Jonathan, who reportedly said
‘’stealing is not corruption’’, then you should not expect anything different from what the EFCC had suffered in recent times. And isn’t it true that he who pays the piper calls the tune? Such, I believe, was the pathetic case of the EFCC under the Jonathan-led administration. Besides, the Commission at every available opportunity did not hide the fact that it was not adequately funded under Jonathan. But it was not all totally a gloomy picture, as the Commission, earlier in the year, proudly published a blow-by-blow detail of the impressive convictions it recorded in the past four years, even in the face of the doleful conditions that it found itself under Jonathan. So, looking back now, I am tempted to say that the whole show by the CCLE was nothing but a farce! And whether it was staged at the right time or not is in the womb of time. Perhaps, as proof that the recent activities of the EFCC have not gone unnoticed, another group, under the auspices of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria (CCOSGIN) had reportedly passed a vote of confidence in Lamorde during a recent meeting in Abuja. Members of the group did not only align itself with the EFCC’s renewed fight against corruption, which they described as being in tandem with Buhari’s zero tolerance to corruption, they also urged Lamorde not to be distracted by dissenting voices that have
yet to appreciate his efforts. Speaking during the meeting, the National Chairman of CCOSGIN, Comrade Iso Bassey Edim, said: “In consideration of your track records of fighting crimes in Nigeria and even across the world, we hereby pass a vote of confidence in you. With humility and respect, we also wish to partner with the EFCC for easy and more formidable operations of the organisation’s objectives as a watch dog. We hereby pledge our unalloyed commitment to work with your Commission to ensure that Nigeria is rid of corruption.” It was heart-warming when the EFCC boss said he was not averse to criticisms and that he had no monopoly of knowledge in the fight against corruption. He, however, added a caveat: it must be constructive criticisms. He also stated that his doors were open. So, he has indirectly challenged anyone who has any meaningful contribution to make to come forward, rather than operating in a ghost-like style, and join in the fight against corruption. Tokunbo Adisa wrote from Ikirun, Osun State. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.
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Mail Mirror
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Plague of child witch-hunt in Nigeria
C Now that EFCC has gathered steam It is a fact today that corruption has become a big blot on the escutcheon of Nigeria. The development is so worrisome that it has given Nigeria a bad image in the comity of nations. Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, cases of official misuse of resources for personal enrichment have become the other of the day, thereby resulting in the poor living conditions of the generality of the citizenry. Worried by the increasing wave of corruption cases, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was established in 2003 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Its mission statement is to get rid of economic and financial crimes and to effectively coordinate the domestic efforts of the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. So far, the Commission has succeeded in helping victims of fraudsters, both in Nigeria and abroad. As a result, Nigeria is fast sloughing-off its reputation as a country steep in corruption. Evidence abounds in the ongoing trial of some high-profile corrupt individuals and government officials, including former governors like Ihedi Ohakim, Muritala Nyako and sons and Alhaji Sule Lamido and sons, among others. The message in this is that the Commission has zero tolerance to corruption. However, in spite of its laudable efforts, there is no gainsaying the fact that the Commission still requires the support of Nigerians and event the government at all levels in its fight against corruption. This can be realized if the Commission is adequately funded. Like it is being suggested in some quarters, the Commission should be allowed to take certain percentage of the recovered monies forfeited by individuals to finance its operations. It is obvious that the anti-graft agency has been a blessing to our great nation. So, now that it has gathered steam, so to say, what remains is to continue to goad the Commission not to rest on its oars. Temitope Ayodele, Lagos
Letters to the Editor
hildren in Nigeria suffer brutality in so many horrendous ways. They include child trafficking, childlabour, child-assault and so on. One infamous means of brutality against children is the shameful child-witch parade. The presence of children labelled as “child witches” is
known to a lot of people across the nation and practised nationwide. These labeled witches or wizards are shamed, humiliated, tortured and blamed for life’s problems like sicknesses, untimely death, loss of job, poverty and so on. These children are draped in ugly togas of witchcraft accusa-
A child hustling, Wash one’s windscreen for money, on Broad Street.
tion and made to suffer horrendous violations. The children are taken to shrines, churches and traditionalists, who employ means such as prayers, sacrifices, flogging and so on in the shameful acts of exorcism. It is, however, worrisome that the primary perpetrators of these evils are the family members of
PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN
Benue State University at it again
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he policy of tasking the final year students of Benue State University, Makurdi to pay five hundred naira (N500) each before submitting the original of the West African Senior School Examination results and that of the National Examination Council, is exploitation, duping and unfair rule upon the students. The time these students were seeking for admission into university, their original certificates were yet to be out and their statement of results were what the school accepted to offer them admission, having gone through and successfully making it in Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) conducted Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and
post UTME test conducted by the school. As a matter of necessity and transparency, I would like the university authorities to explain why collecting a fee of five hundred naira per student just for the submission of his or her original result? Was it the fault of these students that their certificates or rather, their original results were not ready at the time they were to apply for admission to the school? The university management should not use its pent up anger over the five month old strike that has crippled academic activities in the varsity on these innocent students because they were not and still not responsible for. I have known the Vice Chan-
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Man-know-man will destroy us
an-know-man is the popular parlance for nepotism, part of the unwanted culture we display every day, especially when dispensing political patronages in the country. The unfortunate thing is that some people have been forced to accept it unchallenged. Somebody once told me that why it looks as if our almighty Super Eagles cannot win the World Cup is because of nepotism! This is because, instead of giving the team’s coach the needed free hand to select the best from the pool of available players, “one oga at the top” will
dictate names to him. Before now, after every sport fiesta, a coach will be sacked because of public uproar that heralded the event! I remember in those days when the popular opinion was “bring foreign coach” to Nigeria, but, several foreign coaches have come and gone, but the dream of Aso-Rock kissing the World Cup trophy has not materialized. Similarly, there was a report I read in a newspaper some years ago about how senators, ministers, representatives flooded the Federal
cellor of the institution, Professor Charity Angya, as a mother, who always listens to the cry of her children (students) and take action that put smile on their faces. I strongly believe that as soon as she gets this message, something would be quickly done to put a permanent halt to this illegal payment of N500 fee, all in the name of submission of the so called original result. However, should the reverse be the case, I am using this medium to call on the Students Union Government of the institution, under the leadership of Bobby Bem Tarvershima, to rightly and aggressively kick against this exploitative policy of the university authorities. Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja (08179289948)
Inland Revenue Service office with the names of their friends, relations and cronies for employment. The story is just the true reflection of what is happening in some establishments in Nigeria. If you don’t have a brother, an uncle or a relation who is a senator, a rep, or like we usually say in pigging English, “somebody wey know somebody”, then, you have to wait for God’s miracle to grant you your desire! Nepotism encourages laziness because, if a young man realizes
these children who feel a need to rid these children of the supposed ‘evil spirits.’ Other gross remedies employed, include beating, chaining, sawing, tying up, starving and nails driven into the head. These superstitious and unfounded beliefs have become a fertile ground for churches, shrines and traditionalists who now claim to possess power to effect exorcism and deliverance on these hapless children in exchange for cash and other material benefits. These children are driven out of homes by parents, ostracised by the community, and end up on the streets eating from garbage, if they are lucky enough. They may even progress to societal vices like drug abuse, pick pocketing and robbery for sustenance. The children suffer the risk of being trafficked out of the country or to far flung parts of the country. There is also a high rate of teenage pregnancy amongst the girls after being sexually abused due to their vulnerability. All these and many more characterize the violation of the right to dignity of children in Nigeria through the child witch-hunt, which is a prevalent practice in many states of the country. It is worrisome that these happen in spite of the various legislations protecting the rights of the child in the country. One lesson we can take away from that is the fact that legislations are nothing but mere words if there is no resolve to make positive changes by the stakeholders involved. It, therefore, behooves on everybody to fight this unwholesome practice by doing everything to alleviate the plight of these children and report all cases of abuse to the relevant law enforcement agents. Emmanuel Ayoola, is an Abuja-based lawyer and child rights activist
that whether he works hard or not, there is a job waiting for him somewhere by the virtue of his father or mother being at the top, he will say to himself, what then is the need to work hard? But, for a young man who knows that he has no firm anchor or support from anybody or community, his hope of a better tomorrow becomes a pipe dream if he doesn’t move from his comfort zone to shape his tomorrow. Comrade Edwin Ekene Uhara, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
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FRIDAY
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here seems to be an imminent threat to the job of Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, who came into office about two years ago. Friday Flavor gathered that so far, so many petitions have been raised to this effect, all in a bid to get the President, Muhammadu Buhari to relieve her of the position. Two days ago, an indefinite strike was embarked upon by the staff of Nigerian Tourism Development Agency (NTDC) over the failure of the Director-General Mbanefo to abide by the agreement signed with the staff on 2nd of March 2015 on promotion, improper placement, use of consultancy services as well as other administrative issues that had hitherto generated controversies. This development has halted activities in the agency. Tourism workers are alleging that the DG embezzled over N300m released by the Federal Government for the development of the Corporation, staff training and welfare and therefore demanded that President Buhari should sack her with immediate effect. Friday Flavour reported that workers embarked on an indefinite sit-out from 16th February to 5th March over the alleged embezzlement by the NTDC management led by Mbanefo over N1.2bn which was purportedly diverted to personal pockets while claiming to have used it for non-existing projects. The staffers carried placards with inscriptions such as, ‘All We Are Saying: Sally Must Go’, ‘Domestic Tourism Promotion is not about visit to government house for selfish interest’; ‘Pls Baba, Save NTDC The Apex Tourism Implementing Agency From Extinction Under
Sally’ among others. Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the issue, the Chairman, FCT Chapter of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Comrade Anthony Benjamin admitted that Mbanefo reneged on the signed agreement saying that the strike would continue until the DG was removed by President Muhammadu Buhari and replaced with a competent professional. According to him, “we have copied our letters to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation but it appears that they don’t supervise the parastatals well because they all have problems”. He said “today is the second day, don’t forget that during the February strikes, we succumbed to their appeals not because we were satisfy but out of patriotism for the growth and development of tourism; but this time around, it’s a fight to finish.” He described the DG as an incompetent tourism manager that has been squandering money in NTDC without achieving any meaningful result while regretting the fact those countries like Gambia, South Africa and Kenya etc depended on tourism for their economic growth. On whether he was aware that no fund has been released for capital project this year, he said, “the overhead have been released which can be used in carrying out some of the projects needed”. Reacting to the strike, the Chairman NTDC branch of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Comrade Okpomo Samuel Unwuchola maintained that the DG signed an agreement with
One Nite with Cox
W
ay paves for lovers of Jazz music, at Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event is tagged: ‘One Nite: Live & Unplugged with Brian Cox’. The event is set to entertain visitors with music from the popular jazz musician, Brian Cox. The August edition of the monthly show holds on Saturday August 29, 2015, doors open by 9pm till 2am on Sunday 30th August 2015.
Brain cox event
Carnival in Nigeria
Sally Mbanefo
some individuals and private organisations with the aim of increasing the revenue of NTDC. He regretted that the DG failed to account for the proceeds realised through events sponsorship by these private organisations, add-
ing that she has been engaging in reckless spending, employing people and placing them on jumbo salary ahead of more competent staff and other numerous misconducts. According to him, “we are in charge of management of the entire tourist sites across the states but today, the tourist sites are dilapidated and cannot be upgraded by NTDC”. Unwuchola lamented that NTDC have shunned local and international festivals like Osun-Oshogbo, Argungun, Durbar as well as international exhibitions this year, which he believed was a contributory factor to the extinction of domestic tourism. In March, the DG of NTDC, Dr Sally Mbanefo had denied the allegation of her involvement in the embezzlement of N1.2bn saying the allegation was baseless. Friday Flavour efforts to reach Mbanefo over the allegations against her proved abortive as she neither picked calls nor replied emails and text messages sent to her phone as at press time.
Comrade Anthony Benjamin admitted that Mbanefo reneged on the signed agreement saying that the strike would
DG was removed by President Muhammadu Buhari WEEKEND STARTERS continue until the
Seyi Law at MVP
I
t’s happing live in Lagos at the MVP Lounge this Sunday, Looking for best place to have a good time, to laugh and forget your sorrow this weekend, Comedy Club with Seyi Law at the MVP Lounge is the best option for you. The Lounge opens by 6pm on Sunday 30th August 2015.
Seyi Law
Arty
Joel Ajayi
Inside FCT P. 24-25
Mbanefo in trouble over NTDC staffers’ petition
News P. 32, 33
16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND
Critics P. 22-23
Friday, August 28, 2015
Flavour
MI for Beat of Lagos
H
ere is another opportunities for Lagos high rollers to turn up at the Federal Palace hotel located at Ahmadu Bello way, Victoria Island, Lagos. The hottest event in town holds Sunday 30th August 2015, Artistes to perform include, the popular Chocolate City Boys; M.I Abaga, Ice Prince, Jesse Jags, Jj Lambo, Victoria Kimani, Koker, Nosa, Dice Ailes, Milli, Dj Caise and many others. Red Carpet starts 5pm.
MI
Mirror Mongers P. 26
19
20
Artman In The House
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Scriptwriters suffer from Nigeria’s disdain Chyke Bryan is a script-writer and a house hold name in Nollywood industry and the current National President of Script Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN). He faced a fatal challenge in 2013 with a kidney working at 5%. In this interview with IMOLEAYO FATUNASE, he gives insight into the challenges and controversies that surrounded his illness and the challenges that confront script writers in Nollywood. Excerpts:
Bryan
W
hat was growing up like and how did you come to terms with what script writing is all about? I was born in Onitsha, Anambra State just before the civil war ended, my earthly parents are from Enugu State, and I grew up in Enugu Town. My primary and secondary school was in Enugu. I studied Theatre Arts between 1988 and 1992 at University of Calaber were I graduated with 2nd class upper degree. Studying Theatre Arts, I would say is my first initiation into arts as it relates to performance. People say so much about your personality but can you give us an insight of what your personality is and what has mostly defined your life? I have been married for the past 16 years. I believe that the Almighty has a wife for everyman; my wife is indeed a wife. It is very important that every man marries his own wife. When you marry your own wife, your adult life will be easier and comfortable. The bible preaches that “whosoever finds a wife obtains favour from God”. This favour is mainly for people who find the right wife. I am actually married to the most wonderful and most beautiful woman on earth. You have to meet my wife to begin to appreciate what I just said and God has been gracious enough to bless us with the most
adorable and wonderful children any couple prays for. God has been indeed faithful to me on the home front. I am eternally grateful to him for such a wife and such children. Children they say are the heritage of the Lord, therefore they should not be numbered. According to the bible, God was very angry with David because he numbered Israel. So it won’t be necessary to mention the number of my children. You are sounding very spiritual, are you one of those that believe inspiration of the artist is something spiritual? Hmmm, I take time off to stay indoors and recoil to my God....Yeah I find a lot of relaxation with and in God. As I study and meditate on His word, I discovered that my frayed nerves are usually calmed.
And then something else happens; inspiration comes. Inspiration for story ideas, businesses ideas, and inspiration for everything come at such times. It’s so wonderful how these things happen. But I have to discover that the creative ideas I have are generated in His presence or when I am in His presence. Sometimes it even comes while I am in church service. I also get great story ideas by listening to people’s discussions and stories. They may not know that I am eavesdropping but I always take the best good and best of their conversations. I have gotten great film stories through such ways; I get ideas from their story and put it into my work. Travelling to various villages is also a source of inspiration for me; I like to do this when I need epic stories or village stories. As I walk around the serene environment, look at the rustic environment, listen to the village folks, go about their daily chores, I am inspired to get story ideas and good story characters. It is also an avenue for me to get good Mozart music/good jazz music. Whenever I need to juggle my brain I look for a quiet place, secluded place where I can listen to ideas as they sip in very constructively manner, and then I pick it, write it down, hold on to it and later give it more thought. It is very important to write the idea down in order not to forget and loose the idea. How were you able to manage controversies surrounding your health, and how you were able to manage to overcome these challenges? My being alive today is a miracle. Yes because miracles are the supernatural intervention of God in the affairs of men’s life. Without warning around August 2013, I fell ill. Upon examination in the hospital I was diagnosed with kidney failure. My kidneys were said to be functioning at 5%, it was more like a hopeless situation. First my family stepped in, my immediate constituency in the film industry stepped in, and the responses
from my colleagues were overwhelming. Their show of concern was so touching, my Guild members and the entire Guild heads, reacted promptly and several of them visited me in the hospital. I was so touched and I never knew that I have up to that number that loved me. I was surprised to see those people who really want me alive. The show of care from the entire Nollywood was unprecedented. They came physically; donated money and finally Ibinabo Fibresima, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria reached out to the former President of the country, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. He was magnanimous enough and he stepped into the matter and finally God stepped in. I’m alive today and by the grace of God, I will continue to be sound alive and healthy. As we say in our films “Glory, be to God. Generally what are the challenges you face as a script writer in Nigeria? The challenges I faced at the start of this profession is the same challenges most new or upcoming writers face generally. Back in 1995 when I joined Nollywood, the industry was just fledgling. So breaking in was a huge problem. How do I convince people that I can write? How do you earn their confidence? What I did was to start writing on my own, create my own stories and write them and start marketing them by hawking them around. But it was quite a difficult track to follow. I was somehow fortunate in having a fellow university classmate, Adim Williams who was also trying to gain a foothold in the industry. So we shared ideas on ‘ how to break in’. Finally we co-wrote a script “Closed Chapter” and tried to produce it. Eventually that paid off in
I believe that the Almighty has a wife for everyman; my wife is indeed a wife. It is very important that every man marries his own wife.
When you marry your own
wife, your adult life will be easier and comfortable.
The bible preaches that
“whosoever finds a wife obtains favour from God”. This favour is mainly for people who find the right wife
with Emma Oguguo
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Artman In The House
Friday, August 28, 2015
21
for intellectualism – Chyke Bryan
Bryan
1996 and so we got our big break thereafter. With that came wide knowledge of who we are and what we can do. In Nigeria scriptwriting is the most tedious and most strenuous part of film making. Why do I say so? When considering the fact that it is the only aspect practiced in isolation; I mean alone. Every other aspect is practiced in collaboration with others or as a team. But in script writing, you are all alone in your room or wherever you are writing from. Just you and your laptop along side your thinking faculty. So in essence, you generate your ideas. Think it through, Weigh it all alone and then write all alone, no external input or motivation from external influence or persons. You really slug it out alone which can be quite frustrating. The debilitating condition of the environment is another factor; noise all around, incessant power outage and several others. Closed Chapter is your first script? Yes. That was my first script written in 1996. I co-wrote the script with Adim Williams. And both of us equally produced the film together that same 1996. As a script writer, what message do your scripts convey? It is not really about me, as a writer. I convey the message of the story I am telling in d best possible way. Talking about conveying the message, I would say it is really a tool, a tool that must be available to be used for the story. Now the exposure
of the talent flair in harnessing the resources at his disposal determines how the story comes out or turns out. Other factors also affect its outcome. I mean the outcome of the story it is killing at that point in time. In essence, the story being told determines the message that will be conveyed. How can you compare Nigerian script writers with their counterparts abroad? The Nigerian script writers are not well-respected; I say this with all sense of responsibility. The practitioners do not give the writer his or her due respect. And I think it arises from the average Nigerian’s disdain for everything “intellectual”. I once heard from a producer in his bid to pay me peanuts that the only thing a script is costing me to produce is “ten naira biro and 50 naira exercise book” such an outrageous thinking. One of the reasons why you cannot find my name on today movies is “very funny fee”. When you tell them how much you want to collect, they will go and call their unemployed cousin who just left the university and “who can write”. It’s a very rowdy environment not helped by lack of organised and systemized practice. Anybody can come in and for what he or she feels he or she can come into film industry. Entry regulation is porous or nonexistent with due respect to the Guild system in place. Are you saying Nigerian entertainment industry does not favour writers? My answer is a straight no but who does the favour and at what degree is what matters here? You see there is lot of activities going on. Daily films are being produced, programmes are being churned. The entertainment sector is opening up, people have to engage writers to do the initial thing and come up with a driving underlining. What has happened recently is that it has become more demanding to practice and survive as a writer. One needs to get more creative to remain relevant. So it all depends on the strata where one is and what that person makes out of his creative potentials and abilities. There will always be those who will remain at low level and eat the crumbs and be satisfied and others at high level that will eat “the good of the land” of entertainment. So it all depends on one’s personal drive and determination. What is your impression of the current stage of the industry? For me the film industry is ever evolving. It is still burgeoning. A whole lot seem to have taken place, but the truth of d matter is that a whole lot more is yet to take place. There is so much ignorance around; a whole lot of practitioners are uninformed about certain basic requirements. They have to understand their roles in the society as moral gate keepers and entertainment precursors. A lot still view it with only a mercantile mind and approach, the pecuniary aspect is their first and primary drive and this is quite unfortunate because of the role of movies in the society. Films ought to shape ideas and shape the society, It
With some Nollywood stars
ought to drive a society towards a particular direction, But in a situation where a greater percentage of those on the driving seats are uninformed or misinformed about their expected roles, what do you get? The vehicle keeps wobbling and groping until a suitably qualified driver comes on board. Now the euphoria of the novelty of film in Nigeria has settled down. A well articulated policy ought to take over. But I think we like to thrive in an unorganized setting in other for us to get to the desired destination, this ship must be steered and navigated with a compass by a qualified captain or captains. What is your advice to young, aspiring and upcoming writers?
Work on being and not on having; they should concentrate on being the best in the field and not on earning the most. Initial efforts and energy should be concentrated on acquiring the necessary tools to produce sound scripts. Good education, good command of English, excellent communication skills, high developed imaginative ability to concentrate and focus mentally, excellent relationship with the Almighty God, some little level of business sense, mingling and networking at tight places and above all, become a member of the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria ( S.W.G.N) . It is the only body for screen writers in the country for those writing for film and television.
Bryan
Travelling to various villages is also a source of inspiration for me; I like to do this when I need epic stories or village stories. As I walk around the serene environment, look at the rustic environment, listen to the village folks go about their daily chores, I am inspired to get story ideas and good story characters
22
Critics
FILM
Friday, August 28, 2015
‘Project Act Nollywood’ and President Buhari
The genuine intention behind setting up this laudable scheme by former President Goodluck Jonathan has been derailed by our colleagues in Nollywood. Alex Eyengho
T
he scheme was meant to energise and reposition the industry in three fold through the provision of grants to applicant-stakeholders in the industry to tackle key challenges of distribution, capacity building and contents production. But alas, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and her consultants got it all awfully wrong from the outset by putting the cart before the horse. Now, let us historicize albeit in capsule for the purpose of clear understanding of the issue at hand. After former President Jonathan announced the N3 billion grant scheme and Dr. (Mrs) Okonjo-Iweala as its manager, she organized a couple of meetings with stakeholders in the industry on how we want the grant to be utilized. In order of priority, we itemized the following: putting in place effective distribution system to tackle the menace of piracy, capacity building for key practitioners in the industry (writers, directors, producers, camera handlers, editors etc) and production of contents. Participants at these meetings unanimously endorsed this industry position. Sadly however, and with-
MUSIC
out consulting the industry, Dr. OkonjoIweala went ahead to engage consultants, most of them foreigners who know next to nothing about our industry, to manage the scheme. I personally wonder, what then is the role of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC)? What about the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)? These are statutory federal regulatory agencies for the industry. Is there anything these expatriate consultants know about the industry or can do about the scheme that a tripartite Project Management Committee of the NFC, NFVCB and NCC would not have been able to handle and deliver on record time at no extra fee? Who, and from what source were these Okonjo-Iweala’s consultants paid or to be paid? From the N3 billion grant, I hope not! These are some of the unanswered questions begging for answers. Back to my historical trajectory of the Project Act Nollywood. The expatriate consultants decided to reorder the order already outlined by the industry vis-à-vis the disbursement of the grant and general execution of the project. They now placed capacity building first, contents production second, and distribution third. Simply put, they now decided to put the cart before the horse, without having the courtesy of first consulting the industry. I think this is preposterous. The industry identified ineffective distribution as its major challenge yet, as I speak, not a kobo has been disbursed to any distributor or aspiring distributor in the industry from the N3 billion Project Act Nollywood grant. Why should you waste money on
set production of contents when there is no efficient, auditable and accountable distribution system in place? Are you not simply providing food for the pirates? The distribution challenge should have first been tackled, followed by capacity building and then contents production coming last in the tripod disbursement strategy of the grant. Another development that was extremely nauseating and unbearably choking to me is the fact that handlers of the Project Act Nollywood dangled it as a carrot to get stakeholders in the industry
to become clappers and dancers for former President Jonathan at his various political campaign rallies during his failed 2nd term project. Virtually all the beneficiaries of the capacity building and contents production legs of the tripod grant fall into this category. I dare to be contradicted on this score. However, let me sound this as an advice and indeed a note of warning to all the ex President Jonathan clappers and dancers in the industry who benefitted from the contents production grant to, in their own interest go to location and use
Adekunle Gold’s Orente
Adekunle gold
A portrayal that hits could be made from rhythms and tradition Imoleayo fatunase
S
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
tarting from the rhythmic beginning of the song, Orente by Adekunle gold is no doubt as it is one of the best in town presently. Orente defines a lady who is beautiful, loyal, faithful and attractive, the YBNL act performed the
role of the lover boy, It is noticeable to see the chemistry between him and the lead Actress. Adekunle Gold explores his alternative style, charming good look plus good voice in this music video, I must to say he is among the best vocalists in the Nigeria music industry today! He acted with the right demonstrations needed in the video, if he is going to choose another profession; it should definitely be “Acting”. The sounds of the instrumentals in the song are awesome! You can easily pick the sounds of the instruments. Uniqueness is what defines the video. The video stands out to be “Original Naija” as it choose to show case the traditional life in Nigeria; The beautiful African costumes, the glory of Nigeria environment, the green pastures, Nigeria market structures,
The beauty of various locations in the ancient city of
Osogbo, where
the video was shot added more flavour to it
the hills, the traditional attires and the traditional dance chose instead of clubbing and night parties are all great ideas that make the video different, lovely and unique compared to most of Nigeria music videos that showcase Naked girls and Immoral acts. The scenes in the funny loving video falls in accordance to the message, right from the bedroom to the market, from the Dorobucci toasting arena to the love field. The scenes are awesome; It portrays the storyline of the song and also a good product of best cinematographic works. The music audio is produced by the seasoned Oscar who also produces some great sounds like Niyola’s “toh bad”, ‘Tiff ’ by Simi and ‘Collabo’ from popular P’Square featuring the Mavin boss ‘Don Jazzy’. The music video is directed and produced by MEX films. Right from his first debut single titled “Sade” the singer has been giving the best sound, reasonable music and good music to his fans. Let’s have a glance at his first single “Sade”; Sade is a love song with melodious Afrobeat influences, the song covey love story of two love birds, it is a mix of both Yoruba and Pidgin language. The song generates popularity for its self to the extent that you hardly pass through a street in Lagos without hearing the song from a corner, the song paves way for YBNL act into the Nigeria music industry. After the ‘Sade’ era, the
new Orente has easily fit into the street anthem, both old and young people are fans of the song. The lovers easily assimilate the song from words to words because of the simplicity of the lyrics and the understandable manner that is constructed. However, related to his name “Adekunle Gold”. He passes the message that ‘All that glitters is not Gold’ which is more unless a sermon to young people in love relationship. Love, faithfulness, loyalty, and keeping away from distraction is the message of the song. The video expresses the relationship between two young people in the society. The video went deep to the grass root to explain what love truly means to some young men and ladies out there who still truly believes to be satisfied with whatever their lovers has to offer them even though there is no much riches to take them places, they just take whatever they have available to make themselves happy and comfortable. The beauty of various locations in the ancient city of Osogbo, where the video was shot added more flavour to it. The famous Nike Art gallery and museum, Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, Osogbo City Stadium and the Nigerian Railway Corporation Osogbo are some of the popular landmarks in Osogbo that the video was shot. Kudos to Adekunle Gold for the good work.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Collecting the grant and not using it for the purpose it was meant for amounts to economic and
financial crime.
Some
of us will drop this issue at the doorsteps of the
Critics
Friday, August 28, 2015
EFCC and
ICPC in no distant future. the grant for what it is meant for. Most of them collected the grant and went straight into new marriages, purchasing new cars, renting new apartments, servicing old debts etc. I must make it manifestly clear to them that the grant is taxpayers money meant for a specific purpose. It is meant to tackle some of the challenges of the industry, create employment and ultimately energize the industry. This has not happened thus far. For me, collecting the grant and not using it for the purpose it was meant for amounts to economic and financial crime. It also amounts to corruption. It is economic sabotage. Some of us will drop this issue at the doorsteps of the EFCC and ICPC in no distant future. Thank God a new Sheriff is in town at the federal level. This Sheriff has very short plug for corruption, economic and financial crimes. We can no longer allow people to give the industry a bad name by collecting money meant to be used for specific purposes in the industry but end up diverting it into other things. Each of the beneficiaries collected between N5 million to N10 million for contents production. They must show proof of such contents they have produced or be ready to face the law. Some of the beneficiaries are the same characters who destroyed the image of the industry before Eco bank with a failed N100 million project. This is no longer acceptable. For me, I think President Muhammadu Buhari should first look into the books of the Project Act Nollywood before deciding whether to continue with it or not. Let the project managers and consultants first account fully for the N3 billion in their care vis-à-vis the journey so far and how it has impacted on the industry. Thereafter, whatever is left of the scheme should be handed over to the NFC, NFVCS and NCC to manage in consultation with the industry. As far as I am concerned, President Buhari should strengthen the NCC, Custom and Police to fight piracy headlong. There is no need to set up any committee to achieve this. No new committee was set up before the late Prof Dora Akunyuli reformed NAFDAC and sent fake drug criminals packing. The law must be reformed to hang death sentence or life imprisonment without option of fine on pirates and other intellectual property robbers. This offence must be criminalized. This is a sure way to go. Romanizing the issue will take us nowhere. Finally, what the industry need from President Buhari at the moment is not grants or loans. This is least in our long list of challenges. The President should create enabling environment for us. *Eyengho, is President, Association of Nollywood Producers, ANCOP, and Vice President, International Federation of Film Producers Associations, FIAPF.
23
BOOK
Gorilla of the Niger Delta This book explores the familiar and investigates it in the way only literature is known to Joseph Omotayo
T
he marginalisation of the Niger Delta is one we all know, thanks to the mass media. Gorilla of the Niger Delta surpasses reports in the mass media to give us some closure. Reality stings us, inundates us and we are soon inured. In getting used to horrors we create some distancing. Distancing protects us from trauma. Fiction does otherwise; it bites us in its imaginariness, makes us co-participants as the familiar is beaten into appreciative appeals. Adekule gold orente This book makes the oil trouble of cold breeze the Niger Delta almost a new experiengulfed them. “We ence for me. are close”. Suddenly Delano dived and That is one of the many things I appulled his companion to the ground, preciate about the book. The main issue in the book is the gloom “Down!” he shouted. As they fell on the of a region exploited than it is enriched. ground, gunshots exploded near them. Akpoveta Akpoviri creates conundrums Delano swiftly rolled over and crawled in the around this known exploitation to mes- grass, his Colt 45 revolver in hand.” (pg. 115116) merize. This book excites for the most part of it. His book thrills for those who hanA kidnap happens, and the many conflicts ker after tensed actions, sweetened conin the book begin: man’s greed and comeupflicts and smooth resolutions; which are pances; nature’s degradation and avoidable known features of a thriller. poverty , a country’s woes and her seeming It will be as though you are seeing Jack rescue. Baueresque flicks. There are kicks, bulThis book packs multifarious conflicts in lets, street cred and gores. one. “Davis walked out of the room. DelaOn one hand is the kidnap of an Amerino immediately made a quick check on can envoy and the hidden agendas it serves. the apartment, making sure it wasn’t On the other side are little but germane conbugged. Certain that the room was safe, flicts between individuals and groups. he walked over to the 32 inch LG plasma With the envoy’s kidnap, the diploscreen and switched it on. He moved matic tie between Nigeria and America is away towards the couch and threw himthreatened. Many messes follow through. self on it. Picking up his luggage, he Delano, an American resourceful officer is opened it and brought out a parcel he had summoned to rescue one of his own. The neatly tucked away under the bottom of situations that engulf him in Nigeria tar the bag. No matter how hard you would and change him. have searched the luggage, you wouldn’t Delano’s survival through it all opens have even suspected that something lay up the hypocrisy and the class struggle in there. He opened it and picked out the that often masks a part of the Niger Delta parts of his dismantled Colt 45 bit by bit, revolution, a commixture of those seeking and a jack knife.” (pg. 48) mints and gains and those who seek true “…They moved on along the path. A emancipation. Gorilla of the Niger Delta tasks your knowledge of the Niger Delta nd please who travails. A reader’s foreknowledge of the impovpainted ona isa erishment of the region comes in handy. ablo icasso There are several metamorphoses of characters, from the good to the not-too good or eonardo da and vice versa; there is the priest, there is the Commissioner of Police, Davis and othinci thought ers. eonardo da inci There is also a toppling of deeply mired high ranking personalities. did and ablo This book nearly flops some ways, for one, it encourages lazy reading. There are icasso arguably many unnecessary annotations for instole it consequential things. Words are wasted.
A
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See this on Muritala Mohammed International Airport: “It was six pm at the Murtala Mohammed International (MMA) Airport in Nigeria, one of the foremost Airports built in Nigeria after independence, one recently given a facelift by the present administration in their drive for better infrastructure development within the Aviation industry, in order to stall the frequent accidents in the country. It had been christened after the Late General Murtala Mohammed, assassinated during the Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka coup d’état, which took place in the country in 1976, ten years after the first coup occurred in 1966 led by the Late Kaduna Nzeogwu.” (pg. 43) In this age and the internet, writers should make suggestions and let the readers go work them out. There is Google. On page 89 the same happens again: “Her present health condition was not getting better, for she suffered from osteoporosis, a condition that causes fractures of the hip, ribs, or vertebras leading to frailness in elderly people.” (pg. 89) And please who painted Mona Lisa? Pablo Picasso or Leonardo da Vinci? I thought Leonardo da Vinci did and Pablo Picasso arguably stole it: “A huge picture frame of the Mona Lisa portrait by Pablo Picasso gracefully adorned one end of the room.” (pg. 6) The central theme in this book is replete with materials online. The author intrudes on me many times. I like when a book pushes me to look things up on my own. The writer bores one with his attempt to explain all. Lastly, this underestimates the reader. Why explain what pidgin is? Whom do you write for? “He made a quick coffee and handed it over to the girl. She looked at it and declined. “You know get any food for here?” she asked him in the fashionable Nigerian slang popularly christened Pidgin English by the locals, because it is a corrupted form of the original English” (pg. 82)
24
Inside FCT
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Booming business of ‘summer lesson’ centres Marcus Fatunmole
A
s the resumption dates for new academic year for pre-primary, primary and secondary education draw near in the Federal Capital Territory and across the federation, summer lesson centres are booming, and are on the rise in the nation’s capital. Like common businesses such as small provision stores, food stores and other small scale enterprises that require small capital to set up, lesson centres for children and teenagers sprawl across nooks and crannies of satellite communities in the city, but they are very limited in the city’s centre, the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC. Inside FCT checks showed that summer lesson is one of the easy-to-set-up businesses and yields revenue than imagined during holidays. Children pay between N300 to N2500 weekly for summer lesson, depending on the popularity of a lesson venue. An average of 50 children could be available at a centre. Inside FCT findings further revealed that enrolment of pupils or students at lesson centres is mostly determined by social-economic conditions of parents of enrollees. AMAC, comprising largely high-brow residential areas, has limited number of lesson centres. This follows decision of most parents to engage home tutors for their children. Some parents believe this method enables teachers to focus more on their assignment. However, others opine distractions in the home reduce level of concentration among children. There are yet others who reason that knowledge sharing among children is lacking in this method.
School children
In hundreds of satellite communities sprawling across the FCT, clusters of lesson centres are available in each. One of the operators of the centres in Nuwalege, a village along the Airport Road, who pleaded not to be named said the centres allow parents to focus on their day-to-day activities and serves x as means of keeping children engaged while not in school. The operator said: “Summer lesson is a semi-school where some of the important things that were missed by teachers in regular school are taught. Topics are carefully selected to ensure children cover scheme of work for any particular academic session. We look through the books they used in school immediately they enroll and tell us their classes. We teach them in a relaxed manner against the usual rush in regular school. A main advantage in this method is that assimilation is always very high. We give them enough take-home work which they also have enough time to do whenever they leave our centre.”
The proprietor however lamented influx of “all-comers” into the business. Her words: “When you see what happens with this type of programme out there, you will discover that government really needs to step in. There is gross corruption. Imagine someone who didn’t attend any school setting up a ‘lesson’ centre just because he can speak pidgin language. Some people just explore the opportunity of many children that are available in the village to make money. That should not be the case. A programme of this kind should be left completely for either the educated or semi-educated ones, because it will surely impact level of success the nation records in its education sector.” No doubt, summer lesson is generally good for children. It is cheap and
takes a short time of the day. But, the programme lacks standardization, unlike the conventional school system. Children of different ages and classes are brought together to be taught and quality of teaching is usually very poor. There is no regulation by government and the system is being abused, and further worsens the already widening depth of corruption in the country. In most Abuja’s satellite communities visited by Inside FCT, the number of summer lesson centres is more than the number of regular schools. Studentsteacher ratio is alarmingly poor and security of children is not guaranteed. Health experts are not available to attend to emergency; neither are first aid drugs and other tools available. “It is very good for children to attend lesson during holidays. It helps them to be consistent with learning and be less playful. But, I think government should look into how most of these operators set up the centres. They should look into hygiene, convenience, quality of teaching and security among others in the centres. Do the operators possess requisite qualification to teach such students? Are the grouping of the children into classes reflects what obtains in regular schools?” said a parent in Nuwalege, Mrs. Onyeka Udo during an interview with National Mirror.
The programme lacks standardisation, unlike the conventional school system.
Children of different ages and classes are brought together to be taught and quality of teaching is usually very poor
Gwagwalada’s refuse dumps Gloria Usman
R
esidents of Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), have cried out over heaps of refuse crrently threatening the health and well-being of the people. Inside FCT went round some major towns of the area council, to notice heaps of refuse at different corners with passers-by covering their noses to avoid the offensive stench. Some of the residents in separate interviews decried the non-evacuation of the refuse, saying it exposes them to health hazard. They said that they usually dump their refuse at the designated spots for collection every week by the assigned contractors, but they were at sea why the heaps of refuse had not been evacuated for two months now. Hajiya Sani, a civil servant said the heaps of refuse by the roadsides, aside being an eye sore, were interrupting free flow of traffic and called on concerned authorities urgently evacuate them. “It is very sad to know that the government does not care of the people living in this
area. Imagine the heaps of refuse on the roadsides in front of the market. It is really an eye sore. The smell from this waste could cause a serious health hazard to people,’’ she lamented. Sonto Nwuoke, a trader at the Gwagwalada market, , explained that they usually pay levies for the evacuation of the refuse, ``yet the heaps of refuse are still not cleared. We have no choice than to dump it by the roadside as we cannot leave the refuse in front of our shops.” When Inside FCT team, contacted, Secretary of the area council, Alhaji Usman Yahaya, he absolved the council of any blame, saying the responsibility of evacuating refuse in the area was that of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT).. “Initially it was the responsibility of the council to evacuate refuse, but a new
Refuse dump beside a major road
system was then introduced by the Minister of States for the Federal Capital Territory. Consultants had been engaged by MFCT to clear the refuse but were being paid from the council’s account,’’ he said. Yahaya explained that the council’s account has already been debited for
Yahaya explained that the council’s account has already been debited for the exercise and that it has made efforts through the
Environment Department to remind the Ministry of FCT to clear the waste
the exercise and that it has made efforts through the Environment Department to remind Ministry of FCT to clear the waste. According to him, “We have been kicking against this method. As you can see the town is gradually taking over by refuse. Evacuation has not been done as it should be. What the problem is I do not know”. He advised government to reverse the trend and revert to the old system where the responsibility for waste evacuation was strictly that of the council’s authorities.
Friday, August 28, 2015 13 Thul-Qedah, 1436
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
25
Call to Worship
On the authority of Anas bin Malik, the servant of the Messenger of Allah, the prophet said: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” RELATED BY BUKHARI AND MUSLIM
Hajj: Ideal meeting point for humanity T
he Islamic pilgrimage is another living testimony of the beauty of Islaam. Every year, during the pilgrimage season, the world witnesses the wonderful spectacle of this international exhibition of Islaam in levelling all distinctions of races, colour and rank. Not only that the Europeans, the Africans, the Indians, the Chinese all meet together in Makkah as members of one divine family, but they are all clad in one dress, every person in two simple pieces of white seamless cloth, one piece round the loin and the other piece over the shoulders, bare-headed, without pomp or ceremony, repeating, “Here I am, O God, at your command; you are one and the only; Here I am ”. Thus, you are not able to distinguish between the low and the high, the rich and the poor, the white and the black. The entire pilgrims are seen chanting the same glorifications at the same time, in the same place and in the same way. The world has never been able to produce such a gathering of between two and three million worshippers with such uniqueness. It is indeed a beauty of Islaam. It is a divine design and can never be manmade. In this regards, Professor Hurgronje has said: “The league of nations founded by the Prophet of Islaam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such a universal foundations as to show candle to other nations. The fact remains that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islaam has done towards the realisation of the idea of leagues of nations. The Islamic mode of worship is the same everywhere in the world. There is no disparity. One observes an exact uniformity”. It has no equivalent in any other religion of the world. It is unique with Islaam. It is performed in a specific month of the year and for a known number of days. It is a commonwealth of Believers in Allah (SWT). It is a practical interpretation of the brotherhood of humanity. It brings equality to limelight, as the kings, leaders and their subjects are subjected to the same ethics and manners. “The pilgrimage to Mecca, the huge assembly of Believers from all five continents, the gathering together of a multitude of worshippers of all races on the plane of Arafat is perhaps the most spectacular expression, symbol and proof of unity and brotherhood of man as enunciated and upheld by the religion of Islaam, and it is equally a symbol and proof of the equality of man before Allah, the Supreme Being, as taught by this religion.” The UNO and its organs, Commonwealth, OAU, ECOWAS and the like are merely one of political, economic, cultural, regional or social gatherings whose membership and attendance are strictly limited and even in some a toothless bulldog in establishing justice or stopping aggression. This is not so with the Islamic Hajj. It is a wholesome demonstration of the universality of Islaam and equality of humanity. From all works of life, from all
Lagos must let our girls be 26
trades and classes and from every corner of the globe the Muslims assemble at Makkah in response to the call of Allah (SWT). “By performing pilgrimage to Makkah, you will transcend yourself from being nationalistic, sectarian or denominational into being universal, you will be a part and an essential constituent of the Rainbow of Islaam. You will also be part of the brotherhood of Islaam with those who already submitted themselves to the Creator. At the same time, you will get rid of (if any) inferiority or superiority complex. You will find yourself in synchrony and harmony with all the prophets and messengers of Allah since the creation of Adam and Eve until the last and final Messenger to Mankind, Prophet Muhammad ((SAW). While at Makkah, you will be able to visit the places of revelations of the Qur’aan as well as the places visited by Prophet Abraham and members of his family such as Hajar and Ismaa‘il. You will visit the first house of worship to God on earth, the Ka‘abah. In addition, you will visit the place where the first astronauts – Adam and Eve landed on earth.
The pilgrimage to Mecca, the huge assembly of
Believers from all five continents, the gathering together of a multitude of worshippers of all races on the plane of
Arafat is perhaps the most spectacular expression, symbol and proof of unity and brotherhood of man as enunciated and upheld
by the religion of Islaam, and it is equally a symbol and proof of the equality
Allah, the Supreme Being, as taught
of man before
by this religion
Inner dimension of Hajj (1) 27
Quote
One of the surest ways for a Muslim to attain blessings from Allah is to spend in the way of Allah. The Holy Qur’an says: “Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love; and whatever you spend, Allah surely knows it well.” (3:93). To achieve righteousness, a believer must make sacrifices out of what he loves best, whether it is money, property or possessions. Allah has also promised believers that their sacrifices are rewarded in this life also, for He says in the Holy Qur’an: “Say, Surely my Lord enlarges the provision for such of His Servants as He pleases and straitens it for such as He pleases. And whatever you spend, He will replace it, and He is the Best of Providers.” (34:40)
Hospitality and our responsibilities (2) 31
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Call to Worship
13 Thul-Qedah, 1436 Friday, August 28, 2015
Lagos must let our girls be
I
n the spirit of equity and fairness, the last court judgement obtained by the Lagos State government under the last administration regarding the use of Hijab in public schools must be revisited by the new administration and let our girls in public school who choose to wear hijab on their school uniform be able to do that without any fear of molestation. There must be a stop to the intolerable and continued denial and discrimination against the use of Hijab not only in schools but at passport and visa offices. It has been noted that despite the immigration laws of many countries allowing the use of Hijab for religious purposes, many overzealous staff in many of Nigerian passport aand visa offices nationwide still take laws into their own hand by insisting that Muslim girls should either remove the Hijab or bring out their ears which ultimately distorts the real appear-
ance of such people. As the wind of change is blowing everywhere, things must also change in the way and manner Muslim women using Hijab are treated. Using the Hijab has never hindered the users from excelling in any area of endeavour and there is no reason the Islamic dress code for women should be used as an excuse for molestation. It is high time individuals, organisations and even government should take note as victims of such molestation and harassment will be encouraged to sue for damages. Why must some people be advocating for a legislation to totally ban the use of hijab in Nigeria on the pretext that it is used by terrorist as a cover to launch attacks on innocent Nigerians when many have used suits and other modes of dressing for perpetrating evil without calling for a ban of such dressings. Why should few cases of abuse
of something be used as an excuse to abolish such a thing? Anyway, it will be better for us not to wait for a law that will criminalise the denial of the use of Hijab in this country but for such persons to change their attitude naturally. At this stage in our nation building, is it not a better option to seek for good morals because we seriously need God consciousness, decency among other virtues as antidotes to corruption, immorality and all social vices. It is sad that religion as a subject is relegated to an elective status in our secondary schools at a time when our higher institutions of learning and society in general are afflicted with rape cases, cultism, nudity, examination malpractice, intolerance among other indicators of total moral bankruptcy. Something must be done urgently and part of these includes making religious education a must as well as covering the nakedness of our
Students of Al-Azar College, Lokoja-Kogi State displaying their e-learning tablet
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THE PLATFORM with
Sekinah Lawal t: 08055102994 e: sakinah207@yahoo.com girls and women. Even the so-called civilised societies do not prevent the use of Hijab in public school as witnessed in other climes. As written by one of our daddies, Michelle Obama, as part of activities marking her recent visit to the UK, visited a secondary school in London on Tuesday, 16th June, 2015, see the attached picture. You would be forgiven for thinking that the school is a Muslim school; but it isn’t. Mulberry School for Girls is a secular school funded by government. But do you see the Muslim girls in their hijabs? The UK education authorities do not have a problem with Muslim girls wearing their hijabs in schools - as long as it matches the school colour.
This symbolises freedom of worship. And it takes nothing away from the school or its uniform. According to him, his daughter attended a state-funded secondary school in Bromley, London and wore her Hijab for every single day that she was there. No one had an issue with it. What then is the problem with the Lagos State government as it continues to deprive our girls of this right? And by the way, the school Head Teacher (in black hijab) is a Christian PhD holder who only wore the hijab on the day in support of her many Muslim pupils. In these are examples for us here in Nigeria. We must truly learn to tolerate one another and relate with love and understanding.
Mitchel Obama and Muslim girls
L-R: President, Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, PAAMA, UK, Mrs. Faosat Sanni; immediate past president, Hajia Salma Faruk and Mayor Makeni City Council, Norther SierraLeone, Mayor Sunkarie Kameno at the 2015 Jalsa Salana’s PAAMA dinner.
L-R: Naib Sadr, Lajna Imaillah AMJ Nigeria, Hajia Wakilat Sanusi; National Auditor, Hajia Hanifah Omoyele; Hon. Brou Nareverite from Cote d’ Ivoure at the event.
L-R: Ayesha Lateef and Tabzeera Dosu from USAat the event.
L-R: Some of the executive members of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Lagos Council during the Special Jumat Service to end their Family Week at the Secretarial Central Mosque, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Inner dimension of Hajj (1)
M
an has a lot of things hidden in him, which he cannot see visibly but are fundamental in the functioning of the outer parts of his body. The erection of an edifice too has it strength in the foundation stones, which is hidden underneath the earth. A deeper reflection over everything in life continues to reveal their latent powers. The outward aspects are sustained by the inward components. When man was able to think out the hidden resources in all that Allah (SWT) has created, he came up with the modern technology. The dynamics of all machines is in its inner make-ups. Thus, every concept in Islaam has its own dynamics. It is only when Muslims are able to realize this that they will appreciate their membership of Islaam. It is then that they will be able to discover all the hidden treasures, which Allah (SWT) has stored in the entire cosmos. It is then they will really be ready to adopt in wholesomeness, the Islamic cultural values. We are living in a world where one word can mean as many things as possible to different people. In the parlance of Islaam, every word has its
Call to Worship
Friday, August 28, 2015 13 Thul-Qedah, 1436
proper context and underlying philosophy. The Qur’aan contains only the words of Allah (SWT) and every word therein signifies one basic lesson or the other. We also have the words of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which are referred to as Hadiith. All his authentic sayings are divinely guided and sanctioned. These two - the words of Allah and that of His Prophet - form the basis of a Muslim’s terminologies and definition of terms. These words, which may be in form of a statement(s), phrase(s) or just one word; if correctly understood, will really go a long
way to rejuvenate a Muslim’s life to consciously act as Allah’s viceroy in this world. At a higher plane, they are concepts meant to revolutionise the entire gamut of existence. They are also ideas with the sole object of helping man to materialise the goal of vicegerency. A Muslim may read the Qur’aan a million of times or read all the Ahaadith (sayings) of the Prophet (SAW) and yet remains unqualified to discharge the task of vicegerency. This is because; ”the effectiveness of words lies in their meaning. If they do not penetrate deep into your heart
The effectiveness of words lies in their meaning. If they do not penetrate deep into your heart and have an impact powerful enough to effect a change in
your thoughts, in your morals, and in your actions, then their utterance is meaningless and ineffectual
27
IN HIS LIGHT with
USTAZ
A. ZAFARAN e-mail: zatabumuneeb@yahoo.com and have an impact powerful enough to effect a change in your thoughts, in your morals, and in your actions, then their utterance is meaningless and ineffectual.” The latent power of Islaam does not lie in the mere chanting or recitation of words but in comprehending their indepths and acting accordingly. Most Muslims have, today, lost touch with the inherent potency of Islamic terminologies. Hence, they feel mere chanting of some words a number of times without being conscious of their meanings is enough an Ibaadah or even the greatest dhikr. Consequently, their actions have not been truly representative of Islaam. There are even instances, due to ignorance of the real implications of these words or concepts, where people give priority to what is voluntary over the obligatory. A Muslim should act and live by these words. It is then his spirituality can attain its divine ecstasy. It is then his morality can attain perfection; and it is then he can attain intellectual supremacy. All these will at the long run positively affect all his activities. Virtually all the pillars of
Islaam are almost becoming folklores and pastimes. The kernels for which they are made pillars are fast disappearing. Here again is another Hajj season. There are cases where those who could not observe two units of Salaat correctly embark on Hajj; there are those who go with illgotten wealth; there are those who go and fail to observe the rite rightly; there are others who even go to display high level ignorance or even involve in innovations; there are some who engage in prohibited acts…how do all these pilgrims claim they have performed hajj. It is really high time we understood the quintessence of Hajj and live accordingly. It is a visit to the Magnificent Lord Who brings people of the whole world to converge as one humanity, one nation, one religion to the presence of one God, while going around one House (Ka‘bah). Whoever is opportune to be there but violates the rules of the clarion call is an enemy of humanity because the impact of Hajj will be zero in him. We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant all pilgrims good intention and strength to carry out the service.
Uncommon spirit of love, sacrifice at UK Jalsa SekinahL awal
W
ith general lack of religious understanding among millions of people and wrong interpretations of religious doctrines for selfish purposes, with many perpetrating evil in God’s name, we really need to make worldly things to be subservient to God’s rulings. At the just-concluded 2015 UK Jalsa Salan of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the world leader repeatedly appealed to people to stop making their aim superior to God’s own in the name of freedom and religion. He made it known that the current state of the world is pathetic while the western power cannot guarantee world peace. As a result, equity should be established all over the world in order to ensure
peace. In this age of disorder, we should continue to do those good things to ensure that justice is established as the first stage of spirituality is to be just with your fellow men. True to the Islamic teachings, thousands of people from various professional calling and age grades were seen carrying out their assigned duties with zeal and seriousness irrespective of age, race, sex or status. The community has been growing and establishing the love of God, righteousness, purity, piety, peace and goodwill among men. The devotion to God is so much strengthened by the spirit of love and sacrifice. The Jamaat’s rapid rate of growth has been very inspiring despite the constant and often severe persecution by its opponents. It has built thousands of mosques and Tabligh Markaz (missions) throughout
the world, opened clinics and schools globally, and translated the glorious Qur’an into several languages. It is quite amazing seeing the quatum of activities and projects that were carried out by volunteers who sacrifice their time, skills, wealth and property for the sake of Allah. If this spirit can be emulated by all Muslims, the sky will not even be the limit. With regular offering of the five daily prayers in accordance with the commandments of God and the Holy Prophet and regularity in offering the Tahajjud (pre-dawn supererogatory prayers) and invoking blessings on the Holy Prophet Muhammed, daily routine of asking forgiveness of sins as well as to remember the bounties of God, praise and glorify Him. Despite their status, many entirely give up pride and vanity while living their
lives in humbleness, cheerfulness, forbearance and meekness. Many deserving students were honoured at the conference including Nigerian Sadr Lajna imalillah, Dr. Basirat Dikko for her PhD, Muideen Muibi who got a first class in Computer Science, another Nigerian Ahmadi, Amina Modupe Bello, student of the Northern State Medical University, Alkangesk, Russia who bagged first class honours in Medicine. The new Medical Doctor, from Oyo State, is the daughter of Alhaji Y. Bello from Wakajaye Jama’at of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Monatan Circuit. Dr. Kamaldeen Ali of Ghana Navy also got an award for his PhD on Maritime Resources from University of Guinea. In a related development, more new missionaries and four students have been selected
to travel for a four-year and seven-year Bachelors programme in Islamic theology and Jurisprudence at the Ahmadiyya Mubashireen College in Ghana. The first three best graduating students at the Jamia Mubashireen course in Ilaro were chosen for a three year course while the remaining four students were chosen for a seven year programme after a highly competitive examination. It was revealed that the purpose of the threeday event is to promote world peace, brotherhood as well as return to the noble values and teachings Islam. It is still quite amazing that the Jalsa ground, which is a farmland, and can be transformed by happy and very dedicated members to host such a large gathering without any hitch. This is quite worthy of emulation and very commendable.
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Call to Worship
13 Thul-Qedah, 1436 Friday, August 28, 2015
The Lost Treasure set for debut
Sekinah L awal
I
n an attempt to revive the dying Arabic literacy in our society, a passionate young Muslim, AbdulKabeer Habeebullah Akinlabi is set to launch “The Lost Treasure.” It will be in a duration of 1hour (40minutes presentations and learning, 20minutes, question and answer segment) and three times in a weekfor a start. He noted that in today’s
world, Arabic Language has continued to witness serious degeneration which has resulted in many Muslims being unable to read the Qur’an correctly not to talk of reading and comprehending Arabic texts. “In a move to solve this menace, we are proposing this programme with the aim of making teaching of Arabic very easy and convenient. “We are also working on a web platform www.arabicbymedia.com where audience and registered users
can sit comfortably in their homes, offices, shops among others, carry their phones and start learning Arabic with our programmed audio visual e-learning platform accessible even with low data access. We have categorized various classes on the platform into, beginners, intermediate and experts aiming to disseminate Arabic language to all Muslims and as such, promote the language among Nigerians.” According to him, it will bring to the audience,
Al-Mu’minaat enlightens women on health issues a desire to know the Arabic Language as well as create a platform where companies, institutions, organizations can advertise their products, create awareness and give scholarships to the Arabic students, as the case may be. “We shall also make readily available episodes on our websites. There shall be interactive sessions on the website, where visitors can ask probing questions, which will be readily answered by our experienced resource persons.”
L-R: President, Al-Mu’minaat, Mushin Local Government, Sherifat Odekunle; Vice President, Al-Mu’minaat, Lagos State, Rafat Salaudeen Agbaje; Education Reporter, National Mirror Newspapers, Mrs. Saidat Alausa; Advert Manager, Mr. Ganiyu Bello; President, Al-Mu’minaat, Lagos State, Aisha Ilyas, PRO, Barakah Yussuff and former State Secretary, Ni’matullah Aliyy Bello, during the visit of members of Al-Mu’minaat to National Mirror in Lagos, on Wednesday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI
‘Continue to help humanity, be good to women’ Sekinah L awal
A
hmadiyyah world leader, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has encouraged members to be considerate and helpful to their fellow human beings most especially their mothers and women generally. “According to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the love that a Muslim must adopt for humanity should be such that he or she should become restless
upon seeing any other person in discomfort. A true Muslim must always be watchful of the sentiments of others and must sacrifice his own comfort for the sake of the comfort of his fellow beings.” He gave the advice while addressing delegates to the 2015 Jalsa Salana in UK urging them to be of best examples as the wider society has been misled as to the true teachings of Islam. “It is of great regret that some Muslims have misconstrued the true
Hajj: Masari reads riot act James Danjuma KATSINA
G
overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has warned members of the state Hajj committee to ensure they diligently
perform their duties during the exercise or risk being sacked. The governor was speaking at a farewell ceremony held for the more than 4,000 intending pilgrims that would be performing the exer-
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
teachings of Islam to such an extent that the world has become fearful of the beautiful and peaceful teachings of Islam. When people are presented with the true teachings of Islam by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, they are surprised. Many have said to me personally that if what you present are the true teachings of Islam, then the world will gladly once again turn towards religion and towards Islam”, he continued. Many world leader at
the conference commended the Jamaat for their exemplary character regarding tolerance, peace and justice. With its slogan, “Love for All, Hatred for None”, the Ahmadiyyah Muslim community has been known for its promotion of peace and international brotherhood, its charitable work of building schools and health centres across the world, and for being among the first to respond in times of disaster to those who need.
cise from the state this year. He said committee members should keep in mind that their appointment was not to give them liberty to enrich themselves but to ensure successful conduct of the
hajj while calling on intending pilgrims to pray for peace and stability of the nation. Chairman of the committee, Garba Aminchi assured that they would cater for the needs of the intending pilgrims.
Saidat Alausa
A
l-Mu’minaat, the believing women organisation, Lagos State chapter has enlightens women on the need for regular medical checkups. The medical caravan is part of the oraganisation’s annual week celebration and was tagged “Menopause, Symptoms and Management.” 2015, Al-Muminaat week celebration was themed, “Unity, The Bedrock of a Peaceful Society. Speaking to over 200 women present at the programme held at Agege Primary Health Centre on Sunday, the Medical Officer at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Dr. Azeezat Anjorin Oyewande, said menopause is just the sensation of the menstrual circle for about a year and it usually occurs in women from 51 years but a range between 41 to 61 years. “You can have some people going into menopause before then and that is when you have something like what they call premature menopause which is rare.” She listed the symptoms of menopause to include irregular menstruation, probably lengthen or shorten, memory loss, anxiety, irritability, headache, insomnia, they won’t be able to sleep at night, wrinkling of the skin, dryness of the virginal and bone pains, among others. She however said that it is not every irregular menstruation that leads to menopause. “But you need to be careful so that you do not because it might be a symptom of other diseases. You should just take note and contact appropriate health personnel.” Advising women on healthy life style, Dr. Oyewande said they should eat well that is balanced diet because nutrition also helps, exercise, “and then listen to more health tips, this will guide you in your daily activities.
And if you notice any abnormality in the body, any changes you are not sure consult your doctor.” Explaining the motive behind the peogramme, the President of AlMu’minaat, Lagos State, Hajia Aisha Idris said that the aim is to educate people on how to live a healthy life style and to encourage them to go for checkups regularly. “We have noticed that many people don’t really want to go to hospital for checkups except when they are sick. That is why we are doing this medical caravan so that people will have access to medicals. “The programme is running simultaneously here and in Palm Avenue in Mushin. It is an annual thing but we intend to broaden it to all areas of the state because health is wealth.” Highlighting the programme for the annual celebration, Hajia Idris said there will be a stakeholder forum tomorrow at TMC, Dawah centre in Ijeshatedo, where all the past and new executives of the organisation since inception in 1995 will meet and discuss on how to move the organisation forward. “On Sunday, we are going to have Unity day at the Multipurpose Hall, Lagos State Secretariat Mosque in which we have invited women wing of all Muslim Society, like Nasfat, Quareeb, MICAH and women from different Assalatu in Lagos State. Advising Nigerians, especially women, she urged them to always go for medical checkups and should not wait till when they are sick before they do that. “Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said Allah love Muslims that have strength than the one that does not have strength and what might turn us to somebody that does not have strength is sickness so I will advise my sisters in Islam to go to the hospital often for checkup and not to rely on self medication,” she advised.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Call to Worship
Friday, August 28, 2015 13 Thul-Qedah, 1436
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UMA holds fitness work, blood donation
T
he University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, UMA, Lagos State Chapter in collaboration with University of Lagos Medical Centre and Lagos State University Teaching Hospita Medical Laboratory has concluded plans of holding her 3rd annual fitness walk and blood do-
nation exercise on Saturday, 5th September, 2015, at the Indoor Hall, Unilag Sports Complex, Akoka-Lagos. The fitness wall holding within the campus will commence 8am till 9.15am while the blood donation exercise at the indoor hall will be between 9.15am and 2pm.
Dignitaries at the 2015 UK JALSA SALANA The Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Nigeria, Dr. Mashud Adenrele Fashola presenting some souvenir from the Obong of Calabar to the world leader of the Jamaat
Some of the guest during the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation’s business plan development competition.
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Call to Worship
13 Thul-Qedah, 1436 Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Dignitaries at the 2015 UK JALSA SALANA
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Friday, August 28, 2015 13 Thul-Qedah, 1436
Every Friday with
Khalifatul
Ahmadiyya
Hospitality and our responsibilities (2)
O
wing to such amazing acts the Companions also made huge sacrifices for their guests. The incident which is indeed an exceptional account where a Companion got his children to go to sleep on some pretext because guests had arrived and there was only enough food in the house to feed the children. When the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) sent some guests over to him, the Companion and his wife decided to put their children to sleep, then bring the food over to the guests but extinguish the lamp on some pretext and then only pretend to eat in the dark while the guests ate to their satisfaction whatever food there was. Next morning when the Companion went to see the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) he laughed and said that his planning to feed the guests the night before was such that it had also amused God. God was so pleased with it that He informed the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) of the whole incident! The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said a person who believes in God and the Day of Judgement should say something good or else stay quiet. A person who believes in God and the Day of Judgement should respect his neighbour. A person who believes in God and the Day of Judgement should honour his guest. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) also used to inquire from the guests how they found the hospitality extended by the Companions. On one such occasion a guest said O Prophet of God they gave us soft bedding to sleep on and fine food to eat and they also educated us about the Book and Sunnah. Thus are the obligations of a host. People who are expecting Jalsa guests at their homes should not spend evenings in idle chatting but should have religious discussions and should impart religious knowledge. At Jalsa we also have guests outside the Jama’at. Volunteering hospitality teams at every accommodation location should exhibit great models so that the guests appreciate that they have come to a religious convention. Whenever they have free time, be it day or night, rather than spend time in idle chatting, they should have religious conversations. This will have a good impact on the guests and they will realise that Ahmadis come together in these three days having really cut themselves off from worldliness. The Companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) were not only great hosts in terms of providing the best accommodation, food and drink that they could, they also met the spiritual needs of their guests so
that on return home the guest may relay the teachings to others. We have Tabligh and Tarbiyyat departments. Providing spiritual sustenance is the task of the duty-holders and it should be undertaken in an excellent manner. Good word and deed of volunteers is also part and parcel of hospitality. In this age the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also established great models of hospitality. A guest visiting Qadian who had taken Bai’at and had a relationship of being a follower of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was massaging his feet out of reverence. Just then a Hindu knocked on the door. The companion got up to answer the knock but the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) hastily got there first. He said the companion was a guest and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) has said that guests should be honoured. Here, we observe two aspects. He had allowed the companion to massage his feet owing to him being a follower but in his capacity as a guest the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) promptly extended respect to him by answering the door himself and also greeted the person who had come. Once an Ahmadi guest travelled to Qadian during winter months to meet the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). It had been raining and he arrived in the evening. He had his evening meal and went to sleep. There was a knock on his door quite late in the night. He was astonished to see the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on the doorstep holding a glass of warm milk in one hand and a lantern in the other. He said some milk had come by so he thought of offering it to his guest who was probably used to drinking milk. The guest was indeed moved to tears to see one commissioned by God serving him! The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) used to take care of special dietary preferences of people of different regions. Due to management reasons, at the time of Jalsa however, only one kind of food was prepared. Nowadays the Jama’at has progressed in terms of management and resources and a general Langar operates as well as other foods are also provided. There is no problem in this and there is also nothing wrong in this. Some people pointlessly raise objections. They should show tolerance. In order to let the outside guests, who are usually known as Tabshir guests, know what is generally served at Jalsa, Langar food should also be served to them. Some eat it eagerly.
Call to Worship
Scenes from the 2015 UK Jalsa Salana
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Call to Worship
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13 Thul-Qedah, 1436 Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
‘Zakat foundation has really impacted on us’ I
Engr. Taofiq Olalekan Dolapo
I
am a “start- up” organic farmer involved in the production, processing and distribution of horticultural crops to final consumers and other businesses. The ZSF/ JAIZ intervention has validated that the idea is a feasible and potentially viable business if properly planned and translated. It has given me the confidence to approach other investors/ financial institutions when needed. It helped tailor my thoughts to the aspects of the business that are key to its survival and success. The intervention goes a long mile in the realization of this business. It helps to cover most of the capital investment. The mentorship is also something I look forward to. It will
am the CEO of Doligeria Biosystems Ltd, an Agriculture, Agro-Allied and Bio-Systems Engineering company. We produce High Growth fish and ruminant feeds. In our wonderfully conceptualized farm, we produce live and smoked catfish, table broilers, goats and rams, soya and cassava. We have a mini digester that produces bio-gas and organic fertilizer. In conjunction with the Technology Incubation Center, we are setting up the first feather meal production facility in Nigeria. Our concept is to use the waste of one product as raw material for another product to make our products come out at the least cost for maximum profit. For example, we use the spent fish water to irrigate our field to ensure year round cropping, offal of the broilers to feed the fishes and the feathers to produce feather meal, offal from fish smoking to feed fishes and produce fish oil, broiler, goats and rams droppings to produce fertilizer for our crops and gas for frying garri. The cassava peals,
soya leaves and digestate from the digester are milled together to produce our ruminant supplements. 10% of the broiler feeds are also digestates. These ensure all our products are at least cost. We have 13 permanent workers. To expand and consolidate, we have approached 7 banks for loans to no avail. Some, despite posturing as SME and agricultural compliant, and with CBN agricultural funds in their kitty, still demand unavailable sureties for disbursement, especially C of O or fixed deposit certificate. This has limited our aggressive expansion drive. Thanks to the intervention of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation/JAIZ Bank and Al-Barakah Microfinance intervention, we can now move to the next level. By coming 1st at the maiden edition and winning the star prize, our organic waste management plans got a major boost. We can now go commercial with our organic digestate for feed and fertilizer usage.
help in mitigating business errors and avoidable risks. It is heartwarming to know that Zakat and Sadaqah foundation has given me and some other people the opportunity to achieve our dreams. Other organizations should pick a cue from them and set up projects that can help in reducing unemployment and poverty. The ripple effect of this is that each of us shall employ at least 10 people; we therefore have at least 80 more jobs created. Lastly, this has reminded and encouraged me to make it a priority to pay my Zakat when due. Jazakallahu Khairan to the Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation, Jaiz Bank and all other partners involved in the competition. Kareemah Oladipo
Imam Trimidhi Jamiu presenting cheques to some of the winners of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation’s business plan development competition.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Friday, August 28, 2015
L-R: Kano State Governor, Dr Umar Ganduje, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); JIbril Bindow (Adamawa) during a meeting with the UN Secretary General in Abuja.
CEO, SINOMA International Engineering Limited, Mr. Shen Jun (left) with President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during a gift presentation, after the new Projects Contracts Signing ceremony for the construction of eleven new Cement Plants across Africa in Lagos.
L-R: District Organiser, C&S Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo ni o Erin-Ile District, Orile-igbon, Oyo State. Most Snr Apostle, Moses Adedokun; Elerin of Erin-ile, Oba Abdul Ganiyu Ibrahim; and General Organiser, The Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, C&S Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo ni o., Most Snr Apostle Joshua Akindoye, during the courtesy visit to the Elerin to mark the commencement of the 35th Annual National Camp (Erinmoje 2015 in Abuduka, Orile-igbon, Oyo State.
L-R: Chief Security Officer, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria , Mallam Ali Danbatta; , Chief of Staff to the Managing Director, Mallam Mohammed Kabir; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr. Saleh Dunoma; Personal Assistant to the Managing Director, Alhaji MaĂĄzu Dahir and Special Assistant to the Managing Director, Mr Sam Bini Leo, during the 2015 National Productivity Order of Merit Award in Abuja.
People In The Mirror
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L-R: Representative of Enugu State Governor, Barrister Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; Managing Director/ CEO, Nigerian breweries Plc, Mr. Nicholas Vervelde and Sales Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Hubert Eze during the Launch of Gulder Ultimate Promo in, Enugu.
L-R: Former Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association Lagos Branch; Alex Muoka, Managing Partner, Technology Advisors and ICT Lawyer, Basil Udotai; Legal & Board Matter Unit, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Emmanuel Edet; President, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Sola Salako; and Chief Corporate Services Officer, SMILE Communications Nigeria Limited, Tobe Okigbo, during the 2015 Technology Times Outlook forum on Cybercrimes Law Review, in Lagos.
L-R: Sales Manager Lagos, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Macpherson Oniyamah, 1million Naira Winner of the Peak Reach for Millions Promo, Mr. Gregory Okpara and Senior Brand Manager Peak, Mrs. Omolara Banjoko, at the Peak Reach for Millions Promo Prize Presentation in Lagos.
L-R: Children of the deceased, Mr. Benson Tataobuzogwu, Hon. Sunday Tataobuzogwu, Mrs. Patience Onyijeh and her husband, Dr. Lawrence Onyijeh during the burial outing service for Madam Lucy Tataobuzogwu at Abavo Central, Ika South LG, Delta State.
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Arty News
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Something new about Moralmore Regina Otokpa
M
oralmore, an Abuja based fast-rising music star has lost his dad shortly after releasing a video skit featuring comedy duo, Sam&Song recently. Expressing shock over the sudden demise, the song writer said this was happening during a period when he was concluding work on two different singles and a video soon to be released. Speaking, he said, “I have been busy with a lot of things, running collaborations with some big wigs in the industry in an effort to place my career on track. Two of such which are near completion would drop by next month, following the comedy video skit going viral in which I featured Sam&Song released shortly before death snatched my dad away.”
According to him, he has been running a collabo on his single ‘Attention’ with female music star Seyi Shay, and also another single and video titled ‘Taking Over’ featuring Akin. However, he noted that his deepest regret was that his “dad passed away a bit too soon, he left without even enjoying the fruit of his labour. We can’t question God but I sincerely hoped he would have stayed with us a little longer and witness even if it is a little bit of the good things coming my way. I will miss him”.
Tourism: Ebonyi hosts entertainers
xxxxxx
Aliuna Godwin
N
ollywood stars and musicians have berthed in Ebonyi, following the directive of the state government to host indigenous stars from the state that are making waves in entertainment industries. Some of the indigenous stars include; Charity Ekeh and Andy Chukwu among fifty other prominent stars in music and movie industries. Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the chairman of the committee saddled with the responsibility, Dr Jerry Uhuo said the essence of the event is to showcase to the world the hidden potential of the state, using entertainment industry as the driving force. He noted that Ebonyi has great and hidden potential which if harnessed could boost the Internally Generated Revenue to end over dependence on the crude oil which is the major source of revenue in Nigeria.
He said: “if we can harness the kind of potentials we have, we wouldn’t have ordinarily been talking about crude oil. What we have is enough to give Ebonyi what it needed to develop. We took time as committee members to tour over forty (40) tourist centres in Ebonyi and we found out that we have enough potential to develop the state. We specifically visited Amancho Cave; it is about 6 kilometres under the ground and right inside, it has a place where you can host over 4000 persons for an occasion and we need to develop and showcase such places to the world. The committee felt that the only way we can get the world to know what we have is to involve those in the entertainment industry. We felt that it is important for us to bring home so many of these stars from Ebonyi so that they can see the potentials we have. Those big men in music industry who have made names are from Ebonyi state. In fact, in the marketing sector of music industry, Ebonyi state has the highest and 90 percent of the marketers are from Ebonyi. But they do not identify with the state because they feet the state did not identify with them and that is why we felt we could do something.” The chairman disclosed that they have formed a union called ‘United Ebonyi Artists’ which every artist from the state would be registered adding that the platform would afford the upcoming artists the opportunity to develop their talents.
Art: Anisah launches NËNE’ Regina Otokpa
T
hought Pyramid Arts Centre was a buzz recently as arts enthusiasts and members of the diplomatic community came out to honour the works of Anisah Ahmed during the exhibition of her art, photography, fashion designs and launch of her magazine ‘NENE’. The debuting artist, fashion designer and entrepreneur, seeks to use the magazine as a platform to promote creativity and develop the wasting talents in Nigerian youths even as works of talented hardworking indigenous artists would be showcased. She said, “I believe having a creative mind set together with resilience of Nigerian
people will be a good starting point for the “Change” we so desperately seek in others for us to thrive as a Country. The message is “By 9ja, for 9ja.” Anisah Ohunene Ahmed, a fashion design student at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, started Art & Design four years ago, during her ‘A’ evels course as a subject at Abbey College, Manchester with no prior knowledge of the arts. “It was at the AA School I nurtured my creativity and hence decided to study fashion design instead of architecture, luckily the portfolio created during this academic year was diverse enough to get me into other schools, so I went ahead to study Fashion Design. While I was making all these decisions, the only thing that remained constant was
my interest in art and design; painting, drawing, sketching, taking photographs, exploring and different aspects of it. “I decided to have an exhibition not only to showcase my work, but also to get the younger Nigerian generation more interested in the art world. I always wondered where I would be today if I was more exposed to art and pursued my creativity earlier on; instead of looking down on it because I was told it was insignificant in comparison to other subjects. “I want the general public to look at my work and be inspired to do something and not just think they can do the same (or better) but try and be more open to other industries such as art, fashion and textiles,” she added.
Monsco’s ‘I am a Man Who Can’ Jennifer Onwurah
M
onsco is certainly not a bell-ringing name. But the bearer is one budding act determined to hitch his wagon to the sky with the pushing out of his two promotional singles, entitled, I am A Man Who Can and Weleke respectively. Driven by the passion to hit enviable heights in the beat scene, Monsco, a marketing graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, has already penned about 15 songs to be packaged into a music album. But he elected to first test the terrain with the two singles which he had obliged the Alaba music dealers to include in their mixed tape series. The Edo State-born singer had been involved in music for as long as he can remember. According to Monsco (real name; Aghiemien Omokpagbe), he has passion for mu-
sic and has been into music right from time with experience as a back-up singer for Elizir Black as well as stage performances with DJ Gravity and Songs man respectively. F a c e d with the challenge o f pushing his
trade into prominence by completing his impending full length album and shooting the accompanying musical video, the promising act who fuses African cultural sounds into hip-hop, informed that his determination and passion would see him through the lengthy and bumpy road to his artistic destination. As the title of one of his singles, I am A Man Who Can, suggests, Monsco believes that he can scale through whatever obstacles strewn on his way to musical success. Said he: “In all, I’m being driven by the passion I have for music, and I know I’ll get there. I hope to keep working and praying; the rest is in the hand of God. I’ll keep trying until I hit the top despite the stiff challenges in the music industry”. Monsco said that he is open open to sponsorship and collaborations with willing record labels to push his work, pointing out that he will break through if he kept working hard on his music.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Arty News
Friday, August 28, 2015
Lack of sponsorship bane of pageantry –Queen Lam How did you find yourself in pageantry? I have been into entertainment right from my school days; I have always been a model after clinching victory as Miss Political Science, I was also a one-time Miss IMSU, I was also crowned ‘Ada Ikeduru’ a position i won in one of the well-organised cultural pageantry in the school. I can also boast of other individual awards like Miss Elegant and Most Famous Award. I also contested for Miss Eastern Nigeria in 2007 where I came out as the 2nd Runner Up. Again, I contested for Miss Carnival in 2008 and I got the crown and reigned for one year. I also represented Nigeria in Germany at the Top Model of the World, where I retired from contesting and transcended to organising. I am the Project Coordinator of Face of Democracy Nigeria, FDN. When did you assume the title ‘Queen Mother’? In 2013 when we started FDN, I and other ladies were part of the team including some guys, unfortunately, all the ladies in the team dropped along the line leaving me alone with the rest of the guys. While there, I played very significant role of catering for them. I make sure they eat as at when due, I was called upon to cater for the sick, people were amazed how I played the motherly role effectively and ensured that like a mother to her children, they don’t lack. Just like that, they nicknamed me ‘Queen Mother’ and everyone started calling me Queen Mother and I adopted it that today, I am very popular with the name. Despite the fact that the title of Queen Mother comes with its own challenges but it makes me feel real good and it also comes with mixed feelings, on the other hand, it makes me buckle up to meet up expectation that comes with the name, it also gives me a sense of fulfillment with the mindset that I have achieved and earned the name through hard work. The fact is some of my colleagues see me as a mother to them that upcoming models want to be like me. You have clinched the crown in a number of pageants, what is your secret? Anyone who ventures into pageantry and wants to go far must imbibe the spirit of self-belief, self-confidence and uncommon passion. My passion has earned me some goodwill from members of the public. I keep winning because of my confidence and boldness, I am not an arrogant person rather I am down to earth and people want to associate themselves with me because I see everyone as my friend. My personality and strong character has catapulted me to where I am today in the industry. How have you been able to combine pageantry with telecom business over the years? I must confess that it is not an easy one, my office is a very busy one because I work 12 hours a day, (from 8: am to 8pm). I do most of the entertainment business during my free time. I have a degree in Journalism and send stories that have to do with my company and latest development to our
Popularly known as ‘Queen Mother’ by her numerous fans and colleagues, multiple-award winning Vivian Lam against all odds transcended from being a participant at beauty contests to a major promoter of the art. She talks about life in this interview with REGINA OTOKPA. Excerpts:
Anyone who ventures into pageantry and wants to go far must imbibe the
spirit of self-belief, self-confidence and uncommon passion
customers/subscribers. I want to say that I have very wonderful people as my colleagues in the office; they often come to my rescue whenever my programmes clash. All things being equal, it is working out fine for me. Recently you clocked a year older, why did you choose to spend the day with the vulnerable? God added a year to my life on the 10th of August, 2015. I marked my birthday in a very extra-ordinary way different from how I used to organise the event. This is my fifth year in Abuja and in celebrating my birthday, I usually organise big parties and dinner event for my friends and well-wishers and I have not thought of doing things that will impact on the life of people. In other words, I have never used my birthday to do humanitarian work and I decided that all that will change. I introduced another concept in the marking of my birthday where I mobilised my friends to ac-
company me to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs camp at Durumi District of Abuja. I make the decision because I feel it makes a whole lot of sense to celebrate with people that needs love and support and not lavish my resources on people that have more than enough to take care of themselves; people who live in affluence and comfort. I extended my love to them through the provision and presentation of relief items to these set of people. I was watching a TV documentary packaged by AIT’s Adaora Onyechere which showcased a touching story of the agony people are passing through; I shed tears after that experience even as I was motivated to do something for the vulnerable in society. I tagged my birthday as ‘Hope to the Hopeless’ the IDPs deserve our assistance, they deserve our love and sympathy because they did not bargain what they befell on them and they are now homeless and helpless in the process. I also aim to use the gesture to revive my pet project-Vivian Lam Foundation, VLF which has been crawling for
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some time now. I want to commend my friends who despite the heavy downpour on that day, stood by me and everyone went home fulfilled. The next phase of FDN Beauty Pageant is around the corner, anything new? We have rounded up auditioning for FDN 2015 after series of registration, we flagged off on the month 10th of May, 2015, and we are through with the Zonal auditions involving Port Harcourt, Warri, Awka, Calabar, Owerri and Lagos. The grand finale will take place in Abuja on the 24th of October. It is interesting to note that there are lots of talents scattered all over the country and when you travel you will see things for yourself, it is our duty as FDN organisers to go out all there in search of these raw talents. What challenges have you encountered so far in your work as a model and queen? There are lots of challenges while trying to package a standard pageant of this nature. One of the major challenges is lack of sponsorship, people and organisations fear that when they eventually invest their money in pageantry they may lose out. We do most of the running around from our lean pocket; sadly our sponsors would sometimes register their interest but later withdraw without giving any word from them, in this project time is not our friend, when we write proposal to some personalities and multi-national companies, it take them longer time to respond, sometimes it take them one whole year to respond to one letter so, you can imagine the situation here. We are also faced with the problem of choosing the right queen. We sometimes had to battle with 80 candidates in just one audition; we screen people using some criteria, but again some people hide their character just because they want the crown while you end up crowning the wrong person. On the whole, serious money is needed to carry out the FDN assignment. What impression would you want potential sponsors to have about FDN pageantry? It is true that some Nigerians don’t believe in pageantry that they don’t invest in it but it is not true. The bad impression people have about pageantry is such that should be discarded, pageantry pulls ladies out from the street. When you crown a lady, her attitude changes in the manner she speaks, walks and the way she thinks, she read wide in order to get information about her immediate environment and the international community since she is now a queen and will be travelling around as part of her activities for the year. FDN and pageantry in general gives women the ample opportunity to participate in national development, governance, the government support us in many ways but they don’t give us money and they also invite our queen to participate in some of its activities. An average politician can conveniently identify himself with the FDN Queen than any other beauty queen from other pageantry organisation because democracy is trending in the world today.
Friday, August 28, 2015
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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Curbing menace of ‘perching’ commuters on trains NRC is a cheaper and faster means of transporta-
tion, a develop-
ment which recommends it for more patronage by the low and middle income people for whom the second class coaches are deployed
Despite the obvious dangers of death staring at them, riding on trains’ roof top has remained a trend for many commuters. Though many have attributed this to inadequacy of trains meant to provide cheaper means of transportation, to arrest the situation, maintain order and provide adequate security to the flagship train service, the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s (NRC’s) police are seeking for deployment of more men. Adejuwon Osunnuyi reports
T
hese days, it has become a common scene seeing overcrowded trains with many commuters toying with their lives as they hung on all available spaces, including the train’s roof top as well as the engine room. Though regarded as normal in many developing countries, this life-threatening travel has been a long standing culture that many living in Lagos and parts of Ogun State seem to enjoy. For many of the commuters plying the Iddo-Alagbado-Ijoko bound trains, which makes its return journey from the Iddo terminus, these set of people might have decided to embark on this dangerous adventure probably as a result of not having transport fares. However, accidents, which occur occasionally on the trains, seems not serving as deterrent to these people. Only last week, about three train roof top riders met their untimely death at Agege when the train they were sitting on its roof top had a collision with a trailer. Investigations showed that as early as 5pm, the Ijoko-Alagbado-Iddo bound trains, which depart Iddo Terminus, are usually filled to the brim. Passengers who would like to get a seat
must have got to the Terminus by 3pm. As the trains move from one station to the other, especially between Iddo and Mushin, the coaches get more filled up with more people finding their ways to the roof top. Interestingly, the roof top also serves as avenue for many of the riders to smoke weeds popularly known as Igbo. To NRC District Manager, Mr Akin Osinowo, the practice is not new, though illegal, he maintained, “it has gone to show how receptive people are to our services.” Osinowo said the practice which is more pronounced in metro Lagos is symptomatic of the fact that the demand for train services far exceeds supply. “NRC is a cheaper and faster means of transportation, a development which recommends it for more patronage by the low and middle income people for whom the second class coaches are deployed. Osinowo said it was in response to the need to provide more services and entice more people to embrace the train that the Corporation deployed the First Class Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) coach on the route. According to him, rooftop rid-
ing is prevalent especially in the popular category because most of the stations on the Lagos Districts are porous. He said: “Ninety percent of our stations are porous giving easy access to hoodlums and all shades of characters to gain access to the train.” To curb this, he canvassed the intensification of raids by the Police Command, regular enlightenment campaigns and abatement announcements in the media and the blockage of all porous areas through which the safety of all the station’s platforms are being compromised. The NRC’s Director Press and Public Relations, Mr Abdulrauf Akinwoye, said the management would continue to think outside the box in its onslaught against the menace. Akinwoye who said “no normal person would opt to ride on the roof of a coach” said the raiding of trains would be intensified especially at night, while more enlightenment campaigns would be embarked upon to further educate well- meaning Nigerians to eschew this dangerous practice. However, in arresting the situation, the police obviously have not been folding its arms. Several arrests are reported to have been made in the past. Though no reliable data of arrests are available, investigation showed that no fewer than 500 men, whose ages fall within the active population of 26 and 46 years, have been arrested and prosecuted in the last five years. Recently, the Railway Police Command said it arrested about 58 of these illegal riders. It however said it would not be intimidated by any group of hoodlums
Sijuwade
in maintaining sanity and law and order on the train. The fact that the practice is prevalent only at night, after official hours, the Police claimed, is an indication that these riders are equally afraid of being caught on the wrong side of the law. However, in its bid at providing adequate security for facilities and ensure the safety of lives and property of commuters, the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s (NRC’s) Police said it would need more men posted to the Railway Police Command. While reviewing the raids on rooftop riders, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Pius Imue, said the Command needed more men to maintain order and provide adequate security to the flagship train service. Imue’s request is coming on the heels of the Federal Government’s plan to employ 10,000 policemen to strengthen the Nigeria Police. Imue said sustaining the war against rooftop riders would be unattainable without adequate men to do the work. He said what the Command
needed more are men of the rank and file, (lower ranking officers), who would be deployed to provide security at train stations and NRC routes. He said the growing insecurity, especially in the Northeast, has heightened the need for enhanced security, especially on the routes outside the metropolis. “I have been writing repeatedly to appropriate authorities on the inadequate manpower since I resumed here in March. We need especially junior officers of the rank and file, but not higher than Inspectors and their services are even needed even now that our services are more needed in assuring of safety and security onboard of all trains whether intra or intercity shuttles.” He said. According to Imue, the plans to add more rolling stock to the train and the opening of the Eastern line, which runs from Port-Harcourt to Gombe State with Maiduguri as the destination, had expanded the scope of work for the Railway Police Command. “When all these are added to the ongoing rehabilitation and resumption of freighting of petroleum products, the need for more police personnel at the command would be much more pronounced,” he said. Imue said he was reviewing the security arrangements he inherited with the intention of plugging all loopholes to ensure the effectiveness of the command. He called on police authorities to support his initiatives by deploying more men to the Command to strengthen its capacity to perform its statutory function of providing adequate security for passengers and other users of the train and railway facilities across the country.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
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Friday, August 28, 2015
Firm to curb challenges of fake spare parts in Nigeria PAN supports NBA S A tories by
Osunnuyi
conference, displays Peugeot 301, 3008, 4008 models
dejuwon
I
n its bid at bridging the gap between manufacturers of genuine automobile spare parts and the end users in Nigeria, especially in terms of getting affordable auto spare parts, Izzy Parts Limited has entered into the Nigerian market with the unveiling of its domain www.IzzyParts.com in Lagos. With its headquarters in the US, Izzy Parts is an online auto parts marketplace that allows African consumers to access high quality products from several original parts manufacturers around the globe. Izzy Parts is the provider of new, authentic and well-priced auto parts, sourced and imported from the United States. With a vast supplier network and distribution centers located in both Houston (US) and Nigeria (Africa), Izzy Parts has the capacity and logistics to import auto parts of any type, directly from market-leading original equipment manufacturers. With the launch of the online spare parts platform, it is expected that the challenges previously faced by vehicle owners in procuring genuine spare parts in the country will be completely eliminated. The domain launch attracted key players in the Nigerian automobile sector, captains of industry, media, mechanics, auto dealers, and other stakeholders in the industry. Speaking at the unveiling in Lagos recently, Head of Media & Communications of Izzy Parts,
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Head of Media & Communications, Izzy Parts Ltd (centre) speaking at the launch of online auto market platform in Lagos recently
Collins Udeme said that the concept of creating an online auto marketplace was borne out of the company’s desire to bridge the gap between manufacturers of genuine automobile spare parts and the end users in Nigeria. Udeme explained that Izzy Parts entered Nigeria to improve the after-sales services in the country through sales of genuine auto spare parts sourced from reputable auto firms in US, adding that Izzy Parts has already built a catalog of over 550,000 auto parts and accessory items from a variety of the industry’s top brands; offering high-quality products at a favourably discounted rates with Warranty. “Currently, the Izzy Parts retail platform is developed, tested, operational and available for market introduction. Purchases can be made with any of the major payment-processors. Our delivery is top quality as we are in partnership with Fedex and Bongo international,” Udeme hinted. Frowning at the influx of substandard auto spare parts in the country, Udeme said “We have done our research and come to the conclusion that, ubiquity, af-
fordability and a lack of alternatives, are what create a market for substandard spare parts. We therefore aim to fill this void as a way of discouraging the menace of fake spare parts in the country. “Overall, it’s Izzy Parts’ goal to sustain growing sales yearly; becoming the leading auto parts platform throughout Nigeria and neighbouring countries. To meet this goal, Izzy Parts seeks to build a successful auto parts pipeline by implementing logistics between two company warehouses (the US & Nigeria).” “These warehouses will be ready by December 2018. According to Udeme, Izzy Parts will, during its operations, transact business ethically and professionally, holding its representatives to a high standard of operational excellence and unmatched customer service. He reiterated Izzy Parts commitment to become the leading distributor of auto parts throughout the region by providing a consistently positive customer experience, guaranteed quality products with Warrantees, sound logistics and swift out-the-door delivery.
Airtel, Yuzah partner to improve diesel delivery
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igerian motorists now have alternative means of getting diesel conveniently, as leading telecommunications operator, Airtel Nigeria, has launched a mobile app aimed at improving delivery of diesel in the country. Created in partnership with application developer, Yuzah; the mobile app, also known as ‘Yuzah’ allows users to request instant delivery of diesel to their homes or offices, using their mobile phones. The simplicity of the product and distribution model earned Yuzah, the one million naira prize money in the Airtel catapult-a-startup competition held earlier in the year. Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Maurice Newa described the service, which is the first-of-its-kind in Nigeria, as part of efforts by the telco to deliver products and ser-
vices that offer convenience to its customers. “Airtel has collaborated with Yuzah, one of the winners of Airtel Catapult-A-Start up competition, to offer Nigerians this unique service which will further enhance their access to diesel and address the inconveniences associated with the logistics involved in delivery,” he said. According to him, “interested users can download this app on their mobile phones from http:// bit.ly/YuzahApp. Once this is done, the app will locate their place on the map and they will be able to see all the diesel trucks within their radius. Users can then order diesel through the app and the product will be delivered within 30-60 minutes once accepted by a Yuzah approved supplier.” He also explained that the partnership further lent credence to the company’s CatapultA-Startup, which is driven by
its vision to encourage innovation and empower young Nigerians by creating opportunities for them to bring their business ideas to fruition. “As an organization, we are passionate about building a community for young talented Nigerians. We are aware of the abundance of young people who are blessed with the skills to develop relevant apps with most of them not having the opportunity to showcase or develop their skills. Through the Catapult-a-Startup programme, we aim not only to identify talent, but also to encourage local content”, he noted. Commenting on the partnership, the Chief Executive Officer of Yuzah.com, Ovo Emorhokpor expressed delight at the partnership and maintained that the service will offer Nigeria optimal convenience to purchase diesel through their mobile phones.
AN Nigeria Limited, assemblers of Peugeot brand in Nigeria, said it is lending its support to the ongoing Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association holding at International Conference Centre, Abuja. According to a statement by its Head, Corporate Communication, Musa Bashir Usman, the automobile company (PAN Nigeria) would display its products at the International Conference Centre, venue of the weeklong event.
While PAN would be displaying its new Peugeot 301, 3008, 4008, Expert Tepee and 508, the firm’s financial partners on the Peugeot Vehicle Acquisition and Financial Scheme (PVAFS); Enterprise, Ja’iz and IBTC Banks, would be at the venue to cater for those who want to buy the cars on loan package. Meanwhile, the organizers of the event have set aside a Peugeot 4008 SUV as a star prize to be won by participants through a raffle.
Peugeot 4008
Nissan honours Stallion Group on performance
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tallion Group, has won the 2015 Nissan Global National Sales Company Award for its outstanding performance in Nigeria. The award recognises Nissan’s growth in the Nigerian market, while reinforcing its growing industrial footprint. Stallion is Nissan’s exclusive manufacturer and distributor in Nigeria, which established Nigeria’s first automotive assembly facility in partnership with Nissan as a pioneering initiative in April 2014, pursuant to the Federal Government’s announcement of the nation’s new automotive policy late in 2013. Since the launch of Nigeria assembled Nissan vehicles, four models are being assembled in the country, creating significant employment, with the local human resources undergoing extensive training from global automotive experts from Nissan’s international auto plants. The thriving partnership with Stallion has resulted in Nissan meeting the needs of Nigerian customers through expanding product range and country wide retail network. The new Victoria Island showroom was the 11th Nissan outlet in the country – a demonstra-
tion of Nissan’s long term commitment to increase brand visibility in Africa’s most populous country. Speaking on the award, Chairman of Stallion Group, Sunil Vaswani, said: “Together with Nissan we are seeking to complement Nigeria’s ambitions to become the region’s automotive hub. We are providing a comprehensive range of passenger, commercial, and recreational vehicles, and are currently engaged in a dynamic programme of new model introductions. “Stallion is investing into developing an integrated value chain for its brands in the country, thereby acting as a catalyst for Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.” The Managing Director and President of Nissan South Africa, Mike Whitfield, said, “We have worked side by side with the Stallion Group to achieve what is a very encouraging increase in our share of the key Nigerian market. Within Nissan, we have a strong desire to make a full and lasting contribution to rebuilding automotive industrialisation in Nigeria and to play an important role in the growth of the manufacturing sector.
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Cocktail
Friday, August 28, 2015
McDonald’s rejects Burger King’s ‘McWhopper’ team-up
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he chief executive of fast food chain McDonald’s rejected rival Burger King’s idea for a “burger wars cease-fire” McWhopper pop-up restaurant. Burger King, which pitched the team-up with a McWhopper.com website and a YouTube video, is asking McDonald’s for a oneday team-up Sept. 21 to sell McWhopper sandwiches at
a pop-up in Atlanta, halfway between the two companies’ respective headquarters. The company said the McWhopper pop-up would serve as a promotion for Peace Day, a Sept. 21 observance being championed by global unity group Peace One Day. McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook responded to the offer in a Facebook post Wednesday.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Oddities Oddities
Man discovers giant nest of hornets outside his window
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n Ohio man who “awoke to a tap tap tap” on his window looked outside to investigate and discovered an enormous nest of bald faced hornets. The Akron resident, who posted his video to YouTube under the username downbelowu1928, said in a Reddit post he
hasn’t been been home much this summer and he recently “awoke to a tap tap tap” on a window. The man, Longkniferevolution on Reddit, originally identified his new neighbor as a “yel-
low jacket nest,” but Redditors said the nest appears to be swarming with bald faced hornets. The man said he will likely let the coming cold weather take care of the infestation for him.
“After the freeze kills them I might cut the nest in half to check it out. This is the biggest nest I have ever seen in person, unfortunately it’s attached to my awning!” he wrote.
Police arrest man who posted videos of red light camera
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Long Island man was arrested on criminal tampering charges after he recorded himself using a painter’s pole to re-aim red light cameras. Stephen Ruth, 42, of Centereach, posted videos on his Facebook page showing himself using a painter’s pole to aim red light cameras at the sky, rather than at the intersection. Police said Ruth was arrested Tuesday on four counts of criminal trespass-
ing, with sources telling WPIX-TV Ruth is believed to have used the method from his videos to re-aim four red light cameras in Suffolk County. “OK, in order to do this successfully, you only need a pair of balls and a painter’s extension rod,” Ruth says in one of his videos. “I’m going to show you how easy it is to take the power back.” Ruth said in a Facebook post he knew he would be arrested, but he wanted to take
a stand for the taxpayers who receive tickets from the cameras. “Of course I knew I would be arrested. I did it for the people who come back from war and get abused by these cameras. I did it because senior citizens are getting these, the same ones that went to war for us. These same seniors live in New York’s high cost environment and are being forced out of New York because of its high taxes,” he wrote.
An Akron, Ohio, man awoke to find this giant nest of hornets attached to his awning.
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business Maritime
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‘Nigeria’s cargo clearing process has improved over time’ The Nigerian Maritime industry has in the last few years undergone reforms which have improved the level of efficiency and also raised the bar of standards for operators. In this interview with FRANCIS EZEM, the President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, bares his mind on sundry issues affecting the port operations including, how the immediate past Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Abdullahi Dikko, fared in his assignments. How would you assess the Nigeria Customs Service in the last six years under the immediate past Comptroller General, Dikko Abdullahi, regime? First, NAGAFF as a professional body is deeply involved in public policy advocacy with a view to deploying constructive discussion, engagement, dialogue and responsible partnership in achieving collective objectives that will foster the development of the maritime industry. It was therefore against this background due Dikko-led management team on Thursday, November 12, 2009, that we told the team the team that we are conscious of the strategic role of the service as a catalyst not only for national economic growth and development but also of the security and promoting trade facilitation. As critical stakeholders involved in Customs functions, we told the former CG that his appointment was a great opportunity to contribute in reinventing a service built strictly on professionalism, discipline, sincerity and most importantly, a corruption- free one. We indicated our desire for a highly-professional service where there is high morale within the rank and file and one that is responsive to the economic aspirations of Nigeria and global trade facilitation. This and other factors may have influenced the six-point agenda of the former CG, which centred on the transformation of the service. These goals and objectives as embedded in the six-point agenda have been achieved six years down the line. As the National Vice Chairman of the Customs Consultative Committee CCC, can you assess cargo clearing process in Nigeria now compared to what was obtainable in the past? For me, the most remarkable achievement in the process of cargo clearing in Nigeria is the successful take-over of Destination Inspection Regime by the Nigeria Customs through the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR. This is because the DI Scheme is a key function of the Nigeria Customs Service which was transfered to service providers for decades. The cumulative effect of all these is tremendous improvement in cargo dwell time, occasioned by the high level of efficiency brought by the new innovations. There was also the development of the state –of- the-art Ruling Centre to drive the PAAR applications; which led to the provision of technical aids to nine other Customs Administrations of smaller countries within the West and Central Africa Region, especially in the area of boosting the Automated System for Customs Data ASYCUDA system and enhancing the anti-smuggling operations. You can also agree with me that during this period, which covers DIkko’s tenure, the average monthly revenue collection was N100 billion and the recovery of evaded government revenue from corporate smugglers in high places. This era also witnessed high seizures and intercepted con-
Nweke
the most remarkable achievement in the process of cargo clearing in Nigeria is the successful take-over of Destination Inspection
Regime by the Nigeria Customs through the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR. traband. All these are parts of the proceeds of the reforms that have taken place in the last few years. Do you not think that the gains of these reforms are being eroded by the perennial gridlocks occasioned by the poor state of port access roads etc? I quite agree with you because the process of clearing a consignment ends when the said consignment has got to the warehouse of the owners. But while the gains of the reforms are permanent because the new system has taken root, the congestion can be addressed any moment as soon as the concerned agencies wake up from their deep slumber. These reforms are quite commendable. Stakeholders are yet to hear the last about the imbroglio created by the proposed introduction of practicing fee by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria CRFFN. What is the update? NAGAFF as a responsible and law abiding professional body will always tilt towards the protection of the rule of law. So our position of being law abiding has not changed as we look up to the relevant agencies to do what is required of them, especially in terms of providing leadership and adequate regulation. We will consistently stand on the side of the people and the truth; we will not deviate from that. What in your opinion is the greatest achievement of the immediate past management of Customs? Like I said earlier, we are glad to note that the former CGC worked assiduously in the right direction and we noticed progressive changes and improvements in the service in the last six years.
The following achievements really showed that our responsible partnership, strategic alliance and collaboration with the management team was a huge success, hence, we scored him 75 per cent. In terms of welfare of the officers and men, which was part of measures to fight corruption, the management established a housing estate made up of 120 units of three-bed room detached duplexes, commissioned by former President Goodluck Jonathan. The construction of the Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, which was commissioned by the former president, was in line with its capacity building policy. The collage has since been adopted by the WCO as a Regional Training Centre for West and Central Africa. He also did the completion of state –of- the-art printing press powered by Minolta. There were also collaborations with the National Open University of Nigeria and Kaduna State University to boost capacity building of junior officers in the service, thereby giving hope to junior officers to move from Inspectorate Cadre to Superintendent Cadre. In terms of operational efficiency, he acquired 400 units of Toyota Hilux vans to aid border patrol operations and the purchase of 3,800 units of AK 47 riffles with ammunition for anti-smuggling operations etc. Under the management, the image of the Nigerian nation was projected among other Customs Administrations globally. Thus, the immediate past CG was elected vice chairman of World Customs Organisation WCO, West and Central African region; chairman, African Region of Customs Administrations and chairman, Economic Community of Western African States ECOWAS Customs Administrations. In the area of international conventions and protocols, we can also recall the assent to the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) in June 2012 etc. By way of agenda setting, what areas would you like the Acting CG, Dr. John Atte, to focus on? My view is very simple, from personal interactions and involvements, I have no doubt in my mind that the service of today has an array of educated, professionally-trained, intelligent, committed, bold officers of sound mind and prepared to lead. What is remaining is having a good team work that will work with a common objective. Sincerely speaking, I must state here that the present management team should further consolidate for future progress and development of the service. The acting Comptroller-General only needs to adopt team work approach and the willingness to sustain and improve on some of the achievements stated above and strive to do more. This is by opening up a new horizon, looking at the dynamism of the international trade environment. Operationally speaking, the modernisation efforts should be accelerated further with regards to the achievements stated above. Stakeholders are looking forward that the NCS - NICIS should be strengthened to give impetus to the much-anticipated National Single Window that will promote total automation and central information warehouse for the ports and trade system. The Ruling Centre PAAR platform applications should be improved upon to be interactive, so as to accommodate the Article 20 - Agreed Customs Valuation ACV applications as domesticated and provided in the United Nations General Agreement Of Trade and Tariff GATT. Also, the new management should adopt enhanced integrity training programmes for the newly recruited young officers to instill and sustain disciplinary tenets. But I know for sure that Dr. Atte I know, will always consult where and when necessary, he is one man I know, does not claim monopoly of wisdom and knowledge.
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Business Maritime
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
FG targets reduction of fake goods’ influx to 10% STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM
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he Federal Government has projected that that the volume of the influx of fake and substandard goods into the country, which currently stands at 40 per cent, would be reduced to 10 per cent or less before the end of the year Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON, , Dr. Joseph Odumodu, gave this hint in Lagos during a sensitisation seminar on the integration of the organisation’s electronic certificates into the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System NICIS. The integration of the SON’s e-certificates into the NICIS for the processing of the SONCAP Form M and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, will remove all encumbrances in import documentation processes for all products regulated by the organisation thus facilitating trade. He disclosed that Nigeria’s official trade statistics as at 2011 showed that the influx of substandard and fake imported products was over 80 per cent as against the 20 per cent obtained in some developed and developing economies. According to him, with the integration of the organisation’s certification platforms into the NICIS, which connects over 40 agencies of the government including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Ports Au-
From left: Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu and Director General/CEO, Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu during a sensitisation seminar on the integration of the organisation’s electronic certificates into the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System NICIS, which took place in Lagos recently. thority, the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS, among others. It was gathered that this integration of the platform of the apex bureau will in addition to facilitating trade simplify the process of cargo inspection, reduce cost and bring about online real time documentation of certifications. “ Importers or their agents would no longer be required to to come to our office in Lekki to obtain or submit their documents, as they will now do it from the comfort of their offices or room and you know, this will reduce human contacts and therefore
check corrupt tendencies of some people, Odumodu said. He also said: “Contrary insinuations, we have not gone back into the seaports and we do not desire to return to the seaports
Tianjin Port’s insured loss likely to exceed $1.5bn T he total insured loss at Tianjin port, following the two blasts that ripped through the port on August 12th, has been
Customs redeploys area controllers to boost operations
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he Nigeria Customs Service has redeployed five area controllers of the service as part of measures to reposition the service for efficiency and also check the increasing activities of smugglers especially across the nation’s porous borders and unapproved entry points. A statement by the Deputy Public Relations officer o the service, Mr. Joseph Attah, said that the acting Comptroller-General of the service, Dr. John Atte has approved the redeployment five Customs Comptrollers who are to tighten border security and ensure the achievement of 2015 revenue target. The AFFECTED Controllers include Amade Abdul , who will now resume at the Federal Operations Unit FOU Zone‘A’, Lagos while Comptroller Azare-
ma Ahmed who has been at the Mordenisation unit at the headquarters will go to Port Harcourt Area 1 command. Others include Comptroller Madugu Sani, who moves to Seme Border Command from Customs Training College Ikeja; even as Comptroller Kuffi Dan Garba formerly at Port Harcourt Area 1 moves to SR & P while Comptroller Ndalati Garba resumes at SR 7 P. It was also gathered that the Acting Comptroller-General has charged the redeployed Comptrollers to take over their new positions immediately with a view to re-sharpening service apparatus for maximum productivity. Investigations showed that the new Customs –boss is not satisfied with the increasing cases of smuggling activities across the
because with the aid of this new system, I should be able to open those containers and know what is in them without coming to the ports, which is even more convenient”.
It was gathered that the integration of the systems coupled with the proposed enforcement of the new SON Act 2015 will make it difficult for fake and substandard goods to find their way into the country. The SON-boss, who doubles as president of the African Organisation for Standardisation ARSO, however warned stakeholders that even some members of staff of the organization might want to truncate the new system and therefore advised that the management of the agency would not hesitate to punish any one that contravenes the new system. Most stakeholders, who spoke at the one-day events lauded the initiative of the organization to simplify trade processes, which in addition to enhancing efficiency, would also reduce cost of operation. Some other benefits of the integration include the provision of easy access to to information on products regulated by SON, as the consignees can confirm if a product is regulated through the online platform.
country. In addition to checking the activities of these economic saboteurs,, part of the mandate of the redeployed comptrollers is to block all possible revenue leakages as part of measures to boost import revenue, given the dwindling fortunes of the crude oil market, which has fallen to an all time low of $46 per barrel. It was also gathered that the acting CG, who increased the service’s annual revenue projection from N13billion to N35billion needed to make some strategic changes in order to make the projections achievable. The acting CG told the area controller to be ready to take full responsibility for the action or inaction of officers and men of the service posted to their commands.
estimated at CNY 5 – 10b (USD 833m – 1.67b), by China’s Central University of Finance and Economics and USD 1.0 – 1.5b by Credit Suisse. Tianjin, the port gateway to Beijing, is a major base for petrochemicals, and is the 10th-busiest container port globally with 14m TEUs in 2014.
The two huge explosions happened in a warehouse area in the port district in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin, and were equivalent to 3 tonnes of TNT and 21 tonnes of TNT respectively. Vast areas of the port were devastated in the blast that killed 116 people, according to Xinhua. The causes of the explosions are not yet known, but initial reports point to an industrial accident. According to the Insurance Insider, the Tianjin port explosion could be the most expensive manmade loss since Deepwater Horizon in 2010. The Insider suggests that if 10,000-12,000 vehicles were destroyed and a valuation of USD 30,000 was used per vehicle, a preliminary estimate of the groundup vehicle loss would come to USD300m – 360m. Another major loss will be reported in relation
to shipping containers, with estimated losses ranging between USD 120 m – 750 m. Top three insurers in China PICC, Ping An and China Pacific are expected to suffer significant losses from the explosion, according to the University estimates. “Given the complexity of the loss, which is expected to involve multiple risks across Marine and NonMarine lines, and the situation on the ground for the affected area, it will be some time before provisional loss advice will be released by many cedants,” reinsurance intermediary Aon Benfield said in a summary report. On the other hand, Fitch Ratings believes that the insured losses from the explosions at Tianjin could exceed USD 1bn1.5bn. The high insurance penetration rate in this area could make the blasts one of the most costly catastrophe claims for the Chinese insurance sector in the last few years, Fitch said, adding that the number of reported insurance claims cases would surge further in the coming few weeks.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business News
Friday, August 28, 2015
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Federation Account revenue drops by N52.36bn in July … ECA now $2.25bn Emeka Ezekiel, Abuja
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he Federal, State and Local Government are bound to face fiscal challenges as gross revenue into the Federation Account is bound to shrink in the months ahead following sustained crash of oil prices in the international market. For instance, in July the accrued revenue into the account dropped from N485.36 billion recorded in the preceding month to N433.58 billion, representing a decline of N52.36 billion.
This was contained in the revenue accruals into the Federation Account and distributions to the tiers of government report for the month released by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), at the end of its meeting on Wednesday in Abuja. Briefing the media on the decisions taken at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Anastacia Nwaobia, who chaired the meeting, attributed the drop in the gross revenue on shut-in for maintenance and emergency repairs; declaration of force majeure by Shell
Petroleum Development Company, as well as drop in average price of crude oil from $65.76 in May to $61.27 in June. She, however, said the balance in the Excess Crude Account as at the date of the meeting stood at $2.25bn, representing an increase of $500m over the N$2.2bn recorded in the previous month. Nwaobia clarified: “The gross revenue of N433.58bn received for the month was lower than the N485.95bn received in the previous month by N52.36bn. “Shut down and shut-in for maintenance and emergency repairs as well as declaration of force majeure by Shell Petroleum Development Compa-
ny were major issues that negatively impacted crude oil revenue. Also, there was revenue loss of $22.53m as a result of drop in average price of crude oil from $65.76 in May to $61.27 in June.” National Mirror investigations showed that sequel to the dwindling revenue into the Federation Account last month, allocations to the three tiers of government fell from N620.66bn in June to N539.24bn . A further beakdown of the distributions indicated that the revenue were shared under four distributable sources as follows- statutory allocation N424.1bn, Value Added Tax N74.95bn, exchange gain N6.4bn and refund made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to the federation account being debt owed the federal government N6.33bn. However, of the total amount shared under statutory allocation, states got N102.51bn or 26.72 per cent while the local governments received N79.03bn or 20.6 per cent. The Federal Government, after the deducting cost of collections to revenue generating agencies, got N202.11bn, representing 52.68 per cent. But the balance of N28.2bn was allocated to the oil producing states based on the 13 per cent derivation principle. With respect to Valued Added Tax (VAT), states got a total of N35.94bn or 50 per cent while the local governments are to receive the sum of N25.18bn, while the federal government got the sum of N10.79bn or 15 per cent, after deducting cost of collection. Meanwhile, the Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, had given a situation report on the Treasury Single Account, saying that all agencies of the Federal Government has been mandated to comply with the new Presidential directive. Idris disclosed that the Federal Government would soon release guidelines to provide the framework that will ensure full compliance by all agencies.
CBN tasks banks on customers’ complaints Udo Onyeka
A L-R: Amaechi Okobi, Head, Strategic Brand Management; Aina Akintonde, Head, Women Banking and Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Personal Banking; all of Access Bank Plc during a media parley on Wednesday in Lagos
circular by the apex banking institution signed by Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Udofia Obot, noted that in recent times it had experienced challenges in ensuring timely resolution of complaints from consumers of financial services against financial insti-
Agric Ministry to partner Commodity Exchange Commission on market devt
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he Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, has unveiled plans to partner with the Nigerian Commodity Exchange Commission to develop the nation’s commodity market. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Tuesday when he received the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer and management of Commodity Exchange Commission on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. Echono expressed the readiness of his ministry to collabo-
rate with the board in developing the commodity market and its storage programme, saying however that any collaboration with the Commission would be based on the Presidential directive which required it to do an index study before engaging in any concessionary plan. He hinted that the report of the committee on the storage system was ready for approval of the President. He said the ministry was promoting ware housing and was working very hard to open the market to competitors, saying some may be kept for stor-
age reserves. Echono, who advised the Commission to consider warehousing, said that 33 of such warehouses were available for off-taking. He explained further that the ministry had been working to strengthen and resuscitate co-operatives and that their actual number would be provided to the Commission. He said the ministry is working very hard The Permanent Secretary, stated that the ministry has done well in maize production and would try to release some to stabilize the cost of maize in the market. He the plan of the min-
istry to do expanded dry season farming using irrigation facilities to boost food production. Echono advised the commission to get involved in paddy aggregation to ensure that farmers find easy and good market for their rice paddy, adding that the ministry is planning to establish 25 Bulk Allocation Centres to be private sector driven. Earlier in her remarks, the Managing Director of the Exchange Commission, Mrs. Zaheera Baba – Ari, said that the Commission was in the ministry to seek areas of support and value addition.
tutions under its regulatory purview. “This development , which has been attributed to non availability of or delays in receiving documentary evidence from both parties, underscores the need to have a policy on ‘time bar’ for complaints management in the financial services industry”, the CBN said. The circular also indicated that the apex bank, having consulted the relevant stakeholders in the financial services industry, and in line with the provisions of limitation legislation; Money Laundering prohibition Act 2003, CBN Anti Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism, AML/CFT, Regulation for Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria 2013, adopted a time limit of six years effective from the date of transaction, within which complaints against financial institutions shall be lodged. The bank stated further that the time limitation will, however, not apply to the following fraud cases; fraud cases complaints already lodged with financial institutions and the CBN and international electronic payment transactions whose records are not retained beyond 180days on the dispute resolution application.
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Business News
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NAICOM boss tasks insurance brokers on integrity Tola Akinmutimi
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he Commissioner for Insurance and industry regulator, Mallam Muhammed Kari, has urged insurance brokers to promote the highest sense of professionalism in their dealings with clients and authorities of the insurance industry as a strategic option of leveraging on its contributions to national development. Kari, who gave the advice at the just ended “Members Eve-
ning” of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers in Lagos, said that all stakeholders commitment to discipline and ethical standards in their dealings would go a long way in improving the image of insurance practitioners and by implication, how the insuring public will build confidence in them as professionals. The National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, boss cited several cases how, he had in the course of his professional career shunned ill-informed and
baseless name calling to pursue his professional career with his sense of responsibility, pointing out that playing according to the rule of the game has its rewards for the individual practitioner, the industry and the nation’s economy in the long run. According to him, insurance brokers needed to work in collaboration with insurance companies, the regulator and other relevant agencies in order to curb touting which, he said, remained one of the greatest challenges facing the industry today.
L-R: Director Administration and Finance FCT Education Secretariat,Mrs. Biki Naomi, Director FCT Scholarship Board Mal. Ahmad Rany, Executive Commissioner Corporate Services Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Hon. Zakawanu Garuba and Director General SEC, Mounir Gwarzo when members of the FCT Scholarship Board visited the DG yesterday in Abuja
Kari assured the practitioners of the readiness of NAICOM to work closely with the NCRIB for the purposes of ensuring that through constructive engagement all that should be done to grow the industry are jointly undertaken by the industry stakeholders. To demonstrate his commitment to openness, he made available his phone number and e-mail address to the over 400 insurance brokers at the forum and assured them of timely response to their genuine enquiries at all times by the Commission. It would be recalled that the industry regulator had given a similar charge to the leadership of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, a forth night ago when he urged the body to do everything lawful to promote professionalism to improve the contribution of the industry to the nation’s development. Earlier in his speech, the NCRIB President, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu, noted that despite the various insurance policies that could help the country boost its Gross Domestic Product, GDP, geometrically, lack of enforcement of such policies remained
NIMASA assures on land-locked countries’ cargo movements FRANCIS EZEM
Ekiti assures investors of access to land N
ABIODUN NEJO, ADO EKI
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I Ekiti State Government has expressed readiness to ensure willing investors in the state get access to land without encumbrances as part of its efforts to attract investors to the state for rapid development. The state governor dropped the hint in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday while signing the Certificates of Occupancy (Cs of O) for the parcel of land to be used by a private university in the state, City Model University, Iropora-Ekiti. He assured individuals and corporate bodies that the present administration would issue them C of O in a record time if they paid the necessary dues and fees to the state government promptly. The governor said that the step would help in accelerating economic activities and development of the state. He explained: “We are eager to develop our dear state and we will not spare any effort to encourage private sector par-
ticipation. In that regard, we are encouraging those who need C of O for their businesses or premises speedy issuance of the certificate. I have shown interest in this project because it is about education, the major industry in our state. Having agreed to pay all the necessary fees and dues, I will sign the C of O. “I charge the founders of City Model University to move fast so that we will inaugurate the first phase of
the project. By today’s signing of the C of O, I believe we have contributed our own quota to the quick approval of the institution by the relevant authorities,” the governor said. The Oniropora of Iropora Ekiti, Oba Joel Ajayi Olonibua, commended the governor for the timely issuance of the document to the promoters of the proposed university. The monarch said that the signing of the
igerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has said it would ensure seamless movement of cargoes from Niger Republic and other land locked African countries into the nation’s seaports. Already, there has been apprehension that many land-locked African countries such as Republic of Niger and Chad, who prior to port reforms, made Nigeria’s seaport their hub, dumped them due to the twin problem of ineffi-
FIRS should target informal sector to boost tax revenue –group
T
he President, Professional Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Anono, yesterday advised the newly appointed Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Tunde Fowler, to focus more on informal sector in order to increase non-oil tax revenue. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that Nigeria’s revenue would increase if more focus was given to the
informal sector, adding that one of the potential benefits of raking in more non-oil revenue is that it would help to bridge the increasing infrastructure gap in the country. Anono said: “Our economy will rebound again despite the declining crude oil prices in the international market. Fowler’s appointment is commendable given his previous achievements.`` The shareholders’ leader
a major constraint to boosting the industry and empowering professionals to contribute their quota to national development. Shoderu, who described Mr. Mohammed Kari’s appointment as Commissioner for Insurance as a welcome development, urged the governments in the country to encourage the enforcement of existing insurance policies, especially those made mandatory by law (compulsory insurance) as a strategic option of tackling the menace of corruption and fake insurance agents in the country. He also appealed to the Federal Government to throw its federal might behind the entrenchment of insurance policies not only in Aviation Industry but all other sectors, especially in the enforcement of compulsory insurance policies in the country. “It is of common knowledge that incumbent administration will not tolerate corruption of any sort, I like to say that avoidance of compulsory insurances is high level of corruption, therefore, it must be included in the ongoing fight against corruption”, Shoderu added.
described the new FIRS boss’ tenure as Chairman of Lagos Board of Internal Revenue as remarkable, saying that with him Lagos can now boast of substantive revenue from its local economy. He described said that Fowler’s appointment was timely, particularly now that the country is facing serious fiscal challenges associated with declining revenue from crude oil exports.
ciency and excessive port charges, as many of them now prefer ports of Togo and Republic of Benin for their transhipments from Asia, Europe and America. Acting Director General of the Agency, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, who spoke during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission on Transit Cargo led by the Director General of the Shippers Council of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Oumarou Issoufou to the agency in Lagos, restated NIMASA’s commitment towards removing all barriers to seamless facilitation of transit cargo to the Republic of Niger through Nigeria’s seaports. The delegation from the Republic of Niger, comprising mostly economic operators, was in Nigeria to inspect port facilities with a view to channelling most of their cargo through Nigerian ports. According to the NIMASA DG, Nigeria and the Niger Republic would work together without barriers to ensure smooth passage of goods between both countries. The DG, who also expressed satisfaction with the activities of the Commission, especially in the area of trade relations between Nigeria and Niger, said both coun-
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Business News
Friday, August 28, 2015
FG targets $13bn yearly FDI inflow Olufemi,Adeosun, Abuja
F
ederal Government yesterday said that measures were being put in place to ensure annual investment portfolio of $13bn. It described the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report which put nation’s annual capital inflow at $6 billion, as unacceptable. The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Mrs Uju Aisha Baba, who spoke during the inauguration of two committees in Abuja, said the unimpressive ratings had adversely affected investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.
According to the NIPC boss, the need to shore up the rating and make Nigeria investment hub, has compelled the federal government to revisit and review the activities of the interministerial committee constituted and inaugurate in March 2012 by the past administration. The two committees: ‘The Business and Competitiveness’ and ‘The Investors’ After-Care’ committees which were inaugurated by the NIPC boss are charged with the responsibility of addressing Nigeria investors’ relations in order to boost the image of the country. Baba Hassan who was represented by the Director, National Competitiveness and Policy Advocacy, Mr. James Ebuetse, said it was time for everyone to put
on their thinking cap and find lasting solutions to the challenges especially now that the country is looking at other avenues at generating revenues aside oil. She said: ‘’It was in the light of the above that technical committees were constituted for these committees to serve as the think-tank. Your responsibility as members of the technical committee on Doing Business and Competitiveness is to take an in-depth review of global reports in the context of the mandate of your various MDAs coupled with the comments from investors and the organised private sector (OPS), recommend improvement on existing policies and legislations that govern the act of doing business in Nigeria.
The President of Council of Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu (right),decorating the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari, as a member of the Council during the August edition of “Members Evening” sponsored by NICON Insurance Limited on Tuesday in Lagos
World Bank to disburse $140m for community projects in 26 states, FCT Tola Akinmutimi
T
he World Bank assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) is set to commence the disbursement of additional $140 million (about N30 billion) to 26 states and FCT for community driven projects. The CSDP had disbursed $200 million from 2009 to 2014 in the first phase of the project. A statement by the World Bank, Nigeria Office, yesterday indicated that States to benefit from the additional financing will focus on the most vulnerable households in poor communities in the country. It listed Anambra, Kaduna and Sokoto States among the states that were set to participate in the
additional financing. According to the Bank, the additional financing is expected to fund micro-project facilities such as rehabilitation and construction of school class rooms, health centers and clinics, skills acquisition, rural electrification, rural transport, community water schemes, community housing schemes, rural market infrastructure to mention but a few. In addition, the Breton Woods institution hinted that vulnerable groups such as, include internally displaced poor persons, marginalized or chronically poor households, widows and the physically challenged, would also benefit from special grants in the projects. Speaking on Community Development intervention, the World
Bank Task Team Leader for the project, Foluso Okunmadewa, pointed out that the project “will not only help vulnerable people in the short term, including those in conflict-affected areas, but will also help build and rebuild longlasting partnership between local governments and communities”. In addition, he explained that the CSDP will also “help integrate communities as well as make smart investments in people for the future.” The first phase of the World Bank funding of the Community Social Development Project (CSDP) which benefited over 5,600 communities and about 2 million people in 26 states of the federation was fully disbursed by December 2014
43
Ai, AU present blueprint to tackle Africa’s poverty crisis David Audu
A
frica investor, Ai, an investment and communications group, and investment leaders from the Africa’s private sector will present a business blueprint on how to end poverty on the continent to the United Nation’s, UN, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the African Union Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, President of the World Bank Group, Jim Kim, and African Heads of State during the upcoming UN General Assembly. The Ai Business Statement which will be launched at the ‘Ai CEO Investment Summit’ in September, during the week of the UN General Assembly, will restate business’s commitment on how to tackle poverty in Africa and will also call for the harmonisation of goals between the Financing for Development, FfD, agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, in support of the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Commenting on the African Development Business Statement, CEO and Vice Chairman of Africa investor Hubert Danso noted that the private sector remained a critical partner in the fight against poverty in Africa and seeks to be more effectively engaged by development partners. He said: “To optimise the development impact business can have, there is an urgent need for clarity
on the sequence and interrelationship of the Financing for Development Agenda, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the first 15 years of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, especially on the issues of infrastructure development, women’s empowerment, innovation and technology, entrepreneurship and capital market development.” “Africa investor is pleased to be able to provide the leadership and a platform on which business leaders can have a voice on the role of business in the implementation of the Financing for Development Agenda, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063”, Danso added. The Ai CEO Investment Summit is an annual only CEO business and government forum, designed to facilitate action, to highlight and enhance Africa’s investment climate, trade competiveness and job creation, as well as shed light on Africa’s investment success stories. The Summit will comprise a number of CEOled panels that will showcase highgrowth opportunity sectors, and will include feedback from public and private sector leaders working on these issues. Attendees and speakers will include high-level international and domestic leaders from business and government with Africa’s private sector development as high priority.
Globacom trains new 10,000 Glo Xchange Agents Isaiah Erhiawarien
M
obile money agents in the Globacom Xchange mobile money platform who have been trained to provide services across the country are expected to reach 10,000 within the next few months. According to the mobile network operator, there are also plans to introduce the first set of market-ready agents across the country soon. Last year, Globacom launched its first mobile money super-agent network in Nigeria and with a subsequent training of thousands of mobile money agents nationwide, and in the next twelve months 10,000 agents will be ready to deliver the much-desired mobile money revolution in Nigeria. A statement issued by the company indicated that the Glo Xchange was aimed at accelerating financial inclusion in the country, adding that this will take cashless transactions and e-pay-
ments to the grassroots. The platform is also expected to facilitate financial transactions such as payment transfers, airtime buying, bills payments like Dstv, GoTV, and PHCN without cash exchange, but through the mobile phone. The telco stated that over 160 Gloworld and Glozone shops, are already offering Glo Xchange services to customers along with branches of all Globacom’s mobile money partners such as FirstBank, Ecobank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Zenith Bank. The company’s Head of Mobile Money Financial Business, Mr. Esaie Diei, said the initiative would be complemented by the Glo Xchange Agents who will operate from designated mobile money outlets such as kiosks, shops, pharmacies, supermarkets and mega stores around the country thus ensuring that mobile money services are extended to the grassroots
44
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Stakeholders seek agric-friendly policies to boost productivity, jobs ADEBAYO
S
takeholders in the Southwest Nigeria have urged governments in the country to agriculture-friendly financing policies to support farmers and other agribusiness entrepreneurs for improved productivity and growth in order to attract more youths into agricultural sector. They expressed confidence in the ability of the reforms implemented by the former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, to sustain abundant food production and the attendant benefits, urging the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to adopt, adapt and upgrade the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, blueprint to maximise the gains emanating from the reform. This was a major point canvassed by participants at a one-day Town Hall Meeting anchored by AgroNigeria, a media organization promoting agriculture and its value chain in Nigeria, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The CEO, Agric House, Mr. Kayode Ehindero, advised that the new administration should avoid policy summersaults in agriculture, but refine and sustain good agricultural policies and frameworks put in place by past governments. Ehindero, said that despite its shortcomings, the past administration did very well in agricultural sector, while admonishing the present administration to sustain the ATA programme’s key components such as the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme and other beneficial ones. He recommended that the nomad cattle herdsmen across the country should be incorporated as integral part of the policy and frameworks to be put in place by the new administration to forestall needless clashes between crop producers and herdsmen to ensure a food-secured Nigeria. In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Aquatech, Dr. George Sheghona, who identified challenges faced by farmers in Nigeria and other parts of developing world as finance, management and marketing, said farmers should be able to show financial institutions what they needed financial support and should be sincere in the implementation of financial proposal to engender trust in the industry. He also advocated that youths should be attracted into agriculture by making training in management, land and farm tools available at subsidised prices. A University of Ibadan post-gradu-
DSC 0054 - Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Arc. Sonny Echono with the MD/CEO of Nigerian Commodity Exchange Commission, Mrs. Zaheera Baba-Ari and members of the management Commission, and a Deputy Director in the Federal Department of Agriculture, FMARD, Mr. Obinna Opara.
the youth and women in agriculture should be accorded priority attention whenever policies on financial interventions are being formulated ate student who was also a participant, Miss Michele Opinache, and some other graduates of agriculture and allied disciplines were not interested in agriculture because they were mobilised into such studies as a result of failure to secure admission into their chosen disciplines. Responding to their complaints, Professor Rasheed Awodoyin of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology,in the university, said that the nation’s public universities were overwhelmed with lopsided admission applications, with over 70 per cent applying to study popular programmes such as Medicine, Law, Accounting, and Economics, among others, while agriculture and its allied disciplines were always neglected. He said this lopsidedness in the education system accounted for the reason why most candidates were given the courses they did not apply to study, including agriculture. He therefore urged agricultural and other graduates to develop interest in agribusiness as their contribution to re-
duce unemployment, poverty and associated vices. While lamenting poor financing of youths in agriculture, the Chief Executive Officer of Fagna Consult, an agricultural service provider, encouraged youths to ignore all odds, explore agriculture with passion, plans and determination to make a difference with quality products, good agricultural practices and cost-cutting strategies. Representative of the Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme, OYSADEP, Mr. Akinola Dauda, said although youths should be incorporated into schemes of things in agriculture, most of them entrusted with facilities were not usually faithful based on experience. He urged youths to be honest when saddled with resources for agricultural purposes. He further advised the youths to look into cassava value chain businesses, saying the root crop has the potential to employ as many youths as possible sustainably. A communiqué issued at the end of the
one-day South-West Town Hall Meeting recommended that policy formulations should adopt bottom-up and end-userdriven intervention approaches on fundamental issues affecting agriculture. It added that the Farm Settlement Scheme should be resuscitated, strengthened and better positioned to address the 21 century needs of agriculture, while attitudinal orientation should be encouraged and institutionalised by all stakeholders as this would address the negative impressions of the youths in venturing into agriculture. The communiqué also stated that risk management and insurance policies should be tailored towards the generality of Nigerian farmers in order to make the sector competitive and attractive to investors. It recommended that the youth and women in agriculture should be accorded priority attention whenever policies on financial interventions are being formulated, while stating that there must be a national declaration of a state-ofemergency in agriculture insisting on a policy that Nigeria has no reason to be food insecure. The stakeholders also agreed that “all States in the South West Nigeria should as a matter of policy, invest massively into commercial agriculture. There must be urgent efforts calculated at bridging the gap in food production between the North and the South. They also canvassed urgent solution to the huge infrastructure gaps in the rural areas to make for a rewarding season for agricultural stakeholders.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Capital Market
Friday, August 28, 2015
45
Index rises 0.3%, as Flour Mills, PZ, Honeywell Flour Johnson Okanlawon
T
he benchmark indices of the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday recorded 0.3 percent or 84.10 points close at 28,221.75 points.
This was against 28,137.65 points recorded on Wednesday. The market capitalization rose N28.90 billion to close at N9.7 trillion as against N9.6 trillion. Similarly, seven sectoral indices closed positive. The sectoral gainers were led by the Banking Index with a rise of 0.8 per cent to close at 275.08 points, followed by Premium and Pension Index which gained 0.5 per cent
each to close at 1,554.2 and 831.61 points respectively. The NSE 30 Index increased 0.4 per cent to close at 1,256.76 points while the NSE Main Board appreciated 0.2 per cent to close at 1,321.55 points. NSE Insurance and Industrial Index gained 0.1 per cent each to close at 130.61 and 2,127.20 points respectively. The NSE Consumer Goods Index led three sectoral decliners with a loss of 0.4 per cent to close at 704.47 points, trailed by the Oil and gas Index which fell 0.3 per cent to close at 326.88 points while the Lotus
Islamic index dropped 0.2 per cent to close at 2,043.26 points. The Alternative Securities Market closed flat. Skye Bank Plc led 20 equity gainers as it appreciated by 9.79 per cent or 19 kobo to close at N2.13 per share followed by Vitafoam Plc which gained 6.96 per cent or 40 kobo to close at N6.15 per share. Guinness Nigeria Plc also gained 4.99 per cent or N5.49 to close at N115.50 per share, while Diamond Bank Plc. added 4.71 per cent or 13 kobo to close N2.89 per share. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc also increased 4.50 per cent or N1.85 to close at N43 per share.
On the other hand, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc led 31 equity losers with a decline of 9.73 per cent or N2.56 to close at N23.76 per share followed by PZ Cussons Nig. Plc which dropped 9.69 per cent or N2.24 to close at N20.87, while Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. also lost 9.20 per cent or 23 kobo to close at N2.27 per share. RT Briscoe Plc depreciated 7.27 per cent or 4 kobo to close at 51 kobo per share while E-Tranzact Plc decreased 5 per cent or 15 kobo to close at N2.85 per share. In all, investors traded N333.2 million shares worth N2.8 billion in 4,444 deals.
FBN Capital concludes Cross River Bond offer UDO ONYEKA
F
BN Capital Limited has announced the successful conclusion of the Series 1 bond issuance offer for the Cross River State Government, under its N40 billion bond issuance program. The 7-year tenured bonds with maturity due in 2022 were issued via a Book Building process, following its appointment as the Lead Issuing House by the State in May 2015. According to a statement by FBN Capital, the State in line with its mandate to develop infrastructure, had embarked
on several projects including road, water and health facilities which were financed through bank loans. “The proceeds from the Issue were therefore earmarked for refinancing the State’s outstanding obligation to the lending banks. The Bonds which were offered at 17 per cent coupon rate, paid semi-annually, proffered a cheaper financing option to the State. “FBN Capital as Lead Issuing House led the league of the Issuing Houses to underwrite the transaction to the tune of N6.25billion on a standby basis. The Bond offer was
secured by an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order, ISPO, issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance as a first line charge upon and payable out of the Statutory Allocation of the State. “By this order a Sinking Fund account was created and managed by the Trustees to the Issue from which bondholders’ obligation (interest and principal) would be repaid”, the statement said. Speaking on the transaction, Deputy Managing Director of FBN Capital, Mr Taiwo Okeowo, said despite the market volatility which characterised the bond issuance period, the transaction was closed at a
favourable pricing mark, raising N1.75bn over the underwritten sum. “FBN Capital leveraged on its distribution relationships to obtain commitment for the transaction, and on conclusion of the offer a total ofN8billion naira was raised, significantly reducing Cross River State’s outstanding loans to banks and lowering the service cost for the loans”, Okeowo said. The Issuer was assigned a ‘BBB” rating while the Issue was assigned an ‘A-’, both by Global Credit Rating Co. Limited following their financial due diligence.
U.S. stocks rebound after stronger GDP data
U
.S. stocks rose, with equities on pace for their biggest two-day advance since 2009, amid a relief rally throughout global markets and as data showed the economy grew more than previously estimated. Raw-material and energy companies advanced the most as commodity prices rebounded, with crude oil rising 6 percent. Copper producer Freeport-McMoRan Inc. soared 21 percent after unveiling plans to cut production. Chesapeake Energy Corp. and Consol Energy Inc. added more than 9 percent. Netflix Inc. rallied for a third day, up 6.1 percent, and Apple Inc. increased 2.3 percent. Tiffany & Co. slipped
as quarterly profit missed analysts’ estimates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.9 percent to 1,976.72 at 11:29 a.m. in New York, heading for its strongest back-to-back advance since the bull market began more than six years ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 270.94 points, or 1.7 percent, to 16,556.45, also on its way to the best twoday run-up since 2009. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1.9 percent. “The economy is in good shape and we’re chugging along at a good pace and that’s good for earnings,” said John Canally, chief economic strategist at LPL Financial Corp. in Boston. “It also should clear some of
the noise out of this market. There has been a lot of concern about a slowdown in the economy.” Data today showed gross domestic product rose at a 3.7 percent annualized rate, exceeding all estimates of economists surveyed by Bloomberg, and up from the 2.3 percent reported last month. Bigger gains in consumer and business spending showed the U.S. expansion getting back on track. A separate report showed filings for jobless benefits declined to a three-week low. Contracts to purchase previously owned homes climbed in July for the sixth time in the last seven months, another report showed.
Rate (%) Inflation
8.2
MPR
13
Crude oil price
$58.96
Source: NSE
Inter-Bank Rate Naira
US Dollar
$1
N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 29,747.57 points Market capitalisation 10.21trn
Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY
OPENING
CLOSING
CHANGE
% CHANGE
SKYEBANK
1.76
1.90
0.14
7.95
NESTLE
840.00
882.00
42.00
5.00
PAINTCOM
1.00
1.05
0.05
5.00
ACCESS
4.07
4.27
0.20
4.91
AIICO
0.83
0.87
0.04
4.82
MAYBAKER
1.30
1.36
0.06
4.62
UBCAP
1.24
1.29
0.05
4.03
LINKASSURE
0.50
0.52
0.02
4.00
UNITYBNK
1.63
1.69
0.06
3.68
NPFMCRFBK
0.85
0.88
0.03
3.53
CHANGE
% CHANGE
LOSERS COMPANY
OPENING
CLOSING
EVANSMED
0.73
0.67
-0.06
-8.22
TRANSCORP
2.37
2.19
-0.18
-7.59
WEMABANK
0.85
0.79
-0.06
-7.06
CHAMPION
4.50
4.26
-0.24
-5.33
ACADEMY
0.80
0.76
-0.04
-5.00
SEPLAT
258.20
245.30
-12.90
-5.00
OKOMUOIL
22.85
21.71
-1.14
-4.99
IKEJAHOTEL
3.15
3.00
-0.15
-4.76
ASHAKACEM
23.00
22.00
-1.00
-4.35
DANGFLOUR
3.00
2.87
-0.13
-4.33
FGN Bonds
Offer
Bid
Description
Price
Yield
Price
Yield
13.05 16-AUG-2016
0.99
97.43
15.95
97.58
15.78
15.10 27-APR-2017
1.69
99.20
15.61
99.35
15.51
16.00 29-JUN-2019
3.86
101.36
15.50
101.66
15.39
15.54 13-FEB-2020
4.48
100.28
15.45
100.58
15.35
16.39 27-JAN-2022
6.44
103.98
15.39
104.28
15.31
14.20 14-MAR-2024
8.57
94.68
15.33
94.98
15.26
Closing Market Prices of July 30, 2015
Treasury Bills Maturity Date
Bid
Offer
Exchange
Rates (N)
26-Nov-15
14.67
15.27
WAUA
270
USD
197
18-Feb-16
13.42
14.38
EURO
214
4-Aug-16
14.08
16.27
CFA
0.32
YEN
1.64
Tenor
Rate (%)
SWISS FRANC
202
O/N
30.8750
POUNDS STERLING
293
1M
18.3158
3M
20.4606
SDR
273
6M
21.2936
NIBOR
The Fixings of August 6, 2015
Capital Market
46
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Friday, August 28, 2015
Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at August 27, 2015 1st Tier Securities
1st Tier Securities Sector
Company name
AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals
No Of Deals
Value of Shares(N)
No. of Deals 21 14 35
Current Price 19.60 31.00
Quantity Traded 138,230 35,663 173,893
Value Traded 2,680,105.86 1,120,754.09 3,800,859.95
Symbol LIVESTOCK
No. of Deals 25 25
Current Price 1.54
Quantity Traded 903,344 903,344
Value Traded 1,391,649.76 1,391,649.76
1,077,237
5,192,509.71
Quantity Traded 500 1,134 757 17,738,754 77,871 17,819,016
Value Traded 475.00 1,020.60 3,149.12 35,424,418.17 2,602,641.40 38,031,704.29
17,819,016
38,031,704.29
60
Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN
CONGLOMERATES Totals
CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals
Quantity Traded
Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO
AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals
Quotation(N)
No. of Deals 1 3 2 199 17 222
Current Price 0.95 0.94 4.37 2.00 37.00
222
Symbol COSTAIN
No. of Deals 19 19
Current Price 0.58
Quantity Traded 874,010 874,010
Value Traded 516,571.30 516,571.30
Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals
Symbol JBERGER
No. of Deals 28 28
Current Price 43.00
Quantity Traded 1,411,815 1,411,815
Value Traded 60,107,412.90 60,107,412.90
Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals
Symbol UAC-PROP
No. of Deals 17 17
Current Price 7.50
Quantity Traded 155,012 155,012
Value Traded 1,159,685.15 1,159,685.15
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals
Symbol UPDCREIT
No. of Deals 1 1
Current Price 10.00
Quantity Traded 500 500
Value Traded 5,000.00 5,000.00
2,441,337
61,788,669.35
Quantity Traded 181,848 347,492 111,750 6,810 2,506,113 3,154,013
Value Traded 726,595.05 38,590,261.81 1,806,706.58 10,283.10 276,331,857.35 317,465,703.89
CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals
65
Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB
No. of Deals 12 105 15 1 168 301
Current Price 4.00 115.50 16.17 1.58 110.20
Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals
Symbol 7UP
No. of Deals 18 18
Current Price 190.05
Quantity Traded 73,823 73,823
Value Traded 14,030,971.15 14,030,971.15
Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals
Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON NNFM UTC
No. of Deals 36 51 55 22 1 34 4 2 205
Current Price 2.70 6.60 23.76 2.27 0.50 5.20 10.47 0.50
Quantity Traded 710,767 2,128,384 608,680 277,822 1,000 727,708 1,200 520,000 4,975,561
Value Traded 1,925,206.20 13,541,220.67 14,463,486.80 633,644.94 500.00 3,821,135.15 11,940.00 260,000.00 34,657,133.76
Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals
Symbol CADBURY NESTLE
No. of Deals 6 15 21
Current Price 28.56 917.69
Quantity Traded 15,252 338,825 354,077
Value Traded 413,939.28 281,122,966.85 281,536,906.13
Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals
Symbol VITAFOAM VONO
No. of Deals 32 9 41
Current Price 6.15 0.82
Quantity Traded 2,646,985 2,224,596 4,871,581
Value Traded 16,097,946.11 1,698,276.63 17,796,222.74
Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals
Symbol PZ UNILEVER
CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals
No. of Deals 140 49 189
Current Price 20.87 40.00
775
Quantity Traded 1,185,253 294,767 1,480,020
Value Traded 24,876,926.93 11,739,318.67 36,616,245.60
14,909,075
702,103,183.27
Quantity Traded 9,744,030 15,849,470 669,428 9,406,957 20,184,171 44,011,059 3,685,742 52,496,828
Value Traded 42,418,004.09 42,909,879.70 11,553,275.91 11,423,391.35 404,184,922.60 91,136,454.39 7,420,327.25 157,443,307.28
No. of Deals 200 60 58 72 344 198 50 298
Current Price 4.45 2.89 17.40 1.25 20.70 2.13 2.09 3.01
No. of Deals 26 23 38 1,367
Current Price 6.00 1.42 0.90
Quantity Traded 67,788 4,010,469 3,010,411 163,136,353
Value Traded 398,406.90 5,703,737.36 2,617,514.82 777,209,221.65
Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals
Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE GNI GUINEAINS LAWUNION LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE REGALINS UNIVINSURE WAPIC
No. of Deals 15 7 1 1 2 4 3 1 22 1 1 1 1 6 66
Current Price 0.78 0.83 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.30 0.50 0.61 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Quantity Traded 863,614 992,900 1,000,000 20,000 2,000,861 135,676 11,702 1,666,666 1,166,314 2,000,000 1,000,000 2,171 631 4,300,159 15,160,694
Value Traded 677,124.71 806,819.00 500,000.00 10,000.00 1,000,430.50 67,838.00 26,289.70 833,333.00 712,364.68 1,000,000.00 500,000.00 1,085.50 315.50 2,150,079.50 8,285,680.09
Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC
Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK
No. of Deals 1 3
Current Price 5.42 0.89
Quantity Traded 23 19,000
Value Traded 124.66 16,710.00
Symbol
No. of Deals 4
Current Price
Quantity Traded 19,023
Value Traded 16,834.66
Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP
No. of Deals 66 11 1 107 2 26 69 282
Current Price 2.25 4.00 0.61 2.10 0.50 18.20 1.19
Quantity Traded 3,255,702 1,247,970 105 8,693,481 8,266 538,075 4,576,853 18,320,452
Value Traded 7,350,225.99 4,991,880.00 60.90 17,718,573.64 4,133.00 9,816,286.87 5,394,643.26 45,275,803.66
196,636,522
830,787,540.06
Quantity Traded 716,288 1,153,800 16,553 1,070,788 236 2,957,665
Value Traded 438,994.44 3,498,734.25 556,011.54 1,270,163.12 276.12 5,764,179.47
2,957,665
5,764,179.47
Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals
Company name
No Of Deals
1,719
Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH
No. of Deals 34 24 13 24 1 96 96
Current Price 0.62 3.03 34.50 1.18 1.23
Quotation(N)
Quantity Traded
Value of Shares(N)
Activity Summary on Board EQTY ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals
Symbol COURTVILLE
No. of Deals 2 2
Current Price 0.50
Quantity Traded 20,500 20,500
Value Traded 10,250.00 10,250.00
Symbol ETRANZACT
No. of Deals 3 3
Current Price 2.85
Quantity Traded 201,500 201,500
Value Traded 574,275.00 574,275.00
222,000
584,525.00
Quantity Traded 190,221 20,941 280,224 89,237 655 10,000 5,907
Value Traded 4,184,937.01 174,492.14 10,383,793.30 708,384.21 458.50 5,000.00 6,911.19
ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC
INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals
5
Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DNMEYER FIRSTALUM PAINTCOM
No. of Deals 15 12 19 10 2 1 1
Current Price 22.00 8.34 37.05 8.32 0.73 0.50 1.14
Symbol PORTPAINT WAPCO
No. of Deals 3 50 113
Current Price 3.40 97.00
Quantity Traded 312,950 316,249 1,226,384
Value Traded 1,064,059.80 30,485,379.98 47,013,416.13
Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals
Symbol CUTIX
No. of Deals 5 5
Current Price 1.42
Quantity Traded 174,931 174,931
Value Traded 248,402.02 248,402.02
Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals
Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER
No. of Deals 6 2 8
Current Price 43.00 11.48
Quantity Traded 3,825 210 4,035
Value Traded 149,188.75 2,530.50 151,719.25
1,405,350
47,413,537.40
Quantity Traded 500 500
Value Traded 250.00 250.00
500
250.00
INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals
126
Symbol MULTIVERSE
No. of Deals 1 1
NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC
Current Price 0.50
1
Symbol JAPAULOIL
No. of Deals 3
Current Price 0.50
Quantity Traded 15,363
Value Traded 7,681.50
Symbol
No. of Deals 3
Current Price
Quantity Traded 15,363
Value Traded 7,681.50
Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals
Symbol OANDO
No. of Deals 216 216
Current Price 9.25
Quantity Traded 3,821,106 3,821,106
Value Traded 35,045,091.47 35,045,091.47
Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals
Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL
No. of Deals 2 13 69 27 37 148
Current Price 33.28 1.67 238.00 147.95 142.50
Quantity Traded 4,663 552,838 75,493 74,616 139,977 847,587
Value Traded 147,444.06 923,297.56 18,028,356.10 10,672,246.95 19,970,425.63 49,741,770.30
Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals
Symbol SEPLAT
No. of Deals 6 6
Current Price 233.04
Quantity Traded 1,425 1,425
Value Traded 322,761.94 322,761.94
4,685,481
85,117,305.21
Quantity Traded 439,390 439,390
Value Traded 224,366.90 224,366.90
OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services Energy Equipment and Services Totals
OIL AND GAS Totals
Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA
Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK
FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks Micro-Finance Banks Totals
Sector
373
SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals
Symbol RTBRISCOE
SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals
Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR
No. of Deals 3 5 8
Current Price 3.80 0.86
Quantity Traded 3,500 223,000 226,500
Value Traded 13,000.00 200,430.00 213,430.00
Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals
Symbol CILEASING
No. of Deals 1 1
Current Price 0.50
Quantity Traded 100 100
Value Traded 50.00 50.00
Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals
Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL
No. of Deals 2 1 3 6
Current Price 0.73 0.95 5.45
Quantity Traded 120,000 5,000 503,000 628,000
Value Traded 87,660.00 4,950.00 2,741,350.00 2,833,960.00
Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals
Symbol ABCTRANS
No. of Deals 3 3
Current Price 0.54
Quantity Traded 45,800 45,800
Value Traded 24,732.00 24,732.00
Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals
Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO
No. of Deals 6 23 29
Current Price 1.73 4.25
Quantity Traded 56,100 298,625 354,725
Value Traded 97,283.00 1,294,418.77 1,391,701.77
Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC
Symbol CAVERTON
No. of Deals 6
Current Price 3.43
Quantity Traded 200,000
Value Traded 686,000.00
Symbol ZENITHBANK
No. of Deals 377 377
Current Price 13.75
Quantity Traded 59,515,007 59,515,007
Value Traded 824,093,158.21 824,093,158.21
Symbol FBNH
No. of Deals 472 472
Current Price 5.40
Quantity Traded 29,370,120 29,370,120
Value Traded 159,141,564.30 159,141,564.30
88,885,127
983,234,722.51
Quantity Traded 276,118 276,118
Value Traded 45,846,774.42 45,846,774.42
FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals
No. of Deals 16 16
Current Price 0.51
849
Symbol DANGCEM
No. of Deals 84 84
Current Price 166.02
Exchange Traded Fund Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals
Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30
No. of Deals 1 1 3 5
Current Price 9.81 2,154.00 12.54
Quantity Traded 10 53 301 364
Value Traded 98.10 114,162.00 3,780.64 118,040.74
ETF Board Totals
5
364
118,040.74
ETP Activity Totals
5
364
118,040.74
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47
Community Mirror “It is no surprise that former President Goodluck Jonathan failed woefully because he surrounded himself with such charlatans as Godsday Orubebe, whose only credential is his ethnic origin and the large size of his bowler hat” Governor of Edo State – Adams Oshiomole
Families displaced as land grabbers invade Ogun community Oseyiza Ogbodo
N
o fewer than 100 families were displaced recently when some suspected land grabbers allegedly invaded Ipetoro/Lowa community in Sagamu local government, Ogun State to attack the residents. The development as gathered, has given rise to protests within the community as some elderly women numbering up to 100,
were said to have striped themselves naked in the presence of the suspected land grabbers who immediately suspended action on noticing the naked women. The injured ones include one Muri Ajaka, women and children who ran into the suspected land grabbers while scampering for safety although some of them have been taken to various hospitals for medical attention. Residents claimed they have combed everywhere in search of the missing residents and
the report was reported at Ogijo Police Division for government attention. It was learned that problem started around 1pm, when the suspected land grabbers numbering up to 100 allegedly stormed the community with dangerous weapons vandalising properties and attacking the residents and before anybody could ask questions, the victims
were chased out of their homes while others were allegedly apprehended a situation that has brought about protests by the elderly women. It was gathered that as at the time of the attack, the suspected land grabbers rode on various motorcycles tying red and white clothes round their heads, in addition, they were said to have rode on two Hillux
vans one of which belonged to a popular suspected land grabber who operates within Lagos and Ogun while another was with the inscription of Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad SARS. As at the time of filing this report, some residents who could not withstand the situation have gone to neigbouring villages in apprehension while numerous others were displaced.
Traditionalist calls for preservation of culture
A
s part of measures to sustain our culture and tradition following fears that the consequences of western culture which is currently permeating the psyche of present generation may be difficult to remedy, traditionalists have set the stage to rejuvenate the country’s golden heritage. This hinges on a festival tagged: ‘Saala Isese Day’ coming up on from August 28th -30th 2015. Speaking with HRM Oba Saala Olamilekan Olaniyi Ifayemi of Ogboni confraternity worldwide, the festival which holds annually is set aside to promote traditional religion in the country. Oba Ifayemi lamented that the neglect of the traditional religion and culture has informed the crimes and insurgency currently confronting the country, stressing that sanity can only be guaranteed if the government recognizes traditional practices. He said, “I am afraid if the government does not recognize us everything they do may likely not be successful, because we have forgotten our cradle, our source. “The failure to make necessary sacrifices has contributed to Boko-Haram insurgency. When all sacrifices were being observed in the past there were no such things as heinous crimes, killings, bombing, kidnappings and robbery. For things to return to normalcy we need to go back to our source. “We have the obligation to preserve our culture and do what is right to our custodians of the tradition. The government should give preference to traditionalists as much as they do to believers of other religion whom they give a six day holidays in a year. Ours may not be up to six days but at least a day may be sufficed, recognized by the constitution.” The traditionalist further dismissed insinuations that tradi-
tional activities are ‘fetish’, maintaining that such practices like ‘Ooro rituals’ are prescriptions of culture as can be obtained in any other society, hence must be respected without ill-sentiment and prejudice. “The culture sometimes for instance determines what is obtainable and expected in any society. It prescribes procedures to certain activities. For instance if a monarch passes on and he is to be laid to rest, or a new king is to be coronate, certain rituals must be done in a prescribed way, and this must be respected.” He however expressed optimism that through the festival many beneficiaries would attest to the potency of traditional practices.
Members of Landlords Association of Oki, Amero and Ogungbade Road in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, inspecting the damage caused by erosion to the bridge linking the three communities in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN
Community begs FG to withdraw naval officers protecting pipelines
R
esidents of Majidun community in Ikorodu on Wednesday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to withdraw the naval officers stationed there to protect petroleum products pipelines from vandalism. The Baale of Majidun, Chief Jethro Abejoye, made the call while reacting to the shooting of three men in the community by a drunken naval officer in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). NAN reports that residents of the community had on Tuesday trooped to the Ikorodu highway to protest the shooting which occurred at about 3 p.m. The trigger hungry officer had reportedly left his duty post to hang out at the Tipper Park where he shot the three men believed to be tipper drivers, leaving them in critical conditions. Eyewitnesses said the shooting brought businesses in the area to a halt, while the victims were rushed to the hospital. The victims who received several
gunshots were immediately referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, the eyewitnesses said. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Patricia Amadin, confirmed the report, adding that the suspect had been arrested and was currently being detained at Naval Base, Ikorodu. Amadin said that investigations
into the matter had begun, while the victims were receiving treatment at LUTH. The traditional ruler said that the major road leading into the community had been shut down and the economy of the area paralysed due to intimidation by the military personnel. “We appreciate the effort of the
Federal Government for the time the military have spent with us keeping surveillance against pipeline vandalism but we are saying enough is enough. Rev. Oloyede Megbodofo, Chairman, Majidun Community Development Association, also urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene and correct the recklessness of the military officers deployed to the area.
IBEDC, Ife communities reach truce on faulty meters Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO
C
ommunities in Ile Ife unit of business hub of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, and the management of the company have resolved that houses with faulty meters will have them replaced without payment for new ones. This was part of the resolutions at the Stakeholder’s Meeting, the company held with its customers in Ile-Ife business unit. Addressing the meeting, Ife Business Hub Manager of the IBEDC, AjijolaOluwa Bewaji, said the company
has been running at loss and cited its experience in the month of July, when it was supplied energy worth of over N140 million but was able to rake in only N39 million from its non MD customers. He added that old meters are no longer being given out and encouraged customers to get prepared meters to prevent being placed on estimation. On the backlog of prepaid meters paid for, but not issued to customers, Bewaji said from the records, over 400 meter request are pending and assured to immediately begin distribution of over 200 meters already re-
ceived. Laying their complaints, customers from Ojaja and Parakin, all communities within Ife metropolis complained of inadequate and faulty transformers which they claimed has hindered services of the company. The representatives of Oluorogbo and Iso Pako areas, Pa Julius Oladehinde, complained of high tariff, despite assurances that the billing would be scaled down. Speaking in similar, Lawal Musbau from Iraye Modakeke said welders in Ife and Modakeke were not invited for the meeting and decried poor response to emergency by the company.
48
Transition
M
arguerite McDonald (1941/42 – August 25, 2015) was a Canadian television and radio journalist,[1] most noted as the first host of CBC Radio One’s weekly political affairs series The House. Born and raised in Aubigny, Manitoba,[2] McDonald first worked in journalism beginning in 1960 as an intern for the Winnipeg Free Press.[1] She became a Roman Catholic nun, teaching high school and working part-time for local radio stations as a commentator on religion and theology.[1] Leaving her religious vocation after 12 years, she joined CBR in Calgary as host of Calgary Eyeopener, holding various roles with the CBC until becoming host of The House in 1977.[1] In 1980, she joined CBC Television’s The National as
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Marguerite McDonald with the program until it was replaced by Tapestry in 1994,[5] and remained with CBO-FM as a newsreader[6] until retiring from the CBC in 1996.[3] During this era, she published at least one murder mystery short story, “Death at Network News”, in a local anthology of Ottawa writers.[7] McDonald was married
twice, first to television producer Harry Elton,[8] and later to radio producer Bill Young after Elton’s death in 2004.[1] She had no children of her own, but was stepmother to both Elton’s and Young’s children from prior marriages.[1] She died on August 25, 2015 in Ottawa
Gerald Neil Steinberg
G
erald Neil “Gerry” Steinberg was born April 20 1945 was a Labour Party politician in the
a social affairs reporter.[3] In 1986, she became producer of CBC Radio’s religious and spiritual show Open House,[4] and became the program’s host in 1990.[1] She remained
United Kingdom. He was Member of Parliament for the City of Durham from 1987 until his retirement at the 2005 general election. The son of Harry and Esther Steinberg, Gerry Steinberg attended St Margaret’s CE Primary School in Durham and then Whinney Hill Secondary Modern School and Johnston Grammar School (both schools now known as Durham Johnston Comprehensive School) on Crossgate Moor. He gained a Teachers Certificate at Shef-
field College of Education (now a campus of Sheffield Hallam University) on Collegiate Crescent in Sheffield and later a Diploma of Education (DipEd) of Backward Children (Special Educational Needs) at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus). He started teaching at Hexham Camp School in 1966, then moved to Elemore Hall in County Durham in 1969. From 197587 he was at Whitworth House Special School in Spennymoor where he became Head Teacher. He joined the Labour Party in 1969 and became election
agent for Durham MP Dr Mark Hughes in 1973. In May 1975 he was elected to Durham City Council. He was secretary of the Labour Group on the city council from 1981 to 1987 and Co-Leader of the Council from 1983-87 In 1985 he was selected from a short list of six to be the Labour parliamentary candidate for Durham City after Hughes decided not to stand again. He was elected as the Member of Parliament in June 1987. Steinberg was a member of a number of Parliamentary Committees, including the Education & Skills Select Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.
News Dare Akogun
C
hurch leaders on Wednesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to give up on his fight against corruption in Nigeria. Speaking at a media briefing on the forthcoming statewide crusade organised by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Chairman of Lagos PFN, Bishop Sola Ore, represented by the Financial Secretary, Pastor Leke Akinola, said no corrupt official, past or present, should be spared. “We are in support of what is happening, but we want the fight to be all-embracing. There should be no sacred
We are behind Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade –Nigerian Pastors cows,” he said. Akinola noted that what the country needs to preach the anti-corruption fight is “spiritual revolution”, which involves helping people realise the futility of illicit wealth acquisition which in turn will change the nation’s orientation towards engaging in corrupt practices. Deeper life General Overseer Pastor William Kumuyi, represented Pastor Joseph Fasanmi, said despite government’s best efforts, robbery, cultism, drug menace, prostitution and kidnapping, among other crimes still exist. “A fearsome swarm of in-
iquities is yet rife in the state. Ours is a state that has been held under siege for too long. If not for God’s abiding grace, our city, nay the state could have gone under altogether. “While we salute the positive actions so far taken by our respected Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, we hasten to state that unless the required spiritual re-naissance and moral rearmament are put in place, enduring change in Lagos, or any other place for that matter, will remain a pipe dream,” he said. The crusade, with its theme; “Supernatural Power of God’s Wonders” and Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi as
Prophet arrested for assault A self-styled prophet, Emmanuel Ajulu, has been arrested by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and handed over to the police at Surulere Police Station for allegedly beating his wife to coma, leaving her with a broken leg. According to reports, Emmanuel had a misunderstand-
ing with his wife. At the time of his arrest, the DSVRT officials disclosed that the prophet had reportedly chained his son within the church premises at Berger area of the Lagos metropolis, adding that he claimed to possess healing powers and also had 32 other church members who came for spiritual/mental healing and were also in chains
Speaking on the incident, the DSVRT Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, described the incident as ridiculous and unlawful. Vivour-Adeniyi said the state government would not condone domestic violence and urged the victims of sexual and gender-based violence to speak out. “The government is ready to
the Keynote Speaker, Pastor Fasanmi, said the crusade will be unprecedented because it will cover every nook and cranny of Lagos State, including Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry. “Beginning from September 8 and the next two months thereafter, crusades will hold at Ikeja, Ketu, Gbagada, Festac, Isolo, Agege, Alimosho, Oshodi, Orile, Ajegunle, Surulere, Apapa, Lagos Island and Shomolu. “Although Nigerians claim to be in the era of change politically, it is an undisputable fact that over the past three months since a new administration came to be, real change
fight all such cases and ensure that justice is done,” she said. “The prophet who lives at Close Unity Estate, Imodium, Berger, Lagos, beat his wife, Funke, and broke her leg. He also beat his two sons and chained one of the sons while one of them ran away from the house. He claims to be a prophet with healing powers,” the Coordinator added.
has been measured in coming.” “While we salute the positive actions so far taken by our respected Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, we hasten nonetheless to state that unless the required spiritual renaissance and moral re-armament are put in place, enduring change in Lagos, or any other place for that matter, will remain a pipe dream”, he noted. Fasanmi also disclosed that these crusades are taking place to boldly complement the efforts of the state government, and the cravings and yearnings of Lagos State amiable governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. “Our firm conviction is that once the hearts of the general citizenry are made right, it will be easier for the government to prosecute its programmes successfully”. He lamented that despite all the efforts of the government to ensure peace, a fearsome swarm of iniquities remains in the state comprising robbery, cultism, drug menace, prostitution, chaos on roads, criminalities, kidnapping, corruption, and insecurity among others which have held the State under siege for so long.
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
49
World News
We are doing something unusual, really special: restoring cultural wealth to other countries, in this case Ecuador and Peru –Argentine President, Cristina Kirchner
50 migrants found dead in Austria’s truck •European leaders shaken
PAUL ARHEWE
WITH AGENCY REPORTS
A
s many as 50 refugees were found dead in a parked truck in Austria near the Hungarian border on Thursday, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the discovery had shaken European leaders discussing the migrant crisis at a Balkans summit. Police made the grisly discovery in the 7.5-tonne truck stopped on the A4 motorway near the town of Parndorf, apparently since Wednesday, Hans Peter Doskozil, police chief in the province of Burgenland, told a news conference. He said he could not put an exact figure on the number of victims, whose bodies had begun to decompose. “We can assume that it could be 20 people who died. It could also be 40, it could be 50 people,” he said. Merkel told a news conference at the summit on the West Balkans in Vienna: “We are of course all shaken by the appalling news. This reminds us that we must tackle quickly the issue of immigration and in a European spirit - that means in a spirit of solidarity - and to find solutions.” Tens of thousands of people, mainly from Africa and the
A forensic police officer stands next to a parked truck in which up to 50 migrants were found dead on a motorway near Parndorf, Austria, yesterday
Middle East, have put to sea this year in the hope of reaching Europe, often dangerously packed into small vessels that were never designed to cross the Mediterranean. Those who make it ashore and
others traveling by land have increasingly tried to make their way north via the Balkans, causing tension among countries along the route. Hungary plans to reinforce its southern border with helicop-
ters and mounted police, and is considering using the army as record numbers of migrants passed through coils of razor-wire into Europe. Investigations were underway in Austria and Hungary after the bodies were discovered. The truck had Hungarian number plates, a Hungarian official said. Janos Lazar, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, said a Romanian citizen had registered the number plate in the eastern Hungarian town of Kecskemet. Police limited the motorway to one lane while forensic experts checked over the truck parked on the hard shoulder. Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann told the summit: “The refugees who died today wanted to save their own lives by fleeing, but instead lost their lives at the hands of traffickers. It shows once again how necessary it is to save human lives by fighting criminal traffickers. It shows that we must take responsibility and give asylum to those people who are fleeing.” “Every week we learn of more deaths and drownings on the Mediterranean route because the boats people are packed on are unseaworthy or overcrowded. Now we are hearing of cases of mass deaths along the land journey.
US warns South Sudan’s leaders over peace deal
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he US has warned South Sudan’s leaders not to violate the peace deal aimed at ending a brutal civil war in the world’s youngest state. The US would “hold to account” leaders who breached the
deal, and would support sanctions against them, said state department spokesman John Kirby. The US did not recognise President Salva Kiir’s reservations about the deal, he added. He signed the deal on Wednes-
L-R: Salva Kiir and Riek Machar at the centre of the conflict
day. Rebel leader Riek Machar signed it last week. Fighting between forces loyal to the two men over the last 20 months has forced more than 2.2 million people from their homes in South Sudan, which broke away from Sudan in 2011. The deal envisages Mr Machar returning to the government as vice-president. His dismissal from the post in 2013 was one of the main triggers of the civil war. Kirby said the US did not “recognise any separate reservations made about the agreement”. “To end the fighting we call on all parties to adhere to the permanent ceasefire within the next 72 hours and begin the process of implementing this agreement,” he added.
Kiir listed 16 reservations when he signed the deal in front of regional leaders in South Sudan’s capital, Juba. They included concerns over a power-sharing government, and control of the army. The US had proposed a UN arms embargo and more sanctions from 6 September unless the pact was signed by the 15-day deadline given to Kiir last week. At least seven ceasefires have previously been agreed and then shattered - sometimes within hours. Fighting broke out in December 2013 after President Kiir accused his sacked deputy Machar of plotting a coup. Machar denied the charges, but then mobilised a rebel force to fight the government.
WORLD BULLETIN
Parole review board sets date for Pistorius The review board which will decide whether South African athlete Oscar Pistorius should be released from jail will meet on 18 September, reports said. The justice minister blocked his early release, which was due last Friday. He said the decision by the parole board to free the athlete after serving 10 months of his five-year sentence was premature and without legal basis. A court convicted him of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, over the killing of his girlfriend in 2013. The double-amputee shot Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door at his home in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, believing she was an intruder, he told his trial. The prosecution has appealed against the ruling, saying he should be convicted of murder. Pistorius’ defence lawyers are to file court papers to oppose the appeal on 17 September, a day before the parole review board meets, South Africa’s privately owned eNCA news site reports.
Sharp rise in hungry Ethiopians needing aid –UN The number of hungry Ethiopians needing food aid has risen sharply this year to 4.5 million due to poor rains and the El Nino weather phenomenon, the UN has said. With rains poorer than predicted, “food insecurity increased and malnutrition rose as a result,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. The number needing food aid has now risen to 4.5 million people, OCHA said, in what is a 55 percent increase on the 2.9 million projected to require food assistance during the year.
Tutu to return home from hospital next week Veteran South African antiapartheid activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was responding well to a two-week intravenous antibiotic course and could be discharged from hospital at the end of next week, Tutu’s daughter said yesterday. The 83-year-old, who used the pulpit to preach against apartheid, was admitted to hospital for the second time in a month for treatment of an “inflammation”. Tutu was released from hospital earlier in August after being treated for a recurring infection unrelated to the prostate cancer he has been fighting for 18 years.
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World News
WORLD BULLETIN
‘Six killed in Turkey in clashes with militants’ Six people, including at least four civilians, were killed yesterday in ongoing clashes between Turkey’s armed forces and militants in the mainly Kurdish southeast, security sources and officials said. Smoke rose above the town of Cizre near the Syrian border after Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels armed with rocket launchers attacked a military base in the afternoon, witnesses and security sources said. Days of street fighting between soldiers and militia fighters raged on overnight in the town of Yuksekova, about 300 km (190 miles) further east, near the Turkey’s border with Iraq and Iran, despite a curfew there, officials added. “There are people with critical injuries who are being treated in homes. Security forces have shelled a neighbourhood, and hit residential buildings,” said Abdullah Zeydan, a lawmaker representing the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). A 2-1/2-year-old ceasefire between Turkey and Kurdish militants collapsed in July after a group close to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels shot dead two police officers and Turkey retaliated with strikes against the group in Iraq and Turkey. An estimated 800 PKK fighters, more than 60 soldiers and police officers and 12 civilians have been killed, according to government sources and Turkish media.
Seven Ukrainian servicemen killed, 13 injured Seven Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and 13 wounded in fighting with proRussian separatists in the past 24 hours, military spokesman Oleksander Motuzyanyk said yesterday. The casualties were the highest daily losses for the Ukrainian army since midJuly, as violence continues to test a six-month-old ceasefire deal.
Friday, August 28, 2015
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suicide bombing by socalled Islamic State militants the Iraqi city of Ramadi has killed two army commanders and three other people, officials said. Gen Abdel Rahman Abu Ragheef was deputy commander of operations in the strategically important province of Anbar, while Brig Safeen Abdel Majeed was a divisional commander. Islamic State (IS) controls Ramadi, 100km (60 miles) west of Baghdad. An Iraqi offensive to recapture the city has been making slow progress. The bombing happened in the Jerayshi area. The bomb went off as the army intercepted an explosives-laden vehicle which they believed was targeting them, Brig Gen Yahya Rasool told state TV. At least 10 others were wounded in the blast, he said. IS said it had carried out the attack. The military and the police are leading the battle to recapture Ramadi, supported by Shia militias, Sunni tribal fighters and US-led coalition air strikes. IS captured the city in May one in a series of embarrassing defeats inflicted upon Iraqi forces over the last year - and thousands of civilians fled. The BBC’s reporter in Beirut
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taff at a US TV station in Virginia have held a minute’s silence in memory of the two journalists shot dead by a disgruntled ex-colleague live on air. “We will, over time, heal from this,” WDBJ7 anchor Kim McBroom told viewers, holding hands with two colleagues. Vester Flanagan died from a selfinflicted gunshot wound hours after he shot dead reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward on Wednesday. The attack has prompted renewed calls for stricter gun control
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Suicide bomber kills two Iraqi generals, three others
Funerals for the commanders were held at the defence ministry in Baghdad
says government forces have made little progress in their efforts to recapture the city, which remains firmly in the militants’ hands. The deaths of the two senior army commanders have caused a stir in Baghdad - where numerous political figures paid tribute to them - and will do nothing to im-
prove the morale of state forces, our correspondent said. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said in May that the rout of Iraqi troops in a matter of days when the city fell showed that they lacked the will to fight. Carter told CNN the Iraqis had chosen to withdraw despite the fact that they “vastly outnum-
bered” IS forces. But Prime Minister Haider alAbadi responded by saying he was surprised at the US defence secretary’s comments and that Ramadi would soon be recaptured. Abadi has however cleared the way for a court martial of military commanders who abandoned their posts in the city.
US TV station mourns murdered journalists laws. Memos from the station reveal Flanagan, who used the on-air name of Bryce Williams, had been ordered by the station’s bosses to seek medical help before he was fired in February 2013. He filmed the attack and posted it on social media. In a 23-page fax he sent to ABC News, he described himself as a “human powder keg”. Colleagues at WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Virginia, held a moment of silence at 06:45 (10:45 GMT) on
Thursday - 24 hours on from the exact moment the reporter and cameraman were shot dead as they broadcast live from a shopping centre in Moneta. “Joining hands here on the desk,” said Ms McBroom. “It’s the only way to do it.” Outside the channel’s headquarters in Roanoke, bunches of flowers and black ribbons have been placed in memory of the two slain journalists. About 30 journalists have gathered in the parking lot near WDBJ.
They’re standing near a heap of flowers and gifts people have left under a tree. Someone has placed a camcorder on the wood chips under the tree. The camera is decorated with Mardi Gras beads, and it has a cloth to wipe the lens. Someone else has folded a sweatshirt neatly and left it under the tree: the sweatshirt says Virginia Tech, the site of a mass shooting in 2007 and also the alma mater of Adam Ward.
gram, and opposition parties feel a longer campaign period offers a better chance of denting
his popularity as austerity cuts from the bailout start kicking in.
Greek judge appointed caretaker PM
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reece’s top Supreme Court judge was named caretaker prime minister yesterday to lead the country to elections next month, ending a week of political deadlock after leftist leader Alexis Tsipras resigned. Vassiliki Thanou, an anti-austerity advocate who has argued against wage cuts for judges and court officials, will be sworn in as the country’s first female prime minister at 8 p.m. local (1700 GMT). Her administration will take office on Friday, when Sept. 20 is expected to be set as the election date. Her appointment ends a week of fruitless negotiations as top opposition party leaders took turns in attempting to form a government, exercising a consti-
tutional right that takes effect if a prime minister resigns within a year of being elected. The process dragged on for a week as the main conservative opposition and then the far-left Popular Unity party both used their allotted three days in full despite having no chance of success, hoping to delay the election. The conservatives said all must be done to avoid a new round of elections that Greece did not need. Popular Unity leader Panagiotis Lafazanis - who broke his rebel far-left faction away from Tsipras’s Syriza party last week, taking a sixth of its lawmakers with him - used his three days to air his anti-bailout message before handing back the mandate on Thursday.
Tsipras remains hugely popular in Greece despite making a U-turn to accept a bailout pro-
Supreme Court judge Vassiliki Thanou addresses a parliamentary session in Greece, recently
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
North
Friday, Augusst 28, 2015
Gombe to establish second varsity Williams Attah, GOMBE
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overnor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State has disclosed plans by the state government to establish a second university in the state.
When established before 2019, the university would be known as Gombe State University of Science and Technology, to complement the existing University of Gombe. Governor Dankwambo spoke yesterday when he received Chairman of
the Governing Council of Federal University, Kashere, FUK, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and his team. He said: “We are thinking of establishing a second university. We have a natural location and we will do our best to ensure that before end of this ten-
ure, we establish one. “We will have to develop our kind of manpower that would be interested in research. University is about research, to research and find out what it is that we are sitting on that we don’t have water one kilometre below the
earth surface in Gombe. “We sink borehole, one kilometre deep, we cannot find water. My belief is that we are sitting on limestone or kind of gases that we don’t know or some kind of things underground. “So, what is it that makes water not to come? Is it gas? If it is gas, what kind of gas, if it is one mineral resource or the other, what is it? “It doesn’t need to be a very huge and mighty uni-
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versity; we will start in a way that we will ensure that we start very well, just like Gombe State University and Kashere are starting well. I assure you that we will do it very well.” The governor commended the management of FUK for the level of development in the institution as well as Otunba Daniel for being its first pro-chancellor and chairman.
Youths protest emir’s appointment in Bauchi Ezekiel Titus, BAUCHI
Y L-R: Spinning Specialist, Chellco Industries, Kaduna, Mr. Covind Narain; Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa and another Spinning Specialist, Chellco Industries, Kaduna, Mr. Mohan Lalyandan, during facility tour of Chellco, in Kaduna, yesterday.
Anti-graft: Don’t be distracted, group urges Buhari Peter Ekanem
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rewa United Consultative Forum, AUCF, national youth leader, Kyari Idris Abubakar, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to yield to distractions or critics. He appealed to the president to continue his ongoing war against graft to ensure economic recovery and restore the country’s reputation in the comity of nations. Specifically, he said probe of the immediate past government led by Goodluck Jonathan will serve as deterrent to would-be looters, describing corruption as the greatest malaise affecting the nation and preventing its development. “Corruption is the biggest problem we have in Nigeria. That some people can embezzle so much money and hide abroad is wrong, detrimental to us and must be stopped. Until we kill corruption, Nigeria won’t be better. “There should be no sacred cows, be you present or past governor, president or other office hold-
er,” he said. The youth leader, however, disagreed with those demanding that President Buhari extend the current probe beyond Jonathan’s administration. He said: “It is the responsibility of an incoming government to probe the (former) administration, particularly where it sees there are lapses. So, for those that didn’t probe their predecessors,
they felt the government did well and it’s their problem. Had Jonathan done that (probe), nobody would have stolen money during his regime.” While stating the support and prayers of northern youths for the president’s anti-corruption drive, Abubakar stressed its importance to national growth and appealed to security and other relevant agencies to live up to their
responsibilities by identifying, investigating and ensuring the prosecution of those found wanting. On the delayed appointment of ministers, the youth leader said: “It is good; slow appointment is good in order to ensure only identifiable credible people are appointed. He is appointing only credible people which will make his government credible.”
ouths yesterday took to the streets in Misau, Bauchi State, in protest against the appointment of a new emir. Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, was announced as new emir to replace Alhaji Muhammadu Manga III, who died two weeks ago. Suleiman beat nine other contestants, including eldest son of the late emir for the stool. But the irate youths kicked against the appointment, describing it as illegal. Four cars were set ablaze by the protesters. The youths blocked all major streets in the town, paralyzing commercial activities, even as they called on the
Gombe spends N20bn on education in four years Inusa Ndahi, MAIDUGURI
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overnor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State said his administration has spent over N20bn on education in the past four years. He made the disclosure when Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, accompanied by top management staff, paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Gombe. Dankwambo said the amount was used for
the provision of infrastructure, building of new schools, renovation as well as provision of furniture for primary, secondary and higher institutions in the state. He added that to further boost educational advancement, over 3,000 graduates and NCE holders were employed as teachers. The state government, he further said, entered into contracts with publishers for the provision of textbooks and other writing materials for pupils in the state free. In addition, govern-
ment has also reviewed the curricula of schools to meet the needs of the state. Even with the existence of the state university, the governor said a polytechnic and a college of education have also been established for technical and middle manpower requirement of the state. He said plans are also on to establish a school of Islamic Studies, Bible School and a School of Journalism. The vice-chancellor had earlier requested for provision of land for take-off of the first
outreach Centre for Distance Learning of the university in Gombe, as well as the resumption of Remedial Programme under a special arrangement in the state, among others. He told the governor that the visit was to further strengthen the collaborative partnership existing between the catchment states and the university and also intimate him on the need to support the institution towards the up-coming 22nd combined convocation ceremony and 40th anniversary celebrations.
state government to rescind the decision. Some government officials, who escorted the new emir to Misau, were molested as they fled in different directions to escape from the angry youths. One of the leaders of the protesting youths confided in newsmen that the eldest son of the late emir was the choice of people of the town and should be appointed to take over from his father in line with tradition. Security was beefed up in the town few days ago, following earlier protest by the youths. State Police Command spokesman, Mohammed Haruna, in a statement confirmed the protest. He said: “Bauchi State Police Command confirm that on the 27/8/2015 at about 1200hrs, group of youth numbering over one thousand went on rampage in Misau town protesting over the appointment of the new emir and inciting disturbance of public peace.” Haruna said already, a combined security forces comprising the police, army and other sister services rushed to the scene, dispersed the hoodlums and restored normalcy in the affected areas. “So far nine suspects have been arrested for criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance and mischief while patrols are being intensified within and outside the town,” he said.
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Friday, August 28, 2015
CHANGE OF NAME Daniel: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs.Daniel Kate Nife, now wish to be known and address as Ajibola Kate Emami Nife. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
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CHANGE OF NAME This is to inform the general public that Mr. Chima Anyawu a native of Umkaku in Isiama Antonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Govt Area of Imo State . My State of origin was mistakenly written as Ebonyi State in the Almanac, used for the Igbo day celebration 2014 of the oha-na -eze ndi igbo brass chapter, Bayelsa State. General public take note. Signed : Chima Anyanwu
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ANTHONY: Formerly known and addressed as Anthony C. Akamelu, now wish to be known and addressed as EMEKWULU CHUKWUKA TONY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
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This is to inform the general public of the loss of Deed of Conveyance dated 28th December 1932 and registered at No. 55 page 55 volume 349 in the land registry office, Ikeja in favour of late Sarata Ajoke who bequeathed the property to late Olabode Akibu Akintan in respect of property at No. 30 Ajanaku street, Lagos Island. All effort to trace the document proved abortive. General Public Take Note.
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2 ADISA RUFAI ADEJUMO
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EJIOFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EJIOFOR CECILIA ANULIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKONKWO CECILIA ANULIKA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME EDEHNWOBODO:I, formerly known and addressed as EDEHNWOBODO EMEKA DANIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as EDEH EMEKA DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.
MAKAM: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. MAKAM RACHEL NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBAH RACHEL NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. NIPOST, OSISATECH, Federal Polytechnic Oko, and general public should please take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE AUCTION SALES REMINDER This is to remind the general public that the continuation of public Auction sales of unserviceable assets of Enugu State Govt. Via Enugu State Govt house which was previously advertised in the Guardian newspaper of 3rd and 8th June 2015 Will start on Wednesday 2nd Sept 2015 by 11:00am prompt. Intrested buyers are to inspect only the allotted items at Enugu State Govt House during working hours. ANNOUNCER Okeke Williams Govt Licensed Auctioneer. FOR : MAK-WILLIMS VENTURES LTD. 08033767788
PUBLIC NOTICE IRETI OGO HOLY YAWEH ISUN IRAPADA CHERUBIM & SERAPHIM CHURCH The general public is hereby notified that theabove-named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Snr M.I.I Prophetess Christian |Tunrayo Oladimeji (JP) - President 2. Pastor/Prophet Gabriel Oladimeji Rotimi – General Secretary 3. Lady Evan. Funmilayo Adewumi Bisola - Treasurer 4. Lady Evan. Oriyomi Funmilayo Abosede - Member 5. Evan. Ezikiel Olusogo Olateru - Member 6. Lady Evan. Lydia Olubukola Funmilola - Member 7. Lady Evan. Funmilola Yemisi Biodun. - Member 8. M.I.I. Elizabeth Iyabo Olaniyan (J.P) - Member 9. Lady Leader Grace Asumo Umah U. - Member 10. Apostle Mathew Omotunde - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide basic needs for the less privileged. 2. To provide empowerment for widows and orphans. 3. To meet the needs of the internally displaced persons. 4. To run a charitable home for the less privileged.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To serve as a place of worship for Muslims. 2. To propagate Islam and promote its virtues. 3. To carry out other related activities according to Islamic injunctions that may be required in the promotion of peace and unity.
1. To teach, preach and propagate the total unadulterated, unalloyed gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ both within and outside Nigeria. 2. To help establish and build up churches and religious organizations for the purposes of spreading the goodnews of Jesus Christ as stipulated in the Holy Bible. 3. To train, license and ordain Ministers of God for the furtherance of the work of God world-wide. 4. To print, publish and distribute freely religious or educational literature.
Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.
Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.
Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED: TRUSTEES.
SIGNED: TRUSTEES
SIGNED: BISOLA ABOSEDE.
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
53
Sport
I will score goals at any level I find myself. I have no other business than goal-scoring on the pitch
I’ll turn a new leaf –Balotelli 54
–Liverpool striker, Christian Benteke
Doreen Amata ready for IAAF high jump final in Beijing
AAG: Yakmut warns athletes against doping
Beijing 2015: Amata in high jump final ...as NSC unveils Peak kits
Joel Ajayi ABUJA
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he National Sports Commission (NSC) will not tolerate any act of doping by any of the country’s athletes to the 2015 All Africa Games (AAG) in Brazzaville, Congo next month. Director General of the NSC, Alhassan Yakmut, who said this yesterday at the Abuja National Stadium, disclosed that the Commission had put machinery in place to monitor what the athletes consume ahead of the Games. Yakmut warned that Nigeria would not allow any lazy athlete to tarnish her image in the international scene, emphasizing that members of Team Nigeria must win their events clean. “We all recall with serious pains in our hearts when med-
als were taken back, even though we too, as a nation, in the 400m in 2000 benefited from the retrieval of medals. But again, you can’t repair the image that is battered,” he said. The DG added, “We have created a full advocacy platform for anti-doping and 65 samples have gone (for test), another 65 will go and no segment of the athletes would be left out. “We have given the instruction to the doping unit to ensure that the results are out before the games start.” Yakmut said the NSC is serious in its fight against doping because it is identified as the major area of corruption in sports apart from match-fixing, thus giving the contingent a theme: “We are
only going to play clean and win clean.” “Now that we have said your welfare will be taken care of, why would you then want to cheat to win?” At the event yesterday, Team Nigeria kits for the AAG were unveiled, with the NSC DG stating that this is the first time since Nigeria launched her appearance in the All Africa, Commonwealth and Olympic games that the NSC unveiled athletes’ kits before the team’s departure. As National Mirror exclusively reported last week, Yakmut confirmed that China-based Peak sportswear company had agreed to partner with Nigeria for the AAG in Congo, while Max Air will airlift the contingent.
T
eam Nigeria’s Doreen Amata yesterday at the ongoing 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China qualified for Saturday’s final in the women’s high jump. Amata, whose season best is 1.94 metres and with a personal best 1.95m, could only jump 1.92m to place among the best five in the 13-athlete Qualification Heat A. She made it in her fourth attempt, after jumps of 1.80, 1.85 and 1.89, thus qualifying for Saturday evening’s final. The final will now have 13 jumpers after the 15 others dropped out from the two-heat event which has a total of 28 jumpers. Teammate Lindsay Lindley
was not that lucky in the women’s 100m hurdles, where her time of 13.30 could not get her a place in the semi-finals. It could only fetch her sixth place in heat 5 for a disappointing outing for the Nigerian who ran in lane 3 and has a season and personal best 12.97. Tosin Oke’s medal hope in the men’s triple jump was also dashed as he finished eighth in the final. Oke, whose season best is 16.98 and personal best 17.23, leapt 16.81 after three attempts. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Athletics Championships holding at Beijing’s National Stadium began last Saturday and will end on Sunday.
Champions League Fixtures Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Paris Saint-Germain
PSV Eindhoven
Benfica
Juventus
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Chelsea
Zenit St Petersburg
Real Madrid
Manchester Utd
Atletico Madrid
Man. City
Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal
FC Porto
Valencia
Shaktar Donetsk
CSKA Moscow
Galatasaray
Sevilla
AS Roma
Olympiakos
Dynamo Kiev
Lyon
Malmo
Wolfsburg
FC Astana
B’M-bach
BATE Borisov
Dinamo Zagreb
Maccabi Tel-Aviv
KAA Gent
54
Sports
Friday, August 28, 2015
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
C
Blues move nearer
Pogba
Paul Pogba
capture
I’ll turn a new leaf –Balotelli A
Balotelli
C Milan new signing, Mario Balotelli, has promised to stop behaving like a kid and start acting like a man following his return to the Italian club. The Italian striker’s seasonlong loan move from Liverpool was confirmed yesterday, and he has promised the Rossoneri faithful that he will make the most of his latest chance. “I’ve wasted a lot of opportunities,” the beleaguered player said. “But the game’s not over, I still have a second half to play. Now I’ll play it like a man. “I know a lot of people don’t believe in my comeback, but it’s up to me to prove them wrong. “I will follow every rule. I know I’ll only be given my chance if I deserve it, but I haven’t forgotten how to play football.”
helsea is believed to be supremely confident of securing Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba within the next five days when the transfer window will close. The Blues went into the 2015/16 season having looked a little thin on the new signings front, having replaced Petr Cech with £8m Asmir Begovic and a season-long loan of Radamel Falcao from Monaco. Reports said Chelsea officials believe Juventus was willing to let Pogba leave for £70m, a fee that would make the France international the most expensive transfer in British history surpassing the £59.7m that Manchester United paid for Angel Di Maria last summer. The Blues are also hoping to reach a breakthrough in the hunt to land Everton defender John Stones. The 21-year-old saw a surprise transfer request rejected by the Merseyside club, with Everton Manager Roberto Martinez reiterating that the England international is “not for sale”. But a £34m fee is currently being discussed by the two clubs, according to the reports, and a move could yet go through before the 6pm cut-off next Tuesday.
AFCON qualifiers: DStv hooks Eagles, Harambe Stars Paul Erewuba
A
s the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifications take the centre stage across African come next weekend, football crazy fans who wish to watch their country and keep tab of other results have been promised a swell time. SuperSport has also promised to be the go-to destination for the AFCON qualification campaign. In a press release made available to National Mirror yesterday, the cable providers said they have acquired the rights to eight Match Day 2 fixtures featuring the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Black Stars of Ghana,
Oliseh
Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Harambee Stars of Kenya, Warriors of Zimbabwe and Chipolopolo of Zambia. “SuperSport will broadcast Group H top-of-the-table clash between Rwanda and Ghana; Tanzania vs Nigeria; Mauritania vs South Africa; Mauritius vs Mozambique; Madagascar vs Angola; Zimbabwe vs Guinea; Kenya vs Zambia and Gambia vs Cameroon,” the statement said. With progression to the finals guaranteed to just 13 group winners and only two runners-up, every round of the qualifiers has become important, especially for the nations who opened their campaign with a defeat,” the release added.
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Sports
Friday, August 28, 2015
MANDATE
THE
Sylvester Ikuejamoye
mopheys13@gmail.com 0805-407-1194 (SMS only)
Yayale’s message of Bolt beats Gatlin professionalism in sports again, wins S 200m gold J Bolt
Beijing 2015:
amaican athlete Usain Bolt yesterday powered to victory in the 200 metres final at the World Championships in Beijing to complete a sprint double. Bolt renewed his rivalry with American Justin Gatlin and burst clear of the second-placed man to secure the gold medal in 19.55 seconds, which was the fastest time of the year. South Africa’s Anaso Jobodwana took bronze with a national record of 19.87, while Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes ran a personal best of 20.02 to claim a creditable fifth place finish. Only a hundredth of a second had separated Bolt from Gatlin in the 100m final, with the Ja-
maican clinging onto his crown, and many expected the longer distance to be decided by another razor-thin margin. But Bolt charged out of the blocks, stretching his lead with a solid bend, and could even pump his fists in celebration while finishing 0.19 secs ahead of Gatlin, who took silver in 19.74 seconds. The 29-year-old had only run one race at 200m coming into the competition after an injury disrupted season, but swept away any doubts about his dominance after winning a record-extending 10th world championship gold medal. “I know what to do when it comes to major championships,” Bolt said afterwards.
NWPL: Confluence Queens eye ‘final flourish’ Afolabi Gambari
C
onfluence Queens are going into this weekend’s Week 12 match in Lokoja with Martin Whyte Dove in Lokoja having garnered 17 points from eleven previous matches. The Wada Queens got lifted on Wednesday in another home game with a 1-0 victory over Ibom Angels of Uyo, bouncing back to winning ways after a lull. A late first half goal from midfielder Ameachi Ojini was all the Queens needed to seal the maximum points as the Nigeria Women Professional League cruised to the end. Spokesperson for the Queens,
Tosin Ojo, told National Mirror yesterday that the team was determined to finish the season in a flourish. “The win over Ibom Angels was very important for us, although I the players were affected by fatigue after a run of league and Federation Cup games that preceded the encounter,” Ojo said. Club Chairman, Abdul Sule, also echoed the spokesperson, saying the team would peak in the next few games. “We will get even better and finish in a good position,” Sule, a former Super Eagles defender, said, stressing, “I am confident we will finish among the top three at the end of the season.”
ports is one sector with enormous potential to address so many areas of social ills in any society. Sports has the capacity to turn around a seemingly hopeless situation to a more promising one. Sports has demonstrated its powers of being a life transformer and indeed an elevation of sort. It has made people who would not have been known to people of substance as role models and also as reference point in modern history. The importance of professionalism in sport cannot be over-emphasized, not only in Nigeria but the world over. The strong and positive roles of sport in nation building have been acknowledged globally. Nigeria with about 170 million population will certainly benefit immensely from proper and diligent approach to sport administration with proven touch of professionalism. Nigeria as a leading member of developing countries with peculiar high rate of unemployment and the risk of youth restiveness with dangerous crime rate ratio should invest more in sport to get the talented youths gainfully and positively engaged. The idle hands, they say, serve as devils workshop. The undoubted point here is that sports can be used as an instrument for crime management, control and crime reduction in any nation where sports is professionally managed. The relevance and importance of sport in international diplomacy and image making has also been demonstrated by most countries, particularly the powerful and ma-
Chess: Masters set for Northern Unity event Afolabi Gambari
C
hess prodigy, Abimbola Osunfuyi, will be the man to beat when the maiden Northern States Open Unity Chess Championships gets underway from today at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna where several talented chess players will display their skills for three days to determine
the winner in the Seven-round Swiss event paring tournament that will end on Sunday. Zonal Coordinator of North West zone, Alhaji Bode Durotoye, said yesterday that the competition aimed to make youths in northern Nigeria to compete with their counterparts from other part of the country. “This event will unite the players in the quest to develop them
for the future,” Durotoye, who is also Technical Director of Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), explained, adding that cash prizes would also be won in the under 14 section. About N255, 000 cash prizes will be won with the winner in the Open section claiming N50, 000 while N35, 000, N30, 000 and N20, 000 will be won by second to fourth placed players respectively.
jor players of international politics. The power and benefits inherent in sports can only be achieved when it is done with some touch of professionalism, commitment and passion devoid of selfishness. This i s
Yayale
why, in my view, the timely advice of a prominent Nigerian and rare thorough bred technocrat, Alhaji (Dr.) Mahmud Yayale Ahmed,CFR, should be seen as a timely wake-up call to all stake holders in the sports sector, especially the professionals in the industry as well as the scholars on the ivory towers. Ahmed’s advice should be more appreciated from the stand point of an insider who has seen it all in the affairs of this country, not only as one-time Head of the Civil Service of the Federation but also as a former Minister of Defence and his last point of service being secretary to the government of the federation. Yayale spoke last week at the inauguration of the organizing committee for the 3rd International Conference of the Africa Sports Management Association, ASMA, tagged Nigeria 2016 ASMA International Conference holding in Nigeria in 2016. The truth is that if we are sincere and honest in our approach e as sports administrators or managers, sports writers or columnists, sports fans or supporters, we should have something to gain in Ahmed’s humble and timely advice. It should be seen as a positive challenge to all the stake holders in the sector but more importantly to the professional in the industry.
55
It must be said that proper template for the required growth and development in our sports development agenda must be redefined. The focus of most major players in the sector is at variance with one another. The selfish desire to undo one another remains a sour point in the development of the sector. Many major players in the industry who should be trusted with touch professionalism ended up badly. Envy and jealousy became the order of the day. Competence lost on the altar of God-fatherism. Selfless service sacrificed for selfishness while pull him down syndrome pervade the air as unwritten law in the industry. Another disturbing area in our quest for the growth and development of the sport sector is the aspect of maintenance of facilities. I was at the Lagos National Stadium some weeks ago and l almost wept for the level of decay at the stadium the monetary worth of which should be in billions of naira value today in a country where there is no war or natural disaster. I was informed by some stakeholders that what is happening at the national stadium Lagos is a replica of what is going on in some other part of the country. There is no doubt that something fundamental is missing because to be truly professional, we need all factors and instrument to be in order and operational and I guess should be part of Ahmed’s advice. I believe getting it right is not about grand standing, nor about deceit or foul play. It is either you have it and give it or you don’t have it and take a walk. What you don’t have, you cannot give. QED. Government has spent heavily on sports while participating in international and local championships. Provision and maintenance of facilities can also be money consuming. It is therefore advisable to get selfless, honest and credible people with commensurate passion and commitment to captain and drive the “change” mantra of this government with the ultimate of getting the expected result of professionalism in administering the sports industry. Let’s adhere to Yayale Ahmed.
Hard but the bitter truth It is a common saying in Africa that the words of the elders are the words of wisdom. However, this can only be meaningful for those who are ready to drink from the elder’s reservoir basin. Otherwise, the dog that is destined to get lost will never hear the owner’s whistle. Hard But The Bitter Truth. Until next week Friday, stay out of trouble and God bless Nigeria.
WORLD RECORD
First people to reach the north pole
Vol. 05 No. 1187
Friday, August 28, 2015
N150
The first person to reach the North Pole has long been a matter of controversy and debate between two American explorers, and their supporters
Corruption and Buhari: Before the fatal distraction (II)
T
he recent comment credited to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, when the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, visited Nigeria early in the week, that “110 million Nigerians (out of the country’s over 170 million population) are extremely poor, illiterate and do not have voices”, lent no less credence to the premium the Africa Leadership Forum’s Farm House Dialogue of September 20 and 22, 1991 placed on the dangerous implications of run-away poverty on Nigeria’s democracy and national development roughly 24 years ago. The said Dialogue had identified two major modalities, one internal, and the other external, for eliminating poverty in Nigeria. At the internal level, the Dialogue said: “…democracy, in the main, must seek to promote private initiative as the engine of economic growth and development. The ultimate goal must be to provide an envi-
?
A
rsenal midfielder, Mesut Ozil, has backed his German compatriot Bastian Schweinsteiger to be a success in the Premier League where the latter stars for Manchester United. Schweinsteiger made his first United start in the
FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama
dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) ronment that is stable and conducive to the pursuit of economic undertaking directed at satisfying the needs of improved quality of life and living. The effectuation of this goal requires that government must, as a first step, accept the primacy of agricultural growth for any serious programme of economic development. This is more so as an overwhelming percentage of Nigerian population is in this sector. Increased agricultural productivity is fundamental to the elimination of poverty in Nigeria”. Unfortunately, interest rate on agricultural loan had risen at the time from 6% in 1980 to 32% (though officially put at 21% + 10% handling charge) in 1991; which the participants agreed was not supportive of national development. The manufacturing sector was also bugged down by high interest rate, which contributed in reducing production capacity utilization to 32%. Elimination of poverty, the Dialogue said, “requires a systematic effort geared at fully exploiting our agricultural resources and shoring up the utilization of the installed capacity in our industries. In addition to this, government must strive to totally liberate the creative energies of our people. One of the most important means of doing this is for government to concentrate on the provision of highly improved infrastructural facilities, especially of transportation, communication and energy, and ensure that these
NIGERIA HAS NOT OVER THE YEARS BEHAVED WITH THE CONTRITION AND PRUDENCE OF A DEBTOR NATION are constantly maintained in a good state of repair. It should then withdraw from direct involvement in all manner of productive activities, although its policies and programmes must be supportive of private initiative in these areas”. Equally recommended as of more fundamental importance was the need for the government to ensure stability and consistency of policy over a sufficiently long period to inculcate a strong sense of operational discipline and promote a high level of financial accountability, regardless of changes in the faces of government or its personnel, among others. When discussing external modalities for poverty elimination in the country, however, the Dialogue took special cognizance of the debt overhang on Nigeria at the time, which it said exerted a severely crippling effect on the productive capacity and capability of the country’s economy. “Nigeria has not over the years behaved with the contrition and prudence of a debtor nation. In consequence, it has been difficult to convince our creditors they
should be sympathetic to our plight. Our ostentatious style of living, our extravagant and wasteful expenditure, our excessive corruption and our imprudent consumption pattern are not such as would induce our creditors to consider giving us any substantial debt relief. Quite understandably, therefore, the quality of mercy of the international community is decidedly strain... As one participant put it, it is unlike God’s rain which falls on both the just and the wicked alike. The present situation wherein the economy on the external front is a mono-product economy was viewed as precarious, especially as apart from petroleum, most of the other commodities are the same as those of our sister African nations”. The participants stated, in addition: “There is thus a need to improve our investment climate to attract foreign investors. This must start from our reception of and our attitude and demeanour to visitors to Nigeria. It must extend to the expedition and courtesy with which we treat the processing of the necessary statutory requirements for legitimate investment in the country. It was recalled that the Dialogue on Economic Democratization had made a similar observation and recommendation. It had also advocated the creation of vital financial infrastructure conducive to the free flow of funds and also to the vertical and horizontal diversification and expansion of the local investment base. But the Dialogue stressed (that) foreign investment must be seen only as a supplement to local investment. As such, the atmosphere must first be made conducive and congenial for local investors if the country is sincere and serious about attracting foreign investors”. Some of the policy priorities recommended for the elimination of poverty in the end were the provision of food; education up to Junior Secondary School (JSS) level; as well as health facilities; and making them accessible and affordable to the generality of the people. To be concluded next week
Sport Extra EPL: Schweinsteiger gets Ozil’s glory push Red Devils’ 0-0 draw against Newcastle United and played 59 minutes before being substituted. Ozil, who needed time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League when he first arrived from Real Ma-
drid, said Schweinsteiger should also be given time. “The drastic interim judgement in the English press is not fair towards Bastian,” Ozil said yesterday. “He has shown the whole world at the Brazil World
Cup what a leader he is, most of all in the final,” the Turkish-born World Cup winner said. “Whenever the English media writes about Bastian, they should put a World Cup winner before his name. He’s
now the German world champion, who should make the difference for United. “He should not be judged because of a couple of touches to the ball in a season.”
Schweinsteiger
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