Wednesday, December 24, 2014

NACCIMA warns FG not to sacrifice economy for politics ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

Abubakar

Vol. 4 N0. 1011

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he Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce,

Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, has warned the Federal Government not to sacrifice the economy on the altar of politics as next

Yuletide: Air passenger traffic rises, hamper prices crash

year’s general elections approach.

While addressing journalists during a media briefing at the NACCIMA

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Buhari raises N54m to counter GEJ’s N21bn APC accuses ruling party of mudslinging Statement complimentary, says Metuh F

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

ormer Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Maj. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, said yesterday that so far, Nigerians have donated N54 million to support his campaign ahead of the 2015 election.

The amount is paltry, considering the whopping N21 billion in donations raked in on Saturday at the fund-raising dinner for President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign.

Briefing journalists CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (4th right), his wife, Dame Emmanuella (3rd right), members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials and children jointly cutting the cake during the 2014 Children’s End-of -Year Party at the Lagos House in Ikeja, yesterday.

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Ondo PDP cautions INEC against substituting candidates ...as new chairman, Ogunye, takes over

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Police confirm 7 deaths in Bauchi bomb blast

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Adeboye, Kumuyi, Shonekan praise God for peace

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SURE-P spends N80bn on East-West road project P.11

News

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari raises N54m to counter GEJ’s N21bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

yesterday in Abuja, Buhari said currently 82 support groups have been registered under the Buhari Support Organisations, BSO, with 475, 796 coordinators and total membership in the region of 8, 492, 226 across the country.

Buhari thanked Nigerians for donating generously to actualise his dream.

“We intend to use the registration and donation cards to enlist the members of the groups as volunteer change agents and also capture the spatial distribution of our do-

nors,” he said.

He warned that only the authorised account designated for the crowd funding, which he is the sole signatory to is the BSO account with First Bank PLC. “I know we live in difficult times in Nigeria.

There is insecurity, corruption, poverty and above all the uncertainty of lives is becoming unbearable. I want to appeal to our supporters to continue making sacrifice till we get the needed change.”

But, Buhari while responding to the difference between the N21bn raked

in by the PDP and the N54m said that his funding raising comes from the masses, who he said are the real voters.

He said that the will of the masses will always prevail, noting that money does not win elections but the determination of the people to see good governance.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the PDP of engaging in serial mudslinging against its leaders rather than addressing electoral issues confronting it.

The party said the attack increased especially

in the aftermath of its successful national convention in which Gen. Buhari was elected its presidential candidate.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the same PDP that has been preaching issue-based electioneering campaign has done nothing but mudslinging against the person of Gen. Buhari, his running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the national leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire APC. It said the spokespersons for President Jona-

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (left) during his visit to bomb explosion victims at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, yesterday. INSET: Shops destroyed by the explosion.

PHOTO: NAN

than and the PDP, “apparently stung into a stupor by the rancour-free emergence of the its candidates and the overwhelmingly positive reactions from Nigerians, have thrown caution and decency to the wind by their crude, rude and rambling statements.”

He continued: “What is issues-based in calling Gen. Buhari a ‘semi-literate jackboot’ as the PDP’s National Secretary Wale Oladipo has incautiously said?

“Where are the issues in the pejorative reference to Prof. Osinbajo as an ‘acolyte’ of Tinubu, or in describing Tinubu himself as a puppeteer, as the National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh has said in the most vitriolic and irresponsible statement that can ever be issued by the spokesman of a ruling party anywhere?

“Where are the issues contained in the statement by the serial bumbler and gormandizer called Doyin Okupe, who regards Gen. Buhari’s refusal to enrich himself from the public till as a vice rather than a virtue? Why would a ruling party go after the jugular of the opposition simply because it took its time in choosing its presidential running mate, especially since it did not run foul of any electoral law in doing so?

“The truth is that the

Jonathan Presidency and the PDP have no issues to canvass during the electioneering campaign for the 2015 general elections because they have wasted the mandate given to them by Nigerians on the altar of unprecedented corruption, incomprehensible incompetence and cluelessness and perhaps the worst leadership ever inflicted on our country,” APC said.

The party expressed delight that Nigerians have taken it upon themselves to respond to the PDP and its barbarians, especially in the social media.

“Had these Philistines been monitoring the reactions of Nigerians to the capricious comments they have been making against the person of Gen. Buhari and his party, they would have desisted.

But then, they need to impress their paymasters. It seems the more they pour invective on our leaders and our party, the bigger their pay. We wish them luck in their ludicrous pursuit and shadow chasing,” it added.

The party assured Nigerians that its campaign for next year’s elections would be based on how the party plans to restore hope to the forlorn citizens, who have been taken for a ride by the government they voted into power, how Nigeria can be made great again and how CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Transitional Electricity Market takes off January 1–FG CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has announced that plans have been concluded to declare the Transition Electricity Market, TEM, on New Year’s Day. National Mirror reports that the declaration of TEM means the proper take-off of all contractual obligations at this point in time in the nation’s fledging electricity market.

Such contracts will involve the gas suppliers, generation and distribution companies and the Bulk Trader, which will buy electricity generated

by the gencos for onward sale to the discos.

The Deputy Director of Press in the Ministry of Power, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, in a statement, stated that the minister made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja.

According to the statement, Nebo said that the main focus of TEM will be the consummation of all contractual obligations, as stipulated in the rules adding that TEM declaration is not the start of the transition, but an attempt to make the market more matured and robust.

He called on all actors to do their best, just as he promised a level playing

ground for all.

He however insisted that government will not accept any excuse for the inability of all actors to provide Nigerians with uninterrupted power supply.

The minister said that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is ready to fund operators and advised that all market participants should perfect their papers in order to access cheap fund under the Government’s Intervention Initiative.

Nebo also disclosed that government is determined to radically address the lingering metering-gap existing in the power sector.

This, he said, will help block leakages thereby making more resources available for investment.

The minister regretted the negative impact of vandalism on power generation, saying that he and his counterpart in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources have perfected plans to stem the trend.

He also spoke about plans to increase power generation through access to gas-fired plants built under the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, and enhanced transmission capacity, adding that government will also pursue with vigour energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.

The Permanent Secretary, Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, urged the distribution companies to be more innovative in their load shedding arrangements, stressing that companies should manage scarce resources by shutting out electricity supply in offices at night while homes will have their turn in day time.

Speaking on behalf of Discos, Ernest Mupaya of Abuja Disco said that his company has invested heavily in infrastructure aimed at improving service delivery, including an integrated payment platform for settlement of bills for improved customers’ interactions.

He said the paltry allocation of 285mw is being consumed at the ratio of 80 per cent for the metropolis and 20 per cent for adjoining states and satellite settlements, insisting that if more energy is made available to the company, more will be made available to customers.

Abuja Disco, he said has the capacity to use 700mw, adding that the company is already working with Independent Power Producers, IPPs, that will harness vast solar-powered energy sources and other power embedded projects, so that less emphasis will be on the grid.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Photo News

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

L-R: MTN’s Customer Relationship Manager, Kano, Kabiru Kazaure; N1m prize winner in the on-going MTN Cash Quest Promo, Muhammad Isah and MTN’s Regional Trade Marketing Manager, North West Region, Abdulhamid Hassan, during the prize presentation in Kano, yesterday.

L-R: Council Member, Kwara State Polytechnic, Mr. Ahmed Kpera; Special Adviser to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information and Publicity, Mr. Tunde Ayandele and Chairman of the committee, Hon. Zakari Muhammed, during the NUJ Correspondents Forum in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina; former Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Julius Odeyemi and former Coordinating Director, NAQS, Dr. Mike Nwaneri, during a farewell dinner in honour of retired directors and consultants in the ministry in Abuja, recently.

L-R: Convener, East-West Road Projects, Prof. Kunle Wahab; Chairman, SURE-P, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and Co-ordinator, Programme Operations, Mr. Ali Fatoma, during a news conference on the East-West Road Project in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National News

Yuletide: Air passenger traffic rises, hamper prices crash OLUSEGUN KOIKI AND FRANKA OSAKWE

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he terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday experienced massive increase in passengers travelling out of the state for yuletide celebration.

The General Aviation Terminal, GAT, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MMA2, and the international wing of the airport witnessed a surge in passenger movement.

Our correspondent, who visited the terminals, observed that the departure hall of MMIA was full with passengers queuing at various airline counters.

The passengers, including the elderly and children, looked tired after queuing for a long time.

Some were looking for seats to rest while waiting for their turns at the checkin counters.

Some security officials patrolled the hall, while

the aviation security and armed policemen manned entrance of the hall controlling people’s movement.

At the domestic wing of the airport, high influx of passengers was also recorded both at the arrival and departure halls.

At MMA2, the terminal was full to capacity with thousands of passengers.

The facility was so stretched that some passengers had to sit on staircases and other odd areas to catch fresh air.

Check-in counters especially for Aero was also full with passengers.

A quick census showed that most of the passengers were South East-bound, with most saying they were leaving for the Christmas celebration to places like Enugu, Port Harcourt and Owerri.

Others said they were headed for Awka, Akwa Ibom, Benin and even Delta State.

A ticket sales officer who spoke with our correspondent said that sales had increased, which he attrib-

uted to the season.

Traffic at and around the airport was chaotic as a serious gridlock, which started at 10am, was yet to clear as at 5pm.

Vehicles were seen manoeuvring their way into the terminals, causing serious hold-up at certain bus stops around the airport.

Other commuters trekked long distances or made use of motorbikes to beat the traffic.

Meanwhile, with Christmas celebration coming up tomorrow, lots of hampers

are yet to be sold even as their prices have dropped.

Investigation by our correspondent yesterday revealed that the price came down last week due to low patronage.

It was gathered that there was a drop of about 20 per cent in the price compared with what was sold initially.

The sellers claim that hampers, which sold for N6,000 two weeks ago now goes for between N3, 000 and N4, 000 with the same contents.

Hampers, which sold

for N12,000 now goes for N8,000, while that of N15,000 have gone down to between N12,000 and N10,000.

A seller at Apongbon, on Lagos Island, who identified herself as Alhaja, said she had to bring down the prices to enable her dispose of the wares.

“You know that this hamper business is seasonal. And the festive period will soon be over, so the need for hamper will drop. Some of these items have expiring dates and if you do not sell them off they will perish,” she said.

Another seller, who also complained of low patronage, blamed it on scarcity of money and the high cost of living.

“People are complaining they have no money to spend on hampers, except for few business organisations. But even those ones are still pricing down the hampers as if it is onions and tomatoes. You can see for yourself that the hampers are packed here, but nobody is coming. This is forcing me to sell below the cost price,” she said.

Nigeria pledges stronger ties with other developing nations ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pledged that his administration would continue to encourage and support the development of more mutually-beneficial trade and economic relations between Nigeria and other developing nations.

Speaking at separate audiences with the new ambassadors of Cuba and

Zimbabwe, Jonathan said that in keeping with its commitment to privatisation, trade liberalisation and full diversification of the economy, the Federal Government would welcome greater economic ties with other emerging economies.

“Nigeria is a very vast economy. We are not just about oil. We have a very vibrant business community that has a global presence in both the service and nonservice sectors.

“We will encourage these businesses to expand their interests into your economies,” the President told Ambassador Carlos Eleterio Trejo Sosa of Cuba and Ambassador Lovemore Mazemo of Zimbabwe, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to him.

Jonathan noted that with the full support and encouragement of his administration, Nigerian businesses were already operating suc-

cessfully in some African and European countries, and making commendable progress in the development of entrepreneurial skills, resource mobilisation and global competitiveness.

He wished the new ambassadors successful tenures in Abuja and assured them of full cooperation of the Federal Government as they work to enhance existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and their countries.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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NACCIMA warns FG not to sacrifice economy for politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

office in Lagos yesterday, the First Deputy National President of the Association, Chief Bassey Edem, said the private sector was worried about the huge focus on politics amid the myriad challenged confronting the economy.

He said, “With the 2015 elections approaching, NACCIMA is concerned about the risk of crowding out the economy as political activities intensify. We want to caution seriously against this tendency. What appears to be dominating the agenda of the political leadership now is politics rather than growing the economy. Yet we need a strong economy to support our political process under the present democratic dispensation.

“Accordingly, we wish to strongly counsel that government at all levels should keep very close watch on the economy to ensure that there is no derailment in our economic development process.”

The NACCIMA boss also sought collaboration between the government and other stakeholders to take more decisive action in checking the menace of insecurity which has been endangering the economy of the country.

He also stressed the need for government to muster the political will needed to drive the alternative sources of power so as to significantly improve on the power supply in the country.

According to him, “Our nation is beset with so many challenges arising from falling crude oil prices, which have precipitated the proposed austerity measures, devaluation (of the naira) etc.

Insecurity in the NorthEast remains a serious challenge while the nearness of the 2015 election

by INEC is heightening tension.

“Although, the nation has made significant progress in some specific sectors, this is still not adequate considering the country’s aspiration of becoming one of the top 20 most developed economies in the world by the year 2020. This is reflected in the major macroeconomic indicators as obtained from Central

Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.” He said the association was also concerned about the fact that the nation’s borders will be thrown open to influx of goods from within the West African region as from January 2015 when the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, CET, becomes operational, noting that the situation would constitute another challenge for the growing industries that are currently battling with the devaluation of the naira amongst other challenges.

“The need to ensure compliance to all protocols signed by ECOWAS to eliminate dumping of goods in the region becomes of great importance if our growing industries are to survive with the implementation of ECOWAS CET and for the realisation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan.

“It is also important to note that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, ETLS, requires government’s serious commitment in its implementation, as a lot of our private sector exporters complain of frustrations encountered with the implementing agencies at the borders,” he said.

The chamber also complained about the recent increase in Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, from 12 per cent to 13 per cent saying it constituted a great challenge to the industrial sector, considering the current global outlook.

Edem said the investors are worried that their businesses are at risk with the high lending rate in existence.

According to him, the Federal Government has to initiate policies that will create enabling environment for investors to look inward for investment opportunities, while working towards reducing the MPR to a single digit in order to reverse the trend.

He noted that GDP Growth Rate went up from 6.21 per cent in the first quarter to 6.23 per cent in the 3rd quarter of 2014, while External Reserves were down by 16 per cent from $42.98bn in January

to $35.95bn in December.

Speaking on the decline in crude oil prices, Edem stated that the trend is not the only issue Nigeria is facing, as there are more serious problems such as oil theft, shut-down in production, illegal refineries, pipelines vandalisation and non-payment of royalties.

“These are estimated to cost Nigeria billions of

dollars every year. Even the Excess Crude Account has been run down from $9bn to $2bn in the past 18 months.”

While acknowledging the various policies being implemented with a view to revamping the agricultural sector such as the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme, YEAP, and the Fund for Agricultural Finance in

Nigeria, FAFIN, Edem called for proper implementation of the programmes.

He also stressed the need for the government to ensure that the funds for the agriculture sector are accessed by the right people for the growth of the sector.

“We believe that if these programmes are properly implemented,

they will reduce the rate of unemployment among the youths of this nation and help to reduce the level of insecurity.

“We also reiterate that government should ensure that the funds for the agriculture sector are accessed by the right set of people to allow the achievement of objectives.”

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) with members of Legends of Nollywood during their visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Buhari raises N54m to counter GEJ’s N21bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

the comatose economy can be resuscitated, for the benefit of all, rather than a few fat cats.

“We are delighted at the increasing level of political awareness among Nigerians and their engagement in the political scene. We believe Nigerians are more interested in what the candidates for next year’s elections can offer rather than on how much mudslinging they can dish out. In the end, Nigerians, who are the real masters, will spot the difference!” the party said.

But the PDP said it considers the statement that described Gen. Buhari as “semi-literate jackboot” as complimentary and not mudslinging.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Metuh in a statement yesterday in reaction to the statement by APC said: “The particular statement by Prof. Oladipo, referred to by the APC, which we even consider as complimentary, does not in any way compare with the many instances of vicious, malicious and provocative attacks on the person and

office of our presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, after we made the commitment to engage in a decent campaign.

“It is on record that a few days after the commitment alluded to by the APC, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso, attacked the person of President Jonathan, describing him as an ‘incompetent commander-inchief.’ No personal attack could be more vicious and unconscionable.

“Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has consistently prosecuted a hate campaign against President Jonathan, describing him as ‘an enemy of Rivers people.’ I ask the APC and my friend, Lai Mohammed, if this destructive campaign sounds like a love song to him.”

He also recalled how the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, at the church event to mark the 60th birthday of the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, in IfakiEkiti, attacked the person of President Jonathan describing him as ‘a misfit’

for the presidency of the nation.

“Even my friend Lai Mohammed is not blameless. For him to declare to the world that President Jonathan was responsible for the killings of Nigerians by Boko Haram insurgents, when he knows those whose utterances and clandestine activities fuel the insurgency, smacks of political mischief.

“To worsen the entire matter, the APC presidential candidate himself, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is complicit in the propagation of personal attacks over and above issues. It was insulting for Buhari to say, as he did in Sokoto last Sunday, that ‘no right-thinking Nigerian will vote for Jonathan.’

Is this the APC’s understanding of an issuesbased campaign.

“It is important to point out that President Jonathan has never, ever, whether before or after he became the candidate of our party, attacked the character or person of Gen. Buhari.

“In his declaration and acceptance speech after he was nominated as

presidential candidate of our party, there was nowhere in the speeches or speeches made on subsequent occasions in which he attacked the person of Buhari.

“We would like to state that, in furtherance of their deliberate and calculated attacks on President Jonathan, the APC has been using fronts and sponsored agents in the media and social media to make caricatures of President Jonathan.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we want to assure the APC that we remain committed to issues-based campaign as this will give us a clear head-start over them. We will campaign on our record of verifiable achievements; we will campaign on the fact that Nigeria can never go back to the past; we will campaign on issues and ideas built around our continuing agenda to transform our nation going into the future.

“Nevertheless, we are fully prepared, ready, willing and able to defend all personal attacks on the President and the leadership of our great party.”

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News

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fuel scarcity: DPR releases 335 fuel trucks to FCT D epartment of Petroleum Resources, Abuja has said 335 trucks of petroleum products were released from the depot between Monday and Tuesday to ease fuel scarcity in Abuja.

Zonal Controller, DPR, Mallam Usman Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja.

Long queues for fuel resurfaced in Abuja on Monday, a week after the city experienced petrol scarcity, as hundreds of motorists besieged the few filling stations that sold the product.

Many petrol stations,

especially in the city centre, were shut to customers without any explanation as to why they were not selling.

Hundreds of motorists thronged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s mega stations on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Area and ZubaAbuja expressway to get fuel.

Mohammed attributed the return of long queues in the city to non-lifting of fuel by the petroleum tanker drivers due to a minor problem over the weekend between ConOil, Mobil, Total and depot managers.

According to him, the

problem is also compounded by panic buying and the rush by those that are traveling for the holiday.

He, however, said the problem between the oil major marketers and depot managers had since been resolved and the petroleum tanker drivers had started to lift fuel from the depot to Abuja.

“As at Monday, we supplied about 205 truckloads of petroleum products to the city, while about 130 trucks lifted fuel on Tues-

day.

“By this evening the situation will ease off; I am just coming from the Central area. The problem is mainly in the Central area because there is fuel outside the city.

“The queues have started to go down because many of the filling stations that were not selling have begun to sell now because of the supply.

“Definitely by tomorrow morning, the queues would have disappeared,” he said.

He noted that the scarcity became so pronounced because the problem occurred over the weekend and was compounded by inability to lift fuel.

Mohammed, however, assured the public of adequate supply of products during Christmas and New Year, stressing that there is enough stock at the depot to cater for the need of motorists.

He said the DPR had raised three surveillance teams to monitor the situ-

ation and ensure that no marketer sold above pump price or under-dispense to motorists.

He called on residents to report any suspected manipulation by fuel attendants at the stations to the appropriate authority.

He warned that any oil marketer who indulges in sharp practice would be sanctioned accordingly.

He said such marketer would either be suspended or have his licence withdrawn.

SEC to partner NBA on capital market development TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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ecurities and Exchange Commission, SEC, is to collaborate with the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, to set up a standing committee as means of working together for the development of Nigeria’s capital market.

Disclosing the planned partnership when a delegation of the National Executive of the association led by the President, Augustine Alegeh, SAN, paid a courtesy call on her in Abuja, Director-General of SEC, Arunma Oteh, said the partnership was essential for the two organsations and the country in general to drive the present administration’s transformation agenda for the nation’s capital market.

Oteh said Nigeria’s capital market had had big issues that affected the integrity of the market in the past, saying that the timing of the visit was perfect for SEC and NBA to seek ways at collaborating in the interest of investors and the country’s economic development.

She explained: “The timing is right for us to look at how we can strengthen the relationship due to the value of the legal profession in fostering the rule of law in the society and the markets and the value of the capital market in transforming our economy. We can’t have a country that has such great potential, has men and women that are entrepre-

neurs and still have a market this small.

“Nigerians by nature are business men; the capital market, in collaboration with the legal profession, should help to promote such businesses so that there is integrity and these businesses can grow to their full potentials by leveraging on the capital market. One area that people are beginning to talk about is the value of wealth distribution and addressing income inequality.

“If a mechanism can be instituted for creating wealth for anyone irrespective of his status or position in the society, then we would have democratised wealth creation and that is what the capital market does. We are aspiring to evolve to the point of world class, this market must be one that will be the first point of call for all investors and we will get there,” Oteh said.

Earlier, Alegeh had expressed the interest of the NBA in working with the SEC in several areas in a bid to improve the country’s economic development.

He said the association had set up a committee on legislative advocacy which offers services free of charge, to ensure that proper laws are in place no matter whose ox is gored.

The NBA president assured that the association was willing to assist the commission resolve some of its compliance issues, petitions in respect of what happens in the equity market and other legal assistance that may be required.

Turkeys for sale at Wuse Market in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Pro-Jonathan campaign group switches support to Buhari OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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ne of the notable election campaign support groups, House-to-House Educational Initiative, has said it will henceforth sensitise the electorate to support the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of next year’s elections.

National Coordinator of the initiative, Kunle Ehinlanwo, at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, said the initial idea of the group was to support the re-election of President Jonathan but that it had to review its position after careful analysis of the situation in the country.

He explained that the initiative was formed to promote good governance and pro poor policies through

national dialogue and intervention on issues of national development.

“Our initial idea was to support the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan believing that continuity will better secure our democracy considering the stage we are in the democratic ladder. But on a deeper review and careful analysis of the situation in the country, we are not convinced with the performance of the present administration,” he said.

According to Ehinlanwo, his group would be looking at political development to see how it can work with the Nigerian people and other partners to build the nation’s democracy and its processes. In line with this, it would also mobilise Nigerians, particularly the youths, to ensure victory for Buhari and his running

mate, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, in the presidential election.

He said some of the immediate targets of the group include educating Nigerians on the imperatives of electing the APC presidential flagbearer in the 2015 presidential election, “to assiduously canvass the election of Buhari as a moral force and indeed a necessity to right the debilitating condition in our nation today, thereby ensuring justice, peace, unity and prosperity among the Nigerian people.

“For the record, our organisation is engineered and powered by concerned citizens and patriotic volunteers throughout Nigeria to achieve this common objective.

“We are concerned about the future of this great nation buffeted by bad leadership and we believe the

time for a collective action towards purposeful and responsible government which shares the wishes and aspirations of distressed Nigerians is now.

We have, therefore, taken the bull by the horn to do our honest bit in the quest for change.

“We have consequently decided to support Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of APC, who, we are convinced, is a better man for the challenging job.

“The House-to-House Educational Initiative will henceforth campaign vigorously to canvass massive votes for the election of Gen. Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, ahead of the general election across the 36 states of the federation, the FCT and the 774 local government areas in 2015,” he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Osun retirees protest non-payment of 4 months pension BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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Traffic congestion at Ikeja Along in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

40 bills awaiting presidential assent —House C’ttee …Says political mood, handicap to invoking constitutional provision

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hairman, House Committee on Information, Zakari Mohammed, on Tuesday said 40 bills were awaiting President Goodluck Jonathan’s assent to become Acts of the National Assembly.

Mohammed, representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency of Kwara State, said this at a forum organised by Correspondents’ Chapel of the Oyo State Council of NUJ in Ibadan.

According to him, the house would have invoked the relevant portion of the constitution to deal with

the situation, but ‘’the political mood of the country had been a sort of handicap’’.

Mohammed had earlier delivered a paper titled: ‘’The Nigerian Press and Democratic Governance; the Journey So Far’’ at the chapel’s programme, Guest Forum.

Mohammed said the media coverage of democracy in the last 16 years had not been impressive.

He said there were a lot of vices going on within the polity which the Nigerian press had not done enough about reporting.

“Not only that our me-

dia practitioners are not doing enough of whistle blowing, the political actors run to the media for cover,’’ he said.

Mohammed said Nigerians should be tired of politicians and the media in the last 16 years because of their unwritten collaboration to rob the country of robust democratic gains.

“How much of corruption have the media been able to expose in the country?’’

The lawmaker charged media practitioners to place the interest of the country above any other

consideration.

“To entrench democracy, we should not monetise the profession; we owe this country a lot; other countries are only better than Nigeria because of organisation.

“The dullest of lawyers are treated with decorum; there must be an entry point into the profession like the medical, law, accounting and other professions to enhance the dignity of the profession; the image of journalists should be worked upon.

“If you are shabbily treated, you will be shabbily rewarded,’’ he said.

Xmas: Osiomhole calls for vigilance, Folarin felicitates

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overnor Adams Osiomhole of Edo State has enjoined Edo people to remain vigilant and security conscious as Nigerians celebrate Christmas.

In his message to the people, the governor said while many PDP states are unable to pay salaries in arrears of three to four months, the Edo State Government has met its salary obligation up to date.

According to him, next year presents Nigerians with unique opportunity to vote out bad leadership that have been a clog in the wheel of progress.

He said: “Despite the eco-

nomic hardship and lean resources accruing to the state from the federation account, the good news is that the state government has paid all workers in the state civil service, including the teachers their salaries for December, 2014 to enable them enjoy the yuletide with their loved ones.

“This is in contrast to what obtains in many states of the federation, especially the PDP–controlled states, where worker are being owed salaries in arrears of three, four months and even in some cases up to eight months.”

Also, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, said Christmas is a time and a season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, adding “among the season we have learnt from His life and teachings, are to cherish peace and be of goodwill, and to live a life of love and forgiveness.”

In a statement by his Director of Media and Strategy, Victor Oluwadamilare, he appealed to motorists and other road users to drive carefully by obeying traffic rules and shun the temptation to drink and drive.

He also used the occasion to appeal to PDP mem-

bers in the state to close ranks and work for the success of the party in the next year general election.

“It is time to fully reconcile ourselves, put aside personal interests and approach the imminent general elections with the determination to succeed at the polls saying, saying, “This is the least that is expected from us by our teeming supporters across the state”.

“We must not shy away from the responsibility that providence has placed on our shoulders to salvage the present state of despair”, the statement warned.

etired civil servants in Osun State yesterday, staged a protest over non- payment of their monthly pension since August this year.

The protesters who moved round major streets in Osogbo, the state capital, carrying placards with different inscriptions, demanded immediate payment of their pension to save them from untold hardship.

Speaking to newsmen during the protest, a retiree, Mr. Samuel Adeoti, said Osun State Government has subjected retirees to economic hardship by not paying their entitlements, adding that some of their colleagues who retired from the service of the state in the last three years had not being paid their gratituities.

He averred that the retirees are dying owing due to the failure of govern-

ment to pay their pension and urged the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola to look into their plight by paying them without further delay.

Speaking in similar vein, another retiree, Mr Rasheed Bamiduro decried the attitude of government towards social well being of senior citizens.

While urging government to put a stop to the idea of selective payment of pension to some categories of retirees, Bamiduro advised that all pensioners must be given equal treatment.

He added that about 56 pensioners have lost their lives in the state due to inability of government to offset accumulated pension arrears in the last five years.

He further explained that the latest among the dead pensioners gave up the ghost two weeks ago in Owode Area of Ede North Local Government of the state.

Police rescue abducted wife of Uniosun ASUU chairman

…two suspects arrestedconstitutional provision BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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he abducted wife of Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Osun State University, Uniosun, chapter, Mrs Funmilayo Abiona, was yesterday evening rescued by the police.

Close family source told National Mirror Tuesday evening, that Mrs Abiona was rescued at a spot along Ilesa-Akure expressway around 4 o’clock by policemen, adding that two of her abductors were also ar-

rested.

Abiona was kidnapped by a gang of five men around Uniosun junction, Osogbo-Ibokun road Friday evening, while heading home from her shop.

Abiona’s abductors had on Saturday placed a ransom of N50 million on her head.

However, a source close to the headquarters of Osun State Police Command, said the kidnappers must have been lured to the spot where Abiona was rescued with a promise to pay the demanded sum.

... recalls Ihonvbere, accepts commissioner’s resignation SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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overnor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State has reinstated Professor Julius Ihonvbere as Secretary to the State Government.

The reinstatement follows the review and resolution of the issues thatled to the resignation of the SSG on Tuesday, December 9, 2014.

A statement obtained

from the Government House on Tuesday evening said Ihonvbere’s reinstatement is with immediate effect.

Meanwhile the State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Mobilisation, Chris Okaeben has resigned his appointment in line with the electoral and constitutional requirements which mandated political appointees to resign 45 days before an election.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ondo PDP candidates warn INEC against substituting names OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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ndo State Peoples Democratic Party, candidates jostling to fly the party’s flag during next year’s general election have cautioned against tampering with the list after

the last primaries in the state.

The candidates, who spoke with journalists in Abuja yesterday, also alleged that there were surreptitious moves by some powerful party men in the state to arm-twist the Independent National Electoral Commission,

INEC, to illegally substitute their names. Present at the briefing were Femi Adekanbi, Adegunloye Adeusi and Adaramola Olubunmi.

Specifically, Adekanbi alleged that the frequent visits to the Abuja office of the commission by the state governor, Olusegun

Mimiko, was not unconnected with moves to pervert the people’s will in the state.

He accused the governor of failing to work to peacefully integrate himself into the party and its structures which he met on ground when he recently defected to the

L-R: Mrs. Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi; husband of the deceased, Mr. Adeyemi Oduyoye and Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Ward C, Mrs. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, during a press conference on the cause of death of Mrs. Folake Oduyoye at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Aregbesola presents N190bn budget for 2015 •Oyo to spend N141.8bn BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday presented N197.8 billion budget before the state’s House of Assembly for the 2015 fiscal year.

Presenting the budget on behalf of the governor, the permanent secretary, office of budget and economic planning, Segun Olorunsogo, said when passed, the budget would ensure completion of all ongoing projects and commencement of new ones.

Tagged ‘Budget of Renewed Hope,’ Olorunsogo said the budget would also help to consolidate on the various achievements and the progress made in the last four years.

The revenue component of the budget is N131.7bn, while the capital expenditure is N65.034bn.

Receiving the budget on behalf of his colleagues, Speaker Najeem Salaam assured that the

budget would be thoroughly looked into before its final approval.

Salaam also noted that the budget would ensure the delivery of dividends of democracy to people of the state.

In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi presented N141.7bn budget proposal before the state House of Assembly, pledging that no new taxes would be imposed on the people, notwithstanding the poor financial situation of the state occasioned by sharp drop in oil revenue.

The governor, while presenting ‘Budget of Repositioning’ on the floor of the Assembly yesterday, said that the proposal was guided by his administration’s desire to consolidate on its achievements and reposition the state.

According to him, the 2014 fiscal year also aims at solidifying the ongoing physical and social infrastructural development, sustaining the peace and security which has become a brand for which

the state is noted, and ensure continuation of the existing cordial relationship among all segments of the state.

According to the governor, rather than impose new taxes on the people, the government put up new strategy to enhance cost effectiveness of revenue collection, especially with respect to existing fees and levies.

Besides, the governor said that priority would be given to expanding the state’s taxable base through accelerated gainful employment generation by private investors in the state.

While the sum of N86.72 billion, representing 61.17 per cent, is allocated for recurrent expenditure, the capital expenditure will gulp N55.05 billion, representing 38.83 per cent of the budget.

The sectoral allocation consists of Economy N29.798 billion representing 21.01 per cent; Social Services N58,492 billion representing 41.26 per cent; Urban Regional Development N8.93 billion, 6.3 per cent and General Admin-

istration N44,559, representing 31.43 per cent.

PDP. According to him, as a democrat, Mimiko would have followed the path of the chieftain of the party, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, who has been working assiduously to unite the party with a view to delivering the state to President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

The House of Representatives candidate insisted that all his colleagues were committed to fighting unjust system, even as they vowed to resist any attempt to trample on their lawful rights to aspire to any position.

Adekanbi noted, “Mimiko has made INEC office practically his office. We are not fighting Mimiko, leader of the party in the state. What we are fighting is system of how we do things in PDP. “We believe in INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, doing justice and ensuring that 2015 witnesses peaceful and fair polls. We want to caution that Mimiko can never solely win Ondo for President Jonathan.

Salary has not been paid for three months in Ondo

and the governor cannot walk freely on the streets of Ondo. Is he the person to deliver votes for Jonathan? Mimiko never believed in calling every stakeholder to a roundtable.

“No inducement of INEC and PDP can be allowed to stand. For somebody going around in Ondo and sleeping in INEC, that is unfortunate.

We are waiting for the names of the candidates of Mimiko to be published

by INEC and which we believe INEC won’t do. If it does that, then it means we are not ready for democracy and that could be the beginning of the end of democracy in Nigeria when we cannot respect the judiciary,” he said.

Also, Adegunloye cautioned the governor to thread the part of honour by calling all the aggrieved members of the party together in the interest of the party and the people.

While he said the candidates held the person of the governor in high esteem, Adegunloye stressed that the party could only be promoted when members in the state stick together.

Four robbers die in road accident HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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our suspected armed robbers yesterday lost their lives while trying to evade arrest from men of the Ondo State Police Command.

The four men were said to have attacked a police team on patrol along Idanre road in Akure, opening fire on them and damaging their car before heading for Akure.

But men of the ‘B’ police command got wind of the hoodlum’s activities and gave hot chase, resulting in the Hills car the robbers were travelling in crashing into a church fence.

The Police commissioner, Isaac Eke, however said the four suspects lost their lives before getting to the hospital.

He disclosed the vehicle with Reg. No.

11/260FG which the hoodlums damaged beyond repair, was likely snatched.

Eke said two AK 47 rifles with No. 26182 belonging to Okuta-Elerinla Division carted away from them by the dead criminals were recovered.

Others items were N160,000, 126 live ammunitions, three magazines, 21 handsets, two numbers plates (Edo State), and substances suspected to be dynamite and charms.

One of the victims of the deceased who narrated his experience, Olumide Michael, said he was travelling to Port Harcourt with his brother when they were kidnapped by the criminals who disguised as security operatives.

He said, “Those dead criminals pretended to be security operatives and arrested us for travelling in a tinted car and said the car will be impound-

ed and asked us to follow them to the station. But to our surprise, they took over my brother’s car and drove us towards Ifon in Ose local government area of Ondo State, into a bush with five other people.

“When we got to the place, they brought out their guns and demanded my brother’s ATM card.

My brother confessed that he had about N500,000 in his account. They immediately changed the plate number of my brother’s car with federal plate numbers.

“They drove toward Owo road through the forest. Later, they called a man on phone that they would need police uniform for an operation.”

Also, six additional suspected robbers, 32 cultists, and two people for unlawful possession of human skull were paraded.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

9

Ogun: Adeboye, Kumuyi, Shonekan praise God for peace FEMI O YEWESO ABEOKUTA

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Long queue of passengers waiting for LAGBUS at Oshodi in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED

Fashola harps on tourism as revenue source FRANCIS SUBERU

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n order to boost tourism potential in Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola has canvassed the need to make the state’s yearly countdown a monthly event to boost commerce and industry, not only in Bar Beach area, but in the entire state as well as generate more revenue.

The governor, who spoke on Monday night at the Lagos Countdown Festival of Light held at the Bar Beach, also commended the management and staff of the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency, LASAA, for the impressive planning and organisation of the countdown, saying he was proud of the agency.

According to Governor Fashola, the history of

Lagos Countdown could be traced to 2004/2005 when his predecessor, Bola Tinubu, decided to take the bull by the horn by reclaiming the Bar Beach shoreline lost to the Atlantic Ocean; saying it was Tinubu’s bold step at the time that saved the beach.

He said: “Now the story of this countdown is a long. Sometimes in 2004/2005, this place was not here. It took the courage of my predecessor to say this must stop. We had lost the road, all the properties on this shoreline had disappeared and all the Federal Government of Nigeria was doing was pumping sand here every two years only to be washed away.

“It was that courage that brought about partnership with South Energies and today, not only

have we reclaimed the road, businesses are back and even more businesses are emerging at small and micro levels. After we have saved the beach, the next challenge was how to turn nature’s asset, the Atlantic coastline, into an opportunity for tourism for economic development and daily prosperity.

“The countdown started as the last few days event, it has become the last whole month event, but for me, the work is not finished. What we have done here for about a month must now happen here every month; from then on, every day.

“That is when the story will be complete. When there will be commerce and sport, when there will be signing, when there will be buying and selling and when the whole world will fly into this city and

the state and this country and say that I am going to Lagos State Bar Beach water front. That is the dream.”

While commending the management and staff of LASAA for a job well done as regards the planning and organisation of the countdown, Fashola noted that the agency being dominated by youths is a testimonial to the competence and potentials embedded in Nigerian youths if given opportunity to take initiatives.

In an interaction with journalists at the close of event, Managing Director of LASAA, George Noah, said the previous editions of the countdown had really been helpful in improving the quality and programmes of the countdown, saying the agency would continue to improve on its performance.

eneral Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, as well as his counterpart from the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, on Monday night led eminent Nigerians, which included Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, to express gratitude to God for peace and progress in Ogun State at this year’s edition of Christmas Carol service.

The Carol service and Nine lessons, which held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital, also had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former head of Interim National Government, ING, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Ogun monarchs as well as other ministers of God from different denominations across the state.

Adebayo, Kumuyi and Shonekan, who expressed gratitude to God for the progress being recorded in the last 42 months as well as the peace enjoyed by residents and visitors, prayed that God would continue to do good things for the state and its people.

In his message taken from the book of John, Adeboye said, “Jesus is the way, the truth and life,” stressing that He is also the way out of poverty and bondage.

Citing himself as an

example of how Christ can lift someone from obscurity to position of prominence, the renowned preacher said he was born and brought up in a remote village in Osun State where even the poor called his parents the “poor”, but added that God has so much elevated him to a level where he now gets audience from world leaders.

According to him, no matter how lowly one’s life is or hopeless a situation could be, Christ, the Saviour of the world, would make a way where there seems to be no way.

He said: “I came from a remote village, not known, it is of recent that they placed it in the map. My family was so poor that even poor people called us the poor.”

While Chief Olusegun Obasanjo waxed philosophical and rendered a song to the effect that God would do something new for him and Nigerians in the New Year, Shonekan said what is being experienced in Ogun State during Amosun’s administration is a “miracle”.

He said: “The governor has done exceedingly well. You only need to look around to see the massive infrastructure. Please, keep it up, may the Almighty God continue to support you. Miracles seem to be happening in our state.

With what we have been able to see around, our state has made progress.

I want to congratulate you, Mr. Governor.”

Synagogue: NEMA, LASEMA not equipped to manage disaster –Witness MATTHEW IRINOYE

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ational Executive Coordinator of Life Savers Foundation, LSF, Mrs Fola Shoetan, yesterday shed more light on the collapsed building tragedy at the Synagogue Church.

She told the Lagos State Coroner’s court investigating the cause of death of about 116 victims at the collapsed guest house belonging to the Synagogue

Church of All Nations, SCOAN, that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, are not well-equipped to manage disaster situations in the country.

Testifying before the coroner, presided over by Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, the witness said the Federal and Lagos State governments should ensure equipping the agencies adequately to effective-

ly control emergency situations whenever the need arises.

The witness, who said that youths from SCOAN played a major role in the rescue operations, added that responders are not supposed to move away from a disaster site.

“I don’t know when NEMA officials left the scene on the first day. But LASEMA officials left at 10:30pm on the second day.

As at the time LASEMA officials left the second day

even as persons were still trapped on the collapsed site.”

“LASEMA General Manager, Dr Femi Osanyintola, did not cooperate very well with other responders and I kept telling him so.

“Even though he is very hard working and always around at the collapsed site, what he did most of the time he was around was to hold meetings with his team from the state.

The witness added that, “The police was present all

through the period of the rescue operation and no security agent ever stopped us from working, and to the best of my knowledge nobody was assaulted,” she said.

Also in his testimony before the court, Chief Security Officer, CSO, to SCOAN, Mr. Sunday Okogie, insisted that both NEMA and LASEMA officials were not prevented from rescuing people trapped under the collapsed guest house.

Okogie submitted the

unedited Close Circuit Television, CCTV, footages of the incident from September 12 to 16, 2014, to the court.

The witness said that both agencies arrived at the church about an hour after the building collapsed and gained access to the scene in less than a minute.

Okogie further told the court that NEMA and LASEMA officials left the church at about 05:45 pm when several persons were still trapped.

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South East

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anambra: Ban on fireworks still in force-Police NWANYIABIA ANAEZE ONITSHA

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he Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command, CP H.H Karma, has warned that the ban on the use of fireworks still remain in force.

The commissioner who gave the warning in a press release implored parents to inform their children of the ban on the use of fireworks and other explosives during the yuletide season.

He said the people would not hesitate to arrest and

prosecute anyone who flouts this order and or persons selling explosives.

Karma said that experience over the years has shown that crimes are usually high during the ember months, admitting that the period has always been very challenging to the police and indeed other security agencies that are statutorily entrusted with the maintenance of law and order in the society.

According to him, it is no hidden fact that the security situation in Anambra State has greatly improved in the

recent times through police proactive policing strategies, government’s support, collaborative operational strategies with other security agencies and indeed the strategic partnership and understanding of the

people.

The police boss assured the people of the state that the police will not in any way rest on their oars in the fight against crimes in the state.

The commissioner solic-

ited for the cooperation and collaboration of the church which he said remains a formidable and strategic partner in effective crime control in any society and in enhancing security.

In a related development,

the Area Commander, Onitsha Area Police Command, DC Benjamin Nwordu, has advised traditional rulers to fashion out ways in their communities that will help stop the indiscriminate use of fireworks.

Christmas: Transport fares soar

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s Nigerians travel to various locations across the country for Christmas celebration, transporters on Tuesday hiked transport fares at different motor parks in Enugu.

The News Agency of Nigerian, NAN, correspondent, who monitored the situation at various parks in the coal city, observed that there was increase in the transport fares at Holy Ghost Park.

The fare from Enugu to Abuja, which was N2, 600 per passenger before the yuletide, now goes for N3, 200.

The fare from Enugu to Lagos which was formally N3, 600 per passenger, has been pegged at N4, 100.

Reports also had it that the fare from Enugu to Onitsha which was formerly N520, now goes for N850.

A passenger at Onitsha South Park, Matthew Olisa, said there was an increase of N330 in the cost of transportation from Enugu to Onitsha.

“I am a regular passenger at this motor park; last week I paid N520 to Onitsha, but today passengers

were asked to pay N850.

A commuter at Peace Park, Joseph Onyema, said that the increase in the cost of transportation was expected because it was a usual occurrence during festive periods.

Mr Edwin Ugwu, a driver, who plies the Enugu-Lagos route, said the reason for the increase was that few passengers boarded their vehicles in Enugu to different locations during Christmas period.

“We usually have few passengers that travel from Enugu to Lagos during this season; so we have to recover the cost of running our vehicles, while going to Lagos and back to Enugu during this period,” he said.

However, a driver, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the transport fare would by Wednesday drop.

He said it would increase

by January 2015, when people would be going back to various states where they came from for the yuletide.

He added that it was a booming season for the transport business, adding that every business had its prosperous period.

L-R: Former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; wife of the author, Lolo Nwakaego; author, Prof. Chiweyite Ejike; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and Prof. Vincent Ike, during the launch of a book, Aguowulu Journey Through Life -A Destiny Redeemed, at Nsukka in Enugu State, yesterday.

Yuletide: FRSC deploys 3,000 marshalls, 43 vehicles NWANYIABIA ANAEZE ONITSHA

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he Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, yesterday positioned over 3,000 marshals, 43 vehicles, and 10 motorbikes to road corridors within Anambra, Delta and Edo State so as to ensure safety during the festive period.

The FRSC Zonal Commander, in charge of Anambra, Delta and Edo State, Mr Nseobong Akpabio, disclosed this after addressing Regular and Special Marshals deployed to Onitsha-Asaba axis of the A s a b a - O n i t s h a - Aw k a road corridor for the

end of year patrol.

According to him, FRSC have six advanced life support ambulances, two heavy duty tow trucks to be located each at Niger Bridge and Benin for effective coverage, four medium duty tow trucks to compliment the heavy duty tow trucks for quick removal of obstruction”.

Akpabio said that the FRSC Corps Marshal has approved the commencement of ‘’Operation Zero Tolerance’’ as a nationwide operation to help address any non conformities to traffic rules on the part of motorists and other road users this yuletide season.

In his words; “All the deployments are with immediate effect since. ‘’Operation Zero Tolerance’’ commences on December 19, 2014 and ends on the January 13, 2015. ‘’All patrol teams are equipped with reflective jackets for team members, traffic cones and men patrol. ‘’Also we had deployed radar guns to help check over speeding drivers on the road. ‘’Breathalysers in quantities have been allocated to command such that any driver suspected to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be promptly tested. If the

high fees.

A student, Chidinma Eleri told NAN that many prospective students, who could have chosen the university, applied elsewhere because of the high fees.

Reacting to the new development, Mr Isreal Ahamefula, the president of the university’s Student Union, said that the reduction was a right step

in the right direction.

He thanked the state government for listening to the cry of the students by bringing down the fees.

“On behalf of the students, I thank the state government and the school authorities for the reducing the fees.

“This has been a long awaited welcome development,’’ he said.

Abia varsity reduces tuition fees

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he Abia State University, on Tuesday confirmed a 20 per cent reduction in its school fees, beginning from 2014/2015 academic session.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that an increase in the tuition fees in 2012/2013 session had put the university authority and the students on collision path.

The Dean of Student Affairs of the university, Mr Udo Nwokocha, told NAN on telephone that the reduction cut across all the faculties.

The fees,which was raised in 2012, had forced the students to stage peaceful demonstrations.

The students had considered the hike in the tuition fees as government’s attempt to deny them of

their right to education.

In the old fees regime, a student of Mass Communication pays N130, 000 per session, while law and medical students paid N140, 000.

Some students who spoke to NAN observed that there was low drop in the number of candidates who applied to write the post-JAMB UTME test this year because of the

driver test positive, he or she will be charged to Mobile Court on the spot.

Akpabio said his command is still expecting more vehicules and logistics support from the FRSC headquarters.

The zonal commander also urged passengers to watch out for drunk drivers before boarding commercial vehicles.

“Experience has shown that towards the end of year, traffic is usually high with most motorists not conforming to traffic rules and regulations due to improperly planned travel times leading to over speeding and dangerous driving.

He added that commercial drivers do undertake as many trips as possible for financial gains and this he said, could lead to increase in road crashes as some of the drivers who are on long journeys may be worn out by fatigue.

Akpabio added that these characteristics negative traffic behaviours, required appropriate checks this yuletide by FRSC regular and special marshals.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday December 24, 2014

11

Fixed charges: Crisis looms as BEDC unleashes military on consumers SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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bloody war is looming over the continuous collection of fixed charges by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, and the increasing

recourse to bye-passing electricity meters by consumers in Edo State in protest against the fixed charges.

National Mirror authoritatively reveals that BEDC has resorted to the deployment of armed military and police per-

sonnel to deal with the situation, particularly hapless consumers found wanting. To contain the threat posed by BEDC’s military escorts, the consumers who long ago regrouped under the Edo State Civil Society Organisations, yesterday held

talks on how to confront the threat.

In an invitation of the civil society scheduled for Benin City Mr. Osazee Edigin, chairman of the taskforce established by the organisations to enforce Operation Byepass Your Meter, said

L-R: Regional Director, South-South, Sterling Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim; Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and Executive Director, Sterling Bank, Mr. Olarewaju Adesanya, during the commissioning of a branch of the bank in Yenagoa, yesterday.

Workers shutdown Delta media houses THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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elta State-owned media houses, Delta Rainbow Television, Warri, and its sister station, DBS Asaba, and The Pointer Newspapers, have been shutdown following indefinite strike by the workers over failure by the state government to implement their weigh-in allowances.

The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, RATTAWU, in conjunction with

the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, DBS Warri, and Asaba chapels had last Thursday embarked on a three-day warning strike to pressure Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to implement the weigh-in allowance, which is already in practice in many states of the federation, including relevant federal establishments.

The weigh-in bill was passed into law in 2011 by the National Assembly and approved by the Federal Government to compensate media workers for “over

time” spent at work unlike civil servants in government establishments.

The package, which is already functional in federal and some state governments, prescribed additional allowances and better condition of service for media workers throughout the country.

National Mirror reliably learnt that the aggrieved workers decided to down tools in the television, radio and print (The Pointer) organisations following the inability of the state government to okay their

weigh-in allowances.

Our correspondent further gathered that the workers’ unions have approached state government several times but talks ended in deadlock.

The aggrieved staff at the expiration of the three days strike on Saturday embarked on an indefinite strike, crippling activities for the festive period, including the annual Christmas party for children. which increases the internally generated revenue for broadcast stations in the state.

Jonathan flags off Enugu-P’Harcourt train service DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Port Harcourt flagged off the Enugu-Port Harcourt train service, describing the project as a landmark achievement.

He added that the train service will enhance the transport system and boost the nation’s economy.

The President, who was represented by Vice Presi-

dent Namadi Sambo, said his administration was steadily transforming the rail system, which was abandoned for the past 30 years.

He said the modernisation of the rail system would address key issues in the nation’s ailing economy.

According to him, “this flag-off of Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu Intercity Train service is another evidence that the Federal

Government is very much concerned about its citizens, and I am glad this will extend to other parts of the country by January.

“The ongoing modernisation of the rail system is progressing steadily,” he added.

He noted that his administration had pursued policies that would enhance the transport system, including reconstructing and rehabilitating the road network.

The president, however,

assured that the project would be maintained to ensure sustainability.

In his address, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, Adeseyi Sijuwade, said the rehabilitation of the Eastern line has been challenging in view of the extent of its dilapidation.

Sijuwade recalled that Aba gully erosion in September 2010 completely washed away about 30 metres of the track.

the energy firm cannot compel consumers to pay for what they did not consume.

He said: “Can BEDC use soldiers’ bullet to stop the Edo Civil Society Organisations’ fight against fixed charge, estimated billings and darkness?”

He added, “We dared them to go to court and ask it to compel us to pay for what we did not consume. They refused to do so. Why are they afraid to go to court? No army in the world can stop this fight against oppression, intimidation and fraud against the people.”

According to energy experts, fixed charge is a component of a customer’s electricity bill. It varies from region to region in Nigeria depending on the particular distribution company in-charge of such region. Although there are 11 DISCOs spread across Nigeria, each charges different amounts of monies as fixed charges.

While the monthly fixed charge is different

from energy charge described as the true representation of power consumed, fixed charges are forcefully exacted and deducted on both analogue and prepaid meters respectively, whether energy is consumed or not during the month.

Particularly, prepaid meter users are compelled to pay backlogs of fixed charges before being credited with newly purchased units of energy. Hence, the commonly held views of fixed charges as being fraudulent, igniting several protests by consumers in Edo and other states at its collection, particularly considering the daily, unrelenting power outages the people suffer.

As a result, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, personally led a peace meeting between BEDC and consumers in Ugbowo area, who threatened to destroy electricity facilities in their area owing to absence of light despite payment of electricity bills.

SURE-P spends N80bn on East-West road DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

S

ubsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SUREP, says it has spent N80 billion on the East-West road project.

Chairman of SURE-P, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after inspecting the road, which runs from Warri, Delta State, to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.

Agwai said Sure-P expended the sum since it began to partner the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in 2012.

He said the overall progress till date on the road was 82 per cent completion, adding that the Federal Government attaches much importance to the dualisation of the road because “it is a major trunk outlet for the transportation of petroleum products from Port

Harcourt and Warri refineries to other parts of the country.”

Also, he stated that the Federal Government had awarded contract to upgrade Port HarcourtEleme junction fly-over to Onne junction (15 kilometres) to three carriageways.

The Sure-P chairman further stated that another contract had been signed to extend the EastWest road from Oron to Calabar.

He attributed delay in completion of the project by this December to the terrain (over 16 bridges constructed), inadequate funding prior to SURE-P intervention, cost escalation, difficult community leaders, among others.

He commended the Federal Government for the innovation, saying the road construction had impacted positively on Nigerians, especially skilled and unskilled labour.

12

North

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Road crashes: 81 dead, 725 injured in Plateau —FRSC

F

ederal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, said in Jos on Wednesday that 128 deaths were recorded in 325 vehicular accidents in Plateau State between January and December 2014.

Mr Sunday Maku, Sector Commander of the corps in Plateau, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said 725 people were injured in the accidents.

Maku attributed the road crashes in the state to reckless driving, over-speeding, over-loading and wrong overtaking by drivers, adding that the FRSC was doing its best to arrest the situation.

He explained that the number of carnage recorded was lower than that of 2013, and attributed the drastic reduction to quick response by officers and men of the corps.

“Last year, we recorded 325 road crashes, with 128 dead and 891 persons severely injured. We also recorded 229 serious cases and 28 minor cases during the year.

“But in 2014, we recorded

220 crashes with 81 deaths and 725 persons injured.

“From the record, it is clear that 2014 is better than 2013, solely because our officers and men were on their toes day and night to sensitise and ensure safety of passengers,’’ he said.

The commander expressed happiness that FRSC in Plateau State and indeed most states in the country were able to the corps vision of reducing accidents on the road by 20 per cent in 2014.

Maku assured that FRSC would do more in 2015, especially within the Plateau Command in curbing crashes on roads through intensive campaigns in churches and mosques.

“We will introduce a new approach to our campaigns against accidents by visiting worship centres, not only motor parks,’’ Maku said.

He urged motorists to avoid overloading, use of mobile phones while driving, over-speeding, dangerous and wrong overtaking as well as acts that could lead to crashes.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PVC distribution: Nigerians becoming suspicious —Cleric PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

F

ormer Chairman of Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Coordinator of ThinkTank in Niger State, Rev. Mathias Echioda, has said there will be no election in 2015 if majority of eligible voters in the country are not empowered with their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, for the election.

He said that people were beginning to perceive deception in the whole exercise.

Rev. Echioda urged the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to explain to Nigerians rea-

sons for the hitches in the distribution of PVCs in the country, even as he called on the INEC boss to stop distribution of the cards and await the arrival of the remaining before embarking on the exercise to assure Nigerians of credible, free and fair election in 2015.

Echioda, who made the call in Minna while speaking with journalists, also urged the INEC boss to reveal who is responsible for the inconsistencies in the whole exercise with immediate effect.

He said: “The exercise is a mark of improper planning, oversight, incompetence or there is a hidden agenda.”

He lamented at the continued shifting of the distribution of PVC three times in Niger State and yet, when finally the time came for the cards to be distributed, the exercise could only hold in 11 out of 25 local government areas of the state.

Echioda stated that the PVCs distribution in the state showed that 800,000 Nigerlites would be defranchise with only 600,000 PVCs available for the 11 LGAs out of 1.4 million estimated eligible voters, even as INEC also declared that 627 polling units have zero registration out of 3,187 polling units in the state.

“I think I smell a rat,

my question is that whose fault is it, INEC or REC or the workings of the system? I wonder if we have a future in the country and if our leaders can take us to the Promised Land.

Any administration that attempted to muscle the freedom of the people must be seen as inviting crisis, which must not be allowed by good government.”

It would be recalled that INEC through its Administrative Secretary, said the exercise can hold in 11 councils with 600,000 cards, while it awaits the arrival of 800,000 PVCs from China for the distribution to hold in the remaining 14 local government areas.

Police confirm 7 deaths in Bauchi bomb blast EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

B

auchi State Police Command has confirmed that seven people died on Monday’s bomb blast which rocked the everbusy Central Market in Bauchi metropolis.

The police in a press statement confirmed that seven people died while 25 others sustained injuries from the incident.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Haruna Mohammed, in a statement in Bauchi stated that three suspects were arrested for looting during the blast.

“So far, seven persons were confirmed dead, while 25 others sustained injuries, out of which six have been treated and discharged and 19 others still responding to treatment,” the police spokesman said.

He, however, said that normalcy had been restored by combined

security forces, while patrols were being intensified within and outside the market’s surrounding.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Central Market Traders’ Association in Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Musa Noma, yesterday told journalists that two men dressed in mobile police uniform and a lady came to the market on Monday evening and bought boxes and Atamfa (ankara) clothing materials and kept them in a shop.

According to Noma, after purchase of the items, one of the men went outside to make a call, while the other detonated the bomb, adding that about 10 of his members lost their lives in the explosion.

Noma added that about 70 shops were razed in the blast and goods worth billions of naira were destroyed. He noted that only one sector, out of three in the market, was affected by the bomb blast.

Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido (right) appreciating a Fulani boy who put up a spectacular cultural dance display during an animal vaccination exercise at Birnin-Kudu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Dankwambo has no hand in Goje’s attack —PDP

…Gombe admits police, army involvement OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

N

ational leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Gombe State government have said the statement credited to the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at the weekend shows that the party is irresponsible.

The APC had at the weekend reportedly accused Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, of ordering the police and army to break into Sena-

tor Goje’s family house to teargas and arrest his relations, and also ordering the removal of all APC billboards and posters in Kashere town.

But speaking at a joint press conference at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, Chief of Staff to Gombe State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, refuted the allegations.

He, however, alleged that the former governor, Danjuma Goje, mobilised political thugs who attacked the convoy of Governor Dankwambo during

his visit to a university in Kashere and destroyed cars, injuring many people in the process.

He alleged that it was during the attack on the governor’s convoy that the police and army swung into action, making arrests in the process.

“Gombe State government has done a lot to curb youth restiveness and attract investment in the state. Goje mobilised political thugs with heavy weapons to unleash terror on the governor’s convoy. The police and the army swung into action and made several arrests.

Three of the thugs arrested are relations to the wife of Goje. So, the APC are the real aggressors.

“APC’s efforts to turn Gombe into a theatre of violence will be resisted.

Gombe is PDP from top to bottom and bottom to top. We are working assiduously to ensure that PDP remains the party to beat,” he said.

Mohammed called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Federal Government to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and bring perpetrators to book.

Wednesday December 24, 2014

W

ith the 2015 general elections less than two months away, the Pacesetter State has become a theatre of drama of the absurd with politicians defecting from their their political parties to other parties because of their disenchantment with the primaries in their former parties, with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the most hit with the exodus fever.

To many analysts, politics in the state come 2015 will no doubt be more interesting, especially the gubernatorial race considering the gladiators, consisting of political juggernauts such as the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, seeking a second term ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC; former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, flying the banner of the PDP; the immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, who is the Labour Party, LP, standard bearer, another former governor of the state, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Accord Party, AP, standard bearer and oil magnate, Mr. Seyi Makinde, running under the banner of the Social Democratic Party, SDP. The race got to where it was today no thanks to the political scheming and maneuvering that rocked the state chapter of the PDP, after its national leadership failed to put an end to the prolonged crisis among the 13 gubernatorial aspirants, even after many meetings in Abuja. Before things finally turned awry, the party leadership was confronted with two court rulings arising from two different suits instituted by both Senator Folarin in October and Mr. Makinde in November before the same Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

In one of the suits instituted by Chief Solomon Ogunjimi and filed by his counsel, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, the presiding judge, Justice Evoh .S. Chukwu, ruled that the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC are mandatorily obliged to receive and give effect only to reports and acts of the Yinka Taiwo-led executive in respect of all congresses, conventions, meetings, appointments, primaries or any such act as the 1st and 2nd defendants, PDP and INEC, are obliged in law to perform as touching and concerning the 2015 elections as well as also granting an order of injunction restraining INEC from attending, for the purpose of supervision or any other purpose whatsoever, in primaries, congresses or convention, etc in Oyo State in any venue except those designated by the Yinka Taiwo-led executive. He also granted an order of injunction restraining INEC from receiving, collecting, accepting etc, any result, report, orders, instruction, directives etc as it relates to all congresses, primaries etc in Oyo State in respect of state Assembly,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Ajimobi, two ex-governors, others in battle royale for soul of Oyo KEMI OLAITAN, x-rays the titanic battle ahead for the soul of the Pacesetter State among the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi, two former governors, Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo AlaoAkala and other contenders for the Agodi Government House.

Ajimobi

Ladoja

THE RACE GOT TO WHERE IT WAS TODAY NO THANKS TO THE POLITICAL SCHEMING AND MANEUVERING THAT ROCKED THE STATE CHAPTER OF THE

PDP

National Assembly and gubernatorial elections in any PDP activities in Oyo State except those arising or emanating from the venues designated by the Yinka Taiwo-led state PDP executives.

Similarly, in aDecember 5 ruling, Justice Chukwu, in an originating summons instituted by an aspirant for the House of Assembly in Ibadan North-East, Mr Ademola Adelowo Aremu, through his counsel, Barr Ikechukwu Eze Chukwu, SAN, against the PDP, its National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwon; its National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha; Chairman and Secretary of the Oyo State Electoral Committee, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong and Ndoma Egodo, as well as INEC, ordered the PDP and INEC not to recognise any list except the list of

candidates that emerged from the ward delegates congresses of November 24, in 351 wards in the state,marked as Exhibit G before the court.

Justice Chukwu also ordered INEC not to recognise any list of delegates for the PDP primary elections in the state for the selection of candidates for the state House of Assembly and gubernatorial election other than the list of candidates that emerged from the ward delegates congresses of November 24, in 351 wards in the state and restrained the defendants from using any other delegates other than those who emerged victorious at the said congress for the selection of candidates for the offices of House of Assembly and governor.

The national leadership of the party, apparently faced with the dilemma of which of the two court orders to obey, was to settled for only the statutory delegates comprising of members of the state executive council of the party, five delegates from each of the 33 local government area in the state executive council and to include the chairman, secretary, treasurer, youth leader and woman leader, the two members of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, members of the state and National Assemblies, as those to vote in its gubernatorial primary election which eventually held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Liberty Stadium, Ibadan which produced the former Senate Leader, Senator Folarin as the party’s candidate in the 2015 gubernatorial elec-

tions, having polled 167 of the total 198 valid votes cast at the primary election boycotted by Otunba Alao-Akala, Engr Makinde, Alhaji Kehinde Isiaka Olaosebikan and few others.

A frontline PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Makinde, while rejecting the outcome of the primary election that produced Folarin, said: “PDP is a law abiding party and I know that President Goodluck Jonathan will not lend his name to what happened in Oyo PDP. I cannot be part of lawlessness, the rule of law must be upheld. There is no room for PDP to maneuver. What happened yesterday is an indication that the party is yet to elect candidate for the gubernatorial election.”

The approval given to the outcome of the primary election by PDP national leadership was to lead to a chain of events in the state as three days after the PDP primary election, Otunba Alao-Akala emerged the LP gubernatorial candidate in the state as he was unanimously adopted as the party’s candidate after all the party’s governorship aspirants, including Barr Sharafadeen Alli, Hon. Nurudeen Akinyo, Barr Lowo Obisesan and Comrade Olu Abiala, publicly stepped down for him during the party’s primary election held at the Olubadan Stadium, Ibadan.

Alao-Akala in his acceptance speech, commended the aspirants for their love and expressed his readiness to work with all of them to ensure victory for the LP in the state.

He said: “Today marks the beginning of another history in the political landscape of our great state. The beginning of victory over darkness, as we’re all on board to the promise land.

“The events of the recent weeks spurred us into taking this very bold step. A step that has put stop to rumours, gist and speculation within the political circuit in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

I want to take you down political archive of this state in the last 35 years. No politician or group of people has ever being a monopoly of winning formula for all elections till date. The indices keep on changing every season even while our generalisimo, late Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu was alive.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Politics

Wednesday December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ajimobi, two ex-governors, others in battle royale for soul of Oyo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 “This year, against all expectations, something unique and historical happened. That has always being the peculiarity of political algebra in Oyo state and this has continually goes beyond any human ability or permutation.

“From the time of the late Cicero uncle Bola Ige, 1979 to 1983, late Chief Kolapo Ishola’s short term of 1992-1993, Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, my humble self ’s first stint as governor of the state and the current administration, the formula has never being the same.

“An adage says, ‘man proposes God disposes’. In preparation for 2015 elections, we set out to actualise our ambition on our old mat, but God has another plan for us - here we are on a marble, the Rehoboth, without stress amidst honest and reliable people. I want to reiterate it that we never planned to leave PDP. We were not chased out either but it was evident that the current leadership of the party had forgotten that politics is not the same as election. We set out to win election because we are sure that we have the masses on our side. But they were busy playing ‘politics from the top’ and never considered its implication during election proper. We refused to satisfy the minority and gamble with the lives of millions because of an inordinate ambition.

“Let me affirm here that after politics from the top comes election which can only be decided by the masses. It will speak of the master of the game. Though we’re not abrogating arrogance to ourselves, but our party, as its slogan says, forward ever, backward never, its army is full of election marshals of note and not chess players. They are marshals who for a very long time have proven themselves while they’ve never shown any sign of tiredness. I refer to them as ‘tested and trusted’ marshals. We know nobody from the top but we’re heir of the Top man, God Himself, because His own list cannot be doctored anywhere. As from this moment, we will embark on massive public enlightenment to all nooks and crannies of the state. People make party, together we shall make history in this state with LP come February 2015 and beyond.”

For the APC, Governor Ajimobi emerged the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 poll at the primary midwifed by the Hon. Lumumpa Adehled five-man electoral committee, by polling 4,662 of the total 4,776 votes, to defeat the son of the former governor of the state, late Alhaji Lam Adesina, Dr. Ayobami Wasiu Adesina, who polled 22 votes at the election held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. Ajimobi who spoke with journalists after the result was announced, expressed optimism that he would be returned to the Agodi Government House come 2015.

On its part, AP endorsed its National Leader and former governor of the state, Senator Ladoja as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 poll. Ladoja in his acceptance speech said his journey to Agodi Government House in 2015 had begun with his winning the party’s ticket for a

ONE THING IS CERTAIN, THE BATTLE FOR THE

OYO STATE COME 2015, WILL BE SOUL OF

TITANIC

Alao-Akala

Makinde

battle that would lead him to be elected the next governor of the state predicting a landslide victory for Accord in all the elections in the state come 2015.

He said: “After the first presidential and National Assembly elections, it would be clear to all in the state that Accord is the incoming government and the remaining election would be walkover for the party. Accord is a party of qualitative and compassionate service to the people. It is not for nothing that we are the darling of the civil servants, artisans, traders, students and the masses.

With this call to more service, l shall use all the strength in me for services that will better the lot of all in the state. Our campaign will begin in earnest and it is going to be issue-based. We are the party to beat and we shall not let the people of the state down. It is shameful that with our vast arable land, we still import food and livestock from Kano and other Northern states. It is clear now that the government of Abiola Ajimobi has gone.

My government will transform the state through agriculture and we shall export rams to the North and feed other parts of the country” .

The gubernatorial race last week assumed another dimension with Makinde formally dumping the PDP for the SDP and emerged its gubernatorial candidate.

Makinde, who chronicled how his former party; the PDP subverted a court ruling by ‘conducting an election with about 10 per cent of those that were eligible to participate in the gubernatorial primary of Monday, December 8,” queried how the PDP national headquarters turned deaf ears to the alleged injustice meted out to him and others, saying: “How can this same party have a candidate who claims to have been elected with 167 votes which is just about 10 per cent of the total number of delegates after the majority of 1, 053 delegates were disenfranchised.”

He maintained that he joined the gubernatorial race in the state to improve the standard of living of the people through responsive and responsible leadership, adding that “I am concerned about the level of deprivation of our people. Poverty has dehumanised and debased the quality of lives down to a level that is incompatible with human dignity.

“In my private capacity, I have tried to lift them up but I believe that with the in-

struments of governance, we can together move farther than any private effort. I have seen in my interactions with people that they believe in what we are doing and they are ready to support us to the best their abilities can take them. I therefore feel that they deserve the opportunity to be given a platform to realise the election of the governor of their hope.

“Our people still belief in the democracy, fairness, level playing field and justice for all. However, it is impossible to realise this objective in a party that has proved repeatedly that it is an antithesis of this same belief. It is in the light of this, after fruitless efforts to ensure that free and fair election prevails within PDP and witnessing the yearnings of the ordinary people of Oyo State that are asking for change for the reduction of poverty (i.e daily sufferings) due to poor governance; I find it extremely difficult to shy away from this popular demand to make a difference in the lives of my people.”

Makinde, who stated that after series of consultations with his supporters and elders who have supported and endorsed that the entire ‘Omi Titun’ structure

move enmasse to another party in order to achieve the objective to usher in the state into a new era come February, 2015, said this among others, informed why he decided to join the SDP; the platform upon which late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola was elected in the freest and fairest election till date on June 12th, 1993.”

With the political strength of the above gubernatorial candidates, most of who are not starters, it is obvious that the gubernatorial contest in the Pacesetter State come 2015 cannot easily be predicted, considering that four of the candidates for Agodi Government House, Governor Ajimobi, Senator Folarin, Senator Ladoja and Mr. Makinde are from Ibadan while Otunba Alao Akala is the only one from Ogbomoso.

But to many analysts ,whichever way that the power blocs in the state, that include some traditional rulers from the five geo-political zones of the state and the elites, turned their pendulum would eventually determine the next occupant of the Agodi Government House come 2015. And only time will tell where the pendulum will swing, but one thing is certain, the battle for the soul of Oyo State come 2015, will be titanic.

You’re frightened by Agbaje’s emergence, PDP tells APC OLUWATOSIN FASANYA

L

agos State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has admonished Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, to admit that it jittery over the quality of its gubernatorial candidate, Jimi Agbaje.

Lagos PDP was reacting to a statement credited to Lagos APC publicity secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe that Musiliu Obanikoro is more qualified than Agbaje to be PDP candidate for Lagos State governorship.

Lagos PDP described as laughable and an obvious sign of fright and discomfort, the attempt by APC

to decide for PDP its governorship candidate.

Wondering why Lagos APC has become a busy body in PDP affairs to be so worried about the rightful choice of PDP’s candidate, the party said the choice of Agbaje at this time will no doubt end the almost monarchical control of Bola Tinubu’s APC in the state, adding that that explains why APC leadership in the state has continued to suffer from hallucinations since Agbaje’s emergence.

It said: “We have elected our gubernatorial candidate and we find it funny that APC can preach to us on who ought to be our candidate. Obviously Sen-

ator Obanikoro or any of our other aspirants is better than the best APC has presented. Their advice is therefore in bad faith as they are our detractors.

“Indeed, APC is now confirmed to be behind the violence that happened on the day of the governorship primary because it intended another choice for us. We have no doubt that our eventual choice has jolted them and they know their defeat is now imminent. Whilst we confirm the capabilities of our other aspirants, we stand by our choice of Agbaje and beat our chest that it is the end of the road for APC in Lagos State.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror National News www.nationalmirroronline.net

15 15

From The Civil Service New N100 note goes into circulation

42

AMCON to rejuvenate Delta Steel Company

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L-R: FRSC Unity Commander, Hawan-Kibo Hill Jos, Mr Emmanuel Enwongulu; Representative of FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr Angus Ibezim, and Representative of Zonal Coordinator, North Central Zone, NEMA, Mr Suleiman Mohammed, at the Inauguration of Ember Months Operation, at North Central Zone Hawan-Kibo Hill in Jos yesterday.

Solid minerals, future of Nigeria’s economy –Sada M

r Musa Sada, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, said the need to develop solid minerals in Nigeria had become necessary as it was the only future of this country. Sada stated this on Monday in Abuja at the presentation of 2014 ministerial platform.He said considering the potentialities of solid minerals in the country, ``the economy in the years to come will rely solely on solid minerals’’.``This is sector of the future that will save the country from economic woes and take us to the promise land.’’

Sada said the need to diversify to solid minerals sec-

tor was necessary, looking at what was happening in the oil sector where the prices had dropped drastically.He said the level of development in gemstones was laudable as it had created jobs and boosted the revenue base of the country. ``The nation is endowed with a wide range of minerals spread in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. Mining had existed for over 2,400 years in Nigeria,’’ he said.

The minister said Nigeria used to be a major producer and exporter of Columbite and Tin, in additional to coal that was mostly used locally. The minister added that nationalisation policy of gov-

NIS repatriates 430 illegal foreigners P.42

ernment in the 70’s and the discovery of crude oil had caused the decline in the productivity of the sector.

He also said this had led to departure of the major mining companies, neglect of the sector by successive governments and the sector became dominated by illegal miners with little or no payment of tax.

Sada noted that in order to reverse the sector, the government had created a ministry for it and embarked on reform programmes such as change in policy, to make the private sector owners and government, regulators. Others are enactment of internationally acclaimed legal

and regulatory framework that created conductive investment, generation of airborne geophysical survey, establishment of institutions and technical departments.

The minister said the ministry had produced a road map for the development of the minerals and metal sector, a clear indication that the government was committed to vibrant, productive and thriving mining industry. He disclosed that the ministry had produced action plan for mineral commodity in each local government of the federation and had implemented the first phase of one project in each zone.

Universities to play vital role towards vision 20: 20: 20 P.41

Sada said government had facilitated active operations in 34 small and major scale mining operations, exploiting targeted strategic minerals resources in the country. He said the ministry had secured the support of about two million dollars from donor partners, to key institutions to develop educational curriculum and meet the challenges of the industry.

However, the Supervising Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, said mining sector had recorded great sources in current administration as strategic framework were put in place to attract investors.

Land swap policy will address settlement of Abuja indigenes –FCTA

hen the federal government in 2011 took over running of the collapsed Delta Steel Company, Ovwian/Aladja, Delta State, through Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, people expected a new lease of life for the steel company.

However, three years later, when things were expected to be getting better, management of the company is now at standstill as aggrieved staff complain against unpaid salary, hike in school fees and closure of the only hospital operating in the area.

The once bubbling staff quarters is now in shambles currently overgrown with weeds s and the few roads are in deplorable state except few ones the state government recently gave face lift. Nothing seems to be working and help is seen as far from coming even in the near future.

National Mirror Correspondent who recently paid a working visit to the steel company to see for himself the situation of things observed that the place was gradually wearing a dying look as most things that usually make the estate viable are no more functional.

AMCON under the directive of the federal government on May 18, 2011 took over the company from India firm, Global Steel Holdings Limited(GIHL) with the sole aim of revamping the then ailing plant after GIHL was no longer able to pay staff salaries.

P.41

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Civil Service

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG assures civil servants of December salaries

T

Federal Executive Council Members preparing for a meeting in Aso Chambers, Abuja.

DPR seals 3 petrol filling stations in Kaduna

T

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Tuesday said it had sealed three petrol filling stations for product diversion in Kaduna.Head, Public Affairs of DPR, Kaduna, Rabiu Bello, announced this to newsmen during an inspection of filling stations in Kaduna.

“Last week, we sealed about three filling stations for diversion and were made to return the product diverted,” he said.

Bello said about 94 trucks of PMS had been received for only Kaduna and its environs alone adding, “we are currently going round all filling stations that have received

the products.”Long queues are expected because the products are gradually coming from Lagos and the refinery in Kaduna is not fully operational because of ongoing maintenance work.”As Christmas approaches, more trucks are expected and very soon, all queues in Kaduna will disappear,” he assured.

He warned that any station found hoarding the product would face the wrath of the law.He debunked accusation against the DPR of alleged selective inspection and monitoring of filling stations in Nigeria.

“This allegation is not true because any station that discharges product, DPR is there to confirm

that particular product.

The station found to divert its products were always sanctioned.

He advised independent marketers against diversion of bridged products and sales above pump price.”Any irregularities by marketers will lead to sealing of that station indefinitely,” he warned.

Minister urges Nigerians to be security conscious during xmas

T

he Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, has urged all Nigerians to be security conscious before, during and after the yuletide and New Year celebrations.

Ochekpe made the call at the ministry’s rendering of Christmas Carol 2014 in Abuja on Monday.

She said it was important for Nigerians to take security seriously as they celebrate Christmas and the New Year festivities.

She said Nigeria’s enemy was the devil which was seeking who to devour during the festivities, saying there was need to be on the watch for such forces.

According to her, activities of insurgents and the likes should not be left to government alone, saying security was everyone’s business.

“As you make merry,

as you go about visiting families and friends, please be vigilant.

“Nigeria is our country, no matter where we travel to; north, south, east or west, there is no place like home.”

Ochekpe also called on all Christians to conduct themselves in line with biblical injunctions, saying light must overcome darkness.

She also urged Nigerians to continue to work for peace and unity of the country, saying no development could take place in an atmosphere of civil disorder.

In his sermon, Pastor Andrew Omale, from the Aso Villa Chapel, called on all members of staff to live a purpose-driven life.

He said it was important for people to allow God to take control of their lives, adding that sin was of the devil.

He said when sin vanishes; an individual carries the blessings of eternal life, adding that when

Christians act well, the nation benefits.

Omale called on all Nigerians not to panic

as the general elections draw nearer, saying it was only God’s plan that would stand in 2015.

he Federal Government on Monday assured workers that payment of December salaries would take effect soon as it had started processing it since Friday.This is contained in a statement issued

by Ministry of Finance, signed by Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, spokesman to the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. ``The processing of the December salaries started on Friday and is continuing today.``Civil servants should therefore get the salaries in their accounts shortly. ``Also being processed are the salaries of the staff of 14 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) where there has been a misuse of the salary budgets to pay promotion arrears and other allowances,’’ it said. It said that IPPIS system, which was programmed to reject irregular procedures, had locked the MDAs in question out of the system.`` This led to the unfortunate delays,’’ it added.

According to the statement, action has been taken to rectify the problem and the salary arrears of the staff of the affected MDAs would be paid along with those of their colleagues in other agencies.

It noted that the IPPIS system was set up to ensure the smooth running of payment processes to prevent delays, adding that prompt salary payment was important to the Federal Government.

Minisry of Education holds maiden Christmas carol

T

he Federal Ministry of Education on Monday in Abuja held its maiden Carol of Nine Songs in celebration of Christmas. he Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas.

Our correspondent reports that the carol was heralded by a procession, followed by special renditions by the ministry’s choir and general renditions.

There were also readings taken from various chapters of the Bible numbering from 1st reading to the ninth reading which

T

was taken by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri.

In her sermon, Rev. Mrs Nkechi Nwosu, from Anglican Church, thanked God for enabling the minister of state to oragnise the carol for the first time since the inception of the ministry.

She said that Christmas was a season of joy and peace for the birth of the Christ the saviour. The clergy condemned the attitude of celebrating Christmas for economic gains and other material interests. ``Some people are celebrating Christmas for new designs in the market and for the gains they will make. ``As far as they are concerned, Christmas is a

season for economic gains; they forget that Christ is the essence of Christmas and everything must be centred around Him. ``It is not a period of partying, eating rice and having family meetings.’’

She urged Nigerians not to despair, saying insurgency and fear of insecurity could not stop them from celebrating Christmas.

In his prayer of thanksgiving, Mr Jonathan Mbaakaa, the Director of Colleges of Education in the ministry, thanked God for protecting staff of the ministry till the end of year.

Mbaakaa praised God for blessing Nigeria with many natural resources

and prayed for continued guardance and guidance for leaders.

Meanwhile, some staff of the ministry had expressed reservations over the carol as they complained that they had not been paid salaries for three months.

A staff, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the carol was of no value to his life as he did not have any money to make Christmas purchases for his family. ``For three months now, no salary; how do I and my family celebrate Christmas?

They want us to come and sing; will singing bring food to my table or money to my pocket?,’’ he asked.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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Appreciating Orhii’s consolidation drive at NAFDAC MARTINS F.O IKHILAE

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n Tuesday December 31, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan approved the reappointment of Dr Paul Orhii as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The good tiding was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. The renewed mandate was to take effect from January 13, 2014. From every indication, the reappointment was an endorsement and recognition of the revolutionary strives of Dr. Orhii in the affairs of NAFDAC. As the curtain is being drawn on 2014, patriotic Nigerians would consider reinvented NAFDAC among the positive indicators of the transformation that has taken place in Nigeria under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s charge. The renowned Pakistani economist, who was behind the institution of the Human Development Reports of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the late Professor Mahbub ul-Haq, in 1990 most profoundly contextualized the centrality of the people in governance with this powerful prolegomenon: “The real wealth of a nation is its people. And the purpose of development is to create an enabling environment for people to enjoy long, healthy, and creative lives”.

President Jonathan has lived through the above words on the marble. No better evidence than his obsession with ensuring qualitative healthcare delivery system in the country. The appointment and reappointment of Dr. Orhii as DG of NAFDAC and the height to which the agency has taken the regulation and control of the production and distribution of food and drugs in the country in the last six years, underline the resolve.

The Benue-born CEO of NAFDAC has not only been a change agent in the nation’s health sector in the past five years, 2014 has particularly seen him consolidating on the achievements of the agency, and going a step further in designing appropriate measures in his transformation initiative drive.

Retrospectively, Orhii’s NAFDAC was the foremost regulatory agency in the West African sub-region to deploy cutting edge technologies in combating counterfeit medicines, such as Truscan, Black Eye, Mobile Authentication Service (MAS), the world’s first anti-counterfeiting contraption which uses the SMS platform, Radio Frequency Identification service (RFID), and Minilabs. Following the resounding successes in the deployment of these cutting edge technologies in Nigeria, the food and drug administration agencies in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Canada and a host of many developed countries of the world, have also started using the hitech anti-counterfeiting initiative.

T HE

AGENCY

HAS EXPANDED ITS REGULATORY FRONTIERS TO THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND THE USE OF PESTICIDES The introduction of small business support units aimed at developing small businesses, the electronic registration of new products, drugs and food inclusive, and evolvement of electronic clearance portal for the sole purpose of fast tracking online electronic clearance of goods at the nation’s ports thereby preventing trade inhibitions, as well as deployment of the Automated Products Administration and Monitoring Solution (NAPAMS), including the strengthening of its regulatory capacity through up-grading of its surveillance systems and capacity building, have all combined to transform NAFDAC into a total drug and food regulatory agency.

The agency has expanded its regulatory frontiers to the practice of veterinary medicine and the use of pesticides as part of efforts to reduce food poisoning in the country. For this reason, therefore, a directorate of veterinary medicine and allied products

has been created with a view to effectively control food-borne hazards at every stage of the food chain, “from the stable to table and from farm to the fork”. On the safe and responsible use of agro-chemicals, NAFDAC has successfully evolved distinct and efficient guidelines cum standardized operating procedures for chemical regulation and control, while risk assessment and field trials for fertilizers were equally introduced.

For NAFDAC, good and standardized production and hygienic practices are the watchword in fast food centres and operators of eateries, while bakers are under compulsion to refrain from the use of cancer-causing Potassium Bromate in baking.

For promoting cassava bread and export of value-added agricultural products, fortification of food vehicles with Vitamin ‘A’ and other micro nutrients as well as entrenchments of the universal salt iodization, which is aimed at eliminating iodine deficiency disorder in Nigeria, the agency has become a blessing to the country.

For massive enlightenment and awareness creation, NAFDAC management has relied on television channels, radio, handbills, in-house magazine to do the bulk of the job. It has also encouraged consumers’ safety clubs in institutions of learning.

To be continued Ikhilae, a Lagos-based public affairs analyst, wrote via martinsikhilae@ ymail.com

Stemming the tide of child abuse in Nigeria TAYO OGUNBIYI

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ecently, a video recording of a house maid inflicting unbelievable pains on a hapless 18-month old child went viral on the social media. The dreadful sight of the maid pouncing and pounding on the ill -fated child was met with widespread indignation across the globe. It was such a disgusting spectacle. Many who saw it wondered what on earth the child could have done to deserve such coldhearted treatment.

It was later revealed that the parents of the unfortunate child had been suspecting foul play for quite some time, based on several bruises they noticed on the body of their child. A hidden camera they installed in the house to monitor happenings between the maid and their child that eventually exposed the callous acts of the maid. Fortunately, housemaid has since been sentenced to a four year jail term by a Ugandan court.

Naturally, childhood represents a sensitive period that requires handling with greater care and attention. This readily explains why parents, guardians, nannies, teachers and others in the business of child mending often go the extra mile to care for and protect the interests of children. Obviously, this is quite understandable as children are expectedly quite vulnerable. It is in view of their vulnerable nature that the United Nations and its affiliated bodies spare nothing to ensure the safety and general well being of children all over the world.

Consequently, since 1979, when the UN decided to focus more on children’s rights, the attention of the world has shifted towards

IT IS DANGEROUS FOR PARENTS TO ENTRUST THEIR CHILDREN TO PEOPLE WHOM THEY HARDLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT child’s protection, care and security. Hence, several rights have been proclaimed as indispensable for the child. These include rights to love and understanding, adequate food and health, free education, play, an identity and special attention of the handicapped regardless of colour, sex, religion and other social-cultural divides.

Regrettably though, child abuse has, over the years, remained a recurring blight that major global child rights advocates and groups have been working hard to deal with. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 80 million children of 18 years old and below are working as labourers all over the world while another two million engage in child-prostitution.

Without a doubt, child abuse remains a foremost global danger to the development of children.

Ugly incidences of callous maltreatment of children, like the one described above, still abound in a world that is gradually losing its sanity. Some of the things that constitute child abuse include maltreatment of children, sexual harassment, denial of education, child-labour, intimidation and molestation, physical assaults, neglect, and child trafficking among others.

As with other such heinous tendencies,

child abuse has grave consequences. For one, it can lead to emotional distress, dejection and frustration. It could also lead to unplanned pregnancy, which could result into abortion and possibly untimely death. Other effects of child abuse include uncontrollable aggression, bitterness, anger, depression, disorderly lifestyle, unfulfilled dreams among others.

Research has indicated that child-abuse has far reaching consequences on not only its victims, but also the community as a whole.

Like other members of the global community, Nigeria has been involved in making concerted efforts to frontally confront the evil of child-abuse. In order to provide a legal and institutional framework to confront this menace in our country, the National Assembly passed the Child`s Rights law in 2003. Most states in the country have equally domesticated the law. In Lagos State, for instance, the Child Rights Bill was signed into law on 28th May, 2007. Since the law came on board, the state government has been in the forefront of child` rights protection and development.

Since it has been revealed that the female child represents a larger proportion of victims of child-abuse, the Lagos State government has been paying particular attention to the protection of the girl-child. The state has also strengthened its crusade against childabuse by paying considerable attention to street hawking by children of school age as well the art of engaging children as house maids.

In order to properly stem the tide of child abuse in our country and, indeed, the world, parents, guardians and other stakeholders must work together with relevant government and non-government agencies. This

is important because effecting a positive change in the condition of the children entails that everyone must stand up for them.

Parents, in particular, must take extra precaution to ensure that those that they employ to take care of their children are psychologically and emotionally stable. It is dangerous for parents to entrust their children to people whom they hardly know much about.

Similarly, parents must pay quality attention to the education of their children. The idea of engaging children in street trading and other such demeaning tendencies must be discouraged. Most parents that engage in this act often argue that they need to raise extra money for their children’s education. It is, however, difficult to justify such viewpoint as almost every state in the country offers free education that covers primary and secondary education.

Continuous enlightenment by relevant authorities and agencies on the dangers of child-abuse is equally vital. The media and communication experts will do better in doubling effort to address the menace. On a final note, children are special gifts from God and as such everyone must be involved in defending and protecting their rights and interests.

Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Ikeja, Lagos 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

18

Editorial

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

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ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

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REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

GABRIEL SUNDAY

ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

Still on Nigeria’s epileptic power supply

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nce again, the nation is in the throes of chronic power outages. All over the country, discontent reigns as households, and big and micro businesses count their losses. The situation is very pathetic as it is appalling because the only self help - recourse to generators and alternative power generation plants - comes with astronomical costs.

Particularly for businesses, the result of alternative sources of power is prohibitive and non-competitive production costs. Under a normal situation and all things being equal, national power generation capacity peaks at a little under 5000MW (system capacity). But this has now dropped to 3, 500MW, according to the Special Adviser on Gas to the Minister of Power, Mr. Frank Edozie.

Perhaps the wattage could be much less. Edozie said “inadequate gas supply and frequent sabotage of pipelines contributed immensely to lack of electricity supply in the country”.

As plausible as official reasons being offered to justify persistent power failure in the country may seem, the incurable nightmare remains embarrassing and traumatizing to households and all categories of businesses.

The development is symptomatic of an inept leadership; and that is putting it mildly. Nigerians have lived with power outages as an unwelcomed companion for decades. They have been fed with lies by the authori-

IF THE NATION TRULY HAD A SEAMLESS PRIVATIZATION OF THE POWER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION CHAINS, WHY HAS

IRREGULAR POWER SUPPLY PERSISTED?

ties; and the expectation of better days ahead came with the power reform template of the present Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration. In Mr. President’s power reform roadmap, Nigerians were promised 14,000MW of electricity by December 2013. To make this a reality, new plants were purportedly constructed. The privatization of unbundled, 15 successor companies (five generation companies, GENCOs and 10 distribution companies, DISCOs) from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was accomplished and the firms were transferred to new owners on November 1, 2013. If the nation truly had a seamless privatization of the power generation and distribution chains, why has irregular power supply persisted? Why the hiccups?

An investigation by the Energy Desk of this newspaper made startling revelations bordering on systemic failure. Fact-finding visits to

some of the power generation plants exposed different reasons for the inefficiency. While power generation

by Egbin and Ibom power plants, for example, crashed as a result of low gas supply, in Kainji Dam, some major units of the plant, including 1G 5, 1G 6, 1G7, 1G8, 1G9, 1G10 and 1G11 were down because of poor maintenance or the lack of it. At the Jebba plant, ongoing rehabilitation of some of its units was said to be the cause of power drop. The Shiroro plant suffered a setback as its 411G1 unit was down for maintenance; and unit 4111G4 was out on account of water management. The Sapele, Delta and Afam plants also have one issue or another outside of gas shortage.

What seems obvious, therefore, is that the unceasing crisis in the nation’s power sector is largely traceable to human factor. It appears a combination of such factors as poor maintenance, corruption, inadequate planning and funding are holding the nation’s power sector hostage. The inability of Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to meet power generating plants’ demand for gas, in a country with one of the highest gas reserves in the world, is inexcusable. Gas shortage has stalled various projects initiated by the government to wheel electricity into the national grid. It has stalled 5,000MW from the

ON THIS DAY

NIPP and 6,000MW expected from GENCOs. While the ineptitude in NNPC is drawing back government’s power reform drive, condemnable maintenance culture could be the root of the less than optimal performances of some other power plants.

If it is understood that effective and efficient power generation, distribution and transmission hold the key to the success of President Jonathan’s power reform project, the federal authorities must mobilize the needed resources to make operations at the three streams hitch-free. Power generation is highly capital intensive. A gas powered station of about 200mw is said to cost $300m.

Perhaps, the government may need to re-evaluate the financial standing of the five power generation companies. It is only when power is available that the DISCOs will perform optimally. Nigeria should also look beyond hydro and thermal sources of electricity supply.

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, coal and biomass offer infinite opportunities to boost and stabilize power supply in the country.

The Transitional Electricity Market (TEM) that will ensure accountability and boost further investment in the electricity market; as well as make the sector more competitive, is too late in coming on stream. It has suffered undue delay. If it is a victim of the preparation for 2015 general elections, it shows how warped national priority setting has become in the country.

December 24, 1979

December 24, 1994

December 24, 2008

The first European Ariane rocket was launched.

Ariane is a series of European civilian expendable launch vehicles for space launch use. The name comes from the French spelling of the mythological character, Ariadne. France first proposed the Ariane project and it was officially agreed upon at the end of 1973 after delicate discussions between France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Air France Flight 8969 was hijacked on the ground for three days. Three passengers were killed, as were all four terrorists. It was hijacked by the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) at Algiers, which killed the three passengers. GIA’s intention was to blow up the plane over the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. When the aircraft reached Marseille, the GIGN, an intervention group of the French National Gendarmerie, stormed the plane and killed all four hijackers.

Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a Ugandan rebel group, began series of attacks on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), massacring more than 400 people. The LRA, also known as the Lord’s Resistance Movement, is a militant group/cult operating in northern Uganda, South Sudan, DRC and the Central African Republic. It has been accused of widespread human rights violations, including murder, abduction, mutilation, child-sex slavery, etc.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

19

Health & Wellbeing AMAC, FCT count Family planning gains

UNICEF raises $500m to accelerate fight against Ebola

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Help! Foul odour killing us …Lagos’ estate residents cry out

Sewage trucks at SWADAN.

FRANKA OSAKWE

F

or the residents of Corner Housing Estate and neighborhood in Oregun, Lagos, fresh air is one natural essential commodity they will give anything to have. But this is becoming a tall dream by the day as they must contend with a putrid foul smell from a sewage disposal company - Sewage and Wastewater Disposal Association (SWADAN) located at their doorstep.

Expectedly, the smelly ambience of the estate is now a major source of worry for the residents.

In an exclusive interview with National Mirror some of them complained bitterly about the associated ill health and the uncomfortable life they now live as a result of the unpleasant odour that has taken over the entire vicinity.

Mrs Kadiri, of Unit 7 in the estate, lamented that the sewage smell is already affecting the health of members of her family. According to her, the number of visits to the hospital has increased in the past two year since they moved into the area. Mrs Kadiri further complained of high infestation of bugs within her vicinity, attributing it to the sewage dung.

“I believe the bugs are as a result of the dumps because it’s untreated. Most times the smell persists nonstop for over two hours, in the last six months it has increased. Even in

the middle of the night I think they also come to dump wastes because at night we can barely sleep because of the smell”, she wailed.

Another resident, a white foreigner living at unit 6, couldn’t contain his disgust at the persistent foul smell. He told National Mirror that he and his family have taken to hiding inside the house, just to escape the smell.

“For two and half years we are not able to stay outside. The children can’t come out to play. This people off loading this s..t, am sure they have children and they know the implication of such smell to the health of children and adults”, he cried.

His situation is no different from Mrs. Jegede of Unit 7 who also complained of the smell getting stronger and more persistent within her vicinity.

A fourth resident who pleaded anonymity said her visit to the hospital has tripled over the years as her asthma attack has become frequent since she packed into the estate last year. Not only that, her blood pressure now rises frequently due to lack of sleep.

“The smell and the noise of music coming from the Konga studio, just beside us, will not allow us to sleep at night. The bugs infest everywhere, my children keep suffering from diarrhoea and stomach ache, we are suffering here”, she lamented.

The estate caretaker, Deacon Godwin is

Corner Estate.

also complaining. He told National Mirror that the smell is preventing people from either buying or renting houses at the estate.

The residents are however not the only ones bearing the brunt of the pungent smell.

Worshippers at the Winners Chapel at Morrison close, who also share a fence with SWADAN, told National Mirror how the smell has made the environment uncomfortable for them. According to the resident Pastor, Seyi Elliot, the foul smell has made the environment generally uninhabitable so much that he is worried about the long term and short term effects on the health of the residents. “The offloading of human waste with no adequate measure to reduce the stench constitutes a serious threat to the health of residents. The stench has prevented us from

accessing the rear end of the church where the smell is more concentrated. Every day, an average of 30 trucks comes daily to dump human waste between hours of 7am to 6pm.”

However, the church has vowed not to sit back and die in silence. Pastor Elliot disclosed that they have written a complaint earlier this month to the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, the Lagos state commissioner for environment and the special adviser to Lagos State government on environment. In the letter dated December 4th, the church called on the state government to look into the operation of the sewage firm, with a view to relocating them or finding a permanent solution to the stench. So far, the church has not received any feedback from the ministry as at the time of this publication.

However, National Mirror correspondent was able to speak with the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire through his special adviser, Mr. Aini Sesan who promised to look into the matter.

Also, National Mirror correspondent, posing as a resident of Corner Estate, was able to speak with the manager of SWADAN who identified himself as Segun. The manager denied that the stench was coming from the offloading of human waste by his company at the disposal site. Rather, he attributed the smell to the waste water canal which is channeled along the SWADAN disposal site toward Allen Avenue. “All the waste water coming from Alausa vicinity, Allen, Opebi, Oregun and the surrounding areas all pass through that canal. Because the canal runs through this place, it is the canal that smells”.

Regarding the offloading of human dung going on in the site he said that his truck operators always apply chemicals in the truck to prevent the wastes from smelling during offloading. “I make sure they apply Gamaline and kerosene at the truck before going off.

That is why the sewage sludge does not smell during the discharge”, he claimed.

Speaking on the possible effect of the effluent on human health, a public health specialist, Dr. Ibrahim Ogunbi, noted that air pollutants can be in the form of particulate matters such as hydro carbons, sulphur dioxide, carbonic gases which. if ingested, in large quantity could be very harmful to health.

According to him, the level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, as well the kind and concentration of chemicals and particles exposed to.

“The Short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Others include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. For individuals with certain respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema, Short-term air pollution can aggraCONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

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ne of the big issues of today is our choice of food – both the types of food we eat, and the quantity we consume. Hence, it is vital to accommodate meals for guests with special diets issues.

Some people are allergic to certain kinds of foods, others avoid some meals as a result of medical reasons like those with celiac disease, diabetics, hypertensive, vegetarian, etc or one may completely loose appetite from certain foods while some do not eat some foods due to religious reasons. Whichever be the case, these set of people would require special meal alternatives.

Food allergies are immune system response. The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans and almonds), fish and shellfish, milk, eggs, soya products and wheat.

Milk allergies and lactose intolerant (dairy free) is the inability for a person to properly digest lactose (the sugar in milk). For these kind of guests avoid any dairy products such as butter, cheese, some margarines, cream and milk powders. Instead, serve rice milk, soy milk and tofu are excellent substitutes.

For diabetics, the most common are type 1 and type 2. A diabetes

diet should be put into consideration. It is simply a healthy-eating plan that will help an individual control blood sugar. This means that the individual ought to obtain a normal glucose level. It is essential to avoid foods rich in carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread, potatoes, yam, etc, fruits like pineapple, banana, etc instead eat fruits and vegetables (like carrot, tomatoes, green peas), whole grains like brown rice, wheat, legumes (beans, peas and lentils) these food are rich in fiber.

Avoid processed foods like baked foods, margarine, hot dogs, sausage rolls, sweets and sweetened drinks, cola drinks, sodas, should all be avoided completely. Cut down on animal products like fried red meat, fried chicken and other fries contain saturated fats. Instead consume heart-healthy boiled or grilled fish or chicken. Avoid foods rich in cholesterol sources like high-fat dairy products and highfat animal proteins-egg yolks, shellfish, liver, and other organ meats.

Consume sparingly good fats like avocado pear, olive oil, etc. It is vital to note that timing of meal is very important for someone diabetic.

Hypertensive persons should eat heart-healthy diet like vegetables and fruits; select whole grains, limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol, low-fat protein sources. And reduce salt intake and consume more po-

tassium (helps regulate fluids in and out of the body) e.g banana, orange, whole grains, milk (non fat).

Limit alcohol intake. Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke.

Gluten free (Celiacs) is a protein found in all forms of wheat (including semolina), rye, oats, and barley.

It is hidden in many unsuspecting foods such as soy sauce, vinegar, some flavorings, most processed foods, and many prepared stocks and soups. And also used as a binder in some pharmaceutical products and can be the starch in unidentified food starch, modified food starch, caramel coloring, and vegetable protein.

When people with celiac disease consume gluten, the absorptive villi in the small intestine are damaged, preventing the absorption of many important nutrients. The long-term effect of untreated celiac disease can be life threatening. However, with a completely gluten-free diet, the intestinal lining will heal completely allowing most patients to live a normal, healthy life as long as they remain free of gluten in their diet.

Even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms to reoccur.

Choose healthy snacks for kids such as fruit, air-popped popcorn, unsalted nuts and unsweetened yoghurt. It’s easy to reach for chips or biscuits when you and your children feel like nibbling on something, but these snacks tend to be low in nutrients and high in

calories. Make water the drink of choice at meal times, and keep juice and sweet drinks away.

For most Christians, eating habits are not affected- though some will be vegetarians, usually for moral reason, and some will refrain from eating meat on Fridays.

Some sects, for instance Mormons, have many rules and restrictions regarding eating and drinking, for sample complete abstinence from tea, coffee and alcohol and an emphasis on wholesome eating.

Vegans or strict vegetarians eat only plant foods and products. They do not eat any animal derived products like eggs, dairy products and even honey.

There are lifestyles people with special diets must adopt-avoid going hungry to parties to avoid chances of snacking on high calorie party food; read

Coffee drinking reduces risk of liver cancer –Research

A

ccording to researchers from Italy, consumption of coffee reduces risk of hepatocellular carcinoma – the most common type of liver cancer – by 40 percent. Their study also indicates that 3 cups of coffee a day reduce the risk by more than 50 percent.

The studies indicate that liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world, with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for more than 90 percent of cases worldwide. It explains that chronic infections with hepatitis B and C viruses is the main causes of liver cancer, other relevant risk factors include alcohol, tobacco, obesity and diabetes.

the nutrition facts for chosen snacks; watch your portion sizes; consume more vegetables, fruits than food rich in carbohydrates and consume whole grains like whole wheat, pasta and other cereals than white rice, fufu or eba and avoid lots of rich foods in the same meal, such as fried foods, fatty meats (burger, sausage or pepperoni, for example), cream soups or sauces, cheese, butter, sour cream, mayonnaise, salad dressings, cream cheese and desserts. Avoid excessive amounts of highly sweetened soft drinks, sports and energy drinks and fruit juice blends.

These should be an occasional splurge instead choose water, low fat milk and 100% fruit juice; over-consumption of alcohol can lead to weight gain and alcohol related diseases and do not smoke!.

SCIENCE

Compiled by Franka Osakwe

This study fills an important gap as the last meta-analysis was published in 2007, and since then there has been data published on more than 900 cases of HCC. “Our research confirms past

claims that coffee is good for your health, and particularly the liver,” said Dr La Vecchia, who with colleagues reported the results in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

New eye implant can replace glasses –Studies

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The team led by Dr Carlo La Vecchia from the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’ and the Università degli Studi di Milan, Italy, performed

a meta-analysis of articles published from 1996 through September 2012, ultimately studying 16 high-quality studies and a total of 3,153 cases.

names of new acquaintances or where one parked the car or placed one’s keys.

This normal age-related memory decline starts in early adult-

hood but usually does not have any noticeable impact on quality of life until people reach their fifties or sixties.

Previous studies had shown that changes in a specific part of the brain called dentate gyrus are associated with age-related memory loss.

Until now, however, the evidence in humans showed only a correlational link, not a causal one.

Cocoa flavanol reverses memory loss in older adults –Scientists

A

ccording to a team of scientists headed by Dr Scott Small of Columbia University, flavanols – naturally occurring bioactives found in the cacao plant, tea leaves and certain fruits and vegetables – can reverse age-related memory decline in healthy older adults.

As people age, they typically show some decline in cognitive abilities, including learning and remembering such things as the

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Hosting visitors with special diets at Christmas

Chizoba Benson chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

eading glasses may become a thing of the past as a new implant revolutionizes treatment for ageing eyes.

The Raindrop corneal inlay, no larger than a pinhead, works by increasing the curvature of the cornea, allowing the eye to focus properly again.

Invented in the US, it takes just 10 minutes to insert and the first operations in Britain have been carried out at a clinic in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

Until now the only treatment for presbyopia, a condition which makes it hard to focus on small objects, was laser eye surgery.

The disease af-

fects around five million people in Britain and often occurs between the ages of 40 and 50. However, patients who have laser surgery to reshape the cornea often still need reading glasses and their condition can return as the lens flattens again.

It appears to be the perfect longterm solution for people whose eyes are simply getting tired with age says Mark Wevill, an ophthalmic surgeon.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

UNICEF raises $500m to accelerate fight against Ebola FRANKA OSAKWE

U

nited Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced an expanded fight against the Ebola virus in West Africa over the next six months, costing a total of US$500 million – of which just 24 per cent ($125.7 million) has been secured.

According to Dr. Peter Salama, UNICEF’s Global Ebola Coordinator, the funds would enable the children’s organization to continue

tackling the two major drivers of Ebola transmission – lack of early isolation of patients and unsafe burials – while seizing opportunities to strengthen primary health care and social support systems in one of the poorest regions in the world.

“UNICEF is accelerating its work in the heart of communities to stop the outbreak, support early isolation of cases, promote more safe burials and raise continued awareness and understanding of the virus and its risks, “But as we take the fight

against Ebola into communities, we can also seize an opportunity to help build robust primary healthcare and other social services that will provide long-term benefits for children and families, after Ebola has been defeated”, said Dr. Salama.

Explaining further, he said the fund would be used to; promote life-saving behaviours, including safe burial and early isolation practices through mass media campaigns, house to house campaigns and the training and deploying of around 60,000 community

volunteers; support up to 300 Community Care Centres (CCCs), transit centres, observation centres and rapid isolation facilities in rural areas; provide child protection services for up to 10,000 children whose parents or caregivers have died from Ebola; maintain stocks of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other critical Ebola-related commodities such as those essential for infection prevention and control; and maintain or prepare to safely re-start basic health and education services.

21

Hepatitis disease hits Jos IDP camp JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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o fewer than 47 internally displaced persons camping at Zang Secondary Commercial School, Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Council of Plateau State have been hit by hepatitis disease, investigation by National Mirror revealed at the week end.

The programme coordinator of Stephanos Foundation, the NGO in charge of the IDP camp, Mark Lipdo who confirmed the development to our reporter is now calling for assistance from government and well meaning Nigerians to enable them curtail the epidemic It was learnt that Stephanos Foundation IDP camp was opened for displaced families from North East Nigeria on the 1st November, 2014 at

the Zang Secondary Commercial School, Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Council of Plateau State.

Lipdo who spoke with our reporter at the camp in Jos at the weekend said that the camp needs about N250,000 to treat those already affected, adding that the NGO registered 186 families and accommodated them in the first instance but these gradually grew to over 1,100.

According to him, 90 families out of the 186 have been successfully integrated into various host communities.

He disclosed that emergency medical services are being rendered at the camp while critical cases are referred to appropriate hospitals, noting that the NGO spends close to N80,000 per month on essential drugs and consumables.

Death from malaria declines worldwide – WHO

T L-R: The Executive Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Architect Yomi Awoniyi administering the newly launched pneumonia vaccine in Nigeria with other health workers assisting him during the National Launch of Pneumonia Vaccine introduction in Nigeria by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency held in Lokoja Kogi State on Monday.

he number of people dying from malaria has fallen dramatically since 2000 and malaria cases are also steadily declining, according to the World malaria report 2014. Between 2000 and 2013, the malaria mortality rate decreased by 47% worldwide and by 54% in the WHO African Region - where about 90% of malaria deaths occur.

Lagos cautions hospitals on infection disease control FRANKA OSAKWE

S

pecial Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina has urged health facilities operators and health care service providers in the state to make sure that all hands are on deck to prevent and control infection in the state’s health facilities while also improving their service delivery to the citizenry.

Adeshina who stated this today at the seventh HEFAMAA stakeholders’ meeting with health facilities operators and health service providers in Lagos noted that there is need to put in place a mechanism for health facilities that will ensure holistic prevention and control of infections from one patient to another.

She described Infection Prevention Control (IPC) as the brain of healthcare delivery and this, she said, requires that procedures or guidelines to prevent and control infections in health facilities must be put in place at all times.

Dr Adeshina assured that the agency is solidly behind making the relationship between the government as a regulator and healthcare providers as operators work as collaborative partners in providing quality healthcare services to the citizenry stressing that the Agency is out to help health facilities improve in the delivery of their services to the populace.

The Special Adviser added that the stakeholders’ meeting provides an avenue to get first hand feedback from health care providers

and health facilities operators on how the operation and activities of the agency is perceived as well as serve as an eye opener to see how many health providers are in darkness as to what the roles of HEFAMAA are and how grey issues concerning its activities can be addressed.

“Suffice it to say that this meeting gives room for a lot of comments and questions which are encouraging. It was really an eye opener to see how many providers were in darkness as to what the roles of HEFAMAA are and how and why we established HEFAMMA. We will continue to encourage this interactive session beyond today”, She said.

On medical waste disposal issues, Adeshina noted that HEFAMAA as

an agency of government collaborates with relevant agency like the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to ensure that proper handling and disposal of medical waste stressing that what LAWMA charges health facilities for medical disposal is strictly in the purview of LAWMA. Earlier, the Chairman of the Agency, Dr. Tayo Bello highlighted and re-emphasized the roles of HEFAMMAA to include monitoring and accreditation to ensure that health care providers meet certain requirement in the provision of qualitative care.

“We design our monitoring role to ensure continuous improvement in health facilities operations. We give room for improvement in as much as we encourage a highly professional ethics in

the course of providing quality healthcare services”.

Death from malaria declines worldwide - WHO The number of people dying from malaria has fallen dramatically since 2000 and malaria cases are also steadily declining, according to the World malaria report 2014. Between 2000 and 2013, the malaria mortality rate decreased by 47% worldwide and by 54% in the WHO African Region - where about 90% of malaria deaths occur.

New analysis across subSaharan Africa reveals that despite a 43% population increase, fewer people are infected or carry asymptomatic malaria infections every year: the number of people infected fell from 173 million in 2000 to 128 million in 2013.

“We can win the fight against malaria,” says Dr

New analysis across sub-Saharan Africa reveals that despite a 43% population increase, fewer people are infected or carry asymptomatic malaria infections every year: the number of people infected fell from 173 million in 2000 to 128 million in 2013.

“We can win the fight against malaria,” says Dr Margaret Chan, DirectorGeneral, WHO. “We have the right tools and our defences are working. But we still need to get those tools to a lot more people if we are to make these gains sustainable.”

“We have the right tools and our defences are working. But we still need to get those tools to a lot more people if we are to make these gains sustainable.”

Between 2000 and 2013, access to insecticidetreated bed nets increased substantially. In 2013, almost half of all people at risk of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa had access to an insecticide-treated net, a marked increase from just 3% in 2004. And this trend is set to continue, with a record 214 million bed nets scheduled for delivery to endemic countries in Africa by year-end.

22

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AMAC, FCT count Family planning gains …after NURHI 4-year intervention MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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rince Dan Fenu, head of Gishiri village, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a happy man. He believes Gishiri Village has come of age and does not hesitate to tell visitors about a major development going on. Fenu is not talking about infrastructural development, often the yardstick for measuring the progress of a community. Rather, he’s happy that family planning has come to stay in Gishiri and for a good reason too!

According to the Village head, Gishiri is like any other community in the country where people have as many children as possible, often with no thought about how to cater for them. Indeed, this was a source of worry to him until the introduction of the family planning programme in the community four years ago by the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, (NURHI).

“Honestly, if you look at the children we have in this village, they are many. The parents have been complaining about this.

With the family planning that is coming here now, we believe there will be reduction in the number of children being born here,” he told National Mirror, saying his people have now been empowered to have only the number of children they can adequately cater for.

Prince Fenu is not alone. Investigation by National Mirror revealed that awareness about family planning is growing rapidly among residents of Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, and Bwari Area Council of the FCT, thanks to the NURHI programme in the FCT. In the past four years, the organization has been very active in the communities of the two councils, creating awareness on the importance of family planning, ensuring that no satellite community, village or hamlets in the two area councils is left out in the campaign. NURHI adopts measures such as football matches for youths, dramas, question and answer session with adults, communal interactions, consultations and partnership with community leaders to disseminate family planning messages across to its intended targets.

Leaderships of the two councils have been favourably disposed to the campaigns. NURHI’s Team Leader in the FCT, Mrs Salako Adebukola, said among others that AMAC Area Coun-

Nurse counselling a woman on family planning

cil recently made available family planning commodities worth N8million, while the Bwari Council has been very responsive in meeting the needs of the programmes.

Simply put, family planning is a deliberate agreement between couples to control their births through adoption of any of the various methods available under the family planning services. The services are usually cheap, free and harmless.

Experts have listed benefits of family planning to include healthier lives for mothers, enhancing intelligence of children, boosting family’s economic strength, and guaranteeing happier homes.

Some of the communities where NURHI’s campaigns on family planning have taken place in the FCT include Gishiri, Mpape, Bwari, Gwarimpa, Dutse, Garki, Jabi, Karshi, Shishimpe, Kubwa and Karu.

The organization works in collaboration with health facilities to ensure the success of the exercise. NURHI also assists some of the health facilities, where needed, in the provision of logistics and financial aid, such as the rehabilitation of a part of the Bwari General Hospital currently being used for family planning services.

The aid, tagged “72-hour site” because the rehabilitation work was carried out in three days, was to make families have more convenience while adopting family planning, according to Quality Improvement and Service-Rendering Officer of the organization, Mrs Omobola Odutolu.

Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Aloysius Ebedi, told National Mirror about the intervention: “Before NURHI came, we had the family planning services but we had a serious prob-

ABORTION CAN BE SEPTIC AND IT CAN LEAD TO DEATH. THEN, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MATERNAL MORTALITY WHICH WE ARE TRYING TO REDUCE THROUGH INTRODUCTION OF FAMILY PLANNING lem of logistics in the sense that the site we were using was fully inadequate. They now came and improved on our services by upgrading what we had on ground.

“We now have a bigger space and it is fully equipped. We’ve got the equipment and the materials and more and more people are coming to access our services. Before they (NURHI) came, we were attending to like seven people but now we have about 40 people accessing our facilities. The people are happy with us and we are hoping to reach out to more of them because there has been tremendous improvement as a result

of NURHI intervention,” Ebedi added.

Meanwhile, low level awareness on education and family planning services, especially in satellite communities, have been identified as major factors aiding teenage pregnancies in the country.

Mrs Adebusola stated this at a village-wide free family planning services for Dutse in Bwari Area council.

She said: “During our conversation with the people of the community, we discovered that family planning was one of the immediate needs of the people.

They don’t have any facility around; the only one they have is a private hospital. And then, they have some chemist shops where they get drugs. This programme, as you can see with the population here, is a welcome initiative among them… We observe there are lots of teenage pregnancies in the community. You can also observe that from the people sitting.

I think most of their occupation is like farming and then, petty trading.”

She advocated girl-child education as one of the panaceas to the problem. According to her, when there is education, the girl child will be able to stay in school, get mature before getting married and bearing children.

“We are talking about population; we are talking about poverty ratio; we are talking about lack of education which is ignorance.

Ignorance leads to teenage pregnancy. When you get to a woman who doesn’t want to get the child, then, you are talking about abortion. Abortion can be septic and it can lead to death. Then, you are talking about maternal mortality which we are trying to reduce through introduction of family planning,” Adebusola told National Mirror.

Speaking in one of the campaigns at Gishiri village, Grace Gani, a resident of the community and a mother of five, expressed satisfaction with the awareness.

She noted that she got ‘practical’ knowledge of family planning for the first time through the campaign.

“This is the first time I have seen this programme demonstrated to me. I believe what I saw and I am convinced everything said about the programme is true.

Even though I have five children already, I will be campaigning to younger women who may still want to have children that are not spaced,” she added.

Help! Foul odour killing us CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 vate the medical conditions of the individuals”, he added. Elaborating further, he divulged that long-term health effects of exposure to air pollutants could lead to chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys adding that, continual exposure to air pollution could affect the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly.

In view of this, Dr. Ogunbi called for a law on sewage disposal process to control where and how disposals are carried out. For instance, he explained that sewage disposals

should not be close to residential area. Again, he advised on the containment of the toxic gases and foul smell through the use of chemicals and engineering process. “Even if it is close to residential area, there should be green belt (vegetations) separating the sewage site from the residential area so that oxygen from the vegetations can dilute the effluent”, he adds.

Meanwhile, a recent assessment by World Health Organisation, WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concludes that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic to humans, with the particulate matter component of air pollution most closely associat-

ed with increased cancer incidence, especially cancer of the lung. The assessment also observed an association between outdoor air pollution and increase in cancer of the urinary tract/bladder. The report further divulged that Ambient (outdoor air pollution) in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012 with 88 percent (of the 3.7 million premature deaths) occurring in low- and middle-income countries. This mortality it states, is due to exposure to small particulate matter of 10 microns or less in diameter (PM10), which causes cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and cancers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Nollywood evolving for the best Matel Eyengho 25

Repositioning the National Troupe of Nigeria

24

e-Publishing and Nigeria’s book industry The delay in the full implementation of a National Book Policy 32 years after it was developed by the Federal Government makes it a Herculean task for publishing to progress in Nigeria. Is e-publishing the solution?

Olawale Oluwadahunsi

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orld renowned authors such as late Professor Chinua Achebe and Professor Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie, among others, are the brightest of Nigerian literature giants.

However, how a country like Nigeria that has produced well-accomplished writers still mill around, finding it hard to excel in the publishing sector is a source of great concern to most publishers.

Emmanuel Iduma, a blogger, essayist and book reviewer, highlights some issues facing the publishing industry.

“One of the issues the industry is facing is marketing. What are the ways in which publishers can win the attention of the potential book market, get it to buy and read books, and sustain its interest in books which is, as highlighted, potentially huge in a country of over 150 million people?

Also, have publishers in Nigeria sufficiently applied marketing concepts to the business of publishing in Nigeria? How much information is available to the publisher who is interested in researching the market? Are there channels through which adequate information about the market can be obtained? These questions and more needs to be answered for the publishing industry to excel.”

The long delay in the implementation of the National Book Policy (though in the works), 32 years after it was developed by the Federal Government, made it a Herculean task for publishing to progress in Nigeria.

The National Book Policy abhors a situation where one textbook is shared among five or more pupils. According to the policy, such situation is to say the least, disturbing and therefore, not suitable for learning. It recommends increase in the production of textbooks to reach a target figure of five textbooks per pupil.

Ibrahim Sheme founder of Informart Publishers, Kaduna, inspired by the book publishing industry as a student in the United Kingdom, returned to Nigeria and established Informart in 1995 with a focus to be publishing books written by new authors especially talented women writers .His view of what we call ‘indigenous’ book publishing industry in Nigeria actu-

ally began as a fall-out of the economic crisis of the early ‘90s.

“The formal, more established publishing firms were before then mostly foreign owned, like Longmans and Heinemann or those aligned to foreign ones, such as Hudahuda in Zaria. But of course there were some university presses that offered publishing services. That economic crisis, which was occasioned by the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), made life difficult for most businesses, including the book publishing ones. The publishers in particular devised ways of surviving, such as focusing more on publishing textbooks for schools and spurning new creative works except those in the exam syllabus.

In comparison with foreign publishing houses, Ibrahim Sheme has this to say; “Well, as with most things, foreign-made products are always better packaged and are regarded superior to the local ones.

There is the question of ethics; out there in developed countries there are rules and regulations for engaging in any kind of business. There are institutions that keep watch on anything one wants to do, all towards ensuring that certain standards are met. As a result, foreign publishers produce better books” In 2013, the Osun state government launched ‘Opon Imo’ – the Tablet of Knowledge, which is pre-loaded with more than 50 textbooks, a set of tutorial questions, past questions, and education-based games. With the trend, of Nigeria’s growing online community, Lagos state government followed suit this year.

Could e-publishing be the solution to poor book publishing in Nigeria?

Emmanuel Ifeduba, a mass communication student and researcher reveals that the world of publishing is experiencing a revolution driven by technological innovations.

“We are in the middle of a revolution.

It’s a common observation that the technological advances of the past decade or two are changing publishing more profoundly.

“The book industry is part of the communications industry being transformed by the internet. The internet, a super network of globally interconnected computers, has the capacity to convey any information that can be stored in digital form.

This includes books set digitally with the relevant programmes. It is, in fact, the digitization of books and their distribution

Library

through the internet that enabled Amazon. com (an American internet bookstore) to account, within five years, for four per cent of American book sales. Mrs Caincross, an American researcher explains that internet power equipped Amazon.com to do better than off-line bookstores quoted in the stock exchange.

Her words: ‘Amazon.com’s capital value overtook that of all America’s off-line bookstores, including Barnes & Noble and Borders, put together.” In response to the realities of the electronic book marketing era made possible by the internet, America’s leading book marketer, Barnes & Noble has found ways to use visits to its physical bookstores to recruit on-line customers” (Caincross 2001: 106). The following are the areas in which the internet is facilitating the publishing of books: Typesetting, layout and editing, On-line distribution, On-line ordering, Marketing, Advertising, Pricing, Payments and Hiring.

Books in digital form, distributed through the internet as on-line books are now common and sold directly by authors and publishers, or through on-line bookshops such as Amazon.com. Recently, publishers have introduced small, booksized hand-held electronic books known as e-book. To distinguish the downloadable on-line book from the ones printed on demand, the former is increasingly being referred to as D-book. In other words, electronic publishing, as operationalised in

Above all, the internet has become the most powerful driver of innovation the world has seen.

One result has

been to change the structure of the communication industry

this study covers the whole gamut of books distributed by any form of electronic device.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has already assisted in the provision of some basic infrastructure to make E-publishing feasible in Nigeria. According to Adio (2004), the present idea of the N.U.C on Virtual Digital Library that links the university libraries to the rest of the world is a welcome idea, and this will serve as an impetus to other higher institutions, public and special institutional libraries to chart a new course in the discharge of their responsibilities. Implicit in this statement is that publishers who fail to digitize their current lists and future titles may lose out in the emerging E-publishing market, thereby leaving the Nigerian readers to the mercy of foreign publishers.

Above all, the internet has become the most powerful driver of innovation the world has seen. One result has been to change the structure of the communication industry, shifting the focus of innovation away from the old giants and to drive forward communications technology at a formidable pace (Caincross 2001).

This could be the reason why Harold Benson, an author, blogger and book reviewer revealed that after going through Okadabooks, an online book publishing site, and decided to publish his book with them.

“I went through the Okadabooks site yesterday and read everything readable about the services. I must confess I was really impressed. I started having ideas concerning my forthcoming book, ‘Young, Wild, Free’, which is targeted at the youth demography. It is a book for young people.

“While writing the book, I had ideas on how to distribute it to a larger number of readers for free; this was because I was not writing the book to make money; I was writing because the issues canvassed therein were/are so close to my heart.

24

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Repositioning the National Troupe of Nigeria Akin Adejuwon

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ince this is my first official outing as Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, I think it will just be appropriate to formally welcome you to the apex performing arts institution in Nigeria that was primarily established to preserve and celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

I welcome you to the National Troupe of Nigeria that prides itself as the Nation’s Cultural Ambassadors and that has within the limit of its resources continued to play its role as the arrowhead of our country’s Cultural Diplomacy.

Since I assumed headship of the National Troupe of Nigeria, I have been working with a passionate, dedicated and committed management team and work force to further the achievement of our core mandate, which include the encouragement of the discovery and development of talents in the Performing Arts and the achievement of high artistic productions. I must say that what I met on ground was a Troupe that derives its relevance and significance in showcasing creativity, cultural diversity and also realigning the various psychosocial aspirations of our people towards national growth and development.

I am aware, as most of you are also aware, that the Troupe has undertaken quite a lot of programmes, projects and collaborations in the attainment of its objectives. But I am poised to lead a Troupe that will do more and that will further expand its long history of performance as the foremost cultural institution in the country. We are poised with your support and encouragement to evince the spirit of the Jonathan administration transformation agenda and the progress recorded in this so far, in our production.

Although this forum is designed as a platform for interaction, for placing a face to the many names that we have identified as stakeholders with strong interest and experience relevant to the growth and development of the performing arts and for sharing ideas on how best we effectively carry out our mandate, I will crave your indulgence to share with you what I consider my mission here.

My mission at the National Troupe is to reinvigorate and reposition the National Troupe for effective and efficient performing arts service delivery. We shall

intensify efforts aimed at popularising the rich cultural heritage of this great country through performances that are of high artistic standard. We are poised, even though we are often being stretched to the limits due to limited resources, to execute productions as at when due. We are also to be theatrically responsive to pressing national and international issues and to provide a vibrant forum for citizens to brainstorm and regenerate topical issues on the performing arts.

To this effect, we intend to direct our products towards identifiable major clients, the Federal Government (M.D.AsMinistries, Departments and Agencies), the Private Sector, and the General Public. An expansion of this dovetail into the key arm of the Federal Government, the Armed Forces. The present security situation in the country brings the import of this arm of government to the fore. We will represent this importance through our performative expressions and promote same. Interestingly, we have just been invited to perform at the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2014. I consider this performance by the National Troupe a unique one. Apart from being the first foot forward within my vision of making the Troupe current and relevant in the Nigerian scheme of things, I see the performance which is billed to take place at the Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, Banquet Hall before a select audience of the President, his family and all the Service Chiefs, as a way of deploying “The Performative Expression in a Conflict Environment”, which instructively is the theme of the keynote speech at this stakeholders forum and the broad theme of the National Troupe’s activities for the season.

Also we intend under my watch to establish our rightful presence in the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of Government and all its partner countries. In achieving all the details of our mandate (to discover

unique talents in the performing arts), we will send out our performing troupes on national tours with educative and entertaining products for efficient governmental advocacy and information dissemination.

The aim is also to revive the foundational nucleus of the National Troupe, which is that of a travelling troupe. We intend to begin this revival project with a three state tour scheduled for this November.

Furthermore, we will organise two festivals, one, the Domestic Festival of Performing Arts, the other, an Abuja International Festival of Performing Arts.

For the DOFEPA (Domestic Festival of Performing Arts), the maiden edition is planned for 2015 while subsequent editions will be rotated among the States. The Abuja International Festival of Performing Arts (AIFEPA) will have its first outing in Abuja in 2016.The National Troupe of Nigeria will also sustain the hosting of the Annual Public Lecture and Play Reading Series which has helped to bridge the gap between theatre practice and dialectics.

Our mission is also to revive and reinvent the Artiste in Residence Programme as a way of reaching out to accomplished artistes who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the arts.

Similarly, we shall continue with the wellestablished Secondment Programme of the core artiste body of the Troupe. However, we shall allow for even more talents (freelance artistes) to come in on a short term basis so that they can benefit from these continuous collaborative exercise, which has proven to impart greater skills, techniques and knowledge to artistes in the different areas of the theatre as a result of the high caliber of professionals and experts in the troupe. We shall commission productions in the different areas of the theatre. The Troupe traditionally receives a number of performance invitations from within and outside the country, and we hope to honour these by serving uniquely

Our mission is also to revive and reinvent the Artiste in Residence Programme as a way of reaching out to accomplished artistes who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the arts

Akin Adejuwon

packaged performances befitting the new vision and composition of the National Troupe of Nigeria.

Although the challenges before us are quite enormous, we are poised to tackle all of them within the limits of our resources. We are optimistic that with improved funding, we will be able to embark on more programmes that are in consonance with President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s vision of harnessing the vast culture potentials for the socio-economic transformation of our beloved country.

At this point, I would like to extend my profound gratitude to the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for this opportunity to contribute my quota to the development of the performing arts. Similar gratitude will go to my amiable Honourable Minister High Chief Edem Duke and the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Nkechi Ejele for being there for the National Troupe, always. I would also like to thank our able Governing Board Chairman Chief Markus Ishaya who is performing his first official duty with me Thank you sir, for obliging us. I owe a debt of gratitude to our guest speaker Professor Sunday Ododo, to my father Oba Gbenga Sonuga and to all of you- friends, colleagues, and stakeholders including members of the press for standing by us. We count on your continued support and understanding and hope that the good virtues of patience and understanding will come to play.

Akin Adejuwon is the Artistic Director/ Chief Executive Officer, National Troupe of Nigeria.

Memorable Reads What book is your favourite?

Alice Walker’s ‘The Temple of my Familiar’ is my favorite book and I love Toni Morrison’s ‘Beloved’. The movie ‘Beloved’ wasn’t as good as the book! Walker’s book is a spinoff of ‘The Colour purple’ which she wrote before ‘The Temple of my Familiar’.

I like to read the mystical and Walker is a good author of such books. Her books are so deep; I don’t know how to describe them without sounding like ‘Witch’!

used to. I had books to go with my music, I used to be a voracious reader and back in my house in the US I still have so many books which my sister has threatened to put away in the store. She wonders what I still do with such a volume of books when I am not there. In this country there is not much reading going on among the young children. Older people start to read like they also want to start to do music at an older age.

Who is your favourite author?

Alice Walker

If you were to write a book what would be its theme?

It would be centred on my adventures, What’s your perception of the reading my life really. It would not be a serious culture? autobiography though; it would be more Recently I complained to my husband comical because I tend to see the lighter that since I have been in Nigeria, I have side of life. The funny thing is that when not been reading nor acquiring books like I I was born in the US, I was born into the

Latoya Aduke Ekemode

Musician/ Dancer

hands of a Nigerian doctor. So my book will surely be comical even as I tell all about my beautiful adventures on earth.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

25

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

Nollywood evolving for the best Matel Alex-Eyengho is a woman of many hats in Nollywood, who allows her, works to speak for her. The model, actress, make-up artiste, and costumier trained at the University of Lagos.

Ngozi Emedolibe

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he calls this her first love. “I may be found doing make-up or costuming but I hold my acting dearly because that is one moment when I transform to become another character entirely. I am always at home with this and will regard it as my first love”, she says of the career, which has seen her getting credits in some Nollywood productions like Irony, Natives, Blood on My Hands, Beyond Obligation, Ogodobiri , Nanna of the Niger Delta, Scruples and Ugbeyi, a documentary she co-produced.

As a principal partner in a film and publishing company which she runs with her husband, Alex Eyengho, a notable Nigerian film producer, Matel oversees the operations of the organisation and has occasionally been saddled with the responsibility of helping to develop scripts that would be shot into films.

One of her works Oma Tsen Tsen, according to her, is a confirmation of how

–Matel Eyengho versatile she is. The role, which contrasts from her real life, she says, presented her with a lot of enthusiasm while filming was going on. “That is one role I looked forward to doing because it presented its own challenges, but I accepted to do it to prove a point. The character is a typical fun-loving girl, leading some women who believe that a woman must date for the money, but along the line the girl in question was confronted by her past and present at the same time. It was a challenging role and I thank God for the encomium that has been coming as a result of this role. As you are aware, it was done in Itsekiri, and got The Audio Visual Awards, TAVA as the Best Indigenous Film”.

Matel incidentally is one of the movie personalities who are happy about the giant strides the Nigerian film industry is making lately. According to her, it is a sign that the industry would soon leap to higher realms. “Things have been changing and that is quite commendable because some time ago people were afraid that the industry would collapse with the way it was going. I think that lull is bringing out the best in Nollywood now; if you watch closely the quality of picture, story and other technical details are improving. Nollywood is evolving for the best. I have the hope that in a few years from now, our productions will rightly begin to dominate the African continent

because we have the right stuff; not because we make the most movies.”

She has advice for producers in Nollywood about the need to protect Nigeria’s indigenous languages through films. “I think the producers have a lot to do in this regard. The only way we can keep the interest of Nigerians in our indigenous languages is to make sure that our films areproduced in the indigenous languages. I do not think that a producer will lose any audience by making his movie in the indigenous language, so long as it is properly subtitled. Once it is subtitled in English or French, it makes the work available to a wider audience.

Several films do win awards in international festivals and they were done in languages other than English.”

Of course, a lot of upcoming acts would be looking up to Matel

The only way we can keep the interest of

Nigerians in

our indigenous languages is to make sure that our films are produced in the indigenous languages as regards pursuing a living in the film business, and she feels that the creative industry will accommodate anyone who is deeply passionate about what the job is all about. “When people who are coming in ask me what it takes to make it in the movie industry, I tell them to be passionate about the job first. The passion is what would take them through the rough times in the industry, because they are part of career hazards. For the women especially, let them not flaunt their

bodies for roles, because they would use them and dump them. It is only your talent that can keep you there”.

Matel Eyengho

Matel

MEEDWEEK JUMP

All Black Everything marks 5 All Black Everything (ABE) is turning 5 years and shutting down 2014 in style.

December in Lagos is without a doubt an extremely exciting period with an influx of attendees looking to align with the top brands and products available.

All Black Everything (ABE) is the premier international event in Lagos, Nigeria. ABE is scheduled for Thursday December 25th, 2014 at Eko View, Victoria Island, Lagos at 9.00pm

All Black Everything event

Amuwo Carol 2014 holds The annual event will be taking a new dimension with a 3-piece strategy. This strategy includes: Children’s party; The carol service proper, which will feature the TWF and gospel street carnival, with more perks and side attractions for the youths which include the green carpet, a photo studio, a gaming unit consisting of all sorts of board games, card games and TV games.

The event is scheduled to take place on the 24th of December, 2014 at Arapasopo Recreation Park, Mile-2 Estate, Lagos.

26

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FAR AND NEAR

As Mare Festival 2014 holds

Performance at Korea Love Day

GSS Gwagwalada wins Korea-Nigeria Love Fiesta Joel Ajayi

Mbanefo with Mare dancers

Joel Ajayi

T

he Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, has extolled the tourism potential of the state of Ondo, Nigeria. Speaking as a special guest, during the opening ceremony of the Idanre Resorts, the NTDC boss revealed that Ondo people have demonstrated serious commitment to developing the area as a tourism hub.

Mbanefo said: “Ondo people are great in hospitality, each time I visit the state,

there is always something beautiful that makes me feel at home. As an advocate of domestic tourism, the changes in the state and particularly Idanre Hills since the last time I visited it is so dramatic scene. The state is a major tourism destination because of the large deposit of tourism potentials. Within my short stay in the office as the Director General of the NTDC, I have toured more than 20 states and participated in many festivals but south West is the best, the development of tourism particularly the resort is an awesome and amazing experience which will be fascinating.”

While pledging her continuous support for the festival, Mbanefo, who also joined the traditional dancers to dance to the local beat, promised to always partner with the state government on the marketing of the festival to international tourists. According to her, Overland Airline has indicated interest to commence commercial flight from Akure to Abuja and Lagos in order to facilitate the movement of tourists and fun seekers to various tourism destinations in the state, “she said. The Mare Festival showcased many cultural dancing troupes in the state, street parades and music.

Channel O partners AFRIMA on award category

Members of Jury, AFRIMA

I

n aligning with the vision and objectives of All Africa Music Award, AFRIMA, Africa’s leading urban music channel, Channel O, has thrown its weight behind AFRIMA by endorsing one of the categories of AFRIMA, the ‘Best RnB Song of the Year’. In line with the agreement signed between Electric Media Network (PTY) owner of Multichoice and AFRIMA Awards

Limited, the category will now be known as ‘Best RnB Song in Africa’ brought to you by Channel O. Contending for the ‘Best R n B Song of the Year’ in 2014 are musical acts from the Africa continent: Davina Green from Zimbabwe with the track ‘Every Time’, Isabel Novella from Mozambique with the track ‘Moya’, Maurice Kirya from Uganda with the track, ‘The Blue

Dress’, 2Face from Nigeria with the track, ‘Dance in the Rain’, Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania with the track, ‘Come Over’ and Wahu from Kenya with the track, ‘For You’. The winner in this category and all the categories of AFRIMA are decided via online voting and the AFRIMA academy which ended on November 25, 2014.Meanwhile on Saturday, December 27, 2014, a winner will emerge at the award ceremony in Lagos.

AFRIMA which is in partnership with the African Union Commission, is proudly supported by ONE, Africa 2.0, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, PRM Africa among others and being sponsored by Kenya Airways, Procter and Gamble, Peugeot, Diamond Bank, and UBER. AFRIMA is aimed at communicating the strength of Africa to the rest of the world for global competitiveness.

The All Africa Music Awards is spread over thirty (30) categories and 23.9-carat gold-plated trophies will be received by music acts or groups in their respective categories.

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold at the Grand Ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

L

ast Thursday the 17th December, 2014 will continue to linger in the memories of student, fun lover in Abuja and its environs as Korea Cultural Centre organised Korea-Nigeria Love Fiesta in which over 100 student participated in which Government Secondary School Gwagwalada emerged the overall winner of the 2014 Korea-Nigeria Love Day’ competition Student from over ten secondary school across the FCT thronged the venue at Barcelona Hotel Wuse 2, Abuja on could not stop talking about the overall event that features K-POP dance, Korean mask dance, Korean children song, Nigeria folk song, Nigeria cultural dance, Nigeria masquerade dance, Nigeria fashion show dance drama amongst other.

Prizes won at the competition includes micro-wave T-Shirt, USB, handball, and football among others.

In his remarks, the director of Korean Cultural Centre, Mr. Kwon Yonk IK, explained that “Korean Cultural Centre has become a comfortable, familiar place to many Nigerians, a place to visit to enjoy cultural content and art.

“A variety activity are involved from learning Korean language, taekwando, to handbook fashion show, k-pop song and dance “This is for fun, and every people whether Korea or in Nigeria they need such opportunity. Nigeria has a diverse historical background and a colorful culture, with over 250 unique tribes, its literature and film industry has attracted international attention over the years.

“Nigeria is also known for its geometric sculptures and oil paintings depicting folk culture, local hand-woven, hand-dyed batik fabrics are cheap and affordable, enjoying immense popularity among people. As such to flourish the two countries’ rich culture with a great artistic value, we will continue to focus on strengthening our bonds and establish a close partnership between Korea and Nigeria to ensure that cultural exchange programmes such as Korea-Nigeria love day will continue to develop and attracts an increasing number of schools and student from around the country.

“I and my colleagues at the Embassy are fully committed to continuing to work closely with our Nigerian friends to promote cultural programmes in this wonderful country endowed with so many talented people and rich culture.

“To make this happen, Korean culture Centre will function as a body that communicates with Nigerian people in the area related to culture.”

Business Wednesday, December 24, 2014

‘We’ve achieved full domain awareness in Nigeria’s Maritime industry’ 28

Afrinvest’s NIDF gets ‘A’ rating

31

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Darkness persists in Nigeria despite privatisation of power sector 33

‘Banks do not need to panic over oil prices fall’ UDO ONYEKA

D

eposit Money Banks, DMB, who are players in the oil and gas sector need not panic over the fall in prices of the commodities, adding that the price would peak up again, as it is a global issue.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola, who disclosed this at a media interactive session held in Lagos said that the price oil of has been dropping and picking up in the past and this would not be an exception.

According to him in advanced countries banks that have oil and gas assets do not panic when crude prices go down.

“The assets are there. What you do is to restructure your loan,” Adeola said.

He explained that what banks do is for example to restructure a facility of say five years to a longer term.

At Sterling Bank he added, there is nothing to worry about because the bank has stress tested facilities in its books at various oil prices: $65 per barrel, $60pb, $50 to a barrel.

“Our customers will still do well and they will have capacity to meet their obligations even at $50 to a barrel. We don’t even need

restructuring,” the bank’s boss assured.

On capital raising, he said the bank aims to increase its capital base before the end of this year.

“I alluded to the issue of capital that we are at N65bn. It is our desire to cross the year with about N100bn in capital by the end of this year and we are at the tail end of finalising that. We believe we will make it happen.

“As we go into the New Year, we start the process of concluding the multi-currency subordinated debt of N31bn, which is about

$200m, all these to strengthen our capital base as a financial institution and to enable us do more than we have done”, he said..

In its medium-term plan, the bank intends to be one of the top six banks in Nigeria by 2020. Consequently, the bank desires to be the leading consumer banking franchise, or the bank of choice for customers in its target market.

Adeola disclosed that the bank will continue to diversify its retail funding base, ensure non-performing loans do not exceed three

percent even though the regulatory threshold is five percent.

“We will continue to diversify income streams and maintain double digit revenue growth in 2015 and beyond.

“We will maintain our investment grade in credit rating and will continue to post double digit revenue growth year-on-year”, he said.

According to him, the bank plans to increase the number of its automated teller machine, ATM, terminals to 1,000 in 2015 from the current number of 585.

S

FLIGHT

SCHEDULE Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40, 10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri); 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (MonFri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (MonFri/Sat)08.56, 12.10 (Sun) BeninAbj:09.55,13.30

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Med-View Airline

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr.Oscar Onyema; CEO, Teragro Commodities Limited, the agri-business subsidiary of Transcorp Plc, Dupe Olusola, and Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Haruna Jalo-Waziri when NSE presented the Most Compliant Listed Firm Award to Transcorp in Lagos...recently.

Tesco faces investigation over false financial report erious Fraud Office is already investigating the supermarket giant, as Financial Reporting Council announces it will probe firm’s accounts.

Investigation into ‘preparation, approval and audit’ of financial statements would soon commence according to FRC. Previous investigation found accounting problem dated back to 2012.

An accounting watchdog has launched an investigation into a £263m overstatement of profit expectations at Tesco.

A probe by the Financial Reporting Council, FRC, will focus on financial figures reported and

27

prepared by Britain’s biggest supermarket and its auditor, PwC. The scandal is already being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office and has seen a number of Tesco executives suspended - some of whom have now left.

Chairman Sir Richard Broadbent has also announced he is to step down.

Tesco first announced in September that it had discovered an accounting problem relating to expected results for the first half of the current financial year.

A subsequent probe by Deloitte into the affair, which involved rebates from suppliers being moved to different periods on the com-

pany’s balance sheet, found it had been going on at least as far back as the 2012/13 period.

The FRC has already said it was ‘giving careful consideration’ as to whether it should take regulatory action.

Today the body said it had launched a probe ‘in relation to the preparation, approval and audit’ of Tesco’s financial statements in the financial years ending in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

It will also cover ‘conduct in relation to the matters reported in the company’s interim results’ for the first half of the current financial year - when the Deloitte probe was published.

The investigation will cover members of professional accountancy bodies, from either Tesco or its auditors, who were involved with the accounts, as well as the member firm, PwC, which was and remains Tesco’s auditor.

PwC said in a statement: ‘We take our responsibilities very seriously and remain committed to delivering work to the highest professional standards. We will cooperate fully with the FRC in its inquiries.’

PwC said it would have been responsible for the external audit element of the statements. The preparation and approval were done by Tesco.

Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. AbujaYola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00.

Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.

Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00.

Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

28

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘We’ve achieved full domain awaren Four years after he was appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, amid sharp public criticisms, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi says the agency under his watch through strategic alliance with both government agencies and private sector operators has achieved great milestones in the areas of capacity building, safety and security, pollution control and full domain awareness. Akpobolokemi, who spoke to a select journalists to mark the end his first tenure, also said that the alarm raised about acquisition of warships were masterminded by some criminals or their sponsors, who are not comfortable with the return of sanity on the nation’s waterways. FRANCIS EZEM was there.

You assumed responsibility as Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, about four years ago. What has it been like?

These years have been eventful, so many things have happened. Precisely I rounded of my first tenure on December 23, 2014.

When I assumed duty, we sat as a management of an agency that has focus and direction, we decided to x-ray what has happened in the past, we looked at our laws, guidelines, and various directives of the government and the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan and came up with a strategic focus for the administration. All the consultations we had crystalised into a four-point agenda that has to do with capacity building, developing the indigenous fleet, human resource development, guaranteeing the safety of the marine environment, protecting critical national infrastructure etc.

So basically we came up with the four point agenda, which are aligned with the vision and aims and objectives of NIMASA. These also fit perfectly well into the transformation agenda of Mr. President. There is virtually anything that we do here that is not known by the President in terms of the strategic direction of this administration..

In the area of safety, I can tell you confidently on behalf of the management that we have made significant achievements, we are consolidating on what we have been able to achieve and we are expanding our benchmarks and frontiers, having got to some levels that we craved for because we see maritime safety and security etc as processes.

I am happy to tell you that NIMASA has been able to achieve full domain awareness in the maritime industry. I can say full domain because in any examination you write and you score 75 per cent, you can tell your-

self you have got the full pass marks. Domain awareness is the core of the maritime administration because we are in charge of coastal, flag and port state responsibilities.

Domain awareness is the most critical thing you can think about and any maritime administration that is lagging in this aspect cannot be a true maritime administration.

That is why we launched a Maritime Surveillance Satellite System, robust enough to determine ships entering and going out of our systems.

What is this allegation about the acquisition of warships from the Norwegian Government?

We acquired some decommissioned warships from the Government of Norway. This literarily means that before now, these ships had been used as war ships in the past by the government but arms and ammunitions on them have been removed before selling them.

For me, I do not see anything wrong in the acquisition of the boats. You remember that NIMASA at different times signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force which led to the formation of the Guard Command.

So the arms and ammunitions to be mounted on these boats would be those belonging to the Nigerian Military especially the Navy and Air Force, whose operatives also make up the Maritime Guard Command dedicated to the fighting piracy, sea robbery, oil theft and other forms of illegalities in the nation’s maritime domain. Some of these unfounded rumours are peddled by the enemies of the system, whom we have prevented from doing their nefarious activities such as illegal midstream discharge, illegal bunkering, crude oil theft, piracy and sea robbery, through which the country has lost huge sums of money.

I can tell you it is no longer business as usual and some people are no longer comfortable with the current situation of things because with the support of the Joint Taskforce, the Navy, Air Force and even the Nigerian Army we have been able to stifle the illegal businesses of some people and so they are not happy with the current situation of things that is why they peddle these rumours.

But I also advise you media men because they run to you with spurious allegations and claims but do not fail to ask them some basic questions. For as many of you as possible that might want to go and see these vessels, all of us will go and see how we acquired rocket launchers and other sophisticated weapons. In NIMASA we are neither trained nor allowed to carry arms and that is why we entered into this strategic alliance with Navy and Air Force.

It is a well known fact that we can now crush sea robbers, oil thieves and pirates.

We have enough patrol vessels of different dimension on our fleet now, we have enough manpower as constituted by the Maritime Guard Command and the recent establishment of the Maritime Surveillance Satellite Centre provides us with the necessary information and intelligence and so there is no hiding place any longer for these criminals and that is why many of them are not happy with us. But we are not bothered provided

Akpobolokemi

I can tell you it is no lo

and some people are no l

the current situation of

Joint Ta Force and even the Nige support of the

able to stifle the illeg

people and so they are no

situation of things that i

rumo we are doing the right things in the interest of the Nigerian nation and the citizenry.

What challenges have you encountered in your sojourn as DG in the last four years?

I don’t even like a rosy life. When I wake up every morning, I pray that the day should be very difficult because out of the rough sea, you make a good captain. When you get things on a platter of gold, you cannot conquer things that you may never have

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Executive Discourse

29

ness in Nigeria’s maritime industry’ It is a well known fact that we can now crush sea robbers, oil thieves and pirates.

We have enough patrol vessels of different dimension on our fleet now, we have enough manpower as constituted by the Maritime Guard Command domain awareness, satellite, radar, patrol boats?

These things come with too much trouble but these troubles are also our inspirations and your prayers are the things that are making us to succeed. Similarly, one other thing that is making us succeed is that though we make mistakes some times, our intentions are not impure.

How many jobs have you created under the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage regime in the last four years?

I know we have created thousands of jobs. They are just too numerous to mention but to say a particular figure as we speak now might be difficult but however, even after now, you can liaise with the Cabotage unit of the agency and they will give you the actual number of jobs we have created leveraging on the Cabotage regime, nothing is hidden about that but offhand, I know we have created thousands of jobs and this is not what go the streets telling people. As we inspect the vessels, we see operators, who are not complaint in terms of manning, and at NIMASA, we have a data bank and from there we give such non-compliant operators people to employ and we have been doing that.

Let me tell you, today, the International Oil Companies when they advertise for their technical jobs, they insert the clause: ‘adherence to the Cabotage requirements is compulsory’.

onger business as usual

longer comfortable with

f things because with the

askforce, the

erian

Navy, Air

Army we have been

gal businesses of some

ot happy with the current

is why they peddle these

ours envisaged.

If you have a son or daughter and he or she does not do any work, you give them money every time they need it, they have everything, they may never understand what life is all about. Probably when they will understand life is when you are no longer there to provide for them. So the training I have is to take life as a very difficult place that we have come in, and actually life is a very difficult thing even in our own individual lives,

you must have challenges.

If you like let God speak to you directly or let God love you the best, you will have challenges. So when you come into a Maritime Administration like NIMASA and you think it will be easy, you see people stealing oil, you think you can approach them with ease. You see people in organised piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping on the waterways, you see people who o not want to conform to the rules and regulations of the international business and you think it is going to be easy, you also see the bureaucracy in getting things work, I tell you nothing can be easy here.

But thing is, you must not entertain any fear, you must have a goal and also ask God for support. The most important thing is that you intentions must be pure for God to save. If your intentions are not pure, God will see you and He will point you out no matter how you want to hide. So it has been very challenging but we are making un-usual gains out of these challenges.

The maritime administration has stayed for so many years, why is it that it was in the last four year that we started hearing about

Why the delay in the takeoff of the national carrier?

I appreciate the anxiety. It is welcome, if I were in your shoes, I would also have asked questions about the creation of jobs through the Cabotage, the delay in the re-floating of the National Carrier because we are all Nigerians and this country belongs to all of us.

For the National Carrier, in the first four years, the efforts have not metamorphosed into practical reality of establishing a National Carrier. But the efforts are still on because there are too many things to be done and even when we priotise, it is not very easy.

But we are setting the foundation for it to grow and we equally knew that the areas that we are lacking are too many and we cannot take everything at a time. Right now as we speak, a committee on National Carrier has been put in place and a blueprint is being worked out, with which we want to engage the government to address and we would not allow government at any level to rest until they give us these things because these are the things that Nigerians are looking for and I assure you that in the next four years when we would have finished the second tenure, the National Carrier would

have bee fully put in place.

How many vessels have been attacked in the recent past by your own figures?

What I know is that in the last one month or there about, if I tell you the number of attacks we have foiled, especially in the Lagos area alone and the number of pirates that are in our custody, you would marvel. None of them succeeded. We have handed over some of them to the Nigerian Navy because we are working with them and the Civil Defence Corps also for prosecution and some of the vessels are also in our custody. So it is not what we will start talking about in public. Just take this Lagos area, before you even goes out for the attack, we have got the information an we go after you, Beside the Maritime Surveillance Satellite Centre, we have other systems of operation that we can use in getting these criminals.

If you kidnap, we go after you and that is why we said that people should not pay ransom for hostages to be released, we are to go after them and crush them. Everybody must die one day so the fear of being killed in the process of crushing them is not there because one can also die in his sleep or after a brief illness and what matters is that death is death and one has to die one day. So we must fearlessly approach any one who is causing us problems and we will sustain that.

It is really difficult to mention figures because if is common place that people must go into crimes. As we are talking here, it is possible that some people are planning to do one crime or the other. You know Lagos constitutes about 60 per cent of the vessel traffic and so tell me which piracy attack has been successful in the recent past? Do you think it is because people have repented overnight and would no longer want to engage in criminal activities? It is no longer a big deal because it is something we are doing routinely.

How far have you gone with removal of wrecks in the nation’s waters?

Federal Government has awarded the first phase of contract for the removal of wrecks in the South-South and Lagos areas etc. Wrecks are not good for our waters and so efforts are being made t rid these waters of wrecks. But let me tell you, the challenge we are facing is that when you place marine notice for the removal of a particular wreck, the next thing you see is court serving you injunction letter and someone would be asking for N5billion for a vessel which he bought less than N20 million and which has been buried in the waters for over 20 years habouring criminals. If I tell you the number of court cases that we have here. We must change our ways.

30

Business News

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Respondents endorse NBS, SMEDAN on informal sector survey TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

R

espondents to the questionnaire administered by National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, on a household survey on the impact of government policies on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, sector have described the exercise as desirable for enhancing the productive activities in the informal sub-sector.

Kubwa-based Pastor Isaac Joseph, one of the respondents to the 12-day survey, which was concluded on Monday nationwide, told journalists that the exercise was desirable for current national agenda aimed at creating

enabling environment for micro enterprises to thrive Joseph, a producer of shoes and local fabrics, believed that the household data collation would enable government to assist owners of MSMEs and artisans who are also the household bread winners to access micro credit and other critical tools and knowledge needed to operate their businesses better.

Another respondent in Lagos, Mr. Daniel Irukwu, told our correspondent that the exercise had the potential of making government to plan better for micro entrepreneurs, hence his decision to participate in it.

Irukwu, who owns a kiosk where he sells food items, including minerals, said he was hopeful that with the survey, government would “assist people like us to get

loans and make our businesses bigger and enable us to provide for our families” Addressing journalists during the field exercise in Abuja, the NBS State Officer for FCT, Mr. Tunde Oladokun, said the survey would help to furnish the government and other stakeholders with useful information with which to make appropriate policies toward promoting and developing

MSMEs going forward.

According to him, since MSMEs are vital to the development of any country, particularly as they promote inclusive growth in any economy by providing employment to a large number of people, there is need to address the dearth of information about their number, people they employ and sectors they operate in Nigeria.

Oladokun said: “The exercise we are carrying out is for the MSME and it is in collaboration with SMEDAN which is an agency in charge of MSME in Nigeria.

We want to collect data to help us know what are the challenges facing this MSME. The data at the end of the day will also assist us determine the contribution of this sector to GDP growth in Nigeria.

150,000 new jobs coming, says insurance institute MESHACK IDEHEN

T

he President of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, Mr. Bola Temowo, has said the institute will contribute substantially to the plans to create 150,000 new jobs in the insurance sector of the nation’s economy.

He said in the next three years that the goal of creating that number of jobs will be achieved with the CIIN working in tune with the Federal Government’s mandate for the insurance sector.

Speaking during the graduation and fellowship awards ceremony of the institute in Lagos on Monday, the CIIN president said the institute has also taken cognizance, the new mandate by the Federal Government requiring the insurance sub sector of the national economy to create 150,000 new jobs in the next three years and 300,000 in the next decade.

He said the graduation and awards ceremony of the institute was the outcome of the governing council ratification of the conferment of the institute fellowship on three deserving members and the election of 126 members as associates of the institute after satisfying the stipulated requirements.

Temowo explained that the institute had successfully demonstrated its commitment to the actualisation of the three tier examination structure which allows qualifiers at each level of the examination to obtain a certificate of completion.

According to him, the production of an updated register of members will therefore continue to be a major responsibility of the institute. With the addition of three new fellows and 122 associates, he said the registered professional members of the CIIN would be 209 fellows and 2,748 associates.

The CIIN boss said that the establishment of the College of Insurance and Financial Management planned to take off fully in the first quarter of 2015 remained a significant development in the direction of getting more people into the insurance industry.

With academic programmes on the verge of starting, he said the college was poised to provide ample opportunities for persons desirous of joining the industry.

According to him, the policy of the council was that all certificates issued by the institute remained its property and could be withdrawn from the holders if the institute had good reasons to do so.

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah; Minister of Communication Technology, Mr. Omobola Johnson; Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, and Principal partner of KPMG, Mr. Joseph Tegbe during the Nigeria Investment Forum at the ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha-Qatar recently.

France’s Alstom to pay record $772m to settle bribery charges with US

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he French firm Alstom SA has pleaded guilty and will pay $772m in criminal penalties to settle charges with the U.S. Justice Department alleging the company bribed government officials to win business around the world.

The settlement announced by the Justice Department on Monday marks the largest-ever criminal fine levied by the United States against a company for violations of foreign bribery laws.

The fine will resolve charges related to a “widespread scheme involving tens of millions of dol-

lars” in bribes around the world, including countries such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Bahamas, the DOJ said.

The Justice Department said Alstom paid more than $75m to secure $4bn in projects around the world. It said Alstom admitted to its criminal conduct.

DOJ said Alstom pleaded guilty to a two-count criminal information filed in a federal court in Connecticut and that Alstom’s Swiss unit also pleaded guilty to criminal charges that it conspired to violate federal bribery laws.

Alstom’s U.S. power and grid units each entered into deferred prosecution agreements with the DOJ and admitted to conspiring to violate bribery laws, the Justice Department said.

“We will not wait for countries to act responsibly,” Leslie R. Caldwell, assistant attorney general of the criminal division, said at a news conference.

Earlier on Monday, a unit of Alstom and two employees were also charged by the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom with bribing officials from 2002 through part of 2010.

Access Bank takes CSR initiatives to law enforcement agencies UDO ONYEKA

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ccess Bank Plc is focusing on its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, on improving the lives and well being of law enforcement agents in the country.

Speaking at the meeting with law enforcement agents and beneficiaries of its CRS initiatives held in Lagos, the Access Bank’s

Chief Compliance Officer, Pattison Boleigha said the law enforcement agents, especially the Police have sacrificed so much to ensure that the society is safe and needs to be rewarded.

He said that many security officials have been killed in the course of their duty, and the bank has decided to recognise them by supporting the families they left behind including providing educational grant to support their

children’s education.

Boleigha, who was represented by Head Branch Control, Access Bank Plc, Abiodun Aponbiede said the bank has also refurbished the conference room of the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi to ensure that law enforcement agents do their work in a conducive environment.

“It’s about showcasing our CSR initiatives for 2014. As a bank, we know that we have ben-

efitted from the society. I believe that we need to give back to the society. That process of giving back is what we are championing and the bank at the corporate level has its own overall CSR initiatives. We are also encouraged at the individual level as a bank to champion different CSR initiatives in the overall interest of the society. For this year, we are looking at law enforcement agents,” Boleigha said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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U.S. existing home sales hit six-month low

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L-R: Head Savings, Fidelity Bank Plc, Janet Nnabuko, Branch Leader, Corporate Branch, Fidelity Bank, Pascal Nzeribe, Executive Director, Lagos and South West, IK. Mbagwu, Star Prize Winner (Lagos) Chukwujekwu Osai, Head, Retail Group, Fidelity Bank, Richard Madiebo and Head, Branch Coordination, Onyinyechi Ekwereonu at the Fidelity Bank Save4 Scholarship Savings Promo prize presentation in Lagos on Monday.

Afrinvest’s NIDF gets ‘A’ rating JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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igeria International Debt Fund, NIDF, an NSE listed mutual fund that invests in fixed income securities of Federal and State Governments, has been rated ‘A’ by Global Credit Rating Company, GCR. A statement from the company said the rating by one of the leading global rating agencies is among the best for mutual funds in the market.

The statement explained that cognizance was taken of the management quality of the Asset Manager, Afrinvest Asset Management Limited, as well as the consistency of the team of individuals managing the fund.

It added that the fund’s three years performance track record ,in terms of return on invest-

ment, to 31 December 2013 is considered satisfactory, averaging 12 per cent annualised, which compared favourably with the minimum return expectation of 10 per cent.

The statement also noted that the accorded rating reflects the credit quality of the fund’s assets, comprising mainly high investment grade rated sovereign and municipal bonds as at 2013 financial year.

The Statement quoted Managing Director of Afrinvest Asset Management Limited, Mr. Ola Belgore, as saying that the high rating of the NIDF by GCR is testament to the firm’s professionalism and adherence to global best practices, as well as its commitment to providing value for clients’ investments.

He said, “NIDF offers investors safety, capital preservation,

steady returns, diversification and value, and has a consistent dividend history making it quite attractive for both individual and institutional investors such as Pension Fund Administrators ,PFAs, insurance companies, asset managers and gratuity funds.”

The NIDF is a privately managed, collective investment scheme, mandated to invest in a collection of domestic (federal or state government issued) fixed interest securities.

Afrinvest Asset Management Limited is licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Fund/Portfolio Manager.

It is a subsidiary of Afrinvest ,West Africa, Limited, a wealth advisory firm involved in investment banking, securities trading, asset management and investment research with a focus on West Africa.

Fish import policy review: Triton supports local production ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

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s a result of the review of fish import policy by the federal government to enhance local production, one of the biggest fish importing companies in Nigeria, Triton Aqua Africa Limited, has moved to boost local production diverting a large percentage of its importing facilities to the production of local fish.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Lagos recently the Director of Project of the company, Mr. Yashpal Jain, said the decision to divert the cold room expansion facility of the company to the local aqua production was influenced by the recent review of the fish import quota policy by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, which seek to reduce impor-

tation of fish into the country.

In order to promote local production of aqua food in Nigeria and reduce the importation to the barest minimum, the Minister had embarked on policy review mission after discovering anomalies in the quota distribution. Already, the company has ventured into poultry farming in the country.

Meanwhile, Jain said although the company had wanted to venture into local production in Nigeria as has been done in other countries of its operation; the zeal by the government to promote the local production urged it into earlier decision and subsequent diversion of its facilities.

According to Jain, the company has already started local production in other countries like Ghana, Egypt, due to the structure and policies of governments in

those countries.

Jain, who stated that the company has partnered with various state governments in Nigeria, said the company’s first production of 2000 metric tones of locally produced fingerlings would be harvested in February, 2015 from its Lagos ponds.

He said the choice of production locations was based on survey of the whole country to know which state is suitable for the farming.

He promised that the company would have built a production capacity of 50000 to 60000 tones in the next 5 years, stressing the plan by the company to turn Nigeria not fish independent nation but also an exporting country.

With this in mind, Jain said the company is planning to invest about $60million in aquaculture in Nigeria in the next 5 to 6 years.

.S. home resales tumbled to a six-month low in November after two straight months of strong increases, underscoring the uneven nature of the housing market recovery.

The National Association of Realtors said on Monday existing home sales dropped 6.1 percent to an annual rate of 4.93 million units, the lowest level since May. November’s steep decline probably does not signal the start of a weakening trend and in part reflected stubbornly low inventories, which touched an eight-month low, giving buyers limited options. Sales were up 2.1 percent from a year ago.

“The report suggests that the housing market remains on a somewhat rocky footing as data remains quite choppy,” said Gennadiy Goldberg, an economist at TD Securities in New York.

Housing has struggled to shift into higher gear after stagnating in the second half of 2013 in the wake of a jump in mortgage rates, which have since pulled back from their peaks.

It has lagged an acceleration in economic activity as tepid wage growth, a shortage of properties available for sale and higher home prices sidelined first-time buyers.

But there optimism that a broadening of job gains will translate into stronger wage growth in 2015 and stimulate demand for housing. Household formation, a key ingredient for a healthy housing market, is running at about 500,000 a year, well below the more than one million that is considered ideal.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected sales to fall only to a 5.20-million unit pace.

The dollar slipped against a basket of currencies after the report. U.S. stocks held their gains, though the housing index .HGX was trading down 0.3 percent.

Prices for U.S. Treasury debt were little moved.

First-time buyers are wading back into the market, accounting for 31 percent of transactions last month. That was the biggest share since October 2012 and was up from 29 percent in October.

Economists and real estate agents say a share of 40 percent to 45 percent is required for a strong housing recovery.

Investors, who had supported the market, continued to withdraw in November. They accounted for 15 percent of transactions last month, down from 19 percent in November 2013.

SAHAM Finances expands presence in Nigeria’s Insurance market

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AHAM Finances S. A, the insurance arm of the SAHAM group, has made its entrance into the Nigerian insurance industry through its Mauritian operating company ,Colina Holdings Limited, which bought 40 per cent equity stake Unitrust Insurance Company Limited.

As Part of the group’s continued expansion plan, SAHAM said this investment would allow it to consolidate its West African development, importantly in the continent’s biggest economy.

“The long-term shareholders of Unitrust Insurance Co. Ltd want the company to benefit from the pan-African expertise of SAHAM Finances, to become a reference point in the Nigerian insurance market by 2019.

With this acquisition, SAHAM Finances is happy to have found a worthy and well established local partner whose business is driven by high ethical standards and professionalism, the Managing Director of SAHAM Finances, Mr Raymond Farhat said.

According to him, Nigeria is a very big potential market.

It represents an important stage in our regional expansion strategy. Our desire is to combine the expertise of SAHAM Financ-

es and those of our local partners to become a major stakeholder and bring the services offered up to international standards,” he added.

He disclosed that SAHAM Finances recorded a turnover of more than $1 billion in 2013.

“As the insurance arm of the SAHAM Group, SAHAM Finances is actively following its growth strategy in Africa and the Middle East. It is present in 22 countries through 49 subsidiaries, including 28 insurance and reinsurance companies through 650 branches throughout Africa and has a team of 2100 collaborators,” he said.

On the other hand, with total written premiums of N3.3bn in 2013, Unitrust Insurance is one of the major players in the Nigerian non-life insurance.

The Nigerian market is characterised by the fragmentation of insurance services.

There are 32 non-life insurance companies, 17 life-insurance companies and 10 composite insurance companies.

With the reforms by the Nigerian insurance regulatory body, National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, the market is expected to triple by 2017 and be worth more than $6bn.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Expert harps on GIS value in Nigeria Airtel premieres innovative CSR project ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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n expert has harped on the value of the adoption of Geographic Information System, GIS, Solutions to improve on asset, and operational management in the country.

Speaking at the 2014 Geospatial Forum in Lagos, Ryan Swanepoel a representative from one of Kropmanns Partners said that it is important that the Nigerian Market is aware of the value and benefits of adopting GIS as well as the analysis of numerous forms.

He said that it was necessary to be here in person to understand the market, and the opportunities the Nigerian Market presents saying that that GIS solutions and technology has applications across all sectors of the economy.

He said that GIS Solutions are capable of capturing and displaying a wide array of data and displaying it visually in relationship

to the physical location the data is relevant to.

He explained that there are some GIS solutions, which can be used to capture geographically dispersed equipment and represent this equipment in a pictorial or graphical manner referenced to the physical location the equipment is tied to adding that such GIS Systems are particularly relevant in utility companies involved in power distribution, water networks, the oil and gas and telecommunication sectors, and can definitely enhance operational effectiveness and asset management within these organisations.

According to Swanepoel “ there was significant interest from a number of states and in particular Lagos state in achieving a better understanding of how they could deploy and utilise GIS systems to improve and enhance government operations in respect to watershed management, land management, rural development, improved lo-

cation deployment of government facilities and general assets deployed by the government for the population.

He also indicated that customers have the options of buying GIS solutions and managing or engage with a company such as Kropmann and its partners for a fully managed solution from initial setup to data capture and formatting, migrating the data onto the tool, database administration, and the ongoing introduction of new and relevant sets of data.

He indicated that Kropmann and its partners were up to the challenge stating that Kropmann Communications the Real World Systems representative in Nigeria, have proven their worth and ability in respect to delivering GIS based solutions and technology, and Real World Systems fully expects the exclusive partnership with Kropmann Communications to continue and prosper.

ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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irtel Nigeria, has premiered a new, emotionladen television series, Airtel Touching Lives, a revolutionary CSR intervention that is focused on empowering underprivileged individuals, communities and groups in the society.

The premiere, which was an emotion-evoking event, brought to limelight the commitment and kind-heartedness of Airtel in uplifting underprivileged people across Nigeria through its CSR interventions.

Airtel’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, at the event, described the initiative as a philanthropic gesture of the Telco to connect emotionally with Nigerians and alleviate the suffering of helpless people across the country.

“This, without a doubt, underscores our determination to enrich lives and contribute to humanity. And the premiere tonight

marks the beginning of a new journey in providing empowerment and a major lifeline for thousands of Nigerians.

“At Airtel, we are passionate about the people we serve and the Nigerian society. Airtel Touching Lives provides a platform for the underprivileged in our society to be identified, listened to and also cared for. For us, it is a commitment to connect with millions of Nigerians, alleviate their suffering and bring smile to their faces,” Ogunsanya said.

The event, was graced by top government functionaries, captains of industries, royal fathers, NGOs, media partners, and other distinguished guest from all walks of life.

Some of the dignitaries at the event include Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; United States Consul General in Nigeria, Jeffrey J. Hawkins; Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun; Chairman of Airtel Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, RTD, and HRH, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.

Ecobank bags Investment Bank of the Year award

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L-R: A beneficiary, Head of Administration (Abuja Office), National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Chinwe Opara; Executive Marketing Manager of Zagos Services, Mr. Idowu Olugbami; Co-ordinator, Nigeria Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (NACC), Mr. Ewah Eleri; Branch Manager, Wuse FCMB, Mr. Garuba Mohammed and Vice President and Zonal Head, FCT 3 FCMB, Limited, Mr. Akinwumi Kolapo during the presentation of 250 units of Clean Cook stoves, donated by FCMB to Internally Displaced Persons in Abuja, recently.

NLC to reorganise secretariat-General Secretary MESHACK IDEHEN

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o revitalise and add vigour to the activities of organised labour movement in the country, the General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC’s Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson,has said his agenda for the congress will be based on the terms of reference which the National Executive Council, NEC, of the NLC gave to him on his appointment.

He said his mandate is to reposition, reorganise and revitalise the congress secretariat to play its proper role in NLC and the country Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Monday, the NLC scribe said he will first and foremost focus on the secretariat, because the secretariat, according to him,

is the engine room and executing room of the congress.

He said part of the problem noticed that has bedevilled the functioning of the secretariat over the years was that there was lack of cohesion and lack of unity of purpose in the secretariat, partly because of either the way things were done by the leadership of secretariat or by the way departments were not allowed or empowered to function effectively.

“Departments are charged with specific responsibilities and today you find that some functions of that department had been performed without even the knowledge of the department’s key officials or the head of the department.

“Those things undermine the way you work effectively. Part

of my goal is to ensure that we have a structured secretariat where departments are allowed and empowered to perform their functions under the leadership of the general secretary and the collective decisions that are taken by meetings of the heads of the departments”, he said.

Apart from just the administration and executing decisions that are taken, the secretariat of the NLC, he noted, is the anchor point and the engagement point with the industrial unions. “We need and we hope to be able to relate to the leaderships of industrial unions in such a way that when they have problems and they want our intervention or assistance that we are there and we work with them effectively”, the NLC general secretary added.

cobank has been named Investment Bank of the Year in Nigeria in the Wealth and Finance International magazine Finance Awards 2014, According to a statement by the bank the 2014 Finance Awards were developed to recognise and reward excellence, best practice and innovation in finance, open to individuals and firms operating and working in a wide range of industries, including personal finance, corporate finance, accountancy and financial management.

“Wealth & Finance has welcomed nominations for firms throughout the globe, from very small niche practices to large corporations and have ensured that those who do go on to win one of these highly sought-after awards have been selected on merit and

are based upon the votes received, the further evidence supplied and based on its own in-house research.

“The Ecobank Group is a fullservice bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transactional banking services to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, local companies, SMEs and individuals, the statement said.

In naming Ecobank Investment Bank of the Year - Nigeria, the Magazine was impressed with the bank’s customer-focused approach.

It is also committed to driving economic transformation in Africa, while protecting the environment by being a socially responsible financial institution with a world class professional.

NIPR honours FAAN

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he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, was honoured with Corporate Citizen Excellence Award by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, during a recent presidential dinner and award night organized by the institute.

In his presentation, the National President of NIPR, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, said the event was the maiden edition of the award and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria was shortlisted among the best corporate establishments based on on-going laudable transformation projects in the aviation sector, which was aimed at institutionalizing world-class safety

and security standard at the airports. This epoch-making aviation initiative has created jobs for the teeming growing population.

According to him, our airports are the gateways into the country and create the first and lasting impression. He commended FAAN management for its concerted effort in ensuring a total remodelling of the airports in order to boost the national image.

A staff of the Corporate Communications department, Mr. Bassey Ekpe Nta, who received the award on behalf of the Authority, thanked the National President and the board of the NIPR for this kind gesture.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, December 24, 2014

OPEC daily basket price rises to $55.52 per barrel 35

$1trrn investments in oil fields at risk 36 –Bankers

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Indigenous firms boost investment in oil, gas –Ene 37

Darkness persists in Nigeria despite privatisation of power sector President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his cabinet were optimistic that the handover of the Electricity Generation Companies, GENCOs and Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs to private investors in 2013 would lead to improved supply of electricity to consumers. UDEME AKPAN who visited the power stations and other installations reports that consumers will continue to live in darkness beyond 2015.

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deola Oyekan is a Lagos-based fashion designer who depends on his small generator to generate electricity every day. This costs him N5, 000 per week, amounting to N20,000 per month.

Oyekan who recounted his ordeal in an exclusive interview stated, “I have spent so much in buying fuel since I started business five years ago. Without it I cannot work because the public power supply remains unsteady and unpredictable in Ketu.”

“The cost of fuel and other expenses have increased the total cost of operations. I have no choice than to increase my charges. But the problem is that all my customers cannot afford to pay the relatively high bills,” he continued his frustration.

Sadly, he is not alone. The low and unstable electricity supply has haunted others too. Take the case of Grace Salami and others who own ice block making outfits

on Broad Street, Lagos as an example. “Ice block making is a lucrative business. The most challenging problem is lack of steady power supply. It costs each of us about N7, 000 per week to power our block making machine because we do not have regular power supply from the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, DISCO in this area,” she stated.

It is not only the self employed that are affected. Manufacturers have raised alarm over the poor state of power supply in the na-

tion. The Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf stated that energy cost remains a major threat to the sustainability of business.

Yusuf who noted that expenditure on diesel and other fuels has risen greatly despite the privatisation has also lamented that profit margin of most firms has not yet shown improvement due mainly to rising cost of alternative power supply. He said the chamber’s 2014 Business Environment Survey re-

In other words, the search for adequate and stable power is a great mission that would not likely be completely fixed during the administration of President Goodluck

Jonathan

vealed that key sectors in the economy like construction, agriculture manufacturing as well as oil and gas, have experienced slow growth. “Manufacturers, especially SMEs, still have major challenges such as worsening power supply, lack of access to credit, influx of fake and substandard products, and regulatory infractions, among others. He said with cost of fund generally hovering between 20 and 30 per cent, not many businesses can generate turnover to match the cost,” he said However, large scale investments are not immune. For instance, Union Bank of Nigeria, one of the leading financial institutions in the nation has at least one generator in each of its over 300 branches. It cost so much to fuel and maintain the generators.

Spokesman of the bank, Mr. Frances Barde, CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Darkness persists in Nigeria despite privatisation of power sector CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 said, “It cost so much money to procure generators, maintain and fuel them at the head office and branches nationwide. But we cannot fail to do these because we must provide constant and superior services to our customers in all parts of the nation.”

Sadly, the situation may not improve soon because of the relatively poor state of facilities. For instance, recent fact-finding visits to some power plants, including Egbin and Ibom Power showed that generation has crashed from over 4,248 megawatts, mw to 3,200mw as a result of low gas supply to the nation’s thermal stations. Egbin which is Africa’s biggest plant that generated 900mw a few weeks ago can only generate 700mw because of limited gas supply.

Other plants have different challenges.

Take Kainji as an example. The latest authoritative government report has it that some major units of the plant, including 1G 5, 1G 6, 1G7, 1G8, 1G9, 1G10 and 1G11 were down for maintenance. The Jebba plant also has major issues. For instance, its 2G5 and 2G6 units were due for rehabilitation. The Shiroro plant suffered a setback as its 411G1 unit was down for maintenance. The unit 4111G4 of the plant was also out for water management.

The ST1 unit of Sapele Power Plant suffered a major water leakage in its boiler feed pump. Other units, including ST3, 4 and 5 were also out because of fault. Delta was not different. The power plant has a generator winding fault in its GT3 and 5. The GT7 was shut because of leakage. The GT 19 was down for maintenance. Other units such as GT11 and 15 experienced high vibration and turbine blade failure respectively.

The Afam Plant recorded some problems.

For instance, its GT2 was down while GT3 suffered high vibration. Also, GT4, 5, 17, 18 and 19 were affected as a result of various operational constraints. The Geregu Plant suffered a setback in its GT 12 and 13 due mainly to low gas pressure while the units GT2 and 3 of Omotosho were out because of some challenges. The Olorunshogo Plant suffered a setback in its GT5 and 6 because of poor transformer and vibration respectively.

The units GT21 and 22 of Geregu (NIPP) witnessed low gas pressure because of limited supply of the product. The GT1 unit of Alaoji (NIPP) was shut for water injection test. The GT4 unit of Olorunshogo (NIPP) was shut for maintenance. The Omotosho (NIPP) was shut because of gas constraint while the GT1 unit of Ihovbor plant was shut as a result of another fault.

Other plants such as Ibom Power Plant and Omoku were not spared. Specifically, while the unit GT1 of Ibom encountered an inlet guide vain problem, the Omoku plant was down because of collapsed towers.

The inadequate gas supply that affected the plants occurred mainly because of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. For instance, the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC Joint Venture has at various times shut its pipelines because of vandalism. A few weeks ago, the firm stated, “The shutdown of the TNP system, comprising the 28inch and 24inch streams resulted in the deferment of 150,000 barrels of oil per day also led to tank tops and nonevacuation of condensate from Okoloma Gas Plant which supplies Afam VI Power Plant with feed gas.”

Jonathan

Nebo

“Afam VI Power Plant was available at 624MW capacity, but supplying only 105MW to the national grid due to reduced gas volume at the time of shutdown. SPDC is deeply concerned about the negative impact of incessant crude theft activities on lives and environment in the Niger Delta, and also the loss of electricity to businesses and households across the country. The total daily loss from the TNP shutdown alone comes to about $15 million (N2.4 billion),”it stated.

Besides, the sector is affected by transmission losses at least for a reason. The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN which is managed by Manitoba International of Canada has not yet been able to achieve a significant reduction in transmission losses that were very rampant before Manitoba was invited to hold forte. This has been worsened by frequent accidents. For instance, the outbreak of fire at the power transformer in the Osogbo work centre of TCN affected steady electricity supply to Akure, Ilesha, Ife, Ondo, Osogbo Complex, Ado-Ekiti and Iwo. The TCN’s General Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs. Seun Olagunju, stated, “A 150MVA, and 330/132/33kV power transformer in the Osogbo Sub- regional / Work Centre office of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was gutted by fire in the early hours of Friday, 7th March, 2014. Consequently, parts of Akure, Ilesha, Ife, Ondo, Osogbo Complex, Ado-Ekiti and Iwo are now experiencing power rationing.”

She stated that the fire which started after an explosive sound was heard from the 150MVA power transformer, raged for most part of the morning, but was successfully extinguished by the fire service, preventing it from spreading to the other transformers.

Olagunju stated that the second 150MVA, 330/132kV power transformer in the subregional office however tripped during the incident but was not affected by the fire.

“TCN’s Protection, Control and Metering (PC&M) engineers worked tirelessly to rearrange the 132kV lines taking supply from the station, in such a way that the effect of

load shedding in all the affected areas would be minimised. With this arrangement, one of the feeders was diverted to Ganmo 330/132/33kV Substation while the remaining three would now be fed from the second 150MVA power transformer that was not affected by the fire incident,” she stated.

Furthermore, the sector lacks adequate transformers, cables and meters. Of these, inadequate meters seemed to be very negatively impacting. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has disclosed that over 50 percent of electricity customers are still without meters, one year after the power sector was handed over to the private sector. Worried by this, NERC has embarked on a public consultation and fact finding mission on the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI scheme. CAPMI allows unmetered customers who do not want to continue with estimated billing system to come forward and pay in advance for meters and have the cost deducted from their monthly fixed charge bills. The scheme was designed by the commission to allow a willing customer to pay for a meter which otherwise would have been provided by the electricity distribution company.

“CAPMI which came into effect through NERC Order 05 in 2013 is a stop-gap measure to ensure that people have meters. A lot of people have and are still complaining on the crazy billing otherwise known as estimated billing. Hence, NERC in consultation with other stakeholders came up with the scheme called CAPMI to mitigate their sufferings,” he stated.

He explained that the scheme enables willing customers who cannot wait for their distribution companies to come up with their own metering plan to make deposit and get a meter not later than 45 days and get a rebate from the fixed charge component of the bill which will be a discount from the fixed charge for a duration of 2 years. Amadi explained that “ideally, it is the distribution company that should provide the customers in its jurisdiction with

Afam VI Power Plant was available at 624MW capacity, but supplying only 105MW to the national grid due to reduced gas volume at the time of shutdown

meters, but we understood that they had no fund to do it, hence we came with CAPMI. Unlike in the past, investigations showed that the private investors have pushed the responsibility of providing these facilities to consumers in different parts of the nation. A senior official in one of the DISCOs who preferred not to be named stated, “It is not our responsibility to provide transformers to consumers. It is the duty of consumers who need stable power to ensure the facility is procured for our installation. We do not the resources to provide it at this stage.”

The sector also suffers as a result of other issues, especially illegal connection, crazy bills and extortion. Expectedly, the public has started to demonstrate strong resistance. A few months ago, electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT threatened a showdown over alleged sharp practices by former employees of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN who continue to issue crazy bills to residents. They complained about high billing, arbitrary disconnections without notice, inadequate power supply, refusal to provide meters to houses even after payment of high fees, intimidation by people suspected to be fake PHCN staff, and illegal confiscation of meters from houses. Many residents complained about the constant epileptic power supply or absence of electricity which lasts sometimes for three months and the distribution of inflated bills by former PHCN staff without considering the fact that no electricity was supplied for a long period.

The story is not different in Lagos. For instance, electricity consumers who live in two-bedroom flats that used to pay about N5,000 monthly tariff now pay between N12,000 and N15,000, depending on the policies and practices of the distribution companies, DISCOs. Consumers who live in three-bedroom flats and duplexes pay between N16, 000 and N20, 000 per month against about N7, 000 they used to pay. These bills include Value Added Tax and “meter maintenance charge” even though most consumers do not have meters. Industry sources alleged that officials deliberately blocked the issuance of pre-payment meters after a noticeable drop in revenue as users would not need to pay for services not rendered.

However, the poor state of the sector has attracted the comments of some stakeholders. For instance, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu stated, “In fairness, the Federal Government is confronting these challenges head on. It has introduced incentives for gas producers so that they can invest more in production; it is improving the gas pipelines and planning a transmission market for October. The federal government is also making ongoing investments in upgrading the transmission infrastructure and that will make all the difference. So while the challenges exist, one must continue to plod on in anticipation of the changes to come.”

But the reality remains that all the challenges may not be fully tackled in a short or medium term as the sector calls for long term investment. In other words, the search for adequate and stable power is a great mission that would not likely be completely fixed during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. It also means that Nigerians may experience more darkness than light at the dawn of another administration.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

35

OPEC daily basket price rises to $55.52 per barrel Udeme Akpan

T

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes stood at $55.52 per barrel, compared with $56.30 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

The latest price is by far below the targets of many nations, including Nigeria’s 2015 budget reference of $65 per barrel.

Many market watchers expect continued drop in prices as a result of increased supply and low demand for crude oil.

In its latest report OPEC stated that the world economic growth for 2014 and 2015 remains unchanged from the previous month at 3.2 per cent and 3.6per cent respectively.

“The OECD forecast has been maintained at 1.8per cent for 2014 and at 2.1per cent for 2015. Figures for both China and India remain unchanged from the previous report at 7.4per cent and 7.2per cent for China and 5.5per cent and 5.8per cent for India in 2014 and 2015, respectively,” it stated.

El-Badri

It stated that for 2015, world oil demand is expected to increase by around 1.12 mb/d, some 70 tb/d lower than the estimation in the previous report, with total world oil demand expected to reach 92.26 mb/d.

“Non-OPEC oil supply in 2014 is estimated to grow by 1.72 mb/d to average 55.95 mb/d. This represents an upward revision of 40 tb/d over the last report and is 0.58 mb/d higher than the initial forecast, of which 0.31 mb/d is due to an upward revision to the 2013 base-year fig-

ure,” it stated.

It stated that in 2015, non-OPEC oil supply is forecast to increase by 1.36 mb/d to average 57.31 mb/d, representing an upward revision of 0.12 mb/d over the previous report.

The Organisation stated that OPEC NGLs and non-conventional liquids are estimated to average 6.03 mb/d in 2015, up from 5.83 mb/d in 2014.

“In November, OPEC crude oil production averaged 30.05 mb/d, according to secondary sources, a drop of 0.39 mb/d over the previous month,” it stated.

It stated that the product markets showed a mixed performance in the Atlantic Basin in November. European margins were supported by middle distillates cracks.

The cartel stated that in contrast, US refinery margins fell as gasoline crack spreads declining sharply due to expectations of lower seasonal demand and rising US gasoline stocks.

It stated that the Asian market showed a sharp recovery in November on support from seasonal winter demand, along with the positive performance seen at the top and bottom of the barrel.

“The tanker market experienced positive sentiment across its various classes in November. Freight rates in both dirty and clean tankers showed an improvement over the previous month, supported by increased tonnage demand from West of Suez, driven by winter requirements, as well as limited availability and weather delays,” it stated.

NERC takes CAPMI initiative to consumers Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

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he Nigerian Electricity regulatory Commission, NERC, has embarked on consumers’ consultation on Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, visiting many states with a view to educating the stakeholders.

The idea, according to NERC aimed at making consumers appreciate and take advantage of the scheme which is believed to be capable of putting an end to crazy billing and non- metering.

Recent visits of states across the country reveal critical plans of the distribution companies to effectively meter customers and stop estimated billing methods as well as challenges militating against the provision of pre-paid meters.

For instance, Electricity consumers under the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, said less than 3,000 consumers have gotten meters since the Disco took over in November, 2013.

Chairman of Kano Electricity Consumer Forum, Mallam Suleiman Bello at the consumers’ consultation on Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, in Kano, told newsmen that although electricity supply has improved, consumers are still exposed to crazy billing and non-metering.

Bello said; “KEDC metering is very low.

It has estimated 300,000 customers, I assure you that they have not metered up to 50,000. Since they took over, they have not disbursed up to 3,000 units.”

He also echoed consumers’ voices on the high cost of meter for N20, 000 noting that multiple shop owners may not raise the cost in bulk to pay for metering. “There should be a means of payment by installments, where willing consumers could pay half and after installation, pay the rest,” he added.

The consultation which was organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, was to probe metering progress of Discos especially under the CAPMI following outrages of crazy billings

by electricity consumers nationwide.

NERC Commissioner for Market Competitions & Rates, Dr. Eyo Ekpo said those who paid for meters will enjoy an 11percent interest rate while they will have a rebate from the Fixed Charge till the money is cleared.

MD of Kano Disco, Jamil Gwamna said it is planning to meter its customers within two years while it is working on embedded power generation to improve supply in its service area.

A customer, Engr. Maude Ado who decried the Disco’s negligence of CAPMI said “It has not even started the CAPMI when sister Discos like Kaduna has 8,000 installed meters already.”

Meanwhile, the Disco staff, Ismail Aliyu accused NERC of not allowing Discos to select meter vendors saying it does not guarantee competition for reduced meter pricing.

NERC Commissioner for Government & Consumer Affairs, Dr Abba Ibrahim said the Commission does not restrict Discos on picking metering contractors, but said me-

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

75.11

-0.71

-0.94%

12:24:05

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

78.63

-0.78

-0.98%

12:24:35

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

57,600.00

+130.00

+0.23%

12:22:23

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

4.22

+0.20

+4.90%

12:25:36

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Oilprice.com

ters supplied must meet with the Metering Code standard as endorsed by NERC. At Kaduna, the NERC advised the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company to collaborate with banks under a special agreement whereby customers can secure finance for the acquisition of prepaid meters under the Credited Advanced Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI, scheme.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, gave the advice at the public consultation and fact finding mission on CAPMI scheme, in Kaduna state.

Represented by NERC’s Commissioner in charge of Government and Consumer Affairs, Dr Abba Ibrahim, the NERC chairman was reacting to complaints from consumers who considered the required metering fee unaffordable, thereby making meters inaccessible.

Managing Director of KEDC, Engineer Garba Haruna, disclosed that it already had in place a five-year metering plan that will surmount the metering challenge, adding that the plan which involves the roll-out of eighty thousand units of meters every year will bridge the metering gap in the state.

He however appealed to electricity consumers to pay up their bills, urging those who are yet to get meters to key into CAPMI scheme, while plans to deploy meters are ongoing.

36

Energy Week

Nwapa gets FUTO honorary degree

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he Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Management Technology, D.MT, by the Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO. Nwapa was awarded the degree at FUTO’s 2014 convocation ceremony held on Friday in recognition of his outstanding contributions and dedication to the development of Nigerian Content which supports the developmental aspirations of Nigeria.

Speaking after receiving the award from the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, the Executive Secretary explained that the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act has generated immense benefits for the Nigerian economy and the educational system by encouraging in-country incubation of technology and establishment of facilities where lecturers of oil and gas related disciplines can demonstrate what they teach and students can practice their newly acquired knowledge.

Nwapa stressed that theoretical knowledge needed to be translated into activity and tied to real-life projects, adding that the absence of such linkages created problems for the nation’s development in the past.

According to him, “Technology is key for a country like Nigeria with our population. With our hunger for development and growth, we must continue to underpin our developmental effort with education in technology. Today, there are a lot of shop floors either in place or being built because of the Nigerian Content policy.

“A lot of Nigerians are investing in shop floors, creating places where Nigerians can work and where lecturers can see the reality of the industry they teach. The students can also have the hope and inspiration of working productively in these places after their studies. This is what the policy of Mr. President has accomplished.

The Executive Secretary commended former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Funso Kupolokun for setting up the Nigerian Content Division in the corporation in 2005, which culminated in the passage of the Nigerian Content Act and establishment of NCDMB. He however, attributed the success achieved in the implementation of the Act to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, adding that “from the day Mr. President appointed Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Act began to take life. Mr. President signed the Local Content law for the oil and gas industry knowing that there would be a revolution in other sectors.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

$1trn investments in oil fields at risk –Bankers CHIDI UGWU

ABUJA WITH AGENCY REPORT

A

fter crude prices dropped 49 per cent in six months, oil projects planned for next year are still standing upright, but with little hope of a productive future.

These zombie projects proliferate in expensive Arctic oil, deepwater-drilling regions and tar sands from Canada to Venezuela.

In a stunning analysis this week, a leading global investment banking group, Goldman Sachs found almost $1 trillion in investments in future oil projects at risk.

They looked at 400 of the world’s largest new oil and gas fields -- excluding U.S. shale -- and found projects representing $930 billion of future investment that are no longer profitable with Brent crude at $70.

In the U.S., the shale-oil party isn’t over yet, but zombies are beginning to crash it.

Less than a third of projects are still profitable with oil at $70. If the unprofitable projects were scuttled, it would mean a loss of 7.5 million barrels per day of production in 2025, equivalent to eight per cent of current global demand.

Making matters worse, Brent prices this week dipped further, below $60 a barrel for the first time in

more than five years. Why? The U.S. shale-oil boom has flooded the market with new supply, global demand led by China has softened, and the Saudis have so far refused to curb production to prop up prices.

It’s not clear yet how far OPEC is willing to let prices slide. The U.A.E.’s energy minister said on Dec. 14 that OPEC wouldn’t trim production even if prices fall to $40 a barrel.

An all-out price war could take up to 18 months to play out, said Kevin Book, managing director at ClearView Energy Partners LLC, a financial research group in Washington.

If cheap oil continues, it could be a major setback for the U.S. oil boom. In the chart below, ClearView shows projected oil production at four major U.S. shale formations: Bakken, Eagle Ford, Permian and Niobrara.

The dark blue line shows where oil production levels were headed before the price drop. The light blue line shows a new reality, with production growth dropping 40 percent.

The Goldman tally takes the long view of project finance as it plays out over the next decade or more. But the initial impact of low prices may be swift.

Next year alone, oil and gas com-

Oil rig

panies will make final investment decisions on 800 projects worth $500 billion, said Lars Eirik Nicolaisen, a partner at Oslo-based Rystad Energy.

If the price of oil averages $70 in 2015, he wrote in an email, $150 billion will be pulled from oil and gas exploration around the world.

An oil price of $65 dollars a barrel next year would trigger the biggest drop in project finance in decades, according to a Sanford C. Bernstein analysis last week.

A pause in exploration and development may sound like good

news for investors concerned about climate change.

A vocal minority have been warning for years that potentially trillions of dollars of untapped assets may become stranded due to climate policies and improved energy efficiency.

The challenges faced by oil developers today may provide a small sense of what’s to come.

However, these glut-driven prices can’t stay low forever. Oil production hasn’t slowed yet, but as zombie projects go unfunded, it will.

FCT residents task Abuja Disco on stable power supply CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

S

ome electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have called on the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, to ensure stable power supply during the Christmas and New Year periods.

Already, residents in parts of the city have attested to improvement with some in Karu, Kubwa

Meter

and Bwari area councils saying they now enjoy at least 18 hours of electricity supply in the capital city.

The residents say that every family deserved to celebrate the season with electricity supply as many people prefer to stay indoors during the period.

A businessman, Mr. Matthew Ezenwa, a resident of Karmo, urged the AEDC to sustain the tempo in improved power supply over the period of Yuletide.

“Prior to this period, power supply in Karmo has been very bad but since this December, we are enjoying constant power supply. I hope they will sustain it during the Christmas period,” he said.

According to him, Christmas was a season when most Nigerians stay in their houses to celebrate with their families.

“I am appealing to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company to make electricity available to those of us that will not travel so that we can enjoy the Christmas,” he said.

He told our correspondent that in 2013 most residents of Karmo spent the Christmas with epileptic power supply.

A resident of Karu, an Abuja suburb Mr. Ezekiel Onoja said that he expected stable electricity supply to FCT during the Christmas period.

He urged AEDC not to deviate from the tradition of ensuring stable power supply to the territory during Christmas.

“Electricity supply has always

been stable in the FCT during Christmas because so many people travel to their villages to celebrate the festival so that removes pressure on the power lines,” he said.

He said that electricity supply in the territory had become so poor in spite of prompt payment of electricity bills by subscribers.

A Nyanya resident, Alhaji Ahmed Usman said that power crisis in the country “has become more of a spiritual than a technical problem.’’

“My brother, honestly, I always prefer to keep quiet about power supply in Nigeria because the more I talk about it the angrier I become,” he said.

He wondered why the problem of power supply could not be solved once and for all in the country after much funds had been expended on the sector.

Usman said that though he is a Muslim, the period was one that most Nigerians stayed at home and they would expect 24 hour electricity supply.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Indigenous firms boost investment in oil, gas –Ene UDEME AKPAN

H

ope has been raised for increased local content as many indigenous firms continue to invest in the petroleum industry.

The Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Ene, has confirmed that many locals continue to invest their resources in the industry.

“For the Nigeria oil servicing in Nigeria, is maturing, it’s an indications that local industry initiative has come to stay, people has recognised that this is not a passive trying but positive things,” he stated.

He stated that more and more independents operators are becoming to recognised that to thoroughly grow the capacity they have to invest.

“We have seen initiative from companies like shell, Agip, NCDMB collaborating with PETAN on initiative that seems to create ``win win’’ scenario,” he stated.

He stated, “What happened this year and last year is setting pace for sustain grow for oil serving companies in Ni-

geria over the next decade because infrastructures is been built capacity is been run, irrespective of availability of contract and staff but with a realisation that as far as oil industry in Nigeria goes there is potential for growth therefore we can invest.”

He stated that the price of oil and the value of dollars at the international market is inversely proportional.

“In other worse, when the oil price dropped the naira gets stronger, for obvious reason, the dollar is denomination of currency of choice, in oil transaction,” he stated.

Ene stated that if the price is high there are more dollars, if there more dollars, then there more dollars to spend, an if you spend more dollars the dollars we weaken in values,” he stated.

He stated that when the dollars gets stronger, because of the lower rate price there is automatic pressure on the naira to get weaker because it gives and proportional interest in that context so, to large extent a stronger implication weaken naira except it can be sustained artificially.

“I think that local content in the past oil pricing in 2001 there less imparts on local services, therefore the impacts on the economy was direct today, you have local capacity created by local content, there is local capacity to generate capacity and employment therefore that coffer will help to sustain or downpour the weaken the naira,” he stated.

Ene stated that the government should be recognised and applauded for taken the bold step to past local contend Act. “I think this is laudable, the reality was that the passage of the Act was a good initiative and that is what the impetus for local Nigeria companies to began to ramp up capacity. That is the bottom line, to large extent it has created a spring board for growth in the whole sense,” he stated.

He stated that Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB would also create long time investment in the country; all of this will create huge investment for the industry and the country as a while.

“It is interesting that current crash price is not crating the panic, within the industry

that previous crashes has generated, which is a good sign, it means that the industry is natured. However, you have to understand that Nigeria oil today is not as cheap as it was in 15 years ago,” he stated.

Ene who puts the cost of producing oil at between $20 and $30 per barrel or more said the circle of ups and down was good as it enables companies to re-strategise on how to deliver service quicker, better and faster.

“We reckon that Nigeria content and Nigeria companies would actually get busier with the support of regulator and policy makers,” he stated.

Ene

Low oil prices hit Nigeria, Russia, others –Report

T

he low crude oil prices in the global market have started to affect Nigeria, Russia and other economies in the world.

Pennenergy stated in its latest report that the price of a barrel has fallen by about half since June, punishing the economies of some major exporters.

“On Wednesday Nigeria’s finance minister trimmed the country’s 2015 budget by $3 billion, or 12 per cent, because of lower oil prices,” it stated.

It stated that Russia’s currency has nose-dived, for instance, and investors worry Venezuela could default on its debt.

“For countries that consume a

Oil vessel

large amount of the world’s oil, it’s a different story. The world’s four biggest economies — U.S., China, Japan and that of the European Union — all benefit from lower oil prices,” it stated.

It stated that whether the price plunge ultimately helps or harms the global economy depends on how low oil prices fall, how long they stay low, and whether they trigger political upheaval that interrupts trade or spooks investors.

“On Friday the global price of oil traded near $61, down 47 per cent from its high for the year of $115.

That drop removes nearly $5 billion a day in revenue from the global oil

industry — and reduces costs for consumers,” it stated.

The report stated that the prices of bonds of some state oil companies and developing nations have fallen. And a possible recession in Russia next year could hinder European economies in their recovery.

“But the U.S. stock market is trading near an all-time high, helped by some of the best employment and wage growth since the Great Recession. Western sanctions against Russia were already pressuring the ruble when oil prices plunged, accelerating the currency’s decline,” it stated.

It stated that a move last week to help the state-owned oil company Rosneft meet debt obligations sent the ruble down even further, raising concerns about a run on banks as Russians fled to stores to buy expensive goods before prices rose.

“Oil and gas sales account for nearly 70 per cent of Russia’s export revenue. If oil prices stay near $60, the Central Bank said the Russian economy could contract by nearly 5 percent next year. Even at $80 a barrel, the Russian economy could still shrink by 0.8 per cent,” it stated.

The report has it that like Russia, Venezuela’s economic problems

predate the decline in oil prices.

Venezuela is even more dependent on oil revenues, though — they account for 95 percent of the country’s exports. The price of Venezuelan bonds has plummeted in recent days as investors worry about a default, a move that could trigger political upheaval.

“The world’s biggest economies are also the world’s biggest oil users.

Lower prices for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel helps boost those economies by giving consumers more money to spend and businesses more money to invest,” it stated.

It stated that lower gasoline prices will save the typical U.S. household $550 next year, the Energy Department predicts.

The report stated that consumers in China, Japan and Europe spend a lower portion of their income on energy, so a cut in energy prices doesn’t go quite as far, although it still stimulates their economies.

There’s a catch for Japan, however.

“Falling oil prices could hamper efforts to trigger inflation in an effort to overcome economic stagnation. Ambitious plans to boost oil production in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico will almost certainly be pushed back,” it stated.

37

CNS promises to deliver better services

C

NS Marine Nigeria limited, a major service provider in the oil and gas industry has pledged to provide improved services to stakeholders.

It stated that the services are targeted at ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.

“We offer services to Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector that is first rate and unparalleled. We have personnel for clients ranging from a rehab and repair to a project manager over seeing any subsea construction project,” he stated.

The firm stated, “We believe we offer a more personalized approach to contracting which in turn offers a rapid response, quality service to the customer, at a lower cost.”

It stated that the philosophy of the company is to provide quality services at a competitive price.

CNS Marine is a multi-disciplinary company with global standard in perspective and this forms our paradigm in service development.

“With our collaborating alliances with different companies that has made indelible impression in their areas of specialization, we guarantee best service delivery to our clients.

Our services are carried out according to International Standards and Specifications,” it stated.

It stated, ”We have formed a partnership that is focused on building local capacity and offering training and human capital development.”

The firm stated that CNS International sri carries out numerous International projects and has an excellent track record with clients.

It stated that CNS continues to grow globally and remains a major player In the sat diving industry, with growing results both In terms of performance and safety procedures.

“The mission of the group CNS International sri is directed to satisfy its clients’ needs and reach a recognised leadership in the industrial diving services field. Safety, human resources care and environment are the key factors of CNS strategy for success,” it stated.

It stated, “We work closely with the client to ensure their objectives are met. We can completely manage the design process to ensure construction costs meet required budgets.”

“You can be sure of our commitment to provide you with our best service. Initial discussions aimed at discovering your time constraints and budgetary requirements help enable us to provide you with realistic methods of achieving your project goals,” it stated.

It stated, we are looking forward to supplying your company with Information on our services and welcome the opportunity to submit a quote for any of your upcoming projects.”

The firm stated that CNS Marine people all share the same enthusiasm about our industry and the service we provide...

38

Energy Week

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The World of Oil and Gas With

DR. OSSIE A. ESIEMOKAI

The Three Wise Men: Gold, Frankincense and low-priced crude

T

his yuletide Santa Claus, or Father Christmas in our younger days, would not be riding into town on a reindeer-driven sleigh. He would breeze in riding a gasguzzling, Toyota Sequoia fourwheel drive SUV laden with jerry-cans filled to the brim with low-sulfur, Brent derivative, high octane fuel.

Why give away stockings filled with chocolates and Cartier wrist watches, to those who had been good boys and girls in the year, instead of the cheap former? Families have enough savings already from cheaper gas that they are going all over the place carting away luxury goods, electronics and IT products from flagship Versace, Chanel, Givenchy, Prada, Apple and Samsung stores from Melbourne, through Tokyo, Milan, Paris to Toronto. There is this bloke in New York City, who reportedly bought his fiancé the latest Apple telephony gadget in five different colors! After presentation, he caught the young lady off-guard by proposing marriage immediately and the reply he got was that ‘Thank you, Daddy Christmas, darling, I would give you a call

to accept or decline!’ She didn’t say with which colored phone.

But the real dollars bearing, bargain-seeker would hop on the plane, taking advantage of the cheaper airfare and head to the Arbat or Nevesky Prospect in Moscow and St. Petersburg respectively and shop and shop.

A double whammy of calamities has befallen the Russians, whose ruble currency has lost a whopping 53 per cent of its value since the beginning of this year. The poor, ancient currency has lost 27 per cent since the recent decline in oil prices and inflation is running riot!

While no one would say that Russia is a mono-product nation, it still earns more than 40% of it foreign revenues from sales of crude petroleum and natural gas. Its recent woes were precipitated by the hurting sanctions imposed on it by the United States government, the EU and Japan for its adventures in independent Ukraine.

As that nation is learning, the hard way under President Putin, some meddling and messing around with other nations, no matter how much weaker are best avoided in our much more inter-related and, if we may

Oil men at work

IF THE BULLS RUN UP AND WILD, AS THEY DID IN THE IMMEDIATE PERIOD UP TO 2008, HE CASHES OUT AT THE THAN PEAK OF $135 PER BARREL AND MAKES A TON OF CASH say inter-dependent world. A second lesson is that sanctions are meant to hurt. Thirdly, as is now obvious, sanctions do hurt.

Nyet, No? Da, yes.

Monitoring the oil price politics in the past five weeks, through the London Financial Times, The New York Times, The Economist and the pundits on the networks such as Bloomberg, CNN and CCTV of China, the conspiracy theorists are increasingly coming out of the woodworks. They allege that it is possibly to make the oil price decline hurt Russia more that the last OPEC Emergency Meeting was made not to come up with any panacea to ameliorate the oil price free fall. We have no independent proof of the factual veracity of this allegation, but do remember a very ancient saying among the

BEDC explains power outage in Ugbowo area of Benin

B

enin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, has come out to explain the recurrent power outages in Ugbowo area of Benin City, saying the challenges being

MD BEDC, Funke Osibodu

faced by residents of the area is caused by load limitation on Guinness 33KV line from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN. A statement from the company stated that as a distribution company it relies on supply from generating companies through the transmission networks, and that a transformer failure from the TCN can affect its business of distributing power to households and companies. It cited the recent failure of a 60 MVA transformer at the Sapele Road location of TCN as the major cause of outage in the area last week which resulted

in protests from residents of the area.

It however stated that work is ongoing to fix the faulty transformer and that partial supply has been restored to the area.

“For the area to have uninterrupted supply, the load limitation on Guinness line will have to be resolved by the TCN,” the statement continued.

The company specifically requested customers in its area of coverage to cooperate by reporting faults promptly, safeguarding power assets in their vicinity, paying bills promptly, and desisting from by-pass of meters.

Yorubas, that - “The witch cried in the night and the child died in the morning.

Who does not know…” Well, simple logic would tell the trained, insightful mind that it is not always the witch who cried that is responsible for a child’s demise. It could be malaria, jaundice, diarrhea, dysentery or pneumonia, but the point remains that the old witch would be glad. She is mighty glad that its ally, the old Grim Reaper, is effectively harvesting and punishing.

The reader is kindly advised to clearly read between the lines above. And while doing so, he or she should sip from a glass of Southern Comfort whisky and avoid Siberian vodka, at least for now.

These are not normal times locally or internationally. Nigeria is beset with the quirks often manifest and associated with the electoral process in fledgling Africa or rather Third World countries. At the same time, the international community is experiencing one of the most steep downward decline in oil prices since like we said last week, we started tracking those prices some twenty-six years ago. The markets are tripartite - consisting of the internal domestic markets, the international bourses and it is within these specialised commodities bourses, the futures oil trades are conducted. The latter is a virtual platform consisting of paper barrels or barrels on paper. It is a speculative buying of oil delivery

contracts against some future date, often months ahead, or up to a year at the most. In the event the prices head south of what he bought for, the speculator could cash out and drown his loses in whisky and steak at Big Joe’s Bar down the Avenue in New York. If the prices head north as his delivery date approach, he avidly watches the ticker-tape on the Bloomberg portal and cheers on.

If the bulls run up and wild, as they did in the immediate period up to 2008, he cashes out at the than peak of $135 per barrel and makes a ton of cash.

For one, it means that it is a theorem of sought that the prices of the commodity would always go up and come down, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they must go up before they go down or that if and when they go down they couldn’t still go further downhill or stay stuck for a while. The constant is that the prices must always oscillate wherever it is possible for it to head. For the speculator, the downturn is bad news for the futures he has already contracted.

But to some of them that go to gnomic lengths, in this business of crystal ball investing, there is an aspects called arbitrage and hedging, which bets on the quantum of change that would occur against which they do their bets.

In this practice of near rocketscience calculus and logarithms they can also make (or lose) money both ways.

This is the second of a four part serial that looks in-depth at why the prices fell and when they would swing back. Merry, Oilfilled Christmas, to you all.

Dr. Ossie A. Esiemokai, retired Resident Director of Academics, The Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe is the author of ‘The Gulf of Oil’ which is now in print.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Operators fault guidelines on N220bn SMEs funds Stakeholders in the real sector have faulted the guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for the Small and Medium Enterprises, SME, operators to access the N220bn intervention funds, describing them as too stringent.

ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.

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takeholders in the nation’s real sector have noted with dismay, the inability of many entrepreneurs to access the N220bn SME’s funds, putting the blame on the strict guidelines for accessing the funds.

Already, only few entrepreneurs have been said to have accessed the funds since its inception as a result of the stringent conditions.

Last week, operators in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME, sector appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to promptly review the guidelines for the disbursement of the intervention funds, aimed at assisting the operators to shore-up their production capacity.

Stakeholders as well as industry operators expressed their displeasure recently during the 15th MSME International Conference and Exhibition with the theme: “Unlocking the Huge Economic Potential of Nigeria through MSME Development”, organised by the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME. They accused some banks of paying lip service in assisting the SMEs through the funds while in actual sense; they have stringent conditions for accessing the funds, just as they noted that the interest rate charged to MSMEs by commercial banks is on the high side.

The President of NASME, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim stressed the need for the review of the guidelines for the disbursement of the funds.

According to him, the real sector would grow and become successful, if the guidelines are reviewed in favour of the operators.

“If the fund still goes through commercial banks, it is no longer an intervention fund”, he stated while identifying unequal distribution of the funds.

Also, a participant at the forum, Mrs. Adaeze said, the fund ought to have been segmented for various stages of business, namely start-up funds, funds at the crawling stage, walking as well as running stages.

She noted that, the economy can only grow, when new businesses are created and not only funding the existing ones.

The President of NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women, NEW, Mrs. Lola Okanlawon said, the establishment of the funds in 2013 have raised the hope

Emefiele

Adesina

of many entrepreneurs, who had been obtaining loans at high interest rates.

According to her statement, “The delay in the disbursement of the funds has got everyone disappointed. We hope that all the barriers against prompt disbursement of the funds would be removed soon.

Continuing, he said, “We laud President Jonathan for his efforts to boost small and medium scale enterprises; some of our members benefited from the YOUWIN project, but more needs to be done”.

The Representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Adebisi Adedeji said most of the SME operators did not familiarize themselves with the guidelines, saying that informed the reason for their inability to access the funds.

Responding to the complaint by participants that the funds are not available in their states, Adedeji said, the CBN partnered with states to distribute the funds through the state governments to ensure even distribution of the funds, noting that every state knows the aspects to be developed with the fund.

He therefore advised applicants to acquaint themselves with the guidelines to know the content and demands of banks before applying for the loan.

Noting that despite the opportunity by the CBN, many states have not turned up for the programme, he disclosed that only 11 states, out of 36 have signed the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the banks.

“There is opportunity for every state government to access the funds. The

CBN cannot force it on them. Presently, only 11 states have signed the MoU with the CBN.” Analysing the structure of the funds, the CBN Representative explained that, the fund is of two categories, saying 10 percent of the fund is for development component while 90 per cent is for commercial component.

He further noted that 60 percent, out of the 90 percent commercial component fund is earmarked for women entrepreneurs while the remaining 30 percent is set aside for their men counterparts in small businesses.

Another participant, Adeyemi Salako said, the funds should have been distributed through Business Membership Organisations, BMOs, such as NASME, NASSI and others.

However, the CBN faulted him, saying one of the pre-conditions for accessing the funds is that a beneficiary must belong to one of the organisations, adding that organisations can also be the distribution agents, if they have well-structured financial cooperatives.

“Through their financial cooperatives, they can access the funds and disburse same to their members,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NASME Vice President, South, Prince Orimadegun Agboade have advocated for proper financing of the existing MSMEs in the country.

He said, if 17.5 million MSMEs as revealed by data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, are properly funded to the extent of employing at least two people each, the unemployment rate in the country would have been drastically reduced.

THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY STATE GOVERNMENT TO ACCESS THE FUNDS. THE CBN CANNOT FORCE IT ON THEM. PRESENTLY, ONLY 11 STATES HAVE SIGNED THE MOU WITH THE CBN

39

He claimed that no government, either state or federal, can generate the number of employments the MSMEs are generating, justifying the reason why they should be properly funded.

Agboade said, the way by which the MSMEs could be empowered to generate such employment rate is for the CBN to reduce the interest rates on loans to a single digit.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina also confirmed that accessibility of the funds has been the greatest challenge facing the MSMEs in the country.

“Despite various intervention funds made available to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria, accessibility of these funds by the supposedly beneficiaries has remained a major barrier, inhibiting the growth of the subsector”, he noted The Minister, who was represented at the event by an official of the Ministry, Mrs. Y. B. Adejumo said, every MSME has the potential to grow into big company, if properly financed.

He however frowned at the way Nigerians waste its hard-earned resources on importation, despite having enough labour and materials to grow its potential to the level of being an exporting country, rather than being an import dependent nation.

To make Nigeria an exporting nation, Adesina said, “We need to be like China, explaining that in China, they produce everything they need by mere giving them the sample of anything, they must surely produce it for you. That is how Nigeria should be.”

For Nigeria to develop its MSME sector, as being done in other countries of the world, there must be accessible funds available for small scale industries while the value chain has to be developed in all other aspects of the economy as it is being done in agriculture sector.

Nigeria, the Minister said, has enough rice that can sustain its existence, adding that N14bn was allocated to rice planting in 2014 by the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises of the Bank of Industry, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, has said, contrary to the perception of finance as the biggest problem, it is only one of the challenges facing SMEs growth in the country.

He pointed out that one of the factors inhibiting accessibility to finance by most SMEs is acceptability to the financiers, noting that, there is 90 per cent rejection rate of the SMEs by financiers in the country.

Revealing that the high risk of most SMEs has been keeping them away from financial institutions, he said, financing would only run after good investments.

Other factors inhibiting the SMEs growths, he listed include access to market, weak local patronage, infrastructure and the environment.

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Cocktail

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Monkey revives electrocuted friend at train station

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video taken at an Indian train station shows a monkey working for several minutes to revive a compatriot electrocuted by overhead wires.

The video shows an unconscious monkey on the tracks after it received a shock from the wires Saturday at the train station in Anpur and a second monkey is

then seen shaking, slapping and biting the unconscious primate for about 20 minutes in an apparent attempt to resuscitate it.

The shocked monkey eventually awakes when its rescuer dunks it in a nearby water puddle and the simians are then seen leaving the scene together while onlookers applaud.

Oddities

Woman slaps grandmother for rejecting her Facebook friend request

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west Florida woman faces felony assault charges after she reportedly attacked her grandmother for denying a Facebook friend request.

Deputies arrested Rachel Anne Hayes, 27, early Thursday for aggravated battery on an elderly person. Ac-

cording to authorities, Hayes slapped the 72-year-old multiple times at a home in Clearwater, Fla. WFLA reports the wom-

Unexploded World War II bomb found near Berlin

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uthorities in a German city evacuated about 10,000 people from the area surrounding a building site where an unexploded World War II bomb was found.

City authorities in Potsdam, a historic city located outside of Berlin, said builders working on state investment bank ILB’s new headquarters

discovered the 550-pound bomb, which dates from World War II, buried at the site.

The bomb was variously reported as being of U.S. and British origin.

A statement issued by authorities said the bomb had been moved by the builders, so KBD bomb disposal experts were brought in immediately to defuse the explosive.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Meanwhile, about 10,000 people from the surrounding area were evacuated from buildings including the Brandenburg state parliament, a train station and three homes for senior citizens.

Katrin Rautenberg, a spokeswoman for the state parliament, said the incident interrupted debates that have now been pushed back to the January session.

Hayes

an was Hayes’ grandmother and that Hayes’ arrest affidavit indicated alcohol was a factor in the assault.

The attack allegedly

stemmed from an argument between the two over Hayes’ Facebook moniker.

Hayes’ grandmother refused to accept her friend request unless the name was changed, according to authorities.

Hayes initially left the residence but returned, and in the ensuing argument she slapped her grandmother multiple times at the threshold of a door before the elderly woman was able to retreat inside.

Deputies arrived on scene and arrested Hayes, who was released from the Pinellas County jail on $10,000 bond.

Hayes’ jail records show prior arrests for alcohol related incidents, including a DUI last year, violation of probation in relation to the DUI and a September charge of disorderly conduct for urinating in public.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

41

Universities to play vital role towards vision 20: 20: 20 HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE.

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he Federal government has identified Nigerian Universities as powerful instruments towards the attainment of nation’s Vision 20: 20: 20 based on their critical roles in the production of adequate and high quality manpower which is an essential ingredients for the actualisation of the vision.

President Goodluck Jonathan who stated this during the combined 25th and 26th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, said this was one of the reasons his government is doubling its efforts towards the achievement of national technological breakthroughs through increased interventions and other financial empowerment to these institutions.

According to President Jonathan who was represented by Prof. Azikwe Nwala, over N30 billion has been released by the government in the last one year to all federal universities across the country to clear all arrears of earned allowances due for all various categories of staff while another N200billion has been approved and disbursed as special intervention for capital projects to the universities.

The Visitor also urged all the educational institutions

to reciprocate government gestures by ensuring the fulfilment of the mandate saying to whom much is give much is expected.

He however, noted and commended the leadership of FUTA over the transformation in infrastructure upgrade and improvements on teaching and learning environment saying this has ranked the institution among the top ten universities in the country.

He said “ I am not unaware of FUTA’s rise in global ranking, now coming among the best 100 universities in Africa and among

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Speaking during the convocation ceremony, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola said FUTA has been able to make landmark achievements in all areas of its teaching, research and community service in the last two years saying the school ranked as the ninth best university in Nigeria and among the best 80 universities in Africa.

He disclosed that following Memorandum of Understanding signed between the institution and some foreign institutions some students from FUTA will now spend their final year abroad in

some of the institutions under a special collaboration and student exchange programmes.

Two prominent Nigerians bestowed with Honorary Degrees were A are Afe Babalola and. Alhaji Bashari Aminu. The Institution’s Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Mohammed Shaba described the two recipients as Nigerians worthy of the honour bestowed on them saying “Alhaji Aminu, a distinguished and detribalised Nigerian has served in many public and private concerns in the country. A are Afe Babalola,

a legal luminary of international repute has also contributed immensely to legal and academic progress of the nation.” he said The Pro Chancellor charged all the graduands not to see their certificate as a meal ticket but as a commencement of a new beginning and implored them to use their new status and the skills acquired to bring about the transformation of the nation’s political, social, economic and educational system saying, ‘’ do not allow your knowledge and training to be wasted in whatever situation you find yourselves.’’ .

Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Suleiman Dikko, (4th rihgt) flaked by UBEC managent staff, after receiving Katsina State Government outstanding public officer and Education development award, during the Hausa / Fulani cultural day ceremony in Katsina.

2015 Budget: Analyst cautions FG on inflation allam Sani Shehu, Kano-based economic analyst, has urged the Federal Government to take measures to prevent inflation following the diversification of the economy on taxation to finance its2015 budget.

He stated this on Sunday in Katsina in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Shehu said that the call was necessary because the government said about 47 per cent of its revenue would be generated from taxes due to continuous fall in crude oil price.

the top 10 in Nigeria. I have information that all academic programmes of this university are accredited by the National Universities Commission and appropriate professional bodies.”All these attainments surely place FUTA ahead of most of Nigerian universities and indeed make it the technological pride of our dear country.

It is on this note that I salute the past and present leadership of this university who have all laboured selflessly to out the university on a platform of steadiness for global competitiveness “

According to him, though the government said that taxes would not affect the poor and middle class, it is envisaged that people would indirectly feel it due to multiplier effects. ‘’The government should, as a matter of urgency, put a mechanism that will assist to check inflation for its adverse effects on the economy,’’ he said.

Shehu said that government should intensify efforts to ensure that some indigenous firms stop exercising power of monopoly to maximise profit.

NSCDC to secure Lagos State during festive period

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he Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has said that it is to deploy 2, 000 officers to curtail insecurity during the yuletide. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the corps in Lagos, Mr Chibuzo Mefor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that measures had been put in place to map out the black spots, where miscreants usually used as hideouts.

Mefor said that the command would organise seminars and workshops for the neighbourhood watch

and the vigilance groups across the state, on how to gather information on the activities of criminals and general intelligence gathering. “The black spots are dangerous spots where miscreants use as hideout to perpetrate their evil acts and are able to escape easily because they are familiar with the neighbourhood. ``Two thousand officers of the agency are on ground and most of them will not be in uniform, so that they can not be easily identified. ``With collaboration from all security agencies and support from the public, arm robbery, pipeline vandalism and

oil theft in the country will soon be a thing of the past,” Mefor said.

Mefor, however, said that the country had lost billions of revenue resulting to billions of dollars due to the activities of the criminals through oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

He added that the agency had been proactive in responding to any distress or emergency calls, intercepting ongoing transaction of oil bunkering and vandalism perpetrated in the coastal area in the state.

The PRO urged public and private organisation to support the government

by providing surveillance equipment and sophisticated weapons to stem the activities of economic saboteurs in the country. ``Arm robbery and oil theft is a routine business among many youths, private organisations should partner with the Government by providing equipment that can be used to track them,” he said.

The PRO also appealed to the youths to involve themselves in vocational jobs, instead of engaging themselves in vandalism and oil theft, adding that it was dangerous and many people had lost their lives in the process.

42

Civil Service

NIS repatriates 430 illegal foreigners

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he Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) arrested and repatriated 430 illegal immigrants in Jigawa between January and November this year.

The Comptroller of the NIS in the state, Mr Isa Jere, made the announcement in Dutse, the state capital, while parading seven illegal aliens made of seven Nigeriens and one Malian illegal immigrant.Jere said that 90 per cent of the arrested immigrants were from Niger Republic while others were from Cameroun, Chad and Mali.

According to him, the service has intensified its mop-up operation to get rid of illegal immigrants in the state before the commencement of the 2015 general elections.”We are committed to repatriating illegal immigrants in our midst because they don’t have right or have any business to participate in our elections” he said.

The comptroller also said that the state’s command had seized 20 voters’ cards from Nigerien immigrants. He said that 11 out of the 20 were permanent voters’ cards while the remaining were temporary ones.The NIS chief said that his officers and men were vigilant to prevent foreigners from participating in the forthcoming general elections. (NAN)

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Expert values Nigeria’s annual production of soya beans at N300bn

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r Sotonye Anga, the Agribusiness Coordinator, Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria (CASON), on Tuesday said that the current worth of soya beans production in Nigeria was N300 billion.

Anga, who was a guest lecturer at the Top Deal Farms Annual Lecture in Lagos, said that Nigeria currently produces 500,000 tons of soya beans annually.

He said that the commodity was a veritable

source of income and a multi-billion Naira business with high expansion and investment prospects. ``Nigeria’s Annual Production capacity of 500,000 tons makes soya a multi-billion Naira business in Nigeria.``Also, there is room for expansion and investment, considering its diverse industrial uses. ``Soya is a suitable raw material in food production and it ranks among the richest and cheapest sources of protein glob-

ally. ``The current demand for soya beans is worth around N300 billion annually,’’ Anga said. He attributed the sliding trend in the value of Naira in the country to the classification of Nigeria as a non-producing nation. ``The devalued currency has a negative impact on the importation of products into the country as it increases the cost of imported products. ``But on a good note, it favours exports of agricultural products.

``As useful as the computer is, no one ever feeds on it, but in whatever we do, we must feed and that is agribusiness,’’ he said.

Commending the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), Anga urged the Federal Government to increase investment on the programme to boost soya production and utilisation.According to him, investing more on ATA will enhance job creation and improve soya farmer’s income.

L-R: New Judges of the High Court of Lagos State – Hon. Justice Obafemi Abdul Afis Adamson; Hon. Justice Olabisi Ogungbesan, and Hon. Justice Adedayo Adeola Akintoye, taking their Oath of Office before Director, Legislative Drafting, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Tola Akinsanya (right) during their swearing in ceremony in , Lagos.

Land swap policy will address settlement of Abuja indigenes –FCTA

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured indigenes of Abuja that the Land Swap policy introduced by the administration would address issues of their resettlement.

Mallam Yahaya Yusuf, the Director of Development Control, FCTA, said this in an interview with

the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. Yusuf said the policy would also encourage private funding of infrastructure in the territory. ``The policy, as initiated by the FCT minister, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, involves granting of greenfield land to competent real estate practitioners, who will in turn provide infrastructure such

as roads and electricity. ``This policy is expected to bring in billions of Naira from banks in and outside the country and generate over one million jobs for unemployed Nigerians,’’ he said. Yusuf said the the policy was globally accepted for urban development, adding that indigenes of Abuja had accepted it as an alter-

native means of addressing issues of resettlement. ``Funding for resettlement of indigenes will also become more accessible through the private investors.``It has been adopted during period of rapid urban development by many European countries. It is also endorsed by the world Bank as suitable for any country experienc-

ing budget crisis,’’ he said.

Yusuf said traditional rulers in the territory had endorsed the policy and it had gone a long way to make it acceptable to the indigenes. ``The Land Swap policy will be beneficial to them. They will be the major beneficiaries in the jobs that would be created,’’ the director said.

(NAN)

Re-issued: ITU launches free mobile application on Ebola

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he International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on Monday said it had launched a free mobile application to be used in the campaign against resurgence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Dr Hamadoun Toure,

ITU Secretary-General, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Toure said that the ‘’Ebola-Info-Sharing’’ mobile application would facilitate coordination among the organisations responding to

Ebola crisis.

He said that the application would offer public access to the latest Ebola news from official sources, including an interactive map on Ebola virus. ‘’Information and Communication Technologies

(ICTs) are now critical components of emergency telecommunications, not only when natural disasters strike, but during epidemics such as the Ebola virus disease outbreak. ‘’Ebola-Info-Sharing App, not only enhances preven-

tion, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases, it also strengthens healthcare systems through improvements in emergency response, healthcare practitioner support, healthcare surveillance and administration,’’ Toure said.

New N100 note goes into circulation

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he Central Bank of Nigeria said that the commemorative N100 banknote unveiled recently by the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has gone into circulation from yesterday.This is contained in a statement signed by Ibrahim Mu’azu, Head, Corporate Communications, in Abuja.

It directed all branches of the bank to commence issuance of the currency in their respective locations.”The commemorative note will circulate alongside the existing N100 note.”The note, which is embedded with features to assist the visually impaired recognise genuine notes, also has other security features easily identifiable through look, feel and tilt of the currency note,’’ it said.

It recalled that the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, at the unveiling of the new banknote, explained that it was designed with enhanced security to offer robust resistance against counterfeiting. It added that the authentication features of the note included window micro-optics, showing the national flag and numeral 100 indicating the value of the denomination and the attainment of the centenary period.

“The new design retains the portrait of Chief Obafemi Awolowo both in the ink, that is the interglow level, as a portrait and also in a paper as a shadow image. “In addition, there is a spark feature of a rolling manila bar, which was the instrument of transaction during the slave trade era.

“At the back side of the currency is the introduced Quick Response Code, (QRC), a digital communication feature that highlighted and sourced all the information about the centenary, “ it said.

According to the statement, the QRC application, the bar code on the banknote, can be scanned by users to read a brief history of Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday December 24, 2014

43

AHEAD 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS

I wanted to be gov, but president wants me back in Senate –Abaribe GEORGE OPARA UMUAHIA

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enate spokesman and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial candidate for Abia South senatorial district, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said that he had no intention of returning to the Senate but to vie for the governorship of Abia State in 2015 before President Goodluck Jonathan asked him to return to the red chambers.

Addressing PDP stakeholders from Abia South in his country home in Ohuru, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Abaribe said he had already bought the nomination form for the gubernatorial race when he got the directive, saying that of the 54 senators billed to return to the Senate in 2015 only 12, including himself eventually picked PDP tickets.

Maintaining that as a loyal party man, he had to obey the directive from the party, Abaribe said that the same kind of loyalty was expected from everyone of them.

He said: “If we traversed the state and local governments in order to become governor and the party drew the line of who should be where, we have to accept

it; all the time we have done the primaries, the same process has always been followed, we are PDP, PDP knows how to conduct its business, sometimes in the open, at other times in secret, but once the party takes a stand, the loyal party man will support the candidate.”

He said the cry against Okezie Ikpeazu’s emergence as Abia PDP gubernatorial by the people he described as disgruntled and selfish, was baseless, because no one ever emerged candidate without being sponsored.

The former deputy governor of Abia State said he had to sacrifice his own ambition in order that the decision of the party may prevail, saying that anyone from Abia South opposed to Ikpeazu’s candidature is not a true son of the area.

He used the occasion to assuage the palpable feeling of marginalisation by the Ukwa axis, who have threatened to work against the interest of the party, allaying the fear of being short changed in both the governorship and senatorial positions and urged them to work for the victory of the party at all levels so that Ukwa would get special recognition in political appointment.

Omisore salutes Osun people, assures of reclaiming mandate EBERE NDUKWU

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eoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in the August 9 gubernatorial election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has sent Christmas and New Year greetings to the people of the state and party members, appreciating them for their support for him.

He said: “My good people of Osun State, another year is winding up without fulfilling our set goals and aspirations. But in the face of harsh economic condition inflicted on us, we have remained steadfast, forging ahead. We have remained undaunted from needless hoopla foisted on the state.

“On this auspicious occasion, I want to appreciate you all for standing

by me through thick and thin. I wish you a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.”

Omisore assured his supporters not to worry saying that very soon “we shall reclaim our mandate. Now, the tribunal has adjourned till January 5, 2015. And in a short while there will be light at the end of the dark tunnel. The rescue mission continues.”

Ondo: New PDP chairman resumes office HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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ndo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, new chairman, Dr. Olu Ogunye, yesterday formally resumed at the party’s secretariat at Oyemekun road, in Akure, with a promise to give room for reconciliation and reposition the party in the state to win future elections.

Ogunye disclosed to the teeming members of the party who trooped to the party secretariat to welcome him that the state executive has been declared the authentic leadership of the party in the state by an Abuja High court.

He stated that the party

will always create avenue for reconciliation to give room for the new PDP led by the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, to be integrated into the party.

He said: “We are always open to reconciliation, but one thing we will not subscribe to is hijacking of party structure by the governor. We have all worked for the development of the party, but we will resist any imposition and dictation from the governor.

“We will always see them as part of us and they will be accommodated as part of us, they’ve come to join our party and cannot push

us out of the party.”

Ogunye commended the immediate past state PDP chairman, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi, for giving a good fight and protecting the interest of party members before he finally opted to resign last month.

He acknowledged Mimiko as a grassroots politician and mobiliser but said Mimiko has been an impediment in the wheel of progress of PDP since his defection in October.

Ogunye explained that there would have been no crisis over the governor’s defection if he had joined the party according to its constitution, saying most of the new en-

trants had failed to register at their various wards as stipulated by PDP constitution.

He also noted that the bone of contention was over the sharing formula between the old and new PDP, saying the governor wanted to take the larger chunk of the elective positions, adding that if the governor accedes to old PDP demands, the party will be one to beat in the state.

He emphatically stated that Ondo PDP will deliver the highest number of votes in South-West for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general election.

L-R: Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Commissioner for Directorate of Local Government Affairs, Dr. Ben Iwezu, Head of Service, Sir. Patrick Origho and Chief of Staff, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, during a two-day orientation workshop for council chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and top local council officers in Delta State, recently.

Christmas: GSG distributes foodstuff to supporters in Bauchi EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

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oordinator of Goodluck Support Group, GSG, for B o g o ro / D a s s / Ta f aw a Balewa councils of Bauchi State, Mr. Ayuba Kushi Lusa, has said GSG has distributed foodstuffs worth million of naira to its teaming supporters to

ensure that they celebrate Christmas in joy.

Lusa added that the decision to distribute the foodstuffs was to provide better environment to Christian communities in celebration of Christmas, saying the distribution cut across Bauchi metropolis, Toro, Warji councils among other councils in the state.

He said the items distributed included 300 bags of rice, over 5,000 bundles of textile materials as well as N20,000 each to about 21 political groups with a particular attention to youth empowerment.

He said: “The distribution of the foodstuffs wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Prof Sule Elias Bogoro,

TETFUND executive secretary, whose appointment is a good omen to education development.”

Lusa said the distribution was meant to seek for votes in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition ahead of 2015 general elections, explaining that the Federal Government has done a lot to transform the country.

Guber poll: Nasko picks Kantigi as running mate PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

N Omisore

•Says we are open to reconciliation

iger State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko, has named Alhaji Liman Kantigi as his running mate for the 2015 gubernatorial election.

Nasko made the announcement at a closed

door PDP stakeholders’ meeting held at the Niger State Government House yesterday.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State governor, Israel Ebije, explained that the announcement of Alhaji Kantigi by Nasko followed due process, adding that everybody was involved as the consent of all stakeholders is sacrosanct to

peace, stability and progress of the state.

Ebije said that six names were shortlisted, among which Kantigi emerged tops. Others include: Mohammed. M Alkali, who came second, Idris Ndako Kpaki who was third, Engineer Sani Ndanusa who came fourth with Prof Mohammed Kuta Yahaya and Barr Adamu Usman tieing in the fifth position, add-

ing that the top three candidates were presented to Nasko to choose from.

He said: “Less than 24 hours after the court in Abuja threw out the petition against the candidacy of Nasko, it became necessary for him to choose his deputy as stipulated by law.

Therefore after exhausting all democratic tenets, Alhaji Kantigi emerged victorious.”

44

Politics

Wednesday December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AHEAD 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS

AYO ESAN

D

irector-General of All Progressive Congress, APC, presidential campaign and Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has said that the country’s electoral map has changed and it is no more in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Speaking at the maiden press briefing of the APC presidential campaign in Lagos yesterday, Amaechi said APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, stands a good chance of winning the February 14,

Electoral map no longer favours Jonathan –Amaechi 2015 presidential election because the electoral map appears to have changed.

He said: “It is simple electoral mathematics or arithmetic. The arithmetic is that before, President Jonathan has South-South and SouthEast 100 per cent. Now, there is problem for PDP in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. It wasn’t like that before. By this time, PDP would have been dancing, but have you seen them dancing? Have

you seen any campaign?

That is because they know there is trouble everywhere.

There is problem in PDP in Enugu, Ebonyi , Abia. So it is no longer the same. That electoral map appears to have changed.

“Now, let’s shift to the North, does APC have problem in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Sokoto states? Do we have problem in Lagos? No, it is the PDP that has problem in all these areas. And

by God’s grace we will win.”

Amaechi said that the APC presidential campaign will kick off early next year, adding that it will go round the 36 states of the country.

He said APC campaign will be issue based, averring that Buhari is the only one that has the strong character to fight Boko Haram, adding: “Buhari will deal with Boko Haram. Buhari chased away Maitatsine sect and those who are old enough would know that Maitatsine was like Boko Haram and they were killing

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (left) presenting the 2015 budget proposal to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, in Ibadan, yesterday.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

A

llegation that the choice of Senator Babajide Omoworare as All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate for Osun-East senatorial district was forced on the people by Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been described as not fallacious but a desperate attempt to mislead people and impugn on the character of the governor.

Governor Aregbesola’s aide and Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, while reacting to the allegation in media reports, credited to a senatorial aspirant from the district, Mr. Sola Lawal, said available facts indicate that Lawal’s allegations have no substance and was a calculated attempt at discrediting the processes that led to the emergence of APC candidates in Osun.

He said Aregbesola stands tall as an advocate of democratic ethos, not-

Aregbesola to senatorial aspirant: Your allegation of imposition fallacious ing that Lawal’s accusation amounts to failed attempt at rubbishing the democratic credentials of the governor.

Okanlawon said since Lawal commenced a media ‘war,’ accusing Aregbesola of “upturning his victory” and exhibiting bias for Senator Omoworare, he had watched patiently hoping the shenanigan would stop, adding that unsuspecting members of the public might be misled should Lawal be left unchecked, stressing that contrary to Lawal’s claim that he polled 17 votes to defeat Omoworare who, according to him, scored just three votes, he demanded how could a primary consisting of the whole of the Ife and Ijesa axis be decided by just 20 people?

Okanlawon said: “Some leaders in the senatorial district were saddled with the responsibility of screening aspirants for the senatorial seat. How then can a screening exercise be-

come a party primary? How can 20 people dictate who will represent the people?

“How can there be a primary to choose a senator from a district where the governor hails from and the governor was unaware of such primary election?

How did about 20 people arrive at any decision without any of the 11 APC local government chairmen, executive secretaries, all members of the executive council from the Ife/Ijesa zone and all other stakeholders across the senatorial district?”

Okanlawon explained that screenings were done for aspirants by leaders drawn from each of the senatorial districts before primaries were conducted, noting that former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and incumbent Senator Sola Adeyeye emerged from primaries conducted by party leaders, APC party chairmen, executive secretaries, former

cabinet members and other stakeholders across the senatorial districts for Osun West and Centra respectively.

He said: “How can that of Osun East be different from others? What was done simply was to ensure that, people who are to decide for the generality of the people of the zone were not left out.

“It is totally wrong, immoral and unfair for anybody to say that Governor Aregbesola accepted the victories of Adeleke and Adeyeye; rejected that of Lawal, and preferred to have the incumbent serve a second term.

“The party has ensured that the due process was followed before all candidates emerged. For Lawal to go to town claiming victory is an indication of a carefully hatched plot to ambush the stakeholders and use the media to promote false claims about the processes in Osun.”

people in Borno and Kano and Buhari chased them away and that was because he is a strong leader. We need a strong leader now to chase away Boko Haram or Boko Haram will chase us away.”

Amaechi added that Buhari will deal with insurgency squarely saying the oath of office subscribed to by President of a country is to protect lives and properties of the citizenry and any president that cannot secure lives and properties has failed.

Sayign that Nigerians need Buhari to fight insurgency, Amaechi contended that the “attitude of the current Federal Government is that it believe that it is a Northern business; if they want to die they should die.”

He said: “That is the attitude you can see, it may not be what they intend but that is the way some people read it. But whether that is the way people read it or not you will see clearly that the Federal Government has not done well in tackling the insurgency.”

Amaechi added that the failure in the fight against insurgency was not because Nigeria’s military is bad, but because the military is not well funded, saying: “If they are adequately equipped

they can fight insurgency.”

He also said that an APCled Federal Government will solve power problem and create employment through agriculture and through money saved from anti corruption policy.

Urging Nigerians not to allow the Federal Government to use the military against the people and stand firm and protect their votes after voting, Amaechi said Nigerians can get the needed changes they want only if they are ready to sacrifice and protect their votes after election.

He warned against not holding election in the North Eastern states where Boko Haram insurgency is high, saying doing so will create a constitutional crisis.

Amaechi denied speculation by those he called the enemy of democracy that he funded Buhari’s campaign during the primary, saying: “I did not. Buhari primary campaign did not spend money, anybody that say that they spent money should come out with evidence. We have maintained consistently that Nigerians will fund us and that is why we have launched a fund raise on our campaign website, we will not depend on rich men.”

I’ll lead with fear of God –Tarzoor OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

G

ubernatorial candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State, Hon Terhemen Tarzoor, has promised people of the state dividends of democracy with a vow to lead with absolute fear of God, due process and respect for humanity.

Tarzoor also assured the people of the state of his commitment to serve the state diligently through well thought out programmes and policies if elected governor of the state next year.

He stated this during his “thank you” tour of zones A and C senatorial districts of the state.

Tarzoor, former speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, emerged PDP gubernatorial candidate

in Benue State at the just concluded PDP primaries ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Led by leaders and stakeholders of the MINDA axis for the tour, Tarzoor pointed out that having served the state in previous capacities up to speaker of the state Assembly, he believes he has all it takes to lead the state, assuring that his government would be a listening one that would accommodate all views to ensure that the people are given a deep sense of belonging.

Appreciating the delegates across the state and party leaders who found him worthy of leadership by electing him as PDP gubernatorial candidate, Tarzoor said: adding: “I will not disappoint you. I shall lead with the fear of God and ensure that the state enjoys the dividends of democracy.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

45

Index rises 5% as equity market makes impressive return JOHNSON OKANLAWON

N

igerian stock market has put up an impressive and remarkable bullish return of the year, hoping to close the year positively.

The index has reduced year-to-date losses to 24 per cent yesterday and with four trading days left this could be totally reversed.

The All Share Index gained 1,414.07 basis points or 4.51 per cent to close at 32,786.00 points, compared to the increase of 3.52 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 31,371.93 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated N467bn to close at

N10.8trn, compared to the rise of N352bn recorded the preceding day to close at N10.4trn.

All secotorial indices added value to their stocks, as the NSE 30-Index rose 4.02 per cent to close at 1,489.55 points, while the Banking Index gained 6.36 per cent to close at 353.10 points.

The Insurance Index added 2.19 per cent to close at 148.16 points, while the Consumer Goods Index was up 1.72 per cent to close at 822.08 points.

The Oil and Gas Index increased 0.45 per cent to close at 385.57 points, while the Lotus Islamic Index added 3.79 per cent to close at 2,089.24

points.

The Industrial Index appreciated 5.92 per cent to close at 2,031.59 points. The Alternative Securities Market closed flat at 1,128.44 points.

Champion Breweries Plc led the gainers’ table with 49 kobo or 10.06 per cent to close at N5.36 per share, followed by Skye Bank Plc with 24 kobo or 10 per cent to close at N2.64 per share.

United Bank for Africa Plc gained 41 kobo or 9.88 per cent to close at N4.56 per share, while Transcorp Plc added 33 kobo or 9.73 per cent to close at N3.72 per share.

Diamond Bank Plc rose

50 kobo or 9.45 per cent to close at N5.79 per share.

Conversely, RT Briscoe Plc lost six kobo or 8.33 per cent to close at 66 kobo per share, while Forte Oil Plc shed N10.90 or 4.96 per cent to close at N209.00 per share.

NPF Microfiance Bank Plc dropped four kobo or 4.88 per cent to close at 78 kobo per share, while Learn Africa Plc depreciated seven kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N1.40 per share.

May and Baker Plc dipped seven kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N1.40 per share.

A total of 440.8 million shares valued at N4.10bn were traded in 4, 964 deals.

SEC, NBA to partner on capital market development HANNAH AYANGBILE

S

ecurities and Exchange Commission, SEC, will soon collaborate with the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, to set up a standing committee as a means to working together for the development of Nigeria’s capital market.

A statement from the SEC yesterday quoted the Director General of the SEC, Mss Arunma Oteh, as saying that the partnership is essential for the two organisations and the country in general to drive the present administration’s transformation agenda.

Oteh, who made the call when the NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh and some members paid a courtesy call on her in Abuja, noted that

the capital market has had big issues that have affected the integrity of the market.

She added that the timing is perfect for the SEC and the NBA to look at ways of collaborating in the interest of investors’ and the country’s economic development.

“The timing is right for us to look at how we can strengthen the relationship due to the value of the legal profession in fostering the rule of law in the society and the markets and the value of the capital market in transforming our economy.

“Nigerians by nature are business men; the capital market, in collaboration with the legal profession, should help to promote such businesses so that there is integrity and these businesses can grow to

their full potentials by leveraging on the capital market. One area that people are beginning to talk about is the value of wealth distribution and addressing income inequality,” she said.

According to her, if a mechanism can be instituted for creating wealth for anyone irrespective of his status or position in the society, the country would have democratized wealth creation and that is what the capital market does.

The DG commended the NBA for being partners in the development of the capital market in Nigeria adding that the Commission is committed to raising financially literate citizens in the country.

She said, “We are aspiring to evolve to the point of world class, this market must be one

that will be the first point of call for all investors’ and we will get there”.

The NBA President, Augustine Alegeh expressed the interest of the NBA in working with the SEC in several areas in a bid to improve the country’s economic development.

Already, he said the association has set up a committee on legislative advocacy which offers services free of charge, to ensure that proper laws are in place no matter whose ox is gored.

He said the association was willing to assist the Commission to resolve some of its compliance issues, petitions in respect of what happens in the equity market and other legal assistance that may be required.

Global shares gain on strong US GDP data, oil steadies

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nited States and European shares rose yesterday, with the Dow industrials topping 18,000 for the first time after an unexpectedly strong report on US economic growth supported risk appetite and eased concerns about falling oil prices.

Both the Dow and the S&P 500 hit intraday record highs after the Commerce Department said the final estimate of US gross domestic product for the third quarter was revised up to a five per cent annual pace, its quickest in 11 years, from 3.9 per cent reported last month. Stronger consumer and business spending fueled the surge.

The data reassured in-

vestors that the US economic expansion could buoy the global economy and that declines in oil prices, which have recently hit five and half years lows, were a boon for consumers. Brent crude oil steadied above $60 a barrel after the data.

The gains in US shares pushed the Dow over 18,000 for the first time in its history, with the index reaching a high of 18,051.14.

“This number makes anybody who is short the market worry,” said Michael Jones, chief investment officer at RiverFront Investment Group in Richmond, Virginia. “The US is the engine that can pull the global economy.”

Other data showed US

consumer sentiment jumped in December to its highest level in nearly eight years on cheaper gasoline and better job and wage prospects.

The data strengthened the US dollar, which hit its highest level against a basket of major currencies in over eight years, while the euro plumbed 28-month lows against the greenback.

The US data combined with positive economic news from Spain and Portugal to push European equities higher. A fall in Greek stocks limited gains in European stocks, however, on the prospect of early elections that could put Greece’s rescue package at risk.

The gains in US and European shares were offset by

weak sentiment in China, which halted a four-day rally in emerging market shares and resulted in a measure of worldwide equity indexes trading slightly lower.

MSCI’s all-country world index was last down 0.2 per cent at 419.97, while Europe’s broad FTSEurofirst 300 index was last up 0.5 per cent at 1,373.78.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 82.72 points, or 0.46 per cent, at 18,042.16. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was up 4.40 points, or 0.21 per cent, at 2,082.94. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 10.28 points, or 0.22 per cent, at 4,771.14.

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 32,786.00 points Market capitalisation 10.8trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CHAMPION

4.87

5.36

0.49

10.06

SKYEBANK

2.40

2.64

0.24

10.00

UBA

4.15

4.56

0.41

9.88

TRANSCORP

3.39

3.72

0.33

9.73

DIAMONDBNK

5.29

5.79

0.50

9.45

DANGSUGAR

5.51

6.01

0.50

9.07

OANDO

17.35

18.90

1.55

8.93

ZENITHBANK

17.98

19.50

1.52

8.45

DANGCEM

165.00

178.46

13.46

8.16

FIDELITYBK

1.50

1.58

0.08

5.33

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

RTBRISCOE

0.72

0.66

-0.06

-8.33

FO

219.90

209.00

-10.90

-4.96

NPFMCRFBK

0.82

0.78

-0.04

-4.88

LEARNAFRCA

1.47

1.40

-0.07

-4.76

MAYBAKER

1.47

1.40

-0.07

-4.76

GLAXOSMITH

52.00

50.00

-2.00

-3.85

IKEJAHOTEL

3.95

3.82

-0.13

-3.29

INTBREW

24.70

24.23

-0.47

-1.90

PZ

25.06

24.70

-0.36

-1.44

NB

152.99

151.75

-1.24

-0.81

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.65

96.55

15.46

96.70

15.35

15.10 27-APR-2017

2.34

99.55

15.30

99.70

15.23

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.52

101.65

15.48

101.95

15.38

16.39 27-JAN-2022

7.10

104.15

15.40

104.45

15.33

14.20 14-MAR-2024

9.22

95.50

15.11

95.80

15.04

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.58 71.00

14.81

71.30

14.74

Closing Market Prices of December 23, 2014

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

26-Mar-15

12.34

12.74

14-May-15

10.75

11.22

17-Dec-15

15.20

17.87

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

12.1267

1M

14.5878

3M

15.3286

6M

16.1735 The Fixings of December 23, 2014

46

Capital Market

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at December 23, 2014 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Community Mirror I challenge all those who have been accusing me of funding the APC to show just one account through which I fund APC with monies belonging to Rivers State.

Group threatens to sue LUTH over death

48

GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE –RT. HON. CHIBUIKE AMAECHI

Bus conductors to get insurance cover KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

A

s part of efforts to sanitise and make bus conducting vocation attractive and

safe, conductors throughout the country are to be insured.

President of the Bus Conductors’ Association of Nigeria, BCAN, Comrade Israel Ade Adeshola,

said this in Ibadan while speaking with journalists.

He said the insurance cover is coming under what he called ‘Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme”.

“We have concluded arrangements to get all the conductors in the country insured, because of the nature and high risk the bus conducting job entails”, he said.

The BCAN president said the job is very risky, which adequate measures must be taken to ensure their safety.

He cited various instances where conductors have been killed by some trigger happy policemen without any compensation paid to their immediate family.

“For instances in 2012, a conductor was unjustly killed in Ketu, Kosofe, local government area by a policeman while performing his legitimate duty over argument of N20”, he said.

The BCAN president said the association took up the matter and petitioned appropriate au-

thorities, lamenting that up till now nothing has been done about it.

“Right now the association is taking care of the only son of the late conductor including the widow. It is in consideration of all these that the association decided to come up with the insurance policy,” he stated.

Adeshola added that the insurance programme will take off in the early part of the New Year.

On the 2015 elections, the BCAN president said, “we mobilised our members to register and pick their PVC, in 2015; we will equally mobilise to vote massively.”

Monarch warns against land grabbers

P Men selling barbecue meat at Jama’are road in Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa state, yesterday.

Katsina awards road contract for N2.9bn JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

K

atsina State Government has awarded a road contract worth about N2.9 billion less than a week it awarded another road contract, with several

communities as beneficiaries.

The recent contract covers three council areas, including Sandamu, Baure and Zango, and is about 75 kilometres long.

Speaking on the project, the Commissioner for Works, Abdulaziz Isa, said

the road is second largest road project since the incumbent administration came to office, and is to be completed in March 2016.

Isa said the projects will include clearance on site, rehabilitation and potholes covering, as well as 40mm asphalt work, and that the

road would pass through Sandamu-Rogogo-Baban/ Mutum communities.

He said the state had since 2007 constructed 2,800km length of road worth billions of naira, including the three-lane ring road which went round the state capital.

Saleswoman arraigned for theft DARE AKOGUN

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24-year-old saleswoman, Rosita Ogechukwu, has been arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over alleged theft of N300,000 belonging to her employer.

Ogechukwu, who is facing a count charge,

however, pleaded innocent to the crime.

The police prosecutor, ASP Augustine Orji, told the court that Ogechukwu committed the offence between September and November at the Balogun Market on Lagos Island.

He said that the accused converted the sum belonging to Mr. Bosa Okafor for personal use.

The prosecutor submitted that Okafor owned a cosmetics shop where he employed the accused.

Orji said the saleswoman initially converted N100,000, which she was supposed to deposit at a bank.

The prosecutor added that Ogechukwu later collected the sum of N200, 000 from customers, who

owed Okafor, and did not remit the sum to him.

He said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Salama Matepo, granted the saleswoman bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Matepo adjourned the case to February 2, 2015 for mention.

aramount ruler of Isheri-Olofin kingdom, Lagos state, Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun has warned the public not to fall prey to a group of land grabbers who have perfected the act of defrauding land buyers with fake claim of ownership in Isheri –Olofin and its environs.

In a statement issued by the spokesman of the palace, the Baaroyin of Isheri –Olofin kingdom, Chief Jide Osokoya, said he detested a situation where people lay claim to what does not rightfully belong to them and use same to dupe unsuspecting buyers.

The monarch said, “I am using this forum to warn the general public not to fall victims of land grabbers who have gone a step ahead in their antics to boldly place pubic announcements on radio and fictitious advertisement in newspapers, so as to legalize their illegality.

I implore members of the public to endeavour to pay a visit to the pal-

ace for confirmation on any land in Isheri –Olofin kingdom and its environ before going into any negotiation, as the people of Isheri – Olofin kingdom were declared the rightful owners of the expanse of land in a judgment delivered by justice L.B. Lawal –Akapo of Lagos high court 44 on Tuesday 15 may, 2012 in suit No: ID/488/80.

“I must also state clearly here that in its ruling on the stay of execution and injunction application

by Ishau Olorunfunmi and others on Wednesday October 3, 2012 the same court through the same judge, justice L.B. Lawal Akapo dismissed the application” the monarch disclosed in the statement.

It was also noted in the statement that the same court and the same judge had earlier on July 3, 2012 ordered that the status quo ante bellum shall be maintained and this still subsists. It urged the general public to disregard the falsified announcements on radio station and newspapers.

48

Community Mirror

NEMA trains stakeholders on fire prevention

T

he National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Gombe Operations Office, has organised a workshop to sensitise stakeholders on basic emergency response and fire prevention and control techniques.

The NEMA Head of Gombe Operations Office, Alhaji Saidu Minin said in Jalingo that the workshop was for stakeholders from Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe.

He said the workshop was necessary because of onset of harmattan in the region.

Minin said`’you can agree with me that in the North East, we have started experiencing harmattan with its accompanying heavy wind that causes fire outbreaks.

This workshop has become very necessary in this region where there are lots of security threats in worship centres, motorparks, markets and other gatherings, especially during the yule-

tide.’’

Represented by Alhaji Saidu Inusa, Minin urged the participants to carry the message to their various places of work to enable people to know what to do during emergency.

He said ``I want you to carry the message to the markets, motor parks, worship centres and the likes.’’

The Information Coordinator of Red Cross, Malam Umar Wazin, in a paper entitled: ‘’Trauma management in Emergency Situation,’’ urged the people to embark on curative communication to reduce the effect of disaster on the victims.

Wazin said telling the victim certain kinds of truths in their condition would worsen their situation.

Reports revealed that market associations, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, security agents, the red cross, Faithbased organisations participated in the workshop, among others.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group threatens to sue LUTH over death DARE AKOGUN

A

women rights advocacy group and non-gover nmental organization, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center, WARDC, has threatened to sue the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, to court over alleged negligence that resulted in the untimely death of a woman.

The deceased, Mrs. Fo-

lake Odunyoye, was admitted to LUTH, on September 7, 2014, following complications arising from childbirth on August 30.

Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, stated that the deceased was discharged on October 31, but prevented from going home due to failure to settle outstanding medical bill of N1.3 million, even though the family had paid more than N800,

000.

She said, “During the course of her detention at the hospital, the deceased needed further medical attention, yet this was refused and she was also prevented by the hospital from seeking further medical attention elsewhere, which eventually led to her death.

The group alleged that it has written to LUTH on the matter but till date, no official response has been received.

Police rescue banker in Rivers

T

he police in Rivers have rescued a bank manager in Choba, Mr Standfast Barnabas, abducted on December 13.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ahmad Muhammad, said that Barnabas was rescued

at Rumuola area of Port Harcourt.

He said three kidnappers were wounded while one was injured during the operation. ``Police operatives stormed the kidnappers’ den in Rumuola where

Barnabas was kept,” he said. ``On sighting the police, the kidnappers started shooting. Fortunately, three of them were fatally wounded due to police superior fire power. ``One was injured

WARDC disclosed that based on this, it is prepared to compel LUTH to conduct investigations into the on-going systematic practice of illegal detention of women after child delivery who are unable to pay the bills.

She vowed to take the matter to court to ensure that justice is done in the matter and the family compensated, saying that the late Folake left behind four children and husband.

and the one in possession of their operational firearms managed to escape’’, he said.

Muhammad added that one locally made pistol was recovered after a search was conducted in the kidnappers hide out.

FG distributes fertiliser to farmers in Taraba

T

he Federal Government in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs office has started distribution of 8,000 bags of fertilisers to women farmers in Taraba.

Acting Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture in the state, Mr Amos Mafe, said the initiative was designed

by President Goodluck Jonathan to empower women and reduce poverty through food production.

He said under the MDGs Women Empow-

Danlad

erment Scheme, each of the beneficiaries will get a bag of fertiliser free.

According to him, the exercise will go a long way to spur food security in the state.

Mafe said the beneficiaries were expected to redeem their fertilisers from the four redemption centres in Jalingo, Iware, Mutum-Biyu and Bali local government areas of the state.

He said the distribution, which was being handled by International Fertilisers Development Centre, IFDC was expected to last for five days.

Mafe urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they make good use of the fertilisers by applying them on their farms instead of selling them.

One of the beneficiaries, Sarah Dauda, commended the Federal Government for the gesture, adding that it would encourage women to go into small scale farming to support their families.

Passengers traveling for the Chritmas at Oshodi park, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Gombe spends N1.3b to boost farming

G

ombe State Government says it has spent a total of N1.350 billion to boost farming and trading activities in the state within three years of Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo’s administration.

Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Mohammed Hassan, disclosed this in Gombe on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen.

According to him, more than 13, 000 indigenes of the state benefitted from the intervention tagged “Talba Empowerment Programme”.

He said that the objec-

tive of the programme was to meet the aspirations of the citizens and ensure that development was achieved in critical sectors of the economy’.

“We want people to boost their respective economy as well as expand their production for the farmers and traders to augment their working capital,” he said.

He recalled that the governor, on assumption of duty, bought taxi cabs, buses, tricycles (Keke NAPEP) and tractors to transport unions and farmers at affordable prices on loans.

Hassan said that the

scope was later expanded to cover many more people.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Jogbenu Abiola Mautin, now wish to be known and addressed as Patinvoh Jogbenu Abiola Mautin.

All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE ELDERLY FIRST STEP ORGANISATION

This is to inform the general public that the above name of the Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under part “C” of the companies and allied matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Johnson Segun Lashore 2. Mr. Odunayo Odukale 3. Alhaji Rasaki Abioye 4. Mr. Owoleke Shonowo 5. Mr. Rotimi Olashore 6. Dr Owoyemi Shonowo 7. Mr. Adeyinka Fashokun 8. Mr. Akinola Anifowose 9. Mr. Rotimi Adeyi 10. Mr. Adeleke Atekoja

-President - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

To provide first hand help for the elderly in the society Any objection thereto should be addressed to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

Palestine to cut ties with Israel if UN move fails –Abbas 50

Within years [the UK] would be irretrievably damaged, politically and economically if electorate vote to leave the European Union – British Member of Parliament, Laura Sandys

Algerian army kills top jihadist militant PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

lgeria’s defence ministry says troops have killed the leader of a jihadist militant group, which kidnapped and beheaded French tourist, Herve Gourdel.

Abdelmalek Gouri and two associates were shot dead late on Monday in the town of Isser, a statement said.

His group, Jund al-Khilafa (Soldiers of the Caliphate), pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) in mid-September.

Days later, it seized Mr Gourdel in the Djurdjura mountains and killed him in response to French air strikes on IS. The Algerian army subsequently launched a major operation to track down members of Jund al-Khilafa, which has seen several of them killed.

The defence ministry statement said the operation in Isser began at 22:30 (21:30 GMT) on Monday after intelligence was received and a vehicle carrying militants was seen entering the town, 60km (37

miles) east of Algiers.

After Gouri and the two other members of Jund al-Khilafa were killed, troops recovered two automatic rifles, explosive belts, a large quantity of ammunition and mobile phones, it added.

No other people were reported injured in the clashes.

On Saturday, the army announced that it had killed

three other militants in a mountainous area near the village Sidi Daoud, 25km (15) miles to the north-west of Isser. It said one of them was a “dangerous criminal”.

And on 11 December, the justice ministry said soldiers had killed two members of Jund alKhilafa implicated in the murder of Gourdel.

The newspaper Ennahar

cited security sources as saying the group mostly comprised former members of alQaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

On 14 September, Jund al-Khilafa broke away from AQIM, accusing it of “deviating from the true path”, and pledging allegiance to IS leader and self-proclaimed “caliph” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Algeria’s military has been battling militants hiding in mountainous areas of the country for several years

18 killed in fresh wave of violence in CAR

A

t least 18 people have been killed and dozens injured in fresh attacks in the Central African Republic, where dozens have died in a new flare-up in inter-ethnic violence, officials said yesterday.

The latest attacks took place early Sunday in and around the south-western towns of Gamboula and Nola, near the border with Cameroon.

Armed Peul herders launched attacks in the early morning, killing at least eight people in the Gamboula area and 10 in Nola, a senior official in the local Mam-

bere-Kadei prefecture told AFP. “Most of the inhabitants were surprised in their sleep by the attackers who also torched dozens of houses,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added.

Terrified residents, including some of the injured, had been fleeing the area by motorbike taxi to the east and north, he added.

Fighting was still ongoing Tuesday in Gambouri between the Peul, who are mostly Muslim, and members of the predominantly Christian anti-bala-

F

UN warns of potential war crimes in Libya

ighting between armed groups in Libya has killed hundreds of civilians and could lead to prosecution for war crimes, the U.N.’s top human rights official said yesterday.

The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Raad alHussein, said there have been hundreds of civilian deaths, widespread displacement of peo-

ple and serious challenges to daily living for those trapped in areas of Libya where armed groups have fought in recent months.

“As a commander of an armed group, you are criminally liable under international law if you commit or order the commission of grave human rights abuses or

Weapons gathered by French soldiers of the Sangaris military operation and seized from Christian vigilantes at the Mpoko camp in Bangui

ka militia, the source revealed.

Central African Republic has been wracked by violence pitting

fail to take reasonable and necessary measures to prevent or punish their commission,” Zeid warned, noting that the International Criminal Court is investigating the situation in Libya.

A report yesterday from his Geneva-based U.N. human rights

the Christian majority against the Muslim minority for the past year.

office and the U.N. Support Mission in Libya found indiscriminate shelling of some civilian areas and at least 120,000 people driven from their homes in an escalating humanitarian crisis.

The report is based on evidence between September and mid-December.

WORLD BULLETIN

Kenyan suspected ivory smuggler arrested Kenyan police have arrested an alleged ivory trafficker, who had been on the run for months, the international police agency said yesterday.

Feisal Ali was arrested at a rental house in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Monday evening, said the head of Interpol in Kenya, Vitalis Okumu.

Ali was listed by Interpol as a mostwanted trafficker of ivory. The police group said the Kenyan was once found in possession of 314 pieces of ivory weighing more than 2 tons.

Interpol alleged that Ali is the leader of an ivory smuggling ring.

Poachers have killed 142 elephants in Kenya so far this year down from 302 last year, Paul Udoto, a spokesman of the Kenya Wildlife Service said. At least 384 elephants were killed in 2012, out of an estimated population of 35,000, according to wildlife service statistics.

Udoto attributed the significant reduction in elephant killings to several developments including implementation of tougher anti-poaching laws in Kenya and international support from Interpol, China, the U.S., Britain and Canada.

Tanzanian president sacks senior minister amid corruption row Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete has fired a senior government minister accused of wrongly taking $1m (£640,000) from a businessman.

Land and Housing Minister Anna Tibaijuka had not shown “due diligence” when she took the money, he said.

Ms Tibaijuka, a former UN official, denies any wrongdoing.

She is a high-profile casualty in a corruption scandal that has rocked Tanzania’s government and energy firms, straining relations with donors.

On 17 December, AttorneyGeneral Frederick Werema resigned after MPs accused him of authorising the fraudulent transfer of about $120m to an energy firm.

He denied the allegation, but said he was stepping down because the controversy had “disrupted the country’s political atmosphere”.

Mr Kikwete, in a televised address, said the government was still investigating allegations of impropriety against Energy and Minerals Minister Sospeter Muhongo and his permanent secretary Eliakim Maswi.

The president’s office later said that Mr Maswi had been suspended, pending the outcome of the probe.

50

World News

WORLD BULLETIN

France boosts patrols after spate of violent attacks French security forces stepped up security in public places for the Christmas season yesterday after three acts of violence in three days left one dead and 30 wounded, reigniting fears of attacks by Islamist radicals.

Late on Monday, a man rammed a van into a crowded Christmas market in the western city of Nantes, wounding 10 shoppers. One of the victims, a 25-year-old man, later died of his wounds. The assailant survived and is being questioned by police.

That came a day after a man shouting “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) injured 13 in a similar attack in the eastern city of Dijon. On Saturday, an attacker, also yelling “Allahu Akbar”, was shot after stabbing three police officers in central France.

“What we are seeing with events in Dijon and Nantes is that they are creating copycat reactions,” Prime Minister Manuel Valls said after ordering the deployment of 200 to 300 extra soldiers for patrols in zones such as Paris’s ChampsElysees avenue and main shopping districts.

Some 780 soldiers have already been deployed to security patrols.

France is already on high alert after calls earlier this year from militants to attack its citizens and interests in reprisal for French military strikes on Islamist strongholds in the Middle East and Africa.

Prosecutors have opened a terrorist investigation for the first attack, after searches unearthed what they called a written “religious testament” in which the suspect invoked the Arabic word for God, “Allah”, to give him strength.

Authorities are not treating the other two other incidents as terrorism and have said those attackers both had mental health problems.

‘US strikes hit Islamic State in Syria, Iraq’ The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State in Syria and Iraq launched 10 more strikes against the militants on Tuesday, destroying various fighting positions, the U.S. military said in a statement.

The seven strikes in Syria and three in Iraq also struck a unit of Islamic State fighters as well as some of the militants’ oil collection equipment, according to the Combined Joint Task Force for the operation.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

P

alestinian President Mahmud Abbas warned yesterday that his administration would “no longer deal” with Israel if a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a final peace deal fails.

“If the Arab-Palestinian initiative submitted to the Security Council to put an end to (Israeli) occupation doesn’t pass, we will be forced to take the necessary political and legal decisions,” Abbas was quoted as saying by the Algerian APS news agency.

“If it fails, we will no longer deal with the Israeli government, which will then be forced to assume its responsibilities as an occupier,” he added.

The Palestinian draft resolution sets a 12-month deadline for wrapping up negotiations on a final peace settlement and the end of 2017 as the timeframe for completing an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories.

A final peace deal would pave the way to the creation of a Pal-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Palestine to cut ties with Israel if UN move fails –Abbas estinian state with Jerusalem as a shared capital, according to the text.

Speculation has been mounting since the death in December of a Palestinian official who was struck by an Israeli soldier that the Palestinian Authority could suspend security coordination with Israel in the West Bank if the resolution fails to pass.

“We are determined to regain the rights of our people, including the right of return (for refugees) and the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails,” Abbas said.

The Palestinian president met his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday during a three-day official visit.

Abbas

Greek parliament fails for second time to elect president

G

reece moved closer yesterday to early elections that could undermine its international bailout and rekindle a eurozone crisis after lawmakers failed for a second time to elect a president.

The government’s candidate, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, fell 32 votes short of the required 200 votes, meaning a third and final vote will be held on December 29.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras warned after the vote that early general elections, which could be held as soon as January 25, constituted a “national danger” that must be avoided.

“Every lawmaker stands before their responsibility...as

regards the consequences of their vote on stability, normality and the future of the homeland,” Samaras told reporters.

European Union and International Monetary Fund of-

ficials fear an early election would be won by radical leftist party Syriza and could undo many of Greece’s ongoing fiscal reforms.

Financial analysts said

Lawmakers vote at the Greek Parliament in Athens during the first round of a three-stage presidential election in Greece, recently.

given yesterday’s showing, the government would be ultimately unable to turn the contest to its advantage.

“It appears that the ruling coalition has definitively lost,” Natixis analyst Jesus Castillo said.

“Greece is very likely (facing) early legislative elections...a very uncertain political climate should thus create a high degree of volatility in the coming weeks,” he said.

Greece’s dire finances nearly destroyed the euro in 2012, and despite two bailouts worth 240 billion euros ($290 billion) and most of the debt held by private investors being wiped out, the economy has only begun to recover after six years of contracting.

South Korea steps up cyber security at nuclear plants

S

outh Korea boosted cyber security at the country’s nuclear power plants yesterday following what President Park Geun-hye described as a series “grave” data leaks, and prosecutors said they were investigating a new online threat.

Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd (KHNP), which runs South Korea’s 23 nuclear power reactors, said on Monday its computer systems had been hacked, raising alarm in a country that is still technically at war with North Korea.

Park ordered inspections of

safeguards at national infrastructure facilities, including nuclear power plants, against what she called “cyber terrorism”.

A government official said authorities had raised the cyber crisis alert by one level for all the state-run companies to “caution” from “attention”.

The nuclear operator, part of state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corp, said only noncritical data had been stolen and operations of the nuclear plants were not at risk. South Korea’s law enforcement authorities are investigating the

leaks.

“Nuclear power plants are first-class security installations that directly impact the safety of the people,” Park said at a cabinet meeting, according to her office.

“A grave situation that is unacceptable has developed when there should have been not a trace of lapse as a matter of national security,” she said.

Within hours of Park’s comments, an online user who claimed to have hacked the nuclear operator posted a new threat and a fresh batch of data on the same Twitter account

that was used for previous threats and leaks.

“We are now looking at it ...

We believe it was done by the same user,” an official at South Korean prosecutors’ office investigating the leaks told Reuters by telephone.

An official at the nuclear operator said it was working to verify whether the data had been taken from its computers.

Earlier, the investigation team official said Seoul had not ruled out the possibility that North Korea was involved in the cyberattack, although Park did not make any mention of it.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

51

Plateau budgets N215bn for 2015 *Taraba to spend N97bn, Kaduna N203bn JAMES ABRAHAM, A ZA MSUE AND JUSTIN TYOPUUSU

G

overnor Jonah Jang of Plateau State yesterday presented over N215 billion as budgetary proposal for the 2015 fiscal year to the state’s House of Assembly for consideration.

The budget tagged “Budget of Transition and Inclusive Growth (V)”, is about 4.26 per cent less than last year’s estimate, which the governor blamed on dwindling economic fortunes in the country.

However, Jang said the 2015 budget will be funded from internally generated revenue, statutory rev-

enue allocation, SURE-P, expected reimbursement from the Federal Government and expected capital receipts, among others.

The governor explained that “recurrent expenditure estimate is N92,494,335,822, which represents 42.93 per cent of the total budget while the capital budget is N122,971,499,596, representing 51.07 per cent.”

He stressed that the capital budget will focus on the completion of ongoing projects to ensure smooth take-off of the incoming administration.

Similarly, Taraba State government has budgeted over N97 billion for 2015.

Tagged “Budget of Transition”, it has the Ministry of Works gulp-

ing over N22 billion.

Presenting the budget before the House of Assembly yesterday, acting Governor, Sani Abubakar Danladi, said the 2015 budget is targeted at ensuring the completion of projects embarked upon by the administration and smooth transition of the incoming administration. He therefore, enjoined people of the state to support government in its efforts at developing the state.

The budget breakdown indicated that recurrent expenditure estimate stood at N42,652,509,453.00, while capital expenditure was estimated at N53,300,985,274.

The acting governor noted that the budget, which is N13 billion

higher than the 2014 budget, would be financed through the projected internally generated revenue of over N4.5 billion, state refund from Federal Government of over N25.6 billion and federal allocation to the state.

He said the Works ministry was allocated the highest sum of over N22 billion due to the need to provide more communities with access roads.

Danladi, who said the budget was coming at a crucial time of economic downturn with serious economic implications, added that government was set to streamline its recurrent expenditure pattern in order to maintain acceptable ratio between capital and recur-

rent expenditure.

He called for hard work, great sacrifice and tremendous discipline on the part of the citizens for development to thrive, and expressed hope that with collective commitment the state will come out of its challenges.

Speaker Mark Useni thanked the acting governor and assured him of the Assembly’s support and expeditious pas-

sage of the bill when it resumes from Christmas and New Year break.

In Kaduna State, Governor Mukhtar Yero also yesterday presented a budget proposal of N203,700,855,271 to the state’s House of Assembly.

The budget indicates that recurrent expenditure is pegged at N72,788,841,776. This represents 35.72 per cent of the total budget.

Kogi judiciary rewards 27 staff WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

A

s part of efforts to boost diligence among its workers, Kogi State judiciary has rewarded 27 staff for outstanding performances, hard work and efficient service delivery.

The state Chief Judge, Nasiru Ajanah, who disclosed this during the premier Chief Judge’s Annual Merit award at the High Court Complex yesterday in Lokoja, said the aim was to sustain a functional, viable and corrupt-free judiciary one could be proud of.

Ajanah explained that few staffers who found it difficult to appreci-

ate this philosophy have been shown the way out from inception of the current administration.

He added that he always yearned to fashion out a policy that would appreciate workers that worked in sync with company policy.

“That is why I am elated that this event is holding. We shall make this an annual event subsequently, with the anticipated improvement in the resources available to the organisation, we will make our gifts tangible and more appreciable. We hope this will provide impetus for staff to strive to attain their optimal in service delivery,” the CJ stated.

Bauchi transport firm refunds N200m loan EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau presenting the 2015 budget proposal at the State House of Assembly in Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

2015: Katsina holds inter-religious parley JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

R

eligious leaders from the Muslim and Christian faiths yesterday held a stakeholders’ meeting in Katsina State on ways to ensure peaceful polls in 2015.

The meeting saw preachers of both faiths discouraging followers from engaging in acts that could lead to chaos, maiming, killing or de-

stroying lives and property during and after the polls.

Governor Ibrahim Shema, who was at the event tagged “Peace and Security in an Electioneering Period”, said religious leaders play vital role in ensuring peace before, during and after elections.

Shema, who was represented by his deputy, Abdullahi Garba, therefore, called on religious leaders to reach out to

their followers and encourage them to cohabit peacefully irrespective of tribe and religion.

He also called on politicians to “embrace the spirit of sportsmanship” especially if they don’t get to win an election, rather than wreaking havoc as a result.

Representative of the Izala Islamic group, Surajo Kankia, called on politicians to allow the electorate to elect their choice leaders and not

impose candidates on them.

A military chaplain and Warrant Officer from the 35 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Rev. Gideon Biya, called on Nigerians of both faiths to live in peace and work to ensure peaceful polls next year.

Biya said leaders within the political and religious circles should remember that a day of reckoning was coming before God, and that knowledge should guide them in whatever they do.

Y

ankari Transport Corporation in Bauchi State said it repaid N200 million out of N254.5 million transportation loan involving 50 18-seater buses it acquired in 2011 in collaboration with the Urban Development Bank.

General Manager of the corporation, Yahaya Tanimu, said the loan, which has a monthly offset of N6 million, is to be fully repaid next year, assuring that the corporation had never fallen behind in its repayment obligation.

Tanimu in a chat with journalists in Bauchi revealed that the corporation has 85 serviceable and roadworthy vehicles

with five 50-seater that undertake long distance journeys.

He stated that the firm trains its passengers in collaboration with the Vehicle Inspection Unit of the Ministry of Works, as all its vehicles have speed limit gadgets installed to forestall accidents.

He added that the corporation has put in place adequate security measures at its Bauchi motor park to prevent breakdown of law and order.

The general manager, who described motorparks as one of the places vulnerable to insecurity, urged passengers to always be security conscious and report movement of suspected persons to the appropriate quarters for prompt action.

52

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the General Public of Loss of Building Certificate of occupancy Reg. as No 19/19/543 belonging to Emmanuel ChukwuemekaIgwe of No 7 New Anglican Road Nsukka, Enugu Ezike in Igbo Eze L.G.A. of Nigeria, the Land situates at Onuiyi Nsukka. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development Enugu.

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ECO bank and public note.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

ORGANIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL HARMONY

This is to inform the general public that the above name of theOrganization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under part “C” of the companies and allied matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Chief (Maj) Andrew Oyinbarakemi Oputa (Rtd) JP 2. Richard Arimebogha 3. Achimota Ayadei Dickson 4 Felicia Tawari 5. Josephine Ezobodor-Toru

- Chairman - Vice Chairman - Fin-Sec - Sec - Treasurer

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1. To promote and encourage peaceful coexistence and mutual benefits among members.

2. To enlighten the populace on the need for peace and harmony in the society, which in turn brings about societal development.

3. To organise conferences, seminars and workshops for the generality of the public.

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We, formerly known as Mr. Adeoye, David Olarenwaju and Mrs .Adeoye, Bosede Christianah duly married since 17th January 2004 with three children in line with the family decision wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Adeoluwa, David Olarenwaju and Mrs. Adeoluwa, bosede Christianah respectively. This change of surname also affects the three children (Ayobami Marvellous, Olalekan Miracle and Ifeoluwa Gloria) of the marriage. All our documents and certificates remain valid, TSC, EKSUTH Ado Ekiti, ACE Ondo, UNAD (Now Eksu ), CHST Ijero Ekiti and general public take note.

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IBEKWE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibekwe Mercy Nchekwube CHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nebeokike Mercy Nchekwubechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IBEGBU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibegbu Chioma Judith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Williams Chioma Judith. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Esegbon Akwerosuo, now wish to be known and addressed as Okoro Oviri. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Goodness Oluchi Uche now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Goodness Oluchi Martin.

All former documents remain valid.

UNIZIK, NYSC and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKOCHA:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okocha Nkechinyere Orieoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Madukwe Nkechinyere Uchechukwu.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

We formerly known and addressed as IMOH: 1. IMOH BERNARD, 2. MRS. IMOH PHILOMINA CHINWE, 3. IMOH CHIJIOKE UGOCHUKWU, 4. IMOH CHUKWUMA JAMES WILLIAM, 5. IMOH IZUCHUKWU CHETANNA FRANKLIN, 6. IMOH ONYEKA CHIAGHALAM BRYANT and 7. IMOHOBIANUJU LUCY, now wish to be known and addressed as 1. CHUKWUNYERE BERNARD, 2. MRS. CHUKWUNYERE PHILOMINA CHINWE, 3. CHUKWUNYERE CHIJIOKE UGOCHUKWU, 4. CHUKWUNYERE CHUKWUMA JAMES WILLIAM, 5. CHUKWUNYERE IZUCHUKWU CHETANNA FRANKLIN, 6. CHUKWUNYERE ONYEKA CHIAGHALAM BRYANT and 7. CHUKWUNYERE OBIANUJU LUCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that all the properties of Late Barr Ikechukwu Onyejiaka Now belongs to Mrs Nkiru and Miss Chisom Ikechukwu. Anybody including members of Onyejiaka’s family who interfers or tampers with the said properties does so at his or her own risk.

Court Evidence: 1. Customary court Awka no AW CC/281/2013 2. High court Awka no A/137/2006.

3. Appeal court Ca/E/390/2007 4. Letters Administration 2013.

This is to inform the general public that approval has been given by Anambra State Government, Ministry of Finance, Awka to dispose by public auction sales of unserviceable vehicles.

Signed: MRS NKIRU and MISS CHISOM IKECHUKWU.

Starting from 30th December,2014 by 10am prompt.

PUBLIC NOTICE

OSHODI COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI (OCHSA)

This is to inform the general public that the above name of the Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under part “C” of the companies and allied matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Koleosho Oladimeji 2. Ayo Majaro Ayodeji 3. Onuobia Emmanuel 4. Olayinka Ayorinde

- Chairman - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote the good image of the School both at home and in Diaspora.

2. To rekindle the loss glory of the Alma Mata.

Any objection thereto should be addressed to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Any objection thereto should be addressed to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: CHIEF (MAJ) ANDREW OYINBARAKEMI OPUTA (RTD) JP (CHAIRMAN)

SIGNED: KOLEOSHO OLADIMEJI - CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

BLOCK MOULDING INDUSTRIES OPERATORS ASSOCIATION OF BAYELSA STATE. This is to inform the general public that the above name of the Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under part “C” of the companies and allied matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Suoyo Amaran 2.Adebayo Sunday 3.Mgbemene Frank 4.Engr. Ifada Paul Ogun Poubeni Oruwari 5.Chinoy Ozoekwe Enime Gwegwe Burutu Edafe

- President - Secretary - Treasurer - Vice President

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote the interest of the association and its members.

2. To act as a forum for members to network and share their expertise and knowledge.

3. To facilitate cordial relations between members and government or such other bodies or organs of government with responsibilities for and regulating the block industry.

4. To act as an effective forum for the articulation and development of appropriate policies, regulations and law on block industry.

Any objection thereto should be addressed to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: SOUYO AMARAN (PRESIDENT)

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The Super Eagles will bound back, but only if lessons have been learnt and all are resolved to move forward – Former Nigerian international, Efan Ekoku

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Lampard ‘could extend City stay’ 54

Canada 2015: Falcons target $2m prize money ...as Mrs. Jonathan becomes grand matron A DEOLU JOHNSON JOEL A JAYI

AND

T

he World football governing body, FIFA, has announced that the Women’s World Cup 2015 top prize money has been doubled from the previous tournament.

According to Tribal Football, the money has been increased from the previous $1m earned four years ago in 2011 by the defending champions, Japan, to $2m (approximately £1,280,000).

The African champions, the Super Falcons, stand a chance of smiling home with the sum of $2 million should they emerge winners of the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

FIFA had during the draw early this month announced that a total of $15 million will be on offer for the tournament in Canada, which runs from June 6 to July 5, up from $10m

Falcons celebrating a goal during a recent match

Gabon qualifier: Siasia calls up 4 foreign pros, 35 others ...camp opens January 4

C

hief Coach of the national U-23 men football team, Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia, has released the list of 35 home-based, and four foreign-based players selected from the screening exercises in Abuja to camp for the final phase of preparations for the team’s first game against Gabon.

According to a release by media officer of the team, Timi Ebikagboro, the players are expected to arrive in the Serob Hotel camp of the team on January 4, 2015.

Siasia disclosed that the team’s training will now move

into the more serious phase as he and his technical team have been able to separate the boys from the men, and that this is time to go into tactical.

“I must commend all those who came for the exercises; that we did not select you does not mean you are not good enough, but the reality is that only 35 players must be selected, and that was the job we did.

“We have dropped you now, for you to go back to your clubs and work extra hard to make this team in the future.

The doors of this team are not shut to you; if you improve and we see you playing for

your clubs, we will invite you to come and fight for a shirt, so don’t be discouraged at not being selected.

“For those of you selected, you are just lucky, but to keep your place in this team you must go back home and continue training so as not to fall by the way side when we begin the next phase of camping.

I have been impressed with what you guys have shown me and I can safely say we have a future,” Siasia said.

Siasia explained that he had to select only four foreignbasedpros so as not to build a team of foreign players.

Goalkeepers: Abiodun Akande (Shooting Stars), Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Emmansin Daniel (Akwa Starlets), Emmanuel Daniel (Rangers) Defenders: Stanley Okoronmu (36 Lions), Sincere Seth (Supreme FC), Chima Akas (Sharks), Chris Madaki (Giwa FC), Waziri Christopher ( Wikki Tourists) Dede Mughalo (36 Lions), Tope Jaiyeola (Obe Sports Academy), Azubuike Okechukkwu (Bayelsa Utd), Peter Obochi, Segun Oduduwa Nath Babe’s (Olawale Amakson Academy), Solomon Olaleke, Faisal Sanni, (Abuja Football College), Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance)

The call-ups:

four years ago compared to the 2014 men’s World Cup which offered $576 million, with $35 million to winners, Germany.

Falcons, seven-time African Champions will do battle against USA, Australia and Sweden in Group D of the tournament at Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg.

The Falcons best showing so far dates back to 1999 when they were knocked out in the last eight by Brazil 4-3.

Meanwhile, as part of her effort to develop the women football in the country, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has accepted the proposal of the Nigeria Women Football League to confer her with the honour of the grand matron of women football in the country.

Revealing this in Abuja on yesterday, Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Chief (Mrs.) Dilichukwu Onyedinma, said the First Lady conveyed her acceptance through a letter dated 24th November, 2014 and signed by Rosana Oba in her office.

“We are happy to inform Nigerians that the First Lady, Dame Mrs. Patience Ebele Jonathan, has accepted our proposal to her to be our Grand Matron,” Onyedinma said.

Midfielders: TIongoli Tonbara (Bayelsa Utd), Etim Emmanuel (Football College, Abuja), Freedom Omofonma (Warri Wolves), Godwin Odibo (Nath Academy), Samuel Adegbenro (Kwara Utd), Niyi Adeniyi, Godwin Saviour, (Plateau Utd), Usman Mohammed (Taraba Utd), Samuel Chukwudi (Bayelsa Utd), Achibi Ewenike (Warri Wolves) Newman Doubra,Ekene.

Attackers: Etebor Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves), Ajayi Junior (Shooting Stars), Sunday Adetunji (El-Kanemi Warriors) Peter Onyekachi (Abia Warriors), Jonathan Osondu (Adamawa Utd) Foreign pros: Onuachi Paul Eber (FC Midtjyllan, Denmark), Aminu Umar (Samsunspor, Turkey), Stanley Amuzie (Sassuolo, Italy), Atanda Sodiq (FK Apolonia)

54

Sports

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lampard

Devils ready for Bale’s £120m

‘could extend City stay’ T he future of midfielder Frank Lampard at Manchester City could be decided in the next few days, according to Manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Lampard joined Manchester City on loan from the MLS side New York City, where he signed a two-year deal in July after being released by Chelsea. But there has been speculation whether the 36-year-old would stay on at the Etihad club through the 2015 portion of the season to assist with its Premier League title ambitions.

“I hope that the Frank situation will be resolved in the next few days,” Pellegrini said yesterday.

“I said at the beginning of his loan that it would be during this month that we would have the last decision, but I repeat once again that I think Frank is very important for our team so I hope he will stay here.”

Pellegrini, however, said the extension would be welcomed by the New York side.

“I think so and that’s why I have a long conversation with all of them,” the gaffer said.

Meanwhile, Manchester City is still coping with a lengthy injury list, with Pellegrini confirming that Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko are still out injured and will not return until late January, but Stevan Jovetic and Vincent Kompany are pushing to return for Saturday’s match against West Brom.

Bale

M

anchester United is prepared to make Real Madrid star Gareth Bale the most expensive signing in history during the next summer.

Reports said United is willing to offer £120m to convince Madrid to part with the former Southampton and Tottenham

Torres Spain-bound

U

nsettled AC Milan striker, Fernando Torres, is set for a return to Atletico Madrid in January, as Milan look to offload the misfiring forward.

The Spain forward, who joined the Rossoneri in the summer on a two-year loan deal from Chelsea, has failed to make an impact, scoring just one goal, a header against Empoli in September.

Torres

Morocco loses $30m in Club World Cup

T AFCON 2015: Zambia axes captain Katongo

I

The former Liverpool player hasn’t featured for Milan since the Milan derby on November 23, which the reports believe indicates that Coach Filippo Inzaghi has lost faith in the forward.

Atletico would be the most likely option for the World Cup winner in January, with Torres still highly regarded at the club where previously made his name, especially as there few options.

Frank Lampard

ADEOLU JOHNSON

nfluential Chipolopolo captain, will not be part of Zambia’s squad to the Eqautorial Guinea Africa Nations Cup finals starting next month after the vastly experienced forward excluded from Coach Honour Janza’s provisional 26-man list yesterday.

The invited players will report in Johannesburg on December 26 for final team selec-

winger.

Although the Welshman’s camp has denied the reports, Bale, who is in his second season in Spain, is said to be happy at the Madrid side.

The Wales striker’s buyout clause is set at £1 billion, meaning United must pay a premium to convince Madrid to sell.

tion.

Katongo of Bidvest Wits in South Africa has not been in Janza’s plans since he was excluded just after Zambia’s scoreless draw away to Niger on October 11 in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Group F qualifier.

Meanwhile, four notable young players could make the trip to Equatorial Guinea.

They are striker Reynold

Kampamba of Nkana Red Devils, midfielder Lubambo Musonda of Armenian club Ulisses and Red Arrows’ winger Bruce Musakanya.

Arrows striker, Patrick Ngoma, who inspired the Zambia Under-20 to the 2014 COSAFA Youth Championship title earlier this month in Zimbabwe where he won the Golden Boot, is also in the team.

he Club World Cup has hit the Moroccan economy hard.

Real Madrid defeated San

FIFA boss, Blatter

Lorenzo in the final to earn a cool €5 million in prize money.

However, Akhbar Al Youm reports the country has experienced losses of between $20 and $30m following unexpected logistical costs that arose during the tournament.

The losses were caused by sky-high spending on transport and accommodation, principally for VIP guests.

The decision to move the semi-final scheduled to take place in Rabat to Marrakech was a further costly move, but one that was enforced given the poor condition of the stadium in the capital. The consequent distribution of free tickets did not help balance the books either.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

ACL: Ali bullish on Sudanese foe

Kwara mourns Otolorin

G

overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has commiserated with the family of late Nigerian football star, Moses Otolorin, who died on Monday aged 67 at his Ilorin country home after a protracted illness.

A statement by Ahmed’s Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, described Otolorin, known for his famous long throw-ins while he featured for the then Green Eagles, as a shining star not only to Kwara State, but also to Nigeria.

“We mourn the passing on of Otolorin,” the statement added, stressing, “We are however consoled with the life he lived laying good examples for the younger footballers to emulate.”

The governor urged indigenes of Kwara State to

emulate the “patriot and committed Kwaran who brought glories to the state and the nation.”

The late Otolorin, who also played for the then IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, retired as a senior sports coach at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin in 2008.

55

Ali

K

ano Pillars midfielder, Rabiu Ali, has insisted the side will not under-

rate its CAF Champions League preliminary round opponent Malakia FC of South Sudan.

Pillars will travel to South Sudan for the first leg in the weekend of February 13, 14, 15 while the second leg game will hold in Kano in the weekend of February 27, 28 and March 1.

Ali said there are no small teams in football anymore, hint-

ing that Pillars would take all comers seriously.

“Teams that sound simple can be more dangerous to play because there quality is not known.

But for them to have qualified for this competition, they deserve respect,” he warned.

“We will go all out and play for victories in both legs and God will grant us victory.”

Governor Ahmed

PGA screens pro-golf applicants AFOLABI GAMBARI

T

he Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria has completed plans to test 93 applicants that have applied for professional golf license from January 12 to 18 at the Kaduna Golf Club.

Head of the Nigeria Professional Golfers, Festus Makelemi, says his executive will admit the most qualified players.

“The professionals remain the core of the game and the Qualifying School is our biggest platform to determine future of the game,” Makelemi said.

“It is so important that the PGA is always focused on the event for the period it is holding,” he added.

According to Makelemi,

the pros will be subjected to 4 rounds of golf, test on rules and ethics of the game, proshop management and golf club repairs at the week-long qualifying series in Kaduna.

The 2015 PGA Qualifying School is sponsored by HRH Ameer of Birnin Gwari, Maigwari II, Alhaji Zubair Jibril.

Meanwhile, PGA Tournament Director, Martin Odoh, has said that the event will be rounded off with a oneday Pro-Am on January 18 between newly licensed pros and host club members.

“We hope it will throw up the best players that will steer golf standard and the PGA in the right direction,” Odoh said yesterday, adding, “The Kaduna series has a bigger implication for professional golf in Africa and by extension across the world.”

Blessing Okagbare is the most outstanding Nigerian athlete in 2014

How Nigeria athletics can grow –Udobong PAUL EREWUBA

O L-R: Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Shaibu Amodu; Most Valuable Player for the 3rd Place Match in the U-16 category, ThankGod Nnoron, and Consultant to Pepsi Football Academy, Iain Nelson, during the Pepsi Football Academy’s Gala Night in Lagos last weekend

lympic gold medalist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, has said there is need to raise the bar in Nigeria athletics in 2015, submitting that the outgoing year has been of mixed blessing.

“It has been a successful year,” Udo-Obong remarked.

“We performed well in some events which put us in good

stead. We could have done better.

On the other hand, it could have been worse,” he added.

Udo-Obong, who won a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney as well as a bronze medal in the same event at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, said Nigeria could improve on the 2014 performance by engaging in what he called deliberate and sustained talent hunt.

“We have got talent in Nigeria

and the best way to improve on this is to discover and nurture them for future events. I believe the time to begin to do that is now.

“We have to earnestly start looking at how we will quickly replace the Blessing Okagbares of today to avoid a huge vacuum in the future.”

Udo-Obong holds a personal best of 20.67seconds in 200 metres and 45.68 seconds in 400 metres in 2000 and 2006 respectively.

WORLD RECORD

Largest trick roping loop by a male Vol. 04 No. 1010

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

N150

The largest trick roping male was achieved by Charlie Keyes (USA), who spun loop around him fed to 107 ft 2 in, at Will Rogers Inter national Wild West Expo in Claremore, Oklahoma, USA; 22 April 2006.

WASSCE: Making excuses for failure

I

n a country where every topic revolves around politics and nothing seems to matter except it has to do with slush fund and who gets what in return, it is easy to gloss over the falling standard of education and the decaying infrastructure pervading the industry. It has now become something of a ritual every six months for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to release the results of candidates who sat for their exams. What one discovers in the end is that every new batch makes it a point of duty to perform miserably woefully than previous ones before it.

There is this unwritten rule which says, on no account must any group of candidates take it upon themselves to improve on the performance of those before them.

That is why the country is continually celebrating the mediocrity of students,

Okay Osuji (okegbuchulam@yahoo.com) 08034729256 (sms only)

who sit every year for the West African Examinations Council exams. This year is no exception. It looks like failure in educational endeavour has become a national obsession. The saying that failure is an orphan does not hold true in Nigeria any more. Here, it is a badge of honour to be worn proudly on the chest. Failing an examination is nothing to be ashamed of.

Even parents and guardians these days, gleefully rationalise their wards’ failures at exams. Reason for this absurdity can be easily explained. Nigeria is a country that lacks institutions that inspire.

And for this, people readily identify with what they see around them. That is why the results on performances of students who sit for exams every year have ceased to shock. Even the Head of National Office (HNO) of the West African Examinational Council, Dr. Charles Eguridu has joined the bandwagon of those pleading for understanding on why we should not harshly judge the results in the Nov/Dec 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations(WASSCE) for private candidates.

According to the recent results released by the council, only 29 per cent of 246,853 candidates made credits in five subjects, including English and Mathematics. To him, the percentage represents an improvement in performance compared to 2013 edition of the same exam, when only 26.97 percent made the benchmark for admission into tertiary institutions. Recall that the percentage of candidates that

Tennis: Nadal fit for Aussie Open 2015

W

orld number three, Rafael Nadal, has declared himself fit to compete at the Australian Open next month after having his appendix removed.

Australian Open will

take place from January 19 to February 1.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner had an injuryplagued year and was diagnosed with appendicitis in October before undergoing surgery last month.

THE YOUTHS AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS ARE MERELY MIMICKING THE GENERAL DECAY THEY SEE AROUND THEM made the same grade in 2012 was 38.84. So, if a representative of the examining body should be satisfied with such low success rate where no less than 70 per cent of them should have made the grade, then something is amiss. No one is blaming Eguridu for his advocacy on this issue because he had in the past lamented the lack of academic interest by the new generation of candidates now coming forward to sit for their exams.

In a society where success is measured by material acquisition and glitz around someone, what use then is for anyone going through academic rigours to achieve a determined goal. Those we look up to never went through such rigorous crucibles to become overlords in the society.

In fact, most of them are certified crooks, robber barons and illiterate money bags.

They are those being worshipped and they are the ruling class who wield so much power as to determine who gets what in Nigeria. So, the youths and all those involved in school examinations are merely

mimicking the general decay they see around them. After all, those who went to tertiary institutions are still searching for elusive jobs years after graduation. In such confusing milieu, it would be foolhardy for anyone to study hard in order to pass exams. If academic laurels do not confer any earth-shaking status on the holder, then, why waste precious man hours tasking the soul and spirit for what one does need to achieve fame in Nigeria.

For avoidance of doubt, the WASSCE is for those who for various reasons are unable to get a place in the regular classrooms for academic work. And in order to rake in more money from different sources, WAEC pulled the exam format from the hat. And because these candidates are engaged in other full time worldly activities, they do not allocate enough time for thorough academic studies. So, on examination day, they converge on the venues armed more with sinister motives of cheating their way through. These are candidates who not only bribe invigilators to look the other way; they are known to hire outsiders to write exams for them. The continuing mass failure and rot afflicting our educational system as a whole will not go away anytime soon. Much as other countries are taking to qualitative education as a way to national development, Nigeria is giving the impression that the only way to become great is through mindless material acquisition.

We have been conditioned into believing that mass illiteracy is capable of elevating us as a people. Unless, we go back to the drawing board and impress on Nigerians that the only way the society can grow in all its capabilities is to frown at academic failures, we may be bequeathing a dangerous legacy to future generations. If other countries did it, we also can. Even with all the crude oil around, the country and its citizens have continued to slide down the international Index for Human Development (IHD). It may get worse if nothing is done to stem the tide of examination failures.

Sport Extra

Nadal, the 2009 Melbourne champion, took to social media to post on his Facebook page that he has been training for the first Grand Slam of next year with Frenchman Richard Gasquet and his coach

Sergi Bruguera.

“Training hard this week with Richard Gasquet and his trainer, Sergi Bruguera,” Nadal wrote.

“The operation on my appendix was good. No problems at all. I am able

to practice for a lot of hours at a high intensity.

After five months of pain, that’s important to me,” he added, stressing, “I am sure the level of intensity and level of competition will be helpful for me.”

Nadal

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